November 2022 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS by Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

E R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

FINDING JOY

DURING DIFFICULT TIMES

BOOST YOUR MOOD WITH YOUR FOOD CHOICES

GRATEFUL HEART HEALTHIER BODY

FOREVER CHEMICALS FACE RISING OPPOSITION

November 2022 | Gulf Coast AL/MS Edition | NAGulfCoast.com

Natural Awakenings is a network of holistic lifestyle magazines providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 12

16 STAYING SERENE IN TURBULENT TIMES

How to Turn Anxiety into Positive Action

21 GRATITUDE IS GOOD MEDICINE

24 THE GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION

How Food Affects Our Mood

28 12 QUICK FIXES FOR ANXIETY

Simple Strategies for Mental Well-Being

30 MAKING FOREVER CHEMICALS GO AWAY

Manmade Compounds Pose Lasting Threat to Our Health

34 THE COLORS

OF HEALING

Art Therapy for Kids

36 CAREGIVING COMPANIONS

The Many Benefits of Service, Therapy and Emotional Support Animals

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 251-990-9552 or email MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit dated and ongoing calendar events online at NAGulfCoast.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com. 2

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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DEPARTMENTS 5 local

spotlights 9 local briefs 12 health briefs 14 global briefs 21 inspiration 22 healthy eats 24 conscious eating 28 healing ways 30 green living 31 gulf coast green living 34 healthy kids

36 natural pet 38 calendar 39 community

directory 42 classifieds

Fairhope Film Festival

November 2022

letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

GULF COAST EDITION PUBLISHER Michelle Smith EDITOR Julie Peterson LAYOUT Melanie Rankin AD DESIGN Zack Smith

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to the free digital magazine at NAGulfCoast.com. Mailed subscriptions are available by sending $48 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

Dear Friends,

November is here, where did 2022 go? I love November in Fairhope, Alabama. The temperature is still warm enough to enjoy my favorite outside activities like walking by the bay, bike riding and listening to music on my patio, but cool enough to sit around the fire pit at night wearing a sweater, jeans and boots. November is cozy. Plus, some of the leaves are starting to change just enough to see some beautiful golden and orange hues. I’m thankful for Gulf Coast living. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name.” Psalm 100:4. This is the season to be grateful for so many things. It’s easy to dwell on the things we don’t like in the world and the things we don’t yet have or wish we had. In the song “Soak Up the Sun” I like Sheryl Crow’s line: “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.” So, I choose to be grateful for what I’ve got. If you are reading this, I’ve got you and I appreciate you. If you’ve read my publisher letters before you may remember I kind of like lists. So, here’s my list for today. It could be different every day, depending on the season, but here goes:

♥ I thank God for all I have and that he was willing to give up all He had to die for me so I can live.

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/Founder COO/Franchise Sales Production Designer Financial Manager Asst. Director of Ops Digital Content Director National Advertising Administrative Assistant

Sharon Bruckman Joe Dunne Gabrielle W-Perillo Yolanda Shebert Heather Gibbs Rachael Oppy Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Kristy Mayer

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103

♥ I’m thankful my parents are still on this Earth. ♥ I’m thankful my niece is still on this Earth. The other one is too, and she beautifies it. ♥ I’m thankful for my sister. Sisters are ‘built-in’ best friends. ♥ My husband. He is my rock. ♥ My son, he keeps me grounded. His wife, she loves him and gave him a daughter. ♥ My stepson. He challenges me to love unconditionally. ♥ Thankful for my church that keeps me focused on knowing God and making Him known.

♥ I’m thankful for Natural Awakenings which gives me the connection to some

amazing humans who are as passionate as I am about living healthy and keeping our planet healthy.

NaturalAwakenings.com

♥ I am thankful for you. © 2022 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

I hope you enjoy this month’s issue filled with all the holistic wisdom you have come to expect! May God bless you and keep you until we meet, •

Michelle Smith, Publisher

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on recyclable newsprint.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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event spotlight

Fairhope Film Festival Returns

he tenth annual Fairhope Film Festival (FFF) begins Thursday night, November 10, with an outdoor film at the Halstead Amphitheater on the Coastal Alabama Community College campus. Over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there will be 40 films, documentary and narrative, domestic and international, as well as 15 or so short films, all curated by FFF programmers. During the day Saturday, film panels and conversations with filmmakers throughout Fairhope will take place. The 2022 festival is important as a return to normalcy. During the worst Covid years, FFF compensated by holding a drive-in theater experience and virtual films. This year brings back the usual use of six local venues, panels, talks and the popular street party. Before FFF came about 10 years ago, Mary Riser screened 24 quality films to the community every year for 14 years. It all began because Riser believed the Fairhope community deserved to see culturally diverse films that allowed viewers to experience new perspectives that were largely underrepresented in box theaters. Now, with lots of grassroots support, over 200 volunteers help to make FFF a huge success year to year. Past festival attendees are film luminaries Prudence Farrow, Talia Shire, Paul Sorvino, S. Epatha Merkerson, Michael O’Neill, Scott Lumpkin and Timmy Thompson of Cross Creek Pictures, among others. Alabama has a rich cinematic history and many films have been filmed in the Fairhope area, such as Get Out, Our Friend, Close Encounters of The Third Kind, Hush, The Lost Boys, Under Seige, Alabama Moon, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things and others. “Fairhope was founded as an artists’ colony and art remains extremely important to the community. Nowhere do all genres of art come together as they do in filmmaking and our citizens appreciate this fact. FFF is a valued and viable source for the screening of contemporary, quality films in Alabama. Many residents and those who travel to the festival consider it the ‘art event of the year’,” says Riser. Location: Fairhope Film Festival office, 122 Fairhope Ave., Ste. 1, Fairhope, AL. Contact 251-202-9119, email Office@FairhopeFilmFestival.org or visit FairhopeFilm Festival.org. See ad, page 3. November 2022

Masters of Yoga & Bodyworks YOGA_Above and Beyond Voted

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Salt Therapy helps your seasonal allergies and other respiratory ailments. Check our class schedule for 10 different styles of yoga. Trial memberships available.

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Midtown Mobile Text: (251) 458-6584 2158 Government St., Mobile, AL 36606 Facebook: Quiet Mind Massage, Yoga, Life Coach https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/QMM99Y

Rates include ad, articles, calendar listings and social media posts.

Breathe Massage & Wellness

SHOULD YOUR YOGA PRACTICE BE ON THIS PAGE?

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

2429 W Commerce St STE C, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 228-365-3191 RiverRockYoga.com

251-990-9552

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yoga spotlight

Kimberly Jackson (L) and Moira Anderson

River Rock Yoga and Pilates A Healing Haven for Body, Mind & Spirit

he intention to create ease, wellbeing and community in this healing space can be felt upon entering River Rock Yoga and Pilates in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The studio offers a welcoming and peaceful ambiance with soft colors, comfortable cork floors, friendly atmosphere and beautiful murals. The studio has been serving the Gulf Coast since 2006, consistently offering a variety of supportive healing and balancing services. Owned and directed by Moira Anderson, the studio has recently welcomed Kimberly Jackson as manager. With its talented team of instructors and associates, River Rock Yoga provides unparalleled customer service, support, innovative scheduling and abundant opportunities to take classes and workshops. In addition to a weekly schedule of over 20 yoga and Pilates classes that accommodate students at every level, the studio

provides health-related workshops, community events and music concerts. The next concert will be held on November 13, 4 to 5:30 p.m.: a musical journey with Natalia Clavier, Healing with Sound. Cost is $35 and all are welcome. Regular classes include Gentle and Gentle Flow Yoga, All Levels Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Restorative and Yin Yoga, Pilates Mat, PiYo, Heated Hatha Yoga Class and a Children’s Yoga Class. The 9-week Yoga Basics Program for beginner students or any student who wants to refine their practice at the foundational level is ongoing and may be joined at any time. The studio also provides private lessons in yoga, yoga philosophy, meditation and Pilates and online live classes are available, as well as a library of prerecorded classes to access from home. Each year River Rock offers a registered Yoga Alliance-approved yoga

teacher training program. To date, the studio has trained and certified over 100 yoga teachers. Next year, a new 200-hour yoga teacher training begins on February 4. River Rock has expanded to offer mental health counseling with owner Moira Anderson, Licensed Master Social Worker. Anderson is an advocate for mental health availability in her community. She has also been teaching yoga for 22 years, devoting her life to sharing and connecting. “I want to inspire people to believe in themselves and to not give up on their dreams. You are stronger than you know and more resilient than you think. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Setbacks and disappointments do happen. If you need help, reach out. You are never alone and there is always a solution,” says Anderson. The studio team is encouraged by individuals consistently stepping up to take responsibility for their health and well-being. As people recognize more and more that self-care, personal peace and compassion for self and the world is a worthy pursuit, this innovative center is here to support those efforts! River Rock Yoga and Pilates provides a haven for healing, connection and well-being.

5 Tips

1. Learn how to remain calm. 2. Every day express gratitude for your life and for your body. 3. Set an intention each morning for the day. 4. Several times throughout the day stop and take five deep breaths. 5. Every day, forgive yourself for yesterday’s mistakes. Location: 2429 W. Commerce St., Ste. C, Ocean Springs, MS. Please download the River Rock Yoga and Pilates app to sign up for classes and events. Or text or call Kim Jackson 228-369-0266. A link to open appointments is also available through RiverRockYoga.com, Instagram: @riverrock yogaandpilatesos, Facebook: River Rock Yoga and Pilates. See ad, page 6.

November 2022

Are You Thriving or Just Surviving?

Your Coach helps you get laser focused on your health to summon change when change is hard � � � � �

Michelle Smith

National Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach & Owner, Good Life Health Coaching

Align everyday actions with your values Envision your purpose, your Ikigai, and work towards it Get unstuck by creating daily actionable objectives We'll set up your environment for success Create the ideal routine with your own best practices

HOW? 3 OR 6 MONTH PROGRAM 1. Weekly sessions to design intention and action 2. We’ll create your customized roadmap to success 3. Weekly check-ins between sessions 4. Private portal to exchange docs + instructions 5. Monthly milestones to ensure progress

"If better is possible then good is not good enough."

-Ben Franklin

WHEN? THE TIME TO START IS NOW

Let’s discover if we are a match as coach and client. Set up your free 30:00 discovery session:

GoodLifeHealthCoaching.coachesconsole.com/calendar/ happier-healthier-you-discovery-session

251-635-6250 TryMyCoach@gmail.com GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com 8

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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Monday 9am to 12:00pm Tuesday 9am to 12:00pm Friday 9am to 12:00pm

local briefs

Thrive Health & Wellness Coaching

Sunflower Cafés: Local and Organic Menu

here are two locations for the Sunflower Café: Mobile and Fairhope. The Fairhope location is directly next to Fairhope Health Foods at the corner of Hwy. 98 and Fairhope Avenue. The Mobile location is located in the back of Virginia’s Health Foods on Dauphin Street at the corner of Sage Avenue. Both cafés feature a healthy menu with a variety of options for every palate. Employees at the cafés are aware of many food allergies and the menu offers abundant gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Some of the menu choices even include the option of substituting meats for vegan options such as tempeh and tofu. The cooks are very familiar with the vegan and vegetarian options and how to tastily prepare them all. In addition, all organic and local ingredients are used, including the meat in dishes, whenever possible. For example, the café in Fairhope uses lettuce from Local Appetite growers and the Mobile location uses sprouts from Crooked Carrot Farms. The Fairhope café is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Mobile location is open Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a goal to open on Sundays very soon!

Want to Lose Weight & Feel Healthier? Create a healthy mindset with food and genuinely love yourself Customized Plan, Accountability & Commitment to Success Ability to manage stress better Faster weight loss

Let me Break the Myths and Help You Repair Your Metabolism

Your Coach!

Kimberly Mullek Certified Health & Wellness Coach

Schedule a FREE Discovery Session today! (251) 504-5237

kimberly@behealthyandthrive.com

behealthyandthrive.com

Tmac’s Hair

Locations: Fairhope Health Foods, 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope, AL. 251-928-0644. Virginia’s Health Foods, 3055A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL. 251-479-3952. Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com. See ad, page 20.

Take Time for Self-Care

usy mothers often put themselves last. At day’s end, feelings of exhaustion or depression may creep in due to being overwhelmed with the demands of work and family. Making time for self-care can reduce stress and help keep a positive attitude, along with getting enough sleep, having a good friend or partner to talk to, eating a healthy diet and setting aside quiet time for introspection or spiritual reflection. “When you feel relaxed, healthy and rested, those around you will feel the good vibes. Self-care helps you stay calm, organized and better able to cope with life’s expected and unexpected events. When you are calm and in control, your family knows they are in good hands and can relax,” says Karen Watson, TrūAura Beauty consultant. Watson recommends incorporating a beauty routine into the start and end of each day as a way to wind down and take care of yourself. “After a bath, moisturize your skin with TrūAura’s Replenishing Body Lotion. Made with probiotics, essential oils and plant derivatives, it nourishes and hydrates skin. Skin around the eyes is more sensitive and deserves a special formulation. Our Advanced Repair Eye Treatment includes probiotics, natural butters and oils and extracts from the water lily that help reduce inflammation and pigmentation. Spritz with a hydrating mist to refresh yourself throughout the day. Both of these products are included in our Healthy Skin Bundle, which is a fantastic place to begin self-care and experience clinically proven TrūAura products.” For more information, contact Karen Watson 256-508-0389 (call or text). Shop online 24/7 TruAuraBeauty.com/trubeauty4u. See ad, this page.

SKINCARE ANTI-AGING MAKE-UP BODY CARE ZERO HARMFUL INGREDIENTS Free of gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates & synthetic fragrances.

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PREBIOTIC/PROBIOTIC BASED & MICROBIOME FRIENDLY Protect and nourish your skin’s natural balance.

FEED YOUR SKIN A HEALTHY DIET! Karen Watson

TruAura Beauty Consultant Based in Daphne, Serving the Gulf Coast TruAuraBeauty.com/trubeauty4u

256-508-0389

November 2022

local briefs

imberly Mullek, owner of Thrive Health & Wellness Coaching, is offering a Free Virtual Metabolism Repair Workshop to help people learn how metabolism works and whether it might be causing weight gain or a plateau in weight loss. Metabolism is a complex process involving the physical and chemical processes in the body by which its material substance is created, maintained and destroyed, and by which Kimberly Mullek energy is made available. The body’s metabolism is constantly working to provide energy for functions like breathing and digestion, but how well the metabolism works can be affected by age, gender, muscle mass and physical activity. Metabolism can transform food into fuel, heat or substance (muscle, fat, blood or bone). A healthy metabolism allows a body to have the right amount of energy available, an adequate amount of stored energy and a strong and stable structure. “Many myths surround metabolism function. People think ‘If I could just eat less then I would lose weight. Losing weight is simply calories in minus calories out. Desserts make you fat.’,” says Mullek, who is a Personal Trainer, Certified Health & Wellness Coach and Fast Metabolism Coach. “I started the diet rollercoaster at age 13. I would lose 20 pounds with exercise and calorie reduction and then slowly gain 25 pounds back all through high school, college and my early 30s. Later, I would lose 30 pounds and gain 35 pounds back. I could never find balance or a healthy lifestyle. Dieting was doing harm to me by slowing down my metabolism.” After Mullek learned to repair her own metabolism, she decided to help others. “Now, I can share how to repair metabolism and change a slow metabolism into a fast metabolism. Along the way, you lose stubborn weight and regain health, get more energy, better digestion, improved sleep, lower stress levels, balance hormones, lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar,” she says. To book a personal time for the free fast metabolism virtual workshop on Calendly, see Calendly.com/KimberlyFitness/ BreakthroughCall, call 251-504-5237, email Kimberly@ BeHealthyAndThrive.com or visit BeHealthyAndThrive.com. See ad, page 9. 10

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

NAGulfCoast.com

Watersong Therapy Center Now Open

atersong Therapy Center has officially opened its doors, providing Splankna, a Christian mind/body protocol for the release of stored negative trauma emotions, an effective adjunct alongside traditional talk therapy. This therapy is unique because of the combination of prayer, discussion, spiritual warfare (the leveraging of everything that God promises against everything that opposes God’s purposes), Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) theory. Previously, Splankna was only available in this area when practitioners were visiting temporarily. Now, with the opening of Watersong, Fairhope has a trained practitioner, Dennis Hopkins, serving Baldwin and Mobile counties. “I benefited from a number of modalities like talk therapy, EMDR and antidepressants after a tragic loss, but in the end, it was Splankna that got to the root of why my grief had been so all encompassing. Splankna allowed me to move forward. I felt like a million tons of bricks came off my shoulders and I could breathe again,” says Hopkins. Hopkins has many years of experience in the world of helping. Whether teaming up with his wife of 25 years to lead small groups, worship leading or one-on-one mentorship of youth in church, he has been serving others for over two decades. He is now applying his years of practice and his passion for helping others heal, using the same Splankna Therapy that helped him break through his personal tragedies. One of Watersong’s clients, Kari from Baldwin County, said, “After my session, I noticed how much lighter I felt! Throughout the following weeks I started to notice positive changes in behaviors I have worked to confront for a long time.” “I am thrilled to be serving this community which has been such a huge part of our healing journey. Fairhope and the Gulf Coast is a special place to spend our lives,” says Hopkins. Location: 22873 Hwy 98 Building 1, Fairhope, AL. Contact 251277-1816 or Dennis@WatersongLife.com or visit WatersongLife. com. See ad, page 18.

DragonImages/DepositPhotos.com

Free Fast Metabolism Workshop

event spotlight Coastal AL Farmers and Fishermans Market

photo credit Jack Swindle

Harvest Festival at CAFFM

he award-winning Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market will host the annual Harvest Festival on November 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 20733 Miflin Road in Foley. Attendees will be treated to vendors of seafood, produce, baked goods, art and more. It’s the perfect time to pick up all the freshest seasonal ingredients for a fantastic Thanksgiving feast or start shopping early for those one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. The festival will include the Harvest Queen pageant, which will kick off at 10 a.m. and include third through fifth graders residing in Baldwin County vying for the crown. There will also be live music to lend the perfect soundtrack to your visit. Be sure to check out the market’s website for more information on the Harvest Festival. The market is the largest in the area and is committed to Baldwin County’s community and agriculture with a mission to promote healthy foods from the bounty of the Gulf Coast and make them readily available. The vendors, local farmers and fishermen, ensure a supply of fresh, high quality produce, organic beef, seafood and other delicious foods for families and restaurants. The comfortable, covered facility is open year-round rain or shine. Location: 20733 Miflin Rd., Foley, Farmers and Fishermens Alabama. Call Alescia at 251-709-4469. For more information on the Harvest Festival, see their Facebook page or visit CoastalAlabamaMarket.com. See ad, this page. C

Market

OPEN YEAR ROUND www.coastalalabamamarket.com

Experience effortless Eastern Shore Rolfing

to manual therapy that resolves physical discomfort , releases tension and alleviates pain and enhancing energy . while

Sundays at 10:30AM All Saints Chapel 251-333-0435 opentableucc.org Instagram: @opentablemobile

706.681.2935 WE’VE MOVED! Make an appointment at our larger location today!

22806 HWY 98, FAIRHOPE, AL

November 2022

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 assessment. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive neurological evaluation to identify the potential for brain pathway improvement. Once a treatment program is put in place, many patients see notable improvements within a few weeks, but the beneﬁts can last a lifetime

Using a cutting-edge, drug-free approach we treat a range of brain disorders including

Dementia | Depression | Brain Injuries | ADHD

Call today: 251-597-8787 MindPerformanceCenter.com 240 West Laurel Avenue, Foley, AL

Dr. J Douglas Brown DC DACNB, Board Dr. Brown is one of only a few functional neurologists in the U.S. providing brain pathway activation therapy in conjunction with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Bredesen’s science-based nutritional program. 12

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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health briefs

The best strategy to stay upbeat may be to reach for the fruit bowl, suggests a new study comparing the habits and mental states of 428 people published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Researchers at the UK’s Aston University found that the more often people ate fruit, the lower they scored for depression and the higher for mental well-being. The frequency of fruit consumption seemed to be more important to psychological health than the total amount consumed. People that ate savory snacks such as potato chips, which are low in nutrients, were more likely to report more frequent memory lapses and greater levels of anxiety and depression. The researchers found no connection between eating vegetables and psychological health. Nutrients can be lost during cooking. “As we are more likely to eat fruit raw, this could potentially explain its stronger influence on our psychological health,” says lead author Nicola-Jayne Tuck. In another study, researchers from the UK’s University of Reading gave 478 young adults either high doses of vitamins B6 or B12 or a placebo. After one month, they found that 100 milligrams of the B6 (about 50 times the recommended daily allowance) significantly boosted gamma aminobutyric acid, which inhibits excitatory impulses in the brain, and reduced self-reported anxiety and depression levels. B12 had no such effects.

Mislabeling Found in Some Immunity Supplements Immunity supplements may not be all they claim to be, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers conducted liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry tests on 30 of the bestselling, four-star-and-up immunity products on Amazon and found that only 13 contained the exact ingredients listed on their labels. Thirteen were missing some of the listed ingredients and nine contained ingredients not listed on the labels. Missing ingredients were mainly plant extracts such as aloe vera, astragalus, eleuthero, ginger root and slippery elm. Added ingredients included black rice seed in elderberry extracts and pantothenic acid.

Jo Sonn/Unsplash.com

Fruit and Vitamin B6 May Relieve Anxiety and Depression

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Resistant Depression or Dementia? Mind Performance We can help.

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After reviewing hundreds of studies on nutrition, diseases and longevity in laboratory animals and humans, the optimal diet for longevity has “lots of legumes, whole grains and vegetables; some fish; no red meat or processed meat and very low white meat; low sugar and refined grains; good levels of nuts and olive oil, and some dark chocolate,” reports University of Southern California gerontology professor Valter Longo. According to the literature review he and others authored for Cell, a day’s meals should ideally occur within a window of 11 to 12 hours, allowing for a daily period of fasting. A five-day fast or fast-mimicking diet every three to four months was also suggested to help reduce insulin resistance, blood pressure and other risk factors for those with increased disease risks. Energy Model of Change

Stretching and Balance Exercises Can Avert Mental Decline To protect against memory loss, simple stretching and balance exercises work as well as hard-driving aerobics, concludes a new study from Wake Forest University. The study enrolled 296 sedentary older adults with mild cognitive decline such as forgetting dates, keys and names. Those that performed simple stretching routines for 120 to 150 minutes per week experienced no memory decline in a year’s time, as measured by cognitive tests and brain scans that showed no shrinkage. These results matched the outcome of people that did moderate-intensity aerobic training on treadmills or stationary bikes four times a week, striving for about 30 to 40 minutes of a heightened heart rate. A control group of equally matched people that did not exercise did decline cognitively. The people that exercised were supervised by trainers at local YMCAs, which may have helped them stay motivated, say the researchers. MIA Studio/AdobeStock.com

Longevity Diet Involves Fasting, Too

Integrative Health at enrG - Tara McLellan

Integrative Medicine at enrG Wellness

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Discover functional medicine to restore whole-body health. “Our bodies have an amazing capacity to heal themselves. Discover the underlying causes of illness so you can heal from within.”

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620 N. McKenzie St. Ste 200, Foley, AL Located inside enrG Wellness Mary Beth Svatek, M.A. Certified Hypnotherapist & Life Coach 251-300-9912 energymodelofchange.com

Integrative Healthcare of Lower Alabama

Telehealth Appointments Available! 251-943-9355 | AlabamaIntegrativeHealth.com

November 2022

global briefs

Urban Crops Can Have Higher Yields Than Conventional Farming

robu_s/AdobeStock.com

A new study led by Lancaster University researchers shows that urban gardens and hydroponics can thrive and may exceed the yields of rural farms. Professor Jess Davies, project lead for the Rurban Revolution project that developed this study, says, “Urban food growing is often dismissed as something that cannot meaningfully contribute to food security.” The paper compiled studies on urban agriculture from 53 countries to find out which crops grow well in cities, what growing methods are most effective and which spaces can be used for growing. It turns out that urban yields for crops like cucumbers, tubers and lettuces can be two to four times higher than conventional farming. Cost efficiency remains an open question and important factor. Most studies on urban agriculture focus on private and community gardens, parks and field growing operations. This one includes “grey” spaces in cities that are already built, but could be used for growing, such as rooftops and building facades. Dr. Florian Payen, lead author and researcher from the Lancaster Environment Centre, says, “Surprisingly, there were few differences between overall yields in indoor spaces and outdoor green spaces, but there were clear differences in the suitability of crop types to different gray spaces. You can’t exactly stack up apple trees in a five- or 10-layer-high growth chamber.”

Plastic Recycling Hoax Revealed According to a new report (Tinyurl.com/ ChemicalRecycling) from the nonprofit Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), 20 states have passed bills to exempt chemical recycling facilities from waste management requirements, despite significant evidence that most facilities actually incinerate the plastic they receive. The petrochemical industry, as represented by the American Chemistry Council, has been lobbying for state-level legislation to promote “chemical recycling”, a process that critics say is recycling in name only. Their goal is to reclassify chemical recycling as a manufacturing process, rather than waste disposal, with more lenient regulations concerning pollution and hazardous waste. GAIA Policy and Research Coordinator and author of the report Tok Oyewole says, “These facilities are in actuality waste-to-toxic-oil plants, processing plastic to turn it into a subpar and polluting fuel.” The report calls for federal regulation to crack down on the plastic industry’s misinformation and affirm chemical recycling’s status as a waste management process. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering whether chemical recycling should be regulated under Section 129 of the Clean Air Act, which would define chemical recycling processes as incineration, potentially short-circuiting the petrochemical industry’s state legislative strategy, although Oyewole says it’s unclear whether the agency’s determination would override existing state legislation. 14

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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Cool Pavement Program

NAGulfCoast.com

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data shows the difference in nighttime temperatures in heat island areas can be as much as 22 degrees warmer than temperatures measured outside such locations. This leads to more energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and other harmful effects. Cool pavement is a road treatment made with no harmful chemicals—just asphalt, water, an emulsifying soap, mineral fillers, polymers and recycled materials—applied on top of existing asphalt pavement. Because the surface reflects, rather than retains heat, it has the potential to offset rising nighttime temperatures. In 2020, portions of eight neighborhoods in Phoenix received cool pavement asphalt coating treatment in areas already in need of pavement preservation. The city partnered with Arizona State University researchers to conduct scientific tests using thermal imaging by helicopter flyovers and temperature sensors embedded in the pavement surface, studying how it could mitigate the urban heat island effect. In October 2021, the pilot program ended and cool pavement has become a regular program for the city’s Street Transportation Department. Similarly, 1 million square feet of roads in Los Angeles have been covered with solar-reflective paint in the GAF Cool Community Project, which includes colorful murals by a local artist on a basketball court, a school playground and a parking lot.

B-Butterfly Salon

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Concrete consists of water, cement and an aggregate such as sand or gravel. The aggregate has to be mined from the ground, and is now in short supply in many parts of the world, while discarded tires can be partially recycled, but are often burned or relegated to landfills. Attempts to replace some of the aggregate used in concrete with crumbled, used tires has been stymied by a bonding problem because pores in the rubber fill with water when the concrete is first mixed, and become empty holes as the water evaporates and the concrete sets. As reported in the journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling, scientists at Australia’s RMIT University have produced good-quality concrete in which all of the aggregate has been replaced with tire particles. They started with wet concrete in which all the aggregate is comprised of tire particles, then placed it in special steel molds as it set to place pressure on the concrete, compressing the particles and the pores within. Once the concrete dried and set, the cement had bonded much better to the tire particles. When compared to previous 100-percent tireaggregate concrete produced by conventional means, the preloaded concrete exhibited 97 percent, 59 percent and 20 percent increases in compressive, flexural and tensile strength, respectively.

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November 2022

STAYING SERENE IN TURBULENT TIMES

HOW TO TURN ANXIETY INTO POSITIVE ACTION

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by Ronica O’Hara

n this day and age, we have good reason to toss and turn in our beds at night. As our nation faces climate catastrophes, acrid politics, stubborn inflation, unpredictable virus variants and hot-button issues like abortion and guns, there’s good reason our collective anxiety levels are at a high pitch. A recent Yale survey found that 70 percent of Americans report being anxious or depressed about global warming, and a Penn State survey this year found that 84 percent of us say

we are “extremely worried” or “very worried” about where the country is headed. Researchers are coining new terms: “polycrisis”, for complex, cascading crises in interacting systems, and “pre-traumatic stress disorder”, when fear of an outcome makes it as good as real to our psyches. “It’s easy for people to feel overwhelmed now, feeling there are breakdowns and threats on many fronts. People can wonder ‘Where do I even start?’ and feel powerless and hopeless and numb,” says psychiatrist Janet Lewis, M.D., a founder of the nationwide Climate Psychiatry Alliance and a University of Rochester clinical assistant professor of psychiatry. “We are part of a complex system that is moving into new ways of functioning, but there’s no way of predicting ahead of time exactly what all the features of the new ways of operating will be. That makes it impossible for us to wrap our minds around everything that is happening.”

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Taking a Wider Perspective News reports almost always sound dire—just like the amygdala of our brains, journalists often see their function as focusing on threats to alert us to dangers. “Still, if you take the long view of history, we are much better off than we were 200 years ago or

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Still, she adds, “We are also by definition part of the system, and therefore have a responsibility to do what we can. We can’t sit on the sidelines and merely hope that things transform in good directions. The situation being so serious also means that what we do now is really important.” To move from anxiety into effective action, mental health experts advise several strategies: taking a wider perspective, building resilience through self-care and taking individual steps to make a collective difference. As the Dalai Lama encourages, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito!”

Barbara Easterlin, of Jackson, Wyoming, an expert on ecoanxiety who is on the steering committee of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. “Doing just one thing to help the planet consistently helps defeat anxiety.” Taking action moves us into our power—as 15-year-old Greta Thunberg demonstrated by holding a sign outside the Swedish parliament. Personal actions matter because numbers add up. Only 25 percent of individuals in a social group need to make a shift before significant social change follows, conclude researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science that analyzed a decade of societal changes in voting, health, technology and finance. Once a group reaches that tipping point, it can trigger a change in the rest of society, says study author Damon Centola, Ph.D., author of Change: How to Make Big Things Happen.

1,000 years ago, but it took many years to make those changes,” counsels Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and author of the bestselling The Worry Cure and the upcoming If Only. “We never know if something is hopeless until we have all the data, and we seldom have all the data,” he says. “And when it comes to political emotions, many of the predictions that are made by the ‘talking heads’ in media never come true.” Leahy counsels patience: “Social change does not come about by one person doing something. That usually comes about by a long process of millions of people changing their attitudes and changing their behavior. Small efforts can be made on a daily basis that move this slow process forward. We need to take a longer view, rather than expect immediate change.” In this ongoing process, anxiety has its rightful place. “Anxiety makes us look around, figure out solutions and act. This can absolutely be turned into something positive,” says neuropsychologist November 2022

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Fears about the shape of the planet and nation are often piled on top of our everyday living anxieties about family and finances, which can induce emotional overload. “We all have a ‘zone of resilience’ or ‘window of tolerance’, outside of which we become more reactive, less able to function effectively. But it is not fixed. We can learn tools to expand it and cultivate the capacity to be with more,” says Easterlin. Therapy can be a part of that process by challenging us to examine “the mental narratives that can exacerbate distress,” says Leslie Davenport, a climate psychology consultant and author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. It’s important to find a therapist, she says, that “validates that your feelings are a normal response to an existential crisis.” She has helped develop new programs at the American Psychology Association and the California Institute of Integral Studies to train therapists in treating eco-anxiety. For low-cost online support, the Good Grief Network offers a 10-step, 10-week program to help process personal anxiety and grief about climate change. People are also sitting down to share their distress at climate cafes, small local gatherings springing up across the country and globe, including some online. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy and exercising are also key self-care strategies. When anxiety strikes, psychologists advise shifting attention from the head to the body, using such approaches as mindful breathing, dancing and grounding. Meditation, easily accessed these days through apps like Calm and Headspace, helps us to enter into what religious and spiritual teachings call “the still point within.” Rather than “doomscrolling” when anxiety mounts, cutting back our media use can significantly lower stress levels, studies show. Wise media strategies include choosing well-established, credible news sources; reading rather than watching the news to lower its emotional impact; limiting news intake to 10 minutes once or twice a day; taking a “news fast” on occasion; and passing up sources that incessantly feed fury.

On the other hand, it’s essential to find sources for hope, an emotion important in recovery from anxiety disorders, according to a study in Behavior Therapy. Googling “good news on climate change” will bring up articles about alternative energy growth, new super-enzymes that eat plastic rubbish and black rhinos coming back from the brink of extinction. Although dystopic books abound, others offer hope, such as Drawdown, with its sensible, scaled-down strategies to stop global warming by 2050.

Moving into Action Virtually no one can take on all the problems of the nation and globe at once—and the good news is that unless we hold high public office, we don’t have to. Instead, “In taking action, focus on what you are good at, what your sphere of influence might be,” advises Lewis. “What are you most heartbroken over? Get involved in that and allow yourself to feel really good about what you’re doing and other people are doing.” By narrowing our focus, we can hone in on an issue and figure out our part in its solution. “We need a broad range of collective action for transformation,” says Davenport. “For climate change, a teacher could bring social-emotional learning to climate education into the classroom or start an after school ‘green club’; an artist could use their creative medium to communicate about climate in a moving way that could engage others; a nurse could create a waste-reduction initiative within a medical setting. These efforts all have ripple effects and help to elevate each other.” In one recent study, people were found to consume less energy if they believed their neighbors did so and personally cared about conservation. Our neighborhoods are the place to take the small, meaningful steps that address the “crisis of connection” underly-

ing rancorous national crises, says New York Times columnist David Brooks. He advocates “radical mutuality”, saying, “Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone.” Through simple actions like having casual conversations around town, pitching in to help a family in crisis, bringing a salad to a block party, tutoring a child or holding a civic post, we build the warm relational bonds that strengthen communities. As we meet others that feel as strongly as we do about our issues, our numbers start building and collective action can unfold. “Independent of political beliefs, many people can find common values such as wanting safety for their families, a clean environment with clean waterways and recreation in natural environments,” says Easterlin. That, in turn, helps lower our distress. A recent Yale study found that eco-anxiety was linked to depression only among students not involved in group activities; those engaged in collective action such as being part of an environmental group, working in a letter-writing campaign or going to events or protests did not spiral downward emotionally. “Personal transformation and social transformation happen simultaneously. When you reach out and build community, you nourish yourself,” Brooks says. As Thunberg has put it: “When I’m taking action, I don’t feel like I am helpless and that things are hopeless, because then I feel like I’m doing everything I can. And that gives me very much hope, especially to see all the other people all around the world, the activists, who are taking action and who are fighting for their present and for their future.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@ gmail.com.

November 2022

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inspiration

Gratitude is Good Medicine

When we consciously turn negativity to positivity from the inside-out, the neural pathway associated with negativity will take time to come down fully, so it is critical to practice gratitude regularly. Upon waking in the morning, say 10 things that you are grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal. Put sticky notes all over the house with gratitude messages—on photos, light fixtures, fans, exercise equipment—to create a zone of subliminal positivity. Remember that our perspective can reflect either our pain or our power. That choice is in our hands. Know what you are grateful for each day.

by Madiha Saeed

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Madiha Saeed, M.D., ABIHM, is the bestselling author of The Holistic RX, an international speaker, founder of HolisticMomMD. com and director of education for KnoWEwell.

tress, work and family routines can trap us in a pattern of negative thinking that feeds on itself and creates stress and unhappiness. With our internal and external worlds being bombarded these days with negativity, being optimistic is more important now than ever before. Gratitude is not just a feel-good word. It is an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has—a universal concept in nearly all of the world’s spiritual traditions. Practicing gratitude daily is proven to have actual physiological consequences. It helps lower inflammatory markers, influences epigenetics, improves the immune system and even helps the heart, adding years to life. Optimism has been found to correlate positively with life satisfaction and self-esteem. “Heartfelt” emotions like gratitude, love and caring produce coherent brain waves radiating to every cell of the body, as shown by technology that measures changes in heart rhythm variation and coherence. Our subconscious governs 90 percent of our thoughts and actions. It shapes our every behavior. But the subconscious mind is nothing other than neural pathways that have been established in the brain as a result of past beliefs and conditioning. Our subconscious does no thinking of its own, but rather relies on our perception of the world around us, interpreting verbal and nonverbal cues.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~Robert Brault

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local healthy eats guide

Bon Appétit! A directory of local restaurants, eateries and markets FEATURING TWO SISTERS BAKERY AND DELI An Array of Delicacies Await

ith delicious bakery items and meals, including many gluten-free or keto-friendly options, Two Sisters Bakery and Deli is proud to serve breakfast and lunch to hungry patrons every Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their beautiful Fairhope location. Since opening in January 2011, the family-operated restaurant has grown from offering only bakery items and lunches to now offering a full breakfast menu, an expanded lunch menu, expertly crafted baked goods and now also features Boars Head meats and cheeses. “Our beignets and waffles all day has been a delightful addition,” says John Lozano, owner. “The last few years we also extended our gluten-free lunch, breakfast and dessert items and most recently started with ketofriendly diet options.” The sisters in the business, Liz Lozano and Deborah Bago, are responsible for day-to-day operations, as well as all the baking, with other family members helping out as well. “We believe in using quality ingredients and have a passion for baking and cooking delicious cakes, cookies and pastries to satisfy any sweet tooth,” says John, adding that they also offer catering services for special events and parties, including cupcakes and

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other unique desserts that can add the ‘wow factor’ to a gathering. Made from scratch muffins and specialty cakes, as well as carrot and coconut cake are local favorites. The restaurant has an outdoor deck beneath oak trees that seats about 35 and is perfect to host outdoor events such as birthday or anniversary parties, baby or wedding showers and other gatherings where people would like a beautiful location and a wide variety of catered food to choose from. On the regular menu, focaccia, waffles, muffins, beignets, biscuits, ciabatta, croissants and a multitude of cheese and meat choices make the breakfast options seemingly endless. The lunch menu includes sandwiches, paninis, wraps, salads and burgers with sides such as fruit, fries, coleslaw, chicken salad and potato salad. Whit’s frozen custard is the perfect accompaniment to a homemade slice of pie or cake for dessert. “We love the positive feedback from our great customers, especially after the hard work we do, we consistently see their appreciation,” says John. Location: 19452 Scenic Hwy 98, Fairhope, AL. 251-517-0622. TwoSistersBakeryDeli.com.

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November’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

OHANA POKE Poke combines ingredients of a delicious sushi roll into a quick meal. 561 Fairhope Ave. #102, Fairhope, AL OPFairhope.com

COASTAL ALABAMA FARMERS & FISHERMENS MARKET Committed to Baldwin County’s local community & agriculture. 20733 Miflin Rd., Foley, AL CoastalAlabamaMarket.com

OX KITCHEN Made with fresh ingredients in-house daily, approachable, not intimidating. 365 S. Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL TheOxKitchen.com

ALLEGRI FARM MARKET Seriously good selection of locally grown fresh fruit, vegetables and much more. 9948 County Road 64, Daphne, AL 251-621-1955 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 AT THE ALLEY 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 NATURE NINE FARMS Your source for local, ethical-grown wholesome, delicious food. sperkins@natureninefarms.com NatureNineFarms.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 TWO SISTERS BAKERY & DELI Gluten-free, keto-friendly options, featuring boars 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. November 2022

conscious eating

The Gut-Brain Connection HOW FOOD AFFECTS OUR MOOD by Kimberly B. Whittle

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e’ve all heard the phrase, “You are what you eat,” but the connection is more than just physical because food impacts our mood, too. During the last decade, there have been an increasing number of studies exploring what’s called the gut-brain axis and the role that microorganisms in the gut play in mental health conditions like anxiety, stress, depression and other disorders. Depression is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. and worldwide. There are long-held views in medicine that depression is caused by imbalances in brain levels of serotonin—the neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood and other functions like digestion and sleep. These beliefs resulted in decades of extensive use of antidepressants, most of which boost serotonin in the brain. However, research by University College London, published in July in the journal Molecular Psychology, found “no consistent evidence of there being an association between serotonin and depression, and no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations.” Michael Gershon, M.D., a Columbia University professor of pathology and cell biology, and author of The Second Brain, has explained to psychologists that “scientists were shocked to learn” that about 90 percent of serotonin is not created in the brain, but is actually produced in the gut and carried from there to the brain, not the other way around. This relationship is called the gutbrain axis. A recent literature review of 26 studies suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria can disrupt the two-way communication along the gut-brain axis, leading to depression and other psychiatric issues.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Demuth-Bibb

Gut Health Equals Mental Health “Gut health is extremely important for mental health,” says Bhavna Barmi, Ph.D., a senior clinical psychologist, relationship therapist and founder of the New Delhi-based Happiness Studio. “The traditional belief that only psychiatry and talk therapy can treat mental health has widened to include lifestyle and food, too.” “The truth is that our food is the primary contributor of the quality and diversity of bacteria in the microbiome,” says Ishi Khosla, a clinical nutritionist and president of the Celiac Society of India. “There is an intricate relationship between the gut and the brain.” Food sensitivities, alcohol and highly processed, refined and sugary foods can lead to a lower diversity of good bacteria and increases in bad bacteria in the gut, which can trigger gut inflammation and unfavorable health conditions. Most mood-related disorders start with inflammation of the brain as a response to inflammation in the gut. “Certain foods, like gluten, can cause an inflammatory response in the gut. Over time, sensitivities to gluten and other foods can lead to a ‘leaky gut’, an impairment of the gut lining that lets toxins into the bloodstream. Often, if it remains unresolved, it leads to mood-related disorders and other chronic health conditions,” says Khosla. Clinical nutritionists and other practitioners use biochemical markers and food sensitivity tests to help identify food ingredients that trigger inflammation in patients. However, if a leaky gut is present, a food sensitivity test may not be very accurate. As Tom O’Bryan, DC, chief health officer of KnoWEwell, explains in his bestselling book The Autoimmune Fix, “When you have a leaky gut, a practitioner may do a 90-food testing panel that comes back sensitive to 20 or 25 different foods. And then the patient exclaims, ‘Oh my God, that’s everything I eat.’ Well, of course it is, because your immune system is doing what it is supposed to do— protecting you from toxins. Once the inflammation in the gut is reduced through the elimination of wheat and other offensive foods, and the implementation of a personalized diet and protocol to heal the gut [takes place], the same food testing panel will correctly identify those few ingredients to permanently avoid.”

Mood-Lifting Foods Kelly Brogan, M.D., a holistic psychiatrist and author of The New York Times bestsellers A Mind of Your Own and Own Your Self, as well as co-editor of the landmark textbook Integrative Therapies for Depression, recommends making three dietary changes to lift mood: n Eliminate processed foods and food toxins n Add whole foods, good fats and therapeutic foods n Add fermented foods Eating foods that are fresh, whole, simple and organic when available fuels good gut bacteria and eliminates the toxins

found in packaged foods such as hydrogenated vegetable oils, preservatives, dyes, emulsifiers, taste enhancers and sugars that can upset the proper balance in the gut. A powerful mood regulator is the omega-3 fatty acid found in such cold-water fish as salmon and trout or taken as a dietary supplement. These fatty acids regulate neurotransmission and gene expression, act as antioxidants and have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Good fats from pasture-raised meats, wild fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, olive oil, coconut oil and grass-fed ghee also contribute to mood regulation. “Resetting the gut through good bacteria in probiotics and feeding the good bacteria with prebiotics is a powerful tool to fight mood disorders,” says Khosla. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, pickles (truly fermented, not just cured in vinegar), kimchi and coconut kefir are natural sources of probiotics. They are delicious and easy to make at home. A 2018 University of Toronto study in the World Journal of Psychiatry identified 12 nutrients to prevent and treat depressive disorders and found that the following foods had the highest levels of those beneficial nutrients: bivalves such as oysters and mussels; various sea foods such as octopus, crab and tuna; organ meats; leafy greens; lettuces; fresh herbs; peppers; and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli. Choosing what to eat is complex and affected by culture, cost, environment and taste preferences. Dietary changes can be difficult and take time, and those suffering from mood swings, depression or anxiety have additional challenges in making changes. Nutritionists advise starting small by incorporating one or two foods rich in beneficial nutrients and eliminating a highly processed or packaged food or two. Focus on incorporating a rainbow of red, yellow, orange and green foods into meals. “Food therapy to improve mood is inexpensive, free of side effects and can begin to show results within days,” says Khosla. In view of the gut-brain axis, says Barmi, “It is imperative that from this point on, nutritionists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists work together for holistic care of the client to lead to maximum benefit.” Kimberly B. Whittle is the CEO of KnoWEwell, the Regenerative Whole Health Hub online solution for health and well-being. Visit KnoWEwell.com. November 2022

QUINOA AND BEETROOT SALAD WITH A HINT OF MINT YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

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SALAD: ½ cup quinoa 1 medium beetroot, grated 10-12 fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped ¼ cup fresh cilantro 2 Tbsp shelled pistachios, roasted 2 Tbsp golden raisins 1 cup water DRESSING: 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 Tbsp lemon juice, adjust to taste 2 cloves garlic, adjust to taste ½ tsp roasted cumin powder Salt and ground black pepper to taste Honey to taste

pan and switch off the stove. Keep covered for 5 minutes, remove lid and fluff cooked quinoa with a fork. Set aside to cool. In a bowl, mix all dressing ingredients and set aside. Place cooled quinoa, grated beets, pistachios, raisins and chopped herbs in a large bowl. Pour the dressing, toss well. Serve cold.

Rinse quinoa and add to a pot. Add water and cook uncovered for around 15 minutes or until all the water is evaporated. Cover the

Recipe courtesy of Ishi Khosla.

GUT-HEALING SMOOTHIE Blueberries contain compounds that increase beneficial bacteria in the gut, as well as antioxidant properties that are remarkable at protecting our brain. In fact, consuming 1 cup of blueberries per day for three years gets our brain working as well as it did 11 years earlier. Bananas are high in pectin, which helps to normalize movements of the large intestine. Look for gelatin powders from pastured animals. YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

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1-1½ cups water ½ cup coconut milk 1-2 frozen bananas 1 cup frozen blueberries 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed 1 Tbsp unflavored gelatin powder 1 Tbsp high-quality fish oil 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1-3 scoops L-glutamine powder (optional)

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In a blender, combine the water, coconut milk, bananas, blueberries, flaxseeds, gelatin powder, fish oil, cinnamon and L-glutamine powder (if using). Blend until smooth. Add more water for a thinner smoothie, if desired. Serve immediately or pour into ice-pop molds and freeze for a sweet treat later on. Recipe courtesy of Tom O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN, from his book The Autoimmune Fix.

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healing ways

12 Quick Fixes for Anxiety SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING by Ronica O’Hara

through the mouth for a count of eight; slowing the breath so that the in and out breaths equalize; and placing mindful attention on our breathing until 10 breaths are completed.

t is an all-too-human experience to have anxiety—feeling fear or apprehension about what might happen. A survival mechanism for our species, it can easily get out of hand in times of uncertainty, morphing from a timely signal to a crippling, chronic condition. Happily, mental health professionals have found many useful anti-anxiety strategies to ease us through difficult moments.

Tap with the Fingers Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a five-minute approach using two fingers to tap on specific points of the head and chest in a certain sequence. In one 5,000-person study, 76 percent of participants found anxiety relief after three EFT sessions, while only 51 percent experienced relief after 15 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy. “EFT sends a calming signal to the brain that reduces your anxiety, which allows for newfound thinking and solutions,” says Colorado Springs therapist Dana C. Avey. Simple instructions can be found online and in YouTube videos.

Breathe Deeply “Controlling your breathing is a fantastic hack to help you move out of a stress/anxiety response state. It’s important to try different breathing techniques to figure out which ones work for you,” says Krista Jordan, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Austin, Texas. Many options exist such as breathing slowly into the belly; inhaling through the nose for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of seven and exhaling

Write It Off with Journaling Whether it’s a three-page brain dump in the morning, a frantic scribbling on paper in a stressful moment or a nightly ritual in a bound journal, writing out anxious thoughts helps clarify worries and puts things into perspective, research shows. Seattle spinal surgeon David Hanscom, a chronic pain expert and author of Back in Control, counsels writing down in longhand whatever is on the mind using graphic and descriptive language twice a day for 10 to 30 minutes, and then promptly tearing it up to let the thoughts go.

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Meditate Mindfully

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Many soothing types of meditation can be tried out on apps like Calm, InsightTimer and Headspace, but the best-studied approach for anxiety is mindfulness, which involves focusing on the breath and body sensations while letting distracting thoughts float by. A 2017 Australian study found that just 10 minutes of daily mindful meditation can help prevent the mind from wandering and is particularly effective for repetitive, anxious thoughts. “Just be clear that having a constant stream of thoughts is fine and part of the process. It’s sadly ironic that people turn to meditation to help with anxiety, and then get anxious that they are doing it wrong,” advises Jordan.

Move the Body in Nature

According to the Harvard Health Letter, “Just a single bout of exercise can ease anxiety when it strikes.” Studies have proven the value of everything from aerobics to swimming and yoga,

and it’s even better if exercising can be done outdoors, because decades of research have found that being amidst the sights, sounds and scents of natural settings lowers anxiety markers. In a recent study, walking without using a smartphone or another electronic device in urban settings just two hours a week reduced cortisol levels 21 percent in 20 minutes, “which helps to reduce the medical effects of stress, including chronic inflammation, GI disorders and heart problems,” says Santa Barbara-based John La Puma, M.D., co-founder of the ChefMD health media brand and creator of MyNatureDose.com, a free, anti-anxiety walking program.

Say a Favorite Prayer Making a deep spiritual connection—an age-old anxiety solution— can involve praying or for example, reading psalms, saying a rosary, chanting a mantra or reading sacred scripture. Eric Almeida, a mental health practitioner in Bernardston, Massachusetts, recommends the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” He says, “It doesn’t matter if you believe in God, the wisdom is useful nonetheless.”

Chill Out “Sip cold water, hold ice cubes, take a cold shower, blast the AC in your face. Our body and mind are very connected, so if you can’t cool down your mind, cool down your temperature,” advises San Diego-based marriage and family therapist Sarah O’Leary. Some people find the opposite works: taking a long, hot bath infused with essential oils like bergamot, frankincense and lavender.

Get Rooted

Move to Music Relaxing music can be as effective as medication in altering brain function, research suggests, especially if the rhythm is 60 beats per minute, which encourages the slow brainwaves associated with hypnotic or meditative states. Dancing to upbeat music like no one is watching can also chase worries away. Holistic psychotherapist Kellie Kirksey, Ph.D., of Youngstown, Ohio, suggests shaking to a favorite song: “Begin by shaking out the hands while holding the thought, ‘I let go.’ If shaking the hands feels good, add in shaking one leg at a time. Shake the whole body while imagining yourself releasing the tension stored in your muscles.”

Bond with an Animal Merely petting a dog or cat releases the feelgood bonding hormone oxytocin into our system. “Animals speak to you in a nonverbal communication, so the interactions require you to be present and to feel. Both allow for a meditative experience that is tremendously impactful for reducing anxiety,” says Shannon Dolan, an Austin, Texas, nutritional therapist and horse owner. “If you don’t have your own pet, look up equine therapy in your area, go to a local dog shelter, spend time with a friend’s dog or travel out to a petting zoo, where you can experience the healing power of animals.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@ gmail.com.

Jubilee Healing Arts - Thrive Yoga

Stand barefoot in grass or dirt while breathing deeply or imagine the roots of trees growing from the soles of the feet deep into the earth. “This helps ‘ground’ you or ‘root’ you, and can help you find steadiness rather than getting lost in anxiety,” says mindfulness trainer and author Joy Rains of Bethesda, Maryland.

Soothe with Supplements Boston integrative medicine physician Sarika Arora, M.D., of the Women’s Health Network, recommends vitamins B5, B6 and B12 to improve cellular energy, lower cortisol and restore equilibrium to the nervous system; magnesium to support balanced metabolism and increase feelings of calm; L-theanine, found in green tea, to lower stress hormone levels; eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) to limit excess cortisol; and vitamin E to support hormone production and stress recovery.

Be with the Anxiety Tyler Read, the San Francisco-based owner of Personal Trainer Pioneer, decided to bite the bullet by using the tools of dialectical behavior therapy to put himself into anxiety-producing public places. “Instead of convincing myself that I was at peace or not nervous, I accepted that I was nervous. I gave myself permission to shake, sweat and feel nauseous; at times, I acknowledged that I felt like I was dying. And by permitting myself to be nervous, the anxiety decreased over time,” he says.

A wellness team with YOU at heart. Jen, Billie, Leah, Heidi, Trae, Stephanie & Charlie Therapeutic Massage, Scar Tissue Release, Lymphatic Massage, Bowen Therapy, Thai Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Pre and Postnatal Massage, Biofield Tuning, Energetic Healing, Herbal & Nutritional Consulting

jubileehealingarts.com • 251-616-4201 thrivefairhope.com • 251-929-4020 November 2022

green living

MAKING FOREVER CHEMICALS GO AWAY MANMADE COMPOUNDS POSE LASTING THREAT TO OUR HEALTH by Sheryl DeVore

Origin of PFAS

billion in grants initially and $5 billion over time to help remove them from drinking water. Recent research has also shown PFAS detected in sludge used as fertilizer in home gardens. “We need action at all levels of government,” Schade says. “We need states to step up. We need Congress to step up. We need big companies to step up and consumers to take action.”

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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Since the late 1940s, forever chemicals have been manufactured for use in products such as nonstick cookware; waterproof, water-resistant and stain-resistant textiles; dental floss; and food packaging, such as microwave popcorn bags and fast-food containers. Firefighters also use foam that contains the chemicals. “Production and disposal of these chemicals is leading to the contamination of drinking water supplies and surface water bodies all across the country,” Schade says. “It’s a huge issue, especially in the Great Lakes.” “We’re talking about more than 9,000 chemicals,” says Susie Dai, Ph.D., a leading PFAS researcher and an associate professor of plant pathology and microbiology at Texas A&M University. “Because they contain one of the strongest chemical bonds, the carbon-fluorine bond, they are very stable. That makes it difficult for the chemicals to break down and easy for them to accumulate in the environment.” Several years ago, chemical companies began manufacturing what they deem are less-toxic PFAS. They’re known as either

NorGal/AdobeStock.com

ecades ago, environmental groups urged the banning of what are known as forever chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, compromised immune systems and hormonal imbalances, among other health issues. Today, although some of these man-made perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are being phased out, there’s still much to worry about. “These chemicals are everywhere–in products, in our homes, in our drinking water. They’re even coming down in rain,” says Mike Schade, director of the Mind the Store program of ToxicFree Future (ToxicFreeFuture.org), a national nonprofit based in Seattle. “This is a growing public health crisis.” A recent Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) report says that 200 million Americans are likely drinking water contaminated with PFAS, and that these chemicals are even more toxic than once thought. In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established new health advisories for these chemicals, warning about the toxicity of even lower amounts in water. The EPA is offering $1

Sheryl DeVore has written six books on science, health and nature, as well as health and environmental stories for national and regional publications. Read more at SherylDeVore.wordpress.com.

gulf coast green living

Protecting Endangered Sea Turtles Along Alabama’s Coastline

ea turtle hatchlings face many threats in all stages of their life: in the nest, on the beach during their journey toward the water and in their marine habitat. Only about one in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings will make it to adulthood, but Alabama has ongoing conservation efforts to help the endangered species survive. Sea turtles are important because they contribute to the environment by keeping seagrass beds healthy, maintaining healthy coral reefs and they keep populations of jellyfish and crustations in check. Alabama’s sea turtle nesting and hatching season runs from May through October. According to the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF), just as endangered sea turtles make their way to the white-sand beaches of Alabama’s shoreline to nest each year, hundreds of volunteers gear up for another season of Share the Beach program activities. The objectives of the program are to mitigate human-related impacts to sea turtles, to monitor sea turtle nests and hatchlings on the Alabama gulf coast and to promote the conservation of sea turtles through public outreach. The program follows protocols set forth by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the federal endangered species recovery permit. Volunteers of the Share the Beach program help protect the endangered sea turtles by patrolling the beach to ensure it is safely flat (no sandcastles, holes, beach gear or trash) for turtles to traverse, conducting late-night nest observations, educating the public and school groups on issues such as artificial light pollution and other tasks. “We’re proud to announce that Bon Secour National Wildlife Reserve, just one arm of Share the Beach, had 1,513 hatchlings make it to the Gulf to begin their life’s journey. We had two species of sea turtles use Alabama beaches as nesting sites this year, the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the green (Chelonia mydas). Green sea turtles are somewhat rare for this area,” says Sara Johnson, director of Share the Beach. “Green sea turtles tend to stay more in

USFWS/Share the Beach

short-chain or alternative PFAS, and include chemicals named GenX and PFBS. “The more that scientists study this very large class of chemicals, the more that scientists find the replacement chemicals are likely just as toxic,” Schade says. The EPA June health advisories include these two new PFAS. Meanwhile, as public concern grows, 11 states have banned PFAS in food packaging, and Congress is considering a similar ban, says Schade. Whole Foods Market has stopped using the chemicals in food packaging, and Keen, an outdoor shoe brand, has phased out use of PFAS in their products. In February, Toxic-Free Future sent rain jackets, hiking pants, cloth napkins, bedding and other products marked as stain- or water-resistant to independent labs for analysis. “Seventy-two percent of them contained forever chemicals,” Schade says. Some of these products are manufactured by recreational equipment company REI, which Toxic-Free is urging consumers to write to, asking it to end the practice. In July, Columbia Sportswear received petitions with 48,000 signatures from the Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental organizations urging the company to eliminate PFAS from its products. Although it has begun taking steps, Columbia has yet to set a timeline or define PFAS sustainability standards. “We can minimize the threat of PFAS contamination by turning off the tap on their use,” says Paloma Paez-Coombe, an associate of Environment Illinois, which participated in the petition drive. “One of the best ways we can do that is by getting a major brand like Columbia Sportswear to publicly lead the way.” These actions, however, won’t fix the problem of PFAS already in drinking water. Dai and other researchers have created a new bioremediation technology using plant-based material and fungi that could clean places where forever chemicals have been disposed. She hopes a similar concept can be applied to PFAScontaminated drinking water. Northwestern University researchers published a paper in August in Science showing PFAS can be destroyed using somewhat harmless chemicals called sodium hydroxide, which is the lye used to make soap, and dimethyl sulfoxide, a medicine for bladder issues. Dai says that before these new approaches, the only way to break down PFAS was to expose them to high temperatures in an incinerator, but that is costly and still introduces harmful chemicals into the environment. Meanwhile, the Delaware-based chemical company Chemours, a spinoff of Dupont that manufactures PFAS, has filed a lawsuit against the EPA saying the agency’s most recent health advisory regarding PFAS is based on flawed science. Chemours is the same company that has been ordered to pay a $12 million fine to the state of North Carolina after contaminating waterways with PFAS. Schade surmises, “This is an issue that should be of concern to every American, especially when these chemicals are linked to health problems that are on the rise in our communities.”

November 2022

USFWS/Share the Beach

Florida where there is more seagrass and the water is less cloudy.” In October, Johnson estimated that when all nests had hatched and turtles were counted, the total number of hatchlings would be close to 4,000 from 74 nests, for the entire Alabama coastline. “That’s a big comeback from recent years,” she said. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge recently announced, “Our 2022 sea turtle season has come to an end. It’s been a very successful season and we’d like to thank our volunteers with Share the Beach for all their hard work and YOU, for your continuous support and respect this season!” Volunteers are always needed at the many turtle nesting sites along the Alabama coastline from Orange Beach to Fort Morgan and over to Dauphin Island.

It is through the efforts of these citizens that Share the Beach activities can ensure protection of these majestic species moving forward. To get involved, learn more or receive updates about Alabama’s sea turtles and the ACF Share the Beach program, visit JoinACF.org/STB. For Adopt-a-Nest sponsorship options click the donate button on the website or visit their Facebook page Facebook.com/AlabamaCoastal. Location: P.O. Box 246, Fairhope, AL, 36533. Email SJohnson@JoinACF.org, website JoinACF.org/STB. Note: All sea turtle footage was obtained with approval from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under conditions not harmful to these or other sea turtles.

Neuroflourish

At Neuroflourish, we help to heal your mind so you can experience the life you dream about. The brain is an organ that we cannot afford to neglect because it has the largest impact on our overall well-being. When the brain is not prioritized, a person’s overall quality of life is negatively impacted. This manifests in areas of mental, emotional, and physical health. We implement a tri-fold process of problem recogntion, talk therapy and the latest neurotechnology to disrupt unhealthy patterns and create new, healthy ones.

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Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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healthy kids

The Colors of Healing ART THERAPY FOR KIDS by Marlaina Donato

Art and the Nervous System

Sukjai Photo/AdobeStock.com

pening a brand-new box of crayons or making a happy mess with homemade salt dough can provide hours of fun for most kids, but art therapy—based in a clinical setting—can help children achieve emotional equilibrium, cultivate social skills and increase their capacity for learning. Dipping a brush into bright colors or creating a collage under the guidance of a qualified therapist can help a child express what is beyond spoken language: unprocessed trauma, emotional and physical pain or the multilevel challenges of autism spectrum disorder. “Art therapy is completely different from arts and crafts, or even teaching a child how to do art. The idea behind art therapy is that not everyone attending therapy is able to talk about what is going on inside of them,” says Robyn Spodek-Schindler, owner of Paint the Stars Art Therapy, in Manalapan, New Jersey.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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According to 2018 research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology & Behavioral Science, painting-based art therapy has been effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in preschool-aged children. Dipping into the unconscious wellspring of creative impulse through doodling and drawing, finger painting or taking a photograph can help kids bounce back more easily from bullying or family conflicts, including divorce. Splashing color on a canvas or throwing pottery has been shown to enhance fine motor skills, increase attention spans and instill a sense of accomplishment. For those that are not neurotypical, engaging in guided artistic expression can foster sensory integration and promote positive social interaction. “I have worked with children who have lost a parent, experienced abuse, abandonment, consequences of addiction in the family, COVID [-19] anxiety and autism spectrum disorders,” says Andrea Davis, founder and CEO of Dallas Art Therapy, in Richardson, Texas. “Many times, the body is expressing the trauma in the form of sleep disturbance, eating changes, anxiety, depression and panic attacks, to name a few. Art-making bypasses the brain’s trauma response. The art therapist is trained to support the person in the process of creation and allows the person to utilize their other senses to express themselves.” Celeste Wade, an art psychotherapist at the Child and Family Art Therapy Center, in Haverford, Pennsylvania, emphasizes that emotional processing cannot occur when an individual is on the alert for potential danger, a physiological response from an overstimulated amygdala. “Trau-

ma needs to be processed for the client to gain mastery and function in a calm state versus fight, flight or freeze. Art making can also activate this area of the brain and have calming effects to counteract trauma responses,” she says.

Elements Massage

Willingness, Not Talent The art therapist provides a nourishing presence without art instruction or critiquing, and sessions can be private, in a group setting or include family members. Conversation, combined with art making, is typical in any art therapy session. Schindler stresses that creating pretty images is not the goal of an art therapy session and dispels the common assumption that “the person attending art therapy needs to have either a talent in art or an interest in art. They just need the willingness to participate in a session.” Some children see immediate benefits, while others realize emotional progress after several sessions. Art therapy, sometimes in conjunction with other modalities, not only gives children a voice, but provides them with an opportunity to stretch their wings. Group therapy, says Davis, “can look like working together to create a collaborative mural. In the process, taking turns, hearing one another’s ideas, sharing materials, respecting boundaries and each other’s art becomes an important part of meeting goals.” During an initial art therapy assessment, Wade might ask a client to draw a family of animals, which creates an opportunity “for the client to share about their own family dynamics in a safe way. If the client has experienced any type of familial trauma and I were to present the same directive as, ‘draw you and your family doing something,’ the child may be more hesitant or may shut down.” In a world that can be overwhelming, self-expression through art can give a young person a safe harbor. Schindler accentuates human rapport in the clinical setting, saying, “Art, much like play, is a universal communication tool for children. Sometimes you just feel better when creating and sharing with a trusted person.” Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Peak Alkalinity

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EverLoved Veterinary

Offering veterinary acupuncture and end-of-life care in the comfort of home. EverLoved offers in-home acupuncture for all age pets as well as compassionate and comprehensive care for geriatric and terminally-ill patients. As an essential businesses we’ve adopted extensive sanitation protocols to protect the health of each household we serve. Find us on Facebook for details!

Lydia M. Sullivan, DVM, CCRP, CVMA Serving Mobile and the Eastern Shore

Learn more today: 251-229-1043

EverLovedVeterinary.com November 2022

natural pet

Caregiving Companions THE MANY BENEFITS OF SERVICE, THERAPY AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS by Karen Shaw Becker

nimals offer support to humans in innumerable ways, acting as loyal companions, providing soothing therapy and emotional support, and being attentive service animals for invaluable medical assistance. As animals increasingly take on these roles in public spaces, it is necessary to understand what each category offers and the type of access each is given. “Some people misrepresent their animals as assistance animals in order to bring them to places where pets are not allowed, to avoid fees or out of a misunderstanding of the animal’s role,” states the American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org). It points out that although service, therapy and emotional support animals are sometimes referred to interchangeably, they are distinct categories, each with its own definition.

Assistance Animals

Sukjai Photo/AdobeStock.com

As defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, an assistance animal is “any animal that works, provides assistance or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability.” If certain conditions are met, a person may be entitled to keep an assistance animal in a housing facility that would otherwise prohibit animals.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

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Service Animals The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 defines a service animal as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical,

sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.” Aside from miniature horses, no other species are included. Service animals perform such tasks as helping with navigation, pulling a wheelchair, assisting during a seizure, providing protection or rescue work, alerting a person to allergens and interrupting impulsive or destructive behavior.

Emotional Support Animals Emotional support animals (ESA), according to the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), can be any species. Both laws require a disability-related need and a recommendation by a medical or mental health professional. ESAs do not have to be trained to perform a particular task and may be permitted in otherwise banned housing facilities. Some international airlines allow them to travel at no extra cost. As of January 2021, following a U.S. Department of Transportation rule-tightening, virtually no American domestic airline allows ESAs to fly free. (Small dogs can still be flown by passengers paying extra.)

Therapy Animals According to the ACAA, therapy animals may take part in animal-assisted interventions when there’s a “goal-directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process.” Animal-assisted therapy may involve dogs, cats, horses, llamas, pigs and other species, typically in hospitals, schools and rehabilitation centers.

Willee Cole/AdobeStock.com

Why They Can Be Controversial While service animals are highly trained and can even receive certifications as psychiatric service dogs, ESAs are often pets that help a person to cope with daily life or situations they may otherwise find intolerable, such as being in stores, restaurants, museums and on airline flights and other public transportation.

Controversy has arisen when some people have pushed the line, claiming their pet is necessary for emotional support, but in reality, are just there to enjoy access benefits. Yet, in a survey of more than 500 Americans, both service dogs and emotional support dogs were viewed favorably, and most participants reported feeling that the majority of people with such dogs were not taking advantage of the system.

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The Many Benefits There is seemingly no end to the emotional, physical and mental benefits dogs offer to humans. Regular visits with therapy dogs may improve the well-being of people seeking addiction and mental health treatment. Animal-assisted interventions have been used among Canada’s correctional population, for which mental health, addictions and trauma histories are major concerns. Research published in the journal Anthrozoös found that animal-assisted therapy decreased the need for pain medication in people receiving joint replacement therapy. Studies by the Delta Society suggests holding, stroking or simply seeing an animal may lower blood pressure while lessening feelings of hostility and increasing self-esteem. For children, service dogs can be trained to detect the scent of allergens like peanuts or gluten in food and even provide comfort to them and adult witnesses in courtrooms. Be aware that out in public, certain rules of etiquette apply. Service dogs, in particular, should never be approached, talked to or touched unless permission is granted by the dog’s handler. And take no offense if the handler says no. Distracting a working dog can result in potential harm to the handler and may interfere with the dog’s focus and ability to follow potentially lifesaving commands or cues. Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker, DVM, has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals.

Rachel Jones

on grief in the healthcare front lines Plus:

SKIING FOR FITNESS AND PURE FUN

Tips for Enjoying Alpine and Nordic Styles

November 2022

Submit your listing online at NAGulfCoast.com by the 10th of the month, one month prior to publication. Please email MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com with questions. View our full calendar online at NAGulfCoast.com/calendar!

Fairhope Film Festival – The festival is celebrating 10 YEARS. Be there for the films, stay for the party! Join us in commemorating our tenth anniversary. Six venues, all within walking distance in downtown Fairhope. Actors and filmmakers will provide free panels and discussions in various locations around town. Email Office@FairhopeFilmFestival.org for more info or to purchase tickets. Films $15. Party $50. All tickets sold online. FairhopeFilmFestival.org. See ad, page 3.

Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermens Market Harvest Festival – Nov. 19, 9am-2pm. Come out to see all your favorite vendors of seafood, produce, baked goods, art and so much more. It’s the perfect time to pick up all the freshest seasonal ingredients for your Thanksgiving Feast or start shopping early for those one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. The Harvest Queen pageant will kick off at 10 am with third through fifth graders residing in Baldwin County vying for the crown. 20733 Miflin Rd, Foley, AL. FoleyMarketMgr@gmail.com. CoastalAlabama Market.com. See ad, page 11.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Claim Your Best Life Now – Nov. 12, 11am-1pm. ‘Ask and you shall receive’ has been promised to us in scripture, but why doesn’t it ever seem to be that easy? No matter how much we’d like to make positive changes, reverse habits that don’t support us or set ourselves in the right direction of our dreams, we must first deal with the subconscious resistance that blocks us from success. In the belief that God has already given us everything, we only have to claim what is ours and set a heart-felt intention to receive it. We also must be willing to let go of those old, long-held beliefs that no longer support the new vision we hold of our lives. Join Rev. Linda Fisher to look into what is really holding you back. Donations to Unity accepted. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL. UnityEasternShore@ gmail.com. UnityEasternShore.wixsite.com/unity. See ad, page 18.

Interfaith Service of Gratitude – 10:30am. Everyone is welcome to attend this special service of thanksgiving and gratitude, to lift each other up with encouragement and inspiration; recognizing that we are all extraordinary children of God, deserving of all good things. Every day can be Thanksgiving when we adopt a year-round ‘attitude of gratitude’. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL. UnityEasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEastern Shore.wixsite.com/unity. See ad, page 18.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10-13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 You Really Can Live Your Dream Life Workshop – 9-11am. Join Certified Mindset Coach Bobbi Jo Machholz for an eye-opening, interactive workshop that dives deep into the extraordinary power of our thoughts, mind and imagination. If you’ve read every single ‘shelf’ help book out there and STILL nothing has changed, you must treat yourself to this science-based, Spirit-led, life-changing material. Scripture clearly says that you’ll be transformed by the renewal of your mind! Learn how to use this timeless truth to live the life of your dreams! Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL. UnityEasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEastern Shore.wixsite.com/unity. See ad, page 18.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

mark your calendar March 2023 Above and Beyond Yoga India Retreat – March

2023: Two-week yoga retreat with Shoshana Treichel and Nrithya Jagannathan (director of KYM Institute of Yoga Studies). Spend time in the mountains, at the beach and at the worldrenowned Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. Additional details and itinerary coming soon. For more information, contact Jake Treichel at Jake@ABHotYoga.com or 251-639-9030.

Stay connected. Like "Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast Alabama-Mississippi" on Facebook and follow @NaturallyAwake on Twitter and Instagram. NAGulfCoast.com

ongoing 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. Open Table United Church of Christ – Sunday School 9:30-10:20am. Worship 10:30-11:30am, rear chapel of All Saints Episcopal at 151 S. Ann St, Mobile, AL. Wednesdays 6-7:30pm online book study: Sleeper, Awake on Facebook, Facebook.com/ WhereTrueLoveIs or by Zoom. Office@Open TableUCC.org. OpenTableUCC.org. Unity on the Eastern Shore Sunday Celebration Service – 10:30am. In person and streaming ‘live’ at Facebook.com/UnityEasternShore. Revs. Jack Fowler and Linda Fisher. Join our vibrant, progressive spiritual community for a gathering of inspired talks, life-affirming music and the recognition of the presence of God in all living things. We honor all religions, spiritual paths and lifestyles. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL. Unity EasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEasternShore. wixsite.com/unity. Youth/Children’s Spiritual Program – 10:30am. Unity’s co-founder Myrtle Fillmore exclaimed that children are not our future, they’re our pres-

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event calendar

ent! Kids 4 and up are invited, while parents are in service, to learn about the life changing principles of Unity, which promotes kindness, love of one another, confidence and self-esteem through the understanding that they and every person are children of God. Qualified teachers and fun curriculum are used for each session. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532. Unity EasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEasternShore. wixsite.com/unity. 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. Conversations on ‘A Course in Miracles’ – noon. (Immediately following Unity’s Sunday service.) 2nd and 4th Sundays each month. Join Rev. Jack Fowler for a heart- and mind-opening discussion of these life altering concepts, which teach us to see the world through the eyes of love, instead of fear. Learn how to use the immense power of forgiveness to experience the permanent peace of God. Donations to Unity accepted. No prior experience of book necessary. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US98, Fairhope, AL. UnityEasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEasternShore.wixsite.com/unity.tuesdays. Ecstatic Dance – 6:30-8pm, 1st and 3rd Sundays. Explore the wisdom of your body and connect with your intuition through free-form dance. This is a safe space for releasing stagnant energy and emotions to find self-expression and freedom within. No experience required, only openness and curiosity. $25. The Yoga Hive Studio, 1901 Main Street, Daphne, AL Facebook.com/EcstaticDanceFairhope. Contact Rebecca Washburn at Dance@RebeccaWashburn.com or 251-929-4634.

WEDNESDAYS Tai Chi – 6:30pm. Join James Harkins, skilled practitioner and instructor, to learn, understand and practice the ancient body wisdom of Tai Chi. Great for core conditioning, strength and balance. No experience necessary. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL. UnityEasternShore@ gmail.com. UnityEasternShore.wixsite.com/unity. Restorative Yoga – 9am. 1st Wednesday each month. Treat yourself to a relaxing, healing and rejuvenating session of Restorative Yoga with Bobbi Jo Machholz. Bring mat, pillow, blocks and willingness. Donations to Unity accepted. Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL. Unity EasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEasternShore. wixsite.com/unity.

THURSDAYS Gulf Coast Creation Care – Every 1st Thursday of the month at 4pm by Zoom. An alliance of faith communities working to focus the Gulf Coast community’s moral attention on the climate crisis. Info@GulfCoastCreationCare.org. GulfCoast CreationCare.org.

SATURDAYS Prism United – 2-4pm. Find community. Be yourself. Serving LGBTQ youth in Mobile and Fairhope through facilitated, activity-based support groups for pre-teens, teens and families. Info@ PrismUnited.org. 251-219-8441. PrismUnited.org.

community directory 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

CBD HEALTH & WELLNESS

B-BUTTERFLY SALON

103A N. Bancroft St., Fairhope, AL 251-990-9934

salon offering B-Butterfly Aorganic products

SALON

and services including hair color and shampoo. Make a difference today in your hair, your life and the Earth. Visit us for a free hair exam today and go organic! See ad, page 15.

KAREN WATSON

TruAura Skincare Specialist/Makeup Artist Daphne, AL • 256-508-0389 TruAuraBeauty.com/trubeauty4u Skincare, anti-aging, cosmetics and body care that are pure, clean, safe and effective with zero harmful ingredients. Prebiotic/probioticbased and microbiomefriendly. See ad, page 9.

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 20.

SIMPLY CBD

Aaron VanHauter, Owner 2005 Hwy 98, Daphne, AL 251-586-8890 • Simply-CBD.net At Simply CBD our goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality hemp-derived CBD products in a multitude of ways, helping you experience the healing benefits you deserve. See ad, back cover.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS

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 9.

BREAST SCREENING THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

Carolyn Olson, Certified Thermographer Gulf Coast Locations from LA to FL 251-623-2225 ThermographyAdvantage.com FDA registered thermography offers breast screenings that are non-invasive and radiationfree, without compression or bodily contact. Valuable for detecting early stage breast disease and more. Also offering Electro-Lymphatic Therapy. See ad, page 21.

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 20.

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.

November 2022

OPEN TABLE UCC

151 S. Ann St., Mobile, AL 36604 Pastor@OpenTableUCC.org 251-333-0435 • OpenTableUCC.org We are believers, seekers, and skeptics. We are Open Table. Worship Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Providing progressive biblical scholarship and ministries for racial reconciliation, care of creation, and LGBTQ+ support. See ad, page 11.

UNITY ON THE EASTERN SHORE

22979 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532 UnityEasternShore@gmail.com 251-304-4715 UnityEasternShore.wixsite.com/unity

An extraordinary spiritual family honoring every religion, path and lifestyle. All are welcome to join our progressive Sunday morning service or attend one of our life-affirming classes & events. With the presence of God within each of us, we are co-creating a world that works for everyone. See ad, page 18.

DEMENTIA HELP MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC

240 W. Laurel 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 12.

DEPRESSION RELIEF MIND PERFORMANCE CENTER, LLC

240 W. Laurel 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 12.

FARMERS MARKETS COASTAL ALABAMA FARMERS & FISHERMENS MARKET

20733 Miflin Rd. (Co. Rd. 20), 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. See ad, page 11.

NATURE NINE FARMS, LLC

Foley, AL NatureNineFarms.com

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

FOOD & NUTRITION FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 • Café: 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic café serving the public for 40+ years. Extensive supplement selection: organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk bins; pet supplies; baby products; CBD and more. See ad, page 20.

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 20.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

NAGulfCoast.com

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE GOOD LIFE HEALTH COACHING

National Board Certified Functional Medicine Health & Wellness Coach 251-635-6250 GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com

Attention health conscious, men and women struggling to prioritize the 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 take you by the hand to offer guidance + tools that work. See ad, page 8.

INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE OF LOWER ALABAMA

620 N. McKenzie St., Ste. 200, Foley, AL 251-210-8615 AlabamaIntegrativeHealth.com Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner Tara McLellan addresses the root cause of disease with integrative medicine—a blend of traditional western medicine and science-based functional medicine. Ask about our custom weight loss program. See ad, page 13.

HEALING JEWELRY KING’S DEDICATION JEWELRY

Charlotte Stutts, Creator and Owner 404-665-6614 KingsDedication@gmail.com KingsDedication.com

We create one-of-a-kind healing jewelry with the intention to raise the vibration of humanity and the planet through healing energy exchange and healthy self-awareness.

HEALTH & WELLNESS SPA HYDRO ZEN AT PEAK ALKALINITY

217-B Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 2724 Old Shell Rd., Midtown Mobile, AL 251-270-7200 • 251-586-8198 PeakAlkalinity.com

Offering cleansing far infrared sauna sessions followed by a hydrating collagen shower and detoxifying foot spas. Ask about package specials. See ad, page 35.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING

JUBILEE HEALING ARTS

Jennifer (Adams) Killgo, LMT #3263 28170 N. Main St., Ste. C, Daphne, AL 251-616-4201 • JubileeHealingArts.com

GOOD LIFE HEALTH COACHING

Intuitive integrative massage techniques are used to facilitate the body into a state of healing without the “no pain no gain” mentality. Over 15 years experience in the bodywork and natural wellness field. See ad, page 29.

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

MENTAL HEALTH NEUROFLOURISH (FAIRHOPE)

22873 US Highway 98, Ste. I-2 Fairhope, AL • 251-216-1922 NeuroFlourishLife.com

Cutting-edge treatment for ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, spectrum disorders, TBI. See ad, page 32.

THRIVE HEALTH & WELLNESS COACHING

Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach & Personal Trainer 251-504-5237 • BeHealthyAndThrive.com Kimberly@BeHealthyAndThrive.com Holistic, Integrative Health Coach specializing in helping busy women get off the diet rollercoaster, release stubborn weight, balance hormones, gain energy and achieve the health they deserve in mind, body and spirit. Come love yourself healthy versus starve yourself thin! See ad, page 9.

MASSAGE THERAPY ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

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

A therapeutic m a s s a g e handcrafted just for you. Reduced stress, elevated mood and a strengthened immune

NEUROFLOURISH (MOBILE)

6348 Piccadilly Square Dr., AL 251-216-1922 NeuroFlourishLife.com

Cutting-edge treatment for ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, spectrum disorders, TBI. See ad, page 32.

PERSONAL GROWTH ENERGY MODEL OF THERAPEUTIC CHANGE

Mary Beth Svatek, M.A. Certified Hypnotherapist, IMDHA

251-300-9912 • EnergyModelOfChange.com

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 13.

PET CARE & SUPPLIES EVERLOVED VETERINARY

Lydia M. Sullivan, DVM, CCRP, CVMA Serving Mobile and the Eastern Shore CareCoordinator@EverLovedVeterinary.com 251-229-1043 • EverLovedVeterinary.com Providing in-home, veterinary medical acupuncture (for all ages), plus gentle care of geriatric and terminallyill pets in the comfort of your own home. Hospice and euthanasia services available. See ad, page 35.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

WATERSONG

22873 U.S. 98, Building I, Fairhope, AL 251-277-1816 Dennis@WatersongLife.com We All Carry Painful Emotions. Splankna is a Christian mind/body protocol for the release of stored negative emotions from trauma resulting in emotional and physical freedom. See ad, page 18.

BISHOP PHYSICAL THERAPY

Dr. Daniel Bishop, DPT, SMT, CIDN 251-626-7778 • BishopPhysicalTherapy.com Office@BishopPhysicalTherapy.com Our goal is to truly help patients overcome pain and conditions in a timely and cost-effective manner. We offer a unique experience by combining physical therapy, dry needling and joint alignment. See ad, page 20.

system are all part of experiencing a therapeutic massage The Elements Way. Schedule an appointment today. See ad, page 35.

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ~Native American Saying

November 2022

SACRO WEDGY

Therapeutic Alignment System Cindy Littlefield, President 251-653-9258 • SacroWedgy.com Relax on Sacro Wedgy® for 20 minutes of daily therapy to isolate, cradle and elevate only the sacrum. Gravity does the work to help muscles relax and rebalance. Call for a free demo by appointment or order from SacroWedgy.com.

OSTEOSTRONG

Unique System for Developing Skeletal Strength Josh Fandrich, Owner Fairhope, Mobile

333 Greeno Rd., S OR 27724 Old Shell Rd., Suite D Fairhope@OsteoStrong.me MidtownMobile@OsteoStrong.me

PLANT-BASED FOOD THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ

320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope, AL • 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com An organic cafe offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairyfree options. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday. See ad, page 20.

THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II

3055 A Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251-479-3952 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com An organic cafe offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairyfree options. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday. See ad, page 20.

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

classifieds Classifieds are $1 per word, per month. To place a listing, email content to MichelleS@ NAGulfCoast.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month.

HELP WANTED PEAK ALKALINITY IS LOOKING TO HIRE IN MOBILE – Part-time, peoplefriendly, holistic-minded individual with a learning mentality and ‘can-do’ attitude needed 1-2 days 10am-5pm in Mobile and every 3rd Sat in Fairhope. No experience needed. We will fully train on our products & services. Please call James Long for more information at 251-270-7200 or 251-586-8198. THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE IS LOOKING TO HIRE two part-time holisticminded individuals from the Mobile area. No experience needed. We will fully train for lymphatic therapy. Will work 2-3 days weekly. Please call Carolyn for more information at 251-644-4692. THE SUNFLOWER CAFE IN MOBILE IS LOOKING TO HIRE full- and parttime cooks. The Cafe is open only for lunch Monday-Saturday. Apply in store or call Krissy Little at 251-479-3952.

Need S Or hav omething? e our rea something de SPEAK rs need? Natura UP! in l Awa Classifi kenings eds

FOR RENT/LEASE ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

FOR SALE ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

ATTENTION BUSY PROFESSIONALS—Are you struggling to prioritize eating well, sleeping well, transforming stress into positive energy, or just get moving? Board Certified Health Coach Michelle Smith will take you by the hand to help you get back on track. GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com. 251635-6250. TryMyCoach@gmail.com.

Treat yourself to a relaxing, healing and rejuvenating session of Restorative Yoga with Bobbi Jo Machholz. Bring mat, pillow, blocks and willingness. 1st Wednesday each month, 9am. Donations to Unity accepted. See ad, page 18.

ROLFING EASTERN SHORE ROLFING

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

Rolfing® is a holistic approach to manual therapy that seeks to improve your health and function by reestablishing the natural alignment and structural integration of the human body. More information at EasternShoreRolfing.com. See ad, page 11.

THERMOGRAPHY THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

Carolyn Olson, Certified Thermographer Gulf Coast Locations from LA to FL 251-623-2225 ThermographyAdvantage.com FDA registered thermography (digital Infrared thermal i m a g i n g ) o ff e r s b r e a s t screenings that are noninvasive and radiation-free, without compression or bodily contact. Valuable for detecting early-stage breast disease and more. See ad, page 21.

find out how to be

included IN THIS SECTION call 251-990-9552

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Edition

UNITY ON THE EASTERN SHORE

22979 us-98, Fairhope, AL UnityEasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEasternShore.Wixsite.com/Unity

SERVICES

CLASSES/TRAINING

RESTORATIVE YOGA

NAGulfCoast.com

November 2022

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November 2022 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

Articles inside

CAREGIVING COMPANIONS

GRATITUDE IS GOOD MEDICINE

MAKING FOREVER CHEMICALS GO AWAY

THE GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION

12 QUICK FIXES FOR ANXIETY

STAYING SERENE IN TURBULENT TIMES

THE COLORS OF HEALING