December 2015 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

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December 2015 | Gulf Coast AL/MS Edition | HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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letterfrompublisher Dear Santa, Welcome back! Glad you made it through the dog door again. If you left Rudolph and company in the front yard, can you make sure they’re grazing on the shrubs that need pruning instead of the salad greens growing in the garden? Be especially cautious of the jalapeños—they are extra spicy this year!

I hope 2015 has been good to you, because it has certainly kept us busy. At one-and-a-half, Thatch is always into or on top of something.

We’re trying to teach him the value of patience, sharing and peaceful conflict resolution, but he tends to favor possessiveness and rebellion.

Lucky for him, his smile and sense of humor are irresistible and we are all grateful that he’s finally sleeping through the night.

Mays has had a great year managing a busy soccer schedule while maintaining impressive grades in school. His listening skills at home could still use some perfecting, but the tolerance and kindness he demonstrates toward his brother makes up for it.

Josh continues to play an influential role in the lives of all the kids he teaches and coaches, and he makes it home in time to play with Mays and Thatch. Sometimes he seems to require a reminder to clean up after himself, but he has definitely changed his share of dirty diapers over the year.

As you know, I have put a couple things in the trash that could have been recycled, but we’ve reduced our carbon footprint by biking to and from school everyday. And did you notice that we’ve expanded Natural Awakenings’ territory so that we’re now inspiring healthy and meaningful living in Mississippi too?

So, did we make your good list? If yes, Thatch could use a vocabulary, Mays wants a zipline, Josh would like another ukulele and I would like to escape to a weeklong silent retreat.

But we understand that you are a busy man, and truthfully, we have all that we need. We’d rather you bottle up some of the love, light, joy and warmth that fills our home and share it with the people that lost loved ones in Paris and anyone else that is less fortunate than us this time of year. These are the real gifts of the season, and everyone deserves a fair share.

Before you head out, I’ve left you a couple copies of this month’s Natural Awakenings to enjoy with some homemade cookies and Alabama organic milk.

Check out the article on airplane yoga—you’ll probably benefit from incorporating those easy stretches into your 24-hour sleigh ride and chimney hopping adventure. If you’re in need of a few last minute gifts for your hard working elves, our Local Guide to Conscious Giving has great healthy and eco-friendly gift ideas. Also, please share a copy with Mrs. Claus, as I think she’ll enjoy the recipes for vegan holiday desserts and healthy pet treats.

Thanks for making a stop at our home! May the rest of your evening be safe, merry and bright!

Warmly,

4

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

contact us Publisher/Editor Meredith Montgomery Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com Distribution Manager Stephanie Klumpp Contributors Josh Montgomery, Anne Wilson Michael Wilson Design and Production Meredith Montgomery Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi P.O. Box 725, Fairhope, AL 36533 Phone: 251-990-9552 Fax: 251-281-2375

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16 AWAKENING TO SPIRIT 16

Prayer and Meditation Heal and Free Us

by Richard Davenport

19 SHARON SALZBERG ON MINDFULNESS Simple Ways to Be in the Present Moment

by April Thompson

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

26 EAT, BARK AND BE MERRY

Healthy Holiday Treats for Our Pets

by Sandra Murphy

28 GREEN CONGREGATIONS Faith Groups Join in Preserving All Creation

26

by Avery Mack

30 GENEROUS

PINT-SIZED GIVERS Teaching Kids How to Care and Share

by Jennifer Jacobson

31 SWEETLY VEGAN No-Bake Holiday Treats Worth Celebrating

by Judith Fertig

34 AIRPLANE YOGA Six Easy Stretches Ease the Journey

by Cynthia Bowman

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10 8 newsbriefs 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 14 ecotip 1 9 wisewords 24 healingways 12 28 greenliving 29 naturalpet 30 healthykids 31 consciouseating 34 fitbody 14 36 calendar 40 classifieds 41 naturaldirectory

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newsbriefs Sustainably Raised Chicken and Pork Available Locally Nature Nine Farms, in Foley, is a new source for humane and sustainably raised chicken and pork. Eggs are also available and grass-fed beef is planned for the future. All animals are raised on pasture with access to grass, bugs and sunshine, without fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics or artificial hormones.

“We mimic nature by moving the chickens to new grass every morning and the pigs have access to both pasture and woodlands to promote foraging for insects.

This promotes the health of the animals while restoring the fertility of the land,” says founder Stewart Perkins.

Nature Nine Farms is open to the public, but farm tours require a call ahead.

Location: 13415 Mannich Ln., Foley, AL. For more information call 251-978-9710 or visit NatureNineFarms.com.

Shop, Drink and Be Green Mobile Bay Green Drinks will host a holiday gift market at its monthly Fairhope meeting, from 5 to 7 p.m., December 8, at Fairhope Brewing Company. In addition to the market, the evening will feature live music and food from Sunflower Café.

Vendors include Kittrell’s Daydream Apiary (honey and soaps), The Willow Tree at Rosie Bluum (eco-friendly products, books and massage), Happy Olive (oils and vinegars), local artist Marcia Manuel (ceramics and jewelry), End of the Road Farm and more. Donations will be collected to support the Rotary Youth Club’s garden program.

Mobile Bay Green Drinks is a community group that hosts informal happy hours for environmentally thoughtful folks. Meetings take place every second Tuesday at the Fairhope Brewing Company and every third Wednesday at Alchemy Tavern, in Mobile.

Walk the Labyrinth at Healing Acres Healing Acres, in Robertsdale, now has an outdoor walking labyrinth that is open to the public daily during sunlight hours. Located in rural Baldwin County, the labyrinth is a full, seven-circuit design, with each level representing one of each of the chakras from base to crown.

Walking the labyrinth can foster inner peace and serve as a moving meditation.

“It can be a symbol for our journey through life, and walking it takes us on a journey to the center of our own beings,” says Healing Acres’s Sylvia Norton. “It also unites us with our natural habitat.

When man consecrates space in nature as sacred, he heals a part of himself. The earth has the capacity to heal us just as we have the capacity to heal the earth—it is a symbiotic relationship and the labyrinth is a beautiful form of this gifting process.”

Healing Acres is a wellness center that offers massage, reflexology, body treatments, Reiki and colon hydrotherapy by appointment.

Location: 22355 Price Grubbs Rd., Robertsdale, AL. For more information call 251-300-9052. See ad, page 13.

Location: 914 Nichols Ave., Fairhope, AL. For more information, call 251-279-7517 or visit Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks. See ad, page 21.

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Yuletide Yoga Massage Special Billie Reinhart, owner of Thrive Yoga and Massage, is offering holiday Thai yoga massage samples until January 31. This unique style of massage incorporates gentle stretching and massage together without requiring any effort from the recipient.

Each session’s sequence and intensity is tailored to fit the individual’s needs.

Call to schedule a session at the discounted rate of $25 per half-hour or ask about rates for longer sessions.

Appointments will fill up quickly and gift cards are available.

Location: 811 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL. To make an appointment, call 251-379-4493. For more information, visit ThriveFairhope.com/massage.

LGBTQ Youth Group Forming in Mobile The new partnership of Open Table (United Church of Christ) and Huntsville-based social service agency Free2Be will host the first peer support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in Mobile, on January 23, in Stirling Hall, at All Saints Episcopal Church. Youth ages 14 to 18 are invited to gather from 2 to 4 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday, to socialize and support one another.

Free2Be is the first project of its kind in Alabama. “We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of LGBTQ youth and adults,” explains Executive Director James Robinson. The organization screens adults ages 24 and up as facilitators, and has already served more than 100 youth in North Alabama.

Open Table is an inclusive congregation in Mobile’s Midtown. “We are Free2Be’s first partner in Mobile, but we’re seeking other area churches and organizations to join in this project to affirm and support some of our most vulnerable youth,” says pastor Ellen Sims.

Location: 151 S. Ann St., Mobile, AL. For more information, visit OpenTableUCC. org or Free2Be.org. See ad, page 29.

Cancel Ads, Reduce Litter Mobile Baykeeper is seeking the help of Mobile and Fairhope residents to gauge the effectiveness of their Cancel the Plastic Bag of Ads campaign, which was launched after the city of Mobile passed a handbill ordinance. The Baykeeper’s campaign encourages residents that don't desire to receive advertising circulars to cancel delivery.

“We want to know if the handbills you cancelled are still being delivered or if the ordinances are working,” says Mobile Baykeeper Executive Director Casi Callaway.

Mobile’s ordinance went into effect in September and Fairhope followed suit in October. In an effort to limit the marketing materials that end up as litter across coastal Alabama and in local waterways, the ordinances make it illegal to distribute commercial handbills or advertising circulars on public right-of-ways such as sidewalks, on private properties that are vacant and where occupants have requested that delivery cease. There is a $250 to $500 fine for violations.

To share an experience, including photographs and other relevant information, call 251-433-4229, submit a citizen concern at MobileBaykeeper.org/report or visit Facebook.com/MobileBaykeeper.

Biking, Toys and Holiday Cheer The annual Toys for Tots Bicycle Ride, sponsored

by Tri-Hard Sports, will be held at 7 a.m., December 6. Participants will meet at Tri-Hard Sports, in Ocean Springs, and should bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The almost 11-mile ride will take cyclists over the Biloxi/Ocean Springs Bridge to the Biloxi Lighthouse and back to Tri-Hard Sports.

The pace of the ride will be conversational and cyclists are asked to wear a helmet, reflective apparel and a flashing light. Escort, sag wagon and refreshments will be provided.

Location: 1016 Government St., Ocean Springs, MS. For more information, call Danny Walton at 228-860-6127.

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natural awakenings December 2015

9

healthbriefs

Asbestos Found in Crayons and Children’s Toys

R

esearch from the Environmental Working Group’s Action Fund has determined that some popular children’s toys contain a chemical that previous research has linked to lung disease and lung cancers. The researchers tested 28 boxes of crayons and 21 crimethemed toys at the Scientific Analytical Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina. They found that four of the crayon brands and two of the crime-scene toys contained asbestos.

All of the asbestos-containing toys were manufactured in China. The products included the Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle brands of crayons, the EduScience Deluxe Forensics Lab Kit and the Inside Intelligence Secret Spy Kit. The latter two brands contained asbestos within the fingerprint powders.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asbestos from all sources is responsible for up to 15,000 U.S. deaths each year.

Meditation Linked to Telomere Integrity in Cancer Patients

M

aintaining telomere length has been directly linked to longer lifespan in a number of studies. A telomere is the structure at the end of a chromosome that protects it from deteriorating or fusing with other chromosomes. Its length is being used to measure the potential success of integrative therapy for recovering cancer patients; now University of Calgary research has found that mindfulness meditation helps.

The researchers tested 88 breast cancer survivors with a previous diagnosis of stage-one to stage-three breast cancer.

The patients’ telomere lengths were tested after either group-support therapy or mindfulness meditation training that included gentle hatha yoga exercises. Results showed that while the control group’s telomere lengths decreased over time, both the mindfulness group and the support therapy group were on average able to maintain their telomere length throughout the testing period.

Superfruit Antioxidants Found in Chilean Maqui Berry

R

esearch from the University of Arizona’s Health Sciences Center has confirmed that the South American superfruit maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) can aid the cardiovascular system and reduce blood sugar. Clinical trials found a group of antioxidants, called delphinidins, significantly reduced levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, which is linked to atherosclerosis and other heart diseases.

The clinical research found that the delphinidins contained in the maqui berry, known as the richest natural source of the antioxidant, aid the health of blood vessels by increasing nitric oxide and decreasing platelets linked with thrombosis, the clogging of arteries that can cause strokes. The researchers also found that the superfruit may help counteract skin aging from ultraviolet radiation-B (UVB) exposure.

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~Christopher Reeve 10

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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Digital ‘Blue Light’ Reading Disrupts Sleep Rhythms

R

ecent findings from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, has determined that reading from a light-emitting tablet or computer before bedtime will disturb sleep and may change the circadian rhythms that govern the body’s clock.

The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, tested 12 people for two weeks.

On five nights during one week, the subjects read ebooks on an iPad for four hours before bedtime. Another week, they read from printed books for the same duration.

During the five days of iPad reading, the participants fell asleep later and spent less time in rapid eye movement (REM)-stage sleep. The light-emitting tablet altered the circadian rhythm, changing the body’s natural sleeping pattern. The researchers also tested other blue-light emitting devices, including laptops, tablets, other eReaders, cell phones and LED monitors.

“We found the body’s natural circadian rhythms were interrupted by the shortwavelength enriched light, otherwise known as blue light, from these electronic devices,” says neuroscientist Anne-Marie Chang, Ph.D., one of the study authors.

Dr. Charles Czeisler, Ph.D., a leading sleep researcher, remarks, “In the past 50 years, there has been a decline in average sleep duration and quality. Since more people are choosing electronic devices for reading, communication and entertainment, particularly children and adolescents who already experience significant sleep loss, epidemiological research evaluating the long-term consequences of these devices on health and safety is urgently needed.”

Spirituality is Beneficial for Cancer Patients

A

Potatoes Don’t Pack on Pounds

R

esearch from scientists at the University of California, Davis has mashed the notion that potatoes cause weight gain. The researchers tested 90 overweight people divided into three groups, with all of them eating five to seven servings of potatoes each week over a three-month period.

Two groups reduced their calorie intake by 500 calories per day, with one group eating low-glycemic index (GI) foods and the other group eating high-GI foods. The third group had no calorie restrictions. Despite the increased potato consumption during the study period, all three groups showed slight weight loss and reduced body mass index.

The researchers concluded, “Potato intake did not cause weight gain.”

ddle Earth i M

ccording to a new review of research published in the journal Cancer, a strong religious or spiritual belief system may improve a cancer patient’s prognosis physically, emotionally and mentally.

Researchers from Florida’s H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and North Carolina’s Wake Forest School of Medicine reviewed clinical studies that included more than 44,000 cancer patients. The first review focused on physical symptoms and found that patients with stronger religious and spiritual beliefs reported fewer cancer symptoms and better physical health. They also showed enhanced capabilities in managing their daily lives.

“These relationships were particularly strong in patients that experienced greater emotional aspects of religion and spirituality, including a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as a connection to a source larger than oneself,” states Heather Jim, lead author of the first review.

The second review focused on mental health and found reductions in anxiety, depression and distress among those with greater spirituality. Lead author Dr. John Salsman comments, “Also, greater levels of spiritual distress and a sense of disconnectedness from God or a religious community were associated with greater psychological distress or poorer emotional well-being.”

In the third review, the researchers found that patients with a stronger spiritual well-being reported better social health, as well.

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natural awakenings December 2015

11

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

Fungus Among Us

Mushrooms Offer Pesticide-Free Insect Control Paul Stamets, one of the world’s leading mycologists, invented a fungus (mushroom)-based pesticide in 2006.

An industry executive states, “This patent represents the most disruptive technology we have ever witnessed.” This “smart” pesticide provides a safe and nearly permanent solution for controlling more than 200,000 species of insects.

Entomopathogenic (insect-destroying) fungi are altered so they don’t produce spores. This actually attracts the insects, which then eat them and turn into fungi from the inside-out. The invention has the potential to revolutionize the way humans grow crops.

Source: Earth. We Are One. View the patent at Tinyurl.com/FungusPesticidePatent.

Sentient Beings

New Zealand Enacts Bill Recognizing Animal Intelligence The New Zealand Animal Welfare Amendment Bill that passed into law this year states that animals, like humans, are sentient beings. Dr. Virginia Williams, chair of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee, says this acknowledges, “Animals can experience both positive and negative emotions, including pain and distress.” The bill thus bans the use of animals for testing cosmetics.

Williams says the legal recognition of animal sentience provides a stronger underpinning of the requirements of the existing Animal Welfare Act. The bill also provides for penalties to enable low-to-medium-level offenders to be punished more effectively and gives animal welfare inspectors the power to issue compliance notices, among other measures.

Find a link to the legislation at Tinyurl.com/NewZealandSentienceBill.

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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Uncommon Devotion Religion in America Shows Resilience On any given Sabbath, four of 10 Americans travel to a place of worship, a number that hasn’t fluctuated dramatically in the past half-century.

Gallup polls report that more than 81 percent say they identify with a specific religion or denomination; 78 percent say it’s an important part of their lives; and 57 percent believe that religion is able to solve today’s problems.

While recent attendance may be off, Americans are no less likely to attend services today than they were in the 1940s and early ’50s, just prior to the ultra-religious following decade. The reason, says Gallup’s Frank Newport, is that U.S. religious worship is cyclical.

Today’s practicing religious communities “tend to consist of the seriously committed, not just those swept along by obligation,” reports Christian Smith, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame and coprincipal investigator of the National Study of Youth and Religion.

Those that worship regularly are more likely to be older, female and Southern; they also are better educated and stronger financially than those that don’t, according to Newport. At the same time, Mitchell Marcus, a University of Pennsylvania professor, characterizes his Ph.D. students as religiously curious, often devout and eager to talk about their beliefs.

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Greener Globe

World Powers Vow Cuts in Emissions This year’s G7 Summit of the U.S., UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, plus the European Union, has agreed in principle that the global economy must be completely fossil fuel-free by the end of this century to curb destructive climate change. To that end, the nations agreed to work toward cutting emissions between 40 and 70 percent by 2050.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also announced that the G7 countries would raise $100 billion from public and private sources by 2020 to help poorer nations adapt. Environmental groups such as Greenpeace praised the action. In a statement, the Sierra Club called it “the first time that the leaders of the world have made clear with one voice that we must get off fossil fuels completely.”

Two hundred countries are expected to commit in writing to specific plans for greening their economies at the United Nations Climate Change Conference this month in Paris.

Source: TheHill.com

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Interactive Government

White House Responds to Online Petitions President Obama has made it a priority to open a direct channel for people to be heard via online petitions. Jason Goldman, chief digital officer at the White House, says that his staff has responded to dozens of requests to take action on a variety of issues in recent months. “We want to make sure those responses aren’t the final page, but rather the start of an ongoing conversation,” he says.

Change.org has chosen to integrate with the We the People platform, meaning the future signatures of its 100 million users will count toward the threshold of 100,000 for getting an official response from the administration.

“The process of hearing from us about your petition is going to look a little different,” says Goldman. “We’ve assembled a team of people responsible for taking your questions and requests and bringing them to the right people, whether within the White House or in an agency within the administration that may be in a position to say something about your request.”

Visit Petitions.WhiteHouse.gov.

Joy

I greet each day with a joyful heart.

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Post-it Progress

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3M Requires Paper Sources to Meet Sustainable Standards A new sustainability policy by the 3M Corporation, maker of Post-it notes, has drawn support for its goal of making a minimal impact on forests, wildlife and human rights. 3M paper-based products and packaging require pulp and paper from sources around the world. Working in collaboration with ForestEthics and Greenpeace, the company launched a comprehensive review of all of its pulp and paper procurement expectations to ensure the materials are produced from sustainably logged timber.

3M will now hold paper and pulp suppliers accountable to one of the highest standards in the industry for environmental protection and respect of human rights, including tracing origins and obtaining consent of indigenous peoples and local communities before logging operations occur. The company intends to publish semiannual updates of its progress online.

Source: ForestEthics.org

DISCOVER...

Meryl Hyderally 251-463-1862 fengshui831.com meryl@merylhyderally.com Energize Your Home, Energize Your Life Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast

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ecotip Shipping News

Early Bird Gift Shipping Saves Stress, Money and Resources Last-minute online shopping can be costly in both dollars and pollution. Choosing nextday delivery puts purchased products on a plane that burns far more carbon-producing fossil fuel than ground transportation.

But there’s a better way, and how we package gifts for shipping counts.

Order and ship early. Building in more lead time affords less costly shipping options. Eco-wise, if the shipper has some freedom in scheduling deliveries, it can choose to hold up a delivery truck until it’s full, rather than sending one out half-empty. Also, if a package doesn’t have to reach its destination by a particular day or time, the company can choose the most efficient local delivery routing.

A recent University of Washington study found that a community using grocery delivery services slashed carbon emissions when compared to individuals driving to the supermarket. Plus, they achieved their biggest gains—80 to 90 percent lower emissions—when they could plan deliveries around customer locations, rather than precise delivery windows, thus minimizing driving distance and time on the road.

Seek out available boxes. Many grocery and beverage stores don’t immediately break down incoming cardboard shipping boxes. Ask a store attendant if they have any available. Reusing saved paper bags from checkout (for those that don’t bring reusable bags) can serve to cushion gift-wrapped boxes.

GreenAmerica.org suggests repurposing gently-used wrapping paper or old fabrics, newspapers, magazines or calendars for a creative look. Return any foam peanuts in received packages to a pack-n-ship shop for reuse.

Know the options. While U.S. Postal Service (usps.com) Priority Mail offers flat rates to any state regardless of weight (up to 70 pounds), package tracking and other year-round features, the cost of using other carriers varies by destination zip code, package size and weight. Verify price and timing options, making sure packages arrive in good time to be under the Christmas tree before December 25.

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AWAKENING TO SPIRIT Prayer and Meditation Heal and Free Us

by Richard Davenport

By its intimate connection with divine love, Spirit infuses human experience with qualities of amazing grace—unexpected clarity, vision, wisdom, peace, compassion, emotional release, inspirational epiphanies, deep understanding and comprehensive healing of mind, body and soul.

W

hile society abounds with scientific research, products and practices that promise to enhance our mind or body and the mind-body connection, without Spirit in the mix, neither rises to its full potential. A heart open to a higher power exponentially multiplies the effects of this crucial connection.

“Just as a candle spreads light in a darkened room, people who are living in-Spirit give off a higher energy that can bring light to our hearts and minds. In other words, we can be inspired just by being in their presence,” according to renowned bestselling author Wayne Dyer, Ph.D.

Experiential, non-verbal and lifechanging encounters with the unbounded power and presence of Spirit in prayer and meditation are difficult to analyze 16

in the same way as mind-body science.

However, Dyer points to the works and outcomes of Spirit as visible evidence of how it lifts us up.

We see individuals with rapturous hearts sending out signals that they love the world and everyone in it. Those that live in Spirit tend to see the world as a friendly place, are at peace with themselves, appear to be open and accepting rather than judgmental and harsh, and often report being healed of all sorts of diseases, relationship challenges, career fluctuations and questions of purpose and direction. They attest to how Spirit shines a triumphant light in the midst of dark nights of the soul, redefining the essence of life itself and declaring us worthy in our innermost reaches.

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Personal Healing

When a 19-year-old woman entered basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas, and was undergoing initial medical and psychological screening, she was identified as having body and mind issues that would require her to be separated from the service. These problems included organ failures and spinal misalignment, as well as severe consequences of an emotionally abusive upbringing. It was determined that she could not handle the physical and mental demands of military life.

Because the policy was to not treat such problems if identified upon entering the service, authorities allowed her to remain in training until her separation from the Air Force could be processed.

The woman was impressed and also distressed by the finality of the verdict and assessment tools used by mind and body experts among the medical staff. In talking with a chaplain on the base, she came to understand that she could choose to appeal her case to another jurisdiction, a “higher” court of Spirit. Focusing on the voice of divine love, she grew to see Spirit as more than a higher power. She saw Spirit as a higher authority. She surrendered to divine love’s authority as ultimate law, supremely qualified to reorder her whole being. She trusted that aligning with spiritual power could change her view of her identity and the seemingly inescapable consequences of genetics, environment and human history denying her desire to serve her country in this way.

Listening to a higher witness testifying on her behalf and identifying her authentic being as the magnificent expression of the magnificent Creator, she felt encouraged to the point that her mind and body stopped arresting her progress and became more effective servants, responding with greater freedom and joy.

One limitation after another fell away, and the military and medical authorities seemed pleased with her progress as she neared completion of training. Finally, performing a mile-and-a-half run within a required time remained the only obstacle to graduation, and she was still 45 seconds too slow.

This helpful passage from the Hebrew prophet Isaiah became central to her prayer and meditation as she approached her last running attempt:

Young people will get tired;

strapping young men will stumble

and fall.

But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength.

They will soar on wings as eagles.

Th e y w i l l r u n — n e v e r w i n d e d , never weary.

They will walk—never tired,

never faint. ~Isaiah 40: 30-31 (The Voice)

She passed her final attempt with 18 seconds to spare, running on eagles’ wings.

So, how can we all discern such a divine witness to our original authentic being amidst loud testimony of all the voices and labels shouting in our head and body, including those imposed by others?

Prayer and Meditation

There are two approaches to listening to the voice within, whether we name it God, higher power, Spirit, grace, Eternal One, or divine love or Love. Complementary, rather than mutually exclusive, both approaches require a capacity, gained through patient practice, of quieting the inner and outer chatter and learning to hear that which calls us to be more than what human experience suggests is possible. It’s who we are in the eyes of grace.

Sanford C. Wilder, of Grafton, Illinois, author of Listening to Grace, offers personal growth and development programs through EducareUnlearning.com that encourage prayer and meditation that emphasize listening. He practices both approaches and makes distinctions between them.

“When I pray, I am directing my thoughts toward God, listening and often affirming what I know to be divinely true.

I am yearning to surrender my will and affections in conscious connection with the divine such that I or another receives a blessing,” shares Wilder. In such prayerful listening, he hopes to gain something, often a new insight and corresponding manifestation.

“When I meditate, my intention is to sacrifice every thought, concept, image and feeling to God, the only consciousness. I trust that listening and observing with nonattachment helps me release conscious and unconscious conditioned

thought patterns permeated by a human sense of self.” Through meditative listening, he hopes to release everything rather than receive anything, accepting that everyone is equipped and able to be open to, witness and experience nonstop blessings.

Helen Mathis has been an educator in the Philippines and Swaziland as well as the U.S., including an instructor of religion at Principia College, near St. Louis; she is now part of a Centering Prayer Circle in Stockton, California. She explains that centering prayer may be seen as a hybrid that embraces both prayer and meditation, nourishing what’s beneath the preoccupied self to awaken a deeper and vastly more authentic self.

Mathis appreciates what Cynthia Bourgeault explores in her book Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, that, “This confusion between small self and the larger Self… [the] ‘True Self,’ ‘Essential Self’ or ‘Real I’—is the core illusion of the human condition, and penetrating this

To feel Spirit’s presence, we must surrender our own sense of how it will work, its timeline and the impact on our ego or status quo.

As with anything worthwhile, conscientious practice is essential.

Meditation with Betsey Grady

Teaching the Power of Peace Within

B

etsey Grady, the founder of Rosie Bluum, grew up with a strong ritual for prayer and started formally meditating more than 20 years ago. According to Grady, stress and anxiety are often a result of being in fight-orflight mode, which can trigger overreaction.

“A steady meditation practice teaches us to observe the moment and allows us to respond with compassion,” she explains. “This helps us make more peaceful decisions which benefits not only ourselves, but everyone around us.”

Offering a variety of styles in group and private settings, Grady has been teaching meditation in Fairhope for eight years. Her beginnerfriendly guided classes walk participants through the process of physical and mental relaxation with breath awareness. “Everyone leaves with a sense of total relaxation and peace, knowing they just let the stresses of the day go,” she says.

Grady’s creative visualization classes connect participants to their own inner wisdom and guidance through the use of imagination. In addition to gaining a sense of peace, this experience fosters inspiration. Although the most difficult to master, silent meditation is the most rewarding. “In silence is where we truly begin to understand who we are outside of all the roles we play,” she says.

Grady provides her students with the time it takes for their minds to relinquish control. “It’s then that they experience peace of mind, clarity and power by learning to go within.”

For more information, visit BetseyGrady.com and RosieBluum.com. See ad, page 21.

natural awakenings December 2015

17

Through conscious listening we discover that our true nature—as witnessed by Spirit—though sometimes obscured from view, is never altered from its original beauty and wholeness. ~Helen Mathis illusion is what awakening is all about.”

Like Bourgeault, Mathis believes that it’s not about the absence of thoughts so much as detaching from our thoughts, trusting that we can let go and be safe, consent to surrender human will and forgo personal agendas. Only then can spiritual sense come into play.

“The goal is to awaken to, open to and get in touch with our innermost being and Spirit,” Mathis affirms. “Clearly, centering prayer assumes we each have a spiritual awareness of the divine within us that acts, as Bourgeault puts it, as ‘a kind of interior compass whose magnetic north is always fixed on God.’”

Core Shift

We often approach a Spirit dimension with the attitude of “what it can do for me.” The higher practice that mystics and other deep thinkers of various faith traditions ultimately arrive at instead centers on transforming our whole self to align with Spirit’s purpose for us, which changes everything.

Reverend Dr. Michael Beckwith, founder of the New Thought Agape Spiritual Center, in Los Angeles, and a spiritual mentor to Oprah Winfrey, believes, “The relationship we have with the infinite is more about how we are to serve it than it is to serve us.”

Beckwith describes three primary stages of realizing the power and purpose of divine Spirit expressed as our spirit. The first is that of a victim (feeling powerless, unable to effect change). The second is when an individual learns the existence of universal law that responds to our thinking, emotions and attitude; we learn how to use it to stabilize life structures and demonstrate health and well-being.

18

“Ultimately, in stage three, we become a vehicle of life in service to life.

Instead of using the law, the law uses us.

Life fulfills its own nature through us,” he says. “All of life is conspiring for our freedom, liberation, wholeness and health.”

He urges us not to stop and stagnate at stage two, using divine laws only to manifest personal conveniences, stuff and even people for our use; this can hijack views of abundance into materialism and consumerism. He quips, “We are not here to go shopping.”

Dwelling in Spirit

Grace and Spirit work in us, through us and between us, yet we can’t simply summon them up or outline their outcomes. To feel

Spirit’s presence, we must surrender our own sense of how it will work, its timeline and the impact on our ego or status quo.

As with anything worthwhile, conscientious practice is essential.

Life, defined by Spirit, gives fresh strength and impetus to mind and body. All three are vital elements of the dance of life.

Richard Davenport is a spiritual life educator (HigherGroundForLife.com) and the founding executive director of an inclusive nationwide Bible and spiritual life community (BibleAndSpiritualLife.org).

Now based in St. Louis, MO, he is a retired Air Force chaplain, having served at Lackland and other U.S. Air Force bases on three continents.

FIVE WAYS TO PRAY FROM THE HEART

by Richard Davenport

P

rayer from a heart willing to surrender, change, learn, grow and bless others works to keep us centered on pure motives like wellness, wholeheartedness and compassion. Such prayer can help us progress spiritually.

These five forms of prayer, found in the Bible, have a universal application to any spiritual practice. Although differing in their approach, all share the purpose of creating a fuller mindfulness of our true identity and relationship to the divine, while enhancing our capacity to bless all creation. If we are not feeling the desired breakthroughs using one form, perhaps the one most familiar or comfortable to us, we might do well to explore others.

Praise – a posture of adoration, honoring and surrender to a power, vision, and authority greater than our own.

Thanksgiving – or better yet, for its consistency and permeating of our whole self, thanks-living. The garden of our spirit is enriched by embracing a gratitude attitude in all we do.

Petition – a relational posture that opens our heart as we learn to ask for help, to seek perspective beyond a limited self, beyond a smaller, egodriven orientation.

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Intercession – praying for others; blessing, honoring and cherishing them as God sees them. When we feel burdened and blocked by our own trials, expressing empathy and compassion for others can unlock our heart and mind. We can lovingly witness the true nature of those that are seemingly tangled in forces blocking or opposing their higher good.

Affirmation – release and rest in divine authority, acknowledging the uni-verse as literally one song reflecting the singular harmony that Spirit knows and is unfolding in every moment to meet our need in forms we can see and feel right now.

wisewords

STICK WITH THE BEST

Sharon Salzberg on Mindfulness Simple Ways to Be in the Present Moment

by April Thompson

N

How do you define mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the quality of awareness.

When we are mindful, our perception of the present moment isn’t so distorted by bias, adding our own storyline to

reality and pushing away what’s happening.

photo by Fabio Fiippi

ew York City-born Sharon Salzberg experienced a childhood full of loss and upheaval, losing her parents and living in five different household configurations. In college, she discovered the power of meditation to transform suffering and cope with life’s neverending changes.

Born into a Jewish family, Salzberg first encountered Buddhism in 1969 in an Asian philosophy class, inspiring her to undertake an independent study program in India, where she was initiated into the practice via an intense 10-day retreat. “It was very difficult and painful.

I sometimes doubted that I’d succeed, yet I never doubted that there was truth there,” she says.

Upon her return home, Salzberg dedicated herself to the path of vipassana- (insight) meditation, becoming a renowned teacher and co-founding the Insight Meditation Society, in Barre, Massachusetts. Today she teaches and speaks to diverse audiences worldwide about the power of mindfulness. Salzberg has authored nine books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness, Real Happiness at Work and Lovingkindness.

Is it possible to be mindful without having an established meditation practice?

Yes, theoretically, but I suspect it’s hard. I honor my own meditation practice for making mindfulness highly accessible for me. It doesn’t take many hours of prep work and is open to everyone. It’s really a practice, like strength training—you have to exercise the mindfulness muscle to reap the benefits.

What’s the best way to arrange time for meditation, and what can motivate us to practice regularly?

Having a sense of structure has helped me the most. I believe strongly in the value of a daily practice, however simple or short.

We can ritualize certain practices to help remember to pause and be mindful. For example, every time the phone rings, let it ring three times and use that as a trigger to breathe. When you’ve finished writing an email, take a few conscious moments before sending it. There are lots of ways to cut through the momentum of the busyness and craziness of our lives to return to mindfulness.

Make a commitment to practice for a certain period of daily time for a month or two, and then reassess. Look for changes during the active course of daily life and query: How am I speaking to myself or to

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natural awakenings December 2015

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others? Am I more present? Am I more at ease in letting go? It’s important to look for these subtle changes rather than to set unrealistic expectations for ourselves such as being mindful all day.

Do you have other enabling practices for people new to the state of living mindfully?

Movement meditation is a good place to start; if you’re walking somewhere, try to be more present and feel your feet against the ground. Also, just focus on one thing at a time; instead of multitasking, just drink the cup of tea.

We can also use breath to focus concentration. The breath is a tremendous tool, it’s always with us. If you’re in a contentious meeting and tempers flare, you don’t have to pull out a meditation cushion and sit in a funny position; you can work with your breath right where you are.

How can meditation help to ease suffering?

Sometimes, we think we can ease suffering by only having pleasant feelings and beautiful thoughts. Rather, we can ease suffering by changing the way we relate to our thoughts and feelings. If something unpleasant is happening, most of us flip into an internal monologue about how, “Bad things always happen to me,” or “This is my fault,” or “I shouldn’t feel this.” We compound our suffering by adding judgment and by pushing away discomfort. Instead, we can learn to observe our reactions and release them.

We also tend not to feel pleasure fully or think that something else or more should be happening instead of simply enjoying the moment. We wait for some sense of intensity in order to feel alive, rather than experiencing the ordinary to the utmost.

Meditation trains us to be present with pleasant, unpleasant and neutral experiences and stay connected, no matter what’s going on.

Reach freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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21

The 2015 Local Guide to

Conscious Giving

by Meredith Montgomery

O

ften during this wonderful time of year, wellness is less of a priority and heightened consumption trumps efforts to go green. To practice conscious consumerism, consider the eco-friendliness of a potential gift item— what it’s made of, where it came from and how it’s packaged—but remember that gifts that acknowledge the recipient’s needs and interests are the most meaningful and fun to give. For this year’s gift-giving season, Natural Awakenings has gathered thoughtful and practical gift ideas from local businesses to ease the stress of holiday shopping.

Handmade from the Heart

Mobile Yarn (MobileYarn.com) is a new shop in Mobile that offers supplies, classes and a supportive community for anyone interested in knitting, crocheting, tatting or weaving. “Nothing compares to a handmade gift,” says owner Heidi Sunday.

“Needle arts are not difficult and with a good teacher and a little practice, these crafts will bring you years of joy, along with beautiful clothing and décor for yourself and the people you care about.”

The shop has quality yarns from around the world and all the tools and inspiration needed to make creative ideas

come to life. Classes are a fun experience to gift to beginners, while the experienced knitter or crocheter may enjoy receiving a ball winder, a swift, interchangeable needle sets or crochet hook sets, a tabletop weaving loom or a woven basket to hold knitting projects. Gift certificates are also available in any denomination

Transformational Gifts

“We believe that gifts should add to or enhance one’s life,” says Julie Wagner, owner of The Willow Tree Gift Shop at Rosie Bluum (TheWillowTreeAtRosieBluum.com), in Fairhope. To help a friend or loved one on their journey of self-transformation, consider gifting the book The Power of Now

by Eckhart Tolle, or Creative Visualization

by Shakti Gawain. Or give an experience that will enhance their self-worth and transformation, such as an intuitive or Akashic reading, a therapeutic massage or a craniosacral therapy session.

For wellness and ambiance, give Himalayan salt lamps, which offer allergy relief and add a warm glow to any room.

The Willow Tree carries all sizes, including the hard-tofind extra large

lamps. Crystals and gemstones not only look beautiful, but also harmonize the energy in a home. “For the beginning enthusiast, start with a foundation of clear quartz crystal, amethyst, smoky quartz, rose quartz, citrine and black tourmaline. Our large amethyst cathedrals and selenite skyscrapers also make one-of-akind gifts,” says Wagner.

For someone that meditates or does yoga, help enhance their practice with gifts of incense and candles, or a gift certificate for meditation classes. The Willow Tree also carries local art, jewelry and pottery suitable for a variety of budgets.

Presents that Pamper and Heal

Jen Adams LMT (JenAdamsLMT.com), in Fairhope, offers wellness gifts for every budget. Gift certificates start at $15

yarn from Mobile Yarn; salt lamp from Willow Tree; ear seeds from Jen Adams LMT; massage from Jen Adams LMT and Elements Therapeutic Massage; books from Willow Tree; 22

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

and can be used for massage, Reiki and reflexology. Newly in stock are ear seeds, which can serve as a drug- and chemicalfree option for managing several issues including back pain, insomnia, weight control and mood regulation. “Ear seeds are like reflexology for the ears and they make great gifts. The stress kit is a good option for teachers or anyone else managing stress,” says Adams. Kits include a month’s supply of seeds with instructions.

The massage studio also carries the locally-produced sacro wedgy, which is an easy-to-use tool that alleviates back pain associated with sciatica and hip pain.

An Elements Therapeutic Massage (ElementsMassage.com/mobile) gift card can be a gift of luxury and healing. “We specialize in truly therapeutic massage and focus on handcrafting a customized massage just for you,” says owner Claudia McClure. “With the right therapist and a tailored combination of techniques, a great massage can change everything.”

During the holidays, two gift cards for 60-minute massages are on sale for $99.

Safe Scents and Shimmers

Beautycounter offers safe and luxurious skincare and makeup made from sustainable and non-GMO ingredients that are not tested on animals. The company’s holiday gift sets include the Sheer and Shimmer collection, which is designed for anyone wishing to add a little sparkle to their holiday look. “It includes our new Lustro Shimmer Oil for head-to-toe glow and a versatile lip sheer to complement any look,” says local consultant Renee MacArthur (Beautycounter. com/ReneeMacArthur). “This would be an excellent gift for your wife, best friend or children’s teacher.”

Skincare gift sets from Beautycounter

Their Winter Clean Soap Collection is a great option for men on the list and includes a gently cleansing body bar in a Citrus Mimosa scent and a Charcoal Cleansing bar for the face that detoxifies and absorbs impurities without drying the skin.

Yoga-Inspired Gifts for Everyone

The yoga-related accessories at Soul Shine Yoga (TheSoulShineLife.com), in Fairhope, make meaningful gifts for both the seasoned yogi and those who have never attended a class. Yoga-inspired apparel from ALO Yoga, Spiritual Gangster and Onzie are fashionable both on and off the mat.

Malas, strands of beads worn by yogis and spiritual seekers for thousands of years, are useful in meditation, yoga class or daily intention-setting, though the Tiny Devotions malas available at Soul Shine are beautiful accessories that can be worn by anyone. Eco-conscious Manduka mats, inspirational journals and gift certificates for classes are also available.

Now it’s time to make your list and check it twice. Grab your reusable shopping bags and enjoy supporting these local businesses.

Tiny Devotions mala beads and Manduka yoga mats from Soul Shine Yoga

Good Tithings

Lend a Hand to Causes While You Shop This holiday season, every gift purchased through GoodSearch.com can earn a donation of up to 30 percent of its value for a favorite charity, along with money-saving coupons for the customer. More than 2,500 national retailers are participating in the program, including Apple, Target, Toys “R” Us, Ralph Lauren, Macy’s, 1-800-Flowers, PetSmart and Expedia.

Instead of limiting qualifying purchases to a particular product and charity, the campaign includes nearly every product in the store. The donation goes to the charity or school of the shopper’s choice with the cooperation of the organization’s GoodShop, which has raised more than $9 million for charities ranging from The American Red Cross and ASPCA to local homeless shelters and schools.

Each Internet search through the website also earns the charity about a penny. With GoodDining, meals at more than 10,000 restaurants earn donations, with more than 100,000 charities and schools benefitting. UNICEF has used money from GoodSearch and GoodShop to provide clean drinking water to more than 200,000 children. natural awakenings December 2015

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healingways

used will give you an idea of its therapeutic value,” says Villa. “A root base will be good for grounding. Since bark is like skin, oils such as birch will benefit skin and muscles. Oils from flowers are excellent for anything related to the head and mind.”

Oregano and cinnamon oils have powerful antifungal properties, even against Candida-type fungi resistant to prescription drugs, according to Brazilian research from Universidade Federal.

A groundbreaking study from the Slovak University of Technology, in Slovakia, even suggests that rosemary oil can kill cancer cells.

These are all scents that can be the foundations of do-it-yourself perfumes.

Customized Blends

HEAVENLY SCENTS How to Make Your Own Natural Oil Fragrances

A

by Kathleen Barnes

whiff of sweetness can communicate a personal signature of tranquility, alertness or romance, or it can cause a bout of miserable sneezing, wheezing or nausea for those in the vicinity and even the unwitting wearer.

Commercial Chemicals

“When you see ‘fragrance’ on a personal care product label, read it as ‘hidden chemicals,’” warns the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit watchdog Environmental Working Group (EWG). “A major loophole in the [U.S.] Food and Drug Administration’s federal law lets manufacturers of products like shampoo, lotion and body wash include nearly any ingredient under the term fragrance without actually listing the chemical.”

Companies that manufacture personal care products are required by law to list the ingredients they use, but fragrances and trade-secret formulas are exempt.

What’s known as a dirty little secret in the fragrance industry is the unlabeled presence of toxic chemicals not only in perfumes, but in any personal care product that includes a scent. Lab 24

tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and analyzed by the EWG confirm the presence of parabens that interfere with hormone production, cancer-causing phthalates, and synthetic musks that have been linked to hormone disruption, among many other ills.

Naturally Safe Scents

“Opting for natural scents from organic essential oils not only offers a toxin-free alternative, the oils’ aromatherapy benefits have time-proven therapeutic value,” suggests Dorene Petersen, president and founder of the American College of Healthcare Sciences, in Portland, Oregon.

Recent research from the Pontificia Universidade Catolica, in Brazil, confirms that lavender oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pain-relieving properties similar to those of a mild-dose narcotic.

Plus, it smells heavenly, says botanical perfumer Roxana Villa, of Woodland Hills, a California-based spokesperson for the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.

“Considering the part of the plant

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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“It’s fun to experiment with organic essential oils and create that unique blend that becomes a personal signature,” says Charlynn Avery, an aromatherapist with Aura Cacia, in Norway, Iowa. She explains that essential oils have three basic “notes” and blending them correctly will result in a fragrance suited to last throughout the day.

“The base note is heavier and lasts the longest. Patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood and jasmine hang around longer in the atmosphere and on the wearer,” she explains. Blending the base with a slightly lighter middle note like lavender, rosemary or clary sage and a light and short-lasting top note like orange, lime or peppermint will create a complex and pleasing blend.

“That’s the beauty of the art of it,” says Avery. “You can create synergistic blends that harmonize and complement the attributes of each to such an extent that you may not be able to detect the scents of the individual oils.”

There are no hard and fast rules, but our experts offer a few guidelines for creating our own unique blends that will be well-received as holiday gifts.

Use a base of oil like jojoba or sweet almond to create a perfumed oil. Note that oils undiluted by a carrier can burn the skin.

For oil-based blends, use a ratio of 50 drops of bottom note oil, 30 drops of a middle note and 20 drops of a top note in two ounces of carrier oil.

Another option is to use an alcohol

base of either isopropyl rubbing alcohol or 85-proof vodka to make a spray perfume; the alcohol will evaporate quickly.

Alcohol-based blends generally last longer, especially with fragile citrus oils.

A usual ratio is 10 to 20 drops of essential oil per ounce of alcohol-based carrier.

Oil-based blends are ready to use almost immediately. Alcohol-based blends should age a week or two at least and will become more strongly scented in time.

Store fragrances in bottles in a dark, cool place. Bottles with tiny roll-on caps are commercially available.

“It’s very much trial and error to arrive at a preferred scent, so be creative and keep careful notes of experiments and improve on them as you gain experience,” counsels Avery. “If you crinkle your nose at patchouli, you probably won’t like an oil blend with it, either.

Choose scents you like.”

Kathleen Barnes is author of numerous natural health books including Food Is Medicine. Connect at Kathleen Barnes.com.

The 1-2-3s of Blending Oils Base Notes Middle Notes Top Notes sandalwood lavender orange jasmine bergamot lemon myrrh geranium grapefruit vetiver rosemary eucalyptus patchouli tea tree lime cedarwood clary sage peppermint A general ratio of 50 percent base note oils to 30 percent middle notes and 20 percent top notes is recommended.

Source: courtesy of AuraCacia.com

Don't miss our healthy & green gift ideas in this month's guide to

Conscious Giving See pages 20-23.

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naturalpet

Eat, Bark and Be Merry Healthy Holiday Treats for Our Pets

by Sandra Murphy

A

s with families everywhere, special taste treats are on the menu for many dogs, cats and wild birds during the holiday season. Owners are cautioned not to share rich, unfamiliar foods from the table that can be detrimental to an animal’s health. Better fare are homemade treats of organic, safe and tasty ingredients—true gifts from the heart.

Homemade assures the quality of ingredients, avoids unhealthy additives and allows the giver to adjust for individual taste or food sensitivities. Most healthy recipes can be made from readily available ingredients.

Wild Birds

Offer them a variety of seeds and fresh water. Always use unsalted, unseasoned seeds. Mix harder-to-crack striped sunflower seeds with the smaller black oil version to attract the largest number of birds. Organically grown peanuts in the shell, dried fruit, oranges, pomegranates or rehydrated raisins offer a burst of energy.

Impale round fruits, halved, on a small dowel rod attached to the feeding table to hold them in place.

Note that oats go to waste, shelled sunflower seeds spoil and cracked corn attracts raccoons. Pass on any kind of popcorn.

low-fat peanut butter because birds need to pack in the calories in order to stay warm.

Cats

Organic catnip, fresh or dried and baked into a crunchy treat, will bring kitty running. In recipes, avoid canned tuna because of bisphenol A (BPA) concerns; also minimize the frequency and portion of tuna and salmon treats due to mercury accumulation in the fish. Unseasoned tuna or salmon packed in water in a pouch is a better choice. Many recipes labeled for dogs can be converted for cats by making them into smaller bites.

Dogs

“When possible, I put organic and local foods, nonGMO, hormone-and antibiotic-free, grassfed and humanely raised properties at

DIY Suet

Mix one part organic peanut butter with five parts organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) corn meal. Smear into a pinecone to hang from a branch or directly on tree bark for woodpeckers and wrens to enjoy. Don’t use 26

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

the top of my list. A healthier dog means fewer vet visits and more years together,” says Tonya Wilhelm, a dog trainer in Toledo, Ohio. “Buy in bulk from a co-op or farmer and maybe share with friends to get the best price.”

Dehydrated Foods

Dehydrating removes moisture from food while retaining nutrients, and comprises a distinct cooking method.

Stephanie Raya, resident chef at Excalibur Dehydrator, in Sacramento, California, recommends, “For safe chicken and pork, pre-cook before dehydrating. Beef can be dehydrated from a raw state. My Boston terriers also love dehydrated, sweet potato chips.”

A number of commercial dehydrated meat and fish jerkies have been recalled (search DogFoodAdvisor.com/?s=treats).

Homemade treats offer superior control of ingredients.

“When I make my pets’ treats, I know what’s in their food, including the herbs used for flavor,” says Raya. After she’s ensured that the food is thoroughly dried, she packs it in vacuum bags and stores them away from light. She notes that dehydrating takes longer than baking, but is cost-effective at 25 to 50 cents an hour. Veggie options include dehydrated zucchini chips, butternut squash chips, cherry tomato bites, matchstick carrots or peach or other fruit slices.

Make it Festive

A cat’s sense of smell is 10 to 15 times better than ours, but is still modest compared to dogs that out-sniff us by a factor of 30 to 60 times; that’s why putting wrapped treats under a holiday tree or in a stocking is a bad idea. Store them securely and then bring them out when it’s time to open gifts.

Use blue tissue paper for easy-to-open Hanukkah gifts, red or green for Christmas (bows, yes; ribbons, no). For dogs that love puzzles, placing treats inside a wrapped box adds to the fun.

Remember that rich or unfamiliar foods can make pets sick. Instead, gift them with their own healthy, safe treats from known ingredients so that everyone has a happy holiday.

Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Special Holiday Pet Recipes Natural Awakenings recommends using organic and non-GMO (genetically modified) ingredients whenever possible.

Heat oven to 350° F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Cheesy Crunchies 2 cups whole wheat flour ¼ cup cornmeal ½ cup cheese (any grated cheese) 1 egg 1¾ cup filtered water ½ cup fine-grated Parmesan cheese Mix all ingredients except Parmesan.

Knead dough until thoroughly mixed.

Roll dough into shapes (like sticks or squares) or use cookie cutter. Roll shapes in the Parmesan. Dehydrate in a dehydrator at 155° F approximately 4 to 6 hours or until dry. For cats, make much smaller shapes.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Stephanie Raya, Excalibur Dehydrator

Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits Yields: 36 biscuits 1 sweet potato, boiled or baked ¼ cup peanut butter, low in fat, sugar and salt 1 egg 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 tsp cinnamon, ground 1½ cups organic old-fashioned oats (aka rolled oats) Boil or bake sweet potato. Allow to cool before removing the peel if baked.

Go Go Balls

Yields: 30 to 32 balls

Use a mixer to blend all ingredients together except the oatmeal. Once combined, fold in oats with a spoon.

If dough is too wet, add more flour.

½ cup water-packed tuna fish or salmon (from a BPA-free pouch) 4 oz light cream cheese 2 Tbsp dried catnip (or more to taste)

Roll out cookie dough to ¼-inch-thick sheet and cut with any shaped cookie cutter. Fill cookie sheets.

Drain the fish. If using salmon, remove the skin and bones.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until biscuits are hard to the touch.

Cool and place in an airtight container.

Recipe courtesy of Livia J. Washburn, Trick or Deadly Treat

Using a fork, flake the fish into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.

Form small, marble-sized balls by hand and store refrigerated in an airtight container.

Recipe courtesy of Janet Cantrell, Fat Cat Spreads Out

MyHappyDog123

Healthy Pet Treats Made in Mobile

W

hen Viviane Duke, owner of MyHappyDog123, noticed that pet food recalls were increasing in frequency several years ago, she decided to take matters into her own hands. “The healthy products available were expensive, and the only way to truly know what I was feeding my dogs was to make everything myself,” she recalls.

With the help of her husband, Duke’s company, MyHappyDog123 offers homemade gourmet dog and cat treats that are grain-free and made without preservatives or artificial flavors. “We believe the modern dog has taste buds and preferences, so we use herbs and seasonal fruits and vegetables to make many flavors,” says Duke. Flavors include peanut butter, rabbit, lamb, yogurt, sweet potato and cat-friendly fish and chicken.

Every first Monday of the month, MyHappyDog123 hosts Doggie Happy Hour at OK! Bicycle Shop, in Mobile. Attendees enjoy live music and drinks with their dogs while raising money for a different animal rescue group each month. Duke provides free dog treats and a local vet is on hand for a Q&A. With four dogs of her own, she says, “I’m not able to foster more animals or volunteer very much, so this is my way of giving back to the community.”

For more information visit Facebook.com/MyHappyDog123. See ad, page 20.

natural awakenings December 2015

27

Green Congregations Faith Groups Join in Preserving All Creation

photo courtesy of View Dynamic Glass

greenliving

by Avery Mack

T

he simple act of We need a conversation foreign oil, support local businesses, buy switching on a bulb can light a which includes everyone, American-made and room; preaching that since the environmental be cost-effective,” says Rabbi David Freelund, humans are caretakers challenge we are of the Cape Cod Synaof the Earth can engogue, in Hyannis, lighten a community. undergoing, and its Massachusetts. “Going “How are we faithful human roots, concern solar made sense. We to God’s creation?” leased panels, joined asks Diana Butler and affect us all. a renewable energy Bass, Ph.D., author ~Pope Francis credit program and of Grounded: Finding now generate 90 perGod in the World— A Spiritual Revolution, in Alexandria, cent of our energy.”

The synagogue also upgrades equipVirginia. “The connection between the ment to more efficient levels when it’s natural world and the world we live in time for replacement, composts waste, helps us understand the remarkable remaintains a garden to supply a local food sponsibility we have to the planet.” pantry, switched to LED lights, zoned

Along with an emotional bottom their facility’s heating and cooling and folline, many people pose a greater question: What is the cost to our spiritual life lows a single-stream recycling program. if we act selfishly? “We need to know “We seek to lead by example. Members what is sacred and what matters for gen- ask, ‘What else can we do?’ As Jews, our erations to come,” says Bass. “This is an mission is not fulfilled unless we lift up exciting time for communities of faith to work together.” Churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith groups are sending a message to their congregations and communities: We need to care for what the Creator has given us.

Showing the Way

“We wanted to reduce reliance on 28

others toward the divine,” says Freelund.

Windows often make up a large portion of a building of worship, but can be the least energy-efficient components.

Members of Colorado’s Steamboat Christian Center, in Steamboat Springs, used to wear sunglasses or change seats during services to escape the sun’s glare and heat. After installing smart glass windows, everyone can now fully concentrate on the sermon.

“The glass tints like transition sunglasses, based on available light or preprogrammed preferences,” explains Brandon Tinianov, a senior director with View Dynamic Glass, the company that supplied the new windows. “It also reduces heating and cooling costs.”

Laying Down Burdens

“Clutter represents postponed decisions,” says Barbara Hemphill, author of Less Clutter, More Life, in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Lack of time, interest and energy keep us from passing along what we no longer want or need. For most of us, 80 percent of what we keep, we never use.”

That includes paperwork, another specialty of her Productive Environment Institute. When the United Methodist North Carolina Conference Center’s new building was ready, there was plenty to sort through before moving. “We estimate seven tons of items were recycled.

It became an example for individual churches,” says Hemphill.

Her own church, Mount Zion Methodist, in nearby Garner, has cleared out two storage rooms. Items were reclaimed, auctioned or donated to a shelter. “We gained Sunday school rooms in return,” she says.

Practice Makes Perfect

Awareness of the environment and ecofriendly living is a concept religions agree on. At the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, in Sterling, Virginia, an education program encourages community members to recy-

We practice an earth-centered spirituality and a theology of creation care in many ways. We recycle at the church, participate in the Earth Day event, and volunteer as a congregation for Coastal Cleanup each year. We also support the new North Mobile County Food Park and Market that brings local produce to a "food desert." ~Pastor Ellen Sims, Open Table (United Church of Christ), Mobile

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

cle, plant trees and lower water and energy usage. Including their Sunday School, they reduced their overall carbon footprint by 13 percent and energy consumption by 21 percent. Interfaith Power & Light is active in most states and can help implement such user- and eco-friendly changes.

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, the director of outreach for the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, in Falls Church, Virginia, suggests thinking larger and encourages members to ask for changes in public policies by lobbying their representatives. In 2016, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago will promote a Green Ramadan. During Ramadan, members re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance.

Greener than most, The Garden Church, in San Pedro, California, has no building. “People tell me, ‘The outdoors is my church;’ I take them at their word,” says founding Pastor Anna Woofenden.

“We have a central table surrounded by gardens. About 90 percent of what we grow is vegetables, the rest is flowers.

This church is a living sanctuary, a place to belong, a place of community. God’s love is made visible as people are fed in body, mind and spirit.”

“Eco-friendly teaching represents a new spiritual imagination of how to live well in the world,” observes Bass. “Faith makes a difference.”

Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

For several years we have had an outside receptacle for cardboard and paper recycling that is conveniently available for community use beyond our congregation. Inside the church we collect additional recyclable materials, as well. ~Assistant Minister Christy Hancock, Unity Christ Church, Mobile

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natural awakenings December 2015

29

healthykids

Generous Pint-Sized Givers Teaching Kids How to Care and Share

by Jennifer Jacobson

A

mong a parent’s greatest rewards is seeing their children grow up to be productive, contributing members of society, including knowing how to give back and enrich the communities in which they live. Children can start participating in the giving process as toddlers.

Having them observe regular charitable acts can make a strong impression and catalyze later independent initiatives.

Learning how to give and developing the associated skill set is a lifelong journey. Giving becomes a way of life— of looking at the world and determining how to help the causes they feel passionate about. Here’s how to take those crucial first steps.

Ask kids how they’d like to help. If giving to a cause is new to the household, explain that the family has many opportunities. Then engage children in a conversation about the general areas they may feel strongly about supporting—perhaps individuals or families in need, animals or wildlife habitat—and start a list of those that the family is interested in.

Next, start researching related local organizations, facilities and institutions, and matching them to the topics on the list. Ideas may include food kitchens, pet shelters and animal rescues, nature parks, senior citizens’ residences, camps for low-income

30

or physically or mentally challenged children, zoos, museums, aquariums and local libraries.

Make a game plan. Get creative about how to actually help the selected causes. Talk it through together, map out activities—like visiting, donating funds or materials or participating in fundraising efforts—and post the results somewhere at home that is highly visible. “Gamify” it to some degree with tasks that turn into goals that turn into accomplishments that result in chits.

Quick tasks can make a big difference. Clear the clutter. Every six to 12 months, launch an all-family household closet cleaning day that includes the toy chest and maybe the garage. Add nonperishable healthy food items they’ve picked out while grocery shopping. Make a “donate box” positioned where kids can add to it and deliver the donations often, even if it’s small.

Find ways to raise money for donations. Organize a family or neighborhood yard sale or organic bake sale that involves kids at all stages of the project, and give all or a portion of the proceeds to a selected charity.

Associate getting with giving. For birthdays and holidays, include a handwritten “certificate of giving” that specifies the amount of money available for them to gift to

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

their favorite charity. Take the child to the charity site to make the monetary donation in person, if possible. For non-local organizations, write a check and have the child include a letter with their thoughts and mail it.

Volunteer to do community service.

Public gardens need weeding, historic buildings need painting and food banks need hands. Find goodwill tasks that are age-appropriate and engaging.

Grow the mindset. Tell real-life stories about kids or groups of kids that have found creative ways to give back.

Encourage empathy by sharing appropriate stories of struggle. Ask kids, “How would you want people to help you in this situation?” Explain the action the family is taking and the resulting benefit to the recipient.

The conversation might be, “We don’t need to store all this stuff when someone else could really use it.” Or, “I bet there is a kid out there who would really like playing with this toy. I know you used to love it, but how about if you pass it along to someone else so they can enjoy it as much as you have?” Keep the focus on the people in need and your child’s ability to share an experience through an item. Establishing an impermanent connection to material things can help kids understand the importance of nurturing relationships over acquiring goods.

Develop a language of giving in the household by creating opportunities to incorporate it into regular conversation.

Appropriate comments could share concepts such as seeing ourselves as stewards of the planet and the things we think we own; it’s our duty to help those in need when we have abundance; and if there is ever a time when we are without, we hope that others will think of us and help us.

Teaching children how their thoughts, words and actions impact those around them is a lesson that bears repeating.

Jennifer Jacobson lives in Seattle and has served on the boards of several influential nonprofits and other organizations focused on conservation, education and community.

Emily Holmes’ Chocolate Cherry Mini-Cupcakes

consciouseating

Yields: 2 dozen mini-cupcakes

Cake 1 cup raw, shelled, skinned nuts (such as almonds) 1 /3 cup cacao powder 4 fresh dates, pitted Filling 2 cup shredded coconut 1 cup dried cherries 6 fresh dates, pitted ¼ cup coconut cream ¼ tsp vanilla powder Pinch of sea salt

SWEETLY VEGAN No-Bake Holiday Treats Worth Celebrating

Topping 3½ oz melted dark chocolate Process nuts and cacao powder in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground and the mixture is fully combined.

Slowly add the dates until the mixture sticks together.

Photo by Steve Legato

by Judith Fertig

V

“

isions of sugar plums” have been part of holiday mindsets since the advent of Clement Moore’s classic 19th-century poem commonly known as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

We love to give and receive special treats and our tastes are evolving. Instead of yesteryear’s sugary bonbons loaded with calories that we’ve come to regret, today’s preferred confections focus more on naturally sweet dried fruits, best-quality chocolate, healthful coconut and crunchy nuts. Vegan, gluten-free delicacies from chefs and culinary experts the world over help us celebrate the season in a deliciously healthy way, including those we highlight this month.

“Christmas isn’t Christmas without a traditional pudding,” says Chef Teresa Cutter, author of Purely Delicious. Cutter is founder and director of The Healthy Chef company, in Sydney, Australia, which creates functional foods for taste and optimal health. Her no-bake desserts such as miniature Christmas puddings and carrot cake take only minutes to make.

Emily Holmes, a Queensland, Australia, wellness coach who blogs at Conscious-Foodie.com, says her favorite is Holmes’ Chocolate Cherry MiniCupcakes. She serves them with a pot of peppermint tea.

Houston-based Joshua Weissman is the author of The Slim Palate Paleo Cookbook and blogs at SlimPalate. com. He shares his philosophy on holiday treats: “My first thought is that I don’t want to feel guilty after eating it. My second is that I still want it to taste and look good.”

His Almond Butter Pumpkin Pie Truffles fit the festive bill.

In New York City, noted vegan cookbook author and Pastry Chef Fran Costigan is an expert in all things chocolate, including her Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles. “When you make something really delicious with real ingredients, your mouth knows it, your brain knows it, your body knows it. You feel satisfied,” she says.

Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

Press the mixture into the bottom parts of a 24-cup mini muffin pan. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.

Process filling ingredients in a food processor until well combined. Spoon the filling onto the cupcake base in the muffin cups and then top with melted dark chocolate.

Place into the refrigerator to set, where it also stores well until served.

Keep Reading...

MORE RECIPES on the next page.

natural awakenings December 2015

31

No-Bake Festive Vegan Desserts Macadamia Nut Cream Combine 1 cup of raw cashew nuts or macadamia nuts with ½ cup of orange juice or coconut water and a little vanilla. Blend in a high-speed blender like a Vitamix until smooth and creamy.

Joshua Weissman’s Almond Butter Pumpkin Pie Truffles

Yields: About 12 to 16 (1½-inch) truffles

Teresa Cutter’s No-Bake Carrot Cake

Warm winter spices mix with fragrant pumpkin and almond butter to make seasonal truffles hand dipped in fresh vanilla bean-infused white chocolate.

2½ cups (9½ oz) shelled walnuts 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed or whole chia seeds ½ cup (2 oz) rolled oats (or gluten-free almond meal) 1 tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp sea salt 1 cup (6½ oz) of 12 large fresh dates, pitted ½ cup (3 oz) dried chopped apricots or pineapple (sulfur-free) 2 large raw carrots, grated Zest from 1 orange 2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Filling ¼ cup canned pumpkin purée (not pie filling) ¼ cup almond butter ¼ cup vegan cream cheese ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼-½ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp fresh grated ginger 1 Tbsp coconut flour 2 packets stevia (like Sweetleaf packets)

Yields: 16 servings

Combine walnuts, flaxseed, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, orange zest and sea salt into a food processor and run it until mixed and finely chopped. Add dates and apricots. Process again until thoroughly mixed.

Coating (vanilla bean white chocolate) 2 oz food grade (not for skin care) cacao butter broken up into small pieces for melting ¼-½ vanilla bean pod, cut in half lengthwise to scrape out the interior, or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 20 drops stevia (like Sweetleaf Steviaclear drops)

In a medium-sized bowl, combine everything for the filling, including pumpkin purée, almond butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, coconut flour and stevia. Mix thoroughly until smoothly incorporated and no cream cheese chunks are left. Chill by refrigerating the mixture for 10 to 20 minutes or freezing it for 2 to 5 minutes.

Roll chilled filling mixture into mediumto-small-sized balls a little less than an inch in diameter and place them on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place balls back into the refrigerator for 10 minutes or the freezer for 5 minutes so the balls harden enough to allow dipping.

Heat a double boiler or small pot that fits into a medium pot of gently boiling water over medium-to-low heat. Scrape out the vanilla bean pod, conserving vanilla beans for adding once the cacao butter is melted. Place cacao butter in the top of a double boiler and melt and add stevia.

Then add vanilla beans and mix well.

Turn the heat to low to keep warm and melted. Pull out the hardened filling shaped into balls and one at a time drop them into the white chocolate mixture and roll them around until they’re fully covered with mixture using fingers or a small spoon.

Carefully spoon out each truffle using a spoon, gently tapping the spoon on the inside of the saucepan to slough off excess cacao butter that may pool on it.

Take special care not to drop the truffle.

Gently place each treat back onto the tray. Repeat the whole process until all the coated balls are on the tray.

Add grated raw carrot and vanilla and then process again until combined. The mix should now form a nice dough.

Spoon into a bowl. Add and knead oats through the raw carrot cake mixture.

Let them cool at room temperature and serve immediately or place them in the refrigerator to harden and serve later. Chilled, truffles will keep for 3 to 5 days.

Press cake firmly into a 6-inch round baking dish lined with parchment paper.

Refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing at least 2 hours for the cake to rest. It will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.

Enjoy as is or garnish with macadamia nut cream, a drizzle of honey and walnuts.

Fran Costigan’s Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles

Pictured on previous page.

Yields: 20 to 24 (1-inch) truffles

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic and non-GMO (genetically modified) ingredients whenever possible.

32

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

This creamy chocolate truffle has a slightly chewy texture with a coating for color and crunch. Raw tahini is sweeter than when its roasted and either kind is good.

Truffle Ganache 4 oz dark fair trade chocolate (70 to 72 percent), finely chopped Finely minced zest of half a medium orange 3 Tbsp orange juice ¼ cup agave syrup 1 Tbsp raw or roasted tahini, stirred 1½ Tbsp white sesame seeds, lightly toasted 1½ Tbsp black sesame seeds, lightly toasted Place the chocolate in small heatproof bowl.

Mix the orange zest and juice and agave in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and add the tahini, whisking vigorously.

The mixture will thicken immediately.

Don’t be concerned if it looks broken or curdled; it’ll smooth out with whisking.

Simmer the mixture for 30 seconds until it’s shiny and smooth. Remove from heat and wait about 30 seconds until it’s no longer steaming and then pour it over the chocolate.

Cover the bowl with a plate. Wait 1 minute and then stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Note: The ganache will not be perfectly smooth. Cool to room temperature, stirring a few times using a silicone spatula. Spoon into a small shallow container and refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours until the ganache is firm. The ganache can be covered and refrigerated at this point for up to 1 week.

Shape Truffle Centers Remove the ganache from the refrigerator. Use one spoon to scoop out 1-inch pieces of ganache and another to push it off the spoon into the container. When half the ganache has been used, roll into logs about 1-inch long, washing and drying hands as needed. (If at any time the ganache becomes too soft to shape, refrigerate until cold before proceeding.)

Cover and refrigerate the truffle centers 15 to 25 minutes to set, before final shaping and finishing with the sesame seed coating.

Truffle Coating Mix the sesame seeds in a small bowl.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons on the bottom of a shallow container. Put a few logs at a time into the bowl of sesame seeds and roll until lightly coated. Pinch the ends to form the oval quenelle (football) shape.

Place the finished truffles in the refrigerator to set for 35 to 45 minutes.

Adapted from Vegan Chocolate, by Fran Costigan, used with permission.

Eat Fresh. Buy Local.

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

FARMERS MARKETS GULFPORT HARBOR FARMERS MARKET

RESTAURANTS & BAKERIES SUNFLOWER CAFE I

320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Jones Park Pavillion, Highway 90 Gulfport, MS 228-257-2496 Open year round on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information: Facebook.com/ GulfportHarborMarket

Organic cafe serving lunch Mon-Sat, dinner ThursFri and Sunday brunch. Using locally-grown produce, herbs and meat. New six-page menu! See ad, back cover.

OCEAN SPRINGS FRESH MARKET

SUNFLOWER CAFE II

L&N Depot, 1000 Washington Avenue Ocean Springs, MS 228-257-2496 OceanSpringsFreshMarket.com

Open year round on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Shop for organic produce, homemade baked goods, plants, herbs and more.

3055 A Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 251-479-3200 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Organic cafe and juice bar serving lunch Mon-Sun. Using locally-grown produce, herbs and meat. New six-page menu! See ad, back cover.

SWEET OLIVE BAKERY & CAFE

85 North Bancroft Street, Fairhope, AL 251-990-8883 • SweetOlive.co Open for breakfast and lunch every day until 5 p.m. serving European-style, artisan baked goods; freshly squeezed fruit and veggie juices; smoothies; daily lunch specials like fish tacos and poboys; delicious food to go; hot breakfast plates, and more!

GROCERY STORES FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

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

VIRGINIA'S HEALTH FOODS

3055 A Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store featuring local products: organic produce, meat, eggs, honey, soap and more. See ad, back cover.

Do you grow, sell or serve locallysourced food?

Advertise on this page for $20/month!

MEAL PREPARATION BALANCE ~ A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE 2351 Airport Boulevard Mobile, AL 36606 251-298-2556 • GetBalanced.us

Locally owned, locally sourced and locally prepared, healthy meal service available for pick-up or delivery. We make getting delicious, nutrientrich food simple. Paleo friendly, gluten-free, noGMO ingredients.

Call 251-990-9552 or email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com for details.

This logo identifies businesses that accept Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) discount cards. To learn more, visit www.TinyURL.com/NANCard.

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Six Easy Stretches Ease the Journey

by Cynthia Bowman

T

he majority of the symptoms we can experience during flying—stiffness, poor circulation and swollen feet— are due to lack of movement rather than the altitude or pressurized cabin air. Knowing this can make healthy flying easier.

Drinking lots of water and moving about and stretching every two to three hours on long flights is key; trips to the bathroom naturally help fulfill this. We also can keep blood from collecting in our lower extremities by finding a way to elevate our legs and feet periodically. Wiggle all 10 toes, shift positions and go for these six discreet airplane yoga stretches.

Etiquette tip: Do the first two stretches at the back of the plane with adequate space and a wall to lean on. Don’t do these

Quad Stretch

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

Calf Stretch

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

in the aisle; hanging on to someone’s seat back rocks it and can be annoying.

A quad stretch involves the shoulders, upper legs, calves and ankles, while elevating each foot and getting the blood moving. Hang on to a wall, grab an ankle and bring the heel as close to the butt as possible. Then rotate the ankle in a circular motion. Do this as long as it feels worth doing, and then switch arms and legs.

A calf stretch is a simple way to target calf and hamstring muscles, as well as ankles. Stand facing a wall, placing both hands at shoulder height on the wall for balance, elbows bent. Take one foot forward and rest it on its heel, with toes pointing up and resting on the wall. Lean

Upper Body Stretch

Neck Stretch

forward to the point of feeling a good stretch in the calf. Stretch 30 seconds per foot, gradually going deeper into the pose after a few breaths.

Etiquette tip: The next four stretches can be done in an airplane seat or in the back of the plane.

The upper body stretch targets wrists, hands, arms, shoulders, back and the upper body in general. Sit upright with feet firmly planted on the floor. Lift arms up and interlace fingers before turning palms to face the ceiling. Relax the shoulders and neck. The arms shouldn’t be covering the ears and can be adjusted by moving them a few inches forward or back.

Tall individuals may need to bend their elbows, which still allows for stretching of the upper body.

Neck stretches release tension and stiffness by tilting the head from side-toside. Don’t make circular motions, as they can cause neck and spine compression. If holding the head to assist a deeper stretch, be considerate of neighbors by pointing the raised elbow forward to cradle the neck instead of resting it on a seatmate.

Twisting the torso benefits both the spine and back muscles. Yogis believe that twisting motions also massage internal organs. While twisting, hang on to the armrest with both hands and sit as upright as possible, with legs together and feet firmly planted. Don’t bounce into the pose or shift or lift buttocks off the seat, but make slow, fluid movements.

Bending forward while seated gives the back, neck and legs a good, deep stretch.

All of these movements work well while we’re in the air and are equally useful on road trips, in the office or whenever we need a break.

C y n t h i a B ow m a n i s a f r e e l a n c e writer in Los Angeles, CA, who specializes in travel, culture and lifestyle topics. Visit JoyJournist.com.

Masters of Yoga & Pilates Have you had your AHA moment today?

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Advertise your Yoga or Pilates business on this page for $110/month. Call 251-990-9552 to reserve your spot.

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calendarofevents 2016 Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi

Healthy& GREEN Living

DIRECTORY Fitness & Nutrition Health & Wellness Personal Growth Sustainable & Green Living

Promote your business all year for only $99!

Be listed in our directory to reach our health-conscious readers, both in print and online, all year long.

Regular Pricing: • $99 for 1 listing or • $149 for 3 listings

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3

Open House at Elements Massage – 3-8pm. This annual event will feature free chair massage, refreshments, door prizes and a chance to win 12 massage sessions. Gift card specials: members can buy 1 gift card and get 1 free; non-members can purchase two, 1-hr massage gift cards for $99. Free. Elements Massage, 6920 Airport Blvd, Ste. 111, Mobile, AL. 251-342-6415. ElementsMassage.com/Mobile.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4

Hot Power Master Class – 9:30am. This fun 90min Hot Power Vinyasa Master Class is intended to invigorate your body, burn calories, help you detox and help you develop a calm, less stressed state of mind. Led by Brooke Nisbet, RYT-500. $20. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6

Annual Toys for Tots Bicycle Ride – 7am. Bring an unwrapped toy and participate in an almost 11-mile bike ride over the Biloxi/Ocean Springs bridge to the Biloxi Lighthouse and back to Tri-Hard Sports.

Donations benefit Toys for Tots Program. Tri-Hard Sports, 1016 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS. Danny Walton:228-860-6127.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8

markyourcalendar Green Drinks Fairhope Gift Market

Early Bird Rates: $79 for 1 listing or 3 for $119

Tis the season to be green. Join us for happy hour and shop our local vendors for eco-friendly gifts. Featuring live music and food from Sunflower Cafe. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks.

Reduced rates and FREE with Display Ad in this special edition. Ask us for details!

December 8 • 5-7pm

Valid until December 4.

See sample listings and learn more: www.TinyURL.com/DirectoryNA

Reserve your space today!

251-990-9552

36

Fairhope Brewing Company 914 Nichols Avenue, Fairhope 251-279-7517 • MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Kids Yoga + Art Night – 6-8pm. Enjoy an evening out while your little yogis join Joy Larsen, RYT200, for an evening of fun exploring yoga and art. Advanced registration required. $25. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@ TheSoulShineLife.com. TheSoulShineLife.com.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

Quantum-Touch Level I with Julie E Brent – 9:30am-5:30pm, Dec 12-13. Quantum-Touch addresses the root cause of disease, creating the space for true healing. Rather than just working on symptoms, Q-T addresses the underlying cause of disease. Learn about "body intelligence", while getting well yourself. 13 NCTMB CEs. $350 prepaid, $400 at door. Reiki Center of Fairhope, Fairhope, AL 36532. Julie: 251281-8811. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@gmail.com.

ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

Holiday Slow Flow – 9:30am. Holiday detox and de-stress! This unheated slow flow is infused with restorative yoga. The class is designed to help you unwind, de-stress, re-center and detox from the holiday chaos. Bring a friend! Brooke Nisbet, RYT500. $20. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife. com. TheSoulShineLife.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16

markyourcalendar Green Drinks Mobile Holiday Celebration

Join us for an informal yet engaging happy hour with like-minded folks every third Wednesday and a monthly speaker. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks.

December 16 • 5-7pm

Alchemy Tavern 7 South Joachim Street, Mobile, AL MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9

Gulf Coast Renaissance Festival – 9am-7pm. History comes alive with the First Annual Gulf Coast Renaissance Festival with non-stop, day-long entertainment, arts and crafts, games and more. Come and enjoy some time travel back to the renaissance age. $10 adults. $5 children and seniors. Harrison Central High School, 15600 School Rd, Gulfport, MS. Shannon Locknane: 228-234-6030.

PLANS CHANGE!

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Natural Awakenings recently won the prestigious FBR50 Franchise Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business 37 awakenings December 2015 Review. To learn more, visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com

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

PLANS CHANGE!

sunday Discounts on Supplements – Every Sunday get 15% off supplements at Fairhope Health Foods (251-928-0644) and Virginia's Health Foods (251479-3952). 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope, AL and 3055-A Dauphin St, Mobile, AL. VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com.

Center for Spiritual Living Service – 10am.

Make every step, every choice, every word, a conscious one. Center for Spiritual Living, 1230 Montlimar, Mobile, AL. 251-343-0777.

CenterForSpiritualLiving-Mobile.org.

Open Table Worship Service (United Church of Christ) – 10:30am. Weekly progressive Christian worship. Gathering in the chapel at All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 S Ann St, Mobile, AL. 251-545-1011.

Ellen.OpenTable@gmail.com. OpenTableUCC.org.

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

Unity Christ Church Sunday Service – 11am. Tune in, turn on, tap into the loving presence of the Divine at Unity Christ Church. If you desire a nonjudgmental, open, supportive and loving spiritual community, Unity Christ Church of Mobile is here to inspire, uplift and celebrate the Divine. 5859 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-285-3440. Facebook.com/unityofmobile.

AHA Supervised Yoga Clinic – 1pm. Dec 6, 13.

Enjoy a class by our AHA yoga teachers-in-training!

School-supervised internship gives AHA students the opportunity to instruct in a professional setting & for participants to receive quality yoga classes at a great value. Beginner-friendly. Props provided. $5 per class, 2-for-1 classes on pass for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail. com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Soul Shine Prenatal Yoga – 4pm. Create energy to enjoy your pregnancy, serenity to build a deeper intimacy with baby and the presence of mind to expect the unexpected and be present. Take this time to foster a deeper connection to yourself, your body, your baby. $15 single class. Packages available. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

monday Purification Meditation – 11am. Mon & Fri. Join Betsey Grady from Rosie Bluum in the hot room and purify your body and mind with a guided meditation and creative visualization. Let the heat of the room envelop you as you go deeper within to rest in the calm center within you. $10. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Betsey: 251-517-5626.

38

Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

AHA Lunch-Time Yoga Basics – 11:30am. Learn the basics of yoga postures. Energize, align, stretch, strengthen, center and distress through body-mind awareness and breath. Beginner-friendly. Props provided. Call/text to register. Begins soon. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail. com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Yoga with Dana – 12pm. Take a break in the middle of the day to start the week. Join Dana to transform the body, relieve stress and relax the mind. Leave feeling on top of the world! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Group Reformer Class – 12pm. Catch the wave of classical fitness and join Adrienne during your day for a Pilates group reformer class. Stand taller, get toned and be both leaner and stronger. Also Wednesdays at noon - please log onto the website to make reservations. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Men’s Pilates Class – 4pm. Classes utilize reformers, Pilates chairs and barrels. There are 2-4 people in a class to insure each client receives the instruction they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes. Call for more time options. Advanced registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person.

Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

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

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

Silent Meditation – 5:30pm. Join Betsey Grady from Rosie Bluum for 45 minutes of silence and stay for discussion after. See why, for true self discover, silence is the way to go. When you make friends with stillness and silence you make friends with your own power. $10. Soul Shine Yoga, 456 Morphy Ave, Fairhope, AL. Betsey: 251-517-5626.

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

1901 Main St, Daphne, AL. See website for more info: Pneuma-Yoga-Movement.com.

Yoga with Chris G. – 5:45pm. Join Chris Garrett for an energizing blend of Iyengar and Vinyasa yoga.

Recharge the body, soothe the soul and refocus the mind after a long day. Breathe, work and find joy in the movement! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Together We Can – 6-8pm. The Family Center offers this class to help parents build a better future for their children by working together as co-parents.

It is open to couples regardless of their relationship.

Become a team that supports your family's success.

Free. 27365 Pollard Rd, Daphne, AL. Christie Brannon: 251-626-1610. BaldwinFamilies@gmail.com.

FamilyCenterMobile.org.

tuesday Yoga with Manja – 9am. Enjoy Manja Podratz’s zest and refreshing energy as she puts you back in touch with your body, restores the mind, and leaves you refreshed, energized and focused. Revel in the bliss and embrace the joy of the day! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

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

Pilates Classes – 12pm & 2pm. Also 12pm, Thursdays. Classes utilize reformers, Pilates chairs and barrels. There are 2-4 people in a class to insure each client receives the instruction they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes. Call for more time options. Advanced registration required.

2-4 people/class: $30/person. Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-344-0590.

PeakConditionPilates.com.

Grief Recovery Meeting – 1-2:30pm. This is a Christian-based grief recovery program for all losses. Experienced, professional and compassionate staff members support you through the grief process with the goal of transitioning into a renewed life of purpose and fulfillment. Ascension Funerals & Cremations, 1016 Hillcrest Rd, Mobile, AL. 251634-8055. AscensionFuneralGroup.com.

Green Drinks Fairhope – 5-7pm. Every 2nd Tues. Join us for an informal yet engaging happy hour with likeminded folks. Connect with other progressive people in our area. Brief speaker at 6pm. Sponsorship, speaking and catering opportunities available. Open to the public.

Free to attend except the cost of your drinks. Fairhope Brewing Company, 914 Nichols Ave, Fairhope, AL. 251-279-7517. MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com.

Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks.

AHA Evening Yoga – 5:45pm. Give your spirit the gift of a calming and centering tune-up by improving posture, muscle-tone, strength and flexibility, establishing core strength, refreshing the mind and restoring healthy balance. Beginner-friendly. Props provided. Call/text to register. $10 drop-in or 12-class pass for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Yoga with Valerie – 5:45pm. Join Valerie Mitchell for a glorious yoga experience as she challenges with a strong emphasis on alignment and focus while still calming the mind. Relieve stress and rejuvenate, energize and recharge the body. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

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

Pranic Healing and Meditation – 6:30pm. Headaches, stress, physical or emotional ailments bothering you? Experience healing for your mind, body and soul, with Pranic Healing and/or Meditation on Twin Hearts. We all have the ability to heal ourselves and others. Classes also available. Donation. Center for Spiritual Living, Mobile, AL. 251-454-0959.

Guided Meditation – 7pm. Tues & Wed. Give yourself 30 mins of bliss while you rest and follow along to a guided meditation and visualization with Betsey Grady from Rosie Bluum. It's the easy way to bring meditation into your life. $5. Soul Shine Yoga, 456 Morphy Ave, Fairhope, AL. Betsey: 251-517-5626.

wednesday Pilates Classes – 6am Yogalates. 8am Chair Pilates.

6pm Reformer. There are 2-4 people in a class to insure each client receives the instruction they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes.

Call for more time options. Advanced registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person. Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. 251344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

Pilates for Older Adults – 9am. Wed & Fri. Includes work on the reformer and mat focusing on balance, core strength and flexibility. Slow to moderate pace. Advanced registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person. Individual sessions: $60.

4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-344-0590.

PeakConditionPilates.com.

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

Enjoy exercise at every level. Improve balance, strength and flexibility. $5. Fairhope UMC CLC, AL. 251-379-4493. ThriveFairhope.com.

AHA Integrative Yoga – 9:30am. Wed & Fri. Attain inner peace, relieve stress and build strength/ flexibility through body-mind awareness, breath and postures. Includes healing techniques like affirmations, mudras, chakra balancing and guided/silent meditations. Beginner-friendly. Props provided. $10 per class, 12-classes for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Free Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis – 10:30am. This chair yoga class is free to participants with MS and funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Build strength and flexibility while improving balance and circulation. Fairhope, AL. Thrive@ThriveFairhope. com. 251-379-4493.

Hot Power Holy Yoga – 12pm. Hot Power Holy Yoga combines the fast pace of a power vinyasa class with worship music, prayer and scripture. All levels welcome. $15 drop in, packages available. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@ TheSoulShineLife.com. TheSoulShineLife.com.

AHA Yoga Flow – 4pm. Energize, align, stretch, strengthen, center, calm, renew and restore. Build stamina, flexibility and improve heart health through the coordination of breath and movement in this fun and funky vinyasa flow class. Beginner-friendly. Props provided. Call/text to register. $10 per class, 12-classes for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. AlabamaHealingArts@ gmail.com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

FAIRHOPE, AL

MOBILE, AL

CHESTER SCHMIDT, LMT 19655 State Highway 181 251-359-0500 ReikiCenterOfFairhope@gmail.com ChesterSchmidt.com

ALABAMA HEALING ARTS 6304 Cottage Hill Road 251-753-1937 AlabamaHealingArts@gmail.com AlabamaHealingArts.com See ad, page 35.

ROSIE BLUUM (DOWNTOWN) Kristen Kelly, LMT 6A South Bancroft Street 251-599-5943 • 251-517-5626 RosieBluum.com See ad, page 21.

ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE 6920 Airport Boulevard, Suite 111 251-342-6415 Mobile@TouchOfElements.com ElementsMassage.com/Mobile See ad, page 21.

FOLEY, AL

MONTROSE, AL

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Charlene Rester, RN, LMT Historical Downtown 117 West Orange Avenue 251-550-0117

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

LOXLEY, AL

ROBERTSDALE, AL

TINY DOVE MASSAGE THERAPY Jessica Fowler, LMT TinyDove.MassageTherapy.com

By Appointment Only: 251-776-3947

HEALING ACRES Massage, Reflexology, Colonics, Reiki 22355 Price Grubbs Road 251-300-9052 See ad, page 13.

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

natural awakenings December 2015

39

classifieds Fee for classified listings is $1 per word. Volunteer opportunities are listed for free as space is available.

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Dip into our pool of conscious, awake singles and meet someone that you would have never met without us! Free to join.

NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com.

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

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

Contact Janet Miller: J46Miller@yahoo.com.

251-654-1827.

Gifts

PLANS CHANGE!

Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

Green Drinks Mobile – 5-7pm. 3rd Wed. Join us for an informal yet engaging happy hour with like-minded folks. With a local drink in one hand and environmental concerns in the other, connect with other progressive people in our area. Sponsorship, speaking and catering opportunities available. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks. Alchemy Tavern, 7 S Joachim St, Mobile, AL. MobileBayGreenDrinks@ gmail.com. Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks.

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

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

Near Death (NDEs) and Related Experiences – 6pm. 2nd Wed. Mobile affiliate group of IANDS. All are welcome to share experiences and support.

Free. West Regional Branch, Mobile Public Library, Grelot Rd (near University Blvd), AL. 251-3408565. Lbrlumin@aol.com. IANDS.org.

Book Study/Discussion – 7pm. Are you searching for real meaning in your life? Are you looking for a spiritual community of like-minded people? Join us at Unity of Mobile for our book study/discussion group. Love offering. Unity Christ Church, 5859 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-285-3440.

Facebook.com/unityofmobile.

Chill Skills – 7-9pm. The Family Center offers an inspiring four-week class designed to change your life outlook. Learn what fuels your anger and how to see it in a new light. Warning: classes may cause peace. $25/week. 601 Bel Air Blvd. Suite 100, Mobile, AL. Call 251-479-5700 to register for next class.

Guided Meditation – 7pm. Tues & Wed. Give yourself 30 mins of bliss while you rest and follow along to a guided meditation and visualization with Betsey Grady from Rosie Bluum. It's the easy way to bring meditation into your life. $5. Soul Shine Yoga, 456 Morphy Ave, Fairhope, AL. Betsey: 251-517-5626.

thursday

Something for Every Occasion

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Group Reformer Class – 4pm. Catch the wave of classical fitness and join Dana in the afternoon for a Pilates group reformer class. Stand taller, get toned and be both leaner and stronger. Please log onto the website to make reservations. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Men’s Pilates Class – 5pm. Classes utilize reformers, Pilates chairs and barrels. There are 2-4 people in a class to insure each client receives the instruction they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes. Call for more time options. Advanced registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person.

Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Dynamic Dads – 7-9pm. The Family Center is the site of the Mobile County Fatherhood Initiative.

Six Thursday night classes delve into the importance of fathers and how to meet the challenges of being the father your children need--A super hero for your super kid! Free. 601 Bel Air Blvd, Suite 100, Mobile, AL. Lydia Pettijohn: 251-479-5700.

FamilyCenterMobile.org.

friday Pilates Classes – 8am & 10am. Classes utilize reformers, Pilates chairs and barrels. There are 2-4 people in a class to insure each client receives the instruction they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes. Call for more time options. Advanced registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person.

Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

AHA Integrative Yoga – 9:30am. Wed & Fri. Attain inner peace, relieve stress and build strength/ flexibility through body-mind awareness, breath and postures. Includes healing techniques like affirmations, mudras, chakra balancing and guided/silent meditations. Beginner-friendly. Props provided. $10 per class, 12-classes for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Purification Meditation – 11am. Mon & Fri. Join Betsey Grady from Rosie Bluum in the hot room and purify your body and mind with a guided meditation and creative visualization. Let the heat of the room envelop you as you go deeper within to rest in the calm center within you. $10. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Betsey: 251-517-5626.

AHA Supervised Student Massage & Reiki Clinic – TBD. School-supervised internship gives opportunity for student practitioners to work with clients in a professional setting and clients to receive quality, full-length healing treatments at a great value. Appointment only: 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm, 3:15pm, 4:30pm, 5:45pm & 7pm. $25 for 50-min full-body student massage and/or Reiki session. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail. com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

saturday Saturday Morning Yoga with Augusta – 7:308:45am. All levels. The movements will challenge you to stay mindful and your mindfulness will allow you to honor your limits without judging yourself. $15 drop-in. $10 students and instructors. Creative Outlet, 66 1/2 S Section St, Fairhope, AL. 251-9285363. HeartStringsYoga.com.

AHA Saturday Yoga – 9:30am. Dec12. Explore body-mind-spirit while promoting balance and wellness within. Eclectic yogic elements ensure variety and fun; traditional foundations ensure proper alignment and safety. Beginner-friendly. Props provided.

Call/text to register. $10 per class, 12-classes for $100.

Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. AlabamaHealingArts@ gmail.com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

naturaldirectory

ECO-FRIENDLY POOLS L.A. ECOSMARTE LLC

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

Susan Nice: 251-709-7023 Dan Nice: 251-586-8250 LAEcoSmarte@att.net; LAEcoSmarte.com Non-salt, non-chlorine, chemical-free pool water t e c h n o l o g y. T h e b e s t alternative to chlorine and salt water pools. Easier to use, safer and more effective than traditional methods.

See ad, page 7.

Did you miss our 2015 annual Healthy and Green Living Directory?

Contact us to find out where you can pick up a copy of this expanded edition, or read it online at TinyURL.com/February15.

BEAUTY B-BUTTERFLY SALON

103A North Bancroft Street, Fairhope, AL 251-990-9934 BButterflySalon.com salon offering organic B-Butterfly Aproducts and services

SALON

including hair color, perms and shampoo.

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

See ad, page 29.

CHURCHES UNITY CHRIST CHURCH

5859 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile, AL 251-285-3440 Facebook.com/unityofmobile Unity Christ Church is here to inspire, uplift and celebrate the Divine. We offer a nonjudgmental, open, supportive and loving environment to support one's spiritual awakening. See ad, page 13.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

DENTISTRY

ESSENTIAL OILS

DR. DAYTON HART, DMD

LAURIE AZZARELLA YL #327923

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

Offering ozone; laser (nosuture) gum surgery; testing for compatible materials and cavity-causing bacteria; examine for gum disease and bacteria; laser cavity diagnoses; saliva pH check; oral galvanic screening; no fluoride. See ad, page 7.

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

Daphne, AL • 850-380-4943 LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com Laurie.MarketingScents.com

Experience the healing, uplifting and detoxifying benefits of authentic, genuine therapeutic grade essential oils and supplements. Contact us for personal Zyto Wellness readings and wholesale privileges. Wellness classes last Thursday of the month at Prodisee Pantry.

See ad, page 12.

FENG SHUI FENGSHUI831

Offering gifts and services that nurture your spirit.

Books, card decks, essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies, crystals, salt lamps, incense and organic clothing. Local art, jewelry, honey, soaps and candles. See ad, page 21.

Meryl Hyderally, Feng Shui Design Consultant 251-463-1862 • Meryl@MerylHyderally.com fengshui831.com

fengshui 831

Utilizing feng shui principles, let us create an organized and productive space that reflects who you are while enhancing your life, personally and professionally. It's about more than aesthetics— holistically designed spaces are conducive to an effortless life. See ad, page 13.

KRISTEN KELLY, LMT

Rosie Bluum 6A S Bancroft Street, Fairhope, AL 251-599-5943 • 251-517-5626 Offering Chinese Craniosacral Therapy, a subtle blend of Chinese meridian therapy and craniosacral energy work, that indirectly approaches physical and psychological imbalances.

This experience teaches your body to use its own bioelectric immune system. See ad, page 21.

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

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings at these businesses.

Never glossy.

Always green.

DID YOU KNOW? Natural Awakenings is printed on newsprint with soy-based ink. When you're finished with it, this publication can easily be recycled or composted. natural awakenings December 2015

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

a week. See ad, back cover.

HOLISTIC WELLNESS EMILY SOMMERVILLE, RYT

Certified Health Coach Emily@TheSoulShineLife.com • 205-478-4287 TheSoulShineLife.com Increase energy and manage stress by finding balance in a life that lets your soul shine.

Find true health and vibrancy by fueling your body with clean, nutritious foods. Free initial consultation. See ad, page 3.

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

THE HEALTH HUT

680 S. Schillinger, Mobile: 251-633-0485 (Across from Home Depot) 6845 Hwy 90, Daphne: 251-621-1865 (Across from Fresh Market) For 30 years The Health Hut has been the go-to place for high quality, whole-food vitamins, herbs and sport supplements at great prices. Service-oriented, knowledgeable staff. See ad, page 25.

JEN ADAMS, LMT

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

3055 A Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 • Café: 479-3200 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

HEALING ARTS PRANIC HEALING IN MOBILE Deana Lannie 251-454-0959

Free healing nights and group meditations every Tuesday. Pranic Healing classes and the advanced technique of Superbrain Yoga. See ad, page 10.

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

MEDITATION BETSEY GRADY

Founder of Rosie Bluum 6A S Bancroft Street, Fairhope • 251-517-5626 BetseyGrady.com • RosieBluum.com Certified MARI® practitioner, Reiki master, meditation teacher and natural intuitive.

Experience peace of mind, find clarity and reconnect with your own power by learning to go within. Group classes and one-on-one instruction available. See ad, page 21.

NETWORKING MOBILE BAY GREEN DRINKS

251-279-7517 MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks An informal yet engaging happy hour with likemobile bay minded folks every second Tuesday in Fairhope and every third Wednesday in Mobile. Connect with other progressive people in our area. Sponsorship, speaker and catering opportunities available. See ad, page 21.

GREEN DRINKS

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings here.

42

MIDDLE EARTH HEALING AND LEARNING CENTER

20205 Middle Earth Road, Citronelle , AL 251-866-7204 • MiddleEarthHealing.com Middle Earth offers workshops on permaculture, r a i n w a t e r harvesting, graywater recycling, shiitake mushroom cultivation, composting, soil building, chemical-free gardening, aquaponics, real food, natural medicine making, reconnecting with Mother Earth and medicinal aromatherapy. See ad, page 11.

MASSAGE THERAPY

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 38 years. Store open 7 days a week. See ad, back cover.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

TEA ZEN TEA

10025 County Road 64, Ste. 1, Daphne, AL 251-391-0109 • ZenTeaFairhope@gmail.com LivingZenTea.com Facebook.com/zenteafairhope A tea shop offering premium tea, herbs and tea accessories from around the world.

Uplift your energy and spirit and experience all the healthy benefits of tea. (Location: corner of Highways 64 and 181).

WATER FILTER SYSTEMS L.A. ECOSMARTE LLC

Susan Nice: 251-709-7023 Dan Nice: 251-586-8250 LAEcoSmarte@att.net; LAEcoSmarte.com Premium water that is safe and sustainable for people and the planet. ECOsmarte treats all of your water, indoor and outdoor, with a chemical-free water purification system. See ad, page 7.

WELLNESS CENTERS HEALING ACRES

22355 Price Grubbs Road Robertsdale, AL 251-300-9052 Experience wellness with massage, r e f l e x o lo g y, b o d y treatments, Reiki, colonics, essential oils, wellness classes and more. Walk our new labyrinth (open to the public during daylight hours)! See ad, page 13.

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WE MOVED!

BIGGER, BETTER STORE!

December Specials:

20% off Jarrow, Nordic Naturals & Renew Life Products EVERYDAY SPECIAL: 20% off New Chapter & Garden of Life products

15% off ALL supplements on Sundays

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope 251-928-0644

3055 A Dauphin Street, Mobile 251-479-3952

Locally owned for 39 years. Thank you for investing in your health! www.VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com The Sunflower Cafés offer full organic lunch menus.

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

Holiday Catering is back!

All dishes are made to order. Ask about gluten-free options. Place Christmas orders by December 20.

Green Bean Casserole Sweet Potato Casserole Corn Casserole

Creamed Cauliflower Eggplant Casserole Squash Casserole

Cranberry Chutney Gravy Pumpkin Pie

Pecan Pie Pumpkin Cheesecake Chocolate Gateau

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

Fairhope: 251-929-0055

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

Mobile: 251-345-0495

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