Space & Pace for Gratitude…

By Shola Oladipo, Food for Purpose CEO 

Welcome to our bumper Christmas and New Year edition of PURPOSEFUL YOU.

Wait a minute. How are we in December already?  That came around quickly didn’t it? One minute I was admiring the full bloom of the beautiful sunflowers in my garden, and the next I am grabbing my woolly hat for protection against the harsh cold!

I know it sounds cliche but time has flown! Notwithstanding, I am taking some of the time which is yet to grow wings and fly;  to look back at 2023. As I reflect, I find  myself counting my blessings and thanking God! I am especially blessed by the woman I am becoming! Yeah I did say that!  It’s wholesome to actually appreciate the growth you have made. It’s important to notice. Do you actually notice you? Or are you guilty of noticing everyone else’s progress and forgetting yours? I used to be guilty - but no more.

I am tagging 2023 as a season of embracing my ‘becomings’.  The intensity of the year has been undeniably challenging, but in these, I also noticed opportunities that helped me to learn many lessons. For the PhD journey,  which intertwines with my full-time life … I am grateful,  for every step, every trip, and even every fall. I got up again and again! I recognise the precious people around me, the lifters, shifters and even the haters! It’s all part of the process of becoming a better Shola… being better is key.

As I pace myself, I consciously choose to approach the festive season, with gratitude. Yep! For everything and everyone - I am grateful.

So, winding down I say thank you, readers,  for your kind and generous support to FFP. I hope you have enjoyed me sharing the monthly instalments of my academic voyage with you too. Please keep the feedback coming - I love hearing from you all!

For now, I am signing off, taking a break (no guilt here)  for a peaceful Christmas and New Year.  Remember to enjoy yourself incorporating ‘pace and space’ for gratitude and becoming.

See you in the new year… by God’s grace!

Shola Oladipo

 Featured this Month

• CEO Says - Space & Pace for Gratitude…

• News

• HCI News

• Recipe of the Month - Caribbean Black Cake - Christmas Cake

• A-Z of Soul Food - P for Plantain

• Exercise Expert - 12 Days of Fitness

• Diabetes Update - Part 2

• Miss Tea's Blog - Fragrance Deep Dive

 Food for Purpose News

• King's Fund Annual Conference

  • Our CEO attended the Kings Fund Annual conference 1-2 Nov in London. The 2-day event focussed on the way forward for the NHS workforce focussing on workforce and how to attract younger people to the NHS; innovative services delivery models - including discussions about AI, and a keynote from Chris Witty looking at the implications of an ageing population. A brilliant session led by Charles Kwaku-Odoi reflected on the legacy and impact of the Windrush community on the NHS, and was a reminder of the excellent contributions of Black people to the health of the nation.

• Lewisham Professional Network - Be Well Event

  • We want to say a big thank you to the Lewisham Professional Network for inviting Food for Purpose to the Be Well Event last month! We had such a lovely time engaging with local staff and the community, sharing tips on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

• APLOS / AfCD Community Health Project

  • Shola delivered an engaging talk about Diabetes in the Black community at the APLOS/AfCD Community Health project. It was a great session which looked at the BLACHIR report, the impact of Diabetes at a local level and how diet and lifestyle modification can help reduce risk and improve the health of the Black community

• Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) at Trinity Baptist Church - West Norwood

  • Earlier this month, we had the wonderful opportunity of introducing the Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) at Trinity Baptist Church - West Norwood. Thank you to the pastors and leadership team for allowing us to share the pulpit and promote the HCI!

    
    The HCI is currently being offered to Black majority churches in Lambeth for free! If your church would like to sign up for the New Year, please email us at admin@foodforpurpose.org - let’s bring health back to the church!

National Days / Weeks / Months - December / January

• 1st December: World AIDS Day

• 3rd December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

• 25th December: Christmas Day

January

• 1st January: New Year's Day

• 1st-31st January: Veganuary 2024

• 22nd-28th January: Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

HCI News

By Gabrielle Julal, FFP Specialist Community Nutritionist

Happy holidays PY readers!

The holiday season is a wonderful time for spending time with loved ones and reflecting on the passing year. What health goals did you set out to achieve in 2023? What are you proud of yourself for accomplishing? 

The fresh start of a new year means many of us create resolutions for a ‘New year, New me’.  We aim to lose weight, join the gym, eat healthy, stop snacking and the list goes on and on. We have the best intentions to do things differently, but oftentimes we fall short. Life is incessantly busy, and there are always other things that we will need to prioritise. How then can we set ourselves up to follow through on our goals? The Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) helps demonstrate how we can make changes that lead to more sustainable habits long-term:

• Be specific: It’s great to want to eat more healthily, but what can you do first? How about incorporating a plant-based meal once a week, or increasing your portion of vegetables at dinner? The more specific your goal, the easier it will be to stick to it.

• Start small: Instead of committing to exercising 5 days per week, how about starting twice a week with an activity you enjoy? Walking, dancing or swimming are fun ways to start incorporating movement.

• Stay true to yourself: It’s okay to choose goals that align with your culture, lifestyle and beliefs. The more closely aligned you feel with your goals, the more likely you are to stick with them.

If you are looking for accountability and guidance on your health goals for the new year, we encourage your church to consider signing up for the HCI - it’s still being offered for free to churches in Lambeth! Each week we will help your group incorporate sustainable, healthy habits and equip you with the information you need to kickstart your new year goals! To learn more about the HCI or how your church can sign-up, you can find out more at https://www.foodforpurpose.org/healthy-church-initiative or get in touch by email at admin@foodforpurpose.org.

Whatever this year has looked like for you, I hope you will take time to be proud of all you have accomplished, and rejoice in all that is to come for 2024

Blessings,

Gabrielle

Caribbean Black Cake - Christmas Cake

Christmas cake, black cake or great cake are all names used to describe this famous Caribbean dessert made with aged rum-soaked fruits. Each household and Caribbean Island has its own version. It is a rich and delicious cake, easy enough to make and not overwhelmingly sweet.

Preparation time: 30 - 40 minutes

Cooking time: 90 -120 minutes

Serves: 6 -8

Ingredients

• 225g unsalted butter (softened)

• 200g sugar

• 2 tablespoons gravy browning (helps to darken the cake, especially if you don’t use

  dark rum in the cake)

• Spray oil

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or essence

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 200g all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon allspice

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 4 large eggs

• 1 cup dark rum

• 112g mixed peel

• 112g cherries

• 112g mixed nuts (unsalted)

• 225g prunes, chopped

• 450g raisins

• 1 lime zest, grated

• 1 lemon - zest, grated

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F / 165°C / Gas mark 4; spray a nine-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, vanilla and gravy browning until soft and creamy.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients.

4. In a third bowl, beat the eggs with the rum.

5. Add the egg mixture to the butter mixture and thoroughly combine, then stir in zest, fruits and nuts.

6. Fold in the flour mixture; do not overbeat.

7. Put the batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for approximately 90 minutes, or until cake tests done; may need longer.

8. Remove cake from pan when cool.

   Credit: www.food.com/recipe/caribbean-christmas-cake-known-as-black-cake
   

 A-Z of Soul Food

This month, we’re celebrating Plantain for the letter P!

Plantain

Plantains are large berries that belong to the Musaceae plant family. Often confused with bananas, plantains have a similar curved shape, but are typically larger and have thicker skins, therefore making them harder to peel.

Plantains are used by people in many countries across the world, however they are often found as an important part of Caribbean, African, Central and South American, and Southeast Asian cooking. Although the origins of this staple are not entirely clear, it is thought to most likely have originated from somewhere in Southeast Asia.

Preparation:

Once the skins have been peeled off, plantains can be cooked at every stage of ripeness; riper fruits are typically used in sweeter dishes and savoury cooking usually uses fruits that are less ripe. Unlike bananas, which are usually eaten raw, plantains are usually cooked before they are eaten and are most eaten in savoury dishes.

Although they are said to have a similar taste to a banana, plantains have a more starchy and less sweet flavour, with a firmer texture that makes them the perfect palate for adding flavours to or for adding into dishes. They can be cooked using several different methods such as grilling, frying, baking, boiling or steaming. They can be incorporated within a main dish or served as a side accompaniment to a main or as a snack.

The leaves of the plantain crop are used as plates in many African, Asian, and South American countries, thereby adding a distinctive aroma to the dish. The dried leaves are also used to wrap corn dough before it is boiled to make kenkey – a Ghanian dish.

Nutritional information:

Because of their starchy contents, plantains are an excellent carbohydrate choice and are good sources of fibre, vitamin C and potassium.

Where can I find them?

Plantains are becoming increasingly more available in UK stores and can most often be found fresh in the fruit and vegetable aisle of larger supermarkets, or also in the form of dried plain or flavoured chips in other aisles.

12 Days of Fitness

By Precious Oladipo, FFP Director & Fitness Lead

Hello everyone! I hope we are all keeping warm and well. As we gear up for a joyous holiday season, I am excited to introduce our “12 Days of Fitness” challenge! I know some of you might be taking this time to wind down and relax (which is a totally great idea) but remember that physical activity is still important, and we need to keep moving during the festive season. Join me as we combine the Christmas merriment with a dash of exercise to keep you feeling energised and healthy!

Day 1: One Mile Walk

Kickstart the challenge by walking a mile. If you want to challenge yourself, make it a fast-paced walk or even a jog!

Day 2: Lunges

Perform 8 lunges on each leg. Feel the burn as you power through this exercise.

Day 3: Squats

Get into the spirit with 12 squats. Lower into the squat position, rise, and repeat.

Day 4: Calf Raises

Rise up! Pump up those calves with 20 energizing raises for a festive fitness boost!

Day 5: Mountain Climbers

Climb towards fitness with 30 mountain climbers. This full-body exercise brings an exhilarating energy to your routine.

Day 6: Star Jumps

Aim for 15-star jumps. Spread your arms wide, reach for the sky, and land softly.

Day 7: Crunches

Add sparkle to your workout with 10 crunches. Curl up towards that festive glow with each repetition!

Day 8: Push Ups

Feel the chill as you power through 8 push-ups. Keep your core engaged and enjoy the strength building within!

Day 9: High Knees

Dash through your routine with 20 high knees!

Day 10: Plank

Hold a plank position for 30 seconds to a minute, building core strength.

Day 11: Burpees

Embrace the challenge with 11 burpees. This dynamic exercise elevates your heart rate and works multiple muscle groups.

Day 12: Festive Dance Party

Wrap up our fitness journey with a joyous dance party! Put on your favourite festive tunes and dance your way into the holiday spirit!

Commit to the "12 Days of Fitness" journey with me from the 25th December and let the holiday season be a time of joy, celebration, and personal wellness. Unwrap the gift of health and vitality each day, and may this festive season bring you strength, happiness, and the satisfaction of achieving your fitness goals. Happy exercising!

Diabetes Update

With Diabetes UK & Food for Purpose

There are thousands of people living with Diabetes across the globe. In the UK, Black African and Black Caribbean communities continue to have a higher incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes than the white population, making the need for tailored, culturally relevant resources a major priority.

We are delighted to share this continuation of the series of videos that were born out of a collaboration between ourselves at FFP, Diabetes UK and Diabetes Africa. The videos hone in on relevant issues facing Black people and feature straight talk about healthy eating and changing lifestyles to help control diabetes and live healthy fulfilling lives.

Click on the thumbnails below for Part 2 of the video series dedicated to the Black community, featuring our CEO - Shola Oladipo, and Dr Joan St.John.

African Cuisine

Caribbean Cuisine

Season’s Greetings PY readers - I hope this article finds you well 🥰 Thank you so much for taking the time to read our Bumper Edition of Purposeful You 😊

As we head towards Christmas, I thought this would be the perfect time to do a deep dive into the world of fragrance. I have selected 20 of the most popular ones - 6 are aimed at men, 9 are aimed at women, 2 are aimed at both men and women and 3 are room fragrances. I chose items at different price points of; inexpensive, moderately-priced and expensive.

I have done the price-comparison legwork for you so all of the prices shown were the cheapest I could find online at the time of writing.

Happy shopping! 🛍️🛒