Tag Archives: nutrition

health

Sis, have you heard about phytochemicals? 🤔

In this two-part series, I’ll be talking about 7 phytochemicals you should know that are beneficial to you.

Phyto means plant. Phytochemical is simply a term that is used to describe all chemicals that are related to plant species. There are over 7,000 of them!

Phytochemicals are needed to protect the body from harmful substances that cause chronic conditions. They also keep the body functioning well. This is why plant-based diets can greatly reduce the risk of chronic conditions.

Here are 4 of the 7 phytochemicals that you ABSOLUTELY need to know about and where you can find them. Stay tuned for the rest.

Chlorophyll is the lifeblood of plants and a popular phytochemical that I’m sure you’ve heard of that is anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic. Green leafy vegetables and the blue-green algae chlorella are great sources. Chlorella can protect the body against ultraviolet radiation. It also normalizes body functions and has detoxification properties.

Carotenoids are found in bright red, yellow, and orange fruits such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, carrots, and other cruciferous vegetables. There are more than 600 naturally occurring carotenoids and all are tissue-specific, enhance immune response, and protect against depletion of glutathione, the body’s major intracellular antioxidant.

Catechins are found in a wide range of plants and in foods like tea, cocoa, and berries. They are most abundant in grape seed extract and green tea leaves. These compounds act as antioxidants and some can be antiviral, antimicrobial, and chemoprotective. Want a nice dose of them? Drink matcha tea. Matcha is high in a catechin called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate).

Curcuminoids are pigments found in turmeric which have antioxidant, anticoagulant properties and also can be anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and help to reduce cholesterol. There are so many ways to get your turmeric in – but one of my favorites for the fall is making warm turmeric milk; using non-dairy milk, turmeric, cinnamon, clove, and a pinch of black pepper. -XO

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @therawgirl as I share lots of valuable tips on nutrition and health as a whole!

African Staple: Papaya

aging

African Staple: Papaya

Hey boo! Can I tell you a juicy secret?

Papaya is an amazing source of vitamin C and can provide you with more than 300% of the recommended daily intake!

Papaya is a staple food that can be found in many African countries.

It’s rich in vitamins A, C, folate,  and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure levels. This fruit also contains trace amounts of  calcium, magnesium, B1, B3, B5, E and K – all essential nutrients for a healthy lifestyle.

Chile, it gets better! Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can break down the tough protein chains found in muscle meat. Because of this, papaya has been used to tenderize meat for thousands of years, and can also be consumed to improve digestion of protein.

The benefits of eating Papaya include supporting increased immunity thanks to its antioxidant properties, lowered risk for heart disease, high cholesterol and cancer,  reducing inflammation, and supporting the bodies’ natural detoxification process.

Trying to get that vegan glow or reduce signs of aging? The vitamin C and lycopene in papaya can protect your skin. A randomized controlled trial published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science showed that older women who consumed a mixture of lycopene, vitamin C and other antioxidants for 14 weeks had a visible and measurable reduction in depth of facial wrinkles.

It has been used traditionally in Indian medicine as a  digestion aid because it is high in fiber and water content, promoting a healthy digestive tract. And in the case you are trying to eliminate a parasite – papaya seeds are actually anti-paritisic.

Papayas also contain alkaloids like piperine, which serve as natural pain relievers and can help to reduce the effects of inflammation in joints while reducing your risk for chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Hope I gave you enough reasons to get down with this African staple.  There are over ten varieties of this fruit worldwide, so girl,  you got options.

Did I miss anything about Papaya? Let me know in the comments. – XO

Episode 10: Major Keys to Growing and Maintaining Healthy Hair

hair growth

Hey lady hey, this week we are talking about hair: how to maintain it, how to grow it, and some essential hair care tips. There are many reasons why hair loss can happen over time, and in this episode we are going to hone into some diet changes and maintenance tips to help you whip your hair back and forth. Tune in to this episode to find out common myths about hair growth, how to personalize care based on your constitution, ingredients in hair products you should avoid, warning signs that you need to improve your hair care, or rebalance your body to improve your hair health.

In this show I will go into some nutrients that can be key in boosting our hair health, and  later will speak to Zeenat Watts, a Trichologist and Licensed Cosmetology Educator, who can break down some of the common reasons our hair and scalp gets damaged.

Grab your wine and popcorn Olivia Pope style, and learn:

  • What nutrients play a key role in hair growth
  • Diet changes that support hair health 
  • The most common myths about hair growth 
  • How often is healthy to wash black hair 
  • What imbalances dermatitis and dandruff point to 
  • How to reduce the amount of hair shedding or breakage
  • The best way to approach severe scalp damage
  • How to approach care for your hair based on your personal constitution
  • Ingredients we should avoid in hair care products that can damage our scalp and hair

Subscribe & Listen to the full episode HERE:

https://stayingagelessshow.com/

Check out Zeenat & Esosa’s New Hair Lab: 

https://www.revivifyhairlab.com 

Find Zee  on Instagram: @thehealingstylist @revivifyhairlab

 

Recipe: All Green Everything Pizza

healthy living

About a week or so ago I made my All Green Everything Pizza, and posted a pic in my insta stories on my @therawgirl profile asking if anyone wanted the recipe. 100% responded YES! So yesterday I posted the videos, demoing how to make the lazy version (using a pre-made crust) and how to make an industrious version (homemade crust but Oh-so-worth-it & it only takes 15 minutes in the oven!)

This is a variation on the recipe I posted on the blog for my Gluten-Free Flatbread and Pizza Crust. For this pizza, the crust is green and includes superfoods, the sauce is green – pesto base, and you add on whatever green toppings you have on hand at home. If you make it please holla at your girl and let me know what you think.

Industrious Version
Lazy Version

XO

Esosa E., MS, CNS, LDN

Episode 8: The Power of Raw Food with Dr. Aris Latham

aris latham

Hey lady hey!

In this episode of the Staying Ageless podcast Dr. Aris Latham, the father of gourmet ethical raw foods cuisine, is joining me to discuss his “sun-fired” food philosophy, his personal health journey, and the amazing wisdom he’s gathered as a chef now that he is 72 years young.

If you are about living that #Ageless life, you won’t want to miss the wisdom in this episode. This week we continue talking about the power of raw food, and speak to an amazing living example who has eaten raw “sun-fired” foods for 44 years. Tune in to this episode to find out how to eat raw outside of a tropical environment, what are electromagnetic foods, the best timing for meals and do’s and don’t of food combining.

In this show I’m going to give you some background on some practical things we can do to live that #Ageless life, and later we’ll be chatting with our expert Dr. Aris Latham, a Chef, Sun-Fired Food Scientist and Educator.

Get you a bowl of fresh fruit, get comfy, and learn:

  • Some basic principles of proper food combining
  • What are electromagnetic foods and how best to incorporate them in a raw food diet
  • How to effectively time your meals
  • The mindset needed to stick with your chosen healthy lifestyle long term
  • Why healthy rituals and routines are essential to achieve longevity

XO

Esosa E., MS, CNS, LDN

Listen to the FULL EPISODE

Check out Dr. Aris Latham’s Work:

https://www.sunfired.com/

He has FREE webinars each Wednesday sign up via his Instagram profile @arislife_

Episode 3: The Power of the Subconscious Mind

depression

Girl, do you feel like there are cycles repeating in your personal life over and over? Or are you someone who feels like whenever you try to make a change in specific areas of your life you self-sabotage or hit a roadblock? Tune in to this episode to get insight on how your subconscious programming may be preventing you from getting the live, love, career, and health you desire.  

In this show I’m going to give you a few tips about how daily mindfulness can help you rewire your subconscious mind and increase longevity, and later we’ll be chatting with our expert Bianca DeGroat who is a a Los Angeles-based Clinical hypnotherapist, Advanced Rapid Transformation Therapy Practitioner, and Past-Life Regression Therapist who is in the business of clearing blocks and improving lives.

Get your best cup of tea to sip on, get comfy, and learn: 

  • How becoming aware of your subconscious programming and deep rooted beliefs can get you the life, career, and health you desire
  • What is hypnotherapy and how it can be leveraged to break addictive behaviors
  • The power of releasing attachment from traumatic events to spark healing
  • What is rapid transformational therapy and how it differs from traditional therapy
  • Rules of the mind and how beliefs can cause health conditions
  • The power of meditation and mindfulness to rewire your subconscious mind and increase longevity

Listen to the full episode HERE: https://stayingagelessshow.com/

To check out Bianca’s practice visit: https://www.biancadegroathypnotherapy.com/

Find the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stiticher, Deezer, and more. If you like what you hear please subscribe, tell a friend, and leave a review on apple podcasts. XO

Episode 2: How Dairy is Aging You & Racial Bias in U.S. Dietary Guidelines

dairy

Hey y’all.

I’m sending you a virtual hug this morning. I hope that despite the uncertainty, you are taking care of YOU during this intense time and still have peace. It is at moments like this that we are divinely forced to slow all the way down, take stock of what is really important, and be still. I have used the extra time to extend my meditation and prayer sessions, and I intend to keep creating content by any means necessary. Thankful that podcasting still allows for #socialdistancing while creating powerful connections.

Episode 2 of Staying Ageless podcast is here, and I got to speak to Dr. Milton Mills. You may have seen him on the documentary that made everybody and their mama consider going vegan – “What the Health?” and also recently in a video that went viral with him talking about the inherent racism of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. We chat about How Dairy is Aging You and Racial Bias in the US Dietary Guidelines. 

It’s a good one, so grab your #quarantine snacks ready, get comfy,  and learn: 

  • Why dairy is addictive and can be really hard to stop eating
  • The diseases that dairy can cause after long term consumption
  • Is dairy needed in order to get adequate vitamin D3 and calcium
  • The difference between animal milk vs. human milk 
  • How dairy can affect your hormonal balance and lead to disease
  • Why consuming dairy causes accelerated aging
  • Racial bias in US Dietary Guidelines why it exists and how you can get involved

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Deezer and more. If you haven’t yet, please subscribe and leave a review for the show on Apple Podcasts – means the world to me to get feedback! www.stayingagelessshow.com​

I have amazing new episodes coming for you each Saturday, and I’d love to hear from you about topics or guests you’d like to see on the show. Email me rawgirltoxicworld@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram @therawgirl and let me know if there’s something health related you’d like me to cover, or if you know a licensed health practitioner that I can have as a guest. Also message me if you have any questions you’d like to have answered on the show.

XO

Esosa E., MS, CNS, LDN

 

Staying Ageless Podcast is HEEERRE!

ageless

Hey lady hey! I’ve been working hard behind the scenes on a a reboot of my podcast 🙂 I’m excited to let you know its HEEEERRRE! And I’ll be releasing weekly episodes on Saturdays featuring interviews with amazing health experts.

Staying Ageless is a health and wellness podcast that will equip you with major keys to achieve extraordinary longevity. Tune in for a fun and engaging look at food & lifestyle choices, hear from experts as well as living examples, and learn how to personalize your nutrition and exercise regimen and boost your energy so you can stay fly til you’re 99, or close to it. To subscribe and listen to episode one search for the show in Apple Podcasts or visit the show’s website: www.stayingagelessshow.com. The show will also be available on Spotify, Deezer, Radio.com, Pandora, Stitcher, and many more soon.

This podcast wouldn’t exist without so many who inspired me, nurtured me, taught me about nutrition, helped me through my own healing crises, hired me to produce radio when I knew nothing, or lent their time, talent, & resources to help me over the past ten years.

I must say THANK YOU to: Maryland University of Integrative Health, all of my current clients who trust me with their healing process, Dr. Laila Afrika, Dr. Sebi, Queen Afua, Khepra, Dr. Natural, Eleanor Gafton, CNS, Jenny Libkhen, CNS, Amy Bronzi, BS, NDTR, Sue Roselle, CNS, Chris Bacon, Dunori (thank you double bro), my Dad & last but never least my Executive Producer Jesus.

I have amazing new episodes coming for you each Saturday, and I’d love to hear from you about topics or guests you’d like to see on the show. Email Me at rawgirltoxicworld@gmail.com and let me know if there’s something health related you’d like me to cover, or if you know a licensed health practitioner that I can have as a guest.

XO

Esosa E., MS, CNS, LDN

PS

Please subscribe and leave reviews on Apple Podcasts if you like what you hear!

My Ultimate #Coronavirus Survival Plan

alternative medicine

Chile, as if I need anything else to worry about besides finding truly organic veggies, and sticking to my intense JLo fit before 50 workout regimen, the coronavirus is spreading the way veganism did after people saw “What the Health?”

What is coronavirus and how does it spread? It’s a virus that appears to mostly affect the upper respiratory tract that currently has no treatment, vaccine, or specific medication used for treatment although in China they are testing an anti-HIV drug called Kaletra on infected patients. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). It does this through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes which can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Thus far these countries have reported widespread community transmission: China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea with new cases popping up in other countries by the day.

I’ve received several messages from followers and family over the past weeks and have finally put together my personal game plan to survive this or any virus of that matter. Besides staying prayed up, here are the six things I think are essential for preparation. 

 

  1. Don’t stress about it. Anxiety and stress lower your immunity and will actually make you more susceptible to any disease. Stop watching the news which may increase your anxiety, and catch up on the latest through articles or other means. Pray, meditate, breathe deep, and woosah daily to make sure you remain calm. Sleep is also essential and a major KEY in keeping your immunity up, so get enough of it every night. 
  2. Boost Your Immunity by megadosing Vitamin C daily from whole food sources. Vitamin C works best BEFORE you are sick but in therapeutic doses can help with recovery from just about anything. My favorite sources are acerola cherry powder and camu camu powder. Add to your smoothies or juice and drink up!
  3. Get Yo’ Gut Together. Our gut is the seat of our immunity and if our gut is comprised – leaky – or overrun with bad bacteria our bodies become a breeding ground for a wide range of pathogens or viruses, including corona. If your gut is leaky you may need to start taking L-glutamine or consuming a lot of cabbage (a natural source of it) for repair.. If you have ongoing serious gut issues, don’t panic, just start working with someone to repair it now. 
  4. Eat Real Whole Food. If you need a life or death reason to start eating healthy, #coronavirus is it. Eating processed and fast foods will lower your immunity. 
  5. Practice Sanitation – Instead of hand sanitizers, wash your hands with soap and water, and make your own sanitizer by moisturizing your hands afterwards with a carrier oil that has added essential oils with antiviral properties to it. (Create Your own Blend by mixing in some of these: Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, Pine, Tea Tree, Lemon Balm or check out doTERRA On Guard, which has a decent mix of these) 
  6. Get acquainted with and stock up on powerful natural antiviral herbs. There are many you can choose from but these are my personal go-to’s: 
  • Blackseed Oil, Powder, or Extract is jokingly called “the cure-all for everything except death.” I’ll personally be taking this daily as a preventative measure. There is research that was conducted in Nigeria and an article published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine which describes an HIV patient who experienced a complete recovery after undergoing treatment with a black seed extract, for a six months period.
  • Astragalus Root is a Chinese adaptogenic herb I take in tincture form for it’s longevity properties and ability to calm the central nervous system, but was pleasantly surprised that this herb that keeps on giving has potent antiviral and immune enhancing properties. In fact, it has been shown in studies to combat herpes viruses, hepatitis C, and avian influenza H9 virus. 
  • Oil of Oregano  in oil or pill form is potent and should not be taken for more than 2 weeks continuously without a break. This is different and not as harsh as oregano oil, but still very powerful. Also a great way to clear out the gut in tandem with other herbs before reseeding if you have candida or parasites. Wild oregano oil has been tested against aggressive germs, including the cold, flu and even bird flu viruses and always emerges victorious so corona doesn’t stand a chance. 
  • Elderberry has been used in herbal traditions for centuries and use can be traced all the way back to Hippocrates, who is considered by certain populations to be the father of medicine. He referred to Sambucus nigra elderberry as his “medicine chest” because he believed it to be so useful in treating a wide variety of ailments. Elderberry has been found to promote a balanced immune response and is a great one to have on-hand to boost immunity or combat illness. It comes in a myriad of forms – syrups, lozenges, general supplements. 

You can also add basil, garlic, turmeric and other herbs to your food regularly to increase anti-viral properties. If you are taking medication, do not begin taking herbs without consulting with a health practitioner to ensure there are no negative interactions. -XO

 

References:

Brochot A, Guilbot A, Haddioui L, Roques C. Antibacterial, antifungal, and

antiviral effects of three essential oil blends. Microbiologyopen. 2017 Aug;6(4).

doi: 10.1002/mbo3.459. Epub 2017 Mar 14. PubMed PMID: 28296357; PubMed Central

PMCID: PMC5552930.

 

Gilling DH, Kitajima M, Torrey JR, Bright KR. Antiviral efficacy and

mechanisms of action of oregano essential oil and its primary component carvacrol

against murine norovirus. J Appl Microbiol. 2014 May;116(5):1149-63. doi:

10.1111/jam.12453. Epub 2014 Feb 12. PubMed PMID: 24779581.

 

Onifade AA, Jewell AP, Adedeji WA. Nigella sativa concoction induced sustained

seroreversion in HIV patient. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013 Aug

12;10(5):332-5. eCollection 2013. PubMed PMID: 24311845; PubMed Central PMCID:

PMC3847425.

 

Yimer EM, Tuem KB, Karim A, Ur-Rehman N, Anwar F. Nigella sativa L. (Black

Cumin): A Promising Natural Remedy for Wide Range of Illnesses. Evid Based

Complement Alternat Med. 2019 May 12;2019:1528635. doi: 10.1155/2019/1528635.

eCollection 2019. Review. PubMed PMID: 31214267; PubMed Central PMCID:

PMC6535880.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

alternative healing

Signs you need to #DetoxYourLife: Candida Overgrowth. 

What is Candida? We all have it – it’s a type of yeast necessary for our gut ecosystem that normally lives in small amounts in places like your mouth and belly, or on your skin without causing any problems, but when the veggie hits the fan and we get imbalanced it can multiply and grow out of control. 

Signs you may have Candida overgrowth:

  • Fatigue
  • Chronic yeast infections
  • Recurring urinary tract infections
  • Nail / toe fungus 
  • White coating on tongue 
  • Sugar cravings 
  • Sinus infections: Common symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of smell and headaches. A study by the Mayo Clinic looked at a group of 210 individuals with chronic sinus infections and found that 96% of them had fungi in their mucus. Yikes!
  • Digestive issues including constipation, diarrhea, nausea, gas, cramps and bloating. Studies indicate that overgrowth of Candida is also associated with several diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
  • Skin rashes or acne that flares up in response to consuming sugar 

Things to note about clearing up Candida overgrowth:

You must find out the root cause to effectively address it. For me it was mercury poisoning. For others it may be a poor diet, or even an imbalance caused by medication. Steroid drugs like Prednisone can actually promote Candida overgrowth. And undergoing the process of antibiotic therapy, steroid therapy, or chemotherapy also increase the chance of a candida overgrowth. 

Know this: If you are on a no sugar diet for years you are approaching it wrong! It took me a month and a half of targeted detox to clear it up. You do need a period of restricting sugars – Absolutely no refined sugar or flour should be allowed –  but low glycemic index fruit can be fine in moderation.

Don’t try to use probiotics as a bandaid. There’s a place for them in gut healing but we have to clear out the core issue first and then “reseed” or repopulate the gut with good bacteria. In addition to a regular probiotic, a strain called Saccharomyces Boulardii is particularly effective against Candida.

If you or someone you know thinks you may have candida, holla at your girl. There’s testing that you need to do to confirm it’s presence, and getting a detox protocol that is tailored to your situation is ideal. -XO