Almost 150 years after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, there are still men, women and children enslaved into labor and commercial sexual exploitation in the U.S. Unfortunately, challenges also exist in gauging the effectiveness of the criminal justice system's response.

Meditation of the day.

Shut the Fuck Up

When you hear LOVE talkin.

This might be what makes me eat a steak 😜 Surf & Turf in Creamy Cajun Sauce INGREDIENTS: 1 tsp olive oil 5 ounces steak 7 ounces shrimp 10.5 ounces cauliflower 1/2 tbsp butter 1/4 cup veg broth 1 cup almond milk 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning 1 tsp dijon mustard 1 clove garlic 2 Tbsp reduced fat parmesan cheese 1 tsp lemon juice Sprinkle parsley DIRECTIONS: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the steaks and sear until lightly browned on both sides and cooked to the desired level of doneness, before setting aside. Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter and let it melt before adding the shrimp and cooking until just pink on both sides, about 1-2 minutes per side, and set aside. In a separate small pot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute. Add the vegetable broth and deglaze the pan by scraping up any brown bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon as the broth sizzles. Add the almond milk, mix in the dijon mustard and cajun seasoning, bring to a low boil and let simmer for a minute. Mix in the cheese and let it melt into the sauce. Mix in the lemon juice, parsley and shrimp then set aside. Place cauliflower florets (uncooked) into blender or food processor. Once riced, add to frying pan and steam with a small amount of water. Plate the rice then add steak and creamy shrimp sauce and serve! Makes 2 Servings Per serving: 1 lean, 3 greens, 3 condiments If you’d like to receive my weekly newsletter with healthy recipes like this and tips for living your healthiest life, subscribe here https://forms.gle/294fANVKAafReuQJ7 If you’d like to learn more about the program I coach and how it can transform your life, let’s talk - message me or fill out this form https://form.jotform.com/223644431205144 - I have $75 vouchers available for the rest of this week! #NotADiet #HabitsOfHealth #HealthyHabits #OptaviaHealthyHabits #LifelongTransformation #Optavia #Optavia5and1 #Optavia5and1plan #OptaviaResults #OptaviaCoach #IndependentOptaviaCoach #IndependentCertifiedOptaviaCoach #OptaviaJourney #HealthyLifestyle #OptaviaTransformation #MyJourneyToAHealthyMe #SurfAndTurf #HealthyLife #LeanAndGreen #HopeDealer #creamycajunshrimp (at Greensboro, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqTJH3EOLxf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Verlobungsring mit Brillianten in Weissgold

Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.-Voltaire #mondaymotivation #monday #life #thegame #foodforthought #keepgoing #perspective #hopedealer ♠️♣️♥️♦️🃏 💫💫💫💫💫 🙏🏽💜🌻🦋💫 (at Cards) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChAEosguJ1c/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Health Coaching is such a blessing! I am now a health coach! Call me and I would love to help you! Message me. #healthcoach #changinglives #gaininghealth. #hopedealer #gettinghealthytogether #fromtheinsideout #morethanweightloss https://www.instagram.com/p/CgSzI-OtvOQ33BM67i2nKqJD_kRTOqoMRijvKM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Acupuncture for my tight hips, lower back, and Piriformis syndrome.(A disorder in which the piriformis muscle in the buttocks irritates the sciatic nerve.) Acupuncture is a system of integrative medicine that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles, used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. My hope is that we can loosen everything up and allow me to gain core strength and have reduced inflammation in my body. Right now, these issues won't allow me to regularly exercise, especially when it all aggravates the "Fibro" symptoms. Acupuncture can be a great addition to your natural wellness plan. Tell me, have you been yet?🙂 #rootcause #gettothecore #yagottawantit #selfadvocate #acupuncturetreatment #acupuncture #lowerbackpain #tighthips #piriformissyndrome #piriformis #hopedealer #hopedealers #holisticwellness #holistichealthcoach #naturalsolution #naturalhealthandwellness #holisticapproach #nontoxicliving #naturallivingblogger #livelifenaturally #livingnaturally #healingjourney #wellnesscoaches #helpplease #helpmefeelbetter #idontfeelgood #fibromyalgiafighter #myhealingjourney #holisticlife #rawfireliving https://www.instagram.com/p/CfZjJ-QOSmU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy Monday Y’all… As long as I have breath in my body you will never have to be alone. Was once said the two most Important days in you life are the day you were born… And the day you figure out your purpose for being born… My purpose is to be a HOPE dealer instead of a dope dealer... Have an amazing day and live a purpose driven life… IF YOU ARE A PERSON OF FAITH PLEASE LEAVE A HEART ♥️ FOR SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE STRUGGLING TODAY. #faith #hope #hopedealer #love #Jesus (at North Arlington, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CevujG3Bgx7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

So excited!!! I got my patch today for #brokenchains I’m officially a member. Now to get my cut. I’m gonna look so cute. #brokenchains #hopedealer #happinessis #celebraterecovery #praiseGod #trustinhim (at Pflugerville, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeG88aeum64/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I want what I want, when I want it! Back in the day, before my drinking was noticeably out of control, alcohol have me exactly what I thought I wanted… relief. I’ve always been a little impatient, very much an I want what I want when I want it kind of gal. Call it what you want, learned behavior from social constructs, a symptom of the disease of alcoholism or the inability to delay gratification… Whatever you want to call if, sobriety has helped me to tame this particular beast. When I first got sober I wanted all of the benefits sobriety had to offer, and I wanted them immediately. I wanted peace, serenity, discernment, patience, acceptance, etc. Those things didn’t just magically manifest the moment I put the bottle down. They took time, and practice. T.I.M.E. takes time. Things I Must Earn • • • • #timetakestime #ittakestime #bepatientwithyourself #progressnotperfection #practicepatience #easydoesit #putinthework #sober #sobriety #soberthoughts #carrythemessage #hopedealer #wedorecover #sobercommunity #recoverycommunity #addictionrecovery #odaat #soberinstagram #sobermovement #sobermotivation #soberlife #soberliving #recoverysayings #soberquotes #recoveryworks #recoverytools #recoveringalcoholic https://www.instagram.com/p/CqNnrHoOsDy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I don't have Empty Nest Syndrome... You do.

Ok, so empty nesting (like most things in life) didn't go as planned. Instead of all of the countdowns and closures, I planned that would allow me to prepare, slowly enter, and be ready it hit me in the chest like a football at full speed without anybody shouting "think fast" and giving me time to put my hands up and focus.

It was suggested that instead of our last at-home young adult traveling back and forth across the country during a global pandemic and an outbreak of monkeypox, she stay put on the East Coast post-orientation and pre-move-in date. I heard the sense it made with my head and my heart because for the 36 hours prior to the message I had been meditating and walking around in the mantra "Shut the fuck up when you hear love talking." I was listening, so I called her and asked her directly.

She told me what she had been afraid to say since before she left, she was staying and I could ship her things to her. I heard her. I had been preparing and it didn't look like this and I wasn't devastated. I felt a sense of loss and growth. Joy and grief existed in the same place. I trust her with her life.

And just like when she was an infant and ready to strike out walking, I had to let go as she pulled away asserting her independence and ability to do it without me holding her up or holding her hand.

Yesterday, I officially became an empty nester.

P.S. Just in case you're wondering what Empty Nest Syndrome looks or feels like...

Want a healthier option for your traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal? Try this Beef Pot Pie! Ingredients: 4 cups riced cauliflower 1 large egg 1¼ lb. flat iron steak ¾ tsp salt, divided 1 cup low sodium beef stock ¼ cup low-fat cream cheese 1 cup button mushrooms, cut into quarters 1 cup sliced okra 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley (optional garnish) Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. 2. Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. 3. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. 4. With a kitchen towel, squeeze the cauliflower to remove any excess moisture. Mix together the squeezed cauliflower with the egg and a ¼ teaspoon of salt; set aside. 5. Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and season with a ½ teaspoon of salt. Place into an ovenproof casserole dish and add the beef stock and cream cheese (no need to stir as the cream cheese will melt as it cooks in the oven). 6. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and place into the oven for 1 hour. 7. After 1 hour, remove the aluminum foil and stir in the cut mushrooms and sliced okra. 8. Return the casserole dish into the oven for another 30 minutes without the aluminum foil. 9. Remove casserole from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450°F. 10. Spread the cauliflower mix over the beef stew to make a crust and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Garnish with parsley if desired. Nutrition Facts: makes 4 servings. Per Serving: 300 calories, 35g protein, 10g carbohydrate, 14g fat If you’re following the same health and nutrition program I coach, and followed to lose 60lbs in 4.5 months, this is a complete lean and green meal with 1 lean, 3 greens, and 2 condiments per serving. If you’re not following it but would like to learn more, message me. I have $75 gifts available during March ☘️ Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter to receive a recipe in your inbox each week and some tips on creating a healthier life! https://forms.gle/294fANVKAafReuQJ7 #NotADiet #HabitsOfHealth #Optavia #MyJourneyToAHealthyMe #OptimalLife #OptimalWellbeing #HealthyLife #LeanAndGreen #HopeDealer (at Winston-Salem, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp2HvhKOrFM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Follow Me On Spotify

open.spotify.com/artist/3lRoaZ5ZekfH5KFoi4elVi Please follow me on Spotify. I have several new releases lined up to encourage you as we move into 2024. God bless- YOUR Neighborhood Hope Dealer 🎶🎧🎤🙏🏾 #Christianhiphop #independentartist #hopedealer

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