Vegan diets can be risky for babies and kids? Sistah Vegan Responds to Nina Planck’s NYTimes Article

I updated this from last night because I wanted to write about B12 and provide several more book sources.

The other week, Nina Planck published an article about the risks of raising vegan children and I thought I’d answer some of the statements she made. You can find the article here that I’m referring to: Is Veganism Good for Everyone?

I wanted to just offer some of my own information, in response to Planck’s concerns of raising children on a vegan diet or being a vegan while pregnant.

First, Nina Planck wrote that vegans are deficient in many things which “include fully-formed vitamins A and D, vitamin B12, and the long-chain fatty acids found in fish.”

Breeze Harper’s response: Okay, there is a D3 source that is vegan. Vitashine. Yes, a vegan source of D3 and of course, if you live where there is a lot of sunshine, try sunbathing everyday, at least 50-75% of your body being exposed to the sun. Secondly, Fish get DHA from ALGAE, and that is one way how vegans get their DHA. Chia seeds outshine Wild Alaskan Salmon in terms of Omega 3 6 9. Vegans aren’t deficient in these things because of veganism being a deficient diet. It’s usually because people just don’t know they need to eat certain foods to get what they need. And let’s be honest here, there are plenty of omnivores who don’t know what they should be eating, while they are pregnant or not; whether they have children or not.

Planck wrote: “The quantity, quality and bio-availability of other nutrients, such as calcium and protein, are superior when consumed from animal rather than plant sources.”

Breeze: No this is not true either, in terms of Calcium. There is an amazing algae based source of calcium that is vegan and has an incredibly high absorption rate called Algaecal. You can go here and here to look at the articles being written about the “safety” of Algaecal. I took it during my entire vegan pregnancy and drank kale smoothies and ate a lot of chia seeds and nettles (both high in Calcium). I did this while pregnant and breastfed my 1st child (who was 2 at the time) until I was 33 weeks pregnant with my 2nd. Not only did I not have a calcium deficiency, I had so much calcium that my 2nd baby was born with teeth. My midwife and doula are witnesses, and they let me know that when babies are born with teeth this indicates she had enough calcium. Protein? I got this from raw hemp, Organic Hawaiian spirulina, chia seeds, chlorella, avocado, seeds, nuts, legumes, to name a few. I easily ate 70g of protein per day while pregnant. Had a home birth . No complications. My placenta was well nourished. The midwifery team was blown away by how healthy it looked.

Planck: “For babies and children, whose nutritional needs are extraordinary, the risks are definite and scary. The breast milk of vegetarian and vegan mothers is dramatically lower in a critical brain fat, DHA, than the milk of an omnivorous mother and contains less usable vitamin B6. Carnitine, a vital amino acid found in meat and breast milk, is nicknamed “vitamin Bb” because babies need so much of it. Vegans, vegetarians and people with poor thyroid function are often deficient in carnitine and its precursors. “

Breeze Harper: Strange conclusion to draw. First, if you’re worried about getting B6, you can just take a vegan multi-vitamin during pregnancy and/or give your infant and toddler vegan supplements and vitamins. Want to not do vitamins? You can also get B6 from legumes, seeds, and nuts. Raw Pistachios and raw garlic are high in B6 (see: http://food.vegtalk.org/vitamins/raw-/b6.html). I made pistachio nut ice cream, lightly sweetened with dates. I threw pistachios, water, and dates in a blender and then put them in popsicle molds. Toddlers love ice cream or popsicle anything. Try it. For more information about B6 deficiency concerns, try going here: Jeff Novick on B6.

Also, in terms of vegan nursing, there are plenty omnivorous people I have read about or met who had nutritionally deficient breastmilk as well and had to stop nursing and start using formula for their infants. However, my 8 month old Eva Luna is breastfed from my vegan diet and she has no nutritional ‘deficiencies.’ She was born at 9.5lb, is in the 99th percentile for her age and appears to be healthy. Omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans can feed their children in a way that is balanced or not. It is not about veganism, vegetarianism, or being an omnivore as much as it is just making sure your kid gets what they need. (And I know these factors are not just about vegan nutrition education, but factors such as environmental racism, socio-economic class struggle, your ability to get to healthier food- you could be prohibited, due to mobility issues because you lack transportation for example, or it’s actually not safe to walke around where you live during certain times of the day to find healthier foods. )

Planck: “The most risky period for vegan children is weaning. Growing babies who are leaving the breast need complete protein, omega-3 fats, iron, calcium and zinc. Compared with meat, fish, eggs and dairy, plants are inferior sources of every one.”

Breeze : There are many vegan sources of calcium and iron that are highly absorbable. I used Nettles based Floradix iron for anemia prevention during my pregnancy. I took it in combination with World Organic chlorophyll and vitamin C source to mix (orange juice or a kiwi smoothie for example). Want a toddler to eat EFAs like Omega 3 6 9? Blend chia seeds with water, liquid form of algae DHA, and a banana and dates in the blender and put it in a popsicle mold. Refreshing and not just high in critical long chain fatty acids, you will be giving them and excellent source of calcium and Omega 3 6 9. Chia seeds are also high in iron and protein. A little goes a long way. Just be sure to soak chia seeds in water before eating, for at least 15 minutes or you’ll make yourself really sick. Still worried about a toddler not getting enough vegan based protein and Omega 3 6 9? Blend banana, hempseeds, and water together and put them in popsicle molds. If you made pops that have 1/4 c of raw hulled hempseeds per pop, that is 11g of protein, lots of fiber, EFAs, and other trace minerals.

‎Planck: “The breast milk of vegan mothers is dramatically lower in a critical brain fat, DHA, than the milk of an omnivorous mother.”

Breeze: Eat algae based DHA and chia seeds and your breast milk won’t be deficient in critical DHA. I take 600 mg of DHA algae each day. If you combine that with Chia seeds and flax seeds, it’s awesome. There is also the brand Ovega which is vegan source of EPA and DHA vegan.

B12 deficiency worries? Here is what Vegan Society has to say

In over 60 years of vegan experimentation only B12 fortified foods and B12 supplements have proven themselves as reliable sources of B12, capable of supporting optimal health. It is very important that all vegans ensure they have an adequate intake of B12, from fortified foods or supplements. This will benefit our health and help to attract others to veganism through our example. (source: http://www.vegansociety.com/lifestyle/nutrition/b12.aspx)

Seriously, just buy B12 supplements and take it or give it to your children; case closed.

There are a plethora of vegan nutritional specialists who have published the ways in which you can get everything you need as a vegan. If you are pregnant and want to do a vegan pregnancy, believe me as someone who did a vegan pregnancy and had an amazing homebirth: it’s possible. Reed Mangels has a new vegan pregnancy books out The Everything Vegan Pregnancy Book. Mangels is brilliant and lays it all out for you. It’s $11 well spent. And for a great informative and humorous approach get the Vegan Pregnancy Survival guide. Wanna raise your children vegan and help them be as healthy as possible? Read Disease proof your child by Dr. Joel Furhman.

A vegan diet is possible. You can thrive. Your children can thrive. Just inform yourself, find the support you need, and read read read.

Basically, if you are deficient in overall nutritional information for your diet, then your diet will be deficient. Veganism, planned properly, is not deficient.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or certified health practitioner. Always consult your practitioner before trying anything I suggest on Sistah Vegan blog and videos

Is Spirulina Really Toxic to the Liver?

In this video I talk about Spirulina and the debate about whether it is “toxic” or not.

The brand I use is Spirulina Pacifica and the Latin name is Arthrospira platensis. It is Hawaiian and Organic.

The woman who commented about Spirulina being toxic posted her comment here: http://sistahvegan.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/spirulina-super-baby-food-recipe/  under the name Angela. She provides links about Spirulina being toxic that you can view for yourself.

**Update:

I just read this journal article below and the conclusion states:

“Our results indicate that cultivated NO and SP do not contain MC and have minimal cytotoxicity. Furthermore, long-term BGA supplementation in mice did not induce any evident adverse side-effects. Therefore, NO and SP may be developed as a safe natural food for health benefits. Clinical trials are warranted to assess the safety of the BGA supplements in humans.”

NO and SP were the two different types of Spirulina they tested (“This study was undertaken to evaluate in vitro and in vivo toxicity of cultivated Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides Kützing (NO) and Spirulina platensis (SP). Neither NO nor SP contained detectable levels of microcystin (MC)-LA, MC-RR, MC-LW and MC-LR by LC/MS/MS”).

However, I eat The species “Arthrospira platensis” and that seems to be the “same” as Spirulina platensis  but I need to verify that.

Citation:

Food and Chemical Toxicology

Volume 49, Issue 7, July 2011, Pages 1560–1564

In vitro and in vivo safety assessment of edible blue-green algae, Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides Kützing and Spirulina plantensis

• Yue Yang^a,
• Youngki Park^a,
• David A. Cassada^b,
• Daniel D. Snow^b,
• Douglas G. Rogers^c,
• Jiyoung Lee^a, ,

Breeze’s Boob juice recipe: Breastfeeding on a vegan diet works!

Eva Luna is in the 99th percentile for her age for a 6 month old. Solely breastfed. The video reveals my “secret.”

1. Raw hemp Protein 50% (30g/day) (Nutiva brand): https://store.nutiva.com/hemp-protein/
2. Spirulina (Hawaiian by Pacifica):  http://www.amazon.com/Nutrex-Hawaiian-Spirulina-Pacifica-16-Ounce/dp/B0039ITKR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328314901&sr=8-1
3. Maca Root 1 tsp (Sol Raiz Organics Brand): http://www.solraizorganics.com/
4. Coconut Manna (Nutiva Brand):  https://store.nutiva.com/coconut-manna/
5. 1-2 Avocados.
6. Garden of Life Raw Protein  (17g scoop serving): http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Organic-Protein-Gram/dp/B0031JK96C/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1328314955&sr=1-1
7. Kale Smoothies: 4-5 Lacinato Kale leaves, fresh ginger , 1-2 pitted dates, avocado , water 20-25 oz (depends on how thick you want it); 1 lemon juiced,, spirulina 1-2 tsp
8. Herbal tea: lemon balm, rooibos , nettles.
9. Facebook Natural Parenting/Natural Family: http://www.facebook.com/groups/102982199801246/

Sistah vegan on Maca, gettin’ your vegan libido on, and finishing her PhD

 

In this video I talk about Sol Raiz organice Maca powder that I have been taking to create healthy libido, postpartum, and grow my hair back. I also update people on how I’m trying to handle “nursing on demand” and the challenges of being the primary caretaker of 2 children under the age of 3, while living in a nation in which there isn’t much structural and institutional support to help mothers (or the primary caretakers of pre-school age children which usually do end up being females).

The brand of Maca I by is by Sol Raiz:
solraizorganics.com/

 

Vegan pregnancy, More White Male Parternalism, PhD Funding Update

Vegan pregnancy: As of today, I am week 39 of my pregnancy. I have been doing quite well. Midwife thinks the baby is going to be bigger than Sun (and Sun was hard to push out at 9 lbs!!).  I am basically all belly and didn’t gain much more weight anywhere else, so it’s easier for my midwife to feel what’s going on in my womb. I just wanted to note that this ‘bigger’ baby was grown the last 9 months with me practicing veganism the holistic way. I know people talk about how you need a lot of protein to grow a baby (75 -100g for one baby; more per day for multiples). That is partly true, but I’ve also researched that growing a ‘big’ baby as been linked to a lot of DHA and spirulina in the diet. I have both. I have been taking the Ovega DHA +EPA and the Deva DHA every day; about 600-800mg a day. I of course do 30 grams of hemp protein each day too. However, I just wanted to share with you that it is possible to have a well planned healthy plant-based pregnancy, despite the fears and concerns you may hear from omnivores who do not research about this at all (just listen to the news and hear that once a year story that some couple ‘killed their baby on a vegan diet.’).

PhD Funding: As some of you may now, I didn’t get my dissertation fellowship renewed for the 2011-12 academic year. UC Davis is where I’m trying to finish my PhD work in critical vegan and critical race feminist studies. The dissertation project involves me trying to explain how lack of critical race literacy skills around normative whiteness and racism in the USA, creates barriers and impediments for the vegan status quo. I am hoping this document will shed light on the questions so many white middle class vegans have about why they only see themselves as ‘interested’ in veganism and/or animal liberation. It is a project that has never been done before, but I believe it is vital if coalition building and compassionate understanding is to happen. As of July 12, 2011, you have helped me reach nearly half of my goal. I am seeking $10,000 by Fall registration (mid September 2011). Thus far, people have donated: $4500. Still Needed to reached goal: $5500. I accept paypal donations (click on the right side of the blog that talks about donating) or you can mail me a check if you are uncomfortable with paypal.

White Male Paternalism Continued: I posted my new keynote address that I gave at U Illinois at their ecofeminist conference this past spring 2011. It is about how I am using critical race feminism to understand how whiteness functions in the mainstream vegan popular media (looking at top selling books). I posted the information about this video in various places, including a pro-vegan group on Facebook (I will keep it secret). Interestingly, a white male vegan responded by dismissing the focus of the talk (the focus being looking at normative whiteness) and then ‘educated’ me about what I should have said. He even said, “Were I your body I would have done this” (i.e., were I black female vegan, I would have done this).  He posted his response to the keynote (which I can’t even say he viewed) to the entire forum and I was so flabbergasted by this that I simply could not respond. This is the equivalent to me getting information from a person using a wheelchair who wants to talk about ableism in the vegan movement and me telling her (me, someone who had never needed to use a wheelchair and never lived with a disability) that she is doing it wrong and that I know better than she what she should be talking about. This man seems to not understand that how he communicates to me is hurtful and offensive and he seems to sincerely think he is ‘helping me.’ I am still trying to figure out how to communicate this to him in a compassionate way. Sometimes I thinking I’m  “too nice” when it comes to people’s feelings, even though they don’t extend the same to me. It’s probably internalized mammyism that a lot of black women perform in white dominated society (sigh). Anyway, below is my video of the keynote address:

Part II: “A Vegan Pregnancy is Selfish: You will kill your baby…”

This is the second part the series ”A Vegan Pregnancy is Selfish: You will kill your baby.” I try to dispel the myths surrounding plant-based pregnancy diets and share the benefits of chia seeds as well as offering moral support for those who want to do not just vegan and vegetarian pregnancies but home births as well. I want to convey that vegan pregnancies will not ‘kill your baby’ when properly planned and under the right care provider.

I also talk about how chia seeds are excellent for hydration, labor, calcium, and other minerals, as well as Omega 3-6-9 that outshines flax seeds.

Lastly, I am hoping my video blogging and research have benefited you. I would like to ask a favor. My PhD/dissertation fellowship was not renewed for 2011-2012 academic year. I am a PhD Candidate at UC Davis trying to finish my dissertation which is a pro-vegan project and advocates anti-racist and critical race engagement. This project’s goal is to create a manuscript that can help folk build more coalitions and solidarity within veganism and those potentially interested in plant-based dietary lifestyles. Thus far I have gotten $3200 out of $10,000 in contributions. If you are interested in learning how you can help or want to send a paypal donation to me (email is breezeharper@gmail.com for paypal) you can click on the video below:

Thanks.
Here is what I’ve been eating during my pregnancy for optimal health!

• Sun Chlorella or Now Foods Organic Chlorella (I take 1tsp of the Now each day, mixed with my Spirulina. Don’t let the $33 scare you, as it lasts 151 days.)
• Pacfiica Hawaiian Organic Spirulina (This has about 150 days of usage. Expensive up front but it lasts 1/2 year; I take 1 tsp per day)
• Hemp Nutiva Protein Power 50% (1/2 c per day for me)
• Salus Haus Floradix Iron + Herbs 17-Ounce Glass Bottle (10ml in the morning 2nd trimester; then 10ml twice a day starting week 28 for me because I was at risk for anemia)
• Book: Childbearing Year by Susun Weed
• Book: Sacred Woman by Queen Afua
• Book: Painless Childbirth
• Vegan Pregnancy Nutrition Information from VegFamily Online URL : http://www.vegfamily.com/vegan-pregnancy/super-foods-pregnancy-lactation.htm
• Vegan DHA + EPA Ovega-3. 2 capsules per day: http://www.ovega.com/what_is_ovega3
• Nutiva Hemp Seed oil (1-2 tbsp per day)
• Exercise Exercise Exercise every day!
• 2-3 cups of Nettles tea each day
• Kale (I make kale smoothies), Collards, Rhubarb,
• Reduce or eliminate intake of refined sugar, refined flour, fried foods (that was HARD for me), chocolate, caffeine
• Tempeh (better than tofu in my opinion because it’s fermented)
• 1 Avocado daily
• 1/4 c of Jarrow Brown Rice Protein Per day (You can mix it with the hemp protein if you want)
• Health Alliance Lecithin (1 tbsp)
• Walnuts are a good nut with healthy oils. I’ll eat them raw or I’ll throw them in my soups. They are GREAT in soups.
• A Prenatal vitamin
• Shea butter to rub on growing belly
• If you have problems with finding plant-based source of calcium, you will probably need to take a calcium supplement if the kale and collards and other foods in calcium isn’t enough. You’ll need about 1500mg of Calcium per day . I recommend products that have Algaecal in them. Algaecal has algae based calcium and it’s really impressive they say it’s suitable for vegans and vegetarians!

Foods To Eat

• Quinoa
• . Chia SeedsThey are incredibly rich in calcium. You get 344mg of Calcium for 2 ounces. Always soak your chia seeds for at least ten minutes before eating them. I put them in my smoothies sometimes. 2 tbsp gives you 42% of required fiber for the day. And this is an excellent source for EFAs and has a 4:1 ration of omega 3:Omega 6. profile.
• Tempeh
• 1 Gallon of water a day
• Coconut water if you feel water isn’t enough to hydrate you or replace electrolytes. Coconut water is the perfect isotonic beverage; especially to drink first thing in the morning if you wake up feeling dehydrated and also great to drink id you are working out or right after.
• Greens, greens, greens: Kale, mustard greens, okra, collards, chard. Kale is my favorite I have heard spinach should be avoided but can’t verify this.
• Legumes
• Whole Grains
• Wildwood Plain Soy Yogurt brand (only one in the USA that doesn’t add sugar and is organic)
• I make most of my baked goods from whole grains and sweeten them with apple juice, banana, or fresh pineapple or fresh dates.
• Walnuts are a very healthy nut with great oil. Almonds are great and so are sesame seeds (I eat them in the form of tahini)
• Papaya (have heard to avoid during 1st trimester, but not sure why)

This list is not nearly as extensive as I would like it to be, as there are many foods to eat, but I’m just going to say it straight up: AVOID THE SHIT if you can. Junk food, highly processed crap that has NO nutritional value at all. I know it’s hard when you have those cravings and I admit that I still eat french fries in moderation, but it really is best to try to avoid eating refined flour, refined salt, processed refined sugar products. Your meals should be whole grainy, high protein, and very colorful. And I can’t emphasize enough, those greens! Kale is exceptional for calcium. Okra is exceptional for childbirth prep and is very amazing. Whole grains will keep you regular. I POOP 3 TIMES A DAY DURING PREGNANCY. They tell you constipation is ‘normal’, but it is not.

Hugs and baby blessings,

Breeze

I am not a doctor or practitioner of medicine. Please consult your doctor before attempting any of these suggestions. This is what worked for me, as each person is different.

“Vegan Pregnancies and Homebirths are Dangerous, C-Sections are Normal” Misguided Fear in Prenatal Care USA

Update: Before watching the video about ‘vegan pregnancies’ I just wanted to say that if my work has benefited you, or you have enjoyed watching my health advice over the past few years, I’m wondering if you can return a favor. My fellowship to pursue critical race and critical vegan studies at the doctoral level was not renewed for 2011-2012, through University of California, Davis. I would like to finish my PhD and need some help. I know the goal may seem overwhelming, but I have about a combined support network/friends/followers of 1000 people (through Facebook, blog subscribers, and Twitter followers). If you could spare $10 to $25 a piece, then this goal could be met I think.

Paypal email donation: breezeharper (at) gmail (dot) com or go to the right side top of the screen and click on donation link.

UPDATE: As of June 9, 2011:

Donated: $1970

Needed for completion of goal: $8,030

Deadline: September 2011 (so I Can register for 2011-2012 academic year)

In this video, I share information about doing a plant-based dietary pregnancy, opting to do a homebirth with a midwife, and reflecting on how in the West, allopathic medicine has determined that pregnancy is, “always an emergency waiting to happen.”

• Sun Chlorella or Now Foods Organic Chlorella (I take 1tsp of the Now each day, mixed with my Spirulina. Don’t let the $33 scare you, as it lasts 151 days.)
• Pacfiica Hawaiian Organic Spirulina (This has about 150 days of usage. Expensive up front but it lasts 1/2 year; I take 1 tsp per day)
• Hemp Nutiva Protein Power 50% (1/2 c per day for me)
• Salus Haus Floradix Iron + Herbs 17-Ounce Glass Bottle (10ml in the morning 2nd trimester; then 10ml twice a day starting week 28 for me because I was at risk for anemia)
• Book: Childbearing Year by Susun Weed
• Book: Sacred Woman by Queen Afua
• Book: Painless Childbirth
• Vegan Pregnancy Nutrition Information from VegFamily Online URL : http://www.vegfamily.com/vegan-pregnancy/super-foods-pregnancy-lactation.htm
• Vegan DHA + EPA Ovega-3. 2 capsules per day: http://www.ovega.com/what_is_ovega3
• Nutiva Hemp Seed oil (1-2 tbsp per day)
• Exercise Exercise Exercise every day!
• 2-3 cups of Nettles tea each day
• Kale (I make kale smoothies), Collards, Rhubarb,
• Reduce or eliminate intake of refined sugar, refined flour, fried foods (that was HARD for me), chocolate, caffeine
• Tempeh (better than tofu in my opinion because it’s fermented)
• 1 Avocado daily
• 1/4 c of Jarrow Brown Rice Protein Per day (You can mix it with the hemp protein if you want)
• Health Alliance Lecithin (1 tbsp)
• Walnuts are a good nut with healthy oils. I’ll eat them raw or I’ll throw them in my soups. They are GREAT in soups.
• A Prenatal vitamin
• Shea butter to rub on growing belly
• If you have problems with finding plant-based source of calcium, you will probably need to take a calcium supplement if the kale and collards and other foods in calcium isn’t enough. You’ll need about 1500mg of Calcium per day . I recommend products that have Algaecal in them. Algaecal has algae based calcium and it’s really impressive they say it’s suitable for vegans and vegetarians!

Foods To Eat

• Quinoa
• .  Chia SeedsThey are incredibly rich in calcium. You get 344mg of Calcium for 2 ounces. Always soak your chia seeds for at least ten minutes before eating them. I put them in my smoothies sometimes. 2 tbsp gives you 42% of required fiber for the day. And this is an excellent source for EFAs and has a 4:1 ration of omega 3:Omega 6. profile.
• Tempeh
• 1 Gallon of water a day
• Coconut water if you feel water isn’t enough to hydrate you or replace electrolytes. Coconut water is the perfect isotonic beverage; especially to drink first thing in the morning if you wake up feeling dehydrated and also great to drink id you are working out or right after.
• Greens, greens, greens: Kale, mustard greens, okra, collards, chard. Kale is my favorite I have heard spinach should be avoided but can’t verify this.
• Legumes
• Whole Grains
• Wildwood Plain Soy Yogurt brand (only one in the USA that doesn’t add sugar and is organic)
• I make most of my baked goods from whole grains and sweeten them with apple juice, banana, or fresh pineapple or fresh dates.
• Walnuts are a very healthy nut with great oil. Almonds are great and so are sesame seeds (I eat them in the form of tahini)
• Papaya (have heard to avoid during 1st trimester, but not sure why)

This list is not nearly as extensive as I would like it to be, as there are many foods to eat, but I’m just going to say it straight up: AVOID THE SHIT if you can. Junk food, highly processed crap that has NO nutritional value at all. I know it’s hard when you have those cravings and I admit that I still eat french fries in moderation, but it really is best to try to avoid eating refined flour, refined salt, processed refined sugar products. Your meals should be whole grainy, high protein, and very colorful. And I can’t emphasize enough, those greens! Kale is exceptional for calcium. Okra is exceptional for childbirth prep and is very amazing. Whole grains will keep you regular. I  POOP 3 TIMES A DAY DURING PREGNANCY. They tell you constipation is ‘normal’, but it is not.

Hugs and baby blessings,

Breeze

I am not a doctor or practitioner of medicine. Please consult your doctor before attempting any of these suggestions. This is what worked for me, as each person is different.

Why vegan activism can’t be ‘race-neutral’: Afua’s race conscious veganism

I speak about how Queen Afua has a black female racialized-sexualized consciousness around veganism. She is “race-conscious” and I speak about how the top 100 selling vegan diet books  on Amazon.com don’t engage in a ‘race-conscious’ approach to veganism, but a ‘post-racial’ non-classed conscious approach. Yet this lack of racial consciousness and class consciousness IMPLIES that it’s for ‘normal’ population. Read ‘normal’ as default white middle class

I also break down the first 40 pages of Afua’s book, “City of Wellness” and analyze it as part of my dissertation work, which looks at revolutionary black female vegan activists who are ‘race-conscious’ with their activism.
The City of Wellness: Restoring Your Health Through the Seven Kitchens of Consciousness

Queen Afua’s “Sacred Woman” and Decolonizing the Womb

In this video I speak about how I used Queen Afua’s book, “Sacred Woman” to shrink my fibroid tumors by 75%, become fertile (and conceive the first time), and how I continue to eat a whole foods oriented plant-based diet (versus a junk food vegan diet) to maintain my health. Please note that this is me sharing my personal journey with you. I am not a M.D., ND, or a clinical practitioner. Consult your practitioner, nutritionist, etc if you want to use plant-based dietary philosophy for health improvement.

Raw Vegan Organic Prenatal Vitamins!!

Finally, an organic raw vegan prenatal whole foods vitamin! I am definitely excited and want to spread the news. It’s by Garden of Life and it’s part of their line, “Vitamin Code.” I am extremely impressed by the ingredients.