Namnashte

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Because needs differ between boys and girls we also provide THRIVE THROUGH IT for !

💖 This is a structured support group for girls and youth who identify with female development from 9-18 years, integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training in a specific format designed to increase positive connection, personal and collective strengths, and competence in girls. It aims to counteract social and interpersonal forces that impede girls’ growth and development by promoting an emotionally safe setting and structure within which girls can develop caring relationships and use authentic voices.

When girls voice their ideas and opinions in a safe environment, it strengthens their confidence and self-esteem and encourages them to express themselves more fully and critically think through their behavior and choices. By examining cultural expectations in a safe and supportive setting, girls gain greater awareness of their options and strengthen their ability to make choices that are consistent with their values, interests, and talents.

Interested in partnering? We are actively partnering with schools, mission aligned nonprofits, after school programs, churches and more to bring this one of a kind program to the girls in Nashville who need it most! DM to learn more!

Since we are rolling out our programming on a broader scale (SO EXCITING), let’s chat about what THRIVE THROUGH IT for BOYS is:

💙 Rigid beliefs and norms about masculinity are harmful to the health, safety, relationships and opportunities of boys and young men. These beliefs lead to heightened violence, school dropout, physical and sexual risk-taking, substance abuse, sexual violence, crime, and accidents amongst teen boys. Marginalized youth, families and communities are impacted by these risks at greater rates. For marginalized boys, violence is the primary pathway into the school- to- justice system pipeline.

Thrive Through It for BOYS addresses a male gender-specific need by acknowledging and challenging harmful masculinity beliefs and norms and supporting boys in developing safe, healthy identities and behaviors.

The model is a strengths-based approach that is informed by adolescent brain development, trauma responsive and restorative practices, masculinity research, rites of passages, and Relational-Cultural theory.

Interested is diving into THRIVE THROUGH IT for boys with us? We are actively building partnerships with schools, after school programs and mission aligned nonprofits. DM to learn and discuss more!

Remember that Eggplant and Tomato soup I shared a few weeks ago? Well guess what, with a little less chicken stock and the addition of mushrooms that AH-AMAZING soup turns into a crazy flavorful vegetable pasta sauce. Every single ingredient in this recipe is not only good for your physical health, but your mental health too! Not to mention is tastes best the 2nd day so this is a great recipe for a make ahead meal to feed a crowd.

Good olive oil
4½ cups (½-inch-diced) unpeeled eggplant (1 pound)
2 cups chopped yellow onion (2 onions)
2 cups chopped fennel bulb
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
1.5 cups good chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
2 teaspoons whole dried fennel seeds
1½ teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup baby Bella mushrooms
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
Freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, for serving
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Heat ½ cup olive oil in a medium (10 to 11-inch) pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, over medium heat. Add the eggplant and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add a little more olive oil if the eggplant is sticking.

Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pot, add the onions, fennel, and mushrooms, cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender but not browned. Add the garlic and cook for one minute, stirring often. Add the chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, fennel seeds, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon salt, and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Pour the can of whole tomatoes, including the liquid, into a food processor and pulse until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped. Add the tomatoes and the liquid to the pot. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot in large bowls sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

to one of my favorite burgers this year. Chipotle Black Bean Burger with Beets, Whipped Honey Feta Cheese, sweet potato “chips”, arugula and avocado 🥑
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I love a good beet burger but it’s kind of a lot of work to make a legit beet burger & I try hard to keep my meals 30 mins and under. So I opted for sliced beets on a black bean burger instead! This one is SO easy because it only required 2 items to be made from scratch!
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Honey Whipped Feta Cheese— first of all, anytime you see something is “whipped” don’t be deterred. That’s just fancy talk for “mixed with whipped Cream Cheese.” For this, just spoon about half a small tub of whipped cream cheese with about a cup of feta, and a good squeeze of honey, then mix! Viola! You’re a gourmet chef!
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Sweet Potato Chips: cut potato about 1/2 inch thick, drizzle with olive oil, bake at 400 for 20 mins.
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The rest is store bought! Even this VERY yummy Chipotle Black Bean Burger. Top with sliced beets, sliced avo, sweet potatoes, arugula on a Pretzel Bun! Sweet, Smokey, salty, spicy!