Natural Awakenings April 2016 by Natural Awakenings Magazine, Tennessee Valley Edition

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

Step Into Sustainability

FREE

Everyday Ways to Help Out the Planet

EARTH SONG

Mother Nature’s Rhythms Restore the Soul

Edible Heirlooms Old-Fashioned Fruits and Veggies Return to the Table

Millennials’ Take on Fitness They Like Short, Social and Fun Workouts

April 2016

Tennessee Valley

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Experience a Meal with Friends & Saladmaster Saladmaster offers the world’s finest premium cookware that is the healthiest and most convenient way to cook your favorite foods. The advanced design and construction of Saladmaster’s titanium cookware allows vapor seal cooking at a low to medium heat to preserve the nutrition in food, and without using added grease 31 or even water. We’d like to invite you to host a Saladmaster cooking show in the comfort and convenience of your own home. It’s easy. It’s delicious. And it’s a great excuse to spend time tasting and learning with your favorite people. 7b..

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Ø Saladmaster is personal. 9WI ǻVWX TIVWSR [LIRIZIV Ø Saladmaster is fun. Balance an upbeat tone with three couples in attendance. Other premium hosting gifts are available professionalism and sophistication. possible. Incorporate words like “we,” “us,” “you,” for smaller dinner shows. Hosting requires very little on your part, but the "who" and “our” to communicate a connection rewards make you glad you did. And besides, everyone’s kitchen is concise. With the breadth of needs a Ø Saladmaster between Saladmaster and the reader. Saladmaster Food Processor. TVSKVEQW ERH TVSQSXMSRW SǺIVIH F] EPEHQEWXIV copy should be as streamlined, concise and Ø Saladmaster is helpful. Utilize a knowledgeable tone straightforward as possible. without being condescending; Saladmaster wants

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to lightheartedly share information about cooking, and clean up after. There are several dates available this month, so book Ø Saladmaster changes life. Keep this in mind in healthy living, nutrition, business, etc. to everyone it your cooking show today. Call Charles Maples atshare 256-412-4896 to pick communications, and those experiences in can, without being a know-it-all. your date. an inspirational way.

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letterfrompublisher “Allow yourself to become more receptive and somewhat vulnerable, ready to make contact with the tree.” –Mantak Chia, “How to Befriend a Tree” I have been attending a Reiki circle every Sunday afternoon for the past several weeks. Reiki is a practice of laying on hands in order to heal a person with universal life force energy. Humans are natural healers, especially using the powerful energy channels of the hands. This is why “laying on of hands” is a practice in many spiritual traditions. It is said that the energy of Love is the greatest healing force there is. I have seen the dramatic effects of energy healing on the people in the Reiki circle. It feels like a Love force that is getting channeled. The circle has gotten me thinking about what it means to heal others or oneself, or even to heal the Earth. A lot of people talk about saving the Earth, protecting the Earth, and healing the Earth. So how about a real, hands-on healing? A delightful article called “How To Befriend a Tree,” which is searchable by title on DharmaCafe.com, illustrates how this can be done. Beginning practitioners of Chinese internal organ massage, or Chi Nei Tsang, are taught how to commune with the subtle energy of trees. Trees are tremendously powerful plants that can absorb negative forces and transform them into good energy. You give your negative or sick energy to the tree, and it gives you back healthy, balanced energy. The healing also goes both ways. Working with trees in subtle energy communion “helps them with their own blockages and devitalized areas,” the author writes. The article features paragraph titles such as “The Healing Abilities of Trees,” “The Tree as Healer and Friend,” and “Choosing a Tree to Work With.” The techniques are in a series of steps and illustrated drawings. One of the drawings shows how to visualize the tree’s energy cycling through your body in a circular pathway. Other drawings show how you can step back a distance and still remain within the energy field or aura of the tree. This allows you to run the energy into the ground to mix Earth energy with the tree’s energy for purification. There is much more to this wonderful article, which is a pure joy to read. Whenever I hear a mention of “healing the Earth,” I will always think of doing energy work on trees!

contact us Editor@Natvalley.com 256-808-8044 Publisher/Editor Advertising Sales Tom Maples Co-Publisher Cindy Wilson Design and Production Melanie Rankin Natural Awakenings in the Tennessee Valley 14 Woodland Ave Trinity, AL 35673 Fax: 256-217-4274 Facebook.com/natvalley Issuu.com/natvalley © 2016 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 $20 (for 12 issues) to the above address. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

natural awakenings

April 2016

contents 9 5 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs 10 globalbriefs 13 practice spotlight

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.

13 RON GRAY, LMT #36

10 18 consciouseating 14 EVERYDAY 20 fitbody SUSTAINABILITY Practical Ways We Can 22 naturalpet Help Out the Planet 24 healingways 25 inspiration 18 EDIBLE HEIRLOOMS Old-Fashioned Fruits and 27 27 wisewords Veggies Return to the Table 28 calendar 20 MILLENNIALS’ TAKE 30 classifieds ON FITNESS 30 resourceguide They Like Short, Social by Tom Maples

by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

by Avery Mack

advertising & submissions Display Ads due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 256-808-8044 or email Editor@Natvalley.com.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS* Newsbriefs due by the 15th of the month. Limit 50-250 words. Content limited to special events and other announcements. No advertorials, please. Articles and ideas due by the 15th 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 15th of the month. Limit 50 words per entry. Please follow format found in those sections.

ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY 256-808-8044 -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.

Digital archive: Issuu.com/natvalley Tennessee Valley

and Fun Workouts by Derek Flanzraich

22 HORSE RESCUE

HOW TO ADVERTISE

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Caring Homes Sought for Aging and Abandoned Horses by Sandra Murphy

24 FARM-TO-HOSPITAL

On-Site Farms Grow Organics for Patients by Judith Fertig

25 EARTH SONG

Mother Nature’s Rhythms Restore the Soul by Susan Andra Lion

27 MARIE KONDO

ON THE JOY OF TIDYING UP Simplicity Invites Happiness into Our Lives by April Thompson

newsbriefs Lecture Series: Chinese Medicine, Cranial-Sacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation and Seasonal Influences in Health

three-part lecture series in May and June will demonstrate how Chinese Medicine, Cranial-Sacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation promote health and combat disease through exploring the Seasonal Influences and natural movement patterns of body organs. Presenters are Kim Susor, LMT, LAc and Caroline Choppa, MSPT. Kim Susor is a 2014 graduate of the Jung Tao School of Chinese Medicine and a 1997 graduate of the Northwest Academy of Massotherapy in Maumee, OH. Ms. Susor specializes in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as well as Neuromuscular and Sports Massage Therapy. She is excited to educate health practitioners and clients about Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Caroline Choppa is a 1994 Graduate of the University of Indianapolis and a 1984 Graduate of the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. She is a specialist in Manual Therapy and a qualified Upledger Institute Teaching Assistant. Ms. Choppa is looking forward to educating practitioners and clients on the benefits of manual therapy. Saturday, May 21 Governing/Conception Vessels: Embryologic Development Winter: Kidney/Bladder Saturday, June 11 Spring: Liver/Gallbladder Summer: Heart/Small Intestines Saturday, June 25 Late Summer: Stomach/Spleen/Lymph Fall: Lung/Large Intestines Lectures are limited to 40 attendees so please register early. Contact Caroline Choppa at 256-924-0881 or Caroline@ TrueNorthptwellness.com. Mail your contact information and check payable to: True North PT and Wellness, 250 Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dr, Suite N, Huntsville, AL 35801. Location: The Yoga Center, 500 Pratt Ave NE, Huntsville. Time: Saturdays 1-6pm. Cost: $60/day, or $150 when purchasing all 3 lectures. TrueNorthptwellness.com. MeridianAcutherapy.com.

Light Journey Reiki Barbara Caioli, RM Barbara@LightJourneyReiki.com LightJourneyReiki.com

256-716-8419 natural awakenings

April 2016

newsbriefs The Paranormal Study Center Welcomes Fran Miller: “The Planetary History of Extra Terrestrial Interaction with the Evolution of Human DNA”

ran Miller has traveled the globe extensively and resided in India and two Middle East countries. She traveled to several continents and visited the following countries: Nepal, Oman, Egypt, Turkey, Denmark, Ireland, Germany, France, England, Spain, Kenya, Hong Kong, China, Switzerland, Singapore, Ecuador, Greece, Thailand, Philippines and the United Kingdom. Her early professional career encompassed successful years at both AT&T and Motorola Corp. acting as Project Manager, which provided international exposure and pathways for exponential professional and spiritual growth as well as insights into our infinite universe. Fran’s travels provided her with the opportunity to research world religions, spirituality, geopolitics, Fran Miller natural health sciences and healing techniques. She has overcome numerous health challenges using the knowledge and understanding gained from natural and homeopathic research. Fran will reveal startling information on the subject of Extra Terrestrials and their interactions with humans to create hybrid entities and establish Hybrid colonies, some of these could already be working or living next to you right now. Come and listen to a unique presentation by Fran Miller on a sure to be fascinating and controversial topic. Date: Friday, April 29 at 6:30-9pm. Location: The Hilton Garden Inn, 4801 Governors House Dr (next to Landry’s Seafood). Admission: $10. For more information, visit ParapsychologyStudyGroup.com or Meetup.com/Huntsville-ParanormalStudy-Center.

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. ~George Bernard Shaw

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LaMont Hamilton at 256-266-4207 or WorldPsychic@email.com

Tennessee Valley

For appointments, contact

Facebook.com/natvalley

Light Worker’s Celebration

he Light Worker’s Celebration is a gathering for individuals to come together and celebrate the light within all beings. There will be educational lectures as well as vendors who have unique handmade items for sale. There will also be many talented intuitives available for 15-minute sessions. Intuitive sessions are often helpful if you feel that a little clarity is needed to help move you in the right direction on your spiritual path or if you have other specific questions. There will also be Aura photography available and spirit portraits. Local food truck Hot Box will be there as well. The event will be May 21 from 10am-5pm and is sponsored by M.K. Honeycutt and Melissa Posey. Location is at The Dream Maker gift shop in Huntsville. Admission is $5 to get in, and this gives you a chance to walk around and view the intuitives available as well as access to the vendors, a food truck and informational lectures. The minisessions are $25 for 15 minutes or save by purchasing three for $65. For entertainment purposes only. For more information and updates on this event and the future fall event, please “like” the Facebook page at Facebook.com/ LightWorkersCelebration so you can stay updated on all of the exciting details. Date: May 21st, 10am-5pm. Location: The Dream Maker, 4004 Triana Blvd SW, Huntsville. Info: M.K. Honeycutt 256-348-7763, Italk2mk@gmail.com or Melissa Posey 256-652-5125, M3esu@ yahoo.com.

Learn how your past Lives affect

Replaces Previ COPYthe SHEET present and the future AD LETTER

Vanessa Miller Mantis, M.Ed., Offers Music Lessons That Cater to the Individual’s Needs

Delsie Hill

anessa has a Master’s Degree in Vocal Music Education and has earned an Alabama Teacher Certification. She knows how to teach and cater to the individual’s needs, according to learning Jane Simons, Vanessa Miller Mantis styles and individual tastes. With 13 years of experience, she has worked with many different learners, all with individual needs and desires with their lessons. Vanessa says, “I think in order to be a successful teacher, one must be sensitive to the various needs and preferences of one’s students. Since music feels very personal to people, some students may feel strongly about studying one genre of music. I am open to teaching a student different styles of music, as long as they are appropriate for the student’s skill level. We can always find music that makes someone’s heart sing.” One of Vanessa’s students of over 4 years, Jane Simons (pictured on left with Vanessa), agrees that voice lessons with Vanessa have helped her emotionally, spiritually, and especially physically. Jane suffers from severe asthma, and she says that the breathing involved with singing has improved her lung strength and capacity. Jane says, “Improving my breathing technique has not only helped my singing ability but also helped my overall health. Vanessa has expanded my internal excitement about music, added style and grace to my ability to sing various types of music.” Vanessa has most of her openings during the daytime (11am to 2:30pm), which would be perfect for homeschooled students or adults with flexible schedules. Vanessa currently has some after-school and Saturday openings as well.

Past Life Intuitive and Counselor

DelsieHill@hotmail.com 256-508-7874

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For scheduling, contact Vanessa at 256-585-0260. Vanessa Millerstudio.com. See listing, page 31.

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Jin Shin Jyutsu® of Huntsville Sandra Cope

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Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu® Practitioner

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Assists healing through relaxation and restoring body harmony.

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natural awakenings

April 2016

healthbriefs

The ‘Dirty Dozen’ of Cancer-Causing Chemicals

cientists at the Environmental Working Group published a list of the 12 chemicals that have been most prevalently linked to cancer in numerous research studies. The list encompasses bisphenol A, atrazine, organophosphate pesticides, dibutyl phthalate, lead, mercury, per- or polyfluorochemicals (PFC), phthalates, diethlyhexyl phthalate, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, triclosan and nonylphenol. The scientists suggest that consumers can reduce their exposure to each of these chemicals by avoiding plastics marked with “PC” (polycarbonates) or the recycling number 7 mark, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics in food packaging, PFC-treated wrappers on food and other products, lead paints, mercury-laden seafoods, phthalatescontaining fragrances and plastics, foam products made before 2005, foreign antibacterial soaps, and detergents and paints with nonylphenol. Other proactive measures include drinking only filtered water when in agricultural areas and purchasing organic foods. The researchers contend, “Given that we live in a sea of chemicals, it makes sense to begin reducing exposures to ones we know are bad actors.”

Tai Chi Eases Effects of Chronic Disease

review of research from the University of British Columbia tested the effects of tai chi exercise upon people with four chronic diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, osteoarthritis and cancer. Dr. Yi-Wen Chen and his team analyzed 33 studies of more than 1,500 people that participated in tai chi. The research also tested the effects of the practice on general health, including walking speed, muscle strength, speed in standing up from a sitting position, quality of life, symptoms of depression and knee strength. The heart disease patients among the subjects showed a reduction in depression symptoms, and all shared a reduction of muscle stiffness and pain, increased speeds in both walking and standing from a sitting position and improved well-being. “Given the fact that many middle-aged and older persons have more than one chronic condition, it’s important to examine the benefits of treatment/exercise interventions across several co-existing conditions,” says Chen.

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is April 30

Creating Health and Harmony through Nature New Thought Gifts • Crystals • Gemstones Essential oils • Crystal Lightbed Sessions • Candles Massage Therapy • Salt Lamps • Reflexology

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Tennessee Valley

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Crystal Lightbed Sessions

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KIWIS BOOST HEART HEALTH

multi-center study from the University of Salamanca, in Spain, has found that consuming even one kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa) per week will significantly boost cardiovascular health. The researchers tested 1,469 healthy people throughout Spain. The volunteers were given dietary questionnaires and underwent testing for cholesterol lipids and inflammatory markers for heart disease. The researchers determined that those that ate at least one kiwi fruit per week had significantly lower triglycerides and fibrinogen (a marker for inflammation), and higher HDL-cholesterol levels. Higher levels of HDL-cholesterol are associated with reduced incidence of atherosclerosis. The researchers concluded: “Consumption of at least one kiwi a week is associated with lower plasma concentrations of fibrinogen and improved plasma lipid profile in the context of a normal diet and regular exercise.”

Affirmations, Music, Mystery Message, Fellowship, An Open Communion Table

Public Clearance

7:00pm, Friday Apr 15th

Looking Ahead:

esearchers from the University of Melbourne determined that taking a quick break and looking at natural colors can significantly increase attention, focus and job performance. The researchers tested 150 university students that were randomly selected to view one of two city scenes consisting of a building with and without a flowering meadow green roof. The two views were experienced as micro-breaks, a 30-second period that can be taken every 40 minutes. Both groups were tested before and after viewing the scene for sustained attention spans, along with a performance test upon completing a task. Subjects that looked at the scene with the verdant roof had significantly longer attention spans and fewer errors in doing their tasks.

1-Hour Mystery School 11:00am Sundays

Metaphysical Look at the Bible 7:00pm, Thursdays April 14th - May 5th

NATURE’S COLORS AID FOCUS AND ACCURACY

FRACKING FLUIDS FOUND TOXIC TO HEALTH

A Course In Miracles Study Group 9:15am Sundays

Tarot - Major Arcane 7:00pm, Tuesdays May 3rd - Jul 19th

Intro to Metaphysics 7:00pm, Thursdays Jun 9th - Aug 11th

LOCC Light Festival 10:00am thru 6:00pm Saturday, June 18th

Meditation

7:00pm, Mondays Aug 8th - Aug 29th

n analyzing 1,021 chemicals contained in fluids and wastewater used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for oil or natural gas, a Yale University study found that at least 157 of the chemicals—including arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde and mercury—are associated with either developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity or both. Of the total identified chemicals, 925 were used in the hydraulic fracturing process, 132 in fracking wastewater and 36 were present in both. The scientists utilized the REPROTOX database in the Chemical Abstract Service registry and then reviewed the available research, including human and animal studies. Toxicity data wasn’t available for 781 of the chemicals used in fracking. Among the other 240 chemicals, 103 were reproductive toxins. An additional 95 were developmental toxins. Another 41 have been found to be both reproductive and developmental toxins. The researchers further suggested that at least 67 of the chemicals be prioritized in drinking water testing. Senior author and Professor of Public Health Nicole Deziel, Ph.D., adds, “This evaluation is a first step to prioritize the vast array of potential environmental contaminants from hydraulic fracturing for future exposure and health studies. Quantification of the potential exposure to these chemicals, such as by monitoring drinking water in people’s homes, is vital for understanding the [associated] public health impact.”

Our labyrinth is always open for your meditative walks.

Let the Magic Begin 4208 Holmes Ave. NW Huntsville, Alabama 256-895-0255 www.lightofchristcenter.org

natural awakenings

April 2016

coverartist

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

Ground Control

Down-to-Earth Climate Change Strategy

Peace in Winter Susan Andra Lion This month’s cover art, Peace in Winter, is one of 20 illustrated works featured in Just Imagine Trees, a coloring book for nature lovers of all ages. “The inspiration for much of my art comes while I’m listening to concerts. Music is incredibly visual to me,” says graphic designer and fine artist Susan Andra Lion. “This piece came to me while listening to one of Haydn’s string quartets.” Her illustrations in waterproof ink and colored pencil are often accompanied by inspirational messages. Based outside of Boulder, Colorado, Lion is also the author and illustrator of the children’s book How the Trees Got Their Voices, an upcoming companion coloring book, plus creative card decks. “I have a real love affair with trees. When I put my hands on a tree, I can feel the energy coursing through it,” says Lion, who studied graphic design at Colorado State University. “I believe that everything is alive; even stones vibrate. We all have a reason to be here and live in harmony with all other life forms.” Visit the artist’s portfolio at SueLion.com. 10

Tennessee Valley

The Center for Food Safety’s Cool Foods Campaign report Soil & Carbon: Soil Solutions to Climate Problems maintains that it’s possible to take atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) that fuels climate change and put it back into the soil, where much of it was once a solid mineral. There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere and the oceans, but not enough stable carbon in the ground supporting healthy soils. Cultivated soils globally have lost 50 to 70 percent of their original carbon content through paving, converting grasslands to cropland and agricultural practices that rob soil of organic matter and its ability to store carbon, making it more susceptible to flooding and erosion. Healthy soils—fed through organic agriculture practices like polycultures, cover crops and compost—give soil microbes the ability to store more CO2 and withstand drought and floods better, because revitalized soil structure allows it to act like a sponge. The report concludes, “Rebuilding soil carbon is a zero-risk, low-cost proposition. It has universal application and we already know how to do it.” Download the report at Tinyurl.com/CFS-Climate-Report.

Bee Kind The Good Fight for Honeybees A U.S. federal appeals court has blocked the use of the pesticide sulfoxaflor over concerns about its effect on honeybees, which have been disappearing throughout the country in recent years. “Initial studies showed sulfoxaflor was highly toxic to honeybees, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required to get further tests,” says Circuit Judge Mary Schroeder. “Given the precariousness of bee populations, leaving the EPA’s registration of sulfoxaflor in place risks more potential environmental harm than vacating it.” The product, sold in the U.S. as Transform or Closer, must be pulled from store shelves by October 18. Paul Towers, a spokesperson for the nonprofit advocacy group Pesticide Action Network, comments, “This is [an example of] the classic pesticide industry shell game. As more science underscores the harms of a pesticide, they shift to newer, less-studied products, and it takes regulators years to catch up.” On another front, an insect form of Alzheimer’s disease caused by aluminum contamination from pesticides is another suspected contributing cause of the welldocumented widespread bee colony collapse, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE. Honeybees studied had levels of aluminum in their bodies equivalent to those that could cause brain damage in humans.

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Grading Grocers

Greenpeace Issues Report on Seafood As a link between the oceans and consumers, supermarkets play a pivotal role in the destruction of our oceans and have big opportunities to help protect them. Greenpeace evaluates major U.S. retailers for seafood sustainability in four key areas. Policies examine the systems in place that govern a company’s purchasing decisions and how it avoids supporting destructive practices. They encourage retailers to enforce strong standards for both the wild-caught and farm-raised seafood in their stores. They also evaluate retailers’ participation in coalitions and initiatives that promote seafood sustainability and ocean conservation such as supporting sustainable fishing, calling for protection of vital marine habitat and working to stop human rights abuses in the seafood industry. Finally, the need for labeling and transparency takes into account retailers’ levels of truthfulness about where and how they source their seafood and how clearly this is communicated to customers. The group’s Red List Inventory, a scientifically compiled list of 22 marine species that don’t belong in supermarkets, is at Tinyurl.com/GreenpeaceRedList. View the store ratings at Seafood.GreenpeaceUSA.org/grocery-store-scorecard.

GMO-Free Germany

Five Dozen Countries Now Ban or Label GMO Crops New rules implemented by the European Union now allow individual member states to block farmers from using genetically modified organisms (GMO), even if the variety has been approved on an EU-wide basis. Scotland was the first to opt out and Germany is next, according to German Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt. Controversy concerning the safety and/or necessity of GMOs persists, but countries like these have decided not to idly sit by while the effects posed by longterm consumption of GMO foods are revealed. This move makes Germany one of between 64 and 74 countries that have instituted some type of ban or mandatory labeling requirements.

Working Worms

They Can Safely Biodegrade Plastic Waste Mealworms can safely and effectively biodegrade certain types of plastic waste, according to groundbreaking new research from Stanford University and China’s Beihang University. In two newly released companion studies, researchers reveal that microorganisms living in the mealworm’s gut effectively break down Styrofoam and plastic into biodegraded fragments that look similar to tiny rabbit droppings. Plastic waste takes notoriously long to biodegrade; a single water bottle is estimated to take 450 years to break down in a landfill. Due to poor waste management, plastic waste often ends up in the environment, and research reveals that 90 percent of all seabirds and up to 25 percent of fish sold in markets have plastic waste in their stomachs. Worms that dined regularly on plastic appeared to be as healthy as their non-plastic-eating companions, and researchers believe that the waste they produce could be safely repurposed in agriculture. Further research is needed before the worms can be widely deployed. It’s possible that worms could also biodegrade polypropylene, used in textiles, bioplastics and microbeads. Source: Discovery.com

Source: CollectivelyConscious.net

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April 2016

globalbriefs Oily Oops Touted Dispersants Worsened Effects of Gulf Oil Spill

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A study conducted by the University of Georgia has found that the Corexit oil dispersant lauded by British Petroleum during the devastating 2010 Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico oil spill not only failed to perform as expected, but may have formed deposits on the seafloor in a chemically altered condition. The naturally occurring proliferation of a particular species of bacteria (marinobacters) that eats untreated oil was completely curtailed when the spill was replaced with dispersed oil. This could be a worst-case scenario, because marine life would continue to be exposed to it over many years, if not decades. According to the report Environmental and Health Impacts of the BP Gulf Oil Spill, “As compared with only oil, Corexit-laden oil is four times more lethal; dispersed oil is 10 times more deadly than the dispersant alone.” The Center for Biological Diversity reports, “One of the dispersants used at the BP spill, Corexit 9527A, contains the toxin 2-butoxyethanol, which may cause injury to red blood cells, kidneys or the liver with repeated or excessive exposure.” Many nations have since outlawed the use of dispersants in their territorial waters in response to these revelations. Read the report at Tinyurl.com/BP-Oil-Spill-Report.

100 Percenter

Lower Austria Wholly Powered by Renewable Energy Lower Austria, the largest of the country’s nine states and home to 1.65 million people, now receives 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources. The country’s total power output is about 70 percent renewable. The Danube River is so powerful that hydroelectric power is a natural choice. The mountainous geography means that vast amounts of energy can be generated from this high-capacity river rapidly flowing down through a series of steep slopes. The remainder of the state’s energy is sourced from wind, biomass and solar power. Source: IFLScience.com

256-883-4127 7540 South Memorial Parkway Rosie’s Shopping Center Huntsville, AL 9:30-5:30 M-F; 9:30-2:30 Sat.

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Free Park-ing National Parks Announce Fee-Free Days The National Park Service turns 100 years young in 2016 and is offering free admission on special days. Next up are April 16 to 24, National Park Week; August 25 to 28, its birthday celebration; September 24, National Public Lands Day; and November 11, Veterans Day. They invite everyone to come out and play.

practicespotlight Ron Gray, LMT #36 By Tom Maples

on Gray has over 24 years of experience as a massage therapist. He is proficient at several different styles of bodywork and energy work, and it clearly shows during a session with him. He seamlessly blends styles and modalities based on what he senses in the client’s body. During my session with Ron, he used Craniosacral Therapy, Polarity Therapy, and Atlas-Occiput (AO) release, along with some positional therapy work and massage therapy. He also gave me some exceptionally valuable insight and advice about my body alignment along with some practical tips and techniques on stretching specific areas that will save me from developing problems down the road. Ron can see energy as it flows and where it is blocked in the body. Sometimes he sees it as a shimmer, running in lines along the body. Other times he simply perceives it with his fingers or with his senses. “Sensing would be a better word probably than seeing,” says Ron in regard to his perception of energy flow in the body. However it is described, it’s an ability that Ron has had all his life, and it is an especially useful talent for a bodyworker and a healer. Perceiving energy flow allows Ron to perceive where it is blocked, and releasing those blocks and restoring healthy flow is where his talent combines with techniques gathered over a long career of study and practice. One of Ron’s main techniques is Polarity Therapy. Polarity Therapy is a healing system based mainly on Indian Ayurvedic principles. It is a system that does not manipulate muscles and bones with hard pressure, but works through the body’s energy centers and poles to redirect the flow of energy. Only gentle and soothing pressure is used. The electromagnetic currents that flow

in and around the body are worked with during a session. Balancing the energy occurs at a very deep level throughout the body, in the organs, the nervous system and the five senses, leading to feelings of well-being. Ron also uses Craniosacral Therapy in his sessions. Craniosacral Therapy is a powerful yet gentle tool for releasing blockages associated with stress, accidents, traumas and illnesses which disrupt the balance of the body, mind and spirit. This therapy can also bring relief for people with chronic headaches and depression due to tension in the jaw or Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ). Another technique that Ron used during my session was Atlas-Occiput (AO) release. AO release involves employing steady, gentle fingertip pressure under the Occipital Ridge at the top of the spine and base of the skull at the back of the head, done with the client lying face up. The Atlas is the top vertebra of the spine and the Occiput is the bone that it connects to at the base of the skull. The AO forms a joint that often gets out of alignment and causes the surrounding muscle tissue to knot up around it. This leads to tension throughout the entire body and many other problems, such as anxiety and irritability. My atlas and occiput were in particularly bad shape, but Ron was able to get the AO joint to release after what seemed like a very long time of working on it. I must say that when I did feel it let go it felt wonderful. The thing must have been chronically tense for years. I was extremely impressed, not only with the results of the release, but with the patience and focus that Ron showed in taking all of the time that was needed to get it to let go. I believe that it was

the depth of his experience that told him he could eventually get the joint to loosen even though it took much longer than I would have thought anyone would have stayed with it. In addition to the techniques described above, Ron also offers several styles of massage therapy, including neuromuscular and deep tissue massage. He also offers energetic structural realignment, myofascial therapy, Reiki energy healing, and lymphatic drainage. Ron has completed advanced training in these modalities, is nationally certified, and was among the first group of massage therapists to become licensed in Alabama. My session with Ron was extremely positive, relaxing, and beneficial. His style is unique and is a blend of many styles and techniques. He is an excellent diagnostician, and he knows what it will take to get issues resolved. I feel like he uncovered some critical hidden problems that may never have been brought to light if I had not had my session with him. Because of his long experience as a healer, his natural empathy, his expertise, and his talent for working with energy fields, Ron is a practitioner whom I would very highly recommend to anyone looking for relief of pain, stress, or any musculoskeletal or energetic misalignment, and to anyone and everyone looking for a general boost to their well-being. To schedule an appointment with Ron, call 256-883-8446. His office is in The Dream Maker, 4004 Triana Blvd, just south of Drake Ave in Huntsville. MassageTherapyHuntsville.com. See ad on page 8 and listing on page 31.

natural awakenings

April 2016

EVERYDAY SUSTAINABILITY Practical Ways We Can Help Out the Planet by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

or many Americans, living more sustainably has become a natural part of their daily routine as they consistently recycle, eat healthy and use energy more efficiently. It’s just what they normally do every day. Every one of them had to start somewhere, growing their efforts over time to the point that nearly every activity yields better results for themselves, their family, their community and the planet. It might begin with the way we eat and eventually expand to encompass the way we work.

New American Way

“The sustainability movement is large and growing in the U.S.,” says Todd Larsen, with Green America, a grassroots nonprofit organization harnessing economic forces to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. “Half a million people turned out in New York City to march for action on climate change. People also are working in their local communi14

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ties to oppose fracking and pollution, and to support green building and clean energy. Many businesses now include sustainability as a core business practice, including the 3,000 certified members of Green America’s Green Business Network.” This month, Natural Awakenings profiles the experiences of representative individuals from around the country that are helping to both make the world more sustainable and their own lives richer and more meaningful. From growing and cooking family food and line-drying laundry to powering their business with renewable energy, their approaches are as varied as the places they call home.

First Steps

“Many people start with something small at home, particularly if they’re concerned about the impacts on their family’s health,” says Larsen. “More Americans are approaching sustainability first through food. It’s relatively

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easy to change spending habits to incorporate more organic, fair trade and non-GMO [genetically modified] foods, and with the growth of farmers’ markets nationwide, people are able to buy local more easily.” A focus on food quality is how Wendy Brown and her husband and five children launched their eco-journey just outside of Portland, Maine. “We started thinking about where our food came from, how it was grown and raised and what we could do to ensure that it was better,” says Brown. “What we don’t grow or forage ourselves, we try to purchase from local farmers.” Living more simply during the past decade has helped the family cut debt and become more financially stable. “Our entry point to sustainable living was to grow tomatoes on the steps of an apartment that Kelly and I once called home years ago,” echoes Erik Knutzen, who, with his wife Kelly Coyne, have transformed their 960-square-foot Los Angeles bungalow into an oasis where they grow food, keep chickens and bees, brew, bake and house their bikes. Gabriele Marewski’s journey also started with what she ate. “I became a vegetarian at 14, after reading Diet for a Small Planet, by Frances Moore Lappé,” says Marewski, who in 1999 turned an avocado orchard in Homestead, Florida, into Paradise Farms. “Forty-seven years later, I’m still a strict vegetarian. I believe it’s the single most important statement we can make about saving the planet.” Marewski’s five-acre farm showcases certified organic micro greens, edible flowers, oyster mushrooms and a variety of tropical fruits marketed to Miami-area chefs. Her farm also offers Dinner in Paradise farm-to-table experiences to raise funds for local nonprofits providing food for underprivileged city residents, and bed-andbreakfast lodging. Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology offers a free online course, Sustainability in Everyday Life, based on five themes: energy, climate change, food, chemicals and globalization. “People can make a difference by making responsible choices in their everyday life,” says Anna Nyström Claesson, one of the three original teachers.

Consume Less

“Every step toward sustainability is important and in the right direction,” explains Gina Miresse, with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), which will again host the world’s largest energy fair in June in Custer, Wisconsin. “It’s easy to start at home by adopting one new practice and sticking with it until it becomes a habit; then add a second practice and so on. This keeps people from getting overwhelmed.” We might, for example, switch to non-toxic home cleaning products when current products are used up. “There’s no need to throw everything in the trash and replace it all immediately—that would partially defeat the purpose of sustainability,” says Miresse. Green America, which suggests green alternatives to many products in online publications at GreenAmerica. org, recommends a congruent strategy. “We see people first change the way they purchase their food, move to reduce their purchases overall and green those they make, and then make their home more energy-efficient,” remarks Larsen. “Next, they consider walking and biking more.” Pamela Dixon explains, “On a day-to-day basis, it’s really about the products we use, like transferring to eco-friendly cleaners and yard maintenance, recycling electronic devices, paying bills electronically and receiving statements via email.” She and her husband, David Anderson, own Dave’s BrewFarm, in rural Wilson, Wisconsin, where they grow herbs, hops, raspberries and apples on 35 acres. “A 20-kilowatt wind generator supplies our electricity, and we use geothermal for heating and cooling,” adds Dixon. Due to career opportunities involving teaching principles of sustainability, the Wisconsin couple is in the process of selling the BrewFarm to move to La Crosse. “At our new home, we’re replacing the windows and appliances with more energy-efficient ones. We also chose our neighborhood so we can walk or bike to local grocery co-ops. We prefer to repair things when they break rather than buying something new, recycle everything the city will accept, compost food scraps and buy clothes at secondhand stores.”

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April 2016

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When the MREA Energy Fair began 27 years ago, the majority of attendees were interested in learning about first steps, such as recycling, relates Miresse. Today, sustainability basics ranging from fuel savings to water conservation are familiar, and they’re focused on revitalizing local economies. “Folks are now considering more ambitious practices such as sourcing food directly from local farmers, producing their own solar energy and incorporating energy storage, driving an electric vehicle or switching to more socially responsible investing.” The fair’s 250 workshops provide tools to help in taking their next steps on the journey to sustainability. Knutzen and Coyne’s passion has evolved from growing food into a larger DIY mode. “Cooking from scratch is something I prefer to do,” comments Knutzen. “I even grind my own flour.” Library books provide his primary source of inspiration. The Brown family likely echoes the thoughts of many American families. “We have many dreams, but the stark reality is that we live in a world that requires money,” says Wendy Brown. An electric car or solar electric system, for example, is a large investment. “The biggest barriers were mental blocks because we ‘gave up’ previous lifestyle norms,” she says. “Most people we know have a clothes dryer and can’t imagine living without one. Line-drying is just part of the bigger issue of time management for us, because living sustainably and doing things by hand takes longer.”

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“The biggest and most positive impact I have comes from my general nonwaste philosophy,” advises Brown. “I try to reuse something rather than throwing it away. I’ve made underwear out of old camisoles and pajama pants from old flannel sheets. I reuse elastic from worn-out clothing. My travel beverage cup is a sauce jar with a reusable canning lid drilled with a hole for a reusable straw. Such examples show how we live every day.” Marewski’s love of travel doesn’t interfere with her sustainability quest. “When I travel, I like to walk or bicycle across countries,” she says. “It gives me a closer connection to the land and spontaneous contact with interesting

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Next Steps to Sustainability Green America GreenAmerica.org Midwest Renewable Energy Association MidwestRenew.org Browsing Nature’s Aisles by Eric and Wendy Brown ECOpreneuring by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko Surviving the Apocalypse in the Suburbs by Wendy Brown The Urban Homestead and Making It by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen

people. I’m building a tiny home on wheels that’ll be completely self-sufficient, with solar, composting toilet and water catchment to reduce my footprint even further.” “Last August, I started a tenuretrack position in the school of business at Viterbo University,” says Dixon, who emphasizes how students can pursue sustainability in business and life. “I teach systems thinking, complex systems change and globally responsible leadership, all of which have a sustainability component.” She’s also faculty advisor to Enactus, a student organization focused on social entrepreneurship and making a positive impact on the community. “The best part of how we live is when my daughters make everyday eco-minded choices without even realizing it,” observes Brown. “I can see how remarkable it is, because I have the perspective of having lived differently. But for them, it’s just the way things are done. I think in that way, I’ve succeeded.” Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko’s ecojourney is captured in their books, ECOpreneuring, Farmstead Chef, Homemade for Sale, Rural Renaissance and Soil Sisters. Every day, they eat from their organic gardens surrounding their farm powered by the wind and sun.

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April 2016

well, while sacrificing taste. Consumers in search of health-enhancing nutrients and robust flavor can find them by instead connecting with the past through food and flowers. “Heirloom seeds have remained intact and unexposed to commercial pesticides,” says Jere Gettle, owner of Baker Creek Seed Company, in Mansfield, Missouri. “They’re reliable—plants grown now will be the same next year; not so with hybrids.” This cleaner, tastier alternative to the status quo is typically packed with more good vitamins than good looks. Heirloom produce often also delivers a unique regional flavor, such as Vidalia onions or Hatch chile peppers.

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Exemplary Fruits

Edible Heirlooms Old-Fashioned Fruits and Veggies Return to the Table by Avery Mack

f the 7,500 varieties of apples in the world, 2,500 are grown in the U.S., but only 100 commercially. As of the 1990s, 70 percent were Red Delicious; more recently they’re being replaced with Gala, Granny Smith and Fuji types from taller,

thinner trees that can be planted more compactly for easier harvesting, yet are more sensitive to disease and require trellis supports. Mass-produced fruits and vegetables have been modified over the years to make them look appealing and ship

Fine restaurants like to feature Yellow Wonder wild strawberries because they taste like cream. The fragrant Baron von Solemacher strawberry, an antique German Alpine variety, is small and sweet, red and full of flavor; it’s been around since the Stone Age. For pies and preserves, pair them with Victorian rhubarb, which dates back to 1856. Eat only the rhubarb stalks; the leaves contain poisonous oxalic acid. Aunt Molly’s ground cherry (husk tomato) hails from Poland. “It’s sweet, with a hint of tart, like pineapple-apricot,” says Gettle. “The Amish and Germans use them in pies. Their high pectin content makes them good for preserves. Heirlooms send people in search of old

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recipes and they end up creating their own variations. It’s food as history.”

Valuable Vegetables

Trending this year are purple veggies like the brilliantly colored Pusa Jamuni radish. Pair it with bright pink Pusa Gulabi radishes, high in carotenoids and anthocyanins, atop a stunning salad with Amsterdam prickly-seeded spinach’s arrow-shaped leaves, a variety once grown by Thomas Jefferson. Add a fennellike flavor with Pink Plume celery. Brighten salsas using the Buena Mulata hot pepper, a deep violet that ripens to a sweet red. Serve with pink pleated Mushroom Basket tomatoes or Lucid Gems, with their black/orange peel and striking yellow/orange flesh. Purple tomatillos are sweeter than green varieties and can be eaten right off the plant. “Purple sweet potatoes are found in Hawaii, but aren’t common on the mainland,” explains Gettle. “Molokai Purple sweet potatoes keep their deep purple color even when cooked, and are much higher in antioxidants than the orange variety.” To be novel, serve the Albino beet. Baker Creek’s customers use it raw in salads, roasted or fried and don’t let the greens go to waste. Monique Prince, a clinical social worker in Chester, New Hampshire, grows heirloom organic radishes, greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and pumpkins in eight raised beds. She received Ganisisikuk pole beans (seventh-generation seeds) and Abnaki cranberry runner beans from a Native American client. Rather than eat the bounty, she’s accumulating the seeds to save the varieties.

Thai basil loves summer heat. Make batches of pesto, then freeze it in ice cube trays for later. Christina Major, a nutritionist in Trevorton, Pennsylvania, grows heirloom herbs that include borage, with its edible flowers, and marshmallow, which is a decongestant when added to tea. Her 300-squarefoot garden supplies summer veggies such as scarlet runner beans, more than 50 kinds of perennial herbs for year-round use and heirloom raspberries, gooseberries and blackberries “that are eaten as fast as they’re picked,” she says. Heirloom enthusiasts like to exchange seeds to try new varieties. “From December to March, traders swap seeds and plot their gardens,” says Major. “I got 20 kinds of tomatoes by connecting with other traders on Facebook.”

Look for Non-GMOs

Flowers

The Non-GMO Project label on U.S. food products assures consumers they have no genetically modified ingredients. Now a few seed companies are starting to display the butterfly label, as well. “As demand for non-GMO choices continues to rise, farmers are seeking more non-GMO seed,” says Megan Westgate, executive director of the Non-GMO Project. “Similarly, smaller farms and home gardeners are choosing to plant more organic and non-GMO varieties.” High Mowing Organic Seeds, in Wolcott, Vermont, is the current leader, with 700 Non-GMO Projectverified seeds. Company President Tom Stearns explains, “We continue to hear about GMO concerns from our customers and while we are certified organic, that doesn’t say anything about GMO contamination.” His team helped develop a verification program for seeds because they wanted third-party verification of their claims. “We’d spent a huge amount of time implementing preventative measures and did GMO testing, but felt this wasn’t enough,” he notes. Stearns reports that there are many more genetically engineered plants than most people realize. “Some 40 GMO plant species include petunia and endive,” he says. Plus, “Contamination risks exist even when a GMO crop isn’t commercially approved, like when GMO wheat escapes field trials.”

Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

Source: EcoWatch.com

Heirlooms extend to trees and bushes. The drought-resistant Fourwing Saltbush has a deep root system and provides cover for songbirds in the West. ~BBB Seed

Of 400,000 flowering plants in the world, 20 percent are in danger of extinction. “Instead of marigolds and petunias, consider old-fashioned annuals. Trying new things is fun,” says Gettle. Four O’clocks, familiar to many Midwesterners, come in several colors and are easily cultivated from their abundant seeds. The succulent Ice plant, with its white-pink flowers, looks like it was dipped in sugar; its edible leaves taste like spinach. Black Swan’s burgundy poppies have a frill-like edge, while Mother of Pearl poppies offer subtle watercolors. “Save seeds, share with neighbors and pass them on to the kids,” advises Gettle. “They’re evidence of our culture.”

natural awakenings

April 2016

Millennials understand that diseases caused by unhealthy societal norms, including being sedentary, are in many ways preventable, and they are making conscious choices to be well.

fitbody

What They Are

Millennials’ Take on Fitness

They Like Short, Social and Fun Workouts by Derek Flanzraich

illennials are a big deal. Most businesses view them as trendsetters for good reason: Born between the early 1980s and early 2000s, they make up 25 percent of the population and represent $200 billion in annual buying power. Like the baby boomers before them, they also have the power to profoundly influence other generations,

both young and old. Millennials have largely rejected previous fitness trends and instead paved a new path to health and wellness. In doing so, they’ve transformed both the business of fitness and the idea of what it means to be healthy. They’ve created a more personalized approach that encompasses the values of their generation.

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Millennials are a fast-paced, wellinformed group. They devour news and information as soon as it’s released and then share it with others, usually via social media. This quick turnover cycle has led to an “out with the old, in with the new” mentality in many aspects of life. For a generation that strives to be trailblazers, things quickly become outdated. Millennials are always seeking new ways to get fit and eat healthy, even if it means creating something unique to them. The Internet has allowed these young adults to find more like-minded people than ever before. They grew up with constant connectivity, which has allowed them to build larger communities of friends online as well as locally, and keep everyone apprised of their fitness goals and progress.

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Millennials’ overscheduled lives mean they value shorter, quicker and more convenient options, especially in regard to workouts and healthy meals. They are more likely than any other age group to track their own health progress and use technologies such as health and fitness apps which monitor such data as steps, heart rate and caloric intake as a complement to their fitness routines. Being healthy means more than weight loss or looking good to them. For this pivotal generation, health is increasingly about living a happier life.

What They Like Millennials’ values and unique approach to health have fostered the growth of innovative fitness movements, health-focused stores and restaurants and alternative medicine. Here are the three biggest trends making an impact on the wellness industry. What’s hot: Shorter, full-body workouts that are also fun. What’s not: Steady-state cardio exercises as a starting point for losing weight and improving health.

For these stimulation junkies, multitasking is part of daily life, which is why conducive physical activities are typically accompanied by music, TV or scrolling Twitter feeds.

Millennials don’t believe that weight is the major indicator of health as much as previous generations have. Instead, they increasingly think of weight as just one among many key components of a healthy lifestyle. A higher percentage define being healthy as having regular physical activity and good eating habits. What’s hot: Alternative workouts that are customizable, fun and social. What’s not: Inflexible gym memberships and daily attendance. Instead of hitting the gym, young adults tend to prefer new forms of fitness that can be personalized to their needs. They like obstacle races such as Tough Mudder, fun and distance runs like The Color Run, at-home fitness workouts like P90X, and bodyweight regimens. As a group, millennials are redefining wellness and changing how following generations will view health. Their preferences for fun, personalized workouts and holistic wellness have fueled trends with far-reaching implications for the food, tech and healthcare industries, and that’s just the start.

It’s been increasingly shown that steady-state cardio workouts may be the most effective way to lose weight, but they also lack widespread appeal. Instead of sticking to a traditional treadmill, many millennials have flocked to workout regimens that regularly switch exercises or use high-intensity interval training, such as Zumba, SoulCycle and CrossFit. What’s hot: A more holistic approach to health. What’s not: Diets that emphasize rapid weight loss.

Millennials are more likely to partake in physical activity focused on togetherness instead of competition, pushing each other to be their best, instead of competing for a victory.

Derek Flanzraich is an entrepreneur on a mission to help the world think about health in a healthier way. He is the founder and CEO of Greatist, a New York City-based media startup working to make healthy living cool.

~Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association survey

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naturalpet

Horses Count Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 844,531 Showing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,718,954 Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,906,923 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,752,439 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,222,847 Note: “Other” activities include farm and ranch work, rodeos, carriage tours, polo, police work and informal competitions. Source: The Equestrian Channel; U.S. stats

Horse Rescue

Caring Homes Sought for Aging and Abandoned Horses by Sandra Murphy

n estimated 9 million horses in the U.S. are used for racing, show, informal competitions, breeding, recreation, work and other activities. Many need a new home when they start to slow down physically or when an owner’s finances become tight. Horses need space to run, require hoof care and when injured or ill, may require costly procedures.

Domestic Horse Rescue

“We foster 50 horses right now,” says Jennifer Taylor Williams, Ph.D., president of the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, in College Station, Texas, which has placed about 800 horses in the last decade. “We could have 10 times that many if we had more foster homes and space. There’s often a waiting list. We help law enforcement, animal control, and shelters with horses found through neglect or abuse cases.” Starved and too weak to stand, Tumbleweed was an emergency case

when she arrived at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch clinic on a sled. Having since regained her health, including gaining 200 pounds to reach the appropriate weight for her age and size, she illustrates the benefits of the facility’s status as one of the country’s leaders in providing equine rescue and rehabilitation. The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racers (CANTER USA) serves as an online matchmaker for racing horses. Volunteers take photos at tracks, obtain the horse’s bio from the owner or trainer and post them to attract potential new owners. Along with the healthy horses, the 3,000 ill or injured horses cared for by the alliance have been retrained, rehabbed and re-homed to participate in polo, show jumping, cart pulling and rodeos. “Race horses are intelligent, used to exercise and retire as early as 2 years old, so we find them a second career,”

says Nancy Koch, executive director of CANTER USA. The nonprofit’s 13 U.S. affiliates work with 20 racetracks across the country. “I can’t emphasize enough the importance of volunteers. No one here receives a salary.” Collectively, they have placed more than 23,000 horses nationally since 1997.

Wild Horse Rescue

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management calculates the appropriate management level (AML) for the number of wild horses. Excess numbers are captured and offered for adoption or sale. In December 2015, 47,000 horses were waiting in holding facilities at an annual cost of $49 million. The AML projects removal of an additional 31,000 horses from Western lands. As an example, although local wild species predate the park’s existence, horses in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park are labeled “trespass livestock”, and subject to removal. Return to Freedom, a nonprofit wild horse rescue in Lompoc, California, recognizes the tightly bonded nature of these herd groups. Its American Wild Horse Sanctuary is the first to focus on entire family bands, providing a safe haven for about 200 horses and burros. The Wild Horse Rescue Center, in Mims, Florida, rescues, rehabilitates and finds homes for mustangs and burros, usually housing 30 horses at a time. With many needing medical care upon arrival, expenditures average $3,000 their first year and $1,700 annually once

April 26 is the ASPCA’s annual Help a Horse Day 22

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they’re healthy. Although the goal is adoption, equine fans also can sponsor a horse by donating $5 a day or purchasing a painting done by a horse. The center also provides public educational forums. Sponsored by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), April 26 is Help a Horse Day, a nationwide grant competition. Last year, some 100 U.S. equine rescue groups held events to recruit volunteers, gather donated supplies and find homes for adoptable horses (Tinyurl.com/ASPCA-HelpAHorseDay).

Call to Action

Although a U.S. law now bans slaughterhouses for domestic horses, each year 120,000 are sold at auction for as little as $1 each and transported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter, their meat destined for human consumption in Europe and Japan or for carnivores at zoos. Horses can legally be confined to a trailer for up to 24 hours without food or water during shipment. Two-thirds of all horse rescue operations are either at or approaching capacity. Almost 40 percent turn away animals because of lack of space or money. Many horses are ill, underweight or injured, which raises the cost of care. “We need foster homes and volunteers. We need the time and skills people can donate; not everything is handson, so those that like horses but don’t have handling skills can still help,” says Williams. “Bluebonnet, for example, has many volunteer jobs that can be done remotely. Office work, social media to spread the word, gathering donations— everything helps.” Rescue groups ask that concerned horse lovers donate time, money and land to help and lobby for legislation to ban the export of horses for meat markets. Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

Meeting the Need The average lifespan of a horse is 30 years. It should have two acres of land for grazing. The minimum annual cost for basic food and veterinarian services is $2,000, not including equipment and boarding, which can be more expensive in urban areas and in or near racing meccas like Kentucky or Florida. Rescues budget $300 a month per horse.

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by Judith Fertig

ost people would agree with the results of a 2011 study by the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Typical hospital food is full of the dietary fat, sodium, calories, cholesterol and sugar that contribute to the medical problems that land many in the hospital in the first place. The study’s dietitians further found that some hospitals house up to five fast-food outlets. Because studies from institutions such as the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the University of Maryland show that a poor diet contributes to a host of illnesses and longer recovery time after surgery—all of which increase healthcare costs—it befits hospitals to embrace healthier eating. Now, a dozen pioneering hospitals have their own on-site farms and others are partnering with local

farms, embracing new ways to help us eat healthier, especially those that most need to heal. “In a paradigm shift, hospitals are realizing the value of producing fresh, local, organic food for their patients,” says Mark Smallwood, executive director of the nonprofit Rodale Institute, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It recently partnered with St. Luke’s University Hospital, in nearby Bethlehem, to help support operations of the hospital’s 10-acre organic farm that yields 30 varieties of vegetables and fruits served in hospital meals to support patient recovery. New mothers are sent home with baskets of fresh produce to help instill healthy eating habits. “Organic fruits and vegetables offer many advantages over conventionally grown foods,” says Dr. Bonnie Coyle, director of community health

Typical hospital food is full of the dietary fat, sodium, calories, cholesterol and sugar that contribute to the medical problems that land many in the hospital in the first place.

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for St. Luke’s University Health Network. She cites the higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and antioxidants as contributing to a reduced incidence of heart disease and some cancers and a lowered risk for other common conditions such as allergies, and hyperactivity in children. Hospital farms also benefit the environment and facilitate other healing ways. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System Ann Arbor’s hospital farm, created in 2010 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is a win-win-win solution. “We can model the connection between food and health to our patients, visitors, staff and community,” says hospital spokesperson Laura Blodgett. Their Health Care Without Harm pledge commits the hospital to providing local, nutritious and sustainable food. The farm repurposed some of the hospital’s 340-acre campus, eliminating considerable lawn mowing and chemicals. Today, its organic produce also supplies an on-site farmers’ market. Most recently, collaboration with a rehab hospital treating traumatic brain injuries resulted in a solarheated greenhouse to continually produce organic food using raised beds and a Ferris-wheel-style planting system that enables patients to experience gardening as agritherapy. “Patients love the hands-on healing of tending the garden,” says Blodgett. Another innovative hospital is Watertown Regional Medical Center, in rural Wisconsin. Its farm, located behind the 90-bed hospital, raises 60 pesticide-free crops a year, including vegetables, herbs and even edible flowers. “We believe that food is medicine,” says Executive Chef Justin Johnson. He also serves his healthier fare to the public via special dinners in the hospital’s café, celebrating spring and fall harvests. In Arcata, California, Mad River Community Hospital’s designated farmer, Isaiah Webb, tills six plots and two greenhouses to supply organic carrots, beets, tomatoes, basil, potatoes, sweet corn, artichokes, squash, pumpkins, lettuce, blueberries, apples and strawberries to patients and guests. An in-house work/share program encourages hospital employees to volunteer gardening time for a share of the produce. A three-way partnership of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Fletcher Allen Health Care and Central Vermont Medical Center, all in the Burlington area, combines community supported agriculture (CSA) and physicians’ prescriptions for healthier eating. Diane Imrie, director of nutrition services at Fletcher Allen, comments, “If we want to have a ‘well’ community, they have to be well fed.” Paid student farmers from 15 to 21 years old grow and harvest eight acres of fruits and vegetables for selected doctor-recommended patients in the 12-week-growing season program. Patients gain an appreciation of healthy eating that remains with them, thus decreasing their need for acute medical care. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmto-institution programs like these both provide healthy food to hospital patients and help develop sustainable regional food systems. We all benefit from such healing ripples in the healthcare pond. Judith Fertig is the author of award-winning cookbooks, including The Gardener and the Grill; she blogs at Alfresco FoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

inspiration

Earth Song

Mother Nature’s Rhythms Restore the Soul by Susan Andra Lion

other Earth’s gentle hand is the secure cushion that warms us on long nights and sings comforting messages through endless days, protecting us even when things seem amiss. Take in her lovely presence. Embrace her consistent wisdom. Know that her dreams are ours and ours hers, connected by timely, comforting songs. It’s time to step away from the manicured lawns, concrete walks and well-planned gardens. An open door beckons us to the sparkling air out there to listen to the grasses breathe and murmur. Prairie grasses roll on and on through curvaceous hills and flat-edged fields, undeterred by human attempts to control their rippling arpeggios. We are asked to just listen. Be alone with the music of the grasses and be in harmony with the hum of the universe. Mother Earth’s apron is laden with flowers; simple, ever-present reminders that we are loved. She tempts us to take some time off, shed our shoes and settle into the lyrical realms of her strong body. The trees reach to the depths of the earth, deep into the mystery of lavender waters, and simultaneously throw their arms to the heavens, connecting all things living. The wind hears the prevailing songs that weave in and out of these lovely courtiers of the forest. In listening to their unerring stories, we let their siren songs sigh into our soul. It’s time to play in Earth’s garden and see her for who she is—today. Don’t hesitate. Go, play, linger, breathe and be one with the present moment. Adapted from Just Imagine Trees, a coloring book for all ages, by Susan Andra Lion. natural naturalawakenings awakenings

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wisewords

that the best way to choose what to keep is to actually hold each item. As you do, ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” When you touch something, your body reacts, and its response to each item is different. The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own—identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude and bidding them farewell and good wishes for their onward journey—is a rite of passage to a new life.

Marie Kondo on the Joy of Tidying Up

Simplicity Invites Happiness into Our Lives by April Thompson

Must keepsakes be included?

How can we begin to get and stay organized? It’s not about a set of rules, but acquiring the right mindset for becoming a tidy person. Think in concrete terms,

so that you can picture what it would be like to live in a clutter-free space. Start by identifying your bigger goal. Ask yourself why you want this, repeating the question to get to the root of the answer. As you explore the reasons behind your ideal lifestyle, you’ll realize that the ultimate reason is to be happy. Then you are ready to begin. I recommend cleaning out and organizing your entire space in one go-around. When completed, the change is so profound that it inspires a strong aversion to your previously cluttered state. The key is to make the change so sudden that you experience a complete change of heart. By discarding the easy things first, you can gradually hone your decision-making skills, including knowing who else can use what you don’t need. I recommend starting with clothes, then move to books, documents, miscellaneous items and finally anything with sentimental value. photo by Ichigo Natsuno

apanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo helps us discover happiness through tidiness. Already perusing home and lifestyle magazines by age 5, she spent her childhood “tidying” up her surroundings rather than playing with toys. The organizing system Kondo went on to develop, the KonMari method, defies most long-held rules of organizing, such as installing clever storage solutions to accommodate stuff or decluttering one area at a time. Her New York Times bestseller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has been published in 30 countries, demonstrating that her methods speak to universal desires, including a hunger for order and simplicity. She’s now released a companion book, Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up. Kondo’s principles, including vertically stacking clothing and using special folding methods for socks, can seem quirky, yet her approach gets results. Kondo claims a nearly zero percent “clutter relapse” rate among clients because they’ve become surrounded only by things they love.

Is it important to touch every single object in the decision process? At one point in my life, I was virtually a “disposal unit”, constantly on the lookout for superfluous things. One day, I realized that I had been so focused on what to discard that I had forgotten to cherish the things I loved. Through this experience, I concluded

Mementoes are reminders of a time that gave us joy, yet truly precious memories will never vanish, even if you discard the associated objects. By handling each sentimental item, you process your past. The space we live in should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past.

What do you recommend for organizing what remains after a purge? The secret to maintaining an uncluttered room is to pursue simplicity in storage, so that you can see at a glance what you have. My storage rules are simple: Store all items of the same type in one place and don’t scatter storage space.

How does this process change us and our relationship to things? Through it, you identify both what you love and need in your home and in your life. People have told me that decluttering has helped them achieve lifelong dreams, such as launching their own business; in other cases, it has helped them let go of negative attachments and unhappy relationships. Despite a drastic reduction in belongings, no one has ever regretted it, even those that ended up with a fifth of their earlier possessions. It’s a continuing strong reminder that they have been living all this time with things they didn’t need. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

natural awakenings

April 2016

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

Guided Hike: Rainbow Mountain Wildflowers! – 10am. (2-3 hours / Moderate to difficult, app. 3 miles). Doug Horacek leads this slow mountain stroll. This hike includes stops to learn more about the wildflowers and a visit to famous Balance Rock. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

SUNDAY, APRIL 17

Huntsville Blooms – 9am-5pm, daily through April 30. The Gardens’ beautiful outdoor spaces take center stage during March and April. Favorite spring events include Night of 1000 Flowers, Spring Plant Sale, and Bunny Bonanza, along with plant walks, classes for adults and children, and homeschool programs. Huntsville Botanical Garden. 256-830-4447.

Guest Speaker, Debbie Preece: “What Is Love?” – 11am.Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. UnityOnTheMountain.org. Guided Hike: Bluff Line Combo: History, Trees, and Wildflowers – 1pm. (App. Length: 3.4 miles / Difficulty: Moderate to difficult). Discover some of Monte Sano Nature Preserves most traveled trails: Bluff Line, Wagon Trail, and Old Railroad Bed Trails with leader Bruce Martin. Wear closed toe shoes and bring water! Directions: Land TrustNAL.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 Free Family Farm Day and Market – 9am-3pm. Free Family Fun including Rosie, my little pony, Kids Korner, Smokin’ Wings and Hot Diggity Dogs Cook off, Skillet toss for the family, Stick horse racing, and Vendors of all kinds. Alabama A&M University, Agribition Center, 4925 Moores Mill Rd, Huntsville. 256-859-5896. Native Wildﬂower Workshop – 9:30am-2pm. Trillium presentation by Dr. L.L. Chick Gaddy. Plant ID Talk, Holmes Trillium Collection by Harold Holmes. Lunch. Plant ID Walk. Members $40, Non-members $50. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave. 256-830-4447. Guided Hike: Over Blevins Gap: Trail of Tears History – 10am. (2 hours / Moderate to difﬁcult) The Land Trust’s Blevins Gap Nature Preserve protects a portion of the Benge Detachment Route of the Trail of Tears. John Stanton will be our guide to this part of our local heritage. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3 Guided Hike: Wildﬂower Trail: More Spring Flowers – 2pm. (1 hour / Easy with moderate incline; roots and rocks on trail) Two weeks makes a big difference. Botanist Lynne Weninegar will show you the next wave of ﬂowers that help make this beloved trail so spectacular. Dogs must be on leads. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 4 Huntsville First Monday Sacred Harp Singing – 7-8:30pm. Community singing from the Sacred Harp oblong tune book. All are welcome to participate or to listen. No experience necessary! Free. Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Dr, Huntsville. 256-536-2882.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 Plant ID Talk & Walk: Vegetable Gardening 101 – 10am-12pm. Taught by Niki Sothers & Master Gardeners of North AL. Members $15, Nonmembers $20. Huntsville Botanical Garden, Anderson Education Center & Demonstration Vegetable Garden 4747 Bob Wallace Ave. 256-830-4447.

Guided Hike: Gateway to History: South Monte Sano Trailhead to Trough Springs – 10am. (2 miles / Moderate to difﬁcult). Land Trust Board member David Young will discuss the Civil War signiﬁcance of Trough Springs. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10 Guided Hike: Monte Sano Preserve’s Old Railroad Bed Trail – 2pm. (App. Length: 1.5 miles / Difﬁculty: Moderate). The Old Railroad Bed Trail on Monte Sano (Mountain of Health) follows the path of the steam locomotive that traveled from the Huntsville Depot to the Monte Sano Hotel from 1888 until 1896. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 11 Dream Exploration Circle – 6:30-9pm (April 11 and May 9). Explore the power of your dreams. In this circle, we will use techniques pioneered by Robert Moss, author and dream pioneer. Free. Donations gladly accepted. Shining Mountain Healing Center, 900 Wellman Ave #5, Five-Points. Shining-Mountain.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15 Eckankar on TV: True Wisdom: The Master’s Love – 7:30-8pm on WOW Cable Channel 11 (Huntsville-Madison). Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on Eckankar. Learn how to experience the highest form of communication between God and Soul. Free. 256-534-1751. Eck-Alabama.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Guided Hike: Spring Migration on Whitaker Preserve with John Ehinger – 8am. (1.5 hours / Easy walk in grasslands). Join John Ehinger in the Roy B. Whitaker Preserve in Paint Rock and the Keel Mountain Preserve. John Ehinger is an enthusiastic birdwatcher who has written extensively about birding. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org. Family Constellations Workshop – 9am-5pm (April 16 and May 14). Increase the ﬂows of love in your family system! Uncover hidden dynamics of your family or business so that a resolution can unfold. Jeffrey Rich, Certiﬁed Constellations Facilitator. $75. Registration required. Shining Mountain Healing Center, 900 Wellman Ave #5, Five-Points. Shining-Mountain.com.

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MONDAY, APRIL 18 LearningQUEST: Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center – 2:30-3:30pm. Huntsville is fortunate to have one of the best senior centers in the country. Learn about the diverse opportunities available at the Senior Center as well as opportunities for volunteers. Free. Huntsville Main Library, 915 Monroe St, Huntsville. 256- 532-5940.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 Concert on the Dock: The Rough and Tumble – 6-9pm. Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler perform Americana-folk songs that are haunting, quirky, solemn, and spritely. Free with $2 for parking. Lowe Mill East Dock, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville. 256-533-0399. Let The Earth Sing – 7-9pm. The Huntsville Master Chorale presents a choral celebration of our Earth. Free. Covenant Presbyterian Church, 301 Drake Ave, Huntsville. HsvMasterChorale.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 Guided Hike: Walls of Jericho in Jackson County – 8:30am. (App. 6 hours / Difﬁcult). Join Land Trust Board member Mike Dalen for an unforgettable day hike. Once the hunting grounds of Davy Crockett, “The Walls” are one of Forever Wild’s most popular properties. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org. Earth Day at Hays Nature Preserve – 10am-2pm. Visit over 70 earth-friendly exhibitors/vendors. Free tomato and cucumber plants, while supplies last. Early morning birding hike led by John Ehinger begins at 8am. Bring binoculars. Free. Hays Nature Preserve, 7153 Hwy 431 S, Owens Cross Roads, AL. 256-534-5263.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 Guided Hike: Rainbow Mountain Wildflowers! – 2pm. (2-3 hours / Moderate to difficult, app. 3 miles). Former Board member Jim Chamberlain will lead you from the new pavilion to discover some of beautiful Rainbow Mountain’s treasures – including wildflowers and famous Balance Rock. Hiking sticks and camera recommended. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26 The Great Outdoors with Dr. Jamie – 12pm and 6pm. Learn natural remedies for sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, and dehydration, along

with nutritional support options for issues arising from increased outdoor physical activities such as sprains, cramping, fatigue, and inﬂammation. Free. Dr. Jamie’s Wellness Center, 917 Merchants Walk, Huntsville. 256-434-7977.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 Concert on the Dock: The Gnarly Parkers – 6-9pm. The Gnarly Parkers is an original swing band from Nashville. The band has been praised for its imaginative songwriting, highly improvised performances, and authentic old-school swing feel. Free with $2 for parking. Lowe Mill East Dock, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville. 256-533-0399.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30 Guided Hike: Monte Sano History Hike with Bruce Martin – 9am. (9 miles / Difﬁcult). Take of tour of historic Monte Sano sites. Bring a sack lunch, water, camera, ﬂashlight, and hiking sticks. Directions: LandTrustNAL.org. Panoply Arts Festival – 10am-9pm. A festival of art, music and more in downtown Huntsville’s Big Spring Park. Panoply features live performances, the Art Marketplace, STEAM interactives for all ages, beer and wine and more. $10. Kids 12 and under free. Earth Day & Outdoor Expo – 10am-3pm. Lots of exhibitors will share information on the environment, earth-friendly products and services, outdoor activities, and healthy living. Free. Friendship Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Rd, Athens, AL.

plan ahead SATURDAY, MAY 21 Light Worker’s Celebration – 10am-5pm. A gathering to celebrate the light within all beings. Educational lectures, vendors with unique handmade items, intuitive readings, aura photography, spirit portraits, food truck. $5 admission, readings $25 each (3 for $65). The Dream Maker, 4004 Triana Blvd SW, Huntsville. 256-348-7763. Italk2mk@gmail.com. Facebook.com/LightWorkersCelebration. Lecture: Chinese Medicine and Seasonal Inﬂuences in Health – 1-6pm. Governing/Conception Vessels: Embryologic Development. Winter: Kidney/Bladder. Presenters: Kim Susor, LMT, LAc and Caroline Choppa, MSPT. $60. The Yoga Center, 500 Pratt Ave NE, Huntsville. Register: 256-924-0881 or Caroline@TrueNorthptwellness.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 Lecture: Chinese Medicine and Seasonal Inﬂuences in Health – 1-6pm. Spring: Liver/Gallbladder. Summer: Heart/Small Intestines. Presenters: Kim Susor, LMT, LAc and Caroline Choppa, MSPT. $60. Register: 256-924-0881 or Caroline@True Northptwellness.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 Lecture: Chinese Medicine and Seasonal Inﬂuences in Health – 1-6pm. Late Summer: Stomach/ Spleen/Lymph. Fall: Lung/Large Intestines. Presenters: Kim Susor, LMT, LAc and Caroline Choppa, MSPT. $60. Register: 256-924-0881 or Caroline@ TrueNorthptwellness.com.

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

sunday

wednesday

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

A Course in Miracles Class – 6:15-7:45pm. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. UnityOnTheMountain.org.

Revealing Service – 9:45am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-8838596. CSL-Huntsville.org. Celebration Service – 10:30am. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-8838596. CSL-Huntsville.org. Unity Church on the Mountain Worship Service – 11am, with Adult Discussion at 9:30am. Children’s Sunday School ages 4-9 during church service. Unity is a positive path for spiritual living. Rev. Carol Landry. 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. UnityOnTheMountain.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. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org. A Course In Miracles: Integrating the Lessons Through Heart Centered Listening – 4-5:30pm. For students of ACIM daily lessons (workbook) or text. Donations accepted. Healing Arts Center, 525 Fountain Row, Huntsville. RevWandaGail@ gmail.com.

monday Acupuncture Happy Hour – 4-6pm, Mondays and Thursdays. A 30-minute ear acupuncture treatment that will de-stress, detox, relax and re-energize you. No appointment necessary. $25. Alabama Holistic Health, 204 Lowe Ave SE, Ste 3, Huntsville. 256801-9162. ALHolisticHealth.com.

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. 256-8838596. CSL-Huntsville.org.

thursday Youth Group – 6:30-7:30pm. 10 years old and up. Snack provided. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. UnityOnTheMountain.org.

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Call today to schedule your one-on-one session or host a group class.

tuesday Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. CSLHuntsville.org. BodyFlow – 6-7pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi-based exercise class that builds strength, tones your body and leaves you feeling centered and calm. Part of the Les Mills Fitness Program. $10/class and no contract. New participants are always welcome. Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Suite E, Madison, AL. 256-461-1900. MadisonBallroom.com. Prayer and Meditation Hour – 7-8pm. Led by Rev. Clifford Stocking and assisted by Rebecca Oxford. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. UnityOnThe Mountain.org.

Business opportunities available.

Cindy Wilson #1873782

256-476-6537 Cindy@AlabamaAwakenings.com

natural awakenings

April 2016

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

saturday Madison City Farmers Market – 8am-12pm, beginning 4/9. 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. Lowe Mill’s Open Air Market – 9am-1pm. Shop local farmers, artisans, and makers for your organic vegetables, handmade jams jellies and cheeses, and more. All products produced or grown within 125 miles of Lowe Mill. Free. Lowe Mill, North Parking Lot, 2211 Seminole Dr, Huntsville. 256-533-0399. 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. Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift you in countless ways. Held each Saturday. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Ave NE #3 (near Five Points). 256-534-1751. EckAlabama.org.

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. Email Editor@Natvalley.com to request our media kit. ACUPUNCTURE ALABAMA HOLISTIC HEALTH, LLC Dr. Christina L. Berry, Ed.D., ACI, ADS 204 Lowe Ave, Suite 3, Huntsville Info@ALHolisticHealth.com 256-801-9162

A holistic approach to health and wellness, specializing in pain management, weight loss, natural detoxiﬁcation, and mental health improvement. Auriculotherapy/ Ear acupuncture. Massage therapy. Reﬂexology. Lifestyle consulting. Diet and supplement recommendations. Hydro-colon cleanse. Ionic detox. See ad, page 21.

THE NEELEY CENTER FOR HEALTH

600 Saint Clair Avenue SW, Bldg 5 Suite 11 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-716-4048 Hours: T-F, 9am-5pm, Sat 8am-12pm House calls by Appointment Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Chinese Herbology, Pastoral Counseling, Beam Ray Therapy, Rapid Eye Technology, Emotion Code Technique, Nutritional Supplementation, Detoxiﬁcation, BioMat.

Ballroom Dance Party – 7:30-10pm. Beginner group class 7:30-8pm, introduction to different ballroom dances each week. Practice dance party 8-10pm, for all levels of dancers. No partner needed. $10/person for group class and party. Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd Suites C/D, Madison, AL. 256-461-1900. MadisonBallroom.com.

CHIROPRACTOR DR. JAMIE BUNIS, DC

GOT EVENTS? GET NOTICED! Advertise in our calendar.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Editor@ Natvalley.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month.

HEALTH COOKWARE

Dr. Jamie’s Wellness Center 917 Merchant’s Walk, Ste A, Huntsville 256-434-7977 DrJamiesWellnessCenter.com Comprehensive chiropractic and wellness services. Applied Nutritional Analysis Testing (ANA) and nutritional counseling. Standard Process® high-grade nutritional supplements. Aromatherapy. Essential oils. Detoxiﬁcation. Multiple styles of massage, including Qi-ssage. Free educational classes on many healing modalities. Located behind Whole Foods. See ad, page 24.

SALADMASTER sales and service. 256-412-4896.

HELP WANTED – LMT Immediate opportunity for an INDEPENDENT LMT CONTRACTOR in Beautiful Lake Guntersville, AL. Very busy and growing Massage Practice. Please leave message, 256-505-9319.

Tennessee Valley

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COLON HYDROTHERAPY 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 7.

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.

ESSENTIAL OILS CINDY WILSON

Young Living Independent Distributor 256-476-6537 Cindy@AlabamaAwakenings.com Want to know why everyone is talking about essential oils? Learn more about essential oils, their uses and how to safely use them. Classes held monthly or schedule your class with friends and family. For more information call or email.

FAMILY MEDICINE MADISON FAMILY CARE

Chad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C 1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C, Madison, AL 256-722-0555 MadisonFamilyCare.com Madison Family Care provides medical care for patients of all ages and uniquely blends Natural and Prescription medicines together to help speed the patient’s recovery. Madison Family Care is the patient’s clinic of choice when they would like to understand how natural medicines work along with prescription drugs. See ad, page 32.

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

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

FOOT CARE SPECIALIZED NAIL CARE

1900 Flint Rd SE Decatur, AL 35601 256-476-6537 Cindy@SpecializedNailCare.com Nail care for those that need more than just a pedicure. Physicians order required for care. Care includes footbath, trimming nails, thinning of thick nails, and removal of calluses and corns. For more information call or email. See ad, page 23.

HAIR SALON CJ HAIR AND ART STUDIO

CJ Denison 105E Church St Madison, AL 35758 • 256-603-9018 Specializing in N AT U R A L 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.

HEALTH & FITNESS HEAD-TO-TOE TRAINING 8006 Madison Pike, Ste 5 Madison, AL • 256-772-2006 HeadToToe@knology.net Head-To-Toe.com

A Mind/Body Training Center specializing in Core Training, Corrective and Therapeutic. Offering all facets of training: group and personal. Pilates (both matwork and apparatus), Thai/yoga massage, Flowmotion, PilatEASE, CoreABS and more! Membership packages available.

HOMEOPATHIC CONSULTANT

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATES

JOAN SCOTT LOWE

Dr. Deb Gilliam, N.M.D. 1230 Slaughter Rd, Ste E, Madison, AL 256-325-0955

1901 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South Birmingham, AL 35209 205-871-1288 Joan@HomeopathyForWellness.com HomeopathyForWellness.com Call or email Joan Scott Lowe, Homeopathic Wellness Consultant, to determine your individual constitutional remedy, the FDA-approved nontoxic homeopathic remedy based on the totality of your mental, emotional, and physical condition, chosen according to the Law of Similars (“like heals like”). Achieve wellness and freedom from illness!

Dr. Deb treats a variety of health problems using natural means. She looks for why people have symptoms and treats the root cause of those symptoms. Dr. Deb is highly regarded in the integrative and natural approach to wellness. Every patent is unique, and she individualizes treatment for their optimal wellness. See ad, page 23.

HYPNOTHERAPY

REIKI

MARSHA MATHES

LIGHT JOURNEY REIKI

Certified Hypnotist 3313 Memorial Parkway, Ste 116 Huntsville, AL 35801 256-698-2151 MarshaMathes.SkinCareTherapy.net

Barbara Caioli, RM 7500 Memorial Pkwy SW, Ste 114 Huntsville AL • 256-716-8419 LightJourneyReiki.com

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.

Reiki refers to the universal life force energy that is found in everything. Reiki works through gentle, focused touch or intention for the purpose of healing and balance. Light Journey Reiki offers healings as wells as Certiﬁcation Workshops. See ad, page 5.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION JACI HOGUE

MASSAGE THERAPY

256-656-4108 JaciHogue@gmail.com

RON GRAY, LMT #36

The Dream Maker 4004 Triana Blvd SW, Huntsville 256-883-8446 Over 24 years experience providing an original mix of massage therapy modalities including Polarity Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Balancing, Neuromuscular, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Therapy, Reiki, and Lymphatic Drainage. Works in harmony with the body’s inner wisdom, gently guiding your session with integrity, intuition and skill. See ad, page 8.

MUSIC LESSONS VANESSA MILLER MANTIS, M.ED. Voice and Piano Instructor Musicology School of Music 7445 Highway 72, Madison, AL 256-585-0260 VanessaMillerstudio.com

Daytime availability from 11am2:30pm. Great for homeschooled students or adults with ﬂexible schedules. 13 years of music teaching experience, with a M a s t e r ’s i n Vo c a l M u s i c Education. Lessons cater to each individual’s needs and musical tastes, according to skill level.

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

SUSAN K. JEFFREYS

Advanced Practitioner Lic.#249 Dr. Ida P. ROLF method 525 Fountain Row 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 11.

natural awakenings

April 2016

Age Healthier, Live Happier!

Check for the Seal to make sure your doctor is a

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$200 Coupon Valid only for new patients

MADISON FAMILY CARE and WELLNESS CENTER

Chad Gilliam, M.M.S., PA-C • Dr. Gary Adams, M.D. 1230 Slaughter Rd, Suite C • Madison, AL 35758

256-722-0555 • MadisonFamilyCare.com This coupon covers your initial hormone consultation, examination, and lab work! Mention this month’s issue of Natural Awakenings when you call to make your appointment.

PERK UP YOUR NUMBERS Get a boost from Natural Awakenings

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Women’s Wellness Issue Contact us at: 256-808-8044 Editor@Natvalley.com