February 2012

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

FREE

Special Edition

Healthy Mind Imperfect Love Embracing the Flaws

Natural Sleep Aids Ideas that Work

Boost Your Brain Power

Ways to Keep Your Mind Young

February 2012

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F February ebrru eb uar ary ry 2012 20112 20 2

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contents 11

11 healthbriefs 16 globalbriefs 19 ecotip

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.

20 ESSENTIALS

Healing Oils of the Bible Part 3 - Cedarwood and Hyssop

24 healthykids 25 inspiration

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by Linda Hileman BS, CCA

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21 A BRAIN-BUILDING BLUEPRINT How to Keep the Mind Young and Memory Sharp

26 fitbody

by Lisa Marshall

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28 healingways 32 greenliving

24 HOW A BRAIN GROWS

Five Ways to Aid Development

26

by Lisa Marshall

34 consciouseating

25

25 WABI SABI LOVE

Embracing Imperfections in Relationships

35 wisewords

advertising & submissions

by Arielle Ford

26 EXERCISE TO BEAT THE BLUES Staying Active Lifts Our Spirits

by Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

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.

28 HOW CAN WE ALL GET ALONG? Resolving Conflict Benefits Mind and Body

by Lisa Shumate

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.

31

POSTURES Seated Heart Opening

by Gatlianne

Articles and ideas due by the 5th of the month. Articles generally contain 250-850 words, with some exceptions. No advertorials, please.

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.

Tennessee Valley Natvalley.com 4 www.Natvalley.com

32 EAT PLASTIC-FREE Healthy, Practical Tips for People and the Planet

by Brita Belli

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34 IMPROVE YOUR SNOOZE Sleep Aids versus Sleep Sappers

by Judith Fertig

35 THE BENEFITS OF BURNOUT An Oxymoron? Not According to Psychologist Joan Borysenko

by Linda Sechrist

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publishersletter What makes your brain happy?

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s early as our 30s and 40s, mental sharpness can begin to slip, as neurons die and neural connections whither.

But eating right (key foods/supplements/herbs), mentally challenging ourselves, sleeping well, meditating, preventing stress and even judicious use of hormone-nurturing compounds can help preserve a more youthful brain.

A steady mental diet of inspiring, brain-boosting, moodbrightening, spirit-fueling thoughts, ideas, and information is important.

Also, I think, doing what you love. Immersing yourself in what you love. Doing it alongside the people that you love. I think that actually helps a lot.

contact us Publisher Tom Maples Tom@Natvalley.com Cell: 404-395-9634

For me, all of that comes from being a part of Natural Awakenings.

What is it about this magazine that is so unique? That makes it strike a deep and resonant chord with so many people?

First of all, its not me, or my doing. Something this consistently extraordinary is well beyond my powers of manifestation.

New Business Development Advertising Sales Cindy Wilson Cindy@Natvalley.com Cell: 256-476-6537

No, it starts in Naples, FL, with the national editorial staff of writers and designers who put together the national and global articles, interviews, news and health briefs, tips, guides and handy how-to’s that provide invaluable insight and information and actionable advice on everything under the sun that has to do with healthy, happy and abundant living.

Design and Production Karen Ormstedt 256-997-9165

It extends to 85 different cities and locales across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, where 85 different Natural Awakenings publishers reach 3 million monthly readers with the same basic national and global content, enhanced and individualized and augmented by local features and contributions. The strength of this national-local network can be clearly seen in the elegant new Natural Awakenings iPhone app, available free from the iTunes app store. It was quite a thrill to see our Tennessee Valley Community Resource Guide advertisers listed on an app that has been downloaded thousands of times to users in more than 44 countries worldwide.

Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley 14 Woodland Ave. Trinity, Alabama 35673 Office: 256-340-1122 Fax: 256-217-4274 Natvalley.com

Also, one positive benefit of alphabetical order is having the Alabama Natural Awakenings magazines Websites listed at the top of the order under the Local Magazines listings. Currently, this includes NA Mobile/Baldwin, published by our friend Meredith Montgomery, and our new NA Tennessee Valley site, Natvalley. com. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the site, please do take a moment to visit us online. We would appreciate any feedback or suggestions you may have in regard to the website’s ease-of-use, design, content and functionality.

Natural Awakenings, Birmingham will be listed on the app soon. Cindy and I will be taking on the publishing responsibility for NA in the Magic City, and we couldn’t be more excited about the prospect.

So, we would like to simply say thank you to You for making all of this possible for us. Our cover art, Gratitude Kisses, is an appropriate choice for the heartfelt appreciation Cindy and I feel toward each and every one of the advertisers, contributors, and readers of Natural Awakenings—past, present, and future.

© 2012 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

February 2012

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newsbriefs Myrna May Copeland (1938-2011)

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yrna May Copeland of Huntsville died Tuesday, December 13th, at the age of 73 at her store Pearly Gates. She was born on April 18th, 1938 in New York City to parents Mildred and Albert Geldern. She married Donald Copeland of New York City in 1955 and they moved to Huntsville in 1958. She received an MA in Psychology from UAH in 1969 and worked as director of Scottsboro’s Mental Health Center.

Myrna opened Huntsville’s first natural foods grocery store and restaurant, Pearly Gates, in 1974 at 2800 South Memorial Parkway where it is still located today. In the 1960s, she played a pivotal role in Huntsville and Alabama’s civil rights and political history. She was active in the Democratic Party throughout her time, and was a founding member of the National Democratic Party of Alabama.

As a Chogye Buddhist who studied under Korean Zen Master Il Bueng So and his student Master Don Gilbert, she helped found Huntsville’s first Buddhist sangha, the Huntsville Zen Center.

She is survived by her daughter Deanna McGrew of Huntsville, her son Jim of Denver, CO, and her brother Monty Geldern of Seminole, FL. She is predeceased by her husband Donald Copeland in 1993, her father Albert in 1974 and recently her mother Mildred in Oct 2011.

A memorial celebration in her honor was held on January 8, 2012 at the Flying Monkey Theater at Lowe Mill in Huntsville. Memorial donations in Myrna’s honor can be sent to: Food Bank of North Alabama, Hospice of North Alabama, New Leash on Life Animal Rescue, or VillageOutreach.org.

Look for an article honoring the life of Myrna Copeland in the March issue of Natural Awakenings.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Life But Were Afraid to Ask

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ver feel like you can’t really talk to anyone about life’s deepest questions? If so, then here is a class for you. For eight weeks, we will be discussing life’s most persistent questions, including the following: • Is there a God or not? If there is, then why is there so much suffering in the world?

• Is there any meaning to my life, or am I just an insignificant speck in the universe?

• Is there life after death or do I just cease to exist after I die?

• Is there any hope for a peaceful world or is it only a dream?

The classes will be held at the Unity Church on the Mountain on Governors Drive, just a half mile east of California Avenue. We will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8pm in February. There is no charge for the course, but a love offering will be taken after each class. For more information and to register, please call Debbie Preece at 256-337-8200. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Drive, Huntsville. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com. See ad page 18.

Stop the Financial Struggle: Discover the Secret to Money Success

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n Saturday, February 25, 2012, from 9am-3pm, come discover the Secret to Money Success at the Center for Inner Wellness, 3322 South Memorial Parkway, Huntsville.

The “Secret” you will learn in this full-day workshop has little to do with investing or budgeting, Instead, participants will discover the Truth about money and

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find new ways to think about it. Through interactive exercises and group discussions, they will uncover blocks, limiting beliefs, and patterns that sabotage their relationship with money, and will leave with transformative tools and techniques that will enable them to create greater financial success.

This class is for you if…

• You want to increase the money in your life • You’re stuck in the high-debt under-earning trap • Money or income opportunities seem to slip through your fingers • You can’t seem to “get ahead” • You tend to experience financial set-backs • You have continuous or periodic lack-of-money problems Fee for the workshop is $98, which includes lunch and workshop materials. Pre-Registration is required as seating is limited. To register or for more information, contact Becky Waters at 256-348-5236, email Becky@CenterForInnerWellness. com, or visit online CenterForInnerWellness.com.

The workshop is facilitated by Becky Waters, Certified Hypnotherapist, Life Coach, and Professional Breathworker.

See ad on page 28.

Start Your New Year Off Right with a Cleanse and Detox

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ope for Life would like to help you get off to a great start achieving your goals for the new year. Looking to lose weight? Come and get a colon cleanse and detox in the infra red sauna for thirty minutes. We offer a very relaxing environment at our facility. Looking to get control of your health for the new year? We can help. A simple colonic or foot detox will help get the toxic waste out of your body. Did you know 80% of your body is your immune system? Keeping a clean colon will help eliminate your

waste. A healthy colon is vital to a healthy life. Alternative practitioners advise we should have one bowel movement for every meal that we eat. If not, then we are not eliminating waste completely, and if the input exceeds output then we will surely suffer the consequences at some point.

Incomplete elimination may result in the following: sluggish system, overweight, joint pain and arthritis, IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn’s disease, migraines, sinus allergies, bad breath, body odor, diverticulitis, heart problems, multiple sclerosis, and much more.

Amanda Mashburn is I-Act certified. She owns Hope For Life Colon Hydrotherapy located on 10300 Bailey Cove Road Suite 7A, Huntsville. Gift certificates are available.

Call 256-270-8731 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Please see her listing in the CRG in Natural Awakenings and receive a discount on your first visit. See ad on page 27.

IRIDOLOGY at The Paranormal Study Center

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e all know every fingerprint is different—as is every eye. The Eye has been called the window to the soul.

Brenda Star, Nashville’s most noted authority on the science of Iridology, refers to the iris of the eye as the “terminal” of the body’s computer.

Iridology is a natural drugless system of caring for the body through the study of the eye’s iris. Using Iridology, the eyes reveal underlying problematic areas that manifest themselves as disease, thus helping to pinpoint the glands and organs that are affected, and to what degree.

Through Iridology, a person can begin a lifestyle free from diseases such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, obesity, digestive issues, joint pains, addictions and more. With over 30 years in the health and wellness field, Brenda has witnessed numerous miraculous life changes in her clients’ health.

“I was the last person I thought that would benefit from this... ...ten sessions later I am telling everyone about rolfing.”

S.H., Birmingham, AL “My life and my comfort level have improved so much. I thank God for Susan.”

K.S., Huntsville, AL

Advanced Rolf Practitioner Susan K. Jeffreys Free 30 min. consultation!

Find out what Susan K. Jeffreys and Structural Integration can do for you!

Call (256) 512-2094 today

Susan K. Jeffreys, AL Lic.#249 2336A Whitesburg Dr. • Huntsville, AL, 35801

Structural Integration in the method of Ida P. Rolf natural awakenings

February 2012

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Ginny Isbell, Pharm D

Seminars and Workshops Date: Thursday, February 9, 2012

Compounding Pharmacy Compounding creates custom-made compounded medicines for your individual needs.

Topic: Healthy Hearts- Preventing Cardiovascular Risk

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Date: Thursday, February 23, 2012

Many patients and healthcare professionals are discovering that natural hormones offer safer, healthier answers.

Topic: Hormone Interregulation: Ovarian, Adrenal, Thyroid, and Insulin

We perform intensive one-on-one evaluations covering your health history and current health problems.

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Madison Drugs Instructor: Terry Wingo, RPh Cost: $20 – General Admission $30 – Continuing Education Credits R.S.V.P. @ (256) 837-1778

Wellness Counseling

Visit us on our website at MadisonDrugs.com Like us on Facebook

Serving You For 26 Years.

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256 . 837.1778

The presentation is Friday, February 24 at 6:30pm at the Paranormal Study Center in the Radisson Inn at the Olympus Room in Madison. Come early at 5pm to get a chance to meet Brenda at the Gazebo Restaurant in the Radisson for food and fellowship. Admission is $10, and seating is limited. Visit ParapsychologyStudyGroup.com for more information.

Brenda will be available Saturday, Feb 25 for appointments. To schedule an appointment, please contact Brenda at 615-386-7011 or BrendaStar22@comcast.net, or visit her online at BrendaStar.org. See ad on page 36.

Ribbon Cutting at OsteoStrong

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n December 16, 2012, OsteoStrong of Huntsville hosted their ribbon cutting with the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce. The developer of the system, Dr. John Jaquish, was present to give hands-on demonstrations and to discuss the system with those who attended. OsteoStrong is not a gym, diet or drug. It is a proven method to increase bone density and muscle strength in only 5 minutes a week.

Research has shown that you can increase your bone density by 4-7% and double your muscle strength in less than one year. The OsteoStrong system triggers our brain to tell our bones to add density, and your muscles to add strength without spending hours in the gym every week. OsteoStrong is located at 1015 Airport Rd Suite 201, Huntsville. For more information, or to schedule your free consultation, call 256-489-0084 or email Huntsville@OsteoStrong.me. See CRG on page 43.

Free Natural Awakenings App Now Available

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eeping in touch with the best choices for a green and healthy lifestyle is now easier than ever, thanks to Natural Awakenings’ new iPhone and iPad app, available as a free download at Apple’s iTunes App Store. Individuals on the go can find products, practitioners and services dedicated to healthy living, right at their fingertips. They can also read articles on the latest practical, natural approaches to nutrition, fitness, creative expression, personal growth and sustainable living, offered by national experts with fresh perspectives and inspired ideas.

The exclusive app instantly connects to user-friendly galleries: “Local Magazines” includes a searchable listing of all Natural Awakenings franchise publishers, with instant links to phone numbers and websites. “National Directory” lists healthy, green businesses, resources and services, complete with directions.

“This Month” shows the current national magazine content, always fresh and new.

“Healthy Kids” is a collection of how-to articles that focus on raising, nurturing and empowering vibrant children. “Natural Pets” offers an information resource dedicated to holistic well-being for companion animals. “Article Archives,” a comprehensive library of thousands of articles, is searchable by key words.

“Our goal is to empower people to enjoy healthier, happier and longer lives, wherever they are,” says Natural Awakenings founder Sharon Bruckman. “Offering free access to Natural Awakenings’ powerful network of healthy living resources through this exclusive app is yet another way for us to help people feel good, live simply and laugh more.”

To download the free app, search “Natural Awakenings” in the iTunes App Store or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. See ad on page 3.

What is Hypnosis?

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ypnosis, or trance work, is a group of techniques that allows the practitioner and client to take advantage of the mind-body connection to foster healing and change. What distinguishes hypnosis is that it involves a deliberate choice to enter this relaxed state of consciousness for a goal beyond relaxation—to focus

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings

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wellness naturally

The Grass is Greenerr with Allergies Gone N.A.E.T. Allergy Elimination is a natural, non-invasive method that can be used safely in children and adults to permanently eliminate allergies and symptoms arising from previous exposure to allergens.

Treat the Allergy, Not Just the Symptom.

Call Today for an Appointment.

Dr. Linda Jarvis, NMD +BSWJT$MJOJD DPN t 4MBVHIUFS 3E t .BEJTPO "-

concentration and use suggestion to promote change, health and healing.

Individuals can experience hypnosis from a hypnosis practitioner and can also become comfortable practicing the techniques themselves. While the practitioner serves as a teacher or guide, the only person who can hypnotize you is you, since trance is a latent potential of your own mind. Therefore, all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis.

Hypnosis can be used effectively to treat a remarkable range of health conditions. Suggestions offered to your subconscious mind during a hypnotic state can help remove psychological obstacles and strengthen the ego, as well as encourage changes in body image, metabolism and body weight. Hypnosis can help ease chronic pain, lessen the side effects of chemotherapy, and counteract anxiety and sleep disorders. It can also help with burn therapy to reduce inflammation and promote healing in addition to pain control. Allergies and asthma, high blood pressure and circulation can also be addressed.

Hypnosis is a very rewarding and relaxing process to help change and empower the quality of your life. You can achieve what your mind can perceive!

Contact Marsha Mathes, Certified Hypnotist, at 256-698-2151 for your hypnosis session today. See CRG on page 42.

Life Alchemy: A Workshop for the New Year

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n February 4, Holley Porter-Wright and Maggie White will be co-instructing a two-part yoga workshop. Part I: The Heat of Transformation will be held from 10:30am-1pm and will concentrate on standing poses and back bends. Part II: Refresh Your Offering will be held from 2:30-5pm and will concentrate on forward bends and inversions. The cost is $35 for one part or $60 for both sessions. The classes will be held at Jennifer Bail Wellness located at 1874 Slaughter Rd., Madison. Space is limited. For more information or to register, email Wright.HolleyPorter@gmail.com.

CLICK! Point Your Life in a Healthy Direction Visit Our New Website Browse the local news, events calendar, resource guide, plus all the wonderful articles that support and inspire a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Now just a click away!

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healthbriefs

Seaweed Loves the Heart

Meditation Boosts Brain Power S

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niversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers first discovered that specific regions in the brains of long-term meditators were larger and contained more gray matter than those of a non-meditating control group; that was in 2009. Now, a follow-up study by the UCLA Laboratory of Neuro Imaging suggests people that meditate regularly also display stronger neuronal connections between brain regions and less age-related atrophy (shrinkage) in all areas of the brain.

The study comprised 27 active meditation practitioners (average age 52) and 27 control subjects, matched by age and sex. The number of years of meditation ranged from five to 46 and included various styles.

Using a type of brain imaging known as diffusion tensor imaging, or DTI—a new imaging mode that provides insights into the structural connectivity of the brain—the researchers found that long-term meditators have white matter fibers that are either more numerous, more dense or more insulated, throughout the brain. Although such tissue tends to decline with age, the study suggests that it can be preserved through active meditation practices.

Researcher Eileen Luders remarks, “If practiced regularly and over years, meditation may slow down aging-related brain atrophy, perhaps by positively affecting the immune system. Meditation appears to be a powerful mental exercise with the potential to change the physical structure of the brain.”

Does Yawning Cool the Brain?

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hen we feel the urge to yawn in cooler weather, we should succumb—it might do us good. New research suggests that beyond signaling fatigue or boredom, yawning might be a physical reaction to cool an “overheated” brain.

A study at Princeton University is the first to show that the frequency of yawning varies with the season and that people are less likely to yawn when the heat outdoors exceeds body temperature. The research monitored 160 people, 80 per season, during winter and summer in Tucson, Arizona. According to the researchers’ theory, it is possible that yawning in cooler temperatures works to cool the brain, while yawning in warmer conditions appears to provide no similar relief.

Research associate Andrew Gallup remarks, “The applications of this research are intriguing… for better understanding diseases and conditions such as multiple sclerosis or epilepsy, which are accompanied by frequent yawning and thermoregulatory dysfunction.” Excessive yawning may prove a helpful diagnostic tool.

ome relish seaweed, while others eye it with culinary suspicion. Now an article in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reports that many scientists have identified seaweed as a rich, potential source of heart-healthy food ingredients. A review of nearly 100 studies shows that seaweed and other microalgae could rival milk products as sources of important bioactive peptides.

Maria Hayes, Ph.D., and her colleagues at the Teagasc Food Research Centre, in Dublin, Ireland, concluded that certain seaweed proteins work just like the bioactive peptides in milk products to reduce blood pressure, almost like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor drugs. Thus, they could be used as ingredients in functional foods like soups and health beverages to provide nutrition, while offering medicinal effects in treating or preventing heart disease.

Seaweeds are a neglected alternative source of these bioactive peptides in this country, the researchers state, noting its popularity in other cultures.

Varieties of seaweed are known as nori in Japan, dulse in coastal parts of Europe and limu palahalaha in native Hawaiian cuisine.

In addition, notes Hayes, “Seaweeds are a known source of essential fatty acids, which are thought to reduce thrombosis and atherosclerosis—factors important in the reduction of the risk of heart disease.”

February is American Heart Month natural awakenings

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Infinity

My mind is an infinite source of creative energy.

And its potential lies in my willingness to stay open.

Artwork and Text

by Rita Loyd.

Copyright Š 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, H. Raines Gifts or at www.NurturingArt.com, where you can view Rita's artwork and blog.

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Are Allergies Keeping You Sick?

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llergies are affecting more Americans than ever and can lead to a host of problems including allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, asthma, eczema and more.

Medications are usually only partially effective, and referring patients out for shots is seldom a promising option. With the allergy treatment program at Progressive Family Medicine, we can treat your allergic symptoms without the use of shots to help you achieve convenient lasting relief.

Treatment with our allergy program is highly effective, affordable and convenient. Through sublingual immunotherapy, patients take prescribed serum in the form of oral drops (rather than shots) that are absorbed under the tongue. Gradually increasing amounts of this serum can be taken in the comfort of your own home. This eliminates the need for weekly shots, doctors’ office visits, missed work or school, travel time and expense. Over time, it helps desensitize you to the dusts, molds and pollens that once made you miserable.

You can be tested for both environmental as well as food allergies. Should you only be allergic to 1 or 2 items you can use the avoidance method in order to manage the allergy and keep you feeling well, or you can take the drops to make yourself immune to these items. Regardless of your allergies, most patients will only have to take the medicine for 24-26 months—not for the rest of your life.

Another feature of this approach is the fact that it can manage your allergies all across the United States. So, if your job requires you to relocate to another part of the country, you will not have to start all over again. You will be covered. This approach is perfect for patients of all ages including children. The allergy testing is covered by most insurance plans and is done without needles. The testing takes approximately 30 minutes and is virtually painless.

If you are ready to get to the root of your allergy problem call Progressive Family Medicine and setup your appointment today! See ad on page 14.

Solving your health puzzle Herbs Vitamins Massage Reflexology Natural Foods Clinical Herbalist Auricular Therapy Magnetic Therapies Nutritional Counseling Electro-Dermal Testing

256-883-4127 7540-P S. Memorial Pkwy.

Rosie’s Shopping Ctr. Huntsville, AL Open Monday-Saturday info@ruthsnutrition.com

Howard Gilliam N.M.D. Chad Gilliam M.M.S. PA-C

Bio-Identical Hormones

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f you are a female and are suffering from: hot ot flashes, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, brain fog,, vaginal atrophy, mood instability, migraines, or fatigue ue this article is for you. My name is Chad Gilliam. I work at Progressive Family Medicine; and I can help p you. I use what I believe to be the safest hormones available, ailable, Bio-Identical Hormones that are made from m yams or soybeans. Bio-identical hormone replacement ement therapy (BHRT) is the replacement of our bodies natural Estrogens, Progesterone, DHEA, and Testosterone hormones.

Hormones may be delivered through creams, oral capsules, or pellets.

A female patient typically presents to me with one or all of the above listed symptoms, for which I order a saliva hormone test. I prefer a saliva hormone test to serum hormone tests because I believe they are more accurate. After the initial hormone screening I typically do not

Brandie Dorsett, LMT#800 Specializing in several therapies: t 4XFEJTI 3FMBYBUJPO t %FFQ 5JTTVF t 1SFHOBODZ t )PU 4UPOF t 1BNQFSFE 'FFU t *OGSBSFE -JHIU 5IFSBQZ t #PEZ XSBQT 472 Providence Main Street 256-837-1778 www.madisondrugs.com

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February 2012

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healthbriefs have to reorder hormone levels, as I am able to balance the patient’s hormone levels without having to retest. I also use Thermograms to monitor for changes in breast tissue after starting hormones to make sure the estrogen is not causing any unwanted changes in the breast tissue.

that begin just before or at ovulation and just before menstruation. This female likely has estrogen excess and progesterone deficiency. I would obtain a saliva hormone panel to see the ratio of estrogen and progesterone and then start treatment.

CASE PRESENTATIONS

COMPOUNDING PHARMACIES

49-year-old Caucasian female presents with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido. She states that her husband is ready to sleep on the couch because he cannot get any sleep due to the covers being removed and replaced all night. I automatically know this patient is low in Estrogens (Estradiol, Estrone, Estriol) and Testosterone.

I obtain the Saliva Hormone Test to tell me how low and start treatment. Patient will see some if not total relief of hot flashes within one week.

33-year-old African American female presents with heavy menstrual bleeding and a cycle that lasts 9-12 days a month. I know this patient is low in progesterone and possibly has excess estrogen. This patient should also be tested for PCOS and fibroids (progesterone deficiency).

After testing I would typically start this patient on a BioIdentical Estrogen cream and oral Progesterone. She should see regulation of her cycle within 3 months.

41-year-old Caucasian female presents with migraines

If you would like to speak with a pharmacist that fills some of the hormone prescriptions I write and interacts with the hormone patients I treat call: Walgreens compounding pharmacy in Huntsville 256-512-0957 or Guntersville 256-582-2513, or call Skinner compounding pharmacy (Specialty Pharmacy) in Cullman 256-734-3146.

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If you are ready to address your hormone imbalance and want to talk to somebody who will listen, contact me today.

See ad on Page 44.

Chad Gilliam M.M.S. PA-C Progressive Family Medicine ProFamilyMed.com 256-722-0555

Potassium Protects the Heart

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ccording to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability in this country. A recent study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that in addition to cutting dietary sodium to improve heart health, Americans should increase consumption of a key mineral found in many fruits and vegetables: potassium.

The study of more than 12,000 adults reported that people eating a diet high in sodium and low in potassium have a 50 percent increased risk of death from any disease than average and about twice the risk of death from heart attacks.

Sodium, a key component of salt, raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease. Potassium has been found to offset sodium’s impact on blood pressure.

Current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend an adult daily potassium intake of 4,700 milligrams and a maximum sodium intake of 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon of salt); or less than 1,500 milligrams for people age 51 and older, African-Americans or those that suffer from hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

The CDC reveals that the average American adult consumes 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, about 80 percent from processed or restaurant foods. To achieve a healthier sodium-potassium ratio, the CDC recommends a diet that emphasizes fresh, unprocessed foods and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Foods high in potassium include sweet and white potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and bananas, as well as orange and prune juice, dates, plain yogurt and fish.

R

esearchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School that collected blood from volunteers to study how drinking alcohol affects monocytes, the white blood cells that are part of the immune system, made an unwelcome discovery. Alcohol can worsen the effects of disease and lengthen the recovery period following trauma, injury or burns. It both impairs the body’s antiviral immune response, especially in the liver, and increases inflammation, so think twice before downing another hot toddy.

Source: BioMed Central

VITAMIN C HELPS US SEE

Regular Bedtimes Make Kids Smarter

A

ALCOHOL IMPAIRS RECOVERY FROM ILLNESS

ccording to research presented at the 24th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, children that get adequate sleep score higher on a range of developmental assessments. The researchers emphasized that having a regular bedtime was the most consistent predictor of positive developmental outcomes at 4 years of age.

Scores for receptive and expressive language skills, awareness of soundword structure, literacy and early math abilities were higher in children whose parents maintained rules about going to bed at a prescribed time. Having an earlier bedtime further supported higher scores for most developmental measures.

The study involved a nationally representative sample of approximately 8,000 children that completed a direct assessment at 4 years of age. They were part of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort.

S

cientists at Oregon Health & Science University recently identified yet another benefit provided by vitamin C. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, co-author and senior scientist Henrique von Gersdorff, Ph.D., says nerve cells in the eye require C to stay healthy—the vitamin bathes the cells of the retina and contributes to their proper functioning.

Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine natural awakenings

February 2012

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

Vanishing Species Counting our Natural Blessings A study by Canada’s Dalhousie University postulates that as many as 86 percent of Earth’s species are still unknown, and millions of organisms will remain undiscovered as extinctions accelerate worldwide at 10 to 100 times their natural rate.

If, as the study’s co-author Boris Worm suggests, our planet is home to 8.7 million species, it means scientists have cataloged fewer than 15 percent of species now alive. Many unknown organisms will wink out of existence before they can even be recorded.

Although the catalog of mammals and birds may be nearly complete, inventories of other classes of life are far behind. Only 7 percent of the predicted number of fungi and fewer than 10 percent of all ocean life forms have been identified.

Categorizing a new organism is more complicated than discovering one. “It’s a long process,” Worm explains. “Most scientists will describe dozens of species in their lifetime, if they’re really lucky. What’s been discovered so far are those things that are easy to find, that are conspicuous, that are relatively large. There is an age of discovery ahead of us when we could find out so much more of what lives with us on this planet.”

Source: National Geographic

Big Book Encyclopedia of Life Update

Life isn’t about finding yourself.

Life is about creating yourself. ~George Bernard Shaw

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The second edition of the Smithsonian Institution’s free, online collaborative Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is now easier to use. It also has been vastly expanded, offering information on more than one-third of all known species on Earth, including hundreds of thousands of images and videos.

With the updated format, users can easily find species of interest; create personal collections of photos and information; find or upload pictures, videos and sounds; and share comments, questions and expertise with users worldwide that share similar interests.

EOL.org seeks to become a microscope in reverse, helping users to discern large-scale patterns.

By aggregating for analysis information on Earth’s estimated 1.9 million known species, scientists say EOL could, for example, help map vectors of human disease; reveal mysteries behind longevity; suggest substitute plant pollinators for a swelling list of places where honeybees no longer provide the function; and foster strategies to slow the spread of invasive species.

All EOL information is available for reuse and is licensed under Creative Commons and other Open Access free licenses.

Natural Wonders Virgin Forests are Irreplaceable Analysis by an international team of researchers of more than 100 studies comparing wildlife in forests that had been modified with those that had not confirms the crucial role that virgin forests play in conserving the natural world.

The researchers conclude in the journal Nature that, “When it comes to maintaining tropical biodiversity, there is no substitute for primary forests.”

The worldwide meta-study found that most species, notably birds, do much better in virgin tracts than in areas that have been cleared for agriculture, plantations or agro-forestry or selectively logged for certain types of trees. In all but the latter, the overall impact on biodiversity was marked. In all cases, the variety of plants and animals was depleted more severely than the sheer number of organisms present.

Surprisingly, total mammal populations may do better under some kinds of forest modification, although this may be because opportunistic animals such as rats multiply even as the diversity of mammals drops. Birds, insects and plants experience an unequivocal loss.

The study addresses how best to specifically preserve nature across the tropics, where most human population growth and rapid development is occurring. It compares the effects of “land-sharing”, where farming and other development enables wildlife to share the same space, and “land-sparing”, which provides entitlement areas to wildlife while humans use other segments as intensely as they like.

A Spiritual Community supporting the practice of knowing God in the heart of every person.

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Source: BBC News

Blogging News Teens See More Kindness than Cruelty Online As American teens navigate the new world of digital citizenship, a new study has found that 69 percent say their peers are mostly being kind to one another on social networking sites. Still, 12 percent say they witness meanness frequently, 29 percent sometimes and 47 percent only once in a while; 15 percent report that they have personally been the targets of mean or cruel behavior online.

The findings are based on focus groups and a national survey of youths ages 12 to 17 and their parents, conducted by the Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project.

Find the full report at Tinyurl.com/7kl3cuj.

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natural awakenings

February 2012

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globalbriefs Crucial Shareware Open Hardware Addresses Environmental Problems The concept of open hardware, like open software, aims to freely share all the necessary knowledge for building usable electronic devices, and participants range from innovative students to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Protei, a worldwide collective of technology students, has designed an autonomous, mini-sailboat drone to ply the ocean and mop up oil spills, gather information on marine life in crisis, and clean up floating plastic trash. The Protei boats were originally designed to respond to the BP 2010 Gulf oil spill crisis. Trail-

ing oil-absorbing booms, the drones can sail even in a storm to help with cleanup, unlike conventional ships concerned with crew safety.

Similarly, collaborating volunteers in Japan responded to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant 2011 meltdown by building stationary and mobile radiation monitors.

Source: Scientific American

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There is only one Presence and one Power active as the universe and as my life, God the Good. principle 2~

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This God essence, called the Christ, was fully expressed in Jesus. principle 3~

We are co-creators with God, creating reality through thoughts held in mind. principle 4~

Through prayer and meditation, we align our heart-mind with God. Denials and affirmations are tools we use. principle 5~

Through thoughts, words and actions, we live the Truth we know.

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Low Tech Silicon Valley School Eschews Computers The Waldorf School of the Peninsula, in Los Altos, California, is one of 160 Waldorf schools in the country that subscribe to a teaching philosophy focused on physical activity and learning through creative, hands-on tasks. The New York Times reports that the chief technology officer of eBay sends his children to this nine-classroom institution, as do employees of Silicon Valley giants like Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Packard.

Yet, the school’s main teaching tools are anything but high-tech, comprising pen and paper, knitting needles and occasionally, mud. No computers or screens of any kind are allowed in the classroom, and the school frowns on their use at home.

Educators that endorse this approach say computers inhibit creative thinking, movement, human interaction and attention spans. Alan Eagle, a communications executive at Google, whose daughter attends the school, says, “The idea that an app on an iPad can better teach my kids to read or do arithmetic, that’s ridiculous.”

Source: The New York Times

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ecotip

Green Laundry List Use Cold Water and Eco-Wise Detergents Mom may have said that hot water washes best, but don’t give cold-water detergents the cold shoulder—today’s new products deliver clean laundry that’s easy on the pocketbook and the planet.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an average American family annually washes nearly 400 loads of laundry. Because heating the water accounts for 90 percent of the energy used by a washing machine, using only hot or warm water in a top-loading electric washer annually produces an average 2,407 pounds of CO2 pollution—equivalent to two cross-country flights.

Many conventional cold-water detergents still contain toxic chemicals that when drained, end up in waterways, creating a host of environmental woes and exposing wildlife to endocrine disruptors. For both clean and green clothes, buy biodegradable laundry detergents made with plant oils and other natural ingredients that are free of phosphates, bleach and surfactants such as petroleum-based nonylphenol ethoxylates, or NPE. Kinder to the planet, greener choices are also gentler on the skin.

Consumers concerned about killing bacteria, dust mites and other allergens may be tempted to turn on the hot water tap for sheets, linens and underwear, but Philip Tierno, Jr., Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and pathology at the New York University School of Medicine, says that most of the hot water people use is not hot enough anyway. “You need water that’s between 140 and 150 degrees to kill germs,” he advises. Tierno, author of The Secret Life of Germs, notes that the sun is one of nature’s most efficient germ killers, so letting clothes dry outdoors is a good eco-option. “The ultraviolet radiation kills germs,” he advises, “and it’s just as effective as bleach.”

Natural disinfectants that can be added during rinsing include white vinegar (one-half cup per load); grapefruit seed extract (one teaspoon); tea tree oil (two teaspoons); and lavender or peppermint essential oil (a few drops), which also imparts a fresh fragrance.

Find more tips on the Sierra Club’s website at Tinyurl. com/3kh2dpf, plus eco-wise products including pre-wash treatments, non-chlorine bleach and laundry liquids at Natural Awakenings’ online store, NAWebstore.com. natural awakenings

February 2012

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essentials

and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.”

–Leviticus 14:17 The anointing described in the above verse is very interesting in light of today’s scientific understanding of reflexology, emotional release points, and essential oils. The priest appears to be treating the emotional roots of the disease rather than the symptoms (skin lesions). The tip of the right ear is the trigger point for releasing emotional issues regarding the mother and father. Emotional blocks to learning and fear of the unknown can be released through the right thumb, and the big toe of the right foot is a point for clearing bad habits, compulsive behavior, and addictions. The scent of hyssop facilitates releasement of swallowed emotions and is a spiritual cleanser, whereas the aroma of cedarwood is particularly good at dealing with conceit.

Healing Oils of the Bible Part 3–Cedarwood and Hyssop

By Linda Hileman BS, CCA

“A

nd the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.” -Numbers 19:6 “And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall.”

–I Kings 4:33

According to scripture, King Solomon was one of the wisest men to have ever lived and was a great leader (I Kings 4:29-34).

One of the most insightful decisions he may have ever made was choosing the cedars of Lebanon as building material for his palace and great temple in Jerusalem.

Cedar is a very hard wood and strongly aromatic due to its essential oil content.

Inhaling the aromatic molecules wafting through the temple would have enhanced clear thinking and helped to keep consciousness elevated on a spiritual level.

This is because, by way of the olfactory nerve, the sesquiterpenes in cedarwood oil have the ability to pass through the bloodbrain barrier and oxygenate the brain.

“The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted.” –Psalm 104:16

“So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.” –I Kings 6:9

Cedarwood and hyssop essential oils mixed in olive oil was a medicinal blend given to Moses by God to be used by the priests in cleansing ceremonies for leprosy and a variety of other diseases of the skin. (Leviticus 13-14)

“And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house and the walls of the ceiling.” –I Kings 6:15

“And the rest of the oil (cedarwood, hyssop, and olive) that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed,

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“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” –Psalm 51:7 In biblical times, chopped up herbs were sprinkled on the floors of the temples, and in this way, when people walked on them they would be crushed and bruised releasing their refreshing fragrances into the air. Similarly, in the story of the first passover, the striking of hyssop branches would have released aromatic oil which the Israelites believed would repel evil spirits, in this case the angel of death. Hyssop is an essential oil with well known antibacterial and antiviral properties.

“Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts.” –Exodus 12:22 Linda Hileman BS, CCA is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist. For more information or to make an appointment, call 256-325-4444 or email EssentialOptions@ aol.com.

References: Essential Oils Desk Reference, 4th Edition, Brian Manwaring Releasing Emotional Patterns with Essential Oils, Carolyn Mein, DC Healing Oils of the Bible, David Stewart, Ph.D.

The good news: Such fates are far from inevitable.

“People seem to expect that as soon as we start to need reading glasses, we should also expect some of these cognitive issues to arise, but it does not need to be that way,” says Naples, Florida-based Neurology Doctor David Perlmutter, co-author of Power up Your Brain. “You can absolutely do things early on in life and throughout your lifetime that work to maintain the bulk and function of the brain.”

Here’s how: Stay lean. It may seem counterintuitive, but mounting evidence suggests that in order to grow a bigger brain, many of us should be eating less. “The key to the brain maintaining and even regenerating itself is the activation of a set of genes that code for a protein called brain

A Brain-Building Blueprint

How to Keep the Mind Young and Memory Sharp

by Lisa Marshall

“Have you seen my keys?” “Now, why did I come in here?” “Her name is on the tip of my tongue.” If you catch yourself uttering such phrases, listen up:

“M

emory generally starts to decline in our 30s, as the brain shrinks with age.

One of the first and most prominent signs is that ‘tip of the tongue’ phenomenon,” advises neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt, Ph.D., co-author of Welcome to Your Brain.

Studies show that the adult brain can shrink as much as one-half to 1 percent annually in midlife, as neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus wither and the branches between them thin. Add hormonal changes, which can starve gray matter of nour-

ishing estrogen and progesterone; less-than-stellar cardiovascular health, which tends to limit blood flow to the brain; and a gummy protein called amyloid plaque, which can hamper neuronal function; and cognitive decline may be exacerbated.

Already, one in five people older than 65 suffer from “mild cognitive impairment” (persistent memory problems severe enough to be noticeable by others). According to the Alzheimer’s Association, if we live to age 90, as many as half of us could ultimately be diagnosed with that disease.

derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),” explains Perlmutter. “BDNF is significantly enhanced in people that simply cut down their calorie consumption.”

Several animal and human studies support this conclusion. One 2009 study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, divided 50 men and women age 50 and older into three groups that slashed calorie intake by 20 percent, 30 percent and not at all. After three months, the groups that restricted their calories saw their verbal memory scores jump by more than 20 percent.

Perlmutter notes that just being overweight in the prime of life can promote excess inflammation and free radical production—two enemies of a healthy brain. A 2005 study of 10,000 men and women conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente found that people that were obese in their early 40s had a 74 percent increased risk of developing dementia later in life.

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coverartist

Gratitude Kisses Lori Portka – Artist A former counselor and educator, fine artist Lori Portka delights in the favorite things that inspire her: nature, traveling, animals, yoga and friends.

She lets her art pour out in boldly rendered images that burst from each canvas via saturated pastels, paints, chalks and inks to forge a visceral connection between artist and viewer.

“I make artwork that is a reflection of gratitude and joy in the world,” says Portka, whose expressive works fulfill her mission of spreading happiness through art.

A personal loss led Portka to begin painting again at 30-something for the first time since the 10th grade, a process she says has opened her heart even more deeply. Inspired by Australian photographer and filmmaker Hailey Bartholomew’s documentary, 365 Grateful, about living on the sunny side of life, Portka embarked upon her own project, A Hundred Thank-Yous, creating and giving away 100 paintings to 100 people that have touched her life, she says, “in a beautiful way.”

“I feel like I am on the right path, doing what I am supposed to do,” she explains. “Art feels like home to me.”

View the artist’s portfolio and follow her blog at LoriPortka.com.

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“Just a 25 percent reduction in calories over one month’s time can have a profound effect on boosting memory,” Perlmutter notes.

Eat a brain-building diet. Aside from cutting calories, experts say it’s critical to load up on foods that boost neurogenesis (the development of new brain cells) and stall brain atrophy. Eating more fish (or omega-3 supplements), adding fruits and vegetables and cutting back on refined carbohydrates do just that, advises Dr. Christiane Northrup, obstetrician, gynecologist and author of Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom. “The brain is mostly made up of omega-3 fats, and many women, in particular, are lacking them in their diet,” she observes.

Perlmutter notes that supplementing one’s intake of omega-3 fatty acid DHA, present in fatty fish and marine algae, has been shown to switch on the genes that jumpstart BDNF production.

DHA is also anti-inflammatory and promotes healthy blood flow to the brain.

But people shouldn’t wait too long to load up on it.

One 2010 trial of 485 healthy adults with mild memory complaints found that those who took 900 milligrams per day of algae-based DHA supplements for six months made significantly fewer errors on memory tests than they had at the study’s onset.

Another study by the National Institute on Aging, however, found that DHA supplementation had little impact on patients once severe dementia had set in. So, sooner is better.

Healthy fats aside, dark-colored fruits such as blackberries, blueberries and plums are all rich with antioxidants, substances known to scavenge cell-damaging free radicals in the brain.

Also, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and broccoli sprouts contain a powerful compound called sulforaphane, believed to boost the body’s own production of antioxidants.

One famous 2005 study followed 13,388 women over several decades, and found that those that ate the most cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens stayed mentally sharp for far longer than those that ate the least. New research from Rush University, in Chicago, further suggests that a deficiency of B12, found in fish, liver, milk and eggs, may hasten brain shrinkage as previously functioning cells die off.

Overloading on refined carbohydrates like white flour, pasta and potatoes carries a similar result. “Elevated blood sugar can destroy the brain,” advises Perlmutter, pointing to a 2005 study in the journal Neurology, which linked accelerated brain shrinkage with elevated blood sugar.

Prevent hormonal havoc. Ebbing hormones can also have a measurable impact on our ability to recall words and follow through on tasks, says Hawaii naturopathic physician Laurie Steelsmith, author of Natural Choices for Women’s Health.

One 2009 University of California study of 2,362 women between the ages of 42 and 52 found that 60 percent suffered memory and mental-processing problems. “I hear about it almost every day from women in my practice,” comments Steelsmith. “They’re trying to find the word for, say, ‘garlic’ or ‘pen,’ and it just won’t come to them. It can be very frustrating.”

Steelsmith notes that estrogen plays a critical role in influencing verbal and spatial memory and fine motor skills and bolstering the blood-brain barrier to keep toxins out. Meanwhile, progesterone acts on the same brain receptors that Valium does, promoting calm and aiding sleep. In the days immediately prior to menstruation, when estrogen and progesterone levels are low, or once women begin to approach menopause and they stay low, the brain feels it.

In an ideal world, the adrenal glands kick in to

pick up where the ovaries leave off—producing sex hormones. “But women that are stressed out or not nourishing themselves tend to experience adrenal fatigue, so their adrenals are not able to act as a secondary source of hormones,� says Steelsmith.

For ovulating women, she recommends taking 100 to 175 milligrams (mg) daily of the herb Rhodiola rosea during the second half of the menstrual cycle to support fatigued adrenal glands and ward off hormone-related brain fog.

If the condition occurs only for a few days before a menstrual period, and is accompanied by tender breasts, lack of sleep and heavy monthly bleeding, the problem may be low progesterone. For that, try the herb chaste tree berry during the second half of the menstrual cycle, or consider a low dose, over-the-counter progesterone cream, says Northrup.

For post-menopausal women, she recommends taking up to 50 mg per day of pregnenolone, an adrenal hormone that the body naturally converts into estrogen and progesterone. (While pregnenolone is available over the counter, Steelsmith suggests that women have a naturopath first test their hormone levels in order to determine an appropriate dose.)

Or, older men and women experiencing age-related memory loss can try a soy-based nutritional supplement called phosphatidylserine (PS), which is believed to bolster cellto-cell communication and levels of the memory-boosting neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Exercise mind and body. Aamodt notes that a common cause of cognitive decline is the accumulation of clogged blood vessels in the brain that choke off blood and oxygen. Thus, “Regular exercise is the single most useful thing you can do to maintain your cognitive abilities later in life,� she says.

Recent studies by researchers at the University of Illinois and elsewhere have shown that as little as 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, three times per week, may not only stall agerelated brain atrophy in the elderly, but even help regenerate parts of the brain that have withered. “There is no medication on the planet that can do that,� says Perlmutter.

Brain exercise is helpful, as well. Exposure to new experiences prompts the brain to literally lay down new neuronal networks, becoming stronger. A 2009 Mayo Clinic study found that of 1,300 people ages 70 to 89, those that had regularly engaged in mentally challenging activities in their 50s and 60s (such as playing games, quilting, building model airplanes, or learning a new language or instrument) were 40 percent less likely to suffer memory problems.

The key, advise the experts, is not to stick with the same crossword puzzle for years. Instead, try something new. As Steelsmith puts it: “Use it or lose it.�

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer headquartered near Boulder, CO. Connect at Lisa@LisaAnnMarshall.com.

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healthykids

HOW A BRAIN GROWS Five Ways to Aid Development

by Lisa Marshall

Parents that believe playing Beethoven for their infant, investing in educational videos for their toddler or forcing schoolage youngsters to sit still and study for hours will help them to build a better brain have another “think” coming.

“P

eople are anxious to do everything they can to improve their child’s intelligence, yet many are focusing their energy in places where they are not getting the best payoff for it,” says neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt, Ph.D., co-author of Welcome to Your Child’s Brain: How the Mind Grows from Conception to College.

In their new book, Aamodt and Princeton University Neuroscience Professor Sam Wang try to dispel what they believe are many myths that have

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led parents to worry too much about the influence they can have on a child’s cognitive development and in some cases, have led to doing more harm than good.

Aamodt says that genetics and thousands of years of human evolution have already exerted a heavy influence on a child’s developmental future before he or she is born. In the absence of abuse and neglect, and with good nutrition and a stimulating environment, a child’s brain “raises itself” in many ways, the authors maintain. Meanwhile,

they argue that there is little scientific evidence showing that factors like birth order and exposure to classical music and educational videos have an impact on cognitive development.

“Children come ‘out of the box’ with individual temperaments that strongly influence the possible paths they can take through life,” Aamodt observes. “Most parents believe that they can have a bigger influence on their child’s personalities than they actually do. They should relax and enjoy their kids more.”

The authors offer these scientifically backed tips for parents and caregivers to influence a child’s developing brain: Don’t stress during pregnancy.

“The hormones produced in the mother’s body during stressful times can cross over into the placenta, exposing the child. If it’s a chronic condition, it can lead to problems with brain development,” counsels Aamodt.

One 2008 review paper from Harvard Medical School led researchers to conclude that babies born to stressed mothers are more likely to suffer from autism spectrum disorders. Others, from researchers in Canada and the UK, found that women that endure natural disasters while pregnant are more likely to have babies that suffer from schizophrenia, decreased IQ and depression.

Animal research has repeatedly demonstrated that babies of stressed mothers often grow up with touchy stressresponse systems.

Switch off the baby videos. University of Washington researchers have found that baby educational videos, like Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby fail to boost language skills and may actually slow acquisition of vocabulary.

“For every hour per day spent watching baby DVDs and videos, infants understood an average of six to eight fewer words than infants that did not watch them,” the report said.

Other research by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that exposure to action-packed videos may increase the risk of development of attention disorders. “Babies are wired to learn from other people, and every period of time they are not interacting with people because they are watch-

ing TV interferes with that face-to-face interaction,” says Aamodt.

Teach a second language. Bilingual children consistently outperform single-language speakers in tests of executive brain function (a measure of organizational and planning skills) and tend to be better at making choices and understanding other people’s perspectives, Aamodt says. “The very first act of speech for a bilingual person is picking which language to use, and you do that based on your understanding of the other person’s perspective.” Aamodt recommends exposing youngsters to a second language in infancy—if possible, just by speaking to them in a different language—and exploring more formal instruction before the age of 8.

Foster self-control. “Ultimately, parents can make the biggest difference in their child’s adult quality of life by promoting self-control,” Aamodt says. Recent research published in the journal Science and elsewhere suggests that children with greater self-control (meaning they can resist temptation, stay on task and control their own behavior) achieve greater success in school, the workplace and their personal lives.

“Preschool children’s ability to resist temptation is a much better predictor of academic success than their IQ scores,” Aamodt notes.

She recommends engaging and progressively more challenging tasks.

“You want to stretch the child just a little; get them to do something a little bit hard, but that they can succeed at if they concentrate.”

Encourage study breaks. “Some very old science tells us that to learn effectively, you need to take breaks and allow your brain to consolidate what you have already learned before you go back and try to learn some more,” says Aamodt. “If you study a total of an hour, you will learn twice as much if you break it up into two 30-minute spans.”

Hooray for recess.

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer headquartered near Boulder, CO. Connect at Lisa@LisaAnnMarshall.com.

inspiration

WABI SABI LOVE Embracing Imperfections in Relationships

by Arielle Ford

T

he ancient Japanese friend and partner—during art form of Wabi Sabi the good, the bad and We shift our honors all things old, everything in-between. choices from weathered, worn and imIt starts when we permanent by perceiving shift our perception “what I want,” the beauty in imperfecand see our mate’s to what is tions. It discovers grace behavior through a ultimately in things modest, humble gentler and kinder and unconventional. lens of mutual respect best for the Wabi Sabi love is and lightheartedness. relationship. the art and practice of Research by Psychologist appreciating the quirks and Sandra Murray, Ph.D., at the imperfections in our self and University of Buffalo, reveals our partner. Listening with our that donning “rose-colored glasses” heart, we come to see with it, and idealizing our partner leads to too. Discerning the hidden dance more happiness and satisfaction in between partners brings emotional a relationship, and that the happiest maturity to our relationships as we shift couples focus on what’s right. In what our focus from what’s wrong to what’s is known as the Pygmalion effect, the right. This new, true view deeply bonds greater the expectation placed upon us and is a key to everlasting love—and people, the better they perform. any harmonious relationship.

Keeping an open heart and mind Spiritual teacher David Deida also prepares us to receive our partner’s counsels, “Practicing love often best expectations and highest level of means… surrendering all hold on the caring, even if it might seem different familiar act you call ‘me.’” By choosing than what we expect. When we choose to turn everyday conflict into comto lovingly accept each another, let go passion, we cultivate a more loving of issues and apologize for any wrongrelationship through humor, listening, doing, it transforms the relationship. intimacy and generosity, even when Overall, we better appreciate someone is acting out, refusing to listen the bigger picture and go from being or shutting down. annoyed to enjoyed!

Acceptance and its counterpart, understanding, are crucial to achieving Bestselling author Arielle Ford is a relationship harmony. It’s the highleader in the personal growth and est form of love and, like most things contemporary spirituality movement. worth striving for, requires patience, Her new release is Wabi Sabi Love commitment, personal responsibility, (WabiSabiLove.com). Subscribe to a playfulness and practice. Imagine how free Soulmate Secret newsletter at great it is to feel loved all the time by a ArielleFord.com. natural awakenings

February 2012

25

fitbody

“I

Exercise to Beat the Blues Staying Active Lifts Our Spirits

by Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

Depression affects about one in 10 adults each year and nearly twice as many women as men, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Although exercise may feel like the last thing you want to do when you are feeling blue, it’s a sure way to climb out of the morass and achieve a brighter outlook, higher energy levels and good heart health.

26

n winter months, people get sluggish in many ways, and the resulting buildup of toxins can make them feel achy. They often interpret their fatigue and tension as depression, but that’s not necessarily so,� says Carolyn Dean, a pioneering physician, naturopath, nutritionist and author, with 25 years of experience treating diet and health issues. “The best, most natural way to pull toxins out of the body is through movement,� she advises.

Becoming active is a good way to both lift depression and promote overall health, including a healthy heart, one of the largest and most vital muscles in the body.

Getting off the couch often begins by identifying what you enjoy and will be most likely to continue doing. Setting reasonable goals is important. If you haven’t exercised in awhile or feel guilty for taking time out of an already busy day, try starting with a five-minute workout, and then increase the duration as you get stronger and feel better.

Dean suggests that one good way to start is by walking and using a pedometer, or climbing stairs with a step-counter (10,000 steps a day is a reachable goal). You can make a game of competing against yourself.

Invite friends to walk with you or create your own walking club to help stay on track with a cardioexercise routine. Walking your dog or borrowing a neighbor’s pooch for a stroll around the neighborhood is

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fun. Inject additional movement into daily routines via gardening, washing the car or playing with children.

Multiple Benefits Although the scientific links between exercise and reduced anxiety and depression aren’t entirely known, it is clear that working out can help anyone relax and feel better. The Mayo Clinic reports that exercise helps ease depression by releasing feel good brain chemicals in the body; reducing immune system chemicals; increasing body temperature; boosting self-confidence; taking thoughts off of worries; and promoting social interaction, thus equipping individuals to better cope with life’s ups and downs.

“Exercise is sometimes stigmatized as an activity that’s hot, sticky and not fun,” notes Jess Martin, a wellness coordinator with the nationwide network of Healthstat, Inc. clinics, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“We encourage our participants to instead think of exercise as fun. Running, lifting weights and other fitness activities certainly get your heart pumping, but so can less intense forms of exercise. While we encourage everyone to have 30-minute workouts, you can also benefit from shorter intervals, such as two 15-minute or even three 10-minute sessions a day.”

As Martin notes, people that work out with a buddy are more likely to be accountable to an exercise routine.

Strengthening healthy social bonds reduces stresses at the same time. “When you don’t exercise, the muscles of the body and the heart atrophy, he says. The more you exercise, the lower the heart rate tends to become, and the more efficient the heart function.”

Daily Do “Daily exercise should be as much a part of your routine as meals,” counsels Dr. Gabriela Cora, vice-chair of the Council on Communications for the American Psychiatric Association, author, wellness and well-being coach and former researcher in mood and anxiety disorders at the National Institutes of Health. “This is even truer for busy people, because so many these days are sedentary; everyone needs to find a balance for any lack of energy flow.”

She points out that while many tend to think of exercise as a hobby, it is really one of the four pillars of biological health—sleep, relaxation, nutrition and exercise.

Note: Consult with a physician for advice about what exercise and level of intensity is best for you. If you exercise regularly, but anxiety or depression symptoms still interfere with daily life, follow up with a doctor or other qualified mental health provider.

Priscilla Goudreau-Santos is a freelance writer and owner of Priscilla Goudreau Public Relations and Marketing, in Jacksonville, FL. Connect at 904-371-7751.

natural awakenings

February 2012

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healingways

HOW CAN WE ALL

GET ALONG? Resolving conflict benefits mind and body.

by Lisa Shumate

“A

significant amount of wearand-tear on the body comes from prolonged unresolved conflict—from not letting go, holding grudges and reliving situations over and over in your head,� says Raj Dhasi, a Toronto-based conflict management consultant who specializes in the physiological impacts of conflict. “But if conflict happens and my mindset is: ‘I can handle this. We can work through this,’ that is phenomenally beneficial for the brain and body.�

Dhasi explains that when faced with any conflict— whether it’s an angry boss, disgruntled neighbor, political opponent or untidy teen in the house—our limbic system responds swiftly by igniting a cascade of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol and spiking our heart rate and blood pressure.

Meanwhile, our prefrontal cortex— the part of the brain responsible for thinking things through and putting the brakes on emotional, irrational behaviors—begins to slowly light up.

The fundamental problem is that in

the race to mount a response, the limbic system often wins, prompting us to greet conflict impulsively by raising our voice and saying things we later regret before our rational brain has time to step in.

On the flip side, many of us avoid conflict altogether, harboring discontent in such a way that we feel powerless or even threatened. Making matters worse, our fight-or-flight response never quite goes away, says Gary Harper, author of The Joy of Conflict Resolution: Transforming Victims, Villains and Heroes in the Workplace and at Home. “More people are stressed out by not dealing with a conflict than with dealing with it,� Harper observes. “If you deal with it in the moment, it allows you to let it go.�

Pause, Breathe, Consider Harper advises that one way to deal with conflict on the spot is to pause and give our more rational side a chance to arrive at a solution. “Before you react, slow down, take

a deep breath and listen to your inner dialogue,” he says.

“In that deep breath, you might realize that you need five minutes [to consider a response].” If you still remain in attack mode, it might not be the best time to respond.

He adds that while no conflict should be avoided altogether, careful consideration might lead us to conclude that some battles aren’t worth fighting. Ask yourself: How important is this person to me? How important is this issue to me? “If neither is vital to you, save your energy for a better use. If the issue is not important, but the relationship is, it’s okay to accommodate or give in sometimes,” he says.

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Be Direct and Follow-Up Some conflicts are worth confronting. Then, Barbara Pachter, a business communications consultant and author of The Power of Positive Confrontation, offers what she calls the WAC approach for dealing with most cases of work and family conflict.

W: Ask yourself: What is really bothering me? “A lot of times, people don’t do this. They just say, ‘This person is a jerk,’ rather than specifying the problem.”

A: Ask them for a solution. “We often complain, but we don’t identify a solution,” she says. “Determine what is going to solve the problem for you and ask for it.”

C: Check in. “Turn it over to the other person and ask for their response. Inquire: ‘Is this possible? What do you think?’”

All the while, stay curious about the other person’s perspective, suggests Harper. “We tend to see ourselves as the innocent victim, or we go into hero mode and tend to see the other person as the villain,” he says. “Of course, the other person is doing the same thing, and that makes collaboration tough.” Instead, ask sincere questions—and really listen.

Agree to Disagree Terrie McCants, coordinator of the conflict resolution program at Kansas State University, notes that in some cases, especially when deeply held values such as politics or faith are involved, resolving conflict isn’t necessarily about reaching an agreement. “You cannot negotiate people’s values.

Sometimes, these are things that people are willing to lie down and die for,” she says. “Instead, sometimes you might need to agree to disagree.”

In the end, whether the conflict is a minor disagreement at home, a workplace quarrel or a complicated political dispute, the process of properly working through it can leave both parties feeling stronger and improve their communities. “Conflict forces you to problem-solve collaboratively and come up with options and elegant solutions,” she explains. “If handled well, it can add brilliant things to your life.”

Lisa Shumate is a freelance writer in Boulder, CO.

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by Gatlianne

Seated Heart Opener

W

hat is your purpose? The fact alone that you came into being means you have a purpose and a right to be here. No one born unto this earth isn’t supposed to be here living out their life and finding their purposes. Yes, purposes, plural.

We have many purposes in our lives and these purposes shift and change, evolving along with our personal and spiritual growth. Our purposes also change on a daily, even hourly basis.

When we wake in the morning we have a purpose to live another day and as that day progresses a purpose may arise that we say a kind word to someone, help a stranger, see a beautiful sight or offer a bit of encouragement.

These small purposes aren’t actually small; they’re changing the course of lives. Your life and the lives of others are shifted with these purposes. That is anything but small.

When fear gets in our way it is essentially like closing our hearts and putting a lock on our purpose potential. This doesn’t stop our opportunities for purpose from arising but it does stop us from stepping forward to act

on those opportunities. Sitting behind locked walls doesn’t change our fears.

It doesn’t make them go away. Instead, it’s our way of hiding from them. And when we’re hiding from our fears we are locking our true selves away. This keeps us from overcoming those fears and reaching our purposes.

Open your heart with a Seated Heart Opener. Begin in simple sitting pose, with knees and toes slightly apart. Settle into this kneeling position by breathing conscious breath.

Breathe in to the count of two and out to the count of two. Gradually increase to four, six, eight or twelve, whichever is most natural for you.

When your breath falls in rhythm begin to breath in, hold, then release all in

the same count.

Imagine your heart space opening more and more with each inhale and all walls releasing with each exhale. When you begin to feel expansion in the heart space, feel the warmth there and imagine a beautiful light with the warmth. Let this light and warmth grow outward and as it begins to expand lean back to place your palms on the floor behind you near the feet. If this causes any knee discomfort move to sitting in easy pose (Indian Style) instead of simple sitting pose. Let yourself flow into the pose with ease.

With chest lifted, drop the head back slowly—continuing to breathe consciously, allowing the heart space and light to open and expand. Intend that you are not only opening to others and the world, but also to yourself.

There is never one moment when you don’t have a purposeful life; however, there are many moments when you hold yourself back from living that purposeful life. Remove the lock of fear from your heart and step forward to your purpose today and let your true vulnerability and realness shine.

—PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEWIS METTS.

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

February 2012

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Coming in March

greenliving

EAT PLASTICFREE Healthy, Practical Tips for People and the Planet

by Brita Belli

Changing the Way America Eats Natural Awakenings’

Food & Garden issue explores fresh ways to eat well on a budget.

For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call

256-340-1122 32

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P

lastic is nearly impossible to avoid these days, but we should beware of its health impacts.

First, consider that the chemicals that form plastic compounds are let loose when plastic becomes worn, scratched or heated. When we use plastic containers for food and drinks and these chemicals are freed up, they can enter our food supply and contribute to a toxic buildup in our bodies. Exposure to such chemicals poses particular danger to pregnant women, babies and young children, whose hormone and brain development can be more easily affected by such toxic insults.

Next, consider that Americans annually send more than 29 million tons of plastic to landfills, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Once there, it deteriorates, yet never fully breaks down. Plastic is one of the least recycled forms of packaging, due to its myriad recycling codes and disposable convenience (consider how many of us return plastic grocery bags to the store).

Even worse, countless plastic bags, containers, six-pack rings, beverage straws and other plastic human detritus

have found their way into our oceans.

The United Nations Environment Programme estimates there are currently 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. Plastic garbage patches entangle, choke and kill turtles, dolphins and other sea life or, after the eroding effects of sun and saltwater, disintegrate into microscopic plastic pellets consumed by fish, which then wind up on our dinner plates.

Here are some ubiquitous plastics of concern and practical ways to avoid using them.

Plastic food storage containers.

With plastic storage containers (particularly polycarbonate plastic, with a 7 recycling number or resin identification code), the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is of primary concern. BPA molecules are linked to form the plastic, but some molecules can escape and leach into food contents.

BPA is a known hormone disruptor that has been tied to miscarriage, prostate and breast cancer, obesity and in children, behavioral and cognitive problems. If the plastic is worn, scratched, repeatedly washed or

Plastic water and soda bottles. Flimsy plastic beverage bottles (bearing a number 1 recycling symbol) are made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a petroleum-based plastic that can leach antimony, a metal linked to lung disease, heart problems and stomach ulcers at high concentrations; and phthalates, a common plasticizer associated with male genital deformities, low sperm counts, early puberty, susceptibility to allergens and autism. Hot conditions (such as the inside of a car) increase the leaching potential, as can reuse.

Alternative: Invest in a few stainless steel reusable water bottles.

Plastic sandwich bags. Most plastic sandwich bags are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), indicated by resin code 4. Although not known to leach chemicals (it’s still wise to avoid microwaving them, however), they contribute to the massive quantity of plastic waste produced each year.

Alternatives: Many reusable cloth lunch bags plus glass, bamboo and stainless steel snack containers are available.

Clear food packaging, plastic squeeze bottles and peanut butter containers. Many pre-wrapped items in the deli or produce section, as well as condiment squeeze bottles and peanut butter containers bearing a number 3 code, are made with polyvinyl chloride or PVC, one of the most dangerous plastics. During the production of PVC, harmful chemicals like lead, dioxins and vinyl chloride are released that have been tied to health outcomes ranging from learning and behavioral problems to cancer and birth defects.

Fatty foods such as cheeses and meats wrapped in number 3 plastics are particularly prone to leaching phthalates.

Alternatives: Opt for food that’s not wrapped in plastic, such as meat from a butcher or deli counter, rather than prepackaged in the refrigerated bin. Also consider switching to condiments and peanut butters packaged in glass.

Styrofoam takeout containers.

Polystyrene foam is technically a number 6 plastic. It’s common in to-go containers and egg cartons, and the styrene that can leach out is tied to many health impacts, including neurological damage and harm to the liver and kidneys.

Further, styrene is known to build up in body fat, increasing its toxic potential over time.

Alternatives: Shop at natural grocery stores and places where customers can bring their own containers. With egg cartons, opt for cardboard, preferably made from recycled material.

Brita Belli is the editor of E-The Environmental Magazine.

Photography by David Phillips

heated, leaching is more likely.

Alternative: Use stainless steel or glass containers that can be frozen and heated without worry.

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Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, epa.gov; United Nations Environment Programme, unep.org; Healthy Child Healthy World, HealthyChild.org; Our Stolen Future, OurStolenFuture.org.

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February 2012

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consciouseating

IMPROVE YOUR SNOOZE

Sleep Aids versus Sleep Sappers

by Judith Fertig

C

an eating a whole-wheat peanut butter cracker or sipping tart cherry juice help us sleep? Either is certainly worth a try, because most of us aren’t getting enough shut-eye. According to the nonprofit National Sleep Foundation, 64 percent of America’s adults frequently experience sleep problems; nearly half wake up at least once during the night. This deficit of restorative rest can affect our health.

“Lack of sleep can affect the immune system,” says Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler, of the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center and an officer of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

“Studies show that people that don’t get a good night’s sleep or don’t get enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as the common cold.”

A concept called sleep hygiene refers to good health practices that promote sleep. For example: Is the room dark or quiet enough? Is the mattress comfortable? Have we allowed sufficient time to wind down after daily activities to become relaxed? What we eat or drink also can have a profound effect on getting a good night’s rest.

Sleep Sappers Physicians, naturopaths and nutrition-

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ists generally agree that these key factors delay or disrupt sleep.

Food and drink. According to Jamie Corroon, a naturopathic physician with Seattle’s Bastyr University, eating or drinking too much during the day may make us less comfortable when settling down to sleep. Also, spicy foods may cause heartburn, which can lead to difficulty falling asleep and discomfort during the night.

Caffeine. “Caffeine’s stimulant effect peaks in about one hour, and then declines as the liver breaks it down. So, if you go to bed by 11 p.m., you’ll have to stop your caffeine intake by 2 or 3 p.m. to avoid insomnia,” advises bestselling author Joy Bauer, a registered dietitian and nutritionist in New York City. She also cautions about energy drinks that incorporate herbal caffeine that may include guarana seeds, kola nuts and yerba mate leaves.

Nightcaps. Although many people think of alcohol as a sedative, it actually disrupts sleep, according to experts at the National Sleep Foundation.

Sleep Aids What helps us sleep may be either a food’s chemical properties or the psychological and physical comfort we associate with a certain food or drink.

Options include some old reliables.

Walnuts and tart cherry juice.

Studies conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center, in San Antonio, and published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that these two foods are great sources of melatonin, a natural hormone that helps regulate sleep cycles. Tart cherry juice was found to be especially effective in reducing the time it took subjects to fall asleep.

Herbs. According to the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, some herbs have a mild, sedative effect. Three traditional herbs used for sleep are valerian, German chamomile and passionflower.

The European practice of sipping a warm tisane, or herbal tea, made from these ingredients can be warming and soothing, preparing us to sleep. These herbs are also available as supplements.

Complex carbohydrates. “Enjoy a bedtime snack,” recommends Bauer, of about 200 calories or less; mainly complex carbohydrates, with a touch of protein, such as some banana with peanut butter, yogurt or a small amount of whole grain cereal with skim milk.

“By combining an ample dose of carbohydrates together with a small amount of protein—such as yogurt or turkey— containing the amino acid tryptophan, your brain produces serotonin, known as a calming hormone.”

A warm, milky drink. Research scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology concluded that the chemical properties of milk—mainly protein and tryptophan—were not enough to ensure a good night’s sleep (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). However, sleep and wellness expert Anna de Vena, who writes for SleepWellFeel Great.com, observes, “I love curling up with any kind of warm milky drink before bed, especially in the wintertime.

There is a calming association with warm milk and sleep… from the time we were infants, when we drank milk and went to sleep.”

Judith Fertig celebrates healthy food at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.

or else believe we can do even more because we practice self-care.

Keep in mind that we can’t solve burnout with the same level of consciousness that created it. We have to catch ourselves in the act of overlooking our true needs, stop, do a selfinquiry that looks at things as they are, and pinpoint what drains our energy, as well as what brings us to life.

wisewords

The Benefits of Burnout An oxymoron?

Not according to psychologist Joan Borysenko.

How did writing Fried affect you?

by Linda Sechrist

J

photo by Charles Bush

oan Borysenko, Ph.D., a pioneer in integrative medicine, is a renowned expert on the mind-body connection. Her work has been foundational in an international health care revolution that recognizes the role of meaning and the spiritual dimension of life as integral aspects of health and healing.

Most recently, the Harvard-trained biologist and psychologist explored the anatomy of burnout with Facebook friends in her latest book, Fried: Why You Burn Out and How to Revive.

What does it mean to physically, emotionally and spiritually burn out?

When you’re stressed out, you keep chasing the same old carrot, whatever that may be for you. But when you’re burned out, you eventually give up the chase.

The hope that you can create a meaningful life fizzles and you find yourself sitting in the ashes of your dreams.

In a culture wedded to positive thinking, burnout and its first cousin, depression, are thought of as disorders in need of a fix. What if instead, we see them as losses of naïveté, false identities and faulty assumptions that are making way for a more authentic life? What if we viewed burnout as an invitation to come into alignment with a more elegant expression of our gifts, relationships and overall life energy?

The late psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, Ph.D., who first popularized the concept in his 1980 book, Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement, believed the condition is a painful affliction of good people trying to give their very best. He defined it as “the extinction of motivation or incentive, especially where one’s

devotion to a cause or relationship fails to produce the desired results.”

Why do we burn out even when we regularly use selfcare practices?

Many people are shocked to learn that even though I’m a positive person, with a regular yoga and meditation practice, as well as healthy eating habits, I have burned out more than once. Ironically, but predictably, I was trying to do and be my best. For me, burnout means that my most loving, creative self goes missing; I contract into the smallest, most negative version of myself, which is not a pretty picture.

I find that for many people that intellectualize a great portion of their lives, burnout doesn’t become real until they are not only physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted, but are also in pain. Knowing ourselves and our limitations is essential, because our tendency is to become complacent and think we’re too busy to tend to our well-being,

In order to follow my own advice, I completely changed the way I live. I realized that at age 66, I needed to pay more attention to my physical body.

Physical therapy and Pilates floor exercises are now a priority five days a week, as well as yoga, both of which have helped to correct my hip joint problems.

For aerobic exercise, I walk fast for 45 minutes at least five days a week. In inclement weather, I ride an indoor bike.

Altogether, it averages out to 90 minutes of daily exercise, five days a week.

My husband and I switched to a plant-based diet of organic whole foods, so we now set aside more time to plan, shop and cook. We also make more time for family and friends. We still both work, but fewer hours than before. In other words, I do what I can within a framework of love. I choose to do what is important to me—activities that give me life and energy.

What is it about living “in the now” that feels so enlivening?

When we live in our heads and intellectualize, we tend to spin negative thoughts that hurt our physical health and sap our energy. By actively focusing on what we are doing in the moment, we can engage our senses, more thoroughly enjoy ourselves and have an awareness of being that is not possible when we are ruminating over past memories or projecting ourselves into daydreams about a far-off future. In such present moments, because we are relaxed and open to our inner wisdom, as well as our interconnection with the exquisite wholeness of life, we feel the most vital and alive.

Connect at JoanBorysenko.com and Facebook.com/pages/Joan-Borysenko/ 211406562428.

natural awakenings

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calendarofevents WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

100 Years of Von Braun: His American Journey Exhibit – 9am-5pm through May 2012. Exhibit showcasing the life of Dr. Wernher von Braun, in honor of his 100th birthday on March 23, 2012.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville. Museum admission.

Huntsville Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon – 11-1pm at Huntsville Country Club, 2601 Oakwood Ave. Speaker: RITA SCHWARZ. Free childcare for 6 and younger off-site.

Reservations due by Mon. January 30; call Betty at 25 8286 or Nancy at 256-883-1339.

Winter Festival - Dog Days of Winter – 9am-6pm, through Feb. 29. The coolest pooch-friendly houses will be on display all through the Garden. Anyone can build a dog house to be displayed. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue.

Hsvbg.org.

What Would You Do With the World’s Biggest Rocket? An Overview of NASA’s Space Launch System – 7-8:30pm. February program of the Huntsville AL L5 Society (HAL5), the local chapter of the National Space Society. Guest speaker: Mr. Todd May, Program Manager of NASA Space Launch System (SLS). The event is free and open to the general public. Huntsville-Madison County Main Public Library. For more information, visit HAL5.org.

Southern Comfort: Regional Photography from the Collection – 11am-8pm through February 26.

Southern Comfort will present selected photographs from the Museum’s collection that underscore the rich history of the South and tell compelling stories about its unique people, places and traditions. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street Southwest.

HsvMuseum.org.

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A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge. ~Thomas Carlyle

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Stradivari Quartet – 7:30-9:30pm. Please call 256-489-7415 or email Info@hcmg.us for questions about tickets, seating and availability. Huntsville Chamber Music Guild, Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd. HCMG.us.

Monkey Speak – 8-11pm. Held the first Friday of every month, Monkey Speak is Huntsville’s most exciting spoken word open-mic night, an open stage for anyone to read perform or improvise poetry drama or prose or any variation of the spoken word.

No experience is necessary. Mature audiences only.

Admission $5. Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Backyard Permaculture Series: “Extending the Growing Season� – Empower yourself to make positive and lasting change by learning how to design your backyard into an abundant oasis. Sustainability starts at your doorstep. Contact Michele Sneed for

more information. MicheleSneed@aol.com. 256858-9694.

6th Annual Mountain Mist Marathon Hike, Part II: East side. Strenuous – Second half of the 50K course. Dress for the weather, wear good hiking boots and bring snacks, lunch, water, and park entrance fee. Meet at hiker’s parking lot in Monte Sano State Park at 7:30am sharp. Contact Charlie Cohen, 256-837-3622, or Sandy Kiplinger, SandyKip@ juno.com. Alabama.SierraClub.org. “GREEN Means GO� Alms House/Waterline Trails – 9-10am. Alms House Trail, Monte Sano Preserve. For hikers who are in good physical shape and want to enjoy natural Land Trust trails for aerobic exercise. Call 256-534-5263 for details and directions. LandTrustNAL.org. Facebook: Land Trust North Alabama.

Life Alchemy: A Workshop for the New Year – 10:30-5pm. Yoga with Holley Porter-Wright and Maggie White. Two 2 ½-hr sessions. $35 for one session, $60 for both. Jennifer Bail Wellness, 1874 Slaughter Road, Madison. Wright.HolleyPorter@ gmail.com.

Southern Comfort: Regional Photography from the Collection – 11am-8pm through February 26.

Southern Comfort will present selected photographs from the Museum’s collection that underscore the rich history of the South and tell compelling stories about its unique people, places and traditions. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street Southwest, Huntsville. HsvMuseum.org.

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. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (near Five Points). 256-534-1751; EckAlabama.org.

Meet the Mahanta – 2-3pm. Free introductory presentation and discussion. Find a personal connection to the heart of God via an inner guide called the Mahanta. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (near Five Points). 256-534-1751; EckAlabama.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Film Co-op monthly workshop – 2-4pm. The Film Co-op monthly workshop meets in Don’s Studio (264). You may bring a work in progress if you would like to discuss. Open to all, public invited.

Admission free. For info, call Don at 457-5371.

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville.

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Black History Month Celebrations & Programs 2:30-4:30pm. Every Sunday in February (February 5, 12, 19, & 26) at Scottsboro Boys Museum & Cultural Center, Joyce Chapel United Methodist, 412 West Willow Street, Scottsboro. Programs begin at 2:30pm are presented in the community where Civil Rights began as we know it today in America. For information contact Sheila Washington at 256-6094202 or Jackson County Tourism at 256-259-5500.

Bailey Cove Rd. Details and info at Hunstville TrackClub.org.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Small Business Lunch & Learn – 10-11am.

“Speaking for a Change!” Karen Maloy, Mutual Blessings Success Strategies, will instruct participants in how to create and design clear, confident presentations. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Second Floor Events Room, 915 Monroe St. AskUs@hmcpl.org.

South Huntsville MOMS Club – 10-11am. This meeting is a monthly meeting that is open to prospective members and is free. Membership for the year is $25 and gives access to a large variety of events centered around stay-at-home moms and their kids in the following zip codes: 35801, 35802, 35803, 35805, 35808, 35898, 35741, 35754, 35763. Trinity Methodist Church, Room 269, 607 Airport Rd.

Quarter-Life Crisis Book Club – 6:30-8pm.

Looking to meet new people? Need a break from television? Join us to discuss books that speak to our generation. Be a founding member of Quarter-Life Crisis. Second Monday of each month. Madison Branch Library, Meeting Room, 130 Plaza Blvd, Madison. Contact Mary Kate Quillivan, 256-4610046. Madison@hmcpl.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Friends of the Bailey Cove Library – 10-11am.

Monthly meeting. Bailey Cove Branch Library, 1409 Weatherly Plaza SE, Huntsville. 256-881-0257.

BCove@hmcpl.org.

Huntsville Master Chorale presents Ian Loeppky, Conductor – 7-8pm. Concerts are entitled The Golden Age: English and Italian Music of the Sixteenth Century. St. Mary’s of the Visitation Church, 222 Jefferson St N, Huntsville.

Huntsville Master Chorale presents Ian Loeppky, Conductor – 3-4pm. Concerts are entitled The Golden Age: English and Italian Music of the Sixteenth Century. Providence Baptist Church, 1355 Douglass Rd NW, Huntsville.

Write Right Lunch & Learn: “Fundamentals of Good Fiction” – 12-1pm. Do you understand POV? What about “Show, Don’t Tell”? Do you know what a dialog tag is and how to use it? Discuss these and other essential building blocks of your novel.

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Second Floor Events Room, 915 Monroe Street. AskUs@ hmcpl.org.

American Shakespeare Center on Tour performs at UAH – 7-9pm, Feb. 14, 15 and 16. The American Shakespeare Center will perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Feb. 14 & 15) and The Winter’s Tale (Feb. 16) by William Shakespeare at the UA Huntsville University Center Exhibit Hall. For details about tickets and performances, contact Dr. Jeff Nelson, UAHuntsville English Department at NelsonJ@uah.edu or 256-824-2369. American ShakespeareCenter.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16

All Has Meaning – 7:30-8pm. Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on Eckankar. Learn for yourself why all has meaning for the Soul going home to God. Free. Knology Cable Channel 11 (Huntsville/Madison). 256-5341751; Eck-Alabama.org.

Creativity Night @ the Bailey Cove Library: Mandala Collage – 6:30-7:30pm. Free art/craft “getaway” for grown-ups each 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30. This evening our theme will be Mandala Collage: Cut & Paste Outside of the Box. Bailey Cove Branch Library, 1409 Weatherly Plaza SE, Huntsville. 256-881-0257. BCove@hmcpl.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s Something Old, Something New – 7:30-9:30pm. Brahms, Haydn, and a selection from the UAHuntsville New Music Festival. Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, 700 Monroe St. HSO.org.

New Hope Friends of the Library – 12:30-1:30pm.

Monthly meeting for the Friends of the Elizabeth Carpenter (New Hope) Library, 5496 Main Street, New Hope.| 256-723-2995. NewHope@hmcpl.org.

maximize your nonprofit’s ROI. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Second Floor Meeting Room, 915 Monroe St. AskUs@hmcpl.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Stop the Financial Struggle: Learn the Secret to Money Success – 9am-3pm. Uncover blocks, limiting beliefs, and patterns that sabotage your relationship with money. Learn transformative tools and techniques that enable you to create greater financial success. Limited seating, pre-registration required. $98 includes lunch and materials. Center for Inner Wellness, 3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, Ste 641, Huntsville. Call Becky Waters 256-348-5236 for more info or to register.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Short Story Analysis for Amateurs – 7-8:30pm.

Discussions of classic and modern short stories by well known and not so well known authors. To reserve a place, call 256-684-5803 or 256-5367898 and get your short story reading assignment.

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Meeting Room A & B, 915 Monroe St. AskUs@hmcpl.org.

BERKELEY BOB’S FEBRUARY MUSIC LINEUP Located in Cullman, Alabama, Berkeley Bob’s Coffee House and Whole Earth Store is a 1960’s style California Coffee House where we “celebrate nature, coffee and folk music.” Open Mike Nites every first and third Monday from 7-9pm. Bring your guitar, bongos, poems, whatever, and share your talents with us. Saturday night concerts feature local and out of area musicians playing a wide variety of styles. All shows 7-9pm, family oriented and free. To inquire about a booking call Bob at 256-775-2944.

BerkeleyBob.com.

Feb 4 –Fire Mountain, Troy-based popular folk group Feb 6 –Open Mic Feb 10 –Abigail Bobo, folk harpist Feb 17 –Swedish folk singer on American tour Feb 18 –Hot Rock Hollow Feb 20 –Open Mic Feb 25 –High Pink Clouds

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Winter Winds 2 & 4 Mile Road Races and Kids Fun Run – 2-5pm. Grissom High School,

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Nonprofit Lunch & Learn: “Social Media for Social Good: A How-To Webinar for Nonprofits” 12-1:30pm. Free webinar on social media and mobile technology best practices to help you

FRESH AIR FAMILY “SCALE BACK ALABAMA” EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY Fresh Air Family is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together families—from the young to the not-so-young, married, single, adults and children, along with trained experts—to explore the natural world. Fresh Air Family partners with other organizations and businesses to offer free and lowcost outdoor activities, including hiking, canoeing/ kayaking, mountaineering, birding, and camping, to people throughout the state.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Walk at Big Spring Park – 5:30pm. Description: 30-45 minutes of mild to moderate exercise Registration: This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. We’ll meet next to the Huntsville Museum of Art, on the concrete pad/steps just next to Pane e Vino Pizzeria. Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@FreshAirFamily.org.

Walk at Aldridge Creek Greenway – 5:30pm.

Description: 45 minutes to an hour of moderate exercise. This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. To meet: take the sidewalk back to the greenway entrance/striped poles—this is the meeting point. Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@FreshAirFamily.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Azalea Cascades Trail at Desoto State Park – 10pm. Description: Easy walk, perfect for families.

This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@FreshAirFamily.org.

CCC Quarry Trail and Laurel Falls at Desoto State Park – 9am. A fun walk in the woods. This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Meet at the Nature Center at DeSoto State Park (next to DeSoto’s Country Store).

Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@ FreshAirFamily.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Contact us for special one-time ad rates.

256-340-1122

Winter Walk at Madison County Nature Trail 2pm. Description: Come explore this wonderful local resource. This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. We will meet at the entrance to the park, in front of the park office.

Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@ FreshAirFamily.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Walk at Big Spring Park – 5:30pm. Description: 30 to 45 minutes of stretching and walking. This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. We’ll meet next to the Huntsville Museum of Art, on the concrete pad/steps just next to Pane e Vino Pizzeria. Contact Katie Burrus: 256701-1046 or Katie@FreshAirFamily.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Walk at Indian Creek Greenway – 5:30pm. Description: About an hour of exercise, comfortable pace. This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Meet at the metal posts at the entrance to the greenway. Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@FreshAirFamily.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Pinhoti Trail Hike at Talladega National Forest – 10am. Description: Moderate hike, free to Fresh Air Family members. Pre-registration is required. Call 256-782-5697 for more info. We will meet at the Shoal Creek Ranger station, near Heflin, Alabama.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Rock Formations at Rainbow Mountain Loop Trail – 2pm. Description: Great for first-timers, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Registration: This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged.

We’ll meet next to the trail-map in the parking lot.

Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@ FreshAirFamily.org.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Waterfowl and Wilderness Walk at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge – 10am. Description: 2-3 hours, moderate. This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Meet at the main entrance to the visitors center. Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@FreshAir Family.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Mountain Mist Trail at Monte Sano State Park Forever Wild – 2pm. Description: A 2 1⁄2 to 3 hour hike, moderate. This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Meet in front of the concrete barriers at the closed access road off Bankhead Pkwy. Contact Katie Burrus: 256-7011046 or Katie@FreshAirFamily.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29 Walk at Indian Creek Greenway – 5:30pm. Description: About an hour, comfortable pace. This outing is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. We’ll meet at the metal posts at the entrance to the greenway. Contact Katie Burrus: 256-701-1046 or Katie@FreshAirFamily.org.

ongoingevents

Lunchtime Belly Basics – 11:30am-12:30pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. Nomadic Tapestry.com.

sunday

Biomat sessions all day at the Center for Directional Healing. Call to reserve a time. 256-882-0360.

DirectionalHealing.com.

Bellydance Blast Class – 4:30-5:20pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 C Jordan Lane, Huntsville. Nomadic Tapestry.com.

Meditation – 8:20am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org.

Zumba Gold classes – 4:30-5:20pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 C Jordan Lane, Huntsville. Nomadic Tapestry.com.

Beginning Belly Dance Class – 5:30-6:30pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 C Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville.

256-637-9979. NomadicTapestry.com.

A Course in Miracles Study Group – 9:15am. Shared reading and group discussions. Extra books available.

Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville.

256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.

Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class – 5-6:15pm. Work at a faster pace incorporating exercises that will challenge one’s strength, flexibility and coordination. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville.

256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com.

Pilates – 5:30-6:30pm. Annette Beresford. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256658-9748. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Line Dancing – 6-8pm. New and old line dances taught

by Diane Martin. $5.00. Gee’s Place, 2274-A Highway 72 East, Huntsville. 256-682-7886.

Unity Church On The Mountain Service – 10:30am.

Adult Sunday School at 9:30am. Practicing Oneness with God in a positive light of love for all. 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. Unity ChurchOnTheMountain.com.

Beginning Belly Dance Classes – 5:30-6:30pm. Learn new school belly dance with an old school flair. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 C Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville. 256-6379979. NomadicTapestry.com.

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. 256-895-0255. Light OfChristCenter.org.

Beginner Couple/Partner Dances – 6-8pm. Sandra Watts will be teaching Sweetheart Schottische along with other partner dances. Social dancing after the class. If you have never danced, this is the class to learn how. $5.00. Gee’s Place, 2274-A Highway 72 East, Huntsville. 256-682-7886.

Social Dance Class – 3-6pm. Social Dance Class taught by Sandra Watts. Combination of ballroom and country/western dance. Prepares you to dance anywhere.

One hour class with practice dancing to follow. $6.00.

Gee’s Place, 2274-A Highway 72 East, Huntsville.

256-682-7886.

Beyond Basics – 6:45-7:45pm. For those with less than 75 hours of class time training. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 C Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville. 256-637-9979.

NomadicTapestry.com.

Toastmasters: Redstone Toastmasters – 6-7:30pm.

The Apollo Room, Radisson Hotel, 8721 Madison Boulevard, Madison. Guests always welcome. Redstone.

FreeToastHost.net.

Yoga Class – 6:30-7:45pm. Iyengar-based yoga focuses on form, technique and alignment. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville. 256-704-5080.

BodyLanguagePilates.com.

Science of Mind Classes – 6:30-8:30pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

Power Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. Marcy White. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.

256-653-9255 or 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOf Huntsville.com.

Zumba Dance – 6-7pm. “JAK”arta. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. Nomadic Tapestry.com.

Beyond Basic Bellydance – 5-6pm. Michelle. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. Nomadic Tapestry.com.

Keys of Compassion Support Group – 6-7pm. There is a higher perspective to your pain. Free. Natural Elements, 1874 Suite M, Slaughter Rd, Madison.

256-922-8454.

monday Your Yoga with Casey – 6-7am. Beginner’s class with Casey, $14 session or $45 for 4 class pack (valid one month from purchase) Studio 258, 2nd floor, Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville.

Email: Casey@youryogasite.net or call 256-679-7143.

YourYogaSite.net.

Level 1 Pilates – 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper.

The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Free Biomat Sessions – 10am-5pm. Free 30-minute

Level I Yoga – 6:30-8pm. All levels. Pam Herdy. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.

256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

The Art of Spiritual Peacemaking – 6:30-8pm.

Weekly forum with Wanda Gail Campbell, Peace Minister with The Beloved CommUNITY. In each 1.5hour session we will experience Peace Prayers, a short video lesson by James Twyman, and a discussion of key precepts. Love offering. Please call 256-539-0654 for location and more details.

Huntsville Photographic Society Program Night 7-8:45pm. Come and associate with some of the best photographers in the valley. Join for only $20 per year.

We meet the second and fourth Mondays of each month except December. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Auditorium, 915 Monroe Street, Huntsville.

HuntsvillePhotographicSociety.org.

tuesday Pilates – 9-10am. Annette Beresford. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-6589748. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Level I Yoga – 10:15-11:30am. Annette Beresford. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.

256-658-9748. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org.

Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class – 6-7:15pm. 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. 256-7045080. BodyLanguagePilates.com

Basic American Tribal Style (ATS) – 6:45-7:45pm.

Lea. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com.

Back to Basic Drumming – 8-9pm. Darbuka Dave.

Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville.

NomadicTapestry.com.

Beginning Yoga – 7pm. Holly Dyess. Beez Fitness, 7495 Wall Triana Highway, Madison. $8 at the door for non-members. IronHorseFitness.com.

wednesday Level 1 Pilates – 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper.

The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Creamery Tours – 9am, 10am, 1pm, 2pm. Find out where and how the goat cheese recommended by Oprah, Food Network, and Southern Living is made.

Belle Chevre Creamery, 26910 Bethel Road, Elkmont (Huntsville). $8 adults, $4 kids, free for 6 and under.

256-423-2238. Email@BelleChevre.com.

Science of Mind Classes – 10am-12pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

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Bellydance Blast Class – 4:30-5:20pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 C Jordan Lane, Huntsville. Nomadic Tapestry.com.

Beginning Belly Dance Class – 5:30-6:30pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 C Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville. 256-6379979. NomadicTapestry.com.

Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org.

Course in Miracles Class at Unity Church on the Mountain – 6:30pm. beginning on Feb 8 and continuing every Wednesday. 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville.

256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com.

Power Yoga – 6-7pm. Marcy White. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975.

YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

West Coast Swing Dance Class – 6:30-8:30pm. West Coast Swing Dance Class taught by Stephane Schneider. One hour class with practice dancing to follow. No partner needed. $5.00. Gee’s Place, 2274-A Highway 72 East, Huntsville. 256-682-7886.

Satsang – 6:30pm. Satsang with Gangaji. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

Searching? – The Red Mountain Study Group of Huntsville invites inquiries from men and women, no matter what their beliefs, who are still searching for

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WEIGHT LOSS Lose up to 30 pounds in 30 days, guaranteed.

Doctor recommended. HandsomelyHealthy.com.

256-585-6699.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS Gentle & Backcare Yoga February—Tues/Thurs Gentle 9-10:15am.

Sunday Backcare 3-4:15pm. Cost: $18.00.

YogaFixByTiffany.com at Jennifer Bail Wellness, 1874 Slaughter Rd, Madison.

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. 256-361-9575.

Email: rmsg@att.net.

thursday 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. 256-704-5080. Body LanguagePilates.com.

Pilates – 9-10am. Annette Beresford. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-6589748. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

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Bellydance Blast Class – 4:30-5:30pm. Shahala Liz. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville.

NomadicTapestry.com.

Concerts on the Dock – 6-9pm. Friday nights, Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive.

Picnics, coolers and pets on a leash are welcome. 256533-0399. LoweMill.net.

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. 256-895-0255.

Paranormal Study Center – 6:30pm, fourth Friday each month. Meets at Radisson Hotel/Olympus Room, 8721 Madison Blvd, Madison. For more information, contact Greg Rowe, 256-326-0092.

Level I Yoga – 10:15-11:30am. Annette Beresford. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.

256-658-9748. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

saturday

Lunchtime Belly Basics – 11:30am-12:30pm. Shahala Liz. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com.

Natural Childbirth Classes – 9-11am. Downtown Cullman. A 4-part series. Call to Register 256-962-0975.

BirthingBeautiful.net.

Zumba Gold Class – 4:30-5:20pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 C Jordan Lane, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com.

Level I Yoga – 9-10:15am. Pam Herdy. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-5337975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Dance Basics – 5:30-6:30pm. Amber. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. Nomadic Tapestry.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 Street South. HSVmuseum.org.

“Life Questions” Class – 6:30pm. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. Info: 256-536-2271 or call Debbie Preece at 256-337-8200.

UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com.

Spiritual Awareness Class taught by Rev. Grace Gifford – 6:30-8pm through December 8. Living the truth through the Christ within all of us. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville. 256-5362271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com.

Level I Yoga – 6:45-8:15pm. Pam Herdy. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Beyond Basic Zils – 6:45-7:45pm. Sallye. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. Nomadic Tapestry.com.

Beginning Yoga – 7pm. Holly Dyess. Beez Fitness, 7495 Wall Triana Highway, Madison. $8 at the door for non-members. IronHorseFitness.com.

HOUSING For Rent: Mountain Cabin.

Description: Furnished, NE Madison Co. Upstairs 1 bedroom. Down: living area, sleeping loft, kitchen, bath. Central heat/AC, washer/ dryer. $450/Month. Deposit, lease required.

256-776-9329.

ville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

friday Level 1 Pilates – 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper.

The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Hunts-

Your Yoga with Casey – 9:45-10:45am. Beginner’s class with Casey, $14 session or $45 for 4 class pack (valid one month from purchase) Studio 258, 2nd floor, Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville.

Email: Casey@youryogasite.net or call 256-679-7143.

YourYogaSite.net.

Cardio Ballroom – 11am. Mega calorie burning dance fun! No more treadmill! Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison. GabrielaDance.com.

Level I Yoga – 11:30-12:45pm. Bobbie Brooks. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.

256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.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 Drive, Huntsville.

FlyingMonkeyArts.org.

Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift one in countless ways. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, Ste 3, Five Points. 256-534-1751.

Eck-Alabama.org.

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

Ballroom Dancing – 7pm Beginner Group Class, 8pm Dance Party. Madison Ballroom Dance Studio, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison. 256-461-1900. Madison Ballroom.com.

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.

ACUPUNCTURE LIFE ESSENTIALS Acupuncture & Natural Health Care Dr. Loren Hunter, ND 922 6th Ave SE Decatur, AL 35601 256-350-6001 DrLorenHunter.com CustomerService@DrLorenHunter.com Dr. Loren Hunter, ND believes in bridging natural healthcare with traditional healthcare. Dr. Hunter believes that both schools of thought are equally important, and he will encourage you to work closely with your physician. Services offered include acupuncture, naturopathy, myofascial release, neurokinesiology, nutritional and herbal counseling.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY HOPE FOR LIFE COLON HYDROTHERAPY Amanda Mashburn, owner/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“Natural Awakenings” and recieve 10 dollars off your first colonic visit.

BIO-FEEDBACK TESTING HEALTHY CHOICES LLC Steve Krzyzewski 2225 Drake Avenue, Suite 18 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-679-1997 HealthyChoicesLLC@gmail.com Steve Krzyzewski provides Advanced Bio-Feedback Testing, the Amethyst Bio-Mat Infrared Therapy, and the Ionic Footbath.

The Bio-feedback uncovers root cause(s) for health challenges and develops natural protocols allowing the body to heal itself. The Amethyst Bio-Mat uses infrared, negative ions, and the natural healing of amethyst to bring the body back into balance. (RichWayUSA.com) The Ionic footbath helps the body to detoxify.

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.

JARVIS NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC 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 PSYCHOLOGY CENTER FOR PERSONAL GROWTH Shari Feinman-Prior 924-B Merchant Walk Way SW Huntsville, AL 35801 256-289-3331 Shari1717@gmail.com RapidEyeTechnology.com “SPARK YOUR LIGHT” from within your TRUE BEING and TRANSFORM your life.

Offering tools from energy psychology, 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.

ENERGY HEALING CENTER FOR DIRECTIONAL HEALING™ Susan Spalding 2225 Drake Ave. SW, Suite 18 Huntsville, 35805 256-882-0360 DirectionalHealing.com

FENG SHUI FENG SHUI BY TRUDI GARDNER Trudi Gardner, M.S. 256-772-6999 Tygard2000@aol.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.

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.

Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow. ~John Lennon natural awakenings

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HOLISTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

JIN SHIN JYUTSU®

CENTER CIRCLE COUNSELING

JIN SHIN JYUTSU OF HUNTSVILLE

Jane Ajaya, LCSW, MSEd Located at Behavioral Health Solutions 1644 Slaughter Rd, Madison 35758 256-325-1690 CenterCircleCounseling.com Jane.Ajaya@gmail.com

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

Offering compassionate, confidential guidance and counseling for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health and happiness. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness meditation, energy-work, dream analysis, hypnotherapy, grief and recovery work, 12 step support. Individual, couples and family therapy. In private practice for over 20 years. Most insurance accepted. No insurance? Still affordable.

HYPNOTHERAPY

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.

MASSAGE CENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND BODYWORK 1634 Slaughter Rd., Madison 256-430-9756 Our vision is to provide professional massage services in a comfortable clinical environment to Madison and the surrounding area. Student massages available for 1/2 the regular rate.

Lic. E1311.

CENTER FOR INNER WELLNESS

It is the many practitioners and businesses who advertise that make Natural Awakenings possible. Ɣ They are providing you with one of the most valuable resources for healthy living in Alabama. Ɣ Through their dedication and commitment we work together for happier, healthier communities. Ɣ Please support these practitioners and businesses who are making a difference.

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.

MARSHA MATHES Certified Hypnotist, LMT #1885, Esthetician 3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste 116 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-698-2151 MarshaMathes.SkinCareTherapy.net Hypnosis is a tool to assist you in countless ways to heal your past, empower your present and create your future: • 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 • Much more…

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.

MASSAGE THERAPY SCHOOL MADISON SCHOOL OF MASSAGE THERAPY, LLC 1634 Slaughter Rd, Suite C Madison, AL 35758 256-430-9756 MadisonSchoolOfMassageTherapy.com Our training will change your life forever in a new career as a Professional. Student massages available for 1/2 the regular rate. AL Board of Massage School Lic# S-117 AL State Board of Ed. School Lic# 1200I.

MUSIC THERAPY HEALING SOUNDS MUSIC THERAPY Stephanie Bolton, MA, MT-BC 256-655-0648 ImageryAndMusic.com Huntsville, Alabama-based music therapy practice focused on improving personal health and wellness using guided imagery and music techniques. Currently providing workshops and individual consultations.

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. ~Benjamin Franklin 42

Tennessee Valley

Natvalley.com

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

SHAMAN HEALER

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATES

KATY GLENN WILLIS

Dr. Deb Gilliam, N.M.D. 1230 Slaughter Road, Madison, AL 256-722-0555

256-426-0232 katyglennwillis@yahoo.com KatyShamanHealer.blogspot.com

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.

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.

SMALL CHANGE COACH / NLP PHYSICAL THERAPY OSTEOSTRONG 1015 Airport Rd, Ste 201 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-489-0084 Huntsville@OsteoStrong.me

Now you can INCREASE your bone density and DOUBLE your muscle strength in less than a year!

No gimmicks, no wasting time, no drugs, no sweat, and no long-term contracts. The OsteoStrong system has proven to deliver amazing results in only 5 minutes once a week. Call or email us today to set up your appointment. Your first visit is free.

SMALL CHANGE WORKS John Lambert Cullman, AL 35055 256-590-3824 smallchangeworks@gmail.com I offer personalized change work sessions that are alternatives to traditional counseling and therapy.

I do this because I have found that most therapy —“is ineffective, much of it is harmful, and all of it is expensive.”—Steve Andreas. I offer sensible approaches to what can be difficult problems.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION SUSAN K. JEFFREYS

PILATES BODY LANGUAGE, INC. 305 Jefferson St., Ste. C 256-704-5080 sybil@bodylanguagepilates.com BodyLanguagePilates.com

Advanced Practitioner Lic.#249 Dr. Ida P. ROLF method 2336A Whitesburg Drive 256-512-2094 RolfGuild.org Serving Huntsville since 1995

Our goal is to teach individuals how to take control of their health and well-being through the Pilates method, 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 256-309-0033 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.

“When the body gets working appropriately, then the force of gravity can flow through. Then spontaneously, the body heals itself.” —Ida P. Rolf

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.

natural awakenings

February 2012

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Bio-Identical Hormones Save the Day WOMEN DO YOU SUFFER FROM?

MEN DO YOU SUFFER FROM?

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Mood Changes 3

Decreased Strength of Erection 3

Irritability 3

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Decreased Sex Drive 3

Decreased Muscle Mass 3

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Depression 3

Bloating 3

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Poor Concentration 3

Night Sweats 3

Sleep Disruption 3

#SBJO 'PH 3

Aches and Pains 3

Migraines 3

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Are we all destined to experience unpleasant changes in our bodies as we age? It’s a fact that as we age, our hormone levels decline or may become out of balance. Individualized biologically identical hormone replacement therapy can help you restore your magnificence and grace at any stage of life.

To find out if Bio-Identical hormones are right for you contact Progressive Family Medicine for a consultation.

Progressive

Family Medicine

Ask about Thermography to screen for Breast Disease and Cancer with NO radiation.

Alternative Medicine Associates Chad Gilliam M.M.S. PA-C

256.722.0555

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Progress Towards Wellness & Prevention