In today’s healthcare landscape, African American women face unique challenges in achieving optimal health. The Standard American Diet (SAD) and systemic failures within the healthcare system have disproportionately impacted their well-being. From higher rates of chronic diseases to limited access to culturally competent care, the journey to wellness can seem daunting.

Embracing mindful journaling is a way to harness the power of daily intention and shape your reality by inviting positivity, clarity, and purpose into your life and fostering a lifestyle of constant evolution and self-improvement.

In early 2023, I began transitioning to a whole-food plant-based diet, a decision I made after completing a Health & Nutrition Course. The insights gained from the course were eye-opening, covering a wide range of topics such as the impact that food has on our bodies (both positive and negative) to delving into the rich history of food in America. The curriculum also explored the science behind food production, with a particular focus on processed foods and produce, as well as delving into diet trends, the physiology of our relationship with food, and practical aspects like shopping for and preparing health-conscious meals and incorporating exercise into our daily routine.

In September, the week before my 37th Birthday I did a small digestive cleanse and shared a little of that process with you, remember the blueberries and nuts? That's what was going on. By now you know that I closely follow a whole food, plant-based diet with the occasional deviation of seafood, and lightly processed foods.  I also have herbal tea three times a day, but only a couple of the herbs in my blends are diuretics - herbs that support the body in eliminating waste through frequent urination.

After recovering from COVID-19, I started juicing to improve my diet and strengthen my immune system. Before going plant-based, my pallet was really limited, and my mind was closed to trying anything new. Converting to a plant-based lifestyle changed all of that.

When I began experimenting with mixing fresh herbs and spices together for cooking, it was not only a health-conscious decision, but it also made a world of difference in how my recipes taste. Even though I had been working with herbs, I had no desire to dig into Herbal Tea. To be honest, it was because I didn't know much about it. I had always associated the word "Tea" with the overly sweet iced tea I had as a kid, which I absolutely couldn't stand, so I'd sworn off anything called "tea."

As 2022 came to a close, I found myself on a path of personal development and wellness that would come to define my year ahead. Rooted in my growing passion for nutrition, health, and wellness, I set out to achieve several goals that would not only transform my life but also better equip me to share knowledge with others within my community.

I never realized how much I relied on Honey until recently. I use it in so many different ways - from cooking and baking to juice and herbal tea, to making homemade skin products and even home remedies for my allergies. As someone who's conscious about consuming things positive for my health, I've been trying to make better choices when it comes to the ingredients in my pantry and Honey is no exception.

Meal prep isn't a new concept for me, it’s a practice I began years before I transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle. If you've been following my personal socials on IG, Facebook, and TikTok, you know that I enjoy spending my Sundays on meal prep. When time permits, I try to share real time what’s going down in my kitchen on a Sunday evening. For me, meal prep is the number one way I’m able to stay on track with my eating and it also just starts my week off with a healthy, fresh mind set.

Neatly 5 years ago I began eliminating meat from my diet, with weight loss as my number one goal. Through trial and error, setbacks, and re-attempts, I reached a weight that I’m now comfortable with, and have maintained for a little over a year now. Present day, my daily diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and occasionally fish or other seafood.

October is National Pescatarian Month. It also marks the 1 Year Anniversary of my Decision to Commit Full Time to a Pescatarian Lifestyle. Lemme pour up a Drink! 🎉