diet

Harry Goodwolf Kindness

“Diabetes doesn’t discriminate,” says Harry Goodwolf Kindness, “it effects people of every race — every ethnicity — without discretion.”

Harry Goodwolf Kindness, a Native American Chief and a spiritual guide of the Oneida tribe, engaged an intimate Key West audience last Sunday night in Nancy’s Secret Garden at the end of Freeschool Lane off the 500 block of Simonton. He summarized his mission to reverse Diabetes and fielded questions about his latest campaign: The Longest Walk 3 – Reversing Diabetes 2011.

The Longest Walk 3 began at the Pacific Coast on February 14th, and will eventually take Harry and his small, dedicated group of walkers all the way to Washington DC. They’ll be talking with local residents while they’re on the road to raise awareness about the reversal and prevention of diabetes through proper nutrition and exercise.

A Key West audience listens about The Longest Walk 3

Walking is second nature to Harry Goodwolf Kindness. He’s trekked back and forth across the United States several times, and has participated in walks and runs around the world for various causes. In 1996 he ran from San Fransisco to Atlanta, covering 30 miles each day and finishing with just six other racers who were able to meet the challenge. Born in Key West, Florida, Harry recently returned to the Conch Republic for a few days before completing the final portion of The Longest Walk 3. Harry was drawn to Help Yourself!’s commitment to great tasting, healthy food, and realized right away that the restaurant’s mission — transforming lives through diet and lifestyle changes — was right on par with his own.

Charlie, the owner of Help Yourself!, was taken with Harry’s mission and excited to help him promote his campaign to raise awareness around diabetes.

“It was great having Harry come in to the restaurant,” says Charlie. “I could tell right away that we were on the same page. We had some fantastic conversations, sharing thoughts on our mission.”

Charlie helped organize the event at Nancy’s Secret Garden, and offered an assortment of healthy, delicious dishes to the event’s patrons who arrived to learn more about Harry and the Longest Walk 3.

During the Longest Walk 3 Harry and his followers will be relying on the goodwill of the communities they encounter to render the support necessary to complete their walk.

“I’ve been across this country four times,” says Harry when asked about the logistics of his latest campaign. “People help us. We make do in order to get from point A to point B.”

Harry’s message is one of hope, urgency and action. In an age where processed foods crammed with sugars and preservatives continue to introduce a veritable plague of health problems in the US and across the globe, Harry’s simple entreaty to be more conscious of diet and lifestyle is an incredibly powerful one.

“There are alternatives to look at in terms of what you eat… …It’s all about the choices — the healthier choices — that you make. Like Charlie’s place, Help Yourself!, says, you really must help yourself.”

The prevalence of type II diabetes in America is astounding. In 2010 some 26 million Americans had diabetes, and another 57 million were considered to have pre-diabetes. The disease is so serious that the Centers for Disease Control has termed its rapid growth in the US as an epidemic. The most tragic aspect of diabetes, however, is that it is entirely preventable with a little knowledge and a commitment to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

That knowledge — the critical importance of diet and exercise — constitutes the “sacred message” that Harry Goodwolf Kindness is carrying across the nation.

“It’s very necessary to get where we need to go,” says Harry about the Longest Walk 3, “And we’re going to get there regardless of how we do it.”

Help Yourself! plans on sponsoring regular events at Nancy’s Secret Garden to help bring the local community together with a variety of valuable teachers. You can stay abreast of upcoming events by following Help Yourself! on Facebook.

You can also learn more about the Longest Walk 3 by visiting the organization on their website.