Hey y’all! So today, while I’m sitting here enjoying one of my favorite meals with some pickled beets, shrimp, and all kinds of good stuff, I wanted to talk to y’all about something real important — our health.
My Battle With Anemia
Let me tell you, a while back I found out I was low on iron. Every time I got my blood checked, the doctor would say, “Your iron levels are a little low.” And I was like, “Why is that? What’s going on with my body?”
Then I found my little secret weapon — pickled beets! Y’all, I became obsessed with them! I keep jars of them everywhere — in the little fridge in my bedroom, in the kitchen — just everywhere. Whenever I get hungry or want a snack, I grab some. And guess what? They actually work!
Beets are an amazing source of iron and they’ve got so many other health benefits too. Now my iron levels are up, my potassium is good, and all my numbers are looking great. I’ll be going back for another checkup in three months.
( If you enjoyed this post and want to try the ingredients and tools that helped shape the Bloveslife brand, feel free to check them out below! Every view or purchase you make is a way of supporting Blove’s passion and dedication to the community.
- 7.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven: https://amzn.to/4dcUqms
- Lodge Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Skillet: https://amzn.to/3TyyMSA
- Bamboo Seasonings Box with Mini Spoon: https://amzn.to/4dfHzA6 )
A Question for Y’all
I need y’all to be honest with me: why are Black folks so scared to go to the doctor?
Especially our parents’ generation — like my mama’s generation — they are terrified of doctors! I was just watching Toya’s video — you know, Lil Wayne’s ex-wife — and her mama didn’t want to go to the doctor at all! She made every excuse not to go until Toya had to trick her — told her there was a surprise gift waiting, even blindfolded her to get her to the hospital!
But I get it. Toya’s mama said her sister went to the doctor, got diagnosed with cancer, and passed away soon after. And that’s the fear a lot of people have — that if they go, they’ll find something wrong and have to take pills or go through treatment.
Why Regular Checkups Matter
But listen, y’all — here’s how I see it: if we go to the doctor regularly, they can catch things early! And when you catch things early, you can live longer. The older we get, the more important it is to stay on top of our health.
We’ve got to check our blood work, get full labs done, have our yearly mammograms, pap smears — all that good stuff. It’s necessary, especially as we age. Our bodies just don’t work the same as they did at twenty, and that’s okay!
My Philosophy on Medicine
Now, let me be real — I believe in natural healing. I can’t say I’ll never take medicine, but I don’t believe in being on long-term meds like blood pressure pills unless you really have to. Don’t get me wrong, if you need it, you need it — I’m not telling anybody to stop taking their meds!
But I truly believe food and natural remedies can make a huge difference. When you eat right and drink fresh juices, your blood pressure can drop so fast! Like unbelievably fast!
About Blood Pressure Pills
Some of my friends take blood pressure meds and they hate them. They say those pills make them tired, depressed, and just drained. I can’t live like that!
Y’all, if I ever had to take something like that, you wouldn’t see me anymore — I’d be gone! No videos, no energy, no “Hey y’all, how y’all doing today?” — nothing! You’d notice right away and be like, “What’s going on with B?”
Health in My Family
High blood pressure runs in my husband’s family. Some of them are super sensitive to it and have to take meds even though they don’t eat bad. It’s genetic. And gout — oh Lord, that’s another one! I didn’t even know what gout was until I met my husband. I said, “What is that?” and when I found out, I was like, “Oh my goodness!”
My husband used to have gout and, y’all, that pain is no joke. My mother-in-law told me he once said gout hurts worse than childbirth. I said, “Ain’t no way! Nothing hurts worse than childbirth!” But she said, “Yes, it does, honey. I’ve had both.” So I had to believe her!
When he had gout, I remember it was freezing outside and he couldn’t even wear shoes. I had to take him straight to the clinic. And as soon as they saw him, they rushed him in first thing! The doctor said the gout in his toe was so bad that just the wind or a blanket brushing against it made him scream.
My Family’s Good Health
Thank God, I don’t have any health issues right now. My mama’s almost 70, I’m about to be 49, and she’s got no diabetes, no high blood pressure — nothing! I’m so grateful.
When doctors ask about family history, I can honestly say we’re pretty healthy. My dad’s side too — he’s almost 70, still out there on the basketball court playing with my younger brothers! My grandmother did have high cholesterol, but she was in her mid-70s, and she lived to be 87 or 88.
Knowing your family’s medical history is important though — it can really make a difference.
A Heartbreaking Story About a Friend
People always tell me, “You eat butter, you eat like that — you’re gonna get sick.” But I’m fine! My health is good. It’s strange, though — some people smoke all their lives and never get lung cancer, while others...
I had a close friend I worked with at Motorola, and when she passed away, it broke me. Y’all have no idea how much it hurt. She died of lung cancer — and she never smoked a day in her life. Not once!
I was shocked. I couldn’t understand it. I think it was from asbestos — you know, that stuff in old buildings. We grew up in Chicago, and a lot of those old apartment buildings had asbestos in the paint or the walls. She was only about 36 to 41 years old.
I used to call and check on her every week. We were all praying she’d make it. But just 2 or 3 months later, she was gone. Her daughter called to tell me, and I just couldn’t believe it. She was way too young.
My Final Message to Y’all
Things like that happen and I can’t explain them, but I do know this — if you’ve got health issues that run in your family, you’ve got to make smarter choices.
I get why some Black folks don’t trust doctors — sometimes they prescribe meds too easily, depending on who you get. But you have the right to say no! You can choose natural and holistic ways first.
The Power of Juicing
If I ever had a health issue — and I’m not saying I will — but if I did, I’d look for natural options. I know a lot of y’all who live that holistic life, and juicing really works! It can heal your body in ways you wouldn’t believe if you do it right.
Drink a glass in the morning or an 8-ounce cup in the afternoon. Make a big jar every day or every other day and keep it in the fridge.
One important note: don’t keep it more than 48 hours. After that, the enzymes start breaking down. Fresh juice is always best right after you make it. I know some people keep it for 72 hours or more, but not me. I make a new batch every two days — 48 hours max!
Y’all, that’s my message straight from the heart. Take care of your health, go for your checkups, and don’t be afraid. Early detection can save your life. And remember — there are so many natural ways to stay healthy if you’re willing to try!
