Sandhills Naturally • November 2015

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YO U R G U I D E TO H E A LT H Y L I V I N G I N T H E S A N D H I L L S A R E A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5

The "Perks" of Coffee

Let's Talk Turkey • Finding the Perfect Tree • Holiday Gift Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

november 2015 nutrition The "Perks" of Coffee................................. 4

The "Perks" of Coffee, page 4

Fall Food Fest.............................................6 Talking Turkey with CATHIS Farm...............8

living Heat Your Home without Wasting Energy .

This Season.............................................10

Talking Turkey, page 8

DIY: Cinnamon, Spice & Everything Nice..11 DIY: Livin' in the Sticks.............................12

wellness Safe Protection for Your Skin This Fall........14 explore Finding the Perfect Tree...........................16 Holiday Gift Guide...................................18 Resource Guide.......................................20 Calendar of Events..................................22

Finding the Perfect Tree, page 16

“There was a time when artificial trees and Fraser firs

were the big thing, but now people want to get back on the farm, which we think is great.”

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— Misty Gil, Daniel Christmas Tree Farm

November 2015

FROM THE PUBLISHER

a time of thanksgiving

November — the month of Thanksgiving and thanks giving. This time of year

Your Guide to Healthy Living in the Sandhills

brings the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays, but also gives us pause to think about the things and people for which we are thankful. I'm thankful for my

Editor & Publisher Joy Godwin Crowe Associate Editor Karen Gilchrist karen@sandhillsnaturally.com Contributing Writers Kelli Edwards Sueson Vess Patti Ranck Cory Worrell Marketing & Advertising Joy G. Crowe joy@sandhillsnaturally.com Sophie Poppele (Moore Co.) sophie@sandhillsnaturally.com Andrea Julian (Cumberland Co.) andrea@sandhillsnaturally.com

family (fur family, too), for the fact that my kids are happy and healthy, for friends that are family (and yes, I'm always thankful for sunsets — hopefully you won't tire of my sunset photos!). I hope you'll take the time to ponder the people and things that bring you joy and embrace them.

It's also a time to remember our veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day. As my husband winds up 25 years of service, I'm especially thankful for him. I'm thankful for the wonderful military friends that we have made, and for all of our military members and their families. Their sacrifices secure our freedom and our way of life. They also contribute so much to our community. One of the perks of being the home of Fort Bragg is that the Sandhills area enjoys a diverse population of veterans who hail from all over the country — and have traveled all over the world — and have chosen to call this home. As we worked

Published by Main Street Media 213 Skyland Plaza, Ste 1370-163 Spring Lake, NC 28390 For more information or to become an advertiser, please call 910.551.2883 www.SandhillsNaturally.com www.facebook.com/sandhillsnaturallync Copyright ©2015 by Main Street Media and Sandhills Naturally. All rights reserved.

No part of this issue may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without permission of the publisher or copyright holder. Neither participating advertisers nor the publishers will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints or typographical errors. The publishers reserve the right to edit any submitted material.

Main Street Media is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or other material. Information in this publication is not meant to diagnose, treat or prescribe for medical conditions. The opinions expressed by contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors and publisher.

on this issue's feature stories on coffee, turkey and Christmas trees, we discovered how much these veterans contribute to our community. Each of those articles features a veteran, and we didn't plan it that way!

For many of us, coffee is something we are thankful for each morning. Coffee has sometimes received a bad rap, but really has quite a few health benefits. We are lucky to have a veteran-owned coffee roasting company right here in the Sandhills area, providing top-quality coffee to our local coffee shops.

A family trip to the Christmas tree farm is a tradition for many. But you don't have to travel to the mountains to get a beautiful Christmas tree. You can find a Christmas tree farm in your county, and we've done all the research for you!

I encourage you to be thankful for the small businesses that contribute so much to our communities. Please support the ones that make this publication possible.

As you start on your holiday gift list, remember to shop local. See our Holiday Gift

cycle t

at sandhillsnaturallync (be sure to select "get notifications") and share our page

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Thanks for reading!

Joy Godwin Crowe, Publisher

joy@sandhillsnaturally.com November 2015

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3

NUTRITION

coffee — chock full of health benefits

By Karen Gilchrist

Upon waking from your sleep, do you move a bit slowly until you make it to the kitchen and the aroma of freshly brewing coffee begins to tickle your nostrils? After that first sip, do your eyes widen, your mood brighten — and you are ready or are at least willing to interact with others? Do you need that cup of coffee to begin your day?

You are not alone. According to Statistic Brain Research Institute (www.statisticbrain.com/coffee-drinking-statistics/), 60% of the estimated 100 million U.S. daily coffee drinkers claim to need a cup of coffee to start off the day, and 68% indulge in their caffeine “fix” within one hour of waking up. More than half, 54%, say that “coffee makes them feel more like their self.” And we put our money where our caffeine is: The U.S. spends $40 billion on coffee per year, according to the National Coffee Drinking Trends 2010, National Coffee Association1.

But in addition to the caffeine “lift” that cup o’ Joe provides, studies suggest that coffee is actually “one of the healthiest beverages on the planet.”2 Coffee consumption may • lower the risk of cancer recurrence or death among people with advanced (stage III) colon cancer.3 • lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.3

• reduce risk of symptomatic gallstone disease.4 Of course, overindulgence in most anything is not a healthful living approach, and some people should avoid coffee. Studies suggest an increase in the risk of late miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women who ingest high amounts of caffeine.

Furthermore, too much coffee and its associated caffeine can, according to researchers at the University of Oklahoma, cause symptoms of anxiety in some people, especially those with preexisting anxiety disorders. 6

So what’s in your java that makes it so beneficial? Roasted coffee is full of compounds — over 1000 — including caffeine, polyphenols and other antioxidants. Many of these compounds exhibit anti-cancer properties.3 And coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants — which protect the body from oxidation, thought to contribute to aging and cancer and heart disease — in the Western diet.2 But once roasted, according to Ideal Coffee, a roaster café in Toronto, Canada, coffee becomes perishable and begins to lose its nutritional value Mike Birky, owner of Cactus Creek Gourmet Coffee (www.idealcoffee.ca/ Roasters, with Sherry Roberts and “Probat,” the roaster. blog/the-benefits-offresh-roasted-coffee).

• be associated with a reduced risk of other cancers, including bladder, breast, buccal and pharyngeal, colorectal, endometrial, esophageal, hepatocellular, leukemic, pancreatic, prostate and skin cancers.3 • lower the likelihood of calcium deposits in coronary arteries.3 • reduce chances for hospitalization for heart rhythm issues.3 • lower the risk of stroke.3 • lower risk of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.3

Sandhills residents are blessed with an abundance of coffee houses, cafés and restaurants that serve freshly roasted coffee roasted locally at veteran-owned-and-operated Cactus Creek Gourmet Coffee Roasters. Established in 2004 and located at its present location at 120 O’Connor Place in Aberdeen off Hwy 5 since 2008, Cactus Creek provides coffee to 82 different coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, gift shops, schools and churches in the Sandhills area.

• reduce risk of dementia or delay onset of dementia, especially among those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).3

Owner Mike Birky explained that some of the “unhealthful” reputation coffee received in the past might relate to the type of coffee bean used.

• lower risk of premature death, including death from accidents, diabetes, heart disease, infections, injuries, respiratory respiratory disease and stroke.3

“In the ‘60s and ‘70s, and even into the ‘80s, people said drinking coffee was bad for you and that it would cause breast cancer. The problem with that is that they were actually using a

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November 2015

commercial customers in the Sandhills area. Flavored coffees typically take 96 hours, or about four to five days. Caffeine-free versions of all 52 flavors are available. The beans come to Cactus Creek already decaffeinated via the Swiss water process.

While some roasters roast their beans in warehouses or more open areas, Birky prefers to keep his coffee free of anything other than, well, coffee. In order to keep the roasting area as clean and sterile as possible, Birky used Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) for the walls and ceiling. An epoxy-sealed floor helps keep the dust down, and once every four to six weeks, the entire area is washed down to avoid any and all contaminants that might be available.

His approach to his business ensures that Cactus Creek fulfills that part of its purpose “to provide our customers; commercial and retail, our military members, and our community with the freshest roasted coffee ready for pickup, to be mailed, or local delivery upon request.”

coffee called Robusta. The Robusta has a high level of caffeine per bean, and it actually tastes bitter. To tone the coffee down, they’d grab a little bit of coffee and then added fillers.”

Birky uses no Robusta beans, only Arabica. “High-quality Arabica coffee is so very, very good,” says Birky. “Coffee is number two in food with respect to andtioxidants; blueberries are number one.”

He offers 25 different varietal coffees from Africa, Central and South America and the Indonesian islands, as well as various decaf, house and proprietary blends and 52 different flavors.

City roast on right, French roast on left.

“We roast close to about 8000 pounds of coffee a month. When we first started out, it would take us about a year and a half to do that.”

Most of the beans are roasted to a city roast to 430º, which keeps the oils to the inside of the bean. Upon completion of roasting, the bean actually appears dry.

“The longer you roast the coffee, the more the oils will come to the outside.” Birky says. “That oil actually makes contact with the heat of the drum and changes that flavor profile. It gets a little darker, some say richer, flavor. The roaster will have many different coffees in there. We want the oils separate.

“When we do a French roast, the bean gets darker and the oils come to the outside of the bean. The beans can get to the point where they smell charred.” All French roasts are completed last, after the city roast, which comprises most of the coffee.

“We do a lot of flavored coffees with a blend of Brazilian and Columbian coffees and add flavor to the beans. The syrup we use is all-natural and has no sugar. We soak the beans for about 48 hours. The city roast bean is dry and absorbs the flavor.” After the flavor is added, the beans look really shiny.

So as you stumble toward that mug of magic elixir that helps you begin your day, whenever your day might begin, know that health researchers and seriously dedicated coffee roasters like Mike Birky of Cactus Creek are working to reassure you that not only is coffee good for you, but also that the coffee you drink is of the best quality.

Karen Gilchrist is a writer, yoga instructor and longtime resident of Southern Pines. For more information on Cactus Creek Gourmet Coffee Roasters, visit http://cactuscreekcoffee.com.

Sources: 1“Coffee by the Numbers,” www.hsph.harvard.edu/ news/multimedia-article/facts/; 2“Science Confirms: The More Coffee You Drink, The Longer You Will Live,” by Kris Gunnars, BSc, http://authoritynutrition.com/how-coffee-makes-you-live-longer/; 3 “Another Perk for Drinking Coffee,” http://articles.mercola. com/sites/articles/archive/2015/08/31/benefits-drinking-coffee. aspx#_edn1; 4“Coffee and Health,” www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/ multimedia-article/benefits/; 5“Coffee: the Downsides,” www. hsph.harvard.edu/news/multimedia-article/risks/; 6“Coffee: Health Benefits, Nutritional Information,” www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/270202.php?page=2

Birky estimates that it takes just inside of 72 hours from green to roasted to out the door for regular coffees for retail and November 2015

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5

fall food fest

By Sueson Vess

Autumn in the Sandhills has gardens overflowing with winter squashes: butternut, acorn, buttercup or turban, delicata, spaghetti and pumpkins. Root vegetables are available,

1 large yellow onion, chopped 1 large butternut squash, about 2 1/2 lbs, cut into 2" pieces

including sweet potatoes, beets and turnips. Hardy greens like

2 tablespoons mild curry powder

cabbage, collards, mustard, spinach and kale love a chill in the

1/2 teaspoon each sea salt and pepper

air. Apples, pears, and persimmons are sweet highlights. And

1-1/2 pounds Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into

herbs, including sage, parsley, thyme, rosemary and chives, are available for cutting.

1/8th, unpeeled unless using nonorganic apples 1 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk

Winter squash is one of the richest sources of plant

2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice

based anti-inflammatory

Chopped fresh

nutrients, including

cilantro to serve

beta-carotene, which are important for a strong

1. Preheat oven to

immune system to help

400 degrees. Toss onion,

protect against colds and

butternut squash, curry

flu. Squash are gourds

powder, salt and pepper

along with cucumbers

in olive oil and roast

and melons, and are vine

in a large roasting pan

crops of the same family.

for 30 minutes, stirring

Summer squash are

occasionally (about every

picked immature and have

15 minutes).

a soft shell.

2. Add apples, stir

Dark leafy greens

and cook an additional

are superfoods that are

15 minutes until apples

a nutrition powerhouse.

Crisp apples and butternut squash make a delightfull fall

are slightly soft, but not

Kale, my favorite, has

vegetarian curry.

mushy.

unmatched beneficial

3. Stir in coconut

qualities ranging from its

milk and lemon juice.

many antioxidants, flavenoids and minerals leading the way,

Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm with fresh cilantro.

to anti-inflammatory and detoxifying abilities. The nutritional density of kale is virtually unparalleled among green leafy vegetables. And, like animal protein, kale contains all 9 essential

SAUSAGE AND FENNEL RAGU WITH KALE Fresh fennel complements the fennel seasoning in Italian

amino acids needed to form the proteins within the human

sausage and brings it to a new flavor level. Fresh kale ribbons

body, plus 9 other non-essential ones for a total of 18. It

can take the place of pasta for a lower carb version: think

also contains more omega-3 than omega-6, which is almost

Italian chili or serve orver your favorite pasta.

unheard of in nature.

Serves 4 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLE CURRY

1 onion, chopped

Enjoy this vegetarian curry as an entrĂŠe or a side dish along with your favorite protein.

Serves 4-6 2 tablespoons olive oil 6

1 fennel bulb, sliced 1 bunch kale, preferable lacinato or dinosaur kale, rib removed and cut into ribbons 1-24- to 28-ounce can or jar tomato sauce

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November 2015

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1 teaspoon dried oregano or marjoram Sea salt and pepper to taste Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese to serve 1. Sauté sausage in large skillet over medium heat and break down into small pieces.

2. Add chopped onion and fennel and continue to cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add kale and cook for additional 2 minutes.

3. Add tomato sauce and seasonings and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.

4. Serve as is or over gluten-free pasta. May add grated Parmesan cheese.

SWEET & SPICY CINNAMON-ROASTED GARBANZO BEANS These tasty beans make a great snack that is a little bit

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sweet and full of protein and fiber.

Makes 2 cups 2 cups cooked garbanzo beans (may use frozen or 15 ½-

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oz. can, drained and rinsed)

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1 tablespoon oil 1 tablespoon sugar or honey 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with

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parchment paper.

2. In large bowl, combine beans, oil, sugar and seasonings.

Mix to combine well.

3. Spread in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes until

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5. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Sueson Vess is a professional chef, author/food writer and educator helping people eat healthier, especially those with celiac disease, autism spectrum disorders and others with chronic

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November 2015

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7

NUTRITION

talking turkey GOING LOCAL, GOING PASTURED

By Karen Gilchrist Thanksgiving approaches, and thoughts turn to planning the annual holiday meal, for some an opportunity to gather together in the kitchen and reconnect over shared cooking responsibilities. As Americans become more health conscious and aware of what they eat and where their food comes from, many will focus on a more whole-foods approach, forgoing canned and packaged dishes for freshly made options from scratch: cranberry relish, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole using local N.C. potatoes, etc.

The star attraction of many a meal is of course, the turkey.

But before reaching for that frozen bird with the handy-dandy pop-up valve lodged in its breast, most likely a product of factory farming, consider selecting a pastured turkey to reap greater benefits for your health, the environment and the farmer responsible for bringing dinner to the table.

Turkey is a high-protein food, with skinless breast meat providing the highest level of protein per serving. Additionally, eating skinless turkey is associated with a lowered risk of pancreatic cancer. The meat also has a very low glycemic index and belongs to a group of high-protein foods that can help maintain desirable insulin levels after a meal.2 With respect to other nutrients, turkey contains the B vitamins B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B5, B6, B12, biotin, choline and folate, as well as selenium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus,

8

potassium and zinc.2 Pastured turkeys provide additional nutritional and health benefits.

Pastured turkeys spend their lives outside rather than confined inside large, crowded buildings without access to fresh air and sunshine and live like, well, turkeys. They roam around naturally, behaving like turkeys and eating a wide variety of grasses, nuts, seeds, berries and insects. What the turkey eats, we eat, and that includes higher levels of antioxidants found in plants and the bugs that eat them, including beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, as well as omega-3 essential fatty acids, lowering the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 acids. Consumption of a balanced ratio of essential fatty acids has been linked to a lower risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, mental disorders and obesity.1, 2 Since pastured turkeys live in the great outdoors and are moved from area to area, they do not spend time in close quarters with other birds and their waste, eliminating the need for the prophylactic use of antibiotics to prevent disease, and perhaps helping to minimize any potential link between the overuse of antibiotics and increasing antibiotic resistance among pathogens.1 While pastured turkeys have become more available through higher-end grocery stores and health food stores, local farmers are a great source for humanely raised, pasture-raised birds, and the website Eat Wild (www.eatwild.com/products/ index.html) provides a listing of farmers who grass feed their animals.

Locally, David Pflugfelder of CATHIS Farm, located at 6635 McDougald Road in Lillington, raises pastured turkeys, along with pastured pork, chicken, eggs and lamb. Originally from New Jersey, Pflugfelder grew up on a small farm. He enlisted in the Air Force in 2006, deploying seven times to the Middle East during his eight years of service. Pflugfelder separated from the military in September 2014 and just completed his first year of full-time farming. This year was also his first in raising turkeys.

“We wanted a healthy Thanksgiving turkey for us, so we thought we might as well raise enough and make it worth it,” says Pflugfelder. He purchased a white hybrid variety that matured at 15 weeks before heading to a processing plant in Marion, N.C. “Fifty-one are at the butcher now. We’ll pick them up on November 11.”

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November 2015

Pflugfelder expects the processed birds to weigh around 14 pounds, and as of publication press time, he has about 20 still available.

The birds will come back from the processor frozen due to the distance between the plant and the farm. “It was too risky,” Pflugfelder says. “I’d rather them be frozen.”

While CATHIS Farm is not certified organic, all animals are pastured and fed certified organic feed. “But even if we were,” he explains, “the turkeys would not be because the processor is not certified organic.”

In addition to the health benefits of pastured turkey, Pflugfelder realizes the benefit as a farmer.

“For the farmer it’s local. All the money is going directly back into the local economy. It’s going back to me, going to our products, in the state of North Carolina. It is all staying here, not going to a multinational company that eventually trickles down pennies to the farmer who raised the turkeys. All our feed is grown and ground in North Carolina. Everything’s within North Carolina. All the money is staying local.

“As for the turkey, feeding in daylight, it has a more natural immune system. It’s not given any antibiotics or anything of that nature, no hormones. We don’t do any at all.

They just eat, foraging on grass, bugs, certified organic feed.”

He notes that the birds do not tear up the ground as much as the chickens on the farm, and that the turkeys have more personality, talking and acting more like an animal than a bird.

CATHIS Farms sells it products at a number of venues, including the Pinehurst and Sanford farmers markets; the Carolina Lakes market; Jones Family Farm, a USDA Certified 100% Organic farm in Broadway, and on CATHIS Farm on Mondays from 5-7 p.m. Some of the markets are closed for the INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL $25 for 10 Days Bikram Yoga is a 90 minute class consisting of 26 hatha yoga postures and 2 breathing exercises in a heated room (105º and approx’ 40% humidity) which aids warming up your body to stretch safely and detox the body. Our state of the art studio uses renewable energy, LED lighting and green flooring. We pride ourselves on creating a supportive environment to help you feel at home during your visit.

EXPLORE: CATHIS Farm 6635 McDougald Road, Lillington 910.502.0348 www.facebook.com/CathisFarm season, but Pflugfelder will be at the Chatham Mills Market in Pittsboro for the winter. Anyone interested in one of the remaining birds for sale should call ahead to order. “We will be delivering to the Pinehurst area Wednesday evening, November 18, and taking them to Pittsboro and Carolina Lakes,” says Pflugfelder.

For more information about CATHIS Farm or to order a turkey, call 910.502.0348 or visit www.facebook.com/ CathisFarm.

Karen Gilchrist is a writer, yoga instructor and longtime resident of Southern Pines.1 www.care2.com/greenliving/

why-pastured-turkeys-are-better-for-your-health.html; 2 The World’s Healthiest Foods, www.whfoods.com/genpage. php?tname=foodspice&dbid=125

You asked and we listened!

FirstHealth Fitness-Pinehurst will be rolling back our clocks – permanently!

Beginning November 2, the Pinehurst center will open at 5 a.m.

Monday through Friday. Early birds, teachers, military, and hospital employees–get your workout in before the workday begins.

Monday – Thursday • 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Friday • 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday • 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

190 Bell Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387 910.246.2007 • www.bikramyogasouthernpines.com November 2015

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170 Memorial Drive • Pinehurst, NC 28374 www.firsthealth.org/fitness

859-101-15

9

LIVING

heat your home without wasting energy this season If you're interested in living a greener lifestyle, perhaps you're already trying to reduce your energy usage as much as possible.

Maybe you ride your bike to work, unplug your electronics when they're not in use, use fans during warm weather and avoid wasting water.

Saving energy can get more difficult, however, when the seasons change and colder weather sets in. Heat is a primary source of energy usage. In fact, research from Tulikivi, the world's largest manufacturer of heat-retaining fireplaces, shows that 52 percent of a home's annual energy consumption is allocated to heat.

Now is the time to think about reducing your energy usage during the winter. Here are some ideas that will help you enjoy a warm, cozy home while saving both money and energy.

CLOSE THE DRAFTS One of the best ways to improve your energy efficiency is to reduce your energy waste. Window cracks and door drafts allow warm air to escape, which means you're leaking both energy and money.

Seal those areas by using caulk to shore up any drafty windows and put plastic wrap over the window surface to keep out the chill. For the door jambs, you can purchase a door stopper to plug the gap or you can use a towel at the base to block the opening. Try to close off the bottom of any exterior door, particularly the doors you seldom use.

HEAT MORE EFFICIENTLY

experience; it can also be an energy-efficient heating source.

Fireplaces and woodstoves built from soapstone can help heat your home long after the fire goes out. Soapstone has better thermal conductivity compared to other materials because of its dense structure and mineral composition.

For homeowners, this means once you start a fire in your fireplace, the soapstone will store heat in its thermal mass, allowing a two-hour burn to radiate heat for up to 24 hours. This lets you enjoy the clean, comfortable, costsaving warmth without using additional energy.

MAKE YOUR HOME MORE EFFICIENT Make sure your other heating options are running efficiently.When you're not using your fireplace, it's good to know your backup heating options are operating efficiently. Have your furnace inspected routinely and make sure you change the filter each month. You should also invest in a smart thermostat. This technology allows you to set the temperature of your home for different times of the day so you can lower it when you're sleeping or away. The calendar option means you can program your home's temperatures ensuring you never waste energy.

Colder temperatures are on their way, but hat doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your green lifestyle when you cheeks turn red. By using the tips above, you'll still enjoy the same warmth and comfort without the additional environmental impact.

Article courtesy of Brandpoint. To learn more about Tulikivi, visit Tulikivi.us or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

A crackling fire makes for more than just a pleasurable

Born out of a love for deep transformation and service, Southern Pines Yoga Co. is committed to meeting you where you are and taking you forward to where and who you want to be. We value all schools of yoga and aim to offer classes and workshops accessible for people in all stages in life.

Classes offered seven days a week.

169 Beverly Lane, Southern Pines, NC 28387 The Shops of Southern Pines ~ Next to The Fresh Market 910.246.0065 • www.southernpinesyoga.com 10

Natural Parenting in a Modern World Cloth diapers, nursing supplies, slings & wraps, gifts, toys & more.

910.684.8016 222 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Southern Pines, NC 28387 www.facebook.com/sugarplumsmom Offering Childbirth Education classes and events for expectant families with Ashley Keith, CD(DONA), LCCE

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November 2015

D.I.Y.

diy: cinnamon, spice & everything nice Love the smell of baking but don't want to bake? Don't want to fill your house with artificial fragrance from sprays and candles that contain harmful ingredients? Nothing says fall

To use: Let simmer on low for 1-2 hours. Make sure you keep an eye on the pan. Discard when simmer has completed.

To store: One-time use product, no storage necessary.

like a cinnamon and spice air freshener.

Time-saving Tip: If you know you'll

Try this spicy simmer from The Organically

use this recipe multiple times in the

Clean Home by Becky Rapinchuk (www.

next month or so, you can combine the

cleanmama.net). It's perfect if you are

spices in a jar and store that portion

having company over or having a holiday

of the recipe. When you're ready to

open house.

simmer, just combine water, lemon peel

CINNAMON AND SPICE AIR

and vanilla extract with a portion of

FRESHENER SIMMER

spices and proceed with your simmer.

4 cups water

Variation: Rosemary and Lemon.

Peel from one lemon

Prefer a savory smell? Add rosemary

3 Cinnamon sticks

leaves instead of the spices.

1 whole nutmeg

Rebecca Rapinchuk of Cleanmama.

10-12 whole cloves, or 5 drops clove

net has been featured on Oprah.

essential oil

com and HGTV, and is Answer.com's

Dash of vanilla extract

housekeeping expert.

To make: Combine ingredients in a large saucepan.

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D.I.Y.

livin' in the sticks

By Patti Ranck

This is the time of year so many of us love. When autumn comes along, it brings with it a crispness in the air and a burst of fiery colors so vibrant and exciting that it seems to revive us with a newfound energy. We breathe deeply now and seem happy to finally throw on a sweater as we take in the beauty and wonder of nature’s earth rainbow before it all too soon becomes the ash gray of winter. Soon those same leaves will be brown carpet on the ground, and we will instead be breathing deeply while doing our yard fall clean up.

I drive through my neighborhood swerving past mini mountains of yard debris consisting of leaves, pinestraw and branches, sticks —wait! Branches and sticks? Pull the car over, honey! (Ha, he hates it when I yell that.) Ahh, and soon with a happy gleam in my eye (meanwhile, in the driver’s seat, my husband is rolling his eyes), I am filling the back of the Subie with branches of every variety — long, gnarly, moss covered, white birch and bunches of small sticks.

There are indeed many uses for my crazy pile of loot, and it ain’t just for kindling (even though that’s a really great use for them, too). These sticks and branches are free art and craft and interior décor supplies that will either be carted off and added to the landfill, or piled up with other yard debris and burned (which causes issues of its own). So, I am perfectly ok with repurposing even natural items that would normally be trashed. Plus, I am all about the benefits of being surrounded by nature in any way, shape or form. There are so many really unique, beautiful and even fun things that can be made using sticks that I could write an entire book about it! (What-what?! Pull over the proverbial car, honey! Ha, only kidding — I’ll stick to articles.)

When my brother and I were small, as our prize for helping (I use the term loosely) my dad with the yard work, he would make us a slingshot out of a Y-shaped branch and a rubber band. We were strictly instructed to shoot only at specific targets made of empty cereal boxes and cans lined up at the end of our driveway. That kept us busy shooting acorns (never rocks) and having contests for hours, and it all started with a stick. Now as an adult, yes, I am still playing with sticks.

So, with the zillions of options out there, we’ll be highlighting only two crafts in this issue. Both are super easy, and I thought with that old gift-giving time of year sneaking up

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on us, these would make great little gifts. For the past few years, I’ve been threatening my kids (who are grown, btw) with what I refer to as a “Little House on the Prairie” Christmas — in other words, a homemade gifts Christmas. This whole expensive and wasteful gift-buying frenzy people go through is

getting out of hand. They usually roll their eyes and say, "Oh you’ll never do it." But I might surprise them this year! But consider these stick and branch crafts not just for the holidays; the traditional 5th wedding anniversary gift is wood! Good idea, right? So, let’s DIY some future gifts!

Basic supplies: • To begin any of these projects you will, of course, need sticks and/or branches, depending on the item you are making.

• For the sticks and branches, you can pick through your own or neighbor’s yard cuttings piles or go foraging for some.

And as ever with our foraging adventures, I recommend bringing along a sturdy bag like the recycled one I got from the local dollar store. It’s waterproof and everything. I know, right?

What? Only $1.00? Ha-yup. Love that place sometimes.

• Pruning shears or garden clippers (nothing fancy;

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November 2015

inexpensive basic type will do.)

• Jute twine. I get mine from the hardware store (much cheaper than the craft store, and it’s the same stuff).

• For the tea light holder you’ll also need an Eco-friendly craft glue. There are beginning to be quite a few glue brands getting on the band wagon now (yay!), so it is much easier to find than it used to be. Elmers makes one. Glu6 made in California out of recycled Styrofoam (that’s a mind blower) is supposedly one of the most “green” glue products and gets rave reviews! (I’m gonna hafta order some and see for myself!)

• An old short glass or empty jar with fairly straight sides (I used a jelly jar which, aesthetically, was a bit taller than I would’ve liked, but hey, work with what ya got, you know).

• A tea light candle, preferably soy-based or an led like I used (I just feel like these are safer, and you can also get a 3-pack of these at the Dollar store, believe it or not).

• If you want to get fancy and decorate or embellish your project in any way, you can have at the ready paints and brushes; beads and colored string, ribbon or yarn or tassels; dried flowers, sea shells or pretty much anything that strikes your fancy. You know what I always say: put your own personality into it, do your own thing and make it unique!

CANDLE HOLDER You can use the sticks natural or paint them white (or any color/s for that matter). Cut the sticks a bit longer than the height of the jar…and start gluing! I very gently tied a string around to hold the sticks as they dried, but I was surprised how well the glue was holding even wet. After it’s dry you can leave it natural as Webecoist.com did, or wrap colored yarn or tie ribbon, etc. I added (with glue) sprigs of dried lavender here and there and tied ribbon to make it a bit more girly, as mine was going to my niece. Also, the heat of the candle seemed to bring out a faint lavender scent. Hey, I’ll bet this might work with a cinnamon stick tied in the front with a sprig of pine for the hoidays! Ooooo, I know what I’ll be doing when I’m done writing this! Hmmm, maybe make a few of them, surrounded by pinecones and pine boughs and more candles! Holiday table décor, here we come!

November 2015

PICTURE FRAME For this one, you’ll need a thicker branch. Measure the size of the photo you’ll be using and be sure to add at least an extra 1½” to 2” length on each side (that’s 3-4” total additional per photo.) You can lengthen the branches and add many photos horizontally or lengthen the jute and add several photos vertically, again, all to your liking. I painted my sticks in a southwestern motif, but you can leave them natural or paint any color/s or even add glitter if you like. (Ecologically and truthfully speaking, I’m not a glitter person, so I haven’t researched what that’s all made of. I’ll leave that one to you guys.) When the paint dries (mine is smudged; I didn’t wait long enough — oops), simply measure using the jute itself, allowing extra for the knot tying and the slack you’ll need at the top to hang the whole thing. Experience has taught me, it's always better to have a little too long a length of something than not enough… riiiight. Start tying onto the top branch. This is usually the longer of the two sticks. Be sure to have the distance of the knots match (or come very close to matching) the width of your photo. Then lay it all out on your workspace to see if you like the look of the spacing between the sticks and the photo before you tie the final knots. To attach the picture you can use paperclips or any type of small clips. I happen to have these very tiny clothespins left from another project, and I really like the way they look with this. (Optional: You can hang beads or feathers or glue a dried or silk flower to the top branch for added pizzaz — as long as it doesn’t weigh down one side too much — just additional ideas.) So, that’s it! It’s just that easy! I mean seriously, think of what a great and sentimental gift this could be for someone you care about. And you’ll have more fun making it than pushing and shoving your way through a crowded mall. Another craft everyone can enjoy! Have fun!

Here are a few of the crafty blogs I used in my research: WebEcoist, Bldg25, goodshomedesign.com, homeesthetics.net, hgtv.com/treecuttingsandornaments, babble.com.

Have a safe and happy November and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Patti Ranck is an artist & a dreamer who blends her love of nature & her passion for repurposing into the celebrations of life. She can help you create your one-of-a-kind celebration. indigoearthevents@icloud.com or 910.638.8322

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safe protection for your skin this fall

By Michelle Callahan

Fall’s winds are upon us, and most of us will be slathering lotions onto our dry skin to combat drier indoor air and protect against the cold and wind outside.

Did you know that the skin is your largest organ? As such, it’s crucial that you protect it, not just during the summer months, but all year long. We know the importance of eating organic food to reduce our toxic burden, but according to oncologist Dr. Samuel Epstein, when we put something on our skin, it only takes an average of 26 seconds for it to pass into our bloodstream, thus the effectiveness of nicotine or hormonal patches. Furthermore, our liver detoxifies what we eat, but not what we put on our skin. Of course we wouldn’t knowingly put chemicals onto our skin, but since the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate claims on personal care products, companies can put anything they want on a package ("green," "natural," "organic") and not be telling the whole truth.

We want to choose safe products that don’t contain endocrine disruptors such as fragrance, or carcinogens like mineral oil that are found in many of these moisturizers.

So, what is an informed consumer to do? Following are a few tips to keep your skin soft, healthy and hydrated this fall.

First of all, don’t forget the sunscreen. Even though the majority of your body will be covered by clothing in upcoming

months, it’s essential that you use a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF (many doctors suggest that SPFs higher than 35 are really just a marketing tool to sell sunscreen). Not sure if your sunscreen is safe?

Check out the Environmental Working Group’s list here: www.ewg. org/2015sunscreen/ Second, switching to a soap-free mild cleanser and washing with warm, not hot, water will be the most hydrating for your skin. Exfoliate your body with a sugar scrub, but not your face as it can cause tiny abrasions.

Finally, moisturize every day.

If your skin gets particularly dry, use pure plant oil, such as olive oil, in addition to a moisturizer containing anti-oxidants. Get help for your lips by choosing a lip balm without parabens or a petroleum base. Read the ingredients! People ingest lip balm every time they lick their lips, and you don’t want to be “eating” something that is also used in gasoline.

Look for a balm with organic, natural emollients (avocado or coconut oil, for example), or make your own. Take these simple steps now to keep your skin healthy and happy all season long!

Michelle Callahan, a resident of Linden, is a former National Board Certified Teacher and SAHM of two. When she’s not taking care of her family, she is teaching others to be “ingredient detectives” as an independent consultant for Ava Anderson NonToxic. She posts the latest research on her Facebook page: facebook.com/ avaandersonbymichellecallahan

Indigo Earth Events LLC • Vintage & Eclectic Rentals • Event Styling Design • Handcrafted Decor

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on display at Gracefully Rustic

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November 2015

EXPLORE

find the perfect tree

CHOOSE AND CUT CHRISTMAS TREES IN THE SANDHILLS

By Karen Gilchrist “They’re heeee-re.” Or soon will be. Netted, they lean against storefront walls, or net free, dangle from wooden frames allowing one to spin them to see all sides. Unoccupied spaces and corners along main thoroughfares seemingly sprout up overnight with perfectly shaped green triangles arranged in parallel lines. Yep, it’s the annual arrival of the Christmas trees.

According to a poll commissioned by the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA, realchristmastrees. org), Americans spent over a billion dollars on 26.3 million fresh farm-grown Christmas trees in 2014.

Of that 26+ million trees, 85% were precut trees purchased at farms, garden centers, retail lots and stores, or from nonprofit groups or online. The remaining 15% were “Cut my own” or “Choose & Cut” trees, meaning the consumer goes to a tree farm, selects the “perfect” tree and either cuts it down or receives assistance from the farmer to cut it. Most farms then offer to shake, net and load the tree for the trip to its new place of prominence for the holidays.

While it may be convenient to choose a tree off a lot or pick one up at the grocery on the way home, a trip to a choose & cut farm offers a wonderful opportunity to create a memorable family holiday experience – or even a tradition. In addition to providing a selection of tree species of varying sizes, some farms host other family-friendly holiday activities and sell stands, wreaths, garlands and more to complete holiday decorating. The Sandhills area is home to several family-ownedand-operated tree farms with a variety of species that grow well in this area.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY B&D Christmas Tree Farm 1206 Elliott Farm Road, Fayetteville 910.818.0655/910.482.4404 Sun.-Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Thanksgiving Day-December 24 Hardis Barnes, owner of B&D Christmas Tree Farm, has been growing trees for 34 years on his family farm. He grows Virginia pine, white pine, cedar and cypress on 10 acres. “We have approximately 15,000 trees, but not 15,000 ready for

November 2015

sale,” says Barnes. He also has Fraser firs shipped in from the N.C. mountains around Boone and Lenoir.

“We open the week before Thanksgiving and do a lot of

stocking of lots. The end of the season is when people stop coming,” Barnes says. “I have a lot of customers that come by on Christmas day. The parents live here, the kids are coming in and they don’t have a tree, and they’ll call me and ask me if they can come out and cut a tree or if we have any Fraser firs left.”

Customers can choose and cut whatever size they like.

Some trees are eight to nine feet tall and take eight to 10 years to grow. “We can go out and take care of it for them and set it up. We have a machine that will shake all the debris out of it, and we take the tree to the car, secure it to the car –– or they can do it themselves.”

Trees sell for $7 a foot; the Fraser firs cost a little more to cover the costs of shipping and pay for staff on the tree lots.

Barnes replants every year and takes care of them until they sell.

“A bad summer will take a lot of our cedars out.”

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EXPLORE Barnes says the week after Thanksgiving is the busiest week. “We have a lot of people coming out to find the perfect tree. If they don’t find the perfect tree in the field, they can go to a Fraser fir lot and purchase a tree. If they come out, they will leave with a tree.”

HARNETT COUNTY Daniel Christmas Tree Farm 1711 NC 55 E, Dunn 910.658.8759 http://danielchristmastreefarm.com Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun., 1-9 p.m.

Misty Gil, past president and marketing and public relations chair for Eastern North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers, carries on the family business begun by her father when he decided to plant trees instead of raise cows because the trees “…stay where you put them.” He planted the first trees in 1978 and began selling them in 1984 on a farm that has raised tobacco, cotton, cows, hogs and chickens. Gil has seen a renewed interest in the choose & cut movement.

“It came back in a huge boom,” Gil says. “There was a time when artificial trees and Fraser firs were the big thing, but now people want to get back on the farm, which we think is great.

We hope it continues on.”

The farm grows Leyland cypress, Virginia pine, white pine, red cedar and ‘Carolina Sapphire’ cypress. All trees except the Fraser firs sell for a flat price of $40/tree. The Fraser firs are individually priced and kept in water in the shade. “We always have fresh trees coming in,” says Gil. Gil notes that the busiest times are the weekend after Thanksgiving and the first weekend in December. The farm does offer tree tagging beginning November 1. People can come out by appointment and put their name on a tree. “You still get a great experience,” Gil says.

In addition to trees, the farm offers train and wagon rides during the day and fire pits and s’mores after dark, as well as farm tours and wreath-making classes.

“It’s all about the experience and helping people have an

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amazing Christmas, and we hope they’ll come out and share their Christmas with us,” says Gil. LEE COUNTY Griffin's Evergreens 250 Avent Ferry Road, Sanford 919.258.3587/919.842.6306 Sun.-Fri., 1-7 p.m., Sat., 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

A.K. Griffin started his family’s tree farm business 45 years ago. “I started it as a hobby when I got out of the army, and it kind of got out of hand,” Griffin says. “I planted the first trees in 1970, and a few years after that, I started selling. I sell white pine, Leyland cypress and 'Green Giant' arborvitae. In a few years, we’ll have 'Carolina Sapphire,' and I’m experimenting to see if I can make a decent Christmas tree out of Cryptomeria, a Japanese pine.”

Like many other choose & cut farms, Griffin also has precut Fraser firs from the mountains. “I started out selling only the trees that I could grow. But people wanted Fraser firs, so I made arrangements with a friend from the mountains to bring them in. Leyland cypress have been very popular and also the white pine over the years.” Griffin notes he’s beginning to sell a few more of the Green Giants and a few Japanese Momi firs. “The Momi is very pretty. The needles give new meaning to the word ‘needle.’

Griffin’s Evergreens officially opens at 2:00 Thanksgiving afternoon. “We don’t want anything to interfere with Thanksgiving dinner because from then until Christmas Eve, I won’t have time to sit down and have dinner with my family,” says Griffin. The trees sell for $6 per foot, and if they have anything decent to sell, they will be there on Christmas Eve. “Believe or not, I have sold some on Christmas Eve at 5 o’clock!”

Griffin prefers to cut the trees for customers from a liability standpoint. “We’re accustomed to cutting it and feel it’s safest.

If they insist, we’ll watch and help and put a net on it. If they bring their stand, we’ll put it on for free; if they don’t have a stand, we can sell them one.”

Also available are fresh evergreen wreaths from 12 inches to up to 48 inches in diameter. “I have very good help, Griffin says. “Let people come see us. We’ll be glad to see them.”

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November 2015

next year. “People drive 50-60 miles to see us, and we don’t want them to be disappointed, so we’re trying to get the word out.”

The Christmas Tree Patch 746 Henley Road, Sanford 919.776.6475 www.christmastreepatch.com The Christmas tree business was so good in 2014 to John Hall of the Christmas Tree Patch that he’s trying to get an important message out to his customers.

“I’m not selling this year. We had an outstanding season last year. I sold everything that was ready last year, and they cut a lot of my trees that would be ready this year, so I’m going to have to take a year off. If I sell this year, I won’t have anything next year.”

Hall planted his first trees in January 1986 and started selling a few trees in 1990. When available, the trees sell for $6 a foot.

“It’s kind of odd to be off this year, but I’ve sold trees for 25 straight years. The main species is the Leyland cypress.

Everybody likes it, and it lasts a long time in the home after you cut it. I also sell white pine, some ‘Blue Ice’ juniper and 'Carolina Sapphire.'”

The Tree Patch normally entertains groups of school and daycare children for tours and sells wreaths and tree stands. The big attraction is allowing people to cut their own tree.

“We can do it either way, Hall says. “We can cut it and do everything for them, but it seems that the last few years, the younger couples are coming out, and they like to cut their own tree. We’re not far from Ft Bragg. A lot of military couples and families come out.”

Unlike many choose & cut farm owners, Hall doesn’t bring in precut Fraser firs. He replants each year and will have all sizes

MOORE COUNTY Doby Tree Farm 150 Doby Road, Cameron 910.245.3265 Sun., 1-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri., 3:30-5:30 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.5 p.m., beginning Friday after Thanksgiving through December 24 The Doby family has been growing trees for a little over 30 years on a farm that has been in the family for four generations. Donny Doby started planting trees in 1984, and the children Sarah and Eric help out.

“We sell Virginia pine, white pine, red cedars and Leyland cypress,” says Carol Doby. “We do bring in Fraser firs from the mountains. When we cut our trees, we shake and bale them, and we also have a drilling machine for certain stands.

“People can also cut their own; we have some handsaws for that. The trees range from 4 to 10 feet in height, and we sell more Virginia pine and Leyland cypress. We also sell stands and wreaths.”

The Doby family hopes to provide the opportunity for a family experience that encourages people to return year after year. “We have some that have come back for years.”

For more information about and locations of Cut & Choose farms across the state of North Carolina, visit www.ncfarmfresh. com.

THE REAL TREE ADVANTAGE Though artificial trees accounted for 13.9 million trees bought in 2014, a real tree, whether precut or not, and tree farms offer many advantages 1 .

• Farms stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife.

• Farms are aesthetically pleasing green belts.

• Trees can grow on soils that cannot support other crops.

• Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.

• Three seedlings replace each real Christmas tree harvested, most planted without fertilizer.

• They are recyclable, chipped for mulch or dropped into lakes and ponds to make fish habitats.

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www.christmas-tree.com/real/realchristmastrees.html

November 2015

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Holiday Gift Guide

for locally grown/raised, handcrafted, recycled, upcycled, natural and green gifts. us welcome you to the shop. Nov. 7, Veterans Day Celebration; Nov. 22, Open House; Nov. 28, Shop Local Saturday.

THE BUMP AND BABY 3 Market Square, Pinehurst 910-420-8655 www.facebook.com/thebumpandbaby Bump & Baby, located in the Village of Pinehurst, is committed to providing the environmentally conscious consumer with a wide variety of organic and sustainable options. We carry 100% organic clothing, toys made from sustainably harvested wood, bamboo and organic blankets, and much more.

223 NE BROAD ST. GRACEFULLY RUSTIC PINES, NC 223 NESOUTHERN Broad Street, Southern Pines HARVEST & HOLIDAY 910-692.0767 COUNTRY GIFTS AND DECOR gracefullyrustic@gmail.com WEDDING RENTALS www.gracefullyrustic.com MONTHLY CRAFT WORKSHOPS Country home decor and primitive gifts,WWW.GRACEFULLYRUSTIC.COM plus monthly craft workshops and wedding and party rentals in conjunction with Indigo Earth Events. Peek in our windows and then come on in and let

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INDIGO EARTH EVENTS, LLC 223 NE Broad St., Southern Pines 910.638.8322 indigoearthevents@gmail.com www.facebook.com/indigoearthevents It's the Season! Whether you are hosting a holiday soirée, a winter wedding, a baby shower, an open house, a fundraiser, or any get together...we can bring your vision to life! Vintage &

Eclectic Prop Rentals • Sustainable Event Styling/Design • Handcrafted Custom Decor. By appointment, or stop in and chat with our partner in crime & design, Laura at Gracefully Rustic in Southern Pines, and take a peek at what we can do!

JITTERBUGZ CAFE & BEANERY 37 Amarillo Lane, Spout Springs.

919.499.5880 morethanabeancounter@gmail.com www.facebook.com/jitterbugzcafe. morethanabeancounter JitterBugz offers locally roasted fair trade and organic coffees, local baked goods and more. We’re your neighborhood coffee shop, where you’re always welcome to relax away from home and enjoy our delicious beverages and free WiFi service. Our beans, locally made soaps and artisan olive oils & vinegars are perfect for the holidays.

Shop Local!

• Your local businesses give back to the community. They live here, too! They are your neighbors, support area school booster clubs and contribute to local nonprofits.

• You can find just about anything you need locally.

• Shopping locally saves the environment. Local shops stock a high percentage of locally sourced goods, helping to reduce our global footprint.

• Local businesses value, respect and appreciate your business. www.SandhillsNaturally.com

November 2015

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Shop Local!

• Shopping local creates jobs, and those paychecks contribute to our local economy. Local businesses employ local people and pay taxes that support the local community.

• For every $1 spent at local businesses, 45¢ is reinvested locally.

• What does that mean? The Consumer Expenditure Survey found that an average Southern metropolitan household with 2.5 residents spent $45,225 per year, the majority on housing, transportation and food. If that one household bought only from stores and businesses with locations in the area, its spending would return at least $20,350 to the local economy in wages, manufacturer’s products, taxes and giving to nonprofit groups.

Source: Retail Merchants Association

creating a safer haven for anyone on your holiday shopping list.

KINLAW'S SUPERMARKET 1802 Sapona Rd., Fayetteville.

910.483-3437 kinlawsmeat@aol.com www.kinlawssupermarket.com Fresh, local produce is our first choice.

Hand-cut beef, pork and chicken, local and USA raised. Bundle and box specials.

10% military discount always. We are a proud member of "Got To Be NC" and Goodness Grows in NC.

NORWEX "Cleaning without chemicals" Lori Stewart, Representative 410.733.1585 www.loristewart.norwex.biz Cleaning with Norwex is quick, easy and chemical free! Norwex can help you clean your home for your next party or family gathering in half the time. Just add WATER! This holiday season, let Norwex help you give the gift of health with environmentally safe cleaning products,

November 2015

WINESHOP AT HOME Rachel Olson, Independent Consultant 970.217.0048 www.wineshopathome.com/ rachelleolson The next generation of a home party has arrived! Host a WineShop At Home party, and your consultant will be your guide to limited production, artisan wines handcrafted by our award-winning winemaker in Napa Valley. Our wines are not sold in stores or in any other winery tasting room. You and your friends can stock up on wines for holiday celebrations and mark a few gifts off your list, too! A membership to our Artisan Collection™ Wine Club makes a great gift! Wine Club brings you wines that are ready to drink now, collect or cellar.

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SANDHILLS ESSENTIAL OILS 910.551.2883 www.mydoterra.com/sandhillsnc Serving the Sandhills area with therapeutic-grade essential oils. Improve your family's health and wellness, naturally. Make gift giving healthful with essential oils, bath and skincare spa products, health and wellness supplements and products for the home.

SUGARPLUMS MOM Natural Parenting in a Modern World 222 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. 910.684.8016 www.facebook.com/sugarplumsmom SugarPlums Mom specializes in cloth diapers, nursing supplies and babywearing gear. We also have lot of great products for pre- and post-partum moms as well as fantastic gifts and toys for all the babies in your life. Also offering Childbirth Education classes and events for expectant families with Ashley Keith, CD(DONA), LCCE.

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EXPLORE

resource guide ANIMAL HEALTH & WELLNESS Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic Offering affordable spay and neuter for the Sandhills area. Call for an appointment, 910.692.3499 (FIXX), 5071 US Hwy 31, Vass. Donate at www.companionanimalclinic.org Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming. Your neighborhood pet store with full-service grooming, self-wash room, grain-free foods, treats, toys and more. 1216 Ft. Bragg Rd., Fayetteville. 910.860.1200, www.WGBFay.com.

CHILDREN & EDUCATION The Griffin Academy: A Montessori Learning Experience. The only nonparochial, non-profit Montessori school serving students in Harnett and Lee County. Now enrolling. Located in the Spout Springs area of Western Harnett County. 919.499.1032, www.thegriffinacademy.org CHIROPRACTIC CARE Southern Pines Chiropractic, Dr. Joseph Wahl. Offering full-service chiropractic care, licensed massage therapists and nutritional counseling. 361 N. Bennett St., Southern Pines. 910.692.5207, www. ncchiro.com, drwahl@embarqmail.com COLON HYDROTHERAPY Pure Phoenix Cleanse & Wellness Center, offering Colon Hydrotherapy and Ionic Foot Detox. 305 Owen Dr., Fayetteville.

910.849.8891, purephoenixcleanse@ gmail.com ESSENTIAL OILS Joy Crowe, Wellness Advocate for dōTERRA Essential Oils.

IPC# 1318413. 910.551.2883, www.mydoterra.com/sandhillsnc Kelli Edwards, Wellness Advocate for dōTERRA Essential Oils. IPC#446470.

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910.644.2307, www.mydoterra.com/ detoxdiva ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HOUSEHOLD GOODS Kristen Wulfing, Norwex Independent Sales Consultant. The best way to clean your home without the use of harmful chemicals and toxins.860-978-3560, kristenwulfing.norwex.biz EVENT PLANNING Indigo Earth Events, LLC - Party Sustainably! Offering "green" event styling, custom decor, rentals for weddings/social/corporate events.

By appointment, 910.638-8322, indigoearthevents@icloud.com. www. facebook.com/indigoearthevents EYE HEALTH Cape Fear Eye Associates offers complete eye and vision care — from children’s eye exams and pediatric eye muscle surgery to cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment and LASIK. 1726 Metro Medical Dr., Fayetteville. 910.484.2284 or 800.829.2284, www.capefeareye.com HEALTH & FITNESS First Health Fitness, 170 Memorial Dr., Pinehurst. 910.715.1800, www.firsthealth.org/fitness HEALTH & WELLNESS Guiding Wellness, Inc., Wellness Consulting~Holistic Life Coaching and Therapy. "A holistic-centered therapeutic environment committed to the discovery, recovery and maintenance of living in balance." 3710 Morganton Rd., Ste. 110, Fayetteville. 910.864.6257, guidingwellness@yahoo.com MASSAGE THERAPISTS Michael Edwards, Intuitive Energetic Healer at Deeproots Bodywork, 5004 Spruce Dr., Fayetteville. 910.644.5181

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Sandhills Therapeutic Effects, Amie O'Connor, LMBT. 237 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines.

919.478.5647, www.facebook. com/sandhillstherapeuticeffects, sandhillstherapeuticeffects@gmail.com MEDICAL CARE Back to Basics, Dr. Robert W. Patterson.

Offering an integrative, patient-centered approach to medical care, including BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Family Medicine, Nutritional Medicine, Preventative Medicine, and complete diagnostic evaluations.

919.895.6339, 1503 Elm St., Ste C, Sanford. www.backtobasicsmedical.com NATURAL FOODS Nature's Own Natural Foods Market offers a wide selection of natural, organic and herbal food products, teas and remedies, hard-to-find herbs, roots and spices, supplements & more. The Kitchen lunch counter and Juice Bar. 195 Bell Ave., Southern Pines. 910.692.3811, www.naturesowninc.com NATURAL PARENTING Prana Doula, Ashley Keith, RPYT, CD, LCCE, Lamaze-certified birth doula, childbirth education & pregnancy yoga.

222 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines.

910.585.4084, www.pranayogadoula.com Sugar Plums Mom, Cloth diapers, nursing supplies, slings and wraps, toys & more.

910.684.8016, 222 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. www.facebook.com/sugarplumsmom PRODUCE DELIVERY Sandhills Farm to Table. Eat fresh, locally grown produce. Now taking subscriptions for spring co-op boxes. 910.722.1623, info@sandhillsfarm2table.com, www.sandhillsfarm2table.com

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resource guide SKIN CARE Ava Anderson NonToxic, Michelle Callahan, Independent Consultant #12340.

Organic, SAFE personal care and household cleaning products without harsh chemicals. 910.568.2994, www.facebook.com/ avaandersonbymichellecallahan, www.avaandersonnontoxic. com/michellecallahan SUSTAINABLE LIVING Sustainable Sandhills is a nonprofit on a mission to preserve the environment of the Sandhills through education, demonstration and collaboration through four core program areas: Clean Air, Clean Water, Green Schools, Green Business. 351 Wagoner Dr., 2nd Floor, Suite 332-334, Fayetteville. 910.484.9098, info@sustainablesandhills.org, www.sustainablesandhills.org

Garden! www.jcrowe.juiceplus. com and jcrowe.towergarden. com YOGA STUDIOS Bikram Yoga. 190 Bell Ave., Southern Pines. 910.246.2007, www.bikramyogasouthernpines. com Southern Pines Yoga Company, 169 Beverly Lane, Southern Pines. 910.246-0065, 910.639.1089. contact@ southernpinesyoga.com www.southernpinesyoga.com WRITING & EDITING SERVICES Plays with Words: Writing, editing, proofreading. Over 25 years' experience. Karen Gilchrist, 910.638.6397, playswithwords@embarqmail. com This Resource Guide is a directory of local natural health

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS Whole-food based nutrition, through Juice Plus+, including juice powder concentrates from 25 different fruits, vegetables and grains. And grow your own good health with the Tower

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world." —Maria Montessori

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and wellness practitioners and supporters of green living in our community. To be included in our Resource Guide, call Joy at 910-551-2883 or email joy@sandhillsnaturally.com.

griffin Academy

the

a montessori learning experience

Now Registering Ages 2-5 for Fall 2015.

Offering half-day preschool programs & Kindergarten.

Ask about our military and volunteer discounts!

Now in a new location in the Spout Springs area of Western Harnett County!

Experience the joy of learning the Montessori way! At The Griffin Academy we invite children ages 2 through 5 to an exciting and friendly Montessori program based on respect, self-direction and cooperative activities. Experiences like gardening, yoga and music allow children the opportunity to learn from their environment. As the only non-parochial, non-profit, private Montessori school serving both Harnett and Lee County families, our goal is to help students develop a strong self-image, high levels of academic and social competence, and the ability to face challenges with optimism and confidence. Our innovative curriculum, family-oriented community and responsive staff help students achieve their potential.

Education is more than a test. Ignite curiosity at The Griffin Academy. To learn more, call now to schedule a tour.

919-499-1032 www.thegriffinacademy.org The Griffin Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin. It admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

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CALENDAR

calendar of events • november

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SATURDAY 17th Annual Touchstone Energy NC Cotton Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Downtown Dunn. Fun for the whole family, the festival includes two stages of entertainment featuring a variety of music, a classic car show with over 100 cars, 100+ vendors offering crafts, food and products, tours of a cotton gin – something for everyone! www.dunntourism.org/nc_cotton_ festival-3/, www.nccottonfestival.com, 910.892.3282 7th Annual Salute to Veterans, Airborne and Special Operations Museum (ASOM), Downtown Fayetteville. Daily, Nov. 7Nov.16. Flags will be displayed on the ASOM Parade Field from (Saturday) 7 November to (Monday) 16 November 2015. Opening Ceremony will be at 1:30 pm on 7 November 2015 at the Parade field. Field will close Monday, 16 November 2015 at noon.

Veterans Day Car Show, Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum, 12-3 p.m. Visitors are invited to explore the museum grounds, which will be packed with antique, vintage and latemodel customized cars. www.fcpr.us/transportation_museum. aspx, 910.433.1457 House in the Horseshoe Archaeology Day 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 288 Alston House Rd., Sanford. This is your chance to find out what’s under the ground at House in the Horseshoe and to talk with experts in the fields of Archaeology, Metal Detecting, History, and Geology. Jacob Turner, the UNC-Greensboro doctorale candidate who conducted a two year long excavation of House in the Horseshoe, will be discussing how he used the tools of the trade in his search for artifacts, what he found and how archaeologists preserve and protect these fascinating relics. Fun hands-on activities for the whole family.

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WEDNESDAY Veterans Day Concert: Army Ground Forces Band, 4 p.m., Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School, Southern Pines. Celebrate Veteran’s Day with “A Salute to Veteran’s: Celebrating America’s Heroes” by the Army Ground Forces Band. The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Pick them up at the Arts Council office (Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines). Seating is limited. www.MooreArt.org Spring Lake Veterans Day Ceremony, Veteran’s Park, 10-11 a.m.

Join the Town of Spring Lake in paying tribute to all veterans at this annual ceremony — a special time to recognize veterans as heroes and to say “thank you” for their service.

Vermicomposting for Kids, Cape Fear Botanical Garden,1 p.m. Discuss where worms live in the natural environment, some of their adaptations and how they are used to “vermicompost” human food waste. Explore a worm compost bin for live creatures. This program is geared for children ages 6-12, and is perfect for an after-school activity or homeschooling family. Pre-registration required. www.CapeFearBG.org, 910.486.0221

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SATURDAY Talon Tales, 11 a.m. Learn more about the birds of prey, such as hawks and vultures, that live in the area.

A discussion will be held on each bird and what makes them great predators.

Carvers Creek State Park, 2505 Long Valley Rd., Spring Lake. 910.436.4681 World War II Encampment at the Historic Averasboro Battlefield, Nov. 1415. 3300 NC Hwy 82, Dunn.

www.SandhillsNaturally.com

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SUNDAY Join us for yoga at the millpond from 4 to 5 p.m. Meet on the front lawn of the Rockefeller home a few minutes before class begins at 4 p.m.

(Allow approximately 15 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the lawn.)

Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat and water. Open to all levels. Some yoga props will be available. Free. Carvers Creek State Park, 2505 Long Valley Rd., Spring Lake. 910.436.4681

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TUESDAY Canoe Hike, Carvers Creek State Park, 10 a.m. Learn the basics of canoeing and then try out those new skills by maneuvering through the cypress swamp. Participants are asked to allow at least 15 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the Rain Shelter. Advanced sign-up is required for the hike, either by calling or stopping by the park office.

Carvers Creek State Park, 2505 Long Valley Rd., Spring Lake. 910.436.4681

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THURSDAY Thanksgiving Day Discovery Hike, 10 a.m. If you're looking to get a bit of exercise before Thanksgiving dinner, get out of the kitchen and into the woods! There's no football or pumpkin pie for the wildlife outside, so join a park ranger for a 2-mile hike to see what's happening in nature on this holiday. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, 1024 Ft. Bragg Rd., Southern Pines. 910.692.2167

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FRIDAY Fourth Friday at the Market House, The Market House, Downtown Fayetteville, 6-10 p.m. The Market House, which is Cumberland County's only National Historic Landmark, is open to the public on Fourth Fridays. While visiting, explore the exhibit

November 2015

calendar of events • november "A View from the Square: A History of Dowtnown Fayetteville." In addition to the permanent exhibit , each month offers a special exhibit. November is Fayettevile Victorian Christmas.

A Dickens Holiday, Downtown Fayetteville, 1 - 9 p.m.

Features Scrooge, Marley, and other characters from "A Christmas Carol" as well as depictions of actual people who lived during Victorian times. Carriage rides, Father Christmas photos, holiday music and carolers. There is a candlelight procession at 5:30 p.m. that will stretch from the Arts Council to the Market House, followed by fireworks. www. theartscouncil.com/fourthmain.php 910.323.1776 • ONGOING EVENTS & EXHIBITS • Cape Fear River Trail Golf Cart Tours.

For seniors and persons with permanent limited physical abilities, interpretive golf cart tours along the Cape Fear River Trail are available for individuals or groups of up to five people. Riders must be able to grasp and hold safety handles.

Reservations are required. For more information, call 910.433.1547. Clark Park & Nature Center, 631 Sherman Dr., Fayetteville.

Rockefeller House Tours: Call for dates and times of Tours of the Rockefeller House. Staff will be leading a free

historical tour through Mr. Rockefeller’s winter get-away. The park staff will be leading 10 people through at a time. You must sign up in advance for the tours.

If you need a ride to the Rockefeller House, you must attend the Tuesday tour.

Carvers Creek State Park, 2505 Long Valley Rd., Spring Lake. 910.436.4681

• FARMERS MARKETS • Fayetteville City Market, Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; Fourth Friday 6-10 p.m. Fayetteville Transportation & Local History Museum Grounds, Fayetteville. www.facebook. com/CityMarketAtTheMuseum 910.433.1457

Every Wednesday night, Kirtan Night at Breathing Space, 1404 Raeford Rd., Fayetteville. 910.977.4476, 7:30-9 p.m. It's free, and it's fun.

Murchison Road Community Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., parking lot at Bronco Square (across from Fayetteville State University), Fayetteville.

Every Thursday, 9 a.m. Hike for Your Health at Raven Rock State Park. Must be able to hike 2 to 5 miles on trails that can be flat, hilly and include steps. Ages 12 and up. Please call 910.893.4888 to register.

Sandhills Farmers Market of Spring Lake, Every Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Farmers Market is located behind the Williams Chapel Church, Spring Lake.

Second Thursday of each month.

Naturalist Thursdays. Curious about nature? Kids 12 and under who attend 4 or more different naturalist programs at any park will receive a “Junior Naturalist” award. Call to register. All ages; 3:304:30 p.m.; Free. J. Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center, 631 Sherman Dr, Fayetteville. 910.433.1579 Every 4th Friday, 6-10 p.m., Downtown Fayetteville. 4th Friday is a true celebration of the arts and downtown Fayetteville. www.theartscouncil.com/ fourthmain.php 910.323.1776

Sanford Farmer's Market, Every Saturday, 9 a.m.-Noon, Depot Park, Sanford. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-Noon at the Enrichment Center on 3rd St. All products locally grown or hand crafted!

919.343.8440 Moore County Farmers Market, Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., year round at The Armory Sports Complex, 604 W. Morganton Rd., Southern Pines.

Sandhills Farmers Market, Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p..m., Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m., at the Village of Pinehurst parking lot.

Come Grow With Us.

Come Visit Our New Location!

Colon Hydrotherapy • Ionic Foot Detox • Massage • Cranio-Sacral

Do you have a local business that could benefit from reaching 20,000 people each month — those that share your interest in natural health and wellness and sustainable living? If so, we'd like to help you. For more information, call 910-551-2883.

910-849-8891 Formerly Waterdragon Wellness, now open at our new location.

November 2015

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305 Owen Drive, Fayetteville NC purephoenixcleanse@gmail.com

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FRESH

ORGANIC

S E AS O N A L

It takes 10 calories of fossil-fuel1 energy to produce a single calorie of modern supermarket food! Switch to fresh snacks and ingredients for a lighter “foodprint”—your tastebuds and your planet will thank you.

Foods grown organically skip the pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, growth hormones and are not genetically modified!2 Organic not only reduces greenhouse gas but it also builds carbon-storing soils.3

Fruits and veggies that are ripe & in-season have the most flavor and nutrients.4 By choosing these you are supporting a system that works with our Earth, not against it.

LO C A L

COOL FOODS: COOL FACTS

U N P R O C E SS E D

The average conventional food product travels 1,500 miles.5 Support your local food system with a CSA, trip to the farmer’s market, or look for signs at your local grocer. Coolest of all? Try growing your own.

MINIMIZE PAC KAG I N G Packaged foods may seem cheap, but in fact processing and packaging account for 26 cents of every food dollar.6 Opt out of oil-based plastics with fresh snacks.

www.coolfoodscampaign.org

Shorten the journey from farm to you! Eating whole, real foods provides your body with energy while reducing energy-intensive production methods.

LOW WAST E

PASTURED ANIMALS

Feed people not landfills by cooking what you need, loving your leftovers, and composting what’s left. Food makes up 21% of waste going into municipal landfills creating planetwarming Methane gas (CH4).7

Animal confinement operations (beef, poultry, pork & dairy) contribute to air and water contamination8 as well as to CH4, N2O, and CO2 emissions.9 Reduce your intake, and select organic, grass-fed products.

1. http://michaelpollan.com/articles-archive/farmer-in-chief/; 2. http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop; 3. http://www.fao.org/docrep/016/ap563e/ap563e.pdf; 4. http://www.naturalnews.com/035575_seasonal_food_diet_health.html; 5. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6064; 6. http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-dollar-series/food-dollar-application.aspx#.UVtCTqLqmQ0; 7. http://www.epa.gov/foodrecovery/; 8. http://www.ncifap.org/issues/environment/; 9. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1646484

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November 2015