Have You Tried to Consume Any Forms of Coconut Products?

We talked about imported coconut in the USA market, please read at previous post:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Countries which Export Coconut to America

Image 1- Coconut without shells, sold in the Mexican grocery

There are many products made of coconuts, include:

- oil
- milk
- milk beverages
- water (juicy)
- flakes
- flour
- butter
- sugar

Image 2- Coconut oil, sold in the Walmart groceries

Image 3- Coconut charcoal, sold in Amazon

Other well known coconut relate products are charcoal, vinegar, copra, cream, chips, candy and cakes.

I myself love to consume water (juicy) and meat of young coconuts, suitable during hot summer season.

Cans of juicy mixed with young coconut meats also available in many groceries, especially Asian shops.

I often use coconut oil and milk for cooking, especially for traditional foods. Smell good and tasty.

Have you tried to eat coconut? What products of coconut do you like most?

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Tea Made of Hibiscus Flowers

We knew Hibiscus flowers could be processed to be tea, but we never seen its sold commercially in the market.

Image 1- A package of hibiscus tea

When we visit Mexican store a couple weeks ago, we saw the Hibiscus tea in the small plastic packages.

The waitress said that tea made of Jamaican flowers, flowers from a Caribbean country. So, it is mean the grocery imported those tea.

Price is quite cheap compare to other tea sold in other American groceries such as Walmart and Whole Foods Market.

Image 2- A pink Hibiscus flower in the garden

Image 3- Yellow flower at a yard

Image 4- Several packs of Hibiscus tea.

Just for comparison, price of teas per 8 oz (227 gram) in groceries of our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana:

- Hibiscus tea is US$ 4.29 per 8 oz
- others tea is US$ 12.80 per 8 oz

We drink hot hibiscus tea, and love sweet cranberry flavor. Other flavors, just few are:

- spicy
- fruity
- and sour

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Countries which Export Coconut to America

I believe you know that coconut grow well in tropical regions, hence, coconut producers come from hot temperature countries.

Coconuts with scientific name Cocos nucifera are easily to find in America groceries. Where do they come from?

Image 1- Coconut with shell sold in the USA groceries

Tropical countries known well for growing coconut trees are located in South East Asia, include:

- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Philippine
- and Indonesia.

Moreover, Brazil is the largest coconut producer from Latin America.

Image 2- A coconut tree with fruits

USA import US$ 34 million coconut per year. Most coconuts in the USA are coming from Latin America.

Image 3- Juice in the young coconut.

The countries or regions or territories which export coconuts to America:

- Cuba
- Latin America (central America countries)
- Pacific islands
- Puerto Rico

Image 4- Coconut fruit

However, coconuts are growing in the USA too. Two states have coconut trees are:

- Hawaii
- and Florida.

Hence, it is not difficult to find coconut and some of its products in the USA, include in our state, Louisiana.

I saw the biggest retail in America, Walmart has sold coconuts for sometimes, but I always buy them in ethnic groceries such as Mexico and Asian shops.

Have your countries grown coconut trees?

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Do You Know American Native Ginseng?

I thought ginseng is a Korean product only, because I guessed that the plant grows very well there.

Recently, I know the plants grows in America, include Canada too. What are different between American and Korean ginseng?

Image 1- Roots of American ginseng, sold in Amazon.

Here are some simple different between an American and a Korean ginseng:

1) The American ginseng

- Panax quinquefolius, scientific name
- it is usually used when hot temperature conditions

2) The Korean ginseng

- Panax ginseng, scientific name
- suitable during cold weather.

Image 2- A tall trees, just for illustration

Image 3- Gardenia flowers at yard

Image 4- An American ginseng plant (credit to The Spruce)

Plants of American ginseng have grown wildly in the forests. They love the areas such as rich soil and dense shade.

The plant is one of American native plants. We may find wild ginseng in several states:

- South Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Georgia
- and Canada (Quebec and Ontario)

Do You Know of American Native Ginseng? And Have you tasted it?

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Local Property Tax for Funding Our City Transport System

We talked about transport systems in the city of Baton Rouge where funding comes from several include local property tax:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : CATS Transport System in Our City Baton Rouge, LA

Image 1- Electric bus (credit to Fuels Fix)

Local Property Tax is a tax of resident properties in the city or state. Our city property tax is quite lower, 0.61% only.

Previously, commuter in Baton Rouge was operated by private company, Railway and Lighting Company with mule-driven trolley cars, then upgraded with electric cars.

From pure private company evolved to current system. The name changes as well, namely “from the Baton Rouge Bus Company to Metro Transit to the present-day Capital Area Transit System.”

Image 2- One of streets in the morning

Image 3- No passengers yet

Since 1999, CATS served for people almost every day in a year. Available:

- seven (7) days a week
- and 363 days a year

I myself take CATS sometimes. I love to hear the conversations between passengers, topics could be anything:

- from politics to economy
- from social to current events in the city
- and to private things.

In addition, there are a lot of jokes and funny things.

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Summer is a Perfect Time to Ride a Motorbike

This month temperature is around 86* F (30* C) in our city, Baton Rouge, LA. The hottest day around July to August could reach 104* F (40* C), but quite rare in the middle of day.

Image 1 – Motorbike ready to run.

For some people, especially in my neighborhood in respect to motorbikes, it is a good time to:

- ride a motorbike
- buy a new motorbike
- sell a secondhand motorbike
- etc

There are 5 famous motorbike brands in my city, and neighborhood. What are they?

Image 2- Motorbike stand on the front house

Image 3- Honda motorbike from left side

Image 4- Honda shadow motorbike

Image 5- Ready to ride

Top 5 brands in my areas (neighborhood) are: Harley-Davidson, BMW, Ducati, Honda and Kawasaki

These brands come from 4 well known countries in term of automotive relate industries: USA (Harley-Davidson), Germany (BMW), Italy (Ducati) and Japan (Honda and Kawasaki)

The above 5 photos (Image 1 to Image 5) show Honda Shadow with specifications: colors of black and chrome, 750cc engine, and year 2001.

Finally, do you love to ride motorbike?

What brand you favor?

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CATS Transport System in Our City Baton Rouge, LA

Our city has transport system called as CATS stand for Capital Area Transit System.

Image 1- CATS wait for passenger

CATS has 29 bus routes to cover the capital areas, Baton Rouge, Louisiana with operation hours from 5.00 AM to 11.00 PM.

This is not government institution, but an independent agency. Its funding from multiple sources include:

- state government
- federal administration
- city of Baton Rouge government
- East Baton Rouge parish
- and local property tax (a local millage).

Image 2- Our neighborhood, just illustration

Off course no free rides for common people, we must buy ticket to commute around town.

Image 3- CATS on the road

There are four types of ticket available:

- pass for 31 days with price US$ 56
- US$ 24.5 for 15 days ride pass
- pass for 7 days with price US$19
- and all-day pass with price US$ 4.

Free for students during weekdays, and free for certain communities on Saturday and Sunday with designed routes such as from specific stops to shopping areas (supermarket complexes)

The CATS sell special ticket for football seasons. The games start from September and end in November each year. Ticket price was US$ 60.

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Weekly Farmer Market at Our Neighborhood

We have at least two daily farmer markets close to our neighborhood. The market open from Monday to Sunday.

Image 1- Few tents of farmer market.

Weekly farmer market on Tuesday only. Very small markets. Open hours very short, about 3 to 5 hours:

- from 8.00 AM to 1.00 PM during late winter to spring.
- from 3.30 PM to 6.30 PM during late spring to summer.

Actually, the hours could be little bit shorter or longer, depend on number of factors such as:

- customers
- sell items
- and weather conditions.

Image 2- Fresh corn

Market in the parking areas of our city, Baton Rouge main library. Sellers come from the groups of:

- real farmers
- food artisans

Image 3- Corn on the cob, ready to grill

Uniquely, we can’t find bananas and mangoes, because they are import produces.

Image 4- One of favorite fruits

All produces are grown by local farmers. The farmers are member of association called as Red Stick Farmers.

Image 5- Vegetables on the table

Off course, the weekly farmer market is not big market, just very few farmers participate. I guess no more than 6 tents (farmers) every week.

Local produces sold in the market may include:

- fresh fruits and vegetables
- meats
- homemade foods (pies and bread)
- honey, milk and cheese
- native plants and herbs
- specialty food items.

Do you have weekly farmer markets in your neighborhood?

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Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 2

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 1

Fig 01- Dogs play in the park

I visited City Brooks community park several times. Not specific for dogs, but for families or every body:

- old
- young
- and kids.

The park is administrated by an agency called Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC).

Fig 02- Dogs in neighborhood

Fig 03- Street, just for illustration

Fig 04- A dog in the park

The main purpose of the park is to provide recreational opportunities for families from nearby areas.

Size of park is more than 150,000 acres, in addition to green areas, it covers many facilities such as:

- tennis courts and ball fields
- a swimming pool and a fishing lake

The area for dogs is quite big, hence we can find separate areas for small and big dogs. The pups playing area is available as well.

How many dog parks in your city?

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