December 2022 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

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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.

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Dear Friends,

December is a good time for reflection. Most people would say January, but I like to get a mental head start on the New Year. I was looking back at what I wrote in last December’s issue to see what still rings true. Most of it does. Here are my thoughts from last year along with some exciting updates…

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our local business owners for stepping out in faith to discover, design and deliver your holistic passion to the world. I have come to know and admire so many of you, interesting and talented individuals. You work hard every day to provide your much-needed ALL-NATURAL products and services to us. I share your passion as a health-focused entrepreneur and will support you in every way I know how. Please reach out and we will collaborate! Keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll keep doing what I do, publishing this inspired monthly magazine with your help.

Because of Natural Awakenings, I am encouraged every day to live a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. Are you too? I’d love to hear more about what inspires you, what ques tions and concerns you have and how we as a holistic community can help one another.

To facilitate this communication between us there will be a new local department in our publication next year called “To Whom It May Concern.” It will be a ‘letters to the editor’ type column that will highlight community concerns about health, happiness, sus tainability or anything else that might concern those who are striving to live healthy on a healthier planet.

I’m so excited to hear from you. Please email me at MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com and one of my collaborators, advertisers or I will print a heartfelt answer to your questions or concerns in the January issue and those to follow. I will reach out to a partner of the magazine, someone whom I feel can best address your email. We will find a way to make this fun and rewarding for all. I’m eager to hear more and learn more from our holistic community in Baldwin, Mobile and MS Gulf Coast counties.

And if you are a local business that would like to sponsor this new column, please reach out and we can discuss some options. This is my Christmas gift to you for 2023!

Thank you for making 2022, my first full year as publisher of NA Gulf Coast, a very special and productive one. We added three new pieces to the magazine this year: Healthy Eats Guide, Gulf Coast Green Living and we brought back Masters of Yoga & Bodyworks. Please check these out in the upcoming pages and enjoy all the other delightful articles and recipes.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,

•

Michelle Smith, Publisher

Peak Alkalinity Now Offers Natural Stem Cell Activation Patch

Much has been said on the benefits of stem cells, however, stem cell injections can be too expensive for many people. Now, a cost-effective, nanocrystal patch has made it’s way to the market.

“The Lifewave X39 patch is a revolutionary patch that utilizes the body’s own infrared heat to engage GHK copper peptides which in turn stimulate dormant stem cells in the bone marrow to awaken,” explains Missy Guitterrez, owner of Peak Alkalinity. “As we age, stem cell production begins to slow. This tempers the healing process and allows for the aging that we traditionally no tice. By age 35, our stem cell production has diminished to about 60 percent. At the age of 60, we basically have no production of stem cells. This patch is an absolute game changer.”

The company has over 100 patents and double-blind studies have shown impressive results including pain relief, reduced inflamma tion, increased mental clarity, increased wound healing, improved skin appearance and hair growth, faster recovery from exercise and increased energy and vitality. Greater benefits take place over time.

While results can vary, clinical studies have shown that in one to three months 3,000 to 4,000 genes begin to reset. An elevation of antioxidants occurs. Decreases in inflammation and an increase in energy begins. Increases in collagen, decreases in wrinkles and new hair growth can be seen. Within three to six months, stem cells are actively creating deep healing. Most importantly, the structural integrity of the skeletal and muscular system is increasing. In ad dition, aches and pains may begin to subside. As evidenced in a recent study, 14 out of 15 people lowered their vascular age by an average of 8 years during the 6- to 12-month phase.

“The process to ‘patch up’ every day is quick and easy. It takes about the same amount of time as applying a band aid,” says Gui tterrez. The patch is to be worn for a maximum of 12 hours a day.

A 30-day supply is $150 and a discounted 90-day supply is avail able for $300. Further discounts apply with bulk and family orders.

Location: 217-B Fairhope Ave., Fairhope and 2724 Old Shell Rd., Mobile. Call 251-270-7200 or 251-586-8198. For more information visit PeakAlkalinity.com. See ad, page 13.

Neurofeedback Practice Offers

Cutting Edge Treatments to Optimize Brain Performance

Stephanie Williamson and Deb Hopkins have recently opened Neuroflourish, Baldwin and Mobile County’s first micro-current neurofeedback (IASIS MCN) clinic. Both Williamson and Hopkins have been in the ‘helping’ world for many years.

Williamson is a licensed counselor in Fairhope and Hopkins will soon graduate with her master’s in clinical counseling.

Williamson and Hopkins discovered the benefits of IASIS MCN at a trade conference that was highlighting cuttingedge technologies for treating mental and physical issues. Both have been thoroughly trained by the creator of the system and have been providing painless service in their Daphne and Mobile offices since early 2022. One of their favorite parts of doing this work is the reports from clients of stunning breakthroughs after receiving treatment for depression, PTSD, ADHD and other conditions.

IASIS MCN is a non-invasive, non-medicinal and revolutionary type of neurotechnology that helps optimize brain performance. It does not train the brain like traditional neurofeedback; rather it “retrains” the brain and central nervous system by allowing it to reorganize itself and shift from its formerly fixed patterns. This is analogous to re-booting a “frozen” computer. And similar to a computer reboot, IASIS helps a person’s brain activ ity restart and rebalance very gently. This process is repeated over the course of several sessions, eventually resulting in the brain becoming permanently calibrated and stabilized. IASIS is the very first neurofeedback system backed by image-based evidence of success.

Hopkins and Williamson state that their holistic approach is based on a client-specific protocol. “We review the history and severity of symptoms, analyze lifestyle habits and evaluate complementary therapies when needed. Using a methodology such as this which focuses on the ‘whole person’ allows us to be extremely dynamic in our approach to clients,” says Williamson. “It is such a joy to see movement in the lives of clients who have not been helped by traditional therapy alone.”

Location: 22873 Hwy 98 Ste. 1, Fairhope, AL. 6348 Piccadilly Square Dr., Mobile, AL. Contact 251-216-1922 or visit NeuroFlourishLife.com. See ad, page 27.

Deb Hopkins, Stephanie Williamson

Natural Virus Killer Copper can stop a virus

before it starts

By Doug Cornell

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

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

Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills viruses and bacteria almost instantly just by touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, but now we do.

“The antimicrobial activity of copper is well established.” National Institutes of Health.

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

The EPA recommended hospitals use copper for touch surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. This cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives.

The strong scientific evidence gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He made a smooth copper probe

with a tip to fit in the bottom of the nostril, where viruses collect.

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

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never happened. I used to get 2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my device whenever I feel a sign I am about to get sick.”

He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years.

Users say:

“It works! I love it!”

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

“Is it supposed to work that fast?” “One of the best presents ever.”

“Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!”

“Cold sores gone!”

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

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

“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

After his first success with it, he asked relatives and friends to try it. They all said it worked, so he patented CopperZap® and put it on the market.

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

Longtime users say they haven’t been sick in years. They have less stress, less medical costs, and more time to enjoy life.

Soon people found other things they could use it against.

Colds

Flu

Virus variants

Sinus trouble

Cold sores

Fever blisters

Canker sores

Strep throat Night stuffiness

Morning congestion

Nasal drip

Infected sores Infected wounds Styes Warts Ringworm Other microbial threats

The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched.

The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished.

Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the science teams. He placed millions of viruses on a copper surface. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it.”

CopperZap® is made in the USA of pure copper. It has a 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA33

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever.

Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds.

Bio-Well Sessions Offer a Real-Time Look At Energy

Jubilee Healing Arts in Daphne now offers a revolutionary tool called Bio-Well that produces gas discharge images of human fingers. The finger tip images change based on one’s emotional and energy states. The prod uct’s software produces a glimpse into the client’s energy and balance levels within minutes.

The test involves the insertion of fingers into a small box that takes a picture using a gas discharge visualization camera. Short fingernails are required to ensure an accurate image.

The specialized Bio-Well camera provides a unique way to view the human energy field in remarkable detail simply by scanning the tips of the fingers. The accompanying software allows for the evalua tion of energy and stress levels as well as the balance of bodily organs and systems. One session includes three scans, an eight-minute sound healing session, a 25-page report and a music (.wav) file to be used at home to ease the body into relaxation and balance.

While the Bio-Well is not a medical device, it does deliver an accurate and effective way to see the effect different kinds of stim uli can have on the body. Utilizing acupuncture and Ayurvedic principles, the tool also offers a glimpse into the current state of one’s chakras.

“Energy work is one of those things I have always described as experiential, something you must experience to understand. Using this technology before and after energy work or bodywork we can very literally see how the body is affected. If you have ever wondered about chakra alignment or the vitality of your aura, the answers are at your fingertips,” says Jen Killgo, Owner and Practitioner at Jubilee Healing Arts.

Location: 28170 N. Main St., Ste. C, Daphne, AL. Call 251-6164201 or visit JubileeHealingArts.com for more information or to book an appointment. See listing, page 39.

A Church Without a Building

The congregation of Open Table United Church of Christ (UCC) has al ways valued providing service to the com munity over having a beautiful building to meet for worship.

Two ministries that Open Table co-found ed and supports with monetary and volun teer resources are Gulf Coast Creation Care and Prism United.

Gulf Coast Creation Care focuses the community’s moral attention on the climate crisis and brings both spiritual inspira tion and practical help and information to those who care about Earth. Recently, the group brought together area teens to engage in climate conversations and action, provided a presentation on the Inflation Reduction Act and taxes, conducted an energy ef ficiency workshop to help homeowners reduce costs and hosted an electric vehicle showcase to allow those thinking about buying an EV the opportunity to see models and query other owners.

Another work that Open Table holds dear is the care and sup port of our area LGBTQ+ youth. Prism United allows adoles cents and teens to find community and supports them in being their true selves as well as providing information and support to their families and other people who love them. This year the group hosted lower Alabama’s first ever Queer Prom and a Jack O’Lantern Jubilee for area teens and spearheaded the Alabama Inclusion Project, the first comprehensive LGBTQ+ community needs assessment in southwest Alabama.

Open Table UCC recognizes that service to others is the true purpose of “church” and is committed to being God’s hands and feet in the world.

Sunday services are held in the rear chapel behind All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 Ann St., Mobile, AL, and live-streamed on Facebook. Visit OpenTableUCC.org for more information. See ad, this page.

Breathe Massage & Wellness Caring for the Body, Mind and Soul

Sarah Hopper, LMT and certified yoga instructor and life coach wants all women to know: “You are on a uniquely personal journey and Breathe Massage and Wellness has been created just for you in this moment. You are invited into an immersive experience of body-mindsoul care.”

The practice of Breathe Massage and Wellness began over 12 years ago with Hopper’s desire to help others heal through the gift of massage. It has continued to evolve into a much deeper and richer practice.

By studying fascia, Hopper was able to incorporate myofascial release techniques, which allow the body to release trauma, whether from the past or from daily stressors. “Neuromus cular massage adds some deeper work for those who need greater and freer mobility. The use of cupping, hot stones and the energy work of Reiki are all lovely additions that remind the body of the wholeness it was cre ated for,” adds Hopper.

Breathe Massage and Wellness now also includes life coaching services intended to lead women in breaking through self-limiting beliefs in order to experience a greater clarity of heart and mind and a greater awareness of the Higher Self. This coaching assists in the shifting from old mindsets to new, excit ing perspectives.

In the coming year, Breathe Massage and Wellness will expand to offer yoga classes and meditation retreats.

“You are invited into this sacred space where you can grow into a greater awareness of you—your wholeness, your essence, your happiness, your fulfillment. You are in vited to Breathe… These services are available to you Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in a private home setting in Foley, Alabama,” says Hopper.

Call 678-371-8797 to schedule an appointment or schedule via online at vagaro.com/ breathemassageandwellness. See ad, page 8.

health briefs

Ultra-Processed Food Linked with Cancer and Mortality Risks

Serotonin Theory of Depression Debunked

A new study supports the public health importance of staying away from ultra-processed foods, finding a significant asso ciation with colorectal cancer in men The study, led by Tufts University and published in August in The BMJ, looked at the diets of 46,341 men and 159,907 women every four years for 24 to 28 years using food frequency questionnaires.

These ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat commercial for mulations comprised of little or no whole foods currently contribute 57 percent of the total daily calories consumed by American adults—a rate which has been continuously rising over the last two decades.

Commonly containing high levels of added sugar, un healthy fats and refined starch, ultra-processed foods negatively impact gut microbiota and contribute to increased risks of weight gain and obesity. Most of these convenience foods are low in nutrients and bioactive compounds; contain food additives, colors and emulsifiers; and can be poten tially carcinogenic when meats are processed with sodium nitrates and heat treatments or when the packaging leaches its harmful components (like bisphenol A) into the food.

A second recent study in Italy involving 22,895 adults over the age of 35 compared the role of nutrient-poor foods with ultra-processed foods in the development of chronic disease and early death. Researchers found that both types of foods increased the risk of an early death, especially from cardiovascular diseases. When research ers compared the two types of food to see which contrib uted the most to the risk of an early death, ultra-processed foods were associated with poor health outcomes inde pendently of their low nutritional composition, but not the other way around.

The idea that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance specifically, a serotonin deficiency has been popular and influ ential since the 1960s, leading to the wide use of antidepressants. A recent multi-institution study led by the University of Read ing, in the UK, and pub lished in Molecular Psychiatry has debunked this theory. The researchers did a systematic review of studies on the topic and found no convincing evidence of an associa tion between serotonin and depression, and no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations. The serotonin theory of depression has historically provided convincing justifi cation for the use of antidepressants and may discourage people from discontinuing treatment, potentially leading to lifelong dependence on such drugs.

Under-Appreciating the Benefits of Solitude

Getting lost in our thoughts may improve problem solving, increase creativity, enhance imagination and provide a better sense of self-worth. But in the digi tal age, with immediate and satisfying input at a finger’s tap, it is possible to be “solitude deprived,” says Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University and author of Digital Minimalism.

In a recent study in the Journal of Experimental Psycholo gy, psychologists asked a group of more than 250 univer sity students to sit and wait in a quiet room without doing anything. Researchers found that the students underappreciated their enjoyment and engagement of “just thinking” and instead favored technology-driven distrac tions like internet news-checking. The results suggest an inherent difficulty in accurately assessing how engaging just thinking can be, and may explain why people prefer keeping themselves busy rather than taking a moment for reflection and imagination in their daily lives.

Shisu_ka/AdobeStock.com

Kids Are Not Getting Enough Sleep

The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended that children between the ages of 6 and 12 years obtain nine to 12 hours of sleep per night for optimal health, yet kids are regularly getting less than this rec ommended amount. In a recent study published in The Lancet, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine investigated how insuf ficient sleep affects children’s behav ioral problems, mental health, cogni tion, brain function and brain structure over a period of two years. They con cluded that children that get less than nine hours of sleep per night have notable differences in brain regions that influence memory, intelligence and well-being compared to those that get more than nine hours. As kids’ schedules get busier and they spend more time in front of screens, their average sleep time has decreased. According to the researchers, such insufficiencies in early adolescence can lead to long-lasting neurocogni tive consequences.

Expected Drops in Wind Speeds Promise Climate Disruption

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that average global wind speeds could drop by up to 10 percent by 2100.

Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, in England, says, “Why do we have wind at all on the planet? It’s because of uneven temperatures; very cold at the poles and warm at the tropics. That temperature difference drives the winds, and that tempera ture difference is weakening. The Arctic is warming faster than the tropics.” A slowing in surface winds could disrupt the Gulf Stream, translating to widespread drought and more intense winter storms.

A study published in Nature shows the Arctic has been warming four times faster than the rest of the world since 1979, much faster than scientists estimated. An increase in the number and size of urban buildings that act as a drag on winds is another contributing factor. While temperature data goes back thousands of years, climate wind change stud ies only have 70 years of data to work with. Substantial annual fluctuations make longterm trends difficult to detect, and conclusions leave room for doubt. Yet Gisela Winckler, at the Columbia University Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, writes, “The winds [will be] weaker and stiller.”

Charging Electric Vehicles at Night Poses New Challenge

As electric vehicle (EV) owners learn how to install home chargers, find public charging stations and avoid range anxiety, the demand for power could burden the electric grid in western states at peak times by up to 25 per cent if most charging is done at night, according to one Stanford University study. Unlike filling a car with gasoline, charging an electric car takes time. The fastest chargers on the market today can reach 80 percent in 20 to 30 minutes, but many are slower, taking between two and 22 hours to completion. Thus, around 80 percent of EV charging occurs overnight at home when the driver doesn’t need the car.

That charging pattern challenges the way electricity is generated and distributed. The largest need overall is in the evening from approximately 5 to 9 p.m. Photovoltaic panels produce energy during the middle of the day, so the highest electricity demand comes when solar is dormant.

“Once 30 or 40 percent of cars are EVs, it’s going to start significantly impacting what we do with the grid,” says Ram Rajagopal, a professor of civil and environmental engi neering at Stanford University and one of the study’s authors. One solution is for more EV owners to shift to daytime charging at work or public charging stations.

Tree Roots Adapt to Sequester More Carbon

At the Univer sity of Birmingham in the UK and Bergen, Norway, scientists have shown that atmospheric carbon dioxide pumped into a mature forest at levels predicted to be the norm by 2050 will cause trees to produce more and longer roots, thus absorbing and storing more carbon. Re searcher Angeliki Kourmouli says, “We usually take soil for granted, but it forms a crucial part of many ecosys tems and plays a significant role in carbon storage.”

The study team gathered thousands of images of tiny tree roots assembled over two years at the Birming ham Institute of Forest Research Free-Air CO2 En richment. The images were used to build a mathemati cal picture of the birth, growth and death of roots in an oak forest. Some im ages were taken of roots in situ using a high-resolution camera sent under the for est floor in a set of trans parent tubes, and others came from soil cores.

Professor Iain Johnston, who led the study, says, “It’s obviously hard to view these processes going on beneath the ground. But a combination of innovative engineering and careful field and lab work from our team have helped us shed new light on this behavior and on how confident we can be in our findings.”

World’s Most Dangerous Greenhouse Gas Goes Unregulated

The United Nations Intergovern mental Panel on Climate Change has determined that one pound of sulfur hexafluoride, an electrical insula tor, heats the planet as much as 25,200 pounds of carbon dioxide and remains in the atmosphere for 3,200 years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled it as one of several long-lived, syn thetic, fluorine-containing chemi cals released by heavy industry, chemical manufacturers, semicon ductor manufacturers and electric utilities, noting that once released, they are “essentially, permanent ad ditions to the atmosphere.”

Duke Energy reported leaking near ly 11 metric tons of it into the atmo sphere from its electric substations in North and South Carolina in 2020, ac cording to mandatory EPA reporting. Their greenhouse gas equivalency calculator states those emissions amount to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of more than 59,000 automobiles.

The 88 utilities that participate in the EPA emissions reduction program, nearly half of the U.S. electric grid, are looking for ways to completely eliminate sulfur hexafluoride emis sions. Unless they succeed, emis sions will likely increase along with growth of the electric grid, which must increase to two to five times its current level by midcentury if the country is to meet its net-zero emis sions targets.

Hi, I’m Steve Frank and I suffered from sleep apnea for years. My patent-pending formulation has helped thousands return to sleeping well and I use it every night.

inspiration A Feast of Light

by Marlaina Donato

Despite the whirlwind of our to-do and placesto-go lists, the wheel of the year turns once more, allowing us to close another chapter of our lives with grace. If we take a breath, we might notice December’s invitation to kick off our shoes, curl up in our favorite chair and drop down into our heart space.

Whether we light scented candles for ambience, drink cocoa while sitting around a bonfire or continue time-honored spiritual customs, welcoming the light can ignite hope when we need it most. By cultivating the inner sun, that place deep within us that blazes with resilience and plenty, we not only fortify ourselves, but everyone around us. Throughout the year, many of us invest in making healthy choices, but neglect soul sustenance. Swapping trivial distractions for more face-to-face conversations, answering someone’s forgotten email or bringing a homemade pot of soup to a neighbor that is busy packing for a move creates a feast of light during all seasons.

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,” wrote Gautama Buddha, and perhaps we would be astounded to see how far the smallest gesture can travel. Inviting a friend that has no family to a holiday dinner or out for coffee, spending more quality time with a child or buying a gift card for the receptionist at the dental office begets a chain reaction of small joys. When we fill our bellies with everyday magic, slow down to finish a cup of tea, turn off the news and notice the crescent moon nestled in the twilight, we become more inclined to feel blessed.

A few worthy inspirations to pass along:

n Make it a spiritual offering to choose joy today

n Close the year by letting go of a grievance or an outdated belief

n Tell someone how they bring light into your life

n Share a favorite book that is inspiring

n Acquire a new source of light—a lantern or salt lamp—for your favorite room

n Leave an uplifting quote on a loved one’s voicemail

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

A Source Of Light in the Darkness

by Eric Hankins

During this season, I love re-reading Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.”

The poem opens with a line evocative of my own yuletide memories: “One Christ mas was so much like another, in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all sound except the distant speaking of the voices I sometimes hear a moment before sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve or whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six.”

As adults, we spend a great deal of energy trying to solve the puzzle of our longing for the past, trying to recapture wholly those experiences that return to us only as a fleeting glimpse or a whisper just between our waking and sleeping. For me, these mo ments of “homesickness” are never more acute than at Christmas. I believe the reason for this is that these memories are uniquely imbued with the reality of my ultimate home, heaven. Christmas in a Christian home weaves the best of life (faith, hope and love) around the deep reality of the gospel: God in Christ for us.

Thomas closes with these words: “Looking through my bed room window, out into the moonlight and the unending smokecolored snow, I could see the lights in the windows of all the other houses on our hill and hear the music rising from them up the long, steady falling night. I turned the gas down, I got into bed. I said some words to the close and holy darkness, and then I slept.”

It is the desire to connect to “the close and holy darkness” to which our lives are drawn, around which our memories orbit, that guides us to the solution of the puzzle of our past. The only way home is not backward, but forward, not in the futile attempts to recreate what has disappeared, but in the faithful decision to be lieve and to share with others that the best is yet to come, that there is a Father, a Brother, a family, a feast and a home prepared for us.

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

Artfoliophoto/GettyImages.com

Merry Brunching

PUT A HEALTHIER TWIST ON FAVORITE RECIPES

by Sheila Julson

When hosting a holiday brunch, it may be tempting to serve breakfast and lunch classics like quiche, eggs Benedict and huevos rancheros, but many of these dishes can be full of hidden calories, unhealthy fats and too much sodium. With a few easy modifications, healthier versions are possible.

According to Jessica Levinson, a New York registered dietitian and author of 52Week Meal Planner, it’s important to read nutrition labels, remove empty calories and introduce nutritious alternatives. As an example, yogurt and granola parfaits may seem innocent, but are often loaded with added sugar. “A serving size of most grano las is only one-quarter of a cup, which isn’t much, so use granola sparingly,” she says, adding that parfaits made with low-fat Greek yogurt and fresh fruit instead of jam are healthier choices.

Traditional quiches are usually made with heavy cream and a buttery pie crust. Levinson recommends a crustless vegetable frittata instead, as it is naturally glutenfree. “If you don’t want to skip the crust altogether, look for a pre-made, whole wheat crust or make your own,” she says. To eliminate dairy, consider using non-dairy milk and omitting cheese in the recipe.

For eggs Benedict, Levinson suggests skipping the hollandaise sauce, topping the poached eggs with mashed avocado and using a whole grain bread or English muffin for the base. “Instead of ham, try smoked salmon, which has beneficial omega-3 fatty acids,” she says.

Whole grain oats are a heart-healthy option, but oatmeal served brûlée-style is topped with additional sugar, notes Frances Largeman-Roth, a New York registered dietitian and author of Smoothies & Juices. “It’s better to opt for oatmeal and fruit, with a drizzle of real maple syrup,” she says. Largeman-Roth likes mixing savory and sweet, to add variety and protein to the brunch plate. “Instead of just having a stack of pancakes, split it with your friends or family, and then have a small, veggie-filled omelet. You’ll feel much more satisfied.”

Planning the Holiday Brunch Spread

When putting together a menu, Levinson advocates incorporating all of the compo nents of a balanced meal: lean protein, carbohydrates from whole grains, fruit and veg gies, and low-fat dairy or plant-based substitutes. She says, “If you’re making pancakes or waffles, use whole grain flour when possible, and serve with a side of yogurt, fresh fruit and real maple syrup.”

According to Largeman-Roth, egg lovers will enjoy a veggie-packed omelet or frit tata with either potatoes or bread on the side, but not both. Watch out for fried foods and use sauces and cream sparingly or find substitutes. If the family is dining out, she cautions that brunch dishes are often served with extra sauces and syrups, adding sodium and sugar. “Try to ask for them on the side,” she advises. “It’s not about com pletely avoiding them, but it’s nice to be able to control the amount that you’re adding to your pancakes or waffles.”

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

Nelea Reazanteva/AdobeStock.com

This healthy dish is a crowd-pleaser any time of year. It’s also glutenfree and can be modified based on whatever veggies are on hand. Omit the feta cheese for a diary-free option.

YIELD: 4 TO 6

SERVINGS

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup diced yellow onion

1 Serrano or jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

1 cup diced yellow bell pepper

1 cup diced green zucchini

1 cup diced yellow summer squash

2 large garlic cloves, minced (1 heaping Tbsp)

1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp turmeric

1 tsp sweet paprika

26-28 oz diced tomatoes

2 Tbsp tomato paste

2 tsp honey

1 tsp cider vinegar

1 cup corn, frozen, fresh or canned

½ tsp kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese 4 large eggs

Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional) Za’atar, for garnish (optional)

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet (straightsided skillet is preferable). Add onions; sauté 2 minutes. Add Ser rano pepper and bell peppers; sauté 4 minutes. Add zucchini and summer squash; sauté 5 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, turmeric and paprika; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Reduce heat to medium and add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, honey, cider vinegar and corn; stir in salt and pepper. Simmer for about 10-12 minutes until the sauce has thickened and reduced.

Turn off the heat and press the crumbled feta into the tomato sauce. With the back of a spoon, make 4 indentations in the sauce. Crack eggs one at a time into a small bowl and pour into each of the 4 indentations. Carefully drag a spatula gently through the egg whites, being sure not to disturb the yolks. Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, gently stirring the sauce and basting the eggs with the sauce. Cover and cook another 3 to 5 minutes for runny eggs. Cook longer for well-done eggs.

Serve with a sprinkling of parsley and za’atar, if desired.

Recipe courtesy of Jessica Levinson.

SHEET PAN PROTEIN PANCAKES WITH BERRY SWIRL

Cooked on a sheet pan, these pancakes make cleanup a breeze and can be prepared the night before. Buttermilk and protein powder add satis fying nutrients.

YIELD: 12 SERVINGS

Cooking spray

2 cups buttermilk

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

4 Tbsp melted ghee or unsalted butter

⅓ cup maple syrup

1¼ cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup vanilla protein powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp sea salt

FOR THE SWIRL:

½ cup strawberries

½ cup blueberries

½ cup raspberries

1 tsp brown sugar

Powdered sugar, for topping

Preheat oven to 425° F. Line an 11-by-17-inch, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray parchment and sides of pan with cooking spray.

Whisk the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, ghee and maple syrup to gether in a medium bowl. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients—whole wheat flour and salt. Add the wet ingredients to the dry in three additions until just mixed. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Blend the berry swirl ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add ½ teaspoon of water if mixture is too stiff. Add small dollops of the berry mixture to the top of the pancake batter. Drag a wooden toothpick or skewer through the berry mixture to create a swirled pattern.

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 11 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into 12 squares with a knife. Enjoy warm with maple syrup. Can be stored in the fridge for up to two days.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Frances Largeman-Roth.

photo by Frances Largeman-Roth

CRANBERRY MIMOSAS

Cranberries put a holiday twist on a classic mimosa. Drier cham pagnes or sparkling wines are lower in sugar. Making cranberry juice from scratch with sweeteners like maple syrup or honey is a natural alternative to commercial cranberry juice. Prepare the cranberry juice the night before serving.

YIELD: 4 TO 8 SERVINGS

4 cups homemade (recipe below) or storebought cranberry juice

1 cup orange juice

1 bottle drier champagne, such as Ultra Brut Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Fill four champagne flutes or glassware of choice approximately halfway with cranberry juice. Add 2 Tbsp orange juice to each glass.

Top each glass with champagne. Garnish with sprig of rosemary. Refill as desired.

Recipe courtesy of Sheila Julson.

HOMEMADE CRANBERRY JUICE

3 cups fresh cranberries

3 cups water

½ cup pure maple syrup or honey

Put fresh cranberries and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer for approximately 15 minutes until the berries soften and pop.

Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the berries and return the juice to the pan. (Use leftover cranberries in smoothies, yogurt or relish.)

Gradually add maple syrup or honey until desired sweetness is achieved. Heat on low until sweetener dissolves.

Pour juice into an airtight bottle and refrigerate.

Recipe courtesy of Sheila Julson.

Fairhope

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

Michelle Smith

Bon Appétit! A directory of local restaurants, eateries and markets

FEATURING LOCALS FAIRHOPE

Wade and Ashley Peryer have been in the restaurant business for decades. After managing other people’s restaurants for years, they decided to open Locals. Not wanting to take business from any of their friends in town, they saw the need for a gourmet burger restaurant that didn’t exist in Fairhope. They always buy from local farmers for their kids at home so they decided to incorporate that local fresh food into their new venture: 100% grass-fed beef, bison and lamb, plus cagefree, antibiotic chicken, local farmers market fruits and vegeta bles and melt-in-your-mouth grass-fed Aberdeen Angus Filets from Scotland.

The Peryer’s owned Locals for seven years and found much success, but when the chance to open a new restaurant just a few hundred yards west on Fairhope Ave. to the current, ex quisite setting, they couldn’t turn it down. They brought the same ‘small batch’ farmers they have always used into their new location. Small batch means one farm, one animal and typically, a bet ter quality protein.

Now, THE BAR, a full-service bar com plete with large screen TV, Happy Hour specials every day and live music, has everything it takes to keep clientele happy for hours on end.

A beautiful Tuscan-style build ing with gorgeous wood beams and terracotta tiles, Locals briefly whisks you away from Fairhope and invokes the feeling of being in Italy. Diners can enjoy a meal in the romantic dining rooms or on the spacious porch under fans or relax in the cobblestone lined court yard. THE BAR is a great place to sit at the mahogany and marble bar and try one of many drink selections. On Saturdays it’s Gameday with drink and appe tizer specials all day.

A fresh locally sourced take on a restaurant featuring fresh herbs, vegetables and olive oils and cheeses from Elberta, Alabama. Enjoy made-to-order pastas, sauces, pizzas and meats as well as fresh gulf seafood and homemade bread and desserts.

Ashley and Wade believe that ultimately, they are best known for their 100% grass-fed burgers.

“It is a great sense of accomplishment, know ing people keep coming back specifically for our Locals recipes,” says Wade. “If it isn’t fresh, it isn’t the best!”

Location: 312 Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope, AL. 251-517-7225. LocalsFairhope.com.

AGAPÉ JUICES

Nourishing your body, mind and spirit. Fountain Plaza Shopping Center 3782 South McKenzie St., Foley, AL Agape-Juices.com

AHI SEAFOOD MARKET

Fairhope Gourmet Market. Guaranteed fresh and highest quality seafood, beef and pork. 18874 S. Section St., Fairhope, AL 251-517-7533 • AhiSeafoodMarket.com

COASTAL ALABAMA FARMERS & FISHERMENS MARKET

Committed to Baldwin County’s local community & agriculture. 20733 Miflin Rd., Foley, AL CoastalAlabamaMarket.com

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

Homegrown in the South since 1975. 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center Fairhope, AL • 251-928-0644 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

FAIRHOPE JUICE COMPANY

Nourish the body. Fuel the soul. Battles Wharf Market 18327 Scenic Hwy 98, Fairhope, AL FairhopeJuiceCompany.com

LOCALS FAIRHOPE

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

MCKENZIE FARMS

Family-owned market supplying fresh produce and more to our community. 17558 A Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL MckenzieFarmMarket.com

NATURE NINE FARMS

Your source for local, ethical-grown wholesome, delicious food. sperkins@natureninefarms.com NatureNineFarms.com

OHANA POKE

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

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

OX KITCHEN

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

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

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.

Transforming Our World

WORKING TOGETHER FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGE

by Linda Sechrist

With all the chaos occurring in the world today, it is challenging to remain centered and not feel over whelmed. Every shocking headline seems to pull the proverbial rug out from under us. Thought leader Laureen Golden explains the dilemma this way: “Psychologically, we were raised, educated and socialized in a world that no longer really exists. We have a new world that we must navigate, and we need a new psychology, a whole new way of being for that world. Reducing, compartmentalizing, separating things in order to understand them no longer works for us. It’s going to take work to get out of this paradigm.”

Drawing from her background in education and social work, Golden ponders, “How does that new psychology develop when all our institutions charged with cultivating consciousness— schools, families, religious institutions and organizations—are set in the 19th and 20th centuries? Since learning is how we go from one paradigm to another, where do we go to learn the skills and the structures we need to be successful in such a complex world? We can’t do it individually. We must learn in collectives.”

The paradigm shift envisioned by Golden offers an opportunity for us to access innovative methods of learning, discovery and connection, such as sociocracy (a self-governance system based

on the equality of its mem bers); systems thinking (an approach to complexity that looks at the whole and ana lyzes relationships, rather than splitting it into smaller pieces); permaculture (exploring natu ral ecosystems as a whole); circle methods (thinking things through as a group); and Indigenous wisdom (fo cusing on the interconnected ness of all things).

All of these methods focus on an ethos of collaboration and teach us how to discern wisdom, which is different than knowledge. By engaging in these conversations and explorations, we learn that if we tug on any one part of the web of life, we tug the whole web—an important analogy for our times.

A Beloved Community Co-Creating an Island of Sanity Through Collaboration

Instead of shouting, “The sky is falling, and the seas are rising,” in response to a world that is unraveling and expe riencing the growing realities of global warming, residents of St. Petersburg, Florida, are embracing resilience. To prove that the future is born in webs of human conversation, the city is counting on collective intelligence to emerge.

Among the tools city participants are employing is The World Café, developed by Juanita Brown and David Isaac, which allows people to host group conversations around thoughtful questions. The concept is designed to evoke deeper listening and give rise to solutions for today’s challenges in a more conscious, intentional and strategic way. Forty citizens have taken The World Café facilita tion course. Employing a simple and flexible format for hosting large group dialogue, this methodology enables participants to clarify the context, create hospitable space, explore questions that matter, encourage everyone’s contribution, connect diverse perspectives, listen together for patterns and insights, and share collective discoveries.

Other important work being applied is that of bestselling author and longtime community organizer Margaret Wheatley. Her training, which is designed to cultivate what she calls “Warriors of the Human Spirit,” arouses people’s inherent generosity, creativity, compassion and need for community. Known as a big-systems thinker throughout her 45-year career, Wheatley has concluded

that the only opportunity for change is at the local level. Ques tions that encourage collective learning became integral to creat ing cohesiveness in St. Petersburg this year.

Dr. Donella Meadows’ “systems thinking” has helped St. Peters burg participants understand that living systems begin as net works, shift to intentional communities of practice and evolve into powerful systems capable of influence. Also instructive has been “complexity theory”, which helped participants recognize human systems as organizations, families and communities.

“The city leaders felt conversations were important enough to invest $20,000 to cultivate a culture of conversational leadership in the neighborhoods. Another $25,000 was granted by the Com munity Foundation of Tampa Bay to research the outcomes. Now, the Florida Council of Churches, University of South Florida, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and The Connection Partners have received a Community Vibrancy grant of $14,500 to pilot conversations in three neighborhoods, spreading the skills in creating participatory democracy. Participants will host conversations in their own neighborhoods,” says St. Petersburg resident Sharon Joy Kleitsch, founder of The Connection Partners and a longtime catalyst for applying strategic actions based on the new sciences of complexity theory, strategic thinking and quantum science.

“Those who have used World Café as a tool know that a culture of conversational leadership offers citizens the opportunity to experience a sense of oneness and connectedness. We’ve explored what happens when we share feelings of care, compassion and appreciation toward a beloved community,” says Kleitsch. “We found that group resonance, profound personal involvement and deeply engrossing, interactive conversation sup ports a City of Compassion and an International City of Peace, which St. Petersburg was chosen to be. I want to be sure that people understand that we do not have answers. Together, we are exploring pathways and listening for the answers to emerge.”

Since 2020, a thoughtfully selected group of Florida activists—including partici pants from St. Petersburg— have been holding weekly online Zoom conversations that matter. In 2021, they were joined by participants from Ohio to study the Capra

theworldcafe.com theworldcafe.com

Integrative Medicine at enrG Wellness

Course, which is based on The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision by bestselling author Fritjof Capra

“What we discovered after only two weeks was that we were ourselves a living system connecting to itself and be coming self-organized,” says Kleitsch. “We became aware that we were learning together. We were sharing what we were learning around subjects such as honoring Indigenous peoples, local food systems, the human right to clean water, reimaging capitalism and many more subjects. We’ve also bifurcated into a Sarasota [Florida] cohort. The key is, we were not random. We were a self-selected study group learning collaboratively, which is the best way I recommend activists study the Capra Course.”

theworldcafe.com

Argerie Vasilakes, who is re searching outcomes, explains that her work is dedicated to helping teams, communities and organizations become more coherent. “I start with traditional ways of thinking about our relationships with nature that native peoples have never forgotten—humans are part of nature, not apart from nature,” she explains. “To me, human organizations, com munities, families and govern ments are also part of nature and examples of natural ecosystems. So, I naturally look at things from a living systems perspective.”

theworldcafe.com

Vasilakes advises, “In a group that is learning together, such as those in the St. Petersburg neighborhoods, group conversations organized around questions specifically crafted for the context and desired purpose of the World Café evoke a deeper kind of listening, the most important factor determining the success of a Café. They spark learning conversations that can produce insights and innovation for meeting the challenges they face. Through practicing shared listening and paying attention to themes, patterns and insights, partici pants begin to sense a connec tion to the larger whole.”

theworldcafe.com

According to Wheatley, the important work is to foster critical connections. She believes it is not necessary to convince large numbers of people to change; instead, she suggests we connect with kin dred spirits. Through these re lationships and tools like The World Café, we can develop the new knowledge, practices and commitment that lead to broad-based change.

Wheatley sometimes opens her interviews with an ancient Hopi prophecy that reads as if it were applicable to our current times: “Here now is a river flowing very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid, who will try to hold on to the shore. They are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. The elders say, ‘Let go of the shore, push off and go into the middle of the river. Keep your heads above the water. Know the river has its destination.’ The elders say, ‘See who is in there with you and celebrate.’ At this time in history, we are to take nothing seriously; least of all, ourselves. Gather yourselves. Everything we do now must be done in a spirit of celebration, for we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

Seeing who is in the river of chaos with us, we can choose to re spond with, “How can I serve with what I have, where I am?” This is what any Warrior of the Human Spirit would say because in the same river of chaos, there are also the seeds of transformation. In these turbulent times when all the old boundaries are unravelling and all the old certainties are dissolving, there is a possibility for creative transformation if we work together.

Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer.

TOOLS FOR CO-CREATING BELOVED COMMUNITIES

n TheWorldCafe.com

n New Dimensions Radio (NewDimensions.org) n MargaretWheatley.com n DonellaMeadows.com

n A good explanation of comple xity theory is at Tinyurl.com/ ComplexityTheoryExplained

n CapraCourse.net

n InternationalFuturesForum. com

n SociocracyForAll.org

n Lynn McTaggart’s books, in cluding: Living with Intention: The Science of Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World and The Power of Eight: Harnessing the Miraculous En ergies of a Small Group to Heal Others and the World

HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERING

THE GIFT OF GIVING

As we indulge in magnificent feasts and open gifts in cozy living rooms, let’s pause to express gratitude for all that we have and look for ways to help those less fortunate. The holiday season is the time for giving. One of the best ways to get into the spirit is by volunteering time and treasure to meaningful causes and underprivileged individuals. Here are a few ideas.

ADOPT A FAMILY

Find a nearby impoverished fam ily that could use a houseful of gifts, including toys, blankets and warm clothes, then do a little shopping and make their holiday dreams come true. Local social service agencies can help identify the lucky family.

HANDMADE HOLIDAY CARDS

Spend an afternoon making holiday greeting cards to warm the hearts of lonely seniors, U.S. armed service members and children in hospitals battling serious illnesses. This is a great activity to do with kids—teach ing them important lessons about kindness and generosity. For cardmaking ideas and distribution help: RedCross.org, LoveForOurElders.org, CardsForHospitalizedKids.com and ColorASmile.org.

TOYS FOR TOTS

Nothing is sadder than a child without at least one holiday gift. Fortunately, several organizations and thousands of generous people do their very best to fill those empty little hands with merriment. Here are a few places that need donations of time, money and gifts: ToysForTots.org, Samaritans Purse.org, SalvationArmyUSA.org and OperationHelpAHero.org

MAKE A BLANKET

Some kids could really use the cozy warmth and comfort of their very own security binky. Here are two organi zations that provide blanket-making ideas and instructions, and also help facilitate their collection and distribu tion: ProjectLinus.org and BinkyPatrol. org. This is a wonderful group project for families or classrooms.

HOLIDAY MEALS

Food insecurity is a serious problem in this country, and lowincome families that rely on government assistance and food banks for everyday nutrition will likely not have the wherewithal for a holiday feast. Here’s where our help comes in. The fol lowing organizations either serve free holiday meals or give away food baskets: local churches, temples and mosques; MealsOnWheels America.org; neighborhood food pantries and soup kitch ens; and SalvationArmyUSA.org

CHILDREN BATTLING ILLNESS AND TROUBLED FAMILIES

Here are a few charities that accept monetary donations and sweat equity to aid children battling serious diseases or troubled family situations: StJude.org, OneSimpleWish. org, Wish.org and Prison Fel lowship.org

HELP FOR NEGLECTED PETS AND IMPERILED WILDLIFE

These organizations accept donations of money and time: the American So ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org); National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org); Best Friends Animal Society (BestFriends.org); Friends of Animals (FriendsOfAnimals.org); Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org); Alley Cat Allies (AlleyCat.org); Jane Goodall Institute (JaneGoodall.org); and The Hu mane Society of the United States (Humane Society.org).

SUSTAINABLE HOLIDAYS

EASY TIPS FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY SEASON

by Kirby Baldwin

The holidays are upon us, and that means decking the halls, gathering with loved ones, exchanging gifts and treats— and creating a lot of waste in the process. From Thanks giving to New Year’s Day, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than at any other time of year. That’s 1 million extra tons each week, primarily due to waste from holiday gifts and décor. Fortunately, there are ways to cut down on consumption to lessen the environmental impact of the holiday season without sacrific ing any joy.

Savor Local Fare

Ditch grocery store lines and instead shop for the holiday meal at a nearby family farm. By participating in the local food move

ment, we will not only enjoy fresh, seasonal ingredients while supporting the local economy, but also sustain farms that build soil health, promote animal well-being and offer a more delicious and nutritionally superior final product. Purchasing food directly from farmers also eliminates the extra packaging and the carbon footprint of transportation that comes with store-bought goods.

In addition to offering fruits and vegetables for holiday pies and soufflés, regional farms can also be good sources for locally sourced grains, holiday meats, baked goods and cheeses. Festive cocktails can be purchased from a neigh borhood distillery, brewery or winery, many of which source their ingredients from local farmers.

Ronald Mirante, founder of Bone-In Food, runs a weekly food

delivery service that provides only sustainable, nutrient-dense foods sourced from local farm partners. According to Mirante, “Shopping for food locally with your farmers for the holiday helps them move offerings they have raised all season long. This empowers the local food community and makes their operations sustainable by preventing food waste and allowing for economic preparation for next year’s harvest.”

For a state-by-state directory of local farmers of meat, eggs and dairy products from 100 percent pastured animals, visit EatWild. com. A directory of family farms and farmers markets, along with restaurants and grocery stores that feature locally produced food, can be found at LocalHarvest.org.

Gift Greener

Instead of using unrecyclable gift wrapping paper, switch to a recycled alternative or wrap gifts in pieces of fabric, newsprint or kraft paper that can be repurposed or recycled. To eliminate shopping and wrapping altogether, give the gift of an experience, which allows loved ones to create lasting memories.

Cater experiential gifts to the needs and wants of the recipient. An exhausted new parent will appreciate a restaurant gift certifi cate or a coupon to pay for a babysitter. Give the budding golfer lessons with a local pro, the theater lover tickets to an upcom ing show and the selfless caregiver a spa treatment to help them feel pampered and refreshed. For the person that seems to have everything, make a donation in their name to a worthy cause that matters deeply to them.

According to publishing executive and mother Tacy Quinn, who runs the Instagram account @friluftslivingfamily, “As our kids get older, we love to find outdoor adventure ideas that are fun to do as a family and get us off our screens. One of our holiday gift-giving traditions each year is to purchase or renew a member ship to a local nature organization. Many organizations have great family programs that are included with yearly memberships, so this annual gift means we get a whole year of outdoor experiences to enjoy together. We’ve gone on full-moon hikes, tapped and harvested our own maple syrup, enjoyed solstice bonfire parties and more. Giving a membership gift helps everyone enjoy the out doors and sustain the natural places we love.”

When it’s not possible to gift an experience, shop locally for gifts made of natural materials, such as a beautiful, wooden, cutting board, a cozy pair of wool socks or a piece of pottery handmade by local artisans. Christmas stockings can create unnecessary waste for the sake of filling them to the brim. Try replacing plastic odds and ends with fruits, nuts or handmade treats like cookies or granola for more sustainable—and tastier—stocking stuffers.

Deck the Halls

For the most sustainable holiday tree, opt for a potted or locally cut, native choice. Live trees protect the soil, serve as wildlife habi tats and filter the air during the six to eight years they’re growing. They also create local jobs. After the holidays are over, the potted trees can be planted. Cut live trees should either be mulched or recycled, rather than thrown in a landfill.

Merry and Bright

Making just a few simple swaps in gifting, feasting and decorat ing will ease holiday consumption and lessen its environmental impacts without subtracting any of the joy.

Kirby Baldwin writes for KnoWEwell, the regenerative whole health hub and a collaborative partner of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

Katecat/AdobeStock.com

The Best Gift of All

TEACHING CHILDREN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

by Madiha Saeed

Teaching children the value of generosity and kindness is not just good for the world, it is good for our kids, too. Studies have shown that acts of altruism can boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, increase self-esteem, reduce de pression and lower stress levels. Selfless contributions also can foster a sense of belonging, whether they are donating material things, sharing their time or freely conveying love and kindness. A magnanimous child is repaid with benefits that nourish the body and soul.

Empathy and Mirror Neurons

To transform children into givers, they need to learn how to share and comprehend other people’s feelings. Known as cognitive empathy, it involves understanding another person’s emotions on an intellectual level, taking into consideration their situation and anticipating

how they might react.

Since the 1990s, scientists have been researching mirror neurons which respond to actions that we observe in the same way as when we actually perform those actions ourselves. These neurons play a consider able role in the development of speech, language, learning, emotional intelligence, empathy and understanding, so children need to see and receive acts of giving and love to become givers themselves.

Giving Heals

With mental health conditions in children on the rise, charitable behavior can improve their mental well-being and help them secrete “feel-good” chemicals in the brain like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. “I think helping our kids experience the happiness that comes from giving to others is probably one of the most valuable ways we can nurture generosity in them,” says Lara Aknin, an assistant professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University, in Canada. “It sets off this positive cycle. Giving makes people happy and hap piness promotes giving.”

Functional MRIs of people that donate to charities have shown that the act of giving stimulates reward centers of the brain where endorphins are released. These hormones lower cortisol, improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve

Volunteering

Volunteering makes an immeasurable dif ference in the lives of others and creates a sense of purpose in the person doing it. Sci ence has shown that engaging in volunteer work can decrease depression, reduce stress, increase longevity and help the person stay mentally and physically active. Volunteers get to meet others, develop new relationships and strengthen existing relationships with those that have similar goals and interests. There are many opportunities for children and parents to volunteer through school, religious and nonprofit organizations.

Random Acts of Kindness and Generosity

Random acts of kindness and generosity include smiling, holding the door open for someone and reaching out to loved ones. Include a child in these activities and encourage them to do the same. “When you see your children being generous, point it out and praise them,” recommends The Center for Parenting Education. “Help them put into words the positive feelings they may have as they help others.”

digestion, clear out toxins, help the immune system fight infections and renew energy to repair cells and fight cancer. Other benefits include lower inflammation overall, im proved sleep, decreased feelings of restlessness and reduc tions in chronic pain.

Giving and Social Support

In a 2020 study reported in JAMA Network, researchers found that young adults ages 19 to 20 that perceived higher levels of social support—the feeling that there is someone they can depend on for help should they need it—were less likely to report depressive and anxiety symptoms or suicidal ideation one year later. The study also found that even in cases where people previously experienced mental health problems, social support was beneficial for mental health later on.

Love and secure attachments, such as those experienced through acts of giving, strengthen the body; help regulate emotions, attention and behavior; mitigate the effects of stress; and promote lifelong, healthy development.

The most important ingredient to develop a child with a healthy brain and body is love. Children need positive experiences for pathways in their brain and body to work. Developing empathy for themselves and others increases emo tional strength and self-regulation. Improve the life of a child—physi cally, emotionally and spiritually—by teaching them the simple of act of giving.

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

vejaa/AdobeStock.com

To transform children into givers, they need to learn how to share and comprehend other people’s feelings.

PICKLEBALL IS BOOMING

GET INTO A PICKLE FOR HOLIDAY FITNESS

by Jyl Steinback

Ron Alvey/AdobeStock.com

Forget the gherkins and dills this holiday season; there’s another pickle in town. This one offers a great way to get in shape, increase happiness and bond with family and friends. It’s pickleball: a simple-to-learn sport that requires less run ning than tennis and can be played both indoors and outdoors. Players use oversized ping pong-style paddles to hit a wiffle ball over a low net on a badminton-sized court.

The Economist , and other media, say pickleball is America’s fastest growing sport. While seniors are particularly drawn to it, it is also catching on with all ages. “The fastpaced games make it easier for kids to stay engaged, as well as socialize with their peers,” says Sarah Ansboury, director of pickleball at Palmetto Dunes, in South Carolina. “Many families do pickleball events for holidays and reunions. Pickleball enables people of all ages to participate.”

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), there are 4.8 million pickleball players in America, with 51 percent between 6 and 34 years of age. At the end of 2021, there were 9,524 pickleball courts across the U.S.

In 2020, Mecklenburg County, in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, opened the eightcourt John Stevens Pickleball Center, the eighth facility in the county where citizens can play the game. Since 2014, the number of public and private courts in the same region has soared from two to more than 100.

The SFIA says growth is happening across the country, with participation spiking 40 percent during the pandemic. In Florida, St. Lucie County unveiled four new courts at its Lakewood Regional Park in September. Even bars are getting into the act, such as Dale Z’s, in Milwaukee, which christened its pickleball court in the same month.

Being a super athlete is not a prereq uisite for playing the game, according to Mac McCullough, a pickleballer in Scotts dale, Arizona. “I used to play other sports, but running and tennis got harder on my knees,” he says. “Pickleball has a lower net and a smaller court, so you aren’t running as much. Still, it gives you a good workout and it’s easier on your joints.”

A 2016 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise c onfirms that pickleball provides a good workout. According to the researchers, average heart rate and peak heart rate were higher during pickleball than when walking. Participants burned 40 percent more calories in 30 minutes of the sport than in 30 minutes of walking. Additionally, the study concludes, “Pickleball is more enjoyable than walking at a self-selected speed.”

Dr. Dennis Pena, a podiatrist from Phoenix, says the game has improved his hand-eye coordination. “The more I play pickleball, the better my balance, coordi nation and movement get,” he says. “It’s a good cardio workout, and I just feel better overall when I play regularly.”

A study from Western State Colorado University indicates that pickleball fosters many health benefits over a wide range of ages. The study followed 15 people between 40 to 85 that played for an hour three times

Research has confirmed that exercise boosts endorphins, which reduces stress and improves overall sense of well-being. A 2018 study from a group of researchers in the U.S. and South Korea showed that pick leball can help stave off depression, too. It reported that although depression rates are increasing in the U.S., people involved in “serious leisure” such as pickleball are less prone to depression.

It’s not just older people that can ben efit from the recreational activity. Teen obesity rates have skyrocketed nation wide, much of it due to a lack of exercise. Pickleball could help combat this. It is fun, easy to learn, boosts cardio fitness and can be played just about anywhere. Some colleges are now even offering pick leball scholarships.

Holly Fitzgerald, a physical therapist from Woburn, Massachusetts, gives this ad vice on how to get ready to play the game:

Squats with body mass can help develop and stretch quadriceps and hamstrings, en abling the ability to compress leg muscles swiftly and consistently. This will help reduce gravitational pull to address the pickleball as it comes at us.

Large arm circles will stretch muscles and prepare them for the considerable movements that occur when striking a ball.

Exercises that develop the core, such as core twisting, are also beneficial.

Places2Play.org provides a search engine to help find a court anywhere in America. Pick leball is a great way to get family and friends together over the holidays and beyond. It is fun, helps nurture relationships and it is a lot healthier than grazing on holiday leftovers while scanning social media.

Jyl Steinback is the executive director of Shape Up US, creator of the Hip Hope Healthy Heart Program for Children, an author and a recipient of a Community Leadership Award from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Reach her at Jyl@ShapeUpUS.org.

MOBILE BAYKEEPER Investigates Hazardous Chemicals in the Mobile Bay Watershed

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used, long lasting chemicals, which break down very slowly over time. They have become persistent in the environment to the extent that they can be found in food products and even in the blood of people and animals worldwide. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environ ment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.

As the effects of PFAS become better understood, Mobile Baykeeper is investi gating their prevalence in the Mobile Bay Watershed and considering methods to defend the waterways from this pollution.

At Mobile Baykeeper, the focus is on defending and reviving waterways with an interest in finding out which industrial facilities and wastewater plants are dis charging PFAS compounds into the waters and how to stop that discharge. Regulatory efforts to limit discharges of PFAS into waters are being evaluated. The first step in this effort was to participate in a nationwide study by Water keeper groups to test waterways for PFAS.

Test results from the Mobile River detected moderate levels of several PFAS compounds including PFOA, PFOS

and PFBS. Results were consis tent with results from a scholarly paper out of Auburn University that was published in August. As noted in the paper, this is a concern because, “[PFOS] can pose a risk to wildlife in the bay, as PFOS was observed to cause developmental effects in several fish species (Wang et al., 2011) and to cause cellular damage to oysters (Aquilina-Beck et al., 2020).” Dischargers of PFAS in coastal Alabama will continue to be evaluated and regulations that defend the waterways and health from these pollutants will be supported.

Mobile Baykeeper is a nonprofit citizens advocacy organization headquartered in Mobile, Alabama. Mobile Baykeeper is dedicated to defending and reviving the waters of Coastal Alabama and Mobile Bay, including its watershed and the groundwaters and marshlands that are connected to these surface waters.

MobileBaykeeper.org

Left: Dakota Bilbrey testing for PFAS in Mobile Bay Watershed

To appear in the magazine, submit your listing online at NAGulfCoast.com . Online-only listings may be submitted online at any time. Please email MichelleS@NAGulfCoast.com with questions.

View our full calendar online at NAGulfCoast.com/calendar !

SUNDAYS

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

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

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, progres sive 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. UnityEasternShore@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 present. 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, con

mark your calendar

March 13-15, 2023

Above and Beyond Yoga India Retreat – Twoweek 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 world-renowned Krishnam acharya Yoga Mandiram. Additional details and itinerary coming soon. For more information, contact Jake Treichel at Jake@ABHotYoga.com or 251-639-9030.

fidence 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 US98, Fairhope, AL. UnityEasternShore@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.

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 experi ence required, only openness and curiosity. $25. The Yoga Hive Studio, 1901 Main Street, Daphne, AL. Facebook.com/EcstaticDanceFairhope. Contact Re becca 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 will ingness. 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.

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

HELP WANTED

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 1-3 days weekly. Please call Carolyn for more information at 251-644-4692.

THE SUNFLOWER CAFES ARE LOOK ING TO HIRE full- and part-time cooks in Mobile and Fairhope. The Cafes are open only for lunch Monday-Saturday. Apply in store or call Krissy Little at 251-479-3952.

CLASSES/TRAINING

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

FOR RENT/LEASE

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

FOR SALE

ADVERTISE your products, services or help wanted here.

SERVICES

ATTENTION BUSY PROFESSION

ALS—Are you struggling to prioritize good lifestyle choices? Need help with better nutrition for weight loss, transforming stress into positive energy or just need to get mov ing? Board Certified Health Coach Michelle Smith will take you by the hand to help you get back on track. Contact Michelle Smith 251-635-6250 or TryMyCoach@gmail.com.

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

KAREN WATSON

TruAura Skincare Specialist/Makeup Artist Daphne, AL • 256-508-0389

TruAuraBeauty.com/trubeauty4u

Skincare, anti-aging, cosmet ics and body care that are pure, clean, safe and effective with zero harmful ingredi ents. Prebiotic/probioticbased and microbiomefriendly. See ad, page 13.

TMAC’S HAIR STUDIO

Old Government, Mobile: 251-607-6666 2101 Hwy. 98, Daphne: 251-725-4334

TMACsHairStudio.com

A relaxing salon environment that is free of harmful chemicals, impurities and fragrance. Offering customized hair services and regenerative treatments with 100% vegan organic products and essential oils. Ask about following the lunar calendar effective hair treatments. See ad, page 7.

BREAST SCREENING

THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

Carolyn Olson, Certified Thermographer

Mobile & Foley (other locations by request) 251-623-2225

ThermographyAdvantage.com

FDA registered thermography offers breast/full-body screenings that are noninvasive and radiation-free, without compression or bodily contact. Valuable for detecting early-stage breast disease and more. Also offering ElectroLymphatic Therapy. See ad, page 24.

And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.

~Rainer Maria Rilke

CBD HEALTH & WELLNESS

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644

Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

Comprehensive health food store offering a range of CBD prod ucts: caps, soft gels, gummies, sprays, tinctures, topicals, mixed with ghee, teas, waters, hot cocoa, infused honey, pedicure powders. See ad, page 18.

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 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 18.

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.

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 7.

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 11.

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 de mentia patients that originally scored poorly on cognitive assessments restore to normal scoring on the same assess ment. See ad, page 3.

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 3.

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.

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 18.

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. Exten sive supplement selec tion: organic groceries, produce and meats; bath and body products; bulk bins; pet supplies; baby prod ucts; CBD and more. See ad, page 18.

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 19.

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 24.

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 13.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING

GOOD LIFE HEALTH COACHING

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

TryMyCoach@gmail.com GoodLifeHealthCoaching.com

Attention health conscious, men and women struggling to prioritize 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 19.

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 13

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

THERMOGRAPHY ADVANTAGE

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

ThermographyAdvantage.com

Electro-Lymphatic Therapy is noninvasive, painless and calming. Similar to a light touch massage, the certified lymphatic therapist uses an instrument with 2 small handheld wands that are lightly moved across the body in a direction that correlates to the body’s lymphatic flow. An impaired lymphatic system often results in inflammation, colds, flu, sinus problems, edema, excess water retention, heart disease, fibrocystic and tender breast, cellulite, enlarged prostate and cancer. The proper flow of lymphatic fluid can have a positive impact on many of these conditions. See ad, page 24.

MASSAGE THERAPY

ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

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

ElementsMassage.com/Mobile

A therapeutic massage handcrafted

just for you. Reduced stress, elevated mood and a strengthened immune system are all part of experiencing a therapeutic massage The Elements Way. Schedule an appointment today. See ad, page 13.

JUBILEE HEALING ARTS

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

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

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 27.

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 27.

PERSONAL GROWTH

ENERGY MODEL OF THERAPEUTIC CHANGE

Mary Beth Svatek, M.A. Certified Hypnotherapist, IMDHA 251-300-9912 • EnergyModelOfChange.com EnergyModelOfChange@gmail.com

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 18

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

PHYSICAL THERAPY

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 25.

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

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 18.

RESTORATIVE YOGA

UNITY ON THE EASTERN SHORE

22979 us-98, Fairhope, AL

UnityEasternShore@gmail.com. UnityEasternShore.Wixsite.com/Unity

Treat yourself to a relaxing, healing and rejuvenating session of Restorative Yoga with Bobbi Jo Machholz. Bring mat, pillow, blocks and willingness. 1st Wednesday each month, 9am. Donations to Unity accepted. See ad, page 11.

ROLFING

EASTERN SHORE ROLFING

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

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 11.

Just 15 minutes, once per week on our proprietary, osteogenic loading equipment can help you build a stronger you. See ad, page 33.

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 7.