Miss Lautoka’s shopping tips
YOUTHS and children should be involved in shopping so they learn how to make healthy choices at a young age. These were the words of Christal Kapoor the reigning Miss Lautoka and second runner up at this year's Miss Fiji Pageant. Originally from Nadroga Ms Kapoor is a Bachelor of Arts student at the University of Fiji with double majors in English Literature, Language and Communications and Hindi Language and Culture.
She loves Fijian food especially octopus cooked in lolo and fresh sea grapes (nama). Growing up the 24-year-old says her family has always been passionate about fresh, local food.
"When it comes to an active lifestyle, my father, who is a police officer, urges us to always be physically active," Ms Kapoor said.
"Personally, a healthy lifestyle does not only mean being physically fit, it means to be mentally, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually healthy."
She loves to cook and believes it’s a life skill and not a gender role.
"Everybody should know basic cooking skills. Even though I cook a variety of dishes, one dish I get loads of praise for is my tomato chutney."
This week she takes the spotlight as shopper of the week.
YOU are what you eat. In order for our bodies to function to the best of its ability Christal Kapoor said members of the public need to feed it with fresh, healthy and organically raised or grown foods.
Groceries shopping for the Kapoor’s are done on a fortnightly basis with an average budget of $150 to $200 while the vegetables and fruits are bought weekly from the local market or roadside stalls.
Ms Kapoor said they usually shop at Extra Supermarket in TappooCity, Lautoka and NewWorld IGA.
"I really appreciate a clean shopping environment, with products that are easy to locate with friendly, helpful staff members and affordable prices," she said.
"They also have a variety of products and brands to choose from."
The family's groceries shopping include flour, rice, onions and potatoes, meat and laundry supplements.
She said she placed a lot of emphasis on healthy choices because a healthy diet can help reduce chances of contracting noncommunicable disease (NCDs.)
"Non-communicable diseases are a major concern in Fiji and according to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services the leading cause of death in the country.
"A healthy diet and at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity can help reduce chances of contracting non-communicable diseases hence, the choices we make now especially with our food decide our future."
If there is one thing she has learnt over the year that is to buy more locally grown or produced foods because they are good value for money.
"It allows you to keep the money within the country enabling economic growth, so you are basically helping in improving the standard of living for all Fijians. "I have also learnt that its always wise to compare prices before shopping, one supermarket may have the same product for a cheaper price so instead of spending a lot of money on that product you get to save a few dollars."
Ms Kapoor says she usually takes her mother Sangeeta Kapoor and her sister, Angel when she goes out shopping.
"My mother is the one who decides what is to be bought and utilised throughout the two weeks and we accompany her as helping hands but some days I go shopping by myself or take my cousins with me for company.
"It is a great way to spend time with family as well since we are all so busy with work and school."
While a lot of people are becoming health conscious these days she says some changes she hopes to see in supermarkets is for keto or gluten free products to be kept in a separate section.
"I feel that these products could use a separate section in supermarkets so that they are easier to locate.
"Local. I have also seen some supermarkets selling cooked meat right next to raw meat, which is unhygienic, so managers and consumers should definitely keep this in mind."
Ms Kapoor encourages youths and children to be more involved in shopping so that they can learn to make healthy choices from a young age.
"This can also help reduce the alarming statistics of NCD cases because these children and young people will know which foods are beneficial to their bodies and growth.
"It will also help them enhance their numerical and social skills.
"Shopping should not be stereotyped to females, we all need food and in this day and age we cannot be expecting our mother's or wives to go out and get the shopping done; lend a helping hand while they shop, add a few more minutes to family time.
"Be sure to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables, they are healthier and organic so not only you are doing good to your body but to your country.
"Be mindful when purchasing meat, make sure it looks, feels and smells fresh, do not purchase undersized seafood and buy seafood caught using environmentally sustainable methods."
Tomato Chutney
Serves four to eight depends on the portion
One can diced tomatoes or six medium sized tomatoes, diced;
One large onion, sliced thinly;
Eight cloves of garlic, pounded; Chillies, according to preference, pounded;
One stalk of curry leaves or tej patti, chopped;
One teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
One teaspoon mustard (sarso) seeds; One teaspoon fenugreek (methi) seeds; Salt, according to taste;
Half teaspoon pepper;
Half teaspoon turmeric (haldi) powder; One teaspoon sugar; and
Two tablespoons of oil.
Method
Heat oil in a saucepan on a medium flame, add cumin, mustard and fenugreek, and be mindful to pay attention to the popping sounds as that will be your cue to add half of the thinly sliced onions.
Wait till onions are soft then add garlic and chilli paste.
Fry till they turn golden brown.
Add the remaining onions and sauté them, once they become slightly golden in colour, add the tomatoes, stir on low heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper, stir gently on low heat for 1 minute add turmeric and sugar. Increase heat to medium for about 30 seconds and then we are done.
Coriander leaves can be used as garnish or to amplify taste.