July 2011 by Natural Awakenings Magazine, Tennessee Valley Edition

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET FEEL GOOD LIVE SIMPLY LAUGH MORE

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Special Edition

SHARING OUR WORLD

LIVING SIMPLY

Giving Is the New Taking

Best-Ever Tips for a Healthy, Happy, Slowed-Down Summer

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TRAVEL

TIPS

All-Natural

COOL AID

for Summer’s Bummers

JULY 2011

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MORE FOR YOUR MONEY Customers want more than an ad. They want an explanation. Natural Awakenings teaches our readers about you with news briefs, articles, calendar listings, and classiﬁeds. Don’t just place an ad. Become part of the magazine. 100% TARGETED AUDIENCE Mintel International, an industry leader in providing market intelligence, recently called the green marketplace one of the fastest growing, most dynamic sectors of the US economy. 100% of our readers are interested in healthy living, a healthy environment, and personal growth. THAT’S 100% CREDIBILITY AND SCOPE The Natural Awakenings family of magazines has been a respected source for cuttingedge healthy living information across the country for 14 years. Reaching more than 2.5 million readers each month with 60 individual magazines in 60 cities across the nation and Puerto Rico.

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publisher’sletter "Simplify, simplify!"—Henry David Thoreau, Walden

ur life is frittered away by detail, wrote Thoreau. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand. Keep your accounts on your thumb-nail, was in fact, his rule of thumb. He must have been referring to all the usernames and passwords. Sure, the nineteenth century Thoreau might be bewildered by the twenty first century complexities, but the fact there is more complexity to cut through does not confound the timeless truth of the call to simplify, simplify. Mark Cunningham, co-author of The Prosperous Peasant: Five Secrets of Fortune & Fulfillment from the Samurai's Temple School, writes: "Simplicity frees one to make any range of choices and pursue any range of possibilities. And such freedom is hindered by complexities like financial demands, time constraints, and the baggage of material belongings. By consciously seeking simplicity in life, one places oneself in a condition of gratitude. And gratitude, by instilling an awareness of one’s blessings, clarifies one’s vision and helps one establish goals." Thoreau sees "stuff" as an impediment, a burden, a ball and chain. Accumulation is incarceration. The hobo, the tribesman, the nomad, the Bluesman, they alone are free. Free to roam and to wander, by foot or in boxcar, a travelling Rock Star, guitar and harmonica the only possessions one needs. For those of us who are non-musically inclined, but remaining within the Metaphor, substitute "guitar" and "harmonica" for those things, clarified by vision, that helps us pursue established goals. In other words, it is the seeking of simplicity, the vision of it, the philosophical pursuit, that matters, and not an actual census of "accounts." It is the unburdening of the mind and the heart and the spirit that is the real goal, opening the way to a clear examination of all of the blessings that life holds. Simplicity is a purity of heart, and a heartfelt aspiration, to focus on the feeling of Gratitude for what we have, in regard to gifts of the spirit, sensibilities of the soul, satisfactions of the mind, and of the finer perceptions, summoned and shared by talent and a few necessary tools...our instrument a computer, or a sketchpad, a notebook, or a notion. Say "Love and Gratitude" to a cup of water, then pour it over the open ground. Molecular photography reveals the water molecules exposed to that specific two-word thought, together, transform, transcendently, into beautiful bejeweled crystalline gems. All words or other stimuli of a positive affirmational nature evoke this water-crystal response, though "Love and Gratitude" is the precise formula for forming the prettiest forms. Visualize these as a pure viral virtue, transformed, and transformative, to all water in the ground that it touches, into which it flows. This ritual is as easy as it is elegant, to explain, as well as perform. Thus it has all the elements of what makes a meaningful meditation, including an amazing simplicity. Keep it simple. Operate within a few key principles. Focus on tools rather than toys. The tools could be anything, even a cup of water. The intent, the meaning, is what matters.

contact us Publisher/Editor Tom Maples Tom@AlabamaAwakenings.com Cell: (404) 395-9634 Fax: (256) 217-4274 New Business Development Advertising Sales Cindy Wilson Cindy@AlabamaAwakenings.com Cell: (256) 476-6537 Fax: (256) 217-4274 Design and Production Karen Ormstedt (256) 997-9165 Alabama Awakenings 14 Woodland Ave Trinity, Alabama 35673 © 2010 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 $15 (for 12 issues) to the above address. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

July 2011

contents 10

9 ecotip 10 globalbriefs 12 ecobriefs 21 consciouseating 21 inspiration

14 ESSENTIALS

Raise Your Vibration With Essential Oils

by Linda Hileman BS, CCA

17 REIKI COMBINED WITH HEALING CRYSTALS

24 greenliving 26 healingways

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.

27 healthbriefs 30 healthykids

by Mary Morales

18 SHARING OUR WORLD Simply Sharing Can Solve Big Challenges by Neal Gorenﬂo and Jeremy Adam Smith

21 BERRY GOOD Reap Big Benefits from Summer’s Tiny Gems

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS 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 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.

by Judith Fertig

21 SIMPLE STAYCATIONS

Some of the Greatest Vacations Start and Stay At Home by April Thompson

26 COOL AID

Remedies for Summer Bummers

by Maureen Healy

30 THE BEAUTY OF

*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.

SUMMER BOREDOM Recapturing the Golden Days of Childhood by Lisa Gromicko

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

32 POSTURES BY GATLIANNE Child’s Pose by Gatlianne

newsbriefs Marie Krause, D.C. Offers Own Technique for Clearing Blocked Energy

arie Krause, D.C. has opened Light Touch - Energy Healing, and is now seeing clients at the Millar Chiropractic offices in Madison and downtown Huntsville. With more than twenty years of bodywork experience including Chiropractic, Deep Tissue Massage Therapy, various Applied Kinesiology techniques and CranioSacral Therapy, this former Reiki Master has developed her own technique for clearing blocked energy in the body to restore optimal function and balance. Chi is the life force energy that sustains the physical body, and when its normal flow is impeded, it can result in chronic pain and dysfunction. Dr. Marie is able to feel where the energy is blocked, and effectively clear the stagnant energy in a rather remarkable way, using her left hand to literally "pull off" the blocked energy. As it's being cleared, it actually sounds like static electricity, and can be quite loud in areas where the energy is significantly blocked. In many cases, clients report that they feel the pain and irritation being pulled from the body giving them great relief. The nature of this type of energy healing is not to treat specific disorders, but rather to help the client achieve optimal wellness. When a person's Chi is flowing freely, they experience greater ease and vitality in both their body and their life. Dr. Marie is accepting new clients at both the Madison (256-430-2700) and downtown Huntsville (256-539-7077) locations of Millar Chiropractic. Please see her listing in the Community Resources Guide and receive a discount off your first visit.

A Spiritual Community supporting the practice of knowing God in the heart of every person. ONGOING SERVICES AND CLASSES! New Thought Classes

Tuesdays, 6:30-9:00pm Wednesdays,10:00am-12:00pm

Revealing Services Sundays 9:45am

Celebration Services Sundays 10:30am

Meditation

Tuesdays & Wednesdays 6:00pm Sundays 8:30am

Satsang

Spring Valley Beachâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;North Alabama Water Park Features Thrill Slides & Family Fun in the Sun

Wednesdays 6:30pm

ocated off 231 South at mile marker 270 in Blountsville only an hour from Huntsville, Spring Valley Beach boasts the largest swimming pool in the southeast, and features thirty acres of thrill ride slides, picnic pavilions for 200-300 people, barbecue grills, concession stands, and shaded gazebos that accommodate family gatherings, parties, and large group events. In addition to the gigantic 500 foot-long, 150-foot wide swimming pool with plenty of room for water floats and toys, Spring Valley Beach claims six water thrill rides built into the hill. Designed for adventure riders of all ages, the popular 4-story free-fall Sidewinder, the twisty-turning Circle S, the slick Need for Speed, and the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest slide known as the Blackout can be ridden alone or tandem. The maximum velocity Chiller provides a spine-tingling solo experience. There is something for everyone at Spring Valley Beach. The kiddie pool has a fully completed Frog & Fish slide, new for summer 2011. If you prefer relaxing by the pool, waterspouts keep you cool while you read, visit with friends, or sunbathe. Sunscreen is free and strongly recommended. Bring your own gas or charcoal grills, coolers, and food; or enjoy soft drinks and goodies at the concession stands. Spring Valley Beach employs forty Red Cross-certified lifeguards on staff to enforce park rules and oversee safety.

Rev. David Leonard Transforming Lives and Making the World a Better Place www.cslhuntsville.org

308 Lily Flagg Rd.

883-8596

July 2011

General parking is free with plenty of poolside parking available for a nominal fee. Popular among groups due to the convenient size and layout of the park, discounts are available for groups that schedule in advance. Because Spring Valley Beach limits the number of groups in the park on any one day, book your groups as far in advance as possible. For more information about Spring Valley Beach, call 205-429-2075 or visit the Spring Valley Beach website at SpringValleyBeach.com. Spring Valley Beach Water Park is located at 2340 County Highway 55, Blountsville, AL 35031.

New Metaphysical Support Group

o you feel a disquieted awakening in your Soul? Are you hesitant to make life changes due to lack of support ? Do you have spiritual questions that need answers? If you answered YES to any of these, you’re not alone. As our planet births a new version of itself, we must all re-examine the purpose and direction of our lives. The Keys of Compassion Support Group is a place for metaphysically (beyond the physical) minded people to share the ups and downs along their spiritual journey. Participants gain and give support as they find the higher perspective in matters such as bereavement and self-transformation. The Keys of Compassion Support Group meetings take place every Sunday from 6-7pm (excluding holidays and inclement weather) at Natural Elements in Madison, located at 1874 Suite M, Slaughter Rd. Meetings are led by Laura Adams Boak, a local Intuitive Spiritual Counselor with 7 years experience. For more information call 256-922-8454 or email LABoak@mail.com.

I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind. ~Albert Einstein

Whitesburg Baptist Church Announces 2011 Vacation Bible School

hitesburg Baptist Church is currently taking reservations for 2011 Vacation Bible School. Classes begin Monday, June 6 and runs through Friday, June 10 from 9am until noon. This summer’s theme is The Big Apple Adventure and promises plenty of fun for children who turned age four by September 1, 2010, up through the

“I was the last person I thought that would benefit from this... ...ten sessions later I am telling everyone about rolfing.” S.H., Birmingham, AL “My life and my comfort level have improved so much. I thank God for Susan.” K.S., Huntsville, AL

Advanced Rolf Practitioner Susan K. Jeffreys Free 30 min. consultation! Find out what Susan K. Jeffreys and Structural Integration can do for you!

Call (256) 512-2094 today

Susan K. Jeffreys, AL Lic.#249 2336A Whitesburg Dr. • Huntsville, AL, 35801 6

Tennessee Valley

Structural Integration in the method of Ida P. Rolf

TREE POSE I imagine myself as a tree. I feel the earth ground and support me. I grow in strength and flexibility. Peacefully I stand in balance as I practice finding the calm center of my mind. by Rita Loyd ÂŠ 2011

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

Computerized ElectroDermal Testing Identifying Root Causes and Necessary Support to Reach Your Optimum Health!

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Healthy Choices, LLC STEVE KRZYZEWSKI, CEDSAT 3322 South Memorial Pkwy, Ste. 526 Huntsville, Alabama

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A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere. ~Joyce A. Myers

Tennessee Valley

completion of fifth grade. Registration is free and open to children throughout the Huntsville community. Children do not have to be members of WBC to attend Vacation Bible School. VBS is one of several student programs at Whitesburg Baptist this summer and consists of age-defined classes, all offering time for praise and worship, craft-making activities, games for all age groups, and plenty of adventure and excitement. Volunteer teachers and helpers are needed for this event. To sign up to volunteer and to register for 2011 Vacation Bible School at Whitesburg Baptist Church, visit the website at WBCCares.org. For media related information, contact Stephen Rice at 256-714-5454.

Matrix Energetics Offers Transformative Seminars

his summer and fall, Matrix Energetics will offer several transformative healing seminars around the country. Introductory seminars will take place in Baltimore, Denver, San Diego and Chicago, with advanced seminars scheduled in San Diego, Newark and Fort Lauderdale. Matrix Energetics, a consciousness technology supporting insight, healing and spiritual growth, was born from a set of energetic treatments discovered by Dr. Richard Bartlett in his chiropractic and naturopathic practice. Using principles of quantum and energy physics, Bartlett says this teachable, transferable system helps individuals shift into a more balanced state and create fresh possibilities in their lives. “Matrix Energetics offers easy-to-learn techniques and strategies for enhancing all areas of life, such as health, family, career, relationships and finances,” he explains.” Once you learn to catch the wave of Matrix Energetics, it can become whatever you let it. Some of my students have developed abilities I’ve never dreamed of having.” Bartlett is the author of several books, including Matrix Energetics: The Science and Art of Transformation; The Matrix Energetics Experience; and The Physics of Miracles. For seminar locations and registration information, call 1-800-269-9513,

email Info@MatrixEnergetics.com or visit MatrixEnergetics.com. Friday night demonstrations are always free and open to the public, space permitting.

Wedding Planning with Madison Ballroom

or an extra special “first dance” at your wedding, signup for dance lessons at Madison Ballroom Dance Studio. An engaged couple chooses “their song” and the instructor teaches them a routine. It is important that the couple is comfortable with their dancing! The bride-to-be can even practice in her wedding-day shoes and a long skirt for a “dress rehearsal.” Private lessons for weddings are scheduled by appointment. Instructors also teach father-daughter and mother-son dances. To learn other dances for the reception, the bridal party can attend weekly group classes and Saturday practice parties. MadisonBallroom.com To relieve pre-wedding stress, try the Cardio Ballroom group class. Every Saturday, 11am-noon, exercise with the cha cha, samba, jive and salsa. No partner and no previous dance experience needed. GabrielaDance.com To heat-up the engagement, attend the Salsa 101 beginner group class. Every Thursday, 8-9pm, learn salsa basic fundamentals and fun dance patterns and combinations. Private lessons are also available. GabrielaDance.com Madison Ballroom Dance Studio is family-friendly, no smoking or drinking. The studio is located in Madison Village, 9076 Madison Blvd, Suites C/D, Madison (in the same shopping center as Old Time Pottery). 256-461-1900. Dance@MadisonBallroom.com. See ad on page 11.

ecotip Travel Light

Five Tips for a More EcoFriendly Trip When asked for advice about how to avoid creating emissions that contribute to global warming and be a cool traveler, travel experts at eco-tour outfitter Natural Habitat Adventures, in Boulder, Colorado (nathab.com), offered these five simple ways to avoid making our next vacation a guilt trip. STAY NEUTRAL. Going the group tour route? Check for green credentials. Increasingly, travel outfitters are bolstering an ongoing commitment to sustainable travel by becoming carbon neutral. Programs may include recycling and renewable energy use, and then buying offsets to make up the difference, to guarantee carbon neutral trips for guests. Even some major online travel companies offer travelers offset options when they make reservations. CHART A GREEN COURSE. New eco-maps chart the natural and cultural environments to suggest low-impact activities and resources wherever we travel. Green Map System provides “green” maps of some 302 spots around the globe (GreenMap.org). TAKE A TRAIN. Europe isn’t the only place worth traveling by train. Check into train or bus options in other countries, as well. In the United States, railroad shuttles up and down the Eastern Seaboard are particularly quick and convenient. FUEL FOR THOUGHT. Committed to a road trip? Keep the car welltuned and tires properly inflated to pollute less—and cut gas costs up to 15 percent. Try to buy gas from a more environmentally responsible oil company: The Sierra Club recently updated its Pick Your Poison guide to gasoline, and Sunoco continues to receive its “top of the barrel” rating. Better yet, rent a hybrid or biofuel green car from a mainstream rental company. Or, consider a local hybrid car-sharing service. Also consider joining an Earth-friendly auto club such as Better World Club, which offers discounts on

Pasture-Raised Chickens • Locally Raised on Pasture! • Fresh and Natural! • Great Tasting! • No Drugs! Period!

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Sold fresh at our family farm. Reservations required. Located off I-65 outside Hartselle in North Alabama

hybrid cars and eco-travel—and even roadside assistance for bicycles. IN TRANSIT. When flying to a destination, eschew using individual cabs in favor of public transit or a hotel shuttle to and from the airport. Or, hail a hybrid cab: Chicago, New York, San Francisco and London all have added hybrid taxis to their fleets, and Planet Tran offers a hybrid taxi reservation service in several major cities on the east and west coasts. When visiting a city, remember to plan the day around walking destinations and local public transit options. Source: Adapted from Life.Gaiam.com.

July 2011

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work together to find what works for you.â&#x20AC;?

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

McMinn Clinic

James E. McMinn M.D. Introduces...

Life Center at McMinn Clinic now offering: t Stress Relief Seminars t Neurofeedback t Yoga, Pre-Pilates, Tai Chi t Meditation Classes t Massage t Acupuncture

205-868-1313 Homewood Plaza 3125 Independence Dr., Suite 108 Homewood, Alabama 35209

www.McMinnClinic.com

ALL WATER IS NOT CREATED EQUAL

Daily Self-Care

Every Body Walk Campaign Aims for Healthier Americans Walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, is the first step toward better health for every body type, according to Kaiser Permanente, a leading health plan provider spearheading the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Every Body Walk! awareness campaign. This simple, takecharge message comes in the wake of an annual national medical bill exceeding $2.5 trillion, with about 80 percent of it spent on treating chronic conditions that can be prevented or treated by regular walking, according to Dr. Bob Sallis, a family physician with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walking is an excellent form of exercise for everyone, and for those with conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart disease and depression, a regular walking regimen has the added benefit of helping to manage these diseases [and conditions],â&#x20AC;? advises Sallis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a strong believer in the power of walking, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I literally prescribe it to my patients as frontline medicineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; often in place of medications.â&#x20AC;? Fifteen years ago, the U.S. Surgeon Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landmark Physical Activity and Health report concluded that Americansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sedentary lifestyle is a primary factor in more than 200,000 deaths a year. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 70 percent of American adults ages 20 and older are overweight or obese; some 72 million are medically obese. Seventeen percent of U.S. youths ages two to 19 are obese, as well. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development projects that within a decade, three out of four Americans will be overweight or obese, unless we get moving. Find motivational videos, health information, walking maps, walking groups and personal stories at EveryBodyWalk.org.

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Peace Prayers

Dalai Lama Leads Ritual Kalachakra for World Peace For the first time, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will confer the Kalachakra for World Peace ritual in our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital this month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe it is capable of creating... peace of spirit, and therefore peace in the world,â&#x20AC;? he says. The Capital Area Tibetan Association is sponsoring the event, intended to inspire harmonious relationships and abiding peace in the hearts of all people, in gratitude to those

that have supported the preservation of Tibet’s rich cultural heritage. Together, participants will act to promote the strength of compassion and wisdom so urgently needed to reduce conflict in today’s world. The 11-day event launches July 6, the 76th birthday of the Dalai Lama, recipient of 84 humanitarian commendations, including the Nobel Peace Prize. The occasion will begin with site consecration, chanting prayers and creation of a sand mandala by the monks of Namgyal Monastery. The Dalai Lama will then teach the foundations of Buddhism for three days, followed by the Kalachakra ritual dance and three days of empowerment. The ceremony will close with prayers on July 16. For information and tickets, visit Kalachakra2011.com.

decades. “They’re young, energetic and idealist, and they’re willing to make the sacrifices,” he says. According to the USDA’s 2007 Census of Agriculture, farmers over 55 currently own more than half of the country’s farmland. According to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the hope is that some of the beginning farmers will graduate to stakes in midsize and large farms as older farmers retire.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir

Dr. George Gray, M.D. N.D. INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS CENTER —The Best of Both Worlds— Alternative and Conventional Medicine Are You Really Serious About Feeling Better? Treat Yourself to a Change that Works!

Hipster Farmers

More Young Adults Put their Hands to the Plow Conditions are perfect for a new generation of farmers in their 20s and 30s that distrust industrial food systems, are intent on meaningful employment and may well succeed an aging farm populace. More are starting small farms and joining networks of like-minded agriculture enthusiasts, according to a recent story in The New York Times, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to transform the budding trend into a fundamental shift. Last year, under a provision in the 2008 Farm Bill, the department distributed $18 million to educate young growers and ranchers across the country. Garry Stephenson, coordinator of the Small Farms Program at Oregon State University, says he has not seen so much interest among young people in

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July 2011

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ecobriefs

Specializing in several therapies:

Locavore Update

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How to Measure a Food’s Eco-Friendliness Sales of locally grown foods are expected to reach $7 billion this year, up from $4 billion in 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. One driver is the well-publicized average 1,500 miles it took for 28 fruits and vegetables to reach the Upper Midwest by truck in a 20012003 study by Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. “The average distance we calculated was often cited incorrectly as the average distance food traveled in the United States,” explains Rich Pirog, who led the research. “Local food really isn’t about mileage or distance. It’s about the relationships that are built in the food chain. It’s about farmers and local communities getting a higher percentage of the food dollar.” Local food sourcing builds community, poses a smaller risk for food-borne contaminants and tastes better, especially when it’s organic. It doesn’t require the refrigeration needed for long-distance hauling and often comes without wasteful packaging. A Carnegie Mellon University study further calculated that transportation now accounts for 11 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with fruits and vegetables and only 1 percent for red meat, while how the food is produced contributes 83 percent; so it’s good to be familiar with local providers. The researchers also reported that switching from red meat and dairy products to chicken, fish, eggs or a vegetable-based diet one day a week yields at least the equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of buying all locally sourced food. Primary source: emagazine.com

Auricular Therapy Magnetic Therapies Nutritional Counseling

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256-883-4127 7540-P S. Memorial Pkwy. Rosie’s Shopping Ctr. Huntsville, AL Open Monday-Saturday info@ruthsnutrition.com 12

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Learn the ins and outs of eco-driving, pick up fuel- and money-saving tips and have fun testing personal knowledge and even virtual driving skills at EcoDrivingUSA.com.

Über Men

Study Shows Gap Between Green Thinking and Doing Researchers have invested much time trying to figure out why many people don’t follow through on their green aspirations. Now, a new study has found a surprising culprit. According to a study conducted by OgilvyEarth, Americans overwhelmingly view going green as a “feminine” act, and some men are actually avoiding eco-friendly activities for fear that they’ll come across as more feminine. The study ranked the population on a spectrum that ranged from Green Rejectors to Super Greens, with most men turning up as the former and most women as the latter. What’s worse, some men said they wouldn’t carry reusable shopping bags or drive a hybrid car, because they were worried such activities would seem “girly,” or make them selfconscious. Luckily, many über-green guys aren’t going with the trend. Many embrace a desire to do their best to preserve our planet for future generations—to ensure that their children will have nature to enjoy like they did as boys. Many do traditionally manly things like farming, setting up programmable thermostats and driving a high-mileage vehicle, activities they learned from their fathers, who were, in turn, taught by their fathers. There’s nothing wrong with a guy going green. Carry a reusable shopping bag proudly and be part of the solution. Source: Greenzer.com

Eco-Update Food service giant Sodexo is now rolling out Meatless Mondays to 3,000 corporate cafeterias and hospitals across America. “We make it attractive, compelling and much easier than anything else to eat vegetarian,” says Arlin Wasserman, the company’s vice president for sustainability.

YOUR FARMERS MARKET ON WHEELS

Grow Alabama works strictly with farmers who provide quality, variety, and the best produce harvested for optimal flavor and nutritional value. Every week, a beautiful seasonal array of these farm-fresh fruits and vegetables delivered right to your door within 24-48 hours of harvest. We also offer weekly customization of your delivery, along with an online gourmet grocery store full of additional add-on fruits, vegetables, and farm-fresh eggs to complete your weekly order. Join today! Choose the best plan for your family or budget and register online at growalabama.com or call us at 205.991.0042. info@growalabama.com • 991-0042

July 2011

essentials

Raise Your Vibration with Essential Oils By Linda Hileman BS, CCA

he true power of essential oils is in their multidimensional ability to affect the mind, body, and spirit. Their effectiveness cannot be fully understood without some discussion of frequency. Frequency is the measurable rate of electrical energy flow that is a constant between any two points. Robert O. Becker, in his book The Body Electric, establishes that the human body has an electrical frequency and that much about a person’s health can be determined by its frequency. Bruce Tainio of Tainio Technology, an independent division of Eastern State University in Cheny, Washington, built the first frequency

Tennessee Valley

monitor in the world. Tainio has determined that a healthy overall body frequency is 62-68 Mhz and obtained the following frequency measurements (Mhz) for the body when the immune system is compromised: • Cold and flu symptoms 57-58 • Candida infection 55 • Epstein Barr Syndrome 52 • Cancer 42 • Beginning to Die 25 Food frequencies measured as follows: • Processed or canned foods 0 • Fresh Produce 10-15 • Dry Herbs 12-22 • Fresh Herbs 20-27 • Medicinal Grade Essential Oils 52-320

According to Dr. Royal R. Rife, every disease has a frequency. He found that certain frequencies can prevent the development of disease and that others would destroy disease. He also found that substances with higher frequency will destroy diseases of a lower frequency and that many pollutants lower healthy frequencies. The study of frequency raises important questions concerning the frequencies of substances we eat, breath, and absorb and the frequencies of the thoughts and emotions that we habitually entertain. A way of working toward being healthy is to elevate our electromagnetic frequencies and keep them high and coherent. Eating fresh organic food, focusing on positive thoughts and maintaining a joyful emotional state, keeping good company, and using essential oils will help us balance and increase our subtle inner harmony. Essential oils, which have the highest and most coherent

measured frequencies of all natural substances, can make a dramatic difference. When the molecules of an essential oil are internalized into our bodies, they resonate with our bodily tissues. This increases our own natural electromagnetic vibrations and restores coherence to our electric fields, which encourages healing and maintains wellness. In his book, The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple: Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Love Manifest in Molecules, David Stewart makes an analogy that helped me understand how the frequency of essential oils works in the body. He explains that if you place a tuning fork tuned to b-flat on one side of the room and also place several tuning forks of different pitches across the room (one of them a b-flat), when striking the single fork, none of the forks on the opposite side of the room will be energized, except, for the one tuned to b-flat. This phenomenon is called â&#x20AC;&#x153;sympathetic vibrationâ&#x20AC;? or resonance. It is a vibrational energy transfer as the energy of the struck fork is transferred to the receiving fork of the same pitch and not to the forks with different pitches. Essential oils work in a similar fashion. Each essential oil is imbued by nature with a unique spectrum of frequencies and selectively administers to specific parts of the body. This is why some oils work best for nerves, others for bones, others for muscles, some for the mind, some for the emotions, and so on. To begin using essential oils to raise your frequency, choose oils that you are attracted to and that have a pleasing aroma to you. Inhale them and/or use them topically with clear intention to manifest their vibrational qualities.

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. ~Roger Miller

Unity is positive, practical Christianity. We teach the effective, daily application of the principles of Truth taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ. We promote a way of life that leads to health, prosperity, happiness, and peace of mind. Unity has established centers of study and worship throughout the world where people discover and practice the Unity way of life. We address physical, mental, and emotional needs through affirmative prayer and spiritual education. We serve those who seek inspiration and prayer support as well as those who use Unity teachings as their primary path of spiritual growth. We believe that all people are created with sacred worth, and we strive to reach out to all who seek support and spiritual growth. Therefore, we recognize the importance of serving all people in spiritually and emotionally caring ways. Our ministries and outreaches are free of discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical disability, and sexual orientation. Our sincere desire is to create spiritually aware organizations that are nondiscriminatory and support diversity.

Linda Hileman BS, CCA is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist. For more information or to make an appointment, call 256-325-4444 or email EssentialOptions@aol.com.

July 2011

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Reiki Combined with Healing Crystals By Mary Morales

hen a practitioner combines Reiki with crystals, the combination adds to the effectiveness of the treatment. Although Reiki does not require anything to be highly effective on all levels, the crystals are a helpful and effective addition. Crystals used during Reiki Healing will help the healing and energy balancing properties. They will also speed up the healing process. The purpose of a laying on of crystals is to release etheric, emotional, mental, and spiritual blocks to well-being. The healer's role is to be comforting, supportive, and nonjudgmental, giving the client safety to release these emotions. This is part of the healing process. If the stone feels uncomfortable during the Reiki healing with crystals it should be moved or removed. A stone that feels good when first placed on the body can change when its energy has been absorbed. The practitioner and the client work together closely in this manner. An experienced Reiki practitioner should be able to recognize the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most urgent issues even if he or

are done for today," or something similar. Chakras donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know that you are done, and although the person will not be harmed in any way, the healing will leak out because the chakra was not closed. Place the crystals on the lowest chakra first, then move upwards. When you are done placing the crystals, proceed with your Reiki healing session as you would normally. When removing the crystals, always remove the highest one first, leaving the lowest one for last. In the next issue we will talk about chakra colors and the different crystals for each one. Until then, always remember: Reiki is not for one but for all.

Universal Love in Reiki. Mary Morales is a Universal and Karuna Reiki Master with an energy healing practice based in Decatur, Alabama. You can contact her at 256580-3108 or email at KungaLhadon@aol.com for more information. See ad on page 35.

she does not recognize them. For instance, chakras will open more because they respond to the colors of the crystals being in resonance energy with their own. If a client has a blockage in a particular chakra, like the solar plexus, this person probably will present on the physical level with stomach, kidneys, pancreas, or liver problems and on the mental/spiritual level this person will have issues with self-esteem, personal power, or ego. Even if the client has no particular problems, you can still use healing crystals to provide extra well-being and at the same time balance the chakras. Different practitioners use different healing crystals: some use chakra color slices, some use small round stones, some use clear crystal points, and some, use a combination of two or more type of crystals. It all depends on the preferences of the practitioner and the needs of the client, but all are just as effective. When you open one or more chakras to clean and balance, mentally talk to it, tell it what you are doing for this person, and ask it to please cooperate with his or her healing. Also, do not forget to close it when you are done working by saying "Thank you, we

Make your $25 check payable to: Natural Awakenings 14 Woodland Ave Trinity, AL 35673

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July 2011

cooperatives. Ways to share power, dialogue and knowledge, such as workplace democracy, citizens’ deliberative councils, unconferences, open spaces and world cafés are getting more attention, aided by innovative Web 2.0 tools and other means. Scores of new websites are designed to help us share real stuff, and it’s possible to create a complete lifestyle based on sharing. We can live in a co-housing community, work in a co-op, grow food in a neighbor’s yard and travel to the open space town council meeting via a local car-share. Want to know about the nuts and bolts of how to build a shareable life? Read The Sharing Solution, by Janelle Orsi and Emily Doskow.

Shareable Cities A revolution is underway in our understanding of cities; they are becoming the focal point for our collective hopes and dreams, as well as for all kinds of innovation needed to avert a worsening climate crisis. In the past, we tended to see cities as dirty, unnatural, isolating places; today,

SHARING OUR WORLD Simply Sharing Can Solve Big Challenges by Neal Gorenﬂo and Jeremy Adam Smith

Sharing is the answer to some of today’s biggest questions: How will we meet the needs of the world’s enormous population? How do we reduce our impact on the planet and cope with the destruction already inflicted? How can we each be healthy, enjoy life, and create thriving communities?

istorically, we are all connected by climate, roads, fisheries, language, forests, cultures and social networks as part of life on this planet. In recent decades, the rules of access and ownership have shifted in new directions, making sharing more convenient, necessary, fulfilling and even profitable.

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Sharing as a Lifestyle Ways to share in everyday life seem to be multiplying like rabbits, but perhaps the Great Recession is forcing all of us to pay more attention to its importance these days. There’s car sharing, ride sharing, bike sharing, yard sharing, co-working, co-housing, tool libraries and all kinds of

citizens and urban planners alike are starting to see their potential for generating widespread well-being at low financial and environmental cost. There’s an increasing appreciation for the benefits of public transit, urban agriculture, making room on the streets for pedestrians and bicyclists and for civic engagement. The very thing that defines a city—its population density—makes sharing things easier, from cars to bikes to homes.

Social Enterprise and Cooperatives Social enterprises, both nonprofit or for profit, offer products or services that aim to advance social or environmental missions with benefits for all. This industry is small, relative to the overall economy, but growing extremely fast in some sectors. The Social Enterprise Alliance reports that nonprofit earned income grew by

more than 200 percent, to $251 billion, between 1982 and 2002, reflecting a continuing trend in their expanding engagement with their publics. Meanwhile, Cleantech Group research shows that investment in clean-tech ventures nearly trebled, to $5.2 billion, between 2004 and 2008. At the same time, fair trade goods sales doubled between 2004 and 2007, to around $4 billion, according to the Fair Trade Federation. Gar Alperovitz, author of America Beyond Capitalism, says that more than 11,000 worker cooperatives have emerged in the last 30 years. Many embrace pro-social missions and are managed, governed and owned by the people who work at them.

The Nonprofit Sector

world’s websites, about 112 million, are hosted on Apache’s open source server software. A quarter million websites run on Drupal, a leading open source content management system. That’s just scratching the surface. Today, the more than 200,000 open source projects operate on nearly 5 billion lines of code that would cost hundreds of billions of dollars to reproduce. Visit the Infoworld Open Source Hall of Fame website for more on desktop favorites. Today, millions of individuals and organizations rely on FOSS in performing their daily work, as do a growing number of governments. It’s a pervasive part of life in the developed world; because of its low cost, open source software may become even more important to developing countries.

Nonprofits are an increasingly important way for people to share their wealth and labor. Independent Sector reports that, in the U.S. alone, charitable donations to nonprofits more than doubled between 1987 and 2007, to $303 billion; about 75 percent came from private individuals. The National Center for Charitable Statistics further reports that the number of nonprofits increased 31.5 percent between 1999 and 2009, to 1.58 million. Data from Volunteering in America shows that in 2010, 63.4 million volunteers dedicated more than 8.1 billion hours of service.

Microfinance This form of capitalization is a powerful innovation that extends small loans and financial services to help the world’s poorest people rise out of poverty, serving customers that traditional banks largely ignore. Kiva, a U.S. nonprofit peer-to-peer microfinance sensation, facilitates around $5 million in no-interest loans per month to entrepreneurs in developing nations through its website. Microfinancing is yet another way the world is learning to share its wealth.

The Internet It’s easy to take it for granted, but the Internet’s potential as a sharing platform has just begun to unfold. The Internet itself would not be possible if people did not share labor, software and infrastructure. No one owns it or runs it. It’s built and it operates on free and open source software and open standards. Data travels over networks and is routed through servers owned by private individuals and corporations that share transport and routing duties. This global commons enables the creation of tremendous value. Harvard Business School Professor John Quelch estimates that the economic impact of the Internet is $1.4 trillion annually in the United States alone. Last year, the Computer & Communications Industry Association calculated that companies and nonprofits relying on “fair use” (such as search engines, web hosting and social media) employ 17 million people and generate $4.7 trillion a year, one-sixth of the country’s gross domestic product.

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) FOSS and the Internet have a symbiotic relationship. The Internet would not have been possible without FOSS, and the growth of FOSS relies on the Internet to power its peer production and distribution model. For example, more than 270 million people use the Firefox browser, a shared, freely available tool. Half the

July 2011

The Open Way

SHARING HELPFUL WEBSITES The Internet is a vast repository of information, and even with the help of search engines, navigation can be daunting. These links address topics of interest noted in “Sharing Our World.” Bike Sharing: tinyurl.com/4zsfjtb Car Sharing: tinyurl.com/49hytdj Co-working: tinyurl.com/ygbvntq Ride Sharing: tinyurl.com/499lh9n Sharing Directory: Shareable.net/ how-to-share Source: Shareable.net Civic Engagement: tinyurl.com/ 242yaja Cohousing: tinyurl.com/3amn2ch Cooperatives: tinyurl.com/ 4m7vqx2 Urban Agriculture: tinyurl.com/ la558s Yard Sharing: tinyurl.com/4chmtua Source: Yes.Magazine.org Business/Government/Education: OpenSource.com Car Sharing: RelayRides.com Home & Family Life: Neighbor Goods.net Home & Garden: ShareSome Sugar.com InfoWorld Open Source Hall of Fame: tinyurl.com/4ujuzpu Microfinance: Kiva.org Neighborhood Rentals: Rentalic. com Open Government Directive: tinyurl.com/495ks6k Open Source Tractor: OpenFarm Tech.org/wiki/LifeTrac OpenStreetMaps: OpenStreet Map.org Peer-to-Peer Knowledge: blog. p2pFoundation.net Social Media: TrendWatching.com Yard & Garden: Hyperlocavore. ning.com

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By 2008, one in eight couples who married that year met through social media, and 96 percent of Generation Y has joined a social network, where sharing is a way of life. In these powerful ways, social media has taken sharing mainstream.

Inspired by the success of free and open source software, the values and practices of open sourcing—making information and innovations publicly available—are being applied in a dizzying number of ways. In the past few years, open, or peerGeneration Y = Gen G to-peer, sharing strategies have gained Now that a shareable world has a significant traction in science, business, serious foothold, all that’s needed is a culture, education and government. willing population to scale it up. There’s Applications range from the oba strong argument that Gen Y is the scure, like the Open Source Tractor, to generation that can bring it to fruition. the everyday, like the OpenStreetMaps Roughly 100 million strong in the project. It’s a tough trend to quantify, United States, Gen Y because it is so viral and up on the Internet self-organized. We are rethinking grew and brings its values and The Obama adminourselves through practices, including sharistration’s Open Governinto the real world. ment Directive is currently sharing, linking ing, Last year, TrendWatching. one of the most visible of and collaborating com called them Gen G these efforts, at least in the (for “generous”) and said United States. The direcin new ways. they are accelerating a tive orders each executive cultural shift where giving department and agency is already the new taking. They may not to identify and publish online, in an reach their full sharing potential until open format, at least three high-value later in life, but there are promising data sets; create an open government indicators that they are already having a web page and respond to public input telling impact. received via that page; and develop and An online study by Cone Inc. and publish an Open Government Plan that AMP Insights concluded that 61 percent describes how they are improving transparency and integrating public participa- of 13-to-25-year-olds feel personally responsible for making a difference in the tion and collaboration into its activities. world. Eighty-three percent will trust a company more if it’s socially and enviSocial Media ronmentally responsible. Volunteering by Sharing is the currency of social media. college students increased by 20 percent Socialnomics author Erik Qualman between 2002 and 2005, with nearly one alerts us that, “Social media is bigger in three contributing their time. than you think.” Business strategist Gary Hamel The public uploaded more userbelieves that this massive generational generated video to YouTube in a recent force, which outnumbers baby boomsix-month period than the three major ers, promises to transform our world TV networks produced and distribin the image of the Internet—a world uted in the past 60 years. Now with where sharing and contributing to the more than 500 million users, Facecommon good are integral to the good book would represent the third largest life. William Strauss and Neil Howe, country in the world by population. authors of Millennials Rising, believe Wikipedia contains more than 9 million that Gen Y is a hero generation, coming articles in 250 languages, all written by of age in a time of crises they’re already volunteers—and with an accuracy that helping to resolve, largely by applying studies like that at Harford Community the tools and mindset of sharing. College, in Bel Air, Maryland, indicate Neal Gorenflo is the publisher of approaches that of leading commercial Shareable.net, a leading online magasources (80 versus 95 percent). Crezine about sharing that includes the ative Commons has made it easier for Web’s largest collection of how-to-share creators to share their work; they’ve licensed more than 130 million creative articles. Jeremy Adam Smith is the editor of Shareable.net. works in 50 countries since 2002.

consciouseating

inspiration

SIMPLE STAYCATIONS by April Thompson

BERRY GOOD Reap Big Beneﬁts from Summer’s Tiny Gems

by Judith Fertig

resh berries, nature’s little gems, full of flavor and flavonoids, reach their peak during the warmer months. Each berry’s burst of juicy deliciousness carries antioxidants, vitamins C and E, riboflavin and fiber that work to fight obesity, protect brain function and promote urinary health. The red, blue and purple pigments in berries, known as anthocyanins, also help our bodies detoxify, repair damaged DNA, fight cancer and help lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, levels. The Department of Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University cites scores of studies that point to the many health benefits from consuming a variety of fresh berries. Each berry offers not only a unique flavor and color, but also a particular health protection.

BLACK RASPBERRIES: The dark purple member of the raspberry family grows on low shrubs and ripens in summer. This member of the berry corps helps fight oral, esophageal and colon cancers. BLACKBERRIES AND MARIONBERRIES: Members of the rose family, these berries grow on shrubs and ripen in mid-to-late summer. Both help digestion and prevent salmonella growth. BLUEBERRIES: Powerhouse blueberries also grow on low shrubs and generally ripen in early summer. This renowned berry offers whole-body protection against many diseases and aging.

Some of the greatest vacations start and stay at home.

etting away from it all d o e s n ’t h av e t o m e a n physically getting away. Staycations—vacations taken close to home—can save on the money, time and stress of travel, and also provide a fresh outlook on your home turf. Here are a few tips to help plan your dream staycation. Check out. A vacation is a respite from dailiness—even if you simply declare a special day off at home— so exercise the discipline to stay away from your office, housework and the rest of your routine. Plan for a staycation as you would an away vacation: Take care of any bills or chores that can’t wait and put an appropriate message on your voicemail and email. Allow an hour each morning to check email and other messages if necessary, but then make family members accountable to one another; anyone who violates the “no smart phone use after 10 a.m.” rule has to treat the others to ice cream. Set a budget. Calculate how much you saved on airfare, hotel and other traveling incidentals, and then give yourself half of that amount to spend, guilt-free, on spa splurges, catered lunches or concert tickets; after all, you know you’re still saving money.

CHERRIES: Sour cherries ripen in early summer, while sweet cherries reach

July 2011

SIMPLE STAYCATIONS

their peak later in summer. Both types help reduce inflammation, especially in occurrences associated with gout.

CONT’D. GRAPES: Dark purple Concord grapes, often found in home gardens or at farmers’ markets, ripen in the fall. Their resveratrol content is a key help in combating the effects of aging.

Run away from home. Shake up athome routines by booking affordable or free local lodging via community travel websites like CouchSurfing.com or AirBnB.com, or seek out a local home swap with a fellow staycationer via HomeExchange.com. Order the usual. How do you like to unwind and recharge? Model your staycation after the best vacation you ever took. If learning rejuvenates you, take a crash course in pasta making from a local culinary school, or enroll in a summer camp to pick up skills in a new sport. For outdoorsy types, scout out a nearby county park to camp in and learn about native flora and fauna. If you’d rather just hang out and be lazy, hide the alarm clock, perhaps enjoy a movie marathon and order three squares of takeout. Introduce some surprise. Open a map of your city or county, close your eyes and pick a point. Google the spot you landed on to see what interesting places are nearby. Or, expand your horizons by exploring a neighborhood or nearby town you’ve never visited. Look through another lens. Challenge yourself to see your world of familiar places anew by going on a photo safari in your own neighborhood, taking photos of local characters, landmarks and n e ve r- b e f o r e - n o t i c e d d e t a i l s . Give a prize to the family member who captures the most unidentifiable neighborhood objects (UNOs) on camera. April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.

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STRAWBERRIES: These delicious favorites ripen throughout the year in various parts of the country. Strawberries help fight breast and cervical cancers. Home gardeners that grow berries know exactly what fertilizers and natural pesticides have been placed in or on them. Buying organic berries at the local farmers’ market or the grocery store ensures that the health benefits of fresh berries are not undercut by infiltrated pesticides or anti-fungal chemicals used by agribusiness, both here and abroad. Right before serving, berries may

be gently rinsed, and then patted completely dry; they will keep well in the refrigerator as long as they are not crowded together. Summer berries can star in cool treats throughout the day. At breakfast, they’re a welcome wake-up flavor for cereal or yogurt. As a snack, they’re perfect whether eaten by the handful or turned into frozen yogurt pops. Seasonal berries can be combined with quinoa or couscous for easy summer salads. They also add a special note when friends and family toast the end of the day with an iced tea, enhanced with fresh blackberries and mint. Pairing berries with low-fat ingredients, whole grains, fresh produce and natural sweeteners makes for fast, fresh and fabulous summer dishes that keep us cool all summer long. Judith Fertig is a freelance writer in Overland Park, KS; see AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com.

MORE GOOD NEWS Berries May Lower the Risk of Parkinson’s

Berries Help Fight Pain and Heart Disease

A recent study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston, that followed 125,000 subjects for 20 to 22 years, confirms that eating berries can lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease. The participants who consumed the most flavonoids, especially the anthocyanins found mostly in berries, had a much lower risk of developing the disease than those whose diet contained less or different classes of flavonoids.

A natural form of aspirin—salicylic acid—has been found in berries that grow on canes, such as blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. The Oregon State University’s Department of Food Science and Technology reports that the salicylic acid found in these caneberries could prove to have effects similar to aspirin in protecting against heart disease. A 100-gram serving (about ¾ cup) of red raspberries, for example, contains about 5 milligrams of salicylic acid.

BERRY ICY TREATS

Blackberry Mint Iced Tea Served over ice, this flavorful beverage is a great way to quench thirst on the hottest days of summer. Serves 8 (about 2 quarts) 5 organic black tea bags ¼ cup mint leaves, crushed; reserve one leaf per serving for garnish 4 cups boiling water ½ cup natural sugar (or use honey to taste) 6 (6-oz) packages blackberries, reserve two to three per serving for garnish Place tea bags and mint in a heatproof pitcher. Add boiling water and steep at least 10 minutes. Strain into another pitcher and discard mint and tea bags. Stir in sugar. Purée blackberries in a blender or food processor, then strain though a fine sieve. Discard pulp and seeds. Stir blackberry purée into tea. Taste and adjust sugar as desired. Chill. Serve over ice garnished with mint leaf and two or three blackberries. Source: Recipes.Driscolls.com recipe library

Blueberry Couscous Salad with Mango, Onion, and Lemon Dressing This cool summer salad, with its fresh flavors, is easy to make and a pleasure to eat. Serves 4 ½ cup orange juice 1 /3 cup water ½ tsp natural salt, divided ¾ cup whole wheat couscous 1 package blueberries 1 cup fresh mango cubes 1 /3 cup chopped red onion 2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 /8 tsp black pepper Combine orange juice, water and ¼ tsp of the salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir in couscous; cover, remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Transfer couscous to a bowl and fluff with a fork; cool 10 minutes. Stir in remaining ¼ tsp salt, blueberries, mango, onion, mint, lemon juice, olive oil and pepper; mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving. Source: Recipes.Driscolls. com recipe library.

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt This blend, made even more delicious with a natural sweetener, is a summertime variation of homemade yogurt with fruit. If desired, freeze the mixture in a frozen pop mold to make individual frozen treats. Serves 6 3 cups strawberries, hulled 1¾ cups plain yogurt 2 Tbsp liquid honey or 4 tsp agave syrup Additional strawberries Untreated rose petals In a blender, purée strawberries until smooth. Add yogurt and a natural sweetener of choice; pulse until evenly blended. Pour into a shallow, freezersafe container and freeze, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Using a fork, break up ice crystals and return to the freezer for 1 hour or until firm. (Alternatively, freeze in an ice cream maker, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.) Transfer to the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Serve in glass sundae dishes, garnished with strawberries and rose petals. Source: 175 Natural Sugar Desserts, by Angela and Ari Dayan, ©2007 Robert Rose Inc.; reprinted with permission.

July 2011

greenliving

STAY

COOL Here’s How to Pay Less for AC by Brian Clark Howard

gram. More than ecord sumRemember: The higher the two-thirds of U.S. mer heat waves are EER (Energy-Efficiency Ratio) households have air conditioners, already occurring and SEER (Seasonal Energy- which set us back more often and more than $10 will be even hotter Efficiency Ratio), the more billion each year and more frequent in electricity bills, over the next 30 efficient the appliance. Always according to the years, according to Council a study by Stanford look for Energy Star models. American for an EnergyUniversity scienEfficient Economy. tists that have run climate simulations of temperatures Passive Cooling a Priority across the United States. The study There is a better way to stay comfortcomes on the heels of a NASA report that concluded that 2000 through 2009 able using both active and passive was the warmest post-industrial decade strategies. The first requires specialized equipment, while the second uses the on record. windows, walls, floors and roof to colThe hotter it gets, the more people lect, store and distribute natural heat run their conventional electric air from the local environment. conditioners (AC), releasing even more The basic principles of passive solar global-warming gas emissions from design have been understood for milpower plants into the atmosphere. Cooling accounts for nearly half the en- lennia. From Mexico to the Middle East, people have built homes with thick walls ergy used by the average home during to slow heat transfer, observes Doron the summer, reports the Environmental Amiran, former development director Protection Agency’s Energy Star pro-

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of the Solar Living Institute. The Pueblo Indians constructed their cities to maximize solar warming in winter and screen the strongest rays in summer. Many of these ancient techniques were abandoned in the age of cheap fossil fuels. “We build our houses for curb appeal or for the view, not thinking that all those windows facing south in the summer are going to cook the inside of the house,” says Amiran. Daniel Aiello, chair of the nonprofit Arizona Solar Center and a principal of Janus II Environmental Architects & Planners, helps homeowners create vertical shading on east and west exposures with manmade screens or shrubs, trellises and vines, which have the added benefit of letting light and heat in during the winter, if they are deciduous. “Each side of the building is going to look different,” notes Aiello, who uses overhangs or awnings over southfacing windows in warm climates. Aiello also points out that on a home’s exterior, light-colored surfaces reflect more heat than dark-colored ones. He adds that textured surfaces stay cooler than flat ones, due to small-scale shading and the breakup of the interface between warm air and the surface. Inset windows are cooler, as well. It’s all important, because 35 percent of a building’s potential heat gain stems from the direct action of solar rays striking surfaces, according to Aiello. Incorporating such passive solar design elements into buildings can reduce heating bills by as much as 50 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Another passive technique is to use cross ventilation by opening opposing windows. Take this a step further by installing vents to allow hot air to escape from high spaces and cool air to enter at lower ones. Also, make sure walls and windows are well insulated against outdoor air. Inside, shutters, light-colored blinds and curtains can also make a big difference. Also consider glass with low-emittance (low-E) coating, which reduces heat transfer. The position of light-colored gravel, pools and other reflective surfaces are important because they can bounce heat; consider putting up a screen to block the energy.

Helpful Websites Arizona Solar Center: azsolarcenter.org Rocky Mountain Institute: rmi.org U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: EnergyStar.gov U.S. Green Building Council: usgbc.org

Effective Active Cooling Comes Next Alex Wilson, editor of Environmental Building News and author of Your Green Home, says the easiest and most efficient option is to use portable floor fans or install ceiling fans, which use 90 percent less energy than air conditioning. Fans can cool a room by a perceived seven to 10 degrees simply by moving air, which effects greater evaporation of perspiration. The next step in terms of low price and high efficiency would be to use a whole-house attic fan, which blows hot air from inside the entire structure outside. However, Wilson points out that such devices are only able to provide substantial heat relief under certain conditions—usually at night and when the humidity isn’t too high. A less comprehensive solution is simply to push hot air out of the attic, which will also help cool the house. According to the utility Austin Energy, reducing the attic temperature by 10 degrees or more saves up to 10 percent on AC costs; solar-powered attic fans are available. Some other alternatives to conventional, compression-cycle, central and room AC units are emerging, such as evaporative coolers, often called “swamp coolers.” These draw air over wet pads, and the resulting evaporation causes cooling. Wilson says they only make sense in dry climates, because they add moisture to the air. They typically cost 50 percent less than traditional AC and use 75 percent less energy, although they do require more maintenance. The most energy-efficient and initially expensive way to cool your home and heat it in the winter is with a geothermal heat pump that takes advantage of the Earth’s subterranean heat gradient. Although they have a hefty upfront installation cost, operating costs are much less than conventional AC. Finally, don’t set the home’s thermostat below 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and install a programmable model. Utilize dehumidifiers, bathroom fans and heat-producing appliances sparingly; switch to compact fluorescent and LED lighting instead of heat-emitting incandescent bulbs; and keep those AC filters clean. Brian Clark Howard is a New York City-based multimedia journalist and the co-author of Green Lighting and Geothermal HVAC. Build Your Own Wind Power System will be released in 2011. Connect at BrianClarkHoward.com.

Jin Shin Jyutsu® of Huntsville Aiding Healing through Body Harmony & Relaxation

SANDRA COPE Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu® Practitioner (256) 534-1794 Office (256) 509-3540 Cell

Huntsville, Alabama

Nomadic Tapestry Bellydance - Drumming - Yoga 1219 B&C Jordan Lane, Huntsville 256-318-0169 For class schedules and pricing go to: www.nomadictapestry.com

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. ~Confucius

July 2011

healingways

COOLAID Remedies for Summer Bummers by Maureen Healy

Don’t let potential summer ailments sideline the fun. Be prepared with this all-natural first-aid kit. Summer bummer: Dehydration To the rescue: Coconut water When feeling the heat, reach for a tropical treat. “Pure coconut water is like natural Gatorade,” says Janet Zand, an Oriental medicine doctor, certified acupuncturist and co-author of Smart Medicine for Healthier Living. “It provides plenty of electrolytes and minerals that regulate body systems and help keep fluid levels in balance.”

Bonus: This natural, low-calorie beverage hydrates you without the sweeteners, preservatives and artificial flavors found in most sports drinks—making it a great post-workout thirst quencher. How to use: Drink 11 ounces of coconut water as soon as you begin to feel parched; it will offer the same short-term benefit as drinking a liter of water and eating a banana. Note: This isn’t a substitute for drinking enough H2O. “The key to staying hydrated is water, water, water,” says Zand. “And don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink it.”

Summer bummer: Overheating To the rescue: Rose water Made by steam-distilling flowers, rose water is the go-to remedy when you’re feeling overheated, says Margi Flint, a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, founder of EarthSong Herbals, in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and adjunct professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. “Herbs have energetic properties; some are heating, some are cooling and some are neutral,” she explains. “Rose water is very cooling.” Bonus: Rose water smells terrific and also makes a great facial toner. How to use: Put a few drops of organic, food grade rose water into a cup of water and drink it; or add rose water to a spray bottle filled with regular water and spritz yourself as often as you like. You can also use rose water to create a cold compress—douse a washcloth and put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes to make it cool to the touch—and apply it to the back of the neck or wrists.

Summer bummer: Poison ivy To the rescue: Homeopathic Rhus tox Urushiol—the oily sap produced by poison ivy and its cousins, poison oak and poison sumac—triggers contact dermatitis, an itchy and oozy rash. Topical treatments can actually spread the noxious oil around; so instead, heal the rash from within. “Homeopathy works on the principle that like-cureslike,” explains Zand. “Rhus tox is homeopathic poison ivy.” How to use: Allow two to three tablets to dissolve in your mouth every two hours until symptoms are relieved.

Summer bummer: Indigestion To the rescue: Nux vomica If you overindulged at a summertime shindig, you might turn to the classic homeopathic cure for gluttony. “Nux vomica is good if you’ve eaten too many fatty foods or had too much alcohol and the result is nausea or gas,” says Zand. How to use: Dissolve five pellets in your mouth 20 minutes after eating and drinking, then repeat two to three times until symptoms are resolved.

Summer bummer: Sunburn To the rescue: Lavender essential oil “Lavender is the best thing to apply right after a sunburn,” says Margo Marrone, author of The Organic Pharmacy. “It

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contains linalool, a natural antiseptic that helps keep burns infection-free; and esters, which reduce pain and promote cell regeneration.” How to use: Mix 10 drops of lavender essential oil with pure aloe vera gel (or a favorite fragrance-free lotion) and apply it to affected skin as soon as you notice the burn.

Summer bummer: Muscle strains To the rescue: Arnica Arnica works for strains, sprains, bruises and superficial scrapes. Most people use it topically, but you can get faster results if you also ingest tablets, Zand explains. How to use: Take three tablets orally three to five times a day for the first 24 to 48 hours; apply topically throughout the day. Note: Never apply arnica to an open wound.

Summer bummers: Bites, stings and cuts To the rescue: Hydrogen peroxide, yarrow tincture and latex-free bandages “First, clean the bite, sting or cut with hydrogen peroxide,” advises Flint. “Then follow with a few drops of yarrow tincture, which acts as an astringent to pull the tissue together. It’s safe to use on open wounds.” How to use: Douse the affected areas with peroxide, then apply six to 12 drops of yarrow tincture.

Summer bummer: Athlete’s foot To the rescue: Grapefruit seed extract “Compounds found in the inner rind and seeds of grapefruits have shown potent anti-fungal activity,” notes Marrone. “They attack the cell wall of fungi and prevent replication when applied topically.” How to use: Add 10 to 15 drops of organic grapefruit seed extract to a tablespoon of water and apply with a cotton swab to the affected areas twice daily. Maureen Healy writes on natural health topics.

healthbriefs

USDA Praises Plant-Based Diets

very five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture routinely announces dietary guidelines advising Americans about what to eat. Now, for the first time, the agency has broken from tradition to talk about truly good foods, rather than just scientifically discuss nutrients. More, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, released this year, embraces the value of plant-based diets. In the new edition, the guidelines’ healthy eating patterns may or may not include moderate amounts of meat. At the same time, the guidelines explain clearly that meat is not essential, and that near-vegetarian and vegetarian diets are adequate and have even resulted in better health. A pertinent excerpt follows. “In prospective studies of adults, compared to non-vegetarian eating patterns, vegetarian-style eating patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes—lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and lower total mortality. Several clinical trials have documented that vegetarian eating patterns lower blood pressure. On average, vegetarians consume a lower proportion of calories from fat (particularly saturated fatty acids); fewer overall calories; and more fiber, potassium and vitamin C than do non-vegetarians. Vegetarians generally have a lower body mass index. “These characteristics and other lifestyle factors associated with a vegetarian diet may contribute to the positive health outcomes that have been identified among vegetarians.” Source: Grist.org

DON’T TAKE A SEAT

multi-ethnic study of 4,757 U.S. adults in a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that those who took the most daily breaks from sitting had, on average, a smaller waist circumference, fewer blood fats and reduced markers for insulin resistance than those who took the fewest breaks. The researchers also noted increased levels of C-reactive protein in the bodies of sedentary subjects, which is linked to inflammation and many chronic diseases, even in people who regularly exercise. To get moving: Stand up to take phone calls and during meetings; walk to visit a colleague, rather than phoning or emailing; use a bathroom on a different floor; centralize trash and recycling bins and office equipment to encourage short trips during the work day; take the stairs; and park at the far end of the lot. Source: European Society of Cardiology

July 2011

healthbriefs

cont’d . . .

MORE BENEFITS FROM VITAMIN D

ew research from the Emory/ Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute suggests that a lack of vitamin D, even in generally healthy people, is linked with stiffer arteries and an inability of blood vessels to relax. The finding adds to evidence showing that insufficient vitamin D leads to impaired vascular health, contributing to high blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The body naturally manufactures vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. Foods like vitamin-D-fortified milk or cereals and oily fish also are good dietary sources to help provide sufficient amounts of this essential nutrient.

Blueberries Assist Artery Function

study conducted by the Agricultural Research Service’s Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences indicates that eating blueberries may help prevent atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. When researchers spiked the diet of 15 lab mice with freeze-dried blueberry powder (comparable to a half-cup of the berries) for 20 weeks, they found that the size of harmful lesions (plaque) measured on two sites in their aortas were 39 and 58 percent less than for 15 mice in a control group. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Ditch the Chemicals

omen that report they frequently use air fresheners and products for mold and mildew control appear to be at more than double the risk of contracting breast cancer than those who say they use such products sparingly. The researchers interviewed 1,500 women. Source: BioMed Central’s Environmental Health

Tennessee Valley

IN PAIN? TRY MEDITATION

cientists at England’s University of Manchester have confirmed how some people suffering from chronic pain might benefit from meditationbased therapies. They concluded that people that are more advanced in meditation practices (up to 35 years) are likely to anticipate and experience pain less than less-advanced meditators or non-meditators. “Meditation trains the brain to be more present-focused, and therefore to spend less time anticipating future negative events,” comments Christopher Brown, Ph.D., who conducted the research. When testing the pain tolerance of study participants using a noninvasive laser, the researchers noted unusual activity during anticipation of pain in part of the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain known to be involved in controlling attention and thought processes when potential threats are perceived, but more study is needed. Participants had a diverse range of experiences with various meditation practices, spanning from months to decades. All of them perform some form of mindfulness meditation—such as that which is the basis of the MindfulnessBased Cognitive Therapy recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for recurrent depression, because up to 50 percent of people with chronic pain experience depression. “The importance of developing new treatments for chronic pain is clear,” says Brown. “Forty percent of people who suffer from chronic pain report inadequate management of their pain problem.”

Friends Can Add Sizzle to Your Romance

coverartist

eed to spice up a romantic relationship that’s in the doldrums? A Wayne State University study reveals dating couples that integrate other couples into their social lives are more likely to have happier and more satisfying romantic relationships. In the study—named When Harry and Sally Met Dick and Jane—Assistant Professor of Psychology Richard B. Slatcher, Ph.D., worked with 60 dating couples in a controlled laboratory setting to better understand how couples form friendships and how these friendships affect each couple’s relationship. Each couple was paired with another couple and given a set of questions to discuss as a group. Half of the group, dubbed the fast friends group, was given high-disclosure questions to spark intense personal discussion; the other half received typical small-talk questions. “We discovered that those couples that were placed in the fast friends group felt closer to the couples they interacted with and were more likely to meet up with them again during the following month,” says Slatcher. “We also learned that these same couples felt that these new friendships put a spark in their own relationships, and they felt much closer to their romantic partners.” They also reported learning new things about their partners through this novel experience.

Watermelon Takes a Slice Out of High Blood Pressure

ummer-sweet watermelon is known to be high in fiber and nutrients and low in calories. Now, evidence from a pilot study led by food scientists at Florida State University suggests that eating watermelon might also help dispel pre-hypertension, a precursor to cardiovascular disease. “Even better, it may prevent the progression from pre-hypertension to hypertension in the first place,” says lead researcher Arturo Figueroa, an assistant professor at the university. A University of Illinois study estimates that as many as 60 percent of U.S. adults have elevated tension levels. Why might this large-size fruit pose such a benefit? “Watermelon is the richest edible natural source of L-citrulline, which is closely related to L-arginine, the amino acid required for the formation of [the body’s own natural] nitric oxide, essential to the regulation of vascular tone and healthy blood pressure,” says Figueroa. Once in the body, the L-citrulline naturally converts into L-arginine. The scientists caution that consuming L-arginine as a dietary supplement isn’t a good option, because it can cause nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort; watermelon, on the other hand, provides a safe delivery system. It also has been shown to help reduce serum glucose levels. All of this makes watermelon a “functional food,” because it offers health-promoting or diseasepreventing properties beyond its delicious taste.

Happiness in Perpetuity by Paul David Bond Pesqueira Paul Bond’s magic realism art illuminates a dreamlike world where anything is possible, as he deftly juxtaposes and rearranges common elements to convey universal spiritual or metaphysical ideas. Sometimes, his paintings are simply uplifting illusions, expressing the whimsical, surreal and fantastic side of life. They are always soothing, visual meditations that delight the imagination and stir the soul. Rearranging familiar objects gives Bond the visual symbols he uses as a language to reflect an emotion or thought he’s entertaining at the moment. “Often, a painting is born from something randomly seen from a car window or a line in a novel or song,” he explains. “If it stirs my curiosity, it finds its way into my work.” About Happiness in Perpetuity, he says, “We create our experience and physical environment based on our beliefs and thoughts. Those who wait for outer experiences to make them happy are at a disadvantage—happiness is simply a choice, based on our desire for it.” View the artist’s portfolio at PaulBondArt.com.

July 2011

healthykids

The Beauty of SUMMER BOREDOM Recapturing the Golden Days of Childhood by Lisa Gromicko Remember those endless hours of imaginative play during your youth—tree climbing, making mud pies, flying kites, fishing, building forts/tree houses/lemonade stands, swimming, watching clouds, playground swinging, tea parties, making and then launching sailboats in the creek, catching fireflies/butterflies/frogs, playing jacks and pickup sticks, jumping rope, hopscotch, rolling down hills, daisy chains, skipping rocks, backyard camping, neighborhood baseball games (with self-made rules), twilight games of hide ‘n’ seek and flashlight tag?

he summers of childhood are potent, enabling children to find their personal bliss and cultivate interests and memories that can last a lifetime. The gifts of less-structured summer days are precious, allowing time and space for the possibility of magical activities. Both children and parents benefit from unscheduled breathing room to revisit the forces of creativity and restore resiliency. Yet, according to a University of Michigan study, today’s children have as much as 12 hours less free time per week than 30 years ago. Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting – Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids, urges parents

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to simplify their children’s schedules, to establish for them, “… islands of being, in the torrent of constant doing.” We all require downtime to function well. Payne maintains that, “Rest nurtures creativity, which nurtures activity. Activity nurtures rest, which sustains creativity. Each draws from and contributes to the other.” More, boredom is a gift for children, “… a rare fuel to propel them forward,” writes Nancy Blakey, a columnist for Seattle’s Child magazine.

Bonnie Harris, author of Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids, cites a lack of boredom in children today as the reason that many graduates flounder in the “real” world. Boredom works to spark the discovery of one’s own passions, inner resources, ingenuity and ability to be self-directed—all critical lifetime skills. Overscheduling often substitutes stimulation for experiencing self-discoveries that unlock the tremendous stored potential of a child’s inner resources and imagination. Remarks Payne, “A child who doesn’t experience leisure—or better yet, boredom—will always be looking for external stimulation, activity or entertainment… [and] a culture of compulsion and instant gratification. What also grows in such a culture? Addictive behaviors.” So, how do we find our way back to those simpler days? Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, likes, “The dugout in the weeds or leaves beneath a backyard willow, the rivulet of a seasonal creek, even the ditch between a front yard and the road—all of these places are entire universes to a young child. Expeditions to the mountains or national parks often pale, in a child’s eyes, in comparison with the mysteries of the ravine at the end of the cul-de-sac.” He recommends allowing children the time to be in nature to take walks, listen, play and learn. Time in nature allows the senses to become enlivened again. Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood and 21st Century Boys, observes, “The loss of outdoor play and everyday adventures is particularly significant for children who have a tendency to be easily distracted or impulsive.” One of the biggest benefits of a slow summer, for everyone, is ‘play’ itself. There is compelling evidence of the essential need for this age-old childhood pasttime. So, encourage children to engage in the simple pleasures that will potentially create and strengthen the most glorious, blissful and ‘boring’ memories of their childhood summers—and we’ll likely rekindle our own. Lisa Gromicko has been a Waldorf early childhood educator for 16 years and has enjoyed spending many long summers with her sons, now 21 and 18; she looks forward to many more. Connect at LisaGromicko@mac.com.

FAVORITE FAMILY PLAY DATES by April Thompson

or any family whose default activity is to turn on the TV or go online, a better life is available by maintaining a roster of fun, healthy, outdoor activities to call upon. Here, we present a few websites that offer creative ideas to jumpstart the imagination and fuel the leap outdoors.

Join a family nature club: Meet up at ChildrenAndNature.org Richard Louvâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Children & Nature Network has helped launch more than 100 nature clubs across North America and beyond. Member families make individual and collective play dates in area parks, gardens, hiking trails and other green spaces. Grow a pizza garden: Learn how at Family-Fun.Kaboose.com Kids are sure to get excited about gardening if there is the promise of pizza at the end of the hoe. Grow the makings of pizza sauce from seed or starter plantsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;tomato, basil, oregano, onions and bell peppersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and throw a pizza party at harvest time. Then move outdoors for yard games. Camp in the backyard: Find ideas at FamilyFun.go.com/playtime/seasonalgames/summer-games The backyard takes on a new mystique

Pasture-Raised Chickens

the minute kids help pitch a tent and purposely stay out of the house. Build a safe campfire in a portable grill to toast marshmallows for sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores and make up ghost stories about the spirits that haunt the neighborhood. Pick a moonless night for maximum stargazing.

â&#x20AC;˘ Locally Raised on Pasture! â&#x20AC;˘ Fresh and Natural! â&#x20AC;˘ Great Tasting! â&#x20AC;˘ No Drugs! Period!

Go on a high-tech treasure hunt: Take a walkabout at FamilyFitness. About.com/od/waystoplay/tp/outdoor_ activities_kids.htm Follow a programmed GPS in search of hidden treasures known as geocaches, which feature assorted items at various geo-mapped sites that other visitors have left for fellow geocachers to enjoy. Be sure to bring an item to replace anything retrieved or moved.

www.RaisedOnPasture.com

Take an animal home tour: Start with GreenHour.org Countless animals make their homes in or near our yards, yet they often escape our notice. Help children tune in to the many forms of shelters around them, from birdsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nests and tree hollows to beehives and burrowing holes. Make a green hour a daily highlight. April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.

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July 2011

By Gatlianne

Child’s Pose “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” –Buddha

art of loving ourselves unconditionally means taking time for relaxation, rest and rejuvenation. One resting yoga pose that is meant to relax and rejuvenate is Child’s Pose. This is a pose that can be incorporated into a yoga routine or a pose to use as a standalone to be in the moment with yourself, to take time to pause and breathe, to relax and release stress or to ease back or hip pain. It stretches the low back, spine, hip and thigh muscles, ankles and knees. The pose normalizes circulation and helps reduce stress, anxiety, tension and fatigue. Child’s Pose is not only physically relaxing but is one of the best yoga poses for mental relaxation. A wonderful way to go within, Child's Pose can be utilized for gentle stretching, meditation, deep breathing or spiritual quiet time. To do Child’s Pose, kneel on the floor with knees slightly apart and big toes touching. Slowly lean forward until the forehead is touching the floor. Allow the face, neck and shoulders to relax. Breathe deeply into the abdomen and release all tension away from the body as you sink deeper into the pose with each breath. Let your arms drape along your sides, palms up, with the back of each hand touching the floor. As this is a resting pose, stay here from 30 seconds to several minutes. Take the time to allow your mind, body and spirit

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to not only rest and be still but also to connect with each other—or as is often the case—RE-connect. When we hold ourselves in expectation, resentment or in limiting beliefs we aren’t truly connected. Child’s Pose offers us a time and space to unite our mind, body and spirit again in connection and be one with our Self. It also gives us an avenue for total body relaxation. While in this pose truly believe in you and that you are worthy of unconditional love. Allow yourself to BE in the pose and to be WITH yourself. Make the choice to love yourself as you are right now and take the time and space to relax into that self love. Unconditional love is a choice. To truly love unconditionally, to be understanding and to forgive means also being that way for yourself. It means knowing that you, as you are right now, are enough. It means letting go of expectations of how you "should" be and accepting yourself, now. Loving unconditionally means loving yourself regardless of past choices. It means forgiving yourself for the beliefs of any wrongs done and letting go of self-judgments. Unconditionally loving your Self means acceptance and forgiveness—toward yourself. (Though Child’s Pose is a gentle yoga posture you should not do this pose if you have a knee injury, suffer from diarrhea or are in the last trimester of pregnancy.)

—PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEWIS METTS.

Gatlianne is an author and Yoga & Reiki practitioner based in Athens, AL. For more information or to schedule a private yoga or Reiki session, please contact her at M@ Gatlianne.com or visit Gatlianne.com.

calendar FRIDAY, JULY 1

FRIDAY, JULY 8

Full Permaculture Design Course – Friday, July 1, 8am - Sun, July 3, 5pm. Covers Temperate design applications. Rigorous and in-depth curriculum with exercises and field trips. North Alabama Permaculture Center. Contact MicheleSneed@ aol.com.

Regenerative Agriculture – Fri, July 8, 8am - Sun, July 10, 5pm. Learn Strategies for Ecological Land use, Building Healthy Soils and Key Line Design. $350. Contact MicheleSneed@aol.com

M. A. Jackson Company

SATURDAY, JULY 9 SATURDAY, JULY 2 Huntsville Hazardous Waste Collection – 8am12pm. Drop off household hazardous waste on the first Saturday of each month at the Handle with Care Collection Center. Huntsville Landfill, 4100 Leeman Ferry Road. For special assistance, call 256-880-6054. For a list of accepted household waste materials, visit SWDAhsv.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 3 The Film Co-op monthly workshop meets in Don's Studio – 2-4pm. If you have a work in progress that you would like to discuss, bring a sample to show. Open to all, public invited. For more info, call Don at 256-457-5371. Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville.

WENDESDAY, JULY 6 The Huntsville Grotto – 7pm. The Huntsville Grotto of the National Speleological Society holds their monthly meeting on the first Wednesday of each month. If you are interested in exploring the wonders of the underground world; climbing over, under, and in between rocks; come to this meeting to learn about the Huntsville Grotto. The meeting begins at the Huntsville Public Library, Main Branch, Room A. Come a little early to meet some folks and find out about what you need in order to go caving with the Huntsville Grotto. Huntsville Public Library, 915 Monroe St SW, Huntsville. Artist Critique – 7-9pm. Open to all visual artists. Bring an open mind. Leave your feelings at the door. Make better art. For questions, contact Mark Blevins at 256-509-6545. Studio 105, 1st Floor, Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville.

Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift you in countless ways. Held each Saturday. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (Five Points). 256-534-1751; EckAlabama.org. Turn Your Interests Into Income Women's Workshop – 10am-12pm. Career change expert Bonnie Pond shows you how to create income with realistic, proven strategies so you can live the life you really want. Keystone Chiropractic, 3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, #617, Huntsville. Cost is $15 pre-registered, $20 at door. 256-270-9993. RelaunchYourLifeCoach.com.

MONDAY, JULY 11 Huntsville Green Drinks – 5:30pm. An organization for anyone interested in sustainable living to share their interest and expertise with like-minded individuals. Eating and drinking are optional. Come learn about various topics such as green building, eating locally, environmental education efforts in local schools, and local green businesses. Pane e Vino, 300 Church Street SW, Huntsville. HSVGreenDrinks.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 15 Master Your Spiritual Destiny – 7:30-8pm. Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on ECKANKAR Discover how to become a more spiritual being and master your spiritual destiny. FREE. Comcast Cable Channel 3. 256-534-1751; Eck-Alabama.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 17 THURSDAY, JULY 7 Coalition for a Greener Huntsville – 6pm. Monthly meeting. A&B Conference Room of Huntsville Public Library, 915 Monroe St SW, Huntsville. Rooster Tail Designs' Graphic Design Classes – 5:45-6:45pm. Need classes centered on different aspects of graphic design? Let Tom Patterson help you out. Must call or email to reserve a spot! 256.503.0718 or Info@theRoosterTail.com - Studio 111, 1st Floor Classroom (next to Rooster Tail Designs). Covering Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. $10 per class.

Kadampa Meditation Group – 3-4:30pm. Please join the sangha at Unity Church on the Mountain For Meditation and contemplation/d iscussion. Our meditation will be led by Kevin Hawkins, sangha member and interim teacher. Third Sunday of each month. 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville. 256536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com.

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COMING IN AUGUST

calendar

cont’d...

THURSDAY, JULY 21

SATURDAY, JULY 30

North Alabama Sierra Club – 6:30pm. Meets the third Thursday of every month at the Huntsville Madison County Public Library in the main auditorium. 915 Monroe Street, Huntsville. All are welcome.

Madison City Farmers Market – 8am-12pm. Come early for the best selection of local produce, eggs, meats, home-baked goods, fresh herbs, honey and goat cheese. Come see creations from local artisans including hand-made cards, soaps, lotions and other items. No admission charged. 1282 Hughes Road, beside Discovery Middle School, Madison. 256-656-7841.

FRIDAY, JULY 22 Critical Mass Bicycle Ride – 6:30-8:30pm. Meet at SE Corner of Courthouse Downtown. Ride Starts at 7pm. Easy ride, fun for the whole family. Relationships and Astrology – 6:30pm. Paranormal Study Center welcomes Keisha Tafari to speak on “Relationships and Astrology” at the Radisson Hotel on Madison Blvd in Madison. Keisha specializes in Astrology and Dream Interpretation. Admission $10 at door for Presentation. Fellowship in Gazebo at 5:15pm with a special $8 lite menu. Contact Greg Rowe at 256-326-0092 for more information. ParapsychologyStudyGroup.com

SUNDAY, JULY 24

VIBRANT KIDS & FAMILIES Natural Awakenings’ August edition will be packed with special tips for raising a healthy family.

Walking Tour: Civil War Bones at Maple Hill Cemetery – 5pm. Tour guides Rhonda Ford & Jacque Reeves will share their extensive knowledge of Huntsville's past including the story about the Unknown Confederates whose original headstones mysteriously disappeared. Admission charged. Park on Wells Avenue next to the cemetery in Huntsville. 256-509-3940.

TUESDAY, JULY 26 Tuesdays on the Trail: Stories by Bruce Walker at Three Caves – 6:30-8pm. Attendees of all ages are encouraged to bring their own chair, beverages and picnic dinners. Capacity: 75 children with accompanying adults. Reservations required. Carpooling encouraged. Closed toe shoes, please. Admission charged. Three Caves, Huntsville. 256534-5263.

THURSDAY, JULY 28 Gallery Tour – 5-9pm. Join Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, along with Flying Monkey Arts Center, as we participate in the Huntsville-wide Summer Gallery Tour. Lowe Mill and Flying Monkey Arts, all three floors.

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

256-340-1122 34

Tennessee Valley

Madison Gazebo Concerts in the Park – 6:308pm. Bring your lawn chair & enjoy the music of "Reginald Jackson & Friends." No admission charged. Village Green Gazebo, Madison. 256527-7802.

Rocket City Beach Bash – Sat. and Sun. 12-8pm. More than 400 tons of sand will be trucked in and spread out over a 200-yard section of Fountain Circle. The party will include beach-like activities, concessions and piped-in music. Other features will be wading pools, the interactive fountain, inflatable bounces, beach umbrellas, sand toys and inflatable palm trees. Families are encouraged to bring their favorite beach toys, towels and beach chairs and enjoy a day at the beach to help both EarlyWorks and the Gulf. Admission charged. A portion of every admission will be donated to the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund. EarlyWorks Children's Museum. Fountain Circle, Downtown Huntsville. 256-564-8100. Huntsville Ghost Walk – 6pm. Who is the angry ghost in the courthouse? What is the story behind the haunting tune phantom children sing while playing on Walker Street? Learn the answers to these questions & many more. Starts at Harrison Brothers Hardware, 124 South Side Square, Downtown Huntsville. 256-509-3940. Admission charged.

SUNDAY, JULY 31 DRAW! – 2-4pm. Presented by the K.I.D. Artist Collective, Admission $5. Practice drawing live models with interesting outfits. No Pictures please. All levels welcome. Contact blf0001@uah.edu for more info. Last Sunday of every month. Flying Monkey Arts Center, 2nd Floor, Lowe Mill.

BERKELEY BOB’S JULY MUSIC LINEUP Located in Cullman, Alabama, Berkeley Bob's Coffee House and Whole Earth Store is a 1960's style California Coffee House where we "celebrate nature, coffee and folk music." Open Mike Nites every first and third Monday from 7-9pm. Bring your guitar, bongos, poems, whatever, and share your talents with us. Saturday night concerts feature local and out of area musicians playing a wide variety of styles. All shows 7-9pm, family oriented and free. To inquire about a booking call Bob at 256-775-2944. BerkeleyBob.com. July 9 July 15 July 16 July 18 July 23 July 30

Blake Scott Band Charlei Groth Bill and Eli Peres Open Mic George Burl Slip Jig

ongoingevents SUNDAY Meditation – 8:20am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org. A Course in Miracles Study Group – 9:15am. Shared reading and group discussions. Extra books available. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org. Unity Church Service – 10:30am. Practical Christianity from a transformative new thought metaphysical perspective. Our doors are open with love for all. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr. SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com. Celebration of Spirit – 11am. A different service each week including ritual, music, and a message in an open, loving environment. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-8950255. LightOfChristCenter.org. Power Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. Marcy White. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-653-9255 or 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com. Keys of Compassion Support Group – 6-7pm. There is a higher perspective to your pain. Free admission. Natural Elements, 1874 Suite M, Slaughter Rd, Madison. 256-922-8454.

MONDAY Level 1 Pilates – 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

that will challenge one’s strength, flexibility and coordination. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com. Monte Sano Monday Night Women’s Mountain Bike Ride – 5:30pm. Want to learn to ride your mountain bike better? Come out and ride with the Monte Sano MTB Chicks at a development ride with a social pace. Held Mondays during through midOctober, weather permitting. Open to beginners. You must wear a helmet to ride. Meet at the Biker’s Parking Lot, Monte Sano State Park. Park entry fee is $3. Info: Maryanne.Swanstrom@gmail.com. Find this group on Facebook. Basic Bellydance – 5:30-6:30pm. Mon-Thurs. Intro to basic bellydance technique. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. Class info: NomadicTapestry.com.

256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com. L e v e l I Yo g a – 1 0 : 1 5 - 11 : 3 0 a m . Ta t u m Crigger. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com. Lunchtime Belly Basics – 11:30am-12:30pm. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com. Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class – 6-7:15pm. This class adds more exercises from the series and will challenge one’s mind/body connections. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org.

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

New Thought Classes – 6:30-9pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org.

Level I Yoga – 6:30-8pm. All levels. Pam Herdy. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Yoga with Mitzi – 6:45-8:15pm. Candlelight Yoga. All levels welcome. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500 Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.

The Art of Spiritual Peacemaking – 6:30-8pm. Weekly forum with Wanda Gail Campbell, Peace Minister with The Beloved CommUNITY. In each 1.5-hour session we will experience Peace Prayers, a short video lesson by James Twyman, and a discussion of key precepts. Love offering. Please call 256-539-0654 for location and more details.

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

Concerts in the Park – 6:30-8pm. Each Monday night in the summer months, downtown Huntsville comes alive with music. West patio of the Huntsville Museum of Art in Big Spring International Park. Bring a chair and a picnic. 256-519-2747. ArtsHuntsville.com.

Level 1 Pilates – 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Energy Lunch Lift – 12pm. Group Resonance Healing. Donations accepted. The Center for Directional Healing, 3322 S Memorial Pkwy, Ste 532, Huntsville. 256-882-0360. DirectionalHealing.com.

TUESDAY

Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class – 5-6:15pm. Work at a faster pace incorporating exercises

Pilates – 9-10am. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.

WEDNESDAY

New Thought Classes – 10am-12pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org. Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

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July 2011

A LITTLE SIMPLIFICATION WOULD BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD RATIONAL LIVING. ~ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Power Yoga – 6-7pm. Marcy White. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com. Satsang – 6:30pm. Satsang with Gangaji. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.

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MEDITATION CLASSES THE HOW OF TAO MEDITATION— RELAX, DE-STRESS, UNWIND, CONNECT, Q U I E T, U N - B L O C K , R E V I TA L I Z E , CREATE, AMAZE, LIFT UP, DIG DEEP, BREAK THROUGH... MEDITATE! Deb Paradise teaches Sum Faht Meditation. 205994-5506. DebParadiseArts@gmail.com. TheHowOfTao.com.

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Tennessee Valley

Beginning Yoga – 7pm. Holly Dyess. Beez Fitness, 7495 Wall Triana Highway, Madison. $8 at the door for non-members. IronHorseFitness.com. Salsa 101 Dance Class – 8pm. Get the moves, feel the heat! Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison. 256-461-1900. GabrielaDance.com.

THURSDAY Fusion Pilates – 9-10am. A fusion of Pilates and Hanna Somatic work teaching one to access and strengthen one’s deepest connections bringing balance to one’s spine and overall posture. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com. Pilates – 9-10am. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

Level I Yoga – 10:15-11:30am. Tatum Crigger. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com. BellyKids – 4-5pm. Shahala Liz. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com. Green Street Market at Nativity – 4-8pm. Farmers Market, Earth friendly and conventional farmers. Provides the buying public with local, fresh and high quality produce. No admission charged. Eustis Ave and Greene St just off the square in Huntsville. 256-682-4429. Paddle Around Hobbs Island – 5pm. Every Thursday we’ll paddle the Tennessee River around Hobbs Island. This is a 5 mile float requiring about 2 hours of paddling. We meet at the harbor around 5:00pm and leave promptly at 5:15pm (look for the Kayaks). This is a great way to practice your paddling skills, meet new people and get a great upper body workout as you enjoy all that the Tennessee River has to offer. You’ll need a boat (canoe or kayak, paddle, life jacket, munchies, drinking water). Madison County Boat Harbor, 854 Hobbs Island Road, Huntsville. PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) – 6pm. Second Thursday of each month. Parents, friends, and gay community members welcome. Bring snack. Huntsville Public Library. 256-881-0939. Align and Wine! – 6-8pm. All levels welcome. Presented by Yoga with Mitzi and The Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street South, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com. Thursday Evening Concerts at the Library – 6pm at Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, 915 Monroe St. 256-532-5940. HMCPL.org. Madison Gazebo Concerts – 6:30pm. Thursday nights, gazebo downtown. ArtsMadison.org. Level I Yoga – 6:45-8:15pm. Pam Herdy. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.

FRIDAY Level 1 Pilates – 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com. Concerts on the Dock – 6-9pm. Friday nights, Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive. Picnics, coolers and pets on a leash are welcome. 256-533-0399. LoweMill.net. Public Clearance Session – 7pm. Third Friday each month. Learn effective healing through reception and application of Divine energies. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-895-0255. Paranormal Study Center – 7pm, fourth Friday each month. Meets at Radisson Hotel/Olympus Room, 8721 Madison Blvd, Madison. For more information, contact Greg Rowe, 256-326-0092.

SATURDAY Level I Yoga – 9-10:15am. Pam Herdy. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com. Cardio Ballroom – 11am. Mega calorie burning dance fun! No more treadmill! Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison. 256-461-1900. GabrielaDance.com. Level I Yoga – 11:30-12:45pm. Bobbie Brooks. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com. Artist Market – 12-4pm. Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth and sell their wares to the public. There will be art, jewelry, vintage clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale inside our facility. Safe from rain. Free admission. Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville. 256.489.7000. FlyingMonkeyArts.org. Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift one in countless ways. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, Ste 3, Five Points. 256-534-1751. Eck-Alabama.org. Ballroom Dancing – 7pm Beginner Group Class, 8pm Dance Party. Madison Ballroom Dance Studio, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison. 256-461-1900. MadisonBallroom.com.

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COMMUNITY resourceguide

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

ENERGY HEALING

CENTER FOR OPTIMAL WELL BEING

LIGHT TOUCH – ENERGY HEALING

7910 S. Memorial Pkwy, Suite F-2, Huntsville 256-489-9806 phone 256-489-2873 fax 866-488-9806 toll free The Center for Optimal Well Being is dedicated to improving your health with colon hydro-therapy and body empowerment services. Sessions are conducted in clean, comfortable and relaxing private suites with soft lighting and aromatic fragrances. Our staff is clinically trained and certified by the International Association for Colon Therapists.

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

ELECTRODERMAL TESTING HEALTHY CHOICES LLC Steve Krzyzewski 3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, Suite 526 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-679-1997 healthychoicesLLC@gmail.com Healthy Choices LLC provides Electrodermal Testing and the Detoxifying Ionic Footbath. Electrodermal Testing uncovers the root cause(s) of health issues and designs a protocol to help the body heal itself. The Detoxifying Ionic footbath helps excrete toxins out of the body bringing you back into balance.

ENERGY HEALING CENTER FOR DIRECTIONAL HEALING Susan Spalding, Director 256-882-0360 DirectionalHealing.com Free the energy within you! Take your health and your life to a new level with Directional Healing. Clears, cleanses, balances, rejuvenates through resonance healing.

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

Marie Krause, D.C. Located inside Millar Chiropractic: Madison: 256-430-2700 Huntsville: 256-539-7077 LightTouch-EnergyHealing.com Helping you achieve optimal wellness by using a gentle, soothing, light touch technique to release chronic tension and stress, alleviate pain, increase energy and vitality, and restore your body's natural balance and harmony. Over twenty years of bodywork experience. Mention "Natural Awakenings" and receive 25% off your first visit.

EUROPEAN FACIAL TREATMENT THE EUROPEAN SKIN CARE CLINIC Huntsville, Alabama 256-880-0709 For the past 18 years providing outstanding European Facial Treatments that slow the aging process up to 20 years! Board certified Master Esthetician owned and operated. These treatments beautify and clear skin problems. A Facial Series can jump-start your complexion to radiance after the harsh winter months. Deep Cleansing the pores, renewal, firming & lifting, Rosacea—we treat them all! Only the finest French pharmaceutical grade products are used.

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

GREEN HOME IMPROVEMENT M. A. JACKSON CO. SUNROOMS, BATH SYSTEMS & OTHER HOME REMODELING P.O. Box 2625, Cullman, AL 35056 ofﬁce 256-739-0317 fax 256-734-7022 MAJacksonCo.com The M. A. Jackson Co. is a quality home improvement business since 1972, covering the North Alabama region. We specialize in sunroom/screen room additions, window/door replacement, cabinet refacing and bathtub/shower systems. We display our products in Sam’s Clubs, local magazines, Shopping Malls, and Trade Shows located in the Tennessee Valley. All of our products are custom made to fit your needs and are installed in less than a week. Free Design Consultation.Call today toll free at 1-888-739-0317.

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

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.

MASSAGE This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ~Dalai Lama 38

Tennessee Valley

CENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND BODYWORK 1634 Slaughter Rd., Madison 256-430-9756 Our vision is to provide professional massage services in a comfortable clinical environment to Madison and the surrounding area. Student massages available for 1/2 the regular rate. Lic. E1311.

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

MASSAGE / SPIRITUAL COACHING / RETREAT CENTER THE YURT GARDEN Lynn Leach 256-424-2221 YurtGarden.com The Yurt Garden is nestled on five acres at the base of Keel Mountain, ten minutes from Hampton Cove. Here you can unwind and de-stress with a therapeutic massage, energy work session or hot rock massage. Life coaching and cancer support are offered in a healing atmosphere surrounded by a hidden garden and an eleven-circuit labyrinth. Overnight packages for singles and couples available.

PERSONAL TRAINING / FUNCTIONAL FITNESS TOP NOTCH TRAINING Decatur, Alabama 256-274-1348 GetFit@TopNotchDecatur.com TopNotchDecatur.com TNT's PowerPlay sessions combine the energy and social experience of traditional aerobics classes with the power and effectiveness of working with knowledgeable, experienced personal trainers. With our low client-to-instructor ratio you are guaranteed abundant personal attention at each class for a fraction of the cost of an individual training session. Regularly scheduled classes are held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30am and 5:30pm at Decatur Athletic Club’s Beltline location. $15 per session. Additional classes and offsite locations can also be scheduled.

Top Notch Training

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

500-A East Pratt Ave. 256-533-7975 YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com Our focus is on core stability, neutral alignment and patterned breathing. It restores the natural curves of the spine, relieves tension and enhances self-confidence. We feature certified instruction in group and individual training.

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

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

SMALL CHANGE WORKS John Lambert Cullman, AL 35055 256-590-3824 jwlamber@gmail.com John Lambert offers Small Change Sessions for individuals and Small Skills Workshops for groups. John specializes in utilizing your language, metaphors, and timelines to refine goals, change thoughts, and generate new behaviors. Workshops are held in nonlecture format punctuated by short, engaging presentations and an abundance of individual attention, creating a safe environment for learning and practicing new skills you can use in your everyday life.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION JACI HOGUE

YOGA CENTER OF HUNTSVILLE

MUSIC THERAPY

SMALL CHANGE COACH / NLP

REFLEXOLOGY JIM BARNES, CERTIFIED REFLEXOLOGIST REFLEX ACTION 124 14th St. Suite D3, Decatur, AL 35601 256-227-2920 256-309-0033

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

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

WELLNESS HOUSECALLS HOUSECALLS HHP Nutritional and Herbal Counseling, Reﬂexology and Bodywork IN YOUR HOME! Michele Monticciolo, NC MH Holistic Healthcare Practitioner 256-426-0982 Michele@ NewFocusNewYou.com Now you don’t even have to leave home to begin feeling better!

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

YOGA YOGA CENTER OF HUNTSVILLE 500-A East Pratt Ave. 256-533-7975 YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com We teach yoga postures and principles designed to bring strength, flexibility, openness, and awareness into the body. Classic yoga postures, modifications are introduced to give the student many options in developing a personal practice.

July 2011

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