Calling all holistic moms

Looking for ways to raise your family more holistically? Wondering what the heck that word means? Or maybe you want to know more about alternative medicine, eating healthier and meditation? A new organization in New London County hopes to help answer those questions.

Enter the Holistic Moms Network, a nationwide grass-roots organization started by a few New Jersey moms who had similar questions about health, green living and parenting methods. Since 2002, it has grown from one klatch to an official nonprofit organization, with a website, digital magazines and commercial sponsors, and more than 130 chapters across the country.

The New London County chapter kicks off with an open house at the Lymes' Youth Services Bureau (LYSB) in Old Lyme at 7 p.m. Monday. The night will offer residents information about HMN, upcoming meetings and plans, free chair massages and refreshments.

"HMN is a non-profit organization connecting parents who are passionate about holistic health and green living," says Arleen Sharp, leader of the local chapter. She's also the parent resource administrative supervisor at LYSB, which has agreed to provide space for the group's monthly meetings. Based on member interests, the chapter can hold family events, play groups and other sessions at other locations in the county.

"The cornerstones of the meetings are education, support and community," says Sharp, who has attended formal training run by HMN and one of its regional conferences. "The group really revolves about what the participants want to learn about and what information they can share, so I'd really like to find out where people's interests lie."

Home gardening and canning are among Sharp's personal green passions, so she hopes some other members will share that interest. She is enthusiastic with the self-directed approach the organization encourages each chapter to take, and stresses that although professionals in fields of health, nutrition and green goods might be brought in to speak, the meetings are in no way an endorsement of products or services.

"So many of us think 'We've got the (CFL) light bulbs in, we're being green,' but there's some much more to it, and we have so many questions, we don't know where to turn, or who to believe," says Sharp. "This group won't be here to say 'this is the way you do it, this is what you have to do.' We're here to help each other find and present information, and people can choose their own options."

And not to worry, one doesn't have to take a "green" litmus test to be let in the door.

The chapter is required to meet at least once a month, which will be at LYSB, in the evening so daytime working adults can attend. Despite the "mom" moniker, Sharp says all other family members, including caregivers and prospective parents can join. Children are welcome, although parental judgment is recommended based on age-appropriateness of the monthly topic, which will be posted on the New London chapter's website.

Since the group is designed to be grassroots, Sharp is looking for some members who want to help out with local chapter blogging, membership and activities organizers.

"It's about the group, how they come together as a whole, what the members want to do," she said.

There is no per-meeting fee, but plan to pay a $45 annual membership fee (tax deductible) if you become a regular. Benefits include product discounts and a free wellness savings club, subscriptions to HMN online magazines "Organic Spa" and "The Wise Mom," reduced rates for an annual natural living conference that rotates around the country and access to a blog site.

Sign-up is online, but contact Sharp first for a $5 coupon at asharp@lysb.org or (860) 434-7208. See the New London chapter at http://newlondonct.holisticmoms.org. LYSB is at 59 Lyme St., Old Lyme.