“Natural Awakenings” Magazine, December 2011 issue

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

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Celebrate the Holy Season Meaningful Giving: Tips to Simplify p. 18 The Helping, Health and Happiness Connection p. 20 Holiday Manifesto: Buy American, Buy Local! p. 23 The Gift of Health p. 12 www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

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December 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 352-629-4000 Fax 352-351-5474 GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com P.O. Box 1140, Anthony, FL 32617 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.

~ Features ~

The Meaningful Gift of Health by Dr. James Lemire, MD

Scalloped Corn Casserole by Clark Dougherty

14 16

Eco-Films: Movies with a Message

Inspiration: Meaningful Giving

Yin & Tonic: We Need a Little (Less) Christmas by Melody Murphy Tips to Simplify the Season

by Beth Davis

7 Principles for Fulfilling Relationships by David B. Wolf, Ph.D.

Do Good, Feel Good The Helping/Health/Happiness Connection

by Lisa Marshall

23 24

A New Holiday Tradition Wise Words Exploring the Last Frontier with Astronaut Edgar Mitchell

by Linda Sechrist

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.

The December Garden by Jo Leyte-Vidal, Marion Master Gardener

Healing Ways

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.

Balance by Dr. Paula Koger, RN, MA, DOM

Thyroid Function Part III

Good Vibrations: Sound Healing for the Soul

by Erin Lehn Floresca

Medications Affecting Thyroid Function

by Dr. Michael Badanek, DC, BS, CNS Printed on recycled paper to protect the environment

~ Featurettes ~ HolidayBriefs HealthBriefs GlobalBriefs CommunityResourceGuide ClassifiedAds CalendarofEvents

CoverArtist 7 8 10 32 33 34

Advertising & Submissions ADVERTISING  To advertise with us or request a media kit, please call 352-629-4000 or email GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com.  Design services are available, FREE (limited time offer).  Advertisers are included online FREE and receive other significant benefits including FREE “Calendar of Events” listings (normally $15 each). EDITORIAL AND CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS  For article submission guidelines, please visit www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com/services.htm.  Calendar: visit www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com /news.htm.  Email all items to GoNaturalAwakenings@gmail.com. MATERIALS DUE  Deadline for all materials is the 15th of the month (i.e. December 15th for January issue).

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Different Christmas by Will Bullas

ombining award-winning artistic skills with a humorous point of view, Will Bullas makes fine art fun. The birds and animals that populate his enchanting watercolors are full of personality, reflecting the artist’s ebullient sense of sparkle and mischief. Bullas has been drawing since he was a youth, and his first professional pieces were pencil portraits of fellow soldiers in Vietnam, sent to loved ones back home. After returning from military duty, he enrolled in the Brooks Institute of Fine Art in Santa Barbara, California, and graduated with a degree in oil painting. Today, Bullas’ work graces a wide range of popular products, including high-fashion T-shirts, notecards, and coffee mugs. His books, A Fool and His Bunny and A Fool Moon, include introductions by fans Clint Eastwood and Doris Day. A member of the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society, Bullas is renowned for the zany one-liners that often title his works. “I find that laughter always tips the scales,” he says. “When you combine an image with one of the countless sayings or bits of jargon we are always using, you end up with a pretty funny package.” View the artist’s portfolio at www.WillBullas.com.

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:  33-54% increase in energy consumption, wastewater, air pollution emissions, solid waste  Coated paper is very difficult to recycle (the quantity of waste clay coating removed nearly equals that of the usable paper fiber)  The sealant coating/varnish commonly contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs)  Inks that often contain heavy metals and VOCs  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 www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com Join our family of “green”

December 2011 readers and advertisers. Call 352-629-4000.

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HolidayBriefs Holiday Foods: Naughty or Nice?

few cookies here, a couple of eggnogs there, and a rich meal in-between can quickly pack on unhealthy extra pounds. But we can minimize the damage of holiday feasts by making wise food choices that total up fewer calories, less fat and more fiber. Here are some helpful tips: • Pick whole wheat rolls, wild rice and quinoa to stay satisfied longer. • Pass on the gravy. • Eat regular meals and snack on fruits to avoid overindulging at festivities. • Choose low fat yogurts and hard cheeses as both satisfying and rich in calcium. • Look to small amounts of dark chocolate and heart healthy nuts to stave off a craving. • Limit alcoholic drinks and cocktails because they are high in calories, with no nutritional value. Depriving ourselves of a favorite holiday treat can backfire and lead to unsatisfied cravings and overeating. Making conscious decisions, however, on where to splurge will leave us jolly and feeling good.

Green Lights Energy-saving LED holiday lights use 90 percent less energy than conventional bulbs and can save up to $50 on the household energy bill through the holiday season. Source: SierraClub.org

Source: Adapted from WebMD.com

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December 2011

HealthBriefs The Arts Relieve Holiday Stress

he hustle and bustle of the holiday season can leave us stressed, fatigued, and even anxious or depressed. However, according to studies sponsored by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, there are many artful ways to relieve these conditions: Painting, dancing, playing a musical instrument, or attending a theater performance or concert may help us feel better, healthier, and more upbeat. The researchers worked with more than 50,000 participants, using questionnaires, interviews, clinical examinations, and blood and urine samples to assemble detailed health profiles. The data was controlled for chronic illness, social relations, smoking and alcohol. What most surprised the researchers was that the study findings held true regardless of socioeconomic status; whether a truck driver or bank president, participating in the arts had a positive effect on the individual’s sense of health and well-being.

Acupuncture Eases Unexplained Symptoms

new study confirms that zinc can, indeed, help reduce the severity and duration of the common cold, and high doses—at least 75 milligrams per day—work best. Depending upon the total dosage and composition of the lozenges, zinc may shorten the duration of a common cold episode by up to 40 percent, according to University of Helsinki research. Source: Open Respiratory Medicine Journal

Nutty Help for Diabetes

atients who experience medically unexplained symptoms might benefit from acupuncture, according to new research by the Institute of Health Services Research, Peninsula Medical School, at the University of Exeter. The study involved 80 adults who had consulted their general practitioner eight or more times in the previous year for problems such as headaches, muscle pain, extreme fatigue or joint and back pain. Half received up to 12 sessions of five-element acupuncture during a period of six months; the remainder received no extra treatment. The patients receiving acupuncture reported improved well-being and scored higher on an individualized health status questionnaire than the control group. They reported that their acupuncture consultations became increasingly valuable and that the interactive and holistic nature of the sessions gave them a sense that something positive was being done about their condition. Professor Andrew Gould, who led the study, says it is important to offer patients other options when conventional medicine isn’t working. “It’s soul-destroying for both the patient and doctor when there’s no clear reason for the symptoms patients are suffering from,” he explains. “We don’t know how acupuncture is making a difference, but it seems to be something to do with the treatment, rather than just a placebo or the one-to-one care the patients are getting.” The study was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. The research results were published in The British Journal of General Practice.

Zinc Fights Colds

ew research from St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto reports that consuming two ounces of nuts daily as a replacement for carbohydrates (muffins were used in the study) is effective in glycemic and serum lipid control for people with Type 2 diabetes. The researchers concluded that all nuts—whether mixed, unsalted, raw or dry-roasted—offer benefits for control of both blood glucose and blood lipids and could be consumed as part of a strategy to improve diabetes control without weight gain. Source: Diabetes Care

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Massage Beats Meds for Back Pain

new study conducted by the Group Health Research Institute of Seattle suggests that massage therapy may be better than conventional medicine alone for easing lower back pain. Researchers recruited 401 patients with chronic back pain and found that those receiving a series of either relaxation or structural massage spent fewer days in bed and were more active than those receiving “usual medical care,” ranging from painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants to physical therapy. Lead study author Daniel Cherkin, director of the institute, concluded: “If you’re having continuing problems with back pain, even after trying usual medical care, massage may be a good thing to do. I think the results are pretty strong.” Funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Phosphates Not Heart-Healthy

hosphates are commonly found in microwavable meals, soft drinks and other processed and prepackaged foods. Now, researchers at the University of Sheffield, UK, have demonstrated a connection between the high intake of phosphates and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, a leading cause of heart disease. The research shows that cholesterol deposits in the walls of arteries increase following a higher phosphate diet. This leads to narrowing of the arteries, the cause of most heart attacks and strokes. Source: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology

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December 2011

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GlobalBriefs Surprise Packages

Recycled Cardboard Holds Hidden Danger

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he scientific peer review journal Packaging Technology and Science recently reported on a study in Zurich, Switzerland, showing that harmful mineral oils from printing inks used on cardboard can migrate into food if recycled cardboard is used for food packaging. The oils may contaminate food even if the recycled cardboard is used for the corrugated card transport box that holds individual packs. Researchers found that food rapidly absorbed 10 times the recommended limit for concentration of these contaminating oils from a transport box. The food studied had a two-year shelf life, so it is possible the absorbed amount could increase even more over time. Even if the food was contained in new, clean paperboard boxes—printed with inks free of mineral oil and wrapped by a polyethylene film— mineral oils from the corrugated cardboard transport box far exceeded the limit deemed safe. Manufacturers could introduce functional barriers such as internal bags to prevent the migration of mineral oil, or line the boxes with special plastics. The technology and the recyclability of lined paperboard, however, still needs to be tested. Many companies have changed their packaging materials to fresh fiber paperboard printed with inks free of mineral oil, but are still using recycled card in the corrugated board transport boxes.

Sound Play

Birds, Like Humans, Sing Just Because They Can

nimal researchers like Gisela Kaplan, Ph.D., and Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D., have determined that birds not only sing to communicate daily needs, many engage in sound play, most often when they’re alone, but sometimes also when humans are present. Some species continually improvise their singing with new elements, phrases and sequences, reports Kaplan, a professor at the Research Centre for Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour at the University of New England, Australia. Nightingales and canaries are among the avian virtuosos, reinventing their repertoire in each successive season, while the brown thrasher may hold the record at close to 2,000 song types. Nightingales, she notes, organize their compositions according to rules of construction similar to the way humans use syntax. These birds even create distinctive phrases that identify them as individuals. Kaplan’s own recordings of Australian magpies reveal how the bird’s voice moves across four octaves, varies its phrasing between staccato and legato, and embellishes sequences with vibrato, trills, or deep overtones. More, it will close a completed song with a signature phrase, in much the same way that a painter signs a finished canvas. Printed on recycled paper to protect the environment

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December 2011

The Meaningful Gift of Health by Dr. James Lemire, M.D.

ere we go again! The holiday shopping season is upon us. The sale flyers try to lure you in with their announcements of the “lowest prices of the season!” The lights and decorations everywhere are sending the same message. Many people, out of necessity, have had to cut back on their holiday gift list. Many are completely rethinking what type of gifts to give. People want to give more practical and more truly meaningful gifts. How about giving the gift of health? It sounds like a cliché, but health really is a gift. If your loved ones (or you) are in poor health, what does all the other stuff really matter anyway? It’s hard to enjoy the latest electronic gadget or wear the latest fashions, if you feel too lousy to use it or go anywhere. And who needs more trinkets to clean around and cause stressful clutter? First, give the gift of health to yourself. That might sound like a different concept, and to some even

“selfish.” However, we cannot give to others what we do not have ourselves. Think of the concept of paying it forward. Good health isn’t a right; you have to work for it. What you eat and how you conduct your life every day contributes to the type of life you will experience now and for years to come. The best way to start building a more healthful future is to start curtailing bad habits today. If you or someone you love smokes, is overweight, or otherwise is just clueless about eating right to feel great, you can change their future for the better and potentially even save their lives by getting them to take personal responsibility for their physical future. That is a truly meaningful gift that can show your love and concern for them. Whether you want a healthier lifestyle yourself or want to give the gift of encouraging healthier habits in others, here are some gift-giving ideas.  Stop smoking. The American Cancer Society projects that half of Americans who smoke will eventually die early as a result of the habit. From hypnosis to other stop-smoking aids, resources are available that will make quitting easier than it was even five years ago. Smokers have a better chance of quitting with support and encouragement, so give the gift of becoming a “stop-smoking cheerleader” for someone you love. Removing smoke’s toxins from your body and your home goes a long way toward healthful living.

 Start moving. Take your favorite couch potato for a brisk walk, and suggest some form of regular exercise. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise weekly for adults. Give them the gift of your company on these walks and give the benefits to yourself as well.  Achieve a healthy weight. Diet plays a big part in good health. If someone you love is overweight, it can be a touchy issue, but there are some ways to approach the weight topic. Offer to participate in a lifestyle changing program with them. Weight loss is much easier to accomplish when you have a buddy to support you along the way. As part of a general health regimen, spring for a visit to a nutrition consultant or personal trainer. Your loved one may take a few suggestions better from a professional. Learn about quality nutritional supplements and healthful eating habits that you need to really help your loved ones and yourself accomplish your goals of feeling great.  Reach out in service to others. According to the founder of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, the most effective strategy for giving yourself a boost of heartfelt joy is to perform an act of kindness for another person. In fact, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others has proved to be what defines people who are able to achieve the highest levels of happiness. Receiving help can provide the inspiration that prevents a person from lapsing into despair and instead enables them to continue making the effort until they’re able to succeed. Remember that a profound meaningful gift does not need to be tangible. Sometimes a smile, a touch, eye contact, or a hug can go a long way into reaching someone else’s heart in a powerful, life-nourishing way. For more information or help in ways to make this a meaningful giving season, contact: www.lemireclinic.com or call 352-291-9459.

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Scalloped Corn Casserole by Clark Dougherty

et’s keep this recipe for Christmas/ New Year’s a relatively healthy one. Friends have clamored for cookies, desserts, and opulent rich culinary productions, but I’m offering up a holiday exacta instead. Use this corn side dish with ham, turkey, goose, or lamb for a Christmas meal and prepare it again on New Year’s Day with traditional black-eyed peas alongside. As always, use organic ingredients wherever possible.

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Ingredients (serves 8): 1 (15 oz.) can whole kernel corn (drained) 1 (15.25 oz.) can cream style corn (white or yellow) 2 eggs ½ cup butter (melted) ½ cup cream 2 tbsp. honey 1 tbsp. sea salt 1 tbsp. lemon pepper 2 tbsp. dehydrated minced onion 1 tsp. Saigon cinnamon ½ cup packaged corn muffin mix Directions: n Preheat oven to 350 degrees. n Lightly butter 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish. n Beat eggs in a small cup; set aside. n In large bowl, mix together both corns, butter, cream, honey, sea salt, lemon pepper, minced onion, and cinnamon. n When well blended, add corn

muffin mix; incorporate well. n Pour into prepared baking dish. n Bake 50 -60 minutes or until a knife inserted in middle of pan comes out clean. n Garnish while hot with a pinch of Saigon cinnamon and finely chopped, fresh tarragon. Enjoy!

December 2011

Inspiration

ECO-FILM PICKS Movies with a Message Worth Watching

s movie-making technology has become less expensive and more accessible, eco-films have exploded onto the scene. While companies like National Geographic and Discovery Channel continue to contribute high-quality nature films, independent eco-filmmakers are also releasing inspired films almost by the day. Because most of these movies run less than 90 minutes, they have become sought-after teaching tools for family movie nights, school classrooms and readers looking for a break from books. It was a tough call, but after reviewing 50 standouts, Natural Awakenings picked five films highly favored for their clear message, entertainment value and motivating call to action. FOOD, INC.: Producers present the whole enchilada when it comes to understanding what we eat and the implications of our food choices. Beyond a plateful of facts, it’s also packed with entertaining graphics. The climax answers the inevitable viewer question: “This is an appalling situation, but what can I do about it?” Attention parents: There is a documentary-style scene showing mistreatment of an ailing cow to fastforward through; otherwise, the coast is clear. (FoodIncMovie.com) TAPPED: Filmmakers tackle two significant issues facing the modern world: the emerging scarcity of water and the staggering quantity of plastic bottle waste. Images of the Texas-sized floating island of garbage in the middle of the Pacific Ocean will make us think seriously about kicking the bottled water habit for good. (TappedTheMovie.com)

A COMMUNITY OF GARDENERS: Anyone taking up home vegetable gardening will revel in this film’s portrayal of the many ways local gardens provide communities with gifts of food, knowledge, empowerment, and reconciliation. A Community of Gardeners shows that local gardening is so much more than

a labor-intensive solution to the ills of the manufactured-food industry; it is also good for the soul. (CommunityOfGardeners.com) THE END OF THE LINE: The End of the Line reports on the troubled state of the rapid decline of the fish stocks that feed the world. Similarly, the film highlights how viewers’ everyday choices can stop contributing to the problem. (EndOfTheLine.com) FUEL: Civilization’s era of crude oil and other fossil fuels is coming to a close, while the future of energy has yet to be written. The replacement technologies for alternative sustainable energies are already understood, if not widely promoted. Many are ready to be put to work now and await only our adoption. Next-generation technologies also beckon. Fuel, a Hollywood-style documentary featuring such environmental spokespersons as Woody Harrelson and Sheryl Crow, proves that the future of energy is as much about imagination and creativity as it is about kilowatthours. (TheFuelFilm.com) Contributors include Michael Curran, health writer, and Michael D’Estries, film reviewer.

More Great Films Black Gold: A Film about Coffee and Trade on the economics of coffee BlackGoldMovie.com

Garbage Warrior on truly sustainable housing GarbageWarrior.com

Blue Gold: World Water Wars on the politics of water BlueGold-WorldWaterWars.com

King Corn on the great American corn diet KingCorn.net

Dirt! The Movie on the vital role of healthy soil DirtTheMovie.org

The Last Beekeeper on the global bee crisis PlanetGreen.Discovery.com

Dive! on American food waste DiveTheFilm.com

No Impact Man on implementing sustainable living NoImpactDoc.com

Everything’s Cool on environmentalism in politics EverythingsCool.org Flow on the world water crisis FlowTheFilm.com

Ripe for Change on the economics of agriculture CaliforniaDreamSeries.org/rfc.htm

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December 2011

We Need a Little (Less) Christmas

y mother was right. Part of my gift to her this year is that she gets to see that statement in print, with many witnesses to corroborate that such a Christmas miracle has taken place. The thing about which my mother was right is that Christmas need not come too soon. It should be celebrated at the proper time, which is not until December arrives, and even then its festive elements have a proper time and place within the month. I admit that when I was growing up, I darkly muttered many dire comments about “Christmas Nazis” and grumbled about being forced to wait to celebrate. But I have now come to see that my mother was correct in her method, and have adopted the same frugal spirit of “All in good time” for myself. When I was growing up, Thanksgiving and Christmas were two separate entities, two distinctly different holidays that did not meld into one amorphous festival spanning the entire last quarter of the year. I don’t know if Black Friday was even a thing back then. But I do know that we weren’t camping out in parking lots to start our Christmas shopping before the Thanksgiving turkey was even cold. We did not put up the tree the night of nor the day after Thanksgiving, nor at any time that weekend. We waited until after the first of December. Decorations would begin to go up in early December—a wreath on the front door, bells and poinsettias in the front hall, snow stencils on the windows, the Nativity scene atop the piano, an Advent countdown calendar on the wall with a chewy peppermint

tied on with curly red yarn for each day—but the tree was the final element, the piece de resistance, the last piece of the puzzle. We procured it mid-month, it was always real, and it was still fresh and green by the time Christmas arrived. Some rituals simply were not done until Christmas Eve. The candles were not lit until then. You did not get into the tins of Christmas cookies until then, and these particular old family recipes were not baked at any other time of year. They were for Christmas alone, and were baked a few days before Christmas and put into decorated tins, meticulously arranged between carefully cut-out circles of wax paper, and you did not dare touch them until Christmas Eve—after you got home from church, and after my father’s reading from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew and my reading of The Night Before Christmas, and not until we had all received the go-ahead from my mother, once she had arranged the tins and trays upon the table, covered with its once-a-year red tablecloth, and set out the good Christmas china, and lit the red taper candles. Then, and only then, did you approach the cookie tins with a clear conscience and intent to partake of a pecan ball. Also not partaken of until Christmas Eve was the Russian tea. This is a glorious hot spiced citrus elixir clearly created by the angels. I do not know what makes it Russian, unless these were Russian Orthodox angels who created it and then sang the recipe into the ear of my great-grandmother, who was neither Russian nor Orthodox, while she slept many moons ago. But I do know it is a remarkable and elaborate beverage, with healing properties

by Melody Murphy and incomparable powers of stirring up memory and nostalgia. Making it is more like medieval alchemy than actual cookery. (And no, it is not any deplorable thing you have ever heard of with Tang and powdered Lipton.) There also were records that were not played until that night. I still cannot hear Bing Crosby sing “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” without immediately being whisked back to my childhood Christmas Eves. And forget about opening presents then. Nope! Not gonna happen; don’t even ask. You put out your cookies and your letter to Santa, and the carrots for his reindeer, and you went to bed and didn’t even think about getting up in the night to see if he’d come yet. Presents were to be opened on Christmas morning. Christmas Eve was always much better and more special than Christmas Day. Sure, opening presents the next morning was exciting, but once that and Christmas dinner were finished, well, that was it. The night of Christmas Day always feels like a letdown somehow. Truly the best part is the night before ... the anticipation is always more exciting than the thing itself. Maybe that’s what society is trying to do in starting Christmas so early. I think it’s mostly about the money—retailers trying to see how much they can drum up in sales, and how soon. And in this economy, that’s a valid concern. But maybe it’s also a collective desire to stretch out that excitement and anticipation for as long as possible, making that remembered Christmas-Eve feeling last longer. Because once it’s here, it goes fast, and it’s over before you know it. I think this strategy has backfired. Instead of making us more excited about Christmas and more anxious for it to get

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here, starting too early makes us dread it more, seeing it come upon us so soon. I for one am heartily sick of it by the time it actually gets here. When I am bombarded with sounds and images of Christmas while it’s still early autumn, I’ve lost interest by the time it’s actually appropriate to enjoy these things. It’s jarring to see Christmas merchandise in stores alongside Halloween items ... Christmas decorations up at Veterans Day ... and where did Thanksgiving go? Oh yes: It’s now Black Friday Eve. Because apparently it’s all about the shopping now. The whole country seems to have morphed into Mame, demanding that we haul out the holly and put up the tree and fill up the stockings, insisting that we need a little Christmas right this very minute. Now, I love candles and carols and tinsel and evergreen boughs as much as the next person, and Lord knows I adore Auntie Mame, but in this case I do not concur with her. Even she admits, “I may be rushing things,” but goes on in the same breath to say, “but deck the halls again now.” Interestingly, young nephew Patrick points out to her within the song, “But Auntie Mame, it’s one week from Thanksgiving Day now,” as if it were unheard of to be decking the halls before Thanksgiving. Oh, dear innocent Patrick from a simpler time. I wonder if the answer to why we start celebrating Christmas earlier and earlier also can be found within the lyrics of this song. In the musical “Mame,” the song “We Need a Little Christmas” is set just after the Wall Street crash of ‘29. People were jumping out of windows onto it, not occupying it. Early in the Great Depression, they were more concerned with Black Tuesday than Black Friday. So perhaps, when Mame says, “For I’ve grown a little leaner, grown a little colder, grown a little sadder, grown a little older—and I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder ... need a little Christmas now,” it isn’t too far from what’s going on in the collective consciousness at present. I do wholeheartedly agree that “we need a little music, need a little laughter, need a little singing ringing through the rafter—and we need a little snappy ‘happy ever after’.” Yes. Music, laughter, singing, happy-ever-after. Bring them on. You can never have too much of those wonderful things. But for myself, I don’t want the music and the singing to feature a single fa-la-la until after December 1. And so I find myself celebrating Christmas more like Mama than Mame. First, I fully celebrate Thanksgiving on its own, with no crossover elements. Then I put away the pumpkins and the cornucopia and turn my mind to Christmas. I do not put up a single decoration or start playing Christmas music until December 1. Ideally, the tree is procured, by way of my best friend’s pickup truck, the first Saturday in December. Then I decorate said tree, which I leave up until January 7, the day after Epiphany. I shop in December, during normal business hours, not in the middle of the night. I wait to open presents until Christmas morning. And I enjoy my 38 days of Christmas just as much as, if not more than, our society full of “Mames” who start hauling out the holly at the fall equinox. I think of it as my own “38 special.” No permit necessary. Mame, you’re fabulous. But just do two things for me, please, ma’am. One: Don’t start needing a little Christmas right this very minute until after Thanksgiving. Two: Don’t feel like you have to slice up the fruitcake and pass that around. I know it’s in the lyrics, but I could do without that, too. There’s a good diva.

* excluding manicures/pedicures

Melody Murphy can be reached at yinandtonic12@yahoo.com.

www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

December 2011

Previously Enjoyed Gifts

MEANINGFUL

Not every gift needs to be brandnew. Browse vintage and antique shops, estate sales, auctions, and consignment stores for amazing treasures. Keep an open mind or go hunting for that certain something for that special someone. Online sources such as EstateSales.net, and gsalr.com can help locate garage, yard, and estate sales in communities across the country. Look for items that are unusual or hold special significance.

GIVING Tips to Simplify the Season by Beth Davis

’T

is the season, and a U.S. poll by Harris Interactive reveals that a majority of the stress 90 percent of us feel about the holidays is related to gift-giving. So, solving this problem will set us well on our way to a joyeux noël. The same study found that given a choice, most of us prefer investing in good family relationships instead of more material things, anyway. Natural Awakenings has uncovered four ways that we can make the holidays less hectic and more relaxing and meaningful. First, says Barbara Kilikevich, author of A Mindful Christmas–How to Create a Meaningful, Peaceful Holiday, we have to stop buying into the notion that more is better and that extravagant, expensive gifts are equal to how much we care for one another. “We need to stop believing that doing it all is productive and having it all is meaningful.”

Get Crafty Homemade gifts are always special. They carry a message of thoughtfulness and love, which is the heart of gift-giving. Making a memorable gift can take less time than we’d spend earning the money for a manufactured gift, driving to the store and back, and coping with checkout lines. Ideas are endless; these may stimulate your creative juices. n Gather favorite family recipes and copy them into a personalized binder. n Mix jars of tasty combinations of loose teas and/or bulk herbs that might include lavender, chamomile or mint. Add a mesh tea strainer to complete the package.

n A childhood reminder—perhaps a favorite toy or comic book n Vintage jewelry n Edible items are always a hit. Consider making something yummy that can be given to everyone on the list. Herbed olive oil, spiced nuts, and homemade jams are favorites. n Attractive, reusable shopping bags, made from repurposed or recycled fabric, make practical gifts that can be used again and again. Sew on monograms or paint designs to personalize them. n Fashioning painted pottery, custom artwork, and decorated picture frames can engage kids in anticipating fun holidays with friends and family.

Non-Material Gifts The Center for a New American Dream, a national nonprofit organization that challenges a “more is better” definition of the good life, suggests giving of oneself—providing gifts of time or experiences that will be long remembered. n Invite loved ones to an outing to the zoo, a sporting event, or an indoor/ outdoor picnic. n Give a friend her dream, based on an expressed interest and careful research. Sign her up for a class in cooking, sewing, photography, dancing—classes abound in most cities.

n A silk scarf, unusual hat or fun bag n Classic books, movies and music n Unique housewares, from vases and candleholders to platters and teacups (Replacements.com can help find missing pieces for sets)

For the Family For large families or families with grown children, it can be expensive and time-consuming shopping for a gift for every relative. Try one of these ideas to take the pressure off. n Instead of giving gifts to each member of a family or a couple, think in terms of a single gift for the household. n Draw names. Have everyone in the family put his or her name into a hat and ask each family member to draw one name, so that each person needs to buy only one or two gifts. n Set a limit. In his book, Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas, author Bill McKibben suggests that families limit the amount of money they spend, and instead make the holidays as much fun as possible, filled with song and food, creativity and connection.

n Purchase a gift certificate for a local massage, acupuncture session or other soothing therapy as a way to unwind during or after the holiday season.

With a little planning and a lot of love and care, we can fill the whole holiday season with less stuff and more satisfying joy.

n Support the local arts scene by giving tickets to a community theater or a museum membership.

Beth Davis is a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings.

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7 Principles for Fulfilling Relationships by David B. Wolf, Ph.D.

violate, commitments or agreements? It is said that “In the beginning was the word.” How are we creating our lives with our word?

Win/Win. This paradigm for relating is contrasted with “lose-win” or “don’t play at all.” These tend to be accompanied by resentment and hostility, and can sabotage our relationships. In order to understand “win-win,” we must come from a perspective of abundance, where we realize that our success is not dependent upon another’s failure.

Empathy. Cultivating empathy is the foundation for satisfying communication. It implies that we are willing to set aside our personal agendas to enter someone else’s world and truly listen. In order to be empathic, we use skills such as reflective listening. It is also important to identify and eliminate roadblocks to effective communication, such as interrogating, preaching, or advising. Empathic communication creates trust and intimacy.

elationships exist in all spheres of our lives, and in many senses are the cornerstone of the meaning and fulfillment that we seek. They provide us with rich opportunities to explore personal development and spiritual growth. I invite you to look at a significant relationship in your life and rate it from 0-10. If you desire, consider what a “10” would look like for you, and explore ways in which you could create a more fulfilling relationship in the context of the following seven principles. Even if you have given the relationship a “10,” there is still room for deeper enrichment.

Clarity. This relates to answering the questions “What do I want?” and “What does a 10 look like?” Identify a quality that is missing for you in the relationship, such as trust, empathy, or adventure. What are three things you can do immediately to fill the relationship with these qualities? Commit to this process for one week and see what happens.

Responsibility. This means we take a stance to create the “10”; we do not play the blame game. Instead we take 100 percent responsibility for our experience. A few examples: we communicate our needs, or we realize we are at choice in regards to qualities such as trust. We are able to respond, rather than react mechanically due to our conditioning.

Integrity. In order to create a culture of trust in our relationships, it is essential to explore our relationship with our word. How is trust affected when we honor, or

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Authenticity. When being authentic, we are identifying with our core spiritual qualities, rather than the external masks we wear. These masks, though perhaps useful at one point, are not satisfying to the spirit. An example is that perhaps we are truly humorous or warm. However, we can hide behind these qualities, needing to always be “the funny guy” or “the nice girl.”

Spirit of Discovery. The quality of humility connects us with a spirit of discovery. We approach situations with an openness, rather than with an attitude of “I know that.” In this way, we experience each situation or relationship with a fresh perspective and learn, grow, and discover. In communication-based personal transformation seminars, there is ample opportunity to explore these seven principles deeply. We begin with the foundational skills of transformative and empathic communication. When these are mastered to a degree, we then peel off the many layers of masks and uncover the spiritual qualities that are the true self. This allows for substantial satisfaction in our relationship with ourselves and others.

David B. Wolf, Ph.D., founder and director of the Satvatove Institute School of Transformative Coaching, has trained coaches, counselors and psychotherapists for more than 30 years. He is the author of Relationships That Work: The Power of Conscious Living: How Transformative Communication Can Change Your Life, and has developed groundbreaking leadership, communication and selfrealization seminars and facilitated them in more than a dozen countries. The next semester of Satvatove’s accredited coach training course begins in January 2012. For information, call 386-418-2037 or visit www. Satvatove.com.

December 2011

akin to that which people experience during and after exercise. Scientists have yet to fully understand what the physiological underpinnings are of such health benefits, but early studies credit a cascade of neurobiological changes that occur as we reach out to help a loved one, or (in some cases) even cut a check to a stranger in need. Could generosity be the missing, often overlooked ingredient to a prescription for better health? Perhaps, says Post, author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times. “This is a young science, but what we have begun to discover is that there is something going on, physiologically, in this process of helping others that seems to make people feel happier and report greater health.”

plate of healthful, steaming food to a sick relative, volunteer to read to kids at a local preschool, or help sort donations for a shelter. According to a 2010 survey of 4,500 Americans by United Healthcare, 68 percent of those that volunteered in the previous year reported that doing it made them feel physically healthier; 73 percent noted that it lowered their stress levels. Meanwhile, 29 percent of volunteers who suffered from a chronic illness claimed that giving of their time helped them to better manage the illness. Other studies, by researchers at Boston College, found that when chronic pain sufferers volunteered to help others with similar conditions, they saw their own pain and depression levels decrease. At least seven studies have shown that people who regularly volunteer or give of themselves live longer—especially if they do it for genuinely altruistic reasons. Cami Walker, 38, of Denver, has experienced firsthand the physical benefits of being generous. After one sleepless night, lying awake and “feeling sorry for myself” due to a flare-up of her multiple sclerosis, she decided to take the advice of a spiritual teacher that suggested she “Give something away each day for 29 days.” On day one, she called a sick friend to offer her support. On day two, she dropped $5 in a hat for some street performers. Another day, she treated a friend to a foot massage. By day 14, she recalls, “My body was stronger and I was able to stop walking with my cane. After months of being too sick to work, I was able to go back part-time.” Walker subsequently wrote the bestselling 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. It has inspired a global giving movement, with participants blogging about their experiences at 29Gifts.org. As she recently explained to The New York Times, “It’s about stepping outside of your own story long enough to make a connection with someone else.”

Helping Hands Live Longer

The Helper’s High

DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD

The Helping – Health – Happiness Connection by Lisa Marshall

rowing up on Long Island, New York, young Stephen Post often received an unusual prescription from his mother when he was feeling grouchy or under the weather. “She’d say, ‘Why don’t you go out and help someone?’” he recalls. “I’d go out and help Mr. Muller rake leaves or help old Bobby Lawrence fix his boat. Then, I’d come back feeling better, and feeling better about life.” Decades later, Post—a professor of preventive medicine at New York’s Stony Brook University—is among a growing contingent of researchers exploring just how such acts of generosity and the feelings (empathy, compassion, altruism) that prompt them may actually improve our mental and physical health. Recent studies have shown that people who volunteer live longer, suffer less chronic pain, have bolstered immune systems, are more likely to recover from addiction, and experience an in-the-moment sense of calm

We’ve all felt it: That blush of inner-warmth we get after we bring a

University of Michigan researcher Sara Konrath, Ph.D., has found that

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people engaging in acts that benefit others tend to have more calming hormones like oxytocin and progesterone coursing through their bodies. If presented with a tough situation later, they are likely to react with a muted stress response, churn out fewer harmful stress hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine, and maintain a calmer heart rate. Konrath is studying whether altruistic thoughts and behavior might also be associated with an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. “Just thinking about giving seems to have a beneficial physiological impact,” says Post. For instance, a late 20th-century study by then Harvard Psychologist David McClelland found that when people watched a film about Mother Teresa’s work with orphans in Calcutta, levels of immunoglobulin A (a marker of immune strength) shot up. A more recent study found that people had higher levels of oxytocin in their blood after they had watched a moving film about an ill 4-year-old boy. Some research further suggests that the act of giving may release natural opiates, such as endorphins, into our system. One landmark analysis of 1,700 people published in Psychology Today found that more than 68 percent experienced a “helper’s high” when physically helping another person, and 13 percent reported a decrease in aches and pains afterward. It’s a concept that’s been documented many times since. Meanwhile, new brain-imaging research has shown that acts of giving (including making a charitable donation) stimulate “reward centers” in the brain. This includes the mesolimbic pathway by which natural dopamine is released, leaving us feeling euphoric. On the flip side, “We found that people who are high in narcissism and low in empathy have higher cortisol levels,” advises Konrath. “They walk around with high stress reactivity, which is really hard on the body.” www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

One other clear example of the health benefits of helping lies in the field of addiction research. Recent studies by Maria Pagano, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, found that recovering addicts who volunteer to help other addicts stay sober are twice as likely to remain so themselves. That’s because narcissism and self-absorption are often at the root of addiction, and generosity is an antidote to narcissism, Pagano says. “The founders of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) figured it out,” Pagano continues, noting that a primary focus is on serving others. “They figured out that this selfish root is there before the illness develops, and is sustained unless you treat it. This is treatment; it is a way of continually weeding out the narcissism that made you sick.”

Born to Give

Stephanie Brown, Ph.D., an associate professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook, is the daughter of an evolutionary psychologist and a pioneer in the study of altruism’s neurobiological roots. In sharp contrast to what she describes as the long-held “self-interested” assumption about human nature (that we help others only to help ourselves), she suggests that humans are biologically wired to be empathetic and generous. “It makes more sense from an evolutionary perspective for us to suppress self-interest” for the benefit of the whole sometimes, she says. New research from the University of Washington suggests that babies as young as 15 months old exhibit fairness and empathy. So, why don’t we always stop to help? Our anxious, busy, modern-day lives get in the way, suggests Brown. “It could be that our natural, default state is to help when we see need, but what prevents that is our stress response.” That is, stress often gets in the way: Maybe we pass a stranded motorist on the road, but drive on by because we’re on a timetable. Perhaps our instinct is to offer a helping hand to a homeless person, but we fear that more will be

asked of us than we are prepared to give. We wish to bring a meal to a dying relative, but are apprehensive about what to say when we visit. Brown’s recent federally funded studies show that at least some of the calming hormones and quietness of heart often seen in habitual givers may actually precede and enable their acts of selflessness by interrupting their potential stress response before it stalls their helping hand. “I am suggesting that when you see helping going on, something beneficial has already happened to the giver’s body,” says Brown. When givers perceive a need, instead of fretting and fleeing, they calmly stop to help. In the end, everyone walks away feeling a little more generous. Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall. com.

December 2011

How to Increase Your Generosity Quotient

ocus on someone else for a change, whether it’s looking a store clerk in the eye or refraining from shouting at a referee at a sporting event. “People can become more empathetic if they just practice taking someone else’s perspective,” says University of Michigan researcher Sara Konrath. “When encountering a homeless person, for example, our inclination may be to not go there psychologically, because it is painful to imagine. Allow yourself to try.”  Do something for nothing. “This idea that everything has to be paid back hangs over our lives,” says Stephen Post, author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping. “Just be generous and expect nothing in return. Pay it forward.”  Don’t reserve your generosity for people you know. Do something nice for someone you don’t know or will never meet.  Be consistent. “Don’t think you can be kind in one domain and dastardly in another,” says Post.  Do something you feel called upon to do, or that you are good at.  Slow down, take a deep breath, and look around. Need abounds. Stop to help a stranger in some small way, even if you are in a hurry.

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 Don’t help just to get healthy, impress your friends, or get a tax deduction. “Motivation matters,” says Konrath. “If you are volunteering just for self-interested reasons, research shows you aren’t going to live any longer than someone who doesn’t volunteer at all.”  Volunteer for a cause you really believe in, or help a person you truly care about.

Homegrown Organics Organic buying club. Start eating right today! Keywords: Natural Awakenings Gainesville, Ocala, The Villages Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.

n Fresh organic fruit and veggies n Organic and free-roaming poultry n Grass-feed beef Doreen, 352-598-4184 HomeGrownOrganics.vpweb.com Printed on recycled paper to protect the environment

A New Holiday Tradition

s the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods— merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Oh, yes there is! It is time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese-produced wrapping paper? Everyone—yes, everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. How about giving a gift certificate for a massage? For kids, why not think about cutting back on all the Chinese toys that the kids will grow out of soon, and take your kids on a trip to see this great country of ours, even if just for a weekend, and spend the money on area businesses and activities. Or give them lessons that will really make them rich in experience and talent, and do more local activities like going to plays, the ballet, and concerts. Think outside the Asian box. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a gazillion locally owned, owner-run restaurants, all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half-dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint? Remember, folks, this isn’t about big national chains. This is about supporting your hometown Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open. How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

would love the services of a local cleaning service for a day. Maybe a friend’s computer could use a tune-up. Find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running, and that way you are giving two gifts for the price of one. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local craftspeople spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, pottery, and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. You see, Christmas and the holiday season is no longer about draining American pockets so China can build another glittering city. It is now about caring about us (We the People), encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we could not imagine. This is the new American Christmas holiday tradition!  Forward this to everyone on your mailing list.  Post it to discussion groups.  Post on Craig’s List in the Rants and Raves section in your city.  Send it to the editor of your local paper, and radio stations and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what this holiday is about? Author unknown. This is circulating around the Internet via email.

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December 2011

WiseWords

Exploring the Last Frontier with Astronaut Edgar Mitchell by Linda Sechrist

he sixth of only 12 men to walk the lunar surface, Apollo 14 Astronaut Edgar Mitchell had a life-changing experience in 1971 as his spacecraft sailed back to Earth. Long before he first published The Way of the Explorer, in 1996, he understood that the beautiful blue planet to which he was returning was part of a harmonious and whole living system and that we each participate in a universe of consciousness. This expanded worldview led him to found the nonprofit Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) in 1973, to support individual and collective transformation and realization of human potential. Since its inception, IONS has conducted research in intentionality and prayer in healing; subtle fields and energy medicine; inner dimensions of the healing response; and emerging worldviews. Noetic means “intuitive mind” or “inner knowing,” and IONS looks deeply into phenomena that do not necessarily fit conventional science models, while maintaining scientific rigor.

How would you describe the life-changing experience that happened on your way home from the Moon?

The experience, which began with a startling recognition that the nature of the universe was not as I’d been taught, continued to unfold as I saw how my existence was irrevocably connected with the movement and formation of planets, stars and galaxies. I saw the con-

nectedness, felt it and experienced it emotionally. The natural response of my body to the overwhelming sense of unity was another way of knowing; it felt as trustworthy as my world of rationality and physical precision. Today, the merging of many factors—including recent discoveries in quantum physics, cosmology, biology, chaos theory and self-organizing systems—is pointing to the recognition of the fundamental interconnectedness and interdependence of all things. It is also affirming the powerful role that directed intention plays in shifting our worldview toward one that focuses on the need to serve the greater good of all nature.

Do you believe that if science and humanity focused more on the exploration of inner space and consciousness, we could discover sustainable solutions for our planet?

Civilization’s understanding of the nature of reality and hence, our survival and future well-being, depends entirely upon the emergence of a completely different worldview: a new paradigm that properly addresses, in verifiable scientific terms, our collective relationship to one another, the environment, nature and the universe. Establishing this fundamental shift in common perceptions can lead to changes in thinking, values, behavior and actions based on concepts of interconnectedness, cooperation and

interdependence in all human endeavors. It can come about if a significant portion of humankind develops this new understanding and incorporates it into our individual and societal belief systems. Science can bolster this advance by providing reliable and credible empirical data that supports it as a basis for public education. The hypothesis of interconnectedness, proposed by ancient sages from many pre-scientific cultures, has never been rigorously explored or tested by modern mainstream science. Achieving a truly sustainable civilization requires us to apply a more holistic view to the macroscopic world, one that encompasses living systems and social phenomena.

What is IONS doing to encourage the desired transformation of consciousness?

Worldview Literacy (WVL) for high school students and beyond is IONS’ latest consciousness-based educational program. Its curriculum explores the pivotal role that our personal and cultural worldviews play in how we perceive and process information, act and behave. WVL works to increase people’s awareness of our own largely unconscious worldviews by opening a conversational space of exploration where diverse views are welcomed with curiosity and wonder. Such recognition and joint engagement deepens individual and collective understanding and helps students better navigate life when they encounter differing perspectives. Such education can help people of all ages discover critical connections between lived experiences and assumed habits of mind. It can help us develop greater cognitive flexibility, comfort with unfamiliarity, appreciation of diverse perspectives, ability to hold multiple points of view simultaneously, creative problem solving and a capacity for discernment that relies equally on intellect and intuition. It changes the human paradigm. For more information, visit Noetic.org. Linda Sechrist writes and edits for Natural Awakenings and is a student of noetic sciences.

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The December Garden by Jo Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS Marion County Master Gardener

hink spring in October by planting wildflowers. Those spring drifts of bright pink along our road sides are descendants of annual garden phlox that have naturalized. To create the same effect, you can purchase wildflower seeds to be used in your garden. This works very well in a swale or hard-to-mow area. When they bloom next spring, remember not to mow or cut the area until the plants have had a chance to reseed themselves for the next year’s flowers. Caution: It is illegal to dig wild plants. Remember that October begins Florida’s second dry season. The sod web-worm takes advantage of lower temperatures and drier weather to damage your lawn. This is the caterpillar stage of a small tan moth that flies around in early fall evenings. Look for webs on the surface of your grass in the early morning. If you need to spray, you can use Bacillus thuringensis (Bt) (also known as Thuricide, an organic pesticide), or Sevin. Another dry weather event to look out for is dollar-spot disease, which is most prevalent in spring and fall when the temperatures are 60-80 degrees. If you did not fertilize in September, the turf may also be low in Nitrogen and Potassium, which will make the lawn more susceptible to the dollar-spot fungus, with straw-colored, silver dollar-sized spots on the blades. Edges of the spots are usually dark reddish-brown. The best remedy is to quickly fertilize with 15-0-15 and water deeply every 10-14 days, if there is not a soaking rain in that time. Then the infected growth should be cut off with the next mowing, bagged, and put out in the trash. We still have about 90 days before freezes generally set in, so you can still plant some vegetables. Put in beets, Swiss chard, broccoli, kale, collards, and cabbage seedlings. Sow carrots, Kohlrabi, mustard, radish, spinach, turnips, and bulbing onions (Granex is the best onion for our climate). If you have not planted with compost and organic amendments, be sure to side-dress approximately every four weeks. Side-dressing is applying fertilizer on both sides of the growing row, just beyond the outer fringes of leaves. Keep up with weed removal. Weeds compete with new plants for water and nutrients. Carrots and onions will fail if surrounded by weeds.

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December 2011

HealingWays

Good Vibrations Sound Healing for the Soul by Erin Lehn Floresca

any sounds associated with holidays instantly cheer us up, but why? We naturally respond to sounds, because everything in the Universe is comprised of vibration—also referred to as resonance. When we are exposed to healing sounds, our bodies and minds begin to resonate in harmony with them, supporting our well-being. Fortunately, avenues of sound healing are readily accessible in our everyday lives. Engaging in activities such as singing, drumming or chanting often help us quickly reestablish a sense of balance in the midst of our multitasking lives. Attending an uplifting musical event can render a similar effect.

Sound Healing Therapy Psychotherapist Meredith McFadden, a sound healing therapist in Medford, Oregon, says, “Receiving or creating intentional, healing sound vibrations is proving to be one of the most direct, most relevant healing modalities available today.”

have a profound impact on a person’s well-being,” says Ashana. Made from pure, crushed quartz, infused with precious gemstones, minerals and metals, “The bowls vibrate at a very high, pure frequency,” she explains. “As we come into resonance with the bowls, mental chatter slows or stops and the mind quiets. Within minutes, our nervous system starts to unwind. In a state of peaceful stillness, the ‘dial up’ to our higher self becomes accessible. This is the optimum state for healing to occur.” Ashana emphasizes that we are all interconnected, so any healing work we do on ourselves affects all of humanity. “As we raise our personal frequency, we can become conscious tuning forks for divine energies to pour through us,” she believes. “We’re all holding a piece of the web.”

Healing Through Song

McFadden appreciates sound for its immediate effect. She takes individual clients on sound journeys with the help of voices, crystal singing bowls, buffalo drums, and other instruments. “When we bathe ourselves in healing sound waves,” she observes, “we open up a direct line of communication with our soul.” At the culmination of each session, she allows what she terms the “big music of silence” to envelope the one being healed. McFadden notes that not all healing sounds need to be calming. “Activating music can be just as healing as soft and slow sounds,” she says. Whether we prefer listening to Lady Gaga, Native American flutes, or the sound of a heavy rainstorm, the key is to discover what especially resonates with us.

Crystal Singing Bowls Master crystal singing bowl artist Ashana, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, couples angelic vocals with her massive collection of bowls for a musical healing alchemy recognized worldwide. “Listening to the bowls can

“Since the dawn of time, humans have been sharing song in their tribe,” says Zurich, Switzerland, recording artist, educator and filmmaker Michael Stillwater. “Pop songs are modern tribal songs, although we have mostly become a culture of consumers and spectators, rather than participants.” The founder of Inner Harmony Music and Song Without Borders, Stillwater’s is a strong voice in an emerging grassroots global movement devoted to helping people reclaim their inner song. “As a vocal art, singing is unique,” he advises. “It’s deeply connected to our sense of self.” He also notes that if our voice or singing is criticized in our developmental years, we may shut down our creative expression. “We then become like cave dwellers, hiding our voice; there are millions of vocal cave dwellers in our world,” he says. Finding your song—or chant or mantra—almost inevitably becomes integrated with a pathway for rediscovering one’s authentic self. “It’s about letting your voice become part

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of your own healing medicine,” says Stillwater. His film documentary, In Search of the Great Song, celebrates the use of creative vocal expression for healing and transformation.

Kirtan Kitzie Stern, producer of the “New World Kirtan” podcast, notes that kirtan, or sacred chanting, is known for bonding everyone in the moment of co-creation between audience and artists, followed by quiet meditation in community. Originating in India, kirtan is one of the oldest musical traditions in the world. The mantras used in kirtan open the listener to the experience of peace. Stern explains, “The music that accompanies kirtan also helps our minds to turn off. As wallah (chant leader) Dave Stringer puts it, ‘The chant is the medicine, but the music is what helps it go down.’” One does not have to attend a live kirtan performance to reap its benefits. Stern’s podcast plays a variety of chants to help listeners tune into tranquility. She observes, “Being able to access the quiet magnificence that exists within each one of us and live within it for some portion of the day helps us to stay sane in the turmoil of the modern world.” Learn more at SoundMovesWonder. com, AshanaMusic.com, InnerHarmony.com and NewWorldKirtan.com. Erin Floresca is a freelance writer in Portland, Oregon. Connect at ErinLehnFloresca.com.

Grow Your Practice Naturally with Natural Awakenings. Easy and affordable. How much is it costing you not to grow your business? Call 352-629-4000.

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December 2011

Balance by Dr. Paula Koger, BSN, MA, DOM, AP

inding our health is a wonderful opportunity to find ourselves and our perfect balance of happiness. Balance is achieved one choice at a time. Hippocrates said, “It’s far more important to know what person the disease has, than what disease the person has.” In other words, a sick person has fallen into a pattern of responding to the stresses of life; we must get out of these patterns. This is big news, folks, because it means we don’t have to look for the cure for disease. We simply have to correct the pattern of blockage and imbalance that keeps us out of nature’s flow. Hippocrates said, ”Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” In every moment, we are making choices that either hinder or allow the flow. That flow, when restored, causes the disease to heal. While in nursing school at FSU, I studied the Hippocratic Oath, which is, simply, “Do no harm.” I take this oath seriously. It has been the foundation of my practice. It is also the foundation on which one can safely navigate through life. From my vantage point as a doctor treating patients, I have seen that patients get sick from excess or deficiency. Too many toxins create blocks in us, establish patterns, and prevent or misdirect our progress as physical and spiritual beings. The real diseases within us come from the experiences of traumatic patterns from our families and environment. These patterns then lead

to and draw to us negative beliefs, thoughts, traumas, choices, and toxins. The presence of these patterns blocks and diverts our ability to make the life choices that will lead us to balance and resulting good health. We become disconnected from the flow of nature that keeps us happy and well. The challenge is how to get to the point of being able to remove our stuff and allow the natural forces to heal us. Knowing this, we now have the golden opportunity of finding ourselves as we navigate through the guideposts called “symptoms” that our

body displays as “dis-ease” or patterns of imbalance and blockage. Hippocrates also said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” It sounds simple enough, yet our unconscious patterns do not let us make the simple good choices that bring health. We most often cannot make the necessary changes because our unhealed patterns and unconscious mind are blocking our good sense. Because these patterns are unconscious, we do not know about them, so we do not change them. They unconscious part of the mind is 95% of what runs us, according to many experts including Dr. Bruce Lipton, MD. It is the emotional blocks that hold the toxins, prevent us from being able to change our choices,

and address whatever disease has us. Toxins and disease patterns are friendly to each other and co-dependent, and these guideposts called “symptoms” keep us locked in. As I sit with and observe clients’ behaviors and test them extensively using kinesiology, biofeedback computer programs, and the gifts of educated intuitive observation to determine what is causing the disease and what it will take to reverse that disease, I always ask myself what disease has the patient. I work hard not to focus on the disease but on the pattern behind disease. It is a balance and exercise of faith to look at the symptoms and keep looking towards the resolution rather than get stuck in fearing the disease is irresolvable. Many great people have developed programs and evaluation tools to investigated and correct these blocks. Dr. Reimar Blanis is one who teaches such a technique, Psychosomatic Energetics, a system of evaluating the energy system to find the patterns of blockage or disease. This system groups the guideposts/ symptoms/patterns/blockages by chakras. Here are some of the many things that can be identified and addressed with Psychosomatic Energetics: Chakra 1: Impotence, frigidity, prostate, urinary tract Chakra 2: Low back, sexual, bowel, uterus, anxiety Chakra 3: Gallstones, liver, diabetes, stomach, digestive, fat metabolism Chakra 4: Chest, heart, lung and breathing, reflux Chakra 5: Thyroid, lymph nodes, neck pains, goiters Chakra 6: Sinuses, headaches, nerve pain, hearing loss, nervousness Chakra 7: Migraines, dizziness, memory, tremors, Alzheimer’s, learning disorders, Parkinsons

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These blocks can be released with the corresponding homeopathy and affirmations developed by Dr. Blanis. The symptoms often disappear; they are usually easy to treat. Situations in our life cause us to develop an adaptive response and a survival pattern. We do this because we perceive it will protect us from something. We also watch our parents. We don’t do what they say, but what they do. The energetic blocks are a result of this response to them and our environment. Here is a typical profile of what causes heart disease. A man became a brilliant high-pressured professional, because he perceived he had to be the best to gain his father’s love. He was the idealized only son. He could not perceive the love, because they did not have the love in their hearts for themselves. He took the role of the man with his mother and was overly attached to his mother in an attempt to meet her unmet needs for love. She was addicted to pills in an attempt to suppress her unmet needs. He never felt his father loved him. He also felt he failed at pleasing his mother, because she was never happy. He turned to drugs because of his frustration over not being able to “satisfy “mom. After being married a few years, the pattern was repeated and his wife cheated on him. His heart was broken. This all caused a block in his heart energy pattern, or 4th chakra, because he did not trust love within himself. His resulting “lack of hope” was the basis of his hypertension and chest pain. His thousands of dollars of lab tests were normal, yet his symptoms were real. He responded beautifully to Psychosomatic Energetic Homeopathic remedies to heal his heart chakra and doing the work of releasing the hurts. His symptoms of irregular heartbeat and chest pain with hypertension disappeared. Some people work hard not to do it the way their parents did it, yet the pattern may show up anyway, because it is a pattern that is so thoroughly learned and imprinted energetically. There is much to learn from the deck we have been dealt. The way we deal with our deck determines our www.GoNaturalAwakenings.com

health and wealth. It is our golden opportunity. “Surrender everything and you will be left with love because you are love.”—Lepidolite

For more information on what is involved in healing the blocks, visit www.wealthofhealthcenter.com or call 941-539-4232 to enroll in the free class on “Issues in Your Tissues” on Dec. 14.

December 2011

Thyroid Function, Part Three: Medications Affecting Thyroid Function

(Still having thyroid symptoms when your lab tests are normal?) by Dr. Michael J. Badanek, DC, BS, CNS, DACBN, DCBCN, DM(P) These anti-addiction drugs alter T4 and T3 transport in serum by increasing TBG concentrations. This would reflect as a thyroid panel with depressed T3 uptake and variations between total and free T4 and T3 levels.

uring my 30-plus years of clinical practice, I have personally noted an increased prevalence of thyroid conditions affecting my patients. With a noted increase of patients using over-the-counter substances and prescriptive medications from their physicians, there is a correlation of increased thyroid conditions. We will briefly discuss certain medications and how they may interfere with the Thyroid Physiology. Many common medications have adverse impacts on thyroid physiology. The clinician must become familiar with these drugs when examining patient profiles. Many times, the drug/thyroid interaction is the cause of symptoms. Medications including anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, antidepressants, diabetic medication, hypertensive medication, pain meds, antacids, and cholesterollowering medications purportedly cause no change in TSH, and the patients thus are not diagnosed hypothyroid. However, in fact the medications do disrupt thyroid hormone metabolism in the following ways: Alter thyroid hormone secretion, decrease absorption of hormones, alter thyroid binding globulin levels, alter thyroid hormone clearance, alter TSH responsiveness, alter thyroid receptor responsiveness, dysregulate HPT feedback loop, and decrease T3 to T4 production. (Surk M., Sievert R. “Drugs and Thyroid Function.” New England Journal of Medicine, 1995; 333(25): 1688) Anti-addiction agents • Methadone: Dolophine Hydrochloride tablets, Methadone HCL powder, Methadone dispersible tablets, Methadone oral tablets

Antibiotics • Ethionamide: Trecator-SC tablets • Ketoconazole: Nizoral tablets, Ketoconazole tablets • Para-aminosalicylic acid: Paser granules • Sulfonamide Drugs: Bactrim tablets, Septra tablets • Rifampin: Rifadin capsules, Rifater These antibiotic drugs potentially impact the absorption of thyroxine as well as potentially have an anti-thyroid effect by decreasing thyroid gland hormone synthesis and secretion. This would reflect on a thyroid panel as a pattern consistent with hypothyroidism as defined by an elevated TSH with low or normal T4 and T3 levels. Anti-inflammatory agents • Glucocorticoids: Celestone, Decadron, Depo-Medrol, Hydrocortisone tablets, Solu-Medrol sterile powder • Aspirin: Darvon compound, Ecotrin Enteric Aspirin, Excedrin, Fiorinal Halfprin tablets, Norgesic tablets, Percodan tablets, Robaxisal tablets, Soma Compound, Fiortal capsules, Gelpirin tablets, Propoxyphene compound, Roxiprin tablets These anti-inflammatory medications have been shown to suppress TSH release, leading to decreased thyroid gland activation. This would reflect as TSH below the functional range, but in the low end of normal laboratory range with potentially depressed T4 and/or T3. Hyperthyroid Medications • Propylthiouracil: Propylthiouracil tablets • Methimazole: Tapazole tablets, Methimazole tablets These hyperthyroid medications inhibit the enzyme thyroid peroxidase, which normally acts in thyroid hormone synthesis to add iodide to the tyrosine

residues on the hormone precursor thyroglobulin, thus forming thyroxine. Growth hormone modulating agents • Octreotide: Sandostatin This growth hormone-modulating agent suppresses TSH release. It is typically used with acromegaly and TSH-secreting tumors. Anti-nausea medications • Metoclopramide: Reglan, Metoclopramide tablets TSH secretion is controlled by the stimulatory action of hypothalamic TRH, and the inhibition via central dopaminergic and somatostatinergic mechanism, as well as by a hypothalamic inhibitory action of thyroid hormones. Metoclopramide is a dopamine (DA2) receptor blockade that can accelerate to elevate the concentration of serum TSH in hypothyroidism, which is accompanied by a progressive loss of dopaminergic tone as demonstrated by a progressive increase in prolactin serum levels. Diabetic medications • Tolbutamide Orinase • Chlorpropamide: Diabinese These diabetic medications have antithyroid effect after prolonged therapy by causing a defect in the organic binding of iodine. The effects of this would present as a hypothyroid pattern of elevated TSH on lab tests. They also block binding of T4 to the carrier proteins and thus depress T4 concentrations. Diuretics • Furosemide: Lasix, Furosemide tablets These diuretic medications are inhibitors of thyroid hormone binding in serum and high-dose treatment can lower total thyroxine and increase its free fraction. Stimulants • Amphetamine: Adderall tablets This stimulant increases the sensitivity of thyroid receptors to thyroid hormones

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and potentially increases the release of TSH. These reactions may be seen as increased TSH and T4, or the lab test may not demonstrate any change despite symptoms of increased metabolic activity due to the drug’s influence on thyroid receptors directly. Cholesterol lowering medications • Clofibrate: Atromid-S capsules • Cholestyramine; LoCholest powder, Questran Light, Prevalite • Colestipol; Colestid tablets These cholesterol-lowering medications decrease the absorption of T4 by disrupting enterohepatic circulation of bile acids by sequestering them and preventing their reabsorption from the gut. The effects of these drugs may demonstrate unchanging laboratory TSH and hypothyroid symptomology despite thyroid hormone replacement. Arrhythmia medications • Amiodarone: Cordarone tablets, Pacerone tablets • Propranolol: Inderal tablets, Propranolol HCL tablets • Phentolamine: Regitine vials These arrhythmia medications decrease the conversion of T4 into T3 hormones by decreasing the activity of the enzyme 5’ deiodinase. These medications may cause a pattern of depressed T3 with normal T4 and TSH. Hormone replacement • Estrogens: Estinyl tablets, Estrace vaginal cream, Estratab tablets, Menest tablets, Ogen tablets, Premarin tablets, Vagifem tablets These estrogen medications increase the production of thyroid-binding globulin and decrease the percentage of freefraction hormones. They will present on laboratory testing as decreased T3 uptake, decreased free T4 and/or T3, with normal protein-bound levels of T4, normal protein-bound levels of T3 and normal TSH. • Estrogen and Progestin combinations: Activella tablets, Brevicon 28-Day tablets, Demulen, Desogen tablets, Estrostep 21 tablets, Levora tablets, Ovral tablets, Micette tablets, Modicon tablets, Necon tablets, Ortho-Cyclen tablets, Ortho-Novum tablets, Ovcon tablets, Premphase tablets, Prempro tablets, Tri-Norinyl-28 tablets, Triphasil tablets, Trivora tablets, Zovia tablets

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These estrogen medications increase the production of thyroid-binding globulin and decrease the percentage of freefraction hormones. They will present on laboratory testing as decreased T3 uptake, decreased free T4 and/or T3, with normal protein-bound levels of T4, normal protein-bound levels of T3 and normal TSH. • Anabolic Steroids: Anadrol-50 tablets, Oxandrin tablets, Winstrol tablets These anabolic medications decrease the production of thyroid-binding globulin and increase the percentage of freefraction hormones. They will present on laboratory testing as increased T3 uptake, increased free T4 and/or T3, with normal protein-bound levels of T4, normal protein-bound levels of T3 and normal TSH. • Androgens; Androgen transdermal system, Testoderm transderaml system These anabolic medications decrease the productions of thyroid-binding globulin and increase the percentage of freefraction hormones. They will present on laboratory testing as increased T3 uptake, increased free T4 and/or T3, with normal protein-bound levels of T4, normal protein-bound levels of T3 and normal TSH. • Growth Hormones: Geref for injection, Humatrope, Nutropin, Protropin, Saizen for injection These growth hormone medications may promote the production of TSH, T4 and T3 levels. Pain medication • Morphine This pain medication increases the production of thyroid-binding globulin and decreases the percentage of freefraction hormones. They will present on laboratory testing as decreased T3 uptake, decreased free T4 and/or T3, with normal protein-bound levels of T4, normal protein-bound levels of T3 and normal TSH. Anti-Acid • Aluminum hydroxide; Amphojel, Maalox, Mylanta, Alu-Cap capsules, Alumina, and Magnesia oral suspension These anti-acid medications decrease the absorption of T4. The effects of these drugs may demonstrate unchanging laboratory TSH and hypothyroid

symtomology despite thyroid hormone replacement. Psychoactive medications • Lithium (bipolar drug): Eskalith capsules, Eskalith CR controlled release tablets, Lithium Carbonate capsules, Lithobid slow-release tablets These drugs potentially reduced thyroid gland secretion of thyroid hormones. • Chlorpromazine (antipsychotic): Thorazine, Chlorpromazine HCL These drugs potentially reduce TSH secretion. • Halaperidol Haldol All of these medications decrease the secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. The laboratory presentation from these reactions would be identical to hypothyroidism as identified as depressed T4 and T3 levels with increased TSH. Conclusion It is disturbing to see the many interactions of prescription and overthe-counter medications on thyroid physiology. In view of the above, it is no wonder why thyroid conditions affect 50-60,000,000 Americans today. If you or a loved one or friend has issues mimicking numerous thyroid conditions, ask the question: “What if my medication is the cause of my symptom?” Seek care of a highly qualified licensed health care practitioner in Alternative Complementary Health. We urge readers to cut the article out, share it with family and friends, and keep a copy for your own self-interest and future health needs. Dr. Michael Badanek has been serving the Central Florida, Marion County region for more than 30 years in active clinical practice. Dr. Badanek is a licensed Chiropractic Physician with extensive continued training in Alternative Complementary Medicine including nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, applied kinesiology, functional and traditional medicine, and electrodermal screening, with three board certifications. His real love and zeal in healthcare is treating patients with all types of conditions with alternative/ functional medicine, especially people with a problem or ailment which has not responded to traditional or alternative treatments. Dr. Badanek’s website is www.alternativewholistic.com. For a consultation, call 352-622-1151.

December 2011

CommunityResourceGuide Acupuncture

Fitness

Dr. Paula Koger, DOM, BS Nursing, MA Counseling 941-539-4232 / Dunnellon and Sarasota www.WealthOfHealthCenter.com Dr. Koger has a long history of success with people who are receptive to multiple ancient and high-tech healing techniques. 20 years’ experience including Professor and school health nurse; more than 17 years in Alternative healing practices with training from experts worldwide.

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.

Biologic Dentistry

Gluten Intolerance

Dr. Cornelius A. Link, DDS 352-732-8544 / 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.

Gluten Intolerance Group / Gainesville 352-215-1078 / GIGgainesville@gmail.com www.glutenintolerancegroupgainesville.blogspot.com The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America proudly announces a new branch in Gainesville. Please call or email for information about our monthly meetings. Share your stories, or give/get support! Gluten intolerance is more common, and more serious, than most people know.

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. 352-694-6044 535 NE 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL A Wellness Center for 10+ years conducive to healing the whole person. Educating and empowering a healthy lifestyle through detoxification. Offering “State of the Art” FDA registered colonic equipment, Farinfrared sauna, Aqua-Chi ionic cleanse, lymphatic drainage. Pain relief and relaxation massage. Automobile insurance and Workers Comp. Gift certificates. Call our happy staff for more information. MA28872, NCTMB156725, MM11062.

Holistic Medicine 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.

James E. Lemire, M.D., FAAFP Nuris Lemire, MS, OTR/L, NC The Lemire Clinic

11115 SW 93rd Ct. Rd., Suite 600 Ocala, FL 34481 / 352-291-9459 www.LemireClinic.com Dr. Lemire has been in practice for 32 years. He follows a Functional Medicine approach, utilizing up-todate techniques such as: Chelation, Detoxification, natural hormone replacement, nutrition, Prolo/Biopuncture, acupuncture, anti-aging, among others. Dr. Lemire along with his staff are dedicated to a joint partnership with their patients—a partnership that seeks to maximize the God-given life potential of each individual. We believe that true wellness for the whole person includes a healthy body (physical self), a healthy mind (emotions and intellect), and a spiritual peace. For this life-changing goal, Lemire Clinic commits their energy, their compassion and their skills.

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. 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.

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.

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Hypnotherapy

Piano Services

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.

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.

Rolfing 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.

Massage 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. 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.

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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.

Classifieds Professional Advanced Continuing Education www.professional-advancedcontinuing-education.com. Meeting all of your C.E. needs! Licensure by endorsement. 352-625-1665, Linda. Wilson.Pace@gmail.com. Ads: $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.

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.

n Ongoing Psychic/Medium Spiritual Development Class. Saturday, December 10, 2:00-4:30 pm. Held at Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. n Private readings available. Check Web for complete 2011 program

Reeser’s Nutrition Center, Inc. / ReesersNutritionCenter.com Do you suffer from any of the following symptoms?

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December 2011

CalendarofEvents Listings are free for our sponsors and just $15 each for others. Visit http://www.naturalawakeningsncfl.com/news.htm or call Call 352-629-4000. November 25-December 23 Play, “This Wonderful Life,” The Hippodrome. http://thehipp. org/mainstage/current-shows. November 26-December 17 Play, “A Christmas Carol,” The Hippodrome. http://thehipp. org/mainstage/current-shows. December 2–4 The Yoga of Loving Relationships with Yogi Amrit Desai. Held at the Hindu Temple of Tampa. Information: 813-629-6890, info@ htflt.org. Saturday, December 3 How to Build a Sweat Lodge with Tad DeGroat. Discussion and demonstration. 1-3pm, free. Participants will be meeting on a regular basis and will be working together to construct a sweat lodge. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs. 386-454-8657, www.highspringsemporium.net. Metaphysical Fair 11am-5pm. Mystic Glenn, 20 W Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Visit www.mystic-realms.com. Sunday, December 4 Relationships That Work: Improve your relationships with better communication. Save your spot online at www.satvatove.com/ register, or call 352-359-7579. Wednesday, December 7 Be Peace. Workshop presented by Rev. MaryLou Palmer. 7pm, love offering. Unity Church of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd., Ocala, 352687-2113, www.miraclescenter.us/mundy2.htm, www.unityocala. org. HGC weight loss: safe homeopathic solution. Detox coaching and support. FREE consultation; call for appointment. Reesers Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-732-0718, 351-1298, www.ReesersNutritionCenter.com. December 9-11 Ayurveda Cooking Workshop with Chef Tesha Bananda. Ayurveda is a natural life style for healing, prevention and longevity. Cooking with fresh organic vegetables, legumes, healing spices. $295 includes workshop, lodging, supplies. Amrit Yoga Insitute, Salt Springs, FL. To register call 352-685-3001 or visit www.AmritYoga.org. Saturday, December 10 Experience the Big Grid: a Multidimensional Crystal Balancing. 1-5pm, $10/session or free with purchase. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs. 386-454-8657, www. highspringsemporium.net. Psychic/Medium Spiritual Development Class, 2-4:30pm. Includes meditation, lesson, practice. $25. Held at Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. Int’l Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge, www.ifsk.org 407-673-9776.

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December 12-13 Auditions for musical play “Nunsense,” Ocala Civic Theatre. Show Feb. 2-26. www.OcalaCivicTheatre.com. Wednesday, December 14 Issues in the Tissues: Detox and the Secret of Healing. 6pm, FREE. Call Dr. Paula Koger, DOM to reserve: 941-539-4232. Metabolic balance. All natural weight loss. FREE consultation; call for appointment. Reesers Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-732-0718, 351-1298, www.ReesersNutritionCenter.com. Thursday, December 15 Dismantling Stress w/Integrative Relaxation with John Ernest Hiester (Chandrakant), 7-8:30, following Amrit Yoga with Veda (5:30-6:30 every Thursday), Downtown Public Library, 401 E. University Ave, Gainesville, 4th floor. Both classes are free; dress warmly, bring light blanket. jehiester@amrityoga.org, vedalewis@ aol.com. December 16-18 Shaktipat Intensive with Yogi Amrit Desai and Spiritual Master Panache Desai. Shaktipat, or energetic transmission, is vibrational transformation. Held Park Square Homes Building, 5200 Vineland Road, Orlando. $399. Information: 239-649-7373, www. AmritYoga.org. Saturday, December 17 Darkness into Light: the Stones of High Ascension Workshop with Sharron Brirtton. 1-3pm, $20. Call to sign up. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs. 386-454-8657, www.highspringsemporium.net Wednesday, December 21 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, 352732-0718, 351-1298, www.ReesersNutritionCenter.com. Saturday, December 24 Peace on Earth, an Enlightened Shopping Experience. Enjoy your last minute holiday shopping in an atmosphere of tranquility. Foot baths, chair massage, home-baked goodies and champagne plus a free gift for everyone. 12-6pm, free. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs. 386-454-8657, www. highspringsemporium.net. Wednesday, December 28 Wellness Consultation on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. FREE consultation; call for appointment. Reesers Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-732-0718, www.ReesersNutritionCenter.com. Saturday, December 31 New Year’s Readings with Omialadora Ajamu. 12-5pm, 15-minute reading $20, full yearly reading $60. Call to sign up. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs. 386-454-8657, www.highspringsemporium.net. Signs and Symptoms Analysis. Any time any of the organs/systems of the body are out of balance, there are signs and symptoms. FREE. Call for appointment. Reesers Nutrition Center, 3243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, 352-732-0718, www.ReesersNutritionCenter.com.

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December 2011

Saturday, January 14 Quilting Class, “Goose in the Run” Part I, 9am-4pm, taught by Celeste Viale. $35/person. Crones Cradle, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352-595-3377, www.cronescradleconserve.com. Saturday, January 21 Living A Course In Miracles with Jon Mundy, Ph.D., author, lecturer, and as “Dr. Baba Jon Mundane,” a standup philosopher/comedian. 9:30-1pm, $35/preregistered, $45/at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds). Unity Church of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd., Ocala, 352-6872113, www.miraclescenter.us/mundy2. htm, www.unityocala.org. Saturday, January 28 Quilting Class, “Goose in the Run” Part II, 9am-4pm, taught by Celeste Viale. $35/person. Crones Cradle, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352-595-3377, www.cronescradleconserve.com. February 24-26 Transformative Communication and Self-Empowerment Seminar facilitated by Dr. David Wolf, author of Relationships That Work. Held at Country Inn and Suites,

Gainesville. Information and to register: 352-359-7579, www.satvatove.com. Saturday, February 25 Organic Gardening Workshop, 9am4pm, $50/person, price includes a beginning worm box, 2 plants and more. Crones Cradle, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352-5953377, www.cronescradleconserve.com. March 10-16 Satvatove Advanced Seminar Experience; 7 days of courageous introspection and self-empowerment, facilitated by Dr. David Wolf and Marie Glasheen. Held at Days Inn, Gainesville. Information and to register: 352359-7579, www.satvatove.com. ONGOING EVENTS Sundays Farmers Market, 12-4. Mosswood Farm Store, 703 NE Cholokka Blvd, Micanopy, 352-466-5002, www.mosswoodfarmstore. com. 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 NE 28 Ave, Ocala, FL 352-629-3897, www.oakbrookcsl. org. Sunday services, 11am. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville, 352-373-1030, www.UnityOfGainesville.org. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays Massage Therapy specializing in Cranial Sacral, Reflexology, acupressure & Shiatsu. Refuge Transitions Wellness Center, 352-624-0366. Monday-Thursday Jael Yoga, 5:30pm, 7pm, 8:30pm by donation. Mystic Glenn, 20 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, 352-401-1862, www. mystic-realms.com. 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/

Tuesdays, Thursdays Healing Yoga with Marque Kolack. 1-2pm, $25/4 sessions. Unity Church of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd, Ocala, 352-6872113. Wednesdays 1pm radio show: 30 minutes of Powerful Transformative Radio: Satvatove Relationships That Work Show, online at http:// www.blogtalkradio.com/satvatove-institute. 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. Saturdays Farmstead Saturdays. Free, 9-3pm. Crones Cradle, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352595-3377, www.cronescradleconserve. com. Saturday and Sunday Jael Yoga, 12:30pm, 2pm, 4pm by donation. Mystic Glenn, 20 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, 352-401-1862, www.mysticrealms.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, 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. Dates vary Specialized Community Groups: ACOA, women’s group, men’s group, eating disorders group, relapse prevention group held weekly at Refuge Transitions Wellness Center, 352-624-0366. Community groups are facilitated by licensed therapists.

Listings are free for our sponsors and just $15 each for others. Visit http:// www.naturalawakeningsncfl.com/ news.htm or call Call 352-629-4000. A Calendar listing is just $15/month for non-sponsors. That’s 50 cents a day!

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December 2011

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