Black Health Matters: From Victim to Victory

Black Health Matters

By Nuta Beqsu Moses AmenRa El

As Indigo Women, we have always had a fertile connection as mothers and "Mother Earth."  We cultivated the most sophisticated collection of knowledge about the land, the elements, the seasons and the stars. Humans originating as indigenous gatherer-hunters, foraged the planet, following, studying and observing the herds of animals to find water, nutrients, and resources, The Animals were our teachers. Then, we ate our teachers. I recall the "Mother Wit and Old Wives Tales" of the "Brews," "Potions," Tonics, Tinctures, Teas and Poultices that healed the ailments of Mothers' family and community. We ate a Mediterranean diet filled with an abundance and variety of living vivid colors, Fresh fruits and Vegetables.

Currently, most urban environments suffer from Nutritional Food Deserts, with the only oasis- an acidic vat of fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores filled with a toxic blend of imported, genetically modified organisms, processed, preserved and wrapped in plastic- play foods filled with high fructose corn syrup, processed preservatives, salt, artificial coloring, artificial sweeteners, yeast, hydrogenated oils milkpuss, carbonated beverages, alcohol, tobacco… Even our schools are filled with vending machines and cafeterias filled with processed and fried fake foods. Even the "fresh" fruits and vegetables are GMOs and highly preserved. As they linger for months in storage, then on gassed and refrigerated selves, they lack the nutritional content to support the physical and mental capacities of our youth and end up promoting poor diet habits, lethargy, and lowered brainpower. This leads us to the 5 major causes of the hand of Disease and Death- 

African Americans 10 Leading Causes of Death (Both Sexes, All ages)
1. Heart Disease
2. Cancer
3. Cerebrovascular Disease or Stroke
4. Diabetes
5. Unintentional Accidents
6. Homicide
7. HIV/AIDS
8. Respiratory Disease
9. Nephritis, Nephritic syndrome
10. Septicemia


So, Homicide is the 6th leading cause of death in African Americans, not the 1st! So, our death weapon is Food, Stress, and Lifestyle. We are killing ourselves more rapidly with what we put in our mouths long before we would kill each other with any other weapon! STOP THE KILLING! It is a wonder that our poor diets are the inducer of anti-social behavior, violence, and killing. Again, we are teaching our infants in the womb, then our children and teens; spiraling destructive habits, choices, and behaviors. The diseases above are symptomatic of obesity. Yet in this day and age- when the food in the grocery stores is adulterated with growth hormones, obesity becomes an exacerbating consequence and effect. We are what we eat, so even though we are inflated with growth hormones in appearance, we are masking and not necessarily overeating, the symptoms of malnourishment.

http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/populations/remp/black.html



U.S. Food Deserts

Solutions

The Amen Par Ankh (sacred temple of life) was established to promote health and wellness in the most desolate areas in Kansas City, MO. to remove the hand of disease and Death for Indigo African Americans.

We can have sustainable urban communities! This starts with Feeding ourselves! 

IN ORDER TO FREE OURSELVES WE MUST FEED OURSELVES!

• Taking back our involvement with what we consume and feed to our families is the most empowering action we can take. We used to have victory gardens, as a way of preparing for disaster and being responsible to our families and community. Even the act of having a container garden full of herbs that can be grown indoors is an excellent start. If you are not ready to connect with nature and the foods you consume, then purchase your food, locally from local growers as often as possible. 
• Participate and seek out and get to know your urban growers and agriculturalist and locally grown food markets.

• Get to know the people and how they grow their food.
• We so often eat alone and on the run- we need to make time to sit down, prepare a meal with love, and eat together as family- at least once a week.
• Find or make healthy snacks for your teens and yourself. Homemade Sunflower seeds, granola mixes, smoothies and even riding in your car with fresh fruit to quail the temptation to stop at a drive-thru window can save you time and money this is healthy and natural "FAST FOOD". 
• Finding fresh water might be a problem nowadays. Find alkaline and Springwater as often as you can. Collecting Rain Water and reconnecting with natural springs, can reconnect us to our foraging Ancestors.
• Use glass, ceramic and stainless steel containers, instead of plastic.
• We also must make time to exercise. Parking a few blocks from where you work, then walking, dancing, joining a sports team, or just a few calisthenics can start healthy heart habits. Reconnect with your spiritual and cultural value systems and ancestral folkways.

Your Body Temple

•  We are living souls having a human, temporal, empirical experience
• Take Care and treat your body as you would a temple. Your body is your organic "Space Suit"
•  Connect to the earth around you as a steward and not in dominion.
•  Establish Knowledge of Self- know your Destiny, Name, Health, Career & Relationship Consultations with the Aku (Contact the Amen Par Ankh by Appointment)
•  Meditation/Visualization
• Conscious Breathing
•  Hydration: Drink 8 Glasses of Water per day
•   Healthy Alkaline Foods in a balanced diet
•   Recreation /Exercise
•   Relaxation
•   Get plenty of Sleep from Sunset-Sunrise- especially between 10pm-2am
•   Maintain Normal Weight
•  Use Whole (Left and Right Brain) stimulation
• Spirituality/ Connection to Life- Plants- Animals
• Value/Belief system
•  Reduce/Remove Toxins and pollution from your body, mind and spirit

This seems like such a delicate bridge - from Capitalism to Self-Cultivation. Capitalism will only exploit and rape the natural resources from the land and use them for exploitation and greed, more than feeding ourselves and our family. It will draft and conjure away, of taking these natural resources and put them on the market floor to sell... to grind into machinery or be used to feed a military agenda- this is ominous.

Remember, Your Body is a Sacred Temple, The True House of All That Is You, and that you Live In. You Live in Your Skin. Therefore, The Thoughts, Emotions, and Lifeforce Energy that we Call Food must not be compromised.  As you Choose The People & Places You Get Food From, You Directly Invite Those Energies Into Your Temple. When you feel like someone is Getting on Your Nerves & Stressing You Out, Remember, it is the energy that You have invited. 

*Grow and harvest your own foods

*Make Wiser Choices, 

*Love Yourself, and Your Cells More Completely- every day. #AmenAnkh

Remember, The vitality of an infant is in the quality of energy that their mother feeds to the infant. If Mother is fearful, angry, worrisome, sorrowful, etc., It has a direct influence on even the very milk she is feeding her infant. When a child is colicky, or even lethargic, The energy from their environment plays a pinnacle role in child development. 

The mother is the first teacher of her children. So, as you teach a girl, you heal a nation! As we return to feed ourselves, we can best provide the optimal health of our future generations. It is important to work to break the cycle of hereditary illnesses that can easily be eliminated with a healthy lifestyle of locally grown foods, exercise, non-toxic water, air, soil, and home environments, and positive relationships for our body, mind, and spirit. What we feed to our children will affect the health and future success of our nation, for generations to come.

We must teach our youth a true knowledge of self. to empower them with a legacy of wealth. We must teach each of our young girls their self-knowledge - to understand the power of their bodies, as a sacred temple of life, and to return their self-esteem and self-respect, not only for each individual girl and her family, but for her nation.

At Amen Par Ankh our Motto is: 
Teach a Girl- Heal a Nation!

We Celebrate Life with a group called You G.R.O.W.W. Girls. GROWW Stands for Gaining Resilience, Opportunity, Wellness and Wealth. We teach STEAM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Vocational Arts, Mathematics, and Medicine) through Art, biology, and ecology. Our young girls learn Self Awareness, Plant Identification of herbs, and food nutrition. They are growing their own foods and learning about health and wellness. Manufacturing of Home and domestic products using natural materials. Develop skills like sewing, canning Jewelry making, and many other Crafts while they are also learning about alternative careers in STEAM fields. We Invite Young Girls between the ages of 8-18 and Mentors to join us and support our youth. Feel free to Contact us to learn more about our women's circles and study groups. Email QueenMa Nuta AmenRa at amen.ankh@live.com or amen.parankh@gmail.com, and Call Nuta Beqsu Moses aka Adenike AmenRa: 816-281-7704

Kandaki-Ma Nuta Beqsu (Adenike Amen-Ra)

I hope you have enjoyed our presentation. Amen Par Ankh is our Outreach ministry. Please support our initiatives...

(c) All rights reserved. No part of this Blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author; Nuta Beqsu Adenike AmenRa

We are available for Lectures, Panel Discussions, Conferences, and Workshops, along with an Af-Ra-Ka-N Centered curriculum for youth STEAM homeschooling, Workshops, and Itinerate Tutoring. 

We live in our ancient KMT Spiritual systems to serve our community in Libations, Griot Spoken Word Presentations, KMT Wedding, Naming and ReBirth, Personal consultations for Nia (Purpose), Health, Career and, Relationship, and Ascension officiant, Salutations and Blessings for new beginnings, (Home and Businesses blessings), Afrikan Storytelling. Amen Par Ankh is a Sacred Temple of Life- We are a KRST conscious Community. We Grow Food to restore balance in our relationship with the cosmos, earth, and our Natural communities by increasing awareness of Life, Health, and Environment. We are a Maafia a "Healthy Place To Live" Amen Ankh Urban Farm’s Mission is to produce, promote, and perpetuate food, resources, and comfort and to grow local healthy Indigenous Foods in environmentally, respected, earth gentle ways. Call Us-816-281-7704 

Contact: amen.parankh@gmail.com or amen.ankh@live.com 

The information on this website has been put together for general information, education, reference, Spirituality Current Events, and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any specific condition. Ask your doctor for his professional advice before making radical changes in your diet and lifestyle.

(c) All rights reserved. No part of this Blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author; Nuta Beqsu Adenike AmenRa

I am available for Lectures, Libations, Griot Spoken Word Presentations, KMT Wedding, Birth and Ascension officiant, Salutations and Blessings for new beginnings, Home and Businesses, Afrikan Storytelling, Conferences and Workshops Contact: amen.parankh@gmail.com or amen.ankh@live.com Phone: 816-281-7704

Seed Capital to Abolish Food Deserts

Seed Capital to Abolish Food Deserts

From the Cyber Pen of Sasteh Meter Mosley   

November 6th, 2011

To download your Application links: http://www.emwot.ws 

Over the last three years, I have worked with many of you individually to gain more Food Sovereignty for the residents of the East side of Kansas City.  Now I would like to present a funding stream here in Kansas City that can provide the necessary start-up funds for farms, community food projects, stipends for workers, infrastructure for existing pantries, land acquisition, or any other reasonable expenses to wash away any obstacle to producing healthy foods. I am in Oakland, California for the Community Food Security Coalitions with thousands of other in the country that realize we have to take the next step in the Food Movement.

With the announcement that Aldi will open in 2011, It was suggested that the Food Desert in East Kansas City, MO will be eliminated.  Unfortunately, the definition of having a grocery store within a mile (12 city blocks) is woefully inadequate to address the nutritional challenges of low income and high health risk residents.  Several organizations have convened groups to define solutions: 

1.  2008 NBUF Food System meetings at Dubois Learning Center with Bill Grace (DLC), The Beys (Moorish Science Temple), Kenyattas (Seed Restaurant), and Sasteh Mosley (Amen Christ Temple)

2.  2009 Black Agenda Group present Jim Nunley Training on Health Care Foundation, Rosa James (NAACP), Carol Coe, Debra Mann (Emmanuel Community Center)

3.  2009 Stimulus Funds Economic Development Meetings on Creation of Green Jobs (Urban Farming), Marlon Hammonds and Sasteh Mosley, Craig Bland (Freedom Inc), Clyde McQueen (FEC), Ken Bacchus (Economic Development Chair BAG and Freedom Inc.), Carol Coe (Convener), 19 other Activists

4.  2010 Urban Farming Ordinance and Food Policy Summit,  Beth Gothstein (Organizer), Terry Riley, Sharon Sanders Brooks, Cindy Circo, Melba Curls, John Sharp, and Ed Ford (Ten Voted in Favor of Ordinance), KCCUA, GCFPC, Bad Seed, EMWOT, Green Acres

5.  2011 Urban Farm Movement, Will Allen Abolish the Food Desert Event by Green Acres, Chicken Ordinance KCMO, Green Acres Urban Farm and Research Project Aquaponics Program (KCMO, KCMSD, BEU), EMWOT Urban Farm initiatives and services (Real Estate and Land Acquisition for farming, Farm Tours, At-Risk-Youth with Green Careers, Tilling Services, Music CDs, Health Classes), Get Growing Kansas City (CultivateKC.org, KC Community Gardens, and Lincoln University) Adenike AmenRa (AmenRa ParAnkh- Urban Farms, Wheatgrass, Food Preservation Classes)

Let's all take the next step in this movement.  As other movements plan to come into the East side of Kansas City, let’s make sure we continue to do the work to ensure that residents have the healthy, locally grown food they need to be successful.  Let's get these applications in, help others submit them, pass them on to those who are willing to work for a healthier city.  This seed capital can help those with tight budgets do something fun to help them feed themselves, support farm businesses that can hire people, and help existing organizations get into the "teach how to fish" side of feeding people. 

 Please forward this information to the gardeners, farmers, and community leaders you know.  I can provide technical assistance, group presentations, and free workshops to assist in getting the applications complete. 

Thanks,

Sasteh Mosley

CEO of EMWOT (East Meets West of Troost), (816) 304-7240 and

Team Member Get Growing Kansas City (Zip Codes 64128 and 66104), (913) 279-1461

EMWOT -East Meets West of Troost Presents: THE GRIOT GATHERING

EMWOT -East Meets West of Troost Presents: 

THE GRIOT GATHERING

EVERYONE NEEDS TO HEAR the Revolution Revelation on this Spoken Word CD!

http://www.wix.com/sastehmosley/griot

http://emwot.ws

A compilation of artists and their music. It is an eclectic blend of Grassroots, Cultural, Political Spoken Word, Folk and Hip Hop Musical artists from KCMO! They sing about Grassroots, current event issues ranging from the Nuclear Weapon plant poisonings of workers and their Neighborhoods to Kansas City Missouri’s School District. Thought provoking and fun, these selections are a blend that only these Kansas City artists can bring to Hip Hop spoken word & Jam. It's the return of people’s music; -it offers a deep human connection, through STRONG sonic celebration....

The CDs opening cut is from our leader of the struggle for all employees who have worked at, Kansas City’s Nuclear Power Plant and were exposed and poisoned by the toxic environment. “The Colonel’s Brief” by Maurice Copeland this is an excerpt on patriotism. He makes a profound statement about the most overlooked and under-served people of the world.

“Honeywell” by Cherith Brook is a protest march manifesto! With the backing of a full brass & drum corps, he sings with clever sarcasm in support of the ongoing advocates, activist, and protesters like the KC Peace Planter member, Sasteh Mosley (a Nuclear Conversion Activist/Speakers Bureau Lecturer) and other poisoned Workers from Kansas City's nuclear weapons plant.

Dirty D is a spoken word artist who espouses the many sentiments of the disenfranchised people who dwell in Urban Kansas City with the weavings of the excerpts of “The Community Update,” “Recess,” and “Power and Lights Out.”

Artists, SAHJ Kaya and Divine Intervention, add their energy with a Reggae flavor in “Nuclear Weapons.” She rages- “RAY-GUN! what you testin for?!!!” while “Political Strings” moves with spirit and a jazzy backup.

Other contributing artists; Priest Hughes and 337 as The Recipe – create a poignant brew with their clever spoken word juxtapositions against nuclear weapons with: “Self destruction,” and the downsizing of education with: “Parent Teacher Conference”… Their climax selection is my favorite, “What Happened to Hip Hop?!” This is the most Jammin Jewel of the CD for me! The Recipe told the truth about the greed, materialism that consumed and diluted the quality of the Hip Hop movement! I love the refrain “What happened to hip hop- did it die- did it fall down on the wayside?…

“Palm of Your Hand” is a powerful conclusive ending with a primal piercing purging high-pitched release and energy, leading to chants which permeate the collective consciousness of our time!

http://www.wix.com/sastehmosley/griot

Featured Artists:

Maurice Copeland- Peace Planters Coalition

Dirty D- EMWOT

Cherith Brook- Catholic Workers

SAHJ Kaya & Divine Intervention

Priest Hughes & 337- The Recipe Poetry Guild

El Manna - Kingpen Coalition

A griot or jeli (djeli or djéli in French spelling) the griot is a repository of oral tradition, a West African storyteller. The griot delivers history as a poet, praise singer, and wandering musician. As such, they are sometimes also called bards. [the griot] has to know many traditional songs without error, he must also have the ability to extemporize on current events, chance incidents and the passing scene. His wit can be devastating and his knowledge of local history formidable." Although they are popularly known as 'praise singers', griots may also use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment. Most villages also had their own griot, who told tales of births, deaths, marriages, battles, hunts, affairs, and hundreds of other things.

Griots — masters of words and music, Griots and Griottes — have been around for a millennium. the male griots and female griottes were historians, genealogists, advisers to nobility, entertainers, messengers, praise singers — the list goes on. Today, they perform on television and radio and record CDs. Many are popular singers who reinterpret traditional songs, giving new meaning to old words — As performers, griots and griottes are in great demand, not only for ceremonies and parties in West Africa, where they have traditionally appeared, but all around the world. Here in the United States, they tour universities to give insight into West African culture.

EMWOT -East Meets West of Troost Presents: THE GRIOT GATHERING

With your purchase of this CD, you will help support At-Risk Youth in education, cultural arts and positive Economic development, Sasteh Meter Mosley (a Nuclear Conversion Activist/Speakers Bureau Lecturer) and other poisoned Workers from Kansas City's nuclear weapons plant. Thank You for your generous donations to this cause!

The Griot Gathering has been devoted to nudging everyone from all persuasions in the direction of freedom and spiritual evolution. This music is “cultural-hip hop-folk-ethnic-funk.” They express a yearning for spiritual revolution -“There can’t be a revolution without Strong Men, Women and Children.”

To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one neighborhood at a time.

To promote and foster the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence.

EMWOT is dedicated to the sharing of experiences, stories, best practices and methods for achieving sustainability in both our personal lives and our communities.

Katrina's Tragedy Lesson for Good Health

I remember watching the news and the follow-up of the Katrina hurricane, in its aftermath. The main thing that struck me about the reports was how people’s very lives were catastrophically affected by a failed system. The same technologies that enable an individual to live a longer life could be the very thing to kill them when that technology fails. As I listened on public broadcasts I learned that people went into shock and died, simply because, the electricity failed, and their insulin was no longer usable! The medical assistance was helpless to do anything. There was no efficient back-up plan for this kind of emergency crisis. We must strive not to be codependent on medical prosthetics like prescription drugs, to enable our lives and health. This “quick fix” way of thinking has made us more vulnerable to a very expensive medical outcome. The simple application of a proper diet and exercise can alleviate many ailments and suffering.

The big question (the elephant in the room) is; what is proper diet and exercise? I have heard so many things about alternative living that I am now putting into practice, to incorporate in my life and personal health routine. Like an alkaline diet, vegan and raw foods. Now that I have reach maturity, I want to return to more dancing, singing and Arts & Crafts. I have been so sedentary, and so stressed that I have sought to find a more balanced lifestyle. I have so many concerns about the adulteration of our natural environment, and how drinkable water and our food supplies are compromised. I wish to return and teach our youth about gardening, sprouting seeds, preserving food, as well as applying the properties of herbs to promote healing.