Black History(Mr. James West)

James West

If you've ever made a phone call, recorded a voice memo,or used a hearing aid, you owe a thank you to Mr. James Edward West. Quiet in demeanor but thunderous in impact, West changed how the world hears itself giving us the power to hear the world more clearly. 

Born in 1931 in Prince Edward County, Virginia, West grew up fascinated by electricity. After a childhood shock from a radio,his curiosity only grew. Despite the hurdles of being a Black man in Jim Crow America, he earned a physics degree and landed a job at Bell Labs a place known for innovation but not always inclusion.

However in 1962, alongside colleague Gerhard Sessler, West co-invented the electret microphone. Small, reliable, and inexpensive, it was a breakthrough. Before their invention microphones were bulky and fragile. So they redesigned them to be compact and more durable. 

Today, over 90% of microphones in phones,camcorders,laptops use his technology he designed. He also holds over 250 other patents. He was instrumental in championing STEM access for minority students, co-founded initiatives to bring more women and people of color into engineering, and taught at Johns Hopkins well into his 80s.

James West gave us the power to hear the world more clearly. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time the world finally listened to his story. 

#WeAreHistory 

#BLACKtastic 

#BLACKnificence

Beet Kvass

 Now this is a drink many may turn their noses up at..lol however I absolutely love Beet Kvass. I remember drinking this homemade probiotic as a child and hating it. However as I’ve gotten older I understand the purpose behind it,and why my mom felt the need to make it and add it to our holistic health regiment. Gut health is literally LIFE! Anyway Beet Kvass can be dressed up to suit your needs and taste. I like mines with ginger,lemon balm,and a little localized honey. Here’s a simple recipe that can get the job done.

#GrowSumthin

#BackyardHealing

Whatcha need..

3-4 medium-sized organic beets(we grow ours)

1t himalaya salt

Knob ginger 

1/4 cup mint or lemon balm

How ya do it... 

Wash your beets. Then cut them into chunks (you don’t want to grate them or cut them small because they will ferment too quickly and turn it into liquor which isn’t to bad😅). Fill a quart jar about ¼ to ⅓ full with these beets. Add the salt and stir. Chop the ginger and mint or lemon balm roughly,adding it to the jar. Then add your spring water to the jar leaving at least an inch of air space at the top. Cover tightly with a lid. Place on your kitchen counter for two days and shake a couple of times a day. 

There ya have it! Simple right? When you’re ready to drink it put it in the icebox to chill and enjoy. It’s amazing in smoothies. When the juice is gone,you can refill it with water and set it on the counter for another two days for at least one more batch.

5 Gallon Garden

Easy Veggies to Grow in Buckets This April! 🌱🪣 These grow beautifully in 5-gallon buckets! Let’s groooow🤟🏾….

🍅 Tomatoes – Just add a cage for support!

🥬 Lettuce – Loves cooler spring temps

🌶️ Peppers – Great in warm, sunny spots

🫘 Bush Beans – Compact and super productive

🌱 Radishes – Fast growers ready in weeks

🥬 Spinach – Thrives in cooler weather

🧅 Green Onions – Keep snipping, they regrow!

🥒 Cucumbers – Give them a trellis and watch them climb

🥕 Carrots – Deep buckets = straight roots

💡 Tip: Use well-draining soil and water regularly for healthy harvests!

Black History(Ms.Roger Arliner Young)

 I love our History. In keeping with my weekly BHP meet Ms.Roger Arliner Young. Ms. Young the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in zoology and to publish in science she paved the way for future generations in STEM, died.  Young was born in 1899 in Clifton Forge, Virginia, and raised in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University in 1923 and her master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1926.

In 1924, her article “On the Excretory Apparatus in Paramecium” was published in the journal Science, making her the first African American woman to research and professionally publish in her field. In 1940, she earned her Ph. D. in Zoology from the University of Pennsylvania.  After obtaining her doctorate, Young held teaching positions at several colleges and wrote several books.

Ancestors🫶🏾

 ~Ase’OOO

Baba Steve Biko Quotes

This line was so powerful…Cry Freedom is an absolute masterpiece the book and the movie🔥🔥🔥…

#RIPower

#SteveBiko

The New Year🫶🏾

 Happiest New Year❤️🖤💚

I loooove the REAL New Year and like to bring it in with one of my favorite yet simple renewal rituals. 

Get 4 candles for the 4 seasons,as we’ve cycled through all of them to arrive at the beginning. I personally like green or white)green for growth, newness,earth, greenery etc. The white for cleanliness, purity,rebirth,clean slate etc.

1. Light your first candle and say what ever you’re feeling in that moment aloud. 

2. Light your second candle acknowledging and giving thanks for them months of stillness and darkness (winter)however you are ready for the light and newness that Spring will bring. 

3. Light your third candle and asked for inspiration and newness,speak aloud those things you want to let go of in order for you to grow just like the spring flowers stirring in their darkened earthly home.

4. Light your forth and last candle. As you do this try and picture the four dancing flames coming together as one. 

5. Imagine the flames cleansing and purifying you! Picture your new life coming together as you’ve manifested. 

6. A simple chant I like to say is “Fire of light,blazes of the sun,fill me with your shining light. Purify me,cleanse me,and light my path,show me the way,show me the light,guide me morning, noon,and night~Selah”

Then take a few moments to meditate and reflect,enjoy the light of your candles. Think about healing,inspiration, purification,light, and life. Do you have spaces that are damaged and in need of healing? Do you feel inadequate,have a lack of inspiration? Are there some part of your life that feels toxic or tainted(my daily works)? 

This is the time to try and visualize the healing light as a warm beyoutiful inner’chi that wraps itself around you! Let it igniting the spark of creativity, purifying,and healing all those parts that are damaged. Take a few minutes afterward and write your thoughts and reflections down in your journal as a reminder of your New Year’s goals ~Ase’OOO 

                                                                     Sunni D💙

Black History”Ms. Virginia E. Randolph”

 I love the story of Ms. Virginia E. Randolph. As a person who went to a vocational training school in the early 90’s I can say with certainty it’s something we need to encourage the next generation to do. Traditional college ain’t for everyone and that’s ok🤟🏾….

Virginia E. Randolph opened one of the very first vocational training schools! She was born June 8,1874, in Richmond,Virginia. She began her career as a teacher when she opened the one-room Mountain Road School in Henrico County. In addition to academics,she taught her students woodworking,cooking,gardening,

sewing,and many other life skills. 

In 1908, Randolph was named the United State’s first “Jeanes Supervising Industrial Teacher,” recipient of funding to maintain and assist rural schools for African Americans in the South. She saw over 23 different elementary schools. Randolph developed the first in-service training program for black teachers. She also authored the “Henrico Plan” which became a reference book for southern schools receiving funding from the Jeanes Foundation. Randolph’s teaching philosophy and techniques were later adopted by Great Britain in their African colonies.

In 1908, Randolph founded the first Arbor Day Program in Virginia. She and her students planted 12 Sycamore trees. In 1976, the trees still standing were named the first notable trees in Virginia by the National Park Service. Randolph retired in 1949, and in 1954, the Virginia Randolph Foundation was formed to annually award scholarships to Henrico County high school students who will be attending college.

In 1976, the Virginia Randolph Home Economics Cottage was named a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. Virginia Randolph Community High School in Glen Allen, Virginia, is named in her honor. (Today in African American History, 2025). Ms. Virginia Estelle Randolph passed away on March 16,1958.

Raised Garden Beds

 What a great idea!

How to Fill a DEEP Raised Bed CHEAP and EASY

1. Start with the Base: Bulk Materials

Use cheap materials like logs, branches, dead leaves, straw, or cardboard to fill the bottom ⅓ to ½ of the bed.

2. Add Organic Matter

Layer compostable kitchen scraps, unfinished compost, or manure to enrich the soil over time.

3. Add a Middle Layer

Use garden soil, compost, and aged mulch or wood chips for good drainage and nutrients.

4. Top Layer: High-Quality Soil

Fill the top 6–12 inches with nutrient-rich compost, potting soil, or a mix of garden soil and compost.

5. Water and Settle

Water each layer as you build to settle the materials and promote decomposition.

6. Mulch the Surface

Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Seeds

Hey Y’all! After harvesting those watermelon whatcha gonna do with all dem seeds!!? Did ya know you can roast them just like you do pumpkin seeds..yeppers and they’re just as nutritious and delicious😋!!! I 

Whatcha Need:

Watermelon Seeds

Cinnamon 

Cayenne Pepper 

Himalayan Salt

Olive Oil 

How it's Done: 

Preheat your oven to about 375.

Wash your seeds and dry'em. 

Add the washed and dried watermelon seeds in a baggie.  

Now add ya olive oil and sprinkle with your seasonings 

Place on a baking sheet and cook for 10 minutes. 

Turn'em and cook 6-10 more minutes. 

Cool'em on paper towels. We look them in salads and as a quick snack.

                                                                 Sunni D💙                                                             

Mudras Hand Symbols

Mudras are symbolic hand gestures or positions used in signifying spiritual enlightenment,and can be used to balance energy, promote healing, and enhance meditation here’s a few of my favorites🤟🏾 

The Ancient Solfeggio

174 Hz – The lowest of the tones appears to be a natural anaesthetic. It tends to remove pain physically , energetically as well as karmic energy. 174 Hz frequency gives your organs a sense of security, safety and love, motivating them to do their best.

285 Hz – This tone is useful when treating wounds, cuts, burns or any other form of damaged tissue. 285 Hz Solfeggio Frequency is said to be directly connected to our body´s, mind and soul´s blueprint for optimal health and physical wellbeing, due to its amazing ability to remember what should be and to return cells to its original form. It influences energy fields sending them message to restructure damaged organ. 285 Hz is about remembering and healing you, your internal organs and your energy.

396 Hz – Cleanses the feeling of guilt, which often represents one of the basic obstacle to realization, enables achievement of goals in the most direct way. It releases you from the feeling of guilt and fear by bringing down the defense mechanisms. This solfeggio frequency can also be also used as means of grounding, awakening, sobering and returning to reality. 174 Hz – The lowest of the tones appears to be a natural anaesthetic. It tends to remove pain physically , energetically as well as karmic energy. 174 Hz frequency gives your organs a sense of security, safety and love, motivating them to do their best.

285 Hz – This tone is useful when treating wounds, cuts, burns or any other form of damaged tissue. 285 Hz Solfeggio Frequency is said to be directly connected to our body´s, mind and soul´s blueprint for optimal health and physical wellbeing, due to its amazing ability to remember what should be and to return cells to its original form. It influences energy fields sending them message to restructure damaged organ. 285 Hz is about remembering and healing you, your internal organs and your energy.

396 Hz – Cleanses the feeling of guilt, which often represents one of the basic obstacle to realization, enables achievement of goals in the most direct way. It releases you from the feeling of guilt and fear by bringing down the defense mechanisms. This solfeggio frequency can also be also used as means of grounding, awakening, sobering and returning to reality.

417Hz – Next tone from the solfeggio scale is connected with resonation processes or processes of amplification. Re can “delete” person’s “alienation from God” and enable returning to the “right path”. This solfeggio frequency cleanses traumatic experiences and clears destructive influences of past events. It can be used for cleaning limiting impression, which disables the person to achieve her life goals. When speaking of cellular processes, tone Re encourages the cell and its DNA to function in an optimal way. 417 Hz frequency energizes your body cells and helps to use their creative potentials.

528 Hz – Used to return human DNA to its original, perfect state.  If it is used in a way described in Webster’s dictionary – by communicating the wanted effect and with energy support from the “light” – miracles will happen! Process of DNA reparation is followed by beneficial effects – increased amount of life energy, clarity of mind, awareness, awakened or activated creativity, ecstatic states like deep inner peace, dance and celebration. It also opens the person for deep spiritual experiences and spiritual enlightenment.

639 Hz – This frequency enables creation of harmonious community and harmonious interpersonal relationships. It can be used for dealing with relationships problems – those in family, between partners, friends or social problems. It can be used to encourage the cell to communicate with its environment. This ancient solfeggio frequency enhances communication, understanding, tolerance and love. 639 Hz frequency can also be used for communication with parallel worlds or spiritual spheres.

741 Hz – Cleans the cell from the toxins. Frequent use of 741 Hz leads to a healthier, simpler life, and also to change in diet towards foods which are not poisoned by various kinds of toxins. It also cleans the cell from different kinds of electromagnetic radiations. Another important application of this sound frequency is cleansing infections – viral, bacterial, and fungal. This tone leads you to pure, stable and spiritual life.

852 Hz – Solfeggio 852 Hz is directly connected to the third eye chakra and can be used as means for awakening inner strength & self realisation. It is good for dissolving stagnate mental energy from to over-thinking. (mental activity) It is said to clear up energy blockages that before has hindered clear and strong communication with our higher self, spirit guides and spirit helpers. The 852 Hz solfeggio to play either clean as is or as a background sound to other audio.

963 Hz – This tone awakens any system to its original, perfect state. It is connected with the Light and all-embracing Spirit, and  enables direct experience, the return to Oneness. This frequency re-connects you with the Spirit, or the non-vibrational energies of the spiritual world. It will enable you to experience Oneness – our true nature. 

                                                     Light and Life 

                                                                 Sunni💙

Dressings

 🥗🌿 5 Homemade Dressings 🌿🥗

Ingredients:

Lemon and Basil Dressing:

- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice

- 1/2 cup of olive oil

- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil

- 1 clove minced garlic

- Salt and pepper to taste

Honey Mustard Dressing:

- 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard

- 2 tablespoons of honey

- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar

- 1/2 cup of olive oil

- Salt and pepper to taste

Ginger and Soy Dressing:

- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce

- 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar

- 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger

- 1 teaspoon of honey

- 1/4 cup sesame oil.

- Salt and pepper to taste

Avocado and Lemon Dressing:

- 1 ripe avocado

- 1/4 cup of fresh chopped cilantro

- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

- 1 clove minced garlic

- 1/4 cup of olive oil

- Salt and pepper to taste

Mint and Yogurt Dressing:

- 1 cup of natural yogurt

- 2 tablespoons of fresh mint

- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

- 1 clove minced garlic

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a small container, combine all the ingredients of the selected dressing until well combined.

2. Taste and adjust the flavor to your preference, adding more salt, pepper or lemon if needed.

3. Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to mix properly.

4. Serve over your favorite salads and enjoy these delicious homemade dressings.

5. Accompany your meals with these homemade dressings and delight your palate with their freshness and unique taste! 🥗✨

Cherry Stems

 Health Benefits Of Cherry Stems:

- strengthening the nerves

- calming effect on mind

- reducing edema and bloating

- anti inflammatory properties

- purifying the blood

- lowering cholesterol

- helpful against anemia, cellulite, arthritis and gout

- effective natural pain killer

Did you know that cherry stems are used as a remedy in traditional medicine? Cherry stems are known for their diuretic properties which promotes proper kidney function and reduces water retention. They prevent formation of kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Cherry stems also stimulate the elimination of toxins from the body through urine and stools.