337 Magazine Volume 6 Issue 3 / Summer Issue

A THERAPIST'S GUIDE TO FINDING BALANCE

SUMMER ISSUE

Going Digital One Local DJ's Unexpected Impact on Acadiana Listeners During Quarantine

ALONE, TOGETHER

Local Photographer Documents Home Life During Stay-At-Home Order with "Porchraits"

Vegan's Guide to Acadiana CULINARY CREATIVES

How Some Restaurants are Pivoting Their Strategies to Make it Through These Times

Creole Lunch House: 37 Delicious Years

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Letter from the Editor

By Abby Meaux Conques

“Sometimes surrender means giving up trying to understand and becoming comfortable with not knowing.�

months? I have, thank goodness.

Do you have a mental mark where you can pinpoint shifted perspectives? I do. I sincerely hope you do too.

Eckhart Tolle

I can't wait for the day we get to say, "Well, we made it through the major growth of 2020, so I'm pretty sure we'll make it through anything."

The world, our nation, our community, your inner circle, your household...every macrocosm and microcosm are reeling in the effects of the culmination of a mixed bag of emotionally-driven complexities of the human experience, with an uncontainable pathogen for on top.

It's funny, that as different as all of our situations and viewpoints are, even in complete situational isolation, you would be hard-pressed to find a human on earth that is not affected with the consequences of having an uncontrollable universal virus on their doorstep... whether you think it's absolutely nothing to worry about or the most burdensome thing you've had to deal with in your entire life. Add in all of the other man-made quandaries that we force on one another (consciously or obliviously), and there you have the trecherous, beautiful, difficult gift of being human.

That alone should unite us.

These times are forcing us to move about the outer circle of what we consider our comfort zones. With discomfort comes growth. Growth can be in any direction, but change happens, nonethless.

Perhaps the forced slowing down of society freed up mental space to take a serious look at other human atrocities.

Those which we shouldn't shy away from or attempt to justify. Conversations...real conversations...are beginning to be had, arguments are being made, and tempers are flaring. People who have never spoken up are speaking out, and others are joining them in solidarity.

Our outside world is forcing our inner worlds to be inspected, and this can have an amazing outcome, y'all.

I ask you, have you learned anything about yourself during these last three 4

The most certain of all the things that I've learned in the past three months is how uncertain things are. I've found out that my Type-A, "research all the things and then prepare for the all things" way of thinking is not real. Sometimes you need to simply surrender; that doesn't mean to give up, either. Surrendering can be letting go of anxieties and living in the present moment. It can mean to surrender your rigid way of thinking and be open to hear other sides of life experiences.

Surrendering could mean freedom.

I think all calendar-loving Moms would agree that it's extremely hard to plan things these days. How long will we be in Phase II? What will the winter be like?

Will kids be able to go back to school?

Who knows. I don't. You don't. Experts don't. So surrender.

Surrendering frees me from the chains of worry. Surrendering allows me to truly be in a moment with my four-yearold dressed as a superhero. Surrendering lets me share sweet moments with my husband in the kitchen while he's cooking and having belly laughs instead of having anxiety of the other proverbial shoe dropping. It allows me to break down barriers within myself in order to listen to what others have on their hearts.

I don't have to know all the things. Even when I thought I knew all the things, life would show up and change my plans in a literal minute. I never had control, I had the illusion of control foolishly

thinking some things to be constant: restaurants will always be open...sports will always happen...people should respect each other...life is precious for everyone cause everyone has someone to care about...it's like the rising and setting of the sun. Then enter 2020, stage left, to teach everyone a whole bunch.

The good news is that we're all human, and humans are resiliant; more resiliant than we think. In the midst of all the hate, all the suffering, all the injustice, the economic downturn, the virus... people still find reasons to smile. People have had no choice but to be creative in how to get their messages across.

They've had to figure out ways to keep their trade relevant. Some have sat quietly to keep peace, but are now tired and chose to publicly stand up for injustices.

People have learned to pivot business strategies, repurpose facilities, and have found ways to visit with family without being within 6 feet of them. They've found new ways to celebrate birthdays and welcome babies into the world and how to say final goodbyes to loved ones when no one else is allowed in the room. Is it easy? Heck no, it isn't easy, and it isn't meant to be. Welcome to the human experience. Let's not let all this potential growth be in vain and treat each other as we all are...human.

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CONTENTS OWNERS/PUBLISHERS 337 Media Editor / Creative Director: Abby Meaux Conques Graphic Designer: Abby Meaux Conques Ad Design: Abby Meaux Conques, Heidi Roy Digital Media: Abby Meaux Conques, Heidi Roy

337 CORRESPONDENTS Brandon Alleman, Kimba Azore, Luke Butler, Jules Bruchez, Kristina Charles, Abby Meaux Conques, Amelie Harding, Brandy Landry, Jennifer Lolli, Renee Ory, Allison Saltzman, Olivia Savoie, Yvette Quantz

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS / ARTISTS Kimba Azore, Luke Butler, Carlie Anne Collective Abby Meaux Conques, Paul Kieu, LeeAnn B Stephan

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE 6 Going Digital

HOME + STYLE 12 Starting Small 13 5 Things to Make Your Workspace Work for you in Quarantined Quarters

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FOOD + DRINK 14 Quarantine Reboot and Rebalance 16 Vegan's Guide to Acadiana 18 Culinary Creatives 20 Veggies On the Go 22 Creole Lunch House 24 Contenders for Downtown Lafayette’s Top-Ranked #DowntownSnackdown Chicken Sandwiches

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WELLBEING 26 Balance 28 The Health Vs. Disease Equation 30 Yes, And...

32 Keto: Yes or No?

COMMUNITY CONTACT US 337magazine.com

Editorial: editor@337magazine.com Advertising: advertise@337magazine.com

34 ULL Student Develops Black-Qwned Business + Info App

LEGACY TRIBUTE 36 Risks Despite Age: Judge P.J. Laborde

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SKIN HEALTH 38 Root Health

ART 40 Alone, Together

40 All pages within 337 magazine are the property of 337 magazine. No portion of the materials on the pages may be reprinted or republished in any form without the express written permission of 337 magazine ©2020. The content of 337 magazine has been checked for accuracy, but the publishers cannot be held liable for any update or change made by advertisers and/or contributors to the magazine. 337 Media, LLC is not responsible for injuries sustained by the reader while pursuing activities described or illustrated herein, nor failure of equipment depicted or illustrated herein. No liability is, or will be, assumed by 337 magazine, 337 Media or any of its owners, administration, writers or photographers for the magazine or for any of the information contained within the magazine. All rights reserved.

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P R O F E S S I O N A L P R O F I L E

Going Digital

One Local DJ's Unexpected Impact on Acadiana Listeners During a Time of Quarantine

By Abby Meaux Conques PORCHRAIT BY LEEANN B STEPHAN

Chances are, if you frequented the Lafayette club scene in the early 2000’s through the stay-at-home order, you danced to the beats of Acadiana’s own Brandon Journet, widely known as DJ Digital.

I caught up with Journet to speak with him about his beloved live social media DJ sets, his brand expansion, and the journey that got him here.

sets, turn up the volume and have living room dance parties with my 4-year-old and my sweet husband who always entertains my crazy ideas. Those weekends, during those 3 or 4 hours, I was transported to a time (20 years ago!) where our biggest problem consisted of what outfits to wear to Downtown. For those few hours, the virus, economic downturn, and big social problems weren’t heavy on my mind. I heard songs that I forgot how much I loved to blare in my little silver Saturn Ion. I’d also catch myself doing something that I hadn't had the heart to do lately...dance. I knew I couldn’t be the only one feeling this way.

I contacted Journet after finding myself waiting for him to announce his themed, live social media DJ sets weekly.

These times feel very chaotic for me, in a collective way as well as a personal way. Friday nights I’d tune into his live

In the first five minutes of our conversation, Journet said something that embodied what I (and presumably many of the other people who also tuned into his weekly sets) felt.

He said, “Even if for a moment, music suspends reality.”

Chances also are, if you follow him on social media, you had a living room dance party (or 12) since the stay-at-home order.

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Journet is a noted Louisiana DJ and Brand Manager, Program Director, Music Director, and On-Air Personality at Townsquare Media / Hot 107.9 (since 2004.) Just like everyone else, as late February and March approached, he was left stunned with what we were (and still are) facing regarding COVID-19 spreading to the area.

“I had my finger on the pulse of this since early 2020, being in the media, but I think we tend to have a ten-foot-tall, bulletproof approach until something is in our faces,” he mentioned.

At that time, preparations were being made for Downtown Lafayette’s annual Patty in the Parc celebration.

“It was like a war room situation. Do we call it off? We realized numbers were spiking and we did not want to be any accelerator that would jeopardize people’s well-being, so the decision was made and calls started going out. Literally in a matter of days we knew we made the right call with stay-at-home orders being announced,” he said.

The last pre-COVID gig Journet played at that time was a rooftop set at Tsunami in Baton Rouge. “I can remember it clearly, it was March 13. You could feel it in the air, it was eerie. People knew things were about to get weird.” Journet’s calendar was filled from March through June. After the Governor’s order, events were starting to cancel. “That’s when you start putting numbers together and seeing how much money you need. It was at that time that I realized what business I was in...I was in the gathering business...and the order made gathering impossible.” Journet went from busy seasons of playing music on the weekends to an abrupt standstill. “I thought that if we can’t gather, so many people can’t work...it kind of got me down... what do I do?”

PHOTO CREDIT: DJ DIGITAL

DON'T STOP THE MUSIC Journet decided to do what he would normally do on any given Spring Friday night. He’d play music; and he would do it on a live Facebook feed.

“I leaned an iPad on stacked shoeboxes and got on the turntables because that’s what felt familiar for me. I had no audio hookup. It was just me in my socks with my records and my turntables,” he said.

1 viewer turned into 10, to 100, then 300, 600, 1000. “It was crazy. People were so excited.” After playing for a few hours and seeing the feedback from likes and comments, Journet said, “Well, I guess I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Journet would go live with his sets week after week, and started doing themed nights with 90s R&B music, Breakfast Jam music, wedding songs and the like. “It was so cool to be able to do it because I got to tap into that creativity and explore. I got to play to my audience and not play for a particular set of expectations.”

One thing I mentioned to him was the seamless way he’d connect two very different songs. Once I’d hear the first song morphing into the second song that may have shared just one same beat, they’d meld together and I was wowed at how he V OL U M E 6 IS S U E 3

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connected the two, especially if there were two completely different genres. He said, “I think people were shocked at my knowledge of music and having it on vinyl. They were appreciating the skill that I’ve worked to have all these years; that’s where I believe my brand was enhanced. In a club, people just want to dance and don’t really notice the nuances of what skills the DJ actually has; on the livestream people pay more attention and really start to notice.”

I INVESTED, THEY BECAME MORE INVESTED Journet began to realize that his live sets were gaining such traction that people were expecting it week after week.

“At one point it took on its own life and stopped being my thing and became something for everyone else; it’s like people were planning their weekends around it,” he said. When people started to send him images of their families having their own living room dance parties while streaming his video on their living room screens, it made him want to give them a better product.

People were commenting asking if he had Venmo to tip him for his music services. Journet began to share his Venmo and Cashapp links and took those virtual tips to invest back into his product. “Let me give them good audio,” he said. “I invested the money in new equipment, and a good thing turned into a great thing.”

ONLINE ORDERS

Journet said he never wanted to mention he was accepting tips without the audience getting something in return. “I wanted to invest into the equipment for a better quality experience and I wanted to offer merch.” Once he posted images of available apparel donning his signature logo, the orders began to roll in.

“My friends began to joke that I was a boutique that mostly DJ’d.

I truly appreciated all of this more than anyone would know. People were posting pictures on social media wearing my stuff and it was so humbling. My social media following doubled in less than two months to 20,000 followers, all organic. The more I’d invest into this, the more people were invested in it,” he said.

PAUL KIEU IN STUDIO WITH DJ DIGITAL 8

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PHOTO CREDIT: DJ DIGITAL

A NECESSARY MOVE With the new setup, Journet moved from his living room in socks to a shared workspace studio in Downtown Lafayette. “I know my wife was appreciative that I took my streams Downtown,” he joked. When speaking of his wife, Natalie, he mentioned, “She’s the perfect balance of me. She’s running all this with me; she’s my ride or die. She’s super supportive...I’m so grateful for her. But there’s still a photo of her way too close to Drake on our fridge that I have to walk past everyday,” he laughed.

Most of the time it was Journet and friend, well-known local photographer, Paul Kieu, in the studio. “Here we’d have a two-person party with music and right behind us is the backdrop of an empty Downtown. It was so eerie. When the music would stop, it’s just me and Paul in an empty room, distanced...and then back to quarantine.”

The studio was also a great space for him to partner (and safely distance) with other local DJ legends for special themed nights like DJ Dolby D and DJ Trashy.

BACK TO THE START I inquired about when Journet first remembers getting into music.

“Growing up I had a sister 7 years older than me, and when you’re a kid you listen to what you hear in your Mom’s van. Thankfully, this meant I was exposed to all kinds of music. My Mom would V OL U M E 6 IS S U E 3

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PORCHRAIT BY LEEANN B STEPHAN 9

DJ DIGITAL + DJ TRASHY

listen to adult contemporary like Stevie Wonder. It’s 1988, I’m 7 and my sister’s 14 and listening to boy bands, girl groups, booty bass and hip hop. She had boyfriends and I’d hear what the guys were listening to, too. I was 7 and hearing MC Hammer, En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa, Beastie Boys, Snoop, Dre, 2Pac, 2 Live Crew...”

Journet went on to explain that he was that kid that always had the radio on.

“I think we grew up in a great time for music; I call us the ‘Oregon Trail Generation.’ Dance music in the 90s was huge. I was growing up and was listening to Nirvana, The Offspring, and Weezer.

We were the MTV kids and got to have all of these different music experiences with grunge...hip hop was exploding and there was Yo! MTV Raps...we had R&B. We had analog half our lives then we got technology,” he said.

Journet got turntables and started mixing with all of the music that he was exposed to. By the end of the Summer of 1999, he couldn’t even get into some clubs, but found himself DJing at the Keg on the Strip for his first gig. Other DJs were there but he was so young and knew what people were listening to. “I linked up with more DJs and was always nice to them and they were good to me; I was cool with everybody, I was young. There’s no sense in being competitive in this, we helped each other out.”

By 2001, Journet knew this was what he wanted to do. “I knew I wanted to do this and I bet on myself. I thought ‘I’m gonna go all in.’” And he did. He began playing every gig that came his way, including after hours. “I was seasoning the genres: hip hop, electronic, pop, techno, rap.” Journet played at Mako’s, Firestone, Amanda Scott’s, The Plaza, Graham Central Station, and beyond.

He took after-hours gigs in New Orleans. He played in Battles of the DJs.

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PHOTO CREDIT: DJ DIGITAL

“In 2001-2003 electronic was big. I did a lot of traveling and after hours clubs. I played at Stan’s which was one of the first mega clubs in the area that had hip hop and dance.” Journet then opened as DJ for Club 410 Downtown Lafayette. “Club 410 was my baby; it was dance and rap. I could experiment and really showcase my versatility.” He said, “I felt lucky, I’ve just always been booked.”

2003 was a big year for Journet since he got a break working in radio. “I interviewed for a slot on Hot 107.9; they put me on Sundays 12pm-6pm. Since all my friends were still up partying and doing Sunday Fundays before it was a hashtag, they tuned in.”

DOWN THE ROAD TO NOLA After Katrina, Journet had the chance to open for The Metro in New Orleans as a resident DJ from 2006-2012. He was still able to work in radio and reap the benefits of the opportunities that DJing in a bigger city afforded him.

“NOLA was special cause I could cut my teeth on more professional stuff and be part of corporate opportunities; I got to know the business side of the music scene and got to network with huge DJs from all over the country before social media was big,” he said. Nationwide companies like Red Bull would sponsor large scale events like NBA Allstar Weekend and major Superbowl parties. Journet would learn from his experiences and see how big businesses handled the music scene. “I was fortunate to keep contacts I made then, and as those people came up and worked for bigger companies; we stayed in touch.”

“At that time, I got to grow with a city being reborn. If you can’t handle NOLA, it could break you, but it’s also so charming at the same time. It’s a crabs in the bucket kind of city and I still love it,” he explained.

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MOVING FORWARD When I asked Journet what he thinks lies ahead for his industry and how he sees all this moving forward, he explained, “Clubs as we know them aren’t ever going to be the same, I’m afraid. I don’t think we’ll ever see a bar without another revenue stream.”

We talked about how everything going on will build resilience in people. “Anybody who’s ever struggled before...all we know is how to make it work. When things like this happen, you go into a natural survival mode and literally just have to bet on yourself.”

Even social media poses a problem for live streaming DJs during this wild time, shutting down streams they say violates song terms and using certain algorithms to pinpoint pages and stop the streams. “I’m in a group chat of DJs out of NOLA. You probably wouldn’t think it, but we can get really technical. I DJ’d for some Saints events with some of these guys. I’ll text with Raj Smoove...he does ‘Mimosa on Your Sofa’ and streams from the House of Blues. We’ll text, 'Hey, you got shut down for Facebook?’ and we’ll troubleshoot. ‘You gotta trick the algorithm: no more than 90 seconds of a song, play remixes and scratch over it, play at X and X pitch,’" he said.

Journet says surviving right now is all about pivoting. “What I did reflects what anyone in my position would do, I think. I really feel bad for the people who can’t pivot,” he said. “Then I think, ‘Can this be sustainable?’ I can’t abandon these people...the audience.

I’ll probably do this in some form on a regular basis moving forward. Maybe even nights collaborating with restaurants...dinner

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and drinks at home with the kids. I have ideas for some cool concepts that will add to what I’m already doing...maybe secret shows where people can sit in when things are more lax...dance parties over zoom.”

Journet has some new things lined up professionally on a national level. He recently started a new gig as host of XXL Higher Level Radio, a widely popular syndicated radio show that’s been associated with the hip-hop industry for decades. The platform is a digital behemoth of a brand with millions of social media followers and is widely known as a trendsetting media outlet and perfect spot for the discovery of new talent.

LAST SENTIMENTS In closing our conversation, I asked him if he had any final thoughts.

“Though this time has been crazy so far, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I want to do more to leave things better than I found them. I often try to make decisions by asking myself, ‘What are you doing to leave Lafayette a different, better place?’ I want to be a major part of things that will move the needle...I’m very passionate about that. I don’t see a lot of people like me at the table. I want to help to change that.”

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H O M E + S T Y L E

Starting Small Get the Organizational Ball Rolling with Small Expiration Date Projects

By Renee Ory

S

pringtime is always the obvious choice for deep cleaning and reorganizing your home due to its mild temperatures. But that sweet buzz of energy from extra sunshine on lengthening days makes reorganizing every closet, cleaning every blind slat, and washing every window (inside and outside) seem like daunting tasks.

It’s much easier to space these projects throughout the year, with more outdoor projects in lieu of “Spring Cleaning” to fully take advantage of those amazing temperatures, because NO ONE wants to spend a Louisiana summer washing windows or re-hanging gutters.

One task that can easily be saved for later…and later…and later is removing expired items from your home. This simple task is generally indoors, can be performed while seated, and can be completed at any time your heart desires; a lazy organizer’s dream project.

The most common areas to address are the medicine cabinet, spice cabinet, baking supplies, canned goods, freezers, and refrigerators.

We find expired items tend to stack up in spaces that are set up inefficiently. When items are stored in multi-functional spaces, it is easy for items to slip away into the abyss known as the Back of the Cabinet. Once there, the items are out of sight and out of mind, often leading to duplicate purchases for items long forgotten.

We see this same issue occur when shelves are too deep for items.

CHECK YOUR MEDICINE CABINET FOR ANY EXPIRED PRESCRIPTIONS AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS Options for disposal include the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in communities nationwide, flushing medicines, and disposing in household trash. When choosing to throw medicine in household trash, remove the drugs from their original containers and mix with an unappealing substance, place into a sealed container like a zip-top bag, and toss into the trash. Be sure to scratch out any personal information on the empty medicine packaging and throw it away. More information can be found on this topic on the FDA’s website.

WHEN LOOKING IN YOUR FREEZER, TOSS ANYTHING COVERED WITH FROST Anything that is no longer decipherable as a food substance should go. The refrigerator can be filled with packets of pepperoni from 2019, and condiments older than some children.

Throw. Them. AWAY. SOME COMMON HOUSEHOLD ITEMS THAT SURPRISINGLY EXPIRE WITHIN THEIR EXPIRATION PERIODS Pillows – 2-3 years Slippers – 6 months Flour – 6-12 months Mosquito repellents – 2 years Power strips – 1-2 years Fire extinguishers – 15 years.

Disinfectants begin to lose their effectiveness after 3 months, but with the pandemic, no one is holding onto disinfectants that long.

ONCE YOU HAVE THROWN OUT ALL THE GNARLY BITS, IT’S TIME TO BRING SOME JOY BACK INTO THOSE SPACES Wipe down all surfaces with a mild detergent before bringing items back to the shelves.

When we are working in a home we bring our own supply of non-toxic wipes and use a simple solution of white vinegar and water to wipe down surfaces before replacing items. We love using things like turntables for spices and medications, racks for stacking dishes, labeled boxes for shelvings, and – the mack daddy – custom closet systems *drooling* to maximize storage space.

Don't have time or energy to tackle these things on your own? All these services are provided by Acadiana-based Professional Organizing Company, Amazing Spaces.

We are a full-service organization and design company and can meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers.

We offer functional closet design and installation as well as move management for clients who are relocating. Our design services include interior design consults, room redesign utilizing your existing items in new and functional ways, and paint selection consultations to help guide customers to their perfect palette.

AMAZING SPACES is an Acadiana-based Professional Organizing Company transforming homes and offices since 2003.

Offering a full line of closet and storage systems.

Call Renée Ory (337) 296-5506 for appointments and visit the website at AmazingSpaces.org 12

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H O M E + S T Y L E

THINGS TO MAKE YOUR WORKSPACE WORK FOR YOU IN QUARANTINED QUARTERS

By Brandy Landry

There’s no doubt about it that new norms and times are upon us! If there was ever a time that our homes were our sanctuaries, it is now.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to dwell in our houses now more than ever before. We’re having to rely on the use of our homes for EVERYTHING now. Our houses are being used for work, home-schooling the kids, operation our businesses, etc.

Transitioning these various things into our spaces that were once traditional living quarters can prove to be extremely difficult.

To help you, here are (5) things that can make quarantining less cumbersome.

SOUND

Research has proven that what we hear vastly impacts how we feel. The sounds that we are surrounded by in our homes during stressful tines should be those that encourage focus, calm, harmony, and balance. One of the most enjoyable and simple ways to evoke these different moods into your space is with music!

There are everyday ways that you can use sound and music to enhance your environment, create the mood you’d like to feel inside, and promote a mood in those around you. Generally speaking, calming tempos create calmer feelings; livelier tempos can energize you when you’re feeling sluggish. Calming white noise can help mask undesirable noises in your environment, such as traffic sounds or fighting neighbors.

LIGHTING Nothing brings clarity and highlights the intricate design details of a room like a stroke of natural light. A naturally-lit room boosts productivity, improves mood, and creates an overall tranquil atmosphere moreso than an artificially-lit environment. For fellow apartment dwellers with little to no windows, try incorporating reflective surfaces into your home. The amount of natural light will immediately double from allowing sunlight to reflect off strategically-placed large mirrors or lacquered pieces.

COLOR The colors that you use to highlight the different rooms in your home are typically a direct reflection of your personality. While many people do not spend a lot of time thinking about room color, it affects us every day. The color paint that we use on the wall as well as the color of the accessories that we use in a room can influence our moods and our thoughts.

Contrary to popular belief, each color has a psychological value. Think about how you feel when you’re surrounded by certain colors. Some colors can influence any emotion, from calm and peace to rage and excitement. To create balance and tranquility in your home, choose your colors wisely.

FRAGRANCE There’s nothing more soothing than the smell of lavender and chamomile burning in a freshly cleaned room but, OOPS, be careful! Make sure you’re prepared to rest if you decide to use this combination of fragrances!

Lavender and chamomile promote peace and relaxation while lemongrass promotes clarity, and citrus promotes energy and vitality! You can distribute fragrances in a variety of ways through your home. You can burn fragrance lamps such as Lampe Berge lamps that don’t just smell great, but are aesthetically pleasing and compliment almost any décor. There are fragrance diffusers that are dainty and stylish and work beautifully in small spaces. Although there are many other new and trendy home fragrance options, the more traditional candle and wax melts are still many people's favorite.

FUNCTIONALITY So you have created this beautiful magazine-worthy home from a décor perspective and you STILL cannot get comfortable! Your day-to-day tasks seem difficult in your space. Your space is probably lacking functionality. Functionality is the way that the house allows you to MOVE in the space. It is also what allows you to be efficient in a space. Is the TV mounted at the correct height for the positioning of the furniture? Are the rooms soundproof for the different activities that take place in certain areas? Can you transition easily from one room to another? Does everything have a place in the house or, is everything a cluttered mess? You should assess the functionality and ease of navigating in your home.

Brandy Landry is an accomplished business owner, interior designer, public speaker and non-profit contributor for the area. She loves everything about fresh starts and complete transformations. She's also a personal branding strategist and serves as a keynote speaker for various area conferences and events. She's the owner of Brandy Landry Interiors and iBrandYou360.

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F O O D + D R I N K

EAT FIT ACADIANA

Quarantine Reboot and Rebalance

by Yvette Perrier Quantz, RDN, CSSD, LDN Eat Fit Acadiana Operations and Marketing Dietitian Do you feel like life in quarantine threw everything off schedule? Have you fallen into unhealthy eating habits? Do you think you need to go on a "strict diet" to get back to yourself?

The feeling of needing to go on a restrictive diet or start a new weight loss plan after getting out of routine, such as going on vacation, an extended holiday, or experiencing an emotional event is not unusual. However, the act of restrictive eating, creating a list of food rules, and setting strict routines is not the answer.

This month I'm empowering you with simple but effective ways to reboot your health while breaking free from adding unnecessary (and often ineffective) food and exercise rules and restrictions.

DRINK UP

Being adequately hydrated helps your body function at optimal levels. When dehydrated, you feel sluggish and have an increase in sugar cravings for a quick energy boost. Drinking water helps boost your metabolism, eliminate waste, re-energize your body, and much more.

Reboot Action: Drink at least eight to ten eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Start the day with hot water and lemon juice. Take a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break with green, black, white, or herbal tea. Drink at least eight ounces of water before your meals.

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE POWERS OF PLANTS

Create meals and snacks centered around fresh vegetables, fruit, beans, legumes, whole grains, and plant-based fats such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds. As you shift from packaged foods to more plant-based foods, monitor how well you feel. What are the positive shifts you are noticing?

Reboot Action: Keep a journal to reflect on how your health is improving.

Do you have more energy? Are you sleeping better? Are you experiencing a decrease in cravings? Have you seen an improvement in your skin? Are your clothes fitting better? Creating awareness of positive changes fuels your motivation to continue to the healthy habits.

DOWNSIZE DINNER

Research has shown that you are more likely to eat what's in front of you based on the size of your plate. Which means, the larger the platter, the larger your portion. An easy solution is to downsize your dishware. And this doesn't have to be done just for dinner; this is a great tip to practice at breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

PLAN AND PREP FOR PROGRESS

One struggle clients share with me in maintaining a healthy weight is not planning nutritious meals and snacks. When life gets busy, it's tempting to forego the veggies and just head to the drive-thru. The thing about relying on the quick and easy options is this usually means your meals are higher in fat, sodium, and calories. However, a little time planning and preparing for the upcoming week can keep you stocked with foods that empower your health and the choices you make. Use the weekend to plan meals and snacks. Consider dividing up planning and prep steps into different days to make it less overwhelming.

Reboot Action: Start by pre-chopping veggies for salads and stir fry, boiling eggs, grilling chicken, and making soup. Double up your recipes and freeze half for another night of the month. When planning your meals, plan for what you will cook as well as leftovers. It's okay to even plan for the nights you plan to eat out or pick up, the secret to success is in the planning.

BYPASS THE BOOZE

It's no secret that empty calories from beverages can add up. Not only do the calories from booze add to your waistline, but they can also inhibit your willpower to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. The result? You consume more calories and end up sleeping in for your morning sweat session.

Reboot Action: Replace your evening cocktail with a mocktail (made with no added sugar)! Check out this month's recipe for reboot approved options!

Reboot Action: How can you use smaller plates, bowls, and glasses? Swap the dinner plate with the salad plate? Shop for old vintage dinnerware? Please send me an email on how you plan to do this.

Eat Fit Acadiana items meet the nutritional criteria designated

by Ochsner Health System, supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation and Lafayette General Health.

Download the Eat Fit app to find participating Eat Fit restaurants throughout Louisiana and visit our website EatFitAcadiana.com to learn more.

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Yvette Perrier Quantz is a registered dietitian with a passion for inspiring and empowering people to nourish themselves with foods, words, thoughts, and actions that fuel them for better living. As Ochsner's Eat Fit Acadiana Operations and Marketing Dietitian, Yvette works with local restaurants to bring healthy menu items into the community.

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Classical & Distinctly Christian Education

We are excited to offer a part-time enrollment option for homeschool students in the Acadiana area (7th & 8th grade).Spots are limited.

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VEGAN'S GUIDE TO ACADIANA

By Kimba Azore, The Northside Vegan

V

eganism can be defined, colloquially, as abstaining from any type of animal product for consumption. Some vegans also avoid animal commodities in things such as clothing items to the soaps and lotion. This type of vegan typically holds an ethical stance for the lives of animals and the environment. On the other side of veganism, there is a group who entirely consumes a plant-based diet to control or prevent health conditions. Initially, they are not concerned about the ethical stance of veganism, but typically encompass these ideas due to their constant exposure to the causes of ethical vegans.

While speaking with a lot of vegans in Acadiana, I’ve realized that there is not one group that all vegans in this Acadiana subscribe to. In my research, I learned that people become vegan for diverse reasons and we cannot make assumptions about vegans when we first encounter them. As an owner of a vegan pop-up restaurant, I have to make sure that I accommodate all vegans in Acadiana, from whole food plant-based vegans to ethical vegans; from curious vegans, to vegan-curious non-vegans. Opening myself to all of these people have rounded my thoughts into what it is to be a vegan, especially in Acadiana.

I’m sharing this with you, because if you are considering this lifestyle, I want you to be ready for how your life will change forever.

You will see things differently and one change to your diet will open doors, (physically, mentally and socially) that you never knew existed. I can personally confirm this claim, because veganism brought me here to you.

There are many locals and local groups who contribute to the Acadiana vegan scene that can help you with your transition. Observing how vegans in Acadiana conduct their lifestyles in success of this change is your number one resource. If you have social media and just all around internet access, I will make suggestions for you that will help you tremendously in your journey--for whatever reason you decide to convert to veganism.

Kimba Azore, MILS is a children’s librarian and 8th grade English Language Arts teacher.

She owns local vegan Pop-up, The Northside Vegan.

She is a vocal advocate for rebuilding Lafayette North through programs focused on nutrition and food equality.

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ACADIANA AREA VEGANS was my first resource for finding vegan options, recipes, and like conversation in Acadiana. The Facebook group was created in 2015 and has a following of 815 members. It features recipes from members in the group, ideas for vegan meals that you can make at home, how locals veganize meals at local restaurants; and conversations that encompass all forms of veganism. This is a great resource if you would like to engage in comradery among local vegans and those who are vegan curious. You can join the group or review the posts on Facebook by searching Acadiana Area Vegans.

Facebook CAJUN VEGAN EATS (www.cajunveganeats.com) If you are looking for some awesome vegan recipes with local flavor, you can follow Emily of Cajun Vegan Eats. She features gems such as Vegan Southern Banana Pudding and Mac N Cheese. This is an awesome resource if you are looking for recipes that resemble dishes that you typically love to eat. You can also follow Emily on Instagram as @cajun.vegan.

Blog + Insta THE MJS @iharthemjs This beautiful couple (who incidentally have the same initials) united to give us vegan love eye candy. They create awesome Meatless Monday videos that are great resources for healthy vegan recipes. They also provide us with inspiration through prayer and positive thoughts on their social media live videos. Lastly, they sell sea moss gel locally and are a fun couple all around to follow for vegan inspiration. You can follow them on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram by searching for @ihartthemjs.

YouTube, Facebook + Insta

ZAHZAH’S CREATIONS Chastity is an awesome vegan cook and she shares her recipes on her YouTube channel.

You can also catch her around Acadiana, selling her handmade items. Her YouTube channel consists of her homemade recipes such as “Easy Jackfruit ‘pot roast’” and “Vegan Rice Dressing”. You can subscribe to Chasity’s channel on YouTube by searching for ZahZah’s Creations.

LOCAL VEGAN FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS/POPUPS/FOOD TRUCKS TAYLOR MADE EATS You may know Taylor from her legendary Kale Chips that can be found all over, from places like Whole Foods to Drug Emporium, but did you know that Taylor Made Eats hosts a Saturday Plate Lunch? If you would like to try Taylor’s 100% vegan meals or healthy snacks, you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook @TaylorMadeEats.

PRYIA’S INDIAN FOODS Priya successfully converted a lot of our vegetarian and non veg Indian favorites to delicious vegan dishes. You can catch Priya on Wednesdays for her tasty Wednesday Vegan Lunch, or you can catch her on Saturday mornings at the Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market for her delicious samosas and Indian Tacos. You can follow Priya and her menu on Instagram @priyasindianfood or on Facebook @ Priya’s J&J Indian Foods.

KARMA COLLECTIVE Karma Collective is considered one of the originals in the Vegan game in Acadiana. The collective is encompassed in a beautiful storefront that features local artisans, musicians and creators all over acadiana. The shop includes items from local businesses such as Magnolia Moon Collective, Emerge Juice, R2 Positive Culture, Culture Guru, and 5th Dimension Herbs along with Karma’s nourishing bowls and sandwiches, homemade baked sweets, and breads. You can learn more about Karma Collective on Instagram and Facebook by following them at @karmacollectivelaf.

SCRATCH KITCHEN Although Scratch Kitchen is not a vegan restaurant, they offer beautiful farm to table vegan options everyday. From their huge and tasty burritos to their signature “Pretty Plate”, Scratch Kitchen is a favorite of vegans all over Lafayette. Everything is made from “scratch” and each bite can attest to this.

You can follow Scratch Kitchen on Instagram @scratch_this or on Facebook @Scratch Farm Kitchen.

THE NORTHSIDE VEGAN The Northside Vegan started as a neighborhood pop-up dedicated to providing diverse food options to Lafayette North. Each dish that has a recurring appearance on the menu is named after a neighborhood on the Northside. The pop-up prides itself in recreating Vegan “Fast Food” but also offers soul food and local dishes. The food is 100% vegan and is gaining popularity around Lafayette. You can follow The Northside Vegan on Instagram and Facebook @thenorthsidevegan.

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CULINARY CREATIVES How Some Acadiana Restaurants are Pivoting Strategies During COVID

By Abby Meaux Conques Hard times are for the creatives. They’re for the people who simply have to think outside of the box in order to make it. I’d say it’s safe to deem these as “hard times.” The good thing about hard times is that they also create resilient people. And boy, do we have resilient people here in Acadiana; and many of them are business owners.

occupancy, that simply won’t allow for some businesses to make it through the end of this thing.” He urges everyone who is still working to commit a day or two of the week to support their favorite local restaurant, whether it be complying with phase percentages of occupancy, takeout, or in the form of a gift card to be used later.

Food is BIG business around here. We center everything that we do around food, whether it be to celebrate great times or to help someone to feel better during tough times...food is the Cajun love language.

In speaking with O’Meara and Bond, they shed some light on some of the strategies area businesses are utilizing in order to make it through to the other side of COVID.

I recently spoke with businesspeople associated with local restaurant entities: board members of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, John O’Meara and Keith Bond, and CEO of the Downtown Development Authority, Anita Begnaud.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association serves as an advocate on behalf of the state’s foodservice and hospitality industry among elected officials and regulatory agencies. It’s governed by a Board of Directors that represents all segments of the foodservice and hospitality industry in our state. They offer memberships and associate memberships. They also offer crucial information to any restaurant in need (members and non-members) during these times regarding safe opening strategies and government compliance information. “The LRA has reopening resources for any foodservice and hospitality business, so our community can open in a safe and informed way,“ said O’Meara.

In speaking up for restaurant aid, the National Restaurant Association, with the help of the states’ associations, actively pursued extensions for businesses needing Paycheck Protection Program monies. The group served as a voice for the industry, aiding in the decision to extend the 8 week aid to 24 weeks.

O’Meara mentioned, “Food industry margins are so slim, that even at 50%

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O’Meara said, “Restaurants have proven that small shifts can make a big difference. Rotolo’s for example...they shifted to ready-made pizza kits being available at Rouse’s stores. Making a ready kit meal that the family can put toppings on together during more home time creates an experience and helps out the restaurant and retailer.”

Ford mentioned La Pizzeria on Ambassador in Lafayette’s changes to the menu on the cusp of the COVID crisis. He explained that La Pizzeria had just opened under new ownership when the stay-at-home order began. Immediately, owner Randy Daniel rolled out ready-made family style dinner meals with 5 options, all $40 and under. He also stepped into the take-and-bake realm, offering select La Pizzeria pizzas at Little Veron’s off Rena Drive in Lafayette and Farm Stores off Westgate in Scott. They began a frontline donation campaign for Our Lady of Lourdes, Lafayette General Medical Center and University Health Clinics. For every $9.99 donated during certain periods, they would prepare a pizza for frontline workers and would deliver them.

They also got creative by offering virtual wine dinners, offering paired dinners and wines for two with zoom calls featuring wine ambassadors offering informational stories and menu pairings crafted and prepared for pickup from the restaurant; a true wine and dinner pairing experience by industry professionals, with a live virtual experience.

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WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE? In speaking with Anita Beganud, she mentioned the Downtown Development Authority’s curbside strategy, Toot N’ Scoot, might be here to stay in some fashion. “Now we have a model for Downtown to still be able to service customers,” she said. Toot N’ Scoot came from a need to do something in the early days of the virus so people could still enjoy what the area offers during unprecedented times. People could order food or a product from a participating Downtown business online or by phone, drive up to a designated spot, honk the horn, and someone would meet them at their car for service. “We needed a campaign to remind people that these places were still open and in need of support,” she said.

The Downtown non-profit partnered with the Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Traffic Division to accommodate the use of metered parking spots for businesses by block. They also kept in touch with local businesses to ask if they needed assistance and looked for feedback so they could tailor their services to Downtown businesses' needs.

The Downtown Chicken Sandwich Snackdown idea came from one of those calls. With a simple chicken sandwich competition suggestion, the idea grew into a Downtown event where over a dozen restaurants signed up to compete. The concept gives patrons the initiave to try new restaurants, gives them the incintive to check out multiple downtown spots, and aids their support via donation of $1 from each sandwich sold for regular Downtown activities that people enjoy annually (Downtown Alive, Artwalk, Movies in the Parc, and more).

As serious as a situation that the food industry is in right now, O’Meara, Bond, and Begnaud all shared sentiments of the spirit of this area.

O’Meara mentioned, “Everybody’s got a lot to deal with, and this will all be fluid for a while, but one thing about people in this area is they bond over food. If they’re used to having a tradition of meeting at a certain restaurant on a certain night of the week, they’re continuing to do so whether they’re taking out or dining in even with half capacity.” One message he did want to get across in terms of supporting these local spots is to “eat local and as often as you can to re-support these establishments.”

Begnaud spoke highly of the business owners of the Downtown area. “I have seen such an entrepreneurial spirit with Downtown. This has forced us to be more creative than we’ve ever had to be and to streamline business...whether it be by adjusting hours, finishing that online store or utilizing curbside pickup,” she said. “People love our restaurant culture, they enjoy Downtown culture, and they love to support local businesses.”

If you want to make sure your favorite gathering spot sticks around, be sure to support them however you can in these times, whether it be by dining in, taking out, giving a social media shout out or review or by purchasing a gift card.

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Veggies on the Go One Woman's Idea Gets Quality Produce to North Lafayette Neighborhoods

By Kimba Azore, The Northside Vegan

Trincella Bonnet never liked speaking in front of crowds, but on November 9, 2019, she stood in front of a large assembly, with all of her confidence mixed with butterflies in her stomach, to speak about something that she was passionate about. That evening was the evening of the 24-Hour Citizen Project and Trincella had to sell her pitch to see her dream come true. She mustered every piece of strength she could as she steered her tricycle to the stage and in a few minutes shared with everyone her dream; and she won.

Trincella wanted to bring fresh produce to the McComb-Veazay community, a community that turned into a food desert within the last few decades. She wanted to see the neighborhood have an option other than the ones that were available: an option that offered fresh and living foods to a community that suffered from illness and lack of healthy food options. Her original idea was to curate a Veggie Bus of sorts. She would drive around the neighborhood selling fresh and homegrown produce at a cost that the neighborhood could afford. “I wanted to try to get the neighborhood healthy,” Trincella told me, “make a grocery store on wheels.”

Her idea quickly turned into Veggies on the Go, a project that will bring produce from area farms to neighborhoods of North Lafayette. This time, to begin her venture, Trincella thought of another idea: one that was more cost-efficient and that could lead to her larger dream; delivering the veggies on a tricycle to the neighborhood and creating a pop-up market to share her locally grown produce.

Trincella learned about the importance of living foods very early on in life. Her grandparents were sharecroppers in the Cecilia and Arnaudville area. Growing up, she helped them in the fields on the weekends.

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She worked on 9 to 10 acres of land helping to harvest corn, potatoes, peppers and cotton.

This was the basis for her knowledge of farming and now she, with a little help from family and friends, is managing the McComb-Veazey Homegrowers Community Farm located in the McComb-Veazay neighborhood. The farm’s harvest will sit in Trincella’s tricycle basket as she steers her way to the 1st Sunday Produce pop-up which is held on the first Sunday of each month at the McComb-Veazay community house.

During the last few months of 2019, Trincella worked hard to pitch her idea to the 24Hour Citizen Project to obtain funding for her initial venture. She learned as much as she could from owning this type of business and surrounded herself with people who wanted to see her dream transpire as much as she did. The night that she had to deliver her pitch, her thoughts raced and her stomach fluttered. She worked so hard and wanted this so much. She walked up in front of a large audience and spoke to them the same way she spoke to everyone else about her project. Her strength and love for her community beamed across the room as she spoke. She did not falter. Trincella told me that was the first time she spoke in front of a large group by herself.

That night she won the money that she needed to begin the project and since then, she has been harvesting her crops and hosting the 1st Sunday Produce pop-up at the community house.

Trincella learned a lot during her time of interacting with others to project her venture off of the ground. She left me with this as we spoke one afternoon in the McComb-Veazay community house, “I want the community to have quality produce that’s affordable.”

Many people delivered ideas to her that consisted of obtaining produce that was almost dead as a cheaper option to begin the market. “My community deserves better,” Trincella said as she sat across from me with seriousness in her eyes. At that moment, we looked at each other and knew that this was the stepping stone to her larger dream and that she will have an impact on the community that she could have never imagined.

You can follow Veggies on the Go on Facebook @Veggies on the Go. Although pop-ups were suspended for a few months due to Covid-19, the next one is scheduled for July 5th.

On the Veggies on the Go Facebook page, you can find the event dates for 1st Sunday Produce hosted by Veggies on the Go and other pop-ups where Trincella will be selling her homegrown produce.

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MY COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER

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PHOTOS BY CARLIE ANNE COLLECTIVE

CREOLE LUNCH HOUSE 37 Delicious Years

By Kristina Charles

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f you’re looking for a hot, old-fashioned, home cooked meal, you need to try the Creole Lunch House located on 713 12th St. in Lafayette. The southern cuisine is known for their stuffed breads and plate lunches served fresh daily.

Merline Herbert worked in the school system for 22 years as an elementary school teacher and principal. She decided after retirement that she and her husband would take a leap of faith into a brand new avenue in their lives, restaurant entrepreneurship.

Merline, a passionate cook and mother of 2 boys, knew she loved cooking, eating and feeding, but she said what stumped them in the beginning was not knowing what to cook and what their specialty would be. But just like most things in life, and as the saying goes, “The answer is right under your nose.” Merline and her husband decided they would cook what they make at home: home cooked, soul food meals from the heart. On June 23, 1983, Merline and her family opened what is now still called “The Creole Lunch House.”

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“We started the restaurant and I was scared but it was exciting and ended up being a beautiful experience,” said Merline.

“We started in a smaller building (originally a tutoring center) in the backyard then we moved into this building a year and a couple months after opening up because we started producing our creole stuffed breads and we used that little building to get started,” she added.

The Creole Lunch House now has a large USDA approved processing plant that produces their Creole stuffed breads on Distribution Drive in Lafayette. Over the years, the restaurant had 5 locations: Johnston Street, Northgate Mall, Lake Charles Mall, Lafayette Regional Airport (8 years) and they have participated in Jazz Festival in New Orleans. Due to the LFT airport location, Merline says her food has been tasted by celebrities and pilots flying in throughout the world looking for a home cooked, rice and gravy meal.

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“It’s been a real thrill feeding my customers and they are very receptive to our food. I've received a lot of compliments and they keep coming back,” said Merline.

There’s one customer who comes to the restaurant and has been a loyal customer since the first day the restaurant opened in 1985.

He brings her candy, fruit cake and all sorts of treats. She says, there’s a father and son that comes every Thursday. Customers enjoy the sweet spirits of Merline that some have even named her “Grandma.”

“You know...being a teacher and a principal of an elementary school, I was with people all the time and working with children so it’s nice to be able to communicate, laugh and talk and I don’t have to grade them,” she said jokingly.

You will find her famous red beans and rice, mustard greens, chicken fricassee, fried pork chops and speciality stuffed breads served with love and care upon arrival from Merline. All entries are served with vegetables of the customers choosing. “I always tell them, if you’re going to pay for it, you get the vegetables you like and you’re entitled to two. And if you look at me hard enough, I’ll give you a little extra something else.” Luckily, if you are a firsttime customer, they offer you a “Rookie Plate” meaning you get to sample whatever you would like to taste with your meal free of charge.

If you want a taste of authentic Creole food, made fresh daily with a whole lot of love, head to the Creole Lunch House, you won’t be disappointed.

Merline prides herself and her restaurant in putting family time first. She said she only wants to open Monday through Friday, no holidays, (similar to the school system) to ensure she has enough time to spend with her family.

Kristina Charles is a senior at Loyola University in New Orleans studying Mass Communications and Journalism.

She’s worked in print journalism for the past year and a half and is known for stories that pertain to fashion, lifestyle, and recognizing youth work in the community. She was formally the Director of Education for a modeling and acting school for 4 years and worked in several cities in the U.S. teaching teens how to use self-confidence in order to reach their goals. Kristina loves to work, and loves interior design, fashion and art.

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My Top Contender Rankings of Downtown Lafayette’s #DowntownSnackdown Chicken Sandwiches Local Foodie Gives the Skinny on his Top Contenders

By Luke Butler, Jr.

You may have heard some buzz surrounding Downtown Lafayette Unlimited's (DLU) Downtown Snackdown that spans June through independence Day. The spearhead of the competition is a local nonprofit organization that produces well-known Downtown favorites such as Downtown Alive!, ArtWalk, Movies in the Parc, The Merry & Bright Christmas in Downtown, and the Downtown Sno-Ball Festival.

DLU lends its services and events for its member network of families, individuals, and Downtown businesses. The establishments participating in the Snackdown are donating $1 to DLU for every chicken sandwich sold. This means you can feel good about every sandwich you eat since it will support a local business and help DLU to continue to serve the Downtown community.

The Downtown Snackdown is a simple competition that has three main categories:

BEST OVERALL the top scoring sandwich as selected by DLU's rigorous panel of judges

CROWD FAVORITE the people’s choice from DLU's online voting competition BEST SELLER most chicken sandwiches sold In order to be to be considered a "chicken sandwich" the dish must contain two ingredients: chicken and some sort of bread. Participating restaurants have posters with a link/QR code to vote.

Disclaimer: I understand I did not get to try all of the sandwiches that competed in the #DowntownSnackdown, but for the sake of my cholesterol levels and mental capacity to only be able to eat so many chicken sandwiches, I went with the top-ranked sandwiches before the voting reset. So please, no pitchforks.

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WINGFINGERS’ THE CHAIN KILLER

Chef John Hackney was back up and running for a soft-open in The Wurst Biergarten on June 20th doing what they do best, slinging bird.

The honey-butter bun, the lemon-buffalo saucy situation and the crispy, butterflied breast was off the charts.

Simplicity speaks, and for the fellas at Wingfingers it spoke loudly.

Luke is a senior Political Science major at UL who takes a strong liking to the creative and inventive influence that has been flowing through the Lafayette food scene. On top of being a student, Luke used to sweat it out on the food truck with the chefs from Scratch where he learned to really love food and all of the intricacies and experiences that come along with it. If you want to see what Luke is up to, you can check out his pieces here or on his Instagram page, @mealsbyluke 24

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SCRATCH FARM KITCHEN’S EAT LIKE YOU GIVE A CLUCK Possibly two of my favorite things, chicken and jam. If you haven’t tried it, do it.

The way the sweetness of the whole blueberries and blueberry jam works with the salty richness from the caesar chicken salad is just freakin’ great.

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On top of the locally-sourced ingredients, I was biting into a sturdy, yet soft sourdough bun (made! in! house!) that holds everything together like a champ.

I could have done without the tomato and lettuce as they didn't really play a contributing role in my opinion, but the cucumber had this great refreshing note that elegantly lightened up this flavor bomb that Chef Kelsey and Chef Jamie submitted.

SPOONBILL WATERING HOLE & RESTAURANT’S SPOONBILL CHICKEN SANDWICH

I think I have to give Spoonbill an A+ for how visually appealing this sandwich was. This entry should be next to the dictionary definition for fried chicken sandwich.

The Martin's potato roll was the perfect pillow to envelop this quintessential thigh. I loved how I got a hearty bite of the chicken throughout the entire sandwich. The zing from the Tabasco Sweet and Spicy sauce paired really well with the cool and refreshing elements of the green-onion cilantro slaw.

A spritz or three of lime juice would have really taken this thing to the next level for me.

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CENTRAL PIZZA & BAR’S POLLO LIBRE

The double battered chicken thigh sandwich really packed a punch of rich flavor with every bite. The sweet and spicy sauce had a nice three swing combo that hit me with the garlicky, then spicy, then sweet.

Having those pickled red onions in there offered great bursts of acidity throughout the sandwich. Probably my favorite part of the sandwich was the huge crunch I got with each bite and the lime aioli that caressed my palate at the end of each bite perfectly tying together all of the flavors that Chef Clair Burton wanted to pronounce.

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My only knocks on the sandwich was the amount of sauce was a bit excessive and overtook some areas of the sandwich.

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JOHNSON’S BOUCANIÈRE’S THE REX THIGH-KWON-DO

A smoked chicken thigh with the burnt (but in the good way) pepper jack cheese bun was not the roundhouse kick to the face I would have expected from the smokehouse joint on St. John Street.

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Thankfully it had the sweet morsels of the corn in the aioli and bits of caramelized onions which kept me from seeing stars. Aside from the Evangeline Maid bun being dry and lacking in structure, Johnson’s threw in a solid entry into the Octagon.

The pulled chicken on a pretzel was a noteworthy bid into the ring of chicken sandwich judgement from the renowned cafe. What really stuck out to me while eating it was just how great the pineapple paired with the coffee-cooked, pulled chicken.

What they lacked in crunch from not frying their sandwich, they tried to make up for with potato chips, which I respect. The issue was the sandwich had some wet to it so the chips got all soggy on me. While some of its elements fell through the cracks, the bun and the chicken pineapple combo really carried the team here.

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W E L L B E I N G

Balance.

By Allison Saltzman, LPC

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esponsibilities competing for my attention are a major source of stress for me. I hope to raise my children well, and to enjoy it. The duties of work and keeping up with household organization (bills, laundry, meals, etc.) often scream loudly at me. I find myself getting swept up in completing the more tangible tasks and feeling disengaged from what I really want to enjoy. Not to mention the need for self-care, a healthy marriage and other important relationships, and exploring what I need to learn from my personal circumstances as well as my role in the collective happenings in the world. All require attention and time.

I feel this battle not only in my responsibilities, but also in the duality of the inner and outer life.

Spirituality and what lies beyond the seen has always fascinated me. I could spend many hours exploring these concepts and experiences. I also feel responsible to meet the roles and duties I have in life. These two concepts war for my attention. Focusing on life’s tasks and circumstances feels full, busy, and often rewarding. But it quickly turns into a “running on empty” feeling. My life (like many other people’s lives in modern times) does not allow for me to spend much time meditating, reflecting, or being alone.

However, a little goes a long way, especially with proper training on how to meditate. Both the inner and outer life is needed for me to truly feel fulfilled.

I know both aspects are necessary, but why must it feel like a battle? Part of raising my children well is providing meals, maintaining a quality home environment, paying bills, earning a living to pay those bills, and having healthy relationships and a self-care routine. But…how do I fit it all in and not lose the essence of why I am doing all of these tasks? The quality of my children’s existence is highly important to me. And regarding the balance of my inner and outer life, I have come to believe that both are essential, but the inner life is the essence that supplies the outer life. It is what fuels and gives direction to the outer life. This is truly fulfilling…having the inner life energy to meet the outer life tasks with success.

The Indian guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, is known as the father of Yoga in the West and developed a “how to live” lesson series on living a truly spiritual life. "A balance must be struck between the medieval idea of wholly depending on God and the modern way of sole reliance on the ego.” This statement from Yogananda provides a solution to my battle between the inner and outer lives…as well as my battle with very meaningful and less meaningful responsibilities in my life. Retreating within and taking no outward action will not create the progress I want…no matter how elevating that inward spiritual experience is.

Complete reliance on my spiritual source does not get things done in the physical world. Relying entirely on myself is burdensome and only goes so far…and so often takes me in the wrong direction!

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I must do both.

I must quiet my mind enough to listen to and trust my intuition.

I must act on my intuitions.

Things are not just going to happen. I must make the changes happen, but in stages. I cannot do everything at one. I must start somewhere and build from there.

It seems like a lot to do, the work of honing the intuition, then going about the business of carrying out that intuitive guidance in our lives. So often I do not know where to place my focus, whether I need to sit and be still, tune into my intuition…or move on what I believe I have received from intuition. Fear of making a mistake makes carrying on with an intuitive nudge very difficult. Oftentimes, there is not much evidence that comes with intuitive guidance.

The balance required for a healthy life reminds me of the contraction-relaxation combination of the birthing process. There is a rhythm, contraction followed by a relaxation, again and again. Over time the combination of these two opposites moves the baby through the birth canal. If the pressure of contraction were constant it would be unbearable. The partnership and “taking turns” of contraction and relaxation allows for movement.

The contract-relax combination is a wonderful metaphor for progression through life’s lessons and changes. Relaxation is part of progress and we often forget that. Relaxation is not giving up or having an “I don’t care” attitude as long as we do not sit back too long and become unmotivated for the work required in meeting our goal.

I used to handle life by pushing through things, completely missing that partnership of contraction and relaxation…outer and inner life… reliance on a spiritual source and myself.

I have given birth twice. I had two very different deliveries. My first delivery was all contraction, no relaxation. I am not referring to a metaphor here; I literally had no breaks between contractions. As a first time mom, I had difficulty relaxing and trusting in the process.

I had a lot of “stuff” to release about trusting, allowing, being present, and letting go.

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My second delivery was very different. I was able to embrace the process.

I was able to trust. I leaned into the process and I accepted each contraction. I was not afraid of them. I was able to be with each one because I knew it was only a contraction. It would not last forever. It would pass. Each one was bringing my baby closer to me. I went with it. And I was so relieved when each contraction passed. I was able to relax after each contraction because I was fully present with each one.

The second birth had balance. It equally had the forward push of progress and the relaxation of rest. Each birth seems symbolic of where I was spiritually at that time. For the first, I knew how to push forward; I did not know how to relax, let go, and rest.

In the beginning of the COVID-19 quarantine a lot of the same “stuff” came up. It was challenging to meet everyone’s needs and my own in the absence of our regular routine and outlets. Getting through the day was a challenge. The days that felt good were broken up into parts. When time was up I moved onto the next most necessary thing. I did not linger or expect more from myself. I accepted what I could do in that area of life for that particular day. Some days I felt like I did well in being present and having fun with the kids. Some days I felt successful in keeping my house clean and making good meals. Some days I felt accomplished in paying all the bills and getting good work done. Some days I did a little of of everything. Other days I felt discouraged, infringed upon, craving time alone, unaccomplished, and frustrated with everyone and everything. But that time made me see that I could leave those tangible outward tasks undone and nothing would crumble. It would be ok for me to leave it there until tomorrow or next week.

Everything in moderation…

Serving others feels more genuine and joyful when I give myself rest and recreation In the past, I rarely purposefully sought out recreation for myself. I would do recreational things with others…but not for myself, not things that specifically brought me joy. It took a while to learn what recreation was for me.

Being in the simplicity of nature is a big one for me. I need extended periods of time. And I need short periods daily. Often watering the plants or a walk during the dramatic colors after sunset will do it for me, although some nights I only have time for a quick peek at the colors, as this is the busy time of getting everyone ready for bed. Spending time with others socially is an important part of our culture here. The warmth of human connection is a wonderful thing. The quarantine made me appreciate that even more. Sometimes my soul needs the stillness and peace of nature instead of communion with others. The simplicity and quietude of nature helps me follow suit within myself. I have a lot of noise within. Spending time in nature allows me to follow nature’s footsteps and attune with the simplicity that nature offers.

I habitually tend to focus on outer circumstances…problems and solutions to those problems…what I should do. I lose balance this way. Pushing onward without rest is futile and often the mark is greatly missed. When I realize this and attempt to draw inward there is resistance, a fear of not tending to the outer needs and everything falling apart. Continually redirecting myself inward eventually leads to the resistance fading and a sense of renewal.

Then solutions appear, without obsessive over-thinking. Then work can be done in an outward way that is efficient and productive.

Sometimes the work to be done is difficult, it’s not always an easy solution that comes, but there is either direction or a sense of peace, often both. The renewed life force within moves outward into my life.

Yogananda, the above-mentioned spiritual teacher, spoke about these five things being essential for a happy, balanced life: Meditation Exercise Serving others Allison Saltzman, LPC is a psychotherapist Rest whose passion is rooted in helping her clients Recreation cultivate joy and practice the art of being fully present in their lives. She founded Connected Counseling, a group counseling practice in Lafayette, La, which provides services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Connected Counseling is about living well in all areas of life, offering Cognitive Behavior Therapy, mind-body techniques, Play Therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions.

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W E L L B E I N G

THE HEALTH VS. DISEASE EQUATION

by Brandon Alleman

Health is our Natural State.

Being and living in a state of health versus being and living in a disease state can be summed up in the following equation: (Genetic Potential + Proper Breath, Water, Food, Movement, Recovery, and Thoughts) - (Time + Aging + All the Wrong Things (stressors)) = Health or Disease From a general perspective, health can be thought of as optimal stress resolution and adaptation/regeneration by the body’s physiology and disease can be thought of as failure of the body’s physiology to adapt and therefore, maladaptation or degeneration is the result.

Going a little deeper, health is all about the balance of tissue destruction and repair as dictated by our immune system. The human immune system is a very complex network of cells, organs, tissue, and blood that all work together preserving the health of the human body. The immune system accomplishes this incredible task by (1) identifying potential infectious or harmful substances, (2) assessing the potential threat from invasion and producing the required cells to neutralize pathogenic substances, and (3) repair and removal of damaged cells. When the immune system is in a state of balance, the body is able to deal with invading organisms and remain healthy.

Our immune system is comprised of both innate (non-specific) and acquired (specific) functions. Innate components comprise anatomical barriers and are the body’s first line of defense against a wide range of pathogens. Acquired functions have the ability to adapt to each new disease and can generate pathogen-specific immunity. The acquired functions act as a second line of defense protecting the body against re-exposure to the same pathogen.

The innate aspect of our immunity is comprised of a number of anatomical barriers such as the skin and the various mucous membranes, or MALT (mucous associated lymphoid tissue). The primary function of the MALT is to initiate immune responses to antigens encountered along all mucosal surfaces. It is divided into a number of parts – GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue), BALT (bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue), LALT (larynx-associated lymphoid tissue), SALT (skin-associated lymphoid tissue), VALT (vascular-associated lymphoid tissue), and CALT (conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue) respectively.

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We also have many different types of cells that help us fight off pathogens and keep our system in balance – these are leukocytes, or white blood cells.

All cells of the immune system are derived from stem cells within bone marrow and are stored in the body in different lymph organs such as the spleen and thymus. These white blood cells are typically divided into three separate categories – granulocytes, lymphocyte (B cells and T cells), and monocytes.

Each of these cells have their own special role within the immune system and are key to keeping us healthy and vital.

The Modern Day and Immune Function Like all systems, the immune system is linked to every other system in our biological organism. There is a very complex relationship between behavior, “stress”, and the immune system. At the moment the body is presented with a given stressor, of which there are six primary classes (physical, chemical, nutritional, electromagnetic, psychic, and thermal), the brain and body become mobilized. The brain and body do not differentiate one stressor from another. Rather the body summates all stressors and mounts one stress response. Regardless of the stressor, the response by the body is the same. When the sum total of stressors exceeds what the body is capable of handling comfortably, the adrenal glands will begin to produce more and more cortisol – a glucocorticoid and the body’s chief stress hormone. It is the effects of excess glucocorticoids as part of an exaggerated stress response that force the body into a series of dramatic events that creates problems if left unchecked.

In today’s society, we are bombarded by a barrage of stressors from all six classes of stressors on a moment to moment basis – there is no escaping this fact! Our immune systems need to be fully supported by our nutrition and lifestyle choices to the best of our abilities if is to have a chance at maintaining homeostasis (fancy word for the body’s happy place).

Nutrition and the Immune System The average adult body has somewhere around 30 trillion cells, some say up to 100 trillion depending on who you are reading. Thousands of these cells are being replaced every minute -this includes the cells of the immune system. New cells are made to replace the older cells that have become worn out or damaged. This process is ongoing every second you are alive!

Now for a key question – where does the body receive the raw materials for the creation of new cells? You guessed it…nutrition from the food you eat!

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Specific nutrients and foods support the cells of your body and the energy production machinery within them. There are many common environmental factors that produce the hormonal changes that lead to a weakened immune system, also known as immunodeficiency. The factors that I want to share and discuss here are food selection, lifestyle factors (mainly sleep issues), and nutrient deficiencies – topics not covered here are toxicity, radiation, halogens, endocrine disruptors, etc.

FOOD SELECTION This is a highly debated topic in today’s world. Just because a given food is deemed edible for the human being does not mean that all of those foods are what supports cellular health. Certain foods contain things that can actually destabilize cellular structure and decrease energy production efficiency. Unsaturated fats, cruciferous vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds, and soy foods will all create issues at the cellular level. I would like to highlight unsaturated fats here.

Unsaturated Fats – In particular, poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These are especially detrimental to the immune system.

PUFAs actually intensify the effects of stress in the body by killing off lymphocytes and blocking the proliferative response in thymic cells. This pattern, which shifts the immune function from cellular to humoral, actually predisposes one to autoimmunity. Legitimate research has documented that unsaturated fats (PUFAs) can create the following issues: Immunosuppression PUFAs damage the thymus gland and promote immune deficiency.

Blocking glucose from entering cells to be used in energy production (Randle Cycle) Creating hypoglycemia through lowering blood glucose via hyperstimulating the beta cells of the pancreas / hyperinsulinemia Increases the biological actions of estrogen via blocking estrogen from sex hormone binding globulins (SHBGs) Estrogen pulls oxygen from your tissues and organs and is a glucose and vitamin B6 “waster” Suppresses cellular respiration (energy production) and inhibits optimal thyroid function Decreases glucose oxidation and increases lipid peroxidation This slows your metabolism, decreases energy production, and creates a hypo-metabolic state Increases vascular tension This is accomplished through activating something called protein kinase C Creates digestive stress This occurs by inhibiting proteolytic enzymes (enzymes that break down protein) in the gut – remember how essential protein is to our health from Lesson 3. The result is maldigestion, malabsorption, overloading the liver, and creating a huge burden on metabolism Inhibits the conversion of glucose to glycogen and favors the production of lactic acid This leads to increased inflammation The above is not a comprehensive list. The detrimental effects of excess PUFAs reach far beyond this list, but hopefully this paints a clear picture.

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Lifestyle Factors (Sleep) There are many lifestyle factors which have an impact on immunity (alcohol, smoking, medications, etc.) but few have the impact of impaired or disrupted sleep.

Optimal sleep is essential for immunity and the creation of health. Regulating circadian rhythms (day-night cycles) and honoring the innate functioning of the body is key here. The body handles its physical repair processes between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., while completing its psychogenic/ neurogenic repair between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. (based on the time zone you were born in). A solid eight hours of sleep is also required for the immune system to check the unfriendly bacterial growth in the gut and keep that at a manageable level over time. Since a large percentage of the immune system is located in the gut (MALT/GALT), this is essential to immune and overall health Many things can decrease sleep quality – blood sugar handling problems, emotional issues, full spectrum lighting, EMF/wi-fi exposure, fungal/parasite infections, caffeine (particularly if consumed after 2 p.m.), and on and on.

Effectively regulating blood sugar levels with the right foods, in the right combination, at the right time (meal frequency/nutrient timing), in addition to establishing optimal circadian rhythms (same sleep and wake time consistently – be asleep by 10:30 p.m. at the latest and wake no earlier than 6 a.m. if at all possible) will go a long way to aiding optimal sleep, and therefore immunity and health.

Nutrient Deficiencies This is quite a large and complex topic as well, but suffice it to say, deficiencies of certain nutrients will compromise cellular function as well as immunity. Deficiencies of magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, vitamin D3, vitamin K, and vitamin A (animal source) can all have serious consequences for cellular energy production and immune function. Increasing the intake of digestible foods heavy in these nutrients is a good idea – tropical fruits, liver (desiccated liver supplements can be used if you do not eat liver itself), bone broth, shellfish, white fish, and root vegetables are excellent options here.

Supplementation may be warranted but only once a solid nutritional foundation has been laid and the amount of a supplement that is taken and the duration it is taken are highly subjective factors.

Final Words One of the most important regulators of immunity is the thymus gland. A key point that is often missed however, is that the thymus is dependent upon a healthy thyroid for regulation of antibody cell production. Therefore, it can be stated that a “thyroid friendly” nutritional regimen inclusive of some muscle meats (assuming one can digest them properly), whitefish, shellfish, bone broth, gelatin/collagen, tropical fruits, root vegetables, and saturated fats like butter, lard, tallow, and coconut oil; and exclusive of most grains, nuts, seeds, beans, raw, cruciferous vegetables, and unsaturated fats (liquid at room temperature), particularly limiting PUFAs, would be extremely beneficial for optimizing immunity within our biological system in the long run.

The human body is the single greatest ‘thing’ ever designed. It has virtually limitless possibility when it is supplied with the necessary elements for the creation and maintenance of health.

Health is the Natural State.

Brandon J. Alleman is a skilled Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Level 3 CHEK Practitioner with extensive concentration in human biomechanics and physiology. He owns Innate Movement and Wellness in Lafayette's Oil Center 29

W E L L B E I N G

By Jennifer Loli, LMSW, LMT 2020, Yes, and you have my attention.

In any acting class or improvisational training, you learn two magic words: Yes, and. In order for a scene to take shape and form, an actor must accept the moment unfolding by saying yes to an invitation to steer the creative trajectory of the scene. The moment an actor says no, and shuts down the improvisational cue, is when the scene tanks. Saying yes can be empowering and create a flexible, present, and trusting experience. Obviously, saying no is highly important in life but that’s another article on boundaries.

I take this “Yes, and” approach into many aspects of my life, as it stretches my own beliefs and ideas, but most importantly, this is my stance of 2020.

I stand in awe of the personal and collective lessons that you, 2020, have bestowed upon this generation. What a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts that commanded attention and tending to. 2020, you are provocative and relentless and I never want to forget you. There’s still six months left of this year, and I’m intrigued what will manifest, but we all know what curiosity did to the cat, right? Deep breaths. Between the pandemic altering the ways in which we interact, and the loud call to address systemic racism, we are all stretched mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are changing.

Through these times, we are challenged to examine the lives we lead, as well as how we arrive in this human experience. We enter into daily interactions with a set of ideas, beliefs, values, and perspectives. Right now, paradigms are shifting due to nature of this time. Taking a personal inventory of our privileges and advantages, as well as the ways in which stereotypes and biases have been perpetuated are some ways 2020 is making a statement. This insight requires us to have accountability, which seems to be the common denominator of 2020.

Not being a bystander when it comes to inequities, and injustices, as well as forms of prejudices and discrimination are the ways in which societies across the globe are advocating in this epic social movement. The pandemic sheds light on the health disparities which exist between races, and how social determinants influence the trajectory of health outcomes. Blacks in America are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and 30

dying at higher rates of the virus. This reveals how the infrastructure of our society has exposed vulnerable populations to environmental racism, and how generations of families have been disenfranchised. The stress, as well as the public stigmas associated with being a minority, whether it is racial, sexual, or gender, as a few examples, directly shapes health. Think about how stress impacts you on a personal level. Perhaps you can’t make ends meet this month and you are short a few hundred bucks even though you work four jobs or your car broke down, again. Now, add on a few other factors that might make it even more challenging. We are all not born into life with the same advantages, period. Higher levels of stress puts a strain on the immune system, as well as the nervous system. Not only do people internalize stigmas, and prejudicial beliefs, but these negative stereotypes impact the ways in which lives are navigated and the opportunities one may seek. Generational trauma has impacted the families of holocaust survivors, as well as Blacks, Native Americans, and indigenous groups. I have failed to mention many other groups. Those who are not part of the dominant group of any society are treated differently and therefore, disparities exist. Work still needs to be done and it won’t be complete in my lifetime. Accountability, anyone?

COVID-19 has altered the ways we behave in social settings. The norms and mores have been modified to adapt to life during a pandemic. We are masked, sanitized, and responsible for not just ourselves, but each other. As social beings, we are holding ourselves and each other to different standards in the ways we work, consume necessities, break bread, and in the limited social settings we engage in. Being healthy, honest about where we’ve been, as well as maintaining a distance between us are just some of these new ways we are conducting ourselves. In a relatively common interaction these days, one may acutely feel when someone gets too close or becomes potentially mortified if they are hugged by a close friend. Perhaps you were the one who initiated the hug and you felt you broke this new social code. These nuances we are experiencing today, reflect how we are interacting differently. We are altered and our senses are heightened. We may have even become expansive in our thinking. For some who may be making jokes about your pant size expanding, it’s all going to be okay. Besides, doesn’t that seem a bit inconsequential right now?

There’s just so much more at stake today.

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2020, YOU ARE PROVOCATIVE AND RELENTLESS AND I NEVER WANT TO FORGET YOU.

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Our inherently egoistic minds sometimes forget that someone else is having their own unique experience, which consists of contextual factors we know little about. We forget that a pandemic, natural disaster, or war is occurring when we are outside sipping our beverages while our favorite music plays in the background of our lives. It’s such an odd moment when you remember that something outside our individual reality is occurring and that what’s happening is really happening. When we look beyond ourselves and what’s right in front of us, we see that our individual problems are collective ones.

During these times, I have felt broken open and have chosen to embrace the myriad of feelings that co-exist. I acknowledge them, so that rebellion does not ensue and so I can honor myself.

At times, I feel complete serenity and total freedom in the times of Co-vid-19, as I indulge in solitude, nature, and my home. Of course, that’s my privilege talking. These times are horrific for so many people and the pain the world is palpable. Do you feel it?

So many emotions and feelings are stacked on top of each other, and sometimes hopelessness factors into the equation. I try to remember to breathe deeply into the moment because that’s something tangible and immediate. In many ways, I am grateful for the social empathy we are cultivating and standing in, even if feels uncomfortable.

With everything we are dealing with today, deep grief emerges and it certainly overcomes moments. Grief is undeniable, utterly persistent, and something we can expect to experience time and time again. Hey grief, nice to find you here lurking again. Would you like something to drink? Let’s sit together because let’s face it, where else is there to go exactly?

Grief keeps me accountable for acknowledging the pain of living and dying, as well as the beauty of shared life and love. It keeps me digging deeper into the recesses of my heart to express what is needed.

It’s not always accompanied by a tear-stained face. Sometimes it moves through me in a song or dance. At times, I am the dance, in the ways I navigate my day or a moment in nature. I just try to give it space to exist, in whatever form it appears. I let it run its course like a fever informs me of my body fighting and healing simultaneously.

I feel the grief of families who didn’t get a chance to hold a beloved get-together one last time, to mothers birthing babies alone, to bellies going to bed hungry, for the worry and the uncertainty that keeps you up at night, and for countless acts of oppression that hinder the evolution of marginalized communities. And yet, I praise 2020 for being the catalyst of giving complex human beings an opportunity to confront what meaningful living entails, how to be the change, and not sit idly.

Thank you to those who serve all sentient beings. Your altruism is inspiring and uplifting. This year has already cultivated adaptability, resiliency, existential ruminations, and most importantly, accountability.

What is it that you are willing to explore whole-heartedly and how will you navigate the uncharted territories of your life?

What healing opportunities has 2020 presented for you?

Jennifer Loli, is a Natural Therapeutic Specialist, Licensed Master Social Worker, Licensed Massage Therapist #8912, and Certified Yoga Instructor. Utilizing various healing modalities and massage therapy has been the heart of her professional world for over 13 years. She recently lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico for over 11 years and taught pregnancy massage, and various classes in massage therapy before returning to Lafayette, LA in 2018. Teaching is one of her biggest passions, as well as working with dynamic people to assist the mental, physical, and emotional aspects of healing and fulfilling life goals. She provides integrative bodywork in the Lafayette area and you can connect with her at (337) 233-6168 to set up an appointment.

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KETO DIET: YES OR NO?

By Jules Bruchez You will lose more fat on a keto diet, or will you?

The ketogenic diet is widely used around the world and marketed as the best diet that is superior for losing body fat over other methods.

WHAT IS THE KETOGENIC DIET? Better known as KETO, it is a diet that excludes carbohydrates leaving you only to eat protein and mostly fats. Carbohydrates lend themselves to be the preferred fuel source in our bodies when both carbohydrates and fats are both present in the bloodstream. This simply means that our body will burn off carbohydrates (glucose) before using fat for fuel.

WHY IS IT SO POPULAR? Keto became very popular during the same time as the demonization of carbohydrates took light. In 1992, Atkins published an update from his 1972 book, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, and other doctors began to publish books based on the same principles. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, low-carbohydrate diets became some of the most popular diets in the US. It was at this time the Ketogenic Diet really began to take off.

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SO HOW DOES THE DIET ACTUALLY WORK?

TRUTH ABOUT KETO AND CARBOHYDRATE DIETS

The process behind the ketogenic diet is pretty straightforward and simple. If someone drops their carbohydrates intake (glucose) to 50g a day or lower our body begins to become adaptive to fat. The body begins to start making ketones in the absence of glucose in the bloodstream and begins to use these ketones as fuel. By following this method every day we simply no longer have glucose (carbohydrates) present in the bloodstream and our body's primary energy source has now shifted away from glucose and now to fat and ketones.

1. The brain requires approximately 130 grams of carbohydrates daily to optimally function.

That’s about 40 % of the calories consumed in an adult’s daily diet (average non-active lifestyle). One can say that carbohydrates are the brain’s fuel. Despite the fact that the human brain accounts for only 2 percent of the body’s weight, the brain consumes 20% of carbohydrates' energy.

SO YOU'RE SAYING WE WILL BURN MORE FAT?

The neurons of the adult brain require the highest energy demands of glucose (breakdown of carbohydrates) from our blood supply.

Yes, absolutely you will burn more fat but it may not be what you think. You have to understand the science of the body.

When you eat more fats you will burn more fat. Just like if you eat more carbs you will burn more carbs.

2. As for fat loss, Keto shows to be more aggressive at the BEGINNING but not long term!

Wait? What...?

Eating low carb (120-150grams a day) has been shown to produce the same results without the negative responses people often get from doing Keto.

Yes that’s right you read that correctly. Simply because you eliminate carbohydrates from your diet does not mean that you’re absolutely just starting to burn more body fat. You will burn more fat but that’s because you were eating more fat so now that fat has to be turned into energy. And if that’s the only energy that you’re giving your body it has to use it to get the job done. When we say we are burning more fat, it’s due to fatty acids and glycerol which is in your bloodstream being oxidized.

Remember, this is not fat being stored, it’s rather just being converted into an energy source that way it can be used up by the body since there is no more glucose (carbohydrates) in the bloodstream.

SO WHO SHOULD DO THE KETOGENIC DIET? It’s simply the person who can use the diet in longevity. This means a client of mine who is happy and satisfied living with a whole macronutrient missing from their diet then they are better suited for that type of diet. But if they’re looking for a quick weight loss for two months and then jump back to eating carbohydrates I would not recommend it. Ketogenic diet does work for people who are called fast oxidizers. Fast oxidizers are people who can tolerate a higher fat diet due to their genetics.

They function not only better physically, but also mentally.

In my professional opinion, there is no magical program out there. If you and a friend start on a cookie-cutter diet and only one of you lose weight, it’s simply because the other person was in a calorie deficit.

When working with someone I use a variety of diets for my oneon-one clients: KETO LOW CARB HIGH CARB BACK LOADING CARBS ISOCALORIC ZONE It’s the art of being a good performance coach: knowing which diet fits your client the best. A ketogenic approach can work well for one person and be extremely poor for another. Remember that the rate of fat loss can be highly affected by its macro nutrients. But it comes down to energy balance in the long run.

You must create a calorie deficit specific to you and adjust the numbers as you become more fit.

Like what you're reading? You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

You can go to my website and read more articles and see what programs I offer.

Right now my Ignite 12 week Transformation Program is on sale 50% off its regular price.

Get your workout here: https://outperformta.mypthub.net/p/98214 Website https://jbruchez1.wixsite.com/outperformtrainingac

Jules Bruchez is a graduate of the University of Louisiana of Lafayette holding a Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science and a minor in Visual Arts. He has three different Strength Coaching certifications and serves as a Bio-Conditioning coach specializing in Heart Rate Variability Training. He's the creator of the Outperform Training Academy which offers one-to-one personal training and online training with a holistic approach.

C O M M U N I T Y

ULL STUDENT DEVELOPS BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS + INFO APP

by Kristina Charles

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avondrick Lewis, a full-time senior at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and IT Support Specialist, is now the owner of his own Web-App called blkowned.io. The app is to provide the Acadiana community with the resource that brings information on black owned businesses to one place.

“During this time, I believe they (businesses) need more help than anything especially with the pandemic going on, then add the systemic racism that’s been going on in America. I’m just trying to bring awareness to these places that might need the help,” Davondrick said.

Davondrick attended a Black Lives Matter protest in Lafayette and as a result, realized that an app about movements and business in Acadiana is just what the community is missing. “The idea sparked in my mind that it would benefit the Acadiana area if I created an app that would bring information on these protests, petitions and black owned businesses to one place,” he said.

He has received restaurant suggestions for places located in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Houston. Due to working alone at the moment, he wants the app locally based and focused on the communities and businesses in Acadiana.

“I’ve been focusing more on Lafayette and getting everything situated in this area. It’s a lot of work to do by myself; I am trying to keep it small-scaled right now.”

Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook have had the strongest impact on spreading the word of Blkowned. io. College students, family, and friends help to get the word out by sharing the app through Instagram stories. “It’s in the plan to make it bigger than it is. I want to be able to help as many communities as I can and spread information to as many areas as I can.”

If you would like to keep up with local events, protests, petitions and business in Acadiana, please sign up on www.blkowned.io and remember to support black owned businesses.

Davondrick, who is majoring in Informatics said it only took him 3 weeks to create his Web-app “I hope to have a positive impact and bring a lot of business to places in Lafayette that didn’t get it before as well as help them thrive, become bigger and get more clientele.”

After launching the web-app, Davondrick received an influx of positive feedback from the community. “I’ve gotten a lot of support over it. All of the feedback has been positive,” he said.

He humbly wants to not only receive the positive recognition but is looking for ways he can improve the app from users. “I always ask someone when they send me a business to add for feedback and if ther's anything that I can do better.”

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L E G A C Y T R I B U T E

RACONTEUR SPOTLIGHT JUDGE P.J. LABORDE

Risks Despite Age: Judge P.J. Laborde

by Olivia Savoie

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udge P.J. Laborde has never let age affect his ambitions. Rather he was considered “too young” or “too old” for a given task, he tackled it with equal vigor.

P.J. grew up in rural Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. He started school early and graduated early at just 17 years old. He went on to attend the Southwestern Louisiana Institute (presently the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and graduated after just three years.

He graduated from law school at Tulane, practiced law for a few years, and then decided to do the impossible: run for state representative at just 27 years old.

When asked why, he says, “It was a combination of having a burning desire to be involved in politics and seeing a need and thinking I could fill it.” Once the decision to run was made, there was much work to be done. P.J. says that when a young person wants to do something challenging, “You can’t be shy. There is a whole lot of organization involved and very little humility.”

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P.J. became the youngest state representative in Louisiana at the time. He found his place among veteran legislators many years his senior, saying, “They accepted me even though I was young…

They knew what they were doing; I had to learn the ropes.” Despite his young age, he made a big impact, helping to form the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), which aimed to keep the French language alive in Louisiana. He says, “That was important to me because coming up, my family spoke French… Oftentimes, I spoke French with my schoolmates.

I got punished for it a few times, but it was something I was familiar with and… enjoyed. When there is something you cherish, you certainly want to preserve it.” Over 50 years later, CODOFIL is still going strong.

After his time in the legislature, P.J. met a stranger on the beach in Puerto Rico, sat down to have a papaya with him, and was presented with the opportunity to move to Spain and co-own a shipbuilding company. This meant uprooting his family and end-

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Take risks, even if it borders on irrationality.

ing his steady job. He says, “I don’t mind taking a risk. If there is an opportunity and I think I can make a contribution that is not totally out of line with my education and experience, I have no hesitancy.”

He jumped at the chance and enjoyed three years abroad helping run the successful company.

The then 39-year-old returned to Louisiana and decided to take on a challenge typically not tackled by someone so young. He ran and was elected as judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeal. Again, he found himself as the youngest of his cohorts. He remained a judge for nearly the next 17 years.

During that time, he attended the University of Virginia to receive a Master of Law in judicial process, which involved far-reaching research projects. An honest discussion with a dear friend, Father Deasy, revealed a dire need that P.J. knew his research and efforts could fill. He learned that Father Deasy, who suffered from muscular dystrophy, wanted no drastic measures to be taken to preserve his life in the end. When he asked P.J. what could be done, he recalls, “I couldn’t answer him because there was no answer at the time.”

That was because Louisiana lacked the legislation to allow for living wills. Setting out to change that, P.J. completed extensive research and drafted the statute that he hoped to see in Louisiana. It was ultimately signed into law. He says, “Now every time someone goes to a hospital [in the state], they get it [the living will document I drafted.]”

As time went on, for once, P.J. didn’t do something seemingly prematurely. At age 55, he retired from being a judge and leapt into a new realm yet again—this time, one rarely tackled by someone in his 50s. He moved to Lafayette and co-founded a law firm with his son, David Laborde. This meant moving to a new city where he knew

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few people and starting from scratch. He says, “Starting the firm was a clearly thought-out decision. But the silly part was, how does a young guy fresh out of law school and an old guy come into a new community… and make it? That is where the risk-taking comes in.

The risk is being willing to do something that it would be very easy not to do.”

Once again, the risk was worth the reward. P.J. spent over 20 years practicing law at the Laborde Law Firm, which later evolved into Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. He worked closely with the Tunica-Biloxi, Chitimacha, and Coushatta tribes first as a lawyer and later as a judge. His work was incredibly fulfilling and meaningful, even well into his 70s.

Now, at nearly 81, he has started a new venture: a beef cattle business.

For P.J., age has always just been an inconsequential number. He says, “I never considered age to be a deterrent to anything I wanted to do.

If I saw the issue or the need, I had no difficulty taking a risk.”

He believes that no one is too young or too old to do something they want to do and advises, “If you have the passion for a project or issue, don’t hesitate. Everything passes by if you don’t do it.” With a smile, he adds, “Take risks, even if it borders on irrationality.”

Acadiana native, Olivia Spallino Savoie, interviews locals in their homes, writes their life stories, and works with her team to create lasting family heirlooms in the form of published life story books. The books Raconteur produce typically range from 50 to 150 pages and contain precious memories from early years to the present day. Olivia loves to walk down memory lane with each storyteller and create a keepsake that will be cherished for generations to come.

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S K I N H E A LT H

ROOT CAUSE

Waxing: a Medical Aesthetician's Answer to Bumps, Burns, Irritation and itching

By Amelie Harding

H

appy Summer Acadiana! We are excitedly getting out of the house, enjoying this weather, and celebrating some family time out of quarantine.

With the beach comes swimsuits and with swimsuits comes a bit of a taboo subject: body hair.

Nobody likes feeling self-conscious in their cutest new swimsuit, worrying about hair poking out in places where it shouldn’t be. For many women, shaving in intimate areas and other areas of the body cannot only be painful, but can often result in ingrown hairs, irritation, itching, and unsightly red bumps.

So what do we do About all this hair while avoiding that irritation?

We wax.

First things first...it can be a bit much.

Waxing can be a very uncomfortable or embarrassing experience for many people, but rest assured that your aesthetician has waxed many others and to her, this is just her job. There is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of, this is what we do and we love to help.

Secondly, let’s address the number one question we often get about intimate waxing: how painful is it?

I’m going to be frank: it is not something that many people necessarily look forward to. It can be uncomfortable if it has been a while since you have had that area tackled.

The good news is it’s always worth it.

The temporary discomfort is always worth the long-term benefits.

What are those benefits, you ask?

Regular waxing can cause trauma to the follicles that you are having treated, resulting in less hair growing back and also possibly growing back thinner and less coarse in the future.

You’re also left with less itchy, red, bumpy skin in that area. Red bumps caused by razors can be just as embarrassing as actual hair “down there."

With waxing, you’re left with a very smooth soft surface that looks great in any swimsuit.

Another benefit is how long it takes for the hair to grow back. Unlike shaving where the hair is removed on the surface of the skin, waxing removes the hair all the way down from the root which means it will take much longer to grow back. Most people will find that the skin is smooth and hairless for about 3 to 4 weeks.

Also remember that waxing is not just for intimate areas. Waxing is ideal for legs, under arms, backs, and all other areas of the body where we tend to grow unsightly hair.

After a service, you can expect your technician to go over detailed aftercare instructions that will keep your skin happy and healthy. Always look for a technician that practices proper sanitization in a clean, well-kept waxing area.

I hope everyone is enjoying this summer with their family and loved ones. Please be safe and enjoy yourselves.

Amelie Harding is a medical aesthetician, owning and operating Amelie Aesthetics Studio in Youngsville, LA where she offers a wide variety of customized facial treatments, along with threading, waxing, and eyelash services. Amelie was born and raised in Lafayette and is a proud single mother to two children, Zoe (16) and Henry (8).

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A R T

Alone, Together Local Photographer Documents Home Life During Stay-At-Home Order with "Porchraits"

by Abby Meaux Conques

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f you were on social media these last couple of months, chances are you’ve come across a new 2020 photographic marvel, “Porchraits.”

During what would normally be an active Spring schedule for photographer LeeAnn B Stephan regarding weddings, engagements, and the like, the mandatory stay-at-home order regarding COVID-19 put a drastic halt to all gatherings of 10 people or more, postponing or cancelling photographic work she counts on.

Although her paid photographic gigs were paused, Stephan would not stay idle during these days which had become obligatory “down time” for most families. “I felt like this time was so important...that I had to document it in a way,” she said.

Stephan spent the next days after the stay-at-home order letting people know she was offering sessions capturing images of families from their front porches...at no charge.

“It just felt like something I was meant to do. I wanted to capture these moments in time from the point of view of someone who would be walking on the sidewalk past these homes, seeing these families on their porches and in their windows,” she explained.

The self-assignment began as an idea and grew into a fullscale project in a short amount of time. “It began as a little project with my film camera, and I was just taking my digital camera with me as backup; I was taking my time in the beginning.” Stephan would soon get more requests from families who wanted documentation of this stay-at-home event.

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“I was getting so many requests, and I didn’t want to turn anyone down, so I switched to digital to be more efficient.”

People from all over the area requested porchraits by Stephan. She took many invitations and began to cull her subjects a bit by seeking out people who she specifically felt contributed to the fabric of what makes Acadiana wonderful.

“I felt like I was under such a time crunch...like I had to get these moments before this time fled before me. It was like I was in a race for my own self.”

One of Stephan’s signature ways of capturing moments is through the use of reflection. “You can see in my previous work that I use windows and mirrors when I can; I like the look of double exposure and multiple meanings.” Her adoration for incorporating window shots paired perfectly with her new project since windows served as the primary way many families had to communicate with each other.

Grandparents were staying connected with grandchildren through windows. Many times windows and glass doors were (and still are) the only semblance close to touch that some family members were (are) able to achieve. Stephan’s photographing of families through their windows was like being able to give them little glimpses of their genuine everyday lives in a few well-composed images; and with the sharp economic downturn, they could have those moments captured without having the worry of being able to afford the service.

I asked her if she was away from her family for those 240+ (yes, you read that correctly) sessions she offered.

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“70-75% of the time, my family was in the car with me. I had sessions scheduled in Mamou, Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, Loreauville, New Iberia... we packed an ice chest with lunches, snacks and drinks for us and our kids and would drive all over. We got to make our own memories.”

I asked her if what turned into a major project made her realize anything about herself. “It showed me a lot about myself. I’m grateful for the opportunity. It did show me how much I can deep dive into a huge undertaking, and although overwhelming at points, see it through.”

With the stay-at-home order lifted, Stephan decided to close the chapter on her porchrait series in early June. The race against herself has ended and she’s left with the documentation of what will be an interesting and important time in our history, and she was able to record this time for many people who lend themselves to Acadiana’s legacy. I’d say that makes her valiantly victorious in her efforts.

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