This post is a little off the beaten path, but it deserves honorable mention. My favorite stores that promote healthy eating and lifestyle; Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Fairway Market. It's amazing how many people have no idea why they're essential for your health.
Every time I hear of a grand opening for any of these stores, I wait with baited breath and an eager anticipation. My mother put me on to Whole Foods in the late 90's and Trader Joes in the 80's. We spent many Saturday's in Trader Joe's after out trips to Fortunoff's in Westbury. I found out about Fairway Market on my own, through my travels in N.Y.C. You see, Mommy was heavy into eating and living a healthy lifestyle ever since I could remember.
There were always vitamins, teas and healthy foods in my house. I learned a lot about herbs from her over the years and what they were for; coining my mother "The Witch Doctor! This was a woman who didn't use too many canned goods, baked cakes and pies but never ate them; had a ridiculous coffee addiction which I have inherited, but was NEVER OVERWEIGHT!
As a teenager, she plied me with all types of vitamins and believed in natural holistic healing. When I had cramps, she gave me 500 mg of Calcium; if I couldn't sleep, she recommended Sleepy Time Tea or Chamomile and I'd sleep like a baby. Each day, I watched her swallow a host of pills and drink a menagerie of herbal teas. She didn't age and was never plagued with the usual ailments plaguing most African Americans. Mommy never suffered with high blood pressure, diabetes and her skin was as flawless as one of a porcelain doll.
Until she took sick, there were no gray hairs and even in death, her skin was beautiful.
I've learned so much about living a healthy lifestyle from my mom and as much as I'd laugh at her for her obsession with health; I've become my mother and LOVE every last one of these stores.
Today, I shop at these same stores, take a crap load of vitamins and herbal supplements, I frequent colonic cleansings and take African supplements that rid my system of worms and they do work!
My diet has changed. I haven't eaten red meat or pork in years, stopped drinking soda, juices that are full of sugar. I'm no saint though, I LOVE COFFEE and I do use Equal...I'm sorry!
But I can tell you this: my pressure is good, I don't have sugar, I don't drink hard alcohol, do drugs, smoke cigarettes and I sure don't look like I'm 43 years old!
I do need to lose a little more weight. Although, I have no desire to lose my Booty or Breasts...I am aware I do need a Tummy Tuck; after my four C-sections. But for the most part, I'm good!
Healthy eating is the best thing for us all. Being of southern descent, PROUD SOUTHERN DESCENT, I've learned to cheat once in a while. If you want to feel better and not look 100, eat better, you'll feel better and live better!
Last week, Mr. Lucas and I went to the new Whole Foods on 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. I was like a kid in a candy store. Wishing I had about $500.00 extra to buy things I don't even need. But when you shop in stores like these, I've learned one thing "When you know better, you do better." Especially in terms of your health and feeling good about yourself!
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