[COOKING CORNER] Southern Sass Tofu & Greens with Red Lentil Spaghetti by Dr. Teresa A. Smith

 
Southern Sass Tofu & Greens with Red Lentil Spaghetti

Ingredients:

8 oz tofu, cubed

1 cup snow peas, trimmed

2 head bok choy, chopped

1 small onion, thinly sliced

2 tbsp minced garlic

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp sesame oil

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

4 oz Barilla red lentil spaghetti pasta

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1.     Cook the spaghetti pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2.     Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed tofu and cook until golden brown on two sides. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set it aside.

3.     Add the sliced onions and sauté in the same skillet until they are almost translucent. Add the minced garlic, ground ginger, snow peas, and bok choy to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

4.     Add the cooked tofu back into the skillet. Pour in the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine and heat through for another 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5.     Serve the stir-fry mixture over the spaghetti pasta. Top with pomegranate seeds for a burst of sweetness and color. 

DDr. Teresa A. Smith is a bestselling author, media personality and speaker. Stay connected with her at www.askdrtas.com. 

[Article] Finding Your Way Through the Literary World

by Dr. Velma Bagby 

You want to write a book, but your journey isn’t simply about writing, because your creativity is the easy part. The most difficult and ​forever-changing charge you’ll face is understanding the various pieces of the writing process. Those pieces can change depending ​on what you decide to address in your writing.

In the beginning, of course​, there are the normal details you should consider. For example​,​ why? Why are you writing about the topic? Is this topic something you are compassionate about? ​Or, are you an expert on the ​​matter? The other question to consider ​is, who is your audience, and have you begun to connect with them? Your audience ​is the people you are called to address, help, support, tell, coach, ​​entertain, or serve. The audience wants to know what you have to say and is waiting for your book.

Besides your why and who or your audience​, another ​e​ssential part of our work will be the relationships necessary to support you in the literary world. Yes, this includes your audience, but ​most importantly, ​it includes like-minded people who will become your tribe of supporters.​This is not your family or friends​, and ​placing this burden on them isn't fair. These are creative experts and experienced authors who are ready to support you on your journey.

​E​ven though you are a phenomenal creative, this journey into the literary world won’t work if you solely focus on the writing. Remember the importance of relationships that will be built along the way. This relationship​ ​does​ not reference social media’s definition of “friends,” because having 1.2 million friends/followers does not meet my definition of a relationship. A relationship requires us to have a connection or bond with the person. 

I’m fortunate to have found such folks on my journey​, and I trust who they are and what they do in their profession. If any member of this tribe​ refers someone to me, I receive that person without question, because those who have formed a bond with me​ know who I am​ and what I expect. ​

Occasionally, my tribe will refer me to associates they work with as well​, and again, I trust the referral. Because I ​prioritize my relationships during my writing journey, my circle of relationships has grown as well. I have connected with other professional experts​;​ many have become my close friends. I continue to support them professionally for a variety of my writing needs​, and all of us have become trusted friends and supporters of each other. This exclusive group ​​has been vetted​; therefore​, this space is considered expensive real estate.​ You cannot walk into my life today and expect there to be an automatic connection. Building this team of supporters takes time and effort on your part.

I hope to inspire you and help you see the importance of creating relationships, especially ​with your inner circle. Here is one of my success stories​, which resulted from a referral by a member of my tribe of supporters. In November 2021, I shared my plan to move in a new direction with my latest project entitled “The CATCH No One Wants” and told her I was interested in promoting this new Christian fiction book differently from my past books. After asking her to recommend a publicist, she mentioned one she valued. She sent an email to the Publicist and me so we could connect. I followed up with an email to him on November 11, 2021. That Publicist and I have been working together ever since. The novel I discussed with him is now a series. When we connected, I had two books published. Thanks to his guidance, ​today I have two ​successful podcasts based on my writing and over 20 books​ published.

Creating a relationship and now a friendship with my Publicist is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my writing journey. Joining his team has provided me with access to even​ more expertise through the team members. As a result, establishing this relationship ​with Cyrus Webb over few years ago helped me to grow and thrive.

You can do the same. Start building those relationships​ now.

Dr. Velma Bagby is a bestselling author/speaker/media personality and Marriage Coach. Stay connected with her at www.drvelmabagby.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversations Book Club's Top 25 Summer Reads of 2026 for Adults

 

Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb is excited to share his Top 25 Summer Reads of 2026 for adults. These books have been read by Webb personally, and he feels they are just the kind of books that will keep you turning the page and wanted to share with others. 

Conversations' Top 25 Summer Reads of 2026 (listed in no particular order)

NON-FICTION TITLES 

1. Joan by Joan Lunden (Lasega Books)
2. Arsenio by Arsenio Hall (Black Privilege Publishing)
3. Unread by Oliver James (Union Square)
4. Start with Yourself by Emma Grede (Avid Reader Press)
5. Remember the Times by Teddy Riley (Gallery Books)
6. The History We Carry by Margaret Whitford (She Writes Press)
7. Faith Over Fear by Michael Leach (Harper One)
8. Phases by Brandy (Hanover Square Press)
9. Never Too Late by Marla Gibbs (Amistad)
10. Think It by Sarah Centrella (Post Hill Press)
11. My 70s Love Story: 50 Plus Years Later by Dr. Velma Bagby (Dr. Velma Bagby)
12. La Lucci by Susan Lucci (Black Stone Publishing)
13. You Can't Keep a Good Elf Down by Janne Swearengen (Dragon Breath Press)
14. Alabaster Heart by Fe Davis (Listen Linda Publishing)
15. Twice the Vows, Twice the Grace by Gregory Napier and Carolyn Napier (Married with a Purpose)

FICTION TITLES

1. You Can Tell Me by Melinda Leigh (Amazon Publishing)
2. It Started with a Whisper by Rob Shuter (Post Hill Press)
3. The Hospital at the End of the World by Justin C. Key (Harper)
4. Another Havana Hangover by Randy Richardson (Randy Richardson)
5. Massawa by Pam Webber (She Writes Press)
6. A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (Berkley)
7. Recipe for Joy by Monica Comas (Lake Union)
8. We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda (Poisoned Pen Press)
9. Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn (Thomas & Mercer)
10. With love from Harlem by Reshonda Tate (William Morrow)