The Grossery Store

'The Grossery Store,' is a book to inspire a health first, conscious movement, amongst kids from the African American and Hispanic communities.  

Honestly, book is for everyone who needs it, but health studies have shown that Blacks and Hispanics are at greater risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and being obese." 

The 13-year-old author of the book, Ziyan, lives by the motto: Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. She believes health is paramount and without it there is only low self-esteem, sickness and suffering. 

Ziyan wants to inform kids that their favorite snacks have a healthy option. She doesn't believe kids should deprive themselves of treats, but she wants to highlight the use of a balance. In turn when this balance is achieved, it will lead to a healthier, fruitful, and active childhood. Her passion is standing up for the voiceless of society and being an advocate for change and the betterment of society. 

"When I would go grocery shopping with my mom it would be like watching a scientist working. She would read every label and make notes of ingredients and nutritional values. My mom was so precise and intentional on the construction of healthy meals that she never just bought items; each item complimented another. I would ask her, mom what are you doing? She would respond, I am creating a balance. She explained to me what's considered "real" food and "fake" food. I remember her saying that 'real' food is found on the outer area in the grocery store and 'fake' food is found in the inner aisles. 

Later that evening, I dozed off to sleep and dreamed that I was being chased aggressively by my favorite bag of potato chips. The next morning, I jokingly told my mom about my nightmare. We both laughed but then my mom says, "Ziyan are so good at telling stories, you should be a writer." "Now I am!"

Thanks to my mom, I watched my dad go from taking multiple pills for various health reasons, to taking no pills at all. My mother's knowledge of making healthy choices transformed her life, her patient's life, my father's life, and my life. Now I hope to pay it forward with this book in hopes I can help others like me and or less fortunate.