Radiant No.08, The Body Issue

Radiant

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EA NI LT GE H RI M A’ AG S # A 1 ZI N

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True to you. True to life.

I S S U E 8 M AY/J U L 2 0 1 6

2ND

ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

OSAS Ighodaro AJIBADE RAISING THE BAR ON SCREEN & OFF

FITNESS SECRETS BULLETPROOF TIPS FOR YOUR TROUBLE SPOTS

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5 WAYS TO SUPPORT A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

9 TIMELESS ACCESSORIES

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN

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Radiant

HEALTH

ISSUE 8 MAY/JUL 2016

IN EVERY ISSUE 06

EDITOR’S NOTE

08

ON RADIANTHEALTHMAG.COM

09

NEWS & VIEWS

117

RAYS OF REFLECTION

13 Osas Ighodaro Ajibade: Officially Acting Up

This Naija star keeps rising higher and shining brighter!

39

The Very Real Risks of Malaria in Pregnancy

In 2016 malaria in pregnancy is still a major problem and just as deadly

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HEALTH 45

THE DOCTOR IS IN Tell us where it hurts — Q&A with Dr. Deyo Famuboni

The Body Cypher: An Ongoing Discussion on what it means to be Black and Beautiful

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THE UNCHOSEN PATH A breast cancer survivor shares her story

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SPOTLIGHT ON MIRABEL A beacon of hope and help for victims of sexual assault in Nigeria

Five real women open up about some very real body issues

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Radiant

HEALTH

ISSUE 8 MAY/JUL 2016

STYLE + BEAUTY 88

FITNESS 58

TRUE FITNESS COMES IN MANY SHAPES AND SIZES Could your genetics be getting in the way of your fitness goals?

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BUSTING THE SPOT REDUCTION MYTH A bullet-proof approach to target your trouble spots

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I DID IT! HER DEDICATION = OUR INSPIRATION Meet our Radiant Body Reboot winner!

NUTRITION 70

IS ORGANIC FOOD HEALTHIER THAN CONVENTIONAL FOOD? Can you afford to eat organic — or not to?

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BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED: ORGANIC FARMING WITH SISIMI SOWEMIMO OF OPE FARMS How one farm is bringing Nigerians back to clean eating

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RE-THINK YOUR BREAKFAST 5 Exciting oat and bread recipes to change up your routine

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LOCAL CHAMP: IRU This pungent health food is definitely an attention-getter!

9 TIMELESS ACCESSORIES EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN You’ll never go out of style with these classic pieces

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BEAUTY IN OUR OWN BACKYARD Bringing natural beauty back home to Nigerian women

CULTURE 97

ART THAT MATTERS Our top picks from cinema, literature and beyond

BODY + MIND 100 DON’T CALL IT LOVE A story about incest

103

5 WAYS TO SUPPORT A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT What to do when a victim confides in you

106

GOD AND I: A CONVERSATION IN THE INDIAN OCEAN Yetunde’s unexpected spiritual epiphany

113

RADIANT WOMAN WATCH: EZINNE OKPARAEBO — ALTRUISTIC OLYMPIAN A star athlete making waves from Norway to Nigeria RadiantHealthMag.com Issue 8 | The Body Issue 4

Radiant

HEALTH

FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nnenna Kalu Makanjuola

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

FEATURES EDITOR Nikki Igbo NUTRITION EDITOR Cordialis Msora CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robyn Schaffner COPYEDITOR LeeAnn Nielsen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chinyere Amobi Patrick Dale Deyo Famuboni Nnene Kalu Mbonu Freda Muyambo Joy Ogeah Temitayo Olofinula Jelilat Oyetunji Katie Schenk Yetunde Shorters Ifeoma Theodore Jnr, E ILLUSTRATOR Odunze Oguguo

COVER CREDITS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jabulile Sopete STYLIST Athi-Afikile Myataza HAIR & MAKE-UP Khanyisile Masuku PHOTOGRAPHER Jacques De Jager VIDEOGRAPHER Matla Seetelo PHOTOGRAPHER

(Ezinne Okparaebo) Rasmus Kongsøre

PUBLIC RELATIONS Yetunde Taiwo Shorters, ICY PR BUSINESS ADMIN ASSISTANT Queendolly Verhoeven WEB DESIGN AND SUPPORT Ken Nuarin SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT Lindsey Gregory

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editor’s note NOT TOO LONG AGO,

I set out to establish a publication unlike any other in Nigeria: a dedicated health magazine.

The idea was born primarily out of my family’s experience with my father’s health struggle in Nigeria, the lack of credible sources of health information geared toward Nigerians, and my dissatisfaction with the one-dimensional media portrayal of health issues in Africa.

Fast-forward to today: it’s our two-year anniversary and I couldn’t be more thrilled! In two short years, we — yes, you and I — have accomplished a lot. Along with launching our digital app this year, Radiant Health’s website has published over 300 expert-written articles full of tips and advice on health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, beauty and style, all designed to help you live a healthy life that embraces your Nigerian essence. We’ve covered everything from the role of palm oil in our diet to your questions about zobo to the nutritional content of the top 9 Nigerian “swallows.”

What’s more, we have featured many Nigerian women sharing their personal health stories about issues such as breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and vitiligo — topics traditionally seen as no-go areas. But these women have bravely opened their lives to all of us in the hopes of empowering other women who may be going through the same health challenges and letting them know they are not alone. (You can access a complimentary issue featuring a collection these interviews once you download our free app on Apple or Google Play store.)

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editor’s note In addition to giving a voice to these incredible women, each issue of Radiant Health has explored a wide variety of social and cultural issues affecting Nigerian women’s health.

These pieces have included our three-part series on medical negligence, domestic violence and an in-depth look into the sexual health of our youth.

I am proud of these achievements, and equally proud of the women (and one man!) who have graced our covers thus far. For me it is both an honor and a testament to our commitment to quality that the likes of Uzo Aduba, Millen Magase, Zain Verjee, Somi, Davido, and in this issue Osas Ighodaro Ajibade, all have trusted us enough to appear on the cover of Radiant Health. And stay tuned, because we have a guaranteed lineup of outstanding African women set to appear on our cover in upcoming issues!

None of this progress would have been possible without you. I’m deeply grateful — thank you.

This anniversary issue is a mustread, featuring the beautiful and talented Osas Ighodaro Ajibade. Her on-screen star just keeps rising, but she’s an amazing woman off-screen as well, especially when it comes to her humanitarian work.

After losing her pregnant sister to malaria, Osas has been a tireless force in raising malaria awareness through her nonprofit organization. In our interview, Osas shares with us how she manages to keep it all together and the mantra that has propelled her rise to the top.

to Clean Eating” and “Lola’s Inspiring 40+ Weight Loss on the Holistic Radiant Body Reboot Challenge.”

I truly hope you enjoy this wonderful issue we’ve put together for you!

Radiant Health exists to be your ultimate guide to healthy living no matter where you reside on the globe. As we journey into year three and beyond, I encourage you to continue engaging with us — spread our message far and wide, and let us know how we can better serve you to make your lifelong health journey a successful one.

And because this is “The Body Issue,” we’re taking a full-on look at all things body-related.

After two years of publishing To your great health, Radiant Health, it’s become clear that we need to begin a dialogue about our bodies, so in this issue we start by looking through the lens of five African women to explore how our views of our body shape us. The theme continues Connect with me on throughout the issue, with great features such as “True nnenna@radianthealthmag.com Fitness Comes in Many Shapes and Sizes,” “How One Farm @nnennakaluM Is Bringing Nigerians Back

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on radianthealthmag.com WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW

About Osas Ighodaro ... ... might shock you! She’s about as radiantly gorgeous as a person can possibly be, but Osas battled low self-esteem when she was younger. She also has lost a sister to malaria, a disease Osas now works to eradicate. So, what makes this actress, pageant winner and humanitarian smile? Join us behind the scenes with Osas.

READ MORE

THE NEWS YOU NEED

to Know Now! The state of health care in Nigeria. The government’s stance on women’s rights.

Deadly diseases and epidemics. The latest fitness advice. Crucial tips for healthy pregnancies. Pharmaceutical side effects. UN projects in Africa. There’s a lot you need to know about your body, your health and your rights! Every week, Radiant Health brings you the news you need to know now, along with tips for protecting yourself and ways to get involved in the causes you care about.

Visit RadiantHealthMag.com every day, but especially on Fridays for a roundup of the week’s top stories. It might just save your life.

Check it out!

GO FROM FLAB TO FIT

in 15 Minutes a Day It’s no joke! You can transform your body at home, without any specialised equipment, in just 15 minutes a day. The trick?

A daily fitness plan that will jump-start your transformation. The Radiant Body Reboot is perfect for women who want to improve the way they look and feel but just don’t know where to start. (And for those who need a little help staying on track!)

Sign up today at radianthealthmag.com and feel better tomorrow!

READ MORE

READ MORE RadiantHealthMag.com Issue 8 | The Body Issue 8

news & views

BY Katie Schenk

1 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ZIKA ...

NOW!

Where are you travelling this summer?

Health authorities forecast a rapid spread of the Zika virus out of the Caribbean into North America, Asia and back to Africa.

And the latest mutated strain is a lot more frightening than initially suspected.

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that Zika infections cause microcephaly, a condition preventing brain formation in the womb. The World Health Organization also links Zika to Guillain-Barré Syndrome, in which the immune system attacks the nervous system.

Remember, it’s not just a matter of mosquitoes! The virus is easily transmitted through intercourse and remains present in semen for up to six months. Symptoms range from fevers and rashes to joint and muscle pains, as well as red or painful eyes. Pregnant women should undergo testing, as some asymptomatic patients have tested positive.

Always safeguard yourself from mosquitoes and during intercourse. If you’re planning your summer holiday — or an addition to your family — make sure you stay on top of the news about Zika by visiting cdc.gov/zika.

2 PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM LASSA FEVER IN NIGERIA Recent media reports show that Nigeria has diagnosed 266 cases of Lassa fever since August 2015, with new cases continuing to emerge. While many people remain asymptomatic, the fever is part of a group of acute viral haemorrhagic diseases. Currently Nigeria is experiencing a Lassa mortality rate of about 50 percent.

The faeces of Mastomys rats are the natural home of this virus, but it spreads quickly to humans consuming contaminated food.

In case you’re wondering, these rats are sonamed for the prominent mammary glands of the females. They are the most common rats throughout Africa, so it’s possible you’ve never even seen another type if you live in Nigeria.

Lassa also spreads through intercourse and direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons. As with Ebola and Zika, the virus can remain in semen for months. Clean living environments go a long way towards protection, but because it is a contact virus, it’s also a matter of limiting your interactions with anyone potentially infected and seeking treatment urgently if symptoms develop. Need more information? Visit who.int.

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news & views HOPE FOR THE CHIBOK GIRLS

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The world rushed to the #bringbackourgirls cause when the 276 teenagers were abducted from their school in Chibok just over two years ago. But locating and rescuing the 219 girls who remain in captivity has proved to be a much larger task. As reports of sexual slavery emerged and forlorn families scrambled for aid, hope dwindled.

Then, a leaked video renewed our faith. Filmed on 25 December, 2015, this video was released to negotiators as proof of life. It clearly shows the faces of Chibok girls who appear to be in robust health, though we can only imagine the horrors of their captivity. We must continue to keep their plight alive and renew pressure on governments to secure their return.

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news & views Possibly! No, suffering from heartburn and developing dementia don’t go hand in hand, but according to studies by German researchers, there’s a correlation between the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) used to treat heartburn and an increased prevalence of dementia. PPI drugs such as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid are commonly used to manage acid reflux.

It’s only a link at this point; alleviating your heartburn with PPIs does not mean you will develop dementia. However, you should think twice about medicating your body’s natural reflux mechanisms with PPI tablets and syrups. After all, dementia is a blanket term including everything from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s disease. Many conditions fall somewhere in the middle (known as “mixed dementia”) and are as difficult to manage, as they can be progressive.

Natural remedies have proved effective at mitigating heartburn; green tea and apple cider vinegar may just be what you need to stave off Alzheimer’s and acid reflux. If you have a PPI prescription, you should consult with your doctor before ceasing treatment.

And if you’re taking over-the-counter PPIs, remember: they’re not for indefinite use!

IS THERE A SCARY LINK BETWEEN HEARTBURN AND DEMENTIA?

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news & views

5 IS YOUR HAIR WORTH YOUR LIFE? Before you book your next hair appointment, you need to consider the effect it might have on your body. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology links the use of hair relaxers with uterine fibroids — which affect almost 80 percent of black women. And those fumes could just be the reason for your asthma and breathing difficulties.

Ready for more bad news? The current regulation of hair products means that you’re likely to find carcinogens inside those bottles — and no one is required to tell you they’re there. Yikes! From miscarriages to muscularskeletal disorders, you and your hairdresser could be dying to be beautiful.

Now’s the time to revolutionise the industry and inform the women in our lives! Interested in learning more? Visit bwwla.org to see what’s happening on your head.

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F E AT U R E

OS AS IGHODARO AJIBADE Officially Acting Up

BY Nikki Igbo

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F E AT U R E

Even before winning the Miss Black USA pageant in 2010, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade has been giving Nigerians plenty to be proud of. The 2014 ELOY TV Actress of the Year stole plenty of hearts with her role as Adanna on Tinsel before hosting Maltina Dance All and starring in The Department and Gbomo Gbomo Express. And when it comes to film, this Nollywood beauty, humanitarian and fashion icon is just getting started.

PRINTED CAPE JACKET AND PANTS both Khosi Nkosi at Yde GOLD CHANDELIER EARRINGS Lovisa RINGS Lovisa BEIGE FRINGE HEELS Raphaela Booz

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F E AT U R E

IT’S HARD NOT TO SMILE during a conversation with Osas because she smiles as she speaks and every word she utters is laced with positivity. Ask her about her burgeoning Nollywood career and she’ll smile and describe it as “amazing.”

Ask her about her life as a newlywed and she’ll sigh dreamily and use words like “beautiful” and “a blessing” to describe it. Press her for tips on how she

ASK HER ABOUT HER LIFE AS A NEWLYWED AND SHE’LL SIGH DREAMILY AND USE WORDS LIKE “BEAUTIFUL” AND “A BLESSING”

BEIGE SHIFT DRESS Tina Lobondi by Kisua STUD EARRINGS Lovisa RINGS Lovisa YELLOW STRAPPY HEELS Raphaela Booz RadiantHealthMag.com Issue 8 | The Body Issue 15

F E AT U R E

maintains such a lovely figure, and she’ll laugh and pay homage to her parents’ good genes or her husband’s strong fitness ethic. It’s quite easy to see why the Miss Black USA judges were so taken with her, and equally hard to fathom that she once suffered from low self-esteem.

“I was one of three African children in a Hispanic-dominated school in the Bronx.

I was very skinny. My mom plaited my hair with thread, and kids were not used to that. Children made fun of me and I felt like the ugly duckling,” Osas explains.

“But I have gotten over, learned and grown from those experiences.”

If not for the teasing, Osas’ parents — who certainly knew differently about their child —might not have gotten her involved in modeling and pageantry, which in turn led her to appreciate acting.

“My dad is a businessman, my mom is a nurse, but I always loved being active and out there and singing and artistic expression. Yes, I was given speeches about becoming a certain type of professional such as a doctor or nurse or lawyer, but that further motivated me to succeed in acting.”

A STAR ASCENDING Following her graduation from Pennsylvania State University, Osas asked her parents for one year to fully commit to acting pursuits before following her parents’ wishes.

“That year turned into three years,” she says with a chuckle. “But I really wanted to hone my craft, so that’s when I got my master’s degree in acting from the Actor’s Studio. Still, I would audition for so many parts and rarely hear a yes.

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F E AT U R E

SPORTS BRA, VEST AND LEGGINGS all by Kappa TRAINING SHOES Nike

‘WE’RE ALL BEAUTIFUL. WE’RE ALL TALENTED. WHAT CAN I DO SEPARATE MYSELF FROM THE BUNCH?’

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F E AT U R E

‘I HAD A VISION BOARD AT THE TIME, AND I’D WRITTEN ON MY VISION BOARD THAT I WANTED TO BE IN A SOAP OPERA.’ Not that I wasn’t talented —there’s just a lot of competition.”

Besides acting in several off-Broadway productions, Osas was able to score minor roles in projects such as the American television series Law & Order and Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns as well as feature film Cadillac Records, but naturally she wanted more.“ On all these auditions I asked myself what made me different from other competing actresses. We’re all beautiful. We’re all talented. What can I do separate myself from the bunch? I decided to go back to my roots and do a pageant. I thought it would be amazing if I were to win a pageant like Miss Black USA, and it just so happened to happen that way.”

Following her win, Osas imagined she would move to Los Angeles, California, as all aspiring actors tend to do, but her aunt put a different idea in her mind.

“She suggested that I move to Nigeria instead and take advantage of the developing film and television industry there. My aunt told me, ‘It would be great for people to know who you are in the States and abroad, but it means nothing if people back home don’t know who you are.’”

Osas wasn’t familiar with Nigerian soap operas when she heard about auditions for Tinsel, but she definitely wasn’t going to shy away from the opportunity.

“I had a vision board at the time, and I’d written on my vision board that I wanted to be in a soap opera.” Osas was able to arrange an audition by tape and received a reply for her efforts a few weeks later. “They called and not only offered me a role but also a six-month contract, which is beyond what is normally done.”

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS Tinsel proved to be a springboard in more ways than one: Osas’ contract on the soap was extended from six months to two years.

She was invited to be the host of Maltina Dance All. And she was offered more roles in both American and Nigerian projects such as Parallels, Where Children Play, The Department and Gbomo Gbomo Express.

In addition, she won the 2015 Eloy Brand Ambassador of the Year Award on top of being named brand ambassador for both Polo Avenue and Gold Fashion Line. And most important of all, she met her soon-to-be husband, Gbenro Ajibade, who portrays Soji Bankole on the popular Nigerian soap.

“Our characters never met. We’d never been in the same scene and we never really worked

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‘I’M TRYING TO FOCUS ON DOING FILMS THAT TAKE ME OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE WHERE PEOPLE ARE USED TO SEEING ME IN A CERTAIN LIGHT.’

together. I saw that he was really athletic and built. I would ask and try to figure out where he was working out, where are the activities, what’s happening, and that’ s what pretty much brought us together. Working out together and doing sports together.”

Apparently the couple who plays together stays together, as the acting duo exchanged vows last July.

“It’s really funny. He’s a very funny guy but people don’t know that side of him. I’m literally laughing all the time which is an amazing thing. I’m really grateful for the laughter and fun we have. We try not to make it so serious, the fact that we’re married now. We don’t have to do that. We have a partnership. We have fun. We can enjoy each other and still work hard to maintain what we have, which is very precious to us.”

Continuing to work hard is exactly what Osas is doing. Nigeria’s new leading lady will be a principal player in three films due out in cinemas this year. Entreat, a complex drama, will be in theatres on April 29, while the action flick Ratnik and the romantic comedy Put a Ring On It have release dates on the horizon.

“There’s also a television show I’ve been requested to be a part of, though I’m very excited about Ratnik. I’m trying to focus on doing films that take me out of my comfort zone where people are used to seeing me in a certain light. I want people to understand that I’m a versatile actor, and I want people to know what I can do. It’s just like every day I get different call, so I’m really amazed at how people are taking note of my work.”

SPORTS BRA, VEST AND LEGGINGS all by Kappa TRAINING SHOES Nike

SHINING HER LIGHT FOR OTHERS Osas’ work isn’t just in front of the camera either. After unexpectedly losing her sister to malaria, the actress has become a passionate

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F E AT U R E

GREEN DRESS Quiteria and George GOLD CHANDELIER EARRINGS Lovisa

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philanthropist, launching the Joyful Joy Foundation in 2012 to honor her sister’s memory. Officially registered as an NGO in Nigeria, the Joyful Joy Foundation combats preventable diseases, famine and poverty throughout Nigeria and Africa.

“My sister [Joy Ighodaro] went on a church retreat in Nigeria. She was in the rural region where there tends to be a lot of stagnant water. She had just gotten married and was with child, and pregnant women are more prone to catching malaria than anyone else. My family thought it was just morning sickness, but after going to the hospital we realized that it was malaria. By that time, it was really too late. Once the disease has progressed too much, it is difficult to treat a pregnant woman without also harming the child. My sister was 28 years old when she passed away.”

Osas is serious about both making a positive impact on and saving African lives. According to the World Health Organization, in 2015 there were approximately 200 million cases of malaria worldwide and just under half a million related deaths, with nearly 90 percent of those deaths occurring in Africa.

“Malaria is not something people should be dying from. It is contracted through mosquitoes, and it’s important that there is always control over stagnant waters. This is a preventable disease. People shouldn’t pass away because of lack of knowledge or lack of medication. Treatment is available at doctors’ offices and pharmacies. There are shots and

tablets that can easily cure this disease if the symptoms are recognized early on.”

SHE SURELY CAN ACHIEVE IT Osas realizes that both her on- and offscreen ambitions are lofty, but she’s never let difficulties dissuade her. When I asked what keeps her motivated, she again hearkened back to her early pageantry days, for that was when she first began to realize that she could overcome any obstacle, any doubt and any naysayer. In her first pageant, at the age of 13, she was awarded third runner-up out of 147 girls. What set her apart in that contest was the recitation of a motto she still follows to this day:

IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT AND YOUR HEART CONCEIVE IT, THEN YOU SURELY CAN ACHIEVE IT. “I really believe it. I envision myself where I want to be, and that is really what has taken me far. Besides my family and my faith in God, those words have helped me to have the passion and drive to do anything I put my mind to.”

Osas says this with the biggest smile yet.

To follow Osas’ acting journey onward and upward, visit officialosas.com. And to learn more about the Joyful Joy Foundation, visit joyfuljoy.org.

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FAC E B O O K .C O M / R A D I A N T H E A LT H M AG A Z I N E

F E AT U R E

THE

BODY CYPHER AN ONGOING DISCUSSION ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL

BY Nikki Igbo

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I believe that the female body, much like the female mind, is something to be revered and celebrated. But it has taken me a lifetime to reach this conclusion. Ironically, living in this female body of mine has been my primary impediment. Like so many other women, I have experienced my fair share of bodyshaming. There’s always been a requirement to look a certain way, attain a certain weight, be a certain height and possess a certain type of sex appeal. As a black woman, this phenomenon is further compounded by the reality of living in a world which tends to view women of color as the antithesis of beauty. Nothing about this experience feels or seems right.

AT RADIANT HEALTH MAGAZINE, WE’RE SEEKING TO START A CONTINUOUS DIALOGUE ABOUT HOW WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN CONTINENT AND ITS DIASPORA VIEW THEMSELVES AND THEIR BODIES. Our goal is to create a new world in which our mothers, sisters and daughters are unapologetic about who they are and how they look at any and every age, in any and every environment. We began by giving a set of questions to five black women inside and outside of Africa to get their take on body image and self-perception.

1

DIANNE HENRY, 44 STAY-AT-HOME MOM IN MARYLAND, USA What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of your body?

Fat! Having been called fat for 20 years now, I automatically think of myself in this way.

Do you feel pressure to look a certain way?

Yes. This is more of a self-imposed pressure because of how people tend to respond to overweight or obese people.

Did you ever feel similar pressure at an earlier point in your life?

I wasn’t overweight until I reached my 20s.

It was more of an external pressure initially because people made harsh comments about how much my weight had changed.

I ignored the comments, but over the years they began to have an effect on how I looked at myself. Eventually I internalized the negativity surrounding my weight issues and it resonated more as I got older.

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‘AS I’VE AGED, I’VE BEEN MORE CONCERNED WITH HEALTH AND LONGEVITY THAN AESTHETICS.’ Are those pressures associated with familial, cultural or social standards of beauty?

Family made the most negative comments about my weight. As I got older, I became more aware of the social pressure. After moving to the USA [from Nigeria], the pressure became cultural because fat is associated with so much negativity. It’s hard to ignore.

If there is one thing you would change about your body, what would it be?

I’d change my large bust. With weight gain, my bust enlarged so much and I literally hate my breasts. As soon as I am able to afford it, I intend to get a reduction. It’s on my bucket list.

At this point in your life, do you feel the need to impress the opposite sex, fellow women or both?

When I was younger I was more concerned with how my body looked when it came to attracting the opposite sex. Today, I don’t feel the need to impress anyone — more so out of maturity than anything else. I’ve realized that most people have flaws. As I’ve aged, I’ve been more concerned with health and longevity than aesthetics.

Did you experience a change in the way you perceive your body during and after pregnancy?

After giving birth, I was unhappy because I put on a lot of weight during breastfeeding.

I have since lost the weight I put on while pregnant, so it’s no longer an excuse for me.

Have you ever felt as if your body was not completely your own — as if others have a say in how you look and what you are supposed to do with your body?

When I initially put on weight in my 20s, my family was very invested in shaming me about my body. They made disparaging remarks and would jokingly throw out incentives to make me lose weight. They always had suggestions about how I could lose weight.

Do you feel as if your body appearance in any way hinders or helps you in life?

I have been determined to overcome any hindrance my body would have to my happiness in life. I believe that if my physical appearance is more appealing, then more people are willing to engage with me.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice about your body, what would you say?

Stay active and take your future health seriously. When I was younger and active, I never thought it would take all of my willpower, mentally and physically, to lose weight.

Do you have any other thoughts about the idea of body image as it pertains to black women?

Black women are often encouraged to have large breasts and bottoms when younger, but as they age these attributes are usually frowned upon. This is a confusing message for black women and comes off as objectification.

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CYNTHIA OBIAGELI EJOH, 31 CARDIOTHORACIC NURSE IN LAGOS, NIGERIA What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of your body?

It’s actually two words: Serena Williams.

She’s a well-built lady who I admire, but I didn’t want to physically be like her because I thought she looked like a man.

I thought looking like her would scare a lot of Nigerian men from approaching me.

I believe I have the tendency to develop muscles like her, and that scared me from working out as I should have. While I kept looking for exercise options, I kept gaining weight. Now, I have accepted that looking like her is not a bad thing. I love sports and if I turn out looking like her, I am fine with it.

Do you feel pressure to look a certain way?

I was always skinny growing up, up until my 20s when I had to go away to nursing school and live on my own. While attending school from morning till about 7 p.m. all week and working during weekends in the hospital, I gradually gained weight without knowing. I actually didn’t like being skinny because I preferred the way my mum’s and my sister’s clothes fit them. Now I have more weight than I want. Upon contact, the first comment

I hear from people is about my weight — which I consider very upsetting. My mother once said to me, Oby, you are getting fat. You know you are not tall. If you continue at this rate, you will look like a ball on the floor and you will not get married. Others have said the same in different ways, and it is all centred on my chances of getting married.

Are those pressures associated with familial, cultural or social standards of beauty?

My pressures are associated with the social standards and those expectations of how a woman should look. As a short and obese woman, I am seen as unattractive and not worth considering for marriage.

Do you also feel pressure socially and biologically to have children?

I am still single and not in a relationship.

As a Nigerian woman in my 30s, I am pressured every day by friends and family to get married, which worries me because

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‘I DO NOT ACCEPT OR FEEL AS IF MY BODY IS NOT MINE. IT’S MY BODY AND I DO WHAT I PLEASE WITH IT’ of my biological clock. At a certain age, I will no longer be able to have children.

Children are important in marital relationships in Nigeria, especially male children. Women here breathe a sigh of relief when they have gotten married and had a male child. For them, there aren’t any more threats or stress from in-laws to provide an heir. I worry sometimes that if I marry late, I may not have a lot of time to have children and I may be unlucky to not have male children.

If there is one thing you would change about your body, what would it be?

I would change my height. As a woman who is 5-foot-3, I am regarded as a kid and I look younger than my age. People have assumed I am 20-25 years in age. I think that is a good thing, but my height has not attracted the kind of man I would like. I have attracted younger men who walk away when they find out I am older than they are.

Do you feel the need to impress the opposite sex, fellow women or both?

I don’t feel the need to impress the opposite sex anymore. I used to try to get male attention, but those I wanted to impress weren’t looking. I ended up attracting opportunists.

Have you ever felt as if your body was not completely your own — as if others have a say in how you look and what you are supposed to do with your body?

I have had people tell me otherwise, but I do not accept or feel as if my body is not mine.

It’s my body and I do what I please with it.

Do you feel as if your body in any way hinders you from having the kind of life you want?

I do feel as if my body has stopped me from applying for some jobs because they require a certain height, such as an air hostess job or joining the military. Also,

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I may be pretty but I cannot take a job as a model because I am short and obese.

Plus-size models are not common in Nigeria.

Do you feel as if your physical appearance has helped you gain access to certain opportunities?

I believe my physical appearance earned me a job once in a five-star hospital in Nigeria. At first, I thought my expertise was the main reason why I got the job, but having had chats with some members of staff, I discovered that these people spent time analysing the prettiest nurses that are employed in the hospital. I started to observe the nurses who were being employed and noticed that pretty young

nurses were stationed to work in the outpatient department where potential clients would come in.

When they come to the wards, I have loads of patients and their families making passes at me. You can’t really complain because the patients are supposed to be treated as kings and queens. Your job is not just helping them recover, but to keep them coming to the hospital or you will be dismissed from the job, even when a patient assaults you. In my opinion, women practise prostitution consciously and unconsciously to keep their jobs.

No matter their role in an organisation, women market for the organisation with their bodies.

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If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice about your body, what would that advice be?

I’d tell my younger self to eat more beans (LOL) and continue with my sporting activities. I feel if I had eaten more beans as I was growing up, I would have been taller than I am. Also, I would not have gained so much weight had I exercised more and continued my sporting activities. I might have made a living doing a sport that I loved.

Do you have any other thoughts or feelings about the idea of body image as it pertains to black women?

I would like to talk about the way black women, especially Nigerian women, are treated. Not everyone is lucky to have a father who loves her enough not to discriminate against her and treat her differently from his sons. A lot of Nigerian girls deal with this even today. It’s a hard life for a Nigerian girl growing up in a community where female folks are not respected or considered important. They are usually perceived as useless by their fathers because they will be married off and cannot continue to carry the family name to their children. Yet girls are often the ones to worry about and take care of their parents. Some of these girls are lucky to be sent to school. Not all of them make it to universities before they are married off.

Some are used to pay debts and do not get the hope of a better life.

Some ladies look forward to getting married with the hope that they will have someone who will appreciate them more.

Some get lucky, others don’t. Some ladies are considered educated illiterates because for some reason they did not make it to a university. They are seen as unsuitable for marriage. Those who marry are threatened by their in-laws for not having children and not having male children. There’s also the

TODAY, I BELIEVE THERE ARE A LOT OF FEMINISTS AMONGST THE BLACK COMMUNITY WHO HAVE STARTED TO CHANGE HOW THEY THINK AND EXPECT LIFE TO BE unfair notion that a good child is raised by his father, but a bad child is raised by his mother.

Often when a man dies, his widow is accused of killing her husband and is forced go through dehumanizing rites to prove she did not. Some women are made to sleep with the decaying corpse for a certain number of days, drink the water that was used to bathe the corpse and so on. She is sent away from her home while her late husband’s properties are shared amongst his kin, thus leaving her and her children with nothing. Some ladies are not allowed take up certain jobs or own property without the presence of a man.

Black women have no rights and their voices are not meant to be heard, which is why many black women work very hard and are known to be difficult as compared to white folks. Neither society nor their immediate families support them. Today, I believe there are a lot of feminists amongst the black community who have started to change how they think and expect life to be. Many are opting to be single mothers or remain unmarried, which is another thing Nigerian society frowns upon. With education, however, they are becoming very smart and making good decisions for themselves and their families. I believe it is high time our people saw how relevant women are and treated them with respect and decency.

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3 MANSEEN LOGAN, 30 GRADUATE WRITING STUDENT/ BLOGGER IN GEORGIA, USA What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of your body?

Fat. Since I started graduate school, I’ve gained 40 pounds (18 kilograms). I used to dance a lot. Now, I’m not as active as I used to be and I do a lot of sitting. I’m not the best at time management, so finding time to eat healthier and move around can be difficult. It’s something I’m working on.

I think that there is a healthy fat, but I’m teetering on the line between thick and overweight.

Do you feel pressure have a certain physical appearance?

Absolutely. My family is made up of women who some call full-figured. Being between sizes 12 to 18 is our normal.

Anything bigger than that results in my grandmother pointing out every bulge and roll, or other family members giving the you need to lose weight, you’re getting too big speech. I’ve done the same thing to my sisters and cousins.

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‘FUNNY ENOUGH, I’M NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT MY WEIGHT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I CAN CHANGE IT ANYTIME. I JUST HAVE TO MAKE THE EFFORT.’ So would you say this type of familial pressure is negative?

I think the pressure comes from familial care and concern. It’s not really about being skinny. It’s about being healthy. My family is made up of beautiful full-bodied women, so the weight is not the issue. It’s the overly excessive weight. It’s the weight that makes you lose your breath or puts you at risk of diabetes that concerns them.

Has your family also pressured you to have children?

I’ve never cared to have children and I’ve never been pressured to. There are the occasional people who come around and tell me that I will change my mind one day, but I’m pretty set. I have nieces and a nephew that I get to parent from a distance; I don’t feel the need to have my own. I love it.

Do you feel the need to impress the opposite sex, fellow women or both?

I do not and have never felt the need to impress anyone. Honestly, I’ve never

cared about how other people viewed my physical appearance. As long as my hygiene is on point and I’m comfortable in my clothes, I’m happy. This is the way it is and has always been. I think it’s just my nature.

If there is one thing you would change about your body, what would it be and why?

Funny enough, I’m not too concerned about my weight because I know that I can change it anytime. I just have to make the effort.

I’m actually more concerned about my skin.

I have eczema and excessively dry skin. If I could, I would correct my eczema situation.

Have you ever felt as if your body was not completely your own — as if others have a say in how you look and what you are supposed to do with your body?

Sometimes dress codes make me feel as if my body is not completely my own, but that’s just the rebel in me. I understand the reasons for wardrobe standards, so I’m not too bothered by being told what dress is appropriate for work, church and so on.

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Do you feel as if your body in any way hinders you from having the kind of life you want?

No, I have full mobility and I am healthy.

I’m thankful to be a fully able-bodied individual. It’s a blessing that can change at any moment. Sometimes I take it for granted, but I appreciate my body.

Do you feel as if your body/physical appearance has helped you gain access to certain opportunities?

Probably. If it has, I was unaware. I don’t like being judged on my looks. I want to believe that most opportunities that I’ve been given or denied are a result of my skill level. But I’m not that naive. I know everyone is judged on their looks at some point in life. The only thing I can control is how I treat others.

‘... I HAVE FULL MOBILITY AND I AM HEALTHY. I’M THANKFUL TO BE A FULLY ABLEBODIED INDIVIDUAL.’

If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice about your body, what would that advice be?

I would advise my younger self to stay active and keep dancing. It’s so hard to pick it up again once you stop.

Do you have any other thoughts or feelings you’d like to express about the idea of body image as it pertains to black women?

Being healthy is important. We should pay attention to what we consume because we only get one body. Also, health is more important than beauty.It’s important that we don’t confuse the two.

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4 OSIGWE JOY ONYINYECHI, 29 LOGISTICS PROFESSIONAL IN LAGOS, NIGERIA What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of your body?

Hot. I have learned to love me, and with my new lifestyle, I look better.

I am a different person, more confident, more secure. And having a husband that loves me played a major role in my newfound confidence.

Do you feel pressure to have a certain physical appearance?

Yes I do. After I saw Wendy Ida [a top fitness expert and author], I was like, Wow, I have got to get fit. Plus with all the buzz about the many illnesses associated with obesity and inactivity, I want to be strong and fit when I become a grandma, or when I am 60.

If there is one thing you would change about your body, what would it be and why?

My Christian mother upper arm. I would love to wear sleeveless clothing and not be too self-conscious.

Is this pressure familial, cultural or social?

Familial, cultural and social standards of beauty have all affected me, especially in my teenage years. When I was growing up, I was not so happy with my body because people always called me fat. No matter what I saw in the mirror, I still believed them. It made me insecure and affected me in more ways than one. When I moved from Kaduna to Lagos — and saw bigger and bustier women having fun with their body and started hearing people say I am beautiful — only then did I begin to see myself in a new light.

After I got married and had my first daughter, most people expected me to blow up and were surprised when I did not change much. Compliments started flowing from them and every other person.

Do you feel the need to impress the opposite sex, fellow women or both?

I do often feel the need to impress both sexes. I am vain and enjoy compliments.

And it encourages me to get better.

Did you experience a change in the way you perceived your body during and/or after pregnancy?

I have three children and after each pregnancy I went through different emotions and body changes. After my first baby, I felt smoking hot. After my second baby, I felt hot but was actually overweight and did not notice until I saw a picture of myself; I decided to do something about it. By my third baby, I knew what to expect and started working on it as soon as possible. I am still far from my ideal weight but I am not upset. I know my body has been through a lot and people are different, so I am taking my steps as it suits me and loving every minute of it.

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Have you ever felt as if your body was not completely your own — as if others have a say in how you look and what you are supposed to do with your body?

When I was a teen, I felt like everyone had a say on how I should look but me. I was always trying to please them by eating less, yet they complained. Now, though I still listen to what family and friends have to say, it’s my decision and feelings that count.

Do you feel as if your body in any way hinders you from having the kind of life you want?

Not really, but every now and then I wish I had the perfect body shape to pull off some clothes.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice about your body, what would it be?

Take better care of what you eat and how you treat your body. I kept wrapping up and pressing my breasts because everyone said my bosom was too big. Now my breasts aren’t firm and I wish they were.

Do you have any other thoughts or feelings you’d like to express about the idea of body image as it pertains to black women?

Parents, caregivers and mentors should help kids believe in themselves and stop unhealthy comparisons. If you know that your daughter is self-conscious about some part of her body, you should help that child to be more secure in any way you can. We should, from a very young age, encourage our girls to be go-getters and to believe in their ability to make something for themselves without waiting for any man to do it for them.

We should learn to appreciate our color, hair texture and every other aspect of ourselves. We are so unique. We should stop damaging our skin by trying to make it white. Extensions may be good, but so is our hair. I love and appreciate all those who are going natural or doing all those old school hair styles. No matter our height, shape, color or anything else, we must always remember that we are BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL.

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5 NNENNAYA AMUCHIE, 24 GRADUATING JD/MBA STUDENT/ BLOGGER IN CALIFORNIA, USA What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of your body?

Youth or buff.

Do you feel pressure to look a certain way?

I feel pressure to maintain a thin waist and have proportional curves and a feminine body. I have always had a very flat chest, so I have always felt pressured to wear a stuffed or padded bra.

Is the pressure you experience associated with familial, cultural or social standards of beauty?

All three. Many members of my family are always asking whether or not I gained weight and cautioning me about my weight.

Culturally, I think there is a desired shape for black African girls which consists of big breasts (but not too big), big butts (but not too big), small waists (but not too small) and curves (but not too curvy). While these things are desired, they are also frowned upon. People like a big butt on a certain type of body or a certain type of person.

Socially, I am living in a world where beauty standards are defined by white womanhood.

There are extreme pressures on black girls to conform. Whiteness is often associated with thinness even when the average weight and waist size in America does not correlate with this standard.

Do you also feel pressure to have children?

I do feel pressure. However, I am the youngest of four so I probably do not feel as much pressure as my other siblings.

Also, I am a very independent thinker and am not focused on marriage or relationships right now; the pressure is not internalized for me. Additionally, I write about the unrealistic expectation for black African girls to have children to help affirm my politics, and to also connect with and encourage other girls to alleviate the stresses of motherhood.

If there is one thing you would change about your body, what would it be?

I would like to get my weight down by 10-15 pounds. Otherwise, I have learned to accept all of my features.

Did you need to overcome any mental or physical obstacles to be accepting of your features?

I definitely had to overcome the shame of being flat-chested. I got my period at a very young age, which led me to think that breast development would be stimulated.

But as years passed, other girls developed and I did not. It is only after my recent weight gain in the last two years that I have been able to fill an A/B cup. However, since I turned 21, I felt less of a need to worry about my breast size and opted out of wearing bras. I rarely wear bras and have fully embraced my lack of breasts. Mentally, I have to continue to affirm myself but it is a daily task. For black women, I think it is a lifelong task and sometimes we won’t always feel completely confident.

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Do you feel the need to impress the opposite sex, fellow women or both?

When I was younger, I felt pressured to shave and maintain a certain weight to impress both women and men. I was bombarded with images and stories that revolve around certain desirability, and I internalized these things and tried to conform. Also, I have always been very muscular. Growing up, I was teased a lot and called dyke or manly or hairy, so I internalized a lot of these messages.

Have you ever felt as if your body was not completely your own — as if others have a say in how you look and what you are supposed to do with your body?

Growing up in a religious household and culture, I often got many messages that my body is a temple or belongs to God or should only be given to my husband.

While not overt, there are many messages within society and culture maintaining that I do not have ownership of my body and that my body is a channel for service and pleasure for others. This is present in the types of verbal and physical assaults/ violations I have experienced. My mother was pretty liberal regarding dressing, so I always wore what I wanted to wear.

However, when it comes to hair, there is a lot of policing in society of how someone in my career field or in my body should be wearing her hair. There is always an idea that I must do something to it in order for it to be acceptable.

Do you feel as if your physical appearance has helped you gain access to certain opportunities?

I think my hair, coupled with my lighter skin tone, has allowed me to navigate through certain professional and social spaces and gain male attention. Also, my petite size

‘YOU CAN ONLY BE YOU AND YOU ARE ENOUGH, BUT IT IS OKAY NOT TO ALWAYS BE OKAY.’ (5-foot-2) has rendered me less aggressive and threatening in professional and social spaces. I think if my hips and butt were more pronounced, or I was taller and darker, then I would not have as much access or be able exude a certain type of confidence.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice about your body, what would that advice be?

You can only be you and you are enough, but it is okay not to always be okay. Selflove is a process.

Do you have any other thoughts or feelings you’d like to express about the idea of body image as it pertains to black women?

It is hard out here. I am fortunate enough to fall on the thinner, lighter, more petite side and be able-bodied. I do not experience too much pressure with my body size. However, my hair, facial features and curvy body are hypersexualized.

People feel entitled to touch or harass. We must continue using counternarratives to shift the culture around acceptable body types. We need to affirm body-type diversity whether those types be trans, gender-nonconformist, big or disabled.

We have to present images that show and celebrate different skin colors and body types. We also have to deconstruct what is considered healthy and desirable. We must advocate for a healthy lifestyle that includes emotional, physical and mental well-being without transphobia, colorism and fatshaming language.

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After hearing from these women, I had six major takeaways I hope will resonate with our readers and help to eradicate bodyshaming forever.

1.WE ALL FEEL THE PRESSURE. Whether familial, cultural or social, the challenge is on to achieve and maintain a certain body image. However, we as individuals determine whether or not we will allow that pressure to determine the life we want to live. Why do we allow this pressure to account for such a big part of who we think we are?

2. EVERYBODY HAS THEIR SOMETHING. Respondent after respondent wanted to change some aspect of themselves no matter their confidence level or overall feeling of how they looked. If no one in the world is perfect, why do we insist on having such lofty expectations?

3. SHAME STARTS AT HOME. In every case, each respondent cited their relatives and/or friends as the authors of their discontent with themselves. Some even admitted topropagating the same criticisms or ideas as to how a person with certain physical attributes should be perceived. We know there is a problem with body-shaming, but where does the cycle stop if it doesn’t stop with us?

4. OUR BODIES ARE OUR PASSPORTS. We accept, appreciate and capitalize on what good looks can do for us. Yet we do not wish to be sexualized or prostituted just to achieve anything. Can we really have it both ways?

5. LETTING GO IS CRUCIAL. Each and every one of these women at some point in their lives decided to free themselves of some burden regarding their appearance. They made a decision not to worry about their breast size or weight or the desire to impress others, and they experienced a certain sense of freedom as a result. Why can’t we let go of every physical burden we have?

6. MESSAGING MATTERS. What we tell ourselves, our sisters and our daughters is key to redefining how we view ourselves and our bodies. What do we really want that message to be and how do we continue to spread it?

This conversation is far from over. In fact, we are just getting started. We invite you to participate in the Body Cypher by visiting our website at radianthealthmag.com and completing our questionnaire. Your responses may just end up in our next issue!

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THE VERY REAL RISKS OF

MALARIA IN PREGNANCY Sub-Saharan Africa carries the heaviest burden of malaria in the world. The region isweighed down with as many as 10,000 cases of malaria-related deaths during pregnancy, and between 75,000 and 200,000 infants are estimated to die annually as a result ofmalarial infection during pregnancy. According to Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health, malaria is associated with 11 percent of all maternal deaths and 70.5 percent of morbidity in pregnancy.

BY Temitayo Olofinula

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In 2012, Tinuade Gbelekale, nine months pregnant with her first child, came down with malaria fever. When she went into labor, her blood pressure shot upand her temperature increased alarmingly. Her baby was delivered through a caesarean section. Gbelekale had not been treated for malaria during her pregnancy; only after delivery was she treated for the disease.

Malaria in humans is caused by the bite of female Anopheles mosquito. However, for pregnant women, this serious illness comes with even larger risks, and malaria remains a leading cause of both maternal and fetal deaths. What is different about malaria in pregnancy? For one thing, pregnant women have a higher chance of getting infected with malaria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. Abidemi Abibat Ogunro, registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology atthe Federal Medical Centre in Ondo state,

says that the changes pregnancy brings to a woman’s body reduce her immunity to malaria, and the risk is even higher for pregnant women who are HIV-positive. “Pregnant women are more prone to malaria because of the effects of pregnancy on the immune system. Malaria also affects the placenta and, ultimately, fetus,” says Dr. Ogunro.

In many respects, Gbelekale was lucky as malaria in pregnancy often has devastating effects for both mother and child. Some women endup with maternal anemia that affects the growth of the fetus and can lead to miscarriage and, in some cases, maternal death.

In addition, a malaria-infected placenta cannot provide adequate nutrients to the fetus, leading to intrauterine growth retardation and low-birthweight infants. Malaria has also been linked to jaundice and anemia in babies, and complications from malaria can lead tofetal distress during labor.

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‘USING OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS CAN BE HAZARDOUS BECAUSE NOT ALL ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS ARE SAFE IN PREGNANCY, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER.’ IN SEARCH OF A SOLUTION The treatment of malaria is often more difficult during pregnancy because of restrictions onantimalarial agents. Due to insufficient clinical trials, manyof the drugs are not licensed for use during pregnancy for fear of harming the fetus. As a result, pregnant women donothave access to many drugs commonly prescribed for malaria.

Unlike typical cases of malaria that Nigerians often treat with over-the-counter drugs, the treatment of malaria in pregnancy carries special risks. Dr. Ogunro warns, “Using over-the-counter drugs can be hazardous because not all antimalarial drugs are safe in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.”

The World Health Organization recommends intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) “in all areas with moderate to high malaria transmission in Africa.” This treatment involves the administration of a curative dose ofan effective antimalarial drug (currently sulfadoxinepyrimethamine) to all pregnant women, whether ornot they are infected with malaria.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high doses of folic acid counteract the effects of sulfadoxinepyrimethamine. Therefore, it is recommended that women take only the recommended 0.4 mg daily dose of folic acid and that they suspend folic acid supplementation for two weeks after taking IPTp with sulfadoxinepyrimethamine to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.

The goal of the National Malaria Control Programme was “tohalve the burden of malaria by the year 2010,” yet malaria still remains a public health threat in 2016. For the Federal Government of Nigeria, prevention is key, as stated in the National Guidelines andStrategies for Malaria Prevention and Control during Pregnancy: “Preventing severe anaemia caused by malaria will lead to fewer pregnant women requiring blood transfusion thereby reducing the risk of transfusionrelated infections especially HIV and Hepatitis B.The adequate control of malaria in pregnancy should lead to a better outcome ofpregnancy, improve survival of mothers and reduce perinatal mortality.”

While the solutions proposed by the federal government are largely obstetric in nature, malaria in pregnancy is also a social and medical problem requiring a multidimensional solution. In a world in which many pregnant women live in environments rife with malaria and still rely chiefly on traditional birth attendants without access to IPTp, there needs tobe a more proactive advocacy and execution of the strategies outlined in the national guidelines for malaria control.

In the meantime, if a pregnant woman ever suspects she may have malaria, she should visit a health care facility immediately. Dr. Ogunro agrees: “She should visit the hospital orhealth care centre to make a diagnosis by collection of blood sample and receive prompt treatment.”

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OF MALARIA?

Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitos. The mosquitoes that carry malaria are everywhere in Africa, so it’s difficult to avoid them. When a mosquito bites a person infected with malaria and then bites you, the mosquito transmitsmalaria to you.

As the parasite replicates in the blood, toxins are produced that accumulate in thered blood cells. Finally the cells burst and the toxins are spewed into the bloodstream. This is what causes the symptoms.

The symptoms are dependent on when the parasite that causes the disease begins multiplying in the red blood cells. This is why some people will not have any symptoms or only very mild symptoms. The first symptoms may take up to 30 days to occur.

The symptoms recur cyclically every 2 to 3 days and may include the following: • fever • chills • sweats • headaches • nausea and vomiting • body aches • weakness • enlarged spleen or liver • increased rate of breathing Malaria can cause liver problems, kidney failure, severe anemia, low blood sugar levels, problems with hemorrhaging, seizures, coma and even death.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET MALARIA DURING PREGNANCY? The picture isn’t pretty if you end up with malaria while pregnant. There can be potential harm to the mother, her fetus and the baby after it’s born.

Here’s a list of some of the potential problems: • maternal death • miscarriage • stillbirth • low birth weight babies • infant death

F E AT U R E Q U I Z

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS These problems are obviously quite serious and worth taking into account when you are pregnant.

Don’t leave anything to chance — do what you can to overcome malaria and not become a victim of it.

MALARIA: WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE PREGNANT How many people do you know who have malaria or have had it in the past? The list is long, right?

You may be tired of hearing people talk about malaria.

You may even start to minimize the importance of the topic when you hear your family or health professionals discuss it. Nevertheless, there’s one type of woman who can’t afford to turn a deaf ear — a woman who is carrying a baby.

There are a few key things you should never do when you are pregnant: • NEVER — EVER — TRY TO TREAT YOURSELF WHEN YOU SUSPECT MALARIA. In particular, do not buy any over-the-counter medications

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• DON’T SELFDIAGNOSE. If you suspect you have malaria, don’t try to diagnose yourself without help. Go to the clinic and ask for testing, and be sure to tell the health professionals that you are pregnant, even if you are still in the early stages of pregnancy.

Not all clinics routinely test for malaria with a blood test and will instead often determine a course of treatment based on symptoms. This protocol may be acceptable for the general population, but not for a pregnant woman. Be sure to request a blood test.

• DON’T STOP YOUR MEDICATION PREMATURELY. Some clinics offer preventative malaria medication to pregnant women. In studies, malaria was detected in over 85 percent of women who did not takethe preventative medication, compared with 20.5 percent of those who took at least one dose.

It is important to take all of your medication exactly as directed, not just part of it. Pregnant moms who don’t take the preventative

medication end up having approximately twice as many babies with malaria as those who do. And about 23 percent of those who stop at one dose will still get malaria, whereas if you take all the doses, your odds of contracting the disease drop to 14 percent.

Don’t think that taking one dose is enough.

4 WAYS TO AVOID MALARIAL MOSQUITO BITES 1. Sleep under a net Mosquito nets are available from health care centers and drug stores, so get one for your bed. However, just having a net in your house won’t scare off the mosquitoes — you’ll also need to learn to properly hang it and use it. When you get your net, make sure you understand and are confident about how to use it. And from time to time, seek out information that explain how to use bed nets to remind yourself about their proper use.

2. Spray ... with care If you choose to spray indoors, make sure not to return to the house for several hours after in order to avoid directly inhaling the pesticides.

The best time to spray is in the morning, long before bedtime.

3. Cover up at night Have as little exposed skin as possible, especially during the times that mosquitoes are most active — between dusk and dawn.

F E AT U R E Q U I Z

to treat yourself. These drugs are not approved for use during pregnancy.

4. Use nature’s solutions It’s a known fact that mosquitoes hate the odor (that only they can detect) of people getting about 100 mg vitamin B-1, called thiamine. So take your B vitamins — preferably a vitamin B complex so nothing is missing.

In addition, eat foods that mosquitoes don’t like, including strong-tasting foods such as garlic and foods that have a similar taste to garlic.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO GET MALARIA DURING PREGNANCY? If a mosquito carrying malaria happens to find you at a weak moment, know that medical treatment is available. The World Health Organization has guidelines to follow for successful treatment, and medical doctors can treat the condition during all three trimesters of pregnancy.

Always remember that you can overcome malaria — but not if you wait until it’s too late!

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THE DOCTOR IS IN H E A LT H

Q&A

WITH DR. DEYO FAMUBONI RadiantHealthMag.com Issue 8 | The Body Issue 45

H E A LT H

can sometimes be difficult to remember the last time you felt relaxed.

Having this feeling on occasion can be normal, however ifitis happening on a daily basis or causing you a lot of stress, then itis important to get some help as you may have an anxiety disorder. The cause isunknown, butit has been linked to various factors such asan imbalance in the mood chemicals in the brain, genetic history of anxiety, overactivity in the part of the brain affecting our emotions, previous stressful ortraumatic life experiences such as domestic violence, other medical conditions and alcohol or drug abuse.

Q

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY PROBLEM WITH NERVES? MY WHOLE BODY TREMBLES.

Feeling nervous can certainly make us tremble or have a general tremor. In fact, everyone has a very slight tremor, and this can be made worse when weare anxious or nervous. There are other causes oftremors, including genetic causes, too much coffee and thyroid problems to name a few, and itis therefore worth speaking to your health care professional so these causes can be ruled out. Tremor dueto feeling nervous, stressed or anxious is common and is often due to a feeling of fear or worry, either about certain things or situations or generally. It

The good news is that treatment is available. This can include medication, which can be prescribed by your health care professional, as well as things you can doto ease your symptoms.

Talking therapy, with a counsellor orpsychologist, can also be very helpful. To improve the symptoms yourself, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, and decreasing alcohol and stimulants can all assist. Learning to relax using breathing techniques and exercises such as yoga and pilates aswell as reading self-help books on anxiety and stress can also help to settle the symptoms.

As with most things in life, practice makes perfect, so the more you implement these changes into your daily routine, the more beneficial it will be.

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Q

I CAN’T CONCENTRATE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

DR. DEYO FAMUBONI is a UK trained GP with over ten years of medical experience in the NHS and private services.

Do you have a medical issue on your mind? If there is a question you would like answered by our health experts, send an email to editor@radianthealthmag.com.

At some point in our lives, we’ve all had trouble concentrating. Beitdueto lack of sleep, psychological problems (depression and anxiety), busy lives or physical ailments including pain, nutritional deficiencies and chronic medical conditions. To improve our ability to focus and concentrate, itis best to get to the root cause of why weare unable to concentrate.

Speaking to your health care professional can help in working out the cause of this.

Women may find that theyare trying to balance family and social

life with work commitments, and insodoing have a lot on their minds at any one time. This can make it difficult to concentrate on what isin front of you. Practicing mindfulness and being in the present moment canbe very helpful in improving our ability to concentrate but also in decreasing stress levels. Mindfulness is the artof paying more attention to our feelings, thoughts and the world around us. In doing so, we get to know ourselves better and realise that thoughts are events that should not necessarily affect our emotions. This can also help usto notice when weare stressed or anxious.

You may find that in addition to poor concentration, you are tired all the time. This may beduetodeficiencies in nutrients such as iron — very common in premenopausal women. Ensure you have anadequate diet that encompasses iron-rich foods, and if possible, get your numbers checked. Getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly (30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times a week and resistance training twice a week), managing stress levels and maintaining a healthy diet (minimising sugar and processed foods) all contribute to improving our ability to concentrate.

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H E A LT H

WHEN

CANCER COMES KNOCKING

BY Jelilat Oyetunji

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I was 18 and living in Nigeria when I found my first lump. I found it by accident because I only had meaningful contact with my breasts when I was in the shower orwhen putting on a bra. It felt like a smooth pebble, and I tried to pin it down using my index finger, but it rolled away and popped up on the other side.

IT HURT. I told my parents. I don’t recall the exact phrases, but I imagine the conversation went like this: Me: “Good morning Mummy. I think I need to see the doctor.”

Mummy: “Good morning. Why? Do you have malaria?”

Me: “No. I don’t have malaria, but there’s something in my breast like a little stone. It’s near my armpit and it hurts.”

Mummy: “Ehn! What? Where? Let me see.”

She looked, and touched the lump.

Mummy: “Hmmm. What could this be? Does it hurt?

How long has it been there?”

Me: “I just noticed it today. It hurts a little when I touch it.”

Mummy: “Okay. We need to tell Daddy about this and see the doctor.”

At the clinic the doctor examined both breasts and said, “ It’s little, let’s watch it. Come back if it grows bigger, then we’ll take it out.”

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Three months later — by then I was 19 — we were back in the clinic. The lump had grown bigger; by now I could pin it down with my index finger, and it hurt a bit more, but I didn’t need painkillers. I wanted the lump out of my body.

After another breast examination the doctor concluded it was time to take out the lump.

The lumpectomy surgery was successful and I spent a night at the clinic. A few weeks later the results were in: the lump was benign, not cancer. Wonderful.

THIS WAS DIFFERENT A few years later, I was a student in America.

During a health check at my university’s health centre, a nurse gave me a breast examination and taught me how to examine my breasts for lumps.

She also explained that part of my visit included a pap smear that could help find early signs of cervical cancer.

Fast-forward to July 2013. Now living in the UK, I found another lump. At this point, examining my breasts a few times a month was part of my routine, and so was having regular pap smears. But this lump didn’t feel normal. It didn’t disappear after my period, which is what usually happened, and it looked very comfortable nestled in my cleavage. I

wasn’t ready to share my breast with another lump, especially after my experience 20 years earlier. I made an appointment to see my doctor.

Sitting down in the waiting room, I hoped my doctor would find nothing wrong and send me home. I’d been down this road before. I’d had scares like this in the past which ended up being nothing, and I hoped today’s visit would result in the phrase “ Go home, it’s nothing to worry about.”

The doctor examined my breasts and assured me it might be nothing serious, but to be certain, she referred me to the breast care unit at the nearest hospital. This was different; for the first time, I had to see a specialist. This lump could be serious after all.

At the hospital, the breast surgeon echoed my doctor: “ Yes, I can feel a lump. It might be nothing serious, but let’s carry out some tests to make sure.” I had a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy. My breast was flattened, poked and prodded, and some breast tissue was removed. I left the hospital almost three hours later with a small bandage on my breast. A week later I got the results of the biopsy: cancer. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I was 39.

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NOW WHAT? “What does this mean? Now what?” I asked the doctor.

“Next we run some more tests to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body,” she said.

“Can it wait?” I asked. “ I’d like to go on holiday with my family before I begin this process.”

She said it was fine and that I could have the tests done on my return. My family and I went on holiday and returned ten days later.

My medical team comprised a breast surgeon, who removed and reconstructed my breasts; a breast care nurse, who was my first point of contact and helped me navigate the whole process; and an oncologist, who was the doctor in charge of my chemotherapy. I settled into a routine of doctor’s appointments, scans, blood tests and making decisions on my course of treatment. I asked for second opinions from other doctors and visited a nutritionist who suggested ways to eat a balanced diet before, during and after my treatment.

My scans and blood test results trickled in: I had cancer only in my left breast, and it had not spread. Fantastic. Now it was time to consider treatment options. My options were chemotherapy followed by lumpectomy or a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. I chose the latter because there were no guarantees chemotherapy would stop the lump from growing, and recent scans had shown that it had doubled in size since my diagnosis in August.

On October 1, 2013, I had a mastectomy. My left breast was removed. On October 31, 2013, I started chemotherapy.

TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER It is now commonly understood that breast cancer is not one form of cancer, but many different “ subtypes” of cancer.

These subtypes of breast cancer are generally diagnosed based upon the presence, or lack of, three “receptors” known to fuel most breast cancers: estrogen receptors,progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The most successful treatments for breast cancer target these receptors.

Unfortunately, none of these receptors are found in women with triple negative breast cancer. In other words, a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis means that the offending tumor is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptornegative and HER2-negative, thus giving rise to the name “triple negative breast cancer.” On a positive note, this type of breast cancer is typically responsive to chemotherapy. Because of its triple negative status, however, triple negative tumors generally do not respond to receptor targeted treatments. Depending on the stage of its diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer can be particularly aggressive, and more likely to recur than other subtypes of breast cancer.

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THE GRUELING CYCLE Chemotherapy made me sick. Less than 12 hours after my first treatment I was vomiting and had diarrhea. I ended up spending two nights in hospital. Due to my reaction to the first chemotherapy, my oncologist prescribed a different medicine to manage the side effects.

It worked. I didn’t vomit or have diarrhea after the remaining chemotherapy treatment.

I had six cycles of chemotherapy, one every three weeks. Each chemotherapy treatment took three hours on average. I would sit on a comfortable reclining chair with one arm linked to the IV bags containing the medicine and wait for the bags to empty. While waiting, I usually did one of the following: took a nap; chatted with my husband, friends or other patients; or read a book.

The first week after each treatment was the hardest because I was exhausted. But I would get stronger in the second week and better in the third week. The third week, just before the next treatment, was usually the best; it was when I felt strong and lively again. I’d go for the next treatment and the cycle would repeat itself: I would be weak in the first week, better in the second week, stronger in the third week.

The side effects of chemotherapy were gradual, but became visible with time. Because I was exhausted, sometimes it took me an hour to get up from bed, shower while sitting, and then gingerly take a few steps into my bedroom. My mouth was sore and my taste buds stopped working. Food was tasteless, and I found the perfect solution. I decided to eat food that was easy to swallow and needed little chewing, so every day I ate a combination of ogi, moin-moin, amala, eba, ewedu, ogbono or okro.

The tips of my fingers were numb, therefore at some point I couldn’t button my shirts or jeans myself. I was hairless. Not a single strand of hair remained in any crevice of my body. I was bald, devoid of eyebrows, eyelashes and nose hair.

Lacking eyelashes and nose hair left my eyes and nose running like taps. Who knew that nose hair and eyelashes were this important? I didn’t.

With each chemo cycle I felt weaker, and it took longer to feel strong again. By February 2014, when I had my last chemo, I was at my lowest but I was thrilled chemo was over. Done. I recovered slowly. Baby-fine, silky hair grew on my scalp and later turned into mature, tight curls. I felt stronger and my fatigue became a memory. I didn’t need to paint on eyebrows each time I stepped outside, food was tasty again, and I began to feel like myself.

“CAN IT WAIT?” I ASKED. “ I’D LIKE TO GO ON HOLIDAY WITH MY FAMILY BEFORE I BEGIN THIS PROCESS.”

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‘I LOST BODY PARTS AND GAINED NEW ONES, HAD MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND SIX CYCLES OF CHEMOTHERAPY.’ friends rally to my aid, as well as strangers. My family, friends and certain cancer charities form a band of support that expands and contracts according to my needs; they have seen me through diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD But I still had unfinished business. Because I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at 39, my doctors suggested I take the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer gene test. If I had either gene, it could lead to additional treatment as well as implications for members of my family.

I tested negative. I did not have either breast cancer gene. Nonetheless, I chose to have a risk-reducing mastectomy and breast reconstruction on my healthy breast. In March 2015, I had my second mastectomy.

I’m a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, wife, mother and aunt. My family has supported me in numerous ways. Their love, kindness and generosity go beyond description.

It’s been my good fortune to have old and new

Since August 2013, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my life has gone through irreversible changes. I lost body parts and gained new ones, had multiple surgeries and six cycles of chemotherapy. Most heartbreaking was saying goodbye to seven friends and acquaintances during this time; five of them died in 2015. Some of them I knew for over 10 years, others I had met after my diagnosis.

Some were single, some were married, and all but one had children. They were of different ethnicities, lived on different continents, and they died from breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer and cancer of unknown primary.

The youngest was 34, the oldest 51.

April 2016: I’m picking up the pieces of my life that I put on hold during my cancer treatment.

My diet has more fruits and vegetables, seafood and fewer desserts. I exercise regularly and try to know what is normal for my body, because if I don’t know what is normal, how can I recognize a change?

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H E A LT H

SPOTLIGHT THE MIRABEL CENTRE

BY Temitayo Olofinula

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In Nigerian media, reports of sexual assaults are on the increase, yet few victims receive any kind of treatment, and even fewer offenders get punished. In a world where many remain silent about sexual assault, the Mirabel Rape and Sexual Assault Referral Centre, a project of Partnership for Justice, provides succour for victims. The first ofits kind in Nigeria, the centre provides free forensic medical and counselling services. In the three years of its existence, the Mirabel Centre has provided care to thousands of rape victims, seventy percent of them children, the majority of whom are young girls.

Tucked within the compound of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja is the Mirabel Centre, Nigeria’ s first centre for rape victims, and Africa’ s second. Inside the building is a narrow hallway with rooms on both sides. There is a waiting room with a television, LEGO games, artwork, flowers and a cushioned chair with just enough space to stretch one’ s legs. On one side hangs a pledge bank where visitors can sign their commitment to end sexual assault. A sign on the wall reads “Service at the Mirabel Centre is free.”It is written in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and pidgin English.

Juliet Olumuyiwa, manager of the Mirabel Centre, is seated in an office drowning in files.

The only way to reach her is to walk carefully through the little space available. When the Centre started onJuly 1, 2013, they did not expect an enormous response from the public. Rape remains highly stigmatized in Nigeria, and many victims remain silent and scarred forever.

Olumuyiwa says, “We were wondering: will people come out to report?” But over time, many have come to trust the Centre, and the reports have increased. At the end of 2013, there were over 150 cases. In 2014, the number increased to over 350. And in 2015, there were over 1,000 cases reported. The Mirabel Centre has an open-door policy, and details of the Centre are available online and on freely distributed handbills.

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A HAVEN OF SUPPORT Mirabel is a special facility with a focus on sexual assault. Unlike in general hospitals, its nine-member staff is specifically trained to meet the medical, psychological, physical and legal needs of victims of sexual violence.

“They know what to look out for so they can know the right support to provide in the right manner.”says Olumuyiwa. “There are cases when a victim wants to talk. There are times when they want to be quiet. There are times when they need money for food. There are times when they want justice for the wrong that had been done to them.”

Medical attention involves carrying out all of the necessary tests and providing counselling on the outcome of the tests.

Medications, further tests or scans also could be recommended. Olumuyiwa says that the Centre covers all of the medical costs for tests, scans, medications and surgeries when needed.

The medical team works hand in hand with everyone involved in the cases. “The doctors help with the documentation of their findings, and if we have an official request, we dispatch accordingly either to the police or whatever agency of the government is interested,” says Olumuyiwa.

Olumuyiwa says that according to the statistics, 80 percent of the reported cases are minors. This makes the Centre’ s work more challenging. She says, “We have dummies and mannequins, male and female, to also show minors who cannot express themselves adequately. When shown, they can identify and say the person did something to me here or here. Parents also help in getting this information, in some cases.”

The Mirabel Centre’ s work does not end here; they keep in constant touch with their clients. Says Olumuyiwa, “Itis not a case of‘ We are done with you, who is next?’ We try to be in touch with the person, to be sure if the person wants to go to court, when heor she can summon us to testify, if the need arises.”

Olumuyiwa says that Mirabel also offers aftercare support. There are cases in which the victim needs shelter in order to move away from the assaulter, and there are times when they need support with feeding and paying school fees; the centre takes care of these needs at no cost. The Centre holds a quarterly Survivor Forum, which is a platform for survivors of sexual assault to interact. “It is to encourage other people, to let them know that they are not alone in this issue,” says Olumuyiwa. Survivors

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also continue to meet with counsellors and doctors. It is a good feedback mechanism for the organisation, says Olumuyiwa, “an avenue to know what we need to improve on.”

IT TAKES A VILLAGE Mirabel’ s work brings itin contact with a wide variety of organisations. The police are its friend because they are their first point of call for cases that need to be reported. Medical practitioners are also in constant contact with Mirabel to meet the medical needs of clients, especially in cases requiring surgery. The judiciary becomes involved in the prosecution of cases. The Ministry of Women Affairs provides assistance when it comes to providing accommodation for victims.

The Mirabel Centre is also often in touch with communities for advocacy and educational campaigns such as town hall visits, rallies and shows. Every year, the Centre joins with other organisations for International Women’ s Day celebrations, rape walks and talks about sexual abuse in schools and other institutions. These are all part of its multi-pronged approachto sexual assault prevention.

It is an approach that yields results, building trust in the Centre and bringing increased referrals. “People come on their own or on referral,” say Olumuyiwa. “We try to make information available to people around that [if] in case something like rape happens in their community, that [victms] should come straight to Mirabel. ...We try as much as possible to engage all the stakeholders.”

Despite all of its work, the Mirabel Centre struggles to survive. The Centre’ s initial two-year funding came from the Justice for

All Programme of the UK’ s Department for International Development. The Lagos State government supports it by providing the space it occupies, and the state’ s Ministry of Justice has also stepped into ensure that those indicted cooperate with the litigation process.

However, there is more that can be done, says Olumuyiwa: “I think they can still do more by providing a larger space [and] taking up the medication costs.”

In September 2015, the Centre raised over $12,000 through its #SaveMirabel fundraising campaign through GoFundMe. Yet even that is only sufficient to run the Centre for a month.

The group “Friends of Mirabel” launched in December 2015, and Olumuyiwa hopes for even more support from the public, and not just monetary; people can also volunteer their services to the Centre.

“We hope that people out there — men, women, organisations, humanitarians —can support us,”says Oluluyiwa. “We have started well and we just can’ t afford to stop. We only hope to get better in delivering these essential services because stopping it is suicidal. You can imagine if they come tomorrow and this no longer exists, only God knows what can happen.”

HOW TO CONTACT THE MIRABEL CENTRE Website pjnigeria.org Facebook www.facebook.com/ MirabelNigeria Address Onsite at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos Hours Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Email sarc@pjnigeria.org Phone 0701349176 or 08155770000

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FITNESS

TRUE FITNESS COMES IN MANY

SHAPES & SIZES

BY Patrick Dale

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THE REASON THAT MANY OF US WILL NEVER LOOK LIKE WE JUST STEPPED OFF THE RED CARPET AT THE OSCARS IS NOT A LACK OF EFFORT, KNOWLEDGE OR COMMITMENT, BUT GENETICS Turn on your TV, open a magazine, or check out the latest Nollywood or Hollywood starlet, and in almost every case you’ll be confronted with images of physical perfection: long slender limbs, toned muscles, zero cellulite, perfect skin — stunning!

Many people aspire to these same ideals and are frustrated that they too do not look like a cover model. Maybe they aren’t doing the right workout routine, following the right diet or taking the right supplements? Maybe they just aren’t trying hard enough?!

Actually, the reason that many of us will never look like we just stepped off the red carpet at the Oscars is not a lack of effort, knowledge or commitment, but genetics.

GENES AND JEANS Your genetics are inherited, and while you can always make improvements, your ultimate shape and physical ability is predetermined by your genes. Your genetics determine whether you will be short or tall, the colour of your eyes, whether you can or can’t sing, and whether you will look like a supermodel in your designer jeans ... or not.

Genes make the difference between winning Olympic gold in the marathon or coming in199th out of 200 at your local 5K fun run.

Exercise and good nutrition will bring out the best your genes have to offer, but the end result is always going to be controlled by genetic luck.

Don’t like your genes? Blame your parents, their parents, and their parents too!

The media, however, seldom uses images of regular people — they only really show those who have the right genetics to look a certain way. That’s not to say those with favourable genetics don’t have to work hard — of course they do —it’s simply that their hard work produces very specific results. Even if you followed their exact diet and exercise plan, you could very well end up looking quite different from them.

In addition to your genetics, your basic body type also plays an important role in how you look and perform, and in the results you will get from your diet and exercise program.

SHELDON’S THREE BODY TYPES Everybody’s body is made up of different proportions of the three primary body types, as identified by William Sheldon, an American psychologist who devoted his life to observing the variety of human bodies and temperaments.

Often called somatotypes, the three main body types that Sheldon identified are the following: • Mesomorph — naturally lean and muscular • Endomorph — naturally rounded with a propensity to gain fat easily • Ectomorph — naturally long and lean, often finding it hard to gain weight or muscle People who are all one somatotype are rare, and most of us are a mixture of the three with one characteristic that tends to be the most defining. For example, you might be naturally slim but have a tendency to store fat around your abdomen, hips and thighs, making you an

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ectomorph/endomorph. Alternatively, you may find you have a tendency to gain fat easily but are also strong and muscular, making you an endomorph/mesomorph.

unattainable ideals, which can leave their devotees frustrated and disappointed. Despite our hard work, dedication and perseverance, many of us will NEVER look like our idols.

Serena Williams, who was recently bodyshamed in the media despite being a worldclass athlete and clearly a fit and healthy individual, has very strong mesomorphic tendencies with some endomorphic characteristics too. Even if she didn’t train as long and as hard as she does, her framework would be basically the same.

Role models can still be useful, however.

Rather than try to mould your body to be like that of your idol, instead emulate their work ethic and commitment to getting in shape and staying fit. No, you may never look like them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be as fit and healthy as the people you admire.

In contrast, many supermodels are very high on the ectomorphic scale. Being tall, long-limbed and slender are all ectomorphic traits.

However, just because a person is slim doesn’t mean they are automatically healthy. In fact, some very slender supermodels achieve their waif-like appearances by extremely unhealthy means that no health-conscious person should ever try to emulate.

The same holds true for some fitness models.

While they might look muscular, lean and amazing, they may use unhealthy diet and exercise practices to get into that super shape and may actually only look that good for a few short weeks a year. Needless to say, this creates a false impression of what is and isn’t realistic or achievable.

ROLE MODELS — A DOUBLEEDGED SWORD Many exercisers aspire to be like their role models, but because of their often favourable genetics, many of these heroes present

When it comes to fitness and health, how you look is actually a lot less important than what you do. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are essential for your well-being and longevity.

In contrast, working toward trying to achieve an unrealistic shape or size could actually do you more harm than good, both physically and psychologically.

Eating a healthy diet and exercising to improve the way you feel and look are both admirable pursuits, but— and this is very important to remember — the only person you should ever compare yourself to is the old you.

Every workout you complete and every healthy meal you eat will help you take one step closer to being the best you that you can be. Embrace your genetics and understand that whatever your natural shape or size, you too can be fit, healthy and beautiful. The journey is so much more important than the goal.

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FITNESS

MYTH BUSTING THE SPOT-REDUCTION

BY Patrick Dale

Watch what many people are doing in the gym and you’ll see them attempting the impossible: to spot reduce fat from specific parts of their bodies. They’ll do dozens of reps of exercises that specifically target the particular area that they want to trim down and tone up.

The belief is that if you do a high volume of exercise for an area such as your abs, hips or the back of your arms, you can preferentially burn fat from that area.

Sadly, this is simply not the case.

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EAT LESS, MOVE MORE, LOSE WEIGHT. IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE. FAT: A GLOBAL PROBLEM, NOT A LOCAL ONE Fat is stored energy. You have no control over where your body stores this excess energy, and we all store fat in different places. For some this means that weight gain is first apparent around the waist, while for others it might be in the face. It’s the luck of the genetic draw as to where your body stores fat and where it doesn’t.

The same is true of fat burning; provided you eat a little less and do more physical activity, you will create an energy deficit that will be met by your fat stores. Eat less, move more, lose weight. It really is that simple.

However, your body uses fat globally rather than locally or in response to the specific exercises you choose to do. Your fat is a pool of stored energy, and your body will dip into it whenever it needs to make up an energy shortfall. But which area will it take it from?

Because we are all different, it’s anyone’s guess!

Frustrating, right?

LACTIC ACID — FEEL THE BURN! When you do lots of reps or a high volume of exercise for one particular part of your body, you will inevitably feel a burning sensation. It is that localised feeling of discomfort that has wrongly been associated with the idea of spot reduction.

That burning you feel is nothing more than the accumulation of lactic acid. Lactic acid is the by-product of anaerobic (without oxygen) exercise — a short-lasting, high-intensity activity in which your body’s demand for oxygen exceeds the oxygen supply available. But the sensation brought on by lactic acid does not actually mean that fat is being preferentially

used in the area you are exercising.

Doing a high volume of exercise for one specific part of your body could actually have the opposite effect from the one you seek.

Focusing excessively on one body part could actually cause muscle gain, orhypertrophy. For example, if you do a lot of exercises for your thighs rather than shedding fat, you might end up gaining muscle and actually adding inches rather than losing them. If you are a guy working on his arms, that’s probably nothing but good news, but if you want to slim down and firm up, you probably don’t want to do this.

And forget about wraps and belts deigned to be worn over specific areas of your body to further speed fat loss; all they do is cause you to sweat more. As soon as you drink water to rehydrate, you’ll quickly regain anything you lost.

If spot reduction really worked, people who eat a lot of food would have thin faces from all that chewing. Needless to say, this is not the case!

FORGET SPOT REDUCTION — WORK MULTIPLE MUSCLE GROUPS INSTEAD So, if spot reduction is a myth, what can you do to lose weight and tone up? The answer is to do the opposite of spot reduction. Rather than focus on exercises for small parts of your body, instead perform exercises that use multiple muscle groups simultaneously to maximize the number of calories you burn during a workout and facilitate faster fat loss. The fat might not go from where you want it to initially, but it will eventually. You just have to stick with the plan, eat healthily and exercise your patience along with your muscles.

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THE FOLLOWING:

FITNESS

GOOD EXERCISES INCLUDE KETTLEBELL SWINGS Hold a weight in your hands and stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart. Bend your knees slightly and then push your hips back. Bend forward and lower the weight between your knees.

Drive your hips forward, and while keeping your arms straight, use this momentum to swing the weight up to shoulder-height.

Clench your butt HARD at the top of your swing. Lower the weight and repeat.

BOX JUMPS Stand facing a knee-high box or step that is sturdy enough not to be easily knocked over. Bend your knees slightly and then jump up and onto the step. Land with slightly bent knees for a lighter landing. Step back down to the floor and repeat.

BURPEES With your feet together and your hands by your sides, squat down and put your hands on the floor in front of your feet. Jump your feet out and back into the push-up position and do a single pushup. Jump your feet back up to your hands and then leap up and into the air. Land softly and repeat. Leave out either the push-up and/or the jump if you require an easier workout.

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HILL SPRINTS Go out for a jog and find a steep hill that is between 50 and 100 meters long. Run up it as fast as you can.

Once you reach the top, walk slowly back down to the bottom and repeat. Great for general fitness, hill sprints burn calories like a furnace and also provide your legs with a tremendous workout.

WEIGHTED CARRIES Pick up and hold any heavy object you can find and take it for a walk. It should be heavy enough that you feel out of breath and tired in just a couple of minutes. Put the object down, rest for a moment and then repeat. Walk for a set distance or time as preferred. This might seem like an unusual way to exercise, but is a great way to work many of your body’s muscles simultaneously while burning lots and lots of calories.

THRUSTERS If you are short on time and need a totalbody exercise that also burns a lot of calories, thrusters are a great choice. Hold a weight (dumbbells, barbell, kettlebell, bag filled with books) in front of your chest and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Quickly stand up and then use this momentum to push the weight up and overhead. Lower it back to your shoulders and then repeat.

You can simply slot a couple of these exercises into your regular workout, or if you prefer a more structured approach, try the following workout plan. You may alternate these two workouts (e.g., Workout A on Monday, Workout B on Wednesday, Workout A on Friday) and then reverse the order the following week.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Exercise Squats Kettlebell swings Dumbbell shoulder press Lat pull downs Walking lunges Side planks Weighted carries

Workout A Reps 15-20 15-20 15-20 15-20 10-15 30-45 seconds 1 trip

Sets 2-4 3-5 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 3-5

Exercise Thrusters Leg curls Push-ups Box jumps Seated rows Planks Hill sprints

Workout B Reps 15 15-20 Max reps 10-15 15-20 30-45 seconds 1 sprint

Sets 3-5 2-4 2-4 3-5 2-4 2-4 3-5

Recovery

60-90 seconds

Recovery

60-90 seconds

Adjust your weights so that your muscles fatigue somewhere within the prescribed repetition range. If you are a beginner, perform the lower number of sets and rest longer. If you are more advanced, do the upper number of sets and rest for less time.

When it comes to losing fat, THE most effective way to do it quickly is to use your body as nature intended, with lots of muscles and joints working together at the same time. This burns far more calories than any number of isolation exercises ever could. Forget spot reduction — it really is a myth, and attempting to lose fat from specific parts of your body preferentially is nothing more than a waste of your valuable time. Instead, embrace global exercises that work your body as a single synergistic unit.

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HER DEDICATION OUR INSPIRATION MEET LOLA, OUR RADIANT BODY REBOOT WINNER!

BY Nikki Igbo

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BEFORE AFTER When Ololade “Lola” Oyebade noticed the Radiant Health 30-Day Body Reboot Challenge on her Facebook timeline, she was excited to adopt a daily program that would support her efforts to achieve better eating and exercise habits.

“I tried a lot of fad diets before — no carbs, liquid only, fruit only — but I always gained back the weight as soon as I resumed my normal diet. I made up my mind that I wanted a change of lifestyle, with healthier eating and working out 5-6 times weekly,” says the banker and mother of two.

Wanting to increase fitness, tone muscle and boost confidence, Lola was determined to commit to the program. Despite juggling her busy schedule and caring for a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old, she refused to let a lack of time be an excuse.

“I have 9 hours to incorporate my workout in a 24-hour day — 8 hours at work, 7 hours of sleep and 9 hours for miscellaneous.” Lola

disciplined herself to work out each morning for 20-30 minutes. Any skipped mornings were made up in the evening without exception.

Lola set a goal of 160-165 pounds. The 40-something beauty’s ideal weight is 154, but she didn’t want to erase the figure she adores.

“I LOVE MY BODY, CURVES AND SHAPE,” LOLA SAYS. By adding the challenge to her health initiative — and sticking to it — she has lost a total of 45 pounds, going from a size US 16/18 (XL) to a US 10 (S) and is just 16 pounds shy of her goal weight.

Throughout the challenge, Lola was as much of an encouragement to her fellow challengers as the Radiant Body Reboot private Facebook group was to her. The group could count on her to consistently post videos of her workouts, though she credits the challenge itself for making her go the extra mile.

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FITNESS

‘I HATED BURPEES BEFORE THE FITNESS CHALLENGE, BUT THE CHALLENGE REALLY HELPED ME TO EMBRACE THEM’

BEFORE AFTER “This challenge really helped me. I did my challenge workouts in the morning, but because I needed to post my videos and encourage other ladies, I would do another workout set again or almost double workouts all the time. I love the circuit and the varieties of the workouts.

You could not really predict what the next day’s workout was. And it was fun when you didn’t know what you were expecting the next day.”

And Lola saw many other benefits to participating. “I loved that the workout can be done in my sitting room and no gym was required at all. The program also provided vital information about my weight loss journey besides exercise, like increasing water intake, sleeping 8 hours daily, eating fruits and vegetables. The challenge was a total package and I loved it!”

Still, Lola appreciates that it was indeed a challenge, both in name and in spirit.

“Oh my goodness! The most difficult part of the challenge was the burpee. I hated burpees before the fitness challenge, but the challenge really

helped me to embrace them. I love doing them now and I do them regularly.” Lola was able to improve her ability to do several other exercises, such as push-ups (which she can now do on her toes as opposed to her knees) and lunges. She also can bang out 250-350 squats per day.“ I encourage anyone who wants to lose weight to join this intense and engaging challenge.

I lost some weight and noticed a significant change in my body. It is a wonderful challenge with different levels — beginner, intermediate and advanced — so everybody can fit in, irrespective of fitness level.”

Each Radiant Body Reboot Challenge winner is selected by Team Radiant for showing the most engagement, dedication and progress toward achieving her fitness goals.

The Radiant Body Reboot is a free, 30-day holistic fitness and health challenge offered

by Radiant Health. To learn more about how you can participate and join the private Facebook group, sign up for the Radiant Health Newsletter at www.radianthealthmag.com.

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Radiant

HEALTH MAGAZINE Follow us on Twitter

T W I T T E R .C O M / R A D I A N T H E A LT H N G

NUTRITION

IS ORGANIC FOOD

HEALTHIER THAN CONVENTIONAL FOOD?

BY Cordialis Msora

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“TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. IT’S THE ONLY PLACE YOU HAVE TO LIVE.” — JOHN ROHN “Organic” is a term that has become synonymous with healthy eating and taking care ofMother Earth. Now more than ever, consumers are paying special attention not only towhat they putin their bodies, but also how those food choices affect the earth. Shoppers are asking where their food is produced and how itis processed and transported before making itto market. However, when it comes to the benefits oforganic foods versus the higher price tags, the scientific jury is still out.

ORGANIC? CONVENTIONAL? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Conventional (non-organic) farming often involves the use of synthetic chemicals andsubstances to prevent damage caused by pests, diseases, weeds and other factors that might increase labor costs or reduce overall harvest size. Production methods may call for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics and/or hormonal drugs, genetically modified seeds (GMOs) and irradiation.

Organic foods, on the other hand, are produced without the use of artificial chemicals and additives. This farming method requires more labor and yields smaller harvests than its conventional counterpart. Organic farming relieson natural fertilizers, manure, crop rotation and other practices that reduce harm to the land.

While fruits and vegetables are by far the most popular organic food items on the market, organic items can be found in every food group, including starches, spices, meat, dairy and other animal products.

IS ORGANIC FOOD REALLY HEALTHIER? A 2012 literature review comparing the nutritional values of organic and conventionally produced foods concluded that organic food was not significantly more nutritious, but that organic food was found to contain less pesticide residue than conventional food.

At present, there is very little information on the disease risk of eating foods with pesticide residue. Existing studies have focused on people who live and work near farms, and the National Cancer Institute in the U.S. reports that people who live in farming communities may suffer higher rates of leukemia, nonHodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myelomaand soft tissue sarcoma, as well as cancers of the skin, lip, stomach, brain and prostate. Some scientists believe these findings are due to an increased exposure to pesticides.

ARE NIGERIAN-GROWN FOODS REALLY ORGANIC? We like to brag that Nigerian foods are organic, but are they really? In order for any food product tobe labeled “organic,” the farm must first

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undergo a certification process to show that its practices meet established standards. This is an extensive, expensive process that few farmers can successfully complete.

A 2014 report on organic farming in Nigeria suggests that 60 to 70 percent of Nigeria’s rural farmers produce uncertified organic foods because of the low availability and prohibitive cost of conventional agrochemicals. Most of these farmers grow food primarily for their families and then sell the little surplus they may have at local markets. As a result, some of the food supply on the market has not been exposed to synthetic chemicals.

Unfortunately, advertising touts pesticides and fertilizers as producing larger harvests, so some small-scale farmers are delving into conventional farming methods for the monetary gain.

Moreover, as they often do not adhere to the recommended use of the chemicals, the amount of pesticide residue on their produce may be higher than what is generally regarded as safe.

A case in point is the recent European Union ban on certain food exports from Nigeria for, among other reasons, unacceptably high amounts of pesticides. On the banned food list are beans, sesame seeds, melon (egusi), dried fish, meat and palm oil. The rejected beans were found to contain between 0.03 and 4.6mg per kilogram of dichlorvos pesticide, when the maximum acceptable amount is 0.01mg/kg.

We cannot assume that the foods being commercially grown for export are not also being sold in our local markets, nor that the same practices are not being used for foods grown for the local market. In fact, many people are asking this very question without any clear response from our farmers or the regulatory bodies.

It is also worth noting that these foods are also being exported to neighboring African countries, so that no matter their ultimate destination, the final consumer is almost always Nigerian or African.

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WHAT CAN I DOTO REDUCE MY PESTICIDE INTAKE? If you are concerned about the risks non-organic food may carry for your health and that of your family, here are some tips: • Avoid buying non-organically grown produce on the “Dirty Dozen” list. Many of these are foods whose edible surface comes into direct contact with pesticide sprays, such as leafy green vegetables, hot peppers, strawberries (which are grown in northern Nigeria), sweet bell peppers (like green peppers), potatoes, apples and celery. Also on the list are nectarines, cherries, pears, grapes and peaches.

• When buying non-organic, go for produce that has been shown to contain the least amount of pesticides, such as onions, avocados, pineapples, mangoes, bananas, cabbage and broccoli.

• Remove surface pesticides by thoroughly washing conventional produce under running water. While some resources on the internet suggest washing raw fruit andveggies in a vinegar solution, there does not seem tobe much evidence to support the practice.

• Peel the outer skin of non-organic produce before eating.

• Because chemicals are usually stored in fat, trim the fat from meat and poultry prior to cooking.

• Grow your own garden to take back control over what goes in your body.

Remember, demand creates supply. If you want to see more organic foods in the markets, then help to ensure that the Nigerian organic food sector continues to grow. Support local organic farmers like Sisimi Sowemimo (also featured in this issue) who guarantee the safety of their produce. The more you demand organic food through your purchasing choices, the more resources and incentive producers will have to supply it.

Here’s to your health.

THE DIRTY DOZEN LIST Compiled by the Environmental Working Group, this list ranks produce in descending order according to the amount of pesticide residue it contains.

The list is based on more than 35,200 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration and is updated annually.

1. Strawberries 2. Apples 3. Nectarines 4. Peaches 5. Celery 6. Grapes 7. Cherries 8. Spinach 9. Tomatoes 10. Sweet Bell Peppers 11. Cherry Tomatoes 12. Cucumbers Source: www.ewg.org

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BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

ORGANIC FARMING

WITH SISIMI SOWEMIMO OF OPE FARMS

BY Chinyere Amobi

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For Sisimi Sowemimo, the natural environment has always been a crucial element of healthy living. From eating home-farmed food as a child to her current passion of organic farming in Ikeja, Sisimi has always seen food as medicine. With Ope Farms, Sisimi is striving to empower Nigerians to embrace foods that are free of chemicals and indigenous to the country, and to consume less of the foreign and especially processed Western foods that have led to increases in chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity and certain cancers among Nigerians.

RH: What inspired you to pursue organic farming?

SS: I would say three things. I was raised in a home where wellness was very important and raw meals like salads were always part of the menu. My mother planted some of the foods we ate at the back garden without any chemicals and farmed delicious and nutritious produce. There was no need to add anything to the soil; today a lot of produce in the markets is grown with chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizer.

I also had three loved ones fall ill from cancer. They were advised by their doctors and professional caretakers to eat organic fruits and vegetables, because some cancers have been traced back to diet and lifestyle. Armed with this information, I knew I had to live differently. This is why it’s extremely important to me that the produce at Ope Farms supports health.

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LET US SWITCH TO ORGANIC FOODS. LET US USE LESS CHEMICALS FOR PLANTING

Lastly, organic agriculture is good not only for the body, but the earth as well. The sustainable agriculture that we practice at Ope Farms involves the production of food, fiber, plants and animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities and animal welfare.

RH: What challenges have there been in your mission?

SS: Mainly finance. Agriculture is a business that keeps needing money, both at theinitial stage and with expansion. Also, provision of a regular water supply, lack of electricity and the regular availability of seeds.

RH: What are you thoughts on the Nigerian diet? Are there big changes that we need to make?

SS: Personally, I feel a sense of pain in the fact that the Nigerian diet is fast losing its identity. Our grandparents ate meals that were indigenous to us. There are now so many foreign elements, such as processed foods, and I don’t know that they are ideal for our bodies. We’re moving from slow foods to fast foods.

There are big changes to be made! Let us switch to organic foods. Let us use less chemicals for planting. Remember how our beans failed the approved dosage of pesticide last year? We are still begging for the ban to be lifted.

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Everyone should have a small edible garden where some basic foods like vegetables are planted, and keep a few chickens or breed some fish in a portable fish tank.

Through Ope Farms I strive to show my countrymen just how doable these changes are. Last year I collaborated with another organic farmer and ran a program where we showed women how to plant organically in bags. Right now on Instagram there are people commenting on how their plants are spouting, and that’s something that makes me very happy.

RH: What are some simple ways that Nigerians can make their diet healthier?

SS: Use natural herbs such as sawa, turmeric, ginger, onion, garlic, powdered crayfish, agbodo fish and indigenous spices instead of processed cubes.

• Eat and drink fresh fruits and vegetables like it was done in the past.

• Drink lots of water.

• Eat some of your meal raw (uncooked) or slightly steamed; if it’s a salad, try eating it without processed dressings.

• Use well-processed natural oils like coconut oil, groundnut oil and palm oil.

Palm oil is now being reported to be bad, however that is not correct; adulterated palm oil is a different matter.

• Plant something at home, no matter how small your space is!

• Make the effort, not excuses. 100 Naira can either buy a pastry or some veggies.

RH: Have Nigerians been quick to embrace organic food? Has it taken much convincing?

SS: Nigerian consumers are gradually becoming aware of the benefits of organic produce. Many are now concerned about the side effects of some of the chemical pesticides that are commonly used, and more people are now health conscious. The saying that ‘food should be our medicined’ is gaining prominence in more people, though it seems the higher the class, the easier it has been to persuade. As people are becoming more aware of how bad the health care system is, the choice of eating healthy is becoming more attractive.

For Nigerian farmers, on the other hand, the prospect of immediately converting to organic is often a snag, as it takes three years minimum, depending on what was done to the soil. This requires some economic sacrifice and cost.

RH: Which crops do you grow, and how did you choose these?

SS: The medicinal value and consumer demand dictate what we plant. We started with our indigenous fruits and vegetables like soko, etete, ugu, pawpaw, pineapple, corn, eggplant, then added lettuce, cucumber, carrots, kale, turmeric, dill, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, basil, spinach, indigenous poultry and cassava. We are also just starting snailery, fishery and beekeeping.

On our drawing board there are plans for incorporating mushrooms and agroprocessing (dried fruit and so forth).

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‘THE KEY TO LOWERING PRICES IS TO INTENSIFY AWARENESS’ We also now have companies who want us to grow specific produce for them. Those partnerships will take off by quarter three of this year.

RH: In some countries, like America, many avoid purchasing organic fruits and vegetables because they cost more. Why do you believe organic foods are worth the cost, and what steps have you made toward ensuring that the price of your product is accessible to the average Nigerian?

SS: Organic food is worth the cost because of the benefits the consumer derives from it.

For example, you get more antioxidants, it is about 60 percent more nutritious, and when compared to medical bills, it’s not costly.

The key to lowering prices is to intensify awareness; I believe if demand is high, production/supply will be higher and the cost will come down. We try to make organic food attractive and affordable, and at the pop-ups we work to educate people about organic food so they can spread the word.

RH: Could you discuss more about your move towards more sustainable farming?

SS: There are four principles that guide organic agriculture: • Care — care for generations to come • Health — healthy soil, plants, animals, humans = a healthy planet • Ecology — emulating and sustaining natural systems • Fairness — equity, respect and justice for all living things

With this background, we care about the environment and we want it to outlive us, so we make our own compost. We use chicken and cow manure to revitalize the soil. Our pesticides are from plants and herbs. Our net houses and some other structures are made from bamboo and wood. We have retained the ecosystem of some parts of the farmland and we keep discovering new things. We recently found a baby antelope within that virgin area.

We plan to install solar power when we can afford it; I hope that would be soon.

RH: Any last words?

SS: The fact that people want to be well and not sick, that’s the key thing. Through the media and social spaces, more and more people are pushing their experiences and the concept of food as medicine. More and more people are getting involved. The awareness is not where we want it to be, but we’ve made quite some effort.

Currently, we host pop-up shops on Fridays in Ikeja outside a florist. People come and buy fruits, vegetables and seedlings. Every week we have more people than the last time, as people are telling others about the benefits of clean eating and organic agriculture. By the third quarter of the year, we will be starting the Family Basket scheme, where some farmers will collaborate to supply organic produce to households throughout the year.

For more information on Ope Farms, visit OpeFarms.com, or follow Ope Farms on Instagram.

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RE-THINK YOUR

BREAK FAST Exciting Oat and Bread Recipes to Change Up Your Routine

We all know the importance of having a healthy, filling breakfast in the morning, but eating the same foods day in and day out can get boring fast. And since most of us are seriously strapped for time first thing in the morning, it’s easy to fall into the habit of eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast every day or nibbling on a slice (or two) of bread before we rush out the door.

Although oatmeal and bread aren’t necessarily unhealthy, there are plenty of ways to make them more fun, interesting and nutritious. So tomorrow, instead of opting for your usual breakfast, pick one of these yummy alternatives. Each one is quick and easy to make, requires only a few basic ingredients and is really good for you!

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MASHED AVOCADO ON BREAD

It isn’t a coincidence that mashed avocado on bread or toast is one of the trendiest breakfasts amongst healthconscious people today. The green fruit is loaded with many vitamins and minerals, heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and plenty of fiber to keep you full until lunchtime. Combine that with some hearty whole wheat bread and you’ve got a breakfast winner on your hands.

This classic recipe for mashed avocado on toast is as basic as it gets. But once you’ve mastered it, you can really make it your own and add dried ground pepper, poached eggs, nuts ... the possibilities are endless!

INGREDIENTS • 1 small ripe avocado • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (about 1/4 of a lemon’s worth) • Pinch of salt • 2 slices whole wheat bread METHOD 1 Peel the avocado and remove the stone in the center.

2 Place the avocado flesh in a small bowl and mash with the back of a fork until smooth.

3 Stir in the fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Taste and add more lemon juice or salt if necessary.

4 Lay the two pieces of bread out on a serving plate and spread generously with the mashed avocado.

5 Enjoy immediately and store any mashed avocado leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.

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OATMEAL SMOOTHIE If you’re an oatmeal fan, you’ll know that oats provide you with enough energy to get you through the morning without the need to snack — this is because they’re full of fiber. But keeping you full isn’t the only thing oats are good at. Because they’re a whole grain, they also actively lower your cholesterol levels and help keep your heart healthy. Unlike some smoothies which are little more than a fruity drink, this oatmeal smoothie will definitely fill you up because it contains a generous portion of old fashioned oats. And thanks to the natural sweetness of banana and coconut, you don’t even need to add any sugar!

INGREDIENTS • 1 small banana, peeled and sliced • 1/4 cup shaved fresh coconut • 1 cup cold coconut milk • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder • 1/3 cup old fashioned oats METHOD 1 Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend on high for 1 minute, until the consistency is smooth.

2 Pour into a glass or takeaway cup and enjoy straight away. Store any leftovers in the fridge inside a sealed container for up to three days.

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If you prefer to eat your calories instead of drinking them, how about a jar of overnight oats for breakfast instead? Oats provide the most nutritional value when they’re uncooked, making this dish even healthier than a standard bowl of oatmeal.

Don’t worry about the uncooked oats being hard and chewy. The oats sit in the fridge for hours, giving them plenty of time to absorb the liquid and soften up. You may eat the oats straight out the jar for a quick breakfast on the go, but you can always scoop them out into a serving bowl and mix everything up in the morning to really work in the mango flavor.

NUTRITION

OVERNIGHT OATS

INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup instant oats • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey • 1/3 cup yogurt (you can use Greek, natural, coconut, mango ... any type of yogurt!)

• 1/4 cup coconut milk or tiger nut milk (kunun aya) • 1/2 fresh mango, diced *Tiger nut aka aki awusa in Igbo or ofio in Yoruba.

METHOD 1 In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the oats, sugar or honey, yogurt and milk until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

2 Get out a small lidded jar which can hold at least 1 cup in volume and layer the bottom with 1/3 of the diced mango. Top with 1/3 of the oat mixture.

3 Repeat the mango and oat layers two more times, until you’ve used up all your ingredients.

4 Screw the lid onto the jar and leave the oats in the fridge for at least 4 hours to give them time to soften up.

5 When you’re ready to eat, enjoy the oats cold straight from the fridge.

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You don’t need nutritionally empty all-purpose flour to make light and fluffy pancakes. These heart-healthy oatmeal pancakes are entirely gluten-free because they’re based on blended oats instead of flour!

Better still, they contain just a tiny amount of honey for a sweet touch, and the only fat used is to grease the pan. You can use any type of yogurt in this oatmeal pancake recipe, but for a protein boost I recommend Greek yogurt. Whereas all the other recipes in this list make one portion, this recipe makes eight pancakes which will easily serve four people. If you don’t have four people to feed, wrap each pancake individually in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to five days, or in the freezer for up to six months.

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OATMEAL PANCAKES

INGREDIENTS • 2 cups instant oats • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 cup yogurt (any kind of yogurt will work) • 1 cup coconut or tiger nut milk • 1 egg • 1 tablespoon honey • Oil or butter for greasing (coconut oil works really well) • Optional: fresh fruit for serving, such as sliced banana, mango, watermelon or pineapple METHOD 1 Pour the oats into a blender and blend on high speed for 10 seconds, until they turn into a fine powder.

2 In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the powdered oats and baking powder.

3 In a separate bowl, beat together the yogurt, milk, egg and honey.

4 Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until a batter forms. Be careful not to over-stir or your pancakes won’t rise during cooking.

5 Lightly grease a small frying pan with the oil or butter of your choice and place over medium-high heat.

6 When the pan is hot, scoop 1/4 cup of the pancake mixture into the hot pan. Leave the pancake to cook for 3 minutes, until lots of bubbles have popped on the surface. Flip the pancake over and cook for another minute on the other side.

7 Use a spatula to remove the pancake from the frying pan and keep on a hot plate under a kitchen towel or in a preheated 100°F/40°C oven whilst the rest of the pancakes cook.

8 Repeat steps 5-7 with the rest of the pancake batter until it’s all used up.

9 Enjoy the pancakes straight away whilst hot with fresh fruit.

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Many of us don’t eat sardines, but we all really should because they’re incredibly high in omega-3 fatty acids (sardines contain much more per serving than tuna or salmon) which benefit both our hearts and our brains. Not only that, but sardines are also loaded with bone-strengthening vitamin D and calcium, muscle-building protein and iron to keep you feeling full of energy.

NUTRITION

SARDINES ON TOAST

Don’t be put off by eating sardines from a can. Canned sardines contain relatively few calories (especially those in brine instead of oil) and have a fairly low sodium level compared to most other canned foods.

INGREDIENTS • 1 teaspoon olive oil • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 small pepper, chopped (if you don’t like things too hot, remove the seeds and white part in the center of the pepper) • Zest and juice of 1/4 lemon • 1 120g can of sardines in brine or olive oil, drained • 2 slices whole wheat bread METHOD 1 Heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium heat.

2 When the pan is hot, add in the minced garlic, chopped pepper and lemon zest.

Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring all the while to make sure nothing burns.

3 Add the sardines to the pan and cook on each side for 2 minutes, until warmed through.

4 Pop the whole wheat bread in the toaster and toast just how you like it. Place the toast on a serving dish.

5 Lay the contents of the frying pan onto the toast and drizzle with the lemon juice.

6 Enjoy immediately whilst hot.

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LOCAL CHAMP IRU

BY Freda Muyambo

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IT IS QUITE UNDERSTANDABLE TO BE INITIALLY PUT OFF BY THE SCENT OF IRU

Iru — fermented locust beans, also known as dawadawa (Hausa) or ugba (Igbo) — is an increasingly popular addition to our favourite dishes in Nigeria and across other parts of West Africa. Frequently used as a spice, flavouring or condiment in Nigerian cooking, iru also has additional health and food security benefits.

HELLO, IRU! The first time I stumbled upon iru was when I was confronted by its pungent smell in my home. One rainy afternoon, in my London flat, my mother — who was visiting from Ghana — poured hot water into a cup with a powdered substance in it. The smell that emanated from that brew sent me dashing towards the windows for fresh air. After this, I begged my mother to take that nasty smelling stuff as far away from me as possible.

I could not understand why she was drinking this strange and unfamiliar brew, but Mother explained that she was drinking it for its health benefits, particularly in managing diabetes. She also explained that it was popular amongst the Northerners in Ghana and that more people were beginning to accept iru as both a health food and a spice.

FACTS ABOUT IRU Despite its popularity as a spice, there is little information surrounding the origin and historical uses of iru. What we know about

iru is that its use has been traced as far back as the fourteenth century, with botanical studies recorded as early as 1757. Today it is scientifically classified as parkia biglobosia, a term which is used to describe the whole locust bean tree.

Biotechnical research about the production and fermentation of iru has appeared in publications such as the Journal of Food Processing and Preservation and the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Research. One of the most detailed studies about P. biglobosia and its uses was conducted by Margaret Shao of the School of Forestry and Wood Products at Michigan Technological University.

WHY DOES IT REEK? It is quite understandable to be initially put off by the scent of iru. Let’s face it, African food is still making small strides in gaining worldwide acceptance. So how do you begin to promote such an ingredient without feeling embarrassed about its not-so-glamorous pong?

First, it is helpful to remember that there already exists an extensive variety of widely accepted stinky foods; just run a knife through some Camembert, Limburger or Stinking Bishop cheese. There are even cheeses so foul-smelling (such as Époisses de Bourgogne) that they have been banned on public transport. Other examples of fermented products include belacan (preserved shrimp paste), soy sauce and the

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Chinese seasoning douchi (preserved salted soybean), which is quite comparable to iru.

What makes iru so pungent is the anaerobic process that occurs during its lengthy fermentation process (24 to 72 hours). A hint of the ammonia produced as a result of this process is retained in the scent and flavour of the iru. During fermentation, the carbohydrates and sugars are metabolised and the protein is enriched through a natural bacterial process that makes the protein easily digestible. The iru is then naturally preserved with salt. This entire process creates a versatile ingredient for seasoning and enhancing the flavour profile of many dishes.

NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES Iru comes in various colours ranging from light to deep brown or even black, and it can be found fresh, dried as whole beans or in powdered form. Soybeans recently have been introduced toenhance food security, and in some areas they are mixed with locust beans to form a variant of iru. As mentioned, iru has a pungent, ammonialike scent similar to that of blue or soft cheese, but that need not deter you from giving it a try. Iru’s properties as an oil-rich, protein-rich, plant-based food make it ideal for providing nourishment for anyone and also in times of food scarcity in rural areas.

According to Shao’s study, the protein content of iru is 34 percent, second only to soybeans (whose protein content ranges between 35 and 45 percent). Iru has been especially valuable in preventing kwashiorkor, a protein-deficiency disease in children being weaned from their mother’s protein-rich breast milk. Iru is also an excellent source of vitamin B and contains the highest amount of riboflavin of the commonly used plant sources in the African diet. Riboflavin is important for many reasons, most notably in the prevention of cervical cancer, eye disorders and migraines.

MEDICINAL BENEFITS In addition to being an important source of protein, iru has long been used for medicinal purposes by rural communities who cannot afford modern medicine. In fact, there is an intriguing connection between the Hausa name for iru, dawadawa, and the Swahili word for the medicinal substances supplied by a doctor or medicine man, dawa. This may be linked to the Arabic influence on both languages.

One of the most-cited uses of locust seeds is in the management of long-term conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Although there is not much research pointing to what properties in P. biglobosia aid in the treatment of these conditions, there have been a number of studies involving its use by traditional healers which have provided a basis for further medical research for the development of new drugs.

Other medicinal uses include the management of malaria and bacterial infections.

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STYLE + BEAUTY

9

TIMELESS ACCESSORIES EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN

BY Joy Ogeah

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WHETHER YOUR LOOK IS MINIMAL OR BOLD, ACCESSORIZING IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF COMPLETING ANY OUTFIT. YOU MAY BE ON THE HUNT FOR A COVETABLE PIECE THAT TURNS HEADS, BUT REMEMBER: IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT TRENDS. READ ON FOR OUR LIST OF NINE KEY ACCESSORIES NO WOMAN SHOULD BE WITHOUT.

BALLET PUMPS A comfortable take on an elegant style, ballet pumps are loved by women looking to effortlessly elevate their work wear, daytime separates or evening attire. Perfect to wear all year round, a pair of black or neutral-hued flats can work with everything from abstract patterns to everyday basics.

LEATHER JACKET The word “biker” may be the first thing that springs to mind, but you’ll be amazed at the wide variety of cropped, boxy and furcollared designs. Whatever your preference, a leather jacket is bound to add good taste to your coat collection.

It’s versatility at its best — you can either team yours with jeans or with a dress to toughen up a feminine look.

ANDROGYNOUS WRISTWATCH Masculine watches always exude luxury, no matter the price. Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, you’re bound to find an androgynous watch that will add instant style to any pareddown or evening look. Team yours up with whatever your heart desires, whether it be your beloved shift dresses or a t-shirt and jeans combo.

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PEARL NECKLACE This iconic piece of jewelry reflects the wearer’s sense of timeless elegance. Pearls may be deemed oldfashioned, but there’s always a way to update them to suit your personal taste. You can play it safe by simply teaming yours with formal wear, or pair with statement tops for a contemporary effect.

TRENCH COAT It may seem like a nobrainer, but you’d be amazed how many women lack a good trench coat. Whether dressed down with denim or worn at the office, the trench coat’s ultra-versatile design will fit seamlessly into any woman’s wardrobe.

WAYFARER SUNGLASSES This style of eyewear is iconic for a couple of reasons. First, it complements almost every face shape. And second, Wayfarers can be worn year after year with any outfit.

Known for their carefree aesthetic, a pitch-black pair adds an extra touch of rock ’n’ roll appeal to effortlessly laid-back clothing.

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BROOCH You should never underestimate the impact of a stylish brooch. You can easily find them in a variety of styles to amplify any sleek or pareddown look. Wear minimal designs with vibrant colors, or bold patterns and statement pieces with neutral clothing.

BOX CLUTCH While it may not be the most practical of bags, a box clutch is always a go-to option when you’re stuck in planning an outfit for a special occasion.

Dripping with pure sophistication, it’s the ideal companion for fuss-free, eyecatching dresses. Purchase one to help solve your future evening-wear dilemmas.

SILK SCARF Even if you’re not usually into scarves, reading this could potentially change your mind.

Tying a silk scarf around your bag, neck or head is a stylish option for when you’re planning to meet friends for lunch or run weekend errands. You can pair bold prints with basic pieces to stand out effortlessly.

You can make a good case that all of these items are an investment in style. Choose wisely and these pieces will fit seamlessly into your wardrobe and serve you well year after year. Armed with the items on this list, styling an outfit can be a breeze. Time to get your purses ready!

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THE FLORAL ENSEMBLE www.zuvaa.com

VICTORIA BECKHAM PRINTED COTTON CANVAS MINI SKIRT www.net-a-porter.com

GUCCI DAILY BLOOM FLORAL PRINT BAG www.neimanmarcus.com

FLO RAL ALL THINGS

ELLIE FLORAL HOODED RAINCOAT www.boohoo.com

OLIVIA BURTON GARDEN WATCH www. johnlewis.com

MIRIAM HASKELL FLORAL PEARL BRACELET www.lanecrawford.com

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BEA UTY IN OUR OWN BACKYARD An Interview with Natural Nigerian

BY Chinyere Amobi

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From processed foods to pesticides to imported beauty products, living naturally in Nigeria is a lot harder today than it was for our parents and grandparents. As Nigeria increasingly reflects the trends of the evolving world around it, we find ourselves moving further away from the unprocessed lifestyle of our ancestors.

Natural Nigerian is boldly attempting to stem this tide with her advocacy for living as naturally as possible within the Nigerian culture. With her natural line of hair and skin products, Natural Nigerian is encouraging women to stop looking to the outside world in their pursuit of beauty, and instead to fully utilize the rich wealth of materials native to our land.

Following organic guidelines, organic foods and materials are grown to a certain standard —no chemical pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, and farmed in such a way that the environment is preserved. In Nigeria, the organic guidelines are given by the Nigerian Organic Agriculture Network (NOAN), and in the States, the most popular one is the USDA certification.

It is worth noting that not all cosmetics that claim that they use organic materialactually do, even though some imply it (e.g., products that are called “xxx Organics” or “Organics xxx”).

RH: What inspired you to pursue organic beauty production?

NN: Not all of the products I use are organic; all are natural, and about 30 percent are organic. Growing up, my parents would prefer you take a certain leaf to cure your cough rather than buy you cough syrup.

Living naturally was just something I knew I had to do, but over time I saw the value. Cancer is on the rise, and people are beginning to connect that their diet and the things they are putting on their bodies are linked to disease. Almost all the Nigerians I know have a relative who has had cancer.

RH: Can you explain the difference between natural and organic?

NN: All organic products are natural, but not all natural products are organic.

RH: What are some of the challenges of living as naturally as possible in Nigeria?

NN: Finding things that are natural. Our supermarkets are flooded with things that are not natural at all. The government allows companies such as Monsanto into our market, and many of us don’t know that a lot is going on with our produce.

Also, perception. For instance, the natural hair movement initially faced resistance.

Nigerians are very fashionable, so you’re expected to look a certain way: you have to look “done.” So when people started going natural, it was regarded as something only house girls do. It was only after a while that it started becoming fashionable, because the styles that a lot of naturals learned to do were things you can’t achieve with synthetic hair. As a result, for many people hairlines are returning, and their hair is getting better.

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People are beginning to know that they can exploit their own resources, such as shea butter from Nigeria instead of Ghana.

People are now looking inward and beginning to use our own products and make things in-house.

RH: I see that you have a degree in chemistry. Has this had a big impact on your ability to mix and create organic products, such as leave-in conditioners? Can the average woman do the same?

NN: I will say that my degree in chemistry gives me a push, though I wouldn’t quite call myself a scientist. It definitely made it easier for me to start making products, but everything involves training these days.

Look in your kitchen at the fruits and vegetables. For example, Nigerian women are very concerned about their complexion, always wanting their tone to be a little brighter. One of the things you can use is half a tomato rubbed across your face: that can really help break down the dead skin.

RH: How has being a mom affected your pursuit of a natural lifestyle?

NN: I think I’ve adopted the lifestyle more carefully than I would have because I have more to lose now. My parents always practiced this lifestyle. I even found out that when people were ill in the village, they would come by and consult my grandparents.

When I was younger, my brother was ill with measles, and he had diarrhea for more than six months. There was no antibiotic for him, and the condition could have been fatal. My parents rushed my brother to my grandparents, where my grandmother gave him a boiled leaf to drink. Just like that, the diarrhea was gone.

Since I knew natural remedies to be effective, I became even more determined to lead a natural lifestyle, for my daughter.

RH: What are some things we can do to minimize the amount of chemicals in our beauty routine?

NN: Go back to products we already have, such as black soap, coconut oil and shea butter.

The chemist in me doesn’t believe natural is always better, because essential oil can be dangerous when used in certain ways. But it’s really about going back to what our ancestors did. And it would even cost a lot less.

RH: For someone who’s new to natural beauty care, which of your products would recommend and why?

NN: We need to look inward; there are things that are here and available and a lot of times free because they grow outside. I’m tired of Nigerian women buying expensive things just because. These women know shea butter and coconut oil work, but they won’t buy it from the local market. They would rather buy from Ghana or the UK because they don’t think about the wealth of things we already have.

For someone new to natural beauty care, I would recommend shea butter, because it can be used “from hair to toe.” It’s good for the hair (unless you have fine hair), for the body and even for the face in small quantities.

It can be used by the old, young and very young. Additionally, it can be played up by the addition of any number of essential oils, such as neem oil or tea tree oil, which will give you an antibacterial wash. I can also say the same of African black soap.

Every time my parents tell this story, I want to ask, “What was he given?” But no one thought to ask back then, and that remedy has died with her.

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WHILE IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO THIS ON YOUR OWN, IF YOU CAN FIND A COMMUNITY, IT IS SO MUCH EASIER For those who have not been successful in using black soap, trying conditioning by adding a mashed avocado to your hair and then washing it out.

RH: How does one who is considering switching to a natural lifestyle get started?

NN: Educate yourself. There are many resources online; granted, some are questionable, but once you find a veritable source, allow it to lead you to others.

Attending one of our meet-ups will also lead you to resources.

Make replacements. For instance, before you go into the supermarket to shop, promise yourself that you won’t purchase anything processed. You’ll notice your shopping trolley stay close to empty and save yourself some money.

Get people around you involved. While it is possible to do this on your own, if you can find a community, it is so much easier. This is one of the things attending meet-ups does for one.

RH: Could you speak a little more about your Naturals in the City (NITC) meet-ups?

NN: We started the meet-ups in 2011 as a

way of bringing the natural hair community together. In those days, females in Nigeria with natural hair were in the minority. We have consistently held them every quarter, gaining more traction each time. We recently dropped the “hair” in the natural hair meet-up title and now call it a “natural meet-up.” This has allowed us to expand our scope to include all things to do with a natural lifestyle.

We have partnered with many talented and knowledgeable professionals, using the meet-ups as a medium to educate Nigerians on what a natural lifestyle entails. We also have used the meet-ups to bring consumers in touch with vendors that help them sustain their natural lifestyle, professionals that continue to educate them after the meetups and, because we love culture so much, Nigerian food that has been elevated is part of our meet-ups.

NITC are Lagos meet-ups. However, Natural Nigerian has partnered with people in other states to host meet-ups there.

So far, we have been in Abuja, Calabar and Enugu, and we are planning on Port Harcourt and Ibadan next!

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C U LT U R E

ART THAT MATTERS: OUR TOP PICKS FROM CINEMA, LITERATURE AND BEYOND

MORE MEDICINE MEETS THE MOVIES: DRY According to the World Health Organization, more than 2 million young women across Asia and subSaharan Africa live with untreated obstetric fistula.

This largely preventable health issue often causes women to suffer chronic incontinence and social persecution, and is linked to obstructed labor and maternal mortality. Dry heartbreakingly reveals the root causes of obstetric fistula. The 2014 Nollywood drama written, produced, directed by and starring Stephanie Okereke Linus delves into the tear-jerking story of a Northern Nigerian child bride’s ordeal. Not for the faint of heart, this is definitely the kind of cinema that is required viewing for improving the health and wellbeing of young women throughout Nigeria and the developing world. Dry is available to rent on Amazon.

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SPARKLING CINEMA: DOPE If you’ve ever seen The Wood or Brown Sugar, then you know Rick Famuyiwa, the NigerianHollywood writer/director/ producer who is making headlines once again with his newly released HBO film Confirmation. If you didn’t catch his last project Dope on the silver screen, then you missed a treat. Dope is the tale of a selfproclaimed “geek” growing up in a crime-ridden Inglewood, California, ‘hood and his pursuit of a future beyond its marginalized scope.

Made for a mere $700,000, this film grossed $17 million at the box office and earned the 2015 AfricanAmerican Film Critics Association award for best screenplay. Don’t miss Dope, now playing on Netflix.

DINE, DRINK & DISCUSS Though the African diaspora is far-reaching, it is said that “blackness” only exists in America. In March, Naija traveling chef and writer Tunde Wey began hosting a dinner series in the United States to discuss the unique quality of the African-American experience. Entitled From Lagos, the series features a classically Nigerian five-course meal (featuring pepper soup, dodo and puff puff), special guests such as educator Dr. Rashida Govan and food activist Jenga Mwendo, and an open, honest discussion on race in the States. So far the dinners have taken place in New Orleans and Detroit, but more dates and locations are on the horizon. To take a listen to the discussions, visit fromlagos.com.

TUESDAY’S CHILD In Born on a Tuesday, Nigerian writer/ satirist Elnathan John takes on the often one-dimensional narrative of Boko Haram by following the journey of Dantala, a young man who finds the means for survival in an otherwise hostile environment by joining a mosque. In time, Dantala is introduced to Salafism and must choose the moral path that will define both his manhood and his approach to living and thriving in a harsh world. John’s debut novel doesn’t just tell a necessary story — it also reminds its readers that the issue of religious extremism is being played on a desperate landscape with innocence largely at stake. Born on a Tuesday, published by Nigeria’s own Cassava Republic Press, is available on www.cassavarepublic.biz and Amazon.

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Radiant

HEALTH MAGAZINE Follow us on Instagram

I N S TAG R A M .C O M / R A D I A N T H E A LT H M AG

B O DY- M I N D

DON’T

CALL IT

LO VE

BY Ifeoma Theodore Jnr, E

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My eyes are shut tight, no stray light can flicker through, yet teardrops still find a way out, and drop by drop they trickle, forming a pool around my face, down my chin. Yet I cannot utter a sound or sniffle, despite fighting for breath through my mucus-filled nostrils.

My fists are clenched, leaving bloody prints on my cartoon-themed bedspread. The pounding is endless, making my sturdy bed creak at the movement and weight it’s been forced to endure. My body feels numb, the intense hot breath fawning my face, leaving humid air all around. I hear myself screaming, but my mouth is shut. It will soon be over, my mind says over and over again, like it’s always told me since I was 13.

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WHO DO I TALK TO? WHO WOULD BELIEVE ME? HE’S A POWERFUL AND WELL-RESPECTED MAN IN SOCIETY, ADMIRED BY ALL WHO KNOW HIM. Minutes later, which feel like forever, I feel trickling down my legs, and indeed it’s over.

The weight lifts and a deep, crackly voice says, as it always has, It takes time for some people — you will love it soon enough. How else can I show my baby how much I love her? What we have between us is normal.

He says this every time, as if trying not just to convince me, but also himself. If it’s normal, why does my heart say otherwise? This is followed by a quick smack of wet pudgy lips on my forehead, followed by silent movement around the room indicating a quick dressing.

I hear the sound of the door click shut as I lay immobile. It’s quiet except for the sound of owls hooting.

Different thoughts swirl around my head.

Who do I talk to? Who would believe me?

He’s a powerful and well-respected man in society, admired by all who know him. And the woman I call Mother? Turns a deaf ear and says I must be a sick person to have such hallucinations. Don’t mention this outside! I will have you committed. This is a respectable family. How dare you? What nerve.

I can’t take this anymore. I have to do something. Slowly getting up from my bed, I walk towards my reading table. The moonlight streaming into my room casts enough light to move around, flick on my computer and send an email to Aunty Gertrude. She’s a nice neighbour who always gives me treats whenever she comes around. I remember

jumping over the picket fence dividing our compounds to play with her children. I find succour whenever I’m at her house.

I then quietly find my way to my closet, pull out a few of my t-shirts and knot them together. Naked, I walk purposefully to my bedroom window, which overlooks the beautiful garden I played in as a child. It’s December 31st and I will turn 16 in a few seconds, just as the new year is ushered in. A chill bursts through the room as I throw the windows open. I can see Aunty Gertrude’s house from my room.

With my expressionless face now filled with determination, I tie one end of my knotted t-shirts to the window bolt, tightly. Can’t afford for it to loosen. At the same pace, I tie the other end around my neck. This I also do tightly. Calmly, I walk towards the window, admiring the beautiful full moon lighting up everywhere. It’s so surreal. I can hear voices from a distance of people partying around the streets, just about to usher in the new year.

As I get to the ledge of my window and climb up, the cries of joy thundering around me from people welcoming in the new year drown out my cry of pain filled with anguish as I jump.

I feel the noose tighten round my neck as my body twitches. I feel my breath turn shallow as I silently wish myself a happy 16th birthday.

With a peaceful smile, coupled with a subtle grimace caused by the pain of the noose shortening my breath, I go limp.

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5 WAYS TO

SUPPORT A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

BY Ifeoma Theodore Jnr, E

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5 WAYS TO SUPPORT A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT News about sexual assault is everywhere: on television and radio, blogs and documentaries.

In most cases, your initial thoughts are probably disbelief, anger and disgust for the societal norms that soft-pedal in favour of the culprits, who in many cases choose to blame the victim because they asked for it. Then your thoughts move to solidarity with the victim.

And if you’ve been a victim yourself, your feelings will most likely be even more intense, especially if you didn’t get the support, justice and understanding you’d hoped for.

Unpleasant memories might come crashing down as you find yourself empathizing with the victim.

Let’s be clear about sexual assault: it is an invasive act inflicted on a person without their consent. The act demoralizes a person’s being and can affect their mental state, so it must be taken seriously, with culprits punished severely by the justice system and support given to the victims. Both males and females can be victims of sexual assault. It’s not limited to a particular gender.

Having said that, here are five ways to help someone who has been a victim of sexual assault: RadiantHealthMag.com Issue 8 | The Body Issue 104

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LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY AND TRY NOT TO CUT IN, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES TO TELL THE WHOLE STORY 1 LISTEN. A victim who has come to you and confided in you will be going through a lot of emotions, including pain, anger, frustration, fear, confusion and self-blame, just to name a few. They haven’t come to you to help intensify these feelings; they’ve come to you to lean on. Listen carefully to what they have to say and try not to cut in, no matter how long it takes to tell the whole story.

2 STAY CALM. Don’t panic on hearing that someone you know has been sexually assaulted. Remember, you want the victim to be calm, and your freaking out orshowing anger will definitely not help. Once the victim is done talking, ask questions that will help clarify what happened. Refrain from blaming the victim. For instance, if the victim was assaulted at a party, don’t ask questions like Why did you attend that party? or Why didn’t you leave early?

3 BELIEVE. It might sound easy, but it’s not. As humans, our analytical mind surpasses our humane mind now and then, but for you to be of help to a victim, you must first and foremost believe what you’ve just heard. Don’t try to figure out if the story is true; that should be left for the authorities. The victim might point the finger at someone you believe to be a perfect citizen, but that shouldn’t deter you from believing them, as many sexual assault cases are committed by people one would least expect. Don’t play judge and jury.

4 BE SUPPORTIVE. The victim needs your support to help guide them in making the right decisions about how to handle this traumatic situation. First, recommend going to the hospital for tests and samples to be taken, and then suggest going to the relevant authorities to make a report. Don’t push the victim into taking any advice, however, especially if they would rather do otherwise. The final decision is theirs to make. Regardless, be supportive in any way you can.

5 REACH OUT. After all is said and done, always make yourself available to the victim.

This is actually where the real support and understanding come in. Help them overcome the experience by encouraging them to move forward with their lives, as many victims get stuck and don’t know how.

Their self-esteem has been compromised, which makes them lose their sense of selfworth, so help them to realise that their experience does not define who they are.

If they are willing, encourage them to share their story, which could in turn help other victims or prevent someone else from becoming a victim.

6 RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY. Remember this all-important rule: the experience is not yours to share, but theirs.

Ifeoma Theodore is a Nigerian-based sexuality education and awareness advocate and author. Her book Trapped in Oblivion is a certified literature reference material in Nigeria to prevent and mitigate the effects of the lack of sexuality education inadolescents and young adults. She is also the author of My Daughters and I.

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GOD & I: A CONVERSATION IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

BY Yetunde Shorters RadiantHealthMag.com Issue 8 | The Body Issue 106

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This experience is extremely personal for me, so I invite you to read it with love, kindness and an open heart.

On the day I met Trabian, I knew he was always going to be in my life. I didn’t know how, but I knew I would always be connected to him. Somehow the fear of accepting real love held me back. It took seven years for us to find our way back to each other and agree to become a couple. The details sound like the making of a Hollywood romance, but in short: we got married, end of movie.

The honeymoon was less Hollywood and more real world. My guy and I are entrepreneurs juggling multiple businesses between us, and it’s not easy to find a block of time when we’re both free to get away. Right after the wedding, my husband went on his book tour and I went on my food demo travels and cookbook events.

But then Hollywood returns. To make up for the eight-month hold on our honeymoon, Trabian planned the best surprise trip ever:

a five-and-a-half week getaway spanning six countries and three continents! I expected romance, joy, laughter — but a spiritual epiphany? Of all the wonderful experiences I’d hoped for and had, the one I didn’t see coming was my honeymoon conversation with God. Imagine spending time in a place that feels like a slice of heaven, a place created literally to help you appreciate the earth. The Maldives was the second-to-last stop on our long honeymoon, and we stayed there for about 10 days. My husband even scheduled yoga classes every morning with the resort. But guess what? We didn’t attend one single session all 10 days. Ha! It felt like too much work.

On January second, when it was clear that yoga might not happen, Trabian scheduled a couple’s Ayurvedic massage called Abyhanga, which is meant to help you relieve stress, toxins and fatigue, improve circulation, strengthen stamina, calm the nerves and enhance mental alertness. Trabian said it was one of his best massages ever. I, on the other hand, cannot

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say the same. In fact, for me it was the worst massage ever, and I have had my share of massages. I wanted to go back and complain, but decided I would wait until the next day.

But then it happened: the massage was supposed to release toxins and stress, and boy oh boy did I release! It worked. At 4:21 a.m. to be exact, I began tossing and turning, feeling uncomfortable, irritable and full of every cranky emotion possible. I got up and walked around the dark room, with the stars providing a little light through the glass doors. I took some deep breaths and lay back in bed. But it still felt like something needed to be released, so I got a pen and paper and decided I would write.

I REALIZED AND CONFESSED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE HOW ANGRY I WAS WITH GOD. I WAS HURT — I FELT ABANDONED AND ALONE

Whatever that massage opened open, I am so grateful for it. I went to the balcony and sat on the steps leading into the water, and then it began. I began to cry. I wrote, I cried, I wrote and cried some more. It was a quiet but heartfelt cry that I feel God designed to heal us. With tears dripping down my face I wrote, and I could taste the salty pain that I had been holding in all these years. I tried to RadiantHealthMag.com Issue 8 | The Body Issue 108

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keep quiet, as it was too early for anyone to be up in this paradise.

I realized and confessed for the first time in my life how angry I was with God. I was hurt — I felt abandoned and alone. Picture me in a corner of a dark room, huddled up in emotional pain. That’s how it felt. Since I was 3 years old (I remember things from when I was 2), I have been aware of being on this earth. At that age, I had over 20 dreams of climbing a ladder and stretching my hands out to God, asking him/her to take me back, that I wasn’t ready to be here, that the world was full of hatred and pain for so many and I wanted to go back.

Such dreams for a 3 year old; I remember them vividly even now as I share this with you.

I was angry that I had grown up in a country where emotional health is not talked about, so I had to figure out so many things on my own. Walking around scared, feeling that I was responsible for everything and that any success or failure in my life was solely because of my hard work or lack of it. It was always “What do I have to do next?” I could never really enjoy the moment or the fruits of my labor.

I was angry with God for the injustices in the world — the wars, children being raped, people left hungry in so many African countries and beyond. I was angry with God for the racism and tribalism (they are the same to me) that keep humans separated.

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I was angry with God for all my failed relationships that made it harder to trust. I was angry with God that many of us will choose our lower, selfish and ego-driven self before the thought of just being good was an option. I was angry with God that I never really trusted any man in my life until now.

And I was hurt that my soul had made a request to God about taking me back almost immediately after I had arrived on this earth, and feeling abandoned because he/she did not heed my request.

My breakthrough on that starry night was realizing that I had only turned to God when I needed things that felt beyond my power — in everything else, I only trusted in what I could do, what I could bring to the table. My belief and faith in God all these years had been based on things that I desired rather than on an unshakeable trust.

When I launched each of my businesses, I prayed. When I bought my first condo on the river in Miami, I prayed, but even then, I had no trust. As many young, firsttime homebuyers will tell you, it is one of the worse experiences you will go through.

Even with good credit, a nice down payment and a good job, getting my condo was a challenge, and I was so sure it would fall through. I began making plans to take my down payment and move to Ghana. Yes, Ghana.

But my friend Sade and my mother had more faith than I did. When we closed on the deal, I walked into my condo and broke down and cried and asked God to forgive me for having so little faith. The point is, I only turned to God when I needed things that felt beyond my power.

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THE POINT IS, I ONLY TURNED TO GOD WHEN I NEEDED THINGS THAT FELT BEYOND MY POWER

Then my mother’s words came to me: “Yetunde, stop trying to do God’s work — do your part and leave the rest to God.” Then I cried harder, steps away from the Indian Ocean. I was tired, tired of worrying about all these things, tired of this race to do all the things I want to do on this earth.

All the assignments that my soul has been called to do on this journey, tired of feeling abandoned, tired of not being able to do more to change our world. Tired of all this hate against brown and black people all over the world. I was tired of being alone, in a dark room, in the corner, wondering if I will be bold enough to face the light and take God’s hands and walk into a new world where I surrender fully to God. And suddenly I heard God’s reply through my thoughts:

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IT FELT LIKE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I COULD JUST BE Yetunde, I have always loved you, I will always love you, and I did not abandon you. I brought you here because this world needs your light, your energy. I gave you all free will because I want you to have the power to create, but love is fighting for its life on earth. I sent you and many others to be love agents to help them remember that my love transforms, as it is transforming you now.

I sent Trabian to you because he has been a part of my plan for you all along; he is my love for you on earth. He will help you heal and you will do the same for him. I need you to learn to trust people more, and I want you to start with him. I need you to let go of all of it, no matter how small, and learn to trust me because I am the Creator and I can only do what is best for my child. Now take my hand and come into the light.

It felt like for the first time in my life, I could just be. I cried in deep relief. Even as I write this, I am in tears because I feel God’s love and it overwhelms me, and I am honored and come in full service to be a #LOVEAGENT. On that day, I put in my calendar the phrase “I am love and I am loved” so that every morning at 9 a.m. I am reminded of my commitment to build a relationship based on full trust in God.

Yetunde Shorters is a serial entrepreneur, the mastermind behind Afropolitan Chef®, ICY PR and ICY ACADEMY. She is a three-time Amazon best-selling author. With over 15 years of experience in PR, branding and marketing, Yetunde has helped brand over 100 personalities and businesses, including multiple Grammy Award-winning artists.

My spirit was relaxed and free, my heart felt lighter, and I had the best sleep ever that night.

When I woke up, I shared the experience with my husband, and we talked for over three hours that morning. It was beautiful. I told him how much I appreciate him, how he is a blessing to the world and to me, and how he helps me get closer to God. And I decided from that day that my trust in God is officially unconditional.

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RADIANT WOMAN WATCH

EZINNE OKPARAEBO ALTRUISTIC OLYMPIAN

BY Nikki Igbo

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RANKED 32ND IN THE WORLD IN THE WOMEN’S 100 METER, EZINNE TRAINS DAILY FOR HER NEXT OLYMPIC SHOWING Norway’s fastest woman, Ezinne Okparaebo, initially dreamed of becoming an actress or a singer. However, one fateful day at school, an instructor noticed Ezinne’s exceptional speed and jumping capabilities and another path was forged.

“I think I’m tone deaf, so I don’t know how that [singing] could have worked out,” says Ezinne.

“My teacher recommended track and field for me, and after a while I took the advice.”

Ezinne’s father, who had migrated to Norway from Nigeria for work and was later joined by his family, found a club where his daughter could develop her talent. And develop her talent she certainly did: winning RadiantHealthMag.com Issue 8 | The Body Issue 114

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her first national title at the age of 17, Ezinne went on to become the 2008 and 2012 Olympian we know and applaud today, and she’s still on the move.

Ranked 32nd in the world in the women’s 100 meter, Ezinne trains daily for her next Olympic showing. Her passion and drive are palpable, and her extraordinary body is the living proof, as anyone can see from her aweinspiring training snippets often shared on Facebook and Instagram.

“My body is my tool. I listen carefully to it and take care of it,” Ezinne explains. “What motivates me to push myself every day on the track is trying to reach my full potential and see how far I can go. It’s quite exciting and challenging.”

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‘BEING RADIANT FOR ME ALSO MEANS SOMEONE WHO USES THEIR PLATFORM TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT.’

Ezinne’s motivations don’t stop at her personal physical and Olympic endeavors. The 27-year-old sprinter also founded Ezinne Athletics, which focuses on empowering and educating girls — particularly underrepresented girls of color in Norway — through sports activities.

“We have a group of 50 girls who come to us twice a week to experience the joy of sport, free of charge. With our work we hope to contribute with integration and create diversity in the community.”

As this issue’s Radiant Woman, Ezinne truly epitomizes beauty, vibrancy and positivity, but her own definition for radiance goes a step further.

Says Ezinne, “Being radiant for me also means someone who uses their platform to make a positive impact.”

Don’t miss Ezinne Okparaebo at this year’s Summer Olympics in Brazil. To learn more about Ezinne, visit ezinne.no.

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R AY S O F R E F L E C T I O N

“EMBRACE AND LOVE YOUR BODY. IT’S THE MOST AMAZING THING YOU’LL EVER OWN.” UNKNOWN

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