November 2013

H E A L T H Y L I V I N G H E A L T H Y P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

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Fast Track toEnlightenmentPersonal Growth Tools Abound

MUTUAL RESCUE By Saving Animals, We Save Ourselves

MiraculousMidlifeBeing Exactly WhoWe Need to Be

An Attitude of Gratitude

It Revolutionizes Life and Lightens

Our Path

November 2013 | Birmingham, AL | NABirmingham.com

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November 2 3, 2013

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3natural awakenings November 2013

14 FAST TRACK TO PERSONAL GROWTH Transform Your Life with Mentors, Books, Workshops and Online Courses by Bess J.M. Hochstein

17 LIVING GRATITUDE A Taproot of Happiness by Leo Babauta

18 GRAIN FREE & BRAIN BRIGHT How Wheat, Carbs and Sugar are Affecting Your Brain Health by Linda Sechrist

20 SAVING ANIMALS SAVES PEOPLE Rescue You, Rescue Me by Sandra Murphy

21 IS GLUTEN-FREE FOR YOU? by Steve Dupont, RD, LD

22 SWEET? ...OR SOUR by Elizabeth Campbell Korcz, MD

24 THE MIRACLE OF MIDLIFE Being Exactly Who We Need to Be by Marianne Williamson

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contentsNatural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

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© 2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

letterfrompublisherThis month's article, "Saving Animals Saves People: Rescue You, Rescue Me" by Sandra Murphy inspired me to write about my cat, Pippen, who was a rescu-ing force in my own life at a critical time.

I remember green fire, in bright electri-fied arcs, released as bolts of energy from my open hand. The patient was

my cat, age 20, on the night that she died. The green fire came in the early morn-ing hours, after many hours of lying beside her. I was undone by emotion, an uncontrollable flood of tears, talking to her, telling her how much I appreciated her in my life. I articulated everything behind slow, deliberate thought, and in the utmost solemn and urgent gravity—as if I was reading it into the official records of a divine authority, wherein it was imperatively critical to get everything right, and to get the right words for it, to tell the story of a life, and what revealed itself was beautiful, and true. She was a healer. A guide. A guardian of both the body and the spirit. I re-member her curling up to sleep on my left side, tucked up tight against a slowly healing surgical scar from a highly traumatic operation, the only time before, or since then, that she preferred that spot. I remember that she came into my life when I was alone for the first time in a long time, and the thing I needed most was a friend. I had her, but she brought me others. She was the compelling selling point that landed me two different girlfriends, at two different times—the buying decision, the thing that swung the deal, by each girl's own testimony. I don't know if it was some form of Reiki that flowed through me that night, but it was definitely healing energy. It could not actually reverse her decline at that point, but it did take away her distress. I think what triggered it was a very specific mix of the deepest possible love and gratitude, mixed together with a frantic desire to relieve her suffering. Green flames flashing in the semi-darkness, exquisitely visible, shooting from my hand. The hand movements above the body, flowing and conjuring in a pur-poseful dance guided by some invisible agency. The bolts caused her body to jump as if from a mild electric shock. This did not seem to cause her any discomfort. I did this for what seemed like a long time. Then—though she had been in obvious acute distress before, earlier in the evening, looking miserable and sick, groaning in misery, wobbly with an almost completely uncoordinated gait, no balance or motor control, unable to even make her mouth open to drink water—she became calm and tranquil, and achieved a state of equanimity, free of the sick symptoms and distress. She died later in quiet peace, on my chest, where I had held her for a long, loving while, telling her that she had accomplished miracles in her life, that she was safe, and home.


newsbriefsManna Market

After suffering with a serious illness for nearly a year, Robyn Mitchell knows first hand how eating

healthy can play an important role in one's health. During this illness, her research led her to the ben-efits of eating organically and sparked her passion to introduce the community to the health benefits of eating organically. Manna Market has grown from a 12 family organic co-op to a thriving business that grows its own biodynamic produce and procures the best local and regional organic produce for its customers across Alabama. Manna Market offers locally grown, all-natural sustainable produce. One can taste the difference when they taste the vegetables and fruits. Manna Market products are not genetic modified organisms (GMOs). They are pesticide free, no poison treatment, and grown with good agricultural practices (GAP Certified). All Manna Market vegetables and fruits are either locally natural grown sustainable products or fully certified organic products. The menu at Manna Market changes weekly to reflect what is in season. They deliver your produce to your home, office, restaurant, school, or orders can be picked up at one of their convenient pick up locations. Manna Market Organic Food Co-op now has a store located at 2600 Cherokee Place in Mountain Brook and will be open on every other Tuesday. Customers can choose from a variety of boxes with mixed vegetables, juice boxes, Latino boxes, Asian boxes, or individu-alized boxes.

For information or to place an order, visit MannaMkt.com or call 205-566-2533. See ad, page 23.

Energy As Therapy—Free Sessions

Energy Therapy is known by different names. You may have heard of Reiki, Thera-peutic Touch (currently being taught in many nursing schools and hospitals as

an adjunct to traditional medical healing modalities), Clear Light Energy Therapy, The Reconnection, or perhaps even Pranic Healing. No matter your frame of refer-ence, Energy Work and Hands-on-Therapies are powerful tools to help the body to relax, release negative patterns and emotions, and offer that gentle nudge into a higher state of understanding and ease. 481 Yoga, y’all is happy to introduce our Multi-Dimensional Healing System, which is a combination of Reiki, Multiple Energy Modalities, Shamanic Tech-niques, Hypnotherapy, Crystal Therapy, Music Therapy and Chakra Balancing. This experience focuses on: Re-balancing and Strengthening all the energy centers in the Physical body; Transforming blockages within the Auric bodies (based on recipient’s desires); Infusing recipient with Love, Self-Love, Joy and Gratitude; and Encouraging and Clearing the pathways so that these high vibrations may easily flow from recipient to family, friends and contacts. There is not a charge for this session. This work may be done either in person or in absentee. Either way it is per-formed by a group of talented and compassionate humans using their innate wisdom to help with caring for the highest and best.

If you would like to receive an Intake Questionnaire and be placed on our list, please email [email protected] and we will be in contact as soon as we can schedule your appointment.

News Briefs We welcome news items

relevant to the subject matter of our magazine. We also

welcome any suggestions you may have for a news item.

Do you have a special event in the community?

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newsbriefs

Dr. Peter Lodewick and Karen Bishop, RD/LD Offer New Technology For Improving Microcirculation

“The device looks like something from a science fiction movie but this is for real,” notes Registered Dietitian and Anti-Aging Specialist Karen Bishop. She

continues, “It effectively increases oxygen delivery throughout the body—all the way from the hands to the toes!" The client places his or her thumb in the device and a pleasant stream of concentrated carbon dioxide is applied through a mist of cool water via a unique transdermal delivery system. The body senses the elevated carbon dioxide level in the tissues and the decreased pH surrounding the thumb and triggers hemoglobin proteins of red blood cells to release oxygen. This process occurs throughout the body—all the way to the toes. The success of this process has been measured by highly calibrated laser devices. Results of clinical studies will soon appear in peer-reviewed journals. The treatment takes only 5 minutes and the effects last for about four hours. A number of athletes have purchased the device and use it twice daily to improve their performance in sports and decrease their recovery time. "We are delighted to be able to offer this completely pleasant and non-invasive technology to our patients, says Ms. Bishop. "Those with compromised circulation can benefit, as well as those seeking to improve their skin by optimizing life-giving oxygen." For more information about this technology contact Dr. Lodewick’s Anti-Aging Program at 205-915-0474.

Location: 3918 Montclair Rd., Birmingham, Alabama 35213. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 205-915-0474. DrLodewick.com. See ad, page 8.

New Client Special at Pilates on Highland

Pilates on Highland, a full service studio located in the historic Highlands area, offers a caring, certified

staff, personalized attention, and top of the line Pilates equipment. They are committed to carry on in the clas-sical traditions of Joseph H. Pilates and to deliver the highest quality of integrated wellness service. The Pilates method increases strength, tones the body, decompresses joints, improves flexibility and range of motion, boosts circulation and stimulates the

mind. Pilates on Highland can accommodate all levels of fitness and interest and strives to help empower individuals to take control of their health through the Pilates method. Now is the time to give Pilates a try. Pilates on Highland is offering a New Cli-ent Special. Receive 2 private sessions and unlimited mat classes for a month for $100. This offer is available for new students, one time purchase only, not refund-able or exchange and does not include the fall special.

For more Information contact, PilatesOnHighland.com or call 205-202-9198. See ad, page 8.

November Happenings at the Gardens

This November begins with the Central South Native Plant

Conference at Birmingham Botani-cal Gardens. On November 1 & 2, The Gardens will host one of the premier native plant symposiums in the country, featuring Pulitzer prize finalist David G. Hasketll, Ph.D. Haskell, a professor at the Univer-sity of the South in Sewanee, also won the 2013 Reed Environmental Writing Award and 2012 National Outdoor Book Award for Natural History Literature for the same work, The Forest Unseen. Haskell will be joined by other national titans of the native plant community like C. Colston Burrell, Chris Martine and Drew Monthie, as well as many other regional and local scholars. A full schedule of lectures, field trips and events can be found online at BBGardens.org/csnpc. Three Certificates in Native Plant Studies classes will allow students to further explore their curiosities in the area. “Autumn Identification of Native Woody Plants,” an elective, arrives on November 9. Executive Director Fred Spicer will use the collections at Birmingham Botanical Gardens as a hands-on resource to help students better understand the identification of plants found natural-ly in Alabama. “Alabama’s Ecology,” a core, arrives on November 16. Led by Scot Duncan, Ph.D., students will better learn how ecosystems work. And on November 23, Bob Boyd, Ph.D. will lead “Introduction to Na-tive Plant Conservation,” also a core. To learn more, visit BBGardens.org/plantstudies.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is open from dawn until dusk 365 days per year. Admission to The Gardens is free.


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Sundays10am Adult Sunday School, Beverly Hall 11am Youth Ministry, Artie’s Place11am Sunday Service 5:30pm Course in Miracles, Main Lobby

WednesdaysNoon Prayer Service

Fridays6:45pm CODA, Main Lobby

ONGOING WEEKLY CALENDAR

Bookstore & Church Office Hours

205-251-4365

24 hrs Prayer Available 1-800-NOW-PRAY

Tuesday–Thursday 9:30–4:30 Friday 9:30–3:00

Chaplain Prayer Line

Silent Unity

Unity of Birmingham 2803 Highland Ave S Birmingham AL 35205 205-251-3713UnityBham.org

Reverend Charles and Reverend Christine Perry

HOLIDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE

This Sunday the theme will be Welcome Home to Unity

and honoring Veterans who have served or are currently serving our Country.

Come join the celebration!

November 10“Homecoming Sunday”

Sunday, December 1511am New Member Induction. Music by “Source”Sunday, December 2211 am Advent SundayTuesday, December 24 7 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight ServiceTuesday, December 317 pm New Years Eve Burning Bowl CeremonySunday, January 511 am White Stone Ceremony

UPCOMING EVENT


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Call Today for Your Appointment3918 Montclair Road, Suite 217Birmingham, Alabama 35213

205-915-0474DrLodewick.com

newsbriefsPrivate Pilates LessonsContinuing Education Workshops

Small Groups

Pilates Mat ClassesYoga Classes

Massage Therapy

Return to Lifethrough breath, spinal

decompression and mobility. Develop long lean

strong and flexible muscles, along with a balanced body,

mind and spirit.

Pilates on Highland LLC

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2827 Highland Avenue Southwww.pilatesonhighland.com

Get an Apple A Day from Off the Vine Organic

Off the Vine Organic Produce loves their fresh new fall apple crop apples and

wants to share them with customers. If a family of four eats one apple a day, they will need 120 apples per month. The Spitzenburg apple variety is named after the settlement of Esopus, in Ul-ster County, New York, and was rumored to be Thomas Jefferson's favorite apple. It was widely planted in the USA in the 19th century and used for both dessert and culinary purposes. The apples have an excellent flavor, which improves with storage. The Honey Crisp apple is a crisp and sweet, modern variety developed by the University of Minnesota specifically for growers in cold climates. It is one of the most cold-hardy of apple varieties. The Golden Delicious apple is not only one of the most important apple varieties of the 20th century, but is also used as breeding stock for many other varieties.

To place an order, call 850-374-2181 or visit OffTheVine.org.

Health for the Holidays

Hoover Alt MD is encouraging the gift of Health for the Holiday season. Stop by and meet the great staff, and then

come in for a cholesterol, hormones, and blood sugar check. Set an appointment to see the Doctor with your results in No-vember and December to ensure your good health—to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends, and move into the New Year the right way! The focus is on prevention and healthy lifestyle. New patients will have an exam, review of bloodwork, and discuss some of their health concerns. This is a great way to decide on New Year’s resolutions, too. IV vitamin infusions are available, to give you that lift of energy and well-being to conquer the tasks of the holidays. Ask about their Gift certificates and discounts for Weight Loss plans, herbal medicinal packages, and more. Call today for the great opportunity to be heard by a physician, and receive treatment with the kind of natural therapeutics, and medications, you desire. Dr. Korcz is also well experienced with Hormone balancing, Thyroid optimization, Sexual function and libido, and many more topics. These are all at your disposal, as you initiate your new relationship with a caring practice. Best of all, Hoover Alt MD is not intimidated by the smart, and well-informed patient. They welcome your comments and questions, believing the patient and the Practice are partners in your good Health.

Location: 3421 South Shades Crest Rd, Suite 111, Hoover, AL. Call 205-733-6676 to schedule an appointment. See ad, page 31.

Dr. Elizabeth Campbell Korcz


healthbriefs ROSEMARY REVS UP MEMORYRosemary’s folkloric reputation

for improving memory has been validated by science. UK researchers at London’s Northumbria Univer-sity found that when the essential oil of rosemary was diffused into a room—a method practiced in aromatherapy—it enhanced par-ticipants’ ability to remember past events and remind themselves to do tasks planned for the future, like sending an anniversary card. Mark Moss, Ph.D., head of psychology at Northumbria, says, “We wanted to build on our previ-ous research that indicated rosemary aroma improved long-term memory and mental arithmetic. In this study, we focused on prospective memory, which is critical for everyday functioning.” In the study, 66 people randomly assigned to either a rosemary-scented or unscented room were asked to complete a variety of tests to assess their memory functions. Those in the rosemary-scented room outperformed the control group. Blood analysis of those exposed to the rosemary aroma confirmed higher concentrations of 1,8-cin-eole, the oil’s compound specifically linked to memory improvement. The researchers concluded that the aroma of rosemary essential oil can enhance cognitive functioning in healthy indi-viduals and may have implications for treating people with memory impair-ment. The findings were presented at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference, in Harrogate.

HAPPY LIFE, HEALTHY HEARTFeelings matter when it comes to protecting a person’s

physical health. Researchers at Boston’s Harvard School of Public Health reviewing more than 200 studies pub-

lished in two major scientific databases found a direct correlation between positive psychological well-being and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart

attacks and strokes. They concluded that positive feelings like optimism, life satisfaction and happiness are associated with the reduced

risk, regardless of a person’s age, weight or socioeconomic or smoking status.

Mindful Meditation Relieves InflammationA new University of Wisconsin-Madison study

shows that meditation, a proven reducer of psychological stress, can also lessen stress-caused inflammation and thereby relieve the symptoms and pain of certain diseases. Long-term stress has long been linked to inflammation, an underlying cause of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, bowel disease, asthma, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Meditation study volunteers were divided into two groups—an eight-week mindfulness meditation course or a stress reduction program of supportive nutri-tion, exercise and music therapy that did not include meditation. The meditation group focused attention on the breath, bodily sensations and mental content while seated, walking or practicing yoga. Immune and endocrine data was collected before and after training in the two methods and meditation proved to be more effective. Melissa Rosenkranz, a neuroscientist with the university’s Center for Investigating Healthy Minds and lead author of the report, concludes that, “The mindfulness-based approach to stress reduction may offer a lower-cost alternative or complement to standard treatment, and it can be practiced easily by patients in their own homes whenever needed.”

Tanning Beds Invite MelanomaAs summer tans fade, some might feel

tempted to use tanning beds to keep a “healthy glow”, but they may be less than healthy. A recent multi-country meta-study published in the British Medical Journal con-firms that exposure to a tanning bed’s intense doses of ultraviolet light significantly increases the risk of cutaneous melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Of the 64,000 new melanoma cases diagnosed each year in Europe, more than 5 percent were linked by researchers to tanning bed use. Users experience a 20 percent increased relative risk of all types of skin cancer compared with those that have never used one. This risk doubles if indoor tanning starts before the age of 35, and the risk increases with every session.


Always Recyclable.Never Glossy.

The Killer Called SugarA new animal study from the Uni-

versity of Utah, in Salt Lake City, reports daunting results. Female mice that consumed the equivalent of a human drinking three cans of soft drinks a day doubled their death rate from all causes. The study further showed that fertility rates dropped dramatically in male mice and their innate ability to defend their territory diminished. All of the sugar-saturated mice performed poorly on cognitive tests. The lab mice received a diet in which 25 percent of their total calories came from sugar (not high fructose corn syrup, which carries substantial additional health risks). That’s an amount commonly consumed in the Standard American Diet, easy to do in one sitting via a super-sized soft drink.

Walnuts Strengthen Sperm

Adding a hand-ful of walnuts

to a man’s daily diet might just in-crease the chance of pregnancy for couples with fertility problems. Scientists attribute male infertil-

ity as the central issue in 30 to 50 percent of the 70 million couples worldwide experiencing such difficulties. Researchers at the University of California, Los Ange-les, investigated whether increasing intake of the polyun-saturated fatty acids found in fish, flax seed and walnuts that are critical for sperm maturation and membrane function would increase sperm quality in men consuming a typical Western-style diet. They found that less than three ounces of walnuts added to a man’s daily diet improved sperm strength, size and motility (swimming ability). The men eat-ing the walnuts also showed fewer chromosomal abnormali-ties in their sperm.

healthbriefsecotip

Digital DetoxUnplug to Cut Stress, Up SuccessWhether it’s extreme tex-ting, tweeting, Googling, posting or blogging, the phenomenon of being caught in the web of the Web is real. Rationaliza-tions range from coping with today’s information overload to fear of missing

out (FOMO). Yet, detriments of such continual digital connectedness range from the stifling of family and social bonds to a lack of life skills that only face-to-face communication fosters. In 2011, The New York University Child Study Center reported that 8-to-18-year-olds average more than six hours of daily media use and that school grades of a surveyed group that considered themselves “heavy” users were considerably lower than their “light” use counter-parts. Stanford Communications Professor Clifford Nass, author of The Man Who Lied to His Laptop, remarked in a 2013 NPR interview that people that do extensive media multitasking “can’t filter out irrelevancy, can’t manage memory and are chronically distracted. They say they are productive and can ‘shut it off’, but can’t keep on task and focus on one thing.” Fortunately, programs to unplug are catching on. More than 400 middle and high schools in 20 U.S. states plus Canada took a Digital Blackout Challenge to refrain from using electronic devices for one week during the 2012-2013 school year (DigitalBlackout.org). From Chief Sealth International High School, in Seattle, Washington, senior Marissa Evans says the experience informed her “there’s a balance between ‘too much’ and ‘just enough’” in being connected, and classmate Alex Askerov terms the Challenge “a breath of fresh air.” For the 2013 documentary film, Sleeping with Siri, Seattle-based journalist Michael Stusser underwent a one-week, self-assessed “techno gorge”, followed by a digital detox of the same duration. During stage one, he said his blood pressure went up 40 points after four days. He found, “You’re always waiting for a response.” He subse-quently enjoyed being disconnected. Foresters, a Toronto, Ontario-based life insurance provider, asks families to take a Tech Timeout pledge for at least one hour every day and make Sundays entirely non-tech, packed with family activities and socializing.

Learn more at TechTimeout.com.


We all need iodine, yet most of us don’t get enough of it through our diet. A study in

the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that iodine deficiency in the developed world has increased fourfold in the past 40 years and now affects nearly three-quarters of all adults. Numerous U.S. practicing physicians quoted widely in the media estimate that the incidence of hypothyroidism in our adult population may be between 30 and 70 percent.

Thus, we can’t efficiently produce the thyroid hormones that serve as chemical messengers triggering nearly every bodily function. The pres-ence or absence of iodine affects our every cell.

Be Aware of Hypothyroidism SymptomsLow thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, is

the most recognized and obvious indicator of low iodine intake because the thyroid gland contains more concentrated iodine than other organs. Symptoms can range from extreme fatigue and weight gain to depression, carpal tunnel syn-drome, high blood pressure, fibrocystic breasts and a variety of skin and hair problems.

Hypothyroidism can further cause infertility, joint pain, heart disease and stroke. Low iodine levels also have been associated with breast and thyroid cancers. In children, insufficient iodine has been strongly linked with mental retardation,

deafness, attention deficient and hyperactivity disorder and impaired growth, according to studies by Boston University, China’s Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and France’s National Academy of Medicine. The answer is simple: Taking the right kind of iodine in the right dosage can rebalance thyroid function and restore health to the thyroid and the whole body.

Reasons Behind Iodine DeficiencyRadiation: Almost everyone is routinely exposed to iodine-depleting radiation emitted by cell phones, Wi-Fi, microwave ovens and other electronic devices. Iodized table salt: The human body cannot utilize the iodine added to this product. Low-sodium diets: Failure to use healthy salts to fulfill sodium requirements, plus over-

use of zero-nutrient table salt in foods, leads to iodine depletion.Bromine: This toxic chemical overrides iodine’s abilities to nourish the thyroid, adrenal and other hormone-producing glands. A known carcinogen, it is used as an anti-caking ingredient found in almost all baked goods, unless the ingredients specifically cite unbromated flour. Iodine-depleted soils: Due to poor farming techniques, iodine and other minerals in soil have declined, so most foods today are devoid of naturally occurring iodine. Proper iodine supplementation with a high-quality product like Natural Awakenings Detoxified Iodine can prevent harm by protecting the thyroid and other endocrine glands and restoring proper hormone production.

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Natural Awakenings Detoxifed Iodine is 100 percent natural, raw iodine in an ethyl alcohol solution. We thank all those that are benefiting from this product and enthusiastically telling us their great results. Available only at NAWebstore.com My wife, who suffered from extreme fatigue and other symptoms, saw a dramatic increase in energy after just a few days of taking the natural iodine drops. Now if she misses a day, she’ll end up falling asleep in the middle of the afternoon, like she used to do before taking the iodine. It works! ~ AaronMy doctor told me that I had a hypothyroid condition, prescribed medication and was happy with the follow-up test results, yet I noticed no positive effects on my overall well-being. Within two weeks of using the Natural Awakenings Detoxified Iodine, I had more energy, felt more awake and enjoyed clearer thinking and greater peace of mind. People even comment that I look younger. I am a fan!

~ Larry


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

Giving GroupMillennials Devote Time, Talent, TreasureMuch is rightly written about how and why “millenni-als”, or “Generation Y”—the young people heading into the 21st century—spend their time and money. This generation is redefining the way we think about business, and conscious consumerism is now its own form of philanthropy. This age group is leading the charge by extending the premise of a moral compass to for-profit enterprises and looking for ever-more meaningful opportuni-ties to have an impact. The trend carries fresh implications for the nonprofit sector, too, because millennials lead the way in forward-ing worthy causes. When The Case Foundation partnered with Achieve, a thought leader in non-profit millennial engagement, to produce the Millennial Impact Report, researchers surveyed more than 2,500 millennials ages 20 to 35. They found that last year, 83 percent gave a financial gift to an organization supporting a cause that resonates with their interests. Seventy-three percent volunteered for a cause that they were passionate about or felt created impact, and 70 percent are raising money for their causes both online and offline.

Frack AttackControversial Drilling Threatens Pacific OceanFederal regulators have approved at least two hy-draulic fracturing, or “fracking”, operations on oil rigs in the Santa Barbara Channel off the coast of California since 2009 without an updated envi-ronmental review that critics say may be required by federal law. Environmental advocates are con-cerned that regulators and the industry have not properly reviewed the potential impacts of fracking in the Pacific outer continental shelf. Fracking, a subject of heated debate, is a method of drilling that forces water, chemicals and sand deep beneath the Earth’s surface at high pressure to break up underground rock and release oil and gas. Offshore fracking is currently used to stimulate oil production in old wells and provide well-bore stability. In California, the oil company Venoco has been using fracking technol-ogy to stimulate oil production in an old well off the coast of Santa Barbara—where the public memory of the nation’s third-largest oil spill in 1969 lin-gers—since early 2010. Another firm recently received permission for fracking in the Santa Barbara Channel, home to the Channel Islands Marine Reserve. So far, offshore fracking is rare, but officials expect that other firms may seek to utilize the environmentally damaging technology on offshore rigs in the future.

Source: Tinyurl.com/PacificFracking

Capital IdeaSocial Networking Funds Local BusinessCommunity Sourced Capital (CSC) is a newly formed lender headquartered in Seattle, Washington, that aims to apply the crowdsourcing model to encourage the growth of locally owned businesses. “The hardest part is often not attracting shoppers once the project is off the ground,” explains co-founder Casey Dilloway, “but se-curing capital to get it started.” CSC’s objective is to harness the power of the connections that tie lo-cal people together—both via social media and in the physical world—to find people willing to loan money to small local businesses. They may initially connect through Community SourcedCapital.com. Lenders make funds available in $50 blocks up to a maximum of $250 per project, and are acknowledged by the receipt of a pale-blue square card bearing the CSC logo, which identifies them as “Squareholders”. The funds are then made available to borrowers at zero interest, and loans are paid back at a designated rate based on the company’s revenue. CSC makes loans of up to $50,000.

Source: Yes magazine


Holy Eco-Crisis!Deadly Fungus Destroying Bat Colonies

White-nose syndrome, a disease spread by a soil fungus, G. destructans, and thought to have been carried to North America from Europe, is devastating bat colonies in the U.S. and Canada. First identified in 2006 in a population of common little brown bats in a cave 150 miles north of New York City,

the malady has claimed 98 percent of the bat population there by causing them to awaken prematurely from their normal hibernation and then die from lack of food and exhaustion. A single reproductive female little brown bat can eat her weight in insects each night. A recent Canadian study valued crops potentially lost to insects that would otherwise be devoured by bats at $53 billion a year. Without the bats to keep insect numbers down, farmers may turn to greater use of pesticides.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Pass GoCooperation Rules in New Board GameMonopoly is a traditional, popular board game that provides fun for the whole family as players ruthlessly strive to outwit each other, form a mo-nopoly and take ownership of all the real estate, houses, hotels and money. If that doesn’t seem like a pastime that teaches values of fairness and social justice, there’s a new game in town—Co-opoly. In the 21st-century game, invented by the Toolbox for Education and Social Action (ToolboxForEd.org), players develop cooperative businesses using a team effort. Sharing knowledge and creating cooperative strategies determine whether everyone wins or loses. Instead of encouraging players to grab up all the wealth and bankrupt others, it showcases the economic success that can result when people work together.

Safer SleepPeople- and Planet-Friendly Fire Retardants

An ultrathin film that consists of polymers found in crustacean shells could be an environmentally friendly alternative to the flame retardants used in bedding and sofas. Mattresses and furniture cushions are typi-cally made of highly flammable polyurethane foam; to meet fire safety guidelines, manu-facturers treat the foam with fire-retardant chemicals. These are typically brominated

compounds that studies by the National Institute for Public Health and the Envi-ronment, in The Netherlands, have shown can act as endocrine disruptors, leading to neurological problems or even cancer. The European Union has banned several of the flame-retardant compounds and U.S. and Canadian regulatory agencies have started to scrutinize their use. The nano-coating could be sprayed on foam, which would make it easy for mass production; several companies have expressed interest in the material.

Source: Chemical & Engineering News

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Fast Track to Personal Growth

Transform Your Life with Mentors, Books, Workshops and Online Courses

by Bess J.M. Hochstein

Such expansion is essential as more of those pursuing the examined life seek personal interaction in community and find that inward exploration frequently translates into outward action to im-prove the world. Perched on the cliffs of Big Sur, in California, the Esalen Institute, estab-lished in 1962, helped birth the modern human potential movement. It exists to help individuals grow through educa-tion, experience and research, with the conviction that positive personal and social transformation go hand-in-hand. Today, Esalen offers about 600 workshops a year, serving around 12,000 participants. Popular programs range from dance and yoga to couples workshops and psychology courses. Cheryl Fraenzl, director of pro-grams, explains the appeal: “For most of us, life can be challenging and messy. Gaining the insight, skills and tools to move through the challenging times with more ease and grace while creating more love for yourself and those around you seems like a good investment of time and energy. Be-ing consciously kind and relationally wise ripples out and changes the world. The effort has to start with the individu-al, like paying it forward; imagine if we all were doing it?” The largest holistic retreat center in North America, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, in Stockbridge, Mas-sachusetts, attracts 35,000 participants to 800 programs annually. According to Denise Barack, the nonprofit’s director of program development, current work-shops in high demand include qigong, Buddhist meditation, mindfulness and yoga nidra. She also notes a growing interest in diverse dimensions of yoga, dance and “authentic movement” for

Popular books that have helped people on this journey span cen-turies, from Wallace Wattles’ The

Science of Getting Rich (1910), Napo-leon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich (1937), Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People (1937), Abraham Maslow’s Motivation and Personality (1954) and Dr. Thomas Anthony Harris’ I’m OK, You’re OK (1967) to Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret (2006). The personal growth genre is a cornerstone of the publishing industry. Companies like Hay House, founded by motivational author Louise Hay, have flourished. Hay teaches, “No matter where we live or how difficult

our situation seems to be, we have the ability to overcome and transcend our circumstances.” The success of her 1984 book, You Can Heal Your Life, a New York Times bestseller well into the 21st century, led to her publishing empire, which includes authors such as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss and Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. One of its recent top sellers is Pam Grout’s E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality. Hay House has expanded its messages of hope and healing through online courses, films, conferences, special events and other opportunities to meet leading thinkers and peers.

Our capacity for self-examination distinguishes us from other animals.

We feel compelled to ask: “Who am I? What am I here for? How can

I attain my full potential?” The quest for answers has engaged humans

for millennia.

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healing, addiction recovery, releasing trauma and energy medicine. Psychotherapist and yoga teacher Stephen Cope, founder and director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordi-nary Living, the Center’s yoga research department, notes that many guests first come to Kripalu “… as a result of some form of suffering. Then they engage in a period of self-exploration—perhaps learning some form of contemplative practice to help them manage them-selves more effectively. Almost always there is a turn outward, back toward the world, and a longing to bring the heal-ing power of contemplative practice into their own domain.” Once someone has experienced the benefits of contemplative practices such as yoga, meditation, breathing and other healthy lifestyle routines, notes Cope, a powerful aspiration typically arises to share these practices and perspectives. “These practices all lead to a sense of union, relatedness and sameness with others,” he says, “and this burgeoning consciousness of sameness compels us to share what we’ve learned.” In Rhinebeck, New York, the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies offers similar self-empowering and reflective opportunities. Dr. Stephan Rechtschaffen and Elizabeth Lesser founded Omega in 1977 as a “university of life.” Through working with prominent Zen masters, rabbis, Christian monks, psychologists, scientists and others, Lesser has found, “By combining a variety of religious, psychological and healing traditions,

each of us has the unique ability to sat-isfy our spiritual hunger.” Based since 1981 in a former camp on a lake with more than 100 buildings on 200-plus acres, Omega hosts more than 23,000 guests in up to 500 programs between mid-April and October, plus special programs in Costa Rica and New York City. Director of Rhinebeck Programs Carol Donahoe notes the rising interest in workshops on dietary cleansing, detox and juicing, such as “Reboot with Joe Cross: A Jump Start to Health and Weight Loss,” led by the filmmaker of Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. Personal transformation and mindfulness programs led by teachers like Jon Kabat-Zinn, Saki Santorelli, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Byron Katie and Pema Chödrön are perennial favorites. “As humans, we continue to be fascinated by the big questions in life,” observes Donahoe, “like, ‘Where do we go when we die? Who are we if we are not our thoughts?’ People seem particularly drawn to hearing about it from those that have always lived their lives in a left-brain, logical way, and then come to believe the unexplainable through an extraordinary life experi-ence, and now view the world through a completely different lens.” As examples, she cites neuro-surgeon Dr. Eben Alexander, who recounts his near-death experience in his bestselling book, Proof of Heaven, and neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, author of the bestselling memoir My Stroke of Insight. Taylor’s 2008 TED talk was ranked the nonprofit’s second most-watched for the past two years. Both of these cutting-edge think-ers have given presentations at Omega, which, like at Esalen and Kripalu, helps bring ideas and practices that

The unexamined life is not worth living for

a human being. ~ Plato

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once seemed on the fringe—from yoga and meditation to complemen-tary medicine and sustainability—into mainstream consciousness. Par-ticularly innovative initiatives include helping military veterans heal from post-traumatic stress disorder; the women’s leadership center; the center for sustainable living; and pioneering programs on mindfulness in the work-place, education system and at-risk urban youth communities. “We recognize that because we live in an interconnected world; the behav-ior of one can contribute to creating changes that benefit the whole,” says Donahoe. “Doing both the inner and outer work can awaken the best in the human spirit, and so provide hope and healing to individuals and society.” For those unable to travel great distances for a holistic immersion expe-rience in community with like-minded seekers, Wanderlust Festivals may offer an answer. Four-day regional summits, primarily held at ski resorts during the off-season, feature teachers like Shiva Rea, Elena Brower and Gurmukh; stimulating discussions; yoga; music and adventure, amidst stunning vistas. Wanderlust co-founders Sean Hoess and Jeff Krasno strive to create an expansive space for personal growth and mindful living. One common ele-ment at every gathering—now includ-ing urban and exotic locales—is Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling’s Off the Mat program, mobilizing yoga students toward activating social change. The Shift Network is dedicated to creating an online community that shares the tools of self-actualization, empowering a global movement of people creating an evolutionary shift of consciousness that leads to a more enlightened society, built on principles of sustainability, peace, health and pros-perity. This new model for the human

potential movement has roots in the grandfather of retreat centers; The Shift Network’s founder, Stephen Dinan, both worked at Esalen and contributed to Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research. Dinan explains that at a meditation retreat, he received a detailed vision of “a large global transformation network that would be helping to usher in a shift to the new era.” The Shift Network now offers free teleseminars and online summits on subjects ranging from meditation and parenting with presence to enlightened business practices and cultivating peace. “We started with The Sacred Awak-ening Series—40 days with 40 spiritual leaders—and 30,000 people signed up in 21 days,” says Dinan. The Inspir-ing Women Summit attracted 25,000 participants. Since 2010, more than 400,000 people from 160 countries have participated in free teleseminars; 18,000 have paid for online courses such as Barbara Marx Hubbard’s Agents of Conscious Evolution, Andrew Har-vey’s Christ Path and Thomas Hüebl’s Authentic Awakening. The Shift Network has already reached profitability and donated more than $50,000 to nonprofits. Dinan’s vision includes providing education program certifications; building a multimedia platform of e-zines, mobile phone apps and web TV broadcasts; and eventually building facilities and intentional communities to model the possibilities of a more healthy, peaceful, sustainable way of life. From reading a book on meditation to attending a yoga intensive or tapping into a multifaceted community striving to change the world, we have myriad opportunities to lead an examined life. While the seeker may have a personal goal in mind, each mode of self-inquiry can expand outward toward making the world a better place. Hay encourages us all. “You’ve been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”

Bess Hochstein is a freelance writer enjoying bicoastal bliss in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and Sonoma County, California. Connect at BessHochstein.com.

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Seeding Growth

Personal growth can be advanced by activities that improve self-knowledge and identity, develop

talents and potential, build human capital and employability, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. It’s worth investing in: Consider these core universal benefits.

Self-AwarenessGrowing self-awareness enables an individual to live a life by design, instead of one marred by feelings of mediocrity, discontent or being a vic-tim of circumstance. When elevated awareness becomes one’s modus operandi, it brings infinite spiritual riches to life.

HappinessSuccessful growth requires taking personal responsibility for each choice we make in shaping and re-sponding to circumstances and other people. Most of us are happier when we feel that we have some control over creating our own reality. Feeling empowered supports self-worth and increases our confidence to make even more of the changes we desire to comfort and nurture us and keep us safe.

SuccessTrue success isn’t about the dollars and cents of financial worth—it’s real-ized via living a life of balance and fulfillment in our health, family life, social relationships, career and contri-butions to our community and world.

Source: Inspired by FinerMinds.com

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“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘Thank you,’ that would suffice,” a maxim first

voiced by mystic Meister Eckhart, has held true through the centuries. Why should this simple act mean so much? Expressing gratitude works wonders.

Gratitude reminds us to recognize good people in our life. They range from loved ones to those that render a kindness to a stranger. Treasuring good-ness in every form brings more of it into our experience.

Gratitude turns bad things into good things. Having problems at work? Be grateful to be employed and serving others. Challenges keep life interest-ing, enhance judgment and strengthen character.

Gratitude reminds us of what’s impor-tant. Being grateful to have a healthy family and friends, a home and food on the table puts smaller worries in perspective.

Gratitude reminds you to say, “Thank you.” Call, email or stop by to say thanks… it takes just a few minutes to express our reason for doing so. People like being appreciated. It creates a sat-isfying beam of mutual happiness that shines on.

Habit-Forming TipsHere are some ways to overcome any initial discomfort felt in stepping for-ward to thank others.

Create a morning gratitude session. Take a few minutes each morning to

close your eyes, silence the to-dos and give thanks to whomever and whatever is cause for gratitude.

Show thanks. Sometimes we think about something helpful or kind that someone did for us recently or long ago. Make a note, call them up or even better, tell them in person with sincere conviction why you continue to be grateful and ap-preciative. Another option is a thank-you card or email—keep it short and sweet.

See the silver lining even in “negative” situations. There are always two ways to look at something. We can perceive something as stressful, harmful, sad, unfortunate and difficult, or look for the good embedded in just about every-thing. Problems held in a positive light from a different perspective can be op-portunities to grow and to be creative in devising a solution.

Learn a gratitude prayer. Many songs and prayers, religious or not, serve to remind us to be grateful. Find or write a special one and post it in a highly visible spot.

Leo Babauta is the founder of the sim-plicity blog, ZenHabits.net, and author of bestselling e-books Focus, The Little Guide to Un-Procrastination and Zen to Done.

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LIVING GRATITUDEA Taproot of Happinessby Leo Babauta

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Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia and a general term for memory loss and other intellectual disabilities serious enough to interfere with daily life,

affects 5.6 million Americans. According to The Lancet Neu-rology, a well-respected medical journal on brain research, Alzheimer’s, which presently has no cure, is preventable.

consciouseating “Lifestyle choices, like aerobic exercise and eating plenty of healthy fats and reducing carbohydrates, affect overall brain health, as well as the risk of Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist and author of the new bestselling book, Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar—Your Brain’s Silent Killers. Food is a powerful epigenetic modulator—it can enable or hamper our DNA, thus regulating the expression of many genes. Experts have only begun to understand the damaging consequences of wheat consumption. “Grain Brain is a timely wake-up call about how we are increasingly challenging human physiology by consuming what we are not genetically prepared to process, like the 133 pounds of wheat the average American eats annually,” says Perlmutter. He believes that one of the main culprits for the decline in brain health in modern times has been the intro-duction of wheat into the human diet. Today’s modernized and hybridized wheat crops share little genetic, structural or chemical similarity to the wild einkorn variety of grain our ancestors consumed in small amounts. In the West, 20 percent of calories come from wheat-based food. Perlmutter is among those that regard this as a dangerous statistic, especially since Dr. Alessio Fasano, a pediatric gastroenterologist and research scientist who leads the Center for Celiac Research & Treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, found that the gluten in wheat leads to the production of zonulin in the gut. Zonulin increases the permeability of the intestinal wall, allowing proteins to leak from the gut into the bloodstream, explains Perlmutter. These proteins, which would normally remain within the digestive system, then challenge parts of the immune system, the macro fascia and certain other types of white blood cells that increase production of inflamma-tion-related chemicals. “Zonulin is the cornerstone of diseas-es characterized by inflammation in the brain—Alzheimer’s, autism, Parkinson’s and attention deficit disorders—as well as autoimmune diseases,” advises Perlmutter. Fasano’s research shows that such a reaction to zonulin is present in 100 percent of humans—not just in the 1.8 per-cent of the population that have celiac disease or 30 percent

How Wheat, Carbs and Sugar are Affecting Your Brain Health

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that are gluten sensitive. “A hallmark of what I term grain brain is that brain dys-function is predicated on the inflamma-tion from consumption of gluten, as well as the long chains of sugar molecules known as carbohydrates,” says Perlmut-ter. “This includes fruit, which also was consumed in limited quantities by our ancestors.” He cites a published analysis by Loren Cordain, Ph.D., author of The Paleo Diet. A diet high in carbohydrates has been directly related to atrophy, or brain shrinkage, according to a recent German study by University of Bonn researchers, published in Neurology. A blood test for hemo-globin A1C, the standard laboratory measurement to assess average blood sugar, is frequently used in studies that corre-late blood sugar control to disease processes like Alzheim-er’s, mild cognitive impairment and coronary artery disease. The researchers concluded that elevated hemoglobin A1C is directly associated with brain shrinkage, says Perlmutter. He further notes, “The function of the brain, which is 60 to 70 percent fat and maintained by the fats you consume, depends on its environment.” Grain Brain recommends a diet that’s aggressively low in carbohydrates (60 grams per day) and bountiful in supportive brain fats. These include extra-virgin olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, ghee, almond

“A hallmark of what I term grain brain is that brain

dysfunction is predicated on the inflammation from

consumption of gluten, as well as the long chains of sugar molecules known

as carbohydrates.”

~ Dr. David Perlmutter

milk, avocados, olives, nuts, nut but-ters, cheese and seeds such as flaxseed, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and chia. It is also rich in above-ground vegetables such as kale, broccoli, spinach, cauli-flower, Brussels sprouts and salad greens, while relatively low in below-ground vegetables like beets, carrots and pota-toes, which are higher in carbohydrates. It also calls for reduced fruit consump-tion. “Having two to four servings of fruit every day, based on America’s present food pyramid, is not helpful. More in line with avoiding brain drain is an apple or

a handful of berries, or about 100 calories worth of any fruit. In my opinion, the pyramid needs to be stood on its head,” advises Perlmutter. “We should eat a diet similar to what our ancestors survived on for 2.6 million years and reprogram support of our genetic destiny for the better.”

Dr. David Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist, Fellow of the American College of Nutrition and author of Grain Brain. For more information on his 2013 PBS Grain Brain series, visit DrPerlmutter.com.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Visit ItsAllAboutWe.com for the recorded interview.


“Buster came to us for a reason,” says Amy Burkert. “My husband, Rod, and I were walking our Shar-Pei, Ty, in our Philadelphia neighborhood when a man

warned us about ‘a big, black dog’ in the alley. The friendly fellow came home with us and after a fruitless search for his family, we decided to make him part of ours.” In 2009, when the couple encountered difficulty find-ing a vacation hotel that would accept their new 70-pound German shepherd as an overnight guest, they decided to launch GoPetFriendly.com, a website that assists in finding travel accommodations for families with dogs and other pets. Selling their house in Pennsylvania and hitting the road in a 24-foot-long RV, they’ve now traveled to 47 states to research and qualify content for the website; Rod works from “home” and Amy writes the weblog. Their travel schedule flexes, with most stops lasting one to three weeks. “It’s not the life two accountants were banking on, but we couldn’t be happier,” she says, “and we owe it all to Buster.” The site now lists more than 60,000 hotels, camp-grounds, restaurants, beaches, dog parks and activities across the U.S. and Canada, plus a road trip planner. “I woke up one morning and thought, ‘I can’t find a husband, so I’ll get a dog,’” says BJ Gallagher, a sociolo-gist and award-winning author. “I’d lived in my Los Angeles house for 16 years and knew none of the neighbors. Within six months of adopting Fannie from a shelter, I’d met them

Saving Animals Saves PeopleRescue You, Rescue Me

by Sandra Murphy

all. Thanks to her, I’ve become a full-fledged member of my community.” Fannie’s Chinese heritage includes chow and Pekingese breeds. Transformations can come from more unusual pets, as well. Soon after Susan M. Tellem, a registered nurse in Malibu, California, gifted her husband, Marshall, with two tortoises for his birthday, the couple discovered there was no national protection program for the reptiles. They started American Tortoise Rescue (Tortoise.com), an organization that has been rescuing, rehabilitating and providing sanctu-ary to more than 3,000 water turtles and land tortoises since 1990. Their education and awareness initiatives for humane treatment have gone international, as well. It was a bird that rescued April Leffingwell. She had been dealing with a severe back injury that necessitated pain medication and kept her from regular work for six months when she and her husband visited a local Los Angeles pet store, “to get out of the house.” She was touched by seeing a large Moluccan cockatoo that was afflicted with a damaged claw. Her husband recognized how she related to the bird’s condition and brought Izzi home the next day. Now with just one leg, Izzi has learned to sleep while lying down to rest his other limb. “Izzi and I found each other when we were both broken,” she says. “We’ve become each other’s source of strength. If he can live with only one leg, I can live through pain.” When members of the armed forces deploy, they often have to find alternate living arrangements for pets and may not always be successful. Kimberly Gauthier, a blogger at KeepTheTailWagging.com, and her ex-Army partner are securing funding and laying plans to foster dogs for deployed soldiers. Emailing updates and Skype visits will aim to boost the morale of both the dog and serviceman or woman. The couple lives on five acres in Marysville, Washington. An animal-enriched environment has proved to be help-ful for author Kathy Rowe, a 20-year veteran retired from the military, and her husband, Scott, who also retired from Air Force service that included Special Forces duty. They have chosen to live on a 100-acre farm in Tyner, Kentucky. Kathy believes their variety of resident rescued animals, including dogs, cats, chickens, turkeys and a potbelly pig, all help Scott in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Riding, working with and grooming his horse, Quint, is particularly helpful. “My husband is less frustrated, has better focus, is less jumpy and has fewer flashbacks than he used to,” relates Rowe. “Knowing that our rescue dog, Lola, is guarding the farm, he feels he can sleep better because she has his back.” Humans rescue animals, but animals show up for a reason—most humans can use some rescuing, as well.

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy of St. Louis, MO, at [email protected].

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by Steve Dupont, RD, LD

Cutting Through the Nutrition Nonsense

It’s one of the hottest diet trends in recent years, catapulted by popu-lar books like Wheat Belly and The

Paleo Solution. Once a clinical pre-scription to manage celiac disease, the gluten-free diet is now being used to manage overweight and obesity, plus anything from rheumatoid arthritis to eczema to migraine headaches—with mixed success, needless to say.

Gluten Intolerance on the RiseMultiple sources confirm a significant increase over the past few decades, and most experts agree there’s more to the story than increased screening and bet-ter diagnostics. In a 2011 USA Today article, Dr. Alessio Fasano, director of the Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, posited several theories for the growth of gluten intolerance: 1) Industrialized societies

have overdone it with antibiotics, vac-cines and even hand washing, crippling our immunity. 2) Children are being introduced to gluten at an earlier age. 3) Breastfeeding rates have declined. And, 4) the gluten content of wheat has dramatically increased in recent years. All of these make sense, and the issue of higher-gluten wheat varieties is one parroted by many different gluten gurus. But is it true? According to Judi Adams, MS, RDN, president of the Wheat Foods Council, the answer is no, and she has at least one legitimate study (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry) to back her up. Indeed, wheat has changed drastically over the past hundred years, but gluten con-tent—as a major constituent of total protein—has always varied from season to season. On the other hand, the same article cited by Adams showed total American wheat consumption to be up almost 30% between 1970 and 2000. Evidence also shows imports of gluten itself are up in recent decades, suggest-ing that food makers are adding gluten to wheat flour to make “whole grain” breads more palatable. Whatever the cause, this gluten phenomenon is not unique to Ameri-cans. According to researchers from Columbia University (published in the journal Gastroenterology & Hepatolo-gy), celiac disease is now just as preva-lent (roughly 1 in 150) in North Africa

and the Middle East—the birthplace of wheat—as in Western countries.

Diagnosis and TreatmentSymptoms of gluten intolerance may include: chronic diarrhea, fatty stools, unexplained weight loss, excessive gas, bloating and abdominal distension, growth retardation (children), deficien-cy of iron, folate or vitamin B12, itchy skin blisters and recurrent mouth sores. Your risk is also increased if members of your family have celiac disease, or if you have an autoimmune disease like lupus. If you think gluten is a problem, it’s generally advised that you refrain from changing your diet until you can get tested. First is a blood screen for specific antibodies. If positive, you’ll need a small intestine biopsy for final diagnosis, which is done by passing a fiber optic scope from the mouth and removing sample tissue for analysis.

Bottom LineDo the potential risks of a gluten-free diet outweigh the benefits? Wheat, barley and rye do contain a nice array of vitamins and minerals, but not high enough amounts of any key nutrients to worry about. In other words, if you’re eating an otherwise balanced diet, the risks are nil. As with any diet, however, I’d recommend taking a high-quality multivitamin every day just to cover your bases. And making the foray with tailored advice from a dietitian wouldn’t be a bad idea either!

Steve Dupont, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian and founder of Dupont Dietary Consulting LLC. Specialties include

weight loss, energy balance, supplements, cooking and meal planning. 205-213-7953. SteveDupont.com.

Is Gluten- Free for You?


Sugar—our body breaks almost ev-erything down into glucose. Even things that can’t be broken down

into it, get joined and converted to glucose, and it is the main currency of all the cells in your body. Kids seek it, adults “crave” it, and even babies smile when you give them something sweet! Yet, there comes a point when enough is enough…or too much.

Addiction. Is there really a difference between table sugar, cane sugar, honey, or High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)? Yes, there is. The more natural forms of sweetness are better for you than the over-processed, concentrated, and man-made. Honey, for example has many healing properties (anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory), and even helps people overcome their allergies. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been proven in studies to act like an addic-tive drug—with cravings, and seeking behaviors, and obsessive/compulsive tendencies. HFCS is one of the pro-posed reasons for the worsening obesity problem, and rampant rise in diabetes among Americans—and especially in the South.

Too Low. Some people eat a meal, and have a reaction of low blood sugar an

hour later. This ranges from weakness and tremors, to even palpitations, faint-ing and extreme fatigue. People who have this can be thin, or overweight. It’s a symptom of sugar dysregulation, (body’s inability to correctly control changes in blood sugar). It is actually a sign of pre-diabetes.

Too High. A fasting blood glucose over 95 is “borderline”; over 100 is pre-di-abetes,” or “impaired fasting glucose.” This is a warning sign. Once the fasting sugar is 126, we call it Diabetes. Other-wise, any time a person has symptoms of diabetes (thirsty, urinating too often, fatigue, mental dulling), and any sugar over 200, we give a diabetes diagnosis.

Type I. Main problem: too little insulin. This usually strikes the younger, and is discovered when a child/teen gets very sick, and is hospitalized. They need insulin treatment right away, and Type I is associated with antibodies against the cells that make insulin (in the pancre-as). Patients are often thin, and under-developed (or may have lost weight). This form of diabetes is severe, and life-threatening right away, with patients needing insulin several times daily to control their sugar. Blindness, neuropa-thy, illness, and a shortened life-span

can result if normal blood sugars are not restored.

Type II. Main problem: resistance to insulin. This is the more common form, and associated with being overweight, and older. It runs in families, and can be controlled with pills and diet, although sometimes insulin is needed later on. This form is “sneaky” and often has few symptoms, until it gets worse. If not screened for by your doctor, many are diagnosed only after they have had it for years…and it has done damage. Heart disease, and blood vessel disease are common, with patients at high risk for heart attacks, stroke, blood clots, and loss of a limb.

Other Types. There are a few other forms of sugar problems, including “Type 1.5” and PCOS. In type 1.5, patients have both problems of low in-sulin and resistance. These people can be thin or overweight, and usually go straight onto insulin. In PCOS (females), the complex of irregular cycles, infer-tility, overweight, ovarian cysts, and insulin resistance combine to cause a variety of health problems.

Prevention. I was talking to a patient last week, about his diabetes, and how to help control his blood sugar. He looked at me and stated plainly, “We just were never told how to do it right, you know? How to eat healthy, and exercise…no, we just ate and ate, and even held contests about whose sugary drink was the sweetest! We all have diabetes, now, Doc. Everyone in my family.” To halt the epidemic of diabetes, we must focus on education.

Sweet? ... or Sour

by Elizabeth Campbell Korcz, MD


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Further, we need to start with children (where Diabetes is on the rise). Adults, as well, need to be re-trained on eating right.

Diet. The diet for a diabetic, or sugar intolerant patient, focuses on control-ling fast entry of sugar into the body. Limiting sweets, carbs, and emphasiz-ing vegetables and meats/proteins. This is very difficult for many Type II diabet-ics, who are overweight and usually (at least partially) addicted to sugary snacks, and soft drinks with HFCS. Weight control/loss and maintaining a healthy weight is key. For all of us, diets with plenty of vegetables, proteins, and smaller por-tions of carbs (pasta, bread, rice, etc) are the way to go. Drink mostly water, and eat whole fruits. Limit sweet things, and keep it to natural sugars. Further, make your carbs the good stuff: whole grain breads, crackers and pasta, sweet potatoes with fiber, and long grain/brown rice. Diets high in sugars are also inflammation producing, even if you don’t have problems processing sugar, it can do this. Personally, I have raised my kids referring to things as “junk food” or “healthy food,” to ensure they know the difference. Today, I am sometimes chastised by my 10-year-old, if I (in a moment of weakness) suggest a “junk” food, instead of the good stuff. It makes me proud, I must admit. So, do yourself a favor, and limit your risks for diabetes and the problems it causes.

Dr. Elizabeth Campbell Korcz has a growing, innovative practice in Hoover that augments Traditional Family Medi-cine with Complementary and Alterna-tive medical therapies and practices.

She is currently accepting new patients. Hoover Alt MD, 3421 South Shades Crest Rd, Suite 111, Hoover. Call 205-733-6676 to schedule an appointment. See ad, page 31.


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How would we live, were we not afraid of

death? How would we live if we gave ourselves permission to give to life everything we’ve got? In The Longevity Factor, Lydia Brontë, Ph.D., ob-serves that we’ve added 15 years to our lives… but in the middle, not at the end. No longer identifying ourselves as “over the hill” at what-ever age, we are simply removing the hill. We are forging a different conversation and a new vision to take us beyond the limited thought forms that have defined the parameters of age for generations. For the first time in history, we can realistically view the first half of life as a kind of gestation period, preparing us for an even more productive second half. Midlife is like a second puberty, a point at which one persona falls away and another comes to take its place. What happens then is up to us. Some begin a long, slow cruise toward death at that point, allowing memories to become more meaningful than the present. Others, remembering that the spirit within us never ages, see the moment of midlife as a rebirth—the time to put our engines into high gear. Whomever it is we were born to be, whatever our soul was coded to ac-complish, whatever lessons we are here to learn; now is the time to seriously get going. We may regret that we’re no longer young, but we’re ecstatic that we’re no longer clueless. We must be disciplined, though.

The Miracle of MidlifeBeing Exactly Who We Need to Be

by Marianne Williamson

We want to become pre-cision instruments now, focused on exactly what we want to do and being exactly who we need to be. This requires separat-ing from the person we were before to whatever extent that person was not who we know in our hearts we were created to be. There’s no more time for five-year de-tours. No more time for relationships that don’t

serve us or for staying in situations that aren’t true to who we are. No more time for pettiness, false pride or what-ever other dysfunctional roadblocks obstruct our higher destiny and the joy that’s meant to be ours. Our life might not be as fabulous as it used to be in some ways, but in other ways it’s even more fabulous. The Universe is constantly and infinitely elastic, responding not to our past, but to our present state of mind. As we learn to reprogram thoughts—atoning for our mistakes of the past and em-bracing the endless miraculous pos-sibilities of the present—we step into a time when we have every reason to look forward with genuine excitement to what happens next. Individually and collectively, we are now fitted to fearlessly forge new ground, wielding the power of what life has taught us so far and laying claim to the possibility of redemption, not only for ourselves, but also for the entire world. The planet needs a new story, aligned with a larger consciousness, and so do we.


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What we need now are imagina-tion and courage. Many of us feel we’ve forever carried around a secret dream, rarely validating it even to ourselves and often denying its reality. Yet it has refused to go away and is ready to be born at last. Individuals that have spent decades achieving one thing or moving in one direction often take up something else entirely that gives them far more psychic satisfaction. They see achievements that were the height of their material success

as preparation for an even greater one; the means by which they learned the skills ultimately needed to make their biggest contribution to the world. Divine law guarantees that the power of “now” presents an endless fount of miraculous opportunities. In God, there are no limits to how high we can go, ever. In God, there is no time… only the call of the soul. It is not too late; we are right on time and we are better than we know. Now, having visited so many other places in our journey of life, we seek our place within the collective heartbeat of holiness. When enough of us stand in the light of our higher purpose, seek-ing to be ever-greater servants of love, each consciously dedicated to creating a more loving world, then a new field of collective possibility will emerge among us. All that is not love will begin to fall away of its own dead weight. A pro-found moment of planetary renewal will occur then, after our having allowed it first to occur within us.

Marianne Williamson is an internation-ally acclaimed inspirational author and lecturer. Six of her 10 books have been New York Times bestsellers, including The Age of Miracles: Em-bracing the New Midlife, the basis for this article.

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second half.


calendarofeventsFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1Marching On: The Children's Movement @ 50 – daily through November. The exhibition tells the story of the Children's Crusade through the words of the foot soldiers who made it happen: the young people of Birmingham in 1963. Admission charged. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 Sixteenth St North, Birmingham, AL 35203. 866-328-9696.

Estate Planning – 10-11am. Auburn University professor Dr. Robert Tufts will present information about wills, trusts, probate and other estate planning topics. Free. Trussville Senior Citizen Center, 504 Cherokee Dr, Trussville, AL 35173. 205-655-2022.

Into to the Roots with Rich Fabio – 6-8pm. The class focuses on the alignment method unique to the roots sequence created by John Friend and Desi Springer. All levels. Friday only $35/full weekend $130. Birmingham Yoga, 605 37th St South, Birmingham, AL 35222. 205-637-4228. BirminghamYoga.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2Self Care Retreat at Blue Spring Manor – 9am-5pm. A full day of self care. Yoga, meditation, Reiki, spa pool, delicious organic lunch and more. Pamper your mind, body, and soul with this day retreat. $111 includes lunch. For more information: Terri Ann Heiman, Natural Forces Studio. Natural ForcesStudio.com.

Reiki Level I with Bliss Wood – 9-5pm (Sat-Sun). Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) means “universal life force." Once you receive this powerful energy, it will remain with you for the rest of your life. 14 CE hours for massage therapists. $180. Birmingham Yoga, 605 37th St South, Birmingham, AL 35222. 205-637-4228. BirminghamYoga.com.

Mixed Level Roots Practice with Rich Fabio – 9:30-11am. The Roots practice is designed to help tune the mind-body for any level of yoga student. Full weekend $130. Birmingham Yoga, 605 37th St South, Birmingham, AL 35222. 205-637-4228. BirminghamYoga.com.

Moss Rock Festival – 10am-5pm (Sat); 10am-4pm (Sun). Features 100 artists inspired by nature, an Eco District, Live Music, Beer & Wine Tastings, Kids Studios, Hiking, Biking, Geocaching, and more. Free. The Preserve, 616 Preserve Parkway, Hoover, AL 35226. 205-595-6306.

Four Short, Easy Interpretative Dayhikes Led by the Friends of Moss Rock Preserve – 11am and 1pm, both days, Sat-Sun. During the Moss Rock Festival, the Friends of Moss Rock Preserve will lead a series of four relatively easy one-hour dayhikes in the Preserve. Free. Info: Ashley Wingo, [email protected], 205-595-6306. SEOutings.org.

Roots Theraputics with Rich Fabio – 1:30-3:30pm. This two-hour workshop will break out the Roots sequence and its signature alignments in a safe, fun way. Full weekend $130. Birmingham Yoga, 605 37th St South, Birmingham, AL 35222. 205-637-4228. BirminghamYoga.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5Dance Alabama! – 7:30pm (11/5-11/7); 5:30pm

(11/8). Dance Alabama! is a 100% student produced dance concert. After rigorous auditions, students choreograph, cast, rehearse and design their pieces in preparation for the concert. Admission charged. Rowand-Johnson Hall/Morgan Hall, Stadium Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. 205-348-3400.

Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash – 7:30pm. This celebrated jukebox musical never imitates Cash, but guides the audience a journey through his storied life and fantastic music. Admis-sion charged. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Dr, Birming-ham, AL 35229. 205-726-2853.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Presents: Global Fest – 12pm (11/6-11/8). The Jig Is Up! The Masterful Artistry of Irish Dance (11/6); The Art of Indian Dances (11/7); and Un Voyage Aux Frances (11/8). Free. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 Tenth Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294. 205-975-2787.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7Thanksgiving Harvest with Chef "E" – 3:30pm. Learn more about how to eat healthy and be creative this Thanksgiving with harvest foods. Free. West End Branch Library, 1348 Tuscaloosa Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211. 205-226-4089.

First Thursdays: After Hours at BMA – 5-9pm. Wander the galleries, sip cocktails in the garden, catch a movie, or sit down with friends for tapas at Oscar's. Free. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203. 205-254-2565.

Generational Talk – 6-7pm. Three generations share their personal perspective and response to works of art in the exhibition Etched in Collective History. Free. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203. 205-254-2565.

Smart@Investing: Families & Finance with Dr. Stephanie Yates – 6:30pm. Learn how to keep more

hard-earned cash in your pocket by avoiding money mistakes, spending less, and reducing debt. Plus, get answers to your most pressing family finance questions. Free. Homewood Public Library, Large Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209. 205-332-6620.

Live @ Homewood Public Library: Spoken Words Series – 6:30pm. The Seasoned Performers bring the magic of summertime small town America to life with a spoken word performance of Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. Free. Homewood Public Library, Round Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209. 205-332-6620.

VIVA Vestavia Hills – 6:30-9pm. Enjoy a taste of fabulous Vestavia Hills Restaurant Fare and Fine Wines at VIVA Vestavia Hills XI. VIVA will be held at Hollywood Pools in Vestavia Hills. $40. Order tickets online at VestaviaHills.org. Hollywood Pools, 1441 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. 205-823-5011.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8Frederick Teardo, organ – 7:30-9pm. Frederick Teardo, the Cathedral’s own Director of Music and Organist, will present a full-length program featur-ing works that span the gamut of the organ reper-tory. Free. Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Ave North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. 205-226-3505.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9Southeastern Outings Moderate Dayhike – 9am. Cloudland Canyon State Park, Trenton, Georgia. Hike along the highly scenic rim trail around this lovely canyon in Northwest Georgia and then down into the bottom of the canyon itself. Depart 9am from Applebee’s Trussville. Info: Janet Goodwin, 205-995-1001. SEOutings.org.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10Southeastern Outings Dayhike, Oak Mountain State Park –1pm. Enjoy a moderate 4 mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon. Park admission charged. Info: Marion Henry, 205-822-9026. SEOutings.org.

Global Cuisine @ the Plaza: Foods and Cof-fees of Morocco – 2:30pm. Enjoy and experience Moroccan foods and coffees through Coffee-ol-ogy Cafe's culinary presentation. Free samples provided. Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr, Hoover, AL 35216. 205-444-7821.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11World Peace Luncheon – 11am, prior to the Veter-ans Day parade. $25 for lunch seating. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd North, Birmingham, AL 35203. 205-942-5300.

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson – 7:30pm (11/11-11/16); 2pm (11/17). A rock musical about the seventh US president Andrew Jackson. $10. Rowand-Johnson Hall/Morgan Hall, Stadium Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. 205-348-3400.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12Live @ Homewood Public Library: Spoken


Words Series – 6:30pm. Poet Adam Vines. Adam is assistant professor of English at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and editor of the Bir-mingham Poetry Review. Free. Homewood Public Library, Round Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209. 205-332-6620.

Oxmoor Page Turner’s Book Club – 6:30pm. Join us as we explore William Landay’s courtroom thriller Defending Jacob. Free. Homewood Public Library, Boardroom, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209. 205-332-6620.

2nd Tuesday – 6-7pm. Informal Alabama Ballet performance and "studio chat" with Artistic Director Tracey Alvey. Free and open to the public. Alabama Ballet Center for Dance, 2726 1st Ave South, Bir-mingham, AL 35233. 205-322-4300.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13Emphasis on Health: Fibromyalgia with Dr. Mark Dailey – 12pm. Learn about this chronic condition and the most effective treatments and lifestyle changes those suffering with fibromyalgia might make to improve their symptoms and qual-ity of life. Free. Homewood Public Library, Large Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209. 205-332-6620.

Theatre UAB presents “Twelfth Night” by Wil-liam Shakespeare –7:30-9:30pm (11/13-11/22); 2-4pm (11/23). Admission charged. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 Tenth Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294. Call 205-975-2787 for tickets.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14Java Knit –2-3pm. Love to knit or crochet? Want to learn how? Bring your own needles and yarn and we supply the java, tea and snacks. Free. Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, 1221 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. 205-978-4678.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16Southeastern Outings Dayhike – 10am. Join SEO for a moderate 4-mile hike on the lovely, well-maintained trails in the 1000+-acre Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, one of the largest in-city nature preserves in the country. Depart 10am from the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center Pavilion. Info: Dan Frederick, [email protected] or 205-631-4680. SEOutings.org.

Integrated Energy Therapy Basic Level 1 – 10am-6pm. A system of healing that works with the angelic realm and helps to remove the issues out of the tissues. Terri Ann Heiman, Natural Forces Studio, 605 37th St South, inside Birmingham Yoga. NaturalForcesStudio.com.

Fall Dana Fair and Sakyong Birthday Potluck – 2-5pm. Arts/crafts/services sale from 2-5pm. Paint-ings, photography, jewelry and services including legal services, catering, massage, yoga and more. Potluck dinner to follow at 5pm. Families welcome. Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center, 714 37th St South, Birmingham, AL 35222. 205-587-3710. Birmingham.Shambhala.org.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17Mindful Parenting – 1-3pm. Incorporating Bud-dhist teachings and meditation practice into par-enting. Join us to exchange experiences, give each other support, and learn more about the enriching and gentle Buddhist view of parenting. Childcare

provided. Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center, 714 37th St South, Birmingham, AL 35222. 205-587-3710. Birmingham.Shambhala.org.

Jason Bailey, mandolin – 2:30pm. An afternoon with mandolin virtuoso Jason Bailey who plays in a variety of styles including bluegrass, Celtic and swing jazz. Free. Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr, Hoover, AL 35216. 205-444-7821.

Adaptations Screening Party: Pride and Preju-dice – 2:30pm. Adaptations is Avondale Library's book-to-film group. For each title, we host a screening party (where we watch the movie) and an AfterParty (where we discuss the book and film). Free. Avondale Regional Library, 509 40th St South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222. 205-226-4000.

Healing with the Angels – 11am-4pm. Align with the energy of the angels. Learn to create heart links and bring in the love and support of the angelic realm. No experience necessary. Terri Ann Heiman, Natural Forces Studio, 605 37th St South, inside Birmingham Yoga. NaturalForcesStudio.com.

Library, 200 Municipal Dr, Hoover, AL 35216. 205-444-7840.

Adult Book Group: And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini – 2-3pm. Free. Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, 1221 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. 205-978-4678.

The Better Than Therapy Book Club – 2pm. Join us for Curtis Sittenfelds’s Sisterland, a mesmerizing novel of family and identity, loyalty and deception, and the delicate line between truth and belief. Home-wood Public Library, Boardroom, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209. 205-332-6620.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21Live @ Homewood Public Library: Spoken Words Series – 6:30pm. Critically acclaimed storyteller Elizabeth Vander Kamps weaves home-spun stories, myths, legends and fairy tales into her telling. Homewood Public Library, Round Audito-rium, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209. 205-332-6620.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23Reiki Level II with Bliss Wood – 8am-5pm (11/23); 8am-12pm (11/24). Reiki Level 2 expands on the energy of Reiki Level 1. Prerequisite: Reiki Level 1 certificate. $225 before 11/1, $250 after. Birmingham Yoga, 605 37th St South, Birmingham, AL 35222. 205-637-4228. BirminghamYoga.com.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike in Bucks Pocket State Park – 9am. Join fellow nature lovers for an easy stroll on trails in this very scenic park. Depart 9am from the Food Giant parking lot in Pinson. Info: Dan Frederick, [email protected] or 205-631-4680. SEOutings.org.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30Dog Hike – 10-11:30am. Bring Fido and the family for a naturalist-led dog hike. Moderate hike. Approx. 1.5 miles. Leashed dogs only. $5/family. Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, 1214 81st St South, Bir-mingham, AL 35206. 205-833-8264.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1Southeastern Outings Easy Walk – 2pm. Vul-can Trail inside the City Limits of Birmingham. Enjoy an easy walk in the woodlands overlook-ing Birmingham on the Saturday after Christmas. Info: Dan Frederick, [email protected] or 205-631-4680. See SEOutings.org for directions to departure location.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18Healthy Eating From Around the World With Chef “E”: Jamaican Cuisine – 6pm. Chef "E" will teach participants basic fun steps in making and preparing delicious Jamaican food. Reservations required. Contact Leslie West, 205-332-6620 or [email protected]. Homewood Public Library, Large Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19The A, B, C’s of Medicare with Karen Haiflich – 12pm and 6pm. Karen Haiflich will answer all your questions about the how benefits are currently computed, how to become insured, and how to file a claim. Homewood Public Library, Room 116, 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209. 205-332-6620.

Adaptations AfterParty: Pride and Prejudice – 6:30pm. Discussion of the book and the film. Free. Avondale Regional Library, 509 40th St South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222. 205-226-4000.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20No Jacket Required! Relaxed Nonfiction Book Group: Early American History – 10:30-11:30am. Join us to share a recently read nonfiction title related to Early American History. Free. Hoover Public

HELP WANTED

MASSAGE THERAPIST wanted to provide corporate chair massage in Birmingham and the surrounding area. Send resume to info@lightworks chairmassage.com or call 205-516-2856.

classifiedsFee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to [email protected]. Deadline is the 10th of the month.


dailyBirmingham Yoga – View full calendar online at BirminghamYoga.com

Embody Practice Center – View full calendar online at EmbodyBirmingham.com.

Pilates on Highland – View full calendar online at PilatesOnHighland.com.

sundaySunday Service – 11am-12:30pm. Unity of Bir-mingham, 2803 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205. 205-251-3713. UnityBham.com.

A Course in Miracles – 5-6:30pm. On-going dis-cussion group. Unity of Birmingham, 2803 High-land Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205. 205-251-3713. UnityBham.com.

mondayMindful Roots with Nicki Noftz – 4-5:15pm. This class will utilize aspects of yoga, Pilates and meditation to create a balanced practice that creates grounding, inner strength, confidence and calmness of mind, essentially tapping into the roots of deeper self-awareness. The Yoga Circle 280, 5291 Valley-dale Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242. Soulnicity.com.

Prana of Yoga Classes – 5:30-6:30pm, through 11/11. For the beginner, this class will teach you how to maintain your yogic breath as you move through asanas and link it with your movement. $15 drop in. Natural Forces Studio, 605 37th St South, inside Birmingham Yoga. NaturalForcesStudio.com.

Reiki Techniques – 7-8:15pm (11/4-11/26). A four-week workshop for those already attuned to the energy of Reiki. Come practice your skills, learn new protocols and build confidence in your Reiki skills. $120/4 weeks. Natural Forces Studio, 605 37th St South, inside Birmingham Yoga. Natural ForcesStudio.com.

ongoingevents

tuesdayTai-ji Quan Practice – 6:30-7:30pm. Stephen Guesman. Tai-ji Quan (Tai Chi) is a Chinese slow-motion martial art and moving meditation. Call 205-919-6231 or email [email protected] to register. Drop-ins welcome: $10 (first class free); 13 weeks for $75, 26 weeks for $120. Embody Practice Center, 3918 Montclair Rd, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35213.

wednesdayMat II/III – 9am-10am This all level mat class uti-lizes the Pilates mat exercises to find synchronicity of our mind, body and spirit. Pilates on Highland, 2827 Highland Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35205. 205-323-5961. PilatesOnHighland.com.

Cardio Jumpboard – 4:30-5:30pm. This begin-ning/intermediate level equipment class blends the Reformer exercises with the cardio of the jumboard to create an energizing experience. Prior equipment experience required. Pilates on Highland, 2827 Highland Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35205. 205-323-5961. PilatesOnHighland.com.

Mat I/II – 6:30-7:30pm. This all level mat class utilizes Pilates mat exercises to connect to your core mentally and physically. Prior Pilates experi-ence required. Pilates on Highland, 2827 Highland Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35205. 205-323-5961. PilatesOnHighland.com.

For Class scheduleCall 205-202-5758

or visit AeroJoePilates.com

2805 2nd Ave SBirmingham, AL 35233

thursdayTower/Reformer II – 9am-10am. This intermediate level equipment class utilizes the Reformer or Tower to deepen our Pilates practice. This class requires prior teacher approval. Pilates on Highland, 2827 Highland Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35205. 205-323-5961. PilatesOnHighland.com.

Earth Fare's Family Dinner Night – 4-8pm, kids eat free. One adult meal of $5 or more receives up to 6 free kids meals. We have a cafe where families can sit and eat, or we can package everything to go. Earth Fare, 3230 Galleria Circle, Hoover, AL 35244. 205-988-2938. EarthFare.com.

fridayReformer III – 7-8am. This advanced level equip-ment class utilizes the Reformer exercises to awaken your mind-body-spirit connection. This class re-quires prior teacher approval. Pilates on Highland, 2827 Highland Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35205. 205-323-5961. PilatesOnHighland.com.

Railroad Park's Get Healthy Happy Feet Fridays – 6-7pm. Get your feet moving in the right direction with a 60-minute low to high impact walk/run course designed to wake up, shape up, or maintain the inner athlete in you. Admission free. Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233. 205-521-9933.

saturdayPepper Place Saturday Market – 7am-12pm through Dec. Local growers, food producers and artisans. Rain or shine. 2829 2nd Ave South, Bir-mingham, AL 35233. 205-313-4120. PepperPlace Market.com.

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ACUPUNCTURE

ASHLEY LUNDY, LAC. Doctor of Oriental Medicine 4735 Norrell Dr, Suite 5 Trussville, AL 35173 239-240-5428 Alacupuncture.com [email protected]

Specializing in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Using noninvasive treatment to help treat pain, high blood pressure, fertility issues, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and weight loss. Located inside Eastern Chiropractic. Call today for your appointment. See ad, page 19.

ANTI-AGING MEDICINE

PETER A. LODEWICK, MD KAREN BISHOP, RD/LD3918 Montclair Rd, Ste 217 Birmingham, AL 35213 205-915-0474 • DrLodewick.com

Specializing in anti-aging medicine and barriers to weight loss, anti-aging programs, comprehensive nutritional therapy, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, peri-menopausal issues, adrenal health, thyroid optimization, diabetes care, saliva testing, food sensitivities, intracellular nutrient analysis. See ad, page 8.

CHIROPRACTIC

ADAPTT CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGEDr. John Kim 5092 Cahaba Valley Rd (Hwy 119) Birmingham, AL 35242 205-981-8081

If you’re ready for a chiropractor who will take the time to get to know you, and then help you get into the best shape possible, then you’re ready for Dr. John Kim. Quality, personalized chiropractic care, and customized programs. Enjoy your life again! Call Adaptt Chiropractic and Wellness Center today. See ad page 19.

CHIROPRACTOR & HERBALISTDr. Jeanne R. Chabot 2116 Rocky Ridge Road Hoover, AL 35216 • 205-822-2177 ChabotChiropractic.com

36 years of Chiropractic experi-ence, certified herbalist, Reiki Master. Conventional Chiropractic adjustments & gentle adjustments, physiological therapeutics, decom-pression therapy. Private treatment rooms. Massage therapy, Hypno-therapy, Energy Work, Meditation

Class, Personal training, and Yoga classes. Most Insurance accepted.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

HEALING WATERSBernadine Birdsong I-ACT & NBCHT Certified Instructor 720 23rd St South, Birmingham, AL 205-323-7582 • MoreThanColonics.com

Detox your body with Colon Hydrotherapy, Infra Red Sauna, and BioCleanse Therapy. We are the only hydrotherapist in Alabama providing colonics with ionized, microclustered, antioxidant, alkaline water. We offer Lipoex®, a non-invasive way to melt fat, reduce cellulite, and tighten skin. Computerized Biofeedback, Massage therapy, pain management, light therapy, Korean-style Hip Bath, and VibaBody Slimmer also available. See ad, page 13.

COUNSELING

SYDNE STONELicensed Professional Counselor AAMFT, Clinical Member 2116 Rocky Ridge Rd, Hoover, AL 35216 205-492-7760 • SydneStoneCounseling.com [email protected]

With 25 years of experience, Sydne Stone has been successful in helping people in several areas including Life Stage Adjustments, Grief, Divorce, Anxiety, Work and Career, Stress, Self-esteem, Ad-dictions and Co-Dependency, Couple and Family Therapy and

Coping with Chronic Illness. See ad, page 19.

EMILY TUCKER LPC, NCC300 Office Park Dr, Ste 220 Birmingham, AL 35223 205-261-1417 • [email protected] Birmingham-Counseling.com

Empathy, compassion and reflec-tion are the foundation of her practice with each client. Special-izing in Addictions, relationship issues, trauma recovery, depression and anxiety, wellness coaching. Call today for your free consulta-tion. Wellness Packages now

available; pay once—no hassles. See ad, page 13.

ENERGY HEALING

NATURAL FORCES STUDIO, LLCTerri Ann Heiman 605 37th St South, inside Birmingham Yoga NaturalForcesStudio.com • 516-457-3885 [email protected]

Specializing in energy attunements to raise the vibration of your spirit. When our vibration is low we attract fear, lack and stress into our life. Offering spiritual guidance to awaken the soul. Private sessions, workshops and classes in Energy Healing, Meditation and Yoga. See ad, page 17.

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FOOD & SUPPLEMENTS

OFF THE VINE ORGANIC PRODUCE Serving Birmingham and Montgomery 850-374-2181 [email protected] OffTheVine.org

All organic—all the time! We bring the farmers market to you. Check our new selection every Friday and pick up the following week.

Pick up or delivery available.

HOMEOPATHY CONSULTANT

JOAN SCOTT LOWEHomeopathic Consultant 1901 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South Birmingham, AL 35209 205-939-0071 [email protected] HomeopathyForWellness.com

Call or email Joan Scott Lowe, Homeopathic Wellness Consultant, to determine your individual constitutional remedy, the FDA-approved nontoxic homeopathic remedy based on the totality of your mental, emotional, and physical condition, chosen according to the Law of Similars ("like heals like"). Achieve wellness and freedom from illness!

NUTRITION AND GIFTS

GOLDEN TEMPLE, NOW 3 LOCATIONS1901 11th Ave. South, Birmingham: 205-933-6333 3309 Lorna Rd, Suite 7, Hoover: 205-823-7002 110 N. Chalkville Rd, Suite 148, Trussville: 205-655-0353

Since 1973, we have been bringing you the best in healthy living. We offer a wide variety of merchandise including vitamins, herbs, supplements, natural foods, organic produce, incense, clothing, books, and gifts.

PILATES

PILATES ON HIGHLAND2827 Highland Ave South PilatesOnHighland.com [email protected] 205-323-5961

Pilates on Highland is a full service studio located in the historic Highlands area, offering a caring, certified staff, personalized attention and top of the line Pilates equipment. The Pilates method increases your strength, tones your body, decompresses your joints, improves flexibility and range of

motion, boosts circulation and stimulates your mind. See ad, page 8.

SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

NYR ORGANICJennifer Campbell, Independent Team Leader 205 447 8678 [email protected] us.nyrorganic.com/shop/JenniferCampbell

Certified organic award-winning products from Neal’s Yard Remedies, a 30-year success story from the UK, are now available in the US. Shop the collections,

earn free products by hosting a skincare or spa event or begin your own NYR Organic business. Safe, beneficial and ethical. See ad, page 23.

TAI CHI

DANCING STONE TAI-JI QUAN Classic Yang Style Tai-ji Quan, QiGong (ci kung), and Tui-Shou (push hands) Group & private classes by Stephen Guesman [email protected] • 205-919-6231

Regular practice (playing) of taiji quan increases both physical and psychological balance, improves lung function, lowers blood pressure, and feels good. Beginner and on-going practice classes for taiji and qi gong. Intermediate classes for push-hands and applications practice.

YOGA

BIRMINGHAM YOGA STUDIO605 37th Street South Birmingham, AL 35222 205-637-4228 [email protected] BirminghamYoga.com

Serving the community, Birming-ham Yoga offers and hosts: ongo-ing yoga classes in two beautiful studios, 200-hour yoga teacher training accredited with Yoga Alliance, morning meditation, exciting workshops and class series, monthly community kirtan,

musical events, and rental space for guest speakers and teachers.

EMBODY PRACTICE CENTER3918 Montclair Rd, Suite 100 Birmingham, AL 35213 205-637-0299 [email protected] EmbodyBirmingham.com

Embody Practice Center offers Yoga for all ages, levels, and health conditions. Classes include All

Levels Yoga, monthly Yoga Nidra and Restorative Yoga, Beginner’s Series, and series specific to injuries (such as neck and shoulders or low back). EPC also offers Tai-Ji Quan (Tai Chi), Breath/Feldenkrais® Class, Meditation workshops, and various other community and professional workshops. See ad, page 18.

ENERGY HEALING, cont.

SOULNICITY: SYNCHRONICITY OF THE SOULNicki Noftz 205-202-9198 [email protected] Soulnicity.com

“Inner peace is standing still in the chaos of life.”

Offering Reiki/energy healing, Pilates/Mindful Movement In-struction, meditation, spirituality and workshops. Energy healing can provide deep relaxation, assist in the healing process emotionally and physically,

assist in connecting the mind-body-spirit, balance life energies, and help you maintain a healthy mind, body and spirit. Call or email for more information about energy healing or other services. Two loca-tions available in the Birmingham area. See ad, page 19.

FAMILY MEDICINE

BIRMINGHAM INTEGRATIVE HEALTHDr. Melanie Miller 159 Main Street Trussville, AL 35173 205-655-2110 BirminghamIntegrativeHealth.com Facebook.com/Birmingham IntegrativeHealth

Dr. Miller brings a com-mitment to integrative health to her patients in the greater Birmingham area. Her defi-nition of good health goes beyond freedom from disease. She strives for both physical and mental well-being. She is a Family Medicine Doctor

with interest in adrenal, thyroid, hormone balancing, nutrition, food allergies, weight loss, herbs, supple-ments and acupuncture. See ad, page 7.

HOOVER ALT MDElizabeth Campbell Korcz, M.D. 3421 S. Shades Crest, Suite 111 Hoover, AL 35244 205-733-6676 HooverAltMD.com

Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Well-ness/Natural Medicine, Acu-puncture,Weight Loss/Fitness, Hypnosis, Aromatherapy, Bio-feedback, Counseling, Addiction, Botox/ Fillers, Facials. “A differ-ent kind of practice, a deeper kind of care." See ad, page 31.


Nov-Dec-Jan Health for the Holidays

• Care from Newborn to Elderly• Wellness and Sick Visits• Natural Herbal Medicine• Addiction Recovery (Suboxone & more)

• Depression and Anxiety• Executive/Concierge Plan• • Acupuncture• Pain and Fibromyalgia• Fatigue and Thyroid

MEDICAL SERVICESFeel Great

• Facial and Chemical Peels• Botox and Fillers• Microdermabrasion• Cosmetics and Skin Care• Anti-Aging Medicine• Massage Therapy• • Bioidentical Hormones• Personal Training/Fitness• Weight Loss Program

Look GreatSPA SERVICES

3421 South Shades Crest Rd., Ste 111 • Hoover, AL

Call Today 205-733-6676Dr. Elizabeth Campbell Korcz

www.HooverAltMD.com

Dr. Elizabeth Campbell Korcz

Most major insurance plans accepted. Preferred Provider.

This special runs once a year!Don’t miss out! Call today!

This special cannot be combined with any other special or purchased with a gift certificate. No packages available, only available on select days and free evaluation required. 24 hour cancellation notice is required.

visit www.drstacymd.com

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November 2013