February 2017

Town &Gown February 2017

Palmer Home hosts fifth annual Southern Soirée

The perfect breakfast in bed menu

Valentine’s Day Date night fashion

The South’s leader in Estate Jewelry and Diamond Solitaires.

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In this Issue Home, Garden and Lifestyle around Mississippi Calendar of Events

Wishlist

10 12 30

Finding that perfect book with with the help of Starkville’s newest book store

34

Children of the Symphony: Starkville-MSU Symphony helps grow musical interest

38

A positive outlook on nutrition

42

On the Page: Susan O’Bryan’s February Book Review

44

Taste and Toast: The ultimate breakfast in bed menu

14

Play it again: Starkville’s Magnolia Film Festival turns 20

19

All access reading: Modern Woodmen of America installs Little Free library

4 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

24

Party the Night Away: Palmer Home hosts fifth annual Southern Soirée

February Fashion

Events

50 65

TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE .COM HOME . GARDEN . LIFE . STYLE . FOOD . HEALTH . FITNESS

Our health editor has found the perfect foods for making nutrition fun and tasty. Turn to page 38 for all of her tips and recipes for a positive outlook on nutrition.

on the cover.On. theDoesn’t our cover look good enough to eat?

CoverOur new food editor, Karen, has whipped up the

perfect breakfast in bed menu. Be sure to turn to page 44 to check it out!

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February 2017 | 7

Letter from the

Editor We should consider ourselves lucky to live in the Golden Triangle. Since we are close to so many universities and colleges, we can get a lot of the arts and culture experiences that more populous areas are usually privy to, but we also get that small town feeling and sense of community. This month we have brought you a few things that the Golden Triangle has to offer in the way of arts. From new bookstores and Little Free Libraries to symphonies and film festivals, these pages will give you an incredible sense of what our area has to offer.

In addition to that, if you are looking for something good to eat, I would suggest turning to our Taste and Toast section, where our new food editor, Karen, has whipped up some delicious breakfast in bed recipes that you can make for your sweetheart. Or you can leave it on the counter as a hint for what your sweetheart should cook you! You won’t go wrong with whatever you decide. If, unlike me, you are still sticking with your eating healthier resolution, you should check out Katie’s newest recipes and advice on having a more positive outlook on nutrition. It might be just the encouragement you need to keep at it.

Springtime is right around the corner (though we feel it some days more than others), and that means there will be a lot more arts festivals and concerts to attend around the area. Be sure to check keep an eye out for more entertainment to make sure you won’t miss a thing!

Camille Watts-Carskadon

8 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

AND HERE, WE CARE. Together, we can change the way we prevent and treat disease. We can help doctors care for more Mississippians. We can educate the caregivers we’ll all need tomorrow, today.

We can do it. We are doing it. Please join us and help make a healthier Mississippi.

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February 2017 | 13

Play it again:Starkville’s Magnolia Film Festival turns 20

R

on Tibbett, the founder of the Magnolia Independent Film Festival, was a pioneer of film festivals in Mississippi and in bringing opportunities to independent filmmakers.

“He wanted people to see what independent films were all about and to learn something from them,” said Charlotte Magnussen, Ron’s widow and the Executive Director of the Magnolia Independent Film Festival. “He also wanted to see the camaraderie between filmmakers.”

One of Ron’s first volunteers after starting the film festival was Angella Baker.

“When I met Ron, I was intrigued by his story and his passion for filmmaking. He inspired me, and I wanted to contribute to it,” said Angella.

“When Ron passed away, the film festival was going strong, and I wanted his work to continue,” said Charlotte. But being a busy physician, she simply didn’t have the time, so the Starkville Area Arts Council took over and gave the festival the attention it needed.

“I joined the council, and they needed someone to chair the event,” said Angella. “Of course,

By Richelle Putnam

I raised my hand.”

The submission call for the festival was listed on Film Freeway, social media, and in various newspapers. Over the four years that Angella has served as director; she has built a huge network of filmmaker friends who also share the call through their film network and colleagues.

Filmmakers submitted to seven categories: Best Feature, Best Short, Best Documentary, Best Foreign, People’s Choice, United Way Best Student Film, and Ron Tibbett Award for Excellence in Film.

“The word easily gets out to filmmakers around the world,” said Angella. “This year, we had 113 entries and films submitted from 19 other countries. The reputation has grown, and submissions increase every year.” From that total, finalists are chosen from which the winners are selected.

The festival gives the Starkville community a chance to experience something other than theater movies and community plays.

“It’s a way to experience the arts in a different form. Last year there was a four-minute short filmed in Paris with no dialogue, but it was wonderful,”

Photos submitted

February 2017 | 15

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said Angella. “It shows people from different parts of the world and their different ways of expression and telling stories.”The Magnolia Independent Film Festival is celebrating 20 years, making it the oldest film festival in Mississippi. The March 2nd reception at the Holiday Inn Express is to celebrate this 20year anniversary. The invitation list included former filmmakers and friends of the filmmakers.

Oxford Film Festival Director, Melanie Addington, is conducting the workshop that covers filmmaking from start to finish.

Red carpet events held before the nightly screenings include interviews with the arriving filmmakers. Following Saturday night’s screening are the awards ceremony and after party.

The festival committee recorded the best attendance ever at last year’s festival, and Angella believes this year will be packed as well. The festival is made possible by many volunteers, contributors, sponsors and grantors, such as the Mississippi Arts Commission.

“We are always looking for people to volunteer and sponsor this event,” said Angella.

The Magnolia Independent Film Festival has spawned other incredible film festivals in Mississippi, including the Oxford Film Festival and Crossroads Film Festival.

“It makes me proud to be in Mississippi and see how far Mississippi has come in independent films,” said Charlotte. “And it’s wonderful to see other people continue Ron’s passion. We’ve kept it going, and it’s been an asset to the community and inspired many people to pursue careers in independent film.”

The scheduled events at Starkville’s Hollywood Premier Cinemas are:Thursday, March 3rd - Screening 7:00 - 10:00 P.M. Friday, March 4th - Screening 7:00 - 10:00 P.M. Saturday, March 5th – Free Filmmaker Forum 9:00 A.M. at 929 Coffee House Saturday, March 5th - Screening 1:30 - 4:00 P.M. Saturday, March 5th - Screening 7:00 -10:00 P.M.

February 2017 | 17

Official Selections for the 2017 Magnolia Film Festival: • Help directed by Pedro Englemann • Exposure directed by Mary Jeanes

• Shy Guys directed by Fredric Lehne • Calls from the Unknown directed by Edward Valibus • Birthday directed by Chris King

• On Time directed by Xavier Neal-Burgin

• Karma’s Shadow directed by Rob Alan Underhill

• A Little Love Goes a Long Clay directed

by Juliet Buckholdt

• Dolphin Skin City directed by Pierre Gaffie

• Dear New President directed by Cameron • 7 Beds directed by Pedro Moreno del Oso Bontrager (World Premiere) • Sad Face directed by Maggie Bushway • Slipaway directed by Daniel Mentz (pre• The Unconventional Gourmet directed miere)

by Wendy Kusmaul Keeling • The Atoning directed by Michael Williams

• Disturbing the Peace directed by Talia Apkon • O, Brazen Age directed by Alexander Carson • All Are Welcome Here directed by Vincenzo Mistretta • Last Days directed by Arturo Leon Llerena • Home, Sweet Home directed by Carlos Polo • Lucky Chicken directed by Gulliver Moore • New Neighbors directed by E.G. Bailey • The Usual Silence directed by Samuel Thomas • The Opera Singer directed by Steve Kahn • The Department of Corrections directed

by Ninan Tan 18 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

• Aluminum directed by Frank Ladner • Seagulls directed by David Dubos • Tinker directed by Glenn Payne

All access reading: Modern Woodmen of America installs Little Free library

B

arbara Coats, who describes herself as the original book nerd, has been an avid reader since childhood and sees the Little Free Library service as a great way to encourage a love of reading.

“When I was young, my mother very often took me to work with her at the Starkville Housing Authority during the summer,” Barbara said. “I roamed downtown daily, usually spending hours at the Starkville Public Library. At one time, I had checked out or read literally every work in the young adult section.”

Barbara, a financial representative for Modern Woodmen of America (MWA), opened a Little Free Library outside her office at 102 W. Main – between Mugshots and Pita Pit – just before last Thanksgiving.

“The library holds 50 or so books, depending on size,” she said. “I started with adult books from my own collection – mostly self-help and financial books – along with a novel or two. I had a friend donate a large stack of romance novels. For young

By Joe Lee

adult readers, I purchased from The Book Mart and chose a collection of historical books about people like Thomas Edison, Booker T. Washington and Betsy Ross.

“For the children’s books, I went with the old favorite, Little Golden Books, also from The Book Mart. I monitor the library daily and saw that the young adult books were borrowed first. The only additions I’ve seen to date have been in the adult book section, but I look for contributions to grow as more people learn about the library.”

MWA paid for the registration and construction with funds designated for organizational service projects. The library was built by Barbara’s business partner, Eddie Coats, who created a structure approximately six feet tall, three feet wide, and about 18 inches deep. The total cost, registration included, was under $350.

“The case is double-layered with wood and caulked for weather,” Eddie said. “The doors have magnetic closure devices to keep the weather out. We wanted to support literacy in the community. This seemed to

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February 2017 | 21

be a perfect method to achieve that goal.”

“The library stands under an awning outside my office,” Barbara said. “It has three sections, which I’ve designated for children, youth and adult books.

We could have bought a library from the site, but we wanted ours to be unique.

“I liked that I could register it on the Little Free Library site and use their GPS locator to direct people to the library. And I thought this was a perfect way to show how MWA supports our local communities, so I proudly hung an MWA sign on the library.”

Lynn Spruill has also opened a Little Free Library at 1016 Louisville Street where Spruill Property Management is located. She ordered the kit from the organization and had employees set it up next to a bench for patrons who might want a place to sit and read.

“Books have been a huge part of my life and were a staple in my childhood,” Spruill said. “They spark imagination and allow you to understand good writing and improve language skills. I never went anywhere without a book in my purse or backpack.

If I sit down even for a few minutes, I pull out reading material, and I wanted others to be able to have ease of access to books.”

Interested in starting a Little Free Library? Visit www.littlefreelibrary.org.

February 2017 | 23

Party the Night Away: Palmer Home for Children hosts fifth annual Southern Soirée

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reat food, live music, an interactive raffle, a premier auction and much more await at this year’s Palmer Home for Children’s Southern Soirée.

Presented by Cadence Bank, the March 2 event is being held 6:30-10 p.m. at Old Waverly Golf Club on Magnolia Drive in West Point.

“This is the first year for the Southern Soirée to be held in West Point at Old Waverly Golf Club,” says Kellum Kim, Palmer Home for Children’s marketing director. “We are so excited about the change in venue and hope to attract a more diverse crowd from across the Golden Triangle.”

Kim said in addition to a new event location, attendees can enjoy an interactive raffle and auction featuring premier items, including a U.S. Air Force pilot experience on Columbus Air Force Base and full orthodontic treatment courtesy of McReynolds Orthodontics.

Palmer Home for Children also will be auctioning

By Sasha Steinberg

off a “Dinner on the Diamond” package for an exclusive, under-the-stars dinner experience on Mississippi State University’s baseball diamond. The package includes a three-course dinner and wine pairings for up to 12 people, served by a private chef and waitstaff from Restaurant Tyler in Starkville.

General admission tickets for the event are $75 and may be purchased online at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/southern-soiree-golden-triangle-tickets-30937058575.

Raffle tickets—1 for $20 or 3 for $50—also are available for purchase at the aforementioned website. There will be more than 30 raffle items, including an Amazon Echo Dot, weekend escape with meals included to Lake Tiak-O’Khata in Louisville and a rock climbing wall experience at Core Cycle & Outdoor in Tupelo.

Individuals and couples who are interested in being Southern Soirée host sponsors also can sign up on the Eventbrite site or email marketing@palmer

Photos submitted

February 2017 | 25

home.org. Host sponsorship is $250 and includes two tickets to the event and name inclusion on the event invitation. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $500. The deadline to purchase a sponsorship is February 3.

“Since its inception, revenue generated from the Southern Soirée increases year after year,” Kim says.

“These funds allow us to continue rescuing and restoring vulnerable children. Last year alone, more than 145 children were impacted by our ministry.”

With campuses in Columbus and Hernando, Palmer Home for Children’s dedicated staff members and volunteers work to provide superior residential care for children and sibling groups while introducing the love of God through service.

According to a Palmer Home for Children’s blog post, individual children and sibling groups from a variety of geographical locations and circumstances may be referred to the organization.

In addition to receiving phone calls from within the

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Golden Triangle and Memphis Metro areas, Palmer Home for Children’s rescue teams work with partners across the U.S. to reach children in need of a safe and stable place to call home.

Palmer Home for Children may also receive calls from grandparents who are unable to raise their grandchildren due to physical or financial limitations. Other times, calls may come from a parent or guardian who is in an abusive relationship or needs help finding the right resources to serve the children in his or her care better.

The organization also receives calls from court officials working to keep siblings together, which, according to the Palmer Home for Children site, is not always possible in the traditional foster care system.

Regardless of race, gender, background or circumstance, children who enter Palmer Home for Children’s care can rest assured that they will receive the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual support they need to lead more wholesome lives. For more information on the Palmer Home for Children’s programs and initiatives, visit www.palmerhome.org/about/programs.

If you know someone who could benefit from the ministry of Palmer Home for Children, call 855-266-7727 to start a conversation with the organization. A Palmer Home for Children staff member is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.

Palmer Home for Children also accepts tax-deductible donations. For more information or to contribute, visit www.palmerhome.org/donate.

Donations also can be mailed to P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703. Checks should be made payable to Palmer Home for Children.

Learn more about Palmer Home for Children by visiting www.palmerhome.org or following on Facebook @PalmerHome, Twitter @PalmerHomeMS and Instagram @palmerhomems.

Kim also may be contacted at 662-328-5704 (Ext. 113) or Kkim@palmerhome.org.

February 2017 | 29

Finding that perfect novel with with the help of Starkville’s newest bookstore

S

age Coffee & Books has long been Lara Hammond’s labor of love with a mission statement that has never changed: Bringing literacy to Mississippi.

“When I grew up there were a lot of independent used bookstores and reading was very accessible,” said Lara. “It was just part of my life. My mom and grandmother gave me the love for reading through bookshelves filled with books.” And they were always adding to those bookshelves, much like Lara does now at Sage.

From her first location in Meridian to her current location at 19 Page Avenue in Starkville’s beautiful Cotton District, Lara’s faith and love for what she does helps her persevere through difficult times that confront independent bookstores competing with large chains and online conglomerates like Amazon.

In Starkville, Sage started as a pop-up shop, which covered about 240 square feet in an old laundromat, explained Lara. The space attracted many artists, so Lara began showcasing their art as well.

That brought a lot of attention to the shop.

By Richelle Putnam

“It became very popular with the Starkville community, and that’s the main reason I decided to move,” said Lara. “I was invited to join the Cotton District, and I am grateful that Sage has been so welcomed into the new community.”

Sage’s success and the support of the Starkville community gave Lara the incentive and confidence to move into the larger space conveniently located across the street from the popular Bulldog Burger.

Since opening in September, Lara has been working on the flow of the building to create seating spaces and work spaces in the different rooms.

“I want to provide an organic place where you can browse and sit and have a conversation,” said Lara. “It’s a great, laid-back space to hang out in the Cotton District and the perfect alternative for something else to do in Starkville on a Friday and Saturday night.”

Currently, Sage serves organic coffees and teas, as well as hot chocolate. She has plans to grow the coffee side of the business, but for now, Sage continues to focus on the books and providing a wonderful

Photos submitted

February 2017 | 31

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February 2017 | 33

setting for intimate gatherings and conversations.

“You don’t have to dress up, and you don’t have to have a reason to come,” said Lara. “Sometimes, you just need a place to go and think and be surrounded by positive vibes and lots and lots of books.”

To Lara, reading is the building block of all humanity. Reading should become as normal as flicking on the TV, but it’s a dying art. Because reading is essential, the purpose of Sage is to provide easy and economical access to books, which, of course, leads to reading and more reading.

“It’s about making it easy, accessible and comfortable, and a part of your daily life, where you wander into your local bookstore and pick up something to read. It can be profound or light or classic or just something that draws your interest.”

Going in and buying a book for $2.00 and taking a chance on it is never going to be a waste.

The book you bought for $2.00 can be shared knowledge because even if you don’t like it, someone else might.

Sage Coffee & Books carries every genre and category of books, but Lara plans to host more events.

Since opening in September, she has offered open mic events, such as Spoken Word.

“We have had a few shows here in the Cotton District and would love to do more,” said Lara.

“Anybody who wants to play acoustic originals is welcome, and I am happy to promote the shows.”

Sage will be a safe place for musicians to play their new songs and for songwriters of every level to perform in Open Mic events. For spring, upcoming special events such as Story Time and Book Club will include music in the courtyard.

Another mission of Sage Coffee & Books is to support authors and their books by providing space for book signings and readings. Lara is taking steps toward growth and hopes Sage will become the favorite independent bookstore in Starkville and the Golden Triangle. What does Lara want most from her customers?

“I really want people to bring themselves because Sage is a place where you can be you.”

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Children of the Symphony: Starkville-MSU Symphony helps grow musical interest

T

en-year-old cello player Maddie Brain will be able to look back and say that a toy music box that played snippets of the classics changed her life. It also encouraged a special father-daughter bond built on their love of classical music – they attend every Starkville-MSU Symphony performance they can.

“She listened to Tchaikovsky’s ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ over and over, and so (wife Marchelle and I) thought she might like to hear some music live,” said Stephen Brain, Maddie’s father and an associate professor in the MSU Department of History. “Although we are music lovers, we probably wouldn’t have taken her at such a young age if it weren’t for that toy. You never know what will spark an interest.”

Stephen teaches Soviet/Russian history at MSU and was a guest professor in Russia during Maddie’s second-grade year in 2013-2014. Maddie, now in fifth grade at Overstreet Elementary School, attended second grade in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, where the family often went to the symphony, ballet or opera. By then Maddie was already interested in the cello – she’d asked to start lessons at age five after seeing a performance in Starkville.

“There isn’t a band in elementary school, but there is music class. I want to start playing the flute

By Joe Lee

in the middle school band,” said Maddie, whose favorite classical piece is Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1.

“One of my mom’s language teacher’s sons played cello, and I’ve liked the cello ever since.”

“We wanted to expose Maddie to the best things Starkville had to offer,” Stephen said. “Between the orchestra and the Lyceum Series, we always have good musical opportunities.”

“For years, Stephen would take Maddie to all the symphony performances. Maybe he was waiting for the seeds to be planted, and sure enough, she has been studying the cello,” said Jean Marcus, a professor in the MSU Department of Anthropology and the secretary of the Starkville-MSU Symphony board of directors.

“The concerts are very child-friendly, and it’s great for parents to bring their kids to the front row to see the performances up close. There’s drama within the performance, which is different from simply listening to music in your home.”

Joe Ray Underwood, who has coordinated Programs for Children through the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association for the past decade, helped present a series of concerts on January 20 for more than 3,000 Oktibbeha County Elementary school students and teachers. The performances included a group of very young Japanese children who were

Photos by Brittney Dowell

36 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

the featured soloists with the symphony orchestra.

“We have performed ‘Peter and the Wolf,’ ‘Tubby the Tuba,’ ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,’ American folk songs, music about outer space, Mississippi composers and entertainers, patriotic music, and music from Germany, Spain and France,” Underwood said. “The music from Europe was so popular that the teachers asked us to do something with music from the Far East.”

The next Starkville-MSU Symphony in concert is set for February 25 at MSU’s Lee Hall Auditorium, when conductor Barry Kopetz will lead a performance of “Masterworks.” Also this month – on February 18 – is the symphony’s lone yearly fundraiser, the highly-anticipated tribute to the city of Chicago at MSU’s Hunter Henry Center.

“Our tenth annual fundraiser – always referred to as an ‘affair’ – will be ‘A Chicago Affair,’” said Marcus, who chaired the fundraiser for three years with her husband. “The theme will be sort of gangsters and flappers as well as the city of Chicago. There will be complimentary wine and beer, heavy hors d’oeuvres,

a band, dancing. It is black tie optional, or if folks want to wear gangster/flapper costumes, that’s fine.

“Every year our performances are free to the public. Every year it’s the job of the Board to raise money for the spring performances and children’s performances, and for scholarships for children.”

It’s possible that Maddie Brain – who already plays in ensembles with peers around Starkville – will be a full-fledged part of the Starkville-MSU Symphony one day. The same could be true of little brother Teddy, who at age six is taking violin lessons from Shandy Phillips of Starkville.

“Music is really good for children,” Marcus said.

“It’s good for them to gain mastery of an instrument and have the discipline to play as part of the group – those are really good grown-up skills.”

The performance of “Masterworks” begins at 7:30 p.m. on February 25. Tickets are available online at www.starkvillesymphony.org. To purchase tickets for the “A Chicago Affair” fundraiser, call Robert Phillips at 662-323-8075. Tickets are $60 in advance and $70 at the door.

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Mississippi State University Extension Service faculty are conducting a study in the development of water sustainability. Using an instrument distributed to all U.S. states and territories, the study is focused on creating and adopting new ideas to provide the global community with drinking water that is both safe and affordable. Join our Infinite Impact Campaign endeavors at infiniteimpactmsu.com and make your global impact by giving now.

The EPA recognizes MSU as a Center of Excellence for Watershed Management.

MSU is an AA/EEO university.

February 2017 | 37

A Positive Outlook on

Nutrition Article and food photography by Katie Zampini

I

f there was a pill that was known to balance hormones, reduce inflammation, promote weight loss, prevent aging of the skin, fight cancer and diabetes, build muscle, strengthen bones, prevent heart disease, and improve digestion would you take it? That “pill” exists, but it isn’t a medication. Chia seeds can be provide those incredible benefits, and they are readily available, affordable and safe to consume.

As our culture continues its trend towards more nutritional awareness and education, the focus is too often on foods that should be avoided and eliminated from our diets: gluten, dairy, alcohol, added sugars, preservatives, MSG, etc. While this way of pursuing better nutrition has its purpose in educating us all on the potential dangers of certain foods and substances, it originates from an essentially negative sentiment: “eliminate the bad”.

However, we know that powerful results are born of positive thinking. In that light, a better way of

thinking is gaining traction in the field of nutrition.

It is centered on an awareness and celebration of the power that great foods have to give us better health.

What if instead of focusing our minds on the foods we are trying to avoid, we focus our attention on adding in the foods that can provide healing and help us to thrive? When one’s mind is stuck on a song, the best way to quit hearing it is to replace it with a new one. That same principle is at work here: just start enjoying more life-giving foods. Eventually there will be less and less room for the foods you’d like to avoid.

As you continue learning about the specific benefits of foods, you will begin to view foods as antidotes to ailments, preventative medicines of various diseases and self-improvement supplements.

Here are four such foods to start adding to your diet. Enjoy them!

1. Turmeric: a powerful herb that has been studied extensively and may be more effective than some

medications in treating chronic inflammation, pain, diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol and depression. In some cases, Turmeric has been seen to be as effective as Prozac at treating depression, and has no side effects when taken in appropriate doses.

2. Chia Seeds: as mentioned above, chia seeds are proven superfoods. These tiny seeds can aid balancing hormones, reducing inflammation, lowering insulin resistance, promote weight loss, and could potentially help fight cancer just to name a few of the many benefits. Chia seeds are best consumed when “sprouted” in liquid, making it easier for their nutrition to be digested. See the smoothie bowl recipe featured here for just one example of how to incorporate these amazing seeds into your diet.

3. Coconut Oil: Fat generally gets a bad reputation. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a fat that provides the body with tremendous benefits and is easily and immediately used for energy rather than being stored as fat on the body. This is due to coconut oil’s unique molecular makeup as a medium chain fatty acid. Coconut oil is particularly recognized for its ability to battle belly fat, balance hormones, help prevent aging, and provide energy. The list of benefits of coconut oil is extensive, and everyone can benefit from adding this superfood to his or her diet.

4. Lentils: Lentils are a food with an incredible amount of protein and fiber, very low amounts of fat and tremendous health benefits. High in their folate content, lentils provide up to 90 percent of one’s daily value in the nutrient, while their high selenium content can help fight cancer. Similarly, lentils are a great plant-based source of iron, providing one-third of the daily recommended amount in just one cup.

Here are a couple of ideas for how to begin using these four amazing foods.

Chia Seed Pudding/Smoothie Bowl

• 2 ½ cups almond milk • Vanilla extract to taste • Sweetener of choice, to taste (sugar, agave, honey, stevia, etc.)

• ½ cup chia seeds 1. The base of this smoothie bowl is chia seeds that have been sprouted overnight in almond milk. To make chia pudding, pour 2 ½ cups of almond milk into a jar, flavor with vanilla extract and your choice of sweetener, and lastly pour in ½ cup chia seeds. Shake the jar vigorously and then leave in the refrigerator overnight.

2. In the morning, you can serve the chia pudding as is, or use it

as a base for a powerful smoothie bowl. Here, I used one cup of frozen mixed berries, one cup nonfat yogurt, and an overflowing cup of spinach to create a quick smoothie. Layer the smoothie on top of your chia pudding and top with any desired toppings.

Lentil-Turmeric Hummus

• 1 can garbanzo beans, drained • 2 ½ cups cooked red lentils • Juice of 1 lemon • 3 garlic cloves, chopped • 3 tablespoons tahini • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin • 2 teaspoons turmeric, plus more to top • Dash of sea salt 1. Begin by cooking 1 cup of red lentils according to package directions. It should yield 2 ½ cups.

Coconut Oil Brussels Sprout Chips • One bushel of Brussels sprouts • 1 teaspoon coconut oil • Dash of sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the stems off of Brussels sprouts, and carefully peel off the thicker, green leaves. Place the thicker leaves on one side of a baking sheet. Slice the remainder of each Brussels sprout and lay the slices flat on the opposite side of the baking sheet. Melt 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, and brush the oil across the sprouts. Top with sea salt.

2. Bake for about ten minutes, and remove the single leaves to dish. Place the remaining slices back in the oven for about twelve more minutes. The sweetness of the coconut oil perfectly balances the slight bitterness of the delicious Brussels sprouts.

2. Combine cooked lentils and all other ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Top with crushed red pepper and additional turmeric. Serve with healthy options such as the coconut oil Brussels sprout chips used here.

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on the page: susan o’bryan’s february book reviews The countdown to Mississippi novelist Greg Iles’ latest novel has begun.

“Mississippi Blood,” the long-awaited conclusion to the Penn Cage trilogy, is expected March 21. While “Mississippi Blood” is certain to be a best-seller again (like the previous “Natchez Burning” novels, there are several other books worth noting that will be out next month.

‘Gizelle’s Bucket List: My Life With a Very Large Dog’ It’s true – dogs are man’s best companion, or in this case, a woman’s best friend.

Lauren Watt captures every dog owner’s heart with her experience of love and adventure with Gizelle, a 160-pound English Mastiff. This is a true story that will make you cry, chuckle and hug your pet – all at the same time.

When the author, a professional travel writer, learns her longtime companion had bone cancer, she makes a bucket list of things to do while Gizelle was still able. Things like eating ice cream, chomping on doughnuts, people watching and even a canoe ride.

“Travel is a huge passion of mine, and Gizelle was a big motivation to go on new adventures with her while I still could,” Watt said in a BuzzFeed interview.

The day before Gizelle died, they sat together by the ocean in Maine and watched the snow fall. “I knew she would live on through my experiences, and that I gave her the best life I could. And that to

me was infinitely healing,” according to an essay Watt wrote for Yahoo Travel.

After all, the gentle giant had been by her side through turbulent times, rough break-ups, her mom’s addictions and a move to a strange city, to name a few of their adventures together.

As Watt illustrates with words, a dog’s love is unconditional – and it should be returned in kind by its human.

P.S. If “Gizelle’s Bucket List” comes out on the big screen, and I predict it will take tissues – lots of tissues.

‘Say Goodbye for Now’ When I pick up a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, I know what to expect. I know it will be emotional, thought-provoking and will require a handful of tissues. “Say Goodbye for Now” gave me just what I expected, complete with a colorful cast struggling to get past the present and plan for the future.

Dr. Lucy prefers animals over people. When a young boy, Pete, brings a wolf to her door, she agrees to tend to the wounded animal but finds herself drawn to the emotionally wounded boy, too.

Pete finds a new and only friend in a young black boy, Justin, and soon they find themselves alone in a town that’s not ready to allow mixed-race friendships, much less the romance that grows between Dr. Lucy and Calvin, Justin’s dad.

As always, Hyde draws out the story to show the pain – and the hope – that comes from close relationships. Her characters struggle to keep their relationship alive, yet secret. Horrible truths come out, such as who really beat up Justin, and time cannot be stopped. However, in this novel, time proves to be worth the wait.

February 2017 | 43

E T A M I T L U TH E

T S A F K A E BR in U N E M BE D

Recipes and photography by Karen Gerard

To customize your waffles, fold in 1 cup of your favorite fruit or chocolate chips.

Greek Yogurt Waffles Makes 4 large waffles

2 cups all-purpose flour 2 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 and 1/4 cups whole milk 3/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt 3 large eggs, at room temperature 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar; set aside. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the milk, yogurt, eggs, and butter; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

There will be lumps of yogurt.

2. Scoop 3/4 of a cup onto a preheated and greased waffle iron. Cook until waffle is brown and crispy on the outside, about 5 minutes.

Vanilla Pots de Crème Makes: 8 using 5 or 6 oz ramekins

2½ cups heavy cream ⅔ cup milk ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 6 egg yolks

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F. 2. Combine the cream, milk, vanilla extract and 5 tablespoons of sugar in a saucepan. Simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 1 hour.

3. After an hour reheat the cream mixture until just warmed.

4. While the cream is reheating 46 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

whisk the egg yolks with the remaining ¼ cup sugar in a medium bowl until well combined. Slowly stream the warm liquid into the egg yolks, whisking simultaneously. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher or a large measuring cup. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to one day.

ing space between them. Place the pan on a baking sheet.

5. Place eight 6-ounce ramekins or jar molds in a deep baking pan leav-

7. Add enough warm water to the baking pan to come halfway to two-

6. Pour custard 2/3 of the way into each mold. Use a skewer to pop any bubbles at the tops of the custards to make them smooth. Cover each mold with its lid or a piece of aluminum foil.

If using fresh fruit for the peach bellinis, make puree and refrigerate until well chilled before mixing cocktails.

February 2017 | 47

thirds of the way up the sides of the molds. Place in the oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until they jiggle slightly when shaken. Remove pots from the water bath and place on a cooling rack.

8. When they have cooled, place the pots de crème in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or up to 3 days.

Peach Bellinis 1 cup of frozen peaches 1 tablespoon of sugar.

1/2 cup of water.

1 bottle of prosecco or a sparkling white Italian wine

1. Blend frozen fruit, sugar, and water together until smooth.

2. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of puree into the bottom a champagne flute and slowly pour in prosecco.

Spinach and Tomato Strata with Feta and Italian Sausage Serves 6 to 8

1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed 1 loaf crusty french bread 2 cups packed fresh spinach 8 eggs 2 cups milk or half and half 1/2 lb crumbled feta cheese 4 tomatoes, chopped 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter Salt and pepper

1. Cube bread and set aside in very large bowl 48 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

2. Brown Italian sausage in a skillet and drain grease.

3. Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high and add all of the spinach at once. Stir until just wilted and then transfer to a mesh sieve and press to remove excess oil.

4. Add sausage, spinach, chopped tomatoes, and feta to cubed bread.

5. Beat eggs with half and half and milk. Pour over bread mixture and

mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Let soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the fridge, mixing periodically.

6. Pour into greased baking dish and press mixture down gently with a spoon.

7. Bake at 350 F for 20-30 minutes until bread is golden brown on top.

Vanilla Rum Bostock Makes 4 to 6

For the vanilla rum syrup 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 table spoon spiced rum For the almond cream 3/4 cup ground almonds 1 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs at room temperature 1/2 cup unsalted butter Pinch of salt For the toast 6 slices brioche or other chewy enriched bread such as challah, Hawaiian, or potato - each about 1/2 inch thick Powdered sugar for dusting

1. Combine the water, sugar, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over mediumhigh heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves then removed from heat. Stir in the rum and let cool to room temperature.

2. To make the almond cream, combine the ground almonds, sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until combined. Add eggs and butter and process to form a fluffy paste. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.

3. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange bread on a baking sheet. Brush each piece with the syrup until thoroughly soaked through. Spread almond cream on top and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake until deep golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve dusted with powdered sugar.

February 2017 | 49

Town and Gown's perfect date night outfits

Photography by Divian Conner | Hair products provided by Mia Salon | Makeup products provided by Merle Norman Luna Bella | Clothes provided by R. Tabb and Company, Susan’s Hallmark and Park Place Boutique

Clutch provided by R. Tabb and Company

50 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Outfit provided by R. Tabb and Company

February 2017 | 51

Outfit provided by R. Tabb and Company

52 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Clutch provided by R. Tabb and Company

February 2017 | 53

Necklace provided by Park Place Boutique

54 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Outfit provided by Park Place Boutique

February 2017 | 55

Outfit provided by R. Tabb and Company

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Makeup and nail polish provided by Merle Norman Luna Bella

February 2017 | 57

Necklace provided by Park Place Boutique

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Outfit provided by Park Place Boutique

February 2017 | 59

Outfit provided by Susan’s Hallmark

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Makeup and nail polish provided by Merle Norman Luna Bella

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Left top: Hair products provided by Mia Salon. Left center: Purse provided

by Susan’s Hallmark and nail polish provided by Merle Norman Luna Bella.

Left bottom: Makeup provided by Merle Norman Luna Bella. Right: Outfit provided by Susan’s Hallmark

February 2017 | 63

64 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Halloween in the Garden Photos by Margaret McMullen

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1. Elsa and Emily Twietmeyer 2. Emilee and Alyssa Parker 3. Sanders, Wynn, Rebekah and Harris Oakley and Evelyn Taylor 4. Lucy, Allison and Chuck Eckert 5. Noah Richards 6. Hunter Freshour and Ka’Nia

February 2017 | 65

Starkville’s Turkey Trot Photos by Brittney Dowell

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Bulldog Brunch and Browse Photos by Brittney Dowell

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1. The Beach Family 2. Melanie & Stephanie Madewell 3. Jordan Armstrong & Stella Martin 4. Vicki Elmore, Jennifer Elmore, Ashley Elmore, Alex Buyers, Emma Claire Elmore & Nolan Guess 5. Richie & Kim Tillman 6. Erica Waldman & Claire Stewart February 2017 | 67

MSU’s Housing Office Open House Photos by Camille Watts-Carskadon

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1. Elizabeth Douglas, Tonya Curry, Tyler Francis, Vicky Gallegos and Amanda Skinner 2. Jessica Thornton, Les Potts and Elizabeth Blaine 3.

Roy Ruby, Ann Bailey and JE Logan 4. Christana Landress, Max Weisskopf and Katie de Metz 5. Keisha Robinson, Conner Hinton, Graeme Lide and Ann Marie Ory 6. Victoria Kimble, Ann Bailey and Gregory Condon

68 | TOWNANDGOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Starkville’s Maroon Market Photos by Ashley Covin

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February 2017 | 69

Bulldog Brunch and Browse Photos by Ashley Covin

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