Celebrating the Health of Fathers!

Priest. Provider. Protector.
#showingmercy

By donna green goodman

uring the early 2000s I was invited to participate in a Health Fair for Black Men sponsored by Dr. James Bennett of Midtown Urology in Atlanta. He was concerned about their health and wanted us to provide plant-powered food samples as part of the event where he would provide health screenings and information for better health. He announced the fair on black radio and said to expect about 100 or so men. When we drove up and saw close to 1,000, we asked God to bless our little lunch and He did. I was most impressed by the many men who started speaking on our behalf to the crowd about how their bodies were temples and that they needed to stop eating “all that mess” and learn how to prepare and appreciate plant-powered versions.

Historically, the health of Black men has been poor. Contributing factors include racism, stress, poor health choices, use of harmful substances, disparity in health care, lack of insurance or underinsurance, and the Tuskegee experiment. Sometimes when access is available, and patients are educated and well insured, outcomes are not much better. Upon closer observance, it seems that no matter the socioeconomic status, unless personal choices are healthy ones, outcomes are the same.

Steven Taylor is one of the Black men represented by disparity in health. We met his wife, Dawn, after my husband and partner, Eddie Goodman, gave a presentation during the 5th Annual Wholistic Rejuvenation Video Summit in 2020 sponsored by Head to Toe Change. One of the goals the Taylors have is to present the information they are learning to their church, True Light C.O.G.I.C. Eventually, Dawn came to Lifestyle Therapeutix for physical therapy and was feeling better so she told her husband he needed to try it out for some pain he was having. Steven had been to a number of therapists, without success, and was not impressed; but he agreed to make Dawn happy.

As treatment progressed and his health improved, he was quite interested in learning about how his lifestyle choices could improve his health. In addition to his pain, he also had diabetes, hypertension, stage 3 kidney disease, erectile dysfunction (ED), retinopathy, bilateral knee pain, and arthritis. As part of his therapy, he learned how his choices affect his health outcomes and decided to make some changes, starting with moving to a plant-based diet.

I was intrigued by how he approached the process.

As Priest of his family, Steven felt responsible for the spiritual health of each person, and so he started by explaining what was going to happen. He had learned that God was also very interested in their health (Deuteronomy 11:18-21).

As Provider for his family, Steven made sure they all had access to what they needed for better health. Dawn started making changes in their shopping habits and was quick to reach out if they needed help. Steven was also happy to share with his extended family and friends (1 Timothy 5:8).

As Protector of his family, Steven was humbled as he realized that with all the health challenges he faced, his family also faced many of the same challenges. As he realized that God had a definite plan for his health, he was determined to protect his family and “break generational curses” that had plagued his loved ones (Exodus 20:5, 60).

And so, we are shouting for joy with Steven and Dawn. As of this writing, Steven has come very far. He has:

• lost 30 pounds;
• dropped his cholesterol;
• dropped his blood pressure;
• stopped taking 100 units of insulin;
• no more pain in knees;
• no more ED;
• improved kidney health;
• improved his vision by over 50%, as documented and supported by his physician. He even took off his glasses while driving down the interstate with Dawn to show her he could see a sign ¼ mile away;
• jumped out of bed after morning prayer to go to his exercise equipment;
• happily started cooking for Dawn;
• been happy to share with his colleagues the key to his success and even had to let them know who he was one day when they walked by him; and
• perplexed the doctors who are watching in awe as he gets better through healthy choices, rather than the medications they thought were working.

When our fathers are healthy, our families are healthy and our communities are healthy, all because they/we changed our choices (Joshua 24:15, Malachi 3:7, Malachi 4:6).

I’m sharing some of the favorite recipes that the Taylors enjoy now. They are extremely happy with simple and tasty. You’ve also got to listen to them tell you about their journey. (https://youtu.be/PYXB9ca3Wfc) You will definitely be inspired. Happy Father’s Day!

Red Cabbage

Pour a small amount of olive oil in a skillet. Add tomato, pepper and onion and sauté for a few minutes. Add shredded cabbage. Cover and let simmer till tender. Add seasonings to taste. Serve.

Variation: Dawn says add garlic and a dash of your favorite sweetener.

Dawn’s Burritos

Sauté everything but the cheese in a small amount of oil. Add to tortillas that have been warmed. Top with vegan cheese of your choice, roll and serve with salsa.

Variation: Add Mexican Rice.

Dawn’s Stir Fry

Place pasta in a pot to boil. While boiling, stir fry all your veggies with water. Season with Bragg’s Liquid Aminoes® and ginger. Drain pasta when tender. Mix in veggies. Adjust to taste and serve.

Donna Green-Goodman, MPH writes for MESSAGE Magazine from Huntsville, Alabama where she and her husband operate Lifestyle Therapeutix, A Lifestyle For Better Health Center www.lifestyletherapeutix.com. She is a health educator who is a 25-year breast cancer survivor. She’s been a college professor and a national ambassador for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Circle of Promise Campaign. She is author of Somethin’ to Shout About! (Orion Enterprises, 1999), Cookin’ Up Good Health, (Still Shoutin’, 2008), Still Cookin’ Up Good Health (2017), and executive producer of her own cooking show, Cookin’ Up Good Health!, which aired on HOPETV. Cook Up Good Health with her on Donna’s YouTube Cooking Channel.