Wellness

Wellness speaks to a healthy person in mind, body, and spirit.

How did they do it

by ladypbwiggins

I am looking at my apartment listing all the things I need to clean or organize. It seems I am never done.

How did my grandmothers’ homes were so clean and organized? They cooked almost all the meals from scratch every day. They also went to work everyday.

I have all these modern conveniences. I have a stand mixer, juicer, food processor, air fryer, even a mandolin. I have Swiffers for floors and dusting; A washer and dryer removes the need for hanging clothes on the line.

I can’t seem to get it all done. Am I the only one?🤔🤪

Watch What They Do

by ladypbwiggins

He(she) who goes about as a tale bearer reveals secrets. Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his(her) lips.  Proverbs 20:19

Remember when you get that call which purpose is to spill the tea about someone, those same lips will possibly spill the tea about you to them.

My restatement of the next part is, “Don’t get caught up with smooth, complimentary conversation. Watch what they do. Compare it to what they say.”

I wish I had listened to a version of this advice when I was younger. My grandmothers had their version. One in particular I remember.  Lips all the time flapping are probably lying. Your ears are not trash cans.

So hear me young’uns, 😉, Listen closely through the filter of honest and clear observation. Don’t be blindly swayed by gossip wrapped in flattering words.

Love, Hate  Indifference

by ladypbwiggins

I heard something today that made me say, Hmmm. Here it is.

We think the opposite of lov e is hate, but it’s not. It’s indifference. The reasoning is hate implies there is still some emotional tie. You have to care or feel something to hate. Indifference, you feel nothing. You don’t care.

I would love to hear your thoughts.  Comment, subscribe and share.

Unexpected, Simple and Powerful

by ladypbwiggins

My Soil was so enriched Sunday at Church. It came from fellow members who went beyond to show me care and love. You see our church greeters are warm and kind to everyone who enters the doors. But what i’m about to share was beyond that.

I walk with a cane most times because of lower back problems that affect my balance. All of the senior parking spaces were taken. The only one possibly open was reserved, so I had to park a little farther away. As I crossed the parking lot I heard someone behind me call my name. The person wanted to give me her parking spot that had been reserved for her because she had to unload some things so she had to be close. I told her, No but thanks. I walked on.

I must tell you it was a very cold morning. When the greeter saw me nearing the door he opened it. He asked me if there was anything I needed and that he could help with, I said, just to get inside. He smiled and said, May I hug you? It was like a son hugging his mother. I’m not old enough to be his grandmother 😀. It was purely kind affection. He’s kind to everyone but there seemed to be something different, something special, something tenderer than usual. A little later the same gentleman’s wife walked past me on her way to the sanctuary. She realized I was sitting there in the foyer, backed up and gave me a hug and a kiss. She interrupted her purpose to step back and hug me. ❤️.

I had only one student in my Bible study class. She and I had a good discussion. We had fun. We shared, laughed and learned together. I realized the fire I felt when teaching had been missing. It returned. Richness.

During the service, we had a consecration ceremony for all leaders; ministers, elders and ministry volunteers. We were prayed for and anointed with oil. At the end of the ceremony we were asked to tell the people around us that they were a gift. This is our theme for the year. We did. The person behind me leaned over and with emphasis said, I know you are a gift. I didn’t know who it was until I turned around but I still didn’t know why she said it like that. It didn’t matter. Yahweh had just dropped some more nutrients to my soil.

The final additive was made by another son-like relationship. I had gotten in my car and was looking for a phone number to order lunch. There was a knock on my window. I lowered the window and the person who was studying there said, I just wanted to share some love with you and leaned in to give me a hug. I didn’t know I needed that but I did. Yahweh knew. He sees. He walked out of his way to do that.

Now, alone each encounter may not seem like much but collectively, they meant more than gold. They were simple, unexpected and powerful. My soil darkened several shades of blackness. The blackness signaled the richness, the added nutrients, that which will nourish, and strengthen me for days.

Rich Black Soil. Healthy Growth. Blessed Life.

A Reminder

by ladypbwiggins

The eyes of the LORD are in every place. Keeping watch over the evil and the good.  Proverbs 15:3

Sometimes, I get so focused on the things going on around me that I need to be reminded that Yahweh sees.

Yes, I need to be aware. I have a responsibility as a citizen and human. Knowledge and understanding is necessary for wise decision making and action. But it is Yehovah’s plan. He sees what I don’t see. My movement must be aligned with that plan.

Yahweh sees.

The Fast Has Ended

by ladypbwiggins

Like many churches across the country, a corporate fast began. On January 1 many people declared resolutions.  For the Fast, I set goals. Goals that I expect to enrich my Black Soil.

  • First priority obviously was spiritual. The goal was to resume personal bible study aside from studies in Bible study groups.
  • Reset healthy vegan eating. Depression pushed eating out, fluctuating between pescaterian and vegan. I enjoy seafood but my health demands veganism. I win my blood pressure war when eating clean vegan. I must also lose weight to mitigate the pain in my degenerating L4-L5 vertabra.
  • Sew/knit one garment a month. I began to crochet a baby sweater. In progress. Practiced hand-knitting techniques. No sewing.
  • Hang a picture. Purchased but unhinged.
  • Organize my files and desktop. Still have a week in January. 😆

The first two were the highest priority and I got those done. I am now back in the habit of making my meals. This is not only healthier but economical. With food costs, actually all costs, rising, this helps.

I will continue working on these goals and replacing them with new goals as they become habits.

All the Goodness!

by ladypbwiggins

Who makes pineapple and lemon juice using the whole fruit? I’ve been reading that are benefits to the peel of pineapples and lemons. Usually,  to make these juices, I peel them. Lately, I have juiced the whole thing.

You ask why and how? The how is simple. I have a Nama J2 juicer that handles everything quite well. If you don’t like pulp you may need to strain it but I love it all.

Now for the why.

There are benefits to both peels. We know grated lemon peels had flavor to dishes but is there anything else. Oh, so much more. And for the pineapple peel. I didn’t know it was edible.

Benefits of lemon peel.

  1. Antioxidants
  2. Vitamin C
  3. Pectin
    • Boost immunity
    • Improve digestion
    • Support heart health
  4. Benefit skin health  by fighting free radicals
  5. Promotes collagen
  6. Reduce inflammation
  7. Boost white blood cells production and fight infection
  8. Aids in fat digestion
  9. Flavanoids to support blood vessels and heart function
  10. Reduces oxidative stress
  11. Supports bone growth and maintenance

Benefits of Pineapple Peel

  1. Anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelian
  2. Improves digestion
  3. Immunity support (Vitamin C)
  4. Heart health (potassium)
  5. Reduction of inflammation,  swelling  and pain
  6. Gut health
  7. Combat free radicals

WHEW!

All that goodness we normally trash. I am now juicing it all. This saves time. I don’t have to cut the pineapple peel off and I don’t have to peel lemons. But warning! Wash everything, thoroughly.   Especially if non-organic. It will be thicker so strain if you don’t like pulp. Happy juicing! 😊

Looks Like?

by ladypbwiggins

Lab experiment to replace tuna salad

Sometimes you just want a sandwich.  Sometimes you just want a salad topping. This jackfruit based offering gives me just that. It’s simple, quick and few ingredients.

Here is my final meal. It is jackfruit, celery, serrano pepper, avocado and salt to taste on a bed of spinach, arugula and tomatoes.  The salad dressing is a homemade avocado/cashew milk dressing.

Sadly, What We Share

by ladypbwiggins

Last night I attended Praisesongs of the People curated by former poet laureate Amanda Johnston held at Kindred Stories Bookstore, Houston,  TX. The event featured 6 of the poets in Ms. Johnston’s anthology of the same name. It was an uplifting and entertaining poetry collection of people of color on this MLK Day celebration: Asian, Black and Mexican,  all Americans. There were 3 poet laureates in the house: Amanda Johnston  and Lupé Mendez. TX state laureates and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, Houston laureate.

The poems were also educational. One specific poem really hit me with a fact I suspected but had not given it much thought.

Lupe shared a poem that let us into a part of a conversation with his father. His shared some feelings about experiences growing and living in America as a man of Mexican heritage. What really hit was the similarity wisdom he shared with his son that happens in Black families. It was “The Talk.”

“The Talk” is instruction on how to survive as a black male when confronted by police or any other white person who believes he/she has the authority to control your life. It doesn’t matter if you have done or are doing something that provokes this confrontation. You’re black, therefore you are probably guilty of something. This is not paranoia. It’s fact. So “The Talk” gives wisdom that increases the probability that you will make it home safely.

I spoke with Lupé after the event about this and to get his permission to use his name and story. He told me :The Talk” was very definitely a part of his community’s conversation and life. My observation is that it is even more imperative now in this Age of I.C.E..

While forces try to divide us, this reminds me that we have more in common than we have differences. Let’s protect and support each other when it is right to do. Let’s work together.

Thank you Amanda for the duration. Thank you Kindred Stories for the hosting. Thank you Poets for sharing you life. Thank you Lupé for letting us into your reality.