In The Bahamas, one of the biggest health challenges we face isn’t necessarily what you’d expect – it’s our backs. And no, it’s not just the weight we’re carrying, but the health problems that come with it.

With obesity rates soaring in the Caribbean, The Bahamas finds itself in a troubling position. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 40% of adults in the Bahamas are obese. So, what’s behind this, and what can we do to change it?

Food Culture vs. Health Trends
We all know Bahamian food is second to none, from conch fritters and fried snapper to peas and rice, mac and cheese, and so much more. But while our food is delicious, it’s also packed with calories, fat, and sugar – the perfect storm for obesity. As much as we love our culture of large, satisfying portions, we’ve got to face the reality that eating habits rooted in fried foods and starchy meals are contributing to the obesity problem. It’s time to rethink what we put on our plates.

Lifestyle Challenges
The fast-paced Bahamian lifestyle makes it even harder. Long workdays, busy commutes, and not enough options for fitness make it tough to stay active. Many of us spend hours sitting at desks or in front of screens, and with fast food being the easy choice, we end up gaining more weight without even realizing it. It’s a cycle that keeps feeding into itself.

The Emotional Side
The struggle with weight isn’t just physical. Emotional and psychological factors also play a role. Life stress, pressures from society, and the demands of everyday living often push people to find comfort in food. Emotional eating is a real issue, making it even harder to manage weight.

What’s Being Done?
The good news? Change is coming. More Bahamians are turning to healthier food options, fitness programs are growing in popularity, and local businesses are offering better alternatives. There’s also a stronger push for self-care, which is helping people recognize the importance of healthy living to avoid diseases like diabetes and heart problems.

Should We Be Worried?
With obesity affecting nearly 40% of adults, it’s clear this isn’t something we can just overlook. The real question is, what are we doing to fix it? It’s time for a shift in how we live – from what we eat to how active we are. Our health is on the line, but we also have the power to make a change. It’s up to us as a community to step up and turn things around. So, will we rise to the challenge? That’s something we’ll find out together.

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One of the taglines for this movie: Romance Is Dead. On Valentine's Day for the past few there has been a serial killer killing couples along with anyone who has gotten in the way of them getting to their victims, but this Valentine's Day the couple targeted is not an actual couple.

Heart Eyes is a fun Valentine's themed horror movie that is equal parts romantic comedy for an entertaining mix of the two genres. Josh Ruden does a good job of directing this slasher comedy that fits well with his previous directing efforts of Scare Me and Werewolves Within. The script by Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon & Michael Kennedy keeps the dialogue fresh while supplying the audience with interesting kills as we learn the rules and logic of this particular scary movie. The cast keeps you invested from the leads Olivia Holt & Mason Gooding to the supporting Devon Sawa and Jordana Brewster among others. This motion picture is a solid entry to the February 14th occurring thrillers with a look that makes the Heart Eyes Killer stand out in a way that lends itself to a potential franchise.

P.S.
There is an interesting mid credit scene that lets you know that HEK may have more February 14ths in them once there are others prepared to take on the persona

I rate this movie a rating of 3 & 1/2 out of 5.

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West Side Cigar Lounge & Eatery: Is It Worth the Hype?

By now, you've probably seen West Side Cigar Lounge & Eatery all over TikTok, and that’s exactly why I held off on this review—I know y’all already know about it. But after getting flooded with DMs like “How does the food taste?” and “Go check them out and tell me what it saying”, I had no choice but to pull up and see what’s really good.

First off, let’s talk vibes. West Side is giving grown and sexy with its upscale atmosphere, creative drink menu that matches the aesthetics, and top-tier cigars you can enjoy indoors or out. For Grand Bahama, this is definitely something out of the norm, and I was here for it.

Now, onto the real reason we’re here—the service and the food. And let me tell you, the customer service? Immaculate. The ladies behind the counter were so welcoming that I ended up coming back twice in one week. By my second visit, they already knew my name. They gave solid menu recommendations, and their warmth added to the overall experience.

As for the food? Certified hit. The salmon sliders and wedges were easily some of the best I’ve had on this island. Fresh, flavorful, and just the right amount of indulgent. On my second visit, I went for the club sandwich, which was a little too saucy for my taste, but if that’s your thing, you might love it.

Final verdict? A solid 4/5 stars. West Side Cigar Lounge & Eatery is bringing something new to the scene, and I’ll be back to explore more of the menu. If you haven’t been yet, consider this your sign. ✨

#WestSideCigarLounge #GrandBahamaEats #TastyWithKC

TikTok Returns to U.S. App Stores

TikTok is back on the U.S. app stores after a brief removal, thanks to President Donald Trump delaying the enforcement of a ban. The app, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, was pulled from Apple and Google stores on January 18 due to a law requiring ByteDance to divest or face a ban. Many users briefly migrated to RedNote, a Chinese social media app, calling themselves "TikTok refugees." With over 170 million American users, TikTok’s return means there’s no need to buy phones with the app already installed at outrageous prices. TikTok is here to stay—for now.

TikTok Trend

How Google Street View Is Putting The Bahamas on the Map

The Bahamas is about to take a big step forward in putting our beautiful islands on the map, literally. The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, in collaboration with World Travel in 360, has kicked off a major project to bring Google Street View to 16 of our islands. They've already started capturing parts of New Providence, and soon, over one million geo-located, 360-degree images will showcase our country to the world. By the time this is all done, we’ll be getting an estimated 200 million views over the next five years.

But this isn’t just about showing off our beaches and resorts (though those will be well represented!). The real power of this project is how it helps our local businesses. With AI-driven updates, our shops, restaurants, and service providers will be easier to find for anyone browsing Google Maps, putting us right in front of potential customers from across the globe. For us locals, it also means we get to see our favorite spots from a new perspective, even if we’re stuck at home for the day.

This project goes beyond tourism, though. It’ll help with everything from urban planning and emergency response to environmental monitoring. This is our chance to preserve what makes The Bahamas unique, like our natural beauty, while making sure we’re prepared for whatever the future holds.

At the end of the day, this digital transformation will not only make it easier for visitors to find us, but it’ll also make it easier for us to grow, protect, and show off everything that makes The Bahamas, well, The Bahamas.