December 2011 Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast AL/MS

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UPLIFTING HUMANITY Simple Ways to Give and Do Good

Meaningful Gifts Reduce, Reuse,Recycle,

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New Year's Intentions

Wayne Dyer Shares Five Favorites DECEMBER 2011 | Mobile/Baldwin Edition | www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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letterfrompublisher Seasons greetings! I am officially in the spirit of the season after working on this month’s Uplifting Humanity issue. I feel moved to lend a helping hand (The Helping-HealthHappiness Connection, page 20), start my Christmas shopping (The 2011 Guide to Conscious Giving for Locals, page 13) and test some new seasonal recipes (Fun Party Foods, page 18). Immersing myself into these articles before the thick of the holiday rush has been therapeutic. Armed with mindfulness, I am prepared to move through the potentially overstimulating and stressful upcoming weeks with grace and gratitude.

Our family has recently been contemplating the tradition of gift giving. Each year we consider how to be conscious gift givers. When shopping, it is important to consider whether an item is made with environmentally friendly materials, where it came from and the amount of packaging that was used. But it is equally valuable to consider how meaningful the present will be to the recipient. While a handmade scarf knit with organic crimson and white yarn and bamboo knitting needles is an extremely eco-conscious product, it becomes wasteful if given to an Auburn fan who would never wear it!

Being a conscious gift giver is a matter of thoughtful shopping. But what about the gifts we are given? Every year we receive gifts that we will not use and gift baskets filled with over-packaged goodies shipped in over-packaged boxes. Living in a virtually storageless home, we spend all year trying to buy only things we need in an effort to reduce clutter, and our general consumption, while also reducing the amount of waste we generate.

When December rolls around we seem to lose control of this intention and are suddenly overloaded with "stuff" we don’t need. Can we control the eco-friendliness of gifts given to us? This year, we’re going to try.

On Thanksgiving we emailed our close friends and family to ask that they join us in conscious holiday giving by taking a little extra time when shopping to consider the recipient and the planet. We have chosen to support the Weeks Bay Foundation (WeeksBay. org) over the holidays and welcome small donations to them in place of material gifts for us. We do not want to discourage gift giving but wish to offer this convenient alternative while hopefully inspiring a more conscious approach to holiday shopping.

I’ll never forget the joy in Mays’ face last year when he discovered his new playhouse that Santa delivered, or Josh’s gratitude when we gave him a shadow box filled with memories of him with his dad. Everyone loves opening a great present as well as the gratification of giving a well-received gift. Gift exchanges will always remain a valued tradition in our family, but we will not lose sight of what the spirit of the season is truly about—the gifts of peace, hope, love and joy.

contact us Publisher/Editor Meredith Montgomery Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com Assistant Editor Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo Editor@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com Contributors Martin Miron Josh Montgomery Anne Wilson Michael Wilson Design and Production Meredith Montgomery Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin P.O. Box 725, Fairhope, AL 36533 Phone: 251-990-9552 Fax: 251-281-2375

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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.

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contents 6 newsbriefs 11 healthykids

6

16 healthbriefs 18 consciouseating

23 23 globalbriefs 26 greenliving 27 ecotip 28 healingways 29 inspiration 30 naturalpet 28 advertising & submissions

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.

11 THE PARENT PATH Our Spiritual Life

by Steve Taylor

13 THE 2011 GUIDE TO

CONSCIOUS GIVING

Smart Gift Ideas for Locals

18

by Gabrielle Wyant

18 FUN PARTY FOODS Easy, Flavorful and Festive

by Renée Loux

20 DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD The Helping – Health – Happiness Connection

by Lisa Marshall

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 251-990-9552 or email Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

26 REDUCE, REUSE,

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month prior to the month of publication.

28 GOOD VIBRATIONS

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

30 5 INTENTIONS FOR

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

11

How Children Enrich

RECYCLE, REJOICE! How to Reduce Waste During the Holidays

by Meredith Montgomery

Sound Healing for the Soul

by Erin Lehn Floresca

20

THE NEW YEAR 26

Daily Practices for Thought and Action

by Wayne Dyer

34 INTERSPECIES FRIENDSHIPS

Crossing Boundaries for Good

by April Thompson

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December 2011

5

newsbriefs Organic Holiday Catering The Sunflower Café is offering Holiday Catering this year. According to Executive Chef Troy Kline, “This is our second year, and we have really, really good repeat customers.”

The menu includes a variety of casseroles, including green bean, sweet potato, butternut squash, creamed cauliflower, eggplant, corn and yellow squash.

The specialty dessert, Chocolate Gateau with Raspberry Sauce, remains a favorite of Sunflower’s staff and patrons, but there are many from which to choose. All orders must be placed by December 21.

“The great thing is that almost all our dishes are naturally gluten-free. All are vegetarian and can easily be made to suit the vegan,” said Kline. “And, all our ingredients are organic and without pesticides. We always try to buy locally [for the restaurant] and our beef comes from Hastings Farm, in Bay Minette, because its organically produced.”

Kline and his staff also offer custom catering options and will accommodate orders directly off the menu. Custom platters are available for company parties, as well as individuals in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. “We’ve made it really convenient for our Mobile customers; they can order off our menu, but pick up their order at Virginia’s Health Foods in Mobile.”

When asked his opinion of the dishes created by Chef Kline, server Will Brett said, “It just tastes better, no chemicals, that’s it, simple. It just tastes better.”

Location: 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope. Contact Troy Kline at 251929-0055. See ad on page 19.

Fish River Trees: Home of Living Christmas Trees Fish River Trees, in the Marlow/Fish River community in Summerdale, opened their season on November 25. This Christmas tree farm specializes in choose-and-cut farm-grown trees as well as container-grown living Christmas trees.

According to owner Steve Mannhard, “Earlywinter is the optimum time to plant trees along the Gulf Coast.” The container-grown living Christmas tree has become a popular choice for ecologicallyminded individuals as their tree can be decorated and then preserved for planting.

“A major benefit is an environmental one,” says Mannhard. “For those who have emotional or environmental issues with cutting a tree, living Christmas trees provide a win-win choice. They are also safer because they don’t dry out, add to the environment, are educational for children and enhance landscapes.”

Also available at Fish River Trees are fresh cut fir and spruce pines, natural wreaths and garlands, centerpieces and poinsettias.

Visits to the farm are part of Christmas traditions for many families. Fish River Trees plays host to Santa, offers free weekend tours aboard their “tree train,” called The Tannenbaum Express, and orchestrates an animal manger scene.

Location: 13982 Woodhaven Dairy Rd. E., Summerdale. For more information call 251-988-8114 or email FishRiverTrees@gulftel.com.

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Becoming Visible Campaign Launch On November 4, in Mobile, Spring Hill art professor Todd Duren, launched Becoming Visible—a social media campaign communicating the impacts of Alabama House Bill 56: Immigrant Trespassing Law.

Becoming Visible is intended to humanize the immigration issue in Alabama. Duren supports a humane immigration policy that welcomes immigrant workers and provides a pathway to citizenship.

“I started Becoming Visible in response to HB 56, a harsh new anti-immigration law here in Alabama,” said Duren. “This new law was designed to force ‘illegals’ out of the state by denying them their livelihood and property, and threatening their communities and families.”

Becoming Visible is aimed at raising awareness among Alabama citizens, demonstrating how HB 56 is hurting immigrants and their families, as well as the state’s reputation, businesses, tax base and schools. According to Duren, HB 56 leaves undocumented workers “unable to enter contracts, find jobs, rent homes or access government services.”

There are a variety of ways that individuals can get involved in the campaign. In an effort to raise awareness, Duren says, “[Facebook] supporters can replace their profile photos with the silhouette of immigrants and post their stories as status updates. In the process they will learn more about how Alabama immigrants are being hurt by the new law.”

For more information visit Becoming Visible.org or Facebook Becoming Visible.

Robertsdale Improves Energy Efficiency of Street Lights According to Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy, the city has been awarded a $100,000 grant to replace 120 streetlights with new, LED energy-efficient light fixtures.

The new lights will utilize less power, thus reducing energy costs, and will also require less maintenance and repair. The annual cost of power for an existing incandescent fixture is approximately $120 and estimated bulb life averages 22,000 hours. The annual cost of power for a new LED fixture is approximately $39 and estimated bulb life is 50,000 hours.

The lights to be replaced are located along Highway 59, from the Central Baldwin Middle School to County Road 48. Highway 59 is the major thoroughfare for Baldwin County residents and visitors traveling to the beaches.

According to city officials, the existing incandescent street lights, located within the city limits, give poor lighting. The LED lights will cast a brighter light, providing better visibility for motorists along this highly trafficked road.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will distribute the grant from state funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

For more information, contact Greg Smith, City of Robertsdale, 251-947-8955.

Yoga Adventure to India 2012 Michele Baker, of Swan River Yoga New Orleans and Melanie Buffett, of Yoga Birds Fairhope, will lead an annual journey to the mystical heart of North India and explore the Taj Mahal, Dharmasala (residence of Dalai Lama) and Rishikesh for the International Yoga Festival. Travel dates are February 23 to March 7, 2012.

The tour includes visits to cultural sites and profoundly peaceful ashrams, amazing food and interaction with wonderful Indian people. To completely embody being in the cradle of yoga, participants are soaked daily in the practices of asana, meditation, philosophy talks and Kirtan.

The group trip capacity is intentionally limited to encourage an intimate and transformational experience. Baker and Buffett have partnered with spiritual journeys and tourism specialists Redback Travels of Portland, Oregon.

Tuition, dates, cost, itinerary details and travel guidelines can be found at Redback Travels.com. See ad on page 39 and back cover.

Art Exhibit: Celebrating Our Maritime Heritage The Mobile Museum of Art will present an all-media, marine-themed exhibition from December 9 to January 8, entitled Celebrating Our Maritime Heritage: A Coastal Holiday. The exhibit is presented in anticipation of the January 2012 American Society of Marine Artists’ 15th National Exhibition and in celebration of the spirit of the holiday season. The juried exhibition pieces were selected from regional artists’ submissions of original paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings and photographs depicting Mobile’s historic relationship with the water. The exhibition is anticipated to feature coastal and marine landscapes, boats and aquatic animals.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for students. Group prices are $8 for adults.

Location: 4850 Museum Dr., Mobile. For more information call 251-208-5200 or visit MobileMuseumOfArt.com.

International Sound Therapy Founder in Fairhope Last month, local Sound Therapy International distributor Martha Umphrey and Homestead Village of Fairhope hosted an informational meeting about Sound Therapy, with Rafaele Joudrey.

Joudrey, an author, international keynote speaker and founder/director of Sound Therapy International, is a world leader and educator on Sound Therapy and the discoveries of Dr. Alfred Tomatis. She has toured Australia, Europe and the United states to teach about the impact of sound upon our health.

Joudrey holds a Master of Psychology degree, specializing in Sound Therapy. Since founding Sound Therapy International in 1989, Joudrey has authored dozens of articles and three bestselling books: Sound Therapy: Music to Recharge Your Brain, Triumph Over Tinnitus and Why Aren’t I Learning? Her books describe the remarkable power of Sound Therapy to improve ear function and brain integration, resulting in beneficial results for numerous conditions.

Sound Therapy is a listening program to improve ear and brain health.

By stimulating the auditory pathways and the brain, it improves hearing and auditory processing, reduces tinnitus, stress fatigue and insomnia. Listeners report better hearing in a noisy room, better concentration, focus and memory, better learning and academic performance, better balance and coordination, relief of dizziness and vertigo and a general feeling that the brain is sharper and communication is easier.

For more information contact distributor Martha Umphrey at 251-752-8122 or visit SoundTherapyInternational. com. See listing on page 38.

natural awakenings

December 2011

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newsbriefs

Fairhope Artist Gallery Hosting Wine Paint Events Storm Drain Marker Project Needs Volunteers and The Fairhope Artist Gallery held its The Dog River Clearwater Revival (DRCR) is seeking community service volunteers to participate in The Storm Drain Marker Project. Residents of all ages will work on their own time to reduce the amount of pollution in the Dog River Watershed.

Volunteers are needed to glue 4-inch diameter markers on storm drains in the Dog River Watershed and hand out informational flyers to residents of the installation neighborhoods. The markers read: "No Dumping: Drains to River or Bay." All supplies and equipment are provided by DRCR.

According to coordinator Janet Miller, “We have been working on this project since 2006, and to date, have installed over 8,000 markers.” Volunteers are still needed to install markers on storm drains in many Mobile neighborhoods, including Midtown, Springhill, DIP area, West Mobile, Tillman’s Corner and Theodore.

The organization started the project to raise citizen awareness of the storm drain system and to reduce pollution in the Dog River and its tributaries.

Storm drain systems flow directly into creeks and waterways, with no filtration or other treatments. When it rains, storm water transports pollutants such as trash, yard clippings, fertilizer, pesticides, sediment runoff from construction sites and pet waste directly into nearby streams, canals, rivers and eventually, Mobile Bay.

Dog River Clearwater Revival, Mobile, is a grassroots, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of Dog River and surrounding environments.

first 6 to 8 Wine and Paint event on November 11. Led by Eugenia Westbrook, the weekly series will continue through December and participants are asked to bring a favorite bottle of wine or refreshment. All supplies are included and the fee is $40. No experience is necessary, but reservations are requested.

December subjects include Abstract Angel, Bay Birds and Live Oak Silhouette. Each evening is instructed

by Westbrook, a gallery member who writes and illustrates children’s books.

The Fairhope Artist Gallery is an artist-run initiative displaying the works of 40 artists.

Location: 18 South Section St., Fairhope.

For more information call 251-990-8763 or visit FairhopeArtistGallery.blogspot. com. See listing on page 37.

For more information, contact Janet Miller at 251-654-1827 or j46miller@yahoo.com.

NEWS TO SHARE? Send submissions for news briefs to

Publisher@HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com or call 251-990-9552. To be considered for January's issue, please send submissions by December 10.

Natural Hair Extensions at Warlocks Hair Salon

Guests to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and IMAX Dome Theater will have the opportunity to visit Kangaroo Kraze and experience the Australian Outback until January 2, 2012. Participants learn Outback survival skills, see and hear ancient Aboriginal music and art and get hands-on experience by making a boomerang. Exploreum visitors can pet and truly experience the uniqueness of live kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies, baby joeys and more.

After attending the exhibit, Michele Perillo said, “To actually see indigenous animals of Australia, up-close and personal, was thrilling; I never thought I would be able to hear a kookaburra, see a bearded lizard or actually make eye contact with a kangaroo. I wish everyone could see this exhibit!”

Admission prices for Kangaroo Kraze and permanent exhibits are $13 for adults, $11.50 for youth and seniors and $11 for children. Combo tickets, which include a viewing of the IMAX film, are $17 for adults, $16 for youth and seniors and $14.50 for children.

Warlocks Hair Salon, in Fairhope, realized that especially during the holidays, clients want instant gratification.

For those who desire added length or volume, Warlocks is offering natural hair extensions.

Stylists at Warlocks are certified in hair extension application and, according to owner Leslie Goldberg, “Our hair extensions are made of beautiful, healthy human hair and applied without any damaging adhesives or fusion.

They are put in with micro cylinders and easily maintained or removed without damaging your own hair”

The natural-looking extensions offered at the salon use a combination of two to three colors. The extensions can be curled, straightened and colored.

Warlocks will match your hair type and color. The salon offers free consultations and gift certificates are available.

Location: 65 Government St., Mobile. For more information call 251-208-6873 or visit Exploreum.com.

Location: 2A South Church St., Fairhope.

For more information call 251-929-1988.

See listing on page 37.

Kangaroo Kraze at the Gulf Coast Exploreum and IMAX

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

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Meditation Flash Mob in Fairhope The area’s first meditation flash mob took place at 11:11 a.m., November 11 in downtown Fairhope as part of a worldwide meditation event. Approximately 35 people and two dogs attended the MedMob Gulf Coast Alabama event, presented by Natural Awakenings and led by Rosie Blu owner Betsey Grady.

Participants gathered at the corner of Fairhope Avenue and Bancroft Avenue for a 30-minute meditation on gratitude. Monthly MedMobs will be scheduled and everyone is invited to attend. No experience is necessary and individuals are encouraged to participate or simply bask in the peace. Kids and pets are welcome, too.

MedMob Gulf Coast Alabama is the local affiliate of the global MedMob movement, which seeks to unify people from all religions, all world views and all experience levels in meditation. MedMobs occur in highly visible places, with the intention of exposing and inviting the world to the benefits of meditation and collective prayer. By meditating in unexpected public spaces, medmobbers hope to create a wave of peace that sparks awareness, curiosity and reflection.

The next Fairhope MedMob is scheduled for December 21. MedMob Gulf Coast Alabama is seeking individuals to organize MedMobs in other parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties.

For more information call 251-990-9552. To join the mailing list, Facebook Meditation Flash Mob: Gulf Coast Alabama.

Little Gym Relocates to Fairhope This month, The Little Gym (TLG) will relocate to the Shoppes of Fairhope Center, in Fairhope. To acknowledge this move, TLG is offering a free introductory class to new members.

The new state-of-the-art facility will be completed with all new colors, graphics, flooring and a new Tiffin EcoMat gym floor surface that is made from 100 percent postconsumer plastic bottles. This mat is revolutionary for the sports of cheerleading and gymnastics. The new facility also offers a larger party room and a great parking area.

“This location will continue to serve all our current The Little Gym families, while assuring there will be room for growth and development,” says owner Julia Parks. “Our goal is to serve the families of the Eastern Shore, Mobile and Baldwin Counties with the best facilities and programs that offer developmental opportunities for children in a nurturing and fun environment.”

Grow Alabama Launches New Website Grow Alabama, a multi-farm community supported agriculture (CSA) program, recently launched a new and improved website. GrowAlabama.com visitors experience easy-to-access information about subscription options, the current week's menu and a library of recipes.

Weekly produce subscribers can access the Grow Alabama Online Store to add additional Alabamagrown produce free-range eggs and other Alabama products, to their weekly deliveries.

Facilitated through their Facebook page, (Facebook.com/GrowAlabama), visitors are encouraged to participate in ongoing conversations about local farming, food and the joy of eating. Jerry Spencer, founder and CEO says, “Our mission is economic and environmental sustainability through agriculture. We will keep you informed about the progress of Grow Alabama and we welcome your input.”

Grow Alabama offers weekly delivery of fresh, locally grown food to locations throughout the state. The service conveniently connects residents to Alabama farmers and to produce that is grown for flavor and nutrition, rather than long shelf-life.

For more call 205-991-0042, email info@growalabama.com or visit GrowAlabama.com. See ad on page 32.

Location: Hwy. 98, Fairhope. For more information or to schedule a free class call 251-626-9858 or visit TLGEasternShoreAl.com. See ad on page 12. natural awakenings

December 2011

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The Parent Path How Children Enrich Our Spiritual Life D

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

by Steve Taylor irty nappies, wakeup calls in the ened sense of love, wonder and appreciamiddle of the night, a house full tion. of screams and squeals, food splattered on walls, a chaos of toys Natural Mindfulness everywhere, no more late nights out, After all, children are such strongly spirino time to read books, take classes or tual beings. They naturally have many of attend retreats—what could be spiritual the qualities that adults work to cultivate about bringing up children? Isn’t spiritual through spiritual development. For exdevelopment just one of the many things ample, children are naturally mindful. we sacrifice when we have kids?

They constantly live fully in the present,

Many spiritual traditions based on and the world is always a fantastically meditation, prayer and solitude maintain real and interesting place to them. that nothing should divert us from our As child psychologist Professor Alispiritual practices—least of all a family, son Gopnik, of the University of Califorwhich takes up so much time and energy. nia, Berkeley, puts it, “Babies and young

In India, one tradition holds that children are actually more conscious spiritual development belongs to a later and more vividly aware of their external stage of life, roughly after age 50. It is world and internal life than adults are.” only once we have lived through a house- They have what she calls an, “…infinite holder stage, bringing up and providing capacity for wonder,” that adults only for our children and living a worldly experience at their highest moments. life, that we can turn our attention to “Travel, meditation and romantic pothe inner world. After our children have etry can give us a first-person taste of reached adulthood, we have the privilege infant experience,” as can experiencing of meditating regularly, and living more beauty, she says. quietly and simply.

This illustrates one of the most posi Many parents, however, find that—far tive effects of having children: They help from hindering it—bringing up children us to become children again ourselves. actively advances their spiritual develop- In Taoism, the ideal is to be as spontanement. Seen in the right way, parenthood ous and curious as a child, exhibiting can be a spiritual path, bringing a height- their openness to experience. On the

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physical plane, Taoist practices like Tai chi and qigong aim to help the body become as supple and flexible as a child’s.

Beyond Selfishness

All the world’s spiritual traditions tell us how important it is to transcend our own selfishness; to stop seeing ourselves as the center of the universe and trying so hard to satisfy our own desires. They advise us to help and serve others, so that we can move beyond our separate ego and connect to a transcendent power. The eightfold path of Buddhism aims to cultivate this selfless state and ideally, the path of parenthood can, as well. It’s impossible to be a good parent without being prepared to put your children first.

Much of parenthood is about selfsacrifice. Gopnik remarks: “Imagine a novel in which a woman took in a stranger who was unable to walk or talk or even eat by himself. She fell completely in love with him at first sight, fed and clothed and washed him, gradually helped him to become competent and independent, and spent more than half her income on him… You couldn’t bear the sappiness of it. But that is just about every mother’s story. Caring for children is a fast and efficient way to experience at least a little saintliness.”

The poet William Wordsworth described how children see the world as “… appareled in celestial light [having] the glory and freshness of a dream.” Yet, as adults, this vision, “…fades into the light of common day.” Having children of our own helps us to reawaken some of the celestial light within.

Perhaps this is what Jesus meant too, when he told his disciples, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This makes sense if we think of the kingdom of heaven not as a future, far-off place, but as a state of consciousness, here and now. Heaven is the state of wonder and natural well-being where children dwell and in their company, we naturally re-enter the kingdom.

Steve Taylor, a UK university lecturer and researcher, is the author of Waking from Sleep, described by Eckhart Tolle as, “One of the best books on spiritual awakening I have come across.” His new book is Out of the Darkness – from Turmoil to Transformation. Visit StevenMTaylor.com.

How to Treat Parenthood as a Spiritual Path n Don’t be tempted to rush your children; try not to be impatient at their slowness.

Walk at their pace and be mindful with them. n Consciously cultivate a fresh, intense, childlike vision. Imagine how the

world looks through their eyes. n Let youngsters teach you the marvels of the world around you. Be as open

and curious as they are, not taking anything you know for granted. n Give yourself wholly to play with kids, allowing yourself to step outside your

mental world of worries and responsibilities.

How to Support Your Inner Child’s Natural Spirituality n Don’t be irritated when children ask, “Why?” Encourage their sense of wonder. n Try not to be irritated by youthful exuberance and excitement. n Try to limit the amount of time kids watch TV or play computer games. n Encourage children to use their own creativity by inventing games, drawing

or painting. n Schedule periods of quiet relaxation and meditation, which enable them to

feel more at home within their own being.

Source: Waking From Sleep, by Steve Taylor

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MidEarthHealing@yahoo.com * www.middleearthhealing.com natural awakenings

December 2011

11

NEED CLEAN? GO GREEN! Green Clean, LLC provides environmentally friendly cleaning services for residential properties.

Holiday Gift Certificates Available

For Cleaning Service and Green Cleaning Kits!

251-508-3796

Give the Gift of Wellness Nourish Mind, Body & Soul

Health & Wellness Coaching Plant-Based Cooking Classes Vegan Personal Chef Services Yoga/Meditation Classes www.shantiwarrior.com 251-510-2418

Conscious Giving Meaningful gifts for the most meaningful people in your life. This holiday season give gifts of health, well-being and sustainability.

Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) Discount Cards are here!

HOLIDAY GIFT SPECIAL Buy 2 Individal Memberships or 1 Family Membership, Get 1 Individual Membership FREE! ($40 value) You see programs that help your child learn teamwork and social skills; they see a

See page 2 for details.

The Little Gym offers a wide variety of classes that help children reach their greatest potential.

Call or schedule a free introductory class online.

The Little Gym of the Eastern Shore Coming soon to the Shoppes of Fairhope Village!

Gift Cards Available! www.tlgeasternshoreal.com 251-626-9858

MoonStone

Give the gift of Therapeutic Massage

For your health and healing.

Gift Package Specials at

Quiet Mind

Massage Therapy & Yoga Studio in Midtown Mobile

3 1-hr massages $187.50 aromatherapy massage $85

20-min neck & shoulder massage $30

251-476-6463

yoga@quietmindmassagetherapy.com

Holiday Massage Package organic skincare • body treatments massage • reiki/chakra balancing $50 1-hr Massage or Organic Facial Gift Certificates Available www.glowwellnessstudio.com 2033 Airport Blvd, Ste C • Midtown Mobile

251-767-5230

5 1-hr massages: $275

Give as 1 gift certificate or split into 5!

Redeemable with Jeannie.

251-517-5383 314 B Magnolia Ave in Fairhope

The 2011 Guide to Conscious Gift Giving for Locals

by Gabrielle Wyant

With the arrival of the holiday season, conscious shoppers search for meaningful gifts that promote health, well-being and sustainability. Residents and visitors of Mobile and Baldwin counties are blessed with inspirational, purpose-driven businesses that carry the purest of products and services. Through the inventory that they choose to stock, businesses are making a difference in the community and ultimately, in the world. Many offer services that lead to enlightenment, a stronger understanding of others and better personal and planetary health.

F

renzied holiday shopping can be a soul-deadening enterprise, and with only a few weeks left, shoppers may be tempted to throw money at anything on which they can put a bow. One of the strongest agents of change in today’s world may be through our wallets. Keep in mind that with each purchase made, the production process behind that item is supported.

For home makers or those swamped by house guests, consider gifting a cleaning session by Green Clean, LLC of Fairhope. Green Clean provides environmentally friendly cleaning services for residential properties. Homeowners will be welcomed by fresh scents of essential oils and a squeaky clean, toxin-free home after Green Clean’s service. For do-ityourselfers, the company sells Green Cleaning Kits that include everything needed to clean the whole house.

Nothing surpasses a home-cooked meal. Imagine the luxury of receiving a week's worth of catered meals, delivered to your doorstep. Shanti Warrior (ShantiWarrior.com), based in Mobile,

delivers healthy, gourmet meals and fresh baked goods to customers. “We specialize in providing gourmet, plant-based, whole food meals and use fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible—never processed foods or hydrogenated oils,” says Owner and Chef Tracey Glover.

In addition, Shanti Warrior also offers holistic wellness services such as yoga, meditation, holistic wellness coaching and healthy private cooking classes, all of which are available as gift certificates.

Give the gift of stress relief by pampering loved ones with a certificate for a massage. Research studies show a single massage session can reduce situational anxiety (i.e. holiday frenzy or unexpected dinner guests), as well as reduce blood pressure, heart rate and help alleviate general anxiety, depression and pain. The physical benefits of massage affect every age group and every body type.

Glow Wellness Studio (GlowWellness Studio.com) a small, peaceful spa, located in midtown Mobile, uses organic products such as The Body Deli, Cirepil and Biotone Advanced Therapy for

their menu of services, which includes facials, peels, massage body treatments and waxing. This season, Glow is offering three $50 holiday specials: a onehour Organic Hot Stone Facial, a onehour massage with Hot Stones added to your back and neck or a one-hour Glow Body Scrub. The spa menu and monthly membership pricing information is available online.

MoonStone Massage, in Fairhope, is offering five massages for $275. The massages can be purchased as one package or as five individual certificates. MoonStone also offers energy work.

On December 8, save up to 50 percent on gift certificates from Touch of Elements Massage (TouchOfElements. com) during their open house. This Mobile massage studio is offering buy one gift certificate get the second half-price from December 9 to December 24. Gift memberships for 3, 6 or 12 months are also available online.

Quiet Mind Massage Therapy (Quiet MindMassageTherapy.com), in midtown Mobile, is offering three one-hour mas-

natural awakenings

December 2011

13

Missed a recent issue?

Natural Awakenings' archives are available online!

Visit www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

to read and subscribe to our FREE digital eZines!

Read Natural Awakenings on your iPad! Download the free MagCloud app, search for "Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin" in the Health and Fitness department. With a few taps, an issue can be added to your “My Magazines” folder ...and it’s FREE!

sages for $187.50 (buy two get the third half-off) and aromatherapy massages for $85. For stocking stuffers, 15-minute hand and foot massages for $25 and 20-minute head, neck and scalp massages for $30 are available. The studio also sells Young Living essential oils and holiday gift packs.

Rosie Bluum (RosieBluum.com), in Fairhope, promises to deliver an afternoon of indulgence to your special friend or family member with their $150 package, designed to pamper the body, mind and spirit. Included is a one-hour organic facial, a one-hour therapeutic massage, three tins of tea from JusTeas and Peace, plus a special gift to take home. Gift certificates are available.

This season, support local artists and businesses by assembling your own gift baskets with items from local stores. Yoga Birds Boutique (YogaBirds.com), in Fairhope, is committed to offering more locally made gifts. “One new and cool thing we are doing,” says owner Melanie Buffett, “is that several Yoga Birds teachers and studio helpers are coming together as a creative collective to make yoga-inspired handmade gifts.” According to Buffett, Yoga Birds Boutique will feature gifts such as baby bibs, stylish versatile leggings (for exercise and fashion), jewelry, note cards, fine art and even great music CDs by local musicians. In addition to the locally made items, other products from companies that engage in sustainable, conscious business and manufacturing will be available at the boutique. Some highlights include Putumayo's world, holiday and yoga music CDs; EarthLust's eco-friendly water bottles and gluten-free, healthy Oatcakes.

Rosie Blu (RosieBlu.com) also carries a variety of local creations such as Kittrell’s Beeswax, Milk and Honey Soaps, Made in the Shea skincare and bug repellent, felted animals and ornaments, as well as painted artwork. During the holidays, this Fairhope shop is offering a free Antique Mercury Glass Owl Ornament with purchase of $100 or more (while supplies last).

Gift certificates and gift cards are smart and eco-friendly options that allow recipients to choose exactly what they desire, especially for yoga classes. All local yoga studios offer classes, packages and/or private yoga sessions. Buffett says, “For the 2011 holiday season, these are the best gifts that Yoga Birds has to offer; opportunities to look good and to feel even better

SCIATICA? BACK PAIN? HIP PAIN? POOR POSTURE? Relaxing 20 minutes daily on the Sacro Wedgy®

may be all you need. Placed under the sacrum (tailbone), it allows the hips to suspend and relax, letting go of nerves and ultimately “rebalancing.”

Try the SACRO WEDGY® For individual self-care and therapists.

Only $29.95.

www.sacrowedgy.com 251-653-9258 or 800-737-9295 14

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

All Natural...

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through a regular yoga practice.”

“Yoga, pilates and core barre gift certificates are popular this time of year," says Dana Garrett, owner of Synergy Yoga and Pilates (Synergyoga.net). “With the holidays, people get all stressed out, and this is a great way to de-stress.”

With a little thought, shoppers can still make healthy and planet-friendly choices for the younger people on their holiday gift lists. Recently relocated to Fairhope, The Little Gym (TLGEastern ShoreAL.com) offers classes and activities for every stage of a child’s development from four months to 12 years. Children will love the gift of classes, which are filled with movement, music and fun, along with learning that will last a lifetime.

Instead of flimsy plastic toys powered by disposable batteries, why not give children books or kits made from natural materials or better yet, produce them. Virginia’s Health Foods and Fairhope Health Foods (VA-FairhopeHealthFoods.com) carries a mushroom garden kit by Back To The Roots. This grow-at-home mushroom kit will grow, right from the box, up to one-and-a-half pounds of gourmet oyster mushrooms in as little as 10 days. This kit lasts in the box for months before opening.

Resist buying useless trinkets and opt for conscious stocking stuffers this year. Some items for $20 or less at Rosie Blu include a Fairhope Dog Park T-shirt, benefiting the local park, 222 Positively Inspiring Botanical Waters, Envirosax, Bach’s Rescue Remedies, healing crystals and Shoyeido Incense. Another wallet-friendly option available at Virginia’s and Fairhope Health Foods is gifting a variety of Pau D’Arco bulk teas or Frontier Brand bulk herbs, paired with a favorite recipe.

By making responsible shopping decisions and finding local, conscious businesses that support the needs of friends and family, the world can change. Spend dollars on products that support sustainability, healthier living and ethical business practices. It makes sense for the people, the planet and the small businesses that are truly working toward change.

Gabrielle Wyant is the assistant editor for Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin and a contributing writer.

Give the Gift of Wellness...

All Year Long

Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) Launches in Time for the Holidays Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) discount cards are now on sale. NAN is a groundbreaking national network that allows members to obtain discounts on products and services focused on wellness and

natural, healthy lifestyles.

NAN’s extensive network encompasses practitioners of alternative and complementary medicine, as well as health and fitness centers, health food stores, yoga studios, schools, green retailers, spas and healthy restaurants.

Members enjoy discounts ranging from 5 to 50 percent on products and services offered through NAN providers with either individual or family coverage. Convenient and easy to use, NAN members simply present their cards to participating providers to enjoy exclusive savings.

NAN cards are valid at providers across the country and in Puerto Rico. To view a current list of Mobile/Baldwin provider discounts, visit NaturalAwakeningsNetwork.com and input “MBAL” in the provider keyword search.

Membership cards are valid for one year at an introductory rate of $40 for individuals (regularly $108) and $80 for family plans (regularly $216). Natural Awakenings is pleased to offer a Holiday Gift Special through December 31 of buy 2 individual memberships or 1 family membership, get 1 individual membership free.

Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin Publisher Meredith Montgomery says, “Readers have been waiting patiently for the launch of this wellness program and we are thrilled to be selling NAN cards in time for the holidays! I can’t imagine a more valuable, healthy and eco-friendly gift than a passport to discounted products and services at more than 75 of Mobile and Baldwin counties’ healthiest and greenest businesses.”

To learn more about membership or to become a provider, visit Tinyurl.com/NANCard. Cards can be purchased online at Tinyurl.com/NANMember, by calling 251-990-9552 or by completing the form on page 3. Group rates are available for purchases of five or more cards. See ad on page 2. natural awakenings

December 2011

15

healthbriefs

P

Phosphates Not Heart-Healthy

hosphates are commonly found in microwavable meals, soft drinks and other processed and prepackaged foods. Now, researchers at the University of Sheffield, UK, have demonstrated a connection between the high intake of phosphates and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, a leading cause of heart disease.

The research shows that cholesterol deposits in the walls of arteries increase following a higher phosphate diet. This leads to narrowing of the arteries, the cause of most heart attacks and strokes.

Source: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology

ZINC FIGHTS COLDS

A

new study confirms that zinc can, indeed, help reduce the severity and duration of the common cold, and high doses—at least 75 milligrams per day—work best. Depending upon the total dosage and composition of the lozenges, zinc may shorten the duration of a common cold episode by up to 40 percent, according to University of Helsinki research.

Source: Open Respiratory Medicine Journal

Acupuncture Eases Unexplained Symptoms

P

atients that experience medically unexplained symptoms might benefit from acupuncture, according to new research by the Institute of Health Services Research, Peninsula Medical School, at the University of Exeter.

The study involved 80 adults that had consulted their general practitioner eight or more times in the previous year for problems such as headaches, muscle pain, extreme fatigue or joint and back pain. Half received up to 12 sessions of five-element acupuncture during a period of six months; the remainder received no extra treatment.

The patients receiving acupuncture reported improved well-being and scored higher on an individualized health status questionnaire than the control group.

They reported that their acupuncture consultations became increasingly valuable and that the interactive and holistic nature of the sessions gave them a sense that something positive was being done about their condition.

Professor Andrew Gould, who led the study, says it is important to offer patients other options when conventional medicine isn’t working. “It’s soul-destroying for both the patient and doctor when there’s no clear reason for the symptoms patients are suffering from,” he explains. “We don’t know how acupuncture is making a difference, but it seems to be something to do with the treatment, rather than just a placebo or the one-to-one care the patients are getting.”

The study was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. The research results were published in The British Journal of General Practice.

16

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

NUTTY HELP FOR DIABETES

N

ew research from St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto reports that consuming two ounces of nuts daily as a replacement for carbohydrates (muffins were used in the study) is effective in glycemic and serum lipid control for people with Type 2 diabetes. The researchers concluded that all nuts—whether mixed, unsalted, raw or dry-roasted—offer benefits for control of both blood glucose and blood lipids and could be consumed as part of a strategy to improve diabetes control without weight gain.

Source: Diabetes Care

Massage Beats Meds for Back Pain

A

new study conducted by the Group Health Research Institute of Seattle suggests that massage therapy may be better than conventional medicine alone for easing lower back pain. Researchers recruited 401 patients with chronic back pain and found that those receiving a series of either relaxation or structural massage spent fewer days in bed and were more active than those receiving “usual medical care,” ranging from painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants to physical therapy.

Lead study author Daniel Cherkin, director of the institute, concluded: “If you’re having continuing problems with back pain, even after trying usual medical care, massage may be a good thing to do. I think the results are pretty strong.”

Funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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MASSAGE MATTERS AND MORE Patti Street, LMT 23710 US Hwy 98 251-423-7905 AMassageMatters.com MOONSTONE MASSAGE Therapeutic Massage and Energy Work 314-B Magnolia Ave 251-517-5383 ROSIE BLUUM Massage, Reiki, Reflexology, Craniosacral Therapy, Thai Massage and more!

6A Bancroft Ave 251-517-5626, RosieBluum.com TAMI'S MASK & MIRROR Sheila M. Williams, LMT Bancroft and Pine Street 251-928-9040

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natural awakenings

December 2011

17

consciouseating

FUN PARTY

FOODS

Easy, Flavorful and Festive

by Renée Loux

M

ake the most of being a host with party foods sure to wow guests.

Combining classic concepts with tasty twists will satisfy any gourmet in search of a fabulous holiday buffet.

Whether you are a year-round or seasonal party planner, these crowd-pleasing appetizers will make you the toast of the celebration circuit.

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Sweet Potato Rolls with Haricot Verts & Pecan Pesto

If wrappers must stand for any length of time, cover after cooled.

This party favorite is sumptuous enough to be considered a small plate entrée when served on a bed of wild rice. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of antioxidant beta-carotene (provitamin A), vitamin C, minerals and hunger-quenching fiber. Haricot verts (small and slender immature bean pods) are abundant in bone-building vitamin K, silica, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Soaking the pecans for the pesto makes them lighter, more digestible and yields delicious, nutritious results.

Haricot Verts or Green Beans

Yields: 10-12 rolls (dairy-free, gluten-free)

Place haricot verts or sliced green beans in a small saucepan.

Sweet Potato Wrapper

Mix together tamari or soy sauce, umeboshi plum vinegar and agave nectar or maple syrup and drizzle over the vegetables.

2 sweet potatoes, peeled 2 tsp olive oil Pinch of sea salt Several fresh basil leaves, torn in half (to roll inside) 18

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Peel the sweet potato and cut the ends off. Slice thinly, lengthwise. If the potato is long, first cut it in half across the middle.

Lay pieces flat on a baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes until soft.

Allow to cool and gently rub with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt.

30 haricot verts or 18 green beans, cut in half and sliced lengthwise 2 tsp tamari or soy sauce 1 tsp umeboshi plum vinegar ½ tsp agave nectar or maple syrup Enough filtered water just to cover the veggies in a small saucepan Haricot verts are thin enough to leave whole. If using green beans, slice in half lengthwise. If green beans are extra-long, cut them in half before slicing.

Add just enough filtered water to cover the beans. www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Bring to a gentle simmer uncovered over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5-10 minutes, or just until tender. Do not disturb the veggies by stirring while they cook; they should remain firm. When tender, remove from the liquid with tongs and set aside in a bowl.

Continue cooking the liquid, stirring occasionally until it is reduced and the resulting marinade becomes syrupy. Pour over haricot verts or green beans and toss to coat. Let stand while preparing the remainder of the dish.

Pecan Pesto ¼ cup pecans, soaked for 1 hour 3 cups packed basil leaves 1 Tbsp walnut oil or extra-virgin olive oil ½ tsp sea salt 3-4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Soak pecans in 1 cup filtered water for 1 hour.

Drain and rinse. Pat dry with a clean towel.

In a food processor, place drained pecans, basil, walnut oil and salt, and then pulse until finely chopped. With the motor running, add olive oil in a slow stream until well incorporated, but the mixture still has a bit of texture.

Assembly Lay 2 pieces of softened sweet potato skins on a cutting board (not touching, with short end facing you, and the length of the sweet potato placed away from you). It is best to lay a few pairs at once to create an assembly line for quicker rolling.

Lay haricot verts or green beans across a piece of sweet potato, and top with a teaspoon or two of pesto.

Fold the short end of the softened potato skin over the vegetables and roll closed. Note the tendency to overpack and the fact that less is more; it will be easier to eat and go further.

Roll the second sweet potato slice around the bundle and secure with a toothpick. Follow suit until all ingredients are used.

Eat the rolls as is, or bake at 350° F for 10-12 minutes to warm.

Garnish with freshly ground black pepper.

Pear & Pomegranate Seed Guacamole This festive guacamole fuses spicy, sweet and savory flavors in a colorful array of texture. Avocados are rich in skinbeautifying oils, pears supply vitamin C and copper, and sweet-tart pomegranates are among the most antioxidant-rich fruits on Earth.

Yields: about 4 servings (raw-living, dairy-free, gluten-free) 2 avocados, cubed 2 Tbsp lime juice ½ tsp sea salt, or to taste 3 Tbsp finely chopped red onion 1 chili pepper, finely chopped (add only to desired spiciness) ½ cup pear, peeled and finely diced ½ cup pomegranate seeds In a bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, sea salt, red onion and chili pepper with a fork. It should exhibit small chunks, with texture.

Reserve 2 tablespoons of pomegranate seeds for garnish.

Fold remainder of pomegranate seeds and pear into the avocado mixture.

Season to taste with salt if needed. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and serve.

Recipes are from The Balanced Plate and Living Cuisine, by Renée Loux and ReneeLoux.com.

Unique gifts for everyone Natural cleaning products Free-range turkey Organic casseroles and pies Organic Wine For all of your holiday needs...

3952 Airport Blvd in Mobile 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Ctr 251-345-0494 251-928-0644 Gift Certificates Available! Visit us online: www.va-fairhopehealthfoods.com

Holiday Catering

Call for a full list of catered dishes, customizable and made-to-order. All dishes can be made vegan and gluten-free. Place orders by Dec. 21st.

Green Bean Casserole Sweet Potato Caserole

Corn Casserole

Creamed Cauliflower Cranberry Chutney Eggplant Casserole Pies & Cheesecakes Squash Casserole Chocolate Gateau

The Sunflower Cafes offer full organic menus with juice bar, free-range meat, vegan options & organic wine. Take out available. Menus online. Daily specials.

Fairhope: Mobile: Located next door to Fairhope Health Foods and inside 251-929-0055 251-345-0495 Virginia’s Health Foods in Mobile.

Free your Mind.

Discover your Spirit.

Collectively chosen with Joyful Intentions, we offer all things natural and metaphysical including books, crystals, local honey, soaps and art.

Featured Products:

Salt Lamps • Dogeared and Roost Jewelry Hylands Homeopathy • Bach’s Remedies

READ MORE ONLINE! For these recipes, visit TinyURL.com/NARecipes

Butternut Squash Spread with Baked Spelt Crisps Almond Truffle & Herb Paté

Endive Cups with

Pine Nut Crème Fraîche, Figs & Olives

Rosemary Sable Squares

Tuscan Kale Chips

Rosie Blu

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natural awakenings

December 2011

19

ards C t n scou ale! i D NAN are on s

DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD

The Helping – Health – Happiness Connection

Show your card and enjoy...

UNLIMITED discounts at more than 100 local and web-based providers

DON’T WAIT!

AS A MEMBER YOU’LL RECEIVE Discounts on purchases from our network of businesses and practitioners Access to our convenient online directory to locate discount providers Personalized NAN® Card valid throughout the US and Puerto Rico Coverage for the whole family

HOLIDAY GIFT SPECIAL Buy 2 Individal Memberships or 1 Family Membership, Get 1 Individual Membership FREE! ($40 value) CALL TODAY 251-990-9552

Tinyurl.com/NANCard 20

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

G

by Lisa Marshall

rowing up on Long Island, New York, young Stephen Post often received an unusual prescription from his mother when he was feeling grouchy or under the weather. “She’d say, ‘Why don’t you go out and help someone?’” he recalls. “I’d go out and help Mr. Muller rake leaves or help old Bobby Lawrence fix his boat. Then, I’d come back feeling better, and feeling better about life.”

Decades later, Post—a professor of preventive medicine at New York’s Stony Brook University—is among a growing contingent of researchers exploring just how such acts of generosity and the feelings (empathy, compassion, altruism) that prompt them may actually improve our mental and physical health.

Recent studies have shown that people that volunteer live longer, suffer less chronic pain, have bolstered immune systems, are more likely to recover from addiction, and experience an in-the-moment sense of calm akin to that which people experience during and after exercise. Scientists have yet

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

to fully understand what the physiological underpinnings are of such health benefits, but early studies credit a cascade of neurobiological changes that occur as we reach out to help a loved one, or (in some cases) even cut a check to a stranger in need.

Could generosity be the missing, often overlooked ingredient to a prescription for better health? Perhaps, says Post, author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times. “This is a young science, but what we have begun to discover is that there is something going on, physiologically, in this process of helping others that seems to make people feel happier and report greater health.”

Helping Hands Live Longer

We’ve all felt it: That blush of inner-warmth we get after we bring a plate of healthful, steaming food to a sick relative, volunteer to read to kids at a local preschool or help sort donations for a shelter.

According to a 2010 survey of 4,500

Americans by United Healthcare, 68 percent of those that volunteered in the previous year reported that doing it made them feel physically healthier; 73 percent noted that it lowered their stress levels. Meanwhile, 29 percent of volunteers that suffered from a chronic illness claimed that giving of their time helped them to better manage the illness.

Other studies, by researchers at Boston College, found that when chronic pain sufferers volunteered to help others with similar conditions, they saw their own pain and depression levels decrease. At least seven studies have shown that people that regularly volunteer or give of themselves live longer—especially if they do it for genuinely altruistic reasons.

Cami Walker, 38, of Denver, has experienced firsthand the physical benefits of being generous. After one sleepless night, lying awake and, “feeling sorry for myself,” due to a flare-up of her multiple sclerosis, she decided to take the advice of a spiritual teacher that suggested she, “Give something away each day for 29 days.”

On day one, she called a sick friend to offer her support.

On day two, she dropped $5 in a hat for some street performers. Another day, she treated a friend to a foot massage. By day 14, she recalls, “My body was stronger and I was able to stop walking with my cane. After months of being too sick to work, I was able to go back part-time.”

Walker subsequently wrote the bestselling 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. It has inspired a global giving movement, with participants blogging about their experiences at 29Gifts.org. As she recently explained to The New York Times, “It’s about stepping outside of your own story long enough to make a connection with someone else.”

The Helper’s High

University of Michigan researcher Sara Konrath, Ph.D., has found that people engaging in acts that benefit others tend to have more calming hormones like oxytocin and progesterone coursing through their bodies. If presented with a tough situation later, they are likely to react with a muted stress response, churning out fewer harmful stress hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine, and maintaining a calmer heart rate. Konrath is studying whether altruistic thoughts and behavior might also be associated with an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.

“Just thinking about giving seems to have a beneficial physiological impact,” says Post. For instance, a late 20th-century study by then Harvard Psychologist David McClelland found that when people watched a film about Mother Teresa’s work with orphans in Calcutta, levels of immunoglobulin A (a marker of immune strength) shot up. A more recent study found that people had higher levels of oxytocin in their blood after they had watched a moving film about an ill 4-year-old boy.

Some research further suggests that the act of giving may release natural opiates, such as endorphins, into our system.

One landmark analysis of 1,700 people published in Psychology Today found that more than 68 percent experienced a “helper’s high” when physically helping another person, and 13 percent reported a decrease in aches and pains afterward. It’s a concept that’s been documented many times since.

Meanwhile, new brain-imaging research has shown that acts of giving (including making a charinatural awakenings

December 2011

21

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table donation) stimulate “reward centers” in the brain. This includes the mesolimbic pathway by which natural dopamine is released, leaving us feeling euphoric.

On the flip side, “We found that people that are high in narcissism and low in empathy have higher cortisol levels,” advises Konrath. “They walk around with high stress reactivity, which is really hard on the body.”

One other clear example of the health benefits of helping lies in the field of addiction research. Recent studies by Maria Pagano, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, found that recovering addicts that volunteer to help other addicts stay sober are twice as likely to remain so themselves. That’s because narcissism and self-absorption are often at the root of addiction, and generosity is an antidote to narcissism, Pagano says.

“The founders of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) figured it out,” Pagano continues, noting that a primary focus is on serving others.

“They figured out that this selfish root is there before the illness develops, and is sustained unless you treat it. This is treatment; it is a way of continually weeding out the narcissism that made you sick.”

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Stephanie Brown, Ph.D., an associate professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook, is the daughter of an evolutionary psychologist and a pioneer in the study of altruism’s neurobiological roots. In sharp contrast to what she describes as the long-held “self-interested” assumption about human nature (that we help others only to help ourselves), she suggests that humans are biologically wired to be empathetic and generous.

“It makes more sense from an evolutionary perspective for us to suppress self-interest,” for the benefit of the whole sometimes, she says. New research from the University of Washington suggests that babies as young as 15 months old exhibit fairness and empathy.

So, why don’t we always stop to help? Our anxious, busy, modern-day lives get in the way, suggests Brown. “It could be that our natural, default state is to help when we see need, but what prevents that is our stress response.”

That is, stress often gets in the way: Maybe we pass a stranded motorist on the road, but drive on by because we’re on a timetable. Perhaps our instinct is to offer a helping hand to a homeless person, but we fear that more will be asked of us than we are prepared to give. We wish to bring a meal to a dying relative, but are apprehensive about what to say when we visit.

Brown’s recent federally funded studies show that at least some of the calming hormones and quietness of heart often seen in habitual givers may actually precede and enable their acts of selflessness by interrupting their potential stress response before it stalls their helping hand. “I am suggesting that when you see helping going on, something beneficial has already happened to the giver’s body,” says Brown.

When givers perceive a need, instead of fretting and fleeing, they calmly stop to help. In the end, everyone walks away feeling a little more generous.

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

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

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Got Faith?

Global Religion Remains Strong Despite Repression In a recent, nondenominational global survey of 18,000 people across 24 countries by UK research firm Ipsos Mori, 70 percent identified themselves with a chosen religion. Thirty percent said that their religion motivates them to give time or money to people in need and 73 percent of those under age 35 said their religion or faith was important in their life.

At the same time, Rising Restrictions on Religion, a recent report by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, found that more than 2.2 billion of the world’s total population of 6.9 billion people live in countries where either government restrictions on religion or social hostilities involving religion rose substantially between 2006 and 2009. Most of the countries that experienced substantial increases already had high levels of restrictions or hostilities.

“This survey shows how much religion matters and that no analysis of the contemporary world, political or social, is complete without understanding the relationship between faith and globalization,” says former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, a patron of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. “There is much to encourage the view that people can learn to respect those of another faith and live with them peacefully.

Interfaith dialogue and action today is not just an interesting but peripheral minor subject; it is the essence, central to creating greater social cohesion and harmony.”

Sources: Christian Today (UK); PewForum.org

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Bullies seem to be made, not born. A study from the University of California, Berkeley, concludes that a cooperative school experience, versus a competitive one, can play a major positive role in the socialization of students.

Researchers canvassed 217 students in grades three through five, measuring how much they liked to cooperate or compete with their peers, and how often they acted with aggression or kindness toward them. The youngsters also estimated how often their teachers put them in small groups to complete assignments together, a classroom strategy known as “cooperative learning,” because the students have to collaborate with one another to get their work done.

Students that engaged in more frequent cooperative learning were more likely to say they enjoyed cooperating with others and reported exhibiting kind, helpful, pro-social behaviors. In contrast, students that said they preferred to compete were significantly more likely to act aggressively toward their peers and try to do them harm.

The results suggest that cooperation begets cooperation. The researchers further concluded that cooperative experiences promote the development of the personality trait of cooperation. Based on their results, the researchers advocate more cooperative learning in classrooms as a way to promote positive behaviors and combat bullying, or harm-intentioned aggression.

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December 2011

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globalbriefs Universal Truths Chinese Seek Happiness and Justice When the Chinese Internet portal NetEase recently offered Open University-style lectures in English with seminars like Web 2.0 Marketing Communications and Introduction to Robotics, managers were surprised that the most popular choices turned out to be two more contemplative courses; one on happiness and the other on justice. “We never imagined that the most successful topics would be those to do with people’s hearts and minds,” says NetEase spokesman Yang Jing.

More than 3 million people have already watched the course on the concept of justice, led by Harvard philosopher Michael Sandel, author of Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? Sandel believes that the demand reflects an awakening of ethical reflection and debate in China. “The generation that came of age during China’s economic miracle now wants to engage with big questions about moral responsibility, justice and injustice; about the meaning of the good life,” he observes. Although China is proud of its economic advances, “There is also recognition that rising affluence has brought growing inequality, that GDP (Gross Domestic Product) alone does not bring happiness, and that markets can’t by themselves create a just society.”

Psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar, author of Being Happy, states that his positive psychology course acknowledges that, “The need for happiness, for meaning and pleasure, is universal, common to all people. However, what people find meaningful or pleasurable often differs across different cultures.”

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greenliving

Rejoice!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,

by Meredith Montgomery verflowing trash cans are characteristic of post-holiday curbsides.

According to The ULS Report (Use-Less-Stuff.com), household waste increases by more than 25 percent nationwide between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

"In Fairhope, we see 30 to 40 percent more volume in residential trash collection during the holidays,” says Dale Linder, environmental officer for the city of Fairhope, “And most of what is thrown out can be recycled.” A wealth of resources are available locally to make it easy for residents of Lower Alabama to reduce household waste.

O

Gift Giving

With gift wrap and shopping bags generating 4 million tons of trash each year, think twice before stocking up on wrapping paper this year. Alternatively, package gifts in another gift, by using a scarf or reusable shopping bag to conceal presents. Although most gift bags and holiday ribbon cannot be recycled, they can easily be reused. So open gently and put them away for next year. To forgo the need for gift wrap entirely, consider gifting experiences such as tickets to a show or event, a gift certificate for a massage or a reservation in a cooking class.

For those that are not yet ready to do without traditional wrapping paper, opt for recyclable paper that does not have infused substances such as foil or mylar.

Corrugated cardboard and shirt boxes can also be recycled. Keep Mobile Beautiful Coordinator Bob Haskins says, “One of the most important things is to flatten all boxes.

A lot of times people bring in whole boxes and it eats up so much space.” Haskins also points out that the plastic packaging that encases many toys is not recyclable.

Christmas Trees and Lights According to the Sierra Club, 10 million Christmas trees end up in landfills each year.

26

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

In Baldwin County, residents can recycle their trees at drop-off sites throughout the county (Tinyurl.com/baldxmastrees) from December 27 to January 9. Thereafter, trees will only be accepted at the Magnolia Landfill. The county uses the donated trees for compost,which is available to the public for $25 per ton. City of Fairhope residents can put their trees out during normal trash pickup times and the resulting mulch will be available to them at no cost.

Keep Mobile Beautiful offers Christmas tree recycling from December 31 to January 15 at seven locations listed on their website (CityOfMobile.org/Recycle). Mulch will be given away on January 21. Haskins says, “Ornaments, lights, tinsel, garland and tree stands need to be removed before dropping off the trees, and artificial trees are not accepted.”

In addition to rows of choose-and-cut trees, Fish River Tree Farm, in Summerdale, sells thousands of containerized Christmas trees. These trees can be enjoyed for years to come and are kept out of landfills by planting them outside when it’s time for the holiday decorations to come down.

When strings of lights no longer work or they are replaced with energy-efficient LED lights, take them to the nearest Home Depot to be recycled. Stores in Daphne, Mobile and Foley accept unwanted Christmas lights during business hours as a part of their expanding recycling program. The city of Fairhope also accepts Christmas lights for recycling.

Electronics

If Santa delivers a new electronic toy this Christmas, avoid contributing old appliances and electronics to the world’s growing amount of e-waste. Equit-E-Cycle (EquiteCycle.com) Manager Bill Evatt says, “Electronics are not biodegradable, so they’re never going anywhere [when put

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

into the landfills]. Most have heavy metals in them and we don’t want that leaching into our water sources. Most still have value, so why would you throw good money into the landfill?”

The same goes for batteries. While rechargeable options are best, all unwanted batteries should be taken to a recycler so that they, along with their heavy metals, are kept out of the landfills and out of our natural resources.

Equit-E-Cycle accepts all electronics for recycling. The city of Fairhope accepts electronics too, in addition to batteries.

Home Depot locations recycle rechargeable batteries and battery suppliers such as Dueitt’s (DueittsBatterySupply.com) in Mobile usually accept used batteries to be recycled.

If this year’s gifts are taking the place of electronics that still work, but are no longer needed, donate them to local charities or secondhand shops. Classrooms can often use televisions, cameras and computer equipment, while charities such as the Penelope House (PenelopeHouse.org), in Mobile, collects cell phones to be recycled as a way to raise money.

In the Kitchen

For holiday meal prep, keep a countertop compost pail accessible for food scraps.

These small containers come in attractive styles and feature a carbon filter in the lid to prevent odors. Kitchen compost containers can be ordered from the Village Peddler (VillagePeddlerFairhope.com), in Fairhope.

Research which food containers can be recycled in your area and keep a receptacle for them within reach. Generally, plastic containers, metal cans and paper (such as cereal boxes) are easily recycled with curbside service and at drop-off locations.

Fairhope and Mobile also accept glass.

When it’s time to gather around the table, keep the trash can empty by avoiding the use of paper products. Opt for festive cloth napkins, glassware, flatware and dinnerware, instead of disposable alternatives.

While feeling grateful for the presents under the tree this year, be conscious of the planet’s gifts that are often taken for granted.

Express gratitude for the planet by reducing, reusing and recycling as you rejoice in the joy of the season.

ecotip The Greenest Tree Go Natural for Christmas

The star of many families’ seasonal dÊcor, the annual Christmas tree does not need to become an environmental burden if selected with care. While some individuals have strong opinions about the virtues of a natural tree versus an artificial one, each can have pros and cons.

The National Christmas Tree Association points out that 85 percent of the plastic trees sold in the United States are imported from China and may contain toxic chemicals, while evergreen trees can be grown in all 50 states.

Even with a real tree, however, there are factors to consider.

How far did the tree travel? The distance traveled from its source impacts the carbon footprint, due to the fuel expended to transport it. Most vendors can tell you the state of origin, but how about pesticides? Conventional Christmas tree farms are reputed to use abundant pesticides to keep their product looking picture-perfect. Ask if the seller is the grower and/or knows the answer. Typically, a temporary sidewalk or street corner seller may not; a better bet can be a u-pick-it tree farm.

Put a cut tree in water within a few hours after trimming the base a flat one-half to one inch; some people add an aspirin to the water to enhance absorption.

According to the 2009 National Geographic Green Guide, Americans annually discard 30 million cut trees after the holidays, with the wood wasted in landfills. Alternatively, a program in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, collects them to combat coastal erosion.

Locate tree growers by state and learn how to dispose of trees responsibly at PickYourOwnChristmasTree. org. GreenPromise.com publishes a list of organic Christmas tree farmers at Tinyurl.com/65oqh9.

When choosing a live tree, keep it properly hydrated and just repot it in the yard after the celebrations conclude. Find detailed steps for care and planting from WikiHow.com at Tinyurl. com/6dyauj and Tinyurl.com/3rj582n.

The Adoption Spot Baldwin County Humane Society

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For adoption information: BaldwinHumane.org, 251-928-4585

Rankin Animal Clinic

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This sweet dog loves people and needs a home where she can get lots of exercise and TLC.

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This big girl weighs about 90 lbs. She is spayed and up to date on vaccines.

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North Baldwin Animal Shelter

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For adoption info: NorthBaldwinAnimalShelter.com, 251-937-8811

healingways

vous system starts to unwind. In a state of peaceful stillness, the ‘dial up’ to our higher self becomes accessible. This is the optimum state for healing to occur.”

Ashana emphasizes that we are all interconnected, so any healing work we do on ourselves affects all of humanity.

“As we raise our personal frequency, we can become conscious tuning forks for divine energies to pour through us,” she believes. “We’re all holding a piece of the web.”

Healing Through Song

Good Vibrations Sound Healing for the Soul

by Erin Lehn Floresca

M

any sounds associated with holidays instantly cheer us up, but why? We naturally respond to sounds, because everything in the Universe is comprised of vibration—also referred to as resonance. When we are exposed to healing sounds, our bodies and minds begin to resonate in harmony with them, supporting our well-being.

Fortunately, avenues of sound healing are readily accessible in our everyday lives. Engaging in activities such as singing, drumming or chanting often help us quickly reestablish a sense of balance in the midst of our multitasking lives. Attending an uplifting musical event can render a similar effect.

Sound Healing Therapy Psychotherapist Meredith McFadden, a sound healing therapist in Medford, Oregon, observes that, “Receiving or creating intentional, healing sound vibrations is proving to be one of the most direct, most relevant healing modalities available today.”

McFadden appreciates sound for its immediate effect. She takes individual clients on sound journeys with the help of voices, crystal singing bowls, buffalo drums and other instruments. “When we 28

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

bathe ourselves in healing sound waves,” she observes, “we open up a direct line of communication with our soul.” At the culmination of each session, she allows what she terms the “big music of silence” to envelope the one being healed.

McFadden notes that not all healing sounds need to be calming. “Activating music can be just as healing as soft and slow sounds,” she says. Whether we prefer listening to Lady Gaga, Native American flutes or the sound of a heavy rainstorm, the key is to discover what especially resonates with us.

Crystal Singing Bowls Master crystal singing bowl artist Ashana, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, couples angelic vocals with her massive collection of bowls for a musical healing alchemy recognized worldwide. “Listening to the bowls can have a profound impact on a person’s well-being,” says Ashana.

Made from pure, crushed quartz, infused with precious gemstones, minerals and metals, “The bowls vibrate at a very high, pure frequency,” she explains. “As we come into resonance with the bowls, mental chatter slows or stops and the mind quiets. Within minutes, our ner-

“Since the dawn of time, humans have been sharing song in their tribe,” says Zurich, Switzerland, recording artist, educator and filmmaker Michael Stillwater.

“Pop songs are modern tribal songs, although we have mostly become a culture of consumers and spectators, rather than participants.”

The founder of Inner Harmony Music and Song Without Borders, Stillwater’s is a strong voice in an emerging grassroots global movement devoted to helping people reclaim their inner song. “As a vocal art, singing is unique,” he advises. “It’s deeply connected to our sense of self.” He also notes that if our voice or singing is criticized in our developmental years, we may shut down our creative expression.

“We then become like cave dwellers, hiding our voice; there are millions of vocal cave dwellers in our world,” he says.

Finding your song—or chant or mantra—almost inevitably becomes integrated with a pathway for rediscovering one’s authentic self. “It’s about letting your voice become part of your own healing medicine,” says Stillwater.

His film documentary, In Search of the Great Song, celebrates the use of creative vocal expression for healing and transformation.

Experience Kirtan Kitzie Stern, producer of the New World Kirtan podcast, notes that kirtan, or sacred chanting, is known for bonding everyone in the moment of co-creation between audience and artists, followed by quiet meditation in community. Originating in India, kirtan is one of the oldest musical traditions in the world.

The mantras used in kirtan open the listener to the experience of peace. Stern explains, “The music that accompanies

kirtan also helps our minds to turn off. As wallah (chant leader) Dave Stringer puts it, ‘The chant is the medicine, but the music is what helps it go down.’”

One does not have to attend a live kirtan performance to reap its benefits.

Stern’s podcast plays a variety of chants to help listeners tune into tranquility. She observes that, “Being able to access the quiet magnificence that exists within each one of us and live within it for some portion of the day helps us to stay sane in the turmoil of the modern world.”

inspiration

Learn more at SoundMovesWonder.com, AshanaMusic.com, InnerHarmony.com and NewWorldKirtan.com.

Erin Floresca is a freelance writer in Portland, Oregon. Connect at ErinLehnFloresca.com.

Kirtan Community of Mobile Hosts Local Event Mantra Weekend Workshop: A Path to Abundance and Spiritual Evolution 7-9pm, December 9 10am-6pm, December 10-11

Join Satyabhama from New Orleans for Namadeva Acharya's intro workshop, which gives great background information on the mystical Sanskrit language that works directly through the chakras. Nantra methods for addressing life's problems and puja also presented. $200. Plantation Antique Galleries and Meditation Center of Mobile. 251-604-3924.

KulaYogaCommunity.org.

5

Intentions for the New Year

by Wayne Dyer

T 1

hese daily practices will help you move toward Spirit in your thoughts and actions.

Commit to at least one daily experience where you share something of yourself with no expectation of being acknowledged or thanked. For example, before I begin my daily routine, I go to my desk and choose my gift for that day. Sometimes it’s just a phone call to a stranger that’s written to me, or perhaps I order flowers or send a book or a present to someone that has helped me in a local store. On one occasion, I wrote to the president of the university I graduated from to start a scholarship fund; on another day, I took a calendar to the yard man; on another, I sent a check to Habitat for Humanity; and on another, I sent three rolls of postage stamps to my son, who had just started his own business. It doesn’t matter if this activity is big or small—it’s a way to begin the day in-Spirit.

2

Become conscious of all thoughts that aren’t aligned with your Source. The moment you catch yourself excluding someone or having a judgmental thought, say the words “in-

Spirit” to yourself. Then make a silent effort to shift that thought to match up with Source energy.

3

In the morning before you’re fully awake, and again as you’re going to sleep, take one or two minutes of what I call quiet time with God. Be in a state of appreciation and say aloud, “I want to feel good.”

4

Remind yourself of this statement: My life is bigger than I am.

Print it out and post it strategically in your home, car or workplace. The “I” is your ego identification. Your life is Spirit flowing through you unhindered by ego—it’s what you showed up here to actualize—and is infinite. The “I” that identifies you is a fleeting snippet.

5

Dedicate your life to something that reflects an awareness of your Divinity. You are greatness personified, a resident genius and a creative master—regardless of anyone’s opinion.

Make a silent dedication to encourage and express your Divine nature.

Excerpted from Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling, by Wayne Dyer, with permission of Hay House, Inc.

natural awakenings

December 2011

29

naturalpet

INTERSPECIES FRIENDSHIPS CROSSING BOUNDARIES FOR GOOD

by April Thompson

B

efore Wally and Ann Collito, of North Attleborough, Massachusetts, had a chance to befriend the stray kitten that had appeared in their yard, the couple discovered that another caring being—a crow—had already done so.

Over the next few months, the Collitos witnessed an incredible friendship develop between the crow and cat they respectively named Moses and Cassie.

The pair romped in the grass, swatting gently at each other like they were born playmates, rather than sworn enemies.

Moses often dropped nutritious worms and bugs in the kitten’s mouth, following it around like a protective parent.

“If it wasn’t for the crow feeding and taking care of that cat, it would have been dead a long time ago,” relates Wally Collito in a video posted at InterspeciesFriends.blogspot.com.

“When the cat would start crossing the road, the crow would holler as if to say, ‘Don’t go in the road, you’re going to get hit.’ Sometimes she would get in front of her and push her back on the sidewalk. It had to be love or 30

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

friendship.”

The story of Moses and Cassie is not an anomaly, but rather an indication of the potential emotional bond between animals, according to Jennifer S. Holland, author of Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom. “A number of years ago, it was really taboo to attribute empathy to other animals,” she says, “but more scientists today are crossing that line comfortably.” She explains that no one really knows what emotions animals experience or how, although people share the brain’s limbic system, considered the seat of emotions in humans, with other mammals. “There is no reason they wouldn’t have experiences similar to ours in terms of basic emotions,” Holland surmises.

Holland’s new book is just one of a growing number of efforts to document the wild landscape of interspecies love, including blogs dedicated to the topic and countless children’s books; one of them, Cat and Crow, by Lisa Fleming, immortalizes Moses and Cassie. “Such stories give us a sense of hope at a time

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

Photo: Melanie Stetson Freeman/2006 The Christian Science Monitor

when there is a lot of negativity in the world,” observes Holland. “I think people are looking for a reprieve.”

Mother Love Knows No Bounds

A variety of recent studies by the likes of the University of Cambridge and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology indicate that empathy and altruism may be characteristics of species ranging from squirrels to sea lions. Consider the adventures of Finnegan, a squirrel that had fallen out of its nest and into the loving abode of Seattle resident Debby Cantlon.

Her pregnant papillon, Mademoiselle Giselle, adopted the injured squirrel, pulling its cage close to her own dog bed. Giselle continued to care for Finnegan after she had her own litter, literally nursing the squirrel back to health.

“The drive to nurture and be nurtured is strong, particularly when an animal has lost its baby or parent.

This story is a perfect example of the mothering instinct coming to life,” says Holland.

Like many human friendships, some unusual animal pairings develop out of the basic need for companionship. One well-known example is Tarra, an 8,700-pound former circus elephant retired to The Elephant Sanctuary, in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

Elephants are known to pair up, but Tarra chose to instead bond with a rescued stray dog named Bella. The two became inseparable pals and Tarra proved to be no fair-weather friend: When Bella suffered a spinal cord injury, Tarra stood sentinel at the gate outside the sanctuary office, waiting three weeks for Bella before she could be carried outside for a happy reunion.

Model Behavior Seeing firsthand the positive outcomes that various interspecies pairings can yield, some animal trainers are using natural characteristics of one species to influence the behavior of another.

A program at the Columbus Zoo, in Ohio, routinely taps into the Zen of dogs to boost the confidence of traveling cheetahs, which, although they

are the fastest mammals on land, are also among the most Explore your true Self skittish. Animal Programs Director Suzi Rapp has raised and Discover your Inner Light several baby cheetahs alongside puppies—most recently, a charismatic golden lab named Carlisle. with MARI by Rosie

Carlisle helps the cheetahs keep their cool when Rapp “It’s Self Exploration with a twist takes them on the road to make TV appearances in support of animal conservation efforts. “If there is a loud noise, the of Art Therapy...and a lot of fun!” cheetahs will look to Carlisle for his reaction. The dog has MARI utilizes mandalas to reveal your inner most a ‘whatever’ attitude that the cheetahs in turn adopt,” says thoughts. It is a tool that guides you to solutions for your current state, the direction you want to go, and blocks Rapp, who notes that the program has been so successful that are in the way. Unlock your intuition to get the she wouldn’t ever consider raising a cheetah without a answers to all of your life questions. canine again.

Available at Rosie Bluum in Fairhope • 251-517-5326 • www.MARIbyRosie.com

“Because they were raised together, the cheetahs believe that Carlisle is one of their littermates and don’t think It's easy to subscribe to our of him as a dog,” explains Rapp. “They cuddle, play and sleep together.” Rapp is quick to caution that an unknown monthly eZine! adult dog thrown in with the cheetahs wouldn’t last long, however. Tales of mismatched orphans underscore the importance of introducing different species to each other Just send your email address while they’re young. by text message:

Baloo, the bear, Leo, the lion, and Shere Khan, the tiger, were each just two months old Text when they were rescued during a residential drug raid.

Noah’s Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center, in Locust Grove, Georgia, took in the trio, and the “BLT” (bear, lion and to 22828 to get started. tiger) became so close that the sanctuary spent thousands Message and data rates may apply. of dollars to build a special clubhouse to house them. Eight years later, the three animals—each hailing from different continents—still live like blood brothers.

If peace between traditionally antagonistic species is possible, the Specializing in implications for mankind are obvious.

When basic needs are met, the instinct to protect or play can trump the urge to grab, neglect or fight. We can all share and get along better when we take responsibility for creating the Bubba circumstances to support that ideal.

Find out how food issues are affecting

“I joke that we should give my book to politicians to remind them that the health of your furry friends Andy a lot of good can come from crossing boundaries,” smiles Holland. “KindSANTA PAWS GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE! ness and companionship can mean John B. Symes, D.V.M. 251.343.7110 survival for all kinds of animals; that Beltline Animal Hospital: 1212 West I-65 Service Rd. S., Mobile, AL goes for humans, too.”

NAMAGAZINE

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Where a Holistic Approach Meets Traditional Care For Your Pets

Food Intolerance in Pets

April Thompson is a freelance writer i n Wa s h i n g t o n , D. C . C o n n e c t a t AprilWrites.com.

DogtorJ.com natural awakenings

December 2011

31

Creating the S.H.I.F.T.

Sustainable Habits Initiate Financial Transformation Join us for a workshop on sustainability and its potential to increase profits and marketability in business and communities.

SPEAKERS: Mayor George Heartwell Grand Rapids Michigan

Bill Stough

Principle partner Sustainability Research Group

Panel

Local Businesses

SUSTAINABILITY EXPO:

If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring call 251.510.8002 to reserve your space. Space is limited.

JANUARY 20, 2012 • 9:00am-2:00pm 5 RIVERS DELTA RESOURCE CENTER Registration and Business Expo at 8:00am

OR REGISTER ONLINE IN NOVEMBER AT GREENCOASTONLINE.COM REGISTRATION IS $35 FOR NON-MEMBERS OF GREEN COAST COUNCIL AND $25 FOR MEMBERS. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.

Small changes for a healthy future!

Tri-City Health & Wellness Expo

January 17, 4-8pm: eFitness & Wellness in Biloxi, MS January 19, 4-8pm: Ashbury Suites in Mobile, AL January 30, 4-8pm: Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Airport

FREE Admission!

Join us for an evening of change. Consult with experts in the fields of exercise, nutrition, skincare, organic living, healthcare and more. Featuring a big selection of vendors, exercise demos, blood drive, door prizes, silent auction and free health screenings.

Now accepting vendor applications.

251-421-2259 healthymomentsexpo@gmail.com 32

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

calendarofevents All Calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Go to HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com to submit entries. Mark Your Calendar events are $40.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

Fairhope Christmas Parade – 7pm. The Haven’s float will participate in the annual Fairhope Christmas Parade. Downtown Fairhope. The Haven: 251-929-3980.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Spanish Fort Christmas Parade – 9am. The Haven float will participate in the Spanish Fort Christmas Parade. Free. Eastern Shore Shopping Center. The Haven: 251-929-3980.

AcroYoga Class – 10:30am-12pm. Learn the basics of flying and support in this acrobatic and therapeutic style of partner yoga class with AcroYoga certified teacher Aaron Lind. Pay what you can.

Space 301, downtown Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Jingle Bell Mingle – 2-4pm. Second annual fundraiser event is set by the Eastern Shore Centre. Visit TheHaven.com for more information. $25. Eastern Shore Shopping Centre. 251-625-0060. KKammer@EasterShoerCentre.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5

Foods for Holidays – 6:30pm. Learn about eating healthy during the holidays and how to cook with essential oils. Recipes will be provided. Call for details. Free. Healing Acres, 22355 Price Grubbs Rd, Robertsdale. 251-423-1863.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Mantra Weekend Workshop: A Path to Abundance and Spiritual Evolution 7-9pm, December 9 10am-6pm, December 10-11

Join Satyabhama from New Orleans for Namadeva Acharya's intro workshop, which gives great background information on the mystical Sanskrit language that works directly through the chakras.

Nantra methods for addressing life's problems and puja also presented. $200. Plantation Antique Galleries and Meditation Center of Mobile. 251604-3924. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

Holiday Half Marathon and 8K Run – 8:30am.

Out and back on a certified course. Awards to overall winners and tops in 5 year age groups. Bring a new toy to benefit Children’s and Women’s Hospital Pediatric Department. Pre-register by Dec. 8 or by 8am the day of race. $30 for Half DOR. Mullet Point Park, Point Clear. Pacers: 251-473-7223.

PortCityPacers1@gmail.com.

Essential Oil Workshop – 10am-12pm. Infinity Mediation lead by Sandy McCloud. Learn how meditation can help you and how essential oils can enhance the meditation experience. Free. 1230 Montlimar Dr, Mobile. Judith Wilson: 251-656-6696.

Santa Claws Adoption and Photos with Santa – 11am-4pm. This is a two day adoption and photos with Santa event. Cost of photo is $9.95 with Pet

Perks card, $5 of which will eventually go to The Haven. Free. Eastern Shore Plaza, Spanish Fort. The Haven. 251-929-3980.

Vision Board Workshop at Rosie Bluum – 11am2pm. What exactly is a Vision Board? Learn what it is and what it can do for you. Create one of your very own. All supplies and meals are included. $45.

This is an excellent follow-up class for Re-Phrase Workshop attendees but not a prerequisite. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft, Fairhope. 251-517-5626.

RosieBluum.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Seminar with Senior Teacher Diane Ducharme 10am-6pm, December 10

Learn the basics of Bikram’s Yoga Class. Ask questions. Take personal practice to a new level.

Worldwide yoga seminar leader, teacher and mentor Diane Ducharme is one of a handful of senior teachers authorized by Bikram Choudhury to conduct seminars. $100. Bikram Hot Yoga, 2540 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. BikramHotYogaMobile.com.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12

Foods for Holidays – 6:30pm. Learn about eating healthy during the holidays and how to cook with essential oils. Recipes will be provided. Call for details. Free. Healing Acres, 22355 Price Grubbs Rd, Robertsdale. 251-423-1863.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13

Creating Health Using Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils – 10am-12pm. Questions or health issues will be addressed with therapeutic essential oils.

We will have personal experiences using the oils.

Conscious Mile Spiritual Center, 1230 Montlimar Dr, Mobile. Free. Sue Sides: 251-232-2292.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

Half Day Meditation Retreat – 9am-4pm. 25 minutes of seated meditation followed by five minutes of walking meditation on the hour and half hour. Please arrive late or leave early during the walking mediation. Donation appreciated. Quiet Mind Massage Therapy and Yoga Studio, Midtown Mobile. 251476-6463. Yoga@QuietMindMassageTherapy.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22

Meditation Flash Mob – Join us for 30 minutes of meditation to bring peace to a public space. No experience necessary. All ages and pets are welcome. Facebook Meditation Flash Mob: Gulf Coast Alabama for details on location and time. Downtown Fairhope. 251-990-9552.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

New Years Intention Yoga with Live Music – 2-4pm. Begin 2012 with clear intention in a mindful and symbolic practice. Start the new year with a clear mind and a healthy body. $20 suggested donation. Mobile Botanical Gardens, Mobile and Eastern Shore Dance, Daphne. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17

Healthy Moments Expo – 4-8pm. An evening of change. Consult with experts in fields such as exercise, nutrition, skin care, clean and organic living and healthcare. Includes exercise demonstrations, blood drive, free screening, silent auction and door prizes. Free Admission. eFitness and Wellness, Biloxi. 251-421-2259. HealthyMomentsExpo@ gmail.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

Healthy Moments Expo – 4-8pm. See Jan 17 listing. Free Admission. Ashbury Suites, Mobile.

251-421-2259. HealthyMomentsExpo@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

Green Coast Council S.H.I.F.T. Workshop and Expo – 8am Expo. 9am-2pm workshop. Sustainable Habits Initiate Financial Transformation (SHIFT).

A sustainability workshop and expo with keynote speaker Grand Rapids, MI Mayor George Heartwell. Lunch provided. $25/GCC members, $35/ non-members. 5 Rivers, Spanish Fort. Register: GreenCoastOnline.com. 251-510-8002.

MONDAY, JANUARY 30

Healthy Moments Expo – 4-8pm. See Jan 17 listing.

Free Admission. Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Airport, Pensacola. 251-421-2259. HealthyMomentsExpo@ gmail.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Kula Yoga Teacher Training – Kula's 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Amanda Brenner and Dana Goudie E-RYTs begins May 2012. One weekend/month for 12 months. In-depth study of poses, meditation, philosophy and more. For the aspiring teacher or the yogi who wants to go deeper. $2300.

Conscious Mile Center for Spiritual Living, Mobile.

251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 27

Intensive Ashtanga Weekend – Save the date for an intensive Ashtanga yoga weekend with nationally recognized Ashtanga teacher Jodi Blumstein.

Space 301, downtown Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Stay Connected

Keep up with local news on healthy and green living. Like Natural Awakenings on Facebook and follow @NaturallyAwake on Twitter.

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December 2011

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ongoingevents All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication and adhere to guidelines. Go to HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com to submit entries.

sunday Discounts on Supplements – Every Sunday get 15% off supplements at Fairhope Health Foods, 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope.

251-928-0644.

Give Us This Day, Our Daily Bread – Inspirational quotes. We all need a little inspiration from time to time. ShantiWarrior.com/DailyBread.

Conscious Mile Spiritual Center Service – 10am.

Make every step, every choice, every word, a conscious one. New Thought Spiritual Center, 1230 Montlimar, Mobile. Rev. Sherrie Quander, 251-3430777. CMSpiritualCenter.org.

Sunday Service – 10:30am. Explore your spiritual pathway with Mobile Unitarian Universalists, 6345 Old Shell Rd, Mobile. UUFM.org.

Sunday Service – 10:30am. Questioning, understanding and growing together spiritually as we enjoy the adventure of life. Center for Joyful Living, 60 N Ann St, Mobile. 251-391-6960.

Sunday Worth-ship Celebration – 10:30am. Find, strengthen and celebrate a connection with Divine Spirit. Donation. One mile north of US Hwy 104.

Unity on the Eastern Shore, 22979 US Hwy 98, Montrose. 251-990-8934. UnityEasternShore.org.

Sunday Worship – 11am. Celebrate Spirit in this special and sacred space. Between Hillcrest and Knollwood. Unity Mobile, 5859 Cottage Hill, Mobile. 251-661-1788.

Sunday Afternoon Yoga – 2pm. Jasmine, Nadine, Ginny or Tracey will wind down the weekend in grand style. Get ready for the busy week ahead and enhance the body's potential while refreshing and renewing the spirit. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

New Foundation Class – 2:15pm. All levels. 75 minutes. Learn and practice the basics of yoga in a slow paced class format. Focus is given to proper alignment and form in essential yoga poses. This is a great introduction (or re-intro) to yoga practice. $15. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251990-3447. YogaBirds.com.

Community Chant and Drumming – 4:30pm.

Love offering appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com.

Open Table: A Community of Faith Worship Service (United Church of Christ) – 5pm. Weekly progressive Christian worship. Free. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1050 Azalea Rd, Mobile. 251-545-1011.

Ellen.OpenTable@gmail.com. OpenTableUCC.org.

monday Tai Chi – 7am daily. Mon thru Fri. Tai chi routine is done with Qi Gong and martial art applications.

A traditional mind, body and spirit exercise. $5/day, $20/week, $60/month. The Yoga Center, 809 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores. GulfShoresTaiChi.com.

Yoga with Tamara – 9am. Tamara helps start your week with some revitalizing morning yoga. Bring zest into the day and embrace joy. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

34

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Pilates Sculpt with Lynette – 9:15-10:15am. Some experience necessary. Blends Pilates and yoga principles (primarily Pilates) with traditional strength training exercises. May include equipment such as stability balls, light weights or resistance bands to stimulate core muscles. Promotes mind-body-breath connection focusing on quality movements. $5/1st time, $10/preregister, $15/drop-in. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. 251-554-4121.

Yoga with Dana – 12pm. Create your own practice during this gentle yoga flow class with Dana Goudie, E-RYT. Modifications suggested, making practice more challenging for those wanting to move deeper. Quiet Mind Massage Therapy and Yoga Studio, Midtown Mobile. 251-476-6463. QuietMindMassageTherapy.com.

Youth Exploring Exercise and Nutrition – 4-5pm.

Mon and Thurs. This class develops a variety of movement skills to improve flexibility, balance, strength agility and endurance by exposing students to a variety of activities; yoga, Pilates, strength training, rock wall climbing and obstacle course.

Designed to encourage, empower and educate students. Cost varies. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope.

251-554-4121.

Gentle Yoga with Dana – 4:15pm. Dana leads a calming yoga class to ease stress and quiet the mind.

Finish the day in the land of “ahhhhs” and find bliss.

Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104.

Synergyoga.net.

Tropical Power Hour – 6pm. Fit beginners and intermediate. Get hot and sweat. This class, a hybrid of Vinyasa based flow and Power yoga, set to fun funky music. Great for weight loss, detox, heightened physical fitness and stress reduction. Water and towel required. $10. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-990-3447. YogaBirds.com.

La Leche League Enrichment Meeting – 6:30pm.

Last Mon. La Leche League provides encouragement, information and support for nursing and expectant mothers. Free. Call for location. 251689-2085.

Pranic Healing and Meditation – 6:30pm. Experience healing for your mind, body and soul. Specific physical and emotional ailments will be address, followed by the Meditation on Twin Hearts. Release stress and balance the aura. Classes available. CEU's -LMTs and nurses. Mobile. Deana: 251-454-0959.

tuesday Ten Percent Tuesday – Get an extra 10% off purchases. Back to Health Nutrition and Natural Foods, Foley. 251-970-2225. BackToHealthNutrition.com.

Reiki and Hypnotherapy Sessions – Tues and Thurs by appointment. Promote peace, serenity and physical well-being. Call to schedule an appointment or for more info on training and CEUs. Foley.

251-979-9851. RioBarlow@ymail.com.

Sunrise Yoga with Audry – 6am. Get a great start to the morning and throw off the holiday stress. Enjoy a refreshing and energizing early morning Yoga session with Audrey. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile.

251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Rise and Shine Yoga – 6:30-7:45am. Tues and Thurs. Start the day with an invigorating Hatha Yoga

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

practice. Class includes a mixture of flow yoga, pranayama, restorative and meditation. Fellowship, coffee and some of mom's homemade bread follows. $7/drop. $50/ 10 class package. $75.00/family.

Trinity Yoga Studio, Highway 98 East, Foley. 251987-1147 or 251-609-5541.

Chair Yoga – 8:30-9:30am. A Vinyasa flow class that is designed for those with a limited range of motion, yet all are welcome. All poses executed while standing or sitting in a chair. $7/drop. $50/10 class package. $75.00/family. Trinity Yoga Studio, Highway 98 East, Foley. 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541.

Relax/Renew/Restore with Carolyn Hall – 9am.

Open-level. Carolyn's 40 plus years of yoga experience will take you to postures to restore and renew your body and spirit. All yoga props provided.

Includes Asana, meditation and Pranayama techniques. $10/75 minute class. 2nd Floor David's Gallery, Gulf Shores. 251-975-8687.

Anusara Inspired with Melanie Buffett – 9:15am.

Pre-requisite: experience in Foundations or intermediate level. Practice poses and explore Asana through the radically affirmative Anusara method and its Universal Principles of Alignment. Access the highest potential of body, mind and heart. $15.

Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-9903447. YogaBirds.com.

Vinyasa Flow with Tracey, RYT-200 – 9:30am. 75 min. All levels. Tracey incorporates yogic philosophy and breath work. These challenging and soothing flow of postures are designed to increase inner and outer strength and flexibility while stilling the mind and opening the heart. Quiet Mind Massage.

Midtown Mobile. 251-476-6463. ShantiWarrior. com. QuietMindMassageTherapy.com.

Gym and Learn – 10-11:30am. Preschoolers aged 3-6 learn basic fundamentals such as reading and writing in our fun classroom, then go into the gym for even more fun tumbling and learning gymnastics in our giant air-conditioned facility.We are USA Gymnastics certified. $119/6-week session. $40/annual membership. Planet Gymnastics, 900 Schillinger Rd.S, Mobile. 251-650-0699. PlanetGymnastics.com.

La Leche League Series Meeting – 10:30am.

Second Tues. La Leche League provides encouragement, information and support for nursing and expectant mothers. Free. Call for location. 251689-2085.

Creative Spark Writing Group – 11am. Donation encourage and appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com.

LA Hikers Meeting – 6-7pm. First Tues. Free and open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. LAHikerMeetings.Blogspot.com.

Energize and Relax Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Tues and Thurs. This class emphasizes flow yoga with Pranayama and some Kundalini. Meditation follows the energizing portion to calm in preparation for the day. $7/drop. $50/ 10 class package. $75.00/family.

Trinity Yoga Studio, Highway 98 East, Foley. 251987-1147 or 251-609-5541.

Positive Parenting Class – 6-8pm. Kids don’t come with a set of instructions. Learn tools and skills to create a happy, healthy family. Free. The Family Center, 601 Bel Air Blvd, Ste 100, Mobile. 251479-5700. Kids101@comcast.net.

Sierra Club Meeting – 6-8pm. First Tues. Open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort.

Vinyasa Flow with Dianna Wells – 6pm. Openlevel. A fun, inventive mix of traditional and twisted yoga flows set to music from new age to the Rolling Stones. All yoga props provided. Includes asana, meditation and pranayama techniques. $10/75 minute class. 2nd Floor David's Gallery, Gulf Shores.

251-975-8687.

Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club Meeting – 7-8:30pm. First Tues. For pro-paddlers and those brand new to the sport. Open to the public. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort. BayKayaker.

Blogspot.com.

CWG Mobile Group – 7-9pm. Second and fourth Tues. Read and discuss books by Neale Donald Walsch. Joy N Love, 171 Crenshaw St, Mobile.

251-382-4215. cwg_mobile_group@yahoo.com.

Spiritual Cinema Group – 7-9pm. First, third and fifth Tues. View and discuss spiritual DVDs. Heiner: 251-607-9089.

wednesday Viniyoga with Rhonda – 6:45am. Yoga for all ages.

Viniyoga is directed toward healing. Rhonda GranProescher assists to refresh the breath, awaken the body and renew the spirit. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Tropical Power Hour – 7:45am. Fit beginners and intermediate. Get hot and sweat. This class, a hybrid of Vinyasa based flow and power yoga, set to fun funky music. Great for weight loss. Water and towel required. $10. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-990-3447. YogaBirds.com.

Gentle Stretching and Meditation – 9am. Wed and Thurs. Love offering appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum. com.

Vinyasa Flow with Kathy Keane – 9am. Openlevel. Find your perfect balance with this flow class that is sure to please the novice and the experienced yogi. Includes asana, meditation and pranayama techniques. $10/75 minute class. 2nd Floor David's Gallery, Gulf Shores. 251-975-8687.

Power Yoga – 9:15-10:25am. Some experience necessary. A vigorous flow based class. May include inversions such as hand stand, forearm stand or back bend exploring poses with a playful mindset and modification options. Includes core strengthening and ends with a relaxation pose. $5/1st time, $10/preregister, $15/drop-in. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. 251-554-4121.

Positive Parenting Class – 9:30-11:30am. Kids don’t come with a set of instructions. Get the tools and skills to create a happy, healthy family. Free. The Family Center, 601 Bel Air Blvd, Ste 100, Mobile.

251-479-5700. Kids101@comcast.net.

Prenatal Yoga with Adrienne – 10am. During this blessed time, let Adrienne assist in drawing you even closer to your baby. Cherish this most wonderful time of breath and bliss melded together.

Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104.

Synergyoga.net.

Lunchtime Vinyasa with Tracey – 12-1pm. All levels. Feed the soul, quiet the mind and restore vitality through a challenging sequence of Asanas. Designed to increase strength, balance and flexibility. Quiet Mind Massage Therapy and Yoga Studio. Midtown Mobile. ShantiWarrior.com. 251- 476-6463.

Unusual Film Series – 2pm. Third Wed. Adults only. Thought provoking cutting-edge films shown on big screen in meeting room. Free. Popcorn and drinks included. Foley Public Library. 251-9437665. FoleyLibrary.org.

Guided Meditations – 5:30pm. Nonprofit, nonreligious meditation. Relax your body, rest your mind and find inner peace. Guided meditation with venerable monks from around the world via Skype. $10 suggested donation. Meditation Center of Alabama, 3821 Airport Blvd, Suite C, Mobile. 251-623-4485.

MeditationCenterOfAlabama.Weebly.com.

Buddhist History and Teachings – 6-7pm. Master Chaiwat Moleechate will communicate lessons in Buddhist histroy and teachings followed by Theravada chanting and meditation. This is an opportunity for the general public to learn first hand and in person from a Buddhist monk. Free. Wat Buddharaksa Buddhist Temple, 10323 Boe Rd, Grand Bay. 251957-4132. General info: 251-957-2122.

International Association of Near Death Studies (IANDS) – 6-7:30pm. Second Wed. Ongoing dis-

cussion and support group affiliated with IANDS. Discussion expands to include intuition, after death communication, consciousness studies and related areas of interest to attendees. Free. West Regional Branch, Mobile Public Library. 251-340-8555.

Guided Meditation with Rosie Bluum – 7pm.

Practice guided meditation at Rosie Bluum and experience an inner journey which heals the heart, mind, body and soul. Nurture the spirit. Love offering appreciated. Rosie Bluum, 6 A South Bancroft, Fairhope. 251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com.

thursday Anusara Inspired with Melanie Buffett – 9:15am.

Pre-requisite: experience in Foundations or intermediate level. Practice poses and explore Asana through the radically affirmative Anusara method and its Universal Principles of Alignment. Access the highest potential of body, mind and heart. $15.

Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-9903447. YogaBirds.com.

Vinyasa with Tracey – 9:30am. All levels. Discover an inner light. Unite body, mind and spirit in this energizing and centering raja yoga inspired practice. Quiet Mind Massage Therapy and Yoga Studio. Midtown Mobile. ShantiWarrior.com. 251476-6463.

Yoga with Dana – 10am. Take a break during a busy morning. Dana leads to transform the body, relieve stress, sooth the spirit and relax the mind. Leave the session feeling on top of the world. Synergy Yoga and Pilates, Mobile. 251-473-1104. Synergyoga.net.

Gym and Learn – 10-11:30am. Preschoolers, ages 3-6, learn the basic fundamentals of reading and writing in a fun classroom and have fun the gym while tumbling and learning gymnastics. USA Gymnastics certified facility. $119/6-week session. $40/annual membership. Planet Gymnastics, 900 Schillinger Rd.S, Mobile. 251-650-0699. PlanetGymnastics.com.

Youth Exploring Exercise and Nutrition – 4-5pm.

Mon and Thurs. This class develops a variety of movement skills to improve flexibility, balance, strength agility and endurance by exposing students to a variety of activities; yoga, Pilates, strength training, rock wall climbing and obstacle course.

Designed to encourage, empower and educate

Holy Molé Cartoon

See more at HolyMoleCartoon.com.

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December 2011

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students. Cost varies. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope.

251-554-4121.

Energy Healing – 5-6pm. Experience energy healing from trained practitioners. $10 suggested donation.

Meditation Center of Alabama, 3821 Airport Blvd, Suite C, Mobile. 251-623-4485. MeditationCenter OfAlabama.Weebly.com.

YogAthlete – 5:15-6:25pm. Designed for athletes, fitness buffs and those with yoga experience. A challenging class incorporating various core conditioning exercises and flowing sequences emphasizing breath and posture awareness. Class includes longer held poses to open hip and shoulders. $5/1st time, $10/preregister, $15/drop-in. Integrated Fitness, Fairhope. 251-554-4121.

Guided Meditations – 6:30pm. Nonprofit, nonreligious meditation. Relax the body, rest the mind and find inner peace. At MCA facilities, via Skype, guided meditation takes place with venerable monks from around the world. $10 suggested donation. Meditation Center of Alabama, 3821 Airport Blvd, Suite C, Mobile. 251-623-4485. MeditationCenterOfAlabama.

Weebly.com.

friday Fab Fifteen Friday – Get an extra 15% off purchases.

Back to Health Nutrition and Natural Foods, 1600 N McKenzie, Foley. 251-970-2225. BackToHealth Nutrition.com.

Weekly Meal Delivery – Vegan Personal Chef Services. Get your orders in. Weekly menus posted Monday. Orders must be placed by Friday for delivery the following week. View menu and place orders: ShantiWarrior.com.

Vinyasa Yoga with Ginger – 12pm. Ginger Dunaway leads a fluid series of poses to increase strength, flexibility and balance in the body and mind. Class is instilled with yogic philosophy meant to connect one

more deeply with this ancient tradition. Quiet Mind Massage Therapy and Yoga Studio, Midtown Mobile.

251-476-6463. QuietMindMassageTherapy.com.

saturday Yoga in West Mobile – 9:30am. Start your weekend centered, open and relaxed. Rotating Kula teachers lead a moderate yoga practice conveniently located near the University of South Alabama. Pay what you can. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Old Shell Rd, Mobile. 251-202-YOGA. KulaYogaCommunity.org.

Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC) Pet Adoption – 10am-2pm. Third Sat. Adoption event.

Restorative Yoga – 11am. All levels. 75 minutes.

This passive practice of yoga is a profound sequence of restful, nourishing postures, breathing techniques and simple meditations. Poses are supported by yoga props: bolster pillows, blankets, straps and blocks. Effective for stress management. $15. Yoga Birds, 209 S Section St, Fairhope. 251-990-3447.

YogaBirds.com.

Rates for classifieds start at $20 per month. Listings must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com for details. Volunteer opportunities are listed for free as space is available.

FOR SALE CURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES – For sale in Birmingham, AL; North Central FL; Lexington, KY; Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM; Cincinnati, OH; Tulsa, OK; Northeast PA; Columbia, SC; Southwest VA. Call for details 239-530-1377.

OPPORTUNITIES GROW ALABAMA AREA MANAGER – Promote the availability of locally and sustainably grown farm products to new subscribers and service existing customers. Base pay plus commission. Call 205-266-5130.

LICENSED HAIRSTYLIST NEEDED – Eastern Shore. Call 251-377-0796 for details.

SALES REPRESENTATIVES – Natural Awakenings is looking for commission-based sales reps. Must be passionate about healthy and green living and have sales experience. Call or email for details: 251-990-9552, Publisher@Healthy LivingHealthyPlanet.com.

SERVICES COLOR THERAPY – Learn to use colors in all parts of your life and create changes you desire.

Discover how they affect moods, emotions and why you’re drawn to certain colors. Rosie Blu: 251-517-5326. RosieBlu.com.

MARI ASSESSMENTS – MARI is a comprehensive system using colors and symbols to create a visual snapshot of the self. Reveal

Mobile / Baldwin Edition

Pet Reiki at Rosie Bluum – 10am-3pm. Third Sat of month. $20. Rosie Bluum, 6 A Bancroft, Fairhope.

251-517-5626. RosieBluum.com.

classifieds

JOIN THE GREEN CLEAN TEAM! – Green Clean provides environmentally friendly, nontoxic cleaning services. If interested in becoming part of our team, please call 251-508-3796 for an interview.

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PetSmart, Eastern Shore Center, Spanish Fort. 251928-4585. BaldwinHumane.org.

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

your inner voice, find guidance through personal issues and better understand your true self. 251517-5326 or 251-752-6509. MARIByRosie. com.

NEGATIVE EMOTIONS? Gone! Guaranteed!

The Delta Institute, Dr. Diana Sturm, Certified EFT Practitioner. Private sessions and workshops. 251-219-4574. DeltaInstitute.net.

YOGA WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT IT! – YogaSource offers classes at your home or business for fitness and relaxation. Single or groups. Props provided. 251-202-YOGA. Kula YogaCommunity.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPS AZALEA CITY CAT COALITION – Volunteers needed in any capacity: transporting cats, trapping and adoption events. Contact Susan Young: 251-648-7582. SusanYoung@ AzaleaCityCats.org.

BARC! –Baldwin County Humane Society needs customer service volunteers from either 9am-12pm or 12:30-4pm, Mon-Thur. Duties mainly include greeting customers and answering the phone. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities, visit BaldwinHumane.org or call 251-928-4585.

DOG RIVER CLEARWATER REVIVAL STORM DRAIN MARKRE PROJECT– Volunteers needed to educate the public about the storm drain system. Supplies and instructions provided. Work at your convenience.

Contact Janet Miller: J46Miller@yahoo.com, 251-654-1827.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SW AL – Volunteers needed Tues-Sat, 8am-4pm. No experience necessary. Must be at least 16. 251-476-7171 ext 231 or JTidwell@HabitatSWAlabama.org.

naturaldirectory

ESSENTIAL OILS

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community.

To find out how you can be included in the Natural Directory, email Publisher@ HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com to request our media kit. Rates begin at $36 a month.

ART FAIRHOPE ARTIST GALLERY 18 South Section St, Fairhope 251-990-8763 FairhopeArtistGallery.BlogSpot.com Come and be inspired by local affordable art in this uniquely creative atmosphere. Look for “ART” and a golden palette above the door. Open Mon-Sat 10-5. Classes offered.

BEAUTY B-BUTTERFLY SALON 103A North Bancroft St, Fairhope 251-990-9934 BButterflySalon.com

A certified organic salon offering organic products and services including hair color, perms and shampoo. Keeping you and the Earth beautiful. See ad on page 22.

WARLOCKS HAIR SALON Low Light Laser Therapy 2A South Church St, Fairhope 251-929-1899

Thinning hair? Laser therapy is an exciting new treatment for hair restoration. A non-invasive, nonchemical solution to hair loss.

CHILDBIRTH SERVICES KATRINA BREELAND Made for Love Childbirth Classes and Doula Services 251-554-5704 Facebook.com/MadeForLoveMobile DONA and Birthing from Within™ trained doula and mentor offers a holistic and mindful approach to childbirth preparation.

CHURCHES CENTER FOR JOYFUL LIVING 60 N Ann Street Mobile, AL 36695 251-391-6960 Questioning, understanding and growing together spiritually as we enjoy life’s adventure. Center for Joyful Living in Mobile.

Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

CONSCIOUS MILE SPIRITUAL CENTER OF MOBILE Sundays at 10am 1230 Montlimar, Mobile 251-343-0777, CMSpiritualCenter.org Rev. Sherrie Quander invites you to visit a loving, inclusive spiritual community where we aim to make every step we take, every choice we make, every word we speak a conscious one. See ad page 11.

OPEN TABLE: A COMMUNITY OF FAITH (UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST) Now gathering at 1050 Azalea Rd at St Luke’s Episcopal Church, Mobile 251-545-1011, OpenTableUCC.org

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! Pastor Ellen Sims and the congregation invite you to join them on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. See ad on page 21.

CLEANING SERVICES GREEN CLEAN, LLC Nicoll Mastin 251-508-3796 Green Clean, LLC provides environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning services for residential properties. Regular and deep-cleaning services are available, as well as green cleaning products and kits. See ad on page 9 and 19.

JUDITH Z. WILSON, MEM. #759523 Healthy Living With Essential Oils 251-656-6696, AromaLife@bellsouth.net YLWellness.com/AromaLife Workshops held the 2nd Saturday of every month, 10 a.m., 1230 Montlimar Drive, Mobile. Join us and learn how essential oils can help you. Call 251-656-6696 for more information.

LAURIE AZZARELLA, LMT, CRR Young Living Educator, Sponsor #327923 251-625-0080, LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com WellnessPurposeAbundance.com/yl/123 Experience the healing, uplifting and detoxifying benefits of therapeutic-grade essential oils and supplements. Contact us for personal consultations, in-home classes, household products, health supplements, diffusers, group presentations and business training.

FOODS AND NUTRITION BURRIS FARM MARKET & BAKERY 3100 Hickory St Loxley, AL 36551 251-964-6464

Hwy 59 on the way to Gulf Shores.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh baked strawberry shortcake, ice cream and much more. Your first and last stop to the beach, or any other time.

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ 280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center 251-928-0644 Café 251-929-0055 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic café, featuring organic food, free-range meat, vegan options and organic wine. Store open 7 days a week. Serving the public 35 years. See ad on page 19.

DENTISTRY DR. DAYTON HART, DM IAOMT Protocol 225 W. Laurel Ave, Foley 251-943-2471, DrDaytonHart.com Free book for new patients: Mercury Free Dentistry.

Offering ozone; laser (no-suture) gum surgery; testing for compatible materials and cavity-causing bacteria; examine for gum disease and bacteria; laser cavity diagnoses; saliva pH check; oral galvanic screening; no fluoride used.

VIRGINIA’S HEALTH FOODS AND THE SUNFLOWER CAFÉ II 3952 Airport Blvd, Mobile 251-345-0494 Café 251-345-0495 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com Comprehensive health food store and organic café, featuring organic food, free-range meat, vegan options and juice bar. Store open 7 days a week. Serving the public 35 years. See ad on page 19.

natural awakenings

December 2011

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HEALING ARTS MARQUERITE DILLON, RN, BSN, HCN Holistic Mind-Body Therapy 4313 Momote Dr, Mobile 251-463-1570, Dillon@mobilehypnosis.co MobileHypnosis.co

Achieve goals, control cravings and conquer personal challenges with natural and holistic therapy. Individual and group sessions available.

Smoking cessation sessions at Synergy Yoga in Mobile, see calendar for dates.

PRANIC HEALING IN MOBILE Deana Lannie 251-454-0959

Free healing nights and group meditations every Monday. Pranic Healing classes and the advanced technique of Superbrain Yoga.

VICTORIA WEBB PHOTOGRAPHY

251-716-9699 VictoriaWebbPhotography@hotmail.com VictoriaWebbPhotography.com Lifestyle portraits and wedding photography.

REFLEXOLOGY LAURIE AZZARELLA, LMT, CRR

251-625-0080 Daphne, AL 850-380-4943 Pensacola, FL LaurieAzzarella@gmail.com, WellnessPurposeAbundance.com/yl/123 Certification in Ingham Reflexology through the International Institute of Reflexology. 16 CEUs per workshop. These workshops provide education in better health naturally. Young Living Essential Oil Education also available.

SOUND THERAPY 251-752-8122 MarthaUmphrey@yahoo.com

Rio Barlow 251-979-9851 RioBarlow@ymail.com

Promote peace, serenity and physical well-being.

Offering Reiki therapy and hypnotherapy sessions by appointment.

JULIE WILKINS YOGA 251-554-4856 JWilkins75@gmail.com JulieWilkinsYoga.com

Do you have a small group of four to five people and an open space? I will bring yoga to your place of business or home.

Fitness-based, stress management, gentle yoga.

YOGA BIRDS

209-A South Section St, Fairhope 251-990-3447 YogaBirds.com Fairhope's yoga studio with classes for everyone: Anusara-Inspired®, Foundations, Vinyasa Flow, Tropical Yoga Birds, Restorative, Chair Yoga, weekend workshops and more. View full schedule and sign-up for classes and special events at YogaBirds.com. See ad on page 39.

THE YOGA CENTER

MARTHA UMPHREY REIKI AND HYPNOTHERAPY

Offering sound therapy as a natural solution for tinnitus or diminished hearing due to injury, stroke or aging.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

2nd Floor David’s Gallery 809 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores 251-975-8687 or 251-609-6999 KAKeane47@gmail.com Inventive, fun and funky yoga. Various styles taught for all levels. Informal and inclusive.

Group classes, private sessions, Tai Chi and Thai massage.

MIDDLE EARTH HEALING AND LEARNING CENTER

MEDITATION MEDITATION CENTER OF ALABAMA

3821 Airport Blvd. Suite C, Mobile 251-623-4485, 251-404-7902 MeditationCenterOfAlabama.Weebly.com Nonprofit, nonreligious. Relax your body, rest your mind, find inner peace. Guided meditation with venerable monks from around the world via Skype 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays; 6:30 p.m., Thursdays. Energy healing by trained practitioners at 5-6p.m., Thursdays. $10 suggested donation.

JA COMI NU NG I AR N Y

YOGA

PHOTOGRAPHERS

20205 Middle Earth Rd, Citronelle 251-866-7204 MiddleEarthHealing.com

Middle Earth is an evolving education center, modeling permaculture, sustainable living and the interconnection of the health of the planet and the health of her inhabitants. See ad on page 6.

This logo indentifies businesses that have signed on as Providers for the Natural Awakenings Discount Network. Learn more about the discounts they will be offering at HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com. See page 2 for details.

Journey to Good Health

with Natural Awakenings’ Health & Wellness experts.

Making natural choices supports physical and mental well-being.

For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call 251-990-9552.

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Mobile / Baldwin Edition

www.HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com

YOGA & PILATES RESOURCES Synergy

Relax. Refocus. Recharge.

yoga & Pilates

Quiet Mind Massage Therapy & Yoga Studio Group Classes

Private Lessons

Dana B. Garrett MS, ACSM, RYT PhysicalMind Institute Stott IM and IR Certified

www.synergyoga.net 3152 Old Shell Road, Suite 2 Mobile, Alabama 36607

www.quietmindmassagetherapy.com

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2065 B Old Shell Rd at Upham

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251.473.1104

(251) 476-MIND (6463)

SPIRIT

Trinity Yoga

Enjoy Yoga in a Rural Setting!

Rise & Shine Yoga Chair Yoga Energize & Relax Yoga 21441 Highway 98 East in Foley 251-987-1147 or 251-609-5541 natstrinityyoga@gmail.com

Integrated Fitness Exercise Studio

Providing personal training, small group training and group classes

Fitness-Based Yoga & Pilates Specialty Classes Include:

Youth Exploring Exercise & Nutrition

Explore Your Core Lynette Staggers, LPTA, RYT-200 www.IntegratedFitness-Fairhope.com 456 Morphy Ave, Fairhope 251-554-4121 natural awakenings December 2011 39

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look good, feel good, do yoga boutique

local handmade arts & crafts yoga classes for everyone gift certificates

209-A South Section St. Fairhope, Alabama

(251) 990-3447

yogabirds.com

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