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Most people wouldn’t automatically assume Queens is on its way to becoming a Mecca for holistic health followers – after all, this isn’t Southern California, is it? In fact, the jury is still out on whether most residents, outside of a few acupuncture devotees, are even familiar with the term.

But holistic health – which is simply a movement toward embracing a natural approach to life – is on its way to becoming as prevalent in Queens as it is in other boroughs. A slew of markets, including Trader Joe’s in Forest Hills and Fresh Start or Sai Organics in Astoria, offer organic produce and meats; natural medicines and herbal treatments can be purchased at Pharmakolojie in Astoria and eco-conscious belles can stockpile vitamins and natural bath and beauty products at Astoria’s Broadway Natural.

Given the industry’s growth, when a new chapter of the Holistic Moms Network met for the first time last Wednesday in Astoria, it seemed like a natural fit. The nonprofit organization, which has more than 120 chapters across the United States, connects moms and dads who are passionate about holistic health and green living. The group meets once a month to discuss a variety of topics including alternative medicine, natural pregnancy, breastfeeding, positive discipline and, of course, holistic resources and services in Queens. In addition to the meetings, members have access to a Queens online discussion board and a national online discussion board with all members of the Holistic Moms Network. Parents are able to ask questions and offer advice and support.

“Being nurtured by a mom who grew her own herbs, plants and flower in our apartment; eating healthy home-cooked meals and rarely going to the doctor was my primary education on holistic living,” said Maria Delgado, a member and co-leader of Holistic Moms Network in Queens. “Now as a mom, I practice a lot of what she taught me and am proud that I have the ability to do so with my lil’ one. What we eat and how often we exercise has an impact on our health and how we live. What we purchase has an impact on our children, our environment and the Earth.”

From day one, Delgado has fed her 20-month-old son Peter organic fruits, vegetables, meats and beverages; treated him with homeopathic and herbal remedies, which she said have been effective and are less invasive to his developing body and has taught him to respect nature.

“The benefits are numerous but for me, it’s a healthy life, a focused mind, body and spirit connection, and hopefully an environment that will be less toxic so my son could raise his children and his children could raise theirs,” she said.

The concept of Holistic Moms Network was conceived – of all places – in New Jersey. Nancy Massotto, a mother of two, longed to connect with other moms who could relate to her holistic parenting methods – who, for example, wouldn’t consider it bizarre that her children ate locally-grown fruits and vegetables, had never tried M&M’s and were more familiar with their family chiropractor than with a traditional physician.

“I went out in the world and found I was alienated because I was raising my child differently. I was fortunate enough to meet two other moms who felt the same way – we started a chapter in New Jersey and it took off,” Massotto said. “When we get the support we’re looking for, it’s so much easier to stay on that path that reinforces people making positive changes.”

Massotto said the biggest misconception people have about holistic living is that it’s too expensive.

“Obviously it’s cheaper to get McDonald’s than an organic salad, but in the long term it is going to cost you more in health care,” Massotto said. “Simple things like the level of chemicals in your home can be combated with a green cleaning product. As a result, we’re looking for natural solutions – some of the cheapest can be made at home with essential oils and vinegar.”

Anyone – mom, dad or otherwise – who wishes to learn more about holistic living will also have another resource at their disposal when Queens Karma, a Forest Hills-based publication, launches this June. Angeline Acain, the magazine’s publisher, is confident there is a growing audience in Queens ready to accept the natural movement.

“A lot of people are interested in the holistic lifestyle in Queens,” Acain said. “More practitioners and resources tend to be based in Brooklyn and Manhattan, but there are more resources in Queens than we think.”

The Queens Holistic Moms Network meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30-9pm at Arrow Community Center in Astoria. For more information, check their calendar at http://queensny.holisticmoms.org or contact the group at queensholisticmoms@gmail.com.