(Black) Table Talk

optimal health

The Plant-Based Lifestyle

(Black) Table Talk

Real conversations about our health

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(Black) Table Talk

Real conversations about our health

By donna green goodman

hen I think of my family, I am reminded of gatherings with my immediate family and our loved ones, my birth family, and my extended family. What brings the warmest memories are the gatherings we had at my great grandmother and great aunt’s home. There was always good food. There was always a crowd. And always a lively discussion. As a matter of fact, it was at one of those gatherings that my parents announced their intention to make better choices around their health.

I’ve continued this tradition in my own home with my husband and son. Whenever we are hosting loved ones around a meal the conversation invariably turns to health. The conversations can get pretty lively, although we will take time for second helpings and dessert.

In the Black community, health data is bleak. See Pewresearch.org for the latest statistics regarding health disparities. We are disparate in all categories of health. We have less access to good health care —both physical access and because of institutional racism and discrimination. We have poorer outcomes, worse complications and we die sooner. See Kauffman Family Foundation at kff.org/infographics/disparities (see charts below).

infographic of Health and Health Care for Black People in the U.S.

RISK FACTORS
AGE
SEX
FAMILY HISTORY
SMOKING
POOR DIET
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
DIABETES
OBESITY
PHYSICAL INACTIVITY
STRESS

But, at the core of many of the health challenges we face are risk factors that revolve around choice. As we have shared in previous issues, according to Drs. Columbus Batiste and Eric Walsh of www.slavefood.org, we can reverse these health challenges. The problem isn’t with our DNA but with our DINNER!

So I have a challenge for you this month: Plan a family dinner and have some table talk. Spend time talking about how chronic disease is impacting your family. Describe how together you can work to improve the family’s health. Come up with some ideas that you can all do together. Decide what your family can do to change the direction of its health and set it on a right course. And, be patient with the ones who aren’t quite ready for the journey.

Know that the risk factors for most chronic disease center around poor diet and lack of physical activity. You can choose to modify these. Nobody is preventing you from making better choices about either of them.

Why not discover together how you can work together and improve outcomes together.

RISK FACTORS
AGE
SEX
FAMILY HISTORY
SMOKING
POOR DIET
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
DIABETES
OBESITY
PHYSICAL INACTIVITY
STRESS

Veggie Chicken Tomato Soup

•

Olive Oil

1-2

cups veggie chicken strips

red onion, sliced

each green and yellow pepper, sliced

3-4

cloves garlic, sliced or chopped

4-6

roma tomatoes, sliced

1-2

cups fresh kale, sliced into strips

1-2

cups fresh or frozen corn

small can coconut milk

jar traditional spaghetti sauce

•

Water to desired amount (4-6 cups)

•

McKay’s Chicken-style, basil, Italian, savory seasonings, and salt to taste

In a large pot, pour a small amount of olive oil. Add veggie chicken strips and cook till desired browning is noted. Add onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Stir then let simmer for a few minutes. Add tomatoes, kale and corn. Stir and simmer till kale starts to wilt. Add coconut milk, jar of spaghetti sauce and additional water to reach desired consistency. Season to taste with McKay’s Chicken Style Seasoning, basil, Italian seasoning, savory and salt. Cover and let simmer until vegetables are tender. Adjust seasonings. Serves 6-8.

African Jollof Rice

•

Olive oil

cup veggie sausage, sliced

1½

cups veggie chicken, chopped

medium onion, diced

cup green pepper or small can mild chili peppers, chopped

2-3

cloves garlic, chopped

small piece ginger, grated

cups instant brown rice

tomatoes, sliced

6-ounce can tomato paste

large carrot, diced

cup green beans, cut into small pieces

cups water (add more for softer rice, less for firmer)

•

McKay’s No MSG Chicken seasoning, thyme, red pepper flakes, pepper-like seasoning, and optional salt

In a large pot or skillet brown veggie meat in olive oil. Add onion, pepper, garlic, and ginger and simmer for a few minutes. Add rice and tomatoes and stir thoroughly. Add tomato paste, carrot and green beans. Stir. Add water and seasonings to taste. Bring to boil then reduce and simmer till done. Serves 8

Variation: Some Jollof rice recipes use spices like curry, cumin, coriander and cinnamon.
Yield 20-24 patties.

Donna Green-Goodman, MPH writes 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!, Cookin’ Up Good Health, Still Cookin’ Up Good Health, and executive producer of her own cooking show, Cookin’ Up Good Health!, which can be found on Donna’s YouTube Cooking Channel.

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