Hope & Wellness 's Podcast

Mr. Yao Afantchao , specialist in Ethnic and Specialty Crops at the University of the District of Columbia, joins us to discuss some of the best kept secrets in the culinary world. Plants grown by his and many other mothers in Togo and Africa to feed and heal growing families. For the past 7 years, Mr. Afantchao has been growing these same plants in Maryland.Listen and learn about Avuvo, also known as Lagos spinach , a leafy vegetable that delivers 40% of your recommended daily allowance of iron. Jute Leaf, used by Cleopatra to fight wrinkles, is high in vitamin C and A, calcium, iron and potassium and remains popular to this day in Egyptian dishes . And let's not forget peppers of all kinds that are an integral ingredient in many national and signature dishes throughout the world. Mr. Afantchao , educator, chef, and farmer, introduces us to a variety of vegetables and new mouthwatering dishes for the home chef .

Chemist Julius Green,PhD and naturopathic clinician Daemon Jones.N.D. discuss the importance of willpower and education in disease prevention and management. With all the mixed messaging in the food industry today, how do you know what is really healthy? And what about supplements. Do you really need supplements or can you eat all the necessary nutrients with whole and plant based foods? Listen in as our guests discuss their personal health

LeAnne Dolce , founder of Naptural Roots Magazine and a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, joins us to discuss natural hair and the increasing numbers of women of color here and abroad embracing natural hair styles.After the"big chop" LeAnne Dolce transitioned to a natural hair style and noted a paucity of information and products for natural hair. In response,ten years ago she published Naptural Roots Magazine - a premier online website and print magazine to serve as a resource to other women transitioning to natural hairstyles. Today,the magazine offers health and wellness information to emphasize the role of nutrition and fitness to hair health and growth.

Coss Marte of ConBody transformed his body and health with a bespoke fitness program developed while serving time for drug trafficking, Coss lost 70 lbs over 6 months and went on to help other men lose over 1000 lbs. Armed with a business plan written in solitary confinement,. Coss won seed capital from Defy Ventures and opened ConBody , a full time fitness studio that now offers daily personal training classes on the lower east side of New York.

Not sure what to drink after that workout? Dr. Julius Green joins us to explain the ins and outs of water and alkaline water. Get your STEM on and learn the facts about this new "superdrink".

Juicing is a great way to introduce children and adults to local seasonal fruit and vegetables. Chef Herbert Holden joins us in the studio to give you tips on preserving what is in your #CSA share , at the farmers market or even your garden. Know how and why to blanch your veggies, freeze your own veggies for the winter and save your hard earned dollars. Keep Growing Your Healthy Family with tips on making your own stocks and even homemade ice cream.

From hypertension to heart disease, many African American men in particular suffer from preventable health conditions in silence. Our guests RIco and Skip tell us how they stopped smoking, controlled their Type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia with lifestyle changes and partnerships with their health professionals. They did it and you can too with lifestyle changes that include physical activity, smoking cessation and eating meals packed with fresh vegetables and fruit. Our #wellness track for the day- "Get By" by Talib Kweli to help you get moving!

Summertime and the living is Sun Smart

Summer is the time for vacations, reunions and lounging by the pool It is also a time where heat related illnesses occur, wrinkles form and skin cancer develops. We discuss how to stay safe in the sun . From heat cramps to sunburn we have you covered . Think that because you are African American you can't develop skin cancer. Think again and also learn about a type of melanoma found primarily in African Americans that is not related to sun damage. And as always get moving to our weekly Song for Wellness by the international superstar Celia Cruz.

Beauty maven Samantha Dickerson , an engineer and the founder of Dirty Beauty- a farm and plant based cosmetic company, joins us to discuss her Georgia based organic and locally sourced product line that includes Tractor Body Oil and Collard Green Face Elixir . Recognizing the importance of a vegetarian focused lifestyle,guest Maia J discusses her journey to veganism that began while a star high school athlete. Forty plus years later, Mya is now a "venture #vegan" that recognizes the importance of her lifestyle to the environment,.greenhouse emissions and global warming.

Dark green leafy vegetables. Small portions of meat. This describes original soul food dinners enjoyed by families on special occasions. . Lawyer and James Beard Award Winner Adrian Miller joins us to discuss the history of the phrase and the traditional dishes found at many a family gathering Based on the West African diet , original soul food dishes emphasized dark green leafy vegetables and fiber rich root vegetables.Who knew that Thomas Jefferson introduced Americans to fried chicken and that macaroni and cheese dates back to the 14th century?

Acupuncture. An ancient healing technique used to heal the body and mind and one of the last of the 8 pillars of health in Chinese Medicine. Guest and Acupuncturist Elizabeth Fellows of Center Point Healing joins us to discuss the ins and outs of acupuncture and its expanding use in the treatment of illnesses from asthma to infertility. Once labeled as quackery by some, acupuncture is currently available in major university hospitals as complementary medicine for pain management. An experienced herbalist, Elizabeth will also discuss the dangers of over the counter and unregulated supplements to your health.