Poems can serve as an essential ingredient to self-discovery. They can help one to navigate the ups and downs of life. After years of keeping this poem to myself, I decided to share it with you and the world.

Do you or a loved one enjoy spicy foods? If so, consider spicing up the plate with green leafy vegetables. You may also be happy to discover that spicy leafy vegetables are perfect to plant in the spring or fall. These greens have a much better flavor when you grow them yourself.

Practicing the art of mindful cooking brought up strong thoughts, memories, and feelings that actually surprised me. While I absolutely love to cook, underlying feelings of duty and resentment began to surface and demanded that I pay attention.It was as if my soul was crying out for me to attend to my invisible cooking pains.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, I learned that eating whole grains could be beneficial for my health and the health of my family. In honor of National Family History Day, which is in November, I share some of the lessons I learned from my mom about the health benefits of quinoa and her journey to end the familial legacy of diabetes.

Today I want to talk about fulfillment beyond the plate. Why??? Well… For many years I privileged suffering and pain in life. Hell, suffering was something I knew well. I was so into suffering that I got several degrees learning more about it. But there was a part of me that wanted to see and experience more pleasure in life.

Most people are familiar with Kwanzaa, but may not know its origins and purpose. If you are one of those people, you’re not alone.

What are your family food traditions during Christmas or the holiday season? If Santa visited your home what would you serve him?

The habit of multitasking has become the norm in our overworked and chronically stressed society. A practice of mindful eating is an invitation to pause and take a moment from the stressors of daily life to explore and experience food in the present moment by engaging your senses with these five simple steps.

Lentil soup is a great go-to meal - inexpensive, easy to prepare, and ready in less than 1 hour. Lentils are a great source of fiber and protein, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals. It’s a wholesome, hearty meal that you can make on any night of the week. My family enjoys it throughout the fall and winter.

Since changing my diet to being mostly plant-based, I’ve used portobello mushrooms as a meat substitute. Portobello mushrooms have a meaty flavor without the calories of meat. This recipe is a simple vegan jerk dish.

Many spices sold at markets today have salt as the first or second ingredient, which can add flavor. However, for those of us who have high blood pressure or a family history of high blood pressure, the high sodium content of salt can shave years from our life and the lives of our loved ones. But that does not have to be the case.

Soups are a great treat on a cool fall or winter day. Pepperpot is an old- time favorite that is enjoyed by many people in the Caribbean. Give this recipe a try.

What’s your favorite “greens”? Most cultures have a classic leafy green vegetable dish that brings up feelings of love, family, and connection. For people of the African diaspora raised in the US, collard, mustard, and turnip are traditional, comforting greens. Callaloo is a favorite of people from the Caribbean. It was through cooking callaloo with my mother that I discovered more about her and my cultural heritage.

Months into COVID-19 and many of us have become intimately familiar with the kitchen. If you are looking for recipes to try or just want to learn more about plant-based diets, check out our new blog. We highlight 7 vegan cookbooks by Black authors.

Are the stressors of life making you sick and tired? Do you find yourself turning to food for comfort? Before you take another bite, we invite you to practice mindful eating.

Do you wish you could be on a tropical island right now? Join me on a journey through a tropical papaya paradise.

Fruit when paired with the right culinary herb can take your sensory experience to new heights. Mint goes well with many fruits. Give it a try with papaya, one of my favorite tropical paradise fruits.

A key part of mindful eating is engaging our senses. We invite you to explore the visual appearance, smell, taste, texture, and sound of fruits that are typically eaten in countries throughout the African diaspora.

With the continued murders of Black men and women at the hands of police, we stand with those who demand justice for Black lives. On Breonna Taylor’s birthday, we also send our love to the mothers, fathers, children, and other individuals who have lost loved ones to police violence.

Peas and fish are two staples of African diaspora cuisine. Here we combine both to make a quick and easy salad. The best part is you don’t have to cook anything.