As Salaamu Alaykum

While I never endorsed a candidate here on "Healthier, Happier, You", let's just say that the "change" candidate I am now behind has left me with a huge mass of concerns. As a woman. AND as a FIRM and STEADFAST believer in diversity.

While I remain proud of how far we have come, my concerns for myself are heavily outweighed by my passionate concern for our Middle Eastern and/or Islamic family members. THEY ARE OUR FAMILY. One America. One LOVE.

To maintain health and happiness we must embrace the parts of ourselves we do not understand.

Had anyone noticed the very close assistant to Senator Clinton? She was at every debate, by every handshake, and whispering in her ear at all times. Senator Clinton's campaign was run by women of all color, but her three closest advisers are Maggie Williams, Patty Solis-Doyle, and Huma Abedin.


Maggie Williams


Photo credit Melina Mara
StaffPhoto 1. Patti Solis Doyle, campaign manager 2. (l-r) Neera Tanden; Milanne Verveer; Capricia Marshall, minyon Moore; Huma Abedin; Ann Lewis; 3. Cheryl Mills; tamera Luzzatto; Mandy Grunwald; Lissa Muscatine.Thu Jun 14 17:33:04 2007











Born in Michigan, Huma Abedin attended Georgetown University before landing an internship at the White House in 1996. She has remained at Senator Clinton's side ever since.

Her remarkable poise and leadership has been the buzz of D.C. for a decade. BUT what I would like to see is how in this current place in the election, she or someone with her impeccable background, can bridge the Democratic campaign's bruising relationship with the American Muslim.

Born to an Indian and Pakistani heritage, and being Muslim, her being in Senator Clinton's team spoke volumes as to how committed that campaign was to diversity.

I may get some flack here, but its not just BLACK AND WHITE! There are others of us that we need to listen too, without being SO afraid of who we will SCARE, or perpetuate the fear some of our other family members seem to be experiencing!!

I always felt that Senator Obama's campaign was steering SO FAR away from anything Muslim in nature to assuage the masses. Well it worked, but at what cost??

I suppose being called a "F***ing Arab" (I'm not) has given me a sensitivity chip that I may have otherwise not had, BUT I am sure Senator Obama has been called one too, and I TRULY sympathize with his position, and I KNOW for a fact that everyone is in his ear about a multitude of issues and concerns. BUT, I can not help but feel a pain in my heart when I see my sisters sitting in hijab looking bewildered by the hate and misunderstandings. Being denied a place in a photo, at one of the Democratic events is so crazy.

Being denied a place in the inn, being a source of unfounded trepidation and having your world completely misinterpreted is hard. We all need to suggest, with quick expediency, how we can heal and make this less of a gap. Our health and happiness depend on it.

SHADES of BLACK

Photo of Amani, Soledad O'Brien, and Mario E. Page, courtesy of Mario E. Page, Director of Photography
EP2 Media, Inc.


Quite often I extend accolades to my cousin Mario. His talent, his gifts of photos, friendship and love have been really great throughout life but especially since I started this blog.

When he sent me this photo, taken after Amani, of MyUrbanReport.com, interviewed Soledad O'Brien of CNN, it struck me. THIS is what it is ALL about.

Shades of Black, represented right here. Intelligence, talent, beauty ~ blooming quite magnificently despite history.

Our glory has shown with brilliance in the face of adversity! I am so proud of my country, and its challenges, because it has all led to this!

For goodness sake! When I was a little girl there were no black radio stations, and to see a black face on television in the 60's was a special night you could not miss!

Come July 23-24 when CNN airs the documentary "Black in America" a dialogue that started with this election season will continue. We will continue to be victorious in our efforts to live in diversity. That utopia my Gran used to let her eyes twinkle about will realize in this lifetime. Our persistence, our love for humanity and each other has prevailed!

There will be setbacks, Katrinas, Jena6's and more to come, but America should be proud of herself. We are evolving. We are learning to embrace, or pull coattails that lead to the embrace. Black people will continue to nudge, stretch, and open that birthing canal. We will come forth, and the oneness created will be something so illuminating and profound. Our children will continue it, because it really is out of love. There will be pain. There will be gain. And it will all be in shades of black.

THIS IS A MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to Amani over at MYURBANREPORT for this outstanding interview (shot by my cousin, Mario E. Page) with Soledad Obrien!!!!

BE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT!

Eeee Eyye Eeee Eyye Owww!

Media Credit: Photo courtesty of Chris Curtis



The tainting of our food has taken on a life of its own. I wonder if any folks over 50 have ever heard of such mass illnesses and problems with our food. I don't even like to eat any more.

My family are HUGE tomato eaters. We were frequent spinach eaters too. Now we only consume what our farmers send us.

These constant scares have led me to join the USDA updates via email. Or frequently check the info here.

I unfortunately can not keep up with how we are being poisoned! I ignore them now.

Buying from local farmers has helped. We purchase as much of our food as possible from FreshPicks, but if you have the taste for anything exotic what do you do?

Now I am all for moving beyond kosher and halal and am opting for just plain starvation. It is the answer to squelching disease, purifying your body and losing weight! SERIOUSLY!

You won't be exposed to pesticides, herbicides, preservatives, SPLENDA ( whatever that is), High fructose Corn Syrup (enemy number one), cow poo floating undetected in irrigating water and/or the numerous hosts of other BAD things and their related bad things.

Grains and nuts, lettuce, soy, and grain bread that is TRULY sugar free have been my staples as of late.

Then came the mid-west floods. Not one to fall into biblical damnation or apocalyptic serenades, I really did wonder this week: "Is God trying to tell us something??"

I will continue to support my local farmers who remain. I will pray that everyone give to the Red Cross to help all of our brethren across the world who have suffered in all of these calamities, I will pray for our health and pray that we all wake up and realize, no one is going to help us if we do not help ourselves.

Get active. Write your legislators, or give them a call. Save our lives ~ Our infrastructure and our food and our health demand it!

Happy Father's Day!!!

The firm hand and gentle, steadfast guidance of a father is being celebrated today. YES, it is a "Hallmark" holiday, but I for one am grateful for the enduring love and contribution my father has given me.

He remains the firm and gentle, steadfast, guiding hand he has always been despite the fact that I am 41 years old. He steers the young men in the family as well, and he is a role model for my son.

The years have worn us all, but he remains the leader and the provider. His wisdom and grace under fire have nurtured us. His gruffness has strengthened thin skin, and has roughened lazy spirits.

Fathers are treasures too. So to ALL the papas out there ~ "Healthier, Happier, You!!!!" salutes you today!

Be Well!!

Wild Horses

Photo of "Wild Horses of Cumberland Island" courtesy of Mario E. Page


"Wild Horses" is one of my favorite songs by the Rolling Stones. Day dreaming as the clouds roll by is what June is all about!

Keeping your mind healthy, your visions in tact, and expressing one's self is an incredibly vigorous attitude. It may seem inherent, but more often than not, it is something we need to work on. It can appear insignificant, but really, our lives are so complicated, we need respite. Even if it is just a momentary lapse, indulging in a lovely thought, embracing the moment, or enjoying the caress from the words of a beloved song.

Friday the 13th can be a beautiful thing. As Jean-Luc Picard would say on the Starship Enterprise(Star Trek)..."Make it so, number 1"!

When doves cry

I need to apologize before I begin. Quite a few of my posts lately have been related to when I cry! And no I am not whimpy, and constantly snithering, but here's another!

I read a brief synopsis of Angelina Jolie's July 2008 Vanity spread.

Not one for gossip, I try to read from pieces where there is integrity. Not judgement calls, or morality pushing or even opinion as much, but just telling a story. So that it is what it is, and it can be appreciated.

Because I hate taking things out of context, but I wanted to stay with the emotion, I am commenting before the article comes out. I believe the issue is due to hit the stands later this month, so this is no analysis. The tears came after reading a quote where she expounded on raising her and Brad Pitt's kids.


There is a whole methodology that I completely embrace. Jolie spoke about a book shelf in her home that Brad gave her. It carries books from all religions and they read from them as a family. It is their hope that the children will pick up from this exposure what she and Pitt hoped to have when they were kids. She went on to say that while they were curious of the world, they were unable to explore this curiosity until their adult life. So fostering an appreciation for thought and introspection and the variety in life is very important to them as they raise their family. She shared that they talk to their kids until they are "probably annoyed". That struck a chord in me. This being my opinion, but people feel valued when you take the time to listen and exchange with them. Even little people. There is also a difference in talking to and talking at. When speaking to the people I love and appreciate, I like to exchange ideas, converse and spread what I have gotten out of life, and then listening and encouraging what young minds think about, and for themselves. Encouraging free expression, validating and providing a safe secure environment is so important to forging peace and acceptance in our world.


The other side to that is that multiculturalism is a beautiful thing. This world is SO much bigger than what you or I see everyday. There is a whole world out there! Complex and different. Exasperating and sublime. And sometime it just make me cry in awe at how, when in perfect synchronicity, it whirls and hums and brings peace and joy even as things fall apart.

The Hunt Before The Fight After October

This was taken off the shores of Chicago's Navy Pier. Such a beautiful, magnificent and serene view of the downtown North Michigan skyline. Who could imagine all of the strife that lurks just below these fluffed up, cotton clouds?

I can not even believe that here, where hundreds walk these streets, speaking to strangers, holding doors, and extending brotherly love folk still sit on Sundays and listen to vile and divisive things? People still take their children to church, don't they? Is this what we are subjecting them to? Is this consistent with the rest of the world?

I think not. I hope not. So I must ask, "What the heck is going on?"

Today headlines are reading that Father Phleger is receiving death threats. From who was not disclosed. While I am certain that whatever he said is not worth ending his life, I'm still not sure that I have a grasp on what is gurgling out into the world from my beloved city of Chicago? It is as if our ball of love and humanity was really full of hot air and it is just seeping out at a rate that creates that awful "whoopee cushion" sound. We're being flubberized and I for one am totally embarrassed, and from all of this what can now be gained?

The deeper message is that something is coagulating here. Maybe it is the blood in my veins, or just maybe folk are going to have to stand up, be accountable, and the days of having to rile the masses is no longer necessary.

Black folk may no longer need the pulpit to get up, get angry and get something done. We no longer have to meet in secret so the alter can return to being a place that is sacred, or have we forgotten how to praise, just praise, find peace and pray?

Have we forgotten how to linger and meditate and comfort in our chosen form of worship? Often, in my younger years, I benefited from being in an atmosphere where I was being schooled on civil rights and feeling the oratory power behind a speaker in the pulpit. But as I mentioned in an earlier post, that has its place. The church is not the place, especially here in a city of this magnitude.

National news. Chicago Priest apologizes...

It is just so crazy...I just don't know what else to say!

I just hope we find our way. This used to be a gentle jungle, but I guess there was something brewing underneath.