August 2011

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SMART ADVERTISING IN A TOUGH ECONOMY! WHY NATURAL AWAKENINGS

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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256-340-1122

Tennessee Valley

Editor@NatValley.com NatValley.com

writerscorner

I

drove home with the windows of the rented car down and the sweet air and soft glow of the August morning bathed over me. The road south was a slicksilver ribbon that glinted wet in the light. My mind sang, still, illuminated in the symphonic afterglow of nerve fibers played like violin strings, still taut and quivering, a bright warm wash of excess serotonin, the overflow from rainswollen pipes.

The first thing I noticed was the smell of honeysuckle in the air. The air in Alabama smells sweet and full, unlike the air in Chicago. The air in Chicago smells thinner, less verdant, less alive, which is not primarily because it is an urban city but rather because there are fewer species of plants and flowers. There is also a fundamental difference in cicadas. In Chicago the cicadas only appear for a week in late August. In the south there are cicadas from June through September, a gentle songswell forming a subdued aural backdrop that floats just under the surface of awareness like a subterranean stream. That was what I noticed about Chicago: the absence of certain things. Trees, flowers, the painful sweetness of honeysuckle, the percussive chirp of birds, the drowsing oscillations of cicadas, and the lowthroated voice of frogs.

I think that what has captured me most has been simply the quality of the light. Slanting through clouds. Dappling in the trees. In hidden shadowed courtyards of cracked stone and weeds. Waterlight. Moonlight. City lights on the lake. A firework fountain. Light for light’s sake. A match, a candle, a lip-fired ember.

Light blazing off towers of glass, steel and timber. Goethe said, "More light!" He was usually right. Starlight, starbright, the first star I see tonight. Baseball lights on a summer night. Time slows down at the speed of light.

Light, like water, has a local taste that comes from the fine particulate matter shed by the soil and the trees and the buildings and the people and all of the other things that exist in a certain place. The light in Alabama was heavy like a soaked rag, dripping with honeysuckle, heat, and the gravitational weight of rapidly accelerating time. The heavy light was like an amniotic gelatin that held us up and nurtured us as we moved through it half asleep and dreaming.

Apartments are containing spaces where light and air and thought and sound are stored in the rusting metal vault of memory. Most of all, it is the light that draws me back, like a moth, to those spaces that contained the air and thought and sound and shadowdance movements of all life that was ever lived there within.

This light was not one light but possessed a character and a personality that fitted each of the different places that are represented in the play. Like water, the light would fit the shape of its container. Sometimes the light would slant in sharply through plastic blinds, suspending dust motes in a tractor beam. Or it would be broken and refracted by shutters, whitepainted slats of wood. Or it would infuse, like a tea, through a white laced curtain. When there were shades pulled low, the light would flow like melted butter around the edges, a rectangular corona around a plastic eclipse. And then, when the windows were naked, the light would stride in boldly, an unannounced guest, and touch, possessively, everything in the room like a new and proprietary owner.

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 Š 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.

Cicadas and Light from The Weight of the Light, by Tom Maples Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

natural awakenings

August 2011

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contents 15 5 newsbriefs

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.

9 healthbriefs 15 globalbriefs

9

14 A COURTSHIP

GUARANTEED TO GET YOUR HEART PUMPING

23

by Kimberly Ballard

20 ecotip 24 greenliving

20 CHEMICAL-FREE LAWNS Good for People. Pets and Nature

by Paul Tukey

20 16

21 A CONFIDENCE BUILDER a Q&A with Dr. Robert Gallien of Smiles of Chattanooga

23 CHAKRAS:

COLORS AND CRYSTALS

24

by Mary Morales

advertising & submissions

24 HOBBY FARMING 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.

Growing a Good Life from America’s Roots

by John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist

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29 DRUG-FREE KIDS

Natural Alternatives to Common Medications

by Lisa Marshall

32 POSTURES BY GATLIANNE

Release to Get Relief: Pigeon Pose

by Gatlianne

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

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newsbriefs

Reed

Dental Checkups Help Forestall Larger Problems

R

egular dental checkups don’t just forestall problems with oral health, says Chattanooga dentist Dr. Robert Gallien. They also help prevent larger health problems down the road.

Some 75-80 percent of people over age 30 have a form of gum disease, Gallien says. And gum disease doesn’t just increase the risk of tooth loss; it also can portend overall health problems. “From a holistic standpoint, you can’t separate your mouth from the rest of your body,” he explains. “What goes on in one area of the body affects other areas.

Dr. Gallien If you are fighting an infection in your mouth on a daily basis—which is what you are doing if you have gum disease—that bacteria is traveling throughout your circulatory system and reaching every other part of your body along the way.”

Eventually, bacteria finds its way to the heart, he says, and it irritates the blood vessels just as it irritates the gums. That can cause plaque to accumulate, hardening the vessels and affecting blood flow. “Compromised blood flow to the heart can cause a heart attack,” Gallien concludes. “If the plaque comes loose, it can travel to other parts of the body; if blockage occurs in the brain, it can cause a stroke. A lot of these ideas still aren’t understood, but it sure raises the awareness about oral health and its relationship to the rest of the body.”

For more information about Dr. Robert Gallien and his holistic approach to oral health, visit SmileChattanooga.com. See ad page 11.

Showtime at Madison Ballroom

M

adison Ballroom proudly presents its Summer Show, Saturday, August 27, 7-10pm. The evening of dancing spotlights student and instructor performances.

What goes into a Madison Ballroom Show? First, students choose a favorite song or dance. Then a routine is choreographed. Students and instructors practice for months on their performances. It is a fun learning process and expression of creativity and confidence!

This is Madison Ballroom’s ninth Show, complete with lights, cameras and costumes. The evening will show-off fifteen students and five instructors in a dozen performances: tangos, cha cha, foxtrot, rumbas, waltzes, samba and a salsa divas group routine.

Please contact Traci Romine, the Studio owner, for tickets ($15 per person) by phone 256-461-1900 or Dance@MadisonBallroom.com. The performances are recorded and DVDs are available for $15 each (contact the Studio to preorder). For more info on salsa classes (not just for salsa divas), contact Gabriela Gonzalez. GabrielaDance.com (Gabriela also teaches Cardio Ballroom, Saturdays, 11am-Noon) 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. MadisonBallroom.com. See ad on page 8.

Acupuncture Clinic Opening Soon!

KATHY HOLMES REED

Cum Laude Graduate of Midwest College of Oriental Medicine A Teacher of Artful Living Brings an Alternative Life Approach to Wellness!

Acupuncture restores balance to the flow of energy along rivers of Qi (also spelled chi) or life force. t 1SPNPUFT (FOFSBM )FBMUI t 3FEVDFT )ZQFSUFOTJPO t #BMBODFT .FUBCPMJTN t 5SFBUT *OGFSUJMJUZ t 3FMJFWFT 1BJO

Call Kathy

256-303-5729 or 205-999-7326

Lighten Up!

natural awakenings

August 2011

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Biomat Free Day at Center for Directional Healing

T

he public is invited to experience the soothing, healing effects of the Amethyst Biomat in a free 30-minute session on Saturday, August 20, from 10am-4pm.

The Biomat by Richway International is an FDA registered medical device for home or professional use which uses state of the art technology discovered

by NASA and the research of scientists and doctors in Japan and Korea. The Biomat combines far infrared light, negative ions and amethyst crystals and has been found to: reduce inflammation, relieve pain, eliminate toxins, increase circulation, strengthen the cardiovascular system, burn calories and improve the immune system. A Biomat session is a gentle way to bring balance to the body, mind and spirit.

To reserve an appointment or for more information, call 256-882-0360.

The Center for Directional Healing is located at 2225 Drake Ave SW, Suite 18, in Huntsville.

Natural Awakenings Launches New Website

N

Children’s talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives. ~Maya Angelou

atural Awakenings has launched a new website supporting the monthly print publication of Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley. Local magazine articles, news briefs, advertising, resource guides and calendars are now just a click away. The Natural Awakenings national editorial library is also available throughout the site, offering classic interviews and timeless articles.

Sharon Bruckman, founder and CEO of the Natural Awakenings franchised network of 80 magazines, says, “We are happy to reach a whole new audience of readers this way and to give a special group of advertisers such a strong entry onto the Internet. Working with Project Manager Bill Van Arsdale and Publishers Tom Maples and Cindy Wilson, we have created a site that we hope will connect the eco-conscious, holistic community in practical and helpful new ways.”

Maples notes, “My favorite part is the opportunity for our area’s healthy living businesses to tell their story. We want to share with our readers the personalities and interesting details behind these businesses and keep their stories on the site as

“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

Nurture Spiritual Growth We nurture spiritual growth When we ask ourselves, how we can be more Compassionate, Loving, Understanding, Tolerant, Strong, Forgiving, Optimistic, Grateful, Mindful, with ourselves.

And with each other.

by Rita Loyd Š 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.

coverartist

Spring Fever

by Mary Leslie Drawing since the day she could hold a crayon, Mary Leslie also spent much of her childhood collecting stray dogs and cats, injured birds and the occasional squirrel. Because her love of all things furred and feathered was matched by her passion to create, she learned to carefully observe and draw the creatures in her care.

Leslie studied art at the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Art Institute of Atlanta, going on to paint murals throughout the Southeast. After moving from suburban Atlanta to a small farm in Madison, Georgia, she began focusing on nature and animals.

Spring Fever was commissioned by a grandmother who asked Leslie to paint a representation of her five granddaughters. “She told me that they loved to dress up and dance,” says Leslie, whose richly hued oil on canvas captures the sheer exuberance of youth and joyful movement. “It’s my goal in every painting to convey the character and personality of my subjects and pass it on to the viewers, hoping they can catch a glimpse of what I enjoy so much.”

View the artist’s portfolio at MaryLeslieStudio.com.

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a kind of mosaic of our community.”

Natural Awakenings’ popular local print calendar and Community Resource Guide are now searchable by topic, date or keyword. “They are dynamic and allow for much more information, including photos, web links, videos and maps,” says Maples. “Calendar events can now be submitted online for both our print and online calendars. We also offer free, non-commercial classifieds, hoping that this will become a central gathering point for members of our community to share resources and needs.

“During the next few months, we will add coupons, contests, blogs and a web store.”

“Our mission is to provide practical and exciting information that readers, businesses and customers find of ongoing usefulness in their daily lives.”

Visit the new website at Natvalley.com.

Spring Valley Beach Unveils First-of-its-Kind Waterslide

I

t is fast, it is steep, and it is extreme. Spring Valley Beach Waterpark makes thrill-seeking history for Alabama this 4th of July weekend as they unveil the 360Rush by SplashTacular, Inc., the first waterslide of its kind. Fifty-eight feet high, two riders enter the near-vertical launch tubes where they “chase” each other inside the dark tunnel through multiple revolutions, reaching speeds of up to 40 MPH before depositing the riders into a 45-foot diameter bowl at the bottom. Said to be the fastest slide on the planet, this next generation in waterslide design is just one of the many reasons why Spring Valley Beach is a different kind of waterpark.

“We wanted a speed racing slide,” says SVB CEO Travis Gilliland. “When we saw pictures of the 360Rush ride, we liked how it looked. It was more compact, more consolidated, more exciting than any other ride out there.”

Spring Valley Beach boasts the largest swimming pool in the Southeast. The sunscreen and relaxation are free! Families and church groups are welcome to bring their own gas or charcoal grills, coolers, and food; or enjoy soft drinks and goodies at the concession stands. Spring Valley Beach employs 40 Red Cross-certified lifeguards to enforce park rules and oversee safety. General parking is free with plenty of poolside parking available for a nominal fee.

For more information about Spring Valley Beach and the new 360Rush waterslide, call 205-429-2075 or visit the Spring Valley Beach website at www.springvalleybeach.com. Spring Valley Beach Water Park is located at 2340 County Highway 55, Blountsville.

healthbriefs

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H

ow important is it that kids engage in physical activity? Very, according to a recent study published in the journal, Brain Research. Kids that are more physically active tend to have a better-developed brain, which in turn helps them perform better on memory tests.

The study involved 49 children, ages 9 and 10, who ran on a treadmill to measure their oxygen intake, a standard measure of fitness. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging data of the children found that the more physically fit kids tended to have a larger hippocampus—about 12 percent bigger, relative to total brain size—than their out-of-shape peers and outperformed them on relational memory tests. The hippocampus is known to be important in learning and memory.

The new findings suggest that interventions to increase childhood physical activity could have an effect on brain development. “We knew that experience and environmental factors and socioeconomic status all impact brain development,” says Art Kramer, the University of Illinois psychology professor and Beckman Institute director who led the study. “It’s not easy to do something about your economic status, but here’s something that we can do something about.”

Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010

Kids Know What’s Fair

D

espite what many grown-ups might think, toddlers have a marked sense of fairness. In a recent study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 3-year-olds shared a small reward with their peer after they worked together to earn it, even in situations where it was easy for one child to keep all the spoils.

To learn how youngsters share, the researchers paired children to complete a task for a prize, like gummy bears or colorful stickers, piled on a board with wheels inside a transparent box. If only one child pulled on a rope, the board wouldn’t move, but if both pulled together, they could bring it close enough to reach the prize through windows in the box.

Some boxes had only one window, so one child could easily grab the prize and keep it, but the toddlers nearly always shared the reward with their partner.

Sometimes, if one child didn’t take their half of the spoils immediately, the other even pointed it out.

The insight for all of us: If we cooperate, everyone is better off.

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Just Say No to Indoor Tanning

D

espite repeated warnings from dermatologists about the health dangers of tanning, results of a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology confirm that a large percentage of Caucasian teen girls and young women admitted using tanning beds or intentionally tanning outdoors during the past year.

Thirty-two percent of respondents had used a tanning bed in the past year—one-fourth of them at least weekly, on average. An overwhelming majority (81 percent) of all respondents reported that they had tanned outdoors either frequently or occasionally during the past year.

“Our survey underscores the importance of educating young women about the very real risks of tanning, as melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—is increasing faster in females 15 to 29 years old than in males of the same age group,” says dermatologist Dr. Ronald L. Moy, president of the academy. “Most young women with melanoma are developing it on their torso, which may be the result of highrisk tanning behaviors such as indoor tanning. In my practice, I have had patients—young women with a history of using tanning beds—that have died from melanoma.”

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August 2011

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Outdoor Workouts Trump the Gym

Sticky News on Peanut Butter

W

C

hen deciding whether to run on a treadmill in the gym of jog in a nearby park, opt for the park, suggests a recent study published in the research journal, Environmental Science & Technology.

The study authors—a team at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry—say exercising outdoors not only appears to promote physical health, but boosts mental well-being, as well. The team analyzed data from a number of sources, including 11 randomized and non-randomized control trials incorporating information from 833 adults.

The study found that exercising in natural environments decreased feelings of tension, confusion, anger and depression, while increasing feelings of revitalization, increased energy and positive engagement. Study participants that exercised outdoors also reported greater enjoyment and satisfaction and stated that they were more likely to repeat their exercise activity.

CRUCIFEROUS CANCER FIGHTERS

A

ccording to a new report in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, scientists have discovered how broccoli, cauliflower, watercress and other cruciferous vegetables help stunt cancer growth.

The vegetables contain substances called isothiocyanates (ITCs) that appear to target and block a defective p53 gene associated with cancer. Healthy p53 genes act as tumor suppressors and prevent cells from starting the abnormal growth that is a hallmark of cancer. The mutated genes—which occur in half of all human cancers—do not offer that protection. ITCs appear to work by removing defective p53 genes while preserving normal, protective ones. Researchers believe the substances support the advice of moms throughout the ages: Eat your vegetables.

NO JUNK FOOD BABIES

N

ew research published online in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal suggests that pregnant mothers whose diets are high in sugar and fat deliver babies that are more likely to become junk food junkies themselves. According to the report, which used rats, such diets lead to changes in the fetal brain’s reward pathway, altering food preferences. The results may offer insight into the ever-increasing rate of human obesity and help explain why some people easily resist fatty and sugary foods, while others seem hopelessly addicted.

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Tennessee Valley

onsumers that grind their own peanut butter fresh in the supermarket may be at risk for ingesting aflatoxin, a mold linked to liver cancer. That’s because the peanuts in grinding-machine cases are stored for much longer than those processed for commercial butters, increasing the potential for mold and fungus growth. More, the machines are not tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for aflatoxin contamination.

Buying only prepackaged, commercial peanut butter may put anxious consumers at ease; although virtually all sources contain minute quantities of aflatoxin, it is usually far below the FDA’s recommended safe level.

However, added sugars and trans fats, as well as high pesticide levels in nonorganic brands, can make them a less than ideal choice.

Individuals that opt for healthy, organic peanut butter may want to pick up some celery sticks to dip in it.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that eating vegetables such as celery, carrots, parsnips and parsley can decrease the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin. They also found success with chlorophyllin, abundant in green, leafy vegetables. Consumption of chlorophyllin at each meal resulted in a 55 percent reduction of aflatoxin in urine.

It’s believed that chlorophyllin reduces aflatoxin levels by blocking the absorption of the toxin in the gastrointestinal tract.

Source: EMagazine. com

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with high levels of anxiety.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge analyzed 155 boys from two independent United Kingdom schools, before and after a four-week crash

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the youth enjoyed the exercises and said they intended to continue meditation, a good sign that many children would be receptive to this type of therapy.

Robert J. Gallien DDS 4620 Hwy 58 Near Suntrust Bank

423-402-8524

Focusing on Excellence to Give You a Beautiful Smile

natural awakenings

August 2011

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Brandie Dorsett, LMT#800

healthbriefs

Kid-Friendly Clues to Healthy Eating

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ccording to a recent study conducted by the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, it takes less than two hours to turn students and their parents into “Nutrition Detectives,” able to identify better-for-you foods quickly and reliably.

Nutrition Detectives is a 90-minute program for elementary schools and families, developed by Drs. David and Catherine Katz and a team of nutrition and education experts, in response to the current childhood obesity crisis.

The study included more than 1,200 Independence, Missouri, students in grades two through four and their parents. Students in all three grades increased their food label literacy scores by 18 percent, with third grade students showing the most improvement (23 percent). The overall gain in scores among students was retained three months after their initial exposure to the program.

Download or order free program materials from NutritionDetectives.com.

Solving your health puzzle

DIET AT PUBERTY LINKED TO BREAST HEALTH

G

irls eating a high-fat diet during puberty, even those that do not become overweight or obese, may be at greater risk for developing breast cancer.

The findings come from research at Michigan State University’s Breast Cancer & the Environment Research Center and may help drive new cancer prevention efforts. The pubertal time period is crucial for healthy mammary gland development, and a high-fat diet during puberty could lead to the production of inflammatory elements in the mammary glands of adults which can promote cancer growth.

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

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

Rosie’s Shopping Ctr. Huntsville, AL Open Monday-Saturday info@ruthsnutrition.com 12

Tennessee Valley

PICK A SAFER SUNSCREEN

S

ifting through marketing hype to find the best protection for exposed skin just got easier, thanks to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) online 2011 Sunscreen Guide.

After analyzing more than 600 beach and sports sunscreens, EWG recommends only one in five, noting that many include misleadingly high sun protection factor (SPF) ratings that may protect against ultraviolet short-wave (UVB) rays that cause sunburn, but leave skin at risk for ultraviolet long-wave (UVA) damage. Their research discovered that nearly one in three products in the guide is still laced with vitamin A ingredients that accelerate the growth of skin tumors and lesions, according to recent government studies.

Find the guide at BreakingNews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen.

The Fattening Secret of Fructose

R

eading labels reveals that many foods and beverages— even so-called healthy ones— contain fructose, often in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, as a sweetener. Health experts have long suspected that fructose is a factor in the nationwide obesity and diabetes epidemic, and new research from the Oregon Health & Science University supports the connection.

Researchers gave nine normalweight study participants separate infusions of fructose and glucose (simple sugars) and then used magnetic resonance imaging to observe brain reactions. Glucose activated areas of the brain associated with regulating food intake and satiety—its “reward circuitry”—while fructose inhibited brain response in those areas.

The study concludes that this important difference may explain why fructose consumption, which deactivates the brain’s normal satiation response, appears to increase obesity and diabetes.

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 natural awakenings

August 2011

13

A Courtship Guaranteed to Get Your Heart Pumping

by Kimberly Ballard

F

or the average person, “exercise” is a dirty word conjuring images of unused gym memberships, excruciating pain, and the dire need for daily motivation, leading to abject failure. On a daily basis, Natural Awakenings Birmingham publisher Kathy Reed is acutely in tune with her body’s natural rhythm and balance.

She practices a 4,000-year old form of preventative medicine and natural healing techniques that have never failed her.

However, at a recent visit to her doctor and acupuncturist, more exercise became a significant focus. How does she smile and go on when the average person had just as soon be condemned to the rack.

“Exercise keeps you from feeling tired during the day, especially if you sit all day at a computer at your job,” she explains. ”When your body isn’t using much oxygen, it isn’t producing much oxygen either, which makes you feel sluggish and tired. When you exercise, your muscles utilize more oxygen, drawing it from your blood, creating an oxygen debt. Exercise makes you more energetic. If you get tired from doing nothing in the middle of day, then exercise more.”

For the average person, exercise means pain, frustration, and money down the toilet, but according to Kathy there is a way to break the cycle. “If you are not in the habit of exercising and are prescribed an exercise routine, don’t go buy a gym membership. You have to build yourself up first by finding something you enjoy doing. Don’t go buy a set of weights until you build up some strength and stamina using full water bottles for weights first.”

According to Kathy, exercise is a courtship, so date a little! “Try out some activities – it may be jogging, swimming, or strenuous gardening or yard work, walking, or jumping rope. It could be a mixture of two or three, but

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build a habit of doing it, whatever it is.

“You wouldn’t date someone you didn’t like so why make your body do something it dislikes? If you loathe jogging, don’t force yourself to jog. Perhaps you don’t mind jogging, but two miles a day for four or five days a week is too much. Try jogging a half-mile, walk a mile, then jog or even skip the last half.”

Next time you had rather have a root canal than do twenty minutes on the Stairmaster, consider exchanging that activity for one you enjoy. “When you cause undue hardship on yourself, it benefits no one and takes all the fun out of it, defeating the purpose.”

Kathy believes we see exercise through a competitive lens. “My husband Dwain asks me, ‘How many laps did you swim?’ I answer, ‘That’s too competitive a terminology for me!

“I use all kinds of techniques when I swim. One night I felt a pulling in my hip that was causing me stress. I flipped over on my side, focusing on the scapula muscle in my shoulder that controls the rotor cuffs. Right there, I was able to assess that I was using all my energy on a strong kick when that wasn’t necessary, and in fact, it was hurting. There is nothing wrong with enjoying exercise.

It isn’t meant to be torture.”

When you start an exercise program, make sure you set achievable goals. Start out at three minutes; build up to five, and then work for ten minutes with twenty as your ultimate goal.

Moreover, be kind to yourself and listen to your body. “One day I was doing lunges with lightweights. I discovered after a couple that I was off balance.

My proprioperception that tells you instinctively where you are in time and space, warned me I had a mild sinus infection and I was wobbly. I put the weights down and stopped. I was working fifty times harder to do that activity

and if I forced myself, I risked injury.”

Having recently graduated Cum Laude from the oldest college of Eastern studies in the U.S., Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Racine, WI, Kathy is opening her acupuncture clinic in Decatur in August. In addition to having spent 22 years practicing healing with all natural foods and herbs, Kathy is also a 3rd level medical Qigong practitioner. She can prescribe three medical exercises the average carpal tunnel sufferer can perform standing beside their desks several times a day to relieve the pain and discomfort.

It really does come down to the laws of physics,” she says, “A body in motion stays in motion. A body at rest stays at rest. Exercise more but don’t set yourself up to fail.”

“It really does come down to the laws of physics, ‘A body in motion stays in motion. A body at rest stays at rest.’

Exercise more but don’t set yourself up to fail.”

This article is meant to educate. It is not intended to diagnose or treat. Anyone with a problem related to the issue discussed in this article should consult a qualified health care provider.

Kathy Holmes Reed is an acupuncturist, a medical Qigong practitioner (level III), and a Cum Laude graduate from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine. Kathy will open an acupuncture clinic in Decatur, AL in August. Call with questions about acupuncture, healing with natural foods, or medical Qigong exercise at 205-999-7325 for Birmingham, and 256-303-5729 for Huntsville/Decatur region. See ad on page 5. ___________________ Kimberly Ballard is a Professional Writer & Marketing Consultant. Call 256-653-4003 or visit www.KimberlyWritesCreative.com, or email Kimberly@ KimberlyWritesCreative.com.

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

Age-Appropriate Lessons The Ocean Project Reaches Out to Teens and Tweens Encouraging children’s appreciation for nature and their concern for the environment must be approached in age-appropriate ways. Some educators and parents with good intentions teach young children by delving into serious environmental issues such as disappearing species, deforestation and climate change before the children possess the cognitive maturity and background knowledge necessary to fully understand the issues.

If children learn abstract information before they have a chance to connect with the natural world, they may end up being confused and the message may not yield results. So, The Ocean Project has developed a new section of its website (TheOcean Project.org) with tips and resources for educators working with young children.

Research suggests that when children spend time engaged in nature and outdoor activities, they are more likely to become long-term stewards of our planet. Children could, for example, begin connecting with nature by learning about plants and animals in their backyard, exploring a nearby park or visiting a zoo, aquarium or museum. Empathy, followed by exploration, should be the main objectives in establishing a connection between children and their environment.

The Ocean Project’s research has shown that youths ages 12 through 17 are a key audience for improving our ocean planet. Not only is this age group more concerned about environmental issues, they are also more willing than many adults to take action to help the environment. They also exert a huge amount of influence within their households, because parents often view their children as more informed about current environmental issues than they are.

This forward-looking age group already reports more involvement with ocean and climate conservation activities than any other age group, but their potential for taking action is far from fully realized.

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Sacred Vows Most Americans View Marriage Positively A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of 1,000 adults found that 56 percent of married respondents regard their marriages as excellent, while 29 percent categorize them as good. Just 1 percent report that their married life is poor. Although Americans seem overwhelmingly to rate their marriages as good or excellent, those married five years or less are the most enthusiastic, and women are more likely than men to say their marriages are good.

The questions did not define marriage, but 56 percent of adults think it is very important as an institution to U.S. society. Forty-seven percent feel that children are a very important factor in a marriage’s longevity. Eighty percent of all Americans believe it is very important for children to grow up in a home with both their parents rather than parents that are divorced.

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August 2011

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globalbriefs Humane Youth Compassion for Animals Aids Diet Changes The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that one in 200 children is a practicing vegetarian, according to the parents polled. FoxNews. com also reports that earlier surveys suggest the rate of vegetarianism among older teens could be four to six times that of younger children, because teens have more control over what they eat. Animal welfare, rather than health, is cited most often as to why kids stop eating meat.

Green Dads Moving Sustainability from Niche to Normal

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.

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A new dimension of sustainable fathering is emerging among Americans. According to a consumer trend report by EcoFocus Worldwide, Make Way for EcoAware Dads, 65 percent of the nation’s 36 million dads agree that, “When my kids are grown, I want them to remember me as teaching them to be environmentally responsible.”

Eco-aware dads want their family’s home and lifestyle to be safe, efficient and responsible, and they see room for improvement: Only 16 percent are very satisfied with how green or eco-friendly their lifestyles are today.

“For an eco-aware dad, this is all very integrated and very personal to his role as a father,” explains Lisa Harrison, the research leader for EcoFocus. “For example, while he may have insulated his family’s home for economic reasons first, the secondary benefit is in quality of life, because the home becomes a quieter and more comfortable living space.”

More than eight in 10 agree that being eco-friendly is a way to improve quality of life for themselves and their families.

Eco-aware dads realize that changes sometimes take big investments of both time and money, and they are concerned about affordability. Still, they see prospects for big payoffs; 83 percent have already changed the way they do things to make choices that are better for the environment.

Name Game What Do You Want to be Called Today?

With “Generation Y� becoming a popular nickname for current teens and young adults, it’s helpful to look back at the history of this trend for some perspective. Generational names are the handiwork of popular culture— some are drawn from a historic event, others from rapid social or demographic change, while others come from a big turn on the calendar.

The Millennial Generation falls into the third category.

The label refers to those born after 1980, the first generation to come of age in the new millennium.

Generation X covers people born from 1965 through 1980. X-ers are often depicted and described as savvy entrepreneurial owners.

Baby Boomer is drawn from the great spike in births that began in 1946—following the end of World War II the year before—and ended almost as abruptly in 1964, around the time the birth control pill first went on the market. It’s a classic example of a demographically driven name.

The Silent Generation describes adults born from 1928 through 1945. Children of the Great Depression and World War II, their “silent� label refers to the conformist and civic instincts that we associate with many of them. (It also makes for a nice contrast with the noisy waves of the anti-establishment boomers.)

The Greatest Generation, those born before 1928, is

Storytime Pals Animals Help Children Read Roo, a 6-year-old collie certified by Intermountain Therapy Animals as a therapy dog for visits to nursing home residents and hospital patients, works primarily with his handler, Tina Anderson, as a reading education assistance dog (R.E.A.D.) at Graytown Elementary School, in Graytown, Ohio.

Children with trouble reading, a learning disability or shyness, or that just feel intimidated by reading in front of a class, like to read with Roo. “It’s a special connection that makes them feel important,� says Anderson. “Dogs have been successful in having a calming effect on adults. Why not use them with children who have reading and social disabilities?� queries Lesley Pulsipher, national R.E.A.D. coordinator, in Salt Lake City, Utah. “Animals are not judgmental, and children feel safe reading to them. In a classroom, a child’s classmates may laugh at them if they mess up.�

According to Pulsipher, the program is not just limited to dogs; carefully vetted cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and miniature horses also visit schools and libraries to help foster reading.

She observes that, “The program really helps bring kids out of their shell and gives them a boost of self-confidence.� —Source: aol.com

the generation that fought and won World War II, both overseas and on the home front.

As the zeitgeist changes, labels that once seemed spot-on can fall out of fashion. Generational names are works in progress. —Source: Pew Research Center

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

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Addtional contact info, such as Email address, is encouraged.

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August 2011

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M. A. Jackson Company

globalbriefs Green Schools Earth Day Social Network Launches Earth Day Network (EDN) has launched the first interactive social network for K-12 educators and students, the Educators’ Network, (edu.EarthDay. org), which is intended to fill the growing need for high quality educational tools that support environmental literacy and share “green” school resources. The network will empower teachers and students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make their communities healthier and more sustainable, thanks to a $250,000 grant from Wells Fargo & Company.

EDN’s Educators’ Network enables educators to share a library of materials collected from teachers nationwide, including lesson plans, teaching materials, grants and blogs. Network members can also “Ask the Expert” for advice, engage in dialogue with EDN staff and key partners, and find grant opportunities targeted to educators.

The network also provides resources and tools to support schools in winning the Green Ribbon Schools Award, recently announced by the U.S. Department of Education, rewarding schools that demonstrate significant progress toward increasing their sustainability literacy, reducing their school’s environmental footprint and improving the overall health of students and staff.

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Sunday, August 7, is International Forgiveness Day ~ ForgivenessAlliance.org

Conservation Matures WWF Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Hope World Wildlife Fund is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by posting a progressive step of environmental awareness and action on its website each week. Collectively titled 50 Reasons for Hope, they demonstrate that conservation makes a real difference and that, working together, we can protect the future of our planet.

By the end of the year, the 50 Reasons for Hope will give a broad, rich and playful understanding of WWF and a hopeful vision for the future—a vision that everyone can help make a reality.

Visit WorldWildlife.org/sites/anniversary.

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the first time, a toxic herbicide known as 2,4-D—a major component of the infamous defoliant Agent Orange—has been the primary weed-killing ingredient used to give homeowners a “fairway front lawn.” Today the substance, banned in much of Canada, has come under increased scrutiny in the United States. In its place, a product known as Fiesta instead utilizes the gentler option of naturally occurring iron to keep weeds under control while allowing grass to grow.

ecotip

“Businesses have to take the lead in providing safer lawn alternatives.”

Chemical-Free Lawns Good for People, Pets and Nature

by Paul Tukey

W

ith cooler Pioneering communities poisonous substances, and fortunately, manuweather just around the across the United States facturers are listening.

Here are just a few corner, late August are now embracing of the kinder, gentler through October is an products available this ideal time to tackle the organic lawn care. coming season: annual rejuvenation of Fertilizers – any lawn and consider As many as 20 states, especially those renovating it into a healthier and more sustainable landscape. But before head- with numerous lakes or prominent oceanfront, are actively legislating the ing out the door for the next round of amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen seed, soil, conventional fertilizer and permitted in lawn fertilizers. Scotts all manner of weed and insect sprays, Miracle-Gro, the world’s largest it’s good to know that a major positive chemical fertilizer and lawn pesticide overhaul is underway at our local garcompany, will voluntarily remove den centers. Synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides are being cast aside phosphorus from lawn fertilizers nationwide, beginning in 2012. Compain favor of natural, organic materials. nies like Espoma already are offering “Organics is by far the fastest 100 percent organic options made growing sector of the lawn and garden from plant and animal byproducts that industry,” says Bruce Butterfield, who are not prone to leaching. researches the market for the National Weed killers – Since 1967, when Gardening Association. The message is the Masters golf tournament was clear: Today’s parents don’t want their broadcast live in color nationwide for children rolling around in potentially

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~ Mike Serant, organic landscape supplies distributor, Houston

Insecticides and Fungicides – What is designed to kill one lifeform almost always also poses negative consequences for other lifeforms. Increasing evidence from major research institutions from the American Academy of Pediatrics to Harvard University linking pest killers to childhood diseases such as attention deficit disorders and autism has amped up the demand for safe alternatives. Products like EcoSmart, with insect killers made from food-grade ingredients; and Actinovate, a natural fungicide that gently removes black spot, fairy ring, brown patch and dollar spot; are meeting the demand.

Enlightened homeowners are further embracing the notion that the whole landscape need not be grass. Native plants, which generally require less fertilizer and water than import species, are better for the environment, as well as natural animal life.

Paul Tukey is a pioneering author of the bestselling The Organic Lawn Care Manual: A Natural, Low-Maintenance System for a Beautiful, Safe Lawn.

His nonprofit educational website is SafeLawns.org.

The Confidence Builder: a Q&A with Dr. Robert Gallien of Smiles of Chattanooga

I

f anyone was born to be a dentist, it was Dr. Robert Gallien. After all, his father and two of his uncles are dentists, so he grew up hearing all about the workaday side of the profession—the ups and the downs. “What made the greatest impression on me, though, was that they all talked about how wonderful it was to care for their patients all day and feel like they were visiting with their friends,” Gallien says. “It’s a profession where you get to develop a relationship with your patients and their families over the course of your career, and that always struck me as the greatest benefit to becoming a dentist.”

Gallien’s career choice may have been easy, but his career has not. “I always knew my goals and what I really wanted to get out of and give back to the profession,” he explains. “I set a goal to become one of the top 1 percent in skills, knowledge and leadership within my profession. So I not only study relentlessly, but this goal also serves as a beacon, guiding me on the right path and always keeping me at the top of my game.”

That work ethic is critical in dentistry, a field in which near-constant scientific and technological advances bring the promise of dramatic improvement to patients’ health and quality of life. Dr. Bob Gallien took some time from his busy schedule to discuss his practice, and some of the more exciting advances in dentistry, with Natural Awakenings. For a full transcript of our interview—including more questions and answers—visit SmileChattanooga.com and click on “Natural Awakenings.”

Tell us about the history of your practice.

It’s been an interesting one! After graduating from The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, I took over a practice that had basically been abandoned for several months. At first I was afraid that all the patients who used to come there had already found a new dentist—and that I was going to just be sitting at my desk with nothing to do!

Well, that turned out not to be the case.

Our office was flooded with wonderful patients who had been just waiting for the call that the office had been reopened, and that there was someone to take care of them. I’m so grateful for all the wonderful people who have helped build my practice and make it what it is today—a health-focused, customerservice oriented, positive and inspiring place where you aren’t a number or a stranger, but a family member.

What are some of the special focuses of your practice?

There are some things I focus on which I feel are a little different than I was taught in dental school, and which I feel make us unique. I’m passionate about the mind/body connection, the whole body/holistic philosophy, diet, fitness and nutrition—all those things that help make someone healthier. I’m very open to alternative approaches to becoming more balanced, and I’m acutely aware that everything that goes in the mouth can affect how a patient’s body responds to it. I pay close attention to nutrition, which is paramount to how healthy a patient’s mouth and body will be. I also pay extremely

close attention to the role of prevention—how it can determine how long a patient may keep their teeth, and also how it affects their heart, lungs, liver, and every cell in their body.

What’s the link between a beautiful, healthy-looking smile and overall health?

Great question, and there are many facets to the answer. Touching on that mind/body connection, a beautiful smile gives a person confidence and allows them to smile big, laugh without covering their mouth, and it will simply make them happier—which is a big psychological boost. Remember that when we connect with people, whether personally or professionally, we’re usually using our mouth, either for speaking or facial expressions. It’s fantastic to see a patient who’s had their smile restored come into the office and just light up the room—there’s usually a huge difference in how people feel and express themselves. That’s what fuels my passion for what I do. I see myself as more than a tooth mechanic.

I’m a lifestyle enhancer and confidence builder. Now that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning!

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are implants an appropriate alternative to dentures or bridges?

One of the orthodontic options you offer is the Invisalign system, which straightens teeth without the look of traditional braces.

How does this work, and what are the pros and cons of this system?

Invisalign is fantastic. I went through this treatment myself, to straighten teeth that had gotten out of alignment from my not wearing my retainers as a child.

It was very easy, fast and comfortable— and the best part was no one knew I had braces on. I’ve done a lot of cases, so I’ve learned which cases work best in my hands and which are more complicated situations that require traditional braces. (I offer a free consultation to discuss the system and determine if someone is a good candidate for Invisalign.) The cost for Invisalign is the same as traditional braces, by the way.

Here are the pros to Invisalign: The treatment is fast and comfortable, it’s invisible to most people, and it makes it easy to clean your teeth. You can also remove it for special occasions. The cons? Not everyone is a candidate, and you have to be responsible and committed to wearing the clear trays 22 hours a day. My favorite thing about Invisalign is that some people are embarrassed about their crooked teeth, and sometimes it takes less than six months to straighten the front teeth and give them the confidence they deserve.

You also offer dental implants, which permanently replace missing teeth. When 22

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The best thing about dental implants is that they give patients more options to replace missing teeth or to help anchor dentures or partials where they are missing teeth. I love implants because they are well tolerated biologically, can never get cavities, and are easier to clean than some of the other options used to replace teeth. They also are one of the longest-lasting restorations we do.

I love to do all types of implants, but my favorite scenario is taking someone who has no teeth and a denture that doesn’t fit and giving them something that snaps into place so they can eat with confidence, throw away the denture glue, and never be worried about their teeth flying out if they sneeze, cough, laugh, or anything else.

Again, this type of dentistry changes people’s lives. It lets them feel the confidence and youth that sometimes get taken away after they lose their teeth.

The best candidate for a dental implant is someone who is healthy, doesn’t smoke, and is not diabetic. If these criteria are met, the person can usually benefit from a dental implant. You can still do implants on smokers and diabetics, but there’s a greater risk of failure.

One of the services your practice provides is “cosmetic reconstruction.”

That sounds pretty drastic!

What’s involved?

As you can see, it just depends on the path you choose: Do you want to lose your teeth, or do you want to keep them—and make them beautiful in the process?

Is it advisable, or even possible, to replace old-fashioned silver fillings with the more naturallooking composite ones?

It is definitely possible, and we do it all the time. These days there are many alternatives to the metal fillings; I’ve never placed a metal filling in my office, and I have fixed thousands of teeth, so I know there are viable alternatives that work great, look fantastic and last a long time.

It seems like more and more people are developing specific sensitivities and allergies, including sensitivities to certain dental materials. How do you handle that problem?

When a patient is concerned about what type of material we should use, we ask them to have blood drawn so we can have it tested against about 10,000 common materials used in dentistry. We get a detailed report back letting us know which materials are the most suitable ones to use for that individual. This gives the patient and me the confidence to feel we are placing the materials that will be best for them.

Robert Gallien, DDS, is owner of It might sound drastic, but we only Smiles of Chattanooga, located at 4620 do it when necessary. Some people Hwy. 58. For more information about any are very rough on their teeth, and of the treatments or procedures he offers, if it weren’t for the ability to reconvisit his website, SmileChattanooga.com, struct, they wouldn’t have functional or call 423-208-9785. See ad page 11. teeth their whole life. I think the photos at right will help me describe someone who has severely damaged their teeth to the point where there are not many other choices other than Extreme Wear to just wait and Extreme Wear lose them, or live BEFORE AFTER with what they have.

Chakras: Colors and Crystals

By Mary Morales

H

Seventh chakra—located at the

ello again my friends and Reiki lovers. As I promised last month, today we will talk about the chakras, their correspondent colors and some of the stones that can be used to help them align and heal. We will cover just the main seven chakras, although there are many more.

First chakra—located at the base

Fourth chakra—located at the heart

of the spine. It's function is grounding. The colors used are red, black or brown. Stones that can be used in this chakra are black tourmaline, tiger’s eye, and smoky quartz.

area. The function is love and emotional well-being. The colors used are green and pink. Stones used on this chakra are malachite, aventurine, pink calcite, and rose quartz.

Second chakra—located at the geni- Fifth chakra—located at the throat tal area. It's function: sexuality. The colors used are orange and red. Stones used are carnelian, red garnet, red jasper, and ruby.

area. The primary function is communication. The color used is blue. Stones associated with the fifth chakra are angelite, aquamarine, and blue topaz.

Third chakra—located at the abdominal area. The main function is personal power. The color used is yellow. Stones used are citrine, golden calcite, and aragonite.

Sixth chakra—located at the brow, covering the inner wisdom. Its main color is purple, also dark blue. Stones associated with this chakra are amethyst, lapis, sodalite and sugilite.

crown of the head. Main function: Oneness, connection to the Divine.

Color is white or clear. The stones normally used for this chakra are clear quartz, clear calcite, danburite, and if you so wish, you can use a herkimer.

These are the seven main chakras or wheels of light.

Mary Morales is a Universal and Karuna Reiki Master with an energy healing practice based in Decatur. You can contact her at 256-5803108 or email at KungaLhadon@aol.com for more information. See ad on page 35.

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greenliving

HOBBY FARMING

Growing a Good Life from America’s Roots

by John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist

Small-scale farming—whether it’s called hobby farming, market gardening, part-time truck farming or homesteading —satisfies many Americans’ yearning to work the land for pleasure, as well as profit. These days, you’re just as likely to find a hobby farm in the city or suburbs as on a country lane.

A

nyone serious about growing a large percentage of their own food, raising animals, tending colonies of bees, nurturing an orchard, generating their own renewable energy onsite or managing a timber stand or pond might be considered a hobby farmer. It’s about living close to the land, caring for it and letting it inspire daily life.

It also can contribute to the family’s livelihood through sales of products such as honey, fresh produce, eggs or surplus energy.

“Living on our farm allows us to

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engage with the natural world with its seasonal patterns, provides many of our family’s needs in a sustainable way and offers a marvelous foundation for our homeschooling adventures,” enthuses Heidi Hankley, who lives with her husband and two kids in a strawclay insulated home with a woodfired masonry heater. Her husband commutes to his environmental

engineering job in Madison, Wisconsin, and helps out after hours.

Their seven-acre farm includes a small flock of hens for eggs, three beehives, an organic garden that sends Hankley to the farmers’ market once a week in season, and three acres of tall-grass prairie. “We knew we wouldn’t need to cultivate all of our open land to meet our needs, so instead of leasing it out for more cropping and haying, we decided to restore it to prairie,” she explains. Their set-aside lands earn a per-acre payment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program.

“When the farm is a lifestyle, not a way to earn a living, that’s hobby farming,” write Michael and Audrey Levatino in The Joy of Hobby Farming. They operate the 25-acre Ted’s Last Stand Farm and Gardens, outside Gordonsville, Virginia. “It doesn’t mean one isn’t serious about farming,” says Michael.

“We have a thriving, diverse farm business ourselves, but we pay most of our personal expenses via outside employment.”

On a residential lot in Santa Monica, California, Lewis Perkins nurtures an abundant orchard of avocados, oranges, guavas and pomegranates as a member of the Home Growers Circle for Forage restaurant, in Los Angeles. Each year, he sells more than 600 pounds of fresh citrus and herbs to Forage.

He also harvests his own ginger, pecans, macadamia nuts and bay leaves.

When not in the orchard, he works as a certified financial planner.

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“A farm has its own spirituality that gives immense meaning and pleasure. It can’t be measured in acres or the quantity of animals and crops. A farm is a spiritual thing that feeds your soul, as its spirituality pours out of every building and bale of hay.” ~ Thomas Moore

“My garden is so satisfying,” says Perkins, who raises more than 30 fruits on his urban farm. “Sometimes I’ll spend an entire day working in my field, which comprises a 50-by-150-foot city lot.”

With enough pasture, livestock can be raised on small land holdings. Backyards work well for hens, while larger lots or a few acres may support goats, sheep, llamas, horses or a cow, depending on local ordinances.

“You can raise goats on a very small acreage, but then need to supplement the pasture with hay and grain,” says Diana Kalscheur Murphy, owner of Dreamfarm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) enterprise in Cross Plains,

Wisconsin. “We have 24 milking goats grazing on about three acres of pasture.”

She moves the goats to different pastures in alternating years.

Murphy’s goat’s milk cheeses have earned awards, paid the bills and led to making many new friends.

Hobby farming, despite its name, demands hard work and often a commitment to re-skilling oneself. It may be necessary to learn the finer points of growing vegetables, pruning an orchard, canning pickles and birthing livestock.

“To avoid trouble with the IRS, the most important thing is to show that you are working towards making a profit over several years,” advises Michael Levatino.

Besides registering their business

The popularity of hobby farming is growing as more people reclaim control over the quality of their food and rediscover the joys of living close to the land.

For hobby farmers, especially those with animals, there is no time off. In cold climates, winter is a time of processing, planning next year’s gardens or making repairs, while a farm in warmer regions can produce crops or other products year-round.

“If everyone’s a part-time farmer, we can collectively go a long way toward living in a more healthy, just and sustainable world,” Levatino observes. “Many people primarily go into hobby farming so that they can make the jump from being a responsible consumer to a responsible producer.”

John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist, co-authors of Rural Renaissance, ECOpreneuring and Farmstead Chef, operate the award-winning Inn Serendipity farmstay B&B with their son in Browntown, WI. Connect at InnSerendipity.com.

Helpful Resources Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, dsireusa.org Lifestyle Block, LifestyleBlock.co.nz National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, attra.ncat.org Renewing the Countryside, RenewingTheCountryside.org

with state and federal agencies, hobby farmers must pay applicable sales taxes, keep a separate business bank account, and maintain records of business expenses and revenues.

Rural Renaissance Network, RuralRenaissance.org

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 26

Tennessee Valley

Huntsville, Alabama

Who doesn’t savor the flavor of fresh, seasonal and local cuisine? Have fun with these recipes from the new Farmstead Chef cookbook for a delicious summertime supper.

Tip: Prepare the dressings at least a few hours before serving to let the flavors marinate. Shake well before using and store in the refrigerator. The fresh flavor and absence of preservatives make it best to whip up only the amount that’s needed.

Warm Zucchini Dip Appetizer

Maple Syrup-Marinated Wild Salmon

A FARMSTEAD SUMMER SUPPER

Zucchini is the ultimate mystery ingredient; different people claim to taste different flavors—from noodles to soy sauce—but it’s really the zucchini.

Yields 8 appetizer servings 2 cups fresh zucchini, shredded (or any summer squash) 1 tsp salt ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup plain yogurt ¼ cup hard granular cheese, grated (Parmesan) ¼ cup bell peppers, finely chopped 4 green onions, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp canola oil Pita chips for dipping In a bowl, toss the zucchini and salt. Let stand 1 hour. Drain and press out excess liquid. Mix in mayonnaise, yogurt, cheese, peppers, green onions, garlic and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until combined. Pour mixture into a lightly oiled 8-inch baking pan and bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve hot with chips for dipping.

Garden Fresh Salad With a little balsamic honey dressing, this salad is like eating sunshine. Enjoy the fruits of the land.

Yields 4 servings ½ cup sweet pea tendrils (young,

green tops of sugar snap sweet peas) ½ cup sugar snap sweet peas, strings removed 1 cup tender mesclun salad mix (comprising small, young leafy lettuces, chervil, arugula or endive) ¼ cup young Swiss chard leaves ¼ cup young dandelion greens ¼ cup nasturtium flowers (edible) ¼ cup bee balm flowers (edible) ¼ cup croutons Wash the delicate salad greens and give the edible flowers a quick shake, checking for insects.

Pat dry the mesclun greens.

Arrange the delightful colors and textures on the plate, topping with a few croutons and a drizzle of salad dressing.

Balsamic Honey Dressing With just the right amount of kick, this dressing can be stored in a canning jar in the refrigerator for a week or so. Give the jar a shake before serving.

Yields 1 cup ½ cup balsamic vinegar ¼ cup onion, chopped (1 small onion) 1 Tbsp soy sauce 3 Tbsp honey 1 Tbsp sugar 2 cloves garlic, minced ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil Purée the vinegar, onion, soy sauce, honey, sugar, garlic and red pepper flakes in a blender on high. Gradually add the olive oil. Continue puréeing until thick, about 2 minutes.

Preparing fish is often as much about the marinade as the quality of the catch. Look for certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (msc.org) and use the regional sustainable seafood pocket guides from the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MontereyBayAquarium.org; search Seafood Watch) and Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org/seafood).

Yields 4 servings 2 lbs boneless wild Alaskan salmon fillet 2 Tbsp maple syrup ½ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice ½ cup bourbon ½ cup soy sauce 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated 1 Tbsp brown sugar 3 Tbsp canola oil 3 Tbsp green onions, finely chopped ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper ½ fresh lemon, thinly sliced (optional) ½ medium yellow onion, ¼-inch sliced (optional) Combine maple syrup, orange juice, bourbon, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger root, brown sugar and oil in a bowl. Sprinkle salt and mash and blend the mixture with a fork to release flavors.

Place salmon fillets skin-side up in a glass cake pan. Pour marinade mixture over salmon fillets and let sit covered in the refrigerator for 8 hours. To broil in the oven, pour ½ cup marinade on a foillined jellyroll pan. Place the fish skin-side down on the foil and pour about 1 cup marinade over it. Add sliced lemon and onions on top. Broil fish at medium heat

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

256-751-0987 www.RaisedOnPasture.com

Sold fresh at our family farm.

Reservations required.

Located off I-65 outside Hartselle in North Alabama

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(450 degrees) for about 15 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overcooking. Baste occasionally with remaining marinade.

For outdoor grilling, heat the grill to medium before grilling individual salmon fillets, skin-side down. Depending on their thickness, cook the fillets 15 to 20 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking. When the bottom sides are done, turn fillets over and grill the topsides for five additional minutes.

Oven-Roasted Potatoes This healthier alternative to hash browns, made with olive oil, makes a nice side for breakfast or a comfort starch for dinner (just not on the same day).

Yields 8 servings ½ cup olive oil Ÿ cup butter (½ stick), melted 2 tsp beef bouillon paste (not stock) 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp marjoram 3 Tbsp dried onion flakes Ÿ tsp celery seed 1 /8 tsp celery salt 2 lbs potatoes, peeled & quartered (about 8 cups)

In a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, mix oil, melted butter, bouillon and herbs. Add potatoes and coat with mixture. Bake for about 30 minutes at 450 degrees, until tender and golden brown. Turn potatoes occasionally while baking.

Cheese Roasted Asparagus Eat all the asparagus you can this summer, and hope there’s some left to save and freeze for continued mealtime oomph during the winter months.

Yields 4 servings 1 tsp canola oil 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed 2 Tbsp green onion, chopped 2 Tbsp celery, chopped 2 Tbsp hard granular cheese, grated (Parmesan) Ÿ cup breadcrumbs Ÿ cup butter (½ stick), melted Ÿ tsp salt Place asparagus in a lightly oiled, 9-by-13-inch pan, in one heavy layer. Mix remaining ingredients and spoon over asparagus. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until tender. Serve on a white platter to bring out its vibrant green color.

Source: Farmstead Chef cookbook, co-authored by Lisa Kivirist and John D. Ivanko (FarmsteadChef.com).

DRUG-FREE

KIDS Natural Alternatives to Common Medications

by Lisa Marshall

W

ant to keep your kids off drugs? The place to start is with your own medicine cabinet. So say a growing number of health practitioners that are viewing the recent proliferation of medications being targeted at kids with alarm and urging parents to turn first to common-sense home remedies or natural alternatives when possible.

“We tend to be a nation of pill-takers, who turn to medication whenever we need relief for anything,” says Dana Point, California, pediatrician Robert Sears, co-author of the new book, The Portable Pediatrician. “If we can increase the use of our skills as parents in using time-tested home remedies to help our kids feel better, we can rely less on pills.”

Because children metabolize drugs differently than adults do, cases of lingering side effects, like grogginess or hyperactivity, and accidental overdoses are widespread.

Poison control facilities nationwide received 30,000 calls regarding pediatric acetaminophen alone in 2009, and roughly 7,000 kids end up in emergency rooms each year due to cough and cold medicine overdoses. Between 2000 and 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of 14 deaths and 74 non-fatal adverse events due to acetaminophen-dosing errors.

According to a 2010 report by Orlando, Florida-based Medco Health Solutions Inc., children’s drugs now constitute the fastest growing segment of the pharmaceutical industry, with sales increasing by 10.8 percent in 2009 over 2008, and usage by children rising four times faster than for the general population during the same period.

One in four children under 10 and one-third of adolescents ages 10 to 19 take at least one prescription medication on an ongoing basis, according to the report. The number of minors taking drugs for respiratory problems is up 42 percent since 2001 and those medicated for the chronic heartburn of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is up 147 percent.

Market research firm IMS Health reports that spending on non-prescription pain medication for children spiked from $191 million in 2005 to $250 million in 2010. Despite three years of government warnings about potential dangers, including seizures and death, of giving over-the-counter cold and flu medications to children under age 2, 61 percent of parents do it anyway, according to a recent national poll by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Meanwhile, new ad campaigns marketing drugs for kids continue to proliferate. Publisher Scholastic, Inc. was criticized recently for distributing coupons for the allergy medicine Children’s Claritin in its elementary school newsletter distributed to kids.

“I find it very concerning,” says pediatrician Hilary McClafferty, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. “Some drug companies are exploiting parents at a vulnerable time, preying upon their feeling that they need to do something to make their child feel better immediately.”

Why shouldn’t a worried, sleep-deprived mom or dad reach for a quick fix to placate a miserable little one in the natural awakenings

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middle of the night? At times, medications are warranted, says McClafferty, particularly in the case of strep throat, which can lead to serious health problems when left unchecked.

But routinely medicating away symptoms can interfere with the body’s natural protective mechanisms, McClafferty says. For instance, cough medicine can inhibit the body’s natural effort to clear mucous from the lungs, prolonging congestion; also, suppressing mild fevers with drugs can sabotage the body’s own defense against infection.

“Even the conventional medical world has begun to focus on this. They are realizing many of these drugs are not very effective and they can cause toxicity in young patients,” says Matthew Baral, a doctor of naturopathy and president of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

For example, according to a 2011 review in the online journal of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, antihistamines can lead to sedation, constipation, drying of the mucous membranes and at higher doses, hallucinations in kids. Decongestants can increase heart rate and lead to “rebound congestion,” or a worsening of symptoms after a child stops taking the drugs. Proton-pump inhibitors, approved in 2008 for GERD in babies as young as 12 months, have been shown to boost levels of harmful intestinal bacteria and may increase fracture risk later in life, according to a study recently published in Annals of Family Medicine.

In 2008, the FDA advised that cough and cold medicine should not be used for children under 2, and called on companies to revise their dosage instructions to indicate this more clearly. In March, 2011, it went so far as to pull hundreds of prescription cold medications off the market, with FDA spokesperson Deborah M. Autor telling The New York Times that, “We don’t know what’s in them, whether they work properly or how they are made.”

While McClafferty is pleased with the FDA’s recent actions, she remains leery, saying, “I approach all over-the-counter medications for children with great caution and rarely recommend their use.”

Here are some alternatives to try.

Remember that many herbs have not been tested for safety specifically for children, so check with a health practitioner first.

Bug Bites For quick relief, grate a potato or some leaves of plantain to create a poultice and place it on the spot of the bite. “It will draw off some of the itching and swelling,” says Baral. Don’t forget two of the lowest-tech and natural remedies, mud and ice.

Fever “It’s important to know that most fevers don’t need to be treated unless 30

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they are really bothering the child,” advises Sears. “Fever helps the body to fight off infection and may keep the child subdued so she can rest and recover.” He recommends tepid baths, cold cloths on the forehead, and calling the doctor if a fever persists for three days or if it rises above 103 degrees.

Herbalist Brigitte Mars, author of The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, suggests diaphoretic herbs like peppermint, ginger and elderflower, in teas, which prompt perspiration and enable the body to cool down naturally.

Cough and Congestion Apply an herbal vapor rub of menthol and tea tree oil to the bottom of the child’s feet and put their socks back on.

The decongesting menthol vapor will help them to breathe and the antimicrobial properties of the tea tree oil will be absorbed through their skin, says Mars. For nasal decongestion, try irrigating the child’s nose with a cleansing neti pot.

Sears recommends kid versions of herbal remedies Sinupret and Bronchipret

Diarrhea and Constipation “Probiotics are the most extensively researched remedy we have out there for diarrhea,” says Baral. Studies in the journal Pediatrics have shown probiotics to shorten bouts of diarrhea in infants and school-age children, and prevent the onset of antibiotic-induced diarrhea in kids. Look for yogurt, powder or capsules containing 10 billion colonyforming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus GG. Sears suggests the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) to quell diarrhea. For constipation, reach for apricots, peaches, pears, plums and vitamin C.

Earache Drop four drops of warm mullein garlic oil into the ear.

Sears says the warm oil will calm the inflamed eardrum and the antibiotic in the garlic will get to work on the infection. Olive oil will work in a pinch.

Growing Pains While it’s common for kids between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12 to complain of dull aches deep in their legs, there is little consensus about what causes them. Mars has found that it helps to supplement their diet with calcium and magnesium supplements in kid-friendly powdered form, or foods that contain these nutrients.

Heartburn Deglycerrhizinated licorice (DGL), slippery elm and aloe all may be able to help soothe inflamed esophageal tissue, says Baral, “But they need to be given under a doctor’s supervision.” Also take a hard look at dietary triggers: Common culprits include dairy, chocolate, tomatoes and mint.

Seasonal Allergies One of the most commonly recommended natural treatments for addressing seasonal allergy symptoms is stinging nettle, believed to modulate the production of the histamine that prompts noses to run and eyes to water and has been shown to be safe in adults. It comes in tincture, tea and capsule form. Mars also likes Allergena region-specific homeopathic allergy medicines, which deliver traces of local pollen to help the body develop immunity to them. Alternately, substitute citrus juices for milk during allergy season. Vitamin C has been shown to normalize histamine levels, while dairy products can boost mucous production.

Sore Throat Stir one teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of water and gargle. “It is antiseptic and will make the pain go away,” counsels Mars. She also recommends using the infection-fighting herb Isatis root, in tincture or capsule form.

McClafferty says to try a spoonful of honey; it has antimicrobial properties and may act as a cough suppressant.

Teething Pain Oil of clove contains a compound called eugenol that serves as a natural pain killer and antibacterial agent.

Baral recommends mixing no more than one drop of clove oil with honey and rubbing it on the gums (not recommended for children under 12 months).

Or, saturate a clean cloth with calming chamomile tea or wintergreen tea, a natural analgesic, and let the baby chew on it.

When children suffer from common ailments, it is natural for parents to wish to soothe their suffering as quickly as possible. Just be aware that, along with the physician and the pharmacist, there is still an important role to play for “Doctor Mom.” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer and mother of four who lives near Boulder, CO. Connect at Lisa@LisaAnnMarshall.com.

NATURAL APPROACHES TO ADHD

by Lisa Marshall

D

rugs for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are among the hottest-selling medications today, garnering 13 percent of children’s prescription dollars, with sales soaring so quickly that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently had to declare a national shortage.

That worries naturopathic doctors Matthew Baral and David Deichert.

“People have gotten in the bad habit of going to medication first, without trying natural therapies,” states Baral, a pediatrics professor at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Tempe, Arizona.

In some cases, prescription medication is warranted, says Deichert, an ADHD specialist with Bastyr University, in Kenmore, Washington. But in most cases, he sees it as a stopgap measure as the longer-term benefits of diet and lifestyle changes slowly kick in.

The two naturopaths offer these natural wellness approaches.

Minimize Food Additives After decades of parents’ suspicions that additives like food coloring and artificial flavors may fuel behavioral changes in kids, several recent studies have bolstered such claims. A 2007 study of nearly 300 kids ages 3 to 8, published in The Lancet, found that those given drinks containing artificial dye showed significantly higher hyperactivity within a few hours. The British government now requires labels warning that children’s products containing dye may impair attention.

Consider an Elimination Diet A first-of-its-kind 2011 study, also in The Lancet, showed that when 50 kids with ADHD were put on restrictive hypoallergenic diets free of allergens like gluten and dairy for five weeks, their symptoms improved far more than those in the control group. When the eliminated foods were reintroduced, symptoms returned in 63 percent of the children. Deichert says that ADHD pa-

tients with digestive problems, recurring ear infections or skin problems—all symptoms of possible food sensitivities—are particularly good candidates for elimination diets.

Curb Screen Time and Get Moving “Very large studies have associated TV and video game use with a worsening of ADHD symptoms,” notes Deichert. He recommends that for each half-hour of screen time a child gets outside of schoolwork, they get a halfhour of exercise.

Buy Organic A 2010 study of 1,100 children, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that the more pesticide residue children had in their urine, the more likely they were to be diagnosed with ADHD.

Check the Iron Studies in the Archive of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine and elsewhere have shown that children diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to have lower iron levels, and when those that are deficient take iron supplements, their symptoms either subside without medication or they react better to lower doses of medications. As a precautionary measure, Deichert suggests that kids be checked for their ferritin levels before beginning iron supplementation.

Consider Safer Supplements Clinical research is still inconclusive, but in their practices, Deichert and Baral have both seen ADHD patients benefit from zinc, ginkgo biloba, acetyl-carnitine and omega-3 supplements.

A final note: While it helps that research has been stepped up to address the epidemic of attention-related disorders, that doesn’t mean that all valid solutions need to carry a company trademark.

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By Gatlianne

Release to Get Relief: Pigeon Pose

I

once taught yoga to a sweet, rambunctious five-year-old little boy, and it was one of the most brilliant experiences of my life. Not only was he more than willing to try yoga, but he was genuinely excited by the thought and by each new pose. He would repeat the pose names with such zest that I couldn’t help but smile. With each move came an exuberant cry of joy…

“Downward Dog!” “Upward Dog!” “Ragdoll!!”

“DEAD BUG!!!”

Yoga wasn’t a chore to him. It was a new experience that he embraced with wide open arms, heart and mind. He opened himself to the poses and found joy in the movements.

Put some movement in your life. Forget all the stress, all the self-inflicted sorrow and misery.

One pose that can help is Pigeon Pose. Stress is often housed in the hips, especially in women. Pigeon Pose is another hip opener that helps us let go of the tension and tightness that has built up in our hips and sacral

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area. This tension and tightness is not due to tight musculature only but is also due to tense and tight sacral energy. While in Pigeon many feel a wave of emotional release, as well as the physical.

To enter Pigeon Pose begin on all fours and slide the right knee forward toward your right hand. Angle your right knee at two o’clock. Slide your left leg back as far as your hips will allow being conscious to keep the left leg within the plane of the body.

Keep your hips square to the floor. If you do not feel a deep stretch in the right glute, slide the right foot forward slowly toward your left hand until you feel the stretch deepen. You may stay upright on the hands with chest lifted or may bend forward at the hip to rest on forearms. As your hips release and flexibility increases, you may be able to rest on your chest with arms extended in front. Hold

pose for 10 breaths to 5 minutes. Repeat with left leg.

Pigeon Pose can be an intimidating pose for someone who isn’t used to its depth, so ease into the pose toward the end of your yoga session.

Pigeon is a more advanced pose and should not be done by anyone with a sacroiliac, ankle, knee or back injury. If you are prone to hip injuries or have had hip replacement surgery please discuss this pose with your physician before proceeding.

In this hectic society so much emphasis is placed upon stress relief that people have forgotten that in order to get to relief we must actually release and let go of the stress we hold to so tightly.

Pigeon Pose will allow you to release in order to get to relief. Utilize this pose often in your practice and you will see that the new movement in your hips has put new movement in your life.

—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.

calendarofevents TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 Living Art Bonsai Society Meeting – 7-9pm.

Boeing Education Classroom. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville. 256830-4447.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 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.

Walter Parks Solo Concert – 8pm. Walter Parks has toured the globe as the lead guitarist for Woodstock legend Richie Havens, founded the New York City-based folk-duo, The Nudes, and is the band leader of the swamp blues outfit Swamp Cabbage.

Parks’ original music is inspired by the swampy gospel blues that wails from the storefront churches and roadhouses in and around the southeast Georgia low country. Flying Monkey Arts Center, Lowe Mill, 2nd Floor Theatre, 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville.

Admission $10. WalterParks.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 Huntsville’s Own: Past, Present and Beyond August 7-31. This exhibition will trace the development of art in Huntsville from its itinerant beginnings in the 19th century, to its professional development in the 20th century, through its expansion and redefinition in the present day. Historical art from local and Museum collections will be featured, as well as contemporary works from established and emerging voices. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street South Huntsville. 256-535-4350.

Admission charged.

MONDAY, AUGUST 8 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.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 Huntsville Fern Society Meeting – 7-9pm. Boeing Education Classroom. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville. 256-830-4447.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 Master Gardeners of North Alabama Meeting 6-8:30pm. Murray Hall. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville. 256830-4447.

Madison Gazebo Concerts in the Park – 6:30pm8pm. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music of Jeffrey Scott Stewart & “Slip Jig.” Village Green Gazebo, Madison. Village Green Gazebo Madison.

256-527-7802. No admission charged.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 The Law of Returns: In the Arms of Love – 7:30-8pm. Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on ECKANKAR Learn how to enjoy a more direct route to the spiritual life.

FREE. Comcast Cable Channel 3. 256-534-1751; Eck-Alabama.org.

City Lights Concert Series #6 – 7:30pm. Featuring “Watters Felt Project.” Audiences are encouraged to dress casually, bring a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic supper and enjoy the spectacular night-time view of the city. Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Drive Huntsville. 256-536-2882. Admission charged.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 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. 1282 Hughes Road, beside Discovery Middle School, Madison. 256-656-7841.

No admission charged.

Twickenham Doll Club Charity Doll Show and Sale – 10am-4pm. Both antique and modern dolls will be on display & for sale. Jaycee Community Building, 2180 Airport Rd Huntsville.

256-881-4809.

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 and many more. Starts at Harrison Brothers Hardware, 124 South Side Square, Downtown Huntsville. 256-509-3940. Admission charged.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 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 Gazebo Concerts in the Park – 6:30pm8pm. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the Bob Jones High School Drumline & Choir. No admission charged. Village Green Gazebo, Madison. Village Green Gazebo Madison. 256-527-7802.

Sidewalk Summer Arts Stroll – 4:30-8:30pm.

Artists will set up tables to present their artwork and performing groups will be located along the way to provide entertainment. Around the Courthouse Square Huntsville. 256-534-8376. No admission charged.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 Blues, Brew & BBQ Festival – 3pm. Featuring Leela James, “Delta Guitar Slingers,” “Rick Ward & Company,” and Tinsley Ellis. Enjoy a variety of craft beers, barbecue and misting tents. Redstone Arsenal Activity Field, Redstone Arsenal. 256-3135224. Admission charged.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 Kitchens for CASA – 1-5pm. Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound of Madison County will host this annual event. Visitors will have an opportunity to view kitchens in various homes in Huntsville and Madison County. 256-533-7775.

Admission charged.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25 Madison Gazebo Concerts in the Park – 6:30pm8pm. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music of the Madison Community Band Star Fangled Finale. Village Green Gazebo, Madison. Village Green Gazebo Madison. 256-527-7802. No admission charged.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 Agape Baby & Family Fair – 10am-3pm. This community wide event is for families of children ages 0-5 with exhibitors from maternity centers and children’s clothing vendors to local financial institutions, special events such as the “Baby Olympics” and the “Faces of the Fair” contest. With fun activities for the whole family from the Moon Bounce to Character Meet-n-Greets. Von Braun Center, East & West Halls, 700 Monroe Street Huntsville. 256533-1953. No admission charged.

Indian Pow Wow – Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 12-5pm.

Celebrate the culture of Native Americans from across the Southeast to promote unity and to share their heritage. Vendors will be selling authentic American Indian artifacts and accessories. The grand entry of dancers honoring warriors, veterans and traditions, of both Indian and non-Indian, will be at 11am each day. Dancing and demonstrations will continue all day long. Ditto Landing, Hobbs Island Road Huntsville. 256-337-7358. No admission charged.

Parrots of the Caribbean Street Festival – 6-11pm. Parrotheads and music lovers everywhere are invited to don their grass skirts, Hawaiian shirts and island wear to enjoy dancing, door prizes, raffle baskets, a limbo contest and a fabulous island theme.

58 Martin Street Madison. 256-724-0632. Admission charged.

Madison Ballroom Dance Studio Show – 7-10pm.

An evening of social dancing highlighted with Special Performances by Students and Instructors. $15/ person. Contact Traci for tickets at 256-461-1900 or Dance@MadisonBallroom.com. Madison Ballroom Dance Studio, 9076 Madison Blvd, Suites C/D, Madison. MadisonBallroom.com.

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ongoingevents sunday Womens Outdoor Network – Have fun and stay fit!

Join other women in outdoor events for all interests and levels. WomensOutdoorNetwork.org.

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

Children need models rather than critics. ~Joseph Joubert

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34

Tennessee Valley

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.

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

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.

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.

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

256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com.

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 mid-October, 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.

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.

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

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

Weekly forum with Wanda Gail Campbell, Peace Minister with The Beloved CommUNITY. In each 1.5-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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

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.

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

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

New Thought Classes – 10am-12pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville.

256-883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

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

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. CSL-Huntsville.org.

Searching? – The Red Mountain Study Group of Huntsville invites inquiries from men and women, no matter what their beliefs, who are still searching for the meaning of their lives now and here. Our work includes meditation, practice and study based on the teaching of G. I. Gurdjieff. We are affiliated with the Gurdjieff Foundation of New York. 256361-9575. Email: rmsg@att.net.

thursday 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.

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.

256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

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.

Level I Yoga – 10:15-11:30am. Tatum Crigger. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.

friday

BellyKids – 4-5pm. Shahala Liz. Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville.

NomadicTapestry.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.

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 Womens Outdoor Network – Have fun and stay fit! Join other women in outdoor events for all interests and levels. WomensOutdoorNetwork.org.

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.

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

August 2011

35

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

COLON HYDROTHERAPY CENTER FOR OPTIMAL WELL BEING 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.

ENERGETIC HEALING TECHNOLOGY BIOMAT SPECIALISTS Steve Krzyzewski 256-679-1997 Amanda Morris 256-426-1076 Gwen Westmeyer 256-828-9507 Susan Spalding 256-882-0360

Imagine being able to heal your body while relaxing in the soothing warmth of far infrared light, the uplifting effect of negative ions, and the transformative power of amethyst crystals. The Biomat, an FDA registered medical device for home or professional use, has been clinically proven to address a wide range of health issues, including: stress and fatigue, pain, tissue healing, inflammation, toxic build-up, immune system and circulatory issues. The Biomat provides a whole body tune-up and a gentle return to balance. For a trial session call one of the Biomat specialists above.

ENERGY HEALING CENTER FOR DIRECTIONAL HEALING

BIO-FEEDBACK TESTING HEALTHY CHOICES LLC Steve Krzyzewski 2225 Drake Avenue, Suite 18 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-679-1997 HealthyChoicesLLC@gmail.com

Steve Krzyzewski provides Advanced Bio-Feedback Testing, the Amethyst Bio-Mat Infrared Therapy, and the Ionic Footbath.

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

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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.

LIGHT TOUCH – ENERGY HEALING 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.

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FAMILY MEDICINE

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Chad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C 1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C, Madison, AL 256-722-0555 ProFamilyMed.com

Evening and Weekend Appointments 256-337-6989

Progressive Family Medicine provides medical care for patients of all ages and uniquely blends Natural and Prescription medicines together to help speed the patient’s recovery. Progressive Family Medicine is the patient’s clinic of choice when they would like to understand how natural medicines work along with prescription drugs.

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

An interior design philosophy that invites serenity and reduces stress. Feng Shui design concepts brings positive energy into your home and office to encourage Prosperity, Well Being, Harmony, and Balance.

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.

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.

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THE YURT GARDEN Lynn Leach 256-424-2221 YurtGarden.com

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.

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.

MASSAGE

MUSIC THERAPY

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

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.

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 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

Every book is a children’s book if the kid can read! ~Mitch Hedberg

38

MASSAGE / SPIRITUAL COACHING / RETREAT CENTER

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

Dr. Gilliam treats a variety of health problems with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, heart disease, hormone replacement and thyroid issues being at the forefront. Dr. Gilliam sees patients from around the world due to the reputation she has earned by treating hard to treat medical conditions. Dr. Gilliam works to find the cause of medical conditions and does not simply treat the patients’ symptoms.

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

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

SHAMAN HEALER KATY GLENN WILLIS

SUSAN K. JEFFREYS

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

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

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.

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.

REFLEXOLOGY

WELLNESS HOUSECALLS HOUSECALLS HHP

SMALL CHANGE COACH / NLP 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 non-lecture 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.

PILATES

“When the body gets working appropriately, then the force of gravity can flow through.

Then spontaneously, the body heals itself.”

Ida P. Rolf

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION JACI HOGUE 256-656-4108 jaci@alabamarolfmethod.com AlabamaRolfMethod.com

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

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!

Your children will see what you’re all about by what you live rather than what you say. ~Wayne Dyer

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

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