Afrikan Goddess (AG) Online

Written By: N. Amma Twum-Baah

February is an awesome month not only because of Valentine’s Day, but also because it celebrates love in all forms. Sure, there’s Valentine’s Day, but there’s also black history month – to celebrate our history as black people and (I just made this up) for black women to renew our love for ourselves. Then there’s heart health day – the day to raise awareness about heart disease and to love your heart. Of course, what better way to celebrate all these great events than with a box of chocolate? February is the month to indulge your chocolate cravings without guilt because, after all, on Valentine’s Day you can’t disappoint your man by not digging into the box of chocolates he has so thoughtfully given you.  And now we learn that chocolate is not only good for our taste buds, but also good for the heart. How about that?! Another excuse to indulge your chocolate cravings this month! This makes the month of February a month to celebrate chocolate too.

Studies published in the American Medical Association Journal and research by the Cleveland Clinic have shown that consuming a small bar of chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure and has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). But, wait a minute! Before you go ripping off the wrappings and popping those delicious mounds of chocolate in your mouth, here are a few things you may want to know:

Darker is Better: For my darker skinned sisters who never thought they would hear these words, well when it comes to chocolate, science supports the fact that “darker is better.”  This is our moment of truth – dark chocolate - good, milky chocolate - not so much! I always knew there was something special about us.

Consume in Moderation: Chocolate is extracted from cocoa beans, which comes from the cocoa plant/tree and contains cocoa phenols. Cocoa phenols are the main ingredient known to lower blood pressure.  The condition, like almost everything we consume, is that dark chocolate be consumed in moderation. Dark chocolate is also a strong antioxidant and milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate, which can negate the potential health benefits derived from eating it in moderation.

Not all Labels Reveal the Truth: Just because a bar of chocolate says “dark” does not mean it’s healthy. Chocolates made in Europe are generally richer in cocoa phenols than those made in the U.S.  Look for pure dark chocolate or dark chocolate with nuts, orange peel or other flavorings. Avoid anything with caramel, nougat or other fillings. These fillings are just added sugar and fat which erase many of the benefits you get from eating darker chocolate.

So this Val’s Day and Heart Health Day and Black History month, pry open that beautiful box of delicious, healthy, dark chocolate and celebrate love, life and the essence of your existence. Happy snacking!

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According to Afrikan Goddess medical expert and private medical practitioner, Dr. Vivian Owusu, a lot of women are of the misconceived notion that douching actually benefits their sexual and hygienic health when the actual truth is that it does the complete opposite. Afrikan Goddess sat down for a one-on-one candid conversation and educational session with the general medical practitioner for some well-needed advice, and learned that “what you do not know definitely can harm you.”  

AG: Can you give us a little lesson about douching – what is it?

Dr. Owusu: The word “douche” is French for wash or soak. A vaginal douche is the process of cleaning out the vagina by squirting water or prepared (usually prepackaged mixtures of water and vinegar, baking soda or iodine) mixtures of fluid into the vagina with the intent to flush away vaginal discharge. Vaginal douches are contained in plastic tube-like bottles with a nozzle that is inserted into the vagina. Most douches can be obtained over-the-counter and are floral scented.

AG: What are some of the perceived reasons why women douche?

Dr. Owusu: Women over the years have douched for several reasons. Although douching is not a common occurrence in most African countries, African women pick up the habit when they travel to the West. The most common reason most women douche is to feel clean and healthy. A majority of women I have come into contact with during my years of medical practice confess this as their number one reason – to rid the vagina of unpleasant odors.

AG: This may be unrelated, but when I was living in Ghana there was a practice that existed of women making liquid mixtures of ginger, pepper etc and then squeezing the mixture into the vagina of young girls and women. Is that not considered douching in a way?

Dr. Owusu (Vigorously shaking her head): That is an ignorant practice women sometimes used as punishment for their daughters. It is an unsanitary and very unhealthy practice. Then, of course, there are women who think the mixture dripped into the vagina kills vaginal bacteria such as yeast infection. This is why educating our women is essential for our own health and development. Just as vaginal douching has its dangerous effects, so does the practice you’re referring to.

AG: Are there other reasons why women might feel the need to douche? What do most women hope to achieve by the practice of douching? Personally, I douche at the end of every menstrual cycle to feel clean and odor-free (giggling).

Dr. Owusu (laughing): You’re right. Some women do douche right after their monthly period to wash away any remaining menstrual blood, and the trace of odor that comes along with it. Some women douche following sexual intercourse because they believe it helps to avoid pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. A douche is not a contraceptive and should never be relied upon as such. Nor does it prevent a woman from being infected with an STD. A doctor may recommend a prepared or prescription drug/mixture for the treatment of yeast infection and this is okay, as long as you follow your doctor’s guidelines and instructions.

AG: How is douching unhealthy?

Dr. Owusu: Douching on a regular basis – weekly or more - changes the delicate chemical balance of the vagina and can make a woman more susceptible to infections. Douching can introduce new bacteria into the vagina which can spread up through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. It can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease – PID, a chronic condition that can lead to infertility, or even death, if left untreated. PID can have very serious adverse effects on a woman’s pregnancy - like infections to the baby, labor problems, and pre-term delivery.

AG: So, what other way would you recommend women use to clean their vaginas. Are there any alternatives to douching? The effects of douching sound scary yet the thought of any woman feeling unclean and/or walking around with an odor is also frightening.

Dr. Owusu (laughing): Of course there are alternatives. The only safe and healthy way to clean the vagina is to let it clean itself. The delicate chemical balance of the vagina is very sensitive and easily disrupted by routine vaginal douching. The vagina cleans itself naturally with its own mucous secretions. When bathing or showering use warm water and mild unscented soap to cleanse the outer areas of the vagina. There are some feminine hygiene vaginal washes that are mildly scented and used for cleaning the areas outside the vagina. This is a healthy alternative for women like yourself who feel the need to be clean. Just stay away from any liquid that has to be squirted into the vagina, unless recommended by your doctor.

AG: Is there anything you would like to add that I may have overlooked?

Dr. Owusu: Yes. A study published by the American Journal of Public Health, some time ago indicated that douching may reduce a woman's chance of becoming pregnant by approximately thirty percent. Also, women must seek medical care if they experience any kind of vaginal discharge, itching, burning or pain as these may indicate any number of different conditions from yeast infections to bacterial infections, STDs, and urinary tract infections, all of which are treatable with prescription medication. Do not attempt to wash away the pain or itch or burning sensation by douching as doing so makes it difficult to detect the infection you may have. Also stay away from douching right before your pap exam for the same reasons. And remember, good hygiene (washing up twice a day if possible) is the best way to ensure a clean and healthy vagina!

The above interview was conducted by Afrikan Goddess Managing Editor, N. Amma Twum-Baah.

(Dr. Vivian Owusu is a General Medical Practitioner and has been practicing medicine for over 15 years. Dr. Owusu joined the Afrikan Goddess team in October and has been lending her medical expertise and advice since then. She is the joint owner of Rising Star Medical Center in Florida. She is also a wife and mother of four.)

During my third and final years in college, I ballooned up to about 156Ibs. For someone whose average weight is between 130Ibs, I knew something was terribly wrong. I realized that stress had taken over my life; exams, classes, assignments, project deadlines, and a full-time job in the military to boot. Yes, stress had taken its hold over my life and I was slowly losing control. Stress is a natural part of our daily lives. There is no escaping the fact that at one point or another we have each faced a situation that caused us to panic or that led us to become extremely stressed. Financial problems, relationship meltdowns, meeting deadlines, the loss of a loved one; these are all some of life’s moments that create stress. It’s the way we respond to stress that makes each of us unique. Some people respond to stress by eating less, others do the complete opposite. I dealt with my stress by picking up unhealthy food habits. It became a routine of grabbing a burger on my way to class and downing several cups of coffee to stay awake at night (I was such a procrastinator – like most students are). Now, with an even more demanding daily routine, I find that there are things I can do to deal with my stress and one of them is to find time to take care of me.

Around this time of year, stress levels are known to be at its highest and people, who seek comfort in food, will indulge in the festivities to their demise. African Goddess, with the help of some experts, put together a few tips on how to prevent stress-related weight gain during this holiday season and all throughout the coming year.

Make Healthy Food Choices: Life is hectic and everyone is always on the go. This leaves very little time for well-thought out, well-prepared, healthy, nutritious meals. This in turn leads to the increased amount of visits we make to the drive-thru window. If a hectic life is stopping you from taking the time to make healthy food choices during the week, take time out on the weekends to visit your local farmers market or grocery store and stock up on the freshest produce. Cook in bulk (for the rest of the week) on the weekends when you have time and can concentrate on what goes into your meals. Traditional African meals take a lot of time to prepare, and are usually heavy in carbohydrates, so reserve these delicacies for the weekends. Make sure fruits and veggies are always on the top of your shopping list.

Make Healthy Snack Choices: It would be flat out wrong for me to deny that Africans have some of the most tasty and sumptuous looking foods. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that a third of these foods are high in carbs and fat. This is one of the reasons why African women have such high rates of heart disease. When you crave foods high in carbohydrates, sugar, salt and fat, during the day and in between meals, reach for healthy high fiber snacks instead. Keep a jar of peanuts, almonds and other healthy snacks close by.

Exercise: Physical activity is essential to weight loss and maintaining that weight loss. Yet, we don’t all have the time to exercise. If you find yourself so overwhelmed with responsibilities that you cannot fit an exercise regimen into it, a few simple everyday habits can help: take the stairs instead of the elevator, If you ride the train to work, walk up the escalator instead of just riding up with it; Take a walk, during lunch, around the block; when out shopping, park in the lot farthest away from the shopping mall. I’m sure you get the point. The main idea is to incorporate more movement into your daily routine.

Deal with your Stressors: Find out what is causing you stress and find a way to deal with the issues. We may not always be able to control the stressors in our lives, but we can control the way we respond to them. Find ways to relax. I find that good music helps calm my nerves; others like to take a relaxing walk, share a good laugh with a friend, take yoga classes etc. Whatever it is, the key is to find what works for you.

Don’t let stress rule your life. If anything, be consoled by the fact that the person sitting or standing next to you is probably just as stressed (if not more) as you are. Talk to friends and family. Find a support system to help you through your issues. Finding comfort in unhealthy eating habits only compounds your stress by packing on the pounds so you have one more thing to stress about.

(Article written by: N. Amma Twum-Baah, with contribution and review by Vivian Owusu, M.D. Dr. Owusu is a private practitioner and partner of Rising Star Medical Center in Florida.)

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Written by: N. Amma Twum-Baah

Confidence on a woman, if worn the right way, is a beautiful and attractive trait. A confident woman radiates strength and conviction. Unfortunately, overconfidence (condescension) is most often mistaken by some women to mean exuding confidence. 

Confidence is all about being positive, accepting who you are as a woman and knowing and accepting the limits of your capabilities; and not worrying about the things you can’t change. A confident woman is open to learning, because she knows that her confidence allows her to walk through life's doorways, eager to discover what waits on the other side. She knows that every unknown is a chance to learn more about herself and unleash her abilities. Confident women do not concentrate on their weaknesses but instead, they develop and maximize their strengths.

The confident woman is her own person

A confident woman is not pretentious. She’s not afraid to be herself. She knows who she is and understands her purpose and her talents and is not afraid to use them to the benefit of herself and to others. A confident woman knows there are certain things that she – and only she – can contribute to this world. According to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Counseling Center, self-confidence is an attitude that allows women to have a positive yet realistic view of themselves and their circumstances. 

The confident woman knows her style and avoids comparisons

Clinical psychologist and UCLA professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Dr. Gail Wyatt weighing in on the issue of confidence in her book, “No More Clueless Sex,” states that the way women are still attempting to exude self-confidence “has a lot to do with the images they see mostly in the media. Women are still depending on how they are built and how attractive they are. Those things are very exterior and very superficial ways of defining how women take the easy way out to feel that they are self-confident.”It’s rather unfortunate that women get caught up in the hype of everyday attempts, by commercial entities that prey on their insecurities. Wearing expensive clothes and accessories or possessing other luxuries does not make a woman confident. They simply help to enhance her confidence level. A woman who lacks confidence in herself could own the most expensive piece of jewelry and still need confirmation from others. Whether she has low budget cloths or the most fashionable accessories, a confident woman stays true to what’s important to her and lets no one tell her any different.

The confident woman is not condescending

A confident woman does not feel the need to put others down in order to feel significant. She’s not boastful and all knowing. A confident woman understands that she will never know everything, won’t have all the answers and accepts that with humility. She does not feel the need to make others think less of themselves or to think the way she thinks. She understands and accepts that all people are not created equal, and that she is only one of the millions of other women who makes things happen in the universe.

A confident woman’s being/simple existence speaks louder than her words

A confident woman is not loud or boastful. She is gentle, humble and quiet/peaceful, yet powerful. Her confidence radiates from within. A confident woman lets others do the talking for her because her actions speak volumes and does not go unnoticed by others. It’s in the way she carries herself, the way she communicates with others and the way she makes others feel. A confident woman accepts her mistakes and does not let her past dictate her future. She learns from it and moves on to better herself. She does not feel the need to shout her accomplishments from the roof-top.

How you look and what you have has very little to do with confidence. The process begins on the inside. Act on what you discover to be your purpose in life, and you will be a confident woman. It's a wonderful circle of self-fulfilling prophecy.

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