"Fear and faith cannot occupy the same space. Either you are fearful or you are faithful. Be full of faith rather than full of fear." A quote taken from Althea aka The Raw Mocha Angel, who shares an inside look at her inspirational natural hair and raw vegan journeys.
Althea's natural hair journey...
I first went natural in 1989, when I got a HORRIBLE haircut by a sweet, but inexperienced sister. She felt terrible. The worst part was I had to go into work, immediately afterward, with this short, uneven, jacked-up 'fro.
After college, when I went into the corporate world, I had my hair pressed because I wasn't sure I could wear an Afro puff to work. I had no idea what to do with my hair in late teens and early 20s. Then of course, I broke up with a boyfriend and proceeded to slap some Dark n' Lovely lye on my scalp because I was so distraught. I cut my hair shorter and shorter, until after the next relationship ended in a blaze of glory (that's another story) - I cut the perm off, for the last time.
I went to a salon to get my head shaved. One of the stylists said to me, "What are you going to do with your hair now?" "I have no idea," I replied. "You'll be back," she said to me with a knowing authority. "No, I won't," I said. And I was right. That was in 1994. I have been natural ever since.
I wore two-strand twists, usually in the untwisted, curly 'fro look. I loc'd my hair in January 2008, and I've worn my hair that way ever since. I've always admired women with beautiful locs, and I finally have them myself. I cannot imagine not being natural. It's the only way to be. I thank my mom for that because she's worn her hair natural for at least 25 years.
Althea, the Jack of All Trades...
I became a yoga teacher 10 years ago because I hated working at America Online. But AOL should not take my hatred personally because I hated the corporate lifestyle. I hated everything about it. The cubicles. The ergonomically correct chairs. The computers. The phones. The emails. The meetings. The inflated self-importance of people with stock options worth a hell of a lot of money. Yoga helps me connect with my Higher Self, and it helps me remain grounded.
I do intuitive readings as well. I've been doing readings for seven years. Most people would call me "psychic," which would be true, but with the whole "Psychic Friends Network" puts a negative connotation on the word. To me, everyone is intuitive because my world view is that everyone is a spiritual being having a physical experience. I spend a lot of time teaching others how to tap into their intuitive selves, and how to do readings. It's a gift, but it is also a skill. My intuitive website is
www.altheahugheswills.com
My upcoming book, Mocha Angels: Angelic Wisdom and Affirmations is a 365-day guide to healing. It's much like the Daily Word, but inspired by Angels. I also won an award for my first novel, "Walking The Line."
Althea's raw vegan inspiration...
My path to becoming a raw vegan is very long one. I was born into a classic soul food eating family in Detroit, Michigan. We had meat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. My favorite snack growing up was tuna fish and cheese on a Ritz cracker.
Between the ages of 11 and 21, I suffered from horrible menstrual cramps. I credit that monthly horror for putting me on this path. Every month, for seven to eight days, I would be in agony. I searched high and low for answers. I missed school and work because I couldn't bear to leave my bed. There were days I could barely walk, the pain would be running down my thighs. Finally, in 1993, at the age of 21, I read a book called, "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" by Christiane Northrup, M.D. She mentioned how uric acid in meat could affect women's hormones and could affect menstrual cramps. FINALLY!
I'd had to leave work just the week before. I laid in bed with a migraine and suffered the worst pain of my life. Menstrual cramps are no joke. Nothing, until I was in labor with my children, could even compare to the pain. I felt like Dr. Northrup had given me my answer. I stopped eating meat and dairy at the end of that menstrual cycle. No animal products for thirty days (between cycles). When my next cycle rolled around, it lasted for 3 days, was light, and pain-free. I'd found my answer.
From then, I'd been vegetarian off and on until 2004. My cycle always let me know when my body needed some cleansing. I have so much to say about all of this, which is why I started a blog! Althea's blog The Raw Mocha Angel, features affordable raw vegan and gluten-free recipes, giveaways, inspirational posts and much, much more.
So why raw vegan? I'd read Victoria Boutenko's "12 Steps to Raw Food" in 2004. I went raw for a week. Oh my God. Nothing but bliss. I went raw again in December 2006 for The Yabba Pot's Raw Challenge. Again, I had massive energy. So now I am back. Why? Because I want to live my best life. Having lots of energy always brings me back to raw food. Just feeling good is reason enough. Brain fog clears up. My memory is better. My sleep is better. It seems like I can handle my life and the responsibilities that come with it better when I am a raw vegan.
Althea's advice for those in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle...
Read. Read. Read. There is SO MUCH information out there. Learn all that you can and become an expert. Check out books from the library. Subscribe to blogs. Join Ning groups. Get together, often, with like-minded people. Love yourself and embrace your healing.
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