“Little things” cost the Memphis Grizzlies in the quest to pick up a seriously needed win against San Antonio as the Spurs won 108-106 in Orlando on Sunday.

After dropping their opening game in the NBA restart, the Grizzlies were looking to take down the Spurs, who now trail Memphis by only two games in the push for the last spot in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Asked what it would take for the Grizzles to win the battle of the little things, head coach Taylor Jenkins gave a simple two-word answer: “More urgency.”

Rising-star point guard Ja Morant put it this way: “We just have to play four quarters.”

Memphis entered the game with a 2-1 record over the Spurs this season. Morant, who put the opening loss in the NBA’s restart of the pandemic-altered season on his shoulders, was more aggressive from the jump, scoring 8 points and dishing 4 assists in the first half. He finished the game with 25 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds.

The Spurs were missing their big man, LaMarcus Aldridge, who is out because of shoulder surgery. He scored 40 points in San Antonio’s lone win over the Grizzlies this season. His absence made it easier for the Grizzlies to play inside, scoring 64 points in the paint.

Dejounte Murry led the way for the Spurs with 21 points. Derrick White made 3 of 8 three-pointers and scored 16 points. The Grizzlies did a good job holding San Antonio star DeMar DeRozon to 14 points.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 21 points for Memphis, who also were aided by the emergence of Grayson Allen. Allen had his best game of the season since January when he scored 15 points on 5 of 9 shooting.

“Continuing to find spots offensively, where I can get open and getting that quick catch to attack,” said all of his play. “I have been improving defensively.”

Defense must play better

Playing defense without fouling is what Jenkins has been preaching all season. In the first half, the Spurs stayed at the free throw line, making 13 of 16. The Spurs shot 33 free throws in the game. Memphis made 11 of 12 free throws in the first half and trailed 59-54 at halftime.

The Spurs have not been a great offensive rebounding team this season, but they captured six offensive rebounds in the first half, out-rebounding the Grizzlies 49-39 overall. The Spurs shot 41.7 percent from three-point range, making 12 of their 3-pointers compared to 7 for Memphis.

Not playing with a sense of urgency

Through the first three quarters, the Spurs had a greater sense of urgency. They were out-rebounding and out-hustling the Grizzlies loose balls. The Spurs out-rebounded the Grizzlies by seven in the third quarter and shot nine free throws in the quarter.

On the need to play four good quarters, Jackson said, “We have to pick up our intensity earlier in the game. We are good in coming back from behind, but we have to do that on the front end. We have to wipe our memory clean and do that tomorrow.”

For the second straight game, the Grizzlies fell behind by 10 points or more in to start the third quarter, but they battled back.

“Credit to the Spurs. They came out with more energy to start the game,” said Jenkins. “They had more juice, 50-50 balls, hustle plays and we paid the price for it.

Memphis lead has fallen to only two games over the now-ninth place Spurs. That makes Monday’s game (August 3) against the New Orleans Pelicans a must win. The Pelicans need the game as well, having lost their first two games in the restart. The game will tip off at 5 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN and Fox Sports Southeast.

A chance encounter led me to some of the best tasting vegan food I have had in years.

I am standing outside Pilates gossiping with my friend Victoria when along comes three gentlemen, striking up a conversation (respectfully).

After laughing and joking for a bit, we discover that one of these brothas has a recently launched food pop up.

A native Memphian, Khomorai has been travelling to and from in Ghana for the past seven years, living there for two years during that period.

He recently returned to the states for what turned out to be an extended period, made even longer given the current pandemic situation.

Just Eat is an extension of his primary holistic health and wellness brand, Absolute Body Fitness.

He began his work as a lifestyle coach, promoting mindful eating and living. He would work out with clients then go grocery shopping with them and teach them to prepare meals.

Khomorai’s journey started a little over 10 years ago. He was morbidly obese, cresting 400 pounds. He was pre-hypertensive, pre-diabetic, had acid reflux and sleep apnea.

He wasn’t even 30 at the time. One day, he was having a stroke. The hospital kept him for two days, running the obligatory stress tests and so on.

“They basically were like, ‘you’re just big,’” he said said. “My epiphany came shortly after that.”

He always had struggled with weight. Since he was very athletic in school, playing just about every sport, it was a non-issue. However, there’s a difference between a hobby or extracurricular activity and a lifestyle. Once he became less active, the weight started creeping up.

He speaks of another moment that served as a catalyst.

“I was purchasing a pair of slacks for a job I was working on. I went to buy those slacks and they were a size 54! I almost cried at the register. It showed me actually how big I had actually gotten. I needed to get control of this. I started making mindful decisions, researching a lot of things.”

He researched food and recommended daily allowances, initially cutting out red meat. Then he cut sugars to a bare minimum before he landed solidly on the vegan lifestyle path.

From the M to the A (Atlanta AND Accra), Khomorai wants to us know better and do better.

The Just Eat vegan pop up starts here in Memphis, but he will be taking it down the road and to the Continent (whenever we can travel again!).

He’s adapting his offerings and brand regionally. In Memphis, it’s Just Eat Mane. It’s Just Eat Shawty in Atlanta. In Accra, it’s Just Eat Chale.

Just Eat is as simple as it sounds per Khomormai.

“Breaking it down to its simplest component. In essence, we should eat the food that’s good for us without overthinking it and without sacrificing taste and flavor.

“Don’t focus on what it is and where it comes from. The food we eat on a regular basis, we don’t question that. We have to condition ourselves to think differently. Healing not killing.”

A new tagline is born. (Note: In Memphinese, healing not killing rhymes!)

With the Just Eat pop ups, Khomorai isn’t targeting people who are already vegans or vegan adjacent. His focus is on people who are new to the holistic journey and/or considering the vegan lifestyle or just healthier options.

When asked about his specialties, he says he loves to make sauces. He’d recently made vegan rotel and when (our photographer) Demarcus and I arrived, we were treated to biscuits and vegan gravy.

When I tell you that gravy was FYE! Oh. My. Gah. No drippings or fat whatsoever, just an almond milk base and rightly seasoned. My inner fat girl was like YEEEEAH!

As it turns out, this is a preview of what’s to come. The next pop up will be brunch style, breakfast food you can eat anytime. After that, be on the lookout for pizza and eventually vegan BBQ.

Listen…if the rest of his food is this good, I’m sold! This is coming from a very picky eater. Trust me on this and Just Eat, Mane!

 (For updates on pop ups, dishes and what’s new and next, follow Khomorai on Instagram: @fitabsolutebody.)

Megan Mottley has had a whirlwind romance with her Goodness Gracious Luxe Cookies brand.

From cookie-bake fundraiser to featured Memphis entrepreneur on television’s “The View,” the savvy businesswoman is proving that fresh-baked, homemade cookies really are essential during a global pandemic.

When Mottley decided to take the plunge into a built-from-the-ground-up cookie business in 2017, she never imagined her journey would take her to the national stage on “The View.”

“I was featured on a segment called ‘View Your Deal,’” said Mottley. “It’s a promotion by a small business, which highlights savings or a company’s special deal.

“I was running 50-percent off of my cookie mix. My segment ran on Tuesday, July 21, and ended this week on Tuesday.”

Instead of a live appearance or ZOOM-powered interview, Mottley sent in a pre-recorded video touting her cookies in the forms of cookie dough and fresh mix.

She also thanked her customers in Memphis and everyone who has ordered from her.

“The View” appearance was a long time coming, but it all started back in 2017 when Mottley auditioned for the business capital investment show “Shark Tank.”

Although Mottley didn’t make the cut, the ABC Network approached her to appear on its longest-running, daytime talk show. Then 2020 came, and this was going to be the year Goodness Gracious expands its market share worldwide.

And then, the pandemic happened. And for any kind of business looking to survive COVID-19 and thrive, even in the midst of it, adjustments had to be made, and changes would be inevitable.

“Some time after I had just gotten started, one of my repeat customers asked me if I could sell her frozen cookie dough so she could just bake my cookies whenever she liked,” said Mottley. “I said, ‘Yes, I can do that.’”

That was before the pandemic when life was simple and the cookie delivery business was booming.

But mid-March came, COVID-19 invaded Shelby County and cookie deliveries came to a screeching halt.

Schools were closed, so her substitute teaching gigs dried up.

“I have a daughter, Kaitlyn, going into her second year at the University of Memphis,” said Mottley. “I have to provide for her and make sure she has every thing she needed, no matter what’s going on.”

Then, Mottley started thinking: “What if I start mass-producing my frozen cookie dough and cookie mix to sell? People will feel safe and still get to enjoy my original cookie recipes.”

That is how a fresh cookie delivery business thrives, despite a global pandemic.

Mottley began producing frozen cookie dough in a stay-fresh bag, scooped out in the exact measure she scoops out her own cookies. Then, she got another idea. Sell the cookie mix, and all the customer has to do is add the wet ingredients – water and eggs.

Mottley quickly found cute, brand packaging to keep both the cookie dough and the cookie mix fresh with every use, and that is how Goodness Gracious Luxe Cookies thrive in a pandemic.

Internet orders come on her website, and shipping delivers the product all over the country. Locally, some of Mottley’s regular customers like their freshly baked cookies delivered the same day.

“The View” appearance opened up sales possibilities nationally and Mottley is hopeful these are not just one-time orders. She hopes those ordering from around the nation will join the ranks of her loyal customer base.

“I was beyond excited for the opportunity to bring Goodness Gracious Luxe Cookies into homes nationwide,” Mottley said. “As a mom and entrepreneur, I hope I encourage small business owners to persevere despite tough times, and I especially look forward to more local support.”

Mottley’s Goodness Gracious products have been used to raise money for non-profits in massive fundraising drives. Mottley has also secured such corporate clients as Nike, FedEx, and The Hilton Corporation.

Products can be purchased at: www.ggluxecookies.com.

by Tiffany Lowe —

Thousands of service workers joined forces and took to the streets in more than 25 cities across the nation, including Memphis, on July 20th.

Workers in healthcare, public transportation and fast food, like me, joined together and as we’ve done before to demand a livable wage and the right to form a union.

This time, though, felt different. We were even more specific in our fight: We were striking for Black lives.

Some might wonder how these two topics relate. I say they go hand in hand.

I’ve worked at KFC for three years to help support myself and my four children. I earn $7.85 an hour, which is barely enough to get by. We all have to share a space with a roommate since I can’t afford a home just for us.

I’m also a Black woman, who immediately thinks of my own children, especially my 19-year-old daughter, when I hear the names Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and how it could have been one of them.

The majority of my co-workers and colleagues in the Fight for $15 are Black or brown. We work long hours or multiple jobs to make ends meet and still struggle to put food on the table for our children.

Now, more than ever, we see the need to fight for better working conditions.

I haven’t had the luxury to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve been going to work, dealing with customers, wearing the same mask all day, which is usually well-worn by the end of my shift.

I don’t get hazard pay. I’m worried that I’ll get home and get my kids sick. But I have no other choice but to go to work. If I don’t work, my kids won’t have food.

The National Employment Law Project (NELP) reports that Yum Brands, the parent company to KFC, is only second to McDonald’s in their workers relying on public assistance.

This is the reality many service workers like me, the majority Black and brown, face every single day. Not only are our livelihoods on the line, now our health is.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that Blacks are almost five times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19. The pandemic is more proof of the difference and injustice Black communities face.

I shouldn’t have to be afraid of getting pulled over by police and I shouldn’t have to be afraid of going into work. Yet, here we are.

Companies are now offering their own words to try to offer comfort. KFC tweeted “Black Lives Matter” and promised to listen and act.

I see it as a slap in the face.

They don’t care. How can they say they stand with us when they can’t even give us a livable wage?

We’re getting paid poverty wages and risking our health working on the frontlines during the pandemic. If KFC and other corporations really cared about Black lives, they’d start with their own employees.

This is why I decided to walk off the job and join the tens of thousands of other workers of all different colors and races.

We’re centering Black lives, knowing that you can’t have economic justice until you have racial justice.

You can’t have one without the other.

A sobering milestone was passed this week with the Shelby County Health Department reporting that the total of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Shelby County had topped 20,000.

With 362 cases reported from the previous 24 hours, Wednesday’s total registered 20,056, with 14386 listed as recovered cases. The death toll stood at 268.

On Thursday, the total of reported cases was 20,382, with 326 new cases reported since Wednesday’s update. Five more deaths were reported, bringing that grim total to 273.

Health Department officials continue to point out that the numbers reported daily are the results of several days of testing. At Tuesday’s briefing by the Memphis-Shelby County COVID-19 Joint Task Force, Dr. Bruce Randolph, the Health Department’s medical director, said labs are trying to get rid of their backlog and bring their test results current.

While wait times for lab results have been as long as 7-14 days, Randolph said results for tests are down to three days. The goal is to get results within 24-48 hours from labs.

As of Wednesday the positivity rate for Shelby County was 10.2 percent, having edged beyond the 10 per cent mark that Health Officials have said is their goal to stay below.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said wearing masks is the new normal, although there is nothing normal about what is happening.

As he once again championed the wearing of masks as one of the best strategies to help combat COVID-19 spread, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris on Tuesday said, “The high numbers indicate that we are not out to the woods yet. There is still lots of work to be done, and the outlook will probably darken before it abates.”

Harris also voiced his support for a state-wide masking mandate.

“Some of our neighbors and partners don’t have the power to limit how people move in public,” Harris said. “So our borders will not allow our transmission rate to ever go to zero percent. A state-wide mandate would remedy that.”

Harris mentioned briefly the recent commitment of Shelby County Schools to open with a completely virtual school model. Noting that children need to be kept safe, he added that they also need to develop, grow, and socialize.

Gabby Dowdy, a student at the University of Memphis School of Public Health, presented results from a study on the efficacy of mask-wearing. The study showed since the mandate has been in effect, mask adherence has improved significantly, particularly in the age group from 2-18.

But even post-mandate, Hispanics showed the lowest number of adherence, with 34 percent, and Asians showing the highest level of compliance, with 91 percent.

However, only 60 percent demonstrated correct mask usage.

In a final word of caution, Harris stressed wearing masks correctly.

“Please don’t wear the mask on your chin like this,” Harris said, pulling a mask down on his chin, “or on your ear like this,” showing his mask hanging from his ear. “Masks must cover the mouth and nose to protect the wearer.”