My grandmother Louise attended Tuskegee Institute, according to Mom, in 1927 and 1928. How cool was that – not only for an American (and a woman!) of African descent to go to college during that time, but also to attend what would later become known as one of the premier Historic Black Colleges!

I can’t help but wonder if Grandmother Louise studied with Dr. George Washington Carver. Dr. Carver is best known for teaching Southern farmers how to cultivate peanuts and other foodstuffs in order to yield plenty of food year after year. At the same time, Dr. Carver taught techniques to replenish and fortify the soil and avoid soil erosion – both at Tuskegee Institute and in many of the Southern communities.

I’ve been a huge fan and follower of Dr. Carver’s work – he was a scientist, an herbalist, and a spiritual man who understood the inner nature of plants. He listened to and “talked with” the plants, and was quite successful in his work as a result.

So , when one of my favorite organizations promoting nutrition and health – the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) – announced that their annual Wise Traditions Conference was to be held in Montgomery, Alabama (40 miles from Tuskegee University), I made it my business to go – and I convinced Mom to go with me!

The 5-day trip took place during Veteran’s Day weekend; the conference’s focus was on teaching about healthy fats. Eating an abundance of healthy fats like coconut oil, grass-fed butter & ghee, olive oil, avocados and whole nuts & seeds are vital for balanced health. Following are just a few advantages of including good fats in your diet:

• Increases focus and memory
• Helps with weight management
• Helps reduce inflammation in the body
• Contributes to better digestion and supple joints
• Actually prevents and addresses cardiovascular disease (rather than causing it)
• Makes vegetables and all foods taste really good!

There were many fantastic speakers at the conference – and the price of admission included 5 delicious four-course meals! In some respects, it was more like a foodie convention than a nutrition/healing arts convention. The WAPF promotes food preparation and consumption following the ancient practices of indigenous peoples around the globe. There was an abundance of Southern style meals (with most dietary needs accommodated), along with dishes from other parts of the United States, represented by the many peoples who have migrated to the U.S. over the centuries. It was all absolutely delicious, and most nourishing!!

For more information about WAPF and the Wise Traditions Conference, visit their website at www.westonaprice.org.

Between attending the conference and eating the delicious food, Mom and I created several opportunities to visit some of the historic sites in Montgomery, and to visit Tuskegee University. Mom and I experienced great pride and honor being in the presence of such history – and walking on the very campus that Grandmother Louise attended, as well as where Dr. George Washington Carver worked and taught about a century ago. We walked on the campus, visited the Carver Museum and the Tuskegee Airmen Museum & Hangar.

The connection of learning more about real food nutrition and at the same time experiencing the ancestral energy of family along with history in the agricultural South was very enlightening. It opened our hearts and minds to great healing for our families, our communities and yes – our nation.

My affirmation for you this holiday season is that you embrace your loved ones (even if not in person), enjoy high quality, nourishing food, and get some well-deserved rest.