December 2021 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

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HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

HOLIDAY ISSUE KEEPING HOLIDAYS HAPPY

Ways to Stay Stress-Free and Fit

CHRISTMAS SALVATION HOLIDAY TREATS WITHOUT THE SUGAR

THE POWER OF SACRED CIRCLE December 2021 | Gulf Coast AL/MS Edition | HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Caring for someone with depression or dementia is hard.

Calling us for help is easy.

Get help for your child

Using a cutting-edge, drug-free approach we treat a range of brain disorders including

Dementia | Depression | Anxiety | ADHD

Call today: 251-597-8787

If your child has a behavior problem, they may have a neurological-based condition that leads to defiant outbursts, long tantrums, and sometimes destructive or dangerous behaviors. Dr. Brown, a chiropractic neurologist, takes a holistic approach to behavior disorders. He will carefully evaluate potential causes, assess central integration and create tailored, drug-free treatments to correct and restore dysfunctional brain pathways. If you need help with your child’s behavior call the office or schedule an appointment online. www.mindperformancecenter.com

MindPerformanceCenter.com 240 West Laurel Avenue, Foley, AL (Located inside Path To Wellness)

Dr. J Douglas Brown DC DACNB, Board Certified Neurology-Chiropractic Dr. Brown is one of only a few functional neurologists in the U.S. providing brain pathway activation therapy in conjunction with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Bredesen’s science-based nutritional program.

December 2021

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letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

GULF COAST EDITION PUBLISHER Michelle Smith EDITOR Julie Peterson LAYOUT 13 Moons Creative

DISTRIBUTION MGR. Stephanie Klumpp

CONTACT US P.O. Box 725, Fairhope, AL 36533 Ph: 251-990-9552 HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to the free digital magazine at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Mailed subscriptions are available by sending $49 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne Production Designer Gabrielle W-Perillo

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Administrative Assistant Kristy Mayer Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com

© 2021 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.

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

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Welcome to the December Holiday Issue of Natural Awakenings, where we continue to emphasize healthy living on a healthy planet. I always wonder what Natural Awakenings means to my readers. To me, Natural Awakenings opens possibilities to connect with others at wellness events, be educated on the latest in natural health and sustainability and be empowered to live healthier lifestyles in a healthier environment. We are like a family, doing this together. Because of Natural Awakenings, I am inspired to live a healthier, more balanced life. I’d love to hear about what inspires you.

I so appreciate the companies that advertise within who educate us on how to live this balanced lifestyle. They provide access to a variety of healthy, organic and natural products. I’ve learned about many local farmers’ markets that I never knew about before and the number of local holistic practitioners and providers is truly remarkable. Consider checking out some of our advertisers: holistic healers, massage and yoga therapy, CBD stores, restaurants, Rolfing, reiki, chiropractic, energy healing, salt therapy…the list goes on!

You may know, Natural Awakenings Magazine was ranked 5th Nationally in Cision’s 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines. Cision is the world’s leading source of media research. Also in 2016, there was a Natural Awakenings readership survey. You might also be interested to know a few statistics about you, the reader: 85 percent are female between the ages of 35 and 54; 66 percent have been reading Natural Awakenings for more than two years; 34 percent share their copy with two or more additional readers; 88 percent purchase healthy or organic food; 47 percent regularly attend spiritual or healing events; 48 percent regularly attend exercise or fitness events. You are a loyal, health-seeking, inspired group of people. Thank you for your support of our magazine. Please note, we have a new readership survey this month on page 7. I hope you will take a moment to let us know who you are five years later.

Lastly, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all you local business owners for stepping out in faith to discover, design and deliver your passion to the world. I have come to know and admire so many talented, Gulf Coast individuals. You work hard every day to provide much needed holistic products and services to us. I share your passion as a health-focused entrepreneur and will support you in every way I know how. Please reach out and we will collaborate! Keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll keep doing what I do, publishing this inspiring monthly magazine with your help.

May God bless you and keep you until we meet,

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on recyclable newsprint.

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 28

14 AMP UP IMMUNITY Proven Boosters for Good Health

18 THE SWEET DANGER OF SUGAR

Ways to Enjoy Healthier Holiday Fare

22 SEASON OF LIGHT

Celebrating the Soul of Winter

24 CIRCLES OF HEALING

The Power of Gathering in Community

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28 HOLIDAY ZEN

Stress-Free Fitness and Self-Care

30 GREENING THE HOLIDAYS

How to Celebrate Sustainably

32 THE BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS

Gift Choices that Can Open Up Worlds

34 THOMAS MOORE 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. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month prior to the month of publication.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit dated and ongoing calendar events online at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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on the Art of Soulful Listening

36 TOYLAND FOR POOCHES

Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 10 health briefs 12 global briefs 14 healing ways 16 eco tip 18 conscious eating 22 inspiration

28 fit body 30 green living 32 healthy kids 34 wise words 36 natural pet 39 calendars 40 community directory 43 classifieds December 2021

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news briefs

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

A Family Encounter Angel Face Imaging and Boutique, created by Allie Marie Terrebonne, RCS, RVS, is passionate about women and babies with a goal to empower women and present a calm, safe environment where mothers, babies and families can see the miracle in the womb and discover natural, wholesome baby-centered products. The boutique is also a venue for baby showers or gender reveals.

Secure this ad spot!

Contact us for special ad rates.

555-555-5555

“My story began long ago in Larose, Louisiana, where I was born to a teacher and a trawl net maker,” says Ms. Terrebonne. “I grew up along the bayou with some amazing people who work their fingers to the bone for their way of life. These dedicated women take care of their families and their homes with so much strength and honor while their husbands are offshore or elsewhere for long periods. My mother, grandmother and her mother before her, showed me what a hard life was like and how God’s grace stayed with them through it all.

Through confusion, rejection, triumph, pain and faith, there is always an all-encompassing grace that is sprinkled like glitter in our lives. His grace and love are what brought me to you today in Fairhope, Alabama.”

Location: 21875 Highway 181 Suite B, Fairhope, AL. For more information, call 251-279-7038, email AngelFaceImaging@gmail.com or visit AngelFaceImaging.com. See ad, page 27.

Home Deliveries Available for Local Kombucha Customers Wild Magnolia Kombucha has added local home deliveries for customers. The delivery option is available in six-pack portions or 64-ounce growlers and in the four year-round flavors: Lemon Ginger, Elderberry, Matcha and Cucumber Lime. As always, there is a rotating seasonal flavor available (winter feature is Satsuma Habanero). First-time orders will be given a 10 percent discount and there are recycling discounts for returned bottles.

Kombucha is a fermented tea that is slightly tart and slightly sweet and contains gut beneficial probiotics and healthy organic acids. During the fermentation process, healthy acids like acetic, lactic, gluconic and glucuronic acid are produced. Science has shown that improved gut health contributes to decreased inflammation and bloating and can improve digestion and energy levels.

“Better gut health will help you feel better, and not just in terms of digestion. If your gut is not functioning optimally, your entire body can be affected, from your cardiovascular system to your immune system,” says Amanda, at Wild Magnolia Kombucha. “Everyone at Wild Magnolia Kombucha is here to provide you a local, delicious kombucha to add to your daily health journey.”

For more information, call 251-463-6233, email info@ WildMagnoliaLife.com or visit WildMagnoliaLife.com.

See ad, page 35.

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Finding Happiness in the Holidays During this time of year, many people fall blissfully in love with holidays, decorations and the idea of time with family. But for many others, this time of year brings chaos, anxiety and depression.

“I am not trying to bring anyone down, but I believe we need to address the real issues of the holidays and find our way back to that bliss,” says Dr. Tonya Butler, a disabled military veteran that has suffered from depression, PTSD and a traumatic brain injury as a result of her service. Butler started her business, Dynamic Therapeutics, to help others find alternative therapies to move through the things that can hinder the bliss in life.

“Patients leave these sessions feeling empowered to take control of their health,” says Butler. “Massage therapy helped me with chronic pain and to gain a better understanding of how to take care of my body for better function and healing.”

This season, find bliss, let go of expectations and be in the moment. If there is anything to be learned from the last couple years, it is to appreciate others and to take time to be together and share the love.

“For those suffering from chronic pain issues such as plantar fasciitis, back or neck pain, fibromyalgia, or other issues, our goal is to restore a greater quality of life to you,” says Butler.

Location: 9037 Independence Ave., Daphne, AL. For more information, call 251-459-0500 or visit DynamicTherapeutics.net. Gift certificates are available on the website or through https://squareup.com/gift/3KJ36K18S8GAC/order.

Dynamic Therapeutics is not a spa, rather it has a mission to educate about the other side to massage therapy that aids in soft tissue repair, corrective movement and enhanced quality of life through pain management.

Reader Feedback Helps Us Grow The Natural Awakenings online national readership survey allows us to better serve readers. “Your participation takes just five minutes, and will give us a better understanding We’re Listening of what you need and how well we’re delivering on your expectations,” says 2021 National founding CEO Sharon Readership Survey Bruckman. “We’ll also use your responses to help guide the direction of future development.” One participant, selected at random, will receive a $100 Visa gift card.

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With the interests and welfare of readers in mind, Natural Awakenings provides information and resources for living a healthier, happier life. Publishing in more than 50 communities nationwide, Natural Awakenings is one of the country’s most widely read healthy living magazines, with a loyal monthly readership of over 1.3 million.

Visit NaturalAwakenings.com/survey to participate.

Healing through Crystals and Chakra Alignment

Healing crystals provide a non-invasive form of healing that works in cooperation with the body’s natural abilities to heal, repair, restore and bring balance. It is believed that through vibration, chemistry, resonance and color, crystals work holistically to dissolve disease by dealing consciously and subconsciously with the body, mind, psyche and spirit to bring about clarity and healing to the root cause of a condition.

“Crystals energetically realign the aura that surrounds the body and cleanse the chakras and energy centers of the body,” says Creator of King’s Dedication, Charlotte Stutts. “Emotions and mental attitudes affect our physical body. If there is a negative perspective toward life coupled with negative habits, this discomfort will eventually lead to disease and crystals can help to drastically deal with the mind and the emotions.”

King’s Dedication offers custom jewelry and the services of Intuitive Crystal Healing and Chakra Alignment Consultation that can be booked through email or by phone.

“Crystal Healing provides a way to live more intentionally, which will inevitably lead to a happier more fulfilling life,” says Stutts.

For more information, call 215-270-0162, email KingsDedication@gmail.com or visit KingsDedication.com. See ad, page 22.

December 2021

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December Discounts and Massage Giveaway

Balance and Energy for the Holidays

December is anniversary month for Elements Massage Mobile, which has been open since December 8, 2008.

“We were both excited and terrified.

The recession of 2008 was affecting business in general and many were struggling or closing,” says Claudia McClure, owner. “We focused on providing a relaxing therapeutic experience for our clients. Our massage therapists listened and provided much needed relief for our clients. We also started selling our first gift cards which brought many new clients to our studio.”

A year later, Elements Massage Mobile was a thriving business and celebrated with an open house for clients and the community. “We had so much fun offering refreshments, chair massages and giveaways, including a year of massages, that our open house became a yearly event,” says McClure. “Last year, we had to change plans for the safety of our staff and clients, but we still celebrate with our yearly drawing for a chance to win 12 massages plus other prizes.”

The annual gift card sale also offers the opportunity to buy gift cards at the lowest prices of the year for family and friends. It is hoped that the open house will continue in years to come. For now, anyone can come by the studio or visit the website to purchase gift cards and get registered for raffles.

McClure expressed, “At Elements Massage, we do one thing: massage and we are proud of our high client satisfaction scores. Experience the difference with our month-to-month membership program, the Elements Wellness Program and our guarantee, The Elements Promise — all built around our therapeutic, handcrafted, and personalized approach to massage that we call The Elements Way.” Location: 6 Princess Anne Rd., Suite 11, Mobile, AL. For more information, call 251-342-6415 or visit ElementsMassage.com. See ad, page 8.

G I F T

Holiday C A R D

S A L E

BUY ONE GET ONE 1 HR & 90 MIN MASSAGE SESSIONS | VALID THROUGH 12/26/21

P E A C E , J OY, +

Self-Care

Mobile | 251.533.0041 6 Princess Anne Road, Suite 111 Mobile, AL 36608 elementsmassage.com/mobile LICENSE # 1719. Limit 5 gift cards per member at the member rate. ©2021 Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (“ETM”). Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Working with Feng Shui came naturally to Meryl Hyderally, owner of fengshui831.

After studying and teaching ballet for more than 30 years, she sees possibilities from a creative and esthetic point of view. “My experience as a choreographer taught me to observe the fluidity in the spaces of a home or business. While I am working in a room, I can imagine how the occupants will relate to their space as if they were dancers moving across a stage,” says Hyderally, who finds joy when a space reaches its natural flow and becomes the space it was meant to be. “I love creating a beautiful and functional space, whether it is a closet or an entire home. Every space deserves the same detailed attention in order to translate your lifestyle into structure and function.”

Hyderally began learning about Feng Shui in 2003 through research, friends and other serendipitous events. “I now recognize that the principles of Feng Shui have always been guiding my life. However, it wasn’t until a pivotal time in my life that I was able to use its principles to shape my future and create more harmony and balance for myself,” says Hyderally.

“Seeing the changes in my own life using Feng Shui to guide me is what motivates me to continue my studies and work so that I may support others in consciously experiencing the same benefits.”

For more information, call 251-463-1862 or visit fengshui831.com. See ad, page 29.

fengshui 831

event spotlight

Rolfing® is a holistic approach

Start the Year with Group Health Coaching According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lifestyle-related chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cancer account for 50 percent of deaths in the U.S. with heart disease consistently the leading cause of death since 2014. Also, obesity, prediabetes and diabetes are reaching epidemic levels of prevalence in the U.S. and spreading globally. Health coaching can help people stay on, or get on, the best side of these statistics.

Health coaching is a vehicle for helping people achieve a higher level of well-being and performance in life and work, particularly when change is hard. The benefit of group coaching is that ideas can be shared along with resources for healthy activities, meals, meal planning, shopping and prep.

that resolves physical discomfort, releases tension and alleviates pain while restoring flexibility and enhancing energy.

Pam Reaves, Certified Rolfer™ 706-681-2935 EasternShoreRolfing.com

WE’VE MOVED! Make an appointment at our larger location today!

22806 HWY 98, FAIRHOPE, AL

To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold. ~Aristotle

EAT HEALTHY – LIVE HEALTHY

Group Coaching: Eat Healthy-Live Healthy For anyone struggling to prioritize healthy eating and staying active after the holidays, group health coaching, with the sole purpose to structure a plan to stay on track, begins on January 5 and runs for five Wednesdays (on Zoom) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Participants will learn: n Why whole and organic foods are necessary for a healthy life. n What foods work best for you. n How to switch to a wellness mindset, prioritizing nutrition daily with love-to-eat foods. (Hint: Everyone can incorporate healthy eating into a busy schedule.)

Included in the sessions will be learning the Health.gov standards for adult BMI, daily nutrition and hydration, alcohol, sleep and cardiovascular plus strength activities.

Participants will follow a plan to detoxify by participating in a two-week whole foods detox/elimination diet to lose weight and create a healthier body for the year, learn to calculate BMI and implement macro-nutrient caloric strategies (i.e., how many calories/carbs/fats/proteins are optimal daily).

Create a stronger, healthier, lighter you by detoxifying your body. From January 5 through February 2, the group will plan a two-week whole foods detox and elimination diet to determine which foods work best for each individual’s health. This will include calculating a personal wellness formula for each participant that includes specific amounts of sleep, activity, meals per day, connections and recreation.

GROUP HEALTH COACHING with Michelle Smith, Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach

JOIN FROM ANYWHERE IN THE US

5 Wednesdays 5:30 – 6:30pm on Zoom January 5th – February 2nd in 2022

Reinvent a stronger, healthier, lighter you by rethinking your wellness mindset, restructuring daily eating habits, recreate good exercise practices, reduce stress.

REFRESH YOUR LIFE

The group will be facilitated by Michelle Smith, Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach and owner of Good Life Health Coaching.

For more information visit, GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com, call 251-635-6250 or email TryMyCoach@gmail.com.

See ad, page 3.

GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com TryMyCoach@gmail.com 251-635-6250 December 2021

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Eat an Avocado Daily to Redistribute Belly Fat

Eat Walnuts to Reduce Bad Cholesterol and Heart Disease

andreea ch /Pexels.com

Healthy older adults that ate about a half cup of walnuts every day for two years gained a modest reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad cholesterol”, reports a study of 636 people from San Diego’s Loma Linda University. Other risk factors for heart health—small LDL particles and intermediate-density lipoprotein— also decreased, signaling a lower chance of cardiovascular events. “Many people are worried about unwanted weight gain when they include nuts in their diet,” says study co-author Emilio Ros, M.D., Ph.D. “Our study found that the healthy fats in walnuts did not cause participants to gain weight.”

The deep visceral fat that surrounds internal organs is a major indicator of metabolic syndrome and diabetes, but it can be decreased in women by eating an avocado each day, report researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. For 12 weeks, 105 overweight or obese men and women were fed a meal that for only half of the participants included an avocado. The women that ate avocados experienced a reduction in visceral abdominal fat, as well as a reduced ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat closer to the skin, indicating a redistribution of fat away from the organs. Fat distribution in males did not change. ready made/Pexels.com

health briefs

Avoid Antibiotics to Lower Colon Cancer Risk

wasanajai/AdobeStock.com

The fragrant Damask rose (Rosa damascene), a common ingredient in essential oils and perfumes, has been used for a millennia in the Middle East to treat chest pain, menstrual bleeding, heart weakness and digestive ailments.

A new study by Iranian researchers has found that it also boosts liver function in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The 37 participating patients that took 500 milligrams of rose petal extract daily for 12 weeks had significantly better serum ALT (liver enzyme) levels compared to the placebo group.

The rose extract also reduced triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and blood pressure, and it significantly improved metabolic syndrome markers.

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

A clear link exists between taking antibiotics for six months and developing colorectal cancer in the next five to 10 years, report researchers from Umea University, in Sweden. By comparing the records of 40,000 Swedish cancer patients to 200,000 people without cancer, they found that taking antibiotics for at least six months increased the risk of cancer by 17 percent in the ascending colon, the first part to be reached by food after the small intestine.

However, no increased risk was found for cancer in the descending colon. Those taking the most antibiotics had the greatest risk, but even a single course was associated with a small, but statistically significant risk increase.

“While in many cases antibiotic therapy is necessary and saves lives, in the event of less serious ailments that can be expected to heal anyway, caution should be exercised,” says Umea University researcher Sophia Harlid, Ph.D.

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

ana terevich/Pexels.com

Try Damask Rose Extract to Boost Liver Function

Try Garlic to Relieve Endometriosis Pain

Christmas Arts at the Market

karolina grabowski/Pexels.com

For women suffering from pelvic and back pain associated with endometriosis (uterus growth), garlic may help. In an Iranian study published in the journal Evidence-Based Alternative and Complementary Medicine, half of a group of 60 women with the disorder were given 400 milligrams of garlic in tablets daily, and the others received a placebo. Over a span of three months, researchers found that the women taking the garlic tablets had significantly less pelvic and back pain, as well as significant reductions in discomfort during menstruation and sexual intercourse.

Drink More Water to Help Prevent Heart Disease

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Arts & Crafts Live Music Hot Cocoa Holiday Baked Goods

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Staying well hydrated throughout life could reduce the risk of heart failure, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2021 Congress. Researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health reported that people that drink sufficient water every day have a reduced risk of the thickening of the heart’s left ventricle. Their conclusion was based on the analysis of 26 years’ worth of serum sodium levels in 15,792 middle-age Americans. Higher serum sodium concentration in midlife was associated with heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy 25 years later. Few people meet daily hydration recommendations (54 to 71 ounces for women and 67 to 101 ounces for men). According to the researchers, when people drink less fluid, the concentration of sodium in the blood increases, and the body attempts to conserve water by activating processes known to contribute to the development of heart failure. “The findings indicate that we need to pay attention to the amount of fluid we consume every day and take action if we find that we drink too little,” says study author Natalia Dmitrieva.

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Farmers and Fishermens

Market

The market is open year-round on Saturdays 9AM-2PM 20733 Miflin Road, Foley

251-709-4469

December 2021

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Holy Smoke!

global briefs Planting 500 Billion Trees

tom fisk/Pexels.com

The UK tech company Dendra claims their drone can plant two trees per second using artificial intelligence for guidance in an effort to re-green the Earth.

Their ambitious goal is to plant 500 billion trees by 2060 with 400 teams of two drone operators and 10 drones per team. The plan would plant 10 billion trees per year 10 times more cheaply than planting by hand, especially in remote areas.

First, the replanting areas are identified using a combination of satellite images and drone-collected data. Then, specialized drones carrying seedpods that contain a germinated seed and nutrients use pressurized air to fire the seeds into the ground once in proper position as determined by an algorithm. The seedpods penetrate the ground and start to grow when activated by precipitation.

The World Wildlife Fund estimates the planet is losing 27 football fields of forest every minute due to deforestation. Dendra CEO Susan Graham says, “We need to use technology to scale up our restoration efforts, and the scale we’re talking about is tens of billions of trees every year. We’ll be able to see the ecosystems that we’ve restored from space.”

University of Rhode Island research published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters describes a new technique for measuring the presence of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in indoor air, which found them in kindergarten classrooms, offices, laboratories and a home. We have known about toxic “forever chemicals” in food and drinking water, and it seems they are also ubiquitous in the air.

PFAS are a class of approximately 9,000 chemicals used to improve stain, water or heat resistance in products. The public health concern is that they don’t break down in the environment. PFAS accumulate in animals and humans and are linked to health impacts including cancer, birth defects and immune suppression.

The scientists think PFAS enter the atmosphere when compounds break off of treated products like coats or carpets and attach to dust. “It’s an underestimated and potentially important source of exposure to PFAS,” says study co-author and Green Science Policy Institute Senior Scientist Tom Bruton.

According to the Institute, schools and offices can protect students and employees by replacing carpeting, but that doesn’t prevent PFAS from entering via coats or shoes. Bruton writes, “As long as they continue to be used in products, we’ll all be eating, drinking and breathing PFAS. We need to turn off the tap and stop all unnecessary uses of PFAS as soon as possible.”

Shine On

Large-Scale Solar Power Cost Plummets

pixabey/Pexels.com

A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) describes a significant decrease in the cost of renewable energy sources compared to 2020, with solar leading the pack by a wide margin. The 10year average adjusted costs of generation for a plant over its lifetime are 85 percent for utility-scale solar; 56 percent for onshore wind; 48 percent for offshore wind; and 68 percent for concentrated solar power. IRENA continues to see drops of between 7 percent and 16 percent in these categories this year. According to the same report, the 62 percent of new renewables added last year had lower costs than the cheapest fossil fuels.

New renewables are increasingly competitive against existing fossil fuels. In the U.S., 61 percent of current coal capacity already has higher operating costs. Phasing out these coal plants would start saving money almost immediately. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera states that because renewables cost more upfront than keeping old coal rolling, action is needed to make sure emerging economies are not left behind. “We are far beyond the tipping point of coal.”

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

graphic&IllustrAdobeStock.com

Forever Chemicals in Indoor Air

Green Future

Breezy Solution

Marine Crisis

Cornell University research published in the journal Climate indicates that advanced wind energy strategies could reduce atmospheric average temperatures of about 32 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit by 2199. Rebecca Barthelmie, a professor in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, says, “Early action will reap dividends.

In terms of averting the worst of climate change, our work confirms that accelerating wind energy technology deployment is a logical and cost-effective part of the required strategy.” Waiting longer to avert environmental disaster will mean more greenhouse gas reduction scenarios will be needed.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group I Sixth Assessment Report has determined that climate change is rapid and intensifying, and that Earth’s atmosphere could add 35 degrees Fahrenheit of average warming by 2040. Sara C. Pryor, a professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and co-author of the research, says global wind resources exceed current electricity demand and the cost of energy from wind turbines has declined sharply. “It makes perfect sense to rapidly deploy wind energy as a key part of decarbonizing the electricity supply.” Wind turbines are now deployed in 90 countries, generating about 7 percent of global electricity.

Tyler Eddy, a research scientist who co-authored a new study at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, says, “Coral reefs have been in decline worldwide. I think that’s pretty commonly accepted. We didn’t necessarily know the magnitude of how much.” The in-depth analysis reveals half of coral reefs have been lost since the 1950s. Climate change, overfishing and pollution are decimating coral reef cover, biodiversity and fish abundance. In another study, scientists with the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network determined the world lost 14 percent of its coral between 2009 and 2018 alone.

Coral reefs provide habitat for fish and protection for coastal communities, and they generate billions of dollars for the fishing and tourism industries. Corals are extremely sensitive to changes in water temperature and acidity. The living polyps rely on zooxanthellae—algae that live in their tissue—to produce food the corals need. When the polyps are stressed by changes in light, water temperature or acidity, they expel the algae in a process called bleaching. There is a brief time frame in which they can replenish the algae, but if corals are stressed for too long, their death is irreversible.

“We are running out of time: We can reverse losses, but we have to act now,” says Inger Andersen, head of the United Nations Environment Program.

Peaceful Settlement

Native Americans Win Historic Water Battle Shchipkova/AdobeStock.com

The Indigenous Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have reached an historic $1.9 billion water rights settlement with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, resolving thousands of tribal claims to waterways in Montana. The largest of its kind, this agreement authorizes funding to modernize the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, a 1,300-mile network of aging canals. It also provides funding for habitat restoration and transfers control of the National Bison Range to the tribes. The dispute stems from the 1855 Treaty of Hellgate, which created the 1.25-million-acre reservation.

Coral Reefs May Soon Be Just a Memory

tom fisk/Pexels.com

pixabay/Pexels.com

Wind Energy Can Be a Climate Change Hero

The agreement establishes a Flathead Reservation Water Management Board to govern water use within the reservation. Two members of the board will be chosen by the tribe, two will be chosen by the governor of Montana and a fifth will be chosen by the four appointed members.

Tribal Chairwoman Shelly R. Fyant says, “Our elders continually remind us to protect our water, and this day marks the beginning of the water compact implementation that will protect the water for all generations to come.”

Ryan Rusche, an attorney for the tribes, says, “The settlement provides water to fulfill the purpose of the reservation, which is a permanent homeland for the tribes, while at the same time protecting existing non-Indian uses of water on the reservation where there is a significant irrigation-based economy.”

December 2021

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healing ways

Amp Up Immunity Proven Boosters for Good Health

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by Ronica O’Hara

A

s we head into the holidays, a gift that many of us wish for is a strong immune system to protect us not only from serious illness, but also from wintry coughs and sniffles. Robust immunity rests on three pillars, research shows: getting at least seven hours of sleep a night to allow immune functions to reboot; daily exercise to stimulate the production of white blood cells that fight off harmful bacteria and viruses; and plant-based foods to supply the antioxidants and phytochemicals needed to reduce inflammation and keep cells humming happily.

In addition, we can enhance immunity by adding specific adaptogens and mushroom powders into our daily routine. These study-proven substances perform specific functions in the immune system that boost our resistance to illness. As powders, they can be easily added into drinks or foods, and they can also be taken as tinctures or pills.

Modulating Immunity with Adaptogens Used for millennia in China and India, adaptogens are plants 14

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

that keep the body in balance by helping it adapt to stress. They interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a complex system of glands, hormones and receptors that helps manage homeostasis, stress responses and energy metabolism. “Adaptogens are a great way to boost immunity, especially if you are constantly sick and run down due to feeling stressed,” says Heather Hanks, a Plymouth, Michigan, nutritionist with USA Rx. Adaptogens typically take two or three weeks to become effective; follow package directions for proper dosage.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), an herb called locoweed in the U.S., boosts immune function by increasing natural killer cell activity and enhancing the function of macrophages, the “immune sentinels” that reside in tissues. A recent review suggests that long-term use of astragalus might help prevent colds, and taking it for up to six weeks may relieve seasonal allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itching and sneezing. It has also been shown to improve recovery after illness, disease or prolonged stress and to help post-chemotherapy patients regain health.

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Polish researchers found that rowing team athletes given 500 milligrams of astragalus root extract each day for six weeks had immune systems that recovered faster after strenuous exercise.

Panax Ginseng, a perennial plant from East Asia, keeps the immune system in balance by regulating its components, including macrophages, dendritic cells and both T and B cells. It improves resistance to illness and microbial attacks, helps counter stress, controls inflammation, improves cognitive functions and has been found effective in the treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, insulin resistance and hypertension.

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known as holy basil, “enhances the immune response, protects the body against bacterial and viral infection and promotes clear and comfortable breathing,” says Ameya Duprey, a certified Ayurvedic practitioner in Nevada City, California. Studies show that it also helps prevent liver, kidney and brain injury by protecting against the genetic, immune and cellular damage caused by pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.

The Marvel of Medicinal Mushrooms Used medicinally since at least 3,000 BCE, certain mushrooms have been found to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-protective, anti-diabetic, liver-protective and anticancer properties. They are usually not cooked, but rather taken as a powder that can be added to foods like smoothies, cereals and stir-fries.

Reishi mushrooms increase the activity of killer cells and lower inflammation in white cells, warding off infections. “They are used by cancer patients, as they support a healthy immune system, have antioxidant properties and may prevent or treat infections,” says Linda Strause, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of human nutrition at University of California San Diego, whose husband with brain cancer was encouraged to take the mushrooms as a supplement.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensi) is harvested from the larvae of caterpillars in the high Himalayas. In a randomized, eight-week Korean study of 79 adults, supplementing with 1.7 grams of cordyceps extract daily led to a significant 38 percent increase in the activity of natural killer cells that protect against infection. It has been used traditionally to treat fatigue, sexual dysfunction, asthma, kidney problems, high blood pressure and weak hearts.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) contains a compound called polysaccharide-K that stimulates the immune system. It also acts as a prebiotic, which promotes the health of the gut microbiome, a key player in immunity. A Harvard Medical School study of 22 healthy people found that taking 3,600 milligrams of polysaccharopeptide extracted from turkey tail mushrooms each day led to beneficial changes in gut bacteria and suppressed the growth of problematic E. coli and shigella bacteria.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

†

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@ gmail.com.

December 2021

15

eco tip

coming in the january

Sustainable Kitchen Advice for Buying and Storing Food

Health & Wellness Issue

AT THE GROCERY STORE Food waste is environmentally problematic, producing a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Before entering the grocery store, plan meals for the week and build a shopping list to prevent overbuying.

Buy staples like nuts, beans, flours, grains, dried fruit and chocolate chips in bulk, carrying them home in reusable cotton sacks that can be purchased from artisans on Etsy.com. Some grocery stores offer paper bags in the bulk aisle; choose these over plastic and save them for subsequent uses.

Many of us have stopped drinking bottled water to ditch single-use plastics.

Consider expanding that effort by forgoing packaged products that can be made easily from scratch, including salad dressings, breads, hummus, nut milks, nut butters, jams, tortilla chips and granola.

Some food companies employ eco-friendly packaging, setting an example for the rest of the industry. Read labels not just for ingredients, but for packaging practices, too. For example, look for shelf-stable dried goods packaged in recycled cardboard boxes printed with vegetable-based inks. While loose tea is the most sustainable choice, we can also opt for compostable tea bag brands that don’t use strings, staples or individual wrappers.

IN THE KITCHEN One of the most elegant and traditional storage solutions is the Mason jar. It’s an inexpensive, reusable, versatile option, not just for canning and preserving foods, but also for storing bulk pantry items or refrigerated leftovers.

While paper towels and napkins may be biodegradable, an Earth-friendlier choice is reusable washcloths and fabric napkins that are easily washed in the laundry. Avoid ones that come in plastic wrapping. Darker colors will hide stains better, but if they help save the planet, embrace the stains.

Several options exist to avoid plastic wrap and disposable plastic containers, including reusable silicone freezer bags, beeswax wraps, glass spray bottles and stainless steel canisters. Keep and reuse grocery store jars. Soaking them to remove the labels is easy.

A bristled, wooden dish brush is preferable to petroleum-based disposable sponges that come wrapped in plastic. They last longer, don’t produce as much bacteria and are capable scrubbers. Use bar soap to avoid plastic dishwashing liquid containers.

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conscious eating

The Sweet Danger of Sugar ways to enjoy healthier holiday fare

by Christy Ratliff

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C

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hocolate Santas, decorated cookies and other sweet confections are ingrained in our holiday traditions, yet sugary food does little to actually make us feel merry and bright in the long run.

A high-sugar diet increases the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol, inflammation, weight gain and weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It can also contribute to tooth decay and acne. “Most high-sugar foods are ‘treats’ and are not intended to be high in nutrition or consumed instead of healthier foods,” says Shelley Maniscalco, registered dietitian and CEO of the consulting firm Nutrition on Demand, in Arlington, Virginia. “When we have too many foods that are what we call calorie-dense versus nutrient-dense, we run the risk of displacing healthier foods, and, therefore, under-consuming key nutrients.”

This can impact mental health and impair the body’s ability to manage stress. “When we eat nutritious foods, and our gut is healthy, we obtain necessary nutrients to create neurotransmitters, which are key to optimal mental health,” explains Maggie Roney, a licensed counselor and certified functional medicine provider in Wylie, Texas. “There’s mood-stabilizing serotonin, which is a precursor for melatonin, needed for sleep; dopamine, involved in pleasure, focus and motivation; and GABA, which provides a calming effect that can help with stress and anxiety. All of these require amino acids, zinc, iron, vitamin D, magnesium, copper and B vitamins.”

In moderation, sugar is not necessarily detrimental to our health and well-being, but differentiating between naturally occurring sugar and added sugar is key to finding a middle ground. “New changes in the food label allow consumers to more easily identify sources of sugar in foods,” Maniscalco says. “Many healthy foods naturally contain sugars, such as fructose in fruits and lactose in dairy products. These natural sugars don’t need to be avoided. When checking the label, look for amounts of added sugars and choose the options that have less.”

Foods and beverages with added sugars are now required to list the number of grams and percent daily value for added sugars on the nutrition facts label. For example, a container of yogurt with fruit on the bottom might list total sugars at 15 grams (g), including 7 g of added sugar, which means 8 g of naturally occurring sugars.

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In a society long obsessed with counting calories, we may assume we’re making smart choices with low-fat, non-fat, reduced calorie or light versions of grocery items. But, the amount of added sugar is actually higher in low calorie versions of a wide variety of foods because sugar is used to compensate for the loss of flavor from fat. “Sugar tastes good and balances out other flavors, so many foods that we wouldn’t consider sweet have added sugars,” says Colleen Tewksbury, Ph.D., bariatric program manager and senior research investigator at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Common products include pasta sauce, cereal and salad dressing. Reading food labels looking specifically for added sugars is key to finding these foods.”

“Hidden sugars are often found where we least expect them,” adds Ricardo Díaz, chef and registered dietitian nutritionist at the New York-based nonprofit Wellness in the Schools, which works to improve nutrition in school lunches. “Many savory or salty foods tend to have added sugars, such as tortilla chips, popcorn,

jerky and frozen prepared foods. Check your labels and compare between products on the supermarket shelves to find the healthiest pick for you and your loved ones.”

“Often, we think of eating in ‘all or nothing’ terms. When we cut out foods we enjoy, it often backfires and we end up overeating them in the end when our willpower runs out,” Maniscaclo says.

“I would really encourage mindfulness in eating so that individuals can enjoy treats in moderation and feel satisfied by them so that there’s less need to over consume. Also, being physically active year-round is a great habit to get into and can create more space in the diet for treats.”

As we implement these small but significant low-sugar strategies, we’ll be rewarded with better physical and emotional health all year long. That’s something to celebrate.

Christy Ratliff is a professional health and wellness writer based in Central Florida.

Tips to Eat Less Sugar

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Shelley Maniscalco, MPH, RD: Eat fruit. Most are naturally sweet and provide healthy nutrients without a lot of calories. As an added bonus, the fiber and water content in fruit helps with feeling satiated.

Add spices and fresh herbs. Studies show that adding them enhances flavor, and it also lowers the use of such unhealthy nutrients as added sugars, sodium and saturated fats.

Colleen Tewksbury, Ph.D., RD: Choose plain yogurt, as it contains no added sugar. Top it with fresh fruit, cinnamon or nuts. Choose yogurt that contains live and active cultures, as these promote gut health and boost immunity.

maxim khytra/AdobeStock.com

Nearly a quarter of added sugars consumed come from sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas and fruit drinks, even more than from desserts and sweets. A simple way of reducing added sugar is reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. Three approaches are: setting a frequency goal (limit to x times per week); setting a portion goal (limit to x ounces per day); or setting a substitution goal (replace sugarsweetened beverages with sugar-free options).

Jennifer Martin-Biggers, Ph.D., RDN: To reduce sugar intake, as with any other new habit or behavior change, it’s important to set manageable goals and set new ones as you go.

Another way to support dietary changes is through supplementation. The mineral chromium, in particular in the form of chromium picolinate, has been shown in clinical studies to reduce food cravings. ronstik/AdobeStock.com

marilyn barbone/AdobeStock.com

Chef and dietitian nutritionist Ricardo Díaz: Swap out fruit juice cocktails and fruit juice concentrates for whole fruits and 100 percent fruit juice. Fruit beverages rely on added sugar to provide much of their sweetness.

Choose whole grains over enriched grains.

Include a variety of whole grains in your diet, such as oats, brown rice or whole-wheat pastas and breads.

To maximize fiber intake, pick products labeled “100% Whole Grains” over labels stating “Whole Grains” or “Multigrain”.

Make your own baked goods. Besides controlling the amount of sugar in your treats, baking at home is a great way to get your youngest family members involved in cooking.

Film Suggestions: Watch That Sugar Film, a 2014 Australian documentary/drama directed by Damon Gameau at WatchDocumentaries.com/ that-sugar-film. According to New York Times film critic Daniel M. Gold, “The food-doc shelf is crowded with good-for-you movies, including Fed Up, Fast Food Nation, Food Inc. and, yes, Super Size Me. That Sugar Film is a worthy addition, entertaining while informing.”

December 2021

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Low- or No-Sugar Holiday Treats Baklava Cookie Cups 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour 1 tsp orange zest ½ tsp ground cardamom ¼ tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature ¾ cup honey 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

photo provided by allrecipes.com

filling and syrup:

½ cup pistachios, chopped ½ cup honey 3 Tbsp water 2 tsp orange juice 4 green cardamom pods, crushed 1 cinnamon stick

Heat oven to 350° F and grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, orange zest, cardamom and salt. In the bowl of a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and honey for about 1-2 minutes. (The mix will look a little curdled at this point and that’s fine; scrape down the sides.) Beat in the eggs, then the vanilla. Mix in the flour in

two parts. Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven; let sit for about 3-4 minutes before using a dowel to carefully press down in the center of each cookie to make a well. Let the cookies cool for about 15 minutes in the tin before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely. In a small saucepan over medium heat, prepare the syrup by combining the honey, water, orange juice, cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer and remove from the heat. Drizzle a small amount in the bottom of each cookie cup and then fill with the chopped pistachios. Drizzle more syrup on top of the filled cookie cups. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Courtesy of the National Honey Board. For more information, visit Honey.com.

Baked Apples

Preheat oven to 375° F. Wash apples.

Using an apple corer, remove cores and leave ½ inch of the bottom of each apple. (If using a paring knife, just cut the center core out fully.) Make the hole ¾-inch wide, and remove the seeds using a spoon. Place the cored apples in an 8-inch-by 8-inch baking dish.

Sprinkle lemon juice over apples to prevent browning. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, chopped nuts and raisins or another dried fruit. Stuff each apple with the filling mixture. Top with a dot of butter (about ½ to ¾ tsp per apple). Add boiling water to baking pan.

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Bake for 40-45 minutes until tender, but not mushy. Remove baked apples from the oven, and baste apples several times with the juice from the pan. (Apples can be baked in a muffin tin. Place muffin liners into the muffin tins, and place cored apples inside.)

Chef ’s Note: Personalize the baked apples with seasonal fillings and spices, such as nutmeg, cardamom or pumpkin pie spice. For a twist, try a savory, fresh herb like rosemary or thyme.

Courtesy of Wellness in the Schools. For more information, visit WellnessInThe Schools.org.

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photo provided by allrecipes.com

4 large Granny Smith baking apples Juice of one lemon (about ¼ cup) 1 tsp cinnamon ¼ cup chopped pecans or another nut of choice ¼ cup raisins or another dried fruit of choice 1 tsp butter ¾ cup boiling water

This dark chocolate bark recipe is holidaythemed with red, white and green toppings.

Other topping options include almonds, dried fruit, sunflower, pumpkin or hemp seeds or granola.

or in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Break the bark into pieces and serve.

Store extra pieces at room temperature in an airtight container.

6 oz dark chocolate ¼ cup raw pistachios ¼ cup dried cranberries 2 Tbsp shredded coconut

Courtesy of Jessica Bippen, MS, RD. For more information, visit HUMNutrition.com/blog.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Create a double boiler by placing a saucepan filled with a few inches of water and topped with a glass bowl over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil.

Add two thirds of the chocolate and let melt, stirring until smooth. Take off the heat and stir in the remaining chocolate.

kolesnikovserg/AdobeStock.com

photo provided by allrecipes.com

A Dietician’s Healthy Dark Chocolate Bark

Pour melted chocolate onto the prepared baking tray. Spread to ⅛-inch thickness.

While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle with dried cranberries, chopped pistachios and shredded coconut. To set, place tray in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes

Honey Lavender Cookies This recipe was developed after lavender was accidentally weeded from the garden.

These cookies are made with honey and whole-wheat flour.

ter until incorporated.

24 cookies

½ cup butter, softened ½ cup honey 1 egg 1 Tbsp lavender flowers 2 cups whole-wheat flour

“Our bodies have an amazing capacity to heal themselves.

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Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat butter in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat honey, egg and lavender into the creamed but-

Stir flour, ½ cup at a time, into butter mixture until blended.

Drop spoonful of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake in preheated oven until cookies are browned on the bottom, about 15 minutes.

Courtesy of Sue B. For more information, visit AllRecipes.com.

Discover functional medicine to restore whole-body health.

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photo provided by allrecipes.com

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inspiration To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can. ~Sydney Smith

Season of Light

Celebrating the Soul of Winter

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I

nevitably, the wheel of the year turns with the nuances of the seasons hardly noticed in the blur of our busy days. “Next year,” we say, when we realize that we’ve run out of time to try that holiday recipe, connect with friends or revel in a winter sunset. Collecting small joys takes us out of survival mode and into wide-awake living.

Pausing to sip from winter’s steaming cup of comfort can be the perfect way to begin a new chapter that prompts us to come back to the center.

In the ancient world, fire festivals marked holy days celebrating the sun’s promise of return and supplied felicity in a time of hardship. Today, something inside our ancestral memories makes us crave celebration as we wrap the year’s end in shiny ribbon, ethereal lights and scented candles. Singing, chanting or caroling this time of year—“old-fashioned” pastimes—were ancient elements of winter’s revels that invited benevolent energy and chased away bad luck. While most of us no longer grace our neighbors with song, raising our voices to any capacity can be an offering, an invitation to hope and beauty. Singing multicultural songs with the kids, writing a spontaneous prayer or sharing seasonal or funny stories naturally boosts the immune system and helps to fight off the winter blues.

Winter has its own jewel-toned beauty that rivals summer’s most dazzling hour if we pay attention: ruby fruits baked with brown sugar, rosy desert mornings and snowy sapphire twilights. Pointing out December constellations over a beach or lacing up our boots for a brisk walk helps us to unplug from the world’s problems. Sprinkling heart-healthy spices in our morning coffee opens a gloomy day on a lovely note.

Winter can feel long, so go ahead and treat your senses; buy a few yards of red velvet to sleep on or pick up that novel you’ve been planning to read. Live and give a little more deeply. Feed the birds and feed your soul.

Marlaina Donato is an author and a composer of ambient holiday music. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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local inspiration

Today, I am a 60-year-old stage 4 cancer patient and I know where I am going when I die.

I have shared my story thousands of times to many grateful hearts. In my 20s, I knew my body would eventually give out and I would be called to give account to God. I also realized that I might wind up in hell, which was unacceptable to me. I knew a loving Creator must have established a way for us to become confident about going to heaven, but I could not figure it out. I prayed for the answer. God loves prayers from a sincere heart and He revealed the answers to me.

As everlasting beings, the most important future event for every soul is accountability to God. Yet most people do not read the Bible enough to know what it says about going to heaven. Still, the way to heaven must be simple because God wants people from all backgrounds to fill heaven.

Understand that simply doing good deeds is not enough to get into heaven for two reasons. One, nobody can ever arrive at a day and be assured that all the good deeds that are needed to be done have been done. Two, no number of good deeds erases the bad deeds already on our record.

The way is truly quite simple. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins so that we can go to heaven. We simply need to accept Him as our Savior from our sins and obey what He tells us in the Bible. It is that simple. But it is not easy for most people. As a matter of fact, Jesus warned us that most people will end up in hell (Matthew 7:13-14).

We cannot be our own savior by doing good deeds, Jesus is our Savior. If we made it into heaven by doing good deeds, Jesus would have been a fool to voluntarily die on the cross for nothing. He is no fool. He paid the greatest price ever paid for anything and that was for our souls, so we can be confident of going to heaven.

There are four important points to sincerely pray to go to heaven: 1. Confess your sins to God. 2. Repent of your sins. Be sincere about change because God commands change.

3. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. He died and rose from the dead to pay the price for your sins. It’s not your good works, nor your grandmother’s prayers, nor the church

that gets you into heaven. It’s the Lord Jesus Christ and only He can get you into heaven (John 3:16, John 14:6, Romans 10:9-13).

4. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart to guide your thoughts and actions.

The world is dark and filled with temptations. It’s not easy to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to life. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can do it.

The Bible tells us that the blood of Jesus washes our sins from our record so that when we’re called to give account at the Great White Throne of Judgement there is no sin on our records.

1 John 5:13: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

This explains why, for 2000 years, Christmas continues to be celebrated all over the world.

Ron Jasnowski is a missionary from Palatine, Illinois. For more information, visit Answers4Eternity.org. If you would like to share this good news, you can learn more meaningful details in a short video at Answers4Eternity.org.

December 2021

23

The Power of Gathering in Community

by Linda Sechrist

H

ad the intellectual achievements of human culture evolved during a revolution based on living systems in the natural world rather than one of rapid industrial growth and resource consumption, we might be experiencing interconnectedness instead of divisiveness during this time of social and ecological crisis.

A nature-focused revolution embracing humans as an integral part of the Earth’s natural systems would have instilled a deeper understanding of the wonders of the human body as a living system imbued with inner intelligence, as well as the intelligence of the non-human living world. This perspective, held by Native Americans, would have helped to create sustainable human communities that flourish by connecting, collaborating, cooperating and communicating.

With such approaches as wisdom circles, story circles, power of eight intention circles, support groups, prayer circles and dialogue circles exploring conflict solutions, Western minds are just beginning to comprehend how small-community experiences of fellowship and communion can assuage feelings of separation and isolation, and create inner experiences of wholeness and belonging.

Mentoring Each Other Although not always sharing a common geographical location, 24

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

small communities formed around common interests and shared values enable emotional healing. The ManKind Project (MKP), which describes itself as a “men’s community for the 21st century,” has more than 1,000 peer-facilitated groups in 22 countries in which men mentor each other through their life passages.

“In our MKP communities, there’s a sense of shared commitment and the shared values of accountability, authenticity, compassion, generosity, integrity, respect, leadership and multicultural awareness, along with a shared vision pointing us in the direction we want to go together,” says Boysen Hodgson, MKP-USA communications director. “While MKP’s mission statement informs our work, in New Warrior Adventure training, each man creates a personal mission statement. Mine is, ‘I transform culture by designing change, building bridges and co-creating space for connection.’”

According to Hodgson, when a man shares how he hears his inner voice for the first time along with his story in another man’s story, he becomes aware of his interior capacities and cultivates internal and external listening skills. By sharing personal stories, men experience epiphanies that can result in connections and bonding.

Douglas Bonar, a 35-year veteran of mental health counseling and owner of A Center for Wellness, in Pinellas Park, Florida, has been facilitating men’s groups for 22 years. Men and occasionally women that have been court-ordered to undergo counseling with

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Circles of Healing

Bonar for 29 weeks after their incarceration learn the value of growing together in community. “I initiate the uninitiated who’ve never heard about the powerful impacts of respectful, attentive listening without judgement, giving/receiving feedback and support, and learning about successes and failures in the company of community,” says Bonar. “Actively engaging the minds, hearts and energy of people participating in community makes experiencing emotional healing possible. Feeling truly heard and deeply listened to and comprehending life from a multisensory human perception and a sense of oneness can lead to understanding that we are never alone, the universe is alive—conscious, intelligent and compassionate.”

More about progress than perfection, Bonar’s unique Roots and Wings Way of Wholeness approach to healing in community tills the soil of an inner world and plants seeds via the introduction of guidelines for creating authentic power, spiritual growth, levels of consciousness, coherence, the realization of one’s true self as more than an enculturated personality, the Noetic experience of oneness, humans as energetic beings, emotions as energy in motion and a coherent energetic field that the HeartMath Institute notes creates synchronization, or entrainment, between the heart and mind, as well as a sense of unity.

Sharing Sacred Space Jean Shinoda Bolen, a Jungian psychiatrist, activist and author of Moving Toward the Millionth Circle: Energizing the Global Women’s Movement, encourages everyone to follow a path with soul and take on a personal assignment that contributes to change, while relying on the support of circle communities of like-minded individuals. “Fundamental principles applicable to any group include creating sacred space, listening with compassion and for wisdom, speaking from the heart and personal experience, inviting silence and reflection when needed, taking responsibility for your experience and your impact on the circle, keeping the confidence of the circle and making decisions when needed by consensus,” says Bolen, whose active events include a prayer circle and another with women she has been together with since the 1980s.

“The more frequently a circle meets to fully witness one another’s life stories, including all the changes and crises, a growing trust and heart connection occurs and a coherent energy field is created,” says Bolen. At the beginning of her circle gatherings, upon hearing the tone of a Tibetan bowl, she says, everyone immediately drops into coherence; a state of connectedness in which the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Cultivating Deep Listening As the host of New Dimensions, a nationally syndicated radio program that addresses cultural shifts, Justine Willis Toms has deeply explored interconnectedness with some of the greatest minds on the planet, including the Dalai Lama and physicist David Bohm.

Referring to her circle communities as “friends of the heart,” she enthuses, “When I am deeply listening to another or speaking authentically aloud in a circle of trust, I get to hear myself in a way that I don’t if I’m only listening to what is in my head.”

Recalling a tumultuous time in her life, Toms relates a profound healing experience that occurred in a circle community in which she and her husband had been participating since the 1980s. “This particular circle usually gathers for an entire weekend. On one, I arrived in deep distress—so much so that on Friday I began pouring out my fears, anxiety, blame and judgements. I raged through the night and didn’t stop until after breakfast on Saturday, when I felt complete, totally heard, emotionally healed and revived.”

From a sense of peace and clarity, Toms knew that healing occurred because of the circle’s capacity for deep listening. “We know and trust the true genius that each of us is, and we know how to not be afraid for each other when life is in a rollercoaster cycle and we’re at the bottom, but don’t want to pull the brake because we’ll never have the momentum to go back up. This is the power of a circle of friends of the heart who love you,” says Toms, who shares a favorite African saying, “‘A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it.

Those who love you are not fooled by the mistakes you’ve made or the dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly, your wholeness when you are broken, your innocence when you’re feeling guilty and your purpose when you are confused.’”

Connecting through Common Emotions Physician Jennifer Phelps, owner of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, is a trained facilitator of small groups who has worked in communities traumatized by natural disasters and human-caused catastrophes in her role as a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. “Where individuals listen to the grief and loss of others, emotional healing can be quite profound. Sharing stories in community, we learn we’re not alone and isolated, but rather related and connected in our human emotions,” says Phelps, adding that in groups of fewer than six people cohesiveness dissipates, leaving only conversation and cross-talk.

The process of human and community development unfolds from within each person, relationship and community. According to Cate Montana, of Kula, Hawaii, author of The E-Word: Ego, Enlightenment & Other Essentials, awakening to the illusion of separation, which can happen in community, sparks healing.

“The persona of an individual as only a body and mind is the big sleep,” advises Montana, whose life work has been about waking people up to the truth of their essential spiritual nature and giving them tools for a more fulfilling life.

Having experiences of fellowship and communion with likeminded people can make it possible to observe and understand how ego and mind function, and to become aware of crippling social programming which fragments, separates and divides us.

Experiencing a sense of wholeness in such an environment allows for healing naturally on many levels.

Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer. Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

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Ideas for Starting and Maintaining a Circle

by Justine Willis Toms When I tell someone that I’ve been meeting in a circle with the same people for more than three decades, they invariably ask, “How can I have that in my life?” They are eager to hear my stories, but feel overwhelmed about how to start a circle of their own.

While those first steps feel like the biggest steps, they are really baby steps.

Best Practices for Circles These agreements have helped circles to function more successfully for all participants.

Three-step advice: 1. Make the commitment and write it down 2. Put out the call 3. Be consistent

n Consider it a sacred space

Step One: Set forth a clear intention.

n Encourage and welcome diverse

n One person speaks at a time n Speak and listen from the heart

Years ago, I learned from Rev. Mary Manin Morrissey that everything is born twice: first in the imagination and then into the world. In the beginning, you will not know all the details, but you need to be clear in the overall intention of starting a circle and meeting regularly. Instead of saying, “Having a circle in my life is a good idea,” say, “It’s as good as done; I’m going to make it so no matter what.” Then write it down. This anchors it into the world of manifestation.

Step Two: Put out the call.

After making the inner commitment, you need to tune into other people that want to travel with you. It doesn’t take a lot of people to begin; one or two others will be fine.

Talk to a friend about this idea. You may feel awkward at first, but be assured there is a field of energy holding you—humans we have been circling since the dawn of history.

If people turn you down, do not be discouraged. Trust that the perfect people will begin to show up. It is my experience that if even two people meet using circle principles on a regular basis it acts as an attractor for others.

Step Three: Meet on a consistent basis.

Put your circle time in your calendar as an important event. Keep this commitment just as you would a medical or dental appointment. Show up and keep the appointment even if you are the only one. There will be times when you feel too tired to go.

Go anyway. Afterwards, you’ll be truly delighted you went. Being sporadic in your meeting time will create a “leaky container”. Meeting consistently builds a powerful and vitalizing bond.

points of view

n Listen with discernment instead

of judgment

n When in doubt or need, pause and

silently ask for guidance

n Share leadership and resources n Decide together how decisions

will be made

n Work toward consensus

when possible

n Offer experience instead of advice n Decide together what is to be held

in confidence

n Speak from your own experiences

and beliefs rather than speaking for others

n Open and close the circle by hear-

ing each voice (Check-ins and check-outs)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: New Dimensions Radio NewDimensions.org

Cate Montana CateMontana.com

Mankind Project MankindProject.org

Institute of Noetic Science (IONS) Noetic.org

Jean Shinoda Bolen JeanBolen.com

Douglas Bonar A Center for Wellness ACenterForWellness.net

Circle Principles MillionthCircle.org/circle-resources/ circle-principles 26

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The Center for Mind Body Wellness cmbm.org HeartMath HeartMath.com Jennifer Phelps, M.D. cmbm.org/faculty-member/ jennifer-phelps-md

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fit body

HOLIDAY ZEN

Stress-Free Fitness and Self-Care

by Maya Whitman

D

espite our best efforts, holiday time can frazzle our nerves and snag us in an unhealthy loop of overindulgence. To combat holiday pressure, the Mayo Clinic suggests maintaining a regular exercise program and investing in me-time activities like meditation and deep breathing.

Movement and simple self-care, even for a few minutes, can lower cortisol levels that often contribute to excessive food cravings. Walking, going for a run, lifting weights, or getting into the pool or onto the yoga mat can help us enjoy the season with less angst.

foto helin/AdobeStock.com

Cancelling Guilt, Staying Healthy

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With simple strategies, enjoying the office party dessert table doesn’t have to get us off track. “One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself when reaching for a cookie is to be in full approval of eating it. Let your experience of eating it be clean, present and so free of resistance that you can really experience it,” says Maria Miller, a spiritual life coach in Oceanside, California.

Stephanie Mansour, host of the weekly national PBS health and fitness show Step It Up with Steph, also opts for a no-stress approach, especially when it comes to working out. “When cortisol levels are through the roof, we crave fattening, salty or sweet foods. Studies have shown that people have a more positive body image just after five minutes of exercise,” says the Chicagobased wellness coach. “This mindset is huge when it comes to eating healthier and taming holiday cravings.”

Bolstering neurotransmitters through good nutrition can take the edge off the to-do list or a gloomy winter day. “When

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Winter Wisdom Tips From Stephanie Mansour: n If you know you’re going to be out for holiday cocktails and sweets, commit to eating an additional serving of greens, perhaps by putting extra greens in your lunch salad, eating sautéed spinach before you leave for the party or adding greens to your protein shake in the morning. n Set up a “self-care corner” in your home and stack it with motivational books, journals, candles and a cozy blanket. Designate this home sanctuary as a place you can go for peace, quiet and enjoyment without electronics n My clients have enjoyed using meditation apps that focus on a topic. Insight Timer has meditations that focus on self-care, weight loss and sleep. I like the prayer app Hallow for people who are looking to improve their prayer life or do a meditation while praying.

From Ed Harrold: n Practice diaphragmatic breathing while walking, then take it into whatever exercise routine you enjoy. If you feel the need to mouth-breathe, slow down and reestablish a steady rhythm of breath. n Use your breath as a tool to stay in the present moment; don’t place energy on outdated thought-forms. Be aware that you are exactly what the world needs right now, and the gifts you bring to the table are always big enough.

we fuel our bodies with a variety of whole foods, we are also supporting healthy brain function, which has a direct impact on our emotions,” says Teigan Draig, a life coach in Spencerville, Ohio. Draig suggests berries, citrus fruits, fresh fish, turkey, walnuts, almonds, avocados and eggs to boost serotonin and dopamine levels, “which improve mood and help to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety on the body.”

Prioritizing Self Most of us are short on time, but committing to good health doesn’t require hours at the gym. “Many of my clients are looking for fast, simple workouts that they can squeeze in during the holidays,” says Mansour. “Set the timer for five minutes and get down on the floor to do ab exercises. Doing leg lifts, bicycle abs and crunches for five minutes is an excellent way to fire up the core.” She also suggests setting the morning alarm or going to sleep at night five minutes earlier to do some stretches in bed.

“If you’re cooking, you can do squats in the kitchen while a smoothie is blending or calf raises while stirring a pot on the stove.”

For Miller, putting on some music and dancing in the living room is a sure way to get a boost. She is also a fan of guiltfree, unplugged intervals of shut-eye: “Five-to-25-minute power naps are a great way to rest and recharge with a very high return on your investment of time.”

During the winter months, it can be easy to turn to screens for distraction and as a way to cope with the stress of the season.

Miller reminds us to nourish our souls and get out in nature to “notice the way the weather impacts your body, the way it feels to draw in a breath and how you’re part of a constant exchange with life through each breath you take.”

Inhaling Peace Conscious breathing makes the effects of workouts go further and halts the cascade of stress hormones. “Whatever fitness rou-

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251-463-1862 | fengshui831.com tine you’re doing is fine, just always breathe through your nose. Mouth breathing triggers cortisol release,” says Ed Harrold, breathwork and performance coach in Draper, Utah, and author of Life with Breath.

“When we slow the breath rate, we encourage a relaxation response. We can manage the release of cortisol by inhaling through the nose, slowly from the belly to the collarbone and exhaling slowly through the nose by gently drawing the belly back into the lower spine. This is called diaphragmatic breathing and is our proper breath, even during exercise.”

For nature, winter is a time of repose from which we can take a cue and enjoy the moment. Draig muses, “Mindfulness requires us to be present in the here and now, rather than worrying about the to-do list or stressing over holiday finances.”

Maya Whitman writes about natural health and living a more beautiful life. Connect at Ekstasis28@gmail.com.

December 2021

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green living

Greening the Holidays How to Celebrate Sustainably

tanyajoy/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

W

ith every record-setting storm and catastrophic fire, more people are realizing that we are embroiled in a climate crisis. Consider this holiday season as an opportunity not just to make sustainable choices, but also to take strategic action that positively impacts the planet and inspires friends and family to join the environmental cause. Whether that means modifications to the holiday dinner, ecofriendly decorating tactics or responsible gifting, every environmental choice can be a teaching moment or conversation starter. Together, we can make a difference.

Eco-Friendly Holiday Dinner Growing fruits and vegetables is generally kinder to the Earth than the industrialized production of meat, which pollutes the environment and mistreats animals. Hosting a vegetarian holiday feast with locally sourced, organic produce is a great way to support regenerative farming systems, slash transportation emissions and introduce guests to 30

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new culinary traditions. If meat is a must, opt for sustainably wild-caught salmon or shrimp and pastured, organic turkey or chicken over beef, as cow production leads to significant methane emissions.

To conserve energy, use the oven or stove sparingly, opting instead for recipes that employ crockpots, air fryers, pressure cookers, outdoor barbecues or the microwave. For both health and environmental reasons, gently encourage smaller meat portions and fill the plate with scrumptious side dishes. After the party, leftovers

can be sent home with guests, turned into next-day lunches and soups or frozen for later use. Compost scraps to keep them out of the landfill.

Responsible Gift Wrapping Eliminating wrapping paper, bows, ribbons and greeting cards from the holiday equation is a great zero-waste lifestyle choice.

Gifts can just as easily be wrapped in fabric, scarves and cloth napkins, or presented inside a reusable shopping bag. Another alternative is to use wrapping materials and greeting cards that are biodegradable, from recycled origins or certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (fsc.org) to ensure they did not contribute to deforestation. Avoid papers with glitter, foil and other decorations that may contain nonbiodegradable, petroleum-based elements. Glitter is usually made from plastic, contributing to the microplastics problem. When recycling, remove tape, bows and ribbons.

Earth-Friendly Holiday Decorations The most eco-friendly Christmas decoration is a potted, living tree that can be decorated and exhibited indoors during the holidays and planted in the garden afterwards. A mini-rosemary tree is also a fragrant tabletop alternative. Opt for LED string lights, which use a fraction of the energy that traditional lights require.

With the help of online instructional videos, families can come together to craft decorations out of biodegradable, recycled and consumable materials, including tree ornaments made of reclaimed wood or soda can tabs; garlands of popcorn, dried fruit slices or cinnamon sticks; wreaths and centerpieces studded with pine cones, herb branches and flowers from the garden; and candles made with essential oils and soy wax. The home will smell festive, fresh and healthful.

Thoughtful, LifeAffirming Gifts Environmentally responsible holiday shopping takes many forms.

Some people pledge to buy nothing during Christmas and instead donate their holiday budgets to families in need. Others set out to buy gifts they know the recipient wants or needs to avoid waste.

They shop at local, small businesses and choose durable, repurposed, easily repairable and upcycled items.

Thoughtful gifts that affirm a commitment to the planet are electric bicycles and comfortable hiking shoes to encourage slow transportation and healing walks in nature; solar-powered devices and chargers in support of renewable energy; consumable items and foods that won’t clutter the home or landfill; services and experiences that don’t need to be gift wrapped; and donations to environmental charities that are meaningful to the recipient.

Consider gifts that encourage loved ones to grow their own fruits, vegetables and herbs; plant shade trees in their backyards; and

nurture flowering plants that support bees, butterflies and other pollinators—green-thumb gifts like herb planters, wildflower seed packets, garden tools, utility gloves and vegetable-growing instruction books.

Reusable Gifts that Ditch the Plastic These reusable gifts make it easy and fun for recipients to be kind to the planet year-round by reducing our devastating dependence on single-use, nonbiodegradable plastic that pollutes the environment and harms aquatic wildlife. n Straws made of stainless steel, organic bamboo, silicone, biodegradable paper or glass n Water bottles and insulated containers made of stainless steel or glass n Food bags, wraps and bowl covers made of beeswax, silicone, cotton or canvas n Stainless steel plates and bamboo utensils for sustainable picnicking n Zero-waste shampoo, conditioner and body wash bars Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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healthy kids

The Best Books for Kids Gift Choices that Can Open Up Worlds

goodluz/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

H

elping children learn to read and love books is one of the greatest parental endeavors. Many kids learn their first words after hearing the adults in their lives sing a lullaby or tell them a nursery rhyme. “Building a child’s vocabulary is the key to reading, and rhymes, singing, word games, synonyms, homonyms and rap are great places to start,” says Claudette McLinn, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature and former librarian, teacher, school administrator and children’s bookstore owner.

A child’s first reading experience will likely involve a picture book. “What’s powerful about picture books is that the illustrations and text intertwine,” McLinn explains. “You can read them aloud together. As the child looks at the artwork, the adult can ask, ‘What is that?’ And the child can use their imagination while you teach them to observe, articulate and start the reading process.”

To encourage childhood reading, it’s helpful to have a variety of books around the house and to set aside reading time every day. “It costs nothing to check out a pile of 25 books at the library, take them home and try them,” says Maeve Knoth, a librarian at Phillips Brooks School, in Menlo Park, California. When buying books, she suggests consulting 32

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librarians and booksellers for recommendations, as well as relying on book awards such as the Newbery or Caldecott medals, and on book lists compiled every year by reputable organizations and committees, notably the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

Choosing books for kids should always start by discovering what their passions or interests are and then finding a good book on that subject, says McLinn, adding that encouraging children to browse the shelves and choose their own books is an empowering exercise that builds self-esteem and a love of reading. Whether it’s dinosaurs,

cars or the stars and planets, there’s a kid’s book about it. “Although fiction is important early on because it increases imagination, nonfiction books help kids learn new information and understand the role of the table of contents, the glossary and index, and informative diagrams,” she says, adding that she prefers award-winning nonfiction books because they’ve been vetted for accuracy.

“Kids often gravitate toward books that are a little bit less challenging,” Knoth says. “While I have no objection to those popular books, which are lots of fun, they’re not going to give kids a new way to think about themselves or the world. I want my children to have consequential reading experiences with books that offer new points of view where kids can live in someone else’s heart and mind for a little while. I want them to know what it might be like to live in a different time period or to grow up in China.”

According to Knoth, a great children’s book will include an engaging character that has an experience, prompting them to change and grow. “I want it to be well structured and beautifully written, with setting, point of view and all those elements that fit together to create a theme and give you a literary experience,” she explains. She looks for nuanced books that invite kids to use their imagination and find their own way.

“The reader might be young, but they’re not dumb. They just haven’t had lots of experiences yet. If a book concludes with one narrow solution to a child’s problem, then I would say it’s not that useful or successful,” says Knoth, a frequent contributor to The Horn Book, a resource for children’s book reviews and articles.

McLinn believes that kids should be exposed to a diversity of authors and illustrators that explore the lives of all cultures.

“We live in silos with the people in our group, and we don’t know anything about other groups,” she explains. “When you read about other cultures, you learn that we are more alike than we are different.

We may eat different foods, wear different clothing and have different customs, but you find out that it’s not scary. Kids love to read about heroes that they can identify with and become their friends. Children are

into social justice and fairness. As a child, I loved biographies. I wanted to read about great people and what made them great so that maybe I could be great like them.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@ gmail.com.

Children’s Book Awards Newbery Medal: Tinyurl.com/NewberyMedal-Award Caldecott Medal: Tinyurl.com/Caldecott-Medal-Award American Indian Youth Literature Awards: Tinyurl.com/American-IndianAward Pura Belpré Award, celebrating Latino culture: Tinyurl.com/Pura-Belpre-BookAward Coretta Scott King Awards, showcasing African American values: Tinyurl. com/Coretta-Scott-King-Awards Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature: Tinyurl.com/Asian-PacificAmerican-Award Sydney Taylor Book Award, portraying the Jewish experience: Tinyurl.com/ Sydney-Taylor-Award

Children’s Book Lists Rainbow Book List, presenting LGBTQIA+ viewpoints: glbtrt.ala.org/ rainbowbooks Best Books by the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature: csmcl.org/best-books-2020 Cooperative Children’s Book Center Booklists, various topics: Tinyurl.com/ ccbcBookList Association for Library Service to Children Book Lists, various genres and topics: Tinyurl.com/alscBookList Notable Children’s Books by the Association for Library Service to Children, identifying the best of the best in children’s books: Tinyurl.com/ alscNotableBooks December 2021

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wise words

Thomas Moore on the

What inspired you to write Soul Therapy?

Art of Soulful Listening

We need more therapeutic conversations in all areas of life, and my book is for the ordinary person, as well as the professional therapist. We could talk to each other with the intention of befriending and offering useful care. Medicine is in need of an injection of this therapeutic talking and listening to add soul and spirit to an otherwise materialistic approach to the human being.

by Marlaina Donato

T

homas Moore, New York Times bestselling author, Jungian-based psychotherapist, musician and former monk, has been an advocate for conscious living since authoring his first book, Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life. Twenty-three books later, Moore breaks ground with his latest release, Soul Therapy: The Art and Craft of Caring Conversations, in which he invites therapists, psychiatrists, spiritual directors, ministers and caregivers to cultivate deeper connection based on soulful listening. His timeless wisdom inspires all of us to live from a state of spirituality and conscious wonder so that we might bridge the chasm between cultural, political and personal differences.

photo by Simone Anne

What is soul therapy in modern times?

The ancient Greeks wrote extensively about the soul. Their word was psyche, so it takes very little effort to see how psychotherapy is about caring for the soul. The ancients felt that the soul’s natural home is in the “underworld”, and soul therapy sees it the same way. We are not interested in causing behavior changes or finding explanations for current problems. These don’t go deep enough. They do not touch the underworld, or deep narratives and memories of a person. For example, if a person complains that he eats too much, then we might go deep and see if the underlying issue is a failure to nourish his life and person. We look for metaphors and layers of meaning. We don’t want change for the sake of change. We don’t necessarily expect a person to feel better or be better adjusted to life. We stay close to the symptom, like eating too much, and hope to see it fulfilled at a deeper level, truly nourishing your life.

What soul work is required of the helper to be able to address the needs of others?

The helper in soul therapy has to learn to observe carefully, and at a deep level, the narrative or story being lived out, often unconsciously, in a client. The arts, mythology, alchemy, dreams—these can all give hints about the deeper story being lived. The soul therapist does not give much advice, if any, and doesn’t try to figure a person out. He or she stays close to the symptoms to see 34

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what the pain and confusion are all about.

A person gets to know better the desires and fears that motivate him, without judgment or agenda. You try to see where the soul might have been wounded or not cared for.

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Our underlying philosophy or way of seeing everything is based on quantified studies, brain and laboratory research and the need to explain and define everything. There is no room for mystery and its language, which is poetic and metaphorical. The soul suffers.

How can we truly listen to others and cultivate authentic presence?

Today we often debate rather than converse. We want to win arguments rather than gain deep insight. You listen well only when you find peace in yourself and give up the need to be always right.

What gives you hope for humanity?

In spite of all our problems today, I am an optimist. Humanity is very slowly evolving into a more humane community of Earth beings. We have a long way to go. I see our young people today, many of them impatient to create a different kind of global culture, one that has the courage and vision to deal with our ecological crisis and create a peaceful political planet. They are not plagued with cynicism or despair. We can’t give up our idealism and surrender to pessimism. The world has always had deep troubles. The challenge should bring out all our creativity and passion for life.

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at WildFlower Lady.com.

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natural pet

Toyland for Pooches Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

by Karen Shaw Becker

M

error to determine what type their dog prefers—and which are safest—from a mind-blowing selection of tugs, balls, discs, chews, puzzles, squeaky or stuffed toys and more. Because many pet stores welcome dogs, some pet parents even bring their four-legged family members along and allow them to sniff out their favorites.

It’s important to select a dog’s toys carefully, because not every option is a good choice. For example, some dogs, especially large breeds, tend to rip soft toys apart within seconds to taste-test the stuffing.

There are also dogs that can swallow small soft toys whole. A pup’s temperament, size and age all play a role in determining which toys are safe, and there are also

considerations based on the toy itself, such as materials used, size, shape and more.

Potentially Toxic Toys Pet toys are not regulated, so they can be made with virtually any material. Plastic toys, in particular, can be dangerous, because many contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA). Old or weathered toys such as those left outside leach higher concentrations of harmful chemicals.

While BPA-free toys are available, the toxin may have been replaced with similar—or even more toxic—chemicals, including bisphenol-S (BPS), so “BPAfree” unfortunately isn’t a reliable indicator of toy safety. Other adulterants found in dog toys include heavy metals like lead and formaldehyde.

When looking for new

Arno/AdobeStock.com

ost healthy dogs retain their love of play throughout their lives. Because canine family members can be loosely compared to perpetual human toddlers, it makes sense that they enjoy playtime no matter their age.

Most dogs are also fascinated, at least temporarily, with toys made just for them.

Some love to chase a ball or Frisbee and others like a good game of tug or stuffed toys. Most dogs seem to enjoy playthings that squeak when they bite them, possibly because the noise brings to mind the sound of captured prey, or perhaps because pet parents give their dogs extra attention when they “get their squeak on”.

Most dogs in the U.S. have lots of toys, and many pet parents practice trial-and-

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toys, choose those made in the U.S. out of 100 percent natural rubber, organic cotton or other eco-friendly and contaminant-free materials. Try the sniff test. If a toy being considered smells strongly of chemicals, put it back. Testing shows that some tennis balls made for pets contain more contaminants than those made for sports.

The best toys for pets are usually handmade by individuals or very small companies and can be found at local farmers’ markets or sold regionally in small, independent pet stores. There’s no plethora of companies that produce 100 percent organic toys, but some great, allnatural toys can be found online.

What Dogs Seem to Prefer Researchers have discovered that regardless of the type of toy, once a dog is completely familiar with the sight, sound, smell and feel of it, boredom can set in. In addition, we may want to avoid “indestructible” toys the dog can’t make a dent in, because they enjoy toys they can pull apart and destroy, or those that are edible.

Offering a dog easily destroyed toys isn’t ideal, either, as they may accidently or intentionally ingest some of the non-edible pieces. A good alternative is recreational bones (large, raw chunks of beef and bison femur bones), which are quite enjoyable to most dogs, even though they’re not technically toys. Lick mats that hold a soft food treat are also a great environmental enrichment choice for dogs that tend to destroy toys quickly.

Treat-release puzzle toys, toys meant to be chewed and those that make noise or are edible (like a nontoxic dental bone) can also be good options, while toys that are hard, unyielding and silent will probably not be a big hit.

Don’t underestimate our human ability to stimulate a dog’s interests. A session of playtime—playing fetch, tug-of-war or hide-and-seek—will be far more stimulating to the pup than any toy could be.

Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals. For more information, visit DrKarenBecker.com.

Tips for Selecting Safe Dog Toys These guidelines compiled by VetStreet.com are recommended by veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker to help in choosing toys that will keep a dog not only happy, but safe. n Choose toys that are the right size for your dog. Giving a small toy to a large dog poses a risk of inhalation and choking. Small balls are especially dangerous, as they can easily become lodged in your dog’s trachea. Generally speaking, you should choose large toys for large dogs and smaller toys only for smaller dogs. n Avoid toys that have small parts that can be chewed or pulled off and those with sharp edges or that can be chewed into sharp points. n When playing fetch, avoid toys that are heavy or hard enough to damage your dog’s teeth or injure him. n If your dog likes to de-stuff toys, be sure he’s not eating the stuffing. Some dogs really enjoy stuffing-free toys.

Toys That Require Close Supervision n Long, rope-like or tug toys, since they can become wrapped around your dog’s neck n Squeaky toys if your dog likes to play “rip out the squeaker” n Battery-operated toys, because if your dog manages to get the batteries out and swallows them, it can result in battery toxicosis n Tennis balls, which can be a choking hazard for large dogs, and the abrasive fuzz may wear down the teeth of an aggressive or persistent chewer n Frisbees and similar flying discs that may cause your dog to jump up and twist simultaneously, which can lead to leg and back injuries

Toys to Avoid n String, ribbon, pantyhose, socks and rubber bands, all of which can be swallowed and cause life-threatening complications in the digestive tract n Children’s toys (such as stuffed animals); they’re not designed to withstand the type of play dogs engage in n Toys stuffed with beads or beans n Rocks and sticks n Containers (including bags) large enough for your dog to put his head in; if it becomes stuck, he can suffocate n Tug toys for dogs with neck or back problems, such as herniated disks n Rubber toys with a hole in only one end, as they can form a vacuum that catches your dog’s tongue n Rawhide chews aren’t recommended for several reasons, including that they pose a high risk of choking and intestinal obstruction

December 2021

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Nature’s Virus Killer

not a sniffle!” she exclaimed.

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September 2012. I use copper in the through his nose at night tried copper Now thousands of people nose every time and I have not had a just before bed. “Best sleep I’ve had in are using it against viruses and bacteria single cold since then.” years!” he said. in the nose and on “We can’t In a lab test, technicians placed 25 the skin. make product million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. Colds start health claims,” he No viruses were found surviving soon when cold viruses said, “so I can’t after. get in your nose. say cause and Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply effect. But we confirming the research. He placed fast. If you don’t know copper is millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, antimicrobial.”

“They started to die literally as soon as they spread and He asked they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. relatives and Some people press copper on a lip New device puts copper right In hundreds friends to try it. right away if a warning tingle suggests where you need it. of studies, EPA and They reported unwanted germs gathering there. university researchers have confirmed the same thing, so he patented The handle is curved that viruses and bacteria die almost CopperZap® and put it on the and textured to increase instantly when touched by copper. market. contact. Copper can That’s why ancient Greeks and Soon hundreds of people had kill germs picked up on Egyptians used copper to purify water tried it. The feedback was 99% fingers and hands after and heal wounds. They didn’t know positive if they used the copper you touch things other about microbes, but now we do. within 3 hours after the first sign people have touched.

Scientists say the high conductance of unwanted germs, like a tickle The EPA says copper of copper disrupts the electrical balance in the nose or a scratchy throat. still works even when Dr. Bill Keevil: in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in Early user Mary Pickrell tarnished.

Copper quickly kills seconds. said, “I can’t believe how good CopperZap is made cold viruses.

Tests by the EPA (Environmental my nose feels.” in the U.S. of pure Protection Agency) show germs die “What a wonderful thing!” copper. It has a 90-day full money back fast on copper. So some hospitals tried exclaimed Physician’s Assistant Julie. guarantee. It is available for $79.95. Get copper for touch surfaces like faucets Another customer asked, “Is it supposed $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA24. and doorknobs. This cut the spread of to work that fast?”

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S

calendar SUNDAYS Discounts on Supplements – Every Sunday get 15% off supplements at Fairhope Health Foods (251-928-0644) and Virginia’s Health Foods (251-479-3952). 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope, AL and 3055-A Dauphin St, Mobile, AL. VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com.

Baha’is of Fairhope Diversity Devotions – On hold due to the pandemic restrictions.Participate in online gatherings to celebrate our unity and strengthen the spiritual health of the community.

BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com.

Fairhope Unitarian Sunday Service – 11am12pm. Held inside and streamed on Zoom.

Different guest speakers each week—either a member of our congregation or someone from the surrounding community. Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship, 1150 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL. FairhopeUnitarianFellowship@gmail.com.

FairhopeUU.org.

Mobile Bay Makers Market – 11am-3pm, 2nd and 4th Sundays. Open air, sustainably driven market showcasing 25+ local artisans and growers. Music.

Food trucks. Year-round, family and dog friendly.

Free. South Park of Fairhope Pier, Fairhope, AL. MBMakersMarket@gmail.com.

MONDAYS Wholistic Health – Book a facial on Mondays for 10% off total services. Wholistic Health, 7272 Theodore Dawes Rd #B, Theodore, AL. 251-607-6653.

Susan.Gillispie@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAYS

save the date Group Health Coaching Series:

Eat Healthy Live Healthy!

January 5 to February 2, 2022 5:30-6:30 pm.

251-635-6250 Envision and create lasting change.

Surround yourself with motivated people for accountability and encouragement and boost your resolve to meet healthy nutrition goals. Learn creative tools along the way to effect these changes.

Group coaching is $200 for 5 weeks on Zoom starting Jan. 5, 2022.

Michelle Smith, Good Life Health Coaching: TryMyCoach@gmail.com.

GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com/ nutrition-group-coaching.html.

TUESDAYS

MS Support Group – 11-12:30pm, second Wednesdays. Meeting for lunch every month at Cafe 98 in Fairhope. Family, friends and caregivers welcome. Cafe 98, Corner of 98 and Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL. Weezer: 251-928-7606.

Praying for Peace Devotional Gathering – On hold due to the pandemic restrictions. Participate in online gatherings to celebrate our unity and strengthen the spiritual health of the community.

BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com.

Wholistic Health – 10% off on all services Wednesdays for Military, Police and Healthcare Personnel. Wholistic Health, 7272 Theodore Dawes Rd #B, Theodore, AL. 251-607-6653.

Susan.Gillispie@gmail.com.

Wholistic Health – Book a medical consult on Tuesdays and receive 20% off vitamin supplements. Wholistic Health, 7272 Theodore Dawes Rd #B, Theodore, AL. 251-607-6653.

Susan.Gillispie@gmail.com.

Yoga Flow & Go – 8-9am. A powerful yet accessible flow to get your day started by skillfully connecting your mind and body. $10. Venmo accepted. Yoga classes for all levels. Ask about my new 1.5-hour Hard Core Restore healing yoga class that meets once a month. It’s a unique class that will truly peel away the layers of life’s stresses and get to the core of who you are. This Restore class is quite pampering and limited in size so as not to dilute the experience. Journey with Angel, 368 Commercial Park Dr, Fairhope, AL. 251-423-7535. Angel.Curtin@gmail.com.

JourneyWithAngel.com/yoga-classes.

30-Min Sun Salutation Class – 5:30-6pm. A powerful way to end your day with a short, strong flow to ensure you sleep like a baby. $5. Venmo accepted. Yoga classes for all levels. Journey with Angel Studio, 368 Commercial Park Dr, Fairhope, AL. 251-423-7535. Angel.Curtin@gmail.com.

JourneyWithAngel.com/yoga-classes.

THURSDAYS 20% off all beauty products. Wholistic Health, 7272 Theodore Dawes Rd #B, Theodore, AL. 251-607-6653. Susan.Gillispie@gmail.com.

Yoga Flow & Go – 8-9am. A powerful yet accessible flow to get your day started by skillfully connecting your mind and body. $10. Venmo accepted. Yoga classes for all levels. Ask about my new 1.5-hour Hard Core Restore healing yoga class that meets once a month. It’s a unique class that will truly peel away the layers of life’s stresses and get to the core of who you are. This Restore class is quite pampering and limited in size so as not to dilute the experience. Journey with Angel, 368 Commercial Park Dr, Fairhope, AL. 251-423-7535. Angel.Curtin@gmail.com.

JourneyWithAngel.com/yoga-classes.

30-Min Meditation Class – 5:30-6pm. Excellent chance for beginners and practitioners alike to practice together once a week for stabilizing the busy monkey mind and the calming effects of others doing the same. $5. Venmo accepted. Yoga classes for all levels. Journey with Angel Studio, 368 Commercial Park Dr, Fairhope, AL. 251-423-7535.

Angel.Curtin@gmail.com. JourneyWithAngel.com/ yoga-classes.

FRIDAYS Wholistic Health – For any IV nutritional infusions book on Friday for 10% off. Wholistic Health, 7272 Theodore Dawes Rd #B, Theodore, AL 36582.

251-607-6653. Susan.Gillispie@gmail.com.

SATURDAYS

mark your calendar Christmas Arts at the Market December 11 • 9 am-2 pm.

251-709-4469 Photos with Santa— 11:00am-1:00pm.

The usual market fare PLUS arts & crafts, live music, hot cocoa and holiday baked goods. Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market is open year-round on Saturdays 9 am-2 pm.

20733 Miflin Rd, Foley, AL.

CoastalAlabamaMarket.com

Peaceful Warrior Yoga with Angel – 10-11am.

Powerful yet accessible flow for all to get your day started by skillfully connecting your mind and body. Yoga classes for all levels. Ask about my new 1.5-hour Hard Core Restore healing yoga class that meets once a month! Venmo accepted.

60-min classes $10; 30-min classes $5. Journey with Angel, 368 Commercial Park Dr, Fairhope, AL. 251-423-7535. Angel.Curtin@gmail.com.

JourneyWithAngel.com/yoga-classes.

Stay connected.

Like "Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast Alabama-Mississippi" on Facebook and follow @NaturallyAwake on Twitter and Instagram.

December 2021

39

community directory Connecting you to local resources for natural and green living.

To find out how you can be included in the directory, email Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com or call 251-990-9552.

HEALTHY &

GREEN LIVING

DIRECTORY 2021

Contact us to find out where you can find a copy of our 2021 Healthy & Green Living Directory issue or read it online at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

SIMPLY CBD

Aaron VanHauter,owner 2005 Hwy 98 Daphne, AL 251-586-8890 • Simply-CBD.net At Simply CBD our goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality hemp-derived CBD products in a multitude of ways, helping you experience the healing benefits you deserve. See ad, back cover.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS 3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

BEAUTY

TMAC’S HAIR STUDIO

B-BUTTERFLY SALON

103A N. Bancroft St., Fairhope, AL 251-990-9934 BButterflySalon.com

B-Butterfly

A salon offering organic products and services including hair color 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!

See ad, page 33.

SALON

A relaxing salon environment that is free of harmful chemicals, impurities and fragrance. Offering hair services, facials and massage with 100% organic products.

See ad, page 35.

BREAST SCREENING THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

CRYOSKIN

at Dynamic Therapeutics 9037 Independence Ave., Daphne, AL 251-459-0500 Achieve facelift results or slim and tone the body naturally. Cryoskin, a revolutionary machine from Europe, destroys fat cells permanently. No suction. No surgery. Results in 30 minutes. Learn more: DynamicTherapeutics.net.

KAREN WATSON

TruAura Skincare Specialist/Makeup Artist Daphne, AL • 256-508-0389 TruAuraBeauty.com/trubeauty4u Skincare, anti-aging, cosmetics and body care that are pure, clean, safe and effective with zero harmful ingredients. Prebiotic/probioticbased and microbiomefriendly. See ad, page 22.

40

Old Government, Mobile: 251-607-6666 2101 Hwy. 98, Daphne: 251-725-4334 TMACsHairStudio.com

Carolyn Olson, Certified Thermographer Gulf Coast Locations from LA to FL 251-623-2225 ThermographyAdvantage.com FDA registered thermography offers breast screenings that are non-invasive and radiation-free, without compression or bodily contact.

Valuable for detecting early stage breast disease and more. Also offering ElectroLymphatic Therapy. See ad, page 17.

CBD HEALTH & WELLNESS

Comprehensive health food store offering a range of CBD products: caps, soft gels, gummies, sprays, tinctures, topicals, mixed with ghee, teas, waters, hot cocoa, infused honey, pedicure powders. See ad, page 27.

COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP BAHÁ’ÍS OF FAIRHOPE

81 Magnolia Ave., Fairhope, AL 251-928-5692 BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com Join our gathering of people from diverse religions and backgrounds to celebrate unity and support the spiritual health of the community. (On hold due to pandemic restrictions.

Email us to participate in online gatherings.)

FAIRHOPE UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP 1150 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 251-929-3207 • FairhopeUU.org FairhopeUnitarianFellowship@gmail.com

Welcoming people of any age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or cultural background. We seek truth and knowledge, care for the Earth and show kindness to others while creating an atmosphere of love.

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store offering a range of CBD products: caps, soft gels, gummies, sprays, tinctures, topicals, mixed with ghee, teas, waters, hot cocoa, infused honey, pedicure powders.

See ad, page 27.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

find out how to be

included IN THIS SECTION call 251-990-9552

coming in the january I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on Earth, good-will to men! ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Health & Wellness Issue

DEMENTIA MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC (Located inside Path To Wellness) 240 W. Laurel Ave., Foley, AL 251-597-8787 MindPerformanceCenter.com

Our non-invasive, drug-free approach helps dementia patients that originally scored in the teens on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment be restored to the point of scoring normal (26-30).

See ad, page 2.

YOUR ONE TRUSTED GLOBAL ONLINE DESTINATION FOR

Regenerative Whole Health™ Benefits

DEPRESSION

24/7 ACCESS

MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC (Located inside Path to Wellness) 240 W. Laurel Ave., Foley, AL 251-597-8787 MindPerformanceCenter.com

Offering Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Brainsway—a proven tool in the fight against depression that is non-invasive, painless and drug-free) with functional medicine and brain pathway rehabilitation for the most robust changes possible.

See ad, page 2.

FARMERS’ MARKETS COASTAL ALABAMA FARMERS & FISHERMENS MARKET

20733 Miflin Rd. (Co. Rd. 20), Foley, AL 251-709-4469 CoastalAlabamaMarket.com Open year round Tuesdays (10am-3pm, Nov-Mar; 2-6pm, AprOct) and Saturdays (9am-2pm). During COVID-19 pandemic, open Saturdays only. Featuring local farms with seasonal produce, meat, eggs, honey, jellies, baked goods, seafood, hand-crafted soaps and more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

See ad, page 11.

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Practitioners Apply: NAPUB0221P | Individuals Apply: NAPUB0221 December 2021

41

FOOD & NUTRITION FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 • Café: 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 40+ years. Extensive supplement selection; organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk bins; pet supplies; baby products, CBD and more. See ad, page 27.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II 3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

WHOLISTIC HEALTH

Susan Gillispie, Nurse Practitioner 7272 Theodore Dawes Rd. #B Theodore, AL • 251-607-6653 WholisticTelehealth.org Wholistic Health works with you to define your health goals and ways to achieve your optimum health. It is important to treat the whole person, not just symptoms. See ad, page 17.

HEALING JEWELRY KING’S DEDICATION JEWELRY

Charlotte Stutts, Creator and Owner 404-665-6614 KingsDedication@gmail.com KingsDedication.com We create one-of-a-kind healing jewelry with the intention to raise the vibration of humanity and the planet through healing energy exchange and healthy self-awareness.

See ad, page 22.

Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 40+ years. Extensive supplement selection; organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk bins; pet supplies; baby products, CBD and more. See ad, page 27.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

HEALTH & WELLNESS SPA

ENRG WELLNESS

HYDRO ZEN AT PEAK ALKALINITY

3099 Loop Rd., Orange Beach, AL 620 N. McKenzie St., Ste 200, Foley, AL 251-240-0842 • enrGIV.com Vitamin IV lounge and functional medicine clinic.

IV vitamin therapies provide relief, healing and recovery for people with health concerns ranging from dehydration to chronic illness. Call us for a free consultation. See ad, page 17.

Offering cleansing far infrared sauna sessions followed by a hydrating collagen shower and detoxifying foot spas. Ask about package specials. See ad, page 35.

at Dynamic Therapeutics 9037 Independence Ave., Daphne, AL 251-459-0500 Achieve facelift results or slim and tone the body naturally. Cryoskin, a revolutionary machine from Europe, destroys fat cells permanently. No suction. No surgery. Results in 30 minutes. Learn more: DynamicTherapeutics.net.

ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE 6920 Airport Blvd., Ste. 111, Mobile, AL 251-342-6415 ElementsMassage.com/Mobile

A therapeutic massage handcrafted just for you. Reduced stress, elevated mood and a strengthened immune system are all part of experiencing a therapeutic massage The Elements Way. Schedule an appointment today. See ad, page 8.

JUBILEE HEALING ARTS

Jennifer (Adams) Killgo, LMT #3263 28170 N. Main St., Ste. C, Daphne, AL 251-616-4201 • JubileeHealingArts.com Intuitive integrative massage techniques are used to facilitate the body into a state of healing without the “no pain no gain” mentality.

Over 15 years experience in the bodywork and natural wellness field.

620 N. McKenzie St. Ste 200, Foley, AL 251-210-8615 AlabamaIntegrativeHealth.com

WILD MAGNOLIA KOMBUCHA

A Coastal Alabama Kombucha Company Info@WildMagnoliaLife.com WildMagnoliaLife.com

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

PERSONAL GROWTH FENGSHUI831

KOMBUCHA

42

CRYOSKIN

217-B Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 2724 Old Shell Rd., Midtown Mobile, AL 251-270-7200 • 251-586-8198 PeakAlkalinity.com

INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE OF LOWER ALABAMA

Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner Tara McLellan addresses the root cause of disease with integrative medicine—a blend of traditional western medicine and science-based functional medicine. See ad, page 21.

MASSAGE THERAPY

We take pride in providing handcrafted, small batched kombucha infused with love, laughter and a dash of southern sarcasm. #blessyourgut Check our website for retailers.

See ad, page 35.

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Meryl Hyderally Feng Shui Design Consultant 251-463-1862 • Meryl@Hyderally.com fengshui831.com Gain a better understanding of who you are energetically and then discover how best to use the strengths of that energy to navigate a more productive and holistic approach to life.

See ad, page 29.

SOUTHERN INSTITUTE OF NATURAL HEALTH

Betty Sue O’Brian, N.D., MS, CII 228-257-1946 • BettySueObrian.com SouthernInstituteOfNaturalHealth.com SINH offers virtual classes worldwide; based in Mississippi and Carolina Coasts. Check website, text or email for more information. Online classes available 24/7 in Iridology, Traditional Naturopathy, Herbalism and RBTI Reams Testing and others.

See ad, page 15.

RESTORATIVE YOGA JOURNEY WITH ANGEL, LLC

Angel Curtin, E-RYT 500, YACEP 368 Commercial Park Dr., Fairhope, AL 251-423-7535 • JourneyWithAngel.com Certified yoga teacher and real estate agent Angel Curtin offers weekly yoga classes and Hard Core Restore—a new monthly 1.5 hour class to focus on true restoration and healing.

See ad, page 27.

PET CARE & SUPPLIES

ROLFING

EVERLOVED VETERINARY

EASTERN SHORE ROLFING

Lydia M. Sullivan, DVM, CCRP, CVMA Serving Mobile and the Eastern Shore CareCoordinator@EverLovedVeterinary.com 251-229-1043 • EverLovedVeterinary.com Providing in-home, veterinary medical acupuncture (for all ages), plus gentle care of geriatric and terminallyill pets in the comfort of your own home.

Hospice and euthanasia services available.

See ad, page 35.

FARM TO TREAT HOLISTIC DOG TREATS

Anna Grantham, Certified Canine Herbalist and Dietician 251-455-3738 • DogmaBistro@gmail.com FarmToTreat.com From the farm to the treat in 72 hours or less! Providing holistic paw- and skincare, dog treats and fresh food.

Recipes created to promote canine wellness. Facebook. com/FarmToTreat

PLANT-BASED FOOD THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com An organic cafe offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options. Open for lunch M o n d a y - S a t u r d a y.

See ad, page 27.

Pam Reaves, Certified Rolfer® 22806 Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL 706-681-2935

Rolfing® is a holistic approach to manual therapy that seeks to improve your health and function by reestablishing the natural alignment and structural integration of the human body. More information at EasternShoreRolfing.com. See ad, page 9.

THERMOGRAPHY THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

Carolyn Olson, Certified Thermographer Gulf Coast Locations from LA to FL 251-623-2225 ThermographyAdvantage.com FDA registered thermography (digital Infrared thermal imaging) offers breast screenings that are non-invasive and radiation-free, without compression or bodily contact. Valuable for detecting early stage breast disease and more. See ad, page 17.

WELLNESS COACHING

WOMEN’S SERVICES ANGEL FACE IMAGING

Allie Terrebonne, RVS, RCS, Owner 21875 Hwy., 181 Ste., B, Daphne, AL 251-279-7038 AngelFaceImaging@gmail.com.

AngelFaceImaging.com.

At Angel Face Imaging we are passionate about women and babies. Ultrasounds that connect mother and child are the perfect gift for nurturing and wellness services that support you. Call to find out what’s in store for you. See ad, page 27.

All that is gold does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost. ~J.R.R. Tolkien

classifieds SUPPLEMENTS HIGH EFFICACY VITAMINS – Using the latest state-of-the-art scientific data, we formulate our vitamins without fillers to enable your body to reap the most benefit.

Wholistic Health: 251-607-6653.

ORGANIC PLANT-BASED SUPPLEMENTS – Get Greens Powder, Oil Blends, Herbal Teas, Electrolytes, Colon Cleansers & More. All organic. See Special Offer for Samples. 954-459-1134. TerraLifeStore.com.

WELLNESS SERVICES ATTENTION BUSY PROFESSIONALS – Struggling to prioritize eating well, sleeping well, transforming stress into positive energy or just get moving? Certified Health Coach, Michelle Smith will help you get back on track. 251-635-6250.

GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com.

GOOD LIFE HEALTH COACHING

Certified Health & Wellness Coach 251-635-6250 GoodLifeHealthCoach.com

Attention Health Conscious, High Performing Professionals! Struggling to prioritize healthy meals, exercise, recovery? Health Coaches take you by the hand to offer guidance + tools that work for you.

See ad, page 3.

Classifieds are $1 per word, per month.

To place listing, email content to Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet. com. Deadline is the 10th of the month.

December 2021

43

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