January 2017 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

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January 2017 | Gulf Coast AL/MS Edition | HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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Masters of Yoga

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Qu iet Mind Massage & Yoga 2 pm - 5 pm | January 22, 2016

FREE EVENT 2pm Mellow Flow 3pm Vinyasa Flow 4pm YogAromatherapy

Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees. ~B.K.S. Iyengar

Kidding Around Yoga Kids classes during adult classes (outside weather permiting)

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251.473.1104

Discover new possibilities ALIGNED and WELL with Yoga Therapeutics and Movement Education

Yoga For Scoliosis | Yoga Post Spinal Fusion Movement Training for Back and Spine Care Adaptive Exercise BowSpring Method & Classical Yoga Training Individualized and Group Classes Available 200-Hour Teacher Training Starts in January

Alignment Paths Julie Wilkins, OT, E-RYT, C-IAYT Occupational Therapist and Certified Yoga Therapist www.alignmentpaths.com juliehwilkins@gmail.com 251.554.4856

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Alabama Healing Arts 251-753-1937

6304 Cottage Hill Rd. Mobile, AL 36609

AlabamaHealingArts@gmail.com www.AlabamaHealingArts.com

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

14 WEIGHT-LOSS SABOTEURS

Tackling Obesity’s Hidden Causes

by Lisa Marshall

18 AFFORDABLE

JANUARY Specials

20% off

COMPLEMENTARY CARE Alternatives to Insurance Cost Less

by Meredith Montgomery

All Nordic Naturals, Source Naturals, & Planetary Herbals Products!

22 THE DARK SIDE OF

18

GLUTEN-FREE LIVING

Most People Benefit from Gluten

by Judith Fertig

20% OFF Garden of Life and 25% OFF New Chapter Products EVERYDAY! 15% OFF non-sale supplements every Sunday!

24 HOLISTIC

Virginia’s Health Foods | 251-479-3952 3055 A Dauphin Street in Mobile

by Linda Sechrist

Fairhope Health Foods | 251-928-0644 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center in Fairhope

14

DERMATOLOGY

Inner Health, Radiant Skin

26 FETCH, STRETCH, DANCE 24

Make Your Dog an Exercise Buddy

by Sandra Murphy

27 SKY HIGH

A Simple Gaze Invokes the Infinite

by Sandy C. Newbigging

vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options free-range meats, farm-fresh produce and organic beer and wine Fairhope Cafe: 251-929-0055 Located next door to Fairhope Health Foods

Mon-Sat 10:30am-4pm; Sunday Brunch 10:30am-2pm Thursday & Friday Dinner 5-9pm

Mobile Cafe: 251-479-3200

Located inside Virginia’s Health Foods in Mobile

28 THE WILD AND WOOLY TEEN BRAIN

What Kids Need from Us to Grow Wise

by April Thompson

30 JULIA SCHOPICK

ON EFFECTIVE, AFFORDABLE MEDICINE

by Randy Kambic

Mon-Sat 10:30am-4pm; Sunday 11am-2pm

VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com 4

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7 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 11 globalbriefs 13 ecotip 17 business

spotlight 18 healingways 11 22 consciouseating 24 greenliving 26 naturalpet 27 inspiration 28 healthykids 30 wisewords 13 3 1 calendar 34 classifieds 35 naturaldirectory

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

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IT’S 2017 New Year New You New Job New Boyfriend

LOOK GOOD FOR ALL THOSE REASONS Most of all for you!

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letterfrompublisher We have been working with Mays on rushing less. The initiative started as a result of careless mistakes on schoolwork, but it’s evolved into a mission of overall mindfulness. For a 7-year-old that we describe as very active—physically, mentally, verbally and emotionally—slowing down is no easy task, especially in the presence of his rambunctious 2-year-old brother Thatch.

On a recent afternoon it seemed impossible to contain them as their bodies literally bounced off the walls and their minds seemed to be floating in space. My gentle requests for them to calm down quickly evolved into a more aggressive tone as my patience began to diminish.

Luckily a line from “Sky High”, this month’s Inspiration article, came to mind: “A sense of peace never leaves us; rather, we leave our innate, peaceful center when we focus on and feel the to and fro movements of our mind.”

It reminded me that Mays and Thatch are peaceful at their core, and if we could get them to quiet their minds, we could slow them down. Sending them to their rooms to settle down on their own wasn’t working, so I declared, “We need to sit still like a frog.” Mays let out a reluctant moan because he knew exactly what I was referring to.

Sitting Still Like a Frog is a CD of mindfulness exercises for children (and their parents).

The boys gathered what they needed to be comfortable for several minutes and we listened as a calm voice guided us through a quiet exercise.

The boys weren’t silent or perfectly still the whole time, but the house felt a little less chaotic when we were finished and dinner was a bit more peaceful than it was the night before.

This goal of slowing down and moving through life more mindfully is something we can all benefit from. In the evenings when I’m trying to maintain order in the family while getting dinner on the table, I often yell across the house, “Calm down!” or “Go have quiet time in your room,” to avoid having to stop what I’m doing. If I took the time to set aside five minutes each day to sit quietly with my boys, maybe we’d all enjoy more peaceful evenings.

As we feel eager to jump into the New Year and start fresh, take a mindful pause with this month’s Natural Awakenings and seek out meaningful solutions to daily challenges. In “Weight-loss Saboteurs” we learn that sometimes there’s more to losing weight than eating less and moving more; in “Holistic Dermatology” experts emphasize the connection between internal health and radiant skin; and in “The Wild and Wooly Teen Brain” we’re reminded of the importance of modeling healthy habits.

When we move through life at a slower pace, not only are we less likely to make mistakes, we have more time to see all that is wonderful—right here, right now.

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

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SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to the free digital magazine at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Mailed subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address. © 2017 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.

Happy New Year!

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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newsbriefs Self-Treatment for Pain-Free Living Synergy Yoga & Pilates, in Mobile, and their MELT selftreatment method can naturally erase pain and tension in hands, feet, neck and low back caused by everyday stress, overuse, age or chronic conditions such as arthritis, bunions, plantar fasciitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The treatments are making a positive difference for people in Mobile, as practitioners experience the immediate effects of these practical exercises, which can also complement other fitness routines.

“I have been using the MELT Method for about six months now, both in-studio and at home. I was skeptical at first, but two days after my first session, my neck pain was almost gone. The relief convinced me, I will continue to MELT, because the more I do, the better I feel,” says Abbie Stevens.

“When I started the class I could not put my frozen shoulder on the mat, but by the end of the session I was able to lay perfectly flat on the mat,” says Jewel Ficner.

Studio owner and MELT instructor Dana Garrett says, “MELT is for anyone that wants to slow down the aging process, including older adults that want to stay active, mobile and independent, and athletes who want to achieve optimal performance without debilitating wear-and-tear.”

Location: 3152 Old Shell Rd., Ste. 2, Mobile, AL. For more information, call 251-473-1104 or visit Synergyoga.net and MELTMethod.com. See ad, page 3.

Healthy&

Healthy GREEN Living& GREEN Living DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY 2017

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

Promote your business all year for only $99!

Reach our health-conscious readers with year-round distribution of this special edition, both in print and online.

Women Invited to Explore and Celebrate Feminine Consciousness Women of all ages from across the U.S. gather on the Gulf Coast annually to share their wisdom, creativity and power. This year’s theme is the Spiritual Journey of the Heart: Guided by the Sacred Feminine. The three-day gathering, from April 3 to 6, organized by the Gulf Coast Grandmothers, is held at Camp Beckwith, in Fairhope, Alabama.

The gathering is an opportunity to meet and connect with other women for inspiration and guidance through daily circles, workshops, meditation, music and healing arts—sharing laughter, tears and more.

Among the participants this year are the highly regarded Crystal Bowl Sound Therapist, Susannah Furr (NowAwakeNow.com) of Oxford, Mississippi, and Rhonda Gaughan (TrueNSight.com) of Gonzales, Louisiana, an internationally known teacher and guide of transformational life change.

The Gulf Coast Grandmothers is a collective of women of all ages that embrace the archetype of the loving, wise grandmother. They gather yearly to reflect, rejoice and renew spirit together, embodying unconditional acceptance and fulfilling the ancient prophecy: “When the grandmothers speak, the Earth will heal.”

For more information and to register, contact Carolyn Garbett at 251-945-1295, email msparis98@gmail.com or visit GulfCoastGrandmothers.com.

2017 Gulf Coast Alabama & Mississippi

Some of the options: $99 for 1 listing $149 for 3 listings (3 different categories)

$200 for business profiles (200 words plus a photo or logo)

$450 ad packages

(1/4 pg ad, business profile and 3 listings)

Deadline: January 10, 2017

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

Reserve your space today!

251-990-9552

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7

newsbriefs Fairhope CSA Seeking New Members Bee Natural Farm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) system in Fairhope, is accepting membership applications for the 2017 season. CSAs provide an opportunity for both farmers and consumers to participate together in the production of the food they eat.

By sharing the cost of supporting a farm as well as sharing the risks of variable harvests, the consumers are establishing a direct connection with their food supply, which is local, vibrant and meaningful.

Members enjoy a weekly share of fresh produce from the small organic farm, plus access to pick-your-own flower and herb gardens, a portion of fruit and nut harvests, honey and all-you-can-pick blueberries in the summer.

“You get to know who is growing your food, and I have the pleasure of growing produce using methods that are environmentally safe for a clientele that cares about how their food is grown,” says owner Justin Taylor. “And by participating directly in a fundamental activity such as farming with other like-minded people, you are strengthening the foundations upon which our community is built.”

Bee Natural Farm was started in 1987, following Booker T. Whatley’s plan for the small farm development where farm efforts are diversified among vegetables, fruits, honeybees and poultry. The self-sustaining, integrated system is nearly waste-free.

Location: 9711 Twin Beech Rd., Fairhope, AL. For more information, call 251-3673238 or email BeeNaturalFarm549@gmail.com.

Bell Products Now Sporting New Helpful Packaging With 20 years of customer service under its belt, Bell Lifestyle Products Inc., in South Haven, Michigan, which now offers 60 natural health products in 10 categories, is making it easier to know which products to use for what purpose. The company is rolling out all-new, color-coded packaging for their dietary supplement lines that also provides a more distinctive and appealing look.

To help navigate their offerings, the new packaging displays an image of the predominant herb or part of an herb that gives the formulation its uniqueness. Products are then correspondingly coded to match different wellness categories. For example, Bell Blood Sugar Metabolism (number 40) includes a light shade of blue, just like all of Bell’s other weight-management products.

The new packages describe the product benefits and the famous Bell Lifestyle money-back guarantee prominently. Customers can see all of the new color codes and packaging features across Bell Lifestyle’s website and catalog, as well. Bell Lifestyle Products has been selling quality natural supplements since 1996, now sold in more than 80 countries.

For more information, call 800-333-7995, email Info@BellLifestyle.com or visit BellLifestyle.com. See ad, page 21.

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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Wellness Spa Celebrates First Anniversary Wellness Spa of Ocean Springs is celebrating its one-year anniversary by offering a New Year’s Sparkle Package, which includes a back exfoliation treatment, microdermabrasion facial and a revitalizing hand treatment. A soothing massage from MediSpa Massage can also be added to the package and gift certificates are available.

“Put a fresh face forward and ring in the New Year with a new skincare regimen,” says Wellness Spa owner Kim LaMartiniere. “Let 2017 be the year you take the best care of your skin by starting with this soothing package that relaxes, renews and revives your entire body.”

LaMartiniere is a licensed aesthetician specializing in oncology skin care and offers an array of facials and spa needs for every skin type. Licensed massage therapist and MediSpa Massage owner Elizabeth Wildman is a registered nurse who combines a unique blend of therapeutic massage therapy and holistic nursing care.

Additional packages and specials are posted on the spa’s website and Facebook page.

Location: 21 Marks Rd., Ocean Springs, MS. For more information, call 228-209-4090 or visit WellnessSpaOS.com. See ad, page 25.

healthbriefs

Discover your highest potential physically, mentally and spiritually by

creating a life of balance with Ayurveda, the ancient art of natural living.

Ayurvedic Program Improves Blood Chemistry

Cynthia Galas

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Exercise in Midlife Helps Preserve Mental Sharpness

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Like "Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AlabamaMississippi" on Facebook and follow @NaturallyAwake on Twitter and Instagram.

Utilizing 45+ years of experience in Healing Arts to offer proven techniques for personal health and vitality including: Abhyanga (Ayurvedic detoxifying oil massage) Shirodhara (neurological Ayurvedic oil treatment) Full body therapeutic massage for women

Learn how you can live a balanced life today:

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Exercise is not always glamorous or trendy, and it’s not usually pretty.

But it can be fun and you can make it fit into your life.

Discover balance of mind and body. It’s the recipe for a happy life.

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study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in July confirms that physical activity in midlife can help reduce the chances of developing cognitive impairment in old age. Scientists studied data on the physical activity levels from 3,050 twins in Finland given questionnaires in 1975 and 1981.

A phone interview more than 25 years later served as a follow-up cognitive evaluation, and the subjects were divided into three categories: cognitively impaired, suffering mild cognitive impairment or cognitively healthy. Individuals that participated in vigorous physical activity when they were middle-aged displayed lower levels of cognitive impairment compared to those that did less vigorous exercise.

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Certified Ayurvedic Consultant Licensed Massage Therapist AL #1873 Yoga Teacher

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clinical trial from the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine found that participants in a six-day, ayurvedic-based, well-being program showed metabolic improvements in blood tests for inflammation, cardiovascular disease risk (CDR) and cholesterol levels.

Study participants consisted of 119 healthy men and women between the ages of 30 and 80. Sixty-five experienced a panchakarma program, a detox and rejuvenation protocol involving a vegetarian diet, meditation, yoga, massage, herbal therapy and other healing therapies. The other 54 served as a control group. Blood was analyzed before and after the test period.

The researchers, led by Dr. Deepak Chopra, found measurable decreases in 12 phosphatidycholines (cell-membrane chemicals) associated with cholesterol, inflammation, CDR and Type 2 diabetes risk. They acknowledge that due to the short duration of the trial, the immediate changes were likely attributable to the vegetarian diet; more research is needed to determine the complementary role of the other therapies.

“It appears that a one-week panchakarma program can significantly alter the metabolic profile of the person undergoing it,” remarks Chopra.

A new personal fitness and wellness studio where women help women find balance in all aspects of life. www.BrandyRhodes.com | 870-215-3631 76 Plantation Point (next to Subway) in Fairhope, AL

If you have been searching for a love-focused place of worship that embraces all people and honors all spiritual paths, Unity could be your answer. It’s like coming home.

“Unity teachings and communities continue to be places of spiritual healing, & I like being a part of that.”

A Positive Path for Spiritual Living 1700 East Railroad St, Gulfport, MS 228-871-7004 • UnityGulfport.com natural awakenings January 2017

9

healthbriefs

study from Drexel University, in Philadelphia, has linked autism spectrum disorder with prenatal exposure to organochlorine chemicals. The researchers examined 1,144 children born in southern California between 2000 and 2003 with mothers that had enrolled in a state-sponsored prenatal screening program. Blood tests were taken during their second trimester of pregnancy, a critical time for neurodevelopment, to measure exposure to organochlorine chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and pesticides such as DDT. These compounds were banned from production in the U.S. in 1977, but remain in the environment.

It’s well known that they can cross the placental barrier, impacting neurodevelopment in fetuses.

The researchers selected participants based on previous health diagnoses: 545 children with autism spectrum disorder and 181 with intellectual disabilities, plus 418 free of both issues as a control group. They found a 50 to 82 percent increased autism risk in children with the highest levels of four identified PCB compounds in utero, based on which ones were present.

“The results suggest that prenatal exposure to these chemicals above a certain level may influence neurodevelopment in adverse ways,” says Kristen Lyall, Sc.D., assistant professor in the university’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, promising further related studies.

Parents Use Complementary Health Care for Kids

T

Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

he 2012 National Health Interview Survey, published in 2015, included a survey on the use of complementary medicine practices. Nearly 45,000 Americans were questioned, including more than 10,000 children between the ages of 4 and 17.

The survey found that nearly 12 percent of children had used complementary medicine, either in a practice or product, during the year studied. The most common form of alternative medicine among children was natural supplements, such as fish oil, probiotics and melatonin. Chiropractic care and yoga were also popular choices.

Researchers found that parents sought complementary approaches most often for children due to back or neck pain, musculoskeletal conditions, colds, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or insomnia.

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Autism Risk Linked to Banned Chemicals

Early Job Satisfaction Supports LongTerm Health

R

esearchers from Ohio State University, in Columbus, started with data from 6,432 participants in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, conducted in 1979, to study the impact that early job satisfaction has upon health as we age. The new study examined reports of job satisfaction on a scale of one (dislike very much) to four (like very much) for participants between the ages of 25 and 39. Then they compared the responses to mental and physical health reports measured after the participants turned 40.

Those that reported low job satisfaction throughout their 20s and 30s exhibited higher levels of emotional problems, depression, sleep problems and excessive worry. Individuals that started out satisfied with their jobs but became less satisfied over time also faced sleep and anxiety difficulties, but exhibited less depression. The participants that reported increasing job satisfaction in their 20s and 30s reported fewer mental health problems.

The correlation between physical health after 40 and early job satisfaction was not as strong, but university associate professor of sociology Hui Zheng notes, “Increased anxiety and depression could lead to cardiovascular or other health problems that won’t show up until they are older.”

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

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Reforesting India

Massive Tree-Planting Against Climate Change

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Indian officials report that volunteers planted more than 49 million trees on a single day in 2016, surpassing the 2013 world record of 850,000 in Pakistan. An estimated 800,000 volunteers worked for 24 hours planting 80 species of saplings raised in local nurseries along roads, railways and other public land.

The effort is part of the commitment India made at the Paris Climate Conference in December 2015. The country agreed to spend $6 billion to reforest 12 percent of its land and bring the total forest cover to 235 million acres by 2030, or about 29 percent of its territory.

Trees sequester carbon dioxide from the air and reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. India has experienced substantial loss of its forest cover in recent centuries as people cut down trees for firewood, pasture and development. Still, saplings need water and care and are susceptible to disease. Mortality rates can reach 40 percent after such massive tree plantings.

Other countries are also replanting trees. Last December, African nations pledged to reforest 100 million hectares (386 square miles). A wide range of stakeholders from countries to companies also signed on to the non-binding New York Declaration of Forests that month, with the goal of halving deforestation by 2020 and ending it by 2030. szefei/Shutterstock.com

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Source: National Geographic

Protecting Pollinators

Maryland Bans Bee-Killing Pesticides Maryland is the first state in the nation to pass strict restrictions on pesticides thought to be responsible for significant reductions in bee populations with enactment of its Pollinator Protection Act. Maryland lost more than 60 percent of its hives in 2015, each containing up to 20,000 honeybees, making it one of the states with the highest recorded declines. The national average is about 42 percent, yet across the country, farmers and gardeners are still using pesticides linked to colony collapse disorder. Globally, more than one-third of the world’s food supply could be at risk if these and other pollinators are lost.

Neonicotinoids are one potent class of systemic pesticides introduced to agriculture in the 1990s that have been linked to bees’ demise. In recent years, pesticides such as Knockout Ready-to-Use Grub Killer, Ortho Bug B Gon, and AllIn-One Rose & Flower Care have been made available to consumers and beekeepers have noticed a corresponding increase in bee deaths.

The Maryland law bans the use of neonicotinoids by everyday consumers that have been spraying home gardens and trees with these deadly pesticides. Farmers and professional gardeners are exempt from the law. A similar law is awaiting the governor’s signature in Connecticut. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not officially recognized the well-researched link, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing it.

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globalbriefs Smog Begone

California Aims Even Higher on Emission Controls

Website Screens Packaging for Toxin Although food manufacturers have pledged to voluntarily eliminate bisphenol A (BPA)—an endocrine disruptor linked to developmental problems in fetuses, infants and children—in their packaging materials, it’s still found in the lining of many canned goods.

Recent testing by an advocacy group found BPA in 70 percent of nearly 200 samples, including products from Campbell and Kroger, which have joined the pledge.

“It’s in beer, coffee, tea, energy drinks and aerosol cans for whipped cream... it’s everywhere,” says Samara Geller, a database and research analyst with the Environmental Working Group (EWG). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, BPA is safe at the levels people are exposed to via canned foods, but many consumers would rather not take the risk.

Consequently, EWG created a new tool to help consumers avoid the 16,000 products that may have BPA in their packaging. The numbers listed on package UPC codes can be compared against the database at Tinyurl.com/EWG-BPA-Lookup.

“Our main goal was to get this out quickly to as many people as possible,” says Geller. “The UPC code is really your best defense to finding out what they’re talking about,” because product names can change.

Lobster Liberation

Monks Free Creatures from Certain Doom A handful of monks from the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society living on Canada’s Prince Edward Island spent a day buying up all the live lobsters they could find at the local fish market, and then chartered a boat. Once out to sea, they recited a brief prayer over their writhing cargo and set them loose in the Atlantic.

“The whole purpose for us is to cultivate this compassion toward others,” says one of the monks. “It doesn’t have to be lobsters, it can be worms, flies, any animals; it can also be driving slower, so we don’t run over little critters on the street.”

One participant, Victoria Fan, says, “It’s rethinking the way you normally see these creatures. Their happiness is as important as your happiness, their suffering is as important as your suffering.”

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California lawmakers have enacted a bill that aims to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. It extends previous efforts such as the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 instituted to reduce emissions by 2020, along with another piece of legislation that vows to boost legislative oversight of climate change programs organized by the California Air Resources Board.

Supporters say that emissions rules have created new jobs and led to billions of dollars of investment in California’s clean energy sector. Opponents argue that the strict targets have caused some job losses, particularly in oil manufacturing.

The state, having the world’s eighth-largest economy, has further announced a goal of fighting climate change and improving air quality by putting 1.5 million zero-emission state cars on the road by 2025.

Source: TheDodo.com 12

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Aerotoxic syndrome is the medical term for the illness caused by exposure to contaminated air in jet aircraft, and it’s causing that ailment, plus the permanent disability and even death of airline employees and passengers. Whistleblowers have been met with ridicule and termination. The problem has been called the “asbestos of the airline industry” by critics. French scientist Jean-Cristophe Balouet, Ph.D., who discovered the syndrome in 1999, thinks it may have already affected 250,000 pilots, cabin crew and passengers worldwide.

In 1963, aircraft moved from drawing fresh air into the cabin to “bleeding” part of it from the engines. The synthetic oil used by jets contains organophosphates used in pesticides and nerve gas, and was banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for residential use in 2001 because of known toxicity.

The byproducts of these carcinogenic organophosphates can also include aldehydes and carbon monoxide.

Airplane seals wear out and there are no chemical sensors onboard aircraft to detect fumes— only noses to detect the “dirty sock” odor. The Aerotoxic Association continues to push for air quality detectors on all planes and the Cabin Air Quality Act sponsored by California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

For more information, visit Aerotoxic.org.

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Making Feeders Safe for Wild Birds Feeding wild birds helps fuel them and provides viewing pleasure, yet a communal feeder may hold hidden risks, reports a recent study in Ecology Letters.

In reviewing 20 published research papers on host/pathogen interactions in human-fed wild populations, researchers at the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology, in Athens, found that intentional feeding changed their behavior and diet enough to foster potentially harmful growth of parasites and viruses.

“Feeders can bring unexpected species and more birds together more frequently than normal, facilitating conditions for parasites and other contaminates,” says lead researcher Daniel Becker. Birds crowding into tight spaces to reach tasty morsels also makes it easier for pathogens like house finch eye disease and respiratory ailments to be passed among them.

Maintain cleanliness. Stephen Kress, director of the National Audubon Society’s Project Puffin, advises that safe bird feeding includes completely scrubbing out feeders with a 10 percent non-chlorinated bleach solution at least a few times a year, and certainly between seasons.

Be food-specific. While using bird seed mixtures to attract a wide range of species is cheaper, such food usually includes fillers like milo that most birds quickly pass through, making a mess under the feeder that can make birds sick.

Kress suggests, “Buy specific seeds for specific feeders—like cracked corn and millet in one and only sunflowers in another. This decreases interactions between species that eat the different seeds and dramatically cuts waste.”

Creative option. Try some peanut butter and other healthful ingredients, suggests Julie Craves, supervisor of avian research at the Rogue River Bird Observatory at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, in a recent edition of BirdWatching magazine.

“It’s high in fat, protein and calories.” Avoid nut butter made with the artificial sweetener xylitol, as it can kill birds.

She recommends mixing one part organic peanut butter with four or five parts plain, non-GMO (genetically modified) cornmeal and add oats and raisins. Plain or chunky works. “The dough can then be shaped into portions that will fit in suet feeders or logs, or just placed in feeding trays.”

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SABOTEURS Tackling Obesity’s Hidden Causes

by Lisa Marshall

E

at less, move more. These words have been the cornerstone of diet advice for decades, leading millions of Americans to greet the new year with vows to cut calories and hit the gym.

In all, one in five U.S. adults are dieting at any given time, according to the international market research firm The NPD Group, and 57 percent would like to lose 20 pounds or more. Yet few will reach that goal.

One survey of 14,000 dieters published in the International Journal of Obesity found that only one in six had ever been able to lose 10 percent of their body weight and keep it off for a year. Another study, published in the last year in Obesity, followed up with 14 contestants from the 2009 TV reality show The Biggest Loser and found that despite efforts to keep their eating and exercise habits on track, 13 had regained significant weight since the competition. Four are heavier now than before participating on the show.

14

Diet experts say the battle of the bulge has been exceedingly hard to win for one clear reason: We’re oversimplifying the solution and underestimating the saboteurs.

“We’re learning that it’s not as simple as calories-in and calories-out,” says Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith, an Ann Arbor, Michigan, physician specializing in functional and nutritional medicine and author of Why You Can’t Lose Weight.

Research reveals that everything from food allergies to hormone imbalances and disruptions in gut bacteria can subtly undermine the best-laid weight management plans. Working out too much or eating too little can also backfire.

Even a mean boss or a cold workplace cubicle can factor in.

Certainly, diet and exercise are key, experts emphasize. Yet, if we’re doing all the right things and still seeing disappointing numbers on the scale, there’s still more we can do. Here are some common weight-loss saboteurs and what to do about them.

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WEIGHT-LOSS

Bite into a food we’re sensitive to and our body switches into “fight-or-flight” mode.

It stores fat and water, releases histamines that widen blood vessels and inflame tissue, and cranks out stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine that make us want to eat more of that food.

“You literally get a high so that you crave more,” says Smith. She notes that unlike true allergies, which can prompt an immediate reaction, food intolerances often manifest subtly over several days. When we are repeatedly exposed to a food we’re sensitive to, we feel bloated and sluggish, regardless of the calorie count.

Allergy medications can also prompt weight gain, in part by boosting appetite.

One study by Yale researchers found people that regularly ingested antihistamines like Zyrtec and Allegra were far more likely to be overweight than those not using them.

What to do: First, cut out the mostcraved foods. “If someone tells me they just cannot live without cheese, I assume they are allergic to it,” says Smith. Or, try an elimination diet. Ban common allergens like milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and gluten (if possible, try sticking to only rice and lamb—two hypoallergenic foods—for four days).

Then reintroduce other foods slowly and monitor the results. To combat seasonal allergies naturally, try vitamin C, quercetin and butterbur supplements.

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Food Sensitivity/Allergy

Research reveals that everything from food allergies to hormone imbalances and disruptions in gut bacteria can subtly undermine the best-laid weight management plans.

Working out too much or eating too little can also backfire.

Even a mean boss or a cold workplace cubicle can factor in.

Underperforming Thyroid

The thyroid serves as a key metabolism regulator, dictating how efficiently the heart beats and muscles contract, how quickly the body turns nutrients into energy, and how well we burn off stored fat. When thyroid hormone production falls, metabolism can also decrease by as much as 40 percent.

Yet as many as four in 13 women suffer from a thyroid hormone deficiency, says Toronto naturopathic doctor Natasha Turner, author of the new book The Hormone Boost. “You can diet and exercise until you are blue in the face, but if your thyroid is out of balance, you won’t achieve the body you’re looking for,” she says. “It’s a common cause of weight gain.”

What to do: Get tested for levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and, if possible, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) also. TSH signals the thyroid to make more T4, the inactive form of thyroid hormone that is converted into T3, the form the body is able to use. Abnormal blood levels of any of these can impact metabolism adversely, and a TSH test alone may be unable to identify a problem, caution Smith and Turner.

In some cases, medication may be required. Otherwise, move to embrace lifestyle habits that reduce stress levels, because the stress hormone cortisol can inhibit thyroid function. Get eight hours of sleep; sleep deprivation also impairs thyroid function. Eat lots of fiber, which helps the body eliminate excess estrogen and other thyroid-damaging metabolic byproducts. Also, stock up on foods containing tyrosine (almonds and avocadoes), and selenium (Brazil nuts). In some cases, if an iodine deficiency is at play, a doctor may suggest iodine supplements or iodinerich foods like kelp and sea bass.

Imbalanced Gut

The trillions of microorganisms in our gut have a profound impact on our abil-

ity to maintain a healthy weight, says Dr. Raphael Kellman, a New York City physician practicing functional medicine and author of The Microbiome Diet.

“The gut bacteria are the gatekeepers of the calories that enter our body,” he explains.

R e s e a rch s h ow s t h a t c e r t a i n species of bacteria aid in the metabolizing of carbohydrates, while others help break down fats and protein. Some turn on genes that fight inflammation; others influence how well the body responds to insulin. Diversity and balance of helpful bacteria species are keys to health.

“If changes in the percentages of certain bacteria occur, the microbiome loses its ability to help us maintain a healthy weight,” says Kellman. In one landmark 21st-century study by University of Colorado researchers, swapping the gut bacteria of a skinny mouse with that of an obese one made the skinny mouse gain weight.

What to do: Go easy on antibiotics, which can wipe out gut bacteria diversity. Load up on fermented foods like kim chi, sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt.

Eat lots of inulin-containing plant fiber to give desirable bacteria something to chew on, and consider taking a probiotic supplement until weight loss and health goals are achieved.

Overdoing Diets

As The Biggest Loser contestants learned, losing too much weight too fast can bring metabolism to a screeching halt; the body, coaxed into starvation mode, moves to conserve fuel and store fat.

“If you try to lose weight by drastically slashing calorie intake and going crazy on the cardio machines, you’ll do more harm than good,” says Turner. Performing intense cardiovascular exercise such as running, cycling or swimming for more than 45 minutes can make cortisol levels surge, accelerating muscle loss and im-

pairing the immune system.

That’s counterproductive because muscles burn calories at rest, too.

Consistent o v e r- e x e rcise can also prompt the stressed body to respond in a fight-orflight fashion, storing more belly fat and leading to the “skinny but fat” body composition common among models and marathon runners, she says.

Skipping meals can prompt the key thyroid hormone T3 to fall off too, further slowing metabolism. Plus, six weeks into a restrictive weight-loss program, levels of the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin also start to decline, killing motivation and fueling cravings. The result is a weight plateau or even weight gain.

What to do: Unless walking, limit workouts to 40 minutes, advises Turner.

Instead of slogging away at a steady pace on the treadmill, try intervals (short, high-intensity efforts separated by brief rest periods), which have been shown to boost both fat burning and cardiovascular fitness. For example: five-minute warm-up, one-minute run at fast pace, one-minute run at moderate pace, repeat 10 times, five-minute cool-down. Also, incorporate strength training into three workouts each week.

Include some fat, protein and car-

natural awakenings January 2017

15

Dark, Cold, Stressful Workplaces

Alan Hedge, Ph.D., a workplace design researcher with Cornell University, in New York, says women, who tend to have less muscle and body hair to provide natural warmth, are at particular risk of packing on pounds due to an overly cold environment. “When the body is cold, it adapts by laying down insulation, which is fat,” he says. Even without eating extra calories, if we’re constantly cold at work, as 31 percent of women are according to a recent CareerBuilder survey, we tend to gain about a pound or two per year, says Hedge.

Other research, conducted at Northwestern University, in Illinois, shows that workers exposed to more light in the morning weigh about 1.4 pounds less on average than those toiling in windowless cubicles. The suspected reason is that morning light triggers a cascade of hormones that positively impact appetite and metabolism. Another study,

by Ohio State University researchers, found women that experienced a stressful event at work or elsewhere and then ate a fat- and calorie-laden meal the next day burned 100 fewer calories from that meal than non-stressed workers.

What to do: At work, move the desk toward a window or at least take a walk every morning. Bring a space heater, extra sweater or hot tea fixings. After an ultra-stressful workday, eat especially healthfully that night.

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

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bohydrates with every meal. If insisting on counting calories, shoot for 450 to 500 per meal and 150 per snack for women; 500 to 600 per meal and 200 to 300 per snack for men. Every week to 10 days, enjoy a carb-loaded “cheat meal” such as pancakes or pasta; it supports any languishing thyroid and feel-good hormones, gives associated neurotransmitters a jump-start and keeps us from feeling deprived.

Natural Slimming Supplements Ashwaghanda root: While research is scarce, this Indian herb is traditionally believed to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol (which can boost belly fat storage). It’s also believed to boost conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to the more metabolically active thyroid hormone T3. Doctor of Naturopathy Natasha Turner recommends 500 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) twice daily.

Chromium: This mineral plays a key role in enhancing insulin’s action in the body. Numerous studies by U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers and others suggest that taking chromium supplements can stabilize blood sugar, potentially reducing the cravings and energy slumps that come with glucose spikes and dips. Research on chromium’s impact on body composition and weight has been mixed. Turner recommends 200 to 400 micrograms (mcg) daily.

Curcumin: This golden spice, found in turmeric, curbs painful joint inflammation from over-exercising, and has been shown by Tufts University and Columbia University researchers to improve fat metabolism in mice.

L-carnitine: Helps the body use fat for fuel more efficiently and also can be used as an energy booster before cardio or strength training. Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith recommends 500 to 1,000 mg daily.

Omega-3 fatty acids: In addition to being potent anti-inflammatory agents, the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have been associated with greater weight and fat loss when added to a diet and exercise program, according to studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the International Journal of Obesity.

Prebiotics: These undigested fibers provide food for good gut bacteria to keep the digestive system and metabolism on track.

Probiotics: These are generally believed to promote healthy gut bacteria so that the body metabolizes food more efficiently. One recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition followed 125 obese men and women throughout a 12-week diet, followed by a 12-week maintenance period, and found that the women taking probiotics containing the bacterial strain Lactobacillus rhamnosis lost significantly more weight during the diet than women that didn’t; plus, they continued to lose weight during the maintenance period. The men studied did not show similar results.

Selenium: Selenium is critical for the conversion of inactive T4 to active T3 that the body can make use of. Smith recommends 100 to 200 mcg daily.

16

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businessspotlight

A Natural Solution for a Healthy Body

A

s people live longer and the cost of health care rises, more individuals are looking for ways to be proactive in their health. In 2013, entrepreneur Josh Fandrich discovered OsteoStrong, a wellness brand that utilizes a patented device that was invented by Dr. John Jaquish, to cure his mother’s osteoporosis.

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three women over age 50 worldwide will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will one in five men of the same age.

“There is a critical need to help people combat degradation that occurs in bones and muscle tissue due to the natural aging process,” says Fandrich, of his decision to open one of the first OsteoStrong centers in the U.S. in Huntsville, Alabama. Last year, he opened a second facility in Fairhope.

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proving bones, strength and balance. “This is not a gym, diet, pharmaceutical or health supplement. We utilize a very specialized, technician-monitored system designed to trigger an individual’s own natural adaptive responses to grow new, healthy tissue, without soreness and without the sweat of a gym workout,” Fandrich explains.

As people age, their bodies are not put under the same impact levels of force as when they were younger. Osteogenic loading therapy triggers growth in bone tissue without the risk of injury. Using the OsteoStrong protocol, the client controls the amount of force produced to compress bone, in a safe manner.

“Gymnasts have an extreme strengthto-body-weight ratio and they are constantly under high impact, making them some of the best tuned athletes out there,” Fandrich notes. “We can’t all be gymnasts, but at OsteoStrong we can safely put our

body in impact scenarios that a gymnast would go through, loading even more weight than most athletes would be able to handle in other environments.”

This approach can benefit people of all ages and fitness levels. With each weekly, seven-minute session, clients also strengthen and stimulate tendon, ligament and muscle tissue, which helps athletes improve their explosive power, while also preventing fractures when decelerating an impact scenario. “Just about anyone looking to eliminate back and joint pain as well as individuals looking to increase their strength, balance and agility are a perfect fit with our system,” says Fandrich.

Ongoing research has shown that OsteoStrong can help treat Type II Diabetes as well. The osteogenic loading therapy stimulates a different type of muscle development than that of traditional exercise and offers a treatment option that does not require medication or hours in a gym. Fandrich says, “We are now on a mission to eliminate osteoporosis and Type II Diabetes worldwide.”

It’s widely known that exercise benefits the body, yet many people do not engage in physical activity. “We have to do a better job of providing tools for a more active and aging population,” says Fandrich. “We know that the body is deconditioning as we get older, and with OsteoStrong, we can finally reverse the process by creating a stimulus for the body to naturally recondition itself.”

Location: 333 Greeno Rd. S., Unit 2B, Fairhope, AL. For more information, call 251-210-6955 or visit OsteoStrong.me.

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AFFORDABLE

Complementary Care Alternatives to Insurance Cost Less

by Meredith Montgomery

T

he latest National Health Interview Survey available, from 2012, shows an annual expenditure of $30.2 billion in out-of-pocket costs for complementary health approaches, benefiting 33 percent of adults and 12 percent of children, and representing about 10 percent of out-of-pocket U.S. healthcare costs. Insurance rarely covers complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in full. As provider networks shrink, premiums rise and the future of healthcare reform remains uncertain, health-conscious consumers yearn for innovative ways to afford this kind of care.

Membership-Based Care

When Dr. Chad Krisel worked at an urgent care center, he saw up to 55 patients a day.

Since opening Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville (IntegrativeAsheville.org), in North Carolina, with Dr. Brian Lewis, he averages 12 patients a day. His team 18

provides a membership-based practice in a payment model known as direct primary care (DPC).

Endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, DPC is broadly accessible. By applying simplicity, sustainability, quality and collaboration, their integrative practice provides comprehensive care for less than what many pay for phone service. “DPC removes traditional financial incentives and conflicts of interest because membership fees fund us. Our only incentive is to help and heal patients,” Krisel explains.

Paying for memberships out-of-pocket (often electing high-deductible plans) or via a health-sharing plan, clients value coverage that includes annual wellness exams, phone or virtual appointments and educational classes, plus follow-ups and urgent care at minimal costs.

The U.S. mainstream fee-for-service approach, whether paid by insurance or cash, has been criticized for encourag-

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ing unnecessary tests and procedures because doctors are paid for services performed. To maintain income, they typically shorten appointments to increase the number of patients they see.

Lewis emphasizes, “Time is the valuable factor in DPC—healthy lifestyle changes, which can prevent or reverse 70 percent of health concerns, cannot be communicated in 10 minutes.”

Medical Cost-Sharing

For generations, Christian communities have operated health care sharing ministries (HCSM) to collectively share the cost of each other’s medical bills as an alternative to outside insurance.

Members are exempt from current Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) mandates.

Liberty HealthShare, a nonprofit HCSM chartered by the Mennonite church, believes that everyone has the right to practice religion as they see fit. Their members share a commitment to personal health and sharing in the burden of health expenses with others that have these values.

“Many in the functional and integrative medical arenas also believe in these principles,” says Tom Blue, of Richmond, Virginia, a director with The Institute for Functional Medicine. “Cost sharing feels very familiar; you present your card to your provider, but there’s no set network of providers, which is favorable for those seeking more progressive forms of care.”

Expanding upon this model, Blue worked with the company to create its Liberty Direct program (LibertyDirect. org). Individuals pay an annual membership fee plus a monthly share amount.

After fulfilling their annual unshared amount of out-of-pocket expenses (similar to a deductible), participants’ healthcare costs—including approved naturopathic and alternative treatments—can be submitted as expenses to be shared by the group.

Liberty Direct provides financial advantages to DPC practitioners and patients by subsidizing membership fees; it favors nutrition over chronic prescription dependence by reimbursing physician-prescribed nutritional supplement and pharmaceutical expenses under the same terms.

Members must be in good health with a lifestyle that helps sustain wellness, including good nutrition, exercise and abstinence from tobacco use and drug and alcohol abuse. The program also accepts approximately 7 percent of applicants on provisional terms when pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes can be improved through lifestyle changes.

They pay an extra fee per month to cover the cost of a health coach; when they achieve their goals, they become full members paying regular rates.

“The economics are staggering,” says Blue, who used to pay $760 a month for insurance with a $12,400 deductible and now pays a monthly share of $449 with a family unshared amount of $1,500. HCSMs are affordable because of restricted overhead budgets. Plus, they appeal to natural-health conscious clients and can decline unsuitable applicants. “This concept of communal cost sharing works—Liberty’s share amounts decreased in 2013 and have not changed since,” comments Blue.

GreenSurance

Told she was past medical hope, Kari Gray, of Kahului, Hawaii, sought to heal from cancer using natural medicine. “When thousands of dollars spent for natural protocols were denied reimbursement by my insurance company, I saw that the system needs to change,” Gray recalls.

CAM therapies still deemed “unproven” by traditional insurance companies gave Gray a second chance at life. Following remission, she began a 20-year search for alternative medicine insurance. Finding none, in 2014, she created GreenSurance (MyGreenSurance.com).

Serving people that proactively care for their health and prefer natural medicine as primary care, GreenSurance developed an evidence-based and science-backed list of 40-plus covered CAM modalities, including thermography, energy therapy, biofeedback, essential oils and homeopathy. It also covers conventional medical and emergency care.

Enrollees of the member-owned organization are supplied third-party payer information for provider direct billing once the member’s out-of-pocket amount is met. They use any statelicensed provider and the program is often more affordable than traditional insurance.

GreenSurance is currently investing resources to broaden consumer access to the tax advantages of a health spending account (HSA). H.R. 1752 would allow enrollees in any healthcare-sharing program to open an HSA. “Simply, we’re a co-op whose members empower us to create an exempt program that protects members from ACA penalties and traditional health insurance,” says Gray.

“More, we’re a grassroots movement for change.”

Krisel notes, “Doctors too, are livid about the current status of America’s healthcare system. Be vocal about what’s important to you. The more voices heard in Washington, the more change we’ll see.”

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Getting to ‘Yes’ with an Insurer

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onventional insurance rules adversely affect Americans’ consideration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). According to the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, acupuncture, chiropractic and massage therapy use increased over the prior decade, but only among those without insurance. For those with progressive policies, coverage for CAM approaches is usually only partial.

Know What a Policy Covers Before using a complementary or integrative service, inquire about specifics: Sometimes preapproval or a referral is required to qualify; coverage may be limited to a certain network of practitioners; verify visit limits or the number required; and get details of out-of-pocket costs.

Keep insurancerelated communications records, including notes on calls and copies of bills, claims and letters, to help with any claim disputes.

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Ask the insurance provider about coverage of CAM approaches, including whether a rider or supplement to the standard plan is required to cover them. Inquire about discount programs, such as when members pay for fees and out-ofpocket costs, but at a lower rate.

State insurance departments and professional associations for complementary health specialties may know which insurance companies cover specific CAM approaches.

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When seeing a complementary or integrative practitioner, clarify payment and insurance details before the first visit.

Learn the cost of initial and follow-up appointments; how many appointments are needed; additional costs such as for tests, supplements or equipment; and if they offer an income-based sliding scale. Also confirm which insurance plans are accepted and if the patient or provider files claims.

When insurance doesn’t cover a service, inquire about installment plans and discounts for cash payments.

Save with Tax-Exempt Accounts

Flexible spending accounts offered by some employers allow participants to set aside pretax dollars for healthrelated expenses. Health savings accounts can be established by individuals with high-deductible health plans to save for medical expenses.

Contributions are tax-deductible and interest is tax-free.

Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Dr. Mary Sabal, DC, RN

20

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consciouseating

THE DARK SIDE OF GLUTEN-FREE LIVING Most People Benefit from Gluten

by Judith Fertig

S

ales of gluten-free products reached $973 million in 2014 and are projected to grow to $2.34 billion in 2019, according to Packaged Facts, a market research publisher. Many such products cost more than their glutenbased counterparts.

Gluten Sufferers

The latest study, published in the American Medical Association publication JAMA Internal Medicine, found that the number of Americans with celiac disease remained relatively stable from 2009 through 2014 at about 2.7 million. Meanwhile, marketers for gluten-free products report about 40 million consumers.

Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder in which ingesting gluten causes issues such as intestinal damage, anemia and fatigue. Those afflicted improve when gluten is removed from their diets and their intestinal tracts heal, according to the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston.

Those with a non-celiac gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy also experience a range of symptoms, including bloating, brain fog and joint pain, when they ingest gluten. According to the Center, as many 22

as 7 percent of Americans, or 18 million people, fall into this vague category, due to a far less understood immune response distinct from what’s linked to celiac disease.

Gluten Beneficiaries

The many Americans unaffected by gluten may want to avoid gluten-free products, says Dr. Michael Greger, a Washington, D.C., physician specializing in clinical nutrition. The bestselling author of How Not to Die, Greger founded the educational nonprofit NutritionFacts.org and is a founding fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

“Just because some people have a peanut allergy doesn’t mean everyone should avoid peanuts,” says Greger.

“Some evidence suggests that a glutenfree diet may adversely affect gut health in people without celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy.” He cites a small study published in Gut Microbes which found that a one-month, glutenfree diet may hurt gut flora and immune function, potentially precipitating an overgrowth of harmful intestinal bacteria for those on gluten-free diets.

The gluten components that cause problems for the wheat-sensitive may act

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Most gluten-free processed foods are not made with nutrient-rich, health-protecting whole grains. The gluten-free label has little to do with nutritional value. ~Katherine Tallmadge, registered dietitian, nutrition coach and author of Diet Simple as prebiotics and feed good bacteria for the rest of us, says Greger.

“Wheat bran contains the important wheat-based prebiotic arabino-xylanoligosaccharide,” explains Case Adams, a Morro Bay, California, naturopath and author of The Gluten Cure: Scientifically Proven Natural Solutions to Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivities. “It feeds the probiotics that produce enzymes which help break down gluten and gliadin proteins.”

Researchers from Pennsylvania’s University of Reading conducted multiple studies showing that arabino-xylanoligosaccharide derived from wheat bran increases beneficial bifidobacteria populations in the guts of humans.

It is disappointing that a number of highly publicized studies done on celiac patients have been inappropriately applied to the general population, notes Adams.

Gluten may also boost immune function. In a study published in the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, researchers found that after less than a week on a diet with added gluten protein, subjects experienced significantly increased natural killer cell activity, which could improve their ability to fight cancer and viral infections. An earlier study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that high-gluten bread improved triglyceride levels better than regular gluten bread.

Plus, Greger says, avoiding gluten means missing out on all the fiber, B vitamins, trace minerals and other nutrients from whole grains like wheat, barley and rye. A whole-grain-rich diet has been repeatedly shown to reduce the risk of

heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and some forms of cancer in studies from such institutions as the University of Minnesota and Lund University, in Sweden.

“Most gluten-free processed foods are not made with nutrient-rich, healthprotecting whole grains,” adds Katherine Tallmadge, a Washington, D.C., registered dietitian, nutrition coach and author of Diet Simple. Ingredients such as potato starch and cornstarch with little nutritional value typically help take the place of wheat flour. “The gluten-free label has little to do with nutritional value.” French fries and many candies, for example, are naturally gluten-free.

Impact of Self-Diagnosis

Self-diagnosing a gluten issue can delay a doctor’s accurate assessment, cautions Greger. “We diagnose celiac by looking for the inflammation caused by gluten in celiac sufferers. If they haven’t been eating a lot of gluten, we might miss diagnosing the disease. Thus, instead of being on a gluten-free diet, we want celiac suspects to be on a gluten-loaded diet, such as four to six slices of gluten-packed bread daily for at least a month before they come in for a diagnostic exam.”

Studies are ongoing and information continues to evolve regarding the pluses and minuses of a gluten-free diet.

Judith Fertig writes food health articles and cookbooks from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

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by Linda Sechrist

Holistic skin care practices are simple, healthy and sustainably good for people and the planet because they follow nature’s example.

M

edical Doctor Alan M. Dattner, a 35-year pioneer in the field of holistic dermatology, faithfully follows nature’s principles in supporting skin health. His book Radiant Skin from the Inside Out: The Holistic Dermatologist’s Guide to Healing Your Skin Naturally maps out how skin reflects the body’s healthy or unhealthy organs and systems.

Finding the internal root cause of problems on the skin, the body’s largest organ, takes time to investigate. Dattner, who practices in New York City and New Rochelle, New York, and considers himself a “skin detective”, says that although his forensic work continues to expand, he still begins his sleuthing by compiling a detailed and comprehensive history that yields clues for solving health puzzles and points him in the direction of what’s causing problems.

Some patients with acne also have symptoms of bloating, gastrointestinal issues or chronic bowel disease. Others may have traveled to another country where they contracted diarrhea from a parasite or foreign bacteria that upset

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their intestinal microbiome.

Skin outbreaks can also be the result of food sensitivities or food allergies. “I make patients aware of the issues underlying their skin problems so that they understand the connection between internal health and skin. Then they can make conscious food choices,” says Dattner.

Diet is a critical aspect of healthy skin.

Food sensitivities can cause inflammation that can show up on the skin, he explains.

Dattner incorporates several diagnostic techniques and remedies from other medical traditions, including herbal, homeopathic and ayurvedic. A tongue diagnosis he uses is taken from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He uses Applied Kinesiology to refine his therapeutic choices as the results align with his knowledge of dermatology, immunology and integrative medicine.

Janice MacKenzie, acupuncture practitioner, teacher and author of Discovering the Five Elements: One Day at a Time, views the skin as a third lung, because it breathes. “If the organs of elimination aren’t working well—large

aslysun/Shutterstock.com

Healing Acres A Place of Wellness

intestine, liver and kidney—then toxins leave through the skin, another organ of elimination,” says MacKenzie, who practices in Perkasie, Pennsylvania.

“When constipation leaves toxins to be reabsorbed into the blood and recirculated through the liver, the body, out of desperation, seeks ways to get rid of toxins through the skin. This can result in eczema, psoriasis, rashes, boils and acne,” notes MacKenzie.

In TCM, the facial redness of rosacea originates in a heating of the blood caused by toxicity. An inflammatory condition of excess energy and toxicity in the stomach travels upward through the stomach energy meridian that runs from the eye to the second toe. It’s supposed to flow downward through the mouth, throat and intestines and out.

Elina Fedatova, cosmetic chemist, aesthetician, owner of spas in Chicago and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and formulator of Elina Organics, addresses skin as an aspect of a whole healthy body.

Her product line is created wholly from organic plant extracts and essential oils, made in batches every two weeks.

These purely natural products can be ingested without harmful effects.

“Formulas are made using holistic principles and adjusted for each season,” says Fedatova.

She agrees with Dattner, “Protecting skin from the inside with a nutritious diet that benefits the entire body is vital, as important as keeping the skin’s surface clean.” In caring for skin from the outside, a gentle exfoliation that can be done at home three times a week using a honey mask is the first step. Skin cells produced in the deepest layer gradually push their way to the epidermis every 30 days and die. Dead cells pile up unevenly and give the skin’s surface a dry, dull appearance. Treatment serums, moisturizing lotions and eye and neck creams are necessary elements of a complete facial skin care regimen, as is a natural sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

“Using skincare practices and products that follow nature’s example are the perfect external complement to good internal health,” says Fedatova.

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Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com. natural awakenings January 2017

25

Fetch, Stretch, Dance Make Your Dog an Exercise Buddy

M

an and woman’s best four-legged friend can activate and energize even the most reluctant couch potato or exhausted owner, making the family dog an excellent exercise buddy. Regardless of how lax we may be, everyone feels better after some kind of workout. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology confirms that working up a sweat outdoors affords an appealing boost of energy, enjoyment and improved state of mind.

Dogs love routine, so they’ll be waiting by the door for their daily walks.

Make each outing mindful by letting the pet choose the route and pace. While they stop to sniff, do hamstring stretches by leaning against a wall, fence or tree.

Once the warm-up portion is completed, add sprints to burn more calories. Ask for a sit, pick a goal a short distance away and then give the cue to run together fast. After arriving at the goal, ask for another sit.

“Our favorite time to go is before 7 a.m. to avoid cars and when the asphalt isn’t too hot for his paws,” says Monica Weintraub, a food and travel blogger currently working from Beijing, China. “Carl loves the burst of energy, and we both build muscle.”

A backyard agility course can complement or even substitute for walks. It’s easy to make with weave poles, jumps and tunnels. Vary the order of the obstacles and run alongside the dog to call out each

26

one. When it’s excessively wet, cold and icy or hot outside, create an indoor agility course.

Use blankets and upturned chairs for tunnels, cardboard boxes to designate a weaving trot and a hula hoop for jumps. Set it up on top of rugs that foster firm footing. Balance can also be improved with exercise balls. While some dogs only see a soccer game, others try to balance on the ball, strengthening core muscles like their humans.

Learning doga, or yoga for dogs, incorporates a canine’s natural trainability, flexibility, mimicry of human moves and desire to please. Kristen Corral, who’s also certified in animal massage, teaches Anima yoga fusion classes for people and pets of all ages in Las Vegas. “Anima means an expression of one’s true inner self,” she explains. “We work on balance and never force the dogs into poses. They’re excited during the first sessions, but as you move and breathe together, it becomes a calming and relaxing activity.”

Floor exercises with the help of a dog also helps strengthen core muscles.

Do leg lifts and teach the pet to walk under a raised leg to ensure it stays raised for the proper amount of time.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

Barna Tanko/Shutterstock.com

by Sandra Murphy

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Incorporate fetch games with sit-ups; throw the toy when sitting up and accept it back while reclining. Alternate arms— the dominant one has better aim, while the other one adds steps for the dog as it runs to fetch an errant toss.

For chair exercises, use a toy to lure the dog under the chair, moving it from side-to-side, simultaneously working the waistline. Fetch lets the dog chase the toy before dropping it in front of the chair, giving the owner’s core muscles a workout when bending to pick it up each time.

Dogs love to play hide-and-seek.

It’s easy with two people; one holds the dog while the other hides. If solo, teach the pet to sit until a timer goes off before starting the hunt.

“I ask Felix, my mixed-breed dog, to hold a sit-stay while I go hide,” says Chantelle Wallace, a professional writer who volunteers to exercise animals at Skyline Pet Care and Fitness, in Austin, Texas. “Hide and seek activates both mental focus and physical exercise.”

Dancing to favorite tunes expends lots of energy. Dogs may perform obedience moves to the beat or, like humans, dance like nobody’s watching. Scientists at the University of Missouri are among those that have found that music improves moods, too.

Teaching a dog to help around the house impresses everybody and takes advantage of bad weather to catch up on chores. They can tour a laundry basket to bedrooms, pick up trash or place items for recycling in a bin. Select individual items to be carried up or down stairs for a muscular workout. Take some tips from Jesse, a most helpful dog, at Tinyurl.com/ HouseholdHelpPooch.

When our will to exercise is wavering, an eager dog will help keep an exercise routine interesting and on track. The dog’s goal is always to have fun with their favorite person.

Connect with freelance writer S a n d ra M u r p hy a t StLouisFreelanceWriter @mindspring.com.

Sean Nel/Shutterstock.com

naturalpet

Iakov Kalinin/Shutterstock.com

inspiration

SKY HIGH A Simple Gaze Invokes the Infinite

by Sandy C. Newbigging

I

magine being outside on a sunny day, looking at a clear, blue sky. It’s natural to feel calm and wonderful while contemplating this expansive view.

Then a solitary bird flies across our field of vision. Noticing it takes our attention away from the stillness of the sky to instead track its movement as it flies by. Then we start thinking about the bird: “I wonder where it’s coming from and going? Why is it alone? Has it lost its mate?” At that point, we are no longer feeling calm, but concerned.

Inside of each of us, right now, there is a “big blue sky” of awareness with all kinds of “birds” flying around, including thoughts, emotions, physical sensations

and anything in the external world that catches our attention.

Attaining a consistent inner calm is possible by learning to be more interested in and attentive to the conscious awareness that is calmly observing what’s going on in our thinking, emotions, bodily sensations and life. We can live permanently engaged with this awareness and the inner dominion it contains instead of being helplessly caught up in the content of our own or others’ thinking or emotion, which are often conditioned by the world to be more negative than positive.

As we mature in this skill, we discover that such awareness is always still,

silent, peaceful, powerful, unlimited and infinite. It reflects who we really are as opposed to who we think we are. Through practice, it becomes our natural way of being and we awake to an excellent way of living

To experience this, try the Gently Alert Attention Wide Open (GAAWO) technique. Look at something that’s straight ahead while simultaneously letting the gaze gently open up wider, looking neither left nor right, using passive peripheral vision. Now do the same with up and down, so gentle alertness encompasses an even greater scope. As we do this, we will likely notice that our thoughts are stilled and we feel more present, calm and quiet than a moment earlier.

This simple technique works for everyone. By playing with it regularly, we can discover that a sense of peace never leaves us; rather, we leave our innate, peaceful center when we focus on and feel the to and fro movements of our mind. Exchanging typical thinking for staying in a conscious state of awareness helps us to unchain our being from limiting views and perspectives, so that we live more freely.

Sandy C. Newbigging is the creator of Calmology principles and techniques, including the transformative GAAWO. He offers a 12-week Calmology foundation course at CalmClan.com. Connect at SandyNewbigging.com.

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healthykids

The Wild and Wooly

cristovao/Shutterstock.com

TEEN BRAIN

What Kids Need from Us to Grow Wise

by April Thompson

P

eer pressure and body consciousness are universal challenges facing teens and their parents. Experts find that by modeling healthy habits and maintaining open lines of communication, adults can help foster healthy independent thinking and responses to inevitable situations.

Respect Developing Capacities

Some teen struggles are literally all in their heads, according to Dr. Frances Jensen, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, in Philadelphia. “The brain is the last organ to mature, and isn’t fully complete until young people reach their late 20s. This allows the brain to adapt to its environment, which can be both good and bad,” says Jensen, author of The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults.

Compounding the challenge, the frontal lobes, responsible for higher functions like insight, judgment, impulse 28

control and empathy, fully mature last; it’s no coincidence that teens struggle in these areas, according to Jensen. The plasticity of the teenage brain is optimal for learning and adaption, but without the frontal lobe feedback, it’s a challenge for them to moderate the heightened emotions, novelty seeking and sexual impulses adolescents are also experiencing.

“We expect teenagers to act rationally, but there are many reasons why their brains aren’t taking them there,” says Jensen. “Acknowledging this can lower frustration levels for everyone.”

Create a Safe Haven

Teens learn more from experience than lectures, so parents should facilitate positive experiences and influences at home, advises Carla Atherton, director of The Healthy Family Formula, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, which fosters family well-being by holistically addressing root causes of poor health. Such activities can include regularly preparing meals together and

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going for family walks, rather than eating dinner in front of the TV.

“Doing everything you can to connect with kids while they are in an environment you can control gives them a good foundation they can take into the world,” says Atherton, the mother of three teens.

Parents have to give trust to gain kids’ trust stresses educator Naomi Katz, of Galilee, Israel, author of Beautiful: Being an Empowered Young Woman. “Create an environment where kids feel like they don’t have to hide or lie about anything,” Katz says. She also encourages parents to empower adolescents in decision making: Rather than telling them not to try drugs or alcohol “because I said so,” provide them real facts to help them draw their own conclusions.

Support Quiet Respites

In today’s hyper-connected world, Katz observes, “Social dynamics can get really confusing and painful and impact kids in far-reaching ways. We used to come home from school and be away from those issues until the next day; now that break doesn’t come because of social media and smartphones.”

Katz recommends encouraging journaling or other forms of selfexpression to help teens unplug and reflect. Breathing exercises can help calm nerves and allow them to think more clearly in tough social situations before they react. Katz also suggests teens set aside time each week for a feel-good activity like playing sports or music, to give them a reliable source of pleasure and accomplishment, no matter what else is going on in their lives.

Stay Alert to Signs

Despite a parent’s best efforts, kids can and will make unhealthy choices, and parents need to be prepared to manage the consequences. If a child is suspected or found to be engaging in dangerous or addictive behaviors like self-harming or an eating disorder, it’s important to address these immediately, seeking professional help if needed, counsels Katz.

Jensen remarks that it’s easier to learn unhealthy patterns when the brain is malleable, and addictive behaviors are harder to eliminate than if they are acquired as an adult.

The signs of unhealthy behaviors can

be subtle, so it’s important to recognize cues without making flash judgments or placing blame, says Atherton, For example, a parent that notices her teen eating differently or obsessed with working out should consider initiating a conversation with him or her about body image.

Talking to teens about images in the media can help them gain a more balanced and positive self-perspective.

“You can tell your kids, ‘These advertising images are trying to sell you someone’s idea of a perfect look, but it’s not reality,’” says Atherton.

For whatever issues teens are trying to cope with, parents need to cultivate their own sense of inner calm; to be the rock that they can cling to. “Caring adults need to give teens a periodic frontal lobe assist,” says Jensen. “It helps when we share more details and insights about how we organize our lives and make decisions.

Modeling the rationality and empathy that teenagers may lack can be an effective counterbalance.”

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

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29

wisewords

Julia Schopick on Effective, Affordable Medicine

by Randy Kambic

What are some of the most significant natural alternatives you report on in Honest Medicine?

The ketogenic diet is one standout because it was the standard of care for children with epilepsy in the 1920s—until pharmaceutical companies began to produce lucrative anti-seizure medications; then its use diminished through a lack of proponents in the medical field. Its use was revived in the 1990s 30

due to the efforts of Jim Abrahams, a Hollywood writer/director, father of a child with epilepsy and one of my heroes.

I found small studies that proved that the ketogenic diet successfully stops children’s seizures nearly 70 percent of the time. This highly effective alternative has none of the negative side effects of antiseizure drugs. Most doctors aren’t in favor of the diet approach and instead often prescribe affected children up to three or four meds as an easier option.

The diet follows Hippocrates’ dictum, “Let food be thy medicine.”

Another standout is intravenous alpha lipoic acid, pioneered since the 1970s

by Dr. Burt Berkson, who used it mainly for end-stage liver disease and diabetic neuropathy. He saved many people from needing liver transplants with infusions of this powerful, versatile antioxidant. photo by Keith Peterson

F

ollowing up on the success of her bestselling book Honest Medicine: Effective, TimeTested, Inexpensive Treatments for Life-Threatening Diseases, Julia Schopick plans to spread awareness of the efficacy of lowdose naltrexone (LDN) in treating autoimmune and other ailments later this year with a new book coauthored with professional writer Don Schwartz.

Her first book, endorsed by many leading integrative health practitioners, earned the top National Indie Excellence Award for Alternative Medicine. It taps into nearly 200 scientific studies, with her research into innovative treatments driven by a quest that she and her late husband both believed added 15 years to his life after a terminal prognosis at age 40.

The former English teacher at Long Island University and Virginia State University, now an Oak Park, Illinois resident, has contributed to the American Medical Association publication AM News, writes online and print guest columns and shares her journey in media interviews.

Did anything surprise you?

I chose to include effective treatments that are non-toxic and inexpensive. I didn’t realize that several of them were effective for many different conditions.

For example, LDN has been used since the mid-1980s to treat autoimmune diseases, of which there are more than 100; it also treats some cancers and AIDS. Research shows good results for conditions as varied as multiple sclerosis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and Parkinson’s, because all of them have an autoimmune component if they are not directly autoimmune diseases.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Similarly, the ketogenic diet is now being studied as a treatment for cancers, especially brain tumors, brain injuries, autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Intravenous alpha lipoic acid is also used to address autoimmune diseases, some cancers and other conditions.

Are you finding that people are increasingly moving away from drugs and, if so, why?

Yes. The norm used to be that patients followed their doctors’ orders without question, which routinely entailed prescription drugs. Today, people are realizing that drugs often come with horrendous side effects. Consider, for instance, that ads for some injectible treatments for autoimmune diseases caution against side effects of cancers, including lymphomas. A side effect of some multiple sclerosis drugs is a serious brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML. People are listening closely, reading and researching their health issues, and don’t want risky side effects, especially when safer options are available.

In dealing with chronic illnesses, how crucial is it for caregiver and patient to maintain a positive, optimistic attitude?

Multiple studies, like those referenced in Mind Over Medicine, by Dr. Lissa Rankin, and Radical Remission, by Kelly Turner, Ph.D., show that a positive state of mind is crucial to healing. One of the benefits I report in my book is that patients and caregivers will do even more research looking for alternatives when doctors tell them nothing else can be done. And many find healing treatments; there are many such cases reported in my book. I like the African proverb, “When you pray, move your feet.”

Randy Kambic is a freelance writer and editor in Estero, FL, and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.

calendarofevents

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21 Usui Reiki Level I & II with Julie – 9:30am-5:30pm, Jan 21-22. Basic Usui Reiki and some amazing supercharged ways to increase the focus and intensity of your work. Level I gives you the tools for self healing, Level II increases your connection and you will learn to work on others. Nurses CEs available. $300 at door/$250 prepaid 7 days in advance. Reiki Center of Fairhope, Fairhope, AL. Julie: 251-281-8811. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@ gmail.com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events.

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

Burning Bowl Ceremony at Unity Sunday Service – 10:30am. A Unity New Year's tradition—celebrating the beginning of the new year and burning of the old ideas that no longer serve our highest good. Free.

Unity of Gulfport, 1700 E. Railroad St, Gulfport, MS. UnityGulfport.com.

Quantum-Touch Level I with Julie E Brent – 9am-5:30pm. Jan 14-15. Quantum-Touch teaches us to focus, amplify and direct Life Force energy, for a wide range of benefits with surprising and also extraordinary results. Your love has tremendous impact to benefit yourself, others. 13 NCBTMB/12.5 nursing CEs available. $400 prepaid 3 wks in advance or $480 at door. Reiki Center of Fairhope, Fairhope, AL. Julie: 251-281-8811. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@ gmail.com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 Yoga and Mindfulness for Children – 4-5pm.

Wednesdays, Jan 4-25. Children grades K-5 will find focus and intention with their thoughts and actions for the new year. They will learn to create an inner calm while exploring yoga through games, stories and activities. Advance registration required. Led by Rebecca Washburn, LPC, RYT. $40. Soul Shine Yoga, 103 Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. 251-232-1143. Rebecca.

SoulFlow@gmail.com. TheSoulShineLife.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6 Cafe Music Night – 6:30-8pm. Join a group of spirited musicians and fans and folks who love to sing and play music. No talent needed, just a willing heart to enjoy an evening with friends. Bring an instrument to play along or just a happy song in your head. Free. Meeting Hall, Unity of Gulfport, 1700 E Railroad St, Gulfport, MS. UnityGulfport.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 Prenatal Yoga Series with Nancy Beck – 4pm.

Sundays, Jan 8-29. Prenatal yoga gives a woman energy to enjoy her pregnancy, serenity to build a deeper intimacy with her own body and baby, and the presence of mind to expect the unexpected and be present. Nancy is a registered prenatal yoga teacher. $59 for 4 wk series. Advance registration required. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10

markyourcalendar Green Drinks Fairhope Join us for an informal yet engaging happy hour with like-minded folks and a monthly speaker (at 6pm) every second Tuesday. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks. Food from Sunflower Café plus produce and meat from local farms.

January 10 • 5-7pm

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 Potluck at Unity of Gulfport – 11:45am. Potluck at Unity Church after our 10:30 service. Please join us in the Meeting Hall and break bread and lots of other delicious dishes with like minded, happy and spiritual folk. Free (bring a dish to share). Unity of Gulfport, 1700 E Railroad St, Gulfport, MS. UnityGulfport.com.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 Yoga Beginners Series with Lynette Mattina – 5:30pm. Tuesdays, Jan 17-31. Learn and explore the principles of alignment for the most common poses in yoga classes, as well as basic breathing and meditation. If you're brand new to yoga or if you need a refresher for your current practice, then this series is for you. $39 for 3-wk series. Advance registration required. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 Mommy to Mommy – 11am. Moms and babies meet monthly with other women to offer motherto-mother guidance, support and companionship.

Free. Luna Babies, 1820 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS. 228-357-5574. LunaBabiesCD@gmail.com.

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

January 18 • 5-7pm

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

Cloth Diaper 101 – 11am. New to cloth diapering, or just want to learn the pros and cons of it? We are here for you! CD 101 goes over the different types, accessories and washing options. Free. Luna Babies, 1820 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS. 228-357-5574.

LunaBabiesCD@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 Artist's Way Gathering – 6-8pm. A creative gathering of discussion, journaling and activities based on the book, The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron. Bring a book and your journal. Light refreshments and activity supplies provided. Facilitated by Rebecca Washburn and Greta Bates. $15. Fairhope, AL. Rebecca Washburn: 251-929-4634. Rebecca.SoulFlow@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 AHA Student Massage Clinic – 10:15am, 11:30am, 12:45pm. School-supervised internship gives opportunity for student practitioners to work with clients in a professional setting & clients to receive quality, full-length healing treatments at a great value. Call to schedule appointments. $25 for 50-min full-body student massage. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-753-1937. Alabama HealingArts@gmail.com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Yoga Dance Fusion Series with Rebecca Washburn – 5:30pm. Wednesdays, Feb 1-22. Connect with your inner rhythm and flow through a unique blend of yoga and dance. Explore your creativity with a fusion of dance styles mixed with the practice of yoga. No experience necessary. $45 for 4-wk series. Advance registration required. Kudzu Aerial, 265 Young St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@ TheSoulShineLife.com. TheSoulShineLife.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 3

savethedate The Gulf Coast Grandmothers Gathering A collective of women of all ages who embrace the archetype of the loving, wise Grandmother. Join our annual gathering in Fairhope to reflect and renew spirits, fulfilling the ancient prophecy: “When the Grandmothers speak, the earth will heal.” $340$415 for 3 nights lodging and all meals.

April 3 to 6

Camp Beckwith • Fairhope, AL 251-945-1295 • msparis98@gmail.com GulfCoastGrandmothers.com

natural awakenings January 2017

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

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

Center for Spiritual Living Service – 10am. Make every step, every choice, every word, a conscious one.

Center for Spiritual Living, 1230 Montlimar, Mobile, AL. 251-343-0777. CenterForSpiritualLivingMobile.org.

Unity Gulf Shores Sunday Service – 10am. Come home to Unity. Casual attire. Open and affirming.

Drink specials, coffee, snacks at 10am; lunch served at 11am. Unity Gulf Shores and Orange Beach gathering at Papa Rocco's Bar & Grill, corner of Hwy 59 and W 6th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. 678-481-5026.

RevDonna@me.com. UnityGulfShores.com.

Unity Orange Beach Sunday Service – 10am.

Come home to Unity. Casual attire. Open and affirming. Drink specials, coffee, snacks at 10am; lunch served at 11am. Unity Gulf Shores and Orange Beach gathering at Bayes Bar & Grill, behind Marriott at the Wharf, Orange Beach, AL. 678-481-5026.

RevDonna@me.com. UnityGulfShores.com.

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

OpenTableUCC.org.

Unity Church of Gulfport Sunday Service – 10:30am. Join us for an uplifting, positive message to nourish your spiritual soul from Rev. Judy Voght every Sunday. Free. Unity of Gulfport, 1700 E. Railroad St, Gulfport, MS. UnityGulfport.com.

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

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

PLANS CHANGE!

Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

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Diversity Tea – 2pm. 2nd Sunday. Please join us in raising our individual and collective spirits as we gather for our monthly Ladies Tea. Please bring a short quote, prayer, poem, story, song or even a piece of art that inspires you.Free. 81 Magnolia Ave, Fairhope, AL. BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com.

Baha'i's of Fairhope Diversity Devotions – 3-5pm.

4th Sunday. The coming together of people from diverse religions and backgrounds to celebrate their unity and strengthen the spiritual health of the community. Refreshments are served following the shared devotional program. Free. 81 Magnolia Ave, Fairhope, AL. BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com.

monday Hot Power Hour – 8am. Mon-Fri. A faster paced power vinyasa flow builds strength, increases flexibility, strengthens your core and transforms your body and mind. Find your groove, shine your light and practice at your own level. Heated. $15 drop-in, packages available. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@ TheSoulShineLife.com. TheSoulShineLife.com.

Open Flow with Faye – 9:30am. Join Faye for all levels class. Class will include strong standing poses with focus on breathing. Class will end with relaxing savasana. Props provided. $10 per class or unlimited monthly for $50 with Kula Yoga Community.

Quiet Mind Yoga, 2065 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

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

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

Bridging the Great Divide – 6-8pm. The Family Center is offering this class for parents of teens. It helps prepare and equip parents for having the important conversations needed with their teens. Helps parents see things from the teen perspective. Free.

601 Bel Air Blvd, Ste 100, Mobile. Lydia Pettijohn: 251-479-5700. FamilyCenterMobile.org.

Mellow Monday's with Manja – 6pm. Join Manja for Mellow Monday's gentle beginners yoga. Class will include slower paced restorative poses with focus on breathing, relaxation and stretching.

Props provided. $10 per class or unlimited for $50 with Kula Yoga Community. Quiet Mind Yoga and Massage, 2065 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Together We Can – 6-8pm. A Family Center class to help parents build a better future for their children by working together as co-parents. Open to couples regardless of their relationship. Free.

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

FamilyCenterMobile.org.

Pranic Healing and Twin Hearts Meditation Clinic – 6:30-8:20pm. Headaches, stress, physical or emotional ailments bothering you? Experience healing for your mind, body and soul, with Pranic Healing and/or Meditation on Twin Hearts. We all have the ability to heal ourselves and others. Classes also available. Donation. Center for Spiritual Living Mobile, AL. RSVP: 251-454-0959.

tuesday

Gentle Chair Yoga – 11am-12pm. Accessible to individuals that are unable to stand unsupported for long periods of time, including seniors and anyone suffering from chronic pain, injuries, movement disorders or limited balance. Also Wed in Daphne. $5. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. 251-610-3151.

10% Off Facials – Tues & Thurs. Book your appointments at Wellness Spa of Ocean Springs on Tuesdays and Thursdays and receive 10% off of any facial treatment or microdermabrasion when you mention this listing. Excludes any other offers, coupons or specials.

Wellness Spa of Ocean Springs, 21 Marks Rd, Ocean Springs, MS. 228-209-4090. WellnessSpaOS.com.

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

Fitness at Midlife and Beyond – 8:15-9:15am.

Tues/Thurs. Free outdoor fitness classes. Included: cardio, strength-training and a yoga-inspired stretch.

Bring a mat and a water bottle. Beginners welcome (with no serious health conditions). Free. Stimpson Field (corner of Morphy and Mershon), Fairhope, AL. Pam: 251-609-0504.

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

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

Farmers Market – 9am-2pm. Tues & Sat. Farmers market offering direct farm sales to the public. Fresh seasonal produce, beef, pork, lamb, chicken, eggs, honey, jellies, baked goods, handcrafted soaps and local artistry. Open year round.

Know your farmer. Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermans Market, 20733 Miflin Rd, Foley, AL. 251-597-5557. MktMgrFoley@gmail.com.

CoastalAlabamaMarket.com.

MELT Hand/Foot Treatment & Roller Sequences – 5:30pm. MELT is a simple self-treatment that helps prevent pain, heal injury and erase the negative effects of aging and active living. Regardless of age or fitness level, MELT can improve your longevity through selftreatment. Log on to reserve your spot. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

La Leche League Mobile Bay Area – 10:30am.

Open to all women with an interest in learning about and supporting breastfeeding. Babies/children are welcome. Free. 251-689-2085. For location information or breastfeeding help contact AmandaLLLMobile@ yahoo.com or MeghanLLL@yahoo.com.

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

Green Drinks Fairhope – 5-7pm. Every 2nd Tues.

Join us for an informal yet engaging happy hour with like-minded folks. Connect with other progressive people in our area. Brief speaker at 6pm at most meetings. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks. Food from Sunflower Cafe and produce from local farmers. Fairhope Brewing Company, 914 Nichols Ave, Fairhope, AL. 251279-7517. MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com.

Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks.

AHA Evening Yoga – 5:45pm. Give your spirit the gift of a calming and centering tune-up by improving posture, muscle-tone, strength and flexibility, establishing core strength, refreshing the mind and restoring healthy balance. Beginnerfriendly. Props provided. Call/text to register. $10/ class or 12-class pass for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-377-8940. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

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

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

Yoga with Valerie – 5:45pm. Join 200-hr RYT Valerie Mitchell for a glorious yoga experience as she challenges with a strong emphasis on alignment and focus while still calming the mind. Relieve stress and rejuvenate, energize and recharge the body.

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

Synergyoga.net.

Sierra Club Meeting – 6-8pm. 1st Tues. Public welcome. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort, AL.

wednesday TurboKick LIVE – 8:30am. Beachbody's TurboKick LIVE with Master Trainer Erin Scott.

Combines intense kickboxing and dance moves, set to high-energy and motivating music for a fun cardio challenge. $15. Brandy Rhodes Coaching, 76 Plantation Point, Fairhope, AL. 870-215-3631.

BrandyRhodes.com.

PLANS CHANGE!

Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

mobile bay

AHA Morning Yoga – 9:30am. Mon & Wed. Learn the basics of yoga postures. Energize, align, strengthen, center and de-stress through movement, body-mind awareness and breath. Beginner-friendly. Props provided. Call/ text 251-753-2037 to register. $10/class or 12-class pass for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail. com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Positive Parenting – 9:30-11:30am. A 9-week course using the Nurturing Parenting curriculum which focuses on positive discipline and communication with children. Open enrollment is available; certificates upon completion. Free. 601 Bel Air Blvd, Suite 100, Mobile, AL. Lydia Pettijohn: 251-4795700. FamilyCenterMobile.org.

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

Gentle Chair Yoga – 11am-12pm. Accessible to individuals that are unable to stand unsupported for long periods of time, including seniors and anyone suffering from chronic pain, injuries, movement disorders or limited balance. Also Mon in Fairhope. $5. Pneuma Yoga/Movement Studio, 1901 Main St, Daphne, AL. 251-610-3151.

Restorative Yoga with Lauren – 4pm. Been a long few days? No stresses and no worries. Allow Lauren Parrish to lead you down a relaxing path with some restorative yoga. Be supported by all the right props as the poses plus gravity gently melt away the week's anxieties... oh yeah! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Green Drinks Mobile – 5-7pm. 3rd Wed. Join us for an informal yet engaging happy hour with likeminded folks and monthly speaker at most meetings.

Connect with other progressive people in our area.

Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks. Alchemy Tavern, 7 S Joachim St, Mobile, AL. MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com.

Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks.

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

Yoga – 9am. Wed & Fri. Experience yoga with emphasis on breathing, alignment and slow flow. Use of props to support your practice. All fitness levels welcome. Class size limited, call/text to register 251-583-0049. $10. Richard Fitness Systems, 1880 Airport Blvd, Ste D, Mobile, AL. 251-583-0049.

Open Flow with Melanie – 5:45pm. Join Melanie for Open Flow Yoga Level 2: strong standing poses and synchronized breathing. Class will conclude with meditation. Props provided. $10 per class or unlimited for $50 with Kula Yoga membership.

Quiet Mind Yoga and Massage, 2065 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

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

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

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

Free. West Regional Branch, Mobile Public Library, Grelot Rd (near University Blvd), Mobile, AL. 251340-8565. Lbrlumin@aol.com. IANDS.org.

GREEN DRINKS A monthly happy hour for environmentallythoughtful folks.

GATHERING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BAY.

Join us for happy hour! fairhope

2nd Tuesdays 5-7PM Fairhope Brewing Company

mobile

3rd Wednesdays 5-7PM Alchemy Tavern

Food sponsored by Sunflower Cafe.

For more info: Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com

natural awakenings January 2017

33

Wind Down Wednesday – 6pm. Join Rebecca for a breath-guided yoga class accessible to all levels. Stretch tired and stiff muscles while calming your mind. Class will conclude with meditation. Props provided. $10 per class or unlimited for $50 with Kula Yoga membership. Center For Spritual Living, 1230 Montlimar Ave, Mobile, AL. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

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

thursday 10% Off Facials – Tues & Thurs. Book your appointments at Wellness Spa of Ocean Springs on Tuesdays and Thursdays and receive 10% off of any facial treatment or microdermabrasion when you mention this listing. Excludes any other offers, coupons or specials.

Wellness Spa of Ocean Springs, 21 Marks Rd, Ocean Springs, MS. 228-209-4090. WellnessSpaOS.com.

Fitness at Midlife and Beyond – 8:15-9:15am. Tues/ Thurs. Free outdoor fitness classes. Included: cardio, strength-training and a yoga-inspired stretch. Bring a mat and a water bottle. Beginners welcome (with no serious health conditions). Free. Stimpson Field (corner of Morphy and Mershon), Fairhope, AL. Pam: 251-609-0504.

Pound Rockout Workout – 9am. Rockout cardio jam workout with drumsticks (rip sticks). Inspired by the infectious, energizing and sweat-dripping fun of playing the drums. $15. Brandy Rhodes Coaching, 76 Plantation Point, Fairhope, AL. 870215-3631. BrandyRhodes.com.

PLANS CHANGE!

Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

friday AHA Morning Yoga – 9am. Learn the basics of yoga postures. Energize, align, strengthen, center and destress through movement, body-mind awareness and breath. Beginner-friendly, props provided. Call/text 646-220-8561 to register. $10/class or 12-class pass for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile, AL. AlabamaHealingArts@gmail. com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

Yoga with Faye – 9am. What a great way to jump start your weekend! Let breath and body move in sync as Faye Mahan’s seamless style weaves a blend of classical yoga flow and poses. Renew your spirit with a glorious class to begin the day refreshed and re-energized. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

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

saturday

Men’s Pilates Class – 5pm. Classes utilize reformers, Pilates chairs and barrels. 2-4 people in a class to insure each client receives the instruction they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes. Call for more time options. Registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person. Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. 251-344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

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

Group Reformer Class – 5:15pm. Catch the wave of classical fitness and join Adrienne at the end of your day for a Pilates group reformer class. Stand taller, get toned and be both leaner and stronger.

Leave class feeling great. Please log onto the website to make reservations. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile, AL. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Farmers Market – 9am-2pm. Tues & Sat. Farmers market offering direct farm sales to the public. Fresh seasonal produce, beef, pork, lamb, chicken, eggs, honey, jellies, baked goods, handcrafted soaps and local artistry. Open year round. Know your farmer. Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermans Market, 20733 Miflin Rd, Foley, AL. 251-597-5557. MktMgrFoley@gmail. com. CoastalAlabamaMarket.com.

Movie Night – 6-8pm. Showing a different thoughtprovoking movie each week. Seating is limited; please reserve your seat by calling 228-831-1785.

Free. Coast Health & Nutrition, 12100 Hwy 49, Ste 628, Gulfport, MS. CoastHealthAndNutrition.com.

Personal Wellness and Self-Discovery Classes – 6:30pm. Every last Thurs. Monthly classes designed to empower oneself to heal, uplift and detoxify the body, mind and spirit. $5 donation for food pantry.

Prodisee Pantry, 9315 Spanish Fort Blvd, Spanish Fort, AL. 850-380-4943. LaurieAzzarella@gmail. com. Laurie.MarketingScents.com.

Dynamic Dads – 7-9pm. The Family Center is the site of the Mobile County Fatherhood Initiative. Be the father your children need--A super hero for your super kid!

Free. 601 Bel Air Blvd, Suite 100, Mobile, AL. Lydia Pettijohn: 251-479-5700. FamilyCenterMobile.org.

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Open Flow Saturdays – 9-10am. Julie Wilkins teaches an all levels form-based vinyasa class every Saturday at COTA Montrose. Strengthen, stretch and inspire. $10 drop-in. COTA Montrose 7159 McIntyre St, Montrose, AL. 251-554-4856.

AlignmentPaths.com.

Kula Yoga Saturday Morning Class – 9:30am.

Open-level class where energizing postures that develop strength and flexibility are combined with breath and movement. Modifications make every pose accessible to students of all levels. $10 per class or unlimited for $50 with Kula Yoga membership.

Quiet Mind Yoga and Massage, 2065 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Expressive Art – 10am-12pm. Tamlin Allbritten, author of Art With A Purpose, teaches kids and

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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their parents what they need to know through a creative process that fosters thought-provoking insights. All ages welcome. For times and dates: ArtWithAPurposeBooks.com. $20. Fairhope, AL. RSVP: TamlinAll@gmail.com.

Second Saturday Kite Flying – 10am-4pm. Kite flying exhibition and free kite flying lessons for single line, dual line and quad line sport kites. Free.

Long Beach Harbor area, Beach Blvd at Jeff Davis, Long Beach, MS. 228-206-0322. KewlKites.com.

Restorative Yoga – 10:30am. Guide yourself toward a healthier state of being in restorative yoga. There’s no goal of stretching or strengthening, just relax with what is. All levels. Unheated. $15 drop-in, packages available. Soul Shine Yoga, 103B N Bancroft St, Fairhope, AL. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com

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

OPPORTUNITIES MARKETING VOLUNTEER – Green Drinks Fairhope is in need of a volunteer to manage their email and social media marketing campaigns. If interested, email MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com.

NATURAL AWAKENINGS SINGLES – Ready to meet the love of your life?

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

NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com.

SERVICES ENERGY HEALER – Offering energy work, spiritual healing, medical intuitive readings, natural remedies and supplements. Sherry Seicshnaydre: 228-3130664. SherryAnn4@gmail.com.

MEDIUM~INTUITIVE~PSYCHIC – Marie Bates Curry offers intuitive guidance and spiritual connections. Individual and group readings. By appointment only: 251300-7261.

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

DOG RIVER CLEARWATER REVIVAL STORM DRAIN MARKER PROJECT – Volunteers needed to educate the public about the storm drain system. Janet Miller: J46Miller@yahoo.com. 251-654-1827.

naturaldirectory

CHURCHES THE BAHA'I'S OF FAIRHOPE

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

81 Magnolia Avenue, Fairhope, AL 251-928-5692 BahaisOfFairhope@gmail.com Join our gathering of people from diverse religions and backgrounds to celebrate unity and support the spiritual health of the community. Meeting every fourth Sunday. Contact us to learn more.

Did you miss our 2016 Healthy & Green Living Directory?

Read it online at TinyURL.com/NAFeb16. The 2017 Healthy & Green Living Directory comes out in February!

UNITY CHURCH OF GULFPORT

ACUPUNCTURE

1700 East Railroad Street, Gulfport, MS 228-871-7004 UnityGulfport.com

BABYCARE

BISHOP PHYSICAL THERAPY

LUNA BABIES

Acupuncture treats neck and back pain, weight management, sciatica, arthritis, headaches, stress/ anxiety, digestive issues, fertility issues, menstrual and menopausal symptoms and more. Experience natural pain relief with acupuncture, cupping and physical therapy. See ad, page 13.

A natural parenting store proudly offering a growing selection of cloth diapers and accessories, baby carriers, unique gifts and other green products for families. Classes and support groups offered regularly. See ad, page 13.

Patrick Miller, Licensed Acupuncturist 1203 Highway 98, Suite 1-C, Daphne, AL 251-626-7778 • BishopPhysicalTherapy.com

AIR QUALITY PROBIOTIC AIR PURIFIERS

Family Care Naturally 1404B West 1st Street, Gulf Shores, AL Behind Walgreens • 251-970-3605

1820 Pass Road, Gulfport, MS 228-357-5574 • LunaBabies.com Facebook.com/lunababiescd

BEAUTY B-BUTTERFLY SALON

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

Patented delivery system technology eliminates mold, allergens, pet dander, odors, harmful bacteria and viruses safely. No GMO, chemicals, additives.

Financing, group presentations and discounts available. No more dirty air! See ad, page 20.

including hair color, perms and shampoo.

Make a difference today in your hair, your life and the Earth. Visit us for a free hair exam today and go organic! Manicures, pedicures and eyebrow waxing also available. See ad, page 5.

AKASHIC READINGS

CHIROPRACTIC

BETSEY GRADY

Founder of Rosie Bluum 6A S Bancroft Street, Fairhope • 251-517-5626 BetseyGrady.com • RosieBluum.com Referred to as the Book of Life, the Akashic Records are soul records, storing all information of an individual, place or thing. A consultation offers deep levels of guidance from the masters, teachers and guides, supporting you in living life from your authentic essence.

See ad, page 27.

SALON

SOUTHEAST FUNCTIONAL CHIROPRACTIC

A positive path for spiritual living.

Unity teachings and communities are places of spiritual healing. If you’re drawn to individuals like Oprah, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson and Deepak Chopra, you’ll love Unity of Gulfport.

See ad, page 9.

UNITY GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH Gathering at Papa Rocco's in Gulf Shores, AL and Bayes Bar & Grill in Orange Beach, AL 678-481-5026 • UnityGulfShores.com

Our practical spiritual teachings empower people to live meaningful, healthy and prosperous lives. Our open and affirming congregation honors all paths to God. Sunday services at 10 a.m.

See ad, page 24.

COUNSELING REBECCA WASHBURN, LPC, RYT

Licensed Professional Counselor 400 Fairhope Avenue 2A • 251-929-4634 RebeccaWashburn.com Counseling that integrates the mind, body, emotion, energy and spirit. Let go of anxiety and patterns from the past and create a life that honors who you are.

Insurance accepted.

Dr. Wesley Corbin, DC, MS 1802 US Highway 98, Suite E, Daphne, AL 251-375-0012 • DaphneChiropractor.com Caring for the whole person with spinal health, lifestyle advice, individualized nutritional programs and acupuncture. For patients battling chronic pain and illness, and for those seeking a more balanced life.

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

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings here.

natural awakenings January 2017

35

$75

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY KRISTEN KELLY, LMT

Rosie Bluum 6A South Bancroft Street, Fairhope, AL 251-599-5943 • 251-517-5626

Monthly Directory Listing

Offering Chinese Craniosacral Therapy, a subtle blend of Chinese meridian therapy and craniosacral energy work, that indirectly approaches physical and psychological imbalances.

This experience teaches your body to use its own bioelectric immune system. See ad, page 27.

PRINT & ONLINE

THE WILLOW TREE AT ROSIE BLUUM

Each listing includes: • Category Heading • Color Photo/Logo • 4 Company/Contact Lines • 30 Word Description GEMS &

6A South Bancroft Street, Fairhope, AL 251-517-5326 or 251-751-6945 TheWillowTreeAtRosieBluum.com

Offering gifts and services that nurture your spirit. Books, card decks, essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies, crystals, salt lamps, incense and organic clothing. Local art, jewelry, honey, soaps and candles. See ad, page 27.

S CRYSTAL

UM OSIE BLU REE AT RFairhope, AL T W O L IL reet, THE W ancroft St

B 6A South 6 or 251-751-6945 om .c 251-517-532TreeAtRosieBluum gifts and TheWillow O ff e r i n g at nu rt ur e

ney, soaps

jewelry, ho

CRYSTALS & GEMS

se rv ic es th ooks, card B your spirit. nt ia l oi ls , se de ck s, es Remedies, er Bach Flow lt la m ps , sa cr ys ta ls , d or ga ni c in ce ns e an oc al ar t, L . cl ot hi ng ge 14. s. See ad, pa and candle

Plus editorial exposure and calendar listings.

For details and rates call:

251-990-9552

or email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

DENTISTRY DR. DAYTON HART, DMD

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

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

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

Experience the healing, uplifting and detoxifying benefits of authentic, genuine therapeutic grade essential oils and supplements. Contact us for personal Zyto Wellness readings and wholesale privileges. Wellness classes last Thursday of the month at Prodisee Pantry. See ad, page 13.

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36

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

FENG SHUI FENGSHUI831

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

fengshui 831

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

FOOD & NUTRITION COAST HEALTH & NUTRITION

12100 Highway 49, Suite 628, Gulfport, MS 228-831-1785 CoastHealthAndNutrition.com Local health food store and wellness center to support your healthy lifestyle: natural and organic options for food, supplements, cleaning supplies and skincare.

Chiropractic care, massage therapy and essential oil counseling also available. See ad, page 20.

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 • CafÊ: 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic cafÊ serving the public for 40 years. Extensive supplement selection; organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk spices and herbs; pet supplies; baby products and more. Monthly product specials. See ad, page 4.

THE HEALTH HUT

2032 Airport, Midtown Mobile: 251-473-0277 680 S. Schillinger, Mobile, AL: 251-633-0485 6845 Hwy 90, Daphne, AL: 251-621-1865

For 30 years The Health Hut has been the go-to place for high quality, whole-food vitamins, herbs and sport supplements at great prices. Service-oriented, knowledgeable staff. See ad, page 19.

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

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings here.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

MASSAGE THERAPY

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

JEN ADAMS, LMT

Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 40 years. Extensive supplement selection; organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk spices and herbs; pet supplies; baby products and more. Monthly product specials. See ad, page 4.

HEALING ARTS Sherry Seicshnaydre, Energy Healer Gulfport, MS 228-313-0664 • SherryAnn4@gmail.com

MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC

Sharing and teaching love, joy, peace and light through sessions, coaching, crystals and classes. Offering energy work (Reiki, BARS, Healing Touch), spiritual healing, medical intuitive readings, natural remedies and supplements. See ad, page 24.

JEREMY STOUT

240 West Laurel Avenue, Foley, AL 251-597-8787 MindPerformanceCenter.com

A cutting e d g e approach to brain disorders that is drug-free, non-invasive and proven effective. Treating dementia, depression, memory loss, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury and more.

MOVEMENT THERAPY

Reconnective Healing Practitioner Rosie Bluum, 6A S Bancroft Street Fairhope, AL • 251-222-0220

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA

Reconnective Healing is a return to an optimal state of balance utilizing a spectrum of frequencies that consists of energy, light and information.

Balance your physical, mental and spiritual Self.

TheReconnection.com.

PRANIC HEALING IN MOBILE Deana Lannie 251-454-0959

Unique massage technique that is gentle enough for the severest sufferers of pain and deep enough for the most rigorous of athletes. 14 years experience in the bodywork and natural wellness field.

MENTAL HEALTH

ABUNDANT LIFE

See ad, page 27.

22787 US 98, Building D, Suite 5, Montrose 251-616-4201 • JenAdamsLMT.info JenAdams.Massage@gmail.com

Sherlyn Culwell, RYT Fairhope and Daphne, AL 251-610-3151

Experience yoga's benefits with the support of a chair and build strength, endurance and courage. Accessible to seniors and anyone suffering from chronic pain, injuries, movement disorders or limited balance. See ad, page 3.

Free healing nights and group meditations every Monday. Pranic Healing classes and the advanced technique of Superbrain Yoga. See ad, page 20.

2017 Gulf Coast Alabama & Mississippi

Healthy&

Healthy GREEN Living& GREEN Living DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY 2017

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

Promote your business all year for only $99!

Reach our health-conscious readers with year-round distribution of this special edition, both in print and online.

Some of the options: $99 for 1 listing $149 for 3 listings (3 different categories)

$200 for business profiles (200 words plus a photo or logo)

$450 ad packages

(1/4 pg ad, business profile and 3 listings)

Deadline: January 10, 2017

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When you're finished with it, this publication can easily be recycled or composted.

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

Reserve your space today!

251-990-9552

natural awakenings January 2017

37

NATURAL HEALTH CYNTHIA GALAS

Downtown Fairhope, AL 205-746-6632 CynthiaGalas@yahoo.com Create a life of balance with Ayurveda, the ancient art of natural living. Contact me to discover how Ayurveda, massage, yoga and clean eating can nourish your body, mind and spirit. See ad, page 9.

OXYGEN THERAPY HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY Family Care Naturally 1404B West 1st Street, Gulf Shores, AL Behind Walgreens • 251-970-3605

O

Enhances natural healing processes, hastens muscle recovery and raises energy levels. By breathing oxygen at higher than atmospheric pressures, cells, tissues and organs absorb more oxygen.

Introductory pricing and multiple session discounts. See ad, page 20.

2

OSTEOSTRONG FAIRHOPE

333 Greeno Road S., Unit 2B, Fairhope, AL 251-210-6955 OsteoStrong.me A 7-minute session, once a week provides a natural solution for healthy joints, strong bones and muscles, better balance and flexibility and pain reduction.

Accessible to all ages; non-invasive; non-pharmaceutical. See ad, 25.

NETWORKING MOBILE BAY GREEN DRINKS

Fairhope & Mobile • 251-279-7517 MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks

21 Marks Road, Ocean Springs, MS 228-209-4090 WellnessSpaOS.com

A Wellness Spa specializing in oncology skincare. Also offering digital skin analysis, facials, waxing and microdermabrasion. Wellness coaching available. Everything you need to know to accomplish good health, skincare and wellness. See ad, page 25.

DRINKS

F E B

Dr. Mary Sabal, DC, RN 1404B West 1st Street, Gulf Shores, AL Behind Walgreens • 251-970-3605 Acupuncture (needle and non-needle), chiropractic (manual or instrument), massage (therapeutic and relaxation), hair tissue mineral analysis, hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Multiple visit discounts.

Better Air brand probiotic air purifier distributor. See ad, page 20.

22355 Price Grubbs Road, Robertsdale, AL 251-300-9052

WELLNESS SPA OF OCEAN SPRINGS

GREEN

FAMILY CARE NATURALLY

HEALING ACRES

SPAS

An informal happy hour with like-minded folks every mobile bay second Tuesday in Fairhope and every third Wednesday in Mobile. Connect with other progressive people in our area. Sponsorship, speaker and catering opportunities available. See ad, page 33.

WELLNESS CENTERS

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

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings here.

Experience wellness with massage, reflexology, body treatments, Reiki, colonics, essential oils, wellness classes and more. Walk our new labyrinth (open to the public during daylight hours)! See ad, page 24.

WOMEN'S WELLNESS BRANDY RHODES COACHING 76 Plantation Pointe, Fairhope, AL 870-215-3631 BrandyRhodes.com

A fitness and wellness studio for women who prefer a homelike exercise setting instead of a gym. Offering a variety of classes, personal training and health coaching for overall mind-body balance.

See ad, page 9.

Conscious Dying Plus: Healthy & Green Living Directory Our Readers Are Seeking Providers & Services for Estate Planning, Hospice, Eco-Burial Advice

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 251-990-9552 38

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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