Education as Empowerment

By Neeka Safdari (She/Her/Hers)

Women of Color are disproportionately impacted by concentrated poverty, food deserts and targeted marketing, which means that a part of ecofeminism must be dedicated to empowering one another with knowledge by raising awareness about anti-in ammatory, healing foods.

Although healing foods are not always accessible and Women of Color do not always have autonomy over their dietary choices, healthy and homemade meals are often less expensive than fast food when the costs are broken down. Therefore, whenever there is the time and ability to do so, these common foods could be swapped out for the following healthy alternatives: 

When possible and economically feasible, swap... 

• Nutrient-lacking white rice for protein-rich quinoa or brown rice 

• Greasy, overly-salted french fries for roasted, vitamin-rich sweet potatoes 

• High-fructose corn syrupy soda for antioxidant-rich tea 

• Carcinogenic red meat for ber and protein-rich red kidney beans 

• Additive-filled, sugary ice cream for homemade nice cream* 

• Store-bought, arti cially-derived salad dressing for olive oil and lemon juice 

Here is a simple, delicious recipe for banana nice cream: 

1. Blend 2 bananas with 1⁄4 cup of unsweetened almond milk.

2. Add a handful of walnuts and blend.

3. Add a handful of coconut shavings (optional) and blend. 

Love your body. Feed it with love.