JOY Magazine--Spring 2022

ISSUE 01 / 2022

JOY

chickpea & walnut salad

BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

pea pesto potato salad overnight pan-pressed bagnat

ALL FRESH PACK IT UP!

fresh air, fresh food, fresh fun

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JOY

Hello everyone.

Carrie Ward, the subject of this issue’s Real Life column, is a new very special friend of mind. We met at “Tickled Pink,” a yearly event for the Joy to Life Foundation, and we became deeply connected right away. Carrie is one of my personal heroes. She is strong and courageous, and her faith in God is guiding her breast cancer journey, helping her remain positive in the midst of her tremendous struggle. I know Carrie’s story will touch your hearts and inspire you.

Now that we are headed into spring, JOY contributor Sidney Fry, a James Beard award winner, teaches us how to prepare healthy make-ahead picnic recipes that will motivate you to plan a wonderful outdoor event.

Sidney’s recipes have become very popular with our readers, and I have already tasted the chickpea and walnut salad: It’s delicious! Let me know what you think.

In this issue, you’ll also learn tips on

Photography by Big Dreamz Creative

Two articles in this issue of JOY magazine mean a great deal to me personally. Dr. Pam Strickland has been a friend for many years, and my admiration for her as a person and as a physician runs very deep. I am so proud that she chose to allow JOY to highlight her career and share her expertise as a highly respected breast surgeon. Her article is exceptional in every way!

BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

how to stay healthy, live longer, get better sleep and how laughter can make a big difference in your life.

From start to finish, this issue is a special read indeed!

I want those of you who are not vaccinated to consider getting your shot; and those who are vaccinated, be sure to get your booster! Vaccines save lives and will help put the pandemic in the rearview mirror once and for all.

We appreciate you, our readers, and remember, if you enjoy reading our magazine, please tell your friends about us, check out our website— ourjoymagazine.org, which is full of great articles not in the magazine —and follow JOY magazine on social media. We are extremely grateful for your support!

Stay well, and as always, here’s to Health, Happiness and Joy to Life!

PUBLISHER JTL Publishing EDITOR Joy Blondheim MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Stewart Kornegay ART DIRECTOR Erika Rowe Tracy DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCERS Big Dreamz Creative COPY EDITOR Jenny Enslen Stubbs CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brenda Robertson Dennis, Sidney Fry, MS, RD; Kym Klass, Jennifer Stewart Kornegay CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Big Dreamz Creative COVER CREATIVE Nancy Fields/Big Dreamz Creative Sidney Fry, MS, RD COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Big Dreamz Creative

Joy Blondheim Editor & Co-Founder, Joy to Life Foundation

Joy is published quarterly by JTL Publishing. © 2022 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission from the publisher.

Joy reserves the right to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materials for clarity and space. Joy is not responsible for damage, loss or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts and/or unsolicited artwork. This includes, but is not limited to, drawings, photography, transparencies or any other unsolicited material. Joy does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial. The publishers do not assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Joy is a news magazine with information on health, leisure activities and a healthy lifestyle. Readers are advised to consult their physicians before participating in any sport or fitness activity or starting any exercise, dietary or nutritional program published in Joy.

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JOY TO LIFE BREAST HEALTH BFF DR. PAM STRICKLAND

CONTENT 08 THE DISH

Perk Up Your Picnic

14 FORWARD MOTION Better To the Bone

16 FIT FOR KIDS

A Discussion with Carrie Ward

40 GREAT GOODS Products & Gear

LOL! The Importance of Laughter

22 EVERYDAY JOY

News & Happenings with the Joy to Life Foundation 7

32 REAL LIFE

44 TO LIFE

It’s Only Natural

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BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

FEATURES

AN INTERVIEW WITH

the dish

perk up your

PICNIC (DEPT HEAD) The Dish (HEAD)

Perk Up Your Picnic

Grab your gingham napkins, ditch the dining room and

By Sidney Fry, MS, RD

fetch(DEK) your friends—we have a healthy lineup of make-ahead picnic recipes that are not only hassle-free but pretty Grab your gingham napkins, ditch the dining room

enough for pictures too!—These pressed sandwiches, pesto and fetch your friends we have a healthy lineup of make-ahead picnic recipes that are not recipes only hasslepotatoes and creamy chickpea salad are simple

free but pretty enough for pictures too! These pressed sandwiches, pesto potatoes and creamy chickpea salad outdoor diners.

Plus,and everything tastestobetter served recipes are simple fast and certain delightwhen a small crowd of hungry outdoor diners.

Plus, everything tastes with sides of sunshine and fresh air. So, make a plan to get better when served with sides of sunshine and fresh air. outside withathis moveable feast that you can So, make planmake-ahead, to get outside with this make-ahead, moveable feasttake that anywhere, you can takeanytime. anywhere, anytime.

and fast and certain to delight a small crowd of hungry

BY SIDNEY FRY, MS, RD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BIG DREAMZ CREATIVE

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SIDNEY SAYS: This salad is also versatile. Need a dip? Serve with a side of pita chips. Prefer a hearty toast? Smear over crusty whole grain bread. Looking for a colorful crunch? Tuck it into butter lettuce leaves or pile over a bed of baby spring mix.

Chickpea & Walnut Salad INGREDIENTS: 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon tahini 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 (15.5 oz) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt 1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped 1/4 cup fresh dill 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup feta cheese 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Combine garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, tahini, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl, stirring well with a fork or whisk. Add one can of chickpeas; mash with the back of a spoon. Add remaining can of whole chickpeas, yogurt, dill and parsley, tossing well to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Before serving, sprinkle with tomatoes, cheese and walnuts; toss gently.

Chickpeas dress up well when tossed with a little feta cheese, sweet grape tomatoes, fragrant herbs and crisp-toasted walnuts. This salad is creamy, crunchy, hearty and bright, much like chicken salad but healthier and more affordable. Plus, it comes together in a snap. The yogurt and tahini-based dressing makes a creamy, nutty base that’s lighter than a classic mayo-based spread. Bonus: Chickpeas lend a fiber and protein-packed punch to the whole dish.

SIDNEY SAYS: I like to hollow out the baguette. It not only shaves off a few carbs and calories but also creates a nice cavity for all the sandwich’s ingredients to mingle and marinate.

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Not your average picnic sandwich, this Pan Bagnat is as delightful and interesting as it sounds, a zesty upgrade from your classic Ziploc-packed picnic sandwiches.

It’s the perfect pack-and-go parcel for so many reasons: Not only is it stunningly colorful and wildly tasty, but it’s also best made a day ahead so that its bold, bright flavors have time to meld together; they grow bigger and better the longer they sit.

The Pan Bagnat is like a portable salad niçoise stacked between crusty multigrain baguette.

It’s heavy with heart-healthy tuna, crisp cucumbers, proteinpacked eggs, peppery arugula, vitamin E-rich olives, crunchy bell peppers and pickled radishes, all bathed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Not a tuna fan?

Simply sub in shredded chicken.

The best part? There’s nothing to cook! Prep is so simple and easy. You can load up a set of twin baguettes in about 20 minutes; simply let them sit overnight.

Tote to the park, on a boat, to the beach, in a bike, on a hike, up a mountain or to a tailgate.

OvernightPressed Pan Bagnat INGREDIENTS: 4 large radishes, very thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup) 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup water 1 teaspoon sugar Dash of salt 2 small garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated 2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion 1 cup mixed olives (such as nicoise, kalamata, or green), coarsely chopped

Combine radishes, ¼ cup vinegar, sugar and dash of salt in a small bowl. Add boiling water; let sit 15-20 minutes.

Mix garlic, capers, vinegar and mustard in a medium bowl. Add onion and olives; toss to combine and let sit 8 to 10 minutes. Add basil, 2 tablespoons oil and lemon juice, toss to combine.

Place tuna in a medium bowl. Add ¼ of olive mixture to tuna; toss to combine.

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2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup thinly sliced basil 2 (5-ounce) cans oil-packed tuna, drained 2 (12-inch) multigrain baguettes, lightly toasted 1/2 cup thinly sliced English cucumber 1/2 cup thinly sliced roasted red pepper 2 hard boiled eggs, thinly sliced (optional) 2 cups arugula

Cut bread lengthwise, stopping just before cutting all the way through. Lightly hollow out insides of bread leaving a ½-inchthick shell. Spread olive mixture over top half of baguette. Spoon tuna mixture over bottom half of baguette. Layer cucumber, red pepper, eggs and radishes over tuna mixture.

BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

Wrap sandwiches tightly in foil and weigh down with a heavy skillet, 10 minutes.

Remove skillet and refrigerate wrapped sandwiches overnight.

Before serving, unwrap sandwiches and add arugula. Slice each sandwich into 4 equal portions.

picnic

Update the dressing on your potato salad with a pesto made from spring’s most popular pea. Not only does this mighty vegetable bring vibrant seasonal color to your picnic spread, it also adds another layer of protein, fiber and antioxidants to your potato. A cup of peas has 8 grams of protein and 7 grams of filling fiber, and they lend a rich, creamy depth and texture to the pesto, making it the perfect alternative to a traditional mayo-based dressing.

prep

A few essentials to make your picnic setting ready for fun.

A big picnic blanket or two.

Ideally ones you won’t fret about if something spills.

Reusable melamine plates, unbreakable cups, real silverware plus a few cloth napkins to make things special. Colorful paper napkins can also serve as impromptu plates for nibbles and desserts.

A small knife wrapped in a thick kitchen towel, and a small cutting board.

Trash bags.

If you're not sure there will be a trash can onsite, practice good picnic manners and pack an extra trash or grocery bag to clean up after yourselves before you leave.

Sunscreen and bug spray.

Nothing ruins a fun picnic as thoroughly as a nasty sunburn or pesky mosquitoes.

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The pesto sauce is so easy, too, and works with both fresh and frozen peas. Everything comes together in a food processor and can be made well in advance of your outing. Just toss with the boiled potatoes the morning of your picnic, then pack up and go!

SIDNEY SAYS: Look for baby potatoes for the Pea Pesto Potato Salad.

The peel is more delicate and delicious and is where most of the nutrients and fiber are found. And adding a splash of vinegar to the water helps the potatoes hold their shape while boiling.

Pea Pesto Potato Salad INGREDIENTS: 1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen peas (thawed if using frozen), divided 1/2 cup fresh basil 1 clove garlic, smashed 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted and divided 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese

To prepare pesto, combine 1 cup peas, basil, salt, 2 tablespoons pine nuts, cheese, lemon juice, mustard, 2 tablespoons water and olive oil in a food processor; process until smooth. If pesto is too thick, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency has been reached.

Place potatoes in a saucepan; cover with cold water to 2 inches above potatoes. Add 1 tablespoon vinegar. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain; let stand minutes.

ALABAMA TO LIFE 1310BRINGING

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons water 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 pounds mixed baby potato medley 1 tablespoon vinegar (optional)

Spoon pesto over potatoes; toss gently to coat. Refrigerate until ready to pack or use. When ready to serve, sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons pine nuts, remaining ¼ cup peas and additional basil.

SERVES 8

TION FORWA RD MO

BETTER

TO THE

BONE Good bone health is an essential aspect of good overall health and general wellbeing. And proper nutrition and the right exercise regimen are the keys to keeping your skeleton strong.

With more than 3 million U.S. cases of osteoporosis (a disease that leads to weakened bones) every year, the practices of both exercise and nutrition for your bone health are crucial.

While treatment for this condition can help, osteoporosis is not curable and can last for years or be lifelong – mainly affecting people ages 60 years old and older, although it is common in adults aged 41 to 60.

BY KYM KLASS

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BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

OSTEOPOROSIS IS COMMON IN ADULTS AGED 41 TO 60

BEGIN NOW Osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

But it shouldn’t stop there. Whatever your age, the habits you adopt now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life.

Now is the time to take action: Get enough calcium and Vitamin D, exercise regularly, eat fruits and vegetables, avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.

It is important to maintain bone health because fragile bones, especially our hip bones, can lead to fractures, said Michele Olson, PhD, a senior clinical professor of sport science and physical education at Huntington College.

The statistics on the outcome of a fractured hip are “mind-bending and deserve more attention,” she said.

The mortality rate is about 20 percent for those who have experienced hip fractures. The near-bed-ridden recovery on those who are older weakens the heart and other vital organs to a substantial degree.

BEST BETS FOR BONE HEALTH Exercise, Olson said, is very effective for helping us maintain dense bones. Low-impact walking provides enough vertical force to help us maintain the density of our spinal bones as does higher impact activity such as easy jogging and trail walking, Olson said.

“To maintain good hip density, we need a bit extra such as climbing stairs, hiking up small hills, doing step aerobics or using a revolving step machine where your feet and legs lift up and down as you tackle each step,” she said.

OSTEOPOROSIS ORIENTATION

Keeping a strong core – your glutes, thighs, abdominal and shoulder muscles – is also important and can be done through chair squats, planks, wall push-ups, and water activities, Olson said.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.

“These areas of the body have large muscles that stimulate the bone to maintain its density by squeezing on the bones and moving those key bones that must have good density,” she said. “The muscles you use for squatting and doing planks also help us to maintain our balance so that we don’t fall and break a hip.”

– National Osteoporosis Foundation

SYMPTOMS:

There typically are none in the early stages of bone loss. But as they’re weakened by osteoporosis signs can include back pain caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra; loss of height over time; a stooped posture; and a bone that breaks much more easily than expected.

Other than quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and including exercise—and perhaps medication from your doctor— another way to treat osteoporosis is maintaining good nutrition.

– Mayo Clinic

RISK FACTORS:

Heavy alcohol use and a sedentary lifestyle can both up your chances of developing osteoporosis, but many risk factors are out of your control, including your sex, age, race, family history, and body frame size. Osteoporosis is more common in women of European and Asian ancestry with small frames.

BENEFITS OF STRONG BONES “Our bones provide the support our bodies need to move, from standing, walking, engaging in physical activity as well as sitting and getting up and down,” Olson said. “If you think about it, bones protect our brain. This is what our skull does. The bony ribs protect our heart, stomach, kidneys and other internal organs from injury since our ribs and spine surround and encase these vital organs.”

Bones are also warehouses for calcium: If we get low on calcium in our blood, our heart muscles may not contract properly – so healthy bones can provide that calcium until people get to their next cup of yogurt or glass of milk.

“The research is quite clear that getting the proper nutrition for our bones should come from food sources such as dairy,” Olson said. “Dairy foods also have Vitamin D, which helps our bones absorb calcium. Taking supplements have produced disappointing results. Yet, getting these nutrients from natural food sources works well.”

– Mayo Clinic

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FIT FOR KIDS

IT’S ONLY

N AT RAL ST EP INS IDE T HE STAT E ’S NATURE-INSPIRED MUSEUMS There are so many fun, exciting and educational outings awaiting you and your family in Alabama. Make a plan to visit these natural science museums designed to spark imaginations and ignite inquisitiveness in young minds.

BY JENNIFER STEWART KORNEGAY

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Caves exhibit at Cook Museum.

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N

EW

A DDI T ION

DECATUR, ALA.

T HE COOK MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE This special spot in downtown Decatur is one of Alabama’s newest museums, opening in its current form in June 2019, but it recently earned another descriptor: best new museum in the United States, according to the USA Today 10 Best 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. While it is new, it also has a long history, tracing its beginnings to an insect collection that John Cook originally used in the 1960s to train the team at his business, Cook’s Pest Control. Through the years, additional exhibits were added, and the collections toured the Southeast until they were housed in a permanent facility, the first iteration of the Cook Museum that opened its doors in 1980. Today, the museum has been reimagined, reinvigorated and greatly expanded to include engaging educational (and entertaining!) experiences that teach kids of all ages about the natural world and our place in it. Exhibits include live animals, highlight the wonders of space and explore habitats like our region’s rivers and streams as well as far-flung ecosystems like those of the Arctic.

COOKMUSEUM.ORG

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SEE ‘EM A LL: EX T RA EXPLORATION Visit these kids’ museums and learning centers too.

GADSDEN, ALA.

IMAGINATION PLACE

CHILDREN’S TUSCALOOSA, ALA. HANDS-ON MUSEUM

COMING S OON CHECK OUT AODISCOVER.ORG FOR POP-UP EXHIBITS AND EVENTS

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BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

The Auburn-Opelika area is working hard to bring AO Discover, a children’s hands-on science center, to life.

The organization is currently raising funds to build and fill its facility. With a commitment to spreading STEM education throughout east Alabama, AO Discover has already been hosting pop-up exhibits and events in the area.

Visit aodiscover.org to find upcoming events and see how you can support the museum and help give it a home.

RI TE

FAM

IL

Y FAVO

BIRMINGHAM, ALA.

MCWANE SCIENCE CENT ER McWane Science Center in Birmingham is billed as “the South’s premier science center, aquarium and IMAX Dome Theater.” The museum spans four floors of exciting interactive science exhibits and displays and promises adventures galore with its many imaginative, hands-on activities, all created to spur critical thinking skills and boost inquiry. Exhibits include the Shark & Ray Touch Tank, Demonstration Station, Alabama Dinosaurs, Itty Bitty Magic City and more. In addition, McWane Science Center constantly features traveling exhibits from other famous museums around the world. And, throughout the year, largerthan-life new films on the 5-story dome screen in the John W. Woods IMAX Theater transport you to faraway places.

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S O TD OR

ANNISTON MUSEUMS & GARDENS

U

• MOR

RE O LO

ANNISTON, ALA.

TO EX P

E

This 125-acre complex in Anniston is home to the Anniston Museum of Natural History, The Berman Museum and the Longleaf Botanical Gardens. Uncover the secrets of an African savanna, immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the North American wilderness and unravel the mysteries of 2,000-yearold mummies in the seven fascinating exhibit halls of the Museum of Natural History. It houses one of the oldest ornithology collections in the nation, which features more than 450 specimens of birds, including extinct and endangered species. Don’t miss the children’s discovery room for hands-on experiences.

Permanent exhibits include Dynamic Earth, Sand to Cedars, Attack and Defense and Ancient Egypt. The Changing Exhibit Gallery hosts temporary exhibits produced by the museum and by art councils and museums throughout the country. The Berman Museum shines a light on the past with a massive collection of historic weaponry, art and the intriguing story of the museum’s founders, Farley and Kinne Berman, both spies during World War II. And that’s just inside. Outdoors, the Botanical Gardens boasts azaleas, an array of tropical flowers, an edible garden and miles of trails traversing the forested grounds.

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Joy

NEWS & HAPPENINGS WITH THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

t h a nk y o u f o r y o ur s up p o r t

A SWINGING SUCCESS On October 18, JTL held its first golf tournament fundraiser.

JTL’s Chip In for Breast Cancer Golf Tournament was a hole in one and brought the Foundation some big hits when it comes to raising the money that keeps its good work going.

So many great groups teed up to play and have fun with friends while raising money for the Foundation.

We’d like to again express our appreciation to our sponsor, Brandt McDonald, as well as Wynlakes Country Club for being such a great and gracious host.

And congrats to the winners! The winning team was made up of Troy Stubbs, Richie Beyer, Justin Barrett and Travis Wynn. The Closest to the Pin winner was Chapman Barranco and the Longest Drive winner was Baxter Reaves.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NANCY FIELDS / BIG DREAMZ CREATIVE

everyday

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BIG NEWS: WALK OF LIFE STROLLING INTO OCTOBER

Have you heard? Our signature event, the Walk of Life, is moving to October! After much discussion, the Joy to Life Foundation team decided it makes good sense for all of us to come together to walk/run, celebrate and remember during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On October 15, we’re gonna go big and go PINK, making the 2022 WOL more fabulous and more fun than ever. It may be six months away, but registration is open now, so mark your calendar, set a reminder on your phone or put a note on the fridge for October 15. And now is the time to be thinking about teams, sponsorships and volunteering.

THE “WALK OF LIFE” IS MOVING TO OCTOBER! WE AT JOY TO LIFE THINK IT MAKES SUCH GOOD SENSE FOR US TO COME TOGETHER TO WALK/RUN, CELEBRATE AND REMEMBER DURING BREAST CANCER SAVE AWARENESS MONTH. OUR DATE IS OCTOBER 15TH THE DATE WITH REGISTRATION OPENING ON APRIL 1ST! NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN THINKING ABOUT REGISTRATION OPENS TEAMS, SPONSORSHIPS AND VOLUNTEERING! IN APRIL GO PINK AND GO BIG! AS WE COME BACK TOGETHER FOR THE “WALK OF LIFE” IN OCTOBER, WE HOPE THIS ESTABLISHED EVENT WILL BE BIGGER AND MORE FABULOUS THAN EVER.

10.15.22

– JOY BLONDHEIM, JTL FOUNDATION CO-FOUNDER

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LIVE HERE. GIVE HERE.

everyday

Joy

NEWS & HAPPENINGS WITH THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

GIFTS & GRATITUDE All across the state, The Joy to Life Foundation supports the medically underserved, providing free breast cancer screenings. JTL also supports breast cancer survivors and promotes breast cancer awareness. But the Foundation could never offer all the support it does without the generosity of the businesses, organizations and individuals that support it. JTL is so grateful for the thoughtfulness of these donors and recently added a new one to this growing list.

BLUE SKIES AHEAD

In February, The Alabama Legislative Club, made up of spouses of Alabama Legislators, invited Joy to Life to speak at its monthly luncheon. After JTL cofounder Joy Blondheim delivered her moving presentation, outlining the Foundation’s mission and success (which some members had never heard), the group decided to make a life-saving donation to JTL. They gathered to present a check in the amount of $3,000. Thank you, ladies!

We're so grateful for a succesful end-of-theyear donation campaign made possible by our supporters near and far, big and small. Thank you for continuing (or beginning) to support our state-wide cause.

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GET TO TO GIVE IT ALL ADDS UP It’s now easier than ever to be a part of The Joy to Life Foundation’s crucial work.

From now through May 31, on mywalgreens.com and through the Walgreens mobile app, you can donate your Walgreens cash rewards to JTL. It’s simple.

On the app, go to Resources, Community List and choose “AL Southern” for Community Name. When you see Joy to Life, click and make your gift. On the website, just sign in and scroll down to the “Do good close to home” button to donate. It may not seem like much, but when small sums are put together, the Foundation can do amazing things.

OCTOBER 15

DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY

WE’RE MOVING TO breast cance r awareness month!

We’ve helped over 98,000 get screened one step at a time. Registration opens in April.

Help us

keep the momentum going!

5K Run/Walk&Kids Zone&Party

Joy to Life provides lifesaving mammograms and breast screenings in every county in our state.

Donate Fundraise Volunteer

REGISTER AT

JOYTOLIFE.ORG

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BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

Gre at Ways to find us:

PODCASTS. JOY MAGAZINE. SOCIAL MEDIA. Get news and information in a variety of formats­.

Find them all at joytolife.org.

NEW MERCH ALERT JTL has a brand-new batch of great gear just in time for spring. We’re loving our new SHE tees and tumblers. Both items are perfect-in-pink ways to celebrate the resilience and spark of the strong, special ladies in your life. And our popular pink baseball caps putting a spotlight on breast cancer survivors are in stock too. Check out the JTL shop and grab some today.

SHOP NEW GEAR AND PAST LIFE-SAVING FAVORITES ONLINE AT JOYTOLIFE.ORG

A message to bring even more JOY!

LOOK HERE!

Did you know that in addition to three issues of JOY magazine each year, you can find a wealth of fresh, exclusive content on the magazine’s website? Read compelling personal profile and cancer survivor stories. Discover great places to explore the outdoors and get active all over Alabama. And get your mouth watering with our monthly healthy eating column packed with easy, nutritious and delicious recipes. It’s all online and only at

OURJOYMAGAZINE.COM!

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LIVE HERE. GIVE HERE.

Photography by Big Dreamz Creative

BREAS

T H E A LT Growing up in small-town Mississippi,

H

BFF

Dr. Pam Strickland

Montgomery breast surgeon Dr. Pam Strickland didn’t know a single other student headed to med school. She only knew of a few women doctors anywhere, much less in her circle. She saw it as a challenge, and as a young woman, she was looking for a way to push herself. Today, she’s helping her patients tackle the challenge of a breast cancer diagnosis with both her surgical skills and her straightforward yet soothing bedside manner, leaning on more than 23 years of experience specializing in breast surgery. She’s also a longtime and staunch supporter of the Joy to Life Foundation. JOY magazine chatted with Strickland about her path to becoming a breast surgeon, the latest breast health news and why she stands with JTL and its work.

provides the expert care and calming presence needed to fight the breast cancer battle, proving a formidable foe to the disease and a strong ally for her patients.

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Q+A volunteering at an emergency room one summer during college, and that’s where I got interested in surgery. I scrubbed in and watched surgery on an abdomen gunshot wound, and I was hooked and knew that’s what I wanted to do. So, I stayed in that lane all through med school.

But getting further specialized in breast surgery was just one of those directions that life took me. I went to med school on an Air Force scholarship, so after I was done, I owed the Air Force four years and was stationed at Maxwell AFB. While I was there, I ended up in an administrative position as chief of the medical staff, but that meant I could only do my practice part time. And it was just me, no one to split call with, no backup, so to make it manageable, I decided to narrow my focus. I decided to just handle breast patients.

I would have never said that was what I’d do while I was still in medical school. I remember people even telling me that I might end up doing this because I was a woman, and I didn’t agree.

But then, once I started, I realized

I really did have something extra to offer these patients because I am a woman. It goes beyond my gender though. I’ve gotten feedback that my calm and compassionate demeanor helps patients feel more at peace with their diagnosis, so if I can truly do that, then I want to keep doing that for patients. So, even once I was out of the Air Force and able to concentrate on my practice fulltime, I stayed with breast surgery. I think I am making a difference for my patients.

What have you learned about breast cancer during your time as a doctor?

The main thing I want people to know: Breast cancer is not a death sentence. Most women when they hear it, they think first about losing their breasts, rounds of chemo and losing their hair but also dying.

But that is just not the case. These days, the majority of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at early and treatable stages. I like to tell my patients, this is a problem, but it is a problem we can fix.

Over the past 10 to 12 years, there has been so much come out about mammograms. If you looked at all women who die of breast cancer in the United States in any given

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“

Breast cancer is not a death sentence. These days, the majority of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at early and treatable stages. I like to tell my patients, this is a problem, but it is a problem we can fix.

“

JOY: Why did you specialize in breast health?

Dr. Strickland: I was

-+

L IK EMINDED

MAMMOGRAM M AT H

While there is no doubt that regular mammograms lead to early diagnosis and save lives, exactly when most women should start and how often they should get them have been topics of some debate in the medical community. “For the general population—not including women with a family history of breast cancer—many say mammograms should start yearly at age 45,” Dr. Pam Strickland said. “There is some benefit from doing it at age 40, but younger women have very dense breast tissue, which can make it harder to see, so the likelihood they will get called back for additional tests is higher, and doing that can increase stress and increase costs, so that’s why the recommendation of age 45.”

There has even been some controversy surrounding whether women should do breast self-exams and even whether doctors should. “It’s the same thinking about dense breast tissue, namely, what, if anything can they feel or if they do feel things that are not an issue, does that cause unnecessary anxiety.” But Strickland worries about sending the wrong message. “I think saying stop the self-exams might suggest women don’t need to do anything, and that’s wrong. We need to be proactive, and I think, by checking your own breasts routinely, you get familiar with what your ‘normal’ is,” she said. “Maybe your normal is lumpy, but if it is, you’ll know that and then you will be able to tell if there is a change.

Then you go get that change checked out.”

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Dr. Pam Strickland shared why she has been and remains so supportive of the Joy to Life Foundation. “I support the mission,” she said. “The Foundation fills a need not being met in our community and our state and is doing really crucial work. Joy and the whole organization have done such a great job and not just with the screening services the Foundation provides, but with awareness efforts. That work has really put breast cancer and the needs associated with it on the map and proven a real game changer. Plus, I just really like Joy and Dickie!”

year, about 75 percent of them were not getting regular mammograms when they were diagnosed. So, we do know that mammograms work and are important.

What are the latest advancements in breast health?

From surgery perspective, it has to do with management of lymph nodes. That is the first place breast cancer goes if it spreads, so we used to remove the lymph nodes on that side, and that put patients at high risk of lymphedema, which can be a very big, bad deal. Today, research is showing that removing normal lymph nodes or even those with a tiny bit of cancer really does not improve outcomes.

So, we are moving away from the lymph node part of the surgery these days, and that is exciting for me. I hate doing a procedure I know has a high risk of complications.

Other advances include more genetic testing to look at an individual’s genetic makeup and identify if there are mutations that put them at increased risk of cancer. We used to just do BRAC 1 and BRAC 2. Now, we can look for up to 30 or more mutations. And they are specific to different types of cancer. So that allows us to, in combination with family history, flag people for risk and monitor them more closely or with other tests like MRIs. We can even offer medicines that help lower the risk of breast cancer.

And if the risk is high enough, we can offer prophylactic surgery. All of this just keeps getting better and better; the more information we have the more we can do with it.

I had a patient, a young woman with breast cancer, who had a family history of

gastric cancer, and there is one mutation associated with both. And for those people, the stomach cancer is hard to find, so her risk of dying from that was much higher than from her breast cancer.

Now we know this, and she is a candidate for increased monitoring, for medicines.

In her situation, knowing about this gene makes a big difference.

There are also continuous advancements in genomic testing, where we look at changes in the cancer’s DNA. This is helping us understand cancer itself and allows us to say, “Ok, these types of changes are associated with a high risk of cancer coming back somewhere else in your body. And these changes in the cancer’s DNA are not.” That helps us make decisions about pursuing chemotherapy based on the individual, and what type of chemo to give. It lets us tailor our treatments much better.

Share a bit about your new office and new role with UAB. I was in private practice by myself with one nurse practitioner and two office staff. Then, lots of other breast surgeons in the area retired, and so I kept getting busier and busier, and it was too much. In 2019, sold my practice to the hospital and became an employee of UAB, and I moved into this new office in 2021. I think the partnership with UAB is such a great thing for our community. It has been good for me personally in practice. I’ve also had Dr. Kaitlyn Holmes join me as my partner, and that is especially exciting.

We are so lucky to have her here. She’s young and energetic, shares my approach to patient care, and really cares about what she does.

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A NEW H E A LT H PA R T NER

FIRST-HAND ADVICE AND INSIGHT TO HELP CAREGIVERS COPE

A DISCUSSION WITH

C A R R I E WA R D In 2018, Carrie Ward and her family were still reeling from her husband’s health issues when the news got worse. She learned she had two different kinds of breast cancer and would require multiple surgeries and treatments. Then, after beating her cancer back, as 2021 ended, Ward learned it had returned. In both battles, her fears and worries have loomed large, but her friends, family and the faith she found after the initial diagnosis are proving much bigger.

JOY: Please share a little bit about your initial cancer diagnosis and treatment and your recent diagnosis.

Ward: I had been having peeling of my right nipple for about two years. Nothing had shown up on my mammogram, but I decided to change my OBGYN in 2018 and had my first visit with her in May. This appointment was 10 days after we returned from my husband’s check-up after he’d had a benign brain tumor removed. The OBGYN advised it was not normal and ordered a diagnostic mammogram. The mammogram did not show anything, but I was referred to Dr. Strickland because the radiologist believed I could have Paget’s disease. It was Paget’s disease, a rare form of breast cancer. An MRI showed I had two masses in the right breast as well as the Paget’s disease in the nipple. I had my double mastectomy with tissue expanders placed in September 2018. We waited anxiously for the pathology report to come back, and I was shocked to find out that the two masses (that went undetected in the right breast

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY NANCY FIELDS / BIG DREAMZ CREATIVE

real

HEAR FROM SURVIVORS, COMPANIONS AND CAREGIVERS IN OUR on my mammogram) were Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I learned that day that I would need to see an oncologist because the TNBC was not contained in the two masses in the breast; two of my lymph nodes had tested positive as well.

Fast forward to October 6, 2021: I ended up in the ER with abdominal pain. The CT scan showed a 12mm kidney stone that saved my life because the scan also showed enlarged lymph nodes. My biggest fear of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer coming back was at that moment a harsh reality. After a PET scan and a needle biopsy in November, we met with my amazing oncologist, Dr. Davidson, on November 29 to discuss the results. He came in the room with that precious smile that he always has, sat down in the chair next to me, patted my leg and told me that the breast cancer was back, and that I would need to have treatment again. It wasn’t in any organs or my bones, and an MRI confirmed it had not spread to my brain. Tests showed the cancer cells were PDL-1 positive, which was a good thing to be positive for because that means I am a candidate for immunotherapy.

What was your first thought when you heard the diagnosis in 2018? I had to push

through the appointment with the new neurologist at UAB and then the whole way home I was thinking, “I have a sick husband who at that time could not drive, a 19-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. Who is going take care of me? How can this all be possible? I went through a short phase where I was mad at God. How could this possibly work out? Little did I know what a God blessing this journey would be.

What about your reaction to the recent news? It was time to suit up with the armor of

God and summon all my prayer warriors because we were going to battle again, and this battle was no different than the first. This may have caught me by surprise, but it had not caught my God by surprise. He was already in the details.

“MY

Real Life SECTION.

What forms of help and support really stood out in your first battle?

I reached out to the Joy to Life Foundation to get contacts for people when I needed assistance. When it came time to look for a wig, I could not find anything in the area. Then I found Breast and Body Health Boutique right in our own backyard in Wetumpka. Natacha there was so helpful. We tried on several wigs, and she even helped me out with a mastectomy bra and gave me some puffs to fill in the bra until my expanders were filled and I had my exchange. I left that day feeling so uplifted. I had wigs that were going to keep me looking like a woman after I started chemo and would lose my hair, and I also had bras with puffs in them that gave me some cleavage that I needed to feel confident in myself again. The only good part of the hair loss was I didn’t have to shave my legs for five months.

Was there anything that anyone did that was extra special?

Friends and family prepared meals and ran errands. One of my friends did five bags of laundry for me and brought them back folded nice and neatly so they could be put away. I received random care packages in the mail from friends who were local and a previous neighbor who now lives in Georgia. I received a pair of breast forms to put in my bra anonymously in the mail that came with a letter from a group of ladies that crochet each set. Every time I turned around, there was some form of encouragement. I truly believe that only came because people were aware what I was going through because I was very transparent in my journey. To fight this battle and thrive—not just survive—you must set your pride aside and let down your guard and be transparent so people will know what you need.

BREAST CANCER JOURNEY LED TO MY SALVATION.

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”

CR E AT E A POSITIVE M I N D S E T.

What did you do for yourself that most helped you cope? My breast cancer journey led to my salvation. The morning I

had my double mastectomy, I was laying on the table in the Radiology Dept. at Baptist South awaiting the injection of the dye for the sentinel node (no one prepares you for that or mentioned it prior to this moment—OUCH!!!). I was laying there alone, and I felt God’s presence like I never had before. The Holy Spirit was telling me I was not alone in this journey, I just needed to pray and ask Jesus into my heart, and he would walk this journey with me for the remainder of my life. I prayed the sinner’s prayer right there on the table and received my salvation. It was after that moment that I had a crazy peace about this whole journey.

I did not worry about lab results or tests like I used to; I just had a peace that could only come from God. We created a “war room” with a comfy couch and soft lighting that I could sit in when I got home each day to rest and recover after treatments and after a long day’s work. A friend helped me start a healing tank, a fish tank with glow fish in it that was so soothing to sit and watch.

I met with a group of sweet friends each weekday morning, and we read through the Bible. Find a church and get plugged in; they will help you walk through this journey. My church, Crossroads Community Church in Elmore, was phenomenal about taking care of my family and me.

How are you feeling both physically and mentally now?

I have worked full time through this season of treatment as I did the previous one. I leave work early to go and have chemo. I like to refer to it as my weekly expensive nap and snack. I look forward to seeing my treatment nurse each week. There is something really trusting about letting someone give you drugs that seem like they take you to the brink of death each week and then they bring you back. I am tired—I have had to accept that some days I need to rest whether or not Carrie wants to. I am blessed to work for an organization that not only cares about the work I do, but truly cares about me.

Mentally from time to time I struggle. I get depressed because I don’t do “still” well, and when I don’t have the energy to do the things I want to do for others or myself I get frustrated. As a believer, prayer is something that is very important to me and that also helps with my mental health through this battle and really life in general. I also have a group of prayer warriors that I can shoot a text message to and ask them to pray for me, and I know they are interceding on my behalf when I don’t have the words to pray. Another thing that helps me mentally are the random encouraging things that people will send me via text to let me know they are thinking of me.

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THE WRITE ADVICE

For others undergoing cancer treatments, Carrie Ward recommends journaling, noting how therapeutic chronicling her thoughts was. “Journaling was one thing through this journey that really helped me out. I could write down those feelings that I couldn’t share with anyone else. It was such a stress relief to put my thoughts and emotions on paper. It allowed me to write down my prayers, and then I could look back at those prayers and see how God moved. It is also a great thing that I go back and read from time to time to remind myself of how far I have come and how blessed I have been.”

She also advises speaking up! “If you are having side effects from your cancer treatments, don’t be afraid to talk about them with your care team because they cannot help you with it if you don’t tell them. I spoke up and shared that I was having awful tummy troubles on Saturdays and Sundays and adding IV fluids on Saturdays for me made a world of difference. Speak up to get help; don’t suffer! Also don’t be too prideful to let people know what you need.”

And make sure your caregiving team has the support they need too. “Find people for your spouse and kids to talk to as well,” she said.

They too are scared and are trying to process things, and watching someone they love go through a battle of this magnitude isn’t easy.”

FA M I LY M AT T E R S

SUPER SUPPORT

Caregivers are a part of the process too when a patient receives a diagnosis. Carrie and her family offer their advice on loving each other well through treatment.

Be there to listen:

Listen to their fears, listen to their hurts.

Help them start a binder:

A notebook or binder with records of their appointments, their cancer marker levels, etc., is a helpful tool during the treatment process. You must learn to be an advocate for your health, and the best way to do that is to have the information at your fingertips.

Create a shared calendar for appointments:

Sharing a calendar (online or paper) keeps everyone aware of upcoming appointments, tests and procedures. There is no other type of busy than a momma/wife fighting breast cancer busy! It really takes a village.

Create a positive mindset:

I fully believe that is what helped me in my battle. I stayed in a positive mindset as did my friends and family. We could not wait to start planning my survivor party. My first Friday with no chemo was Good Friday 2019. It was indeed a good Friday.

From Carrie's son:

Keep your loved one with cancer motivated. Keep them involved in some crafts or hobbies they enjoy to get their minds off the cancer.

From Carrie's husband:

Be understanding and patient and realize that some days are going to be better than others. Rest when the patient rests.

From Carrie's dad:

Be there to support them in whatever need they have. Give them your time and try to be understanding. Be prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions along the journey. Harvard Medical has a great book you can download for caretakers.

From Carrie's daughter:

Pray and have faith, even when it is hard.

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Carrie Ward shared the significant support she found in Joy to Life Foundation staff.

“In September 2018, after my double mastectomy, my first non-doctor appointment outing was the Joy to Life ‘Tickled Pink’ event. A friend blessed my mom, husband and me with tickets and took us there. I received so much information about how to navigate this journey, but the big moment came when we ended up at the Joy to Life booth.

There were smiles and so much encouragement. I met co-founder Joy Blondheim, who gave me a survivor shirt and said, ‘Set this aside, and when you win this battle, wear this shirt.’ She also introduced me to Jackie who was an eight-year TNBC survivor at that point. We all exchanged numbers, and they said when I had questions, I could reach out. Many people say they’ll be there to help, but really aren’t. They were. I was surprised that the first time I had a question and I called, I did not get someone who took a message or sent me to a voicemail. It was Joy herself. She was so happy to hear how my journey was going and so helpful to answer questions I had."

HOW TO LIVE LONGER Nobody lives forever, but you can add some time to your ledger and help ensure you remain healthy and active for more of your years with these simple-to-implement steps to take and habits to create.

BY JENNIFER STEWART KORNEGAY

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STEP ONE:

Since man came to understand his own

MANAGE STRESS

mortality, the human race has been looking for a way to cheat death. For hundreds of years, explorers searched

You likely can’t completely rid your life of stress, but you can learn how to cope with it in better ways. Stress itself isn’t what wrecks your health and wellbeing. It’s your view of it and reaction to it that are truly the issues. The key is to reframe short-term stress and see it as something we all deal with — thus, somewhat inevitable — but something you know you are prepared to face and able to tackle. By seeing stress as manageable, you’re more than halfway to making it just that. With this perspective shift, some health professionals claim you can transform the raw power of short-term stress into a positive. Treated this way, stress can actually be energizing and motivating. It can boost your memory, even improve your immune system response. There is a distinction between short-term stress and chronic stress. Ongoing stress or holding onto what could be (should be) short-term stress can bring on unchecked anxiety and even depression. There are multiple techniques, including meditation and mindfulness, to deal with this unhealthy stress.

Take the time to explore them and find what works for you.

in vain for a fountain of youth. In just the last century, “snake oil” salesmen traveled our country peddling miracle tonics that promised to help you put off meeting your maker. Today, scientists and doctors look for cures and treatments to stop various diseases from killing us. While the current pursuits of the best and brightest minds in healthcare are needed and laudable, the fact remains, we will all expire at some point. But there are plenty of preventative measures we can all take on our own that can extend our life and keep us healthier for more of our time here on earth.

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BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

STEP TWO:

STAY STRONG We all know by now that routine exercise is good for our physical and mental health. But as we get older, an injury can sideline us from not just our workout but other daily activities too and lead to a whole host of other health problems. That’s why it’s essential to implement proactive measures to avoid a serious sprain, muscle tear or bone break. First, periodically evaluate your exercise plan and modify it if needed.

An effective workout for you may no longer include a long, grueling session at the gym. Second, don’t forget to include activities and movements that increase your muscle mass; staving off muscle loss goes a long way in preventing injury.

Third, consistency is key: Look for ways to stretch and stay active in small ways throughout your day, particularly if you have a sedentary job. Take regular short breaks from sitting at a desk or computer by taking a short walk every few hours.

STEP FOUR:

GIVE OF YOURSELF If you’re always and only thinking of yourself, you’ll stay drained. It may sound counter-intuitive, but the more you think about and serve others, the more fulfilled you’ll feel. See above for why fulfillment is integral to good health and longer life.

STEP THREE:

SEEK PURPOSE & PEACE

Having a reason to get up and go is motivating, but this applies to more than the event or activity you have waiting for you on any particular day. Feeling that you have a reason for being alive contributes to a happier and healthier life. Not sure what your purpose is? Then clear your calendar and make figuring that out a priority. But remember, fulfillment isn’t a one-size-fits-all sentiment; it’s highly personal. And, it comes from different sources at different times in our lives. There doesn’t have to be a constant. Ask yourself: What do you love doing? What activities are rewarding? What are your strong suits and talents? Who do you love? Often, some combination of the things that come to mind when you pose these queries can point you in the right direction.

While most of us would love to live longer — it’s why you’re reading this article — to do it, you have to endure getting older. But that’s ok. Aging isn’t a scary concept if you age well.

Take the tips above to heart, and you’ll be on a better path to accomplish it.

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STEP FIVE:

FIND YOUR PEOPLE Surrounding yourself with good friends — people who challenge, encourage and support you —is vital to wellbeing, which is crucial for a long life. Strong social ties contribute to our sense of purpose too, so they help you achieve No. 3 on our list. And loneliness is a lifesucker for sure. The best way to fight that is to hold onto old friends as often as you can, and never stop making new ones.

Don’t Delay!

COVID-19 has changed many things—the need to have Do it for Yourself! regular cancer screenings isn’t one of them.

Do it for your Family!

Call your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment today!

LEARN MORE ABOUT CANCER SCREENING DURING COVID-19.

Visit our website at: www.alabamapublichealth.gov/cancer

great

goods

PRODUCTS, PLACES & THINGS WE LOVE

GRITTY & GOOD Dothan native chef Kelsey Barnard Clark owns KBC restaurant in downtown Dothan and made big headlines in 2019 when she was named the winner “Bravo’s Top Chef,” making her the first Southerner to earn the coveted title. The popular television show introduced the world to Clark’s signature kitchen style—a fresh take on Southern classics—and her recently released first cookbook “Southern Grit: 100+ Down-Home Recipes for the Modern Cook,” brings this philosophy to the home cook. She’s described the book as a love letter to the South, and the volume is packed with stories and memories, kitchen skills and tips for entertaining, plus recipes to create sips and dishes like Bourbon Cider Mimosas, Sorghum & Pecan Sweet Potatoes, Butter Bean Hoppin’ John, Marinated Crab Claws and OG Buttermilk Biscuits.

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TIME FOR TEA Becca Gardner can’t remember her first sip of tea, but she knows she’s loved it ever since and has strong recollections of having hot tea with her mother, stirring up rousing conversations over a cup of tea at a favorite tea-shop study spot in college and then learning more about the drink’s health benefits. In 2014, she and her husband Jonathan put this passion to work and founded Tea Town Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The couple’s goal is to create loose-leaf teas made from honest, homegrown and wild-harvested ingredients, including locally grown herbs and fruits (many from their own garden) and organically grown teas.

She stressed the powerful preventative punch they can pack. “When you add more plants to your plate, or cup in our case, you are lowering risks for a variety of health issues. Drinking (or eating) a variety of plants can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, decrease your risk for heart disease and cancer, heal and strengthen your nervous system,” Becca said. Tea Town strives to create combinations that pair well together, like its Folk Remedy tea, which contains echinacea to help boost your immune system, sage to soothe the throat, rosemary to clear congestion, hibiscus for a dose of vitamin C and oatstraw and red clover for its high nutritional content. Becca’s personal faves change with the seasons but include the lemon zip of Sunnyside, the warmth of Roasted Cinnamon and the minty My Sweet Roselle. Find your favorite at teatownalabama.com.

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MOTHER NATURE AS MUSE Margie Whatley has always been an artist, originally painting with oils and watercolors, but when she took pottery classes with her daughter, she discovered a new medium to love. After making wheel-thrown pieces for a while, she moved into hand-forming clay, finding this technique offered more creative expression.

In 2018, she started her business, MW Designs, and the porcelain jewelry she’s now hand-making is catching eyes and catching on. Her earrings and pendants range from clean-lined geometrics to shapes mimicking Mother Nature — think crinkle-edged leaves and rounded flower petals — in earthy hues like watery blue, sage green, mushroom brown and tawny amber, often accented with 22k gold. It all began with her affinity for the outdoors. “I’ve always enjoyed foraging outside, so it was natural for these things to find a way into my work,” Margie said. “I love to use plants from my garden like lavender, rosemary, mint, sage and thyme, and to use leaves and different types of ferns which grow naturally down by a stream behind our house. Thanks to nature, there is an endless variety of design ideas.” And the colors of every piece are one of a kind. “The various colors happen from combinations of glazes and pigments and how they react between each other, along with where they are located in my kiln,” she said. “Heat does the work and creates the magic. No two pieces are exactly alike, even if I try to duplicate them.” Find MW Designs jewelry at The Local Market in Auburn’s J&M Bookstore, look for her at local craft fairs and other events, or message her on Instagram (@margiewhatley) to buy from her directly.

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GO AHEAD,

LAUGH IT UP!

A hearty cackle, some girlish giggles or even a rambunctious roar can quickly lift your mood, and more positive thinking reduces the stress that can wreak such havoc on our physical and mental health.

But most adults laugh so much less than kids. One recent study found that healthy children laugh as much as 400 times each day, while adults only laugh about 15 times a day.

So, how can you up your laugh quotient? Try these tips to find the funny: Watch a funny movie or TV show.

They’re not just for kids, so read the funny pages.

Seek out funny people.

Play with a pet.

Go to a “laughter yoga” class.

Goof around with your children.

Make time for fun activities (e.g., bowling, miniature golf, karaoke).

BY BRENDA44ROBERTSON JOYTOLIFE.ORG DENNIS

FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT!

And several medical studies have proven that even an insincere smile or forced laugh can still provide benefits.

DON'T FORGET TO LAUGH TODAY

Of all the quirks that come with being a human being, laughter has to be one of the most interesting. Have you ever met anyone who just really doesn’t care to laugh? How many times have you watched someone break into a full-blown laughing fit and found yourself joining them without even knowing what it was you were both laughing about? Laughter travels faster than any infectious germ. But instead of making us ill, it actually heals us. It can break the ice between strangers, ease bad feelings between friends and family, and even trigger healthy physical changes in our bodies. Psychologist and humor research pioneer, Dr. Paul E. McGhee has said, “Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.”

But what if you don’t feel like laughing? What if you have just received the horrible news from your doctor that you or a loved one is battling a disease? Experts say that this is the time you most need to keep your sense of humor in good working order.

Dr. Bob Avery, an oncologist with the Montgomery Cancer Center and author of “Medicine Free: How Food IS Your Medicine” (Amazon.com), advises

POWER IN THE PUNCH LINE

his patients to participate more in activities that help relieve stress. “Stress is very bad for you,” he said. “It causes increased levels of corticosteroid hormones, which in turn has many negative health effects. There is almost no organ system that is not negatively affected by chronic stress.

But there are many ways to treat it, and humor is one of the best. Experiencing something funny and laughing will not only relieve stress and decrease stress hormones; it will also increase the levels of pain fighting and pleasure hormones in your brain.” Avery highly recommends humor therapy as an effective way to relieve stress and alleviate pain.

Avery has witnessed, first hand, the effects that humor and laughter have had on his patients over the years. “I had a patient who was 92 years old and had metastatic prostate cancer,” he said.

“When diagnosed, a physician told him that he only had six months to live. As I worked with him and his family, talking and laughing were always a part of our interactions. They always felt better after leaving the office, which is funny to think that someone would feel better after leaving their oncologist and receiving chemotherapy.” Avery’s patient went into remission. “I think the humor and the positive outlook helped to keep him alive longer than expected,” said Avery.

Laughter helps the pituitary gland release its own painsuppressing opiates, lowers blood pressure, increases vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood, increases the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells and much more.

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There is

NO SAFE

LEVEL

of exposure to

SECONDHAND

SMOKE

alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco 46

BRINGING ALABAMA TO LIFE

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AMERICA’ S BEST MAMMOGRAM IMAGING CENTERS RIGHT HERE IN THE RIVER REGION. Montgomery Breast Center and Baptist Breast Health Center have once again been named a 2022 Best Mammogram Imaging Center in America by the Women’s Choice Award, a trusted referral source and a coveted credential that identifies the nation’s best healthcare based on robust criteria that includes clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditations. Where you choose to have your mammogram makes a critical difference in detecting breast cancer at the earliest stages.

Schedule your next mammogram close to home at one of America’s Best Mammogram Imaging Centers.

BAPTISTFIRST.ORG

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