July 2015 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

H E A L T H Y

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L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

Taking Back Our Food Supply How Local Action Can Reverse Corporate Control

All-American Veggie Diet

Plant-Based Diets Improve Life for All

Food Gleaning

Harvesting Leftovers Feeds the Hungry

Safe Cycling

The Right Bike, Safety and Fitness

July 2015 | Mobile/Baldwin Edition | www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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contents

You’re eating organic.

You’re wearing organic.

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.

16 FOOD DEMOCRACY

By the People, for the People and Toward a Stronger Nation

by Melinda Hemmelgarn

Why not

20 VEGGIE NATION

GO ORGANIC

22 FOOD GLEANING

with your hair?

REVOLUTION

by Judith Fertig

Harvesting Leftovers Feeds the Hungry

by Avery Mack

24 JEFFREY SMITH

WARNS AGAINST GMOS

B-Butterfly SALON

Organic Hair Color & Products

16

22

by Linda Sechrist

26 HEALTHIER WATER, HEALTHIER LIVING

by Meredith Montgomery

28 SAVVY CYCLING Keep the Hard Knocks Out of Biking

by Randy Kambic

30 ADVENTURES IN NATURE

28 32

Families Create Memories at Nearby Parks

by Harriet Shugarman

Call today for a free consultation.

251-990-9934

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

Rock ins welcome!

4

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

32 PURR-FECT

PET SITTERS

Make Sure Your Pet Enjoys Your Vacation, Too

by Sandra Murphy

34 MANIFEST

MIRACLES

Tap Into the Field of Infinite Possibility

by Deborah Shouse

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

34

9 7 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 15 ecotip 20 consciouseating 22 greenliving 24 wisewords 26 businessspotlight 28 fitbody 30 healthykids 32 naturalpet 34 healingways 15 36 calendar 40 classifieds 41 naturaldirectory

12

Shanti Warrior School of Living Yoga Mobile, AL

“Bodhisattva School” Sept. 2015-Aug. 2016 with lead trainer

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

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Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

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“He crosses. He crosses.

And he helps others to cross.” ~Narada

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com natural awakenings

July 2015

5

letterfrompublisher When we recently picked up our weekly CSA (community supported agriculture) share of organic produce, our 5-year-old Mays asked the farm owner, “How did you make that honey?” Justin thoughtfully explained his harvesting process and pointed out that it was the bees that actually made the honey. Mays inquired, “Did they try to sting you?” Justin confirmed that they did, but that he made sure to leave plenty of honey for the bees, noting that they feed on their own reserves in the hive when it rains. After our conversation, we walked by the chickens that laid our eggs and headed to the seven-foot-high blueberry patch to stock up on berries. It was a family affair—even 1-year-old Thatch figured out how to pick his own berries.

Sustainability and health through food is an issue that I am passionate about, and one that significantly affects how I live. It seems that not a waking hour goes by that I’m not making a food-related decision, especially during the summer, when all four of us are home. There was a time when I didn’t spend much energy on meal planning—I’d choose a recipe that sounded good and head to the grocery store to buy the ingredients.

But as this month’s feature story, “Food Democracy,” illustrates, we are all stakeholders in the food system and our choices affect personal health, sustainability, the economy, our sense of community and social justice. All these factors have turned what used to be a weekly trip to the grocery store into an ongoing food gathering adventure.

The food we get from our CSA farm is the centerpiece of our diet. The whole family feels connected to it, and because everything there is organic, local and part of our monthly subscription, the only questions I have to consider are how to best store and prepare our bounty. The further we get from the farm, the more involved my purchasing decisions become. When we head to the farmers’ markets, I know everything is local, but I inquire about pesticide use in produce and the ingredient list in prepared items.

The health food stores offer nice options for bulk purchases of whole grains and spices, as well as specialty items unavailable other places. By the time we get to the grocery store, it’s a complicated process of label reading, checking the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists (to determine which items are best purchased only when there’s an organic option) and staying within our family’s grocery budget.

What does your food gathering adventure look like? Are you a consumer or a mindful citizen of the food system? Let this month’s food-focused articles shed light on the influence that our meals have beyond our plates. Get to know the risks of GMOs in Linda Sechrist’s interview with Seeds of Deception author Jeffrey Smith; consider the quality of your drinking water in our local business spotlight on L.A. ECOsmarte, and be inspired by the volunteers and farmers that are harvesting leftover produce to feed the hungry in “Food Gleaning.” If you’re new to this thoughtful approach to food consumption, start small by preparing one of the PlantPure Nation recipes we feature in this month’s conscious eating department. For fun-filled fitness, read “Savvy Cycling” and consider taking an after-dinner bike ride—our favorite family ritual in the summer.

One of the things I value most about food is its ability to connect people. I love that my family has experienced growing our own watermelons and that we’ve seen the tall stalks that produced the organic corn we’ll eat tonight. But don’t let the politics of food origin or the uncertainties of GMOs overshadow the simple pleasures of sitting around a table with the ones you love. Savor seasonal flavors, enjoy lighthearted conversations and feel gratitude for all of Earth’s bounty.

Cheers!

6

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

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

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to the free digital magazine at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Mailed subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address. © 2015 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.

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

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

Natural Awakenings is printed on recyclable newsprint with soybased ink.

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newsbriefs Get Maximum Light with Minimum Humidity

One Presence, One Power

Sun Plans, Inc., provides sun-inspired, energy efficient architecture that allows for buildings to have natural light year-round (without letting in direct sun rays during summer) and comfortable interiors without high humidity. With carefully placed windows and porches, the use of interior window treatments and attention to energy-efficient details when designing or remodeling, a building, a home or office can be both bright and comfortable.

Debbie Coleman, an architect and owner of Sun Plans, Inc., states, “A typical new home built to the 2012 International Residential Code, just adopted by the city of Mobile and also enforced by other local jurisdictions, is allowed to have an air leakage rate of up to five air changes per hour when it is pressurized by the code-required blower door test. That is a lot of air leakage. A typical air conditioner will spend much more of its energy reducing the humidity of the air than cooling it. It really does pay to reduce air leakage beyond code minimum, because a house built to code is the lowest quality of construction allowed by law.”

5859 Cottage Hill Rd., Mobile, AL 36609 251-285-3440 Facebook.com/unityofmobile

For more information, call 251-341-0509 or visit SunPlansGulfCoast.com. See listing, page 42.

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Affirmative Prayer | Meditation Forgiveness | Gratitude

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Simple Truths

I live in the now, giving thanks for the blessings each day contains.

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A positive path for spiritual living.

Cathedral Square

Elements Therapeutic Massage in Mobile is Growing Elements Therapeutic Massage is expanding their Mobile location at 6910 Airport Boulevard, Suite 111, from five to eight rooms and has added additional licensed massage therapists to the staff.

Owner Claudia McClure states, “The expansion will help us better serve our clients and wellness program members, opening up quicker appointment times and therapist choice.”

Elements Massage offers handcrafted and personalized massage. Therapists are matched to the requested level of pressure and specialize in combining techniques from several types of massage for a custom experience. Their extended hours (open until 9 p.m. on weekdays) accommodate busy schedules.

To make same-day appointments, call 251-342-6415 or visit ElementsMassage. com/mobile. See ad, page 15.

Your Path to Self-Discovery & Personal Wellness Reflex-OIL-ogy Class PRODISEE PANTRY

Purification helps refresh and deodorize your step!

9315 SPANISH FORT BLVD, SPANISH FORT

July 30 • 6:30pm Step into Better Health!

Experience Young Living Essential Oils on the Reflexes of your feet.

Classes designed to empower oneself to heal, uplift and detoxify the body, mind and spirit.

LAURIE AZZARELLA, LMT,CRR • LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com 850-380-4943 • www.laurie.marketingscents.com

in Downtown Mobile April 25-July 25 Open Saturdays 7:30a.m. to noon

Lavretta Park

on Old Shell in Mobile May 28-July 30 Open Thursdays 3 to 6p.m.

251-208-1550 • SpecialEventsMobile.org ad_2-16_fengshui831_ad 2/15/15 2:29 PM Page 1

fengshui 831 Feng Shui made Simple Meryl Hyderally 251-463-1862 fengshui831.com meryl@merylhyderally.com Energize Your Home, Energize Your Life Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast natural awakenings

July 2015

7

newsbriefs Become a Massage Therapist and More at Alabama Healing Arts Mobile’s new occupational college, Alabama Healing Arts (AHA), is accepting applications for all programs. AHA educators have more than 25 years of teaching experience to assist students in becoming a licensed massage therapist, certified yoga instructor or certified Reiki practitioner.

Daytime and evening classes for the next group of upcoming massage therapists begin soon with a 650hour curriculum that meets state requirements for preparing students to become licensed therapists. This interactive learning program includes hands-on technique demonstration and practice, fundamental sciences, a student massage clinic and outreach practicums.

The immersive hatha yoga teacher training includes fundamental sciences, teaching methodologies, breath and meditation practices and in-depth yogic philosophy study. Graduating students will be eligible to become registered 200-/300/500-hour yoga teachers with Yoga Alliance.

Upon completion of the Reiki certification program, which begins with the Level I Usui Ryoho Reiki training, participants can offer professional Reiki treatments. Each of the three levels may be purchased individually for continuing education.

For more information or to request an application in a certification program, call 251-753-1937, email AlabamaHealingArts@gmail.com or visit AlabamaHealingArts. com. See ad, page 33.

Alabama's First Float Spa Opens in Birmingham Elements Float Spa, located at 4852 Cahaba River Road, in Birmingham, will open this summer to provide the healing benefits of flotation therapy, using a pod filled with 10 inches of water and 800 pounds of Epsom salt, which allows users to float effortlessly.

Owners Kele Sparrowhawk, Kristine Lemay and Victoria Robbins are offering one-hour float sessions for $60 and a special introductory rate of $50 for first-time floaters. This buoyant environment relaxes the body and mind, reduces stress and relieves pain.

Infrared sauna pricing starts at $45 for a 45-minute session. Unlike a traditional sauna that uses steam, this sauna uses infrared waves to expel toxins and relieve swelling.

For more information, call 205-518-0800 or visit ElementsFloatSpa.com and Facebook.

Send submissions to Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com or call 251-9909552. For submission guidelines, visit www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Soul Shine Yoga and Salty Dog Paddlesports, in Fairhope, are offering Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga classes Friday and Saturday mornings at either the Fairhope Pier or Weeks Bay Plantation. Fun and engaging SUP Yoga is an excellent way to tone the core, legs and shoulders while achieving a sense of peaceful bliss with our surroundings. No paddle boarding experience is necessary.

Boards are provided, but students can also bring their own.

Emily Sommerville, owner of Soul Shine Yoga, says, “Paddleboard yoga is a great way to challenge yourself and bring play to your practice. You think you know your practice, but move it to a paddleboard, and you’ll have a new perspective!

Just like in a studio class, if you fall out of a pose, you take a breath and come back to your center. You just happen to get wet in a SUP class.”

Reserve a spot in advance at TheSoulshineLife.com. See ad, page 33.

Stay Connected

NEWS TO SHARE?

8

Learn Paddleboard Yoga in Fairhope

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healthbriefs

Social Isolation Linked to Earlier Death

N

ew research from Brigham Young University indicates that social interaction decreases the risk of premature death. Scientists conducted an analysis of actuarial health research from 1980 to 2014 that included more than 3 million people.

The study found living alone increased the risk of death by 32 percent, while perceptions of greater social isolation and elevated loneliness showed 29 percent and 26 percent increased risks of early mortality, respectively. The results were consistent among both men and women, but the impact of feelings of isolation or loneliness caused a higher degree of mortality risk for individuals under the age of 65.

The mortality rates among the lonely and isolated were comparable to those of individuals that smoked 15 cigarettes a day or were alcoholics. Lead researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., further noted, “The effect of this is comparable to that of obesity, something that public health takes very seriously.”

Eating Peanuts Early On Reduces Allergy Risk

P

eanut allergies in Western countries have doubled during the past decade. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine may help reverse this trend. Researchers found that introducing peanuts during early childhood can actually decrease the risk of developing a peanut allergy later in life.

The researchers followed 640 children with a high risk of food allergies, beginning when they were between 4 and 11 months old. Half the children were fed peanuts, while the other half were not given any. All were tested for sensitivities to peanuts prior to and at the end of the study period, which averaged five years.

The research found that nearly 14 percent of those that avoided peanuts had a peanut allergy at the end of five years; seven times more than the 2 percent of those that were fed peanuts and displayed subsequent sensitivity.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE

R

esearch from the University of Virginia and Emory University has found that just a few minutes of mindfulness meditation a day can significantly reduce high blood pressure among AfricanAmericans. The research included 15 men with high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease in a crossover study that tested each with 14 minutes of mindfulness meditation and compared that with 14 minutes of blood pressure education during two different treatment periods.

Results showed that practicing mindfulness meditation reduced systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate among the patients.

ddle Earth i M Healing & Learning Center

is FOR SALE

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www.PermacultureHomesteadForSale.com Upcoming Workshops August 29:

Dancing with the Devas October 16-18:

Medicinal Aromatherapy Certification 20205 Middle Earth Rd., Citronelle, AL 251-866-7204 MidEarthHealing@yahoo.com www.MiddleEarthHealing.com

Pranic Healing Mobile

Prana (energy) is found everywhere and affects your health, relationships, prosperity & spirituality.

Increase Focus & Concentration Heal Health Issues • Alleviate Pain Reduce Stress • Recharge & Relax the Body Call for info on upcoming classes, healing sessions and meditation: 251-454-0959

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natural awakenings

July 2015

9

Flaxseed Oil Soothes Carpal Tunnel

C

arpal tunnel syndrome is typically accompanied by pain, numbness and reduced mobility in the hands and wrists.

Research published by the Tehran (Iran) University of Medical Sciences in the DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences has determined that the application of external linseed oil—also referred to as flaxseed oil—can reduce pain and increase mobility for syndrome sufferers.

The research tested 100 patients with the condition in two groups—one rubbed placebo oil onto their wrists, while the other applied linseed oil daily over a four-week period. Both groups wore wrist splints at night.

After the treatment period, those that applied linseed oil experienced a significant drop in pain scores using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and Function Assessment. The same patients also reported an improvement in mobility and function.

No Worries: Cats Naturally Eat Less in Summer

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IT WORKS!

More than 13,000 Natural Awakenings magazines are distributed to over 400 locations throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Reach our health- and ecoconscious readers.

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or email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

study from the University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science has found that cats naturally eat less during the summer, indicating that owners can take such appetite swings in stride.

The researchers studied 38 cats for four years. Their collars were implanted with a microchip that recorded the amount as they ate as much as they wanted from a dispenser. The team found that cats ate an average of 15 percent less in hot weather. Their eating decreased from June through August and increased from October to February. Eating levels were intermediate in the spring and fall.

Study author Dr. Alex German observed, “Cats are more inclined to comfort eat when it’s cold outside, likely to be due to the extra energy they need to keep warm when out and about.”

Stress Ramps Up Inflammation

R

esearch led by Peggy Zoccola, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at Ohio University, has found that dwelling upon events that are stressful can significantly increase inflammatory chemicals in the body. The researchers tested 34 healthy young women giving public presentations for job interviews.

Afterward, half were asked to contemplate their performances while the others were asked to think about neutral events and images.

While all of the women initially experienced significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), the levels continued to rise for at least one hour afterward for the performance-ruminating group, but returned to normal during the same time period for those that pondered neutral thoughts.

CRP is produced in the liver and is known to rise following an injury or in a chronic inflammatory condition. “The immune system plays an important role in various cardiovascular disorders such as heart disease, as well as cancer, dementia and autoimmune diseases,” states Zoccola.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

XYLITOL —Advertorial—

More Innovative than Antibiotics The Power of Xylitol Xylitol’s effectiveness in oral health and usage as a sweetener is well-known. New research also shows its usefulness in upper respiratory health. However, people may not know the reason why it is so effective. Xylitol has a unique ability to interfere with bacterial adhesion.

Anti-Adhesion Xylitol’s anti-adhesive effect was discovered by accident in 1996. A British medical journal published a study, which analyzed past research done with xylitol. Researchers found that there was an additional correlation between xylitol and upper respiratory infections—a correlation researchers didn’t see when the studies were performed originally. The 1996 study found that among the children tested in the studies, those who used xylitol chewing gum had 42% fewer ear infections. Researchers performed subsequent research to answer why there was this correlation. These studies supported the discovery of xylitol’s anti-adhesion property.

Xylitol’s anti-adhesive effect interferes with bacteria sticking to tissue. In order for bacteria to thrive, they must attach to the cell membrane. There they metabolize and the body senses the bacteria, it reacts with various responses like congestion, runny nose, against bacterial infections using antibiotics, attempting to kill the bacteria. However, the use of antibiotics produces resistant bacterial strains, which leads to more serious problems.

Xylitol’s anti-adhesive property interferes with bacterial adhesion, resulting in bacteria not being able to colonize and thrive; eventually they are washed out. This is an innovative way to avoid antibiotic resistance. Instead of them to become stronger and more resistant, xylitol doesn’t allow the bacteria to cling to the cell and start its metabolic processes.

Professionals advise people to regularly wash

their hands to prevent illness. But washing with only water isn’t enough; they must wash with soap. Similarly, just as people should wash their hands, they should also wash their nasal passages. A normal saline solution is like washing with only water. Washing with a nasal spray containing xylitol is like washing hands with soap.

Bacteria and People Bacteria, like people, congregate together.

This is called quorum sensing. When people start coming together, they form a town or city. Bacteria act similarly; as they sense other bacterial “city.”

If a group wanted to take over a city, historically they would send in soldiers to subdue the inhabitants so they could then occupy the city. However, there is no guarantee that they would control everyone, and there may be leftover survivors who rally together. But if that particular city were to have an extreme change in environment, the inhabitants wouldn’t be able to cope and they’d have to leave the city. Changing the environment is much more effective in expelling the inhabitants than attacking with soldiers.

Relating this back to bacteria, if we use antibiotics, we are sending in soldiers to between antibiotics and the microorganisms, with both attempting to get stronger. But if we alter the environment in our nasal and sinus passages so that bacteria cannot adhere to the cell surface, and thus thrive, we win the battle.

What are Some of Xylitol’s Applications?

Studies have shown numerous uses for xylitol, many of which deal with its adverse effects on bacterial adhesion. Sinus, ear, and respiratory infections begin in the nose as we breathe in bacteria which attempt to adhere to the cell membrane. With the use of nasal sprays containing xylitol, the bacteria found in the nose cannot stick to the tissue and are to greater probability that they will not infect the body. Nurse Practitioner Sherril Sego, FNPin this aspect. She says, “Saline nasal rinses containing xylitol have been found to be more effective than traditional saline rinses to reduce the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.”

One of the best things about xylitol is that it is 100% natural and 100% safe. It’s no wonder so

Go to xlear.com and look up the patented Xlear Nasal Spray.

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

Vermont’s Victory Court Rules GMO Labeling Constitutional In April, a federal court denied a request by powerful food industry groups to block Vermont’s landmark law requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods (GMO).The plaintiffs, including the Grocery Manufacturers Association, had sought a preliminary injunction to stop implementation of Act 120, which passed in May 2014 and will take effect a year from now.

U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss’ ruling said that the plaintiffs failed to show that they would suffer “irreparable harm” to warrant an injunction, and that the state had established that the act’s GMO disclosure requirement is constitutional.

“This important ruling affirms the constitutionality of genetically engineered food labeling, as well as the rights of Vermonters and U.S. citizens across the country,” states George Kimbrell, senior attorney for the Center for Food Safety and counsel in the case.

The ruling came shortly after an analysis by the Environmental Working Group found that industry groups spent $63.6 million last year—triple the amount spent in 2013—to defeat GMO-labeling measures. The general consensus is the Vermont case is likely to go to trial.

Fresh Catch

Community Supported Fisheries Share Bounty of the Sea Community supported agriculture is a growing movement in which subscribers pay farmers for weekly shares of their crops before the growing season starts, benefiting both. The farmers receive an infusion of cash up front and are paid a fair price for the food they produce.

Consumers receive fresh food from sustainable, local farms and are often introduced to vegetables and fruits they might not try otherwise.

The same concept applies to new community supported fisheries (CSF), which reconnect coastal communities to their local food systems. According to Paul Greenberg, author of American Catch: The Fight for our Local Seafood, 91 percent of the seafood that Americans eat comes from other countries, while one-third of the seafood caught by American fishermen is sold outside our borders. He believes this situation exists because most Americans aren’t willing to pay premium prices for better seafood and domestic fishermen realize better prices overseas.

By using the website LocalCatch.org/locator to find nearby CSF programs, pioneering coastal communities can benefit from both supporting sustainable fishing practices and their local environment while still sufficiently feeding their residents.

Source: Mother Nature Network 12

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Solar Surges

Sun-Fueled Energy Booms in Pioneer States Two years in the making, the Topaz Solar Project, the world’s largest, has begun operating in California, powerful enough to supply 160,000 homes using 9 million photovoltaic solar panels installed across 9.5 square miles. Compared to fossil fuel technology, the facility is projected to remove 377,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year; equivalent to taking 73,000 cars off the road. Unlike some solar plants, Topaz requires no water to generate electricity and makes minimal sound because there are no moving parts, so its total environmental impact is minimal.

In Hawaii, where 12 percent of homes have solar panels, handling surplus power is putting pressure on the state’s biggest utility, which now wants to reduce what it pays for the energy. Electricity there is pricey, with monthly bills of $600 to $700 not uncommon. The growing popularity of making electricity at home puts new pressures on old infrastructure like circuits and power lines and cuts into electric company revenue. As a result, many utilities are reducing incentives and adding steep fees. “Hawaii is a postcard from the future,” says Adam Browning, executive director of Vote Solar, a policy and advocacy group based in California.

Bee Aware Lowe’s to Stop Selling Toxic Pesticides Lowe’s Home Improvement says it will begin to eliminate neonicotinoid pesticides, a leading contributor to global bee declines, from its stores. This public commitment is the most significant announcement so far for a retailer of its size.

Lisa Archer, a spokesperson for Friends of the Earth, says, “We are pleased Lowe’s is listening to consumer concerns and to the growing body of science telling us we need to move away from bee-toxic pesticides by taking steps to be part of the solution to the bee crisis.”

The retailer has pledged to phase out neonicotinoids as suitable alternatives become available, redouble existing integrated pest management practices for suppliers and provide additional materials for educating customers about pollinator health.

Source: Tinyurl.com/LowesHelpsBees

GMO Gains

Food Supplies Increasingly Under Siege Three hundred farmers recently took over the building and interrupted a meeting where the Brazil National Biosafety Technical Commission was deciding whether or not to introduce genetically engineered (GE/ GM/GMO) transgenic eucalyptus trees into their biosphere. These activists and thousands more around the country have halted plans temporarily, but the assault continues by international corporations bent on patenting and controlling the environment itself.

At home, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already approved the first corporate-sponsored, patented, genetically modified tree, ArborGen’s loblolly pine. Despite outspoken public opposition, the USDA approved it with no public oversight nor assessment of the environmental risks it poses.

Grass-fed beef farmers, supplying an alternative that many seek to avoid GMO feed grain, now have to cope with the advent of genetically modified grass.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Monsanto’s exclusive consumer sales agent for RoundUp glyphosate weed killer, intends to conduct field trials at the homes of company employees absent government oversight, because no laws currently prohibit or limit the planting of GMO grass.

In February, the government approved the first genetically modified apple for commercial planting. The Arctic apple is part of a growing list of sanctioned GMO fresh produce, including papaya and sweet corn. A gene within the apple is altered so it resists browning and bruising.

Many people die or go blind from vitamin A deficiency, so the Gates Foundation has funded research by Australia’s Queensland University of Technology to create a vitamin-enhanced, GMO “super banana”. Testing on humans will take place in the U.S. over a six-week period and researchers aim to start growing the fruit in Uganda by 2020.

Sign concerned-citizen petitions at Tinyurl.com/Credo-No-GMO-Trees and Tinyurl.com/Care2-No-GMO-Grass.

Mushroom Magic

Fungi Clean Up Toxic Wastes For waterways, soil or even radioactively contaminated areas, the powerful use of mycelium to sequester contaminants is receiving significant attention. Leading American mycologist Paul Stamets, the pioneering founder of Fungi Perfecti, has been working for years with mycore mediation, using mycelium to clean up waste sites. He holds nine patents on the antiviral, pesticidal and remediative properties of mushroom mycelia. Stamets even has an eight-step plan for cleaning up radioactive poisoning and thinks fungi could remediate radiation at the melted reactor sites in Fukushima, Japan.

The Ocean Blue Project (Ocean BlueProject.org), based in Corvallis, Texas, uses locally grown oyster mushroom spores lodged in a coffee grounds mixture. Then they create a “bunker spawn” that’s put into a river to restore polluted aquatic habitat. As the mushrooms grow, they break down toxins and remove pollutants from the river. Mycore mediation also helps with weed control.

Source: Permaculture.co.uk

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Green Living Starts at Home.

Soil Savers

The Need to Protect Precious Native Topsoils American states salute their native identities and characteristics in many ways, including official birds and flowers. Home farmers, growers and gardeners can relish that soils also bear official state designations, including New York’s Honeoye, South Carolina’s Lynchburg, Alabama’s Bama, Iowa’s Tama and California’s San Joaquin. All these different types of earth are threatened by widespread use of pesticides, topsoil degradation and other factors that severely hamper their integrity.

The U.N. General Assembly declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils, saluting its many roles, including storing and filtering water, providing resilience to drought, participating in the carbon cycle and being the foundation for agriculture.

According to The Land Institute, the loss of topsoil is the greatest threat to our food supply. Planting perennial crops, agroforestry, intercropping and other agro-ecological practices can help conserve soils, preventing erosion and protecting water.

According to GreenLiving.com, these sustainable practices can help prevent soil erosion:

Reduce impervious surfaces. Driveways, patios and lanais allow precipitation to flow freely over them, gaining momentum in the process, to erode topsoil. Use paving stones rather than a concrete slab to allow water to percolate down into the soil.

Plant a rain garden. As a shallow depression in the yard, a rain garden collects precipitation washing over impervious surfaces, preventing soil erosion and facilitating growth of wetland plants.

Use a rain barrel. Placing a barrel underneath a downspout will collect and store water that runs off roofs, making it available for watering plants even when rain is sporadic. It supports both water and soil conservation efforts.

Consider innovative products. Fiber mulch mats—small, biodegradable particles of wood, straw, coconut and other natural plant materials interlocked with mulch—blend with soil to keep moisture in the topsoil by acting as a top coating. (Review representative manufacturers’ products at LandscapePlanet.com and ErosionPollution.com.)

Find the official soil for each state at Tinyurl.com/NativeStateSoils.

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Certified Green Builder

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

251-391-4848

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can collectively bargain and whether people have access to safe, healthy food—as well as the right to know what is in their food, how it is produced and where it comes from.”

Peck believes that if we want a cleaner environment, healthier people and more vibrant communities, “We need to be citizens that care about bringing democratic accountability, social justice and ecological integrity to all aspects of our food/farm system.”

Local Food Strengthens Communities

Food Democracy By the People, for the People and Toward a Stronger Nation

by Melinda Hemmelgarn

T

o more fully understand the concept of democracy, we can look to some past U.S. presidents. Abraham Lincoln defined it as “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Thomas Jefferson said, “An informed citizenry is at the heart of a dynamic democracy.” Harry S. Truman further recognized that “secrecy and a free, democratic government don’t mix.”

By extension, “food democracy” describes a fair and transparent food system in which people have informed choices and control in determining what and how they eat. It’s what happens when we view people as citizens, rather than consumers, and treat food as a human right, reports the Oakland, California-based Pesticide Action Network (PAN).

Kelly Moltzen, a registered dietitian in Bronx, New York, and member of the Franciscan Earth Corps, defines it as having the freedom to make choices about the integrity of our food from farm to plate, so that we can support the health and well-being of ourselves, the Earth and all organisms that inhabit the ecosystem.

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Food Sovereignty Feeds Independence

A PAN report on food democracy describes food sovereignty as the international equivalent of the U.S. movement to re-localize control over our food and farming. It’s rooted in regenerating historically autonomous food systems with, for and by the people.

John Peck, Ph.D., executive director of Family Farm Defenders, in Madison, Wisconsin, explains that the term “food sovereignty” was coined about two decades ago by the globally active La Via Campesina, comprised of family farmers, farm workers, fishing folks, hunters, gatherers and indigenous communities around the world.

“At its most basic,” Peck says, “Food sovereignty is about reclaiming local democratic control over our food/farm system from corporate agribusiness.”

This way, “Everyone has the right to decide what is grown or raised in their community, whether animals are treated humanely, if family farmers and other food workers are paid a living wage and

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

In their report, Deepening Food Democracy, the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), in Minneapolis, describes how U.S. food and farming has increasingly become concentrated, consolidated and controlled by the few. Local food enthusiasts want to take back their food system from industrial, corporate masters that lobby for legislation which denies citizens the right to know how their food is produced or if it contains genetically modified ingredients (GMO). The growing local food movement is as much about returning power to communities, food workers, farmers and farm workers as it is about producing and distributing healthy, sustainably grown food, reports IATP.

Anthony Flaccavento, an organic farmer in the Appalachian region of southwestern Virginia, has been working on national food and sustainable farming initiatives for nearly 30 years.

In a recent Food Sleuth Radio interview, he described the resulting tremendous, multiple positive impacts of strong local economies, noting that a strong local food system is usually at their center.

“Once you have vibrant, diverse local economies,” says Flaccavento, “you have better health, lower crime and incarceration rates—and more civic participation.”

In a food democracy, everyone is a stakeholder.

Not only do people have equal access to food, but they’re informed, active, engaged and participating. ~Rose Hayden-Smith, author, Sowing the Seeds of Victory

Basically, a more democratic food system could help fix many of the maladies ailing our nation today. The steady growth of farmers’ markets, farm to school programs and food policy councils prove that Americans are hungry both for clean food and an enhanced sense of community.

While Flaccavento appreciates conscious consumers that support local food providers, he emphasizes, “Just acting locally isn’t enough. We need to re-engage with bigger social and political debates, as well.”

Growing Vegetables and Democracy

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Jenga Mwendo knew she had to leave her high-powered job in New York City and return to her hometown in the devastated Lower Ninth Ward. “My parents raised me to contribute,” Mwendo explains.

“My first name means ‘to build’ and my last name means ‘always progressing’.”

In 2009, Mwendo founded the Backyard Gardeners Network (BGN), a local nonprofit organization that restores and strengthens what had once been a thriving, closely knit, self-reliant community, rich with backyard gardens and citizen engagement. Residents went to work, recognizing the potential of community gardens to revitalize their neighborhood and bring affordable healthful food to residents, many of them suffering from obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The BGN both revitalized a community garden and converted a blighted lot into a Guerrilla Garden, where people of all ages gather to grow food, share stories, embrace their cultural heritage and learn how to become responsible citizens.

“We bring people together and make decisions collectively,” says Mwendo.

“The garden is for our community, by our community.” Understanding the value of involving children and teens, she adds, “Kids know they will be loved here. This is a nurturing environment.”

Like Mwendo, Stephen Ritz, a top 10 finalist in the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize, is reaching youth through food. Based in New York City’s South Bronx, one of the country’s poorest school districts, he and his students are growing vegetables in school, thereby improving children’s diets, health, school performance and future potential. “We

Eat Fresh. Buy Local.

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

FARMERS' MARKETS

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CHASING FRESH MARKET

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

85 North Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-517-5800 • ChasingFresh.com 8am-5pm, Mon-Sat; 11am-2pm, Sun

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Now located in Windmill Market. The only produce market in South Alabama where everything is grown, raised and made in Alabama. Produce, honey, dairy, grains, seafood and meat. Organic and hydroponic options. Delivery available.

MARKET ON THE HILL & MARKET ON THE SQUARE

Lavretta Park and Cathedral Square, Mobile 251-208-1550 • SpecialEventsMobile.org Market on the Square in Cathedral Square, downtown Mobile: Saturdays, April 25-July 25.

Market on the Hill: Lavretta Park on Thursdays, May 28-July 30. See ad, page 7.

WEST MOBILE FARMER'S MARKET 6101 Grelot Road, West Mobile 251-767-7526 Bob McBride: Missions.CUMC@gmail.com

Farmer's Market sponsored by Christ United Methodist Church featuring locally grown produce, honey, seafood, baked goods and other homemade products. Tuesdays, May 5 - July 7, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Located on church property facing Hillcrest Rd, just south of Grelot Rd.

PRODUCE CLUBS WINDMILL MARKET'S PRODUCE CLUB

85 North Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-990-8883 • Info@WindmillMarket.org A weekly delivery of local and seasonal fruits, veggies, organic milk, cheese, grass-fed beef and more delivered from Baldwin County farms to your table every week! Six box sizes to fit your family's needs. Home delivery and Mobile pickup option also available!

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

Comprehensive health food store featuring local products: organic produce, meat, eggs, honey and soap. See ad, page 2.

VIRGINIA'S HEALTH FOODS

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

Comprehensive health food store featuring local products: organic produce, meat, eggs, honey and soap. See ad, page 2.

RESTAURANTS & BAKERIES SUNFLOWER CAFE I

320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Organic cafe serving lunch Mon-Sat, dinner ThursFri and Sunday brunch. Using locally-grown produce, herbs and meat. Menu online.

See ad, page 2.

SUNFLOWER CAFE II

3055 A Dauphin Street, Mobile 251-479-3200 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Organic cafe and juice bar serving lunch Mon-Sun. Using locally-grown produce, herbs and meat. Menu online. See ad, page 2.

SWEET OLIVE BAKERY & CAFE

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

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

U-PICK FARMS WEEKS BAY PLANTATION

12562 Mary Ann Beach Road, Fairhope 251-279-UPIK (8745) WeeksBayPlantation.com Weeks Bay Plantation/LA Berry Farms is the new destination of choice for pick-your-own blueberry enthusiasts. Fifteen varieties of fully organic berries! The picking season runs April-June. See ad, page 25.

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July 2015

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are contributing to food democracy by making sure every child we touch, regardless of income, zip code and skin color, faith or nation of origin, has access to fresh, healthy, nutritious food that they help grow,” says Ritz.

So far, his Green Bronx Machine community has raised 30,000 pounds of vegetables. “We’re growing justice,” Ritz announced in his March 2015 TED Talk. “My favorite crop is organically grown citizens—graduates, voters and students who are eating [better] and living healthier lives!”

Kitchen Gardens Nourish the World

Roger Doiron is the founder and director of Kitchen Gardeners International (KGI), an online global community of some 30,000 people in 100 countries that are growing some of their own food. He spearheaded First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House Garden. Doiron’s campaign to bring a food garden back to the White House (presidents John Adams, Jefferson and Jackson all had edible gardens) began in 2008, went viral, took root and the rest is history. Today, the first lady continues to champion garden-fresh food to improve children’s health.

From his own 1,500-square-foot garden in Scarborough, Maine, Doiron and his wife harvested 900 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables worth $2,200 in a single season. “Talented gardeners with more generous soils and climates are able to produce even more food in less space,” he says, “but maximizing production is not our only goal. We’re also trying to maximize pleasure and health.”

Doiron believes, “Quality food is central to well-being and is one of the best ways to unite people of different countries and cultures around a common, positive agenda.” He’s convinced that kitchen gardens will play a critical role in feeding a growing population faced with climate challenges. On July 4, his organization celebrates Food Independence Day as a way to recognize the role of home and community gardens in achieving self-sufficiency.

Saving Seeds, Saving Democracy

Jim Gerritsen operates Wood Prairie Farm with his family in Bridgewater, Maine.

He’s dedicated to using organic farming methods to protect the environment and food quality, provide ample harvests and foster good jobs for the next generation of young farmers.

As president of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, Gerritsen led a lawsuit against Monsanto in 2011, challenging the validity of seed patents.

In a Food Sleuth Radio interview, he explains, “Patented seeds cannot be saved and replanted. To take that right away from farmers was a terrible mistake on the part of the Supreme Court.” Seed ownership belongs to the people; our seed resource is part of our common heritage.

“Genetic engineering was an invention to take away from the commons the ownership of seeds,” he continues. “Regaining control of the seed supply is one of the most pressing battles we have in agriculture.” Gerritsen encourages everyone to plant an organic garden using organic seeds and to advocate GMO labeling.

“Let’s let transparency reign, which is a hallmark of a democratic system,” he proclaims.

Melinda Hemmelgarn is a registered dietitian and award-winning writer and nationally syndicated radio host at KOPN.org, in Columbia, MO (Food Sleuth@gmail.com). She advocates for organic farmers at Enduring-Image. blogspot.com.

Food Independence Resources Bioscience Research Project BioscienceResource.org

Kitchen Gardeners International kgi.org

Corporate Accountability International StopCorporateAbuse.org

National Family Farm Coalition nffc.net

Fair Food Network FairFoodNetwork.org

National Farm to School Network FarmToSchool.org

The long-term

Food Co-op Initiative FoodCoopInitiative.coop

Oxfam America “Behind the Brands” BehindTheBrands.org/en-us

study of GMO foods is going on in real time and in real life, not in a lab.

Food First FoodFirst.org

The Seed Library Social Network SeedLibraries.org

~Ziggy Marley

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Food & Water Watch FoodAndWaterWatch.org Food Policy Councils MarkWinne.com/resource-materials

Seed Savers Exchange SeedSavers.org

Food Sleuth Radio KOPN.org

Table of the Earth EatLocalSimpleSteps.com

Food Voices: Stories from the People Who Feed Us FoodVoices.org

Union of Concerned Scientists ucsusa.org

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Eating Seasonally on the Gulf Coast

by Heather Pritchard

S

easonal eating plays a large part in making the transition from a consumer to a food-conscious citizen.

It’s important to know where food comes from, seeking out locally grown options whenever possible. The Gulf Coast climate is warm enough to produce food all year, and adapting to what is available seasonally makes eating locally an easier task.

Micronutrients are indicated by the color of fruits and vegetables and contain antioxidants that repair the cells in our bodies. This colorful produce is essential to healthy eating, and when allowed to ripen on the plant, it contains even more nutrients and we can taste the difference.

Shop farmers’ markets where the vegetables, eggs and meats are fresher because they were not picked early, shipped long distances or grown specifically for shipping quality. Seasonal produce is also usually more affordable.

Nature provides foods that meet our body’s seasonal needs. Hydrating melons ripen in the heat of the summer, as do squash, peaches, blueberries, blackber-

ries, sweet corn, peppers and tomatoes.

Fall and winter bring hearty vegetables such as kale, mustard and collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower and the root crops that warm us in cooler weather. Pears, Satsumas and pecans are also plentiful in the fall. During the spring, local farmers are harvesting tender greens, peas, strawberries and fresh herbs.

While many staple foods are commercially produced locally and beyond, the Gulf Coast produces some unique foods that are unavailable in many other parts of the country. Figs, persimmons and loquats are a couple of examples. Adding in a little of these local products can naturally diversify our daily diet, which is known to improve health.

Eating seasonally doesn’t necessarily mean that blueberries can only be eaten in June and July and kale is limited to cooler months. Extend seasonal food by freezing or canning extra produce. For example, make jams from summer berries and enjoy sweet corn at Thanksgiving by freezing a bushel now.

When it’s time for a break from the

kitchen, look for seasonal food on the menu at restaurants—there’s a growing trend in the industry to support community farms. Take the time to ask about what’s local on the menu, letting business owners know that there’s a demand for such items. Make similar requests at grocery stores and become aware of produce stickers and signs that indicate how far the product has traveled.

A seasonal diet is one that supports the local community, fosters lifelong health and tastes delicious.

Heather Pritchard is a master horticulturist and manager of the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market, in Foley.

From Food Consumer to Food Citizen N

ow is the time for all good men and women to become food citizens. Making the transition from being a mere consumer to community citizen requires addressing a set of questions geared to lead to food truth and justice for all. n Where does my food come from? n Who produced it? n Under what conditions was this food grown or produced; were workers treated fairly and animals humanely? n What’s in or on my food; am I eating pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, genetically modified ingredients or additives? n What might be the unintended consequences of my food choices for farmers competing against big agribusiness and striving to do the right thing? n How might my choices affect the environment and future generations? n What local, state and national policies stand in the way of a fair and transparent food system?

natural awakenings

July 2015

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consciouseating

by Judith Fertig

I

n 1776, the stirring phrase in the U.S. Declaration of Independence—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness— became a rallying cry for American colonists seeking these inalienable rights of self-government. In 2015, those seeking a new way of eating for personal wellness, a more vibrant local economy and a healthier environment are fomenting their own kind of rebellion.

“You have to make a conscious decision to change for your own wellbeing, that of your family and your country,” according to former President Bill Clinton. In early 2010, suffering from heart disease, Clinton chose to radically change his meat-lover’s diet to a more plant-based focus. “I wanted to live to be a grandfather, so I decided to pick the diet that I thought would maximize my chances of long-term survival,” he says.

Clinton is part of a growing leadership group that espouses a more vegetarian approach to eating, including a federally appointed panel of nutritionists. For the first time since its formation in 1983, the federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee this year elected to factor environmental sustainability into its recommendations, noting that a diet lower in animal-based foods is not only healthier, but has less of an environmental impact. The impetus toward 20

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

plant-based foods is also stronger than in their last report in 2010.

Exciting Developments

A bold pioneer in the charge for plantbased eating is PlantPure Nation, a grassroots organization founded by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., the author of the bestselling The China Study, a book that helped persuade Clinton to make his own dietary change. Today, his son, Nelson Campbell, is at the forefront of this food revolution, most recently producing the independent documentary film PlantPure Nation, set to debut nationwide on July 4.

Those enticed by the delicious concept of better health for themselves and the planet can also turn to The PlantPure Nation Cookbook, with more than 150 plant-based recipes by Kim Campbell, Nelson’s wife, whom he names “the chef in the family.”

“No issue is bigger than the one of plant-based nutrition,” says Nelson. “It’s at the root of our healthcare crisis, affecting the lives of millions of Americans, the vitality of our economy and the solvency of our government. The food we eat has enormous effects on climate, water and soil resources. Our food choices also affect the way in which food is produced and distributed in this country, equitably or not.”

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

New Fourth of July Barbecue image courtesy of PlantPureNation.com

VEGGIE NATION REVOLUTION

Historically, political revolutions tend to be violently adversarial, but a food revolution can take a more nurturing and inclusive course. “The first step people can take is to change their own diet,” Nelson says. “The next step is to help others do the same. The third is to get involved in the movement.”

A fun way to help ourselves and our friends and family consider making dietary changes is hosting a plant-based Fourth of July get-together. Kim’s recipes for a smoky “barbecue” sandwich, creamy potato salad and a zesty, colorful bean dish celebrate traditional picnic foods with a twist. They’re also perfect for potluck-style entertaining.

“We have often branded this idea of plant-based nutrition as such and such a ‘diet’, and then built these brands around personalities. But in order to make this a more mainstream idea, we need to frame it differently. This concept of plant-based nutrition is a fact of nature; a simple idea that’s accessible to all,” says Nelson.

In a 2012 Gallup poll, just 5 percent of U.S. adults identified themselves as vegetarians, plus 2 percent as vegans. It’s a start, Nelson contends, and there are other promising signs. “The local-food movement is blossoming, with farmers’ markets springing up all over the United States,” proclaims the National Geographic special publication The Future of Food (Food.NationalGeographic.com).

The number has increased dramatically in the past five years. The editors point to the demand for fresh produce and a desire to invest in local economies as driving this growth.

“I love the idea of a movement involving millions of people fixing a problem that industry and government have largely caused,” says Nelson. “Our success may show a new way forward for solving other pressing social problems.”

Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAnd Lifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

PlantPure Nation Recipes

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro 6 whole-wheat tortilla wraps 2 cups sprouts

Creamy Potato Salad

Southwestern Bean Salad Yields 4 to 6 servings Prep time: 20 minutes

Drain the tofu and gently press between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.

This traditional potato salad has the perfect blend of celery, onions and seasonings.

Seasoned for a Southwestern flavor, the beans, corn and avocado make this a satisfying salad everyone will like.

In a bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic powder and Sriracha.

2½ pounds red potatoes, unpeeled 4 organic celery stalks, thinly sliced ½ red onion, cut in half again and julienned 6 green onions, sliced ½ cup tofu cashew mayonnaise 4 tsp apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp agave nectar ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 15-oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen, thawed) 1 red bell pepper, seeded and medium diced ½ cup diced medium red onion 1 cup halved or quartered cherry tomatoes 1 avocado, pitted and diced ¼ cup red wine vinegar ¼ cup lime juice 1 Tbsp agave nectar ½ tsp sea salt ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp chili powder 2 tsp Sriracha hot sauce ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Yields: 6 servings Prep time: 20 minutes; Cook: 15 minutes

Cut the potatoes into half- to one-inch chunks.

Place potato pieces in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil 5 to 10 minutes; then turn down the heat to medium and cook until tender.

Rinse the cooked potatoes in a colander with cold water until they are room temperature. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients to the potatoes and gently stir thoroughly.

Tofu-Cashew Mayonnaise ¼ cup raw cashews, soaked in water at least 2 to 3 hours, then dried 7 oz firm tofu ½ tsp sea salt ½ tsp tahini 4 tsp lemon juice 1½ tsp white vinegar 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 2½ tsp agave nectar 2 Tbsp water ¼ tsp xanthan gum (in grocery baking aisle)

Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth and shiny.

The key is to soak the cashews first.

Combine the beans and vegetables in a large bowl and feel free to add seasonal vegetables to taste.

Blend the vinegar, lime juice, agave, salt, cumin, chili powder and Sriracha in a small bowl. Add more chili powder and Sriracha for a spicier dish. Drizzle over the beans and vegetables and toss to coat.

Refrigerate for an hour and then sprinkle with cilantro before serving.

Thai Tofu Wraps Yields: 6 wraps Prep time: 15 minutes

The tofu filling for these wraps is full of Thai flavors, with the perfect combination of peanuts, lime and cilantro.

1 14-oz block extra-firm tofu ¼ cup natural peanut butter (100 percent peanuts) 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce 1½ Tbsp lime juice ¼ tsp garlic powder 2 tsp Sriracha hot sauce 1 /3 cup small diced red bell pepper ¼ cup sliced green onion

Add the tofu, bell pepper, green onion and cilantro and stir with a fork until well mixed and the tofu is crumbly.

Place a portion of the tofu mixture in the center of a whole-wheat tortilla wrap, top with sprouts or favorite veggies and roll up the tortilla.

Kim’s hint: The Thai tofu filling can also be served in a sandwich (e.g., on toasted whole-wheat bread with fresh basil).

Caribbean Quinoa Bowl Yields: 4 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes; Cook: 10 minutes ½ cup quinoa 1 cup water 4 cups chopped kale 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp chili powder ¼ tsp sea salt ¾ cup salsa (medium hot) ½ cup diced pineapple (fresh, canned or frozen) ¾ cup corn (fresh or frozen) ¾ cup diced avocado ¼ cup sliced green onions Rinse the quinoa thoroughly, which can have a bitter taste otherwise.

Add the quinoa and the water to a pot, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until all liquid is absorbed. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Lightly steam the kale until bright green.

Add to the bowl with quinoa.

Add the beans, cumin, chili powder, salt, salsa, pineapple and corn. Toss until the ingredients are well mixed.

Top with the avocado and green onions and serve immediately.

Source for all recipes: The PlantPure Nation Cookbook, by Kim Campbell. natural awakenings

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greenliving

FOOD GLEANING Harvesting Leftovers Feeds the Hungry

by Avery Mack

A

mericans annually discard more food than plastic—35 million tons in 2012—an amount that’s tripled since 1960, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Most of the waste is fruits and vegetables, seafood, grains, meat and milk. Since waste starts in the fields before it compounds via restaurants, grocers and families, the easiest starting point to reverse this trend is with farmers.

“Farming’s a high-risk business.

Farmers can’t predict weather, sales or equipment problems, so extra is grown,” explains Laurie Caldwell, executive director of Boston Area Gleaners, in Waltham, Massachusetts. “Up to 20 percent of U.S.-grown food isn’t harvested.

Gleaners save what’s left behind for hungry people in need.”

Everyone Benefits

“Income disparity, economic vulnerability and lack of knowledge leads to unhealthy choices,” adds Caldwell. “The negative consequences become a community burden.” Countering the problem, 22

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“We’ve seen a shift in priorities, with food pantries offering fresh, quality food and educating both staff and recipients,” she reports. In 2014, Boston Area Gleaners harvested 34 farms, contributing 177,000 pounds of primarily vegetables encompassing 60 varieties.

California’s fruit is abundant because of the state’s year-round growing season.

Until the 1960s and the advent of Silicon Valley, this was the world’s largest fruitproducing region. Some of its current apple trees date back to the Gold Rush days. “We glean backyards and orchards here,” says Craig Diserens, executive director of Village Harvest, in San Jose.

“Apples, pears, cherries, peaches, plums and apricots, plus citrus fruits—it’s ladderless picking, to protect both volunteers and trees.” Telescoping tools pluck outof-reach fruit. The nonprofit gleans 15 to 20 times a month via volunteers ages 5 to 90. In 2013, its Harvesting for the Hungry program distributed 245,000 pounds of fruit.

The Feeding America West Michigan food bank, headquartered in Comstock,

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

provides more than produce, with donations from manufacturers, wholesalers, restaurants and stores adding meat, dairy, frozen foods and bread. Volunteers repackage donations into usable sizes; do clerical work; pick produce; and sort, pack, store and deliver food.

While most of the nonprofit’s yield is distributed through 1,100 food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens, many can’t store perishables. Working with churches, schools and community centers, the organization’s mobile units deliver fresh food directly to recipients, often the same day it is donated. Each unit can carry food for 100 to 200 families. This local Feeding America outreach group serves an estimated 492,000 people each year.

The Society of St. Andrew often rescues the “ugly” produce—potatoes not well-shaped for chips, oversized peaches, too-long green beans, too-ripe strawberries and apples that aren’t picture perfect. “Farmers get a tax benefit and people get fresh food,” says Bruce Oland, the Triangle Area coordinator in North Carolina. “Farmers let us know when they’ll harvest a crop and we have a few days to glean what’s left before they replant. We pick anything edible—kale, lettuce, tomatoes, cantaloupe and lots of sweet potatoes.” In a single harvested field, volunteers have gleaned seven tons of sweet potatoes.

The society’s gleaning and feeding ministry has regional offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Additional areas are located in Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania (see EndHunger.org).

Jason Brown, a former St. Louis Rams’ center with a five-year, $37 million contract, traded his cleats for a tractor. Now

More than 50 million Americans, including 17 million children, experience hunger or the risk of hunger every day.

TheHungerSite.

GreaterGood.com

in Louisburg, North Carolina, he calls First Fruits Farm home and plans to donate the first fruits of every harvest to food pantries.

He learned about farming from YouTube videos, computer searches and other farmers. The first crop on five acres yielded 100,000 pounds of sweet potatoes; Brown gave it all away. With 1,000 acres to farm, he’s set to tackle hunger big time.

It doesn’t require a big time commitment to help feed the hungry. Backyard gardeners can start by planting an extra row (Tinyurl.com/PlantRow ForHungry). Since its inception in 1995, the Plant a Row program has collectively turned 20 million pounds of produce into 80 million meals.

Offer to pick a neighbor’s excess produce or herbs, and then check with others nearby. Get the kids involved.

Volunteer at or make a donation to a soup kitchen. Gather a group of friends, family, members of an organization or congregation to glean or repackage produce one day a month. If a local food pantry can’t accept perishables, leverage social media to spread the word about which day free food will be available at a church or school. Everyone can help.

No one should go to bed hungry.

Local Food Bank Gleans Produce

I

n 2013, Bay Area Food Bank volunteers gleaned 18,367 pounds of local produce, and last year the figure rose to 33,723 pounds. Donor Resources Manager Vanessa Cochran says, “We are striving to source more produce to increase the amount of nutritious food available to those in need, and the gleaning program is integral to that mission.”

Satsuma season is the biggest gleaning season, usually in December and January, and participating farms to date include LaConsay Farm, in Robertsdale, Sunnyland Satsuma Farm, in West Mobile, and Ladnier Citrus Farm, in Grand Bay. Other gleaning events have gathered hydroponic lettuce from Craine Creek Farm, in Loxley; organic blueberries from LA Berry Farm, in Fairhope; turnip greens from Eubanks Produce Farms, in Lucedale, Mississippi; blueberries from Blue Moon Farm, in West Mobile; and tomatoes, squash, greens, okra, melons and eggplant from Oak Hill Produce, in Grand Bay.

Farms benefit from gleaning because it helps them clear their fields, while at the same time giving back to the community. It also promotes their business by bringing groups of volunteers out, often introducing 20 to 30 people to their farm for the first time.

Cochran says, “The biggest challenge is we usually only have a few days notice to gather volunteers. We’ve been compiling a database of volunteers interested in gleaning, so when an opportunity arises, we can send an email out quickly and let them know the location, date and time, and if they need to bring any special tools. We also invite our partner agencies—churches and nonprofits—who run food pantries and soup kitchens, so they can come harvest and take the produce directly to their programs.”

To learn more about volunteering or participating as a farm, call 251-653-1617 or visit BayAreaFoodBank.org.

Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

Handy Resources Download a free gleaning guide and handbook at EndHunger.org/other.

Request free seeds to plant a First Fruits Garden at WisdomForLife.org/sow-a-seed-1.html.

Get water-saving tips from the University of California, Davis, at Tinyurl.com/GardenWaterSavers.

Make our community a little GREENER...

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

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July 2015

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Jeffrey Smith Warns Against GMOs

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

by Linda Sechrist

J

effrey Smith is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, author of Seeds of Deception and director of the documentary Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives. Smith and his organization’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in America are spearheading consumer rejection of genetically modified foods (GM/GMO) in order to force them off the market.

What basics should everyone know about GMOs? Genetic engineering is different from traditional crossbreeding. In engineering six major GMO crops—soy, corn, cotton, canola, sugar beets and alfalfa—a gene from a virus or bacteria was forced into the DNA of the plants. Derivatives such as soy lecithin, soy protein, high-fructose corn syrup and sugar (unless labeled as cane sugar) are in the vast majority of processed foods.

How did GMO foods invade grocery shelves?

Many U.S. consumers mistakenly believe that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves GMO crops only after careful study. Instead, the agency claimed it wasn’t aware of any significant difference from other food crops and declared safety testing unnecessary. In reality, according to FDA documents later made public in a lawsuit, the consensus among FDA scientists was that GMOs were different and dangerous and needed

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

rigorous, long-term testing to prevent allergies, toxins, new diseases and nutritional problems.

When the George W. Bush administration ordered the agency to promote biotechnology as a way to increase U.S. food exports, the FDA responded by creating a new position of Deputy Commissioner of Policy for Michael R. Taylor, a former Monsanto attorney. He later became a Monsanto vice president and is now back at the FDA as the U.S. food safety czar.

Why is Roundup, Monsanto’s weed killer for GMO crops, so toxic?

Monsanto portrays Roundup as a benevolent herbicide. This is a lie. Glyphosate, its active patented ingredient, alters biochemical pathways in the body. Scientists such as Anthony Samsel and Stephanie Seneff have linked glyphosate to numerous diseases and disorders, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, gluten sensitivity, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, autism and reproductive disorders. In March, the World Health Organization declared it a probable carcinogen.

How can we avoid unlabeled GMO foods?

Eat organic foods, which are not allowed to contain GM ingredients, or products that are labeled non-GMO, or those that don’t contain derivatives of the current nine GMO food crops, which now in-

clude some zucchini, yellow squash and papaya grown in Hawaii or China. Any packaged grocery product not labeled “Non-GMO” or “Organic” is likely to contain at least one GMO; this includes meat and dairy products, from animals that have eaten GM feed.

NonGMOShoppingGuide.com is a reliable resource that lists about 30,000 non-GMO products. A non-GMO diet is recommended by thousands of doctors, as well as the American Academy of Environmental Medicine.

What more can “we the people” do to eradicate GMOs? We are in control, not government agencies. I believe that promoting a stronger message—that GMOs are dangerous and should be avoided—would better serve consumers and the food-labeling movement. High-profile campaigns will continue educating consumers about the dangers of GMOs and the necessity of rejecting them in favor of healthier nonGMO choices, especially for children that are most at risk.

The desired result is that food companies will feel the loss of profits and remove GMOs as a liability. The tipping point in the U.S. is almost here. In 2013, the president of Whole Foods announced that when a product becomes verified as non-GMO, sales leap by 15 to 30 percent.

Thousands of natural product brands were immediately enrolled for verification.

Now conventional brands such as Post Foods’ Grape Nuts, Target’s Simply Balanced brand, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Chipotle’s restaurant menu are GMO-free. General Mills stopped using GMO beet sugar in Cheerios. When the rest of the food industry sees these nonGMO-labeled products increase in sales in conventional supermarkets, they will be forced to eliminate GMOs as well, to protect their market share.

Visit ResponsibleTechnology.org and GeneticRouletteMovie.com to educate everyone about the dangers of GMOs. Connect with writer Linda Sechrist at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. ~Samuel Johnson God is the one Living Spirit which dwells within us all. We invite you to join us as we learn to live life with grace, wisdom, gratitude, and love.

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

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

natural awakenings

July 2015

25

businessspotlight

Healthier Water, Healthier Living

by Meredith Montgomery

U

pon moving into his West Mobile home a couple years ago, Dan Nice was excited to have a large backyard pool, but wanted an affordable alternative to traditional chlorine and salt systems. His preference for a chemicalfree system was not a health-conscious decision at first. “We just didn’t like the smell of chlorine, and we worried about handling the toxic chemicals. After swimming, we’d have to take a shower and bathing suits would fade quickly,” he says.

His research led him to the installation of an ECOsmarte system, the only 100 percent chemical-free system on the market. “We were so impressed with our pool that after six months, we decided to install ECOsmarte’s whole home water filtration system, too. And then we were offered an opportunity to became the company’s Gulf Coast dealer,” recalls Nice, a marine engineer who owns L.A. ECOsmarte with his wife, Susan. They have resided in the Mobile area for more than 20 years.

The couple has made it their mission to help friends, family and current and future customers rid their lives of chlorine and other harmful chemicals and byproducts in both household and pool water.

Nice says, “It is simple to find reputable articles and reports on the proven links between the use of chlorine and adverse human health effects. Although chlorine has saved millions of lives by reducing the spreading of diseases due to poor water

26

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

quality, ECOsmarte’s technology offers better and safer sanitation results.”

ECOsmarte’s products were developed for chemically sensitive, canceraware and environmentally conscious consumers in 1994. This natural solution is ideal for any pool and spa owner, but particularly for those that have asthma or allergies, children with developing lungs or pets that enjoy drinking from the pool.

Additionally, with chlorine- and salt-free water, liners last longer and bordering grass stays green.

Nice says, “Many customers tell me they water their garden with their pool water. They say it’s like having a swimming pool of bottled water, and that they use it more often than before because they’re no longer fighting to keep it clean.” In addition to being time-savers, ECOsmarte systems can save on maintenance fees, often paying for themselves within three swimming seasons. Oftentimes owners no longer need to pay for weekly maintenance when an ECOsmarte system is coupled with a good vacuuming system such as a Polaris or a robot.

If a home-

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

More chlorine is absorbed into the body through the skin when bathing and swimming in chlorinated water than when drinking it. ~Dan Nice L.A. ECOsmarte owner doesn’t install an ECOsmarte pool system, they can still benefit from using the company’s Glass Pack filter media, which is made from recycled glass and conserves water. The glass media can filter out debris smaller than five microns in diameter (including skin and blood cells and bacteria) compared to sand, which only filters debris 50 to 100 microns in diameter, and therefore requires many shock treatments. No equipment changes are needed to switch from sand to the Glass Pack and the result is a large reduction in back-flushing and chemical usage.

Glass Pack media and ECOsmarte systems have also replaced conventional filters and sanitation systems in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications, including cistern, catchment, pond and lake water treatment; hospital cooling towers; wastewater treatment; and irrigation for golf courses and farms.

ECOsmarte’s chemical-free, pointof-entry water treatment system, for households with well or municipal water, purifies all water—indoor and outdoor, hot and cold—without removing essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

Nice says, “The majority of bottled water is just municipal water run through a reverse osmosis machine, which removes important minerals along with harmful

substances. If the water you drink is constantly flushing out vitamins and minerals through urination and not replacing any of them, your water could be depleting the level of healthy minerals in your body.”

Properly maintained refrigerator filters do remove chlorine from drinking water, but toxic byproducts (HBPs) of chlorine may remain. Nice notes the importance of bathing in filtered water by pointing out, “More chlorine is absorbed into the body through the skin when bathing and swimming in chlorinated water than when drinking it.”

The company’s natural oxygen technology, pioneered by NASA, uses an ionic copper system to create charged particles, or ions, which are lethal to bacteria, algae and some viruses, but safe for humans, animals and plants. These ions help kill off bacteria and algae that may grow in pipes when water is not in use, and have been proven to control bacteria better than chlorine. In addition to the health benefits, ECOsmarte’s water tastes, smells and feels better, and it can reduce home maintenance costs by protecting pipes and fixtures from scale and corrosion.

Nice says, “Our systems actually produce ‘wetter’ water, and when used in irrigation systems, up to 60 percent less water is needed, because it’s absorbed into the soil that much better.”

Nice says that customers ask him why they haven’t heard of this technology before, and he replies that although ECOsmarte has been in business for more than 20 years, the copper ionization technology is still relatively young, and not well known. He says, “Our goal is to educate the public about the wonderful benefits of these products and how they are changing lives.”

For more information, call 251-586-8250 or 251-709-7023, email LAEcosmarte@ att.net or visit LAEcosmarte.com. See ad, page 39.

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natural awakenings

July 2015

27

Local Resources: fitbody Baldwin County Bicyclists

Facebook.com/groups/bcbicyclists A one-stop location for sharing bicycle group rides, information, advocacy and more in Baldwin County.

Baldwin County Trailblazers

BaldwinCountyTrailblazers.wordpress.com A nonprofit organization that promotes, funds and constructs a countywide network of multi-use trails connecting communities and people in Baldwin County.

Bicycle Mobile

BicycleMobile.org An advocacy website devoted to every aspect of bicycling in Mobile, including a list of group rides, information about bike shops and a list of key issues for advocacy and infrastructure.

Delta Bike Project

DeltaBikeProject.org A nonprofit community bicycle shop dedicated to promoting and improving access to bicycle transportation in Mobile.

Mobilians on Bikes

MobiliansOnBikes.org A community group that promotes the utilitarian use of cycling for all Mobilians by organizing a wide range of socially focused rides around town.

Slow Bicycle Society

SlowBike.wordpress.com A group promoting bicycling on the Eastern Shore as a means of leisure entertainment, social interaction and viable transportation.

South Alabama Mountain Bike Association

RideSamba.com This association’s goal is to preserve and create trails in the South Alabama area.

Team Share the Road

TeamShareTheRoad.org A Mobile nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safe access to streets, roads and highways.

Savvy Cycling Keep the Hard Knocks Out of Biking

P

by Randy Kambic

eople are biking more than ever. Recreational bicycling ranked second to running as the favorite outdoor activity among both youths (6 to 24 years old) and adults (25-plus) in a recent Outdoor Industry Association study. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) further reports that from 2000 to 2012 the number of Americans biking to work rose from 488,000 to 786,000.

This positive trend also means more crowded bike lanes and other pathways challenge the community infrastructure’s ability to keep up, raising safety concerns.

Plus, we naturally want to avoid aches and pains while enjoying the myriad benefits of pedaling.

Find the Right Bike

“Having the right bike for one’s needs that’s properly fitted is crucial,” says Dan Moser, a founder and steering committee member of the BikeWalkLee community coalition and a traffic safety consultant in Fort Myers, Florida. “Use a local bike shop whose mechanics test and adjust the bikes they sell.”

A bike mechanic can determine the proper seat height and ideal distance from the handlebars to the seat tube. Back, knee or hip pain may develop if a cyclist has to stretch their legs to get to the pedals,

explains Tim Bustos, a bicycling consultant in Pensacola, Florida, and former bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for Davis, California, which earned platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community status, along with Boulder, Colorado, and Portland, Oregon, from the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). On the other hand, “A biker doesn’t get proper leg extension if the seat is too low,” he says, possibly leading to leg muscle strains. “The legs should be almost, but not totally extended at the lowest point in the pedaling motion.”

Safety Alert

The latest NHTSA study charted 49,000 bicycle accidents in 2012, 1,000 more than the year before. Biking only in daylight and avoiding alcohol could improve those numbers because 48 percent of biker fatalities occur beginning at 4 p.m. and 37 percent involve a driver or bicyclist that has been drinking.

Even well-marked bike lanes don’t guarantee safety, so caution is required.

Some motorists are careless about entering bike lanes and don’t correctly stop at crosswalks or look behind before opening car doors. David Takemoto-Weerts, a bicycle program coordinator at the University of California, Davis, member of the city’s Bike Transportation Advisory Committee

and LAB-certified instructor, suggests keeping at least five feet from the sides of cars to avoid being hit. Cyclists are wise not to weave in and out of traffic, to signal turns and watch out for runners, walkers and pedestrians as they abide by normal traffic rules and flow. Takemoto-Weerts says that bikers sometimes overlook using the stop signal (left arm extended downward) to alert bikers behind them.

Wearing a helmet should be a standard practice. The University of North Carolina’s Highway Safety Research Center, in Chapel Hill, reports that wearing a helmet reduces the overall risk of head injuries by 85 percent. “Cyclists are part of traffic, whether operating on a road, pathway or a combination,” says Moser. “Being acutely aware of one’s surroundings and minimizing distractions, following the rules of the road and pathway, and being prepared to deal with others’ mistakes are all vital.”

Fitness Factors

Dr. Kim Martin, a certified functional medicine practitioner and chiropractor with North Shore Health Solutions, in Northbrook, Illinois, says that recreational bikers have visited her for knee, hip and neck soreness or strains. In addition to ensuring they’re employing proper leg extension, she advises, “Pedal a little faster in a lower gear; ideally, 75 to 90 revolutions per minute, which is easier on the knees and lessens muscle fatigue than traveling slower in a higher gear.” She explains that the correct seat height facilitates proper alignment of hips and a full rotation; if not, energy is forced outward, stressing the hips.

Martin adds that the neck might experience strain from tilting the head up for long periods. “This can occur by wearing a helmet that is too low or forward in the front or poor-fitting eyewear that inches forward down the nose.” Right after a long ride, Martin suggests that riders gently bend downward over their crossed legs a few times, alternately switching legs, and also slowly bending the head up and down, sideways and then in a circular motion for a couple of minutes.

“Overall,” she says, “the key is to have fun.”

A Local Passion for Bikes

E

astern Shore Cycles, in Daphne, and Foley Bike Shop, in Foley, are Baldwin County’s oldest bike shops. “Biking was a childhood passion that evolved into a career,” says owner Phil Hooper, who has worked in the local bike industry since 1987. His enthusiasm continues to grow as the popularity of riding increases and people experience the benefits and enjoyment of cycling. “I share my passion with my customers and friends by advising them in their cycling lives,” he says.

The shops serve customers in an inviting atmosphere, with friendly, knowledgeable staff eager to educate them. Their extensive selection of all types of bikes, apparel and equipment meets the needs of a range of customers, from the casual rider to the most serious cyclist. A complete service department and repair parts are available, and they offer a professional bike fitting service to help customers achieve their individual comfort and performance goals.

The shops also sponsor bicycle-related events to keep the community thriving with happy, healthy people and businesses.

Hooper says, “As cyclists ourselves, we know that having highquality local rides, triathlons and cycling events are important for making new friends, finding good competitors and enjoying bikes even more.”

Eastern Shore Cycles (251-626-0079) is located at 6845 U.S. Hwy. 90, in Daphne; Foley Bike Shop (251-970-5544) is located at 111 S. McKenzie St., in Foley. For more information, visit TheBike-Shop.com. See ad on this page.

Freelance writer and editor Randy Kambic, in Estero, FL, is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.

Baldwin county's oldest & most exeperienced bike shops Serving the most casual rider to the most serious rider in an inviting and professional atmosphere extensive selection of all types of bikes | cycling apparel and equipment complete service department and repair parts | professional bike fitting service

Foley Bike Shop | 251-970-5544 Eastern Shore Cycles | 251-626-0079 111 S. McKenzie St | Foley 6845 US Hwy 90, Suite 102 | Daphne info@easternshorecycles.com | www.thebike-shop.com | natural awakenings

July 2015

29

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2nd Tuesdays 5-7PM Fairhope Brewing Company

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3rd Wednesdays 5-7PM Alchemy Tavern

Food sponsored by Sunflower Cafe.

For more info: Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com 30

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

ADVENTURES IN NATURE Families Create Memories at Nearby Parks

by Harriet Shugarman

H

ere’s how to entertain the kids, keep them healthy and get them outdoors this summer.

Where to Go Traveling to iconic natural wonders like the Blue Ridge Mountains, Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon isn’t the only awe-inspiring way to captivate children’s attention and help them contemplate nature’s beauties. As Brian Ettling, a seasonal ranger at Crater Lake National Park, in Oregon, likes to remind park visitors, “Find your own sacred place and keep going there; it could be a wooded area by your house or a county, state or local park.”

Visits to in-state parks are easy to fit into a family’s summer plans and can generate lifelong treasured family traditions. Participating in programs or other exploratory adventures stimulate creative and critical thinking, challenge outdoor and athletic skills and can even teach life lessons.

July is America’s Parks and Recreation Month, first designated by the

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in 1985. NRPA makes it easy to tap into what’s happening in local parks or wherever family members may be traveling. Events around the country can be found by visiting nrpa.org/july.

What to Do Biologist Rachel Carson, the mother of the modern-day environmental movement, wrote, “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” In this addictive digital age, it can sometimes be challenging to find exciting ways to help children connect with nature.

Jessica Culverhouse, NRPA senior manager and a volunteer master naturalist, offers ways to channel digital habits.

“Free apps like the electronic field guide Leafsnap and mobile games like Agents of Nature can be great tools to engage kids with the outdoors with their technology still in hand,” she says. Another idea is

Parks maintained by a range of entities are jewels to be discovered, cherished and preserved. a simple nature scavenger hunt using a smartphone camera.

If weekend camping is of interest, in-state parks are convenient and also easy on the budget. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) makes the first step easy with tips and suggested activities through their Great American Campout (nwf.org/great-americancampout.aspx). This summer-long celebration of camping encourages everyone to take the pledge to camp, which helps fuel the conversation and initial planning, whether camping in a backyard or local, state or national park.

Last year, the Carlson family took the pledge and first camped out in Big Basin State Park, only 20 miles from their home in Santa Cruz, California. “It was an incredible weekend none of us will ever forget; a world away, but right in our backyard!” they cheer.

Garden for Wildlife, another popular NWF program, connects people with their local habitats. Girl Scout butterfly heroes in Wyckoff, New Jersey, learned how. “Our troop was looking for a way to provide a community service for their bronze award project,” says Wendy Rosica, co-leader of Troop 94686. “We

chose to create a Monarch Way Station garden in a new community park in our neighborhood. Specifically designed as a space for the butterflies to breed and eat during their annual migrations, it’s not only a beautiful addition to the park, but also a positive way for the Girl Scouts to help area residents learn more about the plight of Monarchs and other pollinators.”

National Audubon Society nature centers are an accessible local resource (Audubon.org/audubon-near-you). Families learn more about native birds and Audubon hiking trails, and naturalist presentations enhance explorations of the region’s habitats. Local native plant and animal species are disappearing at alarming rates and need habitat stewardship by present and future generations (Climate.

Audubon.org).

Our in-state parks are wellsprings of life from which children and adults can draw throughout our lives, enabling us to discover the splendor and uniqueness of nature right in our own community and backyard. When we see and feel directly what’s at stake, we’ll fight harder and more consciously to protect and preserve it. As Carson eloquently observed in The Sense of Wonder, nature can help us all find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

Harriet Shugarman, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, chairs local and regional environmental committees and works with national, state and local organizations seeking pro-environmental legislation.

Connect at ClimateMama.com.

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naturalpet

PURR-FECT PET SITTERS Make Sure Your Pet Enjoys Your Vacation, Too

by Sandra Murphy

V

acations bring rest and less stress, a change of pace and for some, a break from caring for the family pet, made possible by a growing number of professional pet sitters.

“I have more peace of mind with a pet sitter rather than a friend. Even if they’ve already had a long day, sitters still properly take care of the pets,” says Christina Pierce, a federal examiner of financial institutions for consumer protection in Little Rock, Arkansas. “Many professional pet sitters are trained to respond to potential health and other issues. Especially with small animals, early recognition of a problem is key.”

Pierce used to have chinchillas, and now has a cat she rescued and relocated from Dallas, Texas, plus two adopted former foster rabbits.

“A sitter may be excellent, but not know your breed,” advises Rae Bailey, a retiree in Georgetown, Texas, who regularly uses sitters for her Scottie when she travels. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” She notes that dogs are particularly good judges of character, so if one doesn’t like the sitter, simply try another.

Pet sitting services use a contract to outline rates, what the sitter will do, the number and duration of daily visits, start and end dates and how the house key is returned when the job is complete. Regular clients may have the sitter keep the key handy.

Professional sitters are bonded, insured and backgroundchecked, have experience with a variety of species and breeds, are fairly flexible and love animals. A pre-visit will introduce pets and sitter to each other and address any relationship concerns

32

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Pet Sitters International provides a localized directory and good questions to ask at PetSit.com/locate.

and individual needs, such as medications.

“I had a diabetic Westie, a big consideration,” says Diane Meadows, a retired paralegal in San Antonio, Texas. “It was huge for me to hand over the keys and my trust, but our sitter was dependable and knowledgeable.” During one visit, her sitter also alerted Meadows to a possible propane gas leak.

At the outset, have the sitter meet all the family pets to ensure mutual comfort. Show the sitter where the leash, toys, treats, food and water dishes are kept, supplies for cleanups, the family vet’s location, hours, office and emergency phone numbers and instructions for any security alarm system. Codes can be personalized and deactivated when no longer needed.

Sometimes clients request extra services such as collecting the mail and newspapers, watering indoor plants and leaving lights on.

Both young and older dogs need three visits a day to avoid household accidents. Cats are usually fine with one. “Cats like to be pampered. A friendly sitter provides the care she’s used to, in familiar surroundings,” says Anne Moss, whose educational website TheCatSite.com originates near Tel Aviv, Israel. “Kitty’s more relaxed and receives a higher level of care than at a boarding facility,” she notes.

A pet sitting service offers the added benefit Birds, fish, ferrets and of backups in case the reptiles are species assigned sitter is sick or delayed. In Huntley, Il- requiring special habitats linois, Diane Muchow, that dictate a home stay. an adjunct instructor at Computer Systems Institute, explains why she prefers a pet sitting service for her black Labrador mix. “Our first sitter was a one-woman business. One day, she forgot to crate the dogs when she left, and we came home to find the evidence of an accident on our new carpet throughout the house,” Muchow says. “We switched to a professional service.”

She sees the primary advantage of professional help as dependability and flexibility. “The service has a website to order the shifts we need, which are confirmed by email,” she notes.

“It’s handy when my husband travels and I work.”

A kennel isn’t for all dogs, says Scott Mell, an area manager for JoAnn Fabrics in Affton, Missouri. He recalls his Bernese mountain dog’s first and only trip to the local kennel. Upon arrival, she climbed on top of the car rather than go inside. “She was adamant,” he says. “I hired a sitter the next day. She loved her sitter’s visits.”

Whether pets need special attention, daily walks, a midday backyard break or multiple visits while the family vacations, a pet sitter can provide excellent care. Many owners like to receive daily text message updates and may even e-retrieve bonus selfies of their happy pets from home.

Connect with writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelance Writer@mindspring.com.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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July 2015

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

hese are the first words Pam Grout speaks when she rises every morning before dancing her way into the bathroom. She plays a favorite uplifting tune such as Pharrell William’s Happy or Abba’s Dancing Queen and creates a sassy choreography complete with fist pumps, joyous jumps and a little rhythmic strutting.

Her easy positive actions take no longer than it would to worry, “How will I get everything done today?” and then trudging into the bathroom feeling fatigued and overwhelmed. Plus, Grout’s playful attitude makes a big difference in the rest of the day’s outcomes.

Grout is the author of two internationally bestselling books, E-Squared and E-Cubed. Both offer readers multiple opportunities to experience a disarmingly simple outlook on life. “There is an infinite force of potentiality in the universe that has our backs and wants to interact with us and guide us,” Grout believes.

“There is no absolute reality; we create the reality that serves us and places our attention on what we most want.”

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Letting Go of Doubt

Grout’s journey to a life filled with joy and miracles is ongoing. As a freelance writer, she initially struggled with selfdoubt, wondering, “What do I, a kid from Kansas, have to offer a New York City editor?” and came face-to-face with fears about money. Even though she was earning a decent living, she was recycling her parents’ anxieties about not having enough. “I’m not good enough” was another party crasher.

When she began studying A Course in Miracles, Grout learned that consciousness creates the material world and the importance of self-compassion.

She examined her staunch beliefs, questioning if they were true and letting go of the tiresome stories of inadequacy and worry. She began focusing on life’s blessings and noticed how concentrating on the good made life happier and more dynamic. Then she started to lay out simple intentions such as finding a good parking spot or uncovering a lost

object. The results were immediate and intriguing.

This seeker of truth realized that to gain real spiritual growth, she needed to become more deliberate, so she designed a scientific framework, set a clear intention, imposed a deadline and noted the results. “The results were so convincing that I decided to see if my experiments would work for other people,” Grout says. Before long, friends and acquaintances were manifesting all kinds of amazing things, and she decided to write about her theories. Ten years later, after a steep learning curve in the publishing world, her work became globally acclaimed.

Tapping a Joyful Reality of Miracles “This little book will prove to you once and for all that your thoughts have power, and that a field of infinite possibilities awaits your claim,” the author writes in E-Squared. “It will help you rewrite the outdated thinking that drives your life.”

Nine easy energy experiments will prove that the “field of potentiality,” as Grout calls it, is dependable, predictable and available to all. She equates our connection with the field to plugging in a toaster. We know the energy field is there, but we need to consciously “plug in” to use it.

Grout details powerful spiritual principles that help us make everyday life richer, more meaningful and more fun.

Part of her “new curriculum” includes: n Reality is waves of possibility that we have “observed” into form. n We are an energy field, connected with everything and everyone in the universe. n Our universe connection provides accurate and unlimited guidance.

Making Dreams Come True Making our dreams a reality for us is not only possible, it’s probable. The key is opening our hearts to the beneficent universe. “If you want to know what will happen in your life, listen to the words coming out of your mouth,” Grout advises.

If we are deluged with negative thoughts, stop and notice all that is right in our world. Ask the universe for help in shedding dark ruminations. When we replace poor images with positive affirming thoughts, our lives become more magical and enjoyable.

Grout encourages her readers to invoke two words when life feels chaotic and out of control: “It’s okay,” which allows the loving flow of the universe to do the heavy lifting. Concentrating on living our joys equips us to help ourselves and others.

Grout queries, “Since we are creating our reality, why not create the possibilities that bring us closer to our life’s purpose and higher self?”

For more on Pam Grout’s work, follow her inspiring blog at PamGrout.com.

Deborah Shouse is the author of Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey; she blogs at DementiaJourney.org.

“Believe in your bones that the universe is bountiful and supportive,” encourages Grout, asking us to first give the “field” 48 hours to send an unexpected gift. Don’t specify the gift, but just ask to receive and recognize the blessing. Set a deadline and then watch what unfolds.

INTUITION Weekend Workshop August 15th & 16th • 9am-5pm Navarre Conference Center

You can use your Intuition and change your life, become the person you have always wanted to be! Have you always had a curious mind and known things without being told? Have you felt a little different from other people? Have you watched people on TV giving messages and thought that you would like to learn how to give messages to other people?

After you complete this workshop, you will be able to do that and more! Discover & Develop Your Intuition. Learn How to Listen and Trust Your Intuition. Learn Meditation & How It Can Assist You. Learn How to Protect Yourself From Negative Energies. Learn How To Do Readings For Yourself or Other People. Learn To Use Different Divination Tools.

Jul Constantine • 850-533-9448 DevelopingMyIntuition.com

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6A S Bancroft, Downtown Fairhope • 251.517.5626 • RosieBluum.com

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July 2015

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IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER! Natural Awakenings’ healthy living, healthy planet lifestyle app has a new look and more features.

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

SATURDAY, JULY 11

Kundalini Yoga Summer Saturday Class Series – 11am-12:15pm. Saturdays, July 11-25. Getting overheated this Summer? Time to alleviate physical and mental stress. As taught by Yogi Bhajan, these exercises and meditations aim to improve physical health and vitality as well as mental focus. Come and revel in the experience! $15 per class. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Usui Reiki Level I Certification Weekend w/ Julie – 9:30am-5:30pm, Jul 11-12. Renew or begin your healing journey with Reiki. Making life changes? Take this class to connect with Universal Life Force only used for healing, emotional, mental and physical. Hands on experience, Level I for self-healing, Level II working w/ others. $300 at the door/prepaid $250. Reiki Center of Fairhope. Julie: 251-281-8811. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@gmail. com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events.

MONDAY, JULY 13

Neck + Shoulder Love! Vinyasa Yoga Class – 9:30-11am. Unlock tension, tightness and stiffness in your upper body. Join Brooke Nisbet, E-RYT, for a juicy 90 min shoulder, neck and upper back flow class that will open and soothe neck and shoulders. $20. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 14

markyourcalendar Green Drinks Fairhope: Low Impact Outdoor Recreation

Search “Natural Awakenings” and download

Joe Cuhaj, author of Hiking Alabama and Best Tent Camping in Alabama will speak brifly at 6pm. 17 Turtles Outfitters, Fairhope’s source for kayak and SUP rentals, will also have an informational display. Join us for this informal yet engaging happy hour every second Tuesday and connect with other progressive people in our area. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks. Brief speaker and announcements at 6pm. Food sponsored by Sunflower Cafe.

July 14 • 5-7pm

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

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

markyourcalendar Green Drinks Mobile

Join us for an informal yet engaging happy hour with like-minded folks every third Wednesday. With a local drink in one hand and environmental concerns in the other, connect with other progressive people in our area. Monthly speaker. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks.

July 15 • 5-7pm

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

SUNDAY, JULY 19

Foot Reflexology Workshop – 7:45am-5pm, Jul 19-20. Learn therapeutic Ingham Foot Reflexology taught by Laurie Azzarella, International Institute of Reflexology Instructor. Use on family, friends or professional clients. 16 CEUs for therapists. $375 includes book, outline and IIR Registration.

Office/Home, Cantonment, Florida. 850-380-4943.

LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com. Relexology-usa.net.

Christmas in July – 11am. Join us at Unity Christ Church of Mobile for the unique opportunity of celebrating Christmas in July! Come enjoy special music, candlelight and all the joy and love of the Christmas season…without the stress and shopping.

Unity Christ Church, 5859 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile.

251-285-3440. Facebook.com/unityofmobile.

Chakra Self-Study 8 Week Series – 6-8pm, Sundays, Jul 19-Aug 30. This transformational journey is a series of 7 sessions, each focusing on a different chakra as it relates to aspects of self. Each session consists of discussion, asana, meditation and journaling exercise, followed by group processing. $150. $125 before July 13th. Soul Shine Yoga, 103-B N Bancroft St, Fairhope. Namaste@ TheSoulShineLife.com. TheSoulShineLife.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 23

Reiki Energy Share – 7-8:30pm. This evening is for anyone who wants to experience Reiki to stop by for a sharing of healing energy. At 7 sharp there will be a short talk: "What is Reiki?” Just bring yourself, if you know Reiki you can share with those who have not experienced. Free. Reiki Center of Fairhope, 19655 State Hwy 181, Fairhope. Julie: 251281-8811. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@gmail.com.

ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/earth-heart-reiki/.

SATURDAY, JULY 25

Earth-Heart Activation with Julie E Brent – 10am-5pm. A special day for getting your heart connected with the Earth! Series of sacred geometry activations along with an incredible way to breathe that will forever keep you grounded. Long lasting healing tools learned in this one day. $88. Reiki Center of Fairhope, 19655 State Hwy 181, Fairhope.

Julie: 251-281-8811. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@ gmail.com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events.

BE CREATIVE: TRY NEW DIRECTIONS TO INSPIRE CONNECTIONS

THURSDAY, JULY 30

Reflex-oil-ogy – 6:30-8:30pm. Come experience foot reflexology enhanced by essential oils. Learn how to balance the body systems to create wellness and optical body function using Young Living Oils on the reflexes of your feet. Bring pillow. $5.

Prodisee Pantry, 9315 Spanish Fort Blvd, Spanish Fort. 850-380-4943. Laurie.MarketingScents.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

markyourcalendar Salutations in the Sand Yoga Retreat

Yoga and meditation retreat at Caribe

Resort: yoga sunrise to sunset; delicious, healthy breakfasts and dinners prepared by Cobalt chefs; evening moonlight meditation; empowering workshops; massage, reiki, acupuncture, reflexology, essential oil therapy.

October 15-18

Caribe Resort, Orange Beach SalutationsInTheSand.com

Advertise in Natural Awakenings’ August

Parenting with Presence and Creativity Issue

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

Smoking Cessation Seminar – 10am-12pm. Discussion of how quitting smoking can be easy and something to look forward to. Then a hypnosis session for quitting smoking. CD and book available. $30 until Sept 17/$40 after or at door. Center for Spritual Living Mobile, Mobile. Marquerite Dillon: 251-272-1030.

Contact us at: 251-990-9552 Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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July 2015

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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 and 3055-A Dauphin St, Mobile. VAFairhopeHealthFoods.com.

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

CenterForSpiritualLiving-Mobile.org.

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. 251-545-1011.

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

Sunday Service – 10:30am. Explore a spiritual pathway with Mobile Unitarian Universalists, 6345 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. 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. 251-285-3440. Facebook.com/unityofmobile.

AHA Afternoon Yoga – 1pm. Jul 12. Explore bodymind-spirit while promoting balance and wellness within. Eclectic yogic elements ensure variety and fun; traditional foundations ensure proper body alignment and safety. Beginner-friendly. Props provided.

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

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

monday Mindful Movement – 9:15am. Unwind your morning with a beginner friendly mindfully moving yoga practice ending in restorative yoga positions. Practice among Himalayan salt lamps and waterfalls. $10 donation. Rosie Bluum, Fairhope. 251-379-4493.

ThriveFairhope.com.

$5 Chair + Gentle Yoga – 11am. Build strength, endurance and courage. Each chair yoga pose will be adapted while seated firmly in a chair or on your yoga mat. Maintain and restore mobility and increase balance in a safe, supportive environment. $5. Soul Shine Yoga South, 456 Morphy Ave, Fairhope. Namaste@ TheSoulShineLife.com. TheSoulShineLife.com.

Men’s Pilates Class – 4pm. Classes utilize reformers, Pilates chairs and barrels. There are 2-4 people in a class to insure each client receives the instruc-

38

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

tion they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes. Call for more time options. Advanced registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person.

Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile.

251-344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

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

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

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

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

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, Suite 100, Mobile. Lydia Pettijohn: 251-479-5700. FamilyCenterMobile.org.

Together We Can – 6-8pm. The Family Center offers this class to help parents build a better future for their children by working together as co-parents. It is open to couples regardless of their relationship. Become a team that supports your family's success. Free. 27365 Pollard Rd, Daphne. Christie Brannon: 251-626-1610. BaldwinFamilies@gmail.com. FamilyCenterMobile.org.

tuesday Sunrise Yoga with Linda – 6am. The calendar says “hot”, but not at sunrise! Join Linda Csaszar and jump start the morning - charge and revitalize the body, ease stress and focus the mind as you begin the day. Find the joy in the movement! Also on Thurs w/Chris G. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

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

Gentle Yoga with Laura – 12pm. A stressful morning? Synergy can fix that! Join Laura Jones in the land of "ahhhhs" for a relaxing class to sooth the spirit, calm the mind, and replenish the soul. Also on Thursdays at noon. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile.

251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Pilates Classes – 12pm & 2pm. Also 12pm, Thursdays.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Classes utilize reformers, Pilates chairs and barrels.

There are 2-4 people in a class to insure each client receives the instruction they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes. Call for more time options. Advanced registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person. Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. 251-344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

Grief Recovery Meeting – 1-2:30pm. This is a Christian-based grief recovery program for all losses.

Experienced, professional and compassionate staff members support you through the grief process with the goal of transitioning into a renewed life of purpose and fulfillment. Ascension Funerals & Cremations, 1016 Hillcrest Rd, Mobile. 251-634-8055.

AscensionFuneralGroup.com.

West Mobile Farmer's Market – 3:30-6:30pm.

Farmer's market sponsored by Christ United Methodist Church featuring locally grown produce, honey, seafood, baked goods and other home made products.

Every Tuesday until July 7th. Located on Hillcrest Rd just south of Grelot Rd, Mobile. 6101 Grelot Rd, Mobile. 251-767-7526.

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. Sponsorship, speaking and catering opportunities available. Open to the public. Free to attend except the cost of your drinks. Fairhope Brewing Company, 914 Nichols Ave, Fairhope. 251-279-7517. MobileBayGreenDrinks@ gmail.com. Facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks.

Pilates Combo Class – 5:15pm. Join Dana and use controlled movement to develop core strength, increased flexibility and improved posture. A variety of mat exercises will be combined with work on the Reformer and EXO Chair to develop and challenge the core. Reservations are required. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Yin Yoga with Cindy Johnson – 5:30pm. Experience yin yoga, a blissful and meditative evening of gentle stretching that focuses on your joints and muscle tissue. Yin yoga is gentle and nurturing, bringing balance to an active lifestyle. A perfect way to ease into yoga. All welcome. $10. Rosie Bluum, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. Info@RosieBluum.com.

RosieBluum.com.

Integrated Yoga Therapy with Laura Jones – 5:45pm. This all levels, beginner friendly class will allow students to deepen their self awareness and let their true light shine. Create a healing space and go beyond the physical practice - become more in tune with your true self. Come experience the joy! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

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

Guided Meditation – 7pm. Go within. Release thoughts, concerns and worries as you relax into the peaceful state that is your true nature. Let us guide you to tranquility and freedom of mind. Your only requirement is to listen, allow, be open and bring your imagination. $5. Rosie Bluum, Fairhope. 251-5175626. Info@RosieBluum.com. RosieBluum.com.

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

6pm Reformer. There are 2-4 people in a class to

insure each client receives the instruction they require. Individual and group sessions are 60 minutes.

Call for more time options. Advanced registration required. 2-4 people/class: $30/person. Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. 251-3440590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

Yoga with Susan – 8am. Join Susan Kangal and start your day with her refreshing energy as she challenges you with a strong emphasis on alignment and focus while still calming the mind. Sink into the moment and experience the bliss—yes! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Pilates for Older Adults – 9am. Wed & Fri. Includes work on the reformer and mat focusing on balance, core strength and flexibility. Slow to moderate pace. Advanced registration required.

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

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

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

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

251-753-1937. Info@AlabamaHealingArts.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

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

PLANS CHANGE!

Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

Positive Parenting – 9:30-11:30am. The Family Center offers 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. Lydia Pettijohn: 251-479-5700. FamilyCenterMobile.org.

Free Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis – 10:30am. This chair yoga class is free to participants and funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Build strength and flexibility while improving balance and circulation.

Fairhope. Thrive@ThriveFairhope.com. 251-379-4493.

Restorative Yoga with Laura – 4pm. Been a tough week so far? No stresses and no worries! Ease down a relaxing path with some restorative yoga. Be supported by all the right props as the poses plus gravity gently melt away the anxieties of the day. Also every other Fri at 5:45pm. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

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

MobileBayGreenDrinks@gmail.com. Facebook. com/MobileBayGreenDrinks.

Book Study/Discussion – 7pm. Are you searching for real meaning in your life? Are you looking for a spiritual community of like-minded people? Join us at Unity of Mobile for our book study/discussion group. Our current book study is Transform Your Life by Dr. Barbara King. Love offering. Unity Christ Church, 5859 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile. 251285-3440. Facebook.com/unityofmobile.

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

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

RosieBluum.com.

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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). 251-340-8565. lbrlumin@aol.com. IANDS.org.

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

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239-530-1377

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July 2015

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thursday AHA Lunch-Time Core Flow Yoga – 12:10pm.

Energize, align, strengthen, center. Focus on flow and core strengthening. Includes eclectic yoga postures and/or Pilates with traditional foundations to ensure proper alignment, safety and fun. Beginner-friendly.

Props provided. Call/text to register. $60; begins soon.

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

Spring/Summer Market on the Hill – 3-6pm. May 28-Jul 30. The Spring/Summer market will be open Thursdays, May 28-Jul 30. Local produce, baked goods, honey, flowers, soaps, live music and more.

Lavretta Park on Old Shell, Mobile. 251-208-1550.

SpecialEventsMobile.org.

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

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

Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile.

251-344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

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

251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Dynamic Dads – 7-9pm. The Family Center is the site of the Mobile County Fatherhood Initiative. Six Thursday night classes delve into the importance of fathers and how to meet the challenges of being the father your children need--A super hero for your super kid! Free. 601 Bel Air Blvd, Suite 100, Mobile. Lydia Pettijohn: 251-479-5700. FamilyCenterMobile.org.

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

Individual sessions: $60. 4500 Old Shell Rd, Mobile.

251-344-0590. PeakConditionPilates.com.

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

251-753-1937. info@AlabamaHealingArts.com.

AlabamaHealingArts.com.

40

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Soul Shine + Salty Dog SUP Yoga – 9:30am. Have some fun with paddleboard yoga this summer!

Take your practice outside and enjoy the calming effects of the bay while you add a new challenge to your practice. Sign up online to reserve your spot. $30 for class + board rental/ $18 class only.

Fairhope Pier. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

AHA Supervised Student Massage & Reiki Clinic – Jul 10. School-supervised internship gives opportunity for student practitioners to work with clients in a professional setting and clients to receive quality, full-length healing treatments at a great value. Appointment only. Appointments at 4:30, 5:45 & 7pm. $25 for 50-min full-body student massage and/or Reiki session.

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

Sunset Yoga for Charity – 2nd & 4th Fridays, MarOct. Beginner friendly yoga on the bluff ending at sunset. Start time varies with sunset time. Full schedule of details and charities online: ThriveFairhope. com. Bring your mat and a donation for the charity supported. Donation. Henry George Bluff, Fairhope.

251-379-4493. ThriveFairhope.com.

saturday Spring/Summer Market on the Square – 7:30am12pm. Apr 25-Jul 25. Local produce, baked goods, honey, flowers, soaps, live music and more. Cathedral Square, downtown Mobile. 251-208-1550.

SpecialEventsMobile.org.

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

HeartStringsYoga.com.

Soul Shine + Salty Dog SUP Yoga – 9am. Have some fun with paddleboard yoga this summer!

Take your practice outside and enjoy the calming effects of the bay while you add a new challenge to your practice. Sign up online to reserve your spot. $30 for class + board rental/ $18 class only.

Fairhope Pier. Namaste@TheSoulShineLife.com.

TheSoulShineLife.com.

Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga – 9:30-11am. Enjoy building your core strength, balance, flexibility and all while you're having fun in the sun! Reservations required. All levels welcome. Must be able to swim.

You only live once...try it you'll like it! Rental $30, Class $20. Packages available. 411 Audubon Dr, Dauphin Island. Michael: 251-591-3316 or Susan: 443-8939. DauphinIslandSUP.com. Facebook.com/ SUPYogaWSusan.

AHA Morning Yoga – 9:30am. Jul 11 only. Explore body-mind-spirit while promoting balance and wellness within. Eclectic yogic elements ensure variety and fun; traditional foundations ensure proper alignment and safety. Beginner-friendly.

Props provided. Call/text to register. $10 per class, 12-classes for $100. Alabama Healing Arts, LLC, 6304 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile. 251-753-1937. Info@ AlabamaHealingArts.com. AlabamaHealingArts.com.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

classifieds Fee for classified listings is $1 per word. Email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet. com for details. Volunteer opportunities are listed for free as space is available.

OPPORTUNITIES BECOME A PUBLISHER – Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin is for sale! The current owners are looking for passionate individuals that want to make a difference in our local community. Meaningful, homebased career opportunity with a proven business system. Exceptional franchise training and support available. Be in business for yourself but not by yourself. 239-530-1377.

NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/mymagazine.

See ad, page 3.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY - Add a Rejuvenation Studio to your EXISTING beauty, fitness, or health/wellness business. Bring in new customers, gain revenue from several sources, and your customers will love it! For more information, call: 864-569-8631.

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

SERVICES IN TU ITIV E~PS Y C HIC ~ME D I U M - Marie Bates Curry offers intuitive guidance and spiritual connections. Individual and small group readings by appointment only. 251-300-7261.

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. Supplies and instructions provided. Work at your convenience.

Contact Janet Miller: J46Miller@yahoo.com.

251-654-1827.

naturaldirectory

ECO-FRIENDLY POOLS

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

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

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

BEAUTY B-BUTTERFLY SALON

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

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY KRISTEN KELLY, LMT

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

salon offering organic B-Butterfly Aproducts and services

including hair color, perms and shampoo.

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

See ad, page 4.

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 35.

CHURCHES

DENTISTRY

SALON

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING 1230 Montlimar Drive, Mobile 251-343-0777 CenterForSpiritualLiving-Mobile.org

R e v. S h e r r i e Quander invites you to visit a loving, inclusive spiritual community where we aim to make every step we take, every choice we make, every word we speak a conscious one. Sundays at 10 a.m. See ad, page 25.

UNITY CHRIST CHURCH

5859 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile 251-285-3440 Facebook.com/unityofmobile Unity Christ Church is here to inspire, uplift and celebrate the Divine. We offer a nonjudgmental, open, supportive and loving environment to support one's spiritual awakening. See ad, page 7.

DR. DAYTON HART, DMD

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

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

L.A. ECOSMARTE LLC

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

See ad, page 39.

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 7.

FENG SHUI FENGSHUI831

Meryl Hyderally, Feng Shui Design Consultant 251-463-1862 • Meryl@MerylHyderally.com fengshui831.com Utilizing feng shui principles, let us create an o rg a n i z e d a n d 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 7.

fengshui 831

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

Offering gifts and services that nurture your spirit.

Books, card decks, essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies, crystals, salt lamps, incense and organic clothing. Local art, jewelry, honey, soaps and candles. See ad, page 35.

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

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings here.

natural awakenings

July 2015

41

FOOD & NUTRITION

GREEN BUILDING

CHASING FRESH MARKET

MIKE KERR CONSTRUCTION LLC

85 North Bancroft Street, Fairhope 251-517-5800 • ChasingFresh.com 8am-5pm, Mon-Sat, 11am-2pm, Sun

Certified Green Builder 251-391-4848 MikeKerrConstructionLLC.com

Now located in Windmill Market. The only produce market in South Alabama where everything is grown, raised and made in Alabama.

Produce, honey, dairy, grains, seafood and meat.

Delivery available.

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

Live green, build green.

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

Residential new construction and remodeling. See ad, page 15.

Debbie Coleman, Architect, AIA, LEED GA 251-341-0509 • Interest08@SunPlans.com SunPlansGulfCoast.com

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 • Café: 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 39 years. Store open 7 days

Naturally bright spaces!

Designing for delight, durability, comfort and lowenergy. Services range from simple consulting to detailed drawings – starting with your ideas or ours. New construction and renovations.

HEALING ARTS

THE HEALTH HUT

680 S. Schillinger, Mobile: 251-633-0485 (Across from Home Depot) 6845 Hwy 90, Daphne: 251-621-1865 (Across from Fresh Market) For 30 years The Health Hut has been the go-to place for high quality, whole-food vitamins, herbs and sport supplements at great prices. Service-oriented, knowledgeable staff. See ad, page 31.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

PRANIC HEALING IN MOBILE Deana Lannie 251-454-0959

Free healing nights and group meditations every Tuesday. Pranic Healing classes and the advanced technique of Superbrain Yoga. See ad, page 9.

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.

HOLISTIC WELLNESS Certified Health Coach Emily@TheSoulShineLife.com • 205-478-4287 TheSoulShineLife.com

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

MEDITATION BETSEY GRADY

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

Experience peace of mind, find clarity and reconnect with your own power by learning to go within. Group classes and one-on-one instruction available. See ad, page 35.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING MIDDLE EARTH HEALING AND LEARNING CENTER

20205 Middle Earth Road, Citronelle 251-866-7204 • MiddleEarthHealing.com

EMILY SOMMERVILLE, RYT

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

a week. See ad, page 2.

JEN ADAMS, LMT

SUN-INSPIRED ARCHITECTURE

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

a week. See ad, page 2.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Increase energy and manage stress by finding balance in a life that lets your soul shine.

Find true health and vibrancy by fueling your body with clean, nutritious foods. Free initial consultation. See ad, page 33.

Middle Earth offers workshops on permaculture, r a i n w a t e r harvesting, graywater recycling, shiitake mushroom cultivation, composting, soil building, chemical-free gardening, aquaponics, real food, natural medicine making, reconnecting with Mother Earth and medicinal aromatherapy. See ad, page 9.

WATER FILTER SYSTEMS L.A. ECOSMARTE LLC

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

Pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings here.

42

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Susan Nice: 251-709-7023 Dan Nice: 251-586-8250 LAEcoSmarte@att.net; LAEcoSmarte.com Premium water that is safe and sustainable for people and the planet. ECOsmarte treats all of your water, indoor and outdoor, with a chemical-free water purification system. See ad, page 39.

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