March 2013 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS by Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good â&#x20AC;˘ live simply â&#x20AC;˘ laugh more

FREE

Feeding Ourselves Well

Urban Gardening The Better Brain Diet Powerhouse Foods for Kids Tackling Triglycerides

MARCH 2013 | Mobile/Baldwin Edition | www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com natural awakenings

March 2013

Invest in Your Home and Your Business by

Thinking green.

Where form meets function. Sustainability Consulting Services for Your Home or Business:

Save Money, Reduce Waste & Increase Efficiency.

• Energy Audits • Waste Stream Audits • Weatherization • Lifecycle Analysis • Thermal Imaging • Green Business Planning • LEED Certification • Community Outreach and Education

Eco Tip of the Month: Change your HVAC filter every three months for increased air quality and energy efficiency.

FREE consultation when you mention this ad. Call us today! Offer expires 4/1/13

251-928-1655, ext 101 • Info@TonsmeireProperties.com • www.TonsmeireProperties.com

B-Butterfly SALON

Come see us today and

GO ORGANIC. B-Butterfly offers organic hair color, perms & shampoo. Call today for a free consultation:

251-990-9934

103A North Bancroft Street, Fairhope www.bbutterflysalon.com 2

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

It’s Always a Bright, Sunshiny Day When You Love Your Work. Don’t miss this opportunity to own one of Mobile/Baldwin’s most exciting businesses.

Mobile/Baldwin Natural Awakenings

Magazine is For Sale

This is a turnkey business. The current owners wish to transition the publication to someone with similar passion, enthusiasm and vision. Huge Income Potential • No Experience Needed • Training Provided

call 251-990-9552 today for more information

w w w . He a l thy Liv ingH ealthy Planet.c om

contents 10

6 newsbriefs 9 ecotip 10 healthbriefs 12 community

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.

spotlight

HEALTHY LIVING TO LOWER ALABAMA One Bite at a Time

14 globalbriefs 16 healthykids 18 healingways 24 consciouseating 26 greenliving 28 calendar 29 classifieds 33 naturaldirectory

advertising & submissions

12 BRINGING

by Meredith Montgomery

16 SIX POWERHOUSE FOODS FOR KIDS With Palate-Pleasing Tips by Susan Enfield Esrey

18 HOW TRIGLYCERIDES Beyond Cholesterol by James Occhiogrosso

20 URBAN GARDENING

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.

24 THE BETTER

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

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

TAKE A TOLL

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

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

TAKES ROOT

Feeding Ourselves Well by John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist

BRAIN DIET Eat Right To Stay Sharp

by Lisa Marshall

26 RECYCLING

EVERYDAY REFUSE What Happens after the Blue Bin is Emptied by Avery Mack

letterfrompublisher Last fall, we did some minor remodeling and ended up relocating our driveway. Instead of sodding the space that was once our old driveway, we amended the dirt with compost, divided some overgrown monkey grass and turned it into a large border. With plans to add some evergreen shrubs and perennial flowers, I claimed the area closest to our kitchen door for an herb and salad garden. This change in landscape has positively affected my day-to-day life in more ways than one. Pulling small weeds has a meditative effect on me, and a breath of fresh air (especially one scented by organic herbs) always does a body good. Not only does our food taste better when it’s homegrown, it costs less. We used to purchase lettuce or spinach weekly, but our garden has provided all the salad greens we’ve needed for the last six months, and it’s still growing strong. Another benefit of our small kitchen garden is the impact it is having on Mays, our 3-year-old. Not only is gardening an unplugged activity that the two of us can enjoy together, it’s a powerful educational tool. When it rains, Mays now says, “I bet our plants are happy that it’s raining!” He’s always liked broccoli, but now that he’s helped grow it he knows that the part we eat is actually the flower, and if we don’t harvest the plant, those little green “trees” turn into clusters of yellow blooms. Mays keeps his own hoe by the compost bin and enjoys taking kitchen scraps out. He gets excited when we discover a big worm and knows that they help turn our would-be waste into compost to feed our plants. In our food and garden issue this month, we learn that millions of other Americans are growing some of their own mainstay foods, as well. “Urban Gardening Takes Root” explores the trend, and we offer some local resources for fellow aspiring gardeners, as well. Not everyone gets the head start that Mays has on healthy and sustainable living, but it’s never too late to make a change or try something new. In our spotlight on Fairhope and Virginia’s Health Foods, owner Lynnora Ash admits to her far-fromhealthy childhood habits. Motherhood changed her perspective and healthy living has since been her passion in life. From a lesson on triglycerides and cholesterol to a list of foods that keep your brain sharp, this month’s Natural Awakenings is sure to get you thinking about what’s on your plate. Feed yourself well, you deserve it! Peace,

contact us Publisher/Editor Meredith Montgomery Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com Assistant Editor Martin Miron Contributors Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo 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. © 2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Mays' first broc

coli harvest.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

natural awakenings

March 2013

newsbriefs New Natural Food Delivery Service Begins Chasing Fresh is a new “farm-totable” delivery service based in Fairhope. With an extensive network of 100 percent local Alabama farmers and growers, Chasing Fresh strives to provide customers with the freshest local produce available delivered to their home or business. Many of the growers use organic practices and deliveries take place within 24 hours Chase Corte of harvesting. Owner Chase Corte says, “We offer everything from fruits, vegetables and herbs to local honey and farm eggs. On a weekly basis, I update the available produce based on what the growers have available that week.” Orders may be placed online, by email or by telephone. Chasing Fresh delivers to Mobile and Baldwin counties. There is not a minimum order and customers are not required to order every week. Orders for Tuesday delivery should be placed by Sunday evening, and orders for Friday delivery should be placed by Wednesday evening. For more information and to place orders, call 251-550-9600, email CCorte@ ChasingFresh.net or visit Facebook.com/ChasingFresh. See ad, page 21.

Learn the Secrets of Two Master Gardeners Mobile County Master Gardeners are hosting their eighth annual educational seminar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 20, at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, in Spanish Fort. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Andy Schneider, better known as “The Chicken Whisperer,” will speak about Raising Backyard Chickens. He is a national radio personality and contributor to Mother Earth News Magazine, Grit Magazine and The Farmers Almanac. Schneider will inform and entertain the audience with his love and knowledge of this growing urban hobby. Master Gardener Jerry Patee will talk about Whimsical Art and Found Art for the Garden. He holds academic degrees from the University of West Florida and the University of Southern California. After completing the Florida Yards and Neighbors program, he finished the Florida Master Naturalist program in 2012, and served as the president of the Escambia Master Gardeners. Patee will demonstrate his technique using ordinary items to create one-of-a-kind pieces of garden art. Raffle items, gardening supplies, caladiums and books will be available for purchase.

Garden art by Jerry Patee 6

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

The cost is $28 and includes a box lunch. Location: 30945 Five Rivers Blvd. For more information, call 251-973-9385 or email SMorrisonMG@gmail.com. Register online at ACES.edu/Mobile/mg by April 12. Seating is limited. www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Natural Awakenings Offers New Dating Website Natural Awakenings is premiering a new online dating site, Natural AwakeningsSingles.com, in partnership with the Conscious Dating Network, the Internet’s largest and oldest conscious/spiritual/green dating site. Niche, online dating offers singles an efficient way to screen and date potential partners that share similar values and interests and are ready to be in a loving relationship. NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com is designed to facilitate this enlightened way of meeting, dating and connecting. The site will allow singles to join, create a full profile, upload photos and videos, send hellos, indicate interest, and even read and reply to private messages and IM's, all for free. Upgrading, which allows members to initiate personally written messages and IM’s, is inexpensive compared to other online dating sites, with packages ranging from $7.97/month to $16.97/month. Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. CEO Sharon Bruckman says, “I’m really excited about this new alliance, which enables us to offer our 80-plus Natural Awakenings publishers around the country yet another way to help their readers connect with like-minded people, this time for the purpose of creating conscious relationships. I can’t wait to hear the new love stories!” For more information, visit Natural AwakeningsSingles.com.

Make Pests Beat a Hasty Retreat Household Termite and Pest Control is a full-service company and doit-yourself store, offering customized, eco-friendly pest control, environmental services such as TAP Energy Star-rated insulation, pet protection and personal protection products. While bed bugs and other pests may be chemical resistant, they are not heat resistant, and Household uses state-ofthe-art Thermal Remediation, a green treatment option to control bed bugs, beetles, termites and other pests. The only pest control certified heat equipment in the industry, Thermal Remediation uses a seven-step treatment protocol performed by trained and licensed technicians. Household’s approach received recognition at the 2012 Bed Bug Convention as the most effective approach in the nation. Owner Norman James says, “Investing in this green equipment was our way of investing in our community and our environment. We are promoting alternative treatment methods that work.” Residential and commercial services are available. Treatment takes place onsite or furniture can be brought to the store in Foley for treatment. Location: 2125 N. McKenzie St., in Foley. For more information, call 866-943-7874, email Info@HouseholdPest.com or visit HouseholdPest.com. See ad, page 9.

Holistic Care for Animal Companions Dr. Marcia Dubois Martin, of the Holistic Veterinary Center, in Mobile, will discuss holistic pet care and educate participants about the over-prescription of vaccines, from 2 to 4 p.m., March 3 at Rosie Bluum. Martin works to bring quality holistic veterinary care to the animals of the Gulf Coast. Extensive training in holistic veterinary medicine makes her uniquely qualified to treat even the most advanced illnesses with natural remedies. She is one of a handful of veterinarians in the country that have completed both the Veterinary Acupuncture course and the Professional Course in Veterinary Homeopathy. Holistic veterinary medicine is a specific approach to treating illness that views the animal as a whole being, not a group of symptoms. The goal of this approach is to bring the body naturally back into balance, through appropriate diet, natural remedies and treatments. Rosie Bluum's resident animal communicator, Ann Lambert, will be available for private appointments following the talk at a cost of $15 for 20 minutes. Cost: donation. Location: 6A S Bancroft St., Fairhope. For more information, call 251-517-5626.

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

Knowing Gratitude Oneness Acceptance Celebration Personal Responsibility Affirmative Prayer Awakening

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

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

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

The SACRO WEDGY®

For individual self-care and therapists. Only $33.95. Free demonstration with appointment.

www.sacrowedgy.com 251-653-9258 or 800-737-9295 natural awakenings

March 2013

newsbriefs Meditation Flash Mob Comes to Mobile Meditation Flash Mob: Gulf Coast Alabama is planning to hold MedMob events in Mobile. The inaugural Mobile MedMob will gather at 10:30 a.m., March 8, in front of the University of South Alabama entrance at the intersection of Old Shell Road and University Boulevard. A a 30-minute meditation will begin at 10:45 a.m. Participants and those wanting to learn more about future mobs are invited to gather for lunch across the street at Mellow Mushroom immediately following the event. MedMob is a global flash mob meditation movement dedicated to promoting peace, harmony and unity between all human beings. People of all backgrounds, beliefs and cultures come together to raise awareness about meditation, believing that mindfulness and the power of stillness can positively impact the community. Mobile organizer Nadine Dalati says, "Meditation is a simple, yet life-changing practice. It has brought me unimaginable clarity and focus and reconnected me with lost happiness.” Flash mobs also take place on the public beach in Gulf Shores each month. The group meets rain or shine, with a nearby pavilion serving as the rain site. For more information, call 251-786-1341 or 251-214-2080, or email Nena0722@ gmail.com or NadineDalati@gmail.com for Mobile events and 251-609-6999 for Gulf Shores events, or visit Facebook.com/MedMobGCA.

Spring and Summer Camps by the Sea Ocean Camp is accepting reservations for group field trips for Pre-K through12th grade, and camps during spring and summer breaks. Ocean Camp creator, certified marine educator and public schoolteacher Belinda Ringpfeil hopes to promote the area’s beautiful coastal towns by providing children and families with wet and watery Belinda Ringpfeil leading Ocean Camp 2012 marine discoveries, hands-on activities, inquiry, research, problem solving and critical thinking as part of the curriculum, which is based on Ocean Literacy principles. Spring Break Camp dates are March 25 to 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is $200 per child ages 5 to12 ($50 per day), with a focus on sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, seashells and fish. Locations in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are to be determined. Summer Camp runs Tuesdays through Fridays beginning June 4 through July 26. See website for times. Registration is $125 per camper, per four-day week. The mission of Ocean Camp is to give priority to marine/environmental education in the local communities as an opportunity to build marine science career interests, respect for our natural world and increase learning venues for our visitors. For more information, call 251-802-8605 or 205-936-9892 or visit Facebook.com/ OceanCamp. See ad, page 15. 8

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

New Treatment Option at Bayside Chiropractic Bayside Chiropractic Rehab and Laser Therapy, in Fairhope, has introduced non-surgical spinal decompression for effective treatment of back pain, sciatica, leg pain, herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, bulging disc, tingling, numbness, arm pain, neck pain and for some patients, spinal stenosis and failed low back syndrome. This treatment option is very safe and utilizes FDA-approved equipment to apply cycles of decompression and partial relaxation over a series of visits to promote the diffusion of water, oxygen and nutrient-rich fluids from outside the discs to the inside. These nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin to heal. Patients are treated fully clothed as the doctor operates the table from a computerized console where a customized treatment protocol is entered into the computer. Each treatment takes about 30 to 45 minutes. According to Dr. Christian Augustin, DC, “We have found that laser therapy enhances the effectiveness of spinal decompression, and with the combination of these two non-invasive techniques, we look forward to providing relief to Eastern Shore residents that suffer from chronic conditions.” Location: 8335 Gayfer Rd. Ext., Ste. F. For more information, call 251-9908388 or visit MyFairhope Chiropractor.com. See ad, page 11.

ecotip Toilet to Table Fertilizing Our Food with Human Waste Using sewage sludge as fertilizer on the land that grows our food and feeds our livestock is legal, but critics question the safety of the practice. United Sludge-Free Alliance founder Darree Sicher says, “Most people flush the toilet and assume the waste is being taken care of properly, but many times, the industry is simply performing a toxic transfer.” Everything that is flushed down the drains of residential and commercial properties combines at local water treatment plants, including chemicals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pathogens and poisons. Water is then treated and the extracted pollutants are concentrated in the residual sludge that remains. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that more than 7 million tons of sludge (biosolids) are generated each year in the United States—half is applied to farms, parks, playgrounds, golf courses and forests in all 50 states. Biosolids are also sold as bagged fertilizer to homeowners. Until the use of biosolids as fertilizer is more strictly regulated and foods are labeled as sludge-free, consumers should consider buying organic foods. When buying from local growers, ask about the use of biosolids on their fields. Also, raise awareness among state and federal officials to outlaw such questionable practices and lobby local officials to continue the trend toward sludge-free public areas. A far safer use of waste is “poop to power” projects that harvest energy from sludge to produce heat, fuel and electricity, which Sicher reports have been widely used in Germany and Sweden for 30 years. For more information, including sludge-free fertilizer brands and downloadable brochures, call 610-823-8258 or visit USludgeFree.org.

natural awakenings

March 2013

healthbriefs

Dining App for Special-Needs Diets

oodCare’s new EveryoneEat! Android and iPhone app allows anyone to make informed meal decisions at 180,000 restaurant locations nationwide, based on their nutrition needs and meal preferences. Users enter their basic information such as age, gender, height, weight and activity level, plus any chronic health conditions and special dietary restrictions, at FoodCare.me. Instant analysis enables them to search for dishes at restaurants by type of cuisine or restaurant name. “People need to easily answer the basic question: ‘Does this dish meet my dietary guidelines?’ and if not, “What’s off and by how much?’” says CEO Ken Marshall. According to the U.S. government’s Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, which monitors the use and cost of health care and insurance coverage, nearly half of Americans today are living with a nutrition-related chronic disease. The National Restaurant Association estimates that Americans order 47 percent of all of their meals from restaurants.

Yogurt Hinders Hypertension

ating yogurt could reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to new research presented at the American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions. During their 15-year study, researchers followed more than 2,000 volunteers that did not initially have high blood pressure and reported on their yogurt consumption at three intervals. Participants that routinely consumed at least one six-ounce cup of low-fat yogurt every three days were 31 percent less likely to develop hypertension.

Eat Well. Live Well. Be Well.

The Pure Vegan Wellness Services Meal-delivery & Menu Consulting Health & Wellness Coaching Yoga Group Classes & Private Sessions Plant-Based Cooking Classes Tracey Winter Glover JD, RYT 200 • AFPA Certified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant

Learn more at www.ThePureVegan.com tracey@thepurevegan.com • (251) 510-2418

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

WHY WE MIGHT NEED MORE VITAMIN C

esearchers at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, a leading global authority on the role of vitamin C in optimum health, forward compelling evidence that the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C should be raised to 200 milligrams per day for U.S. adults, up from its current levels of 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. The RDA of vitamin C is less than half of what it should be, scientists argue, because medical experts insist on evaluating this natural, but critical, nutrient in the same way they do for pharmaceutical drugs, and consequently reach faulty conclusions. The researchers base their recommendations on studies showing that higher levels of vitamin C could help reduce chronic health problems including heart disease, stroke and cancer, as well as underlying causal issues such as high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, poor immune response and atherosclerosis. Even at the current low RDA, U.S. and Canadian studies have found that a quarter to a third of the total population is marginally deficient in vitamin C and up to a fifth of those in such groups as students, smokers and older adults are severely deficient in it.

Discover a Non-Surgical, Effective and Affordable Way to

Relieve Your Pain

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION & LASER THERAPY

are safe, non-invasive and clinically proven treatment options for back, neck, arm and leg pain.

Now offering

LASER THERAPY is proven effective to help with:

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION to treat conditions such as:

NOT SO NICE RICE

ew research by the nonprofit Consumers Union (CU), which publishes Consumer Reports, may cause us to reconsider what we place in our steamer or cookpot. Rice—a staple of many diets, vegetarian or not—is frequently contaminated with arsenic, a known carcinogen that is also believed to interfere with fetal development. Rice contains more arsenic than grains like oats or wheat because it is grown in water-flooded conditions, and so more readily absorbs the heavy metal from soil or water than most plants. Even most U.S.-grown rice comes from the south-central region, where crops such as cotton were heavily treated with arsenical pesticides for decades. Thus, some organically grown rice in the region is impacted, as well. CU analysis of more than 200 samples of both organic and conventionally grown rice and rice products on U.S. grocery shelves found that nearly all contained some level of arsenic; many with alarmingly high amounts. There is no federal standard for arsenic in food, but there is a limit of 10 parts per billion in drinking water, and CU researchers found that one serving of contaminated rice may have as much arsenic as an entire day’s worth of water. To reduce the risk of exposure, rinse rice grains thoroughly before cooking and follow the Asian practice of preparing it with extra water to absorb arsenic and/or pesticide residues; and then drain the excess water before serving. See CU’s chart of arsenic levels in tested rice products at Tinyurl.com/ ArsenicReport.

• Ruptured/ • Pinched Nerves Herniated Discs • Facet Syndrome • Spinal Stenosis • Sciatica • Scoliosis

BAYSIDE CHIROPRACTIC

• Tendinopathies • Plantar Fasciitis • Carpal Tunnel • Rheumatoid • Tennis Elbow Arthritis • Ligament & Muscle • Osteoarthritis Sprains/Strains • Fibromyalgia • Shingles • Post-Traumatic Injury

REHAB & LASER THERAPY Dr. Christian Augustin, D.C. 8335 Gayfer Rd Ext, Ste F in Fairhope

• Trigeminal Neuralgia • Diabetic Neuropathy • Venous Ulcers • Diabetic Foot Ulcers • Burns • Congestion • Knee pain

Call for a free consultation today!

251-990-8388 MyFairhopeChiropractor.com

Stay Connected! Keep up with all things healthy and green. Like "Natural Awakenings" on Facebook and follow @NaturallyAwake on Twitter and Instagram.

We’re Here to Help You Reach Your Goals!

The Health Hut Mobile • Daphne

The Health Hut specializes in: • Vitamins, Herbs & Minerals • Sports Nutrition • Weight Loss Products Mobile: 251-633-0485 • Children’s Health 680 S. Schillinger Rd. • Antioxidants/ (across from Home Depot) Longevity Products Daphne: 251-621-1865 • Organic & Whole Foods 6845 Hwy 90

• Local Honey • Gluten-Free Products • Essential Oils/Aromatherapy • Womens Health Products • Mens Health Products • Ionic Detox Foot Baths (Mobile location only)

(across from Home Depot)

HEALTH HUT SPECIAL

Enjoy 25% OFF when you buy Full Diet™ (maximizes satiety/fullness) and Maximum Strength 3-in-1 Carb Blocker ® together, or 20% OFF individually. Expires 3/31/2013 natural awakenings

March 2013

Photos courtesy of: Mike and Ali Kerr, Southern Exposure Photography

communityspotlight Bringing Healthy Living to Lower Alabama One Bite at a Time

by Meredith Montgomery

ynnora Ash, owner of Fairhope Health Foods and Virginia’s Health Foods, has not always been the health nut she is today. “I was a horrible eater growing up—a hamburger-and-French-fry queen,” says Ash, who was raised in Southern California until her family moved to the Gulf Coast when she was in high school. After discovering Back to Eden, a guide to herbal medicine and natural foods written by Jethro Kloss, Ash sought out a healthier lifestyle. “I began investigating and practicing alternative methods and changing my habits. I really got into it when I became pregnant, because I wanted to learn how to raise a healthy child safely. It was no longer just about me.” Learning how to use herbs to soothe common ailments such as teething and ear infections, the mother of five raised her kids with very few medical bills and on vegan diets. She jokes, “My family thought I was doing some sort of witchcraft, and when the kids visited Grandma, she’d feed them steak by calling it black tofu!” Fairhope Health Foods, the first health food store in Lower Alabama, opened in 1975, and Virginia’s Health Foods, in Mobile, opened the following year. Because Ash was so well versed in healthy foods and supplementation, she was the first pick to take over the businesses, becoming owner 12

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

of the Fairhope store in 1992 and the Mobile location in 2001. She describes the journey of both her personal and work life as a quest for knowledge, because her mission for the stores is to educate the community about healthy living. She says, “The lifestyle changes that we made worked so well for me and my family that I wanted to spread the word to everyone in the area. There’s always trial and error, but most of the time, it’s trial and success. I want to show others the shortcuts in life so they don’t have to take the long route.” Some shoppers are looking for ways to treat specific health issues, but many are simply in search of ways to improve their lifestyle. Ash believes that everyone should start with a healthy diet, regular exercise, a consistent sleep routine and letting go of bad habits such as smoking and excessive drinking. Major lifestyle changes such as these are most effective when they take place gradually. Once a healthy, day-to-day lifestyle is in place, the staff educates individuals about how to use herbs to prevent and treat illness. Ash emphasizes the importance of cross-referencing an individual’s prescription medications with any herbal supplements they are thinking about taking, to check for negative interactions. The website (Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com) hosts an

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

extensive library that includes information on supplement use and drug interaction. Staff members are able to look up this information in the store, but customers are encouraged to thoroughly research the data themselves to gain a full understanding of the medications they are taking. Despite her preference for natural remedies, Ash has never discouraged individuals from seeing doctors. She believes that alternative medicine can integrate with traditional, allopathic medicine in a beneficial way. Her husband, a family practice doctor and part owner of the stores, uses well-researched supplements to complement his conventional methods. Ash remembers telling friends and family in the 1970s that natural, organic living was the way of the world, and that someday these types of foods would be in all grocery stores and doctors would be pushing this way of life. “And here we are, it’s happened,” she says. “Dr. Oz is talking about what we’ve been doing for decades, all the larger stores are carrying organic products and the information we have been trying to spread is all over the Internet.” While information about healthy living is more widely accessible via the Internet and television, Ash believes people crave verbal communication and one-on-one attention. The accessibility is actually bringing more customers in and they are looking for personal contact with knowledgeable and caring staff members. Health food stores often struggle with the reputation of being expensive, but Fairhope and Virginia’s strive to keep the lifestyle they promote affordable. A range of brands at different price points is stocked and they often have sales. Every Sunday, all supplements are marked 15 percent off; each month, several brands are marked 20 percent off storewide; Natural Awakenings Network members receive 10 percent off regular priced items; and students and seniors always receive a discount. Ash also points out that demand is what will ultimately bring down prices. “The more people that get on board, the more prices will drop. By educating the community, we are trying to spread the word and create the demand. But everyone should also recognize that if you can achieve better health, it’s much cheaper living in the long run.” In addition to their extensive inventory of supplements and health foods (including

"I wanted people to know that you don’t have to adulterate food to make it taste good.”

fresh, organic produce), why we provide the best both stores stock a vapossible free-range meat riety of products that and poultry in the cafes include natural cosmetand stores.” ics, eco-friendly clean The Sunflower Cafes ing supplies, natural are meant to excite health pet food and products nuts and appeal to health and fair trade gifts. The food skeptics. Actors Jason businesses also have Schwartzman, Mena Sua wealth of free eduvari and Steven Seagal are ~Lynnora Ash cational information, among the many that have including a cosmetic ingredients dictionary and many health- enjoyed dining at the Fairhope location. The restaurants are also eco-friendly, related publications. In 2003, Ash opened the Sunflower incorporating local ingredients whenever Cafe next door to Fairhope Health Foods. possible and buying only compostable “I’m a terrible cook, and I needed some- paper products for take-out customers. one to feed my husband healthy meals,” Ash hopes to expand the stores and is she says with a laugh. More seriously, she looking forward to a facelift at the Fairhope explains, “I wanted an alternative to what location soon. She is also researching food was out there. I didn’t want iceberg lettrucks, so that they can have a larger prestuce; I wanted green salads. I didn’t want ence at local events and festivals. preservatives and additives; I wanted living, Ash is a horse lover and triathlete in enzyme-rich foods. And I wanted people to know that you don’t have to adulterate food her free time, but she has no desire to retire anytime soon. “This is my mission—to talk to make it taste good.” Sunflower Cafe II opened inside to people. It is so rewarding when customVirginia’s Health Foods a year later. Both ers come back happier and feeling better cafes are open for lunch (Fairhope serves and so very appreciative for what we were Sunday brunch, as well) and feature organic able to teach them. You know you’re on and food allergy-sensitive menus. The chefs the right mission in life when you’ve comfuse ethnic and local flavors to serve items pletely changed peoples’ lives.” such as salads, wraps, sandwiches, stir fry and pastas. While vegetarian and vegan options are available, it is not a meat-free Location: 280 Eastern Shore Shopping menu. Ash says, “I’ve been a vegetarian for Center, Fairhope; 3952 Airport Blvd., Moso many years, but I don’t have a problem bile. For more information, call 251-928with people eating meat. I just want our 0644 (Fairhope), 251-345-0494 (Mobile) customers to be educated about what or visit Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com. See kinds of meats are safe and healthy. That’s ad, back cover.

natural awakenings

March 2013

globalbriefs

School Safeguard

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

In 1969, according to the National Center for Safe Routes to School, 48 percent of kids ages 5 to 14 regularly walked or biked to school. In 2009, it was just 13 percent. One major reason for the change is that parents don’t feel safe letting kids bicycle around town on their own. Bike trains—in which an adult chaperone rides a predetermined route, adding children along the way— can make it easier and safer for kids to get to school. To start a DIY bike train, find a group of interested parents through school and neighborhood message boards and newsletters; assess the area to create routes; distribute flyers and get feedback; determine bike train dates and times; host a community meeting; and post selected routes online.

How to Build a Bike Train

Dishpan Plants

Waste Water Cuts Fertilizer Use The effluent created by household sinks, washing machines and showers, known as gray water, could provide a new, lowcost source of irrigation for landscape plants that cuts down on the amount of fertilizer required to maintain them. The nonprofit Water Environmental Research Foundation’s (WERF) new report shows that many plants used for landscaping benefit from the use of gray water (Tinyurl.com/graywaterreport). The study looked at seven homes in Arizona, California, Colorado and Texas with new and longstanding gray water systems that recycle wastewater to irrigate outdoor plants. Although the soil irrigated with gray water showed higher levels of cleaners, antimicrobials and sodium compared with areas irrigated with fresh water, there was enough nitrogen present in gray water to reduce or eliminate the need for additional fertilizers. Not all plants responded positively, but WERF Communications Director Carrie Capuco says, “Gray water can be successfully used with the right plant choices.” Guidelines include heavily mulching the area where gray water is supplied to minimize contact with pets.

Source: Yes magazine

Feel Better, Lose Weight, Increase Energy and Mental Clarity People using detoxiﬁed iodine have reported relief from: • Depression • Weight Gain • Fibromyalgia • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Low Energy • Hypothyroidism • Hyperthyroidism • Bacteria & Viruses • Yeast, Mold & Fungus • Radiation Available Online at

NAWebstore.com Or Call: 888-822-0246 14

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Superior Soil

Organic Farming Sustains Earth’s Richness Famed as the happiest country on Earth, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is now aiming to become 100 percent organic, phasing out artificial chemicals in farming in the next 10 years. Agence France-Presse reports that Bhutan currently sends rare mushrooms to Japan, vegetables to up-market hotels in Thailand, its highly prized apples to India and red rice to the United States. Jurmi Dorji, of southern Bhutan’s 103-member Daga Shingdrey Pshogpa farmers’ association, says their members are in favor of the policy. “More than a decade ago, people realized that the chemicals were not good for farming,” he says. “I cannot say everyone has stopped using chemicals, but almost 90 percent have.” An international metastudy published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science that analyzed 74 studies on soils in fields under organic or conventional farming practices has found that over time, the carbon content in the organic fields significantly increased. For farmers everywhere, that means organic agriculture results in a richer, more productive soil, with plenty of humus, which is conducive to higher yields. Peter Melchett, policy director at Britain’s Organic Soil Association, says a primary benefit of a country becoming 100 percent organic is an assurance of quality to consumers that creates both an international reputation and associated market advantage.

You deserve a break today...

Windy Woes

Solving Wind Power’s Hidden Pollution Problem The U.S. Department of Energy reports that although wind power accounts for just over 4 percent of domestic electrical generation, it comprises a third of all new electric capacity. Even with the freedom from coal or oil that wind power creates, a major component of the generating devices, the turbine blades, has its own carbon footprint that needs examining. Some of the blades are as long as a football field, and the metal, fiberglass or carbon composites must be mined, refined, manufactured and transported, all consuming energy and creating materials that are difficult to recycle when they reach the end of their usefulness and are replaced. Christopher Niezrecki, a member of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Wind Energy Research Group, estimates the United States will have as many as 170,000 wind turbines by 2030, creating more than 34,000 discarded blades each year. The next generation of blade material may come from natural cellulose fibers and bio-based plastics derived from soybean, linseed and other vegetable oils, instead of oil-based polymers. A $1.9 million National Science Foundation grant is funding the research. Source: FastCoexist.com

Let us bring the spa to you.

Complimentary In-home and In-office spa treatments Personalized skin care and analysis Free of parabens, sulfates, glutens, artificial dyes and fragrances

Sensitivity and allergy tested • Never tested on animals

Karen Watson

Independent Executive Director

251-621-1995 • www.BeautiPage.com/Spa4uuu

Relax, Rejuvenate, Renew

Do you have your NAN Discount Card yet? Get one for $25 with coupon code: NA13! Tinyurl.com/NANCard

natural awakenings

March 2013

healthykids

Six Powerhouse Foods for Kids With Palate-Pleasing Tips by Susan Enfield Esrey

s parents, feeding children nourishing foods is one of our most important jobs. Although most new moms and dads start with impeccable intentions (homemade baby food, anyone?), maintaining high family standards can be a challenge when many easygoing babies become toddlers and school-age kids are picky about what’s on their plate. It’s unfortunate, because the stakes are high. According to the American Heart As-

sociation, about one in three American kids and teens today is overweight or obese, and thus at greater risk for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A recent Australian study by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, in Perth, also has linked the “Western diet”— high in processed sugars, fats and starches, meats and salt, and low in fresh fruits and vegetables—to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents. “When we looked at specific foods, having an ADHD diagnosis

Powerful, Natural Pain Relief with Dr. Emu’s Rx for Pain Enjoy safe and effective relief from:

Arthritis Pain • Stiff Joints • Cramps Knee, Neck & Back Pain • Inflammation & Swelling Tired Sore Muscles • Headaches

All-natural ingredients include:

Certified Emu Oil • Aloe Vera • Herbs Vitamins/Antioxidants • Botanical Extracts Glucosamine & Chondroitin • MSM

4-oz Spray Bottle just

19.95

plus shipping

available online at

NAWebstore.com or call us at

888-822-0246

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

was associated with a diet high in takeaway foods, processed meats, red meat, high-fat dairy products and confectionary,” adds Professor Wendy Oddy, Ph.D., the nutritional epidemiologist who led the study. She notes that more research is needed to determine the specific nature of the relationship. The good news is that it’s never too late to introduce healthy foods to a child. Here are six nutritional powerhouses children might actually eat. Avocado: Loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium and folate, creamy avocados are a natural earlychildhood favorite, says Pediatrician Dr. Robert Sears, author of HappyBaby: The Organic Guide to Baby’s First 24 Months. How to eat: Spoon it out straight from the rind. Mash into guacamole with garlic and cilantro if desired. Use the spread (instead of butter or mayo) on whole-grain toast or a sandwich. Or, blend avocado’s goodness with cocoa powder, agave nectar, vanilla and water for an irresistible dip for fruit. Berries: Antioxidants in blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are wellknown aids in helping to prevent illness and improve brain function, says Sears.

Choose organically grown berries to avoid pesticide residues. Nutritionally, frozen berries are just as good as fresh, although fresh tastes best. Also try antioxidant-rich acaí berries (in powder form or frozen smoothie packs) and dried goji berries. How to eat: Eat berries plain or add them to cereal or oatmeal; leave them whole or purée to pour over whole-grain waffles. Blend any type of berry with yogurt and bananas for a deliciously healthy smoothie. Chia seeds: Relatively new to the U.S. market, this South American grain (the most researched variety is Salba seeds) may be the world’s healthiest, says Sears. He notes that it’s gluten-free; provides more omega-3 fatty acids than any other plant food; contains six times more calcium than milk; and is a rich source of vitamin C, protein, fiber, magnesium and iron. Other options include hemp and flax seeds. How to eat: Sprinkle chia, hemp seed or ground flaxseed onto cereal, salad greens or brown rice. Add chia to juice to make a chia fresca. Spread nutty-tasting hemp seed onto natural nut butter sandwiches on whole-grain bread or crackers. Quinoa and amaranth: Nutritionally, these grains—traditional foods in South America and Africa, respectively—trump typical North American grains by far. Both are gluten-free and contain more protein and calcium than wheat, oats, rice or rye. How to eat: Triple-wash quinoa, vigorously rubbing grains to remove the bitter outside coating—then cook either quinoa or amaranth like rice for 20 minutes. Cook in heated water, then stir in applesauce and cinnamon and serve as a cereal; or cook in broth and then stir in chopped, fresh herbs. Wild salmon: “Wild salmon is perhaps the healthiest fish source of omega-3 fats and protein, the two most important nutrients that kids need to grow,” advises Sears. Choose wild-caught salmon (fresh or frozen) over farmed fish to avoid possible contaminants. How to eat: Glaze roasted fillets with orange juice and teriyaki sauce, or a mix of maple syrup, grated ginger and rice vinegar. Make a salmon and goat cheese (or Neufchâtel) tortilla wrap; then cut into spirals and serve. Susan Enfield Esrey is the senior editor of Delicious Living magazine.

FAIRHOPE

MOBILE

251-455-9359

BELLA SUNDRIES WELLNESS STUDIO 6576 Airport Boulevard, Building C 251-458-8884 Bella.Sundries.Massage@gmail.com BellaSundries.Webs.com

EASTERN SHORE MASSAGE James Horechny, LMT 811 Fairhope Avenue 251-458-8477 JamesHorechny@yahoo.com

ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE 6920 Airport Boulevard, Suite 111 251-342-6415 TouchOfElements.com/Mobile Mobile@TouchOfElements.com

MOONSTONE MASSAGE Therapeutic Massage and Energy Work 17048 Scenic Highway 98 251-517-5383 Moonstone-Massage.com

KRISTIN M. ANLAGE, LMT 319 Pinehill Drive 251-753-6513 KristinAnlage@att.net

BECKY ARDREY, LMT 811 Fairhope Avenue Becky@PranaHealthAndWellness.com

ROSIE BLUUM 6A Bancroft Street 251-517-5626, RosieBluum.com See ad, page 19.

FOLEY THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Charlene Rester, RN, LMT Located inside Align Chiropractic 117 West Orange Avenue 251-952-5555

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

ROBERTSDALE HEALING ACRES Massage, Reflexology, Colonics, Reiki 22355 Price Grubbs Road 251-423-1863 See ad on page 27.

This logo indentifies businesses that offer discounts to Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) Discount Cardholders. Visit TinyURL.com/NANCard for details. natural awakenings

March 2013

healingways

Beyond Cholesterol

How Triglycerides Take a Toll by James Occhiogrosso

or many adults, an annual physical involves routine blood tests, followed by a discussion of cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, along with prescribed treatment ranging from improved nutrition and exercise to drugs. Triglycerides tend to be relegated to a minor mention—if they are discussed at all—yet regulating triglyceride levels can improve health.

and impaired blood flow associated with cardiovascular disease. (Impaired blood flow also effects male erectile function.) Several recent studies, including one in the Annals of Internal Medicine, also suggest these could instigate the metabolic syndrome associated with the onset of diabetes and atherosclerosis, which can lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Why Triglycerides Count

Triglycerides, a normal component of blood, are introduced into the body by the fat in foods. Some are produced in the liver as the body’s response to a diet high in simple sugars or carbohydrates—especially hydrogenated oils and trans-fats. Evidence reported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute suggests that very high intakes of carbohydrates are accompanied by a rise in triglycerides, noting that, “Carbohydrate intakes should be limited to 60 percent of total calories.” Many research scientists agree that the main cause for high triglyceride levels is the Standard American Diet,

“High triglyceride levels usually accompany low HDL (good) cholesterol levels and often accompany tendencies toward high blood pressure and central (abdominal) obesity. These are the markers of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, very common disorders underlying obesity and increased risks of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes,” explains Dr. Andrew Weil on his website, DrWeil.com. While high triglyceride levels are not conclusively linked to the development of any specific disease, they are associated with the narrowing of arteries 18

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

What Creates Triglycerides?

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

notoriously high in sugars and simple carbohydrates, trans-fats and saturated animal fats, and far too low in complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals; specifically, vitamins A, B, C, D and especially E, plus the minerals selenium, magnesium, silicon and chromium. Sugars added to soft drinks and food products, especially those containing high-fructose corn syrup, also raise triglyceride levels significantly. Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, author of From Fatigued to Fantastic! and national medical director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, observes, “The average American gets about 150 pounds of sugar added to his/her diet each year from processed food, causing fatigue, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and a host of other problems.” Animal fats, like those in farm-raised red meats, typically contain a skewed ratio of the fats known as omega-3 and omega-6, with the latter dominating by nearly 20:1; a ratio also found in commercial packaged foods and baked goods. Many studies show such a high omega-6/ omega-3 ratio tends to promote disease. Eating oily fish and healthy plant oils such as cold-pressed virgin olive and coconut oil, nuts, seeds and minimally prepared foods provides a more balanced ratio of omega fatty acids.

Lowering Triglyceride Levels

Part of today’s medical paradigm focuses on lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. As a result, many patients and doctors worry about cholesterol levels, but ignore triglycerides. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a triglyceride level of 100 milligrams per deciliter or less; about one-third of the population currently exceeds this. While drugs can help, the AHA does not recommend drug therapy except for people that have severe levels (more than 500mg/dL), which can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis. For those with high, but not severe levels, dietary and other lifestyle changes can be effective in lowering triglyceride levels. Logically, reducing consumption of red meat and processed foods, especially those containing trans-fats, and increasing consumption of complex carbohydrates from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes is recommended. AHA studies further show that daily supplementa-

tion of fish oil and full-spectrum vitamin E can reduce serum triglyceride levels significantly. In one study, fish oil containing at least 1,000 to 3,000 mg of omega-3 decreased such concentrations by 25 to 30 percent. In a 2009 study of a nationally representative group of 5,610 people published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Dr. Earl S. Ford, of the U. S. Centers for Disease Control, found that about one-third had triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dL— considered somewhat high—while almost another 20 percent had high levels of 200-plus mg/dL. Always consult a knowledgeable health practitioner prior to beginning a new regimen. Just as with managing any aspect of health, care is required and knowledge is power. James Occhiogrosso, a natural health practitioner and master herbalist, specializes in salivary hormone testing and natural hormone balancing. His latest book is Your Prostate, Your Libido, Your Life. Find relevant articles at HealthNaturallyToday.com. Connect at 239-498-1547 or DrJim@HealthNaturallyToday.com.

FILTER OUT THE

IMPURITIES

Enjoy healthy, filtered water from every tap in the house.

WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTRATION 251-948-3701

Rosie Bluum

Promoting a life balanced... We focus on the Whole of you—mind, body, spirit and emotions. Come experience our alternative therapies designed to bring you closer to your natural state of Being and increase your self-awareness. Massage • Reiki • Meditation • Yoga • Access Bars • 222 Waters Clairvoyant and Intuitive Readings • Animal Communication Crystals • MARI® • Chakra Balancing • Aromatherapy

6A Bancroft, Fairhope • 251.517.5626 • RosieBluum.com

Do you have your NAN Card yet? Order yours today and start saving! TinyURL.com/NANCard Lose Weight The All-Natural Way!

•No Meal Replacements •Regulates Blood Sugar •Reduces Binge Eating •No Stimulants •No Shakes •100% All-Natural

Call Missy Today! 228-623-6126 www.DrinkPlexusPink.com

BF_PC_waterfilter_finance.indd 1

• Improve Taste & Remove Odors

5/19/11 8:54 AM

• Eliminate Water Spots On Bathroom Fixtures, Ceramic Tile, Shower Enclosures

• Eliminate Scale Build Up In Ice Maker, Dishwasher and Washing Machine, Or Anywhere Your Home Water Is Regularly Used

If There’s Any Delay… It’s You We Pay! Wouldn’t it be nice to find a plumber who thinks your time is as valuable as theirs? As Benjamin Franklin, himself, once said: “You may delay … but time will not.” So if you have a plumbing job you want to get done … there’s no time like today. Call today to save money on whole house water filtration and other great offers!

Call us today!

251-948-3701

Fast estimates with no hidden fees, StraightForward Pricing 100% satisfaction guarantee, 24/7 and weekend service

www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com

SAVE TODAY!

FREE Water Test and In-Home Estimate

When you mention this ad!

natural awakenings

March 2013

Feeding Ourselves Well

Urban Gardening Takes Root

“We’re seeing a new crop of farmers that defy stereotypes,” observes David Tracey, owner of EcoUrbanist environmental design in Vancouver, Canada, and author of Urban Agriculture. “Some are office workers leaving unsatisfying jobs, techie types learning the trade in universities and back-to-the-land folks that happen to live in cities. Others are activists taking on the industrial farm system, folks adopting trends or entrepreneurs that see opportunities in the rising prices of quality food and the proximity of millions of customers.”

Opportunities and Pitfalls

by John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist

“I

n just one-twelfth of an acre, including lots of paths and a compost heap, our family grows the vast majority of the fresh vegetables we need, plus a decent chunk of our fruits and berries,” says Erica Strauss. “It’s not a huge garden, but we still feel nearly overwhelmed with the harvest in late August.” Her family of four tends a diversity of edibles on their urban lot in a suburb of Seattle, Washington. Word has spread because Strauss writes about her experiences via Northwest Edible Life, a blog about food growing, cooking and urban homesteading. “Every kid on the block has picked an Asian pear off my espalier and munched on raw green beans,” she notes. “Even picky eaters seem pretty interested when they can pick tasty treats right from the tree or vine.” We don’t need to live in a rural area or on a farm to grow our own food. By the close of World War II, nearly 40 percent of all fruits and vegetables supplying Americans stateside were grown in victory gardens in the communities in which they were consumed. Today, these small plots are often 20

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

termed kitchen gardens, comprising parts of household lawns, schoolyards, balconies, patios and rooftops. Fresh taste and the security of local food supplies in case of manmade or natural upheavals are drawing more people to gardening.

Garden Cities

“Urbanization, a major demographic trend, has implications for how we grow and consume food,” observes Roger Doiron, founder of Kitchen Gardeners International. “If we agree that feeding more people fresh, local foods is a priority, we’re going to need to landscape and, in many cases, retrofit urban and suburban areas for increased food production.” Millions of Americans now participate in growing mainstay foods. According to a 2009 study by the National Gardening Association, 31 percent of all U.S. households grew food for their families in 2008, and more have since the economic downturn. Bruce Butterfield, the association’s research director, estimates that nearly 70 percent of these gardens are in urban or suburban areas.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Urban gardening has unexpected advantages in its use of organic waste like coffee grounds from a local coffee house and rainwater from area rooftops. Converting lawns at schools, churches and empty city lots into community gardens fosters community connections, improves access to affordable nutritious foods and creates employment opportunities. A widespread challenge to the trend is dealing with the quality of urban soil and testing for possible toxins. Often, urban soil must be improved using compost and other nutrients before plants can prosper. A nearby irrigation source is also required. “One potential problem for urban gardeners may be the community reaction to an edible landscape,” admits Strauss. “In some cities, edible gardens in the front yard or even the common parking strip are celebrated and even officially encouraged. But in communities where lawn is still king and city codes regarding vegetation are vague and open to interpretation, one complaint from an anonymous neighbor can become an exhausting political and legal fight.”

Feeding Community

Community gardens often transform vacant lots and other marginal land into green growing places. In Chicago, The Peterson Garden Project, an award-winning nonprofit program, has been turning unsightly empty lots into raised-beds in which residents learn to grow their own food since 2010. “Nationally, it’s been found that having a community garden on unused land increases property values, decreases crime and promotes a sense of unity with neighbors and others,” explains LaManda Joy, president and founder of the project.

“We work with property owners on the short-term use of their land to enhance the community in which they eventually plan to develop.” “Participating in a community garden serves up a lot of individual victories,” says Joy. “Improved health and nutrition, learning a new skill, teaching kids where food comes from, productive exercise, mental well-being, connecting with others and saving money—community gardens help make all of this possible.”

Being Prepared

“How many recalls have we seen because some food item has been contaminated and people have suffered or died as a result? I am concerned about the safety and security of our food supply,” says Wendy Brown, whose family tends a quarter-acre garden with raised and landscaped beds

and containers wrapped around their home plus an onsite greenhouse in a beach resort suburb of Portland, Maine. “As a mother, it concerns me that I might feed my children something that will hurt them. Highfructose corn syrup, genetically engineered crops and BPA-lined cans are all making headlines. It just seems smarter to grow it myself; that way, we have more control over what our family is eating.” Brown is one of more than 3 million Americans that are following FEMA recommendations in preparing for any event that might disrupt food supplies. Her book, Surviving the Apocalypse in the Suburbs, shares everything her family has done to safeguard themselves, including growing produce, caring for animals and canning, freezing, drying, cold storage or fermenting foods for later use. “For me, it’s more about being pre-

Your Local Source for 100%

Alabama Farm to Table Produce

We deliver the freshest produce available to your home or business. Many of our growers use ORGANIC practices! No minimums, no commitment. FRUITS, VEGETABLES, HERBS, HONEY, FARM EGGS & MORE! www.Facebook.com/ChasingFresh 251-550-9600 ccorte@chasingfresh.net

Resources for Local Urban Gardeners Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Food Not Lawns

Providing educational opportunities and information grounded in research-based science, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is the outreach organization of Alabama A&M and Auburn universities. Their website and many of their workshops offer extensive information on gardening topics such as organic vegetable gardening, composting, soil quality, pest control and rainwater harvesting.

Food Not Lawns is a global movement and community of “avant-gardeners” working together to grow and share food, seeds, medicine and knowledge. The local group is dedicated to promoting sustainable backyard gardening and permaculture in the Mobile area. Their Facebook page serves as a forum where photos, tips, events and questions are posted.

ACES.edu

The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN) ASANOnline.org

ASAN is a network of farmers, consumers and agriculturerelated organizations, all committed to promoting sustainable agriculture in Alabama. ASAN’s mission is to support conservation practices, families that grow and consume natural food and fiber and the communities where they live. Their informative site includes a Gulf Coast Food and Farm Guide, with a comprehensive list of local food sources that includes farms, farmers markets, groceries, seafood markets and restaurants.

Facebook.com/FoodNotLawnsMobileAlabama

Local Food Production Initiative (LFPI)

FairhopeLocalFood.org

LFPI educates the public about the value of producing and consuming locally grown food. In addition to promoting and putting on educational events, the group also manages two community gardens and a youth garden in Fairhope.

Middle Earth Healing and Learning Center MiddleEarthHealing.com

Practicing permaculture design, Middle Earth, in Citronelle, works with nature to create landscapes that operate like healthy natural systems, where energy is conserved, wastes are recycled and resources are more abundant. This educational center serves as an information resource regarding rainwater catchment, chemical-free gardening, aquaponics and alternative energy.

natural awakenings

March 2013

We bring the Farmer’s Market to you! Consistent & reliable organic produce service since 2002. Always 100% Certified Organic fruits & vegetables. Support your US & local organic farmers.

Your Choice:

MIXED Vegetable & Fruit share

ALL FRUIT share JUICING share Simply place your order online www.offthevine.org or call 850-374-2181 Serving Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne and Spanish Fort

What’s Fresh This Month! Local Southeast organic produce: strawberries, tangerines, grapefruits, green beans, beets with tops, yellow squash, zucchini, butter lettuces, cucumbers, turnips, rainbow chard, broccoli and tomatoes!

OTV Recipes OTV Organic Strawberry Salsa! 1 3/4 cups fresh strawberries, 2 tbsp local honey, 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice, 1/4 red onion - small, 1 mango, dash of cayenne pepper. Mix the honey, OJ, cayenne and (chopped) red onion together in a bowl and fold in the (sliced) strawberries and mango! Great topping for grilled fish or sauteed greens!

OTV Basic Organic Fruit Sauce Add a level of flavor over your favorite sliced fruits or desserts...quick and easy to make! 2 cups fruit such as pineapple, strawberry,mango or peaches, 1/2 cup agave syrup. Place ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Will keep for 3-4 days in fridge.

Order produce as needed or on a schedule. “It’s easy to order & eat fresh with OTV!”

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

pared for the everyday things that are happening, like increases in food and fuel prices or a loss of family income,” Brown says. “If we’re growing at least some of our own food, I have a lot less to worry about when such things happen.” The family also keeps rabbits and ducks, plus egg-laying and meat-providing chickens that can total 40 animals in the summer at their “nanofarm”. These also supply natural fertilizer for the crops. Nearby beehives provide 20 pounds of honey each year. Because the foods they produce are solely for their personal use, the Browns are exempt from regulatory restrictions. “Our neighbors love what we’re doing,” says Brown, whose house is close enough they can chat across their front porches. “One says our initiative reminds him of growing up in Maine pretty much self-sufficient. The other tells friends and coworkers they aren’t worried if things really go bad because they have us as neighbors.”

organic, contaminant-free soil.” Rooftop gardens are becoming more common as larger agricultural operations use them to grow income crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture considers anyone that sells more than $1,000 of produce to neighbors or area restaurants a farmer, rather than a gardener, so regulations may apply. For renters, just a few tomato plants in a well-maintained container on a patio or deck can yield as much as 50 pounds of tomatoes by taking advantage of its microclimate, influenced by wind blocks, heated surfaces and reflected light from windows. Urban gardening is also thriving indoors in terrariums, window boxes and small greenhouses. Even partially lit rooms can support certain vegetables or herbs with grow lights. Aquaponic gardening, a closed-loop system that involves both fish and vegetables, expands the self-sufficient possibilities of a hydroponic system of growing plants fed by liquid nutrients.

Growing Green Thumbs

With more than 80 percent of Americans currently living in urban and suburban areas, the questionable nutrition of many mass-produced foods, increasing pesticide and herbicide use by non-organic farmers, greenhouse gas emissions from food transport and weather patterns altered by climate change, it’s past time to take back some control. Operating our own gardens and preparing our own meals turns us back into producers, not merely consumers. “For the most part, we’re just average suburbanites,” concludes Brown. “We just choose to have less lawn and more garden. A huge benefit is that we need less income because we’re buying less at the grocery store. Our goal is to semi-retire in our mid50s—not because we’ve made a bunch of money, but because we’ve needed less money to live along the way.”

“With some effort, urban gardeners can grow great vegetables anyplace that affords enough light and warmth,” advises Strauss, who gardens primarily in raised beds in her front and back yards. “I garden on the scale I do because I love it. It’s both relaxing and challenging, and we eat well.” Urban gardening methods are as diverse as the growing conditions, space limitations and financial resources of the gardener. “Lasagna” gardening—layering newspaper or cardboard and other organic materials on top—can be effective in urban areas because it involves no digging or tilling. Just as with making compost, alternate between brown and green layers. Once the materials break down, add plants to the newly created growing bed. Urban dwellers with limited space may employ square-foot gardening, intensively growing plants in raised beds using a growing medium of vermiculite, peat moss and compost. This method can yield fewer weeds and is easier on the back. “It’s an easy concept to grasp for new gardeners,” remarks Joy. “We use it to both maximize output in a small area and ensure healthy,

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Feeding Ourselves

John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist, co-authors of Farmstead Chef (FarmsteadChef.com), ECOpreneuring and Rural Renaissance, operate the award-winning Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast, in Browntown, WI. They grow 70 percent of their organic food; the cost savings helped them become mortgage-free in their mid-40s.

TURN YOUR PASSION INTO A BUSINESS Own a Natural Awakenings Magazine! • Low Investment • No Experience Needed • Great Support Team with Complete Training • Work from Home • Online Marketing Tools • Meaningful New Career

As a Natural Awakenings publisher, you can enjoy learning about healthy and joyous living while working from your home and earn a good income doing something you love! Your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives, while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural, Earth-friendly lifestyles. You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security. No publishing experience is necessary. You’ll work for yourself but not by yourself. We offer a complete training and support system that allows you to successfully publish your own magazine. Be part of a dynamic franchised publishing network that is helping to transform the way we live and care for ourselves. Now available in Spanish as well. To determine if owning a Natural Awakenings is right for you and your target community, call us for a free consultation at:

239-530-1377 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

Phenomenal Monthly Circulation Growth Since 1994. Now with 3.6 Million Monthly Readers in: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Birmingham, AL Huntsville, AL Mobile/Baldwin, AL* Little Rock/Hot Spg., AR Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ East Bay Area, CA Los Angeles, CA San Diego, CA Denver/Boulder, CO Fairfield County, CT* Hartford, CT New Haven/ Middlesex, CT Washington, DC Daytona/Volusia/ Flagler, FL NW FL Emerald Coast Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jacksonville/St. Aug., FL Melbourne/Vero, FL Miami & Florida Keys Naples/Ft. Myers, FL North Central FL* Orlando, FL Palm Beach, FL Peace River, FL Sarasota, FL Tampa/St. Pete., FL FL’s Treasure Coast Atlanta, GA Western NC/No., GA

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chicago No. Shore, IL Indianapolis, IN* Louisville-Metro, KY Lafayette, LA New Orleans, LA Baltimore, MD Boston, MA Western, MA Ann Arbor, MI Grand Rapids, MI East Michigan Wayne County, MI Minneapolis, MN Asheville, NC* Charlotte, NC Raleigh/Durham/ Chapel Hill, NC Hudson Valley, NJ Mercer County, NJ Monmouth/Ocean, NJ* North NJ North Central NJ Somerset/Middlesex, NJ South NJ Santa Fe/Abq., NM Las Vegas, NV* Central, NY Long Isand, NY Manhattan, NY Rockland/Orange, NY Westchester/ Putnam Co’s., NY

natural awakenings

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Central OH Cincinnati, OH Oklahoma City, OK Portland, OR* Bucks/Montgomery Counties, PA Harrisburg, PA Lancaster, PA Lehigh Valley, PA Northeastern PA* Rhode Island Charleston, SC Columbia, SC* Grand Strand, SC* Greenville, SC* Chattanooga, TN Knoxville, TN Memphis, TN Nashville, TN Austin, TX Dallas, TX Houston, TX North Texas San Antonio, TX Richmond, VA Southwestern VA Seattle, WA Madison, WI* Milwaukee, WI Puerto Rico

*Existing magazines for sale

March 2013

consciouseating We're more than

a magazine. Download our

The Better Brain Diet

FREE app! Eat Right To Search iTunes app store for “Natural Awakenings”

digital subscribe to our

MAGAZINE

automatic. free. green.

Receive Natural Awakenings in your inbox each month: HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

SAVE with the

YOUR NAME HERE

Natural Awakenings (NAN) Discount Card!

www.TinyURL.com/NANCard

Stay Connected

Like Natural Awakenings on Facebook and follow @NaturallyAwake on Twitter and Instagram. 24

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Stay Sharp by Lisa Marshall

ith 5.4 million Americans already living with Alzheimer’s disease, one in five suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and the 2012 failure of several targeted pharmaceutical drug trials, many brain health experts are now focusing on food as a critical defense against dementia. “Over the past several years, there have been many well-designed scientific studies that show you are what you eat when it comes to preserving and improving memory,” says Dr. Richard Isaacson, associate professor of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and author of The Alzheimer’s Diet. In recent years, studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and Archives of Neurology have shown that people on a Mediterraneantype diet—high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fatty fish and low in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats—tend to fend off cognitive decline longer and be less prone to developing full-blown Alzheimer’s. Several small, but promising clinical trials further suggest that even people that have already begun to suffer memory loss may be able to slow or mildly reverse it via nutritional changes. Here’s how.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Switch to slow-burning carbs: Mounting evidence indicates that the constant insulin spikes from eating refined carbohydrates like white bread or sugarsweetened sodas can eventually impair the metabolization of sugar (similar to Type 2 diabetes), effecting blood vessel damage and hastened aging. A high-carb diet has also been linked to increased levels of beta-amyloid, a fibrous plaque that harms brain cells. A 2012 Mayo Clinic study of 1,230 people ages 70 to 89 found that those that ate the most carbs had four times the risk of developing MCI than those that ate the least. Inversely, a small study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that when adults with MCI were placed on a low-carb diet for six weeks, their memory improved. Isaacson recommends switching to slow-burning, low-glycemic index carbohydrates, which keep blood sugars at bay. Substitute whole grains and vegetables for white rice, pastas and sugary fruits. Water down juices or forego them altogether. Choose fats wisely: Arizona neurologist Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, co-author of The Alzheimer’s Prevention Cookbook, points to numerous studies suggesting a link

between saturated fat in butter, cooking oil, cheese and processed meats and increased risk of Alzheimer’s. “In animals, it seems to promote amyloid production in the brain,” he says. In contrast, those that eat more fatty fish such as herring, halibut and wild-caught salmon that are rich in the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid DHA, are at lower risk. Sabbagh notes that DHA, when it’s a steady part of the diet, plays a critical role in forming the protective “skin of the brain” known as the bilipid membrane, and may possibly offset production of plaque in the brain, thus slowing its progression during the earliest stages of dementia. Aim for three weekly servings of fatty fish. Vegetarians can alternatively consider supplementing meals with 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams daily of DHA, says Isaacson. Eat more berries and kale: In general, antioxidant-rich fruits (especially berries) and vegetables are major preventers of oxidative stress—the cell-damaging process that occurs naturally in the brain as we age. One recent study published in the Annals of Neurology found that women eating high amounts of blueberries and strawberries were able to stave off cognitive decline 2.5 years longer than those that did not. Rich in antioxidant flavonoids, blueberries may even have what Sabbagh terms, “specific anti-Alzheimer’s and cell-saving properties.” Isaacson highlights the helpfulness of kale and green leafy vegetables, which are loaded with antioxidants and brain-boosting B vitamins. One recent University of Oxford study in the UK of 266 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment found that those taking a blend of vitamins B12, B6 and folate daily showed significantly less brain shrinkage over a two-year period than those that did not. Spice up: Sabbagh notes that India has some of the lowest worldwide rates of Alzheimer’s. One possible reason is the population’s love of curry. Curcumin, a compound found in the curry-flavoring spice turmeric, is another potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

He recommends sprinkling one teaspoon of curcumin on our food every day and cooking with antioxidant-rich cloves, oregano, thyme, rosemary and cinnamon. A 2011 Israeli study at Tel Aviv University found that plaque deposits dissolved and memory and learning behaviors improved in animals given a potent cinnamon extract.

Begin a brain-healthy diet as early as possible. “Brain changes can start 25 years before the onset of dementia symptoms,” says Sabbagh. “It’s the end result of a long process, so don’t wait. Start your prevention plan today.” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer outside of Boulder, CO. Connect at Lisa@ LisaAnnMarshall.com.

recipecorner South Alabama Cabbage Rolls

Moroccan Tomato Lentil Soup

1 large head of cabbage Ground venison Conecuh sausage, minced Fresh thyme Fresh garlic Fresh leeks or green onions Olive, pecan or coconut oil Salt and pepper to taste Place ground venison in mixing bowl with salt, pepper and thyme to taste. Combine ingredients with hands until thoroughly blended.

4 Tbsp olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 bag lentils, rinsed and sorted 3 quarts vegetable broth 2 bay leaves 4 large tomatoes, chopped Handful fresh cilantro, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 1 tsp turmeric ½ tsp cinnamon 1 Tbsp cumin Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in cast iron skillet on low. Add leeks, garlic and salt. Lightly simmer for a few minutes. Add sausage and allow to simmer for a few more minutes. Add seasoned venison to skillet and brown the meat thoroughly while mixing everything together.

Saute onion in oil over medium heat. When slightly browned, add lentils, stir to coat with oil. Add broth, bay leaves. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender (about 40 minutes). Add remaining ingredients. Continue to simmer 20 more minutes. Yields approximately 6 servings.

Have a steaming pot of water ready on stove with shallow colander and lid. Wrap meat mixture in cabbage leaves like you would a burrito and steam covered for a few minutes. Avoid leaving the cabbage rolls in the steam pot for too long to avoid ripping the cabbage leaves.

Optional: To thicken soup, blend half and then stir well to combine.

Source: Chasing Fresh. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ChasingFresh. See ad, page 21.

Source: The Pure Vegan. For more information, visit ThePureVegan. com. See ad, page 10.

Have a healthy, seasonal recipe to share? Email it to us. If we publish it, we'll send you a free NAN Discount card!

natural awakenings

March 2013

greenliving

RECYCLING EVERYDAY REFUSE What Happens after the Blue Bin is Emptied by Avery Mack

ach blue recycle bin filled with plastic, aluminum, glass, paper and cardboard helps the environment, because it reduces landfill, takes less energy to repurpose materials than to make new ones and gently reminds us that thoughtful consumption is healthier for people and the planet. But what do all those recyclables turn into?

Repurposed Plastics

Plastic milk jugs turn into colorful playthings at Green Toys, of Mill Valley, California. Repurposing one pound of recycled milk jugs instead of making new plastic saves enough energy to run a computer for a month. All packaging is made from recycled content and printed with soy ink, so it can go into the blue bin again. GreenToys.com’s online counter shows the number of containers recycled—more than 10 million to date. Fila Golf’s Principal Designer Nancy Robitaille says, “Recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a core Fila cooling fabric, is used throughout our collection. Each fully recycled PET garment reuses about two-and-a-half 20-ounce plastic pop bottles.” Patagonia customers are encouraged 26

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

to return their old coat when buying a new one. Coats in good condition are given to people in need; the PET fleece lining from retired coats is sent to ReFleece, in Somerville, Massachusetts, where it is cleaned and turned into recyclable protective cases for iPads, e-readers and cell phones. “We expect to make 10,000 cases this year from 2,000 jackets,” says Jennifer Fellers, ReFleece’s CEO. “We use low heat to press the cases into shape.” Vancouver, Canada, which plans to be the greenest city in the world by 2020, includes recycled plastic from bags and water bottles in laying down warm asphalt mix for roads because it uses less fuel to keep the tar at a pourable temperature. Switching from traditional hot asphalt technology also reduces emissions.

Transforming Aluminum and Glass

In 2012, Do Something.org partnered with Alcoa to challenge teens to recycle aluminum cans. For every 50 cans collected during a two-month period, they were awarded a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship. The sponsors note that recycling one can saves

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 20 hours. The final total was 1,152,569 cans kept out of landfills. “Aluminum can be recycled an infinite number of times,” says Beth Schmitt, director of recycling programs for Alcoa, which has centers nationwide and cash-back programs for community fundraisers. “We re-melt the collected cans, then roll out coils of new can sheets. This process can be repeated without any loss of strength— that’s why we call aluminum the ‘miracle metal.’ If every American recycled just one more can per week, we would remove 17 billion cans from landfills each year.” Wine bottles become designer drinking glasses at Rolf Glass, in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. “Our designs give used bottles a second life,” says owner Rolf Poeting. Refresh Glass, of Phoenix, Arizona, salvages and preps the bottles. “Then, our glass cutting and diamond-wheel engraving technology transforms them into sophisticated Glacier Glass,” continues Poeting. “This seems to be a trend in many industries, to find additional uses for another company’s recycled products.” Rewined, of Charleston, South Carolina, also exemplifies this principle. It uses wine bottles to hold their soy-based, cottonwicked candles, which provide 60 to 80 hours of wine-scented burn.

Second Life for Paper

Purina’s Yesterday’s News and Second Nature litter for cats and dogs, respectively, is made from recycled paper and absorbs waste upward from the bottom of the litter box for easier cleaning. The unscented litter pellets are three times as absorbent as clay, non-toxic and nearly dust-free. Hedgehogs, mice, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs and reptiles also like Yesterday’s News for bedding. On average, 44 million pounds of paper are annually recycled for these products. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States annually generates 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste, mostly from re-roofing tear-offs and new installation scrap, comprising 8 percent of construction waste. Each recycled ton saves a barrel of oil. OFIC North America, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, creates its Ondura corrugated roofing from old newspapers or magazines and cardboard, made durable by infusing it with asphalt. It’s placed atop existing roofs, which means no discarded shingles. Each day, 40 to 50 tons

of recycled paper goods find new life in Ondura products, available at most home improvement stores. Sound inside Buick Lacrosse and Verano vehicles is dampened via a ceiling material made partly from reused cardboard shipping boxes. Paint sludge from General Motors’ Lansing, Michigan, Grand River assembly plant becomes durable plastic shipping containers for Chevrolet Volt and Cruze engine components. Some 200 miles of absorbent polypropylene sleeves, used to soak up a recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, were converted into air deflectors for the Volt, preventing 212,500 pounds of waste from entering landfills. As part of its community outreach, 250 shipping crates from GM’s Orion assembly plant became raised garden beds for a Southwest Detroit community garden. A local entrepreneur turned donated sound absorption material into coats that also serve as sleeping bags for the homeless.

Coming in April Natural Awakenings’

SPECIAL ISSUE GREEN LIVING

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

Healing Acres A Place of Wellness Massage • Reflexology Body Treatments Reiki • Ear Candling Colon Hydrotherapy Detox Spa System DŌTerra Oils Distributor Wellness Classes & More Gift Certificates Available

22355 Price Grubbs Rd in Robertsdale 251-423-1863

Do you have your NAN Discount Card yet?

Old Tires Transformed

The Rubber Manufacturers Association reports that Americans discard 300 million tires each year, each one having consumed about seven gallons of oil in its manufacture and poised to add to Earth’s landfills. Lehigh Technologies’ micronized rubber powder (MRP), made by freeze-drying discarded tires and pulverizing them into a fine powder, changes the equation. MRP is now used in many items, from new tires, roads and building materials to shoes. It feels good to place used items in the blue bin instead of the trash, knowing that more and more companies are helping to put these resources to good use.

Experience the gifts of the Earth.

Order online:

Tinyurl.com/NANCard

For more information and to advertise, call

251-990-9552

We support SEparation of Church and Hate.

A CENTER FOR HEALING ... A CENTER FOR LEARNING Holistic Consultation Energy Work Color Therapy Essential Oils Flower Essences Qi Gong Chartres Labyrinth

Permaculture Design Passive and Active Solar Rainwater Collection Humanure Composting Greywater Recycling Shiitake Cultivation Biodynamics

Middle Earth Healing and Learning Center Citronelle, AL 251-866-7204

MidEarthHealing@yahoo.com * www.middleearthhealing.com

united church of christ

Sunday worship at 5 pm 1050 Azalea Rd, Mobile (at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church) opentableucc.org (251) 545-1011

natural awakenings

March 2013

calendarofevents 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.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 Cheap Chic Boutique – Fri, 8:30am-6pm. Sat, 9am3pm. Shop for Spring at the Cheap Chic Boutique, a fundraiser for Our Sisters' Closet. New, nearly new and vintage, designer and brand name clothing, jewelry, purses and shoes galore at thrifty prices. No charge to enter. St. Mary Parish (across from McGill-Toolen High School), 1450 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. 251-423-2001. OurSistersCloset@comcast.net. OurSistersCloset.org. Family Yoga and Art Lounge – 6-8pm. Inspire creativity by exploring movement and breath in a fun and safe atmosphere with a practice that is beneficial for children as well as adults. Participants use games, sound and partner exercises in addition to traditional yoga postures and breathwork. Pay What You Can. Space 301, Downtown Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7

incorporating symbols. Continue your path with the ability to provide mental and emotional Reiki healing and perform distance treatments. $145 prepaid/$135 Fortis students and affiliates. Fortis College Massage Therapy Program, 300-F Azalea Rd, Mobile. 251-7531937. KellyLaurendine@gmail.com. BodyInSpirit.com. FortisMassageMobile.com. Bubbles Playshop with Cyndi Lepori – 6-9pm. Meet your dolphin guides, create and work with energy bubbles, experience dolphin healing energies, play a game called stepping into your highest potential. Like nothing you have ever experienced! Real tools to create a better life, transformation before your eyes! $35. Reiki Center of Fairhope, 20730 Hwy 181, Fairhope. Contact Cyndie Lepori to register: 601-466-6559. DolphinHugs4u2@ gmail.com. BubblesandBilly.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

Yoga and Dinner at the Museum – 6-8:30pm. Thursdays are Museum Nights and March is Body, Mind and Spirit month. Come tour the museum and join Tracey Glover, RYT 200, chef/owner of The Pure Vegan, for a night of yoga including a yogic cooking demo and tasting. Free admission to the museum. Donations for yoga and dinner. Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Dr, Mobile. 251-208-5200.

Usui Reiki Level I with Rebecca Havard – 1-6pm. Experience energy in all forms for healing with Rebecca! Learn Meditations to raise your vibrations, Usui Reiki Level I Attunement with an understanding of prana and intuition from an experienced energy master. $90. Reiki Center of Fairhope, 20730 Highway 181, Fairhope. Register: 251-281-8811. ReikiCenterofFairhope@gmail. com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events/.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

markyourcalendar Meditation Flash Mob MedMob is the global flash mob meditation movement to promote peace, harmony and unity between all human beings. No experience necessary. Gather at 10:30am in front of USA main sign at corner of University and Old Shell. 30 min meditation begins at 10:45. Lunch at Mellow Mushroom immediately following.

March 8 • 10:30-11:15am Corner of University Blvd and Old Shell Rd, Mobile 251-786-1341 or 251-214-2080 Facebook.com/MedMobGCA Sunset Yoga on the Bluff 2013 Kicks Off – 5-6pm. Led by Julie Wilkins for North Baldwin Animal Shelter. Outdoor practice overlooking Mobile Bay. Proceeds go to charity. Rain date will be the following Friday. Bring your own mat and a friend. Beginner friendly classes. Donation. Just N of the Fairhope Pier on the bluff by the white pyramid. 251-379-4493. ThriveFairhope.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

Usui Reiki Ryoho Level II Certification with Rev. K. Laurendine – Mar 9-10. Sat, 2-4pm. Sun, 10am-4pm. Level II includes review of Level I, attunements and

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

The Law of Attraction-A Workshop – 9am-1pm. We attract to us everything we experience in life both the positive and the negative. Here we will discuss how this process works and participate in hands-on exercises to show us how to design and demonstrate our life’s desires. "Love offering" donation. 1230 Montlimar Dr, Mobile. 251-343-0777. Spring Detox Yoga Class – 11:15am-12:30pm. Seasoned beginners and up. Julie Wilkins leads this practice consisting of brisk sun salutations to warm the body, twisting poses to cleanse and purify the organs and restorative poses to relax the body and quiet the nervous system. Pay What You Can. Space 301, downtown Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17 Biotone Body Exfoli-Sea Salt Glow Event – 10am5pm. This is an exfoliation process of the body using mineral rich ingredients and therapeutic salts from the Dead Sea. Natural luffa and a special blend of jojoba, avocado, peach and sunflower oils replenish and soften skin. $20 off. 251-929-2114. 251-591-6168. Hideaway In Fairhope, Fairhope. HideawayInFairhope.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 18 Organic Hair and Face Makeover Event – 10am6pm. Our national award winning hair designer Lynne Cary will give you a private consultation with your skin upon an organic facial, then transform your hair design to suit your facial features and lifestyle. $80 includes samples. Hideaway in Fairhope, 10860 Co Rd 24, Fairhope. 251-929-2114 or 251-591-6168. HideawayInFairhope.com.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 21 Yoga at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer – 6:307:45pm. Yoga as moving meditation with Tracey Glover RYT 200. Quiet the mind, relax the body and dive into the Divine Peace within. 75 min all-levels practice interweaving philosophy, asana (postures), pranayama (breath control) and seated meditation. Om Shanti. $10. Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 7125 Hitt Rd, Mobile. 251-510-2418. ShantiWarrior.com. Tracey@ ShantiWarrior.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22 Sunset Yoga on the Bluff – 6-7pm. Taught by Mel Crane for Wounded Warrior Project. Outdoor practice overlooking Mobile Bay. Proceeds go to charity. Rain date will be the following Friday. Bring your own mat and a friend. Beginner friendly classes. Donation. Just N of the Fairhope Pier on the bluff by the white pyramid. 251-379-4493. ThriveFairhope.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24 Hair Color with Organic Clear Gloss Event – 10am5pm. You will be given a personalized consultation for your hair color needs. We specialize in hair color and have won awards from Hair Color U.S.A. in Miami and Los Angeles. Free organic gloss for your hair. Call for details. Hideaway In Fairhope, Fairhope. 251-929-2144. 251-591-6168. HideAwayInFairhope.com. Body In Spirit Sunday: Sacred Movement with Rev. K. Laurendine – 1-4pm. All fitness levels welcome. Explore your body in spirit with this eclectic, fluid, mindful, heart-centered practice. Uses sound, various movement practices and symbolism to enliven and connect the spiritual-physical-energetic aspects of the body while quieting and focusing the mind. Suggested energy exchange: $35/$25 for Fortis affiliates. Fortis College Massage Therapy Program, 300-F Azalea Rd., Mobile. 251-753-1937. KellyLaurendine@gmail.com. BodyInSpirit.com. FortisMassageMobile.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 25 Organic European Facial Event – 10am-6pm. This European style organic facial uses Oxygen Botanicals. Licensed by the prestigious Von Lee Institute of Esthetics in Baltimore, MD. Along with a facial, you will be taught how to take care of your skin. $55 discount for first time clients. Hideaway in Fairhope, 10860 Co Rd 24, Fairhope. 251-929-2114 or 251-591-6168. HideawayInFairhope.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 Yamas and Niyamas Yoga Series – 6pm. Join Amanda Brenner in an exploration of the ethical guidelines presented in the philosophy of yoga. Each class will include postures, breathwork, meditation and a discussion of a yama or niyama from the Yoga Sutras. 8 wk series. Suggested donation $60 for series. Space 301, Downtown Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 Indigo Children Workshop with Amy Siegal – 9am-12pm. Have your children been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder? Amy Siegal will be discussing alternative methods of how to help them integrate their multi-sensory input, including basic occupational therapy, sensory diet and many facets of energy work. Parents/caregivers invited. $35. Reiki Center of Fairhope, 20730 Highway 181, Fairhope. Amy: 251-284-2329. ReikiCenterofFairhope@gmail. com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/Events/.

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 Choose Spirit Now! Unveil the Light Within – 9am-5pm. A Course In Miracles and yoga principles to learn how to shift from living controlled by the ego, to guided by Spirit, living life in peace, joy and finding that fulfillment for which we have been searching. More info on website. $100. Quiet Mind Massage Therapy & Yoga Studio, Mobile. 251476-6463. Yoga@QuietMindMassageTherapy.com. QuietMindMassageTherapy.com. Facebook: Quiet Mind Massage and Yoga. Usui Reiki Level I & II with Julie E. Brent – Apr 6-7. 9:30am-5:30pm. Reiki is universal life-force energy specifically tuned to healing to be used by anyone who desires to heal themselves and others. All are invited to be infused with this universal energy thru the attunement process offered in Level I and II workshops. $299 prepaid/$330 door. Reiki Center of Fairhope, 20730 Hwy 181, Fairhope. Julie: 251-281-8811. ReikiCenterofFairhope@gmail.com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/events/.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7 Usui Reiki Ryoho Level I Certification with Rev. K. Laurendine – 10am-4:30pm. Certification includes meditation, introduction/history of Reiki, Reiki precepts and attunements. It teaches the basic hand positions for performing a treatment on others and methods for treating yourself. Begin this beautiful path with the ability to perform full body Reiki treatments. $95/$80 for Fortis affiliates. Fortis College Massage Therapy Program, 300-F Azalea Rd., Mobile. 251-753-1937. KellyLaurendine@gmail.com. BodyInSpirit.com. FortisMassageMobile.com. Rollin’ On The River – 5pm. Sunset on the Delta fundraising event for the Eastern Shore Literacy Council. Features live music, silent auction and 50/50 cash drawing, along with delicious catered food, beer and wine. $30/advance. $35/door. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. 251-990-8300. ESLiteracy.org.

savethedate Yoga Birds Spring Retreat At Camp Beckwith on Weeks Bay. Reset and reconnect with your healthy body, mind, and breath. Enjoy a leisurely weekend of yoga, meditation, relaxation and clean vegetarian eating. With Melanie Buffett. Limited enrollment. Lodging options. Register today.

April 12-14 Camp Beckwith, Fairhope YogaBirds.com/Retreats

digital

subscribe to our

MAGAZINE

automatic. free. green.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

markyourcalendar Mobile County Master Gardeners’

8th Annual Educational Seminar

Andy Schneider presents Raising Backyard Chickens: Known as the Chicken Whisperer, he has helped many people start their very own backyard flocks. Jerry Patee presents Whimsical Art for the Garden: A demonstration using ordinary items to create one-of-a-kind pieces of Garden Art. $28 (includes box lunch). Register online by April 12: Aces.Edu/Mobile/mg.

April 20 • 9:30am-3pm 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort 251-973-9385 • SMorrisonMg@gmail.com

FRIDAY, MAY 17 Kula Yoga Teacher Training – Fri, 6-9pm. Sat, 1-7pm. Sun, 12-6pm. This comprehensive training meets one weekend per month for 12 months. Study includes postures, breathing, meditation, energetic body, history, philosophy, teaching techniques, therapeutic applications, anatomy and mantra. Graduates will be eligible to register withYoga Alliance as RYT200. Apply online. Center for Spiritual Living, Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org/School.

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! Own one of the Gulf Coast's most exciting businesses. Training provided. HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. 251990-9552. See ad, page 3. BRANCH MANAGERS IN MOBILE AND FAIRHOPE – Looking for a healthy job? Work with Off the Vine Produce! Mom-friendly. Work on Wednesdays only. 850-374-2181. JOIN THE GREEN CLEAN TEAM! – Green Clean provides environmentally friendly, nontoxic cleaning services. If interested in becoming part of our team, please call 251-508-3796 for an interview. MEDMOB ORGANIZER - MedMob is the global flash mob meditation movement. We are in need of a volunteer to organize events on the Eastern Shore. Training and support will be provided. Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com or 251-990-9552 for details. SALES PROFESSIONAL FOR HEALTHY AND GREEN LIVING MAGAZINE – Natural

Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin has an opportunity for motivated individuals to generate income through magazine ad sales and healthy living discount card sales. Make your own hours and enjoy a generous pay structure. Email letter of interest and resume to Publisher@HealthyLiving HealthyPlanet.com. WANTED – Someone to clean and help declutter our Fish River abode. $10/hr 2x5hrs/mo ($100). Susan: 251-752-7806.

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. Contact Janet Miller: J46Miller@yahoo.com. 251-654-1827. MERCY MEDICAL – Hospice volunteers needed. 251-621-4431. Volunteers@Mercy Medical.com.

HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com natural awakenings

March 2013

Masters of Yoga & Pilates Prana Health and Wellness

Flow, Restorative, Meditation, Kids Martial Arts and More! See full schedule online.

Yoga & Pilates Classes Corporate Wellness Personal Training

Health Coaching Coming Soon!

Introductory Rates: $50/mo Unlimited; $10 Drop-in 209 S Section St (formerly Yoga Birds)

251-455-9359 www.PranaHealthAndWellness.com

O Y

Lynette Staggers, LPTA, RYT-200 www.IntegratedFitness-Fairhope.com 456 Morphy Ave, Fairhope 251-554-4121

SPIRIT

Trinity Yoga

Enjoy Yoga in a Rural Setting!

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

yoga & Pilates

Now offering a full schedule of yoga classes in our new studio space!

Integrated Fitness Exercise Studio

Synergy

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Group Classes

Private Lessons

Dana B. Garrett MS, ACSM, RYT PhysicalMind Institute Stott IM and IR Certified

www.synergyoga.net 3152 Old Shell Road, Suite 2 Mobile, Alabama 36607

251.473.1104

Ad Space Available! Advertise Your Yoga or Pilates Business Here for $100 per Month. Includes calendar listings to promote your classes, Facebook marketing and editorial coverage.

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

ongoingevents sunday Discounts on Supplements – Every Sunday get 15% off supplements at Fairhope Health Foods, 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope. 251-928-0644. 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. Sunday Service – 10:30am. Explore a spiritual pathway with Mobile Unitarian Universalists, 6345 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. UUFM.org. Sunday Service – 10:30am. Questioning, understanding and growing together spiritually as we enjoy the adventure of life. Center for Joyful Living, 60 N Ann St, Mobile. 251-391-6960. Sunday Worth-ship Celebration – 10:30am. Find, strengthen and celebrate a connection with Divine Spirit. Donation. One mile north of US Hwy 104. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US Hwy 98, Montrose. 251-9908934. UnityEasternShore.org. Sunday Worship – 11am. Celebrate Spirit in this special and sacred space. Between Hillcrest and Knollwood. Unity Mobile, 5859 Cottage Hill, Mobile. 251-661-1788. Enjoy our Sunday Yoga Rotation! – 2pm. Join Jasmine, Jenn, Adrienne or Nadine as you wind down your weekend and get ready for the busy week ahead— expand the potential of your body while you refresh and renew your spirit. Check the website for schedule rotation. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net. Unlimited Horizons of the Emerald Coast – 2:30-5:30pm. 2nd Sunday. Open to public. All are invited to join this forum of open-minded seekers of Universal truth. Share knowledge and promote enlightenment. Monthly speakers present on a variety of metaphysical topics. $7. Gulf Breeze Recreation Center, 800 Shoreline Dr, Gulf Breeze, FL. 850-610-0919. UnlimitedHorizons1@gmail. com. Unlimited-Horizons.org.

10 minutes, giving you an opportunity to explore and meditate on the breath, focusing the mind in the here and now. $10 without membership. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A South Section St, Fairhope. 251-4559359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com.

monday Power Pilates – 9:15-10:15am. Intermediate-advanced level taught by Lynette Staggers. Blends Pilates and yoga (primarily Pilates) and traditional strength training exercises with an emphasis on the core. May utilize stability balls, light weights or resistance bands. Great class to sculpt your body as a whole. $10/prepaid, $15/ drop-in, $5/first class. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. IntegratedFitness-Fairhope.com. Eyes on Living, Baldwin County Low Vision Support Group – 10-11:30am. 3rd Mon. Anyone who has or knows someone with vision loss or impairment is welcome in the Single Tax room at Fairhope Library. Free. Shelia Tetley: 251-929-2169. Kid’s Martial Arts – 4:30pm. Class is designed specifically for kids five and up. Covers technique, including kicking, punching and forms. Focuses on discipline, building self confidence, living by the training principals and having fun. A great introduction into the benefits of the martial arts. $10/week. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope. 251-455-9359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com. Mindfulness Practice and Meditation – 5:30pm. We gather in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh to provide an opportunity to those that wish to deepen their Mindfulness Meditation Practice. No experience necessary. $5 suggested donation. Meditation Center of Alabama, 3821 Airport Blvd., Suite B, Mobile. 251-4225474. Meetup.com/Delta-Lotus-Sangha. 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-YogaMovement.com.

Live Your Yoga Series – 3-4:30pm. Through Mar 17. Seasoned beginners and up. Julie Wilkins teaches this series designed to deepen your yoga practice. Each vinyasa style class will focus on a physical alignment technique while integrating body/mind teachings, breathwork and meditation practices. Pay What You Can. Space 301, Downtown Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

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

Align & Flow Yoga – 4-5:15pm. Alignment-based flow yoga class for all levels taught by Amanda Barfield. Make the transition from the weekend to the work week one of fluidity and ease. Join us as we come together to breathe, play, laugh, move and live. $10/prepaid, $15/ drop-in, $5/first class. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. IntegratedFitness-Fairhope.com.

tuesday

Open Table: A Community of Faith Worship Service (United Church of Christ) – 5pm. Weekly progressive Christian worship. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1050 Azalea Rd, Mobile. 251-545-1011. Ellen. OpenTable@gmail.com. OpenTableUCC.org. Yin Yoga – 6pm. Yin yoga uses mostly seated poses that can be held for longer periods of time, from 3 to

Rise and Shine Yoga – 6:30-7:45am. Tues and Thurs. Start the day with an invigorating Hatha Yoga practice. Class includes a mixture of flow yoga, Pranayama, restorative and meditation. Fellowship, coffee and some of mom's homemade bread follows. $8/drop-in, $60/10 class package, $85/family. Trinity Yoga Studio, Highway 98 East, Foley. 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541. TinyURL.com/TrinityYogaFoleyAL. Tuesday Morning Yoga with Tracey, RYT 200 – 9:30am. Join Tracey for an all-levels 75 min flow yoga class incorporating all the yogic tools at our disposal to

quiet and expand our minds, open our hearts, release anxiety and depression, and find the peace, freedom, and wholeness we all crave. $12 (senior and student discounts available). Quiet Mind Massage and Yoga Studio, Mobile. Tracey@ShantiWarrior.com. 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. 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. 251-6348055. AscensionFuneralGroup.com. Beginners Yoga – 4:30pm. Our Beginners Yoga class is the perfect place to start. If you have ever thought of taking yoga but didn't feel comfortable dropping into a class; this is for you. We cover basic yoga poses and answer all your questions. $10/without membership. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope. 251-455-9359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com. LA Hikers Meeting – 6-7pm. 1st Tues. Free and open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. LAHikerMeetings.Blogspot.com. Energize and Relax Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Tues and Thurs. This class emphasizes flow yoga with Pranayama and some Kundalini. Meditation follows the energizing portion to calm in preparation for the day. $8/drop-in, $60/10 class package, $85/family. Trinity Yoga Studio, Hwy 98 East, Foley. 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541. TinyURL.com/TrinityYogaFoleyAL. Positive Parenting Class – 6-8pm. Kids don’t come with a set of instructions. Learn tools and skills to create a happy, healthy family. Free. The Family Center, 601 Bel Air Blvd, Ste 100, Mobile. 251-479-5700. Kids101@comcast.net. Sierra Club Meeting – 6-8pm. 1st Tues. Open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. Creative Spark Writing Group – 7-8pm. Love offering encouraged and appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com. Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club Meeting – 7-8:30pm. 1st Tues. For pro-paddlers and those brand new to the sport. Open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. BayKayaker.Blogspot.com. Spiritual Book Study Group, Mobile – 7-9pm. 1st and 3rd Tues. Read and discuss spiritual books chosen by the members. Contact Joy: 251-382-4215. CWG_Mobile_Group@yahoo.com. Spiritual Cinema Group, Mobile – 7-9pm. 2nd and 4th Tues. View and discuss spiritual movies received from “Spiritual Cinema Circle.” Contact Melissa: 251-4520393. CWG_Mobile_Group@yahoo.com.

wednesday Viniyoga with Rhonda – 6:45am. Viniyoga is directed toward healing—a yoga for all ages. Join Rhonda Gran-Proescher to refresh the breath, awaken the body and renew the spirit. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

natural awakenings

March 2013

Yoga with Amisha – 8:30am. Enjoy 200 hour RYT Amisha Patel's refreshing energy as she challenges you with a strong emphasis on alignment and focus while still calming the mind. Sink into the joy and feel the bliss! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net. Mantra, Mudra and Movement – 9am. This class incorporates sound, breath, hand gestures, yoga postures, joint opening movement and relaxation to facilitate a state of meditation incorporating mind, body and breath. Appropriate for all abilities. Pay What You Can. Rosie Bluum, 6A S Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org or RosieBluum.com. $5 Yoga Flow & Chair – 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. Core Integration Flow Yoga – 9:15-10:30am. Intermediate-advanced level taught by Lynette Staggers. A dynamic alignment based flow class designed to access the deepest part of your core. Through flowing sequences you will learn to move from your core transforming your mind, body and spirit. Modifications are offered. $10/prepaid, $15/drop-in, $5/first class. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. IntegratedFitness-Fairhope.com. Positive Parenting Class – 9:30-11:30am. Kids don’t come with a set of instructions. Get the tools and skills to create a happy, healthy family. Free. The Family Center, 601 Bel Air Blvd, Ste 100, Mobile. 251-479-5700. Kids101@comcast.net. Group Reformer with Adrienne – 12pm. Catch the wave of classical fitness and join Adrienne for a Pilates group reformer class. Stand taller, get toned and become both leaner and stronger. Reservations are required. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-4731104. Synergyoga.net. Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis – 12-1pm. This chair yoga class is free to participants and funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. You must have MS to participate. Build strength and flexibility while improving balance and circulation. Free. Fairhope UMC CLC. 251-379-4493. ThriveFairhope.com. Off the Vine Organic Produce Pick Up (Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort) – 4-7pm. The Fieldhouse, 26037 Capital Dr, Daphne. Pre-order online by Sunday. 850-374-2181. OffTheVine.org. Off the Vine Organic Produce Pick Up (Mobile) – 4-7pm. Body by Cindy Fitness Studio, 6300 Airport Blvd. Pre-order online by Sunday. 850-374-2181. OffTheVine.org. Off the Vine Organic Produce Pick Up (Mobile) – 4-7pm. Full Circle Massage, 2152 Airport Blvd. Preorder online by Sunday. 850-374-2181. OffTheVine.org. Eastern Shore MS Support Group – 5:30pm. Second 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. 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.

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Align & Flow Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Fun and funky flow with Amanda Barfield! This class is a combination of alignment-based flow yoga, upbeat music and intermediate level pinnacle poses. Pose variations are available to all levels of practitioners. $10/prepaid, $15/drop-in, $5/first class. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. IntegratedFitness-Fairhope.com. Near Death and Related Consciousness and Spiritual Experiences – 6pm. 2nd Wed. Mobile affiliate group of IANDS. All are welcome to share experiences and support. Beginning our 11th year. Free. West Regional Branch, Mobile Public Library, Grelot Rd (near University Blvd). 251-340-8565. IANDS.org. Guided Meditation with Rosie Bluum – 7pm. Also on Thurs. Practice guided meditation at Rosie Bluum and experience an inner journey which heals the heart, mind, body and soul. Nurture the spirit. $5 suggested donation. Full meditation schedule online. Rosie Bluum, 6 A S Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-5175626. RosieBluum.com. Reiki Exchange/Share – 7pm. 2nd and 4th Wed. We offer Reiki to all who attend, without a fee. Promptly at 7pm there is a short talk describing Reiki to those who are curious. All are welcome! Free. Reiki Center of Fairhope, 20730 Highway 181, Fairhope. 251-281-8811. ReikiCenterOfFairhope@gmail.com. ReikiCenterOfFairhope.com/Reiki-Exchange/.

thursday Rise and Shine Yoga – 6:30-7:45am. Tues and Thurs. Start the day with an invigorating Hatha Yoga practice. Class includes a mixture of flow yoga, Pranayama, restorative and meditation. Fellowship, coffee and some of mom's homemade bread follows. $8/drop-in, $60/10 class package, $85/family. Trinity Yoga Studio, Highway 98 East, Foley. 251-987-1147 or 251609-5541. TinyURL.com/TrinityYogaFoleyAL. Yoga Nidra – 11am. The practice has been found to reduce tension and anxiety and brings an incredible calmness, quietness and clarity. This class starts with some gentle stretching and movement followed by an extended meditation. $10 without membership. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope. 251-455-9359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com. Lunchtime Stretch – 12:10pm. Need an afternoon pick-me-up? This is a quick, come as you are yoga break. Instead of grabbing a coffee, kick off your shoes and get your body moving. Class is designed for the busy person, on their lunch break. $10 without membership. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A South Section St, Fairhope. 251-455-9359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com. Ashtaga+Anusara Yoga Combo Class – 6pm. Melanie Buffett ERYT500 teaches an uptempo, sweaty flow yoga class that combines elements of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series and Anusara Alignment Principles with sequencing to pinnacle poses. Work, play, sweat, breathe and enjoy your amazing body. $12. Quiet Mind Massage & Yoga, Mobile. MelanieBuffett.com. Energize and Relax Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Tues and Thurs. This class emphasizes flow yoga with Pranayama and some Kundalini. Meditation follows the energizing portion to calm in preparation for the day. $8/drop-in, $60/10 class package, $85/family. Trinity Yoga Studio, Hwy 98 East, Foley. 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541. TinyURL.com/TrinityYogaFoleyAL. Restorative Yoga – 6:15pm. In this class, using an assortment of props, gravity does all of the work. Quiet

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

music, focusing on breath, this class is great for relaxing and unwinding. $10 without membership. Prana Health and Wellness, 209-A S Section St, Fairhope. 251-4559359. PranaHealthAndWellness.com. Body, Mind, Spirit, Coffee, Tea & Conversation Social Meet-Up Group – 6:30-8:30pm. 1st Thurs. The Body, Mind & Spirit Group of Florida: Emerald Coast. Each meet-up will have an array of activities, speakers, products, samples, demonstrations, practitioners and networking opportunities. $5. Pensacola, FL. Call for details: 850-941-4321. BMSFL.com.

friday Fab Fifteen Friday – Get an extra 15% off purchases. Back to Health Nutrition and Natural Foods, 1600 N McKenzie, Foley. 251-970-2225. BackTo HealthNutrition.com. Core Barre with Dana – 10am. Give yourself the best seat in the house with Core Barre—work your body to a fusion of ballet, Pilates, yoga and classic fitness. Move to fun music and really change your shape! Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net. Enjoy our Friday Yoga Rotation! – 5:45pm. Relax and renew at the end of a long work week. Enhance balance, strength and suppleness with Leigh, Jasmine or Nadine while your mind experiences pure delight. Check the website for schedule rotation. Synergy Yoga & Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

saturday Saturday Morning Yoga with Augusta – 7:308:45am. Designed for all levels. The goal is to present movement and mindfulness simultaneously. 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. Camp Sculpt – 8:30-9:30am. Join SculptYoga and Fitness for Boot Camp and Cardio Combat style workouts in downtown Mobile. 60 minutes of military and sports drills, cardiovascular challenges and yoga principles for flexibility and core strength. Make yours a body of art. $15 Drop-in (4 and 8 week discount packages available). Sculpt Yoga and Fitness, 101 North Conception St, Downtown Mobile. 251-525-7079. SculptMobile@ yahoo.com. SculptYogaAndFitness.com. Silent Meditation with Rosie Bluum – 9am. This is a more challenging style of meditation yet wonderfully rewarding when you succumb to your natural state of being. $5 suggested donation. Rosie Bluum, 6 A S Bancroft St, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com. Messages from the Other Side with Psychic Medium Ericka Boussarhane – 6:30-8:30pm. Ericka uses her mediumship to help others find closure and insight in the lives. As a medium she is able to connect with loved ones who have crossed over to the other side. $10 per person. Mystic Cottage, 4971 Mobile Hwy, Pensacola, FL. 850-941-4321. ColdCasePsychic.com/.

naturaldirectory

DENTISTRY DR. DAYTON HART, DM

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

IAOMT Protocol 225 West Laurel Avenue, Foley 251-943-2471 • DrDaytonHart.com Free book for new patients: M e rc u r y F re e D e n t i s t r y . Offering ozone; laser (nosuture) gum surgery; testing for compatible materials and cavitycausing bacteria; examine for gum disease and bacteria; laser cavity diagnoses; saliva pH check; oral galvanic screening; no fluoride used. See ad, page 2.

you miss our 2013 annual Healthy and Green Healthy& Did Living Directory last month? Contact us to find out

GREEN Living