April 2014

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Green Living

Save Money and the Planet Backyard Wildlife Habitats Homemade Eco-Cleaners Escaping Electromagnetic Harm April 2014

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letterfrompublisher I carefully approached the tree, mentally reviewing the instructions. I sometimes struggle with visualizations, so when I run across a guided meditation that contains very concrete imagery that comes easily to my mind, I am often eager to try it.

This one involved the most energetically effective way to hug a tree. First, you have to select the right tree and ask for its permission to hug it.

“If you wish to work with a physical tree it is important to ask your soul and guides to lead you to the most appropriate tree.

Then consciously connect with the tree sending love from your heart and asking if the tree wishes to work with you. If you gain a positive answer then you can enter into the aura of the tree and place your hands upon its trunk.”

(Pretty much the same protocol for hugging humans, too!)

I already had my tree identified, a poplar in the furthest part of our back yard behind our shed. It was actually the only tree on my list because of its semiremote location, as I didn’t want anybody in the neighborhood to see me hugging a tree. Yet, I was supposed to ask the tree if it was the right one. I wasn’t sure at all about that part. I didn’t trust that I had enough psychic ability to receive a clear answer in response from the tree.

And yet, I tried it. I stopped a few feet away from the tree, and mentally asked if I could approach. What happened then surprised me. I felt a very tangible wave of uplifting, electric energy coursing over my whole body, causing my heart to swell full. I took that as a yes and stepped up to the tree. Next, the visualizations:

“Allow yourself to become aware of the spiraling light within the tree and send your love up through the center of the spiraling light. Imagine that your flow of love flows upwards through the spiral to connect with the Creator.”

I allowed this imagery to play across in my mind. It was all very clear, and came easily, both visually and emotionally. I meditated on these thoughts and feelings for several minutes. I felt a beautiful, upswelling flow. Then, the fireworks finale:

“Imagine the trees of the world all reaching their spiraling energy to connect with the Creator and then the light of the Creator showering down upon each tree, quickening the speed of the spiraling light and therefore enhancing the vibration of light that they hold.”

Wow! As I held that vision of the up-spiraling light meeting the downward shower of energy, my whole body convulsed as if electrified, and I had to hold on to the tree just to stay on my feet. This energetic avalanche went on for what seemed like minutes before I dropped my hands and stepped back, bedazzled.

My heart was soaring, my whole being uplifted. And there the tree stood, beaming back at me. Amazing.

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

© 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised.

We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

natural awakenings

April 2014

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contents 8 5 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs 14 healingways 16 greenliving

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18 fitbody

20 healthykids

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22 naturalpet

10 LIVE GREEN, SAVE BIG

Five Eco-Friendly Life Decisions that Can Actually Save Money

13 WHY DO I FEEL

SO AWFUL DURING ALLERGY SEASON?

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

14 GOOD RIDDANCE

25 inspiration

Escaping Electromagnetic Exposure

26 calendar 30 resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE Display Ads due by the 10th of the month prior to publication.

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 256-476-6537 or email Editor@Natvalley.com.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS* Newsbriefs due by the 10th of the month. Limit 50-250 words.

Content limited to special events and other announcements.

No advertorials, please.

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

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

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.

Facebook.com/natvalley Tennessee Valley, AL Facebook.com/natvalley

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by Crissy Trask

24 consciouseating

27 classifieds

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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.

TO BAD VIBES

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by Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

16 HOMEMADE

ECO-CLEANERS

DIY Recipes Keep Your Home Naturally Clean

by Lane Vail

18 QI WHIZ

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Qigong Steps Up Vitality and Serenity

by Meredith Montgomery

20 BACKYARD BIRDS

AND BUTTERFLIES

Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids

by Avery Mack

22 POOCH PROTOCOL Good Manners Make a Dog Welcome

by Sandra Murphy

24 CULINARY

MUSHROOM MAGIC Delicate Powerhouses of Nutrition and Medicine

by Case Adams

25 WILDERNESS IN

SIDEWALK CRACKS Small Nature Reaches Out to City Kids

by Greg Hanscom

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newsbriefs Urban Garden AL

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community group has started to connect local gardeners with each other. All those interested in learning to grow their own backyard gardens are invited to join the group. Urban Garden AL had their first meetup at the local Sandwich Farm restaurant in the downtown Huntsville area known for supporting local food.

The first meeting drew ten participants. Although strangers when first sitting down, the friendships quickly began as people were excited to discuss what they planned to garden and grow this year, along with current dilemmas they faced. Then phone and pictures began passing around and the new garden group started off without a pause in conversation.

Ashley Chapman, a new resident of the Tennessee Valley, created Urban Garden AL as a meetup group and website to help others connect with ag-related events in the area and social gatherings for gardeners.

Ashley stated, “I just wanted to find a connection with growing my own and knowing where my food came from for my children.” The locals in this group come from many experience levels such as mass production growers and certified landscapers to beginners starting a few plants in containers.

Upcoming gatherings include a vertical and container gardening class in Huntsville as well as a garden planting chat at the local Madison Books a Million. There is no cost to join and anyone who gardens or is interested is invited at any time.

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256-883-4127

The European Skin Care Clinic, Huntsville, AL Offers Expert Care for Your Complexion

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ust in time for spring comes the Spring Mini-Series at The European Skin Care Clinic.

For the past 21 years, the Clinic has provided outstanding All-Natural European Facial Treatments for North Alabama and Tennessee residents. We are trained in only the European methods and prescriptive treatment products for sensitive complexions. Our estheticians are New York trained and Alabama Board Certified as well as holding natural health certificates.

If your complexion is in need of deep cleaning, immediate renewal, remission of redness, or clogged pores then the beginning Intensive Facial Series may be for you. The Spring Mini-Series or the Intensive Facial Series will promise to: cleanse clogged pores, tighten dilated pores, eliminate rosacea (redness, capillary breakage), prevent wrinkles, lift and restore a glow to the skin.

It is to every woman’s benefit to clean out the pores, because they can cause rapid aging. Think about it, when pores are clogged, skin cannot breathe and metabolize toxins, nor can anti-aging products penetrate past a complexion filled with clogged debris. Peels alone are never the answer, because only the top of the blackhead is removed.

European facial treatments with a trained and licensed professional esthetician will dramatically improve your complexion, and you will soon receive compliments on a regular basis.

7540 South Memorial Parkway Rosie’s Shopping Center Huntsville, AL 9:30-5:30 M-F; 9:30-2:30 Sat.

RuthsNutrition.com

Correction In the March 2014 issue of Natural Awakenings, in the article titled “Mukti Returns to Huntsville,” Mukti’s name was misspelled in the headline of the article. Our editorial staff sincerely apologizes to Mukti and to the author of the article for this mistake.

We offer European Facial Treatments by appointment at 256- 529-5537. See ad, page 18. natural awakenings

April 2014

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newsbriefs North Alabama Cloth Diaper Bank Supports Families in Need

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orth Alabama Cloth Diaper Bank (NACDB) is a local sustainable cloth diaper bank created in January 2014. The mission of NACDB is to provide cloth diapering supplies to families in need and to provide education on the affordability, economic, health, and environmental benefits of cloth diapers to North Alabama families. This grassroots diaper bank is located in Huntsville, and serves the surrounding area.

NACDB’s Diaper Loaning Program issues a Cloth Diaper Kit containing twenty new or gently used cloth diapers to qualifying applicants. Families who currently receive WIC, Medicaid or Food Stamps are eligible for diaper loans.

Families suffering from natural disaster or financial hardship may also receive a diaper kit. All diapers are properly sanitized by SUDs Diaper Service prior to being loaned.

NACDB offers cloth diaper education classes, which provide information on types of cloth diapers and how to properly use and care for them. Benefits to the child, the family, and the planet are also explained.

Donations from the community are crucial to the success of NACDB. Cloth diapers, cloth diapering supplies, diaper repair supplies, and monetary donations are needed. NACDB is also seeking volunteers who sew to make cloth diaper inserts and diaper repairs.

North Alabama Cloth Diaper Bank is a project of The MOM Foundation, a non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

To apply for a diaper loan, donate to the cloth diaper bank, view the class schedule, or volunteer to sew, please visit Facebook.com/NorthAlabamaClothDiaperBank, email NorthAlabamaClothDiaperBank@gmail.com, or call 256-469-8316.

The Importance of Self Love

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ne of the hardest things we have to learn in this lifetime can be how to love ourselves unconditionally. With a culture that tells us it is selfish or narcissistic to put ourselves first, loving ourselves can be difficult.

But there is nothing more important. Because we are all One and part of an Infinite and Eternal Power for Good, we must Love ourselves as we would Love God, because we are not separate. In this class we will support one another in the work and play that it takes to love ourselves unconditionally.

Join Rev. Grace Gifford, an Independent New Thought Minister who has been studying and teaching Unity principles for over 20 years, for this powerful and transformational experience. The class book, The Art of Extreme Self-Love by Cheryl Richardson, is available online and at the Unity Bookstore.

Classes will be at Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. The class is on Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm through May 28. $10 suggested Love Offering per class. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org. See ad, page 9.

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Local Yoga Teacher Training Program Information

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n Saturday April 12 from 1-4pm, Suzanne Newton, director of the Yoga Dharma Intensive Studies Program, will give a free information session to those interested in deepening their commitment to Yoga and potentially becoming a certified Yoga Teacher.

The Yoga Dharma Program has been approved by Yoga Alliance since 2013 and is a Registered Yoga School at the 200 hours of training level.

The next training session runs from June to April 2015.

The requirements for registration with Yoga Alliance will be reviewed and discussed, as will the Yoga Dharma Certification Program, including the schedule and fees.

Recent graduates will be on hand to answer questions about their training. Potential participants must have had at least three years of current yoga training with a teacher from any tradition, be a mature practitioner who is open to learning and feedback, and have a personal home practice to qualify for participation.

Application forms will be available at the information session.

Suzanne was originally trained and certified as a teacher in the Iyengar Tradition and has, since 2005, broadened her approach to teacher training to include dedicated yoga students from all traditions. She has trained teachers in Rhode Island, North Carolina, and Alabama.

To learn more about Suzanne’s background and program, go to her website at YogaDharmaDowntown. com or her listing at YogaAlliance.org.

This Open House will take place in Suzanne’s studio in South Huntsville.

Space is limited to 20 participants.

Pre-registration by email is required

by April 11 to attend. Upon preregistration, Suzanne will provide her studio address. Suzanne.m.newton@ gmail.com. See listings, page 31.

Marsha Mathes Attends Pain Management with Hypnosis Workshop

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n March 2014, Marsha Mathes attended the Pain Management with Hypnosis Workshop in Clinton, TN created and taught by Capt. Ron Eslinger. He is an international instructor, a retired Navy Captain, a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), an Advance Practice Nurse and a certified Hypnotist.

Chronic pain is a widespread challenge, affecting as many as 50 million Americans, and lacks effective treatment options. The American College of Rheumatology defines chronic pain as pain occurring at least 4 days per week for at least 3 months. If there is pain at 11 or more of the 18 defined trigger points, the condition is defined Martha Mathes as fibromyalgia.

Since the condition is believed to have biological and psychological causes, new treatment options are focusing on treatment options that enhance mind-body awareness and control. A study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders in September 2008 reports positive effects of hypnosis for the treatment of chronic widespread pain.

Pain management can be achieved with the use of hypnosis either in conjunction with medication or as a stand-alone method to relieve chronic or short-term pain. Hypnosis can help manage any of the following: back pain, neck pain, cancer pain, PTSD, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, shingles, arthritis, and migraines.

Marsha Mathes is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist through the National Guild of Hypnotists (Ngh.net) and has been practicing hypnosis for 3+ years.

News to Share?

Do you have a special event in the community?

Are you opening a new office or moving?

Recently become certified in a new modality?

Let us know about it!

If you or someone you know experiences any of these conditions, please contact Marsha for an appointment today at 256-698-2151. See listing, page 30.

Jeff Kowalski of Minnesota to Speak at Health and Wellness Seminar

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eff Kowalski will be speaking at a Health and Wellness Seminar on Saturday, May 3, from 10-3pm at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 301 Boulevard South in Huntsville.

Jeff’s passion for health and wellness began over thirty years ago out of his own experiences with ill health at an early age. For the past 15 years, Jeff has traveled the U.S and Canada conducting workshops and trainings, showing people how to energize and change their lives for the better.

Jeff will speak on a total health management system that combines modern technology and Eastern healing theories. He will explain a multiple energy approach for daily health management that includes motion energy, thermal energy, electric energy, and nutritional energy.

Included in his presentation will be a demonstration of the use of ground-breaking energy medicine equipment that has proven to be helpful in balancing many health challenges, including but not limited to: low energy, back pain, allergies, headaches, depression, insomnia, arthritis, circulatory issues, and digestive issues.

The program is free to the public, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information, please contact Susan Spalding at the Center for Directional Healing, 256-882-0360 or at sspaldingdh@att.net. See listing, page 30.

News Briefs We welcome news items relevant to the subject matter of our magazine. We also welcome any suggestions you may have for a news item.

Call 256-340-1122 for additional information, or email Editor@Natvalley.com

natural awakenings

April 2014

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healthbriefs

Olive Leaf Outperforms Diabetes Drug

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live leaf may provide nature’s answer to diabetes treatment. A recent study from the University of Auckland, in New Zealand, suggests that olive leaf extract can help reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin production by beta cells in the pancreas.

The researchers tested 46 middle-aged, obese adults at risk for developing metabolic syndrome-related Type 2 diabetes. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, olive leaf extract outperformed the diabetes drug metformin and “significantly improved insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell secretory capacity,” according to the researchers. Insulin helps escort glucose into the body’s cells.

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April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

~William Shakespeare, Sonnet XCVIII

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256-337-1699

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Supplements Could Save $70 Billion in Medical Costs

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n a Frost & Sullivan study report authored by Christopher Shanahan and Robert de Lorimier, Ph.D., the use of dietary supplements, including B vitamins, phytosterols and dietary fiber, could reduce the cost of treating coronary artery disease in the U.S. by nearly $50 billion over the next seven years. In addition, healthcare costs related to diabetes, vision problems and osteoporosis could be reduced by nearly $20 billion collectively with the use of certain supplements.

The projections were based on cost-benefit analysis comparing a series of scenarios to assess the effect on overall disease management costs if an identified high-risk population were to avoid costly medical events by increasing their intake of dietary supplements purchased out-of-pocket versus no supplement usage.

“The healthcare system spends a tremendous amount of money treating chronic disease, but has failed to focus on ways to reduce those costs through prevention,” says Steve Mister, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 3 percent of U.S. healthcare costs are spent on the prevention of chronic diseases.

Air Conditioning Cleans Up Indoor Air

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ir conditioning does more than keep us cool. A study of 300 adults and homes concludes that central air conditioning removes significant levels of volatile organic compounds and pollution particulates from indoor air. The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, finds that using air conditioning with windows closed reduced indoor air pollution the most. One caveat, however, is that the research was conducted in Taipei, China—notable for its extreme outdoor pollution.

Another recent study published in Environmental Science confirms the general premise. A research team in Zhejiang, China, found that air conditioning reduced the presence of potent atmospheric pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAC) by 23 percent. PACs contain compounds that are carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic (damaging to fetuses).

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Tomatoes Prevent and Even Treat Liver Disease

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omatoes are widely known for their outstanding antioxidant content, anti-inflammatory and cancerfighting properties, plus benefits to heart health. Now, research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center, at Tufts University, in Boston, Massachusetts, has found that consuming tomatoes—particularly their lycopene content—can also help prevent and even treat both liver disease and cancer of the liver.

The researchers combed through 241 studies and scientific papers to connect the dots. They report that lycopene up regulates the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein, meaning it increases the number of receptors on cell surfaces, thereby increasing cellular response to it. SIRT1 activation is recognized to protect against obesity-induced inflammation and degeneration of the liver, explain the study’s authors. Lycopene was found to protect against fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis and the formation of cancer in the liver and lungs.

Multiple studies have shown cooked tomatoes and tomato sauce offer increased bioavailability of healthful lycopene.

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Unity Church on The Mountain Adult Discussion 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am Come home to... Balance Sunday, April 6 Reverend Kerry Jofrion, “The Power and Purpose of Labyrinth” Worship Service & picnic held at the Labyrinth, Mental Health Center Sunday, April 13 Brenda Kemp Sunday, April 20 EASTER SERVICE Reverend Carol Landry Sunday, April 27 Reverend Carol Landry Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”. ~Matthew 5:37

1328 Governors Drive SE • Huntsville • 256-536-2271 Prayer – Spiritual Counseling Weddings – Space Rental

UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org natural awakenings

April 2014

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routine. You grow a strong bond with your home.”

Securing a much smaller dwelling than what we originally had designs on can lead to a lifetime of savings.

With less space to furnish, heat, cool, light, clean and maintain, we can enjoy greater financial freedom, less stress and more time for fun.

2. Deciding Where to Live

LIVE GREEN,

SAVE BIG Five Eco-Friendly Life Decisions that Can Actually Save Us Money

by Crissy Trask

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very pivotal life decision, from choosing where we live to eating healthier, can support our best interests environmentally, as well. The good news is that it is possible to afford a sustainable way of life. Eco-friendly choices for housing, vehicles and food— generally perceived as expensive for the average individual or family—often are not only attainable when pursued in a thoughtful way, but can actually save us money compared to maintaining the status quo.

1. Buying a Home

When considering a move to a new place, we often find out how much house we can manage and then proceed to invest to the hilt. But if hitting our spending limit will leave a deficit in the amount of green and healthy home features and furnishings we can achieve, we could end up with a residence that makes neither financial nor 10

Tennessee Valley, AL

ecological sense, and isn’t good for our health. A solution is to scale back on costly square footage. Spending 25 to 40 percent less than we think we can on a smaller home provides more possibilities when planning the renovation budget, enabling us to create a home that is more deeply satisfying.

Nicole Alvarez, an architectural designer with Ellen Cassilly Architect, in Durham, North Carolina, who blogs at IntentionallySmall.com, says that if we value quality over quantity, place over space and living more intentionally in every aspect of our lives, we are ready for a small home. Occupying less space has profoundly influenced her daily life and happiness.

Alvarez has found, “When space is limited, everything has a function and a purpose. Everything has to be intentional. Over time, as you grow in the home, you make small modifications to personalize it more to adjust to your

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Urban, suburban or rural, where we live incurs long-term repercussions on the natural environment. Choosing an established community within or close to an urban center tends to be more protective of air, water and land quality than living in a distant, car-dependent suburb, yet many families feel either drawn to or resigned to the suburbs for the lower housing prices.

But as Ilana Preuss, vice president at Washington, D.C.-based Smart Growth America, explains, “There is more to housing affordability than how much rent or mortgage we pay. Transportation costs are the second-biggest budget item for most families. In locations with access to few transportation choices, the combined cost of housing and transportation can be more than 60 percent of the total household budget.

For families with access to a range of transportation choices, the combined cost can be less than 40 percent.”

In most suburbs, where the only practical transportation choice is a personal vehicle, dependency on a car takes a toll on us financially and physically. Driving a personal vehicle 15,000 miles a year can cost about $9,122 annually in ownership and operating expenses, according to AAA’s 2013 Your Driving Costs report, and hours spent daily sitting behind the wheel being sedentary is eroding our health.

Lack of transportation options is a leading detriment to the nation’s collective wellness, according to the federal agency Healthy People.

Sustainable cities provide many transportation options, including public buses and trains, car-sharing services and all forms of ride sharing; and perhaps most importantly, they are bike- and pedestrian-friendly. Choosing communities that make it possible to reduce driving and even go car-free

price of $28,431, the category has been around long enough to create a market in previously owned vehicles. A used hybrid that is just two years old can cost up to 25 percent less than a new one.

4. Buying American Eco-friendly choices for housing, vehicles and food—generally perceived as expensive for the average individual or family—often are not only attainable when pursued in a thoughtful way, but can actually save us money compared to maintaining the status quo. much of the time can save us money, reduce stress and improve our health.

3. Choosing a Car

We know two primary facts about cars: They are expensive and those with internal combustion engines pollute during operation. Still, many of us need one.

Reducing the total impact and burden of owning a car can be as simple as prioritizing fuel efficiency. It helps that fuel-sippers now come in more sizes than just small, yet small subcompacts remain a good place to start our research because of their budget-friendly prices and high fuel economy.

A subcompact that averages 32 miles per gallon (mpg) and has a sticker price below $15,000 can save us so much money compared with a top-selling compact SUV—upwards of $16,000 over five years, according to Edmunds.com—that if we need a larger vehicle on occasion, we can more easily afford to rent one.

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), both small and midsized, can be an even better choice, averaging 41 mpg. Cost comparisons show that an HEV can save a heavily travelling city driver nearly $1,000 in fuel costs annually versus a comparably sized conventional gasolinepowered car. Although a 2014 midsized HEV has an average suggested retail

According to Consumer Reports, many shoppers prefer to buy products made in the USA, but with more than 60 percent of all consumer goods now produced overseas, finding American goods is not always easy.

The good news is that buying American doesn’t mean only buying American made. We back the U.S. economy and jobs when we purchase used items that have been renewed or repurposed by enterprising citizens. Creative reuse supports new and existing businesses that collect, clean, sort, recondition, refurbish, remanufacture, update, refinish, reupholster, repair, tailor, distribute and sell used parts, materials and finished goods.

Sarah Baird, director of outreach and communications of the Center for a New American Dream, an organization working to shift consumption away from wasteful trends, loves the history of used items. She says, “An item that has already lived one life has a story to tell, and is infinitely more interesting than anything newly manufactured.” Another reward is the big savings afforded by previously owned durable goods; not even America’s big-box discount retailers can beat these genuine bargains.

Of course, not everything is available in the used marketplace, but when it makes sense, we can proudly know that our purchases support American ingenuity and workers.

Green Housing Yields Social and Security Benefits n Large-home inhabitants may go all day without seeing one another and communication and togetherness can suffer. Family members living in small homes can more easily cultivate strong communications and cohesion. n Dense neighborhoods encourage interaction and cooperation among neighbors, nurturing a cohesive community that can reward us with social connections, collective responsibility and assistance when needed. n Urban homes give vandals and thieves fewer opportunities because neighbors are close by and passersby may be more readily noticed. n Small homes can encourage disconnecting from technology and getting outside. When the TV can be heard throughout the house, parents are more likely to urge outdoor playtime for kids. n The footprint of a small dwelling uses a fraction of the buildable lot, leaving more outdoor space for planting gardens that can nourish bodies and souls.

Source: GreenMatters.com

5. Getting Healthy

Going green is healthy in innumerable ways. In addition to driving less, banning toxic products from our household cupboards and dinner plates is another solid place to start on the road to improved well-being for ourselves and the planet.

Toxic consumer products pollute the planet, from manufacture through use and disposal. They aren’t doing us any favors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average human body now contains an estimated 700 industrial compounds, pollutants natural awakenings

April 2014

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Enjoy a Comfortable,

Pain-Free Spring

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The newest hybrids have been around for more than a decade, and the batteries have held up extremely well, lasting 150,000 to 200,000 miles in some cases. ~ CNN.com and other chemicals due to exposure to toxic consumer products and industrial chemicals. After researching proper local disposal of such hazards, replace them on future shopping forays with safer choices. It’s an investment in our health that can save untold pain and money and pay off big time in avoiding health problems ranging from cancer, asthma and chronic diseases to impaired fertility, birth defects and learning disabilities according to the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition.

To reduce exposure to the toxins that are commonly sprayed on conventional crops, select sustainable and organic versions of foods to prepare at home whenever possible. Such choices help keep both our bodies and the environment healthy and can be surprisingly affordable compared with eating out and consuming prepackaged convenience foods.

By substituting whole foods for prepared foods, cooking more meals at home and practicing good eating habits—like eating less meat and downsizing portions—the average person can enjoy high-quality food for $7 to $11 per day. This matches or falls below what the average American daily spends on food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Considering that diet-related diseases can cost afflicted families thousands of dollars a year, better food choices can make us not only healthier, but wealthier, too.

Crissy Trask is the author of Go Green, Spend Less, Live Better. Connect at CrissyTrask.com.

Why Do I Feel So Awful During Allergy Season?

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

E

But allergies occur when ver wonder how your immune system gets some people can confused and mistakenly skate through spring perceives harmless eleand fall in high health ments in the environment while you’re miserable (pollen, pet dander, mold, with each new pollen etc.) as “germs” that must onslaught? Some of the be obliterated. “credit” may go to your The body attacks parents. Statistics show these allergens with a that if you have one alhost of chemicals. The lergic parent, you have problem is, these chemia 50 percent chance of cals don’t hurt the aldeveloping allergies. If Chad Gilliam M.M.S. PA-C lergens, they hurt you by both of your parents are causing all kinds of irritatallergic, your chances ing symptoms including rise to 75 percent. hay fever, hives, eczema, asthma, sinus

Whether inherited or not, if you and ear infections, coughing, fatigue have allergies, there’s a “war” goand headaches. ing on in your body that accounts for

You may have had allergies as a your misery. Here’s how it works: The child—even babies can experience body is naturally hard-wired to fight off germs. That’s how you stay healthy! allergy symptoms. Or, you may have

STOP

developed them in adulthood. I’ve had patients live allergy-free until they’re senior citizens, then suddenly develop allergies due to a change in their environment that exposes them to new pollens or a change in their own health that may affect their immune system.

The good news is that even if you were born with allergies, you’re not stuck with them. And the treatment doesn’t have to be painful either. While allergy treatment used to be administered only through allergy shots, it’s now available through under-the-tongue drops that can be taken at home.

Chad Gilliam M.M.S. PA-C is located at Madison Family Care. He has helped many patients overcome allergies and asthma. Call 256-426-8507 for your appointment today. MadisonFamilyCare. com. See ads, pages 13 and 32.

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April 2014

13

healingways

Good Riddance to Bad Vibes

Escaping Electromagnetic Exposure

by Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

W

e crackle with energy.

Natural electromagnetic fields within us regulate how our bodies work. Plus, we continually encounter many outside energy fields from Wi-Fi, cell phones and towers, power lines, microwave ovens, computers, TVs, security devices and radar. A growing number of experts see these surrounding frequencies as an increasing danger to our well-being.

Applying modalities like acupuncture, Reiki, Touch for Health and Eden Energy Medicine can help us maintain a healthy energy balance internally.

They work to harmonize the body to protect against stress, trauma and associated illness.

Phyllis Traver, owner of Safe & Sound Home, in Boston, is certified by the International Institute of BuildingBiology & Ecology to detect, measure

and counter in-home electromagnetic activity. “The institute usually finds that when a patient doesn’t respond to treatment by an energy healer, it’s because of the environment. I try to neutralize its effect to help the body regulate properly,” Traver says.

While protection in highly occupied family areas is important, providing protection in bedrooms is especially vital, due to the amount of time we spend there for rest and restoration.

Traver’s diagnoses sometimes suggest remediation measures that involve an electrician grounding currents and adding selective shielding materials to block frequencies flowing from electronic devices. “Magnetic fields from outside the house are hard to control, but 98 percent of what I find can be fixed,” she advises.

When Terry Mollner, 69, was having trouble sleeping, he contacted Traver, who receives client referrals from energy healers. “The conclusions were stunning,” Mollner says. “The detector’s measurements went off the charts in the bedroom. It wasn’t the flat screen TV at the foot of my bed, but how the room’s wiring was done. The electrician installed a relay so I can switch off the power on that side of the house at night. Now, I sleep six or seven hours,” which he characterizes as “a profound change.” He also suggests turning off and moving cell phones away from beds. Mollner then hardwired the computers in his home, eliminated Wi-Fi and rearranged the electronic equipment in his home office.

Kim Cook, an energy practitioner in Mission Viejo, California, specializes

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“Just because someone isn’t feeling symptoms from exposure to electronic technology, that doesn’t mean that it’s not having an effect on DNA.” ~ Camilla Rees in Eden Energy Medicine and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Cook decided not to buy a house she was initially interested in because it was in a hot spot. When Cook used her meter to chart frequencies at home, it also prompted her to move her bedroom clock radio to a different bureau. “It’s no longer sitting right at our heads,” she notes. Plus, “I don’t put my cell phone on my body and it bothers me that my son puts his in his pocket.”

An overarching observation from Cook’s professional practice is that increasing numbers of people in pain are interested in energy medicine because they’re so frustrated with Western medicine. She observes, “Pain is blocked energy, and people are learning how to unblock it naturally.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the International EMF Project in 1996 because of rising public health concerns due to the surge in EMF sources. After reviewing extensive research and thousands of articles, the organization can’t confirm—or deny—the existence of health consequences from exposure to low-level EMFs.

The Dream Maker Presents

But in 2011, the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the electromagnetic radiation from cell phones as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on increased risk for glioma, a malignant brain cancer. Lloyd Morgan, a senior researcher with the nonprofit Environmental Health Trust and lead author of the internationally endorsed report, Cellphones and Brain Tumors, goes further, unequivocally stating, “Cell phone radiation is a carcinogen.”

In our own environment, we can regulate EMF, says Iowan Camilla Rees, founder of the educational petition website ElectromagneticHealth.org and Campaign for Radiation Free Schools on Facebook; she is the co-author of Public Health SOS: The Shadow Side of the Wireless Revolution and Morgan’s cell phone report.

Says Rees, “You can buy a meter, avoid using cordless phones and baby monitors, and change your cell phone behavior. The harmful effects of cell phones decrease with distance; just by holding the cell phone six inches from your head, there is a 10,000-fold reduction of risk.”

Find more helpful information at Tinyurl.com/CellPhone RadiationDanger, Tinyurl.com/CellPhoneUsageTips and Tinyurl.com/EMF-ProtectionTips.

Priscilla Goudreau-Santos is a freelance writer and owner of Priscilla Goudreau Public Relations & Marketing, in Charlotte, NC.

Light Worker’s Celebration

Sensitives Mediums Intuitives Aura Photography Speakers Healers Herbalists ...and much more

Saturday, May 3rd 10am - 5pm at The Dream Maker Huntsville, AL DreamMakerShop.com 256.883.8446 MK@DreamMakerShop.com

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unique vendors and local artists

Donate pet food and get in free

Come join us for a day of metaphysical fun and magical experiences For Entertainment Only natural awakenings

April 2014

15

greenliving

Washing soda, a caustic chemical cousin of baking soda, softens water and removes stains. Bond advises, “It’s a heavy duty cleaner as powerful as any toxic solvent,” so wear gloves.

Hydrogen peroxide is considered an effective disinfectant and bleach alternative by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Use it to whiten grout and remove stains.

HOMEMADE ECO-CLEANERS DIY Recipes Keep Your Home Naturally Clean

by Lane Vail

A

mericans use 35 million pounds of toxic household cleaning products annually. According to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, in Los Angeles, traces of cleaning chemicals can be found throughout the human body within seconds of exposure, posing risks like asthma, allergies, cancer, reproductive toxicity, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity and death.

Equally sobering is the decades of research suggesting a relationship between the overuse of powerful disinfectants and the rise of antibiotic-resistant super bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as concerns over these toxins entering water supplies and wildlife food chains.

Cleaning product labels lack transparency, says Johanna Congleton, Ph.D., a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, because “manufacturers aren’t required to specify ingredients.”

One approach to assure safe ingredients is do-it-yourself (DIY) products.

For Matt and Betsy Jabs, the authors of DIY Natural Household Cleaners who blog at DIYNatural.com, creating homemade cleaners is a rewarding exercise in sustainability and simplicity.

“We’re cutting through all the marketing and getting back to basics,” says Matt. Affordability is another benefit:

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Tennessee Valley, AL

The Jabs’ homemade laundry detergent costs five cents per load, compared with 21 cents for a store brand.

Annie B. Bond, a bestselling author and pioneering editor of the award-winning Green Guide, dispels a DIY myth: “What’s time-consuming isn’t making the cleaners; it’s making the decision to switch and figuring it all out,” she says.

Nine Basics

Find these multitasking ingredients in local groceries and health stores or online.

White vinegar effectively cleans, deodorizes, cuts grease and disinfects against bacteria, viruses and mold.

Castile soap in liquid or bar form serves as a biodegradable, vegetable-based surfactant and all-around cleaner (avoid mixing with vinegar, which neutralizes its cleansing properties).

Baking soda cleans, whitens, neutralizes odors and softens water. It’s an excellent scrubbing agent for bathrooms, refrigerators and ovens.

Borax, a natural mineral, improves the effectiveness of laundry soap. Although classified (as is salt) as a low-level health hazard that should be kept away from children and animals, borax is non-carcinogenic and isn’t absorbed through skin.

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Essential oils derived from plants infuse cleaners with fragrance and boost germ-fighting power. Tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender oils all boast antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The Jabs advise that although they can be pricy, “The investment will pay for itself many times over.”

Lemon juice or citric acid cuts through grease, removes mold and bacteria and leaves dishes streak-free.

Coarse kosher salt helps soften dishwasher water and acts as a scouring agent.

Home Formulas

All-purpose cleaner: Homemade Cleaners: Quick-and-Easy Toxin-Free Recipes, by Mandy O’Brien and Dionna Ford, suggests combining one cup of vinegar, one cup of water and 15 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle. Use it anywhere, including glass and mirrors.

For serious disinfecting, follow with a hydrogen peroxide spray.

Foaming hand/dish soap: Shake one cup of water, a quarter-cup of castile soap and 15 drops of essential oil in a foaming dispenser. Use in bathrooms and kitchens.

Dishwashing detergent: DIYNatural recommends mixing one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda, a half-cup of citric acid and a half-cup of coarse kosher salt. Leave it uncovered for several days, stirring often to prevent clumping.

Cover and refrigerate. Use one tablespoon per load with a half-cup of citric acid in the rinse to combat streaks.

Laundry detergent: Combine one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda and one 14-ounce bar of grated castile soap.

Use one tablespoon per load, adding a half-cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle. Prior to washing, use hydrogen peroxide as a stain remover (test first; it may lift color).

More than 95 percent of “green” products manipulate labels by providing irrelevant information (declaring a product is free of an already illegal chemical), being vague (masking poisons as natural ingredients), outright lying (claiming false endorsements) and other maneuvers. ~ TerraChoice Group Bathroom soft scrub: Bond recommends creating a thick paste with liquid castile soap and a half-cup of baking soda.

Scour tubs, showers and stainless steel surfaces with a sponge, and then rinse.

Hard floor cleaner: Environmental Working Group’s DIY Cleaning Guide suggests combining a half-gallon of hot water with one cup of white vinegar in a bucket to mop.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle one cup of borax into the toilet at bedtime and then clean the loosened grime with a brush the next morning, advises Bond. Wipe outer surfaces with the all-purpose spray.

Carpet cleaner: Freshen rugs by sprinkling baking soda at night and vacuuming in the morning, suggests Bond. For deeper cleaning, combine one cup of vinegar and two-and-a-half gallons of water in a steam cleaner.

Wood polish: Bond recommends mixing a quarter-cup of vinegar or lemon juice with a few drops of olive and lemon oil.

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

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

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Lane Vail is a freelance writer in South Carolina. Connect at WriterLane.com.

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Cloth Tools Replace Paper

Sundays 10:30am

by Lane Vail

Tuesdays & Wednesdays 6:00pm

Americans, comprising less than 5 percent of the world’s population, use 30 percent of the world’s paper, according to the Worldwatch Institute. Some 13 billion pounds of this comes from paper towels, mostly landfilled because grime-soaked paper is non-recyclable.

Ecological and economical alternatives include cloth dishrags, towels, napkins, wipes and handkerchiefs plus washable diapers and menstrual pads.

Jean Calleja, co-owner of the Eco Laundry Company, in New York City, suggests customers buy recycled, organic, unbleached cloths and local products when possible.

In the kitchen: Use washcloths or repurpose cotton T-shirts into 10-by10-inch squares to use regularly with a homemade all-purpose cleaner on surfaces. Replace paper towels with cloth towels for drying hands.

At the table: Cloth napkins enhance mealtime. Buy or make plain napkins (by hemming cotton fabric squares) for everyday use and celebrate holidays with fancypatterned fabric rolled into napkin rings.

Meditation

In the bathroom: Substitute chlorineladen disinfecting wipes with homemade reusable ones. DIYNatural.com recommends mixing three-quarters of a cup of white vinegar, three-quarters of a cup of water and 25 drops of essential oil in a glass mason jar. Stuff five to seven washcloths into the jar, seal with a lid and shake, so the solution is absorbed into each wipe. Pull out a ready-made disinfecting wipe for a quick clean.

Laundering linens: Change cleaning rags often, hang-drying them thoroughly before adding to the laundry basket. Wash kitchen and bathroom rags (added to the bathroom towel load) separately each week. According to Calleja, “Presoaking rags overnight in a non-toxic, chlorine-free, whitening solution can make a huge difference in getting them clean.” Combine a halfcup of hydrogen peroxide with two to three gallons of water, spot-testing every fabric first for colorfastness.

Calleja also likes using a white vinegar and eucalyptus oil rinse aid to dissolve soap residue, soften fabric and leave a fresh scent.

Satsang

Wednesdays 6:30pm

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883-8596

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April 2014

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Brussels v Paris v Montreal

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Qigong Steps Up Vitality and Serenity

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For an appointment call:

256-529-5537

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

Breathe. Love. Live.

18

Tennessee Valley, AL

A proven practice for supporting health and self-healing, qigong has been used in China for millennia to maintain and improve physical, mental and emotional well-being.

“Q

i” (pronounced chee) refers to the life force or vital energy present in all things throughout the universe while “gong” means dedicated effort or steady practice of a skill.

Qigong is the art of working intensely with this energy, cultivating life force.

Acupuncture physician and qigong instructor Walter Hayley, in Bonita Springs, Florida, became passionate about qigong while working as a stockbroker in need of stress relief. He compares qigong’s movement of energy in the body to water running through a hose: “Qi is concentrated in channels throughout the body. Think of the qi as water and those channels as a garden hose branching out to every aspect of the individual.

Stress, whether physical or emotional, can kink the hose. Qigong helps get the kinks out,” he explains. “It relaxes the body, letting energy flow more efficiently, allowing the body to heal itself.”

Qigong styles vary, but Hayley remarks that most involve slow movement, focused awareness and special breathing techniques. Many describe

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the practice as a moving meditation.

Qigong teacher Judith Forsyth, in Mobile, Alabama, says, “It’s often described as the mother of tai chi. When the quiet, internal energy art of qigong mixed with the powerful external martial arts, it developed into tai chi.” She emphasizes that the focus of qigong is less on its physical mechanics and more on understanding how the vital force moves through the body and can be used to enhance health and longevity.

Inside the body, there’s an integrated network of subtle energy centers that international Qigong Master Robert Peng believes are connected to the capacity for genuine happiness. The goal is to awaken and pack these centers with qi. “By repeating slow, gentle movements over and over, you can develop the body’s capacity to draw qi from the universe. It can be stored in these centers and later channeled back through the body to empower your daily activities,” explains Peng, author of The Master Key: The Qigong Secret for Vitality, Love, and Wisdom.

By adding qigong to their daily routines, children learn to channel energy and enhance concentration; office workers reduce stress; seniors enhance balance and quality of life; and caregivers and midwives advance abilities to help others.

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He focuses on three of the body’s big energy portals: the “third eye”, located between the eyebrows; the “heart center”, at the center of the chest on the sternum and the “sea of qi”, just below the navel. The idea is that when energy is accessed in these three centers, specific spiritual qualities are accessed: wisdom, love and vitality (respectively). Harmonizing all three is ideal.

Peng advises that when these essential elements are woven together in balance, dynamic happiness is possible. “You begin to project more wisdom, love, vitality, inspiration and peacefulness. Conversations flow more smoothly. Your life becomes more productive, meaningful and serene,” he says. “Whatever the challenges encountered, you’ll be better equipped to deal with them, while remaining inwardly content.”

Forsyth was first guided to qigong when the prescribed rest, drugs, exercise and physical therapy following an accident left her with lingering neck and back problems.

She recalls, “After eight weeks of practice, I experienced significant physical improvement, not only where I had considerable pain, but in my overall energy level, ability to sleep and the condition of my skin and hair. The peace and harmonizing meditation benefits of qigong were also affecting me positively in other ways. I became less worried, less of a perfectionist, less stressed out and began to experience more joyfulness.”

While all styles benefit overall health, specific qigong exercises may be prescribed for specialized needs, from athletic conditioning to management of chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension or cancer. The gentle movements can be performed by almost anyone at any age and ability level, even those confined to a chair or bed. “Qigong speaks to the body and the body then addresses the condition,” Hayley remarks.

The experts advise that qigong is best practiced every day, even if for just five minutes. “A group class offers a synergy that a home practice lacks, but the more important practice is at home,” observes Hayley. Some personal instruction is ideal so the practitioner receives feedback, but books and videos make qigong accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Hayley reminds newbies, “Just be patient. If one form doesn’t suit you, remember there are thousands of different forms to try.”

Peng’s advice to beginners is, “Be happy! Think of the exercise as lighthearted play and remember to smile as you move.”

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April 2014

19

healthykids

Backyard Birds and Butterflies Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids

by Avery Mack

C

reating a backyard wildlife habitat provides valuable teaching moments. With planning and care, birds, bats, butterflies and bunnies can view yards as safe havens and sources for food, water and shelter, providing endless fascination.

Hummingbird

Josh Stasik, a father of three and owner of SweetNectar Recipe Seed.com, in Syracuse, Measure one part New York, sees firsthand how feeding winged won- ordinary white sugar to four parts water ders can be an inexpensive (no unhealthy red way to start a new family dye needed). Boil activity. “My mom taught me about flowers and bird the water first, and feeders. I hope my kids will then mix the nectar someday pass the informawhile the water is tion along to their chilhot; the sugar will dren,” he says. easily dissolve.

Habitat plantings and available foods determine Source: TomatoEnvy.com what creatures will visit.

20

Tennessee Valley, AL

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“Native plants attract native bugs that are eaten by native birds and bats,” observes Stasik, noting that staff at extension services and garden centers can provide helpful advice.

Based on his own research, Stasik knows, “Bird species have definite tastes in food. Bluebirds love mealworms. Hummingbirds like floral nectars. Orioles look for citrus fruit. Butterflies are eclectic sippers of both floral and citrus.”

Hummingbirds pose particular appeal for kids and adults because they appear always on the move. Hummingbirds.net/ map.html follows their migration sites.

Videographer Tom Hoebbel, owner of TH Photography, outside Ithaca,

New York, builds birdhouses and nesting boxes with his kids. They also participate in the annual Christmas bird count for the Audubon Society (Birds.Audubon. org/Christmas-birdcount). The Great Backyard Bird Count, a joint project between nonprofits Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, bird photos courtesy of Susan follows in February Gottlieb, of Venice, California (gbbc.BirdCount.org).

“In our yard, we have five nesting boxes made from reused wood. Once or twice a week, we check to see who lives there and how many eggs there are,” says Hoebbel. “So far, we’ve seen bluebirds, chickadees and house wrens.”

He laments the rapid decline of bats in the Northeast due to pesticides killing bugs, the main course for birds and bats. “In the winter, bats live in caves, so we put one-by-one-foot boxes in the yard for their summer homes.” Warm evenings on the patio are more enjoyable when bats clean up the mosquito population; a single bat can eat as many as 1,000 in an hour.

The monarch butterfly population is another favorite species in decline, with the spectacular annual migration on the verge of disappearing due to illegal deforestation, climate change, expansion of crop acreage and imposition of genetically modified plants that reduce the growth of native species.

“You can help them by planting perennial milkweed in your garden,” advises Brande Plotnick, founder of Tomato Envy, in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

Milkweed is the food of choice because it makes the caterpillars and butterflies toxic to birds and other predators. Also consider planting garden phlox, coneflower and lantana. Migrating monarchs live about nine months and fly up to 30 miles per hour.

Plotnick also suggests planting an herb garden

that includes parsley. “Swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on parsley, caterpillars hatch and feed on it, and eventually create a chrysalis,” she says. “You’ll be able to see the entire butterfly life cycle.”

Rabbits add another dimension to backyard wildlife.

Just as birds and butterflies need trees, bushes and plants to land on and hide in, bunnies need ground cover. The Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries counsels that brush piles should start with a base of large limbs, logs or stones to raise the floor above ground and create tunnels and escape routes, plus a home base. Top with smaller branches and maybe a recycled Christmas tree or dead plants. Encourage structural density and permanence with live vines. The resulting brush pile should be igloo-shaped and about six to eight feet tall and wide. Visit Tinyurl.com/BunnyShelters.

City ordinances or subdivision regulations might prohibit brush piles in ordinary yards. Find out how to gain certification as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation at Tinyurl.com/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat.

Rabbits can have as many as seven babies per litter, depending on the species. Make sure their space is sufficient. Before attracting bunnies to the yard, be aware of local predators—hawks, owls, coyote, dogs and stray cats.

The brush pile may also attract other animals like skunks, raccoons and reptiles.

A wildlife habitat is a fun, ongoing learning experience. It calls on math skills for bird counts, geography to follow migration maps and woodworking to build homesites and feeding spots. It becomes a lesson in local ecology and the roles of native plants and animals. When children comprehend they can help save wildlife, it’s also a lesson in hope.

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Habitat Tips Recognize the basic needs of all wildlife; food, water, cover and safe places to raise young.

256-325-0955

4 Determine the most desirable species to attract and learn their specific needs.

4 Evaluate current yard habitat conditions for missing elements.

4 Develop a plant list; select for wildlife value, emphasizing native plants suitable for the region.

4 Realize that habitat will grow larger and mature.

4 Certify the family’s backyard wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.

Source: Education Department at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA

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April 2014

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Light Of Christ Center

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22

Tennessee Valley, AL

by Sandra Murphy

I

t seems dogs travel just about everywhere with their humans these days.

They’re spotted at home improvement stores, happy hours, drive-through restaurants and workplaces, in addition to their usual hangouts. To get Sparky invited into even more people places, he must have good manners.

“Just like with kids, not every venue is appropriate for dogs,” advises Eileen Proctor, a pet lifestyle expert in Denver, Colorado. “Some dogs are more introverted and want a quiet spot to relax.

Others love a party. Know your dog and socialize him accordingly; never force him into an uncomfortable situation.”

Instead, help him acclimate to new locales gradually, from a distance; stop when he shows signs of stress. A yawn, averted eyes, hiding behind his owner or nervous pacing are clues that a fourlegged pal has had enough.

“Good manners at home might not translate to public manners,” Proctor notes. “Take practice runs to see how your dog handles distractions.” Day care or play dates with other dogs help hone canine social skills, while basic obedience—leave it, sit, stay, down, off, an effective recall and walking nicely on a leash—form the basis for good

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manners. Reward good behavior with praise, treats or a favorite activity.

Eating Out

Amy Burkert, the on-the-road owner of GoPetFriendly.com, says, “After a long day at the office or a ‘ruff’ week at work, it’s nice to include your dog when eating out. Pet-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating areas where the dog can join you are becoming more common, but always ask first.

“Dogs in dining areas should lie quietly under your table or by your chair,” she continues. “This is not the time to socialize. Diners may find it unappealing to be approached by your dog while they’re eating. Choose a table where your dog can be out of the way of customers and the wait staff.”

It will take practice. “If he acts up, apologize, leave and know that you’ll do better next time,” says Burkert.

A good process for teaching good restaurant manners begins with sitting quietly with the dog when there are few people around, and then moving on. The next time, order an appetizer.

Increase the amount of time the pet is expected to wait quietly, as well as the number of distractions.

Traveling Together

Christina Mendel, an international business coach with offices in Germany and Italy, adds that dogs need a safe and secure retreat from excessive activity. Her Chihuahua mix, Balu, is small enough to fit into a carry bag.

He can take a nap, people watch or have a snack without fear of human interference. “The carry bag helps when I take clients to dinner, drive or fly to onsite appointments,” she says. “Many of my clients are dog owners, so we bond because he’s well behaved and knows tricks.”

Flying presents its own challenges because airlines limit the number of pets on each flight. Check the company’s rules for pet size, weight and type of crate required. Dogs ride as cargo unless they are small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat. Other passengers might be fearful or allergic, so respect their boundaries.

In the car, a dog needs to be calm and wear a special seat belt, be crated or otherwise restrained to keep him safe, not distract the driver and prevent lunging out the window.

BHRT_Ad_half-pg_3488:Layout 1

Find tips for walking dogs in crowded urban areas at Tinyurl.com/ RulesOfTheDoggyRoad.

At Work

Dogs may be welcome in the workplace. Alexandra Blackstone, design director for Killer Infographics, in Seattle, Washington, takes her corgi puppy, Buster, to the office. “He was good when he was the only dog at work,”

5/1/2013

1:53 PM

explains Blackstone. “When an older dog and another puppy were there, he barked and tried to herd them.”

He didn’t read other dogs well, so to further Buster’s dog-to-dog communication skills, Blackstone enrolled him in doggie day care twice a week.

She advises first introducing dogs outside of the office setting. “Communicate with coworkers as to what your dog is working on, so everyone is consistent in their behavior toward him,” Blackstone advises. “Be clear how to correct any inappropriate behavior if someone else shares responsibility for walking him.” She reports that with positive training techniques, Buster is learning to respond well and now splits his time between day care and the office.

“It’s your responsibility to make taking the dog along a good experience for all,” counsels Proctor. “That includes using a leash and always picking up after him, every time.”

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy of St. Louis, MO, at StLSandy@ mindspring.com.

Page 1

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natural awakenings

April 2014

23

consciouseating

Culinary Mushroom Magic

by Case Adams

T

oday, fungi cuisine in the West is typically limited to Agaracus bisporus—the relatively mild button mushroom, which matures into the acclaimed portobello. But digging deeper into available options reveals chanterelle (Cantharellus sp.), oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), morel (Morchella sp.) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) species. These culinary mushrooms, provide a virtuosity of delicate flavors harboring nutritional and medicinal benefits according to those that study them.

University of California-Berkeley research scientist and Mycologist Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D., explains that shiitake and oyster mushrooms follow the button as the most widely cultivated around the world. “They come in many colors, varieties and species and are typically the most easily digested and utilized of all mushrooms,” he notes.

“Mushrooms are an amazing health food,” says Hobbs. “Most edible fungi are high in fiber, good-quality protein, key vitamins, micronutrients, phosphorous and potassium, and low in fat and calories.

It’s one of nature’s perfect diet foods.”

My Tacos Makes a healthy filling for tacos and enchiladas, or crumble as a topper on deluxe nachos. They taste as good as they smell, and like chili they taste almost better as leftovers.

Fills 12 large tacos, or more paired with fillings such as chopped leafy lettuce or guacamole.

1-2 cups of chopped stropharia, shiitake or maitake mushrooms 1 cup crumbled tempeh or other healthful protein source ¼ cup chopped onions ½ cup sunflower seeds or chopped almonds ¼ cup sesame seeds 24

Tennessee Valley, AL

Mushroom Pâté

by Andrew Lenzer Present a perfect appetizer for dinner with friends. The savory quality of mushrooms—what the Japanese call umami—make them a welcome alternative to meat-based pâtés.

1 cup corn 1 chopped sweet pepper (add hot peppers if desired) 1 small handful of chopped olives 4 shakes of soy sauce 1 Tbsp spiced hot chocolate 2 Tbsp chili powder 1 Tbsp ground cumin ¼ cup nutritional yeast 2 cloves of chopped garlic 1 cup broth or water Sauté mushrooms, protein and onions until crispy (uncrowded in the pan).

Then add remaining ingredients and braise on low heat. Allow mixture to cook down to desired consistency.

Hot & Sour Cauliflower Mushroom Soup

by Cate Moss

Combine ingredients (except egg) in a pot and bring to a boil. Add beaten egg to the boiling soup while gently stirring. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer overnight.

by Loni Jean Ronnebaum This rare mushroom has a unique firmness reminiscent of noodles and can be soaked and rinsed to clean, and then cut into cauliflower-like chunks. Slow cook overnight for best results.

Yields 8 servings 2-4 lb fresh cauliflower mushrooms 16 oz kimchi ½ cup peas 1 20-oz can crushed pineapple 1 32-oz vegetable broth 1 egg or ¼ cup egg substitute Chili paste, black pepper, garlic powder, ginger and soy sauce to taste

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Approx 4 cups whole fresh shiitake mushrooms (2 cups after chopping) Approx 4 cups whole fresh maitake mushrooms (2 cups after chopping) 12 oz cream cheese or rice-based cream cheese substitute 2 cloves garlic 2 cups dry roasted hazelnuts 2 sprigs parsley Soy sauce Olive oil Sesame oil Salt and pepper to taste Finely chop the hazelnuts in a food processor and set aside.

Coarsely chop the shiitake (including the stems) and maitake mushrooms in a food processor.

Coat the surface of a wok in olive oil and sauté mushrooms in 1-cup batches over medium-high-to-high heat, adding soy sauce as needed to keep the mixture from burning, for approximately 10 minutes per batch. Add a touch of sesame oil just before removing each batch.

Place hazelnuts, mushrooms, cream cheese, garlic, salt and pepper in the food processor and blend until smooth but still slightly grainy. Add parsley and blend until parsley is finely chopped and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Serve with crackers or fresh crusty bread.

Recipes courtesy of employees of Fungi Perfecti, LLC; photos courtesy of Paul Stamets.

inspiration

Wilderness in Sidewalk Cracks Small Nature Reaches Out to City Kids

by Greg Hanscom

C

ity kids are often taught that nature is out there beyond the city limits, but one science educator and photographer shows how everyday nature has the power to transform.

You can take Molly Steinwald out of the city, but you’ll never get the city out of her. Growing up as a free-schoollunch kid on the outskirts of Manchester, New Hampshire, she notes, “I didn’t do the skiing and mountain climbing thing.”

Instead, she found solace watching ants parade across the sidewalk or tracing the intricate lines on a leaf. Yet when she graduated from high school, Steinwald traveled as far as she could from those city streets, earning a degree in biology, and then a master’s degree in ecology researching kangaroo rats in Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains.

Still, the city always tugged at her.

“I was really excited about big nature,” Steinwald says. “But I kept coming back to small-scale, mundane nature that I knew as a kid. I felt I needed to get back to help people who never see this stuff.”

Today, Steinwald is doing just that.

She is now pursuing a Ph.D. researching human interactions with nature in built environments. As director of science education and research at the Phipps Conservatory, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she has been charged with reimagining urban environmental education and reaching out to at-risk youth. Her basic assumption is: One doesn’t have to go to a national park, or even a city park, to connect with the natural world. It’s crawling past us on the sidewalk or drifting through the air

right under our nose.

That, she says, is where city kids can forge a lasting connection with nature—if they’re paying attention. As one of the many ways to get kids to tune in, Steinwald directs programs that arm them with digital cameras and challenges them to take pictures of the fragments of nature they find on the streets.

The approach is a departure from the belief held by some that “nature” is defined as parks or green spaces—places apart from our everyday lives.

Lisa Graumlich, dean of the University of Washington School of the Environment, in Seattle, Washington, says Steinwald is making waves in environmental education circles: “She was an urban kid.

She brings the voice of someone from a different economic class to the table.”

Graumlich says it makes intuitive sense that connecting with street-level nature will help build a lasting bond with the natural world. The next challenge is figuring out how to provide kids with more of these experiences: “It may be as simple as a mom walking home from the bus stop with bags of groceries and two children in tow, feeling like she has time to look at a sidewalk crack with them.”

“A lot of nature in the city is really small,” Steinwald observes. “I want to show these kids that even if their nature is small, it’s still darned good nature.”

Greg Hanscom is a senior editor for Grist.org, in Seattle, WA.

Coming Next Month

Women’s Wellness

Tune into Your Body’s Intelligence and Take Charge of Your Life To advertise or participate in our May edition, call 256-340-1122 natural awakenings

April 2014

25

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 1 Spring Festival of Flowers – Daily through April.

Tens of thousands of blooming tulips, daffodils, dogwoods, azaleas, and a breathtaking wildflower trail welcome spring in a spectacular show. Admission charged. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-830-4447.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 Southeastern Outings Wildflower Walk – 8am.

Bucks Pocket State Park has one of the greatest concentrations and variety of wildflowers of any public area in the State of Alabama. Join fellow nature lovers for a walk on trails in this very scenic park.

Info: Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680. SEOutings.org.

First Saturday Fitness Classes –8:30-9:30am. Held the first Saturday of each month from April through October at Big Spring East by the rock fountain.

Free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Madison Health & Wellness Expo – 9am-12pm.

Free blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and vein health screening. With more than 60 of Madison’s most trusted health experts and demonstrations.

Blood Drive and door prize drawings. Free. Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Square Lane, Madison, AL. Wildflower Photography Workshop – 9:3011:30am. Tom and Pat Cory will share pictures from their globetrotting travels and give examples of how to take pictures in any situation. This class covers techniques to improve photo quality and lighting.

Members $45, Non-members $50. Registration required. 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville, AL. 256-830-4447 x290.

Spring Views from Blevins Gap Nature Preserve – 10am. (2 hours / Moderate to Difficult, 3.5 miles).

Alabama A&M Biology & Environmental Science/ Wildlife Program Assistant Andrew Cantrell will help you explore northern Green Mountain. See “The Narrows” and enjoy spectacular views of Hampton Cove and South Huntsville. Directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org.

First Saturday Fitness Classes: Piloxing – 1011am. Piloxing blends the power, speed and agility of boxing with the beautiful sculpting and flexibility of Pilates, resulting in a workout that is fun, challenging, and will get you into shape quickly.

Instructor: Tasha Edwards. Free. Big Spring Park, 200 Church St, Huntsville, AL. Dividing Perennials – 10-11:30am. Taught by Sherry Hoyt. All materials provided. Class size is limited. Members $15, Non-members $20. 4747 Bob Wallace Ave, Huntsville, AL. 256-830-4447.

YesArt 4 Paws – 10am-3pm. The event hosts an array of fine art and crafts, including jewelry, paint-

26

Tennessee Valley, AL

Knitting Between the Lines Book Club – 12-1pm.

Our April title is Shakespeare: The World as Stage, by Bill Bryson. A refreshing take on an elusive literary master. Free. Bailey Cove Branch Library, 1409 Weatherly Plaza SE, Huntsville AL 35803. 256-881-0257.

Why Do You Overeat? – 6-7:30pm. Speaker: Pamela Brown, MA, LFC, CSCS, Exercise Physiologist & Personal Trainer. Free. Please call 256-265-7100 to reserve a seat. Huntsville Hospital Wellness Center, Medical Mall, 1963 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-265-7100.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4 Huntsville’s Citywide Great American Cleanup & Beautification Day – Stop by City Hall on Friday to get ready for Saturday’s Citywide Cleanup & Beautification Day. Free Glad Trash Bags. Free Tomato plant (while supplies last). Free Cucumber plant (while supplies last). Volunteer with Operation Green Team for cleanups by calling 256-532-5326.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10

FRIDAY, APRIL 11

ings, garden accessories, and even custom themed pet wares. Amateur Dog Show. Local rescue groups on-site with adoptable pets. Free. Front St, Madison, AL 35758.

Birmingham Darter Festival – 11am-4pm. The third annual Darter Festival celebrates Birmingham’s singular fish, the Watercress Darter, and will raise funds to support darter habitat restoration efforts. Live music, kite decorating/flying, Darter Art, Darter Ale, and ecology education programs. Free.

Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35233. 205-226-4934.

Artist Demonstration: Anthony Cavins – 1-4pm.

Anthony creates unique space themed paintings, revealing his love for science fiction and diverse background in graphic design, photography, and sculpture, on canvas or panel surfaces. Free. Lowe Mill, First Floor, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL 35805. 256-533-0399.

Heads-N-Tails Crawfish Boil – 3-10pm. Live music, fabulous food, and kids activities. Free. Von Braun Center South Hall, 700 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL 35801. HuntsvilleCrawfishBoil.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 Southeastern Outings Dayhike, Moss Rock Preserve – 2pm. Explore the wilder side of Hoover, AL on a moderate 2-4 mile hike with some climbing up and walking down fairly steep hills on Shades Mountain. Info: David Shepherd, email davidshep2@ yahoo.com or 205-240-4681. SEOutings.org.

Wade Mountain Nature Preserve’s Special Forest Ecology – 2pm. (2 hours / Easy to moderate/ App. 2.5 miles). Land Trust Board Member and USDA Forester Dr. Callie Schweitzer will lead a fun hike on Wade Mountain—you’ll never look at the forest the same way again! Directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8 Free Health Screening – 9:30am-12pm. Huntsville Hospital’s Mobile Medical Unit will be offering free health screenings to the public. Southeast YMCA, 1000 Weatherly Rd, Huntsville, AL 35803.

How to Do Things: Totes with Quotes – 6:30-8pm.

Adults decorate a tote bag with a quote from one of Shakespeare’s famous plays using fabric paint.

Free, registration required. Call Sophie Young, 256532-2362. Main Library, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL 35801.

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Gifts Stranger than Fiction – 7:30-8pm. Knology Cable Channel 11. Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on Eckankar. Learn how to discover the gifts of Divine Spirit—stranger than fiction—in your own life. Free. 256-534-1751.

Eck-Alabama.org.

The Huntsville Chamber Music Guild presents the Center City Brass Quintet – 7:30pm. An allstar ensemble of renowned soloists and members of America’s finest orchestras, who convene throughout each season to produce chamber music of the highest caliber. $15-$25. Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35802.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 Southeastern Outings Canoe and Kayak, Locust Fork River – 9am. A fun Southeastern Outings canoe and kayak trip on Section 1 of the Locust Fork River in Blount County. This stretch is fairly easy and without classified rapids. Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205-631-4680. SEOutings.org.

Wildflower Stroll on Rainbow Mountain in Madison – 10am. (2-3 hours / Moderate to difficult, 3 miles). Doug Horacek leads this slow mountain stroll includes stops to learn more about the wildflowers and a visit to famous Balance Rock. Directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org.

Earth Day at Hays Nature Preserve – 10am-2pm.

More than 70 earth-friendly exhibitors/vendors will have information, samples and demonstrations throughout the day. Free. Hays Nature Preserve, 7161 U.S. Hwy 431 South, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763.

Huntsville Fencing Club Demonstration – 1-3pm.

Members of the Huntsville Fencing Club will demonstrate fencing, including historical techniques.

This is part of the library’s month-long celebration of Shakespeare. Free. Madison Public Library, 130 Plaza Blvd, Madison, AL 35758. 256-461-0046.

Spiritual Experiences Guidebook – 2-3pm (4/12 and 4/26). Free introductory presentation and discussion for people of all faiths. Learn how to have real experiences with the divine love that is always available to you. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (near Five Points). 256-534-1751.

Eck-Alabama.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 53rd Annual Art-on-the-Lake – 10am-5pm. Annual event that features over 120 exhibitors with original art and crafts. With a bake sale, food vendors, children’s games and activities, it’s fun for the whole family—all alongside beautiful Guntersville Lake. $2. Guntersville Rec Center, 1501 Sunset Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19 Birding at Matthews Preserve – 7am. (2 hours / Easy to moderate). Avid birder John Ehinger will share his expertise and give tips on this fascinating activity. Our lovely Matthews Preserve is a natural botanical garden in Limestone County and is bounded by Limestone Creek. Directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org.

Southeastern Outings Canoe and Kayak Trip, Sipsey Fork River – 8am. Scenic canoe and kayak trip in the Bankhead National Forest just outside the lovely Sipsey Wilderness in Winston County, Alabama. The river we will paddle is relatively easy with one class II rapid. Info: Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net. SEOutings.org.

Historic Trough Springs on Monte Sano – 10am.

(2 miles / Moderate to difficult). Hike leader David Young will describe the Civil War significance of this tucked away property and, in particular, tell the story of Lt. Col. Milus E. “Bushwhacker” Johnston’s dramatic surrender there. Directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22 Health Forum: Sinuses – 11am-12pm. Trying to find a solution to your sinus problem? CRNP Kandess Anderson explains your sinuses: health issues, treatment, and prevention. Main Library, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-532-2362.

How to Do Things. PR101: Marketing on a Zero Budget – 6:30-8pm. Does marketing really need to cost money? Learn some useful ideas for spreading the word about what you have to offer on a

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zero (maybe tiny) budget. Free. Main Library, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-532-2362.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 Free Health Screening – 9:30am-12pm. Huntsville Hospital’s Mobile Medical Unit will be offering free health screenings to the public. Madison Senior Center, 1282 Hughes Rd, Madison, AL 35758.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25 Panoply Arts Festival – 5-9pm (Fri), 10am-9pm (Sat), 12-8pm (Sun). Featuring stages offering dance, music and theater performances. In addition. there will be children’s make-and-take activities, an Art Marketplace, artist demonstrations and a choreography competition. Admission charged.

Big Spring Park, Downtown Huntsville, AL 35801.

256-519-2787.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 Southeastern Outings Canoe and Kayak Trip – 10am. Moderate 7.5-mile fun canoe and kayak trip on the Cahaba River near Birmingham. This stretch of river is fairly easy and without classified rapids.

Info: David Freeman, 205-491-8845. SEOutings.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 Madison’s New Bradford Creek Greenway – 2pm. (2.5 hours / Easy to moderate). Come see Madison’s beautiful new Bradford Creek Greenway with former Land Trust Board member Jim Chamberlain. Dogs on leads are welcome. Directions and info: LandTrustNAL.org.

}

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ongoingevents

editorial calendar

2014

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

sunday

APRIL

green living

A Course in Miracles Study Group – 9:15am.

Shared reading and group discussions. Extra books available. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville, AL. 256-895-0255. LightOfChrist Center.org.

plus: healthy home MAY

women’s wellness

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

plus: bodywork JUNE

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

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

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

LightOfChristCenter.org.

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

CSL-Huntsville.org.

wednesday “Empowering Your Healthy Life” Class – 6:30pm. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL. 256-536-2271.

UnityChurchOnTheMountain.org.

Satsang – 6:30pm. Through group discussion and inquiry, we reveal the innate wisdom of the one presence living life as each one of us. Meditation 6pm.

Led by Rev. David Leonard. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville, AL. 256883-8596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

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inspired living

plus: men’s wellness JULY

food watch

plus: natural medicine cabinet

thursday

AUGUST

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

transformative education plus: children’s health SEPTEMBER

conscious caretaking plus: yoga

friday

OCTOBER

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

sustainable communities plus: chiropractic and acupuncture NOVEMBER

personal empowerment plus: beauty

saturday Madison City Farmers Market – 8am-12pm, beginning 4/12. Fresh, quality produce, food products, and handcrafted items, all grown or made in the Tennessee Valley. Trinity Baptist Church, 1088 Hughes Rd, Madison, Alabama 35758. 256-656-7841.

DECEMBER

awakening humanity plus: holiday themes

Artist Market – 12-4pm. Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth and sell their wares to the public. There will be art, jewelry, vintage clothing, records and more for sale. Admission free. Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL. Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift you in countless ways. Held each Saturday (except 4/19). Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Ave NE #3 (near Five Points). 256-5341751. Eck-Alabama.org.

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

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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

ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY

CENTER FOR OPTIMAL WELLBEING

CENTER FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

Center for Optimal Wellbeing is the longest operating colonic therapy provider in Huntsville.

First time clients have expressed immediate feelings of increased energy levels and improved efficiency in waste elimination. You will enjoy the experience of your own “personal cleansing spa” as you receive colon hydrotherapy (colonic), far infrared sauna, an optional massaging shower, and ionic footbath services—in a clean, comfortable, and relaxing private environment. Call for directions and a 10% discount on your first service when you mention Natural Awakenings or use code COWB.

“SPARK YOUR LIGHT” FROM WITHIN YOUR TRUE BEING and TRANSFORM your life.

Offering an individualized integrative approach from energy psychology: Inner Counselor Process, Rapid Eye Technology, Healing Touch, Reiki, and Life Skills Coaching, to create change in deep seated patterns of behavior for a healthy and joyful life.

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

HOPE FOR LIFE COLONICS

Tina Pencola Owner/Certified Colon Hydrotherapist 10300 Bailey Cove Rd, Suite-7A Huntsville, AL 35803 256-270-8731 • 256-684-0020 Hope4LifeAL.com Tina.HopeForLife@outlook.com Our goal is to live long and live strong. Young or old, male or female, healthy or sick, will benefit from an internal cleansing. Mention this ad and get $10 off your first colonic session. See ad, page 19.

JARVIS NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC 1489 Slaughter Road, Madison 256-837-3448

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

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

Tennessee Valley, AL

FAMILY MEDICINE MADISON FAMILY CARE

Chad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C 1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C, Madison, AL 256-722-0555 MadisonFamilyCare.com Progressive Family Medicine provides medical care for patients of all ages and uniquely blends Natural and Prescription medicines together to help speed the patient’s recovery. Progressive Family Medicine is the patient’s clinic of choice when they would like to understand how natural medicines work along with prescription drugs. See ads, page 13 and back page.

FARMERS MARKET MORGAN CO/DECATUR FARMERS MARKET

211 1st Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601 Burl Slaten, 256-476-5595 Open Monday-Saturday from 6am-5pm starting April 19. A variety of vendors selling their homegrown foods. Peas and beans shelled for a fee.

Please support you local farmers.

FENG SHUI FENG SHUI BY TRUDI GARDNER

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

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

Trudi Gardner, M.S. 256-772-6999 Tygard2000@aol.com

Facebook.com/natvalley

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.

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

Specializing in NATURAL Hairstyles. Cuts with Texture and Movement. Specializing in Fine Hair, Razor cuts, Men's Hair Pieces with A NATURAL Look. Specializing in Hair Color OFF the Scalp.

Hair Painting. A Safer way to Color or HiLight Your Hair to Help in Decreasing the Exposure to the Scalp. HEALTHY HAIR is HAPPY HAIR. Also Original Art Work and Private Art lessons available.

Call Today for YOUR Appointment.

HYPNOTHERAPY CENTER FOR INNER WELLNESS Becky Waters Certified Hypnotherapist and Professional Breathworker 3322 S. Memorial Parkway, Suite 643 Huntsville, AL • 256-348-5236

Creating positive change through hypnotherapy and Breathwork. Empowering you to live to your highest potential. Relieve stress and anxiety, release negativity, pain management, pre/post medical procedure, fears/phobias, weight loss, smoking cessation, and more. See ad, page 18.

MARSHA MATHES

Certified Hypnotist 3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste 116 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-698-2151 MarshaMathes.SkinCareTherapy.net Hypnosis is a tool to assist you in countless ways to heal your past, empower your present and create your future. Hypnobirthing classes, quit smoking, weight loss, nail and lip biting, teeth grinding, insomnia, anxiety and stress relief, phobias and fears, pain relief, sports enhancement, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), current and past life regressions.

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

Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner. An easy, effective way of restoring health and well-being by balancing the body’s energy pathways to enhance the body’s natural healing abilities. See ad, page 19.

MASSAGE A HEALING TOUCH

502 11th St SE Decatur, AL 35601 Robert Jackson LMT#852, 256-351-9566 Cynthia Watkins LMT#3790, 256-606-1735 Massage therapy with a healing touch. Offering signature swedish and deep tissue massage, foot massage, reflexology, and detox foot baths. By appointment only.

CLOUD NINE IN HOME MASSAGES Evening and Weekend Appointments 256-337-6989

Finally, someone who makes housecalls! Swedish, Ortho and Deep Tissue massage in the privacy of your own home. Gift Certificates also available for any occasion.

DIXIE PHILLIPS (LMT #2151)

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

MEETING ROOMS/ EVENT SPACE

PRIVATE YOGA CLASSES SUZANNE NEWTON, INSTRUCTOR

Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 International Association of Yoga Therapists 256-585-3727 YogaDharmaDowntown.com Suzanne.m.newton@gmail.com Private Yoga Instruction is an opportunity to address your specific needs and receive guidance about yoga postures, breathing exercises and meditation training. 90-minute sessions are held in a South Huntsville private studio. Contact Suzanne for more information.

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

Dr. Gilliam treats a variety of health problems with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, heart disease, hormone replacement and thyroid issues being at the forefront. Dr. Gilliam sees patients from around the world due to the reputation she has earned by treating hard to treat medical conditions. Dr. Gilliam works to find the cause of medical conditions and does not simply treat the patients’ symptoms. See ad, page 21.

& Therapeutic Massage Jeffrey Rich, LMT 256-­337-­1699 WaterWillowMoon.com Jeffrey.Rich@gmail.com

Imagine finding your wholeness!

Shamanic Healing is “Medicine f o r Yo u r S p i r i t , ” s a c r e d technology which helps you heal because it addresses the spiritual causes of what is affecting you.

Searching for joy? Something “just not right” with you? Have you “not been the same since” that significant event? Does something block you again and again? Lets unravel it and find the answers for you! Offering you Soul Retrieval, Unraveling of Energetic Blocks, Shamanic Training, experienced Therapeutic Massage.

friends, our very breath are parts of the banquet.

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.

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

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

SHAMANIC HEALING

The sun, the Earth, love,

256-656-4108 JaciHogue@gmail.com

YOGA CENTER OF HUNTSVILLE

SHAMANIC HEALING

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

JACI HOGUE

SUSAN K. JEFFREYS

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

LIGHT OF CHRIST CENTER

Rent our beautiful vintage Centenarian House facility as the ideal venue for weddings, receptions, memorial services, classes/workshops and other gatherings. Call and leave a message if you’re interested in a tour or to speak with someone about your event. See ad, page 22.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

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

YOGA TEACHER TRAINING YOGA DHARMA INTENSIVE STUDIES PROGRAM

Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS 200) Suzanne Newton, Director Huntsville AL • 256-585-3727 Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500, Teacher Trainer International Association of Yoga Therapists YogaDharmaDowntown..com Suzanne.m.newton@gmail.com Teacher training and certification require a concentrated period of study: yoga traditions, personal practice development, and teaching methods. Visit the Teacher Training page on the website for more information.

~Rebecca Harding Davis

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

Alternative Medicine Associates • • • • • •

Complete Family Practice Sick Visits Diabetes Hypertension Asthma Thyroid

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

• • • • • •

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

Dr. Princess Robinson Humphrey, MD

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

MadisonFamilyCare.com Progress Toward Wellness & Prevention