Chef Ahki's 'Electric Kitchen' Is Your Answer To A Cleaner Diet
We all know how difficult it is to adopt and maintain a clean diet. In a world of processed foods and fast-food chains, trying to eat healthy to support our bodies seems to be the hardest thing to do. Most of us don't even know how to properly transition into a clean diet either. We give up before changes in our skin, hair, or body begin to show. Let's be real, not everyone enjoys food shopping or learning how to cook a healthy, nutritious meal. But if we're taught better, we tend to do better. And with the right amount of support, we're able to commit to our health the way we would like.
Enter Chef Ahki Taylor and her 10-week transformational program, theElectric Kitchen. If you haven't heard of "electric foods" before, you're not alone. Electric foods are natural, indigenous to the earth, and unmodified by man. These foods also are non-acidic and have an alkaline effect on the body. In her program, Chef Ahki helps people transition from the sick "Standard American Diet (SAD)," as she calls it, to a healthy and electric foods lifestyle. She also takes out the guesswork and makes cooking healthy meals fun by teaching others what electric foods are, where to locate electric foods, how to prepare electric foods, and how to adapt an electric foods mindset.
And mindset is everything in any transition.
Chef Ahki is known as the "Wellness Guru to the Stars." She has worked as a celebrity chef, motivational speaker, and has authored five holistic lifestyle books while leading her own virtual culinary academy called "The Electric Kitchen."
This wellness revolutionary-turned-influencer and food vlogger has inspired millions with her no-nonsense approach to Black women's health.
She shares with xoNecole her personal journey to becoming a vegan chef, the benefits of an alkaline diet, and her upcoming transformational program the Electric Kitchen.
Tell us about your personal journey to becoming a vegan chef and what made you adopt an alkaline food-based diet.
Chef Ahki: At 17 years old, I met a gorgeous guy who was a conscious eater. He inspired me to study dietary choices in global religion. It was so enlightening I thought I'd give it a try. Over the years I've noticed how friends, family, and loved ones were falling ill from issues I knew was preventable with a simple diet change. This motivated me to get my bachelor's in naturopathic science and holistic theology, and I took an internship as a colon therapist.
As a nutritional counselor, I learned a distinct difference between my "vegan junk food" clients and my "alkaline foods" clients. This inspired me to connect with Dr. Sebi and to release The Electric Book, a Modern Guide to Non-Hybrid & Wild Foods.
What are some of the benefits of an alkaline diet?
The body becomes more resistant to all diseases because you avoid inflammation, mucus, toxicity, and parasites. You enjoy youthful, glowing skin because the blood, kidneys, and liver are clean and hydrated. You maintain a comfortable weight with plenty of energy and a balanced sex drive.
How do electric foods help heal the body of common medical conditions?
The Electric Diet requires you to use a variety of whole foods and herbs. This can address everything from heart disease and diabetes to reproductive and autoimmune disease as it is assisting in the necessary detoxification process with each bite. All disease begins with toxins.
What are some examples of electric foods?
Grains such as quinoa and spelt flour. I eat a lot of hemp seeds and chickpeas. I also eat only seeded fruits including watermelons and grapes.
Can you share a few key concepts that participants can expect to learn in the program?
One example is how to understand ethnogenesis. In my class, we learn how Black people process sunlight, food, air, and nutrition as well as toxins much differently than others. We also debunk a lot of health food myths, like nutritional yeast and garlic being healthy foods.
Tell us a success story from one of your past program participants.
I have helped women with infertility [to] conceive. One woman lost 40 pounds! Others have simply never cooked a vegan meal in their lives and now it's the norm.
What has been the most rewarding experience for you since launching the Electric Kitchen program?
Honestly, it's the connection and inspiration for me. I love seeing the students in the kitchen trying something new and loving it!
When does the Electric Kitchen program officially start?
October 2021.
Featured image via Getty Images
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Black Women Are Getting More STIs Than Any Race, Here's What You Should Know
Sex is a popular topic that we see discussed in TV shows, movies, podcasts, or just conversations with friends. What's usually highlighted is the excitement and intimacy that sex can bring, and what seems to be left out is the reality of STIs and STDs.
According to Sage Journal, more Black women are getting STIs than anyone else due to many contributing factors, "such as lack of access to healthcare and preventive measures, mistrust of the healthcare system, the stigma and lack of awareness of STIs, and gender inequality in intimate relationships."
"An article by Sage Journal examined data from 564 African American women who cited reasons such as the limited pool of eligible African American men, which led many to date men who were married, older, had sex with other men, had multiple sexual partners, and/or had been incarcerated, all of which increase the risk of STIs," Dr. Maxine Owusu tells xoNecole.
Dr. Owusu is a board-certified emergency physician, healthcare advocate, and children's book author, and in our Q&A, she dishes on the racial disparities in healthcare, safe sex, and more.
Dr. Maxine Owusu
xoNecole: You are a healthcare advocate. Why is it important for you to give back to the community and what are some ways you do that?
Dr. Maxine Owusu: I understand the significance of being an advocate for each patient, especially as one of the first doctors they encounter upon entering the hospital. I take the time to listen to my patients, educate them on their conditions, and offer resources, with the help of our social worker, to help them navigate the healthcare system and its pitfalls. I give back to the community by participating in health fairs and panels with my local church, Manifest Church, in Jonesboro, GA.
Additionally, I engage with students interested in medicine through mentorship and talks that highlight the need for diversity in healthcare. I also educate children about anatomy using my STEM KIDDOS sensory anatomy toys and children's book as a tool to capture their interest and pursue medicine. My impact extends globally through my involvement in medical missions in Ghana and the Dominican Republic.
xoN: You are also passionate about Black women's health and speak out about STDs. What do people get wrong about STDs?
Dr. Owusu: Most people think you can only get an STI (sexually transmitted infection) when you're symptomatic or only through vaginal intercourse. In many cases, both men/women (especially men) might not have symptoms or have mild symptoms, thus delaying evaluation appropriate/treatment while increasing the risk of transmission. You can also get an STI with just one through oral & anal sex. Many people also don't know that repeated STIs can lead to infertility in women.
Most people think you can only get an STI (sexually transmitted infection) when you're symptomatic or only through vaginal intercourse. In many cases, both men/women (especially men) might not have symptoms or have mild symptoms, thus delaying evaluation appropriate/treatment while increasing the risk of transmission. You can also get an STI with just one through oral & anal sex. Many people also don't know that repeated STIs can lead to infertility in women.
xoN: From my experience as a single woman who dates men, safe sex isn't something that some men make a priority. Do you see a decline in safe sex? If so, why?
Dr. Owusu: According to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, condom use among adolescent males has decreased significantly as the use of birth control has increased. With the increased use of birth control, many people falsely feel secure and forget that they aren't being protected against sexually transmitted infections. Some reasons for the lack of safe sex practices include forgetting due to the spontaneity of sex, not wanting to spoil the moment, women being forced into high-risk sexual behaviors, and male partners not wanting to use a barrier as an excuse for it not being pleasurable.
Justin Lambert/ Getty Images
xoN: How can we change the conversation about safe sex so that more people take it seriously?
Dr. Owusu: We need to have these conversations in a non-judgmental fashion where people feel empowered to make the best choices for their sexual health and future. Educating our community with free health talks and fairs in schools, campuses, community centers, and churches would be instrumental in bringing positive change. I believe targeted social media campaigns on the benefits of safe sex practices, along with sharing statistics and facts on STIs and collaborating with organizations and leaders to spearhead such conversations, would help eliminate the stigma of having an STI and encourage more open discussions.
xoN: What are some preventative measures Black women can take besides using a condom?
Dr. Owusu: Besides using a condom to prevent STIs, other practices to lower risks include being abstinent, using internal/female condoms, dental dams, getting vaccinated against HPV, advocating for a healthy monogamous partnership with open communication, and getting tested regularly.
For more information about Dr. Owusu, visit her website drmaxo.com.
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