March 2014 by Natural Awakenings Magazine, Tennessee Valley Edition

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

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BACKYARD FRESH FOOD GLUTEN-FREE AQUAPONICS TRENDS ON THE GO Homegrown Fish and Veggies

Tips for Eating Away from Home

Natural Trailblazers in Sustainable Eating

March 2014

Tennessee Valley, AL

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Holistic Green Expo Coming March 9, 2014, at The Westin located at Bridge Street Town Center The mission of the Holistic Green Expo is to improve the quality of our lives and environment, to raise awareness and to educate the community on how to live a healthier lifestyle. The event will highlight local and regional businesses and organizations that offer alternative solutions in healthcare, fitness, healthy eating and green alternatives that contribute to a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

For sponsorship or vendor opportunities please call 256-340-1122.

Sponsored by: Progressive M ADISON Family FAMILY CARE Medici n e

Alternative Medicine Associates

Take Care Alabama Community Business | Outreach | Wellness

March 9, 2014 Join us from 12-5pm at The Westin located at Bridge Street Town Center Come and visit our sponsors and vendors and learn more about the resources and services in our community.

Seminars by: Perpetual Food Systems Chad Gilliam M.M.S., PA-C Dr. Deb Gilliam N.M.D. Dr. Howard Gilliam DC, ND And Others From 1-5pm

Participating Vendors Hope For Life

ARIIX Weight Loss

Essante’ Organics

American Coaching School and Healing Arts Center

Karen’s Healthy Kitchen

dōterra Essential Oils

Rocket City Chiropractic

Valley Health Alliance

Saladmaster

Valley Vital Living

Lifestyle Health and Wellness

Earth Fare And Others

Door Prizes to be given away throughout the afternoon natural awakenings

March 2014

contents 6 newsbriefs

10 healthbriefs

16 healingways 18 greenliving

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.

12 FRESH FOOD TRENDS Natural Trailblazers in Sustainable Eating

24 20 consciouseating 22 wisewords 16 SUPERHERBS Four Plants that 24 fitbody Fight Off Disease 25 inspiration 16 18 FOOD REVOLUTION 25 26 calendar IN A TANK Aquaponics Offers Year-Round 27 classifieds Homegrown Fish and Veggies 30 resourceguide 20 GLUTEN-FREE ON THE GO Safe Eating Away from Home 20 advertising & submissions by Melinda Hemmelgarn

by Kathleen Barnes

by Avery Mack

by Judith Fertig

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

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

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

22 FROM “WHY ME?”

TO “THANK YOU!” Wayne Dyer on the Value of Hard Lessons by Linda Sechrist

24 TWEET THOSE

FITNESS GOALS Online Friends Help Us Stay on Track by Tamara Grand

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.

25 GARDENING AS

ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY 256-476-6537 -or- Editor@Natvalley.com

Cycles of Growth Cultivate Our Divinity

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE by April Thompson

*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.

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letterfrompublisher “So grow your own food: It is trendy, wholesome, good for the environment, good for our tight budgets and for our burgeoning waistlines. And it isn’t hard. Get your hands dirty and enjoy the soil and the sunshine. Enjoy the process from garden to table and all that is in between.” – Sally Cameron, Author, Grow It Cook It

contact us Grow your own food—why has this become such an all-consuming mantra? It has with me, I cannot deny. A friend of mine recently said, in response to my enthusiasm for the idea of food self-sufficiency: “The problem is that most of us aren’t going to grow our own food, no matter what.” And he’s right of course. Most people will never grow their own food. Most of us don’t have the yard space, the time, the inclination or the wherewithal to grow our own food. Many people don’t even see the necessity or the reason to grow their own food, and to them, I really don’t have an answer as to why I think it’s so important without getting into doom-and-gloom scenarios about rising food prices, soil depletion, GMOs, pesticides, glyphosate, and evil corporations who want to control the world food supply. All of that is negative, and I want to stay positive. Growing your own food is exuberantly positive. It’s quite possibly one of the most fundamentally positive things anyone could ever do. And there is one method of indoor-or-out gardening that has the potential to help more people grow more of their own food, if they want to, wherever they happen to live. Aquaponics! Aquaponics is my new favorite subject. I’ve been completely captured by the beauty of the idea of Aquaponics. Ask Cindy, she’ll confirm how dreamy-eyed I get when talking about Aquaponics. Aquaponics is the combination of small-scale fish farming with hydroponic (or soilless) gardening. It can be done in a basement, garage or greenhouse, and is flexible and scalable in size. This month’s article on Aquaponics by Avery Mack explains the process in more detail, but basically here’s the gist: the fish fertilize the plants, and the plants purify the water for the fish. It’s a closed loop…totally self-contained and self-perpetuating, as long as you continue to bring in food for the fish. It can produce hundreds of pounds of mercury-free fish and fully organic vegetables each month from a relatively small growing space, and you can grow year-round. The system that Cindy and I are looking at building is the small Solar Greenhouse model designed by Randy Campbell of Perpetual Food Systems in Elora, Tennessee. You can look at his designs online at TodaysGreenAcres.com. Randy will be giving a seminar during the afternoon of Sunday, March 9 at the Holistic Green Expo at The Westin at Bridge Street in Huntsville. It will be one of many informative presentations throughout the day. We hope to see you there!

Publisher Tom Maples Tom@Natvalley.com 404-395-9634 Co-Publisher, Advertising Sales Cindy Wilson Cindy@Natvalley.com 256-476-6537 Design and Production Melanie Rankin Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley 14 Woodland Ave. Trinity, Alabama 35673 Office: 256-340-1122 Fax: 256-217-4274 Facebook.com/natvalley

© 2014 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.

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March 2014

coverartist newsbriefs "Changing the Way We Eat" 2014 TEDx Manhattan Viewing Party in Decatur

O Nantucket Vegetables Martha Marlette Cover artist Martha Marlette uses watercolors and oils to bring cheerful touches to her varied subjects that range from still life to portraiture. She particularly enjoys collaborating with clients to create realistic portraits of children and adults, as well as homes, gardens, boats, buildings and even bridal bouquets. “I’m in love with color and light and try to capture both elements in my paintings,” says Marlette. “I’m drawn to vivid subjects like fruits, vegetables and flowers and the way the light changes their colors, shapes and forms.” Nantucket Vegetables was inspired by a hand-woven basket her mother made. “I appreciate the artistry of domestic objects, from a beautiful china pattern to a dish towel.” A lifelong painter, Marlette received formal training at the Art Students League, Skidmore College and the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, all in New York. Marlette paints in a shared studio space in Buffalo, New York, and also enjoys painting in her backyard’s natural light. View the artist’s portfolio at MarthaMarlette.com.

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n March 1, there will be a free live viewing via webcast of the 2014 TEDx Manhattan conference “Changing the Way We Eat” at the Magnolia Room in Decatur, AL. Leaders in farming, food service, hunger relief and food activism will come together to discuss current challenges we face in our food system. There will be several local speakers as well, including Dr. Jerry Spencer from Grow Alabama, who will share information about growing his network of farms. The day will consist of three sessions with breaks between each one. Lunch will be provided by Chipotle at no charge to the guest and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day. Presenters and local vendors will have information available and have goodies for sale. Among the vendors will be Natural Awakenings Magazine, 1818 Farms, Goose Pond Farms, Rosita’s Farm, Olive Branch Wagyu, Straight to Ale, Shirey Ice Cream, Happy Heart Market, and Humble Heart Farms. Registration begins at 8:30am, as the broadcast begins promptly at 9:30am. A cocktail reception to follow to benefit the CCC Soup Kitchen in Decatur. For a complete list of speakers, visit TEDxManhattan.org. For more information, email SpreadDecatur@ gmail.com. Admission is free with registration online at Eventbrite.com—search for “Changing the Way We Eat” Viewing Party Decatur, AL. Location: The Magnolia Room, 216 Moulton St, Decatur, AL 35601. Date: Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 9:30am-6:30pm.

Barbara Musso, Certified Reflexologist, Now at The Healing Arts Center

arbara Musso first experienced reflexology when a nurse she worked with suggested she see a reflexologist for her digestive issues. Her results impressed her with the body’s ability to heal itself and restore balance when given the right care and help. Based on her personal experiences and results with the sessions she received, she decided to become a certified reflexologist in order to bring this healing modality to others. Barbara received her certification from the International Institute of Reflexology in 1996. Foot and hand reflexology is an ancient healing art based on the scientific principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands that correspond to every organ, gland, and structure of the body. Reflexology is a unique method of using skilled techniques on these reflex areas. Chronic stress and tension depress the immune system and can diminish the nerve and blood supply to affected muscles. Reflexology improves nerve and blood supply, and promotes the unblocking of nerve impulses thus relieving stress and tension. The resulting stress reduction contributes to physiologic changes in the body that help break up blockages and congestion and return circulation to the affected areas, resulting in a return to homeostasis, or balance. Reflexology helps the body help itself by reducing stress and tension, improving circulation, and restoring balance. Barbara offers flexible scheduling and invites her past clients and welcomes new ones to contact her at 256-361-4297 to make an appointment. The Healing Arts Center is located at 2336A Whitesburg Dr, Huntsville, AL 35801.

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Sharon Renae, a Medium and Minister, at Unity Church on the Mountain

Tennessee Valley Healthy Bones Now Meeting Each Month

oday we are bombarded with negativity from news, work associates, family, neighbors, and more. Our aura and minds are constantly under attack. We become tired, frustrated and lack energy, which can lead to depression. Some people are empathic and take on feelings and emotions of others. Sharon Renae, a Medium and Minister, teaches techniques on Sharon Renae protecting yourself. Tips include: • Creating a protective bubble • Disconnecting after dealing with negative situations • Funneling energy away and allowing it to flow out into the universe.

Unhappiness in the workplace trickles down to other aspects of life. Our precious life becomes forgotten while we barely survive. We can’t control others; however we can become aware of our working relationships and pay attention to reactions to deadlines and day-to-day work. Our observation can remove, resolve and shield ourselves from the chaos. Create a more blissful work environment for your own well-being by taking responsibility for the life you choose. Learn techniques for those who are sensitive to environments, have empathic tendencies or a stressful workplace. Sharon Renae will present “Messages from the Other Side” on Friday, March 29 at 7pm ($20 per person), Sunday, March 30 at 11am for Worship service and will present a workshop on “Blissful Living in the Work Place” at 1pm ($20 love offering) at Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35801. See ad, page 13.

The Paranormal Study Center Welcomes Psychic/Medium Sharon Renae for "Understanding Your Soul's Purpose"

haron Renae shares spiritual messages of hope, love, joy and the continuation of the soul. She serves as a conduit connecting the living with those who have passed over, validating all life is eternal. She helps individuals who struggle to find peace and purpose within themselves, serving as a guide to provide them with clarity and direction in their life's journey. Sharon believes in the afterlife. She sees angels, guides, ghosts and apparitions. She believes in the extra-sensory perceptions that often are forgotten or dismissed. Since 1997, Renae has performed more than 17,000 group and individual readings. Known as the "barefoot psychic," her public forums help the living find closure with those who have passed. She is founder of The Light Spiritual Education Ministries, which offer holistic and spiritual healing alternatives. Our Life is a road-map of many twists and turns where we express our uniqueness to the Universe. Every single one of us has a purpose for being here on the planet and every one of us has a unique contribution that no one else can make. Do you know what that purpose is? Come join us to listen and ask your personal questions relating to this fantastic subject.

new community group called Tennessee Valley Healthy Bones started meeting in February. This group is designed to be a self-advocacy group for people with osteoporosis. The group aims to examine strategies presented by various speakers and exchange ideas with other prevention-oriented health consumers and/or providers. Many people are unaware that poor bone density is increasingly common in the U.S. represented in all age groups. It is a shocking experience for an otherwise healthy person to discover that they’ve lived with this hidden condition symptom-free for some time, not rebuilding calcium matrix in a healthy, sustaining way for the skeletal system to remain strong throughout life. From research of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, “…52 million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis: approximately one in two women and up to one in four men over 50 are expected to break a bone due to osteoporosis." The monthly meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will be March 6 at 11:45am-1pm at Huntsville Hospital Women’s & Children’s Pavilion, 910 Adams St, Huntsville. For additional information, please email HealthyBones.TnValley@ gmail.com or visit the group on Facebook at Facebook.com/ tnvalleyhealthybones.

This presentation will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 4801 Governors House Dr, (next to Landry's Seafood) on Friday, March 28 at 6:30-8:30pm. Public Admission is $10. For more information visit ParapsychologyStudyGroup.com or Meetup. com/Huntsville-Paranormal-Study-Center. natural awakenings

March 2014

newsbriefs Spiritual Teacher Mukti Comes to Unity Church on the Mountain

ukti, whose name means “liberation,” teaches in the lineage of her husband, Adyashanti. She conducts satsangs worldwide and we are very fortunate that she has accepted an invitation to come to Huntsville, Alabama. Mukti studied the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda for over 20 years before she embraced Adyashanti's Zen-like teachings. She is a licensed acupuncturist, and is certified to teach hatha yoga. So although her teachings are flavored with non-dualism, she recognizes the whole of the self in her talks—which includes the body and mind. Everything presents an opportunity for self-realization in Mukti's eyes. Mukti Satsangs, or meetings in Truth, are held so that those attending can sit and reflect inwardly on questions posed that may lead us to the experience of our true self. Some questions Mukti might ask are, “What is the most essential 'you' that is present, regardless of thought or emotion?” “Who, or what, has been present for you all your life experience?” “How does this spirit of constancy touch your life?” Mukti points to the natural state of awareness within each individual. The local satsangs with Mukti will be held at Unity Church on the Mountain on Saturday, March 22 from 7-9pm, and Sunday, March 23, from 3-5pm. There are wooden pews, and those attending are welcome to bring cushions, blankets, or backjacks for those who prefer floor seating. Location: Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 Cost for each session is $15, checks or cash only. Please visit Muktisource. org for more information.

Change Your Consciousness, Change Your Life

n Saturday, March 29, 1-8:30pm, the Alabama affiliate of Eckankar, Religion of the Light and Sound of God, will host a spiritual seminar entitled “Change Your Consciousness, Change Your Life.” This seminar is being held at the Best Western Plus Hotel, 9035 Madison Boulevard (Hwy 20 near I-565 Exit 9) in Madison, and is free to the public. Inspirational talks, personal stories and panel discussions will offer spiritual tools and insights for meeting the changing challenges of life graciously and in the best possible way. Learn to work with contemplation, dreams, and Soul Travel to create a more fulfilling life for yourself and move closer to the heart of God. Some of the topics included on the program are Take Responsibility for Your Life, Spiritual Exercises to Help You Live in the Moment, The Law of Change, Experiences with the Light and Sound of God, and Healing the Heart through Service. Small group discussions will provide attendees an opportunity to explore ways to realize the benefits of using spiritual consciousness to meet the challenges of daily life. Interspersed among the talks and discussions will be live musical performances. Amanda Morris, local Eckankar clergy, says, “This seminar will highlight ways of recognizing the divine in every moment of your life. Anyone interested in finding keys to a life of greater love, wisdom and freedom is invited to attend.” More information about the seminar or Eckankar events in Alabama can be obtained on the Web at Eck-Alabama.org, or by calling 256-534-1751. 8

Tennessee Valley, AL

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The Joy of Presence: A Mindfulness Meditation Workshop on April 5

n Saturday, April 5 from 12:30-5pm, Guest Meditation Teacher Lisa Ernst will be leading a Mindfulness Meditation Workshop at the Yoga Center of Huntsville. This workshop will help you learn effective techniques to establish or deepen an ongoing mindfulness meditation practice. You’ll learn correct sitting postures and concentration as well as how to work with thoughts and emotions. You also learn deep listening and mindful communication, along with powerful forgiveness and loving-kindness practices that you can offer to yourself and others. The workshop will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, instruction, discussion and Q&A. Appropriate to beginners as well as more experienced mediators who wish to refresh and deepen their practice. Lisa Ernst is a meditation teacher and founder of One Dharma Nashville. She has been practicing Buddhist meditation for 25 years in both the Zen and Vipassana traditions. Lisa leads daylong and residential meditation retreats and has taught meditation in universities, corporations and prisons. She also offers individual meditation instruction and guidance. OneDharma Nashville.com. Cost: $85 if registered and paid by Friday, March 28; $95 afterwards. To register, email Annette Beresford at AnnetteBerseford@ hotmail.com or call 256-658-9748. Location: The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500 Pratt Ave East, Suite A, Huntsville. AL 35801. See listing, page 31.

New Therapeutic Massage Clinic in Decatur

Cathy Holmes

Sharon Bryant

athy Holmes Massage Therapy and Sharon L. Bryant of Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology opened a new therapeutic massage clinic in Decatur on February 3, 2014. The clinic will offer Swedish, Therapeutic, Manual Lymph Drainage, Myotherapy, Thai, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, Ashi-Thai, Reflexology, hot stone, and hot bamboo massage. There is also a classroom area where yoga classes, partner massage classes, continuing education classes, and small social functions will be held. “We are very excited to be moving to this space. We have more room and will be expanding our services by adding one or two more wellness providers as well as offering classes in the near future,” said Cathy Holmes.

Location: 1900 Flint Road SE in Decatur, AL. Appointments for Cathy Holmes: 256-309-0033. Appointments for Sharon Bryant: 256-603-4596 or HarvestMoonMassage.com.

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March 2014

healthbriefs

Chemicals DIY Projects Keep Seniors Moving Harm Pets, Too T T he British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that a generally active daily life that includes do-it-yourself activities and projects like gardening and car maintenance can cut the risks of heart attacks and strokes by as much as 30 percent and prolong life among adults 60 and over. These routine activities may be as beneficial as exercising for older adults because they decrease total sedentary time, the researchers say. Scientists in Stockholm, Sweden, tracked more than 4,000 men and women for an average of 12.5 years, starting at age 60. At the start of the study, regardless of exercise habits, high levels of other physical activity were associated with smaller waists and lower levels of potentially harmful blood fats in both sexes, and lower levels of glucose, insulin and clotting factor levels in men. Those with higher levels of other physical activity were also significantly less likely to experience metabolic syndrome, a first cardiovascular disease event, and early mortality from any cause. The same was true for individuals that undertook high levels of formal exercise, even if it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t routine. Participants that both exercised regularly and were often physically active in their daily life had the lowest risk profile of all.

Coconut Oil Manages Cholesterol, Shrinks Waistlines

educed physical activity and increased consumption of carbohydrates and saturated fats fuel increased rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance, plus abnormal lipid content in the blood. Although coconut oil is a saturated fat, its chemical composition appears to prevent it from generating negative effects on lipid profiles, according to a growing body of research. In an earlier study published in Lipids, women that exhibited abdominal obesity consumed supplements of either coconut oil or soybean oil. Throughout the 12-week trial, both groups followed the same weight-loss diet. At the end, the coconut oil group presented a higher level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or protective cholesterol, and smaller waistlines, while the soybean oil group showed lower HDL levels and an increase in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plus a less desirable LDL-to-HDL ratio. In a later study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consumption of coconut oil was again associated with a beneficial lipid profile in pre-menopausal women. Researchers that conducted a concurrent pilot study with male and female subjects found that men also experienced shrinking waistlines when supplementing with coconut oil. They explain that coconut oil contains mainly medium-chain fatty acids, which rapidly convert into energy, thereby circumventing the cycle that makes cholesterol and stores fat (Pharmacology).

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he nationwide health epidemic of chronic diseases afflicting the human population is also showing up among companion animals. According to a report by the Environmental Working Group, pets, like a canary in a coal mine, may be the environmental sentinels that are now signaling a clear connection between disease and manmade chemicals. In a study that analyzed blood samples of dogs and cats, 48 of 70 industrial chemicals and pollutants were traced, many recording levels that were substantially higher than previously reported in national studies of humans. Dogs displayed double the concentration of perfluorochemicals (used in stain-proof and grease-proof coatings); cats evidenced 23 times the concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) fire retardants and 5.4 times the amount of mercury. PBDE levels in hyperthyroid cats have been linked to eating canned cat food and to the increased use of PBDEs in consumer products during the past 30 years. In humans, high levels of flameretardant chemicals are implicated in endocrine disruption, Type 2 diabetes and thyroid disease. Suggestions for minimizing exposure include avoiding chemicalladen household cleaners, furnishings and carpet; drinking carbon-filtered water; steering clear of food and beverage containers made from or lined with plastic (including cans); and eating organic produce and free-range meat.

Legumes Improve Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure

cup of beans a day may keep the doctor away. In a randomized trial published in the Archives of Internal Medicine of 121 participants diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, daily consumption of approximately one cup of legumes (peas and beans) was found to improve glycemic control and reduce systolic blood pressure and heart rate, thereby reducing participants’ calculated risk score for coronary heart disease (CHD). Body weight, waist circumference and fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels also decreased on the legume diet. Legumes appear to make dietary carbohydrates digest more slowly and with a lower glycemic index, which has been associated with reduced hypertension and fewer CHD events in pre-diabetic individuals.

Vitamin E Hope for Cancer Care

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lusive anti-cancer elements of vitamin E, natural tocopherols, have been identified by researchers at Ohio State University as being able to deactivate an enzyme essential for cancer cell survival. Although both alpha and gamma forms of natural tocopherols worked, the gamma was the most potent in shutting down the troublesome enzyme. Through manipulating the structure of the gamma molecule, the scientists were able to create an agent 20 times more effective than the original vitamin. In mice, this agent reduced the size of prostate cancer tumors. Over-the-counter vitamin E supplements are limited because many use synthetic forms that do not contain the natural gamma tocopherols. The study’s authors, led by Ching-Shih Chen, Ph.D., note that the human body cannot absorb the high dosages of natural vitamin E required to achieve the anti-cancer effect; their goal is to develop a safe pill that could be taken daily for cancer prevention.

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Superfoods Defend Against Radiation

wo superfoods show promise for protecting people from radiation damage—cruciferous vegetables and miso, a food paste made from fermented soybeans. Scientists have identified a specific chemical byproduct, 3,3’diindolylmethane (DIM), derived from the digestion of cruciferous vegetables and especially concentrated in broccoli, that is responsible for the defensive effect. The source of miso’s beneficial properties needs further investigation, but appears to stem from the fermentation process. Research led by Gary Firestone, Ph.D., of the University of California-Berkley, and physician Eliot Rosen, Ph.D., of Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., concluded that administering supplemental DIM before or immediately following lethal levels of radiation exposure protected rats from immediate death. If clinical trials with humans are successful, the compound could be used to minimize acute radiation sickness. A comprehensive research review published in the Journal of Toxicologic Pathology lends credence to miso’s shielding power. Mice that ate miso a week before irradiation appeared to be protected from radiation injury.

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March 2014

Fresh Food Trends Natural Trailblazers in Sustainable Eating by Melinda Hemmelgarn

Food experts have listed local, regional and sustainable foods among the top food trends for 2014. Consumers’ heightened environmental awareness and their love for fresh flavors are responsible.

here’s even a new term, “hyperlocal”, to describe produce harvested fresh from onsite gardens at restaurants, schools, supermarkets and hospitals—all designed for sourcing tasty, nutrient-rich foods minus the fuelguzzling transportation costs. Adding emphasis to the need to preserve vital local food sources, the United Nations has designated 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming. Here are four thriving food trends resulting from shifts in Americans’ thinking and our growing love for all things local.

Foraging

What could be more entertaining and economical than searching for and gathering wild foods in their natural habitat? From paw paws and persimmons in Missouri to palmetto berries in Florida and seaweed in California, Mother Nature provides a feast at her children’s feet. Commonly foraged foods include nuts, 12

Tennessee Valley, AL

mushrooms, greens, herbs, fruits and even shellfish. To learn how to identify regional native wild foods and cash in on some “free” nutritious meals, foragers need to know where and when to harvest their bounty. Conservation departments and state and national parks often offer helpful field guides and recipes. Jill Nussinow, also known as The Veggie Queen, a registered dietitian and cookbook author in Santa Rosa, California, characterizes foraging as “nature’s treasure hunt.” Nussinow says she forages for the thrill of it and because, “It puts you very much in touch with the seasons.” On her typical foraging excursions through forests and on beaches, Nussinow notes, “You never know what you might find: mushrooms, berries, miner’s lettuce, mustard pods or sea vegetables. It’s free food, there for the picking.” However, she warns, “You have to know what you are doing. Some wild foods can be harmful.”

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For example, Nussinow advises getting to know about mushrooms before venturing forth to pick them. She recommends the book Mushrooms Demystified, by David Arora, as a learning tool, and checking with local mycological associations for safe mushroom identification. She also likes the advice of “Wildman” Steve Brill, of New York City, who publishes educational articles at Wildman SteveBrill.com. “He knows more about wild foods than anyone I know,” she says. Vermont wildcrafter Nova Kim teaches her students not only how to identify wild edibles, but also how to harvest them sustainably. It’s critical to make sure wild foods will be available for future generations.

Fermentation

Kefir, kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut all owe their unique flavors to fermentation. Sandor Katz, author of The Art of Fermentation: An In-Depth Exploration of Essential Concepts and Processes From Around the World, is a self-described “fermentation revivalist”. He explains how microorganisms, such as lactic acid bacteria that are universally present on raw vegetables and in milk, transform fresh food into preserved sustenance. Katz recalls how his boyhood love for sour pickles grew to an “obsession with all things fermented.” An abundant garden crop of cabbage left him wondering, “What are we going to do with all that cabbage?” The answer came naturally: “Let’s make sauerkraut.” Subsequently, Katz has become an international expert on the art and science of fermentation from wine to brine and beyond, collecting recipes and wisdom from past generations (WildFermentation. com). He observes, “Every single culture enjoys fermented foods.” Increasing respect and reverence for fermented foods and related communities of beneficial microorganisms is a new frontier in nutrition and medical sciences. For example, several researchers at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual meeting last fall in Houston, Texas, described the connections between the trillions of bacteria living in the human gut, known as the “microbiota”, and mental and physical health. Kelly Tappenden, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition and

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10 Farm/estate-branded items Source: Restaurant.org gastrointestinal physiology with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, explained that gut bacteria play a variety of roles, including assisting in the digestion and absorption of nutrients; influencing gene expression; supporting the immune system; and affecting body weight and susceptibility to chronic disease.

Feed Matters

The popular adage, “We are what we eat,” applies to animals, as well. New research from Washington State University shows that organic whole milk from pasture-fed cows contains 62 percent higher levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventional, or non-organic, whole milk. The striking difference is accounted for by the fact that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national organic program legally requires that organic cows have access to pasture throughout the grazing season. The more time cows spend on high-quality pasture, which includes grass, legumes and hay, the more beneficial the fats will be in their milk. On the other hand, when ruminant animals, designed to graze on pasture, are fed a steady diet of corn and soy, both their milk and meat contain less beneficial fat.

Unity Church on The Mountain Adult Discussion 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am Come home to... Contentment Sunday, March 2 Reverend Grace Gifford Sunday, March 9 Reverend Carol Landry Sunday, March 16 Lawrence Bergmann, Worldwide Minister Potluck Lunch & Workshop following Worship Sunday, March 23 Reverend Carol Landry Saturday, March 29 Sharon Renae, Medium Ministry “Messages from the Other Side”-7pm ($20) Sunday, March 30 Sharon Renae Potluck Lunch & Workshop following Worship The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. ~Psalm 23:1

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March 2014

According to Captain Joseph Hibbeln, a lipid biochemist and physician at the National Institutes of Health, American diets have become deficient in omega-3 fatty acids over the past 100 years, largely because of industrial agriculture. Hibbeln believes that consuming more omega-3s may be one of the most important dietary changes Americans can make to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health and enhance children’s brain and eye development, including boosting their IQs. Coldwater fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines provide excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, dairy and meat from animals raised on pasture can improve our intake, as well.

Faith

How might eating with the “creation” in mind influence food and agriculture trends? Barbara Ross, director of social services for Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, believes, “People’s common denominator is that we are all part of and integral to the creation.” She considers how “Food, agriculture, environment and economy are bound together in a way that requires we think, plan and act for the dignity of each person and the common good of the human family.” Ross explains that the choices we make in these vital areas affect the richness of our soils, the purity of our air and water and the health of all living things.

Hyperlocal Superstars Food Corps is a national nonprofit with a mission to improve school food and thus children’s health and lifelong potential. Active in 15 states, it places teams of young teachers in limited-resource communities to establish school gardens, provide food-based nutrition education and supplement school meals with garden fresh produce. Visit FoodCorps.org. Marie George, Ph.D., a professor of philosophy at St. John’s University, in Queens, New York, agrees, “The serious ecological crises we see today stem from the way we think,” and “reveal an urgent moral need for a new solidarity” to be better stewards of the Earth and its creatures. For example, George sees it as contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer; that’s why she opposes gestation crates and the push for cheap food that exploits animals and the environment in the process. Kelly Moltzen, a registered dietitian in Bronx, New York, shares a passion for addressing food justice and sustainability from her faith-based perspective of Franciscan spirituality. She believes that, “When we connect our spirituality with the daily act of eating, we can eat in a way that leads to a right relationship with our Creator.” By bridging spirituality with nutrition and the food system, Moltzen hopes to raise awareness of

how people can care for their body as a temple and live in right relationship with the Earth, which she perceives as “the larger house of God.” Fred Bahnson, director of the Food, Faith and Religious Leadership Initiative at Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is the author of Soil and Sacrament: A Spiritual Memoir of Food and Faith. His book takes the reader on a journey to four different faith communities— Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal and Jewish—to explore connections between spiritual nourishment and the cultivation of food. Bahnson speaks about sacred soil and the communities of mystical microorganisms that lie within and create the foundation for sustenance. He also describes the special power of communal gardens, which welcome all and provide nourishing food, yet come to satisfy more than physical hunger. Regardless of religious denomination, Amanda Archibald, a registered dietitian in Boulder, Colorado, believes, “We are in a new era of food—one that embraces and honors food producers and food systems that respect soil, environment and humanity itself.” Melinda Hemmelgarn, aka the “food sleuth”, is a registered dietitian and award-winning writer and radio host at KOPN.org, in Columbia, MO (FoodSleuth@gmail.com). She advocates for organic farmers at Enduring-Image.blogspot.com.

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personalreflection

Mukti Returning to Huntsville by Elizabeth Seifried

hen I walked in to meet Mukti for "Mukti" means “liberation.” She points my first dokusan, I immediately the way, but we are the ones with the key to realized that my entire list of spiriopen to our true selves. Mukti has a gift for tual accomplishments were as important as seeing things in a different light. On certain the dust I carried in on the soles of my feet. occasions, she has caught me off guard with We were dealing with the Here and Now, her quick understanding and helpful responsand there was no getting around it. Here es. This gift of liberation from our mind's was a California girl who'd had an amazing patterns has to be my favorite quality she experience—and she was willing to guide offers during Satsang (meeting in Truth). As a others to see how to drop all the things that seasoned practitioner who has spoken with were in the way of their own true experimany teachers, I've come to know what the ence of self. “proper” answers are to “spiritual” questions. Since then, I have been fortunate to The Q&As have become habitual. However, continue taking dokusan with Mukti for years Mukti's insight comes in a way that creates Mukti now. (Dokusan is a Zen term for a meeting an opening—simply because it was not what of teacher and student.) Each time we talk, you might have expected. It is... refreshing. we take a fresh look. Every time, no matter what mode my I am very happy that Mukti will be coming back to personality at that moment, I leave with redirected perspecHuntsville on Saturday, March 22 (7-9pm) and Sunday, March tive—always turning back into the One. We have a theme, 23 (3-5pm) to conduct a couple of satsangs (meetings in she and I, which is that I keep falling into forgetfulness. She Truth) for us all at the Unity Church on the Mountain. Please keeps gently pulling me back into awareness and knowing come and join us! Whether you have meditated all your life, on a deeper level of existence. This has been our relationship are just a beginner, or are simply interested, but aren't sure for the past few years. why—I think you will enjoy her practical It is her perception, her willingness to be patient, drawadvice, and graceful presence. ing those who sit with her back, all the while, to what is True, More information on our retreat what is absolute, what never leaves. During it all, what is may be found at Muktisource.org under always there? What is there when that lady in the checkout “Calendar.” line forgot that one item and made you late for your appointment? What is there, always there, when you suddenly had Elizabeth Seifried is an artist, writer, that flash of insight and saw that we are all One (again)? teacher, and meditator living in the What is there? Was it always there? Look and see... Huntsville area.

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1-Hour Mystery School 11am Sundays Affirmations, Music, Mystery Message, Fellowship, An Open Communion Table

This Month:

Superherbs

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by Kathleen Barnes

Mother Nature’s most potent healing herbs are already on most spice racks or growing nearby, often right outside the door.

erbs, respected for their healing properties for millennia, have been widely used by traditional healers with great success. Now clinical science supports their medicinal qualities. Pharmaceutical companies routinely extract active ingredients from herbs for common medications, including the potent pain reliever codeine, derived from Papaver somniferum; the head-clearing antihistamines ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, from Ephedra sinica; and taxol, the chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat several types of cancer, including breast cancer, from Taxus brevifolia. These are among the findings according to Leslie Taylor, a naturopath and herbalist headquartered in Milam County, Texas, and author of The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs. Even among an abundance of healing herbs, some stand out as nature’s “superherbs” that provide an array of medical properties, according to Rosemary Gladstar, of Barre, Vermont, the renowned author of Herbal

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Remedies for Vibrant Health and related works. Two of these, she notes, are widely considered nuisance weeds. Plantain (Plantago major): Commonly used externally for poultices, open wounds, blood poisoning and bee stings, it also helps relieve a wider variety of skin irritations. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology, this common “weed” fortifies the liver and reduces inflammation, which may reduce the risk for many kinds of chronic diseases. At least one study, published in the journal Planta Medica, suggests that plantain can enhance the immune system to help fight cancer and infectious diseases. “Plantain is considered a survival herb because of its high nutritional value,” advises Gladstar, who founded the California School of Herbal Studies, in Sonoma County, in 1978. A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry confirms it’s an excellent source of alpha-tocopherol, a natural form of vitamin E and beta

carotene that can be used in salads for those that don’t mind its bitter taste. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Like plantain, dandelion is one of the most powerful medicinal herbs on the planet. “Dandelion is revered wherever you travel, except in the United States, where it is considered noxious,” observes Gladstar. Americans should reconsider their obsession with eradication. Dandelion root is an effective treatment against several types of cancer, including oftenfatal pancreatic and colorectal cancers and melanoma, even those that have proven resistant to chemotherapy and other conventional treatments, according to several studies from the University of Windsor, in England. Traditionally part of a detoxification diet, it’s also used to treat digestive ailments, reduce swelling and inflammation and stop internal and external bleeding. Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Turmeric gives curry powder its vibrant yellow color. “Curcumin, turmeric’s most important active ingredient, is a wealth of health, backed by substantial scientific evidence that upholds its benefits,” says Jan McBarron, a medical Anti-Aging_Ad_half-pg_3488:Layout and naturopathic doctor in Columbus, 1

Herb: A plant or a part of a plant that is used as medicine or to give flavor to food. ~ Merriam Webster Georgia, author of Curcumin: The 21st Century Cure and co-host of the Duke and the Doctor radio show. Several human and animal studies have shown that curcumin can be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, both in prevention and to slow or even stop its progress. One Australian study showed that curcumin helps rid the body of heavy metals that may be an underlying cause of the memory-robbing disease. Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that curcumin helped dissolve the plaques and tangles of brain material characteristic to Alzheimer’s. Curcumin is also known to be effective in lessening depression and preventing heart disease, some types of cancer and diabetes, says McBarron. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Pri5/1/2013 Page 1 antimarily used 1:53 for itsPM considerable

inflammatory properties, ginger makes a delicious and healing tea and an enticing spice in a variety of dishes. This herbal powerhouse has at least 477 active ingredients, according to Beyond Aspirin, by Thomas M. Newmark and Paul Schulick. Considerable research confirms ginger’s effectiveness against a variety of digestive problems, including nausea from both morning sickness and chemotherapy. Research from Florida’s University of Miami also confirms its usefulness in reducing knee pain. “Ginger is a good-tasting herb to treat any type of bacterial, fungal or viral infection,” says Linda Mix, a retired registered nurse in Rogersville, Tennesse, and author of Herbs for Life! The health benefits of these four vital herbs are easily accessed by growing them in a home garden or pot or via extracted supplements. Kathleen Barnes is the author of Rx from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You Can Easily Grow. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com. Note: For referenced studies, check the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

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March 2014

greenliving

Food Revolution in a Tank

Aquaponics Offers Year-Round Homegrown Fish and Veggies by Avery Mack

icture a salad of mixed lettuces or romaine accented with microgreens and ripe, red tomatoes alongside an entrée of tilapia, complemented by a dessert of fresh strawberries—all organic, eco-friendly and freshly harvested, even in the middle of winter. The ingredients for this meal don’t have to travel many miles to reach the table—they can be found just several feet away, thanks to aquaponics. “Aquaculture is fish farming, hydro-

ponics is soilless gardening,” explains Becca Self, executive director of educational nonprofit FoodChain, in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. “Aquaponics is a mutually beneficial blend of the two. Our indoor aquaponics system produces about 150 pounds of fresh tilapia every month, plus nearly 200 pounds of lettuces, herbs and microgreens.” FoodChain, which shares production space in a former bread factory with Smithtown Seafood and West Sixth

Brewing, hosted 2,000 guests and was the destination for 54 field trips last year by farmers, church groups, Rotary clubs and students of all grade levels. The seafood restaurant’s website notes, “We can step outside our back door into the farm for our superfood salad greens, herbs and tilapia.” FoodChain is also finding a way to use waste grain from the microbrewery as fish food. According to brewmaster Robin Sither, the grain is free of genetic engineering, but not organic. He notes that it’s rare for a brewery to use organic grain. The general hydroponics concept dates back to ancient practices in Chinese rice fields, Egyptian bottomlands flooded by the Nile River and Aztec floating gardens perched on low rafts layered with rich bottom muck. By the early 20th century, chemists had identified solutions of 13 specific nutrients which, added to water, could entirely substitute for fertile soil. That’s when William F. Gericke, Ph.D., of the University of CaliforniaBerkeley, took the science of hydroponics into commercial production. “In today’s space-efficient, closed, recirculating aquaponic systems that combine fish tanks and plant troughs, fish waste provides fertilizer for the plants, while the plants clean the water for fish,” says Gina Cavaliero, owner of Green Acre Aquaponics, in Brooksville, Florida. The 2013 Aquaponics Association Conference, in Tucson, Arizona, reported that aquaponic plants grow

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faster and offer higher yields, plus the sustainable technology recycles 90 percent of the water. In Denver, JD Sawyer, president of Colorado Aquaponics, operates a 3,000-square-foot farm in a food desert neighborhood (without easy access to fresh, healthy, affordable food). Koi, tilapia and hybrid striped bass fertilize romaine, bib lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, spinach, chives and strawberries. Other crops include tomatoes, peppers, yellow squash and root vegetables like beets and carrots. Tilapia and bass sell to the community and restaurants; koi are used in livestock ponds. Sawyer remarks, “An aquaponics system can be indoors or out, depending on the climate, for commercial use or in the home. The basement, garage or a spare room is ideal for growing your own food.” Home garden sizes range from a 20-gallon aquarium to a 10-by-20-foot area. Avery Ellis, an ecological designer and permaculture specialist in Boulder, Colorado, builds dynamic, living, nonconventional systems. “The temperature

“We like to use heirloom varieties; we don’t want just pretty plants that have diluted flavor. Butter lettuce is the tilapia of plants—it’s easy to grow for a good yield.” ~ Erik Oberholtzer, Tender Greens restaurants in most homes is near 70 degrees, an ideal temperature for a tropical fish like tilapia,” he says. “A 50-gallon fish tank, a 50-gallon storage bin and a timer to feed the fish automatically and supply light can be a self-sustaining system.” Outdoors, a greenhouse or geodesic dome can house the system. “A harmonious balance maintains itself, and we enjoy maximum yields from little labor,” says Ellis. He reflects that the solutions for feeding the world exist if we just open our eyes to what needs to be done. For those that don’t care to harvest and clean

fish, decorative koi species work well. Erik Oberholtzer, founder and owner of Tender Greens restaurants, which sources from nearby southern California farms and is exploring ways to install an aquaponics system in each of its restaurants, explains, “The world is suffering from a loss of growing habitat, genetically modified seeds and global warming. Aquaponics enables growers to stay ahead of climate change, making it the future of sustainable farming. It’s an ethical way to make quality food healthy, affordable and profitable.” Aquaponics methods deliver fish free of mercury and genetically modified fish food, plus the freshest vegetables possible, all without the worry of weeds, rabbits, insects, suspect fertilizers, toxic herbicides and pesticides. A home aquaponics system can be one of the best green investments to make in 2014. According to Oberholtzer, “Eating this way should not be a luxury.” Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@ mindspring.com.

Aquaponics Advantages 4 Enthusiasts can start small 4 No soil is needed 4 No fertilizer is needed (provided by the fish) 4 No toxic pesticides 4 Uses 90 percent less water than conventional methods 4 Plants help filter indoor air 4 Pests and diseases are easier to spot for treatment 4 Growing basil helps repel pests 4 Operator controls nutrition levels at less cost and waste 4 No nutrients pollute the larger environment 4 Stable, high yields of organic produce and safe-fed fish 4 Year-round production from indoor systems 4 Easy to harvest; fish harvesting is optional 4 Aesthetic enjoyment

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March 2014

Inner Wellness Center for

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GLUTEN-FREE

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Call For More Information.

Becky Waters, CHT, BMSC 256.348.5236 3322 South Memorial Parkway Suite 643 Huntsville, AL 35801 www.centerforinnerwellness.com

Breathe. Love. Live.

Follow our Facebook page Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley and we’ll alert you of upcoming happenings and events.

lthough following a diet without gluten has become easier due to increased availability and labeling of gluten-free foods, we still need to know how to make sure which foods strictly qualify. We always have more control in our own kitchen, yet we’re not always eating at home. Natural Awakenings asked experts to comment on reasons for the demand and offer practical tips and tactics for healthy eating on the go. According to the Center for Celiac Research & Treatment, 18 million Americans are now gluten sensitive, 3 million more suffer from celiac disease, and the numbers continue to skyrocket, says Dr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist and author of Grain Brain. Gluten, a naturally occurring protein in wheat, barley and rye, is prevalent in the modern American diet. Perlmutter points to new wheat hybrids and increasing amounts of gluten in processed foods as exacerbating the problem. He particularly cites today’s overuse of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications as contributors to “inappropriate and excessive reactions to what might otherwise have represented a non-threatening protein like gluten.”

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Jules Shepard, a mother of two in Washington, D.C., and author of Free for All Cooking: 150 Easy Gluten-Free, Allergy-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy who also shares recipes at Blog.JulesGlutenFree.com, remembers when going out for a glutenfree lunch was difficult. “The friendly

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lunch spots my coworkers and I used to enjoy on a weekly and sometimes even daily basis were no longer friendly for me,” she says. “There was nothing on the menu I could eat, and it seemed better for everyone if I simply stayed in the office. But it isolated me socially from my colleagues and deprived me of a much-needed midday break that had been such an enjoyable part of my routine.” Attending catered breakfasts or lunches for office meetings also presented difficulties. Shepard learned that it’s best to be prepared and pack something, even if it’s only a snack. “Some of my favorites include fresh fruit, like apples or bananas with peanut or almond butter, washed berries, applesauce, coconut yogurt, hummus and red peppers, trail mix, dry cereals like granola, and nutrition bars. I keep a variety of these bars in my purse and car year-round, so I’m never bored with my choices.” “Gluten-free instant oatmeal is a staple in my life,” advises

Shepard. She never leaves home without it, regardless of the length of the trip. “All you need is a cup or a bowl and some boiling water. Be sure to buy certified gluten-free oats, because regular oats can be contaminated with gluten grains.” Shepard also recommends avoiding pre-sweetened varieties. Kate Chan, a teacher and mother of two in suburban Seattle, Washington, who has been following a gluten-free diet since 2000, has solved the problem of eating healthy at work another way: The family cooks extra the night before. “While cleaning up the kitchen, I just pack the leftovers for lunch. I like to vary the side dishes a bit if I pack side dishes at all, and toss in fruit and more vegetables,” she says. Chan likes to use a bento-style lunch box with several compartments, plus thermal containers, so she can enjoy a variety of gluten-free lunch options.

On the Road In Los Angeles, California, Kristine Kidd, former food editor at Bon Appétit, has recently returned to gluten-free eating. On her menu-planning and recipe blog, KristineKidd.com, and in her cookbook, Weeknight Gluten Free, she recommends whole, fresh foods from farmers’ markets that are naturally gluten-free. When she and her husband hike the Sierra Mountains, she carries homemade, high-fiber, gluten-free cookies to eat on the way up and packs gluten-free soups such as butternut squash and black bean, corn tortillas with fresh fillings, and fruit for a delicious lunch upon reaching the peak. Some gluten-free snacks can contain as many empty calories as other types of junk food, notes Registered Dietitian Katharine Tallmadge. “Many ‘gluten-free’ products are made with refined, unenriched grains and starches, which contain plenty of calories, but few vitamins or minerals.” She agrees with Kidd and others that choosing whole, natural, fresh foods, which are naturally gluten-free, makes for healthy eating wherever we go.

You Can Take It with You by Judith Fertig Our experts suggest delicious, nutritious choices for gluten-free eating at work, play or anywhere we wander. For food safety, keep foods that need to be kept hot and cold in separate thermal containers. 4 Asian stir-fry with rice 4 Baked egg frittata or baked egg “muffins” 4 Baked falafel 4 Baked polenta “fries” 4 Baked sweet potato chips 4 Certified gluten-free instant oatmeal, unsweetened 4 Cheese on rice crackers with olive tapenade (purée) 4 Corn tortillas with fresh fillings 4 Fresh fruits

4 Fresh salads, dressing on the side 4 Gluten-free granola or granola bars 4 Nori (seaweed) wraps 4 Precooked quinoa with dried fruit and rice milk 4 Raw vegetables with hummus 4 Sandwiches made with whole-grain, gluten-free bread 4 Smoked fish 4 Stew, gumbo or vegetable sautés packed with cooked rice on top 4 Vegetable soups with beans or rice 4 Vietnamese pho (soup) with rice stick noodles

When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way. ~Wayne Dyer

Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAnd Lifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS. natural awakenings

March 2014

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Wayne Dyer on the Value of Hard Lessons by Linda Sechrist

fter four decades teaching self-development and empowerment and authoring more than 30 bestselling books, Wayne W. Dyer, Ph.D., shares dozens of events from his life in his latest work, I Can See Clearly Now. In unflinching detail, he relates vivid impressions of encountering many forks in the road, from his youth in Detroit to the present day, and reflects on these events from his current perspective, noting what lessons he ultimately learned.

What has writing this book taught you and how can it help others better understand their own lives? My biggest lesson was that our whole life is like a checkerboard. When I looked back on my life, I began to realize this and gained an awareness of the fact that there’s something else moving all of the pieces around. The key to attracting this mystical guidance into your life is to start with awareness that all things are possible and to forget about yourself. When you get your ego out of the picture, your inner mantra isn’t, “What’s in it for me? and “How much more can I get?” Instead, when your inner mantra is, “How may I serve or what may I do for you?” and you practice consistently living this way, you attract this mystical guidance. I have found that the more I do this, the more these miracles show up. There are 60 chapters in the book. Every time I finished one, I would think: “Now I can see clearly why I had to go

through all of these experiences and learn all these lessons.” As a result, I suggest that whenever something happens that leads you to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” shift instead to the awareness that all experiences, no matter what, are gifts.

You describe the influential patterns and motivators in your life as diamonds and stones; how would you characterize your childhood years in foster homes? I can now see that spending the better part of my first decade in a series of foster homes was all a part of God’s infallible plan for me. I believe I was in a type of training camp for becoming a teacher of higher spiritual and commonsense principles. If I was going to spend my adult life teaching, lecturing and writing on self-reliance, then I obviously needed to learn to rely upon myself and be in a position to never be dissuaded from this awareness. What better training ground for teaching this than an early childhood that required a sense of independence and need for self-sufficiency? Now that I know

that every encounter, challenge and situation is a spectacular thread in a tapestry, and that each represents and defines my life, I am deeply grateful for them all. Each of us has a mission of some kind to fulfill at the moment we make the shift from nowhere to now here, from spirit to form. I’ve seen firsthand how this universe has a creative source of energy supporting it that is literally the matrix of all matter. Nothing occurs by happenstance anywhere, because this universal mind is perpetually on call, going about its miraculous ways in terms of infinite possibilities.

What can you see clearly about your role as a parent? I’ve watched my eight children show up from birth with their unique personalities and blossom into their own awakenings. I know for certain that the one Divine mind that is responsible for all of creation has a hand in this engaging mystery. Same parents, same environment, same culture and yet eight individuals, with their own distinctive character traits. Khalil Gibran stated it perfectly in The Prophet: “Your children

STOP

are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.” Each of my children had their blueprint from God. My job has been to guide, then step aside and let whatever is inside them that is their own uniqueness steer the course of their lives.

What has your life taught you about prayer? I feel that the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi says it best: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is darkness, let me bring light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.” The masters I’ve studied pray to become more godly, more like where we originally came from. My prayer is always, “Help me to remind myself to get rid of this ego and to be like You are. Help me to be my highest self, the place within that is God.” Linda Sechrist is a Natural Awakenings senior staff writer. Visit ItsAllAboutWe. com for the extended interview.

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natural awakenings

March 2014

fitbody

Tweet those Fitness Goals Online Friends Help Us Stay on Track by Tamara Grand

friends with similar health and fitness goals. Follow links to motivational photos, low-calorie recipes and athome workouts. Tweeting when feeling the urge to eat virtually guarantees that we’ll receive a helpful response in a minute or two. Twitter chats are also a fabulous way to connect with an established and helpful healthy living tribe.

A visual smorgasbord of clean-eating recipes, at-home workouts and inspirational photos keeps spirits up. Pinterest accesses photos throughout the Internet that we can grab and “pin” to a personal online vision board. It’s also possible to create a visual cookbook, pinning recipes to, for example, clean eating, Paleo, pumpkin and oatmeal themed boards. It’s fun to connect with our favorite healthy living peeps and start following their boards for continuous injections of inspiration and motivation.

Instagram

umans are inherently social creatures. Most of us enjoy the company of others and spend much of our waking time engaging in social interactions with colleagues, friends and family. People that spend a lot of time together often adopt one another’s eating and exercise habits—sometimes for the better, but often for the worse. At least one positive side to wishing to conform socially is unexpected. Finding the right circle of friends—our own personal support group—can make sticking to an exercise schedule or diet easier. It’s a key factor in the popularity of organized weight-loss groups and exercise classes. Studies published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Obesity demonstrate that just having a weight-loss or fitness support system in place results in better adherence to diet and exercise with more pounds shed and kept off over the long term. Researchers believe that in

Tennessee Valley, AL

addition to the motivation and accountability supporters provide, benefits are also enhanced by learning through observing; changing our behavior through watching the actions and outcomes of others’ behavior. If we don’t have physical access to a local support group, we can access one online or create our own, using one of the following social media platforms.

Facebook

The leading social networking website includes thousands of community and group pages devoted to weight loss, exercise and healthy living. Its search function helps find one that fits our needs. Make an introduction and join the discussion. Participating in a special challenge helps everyone stay motivated.

Twitter

This micro-blogging site is informal and fast-paced, providing nearly instantaneous feedback. Use Twitter to identify

Facebook.com/natvalley

Love to take photos using a smartphone? Instagram provides a platform for sharing snippets of our day via pictures. Fitness fans regularly “Instagram” their meals and workouts, in part to remain accountable to their online followers, but also to help motivate themselves and others to make healthy choices each day.

YouTube

Our go-to resource for music videos is also home to hundreds of healthy living “channels”. Want to follow someone’s 100-pound weight-loss journey, learn how to cook quinoa or follow along with free, at-home workout videos? This is the place. Watch, share and comment on a favorite YouTube video to become part of its online community. The key to using social media to improve our health and fitness is inherent in the name. It’s a friendly way to interact, participate and engage with others. Tamara Grand, Ph.D., is a certified personal trainer and a group fitness and indoor cycling instructor in Port Moody, British Columbia, in Canada. Her new book is Ultimate Booty Workouts. She contributes to Life.Gaiam.com and blogs at FitKnitChick.com.

inspiration

Coming Next Month

Gardening as Spiritual Practice Cycles of Growth Cultivate Our Divinity by April Thompson

“

ardening is not about having or taking; it’s about giving,” says Connecticut psychotherapist Gunilla Norris, author of A Mystic Garden: Working with Soil, Attending to Soul. “And in giving, the garden gives back to you.” She deems the art of practicing gratitude in the garden as an intentional path for cultivating spirituality.“Every day, go out and thank the ground. Life is burgeoning all around us, all the time,” she continues. “If we can just appreciate that, it’s a big deal.” It’s hard not to be humbled and awed by the miracle of life when we see a seedling push its tiny green head above ground, lean toward the sun and unfurl its first set of leaves. Each bit of plant life is simply fulfilling its mission to grow and be. “Gardening enhances our relationship to the Earth. Through gardening, we are helping to heal the planet, which is part of the work we are all called to do,” remarks Al Fritsch, a Jesuit priest in Ravenna, Kentucky, and author of the e-book, Spiritual Growth Through Domestic Gardening (free at EarthHealing.info/garden.htm). Over his lifetime, Fritsch has helped turn a parking lot, a section of church lawn, and overgrown bottomland all into thriving gardens. In his view, “It gives us a sense of home, roots us in place.”

We can even discover our personal calling through cultivating a garden while gleaning endless spiritual lessons: Here dwells patience and an appreciation for the natural order of things; no fertilizer can force a flower to bloom before its time. Here resides mindfulness as we learn to notice changes in the plants under our care and discern what they need to thrive. Here abides interdependence; we wouldn’t have carrots, corn or cherries without the bats, birds, and bees playing in the pollen. In a garden, we naturally accept the cycle of life, death and rebirth as we bid adieu to the joy of seasonal colors and let flowerbeds rest in peace, anticipating their budding and blooming again. Just as the fruits of growing a garden exceed the doing—the weeding and seeding and countless other tasks—so do the riches of tending a spiritual life surpass the striving. We do well to rejoice in the sacred space created, cherishing every spiritual quality nurtured within and reflected in the Divine handiwork. Breathing in the floral perfume carried by the breeze and reveling in the multi-hued textures of living artistry, we celebrate the fact that we too, are playing our part of the natural miracle of life. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Green Living Starts at Home Local natural-health and sustainability advocates show us how.

To advertise or participate in our April edition, call

256-340-1122 natural awakenings

March 2014

calendarofevents

Alabama. Free with registration on Eventbrite. com (search for event title). Jackson Center, 6001 Moquin Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35806.

Email Editor@Natvalley.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

Play: Twelve Angry Men – 7:30pm (Fri-Sat), 2pm (Sun). A 19-year-old stands trial for murder. The final verdict and how it is reached culminates in tense scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Admission charged. Von Braun Center Playhouse, 700 Monroe Street Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-536-0807.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1 Exhibit: Huntsville's Civil Rights "Firsts" – Daily through 4/7. A look at Huntsville's civil rights era, tracing events from 1950-1980 though pictures, posters and documents about what was going on here, in the state and the country. Admission charged. Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Dr, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-536-2882. Cal Breed Glass Art Exhibit – Daily through 3/31. This series of works by Alabama's premier hot glass artist combines innovation, artistry and technical proficiency and explores connections between body, spirit and the natural world. Admission charged. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-535-4350. Friends of the Library 25 cent Sale – 9am-3pm. Main Library, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-532-5940. TEDx Manhattan "Changing the Way We Eat" Viewing Party – 9:30am-6:30pm. Live webcast of TEDx Manhattan event discussing current challenges in our food system. Local speakers and vendor booths. Free with registration on Eventbrite.com (search for event title with location). The Magnolia Room, 216 Moulton St, Decatur, AL 35601. 816516-2340. SpreadDecatur@gmail.com. The Spiritual Laws of Life – 2-3pm. Free introductory presentation and discussion series for people of all faiths. Learn how to keep in tune with your true spiritual nature. Earth Fare, 5900-C University Dr, Huntsville, AL. 256-534-1751. Eck-Alabama.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2 Guest Speaker, Rev. Grace at Unity Church on the Mountain – 11am. We will offer our Adult Discussion at 9:30am. 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOn TheMountain.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 6 Noon Time Concert Series – 12:10-12:50pm. Sponsored by the American Guild of Organists. Free. United Methodist Church, 607 Governors Dr, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-348-5236. Alabama Youth Ballet Theater Presents Scenes from Snow White – 6:30-7pm (3/6), 9:15am and 10:30am (3/10). Your whole family will be dazzled by beautiful costumes and graceful dancing as Alabama Youth Ballet Theater shares scenes from their upcoming production of Snow White. Main Library, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-532-5940.

FRIDAY, MARCH 7 Trinity Market Place – 9am-6pm (Fri), 9am-4pm (Sat). Shop for all of those special occasions coming up. You will find jewelry, children's clothing, artwork, pottery and more. Stop by the bake sale for coffee and dessert. Free. Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd, Huntsville, AL 35802. 256-883-3200. Building, Home & Garden Show – 12-8pm (Fri), 9am-7pm (Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun). The focus of the

Tennessee Valley, AL

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 Southeastern Outings Waterfall Tour to large volume waterfalls of North Alabama around Arab, Albertville and Guntersville – We will carpool to destinations across central North Alabama to visit large volume waterfalls at their peak. Excellent photo opportunities. Info: Dan Frederick, 205-6314680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net. SEOutings.org. show will be on home products, interior design, decorating, landscaping, building products and outdoor living products. Admission charged. Von Braun Center South Hall, 700 Monroe Street Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-533-1953. Concert: Emanuel Ax – 7:30pm. A performance by internationally acclaimed pianist Emanuel Ax. Admission charged. Trinity United Methodist Church, Sanctuary, 607 Airport Rd, Huntsville, AL 35802. 256-489-7415.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 Southeastern Outings Dayhike at DeSoto State Park and Lost Falls – 9am. Moderately easy 5 mile hike in one of the most scenic state parks in Alabama. We will hike along the beautiful West Fork of Little River and visit waterfalls. Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205-6314680. SEOutings.org. Catpalooza – 12-4pm. We will have cats of all colors for adoption. Adoption fees cover the cost of spay or neuter surgery and first shots. Come and meet your new best friend. Free. Lowe Mill, First Floor Connector, 2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805. WASA Training Class – 4-8pm. The answer to "What methods afford the best techniques for mastering the Laws of Attraction and Healing?" Intown location, KatyShamanHealer.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 9 Holistic Green Expo – 12-5pm. Highlighting local and regional businesses and organizations that offer alternative solutions in healthcare, fitness, healthy eating and green living. Presented by Natural Awakenings Magazine and Take Care Alabama. Free. The Westin Huntsville, Bridge Street Town Center, 6800 Governors West Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35806. 256-340-1122. Facebook.com/HolisticGreenExpo. WASA Healing Circle – 6pm. For practice by those who have learned to WASA, also welcome to anyone in need of assistance. Intown location, KatyShamanHealer.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 Symposium on Child Hunger: Closing the Hunger Gap – 8:45am-12pm. Join civic, education and business leaders for an inspirational opportunity to learn about and help end child hunger in northern

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St. Patrick's Day Parade – 11:30am. This annual tradition is a celebration of Irish culture and heritage in a positive family atmosphere. Free. Downtown Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-468-5612. HuntsvilleSt PatricksDay.com. Symphony Classical Series: Mozart's Requiem – 7:30pm. Enjoy the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, the Huntsville Community Chorus and guest soloists and vocalists as they perform the magnificent "Requiem" by Mozart. Admission charged. Von Braun Center Concert Hall, 700 Monroe Street Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-539-4818.

SUNDAY, MARCH 16 Guest Speaker, Lawrence Bergmann – 11am. His worldwide ministry gives perspective on early Christianity and belief systems. Potluck lunch and Workshop (love offerings accepted) will follow the service. Adult Discussion begins at 9:30am. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOn TheMountain.org. Beautiful Wildflower Trail Along Fagan Creek – 2pm. (1 hour / Easy with moderate incline; roots and rocks on trail). Botanist Lynne Weninegar will point out the first signs of the many wildflowers that bloom each year on this family-favorite trail at the base of Monte Sano. Directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org. TEDxHuntsvilleLive (TED 2014) – 6-10pm. TEDxHuntsville will present a broadcast of the TED Global conference, being held in Vancouver, Canada. We will play 2 sessions from the conference recorded a day before. Free. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-4576677. Informed@tedxhuntsville.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 SAND-tastic Work of Wonder – 1-3pm. Professional sand artisans from the Sand Sculpture Company will create over-sized sand art in the Garden. Watch them sculpt a massive one-of-a kind work of sand art. Admission charged. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-830-4447. Studio Arts @ the Bailey Cove Library: Paint a Spring "Reading Tree" –2-4pm. Create and take home a painting that embodies your love of reading. Ages 14 to adult. Free. Call to register. Bailey Cove Branch Library, 1409 Weatherly Plaza SE, Huntsville AL 35803. 256-881-0257.

SUNDAY, MARCH 23

Exit 9). 256-534-1751. Eck-Alabama.org.

Geocaching 101 on Monte Sano Nature Preserve – 2pm. (2 hours / Easy to moderate). Geocaching is a treasure hunting game that uses GPS technology to hide and locate geocaches. Land Steward Brandon Perry will lead caching activities geared toward beginners. For directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org.

"Messages from the Other Side" – 7pm. A presentation by Medium and Minister, Sharon Renae. $20 love offering per person requested. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 25

Guest Speaker, Sharon Renae, Medium and Minister – 11am. “Living a Spiritual Life, (What It Is and What It Isn’t).” Potluck lunch and Workshop, “Blissful Living in the Workplace,” will follow the service. $20 love offering requested for workshop. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org.

How to Do Things: Gluten-free Baking – 6:308pm. Learn the secrets of exquisite gluten-free baking from Ellen Coleman of Ellen’s Creative Cakes, Inc. $10. Main Library, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-532-2362.

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 Southeastern Outings Dayhike to Parker Branch Waterfall and Canyon plus Two Immense Pebble Bluff Native American Shelters – 8am. Moderate hikes to several spectacular sites in and near the Bankhead National Forest. Info: Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net. SEOutings.org. Walls of Jericho in Jackson County – 8am. (App. 6 hours / Difficult). Join Land Trust Board member Mike Dalen for an unforgettable day hike. Once the hunting grounds of Davy Crockett, “The Walls” are one of Forever Wild’s most popular properties. For directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org. Change Your Consciousness, Change Your Life – 1-8:30pm. Discover how simple spiritual exercises can help you live life in the best way possible no matter what comes. Free seminar sponsored by the Huntsville ECK Center. Best Western Plus Hotel, 9035 Madison Blvd, Madison (Hwy 20 near I-565

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Fossils and Rock Ledges of Huntsville Mountain’s Fanning Trail – 2pm. (2 hours / Moderate to difficult, app. 2 miles). You’ll get close to the famous rock ledges on Huntsville Mountain and see the many fossils captured in the limestone. Botanist Lynne Weninegar leads this hike. Directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org. The Ten Tenors – 3pm. This Australian troupe averages 250 shows a year on seven continents. This show will include a collection of Broadway's best known hits. Admission charged. Von Braun Center Concert Hall, 700 Monroe Street Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-518-6155. Series: Bach in Tahiti – 3:30pm. Bach never visited Tahiti, but composer Michael Torke wrote his piece in the style of Bach, and it will be presented in conjunction with Bach's "Orchestral Suite No. 1." Admission charged. Randolph School Fine Arts Building, 4915 Garth Rd, Huntsville, AL 35802. 256-539-4818.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Editor@Natvalley.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month. ORGANIC HEIRLOOM SEEDS GLASS GEM CORN SEED for sale. This is a rare heirloom corn that produces a diversity of gorgeous translucent, jewel-colored ears, each one unique. It can be used for popcorn, corn meal or decoration. $7.95/pack. To order call 256-340-1122 or email Cindy@Alabama Awakenings.com.

plan ahead SATURDAY, APRIL 5 The Joy of Presence: A Mindfulness Meditation Workshop – 12:30-5pm. Instructor: Lisa Ernst. Learn effective techniques to establish and deepen an ongoing meditation practice. $85 if paid before 3/28. To register: AnnetteBerseford@hotmail.com or call 256-658-9748. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500 Pratt Ave East, Suite A, Huntsville. AL 35801. YogaCenterofHuntsville.com.

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March 2014

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ongoingevents

editorial calendar

2014

Email Editor@Natvalley.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

sunday

MARCH

food & garden

A Course in Miracles Study Group – 9:15am. Shared reading and group discussions. Extra books available. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville, AL. 256-895-0255. LightOfChrist Center.org.

plus: gluten-free foods APRIL

green living

plus: healthy home

Revealing Service – 9:45am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-8838596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

MAY

women’s wellness

Celebration Service – 10:30am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256-8838596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

thursday

Unity Church on the Mountain Worship Service – 11am, with Adult Discussion at 9:30am. Unity is a positive path for spiritual living. Rev. Carol Landry. 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org.

Thursday Night Swing – 6:30-10pm. Swing dance lesson, 6:30pm; Dance 7:30pm. $5 covers lesson and dance. Lowe Mill/Flying Monkey, 2nd Floor Theatre, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL.

1-Hour Mystery School – 11am. A different service each week including ritual, music, and a message in an open, loving environment. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville, AL. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.

tuesday

“Empowering Your Healthy Life” Class – 6:30pm. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org. Satsang – 6:30pm. Through group discussion and inquiry, we reveal the innate wisdom of the one presence living life as each one of us. Meditation 6pm. Led by Rev. David Leonard. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

JUNE

inspired living

plus: men’s wellness JULY

food watch

friday

plus: natural medicine cabinet

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

transformative education

AUGUST

plus: children’s health SEPTEMBER

conscious caretaking plus: yoga

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

wednesday

plus: bodywork

saturday

OCTOBER

sustainable communities

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 for sale. Admission free. Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL. Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift you in countless ways. Held each Saturday (except March 29). Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Ave NE #3 (near Five Points). 256534-1751. Eck-Alabama.org.

plus: chiropractic and acupuncture NOVEMBER

personal empowerment plus: beauty

DECEMBER

awakening humanity plus: holiday themes

Reiki Free Clinic (No Charge) – 2-4pm, every Third Saturday of each month. For appointments, contact Shari Feinman-Prior at Shari1717@gmail. com. 915-A Merchant Walk Way SW, Huntsville, AL 35801.

How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. ~Wayne Dyer natural awakenings

March 2014

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

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY

CENTER FOR OPTIMAL WELLBEING

CENTER FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

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.

“SPARK YOUR LIGHT” FROM WITHIN YOUR TRUE BEING and TRANSFORM your life. Offering an individualized integrative approach from energy psychology: Inner Counselor Process, Rapid Eye Technology, Healing Touch, Reiki, and Life Skills Coaching, to create change in deep seated patterns of behavior for a healthy and joyful life.

U’Jeana Wilson Owner/Certified Colon Hydrotherapist Degree in Psychology 256-658-8600

HOPE FOR LIFE COLONICS

Tina Pencola Owner/Certified Colon Hydrotherapist 10300 Bailey Cove Rd, Suite-7A Huntsville, AL 35803 256-270-8731 • 256-684-0020 Hope4LifeAL.com Tina.HopeForLife@outlook.com Our goal is to live long and live strong. Young or old, male or female, healthy or sick, will benefit from an internal cleansing. Mention this ad and get $10 off your first colonic session. See ad, page 9.

JARVIS NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC

Shari Feinman-Prior, MS, MRET 915-A Merchant Walk Way, SW Huntsville, AL 35801 256-289-3331 Shari1717@gmail.com

FAMILY MEDICINE MADISON FAMILY CARE

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. See ads, page 23 and back page.

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.

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

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

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

Tennessee Valley, AL

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HAIR SALON CJ HAIR AND ART STUDIO CJ Denison 105E Church St Madison, AL 35758 256-603-9018

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

HYPNOTHERAPY CENTER FOR INNER WELLNESS Becky Waters Certified Hypnotherapist and Professional Breathworker 3322 S. Memorial Parkway, Suite 643 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. See ad, page 20.

MARSHA MATHES

Certified Hypnotist 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. Hypnobirthing classes, quit smoking, weight loss, nail and lip biting, teeth grinding, insomnia, anxiety and stress relief, phobias and fears, pain relief, sports enhancement, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), current and past life regressions.

JIN SHIN JYUTSU® JIN SHIN JYUTSU OF HUNTSVILLE Sandra Cope Huntsville 256-534-1794 256-509-3540

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. See ad, page 22.

MASSAGE CLOUD NINE IN HOME MASSAGES 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.

DIXIE PHILLIPS (LMT #2151)

Dixie’s Sunrise Massage Therapy 3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste #116 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-585-0504 • Hoss2ride@otelco.net Dixie’s Sunrise Massage Therapy: Come in and experience Dixie’s Combo. This is not the typical massage. MediCupping Therapy is used to relax muscles and increase the blood flow, which accelerates healing. It is also effective on bloating, scars, Fibromyalgia, Sciatica, migraine or tension headaches. See details on services, rates, and possible help with your Tissue Issues at DixiesSunrise.MassageTherapy.com.

MEETING ROOMS/ EVENT SPACE LIGHT OF CHRIST CENTER

4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville 256-895-0255 • LightOfChristCenter.org Rent our beautiful vintage Centenarian House facility as the ideal venue for weddings, receptions, memorial services, classes/workshops and other gatherings. Call and leave a message if you’re interested in a tour or to speak with someone about your event. See ad, page 16.

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATES Dr. Deb Gilliam, N.M.D. 1230 Slaughter Road, Madison, AL 256-325-0955

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. See ad, page 9.

REIKI CHRISTINE (LEE) KAMBACK REIKI MASTER

Reiki Classes, Treatments & Massage Therapy Licensed Massage Therapist AL#405 256-714-8503 • ChristineKamback.com Serving the Huntsville area since 1998. All courses are NCBTMB and AL Board approved for Massage Therapists and Physical Therapists as well as the general public. Gentle effective therapy.

JACI HOGUE

256-656-4108 JaciHogue@gmail.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.

SUSAN K. JEFFREYS

Advanced Practitioner Lic.#249 Dr. Ida P. ROLF method 2336A Whitesburg Drive 256-508-3351 RolfGuild.org Serving Huntsville since 1995 “When the body gets working appropriately, then the force of gravity can flow through. Then spontaneously, the body heals itself.” —Ida P. Rolf. See ad, page 14.

YOGA YOGA CENTER OF HUNTSVILLE 500 East Pratt Ave, Suite A Huntsville, AL 35801 256-533-7975 YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com

SHAMANIC HEALING WATER, WILLOW & MOON SHAMANIC HEALING Jeffrey Rich 256-337-1699 WaterWillowMoon.com Jeffrey.Rich@gmail.com

"Medicine for the Soul," shamanic healing is the sacred technology which can help you achieve wholeness by addressing the spiritual causes of disease. Empty? Out of sorts? Something "just not right"? "Haven't been the same since ..."? Explore the techniques of shamanic healing and find answers. Offering Soul Retrieval, Thoughtform Unraveling, Illumination, Space Clearing, Past Life Work and much more.

Offering all levels of Yoga for children, pre-natal, beginners as well as Mat Pilates and Restorative classes. Our goal is for all students to achieve optimum health in a balance between mind, body and spirit while promoting a relaxing atmosphere to learn at your own pace. Full class schedule online.

Gr w your business with us! Advertise with us and reach thousands of healthy living individuals in the Tennessee Valley area.

Something for every budget! 256-340-1122

Editor@Natvalley.com natural awakenings

March 2014

Progressive M ADISON Family F AMILY CARE M edic i n e

Alternative Medicine Associates • • • • • •

Complete Family Practice Sick Visits Diabetes Hypertension Asthma Thyroid

Chad Gilliam, M.M.S., PA-C

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Environmental Allergy Testing Food Allergy Testing Bio-Identical Hormones Laboratory Testing Gynecological Care X-Rays

Dr. Princess Robinson Humphrey, MD

256-722-0555 1230 SLAUGHTER RD, SUITE C MADISON, AL 35758

ProFamilyMed.com Progress Toward Wellness & Prevention