Destination Doctorate: Punctuation

By Shola Oladipo, Food for Purpose CEO 

Hello friends,

As ever, thank you for your constant support and engagement with Purposeful You! This month’s issue is filled with interesting content which we pray blesses you!

I am well and truly back on this PhD journey. Not there yet, but chugging along. Shout out to everyone who keeps checking in…I am still here. I had admittedly drifted from the path - not my desired drift, but due to the inevitable issues of life. Sadly another bereavement becomes a reality for my family and I shake my head as I pen this, asking how is it possible, in the space of two years to lose two precious brothers?

I am sure many, if not all of us have experienced curve balls which momentarily alter the course of our planned destination in life. It reminds me of punctuation marks in my thesis writing. Each mark affects and informs the flow of the text - right? 
Part of my coping strategy with life’s curveballs is applying punctuation in the chaos. 

The blurb of unexpected occurrences can sweep you away but by adding a comma, you can pause and breathe. My commas give me time to lean into God, breathe, pray, and shut out the noise.  

Then I have question marks…I have lots of those! Apart from the obvious “Lord why?”, one question I have found helpful is asking myself how I want to proceed. In light of what is going on, where do I want to move further from here? I cannot always see clearly in the midst of tears and sadness but eventually, the urge to move forward overpowers the moments of helplessness. 

I love to acknowledge the many exclamations too, and of course the full stops. The full stop for me characterises when that part is closed off and finished, and I am starting a new line or paragraph. 

So here I am starting a new line. New lines don’t mean that the pain is gone or that I am in denial of my grief - quite the opposite in fact. New lines signify the ability and grace to forge ahead whilst being strengthened and encouraged by the end result which is in sight. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to realign and create new lines…not just the thesis, but life in itself. It is an opportunity for new lines and paragraphs, pages, chapters...and yes, it goes on. 

Apologies if this instalment is a bit heavy going but it has helped me manage my grief and continually share how my doctorate journey is going.

I pray that the commas, questions, exclamations, and full stops help you reach meaningfulness this month! 

Stay blessed!

Shola Oladipo

•  CEO Says - Destination Doctorate: Punctuation

• News

• HCI News

• Physical Activity Tips - Faith & Fitness

• Recipe of the Month - Jamaican Callaloo

• A-Z of Soul Food - R for Rooibos

• Diabetes Tips - Debunking the Myths - Part 1

• VIP - Enitan Obasan, Registered Community Dietitian

• Miss Tea's Blog - Tropical Fruit

• Nutrition workshops in Thamesmead

  • Food for purpose partnered with Greenwich public health in January to deliver Nutrition workshops in Thamesmead, the sessions aim to promote inclusion of healthy food options at local events.

• Nutrition workshops in North London

  • We also delivered Nutrition workshops in North London for the OK foundation (a charity organisation that runs food banks in North London) in February. The key principles of healthy eating were discussed, encouraging participants on how they can have a healthy balanced diet even on a limited budget.

National Days / Weeks / Month - March

• 8th March - International Women's Day

• 11th-15th March - Healthcare Science Week

• 11th-17th March - Nutrition and Hydration Week

• 14th March - World Kidney Day

• 15th March - World Sleep Day

By Enitan Obasan
FFP Registered Community Nutritionist

It’s no secret that health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are very common within the Black community, even more so in our churches. The Bible says that our bodies represent the temple of God, and with our bodies we are to “Go ye therefore…” but how can we do that when our bodies are burdened with poor health?

Food for Purpose is being part of the solution by bringing health back to the church! The Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) has been funded by Lambeth and Southwark councils and we are so thrilled to be able to invite churches in these two boroughs to embark on a transformational journey, for free!

The HCI is a tailored 6-week programme specifically designed for the Black Church Community. The HCI combines the faith message and declarations of health with practical, culturally relevant, and evidence-based information to promote wellbeing and longevity. The focus is eating more healthily and becoming more active in order to fulfil one’s God-given purpose.

How to Participate

Securing your spot is as simple as reaching out to us at 020 7101 3170 or via email at admin@foodforpurpose.org. The program is fully funded and comes at no cost to you!

2024 is not just another year – it's the year your church can redefine well-being, vitality, and community spirit. Be the catalyst for change, and see your church collectively embrace a journey towards lasting health, long life, and the fulfilment of God’s purpose.

Join the Healthy Church Initiative and let's create a legacy of wellbeing together!

Faith and Fitness

By Precious Oladipo
FFP Director & Physical Activity Lead

Hey there! How are we doing?

As we journey through life towards our fitness goals, let's take a moment to reflect on the powerful intersection of faith and fitness. You see, God isn't just interested in our spiritual well-being; He cares about every aspect of our lives, including our physical health!

We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. What an incredible truth! This means that our physical health matters to God. When we take care of our bodies, we honour Him.

Psalm 139:14 celebrates the way God intricately designed each of us. From the tips of our toes to the tops of our heads, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Let's embrace that truth as we pursue our fitness goals, knowing that we are beautifully crafted.

And how about Philippians 4:13? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Yes, that includes crushing those workouts and overcoming any obstacles that stand in our way! With God's strength, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.

So, as you lace up those trainers or hit the Pilates mat, remember that it's never too silly to pray about your physical health and goals. Invite God into your fitness journey, and watch as He provides guidance, strength, and even a little extra motivation along the way.

Let’s embark on this adventure together, knowing that God delights in our commitment to both spiritual and physical well-being!

Blessings and burpees!

Jamaican Callaloo

As dietitians, the healthy eating advice we give our patients would usually include having at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables daily (more veggies than fruits, by the way). To put this in context, 1 portion of vegetables is 2 heaped tablespoons of cooked spinach or 4 heaped tablespoons of cooked kale. One of the ways to increase intake is to fill ½ of the plate with vegetables during mealtimes.

Enter The Jamaican Callaloo.

Callaloo, also known as amaranth or taro leaves, is the main ingredient in this classic recipe. The Jamaican callaloo is a popular leafy green vegetable cooked with tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper, and onions. You can add bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms to further boost its nutrient profile.

This dish is simple to make and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, easily becoming a regular feature in your diet.

Recipe adapted / image below from: https://healthiersteps.com/recipe/jamaican-callaloo/ and Racquel’s Caribbean Cuisine https://www.youtube.com/@Racsfood

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4 – 6 people

Ingredients

• 1-2 bunches of callaloo

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil/ vegetable oil

• 1 medium-sized onion

• 2 green onions

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme

• 1 large tomato

• 1 bell pepper (or a mix of red, green, and yellow)

• 2 small carrots

• 1 scotch bonnet pepper

• 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. To prepare the callaloo, check for wilted leaves and debris, and peel the outer

   membrane of each stalk. Place the callaloo into a bowl of cold water and add 1

   teaspoon of salt. Set aside.

2. Chop onions, green onions, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and scotch bonnet pepper.

3. Return to the callaloo. Discard salty water and rinse in cold water. Chop callaloo

   finely.

4. Add the oil into a pot over a medium heat. Add garlic, onion, green onions and thyme and sauté until the onion is translucent.

5. Add carrots, peppers, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet. Cook for about 2-3

   minutes.

6. Add the callaloo and season with salt, all-purpose seasoning, and black pepper.

7. Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes.

   Serve and enjoy!

This month, we’re celebrating Rooibos for the letter R!

Rooibos

Native to South Africa and commonly known as bush tea, red tea or red bush tea. It is a caffeine-free alternative to tea.

Nutritionally, rooibos is:

• High in Vitamin C

• Caffeine-free

• Low in tannins. Tannins are found in tea, and can interfere with the body’s absorption of iron so a low amount is a positive

• Rich in polyphenols (antioxidants), including flavanols which are beneficial to cardiovascular health.

Health Benefits

1. Heart Health: antioxidants are important for a healthy heart; rooibos tea may provide cardiovascular benefits. It may also help in reducing the low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) levels.

2. Digestive Health: Rooibos tea has been traditionally used in South Africa to alleviate digestive problems. Research suggests that Rooibos tea may help relieve stomach cramps, indigestion, and other gastrointestinal issues due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. Some studies also indicate that Rooibos tea may promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which is essential for optimal digestion and immune function.

3. Skin Health: Rooibos tea may offer benefits for skin health.

Where to buy

Rooibos is available in many UK supermarkets and health food stores

Diabetes Myths Debunked
Part 1

By Modupe Peters
FFP Director & Diabetes Lead

Living with diabetes may often involve being barraged with a load of information, some of which can be inaccurate and misleading. Having to sort through a lot of information can be cumbersome. It is important to debunk some common myths about diabetes to promote understanding and better management of this condition. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey with us as we kick off our brand-new series where we unravel some prevalent misconceptions surrounding diabetes.

MYTH: Type 1 diabetes is more serious than type 2 diabetes.

FACT:  Diabetes is a very serious condition regardless of the type. The severity and the outcome depend on various factors including individual health, management, comorbidities, and complications. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes if not properly managed can lead to many diabetes complications such as kidney failure, heart attack, stroke etc.

MYTH: You need to stop having starchy carbs like yam, cassava, fufu (swallow), and rice when you have diabetes.

FACT: Carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy balanced diet, and they are primary source of energy. This means you do not need to exclude them if you have diabetes. Choose wholegrain options which are high in fibre e.g., wholegrain bread - granary, seeded/multigrain, wholegrain rice (ofada rice), oats (rolled/jumbo), use ‘proper’ yam for your pounded yam instead of yam ‘flour’. They will be broken down more slowly.  Also, controlling portion sizes is crucial for managing blood sugar levels.

MYTH: People with diabetes need to have a ‘special diet’.

FACT: People with diabetes do not require a ‘special diet’ and can manage their diabetes effectively on a healthy balanced diet. There is no prescribed “diabetes diet”. People with diabetes can have a healthy balanced diet, which is low in fat and high in fibre with controlled carbohydrate portions and low glycaemic index options (broken down more slowly).

It is important to note that people with diabetes can live a normal, fulfilling life with a varied and enjoyable diet. Working closely with a dietitian can help with ongoing support and education about making healthier choices. Stay tuned for the next editions where we will continue with debunking more myths!

Enitan Obasan
Registered Community Dietitian

Blessings PY readers,

My name is Enitan, the Community Dietitian with Food for Purpose (FFP).

My interest in nutrition started in 2009 after I read the book, “Eat This and Live” by Dr Don Colbert. It was the first time that I realised that the Bible had a lot to say about food, nutrition, and our physical health. Fast forward to 2020, a very close family member suffered a stroke which significantly contributed to the decision to become a dietitian after many years of practising as a qualified accountant and running businesses.

From my dietetic studies, I found that there was a prevalence of obesity, heart diseases and Type 2 Diabetes within people of black African and Caribbean origin. I wanted to understand why and how the risks for these conditions could be minimised within this population. More so, I realised that Christians were not exempt from these conditions, impairing their ability to fulfil God’s purpose for their lives. I have long believed that God has been mindful about what we eat since creation, because eating healthily provides the fuel (nutrients) our bodies need to carry out its functions effectively. It also ensures that we have all we physically require to do the things God has prepared for us to do on earth. It is, therefore, a privilege to be able to contribute to the work that FFP is doing to improve health and health outcomes in the Black African and Caribbean community, and especially faith groups.

As a dietitian, I am passionate about providing culturally relevant resources and tools that support the promotion of healthy dietary behaviours within the African and Caribbean population using evidence-based behaviour change techniques.

Hello PY readers! I hope everyone’s doing great as we head into another new month 😊🥳 Something slightly different this edition….we’re going to embark upon a journey around all things ‘tropical fruit’

Like many people, I’m very much trying to include more different types of fruit into my diet due to my slight boredom with the usual suspects (apples, grapes, oranges) and wanting to benefit from the different nutritional elements they contain.

So this month, I’m taking a look at the diverse and vibrant group of fruits that thrive in warm, tropical or equitorial climates. They offer a wide range of flavours, colours, and nutrients, making them a popular choice for a variety of culinary and dietary uses 🌴🥥🍍

I’m not sure what I’ll be bringing to you in future but I do hope you’ll be here to find out…..