Birmingham, AL August 2021

AU G U S T 2 02 1

F U N F O R A LL I N O U R

FAM ILY I SSUE

LI F E + C U LTU R E M OVI E N I G H T I N T H E M AG I C C I T Y

Michael Maniscalco DMD, MAGD offers quality cosmetic dentistry in the Birmingham area. Beautifying your smile may be very simple. If you would like to enhance your smile call us for a consultation. Come see why people of all walks of life choose Dr. Maniscalco to enhance their smile.

Perfect Smile for Your Perfect Day

“Thank you Dr. Maniscalco and team for making my smile beautiful for my wedding day!

The photos show off your amazing work!! Thanks again.”

Jessica Bishop Hudson

May 22, 2021

Before

• Native of Birmingham • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry since 1993 • Over 30 years focusing on Smile Design • Master of the Academy of General Dentistry • Official Dentist for Miss Alabama USA , Miss Alabama Teen USA, and Mrs. Alabama USA. Michael Maniscalco DMD, MAGD

3419 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 700, Birmingham, Alabama 35243

205.967.9100 | greatsmilesbirmingham.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER Photo by Jenn Cady Photography.

AUGUST 2021 PUBLISHER

J Shay Langley | shay.langley@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

Defining Family CHANCES ARE, YOU'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AROUND YOUR FAMILY IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. Hopefully you've learned more about each other

Denise K. James | denise.james@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Miranda Read L AYO UT DESIGNER

Dana Rudolph

and gained new appreciation for precious quality time! This issue of Birmingham Lifestyle celebrates the family you live and interact with daily, as well as another kind of family: our greater Birmingham community.

As summer winds down, why not take some time and get to know your Birmingham family? Our August issue features a few inspiring ideas. You could attend Vacation Bible School (yes, there's still time!), go out for a meal and support local restaurants, score tickets for the Sidewalk Film Festival or just spend the day admiring our beautiful zoo and botanical gardens. This issue is also a reminder to plan for your family's future — to talk about the harder stuff, to stay healthy and to discuss financial responsibility. But however you spend these balmy August days, remember to involve the ones you care about.

Now that we have a bit more freedom, we can all return to a broader definition of the word "family," and I, for one, am looking forward to it. As always, my gratitude goes out to our loyal readers and advertising partners. Shay and I work hard to create a publication the whole Birmingham family can feel proud of, and we appreciate you being a part of it.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

Yours,

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

Denise K. James, Editor

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

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INSIDE THE ISSUE AUGUST 2021

FEATURES 10 Movie Night in the Magic City The Sidewalk Film Festival is Back this Month

14 Family Vacation Try VBS at Lakeside Baptist This Fall

24 Take the Family Out to Eat Birmingham Restaurant Week 2021

10 26

26 A Bright Smile for the Golden Years Aging Shouldn’t Affect Dental Health

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24

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

8

Around Town

10

City Scene

14

Faith Reflections

22 Financial Buzz 24 Food & Wine 26 Healthy Lifestyle 28 Culinary Creations 34 Lifestyle Calendar

AROUND TOWN

IT STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION

MOBILE MARKET Live HealthSmart Alabama, a University of Alabama at Birmingham initiative, celebrated phase one improvements in the Kingston community yesterday at Stockham Park.

Kingston is a neighborhood nestled between Avondale and Woodlawn. Over the years, the neighborhood population has steadily declined, leading to a loss of businesses, schools, grocery stores and health care locations. Live HealthSmart partnered with neighborhood associations and local organizations to address this problem.

These improvements are the culmination of a yearlong implementation project to improve the community’s infrastructure, including new and improved sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant street ramps, trees and flowers in Stockham Park, painted murals, new bus shelters,

Our desire is to get to know more about you, your dreams, fears, and everything in between. This enables our team to create a financial plan that provides confidence and excitement for you and your family’s future. Overall, we are dedicated to adding convenience and simplicity to your life, so you can focus on what is significant to you.

improved lighting in hard-to-see areas, and more.

Photo by Steve Wood.

JESSE SCROGGINS, AAMS® Senior Vice President, SWIG Financial Professional, RJFS jesse.scroggins@swinvestmentgroup.com 600 University Park Place, Suite 350 Homewood, AL 35209 O 205.730.0055 // F 205.981.0299

Would you like to get in touch with us? We would Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Southwestern Investment Advisory Services, Inc., an independent registered investment adviser. Southwestern Investment Group and Scroggins Wealth Team is not a registered broker/ dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. 21-FA6J28-0003 TA 3/21

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

love to hear from you! Contact us at CityLifestyle. com/BirminghamAL using the Get In Touch link and let us know what you think.

FAMILY LAW IS OUR PASSION FA M I LY L AW • E S TAT E P L A N N I N G • A P P E A L S • M E D I AT I O N 2 0 5 - 8 74 - 8 6 8 0 | W W W. C RI T T E NDE NPA RT NE R S . C O M

2 L O C AT ION S 1 INDEPENDENCE DR, ST 305, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209 | 4000 EAGLE POINT CORPORATE DR, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35242 no representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

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CITY SCENE

ARTICLE DENISE K. JAMES

movie night in the magic city THE SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL IS BACK THIS MONTH

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AS WITH MANY OTHER ART FORMS, SHARING

buy our passes and enjoy exceptional motion pictures in

THE FILM EXPERIENCE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM

the Magic City, both during the festival and beyond.

VIEWING A MOVIE ALONE. Fortunately, from August

According to Rachel Morgan, creative director, the

23 through the 29, we can get back to collective watching

Sidewalk Film Festival was initiated by a group of people

with friends and local movie buffs at the annual Sidewalk

who shared the desire to bring more independent films to

Film Festival. We spoke to a few passionate team mem-

Birmingham. When the festival got started an impressive

bers behind the Sidewalk Film Festival (as well as the

23 years ago, an independent film cinema was only a cher-

Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema), and we’re excited to

ished dream, but a festival felt doable. The Sidewalk Film

Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

Festival has steadily run for all 23 years, including summer of 2020, when the entire event took place at a drive-in theater due to the pandemic. And, since September 2019, the accompanying Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, located at the bottom of the Pizitz Building, does the great work of bringing boutique films to town all year long.

While as of press time the films included in this year’s Sidewalk

Executive Director Chloe Cook reflected on the lengthy yet pur-

Film Festival hadn’t yet been revealed, Cook and Morgan assured

poseful journey to establishing the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema.

me that an engaging assortment of both feature-length and short

“We wanted our own space many years before the festival,” she noted.

films in different genres — from Western or comedy to horror or

“The bulk of the time was focused on the historic theater district, and,

drama — will grace the screens. And, by the way, those screens will

when the idea became more than an idea, we were looking at a prop-

be everywhere in the city this year: the Birmingham Museum of Art,

erty on 3rd Avenue North, in the same block as the Lyric Theatre. We

the Alabama Theatre, The Lyric Theatre, First Church Birmingham

invited a friend in real estate to check out that property, and he replied

and others. They were able to share the title of one film that is a

that he wanted us to consider a property he was developing at the

certainty: “Socks on Fire,” a hybrid documentary directed by Bo

time: The Pizitz. We knew the central location would benefit us.”

McGuire, who is local to Gadsden, Alabama.

CONTINUED >

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CITY SCENE (CONTINUED)

“We are excited for the festival to be downtown again” “Like any traditional film festival, we conduct a call for entries,

and that call goes out usually in November or December of the year

And, of course, visit the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, if you have not done so already, and keep the movie magic alive.

before,” Morgan explained. “We receive submissions from all over

“At the cinema, we offer a lot of different films, just like at the fes-

the world, and we have a committee to review the submissions.

tival,” Morgan noted. “We offer blocks of shorts; we offer all genres.

We take into consideration all aspects of the films, and we consider

We screen new releases and old films, especially related to educa-

the best ones for Birmingham. Films are in competition for multiple

tional programming and the art of film.”

prizes. Often, the films we are screening won’t emerge for a year; we show things that might earn an Oscar the next year.”

“We are excited for the festival to be downtown again,” added Kiwi Lanier, program manager.

Tickets for the 2021 Sidewalk Film Festival will increase in price after August 15, so be sure to get tickets for the whole family early.

Are you a podcast person AND a movie person? Check out SideTalks, the official podcast of the Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema. New episodes air every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on any major podcast app and cover all things cinematic.

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

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FAITH REFLECTIONS TRY VBS AT LAKESIDE BAPTIST THIS FALL

Family Vacation WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DROVE YOUR CHILD TO AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY — BUT INSTEAD OF DROPPING HIM OR HER OFF, YOU STUCK AROUND BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMETHING TO DO? This concept of parents and their kids

The VBS programs will run September 8 to October

enjoying an evening or morning at church at the same

10, with a family night to kick things off on the evening

time is the goal of Lakeside Baptist’s unique Vacation

of September 8. Food, music, inflatables and other car-

Bible School program. This year, Lakeside’s VBS did not

nival-like touches guarantee fun for everyone. Not a

run during traditional summer vacation months, instead

member of Lakeside Baptist Church? Not a problem —

slated to run in September and October, on Wednesday

VBS is open to all kids, and the adult classes are wel-

evenings and Sunday mornings. Brad Tollison, Minister

coming to any adult who is interested. The Wednesday

of Discipleship and Outreach, along with the entire staff

night program starts at 6 p.m., while Sunday mornings

at Lakeside, take the responsibility of reaching people in

are at 9:45 a.m. All kids from K3 to sixth grade, plus

the community quite seriously.

their parents and guardians, are welcome.

“Our church is in a metro area, and it’s hard for par-

Tollison is also looking forward to Halloween being

ents to drop their kids off and immediately leave because

on a Sunday this year and shared the plans for a spe-

of the traffic,” Tollison pointed out. “So, we wanted to

cial “trunk-or-treat” event at Lakeside. “Our Life Group

offer a reason for parents to stay. We took prime times

classes will have the opportunity to decorate a parking

— Sunday and Wednesday, just like for most churches

space and give out candy there on the campus,” he said.

— and we decided to offer our VBS on those days. And

“When you think of reaching the community, we can’t

since Life Groups already exist for adults, parents who

just target kids and leave out parents or vice versa,” he

sign their kids up for VBS can attend those classes.”

added. “We want to provide opportunities to connect

Parents who enjoyed the event known as “Cafe Church” can expect a similar concept for the coinciding classes during VBS. Topics covered will include subjects like theology, as well as parenting and “hot button issues” according to Tollison. Each year’s VBS has a theme, and this year’s theme is “Press Play.”

Kids and parents can look forward to 1980s decor, music and other elements.

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

with everyone from every walk of life.”

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FA M I LY O UTI N G S ARE B AC K !

THE END OF SUMMER AND BEGINNING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR CAN BE A BUSY TIME, BUT DON’T FORGET TO MAKE ROOM FOR A FEW SPECIAL OUTINGS WITH THE KIDS, GRANDPARENTS, COUSINS AND WHOMEVER ELSE – THE MAGIC CITY IS FULL OF THINGS TO DO. Whether you’re looking for something educational, sporty, crafty or relaxing, Birmingham has something to offer.

A FEW FAVORITES FOR THE END OF SUMMER

BIRMINGHAM BARONS The season is winding down, but the Barons still have opportunities for family fun. On August 8, the first 1,000 kids will receive a backpack, just in time for school, courtesy of Ascension St. Vincent’s.

The remaining Sunday Family Days will end with Kids Run the Bases, and families can enjoy $1 hot dogs every Tuesday or bring four-legged family members on Wet Nose Wednesdays. Visit milb.com/birmingham for details.

BIRMINGHAM ZOO The Birmingham Zoo hosts scores of exciting exhibits for everyone to enjoy. Special encounters include Lorikeet Feedings, Giraffe Encounters and Feedings, and the Goat Walk. Reptiles, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and insects are all present on the 122 acres. Support the zoo (and have a blast too) at the Magic City Wine Fest on August 28. Visit birminghamzoo.com/ for details.

B O TA N I C A L G A R D E N S The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens have

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B U M P E R N E T S Do the kids and perhaps the spouse need to burn off some energy and indulge their healthy competitive spirits? BumperNets, located in the Riverchase Galleria, is the ideal place. Visit BumperNets on August 15 for the Pinball Blast, or stop by any Friday, from 6:30 until 8:30, to enjoy the table tennis tournaments. Visit bumpernets.com for details.

M C WA N E SCIENCE CENTER

put together a few events for late summer and early

There’s no wrong time to explore the McWane

fall. Visit for Family Yoga on August 21 or September

Science Center, but for families looking for a spe-

18 for the chance to unwind in the Formal Garden

cial end-of-summer event, “Back to Hogwarts” on

with individual and partner poses, plus breathing

August 21 is our suggestion. Enjoy “Harry Potter

exercises. On September 11, don’t miss the fall plant

and the Sorcerer’s Stone” playing at the IMAX, as

sale, perfect for indulging your green thumb and

well as a day of special witchcraft and wizardry. Visit

giving back. Visit bbgardens.org/ for details.

McWane.org for details.

Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. SUSAN WALLEY

W H AT T O D O I F YO U R T E E N I S U S I N G

E - C IGA R E T T E S 18

Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

Dr. Stephenie Wallace, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UAB, treats a local teen

E-CIGARETTES HAVE RISEN IN POPULARITY THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND, BECAUSE THEY ARE A FAIRLY RECENT PRODUCT, MORE IS BEING LEARNED EVERY DAY ABOUT THEIR DANGERS. Staying at the forefront of this research is one of Birmingham’s own: Dr. Susan Walley, a pediatrician at Children’s of Alabama and professor of Pediatrics at University of Alabama Birmingham.

Walk into Dr. Walley’s office, and she can show you the collection of e-cigarette devices “donated” by principals from local high schools as well as articles, marketing materials, plus anything else to help this physician get a true picture of how these deceptively innocuous devices can, and do, cause serious harm to adolescents.

Whether you know them as “vapes” or “e-cigarettes” or perhaps by a brand name such as Juul, these battery-powered devices all do the same thing: they deliver a potent dose of nicotine through a thin aerosol stream, which is then inhaled. Unfortunately, the amount

CONTINUED >

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E-CIGARETTES (CONTINUED)

of nicotine gleaned through a single e-cigarette pod is often as much as two packs’ worth of the nicotine in traditional cigarettes! Even more troubling is the fact that companies have little regulation surrounding e-cigarettes, and marketing is rampant with colorful, whimsical vaping devices and fruity flavors that attract younger users.

“Sadly, e-cigarettes are the most common tobacco products used by youth,” Dr. Walley said.

“Many [teens] show signs of severe addiction due to these products having high nicotine concentration. Even if they use it ‘socially,’ we see signs of addiction after just two weeks.”

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Figuring out if the teenager in your life is using a vaping device can be a bit more difficult than spotting those tell-tale signs of traditional cigarettes.

Not only is there no odor or butt left behind, but furthermore, even if an adult sees an e-cigarette or part of one, they might erroneously think it’s a lipstick tube, data storage device or candy container. For example, Juul, one of the most popular brands, comes with a cap that reveals the flavor of the pen – and parents might not know what a discarded cap is, should they find one.

“A lot of parents find the flavor-revealing cap, and then [the e-cigarettes] also charge with a USB, so sometimes parents will find the USB and not realize it,” Dr. Walley explained, holding up two Juuls on her Zoom screen that looked suspiciously like lipsticks with fun, loud prints. “They can also buy decorative skins for their e-cigarettes,” she added.

Given these disguises, it’s important to examine seemingly harmless and unfamiliar items closely and bring them up with the teenager once you realize what you’ve found. Even if you haven’t found anything that vouches as physical proof, ask yourself if your teen is asking for more money than usual or has changed any habits.

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

HOW TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

Parents seeking support and resources should first

So how should an anxious, upset parent proceed if they

approach their family primary care provider, particularly

need to discuss e-cigarettes with their teenager? First,

if the teen is addicted. And don’t forget to check out

cool off from shock or anger, advised Dr. Walley, then

other organizations online, perhaps even to become

casually bring it up in conversation.

involved and learn about the worthwhile movement to

“If you’ve never talked about tough topics, it’s going to

protect kids from e-cigarettes.

be difficult, but it’s never too late,” she said. “Don’t start off

“You can call the 1-800 QUIT NOW line — it’s available

accusatory, but say something like, ‘Hey, I read this article

in all 50 states and free to the user and paid for by tobacco

about teenagers using something called a Juul — I’ve never

settlement money,” Dr. Walley pointed out. “In Alabama, it

heard of that.’ They might roll their eyes and talk a little bit

offers free telephonic counseling or strategies to quit.

about it, and you can probe with more questions. But make

Other support networks include “This is Quitting,” also

sure you act casual and get them comfortable — which

known as TIQ — which teens can even enroll themselves

works with any topic, whether it’s sex or whatever else. If you

into by texting “DITCH JUUL” to the number 88709 –

find an actual piece of an e-cigarette, you can say, ‘I found

and Parents Against Vaping E-Cigs, or PAVE, a national

this, and it looks like some photos I’ve seen,’ et cetera.”

advocacy group.

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamAL

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FINANCIAL BUZZ

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

R U L E S SECURING A MORTGAGE CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR EVEN THE MOST FINANCIALLY CONFIDENT YOUNG ADULTS. A young person’s short credit and work history, student loan debt or the lack of a down payment can make banks hesitant to give them a loan.

3. CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES.

For young people who want to buy their first home and start

Co-signing may not be the most financially sound way to

building equity, these roadblocks can be frustrating. It’s often

help your child buy a house. Another option would be to lend

tempting for parents to want to help their children avoid these

your child money for a higher down payment, which may con-

obstacles by co-signing on their mortgage. While co-signing

vince a bank to lend them money. If you have a large amount

may seem like an easy way to help your child, there’s a lot to

of cash on hand, you might even buy the house outright and

consider before signing on the dotted line.

either rent it to your child or give them a family loan that they pay back to you instead of the bank.

1. TAKE A CAREFUL LOOK AT YOUR CHILD’S CIRCUMSTANCES.

4. PLAN TO REVIEW PAYMENTS.

There are some structural reasons that your adult child

When co-signing a mortgage, your child’s debt becomes

would not be able to get a mortgage for a home they can

your debt, and you need to know that debt is being paid off.

afford. The more likely scenario is that your child can’t actually

If you decide to co-sign, set up a system beforehand that will

afford the house they want, and the bank can see that. If you

allow you to review your child’s mortgage payments. You can

are considering co-signing on a loan, don’t just take your child

request copies of the mortgage statements from the bank or

at their word that they can afford the payments. Sit down with

obtain the password to the online account.

them and review their budget, credit history and other debt.

Make sure that they have a solid plan to repay their loan.

5. PLAN FOR THE WORST. In the unfathomable event that your child dies, you would

2. TAKE A CAREFUL LOOK AT YOUR OWN FINANCES.

take over responsibility for the whole loan as the co-signer.

If your child were to fail to pay his or her mortgage, could

With a large asset like a house, it may be time for your child to

you pay it and remain financially stable? At what point

take out a life insurance policy that could cover the cost of the

would you have to tell your child to sell the house? Your

mortgage if something happened. This conversation can also

child may have the best of intentions to buy a house and

be a good time to bring up plans for your own estate.

pay for it themselves, but if their ability to make mortgage payments falters, you will be on the hook with the bank.

If you need help with any financial planning questions, contact

From a legal perspective, co-signing a loan is the same

the Jesse Scroggins Wealth Team, at 205-730-0055. His office is

thing as taking on the debt yourself.

located at 600 University Park Place, Suite 350 in Homewood.

5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CO-SIGNING A MORTGAGE FOR YOUR ADULT CHILD

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamAL

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FOOD & WINE

Tortugas Pizza

TA K E T H E FA M I LY OU T T O E AT

Evelyn's Southern Fare

BIRMINGHAM RESTAURANT WEEK 2021 Crestline Bagel Co.

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE GOING OUT FOR A GREAT MEAL

SOME OF THE MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY

AS A FAMILY — ESPECIALLY AFTER A LONG DAY OR LONG

OPTIONS TO ENJOY INCLUDE:

WEEK WHEN NO ADULT FEELS LIKE PREPARING A HOMECOOKED MEAL! Fortunately, just in time for our lives and schedules to start getting hectic once again, Birmingham Restaurant

+ Ash Neighborhood Bar & Grill (Homewood) https://www.ashhomewood.com/

Week is back. And, as an 18-day-long event, there is absolutely no excuse for missing out on the fun.

“Birmingham’s culinary and beverage industry and its

+ Tortugas Homemade Pizza (Birmingham) https://www.tortugaspizza.com/

residents have been through a year of heartbreak due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Birmingham Restaurant Week 2021 is a bright spot for everyone,” said Bill Stoeffhaas, co-founder

+ Rojo (Birmingham) https://www.rojobirmingham.com/

of BRW and owner of Style Advertising, the organizer of BRW. “This 18-day culinary affair provides an opportunity for the

+ Crestline Bagel Co. (Cahaba Heights,

public to revisit old favorites or to experience new restaurants,

Downtown Birmingham and Mountain Brook)

while allowing local chefs to showcase delicious recipes that

https://www.crestlinebagel.com/

put Birmingham on the foodie road map. BRW will encourage diners to visit new areas of town to promote vibrancy throughout our city and surrounding communities.”

+ Sabor Latino (Homewood) https://www.enjoysaborlatino.com/

BRW has existed for 12 years, and it has made its mark on the community by giving back to local nonprofits. For the 2021 season, BRW will partner with Tito’s Handmade Vodka in donating

+ Evelyn’s Southern Fare (Mountain Brook) https://www.evelynsmb.com/

$2,500 to the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association’s (ARHA) Hospitality Workers Relief Fund. Created in March 2020, the fund provides emergency assistance to hospitality

+ Slice Stone Pizza & Brew (Lakeview and Vestavia) https://www.slicebirmingham.com/

workers in Alabama affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the event press release.

As of press time, dozens of restaurants had signed up to be

+ El Zun Zun (Vestavia) https://www.el-zunzun.com/

part of BRW, offering a variety of delicious foods for any time of day or price point.

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamAL

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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

A Bright Smile for the Golden Years AGING SHOULDN'T AFFECT DENTAL HEALTH

IT’S A COMMON MYTH THAT AS WE GET MUCH OLDER, OUR TEETH ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE HARDSHIP. Here to dispel that myth is Dr. Michael Maniscalco. His practice, Maniscalco Cosmetic and General Dentistry, has both maintained and restored optimal oral health and beautiful smiles for Birmingham locals of all ages, and he assures us that beautiful teeth can last a lifetime with regular home and professional care.

IS ORAL HEALTH DIFFERENT FOR SENIORS? DO OUR MOUTHS CHANGE? The three reasons we can lose our smiles are gum disease, decay and malocclusion, or bad bites. Gum disease is inflammation caused by ongoing accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, resulting in infection and loss of bone support — but if we keep plaque off the teeth, inflammation can be eliminated.

The second reason we lose our smile is decay.

Bacteria of the mouth produce acids, which dissolve enamel and create holes in teeth. The third reason we lose our smile is a “bad” bite — that is, the upper and lower teeth do not meet and chew properly.

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

Dr. Michael Maniscalco

Signs of malocclusion include headaches, teeth

Your mouth was designed to work with a full set of

shortening, discoloration, fracturing of teeth, painful or

teeth, and if you’re missing any, it won’t work as well.

noisy jaw joints or sore chewing muscles.

The remaining teeth work overtime and break down

For these reasons, it’s important to keep up regular checkups. None of these things have to be a normal

faster. Above all, if you’re no longer excited about the appearance of your smile, dentistry can change that.

part of aging. But as people get up in age, especially if they lose mobility or stop driving, they neglect import-

EXPLAIN THE EVOLUTION OF TECHNOLOGY

ant appointments for preventive care.

ON DENTAL IMPLANTS.

WHAT ARE SOME REASONS A PATIENT NEEDS

was in dental school, The Alabama Implant Congress,

DENTURES OR IMPLANTS?

a research and development group of restorative

Implants have been evolving for 40 years. When I

Dentures can replace the aesthetics of a lost smile.

dentists and specialists, met here in Birmingham,

Although, at best, dentures function at only 20% of

and I was fortunate to observe live implant surger-

natural teeth, they are an economical replacement.

ies at that time. Interestingly, it was not condoned

Today, dental implants are a common replacement

by teaching institutions because it was not a proven

of missing teeth, from a single tooth to an entire

mode statistically. That shows how far we’ve come.

smile. As few as four implants strategically placed

Now, with a 98% implant success rate, we can take

can support the entire smile, eliminating the use of

a 3D image of your jaws, and we can see in three

removable dentures.

dimensions, making surgery highly successful.

WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT

that you lose teeth with aging are no longer true. I

YOU MIGHT NEED RESTORATIVE DENTAL WORK?

have elderly patients I’ve been seeing for years with

The following signs and symptoms are not part of

beautiful, healthy smiles. But my practice does not

the natural aging process: pain when biting, sensi-

just provide attractive smiles — smiles have to be

tivity, missing teeth, discolored teeth, broken teeth,

functional, healthy, long-lasting and integrated with

spaces between teeth, bleeding gums or foul breath.

your overall health.

In conclusion, with today’s technology, old myths

my practice does not just provide at t r a c t i v e s m i l e s — s m i l e s h av e t o b e f u n c t i o n a l , h e a lt h y, l o n g l a s t i n g a n d i n t e g r at e d w i t h y o u r o v e r a l l h e a lt h .”

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamAL

27

CULINARY CREATIONS

ARTICLE JENNIFER ANDERSON MSPH RDN

5 H E A LTH Y LU N C H E S & S N AC K S FOR KIDS

TEACHING YOUR KIDS TO EAT WELL

AS PARENTS, ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PRIORITIES IS ENSURING THAT OUR KIDS ARE GETTING THE NUTRIENTS THEY NEED. But getting them to eat their fruits and vegetables isn’t always easy, especially if your kids are picky eaters like many seem to be.

As a mom of two little boys, I know how stressful it can be to feed your kids. But it’s important to establish healthy eating habits early in their life, so they establish a taste for a variety of nutritious foods.

Let’s talk about the benefits of introducing healthy food to your kids at an early age. Read on to find helpful information about feeding picky eaters, plus some healthy lunch and snack recipes for kids.

With over 1.3mm Instagram followers and over 250,000 visitors each month, Kids Eat in Color is a VIBRANT, educational, and inspiring national resource for parents to learn the ease and creativity of “what to feed kids” who “love to have fun.”

About the Author

Known for her beautiful and colors-of-the-rainbow photos of flavorful meals, Jennifer Anderson is a registered dietician who has a FUN and playful approach to guiding parents to reduce mealtime stress.

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Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

4 B E N E F I T S O F H E A LT H Y LU N C H E S A N D S N A C K S F O R K I D S TO E AT NUTRITION IS ESSENTIAL TO KIDS’ DEVELOPMENT My first child fell off the growth chart, and I learned how much effort can go into feeding a child. Kids develop quickly in the first few years of life, so incorporating a variety of nutritious foods is essential to their growth and development.

BALANCED NUTRITION LEADS TO HEALTHY KIDS Feeding your child a variety of foods is the key to getting them many different types of nutrients. Each food and group of food helps your child’s body in a different way. For example, foods high in fat such as avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds, fatty fish, and more support your child’s brain development.

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help your child fight off illnesses. If your child is struggling to eat veggies, don’t worry about feeding them more fruit while they are learning to eat more veggies. For those kids who won’t eat fruits and veggies, keep having them available at meals so that they can learn to like them.

White and brown foods such as cauliflower and whole grains have plant compounds as well. All the colors count!

HEALTHY EATING AS CHILDREN EQUALS HEALTHY EATING AS ADULTS When little kids learn to eat fruits and vegetables at an early age, they are more likely to continue eating healthy foods as adults. So many of our tastes and eating patterns begin in childhood.

COLORFUL FOOD PROVIDES ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS Different plant compounds have colors that give food their colors. For example, beta carotene is a plant compound that makes carrots orange.

Each plant compound does something different in your body, which is why eating lots of different colors helps keep our bodies healthy.

Sometimes people think of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple as the only “colorful” foods. White and brown foods such as cauliflower and whole grains have plant compounds as well. All the colors count!

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamAL

29

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

3 T I P S F O R G E T T I N G YO U R K I D S TO E AT H E A LT H Y F O O D S MAKE SNACKS AND MEALTIME FUN We all know that kids like to play and have fun, so why not make food fun? Whether you’re turning broccoli into a microphone at dinner, or playing tic-tac-toe with edible carrot sticks, kids get into it.

They also love trying new utensils, helping prepare food, and using new kitchen tools. The more fun they have, the more they are willing to try new things and eat more foods.

Kids, especially kids who may be picky or selective, often like a little bit of novelty. There are lots of ways to add a little bit of novelty without spending a lot of time.

My top recommendation is toothpicks. I call it “toothpick magic.”

Whenever your child is ready to use toothpicks, try it with any food that they are hesitant to eat and see what happens. It’s hard for kids and adults to resist eating food off a toothpick.

We also love silicone muffin cups, mini cookie cutters, food picks and fun silverware.

I also love our stainless steel lunch boxes. If you’re trying to decide which one is best for you, I wrote a surprisingly honest review of the 16 most popular stainless steel lunch boxes on the Kids Eat in Color blog.

DON’T GIVE UP Parents often assume that if a child doesn’t eat a food the first or second time it’s served, the child doesn’t like the food. Teaching kids to eat a variety of foods is a long game. Many children may need to see or taste a food 10 or 20 times before they are willing to eat it.

Especially selective kids may need hundreds of exposures before they learn to like a new food. What’s important is that as parents, we don’t give up. A child will never learn to eat a food that isn’t on the table.

If you’re struggling with a picky eater, I highly recommend the Kids Eat in Color® free picky eater guide (at KidsEatInColor.com) that walks parents through how to help a picky child eat more foods.

FORCING HEALTHY FOODS ON KIDS OFTEN BACKFIRES Another assumption is that we have to make kids eat healthy foods.

Often, making a child eat food or eat a certain amount of food backfires.

It may backfire in the short run by making a child more selective and less likely to eat the foods you want them to eat. It can also backfire in the long run and make it hard for a child to tell when they are hungry or full.

If you’ve ever felt a compulsion to finish your plate even after you feel full, that may come from your previous experiences of having to finish your plate.

30

Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

Kids, especially kids who may be picky or selective, often like a little bit of novelty.

MIDNIGHT MEDITERRANEAN P A S TA Affordable Flavors

Meal Plan

Yield: 4-6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30-40 minutes INGREDIENTS

+ 8 ounces whole wheat (or regular) linguine + 3 tablespoons oil + 4 cloves garlic, chopped + 1 cup canned tomato, chopped + 1 (15 ounce) can of chickpeas, drained + 1 teaspoon dried oregano

LU N C H A N D S N A C K R E C I P E S F R O M

+ Salt to taste + ½ teaspoon black pepper

K I D S E AT I N C O LO R M E A L P L A N S

+ ½ teaspoon garlic powder + ½ teaspoon paprika + 3-½ cups fresh spinach METHOD

1. In medium-sized pot, bring water to boil. Cook whole wheat linguine according to instructions.

2. In large pan, heat up oil. Once heated, add chopped

D AT E B A L L S Prep Time: 15 minutes

Real Easy Weekdays

garlic. Cook until lightly browned.

Meal Plan

3. Add tomato, chickpeas, oregano, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Bring to simmer.

INGREDIENTS

4. Add spinach and cook until wilted.

+ 3⁄4 cup / 180 mL sunflower seed butter

5. Strain linguine and add to pan; stir well to incorporate.

+ 1⁄4 cup / 60 mL pumpkin seeds (called pepitas)

6. Remove from heat and enjoy!

+ 1 and 1⁄3 cup / 220 g pitted dates + 1 teaspoon / 5 mL vanilla + 4 Tablespoons / 60 mL cocoa or cacao powder 1⁄8

G R E E K YO G U R T RANCH DIP This goes great with raw veggies like celery, carrots, broccoli, snap peas, cauliflower, or any veggie your kids might like raw. It also goes

Real Easy

Weekdays Meal Plan

great with whole-grain crackers and pita chips!

teaspoon / 1.25 mL salt + Hemp or chia seeds, optional METHOD 1. Put all ingredients in a food processor (not a blender).

2. Process until smooth (longer than you think).

3. Roll into balls.

4. Roll in hemp seeds or chia seeds if desired.

INGREDIENTS + ½ cup full-fat Greek yogurt + ½ to 1 Tablespoon of Trader Joe’s Onion Salt (alternatives include Ranch dressing mix, onion salt, or a combination of onion powder and garlic powder) METHOD 1. Mix Greek yogurt with seasoning. Serve.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamAL

31

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED) METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse and then slice sweet potatoes into fry shapes. Toss sweet potato fries in oil in

PA N - F R I E D TU N A P AT T I E S W I T H B A K E D S W E E T P O TAT O F R I E S Yield: 8 servings

Affordable

Prep Time: 10 minutes

2. Lay fries on baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. Roast fries in oven for 25 minutes.

4. While fries cook, in separate medium size bowl, mix all tuna patty ingredients except for butter and oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Form 1 inch thick patties from tuna mixture. In a large skillet,

Flavors

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

large bowl.

add butter and oil on medium heat.

Meal Plan

6. Add 3-4 patties to pan at a time. Fry patties until golden

INGREDIENTS

brown on both sides, about 3-5 minutes each side.

For Tuna Patties:

7. Sweet potato fries are done when slightly crispy and fork

+ 2 (12 ounce) cans of tuna (drained)

tender. Enjoy by themselves or with ketchup.

+ ½ onion, finely chopped + ¼ cup celery, diced + 1 cup flour, (or sub with breadcrumbs)

GREEN STR AWB E R RY SMOOTHIE

+ 3 eggs, beaten + 1 tablespoon garlic powder + Salt and pepper + 2 tablespoons butter + 4 tablespoons oil

Prep time: 10 minutes

Real Easy

Cook time: 0 minutes

Weekdays

+ 3 large sweet potatoes

Yield: two 10-oz smoothies

Meal Plan

+ 2-3 tablespoons oil

INGREDIENTS

+ Salt and pepper

+ 2 cups / 235 mL baby spinach, packed

+ Ketchup for serving

+ 1 ripe banana

For Baked Sweet Potato Fries:

+ 1⁄2 cup / 120 mL frozen blueberries + 1⁄2 cup / 120 mL frozen strawberries + 1 cup / 235 mL full-fat milk of choice + 1 Tbs. / 15 mL hemp hearts, optional + 2 Tbs. / 30 mL nut/seed butter of choice Sprinkles, optional METHOD 1. In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients. Process until smooth.

2. Transfer smoothie to two glasses. Top with sprinkles, if desired.

DAIRY-FREE: Use alternative milk and ensure sprinkles are dairy-free.

S TA R T H E A LT H Y H A B I T S E A R LY The key takeaway here is to introduce healthy foods to your child at an early age. Be patient with your pickiest of eaters, and re-introduce a food several times. Stick with it; their longterm health habits depend on it!

Children tend to mimic adults, so try to be a good example and eat the foods you want them to eat. Your health will benefit too!

Try to make snacks and mealtime fun for your kids so they will want to participate and develop a healthy relationship with food.

32

Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

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33

AUGUST

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

6

area businesses due to COVID-19 and

and more. For information and tickets,

allow patrons more opportunity.

visit https://www.sidewalkfest.com/

SECRET STAGES MUSIC FESTIVAL

21

Avondale (Various locations TBD)

Secret Stages is a music discovery festival that features over 50 bands performing the first weekend of

festival/sidewalk-film-festival/.

FAMILY YOGA IN THE GARDENS Birmingham Botanical Gardens

BIRMINGHAM MINI FEST

August. All venues are within walking

Enjoy this unique opportunity for

distance of each other, and this year's

healthy fun with the family outdoors

Bridging

stages will be in the Avondale neigh-

at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

to Birmingham for an evening of

borhood. To stay up-to-date, visit

This energetic class will incorporate

music, art and community in a

https://www.secretstages.net/.

individual and partner yoga poses for

festival-style

Full schedule is still TBD, but resort

strength and balance, plus breathing

support top-notch local and tour-

realism, featured in our July 2021

exercises to help foster calm and

ing acts, visual artists and more.

issue, is slated to play.

focus. Our garden-inspired crafts

There will be tables set up with

will assist in engaging the mind

ample space between on both lev-

12

and body. Visit https://bbgardens.org/

els of the venue. Bring a mask. Visit

family-yoga-august-2021.php.

http://bridgingthemusic.com/.

BIRMINGHAM RESTAURANT WEEK 2021

23

28

Birmingham Restaurant Week (BRW)

SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL

MAGIC CITY WINE FEST

Various Locations

celebrates

the

city’s

burgeoning

Various Locations

Cahaba Brewing Co.

The

Music

is

atmosphere!

headed

Come

The Birmingham Zoo

culinary reputation. From Avondale

The 23rd Sidewalk Film Festival,

Come join the 4th Annual Magic City

to Five Points South to Mountain

presented

is

Wine Fest and travel through several

Brook to Hoover and beyond, locally

returning to its roots with a festival

different regions spanning the globe.

owned and operated restaurants

footprint that includes the Sidewalk

Drink wine and beer specific to a

are

of

Film Center + Cinema, the Alabama

certain region. Restaurants will also

Birmingham. Normally a 10-day event,

Theatre, the Lyric Theatre, First Church

have food available for purchase. A

this year’s BRW provides an addi-

Birmingham, the Steiner Auditorium

portion of every ticket will go to ben-

tional eight days to maximize sales for

at the Birmingham Museum of Art

efit the Birmingham Zoo.

leading

the

revitalization

by

Regions

Bank,

MASTERS OF THE OUTDOORS (205) 917-580 0

34

27

Birmingham Lifestyle | August 2021

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We work tirelessly to help kids get well because the world needs to see what Natalie dreams up.

WE DO WHAT WE DO B E C AU S E C H I L D R E N H AV E D R E A M S .

1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100

|

ChildrensAL.org

GET INSPIRED EAT + DRINK SHOP LOCAL City Lifestyle

YOUR DIGITAL DESTINATION FOR LOCAL LIVING

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamAL

35