No Hierarchy
Cherokee women were in charge of their tribes. There was no hierarchy, and they were in control of the property, children, agriculture, and gathering of the fruits of the labor. How cool is that?
All of the Cherokee men were hunters, and they brought back food and skins for the women to make clothes, belts, and bags. The women ran the household and town; the men protected the families and villages and hunted.
The Cherokee Nation was the most powerful in the southeastern United States until the late 18th century and was unaffected by the Europeans until the Tuscarora War of 1711-1715. This was the bloodiest war fought between the Tuscarora people and European settlers in North Carolina. The Tuscarora people felt they had been mistreated in many ways by the settlers—landgrabbers, not fair trading, enslaved, and other abuses. In Dec 1712, the battle was won by Native Americans and white settlers. The Tuscarora traveled to New York, where they had originated. Because the Cherokee lived here, too, it affected them.
Who were the Tuscarora?
The Tuscarora were Indigenous people from Canada and New York. So, they fled back to where they came from after the war.
Who were the Cherokee?
They were the Indigenous people of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States, which consists of 40,000 miles. Their ancestors were in the Pisgah Phase of the South Appalachian Mississippian Culture—a period in ceremonial mounds and small villages.
Europeans were surprised by women.
When the Europeans met the Cherokee, they were surprised by how much power these women had. They ran everything. They ran the government and the home, owned the land and agriculture, and processed the food. They made the laws. Women were allowed to divorce, and if she wanted one, out goes your stuff. The man had to go back to his mother. The men did not rule the children either. They only taught them how to hunt and fish.
The kinship was also strange, and people did not understand. I will try to explain:
Child—related to mother’s side only traced through a woman.
White men who married these women could not understand this system and that they were not kin to their children. The Cherokee woman is entirely in charge of the family.
Child—mother—his brothers and sisters, his mother’s mother (grandmother), his mother’s brothers (uncles), and his mother’s sisters (aunts). The child is not related to the father. The mother’s brother is the head of the child. Generations live together. They have many homes on the land, which will then be passed to the daughters.
Women built the Cherokee Nation. They voted, owned property, and could file for divorce. They grew all the agriculture and worshipped the god of Silu, who gave her life so her sons would have enough to eat.
During Winter, they made pottery and clothing to sustain the tribal nation. They never made decisions lightly. They discussed in counsels. Sometimes, women had to fight in battle, and they were called “war women”.
In the 18th Century, the deer skins became more abundant, so the women had to help with them. This took away from the agricultural duties, so the men had to go into the fields and work. During this time, the women stayed in the house, processing the deer skins and performing other duties at home.
They started learning more intensive agriculture and trading with the Europeans during this time. (If they had left the women in charge of agriculture, this would not have happened.) The Federal Government would teach the Cherokee to adopt the economic philosophy of private ownership and government. (They were doing fine their way) They were trying to make them assimilate into white society.
The missionaries came in to modernize and Christianize their skills and belief system. They took their children and put them into American schools to teach them to read the bible and to modernize them.
By the early 18th century, the Cherokee started slowly changing their clothing style toward European style. By the end of the century, the men and women dressed entirely like the Europeans.
Disease
By the end of the 1800s, they started their own government’s courts and schools. A Cherokee named Sequoya came along and started their language. The alphabet. They had their newspaper, the Phoenix.
The Cherokee also caught diseases, which reduced the population entirely. The Spanish Conquistadors spread disease and chaos when they were there. While it was reducing the population, it was also reducing their land. Can we say land grab? When the English arrived, the Cherokee were already established. Andrew Jackson sought them out to help with the war. The Cherokee fought in the Revolutionary War against the colonies, reducing many of their people. Although they helped win the war, the unfair treaties still hurt them in many ways. The papers were already drawn up and could not be reversed.
The Cherokee abandoned towns and lived in family groups on log cabins near streams and valleys. They farmed small family plots. Then, they lost their independence. Americans were not keen on women being in charge.
In the mid-1800s, everything escalated, and they were forced to walk to reservations in Oklahoma—the Trail of Tears, the Indian Removal Act. Most groups of Indians were killed. The Cherokee eventually signed the treaty, which is why they are the biggest group in the U.S. They had to choose to become citizens of the U.S. or pack up and go to a reservation.
There is so much I could write about in this story. The Cherokee were brilliant, and I am proud they were part of my heritage.
From now on, I will put two human interest stories on Jean’s Substack. I was sick for a long time, which made me research health. Doctors are taught to use chemicals to band-aid. I want to be healed. So, I wrote an e-book that is not yet in print. I thought I would start sharing pages with you. Psalm 104 talks about herbs being a service to man.
Chapter 1: Understanding Healthy Eating
The Benefits of Conscious Eating
In today's fast-paced and hectic world, it's easy to find ourselves devouring meals without even realizing what we're eating. We often rush through our meals, eating while multitasking or distracted by screens. I see people on their phones in restaurants, watching television at home, or talking. This mindless eating can lead to overeating, poor digestion, and a disconnect between our bodies and food. However, a simple practice can help us reconnect with our bodies and nourish ourselves. We must be aware of what we are eating at all times.
It involves paying attention to our body's hunger and fullness cues, savoring the flavors and textures of our food, and being fully present with each bite. This will give us a better quality of well-being, and we will enjoy our meals better. Eat to Live, not Live to Eat.
Firstly, it promotes better digestion. By slowing down and chewing our food thoroughly, we allow our bodies to properly break down the food, making it easier to digest and absorb nutrients. This can reduce digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and indigestion, making us feel lighter and more energized after meals. It would be best if you drank a glass of water 30 minutes before each meal. It helps with the lining of the stomach and with the digestive process.
Secondly, water aids in weight loss and body transformation. By tuning into our body's hunger and fullness signals, we become more attuned to our body's needs. This helps us differentiate between true hunger and emotional eating. As a result, we are less likely to overeat and can make conscious choices about what and how much we eat, leading to weight loss and a healthier body. Drinking water before the meal will also help with hunger. How many of us eat emotionally? I know that I do. Sugar always does the emotional trick for me. This is the worst kind of emotional eating, which is to fill up on sugar-filled foods.
Moreover, by approaching each meal with gratitude, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the nourishment our food provides. This can help us make more conscious food choices. Paying attention to what we consume reduces guilt and shame associated with food, and we have a healthy relationship with eating. Have you ever eaten several donuts or cakes to soothe the pain, only to feel guilty later on?
In conclusion, embracing conscious eating can affect the health and well-being of health-conscious younger adults. By adopting this practice, individuals can improve digestion, achieve weight loss, and develop a positive mindset toward nutrition. So, let's put down our phones, take a deep breath, and savor each bite - our bodies and minds will thank us. Family meals need to become more stylish. That is where we learn of each other's days, our goals and dreams.
The Connection Between Mind and Body
One cannot overlook the connection between the mind and body in the journey towards health and well-being. Understanding and nurturing this connection is the key to unlocking a healthy and fulfilling life.
The mind and body are not separate entities but two parts of a whole. They constantly interact and influence each other in ways that impact our health, nutrition, and overall well-being. Health-conscious younger adults eager to explore healthy living, nutrition, dieting, weight loss, and body transformation should pay close attention to this vital connection.
Our mental state has a significant impact on our physical health. Stress, anxiety, and negative emotions can manifest as physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and weakened immune function. You can overcome these symptoms by exercising and having a positive outlook on life.
Similarly, our physical health directly influences our mental state. Nutrient-rich foods fuel our brain and support cognitive function. A well-balanced diet, rich in whole foods, provides the necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support brain health. Regular exercise releases endorphins, the "feel-good" hormones, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Prioritizing physical activity and nourishing our bodies with wholesome foods can significantly improve our mental well-being.
Moreover, the mind-body connection plays a role in weight loss. Often, unhealthy eating habits are rooted in emotional triggers or mindless eating. By becoming more mindful of our eating habits, we can have a healthier relationship with food and make better choices. Conscious eating involves being fully present during meals, listening to our body's hunger and fullness cues, and savoring each bite. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of our body's needs, leading to weight loss.
In conclusion, the connection between the mind and body is indispensable when achieving health, nutrition, weight loss, and body transformation. Health-conscious younger adults should recognize the impact of their mental state on their physical well-being and vice versa. By nurturing this connection through stress management, a balanced diet, and regular exercise, they can unlock the key to a truly happy and fulfilling life.
Eating Habits
In today's fast-paced world, it can be challenging for health-conscious younger adults to maintain a balanced approach to their eating habits. Most young adults have a busy lifestyle and dine out a lot. They also work long hours in the office or at other jobs, making poor choices health-wise in fast food or dine-in solutions. You must know your portion size and the value of the food. Choose smaller servings or take half your meal home for lunch the next day. Meat is the size of your palm, two veggies, a half cup, and a whole grain.
When it comes to eating, mindfulness encourages us to pay attention to our food choices, the sensory experience of eating, and the signals our body sends us regarding hunger and fullness. That means showing up and paying attention at mealtime. If you wait twenty minutes after eating your portioned food and drink a full glass of water for digestion, you will find that you are satisfied.
One of the key benefits of healthy eating habits is developing a deeper connection with our bodies. By tuning in to our body's cues, we can better understand its nutritional needs, leading to healthier food choices. Rather than consuming processed and unhealthy foods, we can focus on nourishing our bodies with whole, nutrient-dense foods that promote energy, vitality, and overall well-being. We eat to live, not to enjoy. We need that mindset to fuel our bodies with the right food.
Awareness at mealtime also lets us enjoy and fully appreciate our meals' flavors, textures, and aromas. We enjoy our food by slowing down and engaging all our senses, leading to greater fulfillment and reduced cravings. Learn how to use spices in your food for taste and health. Many spices are made for your health and make your food taste better. As a young adult, I knew nothing about spices and herbs. Only two. Chili powder and garlic.
Healthy eating habits can support weight loss and body transformation goals. By being aware of portion sizes and eating slowly, we allow our bodies to register feelings of fullness, preventing overeating. Knowing what you eat also helps us develop a healthier relationship with food, reducing emotional eating and promoting a balanced approach to weight management. When you get used to eating nutritious food, the bad foods will not taste good anymore.
In our eating habits, we can start by meal planning. This involves consciously selecting nutrient-rich foods and planning balanced meals that align with our health goals. During meals, we can focus on eating without distractions, such as television or phones, allowing us to engage with our food and our bodies fully. Be thankful for the choices that we have to be healthy.
In conclusion, good eating habits are a powerful tool for health-conscious younger adults seeking health, nutrition, and weight loss. By developing a deeper connection with our bodies and making healthy food choices, we can nourish ourselves from the inside out, transforming our lives and achieving our wellness goals.
Importance of Water Before and After Meals
In the goal of a healthy lifestyle, we often focus on what we eat and how much we eat. However, there is one essential element that is often overlooked - water. Water is crucial to our overall well-being, especially regarding our meals. This subchapter will explore the importance of water before and after meals and how it can enhance your health and support your weight loss and body transformation goals.
Before we talk about the significance of water, let's understand why it is essential for our bodies. Our bodies comprise approximately 60% water, which is involved in numerous vital functions, including digestion, absorption of nutrients, circulation, and waste removal. It acts as a lubricant for our joints, regulates body temperature, and supports the transportation of nutrients and oxygen to our cells. Without enough water, our bodies cannot function.
Regarding meals, drinking water before and after eating can have significant benefits. Consuming water before a meal helps to prepare your body for digestion. It aids in the breakdown of food, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients. Additionally, drinking water before a meal can help control your appetite, preventing overeating and supporting weight loss efforts.
Water is also crucial after a meal. It aids in the digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food you have consumed. It helps to flush out toxins and waste from your body, promoting healthy digestion and preventing constipation. Drinking water after a meal can also help you feel fuller, reducing the temptation to snack unnecessarily.
For health-conscious younger adults, incorporating this simple habit of drinking water before and after meals can impact their overall well-being. It supports their weight loss goals, improves digestion, enhances nutrient absorption, and helps maintain healthy bowel movements.
It is important to note that the timing of water consumption is crucial. Drinking too much water immediately before or after a meal can dilute stomach acid, impairing digestion and consuming water approximately 30 minutes before and 60 minutes after a meal is recommended to ensure digestion.
In conclusion, water is an often neglected but crucial element in our journey towards a healthy lifestyle. By incorporating drinking water before and after meals, health-conscious younger adults can enhance their overall health, support their weight loss and body transformation goals, and promote digestion. Remember, staying hydrated is not just a choice but a necessity for a thriving body and mind.
I love your idea of sharing chapters of the book with your readers before you launch it.
PS: you could even launch a Poll with different options for the title and see what your readers think ;)
Some other Indigenous tribes also had matriarchal social structures to a degree. I have to believe that this was one of the reasons that their enemies, who largely came from countries and areas with patriarchal societies in charge, felt threatened by them.