Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week #BMHW25

Mom and three kids Greetings from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! Things have been busy. I am still a working mom of three, working full time who is trying to make a difference. I do a lot of things and try to be present so that I can learn from them. I share them on this blog so that we can learn together. Below are some thoughts, hacks, and/or lessons that I have learned from navigating my world. Black Maternal Health Week April 11-17, 2025 I am a Black mom to three wonderful children. I was blessed to have three successful births. While I am an attorney, my third delivery highlighted the potential risks that occur when a physician fails to listen to the birthing person. Initially, I chalked it up to the physician involved and limited it to my personal birthing experience. Then, I learned that I was not special. Overwhelmingly, Black women experience higher rates of birth trauma, birthing complications and negative birth outcomes.  These statistics are what lead to the creation of ...

Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Enjoy Your Business Trips


A photo op at the Gumbo Shop



The other week I had the opportunity to travel for work for a conference (CCWC) in New Orleans. On the whole, it was a great experience.  However,  I did learn some vital lessons.Trying to leave town is stressful.  Working moms live and die by their routines and I am no different. having to pack and get to the airport was a disruption to that routine. I nearly left my phone at home, but wound up boarding the plane on time.

Once I made the plane, I immediately began thinking about all of the great food I'd be able to enjoy in New Orleans. On this visit, I was lucky enough to go on a foodie tour as part of the conference and it was entirely worth it! Below are photographs of the food I enjoyed on the tour. YUM!!!





Gumbo at Tableau



Hey, I'm pregnant. So, since I can't drink, food is one of my few pleasures! Still, even if I weren't pregnant, I would have been excited about the food in New Orleans. The spices! The creativity! The taste! No lie, I could live on gumbo every single day of my life and not get tired of it. So, one of my goals when I visit New Orleans is to eat it as often as I can. 

Grilled oysters
The grilled oysters and the fried green tomato were an added surprise. I had never had grilled oysters before. And although some in my group indicated that they preferred those at another restaurant, I was hooked! Next time I visit, fried oysters will be on my list too. Also, I think that I may commit to mastering making fried green tomatoes at home. They were a welcome treat and our family has a lot of vegetarians. I think they would appreciate this addition to family meals.


Fried green tomatoes at Tujague's

Unfortunately, my photos of the beignets I had at Cafe Du Monde weren't blog worthy. Trust me though, fried dough with confectioner's sugar has never tasted so good! I also had the coffee with chicory because that's what you do. Before I get hate mail, pregnant women are allowed to have two cups of caffeine a day.. So don't judge me!

It was tough being away from my family, but I did enjoy reconnecting with old friends and all of the tasty food that I got to enjoy on my trip! 





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