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Celebrate Spring with Backyard Farming

By
Megan Whitworth
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This Spring, whether planning to grow food for the family or for sale at the local farmers market, here are some tips for building a farm in your own backyard from this informative series:

You can eat chicken’s meat and eggs, they help control the bugs in the garden, and their feathers can be used for pillow making.

Choose chickens. Chickens are multifunctional animals. You can eat their meat and eggs, they help control the bugs in the garden, and their feathers can be used for pillow making.

Preserve the harvest. You do not have to restrict yourself to just one method and you do not need to process your foods into just plain fruits and vegetables. For example, if you use tomatoes for sauce often, make sauce and then preserve that.

Make your garden grow. Make a plan and consider your garden’s development; site, size, and what the plot will be able to hold to maximize yield of vegetables and fruits.

The honeybee is an amazing feat of nature that is extremely well organized and that produces one of the healthiest foods in the world: honey.

Benefit from bees. The honeybee is an amazing feat of nature that is extremely well organized and that produces one of the healthiest foods in the world: honey. They are also important for pollinating our own food supply, so keeping them in your garden can be extremely beneficial.

Goats are available in a number of colors, sizes, and varieties, and can be used as dairy, meat and working animals.

Get a goat. Goats are available in a number of colors, sizes, and varieties, and can be used as dairy, meat and working animals. They can even be used as lawnmowers in places where mowing can be difficult.

Pick pigs. Pigs are great animals for food on the farm. Easy to keep, feed and raise, these animals produce abundant meat supplies with minimal effort.

For more tips on turning your homestead into a farm, pick up a copy of “Backyard Farming: Make Your Home a Homestead” by Kim Pezza.

Upcoming Stories

By
Megan Whitworth
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It’s a good time to be a reader of Texas Forest Country Living!

With the release of our first digital issue on Saturday, we are keeping the momentum going here at TFCL.

First of all, every Monday we will have a preview of stories coming for the week.

We are especially excited about this week!

First, Health Guru Brittany Hall is giving us a look at how she preps her meals in tomorrow’s “Living the Fit Life: Meal Prep 101.” Second, we are so excited to introduce our newest contributor Allison Maxwell. I met Allison almost three years ago when I covered a story about the Lufkin Art Guild. Not only is she an amazing artist, she is an animal enthusiast. She is going to take us into the Eagle’s nest that is located near Ellen Trout Zoo on Wednesday. She is also featured in the digital magazine in our Spotlight series. Check it out by clicking here!

Just wait, there’s more! Have you heard of Humans of New York? East Texas has our own stories at Stephan F. Austin State University. The photographer behind the lens is going to give us a look behind-the-scenes of why he started the series and the story that has touched his heart the most on Friday.

Then Editor-in-chief Misty Boggs is going to give us a lesson on eating right and how we can help each other do better on Saturday.

Of course, there will be the mix-ins of recipes, DIY crafts, how-tos, fashion advice and so much more.

Just make sure you’re watching, we have a whole lot more coming your way!

Easy Goals for a Healthier You

By
Megan Whitworth
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Setting big health goals can be a double-edged sword. While many of us feel inspired to improve our health, happiness and wellbeing, we often find the changes hard to sustain, and sometimes end up reverting back to old practices.

Check out these tips for starting and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

Baby Steps

Many people hoping to improve their fitness routines and eating habits quickly become discouraged when results aren’t immediate. Instead of cancelling your new gym membership and opting for a box of chocolates, set achievable and realistic goals to stay on track.

If losing weight is the objective, aim for 10 pounds instead of 50. If you succeed at losing the first 10, celebrate and make a new goal.

Instead of adopting an extreme diet, cut back on one snack a day or incorporate a smoothie as a healthy meal replacement. Use ingredients like fresh fruit, dark leafy greens, flax or chia seeds — even savory vegetables like beets — the possibilities are endless.

Fuel Up to Get Fit

Sticking to fitness goals takes the right fuel. Eating whole foods instead of processed foods will give you more and longer-lasting energy. Plus, a whole-food diet is more simple and sustainable than restrictive calorie counting or elimination diets.

Powering your body with snacks like low-fat yogurt topped with granola, fresh hummus and whole-grain pita, or an apple and peanut butter, will carry your body through a workout and help you feel fuller longer. To make delicious homemade nut butter, throw three cups of roasted, unsalted peanuts or cashews into a high-powered blender like a Vitamix machine and blend for a minute or so. The result is a gooey, good-for-you treat that will provide ample energy for healthy pursuits.

While grocery shopping, stick to the outer perimeter of the store and pick up nutrient-rich and versatile ingredients like avocados, chickpeas, bananas, nuts and spinach, that can stand alone or be mixed into everything from healthy salads to frozen desserts.

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

Being healthy and eating whole foods doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sweet tooth. Before you plunge into a tub of cookie dough, consider other ways to curb cravings. Make your own, customized whole-food ice cream without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives using a blender. Varieties like apple pie and spiced strawberry will delight without guilt.

Or try a simple sorbet: blend two peeled oranges, two tablespoons sugar and four cups of ice. Use a blender with special settings for this purpose, such as the Vitamix Professional Series 750. Its Frozen Dessert program, one of the machine’s five pre-programmed settings, allows you to make an easy, healthy dessert in minutes.

Looking for something that feels even more decadent? Find recipes like chocolate hazelnut spread and more at vitamix.com/Find-Recipes.

For a healthier you, focus on small, attainable goals, and use whole foods to get creative with your diet.

(StatePoint)

6 Things to Know Before Starting Infertility Treatments

By
Megan Whitworth
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Infertility treatments can bring hope to couples who have trouble conceiving, but they can also bring challenges that doctors don’t disclose.

In her candid new memoir, Of This Much I’m Sure (She Writes Press, April 2017), author Nadine Kenney Johnstone bravely reveals the challenges that infertility treatments can bring.

Here are 6 things Nadine believes everyone should know before starting treatments:

The quality of care and clinics varies widely

Ask your partner to be with you during injections or discussion with the nurses.

Do your research thoroughly and get second and third opinions before choosing a provider.

Treatment is as time-consuming as a part-time job

Between blood draws, ultrasounds, injections, appointments, phone calls, and follow-ups, the process will take over a big chunk of your schedule. Be prepared to manage conflicts at work and at home.

Talking about treatments is hard, but not talking can be harder

It can be difficult to tell family, friends, and colleagues about infertility treatments for fear that they’ll pry or give unsolicited advice. But the alternative – not telling anyone – can be incredibly isolating. Choose a select few to share with, and let them know in advance how best to support you when you do share.

There’s no way to control the process

No matter what you do – from drinking pomegranate juice to splurging on acupuncture – in the end, you are not in control of the process or the outcome. This will be frustrating. Breathe.

Treatments may take a toll on your marriage

Few things put more stress on a relationship than infertility and treatments. Equal involvement is key. Ask your partner to be with you during injections or discussion with the nurses. Seek counseling together throughout the process.

There are no guarantees

Most doctors tell patients to be prepared for at least 3 cycles to better their odds, but this will not guarantee pregnancy. Think of the process as a marathon that relies on your endurance.

Treatments have helped so many couples conceive, but, Nadine said, the experience will go a lot smoother if you’re prepared.

What To Do When Life Kicks You Out

By
Misty Boggs
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When being stuck in a job or other routine starts to hurt it’s time for a change. But how can you choose the right change and find the courage to face it?

At some point, it happens to all of us: we’re going around in circles getting nowhere. Initiatives fall flat. Passion is lacking, we feel purposeless and we’re waiting…waiting…for something to change.

It’s called being stuck.

Seek clarity instead by acknowledging that the uncertainty is painful. This will help you get through to the answers on the other side.

While it might feel easier to stay stuck in a familiar situation than to deal with change, eventually, being stuck starts to hurt.

That pain, says Angela Sebaly, author of the new book The Courageous Leader (Wiley, March 2017) and CEO of Personify Leadership, is the sting of your life kicking you out and telling you it’s time to move on from a stagnant situation.

But how do you move on from a familiar situation – no matter how stagnant – and face the unknown that change implies? Angela offers this blueprint for getting unstuck  when when life kicks you out – whether from a stagnant job, relationship, or other routine:

Recognize that pain is a healthy part of leadership and life.

First, know that feeling the pain of stagnation is healthy because it’s a signal that change is needed. Additionally, in times of growth and transition, things often get worse before they get better. Embracing this takes courage and may cause discomfort, but doing so will bring the reward of growth and evolution.

Assess whether the change you need involves:

  • Moving on by changing jobs, starting a business or relocating to a new city; or
  • Going deeper with your current life experiences by taking them to the next level.

Ask the right question

Rather than asking, “Should I stay in this role (this company, this relationship, this community), or should I move on?” Ask, “What will bring me the greatest growth that is in my control to change?”

Seek clarity, not absolute certainty.

Ambiguity is uncomfortable, but expecting absolute certainty can send you spiraling into an abyss of doubt rather than saving you from it. Seek clarity instead by acknowledging that the uncertainty is painful. This will help you get through to the answers on the other side.

Be patient.

The process may take time, but if you stick with it, it will resolve and new doors will open.

The process may take time, but if you stick with it, it will resolve and new doors will open.

Angelina College Basketball Teams Prepping for Conference Tournament

By
Gary Stallard
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The Angelina College women’s basketball team opens the Region XIV Conference Tournament on Wednesday in Jacksonville. The Lady ‘Runners take on No. 12 Trinity Valley at 1 p.m. Pictured are (L-R) Charisma Shepherd, Angelica Darkus, Tyanna Barlow, Karley McHenry, Alexzine Andrepont, Taiya Dixon, Toraya Bass, Kennethah Harden, Shae Johnson, Erin Sanchez and Kathan Arvie. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)

Call it “The Big Dance” or “March Madness”, but whatever one’s preference in terminology, the Region XIV Conference Basketball Tournament is here, and both Angelina College teams will get their shots at advancing to their respective national championships taking place later this month.

The conference tournament will run from Tuesday, March 7 through Saturday, March 11 at John Alexander Gymnasium in Jacksonville. The men’s opening round takes place on Tuesday, while the women will wait until Wednesday before tipping off.

AC’s Roadrunners will enter the men’s bracket as the sixth seed and will face Jacksonville College, a team with which the ‘Runners split the season series. AC beat the Jaguars 89-76 at home on Jan. 25 and lost in Jacksonville 79-72 on Feb. 18. The Roadrunner closed out the regular season with a win at Coastal Bend College on Saturday, with Isaiah Bailey’s 19 points leading the way in AC’s 80-79 win over the Cougars.

That win gave head coach Kyle Manary a 20-win season in his first year at the helm. AC finished the season 20-10, 12-7.

Jacksonville ended the regular season on a three-game losing streak, falling 65-64 in overtime to Blinn College on Saturday.

The winner of Tuesday’s game will face Trinity Valley College at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

The Lady Roadrunners (15-15, 8-12) square off against top-seeded and 12th-ranked Trinity Valley College at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The Lady Cardinals swept the season series by nearly identical scores, taking a 77-42 win in Athens and a 79-42 win in Lufkin. The winner of that matchup will face the winner of the Tyler College/Blinn College game.

Tuesday’s men’s quarterfinals full schedule includes Lamar State College-Port Arthur vs. Blinn College at 1 p.m., Tyler College vs. Navarro College at 3 p.m., Paris College vs. Bossier Parish College at 6 p.m. and the Roadrunners vs. Jacksonville College at 8 p.m.

Wednesday’s women’s quarterfinals schedule includes the Lady Roadrunners vs. Trinity Valley College at 1 p.m., Tyler College vs. Blinn College at 3 p.m., San Jacinto College vs. Jacksonville College at 6 p.m. and Panola College vs. Kilgore College at 8 p.m.

Both the men’s and women’s championship games will take place on Saturday, March 11. The women’s finals tip off at 5:30 p.m., and the men’s finals follow at 8 p.m. Winner of the women’s title will advance to the national championships in Lubbock; the men’s winner will advance to the national championships in Hutchinson, Kansas. Both those tournaments run from March 20-25.

All Angelina College games will be available for live streaming. Visit www.angelina.edu and click on the Athletics link to catch all the game action.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

The Angelina College men’s basketball team opens the Region XIV Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Jacksonville. The Roadrunners take on Jacksonville College at 8 p.m. Pictured are (front row, L-R) Carlos Simpson, Kyndall Powell, Gary Blackston, Angel Bullock and Corinthian Ramsey; and (back row, L-R) Robert Lewis, Victor Bell, Malcolm Evans, Quentin Bush, Jason Towery and Isaiah Bailey. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)

The Miracle of Compost

By
Cary Sims
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If you are looking for a miracle addition to your garden this year, I got one for you. This substance will add an abundance of fertilizing nutrients, as it supplies both macro and micronutrients.

In addition, while this product supplies beneficial organisms to soils, it can suppress some soil born pathogens that can adversely affect plants.

Figured it out yet? Let me give a few more hints.

On sandy soils it can improve water holding capacity reducing total water usage. Yet on heavy clay soils, it will increase water infiltration and improve clay soils permeability. (I know that sounds contradictory but it is true!)

Many times it will improve and stabilize your soils pH. In worst case scenarios, it will even bind and degrade pollutants. Lastly, it will improve the soil structure, porosity, and will create a better rooting environment.

This perfect, preponderous, product is compost.

At this time of the year, it is too late to talk about making your own compost. That process will take weeks to a few months for most of us, and quite frankly, everyone is itching to get gardens planted right now.

You can find compost for sale in bags or bulk at several locations around Lufkin. Bagged compost is easy to load, unload and carry to your garden site. Bulk compost will be much cheaper but includes the necessity of a truck or trailer to haul it. Often a shovel and wheelbarrow may then be needed to transfer it to a specific location in the landscape.

Many gardeners love to discuss which compost is the best. It is true that all compost is not the same, but rest assured that any is better than none.

Composts are a mixture of decaying organic substances such as leaves, manures, or other plant material. Composted manure from a cow, chicken, horse, rabbit or any other livestock will do just fine. Compost from someone’s leaf pile to which they added kitchen scraps will work great as well.

Lots of folks like to use the “mushroom manure” that originates at the Monterey Mushroom facility in Madisonville. While the ingredients can change from one mushroom facility to another, many mushroom growers use materials such as hay, straw, and poultry or horse manure.

This rich medium is used to grow mushrooms until it is depleted to a level that doesn’t grow mushrooms at the speed the business needs. This “spent” material is then an excellent medium for home gardeners.

How much composted material to add? There is not a too-much answer that I know of. Lufkin’s own retired pediatrician, Dr. Thannisch, had two-foot-tall raised beds into which he adds nothing but mushroom manure to grow an abundance of tomatoes all year.

Rev. Marlow Shubert of Huntington mixes three parts twice ground pine bark with 1 part mushroom manure to grow all kinds of quality plants.

The simple and general recommendation is to spread composted material over the garden site and then till it into the top 6 inches of soil.

Any way you decide to go, now is high time to improve the soil you have for the spring gardening season upon us.

TFCL Releases Digital Magazine

By
Megan Whitworth
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The first cover of the spring edition of TFCL.

Texas Forest Country Living released its first digital magazine today.

Filled with features about local heroes, people who inspire, the latest trends, local hotspots, and even how-to throw a dog birthday party, TFCL’s spring issue is the go-to spot for everything you need to know about East Texas.

“This magazine is created to connect the people and the places here in East Texas,” Editor-in-chief Misty Boggs said. “Our area is rich with ways to be, do and live life here in the Texas Forest Country and we can hardly wait to share that with our current followers and new readers.”

Areas to hike around East Texas is a popular feature in the spring edition of TFCL.

The bi-monthly magazine is set to be released the first Saturday of every other month with stories, events and photos to guide readers through the upcoming season.

“Our first issue is a taste of what is to come,” Managing Editor Megan Whitworth said. “Misty and I are traveling around East Texas, talking to our local neighbors and meeting strangers who have stories to tell. We are visiting the places that people need to know about. We want to share with the world what living in the Pineywoods is all about. Just keep watching, we have a lot in store.”

Whitworth said TFCL is looking for photography and writing contributors to serve as Lifestyle Ambassadors from the 12 counties the magazine serves: Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler counties.

“Part of what makes this magazine so different is our commitment to partner with the people in this area to create lifestyle ambassadors,” Boggs said. “We are looking for folks who have a passion for this area and would like to help us connect people with what’s happening in their areas.”

Space is also available for advertisers who “want to partner with us in celebrating this area,” she added.

To inquire about advertising, Director of Sales Keith Elliott can be contacted at (936) 404-6608. For those interested in becoming a Lifestyle Ambassador, send an email to info@texasforestcountryliving.com.

“This area is full of history and culture with beautiful people making everyday life absolutely amazing,” Boggs said. “We look forward to sharing those stories with our readers, along with event guides that include activities for all 12 counties, as well as fashion tips, home ideas and so much more.”

Click here to read the first issue of TFCL.

 

Chairman James White Presides Over First Corrections Committee Hearing

By
Rep. James White
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With committee assignments out and the hiring of committee staff out of the way, this week continued to build on the others both legislatively and administratively. This week I had the opportunity to preside over my first committee hearing as chairman. The committee heard testimony from criminal justice agencies responsible for ensuring community safety.

Bryan Collier the Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) provided an extensive and thorough update on the operations, facilities, and programs of the state’s corrections system. Since taking on the role of executive director of TDCJ, Mr. Collier’s breadth of experience and longevity within TDCJ has provided a unique mix of innovation and stability within TDCJ. With Director Collier at the helm, Texans are assured that the men and women of TDCJ are focused on maintaining community safety, restoring victims of crime, and rehabilitating criminal offenders.

Another critical aspect of TDCJ is community supervision or probation. The ultimate goal of our criminal justice system is the punish the wrongdoer that threatens our life, liberty, and property. Our primary focus is restoring the victim, however, we must also ensure that we effectively rehabilitated the offender. Unquestionably, we must incarcerate criminals that endanger and take innocent life or pose substantial threats to our property. We spend at least an estimated $22,000 a year to incarcerate inmates in Texas. After thoughtful deliberation among victims, our local judges, district attorneys, law enforcement, and adult probation officers, community supervision often provides more effective and efficient punishment, victim restitution, and offender rehabilitation. As a rural adult probation chief in Jasper County, Chief Chris Thomas did a very good job explaining to the Corrections Committee the advantages of probation in contributing to community safety. For example, incarceration per inmate is $60/day versus, $4/day on community supervision.

In addition, the Legislative Budget Board provided an overview of the fiscal state of our corrections system and the funding expected from the budget the legislature will debate and vote on later in the session. Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles Chairman David Gutierrez, testified on the current state of the agencies operations. I was very pleased that Chairman Gutierrez is focused on the concerns of victims and victims’ families, along with the concerns of our local officials in the criminal justice system. Dr. Clint Carpenter, the superintendent of Windham School District, gave the Committee an overview of the educational curriculum and programming the district provides at TDCJ facilities. Lastly, Marsha McLane with the Texas Civil Commitment Office provided insight into their current charges and upcoming programming for civilly committed sex offenders. Due to overreaching interference by federal courts, Texas is required to release certain sex offenders into our communities. Despite this, the Legislature created the Texas Civil Commitment Office in order to provide optimum supervision and rehabilitation. The hearing was a very productive conversation with these outstanding agencies and look forward to continuing to review and improve our criminal justice system.

I was also blessed to attend the Texas Prayer Breakfast hosted by Rep. Scott Sanford. This event is put on every session and draws many members regardless of party or faith affiliations for a time to thank God for allowing us to serve the great State of Texas. I enjoyed hearing Bishop W.C. Martin’s powerful speech on how his faith and personal convictions have made him passionate about reforming the foster care system and promoting the adoption of our vulnerable children.

Lastly, we have experienced plenty of discussion revolving around “sanctuary cities.” A municipality becomes a sanctuary city mayor and city council prohibit their local law enforcement from cooperating with the U. S. Immigration and Customs (ICE). Often, when local law enforcement officials make an arrest, ICE will issue detainers and request the local enforcement agency to hold these people. The reason ICE does this is because these people have seriously violated our immigration laws or are involved in a serious crime. Disregarding ICE interferes with public safety and may be even exposes our local communities to domestic terror attacks. The Texas House will work to address this issue by prohibiting governmental entities from adopting rules, orders, ordinances, or policies that prohibit or discourage the enforcement of our federal and state laws and asking these entities to cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). My colleagues and I will ensure that law enforcement agencies notify the magistrate or judge if the federal government has identified a person as an undocumented alien or if a federal detainer request has been issues. In addition, state funds will be denied and monetary penalties will be issued to entities that are found to be in violation of the law. The Capitol of Texas belongs to you and visiting the Capitol during the biennial legislative session is a great experience. To assist in arranging your visit please call Saul Mendoza, my Chief of Staff, at (512) 463-0490 or at saul.mendoza@house.texas.gov.

Spring Flooding Safety Tips

By
Megan Whitworth
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When spring hits, whether it’s “official” or feels like spring, many of us are eager to get out of the office and into the fresh air. However, too much rain or thawing snow after a long winter from mountains can bring severe flooding. Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. Here are some things to keep in mind as the spring flood season draws near.

  • Never drive or walk through flooded streets. It only takes six inches of moving water to sweep a person off their feet (and not in the romantic way) and 12 inches to move a car. Remember, if a street is flooded, Turn Around; Don’t Drown.
  • Floods are expensive. A few inches of water in a 1,000-square foot home could cost more than $10,000 in repairs and replacement of personal possessions. Visits FEMA’s data visualization website to learn more about the costs and impacts of floods in your state
  • Most insurance does not cover flood damage. Only flood insurance will cover the damage from floods. Speak with your insurance agent to learn more and remember flood insurance takes 30 days to take effect, so purchase now to protect your family!
  • Talk with your family and make an emergency plan for you and your pets. No matter the disaster, it’s always a good idea to have emergency supplies ready at home, at work, and in the car.

You can learn more about the dangers of flooding and find information about flood insurance at Ready.gov/floods and Floodsmart.gov. Also, check out the Flood Safety Social Media Toolkit, so you can share tips with your friends and family prepare at ready.gov/flood-toolkit.

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