Self Care amidst Political and Pandemic Upheaval
Originally published Nov 1 2020 in my Facebook post. Republished here with edits.
*Disclaimer*
This is not medical advice. I'm just sharing what works for me. It’s also important to recognize that my ability to access these resources is western and Global North privilege even if I am a working class person.
Screenshot Green smoothie in a glass filled to the brim and topped with fresh raspberries and a slice of kiwi placed on a wooden surface. Behind the smoothie is a cauliflower piece on right and a blackberry on the left artfully arranged on green leaves in the background.
Here's what's in my morning smoothie:
Berries - usually either frozen blueberries or strawberries or a mix of the two. I add seasonal fruits if they're in season like pears and apples. This provides antioxidants and natural vitamins and fiber.
Water to help the frozen fruit blend evenly. Sometimes I use a plant based milk if I have any but it’s expensive so I normally just use water. I don’t use ice because normally the berries are frozen anyway.
1 tsp raw organic coconut oil. This is good for brain health because the brain needs healthy fats to operate well. The vitamin E is also good for skin and hair. Coconut oil is also good for joints and athletic performance. Eating healthy fats also helps to regulate food cravings so I don't eat unnecessary amounts of sugar and ruin my healthy diet.
1 tbsp hulled hemp seeds. The Omega 3s are great for brain health and help reduce harmful inflammation. Hemp seeds also have tons of other micronutrients and minerals really good for health and well-being.
3-4 tablets of spirulina. This is a type of highly nutritious algae that contains micronutrients great for health and well-being. I make sure I buy some that comes from a pure farmed source, otherwise it'll be riddled with pollutants and toxins. I buy the tablets because it’s much cheaper than the loose powder.
1/2 tsp of turmeric. The turmeric doesn't have a big medicinal value in my smoothie because it's not cooked - turmeric must be heated to release the true power of its medicinal strength. I add it in my smoothie because its astringent and bitter taste balances the earthy taste of spirulina. That's basic spice science my elders taught me, how to balance different tastes with spices. (You should know that your turmeric supplements are...there's a bit of value to taking them but not much. This is because turmeric can be highly medicinal if applied topically to burns, cuts, wounds, etc, but if you're ingesting it, it needs to be heated, ie. cooked. So stop wasting your money on turmeric pills and start cooking with turmeric if you want actual medicine.)
Vitamin C 2000mg-4000mg (solaray or some other quality brand, I make sure it's vegan). As well as the obvious health benefits of immunity boosting, and the anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating properties, its acidity also helps to counter the alkaline of the spirulina (spirulina is truly disgusting to taste in case you don't know). I take this amount because this is what works for my body, it won’t be the same for others. I also make sure I use a slow acting vitamin C brand so it’s more gentle on my digestive system.
1 tsp of ground black pepper to counter any gas from the Vitamin C. Black pepper is also anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and when combined with turmeric (cooked) is a very powerful anti-cancer medicine. I mostly use it in my smoothie to combat gas, as it's not heated to release all the other medicinal stuff.
My vitamin D supplement. Usually 2500iu during the summer, goes up to 5000iu during the winter. Always vegan, of course. Depending on what form it's in (liquid/spray/vegan gel capsule/vegan tablet), I'll either add it to my smoothie or take it alongside my smoothie. Remember, all Black and brown people in particular , if they live in the Global North, should be taking vitamin D because there's just not enough sunlight to make enough of our own vitamin D. Each person should get their vitamin D levels checked to see what amount is for them.
Multivitamin and mineral supplement, always vegan. I like Deva brand, it's much cheaper than most others and is a good overall multivitamin that gets the job done.
Fresh spinach if I have it but I skip it if I don’t have any in stock.
Then I blend it all up and drink while working.
These are supplements I don't put in my smoothie but take while drinking it:
B12, fast dissolving under my tongue. Prevents fatigue and anemia for me. I take 2500mcg because I tend to use my B12 up really fast and become fatigued. Other people might need less. I usually have it under my tongue while I'm making my smoothie, so it's dissolved by the time my smoothie is ready. Vegans are usually told to take a B12 supplement which is why I started taking it.
L-Lysine, which boosts my immunity and helps with anxiety.
Magnesium malate, which is great for muscle tension and pain.
Kelp or a thyroid supplement - something with iodine in it to help thyroid function. I also cook with iodized salt. Others should get their thyroid levels checked and talk to their doctor to understand what is a healthy amount for them, if any.
Triphala, to help with the digestive system. I used it while I had it but it's expensive.
Alpha Lipoic Acid to help with skin and vitality. It’s also expensive so I only get it when I can afford it.
I try to stagger some of these supplements to stretch out my supplies. So I might miss taking them once or twice a week, or even every other day if they're really powerful. One thing I might do is order a bunch of supplements once or twice a year and then try to make them last through that time frame.
I find that when I take my supplements regularly and eat healthy and clean alongside them, I feel a lot better, my immunity is stronger, and I manage stress easier also. Everyone's body is different though. What works for me might not work for someone else. You should always check with your doctor before adding anything to your diet. What worked for me was to introduce small amounts at first and work my way gradually up to a larger amount until I saw any reaction which showed me what my limit was. An example of this is that too much vitamin C will cause loose bowels. So if I experience a reaction like that, I don’t take any for a few days and then I go back to taking a reduced amount.
Remember that this is not medical advice, I'm just sharing what works for me. Knowing what I use everyday helped me stock up on stuff during the pandemic just in case there was a supply breakdown, which there was. The kind of stress that comes from a pandemic and all concurrent political upheaval, as well as the health requirements of staying healthy while a virus travels around the planet, requires the right nutrients to help the body and mind cope.
Resources:
That Vitamin Movie (documentary)