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Is the food that you're putting into your body nourishing for your health? Or are you indulging in habits and behaviors that are making you a slave?
African Americans have a rich history that should be honored by learning more about the cultural origins of the things that we love to celebrate [i.e. food, music, culture]. But we must also remember that every day we are leaving our own legacy. The choices that we make every moment can always be used as an opportunity to change the past.
"No matter their culture, everyone has some traditional food that feeds their soul and warms their heart. The goal is to bring the campus community together based on this principle." ~ Jonathan Poullard
You Don't have to Be a Dancer to Be Healthy
Are you Worth your salt or are you passing the buck?
Mathew 5:13 says, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
When it comes to your health and your future, "are YOU worth YOUR salt or are you simply passing the buck?" ~Walter Isbill
According to the CDC, 13% of African Americans suffer from poor health. The 3 leading causes of death among African Americans is heart attack, cancer, and stroke; all of which could be reduced by maintaining a proper diet and getting exercise. Unfortunately, although 18% of African Americans do not have health insurance, they are at the highest risk in the United States of contracting a health related illness. So how do we revitalize our community to take better care of their health and future? Perhaps some of this information will your nourish your mind with steps that YOU can make to improve your health and the welfare of your community.
When it comes to your health and your future, "are YOU worth YOUR salt or are you simply passing the buck?" ~Walter Isbill
According to the CDC, 13% of African Americans suffer from poor health. The 3 leading causes of death among African Americans is heart attack, cancer, and stroke; all of which could be reduced by maintaining a proper diet and getting exercise. Unfortunately, although 18% of African Americans do not have health insurance, they are at the highest risk in the United States of contracting a health related illness. So how do we revitalize our community to take better care of their health and future? Perhaps some of this information will your nourish your mind with steps that YOU can make to improve your health and the welfare of your community.
What You Should Know About The Factors That Affect Your Health
- Feed the Change by Being the Change
- What Are You Feeding Your Mind?!!!: The Real Scoop on African Americans and the Prevalence of Mental Illness
- If we are NOT ignorant, then why don't we know the truth?
- Filthy Roots
- The Future of Food Documentary
- Globalization & Taxation: Is This REALLY the Right Representation?
- Learning the Hard Way: Why Listening is sooo MUCH Better
- Are You Getting the Bang Out of Your Bling ....
- The Aundacity of Dope: a daunting look at how the healthcare industry funds the uninsured
- So what IS a hydroponic window farm?
- MisEducation: Learning Life Lessons Improves Your Personal Power
- Are You Still A Slave to Your Diet: The Origins of Soul Food
- About This Project
Blog Archive
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2010
(12)
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January
(12)
- Feed the Change by Being the Change
- What Are You Feeding Your Mind?!!!: The Real Scoop...
- If we are NOT ignorant, then why don't we know the...
- Filthy Roots
- The Future of Food --Documentary
- Globalization & Taxation: Is This REALLY the Right...
- Learning the Hard Way: Why Listening is sooo MUCH ...
- Are You Getting the Bang Out of Your Bling ...
- The Audacity of Dope: a daunting look at how the h...
- So what IS a hydroponic window farm?
- MisEducation: How Learning Life Lessons Improves Y...
- Food For Thought: Are you still a slave to your diet?
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▼
January
(12)
Follow the Movement
Have You Heard the Good News?!!!
I was once attending a Spoken Word event at this beautiful little neo-soul lounge down in East Atlanta Village. There was an insightful artist by the name of Mikuak Rai who was hosting the event sponsored by The Movement, a community of artists and activists. I had gone there that evening because I'd been told by a respected friend that the Monday Night poetry nights at Cenci, the name of the restaurant, were like a divine revelation and truth be told, I was not misinformed. I listened to young black children from Atlanta's "Roots to Fruits" program share their poems about how proud they were to be sure of who they are, and celebrate with their elders the joy of embracing their African Heritage. I listened to a Nigerian artist named Yetunde, [translation: The Mother has returned] deliver poetry so sweet and stirring that it brought me to tears to hear her speak of what real, deep, love is.
Then I watched in terror and awe as a young woman, less sure as I was, of what that was deliver a poem about wanting to find love. In her poem she talked about the man she would one day marry. It began in the standard spoken word format, beautiful words but always making me question whether what she wanted was realistic; Until I heard the line.... "The man that I will marry, will not always want to know if I love him, but will be more concerned about whether or not I love myself...." What a powerful idea to have resonating within to shake a person up to their very core.
Her words made me really think not just about the kind of love I want to have from other people, but also of the way that I give it. Do my thoughts and actions reflect how I represent myself, those I love, my community? I looked around the room. It was such a small, tight-knit group of people, but they were close and dedicated. I felt touched and a little saddened that there were so few people who inspired me in the way that they had, the only people who cared enough to savor life and do what was necessary to change the little bit they could in such a big and isolating world.
Mikuak must have been feeling something similar because as the audience warmly applauded this woman's performance, he smiled, looked around the room and grew a tad solemn. "This is beautiful yall," he began. He reminded the people in the room how fortunate they were to be able to have something like that to tap into. It was a movement that this small group and few others had put together.... had created. But they loved what they did. It was their sanctuary from the monotony of the outside world and they were stronger and much more energized about being a part of their lives because they had something they could come back to; as if it were the healthiest, vibrant part of themselves.
"These are some crazy times," he told those who had gathered there. "If you look at the news about the war, gas prices, violence, oppression and so many other things, you can tell that we're in the times of Revelations. No one has to even look at the prophecy to tell you that." I considered what he'd just said and thought about my own circumstances; living in poverty with an abusive family member while I tried to scrape enough tuition money to leave the city and go back to school. I could feel my forehead wrinkle up as I tried not to think about it and tried to focus my attention on the other people around the room.
Some looked about as troubled as I did. Others looked very hopeful. I even think I remember hearing a couple of Amens. Mikuak paused and then gave a kind and hopeful smile. "But we're not here for that," he said with his voice a little subdued. "We're not here to dwell on the the things that other people are out doing in the world. Anybody can believe and let themselves get discouraged by that. We're here not because of what was written in the Book of Revelations. I'm here," Mikuak shouted as he pointed out to the people watching and listening intently. "...because I believe that there's a book written after the Book of Revelation called the Book of Restoration!!!"
I was dumbfounded. "And right now," he continued. "While the rest of the world is falling into darkness, is falling into sleep, we are HERE. We are alive and we are getting ready, because the world needs us now more than ever... and we don't have to wait. We are the future. And we can begin, each and every one of us, to begin the process of healing and restoration right NOW!"
It was the single most inspiring moment of my entire life because I believed him, and he made me feel as if I could believe in myself. That was the day that I really began to really take interest in my role as an activist, not because anybody told me that I was obligated to give back, or because I felt like I had to. But I knew that he had just defined a pivotal moment in my life by revealing to me what my purpose was. I have been on that path ever since. There are days when I don't feel as if I'm ever going to get it. There are so many people who are just so lost to themselves and the importance of protecting and preserving the future. I've stopped trying to change them. But there are things that I know I can always reveal through myself, and I have been working on practical applications to learn how to give back to others that which I have been so blessed to receive.
But on the practical side of things I also realize that part of this experience lies in understanding the economics of how focusing on the things in our life that give us a sense of freedom, a sense of purpose and teach us to be our healthiest selves benefits a thousand times over. Rather than letting others dictate that for us, it is something that we have to define these things for ourselves, and this often takes education, a healthy lifestyle and finding balance so that we can be our best selves and empower those who look to others for inspiration.
There are often avenues we overlook because we are so reliant upon the fulfilling our own desires that we allow the system to oppresses others and become slaves to the pattern of thinking that blinds us to the fact that we are completely capable of providing a sustainable future for ourselves. Whether it's the clothes and food we buy, the education we receive, or the love we hope to receive from people, we miss out on a chance to boost ourselves spiritually and economically because we fail to understand the impact and liberation that comes with learning to adopt a more sustainable and conscientious lifestyle.
The arts have always been a conduit that has allowed us to take ownership of our own work and expression and to revitalize the very parts of us within that long to be healed and restored. By incorporating our work and expressions into other practical applications of our lifestyles, we can find this same joy and freedom in the even the simplest facets of our lives in a way that is powerful and inspiring enough to show us how to transcend ourselves and circumstances through even the smallest measures.
This is my source of inspiration for this project and the development of this project. Find out more about the
Diaspora & Indoor Urban Horticulture Garden here.
Then I watched in terror and awe as a young woman, less sure as I was, of what that was deliver a poem about wanting to find love. In her poem she talked about the man she would one day marry. It began in the standard spoken word format, beautiful words but always making me question whether what she wanted was realistic; Until I heard the line.... "The man that I will marry, will not always want to know if I love him, but will be more concerned about whether or not I love myself...." What a powerful idea to have resonating within to shake a person up to their very core.
Her words made me really think not just about the kind of love I want to have from other people, but also of the way that I give it. Do my thoughts and actions reflect how I represent myself, those I love, my community? I looked around the room. It was such a small, tight-knit group of people, but they were close and dedicated. I felt touched and a little saddened that there were so few people who inspired me in the way that they had, the only people who cared enough to savor life and do what was necessary to change the little bit they could in such a big and isolating world.
Mikuak must have been feeling something similar because as the audience warmly applauded this woman's performance, he smiled, looked around the room and grew a tad solemn. "This is beautiful yall," he began. He reminded the people in the room how fortunate they were to be able to have something like that to tap into. It was a movement that this small group and few others had put together.... had created. But they loved what they did. It was their sanctuary from the monotony of the outside world and they were stronger and much more energized about being a part of their lives because they had something they could come back to; as if it were the healthiest, vibrant part of themselves.
"These are some crazy times," he told those who had gathered there. "If you look at the news about the war, gas prices, violence, oppression and so many other things, you can tell that we're in the times of Revelations. No one has to even look at the prophecy to tell you that." I considered what he'd just said and thought about my own circumstances; living in poverty with an abusive family member while I tried to scrape enough tuition money to leave the city and go back to school. I could feel my forehead wrinkle up as I tried not to think about it and tried to focus my attention on the other people around the room.
Some looked about as troubled as I did. Others looked very hopeful. I even think I remember hearing a couple of Amens. Mikuak paused and then gave a kind and hopeful smile. "But we're not here for that," he said with his voice a little subdued. "We're not here to dwell on the the things that other people are out doing in the world. Anybody can believe and let themselves get discouraged by that. We're here not because of what was written in the Book of Revelations. I'm here," Mikuak shouted as he pointed out to the people watching and listening intently. "...because I believe that there's a book written after the Book of Revelation called the Book of Restoration!!!"
I was dumbfounded. "And right now," he continued. "While the rest of the world is falling into darkness, is falling into sleep, we are HERE. We are alive and we are getting ready, because the world needs us now more than ever... and we don't have to wait. We are the future. And we can begin, each and every one of us, to begin the process of healing and restoration right NOW!"
It was the single most inspiring moment of my entire life because I believed him, and he made me feel as if I could believe in myself. That was the day that I really began to really take interest in my role as an activist, not because anybody told me that I was obligated to give back, or because I felt like I had to. But I knew that he had just defined a pivotal moment in my life by revealing to me what my purpose was. I have been on that path ever since. There are days when I don't feel as if I'm ever going to get it. There are so many people who are just so lost to themselves and the importance of protecting and preserving the future. I've stopped trying to change them. But there are things that I know I can always reveal through myself, and I have been working on practical applications to learn how to give back to others that which I have been so blessed to receive.
But on the practical side of things I also realize that part of this experience lies in understanding the economics of how focusing on the things in our life that give us a sense of freedom, a sense of purpose and teach us to be our healthiest selves benefits a thousand times over. Rather than letting others dictate that for us, it is something that we have to define these things for ourselves, and this often takes education, a healthy lifestyle and finding balance so that we can be our best selves and empower those who look to others for inspiration.
There are often avenues we overlook because we are so reliant upon the fulfilling our own desires that we allow the system to oppresses others and become slaves to the pattern of thinking that blinds us to the fact that we are completely capable of providing a sustainable future for ourselves. Whether it's the clothes and food we buy, the education we receive, or the love we hope to receive from people, we miss out on a chance to boost ourselves spiritually and economically because we fail to understand the impact and liberation that comes with learning to adopt a more sustainable and conscientious lifestyle.
The arts have always been a conduit that has allowed us to take ownership of our own work and expression and to revitalize the very parts of us within that long to be healed and restored. By incorporating our work and expressions into other practical applications of our lifestyles, we can find this same joy and freedom in the even the simplest facets of our lives in a way that is powerful and inspiring enough to show us how to transcend ourselves and circumstances through even the smallest measures.
This is my source of inspiration for this project and the development of this project. Find out more about the
Diaspora & Indoor Urban Horticulture Garden here.
What are You Feeding Your Mind?
Is the food that you're putting into your body nourishing for your health? Or are you indulging in habits and behaviors that are making you a slave?
A Few Tips to Strengthen Your Physical, Mental & Economic Health.
- Learn to Take Care of Yourself (Running yourself down only leads to a weak immune system, impaired ability to function and a poor state of mental and physical health. Feeling stressed? First respond by eating something nutrious and getting rest in order to get yourself moving back in the right track toward being your healthiest self).
- Monitor your Health (This may mean doctor visits, for others it may mean doing a little bit of research of your medical condition. Many illnesses are treatable my making modifications in ones diet by adding particular foods).
- Listen to Your Body (If you learn how to take care of your body and how to listen to it, you can learn to detect any medical complications that arise even before the doctors do and in some cases use holistic treatments, cutting down costs for medical bills, reducing the risk of life threatening illnesses and reducing the number of times you feel like crap).
- Eat to Live (Choose foods that are rich in nutrients for their health benefits and healing qualities instead of eating junk or choosing fad diets that deprive you of essential nutrients.)
- Exercise (Inactivity is the leading reason why people have poor health. Excercise boosts your mood, makes you physically stronger, and strengthens you mind; so be healthy by being active).
- Grow Your Own Food
- Learn about holistic treatments and remedies (Many of these can be provided at a much lower cost, maintained without the harmful side effects and give you a marketable skill to help others within you community).
- Cook at Home (Save some money)
- Set Up a Community Market (By encouraging community gardening and establishing local markets, you boost economic development, diversify the selection of affordable food made available and add civic pride and economic value and strength to your local community)
- Learn to Cook International Foods (There are many people around the world who live on less than we do who have learned how to take staples such as rice, soy and whole grains and turn them into delicious meals for a fraction of what you're paying at the drive thru. Besides, it's also a great skill to have to impress the opposite sex).
- Pre-prepare Meals for days you know you won't have time to cook (By learning how to cook low cost meals that can be prepared in bulk, you save time, money and your health for a fraction of what you pay in a restaurant or the store)
- Use Herbs (Herbs can be used to treat and prevent illness, which can be cheaper than medications if grown at home)
- Use Cooperatives
- Buy in bulk (Bulk items sold in cooperatives reduce costs and make products accessible to others for a much cheaper price)
Savor Your History: But Don't Become Enslaved by It
African Americans have a rich history that should be honored by learning more about the cultural origins of the things that we love to celebrate [i.e. food, music, culture]. But we must also remember that every day we are leaving our own legacy. The choices that we make every moment can always be used as an opportunity to change the past.
You're NOT a SLAVE Are You? So then why do you continue to EAT like one?!!!
African Americans have a rich culture, rich history and a rich diet. To learn more about the origins of soul food feel free to click here.
For what it was, soul food has served us well, keeping us sustained physically and mentally nourished for generations. But these days, the kinds of foods that we eat no longer complement our lifestyle. We have gone from a rigorous industrial physical lifestyle to one that is more sedentary which is the main cause of the effects of our poor quality diet, mental illness and physical disease. It's time to take our bodies back and the only way we can do that is by strengthening our minds with healthy nourishing foods, safer preparation methods and the wisdom of our ancestors that has preserved generation upon generation of strong and brilliant African men, women and children.
For what it was, soul food has served us well, keeping us sustained physically and mentally nourished for generations. But these days, the kinds of foods that we eat no longer complement our lifestyle. We have gone from a rigorous industrial physical lifestyle to one that is more sedentary which is the main cause of the effects of our poor quality diet, mental illness and physical disease. It's time to take our bodies back and the only way we can do that is by strengthening our minds with healthy nourishing foods, safer preparation methods and the wisdom of our ancestors that has preserved generation upon generation of strong and brilliant African men, women and children.
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