The year 2012 was very eventful for me and my pet project; The Arimifoods.
Arimifoods website started in 2010 as an avenue to break-down complex scientific facts about food and nutrition to simple practical knowledge that consumers can understand.
As many of you have experienced, information about foods and nutrition offered in the media and other outlets leaves consumers confused.
As a qualified food scientist I took it as my responsibility to bridge the gap by providing credible and useful knowledge in controversial subjects in food and nutrition.
For those who do not know me very well, I hold a BSc degree, two MSc degree and a PhD degree in Food Science from University College Dublin, Ireland,
Since I was working as a Postdoctoral fellow at UCD, Dublin, Ireland from 2011, I tried my best to post an article every week. Most a times, I could not meet this target. But I strived to ensure that I posted an article atleast once a month.
Publishing for Daily Nation Kenya
While I was dividing my attention between supervising two PhD students and writing in my two blogs: www.arimifoods.com and www.joshuaarimi.com, I published for Daily Nation newspaper. The articles I published in Daily Nation in 2012 are:
- Why Kenyan athletes are so good
- With nature around us, who needs a gym?
- Ignore those alarmist reports, your microwave oven is safe
Half year calamity
As the year progressed, I was thrown into a sorrow and mourning mood after I lost the only my beloved sister. May the Lord rest your soul in eternal peace my dear sister.
Sin city
I flew back to Ireland and put a brave face as I came to terms with what had befallen our family. The subsequent days were difficult but a two week escape to sin city (Las Vegas) granted me an opportunity to reflect and compose myself back to normality.
My experience of the sin city was not bad at all as I attended Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) conference and International Microwave Power Institute (IMPI) Conference. I left Nevada as a happy man as I scooped a certificate for emerging as a second best presenter in one of the conferences; The IMPI 2012 conference.
Relocating back to Kenya
The following three months from June 2012, were moments of epiphany as I was preparing to relocate to Kenya after 8 good years in the land of leprechauns.
University College Dublin offered me more than I anticipated. A MSc and a PhD degree. A guidance by the best of the experts in the area of Food Science.
Dublin city is small, but it offers a lot in terms of social scenes, pubs, touristic sites particularly the temple bar and many more.
Tears flowed as I bid goodbye to my friends and family of Dublin Central Mission (DCM). Especially the young adults group, I will always remember you. May God keep you.
Come September 30th I relocated to Kenya and on 1st October was happily at home. I took up a job at Kenya Methodist University as a senior lecturer in the department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. I am based at the main campus in Meru.
Future of Arimi foods
I wish to bring to you some good news. I am converting the Arimifoods idea into a full-fledged consultancy firm. As you read this I have secured an office in Meru at EDFRI Green house next to Uchumi supermarket room G5.
To balance my day job with consultancy work, I will be available in the office after 6 PM every day. I will be happy if you can pay me a visit as from 5 th January 2013.
2013 Outlook
I am planning several activities this year. One of the key events will be to publish several concise books in key areas of food nutrition including:
1. Nutritional cosmetics- what to eat to look beautiful.
2. Sports nutrition- What to eat before and after gym
3. Nutrition during expectancy
4. Nutrition and ageing- Use of nutrition to slow ageing
5. Link between nutrition and intelligence
The other activity, I am planning for 2013 is to offer regular public talks on food and nutrition. Soon I will release the calendar of the towns that I will visit in the course of the year.
You will like this; I will be the first to review food products sold in the Kenyan market and offer a professional opinion. Look forward to knowing your food !!!
Wishing you a happy 2013.
Hi Joshua
Happy New Year! My condolences on the passing on of your sister.
I wish to register my appreciation for the priceless topics and information on food, health etc. you have shared freel of charge. I look forward to reading your books as they get printed. Keep up the good work and God bless.
Liz
Thanks Elizabeth,
I humbly appreciate your compliments and condolences. I am always happy to share any new info on food and health that I know. Imagine I am writing an article on health benefits of donkey milk!!!
The books will be out soon. Keep well and prosperous 2013.
Hi i have always been an ardent reader of Arimi foods and i share that info with my parents. As for articles on nation i read but have never thought you are the same author. Keep up the good work and welcome home Sir.
Hi Romana,
Thanks for keeping it here. I will be adding a new article every week now that I am around. Sure, I write for Nation although sometimes I am very occupied to write every week. I hope to meet you as a person one of these days. Prosperous 2013.
Hi Arimi, pole sana on losing ua sis.
Congrats for the many achievements, am so proud of u, seen u grow frm those days @ jku. Welcom bak, we need such brains!
Thanks Mercy.
I hope you are keeping well. Thanks for every moments especially in JKUAT. Keep well and hope we will meet soon.
Hi Joshua, am Jedidah. I’ve just read a bit about you in this page. yesterday I read a very good article about pumpkin in your website and, wanting to know who wrote I’ve seen this page. am doing some study on pumpkin for my PhD at Chuka and would really wish to get a bit of assistance, if you have any published articles about pumpkin fruit, I would really appreciate. Am dealing with diversification of processing and utilization of cucurbita moschata duchesne variety in Kenya.
If this message finds you soon I would be glad. Thanks.
Hi Bro! Wow!!! Am late but better late than never! Firstly I did hear abt the sad lose of Martha, May her soul RIP. To hear you relocated back here thats great news. I might be knocking at your office (G5) one of these days! All your articles are so enlightening, am an avid reader, and I’ve as well introuduced a number of my friends who are equally appreciative. Thanks so much for sharing that great knowledge on food and health. Keep well and a prosperous 2013! Asante!
Meant loss* not lose