
AIDS/HIV advocate strives to be “part of the change” in addressing racial disparities in health care
Davenport AIDS/HIV advocate Destiny Smith shares how health care disparities have affected Black women “from the beginning of time.”

Self-care: where does the word come from, what does it really mean, and how can you embrace it?
Self-care isn’t selfish; in fact, it’s essential. And more complicated than just one’s self.
That’s just part of what you’ll read about in this new regular column from Viminda Shafer, community engagement coordinator for The Project of the Quad Cities.
Shafer is a former teacher and modern-day continuous public presence in advocating for the mental, physical and sexual health care provided by TPQC in 20 counties along the Iowa/Illinois border.
In her new column, she’ll offer “thoughts, inspirations, tips, tricks, and resources around not only self-care, but also community care.”
Check out Viminda’s first column here — and start pondering your own self-care questions you’d like her help in answering!

Four vegan holiday recipes to make your meal preparation easier, kinder
Looking for a way to bring some plant-based love to your holiday meals? Check out four vegan holiday recipes to make your meal celebration easier and kinder!
Find easy recipes for the main dish of Sheperd’s Pie the decorative side dish of Apple Cranberry and Kale Salad; the festive Plantiful Holiday Cheez Balls; and sweet Molasses Crinkle Cookies.
These recipes are provided courtesy of The Plantiful Pantry in Mount Vernon, Ia., which also provides a regular column for The Real Mainstream on plant-based cooking. Read on for their first-ever column on vegan holiday recipes!

Pack your plate with flavor and healing properties of spices
The Plantiful Pantry offers tips on how to cook flavorfully with spices that also have healing properties.

‘Tis the season for buying local produce
Buying local produce is healthy, supportive to your community, and flavorful, writes The Plantiful Pantry.

Convert your anger into action
Scientifically, if we are angry about injustices, our brain is working. The amygdala is the part of the brain that identifies threats, and it reacts even before the cortex, which is the part of the brain in charge of judgment. When the amygdala responds, it sends out adrenaline, which can propel us to action. Anger is what has made every wrong in our history into a right.