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Empowering Our Sisters : Our Journey to Wellness

Saturday I attended the 3rd Annual Health, Wellness and Empowerment Summit presented by the Wilmington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Empowering Our Sisters: Our Journey to Wellness event was held at the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center at the Christiana Hospital. 

I was invited to attend and to provide social media coverage by my “Sistah in Greekdom” Porsha Hargrove of Porsha Hargrove Consulting. 

Delta and Sigma Sisters

Delta Sigma Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho

 

Arriving early Saturday morning, I followed the directional signs to the designated parking area, which was quite far from the actual venue.  However, there was a shuttle bus waiting to transport us to the front door of the Education Center.

 

Delta Wellness Summit

 

The lobby quickly began filling up with over 100 women of all ages and races.  The registration tables were set up front and each attendee was greeted graciously and presented with a name badge and a reusable bag. 

Inside the bag there were a few chatskis as well as a program folder which contained the full Summit Schedule, a Health Guide, Health Score Card, and Emergency Prepare a Kit, lined paper for notes and an Evaluation Form.

Registration Desk Deltas

Also in the lobby were Exhibitor tables with health and wellness information including FREE Health Screenings and an opportunity to get additional raffle tickets for the various prize drawings throughout the day.

Exhibitors at Summit health screeners Delta Wellness Summit

Long tables held Continental Breakfast goodies such as bagels, Belvita Biscuits and fruit, as well as WaWa Coffee which I made my way over to because you know me, my favorite flavor of WaWa coffee is Hazelnut.

lovely Deltas Continental breakfast

breakfast foods

The program began with a Welcome and Acknowledgements from Karen Bostick, Chapter President and Linda Thomas, President, followed by an Invocation by the Reverend Natalie Alford from Trinity AME Church in Middletown, DE. 

Delta Sigma Theta member Delta Sigma Theta member

Sarah Harrison, Health Summit Chair presented the purpose, objectives and an introduction of the moderator then the young ladies ages 11-17 relocated to another room outside of the auditorium. 

Delta Sigma Theta member

Their Empowerment Workshop Sessions was being presented by One Village Alliance, “Girls Can Do Anything”, and for those of us older than 18, we stayed in the main auditorium.

Delta Wellness Summit

Delta Wellness Summit

There were many wonderful speakers who spoke on various important health issues including the Top Cancers in Delaware and the Interconnectivity of Spiritual, Emotional/Mental and Physical Health and Wellness. 

Delta Health Summit

Microphones were set up on the floor giving attendees an opportunity to ask questions or respond to questions posed by the moderators. 

Delta Wellness Summit Delta's Wellness Summit presenters at the Wellness Summit

Love Congo, a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor spoke of her journey and her inspirational message touched us all. 

breast cancer survivor testimonial

A mini break gave us an opportunity to visit the exhibitors, network, participate in the FREE health screenings or just grab another cup of coffee, water, juice or run to the restroom.

The “Prize Patrol” was on duty during the breaks and there were some really wonderful giveaways – unfortunately, I didn’t win any of them! Breast Cancer Wellness Summit Wellness Seminar Delta Wellness Summit

 

Lunch was provided by Zoup.com and it was a well prepared and delicious box lunch containing a variety of soups, sandwiches and salads. 

Zoup.com

The Keynote Speaker, Rita Choula, Senior Advisor, AARP spoke on “Empowering the Caregiver” which is a hot button topic in today’s society and Delaware is leading the charge on working with caregivers of cancer patients.

speakers at the summit

The highlight of the day was the Fashion Show, which was moderated by Cheris Lockett and Donametria Stallings, Miss DSU. 

 

The fashion show models were physicians, health care providers, survivors and young sisters all of which did their thing on the Runway, it was beautiful!

 

Fashion Show moderators

Fashion Show models Delta 33

 

I would like to thank the lovely ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Wilmington Chapter for hosting this Health, Wellness and Empowerment Summit and look forward to next year’s event.  

Please use the hashtag #DeltaWellness2016 to see even more pictures posted to my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Delta love

 

Delta Sorors

Delta Summit

A special thank you to my fellow Social Media Diva, Lorena and of course my “Sistah in Greekdom”, Porsha Hargrove for inviting me!

women doing it big in Social Media


From the Hooters to the Tooter, Get Them Checked During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Wellness Wednesday

Hello friends and welcome to this week’s feature of  “Wellness Wednesday”.

October is more than a month of falling leaves, trips to the Apple Orchards and Crock Pot meals. For me it also signals the time to put my legs in stirrups and to have my boobies mashed between two metal plates.   Yep, it’s time for the annual exams for the hooters and the tooter, which means I will also be scheduling my first colonoscopy.  Hubby’s recent diagnosis and ultimate surgery for small intestinal cancer made it even more of a priority for me.

colonoscopy

After checking both my work and home calendars I try to schedule my annual Pap Smear and Mammogram appointments on the same day.  It’s so easy to get caught up with work and family, not to mention the holiday hoopla then forget to make an appointment.

2013 annual mammy

Oftentimes, I will mix the day of appointments with a day of pampering starting with the dreaded pap smear, followed by lunch, then the mammogram and finally a pedicure ~ works for me!

I don’t care how old I am how long I’ve been having these procedures done, I never look forward to either.  However, it doesn’t matter how uncomfortable they are, these vital exams must be done, no if’s, and’s or butt’s about it!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so if you haven’t made an appointment for your annual mammogram, please use this as a reminder to do so.  We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer which is more of a reason to schedule an appointment ~ no excuses.

 To get a FREE copy of the eBbook The Top Ten Superfoods for Preventing Breast Cancer, just click on this link

FREE eBook download

Have you ever taken part in a Breast Cancer Walk?

breast cancer walk I did this one in memory of my cousin Debra and Aunt Hazel.  

“Cancer Don’t Care!”

Shop For Pink Ribbon Jewelry Now To Cure Breast Cancer!

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

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a mom blog community!

 

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: I am not a medical professional and these posts are not designed to promote or give any medical advice.  Please check with your personal physician if you have any questions regarding your own health.


Patricia Dean-Escoto | Guest Post

Hello Friends and Happy Monday!

Today, I have the privilege of presenting to you a guest post written by Patricia Dean-Escoto.  In April, Patricia began a book blog tour to introduce the creation of the “My Breast Cancer Advocate”  app.  

She is also the author of The Top Ten Super Foods for Preventing Breast Cancer and has given us one of her favorite recipes to make a tasty and nutritious, green smoothie using coconut and kale!

Patricia-Dean-Escoto

Patricia-Dean-Escoto

Patricia Dean-Escoto is a certified nutrition consultant and breast cancer survivor.  She holds a master’s degree in education and has more than 20 years of experience working in both the field of education and healthcare.  In 2006, after being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, Patricia returned to school to study nutrition and completed studies at Bauman College for her certification as a nutrition consultant.    

Recently, she hosted a year-long radio show called Pathways to Healing on the Voice America network where she interviewed experts in the field of health and wellness.  Patricia is author of The Top Ten Superfoods for Preventing Breast Cancer‘ and creator of the My Breast Cancer Advocate app which is designed to assist those who are newly diagnosed with or recovering from breast cancer. Her company, Pathways2healing, works exclusively with cancer patients in the area of nutrition and exercise.  She lectures both locally and nationally on the topic of nutrition and cancer prevention.  

The My Breast Cancer Advocate app can be downloaded using these links: 

Patricia-Dean-Escoto-Blog-Tour-Banner-404

To learn more about Patricia and her work, please feel free to contact her at via these Social Media Networks:

 

Making the Case for the Coconut

 

coconut

We have been conditioned to believe that all saturated fats raise our cholesterol. Besides butter, no other saturated fat has been more vilified than the coconut.  For decades, we were discouraged from eating it and told, that it not only contained bad fats, but that, it would make us fat.  All of this was done to promote the sale of the actual villain in our diet – margarine.

However, nothing can be further from the truth. Coconuts, in all of their forms, are one of the most beneficial, microbial and anti-fungal foods we can eat. In addition, several studies have shown that coconuts not only raise good cholesterol (HDL), but they also are instrumental in lowering glucose levels associated with diabetes.

Coconut Oil and your Heart

A study published in the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine demonstrated that populations such as those found in Polynesia or Sri-Lanka, who consumed coconuts on a regular basis, do not have higher serum cholesterol levels nor do they have a higher incidence of heart disease. This is most likely due to the fact that the saturated fat in coconut oil is completely different from most saturated fats found in foods like animal products.  Most fats in our diet today are made up of long-chained fatty acids, which are stored in the body as fat and in the arteries in lipid forms such as cholesterol.

Unlike these types of saturated fats, coconut oil contains a unique form of fat that is composed of medium-chained triglycerides (MCT).   Due to their chemical structure, MCTs, which are smaller, actually pass through cell membranes easily and therefore are easily digested, without using extra enzymes in the process.  As a result, MCTs are sent directly to the liver, where they are immediately converted to energy instead of being stored as fat in our blood cells.

Coconut Oil and Diabetes

A study conducted at the Sydney Garver Institute of Medical Research discovered that a diet rich in coconut oil protects against insulin resistance.  Additionally, this type of diet avoids accumulation of body fat that is associated with other high-fat diets. Both of these factors are important because obesity and insulin resistance are major factors leading to the development of type2 diabetes. Furthermore, coconut oil is one of the only oils (walnut oil is the other) that retain its molecular structure when heated at high temperatures. All other oils, including olive oil, will break down, thereby releasing toxic chemicals into our foods as they are heated.

Additional Benefits

In addition to promoting heart health, coconut oil has been studied for its beneficial aid in weight loss.  It is thought that the benefits are derived, again, from its composition of MCT.  Because coconut’s medium-chain fats are easily absorbed and used as energy, it actually increases the body’s metabolic rate inducting weight loss.  One such study found that while the consumption of long-chain fatty acid metabolic conversion contributed to a weight loss of 66 calories in participants, MCT consumption translates to 120 calories burned!

Coconuts can be consumed in many forms.  One thing I like to do is to add a handful of coconuts to my morning or after workout shakes.  Additionally, instead of using milk in these shakes, I either use unsweetened coconut milk or coconut water.  You can also use coconut flour as a substitute for baking.  It adds a wonderfully nutty flavor to muffins and biscuits.

Here is my favorite morning smoothie using coconut water.  Enjoy!

green smoothie

Tropical Kale Smoothie:

Serves 2. 274 calories

Baby kale (2-cups),

Pineapple (1-cup fresh),

Orange (1-whole),

Mango (1-cup fresh),

Chia seeds (2-T),),

Unsweetened coconut water (1-cup),

Crushed ice (1-cup).

Add all ingredients in a blender in the order listed.  Blend these and gradually increase the speed to high then continue blending for 30 seconds.

 

 


Cancer Don’t Care | Thankful Thursday

For far too many years, we have had several relatives affected by cancer, mostly breast but lung and colon cancer has also reared their ugly heads.  We watched them go through treatment, recovery, get worse, become survivors or die.  Cancer don’t care who you are, where you live, or even how you live. breast cancer awareness

Lung cancer has taken the lives of smokers as well as non-smokers and breast cancer invades the bodies of men as well as women and for far too long.

We have watched the deterioration of some and dealt with the sudden death of others. We have grieved as a family and attended the funerals and memorial services.  Cancer don’t care about any of this.

My mother-in-law battled colon cancer, she put up a good fight, in and out of Hospice Care for over a year until her small frame, weighing less than 100 lbs could no longer take it…she died on Saturday August 31, 2013. colorectal cancer awareness

“You have cancer” is a phrase that no one ever wants to hear, especially a healthy, active, non smoking, non drinking man who is entering his next phase of life.  Retirement papers signed after 32 years with the State of Delaware…now onward to that 2nd half of life and getting a start on the “honey-do” list.

Cancer Don’t Care!

Colonoscopy began at the age of 45, he ate little to no red meat, exercised daily, had a happy life with a happy wife and kids in slow suburban Middletown, DE.

Cancer Don’t Care!  

Years of pain and an irritable bowel, yet, no detection of cancer, until one specialist working in God’s favor does an endoscopy and there is was hidden in the small intestines.  

Cancer Don’t Care!

Diagnosed on the 21st…surgery on the 26th with no signs it has spread, and guess who’s home today!   colon cancer survivor

God is Good and

I AM THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!

 

DDD Signature with butterflies and frame

 


Love/Avon Army of Women | Guest Post

Each year, 19,000 new cases of breast cancer occur among African American women. That’s 19,000 too many.

According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer for African American women is 77%, compared to white women’s rate of 90%. In addition, African American women are more likely to develop breast cancer at a younger age, and we tend to develop more aggressive tumors, which are harder and more expensive to treat.

Enter Dr. Kathleen Arcaro from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She studies breast cancer by studying breastmilk, which is full of breast cells key in figuring out how breast cancer develops. Over the past ten years she’s worked to improve our understanding of breast cancer risk, and her findings may lead to new screening, prevention, and treatment strategies.

The problem? Black women are underrepresented in the research. As a result, findings that work for white women or women with less aggressive forms of breast cancer, don’t work for the majority of black women grappling with the disease.

To ensure her findings are applicable to women of all races, she has been working to recruit African American women for the Love/Avon Army of Women, a project aiming to recruit one million women to sign up to participate in breast cancer research (if they choose to do so). By signing up, participants will receive an email newsletter with breast cancer research opportunities. Some research is as simple as a questionnaire or a phone interview.

Having African American women well represented in the breast cancer research is key, for her research and many others.’ So Dr. Arcaro hopes black women will sign up for the Army of Women (and be sure to select “breast milk study” as the referral type to help track the impact).

You can learn more about Dr. Arcaro’s work, and see if you or other women you know might qualify for one of her studies, at the website of the UMass Breastmilk Lab, and follow the lab on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Join the Cause