Health Watch: Sickle Cell Anemia

Check out my article featured on http://www.thefreshxpress.com/

When you think of the major health concerns that are heavily affecting the black population, several diseases come to mind, but rarely is Sickle Cell Anemia mentioned. Until I had the unfortunate experience of losing my brother-in-law AJ to the disease in 2009, I, like so many others, had been oblivious to the severity of the disease. In honor of Fresh Health Month, get to know some important facts about Sickle Cell.


What is Sickle Cell Anemia?
Sickle Cell Anemia is one of the most common inherited blood diseases and primarily affects Africans and African Americans. Although sickle cell is not a “black gene”, it disproportionately occurs in the black population. Current estimates are that one in 1,875 U.S. African Americans is affected with sickle cell anemia. It is a disorder of the blood caused by inherited abnormal hemoglobin that causes distorted red blood cells. These blood cells are fragile are prone to rupture and when this occurs, the condition is referred to as sickle cell anemia. The irregularly shaped cells can and usually block blood vessels which in turn cause tissue and organ damage as well as intense pain.

How is Sickle Cell Diagnosed?
 Sickle cell anemia is diagnosed when the abnormal “sickle-shaped” cells are identified under a microscope. Prenatal diagnosis can also be possible using amniocentesis of the fetal cells. Sickle cell requires the inheritance of two sickle cell genes. When there is only one sickled gene/trait, it almost never produces a problem. The best way to know is to get tested especially when thinking about having children. It’s important for both parties to be aware of whether they or a family member can be a possible carrier of the trait.

What are the symptoms?
 Symptoms and features include: fatigue and anemia, pain crises, swelling and inflammation of hands and feet, bacterial infections, lung and heart injury, eye damage, leg ulcers, etc. Depending on the strand and the health history, each person can be affected and experience symptoms in many ways.

 For more information and support, visit www.sicklecelldisease.org.

“The first wealth is health”- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Until next time...keep the forward movement....

Food Fun: Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Fun fact about me:  I love to cook and bake!  I've been cooking since I was 9 years old.  The older I've gotten, the more things I've learned and the more variations I've tried.  Today, I'm sharing one of my favorite dessert recipes; Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting!  I've made this time and time again and each time, it's a hit!  I've even had people who weren't fond of desserts or coconut, ask me to make them over and over again.  If you're looking for a new recipe that rivals even the best chocolate delicacies (I'm a chocolate lover at heart, lol), try these cupcakes.  They're sure to disappear the moment you set them down! 

Ingredients 

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes  
  

  Directions

  
  

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 standard 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.

     
  

  Into a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.  
  
  

  Using a hand held mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time until just combined. Add vanilla and coconut extract. Add buttermilk and dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix. Mix in the shredded coconut.
  

  
  

  Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on wire racks before frosting.  
  

  
  

  Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting:  
  

  • 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened  
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 6 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes, for garnish 
    

    Using a hand-held mixer beat cream cheese and butter together until light and smooth. Add vanilla extract and slowly add the confectioners' sugar 1cup at a time until thoroughly incorporated.  
    

    
    

    Pour coconut flakes evenly onto a baking sheet. Place in oven for 2 to 3 minutes allowing flakes to cook and turn a golden brown color. Make sure you do not burn.  
    

    
    

    Frost cupcakes high with about 4 tablespoons of icing. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes.

    
    

    

    
    

    Until next time....keep the forward movement.... 

Some of Life's Lessons from Oprah and I....

Last weekend, I was able to watch part 2 of Oprah's Masters Class and the lessons she shared were invaluable. Sometimes, I find that the best lessons learned are when you're least expecting it. As I watched, I couldn't help but take notes to revel in the quotes that were speaking to my spirit.  Here are some of Oprah's quotes partnered with my explanations. 

• All of life is about growing to your own personal best- For me, this screams "do you!"  Life isn't about becoming as good as or better than someone else.  It's about evolving into a better you.  True growth and success happens when you surpass yourself.
• Grow to greatness.  Your "whisper" to move on comes when you stop growing and changing.  Life is about growth and change- I believe that this is one of the best quotes out there.  No one wants to (or should want to) grow into a place that isn't positive.  That whisper that Oprah mentions is that internal nudge that lets you know that your time in your present place is up.  It's when you realize that you're done with where you are and have more to offer where you'll be.  Those whispers, turn into nudges and screams, and where you are in the future, depends on if you listen to the whispers...and move.
• Anybody pretending to be anybody other than who they really are, will never be successful- No matter how many people you fool, you can never fool God and yourself.  The truth always comes to light and the truth of your nature will come to the surface.  Be true to who you are and everything will fall into place.
• The moment you surrender...the moment things happen.  LET GO.- During the episode, Oprah explained the moment that she let go of the idea of being in The Color Purple and how pivotal that moment was in her life.  I think that's so important.  I have exercised truly letting go myself, and have realized that when it's done of nothing but truth and sincerity, things always fall into place.  You must GENUINELY surrender and give control to God. Only then, will things truly happen. 
• Your intention rules your life and determines the outcome.  "To whom much is given, much is required." (Luke 12:48)- You may not know every verse in the BIBLE, but you have probably heard this one several times.  It speaks nothing but the truth.  Often times, people assume that when they reach a certain point in life or have a certain amount of money, everything will be perfect.  The truth is, the more money and success (in any form) that you have, the more that people, life, and God will expect from you.  Understand and accept that and you will be given more.
• Don't waste your time looking back at the other guy to see where they are in the race.- You waste time when you look back, but it's an even bigger waste of time to look back just to gauge where somebody else is in the race.  Focus on your goals and your path.  Where they may appear to be, may not be where you need to be.  It may be the same race and same goal, but the personal journey matters the most.
• You become what you believe- This is simple.  What you believe, is what exists for you.  If you believe you are destined for greatness, you are.  If you believe you won't succeed, you won't.  Your thoughts dictate your actions and your life. 
• You are not alone in your experiences- Although you may feel alone in the darkest of places, remember that there are others who share similar, if not worse experiences.  Find solace in knowing that it's a part of your story, and you'll get through it like so many others have.
• We are all teachers- I've always said that I never wanted to be a teacher.  Even though I'm not a teacher in the formal sense, I find that in being a life coach, a counselor, an author, and a speaker, I teach all the time!  Every conversation, every article I write, every session, is an opportunity to teach.  If you think about it, you will realize that you probably teach as well.
• Stay true to your calling- Do the things that you want to do.  Fulfill your passions and desires.  Don't follow the dreams and rules that others have set for you.  Stay true to yourself.
• Everything you put out, comes back- God. Karma.  What goes around, comes around.  Whichever way you put it, it all means the same.  Do things with good and genuine intent, and that's what you'll get in return.  The same truth holds for the opposite.
• "When your personality comes to serve the energy of your soul, you have authentic power."- Gary Zukav- Oprah quoted this from Gary Zukav's book "Sea to the Soul" and is on my list of must-reads.  Beautiful quote! 
• God can dream a bigger dream for you then you can dream for yourself.- This is the most important quote.  I'm a firm believer in God and what He can do.  He doesn't limit anything for us and we shouldn't limit ourselves in our thoughts.  Whatever you desire to do...YOU CAN.  Just keep working hard, trust, and BELIEVE!  

This week, I encourage you to put these quotes up or find some that inspire you.  Life may be hard at times, but keep pushing!  Use these quotes, kinds words, and verses, to keep you motivated.  Always remember it's only a matter of time: God rewards diligence and faith.

Until next time...keep the forward movement....

I Wouldn't Change a Thing....Would You?

How many times have you heard the phrases “it’s all a part of your journey” or “struggle makes you stronger?” I can remember being told and also uttering these sayings to others. They sound inspiring and hold a great truth, but when asked if you’d really want to endure these struggles, most people would prefer the opposite. When you think of where you came from, where you are now, and where you’re lead to go, could you honestly say “I wouldn’t change a thing” or do you wish you could’ve fast forwarded to the “good part?”

This past Sunday, I watched Oprah Winfrey presents “Master Class.” On this show, she features entertainers, entrepreneurs, authors, philanthropists, etc. and has them share their stories in a new and eloquent way. She provides a platform for the people featured to be naked in their words, stories, and truths. Thankfully, that evening, I fell upon the episode where Oprah herself, was featured. I immediately knew that for the next hour, all phone calls would cease, all side conversations would end, and I’d immerse myself in everything that I could receive from her story. You see, I’m one of those people who doesn’t just take things at face value. I don’t do that with every single thing but I believe that there are some things that you must dig deeper into in order to receive the message and learn the lesson. As I watched Oprah share her story, I was in awe. Though I knew some of it, there was more that I didn’t know and never had I heard it in one long sitting. The entirety of it all saddened me in one moment and gave me chills in another. As she discussed her strained and dysfunctional relationship with her parents, her rape at 9 years old, her molestation that occurred over a number of years, and her pregnancy that ended unsuccessfully, my heart went out to the child in her who had to endure such heinous things. No matter how successful you become, it doesn’t eliminate the crimes of your youth. As she moved through her story with grace and fluidity, she came to a point where she began to sing a hymn. Now for the life of me, I can’t remember what the name of it was, but the message of the song was loud and clear: she wouldn’t change a thing. That hit me like a ton of bricks. As she sang that song, she smiled and hummed and subsequently embraced her past. Most of us seeing, hearing, and possibly living some of the most undesirable things, would have them erased if we could, but there she was, singing this hymn, that basically said that she would not take one experience away. I was in awe, but as quickly as it shocked me, is as quickly as I understood. Those past experiences created who she was today. Oprah shared that had she not gone through those things, she wouldn’t be as sympathetic, understanding, caring and empathetic as she is today. Her desire to touch people’s lives came from the very depths of those ugly moments in her life. Had it not been for then, there wouldn’t be “The Oprah Winfrey” now.

This really got me thinking of my own experiences. There have been so many in the past 5 years where I’ve looked up and said “really God? Why me?” There were periods of darkness that threatened to overshadow and take me out (I’ll save that for another post). Though my journey is far from over, when I look back to where I’ve come from, though I never imagined I could say it: I wouldn’t change a thing. I shock myself to say it, but it’s the truth. The things that I’ve faced and the situations I’ve had to endure were designed to break me down, mold me up, strengthen my spirit, and force to me to let go and let God. The past journeys are a set-up for the upcoming ones. Just because you experience turmoil in the past doesn’t mean you won’t experience it in the future. It means that you’ll be better prepared and will be able to handle it more effectively. Think about your very first school test. You were nervous, studied for a ridiculous amount of time, and probably couldn’t sleep. As you were taking it, you second and third guessed yourself, and skimmed over the test 100 times. After you passed your test (with flying colors I might add, lol), you breathed a sigh of relief. Now every test that followed it became a little easier…even though it was HARDER. Why was it easier? Because your previous experience had PREPARED you for what was to come. When you’re in that place, you realize that though the past wasn’t easy, you wouldn’t change a thing because it was created to make you who you will ultimately become.

This week, I encourage you to move through your journey. It may not always be easy, but your sweat, your tears, your anger, your frustration, your hardships, your journey, are unquestionably worth it.

Until next time...keep the forward movement....

Selfish or Selfless?

Me, me, me. I have to take care of me. If I don't take care of me, who will? I have to do things for myself first, before I can do anything for anybody else. If you walk past people on any given day, you're bound to hear, at some point, someone uttering one of these phrases. It is our newest mantra: I can be no good to anyone else, if I'm no good to myself first. Much of these sayings are true, but when does it cross the line from being selfless to selfish?

Everyday, I work on deepening my relationship with God. I figure any great relationship has awesome communication, so that's what I work on; developing and strengthening my communication through prayer, with Him. Most people, myself included, have our standard prayers and the things that we desire and pray for. Yes we may sprinkle in prayers for others and for those we care for, but never do we forget our desires and needs. Well, a few weeks ago, I started thinking about going on a prayer fast for a very special member of my family. I don't know why it entered my mind, but it did, and although I tried to ignore it, the idea kept resurfacing. With several "coincidental" confirmations, I found myself challenged to do it for 7 days, but to not only pray for the original person I had in mind, but to devote all of my prayers, every single one this week, to various people. Whew! I breathed hard and fought the idea. I thought "with all I have going on, could I afford that?" Would God forget about me and all that I needed Him for? As I thought about it, I decided to dismiss my initial reservations and fears, and immerse myself into this selfless act. The more I thought, the more excited I became. Something about putting myself aside and going to God on behalf of others, filled me in a way I've never experienced.

Throughout the week, I've found that there's a special joy and connection that comes from concerning yourself with the well-being of others with complete genuity and complete humility. Even though it's important not to forget yourself, it's also important to maintain balance and continue to lead by example, and sometimes that means, being selfless enough to be able to put yourself aside. Believe me, if you do it with all your heart and with utter and complete truth, you won't need to pray for blessings, because they'll find you and overtake you in more ways than one! That's the beauty of being selfless. It inspires others to do so and that energy finds you and envelopes your core. This week, I urge you to do one selfless deed. You will be amazed at how much you get out of putting someone else first!

Stop...Look back...and Smell the Roses....

Have you ever stopped to smell the roses? ...or even acknowledged that they exist? For those who don't know, this famous phrase refers to taking the time to stop, reflect, and appreciate what is...whatever that may be. So many people work toward a goal, or work on themselves, and rarely do they take the moment to breathe in the success that they've achieved or turn around to see how far they have come. Why is it that we work so hard, but find it so difficult to acknowledge the fruits of our labor?

For over a year, I've been working out consistently. Growing up, I played every sport imaginable and was always in great shape. Over the years, I stopped playing all those sports and began to get comfortable. I decided that I needed to get back out there, become active again, and develop some life long healthy habits. Initially I started working out just to do it, but after my body started to reap the beautiful benefits, I developed goals. Week after week, month and month, I easily surpassed my old goals and replaced them fresher, more difficult ones. I'll admit it...I've always been a little obsessive when it came to my body type. It's just always been one of those things that I've constantly created newer goals for and was never satisfied with. Even with the obvious physical changes that I've made, never have I once took the time to turn around and applaud myself for my hard work, consistency, and discipline...until it was pushed in my face. Earlier this week, a friend of mine tagged me in an old picture from her sister's wedding from a year and a half ago. I was in shock as I gazed at my old self in the picture. I thought "who was this woman looking back at me?" I was obviously larger and when I really thought about it, I didn't even realize I looked that way at that moment in time. As I looked at the picture, I lifted my eyes to the reflection in the mirror of my current self. "Wow", I thought. I've really changed. I look healthier and shapelier. All those times that I overcame being tired, annoyed, and just flat out not feeling like it, paid off. For the first time, I stopped and commended myself for the obvious progress I've made. Within that moment, I decided to soak up every drop of content that I felt about where I am and where I came from.

No doubt about it, the last few weeks have been surprisingly trying. I say surprising because it's not as if I haven't had difficult times before, however, this time, the difficulty has affected me in a different way. Being whisked away from the path you are on and being pulled further away from where you want to go, presents a dilemma that begs you to rise above the occasion. Sometimes, however, the stress of that can take a toll. For some reason (God), I find myself careless laughing and proclaiming all great things. I find myself able to see that when things are shaken up in this way, it's all in preparation to get you on top of your game for the next phase in life. I think what made me feel so eerie in this "calm" is the fact that in other times of struggle and frustration, I wasn't this "cool". At an earlier point in life, I would have been exhibiting my frustration through cursing and long lasting anger. I would've allowed myself to stay in a mental space that would've watered the seeds of disdain and negativity. Today, however...with the mental strength and composure that I possess, I acknowledge the positive first, dance in the rain, and anticipate the sun knowing that everything will work out for the greater good. As I thought about this, there presented another opportunity for me to turn around, stop, and pat myself on the back. I have GROWN. I've developed myself into a woman who will take life by horns and enjoy the ride...bumps and all. I'm completely aware that life isn't perfect and am still human, so it's not always sunshine and roses, but your dominant outlook is most important...and mine has changed for the better.

In this life, I encourage you to not only work hard, but to acknowledge your hard work. Not only will it show you how far you've come, it will give you the ammunition to shoot yourself forward!

Testing...1, 2...

This past week has been quite an interesting one. I was plucked from my usual day-to-day routine and put into something completely unfamiliar. At first, I was unhappy, naturally, (for more reasons than one, but that’s another story -_-), but as the week progressed, I found myself being okay. I stopped fighting what was and starting allowing what would be. As I allowed my days to create themselves without the restriction I subconsciously added, I found a new routine inadvertently created. I now sit here at the end of my week, filled with a newer understanding, less frustration, and anticipation for what my future holds.

Today I want to encourage you to move fluidly through and past your “test time.” While you’re stuck in your frustration, you will unfortunately miss what God is trying to do. He’s ultimately getting you to see that what may seem like an upside down mess to you, is His way of shaking things up and making you uncomfortable. Sometimes, we have goals, but get too comfortable and that initial sprint to that goal is now a fast-paced walk. The jagged edges of your upward climb are part of the struggling path that builds character and tests your willingness in achieving your dreams. It also prepares you for the future. Life won’t always bring you comfortable and pleasant situations and you must know how to go with the flow and rise above the situation. This will be a testament to your future that you can handle whatever comes your way without giving up. It will show that you are flexible and successful people know how to make it work. I believe that one of the keys to success is being able to continue to excel and push forward even when you’re in a situation that you didn’t ask for or wasn’t expecting.

 Be strong. Push forward. Ace your test. The next chapter may be the one you’ve been working so hard for. :)