by Janice Gates


About 6 years ago, and after losing 45 pounds, I made a commitment to only choose organic and non-processed foods. I researched the web for the best health blogs and fitness professionals to follow, subscribed to newsletters, and followed fitness and health gurus on social media. I was ecstatic! I had discovered the secret to losing weight and optimal health: a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, and lean meats, as well as daily exercise. After 11 years as a vegetarian who rarely consumed an actual vegetable and one year as a vegan who over indulged in heavily processed meat and dairy substitutes, I had finally taken control of my health. I lost 45 pounds, my acne disappeared, and I had a lot more energy.

by Marsha Philitas of  www.thetrifectatribe.com

Let's play pretend

Imagine you've had an amazing day at work. You completed your to-do list, put out of couple of fires that could have destroyed your organization, assimilated new information and created new products, all while keeping basic functions moving. Then, at some point in the day your boss comes by to berate you; something about a dirty coffeemaker. She hasn't even looked at any of the work you completed all day long.

By Monifa Bandele

There is a deadline looming of great concern to Black parents of school-aged children. Last month the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposed rule that would update the nutritional guidelines for snacks sold in schools for the first time in 30 years. The public has until April 9th, to make comments about how strong or weak the final rule should be.

Let’s face it. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll go through the whole Thanksgiving season without at least one slice of sweet potato pie, or forego the greens and cornbread that make Christmas worth looking forward to. Since deprivation is the enemy to all successful diets, it’s important to know how to prepare the foods you love in a healthier way. Substituting a few ingredients in the dishes your family loves seeing at the table can help with weight control and cut down on sodium intake. Healthier food will also give you more energy to enjoy your family gathering, and to participate in the memories that make these times so worthwhile. After all, one of the purposes of a dinner filled with soul food is to bring loved ones together. Here are some ideas you can try tonight, or at your next celebration.

Research and numerous published reports and articles have proclaimed that African American women, on the whole, have higher self-esteem and healthy body images, when compared to their non-Black counterparts. However, African American women are also suffering from the highest rates of health disparities, particularly preventable chronic disorders; thus it is clear that the large degree of overconfidence has led to reduce health outcomes and premature deaths.

Many of us have experienced the crankiness and food cravings that come with dieting. And because every woman’s body is different, some “withdrawal” symptoms that women experience when attempting to cut junk food out of their diet may vary in severity.

The carb-filled comfort foods we’ve come to know and love (think pizza, fries, chicken and dumplings, pasta) could be doing more harm than just added a few extra (unwanted) pounds around our midsections. For some Black women, foods that are loaded with carbs could be the reason for serious food addiction.

It’s in many of the foods that are closely connected to our family traditions. After all, what would Christmas be without Mama’s baked macaroni and cheese? Would Thanksgiving really be the same if you didn’t have your favorite aunt’s sweet potato pie? Well, it turns out, these holidays could be much more enjoyable for you if you experience stomach pain, fatigue, or even a slight skin rash after eating the foods you love so much.