Natural Awakenings DC April 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

URBAN Gardening

FREE

Eating Ecology

Household GOING ELECTRIC Cleanse

Takes Root

Daily Decisions Make a Difference

The New Drive for Sustainable Mobility

Five Toxins that Need to Go

April 2013 | Washington, D.C. Edition | NaturalAwakeningsDC.com natural awakenings

April 2013

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Washington, D.C.

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contact us Publisher Robin Fillmore advertising sales Robin Fillmore Terri Carr Editors Linda Sechrist Robin Fillmore Contributing Editors Grace Ogden Sharon Hadden design & Production C. Michele Rose Stephen Blancett Irene Sankey Multi-Market advertising 239-449-8309 franchise sales John Voell: 239-530-1377 Natural Awakenings of washington, d.C. Phone: 202-505-4835 Fax: 202-827-7955 P.O. Box 2976, Washington, D.C. 20013 Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com NaturalAwakeningsDC.com ©2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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Washington, D.C.

hat an exciting month I have had distributing the first edition of Natural Awakenings and meeting so many of you that share a passion for natural health and balanced living within the District and surrounding communities.

With fragrant cherry blossoms, warming morning walks, fresh local vegetables and happy visitors, springtime in Washington, D.C., is among the best reasons to live here. As winter’s gray chill yields to resurrection it’s a good time to reawaken our focus on the true state of the world and consider our place within it. In this issue we look both inward and outward—deeply considering our appreciation for Earth’s bounty and the contributions of our own meditative journeys.

In our feature, John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist, who operate a sustainable bed and breakfast inn, share secrets of feeding ourselves well in any region of the country in “Urban Gardening Takes Root.” The idea of wisely using (and not abusing) our precious planet to sustain generations to come is growing.

Since 1970, people have celebrated Earth Day on April 22 and we trust, every day. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson was instrumental in founding the movement after he witnessed damages from a massive offshore oil spill near Santa Barbara, California, a year earlier. Convinced that America must reframe how we protect the environment, his collaboration with other committed activists has led to a worldwide movement.

Throughout this issue you will find articles about District of Columbia Earth Day celebrations as well as practical suggestions for how daily choices can honor your personal commitment to protecting our celestial home. We even check in with Mayor Vincent Gray’s master plan to make Washington, D.C., the greenest, healthiest and most sustainable city in the nation.

We are equally delighted to report that Mind-Body Week beginning April 18 is becoming a vital connection in the life of the District for those exploring the interplay of mind, body and spirit. It raises the level of individual and collective awareness and self-healing by bringing together thousands of people to hear more than 20 of the nation’s leading experts in integrative medical research and complementary healing modalities. We are pleased to have Dr. Mikhail Kogan of the George Washington University Center for Integrative Medicine share his insights on this trend in this issue.

This month’s calendar lists many other mindfulness events as well, from Interfaith Meditation Initiative classes to a presentation by New York Times bestselling author and spiritual teacher Sharon Salzberg, cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society. You will find warm invitations to such gatherings throughout these pages. I hope you indulge!

Be well,

Robin Fillmore, Publisher

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

contents 12

6 newsbriefs 1 1 event

spotlight

1 2 ecotip 1 2 district

spotlight

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1 4 healthbriefs 1 6 globalbriefs 20 wisewords 25 therapy

spotlight

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26 greenliving 28 bestpractices 29 calendar 32 resourceguide

advertising & submissions How to adVErtisE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 202-505-4835 or email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

EditoriaL suBMissions Email articles, news items and ideas to: Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. Deadline for editorial: feature articles are due by the 5th of the month, news briefs and health briefs are due by the 10th.

CaLEndar suBMissions Submit Calendar Events online: NaturalAwakeningsDC.com within the advertising section.

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. rEGionaL MarkEts Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

natural 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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EartH day

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Go Green at Parks and Other Community Events

18 urBan GardEninG takEs root

Feeding Ourselves Well

by John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist

20 HEaLinG tHE

ECosystEM witHin

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A Conversation with Bioneers Co-Founder Nina Simons

by Brita Belli

22 HousEHoLd CLEansE

Banish these Five Chemicals for a Domestic Detox

by Gail Griswold-Elwyn

24 EatinG ECoLoGy

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Daily Decisions Make a Difference

by Judith Fertig

26 GoinG ELECtriC Tech Advances May Drive Eco-Transportation Mainstream

by Brita Belli

28 Passion tHat

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Profits tHE PLanEt Conscious Business the Eileen Fisher Way

by Grace Ogden

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newsbriefs Earth Month at Union Station

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arth Day Network—founded in 1993 by a group of early Earth Day organizers across the country to promote environmental activism and year-round progressive action—has teamed up with Union Station, in Washington, D.C., to present Earth Month, from April 1 through 30. The network’s global theme, The Face of Climate Change, will highlight the mounting universal impact of climate change on individuals worldwide and will be illustrated in a digital display of images of people, animals and places directly affected. Earth Month at Union Station is also incorporating the city’s iconic National Cherry Blossom Festival by hosting the festival’s Youth Art Contest, which will emphasize environmental themes.

Activities include exhibitor booths, a film festival, a farmers’ market, alternative energy demonstrations, a green fashion show and a science fair featuring local schools. Entertainment, discussion panels, contests and giveaways will be featured throughout the month, culminating in a full day of special events and entertainment on Earth Day, April 22.

Earth Day Network’s digital display project will be projected at thousands of locations around the world. Anyone that wants to submit their own photos for use in the digital display can use hashtag #FaceOfClimate when posting photos to Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, visit EarthDay.org/EarthMonth.

News to share?

Email details to: Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com Submittal deadline is the 10th of the month.

Interfaith Meditation Sessions Scheduled for Spring

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he Interfaith Meditation Initiative (IMI) is offering seven interfaith meditation sessions in various locations throughout the Washington, D.C., area this spring. The non-religious, public nonprofit brings together religious leaders in interfaith teams to share meditation with one another and public audiences in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, universities and community centers. The spring sessions will be co-led by 11 religious leaders from diverse faith backgrounds, and individuals of all faiths and backgrounds may participate.

This month’s meditations include April 4, at First Christian Church, in Baltimore; April 9, at Cleveland Park Congregational United Church of Christ, in Washington, D.C.; April 14, at D.C. Baha’i Center, in Washington, D.C.; and April 29, at Our Lady Queen of Peace, in Arlington, Virginia.

The IMI is not aligned with any politics or single religion. Its primary intention is to facilitate ongoing transformation across religious lines, based upon the core principle that every person, regardless of race, color, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation or economic status, can grow spiritually and realize a direct connection with a God of one’s own understanding.

For more information, including schedule and locations, visit InterfaithGatherings.org.

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ALPHA Creative Camp Celebrates Arts Participation

Spiritual Teacher to Hold Monthly Meditation Class

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For more information, visit Alpha.FigmentProject.org.

Cost: Donation. Location: 1825 Jefferson Pl., N.W. For more information, visit SharonSalzberg.com.

LPHA is a weekend creative, community-building camp taking place from April 26 to 28, at Camp Ramblewood, in Darlington, Maryland. The event is produced by FIGMENT Project, a grassroots effort that challenges artists and communities to celebrate creativity and passion by finding new ways to create, share, think and dream. Creative participants of all kinds are welcome at ALPHA, from sculptors, social scientists and playwrights to performers, musicians and philosophers. The only requirement is that they contribute to the content of ALPHA by either bringing an art project they are working on or by hosting a workshop or meet-up to share their skills, knowledge and experience. Artists that purchase a ticket can register as many projects, workshops or sessions as they like.

The intention of ALPHA is to provide support for creators that are working on interactive or participatory projects in any medium or discipline. This support may be in the form of skill development, help and advice from other creators, collaboration and team building or even limited financial provisions. ALPHA also hosts free, participatory arts events in cities across the U.S. and abroad.

haron Salzberg, one of America’s leading spiritual teachers and authors, will offer a meditation class, from 7 to 9 p.m., April 8, at the offices of the International Campaign for Tibet, marking the 10th anniversary of her monthly teachings in Washington, D.C. The ancient Buddhist practices of vipassana (mindfulness) and metta (loving-kindness) are the foundaSharon Salzberg tions of Salzberg’s work.

Salzberg first encountered Buddhism in 1969 during an Asian philosophy course. The class sparked an interest that took her to India in 1970, and she spent the next years engaged in intensive study with Buddhist teachers. In 1976, Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield co-founded the Insight Meditation Society, in Barre, Massachusetts, which now ranks as one of the West’s most prominent and active centers of Theravada Buddhist meditation.

Salzberg continues to lead intensive global retreats and a variety of non-residential programs, workshops and classes.

She contributes regularly to magazines and anthologies and has authored numerous books, including her most recent, Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation, which was a New York Times bestseller.

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newsbriefs Historic YMCA Reopens in New Location

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he YMCA Anthony Bowen, a historic landmark that opened as the world’s first African-American YMCA in 1853, will reopen this spring in a new location at 14th and W streets N.W., as part of the Cultural Tourism DC Greater U Street Heritage Trail.

New facilities include a six-lane indoor pool, a Sweetgreen restaurant and a two-story rock-climbing wall. Programs and happenings encompass healthy cooking demos, lively events on the rooftop, enriching youth programs and weekly events that are open to the community, such as poetry readings, talent shows, health seminars, movie nights, fitness demos and a best-of series.

When YMCA Anthony Bowen first opened its doors, the organization utilized rented space and donated rooms for its educational, social and religious meetings. In 1912, the YMCA built the original local facility at 12th Street and then moved four blocks away, to 1325 W Street N.W., in 1988.

The new 2013 location will honor the legacy of founder Rev. Anthony Bowen as a YMCA branch that has provided unwavering support for its community, even during times of civil unrest, economic hardship and racial conflict.

For more information, please visit ymcadc.org.

Fourth Annual Sweetlife Festival at the Merriweather

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he fourth annual Sweetlife Festival, presented by Sweetgreen, a local restaurant chain that promotes healthy, delicious and affordable food and fun, is scheduled for May 11 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Columbia, Maryland. The eco-friendly venue will feature two stages to host performances by musical guests, including Phoenix, Passion Pit, Kendrick Lamar, The Yeah YeahYeahs, Lindsey Stirling and Solange. The event will also include a market, tavern, VIP area and food from Sweetgreen and other purveyors.

To minimize waste, the festival provides a recycling station at the event and requires each vendor to provide compostable utensils and cups, and Fatworm Composting will compost food waste onsite. In exchange for collecting and turning in recyclables, festival patrons will be rewarded with custom sunglasses, posters and other Sweet Swag. The festival will also use alternative energy sources, including solar panels and renewable energy credits, to minimize the amount of power consumed throughout the event. Event parking is free, but Rock & Bus will provide party bus-style transportation to and from select locations throughout the city.

Founded in 2007 by three college students, Sweetgreen sources local and organic ingredients from trusted small farmers and partners, building community and creating meaningful relationships.

Tickets are available for purchase at TicketFly.com. For festival information, visit SweetlifeFestival.com. For information and restaurant locations, visit Sweetgreen.com.

Martha’s Table Calls for Volunteers

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ocal nonprofit Martha’s Table, which believes in equipping poverty-stricken families with the tools to maintain a sustainable living, is currently seeking volunteers. Conveniently located in Northwest D.C., the organization provides family support services that impact more than 1,000 people each day.

The nonprofit focuses on programs for youth of ages 3 months to 22 years and provides daycare, tutoring, job training and other recreational programs. Family support services include the distribution of groceries and clothing to lowincome and homeless families.

Martha’s Table depends heavily on reliable volunteers.

The greatest need is for trained drivers for the food distribution program, McKenna’s Wagon, which delivers meals daily.

Volunteers are also needed to prepare food, sort clothes, tutor and work in the daycare.

Location: 2114 14th St. N.W. For more information, call 202328-6609 or visit MarthasTable.org.

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Earth Day 2013

Honoring Earth Day

The Face of Climate Change

Go Green at Parks and Other Community Events

by Bryan Buchanan

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arth Day Network (EDN) has planned a creative digital campaign to illustrate its Earth Day 2013 theme, The Face of Climate Change. Between now and Earth Day, April 22, EDN will collect and gather into one display real images of people, animals and places throughout the world directly affected or threatened by climate change, as well as images of people stepping up to do something about it. On and around Earth Day, EDN will show the interactive digital display of all the images at thousands of locations around the world, including next to federal government buildings in countries that produce the most carbon pollution. The display will also be viewable online.

From the Maldivian man worried about relocating his family as sea levels rise, to the child in New Jersey that lost her home to a superstorm, people across the globe are suffering the effects of climate change now. Luckily, the other faces of climate change—the individuals doing their part to resolve the problem—are also multiplying every day, whether they are the entrepreneurs that see opportunity in creating a new green economy or the activists that organize community action and awareness campaigns.

Together, EDN and partner organizers will highlight the solutions and showcase the collective power of individuals taking action across the world. In doing so, EDN hopes to motivate political leaders to act and inspire ordinary people to redouble their efforts in the fight against climate change.

Learn more and upload your photo at EarthDay.org/2013.

Bryan Buchanan is the communications director for the Earth Day Network, in Washington, D.C.

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his year’s National Park Week, from April 20 to 28, centered on Earth Day, will offer free weekday admission to all 398 national parks from April 22 to 26, adding 134 more historic sites, preserves, recreation areas and other sites to the usual 264 with no entrance fee. Earth Day’s 43rd anniversary celebrations in America and worldwide will encourage everyone to join in the next “billion acts of green,” aligned with the theme: The Face of Climate Change.

“In the face of unprecedented occurrences of extreme weather, loss of species and pollution, it is clear that climate change is affecting our planet.

We cannot afford to wait any longer to act,” advises the Earth Day Network, which posts many ideas for participating at EarthDay.org/takeaction.

Find local park activities by state at nps.gov/findapark/event-search. htm or check a park’s website for upcoming programs. See pages 6, 9, 11 and 30 for local events that will help citizens of all ages answer the call to go green.

eventspotlight

Celebrate Earth Day in Arlington

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by Elenor Hodges

rlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) and George Mason University are sponsoring the Arlington Earth Week Community Fair and Green Living Expo, taking place from 12 to 4:30 p.m., April 21, in Founders Hall at the George Mason University Arlington Campus. The location, near the Virginia Square Metro and local bus routes, ensures that attendees can choose transportation that minimizes their carbon footprint.

The Community Fair will emphasize green commuting, energy efficiency and sustainable living through solid waste reduction, organic gardening, eco-friendly landscaping and greening

the home. The Green Living Expo vendor hall will showcase more than 50 exhibitors of Earth-friendly services and products for healthy homes that are practical for homeowners, renters, students and families. Throughout the day, seminars will be held in three breakout rooms, and children’s activities will help kids learn about the importance of environmental stewardship. Attendees can also purchase food and raffle tickets.

The George Mason University Green Patriot award will be given to an individual, business or organization that exemplifies sustainability in order to better civic life in the Arlington community. Nominees and the winner will be recognized.

Student-designed rain barrels will be judged. Mason’s Operation Rain Barrel has helped students of Arlington Public Schools create their own rain barrels as part of their education on environmental sustainability. The top entries will garner prizes for their school. In addition, a silent auction of the barrels during the event will benefit the Arlington County Council of PTAs Scholarship Fund and George Mason University Early Identification Program.

An ACE of Cupcakes contest will be held in honor of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment’s 35th anniversary.

Contestant chefs will create anniversary cupcakes to celebrate ACE accomplishments in engaging local residents in environmental stewardship and protecting our air, water and open spaces. Entries will be judged on taste, design and use of local and organic ingredients.

Location: 3351 Fairfax Dr. For more information, call 703-228-6427 or visit ArlingtonEnvironment.org/expo. See ad, page 9.

Elenor Hodges has served as the executive director of ACE since 2000.

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ecotip

districtspotlight

Gas Saver

The Greenest City in the Nation

Keep Bucks in Your Pocket at the Pump When mass transit isn’t an option, drivers have many ways to save money by coaxing more miles per gallon (mpg) from their vehicle.

It’s easy to adopt some simple driving and maintenance habits.

Slow down. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph can improve gas mileage by as much as 15 percent.

Reduce excess weight. An extra 100 pounds of nonessential cargo in a vehicle could reduce mpg by up to 2 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Properly inflate tires. The increased surface area of the rubber in soft tires meeting the road creates ongoing drag and a greater demand on the engine.

Keep the engine tuned. Regularly check and refresh fluid levels, especially in colder regions where winter places additional stress on engine parts. While high-quality synthetic motor oil blends may protect the engine better than conventional oil, they don’t eliminate the need for regular oil changes, according to JiffyLube.com. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence notes that one misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 30 percent.

Avoid rapid accelerations and braking. The EPA estimates that about half of the energy needed to power a car is consumed during acceleration, and fuel economy can be improved by as much as 10 percent by avoiding unnecessary braking.

Keep the engine air filter clean.

According to AAA.com, a clogged filter strains performance. In some cars, the filter can be easily checked by the owner; or drivers may ask a technician to do so during regular tune-ups.

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Washington, D.C.

Collaborative Strategies Focus on Sustainability

by John Heermans

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n February 20, and businesses that have Mayor Vincent also chosen to buy green C. Gray released power, the District has what is being lauded as been the U.S. Environmenone of the nation’s most tal Protection Agency’s ambitious plans to imhighest ranked Green prove urban quality of life.

Power Community for two The Sustainable DC Plan years running. Across the establishes a bold vision city, private developers and to make the District, “the District agencies are rapMayor Vincent C. Gray healthiest, greenest, most idly implementing green livable city in the nation” in the next 20 building practices to conserve resources years—one generation. and ensure a healthy indoor environ The goals are ambitious and ment for workers, residents and school designed to make the District a model children. The District is also ranked first of urban sustainability. For example, in per capita development of LEED green within 20 years, 75 percent of all local buildings and ENERGY STAR-labeled trips will be made by transit, walking or buildings. The city continues to promote biking; energy use and greenhouse gas healthy and active lifestyles through the emissions will be cut by 50 percent; at nation’s most expansive and popular least 25 percent of all District food will bike-share program, as well as major come from within 100 miles; and there investments to restore city parks. will be at least 20 more acres of active

Even before the Sustainable DC Plan agricultural production. At the same was released, Mayor Gray was making time, the city will grow the number of strong commitments to move sustaingreen jobs by five times while cutting ability from idea to reality. In December the citywide obesity rate by 50 percent. 2012, the mayor awarded $4.5 million to

The Sustainable DC Plan was fund 12 projects across District agendeveloped over 18 months through an cies to save energy, expand community extensive effort to engage members of gardens, restore tree canopies, reduce air the public and challenge District agenpollution and expand innovative green cies to set aggressive goals to improve building practices—all cutting-edge prothe long-term sustainability of our city. grams occurring across the city.

The plan sets aggressive targets across

The Sustainable DC Plan is inseven areas: the built environment, entended to improve the lives of residents ergy, food, nature, transportation, waste in every corner of the city and build and water. These sustainability solutions prosperity for generations to come. By are designed to address critical chaltaking a few minutes to look over the lenges facing the District: protecting plan, residents may be inspired to see and preserving the local and global enwhat role they can play in building a vironment, creating jobs and economic greener, healthier city. opportunity, improving citywide health and wellness and celebrating diversity To read the Sustainable DC Plan, visit and social equity.

Sustainable.dc.gov. For more informa So far, the District as a commution, email Sustainable.Future@dc.gov. nity has shown strong leadership in promoting sustainability. The District John Heermans is a policy analyst with government is committed to renewable the Office of Policy and Sustainabilenergy and now purchases 100 percent ity in the Office of Planning, District of green power. Thanks to individuals Columbia.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

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healthbriefs

A Bus Pass to Green Well-Being

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here’s a way to simultaneously help both Planet Earth and one’s own health, report scientists from Imperial College London, in England. The researchers examined four years of data from the country’s Department for Transport National Travel Survey beginning in 2005, the year before free bus passes were available for people ages 60 and older. The study team found that those with a pass were more likely to walk frequently and take more journeys by “active travel”— defined as walking, cycling or using public transport.

Staying physically active helps maintain mental well-being, mobility and muscle strength in older people and reduces their risk of cardiovascular disease, falls and fractures. Previous research by Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes published in The Lancet has shown that just 15 minutes of moderate daily exercise lowers the risk of death in people over 60 by 12 percent, and another study at Newcastle University found that 19 percent of Britain’s adults achieve their recommended amount of physical activity through active travel alone.

Public health organizations in the UK believe that “incidental” exercise, such as walking to and from bus stops, may play a key role in helping seniors keep fit and reduce social exclusion.

Turmeric Acts Against Cancer

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hroughout history, the spice turmeric has been a favored seasoning for curries and other Indian dishes. Its pungent flavor is also known to offer medicinal qualities—turmeric has been used for centuries to treat osteoarthritis and other illnesses because its active ingredient, curcumin, can inhibit inflammation.

A new study led by a research team at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, in Munich, Germany, has shown that turmeric can also restrict the formation of metastases and help keep prostate cancer in check. The researchers discovered that curcumin decreases the expression of two pro-inflammatory proteins associated with tumor cells and noted that both prostate and breast cancer are linked to inflammation.

The study further noted that curcumin is, in principle, suitable for both prophylactic use (primary prevention) and for the suppression of metastases in cases where an established tumor is already present (secondary prevention).

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Washington, D.C.

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Coffee and Vision Loss Linked

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asing up on java consumption or switching to decaf may be a wise move for coffee lovers, according to a scientific paper published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

The study links heavy consumption of the caffeinated beverage to an increased risk of developing exfoliation glaucoma, a condition in which fluid builds up inside the eye and puts pressure on the optic nerve. This leads to some vision loss and in serious cases, total blindness.

Researchers obtained data from 78,977 women from the Nurses’ Health Study and 41,202 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study that focused on caffeinated coffee, tea and cola servings. They found that drinking three or more cups of caffeinated coffee daily was linked with an increased risk of developing the eye condition, especially for women with a family history of glaucoma. However, the researchers did not find associations with consumption of decaffeinated tea, chocolate or coffee.

“Because this is the first [such] study, confirmation of the U.S. results in other populations would be needed to lend more credence to the possibility that caffeinated coffee might be a modifiable risk factor for glaucoma,” says Doctor of Science Jae Hee Kang, of the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts. “It may also lead to research into other dietary or lifestyle risk factors.”

How Does Your Garden Glow?

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ardening can be a healthy pastime… as long as toxic tools aren’t involved. Researchers at the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Ecology Center recently tested nearly 200 garden essentials—especially hoses, hand tools, gloves and knee pads—for chemicals and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA), which are linked to birth defects, hormone imbalances, learning delays and other serious health problems. The researchers found that nearly two-thirds of the tested products contained levels of chemicals that concerned them greatly.

Cautious gardeners should seek products that are free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and lead-free, and follow good garden hose hygiene: Avoid drinking out of the hose, don’t leave it exposed to the sun (where water within the hose can absorb chemicals) and always flush it out before watering edible plants.

Source: EcologyCenter.org

A Diet for Healthy Bones

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ge-related bone mass loss and decreased bone strength affect both genders. Now, the first randomized study, published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, indicates that consuming a Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil may be associated with increased serum levels of osteocalcin, a protein that plays a vital role in bone formation. Earlier studies have shown that the incidence of osteoporosis in Europe is lower in the Mediterranean basin, possibly due to the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, olives and olive oil. natural awakenings

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globalbriefs

Silver Lining

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

The New York Times has reported that “cloud” data centers— which store YouTube videos, run Google searches and process eBay bids—use about 2 percent of all electricity in the nation.

In some data centers, up to 90 percent of the energy is wasted.

Now, an industry consortium called the Uptime Institute is sponsoring a “server roundup” and handing out rodeo belt buckles to the Internet company that can take the largest number of heat-producing, energy-hungry servers offline. Many centers expend as much or more energy in cooling their facilities as in computing and transmitting data.

Sharing best practices has become common among data center pros.

Facebook won the Institute’s Audacious Idea award last year for its Open Compute Project, which enabled both its server and data center designs to be open-sourced for anyone to access and improve upon.

Cool Tool

New Calculations for Polar Ice A new report from the University of Washington, in Seattle, published in the journal Science on polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, works to reconcile differences between sometimes-conflicting research studies. Scientists compiled 20 years of data to determine how much ice is being lost and sea levels have increased as the global climate warms.

Past studies have shown a range of ice losses, from zero to catastrophic. When the data was synthesized and analyzed holistically, it became clear that the ice sheets are losing three times as much ice each year as they did in the 1990s—in the middle of previous estimates.

Ice sheets are one of several main drivers of rising sea levels. Other factors, which account for 80 percent of the increase, include the melting of glaciers on land and the expansion of the sea itself as the atmosphere heats up. The melting of polar sea ice has no direct effect on sea levels because the ice is already in the water.

Glaciologist and co-author Ian Joughin told The Christian Science Monitor, “The melting needs monitoring to further understand the ice sheet processes leading to the change.”

Cleaning Up the Cloud

Source: Slate.com

Thrifty Threads

Levi’s Latest Sustainable Moves World record holder and Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt will soon model Puma boots that are “made for rotting,” and when the next Levi Strauss collection arrives, their new jingle will be, “These jeans are made of garbage.” Crushed brown and green half-liter plastic bottles will be on display at retail store displays, of which the equivalent of eight, or 20 percent, are blended into each pair of Waste<Less jeans.

Nike and Gap have their own sustainability programs, and Patagonia has long supported a small ecosystem of Earth-friendly suppliers. But as the biggest maker of jeans in the world, with sales of $4.8 billion in 2011, Levi’s efforts command the most attention.

Levi joined the Better Cotton Initiative, a group of companies that work with local nongovernmental organizations in Pakistan, India, Brazil and Mali to teach farmers how to grow cotton with less water. Last year marked the first cotton harvest given this effort and Levi has blended its share into more than 5 million pairs of jeans.

With cotton prices on the rise and pressure from activist groups such as BSR, an environmental organization that works with businesses, large clothing manufacturers are starting to adopt more sustainable practices.

Source: Business Week 16

Washington, D.C.

Better Barters Swapping Trash for Fresh Produce

Mexico City’s innovative monthly Mercado del Trueque (barter market) in Chapultepec Park is a winning trifecta for citizens, local vegetable and plant vendors and the city’s secretariat of the environment. There, residents can exchange cardboard, paper, glass, aluminum, plastic bottles, electronic devices and other waste for paper chits that are redeemed at kiosks for vouchers worth points.

The traders can then use the vouchers to buy tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, lemons and other produce from participating farmers from surrounding districts.

Mexico produces 40 million tons of garbage annually, but only recycles about 15 percent. With this barter system, farmers have gained a new place to sell their produce and earn extra income, while the materials collected are processed for industrial reuse.

Source: IPSNews.net

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April 2013

17

Feeding Ourselves Well

Urban Gardening Takes Root

70 percent of these gardens are in urban or suburban areas.

“We’re seeing a new crop of farmers that defy stereotypes,” observes David Tracey, owner of EcoUrbanist environmental design in Vancouver, Canada, and author of Urban Agriculture. “Some are office workers leaving unsatisfying jobs, techie types learning the trade in universities and back-to-theland folks that happen to live in cities.

Others are activists taking on the industrial farm system, folks adopting trends or entrepreneurs that see opportunities in the rising prices of quality food and the proximity of millions of customers.”

Opportunities and Pitfalls

by John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist

“I

n just one-twelfth of an acre, including lots of paths and a compost heap, our family grows the vast majority of the fresh vegetables we need, plus a decent chunk of our fruits and berries,” says Erica Strauss.

“It’s not a huge garden, but we still feel nearly overwhelmed with the harvest in late August.” Her family of four tends a diversity of edibles on their urban lot in a suburb of Seattle, Washington.

Word has spread because Strauss writes about her experiences via Northwest Edible Life, a blog about food growing, cooking and urban homesteading. “Every kid on the block has picked an Asian pear off my espalier and munched on raw green beans,” she notes. “Even picky eaters seem pretty interested when they can pick tasty treats right from the tree or vine.”

We don’t need to live in a rural area or on a farm to grow our own food.

By the close of World War II, nearly 40 percent of all fruits and vegetables supplying Americans stateside were grown in victory gardens in the communities in which they were consumed.

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Today, these small plots are often termed kitchen gardens, comprising parts of household lawns, schoolyards, balconies, patios and rooftops. Fresh taste and the security of local food supplies in case of manmade or natural upheavals are drawing more people to gardening.

Garden Cities

“Urbanization, a major demographic trend, has implications for how we grow and consume food,” observes Roger Doiron, founder of Kitchen Gardeners International. “If we agree that feeding more people fresh, local foods is a priority, we’re going to need to landscape and, in many cases, retrofit urban and suburban areas for increased food production.”

Millions of Americans now participate in growing mainstay foods.

According to a 2009 study by the National Gardening Association, 31 percent of all U.S. households grew food for their families in 2008, and more have since the economic downturn. Bruce Butterfield, the association’s research director, estimates that nearly

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Urban gardening has unexpected advantages in its use of organic waste like coffee grounds from a local coffee house and rainwater from area rooftops. Converting lawns at schools, churches and empty city lots into community gardens fosters community connections, improves access to affordable nutritious foods and creates employment opportunities.

A widespread challenge to the trend is dealing with the quality of urban soil and testing for possible toxins.

Often, urban soil must be improved using compost and other nutrients before plants can prosper. A nearby irrigation source is also required.

“One potential problem for urban gardeners may be the community reaction to an edible landscape,” admits Strauss. “In some cities, edible gardens in the front yard or even the common parking strip are celebrated and even officially encouraged. But in communities where lawn is still king and city codes regarding vegetation are vague and open to interpretation, one complaint from an anonymous neighbor can become an exhausting political and legal fight.”

Feeding Community

Community gardens often transform vacant lots and other marginal land into green growing places. In Chicago, The Peterson Garden Project, an awardwinning nonprofit program, has been turning unsightly empty lots into raisedbeds in which residents learn to grow their own food since 2010.

“Nationally, it’s been found that having a community garden on unused

land increases property values, decreases crime and promotes a sense of unity with neighbors and others,” explains LaManda Joy, president and founder of the project. “We work with property owners on the short-term use of their land to enhance the community in which they eventually plan to develop.”

“Participating in a community garden serves up a lot of individual victories,” says Joy. “Improved health and nutrition, learning a new skill, teaching kids where food comes from, productive exercise, mental well-being, connecting with others and saving money—community gardens help make all of this possible.”

Being Prepared

“How many recalls have we seen because some food item has been contaminated and people have suffered or died as a result? I am concerned about the safety and security of our food supply,” says Wendy Brown, whose family tends a quarter-acre garden with raised and landscaped beds and containers wrapped around their home plus an onsite greenhouse in a beach resort suburb of Portland, Maine. “As a mother, it concerns me that I might feed my children something that will hurt them.

High-fructose corn syrup, genetically engineered crops and BPA-lined cans are all making headlines. It just seems smarter to grow it myself; that way, we have more control over what our family is eating.”

Brown is one of more than 3 million Americans that are following FEMA recommendations in preparing for any event that might disrupt food supplies. Her book, Surviving the Apocalypse in the Suburbs, shares everything her family has done to safeguard themselves, including growing produce, caring for animals and canning, freezing, drying, cold storage or fermenting foods for later use.

“For me, it’s more about being prepared for the everyday things that are happening, like increases in food and fuel prices or a loss of family income,” Brown says. “If we’re growing at least some of our own food, I have a lot less to worry about when such things happen.”

The family also keeps rabbits and ducks, plus egg-laying and meat-providing chickens that can total 40 animals

in the summer at their “nanofarm”.

These also supply natural fertilizer for the crops. Nearby beehives provide 20 pounds of honey each year. Because the foods they produce are solely for their personal use, the Browns are exempt from regulatory restrictions.

“Our neighbors love what we’re doing,” says Brown, whose house is close enough they can chat across their front porches. “One says our initiative reminds him of growing up in Maine pretty much self-sufficient. The other tells friends and coworkers they aren’t worried if things really go bad because they have us as neighbors.”

Growing Green Thumbs

“With some effort, urban gardeners can grow great vegetables anyplace that affords enough light and warmth,” advises Strauss, who gardens primarily in raised beds in her front and back yards.

“I garden on the scale I do because I love it. It’s both relaxing and challenging, and we eat well.”

Urban gardening methods are as diverse as the growing conditions, space limitations and financial resources of the gardener.

“Lasagna” gardening—layering newspaper or cardboard and other organic materials on top—can be effective in urban areas because it involves no digging or tilling. Just as with making compost, alternate between brown and green layers. Once the materials break down, add plants to the newly created growing bed.

Urban dwellers with limited space may employ square-foot gardening, intensively growing plants in raised beds using a growing medium of vermiculite, peat moss and compost. This method can yield fewer weeds and is easier on the back. “It’s an easy concept to grasp for new gardeners,” remarks Joy. “We use it to both maximize output in a small area and ensure healthy, organic, contaminant-free soil.”

Rooftop gardens are becoming more common as larger agricultural operations use them to grow income crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture considers anyone that sells more than $1,000 of produce to neighbors or area restaurants a farmer, rather than a gardener, so regulations may apply.

For renters, just a few tomato plants in a well-maintained container on a patio or deck can yield as much as 50 pounds of tomatoes by taking advantage of its microclimate, influenced by wind blocks, heated surfaces and reflected light from windows.

Urban gardening is also thriving indoors in terrariums, window boxes and small greenhouses. Even partially lit rooms can support certain vegetables or herbs with grow lights. Aquaponic gardening, a closed-loop system that involves both fish and vegetables, expands the self-sufficient possibilities of a hydroponic system of growing plants fed by liquid nutrients.

Feeding Ourselves

With more than 80 percent of Americans currently living in urban and suburban areas, the questionable nutrition of many mass-produced foods, increasing pesticide and herbicide use by nonorganic farmers, greenhouse gas emissions from food transport and weather patterns altered by climate change, it’s past time to take back some control.

Operating our own gardens and preparing our own meals turns us back into producers, not merely consumers.

“For the most part, we’re just average suburbanites,” concludes Brown.

“We just choose to have less lawn and more garden. A huge benefit is that we need less income because we’re buying less at the grocery store. Our goal is to semi-retire in our mid-50s—not because we’ve made a bunch of money, but because we’ve needed less money to live along the way.”

John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist, co-authors of Farmstead Chef (FarmsteadChef.com), ECOpreneuring and Rural Renaissance, operate the award-winning Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast, in Browntown, WI. They grow 70 percent of their organic food; the cost savings helped them become mortgage-free in their mid-40s. natural awakenings

April 2013

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wisewords

Healing the Ecosystem Within A Conversation with Bioneers Co-Founder Nina Simons

by Brita Belli

B

ioneers are innovators from all walks of life, seeking to make the world a better place in ways that respect the Earth and all of its inhabitants. Their organization, considered a “network of networks,” connects people and ideas through their annual National Bioneers Conference, local community action groups and original multimedia productions, including the award-winning “Revolution from the Heart of Nature” radio series.

Bioneers co-founder Nina Simons, co-editor of Moonrise: The Power of Women Leading from the Heart, talked with Natural Awakenings about the role each of us plays today in creating a more sustainable tomorrow.

How can we be hopeful about the state of the Earth?

I feel that we each need to cultivate a balanced view. It’s important to hold what I call a “both/and” awareness, which recognizes how seriously our planet’s life support systems are compromised and how intensive the demand is for us to engage in reversing their deterioration. At the same time, I remain deeply hopeful, because so many people are awakening to the urgency of the issues we face and many more are now mobilizing to act in positive ways.

Does this mean that you see a societal shift toward a better way of thinking?

Our state of mind is directly affected by 20

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where we place our attention. If our primary source of information is mainstream media, then it’s easy to feel depressed and hopeless.

Each of us would benefit from limiting our daily media intake, because it influences our inner story and impacts how we nourish our psyches, stories and visions.

One of the greatest medicines for despair is action. When we act on behalf of what we love and those in need, it can help restore gratitude, a sense of faith and a more balanced view. That’s why natural disasters often elicit the best kinds of responses human beings can offer: compassion, empathy and a desire to generously contribute to solutions.

To what extent does healing the Earth depend on healing ourselves?

We co-created the current political, economic, energy, industrial and food production systems based on competition and hierarchies that are wreaking havoc on Planet Earth and on our collective quality of life and future survival. As long as we participate in them, we perpetuate them. We have an immense opportunity to reinvent our selves and society’s systems right now.

Our culture conditions us to be hard on ourselves, judging and comparing our talents and actions while often valuing ourselves primarily based on our work or relationships. To be the most effective change agents we can be, I believe we need to reverse these

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

patterns and learn to consider ourselves and all of life as sacred and inherently worthy of love.

One of the most powerful things each of us can do at this pivotal point is to claim full responsibility for our inner “story-scape”—to shift our personal story about the impacts we’re capable of having, what our capacity for action really is and how bringing ourselves in service to life at this moment can be meaningful, joyful and effective.

Isn’t there often a conflict between what people believe and what they do?

We each contain a complex ecosystem within us. The more we can become conscious of cultivating ourselves to be authentically and fully in heartfelt service to what we love, the better we can show up on behalf of the Earth and the people and creatures with whom we share it as home.

Do you see women playing a particular role in this transformation?

While every person is a unique mix of both masculine and feminine qualities, I think that women as a whole have a deeply embedded coding that inclines us to be especially strong in caring, compassion and collaboration.

As leadership capacities, I believe these three—and connecting across differences—may be among the most essential to resilience. Our future as a species will clearly benefit from more women finding their voice, truth and connections to power.

The more women that can articulate their individual experiences in support of an inclusive collective vision, the more we can begin to tip our institutions, culture and the men we love to increasingly value these “feminine traits,” which I refer to as relational intelligence. For a long time, we have perpetuated a fatally flawed culture that has put intellect first. It’s past time that we all put the wisdom of our hearts, bodies and intuition first, with intellect in a supporting role.

Freelance writer Brita Belli is the editor of E-The Environmental Magazine.

Connect at BritaBelli.com.

Why Conscious Consumers Matter

by Megan Barrett

O

ne challenge of our times is finding authenticity in the midst of so much that is contrived or intentionally misleading. From lip-syncing inauguration performances to “green” products pushed by polluting companies, consumers are bombarded daily by examples of fake behavior and greenwashing corporations. It’s easy to throw up our hands and walk away. The more difficult approach, however, is the one our children and future generations are relying on us to take. As consumers, it is our responsibility to spend the extra time and effort to find truly sustainable businesses and support them.

For a company, just as for a person, authenticity starts from within. Look at the firm’s founders and the people holding key positions. Do their backgrounds convey values that align with green ethics? Keep an eye on company changes, especially in ownership. Sometimes, the initial green mission of a business is derailed when it is sold.

Check for third-party verifications, too. B Corp certification is awarded to companies that are committed to stakeholders, not just shareholders—

they must meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency as a true triple bottom line business. Green America also focuses on a firm’s environmental impact and awards certification to values-driven enterprises.

Companies that are certified by both B Corp and Green America, such as the locally based energy firm Clean Currents, have created a business culture which attracts people that want to better the world while building a business. They adhere to the definition of sustainability created by the United Nations Brundtland Commission: “Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Consumers wield power, and discerning consumers that support authentic, triple bottom line companies help build a sustainable future with every dollar spent.

Megan Barrett is the communications director for Clean Currents, Inc. Learn more at CleanCurrents.com.

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Women’s Wellness Practical ways to achieve radiant well-being.

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April 2013

21

healingways

ter yet, choose natural, reclaimed wood for interior surfaces and furnishings.

Household CLEANSE Banish these Five Chemicals for a Domestic Detox

by Gail Griswold-Elwyn

A

“

mericans are collectively more aware and educated than just a few years ago about the range of environmental chemicals we inhale and ingest, yet most still live with dangerous substances in their homes,” according to Jen Loui. She is a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-accredited professional in St. Louis and an industry expert who writes green curricula for high schools across the country.

Guarding against pollution of indoor air is a good place to start; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked poor air quality among the leading environmental dangers, reporting links to many common health problems. Here’s how to rid the family home of the top five common household toxins.

Formaldehyde. Traces of this toxin, the same chemical used to embalm

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the deceased, pervade almost every room. “My clients are often shocked to learn that they likely ingest this toxic, cancer-causing chemical every day of their lives,” says P. Richelle White, a sustainable lifestyle coach and co-owner of Herb’n Maid, a green cleaning and concierge service in St. Louis. “Because formaldehyde is often an ingredient in everyday things like cosmetics, faux wood furniture and conventional cleaning products, they get a daily dose of it.”

Even at low levels, formaldehyde can cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation; at its most malignant levels, it can cause severe allergic asthma, infertility and lymphoma, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Healthier choices: Switch to allnatural beauty products and cosmetics.

At minimum, check that compressed wood fibers don’t use a formaldehydebased chemical as a binding agent; bet-

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Polyvinyl chloride. PVC is omnipresent and dangerous. Water bottles, nylon backpacks, pipes, insulation and vinyl tiles generally contain PVC, as well as almost anything waterproofed, such as baby changing mats and mattress covers. PVC usually contains plasticizers called phthalates, which are released over time; it also can chemically combine with other organic materials to produce toxic dioxin byproducts. According to Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), PVC byproducts and vapors are endocrine disruptors that can mimic or block hormones in the body. In addition, the EPA has linked PVC to serious respiratory problems, immune suppression and cancer.

Healthier choices: Look for PVCfree plastics. When shopping for waterproofed items, choose those with coatings made from polyurethane or polyester.

Phthalates. A 2007 report by the NRDC notes that 12 out of 14 common brands of household air fresheners and room sprays contain phthalates, which people regularly inhale primarily because these chemicals prolong the time that products maintain their fragrance. In studies conducted by the World Health Organization, researchers concluded that consistent exposure to phthalates could increase the risks for endocrine, reproductive and developmental problems. The majority of synthetic air fresheners were found to also emit significant amounts of terpene, a volatile organic compound (VOC) that can react with naturally oc-

curring ozone to create formaldehyde.

Healthier choices: Put boxes of baking soda in cabinets to absorb odors and scent interiors with all-natural oils and potpourri.

Chlorine. According to the American Lung Association, most conventional cleaning products include some chlorine, with large concentrations in bleach.

Inhalation of chlorine can irritate the respiratory system; prolonged exposure can lead to lung disease and asthma.

Healthier choices: Purchase chlorine-free cleaning products, especially chlorine-free bleach. Or make inexpensive solutions of white, distilled vinegar mixed with a little lemon for scent for a multipurpose, multi-surface cleaner; try baking soda as a scrubbing powder.

Volatile organic compounds. VOCs are emitted as harmful gases by a wide array of products including paints, lacquers and paint strippers; cleaning supplies; pesticides; carpets and furnishings; office copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper; plus graphics and craft materials that include glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions. The EPA calculates that, “Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher [up to 10 times] indoors than outdoors.”

Healthier choices: Look for VOC-free products and consider using organic clay paint, which has the added benefit of acting as an absorbent of toxic gases.

Most people spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, where the air quality can be two to five times (and even up to 100 times) more polluted than the air we breathe outside, according to the EPA. “A simple solution is to open windows for a portion of each day or night to let in fresh air,” advises Loui.

Making these choices enables us to protect ourselves better at home.

Gail Griswold-Elwyn is founding president of Rethink Renovations, of St. Louis, MO, which offers green design/build and construction services, including cabinetry and furniture that minimize environmental impact.

Connect at 314-323-8845 or RethinkRenovations.com. natural awakenings

April 2013

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Online Services Make Healthy Eating Easier by sarah yates

G

ood choices often seem to necessitate trade-offs: Making it to your daughter’s game means skipping the Saturday farmers’ market; fitting in a workout means picking up takeout on the way home.

A few new online services for buying food in the D.C. Metro area are reducing the costs—in time, money and worry—of making wholesome food choices, helping to conserve valuable energy for healthy pursuits outside the kitchen.

Relay Foods combines a farmers’ market, grocery store and artisanal shop, offering everything from locally grown produce and fresh-baked bread to national cereal brands and Seventh Generation cleaning products. The one-stop shopping experience, which features basics and specialty items, eliminates running multiple errands.

Relay promises to carefully handselect the freshest and best quality groceries available and offers home delivery for a fee or free pickup at several convenient locations.

Consumers that want a little more help in the kitchen can look to healthy, pre-prepared meal kits.

Hello Fresh and Plated both offer a selection of menu options that are prepared to order for home delivery.

For more information, contact Relay Foods at 202-618-6048 or RelayFoods.com; Hello Fresh at Hello@HelloFresh.com or HelloFresh. com; and Plated at 917-525-2399 or Plated.com.

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consciouseating

Eating Ecology Daily Decisions Make a Difference

by Judith fertig

C

onsuming food has such an enormous ripple effect that making small changes, one meal at a time, can reap big benefits. How we choose, prepare, cook, serve and preserve our food can improve nutrition, weight loss, cost savings and the environment.

Decide What to Eat

Choosing what we eat is critical. New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman believes that no food is absolutely off limits because, “It’s all in the way we use these things.” Yet, he adds, “The evidence is clear. Plants promote health.”

For the past few years, Bittman has experimented with eating vegan for breakfast and lunch, and then indulging at dinner. “It’s just one model of a new way of eating,” he says, “but it makes sense on many levels. By eating more plants, fewer animals and less processed food, I’ve lost 30 pounds and my cholesterol and blood sugar levels are normal again.”

When a friend sent him a 21stcentury United Nations study on how intensive livestock production causes more greenhouse gas emissions than driving a car, Bittman realized how a change of diet is a win-win for him and the environment.

For a wake-up call on how our food choices affect the planet, the Center for Science in the Public Interest offers a short quiz at Tinyurl.com/ EatingGreenCalculator.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Identify Good Sources “One of the most ecologically conscious things you can do to make a great meal is prepare it with food that you grew yourself,” says New Yorkbased lifestyle writer Jen Laskey, who blogs at Frugaltopia.com. “Plant a small vegetable garden and a few fruit trees in your yard or join a local community garden. Even sprouting an herb garden on a windowsill will make a difference; plus, everyone in your household will appreciate the choice in fresh seasonings.”

Kansas City Star journalist Cindy Hoedel suggests planting parsley, basil, dill and other herbs every three to six weeks in eggshells in a sunny window after the outdoor growing season for a year-round tasty harvest.

When shopping, renowned activist, author and eco-stylist Danny Seo, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, suggests bringing along reusable shopping bags and choosing local foods when possible, plus sustainable seafood and free trade, organic and hormone-free foods. The Socially Responsible Agricultural Project offers more eco-shopping tips, such as carpooling grocery trips and avoiding products with more than five ingredients, at Tinyurl.com/ShopHealthier.

Prepare and Serve Righteously “On average, each person throws about $600 worth of food into the

trash every year because of spoilage,” says Seo. Instead of rinsing food before storing, which causes more spoilage, he recommends cleaning it right before meal preparation.

Buying what’s in season (and thus less expensive) makes sense, advises Hoedel. “When you find fresh produce on sale, buy it in large quantities and boil it (one to five minutes, depending on how long the regular cooking time is), and then freeze it in glass containers. This saves money and plastic packaging waste.”

Hoedel also likes to store lemon wedges, chopped onions and other leftovers in small glass jars instead of plastic bags.

Seo suggests using real dinnerware, glasses and utensils instead of disposable products. For a touch of elegance, take the advice of travel expert Kathy Denis, of Leawood, Kansas.

“Adopt the traditional French practice of using—and reusing—a cloth napkin all week, or until it is too soiled to use,” she recommends. “Family members like to have a personal napkin ring. Each napkin gets shaken out and then rolled up in the ring for use at another meal.”

“Saving leftovers in the freezer helps keep it full (which helps it run more efficiently) and ensures future meals that require minimal energy to prepare,” advises Seo.

Hoedel’s zero-waste tips, shared via Twitter, include making and freezing lots of end-of-season pasta sauce with tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Food can also be canned or pickled. Seattle cookbook author Kim O’Donnel, who founded Canning Across America and is known for her meatless recipes, says, “My only regret about canning is that I waited so long.

Learning how to extend the season of my favorite fruits and vegetables in a jar is one of the most gratifying and useful skills I’ve acquired as an adult.”

As green eating habits add up, Bittman says he enjoys… “a bit of self-satisfaction knowing that, by an infinitesimal amount, I’m reducing the pace of global warming. And I’m saving money by buying more ‘real’ food and less meat and packaged junk.”

Award-winning cookbook author Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com.

therapyspotlight

Mind-Body Prescriptions An Integrative Path to Better Health

N

by Mikhail Kogan, M.D.

ot a day goes by that meditation, yoga, t’ai chi, or some other mind-body healing modality isn’t spotlighted in the media.

Recently, Time magazine published a lead story about meditation.

According to statistics from the National Institutes of Health, deep breathing and meditation were the second and third most commonly used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities in 2007, far behind natural products but apparently growing fast. If this trend continues, within a few years more than 50 million Americans will be using mind-body modalities to address a variety of medical problems—possibly based on a prescription from their doctor or another healthcare professional.

Many factors are driving the popularity of CAM, including an expanding body of clinical evidence. For example, mindfulness-based stress reduction, a structured, eight-week group program, has been a subject of nearly 500 research articles, with many studies showing positive effects on psychological conditions such as anxiety or depression, and on medical illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis and HIV.

At George Washington University (GWU), the school of medicine offers an integrative medicine track program that includes regular workshops on a variety of mind-body modalities and even offers an Introduction to Therapeutic Yoga class as an elective. Many of these students are curious about how to address the mind-body connection with patients. That connection can often be explored once a good doctor-patient relationship has been established, but it isn’t always a simple process.

The difficulty for doctors does not lie in explaining how and why an eight-

week mindfulness course can substantially lower cholesterol or decrease pain, because medical professionals can attest to its benefits as better than prescription drugs. More often, the challenge is to select the most effective and affordable modality for each patient. Finding this match often requires a commitment to exploring several different treatment options, although newer clinical techniques, such as the heart rate variability assessment, can help the healthcare professional select the most clinically effective mind-body modality, thereby simplifying this crucial step.

Given the effectiveness of mindbody therapies, the prospect of primary care doctors writing prescriptions for them looms on the horizon. In the meantime, the growing popularity of CAM enables informed and knowledgeable patients to teach their doctors about their experiences. Many practitioners new to CAM techniques will welcome the opportunity to learn from their patients.

For more information, visit the George Washington Center for Integrative Medicine at gwcim.com. Individuals interested in participating in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program can call 202-833-5055 or visit the website. See ad, page 2.

Mikhail Kogan, M.D., is assistant professor of medicine at GWU and the medical director of George Washington Center for Integrative Medicine, where he sees patients for integrative medicine consultations and primary care visits. natural awakenings

April 2013

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greenliving

GoinG ELECtriC Tech Advances May Drive Eco-Transportation Mainstream

by Brita Belli

W

ith the opening of three new Supercharger stations for its luxury Model S on the East Coast last January, electric carmaker Tesla now operates a total of nine stations serving its electric sedan owners between San Francisco and Los Angeles and between Boston and Washington, D.C. That same month, Nissan announced plans to add 500 public stations for electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging, which provide 80 percent of a charge in less than 30 minutes, tripling the number of such stations by mid-2014, including the first ones in our nation’s capital. It also aims to increase the presence of charging stations at workplaces.

These steps in the growth in infra-

structure are easing Americans’ transition from gas-powered to electric and hybrid cars. Already, more than 7,000 public charging stations dot the country, from Custer, Washington, to Key West, Florida (plan a route at Tinyurl. com/MobileChargingStations). Meanwhile, most EV owners simply charge up at home.

Driving Excitement

Excitement has risen in recent years as electric car manufacturers have rolled out more affordable, family-friendly versions like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Honda is testing its Fit EV in 2013; with only 1,100 available to lease, opportunities to try out the fun, sporty car are at a premium.

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For every $100 spent in locally owned business, $68 returns to the community. source: the350project.net

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These models offer considerable fuel efficiency, easy charging and even apps to check their charge, yet eco-vehicles continue to represent a fraction of overall car sales.

In a 2012 report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration noted that fewer than 10,000 EVs were sold in 2011. While sales of all-electric vehicles improved slightly in the first half of 2012, dealers saw nowhere near the major jump produced by plug-in hybrids like the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius.

Obstacles to a stronger EV sales upswing include purchase price, charging time and driver anxiety about range.

“The battery is a big reason the cars are expensive,” says Jim Motavalli, author of High Voltage: The Fast Track to Plug in the Auto Industry. “More public charging is coming,” he adds, “but it doesn’t matter as much as a cheaper upfront cost and longer range—200 miles plus—instead of the standard 100 now.”

Mass Transit

Almost any form of public transportation can run on alternative power— electricity or natural gas, propane, biodiesel or hydrogen. “The big hurdle,” says Motavalli, “is having enough stations to rival the 160,000 conveniently located gas stations we already have.”

Biodiesel buses have been in use for several years at locations like Colorado’s Aspen resorts and Harvard University. Musicians Willie Nelson and Jack Johnson each rely on a biodiesel tour bus. Many school buses—including those in Charleston, West Virginia; Medford, New Jersey; and San Diego, California—have been converted to biodiesel, significantly reducing the toxic emissions and particulate matter children breathe in at bus stops. Some school systems in Michigan and New York use hybrid-electric buses.

Vehicle fleets are also joining the greening trend. Kansas City, Missouribased Smith Electric Vehicles already produces all-electric, zero-emission trucks for Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, Staples and the U.S. Marines.

The need for regular recharging, a former obstacle for deploying electric buses for public transportation, has been cleared by Utah State University’s (USU) Aggie Bus. The groundbreaking,

all-electric bus has a plate that draws off electricity across an air gap when it pauses over another plate installed at a bus stop. In mid-2013, WAVE, Inc., the university’s offshoot company behind the project, will launch a commercial on-campus demonstration in partnership with the Utah Transit Authority, via a 40-foot-long transit bus and 50 kilowatts of wireless power transfer.

Such wireless technology could also revolutionize electric-car recharging. “EV owners and operators will now be able to simply drive over a pad in the ground to recharge their batteries, the benefits of which reach far beyond convenience,” says Robert T. Behunin, Ph.D., USU vice president of commercialization and regional development.

Regarding greening travel by train,

braking into usable electrical energy, reducing emissions and saving up to 25 percent in fuel consumption. The first such converted hybrid train testing the technology began carrying passengers in Germany in January 2013.

The International Energy Agency’s 2012 EV City Casebook reports that, “Electric vehicles represent one of the most promising technology pathways for cutting oil use and CO2 on a per-kilometer basis. The experiences of urban drivers and the pioneering policies of local governments can help accelerate the transition to clean and sustainable mobility.”

Europe is leagues ahead of America; half its trains are now electric. A new regenerative braking system being developed by Deutsche Bahn and Tognum could turn all trains into hybrids.

Its innovative drive system converts the kinetic energy produced during

Freelance writer Brita Belli is the editor of E-The Environmental Magazine.

Connect at BritaBelli.com.

Car Sharing in the District A New Way of Thinking about Transportation

by Robin Fillmore t is estimated that by the year 2020, more than 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities. As more people squeeze into smaller areas, city planners and residents alike are dealing with the trend’s associated problems: greater traffic congestion, increased auto emissions and decreased quality of life.

Car sharing is one solution that is popping up in large metropolitan areas and at universities throughout the country. Companies such as ZipCar and Car2Go own fleets of vehicles that offer an alternative to individual car ownership and reduce the total number of automobiles on the road, because member drivers use a car only when they need it. In cities like Washington, D.C., car-sharing alternatives can easily complement other green transport options like the Metro rail and bus systems.

Car2Go started in Germany, in 2008, and established itself in the U.S. the following year, in Austin, Texas.

The company uses a Smart car model called Smart ForTwo, a very recognizable design and the most efficient

Photo source: Media.Daimler.com

I

non-hybrid on the market. According to Car2Go spokesperson Katie Stafford, statistics show that the average number of people in a car is 1.59, making the Smart ForTwo choice ideal for most driving situations. After paying a onetime start-up membership fee, Car2Go drivers pay only for the exact number of minutes that they use the vehicle, and they are allowed to park in any legal parking place in the District.

Membership extends to any of the other 19 Car2Go locations throughout the U.S., as well.

ZipCar’s fleet comprises a variety of cars and larger vehicles, including luxury models like Mercedes and BMW.

Zipsters—the term affectionately used for members—go online to book cars found at designated District locations such as Metro stops, use a computerchipped card to open the door lock, and use the key found inside to drive.

A simple text message can extend the driver’s time. According to Scott Hall, general manager of the D.C. ZipCar office, the District is one of the company’s largest markets, with 350 locations and more than 800 vehicles throughout the city. Like Car2Go, ZipCar’s roots are in Europe, but the concept is a natural fit for growing urban areas of the U.S.

Both companies pride themselves on a vibe shared by staff and customers that reflects the growing interest in green alternatives, especially among younger drivers. Gas, parking and insurance are all part of the package offered by both—a very attractive alternative to monthly car payments, costly parking fees and insurance premiums for those experiencing the sticker shock of District living.

To learn more, visit Car2Go.com and ZipCar.com.

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bestpractices

Passion that Profits the Planet Conscious Business the Eileen Fisher Way

by Grace Ogden

B

“

the company’s most aby steps profitable to date. first. Then

Eileen Fisher you can Inc.’s organizawalk, and then tional chart is a you can run!” circle, populated by Eileen Fisher, intersecting circles fluttering her of teams. Rebecca hands excitedly, Kleister, a team advises a fledgleader based in a ling entrepreneur store in Washington, during a recent D.C., participates retreat in Califorin an internal circle nia. The founder leadership team to, of the eponymous “…broaden and clothing brand, Eileen Fisher deepen circle pracFisher started tice within our company,” she reports. out in 1984 with $350 and a desire

The process is derived from the for simple, timeless women’s clothwork of Christina Baldwin and Ann ing. Drawing inspiration from history, Linnea, of PeerSpirit, in their book, The she was intrigued by the kimono, the Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair. only garment shape worn in Japan for Each company meeting has a clear 1,100 years. A graphic designer who intention and begins with a moment could not sew, Fisher’s first four pieces of silence. Everyone has a chance to at the New York Boutique Show garspeak, and all ideas are welcomed. nered $3,000 in orders; the next show The group tracks which ideas manifest brought in $40,000. the most energy. “Circles foster rapid

Ideas and contacts started flowing.

“Little by little, day by day, I kept going, decision-making, while retaining all the creativity that flows from a peer-based asking myself, ‘What’s the next thing?’ group process,” Kleister explains. and simply doing the best I could,” she

Within a store is where customers recalls. Enjoyment added energy, and most readily experience the community she routinely ran up the 83 steps to her and encouragement fostered by this Tribeca loft those first years. company-wide culture of collaboration.

Nearly 30 years later, the intenThe staff works as a team to help inditions of simplicity and timelessness viduals find what looks good, fits well inspire her 1,000-person clothing and complements an existing wardrobe. company to pioneer new models of

Sold in department stores, 57 retail social conscience. Core values of outlets and online, the clothing line is caring, wholeness and collaboration multigenerational, ranging from skinny govern relationships with staff, customtops and jeans to angled hemline tunics ers and global suppliers. Last year was

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and handkerchief linen blouses. The company’s regular retail stores feature a sales rack year-round, and the Eileen Fisher Company Store is a seasonally current outlet.

Company leadership continually asks what it means to be socially and environmentally conscious while selling clothes, and they turn to their core values to find solutions to tough problems. During the recession, for example, they tackled the question of how to make their funding support for women and girls sustainable. A circle process generated the idea to recycle their brand’s clothing and donate the proceeds. The Green Eileen program, a project of the Eileen Fisher Community Foundation, allows customers to turn in gently worn pieces at their retail locations and receive a tax receipt and $5 Eileen Fisher rewards card. The clothes are re-sold and to date have added up to $1.3 million donated to nonprofit groups.

The same collaborative approach nurtures supplier relationships for textile and clothing manufacturing. On a visit to China, Fisher hit a turning point in understanding the environmental problems there. Aware that much of the harm in textile processing is caused by dyes, she asked how the company could, “…stop taking baby steps and start running,” to change the production process.

The company began a three-year initiative with the dyehouse to create strict guidelines. They cut chemical use by 45 percent and water use by 25 percent. The dyehouse is the first in the world to earn bluesign certification, a standard which ensures that its processes are harmless to people and the environment.

“Business as a movement” is now Fisher’s greatest passion. It is a case of bottom-line success affirming holistic leadership in every participant.

For more information, including store locations, visit EileenFisher.com.

Grace Ogden is the founder of Grace Productions, a transformational events and consulting business based in Washington, D.C. Connect at 301-445-6771, Ggogden @gmail.com or GraceProductions.co.

calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at NaturalAwakeningsDC.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 Potomac River Watershed Cleanup – 9am-12pm.

Join the Potomac Conservancy at one of its cleanup locations around the DC metro area. In support of Alice Ferguson Foundation’s 25th Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. River Center at Lock 8, Fletcher’s Boathouse, Teddy Roosevelt Island. Info: Vu@Potomac.org.

Tree Planting with The Nature Conservancy – 9am-12pm. Volunteer with The Nature Conservancy on a tree planting at the Congressional Cemetery.

Please register online and make sure you mark yourself as “TNC” to claim your space. Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St SE, DC. Info: Karion@ tnc.org. Register: Eventbrite.com/Event/5410663.

Align: Pain, Performance and Posture – Session 1 – 2-3:30pm. Return your body to proper alignment, function and balance using a series of gentle corrective exercises that will not only alleviate your pain but also prevent future pain and injuries. $35.

The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda.

Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7 Reiki I Class – 9am-6pm. Through this one-day class, anyone can learn Reiki, a gentle hands-on form of healing energy that brings us back into balance physically and emotionally. $200. New Leaf Acupuncture and Reiki. Info: 202-997-0925 or Got_Reiki@yahoo.com.

Infant Massage – 11:30am-12:30pm. Learn how to read your baby’s cues, tailor massage to meet your baby’s unique needs and lay the foundation for nurturing touch and communication. $40/infant, $60/twins. Lil Omm Yoga, 4706 Wisconsin Ave, DC. Register: Info@LilOmm.com or LilOmm.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 8 Meditation Class – 7-9pm. Sharon Salzberg, one of America’s leading spiritual teachers and authors, will offer a meditation class, marking the 10th anniversary of her monthly teachings in Washington, DC. The ancient Buddhist practices of vipassana (mindfulness) and metta (loving kindness) are the foundations of Salzberg’s work. International

Rhythm of the Seasons Retreat – 10:30am2:30pm. Inspired by The Way of the Happy Women: Living the Best Year of your Life, we celebrate spring’s blossoming, growth and creativity. Lunch provided. Additional sessions to be held June 23 & Nov 3. $60. Lil Omm Yoga, 4706 Wisconsin Ave, DC. Register: Info@LilOmm.com or LilOmm.com.

Interfaith Meditation Sessions – 11am-12:30pm.

See Apr 9 listing. DC Baha’i Center, 5713 Sixteenth St NW, DC. Info: InterfaithGatherings.org.

“One for the Bay” Networking Event – 5-7pm.

The Nature Conservancy and the Oyster Recovery Partnership are working on the largest oyster restoration project on the Chesapeake Bay. Come to learn more. McCormicks & Schmicks, 1652 K St NW, DC. Info: Karion@tnc.org.

Teddy Bear Yoga and Tea Party (3-8yrs) – 10:45am-12:15pm. Bring your favorite furry friend or doll to share the yoga fun. Together we engage in meaningful pretend play, complete with snacks and tea party. $30/child, $10/sibling. Lil Omm Yoga, 4706 Wisconsin Ave, DC. Register: Info@LilOmm. com or LilOmm.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Campaign for Tibet, 1825 Jefferson Pl NW. Info: SharonSalzberg.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9 Climate Ride Meet & Greet – 6pm. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association will once again participate in the Climate Ride, the largest environmental charity bike ride in the U.S. Cyclists participate in this “green conference on wheels” by raising money for beneficiary organizations and riding 5 days through beautiful coastal scenery. The ride takes place from NYC to DC on Sept 21-25. To learn more about the event, WABA will be hosting a Meet & Greet. All interested in participating in the 2013 Climate Ride should attend. Past climate riders, members of Team WABA and Climate Ride staff will provide an introduction, including fundraising tips and training advice. Washington Area Bicyclist Association, 2599 Ontario Rd, NW, DC. Info: 202-518-0524 x 204.

Interfaith Meditation Sessions – 7:30-8:45pm.

Interfaith Meditation Initiative (IMI) is offering a series of interfaith meditation sessions in various locations throughout the Washington, DC, area this spring. The non-religious, public nonprofit brings together religious leaders in interfaith teams to share meditation with one another and public audiences in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, universities and community centers. The spring sessions will be co-led by 11 religious leaders from diverse faith backgrounds, and individuals of all faiths and backgrounds may participate. Cleveland Park Congregational UCC, 3400 Lowell St NW, DC. Info: InterfaithGatherings.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 12 Yoga for Teen Girls: Session 1 – 4-5pm. 3-wk session encompassing all aspects of yoga designed to help teens build healthy bodies, minds and attitudes. $50. Lil Omm Yoga, 4706 Wisconsin Ave, DC. Register: Info@LilOmm.com or LilOmm.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 River Center Guide Training – 10am-12pm. Love local history? Passionate about the Potomac River?

Become a River Center guide and help staff at the Potomac Conservancy’s River Center along the C&O Canal. River Center at Lock 8. For more info: Vu@Potomac.org.

Align: Pain, Performance and Posture – Session 2 – 2-3:30pm. See Apr 6 listing. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

Mind-Body Week DC – Apr 18-21. Join for free classes and seminars covering practices and current scientific research on preventing, managing and healing chronic disease with Mind-Body Therapies.

Keynote speaker is U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan, author of A Mindful Nation. Program locations include The Mindfulness Center, Suburban Hospital and American University. Register for each session at MindBodyWeek.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19 Yoga Immersion Weekend – Apr 19-21. Join master teacher Neva Ingalls and guest teachers as you immerse yourself in a weekend of healing and transformation while deepening your knowledge of yoga and your personal practice. This course is eligible for CEU credits with Yoga Alliance and can be applied toward a 300- or 500-hr teacher training with Neva Ingalls and Inner Domain. $550 for the weekend or register for each date separately. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda.

Register: Manager@YogaFusionStudio.com.

Yoga for Teen Girls: Session 2 – 4-5pm. See Apr 12 listing. Lil Omm Yoga, 4706 Wisconsin Ave, DC. Register: Info@LilOmm.com or LilOmm.com.

Floydasana with Hari-kirtana Das – 7:30-9:30pm.

What do Pink Floyd and yoga have in common? Pink Floyd’s musical themes are consistently concerned with our need for compassionate connections with others and of how the alienation that results from the absence of connection—the absence of yoga— drives us crazy. The cosmology of yoga offers us a mind-blowing conception of multidimensional universes that correspond nicely to Floyd’s spacey tracks and famous light show. This workshop will feature an asana sequence set to a complete Floyd soundtrack that will include lots of vintage songs from their earlier albums along with live recordings and classic favorites. We’ll conclude with a meditation session that will provide the icing on our psychedelic yoga cake. For all levels. $20/

We Still On? Call ahead to confirm that the event details haven’t changed and tell them you saw it in Natural Awakenings of Washington, DC.

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pre-registration, $25/day of. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20 Align: Pain, Performance and Posture – Session 3 – 2-3:30pm. See Apr 6 listing. $35. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21 Takoma Park Earth Day – 10am-4pm. The Festival will feature the latest green products and solutions, a speaker series, energy-saving tips from local experts, a native plant sale, community service activities, and green games and activities for kids.

Takoma Park on Grant Ave (between Carroll Ave & Rte 410). Info: TkpkEarthDay.org.

Birth Goddess 6-Week Session – Sundays, Apr 21-May 26. 10:30am-12:30pm. Not your ordinary childbirth education course. Find your inner goddess through this 6-wk series combining childbirth education with prenatal yoga. $250. Lil Omm Yoga, 4706 Wisconsin Ave, DC. Register: Info@LilOmm. com or LilOmm.com.

Arlington Earth Week Community Fair – 124:30pm. Good, green fun for the whole community with exhibits, seminars, Operation Rain Barrel: Competition & Silent Auction, Green Patriot Award Presentation, and kid-friendly activities. George Mason University, 3351 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA. Info: 703-993-9817 or ArlingtonEnvironment.org/Expo.

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 ALPHA – Apr 26-28. At ALPHA, creators in interactive/participatory media or disciplines collaborate to elevate their art and skills by sharing work in progress, ideas and financial resources. Hosted by FIGMENT. $120-$180. Camp Ramblewood, 2564 Silver Rd, Darlington, MD. Register/Info: Alpha.

FigmentProject.org.

Yoga for Teen Girls: Session 3 – 4-5pm. See Apr 12 listing. Lil Omm Yoga, 4706 Wisconsin Ave, DC. Register: LilOmm.com or Info@LilOmm.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27 Healthy Kids Day – As part of the Y’s commitment to strengthen community by addressing critical gaps in health and education, Healthy Kids Day will encourage kids and parents to commit to keeping the

Tell ‘em you saw it in Natural Awakenings – Washington, DC!

body and mind active this summer. Join the Y and more than half-a-million parents and kids across the country as we commit to “Take on Summer.” With 1,900 Ys hosting free Healthy Kids Day events across the country, it’s never been a better time to get up, get out and grow. Held at YMCAs all over the region. More info: YmcaDC.org.

Introduction to Sanskrit with Zoe Mai – April 2728. 9am-4pm. Sanskrit is the language of yoga. This workshop will give you intimate familiarity with the unique points of resonance in your own palate that supports Sanksrit’s sacred sounds. Be firmly grounded in proper pronunciation of this ancient language. Learn the alphabet and receive the tools need to explore your favorite sutras and chants in the beautiful script of Sanskrit, devanāgarī. ASI’s teaching method, developed over many years by Vyaas Houston, makes learning Sanskrit stress-free and fun. Eligible students can receive 14 CEU hours with Yoga Alliance. $250 by Apr 15; $275 full-price.

The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda.

Info: Manager@TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

Book Signing with Mark Tercek – 1-3pm. The CEO of The Nature Conservancy, Mark Tercek, signs copies of his book, Nature’s Fortune: How Business and Society Thrive by Investing in Nature. Hosted by The Nature Conservancy and Casey Trees. Proceeds go to TNC. Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, DC. Info: Karion@tnc.org.

Align: Pain, Performance and Posture: Session 4 – 2-3:30pm. See Apr 6 listing. $35. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28 Science and Spirituality: A Benefit for Sanctuary Retreat Center – 3-6pm. Talks by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Candace Pert and senior IMCW meditation teacher Hugh Byrne with healing music

by Eli Ammerman and Kathryn Ashera Rose. Light refreshments. A portion of ticket is tax-deductible. $49/advance, $59/at door. Tickets: 301-349-2799 or BrownPaperTickets.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 29 Interfaith Meditation Sessions – 11am-12:30pm.

See Apr 9 listing. Our Lady Queen of Peace, 2700 S 19th St, Arlington. Info: InterfaithGatherings.org.

plan ahead savethedate SATURDAY, MAY 11 MELT Hand & Foot Treatment for Pain Relief – 12-1:30pm. Learn the simple self-treatment that helps to erase pain and tension in your hands, feet, neck and low back, presented by Amy Liss. $30/ pre-registration, $35/walk-ins. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda. Preregister: Jacqueline@TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

Info: TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 16 Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) on “A Mindful Nation” – 7pm. Rep. Ryan will accept an award

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and give an address on “A Mindful Nation” at Oneness-Family School on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The school celebrates the growing culture of mindfulness across the U.S. and its role at the center of the school’s life. Free but registration required. For more info: 301-652-7751 or OnenessFamilySchool.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 26 Vital: The Power of Breath-Initiated Movement – 1-3:30pm. With Max Strom. Take a proactive approach to your health and happiness, rather than a reactive approach. Breath-initiated movement, as taught by Max Strom, can be the catalyst of an emotional log-jam being swept away, allowing desperately needed change to occur spontaneously within you. This can turn grief into joy, and transform long-term anger into the possibility of forgiveness. The physical benefits come as a side effect. Learn not only how to move in concert with your breathing practice, but also a holistic practice of vitality and healing. From the first thing you do when you get up in the morning, to the last thing you do before you go to sleep at night. $40/preregistration, $45/at event. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda. Info: Manager@ TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 3 Learn to Meditate – 9am-5pm. Deepak Chopra, MD, and David Simon, MD, revived the ancient practice of sound meditation and made it easy to learn and easy to use. Instruction will be given

by Chopra Center Certified Instructors Jennifer Closshey and Charleene Closshey. $345 with preregistration by May 1; $395 thereafter. Hyatt Regency, Reston, VA. Register: 619-861-2237 or EnergyPsych.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9 Reiki I Class – 9am-6pm. Through this one-day class, anyone can learn Reiki, a gentle hands-on form of healing energy that brings us back into balance physically and emotionally. $175. New Leaf Acupuncture and Reiki. Info: 202-997-0925 or Got_Reiki@yahoo.com.

Interfaith Meditation Sessions – 10am-12pm.

Interfaith Meditation Initiative (IMI) is offering a series of interfaith meditation sessions in various locations throughout the Washington, DC, area this spring. The non-religious, public nonprofit brings together religious leaders in interfaith teams to share meditation with one another and public audiences in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, universities and community centers. The spring sessions will be co-led by 11 religious leaders from diverse faith backgrounds, and individuals of all faiths and backgrounds may participate. Turner Memorial AME Church, 7201 Sixteenth Pl, Hyattsville. Info: InterfaithGatherings.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20 BuddhaFest – June 20-23. A festival for heart and mind with films, talks, meditation and music.

Artisphere in Rosslyn, VA. Details & tickets: BuddhaFest.org.

TUESDAY, JUNE 25 Interfaith Meditation Sessions – 7:30-8:30pm. See June 9 listing. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW. Info: InterfaithGatherings.org.

ongoingevents notE: All calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at NaturalAwakeningsDC.com.

breathwork, gentle movement and guided visualization. GW University Hospital, 900 23rd St NW, DC. RSVP, Jennifer Bires: 202-741-2218 or JBires@ mfa.gwu.edu.

sunday

saturday

Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market – 8:30am-1pm.

A producer-only farmers’ market. Only regional growers from the Chesapeake Bay watershed region (DE, MD, PA, VA and WV) may sell at market. 20th St, NW (between Massachusetts Ave & Hillyer Place NW) and the adjacent bank parking lot. More info: 202-362-8889.

Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market – 9am-1pm.

A producer-only farmers’ market that supplies the Mount Pleasant neighborhood with local fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cakes, flowers, plants and prepared foods. Some producers are certified organic or use chemical-free methods, and the meat and dairy is free range. Producers are all located within 125 miles of Washington DC. Lamont Park (corner of 17th & Lamont NW). Info: Mtpfm.org.

monday

Pre-Natal Yoga – 11:30am-12:45pm. Blue Heron Wellness, 10723-B Columbia Pike, Silver Spring.

301-754-3730. BlueHeronWellness.com.

Baby and Me Postnatal Yoga – 11:30am-12:15pm.

Blue Heron Wellness, 10723-B Columbia Pike, Silver Spring. 301-754-3730. BlueHeronWellness.com.

Family Yoga – 5-6pm. Family Yoga eases transitions, builds strength and creates connections. Blue Heron Wellness, 10723-B Columbia Pike, Silver Spring. 301-754-3730. BlueHeronWellness.com.

wednesday Wednesdays with Tara Brach – 7:30-9pm. Class includes 30-min of Vipassana meditation instruction and guided meditation followed by an hour-long Dharma talk. A large gathering of approximately 250-300 people. Beginners through advanced students welcome. There is no registration, but dana (donation) of about $10-$15 is suggested to help cover expenses and is gratefully received. River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Rd (corner of Whittier Blvd & River Rd), Bethesda, MD. For more info: Imcw.com.

Blessing Circle – 9:15-9:45pm. 2nd Wed. The Insight Meditation Community of Washington offers the Blessing Circle to comfort and support those experiencing loss, grief, illness or any of the “10,000 sorrows” of this life. We gather after the Wed class with Tara Brach for a 30-min service of sharing, mindful and supportive listening, and metta practice. Together we offer blessings to all in need as

we take refuge together in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Rd (enter from Whittier Blvd.), Bethesda. More info: Imcw.org.

thursday FreshFarm Market at Penn Quarter– 3-7pm. Delicious locally grown fruits, veggies, cut flowers, plants, handmade soaps, meats, cheeses, eggs and more are available every week. Market is open rain, snow or shine. This year introducing a Matching Dollars program to this market and will give $15 free Matching Dollars to low-income shoppers using their SNAP, WIC or SFMNP coupons. North end of 8th St NW, between D & E sts NW. More info: 202-362-8889.

friday Yoga for People Living With Cancer & Their Caregivers – 2-3pm. A relaxing hour of yoga taught by yoga therapist Yael Flusberg. The class combines

The Saturday Series – 2-3:3pm. With a different focus every month, this 4-wk series will set your foundation to deepen the yoga practice as it relates to your life. $35/drop-in, $100/series. The Yoga Fusion Studio, 4609 Willow Ln, Bethesda. Register: TheYogaFusionStudio.com.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com.

Deadline is the 10th of the month.

FOR SALE SAVE THE AMAZON! – Beautiful photos of plants, animals and indigenous people from the Peruvian basin are available for sale. Professional photographs and images from Jim Duke’s Garden. All proceeds go towards buying trees to plant in the Amazon and preserving acres of the Rainforest.

301-752-1425. LivingFromTheEarth.com.

HELP WANTED SALES REPS FOR NATURAL AWAKENINGS – If you would like to help grow the natural, healthy

we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~Native American Proverb

and green movement here in the Washington Metro area, we’re looking for you to do advertising sales.

Part time, commission based, make your own hours, meet fabulous people! If this sounds like you, please call Robin at 202-505-04835.

WANTED – Full-time employment in the environmental science/nonprofit sector. Marine science professional with master’s degree seeks entry- to mid-level employment in the DC Metro area. For details, contact S.Young.Sanchez@gmail.com.

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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE CITY ACUPUNCTURE CIRCLE

1221 Connecticut Ave, Ste 5B, NW, DC 202-300-8428 CityAcupunctureCircle.com Safe, affordable acupuncture care. Pay what you can, $20-$50 per treatment. Join the Community Acupuncture movement.

JOY OF MOTION DANCE CENTER 1333 H St NE, DC 202-399-6763 JoyOfMotion.org

Joy of Motion Dance Center teaches and encourages people of all ages to integrate dance into their lives for better individual and community health and well-being.

CONSULTING OURSPACE ACUPUNCTURE 809 Easley St, Silver Spring, MD 301-388-8085 OurSpaceAcupuncture.org

GRACE PRODUCTIONS

Grace Odgen, Principal 301-445-6771 GraceProductions.com Grace@GraceProductions.com

Natural, affordable, safe, holistic health care in a comfortable community setting.

We ask for $15-$40 per session. Schedule your appointment online today.

Grace Ogden leads this consulting and event production firm that supports progressive social change with an awareness of why spiritual principles and practices matter.

See article, page 28.

REVIVE COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE 3808 34th St, Mt. Rainier, MD 301-864-1975 Revive-Acupuncture.com

COUNSELING

$15-$35 acupuncture. Open Tuesday/Thursday, 2-7pm, Wednesday/Friday/Saturday, 10am-2pm.

Convenient to Brookland, Chillum, H St, the Hill, Hyattsville, Cheverly. Free parking. Walk-ins welcome.

MARY KENDELL, MS, NP

Couples Therapy GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055, 202-300-4981 Gwcim.com • SexMatters2Me@gmail.com Evaluation, treatment, counseling, and education for all sexual health concerns. See ad, page 2.

ARTS & DANCE E STREET CINEMA

555 11th St NW, DC 202-783-9494 LandmarkTheatres.com Check out the latest exclusive engagements and premieres, including the best in new indies, foreign films, documentaries and restored classics on our film calendar.

NATALIE X. KORYTNYK, PHD Individual & Couples Therapy 3 Washington Circle, NW, DC 202-296-5959 • DrNatalieK.com

To dwell is to garden. ~Martin Heidegger 32

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

With over 20 years of experience, D r. N a t a l i e K o r y t n y k i s a psychologist with an expertise in relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, work stress, eating disorders and self-esteem.

DAY SPA AVEDA INSTITUTES 713 7th St NW, DC 202-824-1624 AvedaInstitutesBB.com

Experience luxury for less.

Experience AVEDA salon and spa services provided by talented students about to enter the industry. We train the best and brightest students in cutting-edge techniques and styles in areas of cosmetology and esthiology.

VENUS SPA AND NAIL

400 C St SW Washington, DC (Relocated from L’Enfant Plaza) 202-546-0008 Treat yourself to the ultimate spa experience with our extensive nail and waxing service menu.

We disinfect our equipment with medical-grade sanitizers to ensure the safety of our clients.

HEALTH CLUB ONE WORLD FITNESS 1738 14th St NW, DC 202-510-0433 OneWorldFitness.com

One World Fitness is a unique wellness training and fitness studio that focuses on your goals and your health. Our certified wellness counselors act as guides and consultants, assisting you to reach your fitness goals, and helping you to cultivate a healthier life. We have helped hundreds of people at all fitness levels reach their goals. See ad, back cover.

HEALTHY PETS THE BIG BAD WOOF

5501 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville, MD 117 Carroll St NW, Old Takoma, DC 301-403-8957 TheBigBadWoof.com T h e B i g B a d Wo o f i s a community resource for companion animals and their guardians. We are committed to providing nutritious foods for companion animals whether they are dogs, cats, small mammals, birds or fish. We provide access to organic, holistic and premium raw diets and a wide range of alternatives including holistic supplements for companion animals. See ad, page 8.

HOME IMPROVEMENT AMICUS GREEN BUILDING CENTER 301-571-8590 AMICUSGreen.com

A home improvement store full of materials that maximize health, eco-friendliness, water and energy savings, with expertise to make any project greener and smoother.

MEDITATION

HOME ORGANIZATION JUST THAT SIMPLE

CHOPRA CENTER

Home and office organizing and move preparation services with a personalized, nonjudgmental approach, JTS helps tame “all clutter in all rooms.” You can find, use and put away things in relaxing, productive spaces.

Deepak Chopra, MD, and David Simon, MD, revived the ancient practice of sound meditation and made it easy to learn and easy to use. See ad, page 23.

Just-That-Simple.net

EnergyPsych.org

HUGH BYRNE, PhD Hugh-Byrne.com

Mindfulness-based counseling and meditation instruction. Dr. Byrne teaches classes, retreats, and workshops on Buddhism and meditation in the Washington DC area and nationwide and provides individual counseling. See ad, page 15.

HOUSE CLEANING THE GREEN MOP TheGreenMop.com 703-647-9094

We are an eco-friendly (green) cleaning company that cleans residential homes as well as businesses. No bleach. No ammonia. Naturally clean.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS CENTER FOR NATURAL HEALING

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE ANGELA GABRIEL, MSOM, LAC, CH GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055, 202-300-4981 Gwcim.com

Classical Chinese medicine, Japanese-style acupuncture, pain and stress management, chronic issues, family care, women’s health, pregnancy, children, Kiiko Matsumoto-style acupuncture, moxibustion, integrative medicine.

See ad, page 2.

GW CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 908 New Hampshire Ave, NW, DC 202-833-5055 Gwcim.com

A clinic that effectively combines use of traditional and conventional evidence-based medical practices through a variety of complementary and alternative therapies and has many years of close collaboration with George Washington University Medical Center and a variety of physicians in most subspecialties. See ad, page 2.

MIKHAIL KOGAN, MD

GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 Gwcim.com Dr. Kogan is Medical Director of GW Center for Integrative Medicine where he provides integrative consultations and primary care. In addition he does geriatric consultations at GW University Hospital and makes home visits to frail patients. See ad, page 2.

4601 Connecticut Ave, NW, Ste 6, DC 20008 202-244-4545 CenterForNaturalHealing.biz Dr. Sullivan is a Naturopathic/Homeopathic physician, specializing in homeopathic and botanical medicine, clinical nutrition and diets for blood types. She treats people, not just conditions.

NUTRITION BLEU HARVEST

A Personal Chef Service BleuHarvest.com Customized meals.

I do the shopping, planning, cooking, packaging and cleanup. Experience with kosher, vegetarian, glutenfree, paleo, raw and other diets.

GOûTER

240-330-3674 Facebook.com/HeyGouter Handcrafting raw, vegan and organic treats, tonics and cleanses in Washington DC. Making a raw vegan lifestyle more approachable, fun and simple through our products and services; consume less, become aware and live sustainably.

SUPER FANTASTIC FOODS DC 202-660-2145 SuperFantasticFoodsDC.com

Super Fantastic Foods specializes in providing busy people with farm-fresh nutritious meals and a more convenient way to eat healthy. Simply choose your meal plan each week, let our chefs prepare your meals and we deliver them to your door (or arrange for a pick up). It’s like having your own personal chef service. See ad, page 22.

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YES! ORGANIC MARKET

SKIN CARE

YesOrganicMarket.com

Yes! Organic Market has provided healthful food, supplements and body care products at affordable prices for over 30 years. Visit any of our seven stores in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area. See ad, page 33.

JOELLE SKINCARE JoElle Lee JoElleSkinCare.com

Natural skincare products and services. JoElle SkinCare carefully selects each ingredient for its superior quality, freshness and potency. We use traditional ingredients in their purest form, pioneering a fresh new approach to therapeutic skincare.

REAL ESTATE SKY REAL ESTATE

1703 N Capitol St NE, Ste 1, DC 20002 202-630-2437 SkyRealEstateDC.com We recognize that real estate is a significant financial asset. SKY Real Estate’s commitment to listening to the individual needs of our treasured clientele and custom tailoring a plan to achieve personal goals is our standard.

REIKI LUANN JACOBS, SLP/RMT

Reiki-Biofeedback Practitioner GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 Gwcim.com Luann provides treatments and trainings in the use of Reiki handson and biofeedback for self-care, and Reiki care of others. See ad, page 2.

THERAPEUTIC YOGA LINDA LANG

TherapeuticYogaDC.com Therapeutic yoga instructor and medical educator specializing in individual sessions throughout greater Washington DC area. A highly experienced practitioner, certified in the medical, therapeutic arena of Cardiac Yoga. Specializing in chronic conditions and degenerative disease.

WELLNESS BLUE HERON WELLNESS

10723B Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 301-754-3730 BlueHeronWellness.com Relax, rejuvenate, energize with acupuncture, massage, yoga, skincare and herbal medicine at our center or at your workplace.

HEALTHY SELF THERAPY AND WELLNESS CENTER 1875 K St NW, Ste LL-150, DC 202-463-5000 HealthySelfDC.com

Our goal is to provide our clients a wide range of therapeutic modalities that meet their needs both immediate and long term. See ad, page 7.

YOGA LIL OMM YOGA

4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, DC 20016 202-248-6304 A friendly, community yoga center welcoming all ages and stages of life.

Offering open and honest teaching regarding yoga, well-being, family and spirituality.

THE YOGA FUSION STUDIO

4609 Willow Ln, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-656-8937 TheYogaFusionStudio.com Yo g a c l a s s e s , t e a c h e r training, health and wellness seminars, and community wellness offerings. We are your home for a loving and cohesive yoga family. See ad, page 21.

YOGA DISTRICT

At locations throughout the District 202-265-9642 YogaDistrict.com Yoga District offers affordable yoga classes in three community-run yoga centers committed to eco-friendly practices in Washington, DC.

DESAI HEALTH AND WELLNESS

202-599-0832 Anura@DesaiHealthAndWellness.com DesaiHealthAndWellness.com Eat healthy. Increase energy.

Reduce stress. No one approach works for everyone. Find out yours. Discover simple ways to making a healthy life easy and possible.

ELEMENTS FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER 2233 Wisconsin, Ste 217, DC 20007 202-333-5252 • ElementsCenter.com

Offering Pilates, GYROTONIC® Exercise, physical therapy, massage and more for clients of all ages. Experience the joy of moving and breathing freely at Elements Center.

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Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Y’S ELEMENTS

202-246-9592 YaelFlusberg@gmail.com YaelFlusberg.com Experienced yoga therapist/coach available for group and individual sessions drawing from a deep well of creative, somatic and reflective methods to help you flourish.

WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE JOIN OUR FAMILY, PUBLISH YOUR OWN NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINE

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