Sea Moss is amongst the worlds top superfoods, arguably the worlds #1 Superfood. Sea Moss has 92 out of the 102 vitamins + minerals your body needs to function wholly. Amongst the most popular ways to intake Sea Moss recently has become in its gel form. Sea Moss in its gel form can be easily mixed and dissolved into tea, soup, grits, baked goods, fruit juices/smoothies, etc. And thats just the beginning of what you can do with Sea Moss.  Amongst what is found in sea moss includes: Amino Acids, Vitamins B1, B2, B12, Vitamins A, C, D, E, F, and K. Also, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zinc, Potassium, and much more.  Its benefits on the body and overall wellness include: Sustained energy, balanced metabolism, Nourished hair and skin, stronger bones and joints, increased muscle and tissue recovery, aids digestion, rids the body of excess mucus/phlegm, boost thyroid function, boost libido, anti-inflammation, oxygenates cells/anti aging, etc. This is what is known as the “All in One” method to sustainable health and wellness.  Growing up with two Caribbean parents I have been taking Sea Moss since a toddler.  I recently launched my Tru92 wellness company selling herbal infused sea moss gel bottles to encourage health and wellness within our community.  Sea Moss is something that all of is should be adding to our diets immediately.

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 The Roots of Islamic Psychology …..”Ilm al nafs”

   Why do so many so-called “religious people” see mental illness as incongruous or contrary to faith? This is a question that must be addressed. These assumptions can be rooted in unjustified stigma and ignorance. Mental illness has existed in all times amongst all people. Psychology, the medical and philosophical study of the psych, soul or self, was recorded as early as 1550 BCE when depression was noted in the Ebers Papyrus.

One of the earliest noted contributors was a Persian named Muhammad ibn Zakariya al Razi who was a physician, scientist and philosopher. He was noted for writing about mental illness and psychotherapy. His major works called El Mansuri and Al Hawi described many conditions as well as treatment options. He eventually became the first director of a mental health ward in a hospital. The first bimaristans or hospitals were built in Baghdad in the 9th century.

Another Persian writer, Abu-Ali al Husayn ibn Abdalah Ibn Sina, more commonly known as Avicenna was a forerunner in the field of psychosomatic medicine. He demonstrated the link between changes in the mental state and changes in the body.

Ali ibn Sahl Rabban Al Tabari wrote a work emphasizing the need for psychotherapy. In the 10th century, Ahmed ibn Sahl Al Bakhi stressed the link between spiritual and mental well being. By the 13th century separate wards were made available in the bimaristans for those suffering with mental disorders. These were a few of the pioneers in Islamic psychology that intersected with information of Greek origin within the learning center of Baghdad during the “Golden Age of Islam” from the 8th to the 14th centuries CE. The rest of the world was experiencing what was termed “The Dark Ages” or the “Middle Ages” which began after the decline of the Roman Empire. This was a period of cultural and economic deterioration that occurred in Western Europe.

A group of scholars from China, India, Arabia and Ancient Greece exchanging mathematical, astronomical, philosophical, medical information in the learning center of Baghdad. Baghdad, which was centrally located between Europe and Asia, was a major trading spot where ideas were spread for the enhancement of civilization.

References
1. Wikipedia contributors, “Timeline of psychology,” In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 Oct. 2020. Web 2 December 2, 2020
2. Wikipedia contributors, ‘Psychology in medieval Islam’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 26 November 2020. Web 2 December 2020
3. Ayad, Dr. Amira, Healing Body and Soul, 2013, International Islamic Publishing House, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

​Bread and Butter Farms was officially established in 2013. As a family, we have been growing both
collectively as well as on an individual basis throughout our lives. We are both science researchers by
trade and at heart, so we treat farming as a science as well. We operate in ways that go against the
norm for some people. For example, we plant in a bio-intensive manner which basically means we plant
really close together, we make our own chemical-free pest control and offer prepared meals with our
produce/meats. It is our passion and we share this with our children by exposing them to the humbling
experience of farming. It is important to us to show them that the world of agriculture has many aspects
that are not limited to growing. We have a strong respect for the land that we have been blessed to
steward. Homeschooling allows us to pass this passion on, educate them in entrepreneurship, and
exposes them to the multifaceted options available in the form of value-added products. These are
products that you make from produce or animals you have on your farm (i.e. infused oil/vinegar,
canning and preserving, goat milk soap, bread from grains, etc.). We offer a variety of products outside
of produce available on our website, www.breadandbutterfarms.com. This enables us to provide our
customers with a wide range of options and to reduce food waste. At its core Bread and Butter Farms is
a family farm that is passionate about education, the environment, and serving our community. Come
grow with us!

​Cupping is an ancient remedy dating back to 1550 BC. The oldest medical book in the world The Ebers Papyrus describes the Egyptians’ use of hijamah (cupping). In China, the earliest description of horn method (using animal horn) was in book Fifty Two Diseases from Han dynasty (202 BC). Over 2000 years, Cupping has been part of Chinese medical practice, among which are acupuncture, Qigong, herbal and dietary therapy. Cupping helps all diseases through balancing Yin Yang and energy flow. From modern medical perspective, cupping increases blood circulation. This relieves muscle tension and promotes tissue repair.

Cupping is made of bamboo, glass, ceramic, silicon and plastic. There are two main categories of practice today. Dry cupping is a suction-only method. Wet cupping involves both suction and controlled medicinal bleeding.

Recent years, people are enthusiastic about cupping due to famous athletes and celebrities’ engagement. However, like any therapy, it should be careful if you have skin irritation, on blood thinner, pregnant or with some medical conditions. Side effects include dizziness, nausea, skin bruise and blister. Wet cupping leads to hepatitis and HIV if the cups are not sterilized. Please check the practitioner’s training before cupping therapy.

​During these past few months, there has been so many different emotions that we have been experiencing. Some of us are experiencing higher levels of anxiety and fear while others may be feeling higher levels of intuitiveness, reflectiveness and mindfulness. Our personal feelings are susceptible to change depending on our individual experiences, spirituality, and outlook on life.  As we go through making adjustments in our daily lives whether that is with our jobs, family, social interactions, or simply going into public spaces.  It is imperative that we take out moments for our personal self-reflections in order to find balance and take care of our health holistically.
              One of the ways that we can do this is by implementing a self-care routine into our daily lifestyles. The term has become more popular in the last few years as we find our selves being more conscious of our mental states and understanding more how mental health is a vital key to our wellness. Self-care encourages us to maintain a healthy relationships with ourselves so that you may transmit the good energy to others. Indeed self-care as is far from selfish, but rather self-care is a necessity that allows us to become the best version of ourselves for  our well-being and the people around us.  Paying attention to our well-being, is necessary for reinvigorating, restoring and rejuvenating ourselves. Everyone around us also benefits from the renewed energy, peacefulness, and joy that we exhibit internally.
There are so many ways to engage in self-care routines some in which include meditation, reading a book, stretching, taking a nature walk,  or simply soaking in the tub.  I personally try to alternate in which self-care techniques that I engage in. Whichever self-care technique that we choose to engage in allow it is be an intentional catalyst for personal healing and reflection. More than ever we have to engage in these positive acts of self-love.                         

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