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Did you know that by fifth grade, summer learning loss can cause some students to fall up to three years behind in school? In addition, it is estimated that by the year 2020, over 60% of the jobs in Alabama will require some form of post-secondary education. These numbers can seem scary at first glance, but learning about how United Way of Central Alabama’s Bold Goals Coalition program can help.
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We need to better understand how to help our kids navigate the digital world while helping them grow into happy, healthy and confident individuals. While that might seem like a tall order, Children’s of Alabama has just the seminar for you on October 5. Register here.
Continue reading “Help your child navigate social media and mental health at Children’s of Alabama on Friday, October 5”
The 2003 study has received nearly $100 million in grant funding since it began.
Continue reading “UAB’s long-running, national stroke study receives $20.4 million grant”
For the young people at Camp WIRED Together, it’s all about living with a life-saving device and building a community of support—Oh, and having lots of fun at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin!
Continue reading “There’s courage in every heartbeat at Camp WIRED Together”
Wednesday evening the Jefferson County Health department and doctors from UAB held a press conference to explain and warn the public that the entire country, and particularly our area is in the middle of a major seasonal flu situation.
Continue reading “Flu situation in the state, particularly Birmingham area is serious”
After indulging in all those tasty treats this holiday season, you may be looking for a way to shed those extra pounds. With 2018 just days away, the New Year is the perfect time to start your journey to feeling, looking and being healthier and more fit. Birmingham has just what you need! Continue reading “Birmingham, get in shape in 2018 at these fitness hotspots”
The City of Birmingham has joined almost 200 other municipalities in a series of lawsuits against several pharmaceutical distributors. The reason? These cities think that the distributors failed to take basic steps in preventing straw purchases of highly-addictive opioids, making the well-known opioid crisis worse.
Continue reading “Birmingham among those launching lawsuit against opioid crisis”
AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was. In fact, with careful management, people living with AIDS can live almost entirely normal lives. With World AIDS Day (which promotes awareness, not AIDS) approaching, what are Birminghamians doing? Continue reading “As World AIDS Day approaches, Birmingham prepares to remember and continues to support”
Thinking about skipping the flu shot this year? You may want to think again. 
Continue reading “Don’t wait any longer to get your flu shot”
When you’re on the go, there’s nothing better than a fresh smoothie to get you through the day. Sometimes it can be hard to find a smoothie that isn’t full of sugar. However, here’s three Birmingham smoothie joints that offer delicious and healthy options.
Continue reading “Best places to get a healthy smoothie in Birmingham”
Ever wonder what happens to that vial of blood that is taken at your doctor’s office? UAB employees were once analyzing up to 5,000 vials of blood each night of the week. But, the testing process has just gotten a huge technology infusion from UAB.
UAB Medicine recently welcomed their new automated hospital laboratory.
Continue reading “Check out the technology behind UAB Medicine’s new $6.8M clinical laboratory”
Forget about the holidays, at times we all get stressed, worn out, depressed, anxious, under the weather or whatever you want to call the things that are affecting your mental health. Even celebrities deal with it. We’re all human, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re feeling blue.
It’s never a bad idea to be informed on your local mental health resources—whether for yourself or for others. Young, old or in-between, taking care of ourselves allows us to take care of others.
When extra responsibilities and commitments are caroling at your door, the combination can leave you troubled.
Maybe it’s something different altogether, like debilitating PTSD, crippling depression or stressful anxiety that’s affecting you. It doesn’t matter one bit. Just know that help is there, waiting for all of us.
Reaching out is a courageous step! Here’s a list of local mental health resources for Birmingham, just in time for the holidays.
Photo courtesy of National Institute of Mental Health
For general information, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers simple definitions of mental health topics and research. The topics are even divided by audience, so that you can learn about conditions for a particular population.
In the Birmingham-metro area there are a number of community-based resources for counseling, psychology and emergency mental health services for those with our without insurance. If you do have insurance, reach out to your primary healthcare provider for a referral or give the psychiatry department at UAB a call for direction.
“Johnny Apple Seed” is my favorite blessing, even though it’s a simple child’s song. Above is composer and songwriter Michele Brourman giving it a mature upgrade, but I still love to hear kids sing it before sharing a meal.
The short and sweet tune reminds me of attending Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, Alabama, where we would sing “Johnny Appleseed” before every meal.
There is a spiritual connection between food and nature, and I can thank the Methodist church for opening my eyes (and stomach) to the sweet message found its lyrics. I feel this same connection when visiting our state’s farmers and witnessing the fruits of their labor. One of my favorite ways to rekindle this connection is with a trip to purchase apples from an Alabama apple farm!
The state has handful of apple orchards, some where you can even pick your own apples. While the picking season ends at the end of October, the orchards below continue to sell the fruits of their labor until they run out.
Crow Mountain Orchard
6236 County Road 39 Fackler, AL 35746
256-437-9254
Crow Mountain Orchard, while not open for tours, boasts over 20 varieties of apples that they sell to the public. From Ginger Golds to Pippins, along with more common ones like Gala and Golden Delicious, Crow Mountain apples can also be purchased at seven different farmer’s markets.
Scott’s Orchard
2163 Scott Road, Hazel Green, AL 35750
(256) 828-4563
Scott’s Orchard is the largest apple orchard in Tennessee, but they are technically located in Alabama. Confused? Don’t be! The 150-acre farm stretches across the state line. They serve apples, peaches, cider, apple and peach cider slushies, vegetables, honey and molasses.
Steele’s Orchard is located in Cullman, and they give tours of the orchards (unlike most) in addition to selling apples and apple goods on site. Steele’s Orchard has a gift shop and bakery that’s open through December, selling everything from southern fried pies to apple-wood chips for barbecuing.
Now, what to do with all those apples after your day trip? My personal favorite is this healthy breakfast muffin, made with candied ginger and whole-wheat flour. You can also find this recipe on the Bham Now Facebook page.
In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over batter. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
On the heels of the most recent sewage spill in the Black Warrior River, some people have asked a great question ‘How does this happen?’. So, I went to my resources and here’s what I found.
A new study shows that twins live longer than other people.
“There is benefit to having someone who is socially close to you who is looking out for you. They may provide material or emotional support that lead to better longevity outcomes,”
-David Sharrow, Researcher at the University of Washington.
These benefits could go beyond twins if “we […] choose to invest in social bonds as a way to promote health and longevity,” Sharrow said.
