BHBW Presents: Sea Vegetables

While many people are seeking to make health and wellness a priority, the trend of incorporating sea vegetables is on the rise. From making soaps, conditioners and even novelty chips, sea vegetables are making their way to the mainstream. Which is an awesome thing because conventional diet lacks sufficient amounts of iodine and other antioxidants. But for those of you that may not be familiar with sea vegetables, allow me to provide a brief introduction.

Sea vegetables are seaweeds that grow in or around coastal regions and oceans. They are truly one of nature's most potent super foods. From addressing thyroid issues to weight loss and hair growth, sea veggies, are crucial to restoring health imbalances. Additionally, sea vegetables can be added to compost, and can even be used as a mulch within the garden.

In this week's segment I discuss dulse, bladderwrack and irish moss. I also make mention of nori and kelp. Here are some nutritional points about each one:

 

(photo credit: www.dkimages.com)

 

Nori: Reduces the risk of heart disease

    Contains high levels of B-12 

 

 

(photo credit:  www.growing-algae.com)

 

Dulse:  Mild flavor and iodine rich

                                 Protects the body from harmful radiation

 

 

(photo credit: www.prweb.com)

 

Bladderwrack:  Very strong smell and taste

                                                  Great for weightloss and reducing cellulite

 

 

(photo credit:  www.nouveauraw.com)

 

Irish moss:  Contains 92 body essential minerals

Ultimate skin nourisher

 

 

(photo credit:  www.herbalremediesinfo.com/kelp)

 

Kelp:  Alkaline rich

                                         Wonderful source of chlorophyll

 

 

No matter which sea vegetable you select, just be sure that its source is one that is harvested in a sustainable and wild crafted way. There have been reports about levels of radioactive iodine being found in sea vegetables as well as other foods (The Fukushima Effect). It is a great idea to do your due diligence before indulging. Here is a quick word about radioactive iodine and its implications on RT news.

 

 

All in all, sea vegetables can be used in soups, salads, teas and smoothies.  Other creative uses are body wraps and even taking seaweed baths.  Find out which way works for you and if you have discovered any other uses for sea vegetables, share the wealth :)

 

 

Black Health and Wealth Always,

 

 

 

Karolyn Oakley

Facebook: Kurlyn Drums

***TEAM BLACKANOMICS***

Sirius XM 128 (The Power)



 

 

Sources Consulted:

http://www.naturalnews.com/032032_purple_dulse_radiation.html

http://bestsuperfoods.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/irish-moss/

http://www.naturalnews.com/034055_sea_vegetables_kelp.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/035138_nori_vitamin_B-12_iodine.html

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/11/prweb10114456.htm

 



Who are you voting for?

So today is election day, and everyone is lining up to cast their vote for the best person to represent America. Foreign policy strategies, promises to provide jobs and many other factors will determine who will be selected as America's next President. But as the ballots are counted and the polls close, are you only casting your vote for a politician, or are you casting a vote for yourself?

Casting a vote for your own greatness that is. One positive perspective of democracy is the right to vote. Voting is a right that should be duly exercised. But one thing I have noticed is that there are some people that put politicians on a pedestal to turn their situation around. But as the saying goes:

“You are in charge of your own destiny.”

Now by no means am I saying that politicians should not be held accountable by the promises that have been made on the campaign trail. However, there must be a focus on rising above your individual situation. So instead of wondering which politician you will vote for, I am wondering: Are you casting a vote for your goals?

 

So today I urge you to take a moment, look within and determine if you are doing all you can to better yourself. It could be as simple as taking inventory of your skill sets and sharpening your mental tools. But no matter the outcome of the election, always cast a vote to work on and reach your goals.

Black Health and Wealth Always!!

Karolyn Oakley

Facebook: Kurlyn Drums

***TEAM BLACKANOMICS***

Sirius XM 128 (The Power)

GMO GOTTA GO!!!

Last week, I received an email asking to sign the petition for more research as it relates to  Monsanto's genetically modified corn.  The above pictures are from the African Center for Biosafety and the message is quite clear:  NO GMOs!!!

When you get a moment, please read the brief and sign the petition.  Additionally, take into consideration the amount of genetically modified organisms you are allowing into your homes.  And if the pictures don't mean much to you, please consider the following results of the Seralini Study:

• As early as 24 months, that is to say at the end of their lives, from 50% to 80% of females fed GMOs had developed tumors (fibroadenomas and keratoacanthomas) as against only 30% fed the GMO-free diet.

• In males, the majority died of liver or kidney problems.  "We found progressive chronic kidney disease in greater numbers in rats fed GM corn, especially in the males," says Dr. Spiroux co-author of the study.

• In groups fed GM maize, 50% of males and 70% females died prematurely, before the average life expectancy.  Mortality rates were not dose-dependent on the concentration of genetically modified maize in the diet.

If you would like to know more about GMOs and about the Seralini Study, you can visit the African Centre for Biosafety at the following website:

http://www.acbio.org.za/

And here is the petition to sign the petition for solidarity against GMOs in Africa:

http://www.acbio.org.za/activist/

 

 

I signed the petition...will you? 

 

 

 

Black Health and Wealth Always!!

Karolyn Oakley

Facebook: Kurlyn Drums

***TEAM BLACKANOMICS***

Sirius XM 128 (The Power)



 

Musings on being GRATEFUL

 

Earlier this evening, I took the time to assess my progression towards my life goals. And what I found were a large amount of unfinished projects. Things that I wanted to get to, but I never found the time. Promises that I made that I never quite followed through on. Needless to say, it bothered me and I started to complain about what I did wrong or what I could have done differently. But then I stopped myself. And decided to direct all of the energy that I was wasting to do something constructive. So I started organizing my life. From the stack of papers collecting dust to getting rid of empty cosmetic bottles, I cleaned house!! Attempting to re-focus my thoughts and let go of negative energy, I stumbled across an old magazine that was headed straight for the trash pile. But I took a moment to open it to see if there was anything useful. In all caps, towards the end of the magazine, I read an article entitled “GRATEFUL.”

And I stopped dead in my tracks.

The article went on to talk about being grateful despite obstacles, circumstances and to just be happy. With so many struggling just to make ends meet, it is so easy to focus on areas of improvement versus operating in the spirit of gratitude. But it is very necessary.

Over the years, I have come to learn that gratitude ensures that you don't take anything for granted. But it is really easy to forget small pearls of wisdom when the focus is not on anything positive. To serve as a reminder, I think I'll keep the article. Most importantly, I will try to do one crucial thing that the article mentions: to write down three things I am grateful for each night.

I am grateful......

• For my life and the opportunity to follow my dreams.
• For family and dear friends that are concerned for my well being.
• To have a place to stay infused with peace and solitude.

What are you grateful for?

Black Health and Wealth Always!!

Karolyn Oakley

Facebook: Kurlyn Drums

***TEAM BLACKANOMICS***

Sirius XM 128 (The Power)

Millet anyone?

Question: How many of you have ever heard of millet?

 

Growing up in the south, it was not a grain that was used on a daily or even weekly basis in my household. Perhaps in processed breads or snacks, millet was an ingredient, but it was never a mainstay. But how times change. With the influence of healthy eating campaigns and whole grain diets, millet surfaces once again as a grain with powerful nutritional benefits.

Millet contains 15% protein and is also a gluten free grain. It is the perfect grain for anyone that suffers from various food sensitivities. You can use millet in soups, bread making and even fix millet as a hot cereal dish. Additionally, research has concluded that millet can reduce migraines, heart attacks and can even assist in weight loss. And most exciting......it's alkaline!!

 

(photo credit:  http://healthandfitnessarticle.org)

 

 

And as I did more research about millet, one thing that stood out to me was that the Bible mentions millet. In Ezekiel 4:9 it says:

“Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof.”

So it is safe to say that millet is rightly regarded as an ancient grain. And if you are wondering how to get started with incorporating this wonder grain into your diet, try adding a ¼ cup of millet in your next soup.  Keep in mind that millet has a tendency to expand, so always remember that a little goes a long way!

 

(My veggie soup with millet and bladderwrack)

So what are you waiting for? With over 6,000 varieties of millet available, I am sure that you will pick the perfect one!

 
Black Health and Wealth Always!!

Karolyn Oakley

Facebook: Kurlyn Drums

***TEAM BLACKANOMICS***

Sirius XM 128 (The Power)

 

 

The Vegan Opportunity

                      

 

On Saturday, I spoke about food security and the vegan lifestyle.  What prompted the discussion were two articles that I read about recently.  You can find them listed below.

Vegan by 2050:  http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/vegetarian-2050-190426669.html

Vegan McDonald’s:  http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-opening-first-vegetarian-only-    restaurants-2012-9

 From the above articles, the world may be forced to go vegetarian by 2050 and McDonalds is opening up vegan restaurants in India.  It seems everywhere you look, some new nutritional consultant is talking about the best nutrient dense grain to incorporate in your diet.  Everyone wants to go green and more and more people are setting the goal to thoughtfully eat in hopes to reduce or eliminate malignant symptoms.  This is a message to the entrepreneur.

 For the entrepreneur, the message is simple:  Start a business that appeals to the vegan community. And with more people beginning to understand the process of how meat lands on their plate, a lot of people are opting out from eating meats and using whole grains, mushrooms, and vegetables to provide a necessary protein source.  If there is not a soul vegetarian restaurant in your community, BUILD ONE!  For a large corporation to expand operations providing vegan options for customers, only means that a person looking to start a business has yet another way to be unique and appealing.  After researching some of McDonald's vegetarian menu items, I must admit it seems quite promising.  But will their vegetarian dishes be organic?  Sustainable concerning water supply?  Only time will tell. 

But the time to take action is now.  This is a trend that belongs to you.  Research what opportunities currently exist and if possible, create your own!  You can do it!!

 

Black Health and Wealth Always,

Karolyn Oakley
Facebook:  Kurlyn Drums
Team Blackanomics  - Sirius XM 128 (The Power)

 

Food Waste?? COMPOST!

 

(photo credit:  www.insteading.com)

So today I spent some time reading a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council.  You can access the report by clicking here:

http://www.nrdc.org/food/files/wasted-food-IP.pdf

 

The title alone is quite telling. 

Wasted:  How America is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill

I originally heard about this in a brief media clip on a local news station.  And upon reading the report, I was shocked to find out just how much food is wasted by farming operations, grocery stores and restaurants.  Not to mention over purchasing from a consumer perspective.  But here are some of the facts from the report:

1.       On average, diners leave 17% of meals uneaten and 55%    of these potential leftovers are not taken home.

2.       American families throw out approximately 25% of the food and beverages they buy.

3.       Today, portion sizes can be two to eight times larger than USDA or FDA standard serving sizes.

4.       In 2008, 126 billion pounds of food was lost within the food services industry.

5.       A large tomato packing house reported that in mid-season it can fill a dump truck with 22,000 pounds of discarded tomatoes every forty minutes.

6.       The decomposition of uneaten food accounts for 23% of all methane emission in the United States.

So what does all of this mean?  For starters, it shows that American food supply is such that we can eradicate hunger, but instead we have become wasteful.  It is also a clear indication that we are not managing our waste properly.  It is almost as if we have taken our food for granted.  And not only the food, the resources that it takes to get the food to our favorite restaurant or grocery store.  Transportation costs, water, and labor to harvest crops just to cull based on aesthetic criteria. 

What happened to common sense?  Only preparing what can be eaten?

 Because we live in a world of excess, Americans are so used to having everything within a three block radius.  Looking for the next big super food from a country nearly 3,000 miles away?  Check aisle six.  Looking for fresh seafood from one of the most remote places on earth?  Served nightly at your favorite restaurant with free delivery.  America’s obsession with excess provides a bit more clarity on the epidemic of obesity and other preventable ailments.   Too much is never enough. 

So what is the solution to America’s waste problem?  I’m willing to cast my vote for composting. The report did mention composting as an important way to manage waste.  But with only 3% of all food being composted, more has to be done to make a bigger impact. 

The science of composting is decomposing carbon and nitrogen inputs to create a nutrient-rich additive that can be used as soil or in combination with other organic substances.  If you are not sure what I mean by this, no worries.  I will write a step by step blog (with pictures) on how to compost.  It is really easy and the best part about it is that you can do your part to reduce food waste and contribute to the soil creation movement.  So I’m just wondering, how many of you compost?  And do you eat the leftovers?

Black Health and Wealth Always,

 

Karolyn Oakley
Facebook:  Kurlyn Drums
Team Blackanomics – Sirius XM 128 (The Power)