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April 2010
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Vol 3, Issue 4 |
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Greetings!
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Well, the rancor and debate that preceded the landmark Healthcare Reform Bill continues. But despite the opposition, it's now law--hurray! Thank you Mr. President for not giving up on this essential legislation for our community! Now the slander and lies about this Law have morphed into violence and racial polarization, the likes of which have not been seen since the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. In the heat of the moment, some of the most important aspects of this Law are overshadowed--the nation's investment in wellness, preventive, and self-care. Renowned philosopher and activist Ivan Illich once said, "Effective health care depends on self-care; this fact is currently heralded as if it were a discovery."
The power of self-care is something we discovered long ago. That is what underpins everything we do at WHOLE. So while the politicians jockey for position trying to repeal this Law, who knows what craziness will erupt. Here is what we most do--keep our eyes on the prize. Just as brotha Barack did in delivering us this victory, we must secure it by using it and our wisdom to improve the health of our families and community. But it will take more than securing medical insurance to make our sick community well. The doctor can't do it all. WE have to step up and do our part to regain and sustain better health. That means getting back to the basics that are the foundation of WHOLE Body Living. It's about self-care, as Ivan Illich so eloquently states. To remind you, the three keys of WHOLE Body Living are: - Quality nutrition,
- Regular exercise, and
- Routine health screenings.
Please go after all the new health insurance benefits to which you and your family are entitled. I ask you to be just as aggressive about embracing these WHOLE Body Living tools to enshrine better health in your household as well. As the keepers of our family health, we can do no less than that. Don't forget! You're not alone in this fight. WHOLE is here to help! Our website and archives are bursting with sistah-friendly information about these three keys, and how to make them a regular part of your family life. And keep coming back soon and often--we're adding new information all the time! My sistahs, whatever pre-existing health condition you face, step up and face it down. However funny your money, laugh and keep steppin'. Whoever you must battle to get this job done, DO IT! Finally the Law is on the side of our community! Do not tarry! For the sake of your family, be bold! Be bodacious! Take what is now rightfully yours AND USE IT! Maximizing our resources and resolve for better health; that is what it means to be WHOLE. |
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WHOLE is a monthly self-care newsletter made especially with African American women in mind. Have you missed our other issues? Not to worry! They're waiting for you in our Archive!
WHOLE is brought to you by WeSpeakLoudly, a women's health education and consulting firm dedicated to improving the health of African American women and girls. Learn more at our website.
Don't miss our blog WHOLE Express, with quick tips and insights on improving your health.
WHOLE, WHOLE Express, and WeSpeakLoudly are registered trademarks
Copyright 2010
Jacci Thompson-Dodd, MA, MSSS
All rights reserved.
ISSN: 1946-1631
Visit us on YouTube and Facebook too!Want to drop us a line? Please do! We'd love to hear from you at WeSpeakLoudly. |
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Five Tips for Getting Back on Track
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We certainly have the best of intentions when it comes to living healthier lives. But let's face it--life happens! Illness, longer work hours, getting laid off, death of a loved one, family demands, crazy weather--they're all realities that can derail our better health plans. So when these obstacles (and more) send us spinning off track, it can be easy to just give up. Sure you might have put on a few extra pounds from turning your attention to the urgent business of the day. It's understandable. But please don't give up! Instead, try these five tips for getting back on track: - Look in the mirror and forgive yourself! It isn't realistic to expect that you can be perfect. No one is! But being perfectly honest with yourself is doable. Don't beat yourself up when you fall. Get up and give yourself a fresh start--no matter how many times it takes!
- Ask for help! Trying to handle your business and make healthy lifestyle changes is hard! Don't suffer in silence--ask for help! Reach out to a sistahfriend and make a pact to support each other in the healthy diet and exercise changes you both want to make. Having an accountability buddy in your corner makes it much more likely that you'll have a breakthrough rather than a breakdown.
- Have a self-care meeting with yourself. Set aside time and ask yourself, "What's really keeping me from making the changes I know are good for me and my family?" Usually the real problem isn't what appears on the surface. Go deeper and make a plan to address the underlying issue. Be kind to and patient with yourself in the process! You're healing is worth this investment.
- Identify a list of non-food rewards for yourself. You're working hard and deserve recognition for all that you do! Reward yourself--but not with food! Instead of reaching for that chocolate, chips, cake, or the like, find other things that make you feel good in a healthier way. Rent a movie? Buy yourself flowers? Candles and a bubble bath? There are lots of things you can do to nourish your soul without adding to the waistline.
- Dance! Yeah, move your body! So often when we're stressed, we hold our breath, tense our muscles and hunker down. Shake off the funky vibe with your favorite music. You might feel silly at first, but silly is good! It takes you out of your intense posture and loosens you up with more positive, restorative energy.
You'll find other great healthy living tips on our blog WHOLE Express. Come check us out, and subscribe so you won't miss any news you can use!
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WHOLE Self-Care Inspiration: Let Go!
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 I've always admired Tina Turner. Her spunk, her spirit, her vision, her drive. Look at her! This is the cover of her "Wildest Dream" CD. She's well into her 70s now, and more radiant than ever!
She's living out her wildest dream--just like I want to do. So I went on a search of wisdom and encouragement from this great lady, and found something well worth sharing:
"Sometimes you've got to let everything go-purge yourself . . . If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out."Let Go! So many of us hold onto stuff--clothing, hurts, relationships, fears--so many things that hold us back. "Let everything go" this savvy, sexy queen tells us! Why? She continues, "your true self comes out." Too often we settle for a life defined by what we've done or what we have. True self is about who you are. Your spirit. Your soul. Your Loving Energy. They're timeless. Priceless. Well worth struggling to uncover. Let Go!Ask yourself, "Am I holding onto stuff that's holding me back?" Let Go! Purge the gunk. Exfoliate the dead energy. Cast out the small, limited thinking. Dare to reclaim your wildest dream and make it come true. There's always so much more that goes into making the final product look effortless. And that's the point. We've got to do the work! But there is joy in the doing, and freedom in the deed being done. Even the most gifted among us must walk this path. Come on over to WHOLE Express and see an interview with Tina on mounting the Wildest Dreams Tour. Let Go! And unleash your creativity! |
Fava Beans!
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I must admit; I've never eaten or cooked Fava beans before! But true the WHOLE nutrition recommendation of trying new foods, I'm exploring these plump pods and taking you along for the ride! This recipe has three wonderful things going for it. First, Fava beans (also known as "long beans") are at their peak this spring, so they they're less expensive and more flavorful. Second, beans and legumes are powerful cancer fighting foods, brimming with fiber and phytochemicals that help protect again cellular damage that can lead to cancer. Third, they're paired with tomatoes, another wonderful cancer warrior with lycophene--a "slammin" antioxidant. I've taken the liberty of adding some earthy Moroccan spice to the original recipe for Fava Beans and Cherry Tomatoes, making this dish a WHOLE tribute to our Mother Continent. Let's try this together, and tell me what you think!Fava Bean and Cherry Tomato SaladIngredients:3 lbs fresh fava bean pods 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved* 2 tbsp olive oil Zest and juice from half a large lemon 1 clove garlic, finely minced ¼ tsp cumin dash of cardamom 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely minced A few shavings of a hard cheese, like Manchego for garnish Sea salt and course-ground pepper to taste Preparation:- To prepare the fava beans, bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Fill a separate large bowl of ice-cold water, and set aside. Shell the beans from their tough outer "pod," then add them to the boiling water. Blanch for 2-3 minutes until just tender.
- Immediately drain the fava beans, and pour them into the ice water (this halts the cooking process and keeps the beans from getting mushy.) Drain again. When the fava beans have cooled down a bit, remove them from their tough outer skins. You may slit each one with your fingernail or a paring knife, and let the beans slip out into a bowl.
- Half tomatoes, and add them to the bowl with the fava beans. Combine olive oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, cumin, and cardamom to a jar with tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until all ingredients are emulsified into a salad dressing.
- Pour salad dressing over tomatoes and fava beans and toss gently. Taste and adjust with sea salt and course-ground pepper as you like. Garnish with chives and cheese, and serve immediately. Serves 4 as part of a meal, or 2 (generously) as a main course. Enjoy!
*You can combine red and yellow tomatoes for extra color! |
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WHOLE is a labor of love we do every month just for you. We take your comments and suggestions to heart, so please continue to reach out! Drop us a line any time! We love it when you share WHOLE with your sistahfriends, family, and colleagues. Just click the button below and WHOLE will be on the way! Looking forward to seeing you again next month!
Yours in health,
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Jacci Thompson-Dodd
WeSpeakLoudly WHOLE is brought to you in part through the support of JuicePlus+
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