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For the entire month of February, my family and I will celebrate our heritage and those who’ve made significant contributions to our society. As a family, we are proud in our skin, are determined to immerse ourselves in the education of African-American history, and are committed to sharing stories that uplift our culture at a time when the attempt to silence our voices and erase our place in history is ever so apparent. Below, I’d like to share a few ways we’ll be teaching our young son about his heritage and celebrating our customs and traditions.

Art and Exploration

Ronald E. McNair – Second African-American Astronaut 

Last night, my son led part of our conversation by sharing his class discussion on the fantastic contributions of  Physicist Ronald Erwin McNair, the second Black astronaut in America. McNair was also one of seven crew members killed in the Challenger Space Shuttle explosion on January 28, 1986. As shared by the University of Washington in a brief biography about his life, McNair excelled academically and became well-known as an expert in laser physics. The U.S. Department of Education helped to establish the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program to encourage minority and low-income youth to enroll in graduate studies and acquire doctorate degrees. Follow About Ronald E. McNair for more information, and click the video below for a special tribute in his honor.

1997 Video Tribute to Ronald E. McNair, South Carolina State Hall of Fame Inductee

Colin Kaepernick – Civil Rights Activist and Football Quarterback 

We enjoyed this fun art activity from the African American Leaders Coloring Book! As a family, we discussed the importance of standing for what you believe in and the activism and resilience of Civil Rights Activist and Football Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who famously took a knee to protest against racial injustice and police brutality. Kaepernick is still contributing to the fight against racial profiling and has a new Hulu documentary addressing these issues.

TV Specials

The 1619 Project Hulu Docuseries by Pulitzer-prize-winning Journalist Nicole Hannah-Jones is good for the whole family to see (it may not be appropriate for young children). It was adapted from her literary work of the same title and shed light on the consequences of slavery and the contributions of African Americans in laying the foundation of America.

Family Reading Time

My son loves reading before bed. Some nights we will read about African American leaders from his book 28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith, Jr. I love this book because it provides a new highlight for each day of February! 

Food & Family

My grandfather would always say that there was nothing like family and felt at home whenever his children and grandchildren surrounded him. I echo that sentiment and pray many blessings for you and your family. In honor of him, I have added a gumbo recipe from Chef Remy in ‘Dat Little New Orleans Creole Cookbook that we’ve used and loved over the holidays. My grandfather and my grandmother made the best gumbo. This recipe differs from theirs but will make you feel at home in your parent’s kitchen.

OKRA SEAFOOD GUMBO

Ingredients

6 Small Hardshell Gumbo Crabs

2 Qts of Water

1 Pkg Dry Crab Boil

1/4 C Bacon Fat

3 Pounds Okra, Chopped, and Destemmed

1 C All-Purpose Flour

3 C Onion, Chopped Medium

1 C Green Onion, Chopped

2 Tbsp Garlic, Minced

1 C Bell Peppers

1/2 C Whole Tomatoes, Peeled, and Diced

2 1/2 – 3 Qts Crab or Seafood Stock

3 1/2 Pounds Shrimp, Peeled

2 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Pepper

1 Tbsp Louisiana Pepper Sauce

1 Tsp Bay Leaf

2 C Cooked Ham, Cubed, Optional

Directions

First, boil crabs in 2 quarts of water, and simmer for 20 minutes. Only add crabs once the water is boiling. Live crabs are best. Reserve water.

Second, in a skillet, heat bacon fat. Fry chopped okra on medium-high heat, stirring until it is brown and all the slime is gone. Reserve.

Third, make your roux. Heat oil in a large black iron or stainless steel pot and add flour. Stir until the flour gets dark brown (about 20 minutes). Add onions and green onions and stir for 5 minutes. Add garlic, green pepper, and tomatoes; stir for 2 minutes. Add stock (crab liquid from boiling) and enough water to make a thin consistency. Don’t worry; it will be rich enough. Stir until all roux is mixed in. Be sure to add slowly and mix well as you add liquid. Cover and simmer for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add shrimp, crab, okra, salt, pepper, pepper sauce, thyme, and bay leaf, and cook for ten more minutes. Add ham and cook for ten more minutes. Serve over rice.

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As we celebrate all amazing moms everywhere, this post is just in time for all of those wonderful ladies to allow themselves some relaxation and “me time” today and beyond.  Moms are natural multitaskers with a laundry lists of to-do’s to complete on a daily basis. We’re glad to do it and are proud of our families and each role we play, however, quite frequently we get burnt out and forget to give ourselves a little self-care.  Not to worry, journey with me below for tips to organize your day so that you are able to carve out some time to for you in your schedule on a daily basis.

What is the culprit of being burnt out and overwhelmed? Many times these feelings surface when we feel there is so much to be done and never enough time to fit it all in. Not far behind those feelings, are their cousins – exhaustion and frustration. Let’s avoid all of the above. Here are 5 tips to help you organize your day and to feel accomplished and fulfilled at the end of it.

TIP 1: Don’t Overcrowd Your Daily Schedule

It is easy to get in the habit of wanting to knock down as many tasks off your list as possible and to try to cram in as much as you can in the time you have available each day. Please, avoid this urge. You may accomplish many tasks but will exert all of your energy by the end of the day and won’t have much to give to you or your family, as a result. Create a routine schedule for yourself, with points to accomplish on a daily basis. Jot it down and post it in a place where you’ll view it daily. Allot time for each tasks, making sure to include time for yourself in that agenda. If you have to forgo some tasks to make sure you fit on your schedule, prioritize your tasks and push ones that aren’t most pressing to the next day. DO NOT forgo time for yourself to fit more tasks in.

TIP 2: Write a List of Fun/Relaxing Activities You’d Like to Do Yourself

While assigning time to each task you plan to complete each day, assign time for completing fun or relaxing things you would like to do. If you’d like to get a 20-minute workout in every morning, wake up 25 to 30 minutes ahead of your schedule to get that in. It’s great to work out in the mornings because it helps to jump start your day and boosts your energy.

Also, write a list of 50 things you would like to do and pull from that list daily. Feel free to repeat your favorites. If you are working from home or are commuting to your job each day, schedule time in for a quick breakfast and time for reflection and inspiration. If you don’t have much time to spare, prepare easy breakfast meals that you can grab and go on a regular basis and read audible books, teachings, music and more during your commute or time to get ready.

TIP 3: Set Bedtime and Nap Time (for Working From Home Moms) Daily

If you are working from home or are a stay-at-home mom, set a time in your schedule daily for your kids to take a nap.  It is essential for children, especially toddlers, to have at least 10 hours of rest each day. Nap time is quality time for kids to recharge and will help them tackle more tasks successfully if they’re being home-schooled and are required to complete chores. Always allow time for organized play or outside activities so they enjoy each day and won’t get burnt out, as well.  As an added bonus, you can enjoy this time to yourself and either use this time to complete a “me time” task on your list, get some rest, or tackle a project that requires your undivided attention.

Also, set a time every evening for the kids’ bedtime. Stick to this time every night.  This is a beautiful family moment in your day where you, your spouse and your children can pray together and read one of your children’s favorite books.

Once the kiddos are in bed, tackle more from your list of things you want to do. That list may include sharing a glass of wine and watching a movie with your spouse, painting your nails, reading a book, calling your bestie to catch up, and more.

TIP 4: Eat a Balanced Diet and Drink Plenty of Water

It is easy as a mom on-the-go to forget simple things like taking your vitamins, drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily, oh and definitively answering whether or not you had your fruit and veggies today. We make sure our children have had all that they need daily and then forget to do this for ourselves. As you’re reminding your children of these things go ahead and do the same for you at that moment, as well.

Tip 5: Create a Daily Lesson Plan to Follow for Homeschooling Kids

One of the most beneficial steps in learning a routine that worked for my son and I was creating a lesson plan from the very beginning. Having a plan in place gave my son structure and helped me to be mindful to cover subject matters that he needed to complete by the end of the school term.  The routine also became one that my son would rely on and he would wake up asking me when we were going to get started on certain activities he loved! This is a huge win for a mom of a preschooler.

If your lessons are fun for your children they won’t put up a resistance, which makes teaching them a lot easier for you. If you are working during this time, as well, make sure these fun learning tasks are ones that your child can complete on their own. That way you can complete your work and just check in on them from time to time. Also, having a lesson plan helps you to stay on schedule, spending only a set amount of time on each tasks. With this in place you can carve out time for you and you will feel accomplished at the end of the day.

Tip 6: Create a Gratitude and Reflection Journal to Visit Daily

Writing is truly therapeutic and allows you to release your feelings and emotions.  Whatever your mood is each day, make sure to jot it down. Each day should also include reflection on what you are grateful and thankful for. When you’re not feeling your best, you can look to your gratitude journal for inspiration and reflection.

Also, try on a repetitive basis to do something nice for someone else. It doesn’t matter how small or grand the task is. It is funny how amazing you feel when you have helped to put a smile on someone else’s face. While we’re spending more time at home these days, there’s more time to connect with our family and friends. Give a call, send a text, or message loved ones you haven’t seen or talked to in a while. Also, send a small flower or edible arrangement to a senior or essential worker you know. These small gestures will brighten others’ days and boost your mood, as well.

Have an awesome Mother’s Day moms and you truly rock!! Stay tuned for more content and please follow us on Facebook and Instagram!