Hope & Wellness 's Podcast

Registered dietitians are the main ingredient of any plan to prevent and manage diseases like obesity, hypertension, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, safely. Guest Cordialis Msora-Kasago is a registered dietitian, founder of the African Pot Nutrition and on a mission to help more eat more of the good stuff- vegetables, fruit,nuts,and seeds. With nutrition facts and individualized meal plans from the African Pot Nutrition, eating a plant -based diet is a joy, not a chore. Listen in and enjoy!

Dr. Booker T. Whatley, a professor at Tuskegee University, designed an innovative small farm plan that is now known as community sponsored agriculture( CSA). CSA's benefit the families of farmers and the local community by providing healthy food, job growth and preservation of heirloom vegetables and fruit. Eating ten servings per day of fresh vegetables and fruit is linked to longer life expectancy and a decreased risk of chronic health diseases and some cancers. Tune in as we discuss ways to increase your intake of fruit and vegetables, eat local food and support local farms.

Each year, CSA members support and invest in local farms. During the growing season, they reap the benefits of their investment- a weekly box of fresh vegetables and fruit. Now what? Mi Ae Lipe is the author of Bounty From the Box-The CSA Farm Cookbook, a recipe packed anthology that supports CSA members, with nutrition facts, food histories and culinary techniques for vegetables and fruit from around the globe. Written for CSA members, Bounty From The Box is a great resource for everyone ready to eat more vegetables and fruit.

The heroin and prescription drug abuse epidemic continue to impact the lives of families throughout the country. No longer confined to inner cities, the heroin epidemic, specifically, now impacts suburban and rural communities throughout the country. The public health response is proactive and forward thinking from a medical perspective. A stark difference is visible in the public outcry, public health concern, and political response to the current heroin epidemic vs the crack epidemic seen in the 1980's.Simplistic slogans and calls for mass incarceration are now replaced with funding and a focus on rehabilitation and education. Integral to this public health response is the Affordable Care Act: a lifeline that requires private insurance plans to cover substance abuse services and expands access to substance abuse services to millions of Americans.

The pharmacological benefits of medical marijuana include anti-inflammatory, bronchodilation and analgesic benefits. Physicians throughout the US care prescribe medical marijuana to help patients manage epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, PTSD, and, in small studies, Alzheimer's Disease,For many patients with acute and chronic pain, medical marijuana helps ease acute and chronic pain. Dr. Patricia Frye of Takoma Park Alternative Care discusses the health benefits of medical marijuana, in children and adults, as more states initiate Medical Cannabis Programs.

Hate, crimes, speech and harassment are on the rise. Starting as a Facebook group, Swamp Revolt, quickly organized and mobilized in response to increasing levels of intolerance. Swamp Revolt, a community organization based in the suburban DC area, conducted training sessions on active bystander training for over 1500 people on Inauguration Day 2017. Over 60 intervention trainers educated local community members on the best practices for assisting victims of hate speech and harassment respectfully, peacefully, safely and nonviolently. Tameka Bell, a community organizer, and social justice activist, joins us in the studio to discuss Swamp Revolt, bystander training, and next steps for newly minted activists.

The recent inauguration signals a change in not just an administration, new laws, and regulation but the very fabric of a country woven from threads from all over the world. Protests during the inauguration ceremony and the recent Women's March illustrated the concerns that many have with the change in administration. Bystander intervention programs are now available on college campuses, community and religious organizations to train everyday citizens to step up and help de-escalate volatile confrontations. What will the new administration bring in 2017 and how will the American public respond. We discuss this and more on the Hope and Wellness Show.

From Texas to Colorado, special education headlines the news. According to the Council of Education Statistics, approximately "13% of all public school students receive special education services." Attorney Ashley Van Cleef , a former special education teacher and now special education attorney, joins us to discuss the challenges facing many children receiving special education services. The current Supreme Court case of Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District is a groundbreaking case that will rule on the current adequacy of special educational services We discuss the benefits and limitations of FAPE, IDEA mediation, arbitration and IEP's for children and families. In some cases, special education attorney can ensure that school districts remain compliant with current education law.

New Year's resolutions are sooo 2016. In 2017, this year, focus on forming new habits instead of creating lofty resolutions which, by the way, are mostly kicked to the curb by February. Forming new habits can look intimidating, but small steps forward pave the way to change. We discuss what the Year of More looks like in 2017,-more movement, more water, more growth- and the small steps that may lead to major, positive life changes.

"Tis the season for family, food, happiness, sadness and economic reality checks. The memory of beloved family members and friends no longer here can make this time of year challenging. And for some, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) makes this time of year difficult. Understanding and embracing what really matters, healthy relationships with supportive friends and family, can make this time of year less stressful. As we look forward to 2017, we wish everyone peace, justice, hope and good health.