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July 17 - August 6, 2015

AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali: 256-468-9425 Deborah: 256-309-9399

See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32

Fitness, Fiscally Speaking Help! I Want To Retire, But I’m Off Track!... Sometime around the age of 50, we start to think more seriously about retirement. After all, the kids (if we have them) are... Page 8

From The Vets’ Museum

Grace Place: Where Every Week It’s Like A Family Reunion By Ali Elizabeth Turner Recently I was invited to a service at Grace Place, a small non-denominational fellowship that meets in the Athens Hampton Inn every Sunday at 11 am. In the last 40 plus years that I have been a believer, I have been

If Not Me…Then Who? Honor The Fallen by Challenging the Living: 9/11 Heroes Run... When Whitney Hollingsworth came to the museum to talk about a 5K fundraising run and told me... Page 10

Special Feature Repaying The Debt: Good News In The Midst Of The Treacherous Deal With Tehran... Back in March, I warned readers of Athens Now that... Page 15

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a part of everything from a 3,500-member mega church, to a small inner city church, to bi-lingual churches in two countries, military chapels and Bible studies in Iraq, and home fellowships here in the South. Because God is big, there is always a “signature” to any Continued on pages 16-17

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Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Sales

Deborah Huff

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Wanda Campbell Janet Hunt Rachel Clark, RN, BSN Deb Kitchenmaster Sandra Thompson Lynne Hart Wayne Kuykendall Cindy Bridges

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 Fitness, Fiscally Speaking . . . 8 From The Vets Museum . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Cindy . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . 15 Cover Story . . . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . 20 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22

July 17 - August 6, 2015

Planned Parenthood - Baby Livers And A Glass Of Red, Please There are days that I lament the fact that the people of the globe are able to communicate at the speed of light, but this is not one of them. I am old enough to remember hearing about Jews being turned into soap, wallets and lampshades during WWII, and then later, during the Age of Aquarius, I naively thought depravity could be permanently subdued by a fat doobie. Surely “Never Again,” the sign I have seen with my own eyes at the Dachau death camp in Germany would ultimately prevail, right? Nope. We now have what appears to be irrefutable proof that there are Planned Parenthood franchises functioning as mini-Auschwitz holocaust centers from sea to shining sea, and they are apparently feloniously trafficking in fetal body parts. Solomon so wisely said that there is “nothing new under the sun,” and this week we as a nation were once again reminded that we are sacrificing our children to Molek. That did not work out so well for the nation of Israel, and it won’t for us, either. If the undercover video produced by the Center for Medical Progress is true, then we have something that looks like a female reincarnation of the infamous Nazi, Dr. Mengele, eating and sipping a glass of red at lunch. This is while she casually mentions that for the first time, the day before, at their particular facility they had received a request for livers. Human,

pre-born baby livers. The attending physician’s name is Dr. Deborah Nucatola, and to hear her talk about how sometimes she crushes the lower extremities of the fetus, and at other times the head of the fetus, (depending on the “need” for tissue) is like hearing and watching something out of

a really bad horror movie. Planned Parenthood, of course is attempting to push back with the classic “we’ve been ‘spun’ and taken out of context” argument by saying, “A well-funded group established for the purpose of damaging Planned Parenthood’s mission and services has promoted a heavily edited, secretly recorded videotape that falsely portrays Planned Parenthood’s participation in tissue donation programs that support lifesaving scientific research.” Hold it right there. According to Planned Parenthood founder and flame-on racist, Margaret Sanger, the original “mission” of the organization as she conceived it 100 years ago was to eliminate the black race.

“Colored people are like weeds and are to be exterminated.” But wait! There’s more! Planned Parenthood operators are standing by to take your order for whatever you need! Hearts, lungs, heck, even baby muscles! Just ignore the following,

and your conscience won’t smite you! “We don’t want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population.” And just to prove that Miss Margaret ultimately became an equal-opportunity murderous eugenicist, ever willing to spread the killing around equitably, we have this: “Slavs, Latin, and Hebrew immigrants are human weeds…a deadweight of human waste. Blacks, soldiers and Jews are a menace to the race.” Fully 79% of Planned Parenthood facilities are located in primarily black neighborhoods. I guess my question is, if the current “mission” is “to provide life-saving scientific research,” what are they doing harvesting

the body parts of babies who are inherently, according to Ms. Sanger, “a deadweight of human waste?” Shouldn’t there be a hue and cry from the “customer in the marketplace” over the fact that they are paying for inferior merchandise? If Dr. Nucatola is Margaret’s spiritual spawn, she is in a

real pickle. Here her foremother wanted us inferior ones weeded out, but Miss Debbie wants us to know that she and the other Mengeles have become “very good at getting heart, lung, liver, because we know that I’m not going to CRUSH that part.”

You might not crush that particular “part,” Dr. N, but you are, according to your original boss, trafficking in “weeds” and “waste,” and on every front, there will be hell to pay. May God have mercy on you as well as the rest of us. We are going to need it.

Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com

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All Things Soldier

A Beer For A Fallen Brother by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Last week, near Ft. Lewis in Tacoma WA, a currently active female soldier entered a restaurant to have some wings and a beer with someone who would never show up at the table: her brother who had died in Iraq while protecting us. Was she delusional? No, she was just creating her own ritual, very similar to the lunch that is held every year for Vietnam MIA soldiers, and that always has an extra chair at the table, as well as an empty place setting. I have been to one of those at our own Alabama Vets’ Museum, and I will never forget how moving it was, or how grateful I continue to be for the forgiveness of God and ‘Nam vets for my former stupidity.

The scene in the Northwest was the Wild

Wings Restaurant, and the female soldier came in, ordered a Blue Moon and a Corona, (two different brands of beer) and for a moment hit a snag: in Washington State, you can order only one beer at a time, and cannot order ahead for the person who is going to join you. Her server, whose name is Brian Avey, politely explained the law. The soldier politely explained that she was there to honor her brother, who would not be joining them because he fell in battle.

brother. The restaurant also didn’t charge her for his beer. She left it there and on her receipt wrote a brief thank you note to the server and the restaurant which said: “Thank you. An act of

restaurant, and the response of the manager. I also deeply hope that the Health Department of the State of Washington, as well as the State Liquor Board, or whatever other governing body which manages open bottles of Corona will let the lime be refreshed for as long as Wild Wings deems fit.

Avey relented, rightfully upholding the spirit of the law, the soldier ate her meal, and the untouched, opened Corona sat next to her the entire time in the space that would have been filled by her

July 21st

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

17915 W Elm St • Athens, Alabama • 256-232-0029 Page 4

Mr. Avey finished his shift, went home to the ubiquitous Facebook, and wrote a post that has now gone viral. It said: “After she left, I didn’t have the heart to dump the

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

kindness goes a long way. It means a lot to me. Have a great rest of your day.—Greatful [sic] Soldier”

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beer out and throw it away, so I put it on top of the cooler next the American Flag. When I showed my boss his response was Amazing… He said ‘That’s Fine, just do me a favor, put a fresh Lime in it Every Morning.’” A fresh lime every morning. What a profoundly simple and dear way to say thank you to a soldier who gave his life for us, as well as a way to honor his active duty sister. While I realize that at some point the beer is going to have to be disposed of, I am personally grateful for the response of the server, the response of the

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Calendar of Events Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival Jul 23rd - 25th & Jul 30th - Aug 1st

information or to view the map: www.athensalabamahomebuilders. com/parade.html

Kiddie Carnival Grounds. 309 East Forrest Street Athens, AL. Bring the little ones for a night of rides - Scrambler, Roller Coaster, Train, Swings, Carousel, Ferris Wheeler, and Rocket Ships - from 6:30PM9:30PM. Big kids and adults can enjoy bingo under the pavilion. Concessions available - hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwich, french fries, cokes, cotton candy, Dip-n-Dots and funnel cakes. Rides are 1 ticket each; tickets are $0.50 each. www.athensal.lionwap.org

Tanner High School. 12060 Sommers Road Athens, AL. Come to the Southeast’s premier pulling event at 7:00PM organized by the Tanner Quarterback Club. Tickets at the gate -- Adult: $15.00; Children 7 & Up $10.00; Children 6 & Under: Free

4th Annual Sam Gibbons Walking Horse Show Jul 18th

Redfest 2015 Aug 1st

Limestone Sheriff’s Arena. Alabama Highway 99, Athens, AL. Join the Alabama Veterans’ Museum and Archives for their annual fundraiser benefitting the expansion of the museum. For more information, contact the Veterans’ Museum at 256-771-7578.

CASA Mud Volleyball 2015 Jul 18th

Athens Swan Creek Park. 100 U.S. 31, Athens, AL. Up to 100 teams come to sling a little mud and have a little fun as they raise funds for CASA starting at 9:00AM. For information or individual/ team registration: www.active.com/athens-al/volleyball/casa-mudvolleyball-2015?cmp=39-28

Senior Rehab & Recovery Center Swamp Johns Dinner Jul 22nd

Rollin’ On The River July 24th

Featuring Dorothy Cole as Tina Turner. Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL 35652. 256-247-5466.

Singing in the Park Jul 24th

Big Spring Memorial Park. Intersection of Beaty and Market Street, Athens, AL. Rain Location: Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1917 U.S. Highway 72 Athens, AL. Join sponsor Champion Chevrolet of Athens for an evening of music in the park at 6:00PM with this month’s featured artist - Matt Prater for two hours of music. Free. For more information: 256-232-5411

Visit select homes during the annual event showcasing builders, homes, ammenities and the Limestone County community. For more

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29464 Hope Lane Toney, AL. Local bands will fill the night starting at 6:00PM. Todd Stovall and Will McMeams take the stage with group Heartland. Craig and Todd Anderson, Keith West and Mike Myerson, Section 8, Free Range and Highwyre play throughout the night. Bring your chairs and coolers (no glass bottles) and enjoy the night. All proceeds go the Reagan Morell Family. Gates open at 5:30PM.

Athens Saturday Market Aug 1st

Athens-Limestone Farmers Market. 409 West Green Street, Athens, AL. Come peruse the wares of local artisans, farmers and small businesses from 8AM-12PM. www.athenssaturdaymarket.com

Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo Aug 7th - 8th

Senior Rehab and Recovery Center. 1600 West Hobbs Street, Athens, AL. Enjoy dinner from 3:00PM-6:00PM with a selection of shrimp, fish and chicken, plus all the sides. Eat in or carryout. Plates are $10.00. Proceeds to benefit Limestone Co. Council on Aging.

Athens-Limestone County Homebuilders Parade of Homes Jul 27th - 28th

Tanner Championship Tractor and Truck Pull Jul 31st - Aug 1st

John Barnes Park. Ardmore Ridge Road, Ardmore, TN. Grab the bucaroos and bucarettes for an evening bronco busting, roping and more as Outdoor Rodeo of the Year 2014 recipients bring back the family-fun to North Alabama and Southern Tennessee. Raffles for Adams Western Wear $250 Gift Certificate are $3 per chance. Rodeo Queen forms available at Ardmore Police Department and Adams Western Wear. Advanced tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up; $8 for ages 6-12; and children under 5 are free. Gate prices are $15 for ages 13 and up; $10 for ages 6-12; and 5 and under are free. Advanced tickets are available at Adams Western Wear, Ardmore Police Department, Ardmore City Hall, Ardmore Town Hall, Reliance Bank, First National Bank, and Peoples State Bank. For more information: ardmorepdreserves@hotmail.com

23rd Annual Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days Aug 7th - 8th

Farm Heritage Grounds. 20147 Elkton Road, Athens, AL. Come see in action the equipment that has fed America - gasoline engines, steam engines, antique tractors, cars, trucks, horse drawn equipment and more. Primitive camping is available for the weekend event. No hook-ups available. Full concessions available. Flea market, Parts and Craft Vendors too. Admission Ages 12 and up $5.00, children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, contact David Hargrove at 256-431-6226, Allen Dement at 256-4310619, Marvin Putman at 256-431-2316 or Mike Hodges at 256-2065926.

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Fitness, Fiscally Speaking

Help! I Want To Retire, But I’m Off Track! by Wayne Kuykendall, content courtesy of AXA Advisors Athens Now would like to welcome Wayne to our crew, and express our appreciation for the chance to become “fiscally fit.

Sometime around the age of 50, we start to think more seriously about retirement. After all, the kids (if we have them) are out of the house, or at least relatively self-sufficient, we’re at the peak earning stage of our careers, and thoughts of soon having time for whatever we please are becoming more and more pervasive. If You’ve Fallen Off Track

The income you’ll need during retirement is dependent on the lifestyle you plan to have. Will you be relocating or staying where you are? What hobbies or activities do you intend to pursue? Do you want to work parttime or not at all? All of these variables need to replace all or most of their pre-retire-

Perhaps you’ve always intended to save more, but just didn’t have a solid plan in place or the extra money to follow through. Intentions are commendable, but if life has gotten in the way of saving enough, there’s no time like the present to get back on track. It is not too late, but you need to act quickly. Five Key Concerns for Retirement To have a well-rounded retirement where you can maintain and protect the lifestyle you and your family have become used to, there are five key areas to address: 1. Income Management 2. Protection 3. Health Care 4. Long-Term Care 5. Leaving a Legacy Income Management

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is $18,000, and the catch-up limit is an additional $6,0001.

ment income. Consider this: you may not need as much in the first few years of retirement, but as inflation bites into the dollar’s buying power year after year, it will eventually cost more to buy the same things. Make sure your budget takes inflation into account. Social Security will meet part of your income requirement, but not enough o rely on exclusively. To create an adequate cash-flow,

take advantage of taxadvantaged retirement savings accounts such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). If your employer or union sponsors a pension plan, find out if you’re eligible and what the plan entails. Keep in mind that if you are over 50 years of age, you may be eligible to make additional contributions to retirement accounts through a catch-up provision. For 2015, the regular contribution limit to 401(k) plans, as set by the IRS,

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Additional personal investments and/or annuities may also help generate a retirement income, therefore, you should speak with a qualified professional to determine which products may work best with your risk tolerance and investment horizon. Protection If you have a spouse or dependents, ask yourself what would become of them if anything were to happen to you. You need to protect their future. Often, when one spouse dies, the survivor’s cost of living remains nearly the same. Think about it: the mortgage and taxes still need to be paid, food needs to be bought, electricity needs to stay on, and things you used to do must now be hired out to

someone else. Yet, the surviving spouse typically loses a large portion of their retirement income when their partner dies. To help a surviving spouse or other beneficiaries maintain an income when you’re gone, carefully review your pension and IRA documents. There may be options that guarantee continued benefits for the surviving spouse either in a lump sum or at a reduced rate. Also, there are joint and survivor annuities which create an income stream for the rest of the second spouse’s life. The death benefit of life insurance is an option which can provide tax-free income to your beneficiary. There are a variety of contract options, including Term, Permanent, Universal, and Variable which should be explained to

July 17 - August 6, 2015

you in detail by a professional. Often, life insurance offers families protection so that their financial lives can remain intact even after the loss of a loved one. Health Care Though everyone hopes for the best, the truth is, your health during retirement is unpredictable. At age 65, you will qualify for the country’s largest health insurance plan: Medicare. If you are among the lucky minority, your former employer may offer continued health coverage for their retirees. However, if you’re like the majority of Americans, this type of coverage will be unavailable. Therefore, if you plan to retire before you become eligible for Medicare, you will be responsible for purchasing personal coverage to fill the gap. The Medicare program does a good job insuring the health of America’s seniors. But it doesn’t cover everything. There are out-of-pocket costs to pay for premiums as well as services outside the plan’s scope, such as vision, hearing, dental, and podiatric care. Considering most seniors need these types of care, the costs can add up. According to a non-partisan report published in 2013, the average senior could expect to pay 36.9% of their income toward healthcare2. Therefore, it is of great importance to figure in anticipated medical expenditures when working through your retirement budget. Long Term Care As we age, there is an increased probability that we may eventually need assistance with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.

July 17 - August 6, 2015

This type of care – regardless of whether it’s in-home or at a facility – does not come cheap. Medicare does not cover long-term care, and most of us can’t afford to pay for it out of pocket without depleting our retirement nest egg. Many pre-retirees are opting to buy long term care insurance policies. Depending on the contract and issuing company, these policies usually begin paying for the costs associated with long-term care once you become unable to independently perform several of the activities of daily living. Though most people recognize the value of long-term care insurance, often the expense of buying a standalone policy deters them from seeking coverage. Some insurers now offer an alternative in the form of a long-term care or “living care” rider that can be attached to a permanent life insurance policy. If the owner ever requires care, the rider makes it possible to accelerate the death benefit of the insurance contract to pay for qualified costs. For more specific information about long-term care coverage options, contact your finance professional.

tives, friends, or a charity near and dear to your heart, there are a variety of tools at your disposal, including living trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable gift annuities. When it comes to saving for retirement, time is of the essence. The longer your investment horizon, the more time your money has to work for you. Therefore, you shouldn’t delay any longer. Contact your financial professional today to arrange a meeting to assess your situation. From there, commit to a strategy and stick with it. Before you know it, those daydreams of retirement will no longer dissolve into anxiety and worry because you’ll feel confident that you are back on track just in time.

for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The tax information was written to support the promotion or the marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed and you should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

AXA Advisors, LLC 105 S. Marion St. Suite 202 Athens, AL 35611 Office: (256) 262-1980 Cell: (256) 777-4524 wayne.kuykendall@ axa-advisors.com

Please be advised that this document is not intended as legal or tax advice. Accordingly, any tax information provided in this document is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer

Leaving a Legacy Even if you’ve fallen off track saving for your own future, it is never too early to speak to an advisor about creating an estate plan to transfer your assets to heirs upon your death. With the help of estate planning and tax professionals, you can create a strategy to structure your bequests in the most advantageous way – both for you and your beneficiaries. Whether you intend to pass your assets to rela-

1http://www.irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/Plan-ParticipantEmployee/Retirement-Topics-401(k)-and-Profit-SharingPlan-Contribution-Limits 2http://www.marketwatch.com/story/housing-health-carecosts-are-retirement-killers-2013-03-28 This article is provided by Wayne Kuykendall. Wayne Kuykendall offers securities through AXA Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC). 105 Marion St, Suite 202, Athens AL 35611 and offers annuity and insurance products through an insurance brokerage affiliate, AXA Network, LLC and its subsidiaries.

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

If Not Me…Then Who?

Honor The Fallen by Challenging the Living: 9/11 Heroes Run by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum When Whitney Hollingsworth came to the museum to talk about a 5K fundraising run and told me the theme of the run, “If Not Me...Then Who?,” it was like stepping back in time. I was a TSgt and single parent in the Air Force and I had just found out that I was going to be deployed to Saudi Arabia. When I got the orders, my first thoughts were “Why me?” My immediate thoughts after were, “Well why not me?” and, “If not me, then who?” Who would I wish this deployment on? I could not think of one person who I would ask to take my place, even though it meant being away from my son and family for the holidays. After more than six months in the desert, I was one of the

lucky ones… I got to come home to my son and future Thanksgivings and Christmases. There are so many that do not. Whitney started running in high school to lose weight. She ran occasionally through the years but didn’t start running competitively until 2003. When she turned 40, she decided to run a marathon and her first one was The Rocket City Marathon in 2004. When she crossed the finish line, her words to herself were “Been there, done that, why would I want to do another one?” But it got into her blood, and she has since run 7 marathons, including Boston in 2011, New York in 2013 and Marine Corp in 2014.

The Marine Corp Expo is where she came across The Travis Manion Foundation. She had read about Travis and Brendon Looney in Runner’s World a few years back. They were

the marathon, and started following the Foundation’s link when she got home. In January, the Travis Manion Foundation starting asking for volunteers to

that someone else on the board had said they would like to have a Veterans’ Day 5K. I went to her and asked if The Veterans’ Museum would be interested in becoming a Community Benefactor for this Foundation,” and that is how it began! This race is to honor all the fallen of 9/11 and the wars since. Veterans, First Responders, Citizens and Military, come out and help us honor the fallen while challenging the living. Our race will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 7:00am. Race will begin and end at the Alabama Veterans’ Museum, 100 W. Pryor, Athens, AL

Naval Academy roommates and became best friends. Travis was killed in Fallujah in 2007, and Brendon was killed in a helicopter crash in 2010. Although Travis was buried near his home so his mother could go visit his grave, Brendon’s wife Amy said they have to be together. Travis body was moved to Arlington National Cemetery, and they are now buried next to each other in Section 60. She went and visited their graves the day after

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bring a 9/11 Heroes Run to their local community. She was not sure that she wanted to direct a race since she had just stepped down from 10 years of helping direct the Lions Club Rails to Trails 10K. However, she could not pass up what the Foundation was offering. In directing a 9/11 Heroes Run, you could choose a community benefactor. “Helen Carter and I go to church together. She is on The Board of The Veterans’ Museum and I remembered she had mentioned to me

Follow the link on our Facebook page at https:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / pages/911-Heroes-RunAthens-Alabama/142520 6924453271?fref=ts or visit the website at http:// www.travismanion.org/ get-involved/911-heroesrun/ Sign up before the price increase on 31 July 2015. We are still looking for sponsors, volunteers and people to come out and support the race! Contact the museum for more information at 256-7717578.

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Clean and Green

Easy Disposal Of Latex Paint by Lynne Hart

Every week, KALB and our Recycling Center receive phone calls asking how to dispose of leftover paint. Because this is a continuing problem, we are sharing the following information with our readers again. Some Paint is Hazardous...Some is Not If any of the following conditions exist, your paint is hazardous and cannot be placed in your trash under any conditions. It must be disposed of at a proper household hazardous waste collection:

If you are interested in having a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection for Athens-Limestone County residents, please contact your City Councilman or County Commissioner and make your concerns known. HHW includes automobile fluids, pesticides, garden chemicals, and more. How to Dispose of Latex Paint: First, never pour paint down a drain. It can be harmful to your

•the paint is oil based •the paint is listed as mildew resistant or a preservative •the paint is more than 20 years old (it may contain lead) Many people are surprised to learn that latex or water-based paint is not considered a hazardous waste. Even though it is not considered a hazardous waste, it must never be placed in trash cans in liquid form. Liquid paint can cause a great deal of damage to trash trucks and can make a mess of our roads.

pipes and is not good for the water supply. It is also harmful to pour paint onto the ground. Here are safe ways to get rid of leftover latex paint. Use it up or donate it: Mix light colors together and use as primer on

your next paint job or offer it to someone else with a painting project. If you have full or nearly full cans of usable paint, check with the Habitat for Humanity ReStore to see if they will accept it for resale. When storing paint for future projects, tightly seal the can and store upside down in a cool, dry storage area away from children and pets. Dry it up: Once latex paint is dry, it is no longer a danger to trash trucks or roadways. Cans that are ¼ full or less can be placed in a safe location with lids off and allowed to dry. Once the

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paint is completely dry, you can place the can in with recycling. If you have larger amounts of paint, line a cardboard box with a trash bag and place it in a safe location away from children or pets. Pour paint into the box and add a drying

agent such as kitty litter, sand, or shredded paper. You may also purchase waste paint hardener which works quickly and easily. Once the paint is completely dry, you can place the trash bag with dry paint into your trash container. You may then recycle the cardboard box and paint can. We’d love to hear from you if you have additional questions or concerns. If we don’t have the answer, then we will learn together!

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com July 17 - August 6, 2015

Cooking with Cindy

Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho by Cindy Bridges, owner of Cindy Lou’s Deli The heat index is climbing higher, and the gardens are putting forth their bounty. So, in keeping with the grilling theme, what about a grilled vegetable soup? Gazpacho is a popular cold soup for the hot days of summer. This is a basic recipe that can be expanded with grilled corn, eggplant, etc. Just adjust the liquids to thin the soup as desired.

What you will need: ½ c. red onion, cut in ½ inch slices ½ c. zucchini, cut in ½ inch slices 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 green bell pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded, diced in ¼ inch pieces 2 c. tomato, peeled, seeded, diced in ¼ inch pieces 1 c. fresh cucumber, peeled, seeded, diced in ¼ inch pieces 1 Tbs. cilantro, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 Tbs. olive oil ½ c. bread crumbs Salt and pepper, to taste 1 Tbs. red wine vinegar Chicken stock, as needed 1 ½ c. tomato juice or V-8 Juice

Garnish:

Corn tortillas, sliced and fried, and green onions, sliced on the bias, both as desired

Directions: Brush the onion and zucchini slices with olive oil, and cook on a preheated grill until tender. Watch vegetables carefully to prevent burning. Place the grilled onion, zucchini and roasted pepper into a food processor and pulse to a coarse purée. Do not over process, as the vegetables will become too thin and lose their natural juices and flavor. Mix the tomato, cucumber, and garlic with the processed vegetables in a stainless steel bowl. Add the bread crumbs, vinegar, tomato or V-8 juice, cilantro, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Chill thoroughly. Thin down the consistency as desired with either chicken stock or juice. Carefully ladle gazpacho into well-chilled soup cups or bowls. Garnish each portion with fried tortilla strips on the surface of the soup. Sprinkle the sliced onions on top of the tortilla strips.

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Health and Fitness

Coconut Water – “Mother Nature’s Sports Drink?” by Janet Hunt

Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment. Lately I have received several questions about coconut water. My standard answer is usually “don’t bother – drink water.” Water is free, with 0 calories. What could be better?

potassium and magnesium, but low in sodium. A sports drink is only needed when exercising intensely for longer than an hour, and if you are working that hard, you need to replace sodium.

Lately I have read several articles about coconut water, so here is the info:

Compared to Gatorade (one of the most popular sports drinks on the market), an 8-ounce carton of unsweetened coconut water has about 40 calories and 9 grams of naturally occurring sugar, while 8 ounces of Gatorade contains approximately 50 calories and 14 grams of sugar. The Gatorade sugars are sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.

•Coconut water is the mildly sweet, nutty-flavored clear liquid found in young, green coconuts. It contains approximately 40 calories per cup, (8oz) which is less than half the calories in the same amount of fruit juice or soda. It is low in fat, cholesterolfree and high in potassium. •Coconut water is different than coconut milk, which is high in fat and high in calories and looks like regular milk.

If you eat a nutrient-rich diet, it’s fairly easy to get enough potassium from the food you eat. However, due to the eating habits of many

Marketers call coconut water “Mother Nature’s sports drink.” Other claims include that because coconut water is high in potassium, it regulates blood pressure, therefore helping to prevent strokes and heart attacks. Others say coconut water has anti-aging properties and can help fight cancer and kidney stones.

Ingredients

Yes, potassium is important for heart health, but it is found in many other foods, including bananas, potatoes, beans, lentils, spinach and yogurt. And simply drinking coconut water won’t magically prevent a stroke. Many of the other benefits are little more than unproven claims. Yes, unsweetened coconut water is a more natural way to replenish electrolytes than other sports drinks because it does not contain added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or dyes. It is also high in

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in this country, many Americans do not get enough potassium, so coconut water

• 1 quart of liquid (options: green tea, herbal teas, coconut water, plain water, etc) • 1/8 - 1/4 tsp Himalayan Sea Salt (regular table salt will work, but it doesn’t have all the trace minerals)

can boost your intake a bit. As for sodium, most people don’t work out long or hard enough to need a drink to replace sodium, but if you do, coconut water is fairly low in sodium.

ries – drink water! If you do think you need a sports drink after your workout, included here is an inexpensive, no calorie recipe you can make yourself and keep in your fridge.

In my opinion, save your money and save your calo-

This recipe is courtesy of www.wellnessmama.com.

• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp crushed Calcium-Magnesium tablets or powder (optional) • 1/4 cup or more of juice (optional)- you can use grape, apple, lemon, lime, pineapple, etc. • 1-2 TBSP sweetener (optional)- you can use stevia, but if you do, I suggest brewing a stevia leaf into the base liquid for the most natural option.

Instructions

1. Brew tea if using or slightly warm base liquid 2. Add sea salt and calcium magnesium (if using) 3. Add juice and mix or shake well 4. Cool and store in fridge until ready to use Note: As an example, my normal recipe includes 1 quart of tea (brewed with Red Raspberry Leaf, Alfalfa, Nettle and Stevia), 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp calcium-magnesium powder (about 1,000 mg), and 1/4 cup grape or apple juice

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July 17 - August 6, 2015

Special Feature

Repaying The Debt: Good News In The Midst Of The Treacherous Deal With Tehran by Ali Elizabeth Turner because he has specifically targeted Christians to be the recipients of his endeavors, but he has chosen to do so, to “pay it forward” in a manner of speaking, out of personal conviction. “I had a debt to repay,” he said.

Back in March, Athens Now readers were warned by Laurie Cardoza Moore, co-founder of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, that according to former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton, this Administration was on a diplomatic course of destruction in regard to nuclear negotiations with Tehran. Mr. Bolton, at the National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention held in Nashville, said the following: “We are down to two options: Iran gets nuclear weapons, far and away the most likely outcome, and/or Israel decides, as it has twice in its history, to take matters into its own hands, and destroy a nuclear weapons program in the hands of a hostile state.” He added, “It is a legitimate exercise of Israel’s right to self defense.” This week, Mr. Bolton’s grim prediction virtually came true, and the response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was both sobering and stern: “This deal as far as we can see comes on almost daily concessions from the P5+1 to growing Iranian demands. Every day more concessions are made, and every day the deal becomes worse and worse,” Netanyahu said Monday. “This deal will pave Iran’s path to a nuclear arsenal.” It is like watching old newsreels from the ‘30s

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when Adolph Hitler was allowed to romp unchecked across Europe, and is indeed alarming. However, there was a piece of truly heartwarming news that also came out this week, and that has to do with the commitment of a 95 year old Austro-Britain man who is airlifting Christians out of Syria so that they can be rescued from ISIS.

and Nicolson Publishing Company only 10 years later. The publisher has organized the Weidenfeld Safe Havens Fund, which last week paid for the flight of 150 Syr-

ian Christians to Poland on a privately chartered plane. This allowed them to successfully seek refuge, and they are the first beneficiaries of Lord Weidenfeld’s airlift. He has come under fire

Who would have thought it would come to this? We have appeared to have tossed reason aside when it comes to capitulating to the demands of a nation that will surely attack Israel, and yet, there is a Jewish man, nearly a century old, who is doing all he can to rescue Christians. May God bless him, and may God rescue us from our own folly. “If we don’t defend our friends, if we don’t defend our values and our interests, nobody else is going to do it. It all rests on us.”

His name is Lord Weidenfeld, and he himself was rescued by Christians in 1938. Lord Weidenfeld says he has “a debt to repay” to Christians fleeing Isis because the Plymouth Brethren and the Quakers gave him food, clothing, and helped him get to Britain in 1938. He arrived as a nearly destitute refugee, and went on to co-found the successful Weidenfeld

Lord Weidenfeld

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Cover Story

Grace Place: Where Every Week It’s Like A Family Reunion by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

of these different venues, and if people really want Him, He shows up wherever they are. Grace Place is a “come as you are church,” but that doesn’t mean you won’t be challenged by bold preaching from the Word. It is one of those fellowships where the phrase, “God loves you just where you are, but too much to leave you there,” is the word of the day, as well as their compass. Gene and Kathy Woodard are the shepherds of this growing flock, and will be quick to tell you that heading up a fellowship was not how they planned to spend their years as senior citizens. However, they have a story that will resonate with many, and that is what makes Grace Place so special. By all accounts, they were living the successful American

Dream. At that time, they had two beautiful children and “lots of stuff,” as Gene says, but he was, by his own public admission, a captive to drugs, alcohol, and straight up selfishness. Their marriage was headed for disaster. But then

God… …and it was that intervention on the part of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His Son, that proved to be a “Damascus road” experience that changed their lives about 30 years ago. Gene is very

transparent when it comes to how awful he was prior to finding Christ, as well as the fact that he knows he would have driven his marriage to the divorce court. He pulls no punches, and he has no secrets. Without any apology, during the

service he looked heavenward and said, “Thank you for saving my wretched soul.” He also will tell you that the good that came out of being such a wretch is that he has compassion for others who have been ensnared in the same trap. “I’ve been there and done that,” he said, “and it keeps me from having a ‘holier than thou’ attitude.” Also, the Woodards are now the blessed grandparents of seven beautiful grandchildren. I spoke with Gene’s wife Kathy, and asked her, “If I were looking for a fellowship in the area, why should I come to Grace Place?” She thought for awhile, and said, “It’s the people. Everyone there is a disciple, a follower. Sometimes it takes a more intimate situation for people to the feel the presence of God. New Christians need individual

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July 17 - August 6, 2015

been a huge strength to this family during such a rough time.

Song Service

While prayer requests were being taken, I asked for prayer, as I was on my way to a funeral in another town where a client’s adult child had committed suicide. My prayer was for a way to minister in the most heartbreaking of all situations, and for

I don’t think there is any other way for Gene to preach other than straight, and he did that without apology. His text was Acts 17:6, and the subject was idols. “Some are obvious,” he said, “and some are subtle. A huge one in our country is materialism, and when I was on my deathbed last year, let me tell you, the ‘stuff’ I have didn’t mean anything.” Then he added a good qualifier, “A dol-

Kathy Woodard, wife of Pastor Gene Woodard comfort for the family, and that prayer was most definitely answered right there that afternoon.

Pastor Gene, left, and Harold Green attention, and they feel free to come and ask any question.” She also is very firm about the fact that she knows God called Gene to lead Grace Place. “I’ve been a Christian most of my life,” she says, “and I would never get between a person and God. I knew he, (that is, Gene,) could do it, no question.” I then asked her, “Do you think this is a true calling?” And with a firmness of conviction that simply cannot be faked, she replied, “Yes.” So, I was an observer as well as a participant during the service, and several things touched me. The

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first was how this scrappy little band of believers was quick to fulfill the scripture that commands us to “bear one another’s burdens.” One family had been profoundly impacted by a recent fatal industrial accident, and one of the couple’s adult children had been there when it happened. While their emotions were understandably still raw, they had a testimony of what good had come out of the tragedy. People who had been away from the Lord had turned back to Him. And, it was the support from the folks at Grace Place that had

We worshipped in song, using some songs that were contemporary, and some that were traditional hymns. As many times as I have heard and sung, “I Went Down To The River To Pray,” the recurring phrase, “Good Lord, show me the way,” was most definitely anointed to my heart. How we need to know the way in times like these!

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lar bill is neither good nor bad, it’s what you do with it.” He also said something that was a “good-type-ofouch.” He illustrated the fact that for many of us, our biggest idol is ourselves by saying, “Your worst one is the one that is looking back at you from your mirror.” I got a chance to talk to a few of the members, asking what had drawn them to Grace Place. One man said, “I like the people and the fellowship. It is ‘come as you are;’ we don’t la-

bel anybody, we are just a down home country church.” Gene is assisted in caring for the flock by Jerry Woodruff, who was home sick the day I visited. We chatted over the phone, and he told me that his “favorite thing about Grace Place is the feeling you get of being loved.” Then he asked me, “When you visited, did anybody hug your neck?” “Oh, yes,” I said, “lots of folks.” He has ministered elsewhere, and is impressed by the fact that “the people are so honest, and loving. They are sincere in their beliefs, and their love for God.” A woman told me she liked it because, “You are not judged by money, race, or what you wear.” Then she added, “We really like Brother Gene.” So, if you are looking for a small, but growing home-style fellowship, then Grace Place may be the place for you. And they aren’t kidding when they say it’s like a “weekly family reunion.”

Grace Place

(held at the Hampton Inn in Athens) 1222 Kelli Drive Athens, AL 35613 Time: Every Sunday, 11am Phone: Gene Woodard 931-510-2306

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Baby, It’s Hot Outside! by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 I am such a baby about hot weather. I whine and moan and groan to my family about how uncomfortable I am and how much I hate to sweat. Have you noticed it’s hot outside? For the past few weeks, temperatures have been in the high 80s, 90s, and low 100s. As far as I’m concerned, it might as well be 1000 degrees. I thank God everyday that I have an inside job! Of course, I do have to go out in the heat several times each day. Like you, I have to water the plants and run errands. But even the little bit I am in the heat can be a major problem. None of us drinks enough water. Most doctors recommend we drink 8 glasses of water a day, in addition to the soda and tea we drink. The primary cause of heat exhaustion is dehydration – not enough water. And you don’t have to be outside very long before you show symptoms of heat exhaustion. There are two types of heat exhaustion. Water

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is a combination of air temperature and humidity. The human body cools down by sweating (Eww!). When the sweat evaporates, you feel cooler. When the humidity is high, your sweat can’t evaporate and it feels hotter. That is how the heat index works. Information about heat exhaustion and heat stroke is available both on the Internet and from your doctor. When in doubt, always check with your personal physician.

depletion symptoms are excessive thirst, weakness, and headache. When not enough salt is the reason for heat exhaustion, the symptoms include nausea, muscle cramps, and dizziness. Either way, the best solution for these symptoms is to drink plenty of fluids. That does not mean go have a “coke;” it means get a big glass of water. Other things you can do are take off any tight or unnecessary clothing, take a cool shower, or sit in front of a fan for a little while.

If you are one of those folks who have to work outside in this heat, you need to watch for heat stroke. It happens quickly. The symptoms of heat stroke are high body temperature, agitation, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing, racing heart rate, and headache. Remember, the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is when you have heat stroke you don’t sweat. If you are having heat stroke, you should find medical assistance immediately. You need to get indoors or in the shade and sponge off with cool water and wet towels on your head, neck and armpits. The risk of heat-related illness is higher when temperatures are 90 degrees or higher. It is also im-

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portant to pay attention to the heat indexes and to remember to stay out of direct, full sunshine if you can. Weather stations report the heat index as well as the temperature nowadays. Heat index

If you are out and about on the Square in Athens and the heat is getting to you, stop by Square Clock Coffee for a smoothie or iced coffee. They have several different smoothies to choose from. The Fiddling Bear has strawberry, pineapple, coconut, and orange juice. The Rocket has pineapple, mango, peach, banana, peach, and orange juice. Berry Belle Mina has strawberry, lemonade, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry. Strawberry Spirit has strawberry, and milk or jet pep. Hank & Oats has banana, oats, peanut butter, and milk or jet pep. Story Tella has banana, hazelnut, milk or jet pep, and mocha. Get Centered has green tea, pear, spinach, cucumber, avocado, lime juice, apple, and cilantro. Jaffe Java has coffee, coconut, caramel, chocolate, cocoa, and milk or jet pep.

July 17 - August 6, 2015

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Horse Whispering

The Journey by Deb Kitchenmaster Journey: an act of traveling from one place to another; a long and often difficult process of personal change and development. Yes, a journey is a process. If we go on a journey and do not change, we become a nomad or a wanderer. If we change without going on a journey, we become an actor or an actress, that has been handed a script on the stage of life. We simply resemble a chameleon. However, if we choose the journey, and we experience change, our reality is transformation, or a shift. We get our wings! When the journey is about you and your horse, wing #1 is to get a connection with your horse, and wing #2 is to ask the question “What does my horse

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need?” I just returned from a twenty-four-hundred mile trip, which had a focus, a purpose, and resulted in several meaningful connections. However, along the way I had to deal with some detours, adverse weather conditions, and road construction. Many choices were made during my travels, and timing was a major part of the experience. It was worthwhile to be adaptable and flexible, and remain “in the moment.” As we journey with our horse, we come to realize that pressure motivates the horse, but it is the release of pressure that teaches the horse. You become aware of your horse’s mental and emotional state as you journey “in the moment.”

You focus on getting the mental connection with your horse, because this connection gets him in a learning frame of mind. It also helps him to avoid becoming emotional. It is in this learning frame of mind that confidence is built in your horse. Have you considered your emotional fitness and the emotional fitness of your horse? When I took my training as an Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner, I came to know that a high percentage of horses “integrate” at Level One. “Integration” is the place where all the energy of the horse synchronizes into a healthy, focused place, and can be easily experienced by the rider. The healthy rider, in turn, is able to readily “become one” with the horse. However, there are horses that need Level Two, which is dealing with an emotional dynamic, in order to integrate well. An example of an emotional dynamic for a horse could be associated with the herd, environment, feed, pasture, water, human(s),

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training or tack, etc. Our horses actually are interested in increasing their emotional fitness and they invite us to journey in becoming more emotionally fit ourselves. Having relationships with other “horse people” is important. It is with these “NEIGHbors” you can ask questions, as well as share your thoughts and feelings. In these human connections, because of your horse connection, you get involved in the process as much as you choose. We all get stuck from time to time. Interestingly, when we do get stuck, we seem to go backwards rather than forward. Each of us was designed to move (to journey), and change (transform).

that has us stuck to the chain that pulls us out of our rut. We ALL need help from time to time! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seek out someone that knows something you don’t, otherwise, you’ll remain stuck, and may even become more discouraged or frustrated. Receiving meaningful help will allow you to make progress with your horse until you get stuck again, and you find yourself asking for help again.

Being conscious and being present in the moment provide such fuel for you and your horse as you journey. For it is in the “being” that you become aware. In awareness, a space to take the time to consider opens up. It is in the “considering” that the Scripture says “the eyes of your understanding are opened.” Once you “understand”, you will be compelled to do something. And when “doing” happens as a result of “being”, rather than “being” happening out of “doing”, you are on an amazing journey!

Don’t be afraid to admit that there may be a place or two where you are not All of creation invites you moving forward in your to: connection with your THE JOURNEY! horse. Go to work on the places in your life where Your NEIGHbor, you are stuck, so you can Deb Kitchenmaster get unstuck and move forCorral Connections ward. Enjoy the shift(s). www.corralconnections.com ‘A church of great heart’ In March of 2015, I wrote an article entitled, 256-426-7947 “H.E.L.P.” This is the key Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner that changes the chain dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

July 17 - August 6, 2015

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Steve, Vinnie, And Nick by Ali Elizabeth Turner It has been a whirlwind week. Mayor Ronnie was at the Electric Cities conference in Florida, and I was at a business conference in Cleveland. At Mayor Ronnie’s conference, one of the keynote speakers was actor Steve Ford, son of former US President Gerald and First Lady Betty Ford. Steve has had an impressive acting career, appearing in such films as When Harry Met Sally, Blackhawk Down, and lent his voice to Transformers. Mayor Ronnie got to spend time talking with Mr. Ford and came away with a “new perspective on perspective.” Steve’s dad was one of the most underrated and misunderstood presidents in our history, and had to step up to clean up the messes left by Vice President Spiro Agnew, followed by President Richard Nixon. It was a terrible time in America, and by all accounts, we were falling apart. Inner cities were blowing up, campuses were blowing up, Vietnam was blowing up, and President Ford became laser focused on doing whatever he could to heal the country, even if it was controversial. His methodology was not exactly popular, and specifically for Mayor Ronnie, as a ‘Nam vet, the decision on the part of President Ford to forgive the draft dodgers, who were hiding out in Canada or elsewhere was not an easy one. Mayor Ronnie’s “takeaway” from his chat with Steve Ford was that true leadership has the ability to see the focused object, as well as the big picture, sacrificing neither, and being willing to be misunderstood for the sake of the people you are serving. Any leader faces that, if they

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ens) Is there care for employees and customers (citizens)? •Integrity - Is it visible? Do leaders “walk their talk”? •Quality Products and Services - Does the organization make or provide something they are proud to stand for and stand behind? He asked me, “What do we want our city to look like? Are people thinking about future generations? What will we be handing off to

Steve Ford

selves honorably? Is the company (or city), viewed as being at the top of their industry category? If NerdWallet’s recent assessment is accurate, Athens is doing well. However, Mayor Ronnie quickly pointed out that no matter how many times we talk about “quality of life” in this column, that is the all-encompassing goal because it pre-supposes that everything else is in line, i.e., public safety, education, jobs,

Nick Saban

are doing their job well. And it is stunning to see how quickly people allow their fears to take precedence over facts. General Boles has continued to challenge the mayor with the tales of triumphs and mistakes that were made during Boles’ legendary military career. Some of those “stretchers” were captured in the following 5 questions: •Engagement - Is there transparency in the organization? (In our case, the City of Athour young people?” •Purpose - Does the organization make the greater society better instead of using only a financial equation for validation of its purpose? That is the question on the table regarding the vote for schools. Do the benefits outweigh the detractors, and will new schools serve to protect the autonomy of Athens? “I tell people that they need to do their own research, and vote according to their conscience,” he said. “I know how my wife and I are going to vote,” he added. •Operations - Specifically, do the leaders conduct them-

Vinnie Boles

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and peoples’ life of faith.

Lastly, Mayor Ronnie told a funny story of passionate Auburn fan, and City Councilman Harold Wales having to concede that Alabama Coach Nick Saban made some wise statements when Saban queried, “What is leadership? We make a mistake about what it is. It’s really about influencing someone else for their benefit. So many people think it’s about influencing someone for their own benefit. That’s manipulation, not leadership.” “Whoa!” I hollered, when the Mayor told me that. Then we prayed, and it was time for Ronnie to roll.

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Medical Update

Cold Sores: Herpes Simplex Virus by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN

Many of us (as many as 90% of adults before age 40) have felt that annoying tingling sensation on or around our lip. If you’ve had more than one of these episodes, you already know what is coming next: the unsightly, painful blister that breaks and oozes before crusting over and eventually sloughing off. They typically take 7-10 days to completely heal and are contagious until that time. Cold sores, also commonly called fever blisters, are the result of a virus. The most common strain is herpes simplex type one, but they can also be caused by the herpes simplex virus type two. The most common sites for them to appear include the outside of the lips, nose, cheeks or fingers. Though viruses have no permanent cures available, many people develop antibodies after the first infection and never develop another cold sore. However, for as many as 40% of those infected, cold sores are a recurrent problem. For most people, cold sores are not a serious problem. However, for those who are immunocompromised (such as cancer patients, chemotherapy recipients, transplant recipients, and AIDS patients), cold sores can be severe and even life-threatening. Unless you have one of the above conditions, there are many options available to help with the symptoms of cold sores. Cold sores are generally transmitted by direct contact such as kissing, sharing cups or eating utensils, towels, razors, or sexual contact through sexual contact. Common triggers for an

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cal treatments of lemon balm oil or tincture, and essential oils such as tea tree, lemon balm, and Thieves. During an outbreak:

outbreak include menstruation, pregnancy, stress, fevers, colds, flu, allergies, sunburns or any other illness that potentially taxes the body. There are four stages of cold sores: before an active outbreak (prevention), first sign of impending outbreak, active outbreak, and recovery. Treatment depends upon figuring out which stage you are in. Below, you will find some strategies for dealing with each stage. Prevention: During this stage, it is important to perform good self care. You should get enough sleep, support your body with adequate nutrition, prevent sunburn, and recognize/avoid common triggers that you have noticed personally.

lifestyle changes maximizes the prevention of cold sores. Immunomodulating herbs make the body less vulnerable. Antiviral herbs, taken both preventatively and during an o u tb r eak , can help minimize from replicating and attaching to cells. •Adaptogen herbs: ginseng, codonopsis, astragalus, holy basil, ashwagandah, shatavari, eleuthero, rhodiola, schizandra, reishi mushroom, and licorice. •Immunomodulating herbs: astragalus, reishi, cordyceps, shitake, and tulsi.

Herbs

Three other very powerful herbs for cold sores include St. Johns Wort, Balloon Flowers, and Lemon Balm.

There are also various herbal remedies for preventing outbreaks. Two categories of herbs include what are know as adaptogen herbs and immunomodulating herbs. Avoiding stimulating nervines such as coffee and tea could help decrease frequency of outbreaks. Adaptogen herbs strengthen the body’s response to stress, and combined with diet and

Eating foods rich in lysine and avoiding those high in arginine can also help prevent an outbreak. The virus needs arginine to replicate, and lysine blocks arginine. Foods high in lysine include meat (turkey, beef, chicken), milk, cheese, eggs, and fish. Foods high in arginine include wheat, oatmeal, brown rice, nuts, choco-

Dietary

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Get enough rest and eat a diet that supports your body during illness. Also continue taking antiviral herbs such as St. Johns Wort and lemon balm, as well as vulnerary herbs mentioned in the previous paragraph. You can also apply ice to reduce pain and swelling at the site. Many people will make teas and freeze them for that added kick. Recovery:

late, and beer. Many people also take lysine supplements that can be found at most herb stores. Some nutrients/ vitamins that can be helpful include Vitamin C (found in rose hips, pine needle leaves, dandelion leaves, citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables), Magnesium (found in leafy greens, but most people need supplements), and Vitamin D (for which sunlight is necessary to absorb). First signs of an outbreak: For best results, action should be taken at the first sign of outbreak. These include regular teas or tinctures of immunomodulating herbs, large doses of lysine supplements, topical treatments of vulnerary (healing) herbs to help heal the wound more quickly (such as calendula, aloe, plantain, comfrey, chamomile, and turmeric), topical St. Johns Wort oil or tincture applied liberally and frequently, topi-

Rest and proper nutrition (a diet high in fruits and vegetables) are essential during this time. This period can last anywhere from 7 to 10 days. When the acute stage is over, sores heal and new skin forms. You can also use herbs during this period to assist your body. Relaxing nervines such as cramp bark, valerian, California poppy, milky oats, skull cap, chamomile, passionflower, lavender, St. Johns Wort, lemon balm, and vervain all help relax the nervous system, promoting calm and sleep. Trophorestorative (balancing) herbs such as milky oats, goldenseal, nettle seed, milk thistle, yerba mansa, hawthorn, and St. Johns Wort can help bring balance. There are also medications such as prescription Valtrex and over the counter Abreva available to help lessen the symptoms of an outbreak. For more information, contact your healthcare provider to discuss which options might be best for you.

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