Natural Awakenings Houston July 2021

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

EATING WELL WHY FOOD IS MEDICINE

URBAN GARDENING

for food security Sizzling on the Grill Healthy, Sustainable Summer Fare Running as a Spiritual Practice Doggy Delights Healthy, Homemade Cookie Treats

July 2021 | Houston Metro-Edition | NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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JULY 2021

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 50 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 9 Composting Made Easy

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15 Sizzling on the Grill

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17 Doggy Delights

19 Soulful Strides ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS

21 Growing Food Security

HOW TO ADVERTISE

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EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

23 Juicy Ideas to Quinch Your Summer Thirst

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Email articles, news items and ideas to: mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com.

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CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com.

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4 letter from the publisher

23 plant-based wellness

5 affirming naturally

26 calendar of events

9 eco tip

28 healthy living guide

20 fitness tip

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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letter from publishers

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Greetings!

Well, it’s definitely summer.

After the Great Snowpacolypse this winter and the weeks of rain this spring, temperatures are in the high 90s every day. When we were kids, summer seems to stretch out forever with time to swim in the public pool, go on picnics, and hang out with friends where the conversation might go something like “What do you want to do? I don’t know, what do you want to do? I don’t know…” They were indeed the lazy, crazy days of summer. Now, being publishers of a monthly magazine, just because its summer doesn’t mean there aren’t tasks to perform and deadlines to meet the same as always. It would be easy to power right through summer and through the rest of the year without stopping to enjoy the changing seasons.

This month the articles in our little magazine ask you to do just that, stop and enjoy summer while it’s here. Enjoy eating healthy, do some grilling maybe under a shade tree with a glass of cold fresh juice in one hand. Enjoy your four-footed furry friends and make something tasty and healthy for them too. Get up early while it’s still cool or not quite as hot and enjoy running or walking in your neighborhood or one of Houston’s many parks. If you have planted a garden this year, enjoy your harvest of fresh vegetables and if not enjoy shopping at one of our local farmer’s markets. In any case, take time to enjoy life in spite of or maybe because of the summer heat. It will be winter and cold soon enough.

Until we chat again in our August issue, remember to be kind. Your random kindness my just make someone else’s day.

Cindy & Mike Hart

JULY 2021

PUBLISHERS

Cindy & Mike Hart

EDITOR & DESIGN Mike Hart CREATIVE

Cindy Hart

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Doyle Ward Joseph Nobile SALES & MARKETING Carmen Jules WEBSITE

Mike Hart

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Bright blessings,

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HOUSTON EDITION

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

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

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eAtiNG WeLL WHY FOOD IS MEDICINE

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for food security Sizzling on the Grill Healthy, Sustainable Summer Fare Running as a Spiritual Practice Doggy Delights Healthy, Homemade Cookie Treats

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July 2021 | Houston Metro-Edition | NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

Natural Awakenings Delivered to your Home Every Month If you are one of the lucky one thousand Houstonians who had this month’s Natural Awakenings magazine delivered to your door or if you just picked up this month’s magazine at one of the over 200 places that distribute it but would like us to deliver it to you every month, there are two ways to do this.

You can subscribe to the print edition on our website by going to naturalawakenings-houston.com/print-subscriptions. Follow the links and you can pay using PayPal. The cost is only $29 for 12 months or $50 for 24 months. If you prefer to pay by check or credit card, email us at mike@naturalawakengings-houston.com and put SUBSCRIPTION in the subject line, include your name and phone number and we’ll take your informaton over the phone.

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JULY 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

n A yard bin or pile. Due to critters and pets, a lid is recommended. Gardening stores sell compost bins, but they can be made using instructions at Homesteading.com.

eco tip

Bins in place, start collecting and piling.

Organic materials will break down—it’s just a matter of time. The pile should consist of yard waste (grass clippings, plant scraps, small sticks) and kitchen waste (peels, cores, eggshells, tea leaves, coffee grounds, bread). Do not include invasive weeds, meat, bones, dairy products, oils or pet excrement.

The basic recipe is a mix of nitrogen-rich/ green materials (food waste, grass clippings, plant trimmings) and carbon-rich/ brown materials (dried leaves, sticks, shredded newspaper or cardboard). Shoot for 25 percent green materials.

An unbalanced pile can be amended. n If it’s wet, moldy or stinky, add more brown materials and stir with a pitchfork to increase oxygen flow and loosen the pile.

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Composting Made Easy

Turn Food Waste into ‘Black Gold’ Just 3 percent of uneaten food in the U.S. is composted, reported the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2012. The remaining food scraps rotting in landfills account for 23 percent of U.S. methane emissions, a greenhouse gas at least 25 times more powerful than carbon monoxide in global warming. With minimal planning and effort, however, food scraps can be recycled through composting into an organic, high-nutrient fertilizer.

Compost is called “black gold” for its high value in gardening, but it’s simply decayed organic material. Consider all the organic materials that fall to the forest floor, break down and return to the earth. This process can be easily recreated at home.

To start composting, get a couple of containers.

n A pile that is too dry will take longer to break down. Add kitchen scraps, green grass clippings or sprinkle with water to encourage microbial activity.

A balanced pile that is stirred or turned weekly will decay the fastest. Seeing worms and other soil organisms in the pile is a good sign that the process is working.

Finished compost looks like dark, rich soil. Spread it onto the garden in the spring.

Scoop some into the holes for new plants.

Side dress plants all season.

Compost releases nutrients gradually, improves soil condition and helps retain water. Plants thrive with better root systems. Compost gardeners reap bountiful harvests.

AUGUST Coming Next Month

Back-to-School

n A covered kitchen bucket. Beautiful containers abound, but an old pan will work. Countertop positioning makes it easy to toss in kitchen scraps, but it could also be placed under the sink or in the freezer. A review of several options can be found at TheSpruceEats.com.

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JULY 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

The Phoenix School of Massage-Houston is a Texas state approved massage therapy school offering quality education in the healing arts.

Established in 1986, the eighth school registered in the state, they are among the longest running schools in Texas. In their three decades, they have graduated numerous professionals to the rewarding field of Therapeutic Massage and Holistic Health. Phoenix was a contributor to the #1 textbook, Massage Therapy Principals & Practices, Elsevier, publishers and the entire text was photographed at their Harwin Drive campus.

Phoenix offers the basic 500-hour course for license in massage therapy plus an excellent massage therapy continuing education program. Phoenix is accepting enrollment for their live online day classes through the 23rd of this month. Visit their website or call for more information. You may start your path toward a new and rewarding career as a massage therapist. Don’t delay as their classes are filling fast.

Phoenix School of Massage 6600 Harwin Dr, Houston, TX 77036 themassageschool.com 713-974-5976 See ad on page 8 Café TH is a cozy, colorful little Vietnamese restaurant located in EaDo. In addition to their meat dishes, they offer five vegan dishes. I chose the Vy-gan Phở (pronounced: vegan fuh). Mine included tofu, carrots, squash, portabella mushrooms, red and green onion, and bok choy with noodles in a vegetable broth. It is served with a small plate of bean sprouts, mint and parsley leaves, jalapeno slices and a slice of lime. Phở is usually eaten with a spoon in your left hand and chop sticks in your right but the folks at Café TH also provide a fork for those who hesitate to try to eat noodles with chop sticks.

In my opinion, the quality of phở depends mainly on the quality of the broth. Often with just vegetables the broth is weak and lacks flavor. I don’t know how Chef Minh Nguyen does it but the broth was excellent, savory and flavorful. There was the right balance in the vegetables with just the right amount of each. The tofu was slightly chewy and had absorbed the flavor of the broth. The portions are generous and I ordered the small size.

Café TH is definitely on my list of places to go back to because they offer delicious food in a relaxing environment at a very reasonable price.

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FOOD AS MEDICINE The Healing Power of Nutrition

by Julie Peterson

E

ating is a basic need, but many Americans are not filling this need with healthful choices. Among the more than 700,000 Americans that die each year from heart disease, stroke or Type 2 diabetes, about 45 percent eat meals heavy in salt, processed meat and sugary drinks, and low in fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts, according to a March 2017 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“I fully understand and empathize with people in the public,” says T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., author of the groundbreaking The China Study and founder of the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, in Ithaca, New York. Campbell has often stressed that public and professional understanding of nutrition is lacking.

The problems with the Standard American Diet (SAD) start with the very ground it is grown in. Large-scale farming in the U.S. has depleted the soil, producing lower nutrient foods. In addition, many foods are processed by manufacturers to improve shelf life, which further destroys nutrients and requires toxic additives.

“The default choice, the easy choice, is the inexpensive, highly processed food. Our built environment throughout the country has made it easier to find fast food than a produce store,” says Lisa McDowell, director of lifestyle medicine and clinical nutrition at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

SAD is a primary risk factor for high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids, increased blood glucose and weight gain, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These intermediate conditions can lead to full-blown chronic diseases such as heart disease,

stroke, cancer and diabetes, all of which are on the rise. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 60 percent of American adults have at least one chronic disease and 40 percent have two or more, making chronic disease the leading cause of death and disability in the country.

The good news from WHO is that up to 80 percent of heart disease cases, 90 percent of Type 2 diabetes cases and one-third of cancer incidences could be avoided by a healthier diet, as well as lifestyle changes like stopping smoking and increasing physical activity.

A healthy diet is not as simple as cutting out convenience foods, because many people literally can’t stop eating them. Studies have compared the addictive properties of added sugar and salt to those of nicotine and cocaine. “Additives like sugar release opioids and dopamine in the brain. The same neurochemical changes in the brain occur in addictions,” says Claire Stagg, DDS, founder of Health Connections Dentistry, in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, and author of Smile! It’s All Connected, a layperson’s guide that explains the essential connections between the mouth and overall wellness.

“People need to be educated, or re-educated, to take ownership of their health by remembering the basic premise that their bodies can be healthy if they get the right nutrients to facilitate and support that basic process.”

Campbell agrees that more people need to be educated. A major theme in his latest book, The Future of Nutrition, is how to sift through the conflicting information that exists.

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Healthier Helpings

As the food industry continues to woo Americans with fast and easy processed foods, there are consumer shifts taking place. “About a quarter of U.S. adults are trying to manage a health or medical condition by making healthy food and beverage choices,” stated the NPD Group consumer research firm in 2019. “Younger adults, ages 18 to 24, are particularly interested in using foods to improve their health.”

It turns out that it’s most beneficial to focus on adding what is needed for optimal health, instead of worrying about what to eliminate. As William Li, M.D., counsels in Eat to Beat Disease, “Human nature abhors deprivation.” As president of the Angiogenesis Foundation, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Li advises us to “practice health care at home every day in our own kitchens.” He suggests frequently eating such simple, but disease-defying foods as dark chocolate, walnuts, kiwis, sourdough bread and sauerkraut.

“I recommend participating in bigger box stores. They do a great job at making high-quality food available at an inexpensive price,” says McDowell. She also suggests batch cooking and planning meals ahead for the week.

The Power of Plants

Plant-based eating is finally becoming mainstream, thanks in part to such eye-opening documentaries as Forks Over Knives, Earthlings, PlantPure Nation and Food, Inc. Research backs up the benefits.

In a 2019 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association, Johns Hopkins researchers report that in a 30-year period, people eating a mostly plant-based diet were 32 percent less likely to die from a cardiovascular condition and 25 percent less likely to die from any cause. A 2017 report published in International Journal of Epidemiology suggests that fruits and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases and may protect against certain types of cancers.

For treatment, reversal and prevention of chronic disease, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, in Chesterfield, Missouri, recommends eating a primarily plant-based diet containing minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Campbell says that moving to a 100 percent plant-based diet “and staying there for one to three months, provides an opportunity for virtually everyone to finally crave a salad on a regular basis. This is a place wherein people have little or no interest to backslide because their taste preferences have profoundly changed.”

As plant-based eating gains momentum, there are more imitation meat products. These foods can be helpful to transition away from meat, but Campbell cautions, “They do not replace the whole plantbased foods, even though they are plant-based, because salt, sugar and added oil are usually added.”

Eating by the Colors

Eating fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of vibrant colors ensures we get a variety of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The federal Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends consuming two and one-half cups of vegetables and two cups of fruit each day. McDowell suggests including “deeply pigmented fruits and veggies in at least five different colors, so that you’re getting all of the micronutrients and they’re all working together.”

Aim to include a couple different foods from each of the following color groups over a week’s time. Infographics and charts are available for download from the American Heart Association (Heart.org), .org, Dr. Ranjan Chatterjee (DrChatterjee.com) and others. Apps such as Eat the Rainbow Food Journal, Eat Five and VegHunter also make vegetable and fruit intake easy to track.

Green: Dark greens have cancer-blocking chemicals like allyl

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HOUSTON METRO EDITION

sulfides, lutein and indoles, which inhibit carcinogens. They also contain folate for healthy cells and calcium for stronger bones, muscles and heart regulation. Get plenty of asparagus, avocados, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green tea, kale, kiwi, spinach and green herbs.

Blue and purple: Anthocyanins wipe out free radicals, boost brain health and reduce inflammation. Resveratrol can delay cellular aging, protect the heart and reduce risk of some cancers.

Add blueberries, blackberries, eggplant, elderberries, figs, grapes, plums, raisins, eggplant and purple cabbage.

Red: Rich in lycopene, a potent scavenger of gene-damaging free radicals, red plants lower risk of certain cancers and boost heart, brain, eye and bone health. Try apples, beets, cherries, cranberries, raspberries, red peppers, tomatoes and watermelon.

Yellow and orange: Contain vitamin C, hesperidin and carotenoids such as beta-carotene to inhibit tumors, protect eyes, detoxify the body, reduce inflammation and boost the immune system and heart health. Add apricots, bananas, cantaloupe, carrots, mango, oranges, pineapple, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, tangerines and yellow peppers.

White and brown: The onion family contains allicin and beta glucans, which have anti-tumor properties and can help lower cholesterol. Nuts contain healthy fats. Other foods in this group contain blood pressure-regulating potassium and antioxidant flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol, along with digestion-boosting fiber.

Choose beans, cauliflower, garlic, leeks, mushrooms, nuts, onions, parsnips and whole grains.

Food to Heal the Planet Eating healthy also means making a choice for the health of the planet.

Organic, locavore and small-farm advocates are speaking out against the industrialized U.S. food system with its extensive use of pesticides, poor treatment of animals and lack of regenerative soil management. Organizations like the Rodale Institute, Regeneration International, Kiss the Ground and the Ecological Farming Association are working to train farmers to regenerate soils to not only restore climate stability, but also provide far healthier foods from nutrient-rich soils.

“I believe if we have a greater understanding of our local and regional food systems, we will be moving in a more sustainable, intentional and responsible direction for ourselves, our communities and the planet,” says Andrea Bemis, author of the farm-to-table cookbook Local Dirt and operator of Tumbleweed Farm with her husband Taylor in Mount Hood, Oregon.

Local food is easier on the planet for several reasons.

“Large commercial farms work the soil so intensively that they must use synthetic fertilizers to get anything to grow,” says Brock Hall, owner of Florida Fields to Forks, in Malabar, Florida. Alternatively, cover crops keep nutrients in the soil, requiring less water and naturally sequestering more carbon from the atmosphere. Shorter transit or shipping distances after picking uses less pollution-causing fuel.

“Choosing the right food is not only important for our personal health, but also is important for our planet and for our checking account,” says T. Colin Campbell, author of The China Study and The Future of Nutrition. “I have come to believe, after being in this discipline for 65-plus years, that our choice of food is the easiest and most important choice we can make to address the many existential problems that we now face.”

Gaining Gut Health

The gut contains the organs that make up the digestive tract and the gut microbiome, a balance of microorganisms that survive on food.

A healthy gut can prevent and heal illnesses in the digestive tract, immune system, cardiovascular system, kidneys and brain.

If the gut is burdened with unhealthy foods and digestion is impeded, illness may arise. However, shifting to healthier, plant-based foods can cause a measurable shift in the gut microbiome in three to four days, Duke University researchers report in Nature.Gut health can be enhanced and restored with specific foods: Enzymes to break down food are found in raw fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts and fresh herbs, and can be destroyed by cooking or processing. These work before the body’s digestive enzymes kick in to improve digestion, eliminate toxins and boost energy. Studies have shown that raw plants also help with weight loss, decreasing cholesterol and reducing inflammation.

Probiotics, live bacteria that promote healthy gut flora, are found in fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, sourdough bread, yogurt, kefir, pickles, miso and cheddar cheese.

Prebiotics, undigestible natural fibers that feed probiotics, abound in apples, asparagus, bananas, barley, burdock root, dandelion greens, flaxseeds, garlic, oats and onions.

Going Local Whole foods grown locally provide the most nutrition. Michael Pollan, professor of science and environmental journalism at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of In Defense of Food, famously

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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said, “Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.”

Buying, preparing and eating whole foods may seem laborious at first, but the shift away from “easy foods” can quickly become a way of life as the body begins to feel better. “We hear stories every week about people who have fixed health issues from eating healthy,” says Brock Hall, owner of the Florida Fields to Forks organic community supported agriculture (CSA) farm in Malabar, Florida. He adds that everyone “ought to get closer to your food” by growing it or getting to know organic farmers at local markets, self-pick operations or through CSAs. Healthy eating is about balance. Enjoy comfort foods occasionally, focusing on the bigger picture of more healthful foods overall.

THE HAPPINESS ISSUE

AUGUST

Boost Happiness & Well-Being Plus: Shamanism Today Back-to-School Wellness Tips Benefits of Having a Life Coach

Julie Peterson has contributed to Natural Awakenings for more than a decade. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

INSPIRED LIVING ISSUE

The Shift in the Medical Field “We, as a society, have gotten locked into focusing on disease cure over health care,” writes T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., author of the bestselling The China Study and the recently released The Future of Nutrition. Fortunately, as studies prove that diabetes, kidney disease, cancer and Crohn’s disease improve with changes in diet, the medical community is slowly shifting toward using nutrition in tandem with traditional care to help manage and prevent disease.

Unfortunately, says John Osborne, M.D., director of cardiology at State of the Heart Cardiology, in Dallas, “The amount of nutritional education in medical school is minimal.” Now, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) is aiming to fill that void by training healthcare teams to prevent and reverse chronic disease through lifestyle behaviors.

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is one example. After a group of physicians and registered dietitians received ACLM certification, it launched a Lifestyle Medicine and Clinical Nutrition program. “The goal is to provide support to individuals and teach them to hardwire best practices that optimize their own personal health and potential,” says Lisa McDowell, program director.

The Food as Medicine Institute, in Portland, Oregon, also offers a training program for healthcare professionals and nutritionists to implement community-based nutrition programs. The Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, in Ohio, offers programs that help patients identify genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors to shift health from illness to well-being. The Gaples Institute, in Naperville, Illinois, offers nutritional training and accreditation for medical clinicians, as well as free nutritional instruction online for the public.

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JULY 2021

SEPTEMBER

Creativity in Health & Healing Plus: Integrative Pain Management The Healing Power of Art for Kids National Yoga Awareness Month HEALTHY PLANET ISSUE

OCTOBER

Living a Simpler Lifestyle Plus: Breast Health Water Scarcity Talking to Kids about Climate Change

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

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HOUSTON METRO EDITION

conscious eating

Sizzling on the Grill

Healthy, Sustainable Summer Fare

by Laura Paisley Beck

F

or most Americans, summer smells like freshcut grass and barbecue sizzling in the backyard.

Approximately 64 percent of U.S. adults own a grill or smoker, but common practices are bad for the environment. Fortunately, many great chefs have the problem covered with delicious alternatives to traditional, carbon-emitting methods.

The Downside of Grilling

Most charcoal and all lighter fluids contain chemicals that create air pollution when burned, harming our health and the environment. Better alternatives are sustainably sourced, organic and natural materials, such as charcoal made from bamboo or coconut shells.

Entrepreneur Fred Grosse sought to solve another problem associated with conventional grilling materials: the taste of lighter fluid on barbecue foods. He invented Mojobricks, a carbon-neutral alternative to charcoal designed to impart a smoky flavor to grilled foods.

“You’re breathing in 50 percent less particulate matter standing at the grill than if you grill with charcoal or wood,” he says about his bricks made with compressed sawdust from wood mills. “They heat food more efficiently, take up less storage space than bags of charcoal and keep trees growing in the forest.”

What Gets Grilled Matters

Americans eat three times more meat than the global average. To meet the immense demand, mass-produced beef is trucked across the nation with dire environmental impacts including cow methane emissions, the burning of fossil fuels for transport and excessive land use. To curtail these impacts, Americans can choose to reduce or eliminate their beef consumption and when they do decide to grill a ribeye or New York strip, choose local, organic, grass-fed beef.

Eliminating meat is simple as vegetarian and vegan options are innumerable. “Question what a burger is, and off you go with legumes, root vegetables, mushrooms, cheese or whatever you happen to feel like,” says Martin Nordin, author of Green Burgers. Genevieve Taylor’s new cookbook, Charred, features enticing meals to cook over a flame that include vegetables, spices, nuts, herbs and other inventive ingredients.

Amy Lawrence and Justin Fox Burks, co-authors of Low-Carb Vegetarian, have had a dramatic increase in requests for grilled versions of vegetarian dishes, a sign of increasing outdoor cooking trends.

Presentation for the Planet When hosting backyard dinner parties, consider that paper and plastic dinnerware will end up in the landfill. Ask guests to bring a plate and fork or mix and match whatever dish sets are on hand. Another suggestion is to go vintage. “There has already been so much manufactured of everything, we wouldn’t need to manufacture another plate, for example, for another generation or two,” says Morgan Miller, owner of Rewind Decor vintage store in Madison, Wisconsin.

With a few adjustments, eco-grilling is easy, delicious and much better for the planet. Marinate locally sourced ingredients, burn as carbon-neutral a fire as possible and serve up delicious food on real plates that friends and family will help wash. Guests will be inspired and follow suit in their own homes. As Grosse says, “Each small difference adds up to big change.”

Laura Paisley Beck is a freelance writer and self-proclaimed foodie in Madison, Wisconsin. Reach out at LauraPaisleyBeck@gmail.com.

fresh local vietnamese

Cafe TH 3108 Pease Street Houston, TX 77003 cafeth.com 713.225.4766

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

15

Great Grilling Kosher salt and cracked black pepper (to taste) 1 white onion (quartered and sliced) 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp of The Chubby Vegetarian’s Memphis BBQ Dry Rub 1 cup BBQ sauce 6 hamburger buns First, make the Brussels sprout slaw. Thinly slice enough of the Brussels sprouts to have 2 cups. Reserve the remainder of the Brussels sprouts. In a large bowl, combine the 2 cups shredded sprouts with the shredded carrot, mayonnaise, mustard and salt and pepper to taste. Toss until well-incorporated. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve. (Makes about 2 cups of slaw.)

BBQ Brussels Sprouts Sandwiches with Brussels Sprout Slaw Yield: 6 sandwiches 2 lb Brussels sprouts 1 cup shredded carrot (about one large) 2 Tbsp mayonnaise 1 Tbsp grainy mustard

Preheat the grill on high for 10 minutes. Cover the grill with a single layer of aluminum foil. Slice the remaining Brussels sprouts in half.

In a large bowl, toss the halved Brussels sprouts and the onion with the sesame oil, vinegar and BBQ dry rub until everything is coated.

Place the Brussels sprouts on the grill for 5 minutes on one side and 4 minutes on the other side, or until the edges are brown and they’re cooked through. Remove sprouts from the grill and place them into a medium bowl. Pour in BBQ sauce. Using a spatula, toss the Brussels sprouts in the sauce until they’re well-coated.

Put the BBQ Brussels aside until ready to assemble the sandwiches. On the bottom part of each hamburger bun, pile on the BBQ

The Chubby Vegetarian’s Memphis BBQ Dry Rub

Mix all ingredients in a large food storage container until equally distributed.

(measure all ingredients by volume)

*Dried porcini mushrooms can be found at almost any specialty grocery or ordered online. Turn the dried mushrooms into a powder by placing them in a coffee grinder or food processor and pulsing until no large bits remain.

2 parts chipotle chili powder 2 parts sweet paprika 2 parts smoked paprika 2 parts granulated garlic 2 parts kosher salt 2 parts cracked black pepper 2 parts cumin 2 parts dried thyme 2 parts dried oregano 1 part cinnamon 1 part ground ginger 1 part light brown sugar 1 part powdered, dried porcini mushrooms*

Recipe by Justin Fox Burks and Amy Lawrence of The Chubby Vegetarian blog and cookbooks.

AUGUST

Shamanism Plus:

Boost Happiness & Well-Being Back-to-School Wellness Tips Benefits of Having a Life Coach 16

JULY 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

natural pet

Doggy Delights

Healthy, Homemade Cookie Treats

by Amy Coyle

O

ne morning, Randy Roach awoke to a delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen of his Philadelphia home. Mouth watering, he peeked in the oven to find a dozen bone-shaped cookies—meant not for him, but for Woods, the family dog. “Such is life when you live with a dog lover,” laughs Randy’s wife Kate, who had peanut butter, oat and flax seed cookies baking for their rescued Labrador mix, a picky eater.

Cooking treats for canine family members is a smart move, as they are eco-friendly, cost less and are healthier than company-made ones, say veterinarians.

A Smaller Pawprint

With the focus on decreasing personal carbon footprints, an Earth-conscious dog owner may want to make dog biscuits at home purely for the lower environmental impact. Research from UCLA shows that industrial production of dog and cat food creates the equivalent in greenhouse gases of 13 million cars annually. Store-bought dog treats require oil, energy and water to produce and transport. The packaging often contains plastic or other non-biodegradable materials, which cause pollution, block drains and harm wildlife.

Making treats at home is simple and less tricky nutritionally than making a dog’s regular meals. “When it comes to regular dog food, I’m not a proponent of home-cooked food.

It is far too difficult to balance nutrients. For treats, I am not so concerned,” says Lawrence Gallagher, VMD, at Villanova Vet, in Villanova, Pennsylvania. “But you need to watch calories. Treats should be ‘high-reward’ and low-calorie, not necessarily big in size. They are used as a reward, not to fill the stomach.”

Homemade dog treats cost less over time. Many popular traditional dog treats are $5 to $10 per bag, with organic costing more. Kate figures she saves as much as $20 a month making Woods’ treats.

A Healthy Choice

The labels on many commercial dog treats list dubious ingredients such as meat by-products, sugar, sodium metabisulfite (a bleaching agent), propylene glycol and artificial colors. “My general rule of thumb is if you cannot pronounce or don’t recognize an ingredient, it is probably not healthy for your pet,” says Alison Streit Birken, DVM, owner of Victoria Park Animal Hospital, in Fort Lauderdale.

In addition, some packaged treats are produced in countries where ingredient and manufacturing regulations are less rigorous, which has led to illness and even death in dogs.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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Getting Started

No special equipment is required. Mixing bowls, measuring spoons, a wooden spoon, baking sheets and a cooling rack will suffice.

More ambitious treat-makers might want a muffin pan for custom shapes. Common ingredients include pumpkin, bananas, yogurt and peanut butter. When choosing a recipe, aim for no or little sugar. (Honey and molasses are simple sugars.) Also, because homemade treats have no preservatives, be sure to follow storage requirements such as refrigeration or freezing.

Jen Jovinelly, a DVM candidate at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, promotes simple treats. “Treats are not food. Keep the caloric intake from treats under 10 percent of your dog’s daily caloric requirement.” She also cautions to avoid foods that could be dangerous, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, avocados, certain nuts, onions, garlic or artificial sweeteners. If unsure about the safety of an ingredient, check the online list at The Humane Society of the United States (HumaneSociety.org) or consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist.

For those that aren’t inclined to bake, toys filled with organic peanut butter, then frozen, keep dogs happy, while others love the crunch of raw carrots or broccoli. As Birken says, “You can always go to your own refrigerator and pick out some great, healthy dog treats!”

Amy Coyle is a freelance writer in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.

Healthy Treats for Dogs Good Dog Treat Yield: Varies 1 15-oz can pumpkin ½ cup peanut butter ½ cup coconut oil, melted 4 (organic, cage-free) eggs 1¾ cups coconut flour Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, peanut butter, coconut oil and eggs until smooth. Add coconut flour. Mix until well combined. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.

Place dough in between two pieces of parchment paper and roll the dough until it’s about one-quarterinch thick. Remove the top layer of the parchment paper and cut shapes with cookie cutters (consider the size of the dog when selecting cutter sizes).

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until treats are dry and hard. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Courtesy of Kate Roach.

Kate’s PB Oat Cookies Yield: 24 Dog Treats

Local Resources BOBCAT RAW FOOD

Made locally. Delivered to your door. bobcatrawfood.com

VETERINARY CHIROPRACTIC AND REHABILITATION 4604 Fuqua Street Houston, TX 77048 713-991-9500 vetchiroandrehab.com

NEARTOWN ANIMAL CLINIC 1314 Woodhead Street Houston, TX 77019 713-526-1502 neartownvet.com

18

JULY 2021

1 cup peanut butter ½ cup rolled oats 2 Tbsp flaxseed Water, as needed Grind flaxseed to powder in a food processor or coffee grinder. Combine flaxseed, oats and peanut butter, adding just enough water to make a dough. Roll into 24 balls and chill in sealed container in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Place on a cookie sheet, evenly spaced, and bake at 350° F for 15 minutes.

Courtesy of Kate Roach.

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

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

fit body

Soulful Strides Running as a Spiritual Practice

by Marlaina Donato

L

acing up sneakers and going out for a run helps to manage weight,

high blood pressure, depression and addictions, but pressing our feet upon the Earth can be much more than a form of health-promoting exercise. Runners often refer to the “runner’s high”—attaining a profound sense of well-being after a good jog. According to David Linden, a professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, this boost in mood is due to endocannabinoids, the body’s natural chemicals that are similar to the molecules in marijuana that promote relaxation.

Running can be introspective, and over time, a spiritual practice. “Something seems to unite the physical and spiritual when pounding the pavement,” says Michael Fitzgerald, a seasoned runner and multi-genre author in Santaquin, Utah. “The discipline of running is a gift I give to myself. It gives me time away from the expectations of daily life and allows me to enter a world all its own.”

Inner Milestones

For many, running is competitive and involves the pursuit of excellence, but directing attention to inner emotional terrain and bodily sensations can foster a practice that transcends personal goals. “Once we see that we can be with the discomfort, the joy, the pain, the thrill of running, we realize that we can be present in every moment of our lives, no matter what it brings,” says Vanessa Zuisei Goddard, author of Still Running: The Art of Meditation in Motion. Goddard, a teacher of Zen in New York City, underscores intention. “We can practice running not just as exercise, but as a form of moving meditation—what I call ‘still running’. It’s a way of saying to ourselves, ‘Every moment of my life matters. I want to be present for all of it. I want to be awake.’”

Julia Chi Taylor, a London-based life coach and avid runner, highlights the breath as a guide, the option of using a mantra and “being mindful of any dynamic of pushing too hard or internal criticism, and instead practicing quietening the mind as you run.” The 20-year veteran of international races sees no division between the mundane and the divine. “Running has been a spiritual practice for me since I was a teenager, as I have always been on a spiritual path. Running seemed to me to be my soul expression.”

Taylor’s challenge during her competitive years was to slow down inside. “I was often getting caught up with my ego’s desire for approval and recognition. It was always evident when I was caught up in pushing and losing the presence of the step; I always became ill or injured,” she relates.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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Breath as Guide

fitness tips

Inhaling and exhaling with mindfulness during running, much like yoga, helps to foster the unity of body, mind and spirit. “The breath is the most common object of meditation. I pair my breath with my stride, and this both keeps me connected to my body and it quiets my mind,” explains Goddard.

Taylor concurs, noting, “Running asks that we breathe more deeply, and the more we are in touch with the breath, the mind stills, or at least starts to work in a freer way, and we realize we are not the mind. When we run with no purpose but to run, after a while we become the run, and each step takes care of itself.”

For Fitzgerald, running has helped him to overcome negativity and find a sense of freedom. On the practical level, nixing earbuds for silence helps him to pave the way for a deeper experience. “I find my thoughts are clearer when I am running. Self-discipline for me is a spiritual endeavor. Overcoming internal, trite objections to exercise such as running always feels like a spiritual triumph. Such triumphs give me hope and motivate me to reach higher, again and again.”

Moving the body invites transformation and a broader, deeper perspective. Taylor shares, “As our body gets fitter and develops endurance, it becomes easier to recognize the body as a temple of the soul. The skills we learn to master the art of running can then become skills to help us master the art of living.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at Autumn EmbersMusic.com.

Accountability

by JoeyDiego Nobile You only have this one life and the question is, how are you going to live it? Are you going to look young and healthy or sick and old?

Are you going to let high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes take you before your time or are you going to do something about it? Regardless of whether you are interested in competitive bodybuilding or just getting fit so you can play with your children or grandchildren, it is never too late to start.

Having accountability will make or break your training.

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PERSONAL TRAINING AT ITS BEST

JoeyDiego Nobile

20

WEIGHT LOSS HEALTH FITNESS COMPETITION Call me today!

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JULY 2021

How many people buy a gym membership or a piece of exercise equipment and stick with it long enough to achieve their goals? Only about one in ten. It’s not because they are lazy or not motivated when they start. It’s because it’s really hard to stay motivated and be motivated each and every day. It’s easy to find an excuse not to work out today and maybe the excuse is real but once you miss a day, it’s easier to miss another and a week and a month and then what’s the point? Even the most motivated person needs someone else to be accountable to, a buddy, a personal trainer, someone.

Even I have a person trainer to keep me accountable. So as you start your personal training program, please don’t start alone, find someone to help you be accountable and stick with it.

Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised to any of us. I have been working out all my life and at 66, I still compete in and win bodybuilding competitions. Working out can erase 20 years from your body. Remember, muscle knows no age.

JoeyDiego, personal trainer 917-402-8664 JoeyDiego is a person trainer at Personal Trainer at Hardcore Gym in Galveston and CRUNCH Fitness in League City. He won 1st Place at the 2020 NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic Bodybuilding Competition in the Masters Over 60 category.

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

green living

Growing Food Security The Benefits of Urban Gardening

by Laura Paisley Beck

F

or a lot of Americans, healthy food is scarce. According to FeedingAmerica.org, more

than 35 million Americans faced food insecurity in 2019. That number is expected to increase substantially due to the pandemic, which disrupted the food supply chain in ways that most Americans have never seen.

The good news is that urban and localized gardening can bring fresh, healthy, organic, sustainable and affordable food to nearly every household. A 2013 abstract from Michigan State University published in Agriculture & Food Security states that urban gardens could not only provide healthy food, but also create a more resilient food system.

During the pandemic, many people jumped at the chance to put in a garden, and in cities, where available land is limited, creative solutions have emerged. Just about any space could serve as a viable garden, including a spare room, rooftop, shipping containers or an empty warehouse. With hydroponics, no soil is required and with vertical systems, planters are stacked, requiring a small footprint.

Veggies Instead of Lawns

Phan Truong, known as A Suburban Gardener on Instagram, turned her entire yard into an organic vegetable garden and invited her Scaggsville, Maryland, neighbors to share in the bounty. “I had this table of abundance in front of my house, but people weren’t taking anything! So, I hid in my garden, waiting for neighbors to walk by, and then I’d rush the fence and encourage them to take food,” Truong says. “My husband thought everyone would think we were weird.” Now, instead of getting polite waves from afar, the garden has become a communications hub among neighbors.

Sharing the Abundance

When Truong witnessed friends losing jobs and struggling, she was inspired to lend a hand by assisting some of them to plant their own low-maintenance, high-yield gardens to save money on healthy meals.

Once she had assisted people close to her, she decided to expand her reach. “My garden spits out a lot of food. I discovered there are local food banks and charities that collect food. I was surprised that they will take any abundance,” says Truong.

Garrett Livingood, a North Atlanta, Georgia, blogger, developed GrowMyCommunity.org where local farmers, growers and community gardens can upload their location and what they offer, so that the locals know where to go for fruits, vegetables, herbs and other healthy eats.

According to Livingood, “Forty percent of produce gets thrown out every year, so it’s not that we don’t have enough food, the problem is access.”

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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Food Security Equals Health

Ashlie Thomas, a research scientist known as The Mocha Gardener on Instagram, started gardening for healthy produce and medicinal plants at home in Graham, North Carolina, when family members on limited incomes living in a food desert had been diagnosed with health issues like hypertension and Type 2 diabetes.

“Imagine having diet requirements that included mostly plant-based food, but your resources are simply not there,” Thomas says. “I didn’t know there was a term for that: food security.

There is an increasing population with disease, and food could be the answer.”

The problem is particularly prevalent in communities with no grocery stores, forcing residents to buy food at gas stations or drive considerable distances to big-box stores. Thomas observed that choices at these kinds of facilities are often between expensive produce or inexpensive junk food. Healthful food is not available or affordable for all.

Thomas believes gardening empowers people to take control of their diet and their health, not only physiologically, but psychologically and spiritually. “It doesn’t just stop at the garden,” she says. “How you treat your body and other people has a positive healthy impact, as well.”

Tips to Get Started

Follow local gardeners on social media to get ideas.

THINK LOW-MAINTENANCE, HIGH-YIELD. Cherry tomatoes, salad greens, cucumbers and beans are high-producing, low-cost staples.

FLOWERS CAN BE FOOD. Try violets, pansies, nasturtiums and chives to beautify the garden and the plate.

GROW ORGANIC. It’s cheaper and doesn’t harm anyone or anything. “I grow organic because I want to respect my space. I don’t want to control Mother Nature, I want to work with her,” says Thomas.

HERB IT UP. Mint, rosemary and basil taste great and can deter pests.

Overall, keep it simple. Set up for success with just enough to learn and enjoy a new lifestyle. It can be expanded upon year after year, providing a bounty of nutritious food security.

Laura Paisley Beck is a freelance writer and self-proclaimed foodie in Madison, Wisconsin. Reach her at LauraPaisleyBeck@ gmail.com.

Garden Year-Round With Hydroshack Nutrients & Additives Grow Mediums & Containers Grow Tents & Lighting 713-292-1921 hydroshack.com Open 7 Days a Week 1138 W 20th Street Houston, TX 77008 22

JULY 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

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713-927-6540

plant-based wellness

Juicy Ideas to Quench Your Summer Thirst

by Cindy & Mike Hart

T

he hot Houston summer calls for a cool refreshing summer beverage and juices seem like the healthy alternative to soda. However, if you read the labels of most of the bottles of juice found in the supermarket, the first ingredient is sugar. Even without added refined sugar, most fruit juices are high in natural fruit sugar, fructose, which is even worse. There are three simple solutions to the too sugary juice dilemma. Buy a commercially produced juice, such as Karuna Beverages, that is not high in sugar and may have other healthy ingredients that are difficult to find locally. Buy cold pressed juice from a local juice bar. Or make your own juice at home. Let’s look at a couple of things you can do when making your own juice to cut down on the fructose overload and a few recipes you can use when making your own refreshing summer juice drink.

Use a blender or hand squeeze the fruit, then strain the result rather than using a juicer to retain more of the natural pulp. Dilute the fruit juice with water or sparkling water. Add spices like black pepper or cinnamon that add flavor without adding sugar. Add vegetables which add nutrients without adding sugar.

Watermelon Juice

Nothing says summer like fresh cold watermelon and making watermelon juice is quick and easy. Add 1 ½ cup of seeded watermelon to your blender. Add the juice of ½ lemon, a few mint leaves, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper and a few ice cubes. Blend until smooth, strain and serve over ice.

No Added Sugar Lemonade

Enjoy fresh lemonade without added sugar or artificial sweetener.

Add 2 quartered red apples to your blender. Add the juice of one lemon and two slices of ginger. Blend until smooth, strain, dilute with water to taste and serve over ice.

Green Apple and Cucumber

Green can be both nutritious and tasty. Chop one cucumber and one green apple and add them to your blender. Add the juice of ½ lemon. Blend until smooth, strain, dilute with sparkling water to taste and serve over ice.

Fresh Tomato Juice

This summer when you have more tomatoes in your garden than you can eat, juice some of them for a refreshing, low calorie, low salt drink. Chop 4 tomatoes and a half a red apple and add them to your blender. Add the juice of ½ lemon, a small piece of ginger, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper and a few ice cubes. Blend until smooth, strain and serve over ice.

These are just a few of Cindy and my favorite summer juice recipes.

You can find many more online and as you become confident in your juicing, get creative and come up with your own juice blends.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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CBD FOR OUR PETS:

PLANT-BASED WELLNESS

CBD oil seems to be everywhere these days. It’s known for treating many conditions throughout the nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, muscular and skeletal systems and the endocrine and immune systems. CBD oil can help with sleep, stress, body temperature, nausea, mood, inflammation and pain. Our pets can sometimes suffer from some, if not all, of these conditions.

It makes sense that because they have similar bodily systems, CBD oil can benefit them as well.

Research studies have shown that our pets in fact do receive the same medicinal benefits as their human counterparts. CBD oil has been shown to help pets with separation anxiety, boredom and depression, and calms those frightened by the passing thunderstorm.

There are more and more CBD products on the shelves these days specifically formulated to treat our pets.

As responsible pet parents, please take the time to research the benefits that the products have. Read the instructions carefully to determine how much can be given to your pet. The rule of thumb is 1mg of medicine to 10 pounds of body weight. The product will include dosing charts.

RESOURCES Smoke Envy/Better Days CBD

2425 Yale Street, #2, Houston, TX 77008 852-744-9944 better-days-wellness-shop.business.site 20% OFF any on 1 Item

Hydroshack Hydroponics

1138 W 20th Street, Houston, TX 77008 Open 7 days a week 713-292-1921 Organic Soils, Nutrients, Coco, Foxfarm, Delta-8 & CBD. Hydroshack.com

Kreat Day Botanicals

1973 W Gray, Suite 23, Houston, TX 77019 713-369-0946 KreatDayBotanicals.com info@KreatDayBotanicals.com For Kratom - Instagram @Kreat_Day Fo Whole Herbs Instagram @Kreat.Day.Botanicals A BBB Accredited Business

A Moveable Feast

9341 Katy Fwy, Echo Lane Center, Houston, TX 77024 713-365-0368 amoveablefeast.com

Green Seed Vegan

4320 Almeda Rd., Houston, tx 77004 713.487.8346 greenseed.com

Govinda’s Vegetarian Cuisine

1320 W 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018 832-831-9951 govindashou.com

Houston Sauce Company

3400 S Wayside Dr., Houston, TX 77087 832-649-8286 houstonsauceco.com

High CBD Hemp-Flower & CBD Products!

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JULY 2021

Have a Kreat Day! KRATOM

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HOUSTON METRO EDITION

Dr. Tom O'Bryan Chief Health Off icer, KnoWEwell

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It’s how KnoWEwell is transforming the future of healthcare. Award-winning. One global online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources, and ecosystem collaborating to inspire and empower individuals to prevent harm, address chronic diseases and achieve WELLthier Living – Happy. Healthy. Abundant. PurposeFilled. Join the movement as we share knowledge and healing success stories, access to evidence-based resources, immersive learning opportunities from the experts, and help create meaningful connections..

Take control and optimize your health and well-being by visiting: KnoWEwell.com As a Natural Awakenings reader, receive 50% off your first year of membership.

Individuals apply: NAPUB0221 Practitioners apply: NAPUB0221P

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25

calendar of events July 2021 THURSDAY JULY 1st-FRIDAY JULY 23rd

WEDNESDAY JULY 28th

SATURDAY JULY 3rd

AMBER PLAYERS PRESENTS: LATIN BEATS. 8:30 pm Latin Beats explores the breathtaking music of Brazil, Cuba and the Andes through multicultural new music, dance and art.Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030. milleroutdoortheatre.com

Holistic Chamber of Commerce 6-8 pm It is the time for our community of holistic practitioners and friends to come together and grow this chapter.

Our goal is to be a chapter that will help its members to grow and develop and to help our Houston community learn about our holistic businesses.

We each bring unique skills and talents that as we share can help each other and our community and prospects. Please bring yourself and bring a friend to our meeting....Looking forward to meeting all of you. no cost, virtual meeting at https://cp.webinarblaze.live/rooms/130/join Any questions, call or email memorial@holisticchamberofcommerce. com

SUNDAY JULY 10th

FRIDAY JULY 30th

Open Enrollment at Phoenix School of Massage Learn the career you will come to Love.

Enroll in our live online classes. Visit our website themassageschool.com Call 713-974-5976.

SHOWSTOPPERS: A BROADWAY MUSICAL SCRAPBOOK 8:30 pm. Relive your favorite showstopping Broadway musical numbers performed by HITS Theatre students in this energetic revue.Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030. milleroutdoortheatre. com ROAD TO RIVER REVIVAL MUSIC FEST 6 pm.

Market Square Park counts down to the popular River Revival Music Festival with a new, FREE monthly concert series featuring live music from regional heavy hitters. Featuring Greyhounds with Maggie Belle Band (opener). “Doors” open at 6 pm, live music begins at 7:30 pm. Special treats will be in store as we celebrate Splice Records Birthday! Market Square Park 301 Milam 77002. marketsquarepark.com/

SUNDAY JULY 18th

Hurricane & Flood Safety 6 p.m. Join Jeff Lindner, Director of Hydrologic Operations, Harris County Flood Control District, as he discusses how to stay safe in a natural disaster. Jeff’s presentation will cover the various hazards that impact a region during a hurricane landfall, including wind, rainfall and storm surge flooding. Jeff will then go on to address how to prepare for these hazards so that you and yours can stay safe.

Time will be provided for discussion with the audience after his talk. Please register for this talk on www.eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

FRIDAY JULY 23th

Discovery Green Live Concert 6:30 pm Local live music returns to Discovery Green with Bayou City Funk (w/special guest opener) Discovery Green Conservancy 1500 McKinney 77010 discoverygreen.com/

MONDAY JULY 26th

Phoenix School of Massage Day Classes Start arn the career you will come to Love.Enroll in our live online classes. Visit our website themassageschool.com Call 713-974-5976.

JULY 2021

Living the Change Weekly Online Discussion Group 6 pmThis 12-week program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas: transportation; energy; and food. The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites you to join us on this journey, via a weekly online discussion group. . Please register for this event on www.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail. com.

saturday

Critical Mass Houston meet up 6:30-7:45pm, roll at 7:45pm, end at 10:00pm. Critical Mass Houston is a casual bike ride starting from downtown Houston and going wherever. Cars rule the road every day, but one day a month we get together to celebrate our love for bicycles and have fun riding our bikes. This is generally a slow-paced ride where persons of all skill levels can participate.

Guadalupe Plaza Park 2311 Runnels St, Houston, TX 77003, criticalmasshouston.com

No Drop Saturdays 7:30-9:30 am Beginner Level Social Bike Ride All level of riders welcome. This is a slow paced, no drop ride that’s perfect for first time riders, families, or anyone who has not done a group ride before. There will be instruction on how to shift, how to brake, etc., as needed.

Bicycle World of Katy, 24555 Katy Fwy, Katy, TX 77494 Call 281-665-1016 for more information.

Send your suggested calendar listings to mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com. They are FREE for the months of July, August and September. Deadline is the 15th of the month for the next month’s issue.

sunday

plan ahead MONDAY OCTOBER 4TH

Phoenix School of Massage Day & Night Classes Start arn the career you will come to Love.Enroll in our live online classes. Visit our website themassageschool.com Call 713-9745976.

Houston Zen Center 8”20 am Sunday Sangha. https://houstonzen.org/cloud-zendo Grace Episcopal Church & School.

10 am. Sunday Worship Livestream. https://www.facebook.com/GraceinHouston/ Unity Spiritual Center of Greater Houston 10:15 am Sunday Service. Facebook Live https://unityspiritualcenterhouston.org First Spiritualist Church of Houston 10:30 am Sunday Healing & Spirit Greetings Facebook Live

wednesday Blissful Quests® with Doyle Ward-The Pocast.

1:00pm.Are you looking for answers? Have you ever had a “hunch” or a “gut feeling” that came true? Are you wondering if you are intuitive? Maybe the real question to explore is not IF you are intuitive, but HOW you are intuitive. Doyle Ward is an experienced intuitive medium, teacher, grief recovery specialist, and life coach. Call in during the show at: 1-760-456-7277, access on-demand episodes or listen live! blissfulquests.com/podcast/ Healing Meditation at First Spiritualist Church of Houston.

7:30 pm Livestream on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FirstSpiritualistChurchofHouston/

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thursday

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

First Unitarian Universalist Church 10:30 am Sunday Morning Worship Livestream. https:// firstuu.org/ Unity of Houston. 11 am Sunday Morning Service Livestreaming. https://unityhouston.org/ Creative Life Spiritual Center 11 am Sunday Celebration. Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/creativelife.org/ Unitarian Fellowship of Houston 11 am. Sunday Program. Click on Sunday Program to access the Zoom link. https://ufoh.org/ Dawn Mountain Center for Tibetan Buddhism 12 noon. Sunday Meditation & Dharma Talk. https://www.youtube.com/user/dawnmountain ISKCON 5 pm Sunday Feast Class Livestream https://www.mayapur.tv/

Armor

Calm Energy

Lost and forgotten for generations, the rare, ancient secrets of the OJAYA “Armor” technique are now shared with you on our 100% online video Course.

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UIETLY hidden and closely-guarded for centuries, the OJAYA “Armor” technique is a supremely rare and powerful meditation that protects your mind and emotions with a calm “armor” of core inner strength. As you meditate, its soothing resonance attacks stress, clears out brain fog, and recharges your vital energies in

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Sukaishi David shares the teachings with you step by step with exquisite videos produced in the Earthborn Rainforest. But to qualify to learn the OJAYA technique, you must first watch the free OJAYA Foundation Lessons. Enjoy!

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healthy living guide ACUPUNCTURE APRIL BUI HOLISTIC ACUPUNCTURE 9039 Katy Freeway, Suite 504 Houston, Texas 77024 713-922-3474 abui-acupunctureclinic.com

April Bui, LAC, MAOM specializes in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and energy medicine for pain, stress, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure but she is also able to treat many other health conditions. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the field of alternative holistic health and has practice acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine since 2008. Visit her website for more information or to schedule a FREE Consultation.

Houston Integrative Health, Acupuncture and Mindful Movement 716 Chelsea Blvd.

Houston, TX 77006 832-304-0149 facebook.com/drlance houstonintegrative

Whether you are looking to optimize your health or take care of an injury, pain or a chronic medical problem, let Lance Westendarp ND, LAc, BCB, CKTP, E-RYT200, help.

Lance is a graduate of Bastyr University with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. He has also been teaching yoga and movement since 2003, is board certified in biofeedback and mind-body medicine. Follow him on Facebook and call him today for a FREE phone consultation. See ad on page 5

APPS FREEING ME Apps freeing.me Imagine having revolutionary quantum wellness energy always at hand.

Now it’s here in three apps that can help revive ENERGY, release STRESS and recreate REST. Visit our website to download a FREE 3-day trial.

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JULY 2021

BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY MARILYN K. JONES, DDS Houston Dental Health Center 800 Bering Dr. Houston, TX 77057 713-497-1355 houstonbiologicaldentist.com

Natural Dentistry supports the body and the mind by finding the cause of dental problems. The dental examination includes noticing systemic and habitual influences. If you have dental issues or currently have silver amalgam fillings, call me today to schedule an appointment.

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BRAIN BALANCING CERESET™

Galveston, Texas cereset.com 409-599-7268 The Cereset™ Gavston location is part of a national network of client centers focused on next-generation brain wellness - helping you relax your brain to manage restful sleep through patented BrainEcho™ technology, which empowers the brain to reset itself as it hears and “sees” its own reflection. To schedule an appointment call: 409-599-7268.

COLONICS JOYCE LONG’S WELLNESS INSTITUTE 1308 James Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 281-232-7336 joycelongwellness.com

Established 1989. Call to schedule any of the following services: massage therapies, lymphatic drainage massage and facials, reflexology, infra-red sauna, ion cleanse foot or hand baths, Chinese cupping or colon hydrotherapy (prescriptions only- yours or ours). By appointment only. Be well-Stay well. CALL TODAY!

URBAN COLONICS

Barbara Ellis, Retired RN 5042 Briscoe St. Houston, TX.77033 713-738-8199 urbancolonics.com Serving Houston and the surrounding area since 1979.

We continue to irrigate with State Of The Art Equipment (closed colonic systems cleared by the FDA). We utilize totally disposable colonic set-ups and sterile water. A prescription is required for this procedure. Our Medical Director at a different location will make an assessment and write a prescription for OUR clients only. Visit our website to learn more details. Please call us to schedule an appointment.

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COACHING BLISSFUL QUESTS

Positive change starts now!

832-628-4113 blissfulquests.com Are you looking for answers? Have you ever had a “hunch” or a “gut feeling” that came true? Are you wondering if you are intuitive? Doyle Ward is an experienced intuitive, teacher, grief recovery specialist, and life coach. Tune in to his weekly PodCast, Wednesdays at 1 pm on inflowradio.com See ad on page 8

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

JULY

Food as Medicine

Plus: Better Sleep The Ethics of What We Eat Benefits of Urban Gardening

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

GROW YOUR BUSINESS Secure this ad spot!

Contact us for special ad rates.

713-927-6540

ERIN THOLE, CNHP ErinThole.com Thole.erin@gmail.com

HOLISTIC HEALTH PRIMARY CARE HOUSTON HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC & MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY CENTER

Get to the Root Cause of your Health Conditions.

Erin has been working in the health and nutrition field for over 11 years specializing and working extensively with those suffering from: autoimmune, digestive, hormonal and inflammatory disorders. She works with each client’s unique biochemistry to determine what dietary, supplementation and lifestyle changes will work best for them as an individual. There is NO one-size-fitsall program. All appointments are conducted via phone! This makes it very easy and convenient to receive care from any location. If you want to reach your true health potential, Email Erin today to schedule your FREE 45 minute initial phone consultation. Hours until 5 pm Fridays.

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“Better Health Naturally” Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250 Houston, TX 77074 713-781-9991 HoustonHolisticHealthClinic.com

Have you spent years in hope for finding answers to your symptoms or illnesses? We offer people an alternative solution to conventional medicine by determining the specific nutritional needs of your body so that it can to heal itself.

We now also offer medical thermography useful in early diagnosis of cancer and chronic inflamatory pain.

Call today to schedule an appointment.

HYPNOSIS HAIR DESIGN VENUS HAIR DESIGN

361 West 19th Street Houston, TX 77008 713-868-4725 venushairhouston.com Venus and her staff can do any age with any style, from a trim to a Mohawk. She is a wizard at color! If you are in The Heights, drop by, check out her art car, The Hairse, and say Hi! Now OPEN by appointment only. Call me!

AUGUST Coming Next Month

Boost Happiness & Well-Being Plus: Back-to-School Wellness Tips

CLAUDIA AUTRY, HYPNOTIST (by appointment only) 281-849-4610 ca@claudiaautry.com claudiaautry.com

Want to stop smoking or lose weight? Looking for ways to relax, find balance and increase the joy in your life? Hypnosis can help you. Call SOON to book your appointment.

Let’s work together to create the life you want!

INDIVIDUAL NUTRITIONAL PROTOCOLS LINDA ISAACS, MD 2500 W. William Cannon Dr., Suite 603 Austin, TX 78745 737-208-0831 DrLindaI.com/NAHTX For more than 20 years, Dr. Linda Isaacs and the late Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez offered individualized protocols involving diet, nutritional supplementation, and detoxification for cancer and other degenerative diseases.

They published multiple articles in peer-reviewed medical journals about their results. The work is based on that of the Texas orthodontist Dr. William Donald Kelley. Dr. Isaacs is currently seeing new patients.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE JOYCE LONG’S WELLNESS INSTITUTE

1308 James Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 281-232-7336 joycelongwellness.com/ Health conditions can interrupt the normal flow of lymph, causing lymph fluid to build up in a particular area of the body, often in the arms or legs, where it can causing swelling.

Lymphatic massage can reduce swelling and improve circulation throughout the lymphatic system. By appointment only. Be well-Stay well. CALL TODAY!

METAPHYSICAL SHOP

GREEN IS SEEN when you advertise with us.

713-927-6540

ODYSSEY EMPORIUM 123 Midway St, Bldg C Spring, Texas 77373 888-492-3584 odysseyemporium.com

We are a retail shop and also have an online store. We can also custom-make many of our product lines. Our products include a range of metaphysical items, clothing, books, stones, jewelry, candles, soaps, teas, incenses, herbs, blades, and accessories for spiritual work.

We also have some unique renaissance festival and gothic clothing and accessories. We carry some wonderful and unusual products some of which are artisan made. Check out our gaming and sci-fi themed products as well. We offer daily in-house Tarot reading and conduct private Old Town Spring Ghost tours. Open 7 days a week.

Freedom lies in being bold. ~Robert Frost

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JULY 2021

NATURAL HORMONES DR. FISHER ROAD 2 WELLNESS

Dr. LaTronica Fisher, DNP, ANP, GNP, RN 4544 Post Oak Place Dr. STE #254 Houston, Texas 77027 DrFisherRoad2Wellness.com 713 520-8188 Services: nHormone Rejuvenation nVaginal Dryness nUrinary Incontinence nLow Libido nErectile Dysfution nLow Stamina nWeight-Loss nSexual Dysfunction(men & women) nHair Restoration nNatural Face Lift Call today to schedule a consultation

NATUROPATH HOUSTON HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC “Better Health Naturally” Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250 Houston, TX 77074 713-781-9991 HoustonHolisticHealthClinic.com

Dr. Gracie Chukwu is a Doctor of Naturopathy and a Certified Nutrition Counselor. She has been assisting people for over five years with holistic medicine, diet, nutrition and supplement support to enhance her client’s health and overall well-being. She has a real love for what she does and her greatest joy is to help people overcome their health problems and move on to more fulfilling lives! If you are suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, fatigue,, anxiety, migraines, skin problems, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, sinusitis, chronic mucus and congestion, and cannot find relief, give Dr. Gracie a call.

OPTICIAN FACTORY EYEGLASS OUTLET 7921 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024 713-468-5665 factoryeyeglassoutlet. com

Factory Eyeglass Outlet provides the ultimate services for all your eyecare needs.

Whether you’re looking for premium or standard eyewear, we have something for you. As part of our superior services we offer complimentary consulting and frame styling.

Next time you need you need new eyeglasses or need a repair choose Factory Eyeglass Outlet.

Better sight- Better Life.

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HOUSTON METRO EDITION

PERSONAL TRAINER JOEY DIEGO, PERSONAL TRAINER 917-402-8664

Build your beach body, now! Erase 20 years from your body and quit looking sick and old. Prevent or reverse high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Lose weight.

Live longer and better so you can enjoy your children and grandchildren. Remember, muscle knows no age. What are you waiting for?

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PET FOOD BOBCAT RAW FOOD

Made locally. Delivered to your door. bobcatrawfood.com Our raw cat food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of obligate carnivores. We use only the highest quality Grade A, USDA certified US-sourced meats. All our meals are 100% natural and grain-free and are pre-portioned to for your convenience. Our top priority is to make feeding raw convenient and affordable. We deliver inside Houston for a flat fee of only $5. Visit our website today and let your cat experience the difference a raw food diet makes.

PLANT-BASED SUPPLEMENTS

TERRA POWER GREENS 954-459-1134 terralifestore.com

Feeling Tired and Need More Energy? Try Terra Power Greens. Get your “greens” in easily every day! Terra Power Greens is an amazing and great-tasting superfood drink. Our unique formula combines 45+ organic and high quality wildcrafted vegetables, grasses, leaves, sprouts and herbs. In the “greens” business since 2001.

At our store, Get Greens, Chlorophyll, Oil Blends, Electrolytes, Cleansers, Herbal Teas & More. All organic. See Special Offer for Free Samples. Visit our website TODAY and start bringing your body back into balance!

SELF-HEALING Ching Chi Institute

Life energy education and research Kun Wu, Ph. D. Integral chi healer Chi H Wu, L. Acupuncturist 832-654-2885 chingchiinstitute.com Do you want to learn how to use your body’s own chi energy to CHING decrease your chance CHI of becoming ill, increase your chance of recovering more quickly from illness, prevent a minor INSTITUTE illness from becoming a major one, and improve your overall health? We have live and prerecorded classes online to teach you the principles and techniques of self-healing. We will be resuming in-person classes this month. Look for our new offering on the Corona Virus. Visit our website for more information.

SHAMANISM Shaman Spirits

Galveston, TX 4 0 9-7 6 2 - 6 0 2 7 anthony@shamanspirits.net ShamanSpirits.net “Shamanism provides personal and spiritual healing with ancient, elegant and time tested methods. Shamanic healing opens new pathways for personal growth and spiritual awareness. If you’re looking for a way to connect with spirit without dogma, shamanism offers methods to access your healing spirits for transformation, guidance and teachings for a better way of living filled with love and compassion.

Contact me at 409-762-6027 for more information.”

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SPIRITUALITY GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4040 West Bellfort Street Houston, TX 77025 713-666-1408 GraceInHouston.org

We are a welcoming, inclusive and affirming Christian community, committed to abundant, holistic living in the way of Jesus of Nazareth. Guided in our life together by the Episcopal Church tradition, we are committed a way of love. Come walk on our Tree of Life Labyrinth by appointment anytime. Grace: you are welcome here.

FIRST SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF HOUSTON 2115 Turner Dr. Houston, Texas 77093 713-695-2550 firstspiritualistchurchofhouston.org

Spiritualism is a common sense religion, one of knowing and living. We accept all truths and endeavor to prove their validity.

Truths are found in nature, in other religions, in writings, in science, in philosophy, in Natural Law and are received through spirit communication. We are a growing family and would love for you to visit us LIVESTREAMING ON FACEBOOK Sunday Healing & Spirit Greetings 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday Open Healing Service 7:30 p.m.

THERMOGRAPHY MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY CENTER “Better Health Naturally” Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250 Houston, TX 77074 713-781-9991 HoustonHolisticHealthClinic.com

Breast thermography has the ability to warn woman up to 10 years before any other procedure that a cancer may be forming; thus, allowing for prompt and timely treatment. Thermography uses no radiation and poses absolutely NO health risks to the patient. Consequently, scans may be performed at any frequency necessary.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY GUIDELINES: Baseline thermograph at age 20, 20-30 years of age–every three years, and 30 years of age and over–every year. If you are a woman, over 20 years old and have not had a breast thermograph, call Dr. Gracie TODAY.

I love how summer just wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket. ~Kellie Elmore

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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WE GROW WHAT WE SELL ... organically and sustainably!

This is the only way that we can be sure of the quality that goes into the products we sell and you should insist on nothing less. family owned and operated fully licensed hemp farm regenerative farming completely organic just outside of College Station Hemp Flower -Vape Products - Isolates -Tinctures HoneyHills TX products are available at the following area locations: Houston, TX: Smoke Envy-Yale St, Smoke Envy-Nasa Rd 1, Amsterdam Coffee-W. 19th Galveston, TX: Hazy Daze-Seawall Blvd, Hazy Daze -The Strand, Hazy Daze - 3802 Cove View Blvd , Smokee’s Vape & Smoke Shop-Seawall Blvd Bryan/College Station: Smoken Joe’s-South Texas Ave. Caldwell, TX: Cotten’s Care CBD - 203 Hwy. 21 W

Honey Hills TX

Est. 2019 - Caldwell, Texas 832.868.9452 honeyhillstx.com 32

JULY 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION