This week's contributors: Lydia, Dore Fasolati, this week's subjects: Silk, Health check, Hubby's suitcase, Mama Mia Pizza

LET’S TALK ABOUT SILK!

Growing up as teenagers silk was thought to be an elite lustrous textile, smooth, soft and slippery on the skin, giving an exciting feel. And we were right.

Silk is the strongest natural animal origin textile in the world. It is a natural protein fiber, also known as fibroin, which an insect larva secretes to make cocoons.

Mulberry silk is amongst the most refined and highest quality silks in the world and makes up about 90% of the world's silks. Originating from China, the Bombyx Mori moths are fed exclusively on mulberry tree leaves and create the cocoons.

For those interested in buying the highest quality mulberry silk products, it is easy to sort out the quality from the quantity by taking note of the Momme of silk. Momme is the measure of density of silk.  So, if your garment contains one Momme of silk, then expect to find 4.340 grams of silk per square meter of the fabric.

Mamadou Dakar Couture­­­

Though Silk originates from Far East countries, Sea silks, the rarest and extremely fine types of silk and the most expensive silks in the world were first produced in the Mediterranean region by underwater mollusks called ‘Pinna Nobilis’, now almost extinct, but still found near the Island of Sardinia. The last surviving sea silk seamstress is Chiara Vigo who lives in Sardinia. An idea of pricing for sea silk: A sea silk hat recently sold for 8000$.

Then there is Muga Silk, known for its natural golden color and mainly produced in the Indian state of Assam. Preferred by the Royalties of India, Muga Silk is made by its own unique silk moth fed on a strict diet of aromatic Som and Sualu leaves. Today we find it in sarees and other traditional Indian garments.

Other types of silks are Artificial Silk (Bamboo Silk, that's the one where you can buy a silk shirt for 20$ or so), Eri Silk, Habotai Silk, Spider Silk, Tussar Silk and Wild Silk, all with their own particularities, fiber lengths, strengths, thickness and price Be prepared to pay 100-125$ for a quality Mulberry silk shirt

Silk has many health benefits for the skin. The average person sweets several cups of water every night. Sleeping on or with silk garments keeps you dry and reduces humidity, reducing skin allergies by preventing microbes and dust mites, which thrive on humidity and which are a primary trigger for allergies, from invading and living in your bed.

Mamadou Dakar Couture­­­

Silk helps you to have a clearer skin and improves your complexion since it’s free of chemicals. The tightly-woven, smooth fibers of silk help keep moisture close to the skin.

It’s ideal for people with sensitive skin and helps in preventing acne, eczema, psoriasis and premature ageing skin or wrinkles. Silk pillows also helps hair in retaining its moisture and natural oils while reducing friction that causes tangling and breakage.

Wearing silk garments not only makes you look rich, it also boost your confidence and uplifts your mood.

Ah, and least we forget, many of our own Royal Kente clothes were made out of unraveled imported silk tissues, unless Nigeria where it was made from their own indigenous wild Anaphe moth.....

Health!

Last time I talked about doctors, we call that the healthcare sector. But I think the word is wrong, it should rather read the sickcare sector because we only visit doctors when we don't feel good.

So what should a modern healthcare sector look like?

Lets be aware of how healthy we are. What is our ideal weight?  In my case between  56 and 75 kgs is considered healthy. What Blood Pressure (BP, Bee Pee) do I have? Am I fit? Is my sugar too high? What is my bloodcount? I like to go to the lab every 6 months or so and have them check on these things so that I know where I stand  and so that I can react if something seems abnormal. And I then do HIV as well, not because my behaviour is risky, but risks are everywhere. Recently a 12 year old girl was found to be HIV positive, and she definitely still was a virgin. Unfortunately the househelp was not, and used the girl's toothbrush, and the rest of the story is just sad sad sad, There is still no cure for HIV, and to take all these suppression pills for the rest of your life should have some side effects (pills always have), and is not really appealing. Knowing your status will not change anything, but then at least you can start early treatment and avoid contaminating others. Though some seem to think 'if i have it everyone should have it”. Brrrr.

Should I pack my husband's suitcase? I love to pack his suitcase, put shirts  which make him look good, shows him I trust him. But I always let him go through, so he himself can make sure everything  he may need is there

Pizza? We still prefer the old fashioned classic Mama Mia Restaurant in Osu. A decent crispy bottom, thin, Napoli style, not the birthdaycake American style fatspread caloriecake as seems to be fashionable these days

Lydia...

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