H£ALTH: Zoey Gong

Zoey Gong is a nutritionist, chef and artist with a passion to promote and share her cultural heritage, creatively representing Traditional Chinese Medicine and philosophy. Zoey specialises in mostly plant-based Chinese medicinal cuisine as well as holistic treatments, including Meridian Yoga, Moxibustion and Accupressure.

Photo: @tombo.97

What inspired you to train as a nutritionist?  

I first came to the U.S. when I was 16, knowing anything about nutrition or healthy eating. After just months of eating the American diet, I was very sick. I had two breast tumors, constant skin rashes, fast weight gain, and joint pain. The steroids that western doctors gave me stopped the symptoms, but did not eliminate my root problems. I had to learn on my own and changed the way I ate.

The results were beyond surprising. I felt unbelievably better, even better than before I came to the U.S. I realised how much power food could have on our health. That's when I decided to pursue a degree in nutrition and public health at New York University. Through my studying, my understanding of food and nutrition developed very quickly, which lead me to combine eastern and western nutrition together. Now my approach towards nutrition is a fusion of biomedicine and TCM. 

How would you describe Traditional Chinese Medicine? 

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a very mature, well-studied, and comprehensive healing tradition originated in China thousands of years ago. Many Asian cultures share some of it and have been using TCM in their daily lives, even today.

Comparing to biomedicine, TCM is very approachable and holistic. It is not just the herbal formulas one might think. TCM consists of acupuncture, moxibustion (a heat treatment), acupressure, tui na (Chinese massage), herbal medicine, Qi Gong, and food therapy, which is my focus. It is extremely individualised and aligned with the changes in nature. The treatment for the same disease may vary drastically for different individuals and during different seasons. It is also rooted in philosophy, where the ultimate health is considered to be the perfect balance of yin and yang. 

Where can someone find traditional medicine's? 

I recommend Kamwo Herb and Tak Shing Hong. Two amazing TCM online shops that also have physical locations in New York and other parts of the U.S. I also recommend to consult a TCM practitioner to get herbs and understand your body constitution first. 

How can holistic treatments support a healthy life?  

In so many ways! Holistic treatment, at least in terms of TCM, is the way of living. It guides us to live with nature and adjust the imbalances in our body with simple things like food, self-massage, music, and breathing. For example, when we feel angry or agitated, we can massage our liver meridian to remove the stagnation that may have caused the emotions; then we can have foods like celery, chrysanthemum, dark leafy vegetables, and goji berries to quiet down the uprising liver fire; then we can do some qi gong exercise for the qi to flow better in our liver meridian; and before we go to bad, we can moxa Tai Chong Point on our feet to  relieve headaches and dizziness that are sometimes related to angry emotions. It is all about figuring out our imbalances and do what we can at home to re-balance it. 

You are also an artist, what does creativity mean to you? 

Creativity is fun, joyful, and full of surprises. Human brains are designed to be creative. However, creativity, at least for me, did not arrive until I understood myself more, both physically and emotionally. Growing up in a strict communist education system, I was trapped to perform well on exams and to conform to the norm that "there is only one correct answer". I lived for the expectations from others. It took me a very long time to be able to listen to my heart and find the creativity hidden in my marrow.

You might ask how I got to finally listen to my heart. Well, it's complicated and almost impossible to explain. It's a lot of trials and errors, a lot of Buddhist readings, and a lot of law of attractions. I think finding TCM and art as my passion really guided me on the right path. Certainly, eating well fuels creativity. It helps me to see my vision more clearly and actually create it into reality with motivation and focus. 

Are there any teachings or philosophies that your draw inspiration from? 

Buddhism. It is so enlightening and freeing. I always feel there is nothing that I couldn't get through after reading Buddhist texts. Some Taoism too, about going back to nature. I, and nature, are one. 

Website: https://www.zoeyxinyigong.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeyxinyigong

C*LTURE:The Maasai

An indigenous group in Africa, the Maasai are semi-nomadic people who settled in Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions. Side by side with nature, they live by herding cattle and goats which is their main source of food.  

Mostly defined by their bright tradition wear which varies by sex, age and place. Formerly hunters, the Maasai are known as fearless and courageous people. The men are the hunters, taking care of their livestock and protecting their homes and communities. The women build the family home, cook and raise the children. 

The noble tribe once occupied the most fertile lands until the armed British troops moved in. In 1904, they signed a first agreement, which resulted in losing the best of their land to the European settlers.

In 1911, an agreement was signed by a small group of Maasai, where their best Northern land (Laikipia) was given up to white settlers. This was very controversial and the signatories did not represent the whole tribe. The consequences led to the Maasai loosing two-thirds of their lands and were relocated to less fertile parts of Kenya and Tanzania. 

Today less land for the Kenyan population ultimately means less land for the Maasai people, their wildlife and livestock.  

?UESTIONS: Kingombe Onyangunga

King by name, King by nature. Kingombe Onyangunga is a poet who uses the power of word to express his understanding and reflection of life. A social commentator for the many injustices, questioning how power, wealth and occupation is unfairly dealt.

Where did your journey begin as a spoken word artist?

My journey began when I came across the poetry of Grey Gowrie in Luton hospital library. Being in that environment his writing was a small discovery that opened me to writing.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Writers are inspired by life, personally depending on whether I am writing to express or vent or as a challenge to myself what inspires me can vary. When I need to vent frustration, life’s bumps or events of the world can inspire me to write. Other times it’s the simple things, things in which we find beauty or joy can inspire me to write. We’re a reflection of our world and I feel we express this reflection through our choice of words and how we use those words.

Do you ever have a creative block? How do you overcome it?

I find the term creative block interesting. As writers we are a reflection of our world, in particular as poets. There are times when we are frustrated, happy or even angered and the words flow without you having to think. When we find a block in our creativity, sometimes it’s down to how we are living/treating ourselves at that time. I’d add further, at times what we’re trying to do/write at the time might not be a true reflection of what we feel, yet there isn’t a block. Personally, if I experience a creative block, it’s because I don’t actually know what it is I am trying to say or even want to say. If I have a specific topic and I am challenging myself or being commissioned for a project/collaboration – I research the topic and look at other examples of work to fuel my creativity. If that doesn’t work, I live life, I enjoy the small moments, I take on board the frustration and when I am compelled to write and know what I want to say, I write – sometimes you just can’t force it.

What do you feel are the most common misconceptions of spoken word?

That it is supposed to rhyme and be theatrical or dramatic. Expression comes in many forms, spoken word is the expression of varied types of people, and there is no set way of doing it. I’d like to add amongst spoken word artists I feel there is a common misconception that you have to sound like everyone else or follow a pattern. There are overlaps and commonalities, we’re human, influenced often by the same things and exposed often to the same things, so at times, there will be similarities however, the way we process and experience things is individual – so should your writing. It doesn’t need to follow a pattern, it should just be you.

Do you get nervous before performing?

When performing definitely, whenever I feel like I’m not performing I’m not nervous, that’s when it feels best.

How important is expression in terms of an outlet?

Without expression, life is stale and we as people not only box ourselves - we do ourselves harm. Without expression how do we understand the world around us or make sense of those around us. Expression doesn’t always need to be some grand political statement or show; it can be a few words.

If spoken word was introduced into schools, how do you feel it would impact society?

People would be more comfortable expressing themselves. I feel people’s command of language would vastly improve and we would take more time to listen, to understand each other.

How important is it to have a dream?

Dreams are amongst the most personal and individual things a person can have. When you close your eyes at night only you can see what you see. Even when you tell some else your dream, break down the colours, the surroundings the scene, the person you tell will never see your dream how you saw it. I believe this applies to dreams we have as individuals: our ambitions for the world and ourselves. If you are not empowered or inspired by your own mind, how do you expect to manoeuvre through life?