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

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Spinal Solutions

Chiropractic Heals Unlikely Conditions

Rethinking Our Stuff Moving Toward a Circular Economy

A Natural Smile Healthy Strategies for Teeth and Gums October 2019 | Washington, D.C. Edition | NaturalAwakeningsDC.com October 2019

What a

site to see! NATURAL AWAKENINGS HAS A

NEW WEBSITE Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve launched a brand-new, comprehensive online hub for all things healthy and sustainable. Check us out to see the exciting features weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re rolling out for readers and advertisers alike.

How can we help your business succeed?

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

If you are interested in digital advertising opportunities with online placements available on a first-come, first-serve basis, contact:

202-505-4835 2

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

October 2019

letter from the publisher

Dear Friends, As we transition into the fall, my favorite time of year, we are entering another of our region’s spectacular displays of nature. From the crisp air in the city allowing windows to be open to fresh air, to the beautiful foliage along the country roads—there’s nothing like enjoying

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

the parks and woods during this season. This issue brings to you an abundance of health news that underscores the importance of paying attention to the little things—like teeth and gums. Our feature, “Mouth Matters: A Holistic Approach to Oral Health,” delves into the

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-505-4835 10411 Motor City Dr., Suite 301 Bethesda, MD 20814 Stephen@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

growing body of evidence that this “doorway to the body” can usher in heart issues, inflammatory response and even Alzheimer’s, if not well maintained. Writer Ronica O’Hara details the growing body of less invasive and less toxic approaches to dental care.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe online to receive FREE monthly digital magazine at NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

In keeping with this inside-out, whole-body approach, writer Marlaina Donato

offers insights into how one region of the body might affect a seemingly unrelated area in “Spinal Solutions: Chiropractic Care Yields Unexpected Results.” Thus, chiropractors can offer patients relief for a host of conditions, from asthma and digestion to headaches and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).

Meanwhile, educators all over the world are starting to focus on the mind-

body connection with curriculums, aimed at bringing mindfulness training to the classroom. Studies show the result is calmer, happier, more focused kids. Read about it in “Mindfulness in the Classroom: Meditative Training Helps Kids Thrive.”

Food writer April Thompson brings her usual spice and flair to our Conscious

Eating department with “Slow Food Takes Root,” a primer on a movement that is gaining momentum as it satisfies foodies’ hunger for a deeper appreciation and understanding of their meal’s origins, from farm to fork.

Don’t forget that October is national Shelter Pet month and there are thou-

sands of devoted, healthy cats and dogs waiting to bring joy, companionship and yes, wellness, into your home. Julie Peterson presents solid research into the many benefits of the human-animal bond.

And that’s just a taste of what you’ll find in this month’s issue of Natural Awakenings.

Best,

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert FRANCHISE DIRECTOR Anna Romano FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Scofield Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

Stephen Ellis, Publisher 4

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

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 12 MOUTH MATTERS

A Holistic Approach to Oral Health

14 RETHINKING OUR STUFF Moving Toward a Circular Economy

15 HOW TO AGE GRACEFULLY

With Strength, Flexibility and Vitality

16 DRILL-FREE DENTISTRY New Solutions for Cavities

18 SPINAL SOLUTIONS Chiropractic Care Yields Unexpected Results

20 DENTAL HYGIENE Habits for Optimal Health

21 THE ART OF THE NAP

Unplugging From Life Without Apology

22 JENNY ODELL ON

the Importance of Doing Nothing

24 MINDFULNESS IN THE CLASSROOM Meditative Training Helps Kids Thrive

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 SLOW FOOD TAKES ROOT Global Movement on Fast Track

27 LONGEVITY AND OPTIMAL WELLNESS The Keys to Healthy Golden Years

28 PAWS TO CONSIDER Best Friends Waiting for Homes

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 8 health briefs 10 global briefs 14 green living 15 healthy aging 16 holistic dentistry 18 healing ways 20 healthy habits

21 inspiration 22 wise words 24 healthy kids 26 conscious eating 27 natural health 28 natural pet 30 calendar 33 resource guide October 2019

news briefs

Free Interactive Webinars on Stress

r. Serena Satcher is offering a free interactive webinar titled What Three Things You Can Do Today, Because Your Stress is Making You Sick. In this webinar, she will address what causes stress, how the body reacts to it, how it causes the body to store fat and what we can do about it. This webinar will be offered at 2 p.m. on October 3. Participants will learn how stress shows up in the body as symptoms that you thought were something else as well as how hormone imbalances, especially thyroid and cortisol for both men and women, can distort one’s midsection into a large belly and prevent weight Dr. Serena Satcher loss—even with dieting and exercise. These same hormone imbalances can affect sleep cycles, carbohydrate cravings and drop fat burning down through the floor. Even with calorie counting, without getting a handle on stress, that belly fat will not come off. Learn what really works for permanent loss of belly fat and bulges through a safer, non-life-threatening approach to wellness. She will also discuss how witnessing, perpetuating, inflicting or undergoing violent acts contribute to chronic stress and poor health. Learn how racism, sexism, chronic oppression and abuse contribute to chronic stress and poor health. Satcher, an M.D. and certified in PMR, functional medicine and integrative medicine, specializes in metabolic and autoimmune problems affecting the glands, nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Location: 6820 Commercial Dr., Ste. D, Springfield, VA. To register, contact 703-454-9326, ext. 0 or email Info@TreatYourselfToHealth.com.

Get Illuminated in Frederick

ry something new or indulge yourself with an old favorite. Illuminate Frederick Mind-Body-Spirit-Arts Festival will showcase the finest of local holistic wellness practitioners, products and amazing artisans of all kinds from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 20. Practitioners offer mini-sessions of body- and energy-work such as reiki, massage or sound therapy. Try an intuitive reading, consult an astrologer or see what the Tarot deck reveals with an expert interpreter. Many exhibitors will offer exclusive show specials. Explore energy-enhancing crystals, essential oils and natural spa products. Find jewelry, gifts and select from beautiful art choices from a variety of disciplines—you may find painting, photography, pottery, glasswork and more. Admission also includes hourly free workshops on a wide range of topics. Visit IlluminateFestivals.com/Frederick for listings. Join in a wonder-filled day of wellness and spiritual rebalancing where you can shop, sample and delight your senses. Illuminate Festivals create a welcoming, inclusive place to learn, connect and enhance well-being. Festival founder Judy Bazis encourages attendees to “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. Cost: $6 Admission/$5 advance online purchase. Free admission for active and veteran military, emergency response personnel and children under 18. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Location: Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center, 5400 Holiday Dr., Frederick, Maryland. 6

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Repair Your Gut, Regain Your Vitality: A Free Webinar

n estimated one in five Americans suffers from digestive disorders from an inflamed, diseased or imbalanced gastrointestinal system. Many sufferers seek help through over-thecounter medications to alleviate symptoms without addressing the underlying problem. In some cases, digestive disorders become so severe that they develop into serious diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis and acid reflux. Sometimes these problems can be caused by food allergies you are unaware that you have. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Dr. Alex Leon, a Functional Medicine physician from the Rose Wellness Center, in Oakton, is offering a free webinar on this topic at 7 p.m. on October 23. The webinar is titled A Natural Approach to Dealing with Chronic Gastrointestinal Problems. The gastrointestinal system is a complex set of organs responsible for digestion, nutritional absorption and waste elimination. Symptoms of digestive disorders or inflammation are hard to miss. Many people suffer from chronic constipation, diarrhea and abdominal cramping, yet they are unaware of the cause for their discomfort. There is a direct correlation between GI health and the body’s immune system. When the ‘gut’ is not well, neither is the rest of the body. Some common symptoms include feeling sluggish, frequent fatigue, infrequent (less than once per day) or irregular bowel movements, discomfort or bloating after eating, a diagnosis with a gastrointestinal disease or heartburn or indigestion. In this webinar, attendees will have the chance to learn more about this condition, understand the causes and the natural ways to relieve the symptoms, as well as ask the doctor your personal questions in this live webinar.

Save

Consistent. Caring. Committed.

Expect More than Clean.

We know your time is valuable. That’s why our customers have depended on us for 28 years. Our star green cleaning team will get your home sparkling... ...and keep it that way!

INTRODUCTORY OFFER! $30 OFF 1st Cleaning $20 OFF 3rd Cleaning

Great eco-friendly house cleaning is all about the people.

Trusted since 1989 A+ BBB Rating HEPA Vacuums Remove 4x Allergens & Pollen Flexible Scheduling

Promo Code: NATAWA0918

Expires 09/30/18 Expires 11/30/19 Valid for new customers scheduling regular service. Some restrictions apply. Please call for details.

THE ONLY CLEANING SERVICE THAT’S GREEN CLEAN CERTIFIED® FOR YOUR HEALTH “I’m proud of everything I do to make my customers happy.”

-Isabel S. Ma

11 years with

id Brigad

Natural Awakenings DC e NaturalAwakeningsDC.com When you want help cleaning, we’re the cleaning help you want!

703.879.2630 Ad Proof for Natural Awakenings• maidbrigade.com Trained

To: Email:

Certified

Uniformed

Insured

P: 202-505-4835 F: 703-652-3962

Please sign your proof and complete the following information: (Ad is shown at actual size. See second page for larger ads.) Ad is approved: contact information and spelling is correct Ad is approved with changes indicated Ad is not approved – make changes indicated

For more information or to register, visit NnaturalApproachToChronicGastroIntestinal Problems.eventbrite.com. See ad, page 22. October 2019

Reduce Kids’ Risk of High Blood Pressure With Maternal Vitamin D Children born with low vitamin D levels have an approximately 60 percent higher risk of elevated systolic blood pressure between ages 6 and 18, reports a study of 775 Boston children published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension. Those with persistently low levels of vitamin D through early childhood had double the risk of elevated systolic blood pressure between ages 3 and 18. Higher systolic numbers increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Because infants’ vitamin D levels are determined by the mothers’ levels during pregnancy, researchers suggest exploring an official recommendation for vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy. 8

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

nadisja /Shutterstock.com

In a Brazilian study published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, extracts of rosemary leaves and pomegranate peels, along with a South African herb known as misty plume bush, significantly reduced the ability of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria to grow and spread in the laboratory, a finding that may help develop new strategies against the superbug.

Up to 75 percent of women deal at some point with the itchiness, discharge and sexual discomfort and pain of vaginal yeast infections caused by Candida species, the most prevalent being Candida albicans. Egyptian laboratory researchers tested fennel oil and eight other plantbased essential oils on 19 Candida albicans strains that were resistant to the antifungal medication fluconazole. They found that the fennel oil had significant antifungal properties against the strains, outperforming chamomile, jojoba, nigella, fenugreek, cod liver, peppermint, clove and ginger oils. When combined with fluconazole, fennel was effective on seven strains, theoretically lowering the need for higher doses of the medication.

Flashon Studiol/Shutterstock.com

Fight MRSA With Herbal Extracts

Try Fennel Oil to Fight Vaginal Yeast

Protect Kids From Bullying to Lower Risk of Teen Depression A three-decade study of 3,325 young people in Bristol, UK, found that kids that were bullied at age 10 had eight times the rate of depression in their teen years, and that it persisted for some into their adult years. Using detailed mood and feelings questionnaires and genetic information, researchers found that childhood bullying was strongly associated with depression. Bullied children had a greater risk of both limited depression occurrence and persistent depressive issues. Other risk factors found to be associated with depression in the children included anxiety and the mother’s postnatal depression.

Luis Molinero/Shutterstock.com

health briefs

nortongo/Shutterstock.com

Karlosk/Shutterstock.com

HelloRF Zcool/Shutterstock.com

New Design Illustrations/Shutterstock.com

lzf/Shutterstock.com

Consider Motherwort to Reduce Postpartum Bleeding A meta-review of 37 studies that included 7,887 mothers giving birth found that an injection of oriental motherwort (Leonurus japonicus), a Traditional Chinese Medicine herb used for thousands of years, decreased blood loss and other adverse events during birth at a minimal cost with few side effects.

Take Cordyceps to Enhance Immunity Cordyceps, a fungus that grows on caterpillars high in the Himalayas, has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a rejuvenating and performance-enhancing medicine. The latest Korean research shows it also boosts the immune system. Scientists tested 79 healthy adults for eight weeks, giving 39 of them 1,680 milligrams of cordyceps a day in capsules and the other 40 were given a placebo. The cordyceps produced a 38 percent increase in natural killer (NK) cell activity, which plays a role in immunity by detecting and killing virus-infected cells, tumor cells and abnormal cells.

Take Rosemary to Boost Memory, Mood and Sleep The common kitchen herb rosemary holds promise for insomniacs. Iranian researchers tested 68 university students for a month, giving them either 1,000 milligrams of rosemary herb each day or a placebo. Those that took the rosemary herbal supplement had improved memory, reduced anxiety and less depression at the end of the month. Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory scale, those taking the rosemary slept better, as well.

Functional Medicine

Functional Medicine Functional Medicine Do you suffer with Chronic Pain? Fatigue? Do you need help balancing your hormones?

Do you suffer with Chronic Pain? Fatigue? Do you suffer with Chronic Pain? Fatigue? Do you need help balancing your hormones?

Whatever your health challenges are, we can help you get on the path to real wellness. Do youand need help balancing yourbyhormones? We believe in restoring maintaining good health strengthening the body's own healing power to prevent disease and overcome chronic illnesses. We strive to identify the Whatever yourget health we can help you get the pathintorestoring real wellness. We can help you on challenges the path are, to real wellness. Weonbelieve root cause and treat YOU rather than just your symptoms. We will help pinpoint hormone, and maintaining good health by strengthening the body’s ownthe healing We believe in restoring and maintaining good health by strengthening body's own metabolic, digestive, nutritional and food sensitivity issues. Our practitioners create perpower to prevent disease and overcome chronic illnesses. We strive to the healing power to prevent disease and overcome chronic illnesses. We strive to sonalized treatment plans based on your history as well as results from identify specialized diagidentify the root cause and treat YOU rather than just your symptoms. root cause andWe treathave YOU2rather than justMedicine your symptoms. We willanhelp pinpoint hormone, nostic testing. Functional Physicians, Integrative Nutritionist, a Classical Homeopath and an Acupuncturist. Let usissues. helpOur youpractitioners on your journey to healing. OUR KEY SERVICES AND TREATMENTS INCLUDE: metabolic, digestive, nutritional and food sensitivity create per-

sonalized treatment plans based on your history as well as results from specialized diag• Integrative and Functional Hypothyroidism Our key services Medicine and treatments•include: nostic testing. We have 2 Functional Medicine Physicians, an Integrative Nutritionist, a • Bio-Identical Replacement*Acupuncture (BHRT) • Acupuncture *Integrative andHormone Functional Medicine Classical Homeopath and an Acupuncturist. Let us help you on your journey to healing. • Fibromyalgia andReplacement other Chronic • Homeopathy *Bio-Identical Hormone (BHRT) Illnesses *Homeopathy *Hypothyroidism Nutritional Counseling • Women’s and Men’s Mood*Integrative Disorder Treatment Our keyHealth services and• treatments include: and other Chronic•Illnesses *Digestive Health Program • Food*Fibromyalgia Sensitivity Testing Integrative Nutritional Counseling *Integrative and Functional Medicine *Acupuncture and Men’s Health *Weight Loss Programs •*Women’s Digestive Health Program Loss Programs *Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement (BHRT)• Weight *Homeopathy *Mood Disorder Treatment *Thermography • Thermography • Infrared Sauna Therapy *Hypothyroidism *Integrative Nutritional Counseling *Food Sensitivity Testing

*Infrared Sauna Therapy

*Fibromyalgia and other Chronic Illnesses

*Digestive Health Program

*Women’s and Men’s Health

*Weight Loss Programs

*Mood Disorder Treatment

*Thermography

Dr. Sushma MD MD Dr. Alex Dr. Leon, McMillan,MS, LDN Michael Liss, Homa Hashime, Dr. Hiranii, Sushma Hiranii, AlexMD Leon , MD Elizabeth Elizabeth McMillan, Michael Liss, Homeopath Virginia Mitchell, Acupuncture *Food Sensitivity Testing *Infrared Sauna Therapy MS, LDN Homeopath Acupuncture

Located in Oakton, VA Call (571)529-6699 Let us help you on your journey to healing. www.RoseWellness.com

Regain Your Health & Vitality

Oakton, VA • 571-529-6699 • RoseWellness.com Dr. Sushma Hiranii, MD

Dr. Alex Leon , MD

Elizabeth McMillan, MS, LDN

Michael Liss, Homeopath Virginia Mitchell, Acupuncture

Located in Oakton, VA Call (571)529-6699 October 2019 www.RoseWellness.com

Other-Worldly Rock

The endangered Florida panther has been saved from extinction thanks to the introduction of female Texan pumas, reports a 10-year study conducted by the University of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The pumas, which like the panthers, are a sub-species of cougar, were brought to Florida in 1995 to counter the effects of habitat loss and health issues caused by panther inbreeding, including heart defects, infertility and other genetic problems. The panther population has since rebounded from a low of 20 to 30 cats to between 120 and 230.

The Makhonjwa Mountains of South Africa harbor some of the planet’s oldest rocks, including meteorites that have been striking the Earth for eons. According to the peer-reviewed journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, researchers using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy have discovered a 3.3 billion-year-old layer of rock that contains two types of insoluble organic matter, both of which suggest extraterrestrial origins, making it the oldest extraterrestrial organic matter ever identified.Many scientists think the basic molecules of life may have originated in outer space.

mlorenz/Shutterstock.com

Texas Pumas Counter Inbreeding

Extraterrestrial Matter Found on Earth

Diplomatic Freeze

Conflicts Heating Up Over Arctic Reserves

Scientists warn that the Arctic is heating up much faster than the world average because of rising greenhouse gas emissions. Over the last five years, the region has been warmer than at any time since record keeping began in 1900, which is opening up untapped reserves of oil, gas, uranium, gold, fish and rare earth minerals. At a May meeting of the Arctic Council,U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Russia and China against “aggressive” actions in the region, saying, “This is America’s moment to stand up as an Arctic nation.” Gao Feng, the head of the Chinese delegation to the council, whose mission is to foster cooperation among Arctic countries and protect the fragile environment, says, “It’s [the U.S.] a country that stepped out of the Paris Agreement and then they’re talking about protecting the environment of the Arctic.” 10

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Humanitarian Plea

Environmental Destruction Tapped as War Crime

Twenty-four scientists from around the world published a letter entitled, “Stop Military Conflicts From Trashing Environment,” in the journal Nature, urging the United Nations International Law Commission to create protections for the environment in armed conflicts. It reads, “We call on governments to incorporate explicit safeguards for biodiversity, and to use the commission’s recommendations to finally deliver a Fifth Geneva Convention to uphold environmental protection during such confrontations.” The four existing Geneva Conventions and their three additional protocols are globally recognized treaties that establish standards under international humanitarian law for the treatment of wounded military personnel, shipwrecked sailors, prisoners of war and civilians during armed conflicts. Violating the treaties amounts to a war crime.

Friederike K/Shutterstock.com

Panther Power

RTimages/Shutterstock.com

global briefs

Riccardo Mayer/Shutterstock.com Elena11/Shutterstock.com

Tiny Scrubbers

Runoff Results

Askwsar Hilonga, Ph.D., a chemical engineer and public health scientist in Tanzania, grew up dealing with waterborne diseases such as cholera that made him ill. According to the World Health Organization, he has used his scientific expertise and local knowledge to develop a purification system based on nanomaterials. While the filter is still under study, stations have been set up throughout Tanzania, mostly managed by women, to help those that otherwise would not have safe drinking water.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates the algae-choked “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico near the mouth of the Mississippi River spanned 7,829 square miles this summer, roughly the size of Massachusetts and considerably above the 6,000-square-mile five-year average. The largest recorded Gulf dead zone to date was 8,776 square miles in 2017. Dead zones occur when algae sinks and decomposes, sucking oxygen from the water and making it impossible for marine life to exist, jeopardizing billions of dollars generated by commercial fishing in the area. The phenomenon is primarily attributed to chemical fertilizer runoff from Midwestern farms into the Mississippi, exacerbated by warming trends.

Nanoparticles Purify Water

Fertile Fish

Gopal Seshadrinatha/Shutterstock.com

Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock.com

Unexpected Aquatic Rebound

Overfished and struggling widow rockfish are returning to the Pacific coast. Legal protections since 2001 had made it illegal to take the fish commercially, and fisheries managers implemented “catch share” regulations as the fishing fleet dwindled from 400 to 50 trawlers. But the fish have made a faster comeback than expected. National Marine Fisheries Service biologist Jason Cope notes that scientists were surprised by how quickly some rockfish species can reproduce. “We thought it might take a century or so for them to rebuild themselves; it’s now taking maybe a decade.”

Superfund Success Story Toxic Site Now Welcomes Walkers

A wood-treating process for telephone poles that caused soil and groundwater contamination prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate 47 acres in Bellingham, Washington, as a Superfund site in 1997. The cleanup, including removal of 28,000 tons of contaminated soil to a repository, reestablishment of a natural stream and restoring wetlands, is now complete, with walking and bicycling paths, newly planted native trees and wetland shrubs, and returning birdlife. The Oeser Company, which cooperated with the cleanup, has operated at the site since 1943 and continues to do so.

Gulf Dead Zone Keeps Growing

Mushrooming Problem

Climate Crisis May Promote Superbugs

A new analysis links climate change to the recent global rise of a multidrug-resistant fungal superbug, Candida auris. A decade after it was discovered in 2009, the superbug has popped up in many genetically distinct strains in more than 30 countries on three continents. Mystified, scientists say that fungal diseases are relatively uncommon in humans because of body temperature, but if they adapt to rising temperatures and aren’t easily treatable with medications, they could increasingly endanger human health on a global scale. “Global warming may lead to new fungal diseases that we don’t even know about right now,” warns Arturo Casadevall, lead author of the study published in mBio and chair of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. October 2019

We look at the underlying causes for gum disease and cavities: Is it your diet, or hormonal changes or acid reflux?

Mouth Matters A Holistic Approach to Oral Health T

“

by Ronica O’Hara

he mouth is the doorway to the body,” so the saying goes, and today we know just how true that is. Years ago, the biannual trip to the dentist was typically a simple “drill-andfill” operation, with other health concerns not given a second glance. Now, emerging research shows that when we neglect basic oral care—even that annoying task of nightly or post-meal flossing—we endanger our heart, lungs, kidneys and even our brains by allowing the buildup of pernicious bacteria in our gums. In April, University of Louisville School of Dentistry researchers reported that the bacteria P. gingivalis, which flourishes in gum disease, was found in brain samples of deceased Alzheimer’s patients— and that inflammation, swelling and bleeding in gums can transport the bacteria from the mouth into the bloodstream simply through chewing or teeth-brushing. The study also linked the bacteria to rheumatoid arthritis and aspiration pneumonia. 12

Washington, D.C.

Advanced gum disease also increases the risk of cancer by 24 percent, especially lung and colorectal cancers; quadruples the rate of kidney disease; and increases the risk of strokes, coronary artery disease, diabetes and pre-term births, other studies show. These findings have sobering implications for the nearly half of the American adults over age 30 and 70 percent of adults 65 and older with gum disease. “Science has proven that a healthy mouth is a healthy body,” says San Francisco holistic dentist Nammy Patel, author of Age With Style: Your Guide to a Youthful Smile & Healthy Living.

Body, Mind, Teeth

It’s part of the reason for the fresh interest in holistic dentistry, sometimes called biologic dentistry. “We look at the entire body, not just the mouth,” says Bernice Teplitsky, DDS, of Wrigleyville Dental, in Chicago, and president of the Holistic Dental Association (HDA), based in Coral Gables, Florida. Holistic dentists abstain from toxic

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

materials, remove amalgam fillings, may be wary of root canals and focus on minimally invasive procedures—some of which may be high-tech and cutting-edge, such as lasers to clean teeth and gums, ozone therapy to slow the growth of infections and air abrasion to “sandblast” away small areas of tooth decay. Holistic dentists work closely with a wide range of other complementary practitioners. “We look at the underlying causes for gum disease and cavities: Is it your diet, or hormonal changes or acid reflux?” Patel explains. That may mean prescribing a head massage, acupuncture session, meditation lessons or dietary counseling. They may run blood tests for biocompatibility of materials and incorporate approaches from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, herbology, homeopathy, iridology, craniosacral therapy and energy medicine. They will look for signs of sleep apnea and often treat it. However, with the added tests and consultations, they tend to be more expensive, with many procedures not covered by dental insurance. Their numbers are small: Only 391 of 199,000 American dentists belong to the HDA, or about one in 500. Yet the natural health movement that drives holistic dentistry is having an effect on the profession at large. Many dentists nationwide, pressured by patients and aided by new technology, are abandoning toxic and invasive options for less harmful methods. Controversial mercury amalgam fillings are being edged out by less toxic options like resin composites that match teeth color; the amount of mercury sold in the U.S. for dental amalgams fell by half between 2001 and 2013. Conventional dental X-rays, which in a Yale study published in the American Cancer Association journal Cancer were linked to non-cancerous brain tumors, are yielding to computerized digital X-rays with a fifth of the radiation: As many as two out of

Francesco83/Shutterstock.com

~Nammy Patel

Faces Portrait/Shutterstock.com

three dentists have switched over. And aided by computer imaging software and 3-D printers, dentists are fabricating new crowns, implants, bridges and dentures right in the office, instead of using what Austin, Texas, dentist David Frank calls “intrusive analog [gooey impressions] that left patients feeling claustrophobic, highly anxious and consistently worried about gagging.”

We look at the entire body, not just the mouth. ~Bernice Teplitsky

When visiting a dentist, whether holistic or not, it’s wise to be prepared with a natural health mindset. Some questions to ask are:

What are you filling the cavity with? Just say no to amalgam, a mixture

Should I have my amalgam fillings removed? Holistic dentists like Patel

give a strong yes. “The problem arises with mercury when you chew or brush your teeth. The abrasion creates heat and causes the mercury to off-gas. Those vapors get swallowed and go into your body, where they’re stored—and that creates significant health hazards—because we’re talking about a known poison,” she says. Other dentists disagree about removal, citing its risks: Holistic pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil, for example, writes that removing amalgam fillings is often unnecessary, costly and stressful, and recommends exchanging them for composite resin only when they break down.

Do I really need antibiotics? Oregon State University researchers found in a study this year of 90,000 patients that the

wary of the following ingredients: fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan and sodium hydroxide. These ingredients are a plus: baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), green tea, Eucalyptol, menthol, tea tree oil and vitamin D.

Flossing: Some smooth, slippery flosses

Dialogue With Dentists

of heavy metals, of which about half is elemental mercury that slowly releases toxic vapors. Plus, “Heavy metals can leak into the enamel tubes of the teeth causing the teeth to appear gray or dark blue and making them brittle over time,” warns Los Angeles cosmetic dentist Rhonda Kalasho. Instead, ask for relatively nontoxic options such as porcelain or composite resins, which can be made of materials such as silica, ceramic, plastics and zirconium oxide. Some composite resins contain the endocrine disrupters Bis-GMA or BPA; for extra protection, ask for one that doesn’t, or ask the dentist to use a rubber dam to prevent swallowing it.

Toothpaste: Study the labels and be

antibiotics often prescribed by dentists as prevention against infection are unnecessary 81 percent of the time, and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Typically, patients didn’t have the precise cardiac conditions that warranted the extra caution.

Is a root canal the best option?

Some holistic dentists counsel against root canals, citing the risk of long-term health problems caused by lingering bacteria, and advocate the use of herbs, laser therapy or extractions instead. “If root canals were done 20 to 30 years ago, it is definitely a problem, because there were not enough technological advances to clean out all the bacteria which could cause chronic health complications,” says Patel. “Nowadays, depending on the tooth root, canals can be 99.9 percent cleaned by lasers.”

Back to the Basics Considering the stakes, preventive care is all-important and there are many natural options to guarantee robust oral health. At the natural health store or drugstore, consider the following options:

Toothbrush: Electric toothbrushes re-

duced plaque 21 percent more and gingivitis 11 percent more after three months compared to manual toothbrushes, reported a review of 56 studies involving 5,068 participants. Those that rotate rather than brush back-and-forth clean slightly better.

are coated with toxic, Teflon-like perfluorinated polymers linked to kidney and testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis and hormonal disruptions. A recent study found higher levels in women using those flosses. Instead, use the old-fashioned nylon kind or try out new flosses made of biodegradable silk or bamboo or those infused with antimicrobial tea tree oil. Or, consider a water flosser, which Canadian researchers found were 29 percent more effective at plaque removal than string floss.

Mouthwash: Mouthwashes containing

alcohol significantly raise the risk of throat cancer, Australian researchers found. Instead, opt for super-healthy green tea as a mouthwash, as well as a drink. Studies show that it protects teeth from erosion and promotes healthy gums. Another simple option is warm salt water, using one cup of water and one-half teaspoon of salt. A 2017 study by the Cochrane medical study organization found it is virtually as effective as the prescription antiseptic mouthwash chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque and microbes.

Pulling: An ancient Ayurvedic remedy, this involves swishing a spoonful of organic coconut oil around the mouth and through the teeth for 10 to 20 minutes. The oil’s lauric acid, a natural antibacterial, has been found in studies to reduce plaque formation and fungal infections, as well as the strains of bacteria linked to bad breath and irritated gums. Taking care of our teeth and gums is simply worth the daily time and trouble to facilitate long-term health. “Your oral care should be taken just as seriously as watching your diet,” advises Kalasho. Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@ gmail.com. October 2019

BsWei/Shutterstock.com

green living

RETHINKING OUR STUFF

Moving Toward a Circular Economy by Yvette Hammett

hen Yale researcher Reid Lifset began working on waste issues on a life cycle basis—from “cradle to grave”—it was mostly the world’s geeks and nerds that paid attention, he says. “Today, it’s called the ‘circular economy’ and it’s sexy. It wasn’t sexy back then.” While many still have never even heard the term, the “circular economy” is all about rethinking the way we make stuff—designing products that can be reused and powering it all with renewable energy. It’s an alternative to the “make-useand-dispose” mentality of the traditional linear economy. “You are the circular economy when you buy pre-owned, second-hand objects, or rent or share the use of objects, or have broken objects repaired instead of buying new ones,” says Walter Stahel, author of The Circular Economy: A User’s Guide and a member of the European Union’s Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform. In other words, everyone that buys sustainable goods or services, takes public transport or gets a lawnmower fixed instead of buying a new one is a participant.

Washington, D.C.

There’s a global movement afoot to expand the circular economy in an effort to significantly cut the waste stream, reduce our carbon footprint and conserve resources. It began with the three R’s—reduce, recycle and reuse, says Lifset, a Research Scholar at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies who edits the Journal of Industrial Ecology, which focuses on the environmental consequences of production and consumption. The emphasis has always been on recycling, but as that becomes more difficult due to saturation levels, the emphasis is shifting to the more comprehensive goals of a circular economy—or should be, says Stahel, an engineering professor at the University of Surrey. Tinia Pina, a program leader at NY Cares, joined the movement after observing the poor food choices her Harlem, New York, students were making and the amount of waste attached to them. She founded Re-Nuble, a small manufacturing operation in New York City, to transform food waste into fertilizer pellets that can be used in hydroponic farming.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

“There is a strong need to try to reduce the volume of waste,” Pina says. “There is also a strong need to produce sustainable—and, ideally, chemical-free— food and make it affordable for all.” She hopes to eventually replicate her process for creating fertilizer in other large cities across the country. Leasing is another classic example of how the circular economy might work, Lifset says. “If the entity that made [a product] ends up with it when it becomes waste, that company will handle it differently.” The company can instead design a product so that it remains in the economy instead of becoming part of the waste stream, he notes. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation was established in the UK in 2010 to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. It offers numerous case studies, including a San Francisco effort called Cradle to Cradle Carpets for City Buildings. Last year, the city passed legislation requiring all departments to use carpeting containing no antimicrobials, fluorinated compounds or flame retardants. Both the carpet fibers and backing materials “must contain minimum amounts of recycled materials and ultimately be recyclable at end-of-use.” Most important: It must be Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver or better. The certification is a globally recognized standard for safer, more sustainable products made for the circular economy. Meantime, the European Union has embraced the circular economy as a boon to job creation and a way to significantly address climate change. By shifting to a circular economy, the European growth rate can be increased by an additional 0.6 percent a year and carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 48 percent by 2030, according to a 2017 report by McKinsey & Company. Just how much of the world’s industries must participate to meet these goals is yet to be determined. “That,” Stahel says, “is the billiondollar question.” Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. She can be contacted at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com.

to all tissues as well as oxygenates them. Likewise, the type of exercise is important. While it is important to pick the exercise that you like and that you are most likely to do, it is equally important to incorporate stretching, movement such as walking, hiking in nature, swimming, aerobic exercise for cardiovascular health and strength training—which is great for your bones. Many turn to the Chinese disciplines of qigong or tai chi. These forms of exercise help balance your energy while you get yourself moving and contracting your muscles throughout your body.

healthy Aging

Third, biochemistry and inflammation are an important considerations for aging gracefully.

How to Age Gracefully

With Strength, Flexibility and Vitality

by Allan Tomson

e all do it—age. However, some of us age with more strength, flexibility and vitality than others. In essence, some people have discovered how to age gracefully. There are some simple but important steps to learn from those who have mastered the skill of aging gracefully.

First, it is important to understand that hydration is critical to muscle function. Dehydration causes the human body to become stiff and inflexible as we age. Our bodies operate in a fluid medium, and thus, the level of fluid in the body is critical to maintaining flexibility. Dehydration causes many symptoms, including headaches, muscle cramping and fatigue, to name a few. If we are going into old age and want our bodies to function at a high level, we must be well hydrated. In his book, Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj states that you should drink up to half your body weight in water. Somewhere at or below this ratio is probably safe for water consumption.

Second, a critical factor in how you feel as you age is what kind and how many traumas and injuries you have experienced.

Medical professionals of all specialties note that the body can have “muscle memory” when it comes to old injuries. This means that the tissue never fully healed. It works like this: our bodies use muscle tightening as a way of protection when we are injured. Muscle and/or fascia tighten to shore up the body—providing a kind of armor to give the body time to heal. This tightening can last months to years. An example might be a car accident in which the driver injures her neck severely. Time passes and the body goes through the healing process. Often, however, the soft tissue doesn’t actually complete the healing process. Now, the driver’s neck is more susceptible to stresses and has a chronic underlying tension in the fascia and muscle. The body must keep going, so she just gets used to the tightness. Eventually you don’t notice it or the loss of function. Similarly, mental and emotional strain from unresolved traumas and dramas may lead to tensions also stored in the soft tissue. The body is a sponge for soaking up trauma and problems we encounter in our lives. So, what can we do daily to keep ourselves in a strengthened, vital state? Exercise is the key ingredient. It increases circulation

Our food supply in this country is largely based on convenience and ease of use. This has produced a marketplace with lots of highly processed, omega-6-rich foods, which can cause inflammation. A diet that is consistently made up of processed foods will produce an inflamed body. Choose instead live foods that support your biochemistry. Non-processed foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, should compose about 70 percent of your diet.

Fourth, meditation completes this list of considerations for aging gracefully.

It is very helpful in creating a sense of calm in your nervous system. There are many forms of meditation, including seated and in-movement. This can decrease central nervous system stress and shift your acid/base balance to more alkaline, which is optimal for your body. Include one of these forms as a daily practice and you will balance your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual self, which will enable you to age with grace. Allan Tomson, DC, is the executive director of Neck Back & Beyond Healing Arts, an integrative wellness center in Fairfax, with a satellite office in Manassas. Tomson is a chiropractor with skills and experience in functional medicine, visceral manipulation, craniosacral therapy and Edgar Cayce protocols. For more information, contact Dr. Tomson at 703-8655690 or visit NeckBackAndBeyond.com. See ad, page 9. October 2019

sterilized and is ready for fillings materials. The process is much quicker than a physical drilling technique, and there is no numbness or anesthesia required.

holistic dentistry

Drill-Free Dentistry A New Solution for Cavities by Sheri Salartash

ental anxiety, which is common among both children and adults, can be caused by negative dental experiences in the past, unpleasant noise from the drill, along with the sight of needles and metal tools. Dental trauma leads to denying necessary dental treatments, avoiding regular check-ups and professional cleaning. Finding ways to overcome this common fear is essential. Luckily, an innovative technology has given us the ability to improve the dental experience for patients while increasing the effectiveness. One of the most significant and recent advancements in dental technology is laser dentistry.

after the procedure. Similarly, the same concept is also utilized in laser dentistry, in order to perform more advanced techniques in dental work. The development of the dental laser has gone far beyond from when it was discovered. Advanced laser therapy can be applied in many dental procedures, such as removing cavities and overgrown tissue, killing bacteria, performing implants, root canals, treating gum disease or even whitening teeth with no sensitivity. Moreover, laser dentistry is ideal for people and children who are sensitive to needles, physical drills or have dental trauma and anxiety in general.

What is laser dentistry?

Tooth decay includes bacteria and rotten tooth area which contain more water molecules than the healthy tooth structure. At first, the laser’s light beam targets at the decayed area and rapidly heats the water molecules inside. After that, pressure inside those molecules increases and bacteria in the rotten area “explode” with a popping sound. Then, the decayed part of the tooth and all bacteria living inside the rotten tooth are completely removed without causing any pain for patients. Finally, the tooth is

In medicine, surgeons started to use lasers to provide treatments about 50 years ago. This technique has some beneficial characteristics. For instance, a medical laser is used to focus precisely on the target area to alter or remove inflamed tissues and kill bacteria, without hurting surrounding healthy tissues. Along with the precision of the laser, a quick recovery for patients is another added bonus. Patients who have laser therapy are less likely to experience pain, bleeding and discomfort 16

Washington, D.C.

How does laser work on cavities?

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

What are the benefits of this technique? Anxiety associated with dental procedures is greatly reduced due to elimination of injections, drill sound and vibration. Adults and children respond well to the treatment because there’s no drill vibration or needles involved. Instead, patients only hear a mild popping sound and a cool water spray. The laser also helps to reduce bacteria in the tooth structure and helps prevent leakage and recurrent cavities under new fillings. In some dental cases, laser-assisted therapy reduces the chance of having a root canal up to 90 percent. Additional benefits of this non-invasive procedure are that it requires no anesthesia and causes no numbness in most cases, patients have no pain or discomfort and shorter recovery times.

Can laser therapy treat all kinds of cavities?

Technically, the answer is yes. Laser therapy can be used as an effective tool to provide any cavity treatments. Depending on how serious the decayed area is, a laser procedure is recommended to remove dental caries, prepare for dental fillings and kill bacteria with much shorter time and less pain than traditional approaches. However, a cavity in one tooth can damage much of the tooth structure and be too large for regular fillings to be successfully placed. In those cases, patients have to be numb and dental laser will be used as a support technique for other regular treatments, such as crown, extraction and implants. Dr. Sheri Salartash, DDS, FAGD, offers comprehensive care for the mouth. From her green office, Dental Excellence Integrative Center, in Alexandria, using sustainable materials and advanced laser technology, Salartash treats both children and adults. To learn more about drill-free dentistry, call 703-745-5496 or visit Dental ExcellenceVa.com. See ad, page 23.

Seven years without a cold?

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 users say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had By Doug Cornell in years.” ore and more people are He asked relatives and friends to try Copper can also stop flu if used early saying they just don’t get it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians colds anymore. he patented CopperZap™ and put it on placed 25 million live flu viruses on They are using a new device made the market. a CopperZap. No viruses were found of pure copper, which scientists say Now tens of thousands of people alive soon after. kills cold and flu have tried it. Nearly Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams viruses. 100% of feedback confirming the discovery. He placed Doug Cornell said the copper millions of disease germs on copper. invented the stops colds if used “They started to die literally as soon as device in 2012. within 3 hours after they touched the surface,” he said. “I haven’t had a the first sign. Even People have used it on cold sores single cold since up to 2 days, if they and say it can completely prevent ugly then,” he says. still get the cold it outbreaks. You can also rub it gently on People were is milder than usual wounds or lesions to combat infections. skeptical but EPA and they feel The handle is New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university better. curved and finely studies demonstrate repeatedly that Users wrote things like, “It textured to improve viruses and bacteria die almost instantly stopped my cold right away,” and “Is contact. It kills germs when touched by copper. it supposed to work that fast?” picked up on fingers That’s why ancient Greeks and “What a wonderful thing,” wrote and hands to protect Egyptians used copper to purify water Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more you and your family. and heal wounds. They didn’t know colds for me!” Copper even about viruses and bacteria, but now we Pat McAllister, age 70, received kills deadly Dr. Bill Keevil: do. one for Christmas and called it “one Copper quickly kills germs that have cold viruses. Scientists say the high conductance of the best presents ever. This little become resistant to of copper disrupts the electrical balance jewel really works.” Now thousands of antibiotics. If you are near sick people, in a microbe cell and destroys the cell users have simply stopped getting colds. a moment of handling it may keep in seconds. People often use CopperZap serious infection away from you and So some hospitals tried copper touch preventively. Frequent flier Karen your loved ones. It may even save a life. surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. Gauci used to get colds after crowded The EPA says copper still works This cut the spread of MRSA and other flights. Though skeptical, she tried it even when tarnished. It kills hundreds illnesses by over half, and saved lives. several times a day on travel days for of different disease germs so it can Colds start after cold viruses get in 2 months. “Sixteen flights and not a prevent serious or even fatal illness. your nose, so the vast body of research sniffle!” CopperZap is made in America of gave Cornell an idea. When he next Businesswoman Rosaleen says pure copper. It has a 90-day full money felt a cold about to start, he fashioned when people are sick around her she back guarantee. It is $69.95. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it uses CopperZap morning and night. “It Get $10 off each CopperZap with gently in his nose for 60 seconds. saved me last holidays,” she said. “The code NATA13. “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The kids had colds going round and round, Go to www.CopperZap.com or cold never got going.” It worked again but not me.” call toll-free 1-888-411-6114. every time. Some users say it also helps with Buy once, use forever. ADVERTORIAL

Copper in new device stops cold and flu

October 2019

healing ways

Spinal Solutions Chiropractic Care Yields Unexpected Results

Pets are humanizing.

They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life. ~James Cromwell 18

Washington, D.C.

by Marlaina Donato

hiropractors are often perceived as back pain specialists, but optimal chiropractic care treats the whole person from the inside-out, starting with the nervous system. This means practitioners can address many conditions that transcend typical expectations. The human spinal column sports 31 pairs of nerves, some corresponding directly to digestive, reproductive and respiratory organs, which might explain why regular spinal adjustments and other chiropractic techniques can be helpful for seemingly unrelated conditions like asthma, chronic headaches, hormonal imbalances and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. A scientific review of 179 published papers focusing on various non-musculoskeletal conditions shows benefits of fullbody chiropractic treatment for asthma, infantile colic and cervical vertigo. Results are also promising for middle ear infections in children and pneumonia in seniors. Clinical evidence suggests the nervous system is a cohesive factor in achieving overall wellness. “In chiropractic and

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

holistic philosophy, the body is considered a self-healing organism,” explains chiropractic physician and applied kinesiologist Marc Terebelo, of the Chiropractic Wellness Center, in Southfield, Michigan. “The nervous system controls the body, so issues in the toes or fingers may be caused by spinal issues in the neck and low back. Likewise, bladder and menstrual cycle problems can be caused by injury to the low back or pelvic regions.” William J. Lauretti, a New York Chiropractic College professor in Seneca Falls, concurs with the benefits of holistic treatment. “Chiropractors view the body as an integrated unit, and problems in one area might affect a seemingly unrelated area,” he says. “Most chiropractors have a wide variety of treatment approaches to offer, including advice on nutrition, lifestyle, stress management and exercise.”

Chiropractic and Digestion

It’s worth noting that the nerves that innervate important digestive anatomy—from the salivary glands to the stomach down through the intestinal tract—branch off the

Chiropractors view the body as an integrated unit, and problems in one area might affect a seemingly unrelated area. ~William Lauretti spinal cord at various levels of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. “This means that chiropractic adjustments given to [the] neck, mid-back, lower back and sacrum are important to optimal digestive function,” says chiropractor Sean Cailteux, of Exodus Health, in Shawnee, Kansas. In his practice, Lauretti has observed better digestion as a positive side effect to regular adjustments. “I’ve had a few patients over the years who reported improvement in digestive problems after chiropractic treatment of the mid- and low back. In some of those cases, the improvement was serendipitous, because the patient didn’t discuss their digestive symptoms initially, only after they noticed the improvement.”

Hope for Headaches and TMJ Dysfunction

Chronic tension headaches and migraines can become the norm for too many individuals, but chiropractic care—including spinal adjustments, nutrition advice and addressing emotional causes such as stress and anxiety—can be key in reducing pain and getting to the root of the problem. “Technically, only headaches with a list of very particular characteristics can be properly diagnosed as migraines,” Lauretti explains. “The cause of many cases of chronic, long-term headaches is often from poor function of the muscles and joints in the neck.” These types of headaches often respond well to treatment focused on restoring normal function to the neck, he says. TMJ disorders can cause painful and sometimes debilitating symptoms, including facial and tooth pain and locking of the jaw. Chiropractic treatments often provide reliable relief. “The TMJ is a very important joint in the body, with thousands of neuroreceptors. TMJ involvements can cause headaches, particularly around the ear or side of the head, vertigo, tinnitus and other hearing issues,” says Terebelo. Cailteux notes that aside from experiencing jaw pain and headaches, someone suffering from TMJ disorder may have difficulty chewing, and may experience an audible clicking of the jaw with movement. “Chiropractic adjustments can be particularly helpful, especially when delivered to the TM joint and the neck. Gentle, soft-tissue manipulation of the muscles and tendons of the jaw, specifically the masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles, is also a highly effective treatment.” For a true holistic approach and lasting success, Lauretti offers this advice: “Look for a doctor who is willing to work as part of your healthcare team and who’s willing to refer you for specialty care when appropriate.” Marlaina Donato is the author of several books, including Multidimensional Aromatherapy. She is also a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

farm Taste the Difference!!

FRESH ORGANIC PRODUCE 2019 CSA Season

Celebrating 26 Seasons of Fresh, Local, Organic Produce from Spiral Path Farm—Direct from Loysville, PA

Pick up CSA Membership Box, weekly, at our farmers’ market locations in the Silver Springs and Bethesda area

Saturday Market

Downtown Silver Spring - April 27 - December 21

Sunday Market

Bethesda Central Farm Market - April 28 - December 22

3 CSA Share options to choose from: 1) Total Season - 35 weeks: Mid-April to Mid-December 2) Summer Share Season - 20 weeks: June thru Mid-October 3) One Month Sampler - any 4 weeks of your choice

Full or Medium CSA Share Sizes Available

Prices are pro-rated weekly in season

JOIN TODAY!

www.spiralpathfarm.com

717-789-4433

538 Spiral Farm Lane, Loysville, PA 17047 • CSA@SpiralPathFarm.com

MANIFEST YOUR

DESTINY

Find freedom and flexibility with Natural Awakenings franchise opportunities. Be your own boss and earn a living doing something you are passionate about while making a difference in your community. This rewarding home-based franchise opportunity provides training and ongoing support, following an established and proven business model.

239-530-1377 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Franchise October 2019

healthy habits

Dental Hygiene Habits for Optimal Health by Dr. Terry Victor, the DC Dentist

elcome to October, which

is National Dental Hygiene Month. Now is the perfect time to reassess your daily oral hygiene routine as it connects to your overall health and well-being. The connection between your mouth and your body make it imperative for you to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Everyone should have a daily routine that they follow consistently, including children. Your oral hygiene routine as recommended is flossing daily, brushing at least twice a day, rinsing daily and visiting your dentist every six months, or sooner, for your checkups and professional cleanings. Everyone who has been to the dentist has been told they need to floss every day; however, many people do not do this daily and some not at all. This explains the high level of periodontal disease (gum disease) in the United States. According to the Journal of Dental Research, 47.2 percent or nearly half of all Americans over the age of 30 have periodontal disease and 70 percent of adults 65 and older have it too. If left uncorrected, it can lead to bone loss, resulting in loss of teeth. One major incentive to remember is that, on average, people who keep their teeth live six to seven years longer than those who lose their teeth. 20

Washington, D.C.

Flossing helps eliminate gum disease by removing food from in between the teeth. Even after brushing and rinsing, food can be found on your teeth, making flossing imperative to fighting gum disease. Food left in your mouth turns into plaque and, if left over time, turns into calculus which can only be removed by a dental professional. In addition to daily flossing, patients should brush at least twice daily, in the morning and at night. It’s best to use a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush for two minutes and brush

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

all surfaces of every tooth—making sure to brush around the gum line. A soft-bristled electric toothbrush prevents gum irritation that could cause gum recession. An electric toothbrush is recommended for patients who tend to brush their teeth with excessive force, which many people do unknowingly. The best toothpaste and mouthwash to use contains all-natural ingredients and no alcohol in the mouthwash. Rinsing helps to remove any additional bacteria from the gums, cheeks and areas of the mouth. Even with the best oral hygiene routine at home, it’s still vital to visit your dentist every six months or sooner. There is a direct connection between good oral health and optimal overall health. For example, research has shown how gum disease is connected to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, a mouth that is not healthy causes the immune system to constantly work to fight this diseased state, and therefore the immune system is not fully available to work in other areas of the body, which causes the body to breakdown. When thinking about a long healthy and happy life, it is important not to forget about dental hygiene and put into practice these oral hygiene habits. Dr. Terry Victor, The DC Dentist, provides holistic, biological and eco-friendly general restorative and cosmetic dentistry. His practice is located at 509 11th St., SE, on Capitol Hill. For more information, call 202-544-3626 or visit The DCDentist.com. See ad, page 3.

Love yourself for who you

are, and trust me, if you are happy from within, you are the most beautiful person, and your smile is your best asset. ~Ileana D’Cruz

inspiration

NOVEMBER

Natural Sleep Solutions

plus: Optimal Thyroid Function BETTER SLEEP ISSUE

The Art of the Nap Unplugging From Life Without Apology

Readers are Seeking These Providers & Services:

Aromatherapy • Meditation Eco-Friendly Bedding & Accessories Energy Healing • Skin Care and Spas ... and this is just a partial list!

by Marlaina Donato

hildren, four-legged family members, Thanksgiving overeaters and the occasional squirrel on a branch have mastered an art that eludes most of us, and they engage in it without a shred of guilt. Defying our cultural habit of constantly being on the go and embracing the respite can be an active meditation, an invitation to cultivate uncommon stillness. Answering the siren’s call of a nap might very well be one of the most beneficial acts of self-care we can give ourselves. Both body and psyche crave chill-out times for good reasons. Using study subjects ranging from NASA pilots to emergency room staff, curling up for a 20- to 30-minute siesta has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure, boost immunity, improve motor skills and enhance job performance and creativity. Power naps—the short-but-sweet kind—give us the opportunity to nourish the most neglected part of life, the inner life. Rest-fueled “me-time” can be a daily ritual punctuated with both practical and aesthetic inspiration. Choosing a spot drenched in inviting natural light or close-curtained tranquility and reserving a favored pillow, chair or luxurious coverlet can usher in

blissful time-out. Adding the presence of aromatherapeutic essential oils like lavender, Roman chamomile or tangerine or a vase of simple fresh flowers can signal the ever-diligent sympathetic nervous system to cut back on overtime. Dropping down into unhurriedness like an anchor into port can prompt deeper and longer breaths and offer us the shameless chance to invest in quality daydreaming. Playing recorded sounds from nature—ocean waves, soft rain or gentle wind in the trees—can set the stage for a satisfying nap. Inviting the resident cat or pooch for a sleep-spell can also effect release of beneficial endorphins. Scheduling a nap into the day like any other appointment not only ensures follow-through, but presents a succulent slice of something to look forward to. Putting the computer on sleep mode and turning off the phone signals the brain that it’s time to recharge. Social media interaction and phone chats can wait. The pursuit of wellbeing does not need explanation, apology or, most of all, guilt. Pleasant dreams. Marlaina Donato is the author of several books. She is also a composer of healing and inspiring music. Connect with her at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

DECEMBER

Uplifting Humanity plus: Earth-Friendly Holidays

JANUARY

Age-Defying Lifestyles plus: Immune Support

CONNECT WITH OUR READERS THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL CALENDAR & MARKETING PLANNER

202-505-4835 October 2019

wise words

Jenny Odell on the Importance of Doing Nothing by Julie Peterson

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

photo by Ryan Meyer

enny Odell, a visuWhat is the al artist and writer “attention econbased in Oakland, omy” and why California, is known do you believe for her creative use of second-hand imagery it’s important to from Google Maps, resist it? YouTube, Craigslist and The attention economy other online sources. includes anything deHer work has been signed to capture and exhibited locally and direct human atteninternationally, and tion. The entire history was featured in Time of advertising has been LightBox, WIRED, The about exploiting attenEconomist and tion. But the attention The Atlantic. Both social media and economy takes on Odell, who has new dimensions with been teaching internet the cult of productivity something like social art and digital design are seductive, and when media, whose notifiat Stanford University we’re caught up in them, cations, pop-ups and since 2013, says she is we don’t question them. design are aimed at compelled by the ways keeping someone on in which attention a platform…[contributing] to a general (or lack thereof) leads to consequential feeling that one needs to be always on… shifts in perception. Her new book, How participating… available. to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Someone who participates deeply Economy, proposes that we use our in the attention economy is liable to attention to rebel against the seductive be kept in a loop of anxiety, fear and pull of 24/7 availability and manipulation shallow reaction. Ironically, this feeling by algorithms. She tells us that redirecting our atten- drives them back toward the attention economy, creating an unhealthy spiral of tion toward nature allows us to gradually attention that could be more meaningremake our lives and forego the mentality fully directed elsewhere. that tells us that we must have a constant return on investment. True productivity, What inspired you to rethink in the end, may very well be connected conventional wisdom about to our role in the environment and our productivity, progress and the understanding of happiness, and to make mentality that we must have a those connections, we must put our attention to doing nothing. constant return on our invest-

ment—including how we spend our time and where we direct our attention?

Right after the election, in late 2016, a warehouse fire in Oakland claimed the lives of many artists. I became aware of how difficult it was becoming to step away and process anything, not to mention mourn. I found that it was only by stepping away that I was able to ask questions about what it was I really wanted and how I could act meaningfully. Both social media and the cult of productivity are seductive, and when we’re caught up in them, we don’t question them. Understanding anything requires perspective and standing outside of it; productivity is no different. Temporarily ascending to a broader, removed view, you might find that you’re struggling in all the wrong ways, or in the wrong direction.

How is “doing nothing” different from meditation?

It certainly shares some of the same goals. But whereas certain forms of meditation emphasize physical stillness, “doing nothing” for me includes things like wandering and observing.

What is the relationship between our well-being and being unproductive for a part of each day?

When we’re caught up in the idea of productivity, we’re often not

thinking about our own well-being. And yet, the “unproductive” part of one’s day is likely the one in which you remember to take care of yourself or even listen to the needs of your mind and body at all.

How do we go about challenging the forces that are disconnecting us from nature and each other?

I think the first step is simply a movement of attention. Addictive as social media may be, it is not difficult for me to move my attention from that to what is happening in physical space. Sometimes this leads to meeting other people; I’ve had great conversations with strangers when we were both peering up at the same tree, looking at the same bird.

What do you hope people will take away from the message of your book?

I hope it creates a space in which someone might begin to look at the ways they currently direct their attention and how they might want to change that. I also hope it helps people find each other. Rediscovering one’s bio-region or local history is a great way to meet others who might not exist within your social media bubble. Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Reach her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Whole Health Solutions with Biomimetic Dentistry Dr. Sheri Salartash, DDS, FAGD, FICOI, FAAIP

NOW FEATURING:

OZONE/OXYGEN THERAPY! Dental Excellence Integrative Center

offers innovative technologies in holistic dental practice. Ozone/Oxygen is a non-invasive, drug free, highly effective therapy technique that can stimulate gum health, heal infected areas, kill bacteria and more! No more harmful antibiotics!

LASER PROCEDURES:

THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN LASER DENTISTRY

• No-Needles, No-Anesthesia, No-Pain Advanced Laser Therapy • Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea / Snoring Treatment AND: • TMJ and headache treatment with Neuromuscular and EMG therapy • Immune System Reactivity Testing for Dental Material Biocompatibility • Lip & Tongue Tie Laser Release • High-Quality Green Materila

As a mercury safe office, we are aware of the potential danger of excess exposure to mercury and follow IAOMT protocols.

NEW PATIENT $2,500 Express Clear Aligners 3-6 months only!

(Restriction applied, no insurance special)

Present this coupon at your first comprehensive visit for a

FREE WHITENING PEN!

Dr. Sheri wants everyone to grow to their genetic potential! The goal of each treatment revolves around whole body wellness, improved airway function, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) strength and proper facial aesthetics. Her team works with the body’s inherent ability to heal itself to achieve patient’s unique dental, health and beauty goals. Our signature approach to treatment focuses on creating harmony in the body and correcting the underlying causes of your discomfort.

3116 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria VA

703-745-5496

Care@DentalExcellenceVA.com

DentalExcellenceVA.com

Present coupons to c l a i m promoti on. Offe r s Va l i d th ro u g h D e c e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 9

October 2019

healthy kids

Coming Next Month

Optimal Thyroid Function

If every 8-year-old is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.

Plus: Natural Sleep Solutions

~Dalai Lama

MINDFULNESS IN THE CLASSROOM

BETTER SLEEP ISSUE

Meditative Training Helps Kids Thrive

“

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

202-505-4835 24

Washington, D.C.

by Ronica O’Hara

hen I feel like I really want to get angry and yell, I sometimes, like, take deep breaths. My brain slows down and I feel more calm and I’m ready to speak to that person.” Those self-aware words come from a 5-year-old Los Angeles girl in the film Just Breathe. A 9-year-old boy in a tough British neighborhood forgets about “all the scary stuff ” when he does “petal breathing”—opening and closing his fingers in time with his breath. “If I concentrate on my breathing, the worrying thoughts just go ‘pop’ and disappear,” he confided to The Guardian newspaper. This is the effect that mindfulness training in the classroom often has on students, and it’s key to why it’s happening all over the world—not just in the U.S. and the UK, but in more than 100 countries, including Australia, Taiwan and India. What started a few decades ago as a small experiment in progressive schools is rapidly gathering speed as emerging research documents the strong positive effects of mindfulness on developing brains.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

A 2015 meta-review from researchers at the University of Melbourne, in Australia, which evaluated 15 studies in six countries involving 1,800 students, showed three broad outcomes: higher well-being, better social skills and greater academic achievement. They were more optimistic, self-accepting and happier, more likely to help others, more able to focus on lessons and be creative, and less likely to be angry, anxious or disobedient. “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally,” is how it’s described by Jon Kabat-Zinn, whose pioneering research at Harvard in the 1980s helped kick off mindfulness as a scientifically based, nonsectarian approach to a calmer, clearer mind. It has spread since then into business, health care and professional sports, as well as schools: Googling “mindfulness in education” brings up 116 million links. “Mindfulness offers children the skills they need today to meet the age-old challenges of growing up within the new

wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com

NOVEMBER

context of social media and often abMindfulness offers children the skills peace. “Because everyone has distracsurdly high expectations,” says holistic they need today to meet the age-old tions and strong emotions, learning to doctor Amy Saltzman, co-founder and observe these inner experiences with challenges of growing up within the curiosity and openness is an impordirector of the Association for Mindnew context of social media and often tant part of all children’s education,” fulness in Education. Mindfulness is now being taught in urban, suburban says psychologist Patricia Broderick, absurdly high expectations. and rural schools in 50 states. Such Ph.D., founder of Learning2Breathe, a ~Amy Saltzman programs can be low- or no-cost, mindfulness curriculum for junior and structured in many ways, taught any senior high school students. time and conducted without special equipment—important for Schools sometimes use parental consent forms to counter cash- and time-strapped schools. concerns about any potential religious implications. Often, a As a grassroots movement, mindfulness programs run school’s program expands organically as one impassioned teacher the gamut. Hundreds of schools and districts nationwide have draws in others. “The one single factor that determines a proincorporated into curricula such evidence-proven mindfulness gram’s effectiveness is the depth and consistency of personal programs as those developed by MindfulSchools.org, Learning practice of those teaching it,” says Saltzman. In fact, a University 2Breathe.org and MindUp.org, which often involve teacher trainof Wisconsin 2013 study found that teachers that practiced a ing and structured lessons. guided meditation 15 minutes a day for eight weeks had less anxi Sometimes mindfulness is simply a grade school teacher ety, stress and burnout during the school year; those conditions ringing a bell signaling five minutes of silence, giving children worsened in the control group. something to focus on with closed eyes: a sound, a bite of fruit, In Middleton, Wisconsin, high school counselor Gust a stuffed animal. A middle school teacher may use a five-minute Athanas has watched as mindfulness exercises have made students guided app meditation from Calm or Headspace to settle down calmer, kinder, more focused and feel closer to each other and to students after lunch. Some schools offer moments of silence teachers: “A number of students have told me it’s the part of the during the day, a quiet room to go to or an optional class school day they look forward to the most!” in mindfulness. Others find that teaching mindfulness during “detention” has Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural health writer. Connect a soothing effect, offering oft-traumatized kids a rare feeling of at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Visit us to see why An employee-owned B Corporation

more and more people are creating their own customized organic mattress

258 Maple Ave E.

Vienna, VA (703) 255-7040

savvyrest.com/vienna October 2019

We talk about joy and justice. There is the joy in food and the justice and stories behind it. Slow Food tries to marry both of those worlds.

Photographee.eu/Shutterstock.com

conscious eating

~Laura Luciano

Slow Food Takes Root Global Movement on Fast Track by April Thompson

he global Slow Food movement is fast gaining momentum, uniting more than 100,000 people in 150 countries with a shared passion for delicious food and a moral conviction about the people and places that sustain it. It satisfies foodies’ hunger for a deeper appreciation and understanding of their meals’ origins, from farm to fork. “The key principles of Slow Food are good, clean and fair,” says Laura Luciano, a board member for Slow Food USA and Slow Food Governor for New York State. “It’s the opposite of fast food, where you are in and out with no idea where your food comes from or the stories behind it.” Fair, says Luciano, means fair to farmers, and paying a fair wage to workers picking and growing food. “Fair also incorporates principles of equity, inclusion and justice. Good means good for the climate, the Earth and us as individuals. Clean means not using GMOs and pesticides in the food,” she explains. Slow Food has its roots in Italy, where food and wine journalist Carlo Petrini took up the cause in 1986 to halt the homogenous fast food chains encroaching on the country’s

rich, diverse food culture. Slow Food USA has taken off since its founding in 2000 with 150 chapters boasting 6,000 members nationwide. Many convene annually at Slow Food Nations, a food festival for all in Denver, to swap stories, share strategies, celebrate victories and of course, break bread together. The backbone of the movement is its local chapters. “Food has a regional identity, connected to history, culture and family,” says Luciano, whose blog Out East Foodie shares the stories of her Long Island edibles. For Bob Quinn, an org3anic wheat farmer in Big Sandy, Montana, and the founder of the heirloom grain company Kamut International, the Slow Food movement has been a kind of welcome homecoming and acknowledgment of his company’s efforts to protect workers and nourish consumers. “To me, Slow Food is a return to the roots of agriculture and the soul of organic, because it focuses on the food—the end purpose of agriculture—rather than profits and yields that are the focus of the industrial food system,” says Quinn, author of Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food. “Slow

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. 26

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

food offers an appreciation for farmers’ efforts to improve the soil and the nutrition, flavor and aroma of the foods we grow.” The Slow Food movement also connects producers like Quinn with chefs like Steven Satterfield, author of Root to Leaf: A Southern Chef Cooks Through the Seasons and board vice president of Slow Food’s Atlanta chapter. “As a chef, Slow Food to me means honoring your ingredients and going out of your way to get the freshest, most sustainable, seasonal ingredients,” says Satterfield, who came to Slow Food early in his career as a young line cook interested in the provenance of food and protecting its cultural heritage. At Miller Union, Satterfield’s awardwinning Atlanta restaurant, all dishes are made from scratch, mainly from farms in the region, to support seasonal eating and local growing. Satterfield’s dishes also feature traditional Southern varieties from Slow Food’s Ark of Taste, a catalog of more than 200 culturally significant foods in danger of extinction. One Miller Union favorite is a hummus made from sea island red pea and benne seeds, an ancient variety of sesame originally brought by slaves from Africa to the South Carolina coast and cultivated in hidden gardens as a staple food. Beyond engaging diners, chefs and producers, Slow Food also campaigns for big-picture policy changes, like farmto-school programs to introduce fresh produce and get kids excited about healthy eating, says Luciano. “Eating is a political act. The choices we make speak volumes about what we stand for,” says Luciano. “We talk about joy and justice. There is the joy in food and the justice and stories behind it. Slow Food tries to marry both of those worlds.” Connect with Washington, D.C. freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

natural health

Longevity and Optimal Wellness The Keys to Healthy Golden Years by Elizabeth McMillan

esearch dictates that longevity is heavily reliant on the foods we eat and our outlook on life. In fact, many studies have shown that changing one’s diet, even in their 70s and 80s, can improve health and decrease diseaserisk. Inadequate nutrition has been known to contribute to the development of disease. In addition, researchers have identified that chronic inflammation is not only a risk of all diseases but, it also speeds up the process of aging. Therefore, eating a diet that decreases inflammation will improve longevity and promote wellness. There are certain populations around the world that have larger numbers of people who live to be older than one-hundred years of age. These centenarian populations have been labeled the Blue Zones. Research accumulated by the Boston University’s Centenarian Study and by Dan Buettner’s Blue Zones have set forth guidelines on vibrant longevity. One of the first centenarian lessons is to move naturally as a part of daily living. This does not mean training for a marathon or an Iron Man Challenge. Low intensity movement that is gentle on the knees and hips is ideal. Some examples include walking, yoga, swimming and weight resistance training. This movement could also be a part of daily activities, like gardening or parking further away in a parking lot. The goal is 30 to 60 minutes of movement five times a week. Another guideline is to stop eating

once you are 80 percent full. This encompasses both caloric restriction and allows time for your stomach to communicate to the brain a sense of fullness. Studies have shown that certain lighting, music and colors tend to promote hunger and lingering longer at a restaurant. Also, the size of plates and glasses have a massive impact on how much we consume, and our dinner plates have only grown in the past 40 years. According to research, most people underestimate caloric intake by 20 percent, therefore, aim to stop eating when you are 80 percent full. Third, eat a balanced diet free from processed foods. Most Blue Zone populations limit their intake of meat. It is common to only consume animal protein for special occasions. A mostly vegetar-

ian lifestyle has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and decrease chronic inflammation. Also, most centenarian cultures have never been introduced to processed foods like soda or salty snacks. Focus on a balanced diet by including four to six vegetable servings daily, limiting intake of meat and a strong emphasis on beans and nuts. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that those who ate one ounce of nuts daily lived longer, therefore, they are considered a longevity food. As with the Mediterranean lifestyle, numerous studies have concluded that a glass of wine, in moderation, promotes longevity. Centenarian cultures similarly consume a small serving dry wine daily. Studies show that one or two servings of wine daily will provide health benefits, however over consumption negates all benefits. Finally, find purpose and live in the moment by reducing stress and engaging in the community. Making loved ones and the community priorities provides a sense of purpose. This also encourages a feeling of belonging and happiness. Engaging in these five lessons from centenarian populations can promote longevity and a vibrant lifestyle into our golden years. Elizabeth McMillan, MC, CNS, is a board-certified clinical nutritionist at the Rose Wellness Clinic, in Oakton, VA. For more information, call 571-529-6699 or visit RoseWellness.com.

October 2019

They are often the most devoted pets because they know they’ve been rescued. ~Emily Bach

Paws to Consider Best Friends Waiting for Homes by Julie Peterson

ade Breunig, of Buckeye, Arizona, had lost his marriage, his job and his house. To combat depression, he went to the local animal shelter to adopt the first cat that “talked” to him. As if on cue, a 2-year-old black cat yowled persistently. During the adoption, Breunig learned that “Bubba” had been scheduled to be euthanized. He was saving a life. Fourteen years later, Bubba died, and Breunig knew he would miss the mischievous, playful companion that loved car rides more than most dogs. Crying, but surrounded by his second wife and kids, he realized, “I didn’t save Bubba’s life. He saved mine.”

homeless dogs and cats are eager to oblige. Emily Bach, public relations and event coordinator at Bishop Animal Shelter, in Bradenton, Florida, has many inspiring stories about adopted shelter animals. “They are often the most devoted pets because they know they’ve been rescued,” she says. The outdated myth that shelter pets are incorrigible, unlovable animals with behavioral issues no longer holds. Family circumstances—a change of job or residence, death,

Devoted and Practical

The benefits of the human/animal bond are manifold, supported by an army of studies that speak to pets’ ability to reduce stress, improve mood and even reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Research into animalassisted therapy compiled by the University of California, Los Angeles, details the positive mental, emotional and physical effects of this natural modality. Anyone looking to lower blood pressure, ease anxiety or secure companionship can find it all at their local shelter, where 28

Washington, D.C.

Meet Your Match Best Friends Animal Society has a quiz called Paws Like Me (BestFriends.PawsLikeMe.com) to match people with adoptable animals. Shelter workers can also help families select appropriate pets.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Shelters share success stories of animals that get a “forever home”. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands don’t and are euthanized. Best Friends Animal Society, in Kanab, Utah, is working to change this. By partnering with animal welfare organizations and shelters, Best Friends has a goal to “Save Them All” through an initiative to make all of the nation’s shelters “no-kill” by 2025—which means 90 percent of shelter animals might be saved. Euthanasia will be reserved for failed rehabilitation or when an animal has no chance of recovery from an illness or injury. In 1984, when Best Friends was founded, about 17 million animals died in U.S. shelters annually. As of August 2019, that number is down to 733,000, a nationwide save rate of 76.6 percent. Historically, no detailed data was kept on shelters. “For decades, we have worked in the dark to end shelter killing because we lacked accurate information about the problem we were trying to solve,” says Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends. The organization recently launched the community lifesaving dashboard (BestFriends.org/2025-goal), a database that anyone can access to help save shelter pets. “With a better understanding of where the trouble spots are and the profile of animals being killed in a community, we can better deploy our collective resources for the greatest lifesaving impact.” Part of the success of the no-kill movement involves increased awareness that kindness toward all species is important. Bach points out that shelter animals are also the lower-cost option for people that want pets; most are vaccinated and neutered before they are adopted out and are often already trained.

Getting Ready to Adopt

Before jumping in to help save them all by adopting, potential pet parents should research breeds, crunch numbers and think ahead. The American Society for the

David Porras/Shutterstock.com

No-Kill Initiative

Benevolente82/Shutterstock.com

divorce or illness—can land a confused and well-loved dog or cat in a shelter. Others become accidental strays or are unceremoniously dumped by uncaring owners. Bishop, a no-kill shelter, places about 100 pets every month, showcasing them on social media, news outlets and at outreach events.

natural pet

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests considering several issues:

Lifestyle: Dogs live 10 to 15 years, cats up to 20. Pets should fit the family now and in the future.

Money: Pets require training, food, toys, equipment, medical exams and treatment.

Breeds: Not all dogs and cats will be a good match for every home. Personality is key.

Safety: Pet-proofing a home includes

removing potential dangers and preventing accidental escape through windows, doors or fences. Not everyone can adopt, but anyone can help. Shelters accept donations and most have a wish list of items. Volunteers are a core need at shelters, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work that can quench the thirst for spending time with animals without adopting any of them.

Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Contact her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Animals are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms. ~George Eliot

October 2019

calendar of 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. Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509.

special event

Neck, Back and Beyond Healing Arts Open House

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 Lunch Perks: Financial Wellness-Your Balance Sheet and What You Need to Know – 121pm. With Jenevieve Lenz. Come learn about how you can improve your own personal balance sheet to gain better financial clarity. $10 includes Panera lunch. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWell being.Center/Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509.

special event What 3 Things You Can Do Today (or Next), Because Your Stress is Making You Sick

Learn how hormone imbalances affect your belly fat, sleep and sex drive. Learn how witnessing, perpetuating, inflicting or undergoing violent acts contribute to chronic stress and poor health.

Thursday, October 3 • 2-3pm

Regenasyst Wellness and Health, webinar online. Register: Info@TreatYourselfToHealth.com. Info: 703-454-9326x0

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 Forklift First Friday – 6-8pm. Check out the DMV’s salvage nonprofit. Live music, craft beer and wine, Smoke Stacks BBQ, local artists and family fun. Community Forklift Reuse Nonprofit, 4671 Tanglewood Dr, Hyattsville, MD. Info: Facebook. com/Events/544376776304920. Yoga at Your Desk – 6:30-8pm. With Elizabeth Finnan. Sitting is the new smoking. Sometimes we feel chained to our desk, but you can stretch, strengthen and de-stress right where you are. Leave with a cheat sheet of ways to improve your workdays. No yoga experience required. $40. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing.Center/ Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509. Reiki Training I – 9am-5pm. With Yvonne Gleason. This class teaches the ancient Japanese healing practice with popular, experienced teacher Yvonne. Please call her directly to inquire about this or future Level I and II classes at 703-830-8515. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing.Center/

Washington, D.C.

Sunday, October 6 • 11am-5pm Neck, Back and Beyond Healing Arts 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 Laughter Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Please join 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.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10

special event American Herbalists Guild 30th Annual Symposium Through Oct 14. The American Herbalists Guild is thrilled to present From Plants to People: The Art and Science of Clinical Herbalism. This year’s theme brings herbal practice from the intellectualism of plant life to the beauty of customizing that inherent wisdom to the individual.

Thursday, October 10 • 8am

American Herbalists Guild Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center 5701 Marinelli Rd, Rockville, MD. Register: AmericanHerablistsGuild.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 Andrew Silver Presents: IV – 7pm. IV is a documentary theatre play, told in the voices of women and men living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.org.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6

Join Neck, Back and Beyond Healing Arts for a Fall into Health open house. They will have mini workshops, a sampling of body work and healthy refreshments. Meet their practitioners and explore your health and well-being.

Why Ferment? – With Liane Paulson of WoW WoW LLC. You will learn the basics of preserving vegetables using the ancient art of fermentation in this demonstration/tasting. Participants will have an opportunity to taste a variety of fermented vegetables, sauerkrauts, kombucha and water kefir. Full of information. $25 or $20 for Rise members. Rise

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing.Center/ Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509. Mood-Boosting Foods – 2-3pm. Learn from a nutritionist which foods are rich in brain-boosting nutrients and can improve your mood and sense of well-being. Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Pl, Oakton, VA. Info: 703-242-4020. Soundscape – 7:30-9pm. By WovenGreen. A meditative, healing sound experience which weaves native flutes, singing bowls, vocal toning, nature sounds and stringed instruments. $20 advance or $25 at the door or $20 Rise members. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing.Center/ Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15 Free Custom Poetry – 1-5pm. With Ravenna Raven and Jenny Hegland. Join the poets for a 5-to-15-minute conversation as they write custom poems that are comprised, typewritten and given to each participant. First come, first served. Free. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.org. Essential Oils – 7pm. Learn about the healing properties of essential oils, with an emphasis on peppermint, lavender and wintergreen. Free. Neck, Back and Beyond Healing Arts, 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

special event

Why Isn’t My Thyroid Hormone Working Anymmore? Stress and Hormones

Learn how hormone imbalances, thryoid and cortisol can distort your midsection into a large belly and prevent weight loss, even with dieting and exercise. Learn how hormone imbalances affect your sleep and sex drive and what you can do about it.

Thursday, October 17 • 11am-12pm

Regenasyst Wellness and Health, online webinar. Register: Info@TreatYourselfToHealth.com. Info: 703-454-9326 x0

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 Brain Balancing – 7:30-9pm. With Christine Lisio. Reboot your brain to think more clearly, increase your memory and enjoy more peace and harmony in your life. Christine combines the power of the group with advanced healing technology to activate profound, subtle brain balancing processes

that can be powerful and life-enhancing. $49. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing.Center/ Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509.

understand the many complex feelings that often come with the loss of a parent from cancer. Free. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or Smithcenter.org.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23

special event Women’s Health and Wellness Day

Sponsored by ITR Physical Therapy. A celebration of women’s bodies and an opportunity to empower women through education. A wide range of talented professionals will present on nutrition, mediation, yoga, pelvic health and more. Vegan lunch options are available. $70-$95

Saturday, October 19 • 8:30am-5pm

Rise Well-Being Center 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing.Center/Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 The Wisdom of Unicorns and Dragons – With Maryam Sardari. Join Maryam as she facilitates the exploration of our unique unicorn wisdom and challenges of our inner dragons. We will play with understanding what they choose to share with us by engaging in creative activities and nurturing our inner child. $45 or $35 for Rise members. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing.Center/ Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509.

special event Illuminate FrederickMind-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 admission at the door or save $1 by purchasing online and free admission for active and veteran military, emergency response personnel and children under 18.

Saturday, September 14 • 11am-6pm Illuminate Festivals Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center 5400 Holiday Dr, Frederick, MD. Info: IlluminateFestivals.com/Frederick

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 Qigong – 10:30am. Gentle form of exercise with simple movements, self-massage and breathing. All library programs are free. No registration required. Richard Byrd Library, 7520 Commerce St, Springfield, VA. Info: 703-451-8055. Loss of a Parent Support Group – 6-7:30pm. With Cheryl Hughes, LICSW. This group provides an opportunity to join with other people who may

A Natural Approach to Dealing with Chronic Gastrointestinal Problems: A Free Webinar– 7-7:45pm. An estimated 1 in 5 Americans suffers from digestive disorders from an inflamed, diseased or imbalanced gastro-intestinal system. Many sufferers seek help through over-the-counter medications to alleviate symptoms without addressing the underlying problem. Join Dr. Alex Leon, from the Rose Wellness Center, to learn natural approach to dealing with chronic gastrointestinal problems. Register: NaturalApproachToChronic GastrointestinalProblems.eventbrite.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 Movie night – 7-10pm. Enjoy delicious health nonGMO snacks, while viewing An Inflammatory Approach. Professionals will be on hand to talk with and answer questions. $5 (suggested donation). Neck, Back and Beyond Healing Arts, 10195 Main St, Ste D, Fairfax, VA. RSVP: 703-865-5690 or NeckBackAndBeyond @gmail.com. Info: NeckBackAndBeyond.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 Seeing Anew: A Photo Workshop – 10am-3pm. Through Sun Oct 27 12-4pm. With Kay Chernush. 2-day photography immersion for those faced with the chaos, uncertainty, and fear that cancer may bring. Cameras will be provided if needed. $50. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.org.

Don’t count the days, make the days count. ~Muhammad Ali

Archetypes for Everyone – 11am-12pm. With Gail Condrick. Learn what an archetype is and how can understanding their power move you from fate to destiny. Find out if you are a rebel, an artist, a healer or a visionary and if you are supporting or sabotaging your own empowerment. $15 or free to Rise members. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing. Center/Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509. Dance of Archetypes, A Nia Master Class Experience – 7-8pm. With Gail Condrick. Join in a Dance of Archetypes Nia movement class with Gail. Get moving to engage and play with the archetypes of Nia: your inner athlete, student, teacher, artist and healer. Open to all - no prior Nia experience is necessary for this class. $15 or $10 for Rise members. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing.Center/Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 Reiki Training II – 9am-5pm. With Yvonne Gleason. This class builds on level I training with popular, experienced teacher Yvonne. Please call her directly to inquire about this or future Level I and II classes at 703-830-8515. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWell being.Center/Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509. Release Your Inner Artist and Visionary Workshop – 3-6pm. With Gail Condrick. Through information sharing, creative Nia dance movement, journaling and meditation, learn to reveal and honor the talents and unique gifts you bring to the world. $55 or $45 for Rise members. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWellbeing. Center/Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509.

plan ahead MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Qigong – 10:30am. Gentle form of exercise with simple movements, self-massage and breathing. All library programs are free. No registration required. Richard Byrd Library, 7520 Commerce St, Springfield, VA. Info: 703-451-8055. Laughter Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Please join 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: ArlingtonLaughter Yoga@yahoo.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Aerial Rejuvenation – 2-4pm. Also Dec 22. This workshop is a delicious elixir to reawaken the energy body through play, rest and reflection. We will explore several techniques, including: Pranayama, Gyrokinesis®, Aerial Inversions, Floating Meditation and Free Writing. $85/day. Elements Center, 2233 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 217, NW. Register: FrontDesk@ElementsCenter.com or ElementsCenter.com.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Qigong – 10:30am. See Nov 4 for details. All library programs are free. No registration required. Richard Byrd Library, 7520 Commerce St, Springfield, VA. Info: 703-451-8055.

October 2019

ongoing calendar

Calendar A wonderful resource for filling your workshops, seminars and other 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 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. 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

Two styles available:

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.

n Calendar of Dated Events:

tuesday

n Calendar of Ongoing Events:

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.

Designed for events on a specific date of the month. Designed for recurring events that fall on the same day each week.

Mindfulness Painting Experience: Creating Art from the Soul – 6:30-8:30pm. With Jody Tompros. Mindfulness Painting Experience is a powerful, intuitive practice using paint, paper and brushes to ignite creative self-expression. In a moment to moment process, you awaken your creativity and connect to your energy source. $195 for the 4-class series and $160 for Rise members. Rise Well-Being Center, 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, Ste 150, Reston, VA. Register: RiseWell being.Center/Special-Events. Info: 703-429-1509.

wednesday 202-505-4835 NaturalAwakeningsDC.com 32

Washington, D.C.

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.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Words and Healing Poetry Workshop – 6:308pm. With Stacie Marinelli. 4-session workshop for writers to generate and share new work about living with cancer from diagnosis to survivorship. For all writing levels. Writing showcase on Wednesday, October 30th. $30 (suggested donation, all classes and showcase included). Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.org.

thursday 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. 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. Energy Balancing – 1-3pm. with Sylvia Sturm. Enjoy a 30-minute individual stress-reducing relaxation to calm your body and enhance your well-being. Free. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Info: 202-483-8600 or SmithCenter.org.

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. Enterprise Zones Connecting Youth – 3-6:30pm. Campaigns empowering youth entrepreneur’s to support capacity building. Participants in the workshop will develop a brand and design a product. Benefit Manufacturing LLC, A-Z Plus Salon Fabrics Accessories, 15532 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD. Register: TheBeautyStartup.org. The Beauty Startup Enterprise Zones – 3:305pm. Free. Benefit Manufacturing LLC, A-Z Plus Salon Fabrics Accessories, 15532 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD. Register: Campaigns@ TheBeautyStartUp.org. Info: 240-206-1130.

saturday Accessing Health: Mind/Body Workshops – 10:30am. 2nd Sat. Dr. Farideh Sadeghi leads a monthly workshop on achieving mind/body health. All workshops are free. Topics include: Oct- Accessing Joy and Wisdom, Nov-Cultivating Peace and Dec- Creating Balance. Richard Byrd Library, 7520 Commerce St, Springfield, VA. Register: 703-451-8055 or FairfaxCounty.gov/Library.

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 HOMA HASHIME, ND, M.AC., L.AC., DIPL. AC Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 • Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com

Homa Hashime is a licensed acupuncturist and naturopathic doctor. She obtained a master’s degree in acupuncture from Tai Sophia Institute and her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. She is also an Advanced Detoxification Specialist in auricular acupuncture for addiction and stress reduction. She has experience treating various acute and chronic conditions including stress, depression, anxiety, infertility, eating disorders, PTSK, menstrual problems, migraine headaches, and painful joints and muscular conditions using acupuncture, herbs, nutritional supplements, CranioSacral Therapy therapy and cupping treatment. See ad, page 9.

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.

BEDROOM FURNITURE SAVVY REST NATURAL BEDROOM

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 25.

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

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.

CHIROPRACTOR 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 7.

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

DENTAL – HOLISTIC DENTAL EXCELLENCE INTEGRATIVE CENTER

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. See ad, page 23.

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 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.

October 2019

HOLISTIC NUTRITION ELIZABETH MCMILLAN, MS, CNS 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.

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.

HYPNOSIS FREE YOURSELF HYPNOSIS Michelle DeStefano 301-744-0200 • FreeYourselfHypnosis.com FreeYourselfHypnosis@gmail.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 7.

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.

Washington, D.C.

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 emphasiz es nut r it ion , 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.

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.

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.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE HOLISTIC HEALING NATUROPATHIC 1331 H St. NW, Ste 200, D.C. 717-728-4546 • DrSalotto.com

D r. T i m S a l o t t o o f f e r s naturopathic treatment for all your medical conditions, treating the cause and not just the symptoms. See ad, page 7.

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 19.

POLARITY THERAPY NECK BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

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.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION 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 non-invasive 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.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

ONLY $3.00 PER DAY. LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE. CATEGORY NAME YOUR BUSINESS NAME Contact Name Address • City Phone Website URL

Description 25 words. The Community Resource Guide listings are a reference tool allowing our readers to ﬁnd you when they are in need of your product or service. Special pricing for display advertisers. Page number of your display ad here (if applicable).

SPECIAL

90/mo

12 month minimum Pay 12 months in full for extra 10% discount

Reach 50k Natural Health & Wellness Readers per month with a Community Resource Guide Listing. For No Additional Charge You Will Receive: One NewsBrief or *HealthBrief every 6 months (your opportunity to announce an event surrounding your business or to expound upon a health issue that is within your area of expertise) – approximately 200 words

PLUS up to 2 Calendar Events per month! CONTACT US TODAY: 202-505-4835 or email Stephen@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com *HealthBriefs need to be backed by reputable studies, etc.

October 2019

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com