February 2023 Natural Awakenings Chicago Magazine

How Not to Lose

Heart

Hormones … Female hormones are cardio-protective. Heart disease is not common in younger women with regular cycles, but as women approach menopause, the risk of heart disease goes up exponentially. Optimally balanced hormones support heart health.

Exercise Aerobic exercise 30-40 minutes a day, 4-6 times a week is crucial for heart health.

Hello, I’m Dr. Meena, MD, Medical Director of the Heal n Cure Wellness Center in Glenview. We have helped thousands of patients feel better, improve their heart and get back to good health.

Dr. Meena guided me through a life-changing experience. She is very attentive, knowledgeable and kind. In 4 months I saw unbelievable results. You didn’t get sick or have medical problems over night, so to restore everything will take some time, you just have to believe and stay with the program. The results are AWESOME!!! Dr.Meena and her staff are absolutely incredible and will help you to be the best version of yourself. ~ Diana

Apple … Represents a whole foods diet. A good rule of thumb—if it grows out of the Earth, it’s good for you, or “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

Rest … Your body repairs itself during restorative sleep. The stress hormone cortisol comes down and the brain detoxifies itself, both are better for heart health. Tobacco … In any form is cardiotoxic. Don’t smoke!

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Greetings Everyone, and Happy February!

In this month’s issue, we’re focusing on ways to live a hearthealthy lifestyle. Rather than my usual notes to you in this section, the Natural Awakenings Chicago team are sharing their personal approaches to keeping a Healthy Heart. Some are fitness buffs, all maintain a healthy refrigerator and pantry, and a few have chosen to share their secrets for a great love life.

As always, I encourage you to step outside every day of February to enjoy the gradually lengthening days, take a brisk walk in whatever warm or cold conditions this month’s weather brings, look for the first early bulbs to emerge in your garden and listen for a cardinal singing brightly in your neighborhood. We hope you enjoy our team’s tidbits of wisdom!

Maintaining my heart health is very important to me, as my husband has a family history of heart issues and he suffers from high blood pressure, so I try to set a good example and encourage our household to follow these steps. I work out three to five times per week with cardio and weight training. I use my far-infrared sauna three to five times per week. I get at least eight or nine hours of sleep each night and do my best not to get into stressful situations by walking away from things that do not serve me in a positive way. Am I perfect in doing this all the time... no, but it is something I strive to do every week.

~Amy Hass - Content Manager

Because the heart and the mind are intimately connected and negative states of mind affect your heart’s “health,” I try to practice meditation, visualization and other modalities regularly, along with an HBO TV binge every now and then.

~Heidi Hetzel - Sales

I have learned about myriad health regimes in my career, and although some are more successful than others, I believe the key is moderation in all things.

~Martin

Miron - Editor

I try not to take the beating of my heart for granted. I try not to overeat so as not to tax my entire system, including my heart. When exercising, like playing tennis, I try to listen to my heart — when it seems to be beating excessively, I’ll take a little extra time in between points or during rest periods during changeovers.

~Randy Kambic - Proofreader

My heart was recently revived… by love! After what seemed an eternity, a wonderful man entered my life and my heart has not stopped jumping. I’m absolutely convinced that this is the best form of cardio!

~Suzzanne Siegel - Design and Production

My emotional heart health is laughter from my son, my husband and myself. My son especially has a laugh that warms my soul. My two dogs and two cats give me snuggles which lower my blood pressure and help me stay grounded and calm.

~Theresa

Archer - Calendar Editor

CHICAGO EDITION

Publisher Peggy Malecki Sales & Marketing Peggy Malecki Carrie Jackson Heidi Hetzel

Operations Amy Hass Editors Marty Miron Theresa Archer Randy Kambic Writers Carrie Jackson Megy Karydes Sheryl DeVore

Design & Production Suzzanne Siegel

CONTACT US

Natural Awakenings Chicago

P.O. Box 72, Highland Park, IL 60035 Ph: 847-858-3697 • Fax: 888-858-3107 Info@NAChicago.com • NAChicago.com Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

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NATIONAL TEAM

CEO Kimberly B. Whittle

COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Layout Designer Gabrielle W-Perillo Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert

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CONTACT US

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We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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Peggy Malecki

D igestive S truggle? Uncertainty?

End your suffering now.

Is your body telling you it needs help?

Do new symptoms creep up on you too fast?

Have dietary modifications failed to provide relief?

Help is a phone call away.

Reneé Barasch, Certified Digestive Health and Detoxification Specialist, has been helping clients achieve nutritional balance and enhance quality of life for more than 17 years. Reneé’s individualized plans help clients re-boot their digestive tracts and increase absorption of needed nutrients—creating the environment for detoxification of all organs and the pathways between them.

Working with Reneé, you will:

• Identify digestive triggers. (Some may surprise you!)

• Understand which foods agree with you— and those that don’t.

• Create a detoxification and digestive plan.

Digestion is one of the main ways the body detoxifies and cleanses.

If the food you consume isn’t thoroughly broken down, your body cannot work as efficiently as it should. Poor digestion causes stress for the entire digestive system and leads to gas, bloating, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea and even insomnia, psoriasis, eczema, chronic pain, and anxiety. Undigested food can seep

Let’s

into the bloodstream through a condition called “leaky gut syndrome,” which often leads to more serious conditions like Crohn’s Disease, colitis, and other autoimmune disorders.

Environmental irritants also affect digestion.

The environment can also produce irritation and inflammation. Everyday, airborne toxins perfumes, cleaning products, smoke, automotive exhaust, indoor dust, and springtime pollen find their way into our bloodstream (in less than 20 seconds!) and cause digestive organs to work overtime. A runny nose, itchy eyes, and red and blotchy skin often result in a trip to the allergist, when a digestive imbalance may be contributing.

Stay strong and healthy with a gut ‘reset.’

• Effectively and efficiently digest food.

• Reduce inflammation.

• Nourish your gut—and ensure your whole body is balanced.

• Regulate the processing and digestion of food and the elimination of waste by incorporating foods that lead to better absorption and detoxification.

Dig e stive H e alth Solutions

thetummywhisperer. com

Reneé S Barasch , LDHS Certified Digestive Health Specialist

Celebrate February with Specials from Botanica CBD

Evanston’s botanica cbd store is offering 20 percent off cannabidiol (CBD) chocolates during February and 20 percent off nourishing, moisturizing Cannuka Healing skin balm, with CBD and manuka honey, to help soothe and care for dry winter skin. Owner Lisa Brennan Winefield says, “Enjoy these specials as a gift to yourself or share with your loved ones this Valentine’s Day. Customers can trust that they are getting the highest quality CBD products. We do the research for you and all the brands we carry are organic and third-party lab tested.”

Location: 1306 Chicago Ave., Evanston. For more information, call 847-905-0391, email Info@botanica-cbd.com or visit botanica-cbd.com. See ads on page 39, in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Facebook for ‘Rockhounds’

Sacred Ground, a unique shop in Arlington Heights providing a wide assortment of items to soothe the body, mind and spirit, will begin presenting live online meditations, workshops and store shows for customers—whether “rockhounds” or neophytes—to purchase an array of beautiful minerals and crystals via Facebook @ShopSacredGround.

“You can now shop the store, watch live meditations, have a private reading or be part of a workshop without leaving the comfort of your home,” says owner Deneene Florino.

Florino will also be presenting live on the Covid Home Gem Show Facebook group page @CovidHomeGemShow at 9 a.m., February 3, during the famous Tucson Gem Mineral and Fossil show. Viewers can join the group at no cost to watch or make purchases.

Attendance is free and open to group members; anyone can join the Facebook group. Location: 15 E. Miner St., Arlington Hts. For more information, call 847-749-3922 or visit ShopSacredGround.com and on social media @ShopSacredGround. See ads on page 33 and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

NAChicago.com

There’s a New Community Tribe in Town

AWAKE: Oneness Tribe is a new Chicago nonprofit with a mission to nourish a loving, open-minded community of people eager to learn and grow together. Everyone is invited to join their virtual and in-person community via their website and help to connect. The Tribe aims to make the world a more beautiful place to live by providing holistic health/wellness/spiritual services, events and education, while also providing a community for those seeking friendship and support.

One of their many events will be hosted in Lombard, from 7 to 8 p.m., February 7, and then the first Tuesday of each month through December 5. The first event, Ancient Breath: Chakra Balance Meditation, includes a chair meditation comprised of an introduction, chakra scan, movement/mantra, breathwork and a closing chakra scan.

Founders J. Currie and Lauren Lyman say, “There are three guiding principles of this group; first, to form a local nucleus of like-minded individuals dedicated to mental, physical and spiritual development; second, to embrace diversity in all forms as an essential component of our growth and development as a collective; and third, apply the highest standards of excellence to our conduct, not only with fellow Tribe members, but with the world at large.”

Donation-based admission. Location: The Gathering Lighthouse, 26 N. Park Ave., Lombard. For more information, visit AwakeOnenessTribe.org.

Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone— we find it with another.

~Thomas Merton

In honor of Valentine’s Day, all locations of Busted Bra Shop will be hosting a “Galentine’s” Day celebration on February 11, both in-store and online. Customers receive 10 percent off a purchase of $150 or more and an additional gift with in-store-only purchases. The shop carries a full line of bras in all cup sizes from AA to P and band sizes from 28 to 56.

Busted Bra Shop is one of the few locations in Chicago that carry the exclusive signature line of intimates from celebrated burlesque star of stage and screen Dita Von Teese, appearing at the Chicago Theater on February 14. This vintage-inspired lingerie collection offers show-stopping details and intricate lace.

In 2004 while working at her first Detroit based Business, Cafe de Troit, Navy Veteran Lee Padgett noticed there was nowhere in the city of Detroit to buy a bra. In 2013, she solved that problem by opening her first Busted Bra Shop. She has since expanded to six locations including Chicago’s Hyde Park in 2018, and Lakeview in late 2022.

Locations: 3148 N. Lincoln Ave., Lakeview (773-697-9199); and 1013-½ E. 53rd St., Hyde Park (773-953-8875). For more information, visit BustedBraShop.com. See ads on page 23 and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Life Changes can be Bumpy, even Turbulent!

Dita Von Teese

Photo courtesy of Busted Bra Shop

Kadampa to Host Two Special Meditation Events

Gen Kelsang Zamling, an ordained Buddhist monk and principal meditation teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago, based in Oak Park and Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, will make a special presentation entitled The Power of Love, with guided meditation, at 7:30 p.m., February 14 in Wicker Park. He’ll also guide a Loving Fearlessly silent afternoon meditation retreat from 2 to 5 p.m., February 18, at the same location.

“Meditating on love is a perfect protector from everything that ails you emotionally, and it is the doorway through which enlightenment can be reached swiftly,” he says.

All are welcome and no experience is necessary to attend either event.

Location for both events: 2010 W. Pierce Ave., Chicago. To register, visit MeditateInChicago.org/event-details/the-power-of-love-valentines-day-talk-meditation or MeditateInChicago.org/event-details/loving-fearlessly-silent-retreat. See ads in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Virtual Trinity Health Freedom Expo Offers New Empowered Learning Opportunities

The Virtual Trinity Health Freedom Expo, hosted online on February 18 and 19, will feature a wide array of presentations from the 2022 Live Expo, plus additional wellness and health advocate speakers. Two new, live, interactive panel discussions, exhibitors and sponsors with innovative products and services will also be provided. This month’s Expo aims to ensure reputable and uncensored access to current information and the top products from the natural health industry. Speakers and exhibitors come from all walks of life and various backgrounds, such as health care, law, and research and development. Whether an attendee is a practitioner looking for ways to better care for clients, a parent wanting to make the safest choices for their family or an individual that simply wants to live a more holistic lifestyle, the event offers the resources to reach these goals.

Participants can make the most of the experience by attending with friends and family from anywhere for a weekend of education to help improve their life and protect their health freedom.

Purchase a weekend pass online for $30 before Feb. 18 or $35 on the event day. Virtual exhibitor booths are $95 or sponsorship status with additional benefits can be added for $195. To register or for event times, call 888-658-6976 or visit TrinityHealthFreedomExpo.com. See ad on page 23.

Body Mind Spirit Expo Returns to Northlake in March

The Body Mind Spirit Expo, featuring psychics, mediums, natural health and more, will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 4 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 5 at the Midwest Conference Center, in Northlake. Guests can explore some of the nation’s finest psychics and mediums and the best in alternative and natural health, wellness tools, products and resources, expand their insights and take in learning sessions and presentations featuring psychics, experts and holistic practitioners at the top of their fields.

Featured sessions include Sync Up with Your Spiritual Self, by Jean Tindle, of Spirit Dancer; Crystals, Chakras, Numbers and Planets, by Dr. Ravi Ratan, of Aromatantra; Unleash the Spirit Animal In You, by Bluehawks, of Dr. Bluehawks Stec; and Medical Intuition, led by John Michael Thornton.

All sessions are included with ticket purchase at Tinyurl.com/BodyMindSpiritChicago2023. Location: 401 W. Lake St., Northlake. For more information, email Believe@ bmse.net. See ad on page 3.

NAChicago.com

Gen Kelsang Zamling

The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough is love. ~Henry Miller

Photo courtesy of Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago

Time to Dance Offers Three New Classes

Time to Dance sessions, offered in Highland Park and online, foster well-being and community, as well as preventing falls and increasing strength, reaction time and flexibility. The physical and mental benefits of staying active as we age are well-doc umented, and what better way to reap the benefits of an active lifestyle than by dancing.

In addition to their regular schedule of ballet, modern and fitness dance, Pilarre (Pilates with ballet or modern barre tech nique) as well as beginning and intermediate tap classes are being offered for the first time this month.

Time to Dance is the brainchild of Lynne Belsky, M.D., a former dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, and dance instructor Lisa Gold, owner of the Highland Park Northshore School of Dance. They offer dance-based movement classes to adults 50 and older.

Location: North Shore School of Dance, 505 Laurel Ave., Highland Park. For more information, schedules and to register for classes, visit Time-To-Dance.org. See ads on page 33, in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

A New Start for a New Year

The new year is an ideal time to rethink our habits and return to a health-focused lifestyle. Nirvana Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine wellness programs, ranging from 10 to up to 28 days for this year, include detox and purification regimens for exciting and inspiring ways to revitalize wellness. Each program can be customized to meet individual needs. They also provide virtual appointments, and some rooms in the clinic are available to rent.

For appointments and more information, call 847-715-9044 or visit NirvanaNaturopathics.com. Watch a video at Tinyurl.com/NirvanaAcupuncture. See ads in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Dew Health Coaching Now Offers Micro-Sessions

Certified integrative health coach Elizabeth Lynch, of Dew Health Coaching, now offers 25-minute micro-coaching sessions which can be purchased a la carte. Coaching is super-focused and done by phone, making it convenient for people that are busy or need to social distance.

“Micro-sessions can be surprisingly effective. In 25 minutes, you and your coach can address a specific issue and come up with a plan,” Lynch explains. “This short session may focus on one element only of your overall goal, so follow-up sessions are always a good idea though not necessary.”

Lynch, with a master’s degree in counseling psychology and a Duke Integrative Medicine coach’s certification, offers one-onone coaching for sleep, eating and movement, and helps clients devise individualized plans based on their lifestyles.

For more information, email Liz@DewHealthCoaching.com or visit DewHealthCoaching.com. See ads in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Lana Moshkovich

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be felt with the heart.

~Helen Keller

Photo by Mockup Graphics on Unsplash

Lake County Audubon Society has recognized Libertyville and Antioch townships for their work in installing native plants as part of township landscape plans. Township officials received a Plants for Birds display sign recognizing their efforts. The birdscaping program is designed to model the use of native plants for decorative and functional landscaping by installing them in public places. Volunteer groups assist townships and other entities to plan, purchase and install native plants to benefit the most endangered species, migratory songbirds.

Libertyville Township, Antioch Township, the Osmond Park Interpretive Trail Initiative, Lake Forest College and the Antioch Garden Club all contributed their expertise in plant selection, planting, conservation, presentation, bird species, animal habitats, communications and community engagement. For more information, visit LakeCountyAudubon.org

Health Conditions That Happen

Do Not Always Start There:

Thermography can detect inflammation and other signs of dysfunction at an early stage, allowing you to be aware of and monitor changes in your body.

Photo credit

Carla Schmakel

Mental Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

Add maternal mental health benefits to the well-documented physical advantages that breastfeeding offers to moms and their infants. A systematic review published in the Journal of Women’s Health found that breastfeeding was associated with overall improved maternal mental health outcomes. A majority of the studies concluded that breastfeeding was connected to fewer mental health symptoms. Thirty-six of the 55 articles reported significant relationships between breastfeeding and reduced symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. Notably, when breastfeeding challenges arose or when the actual experience of breastfeeding didn’t meet expectations, five studies reported negative mental health symptoms.

The researchers suggest that breastfeeding may have protective effects on mental health due to the release of oxytocin—also known as the love hormone—which is associated with decreased maternal stress levels and anxiety. This suggests that breastfeeding may have immediate, short-term effects on maternal mood. Further research is needed to help provide better personalized breastfeeding and mental health counseling to moms.

Weighted Blanket for Better Sleep

Zinc for Colds and Flu

A study published in BMJ Open evaluated the use of zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) in adults. As a treatment for colds and flu, zinc reduced symptoms by two days, compared to the placebo. The researchers surmised that of 100 people with upper respiratory infections, 19 of them recovered by day seven as a result of the zinc treatment. Symptom severity appeared to be lower for those treated with zinc—with improvements seen by day three. Those taking zinc experienced an 87 percent lower risk of developing severe symptoms.

In terms of the prevention of colds and flu-like illness, taking zinc was found to have a modest effect compared to the placebo, with one out of 20 infections prevented. Preventive effects were most significant in reducing severe symptoms. Overall, there was evidence suggesting zinc might prevent RTI symptoms and shorten its duration. Researchers were unable to clearly ascertain the efficacy of different dosages and delivery (oral or nasal spray).

Weighted blankets may be a non-drug option to help ease conditions like insomnia and anxiety by allowing the body to release more melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep) at bedtime.

In a new study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden measured the amount of melatonin, oxytocin and cortisol in the saliva of subjects after sleeping with either a light blanket or a weighted blanket. They found that using a weighted blanket helped naturally increase production of melatonin by 32 percent. There were no significant changes in the levels of oxytocin, cortisol or sympathetic nervous system activity.

Kabardins photo/AdobeStock.com

Maksym Yemelyanov/AdobeStock.com

Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind and spirit—the realization that everything we do, think, feel and believe has an effect on our state of well-being.

~Greg Anderson

Herbal Toothpaste Deemed Safe and Effective

Toothpaste containing certain plant-derived extracts was found to be effective in the prevention or treatment of gingivitis and early-stage periodontitis, according to a study published in Dentistry Journal The authors noted that people should still get regular, in-depth cleanings and treatments to maintain oral hygiene, and that antibacterial herbal extracts have safer toxicity profiles for human use.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with a previous diagnosis of gingivitis or initial stages of periodontitis were given an experimental toothpaste or the control toothpaste for a 60-day trial period, during which time they brushed twice daily. The experimental toothpaste contained chemical components and extracts of German chamomile, sage, arnica and echinacea. The control toothpaste contained only chemical active ingredients.

The herbs used in the study showed positive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial actions. Patients in the experimental group experienced diminished bleeding of the gums and teeth whitening. The indices of gingivitis, general oral hygiene, plaque, tartar buildup and mild periodontitis decreased in both groups over the trial period. While both toothpastes eliminated several bacterial periodontal pathogens, the experimental one was more efficient against several of them.

Men suffering from the inability to achieve and sustain an erection will benefit from our generic selection of low-cost sildenafil and tadalafil tablet. For a fast-acting & powerful solution to erectile dysfunction, try our Tri-Mix injections. TriMix injections are an alternative to PDE5 Inhibitors. With strengths customized to each patient’s unique needs, this will leave memories of bedroom-related failures in the past.

Women of all ages experiencing vaginal dryness, atrophy and related symptoms are candidates for vitamin E topicals. Or, for a more natural approach, we carry NeuEve suppositories. Made from 100% all-natural, organic food grade ingredients free of gluten, boric acid, petrochemicals and parabens. If you are post-menopausal with vaginal dryness and irritation, talk to your health-care provider about our estrogen-infused vaginal creams. The addition of testosterone will provide a boost to your libido and restore intimacy in the near future and beyond.

Alarming Decline of the Hawksbill Turtle

Dispersed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the hawksbill sea turtle helps maintain high coral cover on reefs by removing invasive prey. Their ornate, beautifully patterned shells make them a favorite attraction for snorkelers and divers around the world. But those beautiful shells also make them a target for illegal harvesting to be carved into combs, jewelry and other trinkets. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the population of hawksbill turtles has declined by 84 to 87 percent over the last three generations, and their numbers continue to fall. Illegal poaching is not the only threat facing these turtles. Excessive hunting, loss of coral reef habitats due to warming oceans and acidification, light pollution in nesting areas due to development, marine pollution and fatal run-ins with commercial fishing have contributed to their decline.

Conservation efforts are underway in places like Australia and the Caribbean, including working with commercial fishers to develop sustainable, turtle-friendly fishing methods. Laws are in place in many parts of the world to deter and prosecute the illegal trade of turtle products. Consumers can do their part by learning to identify, avoid and report hawskbill shell products. For tips, check out this video by Travel for Wildlife at Tinyurl.com/HawksbillHelp.

Turning Vegetable Waste into Plastic

The World Economic Forum estimates that about 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced globally each year and that 98 percent of single-use plastic products are made from fossil fuels. So, the prospect of replacing the petroleum in plastic with a plant material is exciting news for the planet and humanity.

Toresyoku, a Japanese firm, has developed technology that efficiently removes cellulose (dietary fiber) from plant material for use in plastic production. Using vegetable waste, such as cabbage cores, rice husks, coffee grounds and the leaves and stems of tomatoes and broccoli from local farms, the company extracts the cellulose through hydrolysis (heating under pressure in water) and component decomposition (using enzymes).

Not only does the cellulose reduce the use of petroleum-based materials, but it may also increase the strength of the plastic being made for products such as plastic bottles, appliances and car bumpers. The company expects to start operating their factory soon and be able to process up to a ton of plant waste a day. While other companies have been able to extract cellulose from wood chips, Toresyoku’s technology is more efficient and can be done for a fraction of the cost of competing technologies.

Rich CareyShutterStock.com

Sharks Win!

In a groundbreaking decision, world governments have awarded increased protections to 54 species of sharks at the 19th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). “This decision is the most significant step toward improving global shark management that countries have taken,” says Mark Bond, a biologist at Florida International University and an advocate for the CITES protections. “It will ensure international shark trade is regulated and traceable.”

Sharks and rays, which are fished for their fins and meat, are the second most threatened vertebrate group in the world, with a third of them threatened with extinction. The inclusion of these sharks on the CITES list helps ensure only legal and sustainable trade in fins and meat is taking place. Almost every shipment of shark products will now require a permit to prove that trade meets legal and sustainability requirements. Before the decision, there were few restrictions in place around the globe.

Rich Carey/ShutterStock.com

Finding Hydrogen in Oil Wells

Climate change has spurred researchers and companies to develop fuels with zero carbon emissions. A simple solution is hydrogen because it burns without carbon emissions and is seemingly everywhere— under our feet and in every glass of water. The challenge is obtaining a reliable, safe and sustainable volume of hydrogen at a reasonable cost. There are several methods used today to produce pure hydrogen in large quantities. Most hydrogen is a byproduct of natural gas or coal gasification.

Cemvita Factory, a Texas biotech firm, field-tested a new method of hydrogen production in July, 2022, by injecting a propriety combination of bacteria and nutrients into a depleted oil well. Once inside, the microbes broke down the oil dregs to generate hydrogen and CO2. Cemvita Factory estimates there are more than 1,000 depleted oil wells in the United States that are suitable for their microbial treatment. While hydrogen production using depleted oil wells is getting some interest and attention, it still appears to be at a relatively early stage of development. One challenge faced by Cemvita Factory and other innovators in this area is how to prevent the CO2 from leaking into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. Methods to capture, store or neutralize the CO2 byproduct will need to be developed.

Deciphering Egg Carton Labels

There are many egg choices in the grocery store with different labels—cage-free, free-range, pasture-raised, organic. Here is what these terms mean.

CAGE-FREE

Inc/AdobeStock.com

FREE-RANGE

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Cage-free eggs are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as eggs laid by hens that are able to roam vertically and horizontally in indoor spaces while having access to fresh food and water. Although this method of egg production is considered to be more humane than the longtime standard of battery cages, some cage-free farms may restrict outdoor grazing, and their hens’ nutrition may not be as good as that of hens allowed outside.

Free-range hens follow the same rules as cage-free, with the added requirement of having access to the outdoors during their laying cycle. How much time the hens are permitted to spend outside is open to interpretation, although some animal welfare groups define it as at least six hours per day of outdoor access with at least two square feet of outdoor space per bird.

PASTURE-RAISED

This term isn’t defined by the USDA, but if eggs come with a third-party animal welfare certification seal, more robust standards of care have been applied. Certified Humane and American Humane Certified both expect pasture-raised, egg-laying hens to have at least 108 square feet of pasture with live vegetation, and for those fields to be rotated so that fresh vegetation is always available. Having access to the outdoors year-round means they must also have access to a barn for protection from predators. Pasture-raised (and organic eggs described below) often have darker, yellower yolks and contain less cholesterol, which may be due to the continuous access to live vegetation and because they have more omega-3 fatty acids.

ORGANIC

Organic egg-laying hens must be provided with 100 percent organic feed without the use of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. They must also be able to graze outside for at least 120 days per year and are given antibiotics only in the event of an infection.

ADDITIONAL TERMS

Local or locally produced eggs must originate less than 400 miles from the processing facility or within the state the eggs originated from and were processed in.

Vegetarian fed ensures that no animal byproducts were used to feed the hens.

Grass fed is not defined by the USDA.

KnoWEwell and Natural Awakenings Join Families

KnoWEwell, P.B.C., the Regenerative Whole Health benefits and services company, acquired Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation in December, 2022. “This is a transformational moment for both companies. Readers and consumers looking for trusted knowledge and education related to whole health, sustainable green living and community connections, locally and globally, will surely benefit from this collaboration,” says Kimberly Whittle, CEO of both companies.

Whittle is quick to celebrate the visionary behind Natural Awakenings , which has had an almost 30-year run across American cities, saying, “I am thankful for the tremendous leadership, vision and spirit that Natural Awakenings founder Sharon Bruckman instilled in this great publication—which I have been reading, enjoying and benefitting from for many years—and I look forward to continuing her legacy as part of the KnoWEwell family.”

Natural Awakenings is—and will continue to be—a franchise with scores of publishers in different markets. “As a franchisee, each publisher manages their own magazine, collaborating with local businesses and producing hyperlocal news reporting and feature stories about people and events in their hometowns. Because they’re right there, they are wellequipped to connect readers with the best

Creating HappyHealthyHumans

local resources. Publishers also are able to offer their readers national articles that are produced by a team of professional journalists. It’s the best of both worlds,” says Whittle.

KnoWEwell operates the Regenerative Whole Health Hub, a digital ecosystem, community and marketplace that centralizes global health and well-being knowledge, resources and connections. With a mission to transform health care, it is connecting the dots between regenerative organic agriculture, lifestyle choices, social issues and environmental solutions to inspire and empower individuals to prevent harm, address the root causes of chronic disease and achieve “WELLthier Living”.

KnoWEwell’s acquisition will have minimal impact on local magazine operations. “Moving forward, we’re looking for ways that the two companies can complement each other and also support our publishers at each location in their quest to offer the best content,” Whittle says. “We’re growing a movement as we share knowledge, celebrate healing success stories, provide access to evidence-based resources and create meaningful connections while helping today’s consumers, whole-health providers, mission-aligned nonprofits, businesses and advertisers thrive. Together, we’re addressing global, local and personal issues—the nexus for consumer consciousness, healing and hope.”

“As someone who is proactive both about their spiritual and physical health, I was looking for an answer to a lot of questions western/ alternative medicine [wasn’t] adequately answering. In the past I have done reiki, meditation, nutrition counseling, and more. Each with their own respective benefit and purpose. Working with Susan has eclipsed all the other wonderful options out there. My spiritual and physical health are coming together and working in harmony. I have worked through conditioned emotional responses and finally gained insight into my specific food allergies. e mind and body have an intrinsic connection that Susan both respects and rewires. Susan is a gift and her intuitive healing is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”

~Leah (Chicago)

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A New Chapter— Nexus for Consciousness, Healing and Hope

by Brooke Goode

In 1994, the same year Jeff Bezos founded Amazon and Deepak Chopra laid the first bricks on his path to enlightenment, Sharon Bruckman created Natural Awakenings magazine. Each a visionary. Each ahead of their time.

By the late 1990s Americans had developed a voracious appetite for well-researched, practical information about the latest natural approaches to nutrition, fitness, personal growth and sustainable living. The Natural Awakenings franchise was born, expanding into the largest

franchise publishing network in the health and wellness industry.

As the magazine’s 25th anniversary issue, published in 2019, explained, Natural Awakenings was woven from the threads of grit, inspiration and serendipity, creating a tapestry of health, healing and mindfulness. In an interview appearing in that issue, Bruckman clarified her purpose, saying, “The why that has been keeping me ‘on purpose’ can be found in the same

mission statement that inspired me to create Natural Awakenings: to inspire and empower people to awaken to their highest potential, so together we can create a world that works for all living things.”

The world’s delicate ecosystem, now in crisis, was also in need of help. “The critical issues we now address in Natural Awakenings—like genetically modified foods and climate change—were just emerging in serious public discourse then, but have since grown in urgency,” Bruckman said. “The good news is that in the past 25 years, viable solutions in renewable technologies, organic farming methods and holistic healthcare practices have made great strides; now they just have to be implemented on grander scale.”

Shortly after the 25th anniversary issue was published, Joe Dunne, Natural Awakenings' COO, had a serendipitous meeting with Kimberly Whittle, founder and CEO of KnoWEwell. One conversation later, he was certain that Whittle and Bruckman should meet, given their shared vision and mission. Dunne describes KnoWEwell’s online Regenerative Whole Health Hub as “WebMD, NEJM [New England Journal of Medicine], Match.com, Home Advisor, LinkedIn, Facebook, Amazon, Quora, Medium and Apple News all rolled into one for health.” A week later, Whittle was on a plane to Florida to visit Bruckman at her home. It was the start of a providential relationship between two visionaries determined to bring natural healing, health and hope to individuals and families. A decade earlier, in 2009, Whittle was driven by a series of family health crises to embark on a search for solutions. Deep diving into evidence-based research, she traveled the country to multiple integrative and functional medicine practitioner conferences. “I was blessed to find tremendous success in the prevention and healing of chronic conditions through what today is defined as Regenerative Whole Health, a broad spectrum of global healing approaches and therapies that consider the whole person—mind, body and spirit—connecting the dots between soil, food, lifestyle choices, planet and personal health to help prevent and address the root causes of chronic diseases,” she explains. “I began as a mom on a mission. As I grew into my family’s healer, and then a health and well-being resource for my friends, I felt a deep yearning to go beyond my community and help more people.”

Combining her entrepreneurial spirit, professional experiences, passion and purpose, Whittle formed KnoWEwell as a force for good in the world, to pay it forward and make it easier for others facing their own health crises, and to pay it back to the professional organizations and providers that helped her family heal. Much like Natural Awakenings, KnoWEwell’s mission is to transform health care by inspiring

and empowering individuals with the knowledge, resources and community to proactively prevent harm, address chronic diseases and create “WELLthier Living” for themselves, their families, humanity and the planet.

Last December, KnoWEwell acquired Natural Awakenings, creating an integrated ecosystem that is committed to community, spanning the information gaps, providing immersive multimedia educational experiences and fostering trusted connections locally and globally. Together, these two companies are set to be the solution for consciousness, healing and hope.

A WORLD IN CRISIS NEEDS OUR COLLECTIVE HELP

Individually and collectively, we are facing unprecedented challenges. Human and planetary health are in crisis, and they are inextricably linked. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is the biggest global health threat confronting humanity.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that 33 percent of the Earth’s soils are already degraded, and more than 90 percent could become degraded by 2050. Soil erosion decreases agriculture productivity and contributes to a host of environmental threats. It can take up to 1,000 years to produce just two to three centimeters of soil.

While gene-edited crops are being promoted by the world’s largest chemical companies as “giving mother nature a boost,” Jeffrey Smith, founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology, warns, “With gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR, nature could be permanently corrupted by countless GMOs, and our food

Virinaflora/shutterstock.com

supply—including organic—could be overrun.”

Meanwhile, six in 10 adults and more than half of all children have a chronic health condition. The problem, Whittle believes, is that while our conventional medical system excels at acute care for an injury or a heart attack, it was never designed to treat chronic conditions, focusing more on the symptoms than the root cause of disease. Studies show there is a roughly 17-year lag between new research and mainstream health and medicine practices.

HOPE FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET

Evidence-based research is proving that while our DNA may be our ancestry, it is not necessarily our destiny. According to Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the father of functional medicine, “Our gene expression is altered by numerous influences including environment, lifestyle, diet, activity patterns, psycho-social-spiritual factors and stress. These lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can push us toward (or away from) disease by turning on—or off—certain genes.” Ninety percent of the risks of chronic disease are due to non-genetic factors, and with the right knowledge and resources, individuals can change their lifestyle and environment to prevent and reverse chronic health conditions.

Rodale Institute, a leader in organic farming education and research, points to the importance of farming methods in addressing the health and planet crises. According to the organization, “Hope is right below our feet. Healthier soil grows healthier plants, and healthier plants are more nutritious plants. In our work at Rodale Institute, we’re investigating the links between soil health and human health and proving that organic [farming] can feed the world.”

Research by Rodale Institute has confirmed that adoption of regenerative organic farming practices could capture more than 100 percent of current, human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Rodale Institute researchers concluded, “We now know enough to have real hope, and with this hope comes the responsibility to journey down a new path.”

Millennials are leading the way on conscious living, flocking to integrative options and opting for more “natural” care, long

advocated by Natural Awakenings. They now constitute the largest sector of the U.S. workforce with annual spending power of $600 billion. Close to 60 percent of millennials research information about health and nutrition online and on social media. This health-conscious generation believes good health is both a personal and social responsibility. They are early adopters of wearable technology and prefer organically grown, locally sourced and ethically raised foods. But consumers of all ages are overwhelmed by information and unverified online sources in the fragmented whole health market.

LOOKING FORWARD

The World Economic Forum reported in 2021 that health care is undergoing a digital revolution that requires multi-stakeholder collaboration and the bridging of information gaps by fusing the digital and analog worlds. The 2017 industry white paper “The Rise of Wellcare”, by PricewaterhouseCoopers, concluded that integrated ecosystems for the consumer in the healthcare industry are essential. This paradigm would include products, services, social media, community and environmental activism. The good news is that the local Natural Awakenings print magazines, together with KnoWEwell's Regenerative Whole Health Hub, a global digital ecosystem, are forging the paradigm shift. Whittle is honored to be continuing Bruckman’s legacy. “We are kindred spirits; I have the same purpose and unwavering drive that Sharon had founding Natural Awakenings nearly 30 years ago. I am deeply committed to multi-stakeholder collaboration that benefits all—our families, communities and the planet. We will educate to bring consciousness of connections into daily practices and respect for Mother Earth so all can thrive and prosper. Together, we will inspire, empower and achieve a WELLthier Living World.”

Brooke Goode is KnoWEwell’s national editor.

Put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.

~Swami Sivananda

Improving Heart Health

LIFESTYLE METRICS

THAT CAN HELP PREVENT HEART DISEASE

by Sheila Julson

When it comes to preventing cardiovascular diseases, lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are often mentioned. But a deeper dive into heart health shows other factors such as sleep, stress management and proper screenings are just as important.

CATCH THOSE ZS

Dr. Randi Foraker is a professor of medicine within the Division of General Medical Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), and the Deputy Director for WUSTL’s Institute for Informatics. She helped co-author the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Life’s Essential 8, a prescription of eight lifestyle metrics for cardiovascular health. They include modifiable risk factors such as diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep duration, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose and blood pressure.

Last June, the AHA added sleep to their lifestyle recommendations. “Poor sleep

has been something we have suspected as a contributor to cardiovascular health for some time,” Foraker says. “Sleep has been identified recently as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Interrupted sleep is a problem, because our body isn’t able to rebuild and recharge if we don’t have adequate sleep. That’s a recent finding, and the evidence around that is building.”

In addition, research into how sleep patterns affect heart health is ongoing. Experts are looking at when people are sleeping, and if it’s broken into three- or four-hour increments. The demands of one’s occupation may lead to sleeping during the day instead of at night, or broken sleep that may or may not lead to a total of eight hours of sleep.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

“Not managing stress well can be linked to insulin resistance, gut issues, high blood pressure and inflammation, which directly

contribute to heart disease,” says Charlotte Nussbaum, M.D., a functional medicine practitioner based in Medford, New Jersey. “That’s a lifestyle factor that people need to address—and it can be the hardest one to address. Even if you’re dialed in to a healthy diet and exercise routines, you’re not going to keep yourself healthy if you have unresolved stress issues.”

Nussbaum further notes that unaddressed childhood traumas can lead to unhealthy stress management techniques. She encourages people to consult with a therapist or other practitioner to work through childhood traumas. Try to identify and eliminate the stressor. If a job is causing stress, we can’t always change jobs, but using techniques such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness can help.

She also recommends bodywork and movement, breathing techniques, biofeedback and going outdoors and into nature as effective stress relieving techniques.

Foraker notes that the Life’s Essential 8 framework has specifically called out mental health and social determinants of health. These underlying factors can be barriers to achieving ideal cardiovascular health. “Mental health can impact depression and be a proxy for nicotine addiction and poor diet,” she says.

Social determinants may include living in a food desert without access to healthy foods. Some people may not be able to achieve physical fitness because they might live in a high crime area, preventing them from being physically active outdoors. “Social determinants of health are often cost prohibitive to achieving health goals,” Foraker reiterates.

Nationwide, nonprofits such as The Food Trust are helping to bring nutritious food to low-income communities. The National Youth Sports Strategy, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, strives to expand children’s participation in youth sports and encourage regular physical activity.

LOOKING BEYOND CHOLESTEROL

Nussbaum observes that while much attention is placed on lowering fat and cholesterol for a healthier heart, what is more

important is choosing fats that don’t oxidize easily. When low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is oxidized, it can lead to atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque on the artery walls.

“Seed oils like canola oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil or corn oil have been promoted as heart healthy, but those are very easily oxidized because they contain linoleic acid, an inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid that can contribute to heart disease,” Nussbaum says. “While omega-6 is an essential fatty acid, we only need a small amount in our diets. Our modern diet has become very high in omega-6.”

Nussbaum advises increasing omega-3 intake to balance the omega-3s/ omega-6 ratio. Cold water, fatty fish that’s low in mercury, such as salmon, along with shellfish, are good sources of omega-3s. For people that don’t eat seafood, marine algae provide omega-3s.

Polyphenols are plant-based foods— that boost heart health and immunity. Polyphenol-rich foods include green tea, citrus fruits, hibiscus tea and turmeric. Nussbaum adds that organ meats such as liver are high in antioxidants such as retinol and vitamin A.

Red meat has gotten a bad rap, but Nussbaum notes how meat is sourced makes a difference. The nutritional quality of a fastfood burger is much different than a cut of beef from grassfed cows that are sustainably raised; the latter having a very different nutrition profile, along with omega-3s.

Nussbaum cautions that consuming a low-fat diet may not lower risk of heart disease because many low-fat diets substitute fat with carbohydrates. A high-carbohydrate diet can lead to obesity and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for heart disease.

EXERCISE: LESS CAN BE MORE

It can be intimidating to start a workout regimen, especially if time is limited. “What’s more important is not being sedentary and finding ways to keep moving,” Nussbaum reassures. “Even if you have desk job, there are ways to incorporate short bursts of movement into your day. Walking can be helpful.”

She adds that high-intensity interval training—short bursts of intense exercise

For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/55nuk9dm.

alternated with low-intensity recovery periods—can be effective for those with limited time. “Some of those workouts are only five to 10 minutes long but can have just as much benefit as a 90-minute cardiovascular workout.”

SCREENINGS AND ADVANCED TESTING DETECT UNDERLYING ISSUES

Dr. Yale (Yoel) R. Smith is a Melbourne, Florida-based physician who is triple board-certified and an Advanced Fellow in Anti-Aging Metabolic and Functional Medicine. “There are millions of people walking around with severe cardiac disease that do not even know it, because heart attacks and death from an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can kill someone without warning,” he cautions. “Thus, preventing such an event with specialized testing can allow people to live long lives with loved ones.”

Smith emphasizes the importance of a complete lipid profile. “I see many patients that come to me with incomplete lipid profiles,” he notes. They do not include sensitive biomarkers that go beyond just total cholesterol, LDL, high-density lipoprotein

(HDL) and triglycerides.

There’s a misconception that if one’s cholesterol is within normal range, they need not worry about heart disease. “But someone could have ‘unstable plaque’ just waiting to burst in a coronary artery that kills the patient,” Smith explains. “When an unstable plaque ruptures in a major vessel, the body senses it as bleeding and sends clotting factors to stop the bleeding, thus creating the heart attack and death. We can look for this with cutting-edge testing.”

Such testing includes Cleerly, which uses artificial intelligence to look within the coronary arteries. It provides actual visualization of the patients’ vessels and pinpoints locations of stenotic lesions, total plaque volume and unstable plaque locations. “This is revolutionary and allows me to provide information to the patient and the interventional cardiologist vital information before catheterization,” Smith says.

The Protein Unstable Lesion Signature test looks for cellular markers for high-risk patients and determines risk for plaque rupture. The Vibrant Health CardiaX allows doctors to look at 22 different genes that can contribute to various heart disease issues.

“Family history is a look into the future of your chance of developing heart diseases,” Smith shares. “The genetics of a patient’s family is quite important, and genes can jump a generation. Thus, the patient could have their grandfather’s or grandmother’s genes that can put them at risk and lead to an early death.”

There are natural ways to control and reverse heart disease, Smith reiterates, but he cautions against over-the-counter, unregulated supplements marketed toward improving heart health. A comprehensive workup and cardiovascular health plan should be monitored by a qualified medical doctor.

“Meditation and massage are beneficial to lower stress,” Smith concurs. “Stress and high cortisol levels create a pathway to heart disease, elevated blood pressure and other issues. Thus, anything that can lower stress and create a happy lifestyle will help with heart health.”

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings

The American Heart Association confirms that practicing mindfulness and meditation may help manage stress and high blood pressure, improve sleep and help us feel more balanced and connected, which can help lower the risk of heart disease. Meditation can be as simple as sitting quietly in a calm place and focusing on breath. Other types include relaxation, Zen, transcendental and mantra, mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Love in the Present Moment MINDFULNESS

FOR COUPLES

by Marlaina Donato

Jam-packed schedules and answering the demands of everyday life can trip us up and break the spell of even the most solid intimate partnership. With dulled senses, it is easy and all too common to go on autopilot. Like abandoned gardens, heartunions can become casualties of neglect and the absence of joy.

Mindfulness—awareness and cultivation of the present moment—has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression and deepen our appreciation of what we have. Relationships can expand and strengthen when couples practice the art of being in the “now”. A 2021 study involving 1,360 heterosexual couples published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy indicates that gratitude and forgiveness also contribute to satisfaction, both relational and sexual.

CONSCIOUS HEARTS

“Mindfulness practice comes in many forms: journaling, meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, tai chi or breathwork, to name just a few. By routinely practicing mindfulness, we are able to deepen our own awareness of what we are feeling and how we want to respond to someone we care about,” explains Moraya Seeger DeGeare, in-house relationship expert for Paired, an app for couples.

Maci Daye, the author of Passion and Presence: A Couple’s Guide to Awakened Intimacy and Mindful Sex says, “Even a few minutes a day of mindfulness practice can rewire the brain, build new habits and help us dis-identify from our limiting beliefs, stories and intense emotions.” This is a critical factor in transcending personal triggers and promoting conflict resolution. She emphasizes that couples often go into fight-or-flight

mode because they feel threatened by their partner’s non-verbal behavior or are triggered by old, painful wounds.

Daye, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex therapist, notes, “Mindful couples are less attached to being ‘right’ and explore their own sensitivities instead of blaming their partners.” Once “awakened intimacy” is put into practice, couples become interested in each other’s perspectives and team up to heal and grow. In addition to formal training, she suggests bringing presence to all aspects of life. “Couples can engage their senses when they hug, touch or hold hands,” Daye explains. “They can pause to look at each other when they say hello and goodbye. They can slow down and taste their food, savoring every bite. These behaviors also make sexual experiences more sensual, intimate and connecting.”

Taking a few moments for eye contact, the brush of a hand or compassionate interaction can strengthen bonds. DeGeare, who is also a couple’s therapist at BFF Therapy, in Beacon, New York, recommends slowing down together to get in sync. “This could be going for a walk, cooking or listening to the same podcast and talking about it later. It helps the body tune into your partner a bit and connect. The time you spend doing this outside of the bedroom will deepen your connection in the bedroom.” She suggests bringing movement like a shared dance or yoga class into the mix to foster connection, as well as setting “dedicated times to check in through the week or month, uninterrupted.”

A DEEPER DIVE

Daily verbal exchanges beyond the mundane can amplify resonance between two people. “Asking questions is vitally important, as it cultivates curiosity—but not the day-to-day questions, such as, ‘What are you doing today’ or ‘What do you want for dinner?’” says Debbie Lambert, co-author of The Mindful Couple. The Del Mar, California, couples counselor and life coach encourages people to ask, “What scares you today? What is the most important thing that you would like to create today? What was one thing that made you grateful today, and what is one thing that disappointed or frustrated you today? What is one thing I can do for you today? These types of questions scrape the surface of knowing and create intimacy and connection.”

Lambert compares the practice of mindfulness to a beautiful dance—flowing, loving and creative—that can change future generations. “The energy from such a dance extends far beyond the couple,” she says. “It can be felt intimately by anyone in its presence. When parents dance this dance, their children are bathed in a high-vibrating energy. They feel safe and loved. Most importantly, they learn a model for how to be in a loving relationship.”

Marlaina Donato is an author, visionary painter and recording artist. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

T he right food choices don’t just prevent heart disease and help shrink artery plaque, they also nourish and heal the heart. For a healthy ticker, enjoy these five food groups every day.

FABULOUS FIBER

Fiber is the roughage in vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts, and it is loaded with age-busting nutrients. Eating fiber suppresses appetite, promotes weight loss, improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels, decreases inflammation and feeds a healthy gut microbiome.

The challenge is to get more fiber every day. Too often, people consume fiber from processed grains and flour, and the sugar load that comes with grain fiber has many adverse impacts on heart health. The best option is to enjoy daily fiber from the following sources: three cups of colorful vegetables; two pieces of fruit, such as one cup of berries and one apple; two handfuls of nuts and seeds; and one-half to one cup of beans.

Nourish the Heart

FOODS THAT PROMOTE CARDIAC HEALING

by Steven Masley, M.D., FAHA, FACN, CNS

BENEFICIAL BEVERAGES

SMART FAT

Clinical studies show that enjoying fats from seafood, extra-virgin olive oil and nuts decreases the risk of a heart attack and stroke without causing weight gain. Healthy fats improve cholesterol levels, assist with blood sugar control, are critical for the brain, improve hormone balance and reduce inflammation.

Fats enhance the texture of food, adding that smooth, creamy mouth feel to a meal that makes eating a pleasure. Enjoy healthy fats from avocados, seeds and dark chocolate daily.

CLEAN (NOT MEAN) PROTEIN

Raising animals in large-scale conventional operations with cruel living conditions is not just mean, it also produces less nutritious meat that can be loaded with hormones, antibiotics and pesticides. Choose clean protein instead, which does not contain added hormones, pesticides and other toxins. Good sources of protein are organic dairy products and eggs, wild seafood and animal protein that has been grass-fed or organically fed while living on open pasture. Beans are also a great protein-packed choice that improves blood sugar and cholesterol profiles. They are the most powerful anti-aging food ever tested.

Start with at least four cups of water per day. It doesn’t matter whether it’s flat or sparkling, so long as it’s pure. Pure water can be purchased or made at home or at work with a reverse osmosis filter system.

Except for people that are caffeine sensitive, one to two servings of caffeinated beverages can be enjoyed daily. In moderation, those tea and coffee pigments are good for us.

Don’t forget a fiber- and protein-rich smoothie to stay satisfied and revved up all morning. A balanced and delicious recipe includes one serving of protein powder, frozen organic cherries or blueberries, almond milk and chia seeds.

Take advantage of the option to enjoy wine with dinner—just be sure to limit wine intake to no more than two servings daily.

Avoid any beverage with added sugar or commercial sweeteners. Don’t be fooled into drinking juice; without the fiber, fruit juice is much closer to drinking soda than to eating fruit.

POWERFUL PROBIOTICS

Not only do probiotics help gut function—a healthy gut microbiome decreases inflammation and supports weight control. The latest research reveals that the microbes in the gut have a dramatic impact on the risk for heart disease, as well. Because healthy microbes feed on fiber, eating fiber is good for the gut microbiome, too.

The right gut microbes offer numerous benefits. They lower harmful cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure to normal levels, assist with weight loss, decrease inflammation and

decrease production of trimethylamine N-oxide (also known as TMAO), a marker for heart disease. Support the gut microbiome by eating probiotic food sources daily, such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, pickled

veggies and miso.

Dr. Steven Masley is a physician, nutritionist, trained chef, clinical professor at the University of South Florida and creator of

1 tsp Italian herb seasoning

2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped

8 large cage-free, organically fed eggs

2 Tbsp organic, whole fat milk (or sour cream)

½ cup organic Comté (or Gruyère) cheese, grated ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated

health programs for public television. He is the author of The 30-Day Heart Tune-Up. Learn more at DrMasley.com.

and heat 1 minute, then remove from heat. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Stir in the Comté or Gruyère cheese, steamed spinach and sautéed onions with mushrooms.

Grease a pie dish with extra virgin olive oil, then pour the egg and vegetable mixture into the pie dish. Sprinkle Parmigiano Reggiano cheese over the top.

FRITTATA WITH SPINACH, MUSHROOMS AND CHEESE

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

½ lb. fresh spinach, washed and drained, stems removed, chopped

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

½ medium sweet onion, finely chopped

2 cups mushrooms, sliced ½ tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 375° F. Place spinach in a saucepan with ½ cup of water. Cover with a lid and allow to steam on high heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain; squeeze out excess water. Set aside.

Heat a sauté pan to medium heat; add olive oil, then onion; stir occasionally. After 1 minute, add mushrooms and continue heating for about 3 to 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and the mushrooms have softened. Add garlic and Italian herbs

3 small zucchini, chopped into ½-inch cubes (about 2½ cups)

2 small yellow squash, chopped into ½-inch cubes (about 2 cups)

2 Tbsp white wine

3 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 2½ cups)

4 medium garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp fresh rosemary, diced

1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped

RATATOUILLE

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

1 medium eggplant (remove ends and any damaged skin), cut into 1-inch cubes

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium sweet onion, diced ½ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp ground black pepper

½ tsp oregano, dried

½ tsp fines herbes (or Italian herb seasoning), dried

⅛ tsp paprika or cayenne powder (or to taste)

1 lb firm tofu, cubed, or 15 oz cooked cannellini beans (optional)

Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, basil, and/or thyme)

This fragrant side dish from southern France is packed with nutrients. It goes well with chicken or fish, and especially a soufflé. To convert this from a side dish to a complete meal, add 1 pound of cubed tofu or 15 ounces of cooked cannellini beans.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it has the texture of custard—trembling and barely set. For a golden crust, turn on the broiler for the last couple minutes of baking, but don’t over-bake, or it will get tough. Check it 5 minutes before it’s supposed to be done.

This recipe and photo were excerpted from The Mediterranean Method. ©2019 Steven Masley, M.D. Used with permission of Harmony Books. All rights reserved.

Can be served hot or cold and usually tastes better when served the next day. Steam eggplant on the stove top for 6 minutes or microwave in a glass container for 4 minutes. Cook until tender.

Heat a pan on medium heat and add olive oil; add the onion, salt, black pepper, oregano and fines herbes. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent. Add zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant and wine; stir. Cover and heat for 3 to 4 minutes, until the vegetables soften, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs; cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 4 to 10 minutes, until squash softens and the flavors blend.

For a touch of heat, add paprika or cayenne pepper. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Excerpted from The 30-Day Heart TuneUp. Copyright © 2021 Steven Masley, M.D. Used with permission from Little, Brown Spark, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Delicious Chocolaty Desserts

Made Vegan and Gluten-Free

by Laura Theodore

There are now many delicious chocolate varieties to suit a wide range of dietary needs, including those that follow a vegan and gluten-free diet. Because eggs are not used in a vegan diet, dairyfree chocolate chips can play an important role in creating “creamy” vegan chocolate desserts. For example, when preparing vegan chocolate puddings, mousses or Swiss meringue-style frostings without the use of eggs, start by adding tofu or raw cashews, flavorings, chocolate chips, and simmering dairy-free milk to a high-powered blender and blend on high for about one minute to completely melt the chips, creating a fluffy, smooth texture. Once refrigerated, the chocolate chips will firm up, binding your delicious sweet treat while keeping it vegan!

For chocolaty vegan baked goods, cocoa powder combined with baking soda plays an important part, not only in taste, but to provide the “rise”. The acidic base of cocoa powder reacts with the baking soda to provide leavening without the use of eggs. This method works well for brownies and cupcakes. To add even more lift (like when you are baking a vegan and gluten-free cake), add a small amount of apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice to the batter to add even more leavening.

For the best vegan and gluten-free choices, purchase chocolate (and cocoa powder) that is fair trade, organic, dairy-free and certified to be gluten-free.

So go ahead and cook up some vegan and gluten-free chocolate treats that will please vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike!

Laura Theodore is a vegan PBS chef, cookbook author, podcaster and co-creator of the award-wining PBS television series Jazzy Vegetarian, airing every Thursday at noon on Lakeshore PBS (LakeShorepbs.org), in Chicago.

NAChicago.com

INCREDIBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

YIELD: 8-10 SERVINGS

Here’s the ultimate WOW brownie! It’s updated using tahini (instead of tofu) to replace the eggs and gluten-free oat flour (in place of whole wheat flour). The result is a rich and chocolaty indulgence that will earn raves from the entire family.

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to coat pan

1½ cups gluten-free, quick-cooking rolled oats ⅓ cup plus 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup (lightly packed) dark brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

½ cup nondairy milk, plus more as needed ⅓ cup (creamy) sesame tahini

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup vegan chocolate chips (55 to 70 percent cacao)

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Generously coat an 8-inch-squarerimmed baking pan with olive oil.

Put the oats into a blender or food processor and process into coarse flour. Transfer the oat flour to a large bowl. Add the cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and stir with a dry whisk to combine.

Put the nondairy milk, ¼ cup oil, tahini and vanilla extract into a medium bowl and briskly stir until very smooth.

Add the nondairy milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir with a large spoon until incorporated. If the batter seems dry, add an additional tablespoon of nondairy milk. (The batter should be thick, almost like cookie dough.) Fold in the chocolate chips. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.

Bake for 30 minutes. Decrease the heat to 325° F and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, until the top is almost firm and edges are golden brown. Put the pan on a wire rack. Let cool for 1 hour before slicing and serving. (Brownies will be crumbly while warm.) Tightly wrapped and stored in the refrigerator, leftover brownies will keep for 3 days.

in the Conscious Eating section at NAChicago.com

Find Laura Theodore’s recipe for Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Whipped Cashew Frosting

Photo credit Laura Theodore

Recipe adapted from Jazzy Vegetarian: Lively Vegan Cuisine That’s Easy and Delicious, 10th Anniversary Edition, by Laura Theodore, © 2022. Distributed by BPC. Reprinted with permission.

Savory Chocolate Sauce

Chocolate is a food of the heart, from its associations with love to the healing properties of its antioxidants. WebMd reports chocolate has a good mix of minerals, including magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus and copper. Chocolate also has the potential health benefits of improving brain health and lowering cholesterol. (WebMD.com/diet/health-benefits-chocolate). In addition, most people love the flavor of chocolate.

Indulge this February in a bit of chocolate sauce and savor the flavor. This sauce can be used to dip fruit, on ice cream or to make a mug of hot cocoa to share with a loved one.

YIELD: 12, ¼-CUP SERVINGS

2¼ cups granulated organic sugar or coconut sugar (note that flavor will change if coconut sugar is used)

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch

¼ tsp salt

1½ cups canned coconut milk

1 Tbsp vanilla

Place first four dry ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan, along with ½ cup of the coconut milk and whisk to combine into a thick paste.

Add the remaining coconut milk, bring the mixture to a boil and whisk to combine well. When the sauce boils, reduce heat to low and simmer very gently for 5 minutes, whisking often.

Remove from heat, add vanilla and cool. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, covered.

May be used hot or cold; on ice cream, cake, fruit or combined with milk to make a quick cup of hot chocolate (blend milk and amount of sauce to taste).

Recipe courtesy of Tiffany Hinton, founder of Cultivating Guts. Connect on social media @iamtiffanyhinton and listen to her podcast, Cultivating Guts, on Spotify or iTunes.

Modern Mediterranean catering made from scratch to support your journey to a stronger, more energetic body. Our ingredients are responsibly grown, locally sourced, and organic whenever possible.

Photo by Tiffany Hinton

by Tiffany Hinton

RHYTHMS OF THE HEART

IMPROVING MOOD WITH VAGUS NERVE TONING

by Kirby Baldwin

While most people consider the brain to be the power center of the body, the heart is stronger in several ways. In research pioneered by the HeartMath Institute in the 1990s, the heart has been found to be 40 to 60 times stronger than the brain electrically and about 100 times stronger magnetically.

HeartMath studies heart rate variability (HRV), which measures the naturally occurring beat-to-beat changes in heart rate and rhythms, and is a key marker of overall health, resiliency and longevity. HeartMath discovered people could train themselves to improve their HRV and, as a result, their ability to regulate emotions by using breath as a type of biofeedback.

Central to this work is the vagus nerve, a main component of the parasympathetic nervous system that carries signals at an unconscious level between the brain, heart and digestive system. Due to its many functions, particularly controlling mood, researchers have targeted the vagus nerve in treating depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders.

According to a 2018 study, “Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain-Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders,” published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, “Treatments that target the vagus nerve increase the vagal tone and inhibit cytokine production. Both are important mechanisms of resiliency. The stimulation of vagal afferent fibers in the gut influences monoaminergic brain systems in the brain stem that play crucial roles in major psychiatric conditions, such as mood and anxiety disorders. Since the vagal tone is correlated with capacity to regulate stress responses and can be influenced by breathing, its increase through meditation and yoga likely contribute to resilience and the mitigation of mood and anxiety symptoms.”

Vagal tone tells us how well the vagus nerve is functioning, and it is measured indirectly by HRV. A toned vagus nerve can help regulate the nervous system and improve digestion, heart health and breathing rate. It can also counter the body’s “fight”

response and help us relax and bounce back from daily stresses by boosting the “rest-and-digest” response, which also boosts HRV. Because the vagus nerve is integral to the gut-brain connection, Michael Ruscio, DNM, DC, writes that lifestyle practices that are good for the gut and brain, like diet, exercise and deep breathing, can improve vagal tone. The Cleveland Clinic states that the vagus nerve can be naturally strengthened through meditation, massage, music therapy and cold-water immersion.

Other non-invasive methods of stimulating the vagus nerve include lightly tapping the chest while holding the breath, as well as light-to-moderate massage in areas near the vagus nerve. Because the nerve connects to the throat, gargling with salt water and laughing have also been proposed as potential interventions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy and depression, and there are ongoing studies to expand its use

for other health conditions and disorders. This is an invasive solution, as the device is surgically implanted under the skin on the chest.

Bruce Cryer, co-founder and former CEO of HeartMath, says, “We could all use a helping hand to get into our happy place” in these uncertain times. The 40-year wellness leader recently turned to Sensate, a new personal device designed to help people improve HRV and derive calming benefits without the need for extensive training in meditation or breathing techniques.

Developed by Stefan Chmelik, a physician, Sensate is a palmsized device that is simply placed on a person’s chest as it emits stress-relieving sound waves directly to the nervous system using bone conduction. Similar to the comfort a person experiences when a purring cat lies on their chest, Sensate causes the chest to resonate sound, which signals the vagus nerve to relax. When used over time, the device can train (or retrain) the vagus nerve to default to this calming state.

In a 2022 study, adults with and without anxiety and depression disorders used Sensate for an average of three and a half months, five to six days per week. After the test period, more than 70 percent of the participants reported low, mild or normal stress levels. More than 65 percent of the participants with anxiety disorder and over half of those with a depressive disorder reported an improvement in their condition.

Chmelik says, “Stress is a ‘global catastrophe’, and with a chronically stressed public, there is no will or ability to address all the other issues facing us. My goal in developing Sensate was to enable people to self-regulate more efficiently. I want to create a tipping point to create a more conscious world. As more people become aware of their breath and its connection to stress, and take advantage of the powerful tools of meditation, breath and other tools like Sensate, hopefully that tipping point is reached.”

Kirby Baldwin writes and edits for KnoWEwell, the Regenerative Whole Health Hub and the parent company of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

TIME TO DANCE

Introducing a New Class:

Pilarre

Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.

~Anne Frank

Heart-Healthy Kids

SETTING A COURSE FOR CARDIOVASCULAR WELLNESS

by Ana-Maria Temple, M.D.

When a middle-aged, thin adult comes to the hospital with heart attack symptoms, the doctors will ask about family health history; alcohol, drug and cigarette use; current medications; and cholesterol levels. But because the person is thin, they may not question their diet. In reality, the food choices we’ve made since childhood may determine our likelihood of developing heart disease as adults. Heart-healthy diets for kids can establish a healthful baseline and set them on a path to lifelong wellness and longevity.

Studies have demonstrated that the development of coronary atherosclerosis begins in child -

hood. These findings have been replicated in studies of children of different ethnic backgrounds across the globe. Characterized by the deposition of fatty material (plaques) on the inner walls of arteries, atherosclerosis contributes to heart disease and heart attacks.

The immediate reaction may be to blame genetics for heart disease in young children and assume it is outside of our control, but this assumption would be wrong. Genetics are only a blueprint. What we eat, how we sleep, our stress level and our exposure to environmental toxins determine how our house is built. “Genetics load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger,” wrote Judith Stern, professor of nutrition and internal medicine at the University of California, Davis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, epigenetics is the study of how our behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way our genes work. Researchers at Duke University Medical Center demonstrated the effects of genetic malleability in a study involving agouti mice that have genetically mutated to produce obese offspring that develop heart disease, diabetes and cancers. The scientists fed two groups of these unhealthy mice different diets. One group ate standard mouse food. The other consumed standard mouse food plus vitamin supplements, including choline, folic acid, B12 and betaine.

The agouti mice mothers that were given a vitamin-supplemented diet produced offspring that were healthy, without evidence of heart disease or other problems, while the mice that ate a regular diet without nutritional supplementation continued to produce terribly unhealthy mice. What humans can surmise from this study is that parents have the power to alter their children’s gene expression and subsequent heart disease risk.

To raise healthy adults, a child’s nutrition is where to start. As Mark Hyman, M.D., an internationally recognized leader in the field of functional medicine, says, “Chronic disease is a food-borne illness,” and one of the biggest dietary culprits is sugar. It leads to the development of plaque in the arteries and wreaks havoc on the health of Americans. In the 1980s, the low-fat craze prompted food companies to remove fat from foods and replace it with sugar

to preserve taste. A whopping 240 sugar alternatives followed, including corn syrup, rice syrup and dextrose.

The liver can process only 24 grams of added sugar per day. Any extra sugar gets turned into fat, which contributes to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. In the U.S., adults consume an average of 77 grams of sugar per day, according to the American Heart Association. That’s more than three times the amount the liver can handle.

Parents can begin to shield their children from this dangerous ingredient by steering them away from sugary drinks. We all know that sodas are full of sugar, but even organic juice boxes, sports drinks, flavored waters and coconut waters contain loads of the stuff. Choose water or coconut water without added sugar, and wean kids off of juice by gradually diluting it. Also consider fruit-infused waters or bubbly, carbonated water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Start reading food labels and encourage kids to become sugar detectives. It is not about categorizing food as evil or bad. It’s about learning together which foods and drinks help their little hearts become stronger and more resilient. When they grow up to be heart-healthy, middle-aged adults, they will be thankful.

Dr. Ana-Maria Temple, M.D., is an integrative pediatrician and wellness educator in Charlotte, North Carolina. Learn more at DrAnaMaria.com.

As guardians of our beloved pets, choosing the best food for them can be a daunting task, with so many options online and in grocery stores, as well as conflicting advice about what is healthiest. For thousands of years, pets were fed human food scraps, and in the last 50 years, as dogs were elevated from being pets to valued members of the family, handing them treats directly from the dinner table became a common practice.

Nevertheless, commercial pet food has become an enormous industry in a relatively short period of time—it has only been around for just over 150 years, according to the Pet Food Institute. Globally, the pet food market was valued at almost $95 billion in 2021 and is expected to continue growing, according to Grand

Whole Foods for Dogs and Cats

HUMAN-GRADE MEALS FOR OUR FURRY BEST FRIENDS

by Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN

View Research. North America dominated the market, accounting for a 49.9 percent share of worldwide revenue that year.

The immense popularity of commercial pet food can be attributed to numerous reasons. S ocioeconomic factors make buying processed pet food affordable; nutritional science makes it look sophisticated; veterinarians endorse it and marketing agencies persuade guardians that it is the best option. Many pet guardians may be concerned that table scraps are not as healthy for their pet as kibble. As a result, most dogs and cats consume commercial diets, many of which include byproducts from the human food industry.

Kelly Swanson, a University of Illinois professor and the author of a 2018 nutrition study published in the Journal of Animal Sci-

ence, told Science Daily, “A lot of companies test for complete and balanced nutrition but don’t go beyond that.” She further noted that her study evaluated certain diets by looking at additional factors: “Would dogs like them? Were they digestible? Would they increase activity?”

LEVELING UP A PET’S DIET

Because they are unprocessed and unrefined, pet diets made of whole foods contain more intact nutrients and provide more fiber for digestive health, which can help with constipation, diarrhea or both. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Animal Science, some types of fresh, “human-grade” food may be simpler for pets to digest than dry, commercial kibble.

A recent study examined the gut microbiome of pet and stray dogs from South Africa, India and Laos and compared their gut microbiomes to those of dogs that lived 1,000 years ago. The researchers found that the varied diet of the stray dogs of Loas had the most robust microbiome and that it was comparable to the diet consumed by ancient dogs. Like in humans, a healthy and balanced gut microbiome is important for digestion and to fight inflammation.

While there are some foods that pets should avoid, such as alcohol, dairy, chocolate and grapes, many types of meat and vegetables that humans eat can be served to their pets. Because whole-food ingredients like chicken, pork, lamb, beef and chicken eggs are readily available at local grocery stores, it’s easy to get started. The key is ensuring that a pet gets a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates. There are plenty of homemade pet food recipes available online that consider this balance. The needs of a pet will vary based on species, age, weight and overall health, so consulting with a veterinarian is recommended to keep the pet’s health on track.

TIPS FOR HOMEMADE PET FOOD SUCCESS

n If it is in the budget, choose grass-fed or pasture-raised meats, which have a healthy omega-3 to omega-6 ratio and are anti-inflammatory.

n The diet should include calcium, iron, zinc and other essential nutrients based on species and individual needs. Consult a veterinarian for guidance.

n Although dogs do not require carbohydrates in their diet, they can digest them. Dogs use dietary carbohydrates to maintain and replace glycogen levels.

n Introducing vegetable fiber—kale, collard greens and fruit such as apples—to a dog’s digestive system helps prevent gas pain.

n Obtain ingredients from organic sources whenever possible, because they contain no pesticides or chemicals that could harm a pet’s health.

n Avoid processed foods and artificial ingredients.

n Look for pet foods without preservatives, byproducts, fillers or food dyes.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (aafco.org/ consumers) offers a wealth of information and guidance regarding commercial pet foods and ingredients. While they do not have a whole foods classification, they do provide information about natural and organic pet foods.

Feeding pets whole food is a great way to help them stay healthy and happy. Make their food at home using fresh ingredients, or look for commercial brands that incorporate whole foods in their products. A pet’s best health starts in the bowl.

Dr. Ruth Roberts is an integrative veterinarian and holistic health coach for pets, as well as the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet. Learn more at DrRuthRoberts.com.

Saturday, February 4, 6:00 - 7:30 pm (Onsite) Amazing Gong Journey with Sound Healer Andre Peraza, $40

Saturday, February 11, 4:00 - 7:00 pm (Onsite) Holy Fire Reiki and Karuna Reiki with Rose Passarella, 30-minute sessions, $40 Saturday, February 11, 4:00 - 7:00 pm (Onsite) Therapeutic Reflexology with Barbara Petersen, 30-minute sessions, $40 Saturday, February 11, 4:00 - 7:00 pm (Onsite) Hawaiian Elemental Healing Treatments with Barbara Petersen, 30-minute sessions, $40 Saturday, February 25, 4:00 - 7:00 pm (Onsite) Healing Through The Akashic Records with Janel, 30-minute sessions, $40

He who feeds a hungry animal feeds his own soul.

~Charlie Chaplin

BABY STEPS TO LIVING GREENER

TIPS FOR LOWERING TOXINS IN THE HOME

by Tom O'Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN

M illions of Americans are spending more time in their homes as employers embrace work-at-home arrangements following the pandemic. Many families have redesigned living spaces to accommodate one or more offices, and as they streamline their abodes, it is important to also take care of any potential hazards.

Some dangers around the house are easy to spot, like toys left in a hallway where people might trip or exposed electrical wires that could cause a fire. Other hazards are not as obvious but equally dangerous. Daily exposure to invisible household toxins, for example, can cause serious health consequences.

Almost beyond comprehension, the average person is exposed to 700,000 to 2 million toxins each day, and some of these

are “forever chemicals” that never leave the body or take decades to be expelled. This huge toxic burden can accumulate in the body, strain the immune system and compromise overall health. “The research is very clear—huge, huge, strong correlations between toxin load and most of your autoimmune diseases,” remarks Joseph Pizzorn , ND, author or co-author of six textbooks for doctors and seven consumer books, including, most recently, The Toxin Solution.

The good news is that many of these threats can be corrected with a little insight, planning and budgeting. Changes to our everyday choices can go a long way toward keeping our bodies and homes healthy and safe, while also creating a greener and healthier environment.

THE AIR WE BREATHE

The air inside our homes can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air, containing pollutants such as mold, smoke, out-gassing chemicals, pollen, pet dander, bacteria and viruses. There are many portable HEPA and carbon air filter options available at different price points that will help remove contaminants. According to a 1989 Clean Air Study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, common houseplants can remove organic pollutants from indoor air and, when combined with activated carbon air filters, are more effective. Examples of such plants are the Boston fern, spider plant, variegated snake plant, peace lily, English ivy, cornstalk dracaena and many other inexpensive varietals.

BETWEEN THE SHEETS

Flame-retardant chemicals in our sheets, mattresses, mattress pads and even pajamas out-gas minute amounts that can accumulate in our bodies over time. Because we spend approximately one-third of our lives in bed, it is important to ensure that the sleeping environment is as healthy as possible. Consider switching to organic cotton options for all bedroom items. Pressboard furniture is soaked with formaldehyde; replace it with solid wood pieces to reduce exposure to off-gassing. Turn off Wi-Fi at night to reduce exposure to EMF radiation. These changes can be made gradually, as the budget allows; think of them as an investment that will pay off with improved sleep and wellness

IN THE KITCHEN

For many of us, turning on the faucet for a glass of water can produce a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including lead, arsenic and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—also known as the “forever chemicals.” The Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database (ewg.org/tapwater) provides a searchable database of contaminants found in drinking water by zip code.

Investing in a water filtration system is a great way to avoid these chemicals. They, too, are available at different price points. Whether it’s a countertop unit, a filter mounted on the faucet, an under-sink device or a whole-house system, the best solutions include charcoal granulation, a two-micron filter and reverse osmosis.

Smart swaps in cookware and bakeware are also a must. Begin by replacing nonstick pans with stainless steel, glass or cast-iron options. If replacing them all at once isn’t economically viable, start with the most damaged and scratched pans and continue as finances allow.

Food storage can be another source of toxins. Studies have found that certain chemicals in plastics can leach into our food. Move away from plastic storage containers to glass, and swap plastic wrap for a non-toxic alternative like beeswax wrap or reusable bowl covers.

IN THE BATHROOM

Clean the shower head and install a chlorine shower filter. Gradually begin to replace soap and shampoo with non-toxic products that contain all-natural ingredients; specifically look for ones that are paraben-free, gluten-free and organic.

For other personal products such as perfume, move away from synthetic fragrances, which can contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and replace them with all-natural alternatives such as essential oils. Toothpaste should be gluten- and fluoride-free. Newer options contain hydroxyapatite—a naturally occurring mineral—which can be an alternative to fluoride and help remineralize teeth. Replacing makeup all at once can be costly, so begin with lipstick and lip balms and look for gluten-free alternatives.

BABY STEPS

While it may feel overwhelming to embark upon a green living journey, positive change doesn’t happen all at once. Pick one area and make baby steps. Even small, incremental actions can have a powerful cumulative impact on the mind, body and planet.

Dr. Tom O’Bryan is the founder of theDr.com, author of The Autoimmune Fix and chief health officer for KnoWEwell, the parent company of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

curated, vetted cbd and knowledgeable staff

Simon Tolzman doesn’t get many rare birds in his yard near downtown Chicago, but each February, he counts what he sees there, which includes chickadees and cardinals and non-native house sparrows. He reports the species and numbers online to the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) (BirdCount.org). “When it comes to any bird data at all, it is really of equal importance,” says Tolzman. “The more we know about just how many birds are being seen, especially in urban areas, is increasingly important in a world where we’re losing so many birds.”

The bird count, which anyone can do either in their yard or a chosen spot, runs from February 17 to 20 this year. “It’s very simple,” says Becca Rodomsky-Bish, project leader for the GBBC. “You watch birds anywhere for 15 minutes on any or some or all of those days and tell us what you see and hear. Somebody who is brand-new to birds could sit at their window and tell us what they see.” Plus, a free bird app (AllAboutBirds.org) helps beginners identify birds by sight and sound.

“We know there will be some errors or misidentifications when birding, but our data analysis takes that into consideration, and the power of thousands of people submitting bird sightings outweighs this potential,” she notes. The minimum count time is for 15 minutes on one of the four days designated for the GBBC, giving even the youngest community scientists a chance to contribute. In February 2022, an estimated 384,631 counters from 192 counties reported 7,099, or roughly three-quarters, of the world’s known species, according to GBBC data.

The Cornell Lab (Birds.Cornell.edu) and National Audubon Society (Audubon.org) launched the GBBC in 1998 in the United States as one of the first online community science projects to collect data on wild birds and record it online in real time. Anyone can see the data almost as soon as it’s entered. Birds Canada (BirdsCanada.org)

Great Backyard Bird Count

Helps Birds and People

by Sheryl DeVore

Szeszol

Many common redpolls, which aren’t common in the Chicago area, were counted during the 2022 Great Backyard Bird Count.

joined the project in 2009, and in 2013, it became a global project when the Cornell Lab launched eBird (eBird.org), an online database that provides birders, scientists and amateur naturalists with real-time data on abundance and distribution of bird species. eBird includes year-round sightings from birders. “The GBBC data was saved in a database and the database was growing. We knew the power of the data would be richer if we had it all go into the eBird database,” Rodomsky-Bish says.

“To see real-time data coming in annually showing the trends in how many birds are being seen on a year-to-year basis is incredible to watch as a birder, and also incredible to watch from a data analysis standpoint,” Tolzman says.

“The GBBC has specific protocols, which is one of the reasons scientists use our data,” Rodomsky-Bish says. Most of the researchers that use eBird data, which includes GBBC data, are looking at longitudinal questions, climate change, regional changes, if birds are starting to migrate sooner and if they’re being seen earlier or later than normal. GBBC data is often a part of that. February is a good time for the GBBC. It’s right on the cusp of one of many birds’ annual migrations.

“The power of data increases over a longer period of time in multiple, consecutive years,” Rodomsky-Bish says. “For example, the annual Christmas Bird Count, held for more than 100 years, along with other community science projects, have revealed that numbers of birds are declining. Each year, dozens to hundreds of research papers are published based on eBird data. One of the reason birds are so powerful is because they’re everywhere. They alert us to environmental cues we should pay attention to.

Photo by Susan

Every bird counts in the Great Backyard Bird Count, including the great black-backed gull, seen here in its winter plumage in Lake County, Illinois.

You don’t have to take a science course to contribute to a project like this. We’re all scientists. All of our observations matter, especially when we add them up.”

That is why reports from Tolzman and others on the number of house sparrows seen during the GBBC is important, she says. Native to Eurasia, the house sparrow was introduced in 1852 into North America and quickly invaded most of the North American continent except the Florida peninsula. The species is currently found throughout agricultural and urban landscapes of North America except the Yucatán peninsula. Researchers used eBird data to determine why. “We found that climate may represent an important driver in the North American invasion of house sparrows, probably delaying the Florida invasion and so far, preventing the Yucatán peninsula invasion,” the authors write. “Given the species’ plasticity and generalist life history traits, it is possible that the house sparrow may overcome present climatic restrictions and invade the Yucatán peninsula if proper management is not set in action.”

In addition to providing good data, the GBBC is just good fun. “It gets people outdoors in the coldest part of winter, and it can be done right in your own backyard,” Rodomsky-Bish says.

Chicago resident Susan Szeszol, who has been participating in the GBBC as well as Project Feeder Watch (FeederWatch.org) for

The northern cardinal is a common bird seen in the Chicago region during the Great Backyard Bird Count.

more than a decade, agrees. “It’s a great way to get people outdoors,” she says. “One of my favorite GBBC group birding events is the Illinois Ornithological Society’s Gull Frolic (IllinoisBirds.org/event/gull-frolic-2022-2) which takes place at Winthrop Harbor. In 2022, my friend Marcia Suchy and I enjoyed the birding camaraderie and incredible birds. We saw bald eagles, common goldeneyes, a white-winged scoter and a harlequin duck, along with several species of gulls.”

She also watches and counts birds in her yard for the GBBC and Project Feeder Watch. “In 2011, my very first Eurasian collared dove arrived in my yard. Each year, the number of doves increased until I had one of the largest and most consistent numbers of visiting Eurasian collared doves in Cook County. Through my recordkeeping and eBird reports, I’ve discovered that they tend to visit my yard less often from

December through February, so it’s always exciting when one or two show up for the GBBC. Last winter was an amazing irruption for common redpolls. When they showed up in my yard on GBBC days, I was very happy.”

An irruption refers to the movement of bird species to other areas, generally outside of their normal range, when resources are scarce. “It could be that snow pack is intense, burying access to food, or that the amount of foods they need to eat, such as seeds and cones, is low one season,” Rodomsky-Bish says. “It’s fun to see surprise birds like redpolls, but it’s just as important to see and record the normal birds. We want them all.”

Sheryl DeVore has written six books on science, health and nature, as well as nature, health and environment stories for national and regional publications. Read more at SherylDeVore.Wordpress.com.

Photo by Susan Szeszol

Photo courtesy of Susan Szeszol

Photo by Susan Szeszol

Susan Szeszol, left, and Marcia Suchy participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count in February 2022, in Winthrop Harbor.

Susan Szeszol photographed this rare Eurasian collared-dove in her Chicago yard during a recent Great Backyard Bird Count.

BRUCE CRYER on His Love Affair With the Heart

by Kirby Baldwin

B ruce Cryer has been called a Renaissance man because of a varied, four-decade career as a singer, actor, dancer, publisher, author, marketing executive, teacher and coach. In New York City, he played The Boy for 800 performances in the world’s longest running musical, The Fantasticks . He co-authored the book, From Chaos to Coherence: The Power to Change Performance , was lead writer of the Harvard Business Review article titled “Pull the Plug on Stress” and taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Cryer was part of the original leadership team and former CEO of the HeartMath Institute, which has scientifically studied heart-brain communications and deepened our understanding of how the workings of the heart can influence human perceptions, emotions, intuition and health. For three decades, he has dedicated himself to developing and teaching stress reduction and resilience techniques that tap into the power and intelligence of the heart.

AS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF

HEARTMATH,

WHAT DID YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE?

Part of what motivated me to join the original HeartMath team was the notion that the heart is much more than a pump. The values we associate with the heart—courage, wisdom, love, compassion—were being viewed as completely separate from the physical heart. Before founding HeartMath, Doc Childre discovered that anything he did in life that succeeded—a job, a diet, an exercise program, a relationship—worked better if he “put his heart into it”. Childre also realized that every major religion, culture and civilization revered the heart throughout history. However, the Western scientific method had reduced the human body to individual components and viewed the heart as a “fantastical machine”. This perspective was inadequate to explain the profound feelings of love, care and even grief we experience in the heart.

HOW HAS HEARTMATH EVOLVED THROUGH THE YEARS?

The core message of HeartMath has always been this: Human beings have a remarkably well-integrated system with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions. The heart’s intelligence helps to coordinate all these aspects. The phrase “follow your heart” has actual scientific meaning.

HeartMath’s work has been validated through more than 400 peer-reviewed studies. When we started in the early 1990s, we were a research, education and training organization. Our discoveries using heartrate variability proved to a mainstream, scientific audience that individuals can regulate their hearts, minds and emotions to produce profound changes in health, well-being, brain function and performance.

HOW CAN HEARTMATH POSITIVELY IMPACT PEOPLE’S LIVES?

HeartMath is a beautiful and simple system that allows people to adapt to life’s relentless change and uncertainty and find balance. The brain directly benefits from

the heart’s balancing capacity, which then facilitates expression, communication, listening, reaction times, coordination and emotional strength.

Having survived two life-threatening conditions and then rediscovering many sources of creative expression in myself, I’ve learned that our capacity to keep growing and learning is one of the greatest gifts of being human. Research is now confirming that the more we stay active, interested and curious in life, the more we continue to create a flexible, youthful brain. A childlike spirit of delight and wonder is something we can tap into our entire lives.

HOW DO YOU PRACTICE HEARTMATH IN YOUR OWN LIFE?

I use heart-focused breathing many times each day. The idea is to inhale for about five seconds and then exhale for about five seconds while keeping your focus in the area of the heart. This 10-second cycle is the optimal pace allowing our systems to find balance and coherence. Sometimes

I sit and radiate love to someone I care about or a situation in trouble. Heartfocused breathing has been an integral part of my life for 30 years. I do this not only to maximize my own health physically, mentally and emotionally, but also to connect with humanity as one family, one heart.

WHY DO YOU ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DEVELOP HEARTFOCUSED COHERENCE?

The heart is a key center of intelligence for our human system. The practice of breathing and focusing our attention on the heart is the first step to bring the heart and brain into coherent alignment. As we breathe in qualities we value—kindness, compassion, love—and then exhale worries, tension, anxiety or fear, a surprising power is unleashed. More than 30 years ago, I dedicated my life to this path of the heart. It’s an incredible journey.

Kirby Baldwin writes and edits for KnoWEwell, the Regenerative Whole Health Hub and the parent company of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

can help you access the resources you need for help staying healthy and happy!

It’s hearthealthy

COMING IN THE MARCH ISSUE

Musings of the Heart

by John Diamond, M.D.

To help celebrate Heart Health Month and Valentine’s Day, take a moment to enjoy this selection of musings from a former pioneer in holistic healing. Breathe deeply; pause between each of them; take in life’s energy and reflect and connect with your intentions and loved ones.

Teaching is for the mind; healing is for the heart.

A daily healing invocation: I open my heart for the Spirit to pass onto those who want Healing through me.

The heart is the way to the Soul. The more open the heart, the more the Soul is revealed.

This may well be the best description of Healing: The healer opens his heart, his love pouring out from him to enfold the sufferer, to bring him into his expanded aura.

And the sufferer, feeling this love, opens his heart to enter the healer’s.

As a holistic healer for almost 50 years who had his practice in his home, Dr. John Diamond (1934-2021) said he wanted to try to make his home a hearth, where the life energy, the heart flame, the flame of love and life of the sufferer may be rekindled to blaze anew. He saw his heart as a flaming beacon for the sufferer lost in distress. Not to come for a fixed time, but to spend time, to visit, living not by the clock, but by the heart. And home can be any place one feels love in their heart. Diamond’s musings, of which he wrote hundreds, are individual pearls of wisdom, each created with the intention of raising the life energy of the reader. Read more at DrJohnDiamond.com. ~ Susan Diamond

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CALENDAR DEADLINE: All listings must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Calendar events must be submitted online at NAChicago.com/Calendar.

Call

First: Events or services may be cancelled, postponed or are now offered online. Call and check websites for up-to-date information.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Digestive Solutions for Gut Health – 1212:15pm. Many people experience discomfort after meals: gas, bloating, and food intolerances, but are left baffled as to what the cause could be. Could it be environmental? What we ate? Stress? Digestive imbalance? We’ll explore digestive enzymes, probiotics and more. Facebook: @TheFruitfulYield. FruitfulYield.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Candlemas/Imbolc (Wiccan)

Groundhog Day

World Wetlands Day

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY

3

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Chocolate Weekend at the Arboretum – Feb 4-5. 9am-4pm. Discover chocolate’s deeply rooted tree history as you taste and shop for treats from chocolate vendors set up throughout the Visitor Center. Included with general admission. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. MortonArb.org.

Essentials of Craniosacral Therapy – Feb 4-5. 9am-4pm. This 2-day course is a practical introduction to the theory and practice of the biodynamics of craniosacral balancing. Learn essential ways to perceive the body’s intrinsic movement dynamics, rhythms and pulsations. 12 CEs. $300. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Amazing Gong Journey – 6-7:30pm. With Sound Healer Andre Peraza. The gong is a powerful instrument that works on many levels to heal the listener. It can help release deep emotional energy and feelings to better ground yourself. $40. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Full Moon – Snow Moon, Eagle Moon, Bear Moon

Sensory Sunday – 11am-12pm. This independent program offers guests with sensory processing needs a chance to experience Four Rivers Environmental Education Center’s exhibits and trails on their own terms. Free. Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W Walnut Ln, Channahon. Register by Feb 4: 815-722-9470. ReconnectWithNature.org.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am4pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Regus, One Magnificent Mile, Chicago. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

Darien Garden Club Meeting: Perennials 101 Including Natives – 6:30-8:30pm. Horticulturist Heather Prince will help us explore a curated list of native plants that can enliven the home garden without growing out of bounds. All welcome. In-person & online. St John Lutheran Church, 7214 S Cass Ave, Darien. Eventbrite. com/e/483520692407.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Mission SLIMpossible – 5:30-6:15pm. Weight loss can be a revolving door for many of us. From the foods we eat to detoxing our bodies, we can all make some lifestyle changes. Jessica will offer a discussion on individualizing your weight loss journey with detoxing and nutrition tips. Fruitful Yield, 1512 N Naper Blvd, Naperville. Register: 630-536-8265 or FruitfulYield.com.

AWAKE: Ancient Breath Chakra Balance Meditation – 7-8pm. 1st Tues. This immersive meditative experience utilizes breath to access the chakra system and merge the ancient disciplines of movement, breathwork, mantra and Vipassana meditation. Updated for the 21st century by incorporating a modern Western understanding of neurology and physiology. Free. The Gathering Lighthouse, 26 N Park Ave, Lombard. Tinyurl.com/jdczk8a4.

Go Green Highland Park Monthly Meeting –7-8pm. Learn about Electric Vehicles. Register: GoGreenHP.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Fruitful Yield Goes Live with Irwin Naturals – 11-11:20am. Dr. Burke will discuss weight management for the New Year. He will feature the Irwin Naturals Stored Belly Fat Formula, Stubborn Belly Fat Burner, and 3-in-1 Carb Blocker. If you need some weight management support and looking for a place to start, this talk will be just for you. Instagram: @TheFruitfulYield. FruitfulYield.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Say It with Flowers – 6-7:30pm. In Victorian times, sending secret, coded messages through carefully selected bouquets was all the rage. Learn the language of flowers (floriography) and the origins of those meanings. Free. Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S Dutton Rd, Beecher. Register by Feb 8: 708-946-2216 or ReconncetWithNature.org.

Galentine’s Day Mocktails at the Museum – 6-8pm. Grab your sisters, girlfriends or best gal pals and join a naturalist as we make botanical-inspired mocktails. $5/person. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville. Register by Feb 5: 815-886-1467 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

ONLINE: Aromatherapy on Point, Intro –9am-12pm. An introduction to the application of aromatherapy in the context of Chinese Medicine, the sensory impact the essential oils spark when we come in contact with them, their resonance with our qi, and synergistic effect for the benefit of the body, mind and spirit. After taking Aromatherapy on Point Fundamentals, you may take the other 5 modules in any order. 3 CEs. $75. Zoom. Zen Shiatsu Chicago: 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am4pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Landmark Conway Farms, 100 S Saunders Rd, Ste 150, Lake Forest. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

Lantern-Lit Hikes for Lovers – 6-9pm. Take time for just the two of you in the warm glow of lanterns along the trail. After a quiet stroll, join us indoors for a hot chocolate bar and a gourmet s’mores station. Free. Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W Walnut Ln, Channahon. Register by Feb 9: 815-722-9470. ReconnectWithNature.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

“Galentine’s” Day Celebration – Receive 10% off a purchase of $150 or more and an additional gift with in-store-only purchases. In-store and online. Busted Bra Shop, 3148 N Lincoln Ave, Lakeview (773-697-9199); 1013-½ E 53rd St, Hyde Park (773-953-8875). BustedBraShop.com.

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~Nelson Mandela

River of Colors: Winter Greens – 1-2:15pm. Enjoy a short hike and discover the magic of mosses, then head inside to make your own plant creation to take home. Free. Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W Walnut Ln, Channahon. Register by Feb 10: 815-722-9470. ReconnectWithNature.org.

African American Heritage Month

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.

you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

Little Witches Moon Gardening Club –1-3:30pm. Club members learn how to start seeds and a planting log. We’ll create seed trays together and plan gardens together within different monthly sessions. $50. Cultivating Guts, 1011 W Wildwood Dr, Prospect Heights. 773-234-6636. CultivatingGuts.com.

ONLINE: Chicago IANDS – 2pm. Support/ study/resource forum for near-death, out-ofbody and spiritual experiences, losses. Guest Speaker: Rev Lori Ellis (Loreli Drache) 4xNDEr, Mystic, Reiki Master, Spiritual Mentor, Energy Alchemist, Medical Intuitive. Become a free subscriber to Chicago IANDS by filling in the form online. $20 tax-deductible donation requested (see website). For more info: 847-251-5758 or ChicagoIANDS.org.

Snowshoe with You – 4-5:30pm. Learn a little about snowshoes (their history, science and background) then strap on a pair to play a few games and go on a hike. Free. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville. Register by Feb 9: 815-886-1467 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

Hawaiian Elemental Healing Treatments –4-7pm. Hawaiian Elemental Healing Treatments by Barbara Petersen work with the elemental qualities of Fire, Water, Air and Earth that are directed to specific areas of the body. During this process the elements support areas that are strong and build up the energies that are weaker to create harmonious function of your mind, body and spirit. 30-min sessions. $40. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

Holy Fire Reiki and Karuna Reiki – 4-7pm. Holy Fire Reiki is both powerful and gentle, providing purification, healing, empowerment and guidance. Karuna Reiki, also known as Reiki of Compassion, assists us in awakening universal compassion and the wisdom in one’s soul. With Rose Passarella. 30-min sessions. $40. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

Therapeutic Reflexology – 4-7pm. Therapeutic Reflexology method includes reiki to provide all the benefits of traditional reflexology, but without the sharp or uncomfortable experience. With Barbara Petersen. 30-min sessions. $40. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

Tarot Night – 6-9pm. Join us in a special evening with Andre. The store will be gallery lit for this special event. $35/30 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. For appt: 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Wander and Wonder Hike – 10-11:30am. Calling all those who seek to explore with wide eyes and a sense of wonder. This slow, meandering hike will provide plenty of opportunities to stop and take it all in. Free. Hickory Creek Preserve, LaPorte Road Access, Frankfort Township. ReconnectWithNature.org.

ONLINE: Spiritual Journaling and the Oracle of Seshet – 1-4pm. Join Normandi Ellis, bestselling author and Egyptian expert, for an insightful and applicable journey into powerful talismanic hieroglyphs, the names of deities, and openings into the realms above and below using spiritual journaling. Connect stories, teachings, and words as a mirror for writing prompts to gain deep insights. 3 CEUs. $50, $45/10 days advance. Zoom. Infinity Foundation: 847-831-8828 or InfinityFoundation.org.

Crystals for Love – 2-4pm. With Janel. Want to find a partner or maybe spice up the relationship you are already in? Come join us in understanding how crystals can enhance your love life. $35. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am4pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Executive Towers West, 1431 Opus Pl, Ste 110, Downers Grove. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

Reiki Level 1 – 10am-5pm. During this workshop you will get attuned to reiki which enables you to become a channel for this healing energy. You will also start a 21-day energetic cleanse that moves through your chakras cleaning and releasing bound energy (including stuck emotions and behavioral patterns). 6 CEs. $150. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Valentine’s Day

The Power of Love: Valentine’s Day Talk and Meditation – 7:30-8:45pm. During this special Valentine’s Day talk, learn how to increase the power of your love in a way that only brings happiness and joy. No experience needed; all welcome. $12. Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago, Wicker Park, 2010 W Pierce Ave, Chicago. 312-767-1898. MeditateInChicago.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Nirvana Day (Buddhism)

Therapeutic Coffee – 12-12:15pm. Coffee can be extremely supportive for energy, mental functioning and mood. Did you know that it is also a powerful antioxidant? We will look at some great tasting options with Fruitful Yield Educator Sandhya Matthews. Facebook: @TheFruitfulYield. FruitfulYield.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am4pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Old Orchard, 5250 Old Orchard Rd, Ste 300, Skokie. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

Beginning Zen Shiatsu – Feb 17-26; 2-weekend intensive. 7-10pm, Fri; 9:30am-4:30pm, Sat & Sun. Learn how to give a basic 1-hr shiatsu treatment that you can share with friends and family. Course is a stand-alone offering and is also the first 30 hrs of our complete shiatsu certification programs. $500 plus textbook. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

NAChicago.com

Nature Painting: Owls for Two – 5-7pm. Follow step-by-step instructions to make an owl face masterpiece. Two canvases together will make a full owl face, but one half will look just as striking on your wall. $20/person. Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 419 Trout Farm Rd, Bolingbrook. Register by Feb 14: 815-722-4121 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

Chef Beau’s Cooking Class & Dinner –6-8:30pm. Enjoy an engaging 3-course anti-inflammatory dinner and cooking class with Chef Beau. $125/person (12 guest maximum). Chef Beau’s Klean Kitchen, 26 Calendar Ave, LaGrange. 708-354-4844. ChefBeausKleanKitchen.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism)

SAVE THE DATE

Virtual Trinity Health Freedom Expo Weekend – Feb 18-19. Features a wide array of presentations from the 2022 Live Expo, plus additional wellness and health advocate speakers. Two new, live, interactive panel discussions, exhibitors and sponsors with innovative products and services will also be provided. $30 before Feb 18, $35 day of. Register: 888-658-3976 or TrinityHealthFreedomExpo.com.

Gull Frolic 2023 – 9:30am. Bring your binoculars, scope, and cold weather gear to join birders outside the yacht club for a close study of some of our harder-to-find winter gull species. $35. Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club, 301 N Point Dr, Winthrop Harbor. More info & register: IllinoisBirds.org.

Digestive Solutions for Gut Health – 12-1pm. Many people experience discomfort after meals: gas, bloating, and food intolerances, but are left baffled as to what the cause could be. Could it be environmental? What we ate? Stress? Digestive imbalance? We’ll explore digestive enzymes, probiotics and more. Fruitful Yield, 7230 W North Ave, Elmwood Park. FruitfulYield.com.

Quest: A Joliet and Marquette Adventure for Adults – 2-3:30pm. Whether you’re a solo traveler or you bring a canoe full, come out for this fun, choose-your-own-adventure, trivia-style game to see who comes out on top. Free. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville. Register by Feb 16: 815-886-1467 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

Loving Fearlessly: Silent Retreat – 2-5pm. Dissolve the hurt, loneliness and fear. Discover the immeasurable peace, power, and connection of authentic, pure love. Suitable for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. Will include practical instruction and guided meditation. Informal Q&A. Led by Resident Teacher, Gen Zamling. No previous experience necessary; all welcome. $30/advance, $35/at door. Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago, Wicker Park, 2010 W Pierce Ave, Chicago. 312-767-1898. MeditateInChicago.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20

President’s Day

New Moon Hisä-t-áh – Moon of Treacherous Little Winter Left

Sports Massage – 9am-6pm. Course presents a general framework for basic sports massage protocols, injury assessment, neurological considerations and special tests. Additional considerations will also be discussed, including precautions, contraindications, intake documentation and hydro/cryo therapy integration. 8 CEs. $200. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Mardi Gras

Shrove Tuesday (Christianity)

Mission SLIMpossible – 5:30-6:15pm. Weight loss can be a revolving door for many of us. From the foods we eat to detoxing our bodies, we can all make some lifestyle changes. Jessica will offer a discussion on individualizing your weight loss journey with detoxing and nutrition tips.

Fruitful Yield, 2141 W 75th St, Darien. Register: 630-536-8265 or FruitfulYield.com.

Introduction to Successful Beekeeping Workshop – Tuesdays, Feb 21-Mar 28. 6-8pm. This 6-wk beekeeping course will teach you all you need to know to become a successful beekeeper. With Mike Rusnak, a member of the Will County Beekeepers Association. $75/person. Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S Dutton Rd, Beecher. Register by Feb 10: 708-946-2216 or ReconncetWithNature.org.

ONLINE: Connecting and Conversing with the Animal World – Tuesdays, Feb 21-Mar 21. 7-9pm. Dawn Baumann Brunke explores ways to connect with a variety of animals including animal guardians and mentors. A variety of exercises, meditations, easy-to-learn techniques, and practical skills help you deepen a connection with the animal world and actually talk with animals. 10 CEUs. $210, $200/10 days advance. Zoom. Infinity Foundation: 847-831-8828 or InfinityFoundation.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Ash Wednesday (Christianity)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Let’s Talk Sleep – 11-11:15am. What is keeping you up at night and from getting the best sleep you can get? Let’s explore potential reasons and see if something sounds like it could be a help to your sleep challenges. With Fruitful Yield Educator Jessica Earley. Facebook: @TheFruitfulYield. FruitfulYield.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Prenatal Massage – 9am-4pm. With Maria Sabotta. Explore a variety techniques and side lying bolstering positioning. Learn what contributing factors become contraindications and when to refer out in this hands-on setting. 6 CEs. $139. Illinois Valley Community College, Ottawa Center, 321 Main St, Ottawa. 815-224-0427. ivcc.edu/enroll.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Journaling Journeys – 12-1:30pm. Join an interpretive naturalist and learn how to document your own historic journeys. Learn how to sign your name in cursive, make and decorate own journals and try writing with a quill and ink. Ends with a journal-worthy short hike. Free. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville. Register by Feb 22: 815-886-1467 or ReconnectWithNature.org.

Healing Through the Akashic Records –4-7pm. Ask Janel to open your Akashic Records and guide you on a journey to your own personal healing space in the Akashic Records. Allow the healing energy to help you in body, mind and Spirit for your highest and best good. Bring questions or concerns to start the energy flowing. 30-min session. $40. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

Gong Sound Bath – 6:30-8pm. With Andre. Have family in town and looking for something to do? Want to just get away and bliss out? Come and join Andre for an exceptional experience. $35. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27

World Polar Bear Day

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am4pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Cornerstone at Cantera, 4320 Winfield Rd, Ste 200, Warrenville. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

Digestive Solutions for Gut Health – 5:456:45pm. Many people experience discomfort after meals: gas, bloating, and food intolerances, but are left baffled as to what the cause could be. Could it be environmental? What we ate? Stress? Digestive imbalance? We’ll explore digestive enzymes, probiotics and more. Fruitful Yield, 360 Randall Rd, South Elgin. FruitfulYield.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

Body Mind Spirit Expo Weekend – Mar 4-5. 10am-7pm, Sat; 10am-6pm, Sun. Explore some of the nation’s finest psychics and mediums and the best in alternative and natural health, wellness tools, products and resources, expand their insights and take in learning sessions and presentations featuring psychics, experts and holistic practitioners at the top of their fields. $15. Save $1 with entry coupon on website. Midwest Conference Center, 401 W Lake St, Chicago (Northlake). BMSE.net.

FRIDAY, MAY 26

12th Annual Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference Weekend: Germinating Regenerative Wisdom – May 26-28. Keynote speakers are Robin Rose Bennett, Linda Black Elk, Rev. Judith Laxer, with opening and closing ceremonies led by Venice Williams. The conference offers more than 60 workshops and plant walks focused on transforming our relationship to herbs, plants, trees, mushrooms and the Earth. Camp Helen Brachman, Almond, WI. MidwestWomensHerbal.com

ONGOING EVENTS

To ensure we keep our community calendar current, ongoing events must be resubmitted each month. DEADLINE: All listings must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Calendar events must be submitted online at NAChicago.com/Calendar.

SUNDAY

Time to Dance: Ballet – 10:30am. Also 1:30pm, Tues & 5:30pm, Thurs. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Free Aura Reading – 12:30-1:30pm. Also Sat. Learn more about your chakra energy system and manifest your dreams. Body & Brain, 860 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville. RSVP: 847-362-2724. BodyNBrain.com/Libertyville.

MONDAY

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

TUESDAY

Cultivating Guts Podcast: New Episode Release – 9am. Tiffany Hinton’s podcast where we discuss gardening, homesteading, gut health and following our intuition. She ties modern suburban homesteading to our ancestral roots. Hinton blends herbalism, functional medicine and green witch practices to create a life of joy and beauty. Listen on Spotify, YouTube and iTunes. Free. open.spotify.com/ show/0NAS66nfqGnsi9Fy46yzYH.

Time to Dance: Ballet – 1:30pm. Also 10:30am, Sun & 5:30pm, Thurs. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org. Community Meditation – 7:30-8:30pm. For the planet and humanity. Walk-ins welcome. Love donation. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

WEDNESDAY

Meridian Stretching – 10-11am. Develop strength, flexibility, breathing and energy. You may notice that our yoga classes offer a variety of exercises and poses, helping to keep your practice fun and dynamic while consistently covering the basics. In-person & online. Body & Brain, 860 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville. 847-362-2724. Libertyville@BodyNBrain.com. BodyNBrain.com/Libertyville.

Akashic Records & Angel Card Readings –7-9pm. By appt. Have questions about your spiritual life? Ask for guidance from your angels and guides with an Akashic Record Angel Card Reading. What questions are on your mind now? $35/30 mins, $60/1 hr. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

THURSDAY

Time to Dance: Fitness – 9:30am. Emphasizes low-impact, high-intensity, cardio dance and fitness routines accompanied by music. Alternate dance with resistance routines to build and maintain muscle and bone density. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Numerology – Times differ from 12-5pm. Call for appt; walk-ins taken when available. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Time to Dance: Modern – 1:30pm. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Time to Dance: Ballet – 5:30pm. Also 10:30am, Sun & 1:30pm, Tues. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Community Healing Circle – 6pm. All welcome. Opens with a heart resonance meditation followed by reading each intention aloud while others practice focused silence. Closes with a restorative exercise to release, regenerate and renew. Free. Philosopher’s Stone Apothecary, 160 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights. 224-735-2355. PhilosophersStoneApothecary.com.

FRIDAY

St. Charles Indoor Farmers Market – 9am12pm. Baker Memorial Church, 307 Cedar Ave, St. Charles. BakerMemorialChurch.org.

SATURDAY

Green City Fall Market: Avondale – 8am-1pm. Feb 4. 3031 Rockwell St, Chicago. GreenCityMarket.org.

Deerfield Indoor Winter Farmers Market –Thru Apr. 9am-12:30pm. 1st, 3rd, 5th Sat. St Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 815 Wilmot Rd, Deerfield. Tinyurl.com/56wdee4n.

Shamanic Healing Sessions – 11am-3pm. $60/60 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. For appt: 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Akashic Records & Angel Card Readings –12-4pm. Walk-ins welcome. $35/30 mins, $60/60 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Free Aura Reading – 12:30-1:30pm. See Sun listing. Body & Brain, 860 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville. RSVP: 847-362-2724. BodyNBrain.com/Libertyville.

AKASHIC CONSULTATION

AKASHIC RECORD READING – Open the record of your soul’s journey to find information to support you in your life right now, heal your past and help you into your future. Heal. Grow. Investigate. Find direction. Lin Ewing: 847-609-0034. AstrologicalDetails.com.

ASTROLOGY

ASTROLOGY – Understand yourself, your motivations, your feelings. Recognize your talents, strengths, successes. Overcome difficulties and confusion. Astrology can help pull it all together. Relationships. Career. Plan the future. Serious astrology for serious seekers. Private, personal consultations. Lin Ewing: 847-609-0034. AstrologicalDetails.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

YOUR LISTING CAN BE HERE – Visit NAChicago.com/classifieds.

HELP WANTED

YOUR LISTING CAN BE HERE – Visit NAChicago.com/classifieds.

PETS

HERBS FOR DOGS – Herbs and vitamins could help your dogs live a healthier and happier life. Learn more: HolisticHerbsForDogs.com.

2 M isconceptions about Bladder Pain and Urinary Tract Infections

If you suffer from bladder pain or reoccurring UTIs, you’re probably doing all the things to avoid the next painful onset: drinking enough water, and consuming cranberry juice or cranberry extract. Bladder discomfort can happen when bacteria enters the urinary system by way of the urethra. Most commonly, this bacteria comes from the bowel. But could something else be causing the issue?

Misconception 1 : Bladder irritation is always a UTI . People experiencing bladder urgency or pain may think that they have a UTI. However, bladder irritation often occurs when the body is taking in food that cannot be digested properly.

Misconception 2 : Taking antibiotics will rid the pain or discomfort. Looking at the issue scientifically, this is what we know: Cultivating a healthy gut balance through proper nutrition can get to the source of what is causing the irritation, and may be a helpful therapy for reoccurring or chronic issues.

Get Expert Help.

If you experience bladder irritation, you can identify what’s really going on and establish an effective therapy plan. I take a science-based approach to understanding your unique digestive needs. Developing a healthy gut balance by identifying food irritants and optimizing digestion can have a big impact on reducing chronic symptoms and boosting overall health and vitality. The Tummy Whisperer is here for you. Call today for a free 15-minute consultation.

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community.

Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine

CALANDRA CENTER FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS

Teri Calandra, MSTOM, Dipl Acu, LAc, LMT, RMT

830 E. Higgins Rd, Unit 116, Schaumburg 312-515-9492

Facebook @CalandraAcuChi CalandraAcupuncture.com

We believe that when someone has the tools to help themselves that the possibilities are endless. Offering acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, NAET allergy elimination, reiki, Access Consciousness, and a variety of wellness educational classes. Teri specializes in gynecological disorders, infertility, menopausal syndrome, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, allergies, respiratory disorders, digestive disorders, thyroid disorders.

CHIROCARE CLINIC WELLNESS CENTER

693 N Cass Ave, Westmont 60559 721 W Lake St, Ste 201, Addison 60101 630-601-6932

ChiroCareClinic2@gmail.com ChiroCareWellnessClinic.com

At ChiroCare Clinic Wellness Center we strive to get to the source of the problem, address the issue naturally, and restore proper body function for health and wellness. We not only help you get out of pain, but we also help you regain your life.

NIRVANA ACUPUNCTURE AND INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

LANA MOSHKOVICH, LAC, ND, MSOM 707 Lake Cook Rd, Ste 125, Deerfield 60015 847-715-9044

NirvanaNaturopathics.com

We use acupuncture to help you get immediate relief from acute or chronic pain. Combining Western and Chinese Medicine, we can treat and resolve insomnia, anxiety, fertility and women’s health issues, plus chronic conditions. Certified NAET. Preferred MeiZen Provider. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. Major insurances accepted. Schedule your initial appointment on NirvanaNaturopathics.com. Get a healthier and alternative approach to your chronic health conditions.

50 Chicago NAChicago.com

Allergies

MIDWEST ALLERGY RELIEF CENTER 3365 N Arlington Hts Rd, Ste D, Arlington Hts 60004 847-392-7901

MidwestAllergyRelief.com

Dr. Amanda Thiry, DC, BSN, uses Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT), a non-invasive alternative technology that’s effective and safe for all ages, to identify and treat specific allergen elements that affect your quality of life. Discover how you can eat foods, be near pets and use products again that you now avoid, and experience a new lease on life.

Anti-Inflammatory Meal Services

CHEF BEAU’S KLEAN KITCHEN

Serving the Chicago area 26 Calendar Ave, La Grange 60525 708-354-4844

ChefBeausKleanKitchen.com

Chicagoland’s only Personal & Private Chef service focused on using the Kleanest food! Do you have inflammation? Do you have an autoimmune disease that you are trying to manage with food?

Chef Beau’s meal service is available for pickup & delivery 2x a week. See ad on page 9.

Artisanal and Specialty Food Products

LIVE OIL BY LESNA 773-739-4857

LesnaOils@gmail.com

LiveOilByLesna.com

Offering exclusive organic oils from nuts and seeds, pressed whole and raw—100% natural, cold-derived and carefully pressed by hand in unique wooden barrels. No chemicals, preservatives or additives. Unique room temperature extraction ensures oils are fresh, never bitter and always maintain high-level nutrition. See website for complete line of LIVE oils, flours and skincare products.

Bodywork

ROTH STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

Diane Roth, BCSI Highland Park, 60035 847-533-3213 • RothSI.com

Structural Integration (SI) realigns, rebalances and re-educates the body through manual therapy and movement education. Chronic pain, bad posture, tired and achy bodies are signs that the body is out of balance. SI benefits include decreased pain, injury rehabilitation, improved posture, ease in movement, and increased flexibility and stamina.

Bookstores

THE GREEN READ

61 N Williams St, Crystal Lake 60014 779-220-4945

THE GREEN SPOT

110 S Johnson St, Woodstock 60098 815-527-7122

TheGreenReadBookstore@gmail.com mcdef.org/bookstores

The Green Read and The Green Spot bookstores are committed to providing high-quality, gently used books to our communities. The Green Read also carries new, hand-crafted and sustainable puzzles, gifts and stationery products. The bookstores are run by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County. All purchases support their environmental projects.

ZEN SHIATSU CHICAGO

825 Chicago Ave, Evanston 60202 847-864-1130

ZenShiatsuChicago.org

You’ll feel the stress melt away like the snow in spring through our relaxation-focused shiatsu massage practice, which offers the same energizing benefits as acupuncture combined with the restorative power of yoga poses. Dress in cozy threads, shiatsu is performed on fully clothed clients. Professional and student therapists available. See ad on back cover.

Accept the things to which fate binds you and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.

~Marcus Aurelius

Catering Service

WHOLESOME 360

324 N Leavitt, Chicago 60612 773-857-0230

Info@Wholesome360.com Wholesome360.com

Serving our Chicago community clean-healthy food since 2017. Modern Mediterranean catering, made from scratch, only with freshest ingredients. At Wholesome 360, we are committed to a healthy and sustainable future. See ad on page 31.

CBD Products

BOTANICA CBD

No high… just health

1306 Chicago Ave, Evanston 60201 847-905-0391

Botanica-cbd.com

We research and vet every organic, third -party, lab-tested brand that we carry for effectiveness and purity. Our focus is on education and personalized customer service. We have the best selection of cbd products and gift boxes. Free local and nationwide shipping. See ad on page 39.

Chiropractic

CHIROCARE CLINIC WELLNESS CENTER

693 N Cass Ave, Westmont 60559 721 W Lake St, Ste 201, Addison 60101 630-601-6932

ChiroCareClinic2@gmail.com

ChiroCareWellnessClinic.com

At ChiroCare Clinic Wellness Center we strive to get to the source of the problem, address the issue naturally, and restore proper body function for health and wellness. We not only help you get out of pain, but we also help you regain your life.

Coaching & Counseling

DEW HEALTH COACHING

Elizabeth Lynch 312-504-8754

ElizabethGLynch@gmail.com

Using evidence-based techniques, the certified coaches at Dew Health Coaching provide talkbased and whole-person support for individuals looking to optimize their well-being.

SUSAN CURRY

InteriorWerx 312-479-7893

Info@InteriorWerx.us InteriorWerx.us

Feeling anxious or scared? Are you seeking solutions to regain emotional balance and clarity? Susan Curry of InteriorWerx can assist, using her intuitive energy coaching skills. 15-min complimentary phone consult available using promo MYFIRSTSESSION. See ad on page 19.

Crystal and Rock Stores

GEMZ AND BOARDZ

3101 W Montrose Ave, Chicago 60618 872-218-0307

GemzAndBoardz.com

Retail and online 90s-themed crystal and skateboard shop with an amazing selection of rocks and crystals, handmade jewelry, local products, boards and more at great prices. We’re also an internet café for work and relaxing with coffee and tea available. Check out our events, pop-ups, game nights and facility party rental options.

Dance for Health

TIME TO DANCE WITH CBG INSTITUTE FOR DANCE & HEALTH

North Shore School of Dance 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park 60035 DanceForJoy16@gmail.com CBG-Institute.org

Discover the healing art of dance through ballet, modern and tap for adults 50+. Dance is proven to have both physical and psychological benefits. Taught by dancer teachers Lisa Gold, Lynne Chervony Belsky, MD, and Lorraine Chase. See ad on page 33.

Digestive Health Specialist

RENEÉ S. BARASCH, LDHS

Telehealth and In-Office 847-207-2034

DigestiveHealthSolutions.com

Digestive problems? Acid Reflux/ GERD, IBS, Crohn’s, colitis? Let us help you naturally achieve nutritional balance, feel better and enhance the quality of your life. Improve digestion while reducing discomfort and bloating so you can eat the foods you love again. Certified digestive health specialist/enzyme therapist. See ads on pages 7 and 49.

Energy Gemstones & Jewelry

JOANN LYSIAK, ENERGY SPECIALIST

Joann Lysiak Gems 847-596-0274

Joann@JoannLysiakGems.com JoannLysiakGems.com

Gemstones have energy properties that you can benefit from when wearing them or displaying them. Using the energy properties, you can attract love, abundance or increase your intuition and Spiritual Consciousness or strengthen your energy. View my collection with purpose or let me intuitively find the perfect gemstone for you.

Float Therapy

FLOTSTONE

57 E Scranton Ave, Lake Bluff 60044 847-482-1700 • Flotstone.com

Floatation therapy is quickly being recognized as a very safe and effective way to shift into the parasympathetic state of total relaxation. Floating cradles you in its graceful healing waters optimizing your body’s ability to do what it does best, heal! Float effortlessly in over 1,250 lbs of Epsom salt. See ad on page 27.

Functional Medicine

HEAL N CURE MEDICAL WELLNESS

Meena Malhotra, MD, ABIM, ABOM

2420 Ravine Way, Ste 400, Glenview 60025 847-686-4444 • HealNCure.com

Specializing in medical wellness, weight loss, hormone balancing, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and anti-aging using integrative and functional medicine. We find and resolve the root cause of medical conditions and achieve outstanding, lasting results for our patients, many of which had almost given up on wellness goals. Free educational seminars. PPO insurance and Medicare accepted for covered services. See ad on page 2.

Holistic Dentistry

DR. ALLA AVER, DDS

2400 Ravine Way, Suite 400, Glenview 60025 847-998-5100 GlenviewSmiles.com

Our office uses whole-body, preventive dental care. We utilize non-fluoridated ozonated water, herbal periodontal treatments, and gluten-free herbal paste. We offer: safe amalgam removal; BPA-free fillings and sealants; non-metal crowns; sleep apnea and TMJ appliances; ozone therapy; microscopic plaque analysis; material reactivity testing kits; and non-acrylic night guards, partials.

K.

BOEHM, DDS, & ASSOCIATES

1585 N Barrington Rd, Ste 106, Hoffman Estates 60069 | 847-884-1220 1440 Maple Ave, Ste 2A, Lisle 60532 630-810-1280 | KBoehmDDS.com

Offering state-of-the-art holistic dental care in a relaxed environment, Dr. Boehm and his staff are ready to meet all your dental needs in either of his two locations. Bio-compatible materials and an extensive knowledge of the correlation between oral and overall health are his specialties. Services include safe mercury removal, electrodermal screening for materials compatibility and tooth viability, crowns, bridges, dentures, zirconia implants, homeopathy, cranial osteopathy, orthodontics, ozone therapy, CT/3D imaging, and laser treatment for both gum disease and decay.

WRIGLEYVILLE DENTAL

Dr. Bernice Teplitsky, DDS, PC 3256 N Ashland, Chicago 60657 773-975-6666

WrigleyvilleDental.com

In addition to state-of-the-art technology and methods offered by most holistic dentists (microscopes, ozone therapy, etc.), we treat you as a partner. We thoroughly explain your unique situation, provide treatment options and keep you comfortable with Netflix, music and paraffin wax treatments. Now offering reiki treatments. Located off the Brown line. Free garage parking. See ad on page 11.

Holistic Health Practitioner

BIO-ENERGY CENTER Kankakee Natural Foods BioEnergy Center 815-933-6236

KankakeeNaturalFoods.com

Our BioEnergy Center brings together stateof-the-art machines in one location for an integrative wellness experience. Our approach to healing meets each client’s unique needs through personalized testing and therapies. Come as you are, no appointment needed. Kankakee Natural Foods Wellness under One Roof.

Holistic Skincare

HOLISTIC SKIN EXPERT: PAULINA IANNOTTA 24W788 75th St, Naperville 60565 (within Estuary Center for Living and Healing Arts) 708-769-5351 • HolisticSkinExpert.com

Paulina has been a holistic-licensed esthetician since 2010. She believes in balance and treats the body as a whole, and that the skin should be nourished and nurtured with love and not abused with harsh chemicals and treatments. Every treatment is about 2 hours and it’s customized to meet the needs of every individual.

Hypnosis-Hypnotherapy

BRUCE G. SKEDD, MS, CI, CHT, CT.NLP, CM.NLP, CHLC

NGH Certified Instructor Vm/text: 630-778-0899 Hypnocat10@gmail.com

Wishing you a Better New Year filled with Success. Bad habits don’t happen overnight and unsupported willpower often is unsuccessful. If you’ve decided it’s time for a Successful change in your weight, sleep or fitness Hypnosis may be your Easy and Natural path to Success this year. CALL Bruce now at 630-778-0899.

Integrative Medicine

BROOKFIELD HEALTH & WELLNESS, LLC 150 S Sunnyslope Rd, Ste 148, Brookfield, WI 262-395-4023

BrookfieldHealthAndWellness.com

Our passion is helping patients maximize their health, allowing you to live life to the absolute fullest. We approach each patient as an individual by assessing the body with state-of-the art, bio-energetic technology to identify underlying root cause issues. See ad on page 35.

THE EISENSTEIN CLINIC

Jennifer Eisenstein APN, DNP

415 W Golf Rd, Ste 2, Arlington Hts, 60005 847-329-2020

EisensteinClinic.com

We are a nurse practitioner owned and operated clinic, offering comprehensive family care for everyone from newborns to adults. We share our passion for healthcare, overall wellness and parental rights in guiding their children’s care, using natural alternatives when possible. Clinic director Jen is double board certified as a family nurse practitioner and a doctor of nursing practice. Most insurance accepted.

thriveMD – OPTIMAL HEALTH

Dr. Greg Seaman

1355 Remington Rd, Ste I, Schaumburg IL 60173 312-600-5070

Info@thriveMD.org

Using IV therapies, PRP, weight management and other natural programs, we help conditions like fatigue, brain fog, hormone imbalance, pain, injury, weight gain, decreased performance, tickborne disease and more. After an initial consultation, we design your custom program to obtain true optimal health, which includes living a healthy lifestyle and being committed to yourself.

Integrative Psychotherapy

ELLEN KATZ, MS, LMFT

Clinical Director, Inner Balance Chicago, Palm Springs 847-224-0244

EllenKatz.net

Ellen’s 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist integrates a conscious approach to healing old patterns through a mix of trauma and mindfulness-based psychotherapies, HMR, Lifeline, The Work (Byron Katie), energy medicine and somatic awareness. Join Meetup.com “Inner Balance Meditation” for updates on her events, and visit her at EllenKatz.net.

Lifelong

THE EDGAR CAYCE HOLISTIC

At Unity Northwest Church

259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines 60016 847-299-6535

AREChicagoCenter@gmail.com

Full-service bookstore, Cayce remedies, spiritual growth study groups, monthly programs, workshops and holistic fairs, intuitive skills development training, knowledgeable seekers, intuitives, healers and more. Call for hours. See ad on page 37.

INFINITY FOUNDATION

1280 Old Skokie Rd, Highland Park 60035 847-831-8828

• InfinityFoundation.org

Many courses now live on Zoom, some are recorded to watch later. CEUs available. The Goulding Process: Sleeptalk, Live, February 9. Spiritual Journaling and the Oracle of Seset, February 12, Zoom. Call for free course guide.

Meditation Center

KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTER

CHICAGO

13 Harrison St, Oak Park 60304 2010 W Pierce Ave, Chicago 60622 708-763-0132

• MeditateInChicago.org

Meditation and modern Buddhism. Everyone welcome. We offer an array of drop-in classes, weekend events, and retreats open to everyone and suitable for all levels of experience. A nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, we’re dedicated to sharing the practical wisdom of Buddha’s teachings with Chicagoland through meditation and mindfulness practices.

Naturopathic Consultation

DR. ALLA ARUTCHEVA, MD, PHD, ND Associate Professor, Rush University Med. School Antalee Wellness

1352 Patriot Blvd, Glenview 60026 847-486-1130

• AntaleeHolistic.com

If you are seeking integrative and natural approach to your wholebody health, Dr. Arutcheva will use her extensive knowledge, training and experience to work with you to create a personalized plan to prevent and overcome illness based on her strategy of health screening tests, state-of-the-art technology and the best natural supplements. These methods accelerate your ways to optimum health and prevent the development of serious chronic diseases.

Accelerate Healing with Energy.

Using light energy through distance healing, your healing process can move forward more smoothly.

“My knee was warm for about 3 full hours after I left. It seemed to heal further after I slept the first couple of nights. While my knee was not healed 100%, it was significantly better and I was able to go on my Montana ski trip the next week.

P.S. Another month after my ski trip my knee has continued to improve.”

Practicing by donation for nearly 10 years. Questions? Call Bill at 770-990-9191 or visit https://www.distancehealer.me

Robert, Gainesville, GA

Nutritional IV Therapy

thriveMD

1355 Remington Rd, Ste I Schaumburg IL 60173 312-600-5070 • thriveMD.com

Thrive MD offers a way to deliver vital fluids, vitamins, electrolytes and nutrients directly into the bloodstream which can restore hydration, support the immune system and aid in faster recovery. Offerings include nutritional immune support, weight loss, vitality and stress relief.

Nutraceutical and Supplements

FUFLUNS’ FOODS

Perry Galanopoulos, Owner Info@FuFlunsFoods.com FuFlunsFoods.com

FuFluns’ is a Chicago-based, family-owned, provider of mushroom and botanical supplements. We utilize pre-industrial, astrologically influenced, farming and extraction practices, which are better for both people and planet. Offered online and by discerning healthcare practitioners. See ad on page 17.

STANDARD PROCESS

Kathy Kiss

Sr Account Manager

KKiss@StandardProcess.com

Standard Process is a Wisconsin-based, family-owned, wholefood-based nutritional supplement company that partners with healthcare practitioners to address issues related to health conditions. See ad on page 5.

Thermography, Thermometry & Ultrasound

NORTHWEST MEDICAL SCREENING

(formerly known as Northwest Medical Thermography)

Locations across Chicago area 224-600-3216

Facebook: @northwesthealingcenter NWMedicalScreening.com

Erica Cody is a certified thermographer and works with a team of technicians and doctors together focusing on women and men’s health. Our scans help to indicate issues throughout the body, including head, breast, abdominal and pelvis. Women’s Health Check half-body scans can also detect dysfunction and provide indications for further investigation. Multiple locations: see website for schedule and to make an appointment. See ad on page 13.

Breakthrough Natural Solutions

Dr. Felix Liao gained international acclaim for having identified “Impaired Mouth Syndrome” as the overlooked source of many medical, mood and dental issues, and developing a “Holistic Mouth” intervention framework for correcting the root causes of many conditions that are otherwise very difficult to permanently resolve.

“I can’t unsee it [signs of impaired mouth] now. Every time I take a class with Dr. Liao, I leave with at least a dozen new pearls of knowledge. It’s has been life-changing and paradigm-shifting.” – Dr. Teresa Scott, Spring, Texas

Dr. Felix Liao, DDS

Natural Virus Killer Copper can stop a virus

before it starts

By Doug Cornell

Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast. Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.

Colds and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills viruses and bacteria almost instantly just by touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, but now we do.

“The antimicrobial activity of copper is well established.” National Institutes of Health.

Scientists say copper’s high conductance disrupts the electrical balance in a microbe cell and destroys it in seconds.

The EPA recommended hospitals use copper for touch surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. This cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives.

The strong scientific evidence gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He made a smooth copper probe

with a tip to fit in the bottom of the nostril, where viruses collect.

When he felt a tickle in his nose like a cold about to start, he rubbed the copper gently in his nose for 60 seconds.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never happened. I used to get 2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my device whenever I feel a sign I am about to get sick.”

He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years.

Users say:

“It works! I love it!”

“I can’t believe how good my nose feels.”

“Is it supposed to work that fast?” “One of the best presents ever.” “Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!”

“Cold sores gone!”

“It saved me last holidays. The kids all got sick, but not me.”

“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.”

“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

After his first success with it, he asked relatives and friends to try it. They all said it worked, so he patented CopperZap® and put it on the market.

Soon hundreds of people had tried it. 99% said copper worked if they used it right away at the first sign of germs, like a tickle in the nose or a scratchy throat.

Longtime users say they haven’t been sick in years. They have less stress, less medical costs, and more time to enjoy life.

Soon people found other things they could use it against.

Colds Flu

Virus variants

Sinus trouble

Cold sores

Fever blisters

Canker sores

Strep throat

Night stuffiness

Morning congestion

Nasal drip

Infected sores

Infected wounds Styes Warts Ringworm

Other microbial threats

The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched.

The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished.

Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the science teams. He placed millions of viruses on a copper surface. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it.”

CopperZap® is made in the USA of pure copper. It has a 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA35.

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 1-888-411-6114.

Buy once, use forever.

Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds.