A look inside...
Spring Cleaning Break, & Gardening
Irish Food
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
USO 10 Miler
National Nutrition Month
New Places to Dine
5
10
12
13
25
27
Editor Sean McCully
Has anyone else noticed that it’s starting to get a little warmer out?
Contributors Dave Marshall CynDe Clack
Publisher Creative ink
Creative Director Sears Hallett
Advertising
Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com
Photography Paula Hallett mixthatdrink.com Explore Ashville Deposit Photo pg: cover, 5, 6, 7, 25, 26, 29, 33
3
That means it’s about time to start thinking about Spring. That’s exactly what we have for you this month with ideas for unique spring break trips, spring cleaning tips and spring gardening tips. After your countertops and windows are sparkling and clean, let the cleaning mentality extend into your physical health for National Nutrition Month. We rounded up a few ideas for simple things to do to be healthier. And finally, avoid the beach this Spring Break and check out some new places to relax with our tips on fresh places to vacation on your off days.
Sean McCully, Editor sean@creativeinktn.com
LIke us and share on Facebook facebook.com/fortcampbelllife
5
The beach is blah and the mountains are meh. For many of the millions of Spring Break travelers who will be escaping their regular lives for a brief period in March, ideas for destinations have run dry. There are a multitude of interesting locales waiting to be explored by you and yours this Spring Break and we’ve compiled a few of the best options here.
Williamsburg, Virginia As the colonial capital of Virginia, Williamsburg serves as one of the most historically-rich locations in the U.S., and has something for everyone from the foodies in your family to the history buff. Inside Williamsburg, visitors can check out the first permanent settlement in the U.S. in Jamestown and the second-oldest university in the country, the College of William and Mary, founded in 1693. There are also myriad dining and drinking options for nightlife and waterparks and ziplining for the more adventurous tourist. For more information about Williamsburg and to start booking your trip, visit www.visitwilliamsburg.com.
Fairhope, Alabama Seated on the east side of the Mobile bay, Fairhope is one of Alabama’s best kept secrets with a diverse landscape from the Mobile Tensaw Delta to the north and the inked parchment of the unique Page & Palette bookstore in downtown Fairhope. The city is known for it’s rich history and penchant for attracting novelists, and there’s no shortage of activities with museums, shoreline and escape games populating Fairhope. What’s more is you need only venture outside after the sun goes down to find more live music than you’ll be able to consume during your vacation in the active downtown area. For more information about Fairhope, check out their website at www.cofairhope.com.
Asheville, North Carolina Asheville has an eclectic mix of locales within the city from the numerous outdoor trails and ziplining, to the iconic Biltmore estate and the Omni Grove Park Inn. Asheville also boasts a diverse retail scene with many tree-lined shopping districts to discover independent bookstores, vintage apparel, craft galleries and other specialty shops you won’t find anywhere else. Asheville was also called one of “America’s 12 Greatest Music Cities” by Thrillist because of the city’s folk music from local musicians who perform each night. The Asheville Amadeus Festival will occur during March, and will bring the sounds of the Asheville Symphony out for all to enjoy. For more information about Asheville, visit www.exploreasheville.com. 6
Deadheading Remove spent flowers from bulbs, but leave the rest of the plant as is for the time being. This will encourage new growth and keep the plant blooming for a longer period of time.
Every season brings a different set of chores and joy in the garden. Spring is an exciting time for those of us that like to play in the dirt, as preparations are made for the beauty of the garden as it emerges from winter. However, it can be a bit overwhelming to know how to prioritize your gardening time this time of year. Most gardeners cannot wait for the blooms and buds to appear, but we also need to remember to tend to our lawns as well. It is best to think of your garden as a landscape painting, and include everything that is visible to your eye. Below are some tips from the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service and Gardenguides.com to assist you in the care of your garden. Lawn Care This area is considered a transitional zone for grass. This means neither cool nor warm season grasses will thrive year round. If you choose a cool season grass such as fescue, sow seeds in the fall. This gives it two cool seasons to grow before the hot weather sets in. But if you must have grass before the long hot days of summer, choose Bahia or even Bermuda grass. Plugs or sprigs will ensure growth can be established during summer. For established lawns, you should start mowing once a week in the spring. Ensure your mower blades are sharp and cut the grass no shorter than two inches. Once the temperatures start to rise, lengthen the time between cuts and allow the grass to grow longer. This will conserve nutrients and moisture. The rain we receive in the spring should be sufficient for established lawns, and careful monitoring will tell you if you should water more when you have a new lawn. Do not drown your lawn. Staking Stake plants that may be prone to wind damage during the unpredictable spring weather. This is especially true with the tornado watches and warnings we always have every year. Pruning Pruning can be tricky, but it can improve plants’ overall health. Frequently removing older stems encourages a plant to put energy into new growth, keeping the plant young. Be cautious not to over prune and end up with a stick growing from the ground.
7
Weeding Pull weeds from your beds and borders before they have a chance to take hold and spread. Weeding can be therapeutic and relaxing. Frustrated with a Family member? Yank a few weeds instead of biting their head off. It can also be a fantastic workout! Compost Tend to your compost pile if it has been neglected over the winter. If you do not have a compost bin, spring is a great time to start one. Leaves, old plant material, leftover vegetable peels and many other things can be composted. You should avoid any animal products or by-products, any oils, fat or grease, and dairy products. Egg shells and used coffee grounds are wonderful additions. About.com has a comprehensive listing of dos and don’ts of starting a compost pile or bin. Composting is the best way to reduce waste and minimize the use of commercialized fertilizers. Fertilize and Mulch Fertilize and mulch beds and borders. Spring is also a good time to fertilize fruit trees. If you applied heavy winter mulch for protection from the cold, you will need to clear it away. The tender shoots of the new spring plants will not be able to get the air or sunlight under the heavy winter cover. Tools Spring is a good time to prepare your tools for the upcoming gardening season and to make any necessary repairs or new purchases. You will be happy you have done so when summer sets in.
There’s crumbs in the couch, dust on the windowsill and grime in the tub. Now that March has come again, it’s the occasion for the time-honored tradition of spring cleaning. It can be a bit of a daunting task with all the different household items that accrue dirt, residue and dust over time, so here are a few tips on what everyone usually misses when tidying up. In the Kitchen Cabinets can quickly become oily after stovetop cooking and with typical use. Make sure to wipe them down with cabinet cream to remove grease and keep the wood moisturized. If your oven gives off a burned smell while preheating, that means it’s about time to clean it as well. Start by chipping off the loose pieces of burned food material in the oven, and use oven cleaner on the burned-on spots, or make your own cleaner by spraying ammonia on trouble spots with a bit of baking soda and white vinegar. Let the cleaner sit until it bubbles up and wipe away with a damp cloth. Your fridge can also get dirty throughout the year, both inside and out. Make sure to take all the shelving out and clean with warm water and soap, and wipe down the other surfaces inside and out with a sponge before replacing the shelving. In the Living Room Carpets are one of the highest-trafficked walking surfaces in most homes, and they can become incredibly dirty over time. The most walked on areas of carpet should be professionally deep-cleaned once or twice a year, and the less traveled areas need only be cleaned every 18 months or so. To keep your painted walls looking fresh, make sure to spot clean them with a damp cloth or sponge, and remove trouble spots with a mild dishwashing liquid. Make sure to clean off patio furniture as well with warm water and a bit of dishwashing detergent. Then hose off the outdoor furniture before replacing their cushions and pillows. In the Bedroom Ceiling fans can easily become one of the dustiest appliances in any home so be sure to use a duster to remove any and all built up dust on fan blades and the light fixtures. Mattresses also build up dander and detritus and should be cleaned by airing out the mattress pad and laundering bedding, and vacuuming the mattress itself. Finally, make sure to clean all baseboards with a sponge and warm soapy water. Remove all the dirt and grime, but don’t leave a baseboard too wet. In the Bathroom Cabinets can be dirty on the outside, but what about inside? Remove the contents of bathroom cabinets and clean the insides with a damp sponge, and be sure to throw out any expired medications and cosmetics before replacing the contents. If you have a tiled shower, make a point to clean these surfaces with a half cup baking soda and two gallons of water mixture. Clean regular shower and tub surfaces with baking soda and a half water half vinegar spray mixture. And don’t forget about the grout! Clean these spaces with a stiff bristled brush with warm water, and for tougher stains use the same half water half vinegar mixture and a bristled brush.
Guinness® Corned Beef **recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com Ingredients 1 cup brown sugar • 4 pounds corned beef brisket 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Irish stout beer (e.g. Guinness®) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Rinse the beef completely and pat dry. 2. Place the brisket on rack in a roasting pan or Dutch oven. Rub the brown sugar on the corned beef to coat entire piece, including the bottom. Pour the bottle of stout beer around and gently over the beef to wet the sugar. 3. Cover and place in preheated oven. Bake for 2 1⁄2 hours. 4. Optional: Add vegetables in the last hour. Try cabbage, carrots, onion, and new potatoes. Add additional beer if you add veggies. 5. Allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Old Irish Scalloped Potatoes **recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com Ingredients 6 potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced • 1⁄2 cup butter, cut into thin slices Salt and ground black pepper to taste • 1 pint half-and-half Directions 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). 2. Arrange thinly sliced potatoes in a 9x13-inch baking dish. 3. Layer butter slices on top of potatoes. Season with salt and black pepper. 4. Pour half-and-half evenly over potato mixture. 5. Bake in preheated oven until sauce has thickened and potatoes are tender, 45 to 60 minutes.
Brown Soda Bread **recipe courtesy of epicurious.com Ingredients 1 3⁄4 cups all purpose flour • 1 3⁄4 cups whole wheat flour • 3 tablespoons toasted wheat bran • 3 tablespoons toasted wheat germ 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats • 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt • 2 cups (about) buttermilk 2 tablespoons (1⁄4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. 2.Combine first 8 ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Add butter; rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles fine meal. Stir in enough buttermilk to form soft dough. 3. Transfer dough to prepared loaf pan. Bake until bread is dark brown and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. 4. Turn bread out onto rack. Turn right side up and cool on rack. 10
EVERYBODY’S IRISH The Origins of St. Patrick’s Day When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, Americans really know how to celebrate. In fact, St. Patrick’s day as we know and celebrate it now, was invented by Irish-Americans. What began as a minor religious holiday in Ireland has developed into a major tourist industry. It is a day of green wearing, Guinness-induced silliness that is celebrated by virtually everyone, regardless of their ancestral or religious background. On March 17, everyone is Irish. St. Patrick, who incidentally was English, was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave in the fifth century where he experienced a religious conversion. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17, the anniversary of
his death. Legend has it that he taught Christianity to the Irish pagans using the tri-lobed shamrock to represent the holy trinity. He is also reported to have driven the snakes out of Ireland. Even though scientists say that there never were any snakes in Ireland due to the surrounding icy seas, and there is no proof of the Chicago River on shamrock story, isn’t it more St. Patrick’s Day fun to believe the stories of myth and legend? It makes it Savannah, Georgia also offer huge parades all seem a little like a fairy tale or a fable with and celebrations. These are the largest and a morality lesson. This is why these stories, most well-publicized events, but small to mid likely told by monks, have been passed down size towns across the country and around over the centuries and have become a part the world also celebrate the holiday. of our culture. Let’s face it, the truth can sometimes be a bit boring, and it’s much easier to teach someone a lesson with a cool story. Like many immigrant communities, the Irish that came to America after the potato famine were initially feared and hated by many. They talked funny and practiced Catholicism in a largely Protestant country. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day gave them a way to honor their culture and show a sign of solidarity along with other Irish. They were ridiculed by many, until their numbers grew and it was recognized that they represented a large political vote. Then, everybody became a little Irish. It wasn’t until March 17, 1762, when Irish Soldiers serving in the British Army marched through New York City to celebrate their heritage that the St. Patrick’s Day parade was born. New York City has the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, but it is certainly not the only place to be on St. Patrick’s Day. Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and
May you never forget what is worth remembering, or remember what is best forgotten. ~Irish proverb
It is likely that no matter where you are or what you believe, you will be wearing a little bit of green on March 17. Don’t know of a parade or celebration nearby? Make your own! Gather up friends and have a get together with finger foods (see our great recipes on page 10) or make more traditional Irish fare of potatoes, soda bread, cabbage and Irish stew. No matter what your plans, remember to have a little fun and celebrate the Irish in you, cheers! 12
10 Miler On Saturday, March 17, the USO will host its 7th Annual USO 10 Miler race event which includes a-10 mile race, a 5K and a free Fun Run. The event takes place on Fort Campbell, outside Gate 10, so Civilians can easily access the race. The start and finish will be at Fort Campbell MWR’s Destiny Park (across from the Horse Boarding Stables). The entire Family is invited to participate – you can run, walk, play at the Kid Zone, or be part of a Spirit Team cheering for the runners. The mission of each Spirit Team is to entertain and distract the runners for the 30 seconds that each person passes your location. Spirit Teams can play music, bring noise makers, make signs – cheer for and delight the runners as they pass you. The runners will vote for their favorite Spirit Team at the finish line. There’s no reason to sit at home and be bored – come out and enjoy the day! There are no age requirements for participation in these events but parents are asked to carefully consider the abilities of their children before signing them up to run one of the distances. The VIP Village is back this year and will include a grab and go pre-race breakfast, a hot post-race breakfast, indoor bathrooms and gear check. The location this year has been moved to be near the start/finish line, so guests won’t have to go down and back up the hill. The number of spaces available for upgrade is limited so register today to reserve your spot. Runners and walkers can expect water and electrolyte replacement on the course and at the finish line as well as carbohydrate and protein snacks at the finish line. Visit the Facebook event for updates, additional details and contact information for questions. www.facebook.com/usofortcampbell.
10 Miler $25 Race Fee + $2.50 Sign Up Fee, Now thru February 28 at 11:59 pm. $30 Race Fee + $2.50 Sign Up Fee, March 1 thru 16 at 4:59 pm. The 10 Miler starts at 9 am. The course is hilly but includes several water stations, a portable latrine and cheering stations along the way.
5K $20 Race Fee + $2.50 Sign Up Fee, Now thru February 28 at 11:59 pm. $25 Race Fee + $2.50 Sign Up Fee, March 1 thru 16 at 4:59 pm. The 5K starts at 9:05 am and is an out and back course with cheering stations and one water station.
Fun Run FREE but requires registration no later than March 16 at 4:59 pm. The Fun Run starts at 8:30 am and is designed to introduce an active lifestyle to our kids and others that are just beginning a fitness journey. To register for the event, please visit runsignup.com/race/ky/fortcampbell/USOTenMiler 13
“This is the seventh year for the USO Ten Miler, and the community that follows it continues to inspire me to host a better event each year. The money raised at the event supports the USO mission at USO Fort Campbell and USO Nashville.” ~Kari Moore, USO Center Director
YAI PACKS, IMAGINATION LIBRARY WORK TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE ACROSS U.S. The Fort Campbell Spouses Club will be sponsoring YAI Packs at their V.I.C.E. Night charity event on March 17. V.I.C.E. Night, or Very Important Charity Event, will be held at the Wilma Rudolph Event center from 5:30 pm until 9:30 pm and will also highlight Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as the other charity.
YAI Packs There are around 500 people on any given night in Clarksville who know homelessness can be one of the most hopeless situations a person can find themselves in. If that statistic isn’t startling enough, about half of these are school-aged children and around 25 are veterans, according to Buffalo Valley, an organization that provides listings for resources for the homeless, like shelters and rehabilitation centers. The numbers get worse nationally, with more the 550,000 people experiencing homelessness every night across the U.S. in 2017, 40,000 of which are veterans, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is where YAI Packs steps in and the story gets better. A nonprofit organization founded in Clarksville in January 2016, YAI Packs, which stands for You Are Important Packs, is a ministry aiming to impact the homeless population across the nation by providing those afflicted by homelessness with basic life necessities. YAI Packs also constructs micro homes for the homeless.
The Imagination Library The Imagination Library operates on the core principle that reading should be fun and treated as an interesting activity from a young age. The nonprofit is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income. Country Music Star Dolly Parton started the organization in 1995 in her home, Sevier county, Tennessee, where the organization managed to distribute just under 2,000 books in its first year. Today the Imagination Library has distributed more than 99,000,000 books in four countries across three continents. The Fort Campbell Spouses Club President Erin Walsh said this is the first V.I.C.E. Night to specifically highlight charities and all proceeds from the event’s live and silent auctions will benefit both these organizations. Last minute tickets for V.I.C.E. Night will be sold up until the event. Individual tickets are available for $40, and full table tickets which include a 10-ticket pack are $400. Tickets can be purchased online at the spouses club’s website at FTCampbellSpousesClub.com/vice-night.
3
Blue Jean Ball Trigg County Hospital Fund Raiser - Cadiz Southern Springs Event Center 6 pm gocadiz.com “Instant Zeal” will be performing again this year for the Trigg County Hospital Foundation’s “Blue Jean Ball” fundraiser! Tickets include dinner and dancing.
10
Tried-n-True Pro Wrestling Wilma Rudolph Pavilion - Clarksville 7 pm • triedntruepro.com ‘Art Of War III’ Presented: by Bust Out Bail Bonds Featuring Impact Wrestling’s ‘Veterans Of War’ Crimson and Jax Dane, Tried-N-True Champion Samuel Shaw, Tried-N-True Women’s Champion Jayme Jameson, Crazzy Steve, Madison Rayne, and more.
3-4 11
Tuckessee Hunting & Fishing Expo Wilma Rudolph Event Center Clarksville • Noon - 6 pm tuckesseeoutdoors.com The great outdoors is calling! Join us as we showcase some of the best in boats, trucks and outdoor gear. See Byron Ferguson from Impossible Shots and Calling workshops with Brenda Valentine. Have the kids cast a line in the Indoor Fishing Pond. See the live Birds of Prey exhibit with TN State Parks.
Bloody Mary Festival Track 1 - Nashville • 1 pm thebloodymaryfest.com/nashville-tn-3-11-18 The Bloody Mary Festival is a celebration of the most beloved brunch cocktail and the largest event of its kind. Our mission is to bring together the most innovative and crafty bloody mary mixes, curated by our team of bloody mary aficionados. Join our incredible 14th Annual Bridal Fair brunch party and help crown “The Best Bloody Mary” in your city! James Bruce Convention Center 1pm - 4pm bruceconventioncenter.com/special-events Calling all brides, grooms and bridal party attendees! Join us for our 14th Annual Bridal Expo. There will be tons of vendors, Edgar Cayce Hometown Seminar prizes and games. Ticket prices Pennyrile Forest State Park are $5 online in advance or $10 Dr. J.P. Amontè is the featured speaker. at the door the day of. We look A lifelong student of the Edgar Cayce forward to seeing everyone here! readings. With a Cayce-based philosophy, And of course, congratulations to he integrates healing techniques including all of the brides and grooms. manipulation, massage, therapeutic Beauty & The Beast exercise and nutritional counseling in his Campanile Productions Cayce/Reilly-based Chiropractic and Fort Campbell Blvd Manual Therapy sessions. Hopkinsviile 7pm Kentucky Bunco Bash campanileproductions.com 2910 Fort Campbell Blvd - Hopkinsville • 5pm The classic story tells of Belle, a The 8th Annual Kentucky Bunco Bash! With a weekend young woman in a provincial town, of Bunco, prizes, door decorating and costume contest, and the Beast, who is really a young as well as access to shopping and dining. All proceeds prince trapped under the spell of an from the event benefit the Pink Ribbon Network to enchantress. support women battling breast cancer. 19
4
16-18
8-11
NCAA March Madness 1 & 2 Rounds Bridgestone Arena - Nashville www.ncaa.com/march-madness Some of the best college basketball teams in the nation will be in Nashville for the 1st and 2nd rounds of the national tournament. Be on hand for the upsets, dunks and thrilling last seconds of basketball action in Nashville. Backpacks and Bikers Ride Appleton Harley-Davidson - Clarksville 10am • crossroadsriders.org
17
A ride to help students with school supplies at Rossview Elementary. The ride begins at Appleton Harley-Davidson.
St. Patricks Day Music City Half Marathon Downtown Nashville •8am facebook.com/events/ 193663074525932 This course takes you along the banks of the winding Cumberland River that flows through and around downtown Nashville. There is also a 10k and 5k as part of the event. St. Paddys Pub Crawl Downtown Nashville pubcrawls.com/events/ saint-paddys/nashville/ luck-of-the-irish-pub-crawl Nobody does a party quite like Nashville does. Come on down to the capital of Tennessee for a St. Patrick’s Day bash that’s sure to keep you glowing for years to come. Join the annual St. Paddy’s Luck of the Irish Pub Crawl for a bar hopping extravaganza with all the trappings of a Tennessee floor-shaker. Get on your green garb and get down to Nashville to join in the St Paddy’s festivities.
23-24
International Festival James Bruce Convention Center 4pm Fri • 10am Sat • facebook.com/ifestHopkinsville Take the splendor and culture of dozens of different countries, all under one roof. Enjoy music, dance, history, cultural and interactive fun. Start with your Global Passport and check-in with all the countries represented. Language Lab, World Peace Wall and Multilingual Story Tent are all part of the I-Fest experience.
24
Wettest Egg Hunt New Providence Pool - Clarksville • 11am facebook.com/events/ 151130078980759 Join us at the pool for a not so typical egg hunt! Eggs will be floating or sunk to the bottom of the pool! Children, ages 1-11 including special needs children and adults, can collect eggs, visit with the Easter Bunny and more! Pre-registration required.
26 -29
Spring Break Tumbling Camp American Twisters and Tumbling - Clarksville 9am • facebook.com/events/1935420503444980 While school is out, have some fun! Boys and girls, ages 6-16, can roll, flip and turn their way through spring break at American Twister Tumbling. Pre-registration is required. Eggstravaganzoo Nashville Zoo • 9am • nashvillezoo.org Nashville Zoo’s annual spring celebration is back with egg hunts and Easter treats for children of all ages. The day includes 10 egg hunts for kids, a Zoo-wide hunt for golden eggs, spring-themed games, bounce houses and face painting. Appearances by the Easter Bunny and Zoo mascot Twiga! 20
17-18 31
Music City Irish Festival Riverfront Park • 11am Sat, Noon Sun • musiccityirishfest.com Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Riverfront Park! Music, dance, food and more! Don't miss Nashville’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day Celebration ever! ALL FREE!
On St. Patrick’s Day everyone wants to feel just a little Irish. These drinks will help... Shamrock Juice Cocktail 1
⁄2 ounces gin ⁄2 ounces white tequila 1 ⁄2 ounces light rum 1 ⁄2 ounces vodka 1 ounce Blue Curacao 4 ounces fresh squeezed orange juice 1
Fill a hurricane or parfait glass with ice. Pour in the liquors and top off with the orange juice. Garnish with an orange wheel and cherries.
Honeydew-Ginger Martini 2 ounces vodka 1 ⁄2 ounce Midori 1 ⁄2 ounce Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur 1 ⁄2 ounce lemon juice Dash of Angostura bitters Irish Hammer Shot 1 part Jack Daniel’s 1 part Irish Mist 1 part Irish cream
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice. Pour in all the ingredients and shake until chilled. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the liquors, and shake until chilled. Strain the mixture into a shot glass. Chocolate Leprechaun 1 ounce Irish cream 7 ounces milk 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup Pour the ingredients into a collins glass, and stir well.
Drink recipes and photos courtesy of mixthatdrink.com 22
With many people’s healthful New Year’s Resolutions beginning to wane, National Nutrition Month couldn’t come at a better time. It can be difficult to maintain a good eating pattern with sugary sweets and savory snacks available at every convenience store and grocery you can visit. But with a few simple tricks, those resolutions can stay intact or you can start putting more emphasis on sustaining better nutrition.
Do you know how to read the nutrition labels? This one may come as a bit of a given but labels on packaged foods can sometimes be difficult to discern. Start at the top with the serving size: how large is each serving? Many times, foods will be packaged in pairs, but a serving size 25
will only list the nutritional value for one half of the package, like with a single brick of Maruchan ramen. The label only lists the value for ½ block of the noodles when most people usually prepare the full block for a meal. The nutrients just below the calorie count like fats, cholesterol and sodium are not bad for you, but are better if consumed in moderation. Most health experts recommend keeping fat intake low for better heart health. Finally, make sure the foods you consume contain adequate amounts of the vitamins located just below the black bar under the fats and sodium. These help promote healthy bone structure, heart health and healthy bowel function.
Limit the sodas you drink
Sugar can be one of the most fattening things to consume, and nowhere is it more prevalent in the average person’s diet than in soda. A typical soda contains around 39 grams of sugar, but the American Heart Association recommends only 25 grams of sugar a day at the most for optimal nutrition. According to a Gallup poll conducted in 2012, the average American drinks more than two glasses of soda a day so this sugary drink is the main source of sugar for millions of Americans each day. Limiting the amount of soda you drink in a day can be one of the easiest ways to become healthier and lose that unwanted spare tire.
Drink more water While the average American drinks just about 20 ounces of water in a day, the Mayo Clinic Medical Research Group recommends a person get around three times as much each day. Water helps lubricate and cushion joints, helps effectively rid the body of waste and helps keep your temperature normal. To stay appropriately hydrated, carry a water bottle with you throughout the day. These are cheap, reusable and there’s usually no shortage of a water fountain to refill in day-to-day life. You can also increase your intake of fruits and vegetables like watermelon and spinach which are comprised almost entirely of water in their raw state.
Find healthy and delicious alternatives There are a ton of alternatives to some of your favorite foods that taste just as good as the real thing. For instance, you can use a food processor to mince cauliflower down into rice-sized pieces as a version of the grain with a fraction of the carbs, and use spaghetti squash for a tasty version of the Italian dish with far fewer calories. And for French fry lovers, try baking them in coconut oil for the added benefits of the oil with the same great texture and flavor of the side.
Have everything in moderation At the end of the day, the easiest way to become healthier is to just limit the portion size of meals. You can also help ease your appetite by drinking a full glass of water before each meal or eating a handful of a small snack like nuts or grapes to take the edge off your appetite before dining. Using smaller utensils and plates also helps trick your brain into thinking you have more food than is there and helps you reach the “full” feeling quicker.
New Plac It’s a waffle. No it’s not – it’s a sandwich. Check this out – It’s both! The Artillery Grille opened on March 1, and offers breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday. The menu includes plain waffles, waffles with sausage gravy, breakfast sandwiches made with waffles (instead of biscuits), lunch sandwiches made with waffles (instead of bread), desserts made with waffles...I bet you see the pattern here. We may feature waffles but that’s not all we have. You can also get made to order salads, ¼ lb all beef hot dogs with your choice of toppings, breakfast burritos, fruit smoothies, a yogurt cup with fruit and granola, and more.
When I asked what made The Artillery Grille special, the manager kind of gave me a ‘duh’ look, then smiled to let me know she was teasing me, and said, “the sandwiches are made with waffles.” The selection of lunch sandwiches includes a crispy buffalo chicken, chicken and waffle with your choice of grilled or fried chicken, tuna salad, chicken salad with cranberries, apples and pecans, a vegetarian option, and a turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato (TBLT). Jody Petty, Business Operations Division Chief, explained, “we tried to give our customers both healthy choices and comfort choices when we planned the menu.” Artillery Grille I admit that I’m looking 7121 C Avenue forward to trying all of (Near Campbell Army Airfield) their selections! (270) 798-0766 Maybe I’ll see Hours of Operation you there. Monday thru Friday 7am to 1pm
e s to D i n e As the area surrounding Fort Campbell continues to grow and grow, so do the number of dining options in Fort Campbell, Hopkinsville, Oak Grove and Clarksville. There’s a multitude of businesses that have launched recently with all different styles of food available. Here are a few of the newest restaurants you have to try. At the Chicago Beefhouse in Oak Grove you can get an authentic Chicago hot dog with relish and a slice of dill pickle laid across. The restaurant opened back in September 2017, and started because Owner Paul Belmont “…loved the Italian Beef sandwich, and it inspired me to open up a restaurant,” according to their website. The Chicago Beefhouse is just north of Gate 6 on Fort Campbell Boulevard and is across the street from Luigi’s Pizza, which Belmont also owns. He began his career as a restauranteur in 1985 after settling in Clarksville Chicago Beefhouse following his service in the military, and the Chicago Beefhouse is his latest venture into cuisine. The beefhouse has a dine-in 14968 Fort Campbell Blvd., Oak Grove, KY option, drive-thru for quick lunches and online ordering from their website for Mon - Sat 10am - 9pm, closed Sun even faster service. ChicagoBeefhouse.com 270-697-5323 It’s definitely not an easy meal to eat cracking into crab legs, deshelling shrimp and splitting open lobster claws, but the delicious seafood at Storming Crab makes the work well rewarded. Storming Crab opened in November 2017, and the restaurant is the product of Co-owners and brothers Kevin and Jay Weng, and Chef Sam Weng of no relation. The seafood restaurant serves up most every kind of crab you could want, plus clams, mussels, shrimp and crawfish, always with sides of corn and potatoes. The Weng brothers have Storming Crab restaurant experience prior to Storming Crab and Sam spent years in Louisiana learning exactly how to prepare authentically prepared seafood. 2135 Lowe’s Drive Mon - Thur noon - 10pm, Fri- Sun noon - 11pm So next time you get a seafood itch, make sure to take a few extra napkins and don’t be afraid to dig in to the delicious seafood at Storming Crab. StormingCrab.com 931-802-8988 As one of the most military-positive businesses in the U.S., Mission BBQ brings more than delicious food to the table in Clarksville. They actively contribute funding, service and food to organizations in Clarksville and Nashville like the Clarksville Police Union, Clarksville Fire Fighters, Metro Nashville Police Department and Nashville Fire Department as part of their mission to give back to the nation’s heroes. Mission BBQ opened in Mission BBQ November 2017, and joins the list of Tennessee franchises in Nashville, 2644 Wilma Rudolph Blvd Murfreesboro and a new location opening soon in Chattanooga. The bbq restaurant has all your favorite meats in brisket, pulled pork, turkey and Mon - Thur 11am - 9pm, Fri - Sat 11am - 10pm, pulled chicken to name a few. They also offer catering services for Sun 11:30am - 8pm any size gathering. Mission-BBQ.com 28 931-241-6104
Hop on over and join MWR on Saturday, March 31, for an Easter Eggstravaganza! This free Family friendly event will include egg hunts (by age), a DJ and inflatables. Face painting will be available for a nominal fee. Don’t forget your camera – there will be photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny! The staff from Warrior Zone will be on site with food and beverages available for purchase. We will have several egg hunts by age group and there will be a special area for children age 4 and under. Pre-registration is required for the age group hunts but it is not required for children age 4 and under. There is a limited number of children allowed per age group so register early. Register online at campbell.armymwr.com no later than 2 pm on March 29. Your child must check in at the event and get an arm band prior to being allowed on the field for the age group hunts. Please note - parents are not allowed on the fields for the age group hunts but are allowed in the age 4 and under area. Parents – be sure to help your child check their eggs when they come off the field. Some eggs will contain a slip of paper announcing that egg as a “Golden Winner” and should be taken to the awards area for a special prize. Thank you to our Sponsor, Fortera Credit Union, for helping make this event possible! (Sponsorship does not imply Army endorsement. See AR 215-1, para. 11-8d.)
At the time of writing, we are still working out the fine details. For additional information, please visit our website at campbell.armymwr, or our blog at fortcampbellmwrlife.com.
Steadfastly and Faithfully They saw heavy conflict and casualty. The fought valiantly in the face of the Nazi regime during WWII. And they have continued to leave their mark on the U.S. military even today. The 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion were an instrumental group during the conflicts of WWII, because they helped deliver artillery by parachute, though at first no member of the battalion had jump school training since it was comprised almost entirely of infantrymen. The 377th was initially organized as a reserve unit for the 101st Division in 1921, but were taken out of their reserve status for the European theatre of war in 1942. They were included as an asset to the newly formed 101st Airborne Division at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. After training in the states for a few months following their reactivation, the 377th along with the 101st made their way to Europe for multiple operations across the continent, most famously on D-Day. Initially tasked with the destruction of a German battery of four 122 mm howitzers, the parachute battalion sustained losses of all but one of the their own howitzers and were thus unable to secure the 101st’s northern flank as was originally planned during the June 6, 1944, operation. Following this hiccup, the infantrymen in this battalion decided to fight as infantrymen instead of parachute soldiers and were ultimately able to obtain the surrender of close to 200 German service members with only thirty three men from the 377th.
Following the 377th’s involvement in D-Day, they participated in one of the other recognizable operations from WWII, Operation Market Garden. This operation took place in the Netherlands and sought to capture key points currently inhabited by German troops. As one of the largest airborne operations in the history of the U.S. military, this Operation is famously one example of U.S. military failure during WWII. Operation Market Garden took place between Sept. 17, 1944, and Sept. 25, in the same year and required the 377th to stave off German reinforcements as the 502nd Division made its assault on individual points of interest. What caused this mission to fail however, was a lack of transport planes which limited the number of troops that were able to be parachuted in for the three participating airborne divisions. Commemorated in honor of the service of the 377th during WWII, a monument sits in the lot adjacent to the Don F. Pratt Museum with the regiment’s shoulder patch and motto, Firmiter Et Fideliter or Steadfastly and Faithfully, displayed etched in the marble stone. The 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion was not the flashiest battalion in the army, but their continued, faithful and steadfast service cements their place in the history of Fort Campbell.
30
The local performing art season is starting back up again in 2018 with new performances at both the Alhambra Theatre in Hopkinsville and the Roxy Regional Theatre in Clarksville. With affordable tickets and repeating performances, there’sa little something for everyone to enjoy throughout March. “James and the Giant Peach” at The Roxy Regional Theatre “James and the Giant Peach,” will make its way to the stage in Clarksville throughout March. Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book about a boy, his insect friends and their amazing journey across the ocean on a giant piece of fruit is now a musical for the whole family to experience. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach, and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Tickets are available to purchase at the Roxy’s website RoxyRegionalTheatre.org, and are $25 for adults and $13 for children 13-years-old and under. The play will show at 6 pm on March 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31, and at 2 pm on March 10, 17, 24 and 31.
“Beauty and the Beast” at The Alhambra Sponsored by Campanile Productions, come enjoy a performance of the Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast,” at the Alhambra theatre in March. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out, and if the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. Tickets are available for purchase online at CampanileProductions.com, and are $15 to $23 depending on your seat choice. The production will be shown at 7 pm on March 8, 9 and 10 and at 2:30 pm on March 10 and 11.
As one of the largest sporting events each year, March Madness draws some of the highest viewership of any athletic match with games happening almost every day from March 16, through April 2. Austin Peay’s own Governors basketball team have hovered near the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings all season and could very well make their way back into the NCAA tournament this year for the third time in the last decade. With all the different games happening all at once, it may be difficult to watch your favorite teams throughout March, so here’s a few tips on where to catch the action. March Madness in Nashville? Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena will be one of the few sites hosting the first and second rounds of the tournament on March 16 and 18. Tickets for the games in Music City start at around $200 and are still available for purchase at the arena’s website at www.BridgestoneArena.com. Start online Tickets can be expensive and are quickly becoming scarce, but there are many easily-accessible and affordable options to watch your favorite games. First, check out the games on your phone, tablet or desktop on the official NCAA
website with their livestreams of all games broadcast on CBS at www.NCAA.com. These streams will be available for free on mobile and desktops only, and are available with a cable subscription on TV. The remaining games not aired on CBS will be streamed by TBS, TNT and TruTV and their individual free watch periods expire after three hours. Grab a bite to eat! If you’re really hurting for a method of catching this year’s greatest upset, you need only go for dinner at any sports bar or restaurant in the area for the entire month of March where games will almost assuredly be playing on every available TV. On post come by the Warrior Zone with all the games on their big screen tvs. Off post Buffalo Wild Wings on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard in Clarksville and Fort Campbell Boulevard in Hopkinsville, Overtime Sports Bar and Grill on Mr C Drive in Clarksville, the Tilted Kilt on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard and Old Chicago Pizza on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard are all non-age-restricted spots to grab a plate of wings and dive into the NCAA action. As the tournament nears, keep an eye out for these businesses and more online as they announce their upcoming watch parties