Natural Awakenings Washington, D.C. April 2019 by Natural Awakenings DC

E R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Earth Day

Focus on Protection in 2019

POWER HOUSE Going Off the Grid HAPPY HIKING Boosting Well-Being

The Art of Healing Creative Therapy Aids Recovery

April 2019 | Washington, D.C. Edition | NaturalAwakeningsDC.com April 2019

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Copper in new device prevents cold and flu last holidays,” she said. “The kids had colds going around, but not me.” Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” Some say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had in years.” Copper may even stop flu if used earNew research: Copper stops colds if used early. ly and for several days. Lab technicians ew research shows you can went away completely.” It worked again placed 25 million live flu viruses on a stop a cold in its tracks if you CopperZap. No viruses were found alive every time he felt a cold coming on and take one simple step with a soon after. he hasn’t had a cold since. new device when you feel a cold about People have used it on cold sores He asked relatives and friends to try to start. and say it can completely prevent ugly it. They said it worked for them, too, so Colds start when cold viruses get in outbreaks. You can also rub it gently he patented CopperZap™ and put it on your nose. Viruses multiply fast. If you on wounds, cuts, or lesions to combat the market. don’t stop them early, they spread in infections. Soon hundreds of people had tried it your airways and cause misery. The handle is curved and finely texand given feedback. Nearly 100% said But scientists have found a quick tured to improve the copper stops way to kill a virus. Touch it with copper. colds if used withcontact. It kills in 3 hours after the Researchers at labs and universities germs picked up first sign. Even up agree, copper is “antimicrobial.” It kills on fingers and microbes, such as viruses and bacteria, to 2 days, if they hands to protect still get the cold it just by touch. you and your That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyp- is milder and they family. tians used copper to purify water and feel better. Copper even heal wounds. They didn’t know about Users wrote kills deadly germs Sinus trouble, stuffiness, cold sores. that have become viruses and bacteria, but now we do. things like, “It Scientists say the high conductance stopped my cold right away,” and “Is it resistant to antibiotics. If you are near of copper disrupts the electrical balsupposed to work that fast?” sick people, a moment of handling it ance in a microbe cell, destroying it in Pat McAllister, age 70, received one may keep serious infection away. It may seconds. as a gift and called it “one of the best even save a life. Tests by the Environmental Protecpresents ever. This little jewel really The EPA says copper still works tion Agency (EPA) show germs die fast works.” Now thousands of users have even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of on copper. Some hospitals tried copper stopped getting colds. different disease germs so it can prevent for surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. People often use CopperZap preserious or even fatal illness. ventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci This cut the spread of MRSA and other CopperZap is made in the U.S. of used to get colds after crowded flights. illnesses by over half, and saved lives. pure copper. It has a 90-day full money Though skeptical, she tried it several The strong scientific evidence gave back guarantee when used as directed times a day on travel days for 2 months. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When to stop a cold. It is $69.95. Get $10 off he felt a cold coming on he fashioned “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” each CopperZap with code NATA10. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when Go to www.CopperZap.com or call people are sick around her she uses Cop- toll-free 1-888-411-6114. gently in his nose for 60 seconds. “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold perZap morning and night. “It saved me Buy once, use forever.

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April 2019

letter from the publisher

Dear Readers, April is an appropriate month to observe Earth Day—as the ground thaws, trees come back to life and wildlife begins to shake off the winter. As a third-generation Washingtonian, I’m forever amazed at nature’s offerings in our area—from the glorious mountains throughout Maryland and Virginia, to the incredible parkland within Washington, D.C. It’s encouraging that so many organizations and individuals have made great strides in the past few decades to improve damage done by lack of concern. Yet, there remains much to do. I am sure that many of you remember Smokey Bear, who told us to prevent forest fires or Woodsy the Owl who implored us to “give a hoot—don’t pollute.” Of course, everyone knew that it was really uncool to be a “litterbug”. Each of us had an important role to play. As adults, we are still called to play a part in building a cleaner, greener world. There is growing concern that we are losing the battle against climate change and the severe weather of the past few years appears to bolster that claim—making our individual actions even more important. Our feature for April looks at some of the practical, but necessary steps that each of us can take to do our part against climate change—with a specific look at sustainable living. We offer steps (and some idea of the benefits) to move you a bit (or quite a ways) off the grid. Costs are down, technology is advancing and tax credits are up for grabs. There’s never been a better time to declare energy independence and explore consumer options that specialize in solar, wind and geothermal systems. Each of us starts at a different place on a continuum of Earth care, but each of us can do just a bit more to lessen our carbon footprint. Part of our renewed emphasis on sustainable living includes sustainable eating. Our Wise Words section this month is devoted to Ocean Robbins, author of the newly released 31-Day Food Revolution. Robbins, who stands apart from his grandfather, Irv, co-founder of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain, has devoted his life to making connections between food, community and the health of the planet. He is here to remind us that saving our planet requires us all to take a holistic approach to the ways we live upon our fragile Mother Earth. So on April 22 and every day, and with all the young people across the globe inspired by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg who have been on the streets to demand that we all do a better job—let’s get to it so we can continue to enjoy the bounty and beauty of our region for generations to come. Best,

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

WASHINGTON, D.C. EDITION PUBLISHER Stephen Ellis

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robin Fillmore

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jessica Bradshaw Randy Kambic DESIGN & PRODUCTION Irene Sankey OUTREACH DIRECTOR Samantha Hudgins

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 14 POWER SWITCH

Taking a Home Off the Grid

16 OCEAN ROBBINS ON Personal and Planetary Health

18 THE ART OF HEALING Creative Therapy Aids Recovery

20 INTO THE WOODS

Hiking for Health and Happiness

22 IT ALL STARTS

WITH THE GUT

Managing Your Bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Microbiome

23 COLORFUL HEALTHY FOOD THAT SUPPORTS LOCAL FARMERS

The Benefits of CSA Membership

24 LOVING NATURE

Outdoor Adventures for Kids

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 202-505-4835 or email Stephen@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Stephen@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. Deadline for editorial, news briefs and health briefs are due by the 10th. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events to: CalendarNADC@gmail.com. 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 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

26 NATIVE INTELLIGENCE Planting an Eco-Friendly Yard

27 SACRED SPACE

Bringing Bliss to Every Room

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 8 health briefs 10 action alert 11 film brief 12 global briefs 16 wise words 17 earth day 18 healing ways

20 fit body 22 leading edge 23 first person 24 healthy kids 26 green living 27 inspiration 28 calendar 31 resource guide April 2019

Burnout or Fatigue: A Free Webinar

news briefs

Demystifying Hypnosis: A Free Webinar

ypnosis is a powerful modality for helping individuals improve their lives, yet it is often misunderstood. It is a safe, noninvasive approach for helping with a variety of issues from stress reduction to stopping bad habits, improving motivation and skills in music, academics, sports and more. Michelle DeStefano, L.Ac., CCH, will be offering a free webinar on this topic at 7 p.m. on April 30. Due to the perceptions seen on television and movies, many people are apprehensive about hypnosis, because they think it puts them under the control or “spell” of the hypnotist. This is far from the truth, because hypnosis is about getting the client back in control of their habits, beliefs and outlook on life. According to the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, “A growing body of research supports the efficacy of hypnosis and hypnotic treatments for benefiting individuals with a variety of conditions including acute pain, irritable bowel syndrome, depression and anxiety.” There are many studies which reveal the benefits of hypnosis for many other conditions as well. Everyone deserves to have a better understanding of hypnosis as an effective therapy to improve one’s quality of life— both emotionally and physically. It is less expensive than medications and has no adverse side effects. This webinar is an opportunity for those who have wondered about hypnosis to finally get real answers. There will an opportunity for attendees to submit questions for the presenter as well. To register for this free webinar, visit DemystifyingHypnosis.eventbrite.com or NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. See ad, page 25. 6

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ome call it “burnout”, but adrenal fatigue is a stress syndrome and is found in near epidemic proportions in our modern society. The adrenal glands help in responding to stress by producing hormones such as cortisol and are responsible for handling stress. Yet adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to compensate for the daily stressors in life and the hormone reserves are depleted. Join Dr. Sushma Hirani, of Rose Wellness, in Oakton, Virginia, for a free, live webinar, from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. on April 23, to learn more about adrenal fatigue and how you can deal with this modern condition. Healing the adrenal glands requires identifying and treating the causes of stress. The top three causes of stress are mental stress (negative emotions and overwork), dietary stress (glucose imbalance and food intolerances) and hidden gut infections. Once these have been identified, adaptogenic herbs, vitamins, glandulars and adrenal hormones will be required to help heal the adrenal glands. When stress becomes chronic, it can affect the adrenal glands which are responsible for the production of a variety of hormones, including sex hormones, hormones that help regulate blood pressure and metabolism and controls the fight or flight instinct. If stress is not relieved, adrenal hormone functions can begin to decline and cause hormonal imbalances in the body, which can lead to many symptoms. Learning how to relieve stress and nourish the body can help restore adrenal functions. To register for this free webinar, visit BurnoutOrFatigue.eventbrite.com. See ad, page 16.

The Catonsville CO-OP is Open for Business

he Catonsville Cooperative Market (CO-OP) is pleased to announce that they recently re-opened this community-owned grocery store in a newly renovated space at 1905 Edmondson Avenue, with expanded inventory and store hours, to better meet the local food shopping needs of its growing membership. The market is now open four times a month: every other Tuesday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They recently hosted a grand reopening event on March 23. Since 2011, the CO-OP’s vision has been to open a full-time grocery store. After seven years of steady member growth, CO-OP members voted in 2018 to renovate the current CO-OP market space at Immanuel United Church of Christ, in Catonsville, in order to increase inventory and improve market flow. To create equity and investment in the CO-OP, each owner purchases a member share, giving them access to shop at the market or from select vendors online. Members also have input regarding the products sold, the services offered and how the CO-OP engages the community. Currently, the CO-OP has approximately 300 members and partners with more than 20 vendors. In addition to the market, each year the CO-OP holds the Hometown Brewdown beer festival, a chili cook-off and skill-share workshops in and around the community. For more information, visit CatonsvilleCoOp.com.

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Illuminate Frederick Mind-Body-Spirit Festival Returns

f you’ve ever wondered about trying reiki, acupuncture, massage, healing crystals, intuitive readings, astrology, essential oils or tarot (and more!), the Illuminate Frederick Mind-Body-Spirit Festival, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 14, is a great place to start. Their practitioners will conduct mini-sessions on a walk-up basis. Vetted intuitive readers, angel communicators, psychic mediums and astrologers will offer their services at special festival rates. Choose from three free intensive workshops per hour on a wide range of topics, from the power of crystals to accessing past lives. Or just shop your way down the aisles for handmade jewelry, unique gifts and clothing, luxurious spa products and fascinating books. It’s a wonder-filled day of natural health and spiritual rebalancing. Illuminate Festivals create a welcoming, inclusive place to learn, connect and enhance well-being. Festival founder Judy Bazis encourages attendees to “just look around, see what you are naturally drawn to, and give it a try.” There is always plenty to discover for everyone from the newly curious to the avid practitioner.

Admission: $5/online; $6/at the door. Free admission for active and veteran military, children 16 and under. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Location: Clarion Inn Conference Center, FSK Mall, 5400 Holiday Dr., Frederick. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit IlluminateFestivals.com/Frederick.

Nature Play at Home Book Launch Event

oVA Outside will hold a book launch of Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces that Connect Children with the Natural World from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on April 7, at the historic Blenheim, in Fairfax, Virginia. The event will include a networking reception, book talk and signing. The author, Nancy Striniste, serves in a leadership role for NoVA Outside, an alliance of environmental and outdoor educators. A longtime Arlington resident and expert on outdoor learning, Striniste has designed natural playscapes throughout the mid-Atlantic and presented at conferences and educator trainings around the country. Refreshments will be provided during social time before and after the presentation during which Striniste will discuss the importance of children experiencing time in nature, address the benefits of natural playspaces and provide how-tos for homeowners and educators. Striniste notes, “Time in nature is important. It is rare for children today to have the freedom to roam and the abundant, unstructured time outdoors that past generations had. Places where children spend their time need to become wilder.” Acclaimed Last Child in the Woods author, Richard Louv, calls Striniste’s book “a magnificent resource for transforming backyards into stimulating environments which enhance children’s creativity, learning and fun” and Library Journal highly recommends the “eyecatching volume.” Tickets: $35 with a signed copy of the book or $25 without. Proceeds benefit NoVA Outside’s work to connect children to nature. For information and tickets, visit bit.ly/NaturePlayAtHomeLaunch. April 2019

The heavy use of household cleaning disinfectants may contribute to changes in infant gut bacteria and weight gain, reports a new study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. University of Alberta researchers collected fecal samples and studied the gut health of 757 babies between the ages of 3 and 4 months; then restudied the children at 1 and 3 years old. They found that children in households that used disinfectants at least once a week had higher body mass index (BMI) scores and elevated levels of Lachnospiraceae, gut microbes linked in other studies to insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. Babies in households that used vinegar or other eco-friendly cleaners had lower BMI scores and much lower levels of a family of bacteria that includes E. coli.

By mixing food additives with human gut microbes in petri dishes, scientists at the Czech Republic’s Institute of Microbiology found that gut microbes with anti-inflammatory properties were highly susceptible to being harmed by additives, while microbes with pro-inflammatory properties were mostly resistant. “We speculate that permanent exposure of human gut microbiota to even low levels of additives may modify the composition and function of gut microbiota, and thus influence the host’s immune system,” wrote the authors.

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Household Cleaning Products Affect Babies’ Guts and Weight

Gut Susceptible to Food Additives

Smoking Bans Lower Blood Pressure Non-smokers that live in areas that have banned smoking in public spaces such as restaurants, bars and workplaces have lower systolic blood pressure. In a Northwestern University study reported by the American Heart Association, blood pressure readings of 5,115 adults ages 18 to 30 in Birmingham, Chicago, Minneapolis and Oakland were taken over a 30year period and correlated with changes in local laws that banned public smoking. A meaningful decrease in systolic blood pressure readings was found in non-smokers when no-smoking laws were enacted, indicating a reduction in heart disease risk.

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health briefs

Sperm counts have plunged by half in the last 40 years among American and European men, according to a recent review of scientific studies. In a new doubleblind study of 56 infertile men, researchers at Iran’s Qazvin University of Medical Sciences found that curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, can boost sperm counts. Each day for 10 weeks, half of the men took 80 milligrams of curcumin nanomicelle, in which curcumin is better absorbed; the other 28 were given a placebo. The researchers found that the curcumin significantly boosted sperm count and motility. 8

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Curcumin Boosts Fertility in Men

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Sugary Drinks Linked to Kidney Disease Drinking lots of sugar-sweetened sodas and juices significantly increases the risk of chronic kidney disease, reports a new study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Using health questionnaires for 3,003 African-American adults in Jackson, Mississippi, covering a 13-year period, the researchers found that the top third of subjects, those consuming the most sugar-sweetened drinks, were 61 percent more likely to develop kidney disease than those in the bottom third.

Probiotics Ease Bipolar Disorder Research on 66 patients with bipolar disorder found that patients receiving probiotic supplements were three times less likely to be rehospitalized than those given a placebo. The study from the Sheppard Pratt Health System, in Baltimore, gave half of discharged patients a placebo and the other half a capsule containing two probiotics, Bifidobacterium lactis (BB-12) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). Within 26 weeks, 24 of the 33 people that received the placebo returned to the hospital, but only eight of the 33 on probiotics were readmitted. The probiotic treatment was especially effective for those experiencing considerable inflammation, say researchers.

Functional Medicine

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Stress May Be Worse in the Evening Acute, late-day stress may be harder on our bodies, say researchers at Japan’s Hokkaido University. They measured the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in 27 young, healthy volunteers, and then put them through 15 minutes of stressful events that included making a speech and doing mental math. Half of the volunteers were tested two hours after awakening, the other group 10 hours after awakening. The subjects’ levels of cortisol, which helps provide the body with energy in the face of a perceived need for fight or flight, rose strongly in the morning, but not in the evening, suggesting that the human body is more equipped to deal with stress early in the day and becomes more vulnerable later. April 2019

action alert

health briefs

Hypnosis Supports Desire for Healthy Foods Many people know the value of choosing healthy foods over junk food, yet many seem to have a hard time sticking with healthier choices. If you are of this group, it may not be all your fault. According to a 2017 article published by McGill University, a study conducted by the Scripps Research Institute on rats showed that when the rats ate fatty foods such as sausage, bacon and cheesecake, they derived great pleasure from the consumption of these foods, as compared to eating nutritionally balanced “rat chow”. Electrodes on the brains of the rats revealed the pumping of dopamine—a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. In order to keep the dopamine coming, the rats were compelled to eat more of the junk food. It is not on a conscious level. For many complementary medical practitioners, this is not new information. It has been widely known about the “addictive” aspects of “comfort foods” for decades. It is not enough to simply stop eating the junk food. Willpower may not be enough—so what to do? Foods such as cookies, burgers, fries and ice cream are dopaminereleasers. However, hypnosis works directly with the subconscious mind to aid a person into feeling rewarded with the healthier choices. A combination (depending on the client) of suggestions for not finding junk foods tasty, and suggestions for how good it feels to eat foods that support health, can be the key to unlock this subconscious addiction. Suggestions may also include a healthy balance between “comfort” foods and healthier choices so that the client can stay healthy without feeling deprived. So if you find yourself wanting to reach for the healthier choices but need a little help, consult your local hypnotist. See how fast this situation can improve. Michelle DeStefano, L.Ac, CCH, is double-certified in hypnosis and is a member of both the National Guild of Hypnotists and the American Hypnosis Association. She is also a licensed acupuncturist and her specialty is stress reduction and pain management. For more information, call 301-744-0200 or visit FreeYourselfHypnosis.com. See ad, page 21. DeStefano will be holding a free webinar that explains many of the questions people have about hypnosis on April 30 at 7 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to ask their own questions as well. To register for the Natural Awakenings, D.C.-sponsored webinar, visit Demystifying Hypnosis.eventbrite.com. See ad, page 25. 10

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by Michelle DeStefano

Support Citizen Action Against Plastics Every minute, the equivalent of an entire garbage truck of plastic gets dumped into our oceans, reports the World Economic Forum. Many of the materials are disposable, single-use plastic products like straws, bags and Styrofoam containers, which some cities and towns have banned. This type of citizen action is increasingly blocked by the Plastic Industry Association (PIA), which has spent big money to successfully ban plastic bag ordinances in 10 states where 70 million Americans live. This means local communities are prohibited from taking effective action that could reduce the plastics that litter our streets and pollute our waterways. The Sierra Club is calling on nine major corporations that are members of the PIA to withdraw from it with an online petition. So far, two have indicated they will not be renewing their memberships this year: Clorox (which owns companies like Burt’s Bees, Brita and Glad) and the Ascena Retail Group (which includes Ann Taylor and Loft). To participate, sign the online petition at Tinyurl.com/PlasticPollutionPetition. Other action steps, including tweeting and involving friends, are also detailed.

film brief

Our Planet

Netflix Series Reveals Its Fragile Beauty 2019 CSA Season

Celebrating 26 Years of Fresh Local Organic Produce from Spiral Path Farm - Direct from our farm in Loysville, PA Pick up CSA Membership Box, weekly, at our farmers’ market locations in the Silver Spring and Bethesda area

Saturday Market

Downtown Silver Spring - April 27 - December 21

Sunday Market

Baaathesda Central Farm Market - April 28 - December 22

3 CSA Share options to choose from: Ten years after the groundbreaking documentary Planet Earth, an eight-part sequel, Our Planet, shows even more rapturous scenes of our planet’s most precious species and fragile habitats. Premiering globally April 5 on Netflix, it was filmed during four years in 50 countries across every continent, involving more than 600 film crew members and 3,500 days spent in such habitats as the remote Arctic wilderness, the vast landscapes of Africa and the diverse jungles of South America. The series, narrated by world-renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough, is a joint venture of Netflix, the World Wildlife Federation and Silverback Films, whose director Alastair Fothergill was the creator of the critically acclaimed original Planet Earth and Blue Planet series. “Our Planet will take viewers on a spectacular journey of discovery showcasing the beauty and fragility of our natural world,” says Attenborough. “Today, we have become the greatest threat to the health of our home, but there’s still time for us to address the challenges we’ve created, if we act now. We need the world to pay attention.”

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Land really is the best art. ~Andy Warhol

April 2019

Worldwide Worry

global briefs

Under final rules released by the current administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national labeling standard for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) completely exempts foods made with highly processed ingredients grown with GMOs, including sugar made from sugar beets, high-fructose corn syrup and refined soybean and canola oils. The change will allow 78 percent of products containing GMOs to avoid disclosure, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Companies don’t have to comply until January 1, 2022, and the new labels will use the term “bioengineered” instead of more common identifiers like “genetically engineered” or “GMO”. Small businesses, to-go food prepared at grocery stores, and meat, eggs or dairy from animals that are fed GMOs, which involves virtually all livestock not certified organic, are exempt from the labeling requirements.

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GMO Labeling Diluted

Over Dose

Citrus Crops to Receive Human Antibiotics

Scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressed concern over a recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that opens the door to widespread use of the antibiotics streptomycin and oxytetracycline to spray commercial citrus crops. The antibiotics, which are often used on people, can kill insects that transmit a bacterium that causes citrus greening, which renders fruit small and bitter. But the EPA ultimately ruled that the economic benefits outweigh concerns about antibiotic resistance and potential harm to the environment, people and wildlife. The USDA says the amount of antibiotic exposure to people who eat fruit or juices still will be far less than what people are exposed to when prescribed antibiotics by their doctor. The antibiotics will have to be sprayed repeatedly over years just to keep the trees alive and producing fruit until they succumb to citrus greening. Public interest groups are protesting the action.

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Muddled Message

Environmental risks are the top three concerns among the 1,000 global decisionmakers surveyed in the latest Global Risks Perception Survey of the World Economic Forum (WEF). For the third straight year, “extreme weather” ranked first, followed by “failed climate change mitigation” and “natural disasters”. The survey was part of a WEF annual report produced in advance of the recent confab of global leaders in Davos, Switzerland. The World Bank has calculated that the real cost of natural disasters to the global economy is $520 billion per year.

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Environmental Risks Register as Top Threat

Balancing Act Zoltan Acs/Shutterstock.com

Endangered Species on the Rebound

Fuel Folly

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The Endangered Species Act seems to be working, with more than 75 percent of marine mammals and sea turtles protected by the act recovering, according to a new peer-reviewed study by scientists at the Center for Biological Diversity published in the academic journal PLOS ONE. North Atlantic green sea turtle nests on Florida beaches have increased by more than 2,000 percent and Hawaiian humpback whales more than 1,100 percent between 1979 and 2005.

Nuclear Waste Disposal Remains Elusive

A new report issued by environmental watchdog Greenpeace details the growing global dangers of accumulating nuclear waste that will remain hazardous for hundreds of centuries. Several of the designated storage facilities in the seven countries surveyed are nearly filled to capacity now. Unresolved safety issues across the industry include fire risk, venting of radioactive gases, environmental contamination, failure of containers, terrorist attacks and escalating costs. More than 65 years after the start of the civil use of nuclear power, 250,000 tons of highly radioactive spent fuel exists in 14 countries, and underground storage, seemingly the most viable option, has encountered major obstacles.

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Power Switch Taking a Home Off the Grid by Jim Motavalli

esse Stafford and Alyssa Craft quit their jobs in 2015, bought five acres of remote land far away from utilities and began building their 36-foot-by-36-foot timber frame home from scratch. Next up was a septic system, then a clean water source and, of course, alternative energy. Their rooftop solar panels are backed up by a reliable Honda generator. They had some setbacks, which is to be expected. Now they’re blogging about it. “We didn’t want corporate jobs, we didn’t want to live in the city, commute to work or have a mortgage payment,” they write in their online homestead journey at PureLivingForLife.com. Off-the-grid living has become downright fashionable, especially for the eco-conscious. But leaving the rat race isn’t easy, and it’s not for everyone. Yet, anyone that wants to become more energy-independent can succeed without moving to an isolated cabin; and there’s never been a better time, because prices keep coming down and technology keeps improving. Choosing the best option depends on several factors, including the specific residence, climatic zone, town and neighborhood. 14

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Preliminary Considerations Power source: Choose from among

solar ($12,000 to $50,000, depending on the system’s size), wind ($6,000 to $22,000, including installation) or geothermal ($20,000 to $25,000).

Ample resources: Find out if there’s steady wind, plentiful sun, a place to install geothermal pipes and whether the home is properly oriented for solar without obstruction by trees or tall buildings. Electricity needed: Get a quick average

by adding up the wattage of all appliances, and then add 50 percent. The American average is 10,000 kilowatt-hours annually, although frugal folks can make do with less. The local utility company can also estimate energy needs based on past usage. Realize that alternative energy doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing proposition. For instance, a solar system doesn’t have to power the whole house. A smaller and cheaper array with battery backup can be connected to essential services like the water heater, refrigerator and electric stove, with the grid handling heavier loads. Ad-

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vantages are lower upfront cost and access to the grid when needed. Connecting to the grid makes sense for all alternative power sources, because wind and solar are intermittent, and don’t always provide power. Also, most states offer net metering, which requires the local utility to pay for the electricity a homeowner puts back into the grid.

Solar: Plunging Costs Solar panels for electricity, usually made of silicon, consist of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC). Their cost has come down dramatically in recent years. In January, the average solar panel cost $3.14 a watt, a bottom line of roughly $18,000 with a six-kilowatt system big enough for most homes. The price fell 6.5 percent from January 2018, reports EnergySage.com, a solar vendor pricing source. A federal tax credit covers 30 percent of the cost, so the out-of-pocket cost for a system would be approximately $13,000 if installed before year’s end, when the full residential tax credit is available. Partial tax credits will be available until they are phased out in 2022. Ron Blumenfeld, a retired doctor in Fairfield, Connecticut, serves on his town’s sustainability task force and “went live” with his rooftop installation six years ago. “It’s turned out to be one of the best investments we’ve ever made—financially and environmentally,” he says. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working toward residential solar to generate power at just five cents per kilowatt-hour by 2030, which means it will be far cheaper than grid electricity. Consumers can either buy a system outright or—as a popular alternative—lease the system with no upfront costs. Leasing companies like SolarCity (now part of Tesla) pioneered this approach, in which consumers agree to buy electricity from the system installed on their roof.

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~Ron Blumenfeld, a six-year solar convert in Fairfield, Connecticut

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Whether to add the extra expense of battery backup is important. A pair of Tesla Powerwalls will cost about $14,000 installed and store enough electricity to power a home for seven days. It’s suitable for people looking to go off the grid because the sun doesn’t always shine, and power generated on sunny days can be stored and used when it’s overcast. Off-the-grid solar is not just for those living in sun-rich states. Installers can look at a property—often remotely, through applications like Google Earth—and determine if solar is appropriate. Sometimes a few trees will have to be sacrificed, but the benefits are manifold, and not just because there will be power during grid blackouts.

Wind: If the Resource is Right Wind power accounted for the largest share of renewable energy growth in 2017, reports the International Energy Agency, but it’s in its infancy for homeowners, partly due to an average cost of $48,000 to $65,000 per installed project. Residential turbines have been installed in all 50 states, but many parts of the U.S. have marginal resources. Check the Department of Energy wind resource guide for local data at WindExchange.Energy.Gov. The best-case scenario is strong winds plus few neighbors close to a large property (and lenient zoning laws). Wind may work for the 19.3 percent of the population that lives in rural areas and the 21 million American homes built on properties of an acre or more. However, it isn’t for everyone. James Weston, of Greene, Maine, installed his turbine 10 years ago, and considers his rooftop solar panels a better investment. “By the time you put up your 100-foot tower to get the tower above the tree line and optimize the wind resource, the return isn’t there,” he says, noting that his savings from the turbine amount to a few hundred dollars a year. Bergey WindPower, maker of the 10-kilowatt BWC Excel 10 turbine ($31,770), recommends that a property have at least a 10 mph average wind speed, coupled with high electricity prices of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour or more. Also consider the neighbors: The system’s turbine is typically installed on an 80-to-100-foot tower, and so-called “viewshed” objections

Residential wind power is in its infancy in the U.S. have taken down many projects (including Cape Wind, in Massachusetts). With annual maintenance, the DOE reports that small wind turbines should last about 20 years, the same basic lifespan as solar panels. The federal production tax credit for wind is available this year, but won’t be available afterwards. Some states offer incentives. A useful small wind guidebook can be found at WindExchange. Energy.gov/small-wind-guidebook.

Geothermal: Available Anywhere

Some common misconceptions about home geothermal are that consumers need to live in one of the planet’s “hot spots” (think Iceland, California or Utah). But the truth is the Earth’s temperature just below the surface almost anywhere is a constant 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Northeast and Midwest have the highest geothermal adoption rates. Geothermal doesn’t necessarily require a large piece of property. Local geology will be a factor in siting and sizing the system. Geothermal systems use underground pipes filled with refrigerant that absorbs warmth from the ground through a heat exchanger. In summer, that same underground temperature can be tapped to cool

a home, combining heating and air conditioning in one system. While it necessitates a relatively high upfront cost, low operating costs mean the systems can pay for themselves in less than 10 years. Most include a ground-source heat pump with a 50-year warranty. For a 2,500-square-foot home, an average offthe-electrical-grid system will cost $20,000 to $25,000 to install. Bill Martin, in Quincy, California, runs an efficient three-ton geothermal system installed in 2014. “It’s been a very good experience,” he says. “I’m ecstatically happy.” The same 30 percent federal tax credit that applies to solar also applies to geothermal for systems installed by 2020. States also provide incentives. A detailed guide on availability is available at Tinyurl.com/ GeothermalHeatPumpListing.

Special Considerations

Buildings, especially older structures, are usually sieves in terms of energy loss, so before investing in a system, check to see if the local utility provides free energy audits. Even if it’s not free, it’s worth finding out if the home needs new windows or strategically applied insulation. There are scammers in every field, and alternative energy is no exception. Ask providers for references to previous customers and check for online cautions from the Better Business Bureau, Yelp and others. Alternative energy in any form can save money and precious resources. Explore the options thoroughly and choose wisely before pulling the plug. Jim Motavalli, of Fairfield, CT, is an author, freelance journalist and speaker, specializing in alternative energy, clean automotive and other environmental topics. Connect at JimMotavalli.com.

If a Stream Runs Through It

roperties with moving water have a fourth sustainable power source available to them: hydroelectric. If opting to harness the energy in a nearby flowing stream or river, 10-kilowatt microhydropower systems can power even large homes. They combine piping from the water source to a turbine, pump or waterwheel with an alternator or generator, regulator and wiring. According to Home Power magazine, a fully installed hydro system for the average use of a modern household might cost $20,000 to $100,000. April 2019

wise words

Ocean Robbins on

Personal and Planetary Health

ood revolutionary Ocean Robbins has dedicated his life to inspiring others to rethink their food choices to transform both personal and planetary health. It’s a path forged in part by his father, John Robbins, who walked away from the family ice cream company, BaskinRobbins, to become an acclaimed health advocate and author. Together, father and son founded the 500,000-plus-member Food Revolution Network, an online education and advocacy platform that works for healthy, sustainable, humane and delicious food for all. Ocean launched Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES!) at age 16, and directed the organization for 20 years. Ocean’s new book, 31-Day Food Revolution: Heal Your Body, Feel Great, and Transform Your World, aims to help individuals revamp their diets, and in turn, themselves and their communities. It distills his lifetime of knowledge and wisdom on food, health and activism into an accessible how-to guide. Learn more at 31DayFoodRevolution.com.

What connections do you see between personal and planetary health?

In many situations in life, we have to compromise—but when it comes to food, the 16

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choices that are best for us personally also happen to be best for the planet. Eating a plant-based diet, organically grown when possible, is not only linked to the best statistical outcomes for long-term health and well-being, it also helps ensure healthy topsoil, water and a stable climate for future generations.

In what ways have you seen members of the Food Revolution Network transform their communities?

We hear incredible stories from members all over the world who are seeing radical changes in their health—reversing heart disease, losing weight, gaining energy and mental clarity. And we also hear inspiring stories of people turning food deserts into wonderful oases of healthy living; for example, Ron Finley, in South Central Los Angeles, who is known for saying that drive-throughs kill more people than driveby shootings in his neighborhood. He planted vegetables for the community in the curbside dirt strip in front of his home—and got cited by the city for it. He ended up getting the laws changed, and has since started The Ron Finley Project to create an urban community food hub where the community can come together to plant, learn and nourish themselves.

photo by Lindsay Miller

by April Thompson

~Ocean Robbins

What are some ways busy people can connect with like-minded individuals to support healthy lifestyle and diet changes?

Start by finding out if you have loved ones who do share your food values, and nurture those relationships. Lean into those healthy relationships; you might be surprised how many people around you are also quietly trying to achieve similar goals. You can also ask friends and family to be a food ally; even if they are not a full participant in your health regimen, they might be a fan or friend. That can mean preparing particular foods if you come for dinner or simply checking in on how you are doing with your goals and commitments. You can widen your circle of healthy eating through meal swaps or other shared meal programs. It’s always easier to cook in larger quantities, and there is the added benefit of greater social connection with shared meals. If you are looking for new friends and allies, it helps to connect to organizations that are already promoting healthy food hubs. There are many listed in the back of 31-Day Food Revolution. So many people struggle with loneliness, and some are afraid they will feel even more isolated if they step out into a healthy eating regimen. On the contrary, you can become a magnet for people who care about their world and aren’t content with the status quo. These friendships can often become deeper and more valued than ever.

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in living a lifestyle against the societal grain, and how have you overcome it? Impatience. I grew up eating all-natural food; my parents almost named me Kale, and I ate a lot of it growing up. At a certain point, I saw that I had become judgmental and dogmatic when encountering people whose choices did not align with my own, though as Martin Luther King Jr. said, we have no moral authority with those who can feel our underlying contempt. I have since developed a profound respect for each individual’s unique values, needs, experiences and priorities. I advocate for people’s right to make their own choices about what they need. My goal is to help facilitate people’s choices, and to do so with compassion.

earth day

EARTH DAY SPOTLIGHTS SPECIES

Khanthachai C/Shutterstock.com

In many situations in life, we have to compromise—but when it comes to food, the choices that are best for us personally also happen to be best for the planet.

Protection Is the Focus of 2019 Campaign by Ronica A. O’Hara

On April 22, eco-conscious citizens will come together again in communities across the country to celebrate Earth Day and work for the planet’s healthy, sustainable future. This year, the Earth Day Network (EDN) is asking people to join its Protect Our Species campaign to raise awareness of the crucial roles that plants and animals play in the ecosystem and the current threats faced by many of them. The nonprofit cites that the world is facing the greatest rate of extinction in 60 million years because of human activity, including climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, trafficking and poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and pesticides. But the good news, EDN says, is that the rate of extinctions can be slowed, and many of our declining, threatened and endangered species can still recover if we work together now. This will necessitate a united global movement of consumers, voters, educators, faith leaders and scientists that demands immediate action. EDN is asking people to advocate for government policies that protect species and their habitats, and to continue to build on the worldwide efforts that embrace the value of nature. It is also asking people to undertake such individual actions as adopting a plant-based diet and stopping pesticide and herbicide use. More information, including teachin toolkits and facts on threatened species, from whales to insects, can be found at EarthDay.org.

The future will either be green or not at all. ~Bob Brown

Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com. April 2019

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healing ways

THE ART OF HEALING Creative Therapy Aids Recovery

by Marlaina Donato

or decades, creative expression has been a valuable tool in healing, and expressive arts therapy—the integrated application of two or more art forms—is now considered a life-changing modality for veterans and anyone else struggling with anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Also called creative arts therapy, this form of psychotherapy helps patients to process and express what is often beyond verbal language using music, art, dance, theater and writing as its primary modes of communication. “Individuals need no previous arts experience in order to benefit from working with a certified creative arts therapist,” explains Azizi Marshall, founder and CEO of the Center for Creative Arts Therapy, in Downers Grove, Illinois. The National Intrepid Center of Excellence—an outpatient clinic specializing in traumatic brain injuries at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland—ranks creative arts therapy among the top five most effective approaches in helping veterans. A study of combat veterans and creative arts therapy conducted at Concordia University, in Montreal, reported considerable progress, especially in areas of expressing emotions resulting from trauma and gaining understanding of symptoms such as depression, thoughts of suicide and insomnia.

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Psychotherapist Cathy Malchiodi, Ph.D., has authored several books, including The Art Therapy Sourcebook, and uses expressive arts therapy in her Louisville practice. “I’ve worked with soldiers for the past 10 years, and find that much of their healing comes about through telling their stories on stage or participating as an actor within a play or improvisation.” Malchiodi also incorporates mindfulness practices, visual arts, music and some simple forms of yoga in her sessions.

Creative Arts Therapy for Multiple Diagnoses

Expressive arts therapy is also making a positive impact on those suffering from panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addictions, eating and attention disorders, dementia and chronic physical illness. “Creative arts therapy can be used across life challenges; for example, dance or movement therapy has supported women with breast cancer and eating disorders,” says Marshall, who has also witnessed the power of drama therapy to help reduce feelings of fear in clients diagnosed with anxiety and PTSD. A 2015 study at Butler University, in Indianapolis published in the Journal of Speech Pathology & Therapy shows the significant effects of theater arts on individuals with autism spectrum disorder. “Creative

E E on! F R issi

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..... learn & tak .. ea ct ........ io n

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arts therapy can be successful in supporting children with autism, especially ways to practice social skills,” says Marshall. “The drama therapist uses role play, improv and games in order to facilitate interpersonal communication.”

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Dopamine and Creating Art

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The multitasking neurotransmitter dopamine is one of the brain’s natural antidepressants and plays a key role in feeling pleasure and reinforcing habits. It reaches its highest levels during the initial stages of love, observing something of beauty or creating art. A recent Drexel University study published in The Arts in Psychotherapy shows the neurological effects of drawing, coloring and simple doodling. Increased circulation in the area of the brain correlating to pleasure and reward was evident, and this dopamine-dominant response is responsible for decreasing symptoms of anxiety and increasing feelings of joy and accomplishment. Psychotherapist Doreen Meister, in Oakland, California, encourages her clients to focus on the process of creating, rather than the result. “Expressive therapies are an extension of the selfdiscovery continuum. I often hear, ‘I draw like a 2-year-old.’ To this I say, ‘Great! Draw like a 2-year-old!’ I believe that somewhere, many of us are told that creative expression must be a certain way. Creativity is a natural state, a human quality that we are born with, and the product of creation is not as important as the process.” Creativity from a clinical perspective allows for new emotional vantage points, distance from situations and viewing experiences through a different lens. “Bringing in creativity offers a wider palette of tools or access points, and gives us another way to understand ourselves,” says Meister. “Creativity as a life force is accessible to all of us.”

food trucks

games

montgomer ycountygreenfest.org ASL interpretation offered at all workshops. Visit the website for more information.

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

HELPFUL RESOURCES Organizations

American Art Therapy Association, ArtTherapy.org International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, ieata.org American Dance Therapy Association, adta.org North American Drama Therapy Association, nadta.org American Music Therapy Association, MusicTherapy.org

Books

Arts with the Brain in Mind, by Eric Jensen (Tinyurl.com/ ArtsWithTheBrainInMind-Amazon) Writing to Heal: A Guided Journal for Recovering from Trauma and Emotional Upheaval, by James W. Pennebaker (Tinyurl.com/WritingToHeal-Amazon)

Online

51 Art Therapy ideas to decrease stress: CorinneMelanie.com/ reduce-stress-art-therapy National Organization for Arts in Health: Tinyurl.com/ Arts-HealthAndWell-Being For anxious kids: Tinyurl.com/FamilyTherapyBasics

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April 2019

Longer or overnight treks with a backpack of supplies offer healthy challenges and opportunities for total immersion in nature. Bringing the kids on a hike offers family fitness time and a healthy way to unplug from technology and sneak in a fun learning experience about local flora and fauna.

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fit body

Trek for a Healthier Brain

Into the Woods

Hiking for Health and Happiness

by Marlaina Donato

any of us Walking and hiking Individuals in the study equate fitness that walked six hours a balance the body with going week lowered their risk through natural moveto the gym, but a good of dying from cancer ment, oxygenation hike in a natural environand cardiovascular and ment can foster unique of the cells and the respiratory disease. It benefits for both body also shows that just two use of our muscles and psyche. as they were designed hours of walking per Hiking or walking week could significantly to be used. outdoors not only proimprove health. motes heart health, help“Walking and hik~Dami Roelse ing to balance both blood ing balance the body sugar and blood pressure, it increases hip through natural movement, oxygenation bone density to help reduce fractures, of the cells and the use of our muscles according to research on postmenopausal as they were designed to be used,” says women from the ongoing Nurses’ Health Dami Roelse, of Ashland, Oregon, author Study. Navigating uneven terrain also of Walking Gone Wild: How to Lose Your necessitates lateral movement, which can Age on the Trail. “Walking is in our genes; strengthen core muscles and improve balDNA molecules need to be stimulated ance more significantly than working out regularly to express themselves, and walkon a treadmill or cycling. ing does just that. It also improves mood and cognition.” Walk and Live Longer The beauty of hiking is that it offers Any kind of walking can be a great boon a tailored experience according to ability to health. Recent research by the Ameriand personal interests. Day hikes, whether can Cancer Society involving 140,000 in the countryside or in urban botanical older adults correlates a lower mortality gardens or parks, are uplifting and ideal for rate with even short intervals of walking. any fitness level.

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Exercise stimulates feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, but getting a workout in a natural setting fortifies the whole nervous system. A 2015 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science led by Stanford University researchers shows that walking in nature for 90 minutes decreases activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain most affected by depression. In contrast, individuals that walked in an urban environment did not reap the same results. Another 2015 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology shows that nature walks improve memory and decrease anxiety in teens. The Japanese philosophy of shinrinyoku, or “forest bathing”, woven into Japanese Shinto and Buddhist traditions, has become an important part of science-based health care in Japan. A significant 2009 study by Japanese researchers published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine shows that just 20 minutes of walking in the woods decreases stress hormones. Forest bathing has also been shown to speed postoperative healing, improve concentration in children with attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder and fortify immunity with an increased number of NK, or natural killer cells. Naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley, in Washington, D.C., knows about Mother Nature’s therapeutic gifts firsthand. “I participated in some of the health research both in the field and the lab during a forest bathing trip to Japan,” says the author of The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect with Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life. “My vital signs were checked before and after shinrin-yoku walks, and in the lab my brainwaves were measured

Bringing the kids on a hike offers family fitness time and a healthy way to unplug from technology and sneak in a fun learning experience while viewing urban and forest scenes. My blood pressure was lower after every walk, and my brainwaves calmed while viewing forest scenes.” Choukas-Bradley emphasizes that forest bathing doesn’t require a forest setting, noting, “You can forest bathe in the desert, at the beach or even an urban park during a lunch break.” Hitting the trails can also help us see life from another perspective. “Forests are living, breathing organisms. Mountains transcend my humanness,” muses Roelse. “It’s both a humbling and uplifting experience.” Marlaina Donato is the author of several books on spirituality and clinical aromatherapy. She is also a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Helpful Links and Inspiration National trail guide resource: AllTrails.com 13 best hiking apps: AtlasAndBoots. com/best-hiking-apps Hiking with the kids: Tinyurl.com/ HealthyHikingWithKids Beginning with day hiking: SectionHiker.com/10-tips-for-beginner-day-hikers Backpacking tips for beginners: REI. com/learn/expert-advice/backpackingbeginners Practical advice, inspiration and tips for women hikers: GirlsWhoHike.net Walking to stay fit: VeryWellFit.com/ walking-4157093 Library of forest bathing articles: TheForestLibrary.com/forest-bathingonline-articles April 2019

leading edge

It All Starts with the Gut Managing Your Body’s Microbiome

by Elizabeth McMillan

id you know that each drop of colonic fluid contains more than a billion bacteria? In a healthy gut, there are more beneficial bacteria than pathogenic bacteria, and most research says that there is a ratio of 3:1 between nonhuman bacterial cells and human ones. These bacteria are known collectively as the body’s microbiome. According to the Baylor College of Medicine, the human microbiome is comprised of bacteria, viruses and eukaryotes found in the body. Most of these bacteria in the microbiome are commensal and nonthreating. These microbes are essential to life as they aid in digestion, the production of vitamins and help regulate the immune system. Without these microbes, the body would be unable to fight off infections and disease. Yet, problems arise when the pathogenic bacteria outweigh the good bacteria. This imbalance is known as dysbiosis. Gut dysbiosis is a condition of imbalance in the gut, where the good bacteria are threatened by bad bacteria. It is caused by abnormal shifts in the gut microbiome from antibiotics, illness, stress, aging, diet, poor sleep, among other causes. Ideally there should be at least 85 percent good bacteria to 15 percent bad bacteria in the gut. Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from gut dysbiosis; however,

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much like other digestive disorders, it cannot be seen by the naked eye. The most conclusive test to determine the health of your microbiome is a comprehensive stool test with zonulin. This test will analyze the microbiome, gut inflammation, the ability to digest and detox in the gut as well as immune function. Zonulin is a protein that is found in the gut and holds the gut intact. When zonulin is leached out, it is a sign of intestinal permeability or “leaky gut”. Intestinal permeability is when the lining of the small intestine and its tight junctions allow substances, such as toxins, waste, yeast and undigested food particles, to leak out of the digestive tract and pass into the bloodstream. When intestinal permeability occurs, the immune system is activated and inflammation occurs throughout the body. The liver must work overtime to screen out the substances that the small intestines allowed to pass through and enter the bloodstream. This can cause multiple food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, skin problems, digestive disorders and a weakened immune system. Often, untreated gut dysbiosis will lead to intestinal permeability in some patients. There are several symptoms to suspect gut dysbiosis. Chronic bad breath is a likely sign of dysbiosis, because of the harmful

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bacteria making their way up the digestive tract. Also, pungent flatulence is another sign, as the bacteria travel down the digestive tract. Itchiness in the ears, anus, skin or reproductive area is another sign of yeast overgrowth and dysbiosis. Other symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps, alternating constipation and diarrhea can be experienced. Gut dysbiosis is also becoming a popular term to describe irritable bowel syndrome. Trouble losing weight is typically due to poor digestion and microbiome health. Finally, other signs of dysbiosis are fatigue, anxiety, and brain fog due to the many links between gut/ brain/hormone connection. Healing gut dysbiosis and eradicating the symptoms can be done effectively through the “Four R” program. This program effectively: n Removes foods that causes inflammation n Replaces nutrients necessary for a healthy gut n Repairs the gut inflammation and damage n Re-inoculates the gut with good bacteria. The “Four R” program, combined with lifestyle modifications like diet and stress reduction, has shown to balance gut dysbiosis and heal the digestive lining. Elizabeth McMillan, CNS, LDN, is a clinical nutritionist at Rose Wellness specializing in gut health. For more information, visit RoseWellness.com. See ad, page 9.

April 22, 2019

first person

Colorful Healthy Food that Supports Local Farmers

The Benefits of CSA Membership by Lucas Brownback

Considering a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership this spring? Hear the mutual benefits directly from a second-generation farmer who was seven years old when his family first began offering CSA memberships in 1994.

he CSA model works and makes farming viable for the future. The concept is simple: it’s a relationship of mutual support and commitment between a local farm and its community. As a member, you help support the farm for the duration of the growing season. In return, the farm family and dedicated crew do all the work necessary to plant, grow, harvest and deliver your produce. The cost of your weekly share is locked in at the time you join and ensures that all of your food dollars are going directly only to the farmer. Picture fresh local produce stocked in your fridge each week; encouraging healthy and nutritious eating. Your kids are trying bok choy and are learning all the different colors, shapes and varieties of vegetables and fruits at a young age. Instead of going out to eat, you and your partner are spending time

in the kitchen together, learning how to cook using different ingredients from your local region. Often CSA members are thrilled to have a real education of their local climate’s true growing capabilities and “why asparagus is so expensive and imported from other countries in September.” For many health-conscious individuals, knowledge and assurance that all of their produce is coming from the same farm with the same growing practices is vital. Imagine how many hands are in the pot when it comes to your groceries; the store, the warehouse, the truck drivers, the produce buyer, and lastly, the farmers. Now imagine all of those hands physically touching your food. With all the recent recalls in the produce industry, there is no better time to support and commit to local agriculture through a CSA membership. Contrary to

Lucas Brownback on the farm popular belief, small local farms are at an advantage when it comes to food safety. Less acreage, less workers and less travel of the actual produce makes it much easier for farmers to manage, trace and safely keep track of their yields and growing practices. All consumers are able to change/control the food industry by consciously deciding where to spend their food dollars. Traditional CSA memberships are paid for up front—at the beginning of the year— when most vegetable farms in our region are not producing or making any type of income. At the same time, needing to buy expensive seeds and machinery, supplies, certifications, building repairs and general labor costs to get them going well into the summer. Without this incredibly sustainable CSA model, many farms, like Spiral Path, would have never made it successfully past their first year with 15 supporting members. Perhaps even more importantly, young farm kids, like myself and my brother, would never have grown up feeling and witnessing the true support and encouragement from our own community to return home (after college) and continue our family farm. So many years later (26 to be exact), we are both here as second-generation farmers and stewards of the land who are inspired to help heal the environment and healthcare crisis by continuing to build our soil health so that we can provide fresh produce to our customers that is loaded with nutritional value. Lucas Brownback is one of the many Brownback family members that grows delicious and healthy food at Spiral Path Farms. The USDA-certified organic farm (since 1994) is 300 acres and supports 1,800 CSA members. For more information about the farm, the family, CSA memberships and local markets, visit SpiralPathFarm.com. See ad, page 11. April 2019

healthy kids

guidebooks or online to learn the critters’ names and traits.

all about people/Shutterstock.com

All kids like creating special places, going on adventures, befriending animals, following maps and paths, and so on. ~David Sobel

Engage in real-life tweets. Show

them how to listen carefully for bird songs and count how many different ones they hear. See if they can imitate the tweets or find words that describe them. Check out a bird-song beginner’s guide at Audubon. org/news/a-beginners-guide-common-birdsounds-and-what-they-mean.

Create mud art. “Make a batch of mud and use it to create sculptures, paint a masterpiece or just use it to jump in and get messy with,” suggests MaryEllen Mateleska, director of education and conservation at the Mystic Aquarium, in Connecticut. Make dolls and critters. Kids can

LOVING NATURE Outdoor Adventures for Kids

by Ronica A. O’Hara

etting kids off the couch and into the great outdoors can be a challenge when they tend to be better acquainted with the popular Angry Birds video game characters than with the real warbling ones. Unfortunately, studies show that digital devices, parental work overload and media-stoked fears of the outside world are currently making our kids nature-deprived. Yet, they have an instinctive love of the outdoors, experts agree. “When given free access to nature, children’s play follows the same patterns all around the world,” says prominent environmental educator David Sobel, author of Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors. “All kids like creating special places, going on adventures, befriending animals, following maps and paths, and so on.” The more we encourage them, the more likely they’ll discover the thrills of the natural world—and numerous studies show that they’ll then be calmer and less stressed,

Washington, D.C.

better able to concentrate and less likely to be obese. Kids also are more “responsive and connected” when they are talking outdoors with adults than talking indoors, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology. Here are some simple ideas to get started:

Build fairy houses. In a park, forest or

backyard, ask the child to find a quiet spot, like the base of a tree or under a bush, and build a tiny house using only their imagination and natural materials such as sticks, bark, grass, pebbles, feathers and pinecones. “The fun is ageless and connects you to nature in magical and memorable ways,” says Tracy Kane of Maine, whose website, FairyHouses.com, offers ideas and books.

Befriend a bug. Help them look for

bugs and crawling things in the dirt and on leaves, then ask them to draw them. Back home or at the library, kids can search in

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use hibiscus or hollyhock flowers and toothpicks to make dolls with flowing skirts. Or they can collect leaves of different shapes and sizes and glue them together to create leafy creatures. “You can take it an extra step by inventing a story and creating a one-of-a-kind storybook,” says Mateleska.

Grow a garden. Using a kid-sized plot

of land—it can even be a big pot of dirt— give them a trowel, a watering can and easy-to-grow seeds such as radishes and carrots. Not only will they get exercise, a Texas A&M University study shows gardening makes kids more likely to choose veggies for snacks.

Invent a cozy hideaway. Under the

limbs of a big tree, old blankets and pillows can be used by a child to build a “secret” hiding place, stocked with lemonade, apples and fun books.

Incorporate digital delights.

Rather than competing with digital devices, integrate them into the nature experience. “A phone app like iNaturalist lets kids take a picture and will identify the creature or plant for them,” says science teacher Jemma Smith, of The Education Hotel, a UK-based tutoring service. “Or have them take three artistic pictures of nature.”

Try geocaching. This game for older

kids requires them to use their phones as a GPS to find tiny treasure boxes that have already been hidden all over the countryside. “Most boxes have small trinkets to swap and a tiny book to sign their name,” says Smith.

Time It. Simply set the timer for an hour, open the door into the back yard and let the kids “go at it,” as does writer Attiyya Atkins, a mother of four in Pompano Beach, Florida. “Mostly it’s self-play, but I come out sometimes and teach them about nature, or we do art projects with leaves, rocks or dirt. It’s always naturally fun, and they’re pretty tired afterwards!” Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@ gmail.com.

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Maker Lab Outdoors: 25 Super Cool Projects, by Jack Challoner

Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less, by Jean Potter Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, by Richard Louv

Dmitry Naumov/Shutterstock.com

Introduce Kids to the Geocaching Adventure Game: Tinyurl.com/ GeocachingGameInstructions

April 2019

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Every drop in the ocean counts. ~Yoko Ono

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NATIVE INTELLIGENCE Planting an Eco-Friendly Yard

by Avery Mack

aintaining a grassy yard or ornamental shrubs can be time consuming and less than ecofriendly. That’s why conservation-minded gardeners are turning to lush, native landscaping as an aesthetically pleasing alternative to spartan, water-free xeriscaping. Native plants not only save water, they enhance local ecosystems by providing food and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies and wildlife. “Indigenous plants build healthy soil and retain and replenish ground water,” says Michael Fleischacker, chair of landscape architecture and environmental sciences at Delaware Valley University, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Accustomed to the climate and nutrients in their habitat, they don’t need the extra fertilizer required by exotic transplants. Natives are also better equipped to fend off harmful insects, reducing the need for pesticides. “When pests did show up, I used insecticidal soap and neem oil. Both are great ecofriendly remedies,” says Kimberly Button, an Orlando-based freelance journalist and author of The Everything Guide to a Healthy Home: All You Need to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Hidden Household Dangers. A genuine indigenous plant in the U.S. predates European settlement. These natives grew in the wildlands of the regions where they evolved and adapted over hundreds or thousands of years.

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However, what’s wild isn’t necessarily native. These days, the woods and forests are rife with alien species that escaped from non-native gardens or were planted to perform some specific purpose that went awry. Kudzu, for instance, was imported from Asia and installed along roadways to prevent soil erosion. The perennial vine, which can grow up to a foot per day, has become the plague of the South, rooting out native plants and toppling trees under the sheer weight of its smothering foliage. In 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a report summarizing numerous studies that concluded that non-native plants disrupt the food web and present a growing problem for “organisms that depend on native plants for food, shelter and places to rear their young.”

Natives vs. Nativars

While the harm caused by many invasive plants that evolved in a foreign habitat is well-documented and profound, the ecological impact of plant variations derived from native species—known as cultivars or nativars—is sometimes more subtle. Cultivars have been developed to highlight specific traits, like larger blooms or longer bloom times. They may be bred for a stronger scent, or have the scent bred out of them in pursuit of another trait, making them less enticing to pollinators and wildlife.

inspiration FotoHelin/Shutterstock.com

Native varieties have longer growing seasons, a decades-long lifespan and tight plant groupings to prevent weed growth. ~Michael Fleischacker One drawback to cultivars is what those “improved” traits can affect. “The native serviceberry (Amelanchier) has small, bright red berries birds love to eat,” Fleischacker says. “Because they add color to a winter yard or are used for wreaths and décor, cultivars were bred to produce larger berries. Birds choke on the bigger berry, unable to swallow them.” A current, multi-year research project at the Mt. Cuba Center’s native botanical gardens in Hockessin, Delaware, is seeking to determine whether certain cultivars are as attractive to insects as their native counterparts. What’s certain, say the experts: A gardener can’t go wrong with indigenous plants. “Native varieties have longer growing seasons, a decades-long lifespan and tight plant groupings to prevent weed growth,” Fleischacker says. Despite the perception by some that natives are boring, they can be showier than their cultivar cousins and also thrive in their region’s unique conditions. “I keep my yard as natural as possible to co-exist with my neighbor, the Hiawatha National Forest, and its small animals and birds,” says Monica Cady, co-founder of the Herbal Lodge and a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa tribe in Hessel, Michigan.

Going Native

Transitioning to native landscaping isn’t as daunting as it might seem. Small changes can make a difference, and local plant nurseries can assist. Some may have a staff horticulturalist to help distinguish the natives from the nativars and to steer gardeners clear of invasive, water-guzzling, nutrient-needy non-natives that will spread quickly and overwhelm the landscape. Going native isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition, says Fleischacker. “Consult a local nursery or landscaper about adding natives to the mix. There are plants that love shade or sun, dry areas or damp.” When planning, look past what’s trendy. “The ecosystem is set up to protect and promote beneficial insects and pollinators,” says Button. What was old can be new again.

photo by Kimberly Button

Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@ mindspring.com.

NATIVE PLANT RESOURCES Tinyurl.com/GardeningWithNativePlants Tinyurl.com/AboutNativePlants Tinyurl.com/NativePlantFinder Tinyurl.com/NativePlantsForPollinators Tinyurl.com/ChickadeesAndNativeTrees

SACRED SPACE Bringing Bliss to Every Room

by Maya Whitman

acred space is most often associated with places of worship, but it can be any place that connects us to meaning or joy. In the blur of daily living, nooks of inspiration and beauty provide spiritual sustenance, remind us of our dreams or celebrate lovely memories. Having “bliss corners” in the home or workplace is a wonderful way to stay connected to the positive. Most parents or grandparents can confess to having a bliss corner on the refrigerator door where drawings and accomplishments of young family members are proudly displayed. Having a place of inspiration in any room doesn’t have to take up much space and can easily add to the décor. It can be as simple as a wedding veil hanging on a bedroom wall or a bowl of shells, sea glass or sand from a beach vacation in the bathroom. It can be sentimental with dried flowers from a momentous occasion or a small table dedicated to loved ones with framed photos or letters and a piece of cloth that holds special memories. Corners of bliss fulfill their purpose best in places where they can remind us to follow our heart’s “true north” or help us to foster inner peace during busy days. Such places are office desks and bedroom nightstands near an alarm clock. The kitchen is an ideal room in the house for sacred space; designating a corner to light a candle during meal prep; filling an old teapot with fresh flowers every week; and displaying the photo of someone who once nourished us are all beautiful ways to bring more meaning into our relationship with food. Cultivating bliss can be a form of active meditation, simple rituals that can include prayer or other forms of mindfulness. On more practical levels, it can be an opportunity to bond with loved ones. Creating a bliss corner can be a creative and fun activity for teens to express a passion, whether it be a hobby, sport or favorite singer. Many of us have boxes of mementos or nostalgic things from childhood taking up space in a closet. Making a bliss corner is the perfect way to remind us why we kept them in the first place. Maya Whitman writes about natural health and living a more beautiful life. Connect at Ekstasis28@gmail.com. April 2019

calendar of events

Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: 703-429-1509 and RiseWellbeing.Center/Special-Events. Spring Garden Party and Fundraiser – 10am-3pm. Our annual Garden Party is a fun-filled event with a ton of landscaping and garden supplies, gardening demonstrations, experts and vendors; activities for kids, live bands and local food. Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Dr, Edmonston, MD. Info: CommunityForklift.org/News-Events/ 10th-Annual-Garden-Party.

MONDAY, APRIL 1

SUNDAY, APRIL 7

Laughter Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Please join us for a playful and fun practice that has been proven to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. The session ends with a silent meditation. Free. Arlington Central Library auditorium, 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA. Info: ArlingtonLaughterYoga@yahoo.com.

Nature Play at Home Book Launch – 3:306pm. Reception and presentation by outdoor learning expert Nancy Striniste from her book Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces that Connect Children with the Natural World. $25 or $35 with signed copy of the book. NoVA Outside Historic Blenheim, 3610 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA. Register: Bit.ly/ NaturePlayAtHomeLaunch. Info: NovaOutside. org/Category/Events.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4 New Moon Circle – With Erin Nicole Scherer. The day of the new moon is a powerful time to go inward and bring forth your deepest intentions. Discussion, meditation, light yoga, journaling. $12 for Rise Members and $16 for nonmembers. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: 703-429-1509 or RiseWellbeing. Center/Special-Events. Introductory Group Dream Interpretation Meetup – 7pm. Come explore the deeper meanings of your nighttime dreams. Diane Rhodes, certified hypnotherapist and Projective Dreamworker. Neck Back & Beyond Healing Arts, 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA. RSVP: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@ gmail.com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 6

special event Introductory Course On the Bach Flower Remedies Level 1 This flower essence seminar introduces you to Dr. Bach’s simple system of healing—teaching how to use flower remedies to reduce stress, alleviate worry and improve self-confidence and well-being. The program provides detailed information on each of Dr. Bach’s 28 remedies. The seminar is approved for 12.5 of CEUs for several certification boards. $390.

Saturday, April 6 • 9am-5:30pm

Rainbow Chi Energy Healing, Northern VA. Registration: Contact Barbara Binney at RainChi2014@gmail.com or RainbowChiHealing.com/Classes.

Rest, Restore and Renew with Mindfulness Meditation – 9-10am. With Karyn Sandelman and Corinne Coppola Krill. Manage stress with greater ease and resilience, calm your inner critic and live with more compassion for yourself and others. $20. Rise Well-Being

Washington, D.C.

MONDAY, APRIL 8 Sufi Meditation and Reiki-Infused Workshop – 6-7:30pm. With Eva and Meera. This workshop will promote communal growth by experiencing a fusion of mystical preserved practices and a modern twist of curated poses designed to enhance togetherness. Experienced meditators and beginners alike will come away with deeper insights into the reality of “no self”. $15 (suggested donation). Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-4838600 or SmithCenter.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11 Dream Group – 7-9pm. Join in the age-old tradition of sharing dreams for deeper selfunderstanding. There are 6 meetings total. Diane Rhodes, certified hypnotherapist and Projective Dreamworker. Must RSVP. $90 (payment in full of $90 required at first meeting). Neck Back & Beyond Healing Arts, 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA. RSVP: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 12 Gong Bath and Breathwork – 7:30-9:30pm. With Odette Cecilia. Crystal bowls and gongs will align your mind, body and soul. Breath will unwind the mind, increase oxygen, relieving anxiety, depression, stress disorders, insomnia and perception of pain. $20. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: 703-429-1509 or RiseWellbeing.Center/Special-Events.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup – Join Rock Creek Conservancy during their 11th annual Extreme Cleanup. The goal is a total peoplepowered stream cleanup of Rock Creek and its tributaries. Find a site near you and clean up your favorite parks. Rock Creek Conservancy, there are over 70 sites throughout the Rock Creek watershed that need volunteers. Register: RockCreekConservancy.org/What-We-Do/

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Upcoming-Events/Extreme-Cleanup. Info: Volunteer@RockCreekConservancy.org. Create Your Own Spirit Box – 11am-1pm. With Anne Sabagh. This is a creative, handson opportunity to make a spirit box. We will decorate cardboard boxes (supplies provided), cut a hole, and learn about setting intentions and letting go. $20. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: 703-429-1509 or RiseWellbeing. Center/Special-Events.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14 Discover Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley – 7:30am-2pm. Through April 23. Travel to this enchanted land and be inspired by the deep nature, archaeology, Inca culture and twice daily yoga and meditation practices. Our journey will culminate with a visit to one of the seven modern wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. $3,495. International Yoga, Sacred Valley, Peru. Register: InternationalYoga.com/ Retreats/Yoga-Culture-in-Peru-Mimi-RiegerHawah-Kasat.

special event Illuminate Frederick Mind-Body-Spirit Arts Festival

The finest local holistic wellness practitioners, products and amazing artisans—try sample sessions; find crystals, jewelry, essential oils, spa products, gifts and art. Free workshops. $6 at the door or save $1 by purchasing online.

Sunday, April 14 • 11am-6pm

Illuminate Festivals Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center 5400 Holiday Dr, Frederick, MD Info: IlluminateFestivals.com/Frederick.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 Behavior Change: Deconstructing the Process – 6:30-8pm. With Julia Rowland, Ph.D. Learn the answer to the age-old question of why change is so hard to do, along with techniques you can use to reach the goals you set for yourself. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16 Ditch and Switch – Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils – 7pm. Learn how to safely and effectively ditch toxic, chemical-laden household cleaning products for healthy products made with organic essential oils. All in attendance entered in the nightly raffle. Free. RSVP appreciated. Neck, Back & Beyond, 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA. RSVP: 703865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail. com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18 The Role of Natural Medicine in Integrative Cancer Care – 6:30-8pm. With Aminah Keats, ND, FABNO. Learn how to safely integrate

evidence-based natural medicine into an integrative oncology plan to reduce side effects associated with conventional treatment and support immune function. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202483-8600 or SmithCenter.org.

resilience and perseverance using small boxes with an inspiring collection of found objects and art supplies. All ranges of artistic experience are welcome to attend. $25 (suggested donation). Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.org.

Women’s Monthly Moon Circle – 7-9pm. We will gather with open hearts and open minds to share our collective wisdom to set intentions and support, nurture and empower one another. $30. Yoga Toka, 3260 Duke St, Alexandria, VA. Register: Eventbrite.com/e/ Womens-Monthly-Moon-Circle-April-2019Tickets-56741627736.

MONDAY, APRIL 29

TUESDAY, APRIL 23 Burnout or Fatigue? A Free, Live Webinar – 6:45-7:30pm. Join Dr. Sushma Hirani, of Rose Wellness, to learn more about adrenal fatigue and how you can deal with this modern condition and occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to compensate for the daily stressors in life and the hormone reserves are depleted. Join us to help you understand if you are dealing with adrenal fatigue and what you can do about it. This webinar is sponsored by Natural Awakenings, D.C. Register: BurnoutOrFatigue. eventbrite.com..

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24 LOLA Live Circles 2019 – 7-9pm. These circles are perfect for those with no previous exposure to meditation, mindfulness, breathing and gratitude practices. The topic for April is Wellness for the Mind. $57. Bold Center Tenleytown,4000 Chesapeake St, NW. Register: Eventbrite.com/e/Lola-Live-Circles-2019Tickets-53334046569.

THURSDAY, APRIL 25 Movie Night – 7pm. The documentary, Heal, takes us on a scientific and spiritual journey to discover that thoughts, beliefs and emotions have a huge impact on health and the ability to heal. Featuring Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Michael Beckwith and more. Join us for great conversation and healthy snacks. $5 donation. RSVP appreciated. Neck, Back & Beyond, 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA. RSVP: 703865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail. com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 Soundscape – 7:30-9pm. With Woven Green. A beautiful, powerful, meditative, healing sound experience which weaves native flutes, singing bowls, vocal toning, nature sounds and stringed instruments. $20 in advance, $25 at the door ($20 at the door for Rise members). Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: 703-429-1509 or RiseWellbeing.Center/Special-Events.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27 Creating Altars to Honor Resilience and Perseverance – 1-4pm. With Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT. This workshop will explore our past challenges encountered and honor the processes that helped us survive and even thrive, in the face of adversities. We will create shrines to honor our

Viewing Stress through the Lens of Ancient Chinese Medical Philosophy – 6:30-8pm. With Jonathan Gilbert, L.Ac., NCCAOM. A cancer diagnosis can create a fundamental shift in our lives. Learn about ancient Chinese medical strategies that enable us to cope more fully with the stress created by this change. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 30 Dymystifying Hypnosis – 7-7:45pm. Join Michelle Destefano to learn more about how hypnosis works and who benefits from this highly regarded therapy in this question-and-answerstyle interview with Natural Awakenings, D.C. editor, Robin Fillmore. You will also have the opportunity to have your questions answered. RegisterDymystifyingHypnosis.eventbrite.com. .

MAY

Coming Next Month

Mental & Emotional Well-Being Plus: Healthy Vision

WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUE

plan ahead MONDAY, MAY 6 Laughter Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Please join us for a playful and fun practice that has been proven to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. The session ends with a silent meditation. Free. Arlington Central Library auditorium, 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA. Info: ArlingtonLaughterYoga@yahoo.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 11 Relax and Renew Retreat for Mothers and Daughters/Sons – 10am. Through May 12. Check out the fun activities at the retreat center like fishing, hiking trails, outdoor games, digging for fossils and a campfire on Saturday night. There is also a spa and golf that you can book on your own. This event is for children ages 8 to 11 years old. $500/pair and $100/additional child. Capon Springs and Farms, 3818 Capon Springs Rd, High View, WV. Register: Pleasance@LilOmm.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 LOLA Live Circles 2019 – 2-4pm. These circles are perfect for those with no previous exposure to meditation, mindfulness, breathing and gratitude practices. The topic for May is Wellness for the Body. $57. Washington Yoga Center, 4000 Albemarle St, Ste 100, NW. Register: Eventbrite.com/e/Lola-Live-Circles2019-Tickets-53334046569.

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

202-505-4835 April 2019

ongoing events NOTE: All Calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email CalendarNADC@gmail.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please.

sunday

tuesday

Sunday Morning Meditation Class – 10:30am12:30pm. With Hugh Byrne. An oasis in a busy week, including 30-minute guided meditations, a 10-minute walking meditation and 30-minute discussion. A mini-retreat. Drop-ins welcome. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Jazz Brunch – 11am-2pm. Last Sun of every month. Wind down your weekend with us at our Jazz Brunch featuring music by The Howie Jung Trio. All-youcan-eat brunch buffet that includes an extended breakfast hot bar, salad bar, a locally-made bagel and lox station, a made-to-order omelet station, waffle station, dessert and mimosa tasting. $16.99/adult, $6.99/kids 4-10 years and kids 3-and-under are free. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240-428-1386 or DawsonsMarket.com Mindfulness in Recovery – 6:30-8pm. This group is open to new meditators and seasoned practitioners alike with a common interest in the intersection of Buddhist teachings and 12 Step recovery. All 12 Steppers are welcome and we ask that participants have at least 90 days of continuous recovery and a working relationship with a home 12 Step recovery group be established before attending your first meeting. This group is not a replacement for our individual 12 Step programs. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

monday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. A beautiful way to start your day, with a 30-minute meditation and optional 15-minute discussion following. Drop-ins welcome. A project of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Kid’s Eat Free – 8am-9pm. Kids, 10 and under, eat free from our hot/salad bar with the purchase of an adult meal of $8.99 or more. (Max. $3.99 per child.) One child eats free per adult purchase. No other discounts apply. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240-4281386 or DawsonsMarket.com. Meet the Locals – 5-7pm. 2nd Tues. Come shake the hands of some of our favorite local vendors, hear their stories and sample their products all while enjoying happy hour prices in our Indulge Department. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240-428-1386 or DawsonsMarket.com.

Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: LivingMindfully.org. Beer Tasting – 5-7pm. Free. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240428-1386 or DawsonsMarket.com.

friday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

wednesday

Wine Tasting – 5-7pm. Free. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240428-1386 or DawsonsMarket.com.

Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

saturday

Senior Discount Day – 8am-9pm. 10% discount all day long, for our friends 60 and older, plus a free small coffee from 8am until 12pm. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240-428-1386 or DawsonsMarket.com.

Craft Market – 11am-2pm. 2nd Sat. Shop for locally made jewelry, fashion, art, crafts and more located in our cafe area. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240-4281386 or DawsonsMarket.com.

Beauty Startup Youth Challenge – 4-6pm. Workshops consist of making products for resale learning how to make beauty aids, lip gloss, lip balms, sugar scrubs, salt scrubs and more. Participant receives a kit. Classes are free and open to kids, parents and creative –entrepreneurs. Free. Benefit Manufacturing, LLC, Old Columbia Pike. Register: BenefitManufacturingLLC.com.

Washington, D.C.

Early Morning Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Back School – 7pm. 2nd Tues. With Dr. Tomson. Learn simple, easy to perform routines to keep your body flexible and moving. $5. Neck, Back & Beyond, 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA. RSVP: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond@ gmail.com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

County and Rockville City Employees and First Responders Discount Day – 8am-9pm. Dawson’s will be offering 10% off your purchases. Just show a valid Montgomery County MD employee ID, City of Rockville MD employee ID or a Fire Dept or Police Dept ID. You will get 10% off your entire order. See store for other restrictions. Dawson’s Market, 225 N Washington St, Rockville, MD. Info: 240-428-1386 or DawsonsMarket.com.

thursday

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

community resource guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Stephen@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

BEDROOM FURNITURE SAVVY REST NATURAL BEDROOM

10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com Neck Back & Beyond in Fairfax, VA, offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage,reflexology, lymphatic drainage and more. See ad, page 9.

258 Maple Ave East, Vienna, VA and 12242 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 703-255-7040 (VA) or 301-770-7040 (MD) Maddie@SavvyRest.com • SRNB.com Savvy Rest Natural Bedroom is the premier retailer of Savvy Rest organic mattresses and bedding, a Virginia manufacturer and retailer of fine bedroom furniture. See ad, page 13.

CANCER SUPPORT

VIRGINIA MITCHELL, L.AC

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 • Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

Virginia Mitchell is board certified in acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and has been helping patients feel better for over 20 years. Virginia also focuses on acupressure, cupping, Gua Sha and zero balancing. Acupuncture is one of the most powerful tools used in alternative medicine. Used for its many health benefits, acupuncture therapy is considered a safe and effective treatment for a variety of health conditions. She helps patients of all ages (minimum age 7). Let Virginia ease your suffering and feel your best. See ad, page 9.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, there are supportive treatments which may enhance the body’s ability to fight cancer and help the traditional cancer treatments work more effectively. Integrative, holistic medicine combines traditional and adjunctive complementary treatments to restore the patient to a better state of health and improve the quality of life. Whereas traditional medicine will focus on treating the tumor, the holistic approach is to focus on the patient and outcome. See ad, page 21.

5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 • NIHADC.com

CHIROPRACTOR CHI HEALTH CARE

AYURVEDA RANJANA CHAWLA AYURVEDA & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Dr. Ranjana Chawla Vienna, VA 571-429-2716 • RanjanaChawla.com

Ranjana Chawla is an Ayurvedic Doctor. She uses ayur vedic science to diagnose diseases and treat the underlying root cause of the sickness—not just managing the disease symptoms. Her entire treatment is customized to patient’s own unique body-mind constitution. She uses a multitude of healing modalities including herbal medicine, diet, lifestyle recommendations, aromas, meditation and yoga.

15001 Shady Grove Rd, Ste.200, Rockville, MD • 301-664-6464 CHIHealthCare.org • FB /healthcare.CHI CHI Health Care’s integrative primary care model includes a staff of collaborative practitioners. Services include family medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, yoga therapy, therapeutic massage, health coaching and programming. See ad, page 11.

NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER DR. ALLAN TOMSON, DC

10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com Dr. Allan Tomson, DC, director of Neck Back & Beyond Healing Arts in Fairfax, VA, with a satellite office in Manassas, VA. He is not your ordinary chiropractor with skills and experience in functional medicine, visceral manipulation, CranioSacral Therapy and Cayce protocols. See ad, page 9.

CLEANING MAID BRIGADE CAPITAL REGION

4813-A Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 800-515-6243 • MaidBrigade.com Marketing@Maid-Brigade.com We are Green Clean Certified, so you can have peace of mind that you r home w i l l b e healthier for you, your pets and the environment. See ad, page 25.

CONSULTING JESSICA CLAIRE HANE CONSULTING 571-358-8645 Jessica@MindfulHealthyLife.com JessicaClaireHaney.com

Writing, editing, marketing/ digital media support and strategy consulting for holistic-minded businesses and organizations from experienced local writer, blogger and event organizer Jessica Claire Haney.

CORPORATE WELLNESS MARIANNE SCIPPA

Neck Back & Beyond Wellness Center 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com ScippaAssociates.com We design interactive sessions for you and your staff to better understand the physical, mental and emotional costs of many common work management habits. Individual or team coaching for ongoing leadership, management and health development support to create the peak performance habits you need. See ad, page 9.

Sadly, it’s much easier to create a desert than a forest. ~James Lovelock April 2019

DENTAL – HOLISTIC DENTAL EXCELLENCE INTEGRATIVE CENTER

HOLISTIC NUTRITION ELIZABETH MCMILLAN, MS, CNS

Dr. Sheri Salartash, DDS, FAGD, FICOI, FAAP Certified Holistic Mouth Doctor 3116 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 703-745-5496 • DentalExcellenceVA.com Dr. Salartash offers comprehensive integrative care for the mouth, including general and preventative family dentistry, cosmetic smile design and implants, orthodontics and clear aligners, Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Therapy, mercury-safe removal, TMJ, sleep apnea and snoring treatment. From her green office, using sustainable practices and materials, Dr. Salartash treats both adults and children.

ENERGY THERAPIES RISE WELL-BEING CENTER

11130 Sunrise Valley Dr., Ste 150, Reston, VA 703-429-1509 • RiseWellBeing.com Info@RiseWellBeing.Center Looking for more peace and well-being in your life? Come nurture yourself and experience the inherent healing of nature. Rise offers a relaxing indoor garden area, Mindful Movement, yoga, meditation and wellness classes, one-on-one sessions including reiki, and Healing Touch to give you the personalized attention you desire. Discover how good you can feel!

Rose Wellness Center 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com

Elizabeth McMillan is a boardcertified clinical nutritionist specializing in functional nutrition. She believes in finding the root cause of a liments and cre at ing a personalized dietary plan to restore optimal wellness. Elizabeth specializes in diabetes, food sensitivities, gastrointestinal health, autoimmunity and metabolic syndrome issues. Call today to see how she can help. See ad, page 9.

HOLISTIC PARENTING HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK HolisticMoms.org

Holistic Moms Network is a national organization supporting natural-minded parents. Local chapters in Arlington/Alexandria, Burke, Fairfax, Gainesville and Montgomery County hold monthly meetings and more.

MINDFUL HEALTHY LIFE571-3588645 • MindfulHealthyLife.com Jessica@MindfulHealthyLife.com Online lifestyle magazine for natural-minded parents with a blog, calendar, directory and eBook filled with resources for holistic parenting and family wellness in metro D.C.

ESSENTIAL OILS PAM SNYDER

Neck Back & Beyond Wellness Center 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com Let us help you integrate the healing power of essential oils into your home and personal care routines. We offer free ongoing classes each month. Individual and group consultations are available by appointment. See ad, page 9.

HEALTH COACHING

HOMEOPATHY MICHAEL LISS

Rose Wellness Center 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com Michael Liss is a Doctor of Classical Homeopathy and an integrative health practitioner. He specializes in using homeopathy to help you find relief from various emotional and physical health problems including addictions, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, allergies, asthma, childhood ailments, migraines, hair and skin disorders, immune deficiencies and sinus disorders. See ad, page 9.

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES 5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 NICADC.com/Health-Programs/ Rejuvenation-Detoxification.html

Rejuvenation & Detoxification program provides guidance to restore balance and health with lifestyle tips on diet, hydration, digestion and internal cleansing and detoxification with integrative at-home and spa strategies. See ad, page 21.

Washington, D.C.

HYPNOSIS FREE YOURSELF HYPNOSIS Michelle DeStefano 301-744-0200 • FreeYourselfHypnosis.com FreeYourselfHypnosis@gmail.com

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Life strategies and techniques to rewrite the software of your mind and change the printout of your life — become stress-free, stop smoking, manage pain, or lose weight. We work with PSTD, birthing, peak performance, PSYCH-K, Graphology, meditation and qigong. See ad, page 21.

HYPNOTHERAPIST DIANE RHODES HYPNOTHERAPY AND DREAM INTERPRETER Neck Back & Beyond Wellness Center 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com

Diane Rhodes is a NGH Certified Hypnotherapy Practitioner and a Certified Projective Dreamworker. For five years, she has been using a client-centered approach to help people make positive behavior changes utilizing the powerful tool of hypnotherapy. She guides people to overcome issues such as: overweight, fears/anxiety, stress, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping, sadness/depression and lack of confidence, fear of public speaking, nail biting, poor academic/sports performance and clutter/hoarding. See ad, page 9.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE SUSHMA HIRANI, MD

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com • 571-529-6699 Dr. Sushma Hirani uses an integrative approach to wellness, utilizing conventional medicine and evidence-based complementary therapies. She strives to treat the whole person and emphasize s nut r it i on , preventive care and lifestyle changes. Dr. Hirani specializes in the treatment of chronic issues such as hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, menopause and women’s health issues. Patients love her compassionate care and personalized attention. See ad, page 9.

INDIGO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC The Waterfront Center 1010 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 660, NW 202-298-9131 • IndigoHealthClinic.com Facebook.com/Izzy Indigo

Are you living with a health problem which you aren’t sure how to handle? Give yourself the opportunity to describe your symptoms in detail, how those symptoms make you feel and how having them affects your life. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can be restored to vibrant health. See ad, page 36.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein

ALEX LEON, MD

Integrative Family Physician Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com Dr. Alex Leon is a board-certified family physician specializing in integrative functional medicine to help restore and maintain your wellbeing. He has a special interest in men’s health care, chronic pain syndromes including mus c u loskelet a l problems, fibromyalgia, bioidentical hormone replacement for men and women, chronic conditions including hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal disorders and allergic disorders. He treats kids too. See ad, page 9.

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES 5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 • NIHADC.com

The professional health team at NIHA is comprised of holistic medical physicians, biological dentists, naturopaths, a chiropractor and health professionals highly skilled in acupuncture, nutrition and other healing therapies. See ad, page 21.

ROSE WELLNESS CENTER

2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com Info@RoseWellness.com

Suffering from chronic pain, fatigue, allergies, stress? Whatever your health challenges, Rose Wellness Center can help you get on the path to real wellness. We help identify hormone, metabolic, digestive, nutritional and food sensitivity issues to get to the root cause of your health problems, where true healing begins. Our services include digestive and women’s health programs, hormone balancing, acupuncture, Lyme treatment, homeopathy and thyroid management. See ad, page 9.

CHIROPRACTOR CHI HEALTH CARE

15001 Shady Grove Rd, Ste.200, Rockville, MD • 301-664-6464 CHIHealthCare.org • FB /healthcare.CHI CHI Health Care’s integrative primar y care model includes a staff of collaborative practitioners. Services include family medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, yoga therapy, therapeutic massage, health coaching and programming. See ad, page 11.

MEDITATION RISE WELL-BEING CENTER

11130 Sunrise Valley Dr., Ste 150, Reston, VA 703-429-1509 • RiseWellBeing.com Info@RiseWellBeing.Center Looking for more peace and well-being in your life? Come nurture yourself and experience the inherent healing of nature. Rise offers a relaxing indoor garden area, Mindful Movement, yoga, meditation and wellness classes, oneon-one sessions including reiki, and Healing Touch to give you the personalized attention you desire. Discover how good you can feel!

NATURAL LIVING RESOURCE MINDFUL HEALTHY LIFE OF METRO DC Jessica@MindfulHealthyLife.com MindfulHealthyLife.com • 571-358-8645

Blog, calendar and directory for natural living, holistic parenting and family wellness.

OSTEOPOROSIS SUPPORT NURTURED BONES

Great Falls, VA 703-738-4230 • NurturedBones.com Nurtured Bones provides a holistic approach to addressing osteoporosis and bone loss. Our BONES method will help you build strong, healthy bones for life. See ad, page 30.

PHYSICAL THERAPY NURTURED BONES

POLARITY THERAPY NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE CHI HEALTH CARE

15001 Shady Grove Rd, Ste 200, Rockville, MD • 301-664-6464 CHIHealthCare.org • FB /healthcare.CHI CHI Health Care’s integrative primary care model includes a staff of collaborative practitioners. Services include family medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, yoga therapy, therapeutic massage, health coaching and programming. See ad, page 11.

NUTRITION CHI HEALTH CARE

ORGANIC PRODUCE - CSA SPIRAL PATH FARM

717-789-4433 • Csa@SpiralPathFarm.com SpiralPathFarm.com 100% USDA-certified organic all grown at our farm in southcentral Pennsylvania. Join for our weekly produce deliveries t h rou g h a C om mu n it y Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership. See ad, page 11.

Janice M Johnson 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com • 703-865-5690 Allow me to join you in creating your own individualized treatment program, which provides a safe and supportive experience for your healing process, with Polarity Therapy and Swiss Bionic Solutions MRS 2000 (Magnetic Resonance Stimulation) pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF). See ad, page 9.

PRIMARY CARE CHI HEALTH CARE

SHIATSU THERAPIST NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

Nathalie Depastas 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com Nathalie Depastas is a highly skilled acupuncturist and Shiatsu therapist with 30 years of experience in Chinese medicine, including medical qigong. See ad, page 9.

April 2019

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

MAY

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

MaxAlignment Bodywork Max Rosenberg, L.M.T. • 240-893-6209 Chevy Chase, DC • MaxAlignmentDC.com

Structural Integration is a specialized fascial manipulation technique aimed toward realigning each segment of the body. It is an effective treatment for any form of chronic pain, misalignment, stubborn injury or trauma.

Mental & Emotional Well-Being plus: Healthy Vision

SHIATSU THERAPIST NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

ROSE WELLNESS CENTER

2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com Rose Wellness Center for Integrative Medicine offers Thermography or Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI). This noninvasive diagnostic technique creates thermal images that are analyzed for abnormalities and early signs of disease. Thermal imaging is painless, non-invasive, does not involve any compression and emits no radiation. Call today to setup your scan. See ad, page 9.

WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUE

Readers are Seeking These Providers & Services:

Energy Healing • Life Coaches • Spiritual Practices • Retreats/ Workshops • Relationship Counseling • Natural Eye Care Natural Health/Vision Supplements • Senior/Sports Eye Care Specialists ... and this is just a partial list!

YOGA

LOCAL FOOD ISSUE

RISE WELL-BEING CENTER

11130 Sunrise Valley Dr., Ste 150, Reston, VA 703-429-1509 • RiseWellBeing.com Info@RiseWellBeing.Center Looking for more peace and well-being in your life? Come nurture yourself and experience the inherent healing of nature. Rise offers a relaxing indoor garden area, Mindful Movement, yoga, meditation and wellness classes, oneon-one sessions including reiki, and Healing Touch to give you the personalized attention you desire. Discover how good you can feel!

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. ~Aristotle 34

Washington, D.C.

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JULY

Brain Health

Urban & Suburban Agriculture

plus: Green Building Trends

plus: Gut Health

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THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL CALENDAR & MARKETING PLANNER

202-505-4835

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Are you creative, driven and passionate about healthy living? Inspire others to make choices that benefit themselves and the world around them by owning a Natural Awakenings franchise. Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years. This is a meaningful home-based business opportunity that provides training and ongoing support. No previous publishing experience is required.

Learn more today: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Franchise

239-530-1377

April 2019

Washington D.C.'s Finest

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE OUR DOCTORS SPECIALIZE IN: Lyme Disease. We take a deeper look at your speciﬁc reaction to this most commonly misdiagnosed vector-borne illness in the United States and determine the best way for you to overcome this disease.

IV Therapy. An effective method of delivering vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants directly into your bloodstream that helps your nutrient levels rise, boosting your metabolism and energy.

Chronic Fatigue. We have accurate tests to determine your adrenal and hormone levels, and possible autoimmune conditions. We investigate why you are feeling exhausted and stressed and treat appropriately.

As Naturopathic Doctors, we help to reset your body by discovering the root cause of your problem and directing our efforts to correct the source—to get you well.

Food Sensitivities. Each person has a unique profile as to which foods can either hurt or heal the body. We help you define which foods are causing you chronic inflammation versus those that build your immune system. Detoxification. Every day you are exposed to chemicals that can make you feel drained, moody and unable to concentrate. With our metabolic Indigo Detox Program, you could feel reenergized in just 7-28 days.

Suppressing symptoms without addressing the underlying cause can be more harmful than beneficial and end up costing you significantly more money. As your partner in health, we find the best solution for you, targeting your condition while strengthening your immune system.

202-298-9131

info@IndigoHealthClinic.com Learn more at IndigoHealthClinic.com Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

SNEJANA SHARKAR, RND, FNP, ACNP

ISABEL SHARKAR, NMD

INDIGO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC 1010 Wisconsin Ave. NW Suite #660 Washington, D.C. 20007

Our goal is to lead you back to thriving health WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING: “This was a great experience with very personal and knowledgeable staff and doctor. I will deﬁnitely be returning for a follow up and recommend this clinic to anyone interested in getting to the bottom of their health issues. It was great to get looked at from a holistic approach rather then just masking the symptoms. “ ~RK “I’ve been to many doctors in my life and ﬁnally, Dr. Sharkar has actually helped me to improve my health. It has been the best investment I’ve ever made and I’m very happy to have such a great and caring doctor. The best part is that everything is natural and it actually works. “ ~ ES