< Previous10 COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2025 I ’m reading a fascinating book about notable Texans who reflect on their childhoods. The book, “Growing up in the Lone Star State” by Gaylon Finklea Hecker and Marianne Odom is a product of decades of work and perseverance and fea- tures 47 oral histories of such luminaries as Lady Bird Johnson, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison — who grew up in La Marque — and world-renowned heart surgeon Denton Cooley, to name a few. What’s been so striking about the book are the many ref- erences to Galveston and how it shaped so many Texas childhoods. “We had some mar- velous times at Galves- ton on the Gulf,” U.S. Diplomat Samuel Lewis Jr. told the authors in a 1982 interview at the American embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel. “We had an old car, but we would drive on Saturday morning down to Galveston and way out West Beach, where it was really deserted, with nothing but sand dunes and sky. Nobody else was around.” Lewis, who died in 2014, served as the U.S. ambassador to Israel between 1977 and 1985 — a period rife with dramatic developments in the region, such as the historic 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, the Camp David Accords, and the start, in 1982, of the first Lebanon war. “My love of the ocean is one of the major things in my life,” he said. “It started with those experiences on Galveston Beach. Since then, we’ve lived all over the world and we’ve been to some spectacular beaches … . “Later we went back to Galveston, and the sand was kind of brown and the water was kind of dirty and it didn’t look like I remembered. But nonetheless, in my memory, there was nothing like it.” It struck me that most Texans who grew up visiting Gal- veston felt the same way. I’ve been to the beaches of Hawaii and even the French Riviera — a little pebbly for my taste. While I enjoyed those beaches, my loyalties lie with the Texas beaches from Galveston to Matagorda where some of my happiest childhood memories were made. It amazes me how many of the famous Texans featured in the book recalled Gal- veston and coastal Texas and how, every day, thousands of people are experiencing the beaches here for the first time and making memories of their own. Who knows what future famous Texans are among us. Each May, Coast Monthly celebrates the beaches, the people who protect them and the people who love them. As I write this editor’s note the sky is blue and the water is amazing in the Gulf. But when we were working to shoot this beautiful cover, we were plagued for days by rain and dreary skies. With the help of the always bright Ali Chappell and beautiful flowers of the dunes, (which weren’t harmed in the photo shoot) we captured one of the many beautiful scenes of Galveston beaches. We wish you a safe and happy summer season. LAURA ELDER Coast Monthly Editor FROM THE EDITOR OUR BEACHES ARE PART OF MANY TEXANS’ MEMORIES45 528 146 League City 96 Pasadena NASA PKWY. BAY AREA BLVD. CLEAR LAKECITYBLVD. FAIRMONTPKWY. Clear Lake Leading Orthopedic Care to KEEP YOU MOVING Schedule an appointment: houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics .363.9090 Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or recovering from a complex injury, our board-certifi ed specialists develop treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. From diagnosis and treatment through physical therapy and rehabilitation, we have the expertise to get you back on your feet and keep you moving. 20+ convenient locations across Greater Houston Our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists can help keep your body in motion. Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic — offering same-day care12 COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2025 SHORELINES WE ASKED ON FACEBOOK: What does the perfect beach day look like to you? Just chilling out in my beach chair with a good book, then closing my eyes to just listen to the sounds of the waves! Denise Sowell Shead Walking the beach and finding drifting sea beans. Remembering my friends that are no longer here. A seed or fruit that can float on saltwater for at least one month, usually from the tropics. Stacey Gottlob A sunny, calm water day combing for sand dollars and building sandcastles! Mary Sue Hopkins Sitting under a rented umbrella/chairs with my favorite person Queen Jean, talking all morning. Then walking over to Float for a rum and punch and shrimp tacos. Back to our chairs to read our books and talk some more. Beach life perfection. Linda Dobbs Willis Sunny, blue-green water, sandy beach, colorful umbrellas, a good book, lounge chair and cooler of drinks. Wow. Leona Pleasant Renting a beach set up in the morning with a good book, music and an ice chest with drinks and snacks! Natalie Fox Maisel Slightly overcast with a breeze. Warm enough for shorts and wading; on a week- day when most people are at work. Shells and/or marine life to observe. Karen Stanley My perfect beach day always starts early so I can enjoy the cooler temps before the sun is high overhead. The sand must be white and fine so it feels good under my feet. An uncomplicated “beach read” book is a must along with a cooler full of cold craft beer. A breeze strong enough to keep me cool but not strong enough to blow my hat off is much appreciated. To make it the absolute best beach day I need the company of my girlfriends, who also love the beach as much as I do. Nothing better! Cathy Mackenzie Schneider For Cindy and me, it is a beautiful sunrise with just enough of a breeze to keep the bugs away. Flat water that you can paddle board with the dolphins and float while watching strings of pelicans soar past. Phil Newton Sitting in a lawn chair under a tent watch- ing all my nieces and nephews play in sand and surf with a cold drink in my hand. Gladys Haak I like the beach at night because I hate the heat, but I do love looking for shells. Debbie Borque FILE PHOTO: JENNIFER REYNOLDSExquisite Homes Pirates Cove | Laffite’s Cove 3515 Jolly Roger Pirates Cove 3507 Windlass Court Laffite’s Cove 3315 Windlass Court Laffite’s Cove 13527 Windlass Circle Laffite’s Cove For Sale For Sale For Sale For Sale 281.773.3477 bjennings@greenwoodking.com Chase Jennings, Associate RSPS chasejennings@greenwoodking.com BET JENNINGS 2022 & 2023 Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Pros in Galveston & Texas14 COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2025 FEATURE BALANCING ACT How a Tiki Island dietician made it her business to improve women’s health story by LAURA PENNINO | photos by STUART VILLANUEVA T iki Islander Ali Chappell is a wife, mother, published author, researcher, registered dietician and business owner on a mission to educate women and men about the benefits of adopting a low-insulin lifestyle. Chappell, author of “Low Insulin Lifestyle” among other books, also is the founder and CEO of Lilli Health, a company focused on helping educate women with polycystic ovary syndrome about nutrition and wellness. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which cysts develop on the ovaries, which can cause irregular men- struation and is a common cause of infertility, affecting as many as 5 million wom- en. Along with infertility, the lifelong condition can have other effects, including insulin resistance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Insulin is a key hormone in balancing blood sugar. But people with insulin resistance can’t use it effectively, which increases their risk of develop- ing type 2 diabetes. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a chronic condition that can’t be cured but some symptoms can be improved through life- style changes, medications and fertility treatments. The cause of the condition is unknown, but women with a family history of type 2 diabetes are at higher risk, accord- ing to the CDC. As a 14-year-old girl approaching adulthood, Chappell knew something in her body was off, she said. From the time she was 16 until she was 21, her menstrual cycles were out of whack, she said. She knew it wasn’t normal for “that time of the month” to instead be “that one time of the year,” she said. She also knew that having severe acne, unexplained weight gain and binge eating weren’t normal for most young women. After graduating from Plainview High School near Lub- bock, Chappell went to Texas A&M University in College Station to pursue a degree in nutrition science. “I went to the campus clinic at A&M and saw the nurse practitioner,” Chappell said. “I was about 45 pounds over- weight then. She gave me a brochure and birth control pills and she told me to lose weight. I was a senior in col- lege at that point. I had almost finished my undergraduate degree. I was doing every- thing I was learning in school, everything I was told to do and knew to do. And the scale would not move.” At age 21, after five ultra- sound procedures within five years, Chappell finally learned the source of her health challenges when the medical team at the Texas A&M University clinic properly diagnosed her in 2008 with polycystic ovary syndrome, she said. “In 2008, I had never heard of PCOS,” she said. “I decided to go to grad school and pursue a master’s degree in Nutri- tional Science at Texas Tech. I started doing research to learn about insulin resistance. Insulin is your master hormone, and it affects every hormone in your body. I realized there was a huge problem with nutrition and metabolism for women with PCOS. I started teaching myself about insulin resistance, and I started to make changes to my lifestyle.” I realized there was a huge problem with nutrition and metabolism for women with PCOS. I started teaching myself about insulin resistance, and I started to make changes to my lifestyle.” ALI CHAPPELL COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2025 15 Tiki Island-based dietician and author Ali Chappell has focused her research on insulin resistance, penning books such as “Low Insulin Lifestyle” and others. Charcuterie board by Chef Mary Bass. Hair and makeup by Mateo Sifuentes.16 COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2025 FEATURE Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by allowing cells to use glucose for energy, according to UTMB Health. After completing her Master of Science degree, Chappell continued her postgraduate studies. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Nutrition- al Sciences and Reproductive Sciences at Texas Tech Uni- versity in 2013 and completed a National Institutes of Health post-doctoral research fellow- ship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 2014. “Insulin resistance and high insulin levels have been linked to a wide range of health issues, including obesity, type 2 di- abetes, heart disease, aging, Alz- heimer’s disease, cancer, autism, mood disorders and infertility,” she said. “Surprisingly, studies show that 88 percent of U.S. adults have insulin resistance.” Chappell is living proof that polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance can be ad- dressed effectively, she said. When she was 25, she “got a handle on it,” losing those 45 pounds, which she has kept off, she said. In addition to modifying her food choices, she maintains a healthy weight and stays physi- cally active. Ali, her husband and business partner, Johnny Mack Chappell, and their young chil- dren, Max and Mackenzie, enjoy tasty meals and snacks packed with flavor and substance. What’s on the menu at the Chappell house? Family favor- ites are fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, cheeses, eggs, avocados, lean proteins, almond and coconut milk, and treats that Ali makes herself. Her Everything Bagel Crack- ers and Chocolate Chip Banana “Brownies” are quick and easy to make, she said. “We have a routine at home,” she said. “I started my kids on this way of eating from day one. I am lucky because they are not very picky, and they eat what we eat. I let them eat French fries and ice cream sometimes — just not every day or every week. For meals, we keep things simple. We have eggs, fruit and avocados for breakfast. Lunch is usually leftovers from dinner the night before. And dinner usually consists of meat, chicken or fish with as many vegetables that will fit on my plate. I also enjoy a square of dark chocolate and a glass of red wine every now and then.” For family fitness and fun, the Chappells enjoy bike rides, boat rides, taking walks and going to the park. Lately, the Chappells are focused on a new project that has huge positive health and wellness implications. “We are launching the Lilli App in May,” she said. “This has been a two-and-half-year pro- cess. We will have everything anyone would ever need to know about PCOS and insulin resistance in the app, which will also track exercise.” The Chappells are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to have the Lilli app cleared as a “Software as a Medical Device.” “We are hoping to have FDA approval in early 2026, and our Lilli app would be the first approved product for the treat- ment of PCOS,” she said. Ali Chappell shared these two recipes she often prepares for her husband and children, friends and neighbors as special treats. CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BROWNIES 2 ripe bananas 1 egg 1 1 ⁄ 2 cups almond flour 1 ⁄ 3 cup oat bran 1 ⁄ 3 cup water 2 tablespoons milled flax/ chia blend 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1-2 tablespoons allulose (can substitute with monk fruit extract or erythritol) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 ⁄ 2 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄ 4 teaspoon baking powder 1 ⁄ 4 teaspoon baking soda 1 ⁄ 3 cup Ghirardelli 72 percent dark chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork. Add almond flour, oat bran, egg, milled flax/chia blend, coconut oil and water. Mix thoroughly. Stir in allulose, vanilla, salt, bak- ing powder and baking soda until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Spray an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with coconut oil. Pour in the batter, spreading evenly, aiming for about 1½ inches thick. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares. You can make a big batch and freeze extras. Just thaw or warm slightly before serving. Note: Oat bran is available at most stores, but don’t confuse it with rolled oats, quick oats or steel-cut oats. Oat bran is lower in starch and higher in fiber and protein than regular oats, Chappell said. EVERYTHING BAGEL CRACKERS 1 cup almond flour 1 egg Everything Bagel seasoning Preheat oven to 400 F. In a bowl, mix almond flour and egg until a dough forms. Add your preferred seasoning. Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll it out thin. (Tip: lightly spray the parchment with coconut or avocado oil to prevent sticking.) Remove the top sheet of parchment. Use a butter knife to gently score the dough into cracker-sized squares. Transfer the bottom parchment with the scored dough onto a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crisp to your lik- ing. (You also can air fry them.) Let cool, then break into crack- ers along the scored lines. Keep refrigerated for up to seven days. You also can freeze them. Just pop them in the toaster oven to crisp them back up when you’re ready to enjoy. The crackers are perfect for a charcuterie board or paired with chicken salad. COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2025 17 Ali Chappell is proof that polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance can be addressed effectively. By modifying her food choices and staying physically active, she was able to lose weight and reduce symptoms of the hormonal disorder.The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) is in-network for most major insurance plans. utmbhealth.com/bariatrics At UTMB Health, we’re dedicated to making a difference where we live and work. While our research and innovation may transform lives worldwide, our focus remains on delivering exceptional clinical care for our local communities—just as we’ve done for more than 130 years. Every day, our multidisciplinary team of bariatric surgeons, psychologists, nurses, dietitians, and physical therapists provides compassionate, personalized care to support your health journey. Trust us to combine global expertise with a heartfelt commitment to improving lives, right here at home. Caring for Our CommunityTV CYNTHIA CORDER “I see you EVERYWHERE” TV HOSTNext >