Paul Colletti Patricia Higby hands out chocolate chip cookies that were baked using heat from the sun on Saturday afternoon, June 14. Using a solar oven Ms. Higby baked the cookies at 300 degrees. The solar oven, electric cars, and a myriad of healthy living alternatives are available at the 2nd Annual Healthy Living Fair taking place today ate the Quad City Botanical center in Rock Island. More photos from this shoot

Patrick Traylor Jay Finn stretches out during the yoga class at the Healthy Living fair outside the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island on Saturday morning, June 14. "I find [yoga] beneficial and it's a beautiful day and it's a good chance to get some exercise and build some flexibility," said Finn. More photos from this shoot

Patrick Traylor Kathy Hale-Johnson of Alexis, Ill. arranges her native and introduced prairie and perennial plants at her booth at the Healthy Living Fair in the parking lot of the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island on Saturday morning, June 14. More photos from this shoot

John Greenwood The Healthy Living Fair, June 14-15 at the Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island, will feature traditional grill foods as well as vegan and vegetarian goodies from the grill, such as Boca, Yves and Lightlife products. More photos from this shoot

John Greenwood Shawn Jones, the Rock Island Hy-Vee kitchen manager, will serve traditional fair foods like brats and burgers at the Healthy Living Fair next weekend, but he also will sell vegetarian and vegan goodies from the grill, such as Boca, Yves and Light Life products. More photos from this shoot

submitted The folk duo Patchouli will perform at the Healthy Living Fair June 15 at the Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island.

Patrick Traylor Steve Tygrett sits behind his father's biodiesel booth at the Healthy Living Fair outside the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island on Sunday afternoon, June 15. Tipton, Iowa based Viking Full Circle Fuels turns waste vegetable oil into the usable biodiesel for farm use. More photos from this shoot

Patrick Traylor Patchouli, a folk music duo, performs at the Healthy Living Fair outside the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island on Sunday afternoon, June 15. More photos from this shoot

The event offered information about healthy living through the natural foods, products, resources and services of western Illinois and eastern Iowa. Over 60 exhibitors presented healthy foods, alternative energy methods, environmentally friendly products and produce, gardening goods and services, outdoor recreation opportunities and holistic, alternative and integrative medicine. Exhibitors ranged from feng shui to Max Muscle and everything in between.

This year's fair was moved to the east side of the QCBC, and featured a horseshoe-shaped marketplace with a centrally located "chill out area" that included tented seating and a beautifully landscaped labyrinth and peace garden. The Hy-Vee Cafe sold everything from low-fat veggie burgers to traditional festival fare, and Heritage Natural Foods sold its popular fruit smoothies.

Chef Robert Lewis, the Happy Diabetic, did a number of food demonstrations on Saturday, showing audiences of about 15 people at a time that cutting sugar and calories from food does not necessarily mean cutting flavor.

Special events included the Quad-Cities' Largest Yoga Class II, Junior Sprint Solar Races on Saturday, and Garden Art Show, Father's Day Coffee House and Environmental Film Fest 3½ on Sunday. Both days featured an alternative energy and transportation area, an outdoor recreation area and local foods exhibit.

A preview night party on Friday, June 13, featured samples of delicious entrees, hors d'oeuvres and desserts by Quad-Cities restaurateurs that were set up at stations throughout the QCBC gardens. Guests were able to listen to live music while enjoying cocktails and bidding on garden-related items at this event, which was sponsored by the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo and Crow Valley Chiropractic. The auction benefited the educational programs at the non-profit center.

COMPLETE LIST OF VENDORS THAT ATTENDED

Absolute Health Group

Advanced Technology

Environmental Education Center

Advocare Ancient Wisdom Acupuncture

Atlantispa BeautiControl Breathin' Easy: Pollution Solutions

Cafe Fresh

Cart by Cart

Dr. Rob Scranton

Donna Elliott at the Ave. Salon

EcoWater

QCA Family Care Chiropractic

The Foot Bridge: Integrative Reflexology

Hampton Health & Wellness

Heritage Natural Foods

Hill & Valley Premium Bakery

Holmes Shoes

Illingsworth Natural Health Improvement Center

Illinois State Treasurer

Illinois Renewable Energy Association

Inner Health Chiropractic

Ionislim Spa

Iowa Healthy Edge Meats

Iowa Renewable Energy Association

Isagenix

ITV Ventures

Johnson H2O

Learn Great Foods

Max Muscle

Midwest Botanicals

Nature's Friend Organic Lawn Care

Oak Hill Acres Organic Farm

Orenda International - Dr. Helle Smith

Quad City Rain Barrels

Radiant Health Imaging

Real Health Chiropractic

Simply Native Nursery

The Root Cellar

Two Rivers YMCA / Scott County YMCA

Salon Aria

Sierra Club - Eagle View Group

Snap Fitness

SouthPark Chiropractic: Russian Medical Therapy

Traditional Feng Shui

University of Illinois Extension Sunflower Project

University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education

Watkins Products

Whole Health Family Chiropractic Center