April 2014 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

FREE

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

GOING FOR QIGONG BACKYARD THE GREEN FOR HEALTH WILDLIFE Go Eco, Spend Less and Live Better

Gentle Movement that Builds Strength & Vitality

Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids

April 2014 | Mobile/Baldwin Edition | www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

C e le brate

Ea rt h Day w it h u s!

Mobile Bay on April 19 Come see us at Earth Day e samples of suppleat Fairhope Pier Park for fre t products & snacks. ments, cleaning products, pe

15% off supplements every Sunday!

APRIL STORE SPECIALS:

20% off all New Chapter, Renew Life, derma e natural cosmetics and Virginia’s/Fairhope private label products!

Garden of Life supplements are 20% off everyday!

Virginia’s Health Foods • 3952 Airport Blvd in Mobile • 251-345-0494 Fairhope Health Foods • 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Ctr in Fairhope • 251-928-0644

The Sunflower Cafés offer full organic lunch menus.

Featuring free-range meats, farm-fresh produce, organic wines and options for special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free).

Asian Fusion • Mediterranean • Italian • Tex-Mex • Thai Pizza • Sandwiches • Pasta • Salads Catering service and take-out available. Menus online. Call for specials.

Located next door to Fairhope Health Foods and inside Virginia’s Health Foods in Mobile.

Fairhope: 251-929-0055

Mon-Sat 10:30am-4pm; Sunday Brunch 10:30am-2pm

Mobile: 251-345-0495

Mon-Sat 10:30am-3pm; Closed Sundays

www.VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

contents

The sound of the surf on our beautiful Gulf Coast beaches is constant...

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

17 CELEBRATE

EARTH DAY 2014

18

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to Renew the Heatlh of Our Planet

18 LIVE GREEN, SAVE BIG

Five Eco-Friendly Life Decisions that Can Actually Save Us Money

by Crissy Trask

22

22 HOMEMADE

unending.

ECO-CLEANERS

Like our commitment to you.

DIY Recipes Keep Your Home Naturally Clean

by Lane Vail

That’s the power of Minds Conquering Cancer.

Cancer affects people everywhere. That’s why our commitment to leading edge research and world-class diagnostic, imaging and treatment capabilities knows no boundaries. It’s the power of physician specialists, research scientists, referring physicians, patient navigators, an outstanding team of surgical oncologists, and others- all with you every step of the way to provide the most comprehensive and most advanced cancer care possible. Together, it’s a fight we’ll win.

Our physicians have a long track record here in Mobile and the entire Gulf Coast, and we’re grateful to the people of this area for the opportunity to serve. It’s a commitment that will continue to expand well into the future.

24 BACKYARD BIRDS

AND BUTTERFLIES

Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids

by Avery Mack

26 QI WHIZ

Qigong Steps Up Vitality and Serenity

by Meredith Montgomery

27 ONE WORLD, ONE BREATH: WORLD TAI CHI DAY

by Judith Forsyth

What hope is made of.

www.usamci.com | 1-800-330-8538 1660 Springhill Avenue | Mobile, Alabama 36604 | 251-665-8000 188 Hospital Drive, Suite 400 | Fairhope, Alabama 36532 | 251-990-1850

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www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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12 8 newsbriefs 12 healthbriefs 13 globalbriefs 15 ecotip 17 earthdayevents 13 22 greenliving

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24 healthykids 26 fitbody 29 eventcalendar 30 ongoingcalendar 32 classifieds 32 naturaldirectory

advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 251-990-9552 or email Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

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April 2014

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letterfrompublisher

contact us Publisher/Editor Meredith Montgomery Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com Assistant Editor Martin Miron Community Liaison and Writer Judith Forsyth Contributors Josh Montgomery, Anne Wilson Michael Wilson Design and Production Meredith Montgomery Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin P.O. Box 725, Fairhope, AL 36533 Phone: 251-990-9552 Fax: 251-281-2375

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to the free digital magazine at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Mailed subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address. © 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks in nesting mode, and by the time this issue reaches your hands, we will have welcomed a new baby boy into our family. Because this is our second boy, we had to buy very little in preparation for his arrival. We rearranged the furniture in the nursery, changed the name on the wall and gave all the bedding, linens and clothes a good wash. Even though a lot has changed since we were prepping for Mays’ arrival almost five years ago, I feel slightly more prepared this time around, and we are taking a less is more approach. In fact, I feel like I’ve been giving more stuff away (such as the monstrous baby swing and highchair) than buying new things.

In this month’s Natural Awakenings, we celebrate Earth Day (see page 17 for a list of local events) and the less is more approach seems to be an underlying theme throughout the articles. This perspective not only helps us simplify our lives and declutter our living space, it’s often the more planet-friendly approach, as well. In “Live Green, Save Big,” Nicole Alvarez speaks about how American culture makes us think having a big house means we have reached success. But she points out, “There’s a growing community of people that want quality over quantity, value place over space, and are choosing to live more intentionally in every aspect of their lives.”

In “Homemade Eco-Cleaners,” we learn that simple household products such as vinegar and baking soda can do the job as well as store-bought products that have a long list of toxic ingredients. If you’re looking for a way to improve physical, mental and emotional well-being, read our Fit Body section on qigong and tai chi.

These ancient internal arts require no special equipment and can be practiced in the comfort of your own home. Then, as you take steps to simplify indoors, take time to enjoy the simple pleasures outside your home as well. “Backyard Birds and Butterflies” provides tips for attracting nature’s spring visitors to your yard.

When baby arrives, I expect our world as we know to get flipped upside-down, but I look forward to basking in the warmth of our growing family. May your April also be filled with moments of gratitude for things both simple and grand.

Happy Earth Day!

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers.

It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

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April 2014

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newsbriefs Spring Break and Summer Camps on the Gulf Ocean Camp is accepting reservations for group field trips grades K-6, spring break and summer camps. Spring Break Camp, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 14 to 18, can be scheduled for the entire week ($250/child) or daily ($50/child) for children ages 5 to 12 at Gulf Shores Beach Retreat on West Beach Boulevard. Each day will celebrate a marine animal, such as dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, shells and fish.

Summer Camps will be held Tuesday through Friday during June and July for children 5 to 12 at $125/child. Camps are half-day programs; call for times and location.

Programs have marine and environmental education topics for ocean lovers and future scientists, presented through critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and games. The mission of Ocean Camp is to give priority to marine/ environmental education in the local community as an opportunity to build marine science career interests, respect for our natural world and increase attractions for visitors.

For more information, call 251-802-8605 or 205-936-9892 or visit Facebook.com/ oceancamp/info.

Celebrate Earth Day with Green Drinks Green Drinks will host an Earth Day Celebration at their monthly gathering from 5 to 7 p.m., April 8, at Fairhope Brewing Company. The evening will feature live music, beer specials, food and environmental exhibits by area nonprofit organizations.

Mobile Bay Area Green Drinks is a community group that hosts informal and engaging happy hours for environmentally thoughtful folks. Drinking is optional and attendees are welcome to stay for as little or as long as they like.

Location: 914 Nichols Ave., Fairhope.

For more information, call 251279-7517, email MobileBayArea GreenDrinks@ gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/ MobileBayArea GreenDrinks. See ad, page 12.

GREENDRINKS earth day

celebration

NEWS TO SHARE?

Send submissions to Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com or call 251-990-9552. For submission guidelines, visit www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

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Hormone Lecture and Book Signing Legacy Specialty Pharmacy presents Debbie Davis, CRNP, for an educational program on bioidentical hormones at 7 p.m., April 22, in Daphne. She practices with Dr. Eric Cheung, in Foley, and is also a nursing instructor at the University of South Alabama. Being A4M certified means she is at the top of her field in hormone education.

Davis will explain anti-aging and youthful approaches to natural hormone replacement for men and women. Also, Nadine Johnson, "the herb lady," will be signing her new book of human interest stories, Life Revisited.

Legacy Specialty Pharmacy, in Spanish Fort, provides personalized care in a warm, familyfriendly atmosphere by providing outstanding service in filling prescriptions, excellent patient education and natural approaches to wellness.

Event location: conference room at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Daphne.

To RSVP (required) call 251-4232299. For more information, visit LegacySpecialtyPharmacy.com.

See ad, page 13.

Celebrate Easter and Earth Day with Open Table UCC Open Table (United Church of Christ) will be supporting Earth care at Earth Day Mobile Bay on April 19, at the Fairhope Pier Park. Open Table Pastor, Rev. Ellen Sims, along with other area ministers that afternoon, will lead a Blessing of the Animals.

Open Table's exhibit will include a craft activity for children and free wildflower seeds for planting. Those visiting the church's exhibit may also add a line to a collaboratively written blessing for Earth's creatures.

The ecumenical prayer will be used the next day in Open Table's Easter service at 5 p.m., which will connect the Christian story of resurrection to the power of Earth's ongoing renewal. Sims says, “In the early church, Jesus was often depicted in a garden long before he was imaged on a cross.

John's Gospel says Mary mistook the risen Christ for a gardener. An Easter spirituality calls us to care for the garden of Earth, resurrecting the dead places on our planet and in our own lives.”

Open Table services are held at 1050 Azalea Rd., in Mobile. For more information, call 251-545-1011 or visit OpenTableUCC. org. See ad, page 11.

Unlocking Intuition with Laurie Azzarella

What’s in your water?

Flouride to clean your teeth

Chlorine

to disinfect the water

Why wash your hair with these chemicals?

For healthier hair, invest in a shower head filter and

GO ORGANIC.

B-Butterfly

Monthly wellness classes are offered in Daphne by Laurie Azzarella, who holds a master’s degree in education. This month’s class, Unlocking Your Intuition, will be held at 7 p.m., April 22, in the Malbis area for $5. Learn how the pineal gland houses our intuition and how environmental chemicals suppress our Laurie Azzarella inner light and God connection.

“We are surrounded by chemicals and synthetic smells all day everywhere, and these toxic substances can cause inflammation and damage to our cells. We can’t stop breathing, so why not become more informed, educated and activated to do what we can to create a healthier environment in the areas where we spend most of our time?” says Azzarella.

The quest for a healthier more vibrant life style can be enhanced with the use of Young Living Essential Oils. Azzarella, a Young Living educator, massage therapist and instructor for the International Institute of Reflexology, encourages people to incorporate these simple essences into their daily routine, family life and at work. She will also be teaching a reflexology class April 27 and 28, in Pensacola.

Using filtered water throughout the salon.

To RSVP (required), call 850-380-4943 or email LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com. For more information, visit Laurie.MarketingScents.com. See listing, page 33.

103A North Bancroft Street, Fairhope www.BButterflySalon.com

SALON

Organic Hair Color & Products

Call today for a free consultation.

251-990-9934

natural awakenings

April 2014

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newsbriefs Eco-Friendly Painting Has Arrived McCall Painting is a new painting and decorating contractor in the Mobile Bay Area. Previously working in Marin County, California, and now located in Baldwin County, Dirk McCall brings his experience working as an EPAcertified lead paint renovator to offer our community eco-friendly solutions.

He provides safe containment and cleaning practices using the best no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints to deliver the most secure application of low off-gassing coating systems. McCall Painting is also certified by the Dirk McCall SSPC in marine coatings used in corrosion control.

McCall learned how to install paintable Scandinavian fiberglass wall coverings while working as an industrial painter for four years in Denmark. These strong, mold-inhibitive wall coverings offer European design textures for kitchen and bathroom walls. or more information, call 251-517-7406, email Me@DirkMcCall.com or visit DirkMcCall.com.

See ad, page 19.

Celebrate Earth Day with Savings Fairhope Health Foods and Virginia's Health Foods are celebrating Earth Day with great in-store deals during the month of April. All New Chapter, Renew Life, Garden of Life, derma e cosmetics and Virginia's and Fairhope Health Foods private label products will be sold for 20 percent off the regular price.

David Manning, manager of Fairhope Health Foods, says, “Come visit both of our stores at the annual Earth Day Mobile Bay event at Fairhope Pier Park on April 19. We will have lots of free samples of supplements, cleaning products, pet products and snacks to give away to everyone visiting our booths.”

There will also be information packets at the event and sign-ups for product raffles (sign up in the stores, too). The Sunflower Café will also be at the event with organic food and drinks.

For more information, call the Mobile store at 251-345-0494, the Fairhope store at 251-928-0644 or visit VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com. See ad, page 3.

Stay Connected!

Keep up with all things healthy and green. Like "Natural Awakenings" on Facebook and follow @NaturallyAwake on Twitter and Instagram.

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Medicinal Aromatherapy Certification Class Middle Earth Healing and Learning Center in Citronelle, Alabama, is offering a Wisdom of the Earth Level One Medicinal Aromatherapy Certification Class from May 2 to 4. The class provides 18 continuing education units for licensed massage therapists, as well as great insight for beginners, and enables individuals to purchase essences at a discount.

Anyone can use essential oils, but it takes education and wisdom to utilize Earth's original medicine to its fullest healing powers physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

This life-changing seminar connects rare ancient teaching with modern, cutting-edge information.

Topics include what pure medicinal aromatherapy is; how the essences are made; factors which affect quality and production; toxicity myths and the fear paradigm of allopathic medicine; application methods and the non-dilution approach; and hands-on study and use of more than 30 foundational essences.

Cost is $475 ($450 before Apr. 18 with 50 percent deposit) and includes curriculum notebook, Wisdom of the Earth Essential Oil Reference Guide and the book, Wisdom of the Earth Speaks the Truth About Medicinal Aromatherapy. For more information, call 251-866-7204 or visit MiddleEarthHealing.com. See ad, page 13.

New T-shirts at The Willow Tree The Willow Tree at Rosie Bluum, in Fairhope, has introduced a new line of T-shirts, designed and printed by a crew of local artists and entrepreneurs to uplift spirits and spread positivity to all.

A bookmark hang tag is included with each T-shirt and features the animal guide message of the seagull, which focuses on freedom. In addition to being available at the store, the collection will be available for purchase at Earth Day Mobile Bay (EarthDayMobileBay.org) on April 19. Just look for the Willow Tree at Rosie Bluum tent.

As a special gift to Mother Earth, a portion of the proceeds from the Earth Day design will be donated to a “green” educational program at one of the local high schools.

Earth Day A Resurrection We Can All Celebrate

Location: 6A S. Bancroft St., Fairhope. For more information, call 251-517-5626 or visit Facebook.com/thewillowtreeatrosiebluum for updates. See ad, page 15.

New Natural Supplements for Weight Management and Thyroid “In the mid-1990s, I started having health concerns,” relates Nick A. Jerch, founder and president of Bell Lifestyle Products, of South Haven, Michigan, and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. “I found that natural products supported my health and enhanced my life.”

Eighteen years later, his herbal nutrition and supplement company helps others access such natural products through more than 7,000 nutrition stores and pharmacies in North America.

One of its latest supplements, Shape and Health, is intended to support and enhance weight management by rejuvenating metabolism, supporting thyroid health, improving carbohydrate assimilation and easing a transition to better eating habits. Ingredients include chromium picolinate, potassium and vitamin B12, as well as extracts of black tang, guarana, kelp and wakame.

A new antioxidant-rich Thyroid Support formula aims to support efficient thyroid function and keep the metabolism in top condition. The supplement also may help improve the condition of hair, skin and nails. It incorporates these botanicals: black tang, ashwagandha, forskohlii, guggul, and the minerals zinc, selenium, copper and iodine.

The formulation also includes the amino acid L-tyrosine.

united church of christ

Sunday worship at 5 pm 1050 Azalea Rd, Mobile (at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church) opentableucc.org (251) 545-1011

For more information, call 800-333-7995 or visit BellLifestyleProducts.com. See ad, page 2. natural awakenings

April 2014

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healthbriefs

Home Renovations Aggravate Childhood Asthma

N

ew research suggests that renovation planning should involve more than just picking the right colors and styles; doing it right may help prevent childhood respiratory conditions. Researchers from St. Louis University, in Missouri, linked home renovations with increased wheezing, asthma and chronic coughing among children living in the home. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, followed 31,049 children between the ages of 2 and 14 years old from seven Chinese cities over a two-year period.

Previous research has also reached a similar conclusion, identifying some specific materials responsible for increased childhood respiratory disorders. A Russian study of 5,951 children ages 8 to 12 found that increased asthma and wheezing were related to recently completed painting, as well as the installation of new linoleum flooring, synthetic carpets, particleboard and wall coverings.

That study, published in the same journal states, “Exposure levels are the highest during and shortly after painting, but low levels of exposure may remain for several months. Wooden furniture, as well as painted or varnished and new furniture, is likely to emit chemical substances.”

A 2002 study of New York children published in the Journal of Urban Health found similar results.

GREENDRINKS earth day

celebration

Tuesday, April 8th from 5-7PM at Fairhope Brewing Company Free and open to the public www.TinyURL.com/GreenDrinksED

Live Music•Beer Specials•Food Environmental Exhibits Good People•Relaxed Atmosphere Mobile Bay Area Green Drinks is a community group that hosts informal yet engaging happy hours for environmentally thoughtful folks. Drinking is optional, attendees are welcome to stay for as little or as long as they like.

MobileBayAreaGreenDrinks@gmail.com Facebook.com/MobileBayAreaGreenDrinks 12

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Orange Oil Calms Kids in Dental Chairs

F

or centuries, aromatherapy using orange oil has been heralded in traditional herbalism for its ability to alleviate anxiety. Research published in the journal Advanced Biomedical Research now finds that aromatherapy using the same ingredient can significantly reduce a child’s anxiety at the dentist’s office.

The study, conducted at Iran’s Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Biomedical Research, tested 10 boys and 20 girls between 6 and 9 years old. In this crossover design study, participants were assigned randomly into two groups. Half the children were treated with water instead of any essential oil (control) initially and received orange aroma in the second session (intervention). Another 15 children received treatment under orange aroma in the first encounter (intervention) and were treated without any aroma the second time (control). When the children were given orange oil aromatherapy, they experienced significantly reduced heart rates and lower salivary cortisol levels compared with those not receiving it.

The results corroborate findings from a 2000 study from the University of Vienna, in Austria, published in Physiology and Behavior.

globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Pick-Me-Up Books

Mailbox Libraries Gain Worldwide Alice Mills smiles as she looks at the box that sits on her lawn in Hutchinson, Kansas, an act of kindness for neighbors and the community. Inside the box is a miniature library. Books sit on two shelves; the bottom with short stories for children and the top with novels for adults. After her children grew up and moved away from home, they took the books they wanted with them. The rest sat on a bookshelf collecting dust. “If they’re here, they’re not being read,” Mills says.

The concept for the Little Free Library began in 2009 to promote literacy and the love of reading, as well as to build a sense of community, according to LittleFreeLibrary.org. They are now popping up around the world in the United States, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, Spain, Turkey and the Congo.

A recent Pew Internet & American Life Project survey shows that Americans strongly value the role of public libraries in their communities, both for providing access to materials and resources and for promoting literacy and improving the overall quality of life. More than half used a public library in a one-year period, and 72 percent say they live in a “library household”. Most Americans say they have only had positive experiences at public libraries and value a range of library resources and services. National Library Week begins April 13.

Contributing source: HutchNews.com

CO2-Correct Food

Menus Minimize Greenhouse Gases Experts at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, at Aberdeen University, in Scotland, have created a new menu plan that is healthy and nutritious, as well as good for the environment. The researchers compiled a shopping list of 52 foods arranged in categories according to how much climate-changing greenhouse gases are produced to make and transport them (Tinyurl.com/ScottishDiet).

They then devised a weekly weight allowance for each food, which when followed, would reduce the use of greenhouse gases by about a third. Surprisingly, the list features foods such as chocolate, ice cream and red meat, but anyone wanting to reduce their carbon footprint must only eat them in relatively tiny quantities.

Some food groups, such as dairy products and meat, produce much bigger emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide than others because of the way they are manufactured and brought to market. The production of fruit, vegetables and legumes is much less likely to produce such high emissions.

Source: Scotsman.com

The Science of Nature

Our pharmacists are dedicated to natural approaches to wellness by providing personalized programs that combine lifestyle changes, nutritional recommendations, pharmaceutical grade supplements and evidence-based education.

Offering Personalized Programs for: Healthy Aging • Hormone Balance Diabetes Support • Insomnia • Depression Fibromyalgia • Smoking Cessation • Weight Loss Cholesterol Control • Blood Pressure Control Integrative Cancer Support • and more!

251-423-2299

STORE HOURS: Monday 9:30AM-9:30PM LegacySpecialtyPharmacy.com Tuesday-Friday hurstka@gmail.com 6:30PM-9:30PM 8250 Spanish Fort Blvd, Spanish Fort

Consultations Mon-Fri by appointment.

Cultivating and demonstrating a sustainable way of life ...for the health of the planet and her inhabitants.

ddle Earth i M Healing & Learning Center

Upcoming Workshop May 2, 3, 4: Certification in Medicinal Aromatherapy

This life changing weekend connects ancient teachings and modern cutting edge information and techniques on how to apply medicinal aromatherapy to your life, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Registration required.

20205 Middle Earth Rd., Citronelle, AL 251-866-7204 MidEarthHealing@yahoo.com www.MiddleEarthHealing.com natural awakenings

April 2014

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WEST MOBILE

MOBILE

FAIRHOPE REIKI CENTER OF FAIRHOPE Chester Schmidt, LMT: 251-359-0500 Julie E Brent, LMT: 251-504-5328 4 Beach Rd, Stress Management Kiosk ReikiCenterofFairhope.com THRIVE YOGA & MASSAGE Billie Reinhart, RYT, LMT 251-379-4493 Thrive@ThriveFairhope.com ThriveFairhope.com

FOLEY THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Charlene Rester, RN, LMT Located inside Align Chiropractic 117 West Orange Avenue 251-952-5555

ALABAMA HEALING ARTS Contact us for location 251-753-1937 Info@AlabamaHealingArts.com AlabamaHealingArts.com See ad, page 16.

BELLA SUNDRIES WELLNESS STUDIO 6576 Airport Boulevard, Building C 251-458-8884 Bella.Sundries.Massage@gmail.com BellaSundries.Webs.com See ad, page 31.

ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE 6920 Airport Boulevard, Suite 111 251-342-6415 Mobile@TouchOfElements.com ElementsMassage.com/Mobile

LUKE FONDREN LMT #423 Specializing in Pain Relief Olena Wellness Center 6925 Cottage Hill Road, Suite D Call/Text: 251-298-9520

MONTROSE JEN ADAMS, LMT 22787 US 98 at Parker Rd., Bdg. D, Ste. 5 251-616-4201 JenAdams.Massage@gmail.com JenAdamsLMT.info

NAN cardholders receive discounts at these businesses. Visit www.

TinyURL.com/NANCard for details.

Make our community a little GREENER...

Support our advertisers.

For every $100 spent in locally owned businesses, $68 returns to the community.

source: the350project.net

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ecotip

Redefining Local.

Heirloom Home

A Fresh Look at Furnishings that Last Why not expand on the spring tradition of home cleaning by appraising existing home furnishings and décor to see how rearrangements can freshen the whole presentation? Employing a few basic creative strategies will yield long-lasting beauty, cost savings, health benefits and utility, all adding up to enhanced sustainability.

Secondhand items readily spruce up interiors when they are thoughtfully selected. Look for gently used, new-to-you items—ranging from furniture and lamps to accent pieces like pottery and wall art—at antique and thrift shops, yard and estate sales or via online forums such as CraigsList.com and Freecycle.org. Seeking out fair trade items helps support a fair wage for artisans around the world.

Plants enliven and beautify any space while cleaning indoor air, according to a recent study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Associated Landscape Contractors of America. Plants cited as especially effective in removing formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air include bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, English ivy, gerbera (African) daisy, chrysanthemum and peace lily. Pot them in used jars or other repurposed containers to conserve materials and add character and more personality to home décor.

Overall balance is key. “An imbalanced room has large furniture grouped together at one end and lightweight furniture and bare walls at the other,” says professional designer Norma Lehmeier Hartie, author of Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet. “The effect is like being on a tilting boat in a storm.”

Furniture arrangements are best when they allow light to flow through spaces with ample allowance for moving about the room. The ideal setup facilitates worktable projects and small-group conversations. Round tables help make everyone feel like they belong, according to green living expert Annie Bond.

Sustainable kitchen wares are often the classiest. Sturdy pots, pans and kettles, like Le Creuset and Picquot Ware, may offer replacement parts and lifetime guarantees; Bialetti and Bodum coffee makers and Littala glassware are durable and long-lasting. While some may cost more upfront, their longevity saves money over time. Then there’s always grandma’s iron skillet.

Additional sources: GreenPages.org and GreenAmerica.org

Nurture Your Spirit with Retail Therapy for the Soul!

Tisserand Aromatherapy•Bach Flower Essences•Books Baudelaire Brushes & Bath Accessories•Himalayan Salt Lamps Jewelry•Shoyeido Incense•Kittrell’s Honey•White Sage Soulflower Organic Clothing•CD's & Music•Local Art and a Full Menu of Services!

6A South Bancroft St, Fairhope 251-517-5326 • RosieBluum.com

The only produce market in South Alabama where everything is grown, caught and made in Alabama.

NOW OPEN: CHASING FRESH MARKET

Mon-Sat, 9am-7pm•19176 Hwy 181, Fairhope Delivery available to Mobile & Baldwin Counties.

FRUITS, VEGETABLES, HERBS, HONEY, BREAD, MILK, MEAT, SEAFOOD, EGGS, CHEESE & MORE! Facebook.com/ChasingFresh•ChasingFresh.net 251-210-6011 • ccorte@chasingfresh.net

Happy, Healthy Living from the day they’re born.

A Maternity, Breastfeeding and Baby Store with a Certified Lactation Consultant on staff.

Medela Breastpumps (covered by most BCBS policies) Cloth Diapers • Infant Clothing Baby Carriers and Much More!

29891 Woodrow Ln, Daphne•www.BabytalkES.com 251-298-TALK • BabytalkES@gmail.com

What are your pets trying to tell you??

www.HearThemSpeak.com

Heart-Centered Telepathic

Animal Communication & Counseling

Resolve behavior issues and discord between household members of all species through agreeable compromise.

Babette de Jongh is a Reiki master and Body Talk practitioner trained in advanced-level animal communication.

Call 251-424-4944 to schedule a session. natural awakenings

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Masters of Yoga & Pilates SYNERGY

Have you had your AHA moment today?

Yoga & Pilates

Yoga • Pilates • Massage • Reiki • Counseling Classes • Trainings • CEs • Services

Mobile's Premier Yoga, Aerial Silks, & Fitness Studio

Alabama Healing Arts 251-753-1937 Info@AlabamaHealingArts.com

www.AlabamaHealingArts.com

Group Classes

Private Sessions

Dana B. Garrett

Join us for Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Total/Drip Barre, Pilates, Adult Ballet, & Conditioning Classes.

MS, ACSM, RYT Stott IM and IR Certified Stott CCB, ISP, and Core Barre Trained PhysicalMind Institute

Stop by and shop our Dance & Fitness Boutique!

www.synergyoga.net

2569 Dauphin Street • Mobile

251-470-9642•TheFitNest@yahoo.com

Facebook.com/JenniferHuntFitness

PRANA Health and Wellness

Offering a full schedule of yoga classes for all ages and levels.

A Balanced, Consistent Yoga Practice Will Change Your Life.

Join us for class today!

Contact the studio or see website for class schedule and details.

209 South Section Street in Fairhope

251-455-9359

www.PranaHealthAndWellness.com

3152 Old Shell Road, Suite 2 Mobile, Alabama 36607

251.473.1104

ADVERTISE

Your Yoga or Pilates Business on this page for

$110/mo.

Includes calendar listings to promote your classes, Facebook marketing and editorial coverage.

Call 251-990-9552 today to reserve your spot.

earthdayevents

Celebrate Earth Day 2014

For more information, call 251-752-9453 or email cwrc.sa@gmail.com Earth Day Mobile Bay Saturday, April 19 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fairhope Pier Park, Fairhope

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to Renew the Health of Our Planet

W

hether already an activist or still struggling to sort recyclables, we all have a prime opportunity during the week of April 22 to renew our individual and collective pledge to tread more lightly on the planet.

“Environmentalism touches every part of our lives, from what we eat to what we wear to what we breathe,” says Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers. “Learning about where our food comes from or how a product is made can be fun,” she continues, “and awareness is the foundation for action.”

More than a billion citizens have already registered their acts of green through the organization’s website; this year, the campaign seeks to engage a billion more.

Suggestions range from the personal, such as pledging to stop using disposable plastic, to the political, in calling our congressional representatives to reestablish a tax credit program for renewable energy.

With an estimated two out of every three people on Earth expected to be living in cities by 2050—straining water, energy and transportation systems—Earth Day Network has chosen Green Cities as this year’s theme. Advocates are calling upon cities to invest in smart grids, overhaul outdated building codes and increase public transportation options.

Visit EarthDay.org to pledge a personal act of green, find a volunteer opportunity or learn more about the re-greening of urban communities around the world. Help Mobile and Baldwin counties celebrate their progress toward sustainability at these local Earth Day 2014 events.

ing natural resources. The event will feature live music, food, vendors, informational booths, organic face painting, tours of the wildlife center’s clinic, frisbee golf course and croquet.

Amps will be powered by bicycle and solar power.

Ocean Lovers Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 5 • 5 to 8 p.m.

Pelican Place Craft Farms, Gulf Shores This fundraiser for the nonprofit educational organization, Ocean Camp, will feature Zumba, live marine animals, inflatables, face painting, food and fun. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite marine animal costume and will enjoy singing ocean songs and painting an ocean mural.

For more information, call 251-802-8605 or email OceanCamp@gmail.com.

Green Drinks Earth Day Celebration Tuesday, April 8 • 5 to 7 p.m.

Fairhope Brewing Company, Fairhope The April Green Drinks event will celebrate Earth Day with environmental nonprofit displays, beer specials, food, live music and as always, good people in a relaxed atmosphere. Free (except drinks).

This is Alabama’s largest Earth Day celebration honoring the Earth and the beautiful Mobile Bay. The annual event hosts more than 100 environmental displays. Highlights include a children’s parade, educational activities, environmental film festival, electronics recycling and live entertainment throughout the day. Free BRATS shuttle service provided from Big Lots parking lot on North Greeno Road.

For more information, call 702-496-5050 or visit EarthDayMobileBay.org. See ad, page 20.

Springhill Hospital Earth Day Tuesday, April 22 • 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Springhill Medical Center (Breezeway Drive), Mobile Springhill Hospital hosts this community event to present a variety of local and green options for the public, raising awareness to save the planet. Highlights include eco-friendly exhibitors, children’s activities and healthy snacks from Organo Gold Coffee.

For more information, call 251-460-5264.

Bald Eagle Bash Saturday, April 26 • 4 to 7 p.m.

Tonsmeire Resource Center, Fairhope

Coastal Wildlife Rescue Center Earth Day Saturday, April 12 • 10 a.m. to sundown Graham Creek Nature Preserve, Foley

This party for preservation is Weeks Bay Foundation’s annual fundraiser.

The family-friendly event will feature shrimp dishes prepared by 14 of the area’s best seafood restaurants, drinks and live music by the Modern Eldorados. Tickets are $35 in advance, and $40 the day of the event. Kids 10 and under are free.

Meet organizations and groups that educate the public about preserv-

For more information, call 251-9905004 or visit BaldEagleBash.com.

For more information, call 251-279-7517, email MobileBayAreaGreenDrinks@gmail. com or visit TinyURL.com/GreenDrinksED. See ad, page 12.

natural awakenings

April 2014

17

space to furnish, heat, cool, light, clean and maintain, we can enjoy greater financial freedom, less stress and more time for fun.

2. Deciding Where to Live

LIVE GREEN,

SAVE BIG Five Eco-Friendly Life Decisions that Can Actually Save Us Money

by Crissy Trask

E

very pivotal life decision, from choosing where we live to eating healthier, can support our best interests environmentally, as well. The good news is that it is possible to afford a sustainable way of life. Eco-friendly choices for housing, vehicles and food—generally perceived as expensive for the average individual or family—often are not only attainable when pursued in a thoughtful way, but can actually save us money compared to maintaining the status quo.

1. Buying a Home

When considering a move to a new place, we often find out how much house we can manage and then proceed to invest to the hilt. But if hitting our spending limit will leave a deficit in the amount of green and healthy home features and furnishings we can achieve, we could end up with a residence that makes neither financial nor ecological sense, and isn’t good for our health. A solution is to scale back on costly 18

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

square footage. Spending 25 to 40 percent less than we think we can on a smaller home provides more possibilities when planning the renovation budget, enabling us to create a home that is more deeply satisfying.

Nicole Alvarez, an architectural designer with Ellen Cassilly Architect, in Durham, North Carolina, who blogs at IntentionallySmall.com, says that if we value quality over quantity, place over space and living more intentionally in every aspect of our lives, we are ready for a small home.

Occupying less space has profoundly influenced her daily life and happiness.

Alvarez has found, “When space is limited, everything has a function and a purpose. Everything has to be intentional.

Over time, as you grow in the home, you make small modifications to personalize it more to adjust to your routine. You grow a strong bond with your home.”

Securing a much smaller dwelling than what we originally had designs on can lead to a lifetime of savings. With less

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Urban, suburban or rural, where we live incurs long-term repercussions on the natural environment. Choosing an established community within or close to an urban center tends to be more protective of air, water and land quality than living in a distant, car-dependent suburb, yet many families feel either drawn to or resigned to the suburbs for the lower housing prices.

But as Ilana Preuss, vice president at Washington, D.C.-based Smart Growth America, explains, “There is more to housing affordability than how much rent or mortgage we pay. Transportation costs are the second-biggest budget item for most families. In locations with access to few transportation choices, the combined cost of housing and transportation can be more than 60 percent of the total household budget. For families with access to a range of transportation choices, the combined cost can be less than 40 percent.”

In most suburbs, where the only practical transportation choice is a personal vehicle, dependency on a car takes a toll on us financially and physically. Driving a personal vehicle 15,000 miles a year can cost about $9,122 annually in ownership and operating expenses, according to AAA’s 2013 Your Driving Costs report, and hours spent daily sitting behind the wheel being sedentary is eroding our health.

Lack of transportation options is a leading detriment to the nation’s collective wellness, according to the federal agency Healthy People.

Sustainable cities provide many transportation options, including public buses and trains, car-sharing services and all forms of ride sharing; and perhaps most importantly, they are bike- and pedestrian-friendly.

Choosing communities that make it possible to reduce driving and even go car-free much of the time can save us money, reduce stress and improve our health.

3. Choosing a Car

We know two primary facts about cars: They are expensive and those with internal combustion engines pollute during operation. Still, many of us need one. Reducing the total impact and burden of owning a

car can be as simple as prioritizing fuel efficiency. It helps that fuel-sippers now come in more sizes than just small, yet small subcompacts remain a good place to start our research because of their budgetfriendly prices and high fuel economy.

A subcompact that averages 32 miles per gallon (mpg) and has a sticker price below $15,000 can save us so much money compared with a top-selling compact SUV—upwards of $16,000 over five years, according to Edmunds.com—that if we need a larger vehicle on occasion, we can more easily afford to rent one.

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), both small and midsized, can be an even better choice, averaging 41 mpg. Cost comparisons show that an HEV can save a heavily travelling city driver nearly $1,000 in fuel costs annually versus a comparably sized conventional gasoline-powered car. Although a 2014 midsized HEV has an average suggested retail price of $28,431, the category has been around long enough to create a market in previously owned vehicles. A used hybrid that is just two years old can cost up to 25 percent less than a new one.

“There is something about the American culture that makes us think a big house means we have reached success and happiness. This perception is starting to change, though.

There’s a growing community of people that want quality over quantity, value place over space, and are choosing to live more intentionally in every aspect of their lives.” ~ Nicole Alvarez

ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS • EPA Certified Lead Paint Renovator • SSPC Certified in Marine Coatings • No-VOC Paints • Wallpaper Installation • Paintable, Mold-Inhibitive Wall Coverings for Kitchen & Bath

4. Buying American

According to Consumer Reports, many shoppers prefer to buy products made

Better Service on the Surface

By the Numbers

251.517.7406 • me@dirkmccall.com • dirkmccall.com

1 The average dollar cost to fully recharge a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle battery.

God is the one Living Spirit which dwells within us all. We invite you to join us as we learn to live life with grace, wisdom, gratitude, and love.

3 The factor by which occupied living space per household member has increased in the last 60 years.

8 The percentage of goods sold in the U.S. in 1960 that were foreign made.

377 The number of hours the average American needs to work each year in order to own and operate a car, equivalent to 9.4 standard work weeks.

13,000 The dollars a person requires annually to treat Type 2 diabetes, a preventable, diet-related disease.

Sources: Go Green, Spend Less, Live Better, by Crissy Trask; In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan

Hoping Praise Duality Judging Worship Victimization Fearful Thoughts Unconsciousness Sundays: 9:30am Meditation and 10:00am Service 1230 Montlimar Drive (off Airport) Mobile, Al 36609 251-343-0777 Email: cslmobile09@gmail.com www.centerforspiritualliving-mobile.org facebook.com/centerforspirituallivingmobile

Knowing Gratitude Oneness Acceptance Celebration Personal Responsibility Affirmative Prayer Awakening

Center for Spiritual Living-Mobile It’s like night and day.

natural awakenings

April 2014

19

D h t r ay a E

Mo 4 1 bile Bay 20 The Gulf Coast’s largest and most fun Earth Day Celebration!

Saturday, April 19th 10AM-6PM

Fairhope Pier Park in Fairhope Live Music•Earth-Friendly Exhibitors Art & Educational Activities for All Ages Environmental Film Festival Free BRATS Shuttle Service

(from Big Lots Parking Lot on N Greeno Rd.)

FREE ADMISSION

www.EarthDayMobileBay.org Event sponsored by Earth Day Mobile Bay Volunteers, City of Fairhope and Alabama Sierra Club Foundation 20

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

in the USA, but with more than 60 percent of all consumer goods now produced overseas, finding American goods is not always easy.

The good news is that buying American doesn’t mean only buying American made. We back the U.S. economy and jobs when we purchase used items that have been renewed or repurposed by enterprising citizens. Creative reuse supports new and existing businesses that collect, clean, sort, recondition, refurbish, remanufacture, update, refinish, reupholster, repair, tailor, distribute and sell used parts, materials and finished goods.

Sarah Baird, director of outreach and communications of the Center for a New American Dream, an organization working to shift consumption away from wasteful trends, loves the history of used items. She says, “An item that has already lived one life has a story to tell, and is infinitely more interesting than anything newly manufactured.” Another reward is the big savings afforded by previously owned durable goods; not even America’s big-box discount retailers can beat these genuine bargains.

Of course, not everything is available in the used marketplace, but when it makes sense, we can proudly know that our purchases support American ingenuity and workers.

5. Getting Healthy

Going green is healthy in innumerable ways. In addition to driving less, banning toxic products from our household cupboards and dinner plates is another solid place to start on the road to improved well-being for ourselves and the planet.

Toxic consumer products pollute the planet, from manufacture through use and disposal. They aren’t doing us any favors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average human body now contains an estimated 700 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals due to exposure to toxic consumer products and industrial chemicals. After researching proper local disposal of such hazards, replace them on future shopping forays with safer choices. It’s an investment in our health that can save untold pain and money and pay off big time in avoiding health problems ranging from cancer, asthma and chronic diseases to impaired fertility, birth defects and learning disabilities according to the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition.

To reduce exposure to the toxins that are commonly sprayed on conventional crops, select sustainable and organic versions of foods to prepare at home whenever possible. Such choices help keep both our bodies and the environment healthy and can be surprisingly affordable compared with eating out and consuming prepackaged convenience foods.

By substituting whole foods for prepared foods, cooking more meals at home and practicing good eating habits—like eating less meat and downsizing portions—the average person can enjoy high-quality food for $7 to $11 per day. This matches or falls below what the average American daily spends on food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Considering that diet-related diseases can cost afflicted families thousands of dollars a year, better food choices can make us not only healthier, but wealthier, too.

Crissy Trask is the author of Go Green, Spend Less, Live Better.

Connect at CrissyTrask.com.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Eat Fresh. Buy Local.

Treat your locavore palate to farm-fresh foods while contributing to a healthier planet and a more prosperous local economy. Support these Mobile/Baldwin businesses!

Farmers Markets CHASING FRESH MARKET

19176 Highway 181, Fairhope 251-210-6011 • ChasingFresh.net Open 9am-7pm, Monday-Saturday The only produce market in South Alabama where everything is grown, caught and made in Alabama.

Fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, dairy and meats.

Organic and hydroponic options. Delivery to Baldwin and Mobile Counties available. See ad, page 15.

MARKET ON THE SQUARE MARKET ON THE HILL Two Locations, Mobile 251-208-1453 • NCS.Mobile.org

Local produce, baked goods, honey, flowers, soaps, live music and more. Downtown at Cathedral Square on Saturdays, 7:30am-noon (4/26-7/26). On the Hill at Old Shell/University on Thursdays, 3-6pm (5/297/31). See ad, back cover.

PRODUCE Clubs OFF THE VINE ORGANIC PRODUCE 100% Certified Organic Box Program 850-374-2181 • OffTheVine.org

All organic, all the time. Mixed fruit and vegetable, all fruit or juicing shares available. New selection online each Friday, order on Sundays. Local pickup or delivery. Celebrating 12 years of service!

Windmill Market's Produce Club

85 North Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-990-8883 • Info@WindmillMarket.org

A weekly delivery of local and seasonal fruits, veggies, organic milk, cheese, grass-fed beef and more delivered from Baldwin County farms to your table every week!

Six box sizes to fit your family's needs. Home delivery and Mobile pickup option also available!

GRoCERY STORES Fairhope Health Foods

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store featuring local products: organic produce, organic milk, meat, eggs, honey and soap. See ad, page 3.

Virginia's Health Foods 3952 Airport Boulevard, Mobile 251-345-0494 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Comprehensive health food store featuring local products: organic produce, organic milk, meat, eggs, honey and soap. See ad, page 3.

WestSide Grocery

85 North Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-990-8883 WindmillMarket.org Local grocery sells the area's best produce, grassfed meat, Alabama's organic milk, locally made cheeses, Gulf seafood, local honey, sweets, baked goods and more! Best prices in town on produce, too!

Restaurants & BaKERIES MANNA BAKERY

251-447-8667 Info@Manna-Bakery.com Manna-Bakery.com Mobile's first organic bakery offers 100% organic breads including wholegrain, sweet and gluten-free choices, as well as European style desserts. Desserts are 100% all natural. We bake upon order, delivery within Mobile, Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope and Dauphin Island. Seasonal specialties.

Sunflower Cafe I

320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Organic cafe serving lunch and Sunday brunch.

Local produce, herbs and meats used. Menu online. See ad, page 3.

Sunflower Cafe II

3952 Airport Boulevard, Mobile 251-345-0495 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Organic cafe and juice bar. Local produce, herbs and meats used. Menu online. See ad, page 3.

Sweet Olive bakery & Cafe This logo identifies businesses that accept Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) discount cards.

To learn more, visit www.TinyURL.com/ NANCard.

live green. build green.

MIKE KERR CONSTRUCTION LLC Certified Green Builder

85 North Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-990-8883 • SweetOlive.co

Open for breakfast and lunch every day until 5 p.m. serving European-style, artisan baked goods; freshly squeezed fruit and veggie juices; smoothies; daily lunch specials like fish tacos and poboys; delicious food to go; hot breakfast plates, and more!

SCIATICA? BACK PAIN? HIP PAIN? POOR POSTURE? Relaxing 20 minutes daily on the Sacro Wedgy® may

be all you need. Placed under the sacrum, it allows the hips to suspend and relax, letting go of nerves and ultimately “rebalancing.”

The SACRO WEDGY®

Specializing in Energy Efficiency, Reclaimed Materials, Low VOC Paints and Flooring Commercial • Residential • New Construction • Remodeling

251-391-4848 www.mikekerrconstructionllc.com

For individual self-care and therapists.

Only $33.95.

Free demonstration with appointment.

www.sacrowedgy.com 251-653-9258 or 800-737-9295 natural awakenings

April 2014

21

greenliving

scrubbing agent for bathrooms, refrigerators and ovens.

Borax, a natural mineral, improves the effectiveness of laundry soap. Although classified (as is salt) as a low-level health hazard that should be kept away from children and animals, borax is non-carcinogenic and isn’t absorbed through skin.

HOMEMADE ECO-CLEANERS DIY Recipes Keep Your Home Naturally Clean

by Lane Vail

A

mericans use 35 million pounds of toxic household cleaning products annually. According to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, in Los Angeles, traces of cleaning chemicals can be found throughout the human body within seconds of exposure, posing risks like asthma, allergies, cancer, reproductive toxicity, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity and death.

Equally sobering is the decades of research suggesting a relationship between the overuse of powerful disinfectants and the rise of antibiotic-resistant super bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as concerns over these toxins entering water supplies and wildlife food chains.

Cleaning product labels lack transparency, says Johanna Congleton, Ph.D., a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, because “manufacturers aren’t required to specify ingredients.”

One approach to assure safe ingredients is do-it-yourself (DIY) products. For Matt and Betsy Jabs, the authors of DIY Natural Household Cleaners who blog at DIYNatural.com, creating homemade cleaners is a rewarding exercise in sustainability and simplicity. “We’re cutting through all the marketing and getting back to basics,” says Matt. Affordability is another benefit: The Jabs’ homemade laundry detergent costs five cents per load,

22

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

compared with 21 cents for a store brand.

Annie B. Bond, a bestselling author and pioneering editor of the award-winning Green Guide, dispels a DIY myth: “What’s time-consuming isn’t making the cleaners; it’s making the decision to switch and figuring it all out,” she says.

Nine Basics

Find these multitasking ingredients in local groceries and health stores or online.

White vinegar effectively cleans, deodorizes, cuts grease and disinfects against bacteria, viruses and mold.

Castile soap in liquid or bar form serves as a biodegradable, vegetable-based surfactant and all-around cleaner (avoid mixing with vinegar, which neutralizes its cleansing properties).

Baking soda cleans, whitens, neutralizes odors and softens water. It’s an excellent

Washing soda, a caustic chemical cousin of baking soda, softens water and removes stains. Bond advises, “It’s a heavy duty cleaner as powerful as any toxic solvent,” so wear gloves.

Hydrogen peroxide is considered an effective disinfectant and bleach alternative by the Environmental Protection Agency. Use it to whiten grout and remove stains.

Essential oils derived from plants infuse cleaners with fragrance and boost germfighting power. Tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender oils all boast antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The Jabs advise that although they can be pricy, “The investment will pay for itself many times over.”

Lemon juice or citric acid cuts through grease, removes mold and bacteria and leaves dishes streak-free.

Coarse kosher salt helps soften dishwasher water and acts as a scouring agent.

Home Formulas

All-purpose cleaner: Homemade Cleaners: Quick-and-Easy Toxin-Free Recipes,

by Mandy O’Brien and Dionna Ford, suggests combining one cup of vinegar, one cup of water and 15 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle. Use it anywhere, including glass and mirrors. For serious disinfecting, follow with a hydrogen peroxide spray.

Foaming hand/dish soap: Shake one cup of water, a quarter-cup of castile soap and 15 drops of essential oil in a foaming dispenser. Use in bathrooms and kitchens.

Dishwashing detergent: DIYNatural

More than 95 percent of “green” products manipulate labels by providing irrelevant information (declaring a product is free of an already illegal chemical), being vague (masking poisons as natural ingredients), outright lying (claiming false endorsements) and other maneuvers.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

~ TerraChoice Group

recommends mixing one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda, a half-cup of citric acid and a half-cup of coarse kosher salt. Leave it uncovered for several days, stirring often to prevent clumping. Cover and refrigerate. Use one tablespoon per load with a half-cup of citric acid in the rinse to combat streaks.

Laundry detergent: Combine one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda and one 14-ounce bar of grated castile soap.

Use one tablespoon per load, adding a half-cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle. Prior to washing, use hydrogen peroxide as a stain remover (test first; it may lift color).

Bathroom soft scrub: Bond recommends creating a thick paste with liquid castile soap and a half-cup of baking soda. Scour tubs, showers and stainless steel surfaces with a sponge, and then rinse.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle one cup of borax into the toilet at bedtime and then clean the loosened grime with a brush the next morning, advises Bond. Wipe outer surfaces with the all-purpose spray.

Wood polish: Bond recommends mixing a quarter-cup of vinegar or lemon juice with a few drops of olive and lemon oil.

Hard floor cleaner: Environmental Working Group’s DIY Cleaning Guide suggests combining a half-gallon of hot water with one cup of white vinegar in a bucket to mop.

Lane Vail is a freelance writer in South Carolina. Connect at WriterLane.com.

Now Open in Fairhope!

by Lane Vail

A

mericans, comprising less than 5 percent of the world’s population, use 30 percent of the world’s paper, according to the Worldwatch Institute. Some 13 billion pounds of this comes from paper towels, mostly landfilled because grime-soaked paper is non-recyclable.

Ecological and economical alternatives include cloth dishrags, towels, napkins, wipes and handkerchiefs plus washable diapers and menstrual pads. Jean Calleja, co-owner of the Eco Laundry Company, in New York City, suggests customers buy recycled, organic, unbleached cloths and local products when possible.

At the table: Cloth napkins enhance mealtime. Buy or make plain napkins (by hemming cotton fabric squares) for everyday use and celebrate holidays with fancy-patterned fabric rolled into napkin rings.

Food for Living

with Cynthia Galas, the Southern Vegan

A local lunch for anyone interested in experiencing and learning about nourishing your body with fresh, whole food choices. Demystify protein and find out what’s best for sustaining long-term optimal health.

Friday, April 25th | 12-1:30pm | Rosie Bluum, Fairhope Fresh, whole food (without additives and preservatives) can maintain and heal the body to create optimum health. Every body has different needs and every set of tastebuds has unique preferences, but we all need to eat healthy, balanced meals.

199 Baldwin Square in Fairhope (old Blockbuster building)

251-626-5464

Buy a 32 oz smoothie with enhancer, Get one 20 oz smoothie FREE!

Laundering linens: Change cleaning rags often, hang-drying them thoroughly before adding to the laundry basket. Wash kitchen and bathroom rags (added to the bathroom towel load) separately each week. According to Calleja, “Presoaking rags overnight in a non-toxic, chlorine-free, whitening solution can make a huge difference in getting them clean.”

Combine a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide with two to three gallons of water, spot-testing every fabric first for colorfastness. Calleja also likes using a white vinegar and eucalyptus oil rinse aid to dissolve soap residue, soften fabric and leave a fresh scent.

In the kitchen: Use washcloths or repurpose cotton T-shirts into 10-by10-inch squares to use regularly with a homemade all-purpose cleaner on surfaces. Replace paper towels with cloth towels for drying hands.

smoothies • enhancers • supplements • snacks 28841 Hwy 98, Ste E in Daphne

In the bathroom: Substitute chlorineladen disinfecting wipes with homemade reusable ones. DIYNatural.com recommends mixing three-quarters of a cup of white vinegar, three-quarters of a cup of water and 25 drops of essential oil in a glass mason jar. Stuff five to seven washcloths into the jar, seal with a lid and shake, so the solution is absorbed into each wipe. Pull out a ready-made disinfecting wipe for a quick clean.

Cooking Classes | Meal Delivery | Consultations

Carpet cleaner: Freshen rugs by sprinkling baking soda at night and vacuuming in the morning, suggests Bond. For deeper cleaning, combine one cup of vinegar and two-and-a-half gallons of water in a steam cleaner.

Cloth Tools Replace Paper

Cynthia Galas

Cynthia is an adjunct fitness and nutrition professor at ASU and Community College, Ayurveda Consultant, Wellness Coach and Caterer.

Personal meal delivery and special event catering services also available.

To learn more and register call 205-746-6632 or email cynthiagalas@yahoo.com today!

natural awakenings

April 2014

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healthykids

Backyard Birds and Butterflies Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids

by Avery Mack

C

reating a backyard wildlife habitat provides valuable teaching moments. With planning and care, birds, bats, butterflies and bunnies can view yards as safe havens and sources for food, water and shelter, providing endless fascination.

Josh Stasik, a father of three and owner of SweetSeed.com, in Syracuse, New York, sees firsthand how feeding winged wonders can be an inexpensive way to start a new family activity. “My mom taught me about flowers and bird feeders. I hope my kids will someday pass the information along to their children,” he says.

Habitat plantings and available foods determine what creatures will 24

photo courtesy of Susan Gottlieb, of Venice, California

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe Measure one part ordinary white sugar to four parts water (no unhealthy red dye needed). Boil the water first, and then mix the nectar while the water is hot; the sugar will easily dissolve.

Source: TomatoEnvy.com

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

visit. “Native plants attract native bugs that are eaten by native birds and bats,” observes Stasik, noting that staff at extension services and garden centers can provide helpful advice.

Based on his own research, Stasik knows, “Bird species have definite tastes in food. Bluebirds love mealworms. Hummingbirds like floral nectars. Orioles look for citrus fruit. Butterflies are eclectic sippers of both floral and citrus.”

Hummingbirds pose particular appeal for kids and adults because they appear always on the move.

Hummingbirds.net/map. html follows their migration sites.

Videographer Tom Hoebbel, owner of TH Photography, outside Ithaca, New York, builds birdhouses and nesting

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

boxes with his kids. They also participate in the annual Christmas bird count for the Audubon Society (Birds.Audubon.org/ Christmas-bird-count). The Great Backyard Bird Count, a joint project between nonprofits Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, follows in February (gbbc.

BirdCount.org).

“In our yard, we have five nesting boxes made from reused wood. Once or twice a week, we check to see who lives there and how many eggs there are,” says Hoebbel. “So far, we’ve seen bluebirds, chickadees and house wrens.”

He laments the rapid decline of bats in the Northeast due to pesticides killing bugs, the main course for birds and bats.

“In the winter, bats live in caves, so we put one-by-one-foot boxes in the yard for their summer homes.” Warm evenings on the patio are more enjoyable when bats clean up the mosquito population; a single bat can eat as many as 1,000 in an hour.

The monarch butterfly population is another favorite species in decline, with the spectacular annual migration on the verge of disappearing due to illegal deforestation, climate change, expansion of crop acreage and imposition of genetically modified plants that reduce the growth of native species. “You can help them by planting perennial milkweed in your garden,” advises Brande Plotnick, founder of Tomato Envy, in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Milkweed is the food of choice because it makes the caterpillars and butterflies toxic to birds and other predators. Also consider planting garden phlox, coneflower and lantana. Migrating monarchs live about nine months and fly up to 30 miles per hour.

Plotnick also suggests planting an herb garden that includes parsley.

“Swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on parsley, caterpillars hatch and feed on it, and eventually create a chrysalis,” she says. “You’ll be able to see the entire butterfly life cycle.”

Rabbits add another dimension to backyard wildlife. Just as birds and butterflies need trees, bushes and plants to land on and hide in, bunnies need ground cover. The Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries counsels that brush piles should start with a base of large limbs, logs or stones to raise the floor above ground and create tunnels and escape routes, plus a home base. Top with smaller branches

and maybe a recycled Christmas tree or dead plants. Encourage structural density and permanence with live vines. The resulting brush pile should be igloo-shaped and about six to eight feet tall and wide.

Visit Tinyurl.com/BunnyShelters.

City ordinances or subdivision regulations might prohibit brush piles in ordinary yards. Find out how to gain certification as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation at Tinyurl. com/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat.

Rabbits can have as many as seven babies per litter, depending on the species. Make sure their space is sufficient.

Before attracting bunnies to the yard, be aware of local predators—hawks, owls, coyote, dogs and stray cats. The brush pile may also attract other animals like skunks, raccoons and reptiles.

A wildlife habitat is a fun, ongoing learning experience. It calls on math skills for bird counts, geography to follow migration maps and woodworking to build homesites and feeding spots. It becomes a lesson in local ecology and the roles of native plants and animals. When children comprehend they can help save wildlife, it’s also a lesson in hope.

Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect at AveryMack@ mindspring.com.

Habitat Tips Recognize the basic needs of all wildlife; food, water, cover and safe places to raise young.

4 Determine the most desirable species to attract and learn their specific needs.

4 Evaluate current yard habitat conditions for missing elements.

4 Develop a plant list; select for wildlife value, emphasizing native plants suitable for the region.

4 Realize that habitat will grow larger and mature.

4 Certify the family’s backyard wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.

Source: Education Department at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA

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fitbody

Qi Whiz

Qigong Steps Up Vitality and Serenity

by Meredith Montgomery

A

proven practice for supporting health and self-healing, qigong has been used in China for millennia to maintain and improve physical, mental and emotional well-being.

"Qi" (pronounced chee) refers to the life force or vital energy present in all things throughout the universe while “gong” means dedicated effort or steady practice of a skill.

Qigong is the art of working intensely with this energy, cultivating life force.

Acupuncture physician and qigong instructor Walter Hayley, in Bonita Springs, Florida, became passionate about qigong while working as a stockbroker in need of stress relief. He compares qigong’s movement of energy in the body to water running through a hose: “Qi is concentrated in channels throughout the body. Think of the qi as water and those channels as a garden hose branching out to every aspect of the individual. Stress, whether physical or emotional, can kink the hose. Qigong helps get the kinks out,” he explains. “It relaxes the body, letting energy flow more efficiently, allowing the body to heal itself.”

Qigong styles vary, but Hayley remarks that most involve slow movement, focused awareness and special breathing techniques. Many describe the practice as a moving meditation.

Qigong teacher Judith Forsyth, in Mobile, Alabama, says, “It’s often described as the mother of tai chi. When the quiet, internal energy art of qigong mixed with the powerful external martial arts, it developed into tai chi.” She emphasizes that the focus 26

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

of qigong is less on its physical mechanics and more on understanding how the vital force moves through the body and can be used to enhance health and longevity.

Inside the body, there’s an integrated network of subtle energy centers that international Qigong Master Robert Peng believes are connected to the capacity for genuine happiness. The goal is to awaken and pack these centers with qi. “By repeating slow, gentle movements over and over, you can develop the body’s capacity to draw qi from the universe. It can be stored in these centers and later channeled back through the body to empower your daily activities,” explains Peng, author of The Master Key: The Qigong Secret for Vitality, Love, and Wisdom.

He focuses on three of the body’s big energy portals: the “third eye”, located between the eyebrows; the “heart center”, at the center of the chest on the sternum and the “sea of qi”, just below the navel. The idea is that when energy is accessed in these three centers, specific spiritual qualities are accessed: wisdom, love and vitality (respectively). Harmonizing all three is ideal.

Peng advises that when these essential elements are woven together in

balance, dynamic happiness is possible.

“You begin to project more wisdom, love, vitality, inspiration and peacefulness.

Conversations flow more smoothly. Your life becomes more productive, meaningful and serene,” he says. “Whatever the challenges encountered, you’ll be better equipped to deal with them, while remaining inwardly content.”

Forsyth was first guided to qigong when the prescribed rest, drugs, exercise and physical therapy following an accident left her with lingering neck and back problems. She recalls, “After eight weeks of practice, I experienced significant physical improvement, not only where I had considerable pain, but in my overall energy level, ability to sleep and the condition of my skin and hair. The peace and harmonizing meditation benefits of qigong were also affecting me positively in other ways. I became less worried, less of a perfectionist, less stressed out and began to experience more joyfulness.”

While all styles benefit overall health, specific qigong exercises may be prescribed for specialized needs, from athletic conditioning to management of chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension or cancer. The gentle movements can be performed by almost anyone at any age and ability level, even those confined to a chair or bed. “Qigong speaks to the body and the body then addresses the condition,” Hayley remarks.

The experts advise that qigong is best practiced every day, even if for just five minutes. “A group class offers a synergy that a home practice lacks, but the more important practice is at home,” observes Hayley. Some personal instruction is ideal so the practitioner receives feedback, but books and videos make qigong accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Hayley reminds newbies, “Just be patient. If one form doesn’t suit you, remember there are thousands of different forms to try.”

Peng’s advice to beginners is, “Be happy! Think of the exercise as lighthearted play and remember to smile as you move.”

By adding qigong to their daily routines, children learn to channel energy and enhance concentration; office workers reduce stress; seniors enhance balance and quality of life; and caregivers and midwives advance abilities to help others. ~ The National Qigong Association

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Local World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Celebrations Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m.

Via Senior Center

One World, One Breath:

World Tai Chi Day

by Judith Forsyth

At 10 a.m., April 26, people will gather around the world to celebrate World Tai Chi & Qigong Day and practice these internal arts. Originated by Bill and Angela Douglas, in Kansas City, Missouri, more than a decade ago, the annual event will begin in New Zealand and spread around the world, time zone by time zone. Alabama tai chi and qigong practitioners will participate in the day’s events in several locations.

S

tudents will perform the 24 form competition version of yang style tai chi during the World TCQ Day event at Via Senior Center, in Mobile. David Marshall, a longtime tai chi practitioner who leads the tai chi group at Via, says, "Tai chi appeals to me because it's unlimited; I will never get to the end of it.” Of the physical benefits of the practice, he says, “To me it's like eating healthy food versus fast food—you know the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs—this is what I need to continue on." The group has been participating in the event for many years with their teacher, Marty Burrow, whose class will also demonstrate the sword and fan forms.

Susan Chan practices with Grandmaster Shi DeRu at the Shaolin Institute, in Mobile. Chan came to the practice more than 20 years ago because she had numerous health problems, including degenerative discs in her neck and spine.

Now almost 70 years old, Chan has avoided surgery and does not take medication. “I am healthier now than I have ever been, and I enjoy the practice so much,” says Chan, who organizes the Institute’s

World TCQ Day event that includes tai chi demonstrations at Cathedral Square, in downtown Mobile, where the public will be invited to participate in breathing exercises with the instructors.

Pat Rutland, practicing with the Alabama branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society USA, in Montgomery, was smitten by the graceful movement of tai chi practitioners in public parks while she and her husband were living in the Republic of Singapore.

She describes tai chi in a variety of ways.

For her family, she explains it as a slowmotion stretching exercise that keeps her strong and healthy and off the couch. To older folks, she says it is not just an activity to be enjoyed for a lifetime with no tennis elbows or runners' knees, but rather an expectation of a stronger and more balanced body. For couples, she describes a dance-like practice together that will support each other's fitness.

Rutland has noticed that the physical benefits from her practice are applying to her everyday life. “My legs are surely stronger than ever; gardening tasks like digging holes and moving rocks are easier, and I likely have new neural pathways

1717 Dauphin Street, Mobile 251-470-5222 Paint2@me.com ViaMobile.org

Shaolin Institute Cathedral Square, Mobile 251-662-3225 SusanGoucher@LIUInstitute.com Shaolin-World.net For more events, visit WorldTaiChiDay.org.

Purposes of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day: 1) To educate the world of the profound health and healing benefits of tai chi and qigong for individuals, communities and nations 2) To thank Chinese culture for creating and sharing these profoundly valuable gifts with the world 3) To bring together people across racial, economic, religious and geopolitical boundaries to join together for the purpose of health and healing, providing an example to the world 4) To give a powerful example of how the power of the internet can be used to foster global health and healing.

natural awakenings

April 2014

27

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from learning the tai chi form,” she notes.

“The fact that you are in unison... oneness...with your set-mates adds a team spirit or spiritual dimension for me,” explains Rutland. “Equally valuable to me are the dear friends with whom I practice the tai chi set. I especially treasure those in their 70s, 80s and 90s who show up to care for their bodies and have fun doing it. They are true examples of balanced living, and I am comforted and inspired to practice with them.”

Joan Dixon is a new student practicing qigong tai chi with Blue Willow Wellness at Quiet Mind Studio, in midtown Mobile, and she particularly enjoys the portion of class that is devoted to meditation. “There are so many ways to meditate, and I enjoy all of them. I always feel better coming out of the class,” says Dixon.

Lori Bosarge, from Coden, practices with the Blue Willow Wellness class in Theodore. Says Bosarge, “We don’t often get a chance for these kinds of classes in our rural area. In just a few classes, I am already sleeping better; I am more relaxed, even though I have the same busy schedule and I find my health problems

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Ronald Driesbach, instructor for the Tai Chi for All group, in Fairhope, teaches yang style forms and a form by Dr. Paul Lam, based on sun style tai chi, titled, Tai Chi for Arthritis. “I find it to be relaxing and highly meditative, and I was drawn to the art form as a means of attaining greater serenity,” explains Driesbach. He has found that tai chi can lower blood pressure, increase balance and develop a more healthy body, as well as a sharper mind. Driesbach believes that it is not just about learning the movements, “Tai chi is a process; the point of it is the evolution of the practitioner, not the acquisition of the art,” he explains.

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calendarofevents Dates and times may change. Please call ahead to confirm. All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Go to TinyURL.com/NACalendar to submit entries.

Celebrate Earth Day! See page 17 for a schedule of local Earth Day events.

TUESDAY, APRIL 1

Breast Friends Forever Support Group – 5:30pm.

The mission of BFF is to create an atmosphere for breast cancer survivors to come together and receive and give emotional support and psychological support to one another. 2nd floor of MCI in the Multipurpose Room. Free. Mitchell Cancer Institute, 1660 Springhill Ave, Mobile. Darlene Chavers: 251631-3989. usamci.com.

Saturday, APRIL 5

Ocean Lovers Earth Day Celebration – 5-8pm.

Dress as your favorite marine animal; enjoy fun water activities, see live marine animals; Zumba session and food. Celebrate World Water Day with other water lovers! $5 donation to Ocean Camp.

Pelican Place, Hwy 59 at Cty Rd 4, Gulf Shores.

OceanCamp@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6

Young Living Education & Meditation Evening – 5:30pm. Learn how you can use essential oils to improve your health and well-being, as well as stocking your natural medicine cabinet. Evening will include discussion, application, meditation and refreshments. Taught by Stacey Vann and Melanie Buffett. Free. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope. 251-455-9359.

PranaHealthAndWellness.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8

markyourcalendar Green Drinks Earth Day Celebration

Celebrate Earth Day with beer specials, food, live music and environmental exhibits by area nonprofit organizations. Mobile Bay Area Green Drinks is a monthly happy hour open to anyone interested in sustainable living. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks.

April 8 • 5-7pm

Fairhope Brewing Company 914 Nichols Avenue, Fairhope 251-279-7517 MobileBayAreaGreenDrinks@gmail.com TinyURL.com/GreenDrinksED Facebook.com/MobileBayAreaGreenDrinks

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

Usui Reiki Level I & II with Julie E Brent – 9:30am-5:30pm, Apr 12-13. Attunements for I & II are given; techniques in W. Rands manual "Reiki: the Healing Touch" are covered including Reiki hand positions and giving a complete treatment for self and others; The Reiki II symbols and how to use them; Distance healing and more. $350 door/ prepaid $299. Reiki Center of Fairhope, Fairhope.

Julie: 251-504-5328. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@ gmail.com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events/.

MONDAY, April 14

Ocean Camp Spring Break Week – 8:30am-4pm.

Apr 14-18. Children 5-12 years. Pool, scuba/snorkel class 8 years up; volleyball, visits to the beach with a daily marine animal theme. Games and choice of learning opportunities in art, crafts, model building, etc. based on the daily themes. $250/wk or $60/day.

Gulf Shores Beach Retreat, 1054 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores. OceanCamp@gmail.com.

Full Moon Meditation – 7:30pm. Experience the downpour of spiritual energy that is especially available at this time of the month as we become instruments of divine blessings to the planet and as we raise our vibration to higher awareness and expanded levels of consciousness. Donation. Mobile.

Call for details: 251-454-0959.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15

Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group – 5:30pm.

The Trigeminal Neuralgia support group gives you the opportunity to meet others that suffer from trigeminal neuralgia and provides a supportive and engaging environment that stimulates informative talks, provides meaningful education and resources.

Free. Mitchell Cancer Institute, 1660 Springhill Ave, Mobile. RSVP: 251-445-9616. usamci.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Pranic Healing at Earth Day – 10am. Please join us in celebrating this year’s Earth Day at the Fairhope Pier. Stop by our booth for an amazing free energy healing session and aura cleansing. Experience what it is like to have your energy field balanced, cleansed and refreshed! Donation. Fairhope Pier Park. 251-454-0959.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22

MCI Lunch and Learn: The Coping Stages of Cancer – 12-1pm. This interactive support group provides an open forum for meaningful discussion of various topics related to the treatment and management of cancer. An expert in the field guides the discussion. To RSVP please call 251-445-9647.

Free. Mitchell Cancer Institute, 1660 Springhill Ave, Mobile. usamci.com.

Unlocking Your Intuition – 7pm. Toxins affect us - physically, mentally and emotionally, but more importantly they affect our pineal gland. Learn how the pineal gland houses our intuition and how environmental chemicals suppress our inner light and God connection. $5 at the door. RSVP required.

Office/Home, Bay Branch Estates, Daphne. 850380-4943. LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com. Laurie.

MarketingScents.com.

Friday, April 25

Alabama Healing Arts Student Orientation Weekend – Apr 25-27. Acclimates new students who received AHA acceptance letters to their school. Provides information and materials, tips on balancing school with life, study strategies and a tour of the facility. Food and drinks provided.

Congratulations, and welcome! Free to AHA students. For more info or to apply for enrollment: 251-753-1937. Info@AlabamaHealingArts.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Food for Living Lunch with Cynthia Galas, the Southern Vegan – 12-1:30pm. A local lunch for anyone interested in experiencing and learning about nourishing your body with fresh, whole food choices. Demystify protein and find out what’s best for sustaining long-term optimal health. $15. Rosie Bluum, 6A S Bancroft St, Fairhope. Call for details: 205-746-6632. CynthiaGalas@yahoo.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

Quantum-Touch Level One Workshop – 9:30am5:30pm, Apr 26-27. Q-T works deeply at the cellular level, raising the energy for the innate healing intelligence of the body to activate. No experience needed. Enhances other modalities! NCTMB Massage 12.5/Nurses 13 CEs available. Certified Instructor Julie E Brent. $400 door/ $350 prepaid.

Reiki Center of Fairhope, Fairhope. Julie: 251504-5328. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@gmail.com.

ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events/.

Childbirth Essentials – 11am. Explore perceptions of pain and tools to use in labor; expectations of hospital admissions; tips for dads; and postpartum care. Registration required. Babytalk Eastern Shore, 29891 Woodrow Ln, Daphne. 251298-8255. BabytalkES@gmail.com.

Feng Shui Your Way to Great Organization!

– 10am-1pm. Learn to use Feng Shui and tips from professional organizers to transform chaos into space that works! $25. Center for Spiritual Living, 1230 Montlimar Dr, Mobile. RSVP Cindi Flowers: 251-290-0206. QiFlowDesigns.com for details.

World Tai Chi Qigong Day – 10am. Cathedral Square in downtown Mobile and Via Senior Center, Mobile. See article on page 27 for events and details.

WorldTaiChiDay.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

Reflexology Workshop – 7:45am-5pm. Apr 2728. Learn therapeutic Ingham Foot Reflexology taught by Laurie Azzarella, International Institute of Reflexology Instructor. Use on family, friends or professional clients. 16 CEUS for therapists. $375 for new students includes materials. Office/ Home, Fallen Tree Dr, Cantonment, FL 32533.

850-380-4943. LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com.

Reflexology-usa.net.

natural awakenings

April 2014

29

Reflex-OIL-ogy – 6:30-8:30pm. Come experience Ingham Foot Reflexology enhanced with Young Living Essential Oils. Learn how to help relieve back pain and respiratory and digestive problems by using oils on the reflexes of your feet. Bring a loved one and empower your health! $10 at the door. Office/Home, Fallen Tree Dr, Cantonment, FL 32533. 850-380-4943. LaurieAzzarella@gmail. com. Laurie.MarketingScents.com.

Monday, April 28

Alabama Healing Arts Massage Therapy Program Begins – Start of daytime and evening 650-hour curriculum. Includes various hands-on techniques, fundamental sciences, student massage clinic and outreach practicums. Qualified, experienced, compassionate educators are ready to assist every step of the way. For more info or to apply for enrollment: 251-753-1937. Info@AlabamaHealingArts.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Saturday, May 3

Alabama Healing Arts Reiki Level I Training – 10am-5pm. Learn to give professional Reiki treatments from master teacher since 2002. History, technique, attunements and more. Perform full-body treatments on self and others. Certificates suitable for framing issued after completing 10 clinic hours. 16 CEs. For more info or to apply for enrollment: 251-753-1937. Info@ AlabamaHealingArts.com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 2

Delta Discoveries Science/Art Camp – 9am-12pm, Jun 2-6 and Jul 28-Aug 1. Join us as 5 Rivers for a week of live, interactive and hands-on science and art activities (painting, printmaking, construction and assemblage) exploring the wide variety of animals living in our delta. $125. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. Juli Day: 251-3770054. Jujuhiker@gmail.com.

Friday, July 11

Alabama Healing Arts 200-/500-hour Yoga Teacher Training – Jul 11-13. Immersive hatha training includes fundamental sciences, specific teaching methodologies, breath/meditation practices and in-depth yogic philosophy. Special rates for self-development-only students. Flexible program allows students to start any month. For more info or to apply for enrollment: 251-753-1937. Info@AlabamaHealingArts.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

FRIDAY, July 25

Alabama Healing Arts 300-/500-hour Yoga Teacher Training – Jul 25-27. For 200-level teachers to advance to 500; or for 500-hour trainees. Those in 500-hour training must also attend the 200-hour.

Graduating students have option of registering with Yoga Alliance. This flexible program allows students to start any month. For more info or to apply for enrollment: 251-753-1937. Info@AlabamaHealingArts. com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

ongoingevents Please call ahead to confirm dates and times. All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Go to TinyURL.com/NACalendar to submit entries.

sunday Discounts on Supplements – Every Sunday get 15% off supplements at Fairhope Health Foods (251-9280644) and Virginia's Health Foods (251-345-0494).

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope and 3952 Airport Blvd, Mobile. VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com.

Center for Spiritual Living Service – 10am. Make every step, every choice, every word, a conscious one. Center for Spiritual Living, 1230 Montlimar, Mobile. Rev. Sherrie Quander: 251-343-0777.

CenterForSpiritualLiving-Mobile.org.

Sunday Service – 10:30am. Explore a spiritual pathway with Mobile Unitarian Universalists, 6345 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. UUFM.org.

Sunday Service – 10:30am. Questioning, understanding and growing together spiritually as we enjoy the adventure of life. Center for Joyful Living, 60 N Ann St, Mobile. 251-391-6960.

Sunday Worship – 11am. Celebrate Spirit in this special and sacred space. Between Hillcrest and Knollwood. Unity Mobile, 5859 Cottage Hill, Mobile. 251-661-1788.

Pre-Natal Yoga with Nancy – 2:15pm. Benefits of this practice during pregnancy are incredibly numerous and comprehensive. Take this time to foster a deeper connection to your self, to your body and to your baby. Taught by Nancy Bolton Beck, 500 RYT & Certified Pre-natal Teacher. $10. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope. 251-4559359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com.

Live Pain-Free – 4pm. 3rd Sun. Is chronic pain hindering your lifestyle? You can be pain-free. Join certified massage therapist Luke Fondren for an informational seminar on drug-free pain relief and learn techniques that you can begin using immediately!

Free. Olena Wellness Center, 6925 Cottage Hill Rd, Ste D, Mobile. Call/text to confirm 251-298-9520.

Open Table Worship Service (United Church of Christ) – 5pm. Weekly progressive Christian worship. Gathering at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1050 Azalea Rd, Mobile. 251-545-1011. Ellen.

OpenTable@gmail.com. OpenTableUCC.org.

monday Yoga Abs with Faye – 9:30am. What a great way to jump start the day! Let breath and body move in sync as Faye Mahan’s seamless style weaves a blend of classical yoga flow and poses, with added emphasis on those hard to work abdominal areas. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Doggie Happy Hour – 5-7pm. 1st Mon. A rescue networking event hosted by My Happy Dog 123.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Bring your dog for drinks and live music while raising money for a local rescue foundation. Q&A with local vets. Free grain-free dog treats. Raffle prizes. Puppy photo booth. Free. OK Bicycle Shop, 661 Dauphin St, Mobile. Viviane Hentschel: MyHappyDog123@ gmail.com. MyHappyDog123.com. Facebook.com/ myhappydog123.

Outstretched Christ-Centered Yoga Class – 5:45pm. Also at 8:15am on Wed. Each week Pneuma offers two donation-only yoga classes open to the public. Classes are appropriate for all levels and include a Christ-centered devotion. Donation only. 1901 Main St, Daphne. See website for more info: Pneuma-YogaMovement.com.

Pranic Healing Clinic – 6:30pm. Come experience healing for your mind, body and soul followed by the Meditation on Twin Hearts. Let us take the stress off and balance your aura. We all have the ability to heal ourselves and others! Classes available. CEU's /LMTs and nurses. Free. Mobile. RSVP: 251-454-0959.

tuesday La Leche League Mobile Bay Area – 10:30am. La Leche League meetings are open to all women with an interest in learning about and supporting breastfeeding. Meetings are always free and babies/children are welcome. 251-689-2085. For location information or breastfeeding help contact AmandaLLLMobile@ yahoo.com or MeghanLLL@yahoo.com.

Grief Recovery Meeting – 1-2:30pm. This is a Christian-based grief recovery program for all losses. Experienced, professional and compassionate staff members support you through the grief process with the goal of transitioning into a renewed life of purpose and fulfillment. Ascension Funerals & Cremations, 1016 Hillcrest Rd, Mobile. 251-6348055. AscensionFuneralGroup.com.

Green Drinks – 5-7pm. Every 2nd Tues. Join us for an informal yet engaging happy hour with like-minded folks. With a local drink in one hand and environmental concerns in the other, connect with other progressive people in our area. Sponsorship, speaker and catering opportunities available. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks. Fairhope Brewing Company, 914 Nichols Ave, Fairhope. 251-279-7517.

MobileBayAreaGreenDrinks@gmail.com. Facebook. com/MobileBayAreaGreenDrinks.

Integrated Yoga Therapy with Laura – 5:45pm.

This all levels, beginner friendly class will allow students to deepen their self awareness and let their true light shine. Create a healing space and go beyond the physical practice - become more in tune with your true self. Come experience the joy! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Open Flow Yoga – 6pm. Class incorporates various styles of yoga including breath work, flowing sequences, standing postures and ending with restor-

ative. Leave the class feeling empowered, relaxed and grounded. This is a strong practice, suitable for all levels. $10. Center for Spiritual Living, Mobile.

251-591-7094. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Positive Parenting Class – 6-8pm. Also Wed. at 9:30am. Kids don’t come with a set of instructions.

Learn tools and skills to create a happy, healthy family.

Free. The Family Center, 601 Bel Air Blvd, Ste 100, Mobile. 251-479-5700. Kids101@comcast.net.

Sierra Club Meeting – 6-8pm. 1st Tues. Open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort.

Ask the Doctor: Nutrition Information Class – 6:307:45pm. 2nd Tues. Food is your best medicine and small changes can dramatically improve your health, but where do you start? Don't get overwhelmed! Bring your questions to Brian Smith, DC and Gaie Feuerstein, DC. $5. Olena Wellness Center, 6925 Cottage Hill Rd, Ste, D, Mobile. Call/text to confirm: 251-300-1335.

wednesday $5 Yoga Flow & Chair – 9:15am, Flow. 10:30am, Chair Yoga (seated or holding onto chair to practice balance). Beginners welcome. Bring your own mat.

Enjoy exercise at every level. Improve balance, strength and flexibility. $5. Fairhope UMC CLC. 251379-4493. ThriveFairhope.com.

Beginner Tai Chi Qigong Class – 10-11:15am. Near Bellingrath Rd, this beginner class introduces students to the ancient Chinese moving meditation exercise (not a martial arts class). Simple and fun to do; No registration required. $10 first time intro, $12 per class.

Fowl River Community House, 5401 Fowl River Rd, Theodore. 850-226-9355. BlueWillowWellness.com.

Therapeutic Yoga with Becky – 11am. New to yoga, recovering from injury or taxing physical challenge? This class is taught in a gentle, therapeutic manner that encourages increased strength and flexibility. Taught by Becky Ardrey, LMT, RYT. $10 without membership. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope. 251-455-9359.

PranaHealthAndWellness.com.

Group Reformer Class – 12pm. Catch the wave of classical fitness and join Adrienne for a Pilates group reformer class. Stand taller, get toned, and be both leaner and stronger. Reservations are required.

Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104.

Synergyoga.net.

Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis – 12-1pm. This chair yoga class is free to participants and funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Build strength and flexibility while improving balance and circulation. Enjoy exercise at every level, even in a wheelchair. Improve balance, strength and flexibility. Free. Fairhope UMC CLC. 251-379-4493. ThriveFairhope.com.

Beginning Yoga with Wayne – 5pm. This is the perfect class for the beginning or returning Yogi. Learn the fundamentals of yoga in a safe, supportive environment. Taught by Wayne Kent, RYT. $10 without membership. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope. 251-4559359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com.

Eastern Shore MS Support Group – 5:30pm. 2nd Wed. Eastern Shore MS Support Group meets each month at Ruby Tuesday in Fairhope. Family, friends and caregivers are always welcome. Weezer: 251-928-7606.

Core Barre with Chris G – 5:45pm. Give yourself the best seat in the house with Core Barre—work your body to a fusion of ballet, Pilates, yoga and classic fitness. Move to fun music and really change your shape! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Power Flow Yoga with Angela – 5:45pm. Join associate Baptiste Power Vinyasa Teacher Angela Cain to revitalize the body and energize the day. Enjoy the sweet sweat and moving meditation of Power Flow and leave class refreshed and recharged! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Beginner Friendly Flow – 6pm. Join Laura for a beginner friendly open flow yoga class. Breath guided movement, intention setting and Level 1 and 2 postures. Creating a meditation in motion. $10.

Center for Spiritual Living, Mobile. 251-591-7094.

KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Near Death (NDEs) and Related Experiences – 6pm. 2nd Wed. Mobile affiliate group of IANDS. All are welcome to share experiences and support. 2014 begins our 12th year. Free. West Regional Branch, Mobile Public Library, Grelot Rd (near University Blvd). 251-340-8565. lbrlumin@aol.com. IANDS.org.

Guided Meditation – 7pm. Guided meditation with Betsey Grady. Meditation is a wonderful way to quiet the mind, still the body and relax your being. Suggested donation of $5. Rosie Bluum, Fairhope. 251-517-5626.

RosieBluum.com.

thursday Beginner Tai Chi Qigong Class – 10am. Midtown day class; 75 min class. This beginner class introduces students to the ancient Chinese moving meditation exercise (not a martial arts class).

Simple and fun to do. No registration required. $10 first time intro. $12 per class. Quiet Mind Studio, 2065 Old Shell Rd/Upham, Mobile. 850-226-9355.

BlueWillowWellness.com.

Gentle Stress Relief Yoga – 5:30pm. A slower pace Vinyasa flow class combining mindfulness (intention) with breath and movement. Class includes sun salutations to warm the body and connect with breath. We will hold standing poses longer. Ending with restorative poses before savasana. $10. Center for Spiritual Living, Mobile. 251-591-7094. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Yoga with Chris M – 5:45pm. Join Chris McFadyen for some energizing yoga as his breath work, asana and flow calms the mind and also enhances and refocuses the body. Relocate your passion and humor after a long day! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104.

Synergyoga.net.

Wraps are herbal body wraps that can be applied from the neck down to help tighten, tone and firm the skin in 45 minutes. Come learn about this amazing product and sample free nutritional products while we discuss healthy weight loss options. $25/wrap. Space is limited.

Olena Wellness Center, 6925 Cottage Hill Rd, Ste D, Mobile. Call/text to confirm: 251-554-0854.

friday Sunset Yoga for Charity – 6pm. 2nd and 4th Fri, Mar 28-Oct 24. This event is by donation for charity every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month overlooking the bay. Bring your own mat and a friend. Beginner friendly classes. Donation. Fairhope. 251-379-4493.

ThriveFairhope.com.

saturday Saturday Morning Yoga with Augusta – 7:308:45am. All levels. The movements will challenge you to stay mindful and your mindfulness will allow you to honor your limits without judging yourself. $15 drop-in. $10 students and instructors. Creative Outlet, 66 1/2 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-928-5363.

HeartStringsYoga.com.

Weekend Morning Yoga – 9am. Join Beverley, Leigh, Faye or Angela and start your weekend with a revitalizing class. Refresh and renew the spirit while you recharge the body—bring the joy and zest back as you kick start your day! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Open Flow Yoga – 9:30am. Class will focus on coordinating the breath with movement in flowing sequences to get the heart pumping. Practice includes breath work, sun salutation and standing postures ending with restorative. Leave the class feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. $10. Church of the Apostles, 7159 Mcintyre St, Fairhope. 251-5917094. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Meditation – 10am. Meditation with Betsey Grady.

Meditation is a wonderful way to quiet the mind, still the body and relax your being. Suggested donation of $5. Rosie Bluum, Fairhope. 251-517-5626.

RosieBluum.com.

Gentle Stress Relief – 6pm. End your day with a slow flowing joint opening movement with emphasis on breath awareness and meditation. Appropriate for beginners or anyone who wants a soothing gentle yin style yoga practice. $10. Daphne Rec Center, Daphne.

251-591-7094. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Hot Vinyasa Flow – 6pm. An alignment based vinyasa flow yoga class that is faster paced and practiced in a heated room. Taught by Emily Sommerville, RYT. $10 without membership. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope.

251-455-9359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com.

It's a Skinny Wrap Party! – 6:30-7:45pm. Skinny

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classifieds Fee for classified listings is $1 per word. Email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com for details. Volunteer opportunities are listed for free as space is available. opportunities BECOME A PUBLISHER! – Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin is for sale! Own one of the Gulf Coast's most exciting businesses.

Training and support available. Be in business for yourself but not by yourself. See ad, page 6.

LMTS, TEACHERS NEEDED – Mobile wellness center seeks compassionate, mindful, self-motivated massage therapists and yoga/movement/meditation/CE class/ workshop instructors. 251-753-1937. Email resume to Info@AlabamaHealingArts.com.

naturaldirectory Connecting you to the leaders in healthy and green living in our community. To be included in the Natural Directory, email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

Did you miss our 2014 annual Healthy and Green Living Directory?

Contact us to find out where you can pick up a copy of this expanded edition, or read it online now at TinyURL.com/NAFeb14.

ACUPUNCTURE

CANCER CENTERS

BELLA SUNDRIES WELLNESS STUDIO

USA MITCHELL CANCER INSTITUTE

Offering auricular acupuncture which utilizes 108 points in the ear that correlate to different parts of the body. Therapeutic for physical, emotional, digestive and respiratory problems. See ad, page 31.

At USA MCI, we c o m b i n e leading-edge research with the most advanced diagnostic and treatment tools in order to provide the absolute best cancer care possible. See ad, page 4.

6576 Airport Boulevard, Mobile 251-458-8884 BellaSundries.Webs.com

BABYCARE BABYTALK EASTERN SHORE

VOLUNTEER opps AZALEA CITY CAT COALITION – Volunteers needed in any capacity. Contact Susan Young: 251-648-7582. SusanYoung@ AzaleaCityCats.org.

DOG RIVER CLEARWATER REVIVAL STORM DRAIN MARKER PROJECT – Volunteers needed to educate the public about the storm drain system. Supplies and instructions provided. Work at your convenience.

Contact Janet Miller: J46Miller@yahoo.com.

251-654-1827.

MERCY MEDICAL – Hospice volunteers needed to provide services such as running errands, offering respite breaks for caregivers and clerical assistance. 251-621-4431.

Volunteers@MercyMedical.com.

digital automatic. free. green.

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com 32

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

A maternity, breastfeeding and baby store specializing in Medela breastpumps (covered by most BCBS policies), cloth diapers, infant clothing and baby carriers. Certified lactation consultant on staff. See ad, page 15.

churches CENTER FOR JOYFUL LIVING 60 North Ann Street Mobile, AL 36695 251-391-6960

Questioning, understanding and growing together spiritually as we enjoy life’s adventure. Center for Joyful Living in Mobile. Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

BEAUTY B-BUTTERFLY SALON

103A North Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-990-9934 BButterflySalon.com

B-Butterfly

A certified organic salon offering organic SALON products, and services including hair color, perms and shampoo.

Make a difference today in your hair, your life and the Earth. Visit us for a free hair exam today and go organic! Manicures, pedicures and eyebrow waxing also available. See ad, page 9.

Center for Spiritual Living 1230 Montlimar Drive, Mobile 251-343-0777 CenterForSpiritualLiving-Mobile.org

R e v. S h e r r i e Quander invites you to visit a loving, inclusive spiritual community where we aim to make every step we take, every choice we make, every word we speak a conscious one. Sundays at 10 a.m. See ad, page 19.

OPEN TABLE: A COMMUNITY OF FAITH (UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST) 1050 Azalea Road, Mobile at St Luke’s (St. Luke's Episcopal Church) 251-545-1011 • OpenTableUCC.org

MAGAZINE subscribe online:

TKR Center, Daphne 251-298-8255 • BabytalkES@gmail.com BabytalkES.com • Facebook.com/BabytalkES

1660 Springhill Avenue, Mobile 188 Hospital Drive, Suite 400, Fairhope 251-665-8000 • usamci.com

NAN cardholders receive discounts at these businesses. Visit www.TinyURL. com/NANCard for details.

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings here.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! Pastor Ellen Sims and the congregation invite you to join them on Sunday evenings at 5 p.m.

Childcare provided.

See ad, page 11.

dentistry DR. DAYTON HART, DM

IAOMT Protocol 225 West Laurel Avenue, Foley 251-943-2471 • DrDaytonHart.com Free book for new patients: Mercury Free Dentistry.

Offering ozone; laser (nosuture) gum surgery; testing for compatible materials and cavity-causing bacteria; examine for gum disease and bacteria; laser cavity diagnoses; saliva pH check; oral galvanic screening; no fluoride.

DESIGN CONSULTANT MERYL HYDERALLY

Feng Shui Design Consultant 251-463-1862 • Meryl@MerylHyderally.com MerylHyderally.com It's about more than aesthetics— holistically designed spaces are conducive to an effortless life.

Utilizing Feng Shui principles, let us create an organized and productive space that reflects who you are while enhancing your life, personally and professionally.

ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

food & nutrition CHASING FRESH MARKET

19176 Highway 181, Fairhope 251-210-6011 • Facebook.com/ChasingFresh Open 9am-7pm, Monday-Saturday The only produce market in South Alabama where everything is grown, caught and made in Alabama. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, dairy and meats. Delivery to Baldwin and Mobile Counties available.

See ad, page 15.

CYNTHIA GALAS THE SOUTHERN VEGAN

205-746-6632 • CynthiaGalas@yahoo.com CynthiaGalas.com Offering whole food cooking classes for vegans and omnivores, and anyone in between. Meal delivery, catering and one-on-one consultation services also available. See ad, page 23.

fairhope health foods and the sunflower cafÉ

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 • Café: 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

THE WILLOW TREE AT ROSIE BLUUM 6A South Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-517-5326 or 251-751-6945 RosieBluum.com

Offering gifts and services that nurture your spirit.

Books, card decks, essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies, crystals, salt lamps, ince nse and organic clothing. Meditation, yoga, massage, MARI, intuitive readings. See ad, page 15.

essential oils LAURIE AZZARELLA YL #327923 Daphne, AL • 850-380-4943 LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com Laurie.MarketingScents.com

Experience the healing, uplifting and detoxifying benefits of authentic, genuine therapeutic grade essential oils and supplements. Contact us for personal consultations, inhome classes, group presentations and wellness business training!

a week. See ad, page 3.

Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 39 years. Store open 7 days

green building EARTHSTONE CONSTRUCTION

Natural, Energy-Efficient Structures 153 Cedar Ridge Road, Lucedale, MS 601-818-9600 • Vaughn_2@bellsouth.net EarthStoneConstruction.com Locally sourced material and virtually indestructible!

Healthy, green and beautiful. Homes, patios, pizza ovens and more. Free estimates.

MCCALL PAINTING

Serving Mobile and Baldwin Counties 251-517-7406 • Me@DirkMcCall.com DirkMcCall.com Painting and decorating contractor offering eco-friendly solutions. Safe containment and cleaning practices using the best no-VOC paints to deliver the most secure application of low offgassing coating systems. See ad, page 19.

MIKE KERR CONSTRUCTION LLC Certified Green Builder 251-391-4848 MikeKerrConstructionLLC.com

Live green, build green.

Specializing in energy efficiency, reclaimed materials, low VOC paints and flooring.

Commercial, residential, new construction and remodeling. See ad, page 21.

healing arts pranic healing in mobile Deana Lannie 251-454-0959

THE HEALTH HUT

Free healing nights and group meditations every Monday. Pranic Healing classes and the advanced technique of Superbrain Yoga.

680 S. Schillinger, Mobile: 251-633-0485 (Across from Home Depot) 6845 Hwy 90, Daphne: 251-621-1865 (Across from Fresh Market) For 30 years The Health Hut has been the go-to place for high quality, whole-food vitamins, herbs and sport supplements at great prices. Service-oriented, knowledgeable staff. See ad, page 28.

virginia’s health foods AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II 3952 Airport Boulevard, Mobile 251-345-0494 • Café: 251-345-0495 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

a week. See ad, page 3.

Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 38 years. Store open 7 days

SPIRIT ENLIGHTEN

Renee Adcock, B.Div. Reiki II, Essential Oils Therapy 251-279-0298 • SpiritEnlighten.com Authorized owner and operator, John of God Crystal Light Healing Bed: a modality to cleanse, balance and align your energies to promote healing. Call for more information or an appointment.

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massage therapy

TAI CHI

SENIOR SERVICES

JEN ADAMS, LMT

22787 US 98, Building D, Suite 5, Montrose 251-616-4201 • JenAdamsLMT.info JenAdams.Massage@gmail.com Unique massage technique that is gentle enough for the severest sufferers of pain and deep enough for the most rigorous of athletes. 14 years experience in the bodywork and natural wellness field.

pet care & SERVICES HEAR THEM SPEAK

Telepathic Animal Communication Babette de Jongh 251-424-4944 • HearThemSpeak.com Understand your animal companion through telepathic communication. Session includes healing with Body Talk, Reiki and Matrix Energetics, plus a follow-up call. Half-off price for new clients: Regular $60, now $30. See ad, page 15.

New category starting in May! List your business here for $60/month. Rate includes listing, editorial exposure, calendar listings, online listing and more.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

MIDDLE EARTH HEALING AND LEARNING CENTER

20205 Middle Earth Road, Citronelle 251-866-7204 • MiddleEarthHealing.com Middle Earth offers workshops on permaculture, r a i n w a t e r harvesting, graywater recycling, shiitake mushroom cultivation, composting, soil building, chemical-free gardening, aquaponics, real food, natural medicine making, reconnecting with Mother Earth and medicinal aromatherapy. See ad on page 13.

BELL LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS 800-333-7995 BellLifestyle.com

Formulated natural health supplements intended for pain control, urinary health, preventive illness, virility, stress relief, weight control and other common conditions. See ad, page 2. .

wellness centers

OLENA WELLNESS CENTER

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

AM/PM Qigong and Tai Chi classes in Midtown Mobile and Theodore; private and company classes also available. See ad, page 28.

sustainable living

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings at these businesses.

34

Jude Forsyth, Qigong/Tai Chi Teacher 850-226-9355 BlueWillowWellness.com

Contact Jude Forsyth to be included: Jude@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com 850-226-9355

Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) cardholders receive discounts at these businesses. Visit TinyURL.com/NANCard for details.

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6925 Cottage Hill Road, Suite D. Mobile, AL 36695 251-300-1335 • Find us on Facebook Our practitioners give your body the support it needs to function as it was designed. We offer chiropractic, ANA, applied kinesiology, acupuncture, QRA, body wraps, detox and all-natural pain relief.

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Natural Awakenings publishes in over 88 markets across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Natural Awakenings is now expanding into new markets across the U.S. OR you may purchase an existing magazine.

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fresheats yummytreats coolbeats

Open Saturdays at Cathedral Square in Downtown Mobile • April 26-July 26 • 7:30a.m.-noon Market on the Hill Open on Thursdays at Old Shell and University • May 29-July 31 • 3-6p.m.

local produce • baked goods • honey flowers • soaps • live music and more! www.ncsmobile.org