I have nothing major to report except a new exotic smoothie I tried at a local restaurant. We the leaders escaped tonight for a few moments in order to get a delectable treat from a local shop just a few minutes drive from our place. These moments are usually few and far between and we cherish them when they present themselves. Therefore, it was a tremendous blessing to be able to go and grab something sweet.

My intention was to get some of the delightful Kenyan tea for which they are well-known for, but my mind was swayed when I gazed at the menu. I had never had a smoothie from this place but thought I may just give it a shot. The majority of the smoothies contained ginger and I, being a proponent of ginger, decided that would be the more proper route to take. Ginger has long been praised for its medicinal properties of well-being and has been used for years by way of remedies and support of proper health. With that in mind, I ordered a smoothie named ‘Immune Booster.’

Simple logic would say that something to boost one’s immune system is never a bad thing. As a matter of fact, being in a slum, it is a good idea to keep one’s immune system in peak performance. This immune boosting concoction contained various portions of the following: lemon sherbet, orange juice, sliced bananas, dates and the aforementioned ginger. The fellow placed all the ingredients together and went in the back for the ginger.

He emerged with two sizable chunks of ginger root asking me which I desired. The one large piece was comparable to an economy size glue stick. On the other hand, the smaller piece was more along the size of a large thumb. I would venture it to be about two inches long and fairly fat in the middle. I told him I would gladly take the smaller which he immediately placed in a juicer and extracted at least two tablespoons of pure ginger extract. Mind you, the smoothie itself was not any more than eight ounces and that ginger was overpowering just watching him juice it.

Well, the moment of truth had come, he had finished compiling all the contents; they were pureed and poured into a cup. The first swallow could only be compared to swallowing flaming diesel fuel and each subsequent swallow at least the same intensity. I have never swallowed flaming diesel fuel per say, but I can only imagine if I happened to do such a thing, there would be little difference between the two.

I was able to drink most of the immune boosting tonic, leaving only two swallows at the bottom where the really strong mix was. If the effects it has are based on taste alone, I shall not be sick for the next thirty three years. All ended well, but my once burning passion for ginger products has been quelled somewhat with tonight’s extreme overdose!