Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi, this week's subjects: How to Incorporate Elevated Comfort into Your Wardrobe Start with Basics, More about your intestines and your brain, Insecticides in the home, and in your body, Alisa Hotel, Loaded fries is overrated, and Eggstacy

How to Incorporate Elevated Comfort into Your Wardrobe Start with Basics: Begin with staples such as a pair of high-quality joggers or a relaxed-fit turtleneck. These can easily be dressed up with a statement necklace or a bold lip colour. Layer Smartly: Utilizing layers is key to achieving the Elevated Comfort aesthetic. Throw on an oversized blazer over a soft tee for a polished look that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. Accessorize with intention: Use accessories to infuse your vibe. A chic belt bag or oversized sunglasses can instantly uplift your outfit while remaining practical. Footwear Matters: Opt for stylish yet comfortable footwear—think sleek sneakers or low-heeled mules. This ensures you can stay on the move without compromising your style. Embracing the trend. As we embrace Elevated Comfort, the focus shifts to designing a wardrobe that is as adaptable as it is stylish. This trend encourages individuals to express their personal style in a way that prioritizes well-being and ease. With fashion-forward yet functional pieces, you can effortlessly transition from a day at home to an evening out or a casual coffee date. So, keep an eye out for elevated comfort in the coming season—it’s not just a trend, but a lifestyle that redefines what it means to be stylishly comfortable.

More about your intestines and your brain. This is a rather new area of study, but it has meanwhile become common knowledge that a poor functioning digestive system negatively affects your mood. In trying to find out why this is so scientists have found that not only your way of thinking changes, but the structure of your brain actually changes as well. Inflammation of your intestines seems to be the main cause. This produces certain molecules which travel through your bloodstream to your brain and start to create havoc there. How to avoid this inflammation? Eat natural food, not processed foods like Indomie or spaghetti or biscuits. Or canned. Read up on good food, it will be your worth while. In the beginning some of the words may sound alien, but if you constantly look things up you'll become conversant with all this quite soon.

Insecticides in the home, and in your body. If you've been reading the label of your “mosquito spray” you've likely come across the words pyrethrinoides and organophosphates. Cancer, mis- formed babies, anxiety and brain slowing down are just some of the many things which have now been found to be affected by these 2 insecticides, and many European countries are raising the alarm. On top of that, we always overdose, 4-5 sprays into the room as against 1-2 recommended, and we don't air the room sufficiently long after spraying. What to do? Have good mosquito nets on doors and windows and keep the doors closed, especially in the evenings. And keep your compound and surroundings free from standing water, where mosquitoes like to breed. Like in the olden days.

Alisa Hotel 21 Dr Isert St, North Ridge, Accra. My visitor was staying at the Alisa Hotel and we agreed to meet at their Patron Lounge. I arrived before she did and ordered a soda water. Then my friend arrived, and my canned soda water was served and the waiter walked away. I called her back and asked that maybe my friend too would want to order something. That had not occurred to her, and there was no apology either. My friend ordered a Coke. My bill was 60 GHS, 30 for the soda and 30 for the Coke. But then of course one sits quietly and the AC is humming. The 60 GHS included 23% taxes, the Covid tax at 1 % was still inside, does anyone still remember when that was? With the now forgotten weekly “Fellow Ghanaians” show and the lockdown? All that for only 1%? O.O

Loaded fries is overrated. Loaded fries is a dish consisting of French fries topped with a combination of cheese, sauces, meat (commonly bacon) and vegetables. It has become a staple in fast food, with restaurants and food trucks alike offering their own versions of this indulgent dish. I've tried loaded fries from places like Chicken and Wine, inside Koala Supermarket, Oxford St, Accra, The Burger Booth, Opposite Front/Back (Osu), Accra and Flicks and Licks, Achimota Mile 7, T-Junction, Accra, but I wasn't all that impressed. Is it worth the hype? NO! While loaded fries can be a tasty and satisfying snack, their high calorie count, lack of nutritional value and overemphasis on quantity over quality, makes this a culinary trend that has gone too far. It's time to rethink our obsession with loaded fries as a satisfying snack. It's time to seek out more balanced, creative and nutritious food options.

Eggstacy Oxford St, Osu, RE shell filling station Accra. All over social media, so we tried. Indeed an eggy place and no beef burgers, rather egg burgers. Drowned in so many sauces that you get confused. We also had a London tower, though it looked more like a poor Chinese copy of the Eiffel tower, which was full of ice cream and lemonade, probably a very nice thing for your child. You wonder how such places survive, but then again, lots of people don’t mind eating lots of rubbish. Service was friendly and attentive.

Lydia...

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