Spring strawberries are one of my absolute most favorite things! They are also one of the most anticipated attractions at our local farmer’s markets. Once they hit the market they go fast. Really fast. If you’re not in line early, you’re likely not going to get any. And there’s something extra special about those that … Read More
Central Alabama’s high July and August temps can often be oppressive, especially if you’re engaging in outdoor activities. One way to keep your cool is to stay in the shade. Check out these beat-the-heat hike options that beckon with woodland wonderlands. (Perry Lakes Park & Wildlife Sanctuary pictured above.) Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail This … Read More
Soon, your friend’s farm, area produce stands and neighbors’ (or yours!) backyard gardens will be brimming with homegrown cucumbers. And if you’ve got cucumbers, you can soon and without too much effort, have pickles. Quick refrigerator pickles are the easy path to pickle pleasure. You can take the cooked and canned route, but if you’re … Read More
Perk Up Your Picnic Grab your gingham napkins, ditch the dining room and fetch your friends—we have a healthy lineup of make-ahead picnic recipes that are not only hassle-free but pretty enough for pictures too! These pressed sandwiches, pesto potatoes and creamy chickpea salad recipes are simple and fast and certain to delight a small … Read More
Dr. Pam Strickland provides the expert care and calming presence needed to fight the breast cancer battle, proving a formidable foe to the disease and a strong ally for her patients. Growing up in small-town Mississippi, Montgomery breast surgeon Dr. Pam Strickland didn’t know a single other student headed to med school. She only knew … Read More
Quiche is notoriously served as the “light lunch” option at brunches and lunches – a ladies pick, if you will. But here’s the thing: Quiche is basically an egg, cheese and heavy cream-based pie, with a sporadic hint of something in the vegetable family to make it sound good for you. Not only that, but … Read More
In 2018, Carrie Ward and her family were still reeling from her husband’s health issues when the news got worse. She learned she had two different kinds of breast cancer and would require multiple surgeries and treatments. Then, after beating her cancer back, as 2021 ended, Ward learned it had returned. In both battles, her … Read More
Sunshine has multiple benefits. It’s warm. It’s pretty. And it delivers a good dose of the valuable vitamin D, which is important to our overall health. But, too much sun exposure also carries some serious risks, including skin damage (than can, among other things, lead to premature aging) and skin cancer, so safely getting enough … Read More
Droughts, inflation, global events: Many things affect food prices, and in the last year, they’ve been on the rise in several categories. No matter why they go up, and even if they go down, creating a grocery budget — and sticking to it — will help you lower your food expenditures. And a smart budget … Read More