Senator Jepter Ince delivered an inspirational lecture to my fourth form social studies students during last month’s Christ Church Foundation School African History Month celebrations.
Senator Ince enlightened the students about financial issues, his experiences on Wall Street and the necessity to view education as a key to personal developmental success. He was so passionate and impactful that the students literally did not want him to leave.
Today we focus on “silent doctor” cornmeal and Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe, which means “house of stone”, acquired its name from the stone ruins left by the Shona people. It was formerly called Rhodesia. Zimbabwe is 390 580 square miles (Barbados can fit into it 2 352 times).
The national dish is “Sadza” and its main ingredient is “silent doctor” cornmeal. It is interesting to note that the national dish of Barbados is cornmeal cou-cou and flying fish.
Cornmeal is made by grinding dried corn kernels into a powder. It does not contain cholesterol, calcium or gluten. Gluten is a safe alternative to flour for people challenged with celiac disease.
Cornmeal contains many nutrients, including some B vitamins and vitamin E, iron, dietary fibre, phosphorous, potassium and manganese.
A diet rich in dietary fibre can regulate blood sugar and weight loss, lower cholesterol, promote colon health and it helps to soften your stool to prevent or relieve constipation. It can also help to trim the waistline.
Iron is needed in the body to assist in preventing anaemia, to assist the red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body, and helps drive your metabolism by activating enzymes needed for energy production.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It can protect against neurological disorders, boosts the immune system, protect against cardiovascular disease, prevents cancer, fights skin problems and baldness, increases sexual and athletic prowess amongst other powerful benefits. You can conduct further research on the other exciting health benefits of cornmeal.
Finally, Barbadians are powerful, sensible people, thus we must become our personal health economists and commence calculating our issues related to health.
The first areas of calculation should be whether holistic meals, home-grown “silent doctors” and plenty of exercise are better for your health compared to unholistic meals, imported fruits and an unhealthy body.
Be wise, use more cornmeal porridge, cou-cou and ‘Sadza’ to have more sensual experiences and a healthier body.
• Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted via silentdoctors@gmail.com or by telephone 250-6450.
DISCLAIMER:?It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direccton of your health care provider.