In order to truly “get fit to live,” we cannot ignore our environment in our homes. I prefer to exercise in a clean environment, but that means more than an environment that is clean and free of clutter, but free of chemical agents that may cause us harm to our health. A home or school may be kept clean, but if asbestos is looming overhead, our health may be compromised.
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr., recently visited Richmond, Calif. and participated in a town hall meeting held May 3. The gathering discussed poverty and environmental injustice.
Richmond, which is a Bay Area city that is between two freeways and has a refinery in its “backyard,” has many health issues. A West County Times article dated May 5, 2007 stated that “children in unincorporated North Richmond, next to the busy Richmond Parkways and Chevron Refinery, have some of the highest asthma rates in the state, according to a 2005 Pacific Institute study.”
Bay View Hunters Point, a community located in San Francisco, is also battling with environmental injustice and toxicity issues. Recently, I participated in a walk with Believers of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 26, to warn the residents of Bay View Hunters Point about toxic waste and to inform them of the asbestos dust that was being emitted not far from their homes.
A group of residents had a T-shirt on with the saying, “It takes the hood to save the hood.” Yes, with Allah’s (God’s) help, let us start in our home and also work in our neighborhoods to make both as healthy an environment as possible.
In addition to our neighborhood, we cannot ignore the chemicals that may be placed in certain foods. On page 139 of his book “A Torchlight for America,” the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan writes:
“By our not having the knowledge of chemistry we do not understand the effects from how the food industry injects hormones into chickens, beef, lamb and pork to fatten these animals up to get them to the market quicker to make a quicker dollar. We do not understand that as we ingest these meats, our bodies react to hormones.”
In addition, in a recent lecture delivered by Minister Farrakhan, he discussed the dangers of aluminum and its link to Alzheimer’s disease.
On page 122 of the book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” written by Dr. James Balch and Phyllis Balch C.N.C, it states:
“Aluminum is not a heavy metal, but it can be toxic if present in excessive amounts–even in small amounts, if it is deposited in the brain… Because aluminum is excreted through the kidneys, toxic amounts of aluminum may impair kidney function. The accumulation of aluminum salts in the brain has been implicated in seizures and reduced mental faculties.”
Provided below is a brief list of suggestions for your home, and I welcome any others you may have. (I highly recommend the book, “Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House,” by Cheryl Mendelson.)
Kitchen
Use Stainless steel and/or glass cookware (Do not use aluminum pans); use stainless steel or wood utensils; use stone or glass glasses, cups and dishes; eat whole wheat bread and brown rice (Not white bread or rice); buy organic fruits, vegetables, etc. whenever possible; buy staple foods in bulk, such as navy beans, wheat flour, rice and raw sugar; use fresh herbs to season foods, such as garlic, basil, parsley, instead of salt; avoid foods that use harmful additives and preservatives; drink plenty of water (More in hot weather or when you exercise).
Home
Decorate with real plants; keep area well ventilated with fresh air (Open a window daily); try to use cleaning products that are non-toxic and biodegradable; keep your home organized (It is a daily struggle that can get easier); buy solid wood furniture; decorate with natural fiber carpeting and upholstery; play relaxing or classical music, and light a candle; keep your home clean (Cleanliness is Godliness).
Closet
Wear natural, breathable fibers, such as cotton, silk, linen, wool, etc.; wear shoes made out of natural fibers, such as leather, suede or cotton, etc.
Cleaning/Hygiene
Use products free of animal byproducts and testing; avoid products that use artificial dyes and perfumes; use natural cleaning products (Ex. Vinegar and water to clean windows).
Mind
Pray often (At least 5 times a day); read scripture (Bible and Holy Qur’an); write about something you are thankful for every night before going to bed (Writing is therapeutic and being thankful helps to ward off depression); perform a kind deed every day (Ex. Give someone a compliment each day).
May Allah (God) bless us all with success as we work to make our homes a healthy place to reside, and our neighborhoods, too.
(Audrey Muhammad, a certified personal trainer and aerobic instructor, is the author of The Sister’s Guide to Fitness and the creator of the KIBOS exercise video and the Get Fit to Live Motivational CD. Please consult a physician before beginning any new workout or dietary plan. Send questions and comments to [email protected])In order to truly “get fit to live,” we cannot ignore our environment in our homes. I prefer to exercise in a clean environment, but that means more than an environment that is clean and free of clutter, but free of chemical agents that may cause us harm to our health. A home or school may be kept clean, but if asbestos is looming overhead, our health may be compromised.
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr., recently visited Richmond, Calif. and participated in a town hall meeting held May 3. The gathering discussed poverty and environmental injustice.
Richmond, which is a Bay Area city that is between two freeways and has a refinery in its “backyard,” has many health issues. A West County Times article dated May 5, 2007 stated that “children in unincorporated North Richmond, next to the busy Richmond Parkways and Chevron Refinery, have some of the highest asthma rates in the state, according to a 2005 Pacific Institute study.”
Bay View Hunters Point, a community located in San Francisco, is also battling with environmental injustice and toxicity issues. Recently, I participated in a walk with Believers of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 26, to warn the residents of Bay View Hunters Point about toxic waste and to inform them of the asbestos dust that was being emitted not far from their homes.
A group of residents had a T-shirt on with the saying, “It takes the hood to save the hood.” Yes, with Allah’s (God’s) help, let us start in our home and also work in our neighborhoods to make both as healthy an environment as possible.
In addition to our neighborhood, we cannot ignore the chemicals that may be placed in certain foods. On page 139 of his book “A Torchlight for America,” the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan writes:
“By our not having the knowledge of chemistry we do not understand the effects from how the food industry injects hormones into chickens, beef, lamb and pork to fatten these animals up to get them to the market quicker to make a quicker dollar. We do not understand that as we ingest these meats, our bodies react to hormones.”
In addition, in a recent lecture delivered by Minister Farrakhan, he discussed the dangers of aluminum and its link to Alzheimer’s disease.
On page 122 of the book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” written by Dr. James Balch and Phyllis Balch C.N.C, it states:
“Aluminum is not a heavy metal, but it can be toxic if present in excessive amounts–even in small amounts, if it is deposited in the brain… Because aluminum is excreted through the kidneys, toxic amounts of aluminum may impair kidney function. The accumulation of aluminum salts in the brain has been implicated in seizures and reduced mental faculties.”
Provided below is a brief list of suggestions for your home, and I welcome any others you may have. (I highly recommend the book, “Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House,” by Cheryl Mendelson.)
Kitchen
Use Stainless steel and/or glass cookware (Do not use aluminum pans); use stainless steel or wood utensils; use stone or glass glasses, cups and dishes; eat whole wheat bread and brown rice (Not white bread or rice); buy organic fruits, vegetables, etc. whenever possible; buy staple foods in bulk, such as navy beans, wheat flour, rice and raw sugar; use fresh herbs to season foods, such as garlic, basil, parsley, instead of salt; avoid foods that use harmful additives and preservatives; drink plenty of water (More in hot weather or when you exercise).
Home
Decorate with real plants; keep area well ventilated with fresh air (Open a window daily); try to use cleaning products that are non-toxic and biodegradable; keep your home organized (It is a daily struggle that can get easier); buy solid wood furniture; decorate with natural fiber carpeting and upholstery; play relaxing or classical music, and light a candle; keep your home clean (Cleanliness is Godliness).
Closet
Wear natural, breathable fibers, such as cotton, silk, linen, wool, etc.; wear shoes made out of natural fibers, such as leather, suede or cotton, etc.
Cleaning/Hygiene
Use products free of animal byproducts and testing; avoid products that use artificial dyes and perfumes; use natural cleaning products (Ex. Vinegar and water to clean windows).
Mind
Pray often (At least 5 times a day); read scripture (Bible and Holy Qur’an); write about something you are thankful for every night before going to bed (Writing is therapeutic and being thankful helps to ward off depression); perform a kind deed every day (Ex. Give someone a compliment each day).
May Allah (God) bless us all with success as we work to make our homes a healthy place to reside, and our neighborhoods, too.
(Audrey Muhammad, a certified personal trainer and aerobic instructor, is the author of The Sister’s Guide to Fitness and the creator of the KIBOS exercise video and the Get Fit to Live Motivational CD. Please consult a physician before beginning any new workout or dietary plan. Send questions and comments to [email protected])In order to truly “get fit to live,” we cannot ignore our environment in our homes. I prefer to exercise in a clean environment, but that means more than an environment that is clean and free of clutter, but free of chemical agents that may cause us harm to our health. A home or school may be kept clean, but if asbestos is looming overhead, our health may be compromised.
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr., recently visited Richmond, Calif. and participated in a town hall meeting held May 3. The gathering discussed poverty and environmental injustice.
Richmond, which is a Bay Area city that is between two freeways and has a refinery in its “backyard,” has many health issues. A West County Times article dated May 5, 2007 stated that “children in unincorporated North Richmond, next to the busy Richmond Parkways and Chevron Refinery, have some of the highest asthma rates in the state, according to a 2005 Pacific Institute study.”
Bay View Hunters Point, a community located in San Francisco, is also battling with environmental injustice and toxicity issues. Recently, I participated in a walk with Believers of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 26, to warn the residents of Bay View Hunters Point about toxic waste and to inform them of the asbestos dust that was being emitted not far from their homes.
A group of residents had a T-shirt on with the saying, “It takes the hood to save the hood.” Yes, with Allah’s (God’s) help, let us start in our home and also work in our neighborhoods to make both as healthy an environment as possible.
In addition to our neighborhood, we cannot ignore the chemicals that may be placed in certain foods. On page 139 of his book “A Torchlight for America,” the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan writes:
“By our not having the knowledge of chemistry we do not understand the effects from how the food industry injects hormones into chickens, beef, lamb and pork to fatten these animals up to get them to the market quicker to make a quicker dollar. We do not understand that as we ingest these meats, our bodies react to hormones.”
In addition, in a recent lecture delivered by Minister Farrakhan, he discussed the dangers of aluminum and its link to Alzheimer’s disease.
On page 122 of the book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” written by Dr. James Balch and Phyllis Balch C.N.C, it states:
“Aluminum is not a heavy metal, but it can be toxic if present in excessive amounts–even in small amounts, if it is deposited in the brain… Because aluminum is excreted through the kidneys, toxic amounts of aluminum may impair kidney function. The accumulation of aluminum salts in the brain has been implicated in seizures and reduced mental faculties.”
Provided below is a brief list of suggestions for your home, and I welcome any others you may have. (I highly recommend the book, “Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House,” by Cheryl Mendelson.)
Kitchen
Use Stainless steel and/or glass cookware (Do not use aluminum pans); use stainless steel or wood utensils; use stone or glass glasses, cups and dishes; eat whole wheat bread and brown rice (Not white bread or rice); buy organic fruits, vegetables, etc. whenever possible; buy staple foods in bulk, such as navy beans, wheat flour, rice and raw sugar; use fresh herbs to season foods, such as garlic, basil, parsley, instead of salt; avoid foods that use harmful additives and preservatives; drink plenty of water (More in hot weather or when you exercise).
Home
Decorate with real plants; keep area well ventilated with fresh air (Open a window daily); try to use cleaning products that are non-toxic and biodegradable; keep your home organized (It is a daily struggle that can get easier); buy solid wood furniture; decorate with natural fiber carpeting and upholstery; play relaxing or classical music, and light a candle; keep your home clean (Cleanliness is Godliness).
Closet
Wear natural, breathable fibers, such as cotton, silk, linen, wool, etc.; wear shoes made out of natural fibers, such as leather, suede or cotton, etc.
Cleaning/Hygiene
Use products free of animal byproducts and testing; avoid products that use artificial dyes and perfumes; use natural cleaning products (Ex. Vinegar and water to clean windows).
Mind
Pray often (At least 5 times a day); read scripture (Bible and Holy Qur’an); write about something you are thankful for every night before going to bed (Writing is therapeutic and being thankful helps to ward off depression); perform a kind deed every day (Ex. Give someone a compliment each day).
May Allah (God) bless us all with success as we work to make our homes a healthy place to reside, and our neighborhoods, too.
(Audrey Muhammad, a certified personal trainer and aerobic instructor, is the author of The Sister’s Guide to Fitness and the creator of the KIBOS exercise video and the Get Fit to Live Motivational CD. Please consult a physician before beginning any new workout or dietary plan. Send questions and comments to [email protected])
