LEAN Magazine-Spring 2014

HEALTH HAPPINESS JOY TO LIFE

S PR I NG 2 014

the Walk

Walk

+ A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

PINK YOUR RIDE SPRING CLEAN EATING A CAMPING WE WILL GO!

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lives are saved because i

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WE FIGHT WITH

PINK POWER!

EVERY ONE OF US IS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER. WE ALL KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED – AND THAT MAKES IT OUR FIGHT. HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

WALKOFLIFE2014.ORG 3

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

Our purpose:

Helping people on their path to better health

[ Our customers our community

[

CVS/Pharmacy has been a proud sponsor of The Joy to Life Foundation since 2008. We would like to thank our customers and communities for helping us to contribute over $ 73,000 locally to Joy to Life.

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PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOD... AND THE COMMUNITY. US FoodsŽ is one of America’s leading foodservice distributors offering national brands and high quality private label items ranging from fresh meats and produce to prepared and frozen foods to its more than 250,000 customers, including independent and multiunit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.

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SPR ING 2014

Stop and smell the roses. No, really! It could help lower your blood pressure.

PUBLISHER JTL Publishing

And I bet you didn’t know creating art can help you become more empathetic. (You could learn that and so much more from the kids featured on page 8.)

EDITOR Jenny Enslen Stubbs WEB EDITOR

Or did you know certain types of produce are typically more contaminated than others because of pesticides? Or you can actually put your trash to good use? Or drinking water before and after getting a wrap is a must? (Don’t worry. If you don’t know what a wrap is, we tell you all about it on page 38.)

Jennifer Stewart Kornegay ART DIRECTION Karla Merritt, Design Director, Stamp Brooke Johnson, Graphic Designer, Stamp

Yep. We have it all in here! Taking the time to enjoy the good moments is an important part of life’s process too. And because this quarterly magazine is chock-full of information you can use to feel uplifted, healthier and happier, you should take a few moments to “stop and read lean magazine.” Having joy—isn’t that what it’s all about, really?

ADVERTISING info@readlean.org CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brenda Robertson Dennis

One last thing. Don’t forget to join us (and a whole lot of other people) on April 26 at this year’s Walk of Life!

Joanna Dolgoff, MD Jennifer Stewart Kornegay

Happy reading!

Michele Olson, PhD, FACSM, CSCS Jenny Enslen Stubbs Melissa Tate Witt CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Big Dreamz Creative Stephen Poff, Stamp Brooke Johnson, Stamp

CHECK OUT PAGE 34 FOR THE DL ON THE PL8

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lean is published quarterly by JTL Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission from the publisher. lean reserves the right to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materials for clarity and space. lean 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. lean does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial. The publishers do not assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. lean is a news magazine with information on health, fitness, leisure activities and sports. 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 lean.

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Features

SUMMER CAMPS

40

THE ART OF GIVING BACK

SPRING ISSUE 6

28

HIGHER CALLING

CONTENT

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26 LEAN LOVES

Products and Gear

32 IN BALANCE

Art for a Beautiful Mind

34 TO LIFE

Tag! You’re It

12 WHOLE LIVING

38 SKIN DEEP

16 THE DISH

44 ON THE MOVE

20 FIT FOR KIDS

46 GO & DO

24 FORWARD MOTION

48 FISCAL FITNESS

Back to Life

Spring Clean Eating

Understanding Autism

Exercise? For What?

That’s a Wrap

Festival of Flowers Gets Cheeky

lean’s Calendar of Events

Leap of Faith

JOY TO LIFE’S YOUNGEST HEROES

¤ The Art of

GIVING BACK As adults, many of us have learned the lesson of giving to others, whether it is through charitable contributions or the giving of our time. Maybe we learned this through religion or by the example of our parents and others that we witnessed committing remarkable and selfless acts of kindness.

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BY BRENDA ROBERTSON DENNIS

We don’t always expect young children to understand this lesson, but then we often underestimate just how pure and generous their hearts can be.

When four young friends found themselves with little to do on their Columbus Day break, they didn’t complain about it. They found a way to put that free day to good use.

Eight-year-old Harrison Allen, nine-year-old Riley Caver, and seven-year-olds K.J. Jackson and Cole Williams live in the same neighborhood and like to play together. This past Columbus Day, they found themselves trying to decide what to play. According to Harrison’s mother Wynn Dee Allen, who overheard their conversation, Riley really liked one of Cole's “rainbow loom” bracelets (made by weaving together small, colored rubber bands) and asked if she could buy it from him.

K.J. commented she was crazy to buy it because she could just make one herself. And then the four came up with a clever idea.

“One of the children exclaimed, ‘I know what to do! Let's make bracelets and sell them to raise money for charity,’” Wynn Dee recalled. So K.J. ran home and returned with two rainbow looms and a9bigA PUBLICATION box of loom bands Harrison grabbed his box too.

OF THE JOY TOwhile LIFE FOUNDATION

TOGETHER

the children spent the next couple of hours teaching each other how to make different kinds of rings, bracelets and necklaces. As they worked, they talked about which charity should get the money. K.J. suggested they should raise money for breast cancer awareness because it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Wynn Dee then suggested that they raise the money for Joy to Life. Riley, whose grandmother is a breast cancer survivor, immediately agreed, and Cole, whose mother is a doctor, thought it was a great idea too. Once they had their loom jewelry all ready, Harrison, Riley, K.J. and Cole headed out the door to get started on raising the money.

It was a pretty successful day as many of their neighbors were happy to purchase the colorful bracelets and encouraged them to continue helping others.

“We’ve had many children over the years give to Joy to Life,” said JTL founder and breast cancer survivor Joy Blondheim. “Children are wonderful and learn about charity with such gusto! It just brings tears to your eyes.” Joy and her husband Dickie Blondheim founded Joy to Life in 2001 to raise awareness about breast cancer and to make free mammograms and other breast cancer screenings available to medically underserved women in Alabama. Because of their efforts and the generosity of so many, over 10,000 mammograms have been provided and over 70 women have been successfully treated to date.

Si nce it s i ncept ion , J T L ha s raised funds through numerous campaigns that include the annual “Walk of Life,” the pink curbside trash carts and the pink Joy to Life license tag. These efforts raise a lot of money and help many people, but as Joy pointed out,

“SAILING RAINBOW LOOMS FOR BREAST CANCER.”

“WE CAN REALLY TAKE A LESSON FROM THESE CHILDREN. THE GIFT IS MEANINGFUL WHETHER IT’S $50 OR $1,000.”

LATER

in the week following Columbus Day, Wynn Dee drove Harrison and Riley to the Joy to Life office in Montgomery. (Unfortunately, K.J. and Cole couldn’t go.) Once they arrived, the two proudly handed JTL event coordinator Peggy Turner an envelope of cash and checks for $103.00. “They were just as cute as they could be,” said Peggy. “And they made it clear that their other two friends helped out. Not only did they raise this money, but they wanted to make sure we knew it was not just the two of them that did it.”

Wynn Dee says the kids were so excited about what they had accomplished.

“They said it felt really great to know they had raised enough money for one mammogram that might save someone's life.” The children also left notes for Joy. One of them adorably informs her that they are “sailing rainbow looms for breast cancer.”

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DOES ART MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON? Brian D. Cohen, president of the Idyllwild Arts Academy, asks this very question in an article he writes for “The Huffington Post” with the same title.

“The development of empathy in an individual from art mirrors the original derivation of the term; it is art that makes us empathic; art that models others' inner lives for each of us; art that attunes us to experience and suffering beyond ourselves.

It is imagination, the other signal attribute of creative thinking, that lets us see how the world can be changed to be better for ourselves and for others.”

SOURCE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ PINK YOUR

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

-Mother Teresa

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JOIN US IN SUPPORTING THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION AND THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER.

G WHOLE LIVIN

BY JENNIFER STEWART KORNEGAY

BACK TO LIFE SOUTHERN ACCENTS ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUES SHOWS THE UPSIDE OF UPCYLING BY

☞ PRESERVING BEAUTIFUL, MEANINGFUL THINGS AND CUTTING DOWN ON WASTE AT THE SAME TIME. Meet Garlan Gudger Jr. The six-footsomething big guy with a bigger grin is equal parts salvage expert, historic preservationist, treasure hunter and wish-granter, and he and the rest of the team at his company Southern Accents Architectural Antiques in Cullman, Ala., practice “up-cycling” on a grand scale.

Sta r ted in 1969 by Ga rla n’s father, S out her n A c c ent s de a l s i n h idden treasures, treasures long forgotten or simply unrecog nized. They ’ve been waiting for someone like Garlan to find them in old houses and old buildings slated for demolition across the country and around the world. By saving them from the landfill and burn pile, he is also saving a piece of history. And those who appreciate the craftsmanship of the past come to him and his store to buy a treasure for their own home. “People often come to me looking for something very specific, maybe something they remember from their grandmother’s home,” he said. “If I don’t have it, I’ll try to find it.”

There’s a good chance he has it. When you step off Second Avenue in downtown Cullman and into Southern Accents’ main store, you don't know where to look first.

You’re bombarded with piles of hinges and hardware, stacks of stained glass windows, rows of massive doors and hundreds of twinkling chandeliers and glowing lights hanging down like starlight dripping from the sky. Every inch of available space, floor to ceiling, holds something of interest.

And every doorknob, hinge or mantel in the place has a story, one Garlan is always eager to tell. “We are preservationists at heart here. Every house or place has something special that was left behind, either on purpose or by accident,” he said. “It may not be something that has intrinsic value, but there’s something with a memory of the life that happened there; that’s valuable too.”

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While salvaging a school house in Chicago, he found an old saw along with a group photo and list of names of all the carpenters that had worked on the structure hidden in the wood around a transom above a set of double doors. “It was like a time capsule that I guess no one knew about or they didn’t remember it,” he said. “But we found it, and we know that those guys were really proud of their work, as they should be.” The transom is now serving a purpose again, above a new door in someone’s home. Also in that home is a shadowbox displaying the tool and likenesses of the men who made it.

Southern Accents has been around for over 40 years, but in the last few years, business has been especially booming.

“People are really starting to see and appreciate the true artistry and craft that went into making these things,” he said.

“You can make reproductions, but to do it right, like it once was done and with the same materials, it costs so much more.

Why waste the material when there is so much existing, that was made better and has more character?”

“ OLD THINGS

I LOVE BRINGING BACK TO LIFE & SEEING A WHOLE NEW SET OF PEOPLE GET USE AND

”

ENJOYMENT OUT OF THEM.

Southern Accents has the largest collection of architectural antiques in the Southeast, and it also salvages and sells reclaimed wood that can be used for flooring and many other purposes.



BETTER

THANEVER:

When the sky split open and unleashed massive swirling, sucking tornados on Alabama in April 2011, downtown Cullman was one of the hardest hit areas. Southern Accents’ front windows exploded inwards, and a large portion of the roof was ripped off and flung away. Much of the area, including the store, had no power for a month, and Garlan and his young family lived in an RV in the parking lot, since their loft over the store was destroyed.

Garlan, his dad and his wife Heather sat down one night to figure out if they were done, or if they’d give the work they’d come to love one more shot. “We decided we couldn’t not do this, so we chose to build back, and build back bigger and better than before,” Garlan said.

In 2012, Southern Accents had its best year ever, and future plans include starting to mill the mass quantities of wood they are Visit readlean.org to find some easy upcyling ideas you salvaging. “I really enjoy the salvaging can use to transform things instead of trashing them. part of what we do,” Garlan said. You’d have a hard time getting him to admit it, but his determination to salvage his family business and the help he offered in his role as City Councilman and as a good neighbor inspired many others in Cullman to do the same. Today, the city’s heart is beating strong again.

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Spring

S DO SOME LET’

clean eating Q

Because we don’t live life in a bubble, it’s impossible to avoid exposure to toxins. But if armed with knowledge, it is possible to minimize exposure. Try these clean eating tips to help minimize your toxic load.

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BY DR. JOANNA DOLGOFF

3 Grain vs. Grass-fed S

1 Antibiotics Antibiotics are commonly fed to livestock to promote

Grain is the common feed for conventionally raised

growth and reduce disease in farms that house many animals in a confined area. These antibiotic residues appear in meat, and repeated consumption of these meats can lead to antibiotic resistance in humans.

É

animals. Grain has greater caloric density than grass and, hence, speeds up the weight gain of the animal and shortens the time until slaughter. Unfortunately, cows and lambs are not accustomed to a grain diet. Grass-fed or pasture-raised beef and lamb represent the animal’s natural diet and provide meat that is leaner and more nutrient dense. Greater nutrient density has been measured in vitamin A, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linolenic acid in grassfed versus conventionally raised meats. Pasture-raised hens produce eggs with greater omega-3 fats and vitamin E.

Look for antibiotic-free meat

Tip

(and inquire if it is not clearly labeled).

2 Hormones Growth hormones are used to hasten the growth of ani-

mals beyond their normal pace. This hastens the time frame between when an animal is born and when they are sold at market. This equates to quicker profits. Exposure to an abundance of hormones is related to early onset puberty and increased risk of cancers. The European Union has banned hormone use in cattle. Dairy cows are given recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), which increases milk production. Consumption of dairy products from these cows can elevate blood levels of insulin-like growth factor that is associated with prostate, colon and breast cancer in adults and bone cancer in children. Canada and the European Union have banned rBGH use in dairy cows.

Look for hormone-free/rBGH-free É milk and dairy products.

Tip

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É

Choose pasture-raised or grass-fed protein sources instead of grain-fed.

TiP

4 Pesticides

U

Pesticides are commonly used in conventional farming

to kill bugs and insects. Unfortunately, they include a variety of chemicals that concentrate in the edible produce and soil. Their exposure is linked to health problems including neurological damage.

É Tip The Environmental Working Group or EWG

produces a Shopper’s Guide to Pesticide in Produce to help consumers determine which foods are the most contaminated and are ideally consumed in organic form. It also rates the Clean 15, which are the sources of produce with the least contamination and offer less toxic exposure when eaten conventionally. Visit ewg.org for updates.

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

5 Fishy Business

j

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB’s), dioxins, DDT and mercury are common con-

taminants found in fish. PCB’s are likely carcinogens and are expected to impair learning and memory capacity in adults. Dioxins and DDT are known carcinogens.

Mercury is a neurotoxin.

Tip

The Environmental Defense Fund maintains a Health Alert List to guide safe fish consumption with regard to contamination and sustainable fishing practices. EWG has a Tuna Consumption Calculator tool that allows you to enter your weight and gender to estimate safe tuna intake. Chunk light tuna is lower in mercury than albacore tuna. For a breakdown of safe intake amounts, visit edf.org.

É

what does

mean

While you are on the hunt for hormone-free, antibiotic-free and pesticidefree food, it can be helpful for you to know how the USDA defines 100 percent organic food. Organic food is defined as food produced without using synthetic pesticides, petroleum or sewage sludge based fertilizers, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. With that in mind, 100 percent organic does imply a food is free of antibiotics, hormones and pesticides. It does not imply that an animal has been grass-fed. Labels may make singular claims such as a milk carton saying “rBGH free.”

Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products must come from animals fed 100 percent organic feed and given

no antibiotics or

growth hormones.

Detoxification is a complicated but important process. It can also be a process you embark upon by minimizing your toxic exposure with the previously mentioned suggestions. Happy Spring Clean Eating!

Even though Dr. Joanna Dolgoff can be seen putting her childhood obesity specialist skills to good use on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” she also utilizes her revolutionary Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right child and adolescent weight-loss program when working with children and their parents all over the country.

In an effort to help educate lean’s readers here in Alabama, Dr. Dolgoff contributes helpful articles filled with compelling information to empower Alabama’s children to stop the vicious cycle of obesity.

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DR. DOLGOFF’S STORY

JOYTOLIFE.ORG

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aUt S F IT F O R K ID

UNDERSTANDING

iS

m S

A

s of March 2012 the Centers for Disease Control reported that autism occurs in one in 88 children in the United States; one in every 54 affected is a boy. That’s a staggering statistic, yet so much about the disorder is unknown and unclear. There is no definite cause. There is no cure. While there are still many mysteries to solve, today we are making major progress in treatment methods for the disorder and seeing lives changed for the better. In recognition of Autism Awareness Month in April, lean asked Courtney Dees King, MS, BCBA, the founder and director of HANDS (Help for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders) in Birmingham, to help us better understand the disorder.

Every year, nearly 50,000 families begin a life-long journey with autism. How much do you know about this disorder that affects so many and probably someone you know?

LEAN: CAN YOU DEFINE AUTISM FOR US? King: Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

AUTISM IS REFERRED TO AS A “SPECTRUM DISORDER.” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? Autism Spectrum Disorder: A wide range of developmental disorders ranging from severe autism, PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified) to Asperger Syndrome. Two rare disorders are also included in the spectrum: Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Each disorder has a specific set of characteristics used as criteria for diagnosis. People may have the same diagnosis, but autism is different for every person.

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

WHAT CAUSES AUTISM? The cause of autism is still unknown, but progress is being made in trying to find one. Research has provided evidence that genetics play a role. There are also theories that environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals could play a role. In addition, studies have found that people with autism have abnormalities in several regions of the brain, suggesting that autism could be caused by a disruption in early brain development.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON, SUCCESSFUL AND UP-TO-DATE TREATMENTS?

É KNOW THE SIGNS

The most successful treatment is Applied behavior analysis therapy (ABA therapy). ABA is based on more than 50 years of scientific investigation with people with autism and other behavioral and developmental disorders. Research shows that ABA is effective in reducing disruptive behaviors. Research also shows it is highly effective when teaching complex communication, social, play and self-help skills. Other treatments include Speech and language therapy, which are effective in increasing a person’s communication skills, and Occupational therapy, which is effective in improving a person’s gross and fine motor skills as well as their ability to adapt to the environment around them. There are a few diets that claim to be effective in treating people with autism, including a gluten free/ casein free diet and the GAPS (gut and psychology syndrome) diet.

There are also a number of pharmacological interventions used to treat specific symptoms of autism.

Warning signs of autism include: No babbling or cooing by 12 months No gestures (point or wave) by 12 months No words by 16 months No two-word phrases by 24 months Regression of language or social skills (at any age) Poor eye contact Failure to make facial expressions or respond to others’ expressions

WHAT DOES HANDS OFFER? I started HANDS (Help for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders) in 2006. There was a need in Birmingham and across Alabama for behavioral intervention services. HANDS provides behavioral therapy and assistance to individuals diagnosed with autism and their families. The HANDS program offers social skills therapy to children, teens and adults; one-on-one behavioral therapy in clinic, home or school settings; training for parents, caregivers and school staff; Behavioral Intervention Plans; and testing/assessments.

The Alabama Autism Assistance Program (AAAP) is a program that provides financial assistance to families across the state for behavioral therapy. AAAP/HANDS is a non-profit organization.

Symptoms of autism include:

WHAT IS THE MOST CURRENT RESEARCH RELATED TO AUTISM SHOWING?

Speech and communication delays Difficulty with nonverbal communication such as facial expression and eye contact Difficulty with social interaction (relating to people/surroundings) Preferring to play alone

A study found differences in brain communication pathways in infants who went on to develop autism. This research could lead to earlier detection of autism, and research has proven that an intense early intervention program using important ABA principles not only improves social and communication skills, but also improves brain activity related to social responsiveness.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN PARENTS DO TO PREVENT AUTISM? There are no scientifically proven ways to prevent autism. There are theories that autism can be caused by overexposure to toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead, pesticides and endocrine disrupting chemicals, so avoiding exposure to these could be helpful.

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Playing with toys and objects in unusual ways such as only lining up toys in a certain way Difficulty adjusting to changes in routine or unreasonable insistence on following a routine Repetitive body movements or behaviors such as hand flapping, spinning or head banging Preoccupation with unusual objects or parts of objects

AUTISM SPEAKS Two Alabama moms share what they’d like you to know about autism and their autistic children.

Dawn Duffy “My daughter is 18, and her name is Taylor Lane Duffy. She goes to school at Chelsea High School and was diagnosed when she was about 2 years old. It was hard, but we jumped in with both feet finding her the help she needed through the public school and private tutors. Courtney and HANDS have been working with Taylor for over 10 years. She is considered moderate to high functioning. There are areas she excels in and others she still needs help with.

“I do hope there is a cure one day for autism. But not really for us and our situation, more for those children who know and understand they are different. I see them and their parents struggle daily with why they are not ‘normal,’ why they don't have friends like others, why they can't drive and go like others. That is so much more heartbreaking than our situation. Taylor has no concept she is different in any way. She loves the social groups at HANDS but has no idea she is delayed in any way compared to others. That is such a blessing.”

ALABAMA AUTISM RESOURCES

The Alabama Autism Assistance Program/The HANDS Program, Birmingham, 205-733-0976, aaap-hands.org The Autism Society of Alabama, autism-alabama.org Alabama Autism and Asperger Info, alabamaautism.org Sparks Clinic, Birmingham, uab.edu/civitansparks Easter Seals of Central Alabama, eastersealsca.org

Mandi Kuhn “I have two children with autism. They are 5-yearold twins named John and Madison. They were both diagnosed around 2 years old. I also have a typical daughter, Emma, who is almost 4 years old. When they were first diagnosed, both kids were on the low functioning end of the spectrum. Neither one had any speech at that time and had sensory issues as well.

“Thanks to the therapy at HANDS, both kids’ behavior has improved a lot. Now, Madison is very high functioning. She is able to speak pretty well and can make friends easily. Madison became less defiant and learned to express herself with words instead of yelling. John is still considered low functioning but is almost a different boy now. He almost never has tantrums, follows directions and he has gained some speech.

“Having two children with autism can be stressful on a family. Emma has been affected the most by having siblings on the spectrum. They have been her peer models since she was born so she would copy their behaviors. For a while, people thought she was on the spectrum too, but as she spent time around typical kids, it became clear she was just copying what she was seeing from John and Madison.

“I wish people knew kids with autism are just like typical kids in a lot of ways. They like to be talked to and played with. They understand what is being said around them even if they can’t talk back.

They also have feelings and their own likes and dislikes just like any other kid.”

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

FORWARD MOTION

:

Exercise is very specific.

BY MICHELE OLSON, PHD, FACSM, CSCS

There is no such thing as a "One Exercise Plan Fits All." There are recommendations from key organizations like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

The CDC recommends adults should engage, at minimum, in moderate intensity physical activity for 30 minutes on most days of the week.

If you are someone who is sedentary and lacking a baseline level of fitness, the CDC plan will get you moving and help you to decrease the marked health risks associated with having no regular activity such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. But if your needs and goals are to develop out-right fitness such as making notable changes in muscular strength and the aerobic power of your heart and lungs, the ACSM Guidelines will make this a reality.

So the initial question should be: Which set of recommendations best targets what I need most?

Be aware of this: Your most important health or fitness needs may be distinctly different from those of your spouse, a sibling or best friend.

EXERCISE

FOR WHAT? Get Specific:

Do this:

If you a re cu r rent ly inactive and may have health concerns, start with the CDC Guidelines (which are also shared by the AHA).

Engage in physica l activity that raises your metabolic rate but is not so intense that you could not say the “A ,B,C’s” quietly. Walking a pet and taking a leisurely bike ride a re good examples.

Lose It: If you need to reduce body fat and lose weight, get moving.

Do this: Engage in higher volumes of exercise such as 45 minutes of cardio at least five to seven days a week. Examples include aerobic exercise and aerobic i nt er v a l e xer c i s e s uc h a s walking fast on a treadmill for one minute and then walking at a 7 percent incline for one m i nu t e a c c u m u l a t i n g 4 5 minutes. (Side note: A registered dietician can help you couple an appropriate, non-fad eating plan with weight-loss specific exercise.)

Set Guidelines: If you want to get noticeably fit/fitter and have the green light to engage in formal exercise, follow the ACSM Guidelines.

Do this: Fast walking, jogging, lap swimming or using a cardio machine where you have a noticeable rise in heart rate and could not carry on a conversation or read a book aloud for 30 minutes, three to five days a week. Incorporate resistance exercise two to three days a week such as weight machines, dumbbells, elastic exercise bands fatiguing each major muscle (arms, legs, chest and back) in about 12-15 repetitions.

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

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BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL There’s magic in the air each June on the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountain National Park near Gatlinburg. For severa l nig hts, hundreds of thousands of fireflies flash in unison as part of a mating ritual, lighting up the deep dark of the park like tiny sparks of lightning. These synchronous fireflies and their courtship display draw thousands of spectators every summer. Make your plans now to go see this spectacular sight, and book a room at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek to enjoy a private viewing experience with a guide from the lodge (instead of fighting the crowds). Nestled on the high side of a foothill in the shadow of Mount LeConte and overlooking pristine Buckberry Creek, the Lodge offers rustic elegance and comfort. http://1.usa.gov/1khGGtU buckberrylodge.com

HOT STUFF At Orbix Hot Glass in Mentone, artist Cal Breed blows molten glass into brilliantly colored creations. The soft curves and rounded shapes of pitchers, ornaments and more only accentuate his works’ vivid hues. Breed finds his muse in the textures and colors of the plants, trees, rocks and streams all around him, forming his tall vases by blowing molten glass into a mold filled with blackberry vines and other local plants. The result is artwork that’s influenced, literally, by the artist’s environment.

Check the website for Open Studio dates where you can see a demonstration and even make your own blown-glass ornament. orbixhotglass.com

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BY JENNIFER STEWART KORNEGAY

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Higher

HEAD UP TO HIGHLANDS, N.C., THIS SPRING, AND ENJOY AN ATTITUDE BOOST COURTESY OF INCREASED ALTITUDE.

In the spirit of spring cleaning freshen your mind and mood with a getaway immersed in Mother Nature. You don’t need to pack much (some sturdy shoes, a water bottle and an adventurer’s curiosity).

And you won’t need to travel far. Just a few miles past Georgia’s north border, the town of Highlands, N.C., is tucked neatly into the Nantahala National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains on a plateau at 4,100 feet above sea level. This lofty elevation makes it one of the highest communities in the Appalachians and creates canyons, creeks and craggy peaks begging to be explored. Follow these tips for a memorable trip.

HIGHLANDS, NC

DO THIS

SEE THESE

Highlands is classified as a temperate rainforest and is one of the most biodiverse locations in the country. On the edge of downtown, the Highlands Botanical Gardens offers an easy way to see a tiny portion of its abundant plant and animal life, with well-groomed walking paths and boardwalks leading through 12 acres of shaded glens and wetland areas with many of the over 500 species of moss, flowers and trees identified.

Right outside of town, on Highway 106, you’ll find the trail leading down to glittering Glen Falls. An observation deck not far along the path offers a picturesque view, but if you can make it all the way to the bottom, you’ll see the rushing, tumbling waterfall in its full glory. It’s a steep hike down and back up, but well worth some huffing and puffing.

HIKE HERE

# OLD EDWARDS INN

www.oldedwardsinn.com

HIGHLANDS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/VISITOR CENTER

Almost directly across from the Gardens is the trailhead for Sunset Rock. This moderate trail takes you to an outcrop and an unobstructed view overlooking downtown Highlands. The panoramic vista is at its colorful best when the sun is sinking below the horizon ( hence the name).

You’ll need more energy to hike the twomile loop trail leading up W hiteside Mountain; its sheer rock face is one of the highest in the Eastern United States. But you’ll forget your sore feet when you reach the top. Several of the breathtaking views are made only more majestic when you see endangered peregrine falcons that nest on the cliff soaring practically at eye level.

www.highlandschamber.org

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After that effort, say “I do” to a break and gaze at Bridal Veil Falls without getting out of your car. Plummeting down the mountainside along Highway 64, this 60-foot beauty drops less water, creating a thin, lacey sheet of foam that earned it its name.

Just a few miles away, also on Highway 64, Dry Falls is anything but. Torrents of white water are hurled over a jagged ledge. The angle of the outcrop creates a gap you can walk behind, allowing an upclose and personal look at the falls without getting wet.

EAT UP Of course, after all the trekking up and down, a little crystal clear water to cool you off doesn’t sound so bad. Head to Silver Cove Falls and take a quick dip in the shallow pool at the bottom of this cascade.

Since you’re already soaked from a swim at Silver Cove, take a ride down Mother Nature’s water slide, Sliding Rock Falls, in nearby Cashiers, where a wide swath of stream rolls across flat, moss-covered rocks. At least one bruise is practically guaranteed, but so is some good, old-fashioned fun.

The most magnificent waterfall in the area is Whitewater Falls off Highway 281. It thunders and roars as it plunges 411 feet, making it the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. A paved walkway leads to an amazing look, but the long trip down to the bottom of the falls rewards you with a jaw-dropping view.

SIMPLE LUXURIES A full day spent amid the wonders of nature will leave you more than ready for a little rest and relaxation, and at the historic Old Edwards Inn, manmade wonders (including an award-winning spa) will soothe you into a serene state.

Fronting the main street cutting through downtown, Old Edwards Inn was built in 1878 and served as the town’s first boarding house, known for years as Central House. Old Edwards Inn became the four-diamond establishment it is today in 2001. In 2004, it underwent a complete renovation, yet the Inn still retains the character of its heritage, enough to earn it a spot on the National Register for Historic Places. That character extends beyond the physical structure: You’ll find a true inn experience at Old Edwards, with special little touches that make a big difference.

The look and stellar service are echoes of the past, but every room is equipped with modern luxuries and conveniences (flat-screen TVs and wireless internet); some even include working fireplaces as well as towel warmers and heated floors in the spacious, marble-ensconced bathrooms. Check out the new cozy, comfy Falls Cottages. Each is named in honor of one of the area’s many waterfalls and offers a sense of privacy while still being on Old Edwards’ property and convenient to all the Inn’s amenities and the many offerings of Highlands’ downtown area.

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SWIMMING, HIKING, LUNGS FULL OF MISTY MOUNTAIN AIR—THEY ALL WORK UP AN APPETITE. AND IN HIGHLANDS, THE OPTIONS FOR SATIATING THAT HUNGER ARE MANY AND VARIED. Madison’s at Old Edwards Inn serves innovative dishes created using fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a sophisticated, yet cozy, environment.

For a quick lunch, try Mountain Grocery.

Deli sandwiches on fresh rolls are piled high with meats and cheeses and make a perfect picnic to take on your outdoor explorations.

At Paoletti's you'll find a romantic atmosphere and traditional Italian cuisine.

Lakeside Restaurant on little Harris Lake is ideal for an intimate evening. The menu includes delicious seafood selections and hand-cut, grilled steaks.

Before heading to bed, stop in and have a drink or two with the locals at the Ugly Dog Pub, which serves several North Carolinabrewed beers on tap.

Learn more about Chef Johannes Klapdohr’s commitment to serving true farm-to-fork cuisine to the diners at Madison’s restaurant in Highlands at readlean.org.

m

What They Say

Peggy and Maurice Mussafer of Montgomery, Ala., have a vacation home in Highlands and spend several months there each year. Here are a few of Peggy’s favorite Highlands highlights.

Lunch Spot: Wild Thyme Dinner Place: Paoletti’s That Special Something

“I feel like it is the most peaceful place in the world. I like that you can do whatever you want; I love to fish and hike, and that is all so readily available.

And I love the feeling that permeates the town. Everyone there is looking to enjoy life and is so happy to be there. It’s contagious. And it’s all set in the most beautiful place in the world.”

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Balance

Be au Art tif M ul in d for a

BY MELISSA TATE WITT

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ALTERNATIVE THERAPY HELPS TO MAINTAIN MENTAL WELLNESS

When we think about the importance of mental health and therapy surrounding it, we typically think of lying on a couch forced to answer odd questions. Have you ever envisioned therapy involving paint brushes, drawings and little words?

DIY: ART AS A THERAPY Although true art therapy involves a professional therapist to guide you through the process, below are a few ways to use art as a way to relieve stress and gain new perspective.

DRAW OR PAINT A PERFECT DAY.

Where are you? Who are you with? How are you feeling?

Why? What about this image could you make a reality today? What obstacles are in your way and how can you deal with them positively?

WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Art therapy is just one of the m a ny a lter n at ives u sed by professional therapists to help pat ient s ident i f y a nd cope with physical and emotional problem s t h roug h creat ive activities. Through a creative process, patients are able to explore and reconcile emotions, reduce anxiety, improve selfawareness, deal with trauma, understand behavior and recover self-esteem. Because it is often difficult to verbalize feelings du r i ng t i mes of st ress, a r t therapy provides patients with a “visual language� to help express emotions that may be repressed at the time.

CREATE AN ART JOURNAL.

Draw a simple picture to represent your day or a favorite part of your day.

HOW DID IT BEGIN?

Art therapy was first established in the 1940s as a tool to help patients identify unconscious thoughts. In 1969, the American Art Therapy Association (arttherapy.org) was established to maintain the standards for art therapists and educate the general public about the field.

WHO ARE ART THERAPISTS?

Registered art therapists (who have graduate level training in both the art and counseling arenas) work with patients to produce paintings, drawings and sculptures and discuss the emotions discovered in the process. These emotions are often difficult for the patient to verbalize. Another technique is to have patients look at pieces of art and talk with the therapist about what they see in those pictures, resurrecting feelings surrounding the life stressor at hand.

CREATE A STRESS COLLAGE.

Take photographs or draw pictures of things that are stressors in your life.

What steps can you take to simplify things?

MAKE SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

Make a wreath, send a card you created or fancy up an old picture frame and give it to someone you love with a picture of the two of you in it.

WHO CAN BENEFIT?

Success cases using art therapy have i ncluded patients dealing with g rief, addiction, treatment for life-threatening diseases, reading disorders, abuse, eating disorders and more. It is very effective with children, who especially have trouble talking about painful emotions or difficult situations in their life.

Many medical centers and hospitals now include art therapy as part of inpatient care, although it can also be found in schools, psychiatric centers, rehabilitation programs and art studios.

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TAG

You‛re

it

DRIVING AROUND TOWN SPORTING A JOY TO LIFE CAR TAG IS JUST ONE MORE WAY YOU CAN SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION’S WORK AND SPREAD ITS MESSAGE TO OTHERS.

There are so many wonderful ways to support Joy to Life and its mission of providing free breast cancer screenings and mammograms to medically underserved women in Alabama. You can order a pink curbside bin to display on your street. You can sign up to participate in the “Walk of Life.” And now you can spread awareness by “pinking your ride” with the “fight breast cancer” car tag.

Joy and Dickie Blondheim, who founded Joy to Life in 2001, have never been low on fun and creative ways to raise money for the Foundation’s cause. In fact, inspiration is likely to hit them just about anywhere they go.

“Joy and I were driving to Atlanta in 2006 to visit our son and his wife,” said Dickie. “While on the interstate we saw a yellow car tag on the back of a car, and we both looked at each other and said, ‘Why isn’t there a pink car tag for breast cancer?’”

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Want to be part of Joy to Life’s latest pink project? Advertise in lean magazine! Visit readlean.org for more information.

When the couple returned home, they met with their ad agency STAMP (then known as LWT Communications) to discuss designing a pink car tag for Joy to Life. They submitted the tag to the LOC Committee at the State Legislature to get it approved but were then faced with the somewhat daunting task of pre-selling 1,000 tags in 12 months before the state would agree to produce them. “This proved to be a very difficult process,” said Dickie. “It took us almost the whole 12 months to accomplish this goal. But we did it!” He went on to explain that they had no idea how successful the tag would become over the next five years. Today, the pink “Fight Breast Cancer” car tag is the most sought after breast cancer tag in the state, selling over 1,000 each month.

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FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE

JOY TO LIFE

FOUNDATION AND THE “FIGHT BREAST CANCER”

CAR TAG, VISIT

JOYTOLIFE.ORG

The State of Alabama requires that personalized license plates, like JTL’s, change their design every five years. This year, the Blondheims wanted something that would be eye-catching, and they believe the newest version fits the bill. The new tag features inspirational words such as “hope,” “survive,” “dream” and, of course, “joy.” The tag comes in the Foundation’s signature pink along with a stylized breast cancer ribbon and reads “Fight Breast Cancer” along with the Joy to Life website address, joytolife.org.

OR CALL

(334) 284-LIFE (5433).

“It’s gratifying that our tag is the best-selling breast cancer tag in Alabama,” said Dickie. “One hundred percent of the money we raise from tag sales stays in Alabama and has allowed us to expand our outreach from the tri-county area of Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore counties to all 67 counties throughout Alabama. I can honestly say lives have been, and will continue to be, saved because of this car tag. It’s a moving billboard that reminds women to get their mammograms.”

Every step brings us that much closer.

Raising money for breast cancer awareness and providing free mammograms to those who need them is a cause worth fighting for – certainly worth walking for.

AutoTrader.com is proud to support The Joy to Life Foundation’s 2014 Walk of Life.

COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY

14_Q1_007 - CR Program Ad_Joy to Life Walk_Final.indd 1

1/10/14 3:52 PM

If you are age 40 to 64, have no insurance and a low income, you may qualify for a FREE Mammogram and Pap smear.

EARLY DETECTION OF BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SAVES LIVES

For more information, call toll-free 1-877-252-3324

Alabama Department of Public Health

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PEOPLE FROM HERE TO

SWEAR BY BODY WRAPS

 TO RELAX AND REJUVENATE THEIR SKIN AS WELL AS TO HELP THEM DROP INCHES IMMEDIATELY. BUT IS A BODY WRAP REALLY WORTH THE MONEY AND HYPE?

Wrap THAT’S A

Often

offered in a dimly lit room with candles, soft music and a massage table wrapped with a thermal blanket, a body wrap kicks off with an exfoliating scrub and a shower.

Next, a therapist will apply a thick application of a “skin mask” to the body followed by a snug full-body wrap in plastic and blankets to keep warm. After 20 or 30 minutes of relaxation within the wrap, the therapist will unwrap the plastic and blankets to cool things down with a rinse and lotion application from head to toe.

BY MELISSA TATE WITT

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Wetumpka Wetumpka Crater Festival

Smithsonian Museum on Main Street The Way We Worked

Wetumpka River & Blues Festival 110 East Bridge Street, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 334.567.4811 • info@WetumpkaChamber.org

DRY OR SENSITIVE SKIN: Be sure to talk to the therapist about what ingredients will work best for you as clay and fragrances may irritate or dry the skin further.

What types of body wraps are there?

You can find just about any combination you are looking for, although the most popular ones are often meant to moisturize or detox, lose weight and/or reduce cellulite.

How much will a body wrap cost me?

Is a body SPACE IS TIGHT: Although not dangerous, you will wound pretty tight in the wrap and also left for several wrap for me? be minutes alone lying in a mummy position. Wraps are supBefore getting all wrapped up, it might be best to talk with your doctor. Here are some other things to consider:

posed to be relaxing, so ensure this sounds relaxing to you before you drop the cash.

DEHYDRATION: Because you will sweat and lose some water weight in the process, it is important to hydrate before and after the process.

MEDICATIONS: If you are taking any prescription medications, make sure to discuss that with the therapist to ensure they are safe to mix with skin mask ingredients.

Wraps can certainly range in price, costing anywhere from $60 to $300+ depending on the level of salon. Salons periodically offer bulk package deals to lower the cost of a single wrap session.

NUDITY: Full body wraps mean you most likely will have to bare it all—so make sure this is something you are comfortable with or discuss your options with the salon.

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CAMPING WE WILL GO

ALABAMA’S SUMMER CAMPS OFFER KIDS THE CHANCE TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZONS WHILE BUILDING BOTH CONFIDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE.

WHY: THE MANY BENEFITS OF SENDING YOUR KIDS AWAY A week or two away at summer camp is about so much more than tipping over canoes and eating too many s’mores. By offering the chance to meet new people, learn new skills and try new things, all away from the comfort zone of home, camp can prove to be a seminal experience for a child. In an age where the temptation to parent via bubble wrap is strong, the opportunity to be out from under the paternal wing (but still safe and supervised) is one of camp’s most valuable benefits.

A st udy recently published by Philliber Resea rch Associates collected data at 92 randomly selected camps and from more than 5,000 families around the country.

Their results showed that camp builds skills necessary to prepare campers to assume roles as successful adults.

Parents, campers and camp staff independently reported growth in areas such as self-confidence, independence, making friends, exploring and learning new activities and spirituality.

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Bob McBride is the director of Camp Mac in Munford, Ala., and his family has been hosting kids from all over the country for almost 70 years. Growing up at camp has given him an up-close-and-personal perspective on the positive role it can play in a child’s life. “Camp gives kids the chance to unplug and experience so many things. It gives them time away to be independent and to learn to make decisions on their own, attributes they will use for the rest of their lives,” he said. “One of the benefits I know I received from camp, other than lifelong friends and amazing memories, is self-confidence that I have carried with me into my adult life.”

Lindsey Gallaher, the assistant director at Skyline, an allgirls camp in Mentone, Alabama, echoed Gunn. “The average American teen spends an average of 52 hours every week looking at an electronic screen,” she said. “At camp, distractions like cell phones, tablets, video games, etc., are removed. This creates the opportunity for campers to truly connect with one another.”

Plus, by keeping kids’ minds active, a session at camp can help lessen what educators call the “summer learning slide.” Many studies have shown that kids can lose up to two months of what they learned in the previous year at school during the break.

And since camp is, first and foremost, fun, it is actually a highly successful way to teach kids everything from the above skills to more traditional “school topics” like math and science through sports, exposure to nature, arts and crafts and more.

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

WHERE:

THREE OF OUR FAVORITE ALABAMA CAMPS Thousands of boys and girls have spent parts of their summers at Camp Mac in Munford, Alabama, over the last six decades, where the McBride family has been passionate about “making a difference in kids’ lives” since E.A. McBride founded the co-ed camp in 1948. Kids spend two or four weeks wearing themselves out on 300 acres in the Talladega National Forest participating in over 30 activities including skiing, horseback riding, adventure camp, swimming in the camp’s two lakes, and canoeing, to name a few. Calling itself a “learning camp,” Camp Mac has created a program and structure that is fun but also challenges curious minds.

Camp Skyline in Mentone, Alabama, was founded in 1947 and welcomes girls ages 6-16 for one- and two-week sessions. Smack in the middle of some of the state’s most scenic mountain splendor, Skyline has made it its goal to teach campers how to build strong relationships with others, how to develop strong character and how to find a “positive knowledge of self.” A wide range of classic camp activities is available, but Skyline also uses healthy competition to teach the above tenets of its mission statement. Upon arrival, each camper is assigned to a club, either Mounties, Rangers or Troopers. The groups compete in different events and activities throughout the session.

Skyline’s staff also works to instill the camp’s values. “We make sure that every Skyline counselor is intentional in seeing their campers grow while they are at camp,” said assistant director Lindsey Gallaher.

Boys can enjoy the beauty and adventure of Northeast Alabama too, at Alpine Camp, also in Mentone, and like Skyline, Alpine touts its staff as the element that makes it special. “Our counselors are hand-picked from a highly selective process to be strong, fun, Christian role models to our campers,” said Glenn Breazeale, director of Alpine. “We believe the counselor makes the experience for the camper.”

Breazeale believes the “boys-only” aspect is important too. “An all-boys environment allows boys to be themselves and enjoy adventure and independence without some of the typical concerns of impressing girls or adults,” he said. Longer sessions, 25 days each, let boys really unwind and settle into camp life and allow them time to play and play hard in one of the bevy of activities available in Alpine’s 350 acres. Campers choose what they want to do: rock climbing, archery, football, fly-fishing, mountain biking and more.

If all this sounds like too much fun to let your kids enjoy alone, consider a family camp, where you and yours can experience it all together. Visit readlean.org to learn more.

Shorter Stays T he Y MCA’s C a mp C h a nd ler i n Wetumpka is one of the oldest and largest Alabama camps and is a great way to get your younger camper’s feet wet. With its Scout program, 5-to-8 year olds can “go to camp” for just two nights in a highly structured environment with a small camper-to-counselor ratio. www.campchandler.org If your child isn’t old enough for any “sleep-away” camp, or you’re just not sure they’re ready, consider one of these day camps. In addition to the opportunities on the right, check out the offerings at your local library, zoo or museum.

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Expedition Lanark

Alabama Nature Center, Millbrook, www.alabamawildlife.org

McWane Science Center Day Camps Birmingham, www.mcwane.org

Discovery Hall Camps

Dauphin Island Sea Lab & Estuarium, Dauphin Island, www.dhp.disl.org

Camp Safari

The Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery, www.montgomeryzoo.com

It’s a confidential call...no one will know you called but YOU!

There are more suicides than murders in Alabama every year.

Open 24 hours a day if a friend has had suicidal thoughts

Talking about suicidal thoughts help reduce the pain.

In 2011, 82 people ages 10 to 24 died by suicide in Alabama.

LK (8255)u 1-800-27ia3l ca-ll.TA No one will know yo

• It is a confident called but you. ghts, having suicidal thou e ar nd ie fr a or u yo • If to a a friend, to a teacher, just talk about it...to us...but TALK! coach, to a leader, to 43

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ON THE MOVE

C C C C C

y k e e h C

C C

FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS GETS With spring comes warmer temperatures, —renewa l a nd rejuvenation blossom s .

Well, at least that’s the idea. Produced by the Providence Hospital Foundation, THE FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS WILL BE HELD MARCH 20-23 AND WILL ENJOY ITS 21ST YEAR AS A STAPLE EVENT IN MOBILE.

THE LARGEST OUTDOOR FLOWER SHOW IN THE SOUTHEAST

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Regionally acclaimed garden designers and landscape architects come together during the festival to create innovative, life-sized landscape gardens. But what’s even more exciting is this year’s event will exhibit renowned blooms, foliage and gardens from England and other parts of the world. Brill-i-ant!

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BY JENNY ENSLEN STUBBS

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“A weed is but an unloved flower.”

–Ella Wheeler Wilcox

CHARMED, I’ M SURE.

W

e’re all very well-aware of the French influence found in Mobile, but I bet you didn’t know about the British invasion about to take over!

With enchanting displays like the “Seeds of Wisdom” (imaginative floral interpretations of some of England’s most-loved children’s literature), “A Colonnade of Crowns” (reproductions of majestic crowns in floral form), and the “World of Flowers” exhibit (classic English flower displays), you’re bound to leave invigorated and motivated to create a little gardening magic of your own.

While Mobile may be known as the azalea capital of the world, the goldenrod was actually once considered the state flower of Alabama. And although goldenrods are held as a sign of good luck in many places (including in England where they are prized as garden plants too), they are sometimes considered to be weeds in North America.

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SHAKE OFF THE WINTER BLUES AND SPRING INTO ACTION WHILE YOU ENJOY THESE SEASONAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT ALABAMA!

MOBILE

March 20-23 Festival of Flowers festivalofflowers.com Get an eyeful while you tickle your smelling senses at this breathtakingly beautiful event enjoying its 21st year. British Gardens in Time, this year’s theme is sure to make you say, “Brilliant!”

WHITE HALL

March 20-21 Storytelling Festival nps.gov/semo The South is known for its stories and storytellers. In commemoration of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March, storytellers from the Alabama Storytelling Guild will present evocative children’s stories.

THE CITY OF ST. JUDE

ANNISTON

MONTGOMERY

March 22

April 5

April 26

The City of St. Jude Inaugural 5K

Noble Street Festival

Walk of Life for Breast Cancer

noblestreetfestival.com

joytolife.org

Race into healthy living at this popular outdoor festival as you watch world-class professional c ycl i ng i n t he Su n ny K i ng Criterium.

Donations, contributions and support of the Walk of Life benefit the Joy to Life Foundation’s mission to provide life-saving mammograms for medically underserved women in Alabama. Whether as a walker, runner, volunteer, survivor, sponsor or even as a virtual participant, this renowned 5K run/walk event encourages anyone and everyone to play a part!

active.com A not her event held t o help recognize and celebrate the final leg of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March comes in the form of a 5K hosted by The City of St. Jude, which played a critical role in the historic event.

HUNTSVILLE

MONTGOMERY

May 2

May 5

Spring is Bach

Southern Makers

huntsville.org

southernmakers.com

Sit back, relax and soak in the sou nds a nd sig hts of spr ing while you enjoy a concert by the Huntsville Master Chorale at the Faith Presbyterian Church.

Recog n i zi ng t he aut hent icit y a nd superb artisanship of the South, Southern Makers is back for round two, allowing attendees to sample the South through its history, agriculture, food, art and all-around notable culture.

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leap j FAITH

p

WE BELIEVE IT MAKES SENSE FOR MANY PEOPLE TO CONSIDER TAKING SOME “RISK” BY INVESTING AT LEAST SOME OF THEIR MONEY INTO STOCKS OVER THE LONG TERM.

Watching the news can incite a lot of fear these days. The constant

political and financial turmoil causes us to be scared of what might happen. That same uncertainty often prompts us to take the “safer” road when it comes to investing by staying out of stocks and putting most of our money in cash. If the stock market falls, the value of cash remains unaffected. Plus, if your investment account pays interest on that cash, then at least you are going in the right direction. Right?

All these are true statements, but they only represent part of the story.

The primary reason to invest is so your portfolio might grow faster than the rising prices of goods—a major issue.

For example, in 2013, the average price increase of goods and services (think bread, milk and gasoline) was 1.5 percent 1 .This doesn’t seem like much. Something that cost $100 in 2012 would on average be only $101.50.

More, but not much more. Here’s the problem: the average interest being paid right now on sav ings accounts is .12 percent according to Bankrate.com 2 . That means prices would have risen faster than your savings. You wouldn’t be able to buy as much the next year.

So we need a way to possibly stay a head of t hose pr ice increa ses.

Stocks—which represent ownership in businesses—have historically done this by experiencing an average price increase of more than 9 percent 3 per year. Compare that to the long-term average price increases of goods of 3 percent4 . Of course, the value of your investments in stocks can fall and growth is not a sure thing. Also, prices of stocks fluctuate constantly.

The risk of losing your money is what people are referring to when they talk about investment risks. Even so, the fact that interest on cash won’t provide enough growth means that stocks can play an integral role in someone’s long-term plans.

While we believe that investing in the stock markets make sense for most people, it is paramount to first understand both your needs and the risks involved with investing. By doing so, you can then know what type of mixture of stocks, bonds and cash would best suit your specific situation.

This way, you are more likely to meet your goals and have enough money both before and during the golden years of retirement. *The example provided is hypothetical and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent any specific return, yield, or investment, nor is it indicative of future results.

Stocks offer long-term growth potential, but may fluctuate more and provide less current income than other investments. An investment in the stock market should be made with an understanding of the risks associated with common stocks, including market fluctuations.

As defined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), bls.gov 2 Feb 1, 2014 3 Geometric Average of S&P500 total return, Pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar 4 CPI, bls.gov 1

At Wells Fargo Advisors, we have the financial tools necessary to create a financial target and define your goals. And, it’s free.

Call us so we can help you determine your final destination.

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

Third time’s the charm!

It

. take d e t c s t hr e t o r p e e do s y l l u f es of the H P V vacc ine to be HPV causes cervical cancer and many other cancers in men and women.

The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls at age 11-12 to prevent cancers and diseases later in life. For those not yet vaccinated, the vaccine is recommended through age 21 for boys and age 26 for girls.

The ADPH encourages you to pair the first dose of the HPV vaccine with the required 6th grade vaccinations (TDAP/Meningococcal) The vaccine is available at ALL County Health Departments at little or no cost to children ages 9 to 18.

Dependents up to age 26 may be covered by their parents’ insurance.

Get in the loop and learn about the HP V vaccine! /CANCERCONTROL

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