August 2023 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

THE JOY OF AQUARIUMS

FINDING CALM WITH A FISH TANK

Reduce, Reuse REFILL, Recycle

Back-to-School Solutions for Food Restrictions

The Power of a Community BENEFITS OF GROUP FITNESS

LIFELONG LEARNING

BENEFITS OF BEING THE FOREVER STUDENT

PUBLISHER Michelle Smith

EDITOR Julie Peterson

AD DESIGN Mandy Ullerich

LAYOUT DESIGN Melanie Rankin

DISTRIBUTION Veronica Miller 251-422-9114

CONTACT US

123 Fig Ave., Fairhope, AL 36532

Ph: 251-990-9552

NAGulfCoast.com

MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com

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Brooke Goode

Melanie Rankin

CONTACT US

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Living with

Depression, Dementia? We can help.

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

Drugs are not the only answer. Our unique approach is non-invasive and has helped dementia patients that originally scored poorly on cognitive assessments restore to normal scoring on the same assessments. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive neurological evaluation to identify the potential for brain pathway improvement. Once a treatment program is put in place, many patients see notable improvements within a few weeks, but the benefits can last a lifetime.

Using a cutting-edge, drug-free approach we treat a range of brain disorders including Dementia | Depression | Anxiety | ADHD

Dr. Brown is one of only a few functional neurologists in the U.S. providing brain pathway activation therapy in conjunction with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Bredesen’s science-based nutritional program.

Mind Performance

Dr. J Douglas Brown DC DACNB, Board Certified Neurology-Chiropractic

Nature’s Germ Killer Copper can stop germs

before you get sick

By Doug Cornell

Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast. Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.

Colds, flu, and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills germs like viruses, bacteria, and fungus almost instantly, just by touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about germs. Now we do.

The National Institutes of Health and the American Society for Microbiology vouch for the power of copper to kill germs.

Scientists say copper’s high conductance disrupts the electrical balance in a germ cell and destroys it in seconds.

The EPA recommends hospitals use copper for touch surfaces such as faucets and doorknobs. This cuts the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saves lives.

The strong scientific evidence gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He

made a smooth copper probe with a tip to fit in the bottom of the nostril where viruses collect.

When he felt a tickle in his nose like a cold about to start, he rubbed the copper gently in his nose for 60 seconds.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never

happened.” That was 2012.

Now he’s gone 11 years without a cold. “I used to get 2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my CopperZap right away at any sign I am about to get sick.”

After the initial success, he asked relatives and friends to try it.

Users say:

“It works! I love it!”

“I can’t believe how good my nose feels.”

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“One of the best presents ever.”

“Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!”

“Cold sores gone!”

“It saved me last holidays. The kids all got sick, but not me.”

“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.”

“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

They all said it worked, so he patented CopperZap® and put it on the market.

Soon hundreds of people had tried it. 99% said copper worked if they used it right away at the first sign of bad germs, like a tickle in the nose or a scratchy throat.

Soon people found other things they could use it against:

Colds and Flu

Covid

Sinus trouble from germs

Cold sores or fever blisters

Canker sores that get infected

Mold allergies

Congestion or stuffiness

Drippy nose

Hay fever worsened by bacteria

Strep throat

Pink Eye and Styes

Skin infections

Infected sores

Cuts or wounds getting infected

Thrush and Tongue Infections

Warts

Ringworm

The handle is curved and textured to increase contact with fingers and hands in case you touch things sick people may have touched.

Scientists placed millions of viruses on copper. “The viruses started to die literally as soon as they touched it,” said Dr. Bill Keevil.

The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished. Easy to clean or polish.

Made in America entirely of pure US copper. Comes with Directions. 90-day Money-back Guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each with code NATA36

See www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 888-411-6114.

Buy once, use forever.

Statements not evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

New research: Copper kills bad germs in seconds.

A is for August and Alive!

D ear Friends,

Today is a great day to be alive. I really believe this and strive to live accordingly, grateful for every day. Scripture states, “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge” (Psalm 71:14-15).

As I write this letter to you, the reader of Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast, I am comforted by the words of David who continually praised God through psalms and, as such, was rewarded by God in many ways. You may remember the story of David and Goliath in the Old Testament, where David, a shepherd boy, conquered the heavily armed Philistine giant with only a stone and a slingshot. But it was only because he trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly, so, God delivered Goliath to David. I’ve learned God likes to do big things with ordinary people. You see it throughout the world. The God of the Bible is alive today. He is accessible to us through His son, Jesus. Jesus sacrificed for us; he gets us. You may have seen ads on TV or heard of “He Gets Us.” I like this organization’s ‘thought train,’ they speak to me. Here are just a few truths from HeGetsUs.com:

Throughout our shared history, Jesus has represented the ultimate good that humankind is capable of aspiring to. And though some no longer believe in God, most are still compelled by the idea of a person capable of unconditional love for others despite their differences. But many of us simply cannot reconcile the idea of that person with the way our culture experiences religion today. Whether it’s hypocrisy and discrimination in the church or scandals both real and perceived among religious leaders or the polarization of our politics, many have relegated Jesus from the world’s greatest love story to just another tactic used to intensify our deep cultural divisions.

How did the story of a man who taught and practiced unconditional love, peace, and kindness; who spent his life defending the poor and the marginalized; a man who even forgave his killers while they executed him unjustly—whose life inspired a radical movement that is still impacting the world thousands of years later—how did this man’s story become associated with hatred and oppression for so many people? And how might we all rediscover the promise of the love his story represents? Those are the questions at the heart of He Gets Us.

I hope that I am one of the ordinary people that God uses to bring His wisdom to you in some small way. Natural Awakenings is brimming with wisdom on health and healing in mind, body and spirit. I hope you will receive all of these in the following pages, with love and gratitude, because that is always my intention.

May God bless you and keep you,

•

Michelle Smith, Publisher

AO SCAN FREQUENCY HEALING

Fallis the time that many people, young and old, have more issues with maladies relating to germs, anxiety, stress, sleep and diet. Holistic modalities have entered the mainstream to help families through many of these issues and frequency scans is one of those modalities that is moving quickly to the forefront.

One of Albert Einstein’s famous quotes was: “The medicine of the future will be frequency medicine.” AO Scan Technology by Solex is frequency medicine as it measures frequencies in the body and then adjusts them to help a body return to homeostasis. The premise is that compromised immune systems, feeling sad or anxious, experiencing joint pain or suffering from headaches are all examples of something out of balance. Whether it’s a cell, tissue, organ or something else physical, emotional or mental, frequencies can help restore the body to a state of balance and harmony.

“AO Scan technology allows anyone to better manage daily health and wellness at home,” says Mandy Ullerich, Quantum Living Advocate with Solex. “Whether it’s someone in the next room or someone across the country, frequencies can operate remotely and broadcast to individuals to assist with their individual needs. People have found relief from pain, are able to sleep better, have felt calmer and have been able to improve their immune systems just by using frequencies.”

In addition, scan technology can be used on pets! People have saved money on veterinarian bills by running scans on their animals to monitor health. For example, pet owners who have run frequency scans for their animals during thunderstorms have found they don’t need to medicate fearful pets because frequencies can be broadcast to them to keep them calm.

Call Mandy Ullerich at 251-210-9255 for a complimentary scan or purchase your own device and subscription at shop.solexnation. com/mandyull. See ad, page 27.

All are Welcome at Unity

Unity on the Eastern Shore (UES) strives to live this truth: “…I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).

It’s not required to believe anything religious to be welcoming and kind. UES is a community of spiritual seekers who welcome all faith traditions and practice inclusion. Over the past month they have invited guest speakers to their Sunday gatherings to explore how individuals can apply mindfulness, kindness and joy.

Lar Nimit, from the Meditation Center of Alabama, presented a beautiful exploration of Buddhist wisdom and led a powerful centering meditation. Mary Beth Svatek shared her Energy Model of Therapeutic Change and discussed how everything is interconnected. Bobbi Jo Machholz, a local Mindset Coach, shared her Mindset Coaching, showing how to shift or change our paradigms to transform our lives. Tammy Bridenbeck, from Gulfport, Mississippi, shared tools to address trauma and move through the pain and hurt while seeing the good in every situation.

August is full of opportunities to learn new things and engage in life in a bigger way. This community offers a variety of guest speakers coupled with the spiritual direction of Rev. Linda Fisher to embrace spiritual liberation and remain life-long learners. They believe that everyone is born of Divine Perfection. “We are here to learn and share our light with others. Living in service, from a place of gratitude, open up our ability to ‘see the stranger’ and welcome them into a beautiful community of our creation,” says Fisher. The Sanskrit word namaste sums up how this community aspires to enrich the lives of Baldwin County residents. Fisher says, “Namaste is an expression of respect, gratitude and acknowledgment towards another soul.”

To learn more about this progressive and positive place to express yourself and learn new things, join UES on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in person or streaming on FB @UnityEasternShore. Bobbi Jo Machholz says, “Come let us honor you and meet you in Rumi’s field of green…out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing.”

Location: 22979 US HWY 98, Fairhope, AL. For more information: 720-339-4411, UnityEasternShore@gmail.com. See ad, page 16.

Mandy Ullerich

LOVED, HEARD, IMPORTANT

Thistime of year, Chelsey

Hues, owner of Hues Salon & Wellness, reminds herself, her team and her customers that the journey of learning is never over. “We all relearn things we once knew, embraced, then left behind,” she says.

These days, “being right” is talked about so much that Hues wants people to take a moment to embrace the childlike experience of learning. “Parents tell their children, ‘There are no bad questions, you’re going to make mistakes and that is okay,’” she says. “Why do we forget that? As adults, we are hard on ourselves and others. This curbs the ability to embrace learning new things for fear of looking dumb, being wrong or making mistakes.”

Hues recently had the pleasure of joining a soul-reviving conference put on by High Performance Salon Academy, where hundreds of professionals came together with the common goal of elevating the world’s perception of the salon and spa industry.

At Hues Salon, the aim is to match this mission of being ‘Daymakers’, where customers and community feel LOVED – HEARD – IMPORTANT, all while upholding integrity and delivering outstanding service quality.

“Whether customers need hair service, new lashes, a facial or a massage, first they will show up as humans,” says Hues who, along with her team, reaches out to everyone through compassion and education on all things wellness and beauty related.

She challenges people to ask, “Where am I struggling and who can help me? Who is winning near me that can elevate my perception?” If customers or readers of Natural Awakenings need help with any of the above, come in for a visit or call, and we will figure it out together. Also, if readers haven’t utilized it yet, they can always come in to visit the Hues Salon Self-Development Library, and the Hues team would love to meet you.

The team at Hues Salon & Wellness is Daymaking with clients at 19 North Church St., Ste. B, Fairhope. Call or text 251-200-2131. See ad, page 11.

Photos by Stephanie Pluscht

Chelsey Hues

Online Membership Available Through Quiet Mind Massage & Yoga

Ginger Dunaway, owner of Quiet Mind Massage & Yoga, has been practicing and studying yoga since 2001 and sharing it with others since 2006. Serving the city of Mobile since 2010, Dunaway is now offering a Spiritual Yogi membership, an online program to help yoga enthusiasts deepen their self-study and develop a spiritual yoga practice.

“Most people are yearning to find joy, meaning and fulfillment in life,” says Dunaway. “Yoga as a practice helps us find these things quite easily. However, the aspect of self we call ‘the ego’ knocks us off track repeatedly.”

The self-study aspect of yoga was written about in the yoga sutras 2,000 years ago and Dunaway says it is an integral part of the yoga practice but is hardly ever mentioned in yoga classes.

“There must be an element of non-judgmental self-study. Otherwise, the ego wreaks havoc on our minds and emotions,” says Dunaway. “Without a self-study practice, many people suffer with anger, insecurity, guilt, fear, drama, stress and overwhelm that can be debilitating.” She adds that yoga practitioners and teachers need to dedicate the time to this important aspect of the practice “so that our own egos don’t get in the way.”

Spiritual Yogi membership is based on a blend of yoga and A Course in Miracles, dedicated to help practitioners deepen their self-study and prevent the ego from ruining what could be a very sacred, meaningful and peace-filled life.

“If you are ready to live life with more meaning and fulfillment, find clarity and insight into life’s deepest questions, transform all of your relationships for the better and understand the simplicity yet magnitude of what it means to live enlightened, then Spiritual Yogi membership is for you,” says Dunaway.

Membership includes: weekly coaching emails including either a yoga vignette, guided meditation or journaling practice for the week; access to a library of yoga vignettes, guided meditations and breath-work practices; immediate access to four digital courses (Get Back to Your Soul Self, Inner Peace Project, Relationship Lab and Vision Quest: Get Back on Track); quarterly participation in these digital courses with the Spiritual Yogi community; plus join Ginger live each Sunday morning for a prayerful yoga practice online to feel settled, connected and inspired for the week ahead.

For more information, visit Spiritual-Yogi.com. Quiet Mind Massage & Yoga Studio, 2158 Government St., Mobile. Text: 251-458-6584. See ad, page 8.

Wellness Travel

Maximizing Lutein in Green Smoothies

Research indicates that lutein is essential for eye health, suppresses inflammation and offers cardiovascular health benefits. Because the human body cannot make this powerful antioxidant, it is important to include it in the diet by eating dark, leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale.

A new study in the journal Nutrients has found that coconut milk is the most effective plant-based milk to liberate lutein from spinach in green smoothies. The scientists from Linköping University, in Sweden, tested 14 liquids, and only four increased lutein liberation in spinach smoothies. Compared to blending spinach with water alone, coconut milk without additives was found to improve lutein liberation by 42 percent. Improved lutein liberation was also found with high-fat cow’s milk (36 percent), medium-fat cow’s milk (30 percent) and coconut milk with additives (25 percent). Researchers noted that soy milk with and without additives actually reduced lutein liberation by 40 percent and 61 percent, respectively.

Reducing Pain With Music Therapy

Diet May Impact Risk of Miscarriage

One in six pregnancies ends in miscarriage. While there are many known causes, including chromosomal problems and infections in the womb, nearly half of pregnancy losses remain unexplained.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham, in the UK, analyzed 20 studies that examined the eating habits of 63,838 healthy women of childbearing age in the months before and shortly after conception to see whether there was evidence of an association with a lower or higher chance of miscarriage. The review, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, found that, compared to low consumption, high intake of fruit was associated with a 61 percent reduction in miscarriage risk, and high vegetable intake was associated with a 41 percent reduction.

Risk reduction was also linked to dairy products (37 percent), grains (33 percent), seafood (19 percent) and eggs (19 percent). The evidence was uncertain for red meat, white meat, fat and oil, and sugar substitutes. The researchers looked at whether specific types of diets (such as the Mediterranean Diet or Fertility Diet) were also linked to miscarriage risk, but they could not find evidence that following any of these diets lowered or raised risk.

A new study in the journal PAIN Reports conducted by researchers at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health, in Cleveland, looked at patient outcomes in pain reduction after music therapy. The study examined music therapy interventions provided to 1,056 adults that reported moderate to severe pre-session pain, anxiety or stress. Interventions included listening to live, music-assisted relaxation and imagery, and active music making. After a single music therapy session, the patients reported clinically significant reductions in pain, anxiety and stress.

Additionally, patients receiving a music therapy session in which pain management was a goal were 4.32 times more likely to report pain reduction than those receiving the therapy without such a goal. While music therapy may be an effective, non-drug therapy for acute pain and distress management, additional research is needed to determine which characteristics of music therapy interventions influence pain improvements.

Angel Alexis LunaLarios/ShutterStock.com

Photo by 13MoonsPublishingServices.com

Colon Cancer Rising Among Young Adults

Colon cancer is on the rise in young adults, according to a report published in the journal Science. Colorectal cancer diagnosed in individuals under the age of 50 is known as early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). The most common symptoms include abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. Patients with EOCRC are often diagnosed with more advanced-stage disease and have worse survival rates compared to a later onset of the disease.

EOCRC has risen at a rate of 2 to 4 percent per year since the 1990s and is anticipated to become the leading cause of cancer death in those aged 20 to 49 by the year 2030. One in five colorectal cancer (CRC) cases diagnosed today are in people younger than 55, compared to one in 10 cases in 1995, according to the American Cancer Society.

The increased risk is carried through generations due to changes in environmental risk factors that disproportionately affect those born in recent decades compared to those born earlier. Obesity and other conditions related to metabolic syndrome, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and Type 2 diabetes are associated with CRC risk. Dietary factors, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, red and processed meat, and Western diets, have also been implicated, as has the increased use of antibiotics, environmental toxins and higher rates of cesarean sections and other surgical procedures. Other possible reasons include genetics, low screening rates and misdiagnoses. Researchers also call for more research on the microbiome for EOCRC early detection and assessment.

Tattoo Science and Concerns

People have decorated their bodies with tattoos for millennia for ceremonial and religious reasons, and many people today use them as a form of selfexpression. Tattoo inks are usually made of a mixture of solid particles, molecular dyes, binders and water. The color of the tattoo comes from light being reflected or absorbed by the particles and dyes. While tattoo artists must be licensed to operate for safety reasons, the inks used for tattoos are unregulated in the U.S.

Researchers from Binghamton University, in New York, analyzed almost 100 inks and found that even when these products included an ingredient label, they were not accurate. The team also detected particles that could be harmful to cells.

“Every time we looked at one of the inks, we found something that gave me pause,” says John Swierk, Ph.D., the project’s principal investigator. “For example, 23 of 56 different inks analyzed to date suggest an azo-containing dye is present.” Although many azo pigments do not cause health concerns when they are chemically intact, bacteria or ultraviolet light can degrade them into another nitrogen-based compound that is a potential carcinogen. In addition, the team analyzed 16 inks using electron microscopy, and about half contained particles small enough to get through the cell membrane and potentially cause harm.

Once this data has been peer reviewed, the findings will be posted at WhatsInMyInk.com to help consumers and artists make informed choices.

Flamingo ImagesAdobeStock.com

13MoonsPublishingServices.com

Loved. Heard. Important.

El Niño Is Here

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El Niño and La Niña are the warm and cool phases of a climate pattern across the tropical Pacific. The patterns shift back and forth every two to seven years and vary in strength, causing changes in ocean temperature that lead to droughts, floods and heat waves in different parts of the world.

El Niño has the strongest influence on U.S. winter weather, but in the summer, it reduces hurricane activity in the Caribbean and Atlantic. The pattern also makes it wetter across the southern third to half of the country, including California, while regions in the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Ohio Valley are dry and warm. Outside the U.S., El Niño brings drier weather to Australia, Indonesia, India, and parts of southern Africa and northern South America, and wetter conditions in Southeast Argentina, parts of Chile and Northeast Africa.

This year’s El Niño formed earlier than usual, increasing the possibility of a strong effect on the weather, which when combined with human-caused warming, could result in record high global temperatures. Experts also say it is possible that record hot Atlantic Ocean water may counteract El Niño’s usual suppression of hurricanes this year.

Saving the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is one of the most unique bodies of water in the world. It is the lowest spot on Earth and home to rich, therapeutic minerals. However, each year, its water level drops about four feet, causing the lake to recede and the surrounding landscape to change dramatically. As the water continues to dry up, beautiful, yet eerie, salt formations are left at the shore. These salt deposits create huge sinkholes that swallow up beaches, parking lots, and basil and watermelon farms surrounding the lake. While climate change seems to be exacerbating the

New Species Found in Deep-Sea Mining Zone

Biologists have discovered more than 5,000 new species of marine life in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), an untouched seabed in the Pacific Ocean spanning nearly 2 million square miles between Hawaii and Mexico. Remarkably, approximately 90 percent of the species are entirely new to science. In a paper published in the journal Current Biology, scientists provided the first list of CCZ species, although most of them have not yet been named or described. The checklist focuses on multicellular ani mals dwelling on the ocean floor.

This research is crucial for assessing the potential consequences of deep-sea mining in the CCZ. The seafloor is rich with cobalt, manganese, nickel, copper and zinc— minerals that are critical for renewable energy technologies. Already, 31 exploration contracts have been awarded to several mining companies. Excavation in the CCZ has not yet begun, and scientists, activists and governments have urged caution until researchers are able to evaluate and better understand the impact that mining would have on this unique marine ecosystem.

receding water, the progressive decline of the Dead Sea is primarily caused by another manmade issue. Fresh water that used to flow from the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River into the Dead Sea is being diverted for drinking water and irrigation in Israel, Jordan and Syria. Additionally, Israeli and Jordanian companies consistently evaporate Dead Sea water to harvest its minerals. Potential solutions to save this world beauty include building a canal from the Red Sea and boosting the Jordan River’s flow into the Dead Sea. A lack of significant action to desalinate the lake may lead to the loss of this historical site.

photo courtesy of Dell_Technologies__community

Climate Victory Gardens

Power Walking Innovation

During World War II, an estimated 20 million Americans planted individual and community “victory gardens” to assist the war efforts by producing more than 40 percent of the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed in the country at the time. As the world faces a different kind of threat today, Green America is encouraging and training people to plant “climate victory gardens” to restore soil health and draw down carbon as a way to help solve the climate crisis.

The project invites people to log their garden on an online map (GreenAmerica.org/climate-victory-gardens), showing the cumulative impact of their effort. More than 20,000 climate victory gardens have already been planted, collectively sequestering approximately 4,740 tons of carbon per year, which is equivalent to eliminating the emissions from driving more than 39 million miles.

The mission of Green America, a nonprofit, is to mobilize and empower consumers, investors, businesses and the marketplace to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. Green America provides information on regenerative gardening in down-to-earth terms for beginners and seasoned pros. They also provide resources on related topics, such as organic fertilizers and pesticides, raising chickens, growing food indoors, composting, supporting pollinators and building a rain barrel.

A basic law of physics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Kinetic energy pushes us forward each time we take a step. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average American takes 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day, with many aiming for 10,000 or more. That’s a great deal of energy that gets transferred to the ground unused.

As a design and technology student in London, Laurence Kemball-Cook devised a plan to collect the secondhand energy of footsteps and store it in a usable format. In 2009, a kinetic floor tile that could generate clean electricity was born. Today, Kemball-Cook is CEO of Pavegen, one of many companies looking for ways to advance sustainable energy. Pavegen has installed more than 200 projects in 37 countries.

Pavegen’s sidewalks are made of tile-like triangular platforms. When someone steps on a tile, a flywheel is activated to spin extremely fast, generating power that is sent to and stored in a battery. Although these smart sidewalks do not have the capacity to power entire cities, they can provide energy to office spaces, shopping malls, neighborhoods with streetlamps, sports games and music festivals. While the company works to lower costs and extend their application, Pavegen has been using its energy-producing sidewalks as an educational tool for sustainability awareness.

sulit.photos/iShutterStock.com

LIFELONG LEARNING BENEFITS OF BEING THE FOREVER STUDENT

by Linda Sechrist

It’s never too late to take an evening drawing class at the local high school, learn a language with the help of an app or get one-on-one tutoring from a piano instructor. Adults of any age can find personal and professional benefits when they engage in what is termed “lifelong learning”. It is a great way to spice up retirement, acquire skills for a coveted promotion, master new technology, express creativity or simply keep the mind sharp. Lifelong learners are generally curious, self-motivated and passionate individuals. Their continuing educational pursuits can lead to mental and emotional benefits, including healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Brain Benefits

In a study published in the journal Psychological Science involving 200 seniors, neuroscientists at the Center for Vital Longevity at The University of Texas at Dallas found that sustained engagement in cognitively demanding, novel activities—such as learning digital photography or quilting—significantly enhanced memory function in older adults. The researchers were surprised to discover that the control group, which engaged in fun, social activities without learning a new skill, did not perform as well in memory tests.

In a report published in the journal Neurology, Dr. Keith Johnson from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that people engaged in higher levels of intellectual stimulation throughout their lives can delay the onset of memory problems and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, although it does not represent a cure for the illness.

The mind is a use-it-or-lose-it tool, says Dr. Lise Van Susteren, a general and forensic psychiatrist in Washington, D.C. “What better way to use our short-term and long-term memory than to engage in lifelong learning? The older we get, the less likely we are to exercise short-term memory. We program our phones with numbers we call regularly. We store passwords and usernames in our computers and never attempt to memorize credit card numbers,” she explains. “We’re not using our brains enough, leaving us open to being replaced by AI [artificial intelligence]. The brain is a muscle to be exercised regularly or like a car that you must keep tuned up.”

Susteren points to a five-year study of London taxi drivers, which found that the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is crucial for long-term memory and spatial navigation, was larger than average in the brains of these cabbies. What’s more, the neuroscientists at University College London were able to show through magnetic resonance imaging that this gray-matter growth occurred over a four-year period after the drivers had memorized an intricate network of 25,000 streets and thousands of routes to tourist attractions and city hotspots. According to Van Susteren, this study suggests that intensive learning can spur the brain to grow over time.

Making Every Day Count

Ingrid Bianca Byerly, director of the Humanitarian Challenges Focus Program and senior lecturing fellow in the Thompson Writing Program, at Duke University, describes lifelong learners as audacious, curious and fun-loving people that passionately seize the day. In a TEDxStGeorge talk entitled “The New Fountain of Youth: Lifelong Learning”, she recounts the invigorating experience of being on the faculty of three Semester at Sea voyages, where she taught undergraduate students and lifelong learners world music and publicspeaking advocacy for global humanitarian causes.

“Entering college, you’re asking yourself, ‘What am I going to do for a job and a paycheck?’ and at retirement, you’re asking, ‘What is my purpose, and what am I going to do with the rest of

my life for my personal fulfillment and enrichment?’” Byerly expresses admiration for lifelong learners that pursue life goals, learn to play musical instruments, take art classes, climb mountains or write memoirs, and surmises that the secret to staying young and keeping the mind alive is adult education.

Life-Altering Pursuits

For some lifelong learners, seeking new opportunities and embracing change are compelling motivators. Take Maia Toll, for example. In 2006, she followed a whim to study herbalism with a traditional healer in Ireland. For the elementary school teacher living in Beacon, New York, botanical herbs had only been a hobby up to that point.

“Apprenticing with Eleanor changed everything,” she says of her experience with her Irish-based mentor. “I had the space in my life and money from selling my house. Three months turned into nearly a year, and upon returning home, I continued studying for four more years.”

Toll left her teaching career to become a full-time herbalist and is now the co-owner of a shop called Herbiary, with locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Asheville, North Carolina, where she lives. She has taught herbalism at West Chester University in their School of Public Health, led a study program in the Amazon rainforest and written several books, including her latest, Letting Magic In. As she explains, “Lifelong learning can change your life at any age.”

A Greater Commitment to Learning

For 30 years, Jim Walker was a labor representative for the California School Employees Association. He recalls teaching a labor-law class as an adjunct instructor for Los Angeles TradeTechnical College and estimates that about 80 percent of his students were lifelong learners, which he defines as adults between the ages of 30 and 45 that are interested in the subject matter for personal or professional reasons rather than satisfying a requirement for a college degree.

“It was obvious to me that these lifelong learners were more dedicated students than college students. They were like sponges and wanted to absorb everything. Occasionally during classes, it was the lifelong learners that were on their phones googling the subject and updating my facts,” says Walker, who admits that when he had more free time in retirement, he enrolled in meteorology and astrology courses to satisfy longstanding interests of his own.

A study of London taxi drivers suggests that intensive learning can spur the brain to grow over time.

The Joy of Achieving Milestones

In love with learning and the sense of accomplishment she feels whenever she masters a subject, Doreen DeStefano, of Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine, in Fort Myers, Florida, has been earning degrees since 1987. She holds bachelor’s degrees in nursing and exercise physiology, master’s degrees in criminology and public business administration, and doctorates in natural health and nursing practice. “In medicine, there is always something new to learn,” she says. “I think that’s why I chose this field. It’s fun to learn the latest thing.”

Resources

There are numerous opportunities for learning, in person and online.

IN-PERSON CLASSES

n For people that work full time, many cities offer evening classes at high schools, colleges or civic centers on a wide range of subjects.

n Museums and art institutions commonly host demonstrations and in-depth instruction by local artists.

n A neighborhood music store can lead to connections with musicians that tutor burgeoning rock stars.

n For those harboring thespian aspirations, a hometown improv group or regional theater may be holding auditions or offering acting classes.

n Dance studios help people step up their ballroom dance skills.

n Contact a chef or visit a kitchen supply store for cooking lessons.

n A nearby botanical garden or gardening shop may offer how-to classes for growing native or pollinator plants.

UNITY on the Eastern Shore

n Pick up sewing tips at the fabric store.

n If a class is not offered, create a study group that meets at a cafe or park to learn together.

ONLINE LESSONS

n To become proficient in a new language, check out apps like RosettaStone.com and Duolingo.com.

n YouTube.com is an endless source for instructional videos of every variety.

n Visit Ted.com for informative and inspiring TED talks by global experts in their respective fields.

n For students that wish to learn while taking nature walks, a vast world of podcasts awaits.

n For transformational learning, try MindValley.com, UbiquityUniversity.org and Gaia.org.

n Coursera.org offers many streaming courses, documentaries and films.

n Auditing university classes at prestigious, world-class schools is just a click away. Visit these popular sites, many of which offer courses for free: Harvard University (pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free), Stanford University (Online.Stanford.edu/ free-courses), EdX (EdX.org) and The Open University (Open.edu).

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

Reduce-ReuseREFILL-Recycle

Janet BoullemetUkangsin is the creator and founder of Alabama’s first refillery. Southern Replenish Refillery opened in September 2021 and, so far, has saved over 1,500 plastic bottles from the local landfill.

A refillery is a place where people can refill used and clean containers they already have with bath, body and kitchen cleaning products to reduce waste.

It all started after her mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. BoullemetUkangsin started looking into the problems with plastics and leaching and “it was the beginning of going down the rabbit hole to discover the horrors of plastic pollution.”

She came across a documentary on PBS, “The Plastic Problem,” and found refill stores as a solution to plastic pollution. After looking into the concept, she found there were not many refill stores in the U.S., and none in Alabama. She became determined to bring the concept to the Gulf Coast.

“When I opened my store, it occupied a 200-square-foot space and started with as many refill options as possible. By the following July, my landlord was taking a wall down and I grew to almost 500 square feet,” says BoullemetUkangsin. “The growth in such a brief period proves that people care about recycling.”

Southern Replenish Refillery offers ‘Recycle by Refill’ options. The customer brings empty plastic bottles (typically bath, laundry or cleaning products), the store provides the tare weight of each bottle and labels them. Customers shop from bulk containers, pump the products they want, write the product number on the labels and bring it to the counter to determine how many ounces to pay for.

Recycle by Refill allows the consumer to repeatedly refill existing plastic containers. “Plastics were made to last and recycling is not always the most trusted solution to solving the plastic pollution problem,” says BoullemetUkangsin.

Most of the vendors that sell to Southern Replenish Refillery participate in the “Close the Loop” program, offering repurchases in a bag that can be sent back to the company to clean and reuse.

Southern Replenish Refillery offers plant-based products for bath, laundry and cleaning. Products are purchased from small-batch makers that care about making a better product without toxic ingredients. One example, Oneka products, contain plant extracts from plants grown on their certified organic farm located in Canada. Plants are cultivated there without chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, free of sulfates, parabens and synthetic fragrances.

BoullemetUkangsin observes, “Having a customer come in and use the same dishwashing liquid bottle for over a year is amazing. How many of these bottles would typically be bought in a year? How many plastic bottles do you have around your house and how many times do you throw an empty bottle into the trash or to ‘wishcycling’? Choosing to refill is real recycling, making an enormous impact on plastic pollution one fill at a time. I want my customers to understand and feel the difference they are making. I am keeping count of every bottle refilled at Southern Replenish and as that number increases, my customers see the impact they are making with every visit.”

Location: 23858 US 98, Ste. A. Fairhope (in front of Inland Storage). Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:30-5; Saturdays 10:30-2:30. See ad, page 27.

Eco-Friendly U SUSTAINABILITY ON THE RISE AT U.S. COLLEGES

by Carrie Jackson

The halls of higher education are adopting more sustainable practices as students and university stakeholders increasingly understand that their lifestyle choices and daily operations impact the planet. Motivated by the climate crisis and global-warming-related disasters, many students are looking for ways to lower their individual carbon footprint. Schools, too, are implementing Earth-friendly initiatives throughout their campuses while also prioritizing climateconscious subjects in their curriculums.

According to Julian Dautremont, director of programs at the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), “Sustainability education helps attract, retain and motivate top students and prepares them for responsible citizenship. It catalyzes increased giving and new funding sources, strengthens community relations and facilitates new partnerships. Moreover, sustainability

research and education demonstrate relevance in addressing grand challenges and help unify the campus around a shared sense of purpose.”

AASHE advocates comprehensive modifications that make going green easy and second nature. “We recommend that institutions create systems in which sustainability is the default. Long-term measures such as installing low-flow fixtures in bathrooms, using induction stovetops in dorms and having light sensors that turn off automatically in offices make saving energy automatic,” Dautremont explains. “Where individual behavior is a factor, make the more sustainable choices convenient by, for example, providing water bottle filling stations on every floor, installing covered bike parking and storage, or giving each room its own recycling receptacle and providing education and training to make sustainability behaviors the cultural norm.”

Sophomore Anna Ries-Roncalli, an environmental science major at Loyola University, in Chicago, says, “College is often the first time you’re learning how to be an adult and interacting with the world, and it’s important to make sure that your role is sustainable. Colleges have an inherent, built-in sense of community, and prioritizing sustainability comes more naturally when you see that it’s a collective responsibility that impacts others.”

Ries-Roncalli is aware of the impact her food choices have on the environment. “In our country, where we can buy anything we want from the grocery store, we are so disconnected from the food system. Most people don’t see a carton of eggs and think about every step that it took to get it on the shelves or where the farm it came from is located,” she says. To do her part, she brings reusable plates and utensils to the dining hall, takes leftovers home in a multi-use canister and shops locally or at farmers markets whenever possible. While Loyola composts most food waste in the dining halls, Ries-Roncalli volunteers with Food Recovery Network, a student organization that collects and distributes leftovers to local shelters and food pantries.

Michael Hughey, a senior in the environmental studies program at Loyola, takes full advantage of a partnership between the Chicago Transit Authority and Loyola that grants eligible students unlimited use of public trains and buses. “Students can also walk, take their own bike or use a bike share to get around. Not only are they cutting back on their carbon footprint, they’re engaging more with the city on a ground level,” Hughey explains. “We’ve seen the effects of climate change disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color. I

personally want to mitigate those effects as much as possible and be kind to the planet and my neighbors.”

Cria Kay, program administrator at Northwestern University’s sustainNU, says, “I recommend finding something that brings you joy, identifying what changes you want to see in your life or community, then developing an action you can take that applies your passion to the environmental issue you identified. Even something as simple as taking a walk to pause and notice the wildlife, water, air and soil around you can be helpful for well-being and getting inspired to take on more sustainable behaviors.”

Amy Spark, the sustainability coordinator at Bow Valley College, in Calgary, Canada, believes that sustainability literacy eventually will be required across all disciplines. “Students in every sector are going to be impacted by climate change. Nurses in our LPN [licensed practical nursing] program are seeing a spike in hospital visits with health issues from increasingly poor air quality. It is important to train future graduates to recognize and deal with the impacts of climate change in their disciplines,” she explains.

Spark encourages students to use their voices. “Human stories move decisionmakers, and schools are invested in their students’ overall experience. You don’t need to be an expert, but speak from your experience,” she suggests. “Tell your administrators and policymakers how air quality affects you, or let them know how having more bike lanes would help. If you see something, say something. Report leaky faucets, lights that won’t turn off and other inefficiencies to the maintenance department so proper repairs can be made.”

“Individual behavior change is important, but the single most powerful thing students can do is to advocate for broader change,” says Dautremont. “Students can be enormously influential in campus decision-making, and the impact of such changes generally is going to far outweigh the impact of individual behavior changes.”

Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

Part of courage is simple consistency.

– Peggy Noonan

August’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.

Childhood Food Allergies, Intolerances and Sensitivities

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS FOR ALL AGES

by Veronica Hinke

It’s back-to-school season, and for students with food issues, meal planning is as important as lining up classroom supplies and extracurricular schedules. Paramount in their minds is to avoid ingredients that might cause unappealing reactions or compromise health, while not stressing about the risks or feeling cheated that they cannot eat the same things as their friends.

Diagnosis

Often, food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances are incorrectly used interchangeably when, in fact, the symptoms, treatments and safety recommendations differ. Consult a physician for a proper diagnosis and a nutritionist for dietary guidance.

FOOD ALLERGIES cause an almost immediate, potentially deadly immune response (anaphylaxis) requiring an epinephrine shot. Symptoms include a drop in blood pressure, narrowing of the airways, rashes, nausea and vomiting. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20 percent of students with food allergies will have a reaction at school. Eight ingredients account for 90 percent of food allergies: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.

FOOD INTOLERANCES result from an inability to digest certain foods due to an enzyme deficiency or irritable bowel syndrome. The most common forms of intolerance are caused by lactose, histamine and gluten.

FOOD SENSITIVITIES provoke delayed symptoms (sometimes days after eating a problematic ingredient), including diarrhea, rashes, joint pain, digestive problems, fatigue and brain fog. Among children, common triggers are lactose, gluten, grains, legumes, soy, corn and yeast.

Emotional Concerns

According to Karen Raden, an Illinois-based registered dietician and certified clinical nutritionist, the goal is what she calls “food freedom”: the empowerment of students to make informed choices that feel best for them and their bodies. “Even if a child’s options are limited, it’s important to allow them to make substitutions. The less restricted, the better. It’s not just about the science; there’s a lot of emotion that goes into it, too,” she says.

Dr. Dawn Huebner, a psychologist, author and parent coach in Sacramento, California, says, “There is danger associated with allergies, and anxiety results when you overestimate the danger. In children, this can morph into anxiety about eating with other people or touching things in the classroom. Many parents are intent on making uncomfortable feelings go away, so they end up minimizing feelings, telling their children to simply not worry.”

A better approach, Huebner says, is to acknowledge the child’s reality and empathize with them. “Say to your child in a really direct way, ‘Yes, that’s hard to see your friends eating ice cream or cupcakes that you don’t get to have.’ Even though there are food substitutions, it doesn’t make up for the fact that a student doesn’t get to be a regular kid, eating what everyone else gets to eat.”

Ready-to-Eat Options

Huebner suggests that parents help their children develop skills to overcome temptation, rather than berating or punishing them for occasionally sneaking forbidden foods. At all times, delicious alternatives should be readily available.

Theresa Diulus, a Texas-based nutrition coach, believes in empowering kids by keeping ready-made foods in clearly marked bins that kids can easily access. She stocks the pantry with gluten-free oatmeal and coconut or cassava flour cake mixes, and stores frozen, gluten-free waffle or pancake batter in batches to save time when a safe and delicious treat is needed.

Food Substitutions

Replacing essential nutrients that might be missing once certain foods are eliminated is another key objective. “If dairy is the problem, for example, we worry about bone health and need to make sure the child is getting calcium from nondairy sources,” Raden explains. “I like to find out what their favorite foods are and modify them. Food issues are more prevalent these days. We’re really lucky now that there are very good substitutes for eggs, dairy and gluten.”

Raden recently adapted a shepherd’s pie recipe by using gluten-free flour and almond milk. For people that cannot tolerate regular eggs, she recommends using a “flax egg” in baked goods, which combines one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water.

Family Meals Made Easy

When they were little, Caroline Somers’ two daughters developed extensive food intolerances and food allergies with inflammation, gastrointestinal bloating and

digestive distress. Tasked with reimagining her family’s diet, the president of Suzanne Somers Companies created new versions of her favorite recipes, which will be featured in her upcoming cookbook, Served: From My Family Table to Yours.

“Many people deal with family members who have food preferences or intolerances to foods, and it can turn the person preparing foods into a short-order cook— no gluten for this one; vegan for that one; this one will eat fish but no dairy. It can

make your head spin,” says Somers. Her Vietnamese Spring Rolls recipe addresses this predicament by serving the ingredients family-style and inviting each person at the table to assemble their own spring roll according to their food preferences and restrictions.

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.

To accommodate a family with differing dietary needs due to food allergies, sensitivities or intolerances, this dish is served familystyle, allowing diners to assemble their own spring rolls, choosing from the ingredients that fit their food restrictions.

YIELD: 24 SPRING ROLLS (6 ENTREE SERVINGS, 10 APPETIZER SERVINGS)

1 8-oz package of 8¾-inch rice spring roll wrappers (24 wrappers)

1 bunch Thai basil (or Italian basil), leaves only

1 bunch fresh mint, leaves only

1 bunch fresh cilantro, leaves only

3 cups coconut jade pearl rice (recipe below)

2 mangoes or papayas, pitted, peeled and sliced into long, thin strips

4 Persian cucumbers, julienned into long, thin strips

6 carrots, julienned into long, thin strips

¼ cup crispy ginger (recipe below)

1 head romaine lettuce, thinly sliced

1 head red leaf lettuce, thinly sliced

2 cups sesame ginger vinaigrette (recipe below)

1 cup peanut sauce (recipe below)

Sriracha to taste

COCONUT JADE PEARL RICE

1 15-oz bag (2¼ cups) Lotus Foods Jade Pearl Rice (or jasmine rice)

1 14-oz can unsweetened coconut milk

1¼ cups water

Pinch of sea salt

Do not rinse the rice. Combine rice, coconut milk, water and salt in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve. Can also be prepared in a rice cooker with the same ratios.

photo by Caroline Somers

TURKEY BURGER BENTO BOX

CRISPY GINGER

1 palm-sized piece of fresh ginger

½ cup toasted sesame oil

Peel the ginger and thinly dice it. Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced ginger and fry until golden brown—approximately 6 to 8 minutes—stirring frequently to brown evenly. Transfer the crispy ginger to a small serving bowl with a tiny spoon.

SESAME GINGER VINAIGRETTE

1 cup toasted sesame oil

¾ cup rice wine vinegar

¼ cup tamari (or soy sauce)

2 Tbsp grated fresh ginger

1 Tbsp dried hot mustard

Combine all the ingredients in a jar with fitted lid. Cover and shake until well combined. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months

PEANUT SAUCE

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, pressed

2 Tbsp palm sugar

2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce

1 lime, juiced

1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 Tbsp tamari (or soy sauce)

1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

2 to 3 Tbsp warm water

Heat the peanut butter in a medium bowl in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Add the ginger, garlic, sugar, chili sauce, lime juice, vinegar, tamari and sesame oil, and whisk to combine. Add the warm water to thin the sauce to desired consistency. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

To assemble a spring roll, dip one rice wrapper completely in a shallow bowl of warm water for about 5 seconds. Remove and spread flat on a plate or chopping board. Place basil leaves down the center. Continue to top the single strip with mint, cilantro, a thin layer of rice, mango, cucumber, carrot, a few pieces of crispy ginger and lettuce. Do not overstuff.

Fold up the bottom first, then fold over one side of the wrapper, tucking and rolling the filling into a compact cylinder, leaving the top end open. Serve the rolls with bowls of sesame ginger vinaigrette, peanut sauce and sriracha. Repeat to make desired number of rolls, using any combination of ingredients.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Caroline Somers.

TODAY

Michelle Smith

“A good life is a purposeful life, it doesn’t happen by chance.” Coach Michelle

Group Fitness Glory

TIPS TO MAXIMIZE RESULTS AND ENJOYMENT

by Cristina Parker

People are by nature social creatures, and, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, human connection can lead to a longer life, better health and improved well-being. It should come as no surprise that for exercising, a group setting can also be a plus. Led by a knowledgeable teacher and populated by like-minded participants, fitness classes offer a great way to jumpstart an exercise regimen and achieve fitness goals. Although some people may feel vulnerable when trying a new physical activity in front of strangers, there are ways to overcome the anxiety. Exercising together can transform a workout into a fun, motivating, socially fulfilling activity.

Find the Right Classes

In most cities, an array of group fitness classes is available at gyms, YMCAs, community centers, medical facilities and other public and private venues. The diverse choices include Zumba, a Latin-inspired dance; barre, which incorporates ballet movements; spin cycling, or high-intensity stationary biking; many forms of yoga; the mind-body practice known as Pilates; and boot camp, a military-inspired workout that incorporates strength building with strenuous aerobics. Free group activities are often available, too, such as walking, running, dancing or hiking meetups.

Classes may be posted online and onsite. Scheduling apps can assist the

search for nearby options, including ClassPass ( ClassPass.com ) and MindBody ( MindBodyOnline.com ) for classes and OneRoof (OneRoofApp.com) and Nextdoor (Nextdoor.com) for neighborhood meetups.

“Fitness classes are not one-size-fits-all, and finding an environment and a movement style that matches you can help you be more successful in your fitness journey,” says Jillian Aeder, a Denver-based doctor of physical therapy at Hinge Health and a certified athletic trainer. She recommends trying different studios and types of classes when starting out.

Be Consistent and Accountable

“Group classes are usually conducted on a weekly basis at the same time to help people find consistency in their workouts,” says Britney Kimball, a professional dancer and certified Pilates instructor for BK Movement Health, in New York City. “Attending the same class every week not only helps you see the benefits of fitness faster, but also creates a comfortability with the instructor, the class and the people around you.”

Amber Grundy, a doctor of physical therapy and fitness instructor in Philadelphia, says, “Group fitness programs can be helpful in keeping you accountable for exercising on a regular basis. It makes you feel a part of a community, bringing together multiple fitness levels that can help challenge and motivate.”

Get Going

Fitness classes offer the thrill of competition, Aeder says, noting, “I have seen firsthand how group settings help improve

Ground Picture/ShutterStock.com

participation, performance and ultimately results.” Some classes encourage a healthy dose of competition by displaying scores, ranking attendees in speed or agility, or implementing tiers within an all-level class. In a 2011 study of older adults published in The International Journal of Sport and Society, researchers found that seniors like a challenge, enjoy “winning things” and are motivated to work harder when engaging in competition.

Overcome Fear

To alleviate anxiety about joining a new program, Kimball recommends that people show up to class early, introduce themselves and ask questions. “An instructor will love it when you’re involved, wanting to learn and openly communicating with them,” she explains.

Grundy suggests managing expectations. “Read the description of the class before attending to learn what to expect, and if you’re worried about past injuries or limitations, review that with the instructor. Often, group classes will offer options based on difficulty level. It’s OK for a

beginner to take an expert class so long as they take breaks throughout the workout.”

Save Money

Group classes have one very important advantage over individual training: cost. According to the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, a one-on-one personal training session may begin at $80, whereas a group class with 10 students could be $20 each. Lower costs make sustained attendance more achievable.

Enjoy the Company

The group setting is a nice way to both meet new people and spend extra time with friends or family,” says Grundy. “The camaraderie makes participants more accountable; many leave class saying, ‘See you next time!’ or asking, ‘Where have you been?’”

Reap the Results

Kimball has noticed her students walk out feeling better, looking more confident and going into the rest of their day in a better mood. She says, “Oftentimes we are our

own biggest critic, but it is important to push past that to show up, move the body and have fun.”

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

Bring

23858 US Hwy 98, Suite A | Fairhope (251) 533-8050 | southernreplenish.com

Finding the Path

by Pastor Eric Hankins

Acommonly held belief by people who claim to be “spiritual but not religious” is that, because all religions teach essentially the same thing, there are many equally valid paths to God, rather than just one. The technical religious word for this is “pluralism” as opposed to “exclusivism.” Without question, this is a very kind sentiment. It would be wonderful if everyone wound up in a redemptive relationship with God!

The problem with pluralism, unfortunately, is that it is little more than a nice idea with little cogency or practical value. It is like Marxism: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” It sounds fantastic, but it just doesn’t work with real people in the real world because there is way more to people and the world than material abilities and needs.

Pluralism means, “People can believe whatever they want, and things will work out.”

It’s a view that is both banal and pernicious. Moreover, the person who claims that all religions teach essentially the same thing must do so from a position of either radical moral and intellectual superiority (“I comprehend and judge all the world’s religions!”) or radical moral and intellectual skepticism (“None of this mumbo jumbo matters!”), which are deeply problematic positions.

The questions cannot be waved away so easily. At First Fairhope, we discuss how the hard work of pursuing truth must be done because only truth redeems. “Who is God?” and “What is a ‘religious’ path that redeems?” and “What is redemption?” have true and false answers that can be compared to one another and assessed. These questions are simultaneously the hardest and most important questions there are. Finding the True Answer is the only path worth walking.

“Who is God?” Christianity’s claim is that the one true God is the ultimate Being to whom all people must be rightly related. The life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the fullest revelation of both God’s Being and the nature of humanity’s right relationship with God.

Therefore, faith in Jesus is the only “religious path that redeems.” No other religion posits a Savior like him. He entered human history to reveal true divinity (the Creator is eternal, personal, holy, self-giving love) and true humanity (the meaningful life is found in sacrifice for others, not acquisition for oneself). It is impossible for people to find this way of being human and this way of knowing God on their own.

Each person is evidence of this fact. We need to be redeemed, rescued from our addiction to self-centeredness and all the misery it brings. Jesus is this kind of Redeemer. His divinity reveals God’s love and power to save; his humanity accomplishes the redemptive act: the best person willingly makes the greatest sacrifice for the most undeserving. Such an act saves the world. It’s the only act that saves the world.

Eric Hankins, Ph.D., is pastor at First Fairhope Church, 300 S. Section St., Fairhope, AL. For more information, call 251-928-8685 or visit FirstFairhope.org.

gregorylee/DepositPhotos.com

Maria Rodale

ON LETTING NATURE HEAL ITSELF

by Sophia Ellis Kreider

Bestselling author, activist and gardener Maria Rodale is a board member of Rodale Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through research, farmer training and education. She is the former CEO of Rodale Inc., the global health and wellness media company that published notable books and magazines, including Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth

Her own books include Organic Manifesto: How Organic Food Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe, as well as Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious. In her latest work, Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My

Garden, Rodale leads readers through her relationship with the plants, animals and insects that inhabit her garden and shares the life lessons these often misunderstood creatures taught her.

Why did you write this book?

It was a combination of sensing that “spirit” wouldn’t allow me not to and the recognition that I could write the book in my own way, with humor and irreverence. It’s been my experience that once we begin following the path that spirit provides for us, things become easy. As someone on the older side of life, I’ve also noticed that when I don’t listen to that guidance, I tend to really mess things up,

so even when I don’t understand the path, I have to follow it.

What is the most significant message nature is trying to share

with us?

The overarching message, which has been reinforced since I wrote the book, is that nature wants to feel free to do whatever it needs to do to heal things. The more we try to control nature, the more frustrated it gets. The same is true for people; the freer we feel, the happier and more productive we are. All efforts to control, whether it’s controlling human behavior or landscapers trying to control the landscape, are not helpful in any way. If we want to solve the climate crisis or the environmental crisis, we need to allow nature to be free and do its job.

The other message I received from nature relates to humans’ tendency to search for plants, take them, hoard them, eat them and rub them on our skin. In reality, we don’t need to do these things to benefit from plants. We can simply be in harmony with them in order to absorb their healing energy. So again, it’s about freedom, releasing control and trusting our relationship with plants and nature.

What role does courage play in exploring what plants, insects and animals have to teach us?

Many of us are afraid of having new experiences or have anxiety about things we don’t understand. When this happens, we can choose to stay in the fear or encourage ourselves through it. When we choose courage and curiosity, we often learn a new skill or power. For example, when I was journeying and getting to know mosquitos and ticks, I felt afraid but chose to keep going. While I didn’t come to love the

photo courtesy of Rodale Institute

mosquitos and ticks, I developed compassion and respect for them.

To understand what nature is communicating to us, we need to get curious and unlearn what our parents and culture taught us about how our garden should look or how we should interact with it. We can ask ourselves, “What am I afraid of? Where did the fear come from?” and listen for the answer.

What role does personal trauma play in healing our planet?

Trauma is the root of everything—crime, abuse and all the things that make us unhappy and destructive, both towards each other and nature. That’s one of the reasons I was excited to share the parents’ creed in the milkweed chapter. The creed teaches that in order to stop trauma, we must raise kids well from the start. The challenge is that our culture doesn’t provide the information we need to minimize our mistakes or prevent trauma in the first place. Openness to learning about ourselves is key to healing trauma. When we heal our traumas, we are less likely to project trauma onto other living beings, including nature. If people respond to life with curiosity instead of fear, and love instead of control, we can evolve amazingly fast and have fun doing it. This is the wonderful work we can accomplish together with nature— envisioning and building new systems and ways of being on this beautiful Earth.

Sophia Ellis Kreider is a freelance writer in Lancaster, PA, and a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings. Connect at SophiaEllisKreider@gmail.com.

Stepparenting Success CREATING A VIBRANT BLENDED FAMILY

by Julie Peterson

Beat the Odds

According to Julee Peterson, a Californiabased therapist at Helping Blended Families, 65 percent of families are blended. It is the new norm. And yet, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 23 percent of second marriages end in divorce after five years and 39 percent dissolve after 10 years. Peterson notes, “Many reputable scholars still project the overall divorce rate for all marriages to be between 40 and 50 percent.”

To avoid becoming part of these statistics, it is crucial to manage expectations before creating a blended family. “What roles do you see each other playing? How are you going to handle discipline, experience holidays, safeguard your relationship or deal with divorce drama?” asks Christina McGhee, MSW, author of Parenting Apart: How Separated and Divorced Parents Can Raise Happy and Secure Kids.

See the Child’s Point of View

Blended families are complex and often challenging. A marriage between two people that already have children creates new relationships with individuals that were strangers not long ago. The newlyweds must nurture their own kids while forming new bonds with stepchildren, and the children may need to figure out how to accept a stepparent into their lives, share physical and emotional space with stepsiblings or spend part of their time in their other parent’s home.

It’s a lot to ask. Imagine this through the eyes of a young child or teenager. It might be confusing, frustrating or infuriating. Fortunately, there are methods to knit a blended family into a strong and enduring tapestry.

McGhee, who prefers to be called “bonus mom” by her two stepchildren, cautions parents not to underestimate the amount of stress that blended families experience due to different parenting styles, uncooperative coparents and revolving schedules. “But it’s still possible to create an environment where everybody feels connected and accepted,” she asserts.

“Even very young children pick up on body language and stress,” says McGhee. “Kids can do remarkably well having one household

Ursula Page/AdobeStock.com

that is grounded, balanced and supportive with parental figures that validate their feelings, shield them from conflict, create opportunities for conversation and remain consistent and predictable.”

Set Practical Boundaries

While it’s OK if a stepchild is not comfortable with a stepparent right away, “the child should have an understanding of the importance of the stepparent in their life, and that the stepparent should be treated with respect,” says attorney Victoria Kelly, a partner at Sefton Kelly Family Law, in Naperville, Illinois.

Although a couple may be excited to embark upon a blended-family adventure, their children may feel pressured into instantly liking or accepting a stepparent. “Kids may feel a loyalty conflict or worry about betraying the other parent if they accept the stepparent,” says McGhee, suggesting that stepparents encourage and support one-onone time with the other parent. “It’s critical for bonus parents to honor the history that your bonus children have,” she advises. “Part of their lives didn’t include you. Respect that.”

Collaborate With the Coparent

“You have zero control over the decisions that coparents make—what they do, what they say, the rules that they establish,” says McGhee. “But you always have a choice about how you respond and how you engage. Focus on what you can control.”

“It’s important to have an open line of communication with the other parent, but if the other parent is not comfortable speaking with the stepparent, that boundary should be respected," advises Kelly. “All families can benefit from monthly meetings.”

“Often, there are issues that kids are navigating behind the scenes that don’t make it on our parent radar,” McGhee notes, suggesting that parents set up a transition time when children are moving between households, such as a gathering around the dinner table to talk about the things that took place while apart. “Kids need some emotional space to shift gears,” she says. “When they’re with the other parent, keep communication open, so that when the children come back through the door, they don’t get sensory overload.”

Create Memories Together

Will Smith, senior business development manager for Acrow Bridge, in Alabama, raised one biological son and one stepson. He says that each child is different, so every situation needs to be customized to meet their needs. Smith and his wife presented a clear and consistent front when setting long-term values and goals for the kids—expecting the boys to do well in school and go to college—and they leaned in hard to achieve those objectives. Stepparents can gradually incorporate quality togetherness by celebrating holidays, new rituals or even ordinary activities. “My relationship with my stepson grew through a shared interest in sports,” Smith says. “As a family, we played a lot of board games and had some favorite movies. These things became traditions.”

Julie Peterson is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.

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WATCHING FISH SWIM

THE JOYS AND BENEFITS OF AQUARIUMS

by Carrie Jackson

There’s something meditative about observing the movement of colorful fish among swaying aquatic plants while hearing the soothing sounds of water. In our culture, where stress has run amok, the restorative ambiance created by a well-placed and properly designed aquarium may be a welcome remedy for the busyness of life.

A study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health reports that aquariums help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lessen feelings of loneliness and serve as emotional support during mental health crises. Gazing at fish for just a few minutes every day can reduce stress, improve sleep and instill an overall sense of calm.

People have kept fish for more than 4,500 years, and since the late 1800s, the idea of marine life as pets has emerged as a popular pastime. Large public aquariums with multimillion-gallon exhibits thrill visitors around the globe, while smaller fish tanks adorn doctors’ offices, health spas, libraries and a myriad of public and professional spaces. With a little planning, the beauty and calming influence of these underwater displays can be incorporated into the home, offering a unique way to bring nature indoors, spark curiosity and teach kids valuable lessons.

Dr. Ran D. Anbar, a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist and pediatrician, has two aquariums in his waiting room in La Jolla, California. “Watching fish doesn’t require a lot of thought, and this allows the mind to settle down. It’s generally calming because the viewer’s interest is captured by the fishes’ unique appearances and smooth, rhythmic and repetitive navigation through water. Aquariums have been associated with improvement of mood, better pain management and blood sugar control,” says Anbar, who also offers hypnosis and counseling services to his patients.

If a child shows interest, Anbar incorporates the aquarium into his counseling sessions. “I thank them for being kind to my fish, and this helps reduce tension. Kids love feeding the fish and watching them happily eat. We talk about how the fish might feel, which helps the kids describe their own thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, when children describe a fish’s response, they are able to verbalize thoughts they cannot say about themselves,” he explains. “Children also like to photograph or draw the fish, and I ask them to imagine the fish’s name, origin and hobbies. This sparks creativity, and they often become interested in setting up their own aquariums after seeing them in my office.”

Maintaining an aquarium can teach kids empathy and trustworthiness. “Children learn to be responsive to their fish’s needs, including how to observe the animals closely for signs of distress. Children learn to be patient and how to follow a schedule. They can

learn to calm their own emotions in dealing with their fish, because otherwise the pets might become agitated,” Anbar says, urging parents to supervise their kids closely until it is clear they are able to care for the animals responsibly.

Steven Waldron, the owner of Aquarium Zen, in Seattle, Washington, helps people create artistic installations inspired by the aquarist Takashi Amano, who combined Japanese gardening techniques with the wabi-sabi principle of finding beauty in imperfection. “Aquariums are living aquatic ecosystems, and it is deeply compelling to have a slice of that biome in your home,” Waldron says. “The very act of creating and maintaining that ecosystem taps into something instinctual and gives people structure, a sense of purpose and peace. With endless design possibilities, people are able to create a projection of their own aquatic paradise ”

To reap benefits, an aquarium need not be large or overly expensive. Waldron notes that a few green plants combined with colorful fish provide the right kinetic energy to be both soothing and invigorating. “Choose fish that complement the plants and are enjoyable to watch. Siamese fighting fish, tetras, dwarf cichlids and dwarf shrimp are excellent for home aquariums. Some of these simply provide beauty and some, such as the Amano shrimp and the Otocinclus catfish, act as a cleanup crew and eat damaging algae,” he says. “Once it’s set up, routine maintenance, such as cleaning the tank and changing the water, should take less than an hour a week, and most people find caring for their aquarium to be a fulfilling and meditative task.”

While it may be tempting to put an aquarium in a bedroom, Waldron believes that can be too much energy for a space meant for slumber. “From a feng shui perspective, a dark corner of a common living space is the ideal location for an aquarium. This allows it to become the central focal point and provide light, life and positive energy,” he says. “Once you start to see natural energy flowing through the plants and animals, it becomes intuitive, and you see the connection to nature everywhere.”

Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

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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.

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.

TUESDAYS

Let’s Chat–Spiritual Conversation – Noon1:30pm. 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.

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 St., 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 – On HIATUS until September. 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.

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

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

SATURDAYS

Tai Chi & Qigong – On HIATUS until September. 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.

Wirestock/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 11

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 19.

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 27.

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 25.

BIORESONANCE THERAPY

HARMONIC HEALTH ALABAMA

9930 Milton Jones Rd., Daphne, AL 251-374-7707

HarmonicHealthAlabama.com

Harmonic Health Alabama features the Harmonic Egg, a science-based, sound and light therapy for physical, emotional and spiritual energy healing. Please call, text or visit our website for more information! See ad, page 31.

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 25.

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 23.

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 23.

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.

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.

– Anne Lamott

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 16.

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.

ENERGY HEALING

HARMONIC HEALTH ALABAMA

9930 Milton Jones Rd., Daphne, AL

251-374-7707

HarmonicHealthAlabama.com

Harmonic Health Alabama features the Harmonic Egg, a science-based, sound and light therapy for physical, emotional and spiritual energy healing. Please call, text or visit our website for more information! See ad, page 31

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 23.

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 23.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE OF LOWER ALABAMA

28720 Hwy. 98, Ste. 1, Daphne, AL 251-241-4346

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 20.

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.

HEALTH & WELLNESS SPA

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 19

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 25.

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 29.

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 25.

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 19.

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.

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 24.

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 13.

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 31.

PLANT-BASED FOOD

THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

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

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

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

See ad, page 23

THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

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

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

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

See ad, page 23.

RECYCLING

SOUTHERN REPLENISH REFILLERY

23858 Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL 251-533-8050

Open Tuesday-Saturday

Providing the Gulf Coast with real RECYCLING options that allow for recycling within the home. ReUse plastic containers with Recycle by ReFill. Products are safe, sulfate free, paraben free and free of synthetic fragrances. Enjoy ReFill Fridays with 15% off.

See ad, page 27

35 years’ experience with anxiety, PTSD, weight loss, smoking cessation, removing blockages, regression, behavior modification, energy healing & streamlining, pain management. See ad, page 29.

RESTORATIVE YOGA

ABOVE AND BEYOND YOGA AND SALT THERAPY

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.

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, 9am. Donations to Unity accepted. See ad, page 16.

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 19.

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 19.

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 11

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 13

classifieds

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

HELP WANTED

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

CLASSES/TRAINING

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

FOR RENT/LEASE

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

OPPORTUNITIES

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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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