Natural Living Expo, March 27 & 28 in Des Moines

There's something for everyone at the Natural Living Expo, from shopping (right), to browsing (center), to storytelling for the kids (left). Photo: Courtesy Natural LIving Expo

By the end of March, spring will be poking her head out from behind winter’s white dress. Leaves will begin to sprout, wearing a fleeting light-green that will deepen in hue by the time the summer arrives in all her glory. Ah, spring. What better time of year to be thinking about gardening, fresh produce, and delicious natural foods?

And what better event than the Natural Living Expo to entice sun-starved Midwesterners out of hibernation?

The Fifth Annual Natural Living Expo, to be held March 27 and 28 in Des Moines, promises to be bigger and even more exciting than in previous years. The Expo features natural, organic, and sustainable companies and products, live entertainment for kids and adults, and a speaker series on topics related to sustainability and health/wellness. Admission is FREE.

The Natural Living Expo’s newest Market Leader sponsor is Iowa’s own Natural Living celebrity, Michele Beschen, of the nationally televised program, borganic.net.

Natural Kids Zone

Hula hoop expert Mary Boydey will once again provide plenty of hoops for kids (and their parents) to try. Photo: Courtesy Natural Living Expo

Angela Clark, founder of enrgPATH and chief promoter of the Expo, reports there will be a wide variety of activities and entertainments at the event, many of them targeted to kids.

“We have what’s looking to be a fun line up for the Natural Kids Zone,” Clark says. “We have a hula-hooper, Mary Boyvey of Sparkle Hoop Dance. Mary had a blast last year, so she’s going to come back with kid-sized and adult-sized hula hoops. She does birthday parties for adults and kids. She’s bringing a juggler with her. There’s also a local gentleman who teaches kids how to play harmonicas. And we’ll have a yo-yo champion, whose full-time job is to promote yo-yos.”

Other activities in the Zone include kid-yoga, musicians, storytellers, clowns, and more. Metro Arts Alliance will be sponsoring the kids’ art area. With all the activities offered in the Natural Kids Zone.

Natural Living Speaker Series

The Expo also promises plenty of fodder for the mind — for adults and students of all ages. Want to learn how to build a straw bale home? Start a small-scale organic farm? Find a Reiki practitioner? Advocate for renewable energy? Eat healthy foods that please your palate?

Attend some of the many sessions offered at the Expo. The information below — from the Natural Living Expo website — describes  sessions of interest on Sustainability as well as Health and Wellness — with more to be announced. Times and speakers’ names will be released on the Expo website in coming weeks.

Angela Clark, director of the Natural Living Expo. Photo: Courtesy Angela Clark

Return of the Small-Scale Farmer
Markets are growing rapidly for independent farms and vineyards.  While corn and beans aren’t going anywhere, specialty niches are shaping up to give us the rebirth of the family farm.

Transportation That Works for All
Can Des Moines come out of the current recession with its public transportation intact?  Come find out what is possible in the city… and what might be at stake.

A Sustaining Built Environment
With so much talk about green building, where have all the green buildings gone?  You may be surprised.  Find out what people are doing under the radar and where you need to look to learn more.

Energy Independence Within Reach
If renewable energy is so great, why aren’t we using it?  You might be surprised.   Come find out, not what you can do now but, more importantly, when you should do it.

Zero Waste Horizons
Waste is a commodity, from the east coast to the west coast.  So, why not in Des Moines?  Find out what’s missing and what is being done to help residents and businesses.

Sunday, March 28 – SUSTAINABILITY

A New DNA for Business
Tired of hearing: “It’s nothing personal, just business?” Business is not only very personal, but it can be good for the environment. Find out how the real pioneers are turning things around in the 21st Century.

Food in the City
Growing urban environments require larger and more industrial forms of agriculture, right? Maybe not. Learn how our city and others are seeking food security and new roles as producers.

Non-Profits as Change Agents

Saturday, March 27 – HEALTH / WELLNESS

The Future of Holistic Health
Is Des Moines taking a larger, more inclusive, view of what it means to be healthy? Come learn what’s moving us forward and what’s holding us back.

Your Body is the Foundation
You are not your body. You do, however, want a healthy and vibrant body so you can access greater levels of health and wellness in your personal, social, professional and spiritual life.

Intuitive Health & Healing
What does Des Moines have to offer in the form of more intuitive therapies such as Reiki, Healing Touch, psychic readings, and more? Find out what works and where to get it.

Your Beautiful Spine
You are not your body. You do, however, want a healthy and vibrant body so you can access greater levels of health and wellness in your personal, social, professional and spiritual life.

The Science of Backrubs
Find out how massage therapy literally “breaks up” stress in your body, allowing you to release tension, change unhealthy patterns of thinking, and prevent stagnation in your own personal practices.

Sunday, March 28 – SUSTAINABILITY

Growing a Culture of Creativity
The arts inspire us. They drive innovation in every sector – from business to education. Over the last decade, Des Moines has made strides in building its art culture. Will it last?

Vote with Your Dollars
In a market economy, what you spend your money on is as good as a day at the polls. How can you not overspend, but spend consciously to improve the health of your community and the environment.

Nutrition Education
We all know the Food Pyramid.  Why isn’t that enough?  What are the simple, easy-to-remember rules on how to make appropriate food choices for ourselves and our families.

Strawbale Home Building in Iowa
An Earthship Home in Southern Iowa

More Green Building Classes by Center on Sustainable Communities will be posted soon.

Exhibitors

Exhibitors will provide an array of interesting natural-living options. Photo: Courtesy Natural LIving Expo

The exhibitor list is still growing, but check out the varied list of participants registered so far. Many of them will have products, samples, and services for purchase at the Expo, so come prepared to try out samples for an unforgettable experience.

The Natural Living Expo provides a unique opportunity to learn about and try out offerings from a huge selection of the premier green businesses in the area.

Exhibitor slots are still available. See below for more information.

EcoParty

After the Expo concludes on Saturday, be sure to stick around for the EcoParty, an evening festival that “celebrates quality food and drink while enjoying an eco-fashion show,” according to the website. “It is a time for the Natural Living community to kick back and have some fun.”

The details haven’t yet been released, but from what Clark told Blue Planet Green Living, guests are in for an unusual, yummy, and entertaining experience. Watch for more information here on Blue Planet Green Living or on the Expo’s website in the next few weeks.

When and Where

Sat. March 27, 10:00 to 6:00 pm

Sun. March 28, 11:00 a.m to 4:00 pm

Polk County Convention Complex

(515) 242-2507

Parking at the Civic Complex is free on weekends, and admission to the event is also free.

Calling Vendors, Sponsors, and Perfomers

If you’ve got an organic, green, natural, or healthy business or nonprofit organization, and are interested in participating in the event, it’s not too late. Contact Angela at 515-205-5494. Sponsors are also welcome! Register before March 1, and your information will be included in the program.

Blue Planet Green Living is a proud media partner for the event. We hope to see you there!

Julia Wasson

Blue Planet Green Living (Home Page)