HEALTH & WELLNESS

Aramaic Bible in Plain English - John 3:16

"For God loved the world in this way: so much that he would give up his Son, The Only One, so that everyone who trusts in him shall not be lost, but he shall have eternal life".

Research has found that African Americans have higher rates of mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than their Caucasian counterparts. In 2008, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) found CVD accounted for 25% of all deaths in the United States, and CVD was the number one cause of mortality for African Americans. Within the African American group, women have a higher mortality rate for CVD than males as well as Caucasian females. African American women have a 35% higher mortality rate for CVD compared to Caucasian women, whereas African American males have only a 7% higher mortality rate compared to Caucasian men.

Diabetes also affects the African American population at a higher rate. African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as their Caucasian counterparts. The effects of diabetes make this population twice as likely to have end-stage renal disease and lower extremity amputations.

Stroke is another chronic disease that leads to a higher rate of death for African Americans. They are 60% more likely to have a stroke than Caucasians, and African American men are 60% more likely to die from a stroke than Caucasian men.6 Additionally, African American stroke survivors are more likely to become disabled and have difficulty with activities of daily living.

HIV/AIDS Initiative
In Miami, fifty-seven (57%) percent of HIV cases are African Americans and of that number fifty-five (55%) percent are African American men and forty-three (43%) percent are Women of Color.

HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for women ages 25 to 44. HIV can be transmitted by unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex.

Dr. Allison Green MD, FAAP

Hello Friends, I am Dr. Allison Haughton-Green, a mother of twins in her 40s. As this year moves forward, I would like to share my story with you in the hopes that this will be your year, as 2008 was mine a mixture of good health and successful weight loss.

My Story From 1999 to 2007, I suffered from a variety of chronic disorders which included crippling migraine headaches, insomnia and anxiety. It was while having my annual physical that it finally hit home. My health (or lack of good health) was taking a serious toll on my body. I was showing the beginnings of illnesses that were potentially life threatening if I didn't take action. My lab tests showed signs of Type II Diabetes and my cholesterol was at 270.

I was 40 pounds overweight, taking multiple medications daily and under the care of three physicians. The final straw was a migraine that incapacitated me for 5 days, feeling as though I was literally on fire. I was of limited use to my family and my practice. I had to make a change and fast.

Living in harmony with the environment and the laws of Nature is one of the central ideas of Rastafarianism. To live in accordance with the Earth is to live in accordance with Jah; it is incorporated into the morality that is Rastafarian consciousness.

The Rasta's reverence for nature is influenced by the traditional African religions which are still practiced in Jamaica and which have also influenced Christianity on the island tremendously. Hinduism, too, has influenced many Rastafarian beliefs and practices.

Through the Rastafarian's calculated rejection of Western cultural norms they have come to realize capitalism and the environmental destruction it has caused as Babylon, a place of destruction and greed. In order to escape this"Babylon system"a lifestyle has been employed that is focused on a correlation between man and nature. This lifestyle is an environmentally sound ideal that others around the World are only now beginning to strive for.

ITAL FOOD

Eating Rastafarian Style is the second book in the ‘Likkle’ Jamaican Cookbook Series. A cookbook with a difference, the approach is not academic, it’s a brief overview of the proponents of ital food (Rastafarians) along with some exciting and delicious recipes that are easy and fun to prepare. The author has included some interesting personalities who were happy to share a few of their personal recipes and ways of preparing ital food. With easy to follow instructions and inexpensive ingredients, this book offers a clear guide for making tasty, nutritious treats from your own garden.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annemarie Troeder is a German who permanently resides in Jamaica with her husband, Werner, and their two adopted Jamaican children, Marcus and Amy. She manages Ann's German Bakery Limited and produces healthy German bread (baked with coconut oil) with a Jamaican touch. She also produces jams, with and without sugar, for the health conscious.