Meatless Challenge March 1st

 

It is time to revamp my quarterly meatless meal challenges. Last  year at this time, I definitely had better blood pressure and it is really wonderful to eat as clean as possible. Going to let go of my  yummy snacks and swap back out my 100 calorie plant based snacks: less processed is better such as fresh fruit, portion controlled nuts or low calorie smoothies. I also will be using my juicer to make some fresh juices. Meals do not have to be terrible. If you are going the route of not doing meat. Do less of vegan processed products (Gardein, Beyond Meat), and opt to make your own vegan soups or meals. Good suggested websites are Veg Web or Sweet Potato Soul.  Tons of vegan vloggers on YouTube are amazing. I suggest Cheap Lazy Vegan or Ghetto Vegans. It depends on what day you are eating and how you are eating. For the meatless challenge, I will be doing 2 meatless meals a day or more. Breakfast will be smoothies each morning or vegan pancakes on the weekends. Lunch a meatless meal and dinner a meatless soup or sauteed stir fry. Remember you do not have to eat boring. Going meatless can be very creative if you go back to my other food blog, you may see some good recipes. In the meantime, remember it's a great way to go and you don't have to do it alone. Get a friend to join you or join a veggie or vegan group on social media. If you are joining me, let me know I can be a support. Thanks in advance for your participation and of course, letting go of something old so you can get yourself ready for something new and exciting! Be well. 

(c) 2021 by Mocha  Sistah 

Box Of Faith, Love & Healing

One of my first experiences working in New York City (circa 2009) was collaborating with potential foster parents in New York. My job at that time was to go out and meet with them, screen their backgrounds, and visit their homes to see if they would be a great home placement for the vulnerable youth in the foster care system. I was extremely aware of the importance of identifying parents who would be safe and have healthy home environments for the youth to live in. Many of the first foster parent experiences I had at my agency was observing the sadness in the eyes of youth who were dropped off to our offices like garbage. Their clothing was in plastic bags and it wasn't good to see that every single day. It hurt me to the core to know that many of the parents dropping them off may have been struggling and living on fixed incomes. However, quite a few of them were foster parents who signed on to be advocates for these youth but for whatever reason it did not work out and the children were replaced back into the foster care system. Nationally there are over 440,000 children in the foster care system. what I hated most was getting the same question from potential parents, some of them were asking for cute, cuddly and perfect children (ages 0-8) are the lowest number of available children in the system. The higher number and most at need at teens and children with disabilities or special needs. This weekend I started to look for movies on christianity on Prime Video. I ran across a beautiful movie called "Box Of Faith" in which the central character loses her innocent father to incarceration (he was set up and he was found innocent). Unfortunately, in this instance since her mother was deceased, she would have to live in the foster care system. Like some children in this situation, this young lady had to either stay at the home and go into the foster care system or she had to go elsewhere. During my time as a Foster Care Professional, it was sad to see less families as potential homes for these children and like this central character, I knew quite a few youth in our program who ended up on the streets fending for themselves. Somehow during these experiences they find themselves crafting out places to live as homeless teens in areas such as car trains, buses, under highway bridges, and in storage facilities. You would be surprised at the amount of youth living in these conditions. As I watched this movie I found myself fighting for the central character as she got creative and resilience in her life situation. I believe though they are sometime rejected by others (social workers, case managers, their own family, and or siblings), they find a deep sense of love and independence as they fight to through to find their own voice and find safe spaces to live and breath. This movie also reminded me that healing will only come after work, collaboration, and acceptance either of themselves or through finding a way to handle the emotional trauma of their life circumstances. I pray that these youth one day find a person that will support, love and be a bridge until they can get to the other side. Where love, healing, and stability resides. 

(c) 2021 by Mocha Sistah 

All Rights Reserved 

 

Poetic Thought

 

  

Healing Comes (2021 by Mocha Sistah) 

Elevate your soul 

Only you can determine when to let go 

Free your painful bones 

Only you can free your soul 

Fix what's wrong with your life 

Healing comes when your turn that corner 

Healing comes when you improve the brokenness 

Healing comes when you can figure out where things went wrong 

Accountability goes back to you

Are you the problem that refuses to change Queen or King? 

When you are pointing one finger, 3 are pointed back to you

look at your own funky things 

Elevate  your soul

Only you can determine what needs to go 

Free your brokenness 

Alleviate your pain by accessing reoccurring dreams 

and persistent nightmares 

Healing comes when you are real 

Healing comes when you seal the deal by recalculating your next steps 

Healing comes when you can look in the mirror and be authentic 

Stop avoiding your own truth 

Stop staying in Lie's Lane 

Rejuvinate your soul 

Revive positive steps in your life 

If you continue with the strife 

You only can make it right 

Do you need 365 more days of pain, shame and guilt? 

Do you want to free your soul? 

Then only you determine the path to your enlightment 

and only you can write a new chapter of love, peace, and realignment 

(c) 2021 by Mocha Sistah

All Rights Reserved 

 

I started this year off thinking about time and purpose. Mainly dealing with this pandemic and the urgency of knowing that time is not guaranteed. As a woman who walks in her purpose, I know I need to stay focused on my life, my goals and ambitions. I know my energy is not for everyone and I am okay with that. At the end of last year after having lost many of my good friends and colleagues to Covid-19, I felt very certain that if God gave me breath to breathe one more moment that I needed to refocus on my purpose and creativity. With that said, I started this year refocused on podcasting, writing projects, and continuing my health journey. Last year, I lost 40 lbs which I have held on to. For these things I am extremely grateful. I understand that my life shift or focus is not for everyone and that's okay. One thing that I do know for certain is that chasing people or things are not good for my energy at all. I am very happy to continue my life purpose through collaborations, partnerships, and intentional actions. When you are pouring positivity into the world you can see a lot more and things will naturally come your way. As many of you know I have two podcasts, Mocha's Jamz, a poetry podcast and Speak Truth 2 Life. I am also doing more creative projects this year due to taking a small break from my post graduate program. This year I had no goals outside of just finding my way back to my artistic soul. I am extremely  happy that things are slowly coming back in my realm of creativity. This week someone asked when I was releasing my next collection of poetry and I realized it had been 11 years. The past couple of years I have been writing academic papers, graduate work, and focused on my career. The past decade in the East Coast has been great for my career but took away from my writing. Therefore, this is the main reason I am focused on staying as close to my creative soul and pursuits. Thank you for your continued support as I realign these very important parts of my life. I will talk with you all soon. Check back for some new work to be posted from my new collection which will be released in the Summer of 2021. 

Stay healthy and be true to your own self 

Mocha Sistah 

September Poetry

Untitled

Reset the button of life

No matter what there will be strife

New month, new season to begin

Unraveling experiences from within

Take the time to enjoy what you see

the sun, the moon, the love that

pulsates all around you.

Pretty brown leaves

cascading on the ground

in multiple colors.

Rest the button of life

Start yet again on what you feel is important.

Be it work, school or another life goal.

Find what you need to do, get it done

and push on through to an expanded role.

You may stumble you may fall

it doesn't matter just that you keep on pushing

until you complete your outcome.

The changing of the new season is ready to meet you.

Find a new groove and enjoy each moment as it comes.

(c) 2017 by Mocha Sistah

July Haiku Poems

July Haiku #1

Strong love in my body

Grow from strength and healing now

Gifted from the Lord above

July Haiku #2

Whisper no lies now

Honesty is the key in

Our relationship

July Haiku #3

Fresh beginning  lies

Between two souls merging

Let us build new love

(c) 2016 by Mocha Sistah

And I'm Wondering

And I’m Wondering (2016) by M. Sistah

 

Across the world where people grieve

Eyes bleeding from misread actions

Now black bodies are shining on the

News for all to see

Unbelievable responses from

Law abiding citizens paid to

Lay bodies in the ground,

Fresh from bullet wounds,

Shots tearing through soft skin

And we are to help justify those

Who don’t know why they

Harmed someone’s child,

Spouse, or daughter.

 

Across the world people are nervous

Eyes wondering why there’s a war

On black men as if it didn't exist before.

Warning, don’t come to the US thinking

You will be safe, because black seeds are perishable

Goods.

Fresh from the womb, shot down in the prime of their lives.

Be careful or you might be next up on the tube

Where media professionals make judgements on

Individuals no longer here to tell their story

 

Across the table parents are coming up with

Excuses for the bad behavior.

Eyes wondering if their seed will be next

Warning, it doesn’t matter how much you ‘prep’

Your children, your teens, or adults in your life.

Strife might come knocking on their door

And a funeral might be in your future

Because black seeds are perishable.

 

Across hospitals, bodies come and are worked on

Tirelessly…

Nurses, doctors, lawyers, other professionals are

Wondering, after the excuses will their family or

Children be on the news.

Will they have to feel the social justice  blues?

When will be too much?

How many more bodies must go in the cold, cold

ground before a change comes.

Sex or Love, a poetic thought

Sex or Love
by Mocha Sistah


Pieces of his soul
are accessible.
Like a dark pyramid she searches
for something that can't be found
but he is a clever thief who wants
her sweetness
but offers blank scraps
of her life.
Meanwhile, he is uncut
and he disappears into
the existence
into oblivion.


What is funny is that he
offers his body as a living sacrifice
a breathing temple that offers
succulent orgasmic delights
these periodic moments of lust
drops in her mouth momentarily
for sparks of time


But his heart has a crust on it
It is solid, nothing pierces its foundation
and to this casual queen
he gives nothing
but sexual itches
that shit ends quickly enough


There's an assumption because the
luscious core has been massaged that
true love exists
however only a desirous seed has been planted


No sense in getting upset
all that has been done is investment of
tasty tongues on short assignment.
Soft moments that will dissipate at the end
of explosive minutes


The body tingles
The heart hurts
The core is torn


Tenderness is not considered
One prays she retains her self worth
and understands while it may be good sex
it ain't love.


He is in his outside zone
covered in a woody foundation
and her love may fall on deaf earts
and an empty shell of a soul


She must understand the position
she has placed herself in
and act accordingly.


(c) 2016 by Mocha Sistah

I just wanted to share this poem that I wrote a while back. I hope all is well and looking forward to updating the blog with new author interviews and books soon!

Night Song 

Midnight moon shine like shimmering roses 

embedded on my skin. 

Tear through my oracles like 

a silver light. 

Twirl me beyond the universe. 

Lift me on twinkling space that 

cuts through atmosphere. 

Like a cloud on fire 

as echoes from below lull me 

to sleep. 

(c) 2016 by M. Sistah

BROKENNESS  

I lost my sky under you

With clouds constantly threatening

My peace of mind

Scattered memories

Burned my scarred heart

Pieces of it

Floating in a cold, cold river

Filled with dark mucus, brown shit

And old dull knives.

No sugar,

Honey or ice teas

No home cooked meals

Made from love

No long walks in the city,

Holding, sweet loving hands.

Just cold silence

Torn emotions

Ripped bleeding soul

My lip bitten a thousand times

No sweetness

From your mouth

Just darkness

This hard sadness

Weighing me down

As I crawl on my belly

Reaching through this hell

Dirt in my eyes

As I realized

There is no more us

No more trust

Just time to go.

I gotta recover my soul

(c) 2016 by Mocha Sistah

14/30 written on 4/7/16 
Day 7 out of 30 of #NaPoWriMo 

Untitled poem 

Beautiful man 
kissing 
my blistered wounds
til they're healed 
echo positive 
chants to my soul 
Sooth my scattered mind
til I'm blind with only 
images of you. 

(c) 2016 by Mocha Sistah 

Yearn (comfort of you) 


Marrying my soul with yours
Tucked in real tight...
I yearn
For pleasures unknown  Rising
from slumber
Daylight comes to interrupt these
thoughts
I have the weak spot in me
that is the love of you
and poisonous desire that
wracks havoc on my soul

You're charming the negativity
out of me
molding this fractured tortured
girl who once cried over things
her soul could no longer take

Rising like God's handpicked angel
I am torn
between what I want to do
and what I need for you to do
with me

Liberations deep within me
taunt me at night
while you slumber
and when I'm deep in my abyss
of lost dreams and desires
you pull me back from the brink
of self-loathing

The comfort of your love
sets my soul free
As I breath in, lay on your
shoulder, easing all the pain away

The comfort of you...love
you give me awesomely wicked
african rhythms that course my body

Glued together forever
my heart
your heart
our lives stay interwined
as your write lyrics to my soul
that fly in the air for all to
hear
yearning, this bliss
yearning, this love
takes me to sweet heaven
and beyond

so
p l e a s e
never
stop the comfort

it's always what I need from you
(c) 2006 by Mocha Sistah 

Haiku 4/30


Sweet air flowing life
Sun shining amazingly so
the earth smiles its love


(c) 2016 by Mocha Sistah
All Rights Reserved

Toxic

Hurled words burn skins
Draw blood
Pierce the soul
Slice down love

Love is not this pissivity 

In this atmosphere pure hatred 
From a dark spirit intent on
Conquering down a pure
Innocent person

Yet you call this love?

(c) 2016 by Mocha Sistah
All Rights Reserved 

Untitled
By Mocha Sistah

When I go walking
Care is given to breathe out impurities

When I cannot
Hold my spirit,
some stranger tries to snatch
my joy

When I cannot dream
I pray until tears wash my face
And I sing, sing until my vocals are raw

When I am not whole,
I escape through unrequited
Love in my bones

(C) 2016 by Mocha Sistah
All Rights reserved

September Poem

Just Because

Yawning into a brand new day
Lifting my soul into another
Atmosphere
Shall I spread my poetic wings
Over the bruised souls
For just a moment of sunshine
Or take some time
To plant life seeds into
Urban concretes
Whatever it is, I shall
Move positively
In the world
As designated by the
One from above

Redefining life
One moment at a time
Understanding that time
Waits for no one
© 2013 by Mocha Sistah

In positive verse

Hey Musers:

As the song says, "I'm Still Standing..." yeah yeah yeah. Thought I would give a few updates since it's been a while since I've blogged on this medium. I'm still a New Yorker and live in Brooklyn where I am working on projects as we speak. It's September and I'm gearing up for my mentoring with a literary organization in the City of New York where I will be mentoring a young writer. I am excited to bring my energy to that program that includes writing fiction, non fiction and poetic offerings. I"m more excited about the mentoring component. The last time I mentored was about 7 years ago and that was an awesome experience. 

Writing wise, I have been working on original materials and looking forward to publishing a collection in 2014. It is currently untitled so I am not sure what the actual title is as of yet. In November time permitting, I might participate in the National Novel Writing Month activities. I have a few short stories I want to revamp and editing of Not Between These Thighs is a high priority. Not Between These Thighs is a novel about three women on a journey of life that includes love, spirituality, and a little bit of drama in between their lives. 

I am considering publishing a second volume of Speaking Me, a teen anthology that I originally published in Chicago in partnership with the City of Chicago's Cultural Affairs Division.  The anthology will target youth in grades K-12, utilizing short stories, prose and poetry to express their voices! 

In future posts, I will share exclusive excerpts from upcoming work. Stay tuned to find out ways to win a copy of "Keeping the Faith" and writing activities. Thanks for your literary support throughout the years. 

In positive verse and life lyrics, 

Mocha Sistah

Kicking with the Kindle

I found a new addiction, besides my past one to food. As an avid reader, I heard about the Kindle last year but I shrugged it off and thought to myself, nope, not gonna convert. First of all, I love books, and I mean the book you snuggle with. The one you hold close to you, fall asleep with and find your fingers caressing those pages. I never thought in a million years, I'd get bit by the Kindle bug.

Most of it was because I was busy, always got my book from the library, and had room for books. But now that I'm living in New York, it's pretty hard to stack books when space is limited and so, I have in the last month and half started downloaded books by various authors in various genres. I must say it has been very interesting, including reading books by established and new authors. Right now I have been kicking it with Kindle on my blackberry and also Kindle on the PC. Also going to upgrade to the regular Kindle. I'm excited about the Kindle Fire and may upgrade at some point but starting off slow.

You might wonder why you should get a Kindle. It's a convenient way to read on your phone, your pc or the Kindle. The Kindle comes in a small package, no paper, no pages, no paper cuts, and if you have an Amazon account or a Prime member you can download several books for free. You can slid the Kindle in your bag, your purse and it doesn't take up much space. You can get sample of novels or other books and then decide to purchase the book. You don't have to lug around heavy books, unless you are really traditional and don't want to upgrade to this type or reading device. If you are a writer, you need to reformat your books. Don't miss out on the market. I will do a separate blog about how to use this digital technology.

Current titles I just read recently was: The Crossing by Serita Jakes, Chance Encounter by Earl Sewell, Love UnExpected by Shelia Goss, A Boyfriend for Christmas by Caedem Marquez and A Change of Grace by Marva Fuller. These titles were highly engaging, entertaining, and very enjoyable. I did a podcast recently that you should check out on my Literary Pizzazz show that discusses these books.

Until we meet again, happy reading and have a wonderful holiday season. Don't forget to slow down for a good story...

(c) 2011 by Pam Osbey

Fresh Like This

My life has really zoomed off since January of this year when I decided once again to make life shifts to increase my health and to decrease my unhealthiness. Now don't get me wrong, I have always tried to put my health first but always got over whelmed by crazy things that has happened like my mother's cancer status. However, this time is different because I am no longer using life challenges as an excuse on how or why I won't put my health as a priority in this life. Six months ago, I made a committment to my health, asked for friends to be apart of my journey (my accountability partners have been so helpful in my journey on this, along with my fitness coach, Pamela Lobell, and my friends online at several websites and facebook groups). Lastly, using sensibility as a choice this time, and making substitutions that are reasonable has helped me a whole lot. I try to work out from time to time (in the beginning i wasn't working out at all, now I work out at least 4-5 days a week using videos, or hitting the treadmill hard at the gym). I'm not a person who uses classes, but I love to walk and that's what I do most along with drinking water ten glasses a day! I am feeling blessed and fresh after my hard work of getting down to a size 18 from a size 24. Lots of clothes I can't fit and i will donate to shelters or places (my really nice stuff); the other stuff is getting tossed unless it's something I can have someone amend to my new size. I have a lot of inspirers too. Many of my online friends have lost 100 or more pds! Even some of my close associates have lost 40-60 pds which i feel is a blessing. For me, it's good to just be in a healthier frame of mind. Even when I am stressed, I choose to write, to sing, to walk, shadow box, dance or use my resistance bands. Yes, there are days when I don't want to work out. I try to at least walk, drink that water, and if I get off track, I allow myself the occasional cupcake (which I had one last night at an event -- but I won't be eating that until my bday again). I think it's about a balance. You have to allow yourself to fail, then try again. To mix up your food and workouts. I don't like to get in a rut or get bored so I tend to try new things. I'm currently drinking protein shakes, eating protein bars, lots of fruit, unsalted peanuts and cashews. I can now eat a can of pringles over a week or two whereas before I would gulf it down in one night. I don't eat chips daily and I normally try to do my own smoothies, my own meals, versus eating out daily at fast food chains. Whole foods is not the enemy neither is a burger. You just have to choose lean versus fast food'ng! Use olive oil, and bake or steam your food. Those are a few of my things. My secret weapon is my resistance bands. I use them every day and do wallpushups and a lot of floor work now. Those are only a few of my approaches. I"m sure if you are reading this blog you might have your own that work so please share them. Life can be fresh as you want -- a sweet peach dripping inside your mouth if you allow it ! Don't confine yourself and define your own rules when it comes to this. Read all you can and then apply what you feel will work for your situation. I am currently a person who used to use my circumstances to define who I am; I now define my situations. Mastering my own path through a strength that comes from the one above. I am wishing you a productive and blessed week ahead.

Keeping the Faith

This inspirational book will hit shelves in early 2011. I am honored to be one of the faith walkers who will be sharing personal testimonies. These stories are inspirational in nature and I felt blessed to share some of my own challenges and triumphs in real 'life' scenarios! Vanessa Miller edited the collection and you can do pre-orders soon. Check the blog for details on that. I keep the faith through god's grace and favor, wishing you all a wonderful day and week ahead!

Mocha Sistah