Local Juice Bar & Organic Produce

Fresh Juices and Blended Smoothies made using hand picked

organic produce from our lovely in house selection! www.juicymamasfoods.com

JUICY MAMA'S NATURAL FOODS MARKET

Opening February 10th

Offering Organic Produce, Juice Bar and Light Deli

621-E N. Westover Boulevard * 229-883-0653

Check it out!!! www.juicymamasfoods.com

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Stay tuned for their incredible grand opening bash that I will be co-hosting!

An event you don't want to miss!

There’s been an empty little hole just sitting there next to Tony’s Gym since my store, Bee Green Natural Foods Market and Juice Bar, closed. It was such a sweet place and dear to the hearts of many South Georgians.

It has truly been missed by the community. While this decision enables me to be joyously out and about spreading information through classes and writing, the local meeting place is gone -- not so joyous. That cozy spot to meet dear friends, eat well and share matters of the heart has been shut down.

Well, that is until now. If you’ve driven by there lately you’ve seen that little space is no longer empty. To the contrary, it is busting at the seams with love and the vision for all we ever dreamed Bee Green to become -- and more!

Three health conscious mothers, Beverly Burt, Rose Dehbozorgi, and Nettie Katon, have come together, completely renovated the space, given it a groovy name and are about to be open for business!

Juicy Mama’s Natural Foods Market will be offering whole raw foods as close to their natural state as possible -- preservative free, hormone free, pesticide free, and antibiotic free. They will also feature a juice and smoothie bar in the rear of the store with a light deli.

"The goal is to start small. We’ve come in and made the place beautiful and accessible. We’ve poured our ideas into it and now we want the community to come in and take a part and help make this be a success," exclaims Burt.

"Our goal is to educate our customers about the importance of eating as close to nature as possible and assist Albany in becoming a healthier community. The items made in our juice bar and deli will include all natural ingredients that are made from fresh fruit and raw vegetables, hand picked from our beautiful in house produce selection," says Burt.


They plan to open February 10th for organic produce sales and would love to see your smiling faces of support. The juice bar and deli will be open during this time and you are invited to come in and share your ideas of grandeur for what this space will eventually grow to be.

"Juicy Mama’s is unique to Albany because we have very limited selections of healthy preservative free foods in this area. To prove this just read the labels on the food selections at our grocery stores or read the ingredients of the menu items at restaurants. If the list of ingredients in lengthy and worded with chemicals that are hard to pronounce then you can almost guarantee that these foods are, in fact, not real but processed or man made, junk foods and are unhealthy for your body," informs Burt.

They hope to offer dry goods, gluten-free products, bakery items, raw nuts, seeds and grains in the very near future! If you are looking for a positive health change this New Year then check out Juicy Mama’s! This classy yet kicked-back environment is a great place to open your heart, fill your belly and feed your soul.

"We are mothers on a mission to promote a healthier lifestyle for everyone, says Dehbozorgi. "Too many people today take for granted the advantages of being healthy. It's not all about the gym and your outer self but more about the inside you."

Juicy Mamas will be offering classes and hosting related special events, such as potlucks. I personally believe that everyone is a wealth of knowledge and by sharing our insight and experiences; we can help each other reach the next level of greater well-being. It’s nice to know that if we get stuck along our journey, there is now a place here locally attracting people that are willing and able to guide us.

To place an order for organic produce or to get further information on the grand opening, you may visit them on the web at http://www.juicymamasfoods.com/ or call at 229-883-0653. Tell them you read the buzz here!

Supercharge your immune system

Supercharge your immune system

Coughs and sniffles are among us and if you’re one of the many wondering how to keep yourself well, good news is here! Sickness invades an unhealthy body much faster than a healthy one. It is also true that a healthy body recovers much faster, allowing you to get back out and enjoy life sooner.

Kick start the immune system by remembering to take a daily multi-vitamin (or equivalent) to ensure adequate doses of vitamin C, B, B12, niacin, and folic acid.

Food has the power to build or break the immune system. Eating well and including fruits like citrus that contain high amounts of vitamin C will help raise the body’s natural defense system. Be informed and steer clear of those foods that will sabotage the body’s natural ability to defend.

It is wise to refrain from excess sugar intake. “Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of two- and-a-half 12-ounce cans of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 40 percent. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours,” according
to Dr. William Sears.

Drinking sodas during the day while co-workers cough and share telephones may greatly increase the chances of crummy days ahead. Try switching to orange juice or water instead.

When Jack Frost is nipping, keep your body warm. Stay prepared for weather changes and layer clothing for comfort that’ll last all day. Keeping the body’s core warm with scarves and sweaters will create a cozier feeling through these bitter cold days.

Don’t be a hermit. It’s cold out and yes germs are plenty but moderate exercise is needed to keep immune systems strong. Try to avoid people that are quite obviously suffering as they are most likely still contagious. Reduce the spread of germs by frequent hand washing. Many people know not to put hands in the mouth but the tissue in the nose and eyes are also areas to avoid.

Find ways to manage stress and reactions to unavoidable, everyday stressors. This can wreak havoc on the immune system and more often than not, people will become ill during time of extended stress that goes unrelieved. Stress is a primary cause for sleep loss. Inadequate sleep robs the body of its regenerative time to heal, repair, and process. Adequate sleep is crucial to proper brain function – no less so than air, water, and food – but stress can modify sleep-wakefulness cycles.

A little T.L.C. can go a long way during this time if year but a healthy body is worth it! Who wants to waste time lying around sick in bed? Be kind to yourself and enjoy the rest of the winter in good health.

What's your POOH say about you?

Often the most important subjects needing to be discussed are those that might induce some blushing or awkward giggles. Therefore it makes such beneficial knowledge not so easy to access. Although the topic of bowel movements may not come up during a dinner party or night out with “the guys”, it’s on the minds of many. With the majority of Americans grazing on the Standard American Diet (SAD) -- ever so sad – many are struggling with potty issues ranging from going too much or too little and usually with painful eliminations and cramping.

It’s interesting how new parents keep up with diaper changes by asking each other, “Did she pooh or just pee?” It seems at some point there is a connection being made to the health and comfort of a child in relation to regularity. Bringing that awareness into adulthood can also present some tell-tale insight.

The integrity of the gastro-intestinal tract (and the quality and quantity of its elimination) should be considered as a barometer of health (or lack of) for the body. “The GI tract is a processing unit that metabolizes all of the nutrients you take in and eliminates all of the body’s waste,” explains Dr. Amy Foxx-Orenstein, president of the American College of Gastroenterology. “What comes through it is reflective of how well or how ill the body is.”

The health of the digestive tract can be revealed by bowel movements. Poor digestion and elimination may lead to numerous, serious diseases, such as colon cancer. Abnormal bowel movements are not a disease, but rather to be thought of as a red flag of imbalance in the body.

The general public considers themselves to be “normal” or “regular” but the individuals’ descriptions of normalcy greatly varies from person to person. Proper digestion is a very important aspect of healthy living. Those that are not digesting efficiently and effectively cannot absorb nutrients or rid the body of waste to its full potential. If your bowel is not healthy, neither will you be.

A healthy or normal bowel movement is reported to be: one solid long curved piece, medium brown color, no food particles, no mucous, no blood, easy to eliminate without pushing or straining, drops once it hits the water, and occurring at least once daily.

It might be worth investing a moment to turn around and take a gander every now and then for those that usually “flush and go”. Every individual should know their own “normal” stool. Many answers are often unknowingly flushed right down the toilet. Bright red blood in the stool is usually associated with problems lower down like hemorrhoids or anal tears but dark red blood or black can originates in the stomach or small intestines. Pencil thin or ribbon like waste can be a sign that there is a blockage. These findings can help medical doctors fully understand the full picture of what could be going wrong.

Going the distance on raw food

Raw Gourmet Cuisine lovingly created by Frank Giglio.

We've been highlighting healthy habits by sharing local resources and inspirational stories to help this community keep those New Year’s Resolutions for vibrant health. Eating healthy food as living fuel for the body doesn’t have to be carrot sticks and salads. For those that like a bit more pizazz on their plate, tantalize your taste buds with recipes lovingly created by Frank Giglio. Experimenting with new recipes and indulging in decadent food can make it feel as if the numerous health benefits are just one of the perks!

Giglio is a classically trained chef with The New England Culinary Institute, in Vermont and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. Having accumulated over 15 years of experience in the culinary field, he now applies his expertise to the fast growing raw food movement.

"While attending the Expo West Food Show in Anaheim, California, I was fortunate enough to meet David Wolfe, one of the leading authority in raw foods. His vibrancy and knowledge of food was amazing,’ says Giglio.

He laughs as he tells the story of David Wolfe putting a chunk of raw cacao butter in his hand. “He told me if I gave it to my girlfriend, she would never leave me. It’s that good!”

“Overnight I decided to give up meat, dairy, coffee, and cigarettes. Within days my energy soared, my weight declined, and my entire outlook on life was different.”

This transition into raw food brought him to the Tree of Life Center in Arizona where he worked with living foods pioneer, Dr. Gabriel Cousens as a Live Food Chef Instructor. This amazing opportunity allowed Giglio to work one-on-one with many people, where, with his loving encouragement and friendly, accessible nature he was able to watch the guests and apprentices at Tree of Life experience life-changing transformations.

For two years Giglio has been a featured demo chef, at the Raw Spirit Festival. His passion for teaching has also taken him to Ireland, where he traveled the island offering workshops, demos and guided seaweed harvesting.Giglio brings forth a wealth of information with great joy and heartfelt wisdom.

With a strong passion for health and wellness, he is dedicated to taking athletic performance to new levels, spending much of his time training in the wilderness. He has served as an inspiration for anyone questioning the endurance ability of a raw food runner. In October 2006, Giglio ran his first marathon in Connecticut, only seven months after switching his diet to raw food. The most impressive part is that he ran this race in the exact timing as he told his mother he would months prior.

“The kitchen I was working in was open, so I was interacting daily with people. They began noticing that I was shedding weight and bouncing all over the place with energy. It was amazing that I was actually able to sleep much less and feel more alive. Before I was sleeping longer and even then, I would wake up tired, feeling as if I needed more sleep,” exclaimed Giglio.

He then went on to run The Vermont 100 mile endurance race! Yes, on a raw vegan diet. “I’m very goal oriented. I had already ran 50K and 100K and wanted to push myself further. I decided to do a hundred miles non-stop,” Giglio said.

“I like to drink raisin water when I run. It’s basically a highly concentrated sugar fuel to the body. You just put a pound of raisins in a quart of water and let them steep overnight,” he said.

Giglio has very quickly made a name for himself as a valuable leader in the world wide raw food community."Choosing to live a raw-vegan lifestyle was by far the greatest decision I have ever made. Two years later, I am 50 lbs lighter and am in the best shape of my life,” says Giglio. “I know now that it is part of my life purpose to help heal this planet and empower people to make better choices to feel and look their best."

To find out more about Frank Giglio please visit him on the web at http://www.rawfoodfrank.wordpress.com/. He has an amazing recipe book, Raw for All, available through this site that serves as an easy, step-by-step approach to a raw, living diet.

Shut up and skate!

Yeh, yeh… We know its cold outside but once you get your kids (or yourself) moving it’s almost “like” they were built without a thermostat, man. So grab their board and beanie hat and head on down to RiverSkate Park for a thrashin’ good time. It’s a healthy alternative to sitting around bundled up all winter, glued to the internet. FYI: 295 calories can be burned per one hour of skateboarding.

Built by the city of Albany in 2006, RiverSkate features a fenced outdoor park anchored with Woodward skate ramps and a pro shop offering concessions, Wi-Fi enabled PC's and video gaming! You know when a park is managed by local skate expert, Jordan Hale, 21, that it’s safe to bet your Bakugans® that it is going to be a skater’s paradise. Nestled on the banks of the Flint River in East Albany, this 15,000 square foot skate park is designated for use by skaters and BMX bikers.

This business is kept within the family. Jordan’s parents, Thomas and Beth Hale, youth pastors for 14 years, have an operating agreement with the city (ADICA), to run the business side of this operation and maintain the property. It’s a great fit for a family whose main focus has been on kids for the last two decades.

To find out more about the skate park, please visit them on the web at www.riverskate.com or, give them a buzz at 431-3111.

Operating Hours: (School Schedule)
Sunday: 2:00 to 7:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 4:30 to 8:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM


Skate Rates:
Session Rates (Day Pass)
Sunday: $10.00
Tuesday - Friday: $6.00
Saturday: $12.00
$4.50 Per Hour
50% Discount for Park Members

Fitness Success for the New Year

Gene Wyles, personal trainer, coaches Kay Hornick on her Kenesis workout.

Getting started can often be the hardest step when you are beginning a new quest towards fitness and better health. The lack of knowing what to do, how to do it, and when to do it often leaves many with good intentions stuck in the planning phase.

It can be reassuring to put a hand in someone else’s and be shown the ropes. When that hand is knowledgeable and experienced, the higher the chance of accomplishing personal goals. The right encouragement may ignite the fire deep within that can make this path a successful new lifestyle choice.

It is common knowledge that choosing to eat healthy food daily is much more successful than fad diets. You may lose an incredible amount of weight but once the same ‘ole way of eating returns, so does the same ‘ole weight on the scale.

Exercise is to be thought of in the same way.

"The biggest problem is letting small obstacles destroy our plans,” says Perry Buchanan, owner of PT Gym. “Don't make fitness an all or nothing proposition. It's all about making small lifestyle changes that will eventually become permanent. Just remember, there are literally hundreds of benefits to being active and eating healthy foods. Losing excess weight and body fat is just one of those benefits."

PT Gym has been in Albany for seven years. Buchanan prides himself on “making it easy for you” by offering “personal attention from experts” that care. Their focus is on listening as well as teaching. “This is what makes our program so successful,” says Buchanan.

“We look at the big picture. We offer an online nutritional service for our members. This makes it easy to lose the weight and keep it off without giving up the foods you enjoy. It rates you in different areas so you can learn your strengths and weaknesses,” explains Buchanan.

PT Gym offers one on one personal training and also small group classes in a comfortable environment.

Ann Voss says, “I’ve been coming to PT Gym for at least five years now and I love it! It’s a wonderful place for someone in my age group to come and feel comfortable. Everyone is so nice. I feel like they tend to my needs and look after me. It makes it easy for me to come here and do what helps me feel better. My arthritic pain is much less when I exercise.”

If one of your new year’s resolutions is fitness, you are among the many. Now is the perfect time to start. For more information on PT Gym please call 229-436-7117.

Raw Birthday Pie

An explosion of flavors in this succulent ice cream pie!

Last night I made a birthday pie for someone very special. Someone that has helped me and changed my life in so many positive ways. Someone that has won the hearts of both myself and my son.

Unfortunately while traveling to the birthday dinner, the ice cream melted, "Bummers," as my son would say. However the taste was so incredible that it didn't matter that it was served by spoonfuls rather than slices.

The birthday boy himself had told me his idea of the perfect pie while traveling last week. So as a surprise I threw this together for him. We have decided to do another trial run of it for a prettier picture. And of course what an excuse to eat more pie!

Here's how you can make your own:

Crust: Grind 2-1/2 cups of local pecans in a food processor using the s-blade. Transfer to a bowl and then add agave until wet and slightly sticky. (It's your preference how sticky and sweet you want it to be but I used about 1/4 cup)

Ice Cream: Blend the following ingredients in a high-speed blender such as a Vita-Mix until creamy: 2 cups raw cashews, (must soak 4 hours or more), 2 cups coconut meat, 1/2 cup agave nectar, 1/3 cup grade B maple syrup, 1/4 cup coconut butter, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, seeds from 1 vanilla bean.

Marinated Strawberries: Slice 3/4 pound of strawberries in the food processor using slicing disc. You may either use the berries just like this or if you prefer your treats extra sweet, stir in agave -- just until wet. Don't over do it! A 1/4 cup should be the max!

Assembly instructions: Set your intention for LOVE! Always make food in a loving space and it will nourish you more and will taste better!

First press the crust into a deep dish pie pan and set in the freezer as you make the ice cream. Next spoon in ice cream, spread evenly and pop back in the freezer for a minimum of 3 hours. Marinate berries and keep them cold. When it's time to serve, pile on the berries as your second layer.

Serving tip from the birthday boy: Hold your knife under running hot water prior to cutting so it will glide ride through, making a picture perfect slice!

Serves 6

Bubbles over my bed

Painted by local artist, Cindy Davis

I love this large painting of bubbles that hangs over my head as I sleep each night. It's a constant reminder to not take life so seriously and to have fun. Play is good for the soul!

To see more lovely art like this painted by my soul sister, Cindy Davis, check out her site at www.FlintRiverGallery.com

TV (DTV) Transition - Electronic Recycling Day

Albany's Electronic Recycling Day

February 21, 9am - 1pm

Are you ready to kiss your analog television goodbye? The day is fast approaching. In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress mandated that February 17, 2009 would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital. After February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only.

The all digital broadcasting switch has the important benefit of freeing up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Some of the spectrum will also be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).

What does this mean for consumers? There are benefits due to the superior efficiency of digital television such as improved picture and sound quality. However, it also presents an environmental responsibility for those that choose to not get a digital-to-analog converter box. The issue of proper disposal must be considered.

“Just one single television set can contain up to four pounds of lead, as well as other hazardous materials,” says Judy Bowles, Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful. “We are offering a free electronics recycling day. Normally there is a $10 fee for this. By offering this environmentally sound disposal alternative, we hope to discourage any hazardous illegal dumping.”

Albany’s electronics recycling day will be Saturday, February 21, in the parking lot behind the civic center between the hours of 9:00am and 1:00pm. For more information on this earth friendly event please call Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful at 430-5257.

For more information on digital television you may visit the FCC’s special website at www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-225-5322.

Want a greener Albany in 2009? Subscribe to The Albany Journal to keep up with it all! We're movers and shakers and we're making it happen! We welcome you to join us as we make a difference! 229-888-2442