SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2022
8 | MAURY COUNTY LIVING | SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2022 TABLE OF Contents 11 FOREST SPORE A MUSHROOMING BUSINESS 16 SPECIAL RESTAURANT FEATURE — SAVOR THE MOMENT 25 PARISIAN CULINARY DELIGHTS CHEZ BABETTE MACARONS 29 ATE-Y WAYS AROUND THE WORLD IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE 36 CHICKEN GUY! FLAVORTOWN DELICIOUS 41 COMING TOGETHER TO SHARE A MEAL 45 THE MOST VERSATILE ROOM IN THE HOUSE 51 DREAM BIG THEN BUILD IT 56 BEAT SHAZAM — A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME THRILL 62 GRAYING GRACEFULLY 67 SERVING IN STYLE 74 FINDING FOREVER HOMES 79 FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS ON THE COVER: FOREST SPORE PHOTO BY BRADEN PARSONS 11 16 25 56 793629
FOREST SPORE
B y William Harwood
PHOTO BY BRADEN PARSONS
A MUSHROOMING BUSINESS Lion’s Mane and Chestnuts and Oysters, oh my! If it seems like the popularity of these environmentally friendly, nutritionally dense, and fantastically flavorful superfoods is well, mushrooming that’s because it is! Gone are the days in which you could have any type of mushroom you wanted as long as it was a white button, grown on a commercial scale, on some industrial “farm” far away. Now, thanks to the entrepreneurial initiative of local folks like JT Ward of Forest Spore in Columbia, we have easy access to a wide variety of organic mushrooms delicacies like Black Pearls and Shiitakes that are not only delicious, but nutritious as well.
TIP: Goes great with a homemade remoulade sauce for dipping!
STEP 4 Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a cast-iron skillet on medium heat. Take each mushroom ball and gently flatten it with your hand to form the cake and place it in the heated skillet. Cook each cake for approximately four minutes on each side and until golden brown. Squeeze a little lemon juice on for added zest and salt and pepper to taste.
REMOULADE SAUCE INGREDIENTS n 1 cup mayonnaise n 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice n 1 tablespoon minced chives n ½ teaspoon garlic powder n 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard n 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce n 1 teaspoon smoked paprika n 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning n Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients until well combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour so the flavors combine, but it can also be served immediately.
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STEPDIRECTIONS1 On medium heat sauté minced scallions with two tablespoons of olive oil. Chop Lion’s Mane mushrooms into quarter-sized pieces and add to the pan. Gently sauté until the mushrooms are fully cooked and most of the moisture has been released, approximately 12 minutes.
TIP: If you want to spice it up a bit, add 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
LION’S MANE NO-CRAB CAKES RECIPE COURTESY OF FOREST SPORE n ½ pound Lion's Mane mushroom n 1 scallion minced n 4 tablespoons olive oil n 1 egg n ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs n ½ cup Panko breading n 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning n 2 teaspoons garlic powder n 1 teaspoon onion powder n 1 teaspoon salt n 2 teaspoons of pepper n 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped n 1 tablespoon almond flour n Zest of a lemon INGREDIENTS
STEP 2 Remove from heat and strain in a colander to allow the moisture to be removed. Allow the mushrooms to cool.
STEP 3 In a separate bowl add breading, spices, and mix. In another bowl, whip the egg. Once the mushrooms have cooled, dry with a paper towel if moist then combine the mushrooms to the breading mixture and add the egg. Thoroughly work all ingredients together and start forming each cake into a tennis ball size.
Plancha beets and goat cheese crema salad with pumpkin seeds
Since then, he has climbed the ladder working at well-respected establishments such as Abruzzi as Chef de Cuisine, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch as a Sous Chef, and as Executive Chef of Goose & Gander in Napa Valley. Additionally, Nic is also a Certified Sommelier and according to Food & Wine, Nic’s dishes “epitomize a menu that brings together impeccable ingredients, smart technique, and old-school deliciousness.”
HEN HOUSE PHOTOS BY ROSS JAYNES VISUAL MEDIA CO.
Patatas Bravo — potatoes, green onions with a spicy red sauce and aioli Street corn on the cobb — elote sauce, local farm cheese, lime, chili, cilantro
17MAURYCOUNTYLIVING.COM | HEN HOUSE FOOD TRUCK COLUMBIA (931) 982-8726 | henhousetn.com
Working from a list of local suppliers Chef Nic and Jada are bringing the freshest ingredients possible to the Hen House so he can create delicious healthy comfort foods. Utilizing local organic providers as much as possible, produce has been sourced from Allenbrooke Farms, which is certified organic and located in Spring Hill. Proteins will come from Taylor Family Farm in Ethridge, and True Blue Farm in Culleoka, providing 100% non-GMO pastureraised chickens and farm-fresh eggs. The Noble Springs Dairy, a grade A goat dairy and artisanal goat cheese-making operation, is the perfect source for Nic’s dairy items.
Brick
saucechimichurrianChickenGrilledwithavocado
The current seasonal menu features mouthwatering protein options like Brick Grilled Chicken or Smoked Turkey Leg. For salads, the appetizing and colorful Heirloom Tomato & Stone Fruit or Plancha Beets & Goat Cheese Crema are sure to please and loaded with flavor. Looking for the perfect healthy sides, try the delectable Sauteed Mushrooms, Garden Radishes, or the Patatas Bravas. In addition to the food truck pop-ups, the Hen House will be offering catering, grab-and-go items, and is available for hire at private events. Visit henhousetn.com for additional information and follow them on social media at @henhousefoodtruck for seasonal menu information and where to find the pop-up events.
There’s a new food truck in Columbia, the Hen House, and it made its debut on August 15 offering farm-to-truck clean healthy locally sourced food. The husband-and-wife team, Nic and Jada Jones, recently moved to Tennessee from California and wanted to offer sustainable healthy comfort food but did not want to start with a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The next best thing is a food truck of course, and as Jada said, “We thought a truck would be a little different and a lot of fun to take to various places to meet people in the community.” Nic and Jada are both very passionate about wellness and eating as clean and organic as possible. That became a challenge for them so they decided to tap into Nic’s expertise and culinary experience to create and merge health-conscious comfort food with a seasonal menu that will be sourced locally for the truck’s menu. Nic has been a chef for 24 years and in 2021 was named Best Chef in Napa Valley. Growing up with an Italian mom and grandma, he spent a lot of time in the kitchen with them. At 16 he graduated high school early and took his first job washing dishes. With his mom’s encouragement, he later enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena. This allowed him to expand his cooking skills and his first big culinary job was with Wolfgang Puck Catering.
JJ'S BARBEQUE 900 HATCHER LANE • COLUMBIA (931) 381-3463 | jjsbarbeque.com
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The secret of the moist luscious North Carolina-style barbeque at JJ’s is a simple fact they smoke it for 18 hours. Owner Julie Webster, said, “That’s really what makes the difference. It’s smoked using hickory for a very long time at a low temperature with a homemade barbeque rub using a secret blend of spices. You will definitely taste the rich flavor in the moist meat. It’s delicious!” For those wanting other meats options, no worries. Turkey and beef are also available as is catfish. The pulled turkey and beef are roasted overnight in the oven and are just as mouthwatering and delicious as the pork.
Giant loaded baked potato — Smoked meat potato with pork topped with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions.
The very first menu JJ’s offered was small and limited but featured basic barbeque and sides such as baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. Over the years the menu expanded adding house favorites like giant loaded baked potatoes, sloppy joe sandwiches, meatloaf sandwiches, smoked chicken wings, and desserts. Last year buffalo chicken was added and has become a huge hit. The sides are all house-made as is the Alabama white sauce which is very popular. “We make everything homemade. We grind the cabbage for the coleslaw, dice the potatoes for the cheesy potato side, and even make the salads fresh. Everything is truly homemade and that's a bit unusual for restaurants nowadays,” Webster said.
JJ’s Barbeque also prides itself on its excellent customer service. The customer service is top-notch, and the staff is friendly and helpful to all their patrons. They make you feel like family and are looking forward to serving the community yummy food for another 25 years! To order online visit jjsbarbeque.com or stop by and dine in. Follow them on social media at @jjsbarbequeofcolumbia and give them a shout-out when you do. WE MAKE EVERYTHING HOMEMADE. WE GRIND THE CABBAGE FOR THE COLESLAW, DICE THE POTATOES FOR THE CHEESY POTATO SIDE, AND EVEN MAKE THE SALADS FRESH. EVERYTHING IS TRULY HOMEMADE AND THAT'S A BIT UNUSUAL FOR RESTAURANTS NOWADAYS.
Founded in 1998, JJ’s Barbeque is the oldest family-owned BBQ restaurant in Maury County, and for good reason. Barbeque is an experience, where you can taste and smell the smoke in the meat, and JJ’s Barbeque is out of this world!
JJ’s Barbeque first started in a gas station in Columbia that is no longer around, but continues to be a family-owned and operated business. Webster’s son Chris has the task of managing the smoker, daughter Sarah is the manager, and her husband is the business consultant, behind the scenes helping Webster with everything and anything she may need. Another reason for the success and longevity of the business is that Webster herself is a very hands-on type of owner. “I'm a very present owner, which has made a big difference over the years to our success,” Webster said. Being in business for nearly 25 years these days is almost unheard of and a huge accomplishment proving Webster’s philosophy and work ethic are true.
Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos with white beans and seasoned fries
The duo selected Columbia because Mcgee, an avid music fan, used to frequent CITIES and Bistro 822 in Columbia, both live music venues that have since closed. The duo liked what Columbia downtown offered and at the time they were searching for a location, Bistro 822 closed. Mcgee explained, “The main reason we wanted the space at 822 was that there was so much history in the building with the live music and nightlife. We wanted to bring that back to the community along with really good food.” And good food it is! With favorite dishes like Hot Mess Chicken Sandwich, Loaded Whiting Fish Sammich, or Big Shake’s Chicken & Fish Combo Plate, you will be coming back for more.
The first time Amy Mcgee, a baker by trade, ate hot chicken at Big Shake’s in Franklin, she immediately knew it was something special and loved the food. A few years later, Mcgee took Belinda Corkern and her son to dinner there and they also thought it was fabulous. So much so that Corkern’s son got a job there. Mcgee and Corkern both have restaurant backgrounds and were working at Merridee’s in Franklin, but wanted to do something on their own. The logical choice for them was to open a Big Shake’s franchise and in December 2021, Big Shake’s Nashville Hot Chicken opened in Columbia.
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If you are a fan of Nashville hot chicken, then you can bring on the heat at Big Shake’s Nashville Hot Chicken, located off the square in the old Lucille’s building in downtown Columbia. Touting a menu that entices your palate, items like chicken and waffles, jumbo chicken tenders, hot chicken tacos, fried chicken or catfish, and the nationally known shrimp burgers, founder Shawn Davis created, can be found on the menu along with sandwiches and combo plates of Nashville hot chicken.Ifyou haven’t heard the story about Big Shake’s it is inspiring. Shawn Davis, aka Chef Big Shake, started cooking when he was just 12 years old. Years later married with kids, Davis’s 10-yearold daughter decided to become a pescatarian which paved the way for Davis’s first creation, the “Original Shrimp Burger.” Everyone loved it and Davis realized there was an enormous market for beef burger alternatives, so in 2007 he and his wife, Robin, started CBS Foods Incorporated. Davis appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank in May 2011 to pitch his shrimp burgers, which led to Big Shake’s Hot Chicken and Fish flagship opening in Franklin, Tennessee, in 2014.
BIG SHAKE'S NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN 822 S. MAIN STREET • COLUMBIA (931) 398-5060 | bigshakeshotchicken.com Chicken Breast/Leg Quarter side of collard greens
When you stop by 822 S. Main Street for some hot chicken or fish, a beer, and live music, make sure to notice the ‘Made in Muletown’ sign behind the bar and the collage of posters near the stage. These are pieces from Bistro 822 that Mcgee and Corkern kept paying tribute to years gone by. Live music can be heard every Friday or Saturday and check out Instagram to see who’s playing next at @bigshakescolumbia. To view the menu or order online visit bigshakeshotchicken.com and if you are feeling it, order your chicken with heat level Executioner we dare you! n
21MAURYCOUNTYLIVING.COM | A CAUSEWORTHY
live - love - grow
The vision of A Worthy Cause is to build a community of healthy, empowered youth by providing them with a positive space to learn about nutrition, movement, and mindfulness. Too many adults deal with depression, anxiety, and chronic disease in today’s society. A Worthy Cause wants to start talking about these health issues at an earlier age to give kids at the 4th-grade level the tools to understand how to safely move their bodies, eat more nutritious foods, and understand mindfulness techniques to decrease stress. More importantly, A Worthy Cause wants to develop rapport with these students and continue building on those healthy relationships throughout their school years to build a positive community for years to come.
Recently, Climb partnered with Tyler Steigelman, owner of well-known clothing company WorthWhile Brand, and have joined forces to create the nonprofit A Worthy Cause.
During the past two years, Climb Performance Therapies owners, Lydia Fowler MS RD LDN CPT and Brittany Ryan DPT, who specializes in nutrition counseling, physical therapy, and personal training, have been passionately spreading its message on the importance of exercise and plantforward nutrition for a healthy balanced lifestyle.
CLIMB PERFORMANCE THERAPIES & WORTHWHILE BRAND INVITE YOU TO ... Join your neighbors & favorite local businesses for this awesome party full of activities, music, food and brews! October 1, 2022 • 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. 502 N. Garden • Columbia, TN FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: WWW.CLIMBPTNUTRITION.COM
22 | MAURY COUNTY LIVING | SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2022 101 NORTH JAMES M. CAMPBELL BOULEVARD | COLUMBIA, TN factoryatcolumbia NATIONAL EUROPEAN ANTIQUE IMPORTER TO THE TRADE (615) 499-1292 | Vintique.com NATIONAL ANTIQUE BOOK SUPPLIER TO THE TRADE (615) 499-1292 | LeatherBooks.com imagine ... More than sixty years ago, the building hummed of sewing machines and production at one of the largest shirt factories in southern Tennessee. Now fast forward to find this incredible 71,000 square foot industrial facility converted to its present-day grandeur with the original steel windows and doors, an outside deck for music and entertainment, food, gifts, specialty tea, a boutique resale shop, and so much more. There is ample parking, and you can expect the unexpected from music on Saturdays, to rare antiques and treasures of all kinds every day of the week. Plan your day at the Factory at Columbia and experience all these wonderful retail and dining establishments under one roof. WE DO ... Private Events • Markets Meetings and More CONTACT US AT events@factoryatcolumbia.comMOVIESANDLIVEMUSIC FREE childrenʼs movies. (Bring your chairs!) Awesome lineup of top tier live music on our new stage and 15,000 square foot music venue. Stop by for coffee or cocoa from Jerrico Coffee and enjoy the new 10' fire pit.
23MAURYCOUNTYLIVING.COM | AUTHENTIC YOGA STUDIO (Also in Spring Hill) (931) 505-4100 | lotusrisingtn.com AN ARTISAN BAKERY AND CAFÉ (931) 922-8195 | bsaltyandsweet.com MIDWEST TAVERN STYLE THIN CRUST PIZZA (931) 374-1515 QUINTESSENTIAL SOUTHERN COASTAL SANDALS (615) 377-4644 | southernpolished.com NASHVILLE TEA HOUSE, CAFÉ, & TEA BAR (931) 982-6083 | nashvilletea.com STREET TACOS | ARTISAN TACOS | CRAFT COCKTAILS (615) 714-3597 | asylumtacos.com
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Paris is the City of Love the lights are gorgeous at night not only on the Eiffel Tower but the entire city, and the culinary delights, especially desserts, are quite indulgent as the French are truly masters of cuisine. Babette Hunt, aka Chez Babette, has always been passionate about food and the joy she can give to others through her fare.
CHEZ BABETTE MACARONS
Parisian CULINARY DELIGHTS
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THE BEST PART OF THIS NEW ADVENTURE IS MEETING SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND FEELING THAT SAME SENSE OF JOY AT THEIR DELIGHT AT FIRST BITE. I LOVE TO KNOW ABOUT THE OCCASION OR EVENT AN ORDER IS FOR AND AS I WORK AT FILLING THESE ORDERS, I PRAY FOR THE OCCASION AND THOSE RECEIVING THEM.
To Hunt’s amazement, she sold her first macarons before set up was finished. Within an hour and a half, she sold out of all the packaged macarons and began making up boxes from the extras she brought. Obviously, it was a huge success and now Chez Babette Macarons is a regular at First Fridays, set up outside Elia Day Spa on the Square, for all to experience.
Hunt made the decision to move forward and set up a booth at Columbia’s First Friday in February 2022, showcasing Chez Babette Macarons and her handcrafted French macaron delights.
“The best part of this new adventure is meeting so many wonderful people and feeling that same sense of joy at their delight at first bite,” said Hunt. “I love to know about the occasion or event an order is for and as I work at filling these orders, I pray for the occasion and those receiving them.” n For additional information or to order Chez Babette Macarons for your special occasion, follow her on social media at @chez.babette.macarons or contact via email at chezbabettemacarons@gmail.com
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Around the World
IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE B y William Harwood
PHOTOS BY NATHAN ZUCKER AND KATHY FOX
❱❱ NASHVILLE VENEZUELA FOOD
If you don’t know what an arepa is, then the eponymously named Nashville Venezuela Food’s claim to make the best in town might not impress. That is until you actually eat one. Then it impresses plenty. An arepa’s base is masarepa, a type of cornmeal that cooks into cakes soft and smooth and somewhat starchy, but the perfect platforms to hold any number of good things to eat: shredded beef or chicken, fried plantains, yellow cheese, black beans, avocado, cilantro and carrot and cabbage salad. Tying it all together is a creamy jalapeño sauce, the last drops of which on your plate can be conveniently absorbed by the remaining bits of corn cake left between your fingers.
Fried pickles and cornbread, string beans and black-eyed peas, deviled eggs and country ham all washed down, of course, by a big, cold glass of sweet tea. Nothing wrong with classic country cooking; it’s been around a while and, no doubt, it is here to stay. These days, however, classic Middle Tennessee cuisine has some international competition. Thanks in large measure to Nashville’s airport becoming an international one back in the late 1980s, our region has grown increasingly cosmopolitan, providing a home for newly-minted Americans from all over the world. In Nashville, one road in particular, Nolensville Pike, has become famous for its amazing diversity of cultures and international eateries from which to choose. The following are a few of the standouts, highlighting their flavor, flair, and authenticity!
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31MAURYCOUNTYLIVING.COM | ❱❱ GOJO ETHIOPIAN CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT
Come expecting friendly service, the scent of frankincense, and lots of authentic Ethiopian food. This amazing cuisine is served communally, typically on a round tray placed in the middle of the table. Your cutlery is already on the palms of your hands. To help scoop up the savory stews and succulent sauces, the base of the meal is made up of injera, a somewhat spongy, slightly sour, fermented flatbread that is easy to tear into pieces and dunk into the dishes.
As for the dishes themselves, options such as red and yellow lentils and Ethiopian cabbage ensure vegans will be happy. However, if dietary restrictions allow, two words: doro wat. Arguably the most emblematic dish of Ethiopia, doro wat which translates as “chicken stew” in Amharic is nothing like the chicken stew your grandma used to make. (Unless your grandma comes from Addis Ababa.) Doro wat’s punching-above-its-weight flavor profile owes its impact to niter kibbeh, a spiced, clarified butter, and to berbere, a spice blend that typically includes fenugreek, paprika, hot chiles, cardamom, and coriander. If the place isn’t too busy, request the traditional Ethiopian coffee. As much a ritual as it is an extraordinary cup of joe, the beans themselves are roasted and ground in house and served in a traditional jebena.
It is reasonable to assume that most folks here have no idea whether or not they like Uzbek cuisine. It is also reasonable to assume that, outside of Uzbekistan itself, there are few places on the planet better than Nashville to discover the answer. That is because Nashville is home to OSH, a gleaming gem of a restaurant tucked inside a basic strip mall. In early 2022, this place took 9th in the nation on Yelp’s Top 100 list. Not bad for a family-owned restaurant that only opened in 2020! As for the food, Uzbekistan once straddled the Silk Road, the perfect place to blend the flavors flowing back and forth between Asia and Europe. A great way to dive into this cuisine is simply to select from all the courses. For starters, try the lamb somsa, a crispy pastry filled with lamb and onions and spices (above). For salad, consider the vinegret, a colorful combo of diced beetroots, boiled potatoes, onions, pickles and green peas. The lagman soup is next, a tomato-based soup with lamb and vegetables and noodles. The main is osh itself, the most traditional Uzbek dish. It is a heaping plate of rice pilaf with braised lamb, carrots and spices, served with homemade yogurt and achichuk, thinly sliced tomatoes and onions seasoned with spices and basil. Make sure to save room for the irresistible flaky
platter. On it are familiar items such as grape leaves, tabbouleh and hummus, but also some items less familiar: ezme, a mixture of fresh tomatoes, red and green peppers, onions, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and Turkish spices; Baba ganoush, roasted eggplants puree mixed with garlic and seasoned with fresh lemon juice, olive oil and salt; and Haydari, a creamy yogurt mixed with walnuts, garlic, mint, and melted butter. For the mains, consider the tavuk sis, the chicken shish kabob (below), or the adana kabob, chargrilled lamb and beef mixed with herbs and spices. Don’t leave without enjoying the Turkish kunefe for dessert. n ❱❱ OSH RESTAURANT & GRILL
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Now add the Chicken Guy! concept to the mix. Created by the collaboration of Fieri and founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood, Robert Earl, Chicken Guy! was hatched. It was a vision to make exceptional chicken and exciting sauces in a casual, home-style environment that everyone could enjoy. CEO and Co-Founder at FACE, Bucky Mabe, partnered with Fieri to bring a Chicken Guy! franchise to the 2nd Avenue Historic District in Nashville last year. Foodies who have visited have not been disappointed and it’s definitely worth the trip. As guests walk in, a life-sized photo of Fieri on the wall greets them as they walk by towards the counter to order. With its flagship location in Disney Springs® at the Walt Disney World Resort®, Chicken Guy! features one-of-a-kind all-natural, antibiotic-free, never frozen, fresh chicken tenders. The tenders are hand-pounded to maximize crunch and brined in fresh lemon juice, pickle brine, and buttermilk, and infused with a proprietary blend of fresh herbs giving them their unique flavor and texture. These tenders absolutely deliver and when paired with one of the 22 house-made scratch-made sauces, your taste buds will squeal in delight. And the Flavortown Shakes are top-notch too hand-spun, rich and thick, and topped with fresh whipped cream.
Anyone who is a fan of the Food Network knows who the Mayor of Flavortown is Guy Fieri. He is also a chef, restaurateur, New York Times Best Selling author, Emmy Award-winning TV host, and one of the world’s most recognizable and influential culinary stars. Fieri’s culinary empire began in 2006, when he won Next Food Network Star, Food Network’s popular television competition show, and was awarded his own series, the Emmy-nominated Guy’s Big Bite. Over the years, Fieri has created a successful culinary empire as a host of top-rated TV shows including Emmy-nominated Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Guy’s Grocery Games and Guy’s Ranch Kitchen. Furthermore, Fieri and his team at Knuckle Sandwich, LLC, have opened over 75 restaurants around the world. On land and at sea, from the Las Vegas Strip to Dubai, Fieri’s culinary creations are enjoyed every day around the world.
By Kathy Fox PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS AND KATHY FOX
On Father’s Day, Fieri stopped by Chicken Guy! in Nashville to do some filming for an upcoming television show and hosted friends, some lucky contest winners, and a few first responders for lunch. Fieri has a strong admiration for first responders and Chief Ty Cobb, from Columbia’s Fire and Rescue Station #1, and Chief Glenn Johnson and Assistant Fire Chief Greg Baltimore, from Franklin Fire Station #7, were invited to join. In addition, Kensie and Casey Harley with baby Cash, residents of Columbia, were one of the lucky contest winners that got to enjoy lunch and meet Fieri. It was a special day for all who attended as Fieri made the rounds once filming was done taking pictures with everyone and stopping at each table to chat. Fieri is a fan of Music City and owns 17 acres in the Nashville area. He loves visiting friends here and said, “I've been back to Nashville six times in the past year. Now that we have locations in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Nashville, I will be here a lot.” When asked why there were 22 sauces and what his favorite Chicken Guy! sauce was Fieri did not hesitate, “Peri Peri it’s hot and spicy, but the Nashville Hot Honey is dynamite. They are all so creative. Not every day do we want to have BBQ, but you could come in and have a little Indian, Cuban, or even a Mexican kick, and diversify what’s going on by the sauces. You could order the salad with fried chicken and then pair it with a sauce to make it ethnic one way or another. That was the reason why I made so many sauces.”
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The next time you are in Nashville, take a stroll down historic 2nd Avenue and stop by Chicken Guy! for the delectable chicken tenders and sauces. Who knows, you might run into the Chicken Guy! himself during your visit. For more information including details about the menu, visit chickenguy.com and follow Chicken Guy! on Twitter and Instagram at @chickenguy and Facebook at @realchickenguy n
When talking with the Mayor of Flavortown one must also ask what his favorite ethnic food is and of course, he had the perfect answer, “It depends on the day of the week. I'm a big Asian food fan, I like the simplicity of it, how clean it is, and fresh. I love soy sauce and garlic, but it really just depends on the day. It might be Mexican tomorrow (laugh, laugh).”
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NOT EVERY DAY DO WE WANT TO HAVE BBQ, BUT YOU COULD COME IN AND HAVE A LITTLE INDIAN, CUBAN, OR EVEN A MEXICAN KICK, AND DIVERSIFY WHAT’S GOING ON BY THE SAUCES. YOU COULD ORDER THE SALAD WITH FRIED CHICKEN AND THEN PAIR IT WITH A SAUCE TO MAKE IT ETHNIC ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. THAT WAS THE REASON WHY I MADE SO MANY SAUCES.
41MAURYCOUNTYLIVING.COM | COMING TOGETHER TO SHARE A MEAL at B's Salty & Sweet PHOTOS BY DREW COLE
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On a Sunday evening in July 2018, Bethany and David Boran hosted the first of many communal dinners. Eighteen people gathered around two tables set up in the courtyard of Canela Antigua, a bakery in the colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala. Surrounded by a lush garden and the occasional rumbles of a nearby volcano, plate after plate of Italian food was brought out of the kitchen and set in front of the guests. From appetizers to entrees to the final dessert, everything was made inhouse for the pleasure of the attendees. Fast forward, now you can find Bethany and David in Columbia, Tennessee, where their bakery café, B’s Salty & Sweet, celebrated its second anniversary on June 2, 2022. This past spring, communal dinners made their triumphant return from the minds and menus of the Borans. Held on the third Sunday of the month, the communal dinners provide a simple, straightforward meal. Each night has a theme with a pre-set menu and a fixed price per guest. The first communal dinner was Middle Eastern cuisine, followed by Indian, and then Central American, a nod to their Guatemalan past.
THIS PAST SPRING, COMMUNAL DINNERS MADE THEIR TRIUMPHANT RETURN FROM THE MINDS AND MENUS OF THE BORANS. HELD ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, THE COMMUNAL DINNERS PROVIDE A SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD MEAL.
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As the evening winds down, the B’s team clears the dishes while new friends exchange phone numbers and pack up to-go boxes for whenever they might be able to eat again. “Our communal dinners are an incredible showcase of what B’s has to offer. It’s the best of our cooking, community, and hospitality,” says Christine Cole, the beloved general manager of B’s. To close out the evening, Bethany and David announce the theme for the next month’s meal and say farewell to their guests, until next time.
The B’s crew is excited to introduce these dinners because it allows them to prepare more elaborate meals, full of the food they crave, served in a manner that brings strangers together in a way that creates community. Says Bethany, “Owning a small business in Columbia is so special. Our customers have become our friends. They are our cheerleaders and our advocates. It is an honor to be a small part of each of their lives and we LOVE feeding them. Don’t forget to eat your vegetables!” n
OWNING A SMALL BUSINESS IN COLUMBIA IS SO SPECIAL. OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE BECOME OUR FRIENDS. THEY ARE OUR CHEERLEADERS AND OUR ADVOCATES.
For additional information on the next communal dinner visit bsaltyandsweet.com and follow them on social media at @bsaltyandsweet for daily breakfast and lunch menus.
45MAURYCOUNTYLIVING.COM | By Amy Montgomery PHOTOS BY ALLISON ELEFANTE THE MOST VERSATILE ROOM IN THE HOUSE
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AMY MONTGOMERY has 25 years of design experience and owns Amy Montgomery Home located in Columbia, Tennessee. She is a lifestylist focused on home, food, and flowers and delights in working one-on-one with customers. Visit amymontgomeryhome.com for additional information and follow on social media at @amymontgomeryhome
Most of the time, the narrow library table is set with stacks of coffee table books, bowls of collected items, decorative goodies, and occasionally a few fresh flowers. At any given time, someone will be sitting at one end of the table with a laptop or the errands for the day will be lined up at one end ready for tasking and completion. This long table in the library room adds the versatility to give it a secondary purpose as an essential space to entertain at home a dining room. In our previous home in Nashville, the library table worked well for dinner party overflow seating as it was right off the dining room and had a full view of the dining room. During the holidays it can served as the buffet table for the spread of Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve food for the entire family. Additionally, when we had one or two couples over for dinner, the library table made the perfect intimate space for dinner. The library truly can be one of the most versatile rooms in a house. By combining two different and unique spaces, the library dining room combination is a great way to achieve dual functionality while also adding charm and style to any house. Who knows, sometimes you might even read a book there! n
A KNOWLEDGEABLE REALTOR CAN ASSIST A BUYER BY SCHEDULING SHOWINGS ON HOMES THAT MATCH THEIR WISH LIST. VIEWING EXISTING HOMES WILL HELP A BUYER VISUALIZE WHAT THEY DO AND DON’T WANT IN THE HOME THEY BUILD.
It’s time to make a dream home wish list with the help of a local Realtor. A knowledgeable Realtor can assist a buyer by scheduling showings on homes that match their wish list. Viewing existing homes will help a buyer visualize what they do and don’t want in the home they build. Visiting local design or model homes is another way to get the creative juices flowing. The Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee presents their annual Parade of Homes OCTOBER 8-23, 2022
A Planned Unit Development is typically a large tract of land, such as a subdivision, that has already been designed by a developer. The building lots either have a house plan already assigned to the lot, or a buyer can pick a lot and then choose from a variety of buildersupplied house plans to build on said lot. Before Covid, a builder might have allowed buyers to choose from a variety of interior finishes in the builder’s design package. For example buyers were able to pick floor colors, tile options, paint, countertops, and light fixtures. However, post-Covid most builders are now choosing the interior finishes on the front end to help control costs along the way.
For more details visit: hbamt.org/parade-of-homes/ What is your budget? A simple call to a trusted lender will give a buyer all the numbers they need. Don’t forget overages are to be expected. Plan for added costs in the end. Recent studies have found that, on average, nationwide construction projects exceed their budget by 16% at minimum. (Source Propeller Aero)
Raw Land or a Planned Unit Development?
It’s time and you have finally decided to build your dream home. After searching through endless social media posts or Houzz, many people have been inspired and are choosing to build their dream homes. However, a few flashy posts and pictures showing an artfully created kitchen do not give an accurate image of the building process. While the challenge of building a home can be extremely gratifying, there are several questions a novice Buyer should ask before the first shovel hits the ground. What is your style?
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Raw Land gives the homeowner the opportunity to design a home from the ground up with their own ideas. A buyer can choose from two options: hire an architect to draw house plans and a builder to build the house or hire a builder who may already have plans to choose from. Interviewing several architects and builders is the key to finding a team that can match a buyer’s style and budget. This route also gives a buyer the most creative freedom when it comes to the details of their home.
Two types of financing to consider: Construction Loan: This type of loan requires periodic inspections by the bank to release funds to pay builder invoices. And don’t forget to ask for details on the mortgage rate during construction and after completion. Equity Pull: If a buyer has enough equity in their current assets (home or home plus investment properties) then they can discuss refinancing current assets to pull cash out for the build.
What is your timeframe? With supply chain issues still lingering, it is important to have patience when building a home. Lead times for materials may cause delays so having regular conversations with the builder will help a buyer plan for the road ahead.
Katie and her team of professional agents work to elevate the real estate experience while overseeing every aspect of a sale.
ESTABLISH A TEAM ❑ Meet with a Realtor & Mortgage Lender to establish your wish list and budget ❑ Interview Builders, Architects, Interior Designers ❑ Ask if your builder uses a Fixed Cost or Cost Plus Contract CHOOSE A LOCATION ❑ Raw Land discuss build-to-suit options ❑ Planned Unit Development compare neighborhoods, amenities, and home styles BEFORE YOU BREAK GROUND ❑ Finalize Floor Plans ❑ Rent a storage unit to house materials and furniture during construction ❑ Budget for overages that may occur, as building costs fluctuate IT’S GO TIME! While your builder starts the foundation, framing, and rough-in, a buyer starts the design phase DESIGN DECISIONS ❑ Flooring ❑ Cabinets & Countertops ❑ Paint Colors ❑ Light Fixtures ❑ Hardware: Plumbing, Kitchen, Door Handles ❑ Tile ❑ Furniture & Appliances ❑ Outdoor: landscaping lighting, doors, mailbox, entertaining space ❑ Organization: shelving and storage options ❑ Final Walk-Through ❑ Home inspection & Blue Tape Walk-Through (901) 351-7235 • WWW.KATIEBAKERGROUP.COM
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KATIE BAKER is a local Realtor and owner of the Katie Baker Group with RE/MAX Encore in downtown Columbia.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions Wondering how to choose every paint color, doorknob, and light fixture? Consider hiring an interior designer. Designers work in a variety of ways. E-consults are a modern and economical way to design a home with everything chosen digitally. A traditional interior designer will work with a buyer on a one-on-one basis. Ask a Realtor for recommendations for local design firms or boutiques that offer these services. The Finish Line As the build process comes to a close, it is more important than ever not to skip steps in the rush to finish a home. A buyer is advised to perform a final home inspection and blue tape walk-through with their builder before moving in. The blue tape is used to identify any glaring imperfections that should be fixed before moving in. A licensed home inspector can also ensure major components of a home are in working order. Building a home can be an enjoyable experience with the right team guiding a buyer. To get started, the Katie Baker Group has created a simple checklist to assist buyers through the build process. This simple tool should be used as a handy guide in tandem with a licensed team of experts. For more questions on how to build your home contact the Katie Baker Group in downtown Columbia. n
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56 | MAURY COUNTY LIVING | SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2022 BEAT Shazam
A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME THRILL Columbia residents, Annie and Josh Belcher, made a thriller of an appearance on FOX’s Beat Shazam this past July and what a nail-biter it was!
If you are not familiar with the television show hosted by Jamie Foxx where his daughter Corinne Foxx deejays, it is an interactive game show where three teams of two compete against the clock and each other as they try to identify hit songs. In the end, the team with the most money banked will battle against Shazam, an app that can identify most songs in under four seconds, for the chance to win up to $1 million in the final round.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FOX AND THE BELCHERS
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Josh, a huge Nirvana and Kurt Cobain fan, poses with Annie in front of Cobain’s sweater on display in Ireland.
FOX LOVED THE HIGH ENERGY OF THE DUO AND JOSH’S MUSIC KNOWLEDGE, BUT ANNIE’S STORY IS WHAT SOLIDIFIED THE AUDITION. FOX WAS INTRIGUED BY THE FACT THAT BOTH OF ANNIE’S PARENTS WERE DEAF.
Unbeknownst to Belcher, FOX had eyes on him as they liked his spunky personality and musical knowledge.
Belcher had completely given up on Beat Shazam when he received an email from FOX asking if he had found another person to audition with because they wanted him to audition again. It was perfect timing because Josh had recently married and thought his wife Annie would be the ideal partner. He replied to FOX saying, “I have my wife and she'd be the only one I select to partner with me, and we would make a great team for the show.” After a zoom interview and numerous other qualifying interviews, Jeff Apploff, the creator of the show, wanted the newlyweds to be on the show.
FOX loved the high energy of the duo and Josh’s music knowledge, but Annie’s story is what solidified the audition. FOX was intrigued by the fact that both of Annie’s parents were deaf. Sharing more about her story with the producers, Annie explained, “Because both my parents were deaf, music was never a priority in our house and I never really had a connection to music until I was 10 years old when my neighbors, who were avid music lovers, gave me a radio. With my parent’s permission, they also took me to my first concert to see Boy George as a birthday present.”
Josh Belcher, a musician and music lover connoisseur, has always been a big fan of Jamie Foxx and has watched Beat Shazam for quite some time. He said, “I listen to all varieties of music, and ever since this game show came on, where you test your wits about songs, I've been in love with it.” So what’s the next move? Audition to be a contestant, of course. Belcher auditioned for the show with two friends, but for various reasons they weren’t selected.
BECAUSE BOTH MY PARENTS WERE DEAF, MUSIC WAS NEVER A PRIORITY IN OUR HOUSE AND I NEVER REALLY HAD A CONNECTION TO MUSIC UNTIL I WAS 10 YEARS OLD WHEN MY NEIGHBORS, WHO WERE AVID MUSIC LOVERS, GAVE ME A RADIO. WITH MY PARENT’S PERMISSION, THEY ALSO TOOK ME TO MY FIRST CONCERT TO SEE BOY GEORGE AS A BIRTHDAY PRESENT.
Another spoiler alert, Annie and Josh walked away with $108,000 making Annie’s dream to pay it forward come to fruition. Annie said, “I've wanted to return the favor and now my dream to fund a single mom for a year where she could just breathe and be a mom came true.” Josh laughed and added, “All I wanted was a bigger bed.” In May 2022, contestants Annie and Josh were on their way to Ireland, all expenses paid, where filming for Beat Shazam took place at the Ardmore Studios in Bray notably known for housing projects including Braveheart, My Left Foot, The Tudors, and Penny Dreadful. The newly married couple did not have a honeymoon and were elated to have this opportunity to compete on Beat Shazam as well as extend the trip to explore Ireland taking the honeymoon they never had. The filming for the television show takes a couple of days as contestants spend a lot of time prepping and filming. During the show, Annie signed for her parents so they would know what was going on and spoiler alert, Annie and Josh made it to the final round after being down by $15,000 going into the last question told you it was a nail-biter! However, what was truly remarkable about the story is how Annie had plans to give back to a single mom if they won. “I was a single mom for 14 years, and divorced to get out of an abusive marriage. I had a huge community rally around me to help. Whether it was making sure my kids had Christmas presents, groceries, or that I had a car that ran, so I could get back and forth to work,” Annie said. “I want to pay this forward and decided to fund a single mom for a year. Paying for rent and utilities, and anything extra can go towards gas or groceries.”
To watch the episode where Annie and Josh competed on Beat Shazam July 18, 2022, visit FOX.com and search for Season 5, Episode 7. n I WANT TO PAY THIS FORWARD AND DECIDED TO FUND A SINGLE MOM FOR A YEAR. PAYING FOR RENT AND UTILITIES AND ANYTHING EXTRA CAN GO TOWARDS GAS OR GROCERIES.
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HONEYMOON IN IRELAND
After returning home, Annie partnered with the Pregnancy Center of Middle Tennessee to find a single mother to help. She also hosted the first Anne’s Arbor For Single Moms in late July and raised an additional $3,000. Those proceeds, plus $10,000 from Josh and Annie, are going to a deserving single mother of two who is putting herself through nursing school. Josh and Annie couldn’t be happier to help and pay it forward.
60 | MAURY COUNTY LIVING | SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2022 931.380.2003 514 N. GARDEN ST. | COLUMBIA AUTO HOME LIFE BUSINESS Hal Landers OWNER LANDERS INSURANCE AGENCY Great rates. Great service. 2002 – 2022 20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE LANDERSAGENCY,INSURANCELLC
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BOARDS
From dips to desserts, having a good stash of serving bowls on hand is a must! Maybe you love pulling out your heirloom serving dishes. Or you just can’t wait for the right occasion to use your favorite wood salad bowls. Or maybe you just need a good reason to pull out your white porcelain or clear glass serving bowls. All of the above can really put the spotlight on your food. Larger bowls are perfect for salads, trail mixes, side dishes, and cold desserts or fruits, whereas smaller bowls lend well to dips, garnishes, and dressings.
From cheeses to chicken, a board can be used as a plate or even a platter. With the ongoing popularity of charcuterie boards, you can find so many beautiful and unique varieties of boards in multiple designs, shapes, and sizes. Even more, boards can beautifully display both savory and sweet foods. All in all, boards are a win-win for guests who love to graze while mixing and mingling, so having a few marble or wood boards handy at all times will set you for success when entertaining guests.
BOWLS
UTENSILSarrive!
From honey to hummus, pinch pots can take the place of any bottle or jar. Consider pinch pots as fancy ramekins. They are great board accessories, and they work well on their own alongside larger bowls or platters. Available in a variety of styles from marble to wood to copper to stainless steel and more, pinch pots can definitely be the conversation piece of your entire spread, as guests will enjoy adding everything from herbed butters, jams, jellies, olives, and spreads to their plates all from these small and simple serving dishes. Bonus: you can put marble and stone pinch pots in the fridge an hour before use to keep your dips and spreads chilled and ready to serve before guests
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PINCH POTS
From spoons to spurtles, it’s important to have proper serving utensils (and a good variety) for guests to indulge and partake in your delicious food spread. A perfect segue from pinch pots, know that you can never have too many small spoons in your serveware stash. Small spoons work like a charm for dips, olives, and spreads, whereas large slotted spoons and ladles are a must for serving sides, soups, and even desserts. You also can’t go wrong by keeping cake or pie servers, salad claws, tongs, and small forks just a drawer’s reach away.
GLASSWARE
Regardless of your style or serveware selections, make sure to keep practicality as your top priority. There’s a multitude of beautiful yet practical serveware options out there that will not only make your food shine bright but will also withstand the test of time when it comes to cleaning and using it time and again. n
ABOVE ALL, KEEP IT PRACTICAL
KATHRYN YORK is the owner and curator of Smith & York Company, a modern home boutique located on the square in downtown Columbia, Tennessee, and Lime & Loaf, a kitchen shop located at New South Marketplace in downtown Columbia. Both shops are open seven days a week, Smith & York Co. offers a diverse selection of home goods, including tabletop accessories, barware, lighting, textiles, planters, and gift items, while Lime & Loaf offers a wide selection of kitchen essentials for cooking and baking. Learn more at smithandyork.co and limeandloaf.com.
From water to wine, a variety of glassware goes a long way when entertaining guests. Some guests may not partake in food, but almost every guest will need something to drink while mixing and mingling at your gathering. So, have fun with your glassware by keeping a couple of different options that will accommodate both casual and formal settings. While cocktail and wine glasses may be top of mind, don’t forget a timeless goblet or drinking glass that can be friendly to any beverage of choice.
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PRISCILLA INGRUM
LARCENY Meet Larceny. We adopted this adorable boy was adopted March 13, 2019, from the Maury County Animal Shelter. Larceny had been returned two different times to the shelter, but we immediately fell in love with this sweet boy. Who wouldn’t with those eyes?
LIESL
My husband got a call from a friend that there were three puppies that had been dumped in the country near his house. Of course, I had to go get them because they were just little fur babies on their own and we did want to adopt a dog at some point. The three little girls were as cute as could be and I knew we couldn’t keep three, but two was an option. We had some family friends that recently lost their dog and were interested in adopting one of them. We let them pick the puppy they wanted and they chose the one that looked like an Alabama brown dog girl because she was the smallest. All three puppies found their forever homes after a tragic beginning, and a year later Molly and Brindle have been a wonderful addition to our family. ALLISON HAGOPIAN
I adopted my dog, Liesl, in November 2021. She was estimated to be 10-11 weeks old and had come to the rescue when someone found her and her three sisters in a box taped up on the side of the road. She was emaciated, had internal parasites, a horrible coat, diarrhea, and rickets in her front legs. I picked her up and when I got her home she looked around and then looked at me like she was saying, "This will do just fine!" She’s smart and is a wonderful member of our family now.STEPHANIE DAVIS MOLLY & BRINDLE
FINDING FOREVER HOMES
MANDEE
MATILDA I work at the Maury County Animal Shelter and there was a kitten that had been hit by a car. She was about eight weeks old and looked scared and miserable, but I instantly fell in love with her. I told my coworkers that if she survived she was coming home with me permanently. A few days later she was still with us and it turned out all she had was a broken leg. During surgery, she had a pin placed in her leg and once she recovered I officially adopt her. Matilda is now 10 months old and thriving. She’s been such a blessing helping me get through the death of my best friend back in December. She will probably be scared of strangers the rest of her life, but she has her forever home with me.
FREDDIE My husband and I took a trip to the Williamson County Animal Shelter to get a “small” pup to add to our family. During the visit, we fell in love with a yellow lab named Freddie. When we brought him home, we noticed he became very attached to me and followed me everywhere. I suffer from severe epilepsy resulting in grand mal seizures. They are stress-induced and quite painful. My husband noticed that if Freddie was in another room or crated for bed while I experienced a seizure he would become quite agitated that he couldn’t be in the room with me. My husband, being certified in training service animals, decided to see if Freddie was alerting to seizures. Sure enough, when allowed to be with me before a seizure or during, he would climb on top of me and prevent me from injuring myself. He has been my best friend, and service dog ever since. I truly believe that day at the shelter, Freddie and I picked each other, and he was meant to be a part of our family.
SAMANTHA E. MCCLELLAN LUNA I found Luna at the Lewisburg Animal Shelter. She was found roaming with two larger dogs and this poor girl was about nine years old when I adopted her. The day I met her we had an immediate connection. She was spayed three days before I bought her home and I am not sure what type of life she lived before I adopted her, but I try to give her so much love every day and she returns it tenfold. Luna is the best thing that had come into my life in a very long time and I love every day that we spend together.
JOURNEY Journey is a Doberman approximately 3-5 years old and a foster with a happy ending. She was found left in an outdoor pen to starve to death. There was another dog in the pen that was already deceased. Journey was about 25 lbs. underweight when she was rescued and so her progress has been amazing. She knew nothing about being a pet and is the sweetest girl. She loves everyone she meets, especially kids. She gets along great with dogs and cats. She’s surprising us every day with her resilience and how gentle she is. She LOVES human affection and we love giving it to her. She went from a scrawny and bony 50 lbs. in January to a healthy 80 lbs. now! She found her forever home and is truly a gem!
SARAH PIETRZAK ADPOT! DON'T SHOP! Need more joy in your life? Visit your local animal shelter or contact a breed-specific rescue organization to adopt a pet in need!
LINDSEY LANE
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THE RESEARCHERS FOUND IN THOSE DOGS AND OWNERS WHO GAZED LONGER, THE OXYTOCIN LEVELS ROSE 130% AND 300%, RESPECTIVELY.
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In living with and interacting with our dogs, we get to know them well. Despite their inability to talk, we often understand their emotions based on their body language. Scientists now know what dog owners have suspected all along. Dogs experience a wider range of emotions than scientists once thought.
The dog brain is substantially smaller than the human brain when accounting for body size, so it isn't as complex as our brain. Yet, MRI studies reveal dogs' brains aren't much different from humans. MRIs have shown the same sections of both the human and dog brain light up based on various types of stimuli, according to a board-certified neurologist, Dr. J.P. McCue, at New York City's Animal Medical Center, reported in "Dog Brain Facts: Understanding Canine Cognition."
David Grimm reports on the research of this phenomenon in his article, "How Dogs Stole Our Hearts," at sciencemag.org. In an experiment by Takefumi Kikusui, an animal behaviorist, and his colleagues, dogs, and their owners gazed into each other's eyes. Their gaze ranged from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The researchers found in those dogs and owners who stared longer, the oxytocin levels rose 130% and 300%, respectively. This adds to the growing body of research that supports dogs can feel love and attachment. Just like in humans, dogs' brains develop as they grow. In humans, the brain reaches full development around the age of twenty-five. But dogs' brains are fully developed around the age of 6 months. At this point, dogs' emotional development is equivalent to a two-and-a-half-year-old human, according to researchers.
It's also been found that dogs produce oxytocin, the neurotrans mitter, and hormone that creates the emotion of love in humans. In fact, research reveals that when our dogs stare into our eyes, it activates oxytocin, creating a bond similar to that between a mother and infant.
Joy: Dogs often express this when a family member comes home, or a familiar guest comes to visit. Dogs often run and jump, wag their tails, and lavish kisses. They also express joy when playing by barking or giving a playful bow.
Love and affection: When dogs are feeling affectionate, they might nudge you with their nose, make loving eye contact (as opposed to the threatening eye contact of an unknown dog), or softly groan and sigh while lying next to you. Some dogs will lean their bodies up against you while sitting or standing. They also express their love through kissing, jumping, and rolling onto their backs with a wagging tail.
What about hackles?
How to read your dog’s feelings
Shyness, suspicion, fear: These emotions are often quite evident. Dogs might flatten their ears, avoid eye contact, tuck their tail under, cower, pant, or shake. They can also have dilated glassy eyes. Pacing, hiding, whining, barking, sneering, nipping, or submissive urination can also be signs of fear or shyness.
Anger: If your dog has ever ignored you or given you the cold shoulder, there's a good chance it's mad at you. But if you're doing something that makes your dog particularly angry, the signs may be more prominent. Your dog might take a rigid posture, bark loudly in your direction, or make sharp or short barks. This is a warning to stop whatever you're doing that's making your dog angry. If your dog begins growling, repeatedly howling with a rising pitch, or showing teeth, it's prepared to attack.
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To gain perspective on what that means in regards to dogs' range of emotions, Stanley Coren charts the emotions of a two-and-a-halfyear-old child in "What Emotions Do Dogs Actually Experience?" These include joy, love and affection, contentment, excitement, shyness and suspicion, fear, disgust, distress, and anger. At that age, however, children don't experience feelings that require selfconsciousness, such as pride, shame, guilt, and contempt.
People often think raised hackles indicate a dog is angry or showing aggression. Sometimes that's the case. But raised hackles are an involuntary reaction and most often caused by a host of other emotions. These include excitement, arousal, fear, shyness, defensiveness, or being startled. That said, dogs can bite out of fear, not just anger. The best way to know the meaning behind the raised hackles is to look at other body language that indicates what the dog is feeling. n KIMBERLY BLAKER is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-ofprint, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera, and more at sagerarebooks.com
Distress: When dogs are depressed, they can experience changes in appetite, behavior, sleep patterns, and reduced activity levels. Emotionally distressed dogs also show this in their posture with downcast eyes and a low-bent neck. They might also lick or shed excessively.
WHEN DOGS ARE FEELING AFFECTIONATE, THEY MIGHT NUDGE YOU WITH THEIR NOSE, MAKE LOVING EYE CONTACT (AS OPPOSED TO THE THREATENING EYE CONTACT OF AN UNKNOWN DOG), OR MAKE SOFT GROANS AND SIGHS WHILE LYING NEXT TO YOU.
