Rev. Dr. Natalie Mitchem, Ed.D., RDN. Executive Director of the Connectional Health Commission
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” NIV
August is Clergy and Clergy Family Wellness month, and July was Faith-Based Health, Wellness, Nutrition, and Fitness Month. Each of these months were established by the International Health Commission (IHC) of the AME Church to promote wellness in the faith-based community. Clergy and Clergy Family Wellness in the month of August is a time to focus on “physical and mental health, manage stress, encourage sabbatical (at home or away from home), and clergy self-care” (www.AMEChealth.org). IHC is celebrating 30 years of service and we invite everyone to take a 30-Day Culinary RX AME and Lifestyle Medicine Challenge/Journey to assist clergy and clergy families in taking steps towards improved health, disease prevention, and wellness.
Culinary RX AME explains how healthy food choices can help prevent and fight disease (i.e., Diabetes Type 2, Heart Disease, Cancers, High Blood Pressure, and more) through informative short videos and hands on cooking experiences. The IHC 30-day challenge also incorporates evidenced-based Lifestyle Medicine principles to promote overall wellness for the mind, body, and spirit. Visit the survey monkey link and take the 30-Day challenge/journey with us, and we pray you experience blessings, health, and wellness every day in Jesus name.
Survey Monkey Link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R78MDDR
- Faith In Action/Prayer – Pray first about all important life decisions
- Enroll in Culinary RX- AME – www.ame-church.rouxbe.com – One-time fee $49.99 for lifetime access
- Nutrition – Try Meatless Monday, eat more fresh foods naturally low in sodium and read Nutrition Facts labels. Use the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate or Diabetes Plate Method for a guide (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/, https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/eating-well). Plant a church garden.
- Manage Stress – List how you will manage stress?
- Daily Fitness – Choose an activity of your choice and participate for 60 minutes
- Healthy Relationships – Galatians 5:18 – 26 and a take a healthy look at your relationships
- Self-Care – List healthy choices you will make over the next 30 days
- Rest/Sleep – Make time for rest and a minimum of 7 hours of sleep
- Laughter/Joy – find or do something that makes you laugh and/or puts a smile on your face
- No Smoking/No Menthol – find a smoking cessation program (www.centerforblackhealth.org)
- Limit Alcohol – if you drink alcohol, limit and/or no more than one alcohol beverage for 30 days
