Nathan Machoka

Reviving the Ancient Nutritional and Culinary Value of Buckwheat

Buckwheat is a pseudo-cereal commonly grown in China, Kazakhstan, Korea, Japan, Russia, and Central and Eastern Europe. It is usually processed into flour, groats, and noodles and can also be used to make tea.  Two types are widely grown for human consumption: common and Tartary buckwheat. Nutritional benefits of buckwheat The plant originated in northern ...

Nathan Machoka

Buckwheat in a wooden spoon.

Thomas Cole’s ‘Voyage of Life’: Finding Joy in the Journey

In the late 1830s, Thomas Cole, an English-born American painter, was keen on advancing landscape painting to convey religion and moral values. In 1842, Cole fulfilled his aspiration by completing a four-part Romantic-style landscape painting, The Voyage of Life: Childhood, Youth, Manhood, and Old Age. Cole believed the genre of landscape painting could show universal ...

Nathan Machoka

Thomas Cole's painting, 'The Voyage of Life: Youth.'

The Link Between Fatigue and Thyroid Disorders

There are several causes of fatigue among women. And too little production of the thyroid hormone thyroxine or hypothyroidism is most often to blame for fatigue in women over 50. Besides fatigue, menopause and too little thyroxine production share symptoms such as hot flashes, hair loss, and depression. That’s why hypothyroidism is often mistaken for ...

Nathan Machoka

A woman showing signs of fatigue.

6 Ways to Make Tastier Homemade Pizza

Like any other homemade meal or snack, homemade pizza can be the best deal. You can choose the number of ingredients to add and use fresher toppings compared to takeout or restaurant pizza. Of course, ordering takeout pizza has its advantages. But preparing homemade pizza comes with unmatched experience and a profound sense of satisfaction. ...

Nathan Machoka

A homemade pizza.

8 Easy Ways to Kickstart Your Morning

Early morning hours — to some, it’s a blessing; to others, a waking nightmare. But how you kickstart your morning can influence the rest of your day.  Today, most people rarely get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night. And while enough sleep is essential for your body and health, these proven ...

Nathan Machoka

Sunrise through a bedroom window.

The Fine Art of Listening: A Skill That Builds Relationships

Listening is the basis of communication and building lasting relationships. It’s more than just hearing what the other person is saying, which makes it crucial to become a better listener. It’s about telling what they are feeling by their verbal cues, nonverbal cues, the tone of their voice, and the words they use.  This way, ...

Nathan Machoka

Listen written on a blackboard.

How To Handle Criticism in a Positive Way

Dealing with criticism is a challenging yet essential life skill. Building your sense of self-worth takes years, and an ill-received comment can destroy all that. But in life, you’ll inevitably get criticized by your boss, coworkers, family, or even strangers. It would help if you learned to handle it expertly because it’s essential for personal ...

Nathan Machoka

Blocks spelling 'criticism.'

The Successful Renovation of Lowenburg Castle in Kassel, Germany

Lowenburg Castle or “Lion’s Castle” may look like a medieval castle, but it was built between 1793 and 1801. Located within Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, this ornate castle has been undergoing restoration to regain its lost glory.  Lowenburg Castle restoration work During World War II, the castle was severely damaged, and its keep suffered the brunt of ...

Nathan Machoka

Lowenburg Castle.

Near-Death Experience: The Realm Between Life and Death

A near-death experience can leave a lasting impact on a person’s life. But, even if you’ve never experienced a close brush with death, you’ve probably seen or read about it in popular media.  In movies, we usually see a scene where the star is bleeding out or lost at sea or in a desert. Then ...

Nathan Machoka

Large doors opening to the heavens.