All things Green

I made the salad above, which is baby kale, spinach, strawberries, pine nuts, with a homemade strawberry vinaigrette dressing. It was most delicious!

Went to the Green Festival in Chicago (http://greenfestivals.org/) this year and found some cool products. One being cloth menstrual pads, which I’ve been using for 3 years now, but found organic bamboo pads which I could not pass up on the offer. The company is owned by a woman from Spain who has a sole retail shop in Michigan. Her company is called ‘Orethic’ which stands for being Organic and Ethical. http://orethic.com/

The second thing we found cool was the extremely large globe, which you can crawl inside of, and have a personalized Geography lesson. This was equally fun for the kids as it was for the adults!

Lastly, I got a chance to speak to the table at Black Oaks Center, which is a non-profit organization that supports sustainable renewable living by way of Pembroke, Illinois. The Black Oaks Center is a habitat that ’prepares communities for an energy descent.’ Highly likely, I was very interested in their featured outdoor learning environment, which is owned and operated by Fred Carter and Dr. Jifunza Wright. Who together work to empower youth and provide opportunities for a collective work environment such as community gardening, harvesting of locally grown foods, sustainability education, use of and education of renewable energy, sustainability of housing, and agriculture. I’m very impressed by the work they are doing: http://blackoakscenter.org/mission.html

Since visiting their booth, I am ready to put some things into action for this season (Spring 2013). For example, I’m working with a local community garden to help organize an ACTION Day where volunteers from We Farm America will come out to host a workshop on building raised garden beds. From there, we will be able to obtain resources to build such beds, and then spend the next few days building them. Exciting work is cut out for us and I can hardly wait to participate in active community by building raised beds with We Farm America: http://wefarmamerica.com/about

Speaking of All Things Green, I have also visited a wonderful green space, a Forest Preserve in Mokena, Illinois which is just so peaceful. We saw deer, crossed a stream, hiked off trails, and pitched a tent. So lovely and peaceful to spend a day walking with my bare feet on the earths floor.

 

AND, I’ve decided a way that I can contribute to a smaller footprint is to do some SERIOUS spring cleaning and clean out my wardrobe, as well as the children’s and to donate any and everything that we no longer use or NEED. Clutter to put it nicely is a way to make space for things I NEED like bamboo cloth menstrual pads and upcycled denim handbag (reconstructed from my old pair of Costume Nationale Jeans).

Anyhow, more to come.. life is beautiful and I hope you are finding more ways to be GREEN.

Race Politics, One Drop, and Skin Color: 3 Books & a Documentary

One Drop, Bliss Broyard

Lots of issues surrounding race politics, a few highlights… I was listening to public radio and the story of Bliss Broyard was retold, comical and insightful, she talked about her family secret. The secret was her dad being half black. She grew up in Connecticut and raised and accepted as white. She went to Harvard. It wasn’t until her father’s funeral that she began to question who the black people were who arrived at the funeral. It was during her quest to find more about her fathers family that she came to meet Broyards who were black and from the south and west coast. It was then that she realized she too was black and that she needed to figure out how this was possible. She set out on her journey and has written a book about her experience and her family’s secret. Her book, entitled ‘One Drop’ is definitely a summer read for me, as it explores race relations within this family structure.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/books/27masl.html?_r=0

 

The 1nedrop Project by Dr. Yaba Blay is gaining national recognition by asking questions that keep the beat of our pulses as she interviewed with Soledad O’Brien ‘Who’s Black in America?’ series. Dr. Blay’s work lies in revealing the intricacies of race relations, politics, and the many phenotypes of African descendants. Her website details a range of people from all types of backgrounds yet at the same time, all who share one thing in common, their blackness and being of African descent. Her site is 1nedrop.com and Dr. Blay intends to publish a book with all her discoveries, interviews, and profiles. I am excited to pick this one up! http://1nedrop.com/

 

A few months back, I found a book, which is the dissertation of Marcia Dawkins a recent graduate of Brown University and University of Southern California entitled ‘Clearly Invisible: Racial Passing & the Color of Cultural Identity’  discusses the historical references of the ‘one drop rule’ set during slavery in America and if one of mixed race is to ‘pass’ for being white and how this view of ‘passing” has shaped their cultural identity and to what degree in terms of being able to take advantage of certain opportunities.  A definite good read. http://clearlyinvisiblebook.com/aboutbook

 

Lastly, I just watched a short documentary on global colorism and the role skin color plays on beauty. Four young women tell their stories about skin color and how they were perceived growing up. It really gets deep pointing out historical degradation of skin color. A nice perspective of how skin color stigmatizes folks outside the U.S. This short documentary is a must watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6oaEHsdhOs

Maternal & Infant Care in the African Diaspora

A few weeks ago I sent the flyer out to several local women and organizations I thought might benefit from attending this event via email list serves on 2 Dynamic women who are doing research in two very different areas, but both relating to the care of African and African American women of childbearing ages. The University of Chicago held a 2 hour talk on Black Women, Maternal & Child Health, which was given by the Center for the Study of Gender & Sexuality of the Sexualities in Africa and the African Diaspora department. 

 

Here are my notes from the talk. I would love to hear your feedback on the two very different topics and or any history or info that relates to either. I apologize for the lengthy read, but I think it is worth it!

 

‘Women of the Right Type: Medicalization of Maternity & Reform of Motherhood in Colonial Ghana’ led by Anne Hugon of the Universite of Paris at Sorbonne. She was able to travel to Ghana to research and interview the first midwives trained and certified by British Medical Institution to assist with the delivery of babies in local villages between 1920-1940. Anne Hugon interviewed 30 of the 500 African Ghanian elder midwives who were trained under the colonized period when she made her trips there in 2008 and 2010.

 

It was fascinating to hear the history of how the British came in to this particular African country to “make birth more civilized and to lower maternal and infant mortality” of Ghanian women and children by way of building 5 medical hospitals which included 2 midwifery hospitals and 1 children’s hospital, as well as implementing a midwifery training program for local African Ghanian women and mothers. In 1920, the Maternal Mortality rate for African Ghanian women was 400 out of every 1000 women (very high, nearly half). The Infant Mortality rate in 1917 was 30 out of every 1000 babies. The British thought the training would teach African Ghanian women skills in literacy, fertility, prenatal care, nutrition and food preparation, birth and delivery, breastfeeding, and postpartum care, which would ultimately prevent such high rates of death amongst the mothers and their babies. Once a woman completed this midwifery training program, she was then certified and stood as a graduate of the program which allowed her to ‘safely’ go into the homes of pregnant village women to educate and assist with common prenatal, birth, and postpartum issues. The late great Mrs. Hutton Mills was the first African Ghanian midwife to graduate from the British Midwifery Training program in 1929.

 

Dr. Anne Hugon’s presentation slide show of her research findings was pretty interesting, and she also mentioned that as of present day, Ghana and the capital city of Accra are currently delivery babies via Cesarean Section. 7 out 10 African Ghanian women in or nearby Accra are delivering their babies via C-Section. This rate is extremely high and allows for greater risk of Maternal Mortality as well as other relation complications.

 

I also found it to be interesting that as part of the “education” the British funded and allowed for a film to be made by using African Ghanian Midwives what the safest way for women to birth was as to prevent infant death. A rare film which is located at a library in Australia entitled ‘Amenu’s Child’ which was made in 1950 and shown in nearby villages of Accra throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

 

My question to you all: Has anyone been to Ghana recently on mission to practice Midwifery or with plans to visit? Has anyone seen this film or heard of it at the very least?

 

The second half of the presentation was guided by local University of Chicago professor, Dr. Melissa Gillian who is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Gillian has done extensive research since the 1990s on Teen Pregnancy, Family Planning & Contraception, and Reproductive Health. Her presentation outlined a complex history of the reasons leading to Teen Pregnancy, the rates of teen pregnancy, and the contributing risk factors specifically amongst African American teens on the south side of Chicago. She mentions health, income disparities, unsafe and violent neighborhoods and home life, lack of resources such as transportation, health care, education, and wealth opportunities all being contributing stress factors which lead to teen pregnancy, maternal and infant mortality, and preterm birth rates for African American Women ages 15-35.

 

Dr. Gillian then outlined the factor that the LGBTQ teen community amongst African Americans is growing as is Dating Violence amongst Teens (such as sexual violence and assault).

 

Her solutions were in conjunction with Dr. Amy Schalet’s who makes comparisons between her research in the Netherlands vs. the United States on how to foster healthy sexual education for teens. They included the following 5 solutions: Allowing the teen to build and develop Autonomy; Building and maintaining healthy relationships and what that means; Connecting with parents & caregivers; Recognizing Diversity; and Challenging Disparities. These are all positive ways that teens can have a more comprehensive understanding of sex education. 

 

So with these solutions, Dr. Gillian has decided the best and most effective way to reach teens and to teach them about sex education by getting positive reactions and results in her research and in her local community of the South side of Chicago, she has created several Youth, Digital Media, Sex Education Workshops. From two of her workshops, she has been able to develop a video game that allows for interactive digital story telling covering topics of interest which many south side African American are faced with each day: gang violence, parental loss, incarceration, drug dealing, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, violence, etc.

 

The name of this video game is ‘Lucidity’ which is available online for free at: luciditygame.com

 

Dr. Gillian has also developed a card game which was born out of the teen workshop, which she is currently writing a curriculum for which can be utilized in 8th grade sex education/homeroom classrooms throughout Chicago Public School system. 

 

When I asked Dr. Gillian about whether or not she had plans to implement her positive strategies in health clinics like Howard Brown Center or PCS clinics like the one in the Austin area of Oak Park, she said she has not gotten that far as to work with clinics on implementing material geared toward teens just yet, however it is something she would like to do in the near future.

 

My question for you all: What are some other agencies or organizations that Dr. Gillian can implement her curriculum and or other tools to decrease teen pregnancy (Nationally or Locally)? Other digital media tools as way to break through? Can social media be interfaced with Dr. Gillian’s work?

 

Hope this update inspires and motivates all my birth worker and womb healers to uplift higher! 

 

Gullah Roots: New Meaning for My Family

My mom called me on Sunday. She said “I am making a new trip to the Gullah Island of South Carolina, I want to see what is there.” I told her about the book, ‘God, Dr. Buzzard and the Bolito Man: A Saltwater Geechee talks about life on Sapelo Island, Georgia” by Cornelia Walker Baily with Christena Bledsoe 3 years before.

That book was recommended to me by a friend who had roots tied to the Geechee speaking people, where he grew up. I had inquired about the term ‘Geechee’ as I remembered my own grandmother speaking of it when I was a child growing up with her.

In my family, on my mothers side, my grandmother was 3/4 Choctaw, 1/4 unknown (possibly Malungeon). Her hair hung to her waist, and was thick straight and black. She stood 5’5″ and had black lips, reddish yellow skin, and a natural beauty and complexion that many whites consider worth paying for.  She married a man who was Nigerian as we knew, who came to America in search for work in the early 1940s. He partially raised my mother for about 6 years and died from Colon Cancer in 1989.

Speeding up to this past Sunday, I asked my mother why she was so interested in making this trip to Gullah Island, and she said she found that her father was blood tied or blood related to the Munga people (who are living on Gullah Island) meaning their last names are Munga who later changed their names to Minga or Mingo. Low and Behold! This is a break through, so much so that I am blogging about it right now! Is it possible that there are blood relations to my grandfather, the one whose name I wear daily?  I cannot even tell you how much this opens even more of a world up for my mother and our family.

The search continues, my mama is now planning her trip for this summer, and has linked with my grandfather’s brother’s children who are Nigerian and have connections to these people living on Gullah Island. Where do your roots lie? Do you know who your people are? In hopes to find our roots, and connect further, and until the day we find our roots on this end, I send you all love and light on your own journeys.

“No one comes f…

“No one comes from the earth like grass. We come like trees. We all have roots.”
-Maya Angelou

Call for Submissions!!!

I am working on completing an anthology comprised of the birth stories and experiences of African American women. If you have a birth story to share please submit your story to tchimaroke@gmail.com no later than April 1st, 2013. 

 

Creative Energies

We had energy from the Lunar Eclipse, the Full Moon, and now we prepare for the New Moon which is just before the Mayan End of the Old and Beginning of the New. Through my meditations, my creative energy has been stirred up with some intense and some light offerings. Here are my latest offerings with more to come. So stay tuned…

Oshun, Blue Moon Earrings, above.

 

Cuba, in the memory of my old province, Miramar Earrings (Green & Yellow) above

On the brink with Knight of Fire Earrings (red) above

In Memory of Yemeya, I transmute that which is negative to positive. Cowrie Shells & Copper Cycle of Life Earrings above.

Black Beauty Earrings above (sandstone & copper)

Carnelian Cycle of Life, The Enlightenment Pendant (carnelian & copper) above

Support Green! Heart Chakra Pendant wrapped in copper above

Manipura, Speak My True SELF, Lepidolite Pendant with circle of life wrapped in copper on leather cord, above.

Manipura, Speak MY TRUE SELF, Aquamarine Pendant with Turquoise and copper circle of life on leather cord, above.

Full Moon Love, Amethyst Pendant wrapped in copper, above.

Sacrificed Sandstone wrapped in copper with leather cord, above.

Circle of Life, Clear Quartz Pendant enclosed with copper, above.

Positively Charged Copper Bangle, above.

Calm Me, Nigerian beaded Bangle, above.

Transmute Your Life Earrings, (yellow) above.

Know Your Worth Earrings, cowrie shells and Nigerian beads, above (front and back view).

Power House Jasper Pendant wrapped in copper, above.

*All pieces above come from a place of love and release which have grown out of my Manipura Meditation of a recent Chakra cleanse. Each piece is unique and original in its own rite, light, and space.*

More designs to come. For inquiries on the above pieces, email tchimaroke@gmail.com

Spreading love, light, and manifestations of positive creations in all directions from here to infinity…

In Joy.

Back to School, New School, Old School, and Homeschool

Here we are faced with a new ‘traditional’ school year ahead of us. I have sought out Public Schools in my neighborhood and have done some basic research on the nearby schools by talking to various parents and observing some classrooms and teachers, watching specifically for teaching styles and how the children respond (researched all last school year too). I’ve come to realize that the thing about public school is depending on the make-up of the student body and the number of active parents who are compelled and truly value what their child(ren) are learning makes all the difference, resources allocated and political tape aside. There are some basic principles I’d like to ideally see taught in the traditional public school classroom (far reaching, but ideally). That is for teachers to teach the Classical 7 Liberal Arts. Not many public schools are teaching the Classical 7 Liberal Arts in depth enough for an impact on a child’s life. I say this because by me sitting in on classrooms, I have noticed that many teachers only focus on a small general subject, the basics of math and reading, science, art, and recess time.

The 7 Classical Liberal Arts Include:

1. Grammar
2. Dialectic
3. Rhetoric
4. Arithmetic
5. Geometry
6. Music
7. Astronomy

These are the Ancient Classic 7 Liberal Arts which make me old school in laying a strong foundation for my children and how they learn and what they are exposed to.

With this in place, I can trust that they will be given the time to think about the world around them and how they can relate these subjects to their world. Today, in the classrooms I visited, there aren’t any teachers teaching grammar or dialectic or rhetoric. Its JUST teachers reading stories to the children (that is good) but let me hear and see you explaining how the language works and how it us used. How can children understand the language they use in speech daily if they do not know these basic 3 components? It makes all the difference in how one communicates with another. Arithmetic & Geometry go hand-in-hand in the traditional public school classroom, thus leaving very little space for free-thought as to how geometry is used all around us and how in our modern world we are able to understand numbers and their meanings. This too is skipped over for lack of the teachers knowledge (missing in many Master of Education programs) and a very rushed curriculum (which is the norm in many public schools). Many public schools have axed their music programs due to lack of funding (this is partly due to unequally allocated resources and political tape). Luckily, the schools I sat in classrooms at were fortunate to have an outside music program in place, but there are too many public schools that lack a music program in place, especially in inner city public schools. Lastly, astronomy has been totally forgotten, left out, made to seem a mystery of superstition and mythos. In reality, astronomy is in our immediate world and is very much a necessary component for learning the world around us on a larger scale; the whole. Astronomy is definitely not taken seriously and barely brought up even in a high school chemistry or physics class.

The Classical 7 Liberal Arts have lost most of its components in the traditional public school classroom.

Studying the Classical 7 Liberal Arts is a way to really understand self, world, and others. Without these basic ancient components of study, the public school curriculum is not sufficient in application or comprehension.

So, What do I do? I want my children to grow up learning and applying the Classical 7 Liberal Arts in all that they do, for better understanding, better communication, and a more practical outlook in life. This year is different for us, because I plan to have my children in a public school setting, yet, what I am doing at home is still supplementing their public school education with the Classical 7 Liberal Arts as a foundational curriculum. All summer long we’ve been exploring nature, exploring the stars, learning about planets, learning about sacred geometry, numbers, what they mean, and how to count. My children are young, 3.5 and 5.5 years old.

A book I’ve been using with my children for the last year is

http://www.amazon.com/Quadrivium-Classical-Liberal-Geometry-Cosmology/dp/0802778135

And Another Book I recommend for teaching these to your child(ren):

http://www.amazon.com/Trivium-Mastery-Intersection-Authentic-Classical/dp/1432733281/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346106069&sr=1-3&keywords=trivium

Needless to say, I have also looked at homeschooling as an option for the last 3 years along with my interest in the Classical 7 Liberal Arts and because my children are still young, I have been ‘homeschooling’ them for the last 3 years. This year will be different because my oldest will be in a public school for the first time. She is already reading at the 3rd grade level, already doing math at the 2nd grade level, and socially has grown by leaps and bounds; she is 5.5 and will be in Kindergarten.

The word Kindergarten is derived from the German language and the direct translation is “Children’s Garden,”  primarily it is very much a pre schooling which helps to prepare the child for the upper grades through socialization and interaction, nurturing children like nurturing ones garden. Although, I have seen that in the classrooms of some of the schools I sat in, the nurturing was minimal, and the interaction between student and teacher was very controlled (not an option for me to choose when I saw/see this interaction!) I love play-based kindergarten programs rather than controlled academic learning for someone so young.

What I have found and have come to appreciate is how closely in tune the Rudolph Steiner Waldorf Education is in tune with the learning of the Classical 7 Liberal Arts. A few years ago, I researched and was pointed in the direction of the Waldorf Curriculum for homeschooling. I love the concept because it allows for young children to freely choose what they are interested in learning about amongst subjects such as Oral Language (Grammar & Rhetoric), Nature (Geometry, Arithmetic, Astronomy & Music), Cultural Languages (Dialectic).

There is a homeschooling training program that I adore and highly recommend for those of you who are interested in Waldorf Homeschooling. It is specifically targeted towards Grades 1-8th and is hosted by Waldorf Trainer, Barbara Dewey at the Taproot Farm. You basically invest $300 and get to spend 3 days on her farm undergoing extensive Waldorf Training which you bring back to your children and your family as it incorporates the Classical 7 Liberal Arts, which I value highly and is not often found in public schools.

http://www.waldorfwithoutwalls.com/seminars/2010/08-26-teacher-training/

Another option is to freely-school your children yourself by no one’s program or standards, other than your state requirements for homeschooling: http://www.hslda.org/laws/

As a Free-Homeschooler, you have the option to make up the curriculum as you go, day-to-day, letting your children guide you by way of their interests, using the Classical 7 Liberal Arts as a template to go by. I do think some children need closer guidance, ideas, and materials for them to explore deeper and to become creative in their own right. Plus, each child has their own interests and needs. With homeschooling period, its important to have a list of resources ready and on hand, knowing the state regulations for your state, and lastly to become part of or to create your own homeschool group whether online or in your physical community. Yahoo Groups is a good place to start searching online: http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=homeschoolers

Speaking of New School, I was reading in the local paper here that the top 5 things for your kindergarten student is to be sure you go out to buy 1) USB flash drive, 2) make sure your 5 year old has access to the internet (I don’t like that idea) with parental controls, 3) headphones for using computer or handheld learning devices, 4) calculators that do all the work for you, and lastly 5) your child’s personal email address.#FAIL

All the items listed were a BIG FAIL in my book! You would be setting your child up for complete distraction to actually learn and exposure to be seen and contacted by pedophiles and child predators by allowing and setting up an email address with internet access for your 5 year  old! Headphones are a FAIL too because I think this would allow for the child to become isolated and disconnected from what is being taught in the classroom because they can’t hear you. I just think of games and music being played and entertained instead of actual physical learning and physical social interaction. The USB Flash Drive for a 5 year old is unnecessary all together, as I don’t think most 5 year olds have the ability to write an essay or dissertation to be saved on a flash drive. SOURCE of this FAILED List: Chicago Parents Magazine, August 2012 Issue, page 20

My Personal Back to School List of Supplies #keepitsimple:

• Crayons or Color Pencils
• Glue Stick
• Child Safe Scissors
• Art Sketch Book
• Journal with lines
• Pencil, Sharpener, Eraser
• Compass & Ruler
• Prompting Flash Cards for Numbers/Math & Site Words
• Outdoors!

I guess I’m old school. I’m a 70s baby with the mind of my parents when it comes to learning the ‘original’ way so that you don’t depend on a calculator or computer device to work out the problems and issues for you. AND so that you don’t depend on todays public schools to ‘teach’ your child things that have little meaning for succeeding in the real world.

A Little Bit of Everything…

 So these are some things I pulled from my VAULT…archived posts, enjoy! And Stay Tuned for my “Back to School” Blog

My latest L.O.V.E. addiction: My Sewing Machine

 

I made a new friend last summer, she was righteous, kind, and curious. We shared secrets, advice, suggestions, lunch, clothes, and went on walks and excursions together. When it was time for her to depart Chicago, she gave me her SEWING MACHINE! I hadn’t seen mine in a year, as it was still and remains in storage back in Berkeley. So, with this newly gifted machine, for the first 3 months it sat on the shelf in my closet. I dusted it off and tried it out and figured I’d get to a project at some point! Another month passed by and I got a burst of creativity, motivation, and spiritual inspiration to CREATE more! I took it out, pulled in our patio table, and made it my sewing work table! I took the sewing machine to a great local sewing/seamstress/fashion designer, an older man who knows everything about sewing and pattern making. I took my machine to him after passing his shop several times and looking through the window, wondering what kind of place it was. He charged me $10 to tune up my machine and he gave me (gifted me) 5 bobbins to fit my machine.

 

After bringing home my machine with new bobbins, I had to figure out what fabric I’d use to make my new obsession: Diaper Covers! Yes, that’s right, baby diaper covers! 

 

So I dug through my closet again, pulling out old clothes that I could re-work and utilize the fabric for various diaper covers. The first piece: An old Polar Fleece Jacket!

With its odd yellowish/pea green color, it would be perfect to use for this project, plus a good way to practice my sewing skills (I was a little rusty after not using a sewing machine for over a year!)  I free-styled it, I didn’t use a patter, I just drew it out on the fabric with a piece of my 3yr old’s blue chalk.

 

Here’s the outcome of my first Polar Fleece Baby Diaper Cover:

 

 

I then posted it on Facebook to get reviews and feedback, and guess what? I got several responses on pricing and future customers and people asking me to email them when they are ready for ‘sale.’

 

 

Am I ready to start selling these? I know I’m a birth doula and a great resourceful and creative mama, but I needed more practice! I’ve been obsessed with making and perfecting my skills at sewing a baby diaper cover. Here are the covers I’ve made so far! And, they’re all water resistant and reversible!

 

 

So what do you think? I plan to make at least 8 more. These are a range of sizes, Small (up to 15 pounds); Medium (15-24 pounds); and Large (24-34 pounds).

  

 

 

 

 

Tiff’s Vegan Oatmeal Cookies: Dairy, Wheat, Egg Free

 

Some of my dearest loved ones have severe food allergies to gluten, dairy, and eggs. So I was inspired and determined to come up with a recipe for soft, oatmeal cookies that they could enjoy. Recently, after listening to an interview on Gnostic Media with Dr. William Davis based on his book “Wheat Belly,” I have decided to experiment with my own household wheat intake. For instance, I’ve rid our diets of wheat products and by-products, resorting to either brown rice or sprouted sunflower! SO, I wanted to share my recipe with you all during the Winter Solstice.

 

Here’s my recipe for awesome soft Oatmeal Raisin cookies that are WHEAT, DAIRY and EGG Free! 

 

1.5 cups rice flour

3/4 cup oats (I put mine in the grinder)
1.5 tsps baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup grapeseed oil OR Vegan Butter melted
1/2 cup sugar (I used organic cane sugar; in the past I’ve used turbinado)
1 tsp vanilla
1.5 tsps egg substitute (ener-g) OR ground Flax Seed (I used ground flax)
2 tbsps water
2 tbsps maple syrup OR 1/2 Mashed Banana 
3/4 cup raisins
2 tbsps rice milk (I used 1/4 cup when mashing banana)

 

Baked on 375 for 10 minutes and they come out so delicious!

 

Here is the interview of Dr. William Davis’ interview on his book “Wheat Belly”:

http://www.gnosticmedia.com/wheatismurder 

 

 

 

ARCHIVES from the VAULT

 

Monday, May 23, 2011

Black Womens Reproductive Justice & ICTC Speak Out

 

Greetings! I intentionally attended the BWRJ SPEAK OUT held in Chicago’s Jackson Park on May 18th, 2011. I observed, noticed there was a small gathering of majority black women who sat in the audience, channel 7 news was present, filming the introductions made by BWRJ. After hearing the guest speakers come forward, I felt compelled to share my story and to SPEAK OUT on abortion and how a woman is sometimes cornered to make a decision without having the support she needs during pregnancy. I spoke about the RAGE I felt as I drove past huge billboards that shamed black women who have abortions (as these billboards were posted by a multi-million dollar Texas based anti-abortion company) and are strategically placed throughout Chicago’s south and west side neighborhoods, which are mainly filled with black women. I spoke out about the need for black women needing the space, the resources, and the support that so many lack supporting their decisions about birth.

 

As a mother of 2, and a birth doula, I feel compelled to share my story with many more women who suffer through making life changing events.

 

More from Black Women Reproductive Justice please check their website:

http://bwrj.org/welcome.html

and Flyer:

http://bwrj.org/documents/Speakout.pdf

 

 

 

Monday, March 21, 2011

Reflexology

 

I had my first Reflexology session last Wednesday and it was really healing for me. I felt its affects immediately and was physically sore from the session for 2 days following.

At the session, the Reflexologist told me I have an issue with my Thyroid and my Ovaries. My Thyroid, I experienced indigestion and digestive issues for several days following. I ended up fasting on Friday and part of Saturday in need of relief and to feel lighter. With my Ovaries, I experienced cramping and soreness in my thighs and lower abdomen. I have been drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea and using essential oils on my lower abdomen for comfort. 

Today, I am feeling much better. I’m feeling lighter and really paying close attention to my natural responses to environment and food intake as well as my stress and emotional levels which were heightened the days following our reflexology session. 

I found my first Reflexology session to be filled with wonderful insight performed with healing hands. I look forward for another session in the near future.

 

 

 

Monday, January 10, 2011

Raw Food Cleanse

 

For the past 11 days I’ve been on a Raw Food Cleanse eating mostly citrus fruits, nuts, and veggies. I have eliminated carbs, and sweets. Hard, but it is definitely worth the work. Greens straight from the garden up the hill; raw almonds from Whole Foods; and organic oranges and grapefruit! I’ve been drinking lots of water and tea (burdock root, ginger root, mint, astragalus, licorice, and catsclaw)! The toxins are being flushed out of my body which makes me feel lighter!

this guy knows whats up too:
http://www.mojojuiceclub.com/recipes.html

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Gluten-Free Baking…

 

So, I’ve totally gone nuts over Gluten-Free Desserts…

YES! I bake! I bake Cookies, Chocolate Cakes, Brownies, and Cupcakes all Gluten-free!

Next I’ll be making decadent Vegan desserts…stay-tuned!

Email for special occasions.

 

 

 

 Reiki & Meditation: Where’s Your Life Force?

 

As of January 10th, 2011 I’ll be a Certified Reiki Level I & II Practitioner.

Reiki is…

n
	a form of therapy in which the practitioner is believed to channel energy into the patient in order to encourage healing or restore well being
[Japanese, from rei universal + ki life force] For New Clients, there is a $35 Intake and $60 for a 45-min Session. Meditations are $10 per 30-minute Session and topics range from Love, Silence, Chakra Cleansing, Fear Releasing, Energy Building, and Deep Breathing.

 

 

Labels: Chakra Cleansing, Deep Breathing, Distance Healing, Energy Releasing,Fear Releasing, Love, Meditation, Reiki, Silence

 

 

 

 

 

Black Bean Burgers & DIY Projects

“Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.” -Taken from Wikipedia

So, as to be a participating patriotic american citizen who is going to a friends house to watch fireworks, listen to music, and watch the kids have fun on the slip-n-slide, I decided to make something good to eat and share it with folks I care about.

I got inspired and decided I’d attempt to make Vegan Black Bean Burgers! So, I dug out all of my ingredients from the cupboards and the fridge and whipped up this wonderful Black Bean Burger mix from scratch!

2 cups of cooked short grain brown rice

1 can of black beans drained and rinsed

2 cups of egg-free bread crumbs

1/2 cup of nutritional yeast

1/3 cup of finely chopped red onion

*1 tbs of chili powder

3 tbs of tomato paste

1 tbs of minced garlic

1/2 cup of whole raw shelled sunflower seeds

1 cup of shredded carrots

1/2 cup of ground flax seed

3 tbs of Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

1 tsp of black pepper

1/2 cup of olive oil or sesame oil

1 cup of filtered water

*warning, chili powder to taste or go by this recipe

*preheat your oven to 400 degrees, and lightly oil your baking sheet.

In a blender, in batches, mix all ingredients and slowly add water as needed.

 

Form the mixture into round balls and flatten onto your baking sheet like this:

 

 

Then bake for 25-40 minutes flipping once to allow both sides to bake.

 

PLEASE NOTE, this recipe yields about 16 burgers! perfect for a party or small gathering!

Serve these with Sweet Potato Fries:

 

Kale Salad with Avocado & Poppyseed Vinaigrette Dressing and your choice of condiments for the black bean burger. I made a pesto aioli, and barbeque sauce to go with my burgers. But you can use Veganaise or Dijon mustard or avocado slices or even rice cheese slices to go on yours!

 

 

 

 

On another note, the last few days have been filled with creativity out of the house and in the house. 

I’m again inspired to redesign the children’s room. Here’s some of what I’d like to add to their room:

 

 

These are simple with a little sander, saw, and some paint! I will be attempting these projects very soon and will show before and after photos! Stay tuned…

 

Here’s something I quickly painted which will go on the wall in the kids room too:

charcoal, acrylic, water color on canvas (unfinished)