Winners in HEAL recipe challenge announced

Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Alabama celebrated healthy recipes at its headquarters in Vestavia Hills last week.

During the “HEAL-icious” recipe challenge, children in the community were encouraged to submit their favorite healthy recipes. These recipes were required to have at least one fruit or vegetable and were judged for taste by children and screened for nutritional value by HEAL nutrition experts.

Ashby and Caroline Russel, two students at Cherokee Bend Elementary School, won the overall recipe challenge award. The girls submitted their dad’s “Triple Threat Treats” recipe for the challenge. The treats were gluten-free, low-carb blueberry muffins.

The Russels received a $500 Walmart gift card, Massage Envy gift card, HEAL HERO medals and HEAL hats. Ann Hamiter, vice president of Pinnacle Bank, also announced the girls would get a $75 start to a youth savings account at Pinnacle Bank, the sponsor of the event.

There were several runner-up recipes, including two recipes from Marilyn Waggoner, wife of state Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills. Her recipes included parmesan roasted green beans and honey roasted carrots.