It's almost that time of the year when we all gather around the dinner table to celebrate, and eating healthy plays an essential role. In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Jackie and Britt invite Jose “Chef Cheo” Garabito, a renowned culinary expert, to share his insights on healthy eating and living.

Chef Cheo is famous for his vibrant mix of Latin and Caribbean cuisine, with a strong emphasis on healthy eating. Jackie and Britt are excited to share his tips with our community because, as Chef Cheo says, "When you know better, you eat better."

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Jackie and Britt recognize October as National Dental Hygiene Month. They are joined by guest Dr. Tontra Lowe, D.D.S., who shares valuable insights into the importance of adopting good dental hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. Dr. Lowe also emphasizes the negative consequences of neglecting oral care and highlights the positive effects of proper dental care. Maintaining good dental hygiene is extremely important since oral health can impact other parts of the body. By sharing oral health recommendations with our community, Jackie, and Britt hope to promote long-term oral health and beautiful smiles.

Dr. Tontra Lowe is a leading dental practice provider at Awesome Smiles Dental Center located in Gainesville, VA. She has been providing outstanding dental care to the residents of Haymarket, Gainesville, and surrounding areas for several years. After graduating with honors from Alabama A&M University, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the active Army, where her path to dentistry began. She proudly served and retired from the District of Columbia Army National Guard.

Dr. Lowe is a highly accomplished dentist who has received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Howard University College of Dentistry and has taken many additional hours of study in sedation dentistry to provide the most incredible, serene, and comfortable environment possible. Her motto is “Change your smile…change your life!” and she offers a range of services, including smile makeovers, implants, dentures, and teeth whitening.

Dr. Lowe is highly active in the community and is a non-profit board member. She has been named one of America’s Top Dentists by the Consumers Research Council of America since 2011. Awesome Smiles Dental Center was VOTED the BEST DENTAL OFFICE in Haymarket and Gainesville, VA, by Readers’ Choice. She and her husband, Jay, have two boys — Dr. Malik Lowe is a Virginia Commonwealth University (V.C.U.) School of Dentistry graduate and Malcolm attends the University of Alabama (U.A.) School of Law. In her spare time, Dr. Tontra Low likes to travel and entertain.

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We're celebrating our anniversary! In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt and Jackie commemorate a year of meaningful conversations and stories that address Black Health issues with trusted health professionals.  The goal of the Black Health 365 podcast has always been to make vital health-related information and resources readily available and encourage and inspire our community to be self-advocates for their health. Britt and Jackie will continue to work towards this important goal. We are grateful to our audience and every health professional who has partnered with us on this journey.

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Britt and Jackie are excited to celebrate National Yoga Awareness Month in September on the Black Health 365 podcast.  They are joined by Brandon Copeland, the creator of Trap Yoga, to inspire healthy living and mindfulness. This episode is both intriguing and informative, as it discusses the benefits of yoga and its effective treatment for black men and individuals in general. Although yoga can mean different things to different people, scientific research has proven that it offers many health benefits through physical practice. By sharing this episode, Britt and Jackie hope to highlight not only the physical but also the mental health benefits of yoga for our community.

Brandon began practicing yoga as a way to relieve mental stress and focus on being more mindful. The journey he has been on, exploring the body's capabilities and opportunities, has brought joy, love, and insight to his personal life and to the lives of others. Brandon became interested in yoga at Howard University where he went on to get a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor focus on Philosophy.

Brandon created Trap Yoga in 2015. His style of teaching encourages you to be creative on your mat and create your own practice one pose at a time.  He finds ways to challenge the most advanced, as well as the new and unsure, students. His mission is to enlighten people to their own potential and to help cultivate their internal sources of power, creativity, and love.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt, and Jackie welcome Dr. Jennifer Caudle as she discusses the topic of vitamins and supplements. This informative conversation covers the proper usage of vitamins and dietary supplements, as well as the potential concerns of taking too many supplements. They explore whether vitamins and supplements are necessary for good health or if we can obtain the same nutrients from our food. Dr. Jen shares valuable insights on the topic, with a goal to educate our community on the dos and don'ts of taking vitamins and supplements. Join the conversation as we share important information on maintaining good health with or without vitamins and supplements.

Dr. Jennifer Caudle is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and Associate Professor in the department of Family Medicine at Rowan University-School of Osteopathic Medicine. [rowan.edu] Prior to this, Dr. Caudle was a faculty member in the Johns Hopkins University / Sinai Hospital Residency Program in Internal Medicine in Baltimore, MD, and an Instructor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Caudle graduated with Honors from Princeton University [princeton.edu] and earned her medical degree from UMDNJ - School of Osteopathic Medicine. [rowan.edu]Dr. Jen is not only trusted inside the exam room, but outside the exam room as well. She is one of the most visible physicians in America and appears in the homes of millions every week on television and in print discussing health topics.

She appears as a regular on-air health expert for local and national news networks, including NBC Nightly News, The TODAY Show, The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, FOX News, Rachael Ray Show, Steve Harvey Show, Tamron Hall Show and others. Her health articles have been published in The Daily Beast, CNN.com/Opinion, DoctorOz.com, ABCNews.com and she has been quoted by USA Today, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Prevention, Shape, Huff Post, Readers Digest, Good Housekeeping, Men’s Health and others. Dr. Jen is a spokesperson for the American Osteopathic Association [osteopathic.org], and she is a radio/video host for Reach MD [reachmd.com]. She also presents motivational workshops on health & wellness to hospitals, healthcare organizations and corporations. Dr. Jen empowers others to take charge of their health by providing information in an approachable and understandable way. Her warm and caring nature is balanced with her signature “tell-it-like-it-is” style. Dr. Jen is trusted, passionate and she keeps families healthy.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt and Jackie had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin, a renowned healthy living coach, wellness expert, and the woman behind the popular blog and brand That Salad Lady! As advocates for healthy lifestyles, Britt and Jackie appreciate the importance of breaking up the food monotony and having Dr. Franklin on the show was a great way to do just that.

With a Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Rehabilitation, as well as multiple professional certifications in these areas, Dr. Franklin shared her knowledge and expertise on healthy living and eating. This episode is filled with fun, informative tips, and even includes a one-on-one salad-making experience with the one and only That Salad Lady! Britt and Jackie hope that our community will gain a new perspective on what it means to be healthy and eat well.

Dr. Nina Cherie Franklin, PhD is a healthy living coach, globally recognized wellness expert, and the woman behind the blog and brand That Salad Lady.  

She holds a PhD in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Rehabilitation and multiple professional certifications in these areas. Leveraging her scientific knowledge, academic background and over 25 years of experience in health, nutrition and fitness, Dr. Nina inspires healthy eating and living through practical hands-on experiences, and empowers lasting lifestyle change through continuing education offerings and lifelong learning opportunities.

As a commentator and regular contributor to scientific journals and national media publications, Dr. Nina influences and challenges the wellness industry and is a strong advocate for making healthy living more approachable, accessible and inclusive.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Jackie and Britt have a special guest - Dr. Christopher Newman, a renowned neurosurgeon from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The informative episode delves into topics such as spinal cancer, spinal tumors, neurological health, and spinal surgery. Dr. Newman shares his extensive knowledge and offers valuable insights into various spinal cancers and conditions. He also emphasizes the importance of listening to and prioritizing his patients' needs, drawing from his personal experience and passion for his profession. This episode will provide our community with a comprehensive understanding of spinal cancer and the surgical procedures used to treat it.

Dr. Newman is a neurosurgeon at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center specializing in the care of people with primary spinal tumors, cancers that metastasize (spread) to the spine, and tumors involving the spinal cord and its nerves. He also has experience in using spinal cord stimulation to treat pain syndromes in patients with cancer and delivering medication intrathecally (directly to the spine), among other techniques. This expertise allows him to remove tumors precisely, manage pain syndromes, and minimize the effects of surgery on my patients’ quality of life. Dr. Newman is passionate about providing expert, compassionate, and personalized care that uses my advanced training in minimally invasive techniques (surgery done with small incisions or cuts), image guidance, and robotics.

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On this episode of the Black Health 365, hosts Jackie and Britt are joined by guest Dr. Ruth Arumala, DO, MPH, FACOG, NCMP.

Dr. Arumala is a board-certified gynecologist, fellowship-trained reproductive surgeon, and fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon. Together, they have a candid and informative discussion about female sexual dysfunction, also known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder. This conversation will educate our community on how to have better and more informative conversations with our partners and medical professionals about this often-difficult topic.

Ruth Arumala, DO, MPH, FACOG, NCMP is a board-certified Gynecologist, fellowship trained Reproductive Surgeon & fellowship trained Cosmetic Surgeon who provides a holistic approach to women’s health, wellness and beauty. Dr. Arumala is the Director of Aesthetics at Noble Cosmetic Surgery in Plano, Texas & co-Chief Medical Officer at Zuri Fertility. Her practice specializes in the medical & surgical management of fibroids, sexual dysfunction, menopause management, PCOS, mommy makeovers & vaginal rejuvenation. Dr Arumala is a woman’s woman who takes great pleasure in educating, encouraging and inspiring young women to chase their dreams with reckless abandon. When she is not seeing patients, Dr Arumala hosts the “Pretty in Pink” podcast which is a digital platform to discuss real life issues that affect women across the globe & trains for fitness competitions with her husband.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 Podcast, Britt and Jackie discuss the importance of regularly checking in on our strong friends and loved ones' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They both share updates on what is currently happening in their lives from their fitness goals to updates on their emotional well-being. Through their friendly check-ins, the duo hopes to promote empathy within the community. This fun and informative episode highlights the importance of looking out for one another.

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In the latest Black Health 365 podcast, Jackie and Britt welcome guest, Thomas Silvera, MSHS-PH. Thomas shares the heartbreaking story about his son, Elijah-Alavi, who tragically passed away in 2017 after having a grilled cheese meal at daycare, which caused an anaphylactic reaction. He gives a detailed account of the events that took place and shares more about his advocacy work on public health and food allergies and asthma as well as the importance of education and training. He also talks about the Elijah-Alavi Foundation and the significant work that they are doing across the country.  Thomas also discusses the successful Elijah's Echo initiative and the groundbreaking passing of Elijah's Law. Jackie and Britt hope to raise awareness about the resources provided by the Elijah-Alavi Foundation and promote the safety of children with food allergies and asthma in our community.

Thomas Silvera is a dynamic public speaker, accomplished actor, and dedicated advocate for public health. As the CEO/Co-Founder of the Eliah-Alavi Foundation, he utilizes his extensive background as a Certified Surgical Technologist and his Master of Science degree in Health Science, with a focus on Public Health.

Thomas's advocacy journey began with the passage of Elijah's Law in New York State, named after his beloved late son, Elijah-Alavi. He played a pivotal role in the passage of Elijah’s Law, the groundbreaking legislation signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on September 12, 2019, which requires all childcare programs in New York to adhere to state food allergy guidelines, ensuring the prevention, recognition, and effective response to life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. He also extended this protection to Illinois and Virginia. 

Thomas has partnered with Belay to develop a nationwide food allergy certification program and works with his ex-wife to address health disparities. He is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Health Sciences to effect positive change at a systemic level. Thomas's exceptional leadership and commitment to marginalized communities have positioned him as a driving force in public health.

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