February

February 4, 2021

Women’s Health – February 2021

Women’s Health

WOMEN'S HEALTH BLOG February 2021

Grit and Grace –
Our Superpowers

Written by Tonya Hawkins Hunter, MD

For many Louisiana women, 2020 was a rough year. Rougher than rough. We faced more evil, trauma, and tragedy in the past year than ever before. We experienced multiple hurricanes, social injustice, healthcare disparities, increased maternal and infant mortality, and a worldwide pandemic. All the while, we tried to maintain our everyday lives despite losing loved ones, schools and day-cares closing, losing jobs, canceling travel plans, and postponing life events due to the necessity of social distancing. Our new normal consists of virtual business meetings, virtual dance recitals, music lessons via ZOOM, drive-by birthday celebrations, retirement party parades, graduation videos, weddings, and funerals without the presence of distant loved ones, telemedicine doctor visits, travel restrictions, and socially-distanced generational family gatherings. It is only with GRIT and GRACE that we have been able to adapt, move through and survive these unprecedented times. Ladies, these are our superpowers.

Some say the GRIT of a Louisiana woman is shown only on the bumper stickers that read GRITS or “Girl Raised in the South.” GRIT, to me, means more than just where you were raised. A friend shared a social media post defining GRIT as “the mental toughness and passion that propels you toward achieving your vision for life. It’s the key to remaining focused and motivated. Rather than courage or exceptional talent, GRIT is the tenacity, perseverance, resilience, and willingness to keep you going despite obstacles. It is quickly adapting to new circumstances and committing to work hard for long periods, trusting that if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, you will light that sucker up yourself”. This is what truly defines us as Louisiana women. Our GRIT is what makes us able to rise above a worldwide pandemic and continue to work as frontline healthcare providers and teachers, all the while social-distancing to still provide our families with the traditions of childhood, family, faith, and the values we hold dear. Ladies, GRIT is our superpower.

The GRACE of a Louisiana woman comes in caring for loved ones in the community who need a helping hand. Cooking and sharing a nourishing meal, organizing a family movie/game – night to minimize the monotony of months of sheltering in place. It is setting up home offices, getting rid of excess baggage (people and things) weighing us down physically and emotionally. It is negotiating outstanding bills/debt when there is no money to pay, voting for candidates, policy changes, and issues vital to us. We have saved more, exercised more, listened more, read more, and prayed more than ever. We have been better mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, partners, businesswomen, friends, and advocates for ourselves and those we love. Our GRACE has changed our lives and influenced our homes, families, and communities. Ladies, GRACE is our superpower.

We must employ our superpowers of GRIT – strength, and determination to keep what is important lifted; and GRACE – influence and opportunity to shape our environment, making it better. We know how to get things done creatively. When we enter the room, things happen. When we have a seat at the table, problems are solved. When we advocate for ourselves and our families, we influence policy changes. 2020 has shown us life-changing, culture–shaping superpowers, strengths we never knew we had. Let’s make 2021 our year to shine and shout, “This is the year of the Louisiana woman!” Let’s let our voices be heard, our influence unlocked, our talents and gifts revealed. Ladies, let’s use our superpowers of GRIT and GRACE to brighten our days ahead.

-Tonya Hawkins Hunter, MD

Dr. Tonya Hawkins Hunter

Dr. Tonya Hawkins Hunter is board certified in Ob-Gyn. She is currently in solo private practice at The Well Woman Center of Louisiana, Monroe, LA and is also affiliated with Teamhealth OB Hospitalist Group, Alexandria LA; OB/GYN Laborist -Rapides Regional Medical Center; University Health – E.A. Conway, Monroe, LA; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA Department of OB/GYN as Clinical Faculty. Dr. Hunter is involved in several community, civic and social organizations in her community. Her interests include music, physical fitness, reading, and public policy.

February 4, 2021

Louisiana Fosters – Connect 1:27

Louisiana Fosters

Connect 1:27

Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home (LBCH)

Connect 1:27

Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home (LBCH)

Connect 1:27 is the statewide foster care and adoption ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home (LBCH). LBCH created the program to unite the body of Christ in churches across the state to meet the needs of children in foster care in Louisiana. The Connect 1:27 team recruits Christian foster families to support families during their fostering journey and encourages church involvement in foster care support. Connect 1:27 staff work closely with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to learn more about ongoing needs for children in foster care and how individuals and organizations can meet those needs.

DCFS provides a large portion of the direct services to children and families involved in the foster care system; however, LBCH can only meet individual needs through individuals and organizations outside of DCFS. These needs vary significantly across the state, but some are universal: the need for foster/adoptive families and relational support. The need is ongoing because new children enter foster care every day statewide. As more children enter foster care, the need for foster families, foster family support, and supportive services for birth families increases.

Over the last several years, Connect 1:27 has worked with DCFS and other organizations to encourage collaborative efforts to connect the needs of foster care with the faith-based community’s resources. The results have been nothing short of miraculous. God has used individuals, churches, and ministries to provide clothing, food, school supplies, hair care, extracurricular activities, support groups, trainings, visitation rooms, and more. Churches were encouraged to learn that DCFS not only allowed their participation but encouraged their involvement. Once the faith-based community came together and partnered with DCFS, supportive services increased. DCFS staff were inspired by the ability to provide more for the children and families they served.

The One Church, One Family, One Child initiative challenges everyone to consider the impact of collaborative efforts in the foster care system. Imagine if every church in Louisiana partnered with their local DCFS office to meet every urgent need that arose willingly. Imagine the number of families who would commit to fostering if they knew their church would support them every step of the way. Imagine the lives that could be changed if churches ministered to birth families and helped them overcome the challenges that lead to their children entering foster care. The faith-based community has an incredible opportunity to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable children in Louisiana. It merely requires a willingness to connect and serve.

Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

February 4, 2021

The Governor’s Mansion: Glen Armand

Governor’s Mansion:
Glen Armand

Native Louisiana craftsman Glen Armand grew up learning Armand family skills from his father Wallace Armand and assisting his grandfather Florian Armand in his furniture shop after school. This work helped plant the seed for third-generation Louisiana craftsman Glen Armand to continue the Armand family tradition of crafting furniture.

Restoring antique furniture has allowed Glen to learn design, construction, form, and finishing from the unheralded and distinguished master craftsmen of generations before. Utilizing this knowledge and experience, Glen has become one of Louisiana’s most revered furniture craftsmen.

Armand, an Alexandria, Louisiana craftsman, who is widely known for his one-of-a-kind custom furniture, was contacted by the Design Team of the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion Foundation around 1998 to discuss a Master Suite Bed for the Master Suite in the Mansion. The bed is reminiscent of the Louisiana-style furnishings built in the 1840s. Armand constructed the bed using South American mahogany wood. The serpentine, or scrolled headboard, is clad in Crotch mahogany veneer. Supporting this piece, are four turned posters.

Upon completion of this commission, Mr. Armand created a beautiful State Dining Room Table that seats 24 for the State Dining Room, as well as two Silver Chests and a Settee, all of which he donated to the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion Foundation. He also presented two English Settees for the Foyer in the Mansion. These donations took place during Governor Mike Foster’s Administration.

Mr. Armand has since created Dining Room chairs for the Foundation during Governor John Bel Edwards’ Administration. He has also donated 38 chairs to the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation. Few have been as generous to the Governor’s Mansion Foundation as Mr. Armand. He has been a very dear friend to the Foundation since its inception in 1996.

He also refurbished much of the furniture in the Governor’s Mansion that needed special care. Our sincere thanks go out to Mr. Armand and his craftsmen for all they have done for the State Home and the Foundation.

Using time-tested techniques and materials, Glen and his craftsmen team create and build furniture and cabinets with the patience and tradition of old-world masters.

Glen Armand Furniture Inc. builds all types of furniture. His skills include fine period antique reproductions, traditional, contemporary, art deco, Biedermeier, Louisiana Creole, and Acadian style furniture. Their limited lifetime warranty assures its customers that their commitment to quality has them in mind.

Contact information for Glen Armand Furniture Inc.:
1019 Twin Bridges Road, Alexandria, LA 71303.
Phone: 318-473-9287.
Business Hours: Mon – Thurs. 7 am – 5 pm, Friday by Appointment.

February 4, 2021

Teach MAM – Matters of the Heart

Teach MAM

Teach MAM: An Exciting Partnership to Strengthen Arts Education Across Louisiana

TEACH MAM

“Matters of the Heart”

February is our national month for heart awareness. The entire month highlights motivating people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and practice best measures to prevent heart disease.

“If you’re like most people, you think that heart disease is a problem for others. But heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. (U.S. National Library of Medicine 2020). Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease, including coronary heart disease, the most common type. Coronary and other heart disease types cause heart attacks, but by taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease and improve your overall health and wellbeing. (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/coronary-heart-disease).

You can help reduce your risk of heart disease by taking steps to control factors that put you at greater risk.

Control your blood pressure
Lower your cholesterol
Don’t smoke
Get enough exercise
To prevent heart disease, you should follow the seven preventive measures below:

Understand your risk. Beginning your journey to combat heart disease, one should understand the disease’s risk and how your body may be affected. Your risk depends on many factors, some of which are changeable and others that are not. Risk factors are conditions or habits that make a person more likely to develop a disease. These risk factors may be different for each person. Preventing heart disease starts with knowing your risk factors and what you can do to lower them (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure).

Have your blood pressure, and cholesterol checked with your health care provider.

Aim for a healthy weight and discuss your weight options with your health care provider. Determining a healthy BMI is key to heart health success. Body mass index (BMI) determines whether you are at a healthy weight. Adults are underweight if their BMI is below 18.5 and are healthy if their BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. Adults are overweight if their BMI is 25 to 29.9 and have obesity if their BMI is 30 or above (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/overweight-and-obesity).

Choose heart-healthy foods. Choose a diet rich in vegetables, protein, and fruits while limiting your intake of saturated and trans fats and added sugars.

Manage your level of stress. Coping with stress and managing your daily stress can lead to an overall healthy mental state.

Get a minimum of 60 minutes of daily exercise.

Get enough sleep. Sleep plays a vital role in good health and wellbeing throughout your life. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. Not getting enough sleep or good-quality sleep over time can raise your risk for chronic health problems. The amount of sleep you need each day will change throughout your life (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-deprivation-and-deficiency).

One of the significant organizations that advocates for healthy hearts are the American Heart Association. In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies, the American Heart Association compiles up-to-date statistics on heart disease, stroke, and other vascular diseases Stroke Statistical Update. This compilation is a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, healthcare policymakers, media professionals, the public, and others who seek the best national data available on disease morbidity, mortality and risks; quality of care; medical procedures and operations; and costs associated with the management of these diseases. The Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update is a significant source for monitoring cardiovascular health and disease in the population (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/cardiovascular-health-study-chs)

Nearly half of all U.S. adults have some form of cardiovascular disease.

(American Heart Association, 2019)

With such alarming statistics, we as Americans need to take heed to the advice provided by our health care professionals. We need to be diligent in our efforts to improve our health. Making a few simple daily life choices, we may be able to lower the statistics on cardiovascular disease and improve our overall health and wellbeing.

Get up! Get Moving! Make good choices!

and

Become Heart Healthy!

February 4, 2021

Louisiana Honors Its African-American Heritage

Louisiana Honors Its
African-American Heritage

By LouisianaTravel.com Staff

Louisiana Honors Its
African-American Heritage

Get to know the people and places of Louisiana that played important roles in African-American history.

By LouisianaTravel.com Staff

A cotton plantation founded by a former slave. The daughter of freed slaves who created a hair-care empire. A New Orleans boy who went from singing on street corners to headlining at Carnegie Hall. These are just a few of the fascinating stories you’ll hear as you join us to celebrate the cultural contributions of African-Americans from Louisiana.

Since 1976, February is designated as African-American History Month. But in Louisiana, we pay tribute to this heritage year-round in places like Melrose, where former slave Marie-Therese Coin-Coin and her family founded what is now known as Melrose Plantation. And at the Hermione Museum in Tallulah, where an exhibit tells the story of Madam C.J. Walker, considered the country’s first female self-made millionaire after developing a line of hair-care products.

And that musician? Well, he just happened to become the one and only Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, who helped popularize jazz. Each year, Satchmo SummerFest, a three-day festival in New Orleans, celebrates his life and music.

You can learn more about these Louisiana natives and others as you travel Louisiana’s African-American Heritage Trail. Stop in Grambling, a town settled by newly freed slaves. Today, it’s home to Grambling State University and the Eddie G. Robinson Museum, honoring the legendary football coach. Learn more about the history of black Creoles at the Creole Heritage Folklife Center in Opelousas.

Tour the River Road African-American Museum in Donaldsonville, which details what life was like for African-Americans living along the Mississippi River. Nearby, visit Evergreen Plantation in Wallace. It features well-preserved slave quarters and tours emphasizing the importance of slave labor in plantation life.

From political barrier breakers and brave soldiers to literary leaders and gospel queens, African-Americans have made a tremendous impact on Louisiana history and culture. Join us as we celebrate their many achievements.

February 4, 2021

Blog – February 2021

The February 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 4

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

Resilience

Resilience

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13

As we move solidly into the year 2021, I feel a shift toward hope and change. Although it seems we are still in the midst of some of the most trying times our communities and the world have experienced, my faith keeps me looking forward. St. Ignatius Loyola teaches us to “find God in all things.” A conscious effort made to seek the good in each day, each moment renews my faith and strengthens my resolve. And the resilience of the people of Louisiana amazes me.

Some of the things spurring a strengthening of my faith include the early successes of the vaccine distribution across the state. Knowing that our frontline workers and most vulnerable populations are receiving inoculations against the deadly COVID-19 virus brings specs of joy each day. Another ray of light is the continuing efforts in our communities to provide relief during the pandemic. We have published many stories in our “Community” section highlighting organizations and efforts to feed our citizens who are in great need. Adaptation to our circumstances is evident in our Foster Care Community’s work facilitating adoptions by Zoom! We continue our work in advocacy for Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness and my Teach MAM program in my office. It truly amazes me how far we have all come since those first, scary days last year.

One of the most fun, and brightest spots this year, has been watching the city of New Orleans find alternative ways to celebrate our famed Mardi Gras traditions safely. Daily I receive texts of pictures of homes transformed into Mardi Gras floats! The Krewe of House Floats, the Krewe of Red Beans, and many independent others have upheld the spirit of Fat Tuesday. These new organizations have additional purposes they serve as well. Donation boxes to Second Harvest Food Bank are in front of some of the transformed homes. Online fundraising has kept Mardi Gras artists, musicians, and other creators employed by constructing these residential pieces of art! Some of this beautiful artistry and the uplifting community support are in our articles below.

It is hard to keep us down here in Louisiana! I have always been amazed at the resilience of the people of this state. Is it years of enduring dangerous hurricanes that makes us so resilient? Is it our endearing sense that friends and neighbors are like family? Whatever the reason may be, I am proud to call this beautiful state, with its resilient people, my home. May God bless us as we continue to move forward in faith ~ and make a little fun and beauty on the way.

God Bless you all,

May the Lord of all, give us the endurance and the fortitude to preserve in the hardest of times. We thank you Lord for your gift of this day. May your grace and mercy walk us through these trials of life. Amen

02. FEATURE

By LouisianaTravel.com Staff

Louisiana Honors Its African-American Heritage

Get to know the people and places of Louisiana that played important roles in African-American history.

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

Yes Mam, No Mam, Thank you Mam = Teach MAM!

Teach MAM
(Music, Arts, Movement)

LOUISIANA
FOSTERS

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Glen Armand, Craftsman

VISIT GOVERNOR'S MANSION STORE

DOWNLOAD MEMBERSHIP FORM

WOMEN’S HEALTH

“Grit and Grace – Our Superpowers”

by Tonya Hawkins Hunter, MD

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA

Making A Difference

Hire a
Mardi Gras Artist

COMMUNITY

READ

Sarah Gros

SCHOOLS

READ

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

MILITARY

READ

NOLA DMC

BUSINESS

READ

04. FEATURED RECIPE

King Cake

For the biggest party held every year in the French Quarter, it’s only fitting to have a king cake. If you’ve been searching for an authentic king cake recipe, look no further!

READ RECIPE

SOMETHING TO DISCERN

05. PAST QUOTES

Gallery

: january 2021

: december

: november

: october

: september

: august

: july

: june

THE FIRST DOGS

06. THE FIRST DOGS

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

07. OUR EDITOR

DELERY RICE

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Delery has lived there all of her life except during undergraduate school and a brief stint in Seattle, WA. She is a mother to four boys, ranging in ages from 21 to 16, and they are the heart and soul of her life.

After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, she went on to receive a Masters in Non-Profit Management from Louisiana State University. Her volunteer work has mostly evolved from issues that have affected her personally. Actively engaged in disability rights advocacy, Delery has testified numerous times in the Louisiana Legislature regarding issues that affect persons with developmental disabilities. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, worked for seven years directing regional advocacy efforts and is a graduate of Louisiana’s Partners In Policymaking.

February 8, 2020

Women’s Health – February 2020

Women’s Health

WOMEN'S HEALTH BLOG February 2020

Words from Kimiyo Harris Williams, MD

“Self-Love is Healthy Living.”

I was in my sitting area—relaxed, reclined, and snuggled warmly in my crimson-and-cream velvety soft blanket on my ruby red, deep-seated leather chair; feet raised and resting on the matching red ottoman—when I began to reflect on a few realities and a lot of possibilities. Considering current truths of premature death, profound disease morbidity and perpetuated health disparities, I am compelled to assess my wellbeing. Contemplating how my health and healthcare affect my quality of life, I consciously evaluate my current state of being.

At first glance, it appears that I am “pretty” healthy. I don’t have any debilitating illnesses. However, as I began to dig a little deeper, I discovered that I am not as healthy as I could be. Evaluating my medical and family history, my lifestyle habits and environment, I concluded that there are opportunities for improvement. The first step in healthy living is to acknowledge a need for rectification. Coming to terms with reality can be challenging because it involves introspective thought and honesty.

“Eat Clean, Exercise Regularly and Enjoy Long Life.”

Living in this fast-pace world with information at our fingertips keeps us all very busy, especially moms, wives, and career women. Oftentimes, we are eating on the run or do not eating at all—neither of which are healthy. To add fuel to the madness, we take on more projects than we have time to devote to them. This frequently leads us down the path of compromising our exercise time. Being true to oneself and taking ownership of unhealthy nutritional and lifestyle habits is an eye-opening realization. This epiphany can potentially put us on a journey to healthier living. Moreover, recognizing how our medical and family history interacts with these habits to affect our overall health and healthcare outcomes is a monumental move towards better health.

After acknowledging my current state of health and the factors responsible, the next steps were to develop and then implement a realistic plan of improvement: small consistent steps towards a goal is a good start. My next step started with a change in my diet. After years of “dieting” off and on with the goal of weight loss, I decided to end the “dieting” and start a lifestyle change. Determined to love myself enough to make healthy dietary changes for life, I am eating more vegetables and fruit. Recommendations for healthy eating patterns, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015-2020), include eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and proteins including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes, nuts/seeds, and soy. To learn more, visit https://health.gov/our-work/food-and-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/.

As my diet shifted to mostly plant-based, I begin to feel better and gain more energy. Additionally, I was able to decrease my antihypertension medication. However, this was not the only change that I needed to make to move towards “Healthy Living.”

Acknowledging my lack of physical activity resulted in adding regular exercise in my daily schedule five days a week. To be honest, I really enjoy exercising, but my days get busy and I “put it off until tomorrow.” Since acknowledging the truth as it relates to my physical activity, I am intentional about my exercise time. I make it a high priority because the US Department of Health and Human Services reports that adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity and should perform muscle-strengthening exercises on 2 or more days each week. Maintaining and preventing excessive weight gain are directly connected to regular physical activity. Additionally, regular physical activity has been shown to lower the risk of many chronic diseases.

Living Healthier lives is attainable with small intentional steps. First, acknowledge your current health status. Secondly, develop a plan to a healthier life. Thirdly, implement the plan of action. Lastly—and most importantly—regularly assess and reassess your status and progress. All of these lifestyle changes should be implemented per your physician’s recommendations. Schedule and attend regular physical exams with your physician. Schedule weekly and monthly “check-ins” with yourself regarding achieving your goals. Be honest with yourself and make the necessary adjustments. You only have one “you” so be the best “you” that you can be by eating healthy and exercising regularly. “Eat Clean, Exercise Regularly and Enjoy Long Life.”

February 7, 2020

Featured Recipe: King Cake Beignets

Chef Kenneth C. Temple

King Cake Beignets

Chef Kenneth C. Temple's

KING CAKE BEIGNETS

It’s carnival season back home (New Orleans), I wanted to take a shot at creating something that embodies this time of the year, my city, and my heritage. King Cake and beignets are the two most popular desserts worldwide that New Orleans has made famous, I thought it would be fun to combine the two. That’s how I came up with king cake beignets. They are beautiful, light, and airy, just like a beignet, with the great cinnamon flavor of a King Cake. I’ve never heard of a King Cake Beignets, but if it’s out there, I’m sure adding my recipe will add to let the good times roll! Tips for success: Proofing (resting the dough) gives the dough it’s a delicious airy bite. Icing the beignets, then immediately dusting them with colored sugar, allows it to adhere to the beignets. If you do not want to make your own Mardi Gras colored sugar, purchase 5 oz. of sugar sprinkles in each color. I find that brown eggs yolks have a deeper yellow yolk, which equals a better-tasting egg. The max speed when using the dough hook is 2. If you do not have a stand mixer, you will have to knead the dough by hand about 60 times or until dough forms a tight ball. You can skip the overnight wait by letting the covered dough rest in a warm spot for 2 hours then proceed to follow the recipe.

Tools:
Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl
Kitchen Aid 5-Quart Mixer with paddle and dough attachments
5 Quart Pot
Stainless Steel Mesh Strainer
Liquid Measuring Cup
Dry Measuring Cup
Kitchen Tongs
Rolling Pin

Makes about three dozen

Cooking Time: 1 day and 40 minutes

Chef Kenneth C. Temple's King Cake Beignets

Watch Chef Kenneth C. Temple demonstrate how to make his King Cake Beignets. Disclaimer: In the video Chef Temple said 12 drops of yellow and green dye, it’s 18, the recipe has the correct measurements.

Ingredients:

BEIGNETS:
½ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ cups lukewarm water
1 envelope active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
2 large brown eggs, slightly beaten
1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup evaporated milk
1 tablespoon cinnamon
8 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
¼ cup Crisco shortening
Canola oil for deep frying

ICING:
492 g confectioner’s sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup evaporated milk
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Colored Sugar
3 cups granulated sugar
red, blue, green and yellow plant-based food coloring

Method:

In a bowl mix, sugar, water, and active dry yeast together and let sit for 10 minutes or until small bubbles begin to float to the top.
In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, kosher salt, and evaporated milk. Once the yeast is bubbling, add egg mixture to yeast mixture. In another bowl, stir the flour and cinnamon together two or three times. Attach the dough hook to stand mixer, add the wet mixture, and 4 cups of flour, mix together on low for 1 minute. Add shortening and mix for 30 seconds.
Gradually add ½ cup of flour at a time. Mix until thoroughly combined, and dough begins to come together and no longer sticks to sides of mixing bowl about 8 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight.

Chef Kenneth C. Temple

Chef Kenneth C. Temple holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Culinary Arts from The John Folse Culinary Institute. His kitchen savvy and charisma can be contributed to his New Orleans upbringing. His expertise was validated when he won the Food Network’s popular cooking competition show “Chopped” in 2017. With over ten years in the culinary industry, Chef Kenneth has certainly laid a foundation for a long-lasting career. His professional demeanor and a knack for success have landed him major partnerships, including Hormel Foods, Jennie-O, Black Label Bacon, and Wholly Guacamole. He’s been featured in US Weekly and USA Today, Essence Music Festival, he’s received a proclamation from the City of New Orleans and was the ambassador for City of New Orleans in South Africa for three years. He’s worked with the New Orleans Saints, the New Orleans Pelicans, Grammy Artists, Lil Wayne, and Patti Labelle and 2-time Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Jenkins, to name a few of his clients.

The “Kenneth Temple Empire” currently consists of private dining, catering, online cooking courses, his signature seasoning (Savory), his cookbook (Southern Creole), the “Hunger Trap” Facebook live cooking show, various television cooking segments, the “Southern Creole” trademark and “Deliciousness” apparel. Looking forward, Chef Kenneth plans to continue to walk in his purpose by providing joy through food service. His vision expands beyond dishing out cuisine, positioning him as a culinary expert.

February 7, 2020

Anti-Human Trafficking – NAWJ Mid-Year Conference

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

NAWJ
2020 Mid-Year Conference

NAWJ

2020 Mid-Year Conference

Bringing Access into Harmony with Justice in 2020

The National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) is proud to bring innovative ideas in judicial leadership and education to the forefront of the legal community at our 2020 Midyear Meeting, March 11-13 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Over one hundred attendees–judges, attorneys, legal experts, academics, law school students, government officials–are expected to convene.

Presiding over the Midyear Meeting will be New Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Bernadette D’Souza, President of NAWJ, in conjunction with Meeting Co-Chairs, Judge Mary Hotard Becnel (ret.) and Judge Sheva Sims. We are excited to explore the meeting’s theme “Bringing Access into Harmony with Justice” in a series of discussions and gatherings that address how the legal community can ensure the basic right of access to justice. These ideas will be examined through lens of the most pressing issues NAWJ members face in their courts: the ongoing crises in opioid use, human trafficking, trauma in the courts, and combating recidivism.

About NAWJ

For over 40 years, the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) has been the leading voice of women judges in the United States. A non-profit organization of approximately 1,200 federal, state, administrative, tribal and military judges, NAWJ is dedicated to ensuring equal access to justice in the courts for women, and other historically disfavored groups; providing judicial education on cutting-edge issues; and increasing the numbers and advancement of women at all level of the judiciary.

NAWJ President | Hon Bernadette D’Souza

Judge Bernadette D’Souza was elected as the first Family Court Judge at Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans on February 1, 2012. Judge D’Souza was previously a practicing attorney in public interest law for over 18 years, many of them as Managing Attorney of the Family Law and Domestic Violence Unit at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services.

Judge D’Souza received her Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law in 1992. Upon graduation she dedicated her legal career to public interest law representing indigent clients in family law, housing, and domestic violence cases. She has spent over a decade promoting awareness to domestic violence issues by devoting time to educating and supervising law students from Tulane Law School and from around the country post-Katrina.

Judge D’Souza served as adjunct professor at Tulane Law School, teaching a course on family law and domestic violence and instructing students through a clinical externship program. She also served as a guest lecturer at Loyola University College of Law on topics of domestic violence and poverty law. Judge D’Souza now serves on the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges faculty of the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence.

February 7, 2020

Louisiana Fosters – The Foster Village

Louisiana Fosters

THE FOSTER VILLAGE

TFV stores items used to equip children
who have been through traumatic events of loss.

THE FOSTER VILLAGE

THE FOSTER VILLAGE is a Non-Profit focused on providing support for our local foster children. We currently operate as a FREE Boutique located in Walker, Louisiana. TFV stores items used to equip children that have been through traumatic events of loss. The children we assist fall under multiple categories, which include foster care, kinship, family services, etc. It is our practice to verify placements &/or receive referrals from a staff member on the case. By providing clothing, hygiene items, bedding, etc. we hope to make their transition phase as smooth as possible. We want to help pave the road to a better life, as well as host events where they can find support & encouragement.

Recently we were approached by one of the Leadership Ascension class of 2020 groups, with a proposal to bring TFV to Ascension as their project for the year. A local church was eager to partner & had a space that would be an excellent fit for a new location. Ascension Parish Chamber of Commerce established The Leadership Ascension Program in 1995 to educate and prepare future leaders within Ascension Parish. Since its inception, the program has become renowned as one of the preeminent leadership programs in the region. The main goal of the Foundation is to facilitate and maintain fundraising monies to benefit local charities in the Ascension Parish area. This corporation allows for donors to take advantage of tax benefits offered for charitable and educational purposes as exempt organizations under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. http://www.ascensionchamber.com

It is with much excitement that we announce our newest partnership with Fellowship Church of Prairieville, Louisiana. https://fellowshipchurch.cc Fellowship’s mission pastor, Brian Robert, has been working on a vision of a community hub to assist the local community. Fellowship Church prides itself on existing to bring real life in Christ to Ascension Parish and beyond. They strive to be a diverse, bold church that introduces all people to Jesus. With that in mind will soon begin renovations on a property the church is graciously allowing to house The Foster Village Ascension location as well as stocking the Foster Village with much-needed supplies for the foster families of our community.

As our team moves forward to bring this vision to life, we could use the community’s help. There will be many opportunities for you to get involved whether you are looking to donate items, time, or monetarily. All are welcome. It takes a village to raise a child; Be the Village! Support the community’s kids! Support TFV Ascension! Ways to get involved:

Contact The Foster Village – (225) 283-6297
thefostervillage.tfv@gmail.com

For donations, make checks payable to:
Leadership Ascension Foundation
1006 W. Highway 30
Gonzales, LA 70737
(In the memo – The Ascension Foster Village)

For donation information, to sign up to volunteer & for Updates: www.TFVWalker.org/Ascension

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Our Superpowers

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Glen Armand

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African-American Heritage

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First Lady of Louisiana

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(Music, Arts, Movement)

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FOSTERS

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Mardi Gras Artist

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2020 Mid-Year Conference

TFV stores items used to equip children
who have been through traumatic events of loss.