Natural Awakenings DC July 2015 by Natural Awakenings DC

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Food Democracy & Inspired Living Veggie Nation Rising Taking Back Our Food Supply Combatting GMOs Food Gleaning Savvy Cycling

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July 2015 | Washington, D.C. Edition | NaturalAwakeningsDC.com natural awakenings

July 2015

Your Path to Healing Starts Here a n i n t e g r at i v e a p p r o a c h t o yo u r h e a lt h GeorGe WashinGton Center for inteGrative MediCine offers you a unique health care program principled in science and tradition where the patient is treated as a whole person and respected as an individual. With your visit to the Center, a highly-trained practitioner—licensed, certified and credentialed in his or her specialty—will develop with you a care plan tailored to fit your needs and honors your personal healing process. natural & inteGrative health ChoiCes W e prov i de C a r e f o r …

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July 2015

letterfrompublisher Dear friends, contact us Publisher, Editor in Chief Robin Fillmore Contributing Editors Jessica Bradshaw Randy Kambic Grace Ogden Design & Production Irene Sankey Marketing Director Beverly Nickerson Sales Director Malika Hook Muhammad Outreach Director Samantha Hudgins Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-505-4835 Fax: 202-827-7955 5230 Tuckerman Lane, #408 North Bethesda, MD 20852 Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com NaturalAwakeningsDC.com ©2015 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. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. 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. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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I love food. I love everything about it—selecting the recipes, finding the best ingredients, chopping and cooking with my husband (although he is a better cook than me) and then sitting down, with knife and fork in hand, and enjoying every morsel—even dessert, on occasion. Our understanding of what makes up a healthy diet has evolved over our lifetimes, and for good reason. There is more and more emphasis on the need to comprehend the way our bodily systems relate and react to the items we ingest. Recall the food fads and latest diet crazes throughout the years—the nonfat diet, the all-protein diet and the list goes on. I am sure, at some point, there was a study that showed that each of these eating regimes had validity. In general, I think that we, as a society, lost some of our ability to understand the importance of food as we moved away from an agricultural society to one in which more food is processed for us. I’ve shared in past issues my fond memories of digging in the garden with my grandparents and relying on the multitudes of homecanned vegetables all yearlong due to this bounty. It is nostalgia without a garden to call my own, these days. My own longing for a garden is reflected in much of what is happening in the food scene here in Washington, D.C. More and more of us are visiting local farmers’ markets or getting organic fruits and vegetables delivered to our doorsteps. We are learning more about the types of food that serve us. Research abounds about the impact of probiotics and fermented food and the joys of a whole-food, plantbased diet. Our July food issue covers some of these hot topics (pardon the pun, on this scorching day). Food democracy is an issue that is becoming understood as an essential factor in determining equality throughout our land. The capacity of all people to have access to good, wholesome and healthy food is important. This month’s feature discusses this growing movement, with complementary pieces on the important work being done by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Michael Greger and others, promoting the wisdom (and health benefits) of a PlantPure Nation. Their film of the same name goes into national release on July 4. Happy Independence Day! Finally, we continue to explore the important new research that has been done by Dr. David Perlmutter (see last month’s issue) on the mind-gut connection. Two local articles, one by functional medicine physician, Dr. Chas Gant, and the other by nutritionist Julie Wendt and Dr. Mikhail Kogan, expand our understanding of the problems that come from neglecting necessary food items in our diet and how we can overcome these deficiencies. It is time to enjoy the summer’s bounty. We hope you will get out to your local green market. And for those gardeners who find that they have more zucchini and tomatoes than they know what to do with, don’t forget to share. Those of us without gardens are ever-grateful. Warmly,

Robin Fillmore, Publisher

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contents 12 7 newsbriefs 1 1 healthbriefs 14 globalbriefs 26 nonprofit

spotlight community 14 27 spotlight 32 event spotlight 33 ecotip 37 practitioner spotlight 33 39 healthypet 40 garden spotlight 4 1 calendar 45 resourceguide

advertising & submissions

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

1 8 FOOD DEMOCRACY

By the People, for the People and Toward a Stronger Nation by Melinda Hemmelgarn

21 VEGGIE NATION REVOLUTION

by Judith Fertig

22 PLANTPURE NATION Recipes

by Kim Campbell

24 YOU ARE NOT

WHAT YOU EAT But What You Eat Sure Does Matter by Chas Gant

25 MISDIAGNOSING

ADHD IN CHILDREN HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 202-505-4835 or email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com. Deadline for editorial, news briefs and health briefs are due by the 10th. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online: NaturalAwakeningsDC.com within the advertising section. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

When Medication Does More Harm Than Good by Peter Riddle

28 TEN STEPS

For a Healthy Gut by Julie Wendt and Mikhail Kogan

30 JEFFREY SMITH

WARNS AGAINST GMOS by Linda Sechrist

34 FOOD GLEANING

Harvesting Leftovers Feeds the Hungry by Avery Mack

38 SAVVY CYCLING Keep the Hard Knocks Out of Biking by Randy Kambic

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July 2015

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Lady Liberty has a new tagline: a plantbased diet for all. A return to a simple diet based on whole grains, fruits and vegetables is the revolution the founding fathers of PlantPure Nation hope Americans will embrace this Independence Day. Founded by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., the grassroots organization PlantPure Nation seeks to promote the powerful health benefits for people and the planet offered by a whole foods, plant-based diet. This July 4, the documentary film PlantPure Nation, directed by Nelson Campbell, Colin’s son, will debut nationwide and start screening in more than 100 cities. It covers a broad landscape of issues, from the politics of food to the science of nutrition, and follows the lives of 16 people in Campbell’s small hometown of Mebane, North Carolina, as they take on PlantPure Nation’s 10-day food challenge. “No issue is bigger than the one of plant-based nutrition,” says filmmaker Nelson. “It’s at the root of our healthcare crisis, affecting the lives of millions of Americans, the vitality of our economy and the solvency of our government.” Learn more in this issue’s article “Veggie Nation Revolution,” and visit PlantPureNation.com for dates and times of screenings.

newsbriefs Environmental Film Festival Founder Honored by Audubon Society

he National Audubon Society presented Flo Stone, founder and president emerita of the Environmental Film Festival, with the Rachel Carson Award in New York City on May 20. The prestigious Audubon award recognizes visionary women whose dedication, talent and energy have advanced positive change in environmental and conservation locally and on a global scale. Flo Stone “Women helped start Audubon more than a hundred years ago and have played a leading role in conservation ever since. That’s what we’re celebrating today—women who have truly made a difference,” said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold. “And we hope that by honoring their example, we’ll inspire the next generation of women and girls to aim high. Women understand that we all need clean air, clean water and healthy natural spaces, and they’re willing to do something about it.” Founded in 1993, the Environmental Film Festival is the largest and longest-running environmental film festival in the country and a major collaborative cultural event in the Washington, D.C. area. Each March, the festival presents a diverse selection of high-quality environmental films chosen to provide fresh perspectives on global, national and local environmental issues. Documentaries, narratives, animations and shorts are shown, as well as archival, experimental and children’s films. The festival also presents year-round programs that complement the main Festival’s offerings. The 2015 festival screened 173 films, including 98 Washington, D.C., U.S. and world premieres, from 31 countries at 55 venues across the city to an audience of over 30,000. For more information, visit DCEFF.org. The 2016 Festival will take place from March 15-26.

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Upcoming Classes for the Raw Food Curious

he concept of live food is easy—it is the use of raw, uncooked fruits and vegetables, sprouted grains, nuts and seeds. It is a whole new way of looking at food and the benefits of live food are numerous. Local health educator, Luzy Perez, offers recurring classes to support those seeking to learn more about Luzy Perez incorporating raw foods into their diet. The classes, Germinated Seeds and Grains and Growing Sprouts YearRound will be held on July 26 and August 29 and Healthy Gut with Fermented Food will be held on August 15. All classes will be held in Fairfax. Perez has been taught and certified by the worldrenown Hippocrates Health Institute. For more than five years, she has worked with clients from New York to California and adventured around the world studying with indigenous cultures and other teachers, gathering and sharing leading-edge tools for transformation, evolution and vibrant health. The raw food diet is simply a return to food in its natural state—the food we were meant to eat. Raw food benefits can be as simple as increased energy or as dramatic permanent weight-loss management, beautiful skin and hair, increased energy and stamina, mental clarity and focus, emotional balance, spiritual connection, decreased cravings and healing of ailments such as acne, allergies, arthritis, asthma, cancer, congestion, constipation, diabetes, herpes, infertility, menopausal symptoms, obesity, thyroid problems and ulcerative colitis. Cost: $40 (if registered 7 days before the class)/$49. Location and times will be shared after registering. To register, call 571-471-2891 or email Luzy@RawLivingDLight.com. See ad, page 6.

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July 2015

newsbriefs New 30-Day Yoga Teacher Training in the Blue Ridge Mountains

he Lotus Pond Center now offers a 30-day yoga teacher training at The Art of Living in Boone, North Carolina. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity for modern Americans to live the healthy, peaceful path of yoga without the distractions or demands of the daily routine. Imagine fresh mountain air, watching the sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains and immersing onself in a life-changing month. As millions of Americans discover the tremendous benefits of yoga, more and more are opening up to radical shifts in their lives and are seeking yoga teacher training. The Art of Living Center offers an ideal setting to experience this transformative and profound Yoga Alliance-certified program with The Lotus Pond, a nationally renowned yoga teacher training school. With wisdom and compassion, the expert teachers allow students to discover “the teacher within”, and equip them with well-rounded knowledge in yoga philosophy, anatomy and physiology, teaching techniques and much more. Students deepen their yogic studies while enjoying the tranquility of quiet contemplation in a truly blissful place. The Art of Living Center, founded by international spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spans more than 381 acres and provides beautiful accommodations. “I took a leap of faith when I left the corporate world to open my yoga center, and I encourage everyone to follow their passion,” says Val Spies, owner of The Lotus Pond. For more information, visit 30DayYogaTeacherTraining.com, call Val at 813-961-3160 or email ValSpies@gmail.com. See ad, page 40.

Play-In for Clean Air at U.S. Capitol

oms Clean Air Force will hold their second annual Play-In for Climate Action from 9:30 a.m. to noon on July 7 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. This family-friendly rally and press conference will demonstrate strong support from moms and dads for bold actions to tackle climate change. All are invited to join them as they call for limits on the pollution fueling dangerous climate change and demand a clean energy future. This event includes children’s activities, snacks, music, speakers and more. Aunts, uncles and others that care about children’s health and futures are welcome as well. Location: Upper Senate Park, 200 New Jersey Ave. NW. Registration is desired, contact Julie at JHantman@MomsCleanAirForce. org or visit MomsCleanAirForce. org/Play-In-Climate-Action/.

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D.C. Earns Top Spot for Energy Efficiency

he American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) announced the results of its 2015 City Energy Efficiency Scorecard rankings recently, naming the District of Columbia as the third most energy-efficient city out of 51 cities in the country. The District moved into the top tier, surpassing cities well known for their sustainability efforts, including Portland, San Francisco and Seattle. Washington, D.C. achieved a significant score increase in the 2015 scorecard—up 20 points from 2013—resulting in the city also being named as the most improved energy-efficient city on the list. This achievement is attributed in part to the success of the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) and the District’s overall sustainability plan, Sustainable DC. For the second year in a row, the DCSEU has been listed as a best practice for the District in reaching its energy efficiency goals. “Our city is being recognized as a model that will directly influence how our nation approaches issues and policies that build a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. We are proud to be recognized as one of the top three most energy-efficient cities in the country, but our goal is to be number one,” added Ted Trabue, managing director of the DCSEU. The District continues to be recognized for its laudable efforts in sustainability and energy efficiency. Recently, the District was also recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for having the most ENERGY STAR-certified buildings in the country.

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newsbriefs Amma, the Hugging Saint, comes to D.C.

he is called Sri Mata Amritanandamayi, Mother of Immortal Bliss, or many people just know her as Amma, or Mother. Although she was born and raised in India, Amma doesn’t subscribe to any particular religion. She says that her religion is love. This summer will be Amma’s 19th visit to the Washington, D.C. area. Her programs are free and will be held July 5 and 6, in Arlington. There will be a morning program on both days beginning at 10 a.m. and an evening program starting at 7 p.m. On July 6, the evening program is a special prayer for world peace called Devi Bhava. She dedicates her life to serving others with a pure selfless attitude. Amma works tirelessly to nourish and comfort people with her many humanitarian activities, including hospitals, orphanages, disaster relief, food for the poor and needy, schools, pensions for the elderly and disadvantaged, housing for the homeless and much more. Thousands of people attend Amma’s programs around the world to receive her blessings and imbibe her words of wisdom as she shares her divine inspiration. Referred to as the hugging saint, Amma spends hours on end giving darshan (spiritual blessings) in the form of a hug. Over the past 40 years, Amma has embraced millions of people worldwide. As renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall said in presenting Amma with the Ghandi-King award for nonviolence at the United Nations in 2002, “I believe (Amma) stands here before us, God’s love in a human body.” Location: Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington. For more information, visit AmmaDC.org. See ad, page 36.

Call to find out how a Naturopathic Physician can help you achieve optimal health! Dr. Kai Parker, ND, CPM

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healthbriefs

Let’s Hear it For Ginger by Laina Poulakos

any of us have memories of drinking ginger ale to soothe an upset stomach, but ginger is much more than just a soft drink ingredient. It is a spicy root that has been used in teas, cookies, candies and many other dishes for more than 2000 years. Chinese medicine has used ginger’s beneficial properties to help with a variety of health issues. In modern times, ginger ale is a commonly used cure for nausea. Ginger has an incredible ability to reduce inflammation in the stomach and aid in digestion. Due to its high antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it can boost the immune system, making it especially useful in combating colds and flu. Ginger is also helpful in the treatment of arthritis due its anti-inflammatory properties and can also be applied as a paste to the forehead to treat a headache or migraine. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it great for treating acne. A facial toner can be made by combining boiled water and ginger root, straining out the ginger root and allowing the solution to cool. To use it, add a few drops of lavender oil and store in a dark glass container in the refrigerator. The toner can be applied daily for clearer skin. The ginger root can be sliced root and added it to a water bottle, mixed with cinnamon and sugar to top toast or sprinkled into coffee or tea. Laina Poulakos is a mother of five children and has certifications in aromatherapy and herbology. To schedule a consultation or find out more, call 703-851-0087 or visit MothersNatureStore.com. See ad, page 34.

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How Young Are You Really? by Dr. Isabel Sharkar

here is a difference between chronological age, based on when a person was born, and biological age, based on the length of a person’s telomeres. What are telomeres, you may ask? They are sections of DNA at the end of each chromosome that serve as a cap to each individual’s genetic material. Every time a cell replicates, its telomere becomes shorter. Although this is normally occurring with age, lifestyle factors can be a major contributor to how rapidly telomeres shorten. Shorter telomeres imply a shorter life span for a cell and when the telomeres become too short, the cells stop duplicating. Telomere length is considered to be an excellent biomarker of tissue regeneration and aging. The evaluation of telomere length is an indicator of how rapidly one ages relative to the normal population. By analyzing telomere length, individuals may gain insights into their overall health status, life span and susceptibility to disease. This information may encourage a person to make adjustments to his or her lifestyle that can lead to better health and a longer life. A simple telomere blood test can reveal a person’s biological age. Visit your local naturopath to inquire about testing. Genetics and lifestyle factors affect the length of telomeres. Lifestyle factors such as enduring long periods of high emotional stress, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, inadequate amounts of sleep and an inflammatory diet that includes alcohol, refined carbohydrates, fast or processed foods, artificial sweeteners and transfats, all increase oxidative stress and rapidly shorten telomeres. Telomeres respond to a healthy lifestyle such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and eliminating chronic stress. Practicing intermittent fasting for 12 hours, avoiding weight gain and obesity, getting adequate amounts of sleep, practicing being present in the moment and meditation have been shown to slow the rate of telomere loss. Dr. Isabel Sharkar, ND, is a licensed naturopathic physician and co-owner of Indigo Integrative Health Clinic, in Georgetown. For more information, call 202-298-9131 or visit IndigoHealth.com. See ad, page 3. natural awakenings

July 2015

healthbriefs

Social Isolation Linked to Earlier Death

ew research from Brigham Young University indicates that social interaction decreases the risk of premature death. Scientists conducted an analysis of actuarial health research from 1980 to 2014 that included more than 3 million people. The study found living alone increased the risk of death by 32 percent, while perceptions of greater social isolation and elevated loneliness showed 29 percent and 26 percent increased risks of early mortality, respectively. The results were consistent among both men and women, but the impact of feelings of isolation or loneliness caused a higher degree of mortality risk for individuals under the age of 65. The mortality rates among the lonely and isolated were comparable to those of individuals that smoked 15 cigarettes a day or were alcoholics. Lead researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., further noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The effect of this is comparable to that of obesity, something that public health takes very seriously.â&#x20AC;?

Eating Peanuts Early On Reduces Allergy Risk

eanut allergies in Western countries have doubled during the past decade. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine may help reverse this trend. Researchers found that introducing peanuts during early childhood can actually decrease the risk of developing a peanut allergy later in life. The researchers followed 640 children with a high risk of food allergies, beginning when they were between 4 and 11 months old. Half the children were fed peanuts, while the other half were not given any. All were tested for sensitivities to peanuts prior to and at the end of the study period, which averaged five years. The research found that nearly 14 percent of those that avoided peanuts had a peanut allergy at the end of five years; seven times more than the 2 percent of those that were fed peanuts and displayed subsequent sensitivity.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE

esearch from the University of Virginia and Emory University has found that just a few minutes of mindfulness meditation a day can significantly reduce high blood pressure among AfricanAmericans. The research included 15 men with high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease in a crossover study that tested each with 14 minutes of mindfulness meditation and compared that with 14 minutes of blood pressure education during two different treatment periods. Results showed that practicing mindfulness meditation reduced systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate among the patients.

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Flaxseed Oil Soothes Carpal Tunnel

arpal tunnel syndrome is typically accompanied by pain, numbness and reduced mobility in the hands and wrists. Research published by the Tehran (Iran) University of Medical Sciences in the DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences has determined that the application of external linseed oil—also referred to as flaxseed oil—can reduce pain and increase mobility for syndrome sufferers. The research tested 100 patients with the condition in two groups—one rubbed placebo oil onto their wrists, while the other applied linseed oil daily over a four-week period. Both groups wore wrist splints at night. After the treatment period, those that applied linseed oil experienced a significant drop in pain scores using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and Function Assessment. The same patients also reported an improvement in mobility and function.

No Worries: Cats Naturally Eat Less in Summer

study from the University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science has found that cats naturally eat less during the summer, indicating that owners can take such appetite swings in stride. The researchers studied 38 cats for four years. Their collars were implanted with a microchip that recorded the amount as they ate as much as they wanted from a dispenser. The team found that cats ate an average of 15 percent less in hot weather. Their eating decreased from June through August and increased from October to February. Eating levels were intermediate in the spring and fall. Study author Dr. Alex German observed, “Cats are more inclined to comfort eat when it’s cold outside, likely to be due to the extra energy they need to keep warm when out and about.”

Stress Ramps Up Inflammation

esearch led by Peggy Zoccola, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at Ohio University, has found that dwelling upon events that are stressful can significantly increase inflammatory chemicals in the body. The researchers tested 34 healthy young women giving public presentations for job interviews. Afterward, half were asked to contemplate their performances while the others were asked to think about neutral events and images. While all of the women initially experienced significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), the levels continued to rise for at least one hour afterward for the performance-ruminating group, but returned to normal during the same time period for those that pondered neutral thoughts. CRP is produced in the liver and is known to rise following an injury or in a chronic inflammatory condition. “The immune system plays an important role in various cardiovascular disorders such as heart disease, as well as cancer, dementia and autoimmune diseases,” states Zoccola.

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July 2015

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

Vermont’s Victory Court Rules GMO Labeling Constitutional In April, a federal court denied a request by powerful food industry groups to block Vermont’s landmark law requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods (GMO).The plaintiffs, including the Grocery Manufacturers Association, had sought a preliminary injunction to stop implementation of Act 120, which passed in May 2014 and will take effect a year from now. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss’ ruling said that the plaintiffs failed to show that they would suffer “irreparable harm” to warrant an injunction, and that the state had established that the act’s GMO disclosure requirement is constitutional. “This important ruling affirms the constitutionality of genetically engineered food labeling, as well as the rights of Vermonters and U.S. citizens across the country,” states George Kimbrell, senior attorney for the Center for Food Safety and counsel in the case. The ruling came shortly after an analysis by the Environmental Working Group found that industry groups spent $63.6 million last year—triple the amount spent in 2013—to defeat GMO-labeling measures. The general consensus is the Vermont case is likely to go to trial.

Fresh Catch

Community Supported Fisheries Share Bounty of the Sea Community supported agriculture is a growing movement in which subscribers pay farmers for weekly shares of their crops before the growing season starts, benefiting both. The farmers receive an infusion of cash up front and are paid a fair price for the food they produce. Consumers receive fresh food from sustainable, local farms and are often introduced to vegetables and fruits they might not try otherwise. The same concept applies to new community supported fisheries (CSF), which reconnect coastal communities to their local food systems. According to Paul Greenberg, author of American Catch: The Fight for our Local Seafood, 91 percent of the seafood that Americans eat comes from other countries, while one-third of the seafood caught by American fishermen is sold outside our borders. He believes this situation exists because most Americans aren’t willing to pay premium prices for better seafood and domestic fishermen realize better prices overseas. By using the website LocalCatch.org/locator to find nearby CSF programs, pioneering coastal communities can benefit from both supporting sustainable fishing practices and their local environment while still sufficiently feeding their residents. Source: Mother Nature Network 14

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Fracking Fallout

Waterways, Soils and Animals Poisoned with EPA Approval Surface disposal of water produced by oil and gas drilling is forbidden in the Eastern U.S., but allowed in arid Western states for purposes of agricultural or wildlife propagation. The result: Millions of gallons of water laced with toxic chemicals from oil and gas drilling rigs are pumped for consumption by wildlife and livestock with approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is issuing permits at nearly a dozen oil fields on or abutting the Native American Wind River Reservation, in Wyoming, for surface application of drilling wastewater without even identifying the chemicals in fluids used for hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, let alone setting effluent limits for the contaminants contained within them. Also, monitoring requirements allow water to be tested long after fracking outflow, or maintenance flushing, is completed. The EPA maintains Clean Water Act jurisdiction on tribal lands. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) Executive Director Jeff Ruch states, “Gushers of putrid, grayish water encrusted with chemical crystals flood through Wind River into nearby streams.” PEER is asking the EPA to rewrite the permits to regulate all the chemicals being discharged and to determine whether the produced water is potable for wildlife and livestock. Source: Tinyurl.com/Wastewater FrackingUse

Protests Needed Food Industry Fudges GMO Facts The U.S. Right to Know nonprofit has issued a report, Seedy Business: What Big Food Is Hiding with Its Slick PR Campaign on GMOs (usrtk.org/seedybusiness.pdf). It outlines the food industry’s campaign to manipulate the media, public opinion and politics with disreputable tactics, company-sponsored science and public relations spin. Since 2012, the agrichemical and food industries have mounted a complex, multifaceted public relations, advertising, lobbying and political campaign in the U.S. spending more than $100 million per year to defend genetically engineered food and crops and the pesticides that accompany them, the authors report. The purpose is to deceive the public, deflect efforts to win the right to know what’s in our food via labeling that’s now required in 64 countries and ultimately, to extend their profit stream at any cost to the public for as long as possible. Highlights include a history of the industry’s tactics to conceal information, ensure lack of government policy and testing for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), attack credible scientists and journalists and support untrustworthy advocates and political machinations.

GMO Gains

Food Supplies Increasingly Under Siege Three hundred farmers recently took over the building and interrupted a meeting where the Brazil National Biosafety Technical Commission was deciding whether or not to introduce genetically engineered (GE/ GM/GMO) transgenic eucalyptus trees into their biosphere. These activists and thousands more around the country have halted plans temporarily, but the assault continues by international corporations bent on patenting and controlling the environment itself. At home, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already approved the first corporate-sponsored, patented, genetically modified tree, ArborGen’s loblolly pine. Despite outspoken public opposition, the USDA approved it with no public oversight nor assessment of the environmental risks it poses. Grass-fed beef farmers, supplying an alternative that many seek to avoid GMO feed grain, now have to cope with the advent of genetically modified grass. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Monsanto’s exclusive consumer sales agent for RoundUp glyphosate weed killer, intends to conduct field trials at the homes of company employees absent government oversight, because no laws currently prohibit or limit the planting of GMO grass. In February, the government approved the first genetically modified apple for commercial planting. The Arctic apple is part of a growing list of sanctioned GMO fresh produce, including papaya and sweet corn. A gene within the apple is altered so it resists browning and bruising. Many people die or go blind from vitamin A deficiency, so the Gates Foundation has funded research by Australia’s Queensland University of Technology to create a vitamin-enhanced, GMO “super banana”. Testing on humans will take place in the U.S. over a six-week period and researchers aim to start growing the fruit in Uganda by 2020. Sign concerned-citizen petitions at Tinyurl.com/Credo-No-GMO-Trees and Tinyurl.com/Care2-No-GMO-Grass. natural awakenings

July 2015

globalbriefs Bee Aware Lowe’s to Stop Selling Toxic Pesticides Lowe’s Home Improvement says it will begin to eliminate neonicotinoid pesticides, a leading contributor to global bee declines, from its stores. This public commitment is the most significant announcement so far for a retailer of its size. Lisa Archer, a spokesperson for Friends of the Earth, says, “We are pleased Lowe’s is listening to consumer concerns and to the growing body of science telling us we need to move away from bee-toxic pesticides by taking steps to be part of the solution to the bee crisis.” The retailer has pledged to phase out neonicotinoids as suitable alternatives become available, redouble existing integrated pest management practices for suppliers and provide additional materials for educating customers about pollinator health.

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Source: Tinyurl.com/LowesHelpsBees

Mushroom Magic

Fungi Clean Up Toxic Wastes For waterways, soil or even radioactively contaminated areas, the powerful use of mycelium to sequester contaminants is receiving significant attention. Leading American mycologist Paul Stamets, the pioneering founder of Fungi Perfecti, has been working for years with mycore mediation, using mycelium to clean up waste sites. He holds nine patents on the antiviral, pesticidal and remediative properties of mushroom mycelia. Stamets even has an eight-step plan for cleaning up radioactive poisoning and thinks fungi could remediate radiation at the melted reactor sites in Fukushima, Japan. The Ocean Blue Project (OceanBlueProject.org), based in Corvallis, Texas, uses locally grown oyster mushroom spores lodged in a coffee grounds mixture. Then they create a “bunker spawn” that’s put into a river to restore polluted aquatic habitat. As the mushrooms grow, they break down toxins and remove pollutants from the river. Mycore mediation also helps with weed control. Source: Permaculture.co.uk

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Two years in the making, the Topaz Solar Project, the world’s largest, has begun operating in California, powerful enough to supply 160,000 homes using 9 million photovoltaic solar panels installed across 9.5 square miles. Compared to fossil fuel technology, the facility is projected to remove 377,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year; equivalent to taking 73,000 cars off the road. Unlike some solar plants, Topaz requires no water to generate electricity and makes minimal sound because there are no moving parts, so its total environmental impact is minimal. In Hawaii, where 12 percent of homes have solar panels, handling surplus power is putting pressure on the state’s biggest utility, which now wants to reduce what it pays for the energy. Electricity there is pricey, with monthly bills of $600 to $700 not uncommon. The growing popularity of making electricity at home puts new pressures on old infrastructure like circuits and power lines and cuts into electric company revenue. As a result, many utilities are reducing incentives and adding steep fees. “Hawaii is a postcard from the future,” says Adam Browning, executive director of Vote Solar, a policy and advocacy group based in California.

Protest Songs

Rocker Neil Young Celebrates Food Democracy with New Album Tour

photo by DFree/Shutterstock.com

Legendary musician Neil Young and his new band, Promise of the Real, featuring Willie Nelson’s sons Lukas and Micah Nelson, are calling out agribusiness giant Monsanto’s practices with a new album and summer concert tour. The band’s Rebel Content tour to support their new album The Monsanto Years will kick off on July 5 in Milwaukee and includes Young’s first-ever concert in Vermont, in Essex Junction, on July 19, a state that passed a law requiring food companies to label products that contain genetically modified ingredients. Young, a longtime critic of big agribusiness, has sharply criticized efforts by the Grocery Manufacturers Association to block the Vermont GMO labeling law. “Whatever you think of GMOs,” he maintains, “corporations should not be using massive lawsuits to overturn legitimate, democratic decisions that have strong public backing.” The tour also encompasses Denver, July 8 and 9; Lincoln, Nebraska, July 11; Cincinnati, July 13; Clarkston, Michigan, July 14; Camden, New Jersey, July 16; Bethel, New York, July 17; Wantagh, New York, July 21; Great Woods, Massachusetts, July 22; and Oro-Medonte, Ontario, July 24. Other dates may be added. For more information, visit NeilYoung.com.

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Protein-Rich Insects May Be Food of the Future As the world’s population grows, it makes sense to decrease consumption of animal protein. Approximately 70 percent of agricultural land and 30 percent of the total land on Earth is currently used to raise livestock, the world’s main source of protein. “Insects require less feed, water, land and energy to produce and their production generates substantially lower environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and greenhouse gases,” says Aaron Dossey, Ph.D., owner of All Things Bugs, in Gainesville, Florida, a company that provides protein-rich insect powder for commercial use. “Some insects are as much as 80 percent protein by weight and provide more essential amino acids than most other animal proteins,” reports Dossey. “They are also rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids.” For example, on a dry-weight basis, crickets contain as much omega-3 fatty acids as salmon. Florence Dunkel, Ph.D., an associate professor of entomology at Montana State University and editor of The Food Insects Newsletter, states, “Eighty-five insect species in the U.S. are documented as potential food sources; worldwide, there are 1,900 species.” She cites locusts, grasshoppers, crickets, silk moth pupae and beetle and moth larvae among the top insects consumed as food worldwide. Watch a video at Tinyurl.com/InsectsAsFood.

Control oil and you control nations; control food and you control people. ~Henry Kissinger natural awakenings

July 2015

their community, whether animals are treated humanely, if family farmers and other food workers are paid a living wage and can collectively bargain and whether people have access to safe, healthy food—as well as the right to know what is in their food, how it is produced and where it comes from.” Peck believes that if we want a cleaner environment, healthier people and more vibrant communities, “We need to be citizens that care about bringing democratic accountability, social justice and ecological integrity to all aspects of our food/farm system.”

Local Food Strengthens Communities

Food Democracy By the People, for the People and Toward a Stronger Nation by Melinda Hemmelgarn

o more fully understand the concept of democracy, we can look to some past U.S. presidents. Abraham Lincoln defined it as “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Thomas Jefferson said, “An informed citizenry is at the heart of a dynamic democracy.” Harry S. Truman further recognized that “secrecy and a free, democratic government don’t mix.” By extension, “food democracy” describes a fair and transparent food system in which people have informed choices and control in determining what and how they eat. It’s what happens when we view people as citizens, rather than consumers, and treat food as a human right, reports the Oakland, California-based Pesticide Action Network (PAN). Kelly Moltzen, a registered dietitian in Bronx, New York, and member of the Franciscan Earth Corps, defines it as having the freedom to make choices about the integrity of our food from farm to plate, so that we can support the health and well-being of ourselves, 18

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the Earth and all organisms that inhabit the ecosystem.

Food Sovereignty Feeds Independence

A PAN report on food democracy describes food sovereignty as the international equivalent of the U.S. movement to re-localize control over our food and farming. It’s rooted in regenerating historically autonomous food systems with, for and by the people. John Peck, Ph.D., executive director of Family Farm Defenders, in Madison, Wisconsin, explains that the term “food sovereignty” was coined about two decades ago by the globally active La Via Campesina, comprised of family farmers, farm workers, fishing folks, hunters, gatherers and indigenous communities around the world. “At its most basic,” Peck says, “Food sovereignty is about reclaiming local democratic control over our food/ farm system from corporate agribusiness.” This way, “Everyone has the right to decide what is grown or raised in

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In their report, Deepening Food Democracy, the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), in Minneapolis, describes how U.S. food and farming has increasingly become concentrated, consolidated and controlled by the few. Local food enthusiasts want to take back their food system from industrial, corporate masters that lobby for legislation which denies citizens the right to know how their food is produced or if it contains genetically modified ingredients (GMO). The growing local food movement is as much about returning power to communities, food workers, farmers and farm workers as it is about producing and distributing healthy, sustainably grown food, reports IATP. Anthony Flaccavento, an organic farmer in the Appalachian region of southwestern Virginia, has been working on national food and sustainable farming initiatives for nearly 30 years. In a recent Food Sleuth Radio interview, he described the resulting tremendous, multiple positive impacts of strong local economies, noting that a strong local food system is usually at their center. “Once you have vibrant, diverse local economies,” says Flaccavento, “you have better health, lower crime and incarceration rates—and more civic participation.” Basically, a more democratic food system could help fix many of the maladies ailing our nation today. The steady growth of farmers’ markets, farm to school programs and food policy councils prove that Americans are hungry both for clean food and an enhanced sense of community.

In a food democracy, everyone is a stakeholder. Not only do people have equal access to food, but they’re informed, active, engaged and participating.

thereby improving children’s diets, health, school performance and future potential. “We are contributing to food democracy by making sure every child we touch, regardless ~Rose Hayden-Smith, author, of income, zip code Sowing the Seeds of Victory and skin color, faith or nation of origin, has access to fresh, healthy, nutritious food that they help Growing Vegetables grow,” says Ritz. and Democracy So far, his Green Bronx Machine After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orcommunity has raised 30,000 pounds leans, Jenga Mwendo knew she had of vegetables. “We’re growing justice,” to leave her high-powered job in New Ritz announced in his March 2015 TED York City and return to her hometown Talk. “My favorite crop is organically in the devastated Lower Ninth Ward. grown citizens—graduates, voters and “My parents raised me to contribute,” students who are eating [better] and livMwendo explains. “My first name ing healthier lives!” means ‘to build’ and my last name means ‘always progressing’.” Kitchen Gardens In 2009, Mwendo founded the Backyard Gardeners Network (BGN), Nourish the World a local nonprofit organization that Roger Doiron is the founder and restores and strengthens what had once director of Kitchen Gardeners Interbeen a thriving, closely knit, self-reliant national (KGI), an online global comcommunity, rich with backyard gardens munity of some 30,000 people in 100 and citizen engagement. Residents countries that are growing some of went to work, recognizing the potentheir own food. He spearheaded First tial of community gardens to revitalize Lady Michelle Obama’s White House their neighborhood and bring affordGarden. Doiron’s campaign to bring a able healthful food to residents, many food garden back to the White House of them suffering from obesity, heart (presidents John Adams, Jefferson and disease and diabetes. The BGN both Jackson all had edible gardens) began revitalized a community garden and in 2008, went viral, took root and the converted a blighted lot into a Guerrilla rest is history. Today, the first lady conGarden, where people of all ages gather tinues to champion garden-fresh food to grow food, share stories, embrace to improve children’s health. their cultural heritage and learn how to From his own 1,500-square-foot become responsible citizens. garden in Scarborough, Maine, Doiron “We bring people together and and his wife harvested 900 pounds of make decisions collectively,” says organic fruits and vegetables worth Mwendo. “The garden is for our com$2,200 in a single season. “Talented munity, by our community.” Undergardeners with more generous soils and standing the value of involving children climates are able to produce even more food in less space,” he says, “but maxiand teens, she adds, “Kids know they mizing production is not our only goal. will be loved here. This is a nurturing We’re also trying to maximize pleasure environment.” and health.” Like Mwendo, Stephen Ritz, a top Doiron believes, “Quality food is 10 finalist in the Varkey Foundation’s central to well-being and is one of the Global Teacher Prize, is reaching youth best ways to unite people of different through food. Based in New York City’s countries and cultures around a comSouth Bronx, one of the country’s poormon, positive agenda.” He’s convinced est school districts, he and his students that kitchen gardens will play a critical are growing vegetables in school, While Flaccavento appreciates conscious consumers that support local food providers, he emphasizes, “Just acting locally isn’t enough. We need to re-engage with bigger social and political debates, as well.”

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role in feeding a growing population faced with climate challenges. On July 4, his organization celebrates Food Independence Day as a way to recognize the role of home and community gardens in achieving self-sufficiency.

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Jim Gerritsen operates Wood Prairie Farm with his family in Bridgewater, Maine. He’s dedicated to using organic farming methods to protect the environment and food quality, provide ample harvests and foster good jobs for the next generation of young farmers. As president of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, Gerritsen led a lawsuit against Monsanto in 2011, challenging the validity of seed patents. In a Food Sleuth Radio interview, he explains, “Patented seeds cannot be saved and replanted. To take that right away from farmers was a

terrible mistake on the part of the Supreme Court.” Seed ownership belongs to the people; our seed resource is part of our common heritage. “Genetic engineering was an invention to take away from the commons the ownership of seeds,” he continues. “Regaining control of the seed supply is one of the most pressing battles we have in agriculture.” Gerritsen encourages everyone to plant an organic garden using organic seeds and to advocate GMO labeling. “Let’s let transparency reign, which is a hallmark of a democratic system,” he proclaims. Melinda Hemmelgarn is a registered dietitian and award-winning writer and nationally syndicated radio host at KOPN.org, in Columbia, MO (Food Sleuth@gmail.com). She advocates for organic farmers at Enduring-Image. blogspot.com.

National Count of Farmers’ Market Directory Listings

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Nationwide tracking of farmers’ markets that listed fewer than 1,800 in 1994 now numbers nearly 8,300 20 years later. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture 20

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consciouseating

by Judith Fertig

n 1776, the stirring phrase in the U.S. Declaration of Independence—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—became a rallying cry for American colonists seeking these inalienable rights of self-government. In 2015, those seeking a new way of eating for personal wellness, a more vibrant local economy and a healthier environment are fomenting their own kind of rebellion. “You have to make a conscious decision to change for your own wellbeing, that of your family and your country,” according to former President Bill Clinton. In early 2010, suffering from heart disease, Clinton chose to radically change his meat-lover’s diet to a more plant-based focus. “I wanted to live to be a grandfather, so I decided to pick the diet that I thought would maximize my chances of long-term survival,” he says. Clinton is part of a growing leadership group that espouses a more vegetarian approach to eating, including a federally appointed panel of nutritionists. For the first time since its formation in 1983, the federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee this year elected to factor environmental sustainability into its recommendations, noting that a diet lower in animal-based foods is not only healthier,

but has less of an environmental impact. The impetus toward plant-based foods is also stronger than in their last report in 2010.

Exciting Developments

A bold pioneer in the charge for plantbased eating is PlantPure Nation, a grassroots organization founded by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., the author of the bestselling The China Study, a book that helped persuade Clinton to make his own dietary change. Today, his son, Nelson Campbell, is at the forefront of this food revolution, most recently producing the independent documentary film PlantPure Nation, set to debut nationwide on July 4. Those enticed by the delicious concept of better health for themselves and the planet can also turn to The PlantPure Nation Cookbook, with more than 150 plant-based recipes by Kim Campbell, Nelson’s wife, whom he names “the chef in the family.” “No issue is bigger than the one of plant-based nutrition,” says Nelson. “It’s at the root of our healthcare crisis, affecting the lives of millions of Americans, the vitality of our economy and the solvency of our government. The food we eat has enormous effects on climate, water and soil resources. Our food choices also affect the way in

image courtesy of PlantPureNation.com

VEGGIE NATION REVOLUTION

which food is produced and distributed in this country, equitably or not.” Historically, political revolutions tend to be violently adversarial, but a food revolution can take a more nurturing and inclusive course. “The first step people can take is to change their own diet,” Nelson says. “The next step is to help others do the same. The third is to get involved in the movement.”

New Fourth of July Barbecue

A fun way to help ourselves and our friends and family consider making dietary changes is hosting a plantbased Fourth of July get-together. Kim’s recipes for a smoky “barbecue” sandwich, creamy potato salad and a zesty, colorful bean dish celebrate traditional picnic foods with a twist. They’re also perfect for potluck-style entertaining. “We have often branded this idea of plant-based nutrition as such and such a ‘diet’, and then built these brands around personalities. But in order to make this a more mainstream idea, we need to frame it differently. This concept of plant-based nutrition is a fact of nature; a simple idea that’s accessible to all,” says Nelson. In a 2012 Gallup poll, just 5 percent of U.S. adults identified themselves as vegetarians, plus 2 percent as vegans. It’s a start, Nelson contends, and there are other promising signs. “The local-food movement is blossoming, with farmers’ markets springing up all over the United States,” proclaims the National Geographic special publication The Future of Food (Food. NationalGeographic.com). The number has increased dramatically in the past five years. The editors point to the demand for fresh produce and a desire to invest in local economies as driving this growth. “I love the idea of a movement involving millions of people fixing a problem that industry and government have largely caused,” says Nelson. “Our success may show a new way forward for solving other pressing social problems.” Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAnd Lifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

natural awakenings

July 2015

PlantPure Nation Recipes BBQ Jackfruit

Yields: 4 to 6 servings Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 5 to 7 hours Green jackfruit, a native plant of Asia, is often termed the vegetarian’s meat. The hardest part of this recipe is finding canned green jackfruit (available in most Asian markets). Although fresh green jackfruit is occasionally available, it’s messy, sticky and difficult to cut. Two 20-oz cans green jackfruit in water, drained 1½ cups barbecue sauce 1 onion, diced 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced (medium pieces) Rinse the green jackfruit thoroughly. Place all the ingredients in a slow cooker at medium heat for 4 to 5 hours. Jackfruit will soften, begin to fall apart and take on the consistency of pulled pork. Use a fork to pull apart the fruit and stir thoroughly. Turn the slow cooker to low heat and cook for another 1 to 2 hours. Kim’s hints: 4 Customize this recipe with a favorite barbecue sauce that has no added oils and a low sodium content. 4 This recipe gets better the longer it’s cooked. Leftovers are good. 4 Serve the barbecue on a whole-grain bun and top with coleslaw.

Creamy Potato Salad Yields: 6 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes

This traditional potato salad has the perfect blend of celery, onions and seasonings. 2½ pounds red potatoes, unpeeled 4 organic celery stalks, thinly sliced ½ red onion, cut in half again and julienned 6 green onions, sliced 22

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½ cup tofu cashew mayonnaise 4 tsp apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp agave nectar ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper Cut the potatoes into half- to one-inch chunks. Place potato pieces in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil 5 to 10 minutes; then turn down the heat to medium and cook until tender. Rinse the cooked potatoes in a colander with cold water until they are room temperature. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients to the potatoes and gently stir thoroughly.

Southwestern Bean Salad Yields 4 to 6 servings Prep time: 20 minutes

Seasoned for a Southwestern flavor, the beans, corn and avocado make this a satisfying salad everyone will like. 1 15-oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup frozen corn, thawed 1 red bell pepper, seeded and medium diced ½ cup diced medium red onion 1 cup halved or quartered cherry tomatoes 1 avocado, pitted and diced ¼ cup red wine vinegar ¼ cup lime juice 1 Tbsp agave nectar ½ tsp sea salt ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp chili powder 2 tsp Sriracha hot sauce ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro Combine the beans and vegetables in a large bowl and feel free to add seasonal vegetables to taste.

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Blend the vinegar, lime juice, agave, salt, cumin, chili powder and Sriracha in a small bowl. Add more chili powder and Sriracha for a spicier dish. Drizzle over the beans and vegetables and toss to coat. Refrigerate for an hour and then sprinkle with cilantro before serving.

Thai Tofu Wraps Yields: 6 wraps Prep time: 15 minutes

The tofu filling for these wraps is full of Thai flavors, with the perfect combination of peanuts, lime and cilantro. 1 14-oz block extra-firm tofu ¼ cup natural peanut butter (100 percent peanuts) 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce 1½ Tbsp lime juice ¼ tsp garlic powder 2 tsp Sriracha hot sauce 1 /3 cup small diced red bell pepper ¼ cup sliced green onion ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro 6 whole-wheat tortilla wraps 2 cups sprouts Drain the tofu and gently press between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture. In a bowl, combine the peanut butter,

soy sauce, lime juice, garlic powder and Sriracha. Add the tofu, bell pepper, green onion and cilantro and stir with a fork until well mixed and the tofu is crumbly. Place a portion of the tofu mixture in the center of a whole-wheat tortilla wrap, top with sprouts or favorite veggies and roll up the tortilla. Kim’s hint: 4 The Thai tofu filling can also be served in a sandwich (e.g., on toasted whole-wheat bread with fresh basil).

Caribbean Quinoa Bowl Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 10 minutes

½ cup quinoa 1 cup water 4 cups chopped kale 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp chili powder ¼ tsp sea salt ¾ cup salsa (medium hot) ½ cup diced pineapple (fresh, canned or frozen) ¾ cup corn (fresh or frozen) ¾ cup diced avocado ¼ cup sliced green onions

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Rinse the quinoa thoroughly, which can have a bitter taste otherwise. Add the quinoa and the water to a pot, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until all liquid is absorbed. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Lightly steam the kale until bright green. Add to the bowl with quinoa. Add the beans, cumin, chili powder, salt, salsa, pineapple and corn. Toss until the ingredients are well mixed. Top with the avocado and green onions and serve immediately. Source for all recipes: The PlantPure Nation Cookbook, by Kim Campbell.

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the infant, suggesting that the relationship between an infant’s health and breast-feeding is, in part, determined by the health of the infant’s microbiome. n Toxins in food or from dental fillings impair digestion, allowing undigested food to enter the large intestine where it can feed unfriendly organisms.

You Are NOT What You Eat

n Inflammation in the gut caused by imbalances in the microbiome can “poke holes” in the intestines, so that food proteins leak through, which challenges the immune system even more and leads to food allergies.

But What You Eat Sure Does Matter by Dr. Chas Gant

he old saying “you are what you eat” suggests that the totality of a human being’s mind, body and spirit can be reduced to the quality of the food they consume. What is true is that our gastrointestinal (GI) tract and its microbiome—the microorganisms which make their home in our intestines, depend heavily on the quality of the food we eat. In turn, our health and well-being is heavily dependent on their function.

Consider these facts: n The GI tract is a semipermeable membrane which is designed to allow nutrients to pass through (amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, water, peptides and enzymes and other nutrient molecules) and repel toxic molecules. n The GI tract is composed of a singlecell-thick membrane covered by a thin biofilm of microorganisms. n The GI tract’s cells are folded all over itself, so that it has the surface area of about 1 or 2 tennis courts. n Only about 10 percent of the cells of your body are actually your body. 24

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The other 90 percent are mostly the numerous tiny bacteria that live in your gut microbiome. n Basically when you eat food, your microbiome eats the food you eat, digests some of it, manufactures vitamins from some of it and gives you what’s left over. n Friendly bacteria also digest away some of the toxins in food to protect us. n “Unfriendly” bacteria, yeasts, viruses and parasites generate toxins to protect themselves from our immune system which is trying to destroy them and to hinder the friendly organisms they are in competition with. n Sixty to 80 percent of the entire body’s immune system lives in and around the GI tract to police the microbiome. n Preservatives in food and chlorine in water, designed to inhibit infectious organisms; mercury fillings placed into teeth to destroy the bacteria which cause tooth decay; the fluoride in toothpaste and antibiotics which we take; find their way into the food we eat and all take a toll on the health of the microbiome. n Mother’s milk supplies probiotics to

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These account for only a portion of the astonishing facts about the GI tract and the microbiome. It is clear that the health of this part of the body has a lot to do with the health of the entire body. For instance, autoimmune disorders, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, are often primarily caused by a severely imbalanced microbiome and a sustainable, medication-free recovery is not possible until the microbiome and intestinal lining is healed. Likewise, sustainable, authentic, medication-free recoveries from other chronic conditions like Lyme disease and its co-infections, cancer and psychiatric disorders are impossible until the GI tract and microbiome is healed. Healing the GI Tract and its microbiome usually involves a several-month process, which can be summarized by the acronym, the “5 R’s”. • Remove the unfriendly organisms. • Re-innoculate the friendly microorganisms. • Repair the lining of the GI tract. • Replenish digestive enzymes. • Restore liver detoxification. You are not what you eat, but what you eat sure does matter. The health of the intestines and the microbiome depends on what you eat, which directly affects your health and wellness. Dr. Chas Gant, M.D., Ph.D., is an author, physician and educator, specializing in functional medicine, molecular health and healing. For more information, call 202-237-7000, ext. 152 or visit DoctorChas.com. See ad, page 31.

healthykids

Misdiagnosing ADHD in Children

When Medication Does More Harm Than Good by Peter Riddle

ver the past 10 years, millions of children in the United States have been misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Often, a child’s elementary school teacher requests that a child be assessed when the teacher notices the child fidgeting in class, or what the teacher perceives as a lack of focus. An ADHD diagnosis is largely made on a subjective basis by many health professionals and can lead to years of medicating a child who may not even have ADHD. But many questions remain: Are such common diagnoses the work of physicians’ knee-jerk reaction to stigmatized behavior or are there underlying, underexplored reasons for why some kids are unfocused, fidgety and lower performers academically? The biggest problem facing kids and parents today is misdiagnosing a disorder, even more so than not diagnosing it. Too many kids are mislabeled, ending up in a cycle that leaves them untreated or improperly medicated, helpless, unable to perform and stigmatized. The diagnosis of ADHD is by far the

most common label given to fidgety kids who lack the ability to focus in an ageappropriate manner. Yet, there is a FDA approved technology for diagnosing this condition by measuring brain wave patterns (Neurolex QEEG—quantitative electroencephalogram). With 96 percent reliability, this noninvasive, detailed diagnostic tool, in combination with an assessment by a seasoned learning professional, is the most full-proof strategy to identify children with ADHD. It would be a great service to parents and particularly children if more pediatricians would carefully rule out ADHD with these multipronged diagnostic tools as there are dozens of other conditions with symptoms that present with lack of focus and fidgety behavior. Once it is clear what condition the child may be suffering from, only then can a path to resolution and successful learning be planned and taken. Parents are only getting part of the story when they look to teachers and report cards to tell them about their children. Teachers are not diagnosticians. They work to teach to the common core

and students who may not fit into their preferred student personality type may be singled out as a cause for concern. Report cards hold merit. These communicate several pieces of relevant information that shouldn’t be overlooked: final grades, test scores, a snapshot of a child’s perceived effort in class, the quality of submitted homework, behavioral issues that might have contributed to less-than-exemplary results in some or all of the above. The question as to why they are struggling, fidgeting or not focusing, however, remains unanswerable by report cards. A thoughtful teaching strategy along with heightened self-esteem and confidence are the most powerful sources of change in children. Pharmaceutical intervention has its place in many cases, yet it is sadly a first treatment for thousands when it ought to be a last resort. Standard performance metrics like the traditional report card need to be reevaluated. Report cards only scratch the surface of a more complex, layered story that could be telling us much more critical information about a child’s challenges with learning that will help inform a learning environment and style that really fits their needs. Parents need to get a 360-degree view of their child, their developmental landscape, their strengths, weaknesses, potential and help their kids succeed by having their needs professionally assessed and addressed. Are there fine motor skills that are underdeveloped that present through difficulty writing that are dismissed by teachers as laziness? Perhaps a child is fidgeting not because they are poorly behaved and undisciplined but because there are neurological system underdevelopments which create imbalance and the need for movement to concentrate. When we look comprehensively at and work with the whole child and the underlining issues, we can break the cycle of misdiagnosing behavioral disorders that wreak havoc on children, their families and society. Peter Riddle is 37-year learning specialist and co-founder of Empowered Learning Transformation Centers, eltcenters. com. Riddle and his team have helped over 750 children transition off of medication. See ad, page 36. natural awakenings

July 2015

nonprofitspotlight

Supporting Female Soldiers The Mission of Spa Swag for Warriors by Robin Fillmore

eeping up the morale of the men and women that serve our country is an important responsibility of those who enjoy the freedom soldiers protect. Particularly for those who serve overseas, without loved ones nearby, deployments can be quite challenging. Understanding this need, the nonprofit organization, Spa Swag for Warriors, was formed with the express purpose of improving the morale and well-being of deployed female service members by providing high quality bath and body products. In the fall of 2014, Lacey Chong learned that one of her best friends, a female Marine Corps officer, was deployed to rural West Africa during the height of the Ebola crisis. She and her fellow female soldiers lacked quality bath and body products, and did not have access to resources or products that are usually available on large U.S. bases overseas. Chong asked friends and family to donate items to send, and was overwhelmed by the response and generosity. “I decided to start Spa Swag for Warriors so that other courageous ladies serving abroad will be able to en-

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joy a luxurious spa swag bag as well while on deployment,” notes Chong. “We believe it is absolutely essential for their morale and well-being.” Since becoming a nonprofit in March 2015, Chong and her friends and supporters started small—growing by word-of-mouth and building like a lean startup business. They found many of their lady warrior clients through grassroots campaigns. While combat forces have drawn down in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are still troops stationed in hardship postings all over the world. Spa Swag for Warriors has sent packages to U.S. bases in the Middle East, West Africa, East Africa and Southeast Asia. Wherever women are eligible for hardship pay, they are eligible to receive spa swag packages. Chong enlisted the support of an experienced and diverse board of advisors and works closely with three other women, Hiba Alyawer, Corinne Price and Jaimie Vickery, to serve as board officers. They also decided to offer the “swag” that is consistent with their own values. As such, they try to send all-natural, preferably organic, natural and cruelty-free products, as

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much as possible. According to board president Alyawer, this approach differentiates Spa Swag for Warriors from other nonprofit organizations. “We have been taking a more targeted approach and we’ve been incredibly successful in securing amazing, socially-responsible companies who donate bath and body products for us to send to female soldiers overseas. We are proud to name Cate McNabb, Tom’s of Maine and Arbonne, as donors and partners.“ One important element of their work is to educate potential donors about the needs of female soldiers, because there is a presumption female soldiers don’t need anything special like bath or beauty items. While their physical needs are met, deployed ladies appreciate having a little bit of luxury in the field. According to Chong, it makes a huge difference when they can feel feminine, clean and pulled together. For Alyawer, serving the Spa Swag for Warriors is an opportunity to give back to her adopted country. She is a native Iraqi who lived in Kuwait through the hardship of the Gulf War. “The United States opened its arms and gave us a new home, for which we are forever grateful. I now take any opportunity to help our troops and Spa Swag for Warriors gave me that avenue. I am motivated and energized by all the pictures we receive of happy faces and thank you notes from our deployed female warriors holding our Spa Swag bags as it further validates the importance of our mission.” For founder Chong, starting this nonprofit has taught her some important lessons as she has moved the organization from an idea to a fully functioning nonprofit organization. The most important lesson: “Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Sometimes as women, we hesitate to be demanding or to be ‘that person’ who sticks their head out. We have learned that you get what you want by asking—whether it is to network, asking for products or donations.”

For more information, visit SpaSwagFor Warriors.org or email Contact@SpaSwag ForWarriors.org.

communityspotlight

Creating Community at Central Farm Markets by Robin Fillmore

40-plus year career in the food business may just be the perfect prelude for the latest venture for the husband and wife team, Mitch Berliner and Debra Moser. Each week throughout the spring, summer and fall (and all-year in Bethesda), they run Central Farm Markets, which operates at three separate locations. Their markets are in Bethesda, Rockville (at Pike & Rose) and in the Mosaic District in Fairfax. The Bethesda market was their first and was established in 2008. Berliner had a long history, first in setting up and running farm stands in the 70s, and went on to own a very large frozen food distribution company that brought Ben and Jerry’s, Haagen-Dazs and other frozen treats to the midAtlantic. When he sold his companies in 2008 and “retired”, a fortuitous call to the property manager of a vacant lot in Bethesda turned into his next business venture. While the property managers agreed that it was an excellent

spot for a farm market, they needed someone to start it up. Berliner, with another partner, established the market that same year with 17 vendors. Within a year, Moser had joined the team and in just a few years they outgrew that space. They moved around to different locations before settling in at the parking lot at Bethesda Elementary—now with 63 weekly vendors each Sunday morning. Soon after, Moser left her position as the executive director of VisArts in Rockville to help Berliner and to launch another food-related venture, MeatCrafters. With ideas on transforming charcuterie, they begin making crafted salamis and artisanal sausages, and after merging with another sausage company, Simply Sausage, and taking on a new partner, Stan Feder, they now supply many restaurants, specialty food shops and wineries, as well as selling them at each of the farm markets. The Pike Central Farm Market, in Rockville, has moved over the four years it has been operating to accom-

modate the massive construction project that is now taking place at the new Pike and Rose complex. Once completed in 2016, the market will be back at its original location along Rockville Pike, among new shops and restaurants on the site. In the meantime, joining the 40 vendors at Pike & Rose is a Walking Club, where a professional trainer brings an hour of cardio and strength training each Saturday at 9 a.m. Most recently, Central Farm Markets has opened its third location at the Mosaic District, in Fairfax, just two years ago. Berliner and Moser had been approached to launch a new market in that area for several years and finally found the space in their busy lives to establish this new spot. In these two years, it has grown substantially with 43 vendors coming to Mosaic each Sunday. The best part of each market is the community feel generated as neighbors come together. “It is a lot like a town square. People like to come and sit down—have a cup of coffee and visit with their friends. They can spend time and enjoy prepared foods, music and activities for the kids. We also have chef demos and wineries that people can enjoy,” Moser notes. “It is becoming a part of many families’ morning routines—bring the kids and the dogs. Everyone is welcome.” While each of the markets has a slightly different flair, all support local farmers and food artisans, hailing from the northern neck of Virginia up to Pennsylvania and everywhere in between. The beauty of local foods, besides the freshness of produce that hasn’t been shipped across the country, is that local businesses, small family farms and farmers are supported by the communities in which they sell. There is enough variety at each market that families can do all of their weekly shopping in one stop. At the end of the market a great amount of fresh produce is donated to the local nonprofit, MANNA Food Center in Montgomery County and several food centers in Northern Virginia. This food, helps to feed those who don’t have access to farm fresh foods throughout the city. For more information about Central Farm Markets, visit CentralFarmMarkets.com. natural awakenings

July 2015

naturalhealing

Ten Steps for a Healthy Gut by Julie Wendt and Mikhail Kogan

hronic gastrointestinal dysregulation creates a steady stream of patients into many integrative medical clinics. The goal for these patients is to optimize gastrointestinal function as the primary tool in optimizing health for years. Physician’s understanding of the role that the microbiome—an individual’s balance of bacteria, yeast and viruses—has evolved and today, many physicians understand more clearly how critical a diverse and prolific gut ecosystem is to health. Their approach has shifted from looking at a general pattern of digestive enzymes—the presence of pathogens, low immune function and food sensitivities, to an entirely new way of looking into intestinal health—using

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functional tests that provide a detailed picture of our microbiome. Now that they can study the composition of the ecology within the gut, the integrative medical community is turning their attention to the tools that they can use to shift that ecology for the better. In his new book, Brain Maker, neurologist David Perlmutter does an elegant job connecting microbiome changes to diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s as well as depression, anxiety, obesity and diabetes. One might expect obesity and diabetes to appear on the list as we know these imbalances are related to digestion; the surprise comes when we realize that almost all chronic diseases can be traced to an altered balance of beneficial and

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opportunistic gut microbes. To learn more about the connection between the gut and the brain, check out the excellent interview with Perlmutter in the June issue of Natural Awakenings. What physicians have found is that chronic microbiome disregulation does not manifest with obvious gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. A typical scenario is a patient who has suffered for decades with chronic sinusitis and has been on antibiotics at least 10 times every year. An initial assessment of GI health is conducted, using a comprehensive GI analysis. As expected in this particular case, the patient had Candida Albicans overgrowth, a fungi that is pathogenic if present in high amounts in the intestinal track. After one month of changes to diet and lifestyle, the patient’s sinusitis went away and her energy improved dramatically. With the rebalancing of her gut microbes, she had only occasional mild symptoms that were effectively treated without antibiotics. A growing trend is that patients who have taken antibiotics for chronic inflammatory or metabolic conditions or eat a diet that is lacking in fiber, fermented foods and prebiotics (foods that probiotics like to eat) are likely to have dysbiosis—abnormal changes in intestinal flora. Immense improvements in health are made when patients make these 10 practical changes to support a diverse and prolific gut flora: n Cut out all processed foods—they feed bad bugs. n Increase fiber-rich foods (legumes, grains, fruit and vegetables) as good bugs need fiber for optimal growth n Use prebiotic foods to feed good bugs: artichoke, bananas, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables and legumes. n Eat fermented foods every day, such as kefir, kim-chi, kombucha, water kefir or sauerkraut. n Try a gluten-free diet. Gluten often causes inflammation that leads to intestinal permeability and malabsorption. n Minimize refined sugar intake and use natural sweeteners like honey in moderate amounts. Sugar promotes growth of Candida and pathogenic bacteria. Avoid any synthetic sugars except for stevia as

they kill healthy gut microbes. n Take probiotic and prebiotic supplements with the consultation of your integrative practitioner. n Assure high Omega 3 fatty acid intake as the essential fatty acids are important for the intestinal cell lining, helping to prevent or repair a leaky gut. n Have at least one bowel movement daily. If not, try further increasing fiber, adding magnesium citrate or ground flax seeds to have regular bowel movements. n Manage stress as it creates the toxic environment where bad bugs thrive. Julie Wendt, M.S., CNS is a nutritionist and health coach supporting patients in reaching their health goals through diet and lifestyle support. Mikhail Kogan, M.D. is assistant professor of Medicine at George Washington University and medical director of GW Center for Integrative Medicine where he sees patients for integrative medicine consultations and primary care visits. For more information, call 202-833-5055 or visit GWCIM.com. See ad, page 2.

Fruit Kvass (Yields 1 quart) 1 apple, washed and coarsely chopped 1 cup berries ¼ cup whey* 1 inch ginger (optional)

Add ingredients to a quart jar, fill until 1 inch below the shoulder with filtered water. Seal and place on the counter for 2 to 3 days. Refrigerate and enjoy daily! *Make your own whey by placing 1 quart of plain, full-fat yogurt in a strainer lined with cheese cloth over a bowl. Allow the whey to drip into the bowl for 12 to 36 hours. Store the 2 cups of whey in the fridge and use the 1 cup of yogurt cheese as you would cream cheese. recipe provided by Sally Fallon from Nourishing Tradition

yoga with nya ∙ private instruction ∙ specialty workshops ∙ Sunday community classes at Union Market ∙ workplace yoga

yogawithnya.com nya@yogawithnya.com washington, dc ∙ 202.212.9304 natural awakenings

July 2015

wisewords EarthLight Promotions

Jeffrey Smith Warns Against GMOs

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Promoting Holistic Health Practitioners, Wellness Workshops, Integrative Medicine Talks Marketing For Natural Medicine & Holistic Health Practitioners Organizing Sacred Retreats & Bringing Back Indigenous Wisdom

Beverly Nickerson 703-401-9663

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beverlynickerson@comcast.net

If it came from a plant,

EAT IT. If it was made in a plant,

DON’T. ~Michael Pollan

by Linda Sechrist

effrey Smith is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, author of Seeds of Deception and director of the documentary Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives. Smith and his organization’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in America are spearheading consumer rejection of genetically modified foods (GM/GMO) in order to force them off the market.

What basics should everyone know about GMOs? Genetic engineering is different from traditional crossbreeding. In engineering six major GMO crops—soy, corn, cotton, canola, sugar beets and alfalfa—a gene from a virus or bacteria was forced into the DNA of the plants. Derivatives such as soy lecithin, soy protein, highfructose corn syrup and sugar (unless labeled as cane sugar) are in the vast majority of processed foods.

How did GMO foods invade grocery shelves? Many U.S. consumers mistakenly believe that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves GMO crops only after careful study. Instead, the agency claimed it wasn’t aware of any significant difference from other food crops and declared safety testing unnecessary. In reality, according to FDA documents later made public in a lawsuit, the consensus among FDA 30

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scientists was that GMOs were different and dangerous and needed rigorous, longterm testing to prevent allergies, toxins, new diseases and nutritional problems. When the George W. Bush administration ordered the agency to promote biotechnology as a way to increase U.S. food exports, the FDA responded by creating a new position of Deputy Commissioner of Policy for Michael R. Taylor, a former Monsanto attorney. He later became a Monsanto vice president and is now back at the FDA as the U.S. food safety czar.

Why is Roundup, Monsanto’s weed killer for GMO crops, so toxic? Monsanto portrays Roundup as a benevolent herbicide. This is a lie. Glyphosate, its active patented ingredient, alters biochemical pathways in the body. Scientists such as Anthony Samsel and Stephanie Seneff have linked glyphosate to numerous diseases and disorders, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, gluten sensitivity, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, autism and reproductive disorders. In March, the World Health Organization declared it a probable carcinogen.

How can we avoid unlabeled GMO foods? Eat organic foods, which are not allowed to contain GM ingredients, or products that are labeled non-GMO,

or those that don’t contain derivatives of the current nine GMO food crops, which now include some zucchini, yellow squash and papaya grown in Hawaii or China. Any packaged grocery product not labeled “Non-GMO” or “Organic” is likely to contain at least one GMO; this includes meat and dairy products, from animals that have eaten GM feed. NonGMOShoppingGuide.com is a reliable resource that lists about 30,000 non-GMO products. A non-GMO diet is recommended by thousands of doctors, as well as the American Academy of Environmental Medicine.

What more can “we the people” do to eradicate GMOs? We are in control, not government agencies. I believe that promoting a stronger message—that GMOs are dangerous and should be avoided—would better serve consumers and the food-labeling movement. High-profile campaigns will continue educating consumers about the dangers of GMOs and the necessity of rejecting them in favor of healthier nonGMO choices, especially for children that are most at risk. The desired result is that food companies will feel the loss of profits and remove GMOs as a liability. The tipping point in the U.S. is almost here. In 2013, the president of Whole Foods announced that when a product becomes verified as non-GMO, sales leap by 15 to 30 percent. Thousands of natural product brands were immediately enrolled for verification. Now conventional brands such as Post Foods’ Grape Nuts, Target’s Simply Balanced brand, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Chipotle’s restaurant menu are GMO-free. General Mills stopped using GMO beet sugar in Cheerios. When the rest of the food industry sees these non-GMO-labeled products increase in sales in conventional supermarkets, they will be forced to eliminate GMOs as well, to protect their market share. Visit ResponsibleTechnology.org and GeneticRouletteMovie.com to educate everyone about the dangers of GMOs. Connect with writer Linda Sechrist at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

The Health Solutions you’ve been looking for. Fatigue • Depression • Alzheimer’s • AD/HD • Autism Cardiovascular • Diabetes • Gastro-intestinal Hormonal imbalances • Asthma • Allergies • Cancer Autoimmune • Lyme • Addictions Weight Loss & Obesity • Chronic Pain • Neurological disorders Parkinson’s Disease • Anti-aging • Preventative medicine and more

Dr. Chas Gant, MD, PhD

Call now for an appointment: 202-237-7000

For over 35 years, Dr. Chas Gant, MD, has helped patients of all ages identify & reverse their unique root causes of chronic disorders. He is known internationally for his expertise in Functional Medicine & Genomics, Integrative Medicine, & the Mind/Body connection.

National Integrated Health Associates 5225 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Suite 402

DoctorChas.com

Transform Your Corporate Kitchen with

Beth Lindley works with progressive companies that have escalating health care costs and unhealthy kitchens to transform their company kitchens into health conscious havens and increase their revenue. Services: assessments • company kitchen makeovers • lunch & learns • coaching packages • and incentive programs to compliment your current wellness program + personalized kitchen makeovers for employees Results: disease prevention • fewer doctor’s visits • lower absenteeism • higher retention • and improved morale

Contact for a COMPLIMENTARY consultation bethlindley.com 202-285-8191 • beth@bethlindley.com

The problem is we are not eating food anymore, we are eating food-like products. ~Alejandro Junger natural awakenings

July 2015

eventspotlight

by Robin Fillmore

iabetes is a serious disease. Those who suffer from diabetes know that in order to stop it using a natural approach, they need to make lifestyle and food choices but this information is not always accessible or clear. E4 Health & Wellness is offering a series of free workshops in the greater D.C. area, exposing the three big myths people have about Type 2 diabetes and helping people get the help and answers they need—including the answers many doctors don’t have time to share. The 90-minute workshops will be throughout the greater D.C. region, Maryland and Virginia (see box, next page) in July. The goal is to provide clarity on the root causes that underlie many of the symptoms for diabetes and offer specific actions attendees can do to stop the progression of diabetes. It is important for people with Type 2 diabetes to know that their life can be better with diabetes and it is even possible to get on the path to reversal and avoid all the complications that come from living with diabetes if they have the right information, guidance and support. Many people don’t realize that

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even with a family history of Type 2 diabetes, they can avoid it or stop it. Genes are not destiny with Type 2. So often, those who have been diagnosed just give up hope and accept they will have diabetes for life. However, if specific strategies are taken within the first five to 10 years after diagnosis, these same people can take their health into their own hands, stop the progression and start on a path towards reversal. People who could benefit from this workshop are those who were recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and are struggling with what to do next. Likewise, those who have had it for many years and have become frustrated with their current options or worry about the long-term complications, such as heart disease, loss of vision or loss of limbs, will find it beneficial. Most workshops on diabetes focus on symptom or disease management. In the free workshops offered by E4 Health & Wellness, the focus is on tackling the root cause, head on, and getting on the path towards beating diabetes. Everyone is unique, yet there

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are many case studies of people who have been able to reverse the disease, even after living with it for many years, following lifestyle and dietary strategies outlined in the workshops. This approach is for those who are serious about taking their health into their own hands. It is not for those who are content with simply medicating themselves, pretending a pill will change everything, nor is this a miracle cure that can take away diabetes while eating cinnamon rolls all day long. The approach offered by E4 Health & Wellness offers concrete steps to fight back against diabetes. To those who have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, these workshops may provide an opportunity to reverse it, even before their condition becomes serious. E4 Health & Wellness was founded by John Vargas, whose own life was touched by diabetes. Several family members suffered from it and his grandmother died from complications of the disease. Vargas was also on a path towards diabetes and dove into the medical research, trying to understand the root causes of disease. He discovered research that experts had been doing for more than 20 years which clearly pointed to specific natural and lifestyle protocols that would stop diabetes. Though initially skeptical, he implemented the protocols and resolved his own health challenges. Through this process, he came to realize that the concepts of better health for diabetics were not beyond comprehension but that conflicting and confusing information was clouding the picture, supplied by people and organizations with various vested and corporate interests who didn’t necessarily have the patients’ health as their top priority. E4 Health & Wellness was founded with a vision for a world where everyone lives naturally healthy, sustainably, ethically and spiritually. It was created as a social enterprise, missionbased organization, to help transform the lives of those with chronic disease. For more information and to register, visit E4ba.org/t2wkdc3. Registration is required as spaces are limited. See ad, page 10.

Free Diabetes Workshops Learn the three big myths about Type 2 diabetes and natural strategies you can do today to stop its progression. Registration required due to limited space, address sent after registration. All locations have access to metro and parking. Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. Downtown D.C., Logan Circle, Dupont Circle Saturday, July 18 at 8:30 a.m. North Bethesda, close to Rockville, Wheaton Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. Tenleytown, close to Bethesda, Chevy Chase Saturday, July 25 at 9 a.m. Silver Spring, close to Wheaton, College Park Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. Arlington, close to Roslyn, Court House, Clarendon For more informaion or to register, visit e4ba.org/t2wkdc1

ecotip Soil Savers

The Need to Protect Precious Native Topsoils American states salute their native identities and characteristics in many ways, including official birds and flowers. Home farmers, growers and gardeners can relish that soils also bear official state designations, including New York’s Honeoye, South Carolina’s Lynchburg, Alabama’s Bama, Iowa’s Tama and California’s San Joaquin. All these different types of earth are threatened by widespread use of pesticides, topsoil degradation and other factors that severely hamper their integrity. The U.N. General Assembly declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils, saluting its many roles, including storing and filtering water, providing resilience to drought, participating in the carbon cycle and being the foundation for agriculture. According to The Land Institute, the loss of topsoil is the greatest threat to our food supply. Planting perennial crops, agroforestry, intercropping and other agro-ecological practices can help conserve soils, preventing erosion and protecting water. According to GreenLiving.com, these sustainable practices can help prevent soil erosion: Reduce impervious surfaces. Driveways, patios and lanais allow precipitation to flow freely over them, gaining momentum in the process, to erode topsoil. Use paving stones rather than a concrete slab to allow water to percolate down into the soil. Plant a rain garden. As a shallow depression in the yard, a rain garden collects precipitation washing over impervious surfaces, preventing soil erosion and facilitating growth of wetland plants. Use a rain barrel. Placing a barrel underneath a downspout will collect and store water that runs off roofs, making it available for watering plants even when rain is sporadic. It supports both water and soil conservation efforts. Consider innovative products. Fiber mulch mats—small, biodegradable particles of wood, straw, coconut and other natural plant materials interlocked with mulch—blend with soil to keep moisture in the topsoil by acting as a top coating. (Review representative manufacturers’ products at LandscapePlanet.com and ErosionPollution.com.) Find the official soil for each state at Tinyurl.com/NativeStateSoils.

natural awakenings

July 2015

greenliving

FOOD GLEANING Harvesting Leftovers Feeds the Hungry by Avery Mack

mericans annually discard more food than plastic—35 million tons in 2012—an amount that’s tripled since 1960, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Most of the waste is fruits and vegetables, seafood, grains, meat and milk. Since waste starts in the fields before it compounds via restaurants, grocers and families, the easiest starting point to reverse this trend is with farmers. “Farming’s a high-risk business. Farmers can’t predict weather, sales or equipment problems, so extra is grown,” explains Laurie Caldwell, executive director of Boston Area Gleaners, in Waltham, Massachusetts. “Up to 20 percent of U.S.-grown food isn’t harvested. Gleaners save what’s left behind for hungry people in need.”

Everyone Benefits

“Income disparity, economic vulnerability and lack of knowledge leads to unhealthy choices,” adds Caldwell. “The negative consequences become a community burden.” Countering 34

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the problem, “We’ve seen a shift in priorities, with food pantries offering fresh, quality food and educating both staff and recipients,” she reports. In 2014, Boston Area Gleaners harvested 34 farms, contributing 177,000 pounds of primarily vegetables encompassing 60 varieties. California’s fruit is abundant because of the state’s year-round growing season. Until the 1960s and the advent of Silicon Valley, this was the world’s largest fruit-producing region. Some of its current apple trees date back to the Gold Rush days. “We glean backyards and orchards here,” says Craig Diserens, executive director of Village Harvest, in San Jose. “Apples, pears, cherries, peaches, plums and apricots, plus citrus fruits—it’s ladderless picking, to protect both volunteers and trees.” Telescoping tools pluck out-ofreach fruit. The nonprofit gleans 15 to 20 times a month via volunteers ages 5 to 90. In 2013, its Harvesting for the Hungry program distributed 245,000 pounds of fruit.

The Feeding America West Michigan food bank, headquartered in Comstock, provides more than produce, with donations from manufacturers, wholesalers, restaurants and stores adding meat, dairy, frozen foods and bread. Volunteers repackage donations into usable sizes; do clerical work; pick produce; and sort, pack, store and deliver food. While most of the nonprofit’s yield is distributed through 1,100 food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens, many can’t store perishables. Working with churches, schools and community centers, the organization’s mobile units deliver fresh food directly to recipients, often the same day it is donated. Each unit can carry food for 100 to 200 families. This local Feeding America outreach group serves an estimated 492,000 people each year. The Society of St. Andrew often rescues the “ugly” produce—potatoes not well-shaped for chips, oversized peaches, too-long green beans, too-ripe strawberries and apples that aren’t picture perfect. “Farmers get a tax benefit and people get fresh food,” says Bruce Oland, the Triangle Area coordinator in North Carolina. “Farmers let us know when they’ll harvest a crop and we have a few days to glean what’s left before they replant. We pick anything edible—kale, lettuce, tomatoes, cantaloupe and lots of sweet potatoes.” In a single harvested field, volunteers have gleaned seven tons of sweet potatoes. The society’s gleaning and feeding ministry has regional offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,

North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Additional areas are located in Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania (see EndHunger.org). Jason Brown, a former St. Louis Rams’ center with a five-year, $37 million contract, traded his cleats for a tractor. Now in Louisburg, North Carolina, he calls First Fruits Farm home and plans to donate the first fruits of every harvest to food pantries. He learned about farming from YouTube videos, computer searches and other farmers. The first crop on five acres yielded 100,000 pounds of sweet potatoes; Brown gave it all away. With 1,000 acres to farm, he’s set to tackle hunger big time. It doesn’t require a big time commitment to help feed the hungry. Backyard gardeners can start by planting an extra row (Tinyurl.com/PlantRow ForHungry). Since its inception in 1995, the Plant a Row program has collectively turned 20 million pounds of produce into 80 million meals. Offer to pick a neighbor’s excess produce or herbs, and then check with others nearby. Get the kids involved. Volunteer at or make a donation to a soup kitchen. Gather a group of friends, family, members of an organization or congregation to glean or repackage produce one day a month. If a local food pantry can’t accept perishables, leverage social media to spread the word about which day free food will be available at a church or school. Everyone can help. No one should go to bed hungry. Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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July 2015

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practitionerspotlight

Healing Gateway Providing Paths for Emotional Healing by Sam Hudgins

herry Dmytrewycz has always had an interest in the metaphysical. In fact, her journey to becoming an energy healer began by operating a camera for a local metaphysical television show. While on set, several of the show’s guests asked if she was a healer. When Dmytrewycz would reply “no,” the response always seemed to be, “Well you should be.” Finally, Dmytrewycz relented, telling herself, “If this is what I am meant to do, then send me a teacher.” Within two days, a flyer for energy healing classes arrived in Dmytrewycz’s mailbox and she began her education. Today, Dmytrewycz is the sole proprietor of Healing Gateway, where she performs energy healing for

adults, children and pets as well as space clearing. Energy healing supports any medical healing but has a stronger focus on emotions. It also dabbles a bit in nutrition and holistic healing, including essential oils and tuning forks. A typical session with Dmytrewycz is about two hours long, much longer than others in her field. The first few minutes are spent sharing what the client wants to have healed as well as their medical and family history, including major surgeries they have undergone and medications they are on. Sharing this information is important, as it tells Dmytrewycz things to check on and tells the Universe what they want to heal. This is followed by about an hour

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and a half of energy work. The session ends with Dmytrewycz teaching her client 10 things so that they can continue to heal themselves. She included this in her sessions when she felt people were continuously returning to her to “get energy to do things the way they always have and not really participating in their healing.” Of the 10 things Dmytrewycz teaches her clients, the two she feels are the most basic and important to decreasing stress and increasing health are: grounding and brain balance. Dmytrewycz describes the benefits of grounding as “bringing in the energy of the Earth to feed your chakras (the centers of spiritual power in the body), which, in turn, feeds all of your organs and glands to keep you healthy.” Brain balancing is using both the left and right side of the brain to make better decisions. Each side brings a different point of view to the decision-making process, and having the benefit of both is better. For example, one side is more feminine and the other more masculine. One side sees the whole and the other side sees the individual parts. Though society often describes and accepts a person as either right- or left-brain dominant, being in balance to make more rounded decisions is always better. As a healer, Dmytrewycz works both hands-on and hands-free with clients depending on the situation. Even though she has had clients drive from as far as New York to see her, distance sessions are also an option. Because she believes that children and pets need to be in a comfortable and familiar environment, she only performs handsfree distance sessions with them. Dmytrewycz has studied under many master teachers and continues to practice new avenues of energy work as they speak to her. Her latest pursuit is Sacred Flame Holograms, which she finds helpful for a deeper energy healing and has begun to teach others how to use them. She believes in them so much that she even sells them. Sherry Dmytrewycz can be reached at 703-802-0377 or HealingGateway@ gmail.com. To sign up for Healing Gateway’s newsletter visit Healing Gateway.com. See ad, page 33. natural awakenings

July 2015

fitbody

Savvy Cycling Keep the Hard Knocks Out of Biking by Randy Kambic

eople are biking more than ever. Recreational bicycling ranked second to running as the favorite outdoor activity among both youths (6 to 24 years old) and adults (25-plus) in a recent Outdoor Industry Association study. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) further reports that from 2000 to 2012 the number of Americans biking to work rose from 488,000 to 786,000. This positive trend also means more crowded bike lanes and other pathways challenge the community infrastructure’s ability to keep up, raising safety concerns. Plus, we naturally want to avoid aches and pains while enjoying the myriad benefits of pedaling.

Find the Right Bike

“Having the right bike for one’s needs that’s properly fitted is crucial,” says Dan Moser, a founder and steering committee member of the BikeWalkLee community coalition and a traffic safety consultant in Fort Myers, Florida. “Use a local bike shop whose mechanics test and adjust the bikes they sell.” A bike mechanic can determine the proper seat height and ideal distance from the handlebars to the seat tube. 38

Washington, D.C.

Back, knee or hip pain may develop if a cyclist has to stretch their legs to get to the pedals, explains Tim Bustos, a bicycling consultant in Pensacola, Florida, and former bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for Davis, California, which earned platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community status, along with Boulder, Colorado, and Portland, Oregon, from the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). On the other hand, “A biker doesn’t get proper leg extension if the seat is too low,” he says, possibly leading to leg muscle strains. “The legs should be almost, but not totally extended at the lowest point in the pedaling motion.”

Safety Alert

The latest NHTSA study charted 49,000 bicycle accidents in 2012, 1,000 more than the year before. Biking only in daylight and avoiding alcohol could improve those numbers because 48 percent of biker fatalities occur beginning at 4 p.m. and 37 percent involve a driver or bicyclist that has been drinking. Even well-marked bike lanes don’t guarantee safety, so caution is required. Some motorists are careless about entering bike lanes and don’t

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correctly stop at crosswalks or look behind before opening car doors. David Takemoto-Weerts, a bicycle program coordinator at the University of California, Davis, member of the city’s Bike Transportation Advisory Committee and LAB-certified instructor, suggests keeping at least five feet from the sides of cars to avoid being hit. Cyclists are wise not to weave in and out of traffic, to signal turns and watch out for runners, walkers and pedestrians as they abide by normal traffic rules and flow. TakemotoWeerts says that bikers sometimes overlook using the stop signal (left arm extended downward) to alert bikers behind them. Wearing a helmet should be a standard practice. The University of North Carolina’s Highway Safety Research Center, in Chapel Hill, reports that wearing a helmet reduces the overall risk of head injuries by 85 percent. “Cyclists are part of traffic, whether operating on a road, pathway or a combination,” says Moser. “Being acutely aware of one’s surroundings and minimizing distractions, following the rules of the road and pathway, and being prepared to deal with others’ mistakes are all vital.”

Fitness Factors

Dr. Kim Martin, a certified functional medicine practitioner and chiropractor with North Shore Health Solutions, in Northbrook, Illinois, says that recreational bikers have visited her for knee, hip and neck soreness or strains. In addition to ensuring they’re employing proper leg extension, she advises, “Pedal a little faster in a lower gear; ideally, 75 to 90 revolutions per minute, which is easier on the knees and lessens muscle fatigue than traveling slower in a higher gear.” She explains that the correct seat height facilitates proper alignment of hips and a full rotation; if not, energy is forced outward, stressing the hips. Martin adds that the neck might experience strain from tilting the head up for long periods. “This can occur by wearing a helmet that is too low or forward in the front or poor-fitting eyewear that inches forward down the nose.” Right after a long ride, Martin suggests that riders gently bend downward over their crossed legs

a few times, alternately switching legs, and also slowly bending the head up and down, sideways and then in a circular motion for a couple of minutes. “Overall,” she says, “the key is to have fun.” Freelance writer and editor Randy Kambic, in Estero, FL, is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.

People Pedal Power

f a community has seen a growth in cycling accidents, has few safety education programs in place or roadway infrastructure isn’t biker-friendly, individuals can take action. Dan Moser, a Southwest Florida transportation safety consultant, suggests forming alliances with non-bikers to approach civic leaders: “Consider including pedestrian accommodations and frame the issue as one of everyone having access to a safe environment, including bike and foot travelers, and the value of recreation and exercise to the community.” Use the criteria found at Tinyurl. com/CommunityBikeabilityChecklist to evaluate the quality of the local biking environment. The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program invites communities to apply for technical assistance and receive customized feedback and advice on improving local conditions at BikeLeague.org/bfa. Bikes Belong, a consortium of suppliers and retailers, plus individuals and club members, supports the creation of protected bike lanes and provides community grants and supportive resources at PeopleFor Bikes.org. Many state highway authorities, police and park and recreation departments conduct bike rules and safety programs for the public. Check for local resources online.

healthypet

Pets as Ethical Eaters Choosing foods that minimize harm and are protective of the environment by Kim Hawkins

ore and more consumers are making life choices to become “ethical eaters”. Ethical eaters strive to choose foods that minimize harm and are protective of the environment, consumers, farmers and all those involved in food production and distribution. Educated consumers are growing in number and taking a stand against factory farming—choosing to eat as an ethical eater, but what about pets? How can they be ethical eaters when so much of the food in the pet food industry comes from factory farms and feed lots? Finally, the answer is here. Open Farm is a family-run business that uses the best ingredients grown and raised by farmers who respect the land they call home and the animals under their care. The entire farm-to-bowl supply chain is certified by third party organizations specializing in humane animal care and sustainable farming practices to give pet owners piece of mind. Poultry, cows and pigs are raised without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones. Fish is always ocean caught, meaning they have consumed a natural and antibiotic-free diet. Fruits and vegetables are sourced from local farmers. Only fresh meat is used instead of meal to ensure the quality of the ingredients. Availability of wild fish species

varies by season, so the fish selection in Catch-Of-The-Day Whitefish and Green Lentil recipe changes regularly. By sourcing ocean-caught fish through sustainable methods and best fishing practices, Open Farms ensures that fish have lived natural lives and consumed diets free from antibiotics and artificial feed. No farmed fish are ever used. Partner farms are audited and certified in humane animal care by leading third party, nonprofit organizations in the field. Farms are only used that are certified humane. For more information on Certified Humane practices, visit CertifiedHumane. org. Farms are required to practice strict standards to also protect air, water and ground quality. Open Farm is also the first pet food manufacturer in North America to offer a bag recycling program through TerraCycle.com. This service will soon be available locally and provides a free and easy way to recycle bags. For more information about Open Farm, visit HowlToTheChief.com or OpenFarmPet.com. Kim Hawkins is the owner of Howl to the Chief and founder of Rural Dog Rescue. natural awakenings

July 2015

gardenspotlight

Love & Carrots Helps D.C. Grow by Robin Fillmore

productive garden designs. Over the years she has witnessed the countless benefits that urban agriculture projects provide to the communities in which they grow. She notes,” Anyone can have a garden and I recommend taking the plunge to try it out in any capacity you can—whether that’s a pot of basil on your kitchen sink or a full front yard farm.” Since the beginning, Shepherd and her growing crew has installed close to 300 gardens. They’ve completed thousands of seasonal plantings and offer two unique flagship services, garden coach and care, for approximately 100 gardens per season. Love & Carrots has seen tremendous growth in the past few years—now working with a team of 15 committed and dedicated people. They bring to the enterprise the business background that Shepherd didn’t have, and it has turned into a glorious collaboration. She notes, “My team is comprised of people who are incredibly passionate and hardworking; they are endlessly adaptive, patient and inspirational. This is all a grand experiment. We are inventing every system and process as it becomes necessary and they are the willing tools that make it happen.” The growth of this D.C.-centered business could, itself, be called as organic—meeting the needs of the community as they emerged and in a way that has allowed them to thrive. According to Shepherd, “I believe that our economic sustainability is part of how we’ve made this urban agricultural experiment last and grow over the years. Additionally, associating a value and charging for our skills and products has allowed us to work with community-centric gardens including schools, low-income housing communities, community gardens, health centers and more.” To learn more, visit LoveAndCarrots.com. See ad, page 35.

Meredith Shepherd

ove & Carrots was founded in May 2011, with a big mission: to encourage as many D.C. residents and organizations as possible to grow gardens and produce food; to provide support and education to make growing possible, beautiful and productive and to enable the next generation of farmers to make a healthy living in this career of growing food. Since then, Love & Carrots has been helping to grow organic vegetable gardens in backyards, front yards, patios, balconies and even in bay windows throughout the District. While the city has many community garden plots, many have a long waiting list. Founder Meredith Shepherd had been working in traditional agriculture and environmental conservation for some time. She was interested in how the daily food choices created an avalanche of impacts—from growing methods, to how food is transported to dinner tables, which impacts not only our bodies but the areas from which we draw food—even as far as the Amazon rainforest. For that reason, she wanted to take her knowledge of agriculture and apply it to growing, thoughtfully, where people live. Love & Carrots sprouted out of that motivation. Shepherd realized that Washington, D.C. is uniquely suited to have productive gardens on just about every block. Building height restrictions and yard space allows for creative, unique and

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ESCAPE the Ordinary IMMERSE Yourself in Yoga TRANSFORM your Life

Mountain Retreat 30-Day Program 2015 August 3rd -31st 30 Day Yoga Teacher Training with The Lotus Pond Center for Yoga and Health in Boone, NC. Join the Lotus Pond’s world-class training program amidst the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. This program is for those students ready to deepen their practice of yoga and make positive, transformative changes in their lives

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calendarofevents

(suggested donation). Smith Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202-483-8600. Info: SmithCenter.org/calendar.

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

Summer Expansion – 4-7pm. With James Foulkes. In this workshop we will focus on rejuvenating and invigorating the organs and meridians (energy channels) of the fire element, the heart and pericardium and the transformation of their negative emotional characteristics. $40. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

THURSDAY, JULY 9

Fourth of July Community Meal Prep – 8:45am-12pm. Join the YD family on Saturday, July 4th for a morning of service with DC Central Kitchen meal prep to begin your 4th of July celebrations. We’ll be cutting, chopping, and peeling thousands of pounds of food to feed the community that evening. Yoga District at DC Central Kitchen, Judiciary Square Metro, 425 2nd St, NW. Register: Clients.MindBodyOnline. com/Classic/ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-8&sT G=11&sVT=60&sView=day&sTrn=100000200 &Date=07/04/15.

200-Hour Teacher Training Summer Intensive Session – 7am-9pm. Through July 20. Join Yoga District for our transformative 200 hour teacher training through a 12-day intensive immersion this summer. $2500. Yoga District, 14th St Studio, 1910 14th St, NW. Register: Clients.MindBodyOnline. com/Classic/ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-101&sT G=44&sVT=188&sView=day&sTrn=100000085 &date=06/20/15.

Hands-On, Respectful, Chemical-Free Beekeeping – 10am-12pm. Combine, condense or create a nuc. All ages welcome. Our bees are gentle, but stings are a possibility. Bring your own veil, if you want. $50. Azure B LLC, 4730 Bicknell Rd, Marbury, MD. Register: Info@AzureBLLC. com or AzureBLLC.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 5 IPATH Postural Alignment – 2:30-4:30pm. With Denese Cavanaugh. Whether you are new to Mind /Body awareness techniques or a seasoned athlete, the Integral Postural Alignment Therapy method (IPATH®) will help create the ideal posture. $25 (plus tax). Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 7 Play-In for Climate Action – 9:30am-12pm. Bring the kids to the 2nd annual Play-In for Climate Action. This fun rally will show that families want government action to slow climate change. Moms Clean Air Force at Upper Senate Park, 200 New Jersey Ave, NW. Register: MomsCleanAirForce.org/Play-In-Climate-Action. Info: MomsCleanAirForce.org. 3 Secrets to Getting It Done without Hitting the Wall – 7:30-9pm. Success without [di] stress may seem elusive, but Ayurveda shows us a new way to get things done in your life with energy and joy. M3 Wellness LLC. Register: MarvaMakle.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 Chakra Balancing Class – 1-2:15pm. Lean into your inner wisdom and allow it to guide you towards your inherent optimal health, enlightenment, and joy. $35. The Spectrum Center for Natural Medicine, 8555 16th St, Ste 402, Silver Spring, MD. 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training – 6-9pm. Through July 12. This program is perfect for the avid yoga student who wants to become a yoga teacher or anyone that wants to deepen their personal practice. Scholarships available. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or Roxanne@ TheMindfulnessCenter.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 10 Herb Camp for Kids – 9am-12pm. Also July 17, 24 and 31. We invite youth ages 5-11 to join us for this hands on class that includes explorations of various medicinal plants, plant identification and field walks on the farm, herbal activities including medicine making, herbal gardening, crafts and more. $108/child includes materials ($78 for additional children in immediate family.) Centro Ashé Farm, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe.org/Herb-Camp-for-Kids. html. Info: Info@CentroAshe.org. Sandra Anderson Returns to East Meets West Yoga – 6-9pm. Through July 12. Sandra Anderson, ERYT 500 returns to EMW Yoga for a weekend intensive; CEU’s available. $40/workshop or $140/ full intensive. East Meets West Yoga Center, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310, Vienna, VA. Register: EastMeetsWestCenter.com (under Workshops). Info: 703-356-9642.

SATURDAY, JULY 11 200-Hour Summer Yoga Teacher Intensive – 10am-6pm. Through July 31. Immerse yourself in a joyous, soulful and transformational teacher training guided by global yoga instructor, Faith Hunter, E-RYT 500. $3250. Faith Hunter Yoga at Embrace Yoga DC, 1650 Columbia Rd, NW. Register: EmbraceDC.com or Yoga@EmbraceDC. com. Info: EmbraceDC.com/Teacher-Training. Respectful, Chemical-Free Beekeeping – 10am12pm. The beekeeper will talk about evaluating colonies for vitality when the flow is over and feeding. New and experienced beekeepers enjoy learning our unique style of hive management that is based on respect for the honeybee. $50/person or free for hive shares and their guests. Azure B. LLC, 4730 Bicknell Rd, Marbury, MD. Register: AzureBLLC.com. Info: 301-743-2331. Receive the Love You Desire Through Astrology – 1-4pm. Learn how your Venus, Mars and Moon signs play a significant role in deciding who you are best compatible with and what these signs mean for your love life.$89. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-3929200. Reinventing Sexuality: Embodying Wholeness for Women with Cancer – 1-2:30pm. Come play with dance, breath, and sound as an entry point to exploring your erotic presence and expression. $15

Singing Crystal Bowl Meditation – 6-7pm. Relax, de-stress, and meditate while allowing the live vibration of Singing Quartz Crystal bowls to permeate your being. $10. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200. New Moon Lunar Extended All Levels Flow Practice – 8-9:45pm. On this Saturday close to the new moon, join Angie for an extended lunar vinyasa (flow) class that explores movement, mantra, and meditation practices that purposefully bring your awareness to the inner landscape of yoga practice. $11.35. Yoga District, Bloomingdale Studio, 1830 1st St, NW. Register: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com/ Classic/ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT =60&sView=day&sTrn=100000844&Date=07/11/15.

SUNDAY, JULY 12 Decode Your Life Purpose Through Your Fingerprints – 10am-2pm. Your fingerprints hold the key to your life purpose. Once you learn the language of the fingerprints, you can identify and work with your life purpose in every area of your life from work, to money to relationships. $80. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

TUESDAY, JULY 14 Conversations on Healing – 12-1pm. Learn how to access and amplify our innate ability to heal after taking steps to find the best in advanced medicine. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202483-8600. Info: SmithCenter.org/Calendar. Vegetarian Potluck and Recipe Exchange – 7-8:30pm. Bring your best vegetarian dish to share and 10 copies of the recipe. Try out everyone’s special dish and decide which you like best then you can take home new recipes and give them a spin on your own. Enjoy the great company too. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 Chakra Balancing – 4-7pm. Reiki Master Tammy Godette helps you to balance your energetic bodies. Using affirmations, color, breath, guided imagery and crystal singing bowls, Tammy leads the group through chakra clearing to promote wellbeing and vitality. $100. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org. Introductions to Pendulums – 7-8:30pm. Explore why the pendulum works and learn multiple practical ways we can use this tool in our everyday lives. $40. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

natural awakenings

July 2015

specialevent Free Diabetes Workshops Learn the three big myths about Type 2 diabetes and the natural strategies you can do today to stop its progression. Registration required due to limited space, address sent after registration. All locations have access to metro and parking. Wednesday July 15 at 6:30pm - Downtown DC, Logan Circle, Dupont Circle Saturday July 18 at 8:30am - North Bethesda, close to Rockville, Wheaton Thursday July 23 at 6:30pm - Tenleytown, close to Bethesda, Chevy Chase Saturday July 25 at 9:00am - Silver Spring, close to Wheaton, College Park Tuesday July 28 at 6:30pm - Arlington, close to Roslyn, Court House, Clarendon

FRIDAY, JULY 17 Soul Journey Series – 7-8:30pm. With Melody Krafft. Also July 24 and 31. We will explore our deepest desires, needs, resistance, and capacity for self-love. Spirit guides and spirit healers to assist you during this soul journey. $120. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

SATURDAY, JULY 18 Wild Medicinal Plant ID/Botany Field Day – 10am-5pm. With Holly Poole-Kavana. We will focus on learning the basics of botany, in a practical and useful manner, and then doing wild medicinal plant identification out and about. Please bring a copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. $50. Centro Ashé Farm, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe. org/Wild-Medicinal-Plant-ID--Botany.html. Info: 301-375-6082 or Info@CentroAshe.org.

Manifest a Healthy You – 12-2pm. Join Jim Pastore and Aurora Hutchinson of The Mindfulness Center for a unique workshop on manifesting your intentions for greater well-being and wholeness through meditation and acupuncture. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Register: 301-986-1090 or Info@ TheMindfulnessCenter.org. The Third Chakra Workshop – 1-4:45pm. Igniting the fire of will, power, and confidence, in this workshop we use meditative tools to explore the spark of who we are. $75/by July 8 or $95. Crossings, Center for The Healing Traditions, 8505 Fenton St, Ste 202, Silver Spring, MD. Register: Shiraozsinai.com/Classes. Yoga for Runners – 2:30-3:30pm. Experience a yoga practice that can unwind your body from the tightness created by running and learn a short yoga flow to use as a warm up to improve your running. $20. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1CRT7nF.

SUNDAY, JULY 19 Mercury in Retrograde – 11am-12:30pm. Learn what Mercury retrograde means for us collectively and individually and explore the meanings of Mercury retrograde through the astrological houses. $20. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200. Let Food Be Thy Medicine Series – 2:30-4:30pm. With Baram DJ Kim. Join Baram DJ Kim for this series of workshops designed to help you learn to appreciate the full benefits of food and its healing properties. July 19 Plant Food Lifestyle, Aug 23 Optimal Nutrition, Sept 20 Eating for Strength and Athletes and Oct 18 Revitalize and Reboot. $35 (plus tax)/workshop or $150 (plus tax)/entire series. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

MONDAY, JULY 20 Jivamukti Happy Hour Satsang – 7:15-8:30pm. With Hari-kirtana das. Join Jivamukti teachers and students in satsang to discuss the Focus of the Month as presented by Jivamukti co-founders,

D.C. Meditates

Sharon Gannon and David Life. Focus of the Month for July: flesh, blood, bones, empty space. Free. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 21 Easy Self-Care for the Caregiver – 7-8pm. We welcome you to join us in a fully experiential workshop in which we will learn self-treatment techniques that are easy and truly effective. Smith Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202-483-8600. Info: SmithCenter.org/ calendar. Essential Oils 101 – 7-8:30pm. Come learn about the therapeutic benefits of essential oils with Lisa Lermitte and Kay McGivern. This free workshop will teach you the basics of using essential oils in your home including why they work, what to use them for, and how to use them. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 Chakra Balancing Class – 1-2:15pm. See July 8 for details. $35. The Spectrum Center for Natural Medicine, 8555 16th St, Ste 402, Silver Spring, MD.

THURSDAY, JULY 23 Why is She Acting so Weird?: Managing Other People’s Emotions and Expectations from a Young Adult Cancer Survivor’s Perspective – 7-8pm. Explore the tough conversations young adult cancer survivors feel they must have with friends, family, and loved ones. A conversation to enhance your ability to communicate. Smith Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202483-8600. Info: SmithCenter.org/calendar.

FRIDAY, JULY 24 Childbirth Education Class - Weekend Intensive – 10am-12:30pm. Through July 25. This small, two -day intensive class is designed to prepare families for labor and birth. Increase your confidence, reduce anxiety and eliminate fear about birth. $100/couple. The DC Doula and Peaceful Earth, Graceful Birth, District Heights, MD. Register: 202-630-4665 or Malika9.5

SATURDAY, JULY 25 Tao Porchon Lynch Returns to East Meets West Yoga Center – 10am first workshop and 2pm second workshop. Tao Porchon Lynch, Master Teacher at 97 years young, returns to East Meets West Yoga Center for two workshops. $40/ preregistered or $50/at the door. East Meets West Yoga Center, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd, Ste 310, Vienna, VA. Register: EastMeetsWestCenter.com (under workshops). Info: 703-356-9642. Adam Frei of Dharma Yoga Center Workshop – 12-6pm. Through July 26 1-4:30pm. Join Adam Frei, a senior teacher of Dharma Yoga Center in New York City, for a series yoga asana and philosophy of workshops in DC. $22.69/workshop. Yoga District, 14th St Studio, 1910 14th St, NW. Register: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com/Classic/ ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=60 &sView=day&sTrn=100000150&date=07/25/15. Shivananda Workshop – 4-6pm. With Shana Silverstein. This is a meditative, slow-paced

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

class aimed at centering and balancing the mind and body. A Shivananda yoga class incorporates chanting in the sacred Sanskrit language, invigorating pranayama techniques, practice of the twelve major asanas, and deep relaxation. $25. Buddha B Yoga Center, 1115 U St, Ste 202, NW. Info: BuddhaBYoga.com. Workshop for Yoga Teachers: Teaching Mamas and Babies – 5:30-8:30pm. In this immersion-style workshop, dive into the basics of teaching yoga and yoga fit to moms and babies in a loving, caring and yogic environment. $100. Lil Omm Yoga, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Tenleytown. Register: Bit.ly/1IE1810.

SUNDAY, JULY 26 Bioenergy for Sensitives and Empaths – 10am4pm. Sensitives and Empaths are often called to the field of healing. Learn how to understand your own unique energy field is essential in order to help others. $100. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200. Germinated Seeds & Grains and Growing Sprouts Year Round – 2:30-5:30pm. Indoor growing: wheatgrass, sunflower, broccoli and more. Cost: $40 (if registered 7 days before the class)/$49; includes handouts and kit. Location and times will be shared after registering. Register: Luzy@RawLivingDLight.com or 571-471-2891.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 Tarot for Beginners – 7-9pm. Also Aug 5, 12, 19 and 26. This class is for anyone that has little to no tarot knowledge. You will have 10 hours of training in how to decode the imagery of the tarot and perform readings using the Rider-Waite tarot deck. $180. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

THURSDAY, JULY 30 Movie Night – 7-9pm. We will be screening the documentary Cowspiracy, which delves into the environmental impact on our society’s obsession with red meat. $5. Neck, Back and Beyond, 10560

Main St, PH- 1, Fairfax VA. Register: 703-9655690 5690 or NeckBackandBeyond@gmail.com or NeckBackandBeyond.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 31 Alignment Based 200-Hour Teacher Training Summer-Fall Extended Session – 6:30-9:30pm on Fridays and 9am-7pm on Saturdays and Sundays through November 15. Join us for an alignment focused 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training led by Yoga District’s long beloved instructor, Bernie Wandel. The teacher training will meet on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, July 31 November 15. $2000. Yoga District, I St Studio, 1922 I St, NW. Register: Clients.MindBodyOnline. com/Classic/ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-101&sT G=44&sVT=188&sView=day&sTrn=100000004 &Date=07/31/15.

MONDAY, AUGUST 3

savethedate 30-Day Yoga Teacher Training

Expert teachers. Breathtaking views. A transformational journey. YA-certified 200-hour training at The Art of Living Center in North Carolina. The Lotus Pond Center for Yoga & Health at The Art of Living Center, 639 Whispering Hills Rd, Boone, NC

August 3 through 31

Cost: $2500

(plus room and board)

or ValSpies@gmail.com. Info: 30dayYogaTeacherTraining.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 Healthy Gut with Fermented Food – 9:30am12.30pm. Learn from Luzy Perez, trained and certified by the world-renown Hippocrates Health Institute, about the benefits of fermented food and how to easily add them to your diet for vibrant health. Cost: $40 (if registered 7 days before the class)/$49; includes handouts and kit. Location and times will be shared after registering. Register: Luzy@RawLivingDLight.com or 571-471-2891. Soapmaking – 5-8:30pm. An evening of herbal soap making with Joey Pascarella of Slippery Slope Farm. This practical hands on class will include learning the healing qualities of herbs before we make several batches of soap. $25. Centro Ashé Farm, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe.org/Pleasure-MedicineSeries.html. Info: Info@CentroAshe.org.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 Germinated Seeds & Grains and Growing Sprouts Year Round – 9:30-12:30pm. See July 26 for details. Register: Luzy@RawLivingDLight. com or 571-471-2891. Maryland Permaculture Design Certification Course – 10am-4:30pm. Through Aug 31. A 12 day certification course in permaculture design with Eric Kelly of Charm City Farms. $550. Centro Ashé Farm, 1620 Chester Ave, Bryans Road, MD. Register: CentroAshe.org/Maryland-PermacultureDesign-Course.html. Info: Info@CentroAshe.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Labor Day Yoga Retreat in the Shenandoah Valley – 5:30pm. Through Sep 7. Give yourself a marvelous gift at the end of your busy summer. Take a weekend getaway that will leave you feeling physically rejuvenated and mentally awake and ready for the coming change of seasons. $410. Yoga District, Luray, VA. Register: Clients.MindBodyOnline.com/ Classic/ws?Studioid=2070&stype=-8&sTG=11 &sVT=60&sView=day&sTrn=100000910&da te=09/04/15>. Info: YogaDistrict.com/Labor-DayRetreat-in-the-Shenandoah-Valley-Sept-4-7.

Be Creative: Try New Directions to Inspire Connections Advertise in Natural Awakenings’

August Parenting with Presence & Creativity Issue To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 202-505-4835 natural awakenings

July 2015

ongoingevents

Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202-483-8600. Info: SmithCenter.org/calendar.

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

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.

monday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. A beautiful way to start your day, with a 30-minute meditation and optional 15-minute discussion following. Drop-ins welcome. A project of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org. The Profitable Alchemist Networking Group – 9:30-11am. 1st and 3rd Mon. If you’d like to learn how to build a business around your healing, spiritual and creative gifts, this group is for you. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Info: 703-392-9200. Therapeutic Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. Enjoy a greater sense of well-being and enhanced energy in our gentle yoga classes. Learn various yoga postures and techniques in progressive relaxation, breathing practices, and mediation. $10 (suggested donation). Smith Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202-4838600. Info: SmithCenter.org/calendar. A Course in Miracles – 7-8:30pm. Join Melody Krafft, every Monday as she facilitates the teaching and discussion of A Course in Miracles, a self-study course designed to change our perceptions and heal our minds. Free. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

wednesday

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. Outside the Lines: A Creative Art Studio – 10:30am-12:20pm. 1st and 3rd Wed. Facilitators will help reclaim art-making as a healing tool through guided creative projects. $10/session (suggested donation). Smith Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202-483-8600. Info: SmithCenter.org/calendar. aCHIeve Weight Loss 4 Life – 5:30-6:30pm. Our Naturopathic Doctor, Nutritionist, and Health Coaches will educate, guide, and support you to ensure long-lasting weight loss is maintained through lifestyle change. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org. Stress: Seeking Calm in a Hectic World – 5:307pm. Join Dr. Amanda Skowron to learn about the short and long term impact stress has and practice effective ways to handle it and stay healthy. Learn mindful eating, breathing exercises, and more. $15/class or $40/series of 3 classes. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org. Zumba Gold Fitness – 6:30-7:30pm. Zumba Fitness cardiovascular activity. Zumba Gold is low impact. $8/person in advance or $10/ person at the door. Your Life Energy Holistic Center, 311 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA. Register: YourLifeEnergy.com/Zumba. Info: 571-319-0093. .

thursday

tuesday

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 WisconsinAve, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org.

Therapeutic Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. See Mon for details. $10 (suggested donation). Smith Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202483-8600. Info: SmithCenter.org/calendar.

Yoga for Digestive Woes – 10-11:15am. Gentle, low-impact poses to improve digestive disorders such as SIBO, IBS, and IBD. No yoga experience needed - all are welcome. $15/class or $60/ complete 4-week series. Casey Health Institute, 800 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. Register: 301-355-2030 or CaseyHealth.org. Insight Painting – 2-4pm. Discover your creative self and experience profound exercises that will open your creative process as you paint. $15 (suggested donation). Smith Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: 202-483-8600. Info: SmithCenter.org/calendar.

Washington, D.C.

Yoga Level 1 – 11am. Class will introduce participants to the practice of mindfulness meditation. Instructors guide participants through practice, including techniques for breath awareness, relaxation and development of nonjudgmental awareness. Appropriate for all levels. Cost: $20/ drop in. The Mindfulness Center, 4963 Elm St, Ste 100, Bethesda, MD. Info: 301-986-1090 or Info@ TheMindfulnessCenter.org. Beyond Books – 12:30-1:30pm. 2nd Thurs. Share opinions, experiences, and hope in a supportive, facilitated environment that encourages input. Smith

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

Writing Your Truth – 6-8pm. 1st Thurs through Sept 3.The benefits of creative expression are well known. Join us to experience the surprising gifts that emerge from the written words. $15 (suggested donation). Smith Center for Healing the Arts, 1632 U St, NW. Register: Kiersten@SmithCenter.org. Info: SmithCenter.org. Gentle Yoga – 7-8pm. Gentle Yoga is the perfect way to instill a sense of peace and relaxation without exerting too much strenuous effort. Open to all levels. Beginners welcome. $15. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC. com. Info: 703-392-9200. Kundalini Meditation-Osho Technique – 7-8pm. A wonderful meditation that will bring you peace, serenity and grounding with a touch of energy movement and rhythm breathing. Perfect for those who are over stressed, tired and who are not able to sit still in a passive contemplative meditation. $15. Your Life Energy Holistic Center, 311 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA. Register: YourLifeEnergy.AcuityScheduling.com/Schedule. php?AppointmentType=356913. Info: 571-3190093 or Maricela@YourLifeEnergy.com.

friday Early Morning Meditation – 7:30-8:15am. See Mon for details. The Center for Mindful Living, 4708 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 200, NW, Tenleytown. Info: Living-Mindfully.org. First Friday Spiritual Book Salon – 9:30-11am. 1st Fri. Every first Friday of the month we’ll gather to discuss and dig in to a different spiritual, selfempowerment or joy-focused book. You don’t even have to have read the book prior to the Salon to join in on and enjoy the discussion. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC. com. Info: 703-392-9200.

saturday Zumba Fitness – 9:30-10:30am. Zumba Fitness cardiovascular activity. Mid-impact to high impact. $8/person in advance or $10/person at the door. Your Life Energy Holistic Center, 311 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA. Register: YourLifeEnergy.com/Zumba. Info: 571-319-0093. Zumba Kids Fitness – 11:45am-12:45pm. Zumba Fitness cardiovascular activity. Low to high impact. $8/person in advance or $10/person at the door. Your Life Energy Holistic Center, 311 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA. Register: YourLifeEnergy.com/Zumba. Info: 571-319-0093. Qigong with Dante – 5-6pm. Qigong is gentle exercises that stimulates, unblocks and balances a person’s energy flow. Practicing qigong regularly produces positive health benefits by circulating blood, lymph, muscles, tendons and internal energy through-out the body. $15. Rising Phoenix Holistic Center, 9028 D Prince William St, Manassas, VA. Register: RisingPhoenixHC.com. Info: 703-392-9200.

communityresourceguide 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 Robin@NaturalAwakeningsDC.com to request our media kit. ACUPUNCTURE NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER 10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com Neck Back & Beyond offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage and more. lasting change to heal the mind, body and soul. Fitness, educational consultant and hypnotist. See ad, page 17.

SHAWNA SNYDER Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA Info@RoseWellness.com • RoseWellness.com 571-529-6699 Shawna Snyder is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in pain management. She effectively relieves pain by custom tailoring a comprehensive treatment plan to achieve optimal results. See ad, page 36.

ALLERGY MANAGEMENT DEBRITT EALEY

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com • RoseWellness.com DeBritt Ealey specializes in the treatment of all forms of symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities with the Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) therapy. See ad, page 36.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE NOVA CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

4635 Chain Bridge Rd, Ste 100, McLean, VA 703-229-3106 NOVAAlternativeMed.com

Our holistic approach gets to the nexus of your pain and treats your pain’s cause, not just your symptoms. Dr. Sanford’s approach and treatment will greatly improve your quality of life. Specializing i n p e r i p h e r a l n e u r o p a t h y, chiropractic care, acupuncture, nutrition, physical therapy and functional medicine.

BIRTH CENTER NOVA NATURAL BIRTH CENTER 4200 A Technology Ct, Chantilly, VA 703-357-3808 • PeggyFran@gmail.com NovaBirthCenter.com

Beautiful, Intimate, Childbirth the way it was designed, Naturally. See ad, page 20.

AROMATHERAPY MOTHER’S NATURE STORE 703-851-0087 Laina_Poulakos@hotmail.com MothersNatureStore.com

Certified aromatherapist and herbalist offering lifestyle consultations and handmade products, including soaps, balms, and beard oils. Reach a better state of body and mind. See ad, page 34.

BIRTH SUPPORT PEACEFUL EARTH, GRACEFUL BIRTH

202-297-2722 PeacefulEarthGracefulBirth@gmail.com PeacefulEarthGracefulBirth.com

AUTISM CONSULTING ANNE MAITREPIERRE-MOSS 301-461-2135 AMaitrepierreMoss@comcast.net

Autism consultation and holistic wellness coaching from a veteran autism mom. Provides support for parents of children with autism, including those who have been newly diagnosed. See ad, page 7.

BARRE BARRE TONE

370 Maple Avenue West Unit 1, Vienna 703-242-TONE (8663) Barre-Tone.com Jazz up your routine and experience the latest trend in full body workout. Barre Tone is ideal for those who want to sculpt, strengthen, and increase flexibility, while enjoying the infusion of dance, aerobics with the benefits of the ballet barre at its core. Leave with renewed energy, a calmer spirit and a new passion for life.

BEDROOM FURNITURE SAVVY REST NATURAL BEDROOM

258 Maple Ave East, Vienna and 12242 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 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 23.

our office or your home.

We offer birth and postpartum labor support services. Personal and group childbirth education classes as well as vaginal steaming in

BOTANICAL GARDENS MEADOWLARK BOTANICAL GARDENS 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 703-255-3631 KTomlinson@Nvrpa.org • Nvrpa.org

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a public garden for all the senses, a place of peace and reflection. Near Wolf Trap in Vienna.

CHIROPRACTOR NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com Neck Back & Beyond offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage and more. lasting change to heal the mind, body and soul. Fitness, educational consultant and hypnotist. See ad, page 17.

CLEANING MAID BRIGADE CAPITAL REGION

4813-A Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 800-515-6243 Marketing@Maid-Brigade.com MaidBrigade.com

We are Green Clean Certified so you can have peace of mind that your home will be healthier for you, your pets, and the environment. See ad, page 6.

natural awakenings

July 2015

DOULA

CONSULTING

THE DC DOULA

GRACE PRODUCTIONS

Grace Ogden, Principal 301-445-6771 • GraceProductions.co Grace Ogden leads this consulting and event production firm that supports progressive social change with an awareness of why spiritual principles and practices matter. See ad, page 19.

202-630-HOOK (4665) TheDCDoula@gmail.com • TheDCDoula.com Picture Plan for your future. Birth and postpartum doula offering a variety of women’s wellness services. We support birth with great confidence and help you welcome your new baby. See ad, page 20.

EDUCATION COUNSELING MARY KENDELL, MS, NP

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

EMPOWERED LEARNING TRANSFORMATIONAL CENTER

8120 Woodmont Ave, Ste 150, Bethesda, MD 301-654-5919 Bethesda@ELTCenters.com ELTCenters.com Empowered Learning Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n Centers (ELTC) help people of all ages and ability achieve peak performance levels in the areas of learning, focus and attention. See ad, page 36.

WASHINGTON WALDORF SCHOOL NATALIE X. KORYTNYK, PHD

Individual & Couples Therapy GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com With over 20 years of experience, D r. N a t a l i e K o r y t n y k i s a psychologist with an expertise in relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, work stress, eating disorders and self-esteem. See ad, page 2.

DENTISTRY NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 ext 118 NIHADC.com

Leaders in integrative medicine and biological dentistry at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, our team of integrative doctors blends the best of Western medicine and safe, proven complementary and alternative therapies to help the body heal. See ad, page 37.

4800 Sangamore Rd, Bethesda, MD 301-229-6107 SSmith@WashingtonWaldorf.com WashingtonWaldorf.org

Washington Waldorf offers a holistic education that blends arts, movement, and practical skills with academics at every step. Pre-K-12. Imagine a better way to learn. See ad, page 31.

ENERGY HEALING LIZETTE AYALA Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com • RoseWellness.co Lizette Ayala, Energy Health Coach, specializes in teaching the art of self-healing and mind-body health, breaking energy draining patterns and reducing unproductive stress. See ad, page 36.

ETHEREAL HEALING

Angel Barkley 312-618-4881 Love-LetGo-Live@hotmail.com The highest creation of man is to UNCONDITIONALLY LOVE everyone as his divine loves him. Follow, believe, hold faith and journey with me to healing. See ad, page 9.

Washington, D.C.

NaturalAwakeningsDC.com

HEALING GATEWAY 877-534-5534 HealingGateway.com

Sherry Lynn Dmytrewycz invites you to enter into a healthier, unlimited life with an energy clearing for you, your space or your animals. Handson or distance sessions. See ad, page 33.

GARENING, ORGANIC LOVE & CARROTS

202-957-5683 Garden@LoveandCarrots.com LoveandCarrots.com Love & Carrots transforms outdoor spaces into beautiful and productive edible organic landscapes and gardens. We do it all—design, install, maintain and coach. See ad, page 35.

HEALTH COACH BETH LINDLEY CONSULTANCY 202-285-8191 Beth@BethLindley.com BethLindley.com

Corporate Wellness Consultant Beth Lindley is fiercely committed to working with forward-thinking companies that are looking to make a big impact but that have escalating health care costs and unhealthy kitchens to transform their company kitchens into health conscious havens and increase their revenue and the impact they can create with their business. She offers personalized kitchen makeovers for COOs, CFOs and employees as well. See ad, page 31.

LOTUS HEALTH AND HEALING

301-760-6924 EmpoweredHealth@LotusHealthAndHealing.org LotusHealthAndHealing.org Piamas Puatrakul is a health empowerment coach and pharmacist. She believes in the body’s ability to heal through self-awareness, diet change, emotional healing, meditation, and spiritual practice. Combining her background in both Eastern and Western healing practices, Pia helps clients suffering from chronic illness, stress and anxiety to reduce prescription medication and reawaken their natural ability to heal. See ad, page 34.

HEALTH EVENT PLANNING PAM SNYDER EVENTS, LLC 703-402-7223 PamSnyderEvents@gmail.com PamSnyderEvents.com

With over 25 years experience event planning, our concentration is in the area of Health and Wellness. Whether you are interested in a high-energy full-scale conference or a small meeting/workshop, let us help plan your next health and wellness event.

HEALTHY PETS CHICO’S NATURAL PET DEPOT

6349 A Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 703-750-6675 Chicos@PetDepot.net • ChicosPetDepot.com

Chico’s Pet Depot Holistic Pet Care is your neighborhood all natural, organic and holistic pet food, supplements and alternative remedies for all your pet needs. Unique and customized supplies catering to your special needs companion. Pet adoption, grooming, pet events and more. See ad, page 15.

WHOLE PET CENTRAL

Info@WholePetCentral.com WholePetCentral.com We are your one-stop destination for all things natural regarding your pet’s nutritional and grooming needs. Shop online or visit one of our stores locations in Rockville, MD, Herndon, VA or Ashburn, VA. See ad, page 13.

HERBS GREEN COMFORT SCHOOL OF HERBAL MEDICINE

540-937-4283 • Green.Comfort@gmail.com Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine offers a variety of learning opportunities for the beginning and more advanced student of holistic life practice.

MOTHER’S NATURE STORE 703-851-0087 Laina_Poulakos@hotmail.com MothersNatureStore.com

Certified aromatherapist and herbalist offering lifestyle consultations and handmade products, including soaps, balms, and beard oils. Reach a better state of body and mind. See ad, page 34.

HOLISTIC HEALING

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

YOUR LIFE ENERGY HOLISTIC CENTER

CASEY HEALTH INSTITUTE

We integrate fitness, wellness and holistic modalities for the care of the body, mind and soul. Bringing renewal, harmony and balance in your life. Our services: yoga, Zumba, massages nutrition and health coaching, meditation. Reiki, animal Reiki, EFT, Emotion Code Therapy, crystal healing and tuning forks. See ad, page 36.

Casey Health offers primary care, acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, yoga therapy, massage, behavioral health, wellness classes, and health coaching all aimed at getting people healthy. See ad, page 3.

311 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 571-319-0093 • YourLifeEnergy.com Maricela@YourLifeEnergy.com

HOLISTIC PARENTING HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK ARLINGTON/ALEXANDRIA CHAPTER 571-451-8273 HolisticMomsArlAlex@gmail.com HolisticMomsArlAlex.blogspot.com

A nonprofit resource for parents seeking support in their natural lifestyle choices. All chapters hold monthly meetings and most offer supplemental activities.

HOLISTIC PROMOTIONS EARTHLIGHT PROMOTIONS 703-401-9663 BeverlyNickerson@comcast.net EarthLightPromotions.com

Bringing back the indigenous wisdom to our modern world. Organizing sacred retreat, reconnect with nature and sacred sites travel. Promoting holistic healers, traditional ancient medicine and wellness workshops. See ad, page 30.

HOME ENVIRONMENT MIKHAIL SOGONOV, PH.D.

InSitu EcoTesting LLC GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Sogonov@InSitu-ET.com

800 South Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg 301-664-6464 KGill@CaseyHealth.org CaseyHealth.org

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

Classical Chinese medicine, Japanese-style acupuncture, pain and stress management, chronic issues, family care, women’s health, pregnancy, children, Kiiko Matsumoto-style acupuncture, moxibustion, integrative medicine. See ad, page 2.

CHAS GANT, MD, PHD

National Integrative Health Associates 5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW, DC 202-237-7000 DoctorChas.com Dr. Gant, an internationally known author and integrative/functional medicine physician, addresses the root causes of chronic medical and psychiatric disorders, unique to each patient in all age ranges. See ad, page 31.

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

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

Consulting company inspecting indoor environment for biological agents negatively affecting human health. Mainly focused on mold, also includes sewage contamination and pet and pest allergens. See ad, page 2.

natural awakenings

July 2015

SUSHMA HIRANI, MD

Rose Wellness Center 2944 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 101, Oakton, VA 571-529-6699 Info@RoseWellness.com RoseWellness.com Sushma Hirani, MD, specializes in functional and integrative medicine to treat chronic diseases. She has a special interest in women’s health care, natural hormone balancing, and detoxification. See ad, page 36.

INDIGO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC 1010 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 660, DC 202-298-9131 IndigoHealthClinic.com

The body has an innate ability to heal itself and achieve balance from everyday stressors through non-toxic, non-aggressive and highly effective modalities. See ad, page 3.

MIKHAIL KOGAN, MD

MASSAGE AT EASE: TRAGER AND MASSAGE Lisa Bregman 202-686-7202 LisaBregman@yahoo.com

Deep bodywork that uses rhythmic, wavelike movement to ease pain, joint and muscle tension, and release long-held uncomfortable movement and postural patterns. See ad, page 2.

YOUR LIFE ENERGY HOLISTIC CENTER

311 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 571-319-0093 Maricela@YourLifeEnergy.com YourLifeEnergy.com/Massage We integrate fitness, wellness and holistic modalities for the care of the body, mind and soul. Bringing renewal, harmony and balance in your life. We offer Swedish, sport, Thai and customized massage. Thai reflexology and chair massage. We also have pet massage. See ad, page 36.

GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com

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

NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSOCIATES

5225 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 402, NW 202-237-7000 ext 118 NIHADC.com

Leaders in Integrative Medicine and Biological Dentistry At National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, our team of Integrative doctors blends the best of western medicine and safe, proven complementary and alternative therapies to help the body heal. See ad, page 37.

ROSE WELLNESS CENTER

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

MEDITATION HUGH BYRNE, PHD Hugh-Byrne.com

Mindfulness-based counseling and meditation instruction. Dr. Byrne teaches classes, retreats, and workshops on Buddhism and meditation in the Washington, D.C. area and nationwide and provides individual counseling.

ROCKVILLE MEDITATION

11601 Nebel St, Rockville, MD 301-770-7778 RockvilleMeditation@gmail.com RockvilleMeditation.org The Rockville Meditation center offers unlimited guided meditation sessions www.rockvillemeditation.org daily. The meditation Tel: 301-770-7778 focuses on a method of 11601 Nebel St. Rockville, MD 20852 subtraction. This logical and revolutionary method is about removing the problem of emotional pain and discomfort completely. There is also an END to the meditation. The method reaches to 340 centers worldwide and is causing a sensation in different corners of the world. Make an appointment for your free consultation today. See ad, page 9. Stop thinking. Start becoming.

ROCKVILLE MEDITATION

At Rose Wellness Center, we practice an integrative approach to medicine by combining the best of conventional and alternative medicine. Services include hormone balancing, acupuncture, allergy management (AAT), energy healing, specialty testing, and detoxification. See ad, page 36. .

Washington, D.C.

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MIDWIVES DR. KAI PARKER

The Institute of Multidimensional Medicine 202-429-3783 DrParker@timmed.com • DCMidwife.com As a licensed Homebirth Midwife, Kai Parker provides loving support and personalized care in all stages of pregnancy to women in the DC Metropolitan area. See ad, page 10.

NOVA NATURAL BIRTH CENTER

4200 A Technology Ct, Chantilly, VA 703-357-3808 • NovaBirthCenter.com PeggyFran@gmail.com

Beautiful, intimate, childbirth the way it was designed, naturally. See ad, page 20.

MIND-BODY THERAPY THE MINDFULNESS CENTER

301-986-1090 TheMindfulnessCenter@gmail.com TheMindfulnessCenter.org Empowering people to heal. Embracing optimal wellness. Mindfulness classes and services offered: yoga, meditation, tai chi, Nia, acupuncture, massage, Reiki, qigong, cranial sacral, hypnosis and more. See ad, page 23.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS DR. KAI PARKER

The Institute of Multidimensional Medicine 202-429-3783 DrParker@timmed.com • DCMidwife.com With advanced training in Eastern and Western Medicine, Dr. Parker combines scientific knowledge with ancient wisdom to provide comprehensive care for all of her patients. See ad, page 10.

MARIANNA LEDENAC, ND

Adult & Pediatric Naturopathic Medicine GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com Dr. Ledenac is a Naturopathic Physician in family medicine caring for adults and children. She has a special focus in weight management (body composition improvement), nutritional assessments, pediatrics and women’s health including fertility care. See ad, page 2.

NUTRITION RAW LIVING D-LIGHT

571-471-2891 • Luzy@RawLivingDLight RawLivingDLight.com Alkaline foods to restore your health and nourish your body. Microgreens and sprouts, foods for superior health. Classes, workshops and private consultation. Available for lectures and home growing consultations. See ad, page 6.

NUTRITION EDUCATION JULIE WENDT

JWendt@GWCIM.com GWCIM.com

My work as a Nutrition Educator is focused on working in partnership with individuals who want or need to implement changes to their diet and lifestyle in order to achieve optimal health See ad, page 2.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY ASK BABETTE AT NECK, BACK AND BEYOND

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-862-4612 • Info@AskBabette.com NeckBackAndBeyond.com Babette Lamarre, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, offers individualized recommendations for what to eat/how to live for maximum health and happiness given your particular life situation. See ad, page 17.

SPIRITUAL LIVING UNITY OF FAIRFAX

2854 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 703-281-1767 • Admin@UnityOfFairfax.org UnityOfFairfax.org Unity of Fairfax offers a welcoming, environment to explore one’s own relationship with God in a community of like-minded individuals.

STEAM MEDICINE THE WOMB SAUNA

888-576-WOMB Info@TheWombSauna.com TheWombSauna.com The Womb Sauna is empowering women world-wide through their unique method of vaginal steaming, all-natural products and online university. Step into your power today.amilies with older children.

THERAPEUTIC YOGA LINDA LANG

GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • TherapeuticYogaDC.com A highly experienced practitioner, certified in the medical, therapeutic arena of Cardiac Yoga. Specializing in chronic conditions and degenerative disease. Therapeutic yoga for special conditions and m e d i t a t i o n a r e o ff e r e d b y appointment with GW Center for Integrative Medicine. See ad, page 2.

THERMOGRAPHY ORGANIC FOOD DELIVERY WINTERGREEN ORGANICS

ZanaZ@WintergreenOrganics.com WintergreenOrganics.com We are your gateway to local, organic and natural farmers. We are your online grocery store. Sign up, click on your food to add to your cart, get delivered. It’s that easy. Life is good and healthy. See ad, page 9.

REIKI LUANN JACOBS, SLP/RMT

Reiki-Biofeedback Practitioner GW Center for Integrative Medicine 202-833-5055 • Gwcim.com

NECK, BACK & BEYOND WELLNESS CENTER

10560 Main St, Ste PH-1, Fairfax, VA 703-865-5690 • NeckBackAndBeyond.com NeckBackAndBeyond@gmail.com

Neck Back & Beyond in Fairfax, VA, offers chiropractic and naturopathic care, acupuncture, massage, colon hydrotherapy (colonics), reflexology, lymphatic drainage, and thermography clinics. See ad, page 17.

VETERINARIAN - HOLISTIC HOLISTIC VETERINARY HEALING

Pema Choepel Mallu, DVM, CVA, M.Ac, L.Ac 12627 Wisteria Dr, Ste C & D, Germantown 240-715-6570 HolisticVeterinaryHealing.com We offer integrative compassionate veterinary c a r e . We v i e w y o u r animal as a whole focusing on the root cause of dis-harmony for long term healing. See ad, page 17.

VETERINARY HOLISTIC CARE 4820 Moorland Ln, Bethesda, MD 301-656-2882 Info@VHCdoc.com • VHCdoc.com

A holisticveterinary clinic focused on keeping your pet healthy by promoting quality of life while providing excellent integrative medical care in an exceptional environment. See ad, page 29.

YOGA BUDDHA B YOGA

1115 U St NW, DC, Ste 202 202-588-5885 • BuddhaBYoga.com Experience a place of refuge and a spiritual center where all are welcome! A Vegan Vinyasa yoga studio and JivaMukti Yoga Center Affiliate. Open 7 days a week and offering over 55 classes a week, including 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. See ad, page 11.

YOGA WITH NYA

Nya@YogaWithNya.com YogaWithNya.com Nya Alemayhu is a yoga instructor in Washington, D.C., dedicated to building community through sharing the practice of yoga. Nya offers private instruction and workplace yoga. See ad, page 29.

Y’S ELEMENTS

202-246-9592 YaelFlusberg@gmail.com • YaelFlusberg.com Experienced yoga therapist/coach available for group and individual sessions drawing from a deep well of creative, somatic and reflective methods to help you flourish. See ad, page 2.

Luann provides treatments and trainings in the use of Reiki hands-on and biofeedback for self-care, and Reiki care of others. See ad, page 2.

natural awakenings

July 2015

Washington, D.C.

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XYLITOL More Innovative than Antibiotics The Power of Xylitol

Xylitol’s effectiveness in oral health and usage as a sweetener is well-known. New research also shows its usefulness in upper respiratory health. However, people may not know the reason why it is so effective. Xylitol has a unique ability to interfere with bacterial adhesion.

Anti-Adhesion Xylitol’s anti-adhesive effect was discovered by accident in 1996. A British medical journal published a study, which analyzed past research done with xylitol. Researchers found that there was an additional correlation between xylitol and upper respiratory infections—a correlation researchers didn’t see when the studies were performed originally. The 1996 study found that among the children tested in the studies, those who used xylitol chewing gum had 42% fewer ear infections. Researchers performed subsequent research to answer why there was this correlation. These studies supported the discovery of xylitol’s anti-adhesion property. Xylitol’s anti-adhesive effect interferes with bacteria sticking to tissue. In order for bacteria to thrive, they must attach to the cell membrane. There they metabolize and grow, creating a colony called a biofilm. When the body senses the bacteria, it reacts with various responses like congestion, runny nose, and inflammation. Traditionally, people fight against bacterial infections using antibiotics, attempting to kill the bacteria. However, the use of antibiotics produces resistant bacterial strains, which leads to more serious problems. Xylitol’s anti-adhesive property interferes with bacterial adhesion, resulting in bacteria not being able to colonize and thrive; eventually they are washed out. This is an innovative way to avoid antibiotic resistance. Instead of fighting against the bacteria, which can cause them to become stronger and more resistant, xylitol doesn’t allow the bacteria to cling to the cell and start its metabolic processes. Professionals advise people to regularly wash

their hands to prevent illness. But washing with only water isn’t enough; they must wash with soap. Similarly, just as people should wash their hands, they should also wash their nasal passages. A normal saline solution is like washing with only water. Washing with a nasal spray containing xylitol is like washing hands with soap. Bacteria and People Bacteria, like people, congregate together. This is called quorum sensing. When people start coming together, they form a town or city. Bacteria act similarly; as they sense other bacteria around, they create a biofilm—a bacterial “city.” If a group wanted to take over a city, historically they would send in soldiers to subdue the inhabitants so they could then occupy the city. However, there is no guarantee that they would control everyone, and there may be leftover survivors who rally together. But if that particular city were to have an extreme change in environment, the inhabitants wouldn’t be able to cope and they’d have to leave the city. Changing the environment is much more effective in expelling the inhabitants than attacking with soldiers.

What are Some of Xylitol’s Applications? Studies have shown numerous uses for xylitol, many of which deal with its adverse effects on bacterial adhesion. Sinus, ear, and respiratory infections begin in the nose as we breathe in bacteria which attempt to adhere to the cell membrane. With the use of nasal sprays containing xylitol, the bacteria found in the nose cannot stick to the tissue and are eventually flushed out. This, of course, leads to greater probability that they will not infect the body. Nurse Practitioner Sherril Sego, FNPCP, DNP, talks about the benefits of xylitol in this aspect. She says, “Saline nasal rinses containing xylitol have been found to be more effective than traditional saline rinses to reduce the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.” One of the best things about xylitol is that it is 100% natural and 100% safe. It’s no wonder so many people benefit from products containing xylitol. Do you want to benefit from them too? Go to xlear.com and look up the patented Xlear Nasal Spray.

Relating this back to bacteria, if we use antibiotics, we are sending in soldiers to subdue the bacteria. There will always be a fight between antibiotics and the microorganisms, with both attempting to get stronger. But if we alter the environment in our nasal and sinus passages so that bacteria cannot adhere to the cell surface, and thus thrive, we win the battle. natural awakenings

July 2015

Degrees with Meaning for Careers with Purpose Health & Wellness Coaching Graduate Programs Enrolling September 2015 and January 2016 Maryland University of Integrative Health is one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only accredited graduate schools with an academic and clinical focus on health and wellness. Here, the ability to be self-reflective and cultivate a healing presence is as critical to your academic success as competence in your chosen field. MUIH also offers graduate programs in: Health Promotion | Nutrition and Integrative Health Herbal Medicine | Yoga Therapy | Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Online, on campus, and weekend options available 52

Washington, D.C.

No GREs required muih.edu 800-735-2968

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