July 2023 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

PUBLISHER Michelle Smith

EDITOR Julie Peterson

AD MANAGEMENT Gabrielle W-Perillo

LAYOUT DESIGN Melanie Rankin

SALES & DISTRIBUTION Veronica Miller 251-422-9114

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J is for July; J is for Juxtaposition

D ear Friends,

July marks the mid-point of the year. Perhaps it’s a good time to reflect on accomplishments in the first half and plan for the second half—either to stay on track or get back on track.

July is also time to celebrate freedom in the U.S. Despite some unresolved issues, this country is still the best place in the world to find life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And the Gulf Coast is the best of the best!

I am celebrating a new pursuit I started two years ago as publisher of Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast. When I was introduced to this wonderful periodical, I was not looking to be a magazine publisher. I had just transitioned from training endurance triathletes to coaching men and women to improve their healthspan to be closer to their lifespan. Lifespan is the total number of years we live, whereas healthspan is how many of those years we remain healthy and free from disease.

As a Certified Health & Wellness Coach and the Publisher of a regional health & wellness magazine, my top personal goal is for my healthspan to equal my lifespan, but it takes work. In the same way, it took a lot of work to complete an Ironman Triathlon. But, at the time, I was training Ironman athletes and I wanted to better serve them by going through all the necessary discipline, conditioning and sacrifice that I was asking of them. Talk the talk, walk the walk.

In 2013, I completed Ironman Florida in 13+ hours. I swam 2.4, cycled 112 and ran 26.2 miles: 140.6 total! Now, going into the 7th decade of life and my 3rd career, I want to continue to walk the walk and do so with the help of holistic practices and practitioners right here in the pages of Natural Awakenings. My husband and I eat whole, organic foods, limit sugar, exercise 180 minutes (or more) weekly, strength train, sleep eight (or more) hours per night, take part in daily spiritual practices and have fun. Today my blood pressure was 116 over 76. Not bad.

We can stay committed to maintaining a healthspan to equal our lifespan by first living life with intent and purpose. Second, continuing to learn about the body, its limitlessness and its best fuel. Third, finding the best experts to teach us about all of that along with new things like bio-technology and other amazing methodologies to care for ourselves that are constantly being invented, discovered or rediscovered. If this interests you, be sure to go back and read the June article with Dr. Mark Hyman on “Living Healthy to 100 and Beyond.”

Why do we want to live ‘Healthy to 100’? I do it because I want to be around in 10, 20, 30 years to get down on the floor, swim in the pool, go to the park, to play with my grandchildren. I want to watch them grow and prosper. I love those little nuggets of joy!

May God bless you and keep you,

•

Michelle Smith, Publisher

A Life-Changing Therapy

Hypnotherapy Helps Release Trauma, Toxicity, Negative Thoughts

Elements Massage

Channeling the Healing and Restorative Power of Massage Therapy

Mary Beth Svatek, Certified Hypnotherapist, offers hypnosis and coaching for clients to remove barriers to good health and to access strengths to find peace, joy and wellness. Hypnotherapy offers help with anxiety, pain, repetitive habits, cycles of failure or abuse, smoking, weight loss and finding divine purpose.

Svatek believes that today’s culture encourages people to hold tightly to trauma rather than releasing it. “When we hold onto our pain, we relinquish our personal power to live our best life. We all have only so much space to hold our energy. It’s crucial to choose what and who we allow to occupy that space,” she says. “By releasing trauma, toxicity, negative thoughts and emotions, we create space for the things that facilitate our best life. Our bodies and minds are ‘garbage in, garbage out’ so we manifest what we put into both.”

Svatek developed The Energy Model of Therapeutic Change (EMTC) in the 1990s and offers certification training accredited by the IMDHA for life coaches and therapists to become EMTC practitioners.

“The EMTC is a life changing technique…refined across three decades after observing that my clients improved their quality of life and outcomes by addressing the mind-body connection and stopping the ‘bleeds’ and bringing in more ‘feeds.’ In my 20-year career as a counselor, I observed clients getting worse while root causes were ignored. More than not, the path to wellness is within reach but it starts with building a strong bodily foundation,” Svatek says.

Contact: The Psycho-Energetic Institute at 251-300-9912. EnergyModelofChange.com. See ad, page 26.

ElementsMassage was founded in Colorado with the intention to provide a truly customized therapeutic massage to every client. By listening and communicating with clients prior to every session, Elements Massage studio therapists tailor sessions to meet specific needs. The therapists combine their skills and abilities to perform the massage that is needed and wanted. That’s “The Elements Way.”

Claudia McClure, a retired nurse, and her daughter Elizabeth Murphy, a massage therapist, opened Elements Massage Mobile in 2008. “Elements started franchising in 2006 and I was drawn to their business model based on individualized therapeutic massage,” explains McClure. “Communication about your therapeutic needs begins when the appointment is scheduled. You describe what you want and what you expect. The studio matches you with a therapist with the appropriate skill set.”

The Elements Way continues during the massage. The therapist conducts regular check-ins and pressure adjustments throughout the session to ensure the massage therapy received meets expectations from beginning to end.

“The Elements Way allows studio therapists to best channel the healing and restorative power of massage therapy as a vital component of ongoing health and wellness,” says Murphy. “More than a traditional massage, it’s a specialized approach to massage therapy that ensures an experience steeped in relaxation and rejuvenation.”

“Elements Massage only does massage. Our therapists provide a massage that is responsive to your individual needs; resulting in a better massage for you,” says McClure.

Location: 6920 Airport Blvd., Ste. 111, Mobile, AL. 251-342-6415. ElementsMassage.com/Mobile. See ad, page 17.

All Are Welcome, We Get You

Spiritual Awakening Center 360 (SAC360) is an inclusive spiritual community of truth seekers in Daphne, Alabama, dedicated to recreating themselves and therefore the world, by consciously focusing on the divine integration of spirit, mind and body. Their belief is that every human being is an expression of the living God and their purpose is to teach universal principles of truth, as demonstrated by Jesus the Christ and other spiritual teachers, to co-create a world that works for everyone.

According to SAC360 Board President, Renee Adcock, “God is LOVE and God's love is unconditional. God is within us and is expressed in each person as the Christ consciousness. All humans are now and always have been safely surrounded in God's Love without fear. Every individual being is their true and perfect self.”

On Sundays at 10:30 a.m., join SAC360 in person or streaming @Facebook.com/SAC360.org for music, message and encouragement.

Every second and fourth Sunday at noon, “A Course in Miracles” meets to teach how to see the world through the eyes of love instead of fear.

Wednesdays, 6 p.m., at Summer Moon Coffee in Daphne, SAC360 offers coffee or tea and spiritual conversations. Spiritual questions from all points of view are discussed in an open and loving conversation.

“We believe the presence of God is found within all living beings,” says Adcock. “We are grateful to see humanity awaken to its spiritual magnificence.”

Location: 25369 Hwy 98, Daphne Co-Work Atrium, Daphne, AL 36526.

For more information: 251-289-1038, info@sac360.org, SAC360.org. Facebook.com/SAC360.org. See listing, page 40.

SomatIQTM Breathwork liberates you from unprocessed stress and overwhelm in your body so that you become free in your mind. It’s an experience that takes you out of your thinking mind and into your body’s electrical network via two common breathing techniques, so you are able to release unneeded energy.

Book your session or discovery call today!

galdzer/DepositPhotos.com

River Rock Yoga and Pilates A Consistent Sanctuary for

Community, Yoga and Wellness

River Rock Yoga and Pilates in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, has been serving the Gulf Coast since 2006, opening right after hurricane Katrina. Owner and director, Moira Anderson, has devoted her life to this haven for peace, well-being and connection. She sees yoga as an ancient stabilizing practice, teaching self-mastery and discipline, improving mental and physical health and emphasizing techniques to calm the mind. River Rock Yoga is a center for community, where students and teachers feel like family in the beautiful, relaxing and comforting space. People gather for classes several times each day to move, breathe and connect back to the present moment.

The studio has expanded, now offering over 25 classes a week, mental health services, massage and reiki, workshops, concerts and community events. Ground-breaking recently took place for The Mississippi Center for Yoga and Health, which includes expanded studio space, a hot yoga room, massage, water therapies, ayurvedic nutrition, expanded mental health services and a healthy food restaurant.

Anderson has been teaching yoga for 23 years and is a licensed mental health professional with a master’s degree in social work. Her dream to create a space for community healing was realized with River Rock, which stands for two elements that inspire her: water and earth.

“Yoga philosophy teaches that two things are needed to make progress on the yogic path: the balance between persistent practice and letting go of results. As practitioners, yogis cultivate steadiness like a rock and fluidity like water. It is not power that allows water to cut through rock, it is persistence,” explains Anderson.

Location: 2429 W. Commerce St., Ste. C, Ocean Springs, MS 39534. 228-365-3191. RiverRockYoga.com. See ad, page 8.

Close Relationships May Influence Physical Well-Being

A new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science has found that a person’s close relationships may either benefit or undermine physical health. The three-week study involving 4,005 participants looked at how both positive and negative relationship experiences affect the body, and how daily fluctuations in those interactions may influence changes in well-being, as reflected in self-reported stress levels and coping abilities, as well as blood pressure and heart rate reactivity biomarkers.

The researchers observed that people with more positive experiences and fewer negative ones reported lower stress, improved coping skills and better physical functioning. They also noted that ups and downs in negative relationships were especially predictive of outcomes like stress, coping and overall systolic blood pressure.

Seniors Want Fewer Prescriptions

Mislabeled Melatonin Gummies

New research published in JAMA Network found that melatonin gummies may contain far more of the dietary sleep aid supplement than what is indicated on the label. Researchers from Cambridge Health Alliance and the University of Mississippi analyzed 25 different melatonin gummies and found that 22 contained a greater amount of melatonin than stated on the label. One product contained only three-quarters of the amount advertised on the label, another contained 347 percent more than what was listed, and one product contained no detectable melatonin.

These concerns come on the heels of a 2022 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which found a 530 percent increase in the number of accidental pediatric ingestions of melatonin reported to U.S. poison control centers over the last decade, resulting in 27,795 emergency department and clinic visits, 4,097 hospitalizations, 287 intensive care unit admissions and two deaths. Most ingestions were unintentional (94.3 percent). Among those children with reported symptoms from accidental melatonin ingestion, most involved the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular or central nervous systems.

willing to stop taking one or more drugs if their healthcare provider said it was possible, and 26 percent had already stopped taking at least one drug they had been taking for more than a year. When asked which meds they would be most interested in stopping, 43 percent named their heart disease pills for high blood pressure or high cholesterol, 13 percent mentioned diabetes medicines and 10 percent included pain management prescriptions.

In a new National Poll on Healthy Aging by the University of Michigan involving adults aged 50 to 80, the vast majority of respondents expressed an interest in cutting back on prescription medications. Eighty percent would be

These results reflect a growing trend dubbed “deprescribing”. According to Deprescribing.org, a researcher-led online resource, it is the planned process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be of benefit or could be causing harm. The goal is to reduce medication burden or harm while improving quality of life. Seniors interested in cutting down on the drugs they are taking should consult their healthcare provider to ensure it is safe and helpful to do so.

Angel Alexis LunaLarios/ShutterStock.com

Photo by 13MoonsPublishingServices.com

Effects of Cannabis Use Before and After Surgery

In January 2023, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine published guidelines recommending that all patients undergoing anesthesia be screened and questioned about cannabis use, including how much and how often they use, how they take it and when they last used it.

One of the largest studies on the effects of cannabis use on sedation, published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, looked at 250 patients undergoing an endoscopy while under anesthesia. Those that reported regular cannabis use required significantly higher doses of anesthesia than nonusers. Another study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found that daily cannabis users required a higher dose of sedatives prior to an endoscopy than weekly or monthly users.

On a related note, a 2018 study published in the journal Patient Safety in Surgery reported that marijuana use may interfere with painkillers after surgery. The study looked at 261 trauma center patients and concluded that marijuana use, especially chronic use, may affect the pain response to injury and require higher doses of opioids for pain management.

omatic Breathwork uses breathing techniques to release unneeded energy within the body’s electrical network.

Somatic Breathwork Respira With Morgan S

“It liberates people from the stress and overwhelm that lies unprocessed in our body so that we become free in our mind,” says Morgan Tyner, currently the only certified Somatic Breathwork practitioner in Alabama and Mississippi. “It’s an embodiment experience that takes you out of your thinking mind and into your body’s electrical network that truly gives you back the power and reminds your body that breathing is a natural tool for self-regulation to maintain a state of calm and self-awareness. Breathwork is an ancient medicine that is of the body, natural and God-given.”

About a year ago, Somatic Breathwork found Tyner. After a busy career in the blogging industry, she realized that hustle and showing up was what mattered most. Sleep, friends, family, rest and self-care were not valued in the industry. “Your respect in the industry was primarily based on that hustle,” recalls Tyner. But last year, she had a realization that this hustle mindset may have helped her reach success, but it couldn’t lead her to where she wanted to be. She was terrified.

“My husband and I spent last summer living in Sevilla, Spain. While there, I had a lot of time to reflect. I felt incredibly dissociated from my body. Coming back to Fairhope from Spain, I felt more mis-aligned than ever,” says Tyner. “One afternoon, I got on YouTube and came across a daily fiveminute Somatic Breathwork Meditation. I felt the Holy Spirit loudly say, ‘click play, Morgan.’ So, I did.” It changed her life.

Now a fully trained and certified Somatic Breathwork practitioner, Tyner offers guided breathwork sessions in both English and Spanish and feels it is a great honor to hold space for people in such a sacred, freeing modality. “This work is truly a way to help people reconnect inward and heal,” she says.

Tyner’s business, Respira with Morgan, offers one-on-one or group sessions either inperson or virtual. In addition, she does small business and corporate wellness sessions. “I am thrilled to announce that in-person live events will be coming in the near future around the Eastern Shore and beyond,” adds Tyner.

Learn more about live events by joining the email newsletter: MorganTyner.com/ thereroot or book a Somatic Breathwork session: Morgan@morgantyner.com. 901-581-0434. See ad, page 7.

Repairing the Planet’s Lungs

Colombia Protects Its Birds

Colombia has the most bird species in the world—1,966 registered species, or 20 percent of all birds worldwide— and has updated its strategy for protecting this rich avian life, affecting all birds that inhabit the country at some point in their annual life cycle. The goal is to conserve and sustainably manage bird diversity, habitats and ecosystems by the generation of knowledge, scientific research and its application, the active participation of different sectors, policy and planning. The strategy focuses on 11 different Colombian ecosystems from the high Andean forests to savannas, grasslands and coastal areas.

The oceans, sometimes called the lungs of the Earth, have absorbed 30 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since the Industrial Revolution and captured 90 percent of the related excess heat. Seawater stores about 150 times more CO2 than air. Unfortunately, absorbing all that greenhouse gas has damaged sea life.

Engineers from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed a process to cleanse the seawater of CO2 so it can store greater amounts of greenhouse gases. The process sends an electric charge into seawater flowing through tanks on a barge. The charge sets off chemical reactions to trap the greenhouse gas into a solid mineral, which is then deposited on the ocean floor, completing the cleansing process.

The engineers expect to design larger facilities based on the data obtained from their test sites in Los Angeles and Singapore and have commercial sites removing millions of tons of CO2 per year by 2025. The UCLA scientists estimate that 1,800 facilities would be needed to capture 10 billion tons of atmospheric CO2 annually beginning in 2050, thereby limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

This exhaustive process in the renewal of Colombia’s avian protection strategy involved more than 30 workshops and 2,000 people from every region of the country. Input from indigenous peoples and others generated practical conservation actions in their territories, as well as ancestral knowledge and an appreciation for the special connections these communities have with birds in their daily lives, resulting in a strategy that prioritizes the relationships between people and birds.

Change before you have to. ~Jack Welch

Artem Pachkovskyi/ShutterStock.com

Saving the Fading Night Sky

Solar Community Hubs

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History "Lights Out" exhibit, in Washington, D.C., is helping people understand that light pollution is a global problem with broad impact. The effects of light pollution go beyond our diminishing view of the stars; it also impacts ecosystems and cultures on Earth.

The exhibit features more than 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, a history of human-made light, interactive experiences, tactile models and a theater program to discover why dark nights matter, rekindle a connection with the night sky and consider how much light at night is enough.

Astronomers rely on light, both visible and invisible, to understand celestial bodies, and their view of the universe has become increasingly obstructed by artificial light. Biologists have observed light pollution’s toll on plants and animals—from harming coral reefs’ moonlight-triggered reproduction to bats’ ability to pollinate flowers and the grim consequences of disoriented migrating birds. Another area of the exhibition presents people’s ancient and modern-day connections to the night sky through photographs, stories and cultural items.

Visitors also learn about simple but meaningful actions they can take to reduce light pollution, such as aiming outdoor lights downward and using the dimmest settings.

Nearly half of the world’s population has no access to the internet. Dell Technologies, in partnership with Computer Aid International, is addressing the gap for people that might benefit the most. They convert old shipping containers into customizable, solar-powered internet centers, called “solar community hubs”, that connect community members to the digital world. The hubs are well-lit, well-ventilated classrooms that use energy-efficient Dell technology and air-cooled servers. Each hub supports up to 40 people at a time and offers up to 20 users a wireless connection to learning materials.

The hubs provide digital skills to further education and open economic opportunities for the local community; allow micro and small enterprises to create jobs; and enable financial sustainability by offering services and products that go beyond education, such as telemedicine.

The first hub was placed in the Brazilian Amazon town of Boa Esperança in March 2022. Dell and the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability also installed equipment, including drones and environmental monitors, to track deforestation in the area. During the first week of March 2023, more than 200 alerts about tree loss were posted from Boa Esperança. Three hubs currently exist in Brazil and South Africa, and Dell will soon add two hubs in Egypt that are focused on career and life skills, as well as another in Australia, centered on preserving and protecting Aboriginal art and culture.

Loved. Heard. Important.

THE MICROBIOME CONNECTION

HOW SOIL AND HUMAN HEALTH ARE RELATED

by Kelcie Ottoes

Photo by Rodale Institute

The human gut microbiome, which is critical to fighting off disease, and soil microbiome, which enables plant growth, are vitally important to maintaining all life on our planet. These two communities of microorganisms are indirectly connected in important ways, and researchers are trying to find out more about their interplay.

Human Microbiome

The human gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms of different species. These microbes help to digest food, synthesize vitamins and other important compounds, regulate our immune system and even influence behavior and mood.

The gut microbiome includes both helpful and potentially harmful microbiota that coexist peacefully in a healthy person. But certain diets, or the use of antibiotics or other bacteriadestroying medications, can upset the balance, a state known as dysbiosis, which can impair the microbiome’s functions, leaving the body susceptible to disease.

Soil Microbiome

The soil microbiome has many parallels to the human gut scenario. It consists of bacteria, fungi, archaea and viruses—microorganisms that play an important role in maintaining the health of the soil. They do this by breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients and protecting crops against harmful pathogens.

Regenerative organic farming practices that promote biodiversity and disdain the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers develop robust soil that is rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes. In such settings, farmers don’t need to use chemicals, because the microbiome creates disease-resistant soil to fight off threats.

The Nutrition Link

While a direct link between the soil microbiome and the gut microbiome has yet to be proven, soil certainly impacts our health through our diet. A diverse and active soil microbiome is responsible for supporting plant growth. Plants then provide us with the nutrients that our gut microbiome needs to thrive, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E, K and the B complex.

Dan Kittredge, founder of The Bionutrient Institute, explains, “The sophistication of the soil microbiome is connected to the nutritional value of the food that’s produced. The healthier the [soil] microbiome, the healthier the food.” The use of fertilizers and pesticides does not directly produce less nutritious food, but rather their impact on the health of the soil microbiome can impact the crops’ nutritional value.

There is a hypothesis that food has become less nutritious since the mid-1900s. In a 2004 study, University of Texas scientists examined the nutritional value of 43 garden crops from 1950 to 1999 and found that while all 43 foods showed a statistically reliable decline in nutrition, it was likely due to cultivating plants with desired traits, such as larger sizes, faster growing rates and increased pest resistance. It wasn’t the soil that was the problem, but that growers had not prioritized breeding crops for higher nutritional value.

The Promise of Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Led by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which includes organizations and brands like Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia, the Regenerative Organic Certified farms and products meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness. The idea is to create farm systems that work in harmony with nature to improve quality of life for every creature involved. The Regenerative Organic Certified framework is designed to go above and beyond the USDA Certified Organic seal. To date, 134 farms and more than 47,000 smallholder farmers totaling almost 880,000 acres are Regenerative Organic Certified. Nearly 100 brands offer Regenerative Organic Certified products on the market. Under Regenerative Organic Certified standards, soil health is promoted by including a variety of rotating crops, cover crops, no tillage, no synthetic inputs, no genetically modified seeds and rotationally grazed animals. Farms that follow these protocols become biodiverse ecosystems with organically rich soil that absorbs water, does not erode over time and produces safe, nutritious food. Learn more at RegenOrganic.org.

Photo by Rodale Institute

According to Jack Gilbert, a pediatrics professor at the University of California San Diego and co-founder of the Earth Microbiome Project and the American Gut Project, “There is an indirect relationship between a healthy soil microbiome and healthy gut microbiome. While we need healthy soils to grow plants, a healthy soil microbiome does not equal a healthy gut microbiome.”

He explains, “The link is really about diet in the gut microbiome. Precision nutrition is the idea that how we all respond to food is unique, and that we can predict those responses if we understand what kinds of bacteria are in the gut. This is because the gut microbiome varies between people, and those same gut microbes can mediate how food influences our physiology. Eating a healthy diet can have a profound impact on reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases.”

The nutritional value of food is more complicated than the quality of the soil in which the crops grow. It is also impacted by the processing of the food. As Kittredge notes, when the bran in wheat is removed—a common process that turns flour white— wheat loses much of its nutritional value.

Unprocessed foods allow us to access more of the nutrients within them.

Digging in the Soil

There is another way that soil microbes can benefit human health: spending time in nature. Exposure to the soil microbiome has been shown to stimulate the immune system. When outside, we are exposed to a diverse array of microorganisms that increase disease resistance and provide neurological benefits.

Gilbert has largely built a career on the benefits of getting his hands dirty. He is currently conducting a study to find out how giving children two hours of outdoor learning a day can impact their metabolic health and help them avoid diseases. According to Kittredge, playing in the dirt isn’t just for kids. “It is beneficial to expose ourselves to soil microbes,” he says. “Everyone should nature bathe.”

“Exposure to soil microbes, like Mycobacterium vaccae, can positively impact our physical and mental health,” says Kathleen DiChiara, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner and digestive wellness educator. “We are losing diversity and not getting the exposure we used to.” She points out that the gut microbiomes of urban citizens in the U.S. have lower bacterial diversity than those in rural societies, including hunter-gatherers from Tanzania and the Amazon.

While diet, lifestyle and genetics play a role in the host-specific differences, the microbiome composition in adults is also based on exposure to microbes in the environment. According to DiChiara, there is no perfect profile for the gut microbiome, and our gut microbial communities ebb and flow. “If a specific strain of bacteria suddenly disappears, perhaps due to an illness, another species can take on its task,” she explains. “Like nature, it’s about working together on our behalf.”

Diversity, richness and symbiotic behavior of the gut microbes are central to our well-being. DiChiara notes that many variables can negatively impact the gut microbiome. Some result from the choices we make voluntarily, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, eating ultraprocessed foods, being chronically stressed

Photo by Rodale Institute

Photo by Rodale Institute

and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Other factors are beyond our control, such as neurological injuries, illnesses and hormonal shifts due to puberty or menopause.

Human Impact on Soil Health

The soil microbiome and the gut microbiome both need our support to maintain proper health. Although our gut microbiome may not be directly impacted by the health of soil microbes, it can be impacted by the pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in our food.

Degradation of the soil microbiome occurs in many ways. Tillage, bare soil, dry soil, fertilizer, chemical sprays and fungicides all harm the soil microbiome. These non-regenerative agricultural practices can have negative impacts on the health of individuals that eat the plants and on the health of the broader ecosystems.

Chemicals like glyphosate can damage the gut microbiome by creating oxidative stress, which agitates the microbiome and impedes its ability to function properly. Pesticides can also have a detrimental impact on the gut microbiome. Each year the United States uses 1 billion pounds of pesticides that may be damaging our bodies when we eat our veggies. “What we are not doing is prioritizing protecting the microbiome—for us and the soil. It’s time we recognize the interconnections between climate, soil and the gut,” DiChiara says. There are multiple ways we can cultivate a closer, healthier relationship between our soil and our gut, such as supporting sustainable agriculture, avoiding processed foods, frequenting farmers markets for organic produce or spending time in nature. Better yet, Kittredge suggests planting a pesticide-free garden at home and eating carrots straight from the soil.

Kelcie Ottoes is a copywriter and content creator specializing in sustainability and environmental topics.

Photo by Rodale Institute

Green Exercise RECONNECTING WITH NATURE

by Cristina Parker

For some fitness buffs, it doesn’t feel like exercise unless they’re at the gym lifting weights, pedaling the stationary bike or hearing the grunts of others giving it their all. But there’s an emerging trend taking hold: green exercise. Prompted by a growing focus on reconnecting with nature, combined with the well-known benefits of physical exertion, outdoor workouts in natural settings and urban parks are all the rage.

From daily walks around the neighborhood to calisthenics with the aid of a tree or yoga on the beach, the possibilities are delightfully endless for all ages and fitness levels. Medical pros are prescribing it for science-based reasons.

Green exercise is not exactly a new concept. In a 2013 review of studies published in Extreme Physiology & Medicine, researchers concluded that physical activity in a natural setting as opposed to an indoor gym is perceived as easier and more fun, thereby boosting motivation. They wrote, “The nature element may help achieve a greater intensity of exercise without perception of effort changing.” In other words, people walk faster outdoors yet paradoxically feel as though they’re kicking back.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture found a positive correlation between green space and health. People that spend time in nature often experience a reduction in stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension and heart rate—all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology involving obese young people confirmed that exercising in nature led to improved stress recovery, enhanced attentional restoration and a reduction in negative emotions.

Exposure to sunlight is another benefit. According to Dr. Natty Bandasak, a physical therapist and founder of The Myokinetix Clinic, in New Jersey, “Getting vitamin D from the sun is much more impactful than the vitamin D absorbed from ingestible supplements. Just 10 minutes

spent outside first thing in the morning can really set the day in a good direction.”

To maximize the benefits of green exercise, Rajeshwari Reddy, a physical therapist in Maryland, suggests a few precautions. “If you have any kind of vision issues, you should exercise midday when there is enough light to keep yourself safe, and if you suffer from seasonal allergies, try to avoid areas with flowering plants or trees,” she explains. “Standard walking shoes are different from running shoes, and the body mechanics of different activities require different levels of shock absorption. These often-overlooked components of an outdoor exercise routine can go a long way to keep you safe, avoid unnecessary injuries and ensure you are having fun with your new program.”

After choosing a suitable time and location, the next step is deciding what exercises to do. Dr. Christine Masterson, a physical therapist at Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group, in New York, says, “For those who desire supervision, joining a local walking or running group is an excellent option. Alternatively, for those who prefer independence, a self-paced exercise routine is recommended.”

Both Masterson and Bandasak describe bodyweight-supported exercises as a perfect outdoor-friendly, equipment-free workout. Moving against gravity uses the person’s weight as a natural form of resistance. As a result, no dumbbells or resistance bands are required. Pick a nice spot in the grass, on the sand or under a shaded treat and do sit-ups, heel raises, push-ups and squats.

Masterson suggests pairing calisthenics with walking. A sample routine could include a brisk walk to the park, followed by squats sitting and standing from a bench, then another brisk walk to a wooded area, followed by heel raises holding onto a tree trunk for balance. “In a bodyweight program, you can focus more on your form and movement pattern, then you can progress these exercises by increasing repetitions, rather than adding weights,” she notes.

Bandasak asserts that aerobic exercises like walking, jogging or hiking can be optimized by adding a grip challenge. “One factor strongly correlated with increased longevity is grip strength,” he explains. “Grip can be strengthened through your ability to hold onto objects like a pull-up bar at a playground or stable tree branch in nature. If those items are not available, just holding any heavy objects by your sides as you walk can be beneficial.”

A key, take-home message when beginning any green-exercise program is to keep an open mind. There are so many activities we can enjoy outdoors. Reddy considers green exercise anything that gets the heart rate going, which can include diverse activities like golf, gardening in the backyard or swimming in a lake.

While getting the blood pumping, remember to breathe in the fresh air, listen to the songbirds and soak up the summer sunshine. Masterson is a proponent of outside yoga to refocus the mind and deeply reconnect with our surroundings.

Cristina Parker, a researcher, health content writer, educator and clinician specializing in neurologic disorders, limb-loss rehabilitation and adaptive sports techniques, holds a doctorate in physical therapy.

Anne Biklé

ON THE ADVANTAGES OF REGENERATIVE FARMING

by Linda Sechrist

Anne Biklé and David R. Montgomery, a husband and wife team, collaborated to write What Your Food Ate: How to Heal Our Land and Reclaim Our Health. A biologist, environmental planner and gardener extraordinaire, Biklé earned degrees in biology and natural history from the University of California (UC) Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from UC Berkeley. She uses her endless fascination with the natural world to explore the tangled relationships between people and their environments. She also helped Montgomery, a professor of Earth and space sciences at the University of Washington, research and write The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health, as well as Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life. Explor-

ing the connection between soil health and human health, the duo shows us how the roots of our good health begin on farms.

Why did you write this book?

It was a case of evolution, a progression of our research and thinking, as well as the culmination of a journey that we’ve been on, looking into how soils affect human societies. When you’re a writer and you’re constantly looking for connections and patterns, this is what can happen. When David was writing Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations, he discovered that how we treated the land in the past shaped the way that the land was able to treat the descendants of people. In other words, if you don’t take care of your land, it doesn’t take care of you.

What effects do soil erosion and degradation have on our food supply?

In looking at the UN’s “Status of the World’s Soil Resources" from 2015, the study concludes that 33 percent of the Earth’s soils are already degraded, and we’re losing about 0.3 percent of our ability to feed ourselves—to grow food on this planet every year—due to soil erosion and soil degradation. That doesn’t sound like a big number in any one year, but adding it up over the rest of this century, it comes to 30 percent of our ability to feed ourselves. Adding to this is the serious degradation

of the world’s agricultural land from longterm farming practices, such as tilling or plowing, which is the villain in what is becoming a significant planetary problem that can be reversed with regenerative farming practices.

The plow is one of the more destructive implements that mankind has ever invented despite its ability to help feed us in the past. It contributes to soil degradation and erosion because it fundamentally alters the balance between how fast soils are being made and how fast they’re being lost.

What are the benefits of regenerative farming practices?

Regenerative agriculture uses less fertilizer, less pesticide and less fossil fuel. It also increases the carbon content in the soil. Carbon-rich soil retains more water and contains more life, such as whole new worlds of microbial metabolites [the energy and nutrients needed to live and reproduce] that come from soil microbes.

Do farming practices influence the health of crops and human health?

Conventional farming practices use synthetic nitrogen, which degrades organic soil matter and alters the communities of life in the soil. In studies of organic versus conventional, we’ve found that there’s almost always evidence that there are differences in micronutrients and phytochemicals, with organic crops having higher levels of both. Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals that we need in trace amounts for our health— for example, selenium, boron, zinc and iron—which we need just a little bit of, but that little bit has an oversized effect on our health.

Conventional crops almost always have higher levels of pesticides and heavy metals. There’s a lot of controversy scientifically about how much is enough to affect human health. The companies that make pesticides assure us that the levels in food are perfectly safe. But there are now

scientists who are starting to investigate chronic exposure to even small amounts over a whole lifetime. How much does that influence our health? We think there are reasons to keep asking those questions. It is highly suggestive that the idea of a connection between soil health, crop health and animal health translates into what’s in our food. If we’re getting more vitamins, phytochemicals and mineral micronutrients, which are shown to support health, you can make the argument that these regeneratively grown foods are probably healthier for us to eat.

What influence do farming practices have on livestock and human health?

The nature of what ruminants eat greatly influences the nature of the fats that are in meat and dairy. Livestock grazing on leafy green plants are getting an omega3-rich diet. Ruminants that eat predominantly seed- or seed oil-derived rations in a feed lot are getting a mainly omega6-derived diet. Omega-6 fats help trigger inflammation. We want our bodies to be able to trigger inflammation when we need it, but we also want it to turn off when it’s done. Inflammation is not a process that just stops, so we need omega-3 fats, which are central to the process of terminating or quelling inflammation.

Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings publications for 20 years.

July’s guide to local healthy food in Baldwin County

AGAPÉ JUICES

Nourishing your body, mind and spirit. Fountain Plaza Shopping Center

3782 South McKenzie St., Foley, AL Agape-Juices.com

AHI SEAFOOD MARKET

Fairhope Gourmet Market. Guaranteed fresh and highest quality seafood, beef and pork.

18874 S. Section St., Fairhope, AL 251-517-7533 • AhiSeafoodMarket.com

COASTAL ALABAMA FARMERS & FISHERMENS MARKET

Committed to Baldwin County’s local community & agriculture.

781 Farmers Market Ln., Foley, AL CoastalAlabamaMarket.com

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

Homegrown in the South since 1975.

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center Fairhope, AL • 251-928-0644 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

FAIRHOPE JUICE COMPANY

Nourish the body. Fuel the soul. Battles Wharf Market

18327 Scenic Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL FairhopeJuiceCompany.com

LOCALS FAIRHOPE

Quaint, mom-n-pop eatery providing healthy eats in a casual atmosphere. 312 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL LocalsFairhope.com

MCKENZIE FARMS

Family-owned market supplying fresh produce and more to our community.

17558 A Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL MckenzieFarmMarket.com

OHANA POKE

Poke combines ingredients of a delicious sushi roll into a quick meal.

561 Fairhope Ave. #102, Fairhope, AL OPFairhope.com

OX KITCHEN

Made with fresh ingredients in-house daily, approachable, not intimidating.

365 S. Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL TheOxKitchen.com

SAFARI CLUB AT ALABAMA

GULF COAST ZOO

Unique casual & fine dining, green certified, family oriented and “wild”.

20499 Oak Rd. E., Gulf Shores, AL AlabamaGulfCoastZoo.com • 251-256-7007

SAGE LEBANESE CUISINE & CAFÉ

A surprising blend of traditional and new Mediterranean & Lebanese cuisine.

319 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL SageLebaneseCuisine.com

SUNFLOWER CAFÉ FAIRHOPE

Offering a healthy dining experience in a cozy, casual environment. 320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

THE HAPPY OLIVE

Be happy, eat healthy, live well. Taste and experience culinary delight! 314 De La Mare Ave., Fairhope, AL HappyOlive4.com

THE INTERNATIONAL GOAT

Always fresh, all-natural ingredients prepared to melt in your mouth. Located inside Piggly Wiggly 100 Plantation Pointe Rd., Fairhope, AL Call ahead to order, 251-928-0239

TWO SISTERS BAKERY & DELI

Gluten-free, keto-friendly options, featuring Boar’s Head meats & cheeses. 19452 Scenic Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL 251-517-0622

WAREHOUSE BAKERY & DONUTS

A neighborhood eatery serving made-fromscratch, vegan friendly, gluten-free goodness 759 Nichols Ave., Fairhope, AL WarehouseBakeryAndDonuts.com

WILDFLOWERS & FRESH FOOD

Simple and colorful high-vibe cooking classes, events and fresh recipes. 251-656-9112

WildFlowersAndFreshFood.com

For an online list of local healthy food sources, visit NAGulfCoast.com/ healthyeats.

Hues of Health

BENEFITS OF A COLORFUL DIET

by Veronica Hinke

Eating plant-based foods from every hue in the rainbow provides an exceptional array of health benefits. Rich in essential vitamins, minerals and fiber, vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables also contain phytonutrients such as antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids and polyphenols that contribute to the color, flavor and aroma of such foods. There are thousands of phytonutrients and, according to a 2022 review of clinical studies published in Nutrients, these natural chemical compounds “play an important role in the prevention of serious chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension, along with different types of cancer or degenerative diseases.”

From a culinary perspective, colorful, plant-based foods add pops of color and flavor to a dish, and simple techniques can transform uber-nutritious fruits and veggies into crave-worthy delights. From tasty spreads and luscious dressings to pungent pickling recipes and rich soups, eating the rainbow can be a scrumptious and sustainable everyday lifestyle.

Keeping a medley of wholesome choices in the house is a good tactic to help a family adopt a rainbow-based diet. According to Registered Dietitian Olga Kras, “Not any single fruit or vegetable provides all of the nutrients we need. Making a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables visible increases the likelihood that they will be part of a daily routine.”

BONUS RECIPES AT NAGULFCOAST.COM

SUMMER BROCCOLI SOUP W/ HERB CROUTONS MARINATED BEETS AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

When her children were younger, instead of giving them sugary treats, she would cut fruits and vegetables into shapes with cookie cutters. “They loved opening their lunch boxes to find the fun shapes,” she recalls, noting the allure of visually pleasing treats.

As the first-century Roman Apicius said, “We eat first with our eyes.”

According to Sarah Stegner, co-owner and chef of Prairie Grass Cafe, in Northbrook, Illinois, “Food is medicine. It is what lifts us up. When we allow ourselves to get run-down or we are tired, that is when we are the most vulnerable, and we reach for that highly processed, packaged thing. That’s when we compromise, and compromise leads to long-term illness.”

Dwayne Watson/ShutterStock.com

Stegner compares food shopping to a trip to an art store for the artist that is about to paint a rainbow. “Center yourself,” she counsels. “Don’t put anything into the cart that shouldn’t be eaten. The key word is choice. If people don’t understand and realize what the choices they have are—for example, what herbs are and how to use them—then that is not a choice for them when they go home to cook a meal.”

“It’s just fun to have foods that are colorful,” says Erin Hoogendyk, a cooking instructor at Grebe’s Chef Center, in Wausau, Wisconsin, whose favorite flavor accents are onions, lemons and limes, as well as a panoply of herbs, including basil, rosemary, chives, parsley and mint. To add color and nutrition to everyday salads, she tosses in blueberries or dresses them with homemade vinaigrettes made with strawberries and balsamic.

Hoogendyk recommends farmers markets, individual farm stands and community-supported agriculture subscriptions to discover the freshest, in-season ingredients. When it comes to cooking and putting meals together, a sense of adventure and enjoyment is paramount, she says. Her coleslaw recipe includes red and green onions, radishes and red cabbage. “I don’t like coleslaw to be boring,” she quips, adding that her next project is to pickle an ingredient she has never pickled before: celery. “I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

For those wanting to optimize their rainbow-based diets, “testing can help people understand how to best support their biology and determine what their bodies need,” says Dr. Véronique Desaulniers, a chiropractor and author of Heal Breast Cancer Naturally. She recommends the DNA test kit and whole-body health report from Nutrition Genome to pinpoint which foods to enjoy or avoid, depending on genetic weaknesses. Close monitoring of blood sugar levels is also important, she notes, as daily glucose and insulin spikes “can turn on cancer-causing genes and cancer-causing pathways.”

Veronica Hinke is a food historian and author of The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable Drinking, Dining and Style Learn more at FoodStringer.com.

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER MUSHROOM STEAKS

This dish can be served as a meal or cut into smaller pieces and presented as party appetizers. Cauliflower provides vitamins B6 , K and C, magnesium and fiber. It is also a great source of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, two types of antioxidants that have been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells.

Button mushrooms are a source of vitamin D, selenium, phosphorus and folate. They also contain polysaccha rides, indoles, polyphenols and carotenoids, which are associated with cancer-fighting properties.

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

4 slices of cauliflower, ¾-inch thick

1 tsp cooking spray

4 tsp olive oil

1 Tbsp dry Italian seasonings

2 cups fresh brown button mushrooms, sliced

2 fresh garlic cloves, minced

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

½ tsp sea salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

½ tsp red pepper flakes

1 Tbsp fresh thyme for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400º F and spray two large baking sheets with cooking oil. Place the cauliflower slices onto one o baking sheets. They need lots of space between them and shouldn’t overlap. Brush each side of the cauliflower steaks lightly with the olive oil and season with sea salt, pepper and Italian seasonings. Roast 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once, until both sides are golden brown.

In a mixing bowl, add mushrooms, minced garlic, a pinch of sea salt and pepper, then toss to coat well. Spread the mushroom mixture on the other oil-sprayed baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. As an alternative, sauté the mushroom mixture in a medium pan with 1 teaspoon of oil over medium-high heat for 5 to 6 minutes.

Once done, remove the pans from the oven. Sprinkle roasted cauliflower steaks with cheese and top the cheese with the roasted or sautéed mushrooms and garlic mixture. Return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Sprinkle with fresh thyme and enjoy.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Jennifer Carden.

Ermak Oksana/Shutterstock.com

Mary Beth Svatek, M. A Ce r t ified Hypnotherapist & Life Coach 251-300-9912

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Are you lacking motivation at home and at work?

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Losing muscle mass? Get

Gut Health for Kids

CLEVER STRATEGIES FOR PICKY EATERS

by Sheila Julson

R. Barry Gaston, MSN, NP-C MENS’ HEALTH ADVOCATE

7856 Westside Park Dr. Ste I | Mobile, AL o. 251-308-4990 c. 251-402-0011

barrygaston@msn.com

Most kids look forward to summer vacation, but the dog days can eventually lead to boredom and over-snacking. By creatively offering children healthy, diverse foods, presented in ways to please even finicky palates, parents can support microbiome health while establishing a lifetime of good eating habits.

Tickle Their Palate

“Foods with probiotic-containing living cultures or fermented foods can add beneficial bacteria to the gut,” says Jill Castle, a Massachusetts-based pediatric dietitian and founding CEO of The Nourished Child, an online nutrition resource for parents. She recommends incorporating treats that are alive, tart and bubbling with healthful microbes.

“Parents can make sure they offer a variety of prebiotic and probiotic foods routinely at mealtimes as options to taste and try. The good news is there are many healthy, gut-supporting foods for children to eat,” she advises.

Yogurt with live or active cultures and kefir, a fermented milk drink, both contain these beneficial probiotics. “Although kefir tends to be sour, some brands have flavored kefir, such as strawberry, mango or peach,” Castle explains. “I’ve had great luck introducing this to children who are picky, because it’s smooth and creamy and tastes like a smoothie.”

She also notes that kombucha, a fizzy, fermented tea with live and active cultures, is available in fruity flavors that appeal to children. Pickles fermented over time with salt and water are a source of healthy bacteria for the gut. And although cheeses are fermented, only a few have live, active cultures. Castle recommends gouda, mozzarella or cheddar.

Sneak in the Fiber

According to Dr. Joanne Aponte, a naturopathic doctor at Lakeside Natural Medicine, in Milwaukee, a diverse diet high in fiber is key to supporting a healthy gut microbiome. “All veggies are beneficial, but ones high in galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) prebiotics help grow and support healthy gut bacteria,” she explains. GOS-rich foods include beans, lentils and peas, along with broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, while FOS-predominant choices are garlic, onions, asparagus, artichokes and leeks.

Aponte also recommends chia, flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, which can be ground up in an inexpensive coffee grinder and added to smoothies, oatmeal,

yogurt or home-baked goods such as cookies, pancakes or waffles. “Sunflower butter can be used to make cookies,” Aponte notes. “I make oatmeal-sunflower butter cookies that are packed with microbiomesupporting oatmeal, pumpkin, ground chia seeds and, of course, chocolate chips.”

For children that are choosy about vegetables, Aponte suggests making zucchini or carrot muffins with ground chia seeds or walnuts. Entice children to eat raw veggies by offering dipping sauces, such as teriyaki, ranch dressing or salsa. Aponte notes that skins should be left on vegetables whenever possible because they contain fiber, which helps feed the gut microbiome.

“It takes some experimentation, but encourage your child to try lots of different foods,” Aponte says. “Some kids might prefer a black bean spread or dip, or refried beans, versus eating whole beans. There are also pastas made with chickpeas or lentils. Veggies like onion or zucchini can be chopped small and hidden in spaghetti sauce.”

Add a Pinch of Fun

Katrina Lien, the program development specialist for Sanford fit, a children's fitness program in rural South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota, suggests that parents

find ways to engage and empower kids to make healthy lifestyle choices.

“Try offering new foods with foods that you know your kids already like,” she says. “When you introduce something new or unfamiliar alongside foods that are a well-known favorite, kids are more open to trying the unfamiliar food.”

Attempt to make foods more interesting and fun, Lien advises. “This can be done by how you arrange the food items on the plate or cutting foods into different shapes. For example, use a cookie cutter to turn simple cucumber slices into a heart or a star.”

According to Lien, when parents involve their children in snack and meal preparation, kids feel included and excited to try the foods they helped create. Although getting kids interested in unfamiliar foods can be laborious and time-consuming, parents should remind themselves to be patient and remain consistent.

Sanford fit offers free, online resources through printable literature, videos, lessons and games at fit.SanfordHealth.org.

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.

Fighting Climate Change in the Garden

REGENERATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM

by Julie Peterson

Reversing global warming may feel like a challenge that is out of reach, but anyone can make a difference by planting an ecologically supportive garden. Regenerative techniques employed in the backyard, a community garden or even an apartment patio can significantly improve local ecosystems. And because living systems are interconnected, a healthier ecosystem boosts the well-being of all life forms, as well as the environment.

“Growing a garden is one of the most powerful things we can do as individuals to enact positive change and make a difference,” says Emily Murphy, the California author of Grow Now: How We Can Save Our Health, Communities, and Planet—One Garden at a Time. “If you’re looking for practical solutions to the climate crisis and the resulting loss of biodiversity, the answer is right out your door and in the earth beneath your feet. It’s possible to sequester enough carbon to offset your carbon footprint while supporting wildlife.”

According to Jessica Walliser, the Pennsylvania author of Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden and co-founder of Savvy Gardening.com, “Regenerative practices are simple, proactive steps that millions of gardeners should be adopting. They not only simplify your gardening practices and reduce time and budget in the long term, they are also the right thing to do in this modern age of human disturbance.”

LAYER SOIL

A key principle of regenerative gardening is to add layers to the soil instead of digging downward or tilling. “Layering up increases the water-holding capacity of the soil and the ability of the soil to sequester carbon,” Murphy explains.

“Addition of organic matter, such as compost, leaf mold or wellaged manure, helps build good soil structure and feeds beneficial soil microbes,” says Walliser, who recommends adding one to two inches per year to gardens.

Making compost onsite is valuable, but not always possible. In some cities, free compost is available through community

compost hubs where residents drop off bins of yard and food waste. “Purchasing commercially produced compost may be a worthwhile investment, particularly when growers are just getting started and soil quality is poor,” suggests Bryan O’Hara, the Connecticut author of No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture: PesticideFree Methods for Restoring Soil and Growing Nutrient-Rich, HighYielding Crops.

PLANT PERENNIALS

Perennials come back every year and can provide food for people and wildlife. Many varieties of fruiting shrubs, trees, vegetables and nuts can form the backbone of a garden with annual plants interspersed throughout. Adding beauty to the mix, perennial flowers—some of which are edible—are essential food for bees, butterflies and birds.

“Choose plants with different flower shapes, sizes and colors, as well as plants with a diversity of bloom times,” Walliser advises. “Opt for plants native to your region, as they have co-evolved with native insects and may provide better resources for them.”

EMBRACE BIODIVERSITY

“When you’re fostering biodiversity, you’re supporting the mutualism that naturally exists in wildlife. You’re increasing and improving ecological relationships,” says Murphy. Instead of planting monoculture rows in a vegetable garden, mix up the plants the way Mother Nature does, Walliser recommends. And if abandoning tidy rows of the same type of plant seems too unruly, interplant the rows: a few beans, a tomato, flowers, then more beans and peppers, for example.

Another suggestion is to plant a variety of salad greens, carrots and radishes in a raised bed and interplant edible nasturtiums, chives and violets. “Interplanting makes it harder for pests to find their favorite host plant. It also makes it harder for diseases to spread from one plant to the next,” Walliser explains.

AVOID CHEMICALS

Skip the pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers. “Even organic pesticides can be harmful to pollinators and pest-eating beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings and others,” says Walliser. A chemical-free, biodiverse garden is a safe place for beneficial bugs. Trust that the good bugs will find the bad bugs and there will be balance.

A sun-kissed organic tomato from the garden will forever ruin us for grocery store produce. And when we sink our hands in healthy soil to retrieve a beet or plant seeds, we may feel a wave of positive energy because soil microbes have been found to work like natural antidepressants, making us happier and healthier.

“When we begin to understand the inner workings of our greater ecosystem through the ecosystems closest to home, such as our gardens and communities, we come to see that we each have the power to grow positive change beginning at home,” says Murphy.

Julie Peterson writes on health, wellness and environmental topics. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Truly Organic Growing

In her community garden plots behind Homestead Village Fairhope, Julie Groth grows vegetables using regenerative gardening methods. Groth is excited to share what she has learned on her quest to grow truly organic and affordable food.

There are three growing methods. Conventional agriculture, the primary form of growing in the U.S., uses synthetic chemicals in fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides to feed plants and prevent pests.

The second is what Groth calls “‘organic middle ground.” “It’s not what most of us think organic is or want it to be,” she explains. “We want organic to be healthy and free of toxic chemicals. But it isn’t. For example, blood meal and bone meal are common ‘organic’ fertilizers. Yet, they derive from factory animals that eat unnatural feed grains and are full of hormones and antibiotics. Bone meal, however, can be labeled organic because it came from a living source as opposed to synthetic.”

The third growing method is Truly Organic. “The focus is on the biology in the soil. You feed the microbes in the soil, not the plants themselves. It’s super important to nourish those microbes and not harm them. Synthetic chemicals are not natural to soil microbes,” says Groth. Soil microorganisms feed the plants by making the nutrients in the soil bioavailable.

The food for soil microbes can come from various forms of organic matter:

n Composted animal manures, from animals that have never ingested chemicals.

n Green and brown plant matter can be composted, used as mulch or buried in the soil.

n Amendments like kelp, alfalfa meal or fish meal.

n Vermicompost from worms.

“Truly Organic also is a mindset,” says Groth. “People have complicated things along the way, nature does just fine and so have humans over thousands of years before there were synthetic chemicals.”

There is a movement toward this way of growing otherwise known as regenerative agriculture, no till, permaculture or biological growing. Those who go Truly Organic may experience pushback from others who claim that there are too many pests and diseases to make organic worthwhile. Many people are coming to realize the same ideas that Groth believes.

“Once you jump into the world of true organic, you’ll find that it works better,” exclaims Groth. “Studies show that healthy plants are far more resistant to pests and disease. Plants know how to defend themselves.”

An established organic garden is easier, cheaper and more beneficial to the planet and the foods grown there are more nutrient dense. It’s a win-win.

For more information on regenerative growing, seek out other Natural Awakenings Magazine contributors at NATURE’S FARMACY in Summerdale or NATURE NINE FARMS in Fairhope.

Location: HOMESTEAD VILLAGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY (Assisted Living) 924 Plantation Blvd., Fairhope, AL. For a tour of the garden, email Julie Groth, GardenOrganic1010@gmail.com.

Back to School

Too Much Histamine

NATURAL SOLUTIONS TO AN EXCESSIVE ALLERGIC RESPONSE

by Carrie Jackson

Histamine is an organic chemical produced by the body as a protection from allergens. It is also found in some of the foods we consume. While certain levels of this compound are considered normal and healthy, an overabundance can cause troublesome symptoms—from runny noses and hives to intestinal discomfort and brain fog. Histamine intolerance, as this condition is called, is often caused by food triggers or the body’s inability to break down the excess histamine. Over-the-counter antihistamines promise short-term symptom relief but may have unappealing side effects. Long-term, drug-free resolution is possible with a little sleuthing and holistic lifestyle adaptations.

A WIDE ARRAY OF SYMPTOMS

“Histamine intolerance can affect every area of the body, including the brain. The inflammation created by excess histamine often leads to brain fog and other neurological symptoms,” says Michael Ruscio, a naturopathic practitioner, doctor of chiropractic, clinical researcher and author of Healthy Gut, Healthy You

Symptoms of histamine intolerance often start in the intestinal tract with diarrhea and bloating and contribute to leaky gut. “If the sensitive gut lining is damaged, histamine can permeate to other areas of the body and lead to redness, swelling and itchiness, as well as respiratory issues, joint pain and anxiety. These seemingly unrelated symptoms can all have the same underlying cause, and patients, as well as many doctors, are not aware of these connections,” says Arti Chandra, a Seattle-based family practice physician who is certified in functional medicine and serves as faculty at the Institute for Functional Medicine.

KNOWING THE TRIGGERS

“Mast cells, a type of white blood cell, are responsible for releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation. A histamine intolerance or exposure to high-histamine foods can lead to mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), where they release excess amounts into the body. Typically, enzymes will break down the histamine so that it doesn’t build up, but if the body doesn’t have the proper level of enzymes to break it down or if too much histamine is being released, then persistent symptoms can occur,” Chandra asserts. Symptom management begins by healing the digestive system. “A healthy gut biome supports the body in producing one of the enzymes needed to break down histamine and can help lower inflammation,” she explains. “Dysbiosis, which is when the gut flora is out of balance, is often caused by the Standard American Diet, also known as SAD. Processed foods, fillers, chemicals, additives and other unnatural substances can all compromise the gut flora and gut function. Dysbiosis often leads to low levels of DAO [diamine oxidase], an enzyme in the gut that helps break down histamine. Some people can have a genetic basis for this—a mutation— that can also lead to excess histamine from impaired breakdown.”

SOLUTIONS FOR HISTAMINE OVERLOAD

Per Ruscio, “A simple, balanced, whole foods diet like the Paleo diet is a great starting point to calm inflammation and heal your gut. This means aiming for a variety of vegetables, fresh fish, eggs, meat, nuts and seeds, and fruits in moderation. If symptoms continue, try a low-histamine diet.”

Chandra suggests avoiding processed and fast foods, gluten, dairy, sugar and artificial sweeteners. Foods that are naturally high in histamine, including aged cheese, fermented foods, cured meat, alcohol, caffeine and tomatoes, can exacerbate symptoms. She recommends eliminating triggers for three weeks and slowly reintroducing them one at a time to see which are still problematic. “As the gut biome becomes stronger, the body may naturally be able to tolerate high histamine foods

better; eating a diet rich in prebiotic foods and sometimes taking an appropriate probiotic supplement can help with this,” she says.

Environmental factors can also trigger histamine reactions. “The body produces histamine to ward off substances like pollen, infections, chemicals and mold. Many people get what they think are normal allergies in the spring, with symptoms like runny noses, watery eyes and a scratchy throat. However, if these symptoms occur year-round, it could be a sign of a histamine intolerance or MCAS. Mold contains mycotoxins that are known to activate mast cells and lead to a histamine release. If someone is living in a building with mold and the exposure is continuous, it can lead to chronic inflammation and histamine issues. Proper air filters can help, but they ultimately may need to eliminate the mold or move out of the environment,” says Chandra.

While over-the-counter antihistamine medications may help, they can have a sedating effect and other side effects, including cognitive issues. Natural and holistic treatments work just as well and are often better tolerated by the body, Chandra says. “Quercetin, found in apple skin and onions, can stabilize mast cells and make them less leaky, as can luteolin, both of which are available in supplement form and in Himalayan Tartary buckwheat. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil or supplements have anti-inflammatory properties. Stinging nettles, another stabilizer, can be used as a tea or in supplement form. Spices such as curcumin are natural anti-inflammatories and a nourishing addition to any diet,” she advises.

Stress management can help reduce histamine reactions, too. “Stress can trigger mast cells, causing a release of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, as well as causing dysbiosis and leaky gut,” Chandra says. “Breathwork and meditation, as well as restful sleep, can help reduce histamine intolerance symptoms, support the gut and contribute to an overall level of internal balance.”

Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

SUNDAYS

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

Spiritual Awakening Center 360 Sunday Service – 10:30am. In person and streaming LIVE at FaceBook.com/Sac360.org. Join our loving, inclusive spiritual community for an inspired morning of music, message and encouragement. We honor all spiritual paths, religions and lifestyles, believing the presence of God is found within all living beings. We are grateful to see humanity awaken to its spiritual magnificence. You are a part of this transformation. We meet at Daphne CoWork, 25369 Hwy 98, Daphne, AL (next to Badcock Furniture). Spiritual Awakening Center 360, P.O. Box 848, Daphne. Info@Sac360.org. Sac360.org.

Sunday Gatherings - Live Music & Message –10:30am. We welcome you, love lives here. Join us for music and a message to inspire and ignite your spirit. Rev. Linda Fisher, Bobbi Jo Machholz, local and national guest speakers present a metaphysical message each week. Live music is offered by Larry Andrews, Brenda Bledsoe and Rhonda Huete. In person, streaming on Facebook @UnityEasternShore or via Zoom. Empowering practical, progressive teachings that ignite spiritual awakening and transformation. All walks of life, faith and spiritual traditions. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 Hwy 98, Fairhope, AL. UnityEasternShore@gmail.com.

Fairhope Unitarian Sunday Service – 11amnoon. Held inside and streamed on Zoom. Different guest speakers each week—either a member of our congregation or someone from the surrounding community. Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship, 1150 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL. FairhopeUnitarian Fellowship@gmail.com. FairhopeUU.org.

Mobile Bay Makers Market – 11am-3pm, 2nd and 4th Sundays. Open air, sustainably driven market showcasing 25+ local artisans and growers. Music. Food trucks. Year-round, family and dog friendly. Free. South Park of Fairhope Pier, Fairhope, AL. MBMakersMarket@gmail.com.

For questions or to appear in the calendar, email MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com. Online-only calendar listings may be submitted at NAGulfCoast.com/calendar.

TUESDAYS

Let’s chat–Spiritual Conversation – Noon-1:30pm. Bring questions about faith to a safe and welcoming place. Love Lives Here! Rev. Linda Fisher will host these open-door sessions on the first Tuesday of the month. FREE. Share your heart and mind and possibly find a new way of being and doing. Interfaith dialogues. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 Hwy 98, Fairhope. RevLindaFisher@yahoo.com.

WEDNESDAYS

Forever Young – 11:30am-12:30pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (See Monday.)

Spiritual Conversations Spiritual Awakening Center 360 – 6pm. Meet at Summer Moon Coffee, 1539 US 98, Suite 203, Daphne, AL. Join us for coffee or tea and conversation. Each week we will discuss spiritual questions with each other. All are welcome to join. This is an open conversation and we look forward to hearing all points of view. Bring your questions and we’ll discuss them. For information call 251-289-1038.

FRIDAYS

Conversations on ‘A Course in Miracles’ – noon. (In person and on Zoom) 2nd and 4th Sundays. Join us for a discussion of these life-altering concepts that teach us to see the world through the eyes of love instead of fear. Meet at: Daphne CoWork Atrium, 25369 Hwy 98, Daphne (next to Badcock Furniture). Spiritual Awakening Center 360, P.O. Box 848, Daphne. 251-289-1038. Sac360.org.

Ecstatic Dance – 6:30-8pm, 1st Sundays. Explore the wisdom of your body and connect with your intuition through free-form dance. This is a safe space for releasing stagnant energy and emotions to find self-expression and freedom within. No experience required, only openness and curiosity. $25. The Yoga Hive Studio, 1901 Main Street, Daphne, AL. Facebook.com/EcstaticDanceFairhope. Contact Rebecca Washburn at Dance@RebeccaWashburn. com or 251-929-4634.

MONDAYS

Forever Young – 11:30am-12:30pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Monthly registration for 12 class series. The class starts with an assessment which measures balance, flexibility, strength, posture and cognition. $125 per month. Naturally Guided Health, 809B Holcomb Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS. NaturallyGuidedHealth.com or 228-215-0909.

Qigong & Tai Chi Drop-in Sessions – 6pm. Casual movement sessions with James Harkins. Any skill level from novice to expert are welcome to come and move with Jim. A spiritual practice can change your health and well being. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 Hwy 98, Fairhope, AL. UnityEasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEastern Shore.wixsite.com/unity.

Evening of Restoration – 7-8pm, 1st Mondays unless holiday. Join us for a meditation journey that wakes up your soul and gives you exactly what you need in the moment. De-stress, increase concentration, decrease anxiety and lower blood pressure with this practice. Dress comfortably, sweat pants or jammies welcome. Bring yoga mat, meditation pillow or blanket. $10. Naturally Guided Health, 809B Holcomb Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS. NaturallyGuidedHealth.com or 228-215-0909.

Forever Young – 11:30am-12:30pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (See Monday.)

SATURDAYS

Tai Chi & Qigong – 7-10am. Tai Chi & Qigong 7am-10am. Join James Harkins for an interactive morning of Mind, Body and Spirit rejuvenation. Beginners and newbies welcomed. $20 donation to UES is suggested but not mandatory. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 Hwy 98, Fairhope.

Crystal Singing Bowls with Kim Anderson –11am. Second Saturday. Singing Bowl Meditation. A different focus each month: Healing, Health, Energy, Stress-relief, Forgiveness. $10 cash. Bring a pillow, floor cushions, shawls or blankets. Hosted by Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 Hwy 98, Fairhope. Experience sound healing. Studies show a reduction in blood pressure, chronic pain, anxiety through singing bowl therapy sessions.

mark your calendar

Tuesday, July 25

Girl Talk – Menstruation – 6-7pm. Girls ages 9-20 (and a female adult) are welcome to register. Discussion will be on what menstruation is, how hormones cycle, challenges with the menstruation cycle and possible solutions. Physicians from SRHS will join us! Visit NaturallyGuidedHealth.com for details and registration. Contact Cathy. 228-215-0909 or NaturallyGuidedHealth@gmail.com.

August 5-15

Above and Beyond Yoga India Retreat – August 5-15. 10-day yoga retreat with Shoshana Treichel and Nrithya Jagannathan (director of KYM Institute of Yoga Studies). Visit several well-known locations including Mysore, Chennai, Pondicherry and the world-renowned Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. For more information or to register, contact Jake Treichel at Jake@ABHotYoga.com or 251-639-9030. See ad, page 8.

EllenSmile/DepositPhotos.com

community resource guide

Connecting you to local resources for natural and green living. To find out how you can be included in the directory, email MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com or call 251-990-9552.

BEAUTY

HUES SALON & WELLNESS

AVEDA – GIFTS – JEWELRY

19 N. Church St., Ste. B, Fairhope, AL 251-200-2131 • Daymaker@huessalon.com

@huessalonwellness (Instagram)

Our team wants you to feel LOVED, HEARD & IMPORTANT. Come in for a cup of tea and enjoy up to 93% naturally derived permanent hair color along with massage, Rolfing, lashes, facials, hydrofacials, curly hair & blonding specialists, body & Brazilian waxing. Green Circle Certified. See ad, page 13

TMAC’S HAIR STUDIO

Old Government, Mobile: 251-607-6666

2101 Hwy. 98, Daphne: 251-725-4334

TMACsHairStudio.com

A relaxing salon environment that is free of harmful chemicals, impurities and fragrance. Offering customized hair services and regenerative treatments with 100% vegan organic products and essential oils. Ask about following the lunar calendar effective hair treatments. See ad, page 32.

BIOFEEDBACK SERVICES

AO SCAN TECHNOLOGY BY SOLEX

Mandy Ullerich, Quantum Living Advocate

Bon Secour, AL • 251-210-9255

MandyUllerich@gmail.com

AO Scan Technology by Solex™ is an elegant, yet simply designed technology inspired by discoveries from Tesla, Einstein and many other renowned scientists. It is designed to communicate with the body via subtle biofrequencies and electromagnetic signals. Call today for a complimentary scan. See ad, page 7.

THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

Carolyn Olson, Owner, Therapist

Laura Worthington, Assistant, Therapist

Mobile & Foley (other locations by request)

251-623-2225

Offering multiple biofeedback services such as the AO Scan Technology by Solex™, which includes the scan, consultation and custom imprinted patches that can be worn 24 hours a day to continue frequency balancing, along with listening to daily frequencies on your smartphone. AO Scan provides impactful results as does EVOX BY ZYTO emotional therapy. Call today to determine which service will best meet your needs. The first AO Scan is complimentary. See ad, page 29.

BREAST SCREENING

THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

Carolyn Olson, Certified Thermographer Mobile & Foley (other locations by request)

251-623-2225

ThermographyAdvantage.com

FDA registered thermography offers breast/full-body screenings that are noninvasive and radiation-free, without compression or bodily contact. Valuable for detecting early-stage breast disease and more. Also offering ElectroLymphatic Therapy. See ad, page 29.

CBD HEALTH & WELLNESS

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Comprehensive health food store offering a range of CBD products: caps, soft gels, gummies, sprays, tinctures, topicals, mixed with ghee, teas, waters, hot cocoa, infused honey, pedicure powders. See ad, page 30.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS

3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL

251-479-3952

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Comprehensive health food store offering a range of CBD products: caps, soft gels, gummies, sprays, tinctures, topicals, mixed with ghee, teas, waters, hot cocoa, infused honey, pedicure powders. See ad, page 30.

COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP

FAIRHOPE UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP

1150 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL

251-929-3207 • FairhopeUU.org

FairhopeUnitarianFellowship@gmail.com

Welcoming people of any age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or cultural background. We seek truth and knowledge, care for the Earth and show kindness to others while creating an atmosphere of love.

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING CENTER 360

25369 Hwy 98, Daphne CoWork Atrium

Daphne, AL 36526

251-289-1038 • Info@sac360.org

sac360.org • Facebook.com/sac360.org

An inclusive spiritual community focused on integration of spirit, mind and body. If you like Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Louise Hay and other contemporary authors, you will love us. Sunday Service 10:30am. All are welcome. We Get You.

UNITY ON THE EASTERN SHORE

22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532

UnityEasternShore@gmail.com

251-304-4715

UnityEasternShore.wixsite.com/unity

An extraordinary spiritual family honoring every religion, path and lifestyle. All are welcome at our progressive Sunday morning service or life-affirming classes & events. With the presence of God within each of us, we are co-creating a world that works for everyone. See ad, page 33.

Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it.

~Heather Morgan

DEMENTIA HELP

MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC

112 West Section Ave., Foley, AL 251-597-8787

MindPerformanceCenter.com

Drugs are not the only answer. Our unique approach is noninvasive and has helped dementia patients that originally scored poorly on cognitive assessments restore to normal scoring on the same assessment. See ad, page 3.

DEPRESSION RELIEF

MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC

112 West Section Ave., Foley, AL 251-597-8787

MindPerformanceCenter.com

We can reduce or eliminate symptoms of depression. Our treatments often deliver improvement when nothing else has. 70% of our depression patients see symptoms reduced by at least 50%.

See ad, page 3.

FARMERS MARKETS

COASTAL ALABAMA FARMERS & FISHERMENS MARKET

781 Farmers Market Ln., Foley, AL 251-709-4469

CoastalAlabamaMarket.com

Open year-round on Saturdays only, 9am2pm. Featuring local farms with seasonal produce, meat, eggs, honey, jellies, baked goods, seafood, hand-crafted soaps and more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest

NATURE NINE FARMS, LLC

Foley, AL

NatureNineFarms.com

100% sustainable farming practices. Your source for local, ethically grown food. Pasture raised eggs, grass fed and finished beef. Find us at your local Piggly Wiggly Fairhope, Greers Markets, or order online at NatureNineFarms.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

FOOD & NUTRITION

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 • Café: 251-929-0055

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 40+ years. Extensive supplement selection: organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk bins; pet supplies; baby products; CBD and more. See ad, page 30.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 40+ years. Extensive supplement selection: organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk bins; pet supplies; baby products; CBD and more. See ad, page 30.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE OF LOWER ALABAMA

620 N. McKenzie St., Ste. 200, Foley, AL 251-210-8615

AlabamaIntegrativeHealth.com

Certified Functional Medicine

Practitioner and Family Nurse

Practitioner Tara McLellan addresses the root cause of disease with integrative medicine—a blend of traditional western medicine and science-based functional medicine. Ask about our custom weight loss program. See ad, page 22.

HEALING JEWELRY

THE NEW YOU MIRACLE BAND

Jeff Nursey, Customer Service 850-207-6621

TheNewYouMiracleBand@gmail.com tnymb.com

Change your frequency, change your life! Our jewelry has an integrated charged disk to protect against 5G and EMFs along with the added benefits of alleviating pain and improving strength and balance. See ad, back cover.

HYDRO ZEN AT PEAK ALKALINITY

217-B Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 251-270-7200

PeakAlkalinity.com

Offering cleansing far infrared sauna sessions followed by a hydrating collagen shower. Plus ionic foot detox, Himalayan salt therapy and revitalizing oxygen bar. Ask about package specials. See ad, page 17

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING

GOOD LIFE HEALTH COACHING

National Board Certified Functional Medicine Health & Wellness Coach 251-635-6250 • TryMyCoach@gmail.com

GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com

Attention health conscious, men and women struggling to prioritize things that will prolong your life—healthy meals, exercise, recovery. Health Coaches help you make changes when change is hard, in all areas of your life. I’ll offer guidance + tools that work. See ad, page 22.

HYPNOTHERAPY

ENERGY MODEL OF THERAPEUTIC CHANGE

Mary Beth Svatek, M.A.

Certified Hypnotherapist, IMDHA 251-300-9912

EnergyModelOfChange@gmail.com

35 years’ experience with anxiety, PTSD, weight loss, smoking cessation, removing blockages, regression, behavior modification, energy healing & streamlining, pain management. See ad, page 26.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

Carolyn Olson, Certified Lymphatic Therapist Mobile & Foley (other locations by request) 251-623-2225

ThermographyAdvantage.com

Electro-Lymphatic Therapy is noninvasive, painless and calming. Like a light touch massage, the certified lymphatic therapist uses two small handheld wands that are lightly moved across the body in a direction that correlates to the body’s lymphatic flow. The proper flow of lymphatic fluid can have a positive impact on conditions such as inflammation, colds/flu, sinus problems, edema, water retention, heart disease, fibrocystic and tender breast, cellulite, enlarged prostate and cancer. See ad, page 29.

MASSAGE THERAPY

ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

6920 Airport Blvd., Ste. 111, Mobile, AL 251-342-6415

ElementsMassage.com/Mobile

A therapeutic massage handcrafted just for you.

Reduced stress, elevated mood and a strengthened immune system are all part of experiencing a therapeutic massage The Elements Way. Schedule an appointment today. See ad, page 17.

JUBILEE HEALING ARTS

Jennifer (Adams) Killgo, LMT #3263

28170 N. Main St., Ste. C, Daphne, AL 251-616-4201 • JubileeHealingArts.com

Intuitive integrative massage techniques are used to facilitate the body into a state of healing without the “no pain no gain” mentality. Over 15 years’ experience in the bodywork and natural wellness field. See ad, page 17.

MED SPA

ENRG WELLNESS

3099 Loop Rd., Orange Beach, AL 620 N. McKenzie St., Ste. 200, Foley, AL 251-240-0842 • enrGWellness.com

Weight loss, fat burning, food programs, vitamin IV lounge, chiropractic and functional medicine clinic. Custom plans include nutrition, medication and peptide combo. IV vitamin therapies provide relief, healing and recovery for people with health concerns ranging from dehydration to chronic illness. Free consultations. See ad, page 19.

METAPHYSICAL SHOP

WILD FLIER BOUTIQUE

Destin HarborWalk Village, FL, Booth 11am-6pm

1018 Government St., Ocean Springs, MS Info@WildFlier.com

We carry a wide selection of crystals, jewelry, yoga apparel and accessories along with men’s and women’s coastal fashion. Find your inner Zen and fly high with us. See ad, page 12.

PERSONAL GROWTH

ENERGY MODEL OF THERAPEUTIC CHANGE

Mary Beth Svatek, M.A. Certified Hypnotherapist, IMDHA 251-300-9912

EnergyModelOfChange@gmail.com

PHYSICAL THERAPY

OSTEOSTRONG

Unique System for Developing Skeletal Strength

Josh Fandrich, Owner Fairhope, Mobile 333 Greeno Rd., Suite 2B OR 2724 Old Shell Rd., Suite D Fairhope@OsteoStrong.me

MidtownMobile@OsteoStrong.me

Just 15 minutes, once per week on our proprietary, osteogenic loading equipment can help you build a stronger you. See ad, page 21.

PLANT-BASED FOOD

THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope, AL • 251-929-0055

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

An organic cafe offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairyfree options. Open for lunch daily.

See ad, page 30

THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

An organic cafe offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairyfree options. Open for lunch daily.

See ad, page 30.

RESTORATIVE YOGA

ABOVE AND BEYOND YOGA AND SALT THERAPY

35 years’ experience with anxiety, PTSD, weight loss, smoking cessation, removing blockages, regression, behavior modification, energy healing & streamlining, pain management. See ad, page 26.

878 Hillcrest Rd., Ste C, Mobile, AL Info@ABHotYoga.com • 251-639-9030

New Member Special. Start your yoga journey with us. New members eligible for a 30-day Yoga Trial Membership for $49 and a Salt Therapy Trial Membership for $69. Salt Therapy Sessions can help with allergies, asthma, COPD, other respiratory issues and reduces stress and anxiety. For more information, call Above & Beyond Yoga or visit ABHotYoga.com. See ad, page 8

When you start eating foods without labels, you no longer need to count calories.

~Amanda Kraft

UNITY ON THE EASTERN SHORE

22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL

UnityEasternShore@gmail.com

UnityEasternShore.Wixsite.com/Unity

Treat yourself to a relaxing, healing and rejuvenating session of Restorative Yoga with Bobbi Jo Machholz. Bring mat, pillow, blocks and willingness. 1st Saturday each month, 9 a.m. Donations to Unity accepted. See ad, page 33.

ROLFING

EASTERN SHORE ROLFING

Pam Reaves, Certified Rolfer® 22806 Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL 706-681-2935

Rolfing® is a holistic approach to manual therapy that seeks to improve your health and function by reestablishing the natural alignment and structural integration of the human body. More information at EasternShoreRolfing.com. See ad, page 32.

SOMATIC BREATHWORK

EASTERN SHORE ROLFING

Pam Reaves, Certified Rolfer® 22806 Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL 706-681-2935

Rolfing® is a holistic approach to manual therapy that seeks to improve your health and function by reestablishing the natural alignment and structural integration of the human body. Now offering Somatic Breath Therapy. Based on the work of Peter Levine, Somatic Therapy helps release stored negative emotions that have been trapped in the body. More information at EasternShoreRolfing.com. See ad, page 32.

RESPIRA WITH MORGAN

Morgan Tyner, (Bilingual) SomatIQ

Breathwork Practitioner

Fairhope, AL • 901-581-0434

Somatic@MorganTyner.com

Corporate wellness, groups, retreats, 1:1, events: SomatIQ Breathwork is a transformative wellness practice that releases suppressed stress from the body utilizing two breathing techniques. It empowers you to clear mental and emotional blockages, leading to enhanced clarity, wellness and more harmonious alignment in personal wellness and purpose. For more information: Morgan@MorganTyner.com. See ad, page 7.

WELLNESS SALON

HUES SALON & WELLNESS

AVEDA – GIFTS – MASSAGE

19 N. Church St., Ste. B, Fairhope, AL 251-200-2131 • Daymaker@huessalon.com

@huessalonwellness (Instagram)

Our team wants you to feel LOVED, HEARD & IMPORTANT. Come in for a cup of tea and enjoy up to 93% naturally derived permanent hair color along with massage, Rolfing, lashes, facials, hydrofacials, curly hair & blonding specialists, body & Brazilian waxing. Green Circle Certified. See ad, page 13

WELLNESS STUDIO

NATURALLY GUIDED HEALTH

Personal Trainer; Board Certified Health Coach; Traditional Naturopath

809B Holcomb Blvd., Ocean Springs, MS 228-215-0909

NaturallyGuidedHealth.com

A wellness studio offering personal training, group classes, coaching and education. Specialize in mature adults, post injury/ surgery recovery and compassionate coaching. Check out our Forever Young class.

YOGA APPAREL

WILD FLIER BOUTIQUE

Destin HarborWalk Village, FL, Booth 11am-6pm

1018 Government St., Ocean Springs, MS Info@WildFlier.com

We carry a wide selection of crystals, jewelry, yoga apparel and accessories along with men’s and women’s coastal fashion. Find your inner Zen and fly high with us. See ad, page 12

$1 per word, per month. Email content to MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month.

HELP WANTED

MOBILE SUNFLOWER CAFE IS LOOKING TO HIRE full- and part-time cooks. The Cafe is open for lunch Monday-Saturday 10:30am-3pm; Sunday 11am-2pm. Apply in store or call Sunflower Cafe 251-479-3200.

CLASSES/TRAINING

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

FOR RENT/LEASE

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

FOR SALE

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

OPPORTUNITIES

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

SERVICES

DO YOU WANT YOUR HEALTHSPAN TO EQUAL YOUR LIFESPAN? Are you struggling to prioritize healthier choices? Get focused, get active, make a plan. Michelle Smith, Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach will take you by the hand to help you design change by creating an ACTION PLAN OF BEST PRACTICES for your life. Find out how. 251-635-6250 or TryMyCoach@ gmail.com.

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