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Eat Better Toxin-Free Feel Better Fish
Dr. Mark Hyman Sees Cures in the Kitchen
August 2014
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How to Find the Safest Seafood
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5 newsbriefs
7 healthbriefs
8 globalbriefs 16 consciouseating
8 18 wisewords 20 healthykids 22 healingways 24 fitbody
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Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
10 LEARNING THAT
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TRANSFORMS HEARTS AND MINDS
Rethinking How We See Our World Changes Everything by Linda Sechrist
14 SCHOOLS THAT ROCK
Innovators Blaze Creative Paths by Sandra Murphy
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16 SAFE & SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD
Navigate Today’s Best Choices Using Updated Guides by Judith Fertig
18 CURES IN THE KITCHEN Dr. Mark Hyman is Fed Up with Our National Health Crisis by Judith Fertig
20 SUPER-IMMUNITY FOR KIDS
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Given a Pool or Lake, Canines Dive Into Action by Sandra Murphy
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letterfrompublisher “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” –Hippocrates
contact us Publisher Tom Maples Tom@AlabamaAwakenings.com Cell: 404-395-9634 Co-Publisher, Advertising Sales Cindy Wilson Cindy@AlabamaAwakenings.com Cell: 256-476-6537 Design and Production Melanie Rankin Natural Awakenings Birmingham 14 Woodland Ave. Trinity, Alabama 35673 Office: 256-340-1122 Fax: 256-217-4274 Facebook.com/nabirmingham © 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
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I have written quite a lot about food lately, and I wasn’t going to write about it again until I read our Wise Words article for August, “Cures in the Kitchen.” This timely, important article sums up the situation perfectly—that what passes for food in America is an addictive, toxic mess that traps millions of people and families in obesity, poor health, and desperation. I am one of these people. The story of the family from South Carolina that Dr. Mark Hyman rescues with his prescription of Real Food is my own story. Six years ago I was living in downtown Atlanta in one of the “food deserts” that Dr. Hyman mentions in the article. A food desert is a geographic area where affordable, good-quality fresh food is difficult to obtain, especially for low-income people who may not have access to transportation. I had no excuse; I had a car and an income, and could have gone to where healthy food was. I just didn’t. For me, the trap was not an economic one but a mental one. The fact that I lived in a food desert was not a logistical barrier for me, as it is for many people, but rather a reality-shaping symbol of my own complete disconnectedness from the vitality of real food. For several years I ate virtually nothing but fast food, a few decent meals in restaurants, and frozen entrees in a box, microwaved. There were two or three kinds of the frozen dinners that I liked, and those were all you would find in my freezer. In my refrigerator you would have found nothing but bottled drinks, most of them sugary, none of them water. For years I drank no water at all. I was getting almost zero nutrition across the board because what I thought was food didn’t actually fit that definition. I became one of the millions of Americans who are obese and starving at the same time, because their food is fattening but not at all nutritious. I had no vision or animus to change. That’s part of the trap…you lose your perspective on what’s going on, and then lose your initiative to do anything about it. This is the food you ate as a kid, after all. It’s got deeply positive associations. It’s familiar and comforting. It’s what people eat. It’s what they drink. It’s the available food you see when you’re in the car and hungry. It’s the food that’s on the television. When you do finally wake up and think about trying some real food, you don’t know what to do with it. What to buy, how to prepare it, how to cook it, what recipes to use. That’s where—just as Dr. Hyman helped the family in South Carolina—we can all help each other to reconnect our lives to Real Food.
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Dr. Natalie Lenoir-Blackman, Holistic Veterinarian, Now Practicing at Go Natural Herbs in Hoover
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ell Being Medicine for Animals is now located at Go Natural Herbs in Hoover. Dr. Natalie LenoirBlackman recently moved her holistic veterinary practice from Colorado to Birmingham. Her mission is to bring an integrative approach to veterinary medicine in Birmingham and surrounding areas. An Alabama native and a graduate of Auburn University, Dr. Natalie has dedicated her life to the well being of all animals. While spending the first 10 years of her career working in Atlanta and Colorado, she has trained and studied extensively in multiple areas of veterinary mediDr. Natalie cine with her passions being emergency/critical care and Lenoir-Blackman internal medicine. Through her years in conventional practice she saw the need to return to her roots of alternative and herbal medicine so she could offer her patients a more balanced and complete health plan. Her primary focus is acupuncture, dietary therapy and herbal medicine. She desires to see every one of her patients reach the greatest quality of life naturally. Well Being Medicine is affordable vet care. Thanks to a stress free environment and appointment-only schedule, you may be surprised to find your pet actually enjoying his/her vet visit. You and your pet’s visit will be like no other veterinary experience. Schedule an appointment today. To schedule an appointment or consultation, call 205-907-9442 or email WellBeingMedicine@att.net.
American Coaching School Beefs Up Online and In-House Course Offerings
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he 3 R’s once implied reading, writing and ‘rithmetic, but those simple days have long since passed. Today’s modern student can communicate via social media with astronauts as they travel in space, live stream Congress in session and conduct experiments in real time with other students around the world. Technology presently affords learning experiences as never before imagined. In our point-and-click society, today’s student has instant global access to breaking news and discoveries. Standardized curricula are “virtually” extinct, and educators are challenged with the task of keeping up the pace with “knowledge on demand.” American Coaching School (ACS) is keeping in step with these technological and educational innovations. In addition to its in-house programs, ACS has partnered with Universal Class to provide over 500 online, affordable quality courses. The school endeavors to meet students’ “knowledge on demand” needs and expectations. ACS also offers in-house student Learn and Earn Programs. Students can also earn income while taking courses. How cool is that? Scholarships awarded annually for ACS in-house programs. Apply now! More information available at AmericanCoachingSchool.com. See ad, page 15.
Flying Bird Masha Batkova The inspiration for Masha Batkova’s cover artwork, Flying Bird, came from the San Francisco Zoo. “I was there photographing my favorite animals— capybaras, prairie dogs and meerkats— when suddenly I saw these huge white flowers and a beautiful bird appeared in their midst,” she says. Batkova mainly paints in watercolors and oils, but sketches in a variety of materials from markers to watercolor pencils, in addition to practicing fine art photography. The artist’s subjects are often playful, such as portraits of squirrels or still lifes of sneakers. Batkova also enjoys capturing the vibrant scenes and sweeping vistas in and around San Francisco. “I want my paintings to feel light and fluid, like the stroke of a bird’s wing,” she says. “I just try to show the beautiful moments of life.” Batkova studied classical drawing at the Academy of Arts in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia. She now lives and works in the California Bay Area as a member of the California Watercolor Association. View the artist’s portfolio at FineArtAmerica.com/profiles/ masha-batkova.html.
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newsbriefs August Happenings at The Gardens
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ugust will bring a collection of photography classes back to Birmingham Botanical Gardens, led by Hank Siegel. On August 9, students will be able to use The Gardens as a model for a “Seasonal Series,” learning how to capture visually stunning landscapes and nature scenes. August 23 welcomes “Water Features,” a walking class exploring garden water features to learn different camera techniques. For more information or to register, visit BBGardens.org/classes. Lunch and Learn programs in August include “The Buzz on Pollinators” on Aug 6, which will demonstrate how to welcome bee pollinators in colorful and exciting ways in your garden. “Porous, Permeable and Pervious” on Aug 13 reveals beautiful alternatives to concrete and asphalt for driveways and pathways. Both sessions are 11:30-12:30pm. Bring your lunch; sessions are free. “The Fascinating World of Carnivorous Plants” on Aug 2 will cover the identification, cultivation and propagation of several species of carnivorous plants. August 9 welcomes “Summer Identification of Native Woody Plants.” In this elective, students will focus on attributes and identification features of species found naturally or in cultivation in Alabama. August 9 also brings a field trip, “Nighttime on the Cahaba – by Canoe!” Participants will canoe down the Cahaba and will see some familiar plants not normally viewed at night. To learn more about each class and to register online, visit BBGardens.org/plantstudies. Birmingham Botanical Gardens is open from dawn until dusk 365 days per year. Admission to The Gardens is free. LOSE 30-40+ LBS IN 40 DAYS!
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What Does Reiki Have To Do with Self Care?
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ugust is Reiki month at Birmingham Yoga. Terri A. Heiman, Reiki Master Teacher will be offering a complimentary Reiki demonstration at Birmingham Yoga on Sunday August 3 from Terri A. Heiman 3:30-4:45pm. She will discuss the many wonderful effects Reiki has on the mind, body, spirit and emotions. Come find out how Reiki is a perfect energy modality for self care. She will be offering hands on demonstrations at no charge. Reiki, a Universal Life Force energy is a system of natural healing that anyone can learn to use. According to the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Reiki is an integrative energy medicine. Energy medicine stimulates the body’s inherent ability to self heal on all levels. Reiki can be used to restore depleted energy in the body as well as stop the onset of illness. In the fast paced world where stress is so common, Reiki offers a respite from all of life’s struggles. Learning how to care for one’s self is very important for health and happiness. Reiki balances the body, mind and spirit. Terri will also be discussing the levels of Reiki classes and then offering the certification class for Reiki 1 on Saturday, August 9 and Reiki 2 on Saturday August 23. Information on both of these classes can be found on BirminghamYoga. com. A Certificate will be awarded and NCBTMB 10 CE hours are eligible. Location: Natural Forces Studio inside Birmingham Yoga, 605 37th St South. Contact Terri Heiman: 516-457-3885 or Terri@NaturalForcesStudio.com. NaturalForcesStudio.com. See listing, page 30.
healthbriefs
Medicinal Mushrooms Boost Athletic Performance
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esearch from Italy’s Pavia University found two medicinal mushroom species—cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)—significantly improve race performances and recovery times among competitive cyclists. The researchers studied seven male cyclists that had competitively raced for more than 10 years. For one month, they were given placebo supplements, after which the researchers tested their performance and recovery during races and workouts. Then, for the next three months, the cyclists daily used medicinal mushroom supplementation. The researchers found the mushrooms significantly increased performance and recovery in both workouts and races compared with the placebo period. The two types of mushrooms both boosted testosterone levels and reduced post-workout cortisol levels. The mushroom supplementation also increased their antioxidant status, reducing their risk of exhaustion.
Flaxseed Lowers Blood Pressure
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ating flaxseed reduces blood pressure, according to researchers from Canada’s St. Boniface Hospital Research Center. They attribute the effect to its omega-3 fatty acids, lignans and fiber. The researchers examined the effects of flaxseed on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with peripheral artery disease, a condition typically marked by hypertension. Patients consumed a variety of foods that collectively contained 30 grams of milled flaxseed or a placebo each day for six months. The flaxseed group experienced significantly increased plasma levels of certain omega-3 fatty acids and lower average systolic blood pressure (by 10 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (by 7 mm Hg). Those in the flaxseed group with initial systolic blood pressure levels over 140 mmHg saw reductions averaging 15 mmHg.
Heelless Shoes May Help Prevent Runners’ Injuries
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British study published in Footwear Science analyzed the effects of running in experimental heelless footwear compared with conventional running shoes with reinforced heels. The objective was to see if the heelless footwear would reduce the risk of chronic injury related to the habitual rear-foot strike pattern associated with conventional heeled shoes. Using eight cameras with opto-electric running motion capture technology,12 male runners were tracked at four meters per second. The heelless running shoe resulted in less impact, greater plantar flexion and greater ankle eversion (rolling outward). The researchers concluded that the heelless shoes decreased the risk of chronic running foot injuries linked to excessive impact forces, but concede they may increase injury potential associated with excessive ankle eversion.
PINE BARK EXTRACT REDUCES PERIMENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS
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esearch published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine confirms that pine bark extract can significantly reduce symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, including restless legs syndrome and hot flashes. For three months, 170 perimenopausal women were given 30 milligrams of Pycnogenol patented pine bark extract or a placebo twice a day. Although a placebo effect was noted, the supplement significantly improved all but two symptoms and was especially effective in improving vasomotor and insomnia/sleep patterns. The severity of symptoms among the Pycnogenol group, as measured by the Kupperman Index, decreased 56 percent more than for the placebo group. In another study, scientists from Italy’s Pescara University gave 70 perimenopausal women a placebo or 100 milligrams of Pycnogenol daily for two months. The supplement group experienced fewer menopausal symptoms and showed improvements with symptoms that include fatigue, insomnia, reduced concentration, memory problems, dizziness, depression and irritability.
Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought. ~Matsuo Basho
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globalbriefs Cycling Rx
Doctors Order Up a Bike for Patients The Prescribe-a-Bike program (Tinyurl.com/Prescription Bikes) allows doctors at Boston Medical Center, in Massachusetts, to write low-income patients prescriptions for a one-year membership to Hubway, the city’s bike-sharing system, for $5, which is $80 less than the regular charge. A free helmet is part of the deal. According to The Boston Globe, one in four Boston residents is obese, and Kate Walsh, chief executive of Boston Medical Center, believes the program can help. “Regular exercise is key to combating this [obesity] trend, and Prescribe-a-Bike,” she says, “is one important way our caregivers can help patients get the exercise they need to be healthy.” Source: The Atlantic Monthly
Flight Zone
Airports Establish Bee-Friendly Acres The Common Acre is a nonprofit partnering with the airport serving Seattle, Washington, and the Urban Bee Company (UrbanBee.com) to reclaim 50 acres of vacant land to plant native wildflowers as pollinator habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies and disease-resistant bee colonies. A GMO-free (no genetic modification) wildflower seed farm is also in the works. Bees present no threat to air traffic and the hives discourage birds that do pose a danger to planes. Beekeeper Jim Robins, of Robins Apiaries, in St. Louis, Missouri, rents an area with a plentiful supply of white Dutch clover, and Lambert Airport views his enterprise as part of its sustainability program. O’Hare Airport, in Chicago, the first in the U.S. to install hives, is rebuilding to its full complement of 50 hives after losing about half of them to 2014’s extreme winter. It’s a project that could be a model for airports everywhere—using inaccessible scrubland to do something revolutionary, like supporting a local food system. One hundred foods make up 90 percent of a human diet, and bees pollinate 71 of them. Learn more at CommonAcre.org.
Harvesting Fog photo: ArchitectureAndVision.com
Simple Device Provides Safe Water in Africa The WarkaWater tower is providing an innovative new way to harvest safe drinking water, normally an onerous task in Ethiopia and many other parts of Africa. Obtaining water via repeated trips to the nearest source is extremely time-consuming and what’s collected is often highly contaminated and harmful to drink. Also, this task is commonly carried out by females, putting them in danger of sexual harassment or worse enroute. The towers, inspired by the native warka tree, are a vertical bamboo system that harvests potable, clean water from the air through condensation, using a fog-harvesting fabric that can collect up to 25 gallons of safe drinking water per day. Each tower costs about $550, and can be built in a few days by village residents using locally available materials. Source: Inhabitat.com 8
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True Grit
Why Persistence Counts Some educators believe that improvements in instruction, curriculum and school environments are not enough to raise the achievement levels of all students, especially disadvantaged children. Also necessary is a quality called “grit”, loosely defined as persistence over time to overcome challenges and accomplish big goals. Grit comprises a suite of traits and behaviors that include goal-directedness (knowing where to go and how to get there); motivation (having a strong will to achieve identified goals); self-control (avoiding distractions and focusing on the task at hand); and a positive mindset (embracing challenges and viewing failure as a learning opportunity). A meta-study of 25 years of research by John Hattie and Helen Timperley, professors at the University of Aukland, New Zealand, has shown that giving students challenging goals encourages greater effort and persistence than providing vague or no direction. Students aren’t hardwired for these qualities, but grit can be developed through an emerging battery of evidence-based techniques that give educators a powerful new set of tools to support student success. A famous example of the power of self-regulation was observed when preschoolers that were able to withstand the temptation of eating a marshmallow for 15 minutes to receive a second one were more successful in high school and scored about 210 points higher on their SATs later in life than those with less willpower (Tinyurl.com/Stanford MarshallowStudy). Source: ascd.org.
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AUGUST SERVICE SCHEDULE August 8-10 (Fri 6:30-10pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-4pm)
Twilight Brigade: Compassion in Action Volunteer Training. This 20-hr weekend intensive workshop will teach you how to provide comfort and support to the dying and their family members. $100 per person/$75 for Veterans. Register online at RSVPbook.com/BIR0814 or with Mary Ann Wise: 256-245-1832 or MaryAnnWise1@gmail.com.
Saturday, August 16, 9am-4:30pm
“The Art and Practice of Living with Nothing and No One Against You” presented by Rev. Christine Perry. The workshop weaves together the latest in quantum science and brain research with timeless spiritual principles. $40 online by 8/10, $50 door. UnityBham.org.
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By “Beyond Yoga Studio” & Lauren Barrus For all levels (Must be 16+ yrs. old) Wear layers/workout clothes, bring water bottle, yoga mat & blanket. Email BeyondYogaLauren@gmail.com for more information.
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August 2014
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Learning that Transforms Hearts and Minds Rethinking How We See Our World Changes Everything by Linda Sechrist
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n the 30 years since Harrison Owen introduced Open Space Technology (OST), it has been used hundreds of thousands of times by three-quarters of the world’s countries. Whether a few people gather in a circle to share ideas and brainstorm personal issues or thousands discuss a bulletin board of topics around tables, OST is a safe, informal venue for transformative learning. Guided by purpose-based, shared leadership, it allows individuals focused on a specific task to freely speak their thoughts and be heard. It also encourages breakout groups to mine for more information—learning individually, as well as collectively, and self-organizing in order to concentrate on more complex topics. “Boeing engineers used OST to learn how to redesign airplane doors and young Egyptians used it to strategize for their Arab Spring,” as examples, comments Owen.
Circle Principle
For Owen, like Jack Mezirow, author of the paper, “Core Principles of Transformative Learning Theory,” 20th-century Brazilian educator Paulo Freire and 10
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Juanita Brown, cofounder of The World Café, learning is transformation, the keystone of life, and the essence of meaningful education. “The circle principle contains the predictability of fresh, emerging thoughts and learning that never occurred previously,” explains Owen. He points to an experiment regarding children’s capacity for self-learning initiated by Sugata Mitra, Ph.D., the former science director of an educational technology firm in India. On the outside wall of the building where he worked, Mitra installed a computer facing a New Delhi slum where most children were unschooled and illiterate and had never seen a computer. He turned it on and told children they could play with it. Via a noninvasive video camera, he watched 7-to-13-year-olds discover how to use the computer and teach each other how to play music and games and draw using Microsoft’s Paint program. Repetition of the experiment in other impoverished sections of India yielded similar results. Wherever he established an Internet connection, children that could not read English, the Internet’s default language, taught themselves
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how to use the Web to obtain information through their interactions with each other and the computer. “I agree with what Mitra surmised from his experiment—learning is emergent, which is another word for self-organizing,” remarks Owen. Like Freire, Owen likens traditional education to the “banking” method of learning, whereby the teacher passes information to students that become dependent on someone else rather than learning how to think on their own. Suzanne Daigle, a Sarasota, Florida-based consultant with a Canadian multidisciplinary consulting firm, explains how the OST learning environment changed her life: “My personal transformation began in 2009, when I volunteered to assist another OST facilitator. I was a perfectionist who judged myself harshly and struggled with the question, ‘Who am I to think I can help hold space for leaders to transform themselves through their learning when I have so little experience?’” She notes, “Before such experiences, even though I was a leader in my corporate career, I doubted myself and often believed that what others had to say was more significant and interesting than what I could express.” Now she says she has shed her people-pleasing tendencies and former attempts to control other people’s agendas and discovered the freedom and courage of her own voice. “As an OST facilitator, my life work now occurs in the moments I am collaboratively learning and listening for opportunities to enter into meaningful conversations that can lead to actions,” says Daigle. “I invite others to do the same.”
Co-Learning
In a compulsory two-year Theory of Learning class for an International Baccalaureate degree at California’s Granadas Hill Charter High School, math and science educator Anais Arteaga helps students apply two major elements of transformative learning: self-reflection to critique one’s own assumptions and discourse through which they question or validate their judgments. She focuses on the roles that perception, language, reason and emotion play in a student’s learning and decision-making abilities.
“Questions and lively discussions are the basis of the class,” Arteaga says. “We begin with a question and explore what we know, how we know it and any conclusions drawn from the process.” Using a democratic model in which the teacher welcomes critical discussion, Arteaga and her students have mutually discovered that knowledge is not static, but has a history and changes over time. “When we first started the class, it was challenging to accept that in many situations there is no right or wrong, just relativity and a matter of perception. We don’t really know anything for certain,” she remarks.
Worldview Explorations
Katia Petersen, Ph.D., is the executive director of education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), headquartered in Petaluma, California. She co-developed the tools, practices and 22 lessons in the pioneering organization’s Worldview Explorations (WE) project. Founded on 40 years of IONS research, WE engages everyone in age-appropriate ways in reflecting upon long-held assumptions and how beliefs create the lens they see through, ultimately improving how they understand and respond to the world. “When individuals understand the power of offering their story and are open to the worldview stories of others, they no longer focus attention on differences and limitations,” says Petersen. “They realize that everyone has their own truth.” Through small groups and conversations, participants unpack how the program has influenced them by answering questions that explore what inspired, surprised and changed the way they perceive the world. “WE’s transformative learning experiences draw from the heart and soul of individuals, rather than stuffing heads with ideas and perspectives, which serves them well as they embody and apply these tools and practices in their daily lives,” notes Petersen. She cites a particularly powerful moment for a group of young people she worked with. “A student was killed in a drive-by shooting two weeks before their certification. The transformative moment came when they said that
“There is no such thing as a neutral education process. Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate the integration of generations into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity to it, or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world.”
A Holistic Approach to Medicine: Acupuncture Chinese Herbs Craniosacral Therapy
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3125 Independence Dr., Suite 108 Homewood, AL 35209 their new awareness and capacity for compassion and understanding would not allow them to seek revenge. Instead, they chose to save lives in their communities using their new skills.”
Mycelium School
Ashley Cooper and Matt Abrams, cofounders of the Mycelium School, in Asheville, North Carolina, re-imagined a learning environment for aspiring entrepreneurs and social change agents committed to activating their potential and realizing solutions to today’s challenges. A 12-week learning journey allows individuals to become increasingly adept at learning from and helping each other learn. The curriculum offers minimum structure, significant support and collaboration with others. “In the learning community, individuals are dedicated to a project or life question of their choice,” explains Cooper. Participants’ goals include changing careers, determining the next steps after retirement or how to pursue true passions to make a difference in the world.
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Cheri Torres, Ph.D., founder of the Asheville-based Innovation Partners International SE, was one of the earliest participants in the Mycelium Learning experience. She says that she obtained an expanded understanding of the approach that she uses in her work. “The whole systems approach I use with organizational and community leaders enables them to shift from a top-down management model to one that engages everyone and uses the collective intelligence and collaborative efforts of all for the collective good. My own learning journey transformed the level of awareness I bring to my work and the understanding of who I am,” advises Torres. “My original guiding question was, ‘How can I get so clear about my work that I can explain it in plain language?’ Ultimately, my question shifted to what would it be like for me to live and work from a place of wholeness. Through conversations with Ashley and self-reflection, I realized I was not walking my talk within my own mind-body-spirit system. My journey helped me understand that my most effective role in my
own life, as well as with clients, is to create the conditions for collective intelligence and collaboration to emerge in service to the whole,” says Torres.
World Café
Like OST, the World Café, co-created by Brown and David Isaacs, of Burnsville, North Carolina, creates a transformative learning environment for individuals of all ages. Its primary principles are: set the context, create hospitable space, explore questions that matter, encourage everyone’s contributions, connect diverse perspectives, listen together for patterns and insights and share collective discoveries. Webs of conversation created around actual or occasionally virtual tables resemble those found in coffeehouses. “Conversation is a core meaningmaking process, and people get to experience how the collective intelligence of a small or large group can become apparent,” says Brown. After several rounds of conversation on one or more topics, participants offer their harvest of key insights, learning and opportunities for action with the full group gathered to reflect together on their discoveries.
“World Café provides an environment in which you are comfortably drawn forward by the questions you are asking together. When enough diversity is present, varied perspectives are offered and people feel listened to and free to make their contribution,” observes Brown. What participants learn in this setting creates the climate of conditions that support the kinds of transformations that can changes lives. Brown remarks, “When it happens to me, I feel like my brain cells have been rearranged. I know something in the collective, as well as the individual, has been evoked, so that something never before imagined becomes present and available.” Transformative learning has been compared to a sea journey without landmarks. Adventurous individuals that are open to traversing its highly engaging processes can emerge as autonomous thinkers, capable of contributing fresh, new ideas that just might transform the world we live in. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Visit ItsAllAbout We.com for the recorded interviews.
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Cutting Through the Nutrition Nonsense by Steve Dupont, RD, LD
Antioxidant Redux: Don’t Fear the Reaper
L
ast month I wrote about the potential downside of antioxidants, which, I understand is like talking trash about Mother Theresa or Big Bird. The response out there was basically, “Say it ain’t so, Steve!” After all, the fact that antioxidants are good—and the more the better—was a truth we came to believe was self-evident … Therein lies the problem. We got lazy and overconfident, thinking we could negate our bad habits by popping a few pills, albeit vitamins. I know many of you have come to trust my advice, as someone willing to challenge conventional wisdom—not to mention slog through convoluted scientific papers and biochemistry textbooks—so I want to make sure we’re all as clear as possible on the antioxidant issue. Without rehashing last month’s article, I will say that these new antioxidant studies have obvious limitations, namely, the fact that most involve worms. At the basic level, these organisms have similar biochemical pathways to those of humans, but lack the complexity of our bodies with cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, endocrine and musculoskeletal systems integrated together. Bottom line, they have been shown to live shorter lives when given supplemental antioxidants. Yet why do these creatures die in the first place? From chronic diseases?
Do they smoke and drink and eat from the trough of a toxic industrial food supply? Do they stress and worry about their jobs, their debts, their failed marriages, their sick or dying family members? Of course not. They wriggle around. They eat. They poop. And, sooner or later, they die. Now, with regard to antioxidant intake and its potential benefits or harm to human beings, it’s essential to differentiate between food sources and supplemental sources. The latter being what we’d call “therapeutic” doses vitamin E, vitamin C, lutein, lycopene, astaxanthin and so on. There is no evidence—I repeat NO EVIDENCE—that eating foods rich in antioxidants are a detriment to our health in any way. As for supplements, there is a fair amount of evidence that certain antioxidants may help prevent certain disease states. However, these studies aren’t perfect either. On the other hand, it may not be reasonable to expect we can get all the nutrition we need from foods alone. We have a study from 2009 in the journal Horticultural Science concluding that mass-market fruits and vegetables have been losing anywhere from 5-40% of their vitamin and mineral content over the past half-century, assumedly due to modern farming practices. This is rather alarming, and all the more reason to grow your own or buy from a smallscale farmer. It also makes the case for taking a complete multivitamin to fill in any gaps in the diet. Choose one with a complete set of B-vitamins: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), panto-
thenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9) and vitamin B12. Also, look for minerals such as selenium, magnesium, copper, chromium and zinc. A 2014 review of the literature on multivitamins, published in the journal Food Science and Nutrition, concluded that “micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in the US and that dietary supplements … help fulfill micronutrient requirements in adults and children.” Perhaps more importantly, it also cited the Physicians Health Study, which found a “modest and significant reduction” in total and epithelial cancer with multivitamin usage. My advice is that we hedge our bets. We should eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods and take a daily multivitamin. Then, in times of particular stress—whether physical or emotional—we may consider select antioxidant supplements. For example, vitamin E to fight inflammation or vitamin C to help beat the common cold. If nothing else, these may have a placebo effect when taken for a short duration—which brings me to my final point … Stay positive! Don’t get discouraged. Try not to worry you’re eating the wrong foods or making the wrong supplement choices. Relax, mediate and breathe deeply. Hug, kiss and laugh as often as you can. Find your purpose, do your best every day to fulfill it, and as they say in the sporting world, “leave everything on the field.” Steve Dupont, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian and founder of Dupont Dietary Consulting LLC. To ask Steve a question to be answered in a future column, call 205-213-7953 or e-mail Steve@SteveDupont.com.
natural awakenings
August 2014
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Students in the grades program at Alabama Waldorf School in Birmingham learn to speak Russian and Spanish, and handwork skills like knitting, sewing and woodworking are taught to build confidence and build the development of a healthy brain. Waldorf
Schools that Rock Innovators Blaze Creative Paths by Sandra Murphy
Creative educational initiatives offer more flexible programs of study than traditional institutions. First introduced into the United States in the latter part of the 20th century, today there are thousands of such facilities operating according to their own lights. Yet many share certain distinguishing characteristics including emphasis on close studentteacher relationships, diverse experiential learning and development of student decision-making skills aided by peer and parental support. All aim to prepare and equip students for future success both inside and outside the classroom.
Montessori
At age 3, kids at the Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School, in Maryland, are gaining early math and motor skills, plus an appreciation for healthy foods, in unique and innovative ways. “The children roll out a long mat containing 1,000 beads that they use to learn to count by twos, fours and 10s,” says Jenny Smolen, development coordinator and grant writer for the school. “When it’s time for multiplication and division, they’re prepared.” The school is located in a food desert—fresh, unprocessed food isn’t readily available—so the kids plant 14
Birmingham, AL
seeds to grow in pots until it’s time to transplant them to the garden. “Before the seed-to-table program, the kids didn’t know what fresh tasted like. Now they go home and ask for vegetables for dinner,” says Smolen. The school also has six chickens that supply fresh eggs, and two beehives produced 100 pounds of honey last year that was sold to raise funds. The school is free of charge to Baltimore city students chosen by lottery. Currently, 330 students from diverse backgrounds ages 3 through 13 attend, with 1,000 names on the waiting list.
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Waldorf School alumna Jocelyn Miller, an account manager at Matter Communications, drives 45 minutes from Newburyport, Massachusetts, to take her three children to The Waldorf School at Moraine Farms, in Beverly. “On bad weather days, I wonder why I make the drive, but the smiles when we arrive are worth it,” she says. There, her children spend time outdoors regardless of the weather. Indoors, they draw illustrations to bolster lessons on history and geography. Second-graders work in three-hour blocks of time, rather than the traditional 45 minutes. Fifth-grade students recently spent three weeks studying Greek mythology. Older students play in an orchestra and learn German and Spanish. They also knit; the craft builds manual dexterity and helps children learn to plan, correct mistakes, be creative, visualize the finished product and mindfully create something useful or decorative. Middle school and high school students at the Waldorf School of Garden City, in New York, universally participate in seasonal sports—baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. The emphasis on the values of teamwork and sportsmanship complement development of skills. The school’s policy is, “You don’t have to be a superstar to get playing time,” noting that the quality of athletic teams is consistently strong. The school also brings some green into the city with a horticultural program that fully cultivates a quarteracre field. Its steady harvest of fruits,
vegetables, herbs and grains includes lettuce, beans, spinach, broccoli, kale, corn, oregano, thyme, rosemary, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. A new greenhouse keeps produce growing through winter months. Students at Conservatory Prep High School, in Davie, Florida, were tasked with finding a way to walk on water in order to explore principles of flotation and buoyancy. After researching and experimenting with each of a series of materials, they analyzed what went wrong, worked to fix it and then tried again. “We did the testing at our onsite pool,” says Wendy Weiner, Ed.D., the school’s founder and principal and a Waldorf alumna. “We saw some pretty funny results, but they eventually invented a pair of shoes that worked. Of course, they were pretty big shoes.”
Homeschooling
Homeschooling provides another option. Parents don’t need to know all about a subject with organizations like Bridgeway Academy’s homeschool curricula at hand. This Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, institution provides easy access to tools and support for families
nationwide. “We’re a kindergartento-12th-grade provider,” says Jessica Parnell, academy president. “Teachers in a school setting have to teach standardized subjects, in certain ways, to the whole class. We use customized learning to inspire and excite children individually. We help parents discover their child’s learning style, personality and ideal learning environment.” Materials provided include instructor guides, user-friendly websites and interactive games and other activities. “It gives kids the freedom to explore, learn and discover,” Parnell adds. “This is how you grow a lifelong learner.”
Un-Schooling
Un-schooling, another pioneering approach, is a method of homeschooling in which children pursue areas that interest them, eat foods they enjoy, rest when needed, choose friends of all ages or none at all and engage their world in unique, powerful and self-directed ways. Suzanne Strisower, a life and career coach in Oroville, California, has written a commoncore, standards-based curriculum for un-schoolers. “It’s a yearlong program for ages 15 and up designed to enable
a student to realize his career path and life’s purpose,” she says.
Online Tutorials
“There’s an explosion in online learning, too,” observes Bob Bowdon, executive director of nonprofit Choice Media, an education news service at ChoiceMedia.tv, produced in New York City. School kids in some states are able to opt out of a class at school if they feel the teaching style is holding them back, instead tapping online teachers available in a virtual school setting. Louisiana’s Department of Education’s Jump Start program partners high schools and local companies to offer students one-day-a-week internships apprenticing in trades. “It’s real-world, on-the-job training,” says Bowdon. Thanks to such innovative approaches to school curricula and technology, parents and children have more options than ever before for learning. Instead of memorizing information until the next test and then forgetting it, more learning is customized and hands-on, because children that learn by doing, remember. Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouis FreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.
natural awakenings
August 2014
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consciouseating
The truth is that no one fish can be seen as a sustainability darling, because if it is, it’s sure to be overfished. ~ DailyFinance.com
Safe & Sustainable
SEAFOOD Navigate Today’s Best Choices Using Updated Guides by Judith Fertig
We love our seafood, a delicious source of lean protein. The latest data reports U.S. annual consumption to be more than 4.8 billion pounds of it, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with the average American eating 3.5 ounces of seafood a week. About half of the catch is wild-caught and half farmed. How do we know which fish and shellfish are safe to eat and good for ocean ecology?
T
he best approach is to choose seafood carefully. Oil spills, waste runoff and other environmental disasters can compromise the quality of seafood with toxic contaminants like mercury and other heavy metals and industrial, agricultural and lawn chemicals. These pollutants can wash out from land to sea (and vice versa). As smaller fish that have eaten pollutants are eaten by larger ones, contaminants accumulate and concentrate. Large predatory fish like swordfish and sharks end up with the most toxins. Beyond today’s top-selling shrimp, canned tuna, salmon and farmed tilapia, more retailers and restaurants are also providing lesser-known seafood varieties like dogfish and hake as alter-
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natives to overfished species such as sea bass and Atlantic cod. These newto-us, wild-caught fish can be delicious, sustainable and healthy.
Choices Good for Oceans
An outstanding resource for choosing well-managed caught or farmed seafood in environmentally responsible ways is Seafood Watch, provided through California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium. Information on the most sustainable varieties of seafood is available in a printed guide, updated twice a year. The pocket guide or smartphone app provides instant information at the seafood counter and restaurant table. Online information at SeafoodWatch.org and via the app is regularly updated.
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The Blue Ocean Institute, led by MacArthur Fellow and ecologist Carl Safina, Ph.D., supports ocean conservation, community economics and global peace by steering consumers and businesses toward sustainably fished seafood. It maintains a data base on 140 wild-caught fish and shellfish choices at BlueOcean.org. Hoki, for instance, might have a green fish icon for “relatively abundant” and a blue icon for “sustainable and well-managed fisheries,” but also be red-flagged for containing levels of mercury or PCBs that can pose a health risk for children. As species become overfished, rebound or experience fluctuating levels of contaminants, their annual ratings can change.
Choices Good for Us
To help make choosing easier, Seafood Watch has now joined with the Harvard School of Public Health to also advise what’s currently safe to eat. Entries on their list of “green” fish, which can shift annually, are low in mercury, good sources of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and caught or farmed responsibly. If the top-listed fish and shellfish aren’t locally available, look for the Seafood Safe label, started by EcoFish company founder and President Henry Lovejoy, which furnishes at-a-glance consumption recommendations based upon tests for contaminants. Labels display a number that indicates how many four-ounce servings of the species a woman of childbearing age can safely eat per month. (Find consumption recommendations for other demographics at SeafoodSafe.com.) Expert-reviewed independent testing of random samples of the fish currently monitors mercury and PCB levels. Lovejoy advises that other toxins will be added to the testing platform in the future.
“My dream is to have all seafood sold in the U.S. qualify to bear the Seafood Safe label, because consumers deserve to know what they’re eating,” says Lovejoy. “We need to be a lot more careful in how we use toxic chemicals and where we put them.”
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Retail Ratings
Some retailers also provide details on their seafood sourcing. Whole Foods, for example, offers complete traceability of the fish and shellfish they carry, from fishery or farm to stores. Their fish, wild-caught or farmed, frozen or fresh, meet strict quality guidelines in regard to exposure to antibiotics, preservatives and hormones. They also display Seafood Watch and Blue Ocean Institute ratings at the seafood counter. Wise seafood choices feed and sustain our families, foster a healthier seafood industry, support responsible local fisheries and keep Earth’s water resources viable.
BEFORE
AFTER
Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.
SUPERB SEAFOOD According to Seafood Watch and the Harvard School of Public Health, the Super “Green” list includes seafood with low levels of mercury (below 216 parts per billion [ppb]) and at least 250 milligrams per day (mg/d) of the recommended daily consumption of omega-3 essential fatty acids. It also must be classified as a Best Choice for being caught or farmed in environmentally responsible ways at SeafoodWatch.org.
The Best in July 2013
n Atlantic mackerel (purse seine, U.S. and Canada) n Freshwater Coho salmon (tank system farms, U.S.) n Pacific sardines (wild-caught) n Salmon (wild-caught, Alaska) n Salmon, canned (wild-caught, Alaska) The “honorable mention” list includes seafood that contains moderate amounts of mercury and between 100 and 250 milligrams per day (mg/d) of the recommended daily consumption of omega-3s. It also must be classified as a Best Choice for being caught or farmed in environmentally responsible ways at SeafoodWatch.org.
More Healthy Choices
n Albacore tuna (troll- or pole-caught, U.S. or British Columbia) n Sablefish/black cod (Alaska, Canadian Pacific)
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Cures in the Kitchen
Dr. Mark Hyman is Fed Up with Our National Health Crisis by Judith Fertig
I
n the groundbreaking new documentary film, Fed Up, Dr. Mark Hyman prescribes a major overhaul of the diets of all family members in communities across America to prevent far-reaching unwanted consequences. Hyman practices functional medicine, which takes a whole-system approach to treating chronic illnesses by identifying and addressing their root causes, starting with poor diet. He is also the bestselling author of a series of books based on The Blood Sugar Solution.
What has your experience with Fed Up shown you about the root cause of many diseases? In Fed Up, I met with a family of five to talk with them about their health and understand the roots of their family crisis of morbid obesity, pre-diabetes, renal failure, disability, financial stress and hopelessness. Rural South Carolina, where they live, is a food desert with nearly10 times as many fastfood and convenience stores as supermarkets. The family’s kitchen was also a food desert, with barely a morsel of real food. There were no ingredients to make real food—only pre-made factory science projects sold in cans and boxes with unpronounceable, unrecognizable ingredient lists. This family desperately wanted to find a way out, but didn’t have the knowledge or skills. They lived on food stamps and fast food and didn’t know how to navigate a grocery aisle, shop for real food, read a label, equip a kitchen or cook nutritious meals. Their grandmother has a garden, but never taught her children how to grow food, even though they live in a temperate rural area.
What results did the family see when they changed their eating habits? I got the whole family cooking, washing, peeling, chopping, cutting and touching real food—onions, garlic, carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, salad greens, even asparagus. After 12 months, the mother had lost 100 pounds and was off of blood pressure medication, and because the father had lost 45 pounds, he finally qualified for a kidney transplant. The son originally lost 40 pounds, but because he was stuck in a toxic food environment at school and only able to get a job at a fast-food eatery, he gained much of it back. I’m happy to report that he is now working to get back on track.
How is sugar a primary factor in creating obesity? Of some 600,000 processed food items on the market, 80 percent contain added sugar. Sugar calories act differently from fat or protein calories in the body. Sugar calories drive food addiction, storage of belly fat, inflammation and fatty liver (now the number one reason for liver transplants). They also disrupt appetite control, increasing hunger and promoting overeating, and are biologically addictive. Sugar calories are the major contributor to heart attacks, strokes, cancer, dementia and Type 2 diabetes. Sugar is a root cause behind the tripling of obesity rates in children since the 1970s. As just one example illustrating government policy culprits, although poor people are disproportionately affected by obesity, the food industry vigorously opposes any efforts
to limit the use of food stamps for soda. Every year, the U.S. government pays for $4 billion in soda purchases by the poor (10 billion servings annually) on the front end, and then pays billions more on the back end through Medicaid and Medicare to treat related health consequences that include obesity and diabetes.
What are the consequences if we don’t attack the problem of poor diet now? The costs of a poor diet are staggering: At the present rate, by 2040, 100 percent of the nation’s federal budget will go for Medicare and Medicaid. The federal debt soars as our unhealthy kids fall heir to an achievement gap that limits America’s capacity to compete in the global marketplace. At the same time, having 70 percent of young people unfit for military service weakens national security. In a detailed scientific analysis published in The New England Journal of Medicine, a group of respected scientists reviewing all the data affecting projected life spans concluded that today’s children are the first generation of Americans ever that will live sicker and die younger than their parents. Health issues due to poor diet comprise a national crisis. They threaten our future, not just for those fat and sick among us, but all of us. For more information on Fed Up, visit FedUpMovie.com. Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.
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natural awakenings
August 2014
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healthykids
Pinpoint Allergies
Super-Immunity for KIDS Simple Ways to Boost a Child’s Long-Term Health
Shore Up with Supplements
by Lisa Turner
We’d love it if our kids had fewer sick days away from school, but what if by bolstering their immune systems now, we could also protect them from serious diseases going forward?
D
“
uring childhood, when the immune system is still developing, there’s a great opportunity to set the stage for improved health and resilience,” says Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a family physician and nutritional researcher in Flemington, New Jersey, and author of Disease-Proof Your Child. “A healthy diet and lifestyle can help kids avoid common childhood illnesses like colds, ear infections and allergies, as well as ensure greater resilience against disease later in life.”
Focus on HighQuality Foods
Fruits and veggies have a wealth of protective phytochemicals that enhance immune cell function and protect against disease. In a study published in
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Food allergies and sensitivities can suppress the immune system by increasing inflammation in the body and call for consultation with a health specialist. “Whenever there is extra inflammation, the body has less available energy to keep the immune system functioning as well as it should,” says Dr. Fred Pescatore, a New York author of The Allergy & Asthma Cure. “It’s like putting the wrong type of gasoline in the car; it hinders your performance.”
the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, kids that ate the most fruit had a 38 percent lower risk of cancer later in life. Berries, cherries, plums and pomegranates are among the most powerful immune-boosting fruits. For veggies, eat more dark leafy greens, tomatoes, carrots and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. Also emphasize whole grains and healthy fats such as those found in nuts, seeds and avocado, advises Fuhrman. Sugar-laden calories depress the infection-fighting activity of white blood cells, says Dr. Alan R. Gaby, of Concord, New Hampshire, author of the textbook, Nutritional Medicine. Even natural sweeteners such as honey and juice have similar effects when consumed in excess, he says. Try healthy options like pomegranate and kiwi fruit salad; trail mix with raw almonds; dried cranberries and air-popped popcorn; and hummus with red pepper strips and baby carrots for dipping.
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Probiotics can enhance immune function in children by stimulating white blood cells and reducing inflammation, says Gary B. Huffnagle, Ph.D., a University of Michigan Medical School immunology research professor and author of The Probiotics Revolution. They are especially protective against allergies, diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Start with yogurt: Serve with cereal; mix with mashed bananas and freeze in ice cube trays for a cool treat; or make smoothies with unsweetened, non-dairy yogurt and frozen berries. Or consider a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement; aim for 5 billion CFUs per day of Lactobacillus or bifidobacterium. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an ayurvedic herb, boosts immunity by supporting and balancing adrenal function, says Dr. John Douillard, Ph.D., a Boulder, Colorado, chiropractor, ayurvedic physician and author of Perfect Health for Kids. The adrenal glands produce cortisol, and overproduction of this “fight-or-flight” hormone can dampen immunity. Ashwagandha is particularly helpful for preventing colds and can also be used when kids are stressed or tired. For children ages 6 to 12, give 500 milligrams per day with breakfast; children over 12 can take 1,000 mg a day.
Stabilize Hormonal Changes
“Puberty and adolescence are marked by dramatic shifts in and surges of hormones,” says Dr. Richard Shames, of Sebastopol, California, co-author of Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled? “This is monumental, as far as the developing immune system is concerned. As the immune system is directly linked to hormonal in-
Tell kids they’ll get sick, and chances are it’ll happen. Instead, nurture an attitude of wellness and help them learn they have control over their own health. fluences, any hormonal imbalance will affect overall immunity.” Shames recommends selenium—a potent antioxidant and general immune booster—to help balance hormones. For children ages 8 to 18, aim for 100 mg per day.
Let ’em Get Dirty
“Once a child has been exposed to dirt and germs, the immune system responds by trying to expel those bacteria from the body, which strengthens immunity,” counsels Jane Sheppard, owner of HealthyChild.com and founding executive director of the Holistic Pediatric Association. Avoid antibacterial soaps, cleansers and gels; most contain the chemical triclosan, which some researchers suspect of contributing to development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Instead, use a natural antibacterial gel or make one, by combining witch hazel or alcohol, tea tree oil and lavender essential oil.
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Stay in the Sun
“The sun is our primary source of vitamin D, which has broad effects on the immune system,” Fuhrman says. “Depending on your skin tone and the local climate, about 15 minutes of full sun exposure a day will lead to natural production of sufficient amounts of vitamin D.” If kids have dark skin or live in a cloudy region, they may need vitamin D supplements—at least 200 IU per day.
Laugh Out Loud
“You can give your kids the best food and nutrition, but if they have underlying sadness, their immune system will suffer,” remarks Sheppard. “When you’re happy and when you laugh, your brain releases chemicals that increase immunity.” Lisa Turner is a Colorado-based health writer.
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August 2014
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C
arving out time from crammed calendars for a week or more away from home can pose such a hurdle that more than half of all American workers forfeit hard-earned vacation days every year. Sometimes a long weekend in an inspiring locale is all we need to recharge our batteries. Short vacations invite welcome rest and relaxation and are often more sustainable, according to Gary Diedrichs, publisher of the online Green Traveler Guides (GreenTravelerGuides.com). “Airplanes pollute more than any other form of travel. When you take shorter trips by other means, whether bicycle or a hybrid rental car, you’re way ahead environmentally,” says Diedrichs, whose family enjoys road-tripping in an old Mercedes converted to run on recycled vegetable oil. For families, short, sweet trips are also easier to do with the kids in tow. “It’s also an opportunity for parents to reinforce that living sustainably isn’t just something you do at home,” notes Diedrichs.
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We can prescribe—and reward— ourselves with one of the following minivacations, whether it’s a trip to a green spa if we’re stressed or a hike in a park or the woods if we’ve been sedentary. Travel on tracks to trails. Leave behind stressful traffic and uninspiring highway views by hopping a train to a nearby state or national park. Riders can venture through a variety of terrains without leaving their seats. Amtrak reaches more than 237 national parks and monuments (AmtrakToParks.com), many of which offer stunning backdrops for outdoor music festivals. A rail-to-park adventure can rekindle old friendships with faraway, but not forgotten friends. Draw a circle encompassing everyone’s location and pick a park within the perimeter as the meet-up spot, distributing the travel burden equally. Agree beforehand which friends bring which essential camping equipment, food and other provisions so that everyone travels light. Traversing trails is a fun, bonding experience.
Go farm to fork. Escape city crowds, live bucolic fantasies and learn about sustainable agriculture during a farm stay. Organic family farms across the country offer overnight accommodations to supplement farming incomes and connect with local consumers. Farm life is about simple pleasures, like waking to a rooster’s call and then digging into a farm-fresh breakfast of free-range eggs, accompanied by homemade bread, cheese, jam and honey. Afterwards, stroll an apple orchard or fragrant field of lavender. Most farms allow guests to pitch in with the chores, maybe feeding chickens, milking cows, picking cherries or making yogurt. Find a place nearby at FarmStayUS.com. Renew your spirit. Reconnect with your faith or explore a new spiritual calling with a short stay at a retreat center. Some furnish structured guided sessions, such as vipassanã Buddhism’s silent retreats, at which participants sit in meditation eight hours a day without access to me-
dia or other distractions. Other centers assist guests in creating self-directed retreats tailored to personal goals. Grounds often feature sacred spaces like labyrinths or meditation gardens, providing an inspiring environment to contemplate one’s spiritual journey. RetreatFinder.com supplies a comprehensive listing of possibilities conducive to every spiritual persuasion, from Anglican to Zen, across the country and worldwide. Taste the terroir. A long weekend amidst vineyards can be a refreshing way to simultaneously explore the countryside and refine our wine palate. Along with tastings, some vintners provide tours of their vineyards and cellars, including insights into the characteristics of local terroirs that give each vintage its distinctive taste. Some also have bed and breakfast inns onsite, eliminating the need for a designated driver. The site WineriesByState.com lists domestic wineries in all 50 states; KennUncorked.com provides information about biodynamic and organic winemakers.
Pamper your body. Visiting a green destination spa is a soothing way to detox from stress while indulging in corporeal treats like a hot stone massage, aromatherapy treatment or rose petal bath. Green spas use natural products such as unbleached organic linens and botanically derived oils, which are gentler on skin. Most practice sustainability in other areas as well, such as water management, energy use and waste reduction. Search for the perfect getaway treat at GreenSpaNetwork.org. Numerous farms, spas, parks and vineyards are waiting to be explored; many nearby that we may overlook draw visitors from around the world. “Local travel gives us a chance to dig more deeply into the places that surround us,” says Diedrichs. “We can have fun playing tourists in our own backyards and support sustainable, local businesses we discover along the way.” Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.
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fitbody
Runner’s Hi Women and Social Media Revolutionize the Sport by Debra Melani
As a finisher of two Tough Mudders (an intense obstacle course challenge), Chertok can personally testify to the benefits of camaraderie. “It’s just like if a married couple got stuck in a storm and had to brave the elements; the act of doing something challenging together is very bonding.” Simply joining a recreational running group—also increasingly popular and often social media-driven—can bolster success. “When a bunch of individuals work together to pursue a common goal, they are incentivized by the group,” Chertok remarks. “You’ll run at a faster clip or go a longer distance if you are with a group, because each runner values the group and doesn’t want to let members down.”
Brings Balance
W
hether donning colorful tutus or making a marathon a girls’ day out, the current running scene is attracting a broader group of fitness-seekers mindful of the enhanced benefits of a more well-rounded approach. Rather than pursuing fierce competition and personal bests, these runners are focusing on social bonding and overall well-being, likely boosting their fitness success. Two main factors are fueling what’s shaping up as a new running boom: women and social media. “The first running-boom era was male-centric and competitive,” observes Ryan Lamppa, of Running USA. He’s referring to the 1970s, when, largely thanks to 1972 Summer Olympic marathon gold medal winner Frank Shorter and The Complete Book of Running, by James Fixx, many were inspired to hook up Walkmans, lace up sneakers and train for distance races. “Today’s running boom is femalecentric, much bigger and more focused on health and fitness and completion, rather than competition.” Forget elapsed running time; just cross the finish line and have fun doing it, seems to be a growing mantra. Women’s participation hit an all-time high in recent years, comprising 56 percent of the more than 15.5 million runners finishing U.S. races sanctioned by Running USA in 2012 and 61 percent of U.S. half-marathoners in 2013. 24
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“Women tend to be more social and more in tune with their health overall, and that’s definitely a driving force,” Lamppa says. Couple the female factor with social media-driven, nontraditional race events and the result is explosive. “Events are fun, community-centered and sometimes charity-driven,” Lamppa says of the many innovations, from paint-splashing 5Ks to mud-slinging obstacle course action, which attracted 4 million entrants last year.
Boosts Bonding
These trends could indicate America’s collective progress toward fitness as studies show the social factor plays a huge motivational role in participation. “I think running adherence strengthens when there is accountability and social support,” remarks Englewood, New Jersey, sports psychologist Greg Chertok, citing a meta-analysis of data in Sport & Exercise Psychology Review that backs his notion. For example, such social exercise events inspire happiness. “If you are physically close to someone that is happy, eager and optimistic, you are naturally going to share those feelings,” explains Chertok, who is also a spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine. “Just through social connectedness alone, you’ll gain boosted performance and mood.”
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Mixing things up can also improve running performance and decrease risks of injury, enhancing long-term staying power. One study found that eight weeks of simple strength-training exercises by conditioned runners boosted their running performances over their conditioned, but non-strength-training peers, as noted in the Health & Fitness Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. As for injury prevention, everybody, regardless of sport, needs to cross-train, advises Mindy Caplan, a wellness coach in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “In any sport that you engage in, you end up working certain muscles the same way all the time. Then those tighter muscles start to pull on the joints and without stretching, you end up with problems.” Moving the body in different ways helps, and working on stretching and flexibility can elongate muscles and protect tendons and joints. “The new runner of this second running boom has much more information about training, health and fitness, and injury prevention,” says Lamppa, who occasionally cross-trains by biking and includes some yoga-related stretching as part of his regular routine. “You have to have balance in your running as in your life. If you can get to that point, you will get a very positive response from your body and mind.” Freelance journalist Debra Melani writes about health care and fitness from Lyons, CO. Connect at Debra Melani.com or DMelani@msn.com.
WATER DOGGIES Given a Pool or Lake, Canines Dive Into Action by Sandra Murphy
Water sports for dogs can be done just for fun or to earn recognition. Venues range from a backyard adult or kiddie pool to a lake, river or ocean. All offer healthful exercise for canine bodies and brains.
S
photo by Sam Matlick
ome dogs seem born in another. To prevent posto swim, while others sible squabbles, company learn to love it and policy allows only samea few make entertaining household dogs to swim in spectators. It all depends the same pool. on temperament, breed and “Max is a fetching mabody style plus energy and niac in the water,” remarks confidence levels, as well Yue. “He doesn’t like to as training. dive, but if his ball sinks, Not all dogs love to he’ll go after it. It’s low-imswim, says Eileen Proctor, a pact, high-exercise playtime Michelle Yue and Max and the only thing I know pet lifestyle expert in Denver, Colorado, so proceed cautiously. that will wear out a 2-year-old German “One of the first things to do is buy a shepherd pup.” properly fitted life jacket that keeps his The skill of directed retrieval can be head out of the water,” she counsels. described as advanced fetching. Several “Once he is used to wearing it, train toys or dumbbells are placed on the him to use steps [like in a pool] to walk bottom of the pool and the handler tells into and out of the water every time.” the dog which item to retrieve. Nautical Michelle Yue, a professional dog nosework is the most challenging—five trainer in Washington, D.C., takes her floating objects like tennis balls or dumdog, Max, to a dog-specific pool twice mies are launched into the water by a month. At the Canine Fitness Center, another person. The dog must then find, in Annapolis, Maryland, Max swims in indicate and retrieve the one ball his one pool while canine buddies paddle person has handled.
photo by Maria Schultz
naturalpet
Other fun options are teaching a pet to tow a raft in the pool or to team swim with his owner. In a more complex aquaagility exercise, the dog swims a circle around his owner as a prelude to both of them swimming a synchronized, zigzag course between floating markers before returning to their starting positions. Ernie, a 95-pound Labrador retriever that lives with Sierra Prause, a marketing assistant, and Jaron Clinton, a search engine content marketer, in Phoenix, Arizona, rides in the storage area of Clinton’s kayak. Ernie came to them at age 4 and has always loved to jump in and swim alongside his owners. “Ernie’s claim to fame is fetching two tennis balls at once,” says Prause. “He wasn’t allowed in the pool at his former home, and now revels in taking a cooling dip after his twice-aday walks.” Maria Schultz, author of How to SUP with Your Pup, enjoys stand up paddleboarding with her Australian shepherds, Riley and Kona, on rivers near her home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She and Riley learned together in the living room. “I brought the board home and taught Riley how to hop on and off, where to sit or lie on the board, and to relax,” she relates. “I forgot the living room floor stood still. Riley was surprised when he got on the board on the river to find that it moved.” Riley was a good sport about it; within a week, he knew how to ride along. Kona took several months to get the hang of it. “Have patience, make it fun and all positive,” Schultz advises. “Know what motivates your dog. Riley works for food, Kona for praise.” For the more adventurous, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, in San Diego, offers one-hour surfing lessons for canine guests. Taught by Coronado Surfing Academy instructors, the only requirement is that a dog enjoys water. Of course, board shorts and a bandana are also provided so that Fido gets the full surfer dude experience. Enjoying warm weather and cool water with man’s best friend provides perfect fun for these dog days of summer. Learn more at CanineWatersports.com. Sandra Murphy writes from Missouri. Connect at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.
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calendarofevents FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 Candlelight Pilates – 6-7:30pm. Explore Pilates in a calming atmosphere to de-stress and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. The class flows through the breath and movement of Pilates mat exercises with soft light and a peaceful atmosphere. $15. Embody Practice Center, 3918 Montclair Rd, Suite 100. Register with Therese.Laeger@gmail.com. EmbodyBirmingham.com.
Photography Class: Seasonal Series – 9am-12pm. Learn techniques, tools and skills necessary to capture and create a seasonal series of landscapes/ nature scenes. $65 Members, $75 Non-Members. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham. 205-414-3950.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip on the Elk River near Elkmont, AL – 8:30am. The section we will paddle is easy with few obstructions. This is a scenic stretch of river located in a very rural area. Reservations Required: call Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680. SEOutings.org. Free Family Yoga at ivivva – 9-10am. This energetic class incorporates individual and partner yoga poses for strength and balance, plus breathing exercises for calm and focus. For ages 3 and up. Led by Annie Damsky of Villager Yoga. ivivva is located at 3157 Cahaba Heights Rd, Birmingham 35243 (near Satterfield’s). The Myths of Detoxification – 10am-12pm. Join Clinical Herbalist Cameron Strouss of Deep Roots Apothecary and Clinic for the first in a series of classes debunking the detoxification myth and what detoxification actually means. $25 suggested donation. Embody Practice Center, 3918 Montclair Rd, Suite 100. DeepRootsApothecary.com. The Fascinating World of Carnivorous Plants – 12:30-4:30pm. This course will cover the identification, cultivation, and propagation of several species of carnivorous plants. $50 Members, $60 Non-Members. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham. 205-414-3950.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 Reiki Complementary Demonstration & Talk – 3:30-4:45pm. Come listen and learn about what Reiki can offer you or allow you to offer others. Free. Birmingham Yoga, 605 37th St South. BirminghamYoga.com. Restore & Rest – 4:30-6:30pm. Savor the deep relaxation of restorative yoga postures, then move into the guided module of Yoga Nidra, a de-programming of our central nervous system to encourage integrated rest and relaxation. $25 advance/$35 door. Embody Practice Center, 3918 Montclair Rd, Suite 100. Register with Sgraham@bham.rr.com. EmbodyBirmingham.com.
MONDAY, AUGUST 4 Insectmania! Summer Camp – 9am-12:30pm, 12-3:30pm (Aug 4-8). 4k-1st grade. Campers will learn about native and exotic insects. We will also go on some insect safaris out in the forest. Choose either morning or afternoon sessions, or both. Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, 1214 81st St South, Birmingham. 205-833-8264 x13. Seven Threats to Your Family’s Security with Attorney Jay Greene – 6-8pm. Join lawyer Jay Greene as he explains the best ways to protect your assets and your loved ones. To register, call Jay Greene at 205-746-2465 or ALassetprotection.com.
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Summer Identification of Native Woody Plants – 8:30am-12:30pm. Learn to identify ~20 plants whose key traits are evident in summer, as well as learn which of these plants make good sense to use in your landscapes. $40 Members, $45 Non-Members. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham. 205-414-3950.
Free. Homewood Public Library, Room 101, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5 Artist Reception for Jeanie Daniel, Watercolor Painter – 4-5:30pm. Ms. Daniel captured the spirit of Odenville with strokes of her brush. Her Odenville paintings will be on display. Odenville Public Library, 200 Alabama St, Odenville, AL 35120. 205-620-5901. Celebrate the 100th Birthday of the City of Odenville – 5:30-7pm. View historic photographs, paintings of local buildings and for fun hear tales, myths and legends by Master of Ceremonies, Joe Whitten. Enjoy birthday cake created by legendary baker Greg Bratcher. Odenville Public Library, 200 Alabama St, Odenville, AL 35120. 205-620-5901.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 Lunch and Learn: The Buzz on Pollinators – 11:30am-12:30pm. For a bountiful garden, learn how to welcome bee pollinators in colorful and exciting ways in your garden. Bring your lunch and we’ll provide the drinks and desserts. Free. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham. 205-414-3950.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 Restorative Yoga – 6pm-8pm. Join Lauren Brown for a full session of restorative yoga, where your mind and body can rest and renew with the help of props and massage to support the body’s relaxation. $35, $25 in advance. Embody Practice Center, 3918 Montclair Rd, Suite 100. Register with Lauren@ EmbodyBirmingham.com. EmbodyBirmingham. com.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 Radio Hero: The Story of Paul “Tall Paul” White with Bob Friedman – 6:30-7:30pm. A presentation on Black-oriented Radio in Birmingham, including the story of dee-jays and stations that contributed much to the life and culture of the city. Free. Homewood Public Library, Large Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood. 205-332-6625.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 Reiki 1 Certification – 8am-6pm. Reiki is a Universal Life Force Energy and system of natural healing. This certification class is the first level for Reiki attunement. This class opens the energy system and raises your vibration to receive the energy. $175, Certificate and Manual included. Registration required at BirminghamYoga.com.
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Hikes for Tykes – 10-11am. A member of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens educational staff will take pre-school children and their families on a hands-on educational adventure through the gardens. Free. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL. 205-414-3950. Nighttime on the Cahaba by Canoe – 6-10pm. What better way to escape the heat of summer than participating in a leisurely moonlight paddle on the Cahaba River? $45 Members, $55 Non-Members (includes canoe and all equipment). Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223. 205-414-3950.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 Summer Film Series: The Wizard of Oz – 2-5pm. Dorothy Gale is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home. $8. Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave North, Birmingham. 205-252-2262.
MONDAY, AUGUST 11 Native and Nature Ways Summer Camp – 9am3pm (Mon-Fri). 1st-5th grade. Learn how early settlers and Native Americans lived, including the tools they used, games they played, and how they dealt with hardships such as extreme weather. $165 member, $185 non-member. Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, 1214 81st St South, Birmingham. 205-942-1211.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 Lunch and Learn: Porous, Permeable and Pervious – 11:30am-12:30pm. When it comes to pathways and driveways, discover beautiful alternatives to concrete and asphalt. Bring your lunch and we’ll provide the drinks and desserts. Free. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham. 205-414-3950.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 The History of Coffee & Free Coffee Tasting with Floyd Brown – 12-1pm. Learn about the colorful history of coffee and enjoy a free coffee tasting. Free. Homewood Public Library, Large Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood. 205-332-6620.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 Southeastern Outings Canoe and Kayak Trip, Coosa River at Wetumpka, AL – 7:45am. This scenic canoe trip is moderate with one class III rapid. Reservations Required: contact David Shepherd, Davidshep2@yahoo.com or 205-240-4681. SEOutings.org. “The Art and Practice of Living with Nothing and No One Against You”– 9am-4:30pm. Presented by
Rev. Christine Perry, the workshop weaves together the latest in quantum science and brain research with timeless spiritual principles. $40 advance/$50 door. Unity of Birmingham, 2803 Highland Ave South. 205-251-3713. It’s Not Bossy If You’re The Boss: Tips for Women in Business – 10:30am-12:30pm. Do you want to be your own boss? PROPS – Intentional Business, Amazing Women presents tips for women in business. Free. Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr, Hoover. 205-444-7816.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 Slow Art Sunday – 2-3pm. Master docent Caroline Wingate will lead a discussion on Hester Bateman’s piece Hot Water Urn. Free. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd, Birmingham. 205-254-2571. Community Drum Jam with John Scalici – 4-6pm. No experience is required to participate. Guests are encouraged to bring their own drum or rhythm instrument. A limited number of drums will be provided. Free. Railroad Park, 17th Street Section B, 1600 1st Ave South, Birmingham.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 Documentaries After Dark: Debt – 6:30-8pm. Margaret Atwood’s visionary book Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth is the basis for this riveting and poetic documentary on debt in its various forms societal, personal, environmental, spiritual, criminal, and economic. Free. Emmet O’Neal Library, 50 Oak St, Mountain Brook. 205-445-1117. Carla Jean Whitley Book Signing: Muscle Shoals Sound Studio – 7-9pm. Music writer Carla Jean Whitley reconstructs the fascinating history of how the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio created a sound that reverberates across generations. Church Street Coffee & Books, 81 Church St, Birmingham. 205-870-1117.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21 Yoga for Athletes – 4:30-5:30pm (8/21 and 8/28). For those who do endurance and strength workouts but don’t have enough training time for flexibility. Learn techniques to get the most benefit out of stretching and avoid overstretching. $20. Embody Practice Center, 3918 Montclair Rd, Suite 100. Register with Becca@SOSyoga.com. Embody Birmingham.com. Vitamins Supplements: What Works and What Doesn’t with Dr. Krystal – 6:30-7:30pm. Dr. Krystal, from Homewood Friends & Family Chiropractic, gives you the lowdown on the best and worst supplements you can take for your overall health. Free. Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood. 205-332-6620.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 August Montevallo Artwalk 2014 – 5-8pm. Join us to share fun, food, drink, and art with us during this family-friendly street party. Local and regional artists will be selling their wares. Free. Main Street, Montevallo, AL 35115. 205-665-6230. Chirps and Chips – 7-10pm. Casino-themed games, a silent auction, a drawing, live entertainment complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer. All proceeds benefit the Alabama Wildlife Center. $50 per person. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham. 205-663-7930 x8.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 Reiki 2 Certification – 8am-6pm. This is a certification class for the second level of Reiki attunement. This class takes the student deeper into the practice, raising the vibration and opening more to the ray of energy. $275, Certificate and Manual Included. $255 before 8/9. Registration required at BirminghamYoga.com. Southeastern Outings Short Dayhike and Swim at DeSoto State Park – 9am. Moderately strenuous walk through the woods and down a steep hill to the huge pool at DeSoto Falls. We’ll be swimming and playing most of the day in the West Fork of Little River. Info: David Freeman, 205-491-8845. SEOutings.org. Photography Class: Walking Class, Water Features – 9am-1pm. This class will start with a short presentation in the classroom, then proceed to the various garden water features to actually experiment and experience different photographic techniques. $65 Members, $75 Non-Members. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham. 205-414-3950. Core Strength Yoga Workshops with Sadie Nardini at Trim Tab Brewery – 10-1pm and 2-4p., Join yoga and anatomy expert Sadie Nardini to discover fresh new cues, poses and sequencing designed to amplify the benefits in every yoga pose by activating the deeper Core Strength Muscle Meridian. Register at VillagerYoga.com.
GET WITH THE PROGRAM Teach others how to live a healthy lifestyle by advertising your products and services in Natural Awakenings’ September Caregiving and Yoga Edition
Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival – 1-10pm (Sat), 3-7pm (Sun). Local, regional and nationally renowned jazz artists. Free. Historic 4th Avenue Business District, 1701 4th Ave North, Birmingham. 205-328-1850.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 Small Business Seminar: Credit Preparation and Brown Bag Luncheon – 12-1pm. Termea Pruitt, a financial advisor with Ewol Credit Solutions, will be with us to provide expert advice on the best ways to prepare for obtaining a business loan. Free. Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood. 205-332-6620. Free Community Education Series – 12-1pm. Stages of Senior Care: Your step by step guide to making the best decisions. Please bring your own lunch. Free. Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Rd, Birmingham. 205-879-0411.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 Southeastern Outings Relaxing Canoe and Kayak Trip on the Lower Stretch of the Tallapoosa River near Wadley, AL – 9am. The scenic stretch of river we will paddle is relatively easy with no classified rapids. Reservations Required: contact David Shepherd, Davidshep2@yahoo.com or 205240-4681. SEOutings.org. Reiki Circle – 6-7:15pm. Meditation and Reiki healing energy. $15. Natural Forces Studio, 609 37th St South, inside Birmingham Yoga. 516-457-3885. NaturalForcesStudio.com.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 Slow Art Sunday – 2-3pm. Master docent Marlene Wallace will lead a discussion on John George Brown’s piece Three for Five. Free. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd, Birmingham. 205-254-2571.
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August 2014
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Birmingham Yoga – View full calendar online at BirminghamYoga.com.
Zumba – 6pm. Zumba at Railroad Park is a Latin inspired dance fitness class. It blends easy Latin dance moves with aerobic steps. The class is fun, energizing, and easy to follow. Free. Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave South, Birmingham. 205-521-9933. RailroadPark.org.
Embody Practice Center – View full calendar online at EmbodyBirmingham.com.
sunday Sunday Service – 11am-12:30pm. Unity of Birmingham, 2803 Highland Ave, Birmingham. 205251-3713. UnityBham.com. A Course in Miracles – 5-6:30pm. On-going discussion group. Unity of Birmingham, 2803 Highland Ave, Birmingham. 205-251-3713. UnityBham.com.
monday Transformational Business Coaching – 11am1pm. Last Monday of each month. Each meeting we will cover a strategy you can instantly incorporate in your business and earn more money. For information or RSVP call 205-721-3622.
tuesday Trussville Fresh Market – 1-5pm. Herbs, prepared foods, honey, baked goods, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and jam. Trussville Mall, 225 Parkway Dr, Trussville. 205-283-4558. Manna Market Organic Food Co-op – Pick up, deliveries and co-op store will be on Aug 5 and 19. Order online. Purchases can be delivered or picked up at one of the convenient locations. Co-op store hours are 1:30-3:30pm at Valley Christian Church, 2600 Cherokee Pl, Mountain Brook. MannaMarket. net. 205-566-2533.
thursday Summit Farmers Market – 2-6pm. Find market favorites like fresh local produce, handcrafted jewelry, coffee beans, pasta, breads, cheeses, sauces, soaps, lotions and more. Summit Shopping Center, 214 Summit Blvd, Suite 102, Birmingham. Yoga – 6pm. Yoga is a form of exercise that strengthens and tones the body. It promotes balance and flexibility, and quiets the mind. Yoga is for the beginning as well as advanced student. Free. Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave South, Birmingham. 205-521-9933. RailroadPark.org. Kids Yoga Series for Ages 4-7 and 8-13 – Thursdays beginning 8/21. Villager Yoga’s classes encourage kids to explore and develop mind, body and being as they learn and practice traditional yoga poses, breathing exercises and meditations in creative sequences, group activities and guided relaxation. Visit VillagerYoga.com for details and registration.
friday Happy Feet Friday – 6-7pm. Get your feet moving in the right direction with a 60-minute low-to-high impact walk/run course. Learn proper walk/run techniques to maximize your current fitness goals. All experience levels are welcome. Free. Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave South, Birmingham. 205-5219933. RailroadPark.org.
Gr w your business with us! Advertise with us and reach thousands of healthy living individuals in the Birmingham area who are looking for services like yours.
Something for every budget! 256-340-1122 • Editor@AlabamaAwakenings.com
Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Editor@AlabamaAwakenings.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month. HEALTH COOKWARE SALADMASTER sales and service. 256-502-9845.
REIKI REIKI is a relaxation and stress reduction technique that promotes healing. Call me today and take control of your health. Connie Sanford, RMT. Crestwood, Birmingham. 205-401-9437.
STAR KNOWLEDGE CONFERENCE STAR KNOWLEDGE CONFERENCE – Nashville, TN. Sept 18-20. Indigenous Chiefs & Wisdom Keepers, more than 30 speakers, 20 vendors. Montgomery Bell State Park. Register: StarKnowledge Nashville.com. 1-800-221-6801.
saturday Pepper Place Saturday Market – 7am-12pm. Pepper Place Market brings the best Alabama growers, food producers and artisans to Birmingham each week. Weekly Musicians and Chef Demonstrations. Free. Pepper Place, 2829 2nd Ave South, Birmingham. PepperPlaceMarket.com. East Lake Farmers Market – 8am-12pm. The East Lake Farmers Market, established in 2005, makes fresh produce and other resources for healthy living available in South East Lake. We accept SNAP/EBT and Senior Nutrition Coupons. East Lake Farmers Market, 7769 2nd Ave South, Birmingham. 205836-3201. EastLakeMarket.org. Valleydale Famers Market – 8am-12pm. This market features local farmers including Whitted Farms, Stone Oak Farms, and Burnette Farms, as well as other vendors and food artisans such as Bare Naked Noodles, Dough to Go, and Tiki Bar Soaps. Kids’ activities and live music. 4601 Valleydale Rd, Birmingham. 205-538-3652. Downtown Homewood Farmers Market – 8am– 12pm. The market typically features more than 15 local farmers and vendors, including Owl’s Hollow Hydroponic Farm, Finer Grind Coffee, and the Dreamcakes food truck. Soho Parking Lot, 2850 19th St South, Homewood. West Homewood Farmer’s Market – 8am-12pm. Fresh food from area farmers, arts and crafts, and other artisan products. Live music. 160 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood. Baby & Toddler Yoga Play Time at Villager Yoga – 11:30am-12pm (Aug 9, 16, 23, 30). Using song, instruments and storytelling, we will move, laugh and play while learning yoga poses inspired by animals, nature and more. For ages 4 months to 3 years. Katherine Bromberg. 3150 Overton Rd. 205-262-2012. VillagerYoga.com.
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communityresourceguide ACUPUNCTURE
COLON HYDROTHERAPY
ASHLEY LUNDY, LAC
HEALING WATERS
Doctor of Oriental Medicine 104 S Chalkville Rd, Ste 105 Trussville, AL 35173 205-234-4033 Alacupuncture.com DocLundy@alacupuncture.com
Bernadine Birdsong I-ACT & NBCHT Certified Instructor 720 23rd St South, Birmingham, AL 205-323-7582 • MoreThanColonics.com
Specializing in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Using noninvasive treatment to help treat pain, high blood pressure, fertility issues, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and weight loss. Located inside Eastern Chiropractic. Call today for your appointment. See ad, page 23.
ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR ANDREA J ROSS
Wholestic Pet Services 205-492-1000 • WholesticPetServices.com Andiross@bellsouth.net WholesticPetServices@gmail.com Animal Communicator, Reiki M a s t e r, A n i m a l M e d i c a l Intuitive, Dog Behaviorist/ Trainer. Natural and alternative healing remedies, aroma therapies, essential oils, herbal remedies, and T-Touch. Natural Flea & Tick Remedies. Creating and living a chemical free environment.
Detox your body with Colon Hydrotherapy, Infra Red Sauna, and BioCleanse Therapy. We are the only hydrotherapist in Alabama providing colonics with ionized, microclustered, antioxidant, alkaline water. We offer Lipoex®, a non-invasive way to melt fat, reduce cellulite, and tighten skin. Computerized Biofeedback, Massage therapy, pain management, light therapy, Korean-style Hip Bath, and VibaBody Slimmer also available. See ad, page 11.
COUNSELING EMILY TUCKER LPC, NCC
300 Office Park Dr, Ste 220 Birmingham, AL 35223 205-261-1417 • EmilyTuckerLPC@gmail.com Birmingham-Counseling.com Empathy, compassion and reflection are the foundation of her practice with each client. Specializing in Addictions, relationship issues, trauma recovery, depression and anxiety, wellness coaching. Call today for your free consultation. Wellness Packages now available; pay once—no hassles. See ad, page 22.
EDUCATIONAL COURSES AMERICAN COACHING SCHOOL
CHIROPRACTIC CHIROPRACTOR & HERBALIST Dr. Jeanne R. Chabot 2116 Rocky Ridge Road Hoover, AL 35216 • 205-822-2177 ChabotChiropractic.com
AmericanCoachingSchool.com 205-721-3622
500 Quality and Affordable courses online and on-demand. See our ad on page 15 for more information.
36 years of Chiropractic experience, certified herbalist, Reiki Master. Conventional Chiropractic adjustments & gentle adjustments, physiological therapeutics, decompression therapy. Private treatment rooms. Massage therapy, Hypnotherapy, Energy Work, Meditation Class, Personal training, and Yoga classes. Most Insurance accepted.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead 30
Birmingham, AL
Facebook.com/nabirmingham
ENERGY HEALING REV. TERRI A. HEIMAN, RMT, RYT Natural Forces Studio, LLC Birmingham, AL • 516-457-3885 Terri@NaturalForcesStudio.com NaturalForcesStudio.com
O ff e r i n g p r i v a t e s e s s i o n s , workshops and classes in Reiki Energy Healing, Angels, Meditation and Yoga. Spiritual Healing Certification Program, Spiritual Development Academy™ at Spiritual-Development-Academy. com. To Your Spirit!
FAMILY MEDICINE BIRMINGHAM INTEGRATIVE HEALTH Dr. Melanie Miller 159 Main Street Trussville, AL 35173 205-655-2110 BirminghamIntegrativeHealth.com Facebook.com/Birmingham IntegrativeHealth
Dr. Miller brings a commitment to integrative health to her patients in the greater Birmingham area. Her definition of good health goes beyond freedom from disease. She strives for both physical and mental well-being. She is a Family Medicine Doctor with interest in adrenal, thyroid, hormone balancing, nutrition, food allergies, weight loss, herbs, supplements and acupuncture. See ad, page 9.
HEALTH CONSULTANT SANDRA SCOTT, AADP
Natural Health and Wellness Consultant Food for Life Nutrition & Cooking Instructor 205-687-0238 SandraEScott.com Info@SandraEScott.com Gain and maintain optimal health the way God intended by using food as medicine. Specializing in plant-based nutrition for weight loss and diabetes, raw food preparation, workshops, cooking classes, private and group coaching.
HOMEOPATHY CONSULTANT JOAN SCOTT LOWE
Homeopathic Consultant 1901 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South Birmingham, AL 35209 205-871-1288 Joan@HomeopathyBeWell.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!
NUTRITION AND GIFTS GOLDEN TEMPLE, NOW 3 LOCATIONS
1901 11th Ave. South, Birmingham: 205-933-6333 3309 Lorna Rd, Suite 7, Hoover: 205-823-7002 110 N. Chalkville Rd, Suite 148, Trussville: 205-655-0353
Since 1973, we have been bringing you the best in healthy living. We offer a wide variety of merchandise including vitamins, herbs, supplements, natural foods, organic produce, incense, clothing, books, and gifts.
ORGANIC SKIN CARE
EMBODY PRACTICE CENTER
YOGA BIRMINGHAM YOGA STUDIO
605 37th Street South Birmingham, AL 35222 • 205-637-4228 Contact@BirminghamYoga.com BirminghamYoga.com Serving the community, Birmingham Yoga offers and hosts: ongoing yoga classes in two beautiful studios, 200-hour yoga teacher training accredited with Yoga Alliance, morning meditation, exciting workshops and class series, monthly community kirtan, musical events, and rental space for guest speakers and teachers.
NYR ORGANIC
Independent Group Leader, Jennifer Campbell 205-447-8678 CleanOrganicBeauty@gmail.com US.NYRorganic.com/shop/JenniferCampbell Safe. Beneficial. Ethical. Neal’s Yard Remedies offers award-winning certified organic skincare and wellness products using pure ingredients sustainably sourced and fairly traded. Shop the collections, host a skincare or wellness workshop or start your own NYR Organic business. See ad, page 12.
CONTEMPLATIVE PSYCHOLOGY CHUCK WHETSELL, PH.D.
Transformative Psychology Services 2011 9th Ave South, Suite 200B Birmingham, AL 35205 205-901-6438 • PeaceOfNowness.com CWhetsell@PeaceOfNowness.com Using principles of meditation, clients are guided in going more deeply inwards to explore life’s difficulties. Contacting one’s inner wisdom gives access to strength and purpose, which translates into personal guidelines for going forward in life. Individual and group sessions, including Peace of Nowness groups for working with anxiety.
VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS BELL LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS 800-333-7995 BellLifestyle.com
Formulated natural health supplements intended for pain control, urinary health, preventive illness, virility, stress relief, weight control and other common conditions. See ad, page 2.
3918 Montclair Rd, Suite 100 Birmingham, AL 35213 205-637-0299 Info@embodybirmingham.com EmbodyBirmingham.com
Embody Practice Center offers Yoga for all ages, levels, and health conditions. Classes include All Levels Yoga, monthly Yoga Nidra and Restorative Yoga, Beginner’s Series, and series specific to injuries (such as neck and shoulders or low back). EPC also offers Tai-Ji Quan (Tai Chi), Breath/ Feldenkrais® Class, Meditation workshops, and various other community and professional workshops. See ad, page 23.
Have a Stubborn Skin Disorder and Tried Everything Else? Finally there is a solution, try Natural Awakenings DermaClear, a natural, affordable skin repair salve. Our all natural personal skin care product brings comforting relief to sufferers of many skin irritations. DermaClear has proven to be effective against: • Shingles • Psoriasis • Eczema • Burns • Allergic Rash • Jock Itch • Stings • & more DermaClear will simply feel good putting it on. Cooling and soothing, the Calcium Montmorillonite/ Calcium Bentonite clay penetrates pores and open areas of the skin and pulls out toxins and inflammation. The proprietory blend of homeopathics go even deeper, address the root causes and assist to bring even deeper toxins to the surface.
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August 2014
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WORRIED ABOUT HAIR LOSS
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