"Natural Awakenings” Magazine, April 2011 issue

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Green Local Organic Wholistic

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

awakenings Magazine

Farm Fresh! America’s Food Revolution BACKYARD CHICKENS THE SCOOP ON COOPS

The Herbal

KITCHEN www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

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NATURAL HORSE GENETICALLY MODIFIED FEEDS APRIL 2011 April 2011

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April 2011

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Natural Awakenings is your guide to nutrition, fitness, personal growth, sustainable building, “green” living, organic food, Buy Local, the Slow Food and Slow Money movements, creative expression, wholistic health care, and products and services that support a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages. Publisher Carolyn Rose Blakeslee, Ocala Managing Editor Clark Dougherty Editors Sharon Bruckman S. Alison Chabonais Kim Marques Linda Sechrist Design + Production Stephen Gray-Blancett Carolyn Rose Blakeslee Jessi Miller, www.LittleBlackMask.com Contact Us Email: GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com Call: 352-629-4000 Mail to: P.O. Box 1140, Anthony, FL 32617 Fax: 352-351-5474 Visit: www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com Subscriptions Mailed subscriptions are available for $36/ year. Digital is free. Pick up the printed version at your local health food stores, area Publix and Sweetbay stores, and other locations—that’s free, too. Locations listed online at www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com. Natural Awakenings Gainesville/Ocala/ The Villages/Mt. Dora/Leesburg/Clermont is published every month in full color. 20,000 copies are distributed to health food stores, public libraries, Publix and Sweetbay stores, medical offices, restaurants and cafes, and other locations throughout North Central Florida. Natural Awakenings cannot be responsible for the products or services herein. To determine whether a particular product or service is appropriate for you, consult your family physician or licensed wholistic practitioner. Copyright ©2011 Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

~ Features ~ 14

Are You Digging Your Grave with Your Fork? by Nuris Lemire MS, OTR/L, NC

Gardening in April by Jo Leyte-Vidal

Yin & Tonic: Enchanted April by Melody Murphy

The Herbal Kitchen by Barbara Pleasant

Eight easy picks for container gardening

America’s Growing Food Revolution by Lisa Marshall

An insider’s guide to sustainable food choices

Natural Horse: Genetically Modified Feeds by April Reeves

Already in widespread use, and a recipe for disaster

Don’t Fear the Mousse: Chocolate Mousse by Clark Dougherty

Backyard Chickens by Lisa Marshall

Getting started: The scoop on a coop

Qigong and Tumo Breathing, Part Two by Jeff Primack Mastering circulation of blood and qi

ERRATA In our March 2011 issue, the Table of Contents incorrectly listed the author of Page 16’s “Natural Horse” article. The article’s author is Alycin Hayes. Printed on recycled paper to protect the environment

~ Featurettes ~ NewsBriefs HealthBriefs EcoTip CommunityResource Guide ClassifiedAds CalendarofEvents

PublisherLetter

8 10 13 32 33 34

May Issue: Women’s Wellness Hello, Dear Readers,

Nell Newman

We really enjoyed putting together this “Natural Foods” issue for you. For an excellent article on the four easy pillars of healthy eating, turn to Page 14. I’ve noticed a growing trend—many of my friends are raising chickens and loving the fresh, flavorful eggs. They tell me it’s easy and rewarding. So, we’re bringing you a practical guide to getting started with chickens (Page 28). People are doing this even in urban and suburban areas happily and successfully. (You don’t need a noisy rooster, either—just hens.)

Advertising & Submissions AdvertisING n To advertise with us or request a media kit, please call 352-629-4000 or email GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com. n Design services are available, FREE (limited time offer). n Advertisers are included online FREE and receive other significant benefits including FREE “Calendar of Events” listings (normally $15 each). Editorial AND CALENDAR submissions n For article submission guidelines, please visit www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com/services.htm. n Calendar: visit www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com /news.htm. n Email all items to GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com. MATERIALS DUE n Deadline for all materials is the 15th of the month (i.e. April 15th for May issue). NATIONAL markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets. Now serving 88+ communities and printing 3,000,000 copies. To advertise in other markets, call 239-449-8309.

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Everyone loves fresh herbs. These, too, are easy to grow, even if you live in an apartment. As long as you have a balcony or window that gets some sun, you can grow herbs in containers. The article on Page 18 is an inspiring and fun read. On a more somber note, we’re also addressing something that has been on my mind for a while: the prevalence of genetically modified foods in not only our own food, but also horses’ feeds (and even alfalfa hay now). Our vet commented recently, “This year alone I’ve treated a dozen cases of pancreatitis and as many Cushings cases in horses. I’ve never seen anything like it.” A growing number of horsemen and practitioners believe the root cause of these bizarre, and once rare, disorders is GMOs (genetically modified organisms). The article on Page 24 offers an excellent overview of this problem. Among the “Resources” at the end is a link to the feature film “The Future of Food” online. Please read this article whether you have horses or not—it affects all of us. Enjoy your Enchanted April (Page 16),

Carolyn April 2011

NewsBriefs

Dragon Rises 10th Anniversary

Earth Fest Under the Stars

n Earth Day—Friday, April 22—from 5-10 pm, the Marion County Extension Office and the Discovery Center will partner to host the first annual Earth Fest Under the Stars. This Earth Day, Marion County’s families and members of the community will come together to celebrate and learn about the importance of soil. The family-friendly festival will feature local growers, educational vendors, games, and entertainment, as well as the first ever “soil permeability” race. To participate, bring a one-gallon zip-lock bag full of soil from your yard. The critically acclaimed film Dirt: The Movie will begin at 8:20. This movie is suitable for all ages and has been endorsed by the Soil Science Society of America. It explores the role that healthy soils provide in water purification, agriculture, and nutrient cycling. Visitors at the event can stroll through the flower and vegetable garden and chat with Extension agents and dedicated volunteers who will be on hand to answer questions about composting, energy topics, horses and manure management, water resources, and many other topics. All attendees are invited to bring chairs and blankets for viewing the movie. As an added bonus, the Extension Office will give everyone a free bag of popcorn to enjoy during the feature film. Food and refreshments will be available for sale, but attendees are welcome to bring their own. To register in advance on the web, visit http://earthfestunderthestars.eventbrite.com, or by phone at 352-6718400. Individual tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Families pay a maximum of $20 online, $25 at the door. Advance tickets must be purchased by April 20, 2011. For more information, contact the Extension Office, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala, 352-671-8400.

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ragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine will be 10 years old in April 2011, and the college community is hosting a celebration. Those who have inspired and guided the first decade will be featured and their work recognized at a reception to be held at the College in Gainesville on Friday evening, April 15, 2011. Dragon Rises College was founded April 1, 2001 with the mission of training skilled licensed acupuncturists who practice the art and science of Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis, based on the original work of Dr. Leon Hammer. The most important outcome of any medical education is alumni who have successful careers practicing their craft, bringing genuine healing to their patients. The accredited Masters Degree program of Dragon Rises has a track record of this kind of success. By offering Dr. Hammer’s teachings to students and clinic patients, the college honors his legacy and keeps it vibrant. Two documentaries will be unveiled, showing Dr. Hammer’s journey and the story of the college that grew up around him in Gainesville. For more information, call 352-371-2833 or visit www. DragonRises.edu. Photo: Dr. Hammer concentrating on a Chinese pulse diagnosis.

Saundra’s Soaps and Natural Treasures Grand Opening

aundra Williams has opened her new store, Saundra’s Soaps and Natural Treasures. The store opened in March, and the Grand Opening Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 2, with free samples and munchies starting at 10. Store hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 10-5:30. With certifications in aromatherapy, Saundra is an expert in her field and has appeared on NBC’s South Florida “Today Show,” demonstrating the process of making soap the old-fashioned way. All her products are hand-crafted from organic and natural ingredients. Besides soaps, the store carries products for men and women including body lotions, facial lotions, herbal oil infusions, aromatherapy blends, foot creams, and hair products, as well as handcrafted handbags, purses, jewelry, and wallets. Saundra’s Soaps and Natural Treasures is located at Silver Springs Plaza, 5300 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite A, Silver Springs, FL 34488 (west side of the plaza, under the blue awning), 352-236-2185. For more information or to order online, visit http://humbleskincare.com. Photo: Saundra, age 55, uses her facial oil successfully.

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April 2011

HealthBriefs Sweet Medicine

efore digging into that next stack of French toast or waffles, pour on some real, pure maple syrup. New research attests to its surprising medicinal value. Scientists at The University of Rhode Island have identified more than 20 compounds in Canadian maple syrup that can be linked to human health—eight of which have been found in the maple family for the first time. It turns out that the syrup contains not only many naturally occurring vitamins and minerals such as zinc, thiamine and calcium, but also substances reported to have anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties. Maple syrup is made from the sap located just inside the bark of the sugar maple tree, which is constantly exposed to the sun. Scientists speculate that when the sugar maple is tapped to extract the sap, it secretes phenolics—a beneficial class of antioxidants also found in berries—as a defense mechanism; these wind up in the sap and ultimately concentrate in the syrup, giving this sugary treat its stamp of health.

Canned Chemicals

New Packaging Eliminates BPA

he chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), used for years in clear plastic bottles and food can liners, has been restricted in Canada and some U.S. states and municipalities. This chemical behaves just like the hormone estrogen, and is a suspected endocrine disruptor—a chemical that can interfere with the body’s gland and hormone functions. The Food and Drug Administration will soon decide what it considers to be a safe level of exposure, based on a mounting body of independent research. Consumer Reports has released results of its tests of 19 common canned foods; almost all of them contained BPA—even those labeled BPA-free and organic. The highest levels were found in canned soups and green beans. According to the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 percent of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies. Among Japan’s population, after BPA was voluntarily removed from the linings of food and beverage cans in 1997, a 2003 study showed that levels of BPA were down 50 percent. In the U.S., major food suppliers are starting to respond with non-BPA packaging for select products ranging from juice to tuna and pasta sauce.

The Sticky Side of Non-Stick Cookware

ompounds in non-stick cookware may be associated with elevated levels of cholesterol in children and teens, according to West Virginia University School of Medicine research published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. An earlier national survey had found a near universal presence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFOA) in Americans’ blood serum; these chemicals are used in the manufacture of fluoropolymers, which facilitate non-stick heat resistance for cookware and breathable, waterproof properties for clothing fabrics, carpet and upholstery. In the university study, which examined 12,476 Ohio River Valley youth exposed to PFOA-contaminated drinking water, one in five not only had significantly higher PFOA levels than the national average, but relatively higher total cholesterol levels, including LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or “bad” cholesterol, as well. Source: JAMA and Archives Journals

I always say

centered food equals centered behavior. ~Marilu Henner

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HealthBriefs Black Rice

Exotic and Healthy

lack rice—long a staple food for one-third of the world’s population—is gaining popularity in the United States because of its exotic look and nutty flavor. Now, research chemists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service report that the black variety of this grain may help soothe the inflammation associated with allergies, asthma and other diseases. These health benefits are attributed to its outer bran layer which, unlike with white rice, is not polished off during processing. Collaborating researchers tested the effects of black rice bran extract on skin inflammation in laboratory mice and found that it reduced the inflammation by 32 percent compared to control animals; the rice bran also decreased production of certain substances known to promote inflammation in the body. Brown rice bran extract did not have these effects. When the scientists fed the mice a diet containing 10 percent black rice bran, swelling associated with allergic contact dermatitis, a common type of skin irritation, decreased. These results show a potential value of black rice bran as an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic food ingredient. It may also hold promise as a therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with chronic inflammation.

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April 2011

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EcoTip A-Peeling Reuse

Practical Tips for Fruit and Veggie Scraps

rind is a terrible thing to waste,” says Jeff Yeager, who refers to himself as the ultimate cheapskate. Yeager has discovered multiple uses for produce rinds and skins, and ways to extract extended benefits before they land in the compost pile. Here are a few of his favorites, shared with us during a recent interview: n Olive oil infusions – Add citrus peels to olive oil for flavor and to reinvigorate oil that’s getting old. n Cornhusks – Wrap fish and other seafood in fresh, dampened, sweet corn husks to grill and serve in the husks. n Savory chicken – Stuff all kinds of fruit and veggie peels inside a free-range chicken before roasting to give it extra flavor. Trimmings from onions, celery, citrus, apples, garlic, etc., can be stuffed in the chicken cavity or sprinkled around the roasting pan. Once baked, the trimmings break down faster in the compost pile. n Easter egg dye – At Easter time, boil organic eggs with onionskins to naturally create yellow and orange eggshells. n Foot rub – Rub papaya skins and pulp on the bottoms of the feet to help soften and soothe skin, particularly on the heels. They’re rich in vitamin A and papain, which breaks down inactive proteins and removes dead skin cells. n Hair dye – Boil potato peels in water for about a halfhour, strain and let cool. Rinsing hair with this water after shampooing will gradually darken grey hair without any synthetic chemicals. n Potpourri – Dry all types of citrus rinds, apple peels,

pomegranate skins and other fruit trimmings on a rack or in a food dehydrator to make homemade potpourri. Sprinkle on a little essential oil for more aroma, if desired. n Air freshener – Boil lemon rinds in water on the stovetop, microwave them for a minute, or just throw them in the garbage disposal, in order to freshen the air in the kitchen. Also place a couple in the humidifier to make the whole house smell lemony-fresh. n Shoe shine – Shine leather shoes by polishing them with the slippery side of a banana peel. n Metal polish – Lemon, lime and other citrus rinds and pulp/juice are high in citric acid, which makes them great for polishing brass, copper and other non-ferrous metals. Sprinkle on a little baking soda to hasten polishing (ketchup works, too). n Seedling pots – Scooped-out avocado shells make perfect biodegradable pots to start garden seedlings. n Pest control – Sprinkle ground-up nutshells around tender garden plants to keep slugs and other pests away; they can’t stand crawling across the rough texture. Crushed eggshells also work. n Houseplant help – Use banana peels to shine the leaves on houseplants to make them sparkle; this also serves as a natural pesticide and fertilizer. Note: Always thoroughly wash the rinds of produce that will be eaten or come into contact with food, even if it is organically grown. Jeff Yeager is the author of The Cheapskate Next Door and The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road Map to True Riches. Connect at UltimateCheapskate.com.

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April 2011

Are You Digging Your Grave With Your Fork? by Nuris Lemire MS, OTR/L, NC

very day we hear of a new magic solution to look better, lose weight, eliminate wrinkles, etc. Billions of dollars are spent in this search. Usually, the results fall short of the expectations. Diets do not work … lifestyle changes do. What are some of the basic areas of lifestyle changes? n Proper nutrition n Exercise n Healthy sleep patterns n Stress management n Detox This article focuses on nutrition and the four principles of healthy eating. 1. Eat primitive. Until about 150 years ago, humans were eating consistently fresh and simple foods. The main diet consisted of roots and fruits, greens and beans, seeds and weeds, and some fish or wild game. The Industrial Revolution changed this with modern food processing: refining, stripping food of nutrients, and adding man-made fillers. As a result, the modern diet has become radically different: meats and sweets, pies and fries, chips and dips, cakes and shakes, genetically modified foods, chemical additives and more. 2. Eat alkaline. Acid/alkaline balance is key to health. Studies are suggesting that for the best balance, we should consume about 80% alkaline (plant-based foods) and 20% acid (animal foods). Dr. William Howard Hay, a physician who wrote the book How to Always Be Well nearly 100 years ago, said our intracellular pH should be about 7.3. “Anything less and the body is moving towards disease and death.” In his book The pH Miracle, microbiologist Dr. Robert Young says, “Striking the optimum 80/20 balance can result in dramatic healthy weight loss, rebuilt stamina … and vibrant health.” Alkaline foods are usually fresh vegetables and some fresh fruits. The more they are cooked, the more acid they become. Foods that yield acidic conditions when digested include meat, dairy, pasta, sugar, and almost anything that comes out of a package. Today, the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) consists of nearly 100% acidic foods, resulting in inflammation, obe-

sity and disease. According to a 2007 report from the World Health Organization: n 50% of children born in 2000 will have Type 2 diabetes by age 30. n Up to 80% of coronary heart disease, and up to 90% of Type 2 diabetes, can be avoided by changing lifestyle factors. And, according to the National Cancer Institute: n 75% of all cancers are diet-related. 3. Eat colorful. Eat loads of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables get their color from carotenoids. These play two roles: first, they boost the immune function; second, packed with powerful antioxidants, they get rid of free radicals. One carotene is Lycopene, found in red foods like tomatoes and beets. These pack a punch against prostate cancer. They also are rich in fiber, which binds up and escorts out cancer-producing hormones and chemicals. Ideally each person should consume about 50 grams of fiber daily. Most people consume less than 5 grams. Dr. Richard Dubois, M.D., Chief of Internal Medicine at Atlanta Medical Center and top authority on infectious diseases, after 4,500 studies says that whole fruits and vegetables specifically prevent cancer. 4. Eat organic. “Organic” means more than what is left out, such as pesticides. It also means what is left in, especially minerals. For example, one organic tomato contains 1,938 parts per million of iron vs. a conventional tomato with just one ppm. Using these four nutritional principles will help you prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and many other illnesses; they will help you maintain a healthy weight and feel vibrant and alive into your golden years. Nuris Lemire is certified in Neuromechanical Acupuncture, Lymphatic Drainage, Craniosacral and Heart Center Therapy; she is also a Reiki Master Practitioner, Wudang China External Qi Healer, and a practitioner of the Maya Abdominal Technique. She and Dr. James Lemire, M.D. can be reached at the Lemire Clinic, 352-291-9459.

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Gardening in April by Jo Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS Marion County Master Gardener

t last, while our landscape is greening, some annoying bugs are also waking up. Watch out for baby lubber grasshoppers (black with yellow stripes). They need to be picked and crushed before they become voraciously feeding adults. Also, the aphid, spider mite, and scale populations will begin to increase as they suck juices from tender new leaves. The easiest and safest way to eliminate these suckers is to spraywash with an insecticidal soap. Follow the directions on the label. Be sure to spray the underside of leaves where the bugs hide. It is time to pinch back any surviving annuals to promote re-bloom, and to plant tender annuals such as celosia, impatiens, snapdragons, pansies, marigolds, and nasturtiums. Plan your annual planting design right there in the garden center. Move and arrange the small pots until a pleasing design is made. You leave the store ready to plant. The following is a checklist to use at the store. Annuals: check for n More buds than blooms n No roots growing out of the pot n White roots n Healthy leaves and stems Perennials: check for n Multiple stems or crowns n Fuller rather than taller growth n Healthy growth, both above and below the soil Shrubs: check for n Pleasing branch structure n No insect damage n Fuller rather than taller growth n Healthy, well-distributed roots For help with your lawn, garden, trees or pasture, call the UF/IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners at 352-6718400. www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2011

Enchanted April

pril is the cruelest month,” T. S. Eliot said, “breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” He began his 1922 epic poem The Waste Land with these lines. We don’t have lilacs in Florida. But we do have wisteria, which is like the love child of lilacs and kudzu. This year the wisteria arrived a full month early, in early March. Last year I first spied it during Easter weekend. Its arrival coincided precisely with the advent of a miserable flirtation with bronchitis that laid me low for a couple of weeks; in fact, my illness waxed and waned with the influx of the wisteria, to a degree that I dubbed my malaise “the wisteria flu.” There is something insidious about wisteria. Though lovely, it has overtones of evil. I think that is because it springs up from nowhere, and is suddenly, overwhelmingly prevalent. One day it simply isn’t there; the next morning, it’s in rampant

full bloom. It can climb on and cling to and drape itself over anything, languidly strangling whatever it takes a notion to choke. There’s a good reason the writers on Desperate Housewives decided to name the street where all the drama happens “Wisteria Lane.” Wisteria’s a troublesome tart just like her co-stars. Wisteria is the femme fatale of flowers, a beautiful dame straight out of film noir: toxic, clingy, and gorgeous. She’s a shameless social climber, this shady lady in lavender; this year, she’s a brazen, early-arriving hussy, and who knows when she’ll leave. Lilac’s love child is reckless and headstrong, a histrionic codependent with separation anxiety. She entwines herself lazily around a likely-looking host, and it takes an act of Congress to give her the boot once she’s gotten herself firmly ensconced. Like an old lover, just when you think you’ve gotten free of her and gotten over her, there she is, back the next spring for her annual illicit rendezvous. She’s

by Melody Murphy

a coy destroyer, this pushy purple broad—a beautiful, troublesome rambler, always on the move. And then, overnight, as suddenly as she came, she’s gone, with a lingering whisper of too-sweet perfume in the air and a startling absence of cascading purple, and you’re left dazed and puzzled, wondering, What just happened here? Wisteria, like trouble, is invasive and fast-growing. It thrives in a variety of conditions, and can be propagated any number of ways. And it does best when it has a support structure. The older wisteria gets, the stronger it gets, and when fully mature, it can take down entire buildings. Some species of wisteria are toxic in every part: root, leaf, flower, pod, seed. That’s trouble, my friends. Right here in River City. April seems to breed trouble like wisteria. Look at history. The American Revolution began and ended in April, eight years apart. So did the Civil War, in a span of four years from Fort Sumter to Appomattox,

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shortly followed by the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Within only 11 years early last century, the great earthquake and fire of 1906 destroyed much of San Francisco, the Titanic sank, and the United States declared war on Germany and entered World War I—all in April. April was eventful throughout World War II as well. FDR died in office, never seeing the end of the war. Mussolini was executed. Adolf Hitler committed suicide after realizing he could not win the war. In more modern history, just in the past 50 years or so, April has seen more than its share of upheaval: the Bay of Pigs invasion. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. The neartragedy of Apollo 13. The L.A. riots. Columbine. The Virginia Tech massacre. The Gulf oil spill. And let us not forget, speaking of toxic sludge: New Coke was released in April. Yes, throughout history, April has been the cruelest month, a hotbed of trouble and trauma. Like the title of Eliot’s poem, April often seems to leave a wasteland behind it: the aftermath of war, of natural disasters, of bloodshed and evil and loss of life. Shakespeare said, “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” Youth have been known to get restless and stir up trouble. Maybe that’s why April does what it does. The sunyear is young, the world is reborn in springtime, and a troublesome spirit gets into the blood and causes vernal children to have tantrums with very serious consequences. The month does, you know, kick off with a celebration of fools. Who knows? Maybe the world gets spring fever, and the restless spirit of Mars, the Roman god of war and the namesake of the month of March, gets into men’s blood when the sun swings into Aries and the vernal equinox arrives, and that rebellious warrioressence stays in the bloodstream until the sun changes signs again later in April. Or maybe the world would be better served by simply taking a Spring Break. I know that for myself, with the coming of every spring, I get an itch like you wouldn’t believe for a www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

trip to the beach. Old habits die hard, and though it’s been a baker’s dozen years since I was in any sort of school, that seasonal longing for Spring Break resurrects every year as faithfully as wisteria. Perhaps some beach time would have behooved those rarin’ for a fight. A comfortable reclining chair with a cool drink on some sundappled shore beneath the shade of a palm tree, listening to the sound of the ocean, certainly improves my disposition; who knows what it might have done for those overtaken by evil thoughts in April? April’s namesake is Aphrodite, goddess of love. Perhaps this accounts for the gradual decrease in aggression as the month wanes and the sun leaves its mythological war-god behind. Because, you know, good things happen in April, too. The monarchs of Spain sent out Columbus to sail the ocean blue and discover new worlds. Juan Ponce de Leon first set foot on and named Florida; he called it this word meaning “flowery land” because it was Easter season and the world around him was in bloom. Handel’s Messiah premiered. Paul Revere did stuff to get a poem written about him. George Washington took the oath of office and became our first president of the United States, a nation as brandspanking-new as a shiny new quarter, which would eventually bear his profile. Then there was the Louisiana Purchase, which brought Cajun food to a wider audience, and you’ve got to love that. In other Aprils, the Pony Express began traversing the Wild West. The concentration camps of Buchenwald, Bergen-Belsen, Dachau, and Ravensbruck all were liberated by Allied forces. Grace Kelly had a fairytale wedding and became a princess. Dr. King saw the promised land and told the world about it before he died. Apollo 13 didn’t turn out to be a tragedy. The lesson of April, perhaps, is as simple as a popular slogan of that era: “Make love, not war.” Leave Mars in March. Take Aphrodite on a road trip to the beach. After all, she was born of the waves and seafoam; maybe that’s why we continue to find her there.

April’s weather is as fickle and capricious as her spirit. Possessed of a wicked and whimsical nature, she’s as much known for her April showers and tornadoes as she is for flowers and sunshine. April is National Poetry Month, but also tornado season. There’s something almost schizophrenic about her. “To what purpose, April, do you return again?” Edna St. Vincent Millay asks warily—to answer herself in another verse, “April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.” Well, yes. April is our mad Ophelia, delirious with spring fever, waltzing along with her wisteria and her warfare, her poetry and her tornadoes. She’s madder than a March hare, but she is beautiful, just as wisteria is. Perhaps there is nothing sage to say about the dangerous beauty of April and her wisteria, no tidy lesson to be learned. Far better poets than I, and those who pen prose, purple or otherwise, have said all there is to say about April over the centuries. Perhaps Elizabeth von Arnim said it best in her lovely novel Enchanted April, in which a notice is posted to lure and entice “those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine” into a grand adventure. That’s April: allure and adventure, wisteria and sunshine. Wisteria is, undoubtedly, lovely; so is sunshine. But one can burn, and the other can strangle. Both are best appreciated safely, having taken the necessary precautions. April is one who enchants—but by what magic, black or white—or purple—who can say. So enjoy Spring Break. Make love, not war. Wear sunscreen, and feel free to admire the wisteria—but from a safe distance. Don’t stand too close. She’ll get you, too. Melody Murphy would rent the southeast corner of her soul to dark forces of wisteria-like wickedness for a week to be on a beach right now with a good book and a cold drink, looking upon turquoise waters and breathing in salt breezes. She has no desire to go back to school, except to be granted a Spring Break.

April 2011

Mix it Up When shopping for plants, experiment with the way herbs from these two groups look when they’re arranged together: n Upright growth habit: basil,

chives, dill, rosemary, sage n Mounding growth habit:

marjoram, parsley, thyme

The Herbal Kitchen Eight Easy Picks for Container Gardening Keep culinary herbs handy by growing them in a large pot just outside the kitchen door. by Barbara Pleasant

umans have had good reasons to grow basil, rosemary and other culinary herbs for thousands of years. Edible herbal accents and aromas enhance the beauty and flavor of every dish they touch, be they sprigs of fresh parsley tossed into hot couscous, or marjoram and thyme sparking a savory risotto. A big garden isn’t needed to grow most kitchen herbs; in fact, it’s often better to grow these culinary gems in pots. In any household, the sweet spot for cultivating herbs is a puddle of sunshine near the kitchen door. Time and again, the cook will dash out to gather a handful of this or that while two or three dishes simmer on the stove. Dinner is less likely to boil over when herbs can be snagged in a matter of seconds.

Individual Pots vs. Container Bouquets Because small pots heat up and dry out faster than larger ones, herbs usually grow best in larger containers. Fourteeninch-wide plastic or fiberglass pots are lightweight, easy to handle and provide

ample room for four or more plants. Half-barrel wooden planters are great and fixed oblong planters also work well. Cooks and gardeners will have the most fun combining upright herbs that reach for the sky with others that tend toward low, mounding growth. When shopping for seedlings, look for interesting ways to combine leaf textures and foliage colors, too. For example, anchor an herbal container bouquet with red-leafed basil and surround it with marjoram and thyme. Then, create a second container by combining silvery sage with green chives and curly parsley. This two-pot herb garden will produce a season’s worth of fresh flavors.

Eight Easy Herbs for Pots Basil’s spicy-sweet flavor with strong floral notes puts it on everyone’s planting list. This fast-growing annual loves warm weather. Basil planted in the early part of the growing season will produce numerous flowering spikes within a couple of months, which should be snipped off. The more

basil is pinched back, the bushier it becomes. Chives taste like very mild scallions, and plants will produce new leaves throughout the growing season, if trimmed regularly. These cold-hardy plants become dormant off-season and return the following year, featuring an early show of edible pink flowers. The slender, upright leaves combine well with other herbs. Dill is a fast-growing annual that prefers cool growing conditions. Its leaves, flowers and seeds carry a savory tang that enhances the flavor of pickles, marinated vegetables and breads. Placed in the center of a large pot, a single dill plant will grow more than two feet tall and may require staking. Marjoram deserves wider use, because the little plants combine a light oregano flavor with subtle notes of mint and lemon, and marjoram tastes good raw or cooked. Its lanky stems look lovely spilling over the sides of mixed containers. Parsley needs a bit more moisture than other herbs, so place it closer to the center than the edge in mixed containers. Both mild-flavored curly and more assertive flat-leafed Italian parsley do well in roomy containers. Rosemary tolerates strong sun and heat, so it’s a wise choice in hot months. Northerners grow rosemary as an annual, but in milder climates, these woody perennials can continue as a perennial for years. Rosemary’s piney flavor and aroma takes center stage in rice dishes and casseroles, and the woody stems make delightful skewers. Sage charms everyone with its luminous leaves, which may be graygreen or variegated with pink and

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cream, depending on variety. Smoky sage is the definitive herb to pair with poultry, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great with potatoes, too. Thyme is the flavorful herb that brings depth to many French and Cajun dishes. The fresh version is incomparable for lending savory flavor notes to fresh vegetables. Both English thyme and low-growing lemon thyme make appealing edge plants in mixed containers. Barbara Pleasant is the author of numerous gardening books, including Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens. For more information visit BarbaraPleasant.com.

How to Transplant Herbs

ollow these simple steps to get any container herb garden off to a strong start.

1. Water seedlings and set them in a shady spot. Meanwhile, fill a large container that has at least one drainage hole to within two inches of the brim with fresh potting soil. 2. Keeping seedlings in their nursery pots, array them into a pleasing arrangement, with the tallest plants placed near the center. Then, squeeze each plant from its nursery pot and nestle it into the soil in the selected spot. 3. Use scissors to trim off any broken branches and thoroughly water the container herb garden. Keep newly planted containers in a shady spot for about three days. In stationary planters, cover the plants with flowerpots to shade them from direct sunshine. Remove the shade covers after three days, water again, then start snipping bits of fresh herbs as needed for the kitchen. Herbs generally develop their best flavors when they receive sun most of the day. In hotter climates, move herb containers to partial shade during the hotter months to prevent excessive heat stress.

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April 2011

America’s Growing Food Revolution An Insider’s Guide to Sustainable Choices by Lisa Marshall

e’ve heard the buzz. America is in the midst of a food revolution. Sales of natural and organic foods are up by double digits. The once-obscure Locavore (eat local) movement has become a national phenomenon. Community supported agriculture (CSA) initiatives and farmers’ markets are proliferating. Even the federal government and some of the country’s largest grocery retailers have jumped onboard, with the first garden on White House grounds since World War II, and Walmart vowing in January to double the percentage of locally grown produce it sells to 9 percent. The statistics are motivating indeed: According to University of Wisconsin researchers, produce travels an average of 1,500 miles from farmland to plate today, up 22 percent from 1981. Half of our land and 80 percent of our water is used for agriculture, reports The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and pesticide use has increased 33-fold since the 1940s. Health problems associated with agricultural chemicals are on the rise. “We have been through 100 years of industrialization of our food supply, and consumers have begun to wake

up and realize they have no idea how their food is made,” says historian and food policy writer James McWilliams, an associate professor at Texas State University. “Historians will look back on this time as momentous.” But with every revolution come tough questions—and fiery debate— on how best to participate. Is it better

Is it better to buy “organic,” “natural” or “local”? to buy “organic,” “natural” or “local”? Is shopping at a farmers’ market inherently more green? Are there other ways, such as planting a garden or eschewing meat, that can make an even bigger impact? In reality, there are no easy answers, but, “Consumers need to be prepared to take on a bit more complexity in how we think about food, and not fall so easily for simple mantras (such as ‘Eat Local’ and ‘Buy Organic’),” advises McWilliams.

The Case for Organic

Ask Rodale Inc. CEO Maria

Rodale what consumers can do to improve their health and environment, and her answer is unequivocal. “If you do just one thing—make one conscious choice—that can change the world, go organic,” she writes in her new book, Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe. Rodale’s grandfather founded Organic Farming and Gardening magazine (today’s Organic Gardening) in the 1940s, jump-starting an organic movement that by the 1960s was nearly synonymous with environmentalism. But today, Rodale concedes, the organic industry faces a public relations challenge, as consumers move from USDA Organic-certified foods to “locally grown” or cheaper “natural” options. One 2009 survey by The Shelton Group found that out of 1,000 shoppers, 31 percent looked for the “natural” label, while 11 percent looked for “organic.” “There is a giant misperception among consumers that somehow ‘natural’ is the word that is regulated and ‘organic’ is not. In fact, it is actually the other way around,” says CEO Suzanne Shelton. Law mandates that U.S. Depart-

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ment of Agriculture (USDA) products labeled “organic” must be free of pesticides, hormones and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and that animals be given access to the outdoors. By contrast, the Food and Drug Administration vaguely describes “natural” as, “Nothing artificial or synthetic has been included in, or has been added to a food that would not normally be expected to be in the food.” With the exception of meat, it is up to the manufacturer to define what “natural” means. (In 2009, the USDA defined “naturally raised” meat as, “… raised entirely without growth promoters, antibiotics, and never been fed animal byproducts.” It says nothing about GMOs or humane animal treatment.) Organic advocates point out that a genetically modified animal could be fed genetically modified feed and confined to a narrow pen and still be billed as “natural.” A loaf of “natural” bread could be made with grains repeatedly sprayed with pesticides and man-made fertilizer. “‘Natural’ refers to the end product,” explains the Organic Trade Association. “It does not provide any information about how the product was produced.” What about buying local? Rodale argues that, while focusing on local is great for reducing farm-to-plate miles, if it isn’t organic, it isn’t necessarily addressing the larger issues of pesticide and antibiotic use. Noting that more than 4 billion pounds of pesticides are used annually in the United States, she points to studies from the National Institutes of Health and the Mount Sinai Medical Center Children’s Environmental Health Center that suggest links between agricultural antibiotic use and the rise in drug-resistant staph infections in humans, and between oganophosphate pesticides and cancer and diabetes. “It is fine to buy local, but if there are chemicals in it, then the farmer is contaminating your own community,” Rodale says. “That’s even worse.”

The Locavore Way

In early 2005, Jennifer Maiser and a handful of friends in San Francisco

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decided to limit what they ate for a month to what was produced within 100 miles of home base. By August, 1,000 people had signed on at Maiser’s EatLocalChallenge.com. By 2007, “locavore” was the Word of the Year of the New Oxford American Dictionary. “It just snowballed,” recalls Maiser. “I think it had a lot to do with changes in the organic movement. In the 1990s, if you were eating organic, you pretty much were eating food from a local farmer. But when the big companies came in and you could get organic produce grown in Mexico, it wasn’t the same anymore. We still wanted to know where our food was coming from.” Professional dancer-turnedethnobotanist Leda Meredith started a 250-mile challenge in 2007, in part to see if a time-crunched professional in wintery Brooklyn could achieve what locavores in warmer climes had. At first, adjusting to the realities was rough. Local cooking oil was hard to find, so she saved the rendered fat from her locally raised duck and used it to pop locally grown popcorn. Her one-bedroom apartment was not ideal for stockpiling canned produce, so she kept canned local tomatoes and dried wild mushrooms under her bed. “But, by year’s end, it had become my new normal,” says Meredith, author of The Locavore’s Handbook: The Busy Person’s Guide to Eating Local on a Budget. She chooses organic and local whenever possible, and if the food is on the Environmental Working Group’s dirtydozen list of most pesticide-drenched food, she might even buy organic from afar. Yet, she is a locavore at heart. “It has an impact, on local economies and small farmers, and from a cook’s point of view the food is just fresher,” she says. McWilliams, a vegan and author of Just Food: Where Locavores Get it Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly, agrees. But he takes issue with the notion that, because it necessitates fewer transportation miles, eating local is a better choice for the environment.

Tips to Eat Sustainably, Healthy and Smart n Buy certified organic and local when possible. n Always choose certified organic when shopping for the publicized dirty dozen: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes. n When buying local, but not organic, ask the farmer: “Why not organic?” He or she may be doing something close. n When joining a CSA, ask the farmer if he or she ever adds non-local food to the basket. If so, ask where it comes from and how it is produced. n At a farmers’ market, ask the management how they choose their vendors. Must they be local, or certified organic? How are they screened? n If buying “natural,” learn how the producer defines it (the government definition is vague). n Eat less meat. It uses fewer resources to produce. n Plant something. Try a container garden on a balcony or in a window box. n Learn about good sources of healthy foods in various seasons. n Take a cooking class.

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April 2011

He notes that the shipping of food constitutes just 9 to 11 percent of its “life-cycle assessment” (the toll it takes on the environment), while things like water use, fertilizer application and harvesting techniques suck up far more. Is it really greener to buy local hothouse tomatoes if, according to McWilliams, they can require up to 10 times the energy? Is it really more sustainable to buy local rice from an arid state if aquifers were drained to grow it? Another issue concerns economies of scale. For instance, a shipper sending a truck with 2,000 apples across 2,000 miles would consume the same amount of fuel per apple as a local farmer who takes a pickup 50 miles to sell 50 apples. “Local is not necessarily greener,” accounts McWilliams. So, what is? Eating less meat, he contends. And mounting studies back up his point. Most recently, a 2009 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a carnivorous diet requires 2.9 times more water, 2.5 times more energy, 3 times more fertilizer and 1.4 times more pesticides than a vegetarian diet.

Growing Our Own

Greg Peterson says that there is another perspective often left out of the puzzle when people postulate how they can change the world by what they eat: “Food grows for free. You just have to buy a little seed and put a little water on it. People should grow their own food, share it and give it away.” From his 80-by-60-foot yard in the heart of Phoenix, Peterson grows 50 to 100 individual crops, from citrus trees to snow peas and greens. His neighbors pop in for a bowl of peaches or a few fresh eggs. He further spreads the word by hosting gardening classes for everyone from wealthy retirees with big yards to thrifty condo dwellers wanting to grow herbs on their porches. “For me, it’s about building local food systems and making neighborhoods more resilient,” he says. “There is also something inherently spiritual about being able to go out in my front yard and pick carrots, beets and greens to make dinner.” Erin Barnett is the director of Minnesota-based LocalHarvest, which connects consumers with family farms, co-ops (collectively owned nonprofit grocery stores or buying clubs that give members discounted prices on healthconscious products in exchange for a fee and work crew hours) and CSAs

(in which members buy a share and receive a box of local farm produce each week). She says that these can be excellent ways to benefit our health, environment and local economies. But there can be downsides. For example, a co-op can take years to form and is typically volunteer run, which involves a significant learning curve; it also often requires members to put up several hundred dollars long before the doors open. Belonging to a CSA includes collective risk, so if it’s a bad crop year, member shares are affected. At a farmers’ market, occasionally a vendor will pass off conventional produce shipped in from afar as local or organic. As someone who buys eggs from a farmers’ market, grass-fed meat from a local farm, dry goods from a co-op, nuts from a natural food buying club, and has a garden that dwarfs her own house, Barnett puts it this way: Ask questions first. Then make a plan. “Everyone is going to concoct their own way of meeting their needs by balancing their relationships with local people and their beliefs about organic,” she says. “It is very complex. But at least people are talking about it.” Connect with the writer at LisaMarshall 08@gmail.com.

Key Food Websites EatLocalChallenge.com encourages us to eat what is produced within 100 to 250 miles from home. FoodCoopInitiative.coop helps communities start their own nonprofit co-op. LocalHarvest.org connects consumers to CSAs, co-ops and farmers’ markets in their area. OTA.com (Organic Trade Assn.) offers info about what organic is and isn’t. TrueFoodNow.org is a grassroots action network operated by The Center for Food Safety. UrbanFarm.org gives advice on how to start an urban farm.

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April 2011

NaturalHorse

Horses and Livestock:

Genetically Modified Foods in Feeds

1. Already in Widespread Use 2. A Recipe for Disaster

by April Reeves

enetically modified organisms are mankind’s way of producing desired effects within a plant/animal that nature either has not done yet, or cannot do. GM (genetically modified) plants are created in a lab by scientists. The DNA of the plant is altered by adding a foreign gene into the plant’s DNA (for example, the flounder fish gene in tomatoes). The most common alteration to the plants horses eat (corn, sugar) is the addition of Bt bacteria, which alters the plant to resist the intense continual spraying of pesticides on the plants without killing them. It also causes any insects that come into contact with that plant to

die from trying to eat it. Think about this for a second. I used to be excited about this new technology until 1989, when my neighbor showed me how his corn crop can kill a bug in one bite. As we watched the little beetle slowly slip off and die on the ground, it occurred to me—“Food should not kill.” Your horse will, unfortunately, come into contact with some of the most “advanced” GM foods. Many of them are not approved for human consumption; to me, feeding a horse something that might not be good for me isn’t good enough for my horse either. Many will say that plants have been genetically modified forever.

Plants are being modified all the time in nature, according to their needs and what other plants they come into contact with, naturally. GM is different. This modification is not something a plant would come across in nature. Where would a corn plant find a pesticide gene? or a tomato, a fish gene? Plus, the methods used to keep the genes stable come into question, as many modifications use viruses and antibiotics as “marker genes” to keep the gene from becoming unstable. While this is a simplified writing of how GM crops are constructed, I hope to give you enough information for you to do some research and come up with your own conclusions. As a trainer, I won’t feed them. As a farmer and food producer/grower, I won’t grow them. Let’s take a closer look at the crops your horse is eating. Corn One of the most prolific GM crops in the world is corn. Corn, as we knew it before GM, is pretty much gone forever. The GM corn we find today has as many as eight traits—meaning there are eight alterations to the DNA of each cell in the corn plant. This includes gene changes to kill various bugs and pests, and resistance to different pesticides. The only GM corn fit for raw human consumption (allegedly safe to eat without cooking) is a sweet corn that came to market in 2010. All other corns are either in processed human foods, or used in non-processed forms for animal feeds. Corn is a poor animal feed, a lousy fuel alternative, and an unhealthy sweetener, yet we consume millions of pounds of it a day. There have been no studies to show the effects of GM corn on horses, but research is coming out that questions specific gene changes within the horse that science cannot explain. According to TheHorse.com (XY sex reversal in horses: the genes behind the switch), researchers have found “how” mares are now becoming infertile, but they still can’t tell “why” this is happening. In independent studies done by researchers studying GM foods, rats

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and mice were used, and the fertility problem arose. By the third generation of GM-fed mice and rats, the generation was incapable of procreation. Big corporate interests dismiss these findings, but the facts remain: 1. There are no studies demonstrating that GM foods are harmless to horses or humans over the long term. 2. Corporate interests are expected to do their own research and present their own findings, making the whole industry ripe for challenges of integrity. One only has to question motivation to understand this. Sugar and beet pulp In 2010, GM sugar was hanging in the balance. A U.S. judge ruled that GM sugar beets were in violation of federal law, and ordered the uprooting of all GM sugar beet crops. However, in February, the ban was partially lifted, and limited planting will be allowed until the USDA completes an environmental impact study. Sugar is in all sweet feeds, along with corn, and in many pelleted feeds. While no horse should come into contact with sugar, at least in their feeds or on a regular basis, many will not heed this advice and continue to spike their horses’ insulin levels without a full understanding of what happens inside the horse, and not just on the outside. Cushings and Metabolic Syndrome is rising faster than any of the equine diseases, and equine obesity is now being talked about as an epidemic.

alfalfa has the potential to become extinct much as corn is close to becoming. Bees don’t need passports. Alfalfa is a cover crop for organic growers. While alfalfa is not the ideal forage for horses, it is used in mass quantities. Should we be unable to buy non-GM alfalfa in the future, we had better hope this experiment works, or our horses’ lives will be further endangered. I’m not being mean—I’m just keeping it real. Corporate interests and shareholder value is above and beyond all else. Like corn, alfalfa has been engineered by Monsanto to be pesticide resistant. That means every cell in the plant will produce a chemical strong enough to kill bugs when they bite into it, and allow farmers to spray pesticides as they need. Hay Although it’s unlikely hay will be modified in the near future, it does come into contact with pesticides from spraying neighboring crops. Pesticides have been linked to cancers and other diseases in humans. Know where your hay comes from. Spend the time to source quality pesticide-free hays. Your best bet will be to buy organically grown hay.

Equine Health Is Changing Other health issues are cropping up in both humans and horses, such as allergies and genetic mutations. Another article from TheHorse.com states that a new genetic mutation has been found in Thoroughbreds. While there are many possibilities, such as pollution and pesticides, GM is never analyzed for fear of retaliation from biotech firms. Having been around horses for 50-plus years, I have some perspective. Cancer, allergies and Cushing’s disease was never heard of. In my childhood, one horse I knew died from a heart attack—I remember the vet stating he had never seen this before. Today, it’s commonplace. In 2010 alone, in my local area, five horses died of cancer. Almost all the GM crops may eventually become your horse’s diet if they haven’t already. What concerns so many of those who oppose this technology is the risk of failure, and the lack of long-term studies on internal damage and disease. Natural DNA genes turn on and off as needed. GM genes do not. They are active 24/7, and when you get a gene, such as a growth hormone (as in ... Continued on the next page

Other Crops Wheat, barley and oats are slated for GM in the near future. They are currently being hotly debated in both the U.S. and Canada. Europe has banned GM foods/crops for years until 2010, when the ban was lifted, giving individual countries the choice to grow or not to grow. It’s unlikely any of these grains will be grown in 2011, but they are keeping the pressure on and posturing for 2012. Alfalfa GM alfalfa is next. 2011 will be a test year for it in North America. Testing is not a good thing. Open crops can cross pollinate, and non-GM www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2011

the GM salmon Americans are about to dine on), it stays active. And, it moves to different places in the body—they haven’t figured out how to stop this yet. Worse, these genes have been found to stay in humans. Only one human independent experiment was ever done (due to a ban after on all independent studies on Monsanto products) and it was found that GMO genes do stay in humans who consume GM foods, and the vast majority of us have. With the rise of disease, autism and allergies, GM food is almost certainly one of the culprits. What You Can Do 1. Talk to your feed provider. Let them know you are aware of this and that you will not support it. 2. Speak to feed manufacturers and find out where they source their grains and crops. Again, let them know of your discomfort with GM and that you cannot buy their feeds until they have a non-GM policy in place. 3. Let other horse owners know about GM grains and forage crops. Education is power. The consumer does dictate the future of food, both for themselves and their animals. If no one buys GM, no one will grow it. My wish: that a feed company would come up with a non-GM brand of horse feeds. I would pay the price! 4. I urge you to look further into this. I have been researching, speaking with scientists, and doing a great deal of “due diligence” on this subject for years. If you want to know more about GM crops/seeds/foods, this PDF may help: http://aprilreeveshorsetraining.files.wordpress. com/2010/12/gm-crops-just-the-science-with-logo.pdf 5. I encourage everyone to copy and paste this anywhere they like, as long as my name is on it. We need to get this out to all the horse owners possible. March 2011 update Roundup-ready GMO crops may be causing animal miscarriages and infertility—could glyphosate pesticides and GM alfalfa eventually catch up to the horse world in sterility and miscarriage issues? A new unknown organism, visible only under an electron microscope (36,000x), with an approximate size range equal to a medium-size virus, could have devastating effects on our horses’ reproductive abilities. It is able to reproduce and appears to be a micro-fungal-like organism. If so, it would be the first such micro-fungus ever identified. There is strong evidence that this infectious agent promotes diseases of both plants and mammals, which is very rare: http://farmandranchfreedom.org/gmo-miscarriages April Reeves is an accomplished horsewoman and trainer, graphic artist, and television host based in western Canada. Visit http://aprilreeveshorsetraining.wordpress.com/. Resources: n http://equinesecrets.com/horse_feeds n www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=2847 n http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-future-of-food/ n www. naturalnews.com/028635_GMOs_bacteria.html

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Don’t Fear the Mousse by Clark Dougherty

uoting from an old HannaBarbera TV cartoon star, “I hates meeses to pieces!” Like Snagglepuss, many cooks have a love-hate relationship with mousse. If too thin, the mousse becomes like a pudding; if too thick, it resembles a funky fudge. But have no fear … just follow the recipe and instructions below. You, too, may be rewarded with a reaction similar to this from one of the kids’ friends I once served. He took a bite, another … and cradled his arms around the ramekin, lowered his head to just above the rim, and began murmuring sweet nothings to it. Assembling ingredients to create a dish requires recipe awareness of basic measurement combinations and instructions. Such is the case with this chocolate mousse. Double the recipe or treble it in the same proportions, and follow the instructions exactly—

Ingredients, Mousse: 12 oz. Baker’s Sweet Chocolate (three 4-oz. bars) 4 Tbsp. cooled fresh espresso/dark coffee 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 Tbsp. liqueur (i.e. Amaretto, Grand Marnier, Kirschwasser or Frangelica) 4 large eggs

Directions, Mousse: Break chocolate into squares and put in a metal bowl with the coffee. Set bowl over a pan of gently simmering water; melt chocolate, stirring frequently and scraping down sides of bowl. Remove bowl from water and stir in butter and your choice of liqueur. Separate eggs; beat eggwhites until stiff. Let the chocolate mixture cool sufficiently and beat yolks into it. Gently fold in egg whites. Spoon or pipe mousse into 4-oz. dessert bowls, ramekins, or wine glasses. Chill, covered, for at least an hour.

Ingredients, Topping: 1 to 1½ cups heavy cream 1 Tbsp. sugar 1 Tbsp. pure almond extract 2 oz. white chocolate, shaved OPTIONAL: Shaved chocolate, raspberries, strawberries, mint, kiwi or mandarin oranges

Directions, Topping: Whip heavy cream with sugar and pure almond extract. Add a dollop of whipped cream to dessert, and shave white chocolate over each. Optionally, add your choices of shaved dark chocolate, raspberries, strawberries, mint, kiwi, mandarin oranges, etc.

be aware of cooking terms such as beat, cool, whip, fold, pipe, chill. Be precise and you will be rewarded with smiles, oohs and aahs.

Chocolate Mousse (w/topping)

Clark

D o u g h e rt y

therapeutic Massage Clinic Did you know? therapeutic massage can:

MM 9718

Relieve tension headaches and eye strain. Relax spasmodic muscles and prevent atrophy due to illness or injury. Increase joint flexibility and/or range of motion. Improve circulation, cleansing the body. Improve posture by stretching chronically tight muscles. Promote deep relaxation and stress reduction. Provide healthier and better nourished skin.

20 % Discount for pre-purchase of five or more sessions PIP, WorkComp, Group and Private Insurance* accepted Physician and Chiropractor referrals accepted

850 NE 36th Terrace, Suite A, Ocala FL 34470 www.ClarkDougherty.com 352-694-7255 By Appointment Only *Group/Private Insurance policies that cover massage therapy

www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2011

BACKYARD

CHICKENS The People’s Choice for Fresh Healthy Eggs by Lisa Marshall

s I work in my home office near Boulder, Colorado, I hear a soft “Cluck-cluck-cluck” from outside the window. Soon, it will crescendo into a piercing, “Baaaaaaawk,” as the largest of our seven hens—a plump Rhode Island red named Rojo— drops a beige egg into her hay-filled nesting box. When my daughters, ages 8 and 10, return from school, they’ll tromp to our A-frame coop, fill their basket with a colorful assortment of bluish-green, brown and lavender eggs (some still warm), and skip off to a neighbor’s house to trade them for piggy-bank cash. Such is the life of a backyard chicken farmer.

National Phenomenon Once viewed as the realm of rural poultry farmers and commercial egg factories, raising chickens has become a growing trend, with everyone from urban foodies to thrifty suburban housewives erecting makeshift coops, logging on to how-to websites and mail-ordering fuzzy day-old chicks. Some are lured by the firm, buttery, nutrient-rich yolks and enhanced nutritional quality—a study by Mother Earth News found eggs from pasture-raised hens to contain twice the omega-3 fatty acids, three times the vitamin E, and onethird the cholesterol of conventional eggs. Some simply want to know where their food comes from. Others long for a bucolic touchstone in their frenzied city lives. “I see chickens as a critical piece of my landscape,” says Greg Peterson, co-author of Fowl Play: Your Guide to Keeping Chickens in the City. “They eat all my food scraps. They eat the bugs and the weeds. They produce nitrogen-rich fertilizer for the garden. Then they give me eggs.” Peterson keeps 15 chickens in his 80-by-

160-foot yard in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. His monthly local how-to-raise-chickens courses currently pack in 50 to 60 people, from tattooed and pierced 20-somethings to retirees. Meanwhile, Rob Ludlow’s BackyardChickens.com, which started in 1999 as a coop-design clearinghouse, now boasts more than 50,000 members, who submit 7,000 posts a day. “We have doubled our production from five years ago, and it just keeps getting better and better,” says spokesman Jeff Smith, of Lebanon, Missouri-based Cackle Hatchery. The 70-year-old chicken hatchery used to cater mostly to farmers wanting large orders of baby chicks for meat or egg operations, and the occasional 4-H club. Now, it ships 140,000 freshly hatched chicks each week to unlikely farmers in urban centers including Seattle, Phoenix, Jersey City and Reno. “There is a little bit of fear out there about the economy, and people are looking at being more self-sufficient,” says Smith. “People are also interested in making sure the birds are being fed right, and not kept in a cage all of their lives.”

Bantamweight Contests Not all are fans of the urban poultryfarming boom. Disgruntled neighbors have called upon government leaders to either uphold or implement ordinances that view chickens as farm animals and ban them in urban areas. Some have complained of smelly coops and rodents (all avoidable via regular coop cleaning, proponents say). Others have squawked about noise. But in dozens of recent cases, the hens and their owners have won. In September 2008, for example, the city of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed an ordinance that allows city residents to keep up to six hens, as long as they buy a $30 permit, provide their birds with a ventilated, predatorresistant coop with two square feet of room per chicken, and keep the birds at least 15 feet from the neighbors. No roosters are allowed. Within the first year, 36 people had gained permits, including Connie Meyer, now the proud owner of four feathered friends. She likes that they follow her around as she works in the yard, eat out of her hands, and provide her with eggs to trade for her neighbor’s fresh produce. “People assume it is going to be so much work, but they are incredibly easy to take care of,” she comments. “More than that, they are fun. It’s easy to get attached to them.” Lisa Marshall is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings. Connect at LisaMarshall08@gmail.com.

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GETTING STARTED

THE SCOOP ON A COOP BE SURE ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LEGAL. For a database of laws in 700 U.S. cities, log on to BackyardChickens.com/laws. Otherwise, check with the local zoning department. BUILD A BROODER. Baby chicks must be kept in a draft-free place for 60 days. Create an indoor pen, using a galvanized steel tub, a large dog crate or a cardboard box. Cover the bottom with pine shavings or torn paper towels (do not use newspaper, as the ink can harm chicks). Hang a heat lamp out of reach and keep it set at between 90 and 100Â° F, decreasing it by five degrees weekly. Make sure the brooder is large enough that chicks can move away from the heat if they wish. BUY HEALTHY CHICKS. Baby chicks can be bought from farm and ranch stores, or ordered online and shipped from commercial hatcheries such as CackleHatchery.com. START SMALL AND SKIP THE ROOSTER. Start with 5 to 10 chicks; never buy just one, because they are very social. Choose a hardy breed known to lay regularly, such as Rhode Island reds or Barred Rock hens. Araucanas lay blue-green eggs and silver-laced Wyandottes are among the prettiest chickens. Hens do not need a rooster in order to lay eggs. BUILD AN OUTDOOR COOP. Some people use a recycled storage shed; others build their own, using plans available online. Be sure to have two square feet of coop for each chicken, plus an enclosed outdoor run with four square feet per chicken. Note: In high wildlife areas, a lid on the run is essential. ENJOY THE EGGS. Chickens start laying after about six months. One hen will produce from 250 to 330 eggs each year, depending on the breed, before slowing down at about three years old and ultimately ceasing to lay.

www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2011

Tumo Breathing Mastering Circulation of Blood & Qi An essay on generating internal heat & accelerating metabolic rate for healing (Continued from the March issue) by Jeff Primack

ibetan monks have an advanced understanding of Tumo. In one of their more challenging initiations, the monks are required to meditate through the night, outside, in the freezing temperatures of the Himalayas. They are completely naked apart from a wet blanket that is draped around their bare shoulders. What happens next is the real majesty and mystery: the monks will “dry out” the wet cloth with their own internal heat. A full initiation consists of drying three blankets in a single night. Wim Hof was the first Westerner I had seen demonstrate a mastery of Tumo with the same level of skill as these Tibetan monks. Wim’s daring accomplishment of staying immersed in ice cubes for 90 minutes granted him recognition, not only in the eyes of his audience, but in the media, generating appearances on 20/20, the Discovery Channel, and The Today Show. Perhaps the reason Wim Hof draws so much media interest is his ability to break through a fierce barrier using energy and mindpower. His performance is a mesmerizing display of Qi. We are ecstatic to announce that he will be appearing at the 2011 Orlando Qi Revolution, April 30-May 3. Wim will reveal the secrets of breathing as he teaches the art of Tumo to thousands at this year’s conference. Anyone can benefit from learning Tumo breathing, even without a cold climate, because it remarkably improves blood circulation. My own training with Wim, back in 2008, was a truly enlightening expe-

rience. Not only did I acquire a deeper understanding of my own body, but I also gained clarity around something I feared—the cold. Wim helped me conquer my fear of the cold when he said to me, “The cold is your ally. Use it to focus your mind.” At first, I did not understand. I was born and raised in Miami. To me, the cold was undesirable. My body responded to cold like most animals, seeking out warmth. However, when my time came and I found myself sitting immersed in ice for 15 minutes with Wim standing beside me, relentlessly cheering me on, it all became very clear. Either I was going to shut my mind off and concentrate Jedi-style or I was going to get frostbite!

I don’t have to tell you a bathtub of ice and water is extremely cold— it’s beyond cold. Yet, when I sincerely practiced the Advanced 9-Breath Method, Wim style, I could feel the fire inside my navel, pulsing blood to my hands and feet. To be warm in the ice is a strange feeling indeed, but to have a meditative experience of emanating heat in the coldest of places is a revelation. egulating body temperature and blood circulation, in turn greatly reducing the risk of disease, can, in most cases, be attained when one does the following:

R 1

Learn with precise instruction “Advanced Breathing Techniques,”

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having all subtle details of the method understood. There must be a complete comprehension.

Each day, do 30 minutes of advanced breathing meditation. With time and repeated exposure to the Qi, your nervous system will become more active. The warmth inside your navel will increase to a pleasurable 100 degrees, thereby increasing your metabolism. There are Tumo masters who can boil a cup of cold tea by placing it against their navel! Mastering the Qi is possible through repeated conditioning of our nervous system. Scientist Peter Blake also demonstrated the profound “blood cleansing” effects of the 9-Breath Method, an advanced form of Tumo breathing. The pictures below were taken from fresh drops of blood drawn from someone just before and after completing the 45-second breathing technique. Notice how clumped together (sticky) the blood is before igniting his Qi with Tumo. This has profound implications for heart disease and cancer. Nearly all diseases originate in the blood stream from poor circulation. Increasing the blood flow and body temperature means the blood is moving and not stagnating. This powerful circulation is what keeps the blood clean and makes it impossible for yeast and harmful bacteria to survive inside us. 2012 is coming and many say it will bring about a massive change in consciousness. I believe that when enlightenment becomes a biological process, rather than one of accumulated wisdom, society will have a chance to really evolve. To evolve our biology will set us free. Asthma, ar-

thritis, diabetes, cancer—these are the signs of a low-energy society and are entirely avoidable diseases. 2012 will only live up to its reputation if people are willing to evolve both mind and body. The burden of physical disease must be lifted from society in order to get us out of survival mode and “Us vs. Them” consciousness. Imagine a society with billions of enlightened people who implement “Food-Based Healing” and Tumo breathing to reverse nearly all forms of disease. I have seen it already. At night, when I dream, I see stadiums of people holding hands, breathing as one. I see society acknowledging the power of group energy and gathering together around the globe for the sake of increasing our Qi. Not in a cold, mechanical way, but in a loving, exhilarating and unifying way. I see people congregating in large numbers, not for political events or sports, but to step into a new vibration of energy. This is what I see will happen when the great hour arrives. Everyone has the same opportunity to accelerate their energy if they believe in themselves. No matter what situation or health challenge a person may carry with them, it can be dissolved in the holy fire that is our Spirit. The highest wish I have in my soul is to be as useful as possible in delivering this message. For I believe that God, the Infinite Living Mind, has created us with the capacity to rise up strong and reclaim our inner power. The Author, Jeff Primack, has studied with many Qigong masters from all over the world and has taught more than 20,000 people in seminars. For more information, visit Qigong.com.

“Qi Revolution” comes to Orlando Convention Center on World Qigong Day April 30th - May 3rd Jeff Primack, Ice Man Wim Hof and 100 Qigong Instructors will teach advanced breathing techniques and 4-days of Qigong for $99. To reserve tickets or for more info, call 1-800-298-8970 or visit Qigong.com

Yoga

Gentle Yoga Studio Gentle Yoga Chair Yoga

Claudia Saldarriaga Certified Yoga Instructor

www.gentleyogabyclaudia.com

352-362-2791

www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

April 2011

CommunityResourceGuide

Connecting readers to leaders in holistic health care and green living services in our community. To be included here, call 352-438-4496, or email GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com.

Biologic Dentistry

Holistic Medicine

Cornelius A. Link, DDS 352-629-0700 / Ocala / www.drlinkdds.com There must be a biologic balance in the mouth as part of total body health. This means being concerned about infections in the teeth and gums, the relationship of the teeth to the jaws, the teeth to each other, saliva pH and metal toxicity. As a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, we follow a recommended safety protocol for removal of amalgam fillings, if necessary. Dental materials compatibility testing available.

Michael J. Badanek, BS,DC,CNS,DACBN,DCBCN 3391 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite #B Ocala, FL 34470 / 352-622-1151 www.alternativewholistichealth.com 30+ years in clinical practice with alternative wholistic complementary health services. Treating the body to support all health challenges with Wholistic Integrative Medicine. Treatments include Autoimmune disorders, Lyme disease, Autism, ADD/ ADHD, Musculoskeletal conditions, Heavy metal toxicity, Cardiovascular and endocrine conditions, Nutritional deficiencies/testing.

Colonics Gentle Waters Healing Center 352-374-0600, Gainesville info@gentlewatershealing.com The therapists at Gentle Waters Healing Center will assist each individual with detoxing using colon hydrotherapy, Far Infrared Sauna, and/or Aqua Chi Lymphatic Drainage. We also carry probiotics, digestive enzymes, and other products for overall health. Proud sponsors of Barley Life Nutritional Products. Call Dawn Brower for more information or visit www.gentlewatershealing.com. MA41024, MM15426.

Fitness Hip Moves Fitness Studio Rona Bennett, BS, CPT Holistic Health, Personal Fitness Coaching 708 N.W. 23rd Ave., Gainesville www.hipmoves.com / 352-692-0132 An intimate fitness studio focusing on creativity and holistic health. Classes and private lessons in Belly Dance, Yoga, Pilates, and Personal Training. Rental space available.

Gluten Intolerance Gluten Intolerance Group Gainesville, 352-215-1078 GIGgainesville@gmail.com www.gluten.net The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America proudly announces a new branch in Gainesville. First meeting: Saturday, April 16, 1:003:00, Gainesville Health & Fitness, Newberry Rd. Share your stories, or give/get support!

Women’s Health Care at Center for Balance Louann Hillebrand, CNM, ARNP, 352-505-5581 1705 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, Fl 32609 www.womenshealthcareatcenterforbalance.com Louann Hillebrand, CNM, ARNP has been providing women’s health care in Gainesville since 1974. If you are looking for sensitive well woman care in a tranquil environment, this is the place for you!

Holistic M.D. Practices James F. Coy, M.D. Life Family Practice Center 1501 U.S. Hwy. 441 North, The Villages 352-750-4333 / www.LifeFamilyPractice.com More than 20 years in the General Practice of medicine, with a focus on allergies, and treatments using environmental bio-nutrition and other natural methods including N.A.E.T. and acupuncture. Providing detox therapies including chelation, anti-aging treatments, natural hormone replacement, and alternative testing. Nelson Kraucak, M.D., ABCMT, ACAM Life Family Practice Center 1501 U.S. Hwy. 441 North, The Villages 352-750-4333 / www.LifeFamilyPractice.com For 15 years in The Villages, Dr. Kraucak has been committed to bridging the gap between clinical medicine and complementary therapies to promote the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Embracing a medical approach to alternative treatment and by using cutting-edge technologies, he is able to treat chronic auto-immune and degenerative disorders. Providing treatments such as Immune Biomodulation, Chelation, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement, PRP, Prolozone and much more.

Hanoch Talmor, M.D. Gainesville Holistic Center 352-377-0015 www.betterw.com We support all health challenges and the unlimited healing potential of God’s miracle: your body. Chelation, Nutrition, Cleansing, Homeopathy, Natural Energy Healing, Detoxification, Wellness Education and more.

Holistic Psychotherapy Diane Alther, LCSW, RN, CHt Traditional and Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher Ocala and Dunnellon locations / 352-425-1992 www.emdrtherapistnetwork.com Combining conventional counseling with body, mind, energy therapies including EMDR, EFT, hypnosis, full wave breathwork, meditation and Reiki to facilitate change and mental and emotional balance.

Hypnotherapy Christine Green CHt Hypnotherapy Gainesville Hypnotherapy 1212 NW 12th Ave., Suite C-3 Gainesville FL 32601 / 352-339-6078 www.OneStepDeeper.com Invite amazing changes into your life through Hypnosis. The powerful process of Hypnotherapy guides you naturally and easily to the life you truly deserve. Free consultation: www.onestepdeeper.com and 352-339-6078.

Life Coaches Cynthia Christianson, M.A., CCC ThetaHealing™ Advanced Practitioner 352-374-7982 or 352-284-1107 www.thetahealingworks.net ThetaHealing™ coaching is using the Belief and Feeling Work to empower people with the ability to remove and replace negative emotions, feelings and thoughts with positive, beneficial ones. Change your negative beliefs and you will heal on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels thus really seeing this relief show up in your life.

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Massage

Reiki

Tiara L. Catey, LMT Center for Balance 1705 N.W. 6th St., Gainesville 352-642-4545 / www.tiaracatey.com Relieve pain, manage stress and cultivate joyful relaxation and balance by including massage as an essential part of your self-care practices. Therapeutic massage, relaxation massage and lomilomi. Includes aromatherapy. Holistic approach. Some insurance accepted. Visa/MC. See www.tiaracatey.com for details. MA41831.

Kim Marques, CHt, Reiki Master Teacher www.ItsAllPerfect.com 352-804-9006 in Ocala Change your vibe, change your life! Free Info and Spiritual Energy by appointment. Embrace the mind, body and spirit with hypnosis, energy sessions and training, spiritual guidance, Life Wise workshops and support groups, meditation, Goddess Weight Loss, attraction power kits and more.

Clark Dougherty Therapeutic Massage Clinic 850 N.E. 36th Terr., Ocala 352-694-7255 / www.ClarkDougherty.com Offering a variety of therapeutic massage techniques for pain relief, improved flexibility, and other wonderful benefits. PIP and WorkComp always accepted, also group/private insurance in some instances. All credit cards accepted. Gift certificates are available now for Mother’s Day and birthdays with 25% discount on a second session. MA27082, MM9718. Traditional Thai massage Ariela Grodner LMT 900 N.W. 8th Ave., Gainesville arielasthaimassage.com / 352-336-7835 Ariela offers an ancient massage modality known in the west as Thai Massage, sometimes referred to as “lazy man’s yoga.” It is a fusion of yoga and the martial arts in a massage modality. Call to reserve an appointment or to find out about classes held locally.

MTT / Energy Tapping Sandra Wilson, MCHt, EFT-ADV 352-454-8959, www.SandraWilson.org With the simple tap of your fingers, you can stop replaying bad memories/ bad decisions in your mind. You can feel at peace with yourself and others. EFT is the painless, drug-free technique with over 90% success rate. See Website for free consultations in Ocala and The Villages. Phone sessions also available.

Piano Services Hendrix Piano Service 352-895-5412, Serving north central Florida Tuning, repairs, cleaning, fine custom maintenance of your acoustic piano. Pianist: accompaniment, weddings, other church services, concerts. Experience: churches, cabarets, Marion Chorale, Duelling Divas, much more. Fine used pianos available.

www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

Rolfing Carol L. Short / Certified Advanced Rolfer™, Craniosacral Therapist, Gainesville and North Central FL / 352-318-0509 Rolfing® is a system of body restructuring through systematic manipulation of muscle and fascial tissues. It promotes the release and realignment of long standing patterns of tension and dysfunction, bringing the body to greater balance, mobility, vitality, and ease. A holistic approach to mobility, vitality and balance. MA16337/MM18921.

Veterinary Care Medicine Wheel Veterinary Services Shauna Cantwell DVM, Ocala, FL www.shaunacantwell.com / 352-538-3021 Holistic veterinary medicine for small animals and horses. Preventative health, arthritis, neurologic and hormonal dysfunction, skin, allergies, cancer, pain, immune and chronic disease, more. Certified Veterinary Acupuncture, certified cAVCA animal chiropractic, herbal therapy, tui na medical massage, functional neurology, postural rehabilitation, ozone therapy, homotoxicology, nutrition. Available for workshops.

Classifieds Business Opportunities CURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES - For sale in Birmingham, AL; Lexington, KY; Manhattan, NY; North Central FL; Pensacola, FL; Tulsa, OK and Southwest, VA. Call for details 239-530-1377.

Intimacy Product Topical ointment guaranteed to increase a woman’s sexual responsiveness and sensation. Woman-invented and womanmade. All natural, safe, and beautifully scented. $29.95 + $5 shipping. Call 352286-1779.

Professional Advanced Continuing Education Abdonimal Massage: The Therapeutic Value. April 10, 9am-2pm. 5 CEUs, $55. Hands-on instruction. Bring massage set-up. 205 E. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, FL 3471. For more info: 352-625-1665. FL #50-1551. National Provider 450863.

Natural Skin Care Saundra’s Soaps and Natural Treasures. Natural and organic skin care: Lotions, oils, soaps in many popular scents. Arthritis rubs, burn-relief salves also available. Visit the store at Silver Springs Plaza, 5300 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite A, Ocala, open Wed.-Sat., 10-4. www. HumbleSkinCare.com, 352-236-2185. Ads: Per-issue cost is $25/up to 30 words, $1/each additional. Fax ad with credit/ debit card info to 352-351-5474, or email to GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com.

Reeser’s Nutrition Center, Inc. / ReesersNutritionCenter.com

Do you suffer from any of the following symptoms?

Free Initial Consultation with CNHP. Offering:

l A.D.D.

Nutritional Analysis

Metabolic DHEA

l Alkaline

Cirrhosis of the Liver Immune Disorder l Sinusitis l Impotence/Prostrate l Candidiasis l Chronic Fatigue Syndrome l Crohn’s Disease l Osteoporosis/Arthristis l Substance Abuse l Menopausal Syndrome l Insomnia l Multiple Sclerosis l Fibromyalgia l High Blood Pressure l Shingles l Irritable Bowel Syndrome l Parasites

l l

l Adrenal/Thyroid

l REAMS Analysis l

Water Hair Analysis l Weight Loss l Homeopathic l Saliva Test l Drug Tests l BMI Analysis l

Oral Chelation Gluten Free Foods l Hormone Testing l Detoxification l Vitamins / Herbals l

Enzyme Therapy

l Blood Analysis

10% Every Day Discounts on Vitamin Supplements (Restrictions Apply) 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala / 732-0718 / 351-1298

April 2011

CalendarofEvents

Thursday, March 31 Dismantling Stress w/Integrative Relaxation, with John Ernest Hiester(Chandrakant), 7:00-8:30pm, following Amrit Yoga w/Veda, 5:30-6:30pm. Both classes are free. Downtown Public Library, 401 E. University Ave, Gainesville, 4th floor. Dress warmly, bring light blanket, jehiester@amrityoga.org. Saturday, April 2 Annual Organic Foods Gala, 9-3. $1 admission. $1 per sample. Free recipes, demonstrations, music. Crones Cradle, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352-595-3377, www.cronescradleconserve.com. Crystal Chakra Balancing Sessions with Sharron Britton. 125pm, $15. Walk-in. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs, www.highspringsemporium.net, 386-454-8657. Grand opening, Saundra’s Soaps and Natural Treasures. Munchies and organic product samples, 10am until ? Free. Silver Springs Plaza, 5300 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL (west side of the plaza, under the blue awning), 352-236-2185, http://humbleskincare.com. See News Brief, p.8. Sunday, April 3 Divination Workshop. 1-4pm, $40. Class size limited to 10. Notebook and pendulum (available at church’s bookstore) required. Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd., Ocala, 352-687-2113, www.unityocala.org. The Many Uses of Rocks and Minerals in Healing Modalities. Workshop with Jeanette Westlake, 2-4pm, $20. Call to register. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs, www.highspringsemporium.net, 386-454-8657. Monday, April 4 Meet the Doctor evening, hosted by Dr. James Lemire. Free, 6pm, call to reserve a seat. Lemire Clinic, 11115 SW 93rd Court Rd, Suite 600, Ocala, 352-291-9459, www.LemireClinic.com. Wednesday, April 6 HGC weight loss. Safe homeopathic solution targets hard-tolose stored fat. Detox coaching and support. Free consultation; call for appointment. Reesers Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-732-0718, 351-1298. Saturday, April 9 Mediumship Spiritual Development Class. $25, 2-4:30pm. Class includes meditation, lesson, hands-on practice to develop your personal skills. Held at Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge, www.ifsk. org, 407-673-9776. Spiritual Connections Faire. 11-5, $3/person, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th St., Gainesville, FL. Information: 352-333-7153, 222-3492. Sunday, April 10 Abdominal Massage: The Therapeutic Value. 9am-2pm, Ocala. 5 CEUs, $55. 352-625-1665. Now through April 10 “When Bullfrogs Sing Opera,” country comedy. Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-236-2274, www. OcalaCivicTheatre.com. Wednesday, April 13 Metabolic balance. All natural weight loss; “Your food shall be your medicine.” Free consultation; call for appointment. Reesers

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Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-732-0718, 351-1298. April 13-20 Ayurvedic Detoxification/Panchakarma. Amrit Yoga Institute, Salt Springs, FL, 352-685-3001, www.AmritYoga.org. Thursday, April 14th Integrative Relaxation with John Ernest Hiester(Chandrakant), 7:00-8:30, following Amrit Yoga w/Veda (5:30-6:30 every Thursday), Downtown Public Library, 401 E. University Ave, Gainesville. Free. Dress warmly, bring light blanket. jehiester@ amrityoga.org, vedalewis@aol.com. Thursday, March 24 Treatment for I.B.S. Syndrome with Dr. Kraucek, and Colon Hydrotherapy with Dr. Perry. Free lecture, 6pm, Life Family Practice Center, 1501 US Hwy 441 North, The Villages. RSVP to 352-750-4333, www. lifefamilypractice.com. Friday, April 15 Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine, 10th Anniversary Celebration. Gainesville, 352-371-2833, www.DragonRises.edu. April 15-May 8 Play “The 39 Steps,” based on Alfred Hitchcock’s film. The Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE 2nd Pl, Gainesville, FL, 352-375HIPP, www.TheHipp.org. Saturday, April 16 Energy Blessing Day. 10-3pm; call to make appointments. Reiki, massage, Quantum Touch, hypnosis, energy healing. Love offering. Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd., Ocala, 352-687-2113, www.unityocala.org. Getting to Know You: Identifying and Using Your Stones. Workshop with Sharron Britton. 1-4pm, $20. Call to register. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Sante Fe Blvd, High Springs, www.highspringsemporium. net, 386-454-8657. Meeting, Gluten Intolerance Group, Gainesville Health & Fitness, Newberry Rd., Gainesville, 352-215-1078, GiGgainesville@ gmail.com, www.gluten.net. Nutritional Blood Analysis by Linda Schoffler. 10-5:30. $50 (cash or check), appointment required. Two-hour fast. Mystic Glenn, 3315 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 352-401-1862, www.mystic-realms.com. April 16-17 Thai Massage, Phase V: Advanced Sideline class, Florida School of Massage. $300, 18 CEUs. Ariela Grodner, 352-3367835, www.ArielasThaiMassage.com.

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Monday, April 18 Full Moon Drumming Spirit Circle, 7pm. Bring something to sit on along with your drums and noise makers. Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd., Ocala, 352-6872113, www.unityocala.org. Nutrition and Stress Management with Nuris Lemire. Free, 6pm, call to reserve a seat. Lemire Clinic, 11115 SW 93rd Court Rd, Suite 600, Ocala, 352-291-9459, www.LemireClinic.com. Wednesday, April 20 Cleanse your body of toxic buildup, repair G.I. tract, support immune system, weight loss, anti-aging nutrition, protocol for radiation detoxification. Free consultation; call for appointment. Reesers Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-732-0718, 351-1298. Now through April 22 Art show, “From the Center: Inside Out,” artist Harimandir Khalsa. Center for Balance, 1705 NW 6th St, Gainesville, 352-378-4848. Friday, April 22 EARTH DAY. EarthFest Under the Stars, 5-10pm, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Service complex, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala, 352-671-8400, http://earthfestunderthestars.eventbrite.com. See News Brief, p.8. Saturday, April 23 Earth in Balance: An Earth Day Celebration with Sandy Grizzle. Food, flowers, healing ceremony for the earth. 12-5pm, readings $20. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs, www. highspringsemporium.net, 386-454-8657. Tuesday, April 26 Meet the Doctors. Talk with the doctors in an informal setting. 5:30pm, free. Life Family Practice Center, Genesis Heart MedSpa, 3365 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, 352-750-4333, www.lifefamilypractice.com.

Alternative Wholistic Health Care Michael Badanek, BS, DC, CNS, DACBN, DCBCN, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition, Certified in Applied Kinesiology, and Promoter of Alternative Complementary Medicine.

30 Years of Clinical Practice Autoimmune disorders, Lyme disease, Autism, ADD/ADHD, Musculoskeletal conditions, Heavy metal toxicity, Cardiovascular and endocrine conditions, Nutritional deficiencies/testing.

Courtesy consultations available (352) 622-1151 3391 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite B Ocala, FL 34470 www.alternativewholistichealth.com www.ocalaalternativemedicine.com

Homegrown Organics Organic buying club. Start eating right today! n Fresh organic fruit and veggies n Organic and free-roaming poultry n Grass-feed beef Doreen, 352-598-4184 HomeGrownOrganics.vpweb.com April 2011

CalendarofEvents Wednesday, April 27 Wellness Consultation on Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Free. Call for appointment. Reesers Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-732-0718.

tions, Food healing. 32 CEUs available. www.QiRevolution.com

Saturday, April 30 Crystal Alignment and Attunement. Workshop with Fran Oppenheimer, RN, LMT. 1-3pm, $20. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs, www.highspringsemporium.net, 386-4548657. Spiritual Wisdom on Relationships: Open discussion with free book, 1pm. HU Chant at 2:15pm. Refreshments. Headquarters Library, 401 E. University Avenue. Information: Eckankar, 352-378-3504. Wellness Consultation on hair analysis, BMI analysis, 24-hour urinalysis, saliva test for hormone imbalance. Free. Call for appointment. Reesers Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352732-0718.

Saturday, May 7 Celebrate National Herb Day with Carrie Hull Chauhan. 11am. Free. Downtown Center for Oriental Medicine, 201 SE 4th Ave, Suite 2, Gainesville, www. DowntownOrientalMed.com.

April 30-May 1 Thai Massage, Phase I: Introduction class, Florida School of Massage. $300, 18 CEUs. Ariela Grodner, 352-336-7835, www.ArielasThaiMassage.com.

May 6-8 Ayurveda Techniques. $295. Amrit Yoga Institute, Salt Springs, FL, 352-6853001, www.AmritYoga.org.

May 7-8 Biosyntonie Workshop. Dr. Hanoch Talmor, Gainesville Holistic Center, 4140 NW 27 Lane, Suite C, Gainesville, FL, 352-377-0015, talmor@msn.com, www. betterw.com. May 21-22 Raymon Grace Workshop. Dr. Hanoch Talmor, Gainesville Holistic Center, 4140 NW 27 Lane, Suite C, Gainesville, FL, 352-377-0015, talmor@msn.com, www. betterw.com, www.raymongrace.us.

COMING IN MAY Three Theta Healing classes: Basic Theta, Advanced Theta, and Manifesting and Abundance. Cynthia Christianson, 352-3747982, www.ThetaHealingWorks.net.

ONGOING EVENTS Sundays Farmers Market, 12-4. Mosswood Farm Store, 703 NE Cholokka Blvd, Micanopy, 352-466-5002, www.mosswoodfarmstore. com. Master Mind Prayer Circle, 9:30; Healing Hands Circle, 10; Sunday Service and Youth Education, 11; NGU, 12:30. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave., 352-3731030, www.unityofgainesvillefl.org. Meditation and Spiritual Lesson, 10am. Unity of Ocala, Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd., Ocala, 352-687-2113, www. unityocala.org. Science of Mind and Spirit Meditation 9:45am, Celebration /Message 10:30am, Youth and Children’s Celebration 10:30am. Love offering. OakBrook Center for Spiritual Living, 1009 N.E. 28 Ave, Ocala, FL 352-629-3897, www. oakbrookcsl.org.

April 30-May 3 Qi Revolution, Orlando Convention Center. $99. QiGong healing and breathing applications, Advanced breathing applica-

n Psychic Mediumship Develop- ment Class, April 9, 2-4:30pm, Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. n Intensive 4-day course, Aug. 4-7, Canterbury Retreat, Oviedo. n Private readings available. Check Web for complete 2011 program

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Monday-Friday Organic Food Pickups. Monday, Ocala; Tuesday, Eustis and Mt. Dora; Wednesday, Ocala and Gainesville; Friday, Oxford/The Villages. Homegrown Organics by Doreen, 352-598-4184, http://www. homegrownorganics.vpweb.com. Recipes: http://homegrowngainesville.wordpress.com/ Yoga with Joe Ferrara. Monday, 7-8:30pm, Amrit Yoga Institute. Tuesday, 12-12:45pm, Serenity of Central Florida, 301 Skyline Dr., Ste 1, Lady Lake. Wednesday, 8:30-10am, Ocala Inner Center, 205 S. Magnolia; and 5-6pm, Serenity of Central Florida, Lady Lake. Thursday, 6-7:30pm, Ocala Inner Center. Friday, 7-8am, Premier Medical Center of Ocala, 7960 SW 60th Ave. prakash@amrityoga.org.

Crones Cradle, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352595-3377, www.cronescradleconserve. com. The 2012 Preparation Program w/ Marque G. Kolack. Every Saturday in March, 10am-12noon. $20/class love offering. Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd, (off Maricamp), Ocala, 352-687-2113, www. unityocala.org.

personal training as early as 5:30am, as late as 7:30pm. Hip Moves, 708 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville, 352-692-0132, www. hipmoves.com. Yoga classes as early as 5:30am, as late as 8:30pm, beginners (including “Stiff Guys”) to experienced Hot Yoga. Big Ron’s Yoga College, Gainesville, 352-367-8434, www.bigronsyoga.com.

Seven days/week Abraham, yoga, breathwork, reiki, much more—something every day. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave., 352-3731030, www.unityofgainesvillefl.org. Bellydancing, fitness, yoga classes,

Calendar listings are free to our advertising sponsors, and just $15 each for all others. To place your listing(s), call 352-629-4000, email GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com, or visit http://www.naturalawakeningsncfl. com/news.htm to order instantly online.

Tuesdays A Course in Miracles, 7pm. Unity of Ocala, Community House, 2 Cedar Course, Ocala, 352-687-2113, www.unityocala.org. Ocala/Marion Raw Food/Living Cuisine Group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6-8pm at the Lemire Clinic. Bring a raw-food dish with recipe to share, or just bring raw fruits and veggies. Lemire Clinic, 11115 SW 93rd Court Rd, Suite 600, Ocala, 352-291-9459, www. LemireClinic.com. Wednesdays A Course in Miracles, 7-8:30pm. Amrit Yoga, Salt Springs, 352-685-3001, ganga@ amrityoga.org. Meditation and Visioning, 6pm, followed at 7:15 with Speaker, Spiritual Craft, Drumming, or Spiritual Film, depending on the week. Love offering. OakBrook Center for Spiritual Living, 1009 N.E. 28 Ave, Ocala, FL 352-629-3897, www.oakbrookcsl.org. Pilates with Ana. 5:30-6:30pm, $55.00 for 5 classes. Space is limited. Lemire Clinic, 11115 SW 93rd Court Rd, Suite 600, Ocala, 352-291-9459, www. LemireClinic.com. Thursdays Amrit Yoga w/Veda, 5:30-6:30pm every Thursday. Downtown Public Library, 401 E. University Ave, Gainesville. Free. Dress warmly, bring light blanket. vedalewis@aol.com. Healing Yoga with Marque. Movement class combining yoga, Pilates, body alignment, breathing. Bring a mat. $25/4 weeks, Feb. 3-24 every Thursday, 12:30-1:30pm. To register: Sheila, 352-867-9660. Class held at Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd., Ocala, 352-687-2113. Saturdays Farmstead Saturdays. Free, 9-3pm.

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April 2011

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.—Psalm 104:14

Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense. —Exodus 25:6

We don’t just talk about the environment— We respect it. At Natural Awakenings, we know the cost of glossy coatings on a magazine’s pages: n 33-54% increase in energy consumption, wastewater, air pollution emissions, solid waste n Coated paper is very difficult to recycle (the quantity of waste clay coating removed nearly equals that of the usable paper fiber) n The sealant coating/varnish commonly contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) n Inks that often contain heavy metals and VOCs n Higher costs to print, resulting in higher costs for advertisers —Sources: Buy Recycled Business Alliance; Turning the Page by the PAPER Project partnership; Magazine PAPER Project (CoopAmerica.org/programs/woodwise/publishers/ magazines/index.cfm For more information, visit www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com/WhyRecycled.pdf Join our family of “green” readers and advertisers. Call 352-629-4000. 38

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