LEAN Magazine-Summer 2016

To Life

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PER FECT PICK S

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LEMON BEAUTY AIDS

MEET LUCY FARMER GETTIN' TO THE GULF

Donate Online / Buy the all Pink Car Tag or Pink Trash Can / Save Lives in your Community.

LIVEHERE. GIVEHERE. A SIMPLE MISSION THAT SAVES LIVES: The Joy to Life Foundation provides free mammograms and other breast cancer screenings when necessary to medically underserved women in Alabama, provide limited grants when needed, build and support breast cancer awareness among all Alabamians, and promote over-all health, well-being, and education throughout the state.

DONATE NOW @

JOYTOLIFE.ORG

Suddenly, you’re in a whole different state of the road less traveled. morning commute. island cruise.

Beyond our expansive sugar white beaches, you’ll find quiet back bays, miles of unspoiled nature trails, wildlife preserves, open roads and bikeways waiting to be explored. Come be transformed.

GulfShoresOrangeBeach

GulfShores.com

@alabamabeaches

877-259-3946 4

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PINK CAN. CAN SAVE. HELP US TRASH BREAST CANCER. IF YOU LIVE IN MONTGOMERY, PRATTVILLE, OPELIKA OR GREENVILLE BUY A PINK CAN TODAY: WITH EVERY PURCHASE OF THE PINK JOY TO LIFE TRASH CAN, ALABAMIANS HELP SUPPORT FUNDING OF MAMMOGRAMS AND OTHER BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS FOR UNDERSERVED WOMEN IN EVERY COUNTY IN ALABAMA. DONATE NOW @ JOYTOLIFE.ORG

DO YOU WANT PINK TRASH CANS IN YOUR COUNTY? EMAIL INFO@JOYTOLIFE.ORG

SU M M ER 2016

PUBLISHER

It’s not always easy to savor summertime when it’s sweltering hot outside. But we manage, don’t we? Because even though it’s burning up, you can still play and eat your fill of Alabama fun. Summers here are filled with delicious fruits and scrumptious veggies plucked straight from the garden at their peak! Find out some festivals dedicated to these beloved eats, (along with some other shindigs we recommend), in Go & Do. We even threw in some recipes just for you!

JTL Publishing EDITOR Jenny Enslen Stubbs WEB EDITOR Jennifer Stewart Kornegay ART DIRECTOR Erika Rowe Tracy

Speaking of eating, meet Chef Randy from the A & P Social and learn why Southern cuisine just can’t seem to get out of the national spotlight.

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCERS

Read up on the Alabama Gulf Coast in the south, Desoto State Park and the Little River Canyon National Preserve up in the northeast, and the famed Camp McDowell on the other side of the state map.

MARKETING

Big Dreamz Creative Kelly Haynes PUBLIC RELATIONS

But no matter where you go throughout, we’ve also got some ways to stay fresh and fabulous with Lemon Aids.

Denise Greene PROOFREADER

But up first you’ll find another reason Alabama is turning heads all over the country by meeting Lucy Farmer and her thriving salvaged jewelry-making, HGTV interior designing, all-around impressive and accomplished Southern self.

Georgia Pinkston CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Stewart Kornegay

Lots to eat, lots to see, even more to enjoy and learn about in our summer issue of .

Cheyenne Martin Jenny Enslen Stubbs Melissa Tate Witt CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

SUPPORT

Big Dreamz Creative Stephen DeVries COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Aubrie Moates/Hello Gorgeous

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. EDITOR IMAGE BY AUBRIE MOATES.

IMAGE COURTESY OF GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

BEYOND THE SEASHORE

Features

SUMMER ISSUE 15

16

08

ALL INSPIRED

CONTENT

28 ON THE MOVE

14 WHOLE LIVING

34 LEAN LOVES

16 THE DISH

36 IN BALANCE

20 FIT FOR KIDS

46 SKIN DEEP

Alabama U-Pick Farms

Know Thy Chef

Camp McDowell Farm School

24 TO LIFE

The Science of Sure

Alabama's Gorgeous Gorge

Products & Gear

Sugar: The “In” Drug

LemonAids

48 GO & DO

’s Calendar of Events

IMAGE BY STEPHEN DEVRIES

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BY JENNIFER STEWART KORNEGAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN DEVRIES

All InSpired

“#Isaveoldthings.”

It’s not just a hashtag for Lucy Farmer; it’s a way of life.

“I’ve always had an interest in their texture, patina, stories and uniqueness,” she said, and through her Birmingham-based jewelry and home design company, Lucy’s Inspired, she gives vintage objects the chance to be loved again. She grew up antique hunting with her mom and aunt and developed a knack for “finding the beauty.” “It’s now become a passion,” Lucy said. “I get excited about finding ways to re-use things that are still good and are really probably better than the same thing made today, and I love showing others how to do it too. It started with the jewelry.”

In 2010, while doing marketing for Southern Accents, an architectural antiques salvage business and store in Cullman, Ala. (the largest in the South), Lucy was constantly digging into boxes of fixtures rescued from old homes and buildings, things like hinges, drawer pulls, keys, doorknobs and more.

“I was always drawn to the hardware; I was intrigued by the intricacies,” she said. As part of her job, she came up with DIY projects that encouraged people to re-purpose old things in interesting and unexpected ways.

“I found this keyhole that I loved, but I couldn’t figure out what to do with it,” she said. Finally, she threaded it onto a chain and started wearing it as a necklace. “I wore it all the time for about three years and constantly had people asking me ‘Where did you get that?’ or telling me ‘I want one.’”

Find out what lights a fire in this energetic, enterprising Alabama creative.

Being a jewelry designer had never occurred to Lucy, until the second that it did. “I realized that others were interested in these things too, and that I could design, make and sell the jewelry I’d been doing just for me,” she

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JOYTOLIFE.ORG A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

the Key

Wanna know where Lucy sources her beloved vintage pieces? Here are a few of her favorite shopping spots.

1 SEE MORE OF LUCY'S INTERIOR STYLE IN HER OWN HOME

#moonglowlake said. In 2014, she left Southern Accents and pursued her jewelry full time.

It’s fitting that now, some of her most popular pieces are necklaces featuring vintage chandelier prisms whose many facets sparkle when hit with light. Even if she didn’t spend most of her time sharing her ideas and the motivation behind them, you’d see the passion that drives her; it’s the energy lighting her from within, mirroring the glow of her jewelry.

Sitting at the dining table in the open kitchen/dining area/ living room of her Birmingham home, she’s surrounded by further proof of this passion. Large windows and double glass doors usher in wide stripes of sun that spotlight the reclaimed wood floors from an old general store under foot and the thick, hand-hewn beams, with noticeable dents from an ax, lining the ceiling overhead. In the master bath, dangling over a deep cast-iron tub, a chandelier is dripping with hundreds of twinkling prisms (obviously some of her favorite things) from an old hotel in New Orleans.

SCOTT'S ANTIQUE MARKET Hit it the second weekend of each month. Treasures of all kinds abound here!

2 SOUTHERN ACCENTS ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUES The largest (and finest) salvage collection in the southeast.

3 TENNESSEE FLEA MARKET Once a month the fairgrounds fill with vendors. You'll never know what you'll find.

things I had no idea I could do, so that was great. The really hard part was being away from my family for six weeks.”

The house also shows off her style philosophy. “You can mix styles and periods and put casual and elegant together,” she said. “You can use the old and then add some new contemporary pieces too to create your own style that tells your story.” But you don’t have to score an invite over to her home to understand what makes Lucy tick when it comes to home and interior design. If you tuned into last summer’s hit show “Beach Flip” on HGTV, you saw her “build new houses with old things” idea in action.

While the show made it clear that Lucy’s good taste and design talents go way beyond necklaces and bracelets, and she definitely had a camera-friendly presence, she’s currently focused on her company’s original aspect. “It was a great learning experience, and I could see myself maybe doing some more TV, but I’m into my jewelry right now,” she said.

Lucy and her close friend Daphney Massey responded to an open-call audition, and out of more than 1,000 two-person teams, the duo and three other pairs landed a spot on an eightepisode reality show that pitted the teams against each other as they renovated beach houses in Gulf Shores, Ala. “It was a whole lot of work, but it was fun too,” she said. “My husband and I have built many houses together through the years, and I’ve designed lots of interiors, but on the show I did

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With the jewelry’s recent growth, she has to be. When she first started her jewelry line, then called Lucy’s Lockets, she was only selling the pieces at shows around the South. Then a store in the chic beach enclave of Seaside, Florida, asked if they could carry her jewelry, so she started selling wholesale and popping up in other shops too. This past winter, Lucy’s Inspired went to the annual wholesale market in Atlanta. Now, Lucy’s pieces will be sold in more than 100 stores all over the country. “I’ll be in a boutique in Alaska!” she said.

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The huge number of orders had Lucy and the team she hired to help hard at work putting dainty keys and glimmering prisms on leather cords in her lower-level workshop last spring. “The necklaces I sold at market are not all vintage, but they are pretty, and I like the idea behind them,” Lucy said. Playing off her business’ name, the necklaces come two to a pack with a label that reads “Inspired to Give.” “It’s one for you and one to give to someone special,” Lucy said. “A lot of my customers will buy a piece and then buy another one as a gift, so that’s how I came up with the concept.”

With two teenage kids, her husband, a fluffy dog and her company all vying for her time, Lucy stays beyond busy, so a question about where she hopes to be in five years slowed the quick pace of her speech and left her quiet and reflective for a moment. “You know, I believe in setting goals, in putting something in front of myself and pushing for it, but right now, I’m kinda letting this thing evolve how it wants to and letting

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it carry me along,” she said. “I think the next inspiration will find me.”

get inspired

Get a daily dose of Lucy’s sparkle by following her on social media ( W Instagram! ). She’s always putting her enthusiasm for “old things” on display, sharing design and style ideas with joy and often, a bit of humor.

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

@lucyinspired @inspiretogive

G WHOLE LIVIN

U-Pick.

I-Pick.

We all pick fresh fruit.

Like your fruit in a cone?

Visit readlean.org for an ice cream recipe that's perfect paired with any fresh fruit.

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Oh, What a Peach!

We all get giddy when we start talking about picking our own fresh fruit! So if the taste itself wasn’t enough to convince you, here are some more reasons why you should find the closest U-Pick near you.

Put Alabama's U-Pick farms on your summer bucket list.

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McGee Farm FLORENCE

In the spring, McGee Farm offers all sorts of bedding plants to get your year started off right. Blackberries are offered when the season comes about as well.

In the fall, pumpkins, gourds and turnip greens are right there for the picking. McGee Farm boasts it’s a fun place to visit for the entire family. mcgeefarm.com

A Good Haul

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Barber Berry Farm

MILLBROOK

Barber Berry Farm is known to locals as a fantastic picking hub for blackberries and blueberries. And since berry season only lasts so long, Barber Berry Farm also offers muscadines and scuppernongs during August and September.

Hydroponics is also practiced for a variety of vegetables throughout different seasons in the year. barberberryfarm.com

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Weeks Bay Plantation

FAIRHOPE

Home to LA Berry Farms, Weeks Bay Plantation is the destination if you’re in the market for some blueberries. With 15 varieties offered, this operation can also claim to be 100 percent USDA certified organic. In fact, LA Berry Farms supplies such well-known chains as Whole Foods and Fresh Market. Now that’s a lot of blueberries! weeksbayplantation.com

U-Pick produce is generally priced by weight.

A Sweet Cheat

Grab a bucket that's been picked with love by farm staff instead.

Picking your own fruits and veggies offers a truckload of health benefits like a more nutrient-dense product, plus it's tastier and boasts a much stronger aroma. But if you’re not one to grow your own food (or simply not enough of it), finding a pick-your-own operation is about as good as plucking the yummy goodness out of your own garden.

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Backyard Orchards

EUFALA

“From our fields to your family,” is the phrase this Eufala U-Pick uses to explain the significance of its fresh, seasonal produce. A variety of fruits and vegetables are available for picking (and are also sold pre-picked), with the most notable being strawberries, peaches and blueberries.

Although Alabama doesn’t always have the most predictable weather, U-Picks like Backyard Orchards are able to give some dates on when the produce will be at its peak for picking. backyardorchards.com

Snacking Right Along Bonus!

Some farms invite visitors to chomp as they collect.

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

Just Ripe

Check each U-Pick’s website for the most up-to-date picking details.

the dish

Getting “micro-seasonal” with A&P Social's offerings.

THY

(cowboy hat-wearing)

(

CHEF

Meet the tall, Texan chef who’s serving dishes with a super-fresh focus and giving Central Alabama diners even more to be excited about.

If you’ve been enjoying Montgomery’s revived restaurant scene, you’ve probably dined at one of its highlights, downtown’s Central. If you were there in the last couple of years, you may have noticed a cream-colored cowboy hat zigging and zagging back in the open kitchen. The hat sits on the head of Central’s former Executive Chef Randal Gresham, and a few months ago, it went with him when he moved to head things up at A&P Social. This local favorite in the historic Cloverdale neighborhood is actually where Chef Randy got his start in the capital city. But how did the tall Texan (born and raised in Houston) make it to Montgomery in the first place? Short answer: A girl.

Chef Randy got into the restaurant business as a teenager hungry for extra money to put toward a car. He started as a dishwasher and worked his way up to prep cook at popular Houston eatery Amedeos. “I count the chef there, Chef David Welch, as one of my mentors,” Randy said.

He stayed with Chef Welch for a few years, and then headed farther west, to Vail, Colorado, where he cooked in a restaurant for one ski season before heading back to Houston and meeting another chef who would heavily influence his career. “I was sous

chef under Chef Wes Morton at 17 in Houston, and that time was really important,” he said.

But then, at 24 years old, Randy was handed the executive chef spot at Amedeos, the place where he got his first taste of chef life. “I was heading this 25-year-old restaurant that had scores of loyal fans,” he said, “and the learning curve was steep.

I burned out.”

Only a few years into his career, he again headed west to Colorado, this time the Denver a rea . On his dow n time, he found a new hobby. “I started working at some ranches in Wyoming, working cattle, but not as a job, for fun,” he said. His time among ranchers led to a job offer at a luxury resort ranch, Brush Creek, where he was sous chef for two years.

He’d found a place out West, but he was missing home. “I wanted to come back South, and I was thinking Austin,” he said. Before he settled into a new job, he visited some cousins in Montgomery.

X What can make a fella leave Texas behind?

A girl (made wife).

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"I'm using strawberries for all they are worth ."

(

KNOW

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A blackboard near

P

A&P’s bar lists the farming and food-producing folks who contribute their harvests and labors to his kitchen.

“I want diners to get to know these people, who they are, and why what they are doing is important,” Gresham said.

SUPPORT

BY JENNIFER STEWART KORNEGAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY BIG DREAMZ CREATIVE

all-natural

SU M M ER

ripe beets River Oaks Farm, Millbrook

goodness

While he’s interested in using his skills to

all about those berries

coax the best flavor a drizzle of whipped goat cheese creme friache Stone Hollow Creamery, Birmingham

from a strawberry, Chef Randy's not interested in completely redefining how a strawberry tastes.

One was a server at Central. “We went there to have a drink, and I was blown away. It was not at all what I had expected to find in Montgomery,” Randy said. While at the bar, he struck up a conversation with the girl making his drinks. He convinced her to have a drink with him when she got off. “We ended up talking for six hours straight,” Randy said. He moseyed on back to Texas, but he took her number with him and the two kept talking. It didn’t take long for Randy to make the move to Montgomery.

“It was definitely to be with her, but I also realized that I could really play a role in the expanding culinary culture here, and that was appealing.”

He signed on with TRUE as Chef Wesley True’s sous chef. Then, when Chef Leo Maurelli III took over at Central, he asked

(

T H E GA R DEN

(

a little bit of carrot tops EAT South, Montgomery

contribute their harvests and labors to his kitchen. “I want diners to get to know these people, who they are, and why what they are doing is important,” he said.

Randy to come work with him. A few months later, he married the girl, Jean, who’d wooed him here. When Leo left last summer, Randy stepped up and quickly filled his sizable shoes.

The recent move to A&P is allowing Randy to really focus on his personal food philosophy and get a little more creative with his menu. “I talk a lot about being locally responsible,” he said. “It’s akin to the ‘farm-to-table’ idea, but I think that phrase is misleading. I want to highlight ingredients on a micro-seasonal level, and that certainly means sourcing local and supporting area farmers, but there are some things that I just can’t get around here.” But everything he can get “from around here,” he does. A blackboard near A&P’s bar lists the farming and food-producing folks who

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Getting “micro-seasonal” with A&P’s offerings means during the three (or less) weeks that Central Alabama strawberries are good, Randy looked for as many ways as possible to put a spotlight on the sweet, red gems while they are at their peak. And while he’s interested in using his skills to coax the best flavor from a strawberry, he’s not interested in completely redefining how a strawberry tastes. “When you’ve got a quality product, you don’t have to embellish it or mess with it too much,” he said.

It’s not just individual ingredients that draw Randy’s close attention. He’s always been tuned in to his guests’ needs and wants, and it’s fulfilling these that drive him.

“I like to take care of people, and I like to feed them,” he said, “but beyond satisfying their hunger, I want my food to give them a feeling that conjures up their great food memories. And I want to help them create new ones.”

If your childhood was host to fond memories

S F IT F O R K ID

made at Camp McDowell, imagine the same

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OU T

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great program in a farm setting.

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W I T HOU T

Nothing is wasted at the school. Composting, recycling and other practices are used to help reduce the carbon footprint of the school and those who attend it.

When Tuff-Bilt Tractor Systems builds a tractor specifically for your farm school, you know good things are on the way.

And the McDowell Farm School at Camp McDowell is definitely “preparing rows” of potential and enlightenment for children (and their families) in Alabama.

BY JENNY ENSLEN STUBBS

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C A MP MCDOW EL L

L E A RNING T HROUGH E X P ERIENCE People throughout the country know of the extraordinary experiences offered at

the renowned

McDowell Environmental Center (organized and run by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama) in Nauvoo, Alabama, adjacent to the breathtakingly beautiful Bankhead National Forest. But now the camp includes another facet of life linked to humans’ impact on the planet:

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

To explain its teaching philosophy, Camp McDowell starts by using the word “experiential” learning. This means it helps children learn by observation and experience. And experience they do! The school’s classrooms aren’t made up of walls. Instead, its classrooms are gardens, chicken coops, pig houses, barns, kitchens and even a pottery studio.

While in the environmental camp, kids learn about nature, the importance of conservation and its impact on all life on earth, the farm school teaches children where food comes from and then has them prepare it.

What better lesson can you learn than to pick your own veggies out of the garden and then serve them up hot and delicious by your own hands?

BACK TO BASICS WITH MODERN INNOVATION

People have been farming long before electricity. And while the farm school definitely utilizes electricity,

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The school's classrooms are gardens, chicken coops, pig houses, barns and kitchens.

it employs many cutting edge enviro-friendly and sustainable methods. For instance, passive solar heating systems, geothermal lines (a method for heating and cooling using constant ground temperature) and electrolock (an innovative fencing method) are all used at the camp.

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

McDowell Farm school is set amongst 40 acres of beautiful forest, canyons, creeks and pasture, nestled in the 1100 acres of McDowell property that neighbors the Bankhead National Forest.

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The Farm School’s family farm to table philosophy is demonstrated in many ways, including four core classes:

1.

3.

PL ANT IT EARTH: A seasonal focus to explore healthy soil that produces the school’s crops.

The school will be the recipient of a new tractor built specifically by Tuff-Bilt for the school. And what’s also amazing is the tractor will be charged by a newly donated 1000 watt solar panel system. These solar panels are actually on a track and use Freon to rotate the panels to follow the daily path of the sun, giving the system optimal efficiency.

IT ALL GOES TOGETHER

The McDowell Environmental Center is a comprehensive educational experience covering all areas of people and our role in preserving the land on which we live. Maggie Johnston, McDowell Educational Programs Director, explains, “Over the past 25 years since Mark Johnston has been executive director, Camp McDowell has certainly evolved to include more than just the traditional summer camp and Episcopal retreat center it once was. We now envision our role to be a leader in helping to educate and share ideas about how to make the world a better place.”

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FARM

2.

FARM FAUNA: Students care for animals and observe their behaviors.

TO TABLE:

Instead of picking a recipe and buying the ingredients, this class teaches children how to pick dishes based on what food is in season.

4.

FARMING & FOOD PUZ ZLE: Students discover the connection between food, sustainability and the surrounding ecosystem while learning more about the relationships between plants, animals and systems on the farm.

SPEAKING OF TRASH

& GOOD CAUSES

Think before you toss. But when you do, help out another cause by buying a pink Joy to Life trash can. The Joy to Life Foundation provides mammograms and other cancer screenings to underinsured women in every county of the state. joytolife.org

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

“We stand for pushing the boundaries

of science to provide greater certainty and improve patients' lives.�

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Science Sure

Advances in mammography

You’ve probably heard of 3D Mammography, and if so, you’ve heard about Hologic. The company’s trademarked “Genius 3D MAMMOGRAPHY” exam, known as “ breast tomosynthesis” or “tomo” to doctors, is not only changing lives—it’s saving them.

And this has made for a great partnership with Alabama’s Joy to Life Foundation!

Q: :

What are the greatest benefits of the breast tomosynthesis mammography exam and, specifically, a Genius 3D MAMMOGRAPHY exam? How does this innovation best help patients?

A woman’s breast has many overlapping layers of tissue. Conventional 2D mammograms only provide a 2D image to evaluate the breast, which can be limiting due to the overlapping tissue and can sometimes produce unclear results, false alarms or worse—cancer being missed. Genius 3D MAMMOGRAPHY exams deliver a series of detailed breast images, allowing doctors a layer-by-layer picture of a patient’s breasts. Imagine a mammogram like a book—looking at the cover doesn’t provide the best understanding of the plot, reading the book page-by-page, or viewing a mammogram layer-by-layer, gives a more complete understanding of what’s inside. Genius exams are FDA approved to be superior than 2D imaging alone, and over 100 clinical studies have shown that by using this technology doctors are able to reduce false positives and unnecessary testing and screen for breast cancer with much greater accuracy—regardless of a woman’s age or breast density.

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

Q:

Hologic has been around for 30 years, how has the mission of the company evolved during that time?

:

At Hologic, we understand the importance of early diagnosis, and have committed ourselves to making advances toward greater certainty for our customers by providing cutting-edge technologies that make a real difference in patients' lives. As we’ve evolved as a company, we’ve added new divisions and areas of focus, but at our core, we stand for pushing the boundaries of science to provide greater certainty and improve patients' lives—we call it the Science of Sure.

Q:

How does this innovation in mammography best help patients?

:

First, Genius 3D MAMMOGRAPHY exams are clinically proven to detect cancer 15 months earlier than conventional mammograms. Studies have also shown that Genius exams detect 41% more invasive breast cancer versus 2D mammography alone. For some women, this could mean an earlier diagnosis, and we know that early diagnosis saves lives. The Genius 3D MAMMOGRAPHY exam is also shown to reduce false positives by up to 40%.

We know that early diagnosis saves lives.

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“This innovation helps patients in a myriad of ways. First, Genius 3D MAMMOGRAPHY exams are clinically proven to detect cancer 15 months earlier than conventional mammograms.

Studies have also shown that Genius exams detect 41% more invasive breast cancer versus 2D mammography alone.”

free mammograms and pap smears If you are age 50 to 64, have no insurance and a low income, you may qualify for a FREE Mammogram and Pap smear.

With you every step of the way from FREE SCREENING to FREE TREATMENT For more information, call toll-free 1-877-252-3324 adph.org/earlydetection

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

ON THE MOVE

Alabama’s

GORGEOUS GORGE DE S O T O S TAT E PA R K A N D L I T T L E R I V E R C A N YO N NAT IO NA L P R E S E R V E

SUPPORT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BIG DREAMZ CREATIVE

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In the northeast corner of the state, sitting adjacent to Alabama’s famed

D I S C O V E R I T:

Fort Payne, is a fantastic state park that boasts waterfalls, hiking trails and one of the most memorably scenic gorges on this side of the Mississippi.

D E S O T O S TAT E PA R K

Not to be confused with Desoto Caverns in Childersburg, Alabama, Desoto State Park has a wealth of history dating back to American Indians, as well as a more cultivated history when the Civilian Conservation Corps took on developing the land to create a rustic retreat.

Like many Alabama State Parks, the options are unlimited for the outdoor enthusiast. Kayaking, hiking, fishing, rappelling, picnicking, biking, cycling, bird watching and trail running. There are a multitude of hiking trails, all with differing lengths and difficulties. To get an idea for where you’d like to start your adventure, check out the online map that gives a terrific outline of the park.

Get a GUIDE Locals like to recommend True Adventure Sports as a great go-to place.

Visit their website to schedule an adventure. trueadventuresports.com

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

L O O KO U T MO U N TA I N While Desoto State Park and the Little River Canyon National Preserve are two different destination spots, they share a mountainside in common.

ENJOY A Day Trip

If you’d like to get away to the big city for the day while visiting, take about a 45-minute trip up the interstate to Chattanooga or down the interstate to Birmingham.

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LIT T LE R I V ER C A N YON N AT ION A L P R E S E RV E Sitting beside Desoto State Park is an amazing canyon with breathtaking views and plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors! Here are some parts of the Preserve definitely worth your while.

SCENIC DR IVE: This beautiful drive creates an 11-mile roadway with several marked spots along the way with parking. It begins at the Little River Falls Boardwalk Overlook and ends at the Eberhart Point Overlook. Our favorite spot?

Mushroom Rock! You’ll recognize it once you get there.

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

L I T T L E R I V E R FA L L S : Beginning with a 45-foot waterfall still found in its natural state, the start of the Falls signals the beginning of the Scenic Route of the Preserve. If you’d like a closer look than by car window, there’s a handicap-accessible trail that leads you right down to the water. Other more primitive trails also lead off of the designated trail.

B A C K C O U N T R Y:

Twenty-three miles of mostly primitive roads will lead you through streams or gravel roads alongside nature at its finest, including endangered species of plants and snear High Rock, expect to see a popular swimming hole!

plan

Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes. These mosquitoes typically lay eggs in and near standing water in items such as buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases.

1. Stay informed

2. Learn about basic injury and disease prevention 3. Look for the most current information on emergency preparedness 4. Create a family preparedness plan 5. Become familiar with the emergency plans of your community

prepare store essential items Water Food Can Opener First Aid Kit Flashlight

Avoid the Bite!

Radio Clothes Personal Care Items Important Documents

practice Practice and review your preparedness plan every six months Plan. prepare. practice.

http://www.adph.org

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You can help prevent the spread of Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases by preventing mosquito bites and breeding. For the most up-to-date information on Zika Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in Alabama, visit www.adph.org/mosquito or call 1-800-252-1818.

Gear PRODUCTS &

GET AN EYEFUL OF THESE PRODUCTS AND PLACES WE LOVE.

HANG ON Susan also creates necklaces and earrings from her pottery designs.

SCENTSATIONAL SOOTHERS GO WITH THE FLOW

Keller Works Skin Care Co. in Mobile was born out of necessity when the founders’ young son Elliot was diagnosed with severe eczema and food allergies. When mom Krysten Keller couldn’t find any skincare products to ease her toddler’s itchy rashes, she decided to make her own. The result is Elliot’s Oatmeal Soap, a cold-pressed oatmeal and shea butter soap created especially to calm the irritation of eczema, Elliot’s Salve, Elliot’s Body Butter and much more. All of Keller Works products are handmade with organic and natural ingredients that moisturize, soothe, heal and protect skin. Oh, and thanks to the pure essential oils used for aroma, they smell fantastic! Find more details, a full product list and how to get your hands on them on their site.

The simple shapes and soft colors of Susan Gordon’s pot ter y have a calming ef fect; f low y cur ves a nd undulations found in some pieces give the illusion of movement, mimicking waves and water. Based in Birmingham, Susan creates her works in a small-batch pottery studio and believes strongly in the restorative power of beauty and art, designing original pieces that will be treasured for generations. You can find her pottery and jewelry in stores around the state, including The Alabama Gift Company in Gadsden or order them online. susangordonpottery.com

kellerworks.com

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A path T O T A K E

HANG OUT You take The Bonanza, we'll take The Duke and save The Alamo for a new friend.

At $50 a night per tent, we might just settle in for the full seven days.

SPEND THE NIGHT WITH NATURE The Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail in Orange Beach features 16 miles of paved trails winding through several distinct coastal ecosystems and offers a chance to explore the outdoors beyond the beaches and away from summer’s crowds.

You may find the experience so soothing, you don’t want to leave.

So don’t! Rent one of four cool campsites hidden right off the trails that feature white-canvas, safari-style tents with woodplank floors and comfy cots, a sink wash station and a fire pit for marshmallow roasting and evening story telling. alapark.com/gulf-state-park

MAKE YOUR PALATE GO POP! Alabama’s got a new snack to crave, Kettle Bros. Kettle Corn. The Gadsden-based company is owned and operated by brothers Brandon and Jordan Greer who started their tasty venture in the fall of 2015. After playing around with popcorn flavors in his home kitchen, Brandon decided to make it a business and got his brother involved. Hand-popping corn in large kettles makes the product “kettle corn,” but drizzling the warm popcorn with innovative flavors (like Cookies & Cream, Cinnamon Roll and Smokin’ White Cheddar) makes it special. Kettle Bros. also offers seasonal flavors throughout the year. kettlebros.com

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

inin

Balance Balance

Life is

too

sweeT SUGAR

in DRUG THE

It’s late afternoon and you’re stuck in traffic, helping with homework or just out of a meeting and you need your day to be done. So you reach for your favorite pick-me-up: a soda, cookies or the leftover birthday cake in the break room and you find your second wind. It’s a sweet addiction we are only too happy to accommodate.

Too much sugar can lead to a myriad of health problems including heart disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, liver disease, hypertension and even Alzheimer’s.

A study recently published by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai underscores the danger of hidden sugars in processed food and suggest that sugar can be eight times more addictive than cocaine.

BY CHEYENNE MARTIN

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VISIT READLEAN.ORG

ADD IT UP

Consider that we rarely eat the recommended serving size and see how your sugar intake adds up throughout the day in surprising ways.

BREAKFAST

50 GRAMS

The FDA's high for sugar each day.

Honey Nut Cheerios / 9 GRAMS

Orange Juice / 23 GRAMS

LUNCH Like drugs, sugar stimulates the reward center of your brain triggering the release of dopamine, a chemical that plays an important role in motivation and pleasure. Each time your body uses sugar for stimulation, you’ll need more and more to achieve the desired results.

Peanut Butter + Jelly / 15 GRAMS

Sugar is hidden everywhere and is sometimes highest in foods we believe to be good for us. For example, a serving size of three Oreos has 14 grams of sugar.

But the container of Yoplait strawberry yogurt we may choose as a healthy snack has 26 grams of sugar. Put that in perspective with The American Heart Association’s recommended 37.5 grams of sugar a day for men and 25 grams of sugar a day for women. The Food and Drug Administration still keeps their recommendation high at 50 grams a day.

Chicken Soup / 2.5 GRAMS

SNACK

Chewy Granola Bar / 7 GRAMS

20-ounce Soda /65 GRAMS

DINNER

Spaghetti Sauce / 6 GRAMS

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A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

Vanilla Ice Cream / 21 GRAMS

BREAKING THE CYCLE

A FEW SMALL STEPS CAN CUT THE SUGAR COUNT OF YOUR DAY

COOK WITH FRESH & HOMEMADE INGREDIENTS.

Iw HONEY Cook with fresh and homemade ingredients. While fruits and veggies also contain sugar, it comes attached to fiber which your body can use.

Refined sugar and sugar found in processed foods have no nutritional value and add only empty calories and sweet tooth problems to your diet.

PINK YOUR

RIDE

AND YOU KNOW THIS.

GIVE SWEETNERS ANOTHER OPTION. Find other ways to sweeten your baking and morning coffee.

Raw honey has many health benefits, although you should use it in moderation because it still has a high sugar content.

JOIN OUR FIGHT

y JOYTOLIFE.ORG

38

VISIT READLEAN.ORG

CHANGE UP YOUR PLATE.

Avoid breads, pastas and white potatoes. Try spaghetti squash with pasta sauce and parmesan cheese, a cauliflower pizza crust or a sweet potato hash with peppers and onions.

Drink more water. Milk, juice and sodas are easy ways to drink sugar.

HANG IN THERE. The first few days of a sugar detox will feel awful, and it will take up to six weeks before you feel the full measure of benefits.

But keep at it. Your future self will thank you.

SOMETHING A LITTLE LESS NO CHURN VEGAN CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

sweeT

From The Minimalist Baker 2 14-oz. cans coconut cream or full fat coconut milk, chilled overnight 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 14-16 ounces pitted dates (soak dry dates in warm water for 10 minutes then drain) 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract ½ cup unsweetened almond milk o Chill a large mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes.

o Place moist dates into a food processor and process until only bits remain. Gradually add hot water to form a thick paste.

o Without tipping the cans, scoop the solid coconut cream or milk into the chilled mixing bowl. Reserve the liquid for other uses.

o Whip the coconut cream until smooth. Add all other ingredients and only half the date paste.

Whip until fully incorporated.

TREAT YOURSELF. IT'S NATURAL. Eat an apple instead of that leftover candy you have lying around. It’s more filling and sweet enough to satisfy the craving.

o Adjust the taste. More date paste will make it

BE PREPARED.

Prepare snacks ahead of time and have a plan when the craving hits. Make the decision before snack time to go for a walk, call a friend, drink a big glass of water or chew a piece of gum.

sweeter.

o Transfer to a parchment-lined freezer-safe container and cover with plastic wrap and foil.

Freeze overnight for a firm ice cream; freeze several hours for a thick mousse-like ice cream.

o Let stand for 20 minutes before scooping. A warm ice cream scoop will help. Store in the freezer for one week, but it’s best when fresh.

For more recipe tips with step-by-step pictures, visit theminimalistbaker.com.

Alabama

L

F

Coast

BEYOND SHORE

THE SEA

G

U

W

hen in the presence of the brilliant blue-green waters

and sparkling white-sand shores of Alabama’s coastline, it is tempting to do nothing more than sit back and soak up the sun while watching waves roll in. But with so many other options for fun in the area, lean encourages you to get your bottom out of

your beach chair and discover the more active, adventurous and even artistic side of our state’s Gulf Coast.

40

VISIT READLEAN.ORG

THERE'S MUCH MORE TO THE COAST THAN SURF & SAND

TCH DINNER CA

Z ON US Z Use our Gulf Coast Restaurant Guide at readlean.org to find some of our favorite places down at the beach to enjoy the abundance of fresh-caught Gulf seafood.

SUPPORT

41

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

IMAGES COURTESY OF GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

HOT STUFF You won’t regret blowing a few bucks to create your own masterpiece at The Hot Shop glassblowing studio in Orange Beach. Opened in 2009, it is the only public access glass studio in the state and welcomes guests to watch its skilled artists transform a glowing bubble into the gentle curves and delicate forms of brilliantly colored glass bowls, pitchers and more. You can just drop in to marvel at the centuries-old glass-blowing process, or make an appointment to try it for yourself. Classes for beginners only take about 20 minutes, and when done, you’ll have a completed ornament, paperweight or flower to show for it. The glass has to cool for at least 24 hours, so you’ll have to pick up your artwork the next day, or The Hot Shop will ship it to you if needed. If you want to delve deeper, the studio offers longer beginner workshops as well. Appointments fill up fast; so secure your spot as soon as you make your beach trip plans.

orangebeachartcenter.com

Trail maps are available on the website, as is a free trail map app.

PINK YOUR

backcountrytrail.com

RIDE JOIN OUR FIGHT

y JOYTOLIFE.ORG

42

VISIT READLEAN.ORG

GENTLE CYCLE

Escape summer’s swelling crowds on the coast with a journey into the “wilderness.”

The Back Country Trail is part of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and the Coastal Connection National Scenic Byway.

Sixteen miles of paved trails encompass six distinct ecosystems that have been relatively untouched.

A screened pavilion and adjacent butterfly garden not far from the main trailhead are perfect places for a picnic.

Rent a bike at Infinity Bike Shop, located just a few hundred yards from one of the Trail’s main entrances.

HIT THE TRAIL

43

The Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail in Orange Beach is actually tucked right behind the main beach road, but hidden in this protected, undeveloped site are six distinct ecosystems that have been relatively untouched. In 2003, 11 miles of paved trails were carefully laid over old Native American hunting trails and newer logging roads to traverse the entire area. It's now grown to 16 miles.

The best way to discover all its offers is on a bike. Pedal through marshes, hardwood swamps, dunes and more to spot cattails, wildflowers, butterflies, bobcats, osprey and alligators. The ride along all of the paths is easy and quiet, and even though you’ll feel like you’re far away from civilization, benches, bathrooms and water fountains sprinkled throughout keep you from really roughing it.

A screened pavilion and adjacent butterfly garden not far from the main trailhead are perfect places for a picnic. (Rent a bike at Infinity Bike Shop, located just a few hundred yards from one of the Trail’s main entrances.)

Visit infinity-bicycles.com.

The trail is closed at night, but feel free to show up with your bike or your running shoes at any other time and start your exploration.

Trail maps are available on the website, as is a free trail map app. Remember to keep a wary eye out for the Cat Man; legend says this halfwildcat, half-man has been lurking in the pine stands and wetlands since Native Americans inhabited the area. backcountrytrail.com

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

P

PARK IT!

L Y

Occupying 6,150 acres (including over 3 miles of beachfront) between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Gulf State Park is one of the last un-over-run places in Alabama’s little piece of paradise. It features a wide range of outdoor activities. Play a match or two on the tennis courts; go a round with your buddies or your sweetie on its 18-hole Refuge Golf Course; wander through miles of live oaks, marsh lands and wild muscadines using its extensive trails (where only the chirps and songs of birds break the silence); paddle board, boat and fish on the lovely 900-acre Lake Shelby; cool off in the swimming pool and splash pad; learn all about the area’s ecosystem at the Nature Center. And of course, relax and dig your toes deep into the sand on the Park’s pristine stretch of beach. Thanks to its coastal locale, this park also boasts a unique experience, one that’s fun for the whole family: The Gulf State Pier. This 1,540-foot-long pier is the largest in the Gulf of Mexico, and on any given day or night, you’ll find folks from all walks of life trying their luck with a rod and reel. Even if you’re not interested in fishing, it’s a treat to walk the pier on a warm evening and see what others are hauling in. You never know what sea creatures you might see.

alapark.com/gulfstate

A

THE L A R GE S T

ZPIER Z IN THE

Gulf of Mexico

GET WILD

A few don't-miss trails waiting to be explored.

BONUS: There's a connection to the Backcountry Trail System.

Exploring Gulf State Park on foot gives you a closer look at the plants and animals that occupy this special area. Hurricane Ridge Trail is a must-hike. Its simultaneously lovely and eerie landscape was formed by the wrath of Hurricane Fredric in 1979; hundreds of long-dead trees, gray and bare, provide resting spots for all types of birds. Add Alligator Marsh Trail to your list too. Observe alligators, frogs, turtles and other animals that call the canal and marsh grass home. There’s also a connection to the Backcountry Trail System in the Park. And remember, to preserve this unspoiled area for future generations, “leave nothing but footprints; take nothing but memories.” And plenty of pictures.

HUR R IC A NE

RIDGE

Trail

SOAR

IMAGES COURTESY OF GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

The Park’s newest diversion will get your heart pumping, your adrenalin flowing and give you a face-full of fresh sea breeze.

Sail through the air (with a friendly trained guide) on the new Hummingbird Zipline at the Gulf Adventure Center at the Park. Lines strung between seven towers take you on a sky-high trip that’s over a mile and traverses the beaches and crystal clear waters of the Gulf as well as Lake Shelby. Even without the views, which are spectacular, the rush of the ride is a real thrill.

ALLIGATOR

MARSH

when lif e gi ve

s

yo

u

lem

ons . . .

Hair, skin and, yes, even your lips love lemons. And talk about a frugal and natural way to look your best!

10

1

BLACKHEAD BUSTER

You can actually rub lemon juice directly on your face or create a natural astringent by mixing one part lemon juice with three parts water. Not only will this help to minimize blackheads, the lemon juice does wonders for shine control.

2

Beaut iful

FACE TIGHTENER

Mix 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply to face, stay clear of those eyes, and leave for 20 minutes to an hour. Rinse with warm water and follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

reasons to buy lemons in bulk.

BY MELISSA TATE WITT PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUBRIE LEMON MOATES

46

VISIT READLEAN.ORG

3

DARK SPOT MINIMIZER

With a cotton ball, rub lemon juice on freckles or dark spots once a day. You will see a difference in a few short weeks!

4

HAIR LIGHTENER

Like me, this probably takes you back to the teen years—but it still works!

Put a little lemon juice on your hair and get outside for a while. Or did you know you can just use your hairdryer?

a note:

FROM THE WRITER I will admit I was a bit skeptical on a few of these—so I tried them myself.

People, I stand corrected.

3

CLARIFYING MOISTURIZER

Pucker

Equal parts of coconut water and lemon juice rubbed over the face will help to hydrate, clear and brighten that dull skin!

5

Up!

LIP EXFOLIATOR

Keep chapped lips at bay! Apply lemon juice on lips at night and wash it off in the morning to remove dead skin cells. Just be sure those lips aren’t chapped already before doing so!

6

HAIR CONDITIONER

+ 3/4 cup of olive oil + 1/2 cup raw honey + 2 tablespoons lemon juice After shampooing, pour mixture onto hair and leave wrapped up in a shower cap for at least 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

ELBOW & KNEE BLEACHER Simply rub the lemon on those dark areas and voila!

7

NAIL STRENGTHENER Mix olive oil with lemon juice and soak those nails to help rescue yellowed, dry and brittle nails.

47

10

sweet EXFOLIATOR

+ One part lemon + two parts salt or sugar + two parts olive oil

creates an amazing body scrub!

Be wary of this one if you have sensitive skin though—give it a test run first.

A FE W A L A BA M A SUMMER

DON' T MIS S FES T I VA L S.

WETUMPKA

June 3-June 5 Coosa River Whitewater Festival coosariverwhitewaterfestival.com Watch kayakers swirl and twirl in the rumbling waters of the Coosa River at this allday party on Moccasin Gap.

SUPPORT The Joy to Life Foundation would like to thank everyone for making this year’s Walk of Life a success! Thank you for your support!

48

VISIT READLEAN.ORG

2016

E V EN T HOUGH I T ’S HO T, YOU C A N S T IL L PL AY A ND E AT YOUR F IL L OF A L A B A M A F UN T HIS SE A SON!

JUNE/JULY/AUG

BREWTON

RUSSELLVILLE

August 19-20

June 18 Alabama Blueberry Festival

Franklin County Watermelon Festival

Blueberries and cookies—need we say more?

franklincountychamber.org

brewtonchamber.com

Enjoy a seed-spitting, rip roaring good time with contests for the largest, besttasting and best-dressed watermelons!

ALEX CITY

catch up at the coast ORANGE BEACH

July 2-July 3

MONTGOMERY

Arti Gras on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads

August 27

russellcrossroads.com

Local art and flare is displayed by Alabama artists at this event benefiting the Russell Forest Preservation Organization.

THE SHOALS

Award-winning, celebrity chefs from across the South.

Series of Gulf seafood culinary

Montgomery Dragonboat Festival

delights all summer long.

montgomerydragonboat.org

See what the buzz is about at

Still going strong! Paddling teams duke it out on the Alabama River in this race that has roots in ancient China.

GULF SHORES

Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina/ FishersOBM.com.

Need an excuse to get back

July 22-July 31

to the beach once summer’s

CULLMAN

W.C. Handy Music Festival wchandymusicfestival.org Now’s your chance to check out this weeklong festivity celebrating the “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy, a Florence native.

Sep 3-Sep 5

2016 Brett Robinson Alabama

Sweet Tater Festival

September 10 in Gulf Shores.

sweettaterfestival.com Natural beauty and goodness abound in this annual festival celebrating the beloved sweet potato!

49

over? Start training for the

A PUBLICATION OF THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

Coastal Triathlon being held

51

VISIT READLEAN.ORG

Delivering an Outstanding Experience.

Named one of America’s Best Hospitals since 2014 for Patient Experience in Obstetrics, Baptist Medical Center East meets the toughest standards of excellence set by local women. From excellent clinical care to ranking above average for patient safety to the highest level of overall patient satisfaction,

2016

WO M E N ’ S C H O I C E AWA R D

America’s

Best Hospitals

OBSTETRICS

Baptist East understands what matters most to women.

And being recognized with the Women’s Choice Award signifies our commitment to meeting the highest standards in Obstetric care.

Call 334.273.4444 for more information.

East baptistdelivers.com