February 2012 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS by Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

feel good • live simply • laugh more

P L A N E T

FREE

Special Edition

Healthy Mind Ways to Boost Brain Power

Imperfect Love Embracing the Flaws

Natural Sleep Aids Ideas that Work

MARDI GRAS

Recycle Beads for Local Charities

FEBRUARY 2012 | Mobile/Baldwin Edition | www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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contents 10 5 newsbriefs balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal 10 healthbriefs growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle. 12 ecotip 16 A BRAIN-BUILDING 13 globalbriefs BLUEPRINT 19 consciouseating How to Keep the Mind Young and Memory Sharp Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more

24 greenliving 26 healingways

13 28 wisewords 26

29 fitbody

31 healthykids

37 naturaldirectory

advertising & submissions

by Lisa Marshall

19 IMPROVE

YOUR SNOOZE

Sleep Aids versus Sleep Sappers by Judith Fertig

21 CATCH, COLLECT, CONTRIBUTE

The Three C's of Mardi Gras Bead Recycling by Bexley McLennan

24 EAT PLASTIC-FREE Healthy, Practical Tips for People and the Planet

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 251-990-9552 or email Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

by Brita Belli

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

by Lisa Shumate

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

An Oxymoron? Not According to Psychologist Joan Borysenko

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

BEAT THE BLUES

26 HOW CAN WE

ALL GET ALONG?

Resolving Conflict Benefits Mind and Body

28 THE BENEFITS OF BURNOUT by Linda Sechrist

29 EXERCISE TO

Staying Active Lifts Our Spirits

by Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

31 HOW A BRAIN GROWS

Five Ways to Aid Development by Lisa Marshall

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com natural awakenings

February 2012

letterfrompublisher While working on this month’s Natural Awakenings, I was struck most deeply by a line in our Healthy Kids article, How a Brain Grows; Five Ways to Aid Development, page 31. I comfortably read through most of the tips such as foster a stress-free pregnancy, discourage television time for babies and introduce a second language. The part that really grabbed my attention was, “Ultimately, parents can make the biggest difference in their child’s adult quality of life by promoting self-control...Preschool children’s ability to resist temptation is a much better predictor of academic success than their IQ scores.” As a mom of a spirited, high-energy preschooler, on a day when being buckled into his car seat caused my son to perform a dramatic, ear-piercing meltdown; I viewed the concept of putting self-control on a pedestal as a daunting task. Why couldn’t the author have suggested teaching children to play an instrument, reading to them several times a day or instilling in them an appreciation for nature? Those seem like much simpler ways to encourage brain development than teaching a two-year old self-control. Once I let down my guard, and considered the validity of this developmental tidbit, I began to better understand the author’s perspective. Self-control is a quality that sets a child up for success in countless life situations, from playing with a challenging toy to sharing with peers. In fact, resisting temptation and maintaining control over one’s own behavior are traits that individuals of all ages should master. In A Brain-Building Blueprint: How to Keep the Mind Young and Memory Sharp, page 16, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and an active lifestyle while regularly engaging in mentally challenging activities. How Can We All Get Along, page 26, discusses how effective conflict resolution benefits the brain and body. This month’s health briefs, page 10, point out that meditation boosts brain power, as does a regular bedtime for young children. All of these tips require some form of self-control or willpower to foster healthy minds. Furthermore, self-discipline is required for socially-responsible living. The convenience of throwing unwanted items into the kitchen trash is very tempting when faced with the more time- and energy-consuming option to recycle them. But I don’t want to get too wound up in discipline and restraint, it’s Carnival season! Let’s not pass on the king cake completely, just enjoy it in moderation. Enjoy the parades that offer a family-friendly distraction from heavy workloads and household chores, but remember to recycle your beads once the Mardi Gras decorations are put away (Catch, Collect, Contribute, page 21)! As for Mays, we’ll continue to work through the emotional struggles while also recognizing that an independently initiated apology for his brief loss of control is, in my opinion, as developmentally honorable as a peaceful expression of frustration. At two and a half years old, he has a lifetime to master the brain-boosting concept of self-control. Feel good, live simply, laugh more...and Laissez les bons temps rouler!

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

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to the digital magazine for free at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Mailed subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address. © 2012 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

With gratitude,

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

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newsbriefs

Dasinger Opens Holistic Health Practice

Grassroots Holistic Health Offers Online Information Grassroots Holistic Health now provides online learning opportunities through monthly newsletters, weekly blog discussion topics and online classes. Health coach Hannah Tessen has created helpful, reassuring and informative online resources which provide comfort during pregnancy. “I’ve finally joined the newsletter bandwagon, with great response. Newsletters go out at the beginning of each month. They detail upcoming events and classes and announce updates and changes,” says Tessen. “I'm also planning on posting weekly discussion topics to the website's blog.” Grassroots Holistic Health is a holistic health coaching business with a focus on all stages of pregnancy, from pre-conception to postpartum. A new class, 12 Reasons to Choose Natural Birth, was launched last month. “I'm offering [the class] for mamas who are interested in learning more about the benefits of choosing natural childbirth.” says Tessen. Another Grassroots class, Pregnancy Pantry, launched January 31. In this course, Tessen discusses healthy foods to keep in the pantry in order to maintain a balanced diet, with all the necessary nutrients for mother and growing baby. “For each item I list, I'll tell you why you and your baby need it and how to prepare it. I’ll also provide lots of yummy recipes,” says Tessen. For more information call 256-282-1391, email GrassrootsHolisticHealth@live.com or visit GrassrootsHolisticHealth.com. See ad on page 31.

Win a Week for Two at Farm of Life in Costa Rica Two lucky winners will enjoy a weeklong stay at a much-loved boutique health retreat in Costa Rica, sponsored by Natural Awakenings and Farm of Life (Finca de Vida). Secluded high in the cooling mountains above Dominical, with views of the Pacific Ocean, Farm of Life offers educational retreats, a wide variety of area activities and a delicious, raw food menu, featuring fresh produce from their permaculture garden. The property features spring-fed pools, an organic farm, a mountainside yoga deck with sunset views of the Pacific Ocean, an inviting common house and delightful hilltop cottages and cabins. The sweepstakes prize includes shared accommodations for two, roundtrip airport transportation to San José, nightly dinners and use of the communal kitchen and the farm’s fruits and vegetables to prepare your own breakfast and lunches. Winners will also enjoy health coaching, yoga sessions, two waterfall hikes, a beach excursion, a permaculture farm tour and tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. Owners Jody and Brian Calvi have a well-deserved reputation for attentive, loving service and skillful health counseling, devoted to helping guests explore the inner world of personal health while enjoying the peaceful, healing and inspirational natural surroundings. To enter the sweepstakes, visit NaturalAwakeningsMag/contests/farmoflife. To learn more about Farm of Life, visit FarmOfLifecr.com and by Googling Tripadvisor Farm of Life. See ad on page 29.

Registered nurse and board certified holistic health counselor Michele Dasinger, has opened a holistic health practice Michele Dasinger in Daphne. Local and long-distance health assessments are offered to assist the client in building overall better health. Dasinger’s program includes a detailed initial assessment and followup visit at which the client receives applicable educational materials, a complete diet and lifestyle regimen and if necessary, a list of suggested supplements. The cost of this service is $150 with the option to continue additional counseling and follow-up visits. In 2009, Dasinger’s own problems inspired her to take control of her health. “I believe in preventative care and a healthy diet to prevent and heal illness,” she explains. “I counsel clients through emotional and spiritual obstacles to better health. It is so important that balance is restored to cure all three aspects, [physical, mental and spiritual].” Working as a hospice nurse for the last five years, Dasinger also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work, a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and a Masters degree in mental health counseling. In addition, she is a certified health specialist and is board certified as a holistic health counselor through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Location: 7096 Stone Dr., Daphne. For more information call 985-2643566. See listing on page 38.

natural awakenings

February 2012

newsbriefs Local Meditation Flash Mob Group Joins International Movement MedMob (MedMob.org) and The Moment of Peace (TheMomentOfPeace.com), have collaborated to organize what they call “the biggest gathering of people in meditation around the world.” For one hour, the local group, Meditation Flash Mob: Gulf Coast Alabama, will participate by joining millions of people united in silence. All are invited to gather from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., March 10, just south of the Fairhope Pier, near the Marietta Johnson statues. The event is free. According to organizers, “No matter your spiritual faith, nationality, ethnicity, family, upbringing, background, beliefs or thoughts; in silence we are all united. Participation only requires what we can do naturally; that is, be silent, be mindful and be still. This may be the biggest meditation gathering the world has ever seen.” MedMob is an international, volunteer-based organization with the intention to create a meditative environment to join people from all religions, worldviews and experience levels. What began as a group in one city has in one year exploded around the world to more than 250 cities. Similarly, the mission of The Moment of Peace is to introduce every person to mindful silence, meditation and prayer; creating an awareness of necessity. Meditation Flash Mob: Gulf Coast Alabama is reaching out to communities along the Gulf Coast in an effort to grow the movement, saying, “This is not a protest; it is a unification to expand positivity to every walk of life.” Location: Corner of Fairhope Ave. and N. Section St., Fairhope. For more information call 251-300-1175 or visit Facebook Meditation Flash Mob: Gulf Coast Alabama.

Feed Your Mind at The History Museum of Mobile Learning Lunch: Feed Your Mind is a noontime discussion series about the history of Mobile and South Alabama. Events take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., on the second Wednesday of each month, at the History Museum of Mobile. Admission is free. Among a diverse list of topics assembled by the museum’s curators are Mobile Brass Band Traditions and Mardi Gras, February 8 and Michael Portier, Mobile’s First Archbishop, March 14. Attendees are asked to bring a sack lunch. Complimentary beverages are provided by the Museum of Mobile, with the support of local businesses. According to David E. Alsobrook, Ph.D., director of the museum, “Although we are Mobile’s History Museum, our new Learning Lunch series offers our patrons a wide range of interesting topics far beyond traditional history. This series is designed to reflect the rich diversity of our city. We feel these events will become very popular in downtown Mobile.” Location: 111 South Royal St., Mobile. For more information contact Scotty E. Kirkland at 251-208-7246, Scotty.Kirkland@CityOfMobile.org, or visit MuseumOfMobile.com. 6

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

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WestSide Grocery Produce Club The Windmill Market’s Produce Club is now serving Mobile with a pick-up location at Red or White in Midtown. A CSA-style program (Community Supported Agriculture), the Produce Club is a fresh produce delivery service that includes fresh, local fruits and veggies. A grocery box option is also available and includes additional grocery essentials such as organic milk, meat, cheese and bread. Boxes are ready for pickup or delivery every Monday afternoon. Subscriptions are available year-round and are sold for a period of three months. Manager Maggie Lacey says, “The response has been so great that we’ve expanded our services to Mobile, but what I’m really enjoying is watching the customers connect with the source of their food.” According to Lacey, local farmers are accommodating the Produce Club’s direct demand by changing the varieties and types of vegetables they are growing. “It is rewarding to coordinate what is being grown with some of the 30 to 40 South Alabama farms. It is so cool to provide for our customers in such a special way,” she says. Groceries can be delivered to your door either by car or the oldfashioned way, with the WestSide Market’s nifty tricycle. Location: 85 N. Bancroft St., Fairhope. For more information call 251-928-6045, email Maggie@ WindmillMarket.org or visit WindmillMarket.org. See ad on page 12.

Recycled Tires Improve State Parks Playgrounds Five Alabama state parks recently received playground and landscaping improvements. $84,439 in funding was used to purchase recycled tire mulch and supplies for Roland Cooper, Joe Wheeler, DeSoto, Lake Guntersville and Buck's Pocket state parks. The individual parks provided the labor to complete the projects. The park improvements include mulch for flower beds, playgrounds, campgrounds and picnic areas. Funding support came from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), made possible through the Alabama Scrap Tire Fund and the ADEM Scrap Tire Marketing program, which develops and assists demonstration projects to highlight the use of recycled tire materials. Alabama State Parks Operations Director Tim Wishum says, “The ADEM Scrap Tire Program contacted us to see if we were interested in demonstrating the practical uses of this material. Using recycled tires as landscaping material is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.” According to ADEM, programs like this help keep the tires out of landfills and illegal dumping sites, as well as provide an effective and affordable alternative to traditional materials such as organic mulch. For more information about ADEM’s Scrap Tire Program, visit ADEM.Alabama.gov.

Alabama Oil Response Volunteer Training Opportunities Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) and Mobile Baykeeper are seeking devoted and attentive individuals to participate in several volunteer training and educational opportunities. Volunteer Field Observer (VFOB) program training sessions will take place March 6, 8 and 22. Coordinated in 2010 in response to the oil spill, VFOBs assist ACF, Mobile Baykeeper and responsible government agencies by monitoring shoreline conditions and documenting findings with GPS coordinates and photographs. Individuals are also being accepted for ACF’s Gulf Coast Bay Buddy program, which trains volunteers as environmental educators for students in grades one through four, and Mobile Baykeeper’s Muddy Water Watch, which uses volunteers to address problems associated with stormwater runoff. Additionally, Mobile Baykeeper will host Baykeeper 101 to provide members, volunteers and interested community members opportunities to learn more about the organization.

Nourish Yourself in Body, Mind & Soul Holistic Wellness Coaching Vegetarian and Vegan Cooking Classes Personal Vegan Chef and Catering Yoga and Meditation Classes Tracey Winter Glover JD, RYT 200 AFPA Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Learn more at www.shantiwarrior.com tracey@shantiwarrior.com • (251) 510-2418

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

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

Try the SACRO WEDGY® For individual self-care and therapists. Only $29.95.

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For more information contact Kandice O’Grady, of the Alabama Coastal Foundation, at 251-990-6002, or Bethany Olson, of Mobile Baykeeper, at 251-433-4229, or Bolson@ MobileBaykeeper.org. natural awakenings

February 2012

newsbriefs Flourishing Events at Rosie Bluum Rosie Bluum has scheduled a full and diverse lineup of classes and events that nurture the body, mind and spirit, including a Sound Healing Workshop, March 2, by international artist and health care practitioner Jay Schwed. Inspired by an Esalen workshop, Schwed bought his first set of “singing” crystal bowls in 1994. He is self-taught and began performing and conducting workshops, during which time he was able to see and hear angels. Jay Schwed playing singing crystal bowls. Schwed’s performances and presentations across the United States, Europe, Australia and in Japan have been described as incredible, spiritual and mind-blowing. Rosie Bluum owner Betsey Grady says, “This is such a big deal to have him with us. It’s truly an experience not to be missed.” Another highlight on Rosie Bluum’s calendar is their book club, which is designed to inspire, intrigue and humor participants. Meeting on the first Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m., the club’s book of focus for February is Shapeshifting into Higher Consciousness, by Llyn Roberts. Books are available at Rosie Blu, in Fairhope, for a discounted price. Additional events include Vision Board Workshops on February 3 and 4; Movie Night on February 9, featuring I Am: the story of Jim Carrey’s movie producer, Tom Shaydiak, after a near-fatal accident; and a Re-Phrase It! workshop, February 18, that teaches participants how to identify limiting thoughts and language so they can be transformed into positive affirmations. Location: 6A Bancroft St., Fairhope. For more information call 251-517-5626 or visit RosieBluum.com. See ad on page 32.

Yoga Birds 2012 Advanced Studies and Training Series The 2012 Yoga Birds Advanced Studies and RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) Training will be offered from March 14 to December 19. Sessions will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on five Saturdays. These educational, hands-on opportunities are appropriate for committed students, aspiring teachers and teachers of hatha yoga. The prerequisite is a minimum of two years of consistent asana yoga practice. A three-class series, focused on Ayurveda and Yoga, kicks off the schedule on March 14. As with all of the multisession Wednesday night series, the course may be taken on its own or as a component of the entire training. Yoga Birds is a National Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS). Individuals seeking RYT 200 certification must attend all of the Wednesday series. A complete list of subject study matter and further details are available online at YogaBirds.com/teacher-training. Location: 209A N. Section St, Fairhope. For more information call 251-990-3447 or visit YogaBirds.com. See ad on page 39. 8

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

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One Dollar Plants a Tree in Tuscaloosa and Surrounding Areas This month, native trees will be delivered to Alabama families and communities in Tuscaloosa and throughout northern Alabama in response to the many trees that were damaged or destroyed by the April 2011 tornadoes. For every dollar donated to the Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign, the Arbor Day Foundation will deliver a tree to an Alabama resident affected by the tornadoes. A collaboration of the Alabama Forestry Commission (Forestry.Alabama.gov) and the Arbor Day Foundation (ArborDay.org), the Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign was launched in May 2011 to help restore the area’s trees and forests, as well as to fulfill the requests of concerned members and supporters across the country. People across America are answering the call to help replant trees and restore natural beauty to the afflicted area. Donations are accepted online at ArborDay.org/ Tuscaloosa, or can be mailed to Arbor Day Foundation, Alabama Tree Recovery, PO Box 80208, Lincoln, NE 68501. For more information visit ArborDay. org/Tuscaloosa.

Girl Scout Cookies Available Now The Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) have launched their annual cookie sales throughout Baldwin and Mobile counties. Booth sales will begin February 3 and end March 11. Cookies are $3.50 per box. Girl Scouts have a 100-year-old legacy of building girls of courage, confidence and character. The first Girl Scout cookie, the shortbread, was sold in 1917 and was originally baked in the shape of a trefoil, the signature Girl Scout logo. A great American tradition, the cookie program promotes skills such as goal-setting, decisionmaking, customer service and money management. “I really like selling cookies,” says last year’s second-place cookie seller, Brownie Hannah Dees. “I like going door-todoor, because I meet a lot of nice people. And did you know if you buy five or more boxes, you will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a whole year of Girl Scout cookies?” Cookie sales also contribute to community service projects. Last month, Girl Scout troops conducted a “Walk About” in Fairhope. According to Dees, “We walk around selling, maybe dressed like a cookie. Then we’re going to use the money toward a Valentine goodie box and send it to American soldiers.” For more information call 251-344-3330 or visit GirlScoutsSA. org. Find cookie sales locations by using the free Cookie Finder app with the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Earth Day Volunteers Needed Earth Day Mobile Bay, Inc. is seeking volunteers to assist in preparation for their 2012 festival, an annual event held at the Fairhope Pier. “We need people to work on activities such as publicity, fundraising, exhibit arrangements and entertainment line-up,” invites Gary Gover, a member of the board. “Please encourage interested members of your organization to respond to this message for more information.” The Mobile Bay area celebration of Earth Day is inspired by the worldwide Earth Day Network (EarthDay.net), which promotes environmental citizenship and steers environmental awareness around the world. For more information contact Earth Day Mobile Bay at 251-990-8662, email info@EarthDayMobileBay.org or visit EarthDayMobileBay.org.

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February 2012

coverartist

healthbriefs

Meditation Boosts Brain Power

Gratitude Kisses Lori Portka – Artist A former counselor and educator, fine artist Lori Portka delights in the favorite things that inspire her: nature, traveling, animals, yoga and friends. She lets her art pour out in boldly rendered images that burst from each canvas via saturated pastels, paints, chalks and inks to forge a visceral connection between artist and viewer. “I make artwork that is a reflection of gratitude and joy in the world,” says Portka, whose expressive works fulfill her mission of spreading happiness through art. A personal loss led Portka to begin painting again at 30-something for the first time since the 10th grade, a process she says has opened her heart even more deeply. Inspired by Australian photographer and filmmaker Hailey Bartholomew’s documentary, 365 Grateful, about living on the sunny side of life, Portka embarked upon her own project, A Hundred Thank-Yous, creating and giving away 100 paintings to 100 people that have touched her life, she says, “in a beautiful way.” “I feel like I am on the right path, doing what I am supposed to do,” she explains. “Art feels like home to me.” View the artist’s portfolio and follow her blog at LoriPortka.com. 10

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

niversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers first discovered that specific regions in the brains of long-term meditators were larger and contained more gray matter than those of a non-meditating control group; that was in 2009. Now, a follow-up study by the UCLA Laboratory of Neuro Imaging suggests people that meditate regularly also display stronger neuronal connections between brain regions and less age-related atrophy (shrinkage) in all areas of the brain. The study comprised 27 active meditation practitioners (average age 52) and 27 control subjects, matched by age and sex. The number of years of meditation ranged from five to 46 and included various styles. Using a type of brain imaging known as diffusion tensor imaging, or DTI—a new imaging mode that provides insights into the structural connectivity of the brain—the researchers found that long-term meditators have white matter fibers that are either more numerous, more dense or more insulated, throughout the brain. Although such tissue tends to decline with age, the study suggests that it can be preserved through active meditation practices. Researcher Eileen Luders remarks, “If practiced regularly and over years, meditation may slow down aging-related brain atrophy, perhaps by positively affecting the immune system. Meditation appears to be a powerful mental exercise with the potential to change the physical structure of the brain.”

Does Yawning Cool the Brain?

hen we feel the urge to yawn in cooler weather, we should succumb—it might do us good. New research suggests that beyond signaling fatigue or boredom, yawning might be a physical reaction to cool an “overheated” brain. A study at Princeton University is the first to show that the frequency of yawning varies with the season and that people are less likely to yawn when the heat outdoors exceeds body temperature. The research monitored 160 people, 80 per season, during winter and summer in Tucson, Arizona. According to the researchers’ theory, it is possible that yawning in cooler temperatures works to cool the brain, while yawning in warmer conditions appears to provide no similar relief. Research associate Andrew Gallup remarks, “The applications of this research are intriguing… for better understanding diseases and conditions such as multiple sclerosis or epilepsy, which are accompanied by frequent yawning and thermoregulatory dysfunction.” Excessive yawning may prove a helpful diagnostic tool.

VITAMIN C HELPS US SEE

cientists at Oregon Health & Science University recently identified yet another benefit provided by vitamin C. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, co-author and senior scientist Henrique von Gersdorff, Ph.D., says nerve cells in the eye require C to stay healthy—the vitamin bathes the cells of the retina and contributes to their proper functioning.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Potassium Protects the Heart

ccording to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability in this country. A recent study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that in addition to cutting dietary sodium to improve heart health, Americans should increase consumption of a key mineral found in many fruits and vegetables: potassium. The study of more than 12,000 adults reported that people eating a diet high in sodium and low in potassium have a 50 percent increased risk of death from any disease than average and about twice the risk of death from heart attacks. Sodium, a key component of salt, raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease. Potassium has been found to offset sodium’s impact on blood pressure. Current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend an adult daily potassium intake of 4,700 milligrams and a maximum sodium intake of 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon of salt); or less than 1,500 milligrams for people age 51 and older, African-Americans or those that suffer from hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. The CDC reveals that the average American adult consumes 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, about 80 percent from processed or restaurant foods. To achieve a healthier sodium-potassium ratio, the CDC recommends a diet that emphasizes fresh, unprocessed foods and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Foods high in potassium include sweet and white potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and bananas, as well as orange and prune juice, dates, plain yogurt and fish.

Regular Bedtimes Make Kids Smarter

ccording to research presented at the 24th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, children that get adequate sleep score higher on a range of developmental assessments. The researchers emphasized that having a regular bedtime was the most consistent predictor of positive developmental outcomes at 4 years of age. Scores for receptive and expressive language skills, awareness of sound-word structure, literacy and early math abilities were higher in children whose parents maintained rules about going to bed at a prescribed time. Having an earlier bedtime further supported higher scores for most developmental measures. The study involved a nationally representative sample of approximately 8,000 children that completed a direct assessment at 4 years of age. They were part of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort. Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine

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MoonStone Massage

For your health and healing. Therapeutic Massage Energy Work Exfoliation/Hydration Therapy Relaxing Meditation Room Complimentary Hot Tea Call us for an appointment & for Valentine’s Day Specials!

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Explore your true Self and Discover your Inner Light with MARI by Rosie “It’s Self Exploration with a twist of Art Therapy...and a lot of fun!” MARI utilizes mandalas to reveal your inner most thoughts. It is a tool that guides you to solutions for your current state, the direction you want to go, and blocks that are in the way. Unlock your intuition to get the answers to all of your life questions.

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natural awakenings

February 2012

Coming in March

ecotip Green Laundry List

Use Cold Water and Eco-Wise Detergents

Natural Awakenings’

Food & Garden issue explores fresh ways to eat well on a budget.

Mom may have said that hot water washes best, but don’t give cold-water detergents the cold shoulder—today’s new products deliver clean laundry that’s easy on the pocketbook and the planet. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an average American family annually washes nearly 400 loads of laundry. Because heating the water accounts for 90 percent of the energy used by a washing machine, using only hot or warm water in a top-loading electric washer annually produces an average 2,407 pounds of CO2 pollution—equivalent to two cross-country flights. Many conventional cold-water detergents still contain toxic chemicals that when drained, end up in waterways, creating a host of environmental woes and exposing wildlife to endocrine disruptors. For both clean and green clothes, buy biodegradable laundry detergents made with plant oils and other natural ingredients that are free of phosphates, bleach and surfactants such as petroleum-based nonylphenol ethoxylates, or NPE. Kinder to the planet, greener choices are also gentler on the skin. Consumers concerned about killing bacteria, dust mites and other allergens may be tempted to turn on the hot water tap for sheets, linens and underwear, but Philip Tierno, Jr., Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and pathology at the New York University School of Medicine, says that most of the hot water people use is not hot enough anyway. “You need water that’s between 140 and 150 degrees to kill germs,” he advises. Tierno, author of The Secret Life of Germs, notes that the sun is one of nature’s most efficient germ killers, so letting clothes dry outdoors is a good eco-option. “The ultraviolet radiation kills germs,” he advises, “and it’s just as effective as bleach.” Natural disinfectants that can be added during rinsing include white vinegar (one-half cup per load); grapefruit seed extract (one teaspoon); tea tree oil (two teaspoons); and lavender or peppermint essential oil (a few drops), which also imparts a fresh fragrance. Find more tips on the Sierra Club’s website at Tinyurl.com/3kh2dpf, plus eco-wise products at Natural Awakenings’ online store, NAWebstore.com.

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

Vanishing Species

Counting our Natural Blessings A study by Canada’s Dalhousie University postulates that as many as 86 percent of Earth’s species are still unknown, and millions of organisms will remain undiscovered as extinctions accelerate worldwide at 10 to 100 times their natural rate. If, as the study’s co-author Boris Worm suggests, our planet is home to 8.7 million species, it means scientists have cataloged fewer than 15 percent of species now alive. Many unknown organisms will wink out of existence before they can even be recorded. Although the catalog of mammals and birds may be nearly complete, inventories of other classes of life are far behind. Only 7 percent of the predicted number of fungi and fewer than 10 percent of all ocean life forms have been identified. Categorizing a new organism is more complicated than discovering one. “It’s a long process,” Worm explains. “Most scientists will describe dozens of species in their lifetime, if they’re really lucky. What’s been discovered so far are those things that are easy to find, that are conspicuous, that are relatively large. There is an age of discovery ahead of us when we could find out so much more of what lives with us on this planet.” Source: National Geographic

Crucial Shareware Open Hardware Addresses Environmental Problems

The concept of open hardware, like open software, aims to freely share all the necessary knowledge for building usable electronic devices, and participants range from innovative students to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Protei, a worldwide collective of technology students, has designed an autonomous, mini-sailboat drone to ply the ocean and mop up oil spills, gather information on marine life in crisis, and clean up floating plastic trash. The Protei boats were originally designed to respond to the BP 2010 Gulf oil spill crisis. Trailing oil-absorbing booms, the drones can sail even in a storm to help with cleanup, unlike conventional ships concerned with crew safety. Similarly, collaborating volunteers in Japan responded to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant 2011 meltdown by building stationary and mobile radiation monitors.

Big Book

Encyclopedia of Life Update The second edition of the Smithsonian Institution’s free, online collaborative Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is now easier to use. It also has been vastly expanded, offering information on more than one-third of all known species on Earth, including hundreds of thousands of images and videos. With the updated format, users can easily find species of interest; create personal collections of photos and information; find or upload pictures, videos and sounds; and share comments, questions and expertise with users worldwide that share similar interests. EOL.org seeks to become a microscope in reverse, helping users to discern large-scale patterns. By aggregating for analysis information on Earth’s estimated 1.9 million known species, scientists say EOL could, for example, help map vectors of human disease; reveal mysteries behind longevity; suggest substitute plant pollinators for a swelling list of places where honeybees no longer provide the function; and foster strategies to slow the spread of invasive species. All EOL information is available for reuse and is licensed under Creative Commons and other Open Access free licenses.

Source: Scientific American

February 2012

Natural Wonders

Virgin Forests are Irreplaceable Analysis by an international team of researchers of more than 100 studies comparing wildlife in forests that had been modified with those that had not confirms the crucial role that virgin forests play in conserving the natural world. The researchers conclude in the journal Nature that, “When it comes to maintaining tropical biodiversity, there is no substitute for primary forests.” The worldwide meta-study found that most species, notably birds, do much better in virgin tracts than in areas that have been cleared for agriculture, plantations or agro-forestry or selectively logged for certain types of trees. In all but the latter, the overall impact on biodiversity was marked. In all cases, the variety of plants and animals was depleted more severely than the sheer number of organisms present. Surprisingly, total mammal populations may do better under some kinds of forest modification, although this may be because opportunistic animals such as rats multiply even as the diversity of mammals drops. Birds, insects and plants experience an unequivocal loss. The study addresses how best to specifically preserve nature across the tropics, where most human population growth and rapid development is occurring. It compares the effects of “land-sharing”, where farming and other development enables wildlife to share the same space, and “land-sparing”, which provides entitlement areas to wildlife while humans use other segments as intensely as they like. Source: BBC News

Blogging News

Teens See More Kindness than Cruelty Online As American teens navigate the new world of digital citizenship, a new study has found that 69 percent say their peers are mostly being kind to one another on social networking sites. Still, 12 percent say they witness meanness frequently, 29 percent sometimes and 47 percent only once in a while; 15 percent report that they have personally been the targets of mean or cruel behavior online. The findings are based on focus groups and a national survey of youths ages 12 to 17 and their parents, conducted by the Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project. Find the full report at Tinyurl.com/7kl3cuj.

Low Tech Silicon Valley School Eschews Computers The Waldorf School of the Peninsula, in Los Altos, California, is one of 160 Waldorf schools in the country that subscribe to a teaching philosophy focused on physical activity and learning through creative, hands-on tasks. The New York Times reports that the chief technology officer of eBay sends his children to this nine-classroom institution, as do employees of Silicon Valley giants like Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Packard. Yet, the school’s main teaching tools are anything but high-tech, comprising pen and paper, knitting needles and occasionally, mud. No computers or screens of any kind are allowed in the classroom, and the school frowns on their use at home. Educators that endorse this approach say computers inhibit creative thinking, movement, human interaction and attention spans. Alan Eagle, a communications executive at Google, whose daughter attends the school, says, “The idea that an app on an iPad can better teach my kids to read or do arithmetic, that’s ridiculous.” Source: The New York Times

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The good news: Such fates are far from inevitable.

“People seem to expect that as soon as we start to need reading glasses, we should also expect some of these cognitive issues to arise, but it does not need to be that way,” says Naples, Florida-based Neurology Doctor David Perlmutter, co-author of Power up Your Brain. “You can absolutely do things early on in life and throughout your lifetime that work to maintain the bulk and function of the brain.”

Here’s how:

Stay lean. It may seem counterintuitive, but mounting evidence suggests that in order to grow a bigger brain, many of us should be eating less. “The key to the brain maintaining and even regenerating itself is the activation of a set of genes that code for a protein called brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),” explains Perl-

A Brain-Building Blueprint

How to Keep the Mind Young and Memory Sharp by Lisa Marshall

“Have you seen my keys?” “Now, why did I come in here?” “Her name is on the tip of my tongue.” If you catch yourself uttering such phrases, listen up:

“M

emory generally starts to decline in our 30s, as the brain shrinks with age. One of the first and most prominent signs is that ‘tip of the tongue’ phenomenon,” advises neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt, Ph.D., coauthor of Welcome to Your Brain. Studies show that the adult brain can shrink as much as one-half to 1 percent annually in midlife, as neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus wither and the branches between them thin. Add hormonal changes, which can starve gray matter of nourishing estrogen 16

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and progesterone; less-than-stellar cardiovascular health, which tends to limit blood flow to the brain; and a gummy protein called amyloid plaque, which can hamper neuronal function; and cognitive decline may be exacerbated. Already, one in five people older than 65 suffer from “mild cognitive impairment” (persistent memory problems severe enough to be noticeable by others). According to the Alzheimer’s Association, if we live to age 90, as many as half of us could ultimately be diagnosed with that disease.

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mutter. “BDNF is significantly enhanced in people that simply cut down their calorie consumption.” Several animal and human studies support this conclusion. One 2009 study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, divided 50 men and women age 50 and older into three groups that slashed calorie intake by 20 percent, 30 percent and not at all. After three months, the groups that restricted their calories saw their verbal memory scores jump by more than 20 percent. Perlmutter notes that just being overweight in the prime of life can promote excess inflammation and free radical production—two enemies of a healthy brain. A 2005 study of 10,000 men and women conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente found that people that were obese in their early 40s had a 74 percent increased risk of developing dementia later in life. “Just a 25 percent reduction in calories over one month’s time can have

a profound effect on boosting memory,” Perlmutter notes. Eat a brainbuilding diet. Aside from cutting calories, experts say it’s critical to load up on foods that boost neurogenesis (the development of new brain cells) and stall brain atrophy. Eating more fish (or omega-3 supplements), adding fruits and vegetables and cutting back on refined carbohydrates do just that, advises Dr. Christiane Northrup, obstetrician, gynecologist and author of Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom. “The brain is mostly made up of omega-3 fats, and many women, in particular, are lacking them in their diet,” she observes. Perlmutter notes that supplementing one’s intake of omega-3 fatty acid DHA, present in fatty fish and marine algae, has been shown to switch on the genes that jumpstart BDNF production. DHA is also anti-inflammatory and promotes healthy blood flow to the brain. But people shouldn’t wait too long to load up on it. One 2010 trial of 485 healthy adults with mild memory complaints found that those who took 900 milligrams per day of algae-based DHA supplements for six months made significantly fewer errors on memory tests than they had at the study’s onset. Another study by the National Institute on Aging, however, found that DHA supplementation had little impact on patients once severe dementia had set in. So, sooner is better. Healthy fats aside, dark-colored fruits such as blackberries, blueberries and plums are all rich with antioxidants, substances known to scavenge celldamaging free radicals in the brain. Also, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and broccoli sprouts contain a powerful compound called sulforaphane, believed to boost the body’s own production of antioxidants. One famous 2005 study followed 13,388 women over several decades, and found that those that ate the most cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens stayed mentally sharp for far longer than those that ate the least. New research from Rush University, in Chicago, further

suggests that a deficiency of B12, found in fish, liver, milk and eggs, may hasten brain shrinkage as previously functioning cells die off. O ve r l o a d i n g on refined carbohydrates like white flour, pasta and potatoes carries a similar result. “Elevated blood sugar can destroy the brain,” advises Perlmutter, pointing to a 2005 study in the journal Neurology, which linked accelerated brain shrinkage with elevated blood sugar. Prevent hormonal havoc. Ebbing hormones can also have a measurable impact on our ability to recall words and follow through on tasks, says Hawaii naturopathic physician Laurie Steelsmith, author of Natural Choices for Women’s Health. One 2009 University of California study of 2,362 women between the ages of 42 and 52 found that 60 percent suffered memory and mental-processing problems. “I hear about it almost every day from women in my practice,” comments Steelsmith. “They’re trying to find the word for, say, ‘garlic’ or ‘pen,’ and it just won’t come to them. It can be very frustrating.” Steelsmith notes that estrogen plays a critical role in influencing verbal and spatial memory and fine motor skills and

bolstering the blood-brain barrier to keep toxins out. Meanwhile, progesterone acts on the same brain receptors that Valium does, promoting calm and aiding sleep. In the days immediately prior to menstruation, when estrogen and progesterone levels are low, or once women begin to approach menopause and they stay low, the brain feels it. In an ideal world, the adrenal glands kick in to pick up where the ovaries leave off—producing sex hormones. “But women that are stressed out or not nourishing themselves tend to experience adrenal fatigue, so their adrenals are not able to act as a secondary source of hormones,” says Steelsmith. For ovulating women, she recommends taking 100 to 175 milligrams (mg) daily of the herb Rhodiola rosea during the second half of the menstrual cycle to support fatigued adrenal glands and ward off hormone-related brain fog. If the condition occurs only for a few days before a menstrual period, and is accompanied by tender breasts, lack of sleep and heavy monthly bleeding, the problem may be low progesterone. For that, try the herb chaste tree berry during the second half of the menstrual cycle, or consider a low dose, over-the-counter progesterone cream, says Northrup. For post-menopausal women, she recommends taking up to 50 mg per day of pregnenolone, an adrenal hormone that the body naturally converts into

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estrogen and progesterone. (While pregnenolone is available over the counter, Steelsmith suggests that women have a naturopath first test their hormone levels in order to determine an appropriate dose.) Or, older men and women experiencing age-related memory loss can try a soy-based nutritional supplement called phosphatidylserine (PS), which is believed to bolster cell-to-cell communication and levels of the memory-boosting neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Exercise mind and body. Aamodt notes that a common cause of cognitive decline is the accumulation of clogged blood vessels in the brain that choke off blood and oxygen. Thus, “Regular exercise is the single most useful thing you can do to maintain your cognitive abilities later in life,” she says. Recent studies by researchers at the University of Illinois and elsewhere have shown that as little as 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, three times per week, may not only stall age-related brain atrophy in the elderly, but even help regenerate parts of the brain that have withered. “There is no medication on the planet that can do that,” says Perlmutter. Brain exercise is helpful, as well. Exposure to new experiences prompts the brain to literally lay down new neuronal networks, becoming stronger. A 2009 Mayo Clinic study found that of 1,300 people ages 70 to 89, those that had regularly engaged in mentally challenging activities in their 50s and 60s (such as playing games, quilting, building model airplanes, or learning a new language or instrument) were 40 percent less likely to suffer memory problems. The key, advise the experts, is not to stick with the same crossword puzzle for years. Instead, try something new. As Steelsmith puts it: “Use it or lose it.” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer headquartered near Boulder, CO. Connect at Lisa@LisaAnnMarshall.com.

consciouseating

down to sleep. Also, spicy foods may cause heartburn, which can lead to difficulty falling asleep and discomfort during the night. Caffeine. “Caffeine’s stimulant effect peaks in about one hour, and then declines as the liver breaks it down. So, if you go to bed by 11 p.m., you’ll have to stop your caffeine intake by 2 or 3 p.m. to avoid insomnia,” advises bestselling author Joy Bauer, a registered dietitian and nutritionist in New York City. She also cautions about energy drinks that incorporate herbal caffeine that may include guarana seeds, kola nuts and yerba mate leaves. Nightcaps. Although many people think of alcohol as a sedative, it actually disrupts sleep, according to experts at the National Sleep Foundation.

IMPROVE YOUR SNOOZE Sleep Aids versus Sleep Sappers by Judith Fertig

an eating a whole-wheat peanut butter cracker or sipping tart cherry juice help us sleep? Either is certainly worth a try, because most of us aren’t getting enough shut-eye. According to the nonprofit National Sleep Foundation, 64 percent of America’s adults frequently experience sleep problems; nearly half wake up at least once during the night. This deficit of restorative rest can affect our health. “Lack of sleep can affect the immune system,” says Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler, of the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center and an officer of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “Studies show that people that don’t get a good night’s sleep or don’t get enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as the common cold.”

A concept called sleep hygiene refers to good health practices that promote sleep. For example: Is the room dark or quiet enough? Is the mattress comfortable? Have we allowed sufficient time to wind down after daily activities to become relaxed? What we eat or drink also can have a profound effect on getting a good night’s rest.

Sleep Sappers Physicians, naturopaths and nutritionists generally agree that these key factors delay or disrupt sleep. Food and drink. According to Jamie Corroon, a naturopathic physician with Seattle’s Bastyr University, eating or drinking too much during the day may make us less comfortable when settling

Sleep Aids What helps us sleep may be either a food’s chemical properties or the psychological and physical comfort we associate with a certain food or drink. Options include some old reliables. Walnuts and tart cherry juice. Studies conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center, in San Antonio, and published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that these two foods are great sources of melatonin, a natural hormone that helps regulate sleep cycles. Tart cherry juice was found to be especially effective in reducing the time it took subjects to fall asleep. Herbs. According to the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, some herbs have a mild, sedative effect. Three traditional

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herbs used for sleep are valerian, German chamomile and passionflower. The European practice of sipping a warm tisane, or herbal tea, made from these ingredients can be warming and soothing, preparing us to sleep. These herbs are also available as supplements. Complex carbohydrates. “Enjoy a bedtime snack,” recommends Bauer, of about 200 calories or less; mainly complex carbohydrates, with a touch of protein, such as some banana with peanut butter, yogurt or a small amount of whole grain cereal with skim milk. “By combining an ample dose of carbohydrates together with a small amount of protein—such as yogurt or turkey—containing the amino acid tryptophan, your brain produces serotonin, known as a calming hormone.” A warm, milky drink. Research scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology concluded that the chemical properties of milk—mainly protein and tryptophan—were not enough to ensure a good night’s sleep (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). However, sleep and wellness expert Anna de Vena, who writes for SleepWellFeel Great.com, observes, “I love curling up with any kind of warm milky drink before bed, especially in the wintertime. There is a calming association with warm milk and sleep… from the time we were infants, when we drank milk and went to sleep.” Judith Fertig celebrates healthy food at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.

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SUGGESTED SLEEP SUPPLEMENTS Both valerian and melatonin have good scientific evidence backing them up as natural sleep aids, advises Sharon Plank, an integrative medicine physician with the University of Pittsburgh Medical School’s Center for Integrative Medicine. If the problem is falling asleep, the sedative effects of a valerian supplement can help. Because it has few adverse effects, it’s safe to try as a sleep aid, Plank says. If the problem is disrupted sleep, melatonin can help, and comes in two forms—extended release and immediate release. Plank notes, “If you tend to wake up in the middle of the night, you may want to take extended release before you go to bed. If you have trouble falling asleep, try immediate release.” If the problem is waking too early or restless leg syndrome, the problem could be a mineral deficiency. Studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that copper, iron and magnesium deficiencies caused sleep issues with some subjects; the studies specify recommended daily supplementation of copper (2 mg), iron (10 to 15 mg) and magnesium (400 mg).

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Catch, Collect, Contribute The Three C's of Mardi Gras Bead Recycling by Bexley McLennan

atching beads at Mardi Gras parades can be an adrenaline pumping experience. Those that frequent parades and parties during Carnival season often feel the need to collect masses of the colorful throws. But what does one do with them when the parade is over? Year after year, bags of Mardi Gras novelties contribute to cluttered closets throughout the Gulf Coast, and landfills get a little more colorful with beads that are swept up after parades or put in the trash once Fat Tuesday passes. This year, reduce waste and clutter by contributing collected beads to one of several Mobile/Baldwin charitable organizations that consider beads to be valuable assets all year long. Beads for Doughnuts and Special Needs School For the eighth consecutive year, Krispy Kreme is collecting beads on behalf of the Augusta Evans School, in midtown Mobile. In its annual Beads-for-Doughnuts drive, Krispy Kreme offers a sweet deal to customers: Bring in 12 pounds of beads and receive a dozen glazed doughnuts in exchange. Regional manager Chris Brooks says his two stores alone, “could be looking at handing out about 6,000 dozen doughnuts.” Krispy Kreme will accept bead donations at both the Mobile and Foley locations, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., February 22, 23 and 24. Beads will then be delivered to Au-

gusta Evans School’s (Evans.MCE.SchoolInSites.com) for the special needs students’ bead program. The school educates more than 240 students, ages 3 to 21, with various disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and mental retardation. Used in the school's Employment Training Center, beads are sorted, tagged and cased by students to sell back to the public and mystic societies. Each year, the school raises more than $30,000 to purchase special needs equipment. School Principal Allen Baggett says the bead program gives students skills that will one day translate into a paycheck in the working world. According to program coordinator and special education teacher Susan

Mulvey, "Mardi Gras is such an important time and the students love the beads. The skills acquired in our year-round Mardi Gras bead program are essential in the development of mental and physical capabilities. It’s also a wonderful exercise in practical self-sufficiency, responsibility and accountability.” Donations are accepted year-round, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at their Mardi Gras Workshop drop-off location on Edington Drive, in Mobile. There is often a waiting list for bead purchases, but orders can be placed at the school’s workshop in person, by calling 251-221-5400 or by emailing SMulvey@mcpss.com. Continued on page 23

natural awakenings

February 2012

LOCAL ARTIST TURNS BEADS INTO FUNCTIONAL ART

oing laundry is a chore that Stapleton artist Roben Barrett despises. One afternoon, Barrett found herself praying about her pile of dirty clothes. “I prayed, ‘Please don’t make me do laundry. Give me a thought.’ And bunches of Mardi Gras beads came to me,” Barrett recalls. She spent the rest of the day figuring out how to make her surplus of beads into art. The result was colorful bowls and lampshades made from melted beads. Barrett says it took awhile to perfect her technique, but since mastering the process, she keeps her method to herself. “Colleges have called me to find out how I do it, but I’m not giving away my secret!” Barrett primarily relies on bead donations from individuals and the throws she collects from attending local parades. “After the parades are over, I stay with the street sweepers, collecting whatever beads I can find,” she says. An artist that works in several mediums, Barrett is just returning to her Mardi Gras art. “I stopped making the bead art during the recession, because people stopped buying them. But I just moved and now that I’m settled in my new house, I’m excited to get back into it!” Barrett can work with whatever beads she is given, including broken ones. Those wishing to donate beads to her work can contact Barrett directly. She is available to pick up donations and gives generous individuals a free bowl when they contribute a whole trash bag full of beads. The finished pieces no longer resemble the beads that they once were; therefore, the art can be displayed year-round. Bowls cost $20 and lamp shades, described as Tiffany with a New Orleans twist, cost $50. Finished pieces will be available in local shops and galleries or directly from Barrett. For more information about donating beads or purchasing the artwork, call Barrett at 251-610-3954.

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Baldwin County Beads for Schools and Animal Rescue

Farms ALL Breed Canine/Equine Rescue, Inc. (WillowFarmSite.Webs.com), in Loxley and other independent rescue organizations and rehabilitators. "The entire project, with some nudging I’m sure, will be carried out by my 9- and 10-year-old daughters. This summer, we intend to volunteer at the facility, as well,” says Wyant-Perillo. Updates on this project, including a list of collection sites, will be listed on the project’s Facebook page: Beads for Abandoned Animals.

Elsewhere in the community, schools and municipal organizations such as youth groups, summer camps, arts programs and theater programs collect beads for children to use in craft projects, art projects or theater costumes. Many teachers keep treasure chests of beads in the classroom to use as rewards for their students. Beads can be brought to third grade teacher Chris Miller, at Fairhope Elementary School, who distributes them to other Thrift Stores teachers for use in projects and school Benefit from Beads parades. “There are Mardi Gras and A/R (accelerated reading) parades in which Finally, large thrift stores often acthese can be given out to students to throw cept bagged or boxed beads yearround, including The Salvation Army during parades,” says Miller. Miller’s efforts motivated others to (SalvationArmy.org) and Goodwill Indusresearch bead collection projects as well, tries (Goodwill.org). These organizations including Natural Awakenings contribut- sell the beads and use the funds for rehaing writer Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo who bilitation, employment training and other was inspired to organize collection bins programs specific to these institutions. throughout the area. Wyant-Perillo ex- Once the festivities come to an end, plains, “After learning of other collection the freshly formed piles of Mardi Gras efforts, I had the idea for a community beads will retain their value, in the eyes service/entrepreneurial of local charitable orga“After learning of skills-building project nizations, even after Fat for my children; a fundother collection efTuesday. While revelers raiser that won’t impose can reduce, reuse and on relatives or neigh- forts, I had the idea for recycle year-round, this bors.” Several collection a community service/ is the season to catch, sites will be set up along the Eastern Shore. Beads entrepreneurial skills- collect and contribwill then be sorted and building project for my ute. Catch the beads, collect stashes from bagged, so they can friends and family and children; a fundraiser be sold at the Fairhope contribute them Farmers Market. that won’t impose on then to charities. Laissez les All money raised relatives or neighbors.” bons temps rouler! will be donated to Willow

natural awakenings

February 2012

greenliving

Coming in March

EAT PLASTICFREE Healthy, Practical Tips for People and the Planet by Brita Belli

Changing the Way America Eats Natural Awakeningsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Food & Garden issue explores fresh ways to eat well on a budget.

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lastic is nearly impossible to avoid these days, but we should beware of its health impacts. First, consider that the chemicals that form plastic compounds are let loose when plastic becomes worn, scratched or heated. When we use plastic containers for food and drinks and these chemicals are freed up, they can enter our food supply and contribute to a toxic buildup in our bodies. Exposure to such chemicals poses particular danger to pregnant women, babies and young children, whose hormone and brain development can be more easily affected by such toxic insults. Next, consider that Americans annually send more than 29 million tons of plastic to landfills, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Once there, it deteriorates, yet never fully breaks down. Plastic is one of the least recycled forms of packaging, due to its myriad recycling codes and disposable convenience (consider how many of us return plastic grocery bags to the store). Even worse, countless plastic bags, containers, six-pack rings, beverage

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straws and other plastic human detritus have found their way into our oceans. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates there are currently 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. Plastic garbage patches entangle, choke and kill turtles, dolphins and other sea life or, after the eroding effects of sun and saltwater, disintegrate into microscopic plastic pellets consumed by fish, which then wind up on our dinner plates. Here are some ubiquitous plastics of concern and practical ways to avoid using them. Plastic food storage containers. With plastic storage containers (particularly polycarbonate plastic, with a 7 recycling number or resin identification code), the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is of primary concern. BPA molecules are linked to form the plastic, but some molecules can escape and leach into food contents. BPA is a known hormone disruptor that has been tied to miscarriage, prostate and breast cancer, obesity and in children, behavioral and cogni-

tive problems. If the plastic is worn, scratched, repeatedly washed or heated, leaching is more likely. Alternative: Use stainless steel or glass containers that can be frozen and heated without worry.

contribute to the massive quantity of plastic waste produced each year. Alternatives: Many reusable cloth lunch bags plus glass, bamboo and stainless steel snack containers are available.

Plastic water and soda bottles. Flimsy plastic beverage bottles (bearing a number 1 recycling symbol) are made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a petroleum-based plastic that can leach antimony, a metal linked to lung disease, heart problems and stomach ulcers at high concentrations; and phthalates, a common plasticizer associated with male genital deformities, low sperm counts, early puberty, susceptibility to allergens and autism. Hot conditions (such as the inside of a car) increase the leaching potential, as can reuse. Alternative: Invest in a few stainless steel reusable water bottles.

Clear food packaging, plastic squeeze bottles and peanut butter containers. Many pre-wrapped items in the deli or produce section, as well as condiment squeeze bottles and peanut butter containers bearing a number 3 code, are made with polyvinyl chloride or PVC, one of the most dangerous plastics. During the production of PVC, harmful chemicals like lead, dioxins and vinyl chloride are released that have been tied to health outcomes ranging from learning and behavioral problems to cancer and birth defects. Fatty foods such as cheeses and meats wrapped in number 3 plastics are particularly prone to leaching phthalates. Alternatives: Opt for food that’s not wrapped in plastic, such as meat from a butcher or deli counter, rather than pre-packaged in the refrigerated bin. Also consider switching to condiments and peanut butters packaged in glass.

Plastic sandwich bags. Most plastic sandwich bags are made from lowdensity polyethylene (LDPE), indicated by resin code 4. Although not known to leach chemicals (it’s still wise to avoid microwaving them, however), they

Styrofoam takeout containers. Polystyrene foam is technically a number 6 plastic. It’s common in to-go containers and egg cartons, and the styrene that can leach out is tied to many health impacts, including neurological damage and harm to the liver and kidneys. Further, styrene is known to build up in body fat, increasing its toxic potential over time. Alternatives: Shop at natural grocery stores and places where customers can bring their own containers. With egg cartons, opt for cardboard, preferably made from recycled material. Brita Belli is the editor of E-The Environmental Magazine. Find green home kitchenware at Natural Awakenings’ online store, NAWebstore.com. Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, epa.gov; United Nations Environment Programme, unep.org; Healthy Child Healthy World, HealthyChild.org; Our Stolen Future, OurStolenFuture.org.

natural awakenings

February 2012

healingways

dealing with it,” Harper observes. “If you deal with it in the moment, it allows you to let it go.”

HOW CAN WE ALL

GET ALONG? Resolving conflict benefits mind and body. by Lisa Shumate

“A

significant amount of wearand-tear on the body comes from prolonged unresolved conflict—from not letting go, holding grudges and reliving situations over and over in your head,” says Raj Dhasi, a Toronto-based conflict management consultant who specializes in the physiological impacts of conflict. “But if conflict happens and my mindset is: ‘I can handle this. We can work through this,’ that is phenomenally beneficial for the brain and body.” Dhasi explains that when faced with any conflict—whether it’s an angry boss, disgruntled neighbor, political opponent or untidy teen in the house— our limbic system responds swiftly by igniting a cascade of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol and spiking our heart

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rate and blood pressure. Meanwhile, our prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for thinking things through and putting the brakes on emotional, irrational behaviors—begins to slowly light up. The fundamental problem is that in the race to mount a response, the limbic system often wins, prompting us to greet conflict impulsively by raising our voice and saying things we later regret before our rational brain has time to step in. On the flip side, many of us avoid conflict altogether, harboring discontent in such a way that we feel powerless or even threatened. Making matters worse, our fight-or-flight response never quite goes away, says G a r y H a r p e r, author of The Joy of Conflict Resolution: Transforming Victims, Villains and Heroes in the Workplace and at Home. “More people are stressed out by not dealing with a conflict than with

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Pause, Breathe, Consider Harper advises that one way to deal with conflict on the spot is to pause and give our more rational side a chance to arrive at a solution. “Before you react, slow down, take a deep breath and listen to your inner dialogue,” he says. “In that deep breath, you might realize that you need five minutes [to consider a response].” If you still remain in attack mode, it might not be the best time to respond. He adds that while no conflict should be avoided altogether, careful consideration might lead us to conclude that some battles aren’t worth fighting. Ask yourself: How important is this person to me? How important is this issue to me? “If neither is vital to you, save your energy for a better use. If the issue is not important, but the relationship is, it’s okay to accommodate or give in sometimes,” he says.

Be Direct and Follow-Up Some conflicts are worth confronting. Then, Barbara Pachter, a business communications consultant and author of The Power of Positive Confrontation, offers what she calls the WAC approach for dealing with most cases of work and family conflict. W: Ask yourself: What is really bothering me? “A lot of times, people don’t do this. They just say, ‘This person is a jerk,’ rather than specifying the problem.” A: Ask them for a solution. “We often complain, but we don’t identify a solution,” she says. “Determine what is going to solve the problem for you and ask for it.” C: Check in. “Turn it over to the other person and ask for their response. Inquire: ‘Is this possible? What do you think?’” All the while, stay curious about the other person’s perspective, suggests Harper. “We tend to see ourselves as the innocent victim, or we go into hero mode and tend to see the other person as the villain,” he says. “Of course, the other person is doing the same thing, and that makes collaboration tough.” Instead, ask sincere questions—and really listen.

Agree to Disagree Terrie McCants, coordinator of the conflict resolution program at Kansas State University, notes that in some cases, especially when deeply held values such as politics or faith are involved, resolving conflict isn’t necessarily about reaching an agreement. “You cannot negotiate people’s values. Sometimes, these are things that people are willing to lie down and die for,” she says. “Instead, sometimes you might need to agree to disagree.” In the end, whether the conflict is a minor disagreement at home, a workplace quarrel or a complicated political dispute, the process of properly working through it can leave both parties feeling stronger and improve their communities. “Conflict forces you to problem-solve collaboratively and come up with options and elegant solutions,” she explains. “If handled well, it can add brilliant things to your life.” Lisa Shumate is a freelance writer in Boulder, CO.

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natural awakenings

February 2012

wisewords

practice self-care. Keep in mind that we can’t solve burnout with the same level of consciousness that created it. We have to catch ourselves in the act of overlooking our true needs, stop, do a self-inquiry that looks at things as they are, and pinpoint what drains our energy, as well as what brings us to life.

The Benefits of Burnout An oxymoron? Not according to psychologist Joan Borysenko.

How did writing Fried affect you?

by Linda Sechrist

What does it mean to physically, emotionally and spiritually burn out? When you’re stressed out, you keep chasing the same old carrot, whatever that may be for you. But when you’re burned out, you eventually give up the chase. The hope that you can create a meaningful life fizzles and you find yourself sitting in the ashes of your dreams. In a culture wedded to positive thinking, burnout and its first cousin, depression, are thought of as disorders in need of a fix. What if instead, we see them as losses of naïveté, false identities and faulty assumptions that are making way for a more authentic life? What if we viewed burnout as an invitation to come into alignment with a more elegant expression of our gifts, relationships and overall life energy? The late psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, Ph.D., who first popularized the concept in his 1980 book, Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement, believed the condition is a painful affliction of good people trying to give their very best. He defined it as “the extinction of motivation or incentive, especially where one’s devotion to a cause or relationship 28

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photo by Charles Bush

oan Borysenko, Ph.D., a pioneer in integrative medicine, is a renowned expert on the mind-body connection. Her work has been foundational in an international health care revolution that recognizes the role of meaning and the spiritual dimension of life as integral aspects of health and healing. Most recently, the Harvard-trained biologist and psychologist explored the anatomy of burnout with Facebook friends in her latest book, Fried: Why You Burn Out and How to Revive.

fails to produce the desired results.”

Why do we burn out even when we regularly use self-care practices? Many people are shocked to learn that even though I’m a positive person, with a regular yoga and meditation practice, as well as healthy eating habits, I have burned out more than once. Ironically, but predictably, I was trying to do and be my best. For me, burnout means that my most loving, creative self goes missing; I contract into the smallest, most negative version of myself, which is not a pretty picture. I find that for many people that intellectualize a great portion of their lives, burnout doesn’t become real until they are not only physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted, but are also in pain. Knowing ourselves and our limitations is essential, because our tendency is to become complacent and think we’re too busy to tend to our well-being, or else believe we can do even more because we

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In order to follow my own advice, I completely changed the way I live. I realized that at age 66, I needed to pay more attention to my physical body. Physical therapy and Pilates floor exercises are now a priority five days a week, as well as yoga, both of which have helped to correct my hip joint problems. For aerobic exercise, I walk fast for 45 minutes at least five days a week. In inclement weather, I ride an indoor bike. Altogether, it averages out to 90 minutes of daily exercise, five days a week. My husband and I switched to a plant-based diet of organic whole foods, so we now set aside more time to plan, shop and cook. We also make more time for family and friends. We still both work, but fewer hours than before. In other words, I do what I can within a framework of love. I choose to do what is important to me—activities that give me life and energy.

What is it about living “in the now” that feels so enlivening? When we live in our heads and intellectualize, we tend to spin negative thoughts that hurt our physical health and sap our energy. By actively focusing on what we are doing in the moment, we can engage our senses, more thoroughly enjoy ourselves and have an awareness of being that is not possible when we are ruminating over past memories or projecting ourselves into daydreams about a far-off future. In such present moments, because we are relaxed and open to our inner wisdom, as well as our interconnection with the exquisite wholeness of life, we feel the most vital and alive. Connect at JoanBorysenko.com and Facebook.com/pages/Joan-Borysenko/ 211406562428.

fitbody

Exercise to Beat the Blues

Staying Active Lifts Our Spirits by Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

Depression affects about one in 10 adults each year and nearly twice as many women as men, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Although exercise may feel like the last thing you want to do when you are feeling blue, it’s a sure way to climb out of the morass and achieve a brighter outlook, higher energy levels and good heart health.

“I

n winter months, people get sluggish in many ways, and the resulting buildup of toxins can make them feel achy. They often interpret their fatigue and tension as depression, but that’s not necessarily so,” says Carolyn Dean, a pioneering physician, naturopath, nutritionist and author, with 25 years of experience treating diet and health issues. “The best, most natural way to pull toxins out of the body is through movement,” she advises. Becoming active is a good way to both lift depression and promote overall health, including a healthy heart, one of the largest and most vital muscles in the body. Getting off the couch often begins by identifying what you enjoy and will be most likely to continue doing. Setting reasonable goals is important. If you

haven’t exercised in awhile or feel guilty for taking time out of an already busy day, try starting with a five-minute workout, and then increase the duration as you get stronger and feel better. Dean suggests that one good way to start is by walking and using a pedometer, or climbing stairs with a step-counter (10,000 steps a day is a reachable goal). You can make a game of competing against yourself. Invite friends to walk with you or create your own walking club to help stay on track with a cardio-exercise routine. Walking your dog or borrowing a neighbor’s pooch for a stroll around the neighborhood is fun. Inject additional movement into daily routines via gardening, washing the car or playing with children. natural awakenings

February 2012

Multiple Benefits

NEVER PLACE A PERIOD WHERE GOD HAS PLACED A COMMA.

Although the scientific links between exercise and reduced anxiety and depression aren’t entirely known, it is clear that working out can help anyone relax and feel better. The Mayo Clinic reports that exercise helps ease depression by releasing feel good brain chemicals in the body; reducing immune system chemicals; increasing body temperature; boosting self-confidence; taking thoughts off of worries; and promoting social interaction, thus equipping individuals to better cope with life’s ups and downs. “Exercise is sometimes stigmatized as an activity that’s hot, sticky and not fun,” notes Jess Martin, a wellness coordinator with the nationwide network of Healthstat, Inc. clinics, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. “We encourage our participants to instead think of exercise as fun. Running, lifting weights and other fitness activities certainly get your heart pumping, but so can less intense forms of exercise. While we encourage everyone to have 30-minute workouts, you can also benefit from shorter intervals, such as two 15-minute or even three 10-minute sessions a day.” As Martin notes, people that work out with a buddy are more likely to be accountable to an exercise routine. Strengthening healthy social bonds reduces stresses at the same time. “When you don’t exercise, the muscles of the body and the heart atrophy, he says. The more you exercise, the lower the heart rate tends to become, and the more efficient the heart function.”

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“Daily exercise should be as much a part of your routine as meals,” counsels Dr. Gabriela Cora, vice-chair of the Council on Communications for the American Psychiatric Association, author, wellness and well-being coach and former researcher in mood and anxiety disorders at the National Institutes of Health. “This is even truer for busy people, because so many these days are sedentary; everyone needs to find a balance for any lack of energy flow.” She points out that while many tend to think of exercise as a hobby, it is really one of the four pillars of biological health—sleep, relaxation, nutrition and exercise.

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Note: Consult with a physician for advice about what exercise and level of intensity is best for you. If you exercise regularly, but anxiety or depression symptoms still interfere with daily life, follow up with a doctor or other qualified mental health provider. Priscilla Goudreau-Santos is a freelance writer and owner of Priscilla Goudreau Public Relations and Marketing, in Jacksonville, FL. Connect at 904-371-7751.

healthykids

HOW A BRAIN GROWS Five Ways to Aid Development

sure to classical music and educational videos have an impact on cognitive development. “Children come ‘out of the box’ with individual temperaments that strongly influence the possible paths they can take through life,” Aamodt observes. “Most parents believe that they can have a bigger influence on their child’s personalities than they actually do. They should relax and enjoy their kids more.” The authors offer these scientifically backed tips for parents and caregivers to influence a child’s developing brain: Don’t stress during pregnancy. “The hormones produced in the mother’s body during stressful times can cross over into the placenta, exposing the child. If it’s a chronic condition, it can lead to problems with brain development,” counsels Aamodt. One 2008 review paper from Harvard Medical School led researchers to conclude that babies born to stressed mothers are more likely to suffer from autism spectrum disorders. Others, from researchers in Canada and the UK,

Happy & Healthy...

by Lisa Marshall

Parents that believe playing Beethoven for their infant, investing in educational videos for their toddler or forcing schoolage youngsters to sit still and study for hours will help them to build a better brain have another “think” coming.

“P

eople are anxious to do everything they can to improve their child’s intelligence, yet many are focusing their energy in places where they are not getting the best payoff for it,” says neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt, Ph.D., co-author of Welcome to Your Child’s Brain: How the Mind Grows from Conception to College. In their new book, Aamodt and Princeton University Neuroscience Professor Sam Wang try to dispel what they believe are many myths that have led parents to worry too much about the

influence they can have on a child’s cognitive development and in some cases, have led to doing more harm than good. Aamodt says that genetics and thousands of years of human evolution have already exerted a heavy influence on a child’s developmental future before he or she is born. In the absence of abuse and neglect, and with good nutrition and a stimulating environment, a child’s brain “raises itself” in many ways, the authors maintain. Meanwhile, they argue that there is little scientific evidence showing that factors like birth order and expo-

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natural awakenings

February 2012

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found that women that endure natural disasters while pregnant are more likely to have babies that suffer from schizophrenia, decreased IQ and depression. Animal research has repeatedly demonstrated that babies of stressed mothers often grow up with touchy stressresponse systems. Switch off the baby videos. University of Washington researchers have found that baby educational videos, like Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby fail to boost language skills and may actually slow acquisition of vocabulary. “For every hour per day spent watching baby DVDs and videos, infants understood an average of six to eight fewer words than infants that did not watch them,” the report said. Other research by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that exposure to action-packed videos may increase the risk of development of attention disorders. “Babies are wired to learn from other people, and every period of time they are not interacting with people because they are watching TV interferes with that face-to-face

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interaction,” says Aamodt. Teach a second language. Bilingual children consistently outperform single-language speakers in tests of executive brain function (a measure of organizational and planning skills) and tend to be better at making choices and understanding other people’s perspectives, Aamodt says. “The very first act of speech for a bilingual person is picking which language to use, and you do that based on your understanding of the other person’s perspective.” Aamodt recommends exposing youngsters to a second language in infancy—if possible, just by speaking to them in a different language—and exploring more formal instruction before the age of 8. Foster self-control. “Ultimately, parents can make the biggest difference in their child’s adult quality of life by promoting self-control,” Aamodt says. Recent research published in the journal Science and elsewhere suggests that children with greater self-control (meaning they can resist temptation, stay on task and control their own behavior) achieve greater success in school, the workplace and their personal lives. “Preschool children’s ability to resist temptation is a much better predictor of academic success than their IQ scores,” Aamodt notes. She recommends engaging and progressively more challenging tasks. “You want to stretch the child just a little; get them to do something a little bit hard, but that they can succeed at if they concentrate.” Encourage study breaks. “Some very old science tells us that to learn effectively, you need to take breaks and allow your brain to consolidate what you have already learned before you go back and try to learn some more,” says Aamodt. “If you study a total of an hour, you will learn twice as much if you break it up into two 30-minute spans.” Hooray for recess. Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer headquartered near Boulder, CO. Connect at Lisa@LisaAnnMarshall.com.

calendarofevents All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Go to HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com to submit entries. Mark Your Calendar events are $40. Learn, share and personally experience therapeutic grade essential oils. Free. 1230 Montlimar Dr, Mobile. Sue Sides: 251-232-2292.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

February is American Heart Month THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Book Club Meeting at Bluum – 6:30pm. Shapeshifting into Higher Consciousness by Llyn Roberts. Discount on book at Rosie Blu. Rosie Bluum, 6A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum. com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 First Friday Art Walk at Windmill – 6-9pm. In conjunction with downtown Fairhope's First Friday Art Walk, The Windmill Market puts on a party with live music, food, beer and wine for sale, and lots of family fun! Music by Karl & Kyle. Free. Windmill Market, 85 N Bancroft St, downtown Fairhope. 251990-8883. WindmillMarket.org. Vision Board Workshop – 6:30pm. In this workshop you will be supplied with all of the materials needed as well as guidance, encouragement and humor. You will leave with your very own Vision Board and a few tips for “fertilizing the soil” for healthy growth. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages and lite snacks provided. RSVP Required. $35 (includes all materials). Rosie Bluum, 6A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5326 or 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com. Healing Crystal Bowl Concert – 6-8pm. Jay Schwed returns to Middle Earth with his Crystal Bowls to facilitate this powerful healing experience. "The ancients believed that the way to facilitate healing is by opening the high heart that connects the hearts of all beings." HealingCrystalBowls.com. $25. Middle Earth Healing and Learning Center, Citronelle. 251-866-7204. A Course In Miracles: Understanding Special Relationships – 7pm. Last month we began our year-long spiritual movie series with the film The Course in Miracles. Come join us as we continue our adventure in spiritual cinema with this, our second film in the series. $10. 1230 Montlimar Dr, Mobile. 251-343-0777.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Let Food Be Your Medicine –10am-12pm. Learn how to prepare healthy meals with fresh local produce, using herbs and spices to add flavor, not fat. $15 (includes food). Healing Acres, 22355 Price Grubbs Rd, Robertsdale. 251-423-1863. HealingAcresRetreat@ yahoo.com. Vision Board Workshop – 10am. See Feb 3 listing. RSVP Required. $35 (includes all materials). Rosie Bluum, 6A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5326 or 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Full Moon Meditation – 6:30pm. Experience the tremendous downpour of spiritual energy that is especially available at this time of the month. We

become instruments of divine blessings to the planet earth, humanity and our loved ones. Learn to achieve stillness and illumination. RSVP. $10 donation. 251454-0959.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Movie Night at Rosie Bluum – 6:30pm. Join us for I Am and hear the story of Tom Shaydiak after his near-fatal accident. This is his journey of meeting with masters and discovering many truths along the way to "enlightenment". Rosie Bluum, 6A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Shiitake Mushroom Workshop – 9:30am-3:30pm. Learn how to grow your own shiitake mushrooms. Hands on workshop; inoculate logs with mycillium and take home a log. Class size is limited. Registration required. $35. Middle Earth Healing, 20205 Middle Earth Rd, Citronelle. 251-866-7204. MidEarthHealing@yahoo. com. MiddleEarthHealing.com. Essential Oil Workshop – 10am-12pm. Questions on health issues are addressed using essential oils. Learn, share and personally experience therapeutic grade essential oils. Free. 1230 Montlimar Dr, Mobile. Judith Wilson: 251-656-6696. Habitat for Humanity Partner Family Orientation – 10am. Families or individuals interested in applying for the Habitat for Humanity program must attend an orientation to receive an application. 8712 Airport Blvd, Mobile. 251-476-7171. Mystic Mutts of Revelry Walking Dog Parade – 2:30pm. Registration starts at 11am. Assemble at Fairhope Park, corner of Morphy and Church. $25 per dog with two human companions, $5 for each additional animal/human. The Haven, Fairhope. 251-929-3980. Partner Yoga Valentine’s Day Celebration with Aaron Lind – 4-6:30pm. A holistic practice that combines the traditions of yoga and Thai massage with graceful partner flying. $35/person, $65/couple/early bird (one week prior). No partner required. Reservations: 251476-6463. Yoga@QuietMindMassageTherapy.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Volunteer Opportunity – Feb 13-15. 9am-4pm. Volunteers are needed to help the Habitat for Humanity staff move the current office from the Regions Bel Air Bank tower to the new ReStore location at 8712 Airport Blvd. Free. 851 E. I-65 Service Rd S, Suite 200 Mobile. To sign up, contact the Volunteer Coordinator: 251-476-7171 ext 231.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Essential Oil Workshop – 10am-12pm. Questions on health issues are addressed using essential oils.

Battle of Mobile 5K Run – 9am. Certified out and back course starting at the Fort. Awards and post-race party inside Fort. Overall awards and 5-yr age groups. Tech shirts and no shirt options available. Benefits historic Fort Gaines. Preregister for savings. $25 day of race. Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island. Port City Pacers: 251-473-7223. PCPacers.org. Let Food Be Your Medicine –10am-12pm. Learn how to prepare healthy meals with fresh local produce, using herbs and spices to add flavor, not fat. $15 (includes food). Healing Acres, 22355 Price Grubbs Rd, Robertsdale. 251-423-1863. HealingAcresRetreat@ yahoo.com. Re-Phrase It! Workshop – 11am-3pm. Learn how to identify limiting beliefs and turn them around (Rephrase them) into positive affirmations. A light-hearted and fun workshop of self-exploration. Limited spaces available. $45. Reservation/deposit must be received by Feb. 15. Rosie Bluum, 6A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5326 or 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com. Meditation Flash Mob: GCA - 5:15pm. Winds of Change: Full Moon of the Lion Meditation. Gather at 5pm and settle in with the heartbeat sounds of a Shamanic drum. A 30 minute meditation begins at 5:15, followed by an 11 minute “sound bath”. Free. In front of the Fairhope Public Library. Facebook: Meditation Flash Mob: Gulf Coast Alabama.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Half Day Meditation Retreat – 9am-4pm. 25 minutes of seated meditation followed by five minutes of walking meditation on the hour and half hour. Please arrive late or leave early during the walking mediation. Donation appreciated. Quiet Mind Massage Therapy and Yoga Studio, Midtown Mobile. 251476-6463. Yoga@QuietMindMassageTherapy.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Habitat for Humanity Partner Family Orientation – 6pm. Families or individuals interested in applying for the Habitat for Humanity program must attend an orientation to receive an application. Free. 8712 Airport Blvd, Mobile. 251-476-7171.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2 Crystal Bowl Sound Healing Workshop with Jay Schwed – 7pm. In the ancient lands of Egypt, healers used a special healing Crystal Bowl called the “Faience Bowl”. It was tuned to the note of F# for the “high heart” to facilitate healing by opening the high heart that connects the hearts of all beings, to the One, to spirit, to God. $25. Rosie Bluum, 6A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5326 or 251-5175626. RosieBluum.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3 Healing Crystal Bowl Concert – 6-8pm. Jay Schwed returns to Middle Earth with his Crystal Bowls to facilitate this powerful healing experience. " The ancients believed that the way to facilitate healing is by opening the high heart that connects the hearts of all beings." $25. Middle Earth Healing and Learning Center, Citronelle. 251-833-7204. HealingCrystalBowls.com

natural awakenings

February 2012

SATURDAY, MARCH 10 International MedMob and The Moment of Peace Event – 6-7:15pm. One Hour. Millions of people. United in silence. At 6pm the vibrational sound of an F# Tibetian singing bowl will lead the group in and out of mediation. A fun and impactful 11 minute “sound bath” follows. Free. South of the Fairhope Pier near the Marrietta Johnson statues. Facebook: Meditation Flash Mob: Gulf Coast Alabama.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22 Earth Day Mobile Bay 2012 – 10am-6pm. Alabama’s largest and most fun Earth Day Celebration. This year’s 42nd Annual Earth Day of family fun

will host over one hundred environmental displays and activities. Live entertainment will start at 10am and live music will continue throughout the day. Free admission at the Fairhope Pier in Fairhope. Carol Adams-Davis, Earth Day Mobile Bay 2012, Publicity Coordinator: 702-496-5050. MCAdamsDavis@ earthlink.net.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 Jodi Blumstein Ashtanga Yoga Weekend – Apr 27-29. Time TBD. Join senior Ashtanga teacher Jodi Blumstein for this comprehensive yoga weekend. Learn the practice and application of Ashtanga principles as well as philosophy. Preview Jodi's classes

at YogaGlo.com. Refer to Kula's website for pricing and registration. Cost TBD. Space 301, Downtown Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org. JodiBlumstein.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 18 Kula Yoga Teacher Training – May 18, 2012-Apr 21, 2013. Fri 6-9pm, Sat 1-7pm, Sun 12-6pm. In this year-long 200-hour Registered Yoga School, Dana Goudie and Amanda Brenner will guide you through studies in philosophy, meditation, breathwork, history and different styles of the physical practice. Refer to website for pricing, dates and other details. Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

ongoingevents All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication and adhere to guidelines. Go to HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com to submit entries.

sunday Discounts on Supplements – Every Sunday get 15% off supplements at Fairhope Health Foods, 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope. 251-928-0644. Give Us This Day, Our Daily Bread – Inspirational quotes. We all need a little inspiration from time to time. ShantiWarrior.com/DailyBread. Center for Spiritual Living Service – 10am. Make every step, every choice, every word, a conscious one. Center for Spiritual Living, 1230 Montlimar, Mobile. Rev. Sherrie Quander, 251-343-0777. CMSpiritualCenter.org. Sunday Service – 10:30am. Explore a spiritual pathway with Mobile Unitarian Universalists, 6345 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. UUFM.org. Sunday Service – 10:30am. Questioning, understanding and growing together spiritually as we enjoy the adventure of life. Center for Joyful Living, 60 N Ann St, Mobile. 251-391-6960. Sunday Worth-ship Celebration – 10:30am. Find strengthen and celebrate a connection with Divine Spirit. Donation. One mile north of US Hwy 104. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US Hwy 98, Montrose. 251-990-8934. UnityEasternShore.org. Sunday Worship – 11am. Celebrate Spirit in this special and sacred space. Between Hillcrest and Knollwood. Unity Mobile, 5859 Cottage Hill, Mobile. 251-661-1788. Live Music Sundays – 11am-2pm. The Windmill Market features live music every Sunday at lunch. Bring the family by for lunch, some shopping and some great live, local music. Free. Windmill Market, 85 N Bancroft St, downtown Fairhope. 251-9908883. WindmillMarket.org. Foundations of Yoga – 2:15pm. 75 Min. A great introduction (or re-intro) to yoga practice. Learn and practice the basics of yoga in a slow paced class format. Focus is given to proper form and alignment in essential yoga poses. $15. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-990-3447. YogaBirds.com. Transitions – 4pm. 75 Min. Experienced beginners/intermediate. Flowing vinyasa with attention to alignment in poses. Find stability and refinement of poses through alignment for a safe, steady and deep practice. Ending with a restorative savasana. $15. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-9903447. YogaBirds.com.

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Open Table: A Community of Faith Worship Service (United Church of Christ) – 5pm. Weekly progressive Christian worship. Free. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1050 Azalea Rd, Mobile. 251-545-1011. Ellen.OpenTable@gmail.com. OpenTableUCC.org

monday Tai Chi – 7am daily. Mon thru Fri. Tai Chi routine is lead with Qi Gong and martial art applications. A traditional mind, body and spirit exercise. $5/day, $20/week, $60/month. The Yoga Center, 809 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores. GulfShoresTaiChi.com. Pilates Sculpt with Lynette – 9:15-10:15am. Some experience necessary. Blends Pilates and yoga principles (primarily Pilates) with traditional strength training exercises. May include equipment such as stability balls, light weights or resistance bands to stimulate core muscles. Promotes mind-body-breath connection focusing on quality movements. $5/1st time, $10/preregister, $15/drop-in. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. 251-554-4121. Youth Exploring Exercise and Nutrition – 4-5pm. Mon and Thurs. This class develops a variety of movement skills to improve flexibility, balance, strength agility and endurance by exposing students to a variety of activities; yoga, Pilates, strength training, rock wall climbing and obstacle course. Designed to encourage, empower and educate students. Cost varies. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. 251-554-4121. La Leche League Enrichment Meeting – 6:30pm. Last Mon. La Leche League provides encouragement, information and support for nursing and expectant mothers. Free. Call for location. 251-689-2085.

Pranic Healing and Meditation – 6:30pm. Come experience healing for your mind, body and soul. We address specific physical and emotional ailments, followed by the Meditation on Twin Hearts. Let us take the stress off and balance your aura. Classes also available. CEU's -LMTs and Nurses. $10 donation. Mobile. 251-454-0959.

tuesday Ten Percent Tuesday – Get an extra 10% off purchases. Back to Health Nutrition and Natural Foods, Foley. 251-970-2225. BackToHealthNutrition.com.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Reiki and Hypnotherapy Sessions – Tues and Thurs by appointment. Promote peace, serenity and physical well-being. Call to schedule an appointment or for more info on training and CEUs. Foley. 251979-9851. RioBarlow@ymail.com. Rise and Shine Yoga – 6:30-7:45am. Tues and Thurs. Start the day with an invigorating Hatha Yoga practice. Class includes a mixture of flow yoga, Pranayama, restorative and meditation. Fellowship, coffee and some of mom's homemade bread follows. $7/drop, $50/10 class package, $75/family. Trinity Yoga Studio, Highway 98 East, Foley. 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541. Chair Yoga – 8:30-9:30am. A Vinyasa flow class that is designed for those with a limited range of motion, yet all are welcome. All poses executed while standing or sitting in a chair. $7/drop, $50/10 class package, $75/family. Trinity Yoga Studio, Highway 98 East, Foley. 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541. Relax/Renew/Restore with Carolyn Hall – 9am. Open-level. Carolyn's 40 plus years of yoga experience will lead to postures to restore and renew the body and spirit. All yoga props provided. Includes Asana, meditation and Pranayama techniques. $10/75 minute class. 2nd Floor David's Gallery, Gulf Shores. 251-975-8687. Gentle Yoga for Back Care – 10am. Amanda Brenner leads a gentle and restorative yoga class suitable for those with spinal conditions, recovering from injuries or those who simply wish to maintain a healthy and flexible spine. Also Thurs at 3pm at Space 301 downtown. Pay What You Can. The Wellness Center in Semmes across from Los Rancheros. 251202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org. La Leche League Series Meeting – 10:30am. Second Tues. La Leche League provides encouragement, information and support for nursing and expectant mothers. Free. Call for location. 251-689-2085. Kids Meditation – 4-4:30pm. Ages 5-12. Parents welcome to join. Love offering appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6A Bancroft, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com. Slow Flow Yoga – 6pm. Join Amanda Brenner for this slow, detailed yoga practice suitable for beginners or experienced practitioners. Deep awareness of breath and intelligent sequence of poses lead to moving meditation. Modifiable for all bodies. Pay What You Can. Mobile Botanical Gardens, Springhill. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

LA Hikers Meeting – 6-7pm. First Tues. Free and open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. LAHikerMeetings.Blogspot.com. Energize and Relax Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Tues and Thurs. This class emphasizes flow yoga with Pranayama and some Kundalini. Meditation follows the energizing portion to calm in preparation for the day. $7/drop, $50/10 class package, $75/family. Trinity Yoga Studio, Hwy 98 East, Foley. 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541. Positive Parenting Class – 6-8pm. Kids don’t come with a set of instructions. Learn tools and skills to create a happy, healthy family. Free. The Family Center, 601 Bel Air Blvd, Ste 100, Mobile. 251-479-5700. Kids101@comcast.net. Sierra Club Meeting – 6-8pm. First Tues. Open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. Vinyasa Flow with Dianna Wells – 6pm. Openlevel. A fun, inventive mix of traditional and twisted yoga flows set to music from new age to the Rolling Stones. All yoga props provided. Includes asana, meditation and Pranayama techniques. $10/75 minute class. 2nd Floor David's Gallery, Gulf Shores. 251-975-8687. Creative Spark Writing Group – 7-8pm. Love offering encouraged and appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com. Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club Meeting – 7-8:30pm. First Tues. For pro-paddlers and those brand new to the sport. Open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. BayKayaker. Blogspot.com. CWG Mobile Group – 7-9pm. Second and fourth Tues. Read and discuss books by Neale Donald Walsch. Joy N Love, 171 Crenshaw St, Mobile. 251-382-4215. CWH_Mobile_Group@yahoo.com. Spiritual Cinema Group – 7-9pm. First, third and fifth Tues. View and discuss spiritual DVDs. Heiner: 251-607-9089.

wednesday Gentle Stretching and Meditation – 9am. Wed and Thurs. Love offering appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum. com. Vinyasa Flow with Kathy Keane – 9am. Openlevel. Find perfect balance with this flow class that is sure to please the novice and the experienced yogi. Includes asana, meditation and Pranayama techniques. $10/75 minute class. 2nd Floor David's Gallery, Gulf Shores. 251-975-8687. Gentle Yoga – 9:15am. 75 Min. Beginners and all levels. Stretch and move in a gentle approach to the

practice of yoga poses and breath awareness. $15. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-9903447. YogaBirds.com.

Power Yoga – 9:15-10:25am. Some experience necessary. A vigorous flow based class. May include inversions such as hand stand, forearm stand or back bend exploring poses with a playful mindset and modification options. Includes core strengthening and ends with a relaxation pose. $5/1st time, $10/ preregister, $15/drop-in. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. 251-554-4121. Positive Parenting Class – 9:30-11:30am. Kids don’t come with a set of instructions. Get the tools and skills to create a happy, healthy family. Free. The Family Center, 601 Bel Air Blvd, Suite 100, Mobile. 251-479-5700. Kids101@comcast.net. Prenatal Yoga with Adrienne – 10am. During this blessed journey, let Adrienne assist you in drawing even closer to your baby - cherish this most wonderful of times. Breath and bliss melded together. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Lunchtime Vinyasa with Tracey – 12-1pm. All levels. Feed the soul, quiet the mind and restore vitality through a challenging sequence of asanas. Designed to increase strength, balance and flexibility. Quiet Mind Massage Therapy and Yoga Studio, Midtown Mobile. 251- 476-6463. ShantiWarrior.com.

Unusual Film Series – 2pm. Third Wed. Adults only. Thought provoking cutting-edge films shown on big screen in meeting room. Free. Popcorn and drinks included. Foley Public Library. 251-943-7665. FoleyLibrary.org.

Therapeutic Yoga – 4pm. 60 Min. This class focuses on rehabilitating common sports and over-use injuries in a heated class (85-90 degrees). Learn and apply alignment and heightened breath awareness to heal and bring balance for optimal athletic performance and enjoyment. Water and towel required. $10. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-990-3447. YogaBirds.com. Guided Meditations – 5:30pm. Nonprofit, nonreligious meditation. Relax the body, rest the mind and find inner peace. Guided meditation with venerable monks from around the world via Skype. $10 suggested donation. Meditation Center of Alabama, 3821 Airport Blvd, Suite C, Mobile. 251-623-4485. MeditationCenterOfAlabama.Weebly.com.

Core Barre with Chris – 5:45pm. Work your body to a fusion of ballet, Pilates, yoga and classic fitness. Lift your assets while moving to fun music - this is one hour that can really change your shape. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

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Gentle Yoga with Meditation – 6pm. This all-purpose gentle and restorative practice prepares you for sitting still in meditation. Amanda Brenner leads this class designed to relax the body and enhance mental focus. Modifiable for all bodies. Also flow with Faye Tuesdays. Pay What You Can. Mobile Arts Council Downtown. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org. International Association of Near Death Studies (IANDS) – 6-7:30pm. Second Wed. Ongoing discussion and support group affiliated with IANDS. Discussion expands to include intuition, after death communication, consciousness studies and related areas of interest to attendees. Free. West Regional Branch, Mobile Public Library. 251-340-8555. Guided Meditation with Rosie Bluum – 7-8pm. Practice guided meditation at Rosie Bluum and experience an inner journey which heals the heart, mind, body and soul. Nurture the spirit. Love offering appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6 A S Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com.

thursday Gentle Yoga with Martha – 12pm. Take a break in the middle of your day. Join Martha Collier in the land of "ahhhhs" for a relaxing class to sooth the spirit, calm the mind and replenish the soul. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net. Yoga with Tracey – 4pm. Enjoy Tracey's refreshing energy as she challenges you with a strong emphasis on alignment and focus while still calming the mind. Sink into the joy and feel the bliss. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net. Youth Exploring Exercise and Nutrition – 4-5pm. Mon and Thurs. This class develops a variety of movement skills to improve flexibility, balance, strength agility and endurance by exposing students to a variety of activities; yoga, Pilates, strength training, rock wall climbing and obstacle course. Designed to encourage, empower and educate students. Cost varies. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. 251-554-4121. Energy Healing – 5-6pm. Experience energy healing from trained practitioners. $10 suggested donation. Meditation Center of Alabama, 3821 Airport Blvd, Suite C, Mobile. 251-623-4485. MeditationCenter OfAlabama.Weebly.com. YogAthlete – 5:15-6:25pm. Designed for athletes, fitness buffs and those with yoga experience. A challenging class incorporating various core conditioning exercises and flowing sequences emphasizing breath and posture awareness. Class includes longer held poses to open hip and shoulders. $5/1st time, $10/ preregister, $15/drop-in. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. 251-554-4121. Guided Meditations – 6:30pm. Nonprofit, nonre-

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

source: the350project.net

natural awakenings

February 2012

ligious meditation. Relax the body, rest the mind and find inner peace. At MCA facilities, via Skype, guided meditation takes place with venerable monks from around the world. $10 suggested donation. Meditation Center of Alabama, 3821 Airport Blvd, Suite C, Mobile. 251-623-4485. MeditationCenter OfAlabama.Weebly.com. Restorative/Gentle Yoga with Jenn – 7:15pm. Unwind and enjoy non-supported and supported gentle postures with focus on breathing and mindfulness. Delight in the sounds of soothing music. Minimal heat may be added for maximum comfort. A class accessible to everyone, so come and pamper yourself. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

friday Fab Fifteen Friday – Get an extra 15% off purchases. Back to Health Nutrition and Natural Foods, 1600 N McKenzie, Foley. 251-970-2225. BackToHealth Nutrition.com. Weekly Meal Delivery – Vegan Personal Chef Services. Get your orders in. Weekly menus posted Monday. Orders must be placed by Friday for delivery the following week. View menu and place orders: ShantiWarrior.com.

Yoga with Annette – 8:30am. Join Annette Porter-Ham for a glorious yoga experience. Relieve stress, relax the mind and rejuvenate, energize and recharge the body. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net. Core Barre with Dana – 10am. Work your body to a fusion of ballet, Pilates, yoga and classic fitness. Lift your assets while moving to fun music - this is one hour that can really change your shape. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net. Friday Brown Bag Lunch – 11:30am-1:30pm. Every Friday the Windmill Market offers free live music during the lunch break. Come start your weekend early with delicious food by one of our restaurants and enjoy the music on our outdoor patio. Free. Windmill Market, 85 N Bancroft St, downtown Fairhope. 251-990-8883. WindmillMarket.org.

saturday Tropical Flow and Glow Yoga – 8:30am. 75 Min. Experienced Beginner/Intermediate Vinyasa flow yoga. Celebrate the body and deepen the mind-body connection. A challenging, dynamic flow class featuring a series of sun salutations, standing poses, twists, inversions, backbends, forward bends, hip openers and arm balances. $15. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-990-3447. YogaBirds.com. Pet Reiki at Rosie Bluum – 10am-3pm. Third Sat of month. $20. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com.

Restorative Yoga – 10:30am. (New time) 75 Min. This passive practice of yoga is a profound sequence of restful, nourishing postures, breathing techniques and simple meditations. Poses are supported by yoga props: bolster pillows, blankets, straps and blocks. Effective for stress management. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-990-3447. YogaBirds.com. Live Music Saturdays – 11am-2pm. Every Saturday the Windmill market has free outdoor live music on our patio. Come have lunch in one of our restaurants, do your grocery shopping and enjoy our live music. Free. Windmill Market, 85 N Bancroft St, downtown Fairhope. 251-990-8883. WindmillMarket.org.

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

classifieds Rates for classifieds start at $20 per month. Listings must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com for details. Volunteer opportunities are listed for free as space is available.

FOR SALE

SERVICES

CURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES – For sale in Birmingham, AL; North Central FL; Lexington, KY; Asheville, NC; Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM; Cincinnati, OH; Tulsa, OK; Bucks/Montgomery Counties, PA; Columbia, SC; Southwest VA. Call for details 239-530-1377.

COLOR THERAPY – Learn to use colors in all parts of your life and create changes you desire. Discover how they affect moods, emotions and why you’re drawn to certain colors. Rosie Blu: 251-5175326. RosieBlu.com.

OPPORTUNITIES GREEN DRINKS ORGANIZER – Mobile Bay Area Green Drinks is a local chapter of an international organization that meets informally at local eateries to discuss, promote and network about local and global green issues. A volunteer leader is needed to organize the chapter's monthly gatherings. Email MobileBayAreaGreenDrinks@gmail.com for more information. Cheers! GROW ALABAMA AREA MANAGER – Promote the availability of locally and sustainably grown farm products to new subscribers and service existing customers. Base pay plus commission. Call 205-266-5130. JOIN THE GREEN CLEAN TEAM! – Green Clean provides environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning services. If interested in becoming part of our team, please call 251-508-3796 for an interview. LICENSED HAIRSTYLIST NEEDED – Eastern Shore. Call 251-377-0796 for details.

SALES PROFESSIONAL FOR HEALTHY AND GREEN LIVING MAGAZINE – Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin has an opportunity for you to generate income through magazine ad sales and healthy living discount card sales. Be a part of a nationally published family of monthly magazines and earn a residual income by selling ad space to the rapidly growing Natural Health industry and Green living businesses. Our selling method is proven in over 80 major markets. As an independent contractor you’ll have a protected territory and the ability to make your own schedule. Enjoy a generous pay structure, lead generation and participate in ongoing industry training. Our product offerings are as attractive as they are diverse, giving you true flexibility in making the sale and providing your advertisers with an excellent growth platform. We have territories in Mobile and Baldwin counties available. Contact Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. THERAPIST NEEDED – Join the Rosie Bluum team in Fairhope. Should be licensed in Massage and Energy Work, with Esthetician skills. Send resumes to RosieBlu@gmail.com or call 251517-5626.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

ENGAGING GUEST SPEAKER AVAILABLE - Veterinarian Dogtor J, a local and global expert in Food Intolerance in Pets and Their People, educates and energizes groups of all types with health information that changes lives. Audiences enjoy fascinating food for thought with a healthy side of laughter. Contact Dr. Symes: 251-343-7110 or 251-391-9694. DogtorJ.com MARI ASSESSMENTS – MARI is a comprehensive system using colors and symbols to create a visual snapshot of the self. Reveal your inner voice, find guidance through personal issues and better understand your true self. 251-517-5326 or 251-752-6509. MARIByRosie.com. NEGATIVE EMOTIONS? Gone! Guaranteed! The Delta Institute, Dr. Diana Sturm, Certified EFT Practitioner. Private sessions and workshops. 251-219-4574. DeltaInstitute.net.

YOGA WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT IT! – YogaSource offers classes at your home or business for fitness and relaxation. Single or groups. Props provided. 251-202-YOGA. Kula YogaCommunity.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPS AZALEA CITY CAT COALITION – Volunteers needed in any capacity: transporting cats, trapping and adoption events. Contact Susan Young: 251-648-7582. SusanYoung@ AzaleaCityCats.org. BARC! –Baldwin County Humane Society needs customer service volunteers from either 9am-12pm or 12:30-4pm, Mon-Thur. Duties mainly include greeting customers and answering the phone. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities, visit BaldwinHumane.org or call 251-928-4585.

DOG RIVER CLEARWATER REVIVAL STORM DRAIN MARKRE 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. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SW AL – Volunteers needed Tues-Sat, 8am-4pm. No experience necessary. Must be at least 16. 251-476-7171 ext 231 or JTidwell@HabitatSWAlabama.org.

naturaldirectory

ESSENTIAL OILS

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Natural Directory, email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com to request our media kit. Rates begin at $36 a month.

ART FAIRHOPE ARTIST GALLERY 18 South Section Street, Fairhope 251-990-8763 FairhopeArtistGallery.BlogSpot.com Come and be inspired by local affordable art in this uniquely creative atmosphere. Look for “ART” and a golden palette above the door. Open Mon-Sat 10-5. Classes offered.

Workshops held the 2nd Saturday of every month, 10 a.m., 1230 Montlimar Drive, Mobile. Join us and learn how essential oils can help you. Call 251-656-6696 for more information.

CONSCIOUS MILE SPIRITUAL CENTER OF MOBILE Sundays at 10am 1230 Montlimar Drive, Mobile 251-343-0777, CMSpiritualCenter.org Rev. Sherrie Quander invites you to visit a loving, inclusive spiritual community where we aim to make every step we take, every choice we make, every word we speak a conscious one. See ad page 18.

OPEN TABLE: A COMMUNITY OF FAITH (UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST)

BEAUTY B-BUTTERFLY SALON 103A North Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-990-9934 BButterflySalon.com

A certified organic salon offering organic products and services including hair color, perms and shampoo. Keeping you and the Earth beautiful. See ad on page 9.

CHILDBIRTH SERVICES KATRINA BREELAND Made for Love Childbirth Classes and Doula Services 251-554-5704 Facebook.com/MadeForLoveMobile DONA and Birthing from Within™ trained doula and mentor offers a holistic and mindful approach to childbirth preparation.

CHURCHES CENTER FOR JOYFUL LIVING 60 North Ann Street Mobile, AL 36695 251-391-6960 Questioning, understanding and growing together spiritually as we enjoy life’s adventure. Center for Joyful Living in Mobile. Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

JUDITH Z. WILSON, MEM. #759523 Healthy Living With Essential Oils 251-656-6696, AromaLife@bellsouth.net YLWellness.com/AromaLife

1050 Azalea Road at St Luke’s Episcopal Church, Mobile 251-545-1011, OpenTableUCC.org

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! Pastor Ellen Sims and the congregation invite you to join them on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. Childcare provided. See ad on page 30.

FOODS AND NUTRITION BURRIS FARM MARKET & BAKERY 3100 Hickory Street Loxley, AL 36551 251-964-6464

Hwy 59 on the way to Gulf Shores. Fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh baked strawberry shortcake, ice cream and much more. Your first and last stop to the beach, or any other time.

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 Café 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic café, featuring organic food, free-range meat, vegan options and organic wine. Store open 7 days a week. Serving the public 35 years. See ad on page 20.

CLEANING SERVICES GREEN CLEAN, LLC Nicoll Mastin 251-508-3796 Green Clean, LLC provides environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning services for residential properties. Regular and deep-cleaning services are available, as well as green cleaning products and kits. See ad on page 7.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II 3952 Airport Boulevard, Mobile 251-345-0494 Café 251-345-0495 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic café, featuring organic food, free-range meat, vegan options and juice bar. Store open 7 days a week. Serving the public 35 years. See ad on page 20.

DENTISTRY DR. DAYTON HART, DM IAOMT Protocol 225 West Laurel Avenue, Foley 251-943-2471, DrDaytonHart.com Free book for new patients: Mercury Free Dentistry. Offering ozone; laser (no-suture) 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 used.

HEALING ARTS THE DELTA INSTITUTE Dr. Diana Sturm, Certified EFT Practitioner 5901 Airport Boulevard, Suite 208, Mobile 251-219-4574 DeltaInstitute.net Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a safe, gentle, non-invasive way to release emotional and energetic blockages allowing harmony and balance for natural healing.

natural awakenings

February 2012

MARQUERITE DILLON, RN, BSN, HCN Holistic Mind-Body Therapy 4313 Momote Drive, Mobile 251-463-1570, Dillon@mobilehypnosis.co MobileHypnosis.co

Achieve goals, control cravings and conquer personal challenges with natural and holistic therapy. Individual and group sessions available. Smoking cessation sessions at Synergy Yoga in Mobile, see calendar for dates.

PRANIC HEALING IN MOBILE Deana Lannie 251-454-0959

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

REIKI AND HYPNOTHERAPY Rio Barlow 251-979-9851 RioBarlow@ymail.com

Promote peace, serenity and physical well-being. Offering Reiki therapy and hypnotherapy sessions by appointment.

HOLISTIC HEALTH MICHELE T. DASINGER, RN,BSN,CHS,AADP

Board Certified Holistic Health Counselor 7096 Stone Drive, Daphne 985-264-3566 Facebook.com/MicheleDasRN Offering natural health counseling that includes supplements, diet/lifestyle changes and emotional support.

MEDITATION

SUSTAINABLE LIVING MIDDLE EARTH HEALING AND LEARNING CENTER

MEDITATION CENTER OF ALABAMA

3821 Airport Boulevard Suite C, Mobile 251-408-7902, 251-623-4485 Happiness072@gmail.com MeditationCenterOfAlabama.Weebly.com Nonprofit, nonreligious. Relax your body, rest your mind, find inner peace. Guided meditation with instructors from around the world via Skype 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays; 6:30 p.m., Thursdays. Energy healing by trained practitioners at 5-6p.m., Thursdays. $10 suggested donation.

20205 Middle Earth Road, Citronelle 251-866-7204 MiddleEarthHealing.com Middle Earth is an evolving education center, modeling permaculture, sustainable living and the interconnection of the health of the planet and the health of her inhabitants. See ad on page 30.

YOGA YOGA BIRDS

BELTLINE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

209-A South Section Street, Fairhope 251-990-3447 YogaBirds.com

Blending traditional medicine with a holistic approach, Dr. Symes specializes in conditions related to food intolerance: chronic allergies (skin/ears), gastrointestinal issues, "autoimmune" disorders, epilepsy and more. Find out how diet affects your pet's health. See ad on page 9.

Fairhope's yoga studio with classes for everyone: Anusara-Inspired®, Foundations, Vinyasa Flow, Tropical Yoga Birds, Restorative, Chair Yoga, weekend workshops and more. View full schedule and sign-up for classes and special events at YogaBirds.com. See ad on page 39.

PET CARE John B. Symes, D.V.M. (aka Dogtor J) 1212 West I-65 Service Road S, Mobile 251-343-7110, DogtorJ@bellsouth.net DogtorJ.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS

THE YOGA CENTER

VICTORIA WEBB PHOTOGRAPHY

2nd Floor David’s Gallery 809 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores 251-975-8687 or 251-609-6999 KAKeane47@gmail.com

Lifestyle portraits and wedding photography.

Inventive, fun and funky yoga. Various styles taught for all levels. Informal and inclusive. Group classes, private sessions, Tai Chi and Thai massage.

251-716-9699 VictoriaWebbPhotography@hotmail.com VictoriaWebbPhotography.com

SOUND THERAPY MARTHA UMPHREY

251-752-8122 MarthaUmphrey@yahoo.com Offering sound therapy as a natural solution for tinnitus or diminished hearing due to injury, stroke or aging.

This logo indentifies businesses that are Natural Awakenings Network Discount Providers. See page 40 for details.

Holy Molé Cartoon

See more at HolyMoleCartoon.com. 38

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Facebook.com/HolyMoleCartoon

yogabirds.com

Space Available!

YOGA & PILATES RESOURCES

SPIRIT

Trinity Yoga

Enjoy Yoga in a Rural Setting!

Rise & Shine Yoga Chair Yoga Energize & Relax Yoga 21441 Highway 98 East in Foley 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541 natstrinityyoga@gmail.com

look good,

feel good,

do yoga. First class is

FREE

for locals

(251)990-3447

209-A South Section St. Fairhope, Alabama

Advertise Your Yoga or Pilates Business Here for $100 per Month. Includes calendar listings to promote your classes and editorial coverage.

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

Synergy yoga & Pilates

Group Classes

Private Lessons

Dana B. Garrett

Integrated Fitness Exercise Studio

Providing personal training, small group training and group classes

MS, ACSM, RYT PhysicalMind Institute Stott IM and IR Certified

Fitness-Based Yoga & Pilates

www.synergyoga.net

Youth Exploring Exercise & Nutrition

3152 Old Shell Road, Suite 2 Mobile, Alabama 36607

251.473.1104

Specialty Classes Include:

Explore Your Core Lynette Staggers, LPTA, RYT-200 www.IntegratedFitness-Fairhope.com 456 Morphy Ave, Fairhope 39 natural awakenings February251-554-4121 2012

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