October 2023 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

A RETURN TO ANCIENT HEALING PRACTICES

WORLD

BENEFITS OF MUSIC IN CHILDHOOD

How to Kickstart

Lifelong Learning

MACROBIOTIC EATING FOR BUSY SCHEDULES

WISE WORDS on Wisdom in Nature and Ourselves

ADVANCED SCREENING

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ADVERTORIAL

A DOCUMENTARY FILM BY HIDEYUKI TOKIGAWA

NARRATED BY MICHAEL BUBLE

hosted by

O is for October and Oneness

Dear Friends,

Welcome to fall weather on the Gulf Coast, FINALLY. I hope you will take a moment amid the busyness of Autumn…football, kids school lessons and sports, new projects…and take yourself back to a time when holistic remedies from all parts of the world were passed down from generation to generation: Traditional World Healing Wisdom. In these pages, you will find Returning to our Healing Roots, Discovering the World of Martial Arts (as more than 6 million people in the U.S. have already done) and celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 9.

I was fascinated to learn that Indigenous Peoples in the Gulf Coast region are primarily Choctaw (also known as Chahta Yakni). They were originally based in the Southeastern Woodlands, in what is now Alabama and Mississippi. The Choctaw Indians once lay claim to millions of acres of land and established some 50 towns in present-day Mississippi and western Alabama. With a population of at least 15,000 by the turn of the nineteenth century, the Choctaws were one of the largest Indian groups in the South and played a significant role in shaping the politics, economics and armed conflicts in the region.

Thousands of Choctaws remained in the Southeast, even after the ‘Indian Removal.’ They are known today as the federally recognized Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and state recognized MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians (so named for their location in Mobile and Washington County) of Alabama.

As with most Native American tribes, Choctaw Indians’ religious beliefs influenced many aspects of their lives and culture, such as their understanding of health and wellness. Within the Choctaw tribes, there existed a belief in the need to maintain balance between oneself and the universe. This cosmological balance between a person and those things around him was vital in maintaining a healthy life. This is much like people view holistic medicine today. The Choctaw believed that imbalance in the connections between a person and his surroundings could lead to disease, so all ailments and cures carried a degree of spirituality with them. While Choctaw alekchi (medicine man) practices included a large degree of spirituality, their skills were often of equal efficacy as the white doctors who first observed them. It has been reported that during times of early contact with settlers, the Choctaw’s medicinal knowledge was sought by white doctors.

In this day of advanced scientific methods and the quest for more natural remedies, there is growing evidence that medical knowledge of early Native Americans is applicable to today’s pharmacological research. The Choctaw alekchi’s most useful tool in treating patients was their expansive knowledge of herbal remedies. They possessed a depth of knowledge that is now understood by modern science. Ancient healing modalities are now “new” again.

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Living with Resistant Depression, Dementia? We

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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.

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

The 11th Annual Fairhope Film Festival is a highly anticipated four days in November at multiple picturesque venues.

Film lovers will view multiple shorts and features of world-class cinema. The Fairhope Film Festival is a true film lover’s festival with films curated from other film festivals. Most have never been seen before!

FILM TITLES WILL BE ANNOUNCED OCTOBER 26, 2023.

NOVEMBER 9–12

11th Annual Fairhope Film Festival Brings the Best of Film to Coastal Alabama

The Fairhope Film Festival (FFF) will bring the best of the best in film to Coastal Alabama November 9 through 12. In its 11th year, the festival continues to offer independent cinema, curated conversations and newly released films. Films will be announced on October 26.

In four theaters, thousands of film lovers will view shorts and feature films of world class cinema, including international and domestic feature films as well as documentaries. The festival will also feature panel discussions, post-screening Q&As, coffee talks and more with filmmakers, directors and industry experts.

The Opening Night film will be shown at the theater of University of South Alabama, Baldwin County Campus, in Fairhope. The reception after the movie will be at The Summit Street Inn.

A new addition this year will be the FH48 Film Scramble, which is an event for high school students. Teams of future filmmakers are given a script, a few props and 48 hours to film and edit a short film that will be shown on Sunday.

Also new this year, Panels and Coffee Talks, will be held at The Book Cellar by industry insiders. These films are all finalists at other film festivals and most have never been seen at the local multiplex.

“This year, FFF brings locals together for the most fun and enlightening arts event in Alabama. We aim to bring an exceptional film experience to everyone who participates in our festival,” says Mary Riser, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board.

The Fairhope Film Monthly Movies extends the organization’s mission all year long providing audiences with thought-provoking, highly acclaimed, and newly released documentary and narrative feature screenings from January to June.

“Our hope is to foster conversation and share understanding of the human experience through the art of film,” says Riser.

FFF was created to bring the best in world cinematic culture to our region, to introduce our area as a viable location for the film industry, to encourage Alabama filmmakers and to increase the state and local economy.

For more information or to order tickets, see FairhopeFilmFestival. org. Tickets for in-person showings and virtual are $15. Red Carpet awards ceremony and 2023 Filmmaker Awards tickets are $50 per person. Entertainment performed by Kenny on the Keys, featuring catering supplied by Andree’s in Fairhope. See ad, page 6.

Soothing Experiences and Spiritual Connections at River Rock Yoga and Pilates

“To live with dignity and kindness is a gift we receive from regularly participating in spiritual practices,” states Moira Anderson, the visionary behind River Rock Yoga and Pilates and founder of The Mississippi Center for Yoga and Health. “When we feel loving toward ourselves, we often feel loving toward others, therefore our relationships tend to improve.”

A popular spiritually soothing workshop at the studio uses music and sound. Because the human body is mostly water, the vibration of sound relieves stress, improves health, releases buried emotions, enhances mood, boosts brainwaves and expands consciousness. Upcoming events at River Rock include Wholetones: A Movement Meditation with Debi Saraswati Lewis in October, Natalia Clavier’s Music Journey and Cacao Ceremony in November and Rhythmic Resonance: A Breath and Music Journey to Inner Harmony with Out of Doors in December.

River Rock Yoga and Pilates, a destination for health and wellness, has been building a community in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, since 2006. In spring 2024, it will move to a new space with expanded offerings. The Mississippi Center for Yoga and Health will continue to support River Rock Yoga and Pilates classes in a larger sanctuary space, with the addition of a state-of the-art hot yoga studio, nutrition, massage, therapeutic water and spa services and continued mental health services. Associated businesses include a healthful restaurant; coffee, tea and juice bar; community garden and outdoor yoga pavilion.

Anderson, CYT, E-RYT 500, LCSW, is committed to serving people with education and holistic health support. In addition to the yoga studio, her focus remains wellness workshops, community events, transformational experiences and music concerts.

Anderson wants people to learn to feel more at ease with themselves, more connected to community and more vibrantly associated with spiritual practices. “Our obsession with achievement

has caused us to neglect our spiritual side, which actually needs equal attention,” she suggests. “Without it we become depressed and anxious, basing our worth on what we can accomplish rather than on our inherent compassion, generosity and kindness.”

Anderson advises weaving spiritual practices like yoga, meditation, music, dancing, singing and deep relaxation into daily life to uplift the heart and reduce suffering. Her personal practices and study have proven to her that present moment experiences can help return to us a sense of wholeness, where we can recognize our well-being, connection and an inherent happiness not based on external events.

Location: 2429 W. Commerce St., Ste. C, Ocean Springs, MS. For more information or to sign up call Kimberly Jackson, Studio Manager 228-369-0266 or Moira Anderson, Director 228-365-3191. RiverRockYoga.com. See ad, page 8.

Moira Anderson

Empowering Clients Through Somatic Breathwork

SomatIQ Breathwork is a transformative wellness practice that empowers individuals to clear mental and emotional blockages and leads to enhanced clarity, wellness and more harmonious alignment to one’s personal wellness and purpose.

“This is so much more than breathwork,” says certified Somatic Breathwork practitioner, Morgan Tyner, “This is about the safe transformation that comes in the community within SomatIQ Breathwork between practitioner and client.”

Tyner is also bringing SomatIQ Breathwork to a women’s wellness retreat in 30A Blue Mountain Beach, Florida, with more opportunities for corporate and small business team sessions upcoming. Benefits of SomatIQ Breathwork for businesses include reduction of stress and anxiety, boosted energy and enhanced team dynamics and collaboration.

Vicki, a Respira with Morgan client, says, “I got more from that one session than from all the regular talk sessions I’ve done previously. I feel lighter, more alert, more focused and energized than I have in years.”

The practitioner in SomatIQ is not a healer, but a mirror providing space and guidance for individuals to be empowered, to let go, to see the capacity at which one can love, respect and show up for oneself and then for others. It’s an opportunity to heal, serve one another and give someone permission to take up space.

“It’s remarkable when a client comes away from a session knowing they did that work, without someone else putting that ‘fix it’ pressure on them or doing it for them,” says Tyner. “The gift of the breath that God has given us amazes me. But what amazes me even more is the gift and miracle of community. I’ve experienced and seen firsthand how powerful that can be.”

To bring SomatIQ Breathwork to your company, conference or retreat, contact Morgan Tyner at Somatic@morgantyner.com or DM her on Instagram @RespirawithMorgan. See ad, page 20.

Owning Your Personal Power

Many people believe they are victims of circumstance. Comments such as, “I always end up with a woman who...” or “People can’t be trusted. They will stab you in the back every time!” are the mindset of those who hand over personal responsibility of their lives by blaming others.

“The first step to accessing one’s personal power is owning responsibility for the results. After all, YOU are the common denominator,” says Mary Beth Svatek, Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Life Coach. “Hypnotherapy is the most effective way to drive change because people can access information from the subconscious on what drives self-defeating habits and behaviors and use that to dispel incorrect thought patterns. This enables one to rewrite an empowering self-narrative.”

Svatek only works with people who are ready to take up new approaches to change. One of the biggest hurdles is changing one’s mindset. Many people attempt to rewrap their same tendencies and thought patterns with new wrapping paper, only to experience the same results. But change cannot happen if one continues to disguise the same behaviors and tries to fool themselves and others. It will manifest the same results.

Svatek works to empower clients in understanding that, barring acts of God, it is we who create our own realities, simply by our thoughts, what we accept and what and who we allow into our lives. Svatek uses hypnotherapy and coaching to enable people to streamline their life by getting rid of what is bleeding them and bringing in healthy thoughts, people and behaviors. “The key is to deflect drama and unhealthy habits or people before they gain access to the inner energy cores of your life,” says Svatek, “That starts with the mind.”

For more information about The Psycho-Energetic Institute and the Energy Model of Therapeutic change, call 251-300-9916, follow on Facebook or visit EnergyModelofChange.com. See ad, page 17.

Morgan Tyner

Mary Beth Svatek

Breast Cancer Awareness

Carolyn Olson on the Benefits of Breast Thermography

Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection and prevention. Carolyn Olson, a Certified Clinical Thermographer and owner of Thermography Advantage in Mobile, is a passionate advocate for women’s health, promoting the vital role of breast thermography.

“Breast thermography is a game-changer in the fight against breast cancer,” emphasizes Olson. “It offers women a non-invasive, radiation-free option to actively monitor their breast health. Awareness and early detection are key and thermography plays a crucial role in achieving these goals.”

One significant advantage of breast thermography is that it can complement other breast cancer screenings, such as mammograms or clinical breast exams, providing women with a more comprehensive approach to breast health. Such a multi-modal approach enhances the ability to detect potential issues early on and improves outcomes.

Breast thermography provides a thermal image along with a detailed written report from a medical doctor. But thermography doesn’t require a doctor’s order, making it accessible and convenient for women who want to take proactive steps in monitoring their breast health. “Women should have the freedom to make informed choices about their health,” says Olson. “Breast thermography empowers them to do that.”

Olson’s advocacy for breast thermography during Breast Cancer Awareness Month underscores the importance of providing women with choices when it comes to breast health. Her dedication serves as a beacon of empowerment, guiding women toward proactive breast health management.

“We can create a future where breast cancer is detected early, leading to improved outcomes and saved lives,” says Olson.

For more information on breast screenings at Thermography Advantage, call or text Carolyn Olson, Certified Clinical Thermographer at 251-623-2225 or visit ThermographyAdvantage.com. See ad, page 11.

N95 Masks May Cause Cardiopulmonary Overload

Face masks are used to reduce the transmission of airborne diseases. Nevertheless, for certain people, extended use of an N95 mask may be problematic, and that is what Chinese researchers set out to study in a randomized clinical trial published this year in JAMA Network Open.

For 14 hours in a controlled setting, 30 healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive various interventions with and without the N95 mask, including two 30-minute, light-exercise sessions. Biometric measurements and blood samples were taken before, during and after each testing period.

The scientists found that wearing an N95 mask resulted in reduced respiration rate and oxygen saturation within one hour, and an elevated heart rate two hours later, which continued until the mask was taken off. During exercise, mask-induced cardiopulmonary stress was further exacerbated, as heart rate and blood pressure increased, and respiration rate and oxygen saturation decreased. Energy expenditure and fat oxidation were elevated.

After the 14-hour masked period, blood pH markers decreased, which may cause drowsiness, stupor and even coma in extreme cases, according to the National Institutes of Health. The study authors note that chronic cardiopulmonary stress may increase cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality in elderly individuals, children and those with cardiopulmonary diseases. Further investigation is needed to explore the effects of different masks on various populations.

Hair Tapping

New methods for cultivating healthy hair growth have been gaining traction amongst young people on social media platforms, including hair tapping, a technique popularized in Korean and Japanese hair spas. According to hair-care experts, hair tapping is similar to a scalp massage and involves gentle drumming movements along the scalp with the fingers. Hair-tapping techniques draw from acupuncture, the practice of releasing energy by accessing certain landmarks in the body.

Like other kinds of scalp massages, hair tapping may relieve scalp tension, stimulate blood flow and improve lymphatic drainage. A Japanese study found that four-minute daily scalp massages over a 24-week period increased hair thickness by changing the expression of human dermal papilla cells in tissue under the skin. And a 2019 self-assessment survey found scalp massages improved hair growth for individuals with hair loss.

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Fermented Foods for Brain Health

Yoga for Prostate Cancer Patients

The consumption of fermented products is on the rise as drinks like kombucha and kefir have become popular. They are a source of tryptophan, an amino acid critical to producing serotonin, the brain chemical that influences mood, and may also contain neurotransmitters in their raw form. Research has shown that eating fermented foods may have long- and short-term impacts on brain function, such as reducing stress.

Led by researchers at University College Cork, in Ireland, a new large study has begun to compare 200 fermented foods from around the world to pinpoint which ones are the most beneficial for brain health. Although still in its initial stages, preliminary results have already revealed some surprises. Almost all of the fermented foods display the potential to improve gut and brain health. While more research is needed, sugar- and vegetable-based fermented foods are likely to top the list, according to the lead researcher.

Taurine Offers Longevity Potential

Taurine, one of the most abundant amino acids in the body, is vital for health of the eyes, muscles, brain and heart. Research has found that taurine levels decrease with age. In a study published in the journal Science, researchers found that taurine supplementation improved the lifespan and healthspan of middle-aged mice.

The scientists noticed improvements in bone, muscle, pancreas, brain, fat, gut and immune function. The median life span of taurine-treated mice increased

According to the American Cancer Society, about one man in eight will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, with six in 10 of these cases in men 65 years and older. Non-Hispanic Black men have a 75 percent higher risk and are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men, with genetics accounting for some of these disparities.

Researchers from The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio evaluated the impact of yoga on quality of life, as well as on immune and inflammatory responses. Published in the Journal of Urology, the study included 30 men with cancer that were scheduled for radical prostate removal. Half of the patients performed 60 minutes of yoga twice a week for six weeks before surgery and for three to six weeks after surgery. The other patients received standard care.

The group that performed yoga reported higher qualityof-life scores, including reduced fatigue and improvements in physical, sexual, functional and social wellbeing. Based on blood samples, the scientists also found that yoga promoted an anti-tumor immune response and reduced inflammatory cytokine levels.

by 10 to 12 percent, and life expectancy at 28 months increased by about 18 to 25 percent. Similar effects were observed in monkeys and cellular worms. The researchers also found a link between lower circulating taurine levels and higher risk for Type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

The researchers speculate that taurine’s anti-aging and disease-preventing benefits could be due to its effects on reducing cellular death, inflammation, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and other hallmarks of aging. They also found that exercise increased concentrations of taurine metabolite levels in the blood.

While more research is needed on taurine supplementation, dietary sources can be prioritized. Shellfish (scallops, clams and mussels) are the best dietary source of taurine, followed by lamb, beef, pork and chicken.

zarzamora/ShutterStock.com

Teachers Face Big-Tech Challenges and Opportunities

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the education sector, bringing unprecedented opportunities for personalized learning experiences and teaching assistance. AI can help teachers identify gaps in students’ understanding, enabling a swift, tailored response. AI tools can also be used as study aids, reinforcing classroom concepts and driving student engagement.

Two organizations—California-based online educator Khan Academy and Seattle-based computer science education nonprofit Code.org have joined forces to create a free, five-part AI training series for teachers. Code.org also offers two instructional videos for teachers, students and the public.

Despite the potential for AI in the classroom, teachers’ contributions remain crucial as facilitators of technology tools to foster enriched learning environments. Teachers can also identify if students are leveraging AI assistance, such as ChatGPT, helping ensure the ethical usage of these tools. Khan Academy, Code.org and others are providing teachers and administrators with the tools they will need to keep pace with emerging technology.

Critical Ocean Current May Be Near Collapse

According to a new analysis from the journal Nature Communications, the Atlantic Ocean’s sensitive circulation system has become slower and less resilient. Scientists are concerned that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could collapse any time between 2025 and 2095.

The AMOC plays a critical role in transporting warm, salty water from the tropics to the North Atlantic and sending colder water back south along the ocean floor. Because Arctic ice is melting at a rapid pace due to global warming, there is an overabundance of cold freshwater in the system, putting it in danger of irreversible collapse. Such a collapse could dramatically alter weather patterns, lowering temperatures in North America and Europe, propelling severe storms in the tropics and elevating sea levels on the U.S. Atlantic coast.

To measure the AMOC’s strength, scientists use buoys and proxy indicators, such as microscopic organisms and tiny sediments from the seafloor, and according to the data, it is at its weakest state in more than 1,000 years. Other experts suggest that the entire ocean system must be studied to more accurately predict the effect of these AMOC changes.

Birds Using Anti-Bird Spikes to Build Nests

Magpies and crows in Scotland, Holland and Belgium are using metal spikes—originally intended to deter bird perching—to build their nests. The spikes appear to provide several nesting benefits, such as structural support, protection against predators and even as a signal of mate quality.

According to researcher Auke-Florian Hiemstra from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center and Leiden University, in the Netherlands, the metal spikes seem to provide a similar function to more natural materials, such as thorns. However, manmade materials in nests can be dangerous. For example, metal may get cold at night and harm chicks, or the spikes can collect materials that can be harmful to the birds.

This is not the first documentation of birds using harsh, manmade materials for nesting. The first account of a crow’s nest made of barbed wire dates back to 1933, and more modern examples include the use of nails, screws and syringes.

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Mind Performance Center Treats Resistant Depression and Dementia

By merging deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (DTMS), Brain

Pathway rehab and metabolic enhancement through Functional Medicine, Dr. Douglas Brown, Doctor of Chiropractic and Neurology, has successfully alleviated anxiety, memory issues, serious brain trauma and disorders such as dementia, ADD and ADHD and autism in his patients. He works with accident victims, people who can’t speak or move, patients who are suicidal or depressed and with those for whom medicines haven’t worked.

Last year, Brown treated a 78-year-old male. He was having trouble speaking and with his memory and scored poorly on his Montreal Cognitive Assessment. By the end of his 10-week program, the patient scored near normal. “His life completely changed after the treatment,” said Brown, “He was able to pray over his dinner again, which made his wife cry.”

These are the results commonly seen with patients. The program is a 10-week intensive care followed by monthly treatments for six months.

When asked why this treatment is so effective Brown said, “There are no drugs that are effective for treating dementia, in fact the drugs used are accelerating the disease. We get results like this because our program is very tailored for the individual. We do a lot of testing up front to help us determine the best path forward. Then we execute the three-pronged approach and get results.”

Dementia typically starts approximately 10 years before symptoms appear. If anyone has a family history or a family member displaying early signs of dementia, Mind Performance Center can do a full work up and take action to prevent its development.

The first to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in Alabama, Brown uses new techniques and approaches in the treatment of brain disorders. His use of Deep TMS is a noninvasive treatment developed by BrainsWay to help alleviate symptoms related to mental health conditions by correcting faulty brain pathways and training new nerve connections.

“Dr. Brown is a caring and compassionate doctor who genuinely wants to help people get to the root of their problems. Going through DTMS treatments has been life changing for me. It was like someone finally giving me keys to open all the locked doors in my mind. It has been an incredible tool in my healing journey and I would highly recommend him to anyone with long-standing depression. If you want to get to the root of your emotional problems and not just numb them with medication, this treatment is definitely something to consider. I couldn’t be more pleased.” Testimonial from Cortney S. 2020.

For more information, call 251-270-0162, email DrJDouglasBrown@gmail.com or visit MindPerformance Center.com. See ad, page 5.

Dr. Douglas Brown

TRADITIONAL WORLD HEALING WISDOM

LOST PRACTICES GAIN NEW RESPECT

by Carrie Jackson

With time-tested wisdom and natural roots, traditional and Indigenous medicine has been an integral resource for centuries in communities around the world. According to the World Health Organization, 88 percent of all countries are estimated to use traditional medicine, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture and shamanism. The contribution of these practices is increasingly being recognized by Western medicine, especially in collaboration with integrative, holistic and regenerative medicine. The pandemic prompted renewed interest in traditional treatments, and incorporating them into wellness and healing modalities is easier and more valuable than ever.

Herbalism

Herbalist and spiritual coach Lucretia VanDyke integrates rituals, plant-spirit meditation, holistic food and ancestor reverence into her practice. An expert on Southern folk healing, VanDyke notes in her book, African American Herbalism, that Indigenous practices were never lost, but people had to go underground for fear of persecution.

“Herbal and sacred ceremonial practices of enslaved people of African descent were highly regulated or banned by the United States government in an effort to control the people most affected by colonization,” she explains. “In the mid-18th century, Virginia and South Carolina made it a capital offense to practice herbalism, resulting in harsh punishment or even execution if found guilty. Additionally, in 1883, the U.S.

Gabrielle W Perillo/SpiritOfTheOwl.com

Department of Interior came up with the Code of Indian Offenses, which implemented laws that applied only to Native people until 1978. They were punished for dances and feasts by imprisonment or withholding food rations for up to 30 days.”

Noting a resurgence of these once-forbidden practices, VanDyke adds, “Today, I see people trying to branch out on their spiritual journey and seeking sources outside their Christian upbringing to answer questions within themselves with practices like herbalism and African traditional religion coming more into the mainstream.”

Linda M. Conroy, MSS, MLSP, is an educator, herbalist and community organizer who dedicates her life to connecting with the green world. She is the founder of two annual gatherings: the Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference and the Mycelium Mysteries Women’s Mushroom Conference. She also provides herbal education, workshops and individual consultations through her Wisconsin-based business, Moonwise Herbs.

“Herbalism is a practice where people connect and work with plants for healing and nourishment,” she says. “Plants, herbs and mushrooms have been around long before we have and provide an innate connection to the earth. Everyone has ancestors that grew and foraged for their own food, and we remember that in our being. It’s a different experience from buying a plant or pill from the store shelf.”

Misconceptions about herbalism are common in America, Conroy asserts. “In other countries such as Cuba, Germany and China, conventionally trained physi-

cians still learn about more than 50 herbs in their training, but the United States all but abandoned herbalism after the development of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals,” she explains. “The pandemic has helped spawn a resurgence of interest, with people increasingly disappointed by Western medicine and turning to herbs for respiratory support, stress management and other conditions.”

Conroy stresses that working with herbs is both an art and a science. Learning their unique properties is key. “In order to be truly effective, it’s imperative that people know how to properly choose and use the correct herb for each situation. This includes being mindful of the dosage, method of delivery and sourcing. Herbs are much safer than most things out there, and with the right assessment skills, they can be truly transformative,” she says.

Another recommendation is to establish a wellness routine that incorporates herbs as maintenance to remind the body of their healing value. “Herbs are not drugs but can work in synergy with them. Many common ingredients can be used every day, such as a stinging nettle infusion to nourish the kidneys and lungs, and oats to fortify the nervous system,” Conroy says. “Acquiring our herbs and foods from local sources also strengthens our connection to the plants. Most things we need, such as garlic, cabbage, eggs and raw honey, we can find in our own garden, from neighbors or at a farmers market.”

Energy Healing

Billie Topa Tate’, a member of the Mescalero Apache tribe, is founder of MSI Wellness,

in Evanston, Illinois, and author of the upcoming book, Spirit Guide Invocations: Seeking Wisdom from Sacred Helpers Dedicated to creating a sacred space one person at a time through her Indigenous teachings, she is a mentor, teacher and healer. Her work has been shared by several universities and publications.

Although Indigenous healing practices do not have scientific studies to support their efficacy, they do have the observational and traditional support of her people, Topa Tate’ says. “The Apache learned medicinal properties from the plants and honored the position of being stewards of the land,” she asserts. “We learned from our virtuous elders that plants provide us with medicine and food, as well as spiritual qualities, such as smudging, essential oils and incense, which help to cleanse the body, mind and spirit.”

According to Topa Tate’, a shamanic journey is a visit to the energy world and can lead someone to insightful wisdom

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Mary Beth Svatek, M.A. Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (IMDHA) & Life Coach

Caphira Lescante/AdobeStock.com

regarding their life’s purpose. “The spirit world provides a release of the thoughts that limit us and brings us into a realm where we can be guided by higher thought,” she explains. “Visiting the spirit world with proper guidance allows us to access the worlds of healing, wisdom, angels, the past, the future and even the symbolic energies of our present lives through our mind. Another way to find this release is to understand that words are energy carriers and can provide our mind, body and spirit with a source of enlightenment. We do this through our drumming songs and ceremonies, but also by becoming more aware and harnessing the power of words as medicine in everyday actions.”

Energy work can help us reconnect with that part of ourselves that facilitates healing, says Topa Tate’. “I recommend beginning the day with a five-minute morning ceremony that gives thanks to the creator for a beautiful day and invokes our helpers to offer assistance with particular projects. As a healer, it is important to teach people how to manage their stress with more productive platforms, such as meditation, nature walks and seeking out their life’s purpose. There is a misconception that only Native people can do this energy work, but we are all one family and can learn how to integrate the natural wellness that the Native people have used for centuries,” she explains.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the philosophy, experiments and experiences indigenous to Chinese culture. It has been practiced for more than 2,500 years and is used for health maintenance

Cynthia Sabogal

Certified Reiki Healer

Call to book your appointment today! 251-504-5171

as well as the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental illness. According to Dr. Heming Zhu, NCCAOM, a board-certified acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, author, educator, scientist and founder of Harmony Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, in Maryland, the basis of TCM lies in the belief that the human body is a holistic system deeply connected to the universe.

“TCM is influenced by the flow of vital energy called qi. To restore the balance of qi and gain the harmony of life’s paired aspects known as yin and yang, TCM practitioners use various techniques, including acupuncture, moxibustion [burning herbs at acupressure points], herbal medicine, massage, qigong and dietary therapy,” Zhu explains.

Zhu says that TCM modalities fit into either a physical therapy or chemical therapy category and can be introduced for regular maintenance. “Acupuncture is commonly used for addressing fatigue, stress, pain, gastrointestinal issues, arthritis and improving overall well-being. Cupping is beneficial for relieving stress and muscle soreness. Tui-na, a form of therapeutic massage, is used for musculoskeletal disorders, digestive issues, pain and more. Gua sha helps manage stress and alleviate muscle tension and pain. Moxibustion can boost energy, improve digestion and address cold-related ailments. Qigong and tai chi are gentle, mind-body exercises that reduce stress and promote relaxation and overall mental well-being. Chemical therapy includes herbal medicine and dietary therapy to emphasize the connection between food and health,” he says.

TCM can be incorporated into an established wellness routine, and Zhu offers a few guidelines to ensure the best results. “People should seek education on the basic principles of TCM and be intentional not to judge it by Western medicine standards. They should find a licensed and experienced TCM practitioner and keep an open mind in initial consultations. Simple TCM practices, such as mindful breathing, gentle stretching or drinking herbal teas, can be incorporated into a daily wellness routine, and lifestyle changes, such as sleep routines and stress management, are part of the healing process,” Zhu says.

Emotional Healing

“There are multiple factors to illness, but often our emotions and trauma, either intergenerational or personal, are at the core,” VanDyke says. “Creating ceremonies based on the old ways gives you the strength to show up for yourself and makes it a little easier to move through the experience. Grief is a multilayer process, and it takes a holistic approach to co-create a path to a new normal. Our emotions are like invisible chains that bind us in a trauma loop, and having support for that is important. Nurturing the spirit is one thing that Western medicine does not talk about. I find that laughter, joy, pleasure and feeding the child-like spirit in us helps with this when life gets heavy. Ask yourself how you prioritize joy, and create your own rituals that center traditions while honoring your true self.”

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

Join the Peace Out, Plastic Effort

In Mobile, Alabama, and across the Gulf Coast, plastic cups, bottles, straws and bags are an unfortunate and constant source of litter on the streets and sidewalks and far too much of it ends up in the local waterways. In an effort to reduce the amount of this plastic waste, Mobile Baykeeper has secured a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement a “Reduce the Use” initiative. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is the U.S. federal government's lead for addressing marine debris with a vision for the global ocean and its coasts to be free from the impacts of marine debris. The program’s mission is to investigate and prevent adverse impacts of marine debris.

The Downtown Mobile Alliance is one of the partners in this initiative and has helped to recruit the initial downtown businesses needed to form the Peace Out, Plastic effort to reduce the amount of plastics in their locales. As part of the recruitment process to have more sustainable workplaces, focus groups wanted to turn the initiative into a movement Following the example of Plastic Free Gulf Coast (PlasticFreeGulfCoast.com), based in Mississippi, Downtown Mobile Alliance went on to develop a campaign to highlight the Peace Out, Plastic movement.

Because plastic is inexpensive and convenient, it is ever-present in 21st century commerce. Even though environmentally friendly packaging often proves to be more costly than plastic versions, 20 downtown restaurants, bars, hotels, non-profits and professional services operations are responding to this grassroots effort by committing to the Peace Out, Plastic movement. The businesses have pledged to reduce or replace single use plastics such as straws, Styrofoam or plastic cups, lids, to go boxes, bags and other plastic items.

According to Carol Hunter, Communications Director with Downtown Mobile Alliance, “Most of what we collect from the streets and sidewalk as we sweep the district every day is plastic and it's not being recycled. Plus, a lot of it winds up in the waterways that we never get to pick up.”

Hunter adds that Downtown Mobile Alliance is still looking to add more local

businesses to the Peace Out, Plastic movement to help clean up the streets and improve the health of local waterways.

To learn more about joining the Peace Out, Plastic effort or for a complete list of the downtown Mobile businesses currently participating in the Peace Out, Plastic initiative, go to PeaceOutPlasticMobile.org. Contact Carol Hunter, Communications Director, 261 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL. 251-4598702. CHunter@DownownMobile.org.

Introducing a New Recycling Option Recycle by ReFill

Bring your

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

.

Background Image courtesy of PeaceOutPlasticMobile.org

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October’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 251-256-7007• AlabamaGulfCoastZoo.com

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. To list your healthy market, restaurant or cooking event/class, email MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com.

A Symphony of Skill-Building

HOW MUSIC SPURS CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

by Sheila Julson

For adults, music has the power to instill feelings of joy, relaxation and calmness, or to motivate us when we are exercising or performing a task, but for children, there are added benefits. Whether listening to a live orchestra, engaging in rhythmic games, learning to play an instrument or singing in a choir, musical pursuits have been proven to help with early brain development and teach kids important life skills.

Building a Better Brain

Researchers at the University of Washington Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences discovered that play sessions with music helped 9-month-old babies learn to detect rhythmic patterns, an important skill for both music and speech. According to lead author Christina Zhao, “This means that early, engaging musical experiences can have a more global effect on cognitive skills.”

In a five-year study involving 6- and 7-year-olds, neuroscientists at the University of Southern California Brain and Creativity Institute, in partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, found that music instruction appeared to accelerate brain development in young kids, particularly in the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound,

language development, speech perception and reading skills.

“Music learning, such as studying to play a musical instrument or singing in tune, are very complex activities for the brain. They use multiple senses but also require those senses to interact and exchange information in a highly synchronized way,” explains Dr. Anita Collins, founder of Bigger Better Brains and author of The Music Advantage: How Music Helps Your Child Develop, Learn, and Thrive She asserts that complex musical activities are like full-body workouts for the brain, which sharpen a child’s ability to solve problems and think

creatively and divergently. As these skills are mastered, they can be transferred to other types of brain activities.

Collins advises that singing to and with children at a young age can help them gain control of their voices, as well as their speech enunciation and processing, and to hear nuances in sounds. She recommends interacting with the world of sound while outdoors and adds, “Getting a young child to focus their ears onto a particular sound can help train auditory attention, which trains the attention network in general.”

Kids need to listen actively, rather than passively, most of the time, Collins notes. “Passive music listening is hearing music in a mall. Active music listening is focusing our auditory processing on a particular instrument, on the melody line over the bass line or mirroring the rhythmic ostinato of the drum part.”

Silence also plays an important role in early development. “The biggest mistake is not thinking about a child’s auditory environment and always having the TV on or having a highly stimulating auditory environment all the time. Children need variety in their food, and sound is food for

the brain. They need quiet times, unusual sounds, unexpected sounds and repetitive sounds,” says Collins.

Learning Life Skills

Joan Koenig, author of The Musical Child: Using the Power of Music to Raise Children Who Are Happy, Healthy, and Whole, says that engaging in a musical practice can help kids develop language awareness and social skills. Such positive results are possible even without expensive music classes or instruments.

Simple call-and-response exercises can be effective in the brain development of babies and toddlers. “We are an orchestra within ourselves; we can create rhythm, melody and harmony,” Koenig explains. “A parent or caregiver can initiate a call-andresponse game by singing a song, tapping a wooden spoon on pots and pans or singing nonsense words. Babies will imitate it. When the baby is involved in this game during the first year of life, they are experiencing a connection with the person that’s doing it. It is visceral proof that they are being listened to and understood long before the development of language. You’re

giving them the building blocks for both music and language. It’s about repetition and engagement.”

Basic life skills can also be learned with the assistance of music. “A march-and-stop song game allows children to practice stopping something fun and waiting, which can carry over to stopping when we’re upset and waiting until we have a thoughtful response,” says Elise Pennington, chair of the early childhood program at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, in Milwaukee.

“Playing games like Ring Around the Rosie or Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes can help with a number of areas. Enrolling in an organized music class where children are active participants and being challenged will help exercise a wider range of skills in a deeper way.”

“When children or adults make music together, they become part of the musical creation,” Koenig says. “When a young child feels this kind of visceral belonging, anxiety is low and empathy and confidence are high. These are the ideal conditions for all learning.”

Ron Torrance, DO James Leiber, DO

Ignatios Papas, DO Lisa Valastro, DO Duron Lee, DO

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

Sophie Haruna Klimcak

ON FINDING AWE AND WONDER

by Sandra Yeyati

Sophie Haruna Klimcak is the co-founder and program director of Wild Awake, a nonprofit in San Francisco. Drawing from her Japanese and Eastern European roots, she designs immersive, nature-based learning experiences that nurture deep caring for people and the planet. Klimcak holds a master’s degree in education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, neuroscience and psychology from Washington University, in St. Louis.

Whether in an after-school setting with children or an outdoor adventure among adults, she and her team of naturalists, artists and healing practitioners invite people to mindfully gaze at the stars, invigorate the senses with ocean sound-baths, experience healing and community in a song circle, build empathy and connection through storytelling, and express creativity by painting with botanical pigments.

What inspired you to start Wild Awake?

In the summer of 2020, my co-founder Shasha Du and I took a weeklong trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Every night we experienced this feeling of awe and wonder and reverence as we stared up at this stunning night-sky portal of infinite space and blazing stars. On the last night, we brought binoculars and stayed up to see the comet NEOWISE. At 4 a.m., it appeared on the horizon—this icy rock moving toward the sun and releasing all these gases behind it in a glorious paintbrush streak—and we literally screamed and held each other because we had never seen anything like that before. As educators, we decided that we wanted to keep those feelings alive in our hearts, and design for awe and wonder in learning.

You don’t have to travel to places like Joshua Tree or see a comet to experience wonder and awe. With the right amount of mindfulness and attention, everything is worthy of such appreciation—our backyards, our houses, everything. Feeling a sense of wonder requires us to take time to appreciate the textures of something in its entirety and realize where it might have been sourced from and how it’s supporting us and we’re supporting it—remembering that we’re interconnected. We offer local experiences to help people see that magic exists where they live.

How do you define the learning process?

Learning is super-creative, constructive, collaborative and social. The best kind of

photo courtesy of Wild Awake

learning is when you’re following a thread of your own intuition and asking questions that are joyful for you. They’re not questions someone told you to ask. You’re building your own worlds by a process of inquiry. I think wakefulness comes from bringing that attention to whatever it is that you want to go deeper into.

How do you help people awaken to that learning spirit?

One of our most experiential offerings was a wildflower therapy workshop, which brought people in community to see the superblooms in the Bay Area. To make this a wonder-based experience, I created this little booklet for a mindfulness walk, inviting folks to choose one flower to develop a relationship with over the course of an hour and a half.

The booklet had multisensory prompts to deepen that relationship, and I asked them to record a conversation with their flower. When do people stare at a flower that long, right? But it does wonders, helping you move a little bit slower in the world.

The next time they walk by flowers, they’ll notice them in a different way because they took intentional time to develop a relationship to local flora and to their own joy and wonder. Little steps like these can be radical in developing a love for what we may lose if we don’t protect and care for this world.

Can you describe one of your favorite programs?

Living in San Francisco with the bay surrounding us, we are always in a relationship with the ocean. It cools the planet, making it livable for us; it’s an amazing place to play and enjoy water sports; and it nourishes us through seafood. So, we designed a program that takes folks out to forage for seaweed.

It’s not about filling our buckets with as much seaweed as possible, but rather

bringing mindfulness to the experience. We marvel at the diversity of seaweed; you can see dozens of different kinds along our shoreline. People are curious about what makes seaweed a certain color or how it nourishes us. We learn how to harvest seaweed from rock in a way that it can regenerate and grow more seaweed. We make an offering to the ocean, saying, “Thank you,” remembering our mutual reciprocity.

What advice do you have for people that want to connect with nature?

One of the most accessible ways of connecting to nature is by connecting to your own body. Putting one hand on your belly and one hand on your heart and noticing your breath can really help you drop into that space of deep calm and deep knowing. If you can, find your local dark sky and go out to see the stars. Look at the moon. Notice the way planets and stars move through the sky. Or, notice a leaf or a flower and be in a relationship with it by noticing it over time, returning to it and seeing how it has changed and how you’re changing inside, too.

Sandra Yeyati is the national editor of Natural Awakenings.

DETOX HYDRATE BREATHE

The Modern Macrobiotic Diet MORE THAN TOFU AND SEAWEED

by Veronica Hinke

So much has evolved in the 100 years since Japanese educator George Ohsawa created the macrobiotic diet. For one thing, the recipes have become more flexible, empowering people to save time and use ingredients that they love. “The modern macrobiotic diet is about much more than tofu, seaweed and miso,” says chef and author Christina Pirello, the Emmy Award-winning host of Christina Cooks, on about seasonal, whole, unprocessed food cooked in accordance with each person’s condition and lifestyle.”

“In the beginning, there was rigidity that didn’t give you the freedom to say, ‘I don’t want to eat adzuki beans again,’” Pirello says. “Variety is key. You can’t just eat kale and drink smoothies and hope for the best. You have to get balanced nutrition with enough protein, fats and carbohydrates.”

According to Pirello, “What we eat determines how we move through the world. Are we comfortable or uncomfortable? In Chinese medicine, we are either in a state of ease or dis-ease, which became the word disease, but in Chinese medicine, it really means uncomfortable. What do you do to get back into that state of ease, or balance? That’s really what macrobiotics is about; how do you rebalance the body—the organs—to be comfortable?”

Eating in accordance with the natural order— with the seasons—is an essential concept of the macrobiotic diet and includes fall, winter, spring, summer and a fifth season, “late harvest.” The idea is to follow our intuition, Pirello advises:

“If you walk into the supermarket in November, you’re not immediately attracted to cherry tomatoes and strawberries, but the winter squashes, pumpkins and parsnips call your name. Macrobiotics allows us to understand that—even here in the United States where foods are so widely available that you can have strawberries at Christmas.”

Her recipe for Winter Squash Risotto, which is featured in her new cookbook, VegEdibles, is just one example of the delicious macrobiotic dishes she has developed. “This risotto is perfect for cooler weather, when we need to keep energy in our middle organs so we are warm and cozy, centered and balanced,” Pirello says. “Come winter and fall, we want foods that are going to help the body hold onto heat. Squash, pumpkin, turnips and rutabaga are going to help relax the body and the middle organs and help us stay grounded, centered and warm. The risotto is cooked really long, so there’s a lot of warming energy that will help you in cold weather.”

“There has to be a period when the body transitions from the heat of summer into the cool of the fall,” says Chicago area-based macrobiotic counselor Karla Walter. “That’s when we have those beautiful orange foods starting to come out, and the squashes start arriving. We have this really lovely, sweet time of the year that actually nourishes the body and helps the immune system ramp up and get ready for colder weather.”

Walter recommends the macrobiotic diet for finding calmness and rhythm. “When we eat healthy foods that sustain us, our goals come to the surface where we can see them a lot clearer. People don’t know their potential until they start to feel good about themselves,” she says.

Lisa Books-Williams, a plant-based chef, educator and therapist in the San Francisco area, encourages people to find their own plant-based path. “I found my answer at the end of a fork, instead of in a bottle of pills,” she says. “The most loving thing I ever did for myself started with changing my food choices. Sure, it would be more delicious to be eating a pizza, but eating a salad with beans and rice is how I love myself.”

Books-Williams believes that taking the extra time that is required to follow a plantbased lifestyle is worthwhile. “We can eat well inexpensively if we are willing to take an extra couple of hours each week to chop vegetables. We are worth the time it takes to batch-cook and freeze beans in single servings so we have them when we need them. Each of us has to be committed to our own well-being. No one is going to do it for us.”

While much has changed since Ohsawa introduced the macrobiotic diet, Pirello still adheres to its three core ingredients. “I still eat rice, seaweed and miso soup,” she says. “Not as much as I used to, but I still do, because miso is the greatest probiotic on the planet, followed by kimchi. Those are the greatest macrobiotics we could ever eat in our lives, and both are delicious.”

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

BEETROOT AND ORANGE MISO SOUP

YIELD: 4-6 SERVINGS

4 medium beets, washed and with stems trimmed to about 1 inch

2 tsp ginger, finely chopped

2 Tbsp green onions, finely chopped

2 cups water or vegetable stock

1¼ cup orange juice

2 Tbsp raspberry vinegar

1 Tbsp barley (mugi) miso

½ cup chopped chives or green onions

Place the beetroot in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about 40 minutes. Drain the beets.

Next, run the beets under cold water and peel them. The skin and stalks should fall off easily. Chop the beets into ½-inch cubes.

Reserve ⅓ cup chopped beets and set aside.

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the remaining beets, ginger, green onions, water or vegetable stock plus one extra cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in orange juice.

Purée soup in small batches in a blender until smooth.

Remove a small portion of the soup into a bowl and dissolve the miso. Add miso back into the soup and stir through. Add the vinegar and stir through.

Garnish with the chives or green onions.

Recipe courtesy of Karla Walter.

DELICIOUS, EASY THREE-BEAN CHILI

YIELD: 8 SERVINGS

FOR CHILI

3½ cups fresh tomatoes, diced

1 15-oz can tomato sauce

1 15-oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked pinto beans)

1 15-oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked kidney beans)

1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked black beans)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

½ small red onion, finely diced

½ small yellow onion, finely diced

1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely diced

1 zucchini, finely diced

2 carrots, finely diced

2½ Tbsp chili powder

1¼ tsp cumin

⅛ tsp cayenne powder

½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 can diced green chilies (optional)

1 cup fresh or frozen white corn

FOR CASHEW SOUR CREAM

1 cup cashews, soaked for 2 hours

½ cup pure water

Juice of 1 lemon

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Place all of the ingredients, except corn, in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook until the chili begins to boil. Note: For a meatier consistency, before placing them in the pot, place all of the veggies (except corn, tomatoes and green chilies) in a food processor fitted with an “S” blade, and pulse-chop until the ingredients become confetti size, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the corn, cover and simmer an additional 5 minutes.

Serve over brown rice with the cashew sour cream.

To make the cashew sour cream, use a blender to combine all of the ingredients together, pulsing until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. Seal and store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Recipe courtesy of Lisa Books-Williams.

Photo by Lisa Books-Williams

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day

by Kiki Powers

October 9 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Its origin traces back to 1977, during the United Nations International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, but it was not proclaimed an official U.S. holiday until 2021. During this national holiday, we celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognize their inherent sovereignty and commit to our treaty obligations with tribal nations. The federal government recognizes 574 American Indian tribes and Alaska Native entities in the U.S. According to the United Nations, there are more than 476 million Indigenous peoples living in 90 countries worldwide, accounting for 6.2 percent of the global population.

Here are a few ways to celebrate.

HONOR THE LAND. Visit Native Land Digital (native-land.ca) to learn the location and history of lands inhabited by Indigenous peoples around the world. The website, which includes an interactive map, identifies territories, languages and treaties.

LEARN THE HISTORY. Winner of the 2015 American Book Award, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz offers a compelling history of the United States told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples.

CONNECT WITH NATURE. Indigenous peoples are exemplary stewards of the land that they inhabit, and we can take their lead by spending time in nature, acknowledging our dependence on the land and becoming good stewards of the local ecosystem.

BUILD A GARDEN. There is much to learn from Indigenous gardening techniques. Companion planting, for example, is the idea that certain plants grown together improve each other’s health and yield. Choose native plants as much as possible to support the local ecosystem. Grow healing herbs and flowers. At the end of a season, save the seeds of plants that thrived for future use.

SUPPORT INDIGENOUS BUSINESSES. On this day and every day, consider supporting Indigenous businesses for handmade jewelry and clothing, body-care products, home decor and artwork.

VISIT A MUSEUM. The National Museum of the American Indian is part of the Smithsonian Institution, with locations in Washington, D.C., New York City and Suitland, Maryland. It curates one of the world’s largest collections of native artifacts.

TAKE UP STORYTELLING. Historically, Indigenous peoples have used storytelling to educate, inform, entertain and preserve their distinct legacy for future generations. Gather with friends and family to learn about and practice this life-affirming art.

EXPLORE INDIGENOUS ART FORMS. From traditional masks that narrate origin stories to handmade jewelry, crafts and dreamcatchers that memorialize healing dreams, there are so many wonderful art projects that we can appreciate and learn.

Kiki Powers is a health writer, blogger and national speaker specializing in plant-based nutrition and healthy green living. Learn more at RawKiki.com.

Discovering the World of Martial Arts

A LOOK AT FIVE POPULAR MODALITIES

by Carrie Jackson

Traditional martial arts date back more than 2,000 years and have blossomed into about 200 styles. While originally devised to assist in hunting and protect against enemies, these practices also offer philosophical and spiritual guidance as practitioners establish a mind-body-spirit connection. According to Statista, a German-based market research

company, nearly 6.2 million people in the U.S. participate in some form of this sport.

“Martial arts are for everyone, and it’s never too late to start,” says John Fonseca, an Illinois-based trainer specializing in karate, jiu-jitsu and other self-defense modalities. He is the first karate athlete in the world to win repeat gold medals at the Pan American Games, the first American to medal

at the Karate World Championships in almost 16 years, and the first American to win the Paris Open in more than 30 years.

According to Fonseca, “Short-term benefits of any martial art include improved fitness, self-confidence and stress relief. While long-term benefits are hard to count, they may include increased discipline, self-defense skills and a sense of personal growth. Remember: Every black belt was just a white belt that never gave up.”

When advising beginners, the champion says, “It’s important to choose a style that suits your goals and fitness level. Each modality offers unique benefits. Find a reputable instructor or school, start gradually to avoid injury and maintain a consistent practice routine for better progress.”

Karate With

origins in Okinawa, Japan, dating back to the 17th century, the guiding principles of karate include respect, humility, perseverance and self-discipline. “A karate practice starts with kihon, or basic fundamentals, that include a variety of punches, kicks, knee strikes, elbow strikes, blocks and stances,” Fonseca explains. “These techniques are practiced repeatedly to develop muscle memory, accuracy and power. They are further developed in choreographed sequences called kata, which simulate various applications for selfdefense situations.”

Meschanov Anton/Shutterstock.com

Practitioners perform these routines solo in a specific order and then practice the bunkai, or applications, with a partner to develop self-defense skills. “Lastly, kumite is the sparring component of karate training to develop timing, distance, adaptability and the ability to receive and deliver strikes. It involves practicing techniques and strategies against a live, resisting opponent. Depending on the training level and focus, kumite can range from controlled, prearranged drills to freestyle sparring with varying levels of contact,” says Fonseca.

Capoeira

A martial art disguised as dance, capoeira is performed to music and traditional songs, including rhythmic clapping and drumming. Players form a circle, at the center of which two participants engage with one another in a combination of fighting and dancing. The art form was created in Brazil by African slaves in the mid-16th century. Although banned by the government after the abolition of slavery in 1888, many people continued to practice in hidden spaces. Modern capoeira was later developed around 1930, with several styles taking on their own characteristics. Emphasizing deception, flexibility and fluidity, participants learn discipline, confidence and self-control, while the use of music and instruments provides a multi-sensory experience.

Aikido

Aikido, which means “the way of harmony with the spirit,” originated in 14th-century

Japan and was modernized during the 1920s. Although it is mainly a throwing and pinning art, practitioners also utilize strikes, kicks, sweeps and come-alongs.

According to Greg O’Connor, chief instructor at Aikido Centers of New Jersey, “Aikido is the most challenging and most ethical of the martial arts, and the most difficult to achieve any level of black belt rank. Our practice requires working with a partner on the specific attack and technique demonstrated by the instructor. Each partner takes turns in this practice with safety for each other in mind, and we train to handle an aggressor with the full awareness that there are no rules in a selfdefense situation.”

O’Connor describes aikido as a magical skill, because as the participants learn to be patient and persevere, they often discover eye-opening alternatives to violence. It requires full integration of mind, body and spirit, as well as an awareness of how our minds and emotions can work against us, he says.

Jiu-Jitsu

Jiu-jitsu originated in Japan, evolving over centuries, with Brazilian jiujitsu further developing in the early 20th century. Fonseca says that the practice focuses on leverage, technique over strength, control and adaptation. Students will first learn and practice

positions, transitions, escapes and submissions, then engage in those techniques with a partner to refine their movements, timing and muscle memory.

“Live sparring, known as rolling, is a crucial aspect of jiu-jitsu training. During rolling, practitioners engage in controlled but dynamic matches with resisting opponents. The goal is to apply learned techniques, gain positional control and attempt submissions,” Fonseca explains. “Rolling helps students develop timing, adaptability and practical application of techniques; enhances concentration, awareness, self-esteem and focus; and creates a sense of balance and calm.”

Taekwondo

The Koreanbased practice of taekwondo was developed during the 1940s as a blend of native fighting styles. Students learn kicking, punching and blocking techniques, which are applied to various forms of self-defense. According to the International Taekwondo Association, the philosophy is to build a more peaceful world, and that starts with developing individual character and positive morale. Through repeated practice and exercises, students learn courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and an indomitable spirit. These five tenets are recited at the start and end of every class and become the foundation of both the students’ development as individuals and as martial artists.

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

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Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

SUPPORTING PETS WITH ANCIENT HEALING WISDOM

by Kiki Powers

For years, we have seen a growing appreciation in contemporary culture for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the complementary role it can play within Western medicine. Based upon thousands of years of observation, this natural healing approach can be valuable not just for humans, but also for animal companions.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) includes the use of food therapy, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and tui-na massage to maintain health and treat disease. Some pets with chronic arthritic pain, inflammatory bowel disease, nerve damage, epilepsy, cancer and other long-term ailments may not respond well to conventional treatments, or the side effects of Western medicine may cause even more problems. That is when TCVM can intercede to provide relief. There are a few basic principles governing TCVM. Qi is the life force that flows freely when a pet is healthy and may be blocked or weak when a pet becomes ill. Yin-and-yang refers to the interplay between natural dualities—such as light and dark or hot and cold—and the need to maintain a balance between these opposing properties. There are five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal and water—which also need to be in balance for optimal health. During an examination, a TCM vet will determine what is out of balance and develop a customized treatment plan.

Food Therapy

Dr. Ruth Roberts, an integrative veterinarian and pet health coach, applies TCM principles when designing a whole-foods diet to optimize pet well-being and support healthy longevity.

“Under TCM principles, foods have warming, cooling or neutral properties when they interact with a pet’s natural energy, and the goal is to find a balance,” she explains. “Many pet ailments may stem from or be related to imbalances within the body, as well as environmental factors, all of which underscore the need for the proper nutritional balance.”

According to Roberts, in a hot climate, a pet might need cooling foods, such as turkey, fish, banana, celery, kelp, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber and melon. In colder temperatures, warming

foods such as mutton, deer, chicken, ginger, squash and pumpkin are advisable. When designing a balancing diet, neutral foods may be needed, including pork, bison, salmon, tuna, carrots, green beans, peas, olive oil and shiitake mushrooms.

Acupuncture

Veterinary acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular to relieve pain or treat ailments, including allergies, seizures, reproductive problems and liver and kidney disease. The procedure involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body, thereby stimulating nerve endings, which then conduct impulses to the brain and spinal cord. It is best to consult an experienced, licensed acupuncturist or TCVM specialist that specifically treats pets.

In a 2017 study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal, researchers found, “Acupuncture alone or in combination with analgesics reduced pain and improved quality of life in dogs with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. Dogs with musculoskeletal disorders had a better improvement in chronic pain and locomotion than those with neurological disorders.”

Chinese Herbs

TCVM uses a number of herbs, roots, mushrooms, bark and other plant-based ingredients to help pets with immune dysfunction, gastrointestinal issues, skin conditions, liver and kidney disease and other long-term, chronic conditions. When it comes to more serious pet health issues, such as osteosarcoma (bone cancer), Roberts suggests the strategic use of full-spectrum hemp extract (CBD), cannabis oil (THC) and medicinal mushrooms. Dosages

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will differ for each individual pet. It is best to consult an integrative veterinarian or pet nutritionist.

“In several documented cases, a combination of homeopathy, TCM, medicinal mushrooms and CBD-THC solutions working together synergistically with a healing diet have helped dogs outlive their bone cancer diagnosis without harmful side effects, stressful procedures or complicated vet visits, all at a dramatically reduced cost,” Roberts says. “As they say, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ especially where our beloved animal family members are concerned.”

Tui-Na Massage

Also under the TCVM umbrella, tui-na massage uses kneading, pressing and rolling techniques to improve a pet’s health and balance. Among the conditions that respond well to this type of massage are arthritis, muscle tension and soreness, stress and anxiety, joint paint and mobility issues. The technique focuses on stimulating acupuncture points and energy pathways, or meridians, that promote the smooth flow of qi throughout the body. This treatment can be used in conjunction with complementary therapies to enhance results.

Integrative Medicine

“I strongly believe Traditional Chinese Medicine is good medicine. Western medicine is great medicine. However, the best medicine is an integration of both because each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses,” says Dr. Huisheng Xie, DVM, Ph.D., a clinical professor of integrative medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, in Gainesville.

According to Xie, TCVM is weak in diagnosis because it does not have sophisticated diagnostic technology. Western medicine’s weakness is the large amount of side effects associated with conventional drugs. “That’s why the best medicine is to integrate both to avoid the weaknesses and take advantage of the strengths of each,” he says.

Kiki Powers is a health writer, blogger and national speaker specializing in plant-based nutrition and healthy green living. Learn more at RawKiki.com.

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

HELP WANTED

enrG WELLNESS IS NOW HIRING high energy receptionists and RNs. If you are interested in being part of the positive changes coming to our new health care industry, we want to talk with you! Call 251-943-9355, email info@enrgwellness.com or stop by 620 N. McKenzie St., Ste. 200, Foley, AL.

FAIRHOPE SUNFLOWER CAF É IS LOOKING TO HIRE full- and part-time cooks and servers. The café is open for lunch Monday-Saturday 10:30am-3pm; Sunday 11am-2pm. Apply in store or call Sunflower Café. 251-929-0055.

CLASSES/TRAINING

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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.

For questions or to appear in the calendar, email MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com by the 10th of the previous month. Online-only calendar listings may be submitted anytime at NAGulfCoast.com/calendar.

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.

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.

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, Ocean Springs, MS – 11:30am12:30pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For Senior adults, this 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.

mark your calendar

Thursday, October 19

OPEN HOUSE - SIPS & DRIPS SOCIAL –5:30-7:30pm. Join enrG Wellness, Baldwin GYN & Aesthetics and Evermore Permanent Jewelry for an evening of fun and rejuvenation. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Enjoy exclusive event offerings, permanent jewelry, Botox treatments, IV vitamins and more. RSVP 251-943-9355. LIMITED AVAILABILITY. See ad, page 4

Evening of Restoration, Ocean Springs, MS –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.)

Nature After School for ages 5-10 – 3:15pm5:30pm. Fall 2023 Session *ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN* This after-school program offers children a fun and adventurous complement to their busy, structured school day. Through games, stories, and exploration, children are supported to develop meaningful friendships and an appreciation of the outdoors. Skills introduced include plant identification, firemaking, animal tracking, shelter building, bird calls and identification, storytelling and hazard awareness. MayDay Park, Daphne, AL. (Chaperoned walk from Christ the King & Bayside available.) NatureConnectAlabama.org. 251-513-7892.

FRIDAYS

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

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 24

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 12.

BIOFEEDBACK SERVICES

FREQUENCY VITALITY

Mandy Ullerich, Quantum Living Advocate Bon Secour, AL • 251-210-9255

MandyUllerich@gmail.com

Albert Einstein said, “The medicine of the future will be frequency medicine.” The future is here. Discover the power of frequencies and experience them for yourself with a complimentary scan. Watch a video to learn more FrequencyVitality.com and call today.

See ad, page 11.

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 11.

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 28

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 11.

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 27.

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 27.

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.

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 5.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

—Mother Teresa

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 5.

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 28

SACRED FIRE WELLNESS

Cindy Sabogal, Certified Reiki Healer

21040 Miflin Rd., Ste. 7, Foley, AL

251-504-5171 • Find Us on Facebook

Sacred Fire Wellness Reiki Studio is a place of healing, using Eastern based energy and sound therapy for physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Please call or text to book an appointment or for more information. See ad, page 18

SOUL SHINE

Emily Sommerville, Reiki Master

103B N. Bancroft St., Fairhope, AL

251-225-8994 • Emily@TheSoulShineLife.com

Reiki is a holistic system for balancing, healing and harmonizing all aspects of the person - body, mind, emotions and spirit - and it can also be used to encourage personal and spiritual awareness and growth. Offering individual sessions and Reiki attunements. Call or email to book.

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

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

A BETTER WAY HEALTH FOOD STORE

Dr. Mary Sabal, DC, RN

7857 Hwy 59, Foley, AL

251-955-5322

• ABetterWayHealth.net

Complete health food store with full-service human and pet products (alkaline pet food), vitamins, supplements and nutritious snacks. Additional health and wellness services include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, hair tissue mineral analysis and affordable non-invasive stem cell therapy. Call for an appointment. See ad, page 33.

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 27.

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 27.

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 33.

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

ENRG WELLNESS

3099 Loop Rd., Orange Beach, AL

620 N. McKenzie St., Ste. 200, Foley, AL

251-943-9355 • enrGWellness.com

Pilates, weight loss, fat burning systems, food programs, vitamin IV therapy lounge, chiropractic and functional medicine clinic. Custom programs 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 4.

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 25

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING

GOOD LIFE HEALTH COACHING

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 20.

HYPNOTHERAPY

ENERGY MODEL OF THERAPEUTIC CHANGE

Mary Beth Svatek, M.A.

Certified Hypnotherapist, IMDHA

251-300-9912

EnergyModelOfChange@gmail.com

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 help with 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 11.

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 25.

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 251-943-9355 • enrGWellness.com

Pilates, weight loss, fat burning systems, food programs, vitamin IV therapy lounge, chiropractic and functional medicine clinic. Custom programs 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 4.

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 31

PERSONAL GROWTH

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 17.

35 years’ experience with anxiety, PTSD, weight loss, smoking cessation, removing blockages, regression, behavior modification, energy healing & streamlining, pain management. See ad, page 17.

As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.

—Vincent Van Gogh

PET HEALTH

A BETTER WAY

HEALTH FOOD STORE

Dr. Mary Sabal, DC, RN 7857 Hwy 59, Foley, AL 251-955-5322 • ABetterWayHealth.net

Complete health food store with full-service human and pet products (alkaline pet food), vitamins, supplements and nutritious snacks. Additional health and wellness services include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, hair tissue mineral analysis and affordable non-invasive stem cell therapy. Call for an appointment. See ad, page 33.

PILATES

ENRG WELLNESS

3099 Loop Rd., Orange Beach, AL

620 N. McKenzie St., Ste. 200, Foley, AL 251-943-9355 • enrGWellness.com

Pilates, weight loss, fat burning systems, food programs, vitamin IV therapy lounge, chiropractic and functional medicine clinic.

Custom programs 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 4.

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 27

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 27.

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 19

REIKI

SACRED FIRE WELLNESS

Cindy Sabogal, Certified Reiki Healer 21040 Miflin Rd., Ste. 7, Foley, AL 251-504-5171 • Find Us on Facebook

Sacred Fire Wellness Reiki Studio is a place of healing, using Eastern-based energy and sound therapy for physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Please call or text to book an appointment or for more information.

See ad, page 18

SOUL SHINE

Emily Sommerville, Reiki Master 103B N. Bancroft St., Fairhope, AL 251-225-8994 • Emily@TheSoulShineLife.com

Reiki is a holistic system for balancing, healing and harmonizing all aspects of the person - body, mind, emotions and spirit - and it can also be used to encourage personal and spiritual awareness and growth. Offering individual sessions and Reiki attunements. Call or email to book.

ROLFING

EASTERN SHORE ROLFING

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

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. See ad, page 12.

SOMATIC BREATHWORK

EASTERN SHORE ROLFING

Pam Reaves, Certified Rolfer®

22806 Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL 706-681-2935 • EasternShoreRolfing.com

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.

See ad, page 12.

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.

See ad, page 20.

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

MERRILL LYNCH WEALTH MANAGEMENT

THE HARTY CARPENTER GROUP

601 N. Section St., Fairhope, AL 251-990-2364 • FA.ML.com/Alabama/ Fairhope/thehartycarpentergroup

The Harty Carpenter Group is a distinguished wealth management team that has experience advising professionals, retirees and other business owners with virtually all aspects of their finances including Retirement Planning and Income Strategies, Investment Management and Estate Strategies. Work with advisors truly dedicated to your success. Our approach is simple, transparent and supported by thoughtful investment guidance

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 24

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 31

THE NEW YOU MIRACLE BAND THE NEW YOU MIRACLE BAND

CHANGE YOUR FREQUENCY CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Jeff was hit by a pickup truck in 2007, two years later he was still in pain, and his leg was still broken.

13 years ago, I told my orthopedic surgeon Dr. Roland Hester to cut my left leg off because it hurt so bad.

Dr. Hester told him he was not going to be able to walk again. He was on 100% disability and trying everything to manage his pain.

He was gifted a Miracle Band and didn't think it would work, but he was wrong!

Jeff Nursey (R) with Homer Gibbins 2x world champion boxer (L)