I met
this amazing lady when we served in Peace Corps together almost 10 years ago. Over the past year or so, I
watched, in awe, as she documented her transformation with resolve and a fierce
determination to live in a body she felt good in. I was very inspired by
her story. I think you will be too.
How would you define healthy living?
Healthy
living: is taking care of yourself on as many levels as you can. Physically,
through healthy eating habits and exercise; working on your inner and outer
core. Mentally, through your relationship with your personal and professional well-being.
Not letting one overpower the other or control your ability to function or to
live well. Spiritually, in your quest for guidance through belief or basis with
a higher power. Forging a solid foundation by balancing these aspects creates
healthy living on a full level.
Were you always healthy, or was there a turning point in your
life that made you decide to become healthier?
The
turning point for me was about a year and a half ago. We relocated from the east
coast to North Carolina. And before I knew it I had gained so much weight, and
didn't realize it until I was almost 200 pounds and I'm 5'6! It was a reality
check. I was lonely, miserable, depressed, and using food as a tool to delude
the fact I was not enjoying living in NC. So I opted to get on track and
started juicing, eating better and exercising. And I felt brand new!
What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?
Advice: don't let food lead you. It is a
powerful killer and we can't keep using culture as an excuse for how we eat. We
have to take responsibility for ourselves and our own communities if we want to
prevail! Diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure run rampant in African
American and Latino communities. We have to be our own voice, and when Keisha
or Consuela reaches for that extra piece of fried meat tell her to put it down, and suggest you go for a walk instead.
What is the one natural product or practice you can’t live
without?
As for
natural products...I am torn! It's def between lemon and coconut oil. I am multipurpose,
so I need items that I can get the most out of. Lemon is good for digestion,
and as toner and cleanser, among other things. Coconut oil is awesome for
cooking, and using for hair and skin as a moisturizer/conditioner. I'm torn
between which is my fav!!! Aggghhh. But if you can use it to cook, and for your
hair & skin it gets a gold star!
What piece of advice would you give your 20 year old self?
To my 20
year old self...your vagina is valuable and precious; love it, cherish it, and
don't waste it on those who are not deserving.
What makes you hella fresh?
My quest
for knowledge and my love of all things: cultural and in appreciation of Africa
and African heritage. It's a big part of my life and plays a direct role in how
I raise my children. I want them to be proud, and recognize the beauty of
Africa, and that all things first began there.
Anything else?
In addition...sexual health is often unspoken
of and we need to stop sweeping it under the rug. Besides allowing food to wage
war on ethnic communities, sexual diseases have continually affected minorities,
and even more so ethnic women. We have to take control of our sexual well-being
and stop living as if HIV/AIDS is a silent killer. HIV/AIDS is loud and
profound!
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