10 Must-Do Takeaways from How Not to Die — Lessons for My Own Plate

10 Must-Do Takeaways from How Not to Die — Lessons for My Own Plate

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When I was pregnant with my first son, my midwife told me something I’ll never forget: “Eat like a caveman.” Simple, whole foods—fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains. At the time, I laughed, but now I see how right she was.

Reading Dr. Michael Greger’s How Not to Die brought that advice full circle. He shows how diet and lifestyle choices can prevent or even reverse many of the leading causes of death. The “Daily Dozen” approach isn’t about restriction—it’s about abundance, with food as medicine. As someone who loves sweets (dried fruit is my candy of choice), I found hope in learning that the foods I naturally crave can actually protect me.

Mastery Over Marketing: Reclaiming Our Minds and Money

Mastery Over Marketing: Reclaiming Our Minds and Money

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At BLK + GRN, we’ve always known that Black communities are uniquely targeted with some of the most toxic products on the market. That realization—that companies were intentionally marketing harmful goods to us—wasn’t just infuriating. It was illuminating. It exposed a much deeper issue: marketing doesn’t care about what’s best for you. It cares about what’s most profitable. Once I saw that clearly, I couldn’t unsee it—and it shifted how I look at everything.

It’s Your Job to Heal

It’s Your Job to Heal

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We often hear the phrase, “time heals all wounds.” But the truth is—time itself doesn’t do the healing. It’s what you do in that time that determines whether you stay stuck in pain or grow stronger, freer, and more at peace. Healing is not passive. It’s active. It’s intentional. It’s your job.

In the space of time after hurt, you have a choice. You can hold on to the past, replaying moments and conversations until they carve deeper scars. Or, you can release the weight, one layer at a time, and step into a version of yourself that is lighter, more aware, and more compassionate.

A New Chapter in Our Wellness Journey

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When I first started BLK + GRN, my mission was simple: I wanted to create a safe space where we could find non-toxic products made by Black women, for Black women. I knew how important it was to not only protect our health but also to invest in our community. What started as a marketplace quickly became more than just products on a shelf—it became a movement, a trusted source for those of us seeking to live more intentionally and more consciously.

The Power of Gratitude to Rewire Your Brain

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Gratitude is often spoken about like a soft, feel-good practice—writing in a journal, whispering thanks before bed, or pausing to notice a beautiful sunset. But neuroscience tells us that gratitude is so much more than a mood booster. Gratitude is a powerful force that actually strengthens the neural pathways in our brains.

Change is the Only Constant: A Morning Meditation on Evolution and BLK + GRN’s Next Chapter

Change is the Only Constant: A Morning Meditation on Evolution and BLK + GRN’s Next Chapter

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This morning’s meditation gave me a simple yet profound reminder: change is the only constant. It’s one of those truths we hear often, but rarely sit with long enough to feel in our bones. In a still moment, I felt the full weight of that reality — that change is inevitable. And that when we resist it, we suffer.

Stop Saying “I’m Busy”: The Energy of Our Words and the Power of Rewriting Time

Stop Saying “I’m Busy”: The Energy of Our Words and the Power of Rewriting Time

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We throw it around all day, often without thinking.

“I’m so busy.”

“I don’t have time.”

“I’m just trying to catch up.”

We say it to friends, to coworkers, to ourselves. But what if this language—seemingly harmless—was actually keeping us in a cycle of stress, scarcity, and self-sabotage?

Gratitude Is the Most Powerful and Healthiest Human Emotion

Gratitude Is the Most Powerful and Healthiest Human Emotion

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Gratitude isn’t just a nicety—it’s a superpower. Of all the emotions we experience as humans, gratitude has the most profound impact on our well-being, our outlook, and our reality. It shapes our thoughts, our relationships, and even our bodies. Study after study confirms what ancient wisdom has always known: people who regularly practice gratitude are happier, healthier, more resilient, and more fulfilled.

Liquor, Wine, or Weed? A Wellness-Centered Look at Their Health Impacts

Liquor, Wine, or Weed? A Wellness-Centered Look at Their Health Impacts

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When it comes to how we unwind or socialize, many of us turn to a glass of wine, a cocktail, or, increasingly, cannabis. But how do these substances really impact our health—and what does it mean to make the “least toxic” choice?

Let’s break it down—factually, holistically, and with intention.

Liquor: High Impact, High Risk

Liquor—vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey—is the most concentrated form of alcohol, often between 35%–50% alcohol by volume (ABV). That means more alcohol per ounce—and more pressure on your liver, brain, and body.

The CDC links excessive alcohol use to over 200 health conditions, including liver disease, heart problems, depression, anxiety, and increased cancer risk. The more concentrated the alcohol (like liquor), the greater the toxic load.