January 2013 by Natural Awakenings Magazine, Tennessee Valley Edition

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks

FREE

FRACKING The Gamble We Dare Not Take

Autism Update

GMO

Dietary Changes Offer New Hope

January 2013

Truths and Consequences

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publishersletter

f you are reading this letter, guess what? The world did not end on December 21, 2012. I think the Mayan calendar was just misunderstood. I do not believe the end of the calendar represented the end of time but was telling of the ending of one age and the beginning of another. With so many tragedies happening in today’s world it should be ever so apparent to all of us that we need to be more supportive of each other. Showing compassion, love and shining hope where there is none. It says in I Corinthians 13:13 (NLT): “Three things will last forever—faith, hope and love—and the greatest of these is love.” Sometimes when everything seems lost, love will always remain. As we begin the New Year 2013 many of us will set goals for ourselves to achieve over the next 12 months. Many will want to lose weight, become healthier, live greener, eat better, make more money, get out of debt, find a job, start going to college, follow a budget, and the list goes on. As usual, some will achieve their goals and others will fail. Do we have to fail? Maybe not, I think the first thing we should remember is to be realistic when setting goals for ourselves. Some of us try to take giant steps all at once instead of taking smaller incremental ones. We set ourselves up for failure from the get-go. So this year let us all be winners and achievers, and set realistic goals for self. If you know of someone that is trying to do better and improve their life, reach out to them and be that source of support. The theme of this month's issue is Wellness and Weight Loss. In the article “Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks” you will find many tips and recommendations to help you feel better. We hope you find the information within Natural Awakenings Magazine to be helpful and informative. You can find many resources in your community to help you start achieving those goals. Anne Frank said, “Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.” So go and be the best you can be, and when discouraged, remember you have the strength to lift not only yourself up but also those around you. May God Bless You All,

contact us Publisher Tom Maples Tom@Natvalley.com New Business Development Advertising Sales Cindy Wilson Cindy@Natvalley.com Cell: 256-476-6537 Calendar Editor Jerry Woosley Design and Production Karen Ormstedt Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley 14 Woodland Ave. Trinity, Alabama 35673 Office: 256-340-1122 Fax: 256-217-4274 Natvalley.com © 2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the above address. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

natural awakenings

January 2013

contents 8

5 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

17 greenliving

23 wisewords

by Aaron Peavy

24 inspiration 26 healthykids

THE EDUCATION OF CONSCIOUSNESS by Rev. Will Hoffpauir

28 naturalpet

28 14

SEEK NOT HAPPINESS, LET IT FIND YOU

FRACKING WRECKS AMERICA’S BEDROCK Clear and Present Dangers by Sandra Steingraber

29 calendar 36 resourceguide

POSTURES Cat-Cow Pose by Gatlianne

20 HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TWEAKS

advertising & submissions

Surprisingly Simple Changes for Feeling Good

by Kathleen Barnes

HOW TO ADVERTISE Display Ads due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 256-476-6537 or email Editor@Natvalley.com.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS* Newsbriefs due by the 10th of the month. Limit 50-250 words. Content limited to special events and other announcements. No advertorials, please. Articles and ideas due by the 5th of the month. Articles generally contain 250-850 words, with some exceptions. No advertorials, please.

CONSEQUENCES Health and Safety are Question Marks by Melinda Hemmelgarn

24 NO DUST ON THE MIRROR Reflections on a Life of Conscious Wholeness by Michael Bernard Beckwith

25 THE ANSWER RIGHT UNDER

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Calendar of Events and Ongoing Calendar listings due by the 10th of the month. Limit 50 words per entry. Please follow format found in those sections.

ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY 256-476-6537 -or- Editor@Natvalley.com *All submissions are subject to editing and will be printed at the publisher’s discretion. Article space often fills in advance. Deadline dates refer to the month prior to next publication and may change without notice due to holidays, shorter months, or printing schedules.

www.Natvalley.com 4 Tennessee Valley

23 GMO TRUTHS AND

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YOUR NOSE AT THE NEELEY CENTER FOR HEALTH

26 ADDRESSING AUTISM Families Have Reasons for Hope by Brita Belli

28 RAW FOOD DIETS FOR PETS Weighing the Pros and Cons by Sandra Murphy

newsbriefs Harnessing the Power of Oxygen

he Holistic Medical Center of Alabama is pleased to announce the acquisition of a hard steel hyperbaric oxygen chamber for medical use in the office setting. This revolutionizing technology is used as a healing tool for multiple medical conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, ADHD, Lyme disease, autism, macular degeneration, traumatic brain injury, sport injuries and many others. The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the use of oxygen under pressure that resolves the inflammatory process common to all major chronic illnesses. HBOT is designed to boost the supply of oxygen to ischemic tissue or to diseased tissues that respond to increased oxygen levels. Increasing the volume of oxygen dissolved in the blood plasma, which is brought about by HBOT treatment, produces multiple effects: • Improves immune system effectiveness • Reduces edema and secondary hypoxia • Restoration of aerobic metabolism to ischemic tissue • Detoxification of poisoned tissues • Improves blood flow to tissues • Enhances mitochondrial function • Reduces inflammation HBOT offers a great potential to improve the outcome of patients suffering from chronic diseases, it is very safe, well tolerated and extremely effective. Dr. Rodney Soto is a board certified in Neurology, Vascular Neurology and Holistic and Integrative Medicine and has extensive expertise in holistic and preventative medicine. His practice is located at 12205 County Line Road Suite E, Madison, Alabama. For more information or for an appointment call 256-325-1648. See Ad on Page 13 and CRG on page 37.

Hypnosis for Weight Loss

ypnosis can effectively help reprogram thought patterns from old, undesirable ones to new ones that promote a healthy relationship with food, exercise and especially yourself. Normally, old thought patterns are focused on dieting, being thinner, dreading exercise, and unhealthy ‘self’ talk. By releasing these old thought patterns that are no longer in your best interest and replacing them with thoughts of being healthy and happy, phenomenal changes can occur. Focus should not be on what you don’t want; it should be on what you do want in your life. Sometimes natural cues or signals with which our body innately guides us are overridden so many times that they are no longer detected. One such cue is the “hunger” signal. How many times has a meal been skipped thinking its going to make you thinner? When this natural indicator of being hungry is suppressed and you do not eat, that tells the body to slow the metabolism down because there’s not enough incoming food or fuel. Therefore, this creates a dysfunction and the body adjusts accordingly. You can actually gain instead of lose weight. Often, memories from the past cause unhealthy habits. They can be addressed, resolved and reprogrammed for a better self-image, which is possible during hypnosis. natural awakenings

January 2013

Weight loss can be an almost effortless undertaking when the focus is put on creating a positive relationship with food. Through hypnosis, new thought patterns can be introduced to bring forth new desires to be healthy, happy and feeling comfortable around food. New patterns of being naturally attracted to healthier foods can be set up as well. It is amazing the transformation that can take place! Please contact Marsha Mathes, Certified Consulting Hypnotist, at 256-698-2151 or Mathes79@knology.net to schedule your appointment to a healthier, happier you. See CRG on page 37.

The Paranormal Study Center Will Host International Psychic LaMont Hamilton Presenting: “MayanProphecies and Predictions for 2013”

aMont Hamilton has been involved in the parapsychology field for over 30 years. His Ministry aims to bring guidance, healing, understanding and blessings to those that seek his help through the agency of Angels and Guides. Newspapers, websites, and radio shows seek him out internationally and yearly for his unique perspective and predictions on future events. He is considered one of the world’s top Clairvoyants. After a recent ceremony with Mayan Elder Hunbatz Men in December, LaMont was given information regarding the emerging era of the new Mayan calendar. In 2013, we are going to be influenced by the crest of a very big spiritual wave where, how we live, the choices we make, the gifts we develop, and how we choose to love and honor all life will greatly affect our world going forward. LaMont will be revealing his world predictions for 2013 and his intention for these predictions is to bring greater understanding of our future and dispel the news and negative media surrounding the challenges seen around the world. The lecture will provide the audience with an opportunity to interact and ask personal questions to address any concerns that you have pertaining to this fascinating year. This presentation will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 4801 Governors House Dr (next to Landry’s Seafood) on Friday, January 25 at 6:30pm. Public Admission is $10. For more information, visit ParapsychologyStudyGroup.com.

Attracting Perfect Customers: A Book Study, Hosted by Unity on the Mountain

re you attracting the customers that fulfill a win-win situation where both you and your customers feel better off? Do you know how to market yourself? If not, come and learn the Strategic Attraction Planning Process: a logical, practical and unique model for new sales and marketing. Learn the

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basics of how to attract the perfect customers for your business. Unity Church on the Mountain will be hosting this book study on “Attracting Perfect Customers: The Power of Strategic Synchronicity” on a love-offering basis. The book study will meet on Tues, starting on Jan 15 and going through Feb 26 from 6:30-8pm. For more information or to RSVP, call 256-536-2271. See Ad on page 27.

Equestrian Yoga Comes to New Hope

athy Reynolds is a professional equestrian. She has been licensed as a thoroughbred rider and therapeutic riding instructor and yoga instructor. She has written a book on horseback yoga called “Whoa-Ga!”—which she’s been teaching in lectures and clinics from Ocala to Lexington since 2009. Raising her children close to home kept her from moving south where equestrian sports enjoy year round activities. Her move was inevitable when Hurricane Irene flooded her home and farm in Vermont on Aug 28, 2011. Yoga has helped her cope. Her chestnut mare, Trust, survived the flood along with two chickens, but she lost a dog and a horse post-disaster to age and stress. Trust is doing well and has advanced in her training thanks to the perfect riding weather. Cathy is forming a riding club for horse lovers called the Happy Apple Riding Club in New Hope (HARC). HARC is the first of its kind because you don’t need a horse to join. This is an equestrian education program teaching horseback riding and horse handling. It offers students practice time to develop their skills. Members can attend group riding lessons, horseback yoga, guided practice and trail rides for a monthly fee. Weekend campfires and social gatherings are in the plans. Affordable horseback riding is important in a tight economy. Women often get back into the sport after children are grown, and riding is especially important for empowering women after childbirth. As a college parent she is familiar with budget constraints and hopes the low cost will enable families to join. For more information on HARC or horseback yoga, or traditional yoga classes, call Cathy at 802-855-1627 or contact her at whoaga@gmail.com. See Ad on page 29.

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healthbriefs

Red Meat Raises a Red Flag

teak is still one of America’s favorite meals, but regular consumption of red meat products comes at a high cost for health. In a recent large study, Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found red meat to be causally associated with mortality, including from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH, and his team observed 37,698 men from the HSPH Health Professionals FollowUp Study for up to 22 years and 83,644 women from the National Institutes of Health Nurses’ Health Study for up to 28 years, all of whom were free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer at the beginning of the study. The researchers assessed diets via questionnaires every four years and documented a combined 23,926 deaths in the two studies, of which 5,910 were from CVD and 9,464 from cancer. Their evaluation revealed that one daily serving of unprocessed red meat (about the size of a deck of cards) was associated with a 13 percent increased risk of earlier mortality, and one daily serving of processed red meat (one hot dog or two slices of bacon) with a 20 percent increased risk. Red meat and related products contain heme (meat-based) iron, saturated fat, sodium and nitrites, as well as carcinogens formed during cooking. The researchers recommend turning to healthier protein sources instead, like fish, poultry, nuts, legumes and whole grains.

Black Pepper Fights Fat

simple, widely available spice and kitchen staple may help us trim our waistlines. New research published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry gives the nod to black pepper. The study provides evidence of a long-sought explanation for the beneficial, fat-fighting effects of the common seasoning. Piperine, the pungent-tasting substance that gives black pepper its characteristic taste, helps block the formation of new fat cells.

Wisdom from Water

imply drinking a glass of water can prompt better choices at the dinner table, concludes new research by T. Bettina Cornwell, Ph.D., of the University of Oregon, and Anna R. McAlister, Ph.D., of Michigan State University. In separate studies, young adults and children were tested according to their food and beverage choices. When the participants were served a soda, they selected foods that tended to be more salty and calorie-dense. However, when the provided beverage was water, participants ate more raw vegetables.

A GMO-FREE GROCERY LIST

ccording to a recent article published in Green American magazine, 93 percent of Americans believe that genetically modified foods should be labeled. However, only USDA-certified organic products cannot intentionally contain genetically modified organisms (GMO), so identifying GMO foods and products in a typical U.S. grocery store is difficult. The following information can help. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms that large percentages of the nation’s crops were genetically modified in 2011: 94 percent of conventional soy and soy products; 90 percent of cottonseed, a common ingredient in margarine, salad dressings and oils; and 88 percent of corn, contained in breakfast cereals, corn flour products such as chips and tortillas, high-fructose corn syrup, soups and condiments. More than 90 percent of the U.S. canola crop also is now genetically modified. The Independent, one of England’s leading newspapers, reported in 1999 that the artificial sweetener aspartame has been made with genetically modified bacteria since 1965. Aspartame, inconclusively linked with numerous health risks, is present in more than 6,000 products, including diet sodas. Two other ubiquitous artificial sweeteners, Nutrasweet and Equal, also contain aspartame. The USDA further lists 95 percent of the 2009 U.S. sugar beet crop, used to produce conventional sugar, as genetically modified. NonGMO alternative sweeteners include pure cane sugar and honey from organic farms. Source: GreenAmerica.org

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Visualize Healing I visualize the earth’s energy rising up and nurturing my body with rich nutrients. I visualize heaven’s energy funneling downward and cleansing my mind of fear and false perceptions. I visualize the miracle of love growing in my spirit. And, I visualize myself, as a light, sharing my gifts and blessings with others. Art and Text by Rita Loyd Copyright © 2012

Rita Loyd is a professional watercolor artist and writer. The message of her work is about the healing power of unconditional self-love. Rita began painting in 1996 as a way to cope with chronic illness and depression. Through this journey, the creative process became her teacher, healer and friend who would guide her to find the true meaning and experience of unconditional self-love. Rita writes about this experience and all that she has learned about unconditional self-love in her new book Unconditional Self-Love: What It Is, Why It's important and How to Nurture It in Your Life. You can purchase this book in Huntsville at Ruth's Nutrition or at www.NurturingArt.com, where you can view Rita's artwork and blog.

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January 2013

Flame Retardant May Pose Health Risks

besity, anxiety and developmental and reproductive problems have all been linked to small quantities of a flame retardant frequently used in furniture and baby products, according to a recent, limited study on rats by researchers at Duke University. Baby rats with mothers that ingested small amounts of the chemical Firemaster 550 gained more weight than those that weren’t exposed, and exposed female offspring displayed more anxiety, reached puberty earlier and exhibited abnormal reproductive cycles. Study co-author Heather Stapleton, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental chemistry at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, is a leading expert on flame retardants, particularly children’s exposure to the toxic chemicals they can release. She specifically notes that the new research assessed exposure to doses far lower than those of earlier studies. “This raises red flags about a widely used chemical that we know little about,” advises Stapleton. “What we do know is that it’s common in house dust, and people, especially kids, are being exposed to it.” “Firemaster 550 was put on the market with almost no study,” says Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which funded the new research. She says the preliminary findings strongly suggest the need for more studies.

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Keep Tabs on Radiation Exposure

he cumulative exposure to ionizing radiation used in medical diagnostic tests from dental and chest X-rays, mammograms, heart health exams and other procedures adds up, often reaching or surpassing the recommended lifetime limit of 100 milliSieverts (mSv) set by the American College of Radiology, according to a recent Harvard Medical School advisory. Among the tests that emit ionizing radiation are computerized tomography (CT scans), cardiac catheterizations, coronary CT angiograms, cardiac calcium scoring and some types of stress tests. Heart tests that pose no radiation risk include electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Dr. Warren Manning, chief of noninvasive cardiac imaging and testing at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston, and a Harvard Medical School professor, advises, “One or two CT scans over a lifetime is appropriate. But if you have a condition that requires repeated monitoring, a test that does not expose you to ionizing radiation may be preferred.” Many radiologists take precautions to minimize clients’ radiation exposure, such as performing cardiac CT scans with one-sixth the conventional radiation dose.

Functional Training Protects Against Falls

eniors that integrate strength and balance training into everyday activities experience nearly one-third fewer falls, according to a new study published online by BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal). A team of researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, designed and tested the Lifestyle Integrated Functional Exercise program to reduce the risk of falls in people over 70. For example, a prescribed activity for improving balance was to stand on one leg while working, and for strength training, squatting to close a drawer. The study found that the average rate of falls per year for those in the program was 1.66, compared with 2.28 in a control group.

Frying Pan Faux Pas

ried foods may please the palate, but cooking them in the wrong medium, such as sunflower oil, can present a health risk. Researchers from the University of the Basque Country, in North Spain, have discovered that organic aldehyde compounds become toxic when heated. These chemicals, previously linked with some types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, are generated by the degradation of fatty acids in sunflower and other oils high in polyunsaturated fats, and some remain in food after frying. Oils with higher concentrations of monounsaturated fats, such as olive, peanut or coconut, are less worrisome if frying is the only cooking option.

Supplementation Cuts Colon Cancer Risk

diet enhanced with multivitamin and mineral supplements may dramatically lower the risk of developing precancerous colon cancer lesions, according to research published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. Nearly 150,000 men and women in the United States are diagnosed with this second-most common form of cancer each year. In the study, rats were fed a high-fat (20 percent) diet for 32 weeks. Those fed a high-fat, low-fiber diet and also exposed to a carcinogen, developed precancerous lesions of the colon. The animals that underwent a similar diet and treatment, but also received daily vitamin and mineral supplements, showed an 84 percent reduction in the formation of precancerous lesions and did not develop tumors.

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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Cut Abuse Government Steps In to Curb Greenwashing The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued updated green marketing guidelines intended to stop advertisers from making deceptive or unqualified claims about products being environmentally beneficial or eco-friendly, called “greenwashing”. The FTC said that few products deliver the far-reaching environmental benefits that consumers associate with such claims, and they are nearly impossible to substantiate. The revision is the first since 1998, when phrases like “carbon footprint” and “renewable energy” were relatively new. Using input from consumers and industry groups, new sections address the use of carbon offsets, “green” certifications and seals, and renewable energy and renewable materials claims. Marketers are warned not to make broad, unqualified assertions that their products are environmentally benign or eco-friendly. Arthur Weissman, president and CEO of Green Seal Inc., a nonprofit environmental certification organization based in Washington, D.C., says, “We hope that there will be enforcement to help rid the marketplace of the many less-than-credible seals and greenwashing that exist.” The new guidelines are not rules or regulations, but general principles that describe the types of environmental claims the FTC may find deceptive. They do not address use of the terms “sustainable”, “natural” and “organic”. Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Shell Game Turtles Facing Extinction Get Help The Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation (TSA) is opening a facility to house some of the world’s most endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises near Charleston, South Carolina. The 50-acre Turtle Survival Center will maintain living groups, or assurance colonies, of many species facing an uncertain future in the wild. The center will house 20 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises ranked “critically endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Nine are also on the Turtle Conservation Coalition list of the world’s most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles. According to TSA President Rick Hudson, “No group of animals is under greater threat or faces a higher risk of extinction than freshwater turtles and tortoises.” The center will focus on species that have little chance of being recovered in nature because of habitat loss and intensive hunting pressures. Some species have undergone such dramatic declines that without intervention, their extinction is imminent. It’s hoped that offspring born at the center will eventually repopulate their ancestral habitats. Contribute to the TSA Turtle Survival Center capital campaign to help at TurtleSurvival.org.

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Dirty Pool Great Lakes Under Siege by Global Warming Don Scavia, director of the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute, stated in a regional leaders’ conference that climate change is aggravating the effects of devastating algae blooms in the Great Lakes by increasing the intensity of spring rains that wash phosphorus into the water. Rampant algae levels degrade water quality because as algae decompose, oxygen levels can drop low enough to kill fish. After the United States and Canada signed the initial Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1972, many local governments banned detergents containing phosphorus and the algae problem faded, but it has returned in the past decade. Analysts note that while the practice of planting crops without plowing the ground may help prevent erosion, it leaves high concentrations of fertilizer phosphorus in the upper layers of soil, where it easily runs off into waterways. A task force of academic and government experts has recommended more than 50 helpful practices, including providing funding and technical assistance for phosphorus reduction projects; authorizing state regulators to require pollution reduction measures in stressed watersheds; and working with farmers and equipment manufacturers to develop fertilizer application methods that avoid runoff. Source: EarthKnowledge.net

Zapped Tap UV Light Cleans The Big Apple’s Water Supply New York City has opened the world’s largest water disinfection plant, using ultraviolet (UV) light as a sanitizing agent to eliminate cryptosporidium, giardia and other pathogenic microorganisms that can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea and more serious ailments. Fifty-six massive UV units will neutralize waterborne pathogens in all drinking water derived from the city’s major sources. The Catskill and the Delaware water supply systems, completed in 1927 and 1967, respectively, provide about 90 percent of the city’s water. The facility will process up to 9 billion liters daily, adding a second layer of sanitation to the city’s traditional chlorine treatment. While cryptosporidium is highly resistant to chlorine, UV has proved effective at controlling the parasite. Adenovirus is resistant to UV disinfection, but can be killed using chlorine. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that if unfiltered surface water treatment systems don’t filter drinking water, another barrier for microorganisms besides chlorine treatment needs to be installed. The alternative to UV would have been to build a much more expensive filtration facility that passes drinking water through a series of porous materials such as layers of sand, gravel and charcoal to remove chemicals, hazardous materials and toxins. Source: Scientific American

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Seek Not Happiness, Let it Find You by Aaron Peavy

f we take a moment and assess ourselves, and those around us, it may be apparent that the holidays have left most of us feeling stressed and less happy. The New Year rolls around and we make promises to bring about changes we hope will improve our lives. The drive and euphoria they give us is only temporary because, in almost every case, we settle back into our routine and lose sight of them. Having made no lasting change and feeling defeated, once again, for not having found the fix-all cure to our unhappiness with our lives and ourselves, we go on seeking for something or someone else to make us happy. The most simple, and perhaps misunderstood, truth about happiness is that those who found it never sought it as their end goal. By pumping ourselves up and focusing on happiness itself (or perhaps more correctly put, avoiding unhappiness) we run in circles only to find ourselves back where we began, and sometimes worse off than before. Our failure to find this elusive happiness fuels the fires of our discontent and melancholy. According to research from U.C. Berkeley, seeking happiness can in fact lead to some very negative outcomes. For example, some participants in these studies showed higher incidences of mental illness and feelings of loneliness, depression, etc. How shall we find happiness if we are not to seek it? The answer is quite

simple: we must learn to be content with what life gives us. Accepting the negative outcomes, as well as the positive ones, can help us learn to maintain an emotional equilibrium. To reach this state is not as hard as it may sound, but it does require steady attention on our reactive nature. Gradually, through this persistent pressure and awareness, we may unlearn negative behaviors that lead us toward unhappy ends by replacing them with better ones. Furthermore, this process requires an analysis of our lives on a fundamental level, and a release of all things non-essential. Of course, determining what is essential is up to each individual; for some, making art may be essential, while, for others, it may be finding time to read every day. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays past us, imagine a more simple approach in the coming year. Most people take on new activities or responsibilities for their resolutions, but this approach runs counter to that way of thinking. There is hardly any room for new things until we reconcile what we already have with what we need. If we come to realize that there is nothing really lacking, the door to contentment begins to open. Let go of some old things that have collected dust from their lack of attention; try donating them to those who might benefit. We are not sacrificing anything here, but merely passing on some stuff that complicates

our homes and lives. Sure, we give during the holidays, but it is generally out of a sense of social obligation. The true value of giving comes when it is spontaneous and altruistic. Study after study has concluded that altruistic giving benefits both parties involved. Uncluttering our homes and lives is a process of relaxing into what we have. Prioritizing the stuff we need to keep as well as the activities that are most important to us. This is a path toward lowering stress and opening ourselves to a new way of thinking and living. Some may adopt a minimalist approach to this path, but it is not necessary to go that far. Simplify to the extent that is comfortable for you at this moment. By removing all the clutter, material or otherwise, we begin to see more clearly what is important in our lives, allowing us to feel real gratitude for what we have. Contentment, or wanting nothing more than what we have in any given moment, is essential to sustained happiness. This also applies to happiness itself. For, if we constantly strive for happiness, it is an acknowledgement of lack. Therefore, a repression and turning away from anything that we perceive as negative. By redirecting our efforts into ways of thinking and living that promote acceptance, both the perceived good and bad, we bypass the seeking and get straight to being happy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Seneca Aaron Peavy has had a lifelong passion for inner exploration and personal transformation. Having studied various esoteric and exoteric traditions and practices over the years, he enjoys teaching from his experiences and working with people.

natural awakenings

January 2013

The Education of Consciousness by Rev. Will Hoffpauir

our consciousness can be defined as your individual awareness of your unique thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations and environment. Experiences throughout your lifetime, from birth and childhood through adulthood and death, serve to mold and change your consciousness. Your consciousness received its early education quite automatically as you first became aware of your growing physical body, its sensations and capabilities. An emotional education was provided through your relationships with parents, family members and early friendships. Through public and/or private schools, your consciousness began accumulating its mental education, collecting knowledge and information, and practicing the nature and function of thoughts and thinking. This incarnated segment of my consciousness begins in the marshy wetlands of southwest Louisiana, insulated from the free love and flower power of the times by a family of Christian love and conservative values. Inspired through the Space Age, and rising above the muck of emotions, a keen mental consciousness is set upon the world. A higher education usually entails some sort of specialization, but only a few concentrate on the study of consciousness itself. Libraries are full of –ology. Astrology, study of Stars; Geology, study of Earth; Anthropology, study of Man; Sociology, study of Society; Psychology, study of Psyche, or Mind; and so forth.

The higher education of my consciousness focused on the flow of the electron and the force of magnetic fields. It faltered when imagining sharing

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workdays with others of the “Engineering consciousness.” It achieved our first Masters degree. Some people seek a different form of ‘higher’ education through religious and faith-based organizations. Houses of worship are full of –isms. Doctrines and Belief systems abound. Catholicism, Lutheranism, Calvinism, Protestantism, Congregationalism, Mohammedanism, etc. Concepts are pondered, and Consciousness is expanded, or raised, or increased, or simply left to its own natural growth cycles. Here also, Consciousness is that which is seeking; it is rarely that which is sought. Those who find Libraries and Houses of Worship eventually lacking, may seek out communes, ashrams, nature, pilgrimages, or the mountaintop hermitage. “Know Thyself” admonished the ancient Greeks. And since ancient times there have been Mystery Schools of various natures whose primary focus of study is: Consciousness. Knowing what I know now, of course this Mystery School appeared in my life when it did. Apparently, when I most needed it. The Light of Christ Center was described as a “center for applied knowledge” which appealed to my practical Capricorn nature. I also learned that Saturn completes an orbit about every 28 years, which can cause havoc in a person’s astrological chart. So that might explain my tragic car wreck, which I can never again refer to as an “accident.” You would be amazed at what you can discover when you open your consciousness to new ideas. The concept of Mastery is known to us through cinematic portrayals of Masters of Martial Arts (rarely do we meet actual masters).

There are “masters” of industry and commerce, masterful composers and performers, but few recognize the existence of Masters of Consciousness. With a broader understanding of how energy flows through the body (thank you, electrical engineering studies), my body healed faster. A study of past lives revealed a pattern of repetitive injuries that needed to be addressed. Eventually, I achieved a better balance of heart and mind. So, to have mastery, or control, over aspects of one’s consciousness means maintaining a peaceful countenance, a joyous outlook, and a vibrant existence. Sound good? Where do I sign up? Facing the completion of the Mayan calendar without expectations, Light of Christ Center has prepared its 2013 schedule of courses beginning this month. If you are new to Metaphysics, an introductory course begins Tuesday, January 15. Additional courses are offered throughout the year. Call, click, and visit to know more about this consciousness raising group. I can attest that they will celebrate your achievements and support you through your challenges. I Am the product of many cycles through subconscious, super-conscious, present conscious, and unconscious states. I thank and credit the past and present teachers of Light of Christ Center for the opportunity to master this tool called Consciousness. This is a shared process, whether or not you are conscious of yours. May the anticipation of your destination never overshadow the exhilaration of your journey. May all your actions be Conscious ones. Unconscious, we can only react. It is better to be Aware than merely Awake.

Light of Christ Center 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville, AL LightOfChristCenter.org 256-895-0255

greenliving

FRACKING WRECKS AMERICA’S BEDROCK Clear and Present Dangers by Sandra Steingraber

Current environmental policies must be realigned to safeguard our health, sustain planetary life-support systems and free us from dependence upon fossil fuels.

nder the misleading banner of clean and green, the global natural gas rush is on, and nowhere more so than in the United States. We are literally shattering America’s bedrock to bring methane out of the Earth and consuming enormous quantities of precious fresh water to do so, without any clear knowledge of the health or environmental consequences. Due to economies of scale and required infrastructure, fracking is an all-or-nothing proposition, and each state decides its own fate. The Marcellus Shale forms a 600-mile-long basement foundation for communities spanning New York, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. As the largest natural gas deposit in the country, it has become ground-zero for high-volume, slickwater hydraulic

fracturing, or fracking. Many more states are equally vulnerable (see GaslandTheMovie.com/map). In a two-to-200-foot-thick bedrock layer up to a mile below Earth’s surface, the shale and its captured methane, uranium, mercury, arsenic and lead have remained locked in place for millions of years. Above it lie drinking water aquifers. Prior to the 21st century, capturing methane gas bubbles dispersed within such a horizontal formation, instead of a vertical well, was deemed uneconomical and labeled unrecoverable. Now, modern drills can bore down steel piping, some portions encased in cement, and direct pressure-packed explosions of up to 10,000 pounds per square inch of water, sand and chemicals into the rock,

fracturing it. Next, hundreds of chemicals are injected to reduce friction (thus the term slickwater) so that the fracking fluid can flow easily. The mixture includes acids, rust and scale inhibitors and pesticides to kill microbes, plus sometimes gelling agents, petroleum distillates, glycol ethers, formaldehyde and toluene. The result is that gas flows back up the borehole along with 30 to 60 percent of the injected cocktail of water and chemicals. The rest is left behind. Fracking a gas well once requires 2 to 8 million gallons of fresh water, 10,000 to 40,000 gallons of chemicals and at least 1,000 diesel truck trips. Wells can be fracked multiple times before they run dry. Between 34,000 and 95,000 wells are envisioned for New York State alone, according to Cornell University Engineering Professor, Anthony Ingraffea, with 77,000 likely over the next 50 years. While New York residents are watching the result of fracking in other states and have elected a temporary moratorium on fracking, Pennsylvania has issued thousands of permits since 2004. Continued unknowns stir debate. Meanwhile, scientists across leading institutions are certain of five universal impacts. First, fracking industrializes rural landscapes, clearing and fragmenting vital woodlands and wetlands. It diminishes capacities to host migratory birds and other wildlife, filter rainwater and prevent flooding while causing more erosion and runoff, sending sediments into waterways. Second, fracking brings urban-style air pollution to the rural countryside. Studies like those from the Colorado School of Public Health, along with monitoring data from Utah’s extensively fracked Uinta Basin, show that drilling and fracking operations release ozone-making, smog-producing volatile compounds. These gases, along with combustion byproducts, are linked to cancer and heart disease in adults and, in children, to lowered IQ, preterm birth, asthma and stunted lung development. The airborne contaminants from gas drilling such as in the Haynesville Shale, in Louisiana and Texas, can travel up to 200 miles from wellheads,

natural awakenings

January 2013

according to a 2010 study published in Environmental Science and Technology. Third, accidents happen, necessitating the evacuation of surrounding communities. In Pennsylvania, in less than three years of fracking, 1,500 environmental violations have been recorded, including an exploded well that streamed poisonous fluid for 16 hours. In many cases, petroleum products, fracking chemicals or flowback fluids have entered creeks, streams or groundwater, according to reports published in Science magazine and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Fourth, fracking makes huge volumes of Earth’s limited fresh water disappear forever. Instead of drawing down a community’s reservoir or depleting a regional aquifer as part of nature’s normally restorative fresh water cycle, a single fracking well permanently removes several million gallons of fresh water from aquifers and poisons it all with chemicals. Much of it will be entombed in geological strata up to a mile or more below the water table. Fifth, sooner or later, the gas will run out, while the environmental damage remains.

Known and Unknown Dangers Beyond these certainties lie questions. Drilling proponents may claim that there have been no confirmed cases of drinking water contaminated by fracking. Yet in Pavillion, Wyoming, residents noticed a few years ago that their water was yellow, cloudy and oily, bubbled and smelled like chemicals. Some people felt sick. A joint investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found petrochemicals— including diesel fuel, benzene, cyclohexane, methane, propane and ethane, plus traces of arsenic and a microbe-inhibiting pesticide—in 20 water wells. The EPA recommended that residents not drink their water. Turning on a fan while showering to avoid possible methane explosions was also suggested. Fracking enjoys special exemptions from many regulations—the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Superfund Act and National Environmental Policy Act—that

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“Wherever Marcellus Shale natural gas development has occurred in Pennsylvania, reports of poisoned water, sick kids and dead animals have followed.” ~ Marcellus Protest, a Pennsylvania alliance to halt fracking operations govern other types of industrial activities. Fracking also gets a pass on federal rightto-know laws, because natural gas operations do not report their air and water emissions under the EPA Toxics Release Inventory. A special amendment to the 2005 Energy Policy Act grants fracking exclusion from the Safe Drinking Water Act, which authorizes the EPA to regulate all injection of toxic chemicals into the ground. Thus, a drilling company doesn’t have to disclose the formulation of its fracking fluids.

Eco-Horrors and Economics Biologist Theo Colborn and her research team at The Endocrine Disruptor Exchange report that of the 353 chemicals tested as presumed ingredients of fracking fluid, 60 percent can harm the brain and nervous system, 40 percent are endocrine disrupters and one-third are both suspected carcinogens and developmental toxicants. What should we do with this lethal fluid—a million or more gallons with every wellhead? The trend, say gas industry service providers like Halliburton, is to recycle it, but flowback water gets more poisonous with every reuse. At some point, this highly concentrated toxic liquid still has to be disposed of via designated underground wells or municipal sewagetreatment plants or else it’s clandestinely dumped. Then there’s the lure of fracking’s economics. In many cases, a homeowner can receive $5,000 per acre, plus 12 to 20 percent royalties, from leasing land to a gas company. The Marcellus Shale may be worth a trillion dollars and possibly provide enough

natural gas to supply the nation’s consumption for six years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s most recent estimates. (It’s unknown how much gas is recoverable or how often wells may need to be refracked to stimulate production.) No study of the cumulative impact of fracking on public health or agriculture, including its full lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, has been conducted; it’s an economic gamble and a bona fide environmental crime.

A Community Speaks Out In New York’s Tompkins County, 40 percent of the land acreage covering the Marcellus Shale is leased to gas drillers. Local feelings are mixed. Some people just wish the whole practice would go away. Some find fracking such a vile and preposterous idea that they don’t believe it will really happen. Others, seeking personal gain or believing that it’s inevitable, plan to “ride the tiger,” hoping for greater future oversight. At a recent community meeting, candidates for mayor and the village board declared their unified opposition to fracking. Soon afterward, at a packed town meeting on fracking at the village library, someone noted that a nearby community had successfully turned away frack waste trucked in from Pennsylvania that was headed to an old well for disposal. An elderly man declared passionately, “We have to be ready to lie down in front of the trucks.” Take a stand at Tinyurl.com/FrackMedia, Tinyurl.com/FrackingMap and Tinyurl. com/FrackAction (scroll to petitions). Note: Find films at GaslandTheMovie. com; and Tinyurl.com/FilmPromisedLand. Biologist Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., is the acclaimed author of Living Downstream, now also a documentary film, and Having Faith, on the threat of environmental toxins to infant development. A visiting scholar at New York’s Ithaca College, she often testifies at hearings. She adapted this article from Raising Elijah: Protecting Our Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis, reprinted courtesy of Da Capo Press.

by Gatlianne

—PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEWIS METTS

Cat-Cow Pose As we look deeply within, we understand our perfect balance. There is no fear of the cycle of birth, life and death. For when you stand in the present moment, you are timeless. – Rodney Yee

s a new year dawns we are looking ahead, setting goals and resolutions, creating change in our lives. But what if instead of change we focused on creating balance? When we are in balance with mind, body, and spirit and in balance with the flow of life there is little room for struggle. Without this balance, however, we often struggle daily feeling unbalanced and off kilter—outside of ourselves, unlike ourselves. We miss the beauty of living in the present moment. We miss the connection to self and the still small voice within. We allow fear to take over and we lose our balance.

Our physical balance is often tied to our emotional balance. When we are out of sorts emotionally, holding things in, housing pent up feelings instead of honoring, embracing and fully allowing them to come forward and evolve our physical self shows the proof. Not only do we hold the emotional baggage in our bodies but our energy flow is affected by emotional blocks hovering in our energy meridians and chakras. Cat-Cow Pose can not only help release these blockages so our energy can flow but can also help clear any emotional baggage we have stored. Cat-Cow Pose aligns and loosens the spine, creates spinal flexibility, and improves posture. The pose is actually made up of two separate poses that work together in a Vinyasa flow to restore balance to our bodies. To do Cat-Cow Pose, begin on all fours in Table Top position. Align the hands, with fingers spread wide, under

the shoulders and the knees under the hips. Keep the toes un-tucked. With knees hip distance apart inhale and press the shoulders up while tucking the pelvis under. Bring the chin in to the chest. This is Cat Pose. Inhale and exhale fully and on the exhale drop the abdomen down toward the floor, lift the tailbone, chin and chest upward. Refrain from straining the neck by trying to look upward to far. This is Cow Pose. Keep the hands pressed into the floor and flow back and forth slowly between the two poses creating the Cat-Cow combination. Repeat for several rounds, feeling the back open and stretch, feeling the release in the spine, feeling the energy through the body and your connection to the earth through the hands. As you flow feel the present moment. Release your fears, baggage, and blockages. Feel too the balance of mind, body, and spirit that Cat-Cow Pose so beautifully creates. M/Gatlianne is an Author, Yoga Instructor, Interfaith Minister and Holistic Health & Reiki Practitioner based in Athens, AL. For more information contact her at M@Gatlianne.com or visit Gatlianne. com, DeepRiversHealing.com, or DiscoverPath.com.

natural awakenings

January 2013

Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks Surprisingly Simple Changes for Feeling Good by Kathleen Barnes

ll of us have heard the admonition: “Eat lots of veggies and exercise daily and you’ll live a long, healthy life.” There’s no question this advice is sound, but what about other helpfully healthy lifestyle adjustments we can make? Experts attest that doing easy things, such as going braless, walking barefoot or using a plug-in model instead of a cordless phone can all support wellness. Results range from stress relief to prevention of cancer, heart disease and other ailments often associated with aging. “Making some of the simplest changes can have far-reaching positive effects on your health,” contends Frank King, a doctor of chiropractic and naturopathic medicine, president of King Bio Natural Medicine, in Asheville, North Carolina, and author of The Healing Revolution. “When we consider the huge negative effects shadowing the field of prescription drugs, it is just good sense to try things foundational to our health that are

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natural, inexpensive, effective and free of problematic side effects.”

Muscle Testing “The human body is an excellent lie detector. It is the world’s most sophisticated laboratory, with more wisdom than all medical professionals put together,” says King. His favorite technique is to tap into the body’s vast wisdom using applied kinesiology, or muscle testing. “The principal is simple. When you are telling a truth or when something is good for the body, whether you are conscious of it or not, your body loosens up. When you are telling a lie or the body is rejecting something, your body tightens.” Many holistic practitioners use applied kinesiology as a diagnostic tool. An easy way to use muscle testing at home is to bend forward, fingers stretching toward the toes. Set a baseline truth by saying out loud, “My name is _______,” and notice the length of the stretch. Then utter an untruth, like calling yourself by a different name. Most people

will find their range of motion is noticeably limited in the event of an untruth or something else that is not helpful. A practical solution: Apply this technique in making any choice related to personal health.

Control Electronic Pollution Turn away from using cordless phones and turn off the Wi-Fi. Keep cell phones out of pockets and purses. Move the TV out of the bedroom. These devices emit enormous amounts of radiation, disturbing our sleep patterns, thickening our blood and causing inflammation and a number of associated diseases, according to Dr. Stephen Sinatra, an integrative cardiologist and co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth. Recent findings of Sinatra’s research team at the University of California-Irvine, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, confirm that physical contact with the Earth naturally thins blood. “Grounding appears to be one of the simplest and yet most profound interventions for helping reduce cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular events,” the researchers concluded. A recent study of animals by the Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory at Zhejiang University School of Medicine-Hangzhou, in China, shows that exposure to radio and electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) like those found in cell phones can alter some genes. An Indian study by the Bioelectromagnetic Laboratory at Jawaharlal Nehru University-New Delhi suggests that EMF exposure increases the production of free radicals in animal brains, which can lead to inflammation, cancer, heart disease and other serious diseases. Swiss research published in the journal Somnologie by University of Bern scientists shows a clear connection between radio frequencies (RF) and sleep disturbances. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) admits a possible link between extensive cell phone use and exposure to RF waves and brain cancer. Sinatra calls Wi-Fi signals “the new coronary risk factor” and warns, “Be aware that if you are on a computer at home on Wi-Fi, that is toxic to your body.”

A practical solution: Use an ethernet cable to connect computers rather than wireless; switch to an old-fashioned plug-in phone with a handset attached; and stay three feet away from cell phones—never wear them. Sinatra says his research shows that men that put a cell phone in a pocket experience a reduction in testosterone within four hours.

Change Footwear In addition to unplugging from potentially harmful devices, Sinatra recommends plugging into Earth’s healing energies. “Our ancestors walked barefoot and slept on the ground. They were connected to Earth’s electrical energies that kept them balanced and healthy,” explains the co-author of Earthing. New research from the University of California-Irvine published in the Journal of Environment and Public Health explains how modern lifestyles tend to separate us from the healing electrical energies of the Earth. Because we rarely walk barefoot or sleep on the ground and most people wear rubbersoled shoes that break the currents, few are benefitting from this wealth of easily accessed healing energies that benefit the heart, brain, muscles and nervous and immune systems. “Practically no one has the slightest notion of an electrical or energetic connection between his or her body and the Earth,” explains Sinatra. “The ground provides a subtle electric signal that governs the intricate mechanisms that help maintain health and make our bodies work, just like plugging a light into a power socket.” Taken together, the research points to many health benefits gained by staying connected with our home planet, which Sinatra reports in Earthing, including reduced inflammation, relief from chronic pain muscle tension and headaches, lower blood pressure and tempered hormonal swings. As a practical solution, Sinatra prescribes taking a little

Ditch Antiperspirant Along with the Bra Most commercial antiperspirant deodorants contain aluminum compounds, which have estrogen-like properties. Because estrogen imbalances can promote the growth of breast cancer tissue, aluminum may have the same effect when absorbed through the skin. Source: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health “vitamin G” (for grounding) every day: Walk barefoot as much as possible. Sit or lie on the ground with as much skin as possible in contact with living things such as grass, trees, pine needles or earth. During the winter, touch grounded electrical outlets or metal plumbing pipes. Also, wear comfortable, leathersoled shoes without socks indoors and out, because leather is an excellent conductor of Earth’s energies.

Inner Wellness Center for

Creating Positive Change Through Hypnotherapy, Breathwork & EFT/Matrix Reimprinting t Stress and Anxiety t Fears/Phobias t Release Negativity t Let Go of the Past t Pain Management t Weight Loss t Smoking Cessation

Call For More Information.

Becky Waters, CHT, BMSC 256.348.5236 3322 South Memorial Parkway Suite 641 Huntsville, AL 35801 www.centerforinnerwellness.com

Breathe. Love. Live.

Ditch the Bra “Breast cancer is caused by bras,” medical anthropologist Sydney Ross Singer states unequivocally. He is coauthor of Dressed to Kill, with Soma Grismaijer, and director of the Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease, in Pahoa, Hawaii. “Bras are designed to change the shape of a woman’s breasts to a culturally approved image,” remarks Singer. “But bras also create a pressure band between the breast and the lymph nodes, causing inflammation and swelling, and causing lymph to back up, restricting the body’s natural detoxification system.” “Cancer-causing toxins are delivered to the breast tissue by the bloodstream and are kept there by the bra,” he explains, likening the toxins to bullets. “The bra holds them in place, pointed directly at the breasts.” Singer’s research, conducted in the early 1990s, showed that women that wore bras 24/7 had a breast cancer risk 125 times that of women that never wore bras. Yet Singer’s findings have

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natural awakenings

January 2013

Simple Stress Relief Resets Brain Function Using the index fingers, find two small knobs, usually about an inch above the midpoint of the eyebrows, known as the neurovascular reflex points. Rest fingers very lightly on these points until a pulse is felt. It may take several minutes. Be patient. Mentally review a current stressor using all the senses; see, feel, smell, hear and taste it. Source: Dr. Frank King, president, King Bio Natural Medicine, Asheville, NC been largely dismissed by the medical community, and bra manufacturers still offer few wire-free styles. A Harvard School of Public Health study, published in the European Journal of Cancer Care in 1991, also discovered that bra-free women had a lower rate of breast cancer. Because the results were not central to the focus of the university’s research at the time, there’s been no follow-up. A practical solution: Wear a bra as little as possible. If it is sometimes necessary, wear one without wires, and engage in regular breast massage. This can be enjoyable and is an ideal partner activity.

Hum Often Another Singer assertion is that simply humming “mmmmmmmmm” a couple of minutes a day can stimulate the thyroid and increase the

production of thyroid hormones of those with an underactive thyroid. The butterfly-shaped gland wraps around the larynx, or voice box, which Singer contends is part of nature’s elegant design, meant to be stimulated by sound. The Cleveland Clinic reports that 10 percent of the U.S. population age 65 and over suffers from hypothyroidism, with the rate in the general population between 1 and 2 percent. The condition is a special problem for women encountering perimenopause or menopause, when hormone levels can fluctuate wildly. “The medical community has considered the effect of the thyroid on the voice but not the vibratory effect of vocalization on thyroid function,” says Singer. “It stands to reason that humming, singing or quietly talking is preferred to the overstimulation of shouting or yelling.”

Adopt a Pet “Animals are among our best teachers,” says Dr. Carol Roberts, the author of Good Medicine: A Return to Common Sense, who teaches holistic care at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. “Animal companions give us so much more than they ask for and live in a state of unconditional, open-hearted love.” Roberts notes numerous studies that show the simple presence of a loving animal can lower our blood pressure and slow the heart rate. A CDC heart study, for example, showed subjects that had owned a cat at any time were 40 percent less likely to die of a heart attack. Japanese researchers from Azabu University, in Kanagawa-ken, found that dog owners experienced a spike in oxytocin—a neurotransmitter that helps us cope with stress—by simply meeting their pet’s gaze. While people widely recognize that walking the dog is great exercise, other loving interactions with our pets support happiness and health, as well.

Exercise Artistic Skills Giving oneself artistic license is also healthy, advises Roberts. “Just bring a little beauty into your life, whether it’s choosing which clothing and acces-

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Supplement Cocktail Counters Radiation Coenzyme Q10 – 100-200 mg a day Melatonin – 1-5 mg a day Nattokinase enzyme – 50 mg a day Vitamin C – 100 mg a day

sories to wear, arranging a vase of table flowers or dancing to favorite music. Just do something creative every day.” Energy therapists maintain that exposure to creative activities improves circulation to the brain and thyroid; on a psychological level, it also works to improve self-confidence and self-expression. A recent study at the University of Colorado published in the journal Palliative & Supportive Care confirmed that individual art therapy is useful in supporting cancer patients during chemotherapy. Fifty-one of the 54 participants said it helped them to relax, talk about their situation or explore and express emotions to their benefit. Roberts adds, “It’s even better if you join a group engaged in a creative activity. I think people in general do better when we come together to create something beautiful.” These experts’ prescriptions for such simple lifestyle changes have shown how commonsense adjustments in everyday living can have profound, health-altering results, with only good after effects. Kathleen Barnes is a natural health advocate, author and publisher. Among her many books is The Super Simple HCG Diet (Square One). Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

wisewords

GMO Truths and Consequences Health and Safety are Question Marks by Melinda Hemmelgarn

he food industry tells consumers that genetically engineered foods are safe. On university campuses, agriculture students learn that such genetically modified organisms (GMO) are both safe and necessary to feed the world. The Council for Biotechnology Information, a biotech industry-supported nonprofit, even created a coloring book to teach children about the many benefits of GMO crops, including improved nutrition. Most GMO crops have been genetically engineered to withstand spraying with herbicides, such as Monsanto’s Roundup-Ready soybeans, or to produce their own pesticides, such as “Bt” corn and cotton. Bill Freese, a science policy analyst at the nonprofit Center for Food Safety, warns us to be leery of simplistic claims that don’t take into account unintended consequences. For example, he points out that, “GMO crops have nothing to do with feeding the world, because almost all genetically engineered crops are corn and soybeans... used to feed livestock in rich countries, or to feed automobiles.” Approximately 40 percent of corn currently is used to make ethanol. Freese adds, “They don’t increase yields and they don’t increase nutrition.” But GMO crops have led to a staggering increase in herbicide use, putting both farmers and consumers at greater risk for exposure to these toxins

and related diseases, according to the Center for Food Safety. So the question is: Are GMOs the panacea industry wants us to believe, or are they contributing to chronic disease? Here are three claims commonly heard about GMOs, generally made by the biotechnology industry and their funded researchers.

Claim: GMOs are safe. Fact Check: Little research exists on the long-term effects of consuming GMO foods. According to Douglas Gurian-Sherman, a senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, safety assessments have left us with significant uncertainties about whether GMO food is safe or not. However, concerns voiced by the Center for Food Safety revolve around potential allergens and toxins from both herbicide and pesticide residues and new genetic material. New research from the European Union published in Food and Chemical Toxicology adds to growing concerns about the risks. Researchers discovered that rats fed GMO corn and drinking water containing Roundup herbicide experienced negative health effects during their two-year lifespan, including mammary tumors and disabled pituitary function in females, and liver and kidney damage in males. These outcomes were attributed to the endocrine-disrupting

effects of Roundup, as well as the genetic makeup of the engineered corn. What makes this study unique and troubling is that it’s the longest such study period to date. Most studies funded and conducted by industry last just 90 days—not long enough to fully document potential harm. Michael Hansen, Ph.D., a senior scientist at Consumer Reports, states in a memo to the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Council on Science and Public Health, “Unlike all other developed countries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing for GE [genetically engineered] plants.” Hansen explains, “In addition to the FDA not requiring any premarket safety testing, there is virtually no independent safety testing of these crops in the United States, due to intellectual property rights. When farmers buy GE seed in the U.S., they invariably must sign a product stewardship agreement that forbids them from giving such seeds to researchers.” Plus, “Researchers must get permission from the biotech companies before they can do research, which means there is a paucity of independent research.” The good news is that last June, the AMA recommended mandatory pre-market safety testing to better characterize the potential harms of bioengineered foods.

Claim: GMO crops use fewer pesticides, and those used are safer than most others and break down quickly.

Fact Check: Roundup herbicide is increasingly sprayed on a growing number of herbicide-resistant GMO crops, including corn, soy, canola, sugar beets and most recently, alfalfa. By tracking the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s pesticide use data, Charles Benbrook, research professor at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, at Washington State University, discovered that herbicide-resistant crop technology led to a 527-million-pound increase in herbicide use in the United States between 1996 and 2011. With the growing presence of herbicide-resistant weeds, new GE forms of corn and soybeans have been developed to resist stronger and more

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January 2013

dangerous herbicides, such as 2,4-D, one of the two ingredients in Agent Orange, a defoliant used in the Vietnam War. Benbrook projects that these new GMO crops could drive herbicide usage up by about another 50 percent. According to Warren Porter, Ph.D., a biologist and environmental toxicology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Theo Colborn, Ph.D., president of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, glyphosate, the active chemical ingredient in Roundup, is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it interferes with hormone systems. Porter says we can expect higher levels of herbicide residues in GMO food crops. A report from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that glyphosate is now commonly found in rain, streams and air during the growing season. “Though glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, we know very little about its long-term effects to the environment,” cautions Paul Capel, a USGS chemist. A Canadian study showing that the Bt toxins from GMO corn are showing up in umbilical cord blood and the blood of pregnant women is another concern. Monsanto claims Bt is harmless and will break down in our digestive tracts. But we have no way of knowing the effect of these toxins on developing fetuses, says Marcia IshiiEiteman, Ph.D., a senior scientist with the Pesticide Action Network.

Claim: GMO labeling isn’t necessary. Fact Check: Hansen believes that if there are unexpected adverse health effects resulting from consuming GMO foods, a product label would allow people to begin connecting symptoms with foods consumed. Until there is consistent, national GMO food labeling, everyone is just dining in the dark. Learn more and take action at JustLabelIt.org. Melinda Hemmelgarn, aka the “Food Sleuth,” is a registered dietitian and award-winning writer and radio host at kopn.org, in Columbia, MO (Food Sleuth@gmail.com). She advocates for organic farmers at Enduring-Image. blogspot.com.

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inspiration

No Dust on the Mirror Reflections on a Life of Conscious Wholeness

by Michael Bernard Beckwith

e spend a good deal of time gazing at ourselves in a mirror with the physical eye, as well as into the mirror of our mind with an analytical eye, endeavoring to size ourselves up in our own estimation, and also determining how others might evaluate us. Both of these mirrors are clouded with ego-related dust that distorts our vision. Only when we turn our gaze inward with the intuitive eye of awareness can we perceive our innate wholeness, for there is no dust on the mirror of the soul. Consider this: A consciousness of wholeness reunifies us with our authentic self, so that even during those times when we are unaware of it, our wholeness is intact and utterly dust-free—only our awareness of it is missing. When awareness returns, we live free from ego’s bondage and its ignorance-soaked history and habits. We are reunified with the reality of our being. Our daily practice is to be ever mindful—on the dot—the moment we lose sight of our true nature. Everyday experiences grace us with reminders by mentally tapping us on the shoulder and returning us to the qualities we wish to express in our interactions with our self, others and all of life. We are continually given the opportunity to reconnect with the high vision we hold

for ourselves in our mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, professional, relational and communal life structures. It serves us well to remember that we are here learning to mother our consciousness, just as the universe mothers us throughout our lifetime and beyond. Intelligence, wisdom, intuition, joy and creativity—these are the qualities we want to mother within ourselves in order to unveil our original face. As we set a conscious intention to evolve, we live as the master artists we are—creating, directing and producing our lives. The more time we set aside for meditation, contemplation and life visioning, the more we can have 20/20 vision in foresight, rather than hindsight. Through practice, we activate our intuition, clean off egoic dust and enter a more consistently clear-sighted state of mindful being. Thus we actualize our highest potential and realize our organic, enlightened consciousness. Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center, in Los Angeles, California, author of Life Visioning: A Transformative Process for Activating Your Unique Gifts and Highest Potential (Sounds True, 2011/2013), and originator of the Life Visioning process.

The Answer Right Under Your Nose at The Neeley Center for Health

anuary is here again, a bright time of new beginnings, fresh starts, changes in perspective, maybe even a paradigm shift or two. The holidays are stowed away neatly for another year. You consider making resolutions and then sheepishly decide to pass so you won’t have to deal with the inevitable of breaking them. It’s a time of searching...inward and outward... for a new path, a new plan, and a new something. • I want to lose weight. • I want to feel better. • I want to quit smoking. • What’s the answer to our infertility? • I want to learn a new way to deal with my health issues. • I want to like myself more. • I want to stop sabotaging myself. The list may go on and on, but it’s there for most of you. Sometimes the very thing you are searching for is right under your nose the whole time. Dr. Mike Neeley and his wife Cindy, owners of the The Neeley Center for Health in Huntsville, Alabama, like to think of their clinic as the answer you’ve been looking for. Mike is a nationally board-

certified Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese herbalist. Cindy is a Christian counselor and a certified RET technician. Between the two of them, they have solid solutions for your health and wellbeing needs. Just step into The Neeley Center one time and you will quickly pick up on the difference. There is no cattle call here, no long time, consuming wait for your name to be called. The atmosphere is laid back and easy and is an intentional for it being so. Life is stressful enough without having to become more agitated trying to get some help for your body and soul. Clients of The Neeley Center are treated with respect and gentleness. After a visit or two, most folks “feel like family.” After earning his degree and medical credentials over ten years ago, Dr. Mike came back to his hometown of Huntsville to open his practice. His desire from the beginning has been to bring more healthcare options to folks through acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Along the way he has added several effective modalities

to complement the old traditional therapies. Top all of that with Cindy’s ability to help folks out with the emotional side of things, you can have an awesome healing team on your side. There are many myths out there about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr. Mike is passionate about debunking all the “spooky” stuff and helping people feel comfortable with their treatment plan. Clients at The Neeley Center are offered a treatment plan that is personalized to their situation. Together the client and practitioner(s) work hand in hand to identify and successfully meet each person’s health and lifestyle goals. Healing is not a magical thing. Every physical body is unique. What might take less time for one will take more time for another. All treatment protocols won’t work exactly the same for all clients. The Neeley Center does not use the cookie-cutter approach when it comes to people. Therefore, Dr. Mike and Cindy are happy to help develop a plan for each person to attain their goals as quickly, effectively and easily as possible. You are special when you come to The Neeley Center. Whether you are needing to lose weight (or struggling to do so effectively), are suffering from chronic pain, women’s issues, infertility, sadness, depression...whatever you’re having to deal with right now, let this be your year to make a change. Dr. Mike and Cindy will be glad to help you do it for real. See CRG on page 36. The Neeley Center for Health is located at 600 Saint Clair Avenue SW, Bldg. 5 Suite 11, Huntsville, AL 35801. Call 256-716-4048 for an appointment today.

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January 2013

links exist. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One hypothesis is that by eliminating dietary triggers in the presence of food allergies or gastrointestinal distress, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re reducing inflammation or irritability of the immune system, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affecting the way the brain is functioning,â&#x20AC;? she says.

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Dietary Turnaround

Addressing Autism Families Have Reasons for Hope by Brita Belli

arents of autistic children are encouraged when they witness improvements after eliminating gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) from their kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; diets. Now a parental study supports the correlationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for some kids on the autism spectrum, the gluten- and casein-free (GFCF) diet appears to be connected with remarkable changes. Laura Cousino Klein, associate professor of biobehavioral health and human development at the Penn State College of Medicine, helped lead

research that surveyed 387 parents or caregivers with affected children. For those diagnosed with combinations of autism and gastrointestinal issues or food sensitivities, the GFCF diet brought marked improvements in their autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behaviorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; reducing hyperactivity and tantrums; minimizing constipation and seizures; and improving social behaviors. Klein says scientists are still working to understand the interaction between the brain, gut and behaviors, but recent findings suggest that significant

One Racine, Wisconsin, mom, Cindy Schultz, a tireless advocate for her autistic son, says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an infant, he either had constipation or diarrhea. There was never a happy medium.â&#x20AC;? The GFCF diet has improved his health and his ability to communicate. Shauna Layton, in Clinton, Indiana, says her son experienced similar bowel problems and she also saw a remarkable turnaround in his language abilities and social interactions as they adhered to a GFCF diet and eliminated sugar and yeast. Other parents from her online support group, Together in Autism, report similar success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some children have never talked, and now they are saying â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mom,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dad,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I love you,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the first time,â&#x20AC;? Layton says. A definitive gut-brain link with autism has yet to be identified. Some scientists suggest that kids with autism are more likely to have leaky gut syndrome (intestinal permeability), which allows peptides from gluten and casein to escape from the digestive tract, cross the intestinal membranes, enter the bloodstream and go to the brain,

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causing the neurobehavioral symptoms known as ASDs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. While the AAP knows of no scientific proof that a GFCF diet will bring benefits, they note that it’s possible, especially in people suffering from celiac disease. Parents have also observed that food dyes can exacerbate hyperactivity in children, a connection unconfirmed by the federal government. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee suggested further testing, while voting against additional food labeling requirements for potentially problematic dyes. Meanwhile, some parents affirm that eliminating such dyes has helped them better manage their children’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 2011 study taking into account 35 years of research found that many ADHD children showed significant improvement after eliminating dyes from their diets; it also registered that greater than 70 percent were positively influenced by various dietary changes. The results were promising enough for researchers to conclude, “A trial elimination diet is appropriate for children that have not responded satisfactorily to conventional treatment.”

The Role of Vitamin D A 2012 study in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that autistic children had significantly lower levels of vitamin D than control subjects. Vitamin D, the study notes, regulates immune function and thus autoimmunity; when the immune system is disrupted and the body attacks itself, it may play a role in the development of autism. Dr. John Cannell, founder of the nonprofit Vitamin D Council, remarks that fear of sun overexposure has led to the deficiencies. “Vitamin D is not a vitamin,” Cannell clarifies. “It’s a steroid hormone system that begins in the skin. If children aren’t getting any photons of UVB light, they’re not making any vitamin D.” He notes that the rise in autism rates during the last 25 years tracks with increases in 50-plus SPF sunscreen use, more time spent indoors

and a rise in breastfeeding. Because breast milk contains low amounts of vitamin D, since 2003 the AAP has emphasized the importance of parents giving vitamin D supplement drops to breastfed infants. The same vitamin D study showed that the severity of autism correlated strongly with deficiencies of this vitamin and that the higher the level, the less severe the symptoms. Cannell has witnessed this phenomenon via a clinic hosted by the Vitamin D Council, recommending increases in vitamin D levels for autistic children

to “high normal levels” and reducing vitamin A, which blocks the action of vitamin D. “We have children on 5,000 to 10,000 units of vitamin D a day,” Cannell reports. “We see improvements in terms of sleep, meltdowns, eye contact, cognitive capacity, fine motor skills, language and reading—across the spectrum.” Brita Belli is the author of The Autism Puzzle: Connecting the Dots Between Environmental Toxins and Rising Autism Rates.

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Raw Food Diets for Pets Weighing the Pros and Cons by Sandra Murphy

s with their own food, dog and cat owners are reading pet food labels more closely these days to evaluate ingredients and their sources. American pet food companies may outsource to foreign manufacturers, sometimes with disastrous results. Various brands of dry dog food (kibble) and treats have been recalled for melamine contamination or other problems—even brands manufactured here have been recalled for salmonella contamination. To ensure that what we’re serving our dogs contains a proper balance of protein, vitamins and minerals for overall health, the Dog Food Advisor rates dog foods and treats by brand name, explains the ingredients, including byproducts not fit for human consumption, and recommends the best options. Owners can sign up for emails about recalls and other alerts at DogFoodAdvisor.com. Other reasons to read labels include potential allergic reactions to foods, especially chicken and corn, common ingredients in kibble. The educational website notes, “Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.”

Homemade Meals To have more control over what the family dog or cat eats, many owners turn to home-cooked meals, but know-how is key. “A big risk with home-prepared diets is that they are almost always nutritionally inadequate for long-term feeding, even when using published

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recipes,” advises Dr. Brennen McKenzie, president of the EvidenceBased Veterinary Medicine Association. “Consult a board-certified nutritionist for the unique nutritional needs of the pet, based on age, breed, health condition and other factors. Don’t substitute ingredients.” Cooking for pets can be timeconsuming. Some owners have found dehydrated foods like those from The Honest Kitchen, made in the United States using human food-grade ingredients, both cost-effective and easy to prepare. While the purchase price can be higher than other options, the food rapidly rehydrates to four times its original weight by adding warm water. A meatless variety allows owners to add their choice of raw meat, meaty bones or cooked meat and can be suitable for sensitive dogs, raw feeders and dogs that need a unique protein source. “Dehydrated foods are also a good way for a squeamish owner to start a raw diet for their dog,” remarks Dr. Laurie Coger, an associate veterinarian at the Bloomingrove Veterinary Hospital, in Rensselaer, New York, who also offers consultations through TheHonestKitchen.com. Coger suggests, “First, determine what a dog or cat needs in his diet, then transition gradually from kibble to a cooked or raw diet. Cats may resist change, while

dogs can be more flexible.” Pet food maker Steve’s Real Food is another option as it does not use lamb, pork or venison. Each poses a greater risk of carrying toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease that can be passed on to pets, especially cats. “If you decide to incorporate raw foods, find a wholesale meat supplier so you can buy in bulk. You’ll need a freezer to take full advantage,” suggests Coger. “Feeding raw is not an all-ornothing proposition, so mix and match. Cook when you have time, feed raw several days a week and use high-quality dehydrated or dry food when traveling.” Dr. Cathy Alinovi, owner of Hoof Stock Veterinary Service, in Pine Village, Indiana, found that switching to a raw diet solved an itching problem with her mixed-breed dog. She reports that, “Eighty percent of the reasons my clients bring their pets to me are cured by changing to better food.” Alinovi points out two drawbacks of serving raw food: “You can’t leave it out all day and it can be a challenge to transport home on a hot day.” But she’s found that the benefits are many, “Dog and cat furs shine and shed less; even their behavior improves.” Dog owners also note cleaner teeth, with no tartar buildup, cutting down on trips to the vet.

Not Everyone Agrees Feeding a raw food diet is not without controversy. The American Veterinary Medical Association voted last summer to advise veterinarians to recommend clients against feeding raw meats and bones to pets. Pet Partners, formerly known as the Delta Society, which registers pets as therapy animals, has instituted a policy that states, “Animals may not be fed a raw protein diet. Animals previously fed [such] a diet must be off it for at least four weeks before registering them.” (See PetPartners.org/rawdiet.) Deciding which foods to feed our pets requires extra research and meal preparation time, as well as money, but motivated owners like the results they see in their pet’s health. Missourian Sandra Murphy may be reached at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

calendarofevents TUESDAY, JANUARY 1 TINSEL TRAIL – The Downtown 47 Tinsel Trail will bring a live display of Christmas trees to downtown Huntsville for one month. View over 200 trees that are decorating Big Spring Park during the holiday season. Each tree will be sponsored by a local corporation, group or family, and decorated by its sponsor. Sponsors may also choose to gift their tree to a nonprofit or organization of their choosing. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801. TinselTrail.WordPress.com. Math Alive! – 9am-5pm, daily throughout 2013. Math Alive! is designed to inspire, spark the imagination, reveal not only math at work but also the endless possibilities of math. Through unique, interactive experiences, the exhibit takes math from its native form into the applied worlds of design, engineering, technology and science. US Space and Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805. 800-637-7223. RocketCenter.com. Tally Ho! A Journey into Monte Sano’s Past 10am-4pm. Visit Burritt Mansion for the fall exhibit about Monte Sano’s development and its most prominent landmark, Hotel Monte Sano. The exhibit will showcase the history and development of the mountain and the hotel, with display photographs and artifacts from the hotel such as china, glass lampshades, furniture and the newest acquisition, never before displayed, a bed and chest of drawers from room 245. Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-536-2882. BurrittontheMountain.org. Divine Masterpieces from the Collection of Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery – 11am-4pm, daily throughout January. Organized to compliment Objects of Devotion, this exhibition presents 16 stunning devotional paintings produced in France, Spain, Italy and the Low Countries from the 14th through 16th centuries, and hand selected from one of the world’s most revered collections of sacred art. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-535-4350. HsvMuseum.org.

Encounters: John Donovan –11am-4pm. The latest exhibition in this long-standing showcase for outstanding regional contemporary art focuses on works by John Donovan, a Tennessee artist who creates playful sculptural works in clay. The exhibit combines historical prototypes with elements from contemporary culture to underscore our ongoing fascination with empire and violence. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-535-4350. HsvMuseum.org. Huntsville Photographic Society: 2012 Members’ Showcase –11am-4pm. An annual juried selection of approximately 50 outstanding photographs by members of the Huntsville Photographic Society. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-535-4350. HsvMuseum.org. Object of Devotion: Medieval English Alabaster Sculpture for the Victoria and Albert Museum, London – 11am-4pm, daily throughout December. Drawn from the world’s largest collection of medieval alabasters, this exhibition presents 60 alabaster panels and free standing figures that are among the finest examples of this elegant, yet neglected art form. The exhibition includes a complete set of panels from an altarpiece, and offers a rare glimpse inside the spiritual lives and religious customs of medieval Christians. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-535-4350. HsvMuseum.org. Ice Skating in the Park –12-10pm through January 5th. Ice is coming to Huntsville, but this time there’s no need to rush to the nearest grocery store. Instead, get ready to lace up your skates at Huntsville’s first outdoor ice skating rink. Admission charged. Big Spring Park, 200 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. HSVMuseum.org. 256-545-4350. Face Off, Portraits From The Collection – Through January 20. The Museum will present portraits from its collection spanning 300 years. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street Southwest, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-535-4350. HSVMuseum.org.

Tuesday at 2:00: Knitting – 2-3pm. Every Tuesday at 2:00 join the Historic Park Interpreters for a special treat as they demonstrate a traditional craft or chore. Many times you are welcome to join in and experience the activity for yourself. Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-536-2882. Burritt OnTheMountain.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4 Broadway Theatre League presents West Side Story – 8-10pm. More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it’s back and mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. This revival, based on Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction, remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. Admission charged. Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-5331953. BroadwayTheatreLeague.org. Monkey Speak –8-11pm. Held the first Friday of every month, Monkey Speak is Huntsville’s most exciting spoken word open-mic night. Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment- Flying Monkey, 2211 Seminole Drive, 2nd Floor Theatre, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-533-0399. FlyingMonkeyArts.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5 Nature Explore Families’ Club, Animal Signs – 10-11am. Operation Green Team, a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, is beginning a Nature Explore Families’ Club! The goal of the club is to inspire children and their families to connect with the natural world and spend quality time outdoors. Fun activities that Families’ Club participants take part in include: storytelling, nature discovery walks as well as make and take crafts. The discovery walks will relate to the topics of the children’s books used during the meetings. Membership in the club is free of charge. Members will receive a flier letting them know about upcoming events and books to read to build excitement about the club’s adventures each month. Hays Nature Preserve, Hays Nature Preserve, Huntsville, AL 35763.

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Animal Signs (Pre-5th) at Hayes Nature Preserve 9:30-11am and 2:30-4pm. Another fun literacybased nature experience developed by The Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. There are many species of animals that live in Hays Nature Preserve. Whether they walk, swim or fly, come have fun as we learn all about these amazing creatures. Hayes Nature Preserve, 308 Fountain Circle SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. Space is limited. Call 256-532-5326 to reserve your spot and to get more information. Artist Market –12-4pm. Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth at the Flying Monkey Arts Center and sell their wares to the public. There will be art, jewelry, vintage clothing, and more interesting things for sale inside the facility. Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-533-0399. LoweMill.net. Master Class with Kerry Porter Willis 1-3pm. This fun, enlivening Flow class will feature sun salutes, standing poses and offer an opportunity to practice arm balances and inversions. Expect lots of core work, breath dynamics and a few handstands for good measure. Everyone is welcome but students with at least one year of experience and a regular practice will benefit the most. Please arrive on an empty stomach and well rested. Donation only— suggested $20. Register online at YogaFireHSV. com. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 Celebrations Bridal Fair –12:30-4:30pm. Modern Brides has been putting on the Celebrations Bridal Event for 16 years now. We have over 100 vendors participate in this once a year event spanning from caterers to DJs. While you are going from booth to booth you will notice a continuous fashion show consisting of wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, flower girls, mother of the bride dresses, and tuxedos. Von Braun Center, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-533-1953. VonBraunCenter.com. Health Coaching: Setting your Resolution in Reality – 2-3pm. Join Life and Health Coach Crystal Kiss for this free talk on Health Coaching: Setting your resolution in reality. This one hour talk will focus on how to set a smart and effective goal. Enjoy this free presentation and come to ask questions about what health coaching is and experience group coaching first hand. Please RSVP to Crystal@ AttunedLife.com or online at YogaFireHSV.com. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA.

around us. We will also make a seed angel at the Preserve. Hayes Nature Preserve, 308 Fountain Circle SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. Space is limited. Call 256-532-5326 to reserve your spot and to get more information.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 Above Top Shelf Tastings -Sake and Sushi Tasting –6-7pm. Looking for something different to do? Come to Amendment XXI for a fun sake tastings. We’ll have a sushi chef there preparing fresh sushi for you to enjoy as well. Amendment XXI, 123 North Side Square, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-7150131. HomeGrownHuntsville.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 Blood Drive – 12-6:30pm. MCPL’s Richmond location hosts a blood drive on the second Thursday of each month. Madison County Public Library, 915 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-5325940. MadisonLibrary.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11 6TH Annual Evening of Dance –7-9pm. Merrimack Hall is proud to present a weekend of dance events showcasing performance and choreography talent from across the Southeast. The event also includes performances from all students in the Dance Your Dreams! and Project UP programs for individuals with special needs. All proceeds from this weekend of events benefit the Johnny Stallings Arts Program. Admission charged. Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center, 3320 Triana Boulevard, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-534-6455. MerrimackHall.com. Prelude to a Kiss presented by Theatre Huntsville – 7:30-9:30pm January 11-12, 17-19. At Peter and Rita’s wedding, an old man insists on kissing the bride. Later, Peter realizes that the woman by his side is not his wife. The wedding kiss caused Rita’s soul and the old man’s to change places. Peter must track down the old man and free his young love’s spirit trapped in an aging and diseased body before it’s too late. Admission charged. Von Braun Center Playhouse, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-533-1953. VonBraunCenter.com. Lessons and Blessings: 7:30-8pm. Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on ECKANKAR. Learn about your relationship with the Law of Cause and Effect. Free. Knology Cable Channel 11. 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 7 Many Forms of Water (Pre-5th) at Hayes Nature Preserve – 9:30-11am and 2:30-4pm, Jan 7 and Jan 9. Water does so many amazing things. We will examine the many forms of water and its uses. We will also make winter sun catchers with one form of water. They are beautiful and help the wildlife

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 Opus Tadpole: French Horn –10:15-11am. Have fun discovering the answers to these musical questions and more during twenty minute Opus Tadpole presentations, entertaining and interactive ways for

our youngest listeners to learn about the instruments of the orchestra. Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-533-1953. VonBraunCenter.com. Spiritual Wisdom on Dreams: 2-3pm. Free introductory presentation and discussion for people of all faiths. Learn how to have better recall and understanding of your dreams—as both real spiritual experiences and practical tools for improving your everyday life. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (near Five Points). 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org. The Cello Sings presented by Huntsville Symphony Orchestra – 7:30-9:30pm. Happy, romantic, and haunting. The voice of the cello is highlighted this evening as the HSO presents three outstanding pieces featuring the HSO strings and winds, plus a remarkable cellist. Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-533-1953. VonBraunCenter.com.

MONDAY, JANUARY 14 I See Sticks, I See Mud: Where is the Green? (Pre5th) at Hayes Nature Preserve – 9:30-11am and 2:30-4pm, Jan 14 and Jan 16. This time of year, everywhere you look you see sticks and mud. Where is the green? Find out and solve the mystery as you go on magic journey learning about how seasons change the world around us. Hayes Nature Preserve, 308 Fountain Circle SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. Space is limited. Call 256-532-5326 to reserve your spot and to get more information.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15 Dog Days of Winter/Barkitecture – through January. This is a seasonal festival where the Garden opens its gates to dog lovers and their four-legged friends for a six-week period. Also stroll with your dog to see all the unique dog houses built by people from the community. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-830-4447. HSVBG.org. Tuesday at 2:00: Bobbin Lace – 2-3pm. Every Tuesday at 2:00 join our Historic Park Interpreters for a special treat as they demonstrate a traditional craft or chore. Many times you are welcome to join in and experience the activity for yourself. Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-536-2882. BurrittOnTheMountain.org.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 Reptile Roundup- Life Science in the Garden – 11am-12:30pm. Learn to distinguish reptiles from amphibians and to classify reptiles by their order. Also, experience a live reptile demonstration. There are four reptile orders in existence today, and this will focus our attention on the order, Squamata which includes 9,150 species of lizards, snakes, and worm lizards. Admission charged. Huntsville

Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-830-4447. Hsvbg.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 The Boat Show Huntsville through January 20 Witness the largest display and sale of boats and boating related items in North Alabama. Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-533-1953. Huntsville Chamber Music Guild Presents Opera Birmingham â&#x20AC;&#x201C;7:30-9:30pm. Opera Birmingham principals will perform highlights, with piano accompaniment, of Pucciniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Madama Butterfly.â&#x20AC;? This special event will be presented one week before the full Opera Birmingham performance at the Wright Center at Samford University. Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Road Southwest, Huntsville, AL 35802. 256-883-3200. TrinityHSV.org. My Lindy Kraze Workshops and Dance with the Low Down Sires â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:30pm. My Lindy Kraze is back to bring you fun times, joyful elation and all that other wonderful stuff. This is a two day Lindy Hop workshop for Beg/Int to Int/Adv dancers. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know enough about Lindy Hop yet? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ok, we still have two nights of dancing with live music by the Low Down Sires from Ashville, NC. Flying Monkey Arts, 2211 Seminole Drive Southeast, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-489-7000. FlyingMonkeyArts.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is proud to honor teachers across the Tennessee Valley. All teachers and one guest will be allowed free admission. Free teacher workshops and exhibits will be held throughout the day. U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35807. 800-637-7223. RocketCenter.com.

Under the Covers with Victoria Shaw â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:309:30pm. Hosted by Victoria Shaw, Under The Covers has become a recurring highlight at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club in New York City and at Merrimack Hall, featuring a wide variety of topselling songwriters and musical acts from across the pop, rock and country worlds, and offering intimate acoustic performances of huge hit songs. Admission charged. Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center, 3320 Triana Boulevard, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256534-6455. MerrimackHall.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20

Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin, and the United States Botanic Garden in conjunction with a diverse group of stakeholder organizations. Admission charged. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-830-4447. Hsvbg.org.

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The Greater Huntsville Alumnae Panhellenic Association Annual Wine and Cheese Party â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2-4pm. The Greater Huntsville Alumnae Panhellenic Association cordially invites you to attend the Annual Wine and Cheese Party at the Foxfield Community Clubhouse. 107 Foxfield Drive, Madison, AL 35758. Yoga for Bone Health Preventing and Managing Osteoporosis with Naomi Jacobs-El â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3:305:30pm. This 2-hour workshop will explore how yoga can prevent and manage osteoporosis by strengthening bones without endangering joints. This class is for younger yogis to prevent bone weakening and injuries, as well at yogis at midlife and older to stay strong or safely recover and rebuild bone density. Register online at YogaFireHSV.com. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 Landscape for Life: The Role of Soil in a Sustainable Garden â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6-7:30pm. Landscape For Life is based on the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first rating system for sustainable landscapes. SITES is an interdisciplinary effort led by the American Society of Landscape

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Alabama Military Collectors Winter Show 2013 9am-4pm, Jan 19; 10am-4pm on Jan 20. AMCA is an organization of collectors, historians, and hobbyists engaged in the collection, preservation, study, display for public exhibition, military relics, artifacts and memorabilia, generally defined as militaria, encompassing the period form the U.S. Civil War through the Vietnam conflict, and every country in which the United States Armed Forces was in combat. Jayceeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Building, 2180 Airport Road, Huntsville, AL 35801. HuntsvilleJayceeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.com. Introduction to Yoga with Ashley Russell â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 122pm. If you are relatively new to yoga and are considering beginning a practice, this workshop will cover everything from basic history, different styles of yoga and will touch on poses from all categories. Get a better idea of what it means to practice yoga and what type of yoga is best for you and your body. $35. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23 Women’s Guild Wine Tasting – This annual fundraiser hosted by the Women’s Guild of HMA is a favorite. Enjoy live music, sampling wines from international vineyards, and bidding on items in the Silent and Live Auction events. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-535-4350. MuseumGuild.org. Chilly Day Hike (Pre-5 th) at Hayes Nature Preserve – 9:30-11am and 2:30-4pm. We’ll break out the hand warmers for this one, but you don’t want to miss this hike. Come with us and explore the beautiful winter landscape of Hays Nature Preserve like you have never experienced it before. Who knows, maybe the adventure will end with Operation Green Team’s world famous hot chocolate. Hayes Nature Preserve, 308 Fountain Circle SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. Space is limited. Call 256-532-5326 to reserve your spot and to get more information.

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Local Author Katy Glenn Willis Reading and Book Signing – 4-6 pm. Join local author Katy Glenn Willis for a reading and signing of her book American Sizism Sucks. Katy is a shaman and healer about whom you may find more information by referring to her posting in our community resource every month. Her book is an autobiographical social commentary about prejudice, and her offering as to healing ourselves. Starbucks, 1015 North Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, AL 35801.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25

MONDAY, JANUARY 28

The Alabama RV Super Show – 12-8pm. The Alabama RV SUPER SHOW is one of the longest running RV Shows in the Mid-South and is held this year at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center’s South Hall January 20-22, 2013. The Alabama RV SUPER SHOW has over two football fields of RV’s including luxury motorhomes, fifth wheels, motorhomes, pull behinds, toy haulers, campers and associated vendors. Von Braun Center South Hall, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-533-1953. VonBraunCenter.com.

What’s the Buzz? (Pre-5th) at Hayes Nature Preserve – 9:30-11am and 2:30-4pm, Jan 28 and Jan 30. It’s winter and the bees are gone! Come find out what bees do during the winter months. If you miss hearing the bees buzz, we will make our own bee buzzers so you can make one of nature’s most famous sounds by yourself. Hayes Nature Preserve, 308 Fountain Circle SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. Space is limited. Call 256-532-5326 to reserve your spot and to get more information.

Broadway Theatre League presents Blue Man Group –8-10pm. BLUE MAN GROUP is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that BLUE MAN GROUP is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, BLUE MAN GROUP is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-5331953. VonBraunCenter.com.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26

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Using Props in Yoga with Danielle Snyder – 12-2pm. Explore your body in each pose with the use of various props. Instead of thinking of props as a “crutch” or lacking the full expression of a pose, this workshop will teach how props can help us relax more into poses allowing deepening of flexibility and strengthening poses more safely. Come discover how different each pose can feel with a little assistance from a block, a strap, blanket or the wall. $35. Register online at YogaFireHSV.com. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA.

Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock and Roll Photography – 11am-4pm. An exhibition of 40 large-scale images that documents the rock music scene from the early 1960s through 1990s. Musicians include Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and many more. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-535-4350. HSVMuseum.org.

LANDSCAPE FOR LIFE: The Role of Water in a Sustainable Garden – 6-7:30pm. Landscape For Life is based on the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES), the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscapes. SITES is an interdisciplinary effort led by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin, and the United States Botanic Garden in conjunction with a diverse group of stakeholder organizations. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256830-4447. Hsvbg.org. Huntsville Ballet Company presents MomixBotanica –7:30-9:30pm. Beautiful and enthralling, Botanica is the perfect show for the entire family. This show features an eclectic score ranging from birdsongs to Vivaldi. It follows the rhythms of the seasons, the changing shape of life on Earth, and the passing of a day. The performance is enhanced by spectacular costumes, projections and giant puppetry designed by Michael Curry, acclaimed production designer for Cirque du Soleil, Disney and the Metropolitan Opera. Admission charged. Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-5331953. VonBraunCenter.com.

ongoingevents sunday Meditation – 8:30am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org. A Course in Miracles Study Group – 9:15am. Shared reading and group discussions. Extra books available. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville, AL. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org. Revealing Service – 9:45am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org. Silent Contemplation – 10am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org. Celebration Service – 10:30am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org. Youth Church – 10:30am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org. Unity Church on the Mountain Worship Service – 11am, with Metaphysical Discussion at 9:30am. Unity is a positive path for spiritual living. Reverend Phillip Fischer. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org. 1-Hour Mystery School – 11am. A different service each week including ritual, music, and a message in an open, loving environment. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville, AL. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.

monday Beginner Vinyasa Yoga – 9-10am and 6-7pm. This beginner-paced class is a smooth progressive flow of poses, synchronized to the breath. This yoga style is a discipline derived from Hatha yoga, is faster-paced with emphasis placed on transitions and breathing. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com. Beginner Ignite Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. A heated power yoga class with strengthbuilding focus achieved through standing poses. We utilize a quick-paced, hot yoga approach to increase your training heart rate and fitness levels. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHsv.com.

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Yoga Class – 6-7:15pm. Iyengar-based yoga focuses on form, technique and alignment. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Suite C, Huntsville, AL. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguage Pilates.com. Ignite Yoga – 7:15-8:15pm. A heated power yoga class with strength-building focus achieved through standing poses. We utilize a quickpaced, hot yoga approach to increase your training heart rate and fitness levels. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHsv.com.

tuesday Pilates – 10:30-11:30am. Pilates is a core strengthening fitness system developed to primarily assist professional dancers and athletes by expanding their strength, flexibility and mind-body control. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHsv.com. Detoxification and Gluten-Free Lectures – 5:306:30pm, every 2nd Tuesday each month. Come hear how to safely lose weight while detoxifying your liver. Lectures include information about how to live gluten free. More and more people are discovering that they have gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. You can find answers to how to thrive in a world filled with wheat. Lectures are free to the public. Progressive Family Medicine/ Alternative Medicine, 1230 Slaughter Rd, Suite C, Madison, AL 35758. 256-722-6555. Beginner Vinyasa Yoga – 5:45-6:45pm. This beginner-paced class is a smooth progressive flow of poses, synchronized to the breath. This yoga style is a discipline derived from Hatha yoga, is faster-paced with emphasis placed on transitions and breathing. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com. Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org. Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class – 6-7pm. This class adds more exercises from the series and will challenge one’s mind/body connections. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C,

Huntsville, AL. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguage Pilates.com. Toastmasters: Redstone Toastmasters – 6-7:30pm. The Apollo Room, Radisson Hotel, 8721 Madison Boulevard, Madison, AL. Guests always welcome. Redstone.FreeToastHost.net. “Attracting Perfect Customers” Class – 6:30pm, Tuesdays beginning Jan 15 through Feb 36. A logical, and practical step in the marketing process. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governor’s Dr. SE, Huntsville, 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOn TheMountain.org. Insight Yoga – 7-8pm. A new concept in personal discovery. This class opens with 20 minutes of calming and centering yoga poses, moving into a theme-based and purposeful personal journaling, finishing with a directed relaxation session. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

wednesday Beginner Yoga – 9-10am. This beginner-paced class is a smooth progressive flow of poses, synchronized to the breath. This yoga style is a discipline derived from Hatha yoga, is faster-paced with emphasis placed on transitions and breathing. Yoga Fire 1874 Slaughter Road Ste. A, Madison, AL 256-399-Yoga YogaFireHSV.com. Yin Yoga – 12-1pm. A very relaxed form of yoga in which we practice inward consciousness during longer poses to help you go deeper into connective tissues supporting greater relaxation and fl exibility. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. A smooth progressive flow of poses, synchronized to the breath. This yoga style is a discipline derived from Hatha yoga, is faster-paced with emphasis placed on transitions and breathing. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

Ignite Yoga – 6-7pm. A heated power yoga class with strength-building focus achieved through standing poses. We utilize a quick-paced, hot yoga approach to increase your training heart rate and fitness levels. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com. HypnoBirthing Classes – 6-8:30pm. Each class is a series of 5 consecutive weeks and includes the HypnoBirthing book and Rainbow Relaxation CD. Classes are held at “A Nurturing Moment,” 7540 Memorial Parkway SW, Ste B, Huntsville, AL 35802. To register, contact Marsha Mathes, HB Practitioner, at 256-698-2151 or Mathes79@ knology.net. Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org. Art Critique at Lowe Mill – 6-7pm, fourth Wednesday of each month. In the interest of nourishing our expanding artists’ community we are reviving the Art Critique here at Lowe Mill. The hope is that these critiques provide opportunity for Artist: interaction, expression, and growth. All we ask is that all attending come with the spirit to: create, share and express without reservation. Lowe Mill‎, 2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL. 256-533-0399. LoweMill.net‎. Satsang – 6:30pm. Satsang is a sanskrit word that means” to sit in truth.” Satsang is a meeting with our true nature that is pure awareness. This sacred circle brings an opportunity to explore our deepest knowing. Through group discussion and inquiry, we reveal the innate wisdom of the one presence living life as each one of us. Led by Rev. David Leonard. Meditation at 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org. “You Are A Powerful Creator” – 6:30pm. A class that will guide you how to create the life you want. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOn TheMountain.org. Pilates – 7:15-8:15pm. Pilates is a core strengthening fitness system developed to primarily assist professional dancers and athletes by expanding their strength, flexibility and mind-body control. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL. 256399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

AQUAPONICS Aquaponics Training: Learn from table top, to backyard, to commerical scale operation.

Free Farm Tours: Held on the 1st Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. Be prepared with food independence and save on groceries.

Grow your own fresh fish, shrimp and organic produce.

TodaysGreenAcres.com

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256-679-9488

TeleCourse: Jump Start to Healthy Habit Making with Crystal Kiss – 7-8:30pm, Wednesdays starting Jan 16. Join this 6-week telecourse and learn the tools, change habits and create your plan of success for 2013. Life and Health Coach Crystal Kiss will teach via telephone conference calling; out of town students welcome. Each class will dig deeper into topics such as reading labels, health food myths, affordable meal planning, fitting exercise into a busy schedule and more. Space is limited so register early. $65. Register online at YogaFireHSV.com under series classes. Want more info? Email Crystal at Crystal@AttunedLife. com or call 256-701-4YOU. Searching? – The Red Mountain Study Group of Huntsville invites inquiries from men and women, no matter what their beliefs, who are still searching for the meaning of their lives now and here. Our work includes meditation, practice and study based on the teaching of G. I. Gurdjieff. We are affiliated with the Gurdjieff Foundation of New York. 256361-9575. Email: rmsg@att.net.

thursday Beginner Vinyasa Yoga – 9-10am. This beginnerpaced class is a smooth progressive flow of poses, synchronized to the breath. This yoga style is a discipline derived from Hatha yoga, is fasterpaced with emphasis placed on transitions and breathing. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. Yoga FireHSV.com. Fusion Pilates – 9-10am. A fusion of Pilates and Hanna Somatic work teaching one to access and strengthen one’s deepest connections bringing balance to one’s spine and overall posture. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville, AL. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguage Pilates.com. Yoga Mom – 10:30-11:30am. A mom centered vinyasa fl ow class that you can conveniently bring your young children to. Your children will be happily entertained and exposed to fun yoga games while mommy gets a work out. For 10 years of age and younger. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

Align & Wine! – 6-9:30pm. Yoga with Mitzi at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Cost and additional details at MitziConnell.com. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St S, Huntsville, AL. HsvMuseum.org.

Jack O’Lantern Farm Market – Sat: 9am-2pm; Sun: 3-7pm. Open year-round. Upscale farmers market. Hydroponic vegetables, local honey, certified naturally grown vegetables. Garage Rd on TVA Reservation, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661. 256-386-2335. JackOLanternFarm.com.

“Course in Miracles” – 6:30pm. A class that will positively change your life. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 9-10am. A smooth progressive flow of poses, synchronized to the breath. This yoga style is a discipline derived from Hatha yoga, is faster-paced with emphasis placed on transitions and breathing. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

friday Ignite Yoga – 9-10am. A heated power yoga class with strength-building focus achieved through standing poses. We utilize a quick-paced, hot yoga approach to increase your training heart rate and fitness levels. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

HypnoBirthing Classes – 10am-12:30pm. Each class is a series of 5 consecutive weeks and includes the HypnoBirthing book and Rainbow Relaxation CD. Classes will be held at “Hypnosis, Facials & Massage by Marsha,” 3313 Memorial Parkway SW, Ste 116, Huntsville, AL 35801. To register, contact Marsha Mathes, HB Practitioner, at 256-698-2151 or Mathes79@knology.net.

Kundalini Yoga – 12-1pm. This class will introduce the technology of Kundalini Yoga. No special experience or prior knowledge is required. We will work with the subtle energies of the body through the practice of mental focus, breathing technique, physical postures and meditation. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Suite A, Madison, AL 35758. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

Ignite Yoga – 10:30-11:30am. A heated power yoga class with strength-building focus achieved through standing poses. We utilize a quick-paced, hot yoga approach to increase your training heart rate and fitness levels. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

Core Conditioning Pilates – 5-6pm. Pilates is a core strengthening fitness system developed to primarily assist professional dancers and athletes by expanding their strength, flexibility and mindbody control. Yoga Fire, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL. 256-399-YOGA. YogaFireHSV.com.

Artist Market – 12-4pm. Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth and sell their wares to the public. There will be art, jewelry, vintage clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale inside our facility. Safe from rain. Free admission. Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL. FlyingMonkeyArts.org.

Public Clearance Session – 7pm. Third Friday each month. Learn effective healing through reception and application of Divine energies. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville, AL. 256-895-0255.

Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift you in countless ways. Held each Saturday (except 12/22, 12/29). Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (near Five Points). 256-534-1751. ECK-Alabama.org.

Paranormal Study Center – 6:30pm, 4th Friday each month. Meets at Radisson Hotel/Olympus Room, 8721 Madison Blvd, Madison, AL. For more information, contact Lamont Hamilton at World Psychic@email.com.

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Reiki Free Clinic (no charge) – 2-4pm. Every Third Saturday of each month. Center for Personal Growth, 924-B Merchant Walk Way SW, Huntsville, AL. For appointments, contact Shari Feinman-Prior at Shari1717@gmail.com.

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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Editor@Natvalley.com to request our media kit.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

ACUPUNCTURE THE NEELEY CENTER FOR HEALTH 600 Saint Clair Avenue SW, Bldg. 5 Suite 11 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-716-4048 Hours: T-F, 9am-5pm, Sat 8am-12pm House calls by Appointment Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Chinese Herbology, Pastoral Counseling, Beam Ray Therapy, Rapid Eye Technology, Nutritional Supplementation, Detoxification.

CHILD BIRTH SERVICES

HOPE FOR LIFE COLON HYDROTHERAPY Amanda Mashburn, owner/certified colon hydrotherapist 10300 Bailey Cove Road, Suite-7A Huntsville, AL 35803 256-270-8731 hope4lifeal.com Our goal is to live long and live strong. Young or old, male or female, healthy or sick, will benefit from an internal cleansing. Mention this ad and get $10 off your first colonic session.

10 MOONS RISING BIRTH SERVICES Donna Mitchell CPM, CLC, BMsc 10MoonsRising.com Midwife@consultant.com 256-566-9305 Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee

JARVIS NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC

10 Moons Rising Birth Services offers education and resources for women during pregnancy. We offer counseling in nutrition, herbal teas, VBACs, Out of Hospital births in TN and MS, midwifery care, prenatal visits, postpartum visits, doulas and monitrices. We specialize in natural birth options in the North Alabama/Tennessee area. We have Certified Lactation Consultants also available for consult.

1489 Slaughter Road, Madison 256-837-3448 I-ACT Certified Colon Hydro Therapists. Do you know that 80% of your immune system is in your colon? Bathe your body from the inside to improve health. Colon irrigation aids in soothing and toning the colon, which makes elimination more effective.

ENERGY HEALING CENTER FOR DIRECTIONAL HEALING™

COLON HYDROTHERAPY CENTER FOR OPTIMAL WELLBEING U’Jeana Wilson Owner/Certified Colon Hydrotherapist Degree in Psychology 256-489-9806 Center for Optimal Wellbeing is the longest operating colonic therapy provider in Huntsville. First time clients have expressed immediate feelings of increased energy levels and improved efficiency in waste elimination. You will enjoy the experience of your own “personal cleansing spa” as you receive colon hydrotherapy (colonic), far infrared sauna, an optional massaging shower, and ionic footbath services—in a clean, comfortable, and relaxing private environment. Call for directions and a 10% discount on your first service when you mention Natural Awakenings or use code COWB.

Susan Spalding 2225 Drake Ave. SW, Suite 18 Huntsville, 35805 256-882-0360 DirectionalHealing.com For over 20 years, Susan Spalding and the staff at the Center for Directional Healing have been helping people achieve harmonic health through Directional Healing, Reflexology, and now the Amethyst Biomat. Clients may choose a single service, or combine all three for the most complete healing experience. Healing techniques, articles, and more information are available online at DirectionalHealing.com.

ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY CENTER FOR PERSONAL GROWTH Shari Feinman-Prior 915-B Merchant Walk Way, SW Huntsville, AL 35801 256-289-3331 Shari1717@gmail.com “SPARK YOUR LIGHT” FROM WITHIN YOUR TRUE BEING and TRANSFORM your life. Offering an individualized integrative approach from energy psychology: Inner Counselor Process, Rapid Eye Technology, Healing Touch, Reiki, and Life Skills Coaching, to create change in deep seated patterns of behavior for a healthy and joyful life.

FAMILY MEDICINE PROGRESSIVE FAMILY MEDICINE Chad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C 1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C, Madison, AL 256-722-0555 ProFamilyMed.com Progressive Family Medicine provides medical care for patients of all ages and uniquely blends Natural and Prescription medicines together to help speed the patient’s recovery. Progressive Family Medicine is the patient’s clinic of choice when they would like to understand how natural medicines work along with prescription drugs.

FENG SHUI FENG SHUI BY TRUDI GARDNER Trudi Gardner, M.S. 256-772-6999 Tygard2000@aol.com An interior design philosophy that invites serenity and reduces stress. Feng Shui design concepts brings positive energy into your home and office to encourage Prosperity, Well Being, Harmony, and Balance.

Happiness is the feeling you’re feeling when you want to keep feeling it. ~ author unknown

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DIXIE PHILLIPS (LMT#2151)

CJ Denison 105E Church St Madison, AL 35758 256-603-9018

Certified Hypnotist 3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste 116 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-698-2151 MarshaMathes.SkinCareTherapy.net

Dixie’s Sunrise Massage Therapy 3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste #116 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-585-0504 Hoss2ride@otelco.net

Specializing in NATURAL Hairstyles. Cuts with Texture and Movement. Specializing in Fine Hair, Razor cuts, Men's Hair Pieces with A NATURAL Look. Specializing in Hair Color OFF the Scalp. Hair Painting. A Safer way to Color or HiLight Your Hair to Help in Decreasing the Exposure to the Scalp. HEALTHY HAIR is HAPPY HAIR. Also Original Art Work and Private Art lessons available. Call Today for YOUR Appointment.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE HOLISTIC MEDICAL CENTER OF ALABAMA, P.A.

Hypnosis is a tool to assist you in countless ways to heal your past, empower your present and create your future: • HypnoBirthing Classes • Quit smoking • Weight loss • Nail and lip biting • Teeth grinding • Insomnia • Anxiety and stress relief • Phobias and fears • Pain relief • Sports enhancement • PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) • Current and Past Life Regressions

JIN SHIN JYUTSU®

Rodney D. Soto, M.D., ABHIM, FAARFM 12205 County Line Road, Ste. E Madison, AL 256-325-1648 HolisticAlabama.com

JIN SHIN JYUTSU OF HUNTSVILLE

We offer an innovative model for health care that encompasses an individualized approach in order to balance and harmonize the mind, body and spirit thru a comprehensive assessment of your nutritional, hormonal, intestinal and immunological systems for the prevention and reversal of diseases.

Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner. An easy, effective way of restoring health and well-being by balancing the body’s energy pathways to enhance the body’s natural healing abilities.

Sandra Cope Huntsville 256-534-1794 256-509-3540

CENTER FOR INNER WELLNESS Becky Waters Certified Hypnotherapist and Professional Breathworker 3322 S. Memorial Parkway, Suite 641 Huntsville, AL 256-348-5236 Creating positive change through hypnotherapy and Breathwork. Empowering you to live to your highest potential. Relieve stress and anxiety, release negativity, pain management, pre/post medical procedure, fears/phobias, weight loss, smoking cessation, and more

J. L. JONES LMT AL#3610 Chi of Life Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, LLC ChiOfLifeMassage@gmail.com 2310 Whitesburg Dr, Suite 4 Huntsville, AL 256-812-1284 BodyWorkByJL@gmail.com ChiOfLife.MassageTherapy.com Chi of Life Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, LLC practicing at Exhale Day Spa. Please come and see me for relief from discomfort and disfunction from muscular and tendinous stress and injury and for detoxification and energetic assistance. Offering Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage, Muscle Energy Techniques, Neuromuscular Techniques (Trigger Point Therapy), Reiki and Integrative Reflexology.

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With six years experience, Dixie uses Deep Tissue, Swedish, Fascia BodyWork, Reiki, Jin Shin Do and Medicupping to release stress, knots and improve circulation for overall wellness.

LIGHT OF CHRIST CENTER

CAROLYN NEAL (L.M.T. #422)

4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville 256-895-0255 LightOfChristCenter.org

220 Rhett Ave, Suite D Huntsville, AL 35801 256-694-9044 With over 15 years of experience. Specializing in Swedish, Deep Tissue massage, Myotherapy, as well as Repetitive Use Injury Therapy (RITI). Call Today for Appointment.

CLOUD NINE Evening and Weekend Appointments 256-337-6989 Finally, someone who makes housecalls! Swedish, Ortho and Deep Tissue massage in the privacy of your own home. Gift Certificates also available for any occasion.

The Light of Christ Center is comfortably situated in a vintage Centenarian House conveniently located near the UAHuntsville campus. Our Center facilities are available for rent to both members and non-members. We offer our Spiritual Home as your ideal venue for weddings, receptions, memorial services, classes/workshops and other gatherings. Call 256-895-0255 and leave a message if you’re interested in a tour or to speak with someone about your event. Amenities available: • Kitchen (microwave only) • Solarium • Lounge/Salon • Roundtable Room (meeting/dining) • Chapel (w/up to 50 chairs)

We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. ~ Ronald Reagan natural awakenings

January 2013

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATES Dr. Deb Gilliam, N.M.D. 1230 Slaughter Road, Madison, AL 256-722-0555 Dr. Gilliam treats a variety of health problems with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, heart disease, hormone replacement and thyroid issues being at the forefront. Dr. Gilliam sees patients from around the world due to the reputation she has earned by treating hard to treat medical conditions. Dr. Gilliam works to find the cause of medical conditions and does not simply treat the patients’ symptoms.

ORGANIC FOOD AND PRODUCTS MARY ACHATZ Beyond Organic Independent Mission Marketer 256-509-0823 MaryAchatz.MyBeyondOrganic.com Mlac@otelco.net Beyond Organic is a direct selling company offering products that go “beyond organic” within the categories of cleansing and detoxification, toxic-free skin and body care, live snacks and beverages, pure mountain spring water, and nutrient dense beef and dairy products shipped direct from the Beyond Organic farm and facility to your family.

PILATES BODY LANGUAGE, INC. 305 Jefferson St., Ste. C 256-704-5080 sybil@bodylanguagepilates.com BodyLanguagePilates.com Our goal is to teach individuals how to take control of their health and well-being through the Pilates method, Pilates creating a wholesome person of sound mind, body, and spirit. Private, semi-private and group training on the equipment is available along with group mat classes.

REIKI MARY MORALES Universal & Karuna Reiki Master 256-584-8081 KungaLhadon@aol.com Reiki is a simple natural and safe method of healing. Reiki treats the physical body, the emotions, and the mind and spirit, creating many beneficial effects. Many have experienced miraculous results. Reiki works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

Tennessee Valley

Natvalley.com

REIKI REIKI FREE CLINIC (NO CHARGE) Shari Feinman-Prior 915-B Merchant Walk Way, SW Huntsville, AL 35801 Shari1717@gmail.com

2-4pm, every Third Saturday of each month. Contact Shari Feinman-Prior at Shari1717@gmail.com for info.

SHAMAN HEALER

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION JACI HOGUE 256-656-4108 jaci@alabamarolfmethod.com AlabamaRolfMethod.com A complete system of body education that balances the physical body, improves posture, and helps resolve chronic pain. Created by Dr. Ida P. Rolf in the 1950s, Structural Integration has been scientifically validated and has withstood the test of time, as millions of people have enjoyed the remarkable benefits.

KATY GLENN WILLIS 256-426-0232 KatyShamanHealer.com Spiritually Assisted Intuitive Readings, Energetic Healing and Balancing for People and Pets, World Culture Shamanic Training, Spirit Midwife: Assistance for individual and caregivers during Death & Dying Process. Forty years of training and experience.

WATER, WILLOW & MOON SHAMANIC HEALING Jeffrey Rich 256-337-1699 WaterWillowMoon.com Jeffrey.Rich@gmail.com "Medicine for the Soul," shamanic healing is the sacred technology which can help you achieve wholeness by addressing the spiritual causes of disease. Empty? Out of sorts? Something "just not right"? "Haven't been the same since ..."? Explore the techniques of shamanic healing and find answers. Offering Soul Retrieval, Thoughtform Unraveling, Illumination, Space Clearing, Past Life Work and much more.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION SUSAN K. JEFFREYS Advanced Practitioner Lic.#249 Dr. Ida P. ROLF method 2336A Whitesburg Drive 256-512-2094 RolfGuild.org Serving Huntsville since 1995 “When the body gets working appropriately, then the force of gravity can flow through. Then spontaneously, the body heals itself.” —Ida P. Rolf

TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESS COACH JASON KENDRICK 303-653-7533 Jason@JasonKendrickBooks.com JasonKendrickBooks.com By positively reinforcing change and holding a space of nonjudgment, Jason Kendrick, The Go-To Guru, helps the Recently Rockbottomed to rebound upward in a self-validating discovery process of remembering and reclaiming their resonant Soul Purpose, which ignites and propels a passion that emancipates Joy. • Usui Reiki Master • Indigo Adult • Intuitive Healer and Counselor • Energy Healer • Energetic Conversation Facilitator • Author and Speaker

WHOLE FOOD NUTRITION JUICE PLUS WELLNESS COACH Nutrition Made Easy Nikki Skidmore 256-527-3822 NikkiSkidmoreJuicePlus.com Simple, whole food nutrition of 25 fruits and vegetables a day helps ensure you get the nutrition your body desperately needs. Juice Plus+ is the best, most affordable way to bridge the gap between what you should and do eat. Kids eat Juice Plus+ free with an adult order. Call Nikki today to find out how.

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