janurary 2011
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Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue you will 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.TRANSCRIPT
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3January 2011
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This Month’s Theme: HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Specifying a Health and Wellness month for a monthly Health and Wellness Magazine does, in a way, throw
something of a double spotlight on what these concepts really mean. Within the pages of Natural Awakenings, the overall approach to health and wellness includes holistic avenues to diet, lifestyle, spirituality, and healing as well as traditional, integrative and preventative medicine, all working together to
promote and maintain optimal wellness. The hallmark of this inquisitive, inclusive approach to health is the notion of each individual taking full and complete charge of their own well-being. When this happens, results follow. The person becomes fully invested in their own health decisions and can bring the full weight of their imagination, creativity, spirituality, and faith to bear. With all of that working for us, getting well and staying healthy can be a lot less of a chore, and much more of a joy, than we had thought. To that precise point, in our article "The Joy of Health," Dr. Dean Ornish makes a devastatingly clear and compelling case for preventative medicine by making one thing clear: that the approach should never be about forcing yourself to do some-thing you don’t want to do, but, instead, a focus on the rapid and often amazing positive changes that can happen to one’s body and mind when a few simple diet and lifestyle changes are undertaken. In other words, improving your health and well-being can be all about carrots, with no need for sticks. I found this to be true myself in a remarkable way this time last year when just a few treatment sessions with Reiki and Karuna Master Mary Morales totally eliminated my nicotine cravings, and I was able to quit a three-pack-a-day cigarette habit that I never thought I'd be able to break. I haven't smoked since December of last year, and have had no cravings, no withdrawal, and willpower–not a problem. One of Mary's areas of expertise is in utilizing crystals to augment energy healing, and in this month's issue she begins the fi rst installment of a two-part series on the metaphysical properties of crystals. Look for more from and more about Mary in the months to come. Quitting smoking has dramatically improved my health status, but it has done so much more than just that to improve my life, across the board. And herein lies a potential distinction between health and wellness. Health is measurable by medi-cine and markers, mostly set by others. Wellness, to me is much more, and is the true goal of all our good works and positive efforts toward improving our selves and our state of being. For the most insightful defi nition of wellness, we turn to a profes-sional wellness counselor. Holistic Healthcare Practitioner Michele Monticciolo, a longtime friend and contributor to Natural Awakenings in Huntsville, is returning to active practice after a year of caring for a loved one, full time. She defi nes Wellness rather eloquently, and I cannot think of a more positive note for me to end on, and for this month's issue to begin: "Wellness is a state of BEING comprising what we typically think of when we think 'health': bodies that are free of disease, and that have vibrancy and longevity. But to be truly well means your focus isn't on achieving those things at all. Being well means feeling passion and purpose, and being a conscious creator of your life. These are the three main components that take us out of our earthly worries and into a realm where health, vibrancy and longevity are merely side effects. When we choose to put our focus on what we truly love, and unfailingly continue this focus, the rest effortlessly takes care of itself."
8 FIVE STEPS TO BETTER HEALTH How Integrative Medicine Can Make Health Care Simpler, More Effective and More Affordable by Marco Visscher, Ursula Sautter and Carmel Wroth
11 THE JOY OF HEALTH A Conversation with Dr. Dean Ornish on Lifestyle Changes that Foster Well-Being by April Thompson
12 RAISING HEALTHY EATERS How to Train Children’s Palates from the Cradle On by Jeannette Bessinger and Tracee Yablon Brenner
15 EXERCISE NOW! Stick-With-It Tips Keep Your New Year’s Resolution Going by Gretchen Rubin
17 FOODS THAT FIGHT PAIN A Tasty, Colorful Banquet by Michelle Schoffro Cook
20 WHO’S WHO In the Valley Our Spotlight on Exceptional Businesses in The Valley by Kimberly Ballard
30 HONORING OUR LIFE FORCE Energy Medicine Helps Restore Balance and Harmony by Linda Sechrist
32 METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CRYSTALS AND MINERALS by Mary Morales
15
12advertising & submissions
contents
8
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Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers fi nd cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fi tness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
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26
18 11 wisewords
12 healthykids
15 fi tbody
17 consciouseating
18 naturalpet
23 greenliving
26 healthbriefs
28 globalbriefs
29 ecobriefs
30 healingways
33 inspiration
11
5January 2011
www.cslhuntsville.org
308 Lily Flagg Rd.883-8596
Rev. David Leonard
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Ionizing Detox Footbaths Come to The Healing Arts Center
Michele Monticciolo NC MH is tickled pink to be back with her friends at Healing Arts again. Begin-
ning on Jan 3, Mondays (and soon on Saturdays too) Michele will offer Ionizing Detoxifying Footbaths, as well as Wellness/Nutritional Counseling. Michele is a certi-fi ed nutritionist and herbalist; she will be accompanied by her friend Monique, a nurse and Reiki practitioner. The women hope to provide their clients with a unique, satisfying, whole-care experience. “This is the fi rst time Ionizing Footbaths have been
offered at The Healing Arts Center, and everyone’s very excited. The footbaths promote accelerated detoxifi cation through ionization. Additionally, negative ionization creates greater alkalinity in the body, and has been shown to be an effective mood elevator, stress reliever, and energy booster,” says Michele. “We also plan to offer next-step care to those who wish to address their lifestyle and nutritional needs and achieve greater wellness.” First-time “footbathers” will receive a complimentary 15-minute wellness evaluation. Footbath clients interested in getting a complete wellness workup will receive signifi cant discounts on appointments. “Our goal is to help people feel empowered about their wellness, because wellness truly is available to each and every one of us. During this time of New Year’s Resolutions, why not resolve to feel better and healthier than you ever have before?” To schedule appointments, call 255-684-0687, or email [email protected]. You can also leave a message for Michele and Monique by calling The Healing Arts Center at 256-534-2954. See CRG on page 39.
Effective Communication Opens New Offi ce in Huntsville
Effective Communication, Huntsville’s most progressive specialists in speech and language delays and disorders for adults and children, has opened a new
location at 285 Chateau Drive in Huntsville, located just across the street from Crestwood Hospital. With space for individual and group therapy, the new facil-ity leaves adequate room for expansion, as Effective Communication pushes early intervention as the preferable approach to speech and language issues, making children the center focus of their practice. According to owner Traci Ingram, M.S. CCC/SLP, Effective Communication has added three new licensed speech therapists to their staff in order to make speech and language services more accessible in Madison County. Sharing the facility with two medical practices that benefit patients with speech and language delays, Effective Communication provides an immedi-ate, “right down the hall” source of therapy for patients with ear, nose, and throat issues. “Parents are looking for effective treatment for their children when they see them struggling with speech or learning diffi culties,” Ingram says. “Parents are the experts on their children and are key to helping us understand the problems. By building partnerships with the parents, we design an interactive treatment plan that benefi ts the child and involves the parents.” Effective Communication’s team of Board certifi ed speech therapists provides
6 Tennessee Valley
from the University of Alabama and earned a B.S. in Educa-tion majoring in Communicative Disorders with a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. For more information, visit Traci Ingram’s website at www.effectiveslp.com.
Protect Your Home Against Radon – A Silent Killer
Alabama Radon Education Program with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is working with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families. In our state, the Alabama State Radon Education Program is conducting programs during National Radon Action Month in January. There are 15 Zone 1 counties in Alabama where radon has a higher risk of causing health problems. Radon is present at elevated levels in Clay, Calhoun, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Shelby, and Talladega County homes. Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air, but which can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. Scientists have long been concerned about the health risk of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming proof that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. “However,” says Pat Smith from the Ala-bama State Radon program “because you can’t see or smell radon, people tend to downplay the health effects and ignore
a warm, friendly learning environment for the child with an intense but child focused therapy program. Parents, pedia-tricians, pediatric dentists, daycare providers, tutors, and educators are all important factors in helping identify early signs of a child’s speech and language disorder. Traci Ingram relocated Effective Communication to Huntsville from Atlanta in 2005. She graduated Cum Laude
Advanced Rolf Practitioner Susan K. Jeffreys
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“My life and my comfort level have improved so much. I thank God for Susan.” K.S., Huntsville, AL
Free 30 min. consultation!Find out what Susan K. Jeffreys and Structural Integration can do for you!
Call (256) 512-2094 todaySusan K. Jeffreys, AL Lic.#2492336A Whitesburg Dr. • Huntsville, AL, 35801 Structural Integration in the method of Ida P. Rolf
7January 2011
Bring Abundance and Prosperity into Your Life
The Center for Spiritual Living will be offering what is billed as “one of
the most powerful prosperity courses ever offered”: Prosperity Plus, Opening Yourself to a Greater Flow of Good. This course material was developed by Mary Morrissey. Mary has more than 30 years experience of empowering individuals in achieving new heights of spiritual aliveness, wealth and authentic success. Learn to live each day from a state of abundance and prosperity. Cultivate prosperity consciousness as Reverend David Leonard facilitates this 10-week class beginning Thursday evening, January 12, 2011 at 6:30pm.There is an initial investment of $50 for course materials. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 308 Lily Flagg Road, Huntsville, AL 35802. Contact them at 256-883-8596 or email [email protected] for more informa-tion. See ad on page 5.
the possibility that there might be a silent killer in their homes.” Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test kits can be purchased at local county Extension Offi ces for $5.00. Radon problems can be fi xed by qualifi ed contractors for a cost similar to that of many common home repairs such as painting or having a new water heater installed. The Alabama State Radon Program urges Alabama residents in high risk coun-ties to take action during this year’s National Radon Action Month by testing their homes for radon. Radon poses a serious threat to our community’s health, but there is a straightforward solution. For more information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, and radon-resis-tant new construction, call Patricia Smith at 256-710-7702 or 256-766-6223, visit their website at www.aces.edu/radon or visit EPA’s National Radon Action Month Web site at www.epa.gov/radon/nram. See ad on page 22.
Make a "Stop Doing" List for Better Health
Do you have your New Year’s Resolution list ready to go? If you don’t, you're not alone. It’s just the beginning of the year, and it seems like there’s already so much
to do. Instead of generating yet another “to do” list, let’s come up with a “stop doing” list! We can keep the things we are passionate about and that bring us joy, happiness, and inner peace, and get rid of things that make us feel tired, stressed, or depressed. Here’s a popular New Year’s resolution: “I want to lose 20 pounds this year.” Just the thought of that makes many of us feel anxious and stressed. Instead of going down that road of misery, let’s stop trying to lose weight and replace that with making better choices about what affects our bodies. You can decide to stop spending an hour on a boring treadmill to be fi t! (Let’s face it, that’ll only last about a week.) Instead, fi nd an activity that you enjoy and keeps you moving, and be consistent with it, but don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or two. We all have bad days occasionally! Haven’t found a fun activity to keep you moving? Give Cardio Ballroom a try. You’ll learn to dance and have so much fun doing it, you won’t even realize you’re burning a ton of calories and working your way to a slimmer, healthier you! Find out more about options for staying active and healthy through dancing at www.MadisonBallroom.com or www.GabrielaDance.com. See ad on page 29.
Learn the Seven Steps to Spiritual Fitness
The Center for Spiritual Living is holding a class based on the book, Spiritual Fit-ness, by Caroline Reynolds. The eight-week book study workship is described
as a “transformative spiritual workout.”
The Seven Steps to Spiritual Fitness include:*Build Confi dence and Stay Motivated*Detox Your Negative Thoughts and Emotions *Learn To Communicate Authentically *Understand the True Gifts of Your Relationships*Learn To Meditate Effectively *Discover Your Purpose in Life*Acquire 7 Tools to Stay Spiritually Fit
Reverend David Leonard will offer this class Tuesday evenings beginning Janu-ary 11, 2011 at 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm and Wednesday mornings beginning January 12, 2011 at 10:00 am – 12:00 am for 8 consecutive weeks. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 308 Lily Flagg Road, Huntsville, AL 35802. Contact them at 256-883-8596 or email [email protected] more information. See ad on page 5.
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8 Tennessee Valley
In the words of Dr. Dean Ornish, founder and chairman of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, in Sausalito, California, “It is time to change not only who is covered,
but also what is covered.” There is an overemphasis, he says, on treating symptoms and on the idea that caring for our health is primarily the responsibility of medical experts, rather than of individuals themselves. Zhaoming Chen, a neurologist and chairman of the American Association of Integrative Medicine, describes the way things currently work. “We only treat the disease after it occurs.” With fi gures showing that 95 cents out of every dollar spent on health care goes toward treating illness, he notes that “The best way to reduce the costs is prevention.” Integrative medicine puts the patient, not the doctor or the
insurance company, at the center of attention, and it puts the focus on the sources of illness and not the symptoms. Health care costs are continually rising, but people are not getting any healthier. Here is a fi ve-point prescription for the future of health care that applies the tenets of integrative medicine to make today’s health care simpler, more effective and more affordable.
1. Emphasize Illness PreventionAbout half of all American adults have a chronic illness, according to the Partnership for Solutions, a John Hopkins University-led initiative to improve care for Americans with chronic health conditions. Ornish claims that three-quarters of the more than $2 trillion recently spent on health care in a single year went to treat these kinds of conditions, includ-ing obesity. “All of these can be not only prevented, but even reversed through diet and lifestyle intervention,” he says. “It just seems so obvious to me that this is where we should be putting our focus.” There is a long way to go before prevention is on the national agenda. While prevention is indeed better than cure, we tend to reward those who fi nd solutions for existing prob-lems rather than those who ensure that those problems don’t occur. “Prevention is boring,” says Ornish. Rather, “We need to focus on living better.”
Suffering from headaches and depression? Don’t let a doctor put you on drugs; instead, look for the underlying causes. High cholesterol? Try the Mediterranean diet, with a glass of organic red wine a day. The best way to win the war on cancer? Eat healthy, exercise and develop an active social life. An increasing number of physicians are realizing that this type of approach, geared to prevention and a conservative use of medications and technology, not only increases patients’ vitality, but saves lots of money.
How integrative medicine canmake health care simpler, more effective and more affordable.
by Marco Visscher, Ursula Sautter and Carmel Wroth
Five Steps to Better Health
9January 2011
2. Promote Healthy FoodsRoberta Lee, a pioneer of integrative health care and primary care physi-cian at the Beth Israel Medical Center Department of Integrative Medicine, in New York City, believes the fi rst pre-scription any doctor should write should be about diet and lifestyle. “You can never lose by maximizing lifestyle man-agement,” says Lee, pointing out that many conditions not easily diagnosed or cured in a conventional framework can be improved by dietary and life-style changes. “There are specifi c diets that promote wellness,” she says. “They reduce infl ammation, [and] increase fi ber, vitamins and minerals that come in the form of a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.”
3. Focus on Lifestyle ChangesThe majority of health problems and risk factors for illnesses stem from the choices we make: how much time we invest working, exercising and relaxing; time spent with friends and outdoors; and whether we consistently take the stairs or the elevator. The Sanoviv Medical Institute, in Rosarito, Mexico, is located on a beauti-ful stretch of the Pacifi c coast, an hour south of San Diego. The recommended stay for most patients is two weeks. While there, they learn about and ex-perience a lifestyle based around stress reduction, emotional well-being, healthy eating and exercise. Many patients come in with cancer or multiple sclerosis; others come just to detoxify and clear out the accumulated effects of stress. The program includes dietary changes, supplements, daily exercise and a stress management plan supported by psychological counseling and daily meditation. A 2004 study in The Lancet showed that lifestyle changes—quitting smoking, healthier eating habits, moder-ate alcohol consumption and regular exercise—can prevent 90 percent of today’s cases of heart disease, which currently accounts for more premature deaths and higher health care costs than any other illness, according to Ornish. “When lifestyle is offered as a treatment, it’s as effective and often more effective than what we’re now doing, at a fraction of the cost,” says Ornish. “We pay for all these inter-ventions that are dangerous, invasive, expensive and largely ineffective, and yet interventions that have been scientifi cally proven to reverse disease, are a simple change of lifestyle.”
4. Use Alternative TherapiesAnother way to reduce costs is to use alternative and com-plementary therapies such as homeopathy, naturopathy, yoga
and herbal medicine that can supple-ment and even replace conventional methods. Such complementary treat-ments work to nourish, nurture and augment the body’s own defenses. One alternative healing method that’s now beginning to fi nd its way into hospitals is acupuncture, which has been shown, among other benefi ts, to help relieve pain, stress and nausea during pre- and post-operative care. Beth Israel’s Department of Integra-tive Medicine is bringing acupuncture into the hospital free of charge as part of a fellowship program for Chinese medi-cine practitioners. “The future of acu-puncture is to be a part of best practices in the conventional setting,” says Arya Nielsen, a nationally board-certifi ed acupuncture specialist who leads the program. “The research is just too good.” The goal is to train both acupunc-turists and conventional doctors in the benefi ts of this technique so that it can be incorporated into Beth Israel’s best practices. “Even if physicians have time to read the acupuncture studies, what really makes it gel is when they see the results on the patient they treat,” says Nielsen. “The proof is in practitioners working side-by-side and people being able to experience what this therapy can do.” Chen points out that chemotherapy, surgery and radiation dramatically change a patient’s life, and people need strong support from family and friends
to adapt to these changes. Chen believes that treating cancer should involve both conventional and alternative medicine. “Patients also need some lifestyle changes: smoking cessa-tion, minimizing alcohol intake, adopting a low-fat, high-fi -ber diet. Besides that, because [conventional] treatment may cause nausea and pain, patients may benefi t from acupunc-ture, meditation, yoga and Tai chi. This will help them cope with pain better.”
5. Treat People, Not DiseasesAs Nurse Béatrice Fleury pours a steaming infusion of yar-row over a piece of cotton and then wrings it out, the aroma of the medicinal herb wafts over to the hospital bed where Eliane Perrot is waiting for her body wrap. When the com-press and a hot water bottle have been gingerly applied to her lower back and secured by a soft cloth sash, she leans back with a contented sigh. The compress will help her liver better metabolize the toxins that have accumulated in it after months of breast cancer therapy. The wrap’s warmth will also create a sense of temporary well-being, a precious feeling for the frail, exhausted, 65-year-old.
Another way to reduce costs is to use alterna-
tive and complementary therapies such as home-
opathy, naturopathy, yoga and herbal medicine that can supplement and even
replace conventional meth-ods. Such complementary treatments work to nour-ish, nurture and augment the body’s own defenses.
10 Tennessee Valley
Alternative treatments like the yarrow wrap are the order of the day at the Paracel-sus Spital, in the Swiss town of Richterswil, outside of Zurich. Founded in 1994, the clinic is one of a handful of hospitals in Eu-rope devoted to complementary healing. In addition to orthodox treatments and drugs, the conventionally schooled doctors here also use therapies and medications based on the holistic approach to medicine inspired by the anthroposophy of Waldorf education founder Rudolf Steiner. “If you want to understand a person’s disease and support his self-healing pow-ers, it’s of central importance to look at the human being as a whole—body, spirit and soul,” says Paracelsus Medical Director Erich Skala. “This may require more time and effort, but it’s how you treat the causes, and not just the symptoms.” Dr. Daniel Dunphy, of the San Fran-cisco Preventive Medical Group, believes the Paracelsus approach is what the United States needs. “You have to take time to get to know the patients and listen to their stories,” he counsels. “I want to know their personal history, their traumas, how they do at work, what they eat and at what times of the day—and then I know what to do about their problem.”
The Bottom Line Of course, the bottom line in the debate about health care is cost. Proponents of integrative health argue that the promotion of preventive steps such as eating healthy food and making positive lifestyle changes, as well as using complementary methods to treat the whole person and not just the disease, will result in “… the big-gest return on investment this nation could ever have,” in the words
of William Novelli, a professor at George-town University’s McDonough School of Business and the former CEO of AARP. Kenneth R. Pelletier, clinical professor of medicine at the University of Arizona School of Medicine and the University of California School of Medicine, has been putting numbers behind the arguments for integrative health. Pelletier has studied the cost-effectiveness of corporate programs to promote health and manage disease among employees. The programs encompassed ev-erything from subsidized gym memberships and smoking cessation classes to biometric screening and serving smaller portions in company cafeterias. Pelletier found that companies with such programs in place realized healthier, more productive work-forces, fewer sick days and less staff turnover. He estimates that it takes, on average, just over three years before fi rms see a fi nan-cial return on this kind of investment. “These reviews clearly indicate that comprehensive interventions do evidence both clinical- and cost-effectiveness,” says Pelletier. “There’s a very good payback. It makes us think about health as an investment.”
More money, more pills and more technology don’t necessar-ily lead to better health. Advocates of integrative medicine gener-ally take a “less is more” approach—less needless medications and medical procedures and more prevention and healthy personal life-style changes can add up to big fi nancial savings and big improve-ments in an individual’s quality of life.
Marco Visscher is the managing editor of Ode, Ursula Sautter and Carmel Wroth are contributors. Adapted from an article that fi rst appeared in Ode, the magazine about positive change.
“What we now have is not
a health care system; it’s a
medical delivery system.”
Dr. Daniel Dunphy, San Francisco Preventive
Medical Group
11January 2011
More often than not, their bypasses would get clogged up again, and we’d cut them open again and bypass the bypass, sometimes multiple times. That became a metaphor for an incomplete approach for me. Sometimes you need to use drugs and surgery in a crisis, but ultimately, you must address the underlying cause.
What is the concept behind The Spectrum and how does it differ from other lifestyle programs?
The problem with most lifestyle-ori-ented health programs is that they are restrictive, all-or-nothing, fear-based ap-proaches. If you go on a diet or exercise program, sooner or later you’re going to go off of it. Then people feel like they’ve failed; it makes it hard to maintain Sustainable changes, on the other hand, are based on joy, pleasure and freedom. In our research, we found that the more you change your lifestyle, the more you improve and the better you feel. The better you feel, the more likely you are to continue these changes. The Spectrum is not a diet; it’s an overall way of living. If you overindulge one day, you then eat healthier the next. Let’s say, for example, that you want to lower your cholesterol or get your diabetes under control. You begin by making moderate changes that you choose. There’s no pushback because you set the pace. We’ll help track your
For more than 30 years, renowned medical doctor Dean Ornish has led pioneering clinical research
proving that making simple changes in the way we eat and live can radically transform our health. He directed the fi rst randomized, controlled trials dem-onstrating that lifestyle changes may halt or reverse the progression of even severe coronary heart disease, as well as early-stage prostate cancer. In collab-oration with Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn, Ph.D., Ornish also showed that healthy lifestyle changes can increase telomerase, and thus lengthen telomeres, the ends of chromosomes that control how long we live. Ornish is the founder and president of the nonprofi t Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, Califor-nia, and a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Fran-cisco. He is the author of six bestselling books, including Eat More, Weigh Less and most recently, The Spectrum.
What sparked your interest in preventive medicine?
I got interested in doing this work when I was learning how to do bypass surgery as a medical student. We’d cut people open, bypass their blocked arteries and tell them they were cured; then they‘d go home and continue to do the same things that caused the problem in the fi rst place—smoke, overeat, drink too much, work too hard and so on.
progress, and if the changes are enough to accomplish your goals, great; and if not, then you can do more.
Who seems to benefi t most from this approach, and to what degree?
One of our most interesting research fi ndings was that the primary determi-nant of improvement wasn’t how old or sick people were, it was how much they’d changed their diet and lifestyle. The body has a remarkable capacity to heal itself if we simply stop doing what’s causing the problem. We’ve seen hundreds of thousands of patients slow or reverse the progress of life-threatening diseases when they make good changes. Such lifestyle changes can work not only as well as drugs and surgery, but oftentimes better, and at a fraction of the cost. Plus, the side effects are all good ones.
You stress the importance of individual lifestyle changes, but what about changing our sick health care system?
We do need to look at the politics of health care and hold our leaders responsible for some of decisions that have created the mess we’re in. For example, after 16 years of lobbying, working with Medicare and members of Congress, we learned a few months ago that Medicare is fi nally covering our program for reversing heart disease. It’s game changing. If Medicare covers it, all the other insurance compa-nies will follow their lead, and we can make these sorts of programs available to people who most need them, rather than just those who can afford it. If we change reimbursement, we change not only medical practice, but also medical education. Otherwise, I could do a thousand studies with a million patients and it would always re-main on the fringes of medical practice.
For more information visit pmri.org or OrnishSpectrum.com.
April Thompson is a freelance writer based in Washington, D.C. See AprilWrites.com
wisewords
THE JOY OF HEALTHA conversation with Dr. Dean Ornish on lifestyle changes that foster well-being
by April Thompson
12 Tennessee Valley
healthykids
According to the Nestlé Nutrition Institute’s often referenced Feeding Infant and Toddler Study (FITS), many U.S. children are eating a poor quality diet too
high in calories and too low in nutrition. About one in three older babies and toddlers are not eating a single vegetable on a given day, and eating habits don’t improve as children get older. Today’s typical American diet is clearly not working. According to a benchmark National Cancer Institute study, only 1 percent of all children between the ages of 2 and 19 years met all requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Guide pyramid. Sixteen percent of the children met none of the pyramid recommendations. In 2010, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) reported that upwards of 23 mil-lion U.S. children and adolescents are now overweight or obese and currently at risk for other health problems associated with obesity. That’s nearly one in three children.
Early TrainingNationwide efforts to address these health issues have dem-onstrated that early prevention is easier than intervention
after problems have taken hold. Parents can begin cultivating healthy eating habits in their children right from the cradle. Establishing a few key parental practices can have long-rang-ing benefi ts for the family. The fi rst tip is to keep a neutral attitude about food, even if it’s counterintuitive. When introducing solids to a child, it is helpful to present the foods in a relaxed, neutral way, with no pressure to eat them. As the youngster grows, avoid label-ing certain foods as good, bad or even healthy to sidestep the response, “This is good for me? I don’t like it!” Parents do well to remain patient. It can take up to 15 presentations before a child is willing to try something new, and then several tastings before they decide they like it.
It also helps to offer a variety of fl a-vors from a very young age to familiarize children with many dimensions of tastes and textures. Though babies initially prefer sweet tastes above all others, as youngsters grow, their preferences tend toward what is familiar. When introduced early on to vari-ety and consistently offered healthy whole foods, including all the veggies, these come to comprise their preferred diet.
Continuing Practices It’s always wise to offer food to children only when they are actually hungry. When kids eat a continuous fl ow of simple car-
bohydrates, such as white crackers and sweetened cereals or even 100 percent juices, it keeps their blood sugar levels slightly elevated, which can create problems. Nutritionists see fi rsthand how such a diet prevents the
RAISINGHEALTHY EATERSHow to Train Children’s Palates from the Cradle On
by Jeannette Bessinger and Tracee Yablon Brenner
America is in the midst of an epidemic of
childhood obesity that is creating a health
crisis for our kids.
“The fi rst three years of a child’s life are a
window of opportuni-ty for forming lifelong, healthy eating habits.”
Dr. William Sears, author, professor of pediatrics at the University of California-Irvine
School of Medicine and found-er of AskDrSears.com
13January 2011
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true hunger signal from turning on fully, which in turn can cause little ones to act fi nicky about certain foods, especially vegetables. It can also prompt them to eat less of more nutri-tionally balanced foods on their plate at mealtimes. In children who have any type of blood sugar sensitivity, the more sweet foods they eat, the more they will tend to want. If a parent wants to offer a sweet snack, include some additional fi ber, protein or healthy fat to balance it, be-cause these nutrients act as a time-release mechanism for sugars and will help to regulate a more natural appetite rhythm. According to the ADA’s Pediatric Manual of Clinical Dietetics, vegetarian children tend to be leaner than their non-vegetarian peers; it doesn’t mean that simply eliminating meat is a recipe for obesity prevention. According to the ADA, a varied and appropriately planned vegetarian diet can meet all of a growing baby and toddler’s nutritional needs. But it is even more crucial to keep the blood sugar levels balanced in vegetarian toddlers, because they aren’t receiving proteins from animal sources. On the plus side, young vegetarians are more likely to eat a broader range of fi ber and micronutrient-rich fruits, veg-gies and beans.
Protective Food Practices
80 percent rule: Don’t worry too much about what your child is eating outside the home. If s/he is eat-ing a varied diet of high quality whole foods at home 80 percent of the time, everyone’s on the right track.
Make the connection: Help a child understand the relationship between our food supply and the natural world. Visit an organic farm or help young ones start a garden.
The pristine pantry: Put the child in charge of what foods they actually eat at a meal while parents stay in charge of the foods avail-able. Keep unhealthy foods out of the house.
To encourage reluctant youngsters to eat more vegetables, try roasting them, especially green produce and root veggies. Also serve a new veg-etable in a way similar to one that they already like; e.g., baking home-made sweet potato fries cut in familiar shapes. Kid-size veggies like mini-broccoli trees or baby carrots have appeal. Dressing up plain veggies with dips and shakers of a mild herb, spice, Parmesan cheese, ground seeds or wheat germ adds to the fun. Finally, encourage toddlers to help out in the kitchen by asking them to wash and sort the veggies or arrange them in a pretty way on the platter. If children are involved in preparing foods, they are more likely to eat them.
Jeannette Lee Bessinger, an award-winning lifestyle and nutrition educator, and Tracee Yablon Brenner, a registered dietitian, founded RealFoodMoms.com. These certifi ed health counselors have co-authored two practical guides for families: Great Expectations: Best Food for Your Baby and Toddler and Simple Food for Busy Families.
Our attitudetowards life determines life’s
attitude towards us.~ Earl Nightingale
14 Tennessee Valley
Best Solid Foods at 6 to 9 Months Cooked and puréed vegetables such as carrots, green beans, green peas, pumpkin, spinach, zucchini and summer and winter squash
Cooked and puréed fruits such as applesauce, apricots, peaches, pears, prunes and raisins
Raw and mashed fruits such as avo-cados, bananas, melons and papayas
Soft-cooked whole grains such as iron-fortifi ed brown rice cereal, oats and pearled barley
Protein foods such as plain full-fat yogurt or small amounts of tahini (sesame seed butter—always thin and mix seed butters with other foods to prevent choking)
Note: At 6 to 7 months, choose one per day; 8 to 9 months, choose two per day, including cooked and puréed lentils and split peas and, if not allergic, egg yolk, hard cooked and mashed, or cooked into hot cereal, not more than three times a week, as well as medium, soft or silken plain tofu mashed (1 to 2 tablespoons), also not more than three times a week.
Tip: When introducing a baby to new foods, include as many vegetables as fruits to help train tiny taste buds to enjoy the bitter, sour and astringent fl avors, as well as the sweet ones.
Best Foods at 9 to 12 Months Add new cooked and puréed vegetables such as beets, broccoli, caulifl ower, kale and eggplant
Add new raw and mashed fruits such as kiwi and mango
Add soft-cooked whole grains such as amaranth, millet and quinoa
Include cooked and minced whole grain pastas such as brown rice, quinoa and spelt
Add more proteins, such as ground, hormone-free beef, lamb, chicken and turkey; introduce with caution in case of allergies: mild, soft chees-es (not raw) such as cottage, ricotta, cheddar and provolone; beans such as cannellini, navy, great northern (add a small amount of kombu or epazote to cooking water to increase digestibility of beans)
Tip: Baby’s pincer grip develops between 9 and 12 months, so retain small, soft pieces of food in their purées to pick out with small fi ngers.
Best Foods at 12 to 18 Months Expand types of proteins to en-compass fi sh such as wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, tilapia, cod (one serving per month to minimize ocean toxins), skipjack or chunk light canned tuna (no-sodium, no more than one serving per week)
Include milk and whole eggs
Add healthy fats such as small amounts of butter, ghee, coconut oil, chopped olives and coconut milk
Tip: At this age youngsters feel a new adventurousness about foods, putting all manner of things into their mouths. Take advantage of this window by of-fering a broad range of different food experiences.
Best Foods at 18 to 36 Months From this point on, children can eat all types of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and other types of protein foods
Families at risk for food allergies can cautiously introduce allergenic foods such as fi sh, seafood, peanuts or tree nuts after 36 months, while monitor-ing their reception
Tip: Many toddlers go through peri-ods of fi nicky responses to foods. Be patient, relax and trust that over the course of a week, rather than any single meal or day, children are likely getting their basic nutritional needs met.
Healthy Eating at Every Ageby Jeannette Lee Bessinger and Tracee Yablon Brenner
15January 2011
EXERCISENOW!STICK-WITH-IT TIPS KEEP
YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION GOING
Exercise is a key to happiness, as well as fi tness, according to mount-ing research. Newsweek reports
that people who exercise are healthier, more energetic, think more clearly, sleep better and have delayed onset of demen-tia. Studies by the Karolinska Institute, in Sweden, and California State University are among those that further show why exercise leads to relief from anxiety and mild depression. Researchers at Leeds Metropolitan University have also demonstrated that people who exercise perform better at work. More, although it’s tempting to fl op down on the couch when you’re feeling exhausted, exercise is actually a great way to boost energy levels, a conclusion supported by a metastudy conducted by the University of Georgia. They con-cluded that feeling fatigued is a reason to exercise, not a reason to skip exercise. But even when you admit that you’d feel better if you exercised, it can
be hard to adopt the habit. My idea of fun, for example, has always been to lie in bed reading, preferably while also eating a snack—but I’ve managed to keep myself exercising over the years by using these tricks on myself:
1 Always exercise on Monday. This sets the psychological pattern for
the week.
2 If at all possible, exercise fi rst thing in the morning. As the day wears
on, you’ll fi nd more excuses to skip exercising. Get it checked off your list, fi rst thing. It’s also a nice way to start the day; even if other things don’t get done, you’ve accomplished that.
3 Never skip exercising for two days in a row. You can skip a day, but
you must exercise on the next day, even if it seems to be inconvenient at that time.
4 Give yourself credit for the smallest effort. One man I know
fi tbody
by Gretchen Rubin
For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call
256-476-6537
Find ways to de-stress and create more
balance in your life in our February edition.
RELAX &RECHARGE
COMING IN FEBRUARY
16 Tennessee Valley
said that all he had to do was put on his running shoes and close the door behind him to get going. Many times, by promising myself I could quit 10 minutes after I’d started, I got myself to start—and then found that I didn’t want to quit, after all.
5 Think about context. Examine the factors that might be discouraging
you from exercising. Perhaps you are distressed about the grubby showers in your gym or recoil from running if it’s cold outside. Try alternatives.
6 Exercise several times a week. If your idea of exercise is to join games
of pick-up basketball, you should be playing practically every day. Twice a month isn’t enough.
7 Find a way to exercise that doesn’t al-ways require you to shower afterward.
Each week, I really get into a challeng-ing weight-training session, but it’s in a format that doesn’t make me sweat.
8 Look for affordable ways to make exercising more pleasant or satisfying.
Could you upgrade to a nicer or more
convenient gym, buy yourself a new iPod or pedometer, or work with a trainer? Exercise is a high life prior-ity, so these are worthwhile ways to spend some money if they help get you moving.
9 Think of exercise as part of your es-sential preparation. It readies you for
times when you want to be in especially fi ne form—whether in performance (to be sharp for an important presentation), appearance (to look good for a wedding or another formal occasion) or mood (to deal with a stressful situation).
10 Don’t let the perfect be the en-emy of the good. Don’t decide
it’s only worth exercising if you can run fi ve miles or if you can bike for an hour. A woman I know scorns exercise unless she’s training for a marathon—so she never exercises. Even going for a 10-minute walk is worthwhile. Do what you can.
11Suit up. Even if you’re not sure you’re going to exercise, go
ahead and put on your exercise clothes. Pack your bag. Put the dog’s leash by the door. Get prepared. If you’re ready to go, you might fi nd it easier just to go ahead and exercise. Sometimes a trivial thing, like not knowing where your shoes are, gets in the way.
12Don’t kid yourself. Paying for a gym membership doesn’t mean
you necessarily go to the gym. Having been in shape in high school or college doesn’t mean you’re in shape now. Say-ing that you don’t have time to exercise doesn’t make it true.
People often ask me, “So, if I want to be happier, what should I be doing?” and I always say, “The fi rst thing to do is to make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and some exercise.” It’s a stance backed up by research psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness. Good exercise is a good place to start, and makes it easier to act on other personal happiness-inducing resolutions.
Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happi-ness Project, blogs daily at Happiness-Project.com.
17January 2011
consciouseating
While many foods taste great, they can also be powerful healers, naturally packaged
in vibrant, multicolored disguises. Plus, these foods won’t cause the nasty, common side effects that often accom-pany the use of drugs. Here are some fabulous-tasting favorites that can yield extra benefi ts.
CherriesMuraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of natural products and chemistry at Michi-gan State University, found that tart cher-ry extract is 10 times more effective than aspirin at relieving infl ammation. Only two tablespoons of the concentrated juice need to be taken daily for effective results. Sweet cherries have also been found to be effective.
Other BerriesNair later found the same anti-pain compound in other berries, specifi cally
blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.
Celery and Celery SeedsJames Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy, found more than 20 anti-infl ammatory compounds in celery and celery seeds, including a powerful fl avonoid called apigenin. Add celery seeds to soups, stews or as a salt substi-tute in many recipes.
GingerGinger reduces levels of pain-causing prostaglandin in the body and has been widely used in India to treat pain and infl ammation. A study by Indian researchers found that when people who were suffering from muscular pain were given ginger, they all experienced improvement. New research from the University of Geor-gia supports these fi ndings. If you’re taking medications, check with your
FOODS THAT FIGHT PAINA TASTY, COLORFUL BANQUET
by Michelle Schoffro Cook
health practitioner for possible herb-drug interactions.
TurmericTurmeric (Curcuma longa), the yellow spice commonly used in Indian curries, is well known for its anti-infl ammatory properties and for suppressing pain without harmful side effects. Its main therapeutic ingredient is curcumin. Research from institutions such as the University of California, San Diego, and Cornell University indicate that curcumin appears to be a safe, natural alternative to COX-2 inhibitor drugs.
Fatty FishMany fatty fi sh like salmon, mackerel and herring contain omega-3 fatty acids that convert in the body into hormone-like substances that decrease infl am-mation and pain. According to research reports from arthritis specialists asso-ciated with the National Institutes of Health, omega-3 is an effective anti-infl ammatory agent; ingesting fi sh oil acts directly on the immune system by suppressing 40 to 55 percent of the re-lease of cytokines, compounds known to destroy joints. Many other studies simi-larly demonstrate that eating moderate amounts of fi sh or taking fi sh oil supple-ments reduces pain and infl ammation, particularly for arthritis sufferers.
Flax Seeds and Flax OilFreshly ground fl ax seeds and cold-pressed fl ax oil contain plentiful amounts of the omega-3 essential fatty acids. Do not cook with fl ax oil, how-ever, as it then can have the opposite effect of irritating the body’s tissues and causing pain.
Raw Walnuts and Walnut OilRaw walnuts and walnut oil also contain powerful omega-3 fatty acids that fi ght pain and infl ammation in the body.
When it comes to relieving pain, food really can be the best medicine.
Michelle Schoffro Cook is a registered nutrition consulting practitioner and doctor of natural medicine. Her latest book is The Phytozyme Cure. Learn more at DrMichelleCook.com/HealthS-martNews.
18 Tennessee Valley
Brandie Dorsett, LMT#800
472 Providence Main Street256-837-1778
www.madisondrugs.com
Specializing in several therapies:
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Rosie’s Shopping Ctr.Huntsville, AL
Open [email protected]
Herbs
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naturalpet
Providing pain relief for pets is im-portant, whether they are recov-ering from an injury or surgery or
suffering from a chronic problem. But recognizing signs of pain in animals is tricky because it’s subjective and its expression varies with each animal. Some pets are stoic when faced with horrible injuries, while others howl over minor ailments. Humans complain, grumble and often self-medicate to alleviate their aches. A pet may need help and be communicating, “I hurt!” if any of the following signs are evident.
Being unusually withdrawn, inac-tive, restless or exceptionally clingy
Refusing to walk stairs or not rising quickly when called
Avoiding physical con-tact, such as being lifted
or carried Whining, whimpering,
howling or meowing constantly Biting or continually
licking a particular part ofthe body
Flattening ears against the head Loss of appetite
Changes in behavior may be the only way a cat or dog will commu-nicate its plea for relief from pain. Keep in mind that in nature, preda-tors seek out animals that display signs of pain or injury as a preferred target, so it’s natural to hide pain as a protective measure. In the event of a trauma, illness or surgery, seek diagnosis and assistance from a trusted integrative veterinarian. Mounting evidence from institu-tions such as the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture supports the use of
PAIN-FREEPETSNATURAL WAYS TO
PROVIDE RELIEF
by Dr. Matthew J. Heller
19January 2011
alternative modalities to effectively manage pain and provide relief. Some of the most common include the following approaches. NutraceuticalsThese non-drug nutrients play a significant role in strengthening normal body tissues, repairing damaged tissues and improving efficient body metabolism. Pet guardians may use vet-recommended nutraceuticals for up to six to eight weeks to manage low levels of pain.
Homeopathic RemediesHomeopathic remedies, sometimes referred to as ho-motoxicology, comprise the use of plant and animal materials to stimulate the body into action; homeopathy is often explained as, “Like heals like.” Specifically, ex-posure to a large amount of a toxin (e.g., poison ivy or arsenic or anthrax) would likely cause specific physical problems, but in a small, controlled dose, it may stimu-late the body to heal similar problems. We regularly apply Traumeel, manufactured by Heel, a blend of 12 homeopathic remedies for tempo-rary relief of minor aches and pains associated with bruises, sprains and injuries such as dislocations, frac-tures and trauma. It can also ease pain associated with inflammation and arthritis. Forms include dissolvable tablets, ointments and drops.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary MedicineTraditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) is a holistic approach that considers each being as a whole—body, mind and spirit—and takes into account both diet and environment. For the practitioner, disease is the result of an imbalance of the body’s energy flow, which needs to be redirected, rebalanced and restored. Herbal formulas are prepared for pets suffering from musculoskeletal injuries due to an acute trauma, like a sprain or back injury, or a chronic discomfort, such as ar-
thritis. They are available in capsules, powders and tea pills. In medical terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by effecting certain physiological changes, such as increasing blood circulation and relieving mus-cle spasms. General conditions treated by acupuncture include arthritis; back pain; muscle pain and spasms; and stroke. A simple acute problem like a sprain may require only one treatment, where more severe or chronic ailments may require multiple sessions.
Animal ChiropracticVeterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy, also referred to as animal chiropractic, is applied to correct com-mon misalignments in the spine, restoring motion to the spine, as well as proper nerve and muscle function. Misalignment may be caused by trauma, overexertion or the normal wear and tear of everyday life. Proper adjustment allows the body to fully function and bet-ter heal itself. The number of adjustments required to alleviate pain varies based on the severity of the disease or injury. Pain management requires a team effort, but the result—a pain-free pet that feels happier and healthier—is worth it.
Dr. Matthew J. Heller is a holistic veterinarian and owner of All About PetCare, in Middletown, OH. For more information, call 513-424-1626 or 866-YOUR-VET, or visit AllAboutPetCare.com.
In decades past, veterinarians were
taught that some feeling of pain could
help an injured or post-operative pet to
stay quiet enough, long enough to heal.
More recent studies, to the contrary,
show that minimizing any pain generally
aids the recovery process.
Primary source: Purina Pet Institute
All photogragphs © The National Trust for Historic Preservation20
This month Natural Awakeningsis proud to spotlight
Progressive Family Medicineand Synergy Airfl ow & Ventilation, LLC
INTHEVALLEY
22202002022222222222220222220222022222222222222222222222222222222222222222202222222222222222 ll photogragphs
and
A
by Kimberly Ballard
There is nothing new about begin-ning a weight loss program after the fi rst of the year, but how
about a detoxifi cation and anti-aging regiment? Surely after ten straight weeks of sheer depravity that begins with Hal-loween candy and ends with a couple of turkeys, a large honey-based porker, innumerable glasses of holiday cheer, and a pumpkin pie, your system could use some cleaning up! Many people experience sudden outbreaks of acne, constipation, and a lack of energy, all of which leads to a feeling of bad health. The virtual family of medical and naturopathic physi-cians at Progressive Family Medicine can recommend a number of effective programs to jump-start your body afresh in 2011.
Instead of Just Dieting,Start Out the Year Detoxifying
and Reverse Aging
This family practice consisting of Dr. Deb Gilliam and her husband How-ard, both Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.) and Naturopathic Medicine (NMD); and their son, Chad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C, a certifi ed physician assistant with a Masters in medical science, suggests the Toxinout Broad-Spectrum Detoxifi cation Program. “Detoxifying the body after overindulging during the holidays, will make you feel better and give you more energy to start out the New Year,” Chad says. The three-week protocol consists of one week of the Toxinout® Heavy Metal/Toxin Removal and Liver De-tox Support to rid the body of heavy metals, including lead and mercury. It detoxifi es the blood, the liver, kidneys, and other organs. The second week
CHAD GILLIAM, M.M.S. PA-C, PROGRESSIVE FAMILY MEDICINE
21January 2011
HVAC designers, so we recognize poorly constructed air conditioning and heating confi gurations. We also perform pressure and airfl ow tests to make sure you are operating your home to the highest level of energy-effi ciency for cost savings, but also to ensure you have proper ventila-tion throughout your home.” Poor ventilation and airfl ow can cause problems equivalent to getting slimed … literally. For instance, when the carpet cleaner comes to your home and uses chemicals to deep clean your carpet, they leave behind moisture. Moisture, if it doesn’t dry out in a well ventilated atmosphere, will cause mold and mildew in places you cannot see. Dust mites, the number-one cause of allergies in hu-mans, thrive in these environments. Now imagine your children lying on the fl oor
watching television where those slimy creatures are thriving! “Another area where we can help, and that the average homeowner never thinks about, is insulation,” says Todd. He points out that some people do sense cold spots and believe they need to add some insulation in an area. When the worker comes out to do the job, if he doesn't air-seal it fi rst, you have wasted time and money. "We do a twelve-page visual inspection of your insulation and provide you with an objective opinion about what you need to do.” Todd says. “We also provide a detailed report about the life of your home.” Synergy A&V makes recommenda-tions and does some of the minor work, but they do not sell products and equip-ment, or perform the renovations. “We know and recommend professionals who will get the job done properly.”
Synergy Airfl ow and Ventilation are 21st Century Energybusters
Our Spotlight on Exceptional Businesses in The Valley
On the surface, they sound a bit like the Ghostbusters of the wasteful energy industry. Similar
to the Ghostbusters' Giga meter that measured psychomagnatheric energy, Synergy Airfl ow & Ventilation sets up a fan in front of your house that measures and pinpoints air leakage. Instead of a pair of Ecto Goggles, Synergy uses an infrared camera that sees through your walls and takes pictures of hot and cold spots, highlighting where your insulation
TODD WITT, SYNERGY AIRFLOW & VENTILATION, LLC
consists of DetoxiGreen® Daily Detox & Antioxidant Support with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and green phytofoods. These elements sup-port the natural detoxifi cation processes of the body and replenish the nutrients used up by the process, while recharg-ing the immune system through power-
ful antioxidant support. The third week introduces the Flora Protect® Daily Probiotic Supplement that protects the intestinal fl ora by replenishing the most important strains of friendly bacteria in the intestines. In addition, Progressive Family Medicine offers the most advanced non-surgical options for anti-aging on the market today. From Vitamin C and Min-eral IVs, to the use of a new technique employing LED lights – technology
“Detoxifying the body af-ter overindulging during the holidays will make you feel better, and give you more energy to start out the New Year.”
“We do a twelve-page visual inspection of your insulation and provide you with an ob-jective opinion about what you need to do.”
invented by NASA. to stimulate elasticity and restore natural collagen levels in the skin, the noninvasive process removes crow’s feet and fi ne lines. It even helps with skin problems like acne. Madison residents often complain of a shortage of doctors; but Chad, one of the four Doctors Gilliam sons, is currently Madison County’s young-est and most eligible young med school graduate. Currently seeking new patients to build up his part of the practice, Chad offers successful treatments for men suffering from low testosterone and andropause using Testosterone Replacement Therapy. He has also found exceptional suc-cess with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for women with problems related to menopause. Start the year out with more than a weight loss and exercise program… de-toxify and reverse aging with the many services available at Progressive Family Medicine in Madison!
CONTACT: Progressive Family Medi-cine, Chad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C, 256-722-0555, 1230 Slaughter Road, Ste. C, Madison, AL 35758. See ads on pages 10 and 40.
is lacking. Synergy A&V has an entire ar-senal of energy-busting tools and gadgets that detect moisture, mold, mildew, and bad air, as well as poor insulation and ventilation. They also fl ag areas that may cause premature failures of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. “Essentially, we come in and per-form an energy audit on your home,” says Todd Witt, owner of Synergy A&V. “We have some highly sophisticated equipment and tools to help, and we are
22 Tennessee Valley
he sees what he does not want to see and his customers do not want to hear. “In theory, it all sounds great, but in practice, many of these homes actually have increased, not decreased, energy costs. Plus, many of the homes built to current Energy Star requirements will experience major comfort issues, moisture and indoor air quality issues, high radon concentrations, and prema-ture HVAC compressor and fan motor failure.” According to Todd, the current En-ergy Star for Homes program is another example of a government program that starts with good intentions. “But without proper understanding, and with improper execution and undue outside infl uence, it fails.” Todd is passionate about his work, so every time he and his crew slap on their proton packs, you know in the end your home will be better for it!
CONTACT: Synergy Airfl ow & Ventila-tion, 256-686-0168 or 256-616-2264; www.wetestothersguess.com
Todd believes one of the biggest misconceptions about energy effi ciency involve windows. “Sometimes win-dows are truly old and may need to be replaced, but a great deal of the time, the problems homeowners believe are caused by their windows, we can fi x for a couple thousand dollars. You do not need to spend $10,000 to $20,000 on new windows. In fact, that is usually the last thing we look at in terms of helping you fi x the problems.” If you are thinking, ‘Nah, I just built a new house, I’m clean!,’ then you need to think again. “Builders build houses much tighter these days than they used too, but in some ways, this is just as bad because tighter mean less room for ventilation.” Furthermore, Todd cringes when he hears owners of new builds boast about their Energy Star ratings. “Energy produc-ers, energy suppliers, builders, subcon-tractors, architects, building inspectors, home inspectors, real estate agents, bankers, appraisers, and most of all, homeowners have got to understand the basic principles of building a home that performs,” Todd explains. “The simple truth is that the Energy Star designation does not ensure this. “The Energy Star program is the U.S. government’s seal of approval of energy effi ciency and in 2008 one out of every fi ve homes built received the designation.” Since Todd goes into new and old homes alike on a regular basis,
___________________
Kimberly Ballard is a Professional Writer & Marketing Consultant and is available for consults. Call 256-653-4003 and receive a free press release with any marketing project. Visit www.Kimberly-WritesCreative.com, or email [email protected].
Living green is making sure the air in your home ishealthy for your family to breathe. Test your home
for radon and build radon-resistant.
It’s easy. That’s living healthy and green.
For more information call:Pat Smith, AL State Radon Coordinator
256-710-7702 or 256-766-6223
How oldwould you be
if you didn’t knowhow old you were?
~ Satchel Paige
23January 2011
greenliving
It makes no sense. First, there are the harsh chemicals used to clean the clothes. Most facilities continue to
use PERC (short for percholorethylene), a suspected carcinogen that is released in cleaners’ airborne emissions, from where it can eventually contaminate soil and groundwater. With as many as 35,000 dry cleaning facilities nation-wide, this poses a major public health and environmental concern. Additional commonly used dry-cleaning chemicals with toxic reper-cussions include petroleum-based solvents like Pure Dry, EcoSolve, and GreenEarth, a silicone-based solvent that breaks down into sand, water and carbon dioxide. Beyond the chemicals, standard dry-cleaning practices come with lots of built-in waste; the most obvious being the ubiquitous plastic garment covers and disposable hangers.
A New EraAware of their planet-harming public image, dry cleaners, many of which are small, family-owned businesses, have set out to reinvent themselves in recent years. Unfortunately, some-times this involves little more than adding the word “organic” or “green” to a company’s name. To be clear, customers must inquire whether or not a particular cleaner uses PERC or one of the other harmful chemicals to determine if a green-sounding name has merit. The good news is that more dry cleaners across the country are actually shifting to alternative cleaning methods that leave less impact on the environ-ment. A new certifi cation agency called the Green Cleaners Council (GCC) is helping to lend weight to a cleaner’s green claims.
A GREENERWAY TO
DRY CLEANNew Eco-Friendly
Methods Help the Planet
by Brita Belli
Dry cleaning may be convenient—but until now,
it has not been a friend of the environment.
Green Rollout2011 Launches Electric Rental CarsEnterprise Rent-A-Car leads the competition in rolling out the fi rst round of rental electric vehicles this month in eight markets supported by charging stations. Customers can initially rent these gas-free vehicles in Los Angeles, Knoxville, Nash-ville, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.
The cars can be charged using a standard 110-volt home outlet or a 220-volt or 480-volt commercial charging station. Most EVs can travel about 100 miles on a single charge, accommodating the travel habits of the typical commuter that averages 30 to 40 miles a day. “With airport and neighbor-hood locations within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, [we can] test the market viability of new alternative fuel technologies like the electric vehicle with daily commuters nationwide,” says Lee Broughton, director of sustainability for Enterprise Holdings, operator of the Enterprise, Alamo and National brands. The company already man-ages the world’s largest fl eet of fuel-effi cient vehicles, including nearly 7,000 gas/electric hybrid vehicles. Additional corporate sustain-ability initiatives include Enterprise Institute for Renewable Fuels’ re-search into biofuels aimed to reduce both energy use and energy cost by 20 percent over the next fi ve years.
For more, visit KeysToGreen.com.
24 Tennessee Valley
Fresh TechnologiesOne alternative to traditional dry-cleaning, known as CO2 cleaning, uses liquid carbon dioxide—the type used to carbonate soda—as its active solvent, mixed with dry cleaning detergent. During the cleaning process, the excess CO2 released is captured and reused. Even better, an Environmental Pro-tection Agency-approved wet cleaning method uses water and “environmen-tally preferable detergents” to safely clean delicate clothes, and emits no air pollution, nor does it leave hazardous waste behind. The only negative envi-ronmental impact with this approach is the use of additional water. The EPA estimates that 10 per-cent of the industry has shifted to wet cleaning, a number that’s on the rise. Intriguingly, all cleaners have the ca-pacity to wet clean at least some items using existing equipment, the agency reports, and some 3,000 establishments are likely offering some degree of wet cleaning (based on equipment sales). Ann Hargrove has the distinction of operating the fi rst wet cleaning busi-ness in the United States. Today, she is a member of the GCC, providing the environmental certifi cation the indus-try has lacked. Much like other green standards groups, the council rates dry cleaners based on a long list of environ-mental attributes. After verifying claims, the council awards cleaners between one and fi ve leaves, based on their green credibility. “The nice part about what we’re do-ing,” says Hargrove, “is that once clean-ers fi ll out the form, we give them their ratings and give them an itemized list: ‘Here are some things you can do….’”
She says no cleaner can earn a fi ve-leaf rating while using PERC, but adds that new equipment is expensive and smaller steps deserve recognition, too. The GCC website offers a state-by-state listing of its certifi ed green cleaners—yet many states still have none listed. The EPA provides another, more comprehen-sive, greener cleaners guide, which lists CO2 cleaners and wet cleaners by state. A Florida-based company, Suds-ies, exemplifi es the kind of entrepre-neurs who have taken up the green cleaning challenge. It has earned a four-leaf rating by offering wet clean-ing and instituting a recycling program (Sudsies.com). “We use plastic hangers made from recycled plastic that can also be recycled,” says Sudsies CEO Jason Loeb. The company also has reduced paper and plastic bag use and prints its brochures on recycled paper. With the economy down, Loeb says it’s a tough time for the industry to take major green steps, so incremental ones may be the order of the day. He ob-serves, “For now, most of those with the time and money to invest in eco-friendly practices limit their investment to the use of a particular dry cleaning solvent, rather than moving to evaluate all areas of their environmental impact.” The Green Cleaners Council’s mis-sion to evaluate more cleaners should spark more widespread interest while helping customers to readily differenti-ate the green-in-name-only cleaners from those committed to cleaning clothes in a whole new way. It’s up to us to create demand.
Brita Belli is the editor of E – The Environmental Magazine.
Dry cleaning is not always necessary; clothing makers often
place the “dry clean only” label on tags because they can list
no more than one cleaning method and can be held liable if an
item is damaged when the owner follows a listed procedure.
Yet many of these items can be safely washed at home, either
by hand or using a washing machine’s delicate cycle.
Union of Concerned Scientists
Keeping Our Thyroid HealthyThe thyroid, one of the most im-
portant glands, infl uences many body functions, including maintain-ing energy levels, sleep and metabo-lism. To function properly, it needs the right nutrients, foremost among which is iodine, a basic building block of thyroid hormones. According to the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention, iodine defi ciency is on the rise in the United States, and choosing foods wisely is crucial. Sea vegetables, such as kelp, wakame and nori, the seaweed used for making sushi, are good sources of iodine and many other key minerals that support thyroid health. Zinc, iron and copper are essen-tial to producing thyroid hormones, and antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E are necessary for neutralizing physical oxidative stress, a condition that often occurs along with poor thyroid function. Selenium, a trace mineral needed only in tiny amounts, is readily supplied in foods like Brazil nuts, peanuts, fi sh, eggs, parsley, oats and mushrooms, as well as the noted sea vegetables. Source: Adapted from Womento-Women.com.
• Pet Compounding Pharmacy
• Massage Therapy
• Healthy Eating & Weight Loss
• Book CenterNew Releases & Favorites
Terry Wingo, RPh Ginny Isbell, Pharm D
Seminars and WorkshopsDate: Thursday, January 20, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Madison Drugs
Instructor: Terry Wingo, RPh
Topic: New Year, New You
Cost: $20 – General Admission $30 – C.E. (Nurses) R.S.V.P. @ (256) 837-1778
??Ask the Pharmacist??Terry,I have tried just about everything to lose weight, and all I have to show for it is several sales receipts and 30 more pounds. I only eat twice a day, and my meal portions are adequate. Frankly, I am afraid to try anything else, because I may be pouring money down a black hole. How can you help me?Signed, Frustrated and Overweight
The Pharmacist Says...First let’s look at basics. To lose weight we must burn more calories than we consume. Most commonly this is addressed with reduced calorie diets, but if we have impaired metabolic function reducing caloric intake may only slow our burn rate further. Many times we have to strengthen metabolic function fi rst in order to lose weight SAFELY. Never skip meals- in fact, more frequent smaller meals often helps, and the source and type of foods consumed are critical to our health. Come to our January class- we will cover this topic extensively. Good Luck!
Wellness CounselingWe perform intensive one-on-one evaluations covering your health history and current health problems. Take control of your life today, and schedule an appointment with our trained and qualified staff.
The Physician’s Resource
256 . 837.1778
26 Tennessee Valley
healthbriefs
WHY JUNK FOOD IS AGINGHere’s another reason to kick the soda habit. Research published online in the FASEB Journal (Federation of Ameri-can Societies for Experimen-tal Biology) shows that high levels of phosphates may add more fi zzle to sodas and processed foods than previ-ously thought. New evidence shows that ingesting these accelerates signs of aging by increasing the prevalence and severity of age-related com-plications, such as chronic kidney disease, cardiovascu-lar calcifi cation and severe muscle and skin atrophy. When the researchers fed mice with a high phos-phate diet, the mammals died prematurely. Dr. M. Shawkat Razzaque extrapolated that, “Keeping the balance of phos-phate in the [human] diet may be important for a healthy life and longevity,” speaking for his team at the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. This gives us all yet another reason to read food and bev-erage labels.
Natural Relief for Colds and FluWith cold season in full swing, it’s good to know that we don’t have to rush to
the nearest drug store to get relief. Using natural remedies—many of which may already be in the house—can be just as effective. Although such steps don’t claim to cure what ails us, they can bring comfort and often shorten the duration of illness by strengthening the immune system. Here are six helpful tips:
Herbal Teas: Chamomile can help cold and fl u sufferers relax and get much-needed rest. Hot ginger tea, spiced with cinnamon and a dash of cayenne, will keep the body feeling warm when we have the chills.
Sage: Gargling regularly with sage tea disinfects the mouth; sage-based inha-lations further reduce infl ammation of the mucous membranes.
Garlic: Garlic is a natural antibiotic that also stimulates the immune system and wards off complications such as bronchitis.
Homeopathy: The homeopathic remedy Arsenicum album helps when one feels chilly and exhausted. Bel-ladonna is suggested when the symptoms are sudden and intense. Bryonia alba relieves headaches, coughs and irritability and Allium cepa is good for watery discharge.
Consult a holistic practitioner to determine potency and doses. Humidifi ers: Nothing irritates sensitive nasal passages and sore throats like dry air. Add a few drops of eucalyptus food-grade essential oil to a humidifi er to help open airways and clear congestion. Moist heat compresses: When plagued by a throbbing head and diffi culty in breathing through the nose, try applying warm moist compresses—perhaps with a drop of peppermint food-grade essential oil—to the cheeks and sinuses.
Sources: AssociatedContent.com, eHow.com, HolisticOnline.com, WebMD.com
Build Muscle with Weightlifting LiteWe know that maintaining muscle mass is
important to good health, especially as we age. But is it really obligatory to lift heavy weights to keep muscles in shape? Not necessari-ly, says a new study conducted at McMaster University, in Ontario, Canada, which shows that effective muscle building also can be achieved by using lighter weights and pumping until the muscles in the targeted area are fatigued. “Rather than grunting and straining to lift heavy weights, you can grab some-thing much lighter, but you have to lift until you can’t lift it anymore,” says Stuart Phillips, associate professor of kinesiology at the university. “We’re convinced that growing muscle means stimulating your muscle to make new muscle proteins, a process in the body that over time, accumulates into bigger muscles.” The new paradigm contradicts current gym dogma and is welcome news for those who cannot lift heavy weights or simply don’t want to.
27January 2011
BRAIN FUNCTION LESSENS WITH OBESITYNew research from Northwestern Univer-sity’s Feinberg School of Medicine confi rms that being overweight adversely affects the brain function of older women in terms of their memory, reasoning and other men-tal skills. The surprise is that the effect ap-pears to be even more pronounced in women who carry excess weight around their hips, known as pear shapes, than those who carry it around their waists, called apple shapes.
Rethinking Calcium Supplements New research warns that calcium supple-
ments can be associated with a 30 percent increased risk of heart attacks. The
findings were consistent across trials and were inde-pendent of the age and sex of those researched, as well as the type of supplement. The researchers stress that these findings only pertain to calcium supplements, and not to higher dietary intake through calcium-rich foods. —Source: British Medical Journal, 2010
Mushrooms for HealthA new Agricultural Research
Service study reports that mushrooms may play an important role in maintaining health. Researchers found that white button mushrooms may promote immune function by increasing production of antiviral and other proteins that are released by cells seeking to protect and repair tissue. —Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Bellydance - Drumming - Yoga
Nomadic Tapestry
1219 B&C Jordan Lane, Huntsville256-318-0169
For class schedules and pricing go to:www.nomadictapestry.com
Jin Shin Jyutsu®
of HuntsvilleAiding Healing through
Body Harmony & Relaxation
SANDRA COPECertified Jin Shin Jyutsu® Practitioner
(256) 534-1794 Office(256) 509-3540 Cell Huntsville, Alabama
The Scent that Helps Us SleepInsomnia, feelings of restlessness
and irritability are widespread symptoms that negatively impact our quality of life. But there’s an alternative to sleeping pills and sedatives, say German researchers. At Ruhr-Universität-Bochum, they have discovered that a nose full of jasmine scent is as effective in soothing, relieving anxiety and promoting sleep as the most commonly prescribed medications. In their study, the researchers worked with mice that inhaled jasmine scent released into their Plexiglas cage, and then ceased all motion and sat quietly in a corner. The research-ers explained that the calming scent molecules proceed from the lungs into the blood, and then are transmitted to the brain, where they affect neurons responsible for the sleep-wake cycle. When the mice were injected with a chemical variation of jasmine, the results were similar. In working to balance neurotrans-mitters in the brain, the researchers suggest that the scent of jasmine acts as strongly as a range of today’s psychotropic drugs. Remarks Bochum cell physiologist and smell researcher Hanns Hatt, “The results can also be seen as evidence of a scientifi c basis for aromatherapy.”
28 Tennessee Valley
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefi ts all.
globalbriefs
Vital SignsLifetime Educational Achievement is Up WorldwideWorldwatch Institute reports that people all over the world are complet-ing more years of schooling than ever before, according to the latest data out of Austria. Just over 3 billion, or 61 percent of the global population 15 years or older, had fi nished at least some secondary schooling during their lifetime as of 2010. That’s up from 36 percent in 1970 and 50 percent in 1990, and includes those who went on to even higher education. Hav-ing advanced to secondary school or beyond indicates that individuals are better prepared for the future.
Sources: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and Vienna Institute of Demography
Survey SaysMost Scientists Don’t See Science and Spirituality at OddsResearch for a new book, Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think, reports that a signifi -cant number of scientists from elite universities do not see much of a confl ict between their work and their faith. (Those who do see such confl ict tend to be atheists or agnostics.) Author Elaine Howard Ecklund, a Rice University sociologist, also learned
that the younger scientists, who are more likely to be religious, feel less of a sense of confl ict than their older counterparts. While believing scientists, who comprised 70 percent of the nearly 1,500 sur-vey participants, may feel beleaguered by their non-believing colleagues, Ecklund found that the strongly anti-religious views found among “new atheists,” such as Oxford University Biologist Richard Dawkins, are in the minority. “What religious scientists fail to realize, however, is that a signifi cant proportion of their col-leagues, [even if] not religious themselves, are open to talking and thinking about matters of faith,” she comments. Scientists who say they are “spiritual, but not religious” range from those who fi nd their secular spirituality in nature or teaching science, to those engaged in such practices as yoga and meditation. Ecklund writes that such spiritual entre-preneurs may help in bridging the perceived gulf between science and religion, because they see their practice of spirituality as fl owing into their scientifi c disci-pline, yet they tend to avoid politicized science-religion confl icts.
Source: Religion Watch
Nature’s CureMonarch Butterfl y Behavior Hints of Self-MedicationAs with many species, Monarch butterfl ies’ bright coloring warns predators of the insects’ potential toxicity, which in many cases is true. Biologists have now discovered that female Monarchs infected with a particularly noxious parasite will choose to lay their eggs on a more toxic version of milkweed, their basic food foliage, which works to reduce pass-along parasite infection in their offspring and is harmless to the larvae. “These experiments provide the best evidence to date that ani-mals use medication,” says Jaap de Roode, the biologist who led the Emory University study. Some scien-tists theorize that animals’ practice of self-doctoring by using nature’s medicine cabinet may be more widespread than we realize.
Our attitude toward
life determines life’s
attitude towards us.
~ Earl Nightingale
29January 2011
Madison Ballroom Dance Studiowww.MadisonBallroom.com
8-9pm: 10-11am: 7-8pm: 8-10pm:
ecobriefs
Green MarketplaceEnvironmentally Conscious Behavior is EncouragingWith more organic foods and sustain-able products becoming available, it’s a bit easier to go green these days, and consumers are responding. The latest annual study by the Natural Marketing Institute fi nds that we are increasingly taking bags with us to the store, avoiding brands that don’t refl ect our values and making better transpor-tation choices, including carpooling and using public transit.
Reliable SourceAmericans Trust Scientists for Information on Global Warming
A national study of what Ameri-cans know about the causes and
effects of global warming, along with potential solutions, reveals a general acknowledgement of our limited under-standing. According to the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, only 10 percent believe they are “very well informed,” while 75 percent say they would like to know more about the issue. Likewise, 75 percent want America’s schools to teach our children about climate change, while 68 percent would welcome a national program to make us all better informed. Overall, 63 percent of the Americans surveyed believe that global warming is occurring, but only about half of our citizens make the connection between human activities and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Just 25 percent have ever heard of ocean acidifi cation. Meanwhile, a large majority incorrectly thinks that global warming is somehow related to the hole in the ozone layer and that banning aerosol spray cans and stopping rockets from punching holes in the ozone blanket are viable solutions to the problem.
Gigantic GridGlobal Benefi ts of World’s Largest Public Computing ProjectA recent big idea has IBM’s World Community Grid tap-ping into the computing power of millions of linked personal computers to help solve the global water crisis. Scientists from China, Brazil and the United States will make use of formerly idle processing capacity among volunteered PCs to develop water fi ltering technology, clean up polluted waterways and fi nd treatments for water-related diseases. While the idea of aggregating thousands of individual computers to create a virtual supercomputer to process data is not new, Grist.org reports that it’s the fi rst time the approach has been used to tackle one of the planet’s bigger environmen-tal problems. To do that, the scientists need to run millions of computer simulations as part of their Computing for Clean Water project. “They believe they can collapse tens or even hundreds of years of trial and error into mere months,” says spokesperson Ari Fishkind.
To join the Clean Water or Clean Energy projects, download the software at WorldCommunityGrid.org.
30 Tennessee Valley
healingways
In William James’ famous hypothesis, “A new idea is fi rst condemned as ridiculous, and then dismissed as
trivial, until fi nally, it becomes what everybody knows.” In the fi eld of energy medicine, the experiences of pioneers such as medical intuitives Caroline Myss and Donna Eden, natural healer Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat and Doctor of Chiropractic Eric Pearl validate James’ postulate. Initially disregarded by allopathic medicine, the energy medicine these healers practice operates on the belief that changes in the “life force” of the body can affect human health and heal-
HONORING OUR LIFE FORCEENERGY MEDICINE HELPS RESTORE BALANCE AND HARMONY
by Linda Sechrist
ing. They maintain that applying this energetic perspective allows them to clinically assess and treat what they refer to as the body’s electromagnetic fi elds, in order to achieve a healthy balance in the body’s overall energy system. The modality has to do with energy pathways, or meridians, that run through our organs and muscles. The idea is to uncover the root causes of imbalances and harmonize them at an energetic level before they completely solidify in the physical body and manifest as an illness. Such imbalances may be brought on by, for example, such things as emo-tional stress and physical trauma.
Aid to Conventional TreatmentAs recently as 1990, the idea of using any form of energy medicine, such as acupuncture, Reiki, Touch for Health or the services of a medical intuitive in a hospital setting would have been con-sidered preposterous. Today, however, more medical institutions are combin-ing these types of treatment with tradi-tional allopathic medicine. For example, Children’s Memorial Hospital, in Chicago, a research-orient-ed emblem of Western medicine, now employs a Healing Touch therapist. The hospital, which perennially ranks among America’s premier hospitals, is the principal pediatric teaching hospital for Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a leading U.S. cardiovascular surgeon, was the fi rst to include a Reiki practitioner in his de-partment at Columbia University Medi-cal Center, in New York City. The New York Times reports that Oz allows the use of Reiki during open-heart surgeries and heart transplant operations.
More InsightMedical intuitives say they can recog-nize problems in the fl ow of the body’s energies and are able to accurately predict the kinds of physical problems that are likely to emerge before any symptoms are detected. Eden, who has had a lifelong ability to make health as-sessments that are confi rmed by medi-cal tests, can look at an individual’s body and see and feel where the ener-gies are not fl owing, out of balance or not in harmony, then works to correct the problem. “I was 22 before I discovered that everyone didn’t make their decisions after fi rst seeing and sensing energy,” says Eden. Carolle Jean-Murat, a California licensed obstetrician and gynecolo-gist who now practices as a medical intuitive and healer, left her 30-year allopathic practice to focus on natural healing. Today, the native of Haiti spe-cializes in helping women restore their mental, physical and spiritual health. “I am a healer who has the capacity to
31January 2011
see, feel and hear whatever a client is going through, because I see them as a whole: energy, body, mind, soul and emotions,” says Jean-Murat. Dr. Eric Pearl, author of The Re-connection: Heal Others, Heal Yourself, demystifi es the healing process. He teaches others (75,000 and counting) how to activate and use what he refers to as an all-inclusive spectrum of heal-ing frequencies. “Reconnection teaches people how to transcend the ego and its judgment, and reach a state of non-judgment observation,” explains Pearl. “Many of them describe their experi-ence simply as an internal activation of an advanced level of consciousness, in which awareness allows the perception of a multi-dimensional universe.” Pearl posits that as part of our growth as human beings, “We not only discover that we have become more, we understand that we can’t stand in fear, lack and limitation, and we can only offer ourselves as a vessel for healing for ourselves and others when we reside in oneness and love.” Pearl believes that it is part of everyone’s life journey to discover that they are an empty vessel, born to be fi lled with Spirit. By letting go of beliefs that block our ability to deeply understand this, we can harmonically converge with the lives of others at the level where we are all energy, as physics indicates. These practitioners agree that, while we all have some subtle sense of an animating force within us that is pure energy, we often ignore it. We go about our daily lives using this life force to perform our activities until it becomes depleted and illness manifests in a physical or emotional imbalance. While professional energy medicine practitio-ners are specifi cally trained to sense and honor the body’s animating life force and recognize its excesses and defi cien-cies, they also believe that we can all learn how to work with this important facet of our being. It is our birthright to realize balance and harmony, and we can do this by learning to re-establish a healthy fl ow of communication within the body’s subtle energy system.
Linda Sechrist is a Natural Awakenings editor and freelance writer.
Whether we’re striving to eat healthier, spend less or lis-ten more, we refer to our
stuckness with exquisite metaphors: We say “I’m frozen, paralyzed, ma-rooned.” We say, “I can’t get started” or “I just can’t stop.” When we make New Year’s reso-lutions, we are promising to become unstuck. But only 63 percent of us manage to keep those resolutions, ac-cording to a University of Washington study. The researchers reported that 40 percent of the participants kept their resolutions on the fi rst try; for the others, it took multiple attempts. The passive verbs we use to de-scribe being stuck infer that it isn’t our fault. The hardest bit is admitting that our own choices got us here and keep us here. Sure, accidents occur—but humans are uncannily skilled at affi x-ing balls and chains to our own ankles and swan-diving into quicksand. Becoming unstuck means fi rst accepting a harsh truth: that we’re lazy, scared and/or strangers to our true selves. Laziness often comes disguised as denial or avoidance. Reforming means making a change, and change is strenuous. So, try this: Think of becoming unstuck as a new sport or exercise you want to learn. Think of your weak, sore spots as muscles—mental, spiritual or fi nancial ones—and fi nd safe, small ways to “exercise” them gradually. Like any form of fi tness, this takes more than one muscle and more than one day. Move ahead gently and keep track of progress. Change means the terrors of risk and exposure, trading the familiar for potential failure. So, try this: Think
of becoming unstuck as moving to a non-English-speaking country. How would you prepare—or help a friend prepare—for that? By calmly research-ing the destination before making the leap: Learn its language. Study its maps. Reach out to kind folks who already live there. Have coping strate-gies in place to deal with issues that will inevitably come up. Change means facing our own limitations; our own breadth. Can we change? Yes, but how much? The answer requires clear-sighted self-knowledge and crucial honesty. So, try this: Imagine the contest Ameri-can Idol, with a twist; make it about the desired change. Then, imagine yourself as both contestant and judge. Give constructive criticism—and gracefully take it. Clinical Psychologist and study researcher Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., concludes: “The keys to making a successful resolution are a person’s confi dence that he or she can make the behavior change, and the com-mitment to making that change.” Remember: We do get to try again and can make behavior changes through-out the year, not only at New Year’s.
Anneli Rufus is the author of Stuck: Why We Can’t (or Won’t) Move On (AnneliRufus.com).
I’m Stuck!We say it in despair, desperation, denial. We say it when we can’t, won’t or simply don’t move on.
by Anneli Rufus
32 Tennessee Valley
—AABALONE: Calming, serenity, psychic development, intuition.
AJOITE: Peace, harmony, connection with “all there is,” transformation.
ALABASTER (Gypsum): Concentration, tension relief.
AMETHYST: Overall spiritual work, dream recall, meditation, common sense, helps with addictions. Heal-ing. For all It does, I call Amethyst the Queen of All Stones.
—BBARITE: Dream work.
BERYL: Great for energy work.
BERYLLIUM: Altered states, meditation, and cosmic consciousness.
BUSTAMITE: Removes and clears energy blockages, meditation. Powerful stone for all types of energy work.
—CCALCITE: Astral travel, intuition, purifying, grounding stone, wisdom, mental growth.
CARNELIAN: Peace, harmony, male aspect of the spirit. CAUTION: this stone stimulates sex drive.
CELESTITE: Mental tasks, concentration,
Metaphysical Properties of
Crystals and MineralsBy Mary Morales, Reiki and Karuna Master
Among all gifts Mother Nature has blessed us with, my very favorite without a doubt are all crystals and minerals. To me they are Mother Nature’s “silent children,” but if you
learn how to listen, you’ll realize they are anything but silent. The wonderful world of crystals is full of magical and practical uses. They may be best known for their healing powers, but crystals also have other attributes. One particular quality of crystals that is often overlooked is their metaphysical properties. Crystals can be used to meditate, to access past lives, to
METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CRYSTALS
attunes one to other planes, and because of this, is used for out of body travels.
CHALCEDONY: Protection, stability, honesty, eases communication, psychic work, clairvoyance.
CHRYSOCOLLA: Friendly stone, love, light, overall well-being.
COPPER: Energy and mental agility, transmit thoughts over long distances.
—DDANBURITE: Cleansing, purifying, strengthens the mind, nerves, life force.
DIABASE: Makes one potent, powerful, capable, strong.
DIOPSIDE BLACKSTAR: Creativity, logic, assists in learning.
DRAVITE: Inner peace, protection.
—EEMERALD: Represents earth, promotes love, joy, general clairvoyance.
ENSTATITE: Loyalty, devotion, memory and channeling abilities.
EPIDOTE: Increases or improves upon, emotional and spiritual growth.
EUCLASE: Benevolence, selfl essness, generosity.
—FFELDSPAR: Helps locate misplaced ob-jects, understand messages from within.
FIRE AGATE: Grounds and balances.
FLINT: Loyalty, courage, self reliance, inner powers.
—GGALAXITE: Aura stone, energetic stone, balances the aura, astral travel and protection.
GEODES: Truth, knowledge, inner peace.
GLENDONITE: Learning, discovery, understanding.
GOLD: Purifi es, balances, masculine energies, removes negative energies.
GRANITE: Helps us go with the fl ow, fi nd our highest path, and teaches us to live in a state of grace.
Watch next month's issue of Natu-ral Awakenings for Part 2, Metaphysical Properties of Crystals, F to Z. Mary Morales is a Reiki and Karuna Master with an energy healing practice based in Decatur, Alabama. You can contact her at 256-580-3108 or email at [email protected] for more information. See ad on page 37.
better oneself, to contact spiritual guides and higher beings, to gain ancient knowledge, to clean and reprogram quartz, to open the crown chakra and third eye, and much more. When it comes to crystals, the possibilities are endless! In this issue, as Part 1 of 2, I will begin with an alphabetized list of specifi c crystals with metaphysical properties. Most crystals have metaphysical attributes as well as generalized healing power. Here’s some advice: When working with crystals, always wear a grounding stone such as Hematite or Calcite.
33January 2011
inspiration
I was fortunate to spend time with an enigmatic man named Robert during a very special period of my life. Robert taught me many things during our
days together, and this time of year reminds me of one particular inter-action we had. “Now that you are becom-ing more aware,” Robert said, “you need to begin to set goals for yourself, so you don’t lose the momentum you have built.” “Like New Year’s resolu-tions?” I asked. “That’s an interesting idea,” he smirked. “Let’s do that.” By then, I was used to his cryptic responses, so I knew something was up be-cause of the way his eyes sparkled as he let out an impish laugh. “Tonight’s assignment is to make two lists,” Robert continued. “The fi rst is a list of all the New Year’s resolutions you want to keep, and the second is a list of all the New Year’s resolutions you will keep. Write the want list fi rst, and when you have exhausted all of your ideas, then write the second list on another sheet of paper.” That night I went home and spent some time working on the two lists. The want list felt overwhelming at fi rst, but after a while I got into writing all the things I had always wanted to do if the burdens of life hadn’t gotten in the way. After nearly an hour, the list swelled to fi ll the entire page and contained nearly all of my ideas of an ideal life. The second list was much easier. I was able to quickly commit 10 practical resolutions to paper that I felt would be both realistic and helpful. The next day, I met Robert in front of the local food co-op, where we seemed to have most of our enlightening conversations. “Tell me about your two lists,” Robert said, as the familiar smirk crept onto his face. “The fi rst list contains all the things I should do if I
completely changed my life to be the person I always wanted to
be. The second list contains all the things I could do, by accepting my current life and taking realistic steps towards the life I want to lead.” “Let me see the sec-
ond list,” he said. I handed him the second
list, and without even looking at it, he ripped the paper into tiny pieces and threw it in the nearby garbage can. His
disregard for the effort I had put into the list annoyed me at fi rst, but after I calmed down,
I began to think about the fi rst list in a different light. In my heart, I knew the second list was a cop out, and the fi rst list was the only one that really mattered. “Now, the fi rst list,” Robert said, bowing his head and holding out both of his hands. I purposefully handed him the fi rst list and held his gaze for several seconds, waiting for him to begin reading the page. After an un-usually long silence, he began to crumple the paper into a ball and once again tossed it into the can without looking at it. “What did you do that for?!” I couldn’t hide my anger any longer. Robert began to speak in a quiet and as-sured voice. “What you should or could do
with your life no longer matters. The only thing that matters, from this day forward, is what you must do.” He then drew a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to me. I opened it carefully, and found a single word fl oating in the middle of the white page: “Love.”
Scott Blum is an author and co-founder of DailyOM.com, a source of nondenominational inspirational content and courses by luminaries in their fi elds. For more information, also visit ScottBlum.net.
Dueling New Year’s Listsby Scott Blum
“What you should or could do with
your life no longer matters. The only thing that matters,
from this day forward, is what you must do.”
34 Tennessee Valley
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35January 2011
calendarSaturday, January 29
Have You Had a Spiritual Experience?:2:30-4:00 PM. free introductory workshop for people of all faiths. Explore the meaning of your experiences with dreams, visions, inner sound and light, and divine love. Renasant Bank (Community Room), 4245 Balmoral Dr. SE, Huntsville (Off Airport Rd. next to Logan’s). 256-534-1751;www.eck-alabama.org.
Friday, January 14All Has Meaning: 7:30-8:00 PM. Inspiring stories and insights from Harold Klemp, spiritual leader and acclaimed author of more than sixty books on Eckankar. Learn for yourself why all has meaning for the Soul going home to God.Free. Comcast Cable Channel 3 (Huntsville). For info: 256-534-1751; www.eck-alabama.org.
Saturday, January 8Community HU Song—1:30-2:00 PM.Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift you in countless ways. Held each Saturday. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, #3 (Five Points). 256-534-1751; www.eck-alabama.org
ecotip
Retail SolutionsReuse, Repurpose and Recycle Plastic BagsStudies tell us that plastic grocery bags consume less energy to produce, transport and recycle than paper grocery sacks. The problem is that the vast majority of them do not get recycled. This modern “urban tumbleweed” clogs our gutters, kills wildlife and makes the world less beautiful. World-watch Institute estimates that the United States throws away 100 billion plastic shopping bags every year. Here are 24 ways to prevent that.
Bring reusable totes and plastic bags to stores. Go through the self-checkout to add more items to each bag. Put items in a purse or briefcase or carry them out. Use a plastic grocery bag to clean up behind the dog and scoop out the litter box. Donate bags to a local dog park and animal shelter. Wrap homemade bread in a clean, plastic grocery bag to keep it fresh. Reuse plastic bags to pack lunches. Line a cutting board for easy cleanup of messy jobs; collect vegetable shavings. Use a clean bag as a non-stick surface for rolling out dough. Substitute twisted bags for rope or plastic zip ties. Use plastic bags as packing material, instead of Styrofoam packing peanuts. Line paint trays with plastic bags before pouring in paint for easy cleanup. Keep bags in the trunk of the car for emergencies. Reuse plastic grocery bags as camping trip garbage bags. Pick up bags at the park or along the road to collect garbage and recyclable litter. Keep plastic grocery bags in the diaper bag. Donate bags to local libraries, thrift stores and daycare centers. For travel, wrap a plastic bag around the toiletry bag to contain spills. Tie bags around both feet to keep shoes clean when traversing a muddy area. Protect work surfaces with plastic bags when doing messy crafts. Make recycled fabric tubes stuffed with plastic bags to block drafts and
save energy. Cut the bags into loops and knot them together into plastic “yarn,” to make
braided rugs, woven baskets and crocheted bags. Fuse plastic bags together to create plastic fabric. Support companies that use recycled plastic, from makers of handmade African
crafts to designer chairs and composite decking.
Source: Adapted from RusticGirls.com
Reusable totes can be an environmental boon, vastly reducing the number of disposable bags that wind up in landfi lls. If each bag is used twice a week, fi ve reusable bags can replace 520 bags a year.
Source: Nick Sterling, research director, Natural Capitalism Solutions
36 Tennessee Valley
ongoingevents
SUNDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.
A Course in Miracles Study Group– 9:15am. Shared reading and group discussions. Extra books available.Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.
Unity Church Service– 10:30am. Practical Christian-ity from a transformative new thought metaphysical perspective. Our doors are open with love for all. Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville.256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnThe-Mountain.com.
Celebration of Spirit– 11am. A different service each week including ritual, music, and a message in an open, loving environment.Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville. 256-895-0255. LightOfChristCenter.org.
Kadampa Meditation Group– 3-4:30pm. Sunday book study class.Books-A-Million, University Dr, Huntsville.3rd Sunday at Unity Church on the Mountain, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. 256-536-2271. UnityChurchOnTheMountain.com.
Power Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. Marcy White. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville.256-653-9255 or 256-533-7975.YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
MONDAYDetox Footbaths, Nutritional Counseling, Wellness Coaching.Wellness is always available, if we know the tools to access it! Contact Michele Monticciolo NC MH via email [email protected] or call Healing Arts at (256) 534-2954 for your consult or appointment.
Al-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.
Reduce Stress with EFT – Private phone sessions. To schedule, call Self Healing Awareness with EFT, 256-774-3392. Info: TapIntoHealing.com.
Spring City Cycling Club– Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.
Level 1 Pilates– 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Mixed Flow Yoga– 8-9:30am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Energy Lunch Lift– 12pm. Group Resonance Healing. Donations accepted. The Center for Directional Healing, 3322 S Memorial Pkwy, Ste 532, Huntsville.256-882-0360. DirectionalHealing.com.
Intermediate Mat Class– 5-6:15pm. Work at a faster
pace incorporating exercises that will challenge one’s strength, fl exibility and coordination. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com.
Basic Bellydance– 5:30-6:30pm. Mon-Thurs. Intro to basic bellydance technique.Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. Class info: NomadicTapestry.com.
Beginner Yoga – 5:30-6:30pm. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Intro to Yoga– 5:30-6:30pm. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Affi nity Circle– 6pm.A safe space where individuals can open up and reveal what they are experiencing in life. Confi dentiality is assured. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville.256-883-8596.Conscious-Living.org.
Level I Yoga– 6:30-8pm. All levels. Tom Musgrove. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Yoga with Mitzi – 6:30pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.
Activating and Utilizing Your Psychic Power – Thru Nov 15.7pm. $100. Light of Christ sponsored. Contact: 256-881-2658 or [email protected].
NEWtritional Health Care Conference Call –7pm. Listen to Roy Williams,owner of NHC, talk on the weekly health topic. Ask him questions on how NHC products can help you reach your optimum health. Call 760-569-6000 and enter PIN number 411810 #. To hear previous week call: 760-569-6099 and enter PIN number 411810 #. Visit MyHealthyKingdom.com/10003 (Invitation # 10003).
TUESDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.
Reduce Stress with EFT – Private phone sessions. To schedule, call Self Healing Awareness with EFT, 256-774-3392. Info: TapIntoHealing.com.
Sierra Club Hikes – Tuesday night hikes’ around Huntsville.Alabama.SierraClub.org/NA.html.
Spring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.
Mixed Flow Yoga– 8-9:30am.Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Pilates– 9-10am.Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Yoga with Mitzi – 9am. The Art of Yoga. All levels welcome. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church
Ave S, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.
Power Yoga – 9:10-10:10am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Level I Yoga– 10:15-11:30am. Tatum Crigger. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
LunchtimeBellyBasics– 11:30am-12:30pm.Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com.
Power Yoga– 5:30-6:45pm. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class– 6-7:15pm. This class adds more exercises from the series and will challenge one’s mind/body connections. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville. 256-704-5080. BodyLanguagePilates.com
Meditation – 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.
Science of Mind Classes (Accredited) – 6:30-8:30pm. Reverend David Leonard. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville.256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.
Yoga with Mitzi– 6:45pm. Candlelight Yoga. All levels welcome. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500 Pratt Ave, Huntsville.More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.
WEDNESDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.
Reduce Stress with EFT – Private phone sessions. To schedule, call Self Healing Awareness with EFT, 256-774-3392. Info: TapIntoHealing.com.
Spring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.
Level 1 Pilates– 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Align and Defi ne Yoga– 8-9:30am.Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Level I Yoga– 9:15-10:30am. Erin Kennedy. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Practical Spirituality Class – 10am-12pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596.Conscious-Living.org.
Science of Mind Classes– 10am-12pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596.Conscious-Living.org.
37January 2011
PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) – 6pm. Second Thurs.Parents, friends, and gay community members welcome. Bring snack. Huntsville Public Library.256-881-0939.
Yoga and Wine –6pm. All levels welcome. Presented by Yoga with Mitzi and The Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Ave, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.
ZumbaDance Class – 6:30pm. Donations accepted. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville.256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.
Level I Yoga– 6:45-8:15pm. Tom Musgrove. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Salsa 101 Dance Class– 8pm. Get the moves, feel the heat! Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison, AL 35758.GabrielaDance.com.
FRIDAYSpring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.
Level 1 Pilates– 7-8am. All levels. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Slow Flow Yoga– 8-9:30am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Power Yoga– 9:10-10:10am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Parapsychology Group– 7pm. Fourth Fri each month. Meets at Unity Church, 1328 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville. Info, contact Joyce Sons, 256-852-8994.
Public Clearance Session– 7pm. Third Fri each month. Learn effective healing through reception and application of Divine energies. Light of Christ Center, 4208 Holmes Ave, Huntsville.256-895-0255.
SATURDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.
Feel Good Tapping Party – Be the host of a group
Meditation– 6pm. Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville. 256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.
Power Yoga– 6-7pm. Marcy White.The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Yoga with Mitzi– 6pm. Yoga Flow. All levels welcome. Chiropractic Wellness Depot, 8210 Stephanie Dr, Huntsville.More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.
Satsang– 6:30pm. Satsang with a video of Gangaji.Center for Spiritual Living, 308 Lily Flagg Rd, Huntsville.256-883-8596. Conscious-Living.org.
THURSDAYAl-Anon – For those who have a loved one faced with a drinking problem. 256-885-0323. AAHuntsvilleAL.org.
Spring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.
Piliates– 9am. A fusion of Pilates and Hanna Somatic work teaching one to access and strengthen one’s deepest connections bringing balance to one’s spine and overall posture. Body Language Pilates, 305 Jefferson St, Ste C, Huntsville.256-704-5080.BodyLanguagePilates.com.
Pilates– 9-10am. Michelle Camper. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Power Yoga– 9:10-10:10am. Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
Level I Yoga– 10:15-11:30am. Tatum Crigger. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
TBE Nooner Toastmasters–11:45am-12:45pm. Practice public presentation and meeting etiquette. TBE Building #1, Sparkman Dr/Lakeshore Dr, Huntsville.Nancy Wade: 256-797-0700 or [email protected].
BellyKids– 4-5pm. Shahala Liz.Nomadic Tapestry, 1219 B&C Jordan Ln, Huntsville. NomadicTapestry.com.
Mixed Flow Yoga– 5:30-6:45pm.Laughing Lotus Yoga, 303 Second Ave, Decatur. BodyInBalanceStudios.com.
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tapping session. To schedule, call Self Healing Awareness with EFT, 256-774-3392. Info: TapIntoHealing.com.
Sierra Club – For weekend hike, canoe, backpacking and other activities, visit Alabama.SierraClub.org/NA.html.
Spring City Cycling Club – Times and schedules at SpringCity.org.
Level I Yoga– 9-10:15am. Tom Musgrove. The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Yoga with Mitzi– 10am. The Artof Yoga.All levels welcome. Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Ave, Huntsville. More info: 256-361-YOGA or MitziConnell.com.
Renewable Energy (RE) & Off-Grid Living – 10am-4pm. First and third Sat each month. Take steps to live the dream. Learn RE Basics. Benefi t from a decade of experience. See an off-grid home in action. Reduce one’s carbon footprint. $75/class. Giles County, TN. Register: 931-565.4006 or [email protected].
Level I Yoga– 11:30-12:45pm. Bobbie Brooks.The Yoga Center of Huntsville, 500-A Pratt Ave, Huntsville. 256-533-7975. YogaCenterOfHuntsville.com.
Community HU Song – 1:30-2pm. Join others in singing HU, an ancient love song to God that can help and uplift one in countless ways. Huntsville ECK Center, 900 Wellman Avenue, Ste 3, Five Points. 256-534-1751. Eck-Alabama.org.
Ballroom Dancing– 7pm, Beginner Group Class. 8pm, Dance Party. Madison Ballroom Dance Studio, 9076 Madison Blvd. 256-461-1900.MadisonBallroom.com.
Cardio Ballroom– 10am. Mega calorie burning dance fun! No more treadmill! Madison Ballroom, 9076 Madison Blvd, Madison, AL 35758.GabrielaDance.com.
CLASSIFIEDS
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYCURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES – For sale in Austin, TX; Lexington, KY Manhattan, NY; Pensacola, FL; Southwest VA and Ventura/Santa Barbara, CA. 239-530-1377.
38 Tennessee Valley
COMMUNITYCOMMUNITYresourceguide
ENERGY HEALINGCENTER FOR DIRECTIONAL HEALING Susan Spalding, Director 256-882-0360www.directionalhealing.com Free the energy within you! Take your health and your life to a new level with Directional Healing. Clears, cleanses, balances, rejuvenates through resonance healing.
FAMILY MEDICINEPROGRESSIVE FAMILY MEDICINEChad Gilliam, M.M.S. PA-C1230 Slaughter Road, Suite C, Madison, AL 256-722-0555.Progressive Family Medicine provides medical care for patients of all ages and uniquely blends Natural and Prescription medicines together to help speed the patient’s recovery. Progressive Family Medicine is the patient’s clinic of choice when they would like to understand how natural medicines work along with prescription drugs.
JARVIS NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC1489 Slaughter Road, Madison256-837-3448I-ACT Certifi ed colon Hydro Therapists. Do you know that 80% of your immune system is in your colon? Bathe your body from the inside to improve health. Colon irrigation aids in soothing and toning the colon, which makes elimination more effective.
COLON HYDROTHERAPYCENTER FOR OPTIMAL WELL BEING7910 S. Memorial Pkwy, Suite F-2, Huntsville256-489-9806 phone 256-489-2873 fax866-488-9806 toll freeThe Center for Optimal Well Being is dedicated to improving your health with colon hydro-therapy and body empowerment services. Sessions are conducted in clean, comfortable and relaxing private suites with soft lighting and aromatic fragrances. Our staff is clinically trained and certifi ed by the International Association for Colon Therapists.
IN-HOME MASSAGECLOUD NINEEvening and Weekend Appointments256-337-6989Finally, someone who makes housecalls! Swedish, Ortho and Deep Tissue massage in the privacy of your own home. Gift Certifi cates also available for any occasion.
JIN SHIN JYUTSU®
JIN SHIN JYUTSU OF HUNTSVILLESandra Cope Huntsville256-534-1794, 256-509-3540Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner. An easy, effective way of restoring health and well-being by balancing the body’s energy pathways to enhance the body’s natural healing abilities.
EMOTIONAL FREEDOMTECHNIQUES
SELF-HEALING AWARENESS WITH EFT Judith Pfl um, EFT-ADV Practitioner256-774-3392
www.tapintohealing.comTap into healing. Specializing in women’s emotional /physical issues: anxieties, fears, relationships, stress, weight. Painless, drug-free, easy-to-learn technique. Individual, group, or phone sessions.
FENG SHUI FENG SHUI BY TRUDI GARDNERTrudi Gardner, M.S.(256) [email protected]
An interior design philosophy that invites serenity and reduces stress. Feng Shui d e s i g n c o n c e p t s b r i n g s positive energy into your home and office to encourage P rospe r i ty, Wel l Be ing , Harmony, and Balance.
“Let’s worktogether to find
what worksfor you.”
McMinn Clinic
Life Centerat McMinn Clinic
James E. McMinn M.D.Introduces...
Stress Relief Seminars Neurofeedback Yoga, Pre-Pilates, Tai Chi Meditation Classes Massage Acupuncture
www.McMinnClinic.com
now offering:
205-868-1313Homewood Plaza
3125 Independence Dr., Suite 108Homewood, Alabama 35209
ALL WATER IS NOT CREATED EQUAL
www.BazzWater.comSign up for a free e-book today!
Call Bazz (256) 277-1059
Change Your Water Change Your Life™
EUROPEAN FACIALTREATMENT
EUROPEAN MEDICAL ESTHETICS CLINIC17 Years in businessHuntsville, Alabama256-880-0709
ELECTRODERMAL TESTINGHEALTHY CHOICES LLC3322 S. Memorial Pkwy, Suite 526Huntsville, AL [email protected]
Healthy Choices LLC provides Electrodermal Testing and the Detoxifying Ionic Footbath. Electrodermal Testing uncovers the root cause(s) of health issues and designs a protocol to help the body heal itself. The Detoxifying Ionic footbath helps excrete toxins out of the
body bringing you back into balance.
39January 2011
Offering:
2336
35801
Since 1990
MASSAGECENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND BODYWORK1634 Slaughter Rd., Madison256-430-9756Our vision is to provide professional massage services in a comfortable clinical environment to Madison and the surrounding area. Student massages available for 1/2 the regular rate. Lic. E1311.
MASSAGE SCHOOLMADISON SCHOOL OF MASSAGE THERAPY, LLC1634 Slaughter Rd, Suite C Madison, AL 35758 256-430-9756www.madisonschoolofmassagetherapy.comOur training will change your life forever in a new career as a Professional. Student massages available for 1/2 the regular rate. AL Board of Massage School Lic# S-117 AL State Board of Ed. School Lic# 1200I
PILATESBODY LANGUAGE, INC.305 Jefferson St., Ste. C256-704-5080sybil@bodylanguagepilates.comwww.bodylanguagepilates.comOur goal is to teach individuals how to take control of their health and well-being through the Pilates method, creating a wholesome person of sound mind, body, and spirit. Private, semi-private and group training on the equipment is available along with group mat classes.
NATUROPATHIC DOCTORALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATESDr. Deb Gilliam, N.M.D.1230 Slaughter Road, Madison, AL256-722-0555Dr. Gilliam treats a variety of health problems with chronic fatigue, fi bromyalgia, heart disease, hormone replacement and thyroid issues being at the forefront. Dr. Gilliam sees patients from around the world due to the reputation she has earned by treating hard to treat medical conditions. Dr. Gilliam works to fi nd the cause of medical conditions and does not simply treat the patients’ symptoms.
MUSIC THERAPYHEALING SOUNDS MUSIC THERAPYStephanie Bolton, MA, MT-BC256-655-0648www.imageryandmusic.comHuntsville, AL- based music therapy practice focused on improving personal health and wellness using guided imagery and music techniques.Currently providing workshops and individual consultations.
YOGA YOGA CENTER OF HUNTSVILLE500-A East Pratt Ave. 256-533-7975 www.Yogacenterofhuntsville.comWe teach yoga postures and principles designed to bring strength, flexibility, openness, and awareness into the body. Classic yoga postures, modifications are introduced to give the student many options in developing a personal practice.
STRUCTURAL INTEGRATIONJACI HOGUE256-656-4108jaci@alabamarolfmethod.comwww.alabamarolfmethod.com
A complete system of body education that balances the physical body, improves posture, and helps resolve chronic pain. Created by Dr. Ida P. Rolf in the 1950s, Structural Integration has been scientifically validated and has withstood the test of time, as millions of
people have enjoyed the remarkable benefi ts.
SUSAN K. JEFFREYSAdvanced Practitioner Lic.#249Dr. Ida P. ROLF method2336A Whitesburg DriveServing Huntsville since 1995256-512-2094 www.rolfguild.org“When the body gets working appropriately, then the force of gravity can fl ow through. Then spontaneously, the body heals itself.” Ida P. Rolf
SHAMAN HEALERKATY GLENN [email protected] KatyShamanHealer.blogspot.com
Spiritualy Assisted Intuitive Readings, Energetic Healing and Balancing for People and Pets, World Culture Shamanic Training, Spirit Midwife: Assistance for individual and caregivers during Death & Dying Process. Forty years of training and experience.
VETERINARYACUPUNCTURE
ACUPUNCTURE FOR ALL ANIMALSVikki Trupin, DVM 256-710-5378 [email protected] (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society)-certifi ed since 1994. Treatments in the clinic or in your home.
YOGA CENTER OF HUNTSVILLE500-A East Pratt Ave. 256-533-7975www.Yogacenterofhuntsville.comOur focus is on core stability, neutral alignment and patterned breathing. It restores the natural curves of the spine, relieves tension and enhances self-confi dence. We feature certifi ed instruction in group and individual training.
REFLEXOLOGYJIM BARNES, CERTIFIED REFLEXOLOGIST
REFLEX ACTION124 14th St. Suite D3, Decatur, AL 35601256-227-2920256-309-0033
NUTRITION & WELLNESSDETOXIFYING FOOTBATHS,NUTRITION,WELLNESS COUNSELINGMichele Monticciolo, NC MH
Certifi ed Nutritionist, Herbalist, Holistic Healthcare [email protected]
The artof medicine consists in amusing
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Voltaire
Complete
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For Your
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1230 Slaughter Rd.
Madison, AL 35758
256.722.0555
Progress Towards Wellness & Prevention with
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Alternative Medicine Associates
Ask About Our IV Nutritional Therapies!
Customizing Solutions For Your Individual Health Needs & Concerns• Family Medicine • Adults & Children
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Treatment is Available For• Gluten Sensitivity • Thyroid Issues • Obesity
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