Natural Awakenings Houston November 2022

the Slopes

Awakenings

Staying Serene in Turbulent Times

Gut-Brain Connection

How Food Affects Our Mood 23

Rachel Joneson on Grief in the Healthcare Front Lines

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letter from publishers

Greetings!

Cindy and I have removed the last of the summer vegetables from the garden and done the fall planting, so we will have onions, turnips and mustard greens. I expect to be able to continue picking tomatoes until the first frost.

With Thanksgiving Day this month, our thoughts turn to the things we can be thankful for. We are thankful to have a safe and quite place to live. We are thankful for our health. We are thankful for our family and friends, and for the magazine’s business that allows us to con tinue working when most people our age have retired. I think that a gentle sort of thankfulness that doesn’t force you to be thankful for things that you really aren’t thankful for or shame you for not being perfectly thankful for everything all the time can be useful in main taining good mental and emotional health, which is the theme of this month’s issue.

As you read through our articles and departments, if you find some thing that particularly speaks to you, share it with someone—a friend or family member. Let them know that you learned of it in Natural Awakenings magazine and where they can pick up a copy. If they prefer digital, they can subscribe for free by texting NAHTX to 66866.

Until next month, remember to be kind. Cindy & Mike Hart

HEALTHY LIVING

HOUSTON EDITION

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news briefs

Daily Devotionals for Global Climate Conference

A daily devotional for use during the United Nations Climate Conference in Egypt from November 6 through 18 has been created. Printed copies will be distributed from 5:45 to 7 p.m., November 5, and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., No vember 6, at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church. Participants may pray for world leaders at the climate conference each day, and for ourselves, that we may all act as good stewards of God’s beloved creation.

Lisa Brenskelle, founder of the Interfaith Environmental Network of Hous ton, heads Lutherans Restoring Creation for the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. She is happy to assist with creation care efforts for any congregation in the synod and assist other Christian congregations in the greater Houston region.

Location: 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston. To view or download an electronic copy, email Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com or visit CreationCares.org.

5,000 Years of Civilization Reborn

Shen Yun, A Divine Culture—Lost, will be presented in Houston from December 26 through January 2, 2023, at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. Shen Yun is a brilliant artistic revival and celebration of China’s rich cultural heritage that conveys the extraordinary depth and breadth of genuine Chinese culture, and brings the magnificence of 5,000 years of civilization back to life on stage. The show tours to 150 cities around the world each year with stunning costumes, high-tech backdrops and original orchestra compositions.

Shen means divine. Yun is personal bearing, or inner charm. Together, the name Shen Yun means the beauty of divine beings dancing. Each performance consists of about 20 pieces, and themes range from the delicate elegance of Tang court ladies to the battlefield heroics of valiant generals, the timeless philosophical works of Lao-Tzu and spectacular scenes of magical realms. Some pieces also touch upon today’s China, shedding light on the oppression many experience for their spiritual beliefs, such as Falun Dafa.

Location: 615 Louisiana St., Houston. For tickets, call 877-663-7469 or visit Tinyurl. com/ShenYunHouston.

Rain Barrel Workshop at First UU Church

Rain barrels not only conserve water, a precious natural resource, they also help to keep water clean and reduce flooding, making Houston a more resilient city. The First Unitarian Universalist Church will conduct a rain barrel workshop from 12:45 to 2 p.m., November 6, sponsored by LyondellBassell and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. Participants will discover the benefits of rain barrels, get one for their home or house of worship and learn how to install it.

Rain barrels will be available to be picked up at 12:45 p.m. in the church park ing lot, and installation training will take place immediately afterward in the Fireside Room. A recorded training is also available. Registration includes one rain barrel, one connecter kit and training to install them.

Location: 5100 Main St., Houston. Register at galvbay.org/events. For more information, email Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

health briefs

Benefits of Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese word that means, “spiritually guided uni versal life force energy,” that describes a gentle, yet powerful energy healing modality which conducts high-frequency cos mic healing energy from the spiritual planes. This energy is then channeled into the patient to heal the physical, emotion al, mental, and soul levels of one’s being.

Holy Fire reiki confers great healing power and very quick re sponse. It is useful for clearing blockages, balancing the en tire chakra system and healing known and unknown illnesses or imbalances anywhere in the physical, emotional, mental or spiritual body. This modality is recommended for those ready to experience deeper healing.

Top five issues treated with reiki

Trauma healing

Good for any form of trauma—physical, emotional, psy chological. Reiki helps release the cellular memories of the trauma, heal the wound and open the heart center, which is normally shut down by the traumatic experience, and assist

the person toward a state of forgiveness.

Clear blockages and rejuvenate energy

Holy Fire reiki effectively clears and releases energetic blockages and supercharges the energy system and immune system. It is very useful for people living with chronic or acute stress which lowers immunity over time.

Pain relief

Very effective for pain relief, as well as challenging, chronic unmitigated health issues that don’t seem to resolve, even when one has tried all healing modalities available.

Healing past-life issues

Sometimes issues from past lives still carry a strong charge in the present life. This is a situation where Holy Fire reiki is much needed to access the deep recesses for soul healing.

Feeling stuck in life

If someone feels stuck in any area of life and can’t seem to make progress, no matter how hard they try, Holy Fire reiki is the right modality to help release the blocks and to assists one to have a different perspective on the issues. Once the obstructions are removed, the cleared path forward should enable them to work efficiently toward their goals.

April Bui is the owner of Dharma Reiki & Acupuncture, located at 9039 Katy Fwy., Ste. 504, in Houston. For more information, call 713-922-3474 or visit abui-acupunctureclinic. com.

Erin Thole,CNHP

Longevity Diet Involves Fasting, Too

After review ing hundreds of studies on nutrition, diseases and longevity in laboratory animals and humans, the optimal diet for longevity has “lots of legumes, whole grains and vegetables; some fish; no red meat or processed meat and very low white meat; low sugar and refined grains; good levels of nuts and olive oil, and some dark chocolate,” reports University of South ern California gerontology professor Valter Longo. According to the literature review he and others authored for Cell, a day’s meals should ideally occur with in a window of 11 to 12 hours, allowing for a daily period of fasting. A five-day fast or fast-mimicking diet every three to four months was also suggested to help reduce insulin resistance, blood pres sure and other risk factors for those with increased disease risks.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

~Robert Brault

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ECO-SKIING

PLANET-FRIENDLY WAYS TO HIT THE SLOPES

M any alpine ski resorts are going more and more green, enabling enthusiasts to reduce their impact on the planet while enjoying the winter sport. Here’s some eco-information, as well as money-saving tips:

As detailed on SkiVermont.com, the latest Vermont Ski Areas Energy Savings Impact Report from Efficiency Vermont revealed that 13 state ski areas have com pleted 668 projects since 2000, including “low-energy snowguns, compressed air right-sizing, lift terminal heater controls, thermal shells and many other systems and improvements.”

Last year, Taos Ski Valley, in New Mex ico, treated 245 acres of high mortality spruce and fir trees to help restore the forest ecosystem and diverted 10,287 pounds of waste from landfill to compost, equaling a CO2 reduction of approxi mately 3.2 megatons. Park City and Deer Valley, in Utah, have partnered with nearby districts to source power from an 80-megawatt solar farm. Vail Resorts, encompassing more than 40 ski areas, continues its EpicPromise program with the goal of zero net emissions, zero waste to landfills and zero operating impact on land and ecosystems by 2030 (TheAv antSki.com).

Skiers at Big Sky Resort (BigSkyRe sort.com), in Montana, can minimize their carbon footprint by offsetting their trip with partner Tradewater, a Chicago

company that facilitates lowering green house gas emissions. All of the resort’s lift operations have been running car bon-free since March 2020, and ongoing efficiency projects include upgrading hotel thermostats and increasing the use of solar power.

Wear sustainable brands. Patagonia, The North Face and Cotopaxi are some of the brands that make ski jackets from recycled materials. Also, instead of buying new, consider patching up an old jacket if it has a tear.

Take a pass. Many individual ski resorts and associations offer lift ticket pass es. Tips on making the best choice for individual or family needs can be found at SkiMag.com. It’s a popular trend: The National Ski Areas Association (nsaa.org) reports season passes now make up more than half of all lift ticket sales.

Group together. Gather family and friends in one car. Also, local ski clubs, sporting goods retailers and parks and recreation departments often organize group trips by chartering buses and arranging for discounted lift tickets. Warm-weather ski clubs arrange for flights to ski resorts. Making new friends along the way is a nice bonus.

Leave a clean path. Don’t leave any plastic water or sports drink containers or power bar wrappers on the snow.

Ski Resort

Independent historic ski area set across 370 ski worthy acres for skiing / snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and tubing!

Great for all skill levels, family friendly, and reasonable prices! Spectacular views of the Wind River Range from the ski slopes!

Come get outside with us this winter!

HOUSTON

Chiropractic Guide

Core Chiropractic

Drs.Natalie & Philip Cordova, DC 1770 St. James Place, #210 Houston, TX 77056 713-622-3300 14811 St Marys Ln #155 Houston, TX 77079 281-752-7388 corechiropractic.net

Innate Chiropractic Healing Arts Center

Dr. Jackie St.Cyr, DC 8100 Washington Ave, #210 Houston, TX 77007 713-521-2104 n8chiro.com

HealthPro Chiropractic & Acupuncture

Dr. Alayna E. Pagnani-Gendron, DC 4101 Green Briar Dr. #135 Houston, TX 77098 281-506-0105 healthprochiro.com

Franson Chiropractic Dr. Brett V. Franson, DC 1652 South Dairy Ashford Rd. Houston, TX 77077 281-701-1596 fransonchiropractor.com

spotlight

Family Skiing at its Finest

White Pine Wyoming, a ski and summer resort of the Wind River range, is a hidden gem of outdoor recreation. Enthusi asts can enjoy an authentic Wyoming experience without the crowds or extravagant prices 90 miles from Jackson Hole. Their 370 ski-worthy acres feature 29 downhill skiing and snowboarding runs, 35 kilometers of free looping maintained Nordic ski trails and a popular, lift-serviced tubing hill. In the summer, White Pine is a gateway to outdoor activities for the whole family in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and a great venue to host special events.

Locally owned White Pine is one of the oldest ski areas in Wyoming, while corporate ski resorts are the norm. They are open for about 18 days straight in December for the Christ mas/New Year holiday break, with a Mountain Man Christmas in Pinedale on December 12 .

The beautiful powder ski slopes have been a destination for skiers of all skill levels for more than 80 years. There are spectacular views directly from the ski slopes of the Wind River Range glacial peaks, Continental Divide, Bridger Teton National Forest, historic Pinedale, Fremont Lake and even the Wyoming Range.

The main ski lift, once the longest lift in the state, delivers patrons near the summit of Fortification Mountain at 9,500 feet, affording epic views of the surrounding mountain ranges while descending 1,000 feet skiing or snowboarding back to the lodge. Most of the trails face north, which not only helps maintain good snow and powder through the entire season, but also gives direct views of the Wind River Range.

White Pine Wyoming is located at 74 White Pine Rd., in Pinedale. For more information, call 307-367-6606, email SkiInfo@WhitePineSki.com or visit WhitePineWyoming.com.

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STAYING SERENE IN TURBULENT TIMES

HOW TO TURN ANXIETY INTO POSITIVE ACTION

by Ronica O’Hara

STAYING SERENE IN TURBULENT TIMES

HOW TO TURN ANXIETY INTO POSITIVE ACTION

by Ronica O’Hara

In this day and age, we have good reason to toss and turn in our beds at night. As our nation faces climate catastrophes, acrid politics, stubborn in flation, unpredictable virus variants and hot-button issues like abortion and guns, there’s good reason our collective anxiety levels are at a high pitch. A recent Yale survey found that 70 percent of Ameri cans report being anxious or depressed

about global warming, and a Penn State survey this year found that 84 percent of us say we are “extremely worried” or “very worried” about where the country is head ed. Researchers are coining new terms: “polycrisis”, for complex, cascading crises in interacting systems, and “pre-traumatic stress disorder”, when fear of an outcome makes it as good as real to our psyches.

“It’s easy for people to feel overwhelmed now, feeling there are breakdowns and threats on many fronts. People can wonder ‘Where do I even start?’ and feel power less and hopeless and numb,” says psychiatrist Janet Lewis, M.D., a founder of the na tionwide Climate Psychiatry Alliance and a University of Rochester clinical assistant professor of psychiatry. “We are part of a complex system that is moving into new

ways of functioning, but there’s no way of predicting ahead of time exactly what all the features of the new ways of operat ing will be. That makes it impossible for us to wrap our minds around everything that is happening.”

Still, she adds, “We are also by definition part of the system, and therefore have a responsibility to do what we can. We can’t sit on the sidelines and merely hope that things transform in good directions. The situation being so serious also means that what we do now is really important.”

To move from anxiety into effective action, mental health experts advise several strategies: taking a wider perspective, building resilience through self-care and taking individual steps to make a collective difference. As the Dalai Lama encourages, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleep ing with a mosquito!”

Taking a Wider Perspective

News reports almost always sound dire—just like the amygdala of our brains, journalists often see their function as focusing on threats to alert us to dangers. “Still, if you take the long view of history, we are much better off than we were 200 years ago or

absolutely be turned into something positive,” says neuropsy chologist Barbara Easterlin, of Jackson, Wyoming, an expert on eco-anxiety who is on the steering committee of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. “Doing just one thing to help the planet consistently helps defeat anxiety.”

Taking action moves us into our power—as 15-year-old Greta Thunberg demonstrated by holding a sign outside the Swed ish parliament. Personal actions matter because numbers add up. Only 25 percent of individuals in a social group need to make a shift before significant social change follows, conclude researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engi neering and Applied Science that analyzed a decade of societal changes in voting, health, technology and finance. Once a group reaches that tipping point, it can trigger a change in the rest of society, says study author Damon Centola, Ph.D., author of Change: How to Make Big Things Happen.

1,000 years ago, but it took many years to make those chang es,” counsels Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and author of the bestselling The Worry Cure and the upcoming If Only

“We never know if something is hopeless until we have all the data, and we seldom have all the data,” he says. “And when it comes to political emotions, many of the predictions that are made by the ‘talking heads’ in media never come true.”

Leahy counsels patience: “Social change does not come about by one person doing something. That usually comes about by a long process of millions of people changing their attitudes and changing their behavior. Small efforts can be made on a daily basis that move this slow process forward. We need to take a longer view, rather than expect immediate change.”

In this ongoing process, anxiety has its rightful place. “Anxiety makes us look around, figure out solutions and act. This can

Building Resilience with Self-Care

Fears about the shape of the planet and nation are often piled on top of our everyday living anxieties about family and finances, which can induce emotional overload. “We all have a ‘zone of resilience’ or ‘window of tolerance’, outside of which we become more reactive, less able to function effectively. But it is not fixed. We can learn tools to expand it and cultivate the capacity to be with more,” says Easterlin.

Therapy can be a part of that process by challenging us to examine “the mental narratives that can exacerbate distress,” says Leslie Davenport, a climate psychology consultant and author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. It’s important to find a therapist, she says, that “validates that your feelings are a normal response to an existential crisis.” She has helped develop new programs at the American Psychology As sociation and the California Institute of Integral Studies to train therapists in treating eco-anxiety. For low-cost online support, the Good Grief Network offers a 10-step, 10-week program to help process personal anxiety and grief about climate change. People are also sitting down to share their distress at climate cafes, small local gatherings springing up across the country and globe, including some online.

Getting enough sleep, eating healthy and exercising are also key self-care strategies. When anxiety strikes, psychologists advise shifting attention from the head to the body, using such approaches as mindful breathing, dancing and grounding. Med itation, easily accessed these days through apps like Calm and Headspace, helps us to enter into what religious and spiritual teachings call “the still point within.”

Rather than “doomscrolling” when anxiety mounts, cutting back our media use can significantly lower stress levels, studies show. Wise media strategies include choosing well-established, credible news sources; reading rather than watching the news to lower its emotional impact; limiting news intake to 10 minutes once or twice a day; taking a “news fast” on occasion; and passing up sources that incessantly feed fury.

On the other hand, it’s essential to find sources for hope, an emotion important in recovery from anxiety disorders, accord ing to a study in Behavior Therapy. Googling “good news on climate change” will bring up articles about alternative energy growth, new super-enzymes that eat plastic rubbish and black rhinos coming back from the brink of extinction. Although dystopic books abound, others offer hope, such as Drawdown, with its sensible, scaled-down strategies to stop global warming by 2050.

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Moving into Action

Virtually no one can take on all the problems of the nation and globe at once—and the good news is that unless we hold high public office, we don’t have to. Instead, “In taking action, focus on what you are good at, what your sphere of influence might be,” advises Lewis. “What are you most heartbroken over? Get involved in that and allow yourself to feel really good about what you’re doing and other people are doing.”

By narrowing our focus, we can hone in on an issue and figure out our part in its solution. “We need a broad range of collective action for transformation,” says Davenport. “For climate change, a teacher could bring social-emotional learning to climate education into the classroom or start an after school ‘green club’; an artist could use their creative medium to communicate about climate in a moving way that could engage others; a nurse could create a waste-reduction initiative within a medical setting. These efforts all have ripple effects and help to elevate

each other.”

In one recent study, people were found to consume less energy if they believed their neighbors did so and personally cared about conservation. Our neigh borhoods are the place to take the small, meaningful steps that address the “crisis of connection” underlying rancorous national crises, says New York Times columnist David Brooks. He advocates “radical mutuality”, saying, “Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accom plished alone.” Through simple actions like having casual conversations around town, pitching in to help a family in crisis, bringing a salad to a block party, tutoring a child or holding a civic post, we build the warm relational bonds that strengthen communities. As we meet others that feel as strongly as we do about our issues, our numbers start building and collective action can unfold.

“Independent of political beliefs, many people can find common values such as wanting safety for their families, a clean environment with clean water

ways and recreation in natural environ ments,” says Easterlin.

That, in turn, helps lower our distress. A recent Yale study found that eco-anxi ety was linked to depression only among students not involved in group activities; those engaged in collective action such as being part of an environmental group, working in a letter-writing campaign or going to events or protests did not spiral downward emotionally. “Personal transformation and social transformation happen simultaneously. When you reach out and build community, you nourish yourself,” Brooks says.

As Thunberg has put it: “When I’m tak ing action, I don’t feel like I am helpless and that things are hopeless, because then I feel like I’m doing everything I can. And that gives me very much hope, especially to see all the other people all around the world, the activists, who are taking action and who are fighting for their present and for their future.”

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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conscious eating

The Gut-Brain Connection

HOW FOOD AFFECTS OUR MOOD

by Kimberly B. Whittle

We’ve all heard the phrase, “You are what you eat,” but the connection is more than just physical because food impacts our mood, too. During the last decade, there have been an increasing number of studies exploring what’s called the gut-brain axis and the role that microorganisms in the gut play in mental health conditions like anxiety, stress, depression and other disorders.

Depression is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. and worldwide. There are long-held views in medicine that depres sion is caused by imbalances in brain levels of serotonin—the neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood and other functions like digestion and sleep. These beliefs resulted in decades of extensive use of antidepressants, most of which boost serotonin in the brain.

However, research by University College London, published in July in the journal Molecular Psychology, found “no consistent evi dence of there being an association between serotonin and depres sion, and no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations.”

Michael Gershon, M.D., a Columbia University professor of pathology and cell biology, and author of The Second Brain, has explained to psychologists that “scientists were shocked to learn” that about 90 percent of serotonin is not created in the brain, but is actually produced in the gut and carried from there to the brain, not the other way around. This relationship is called the gut-brain axis.

A recent literature review of 26 studies suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria can disrupt the two-way communication along the gut-brain axis, leading to depression and other psychiatric issues.

Gut Health Equals Mental Health

“Gut health is extremely important for mental health,” says Bhavna Barmi, Ph.D., a senior clinical psychologist, relationship therapist and founder of the New Delhi-based Happiness Stu dio. “The traditional belief that only psychiatry and talk therapy can treat mental health has widened to include lifestyle and food, too.”

“The truth is that our food is the primary contributor of the quality and diversity of bacteria in the microbiome,” says Ishi Khosla, a clinical nutritionist and president of the Celiac Society of India. “There is an intricate relationship between the gut and the brain.” Food sensitivities, alcohol and highly processed, refined and sugary foods can lead to a lower diversity of good bacteria and increases in bad bacteria in the gut, which can trig ger gut inflammation and unfavorable health conditions.

Most mood-related disorders start with inflammation of the

brain as a response to inflam mation in the gut. “Certain foods, like gluten, can cause an inflammatory response in the gut. Over time, sensi tivities to gluten and other foods can lead to a ‘leaky gut’, an impairment of the gut lining that lets toxins into the bloodstream. Often, if it remains unresolved, it leads to mood-related disorders and other chronic health conditions,” says Khosla. Clinical nutritionists and other practitioners use biochemical markers and food sensitivity tests to help identify food ingredients that trigger inflammation in patients. However, if a leaky gut is present, a food sen sitivity test may not be very accurate. As Tom O’Bryan, DC, chief health officer of KnoWEwell, explains in his bestselling book The Autoimmune Fix, “When you have a leaky gut, a practitioner may do a 90-food testing panel that comes back sensitive to 20 or 25 different foods. And then the patient exclaims, ‘Oh my God, that’s everything I eat.’ Well, of course it is, because your immune system is doing what it is supposed to do—protecting you from toxins. Once the inflammation in the gut is reduced through the elimination of wheat and other offensive foods, and the implementation of a personalized diet and protocol to heal the gut [takes place], the same food testing panel will correctly identify those few ingredients to permanently avoid.”

Mood-Lifting Foods

Kelly Brogan, M.D., a holistic psychiatrist and author of The New York Times bestsellers A Mind of Your Own and Own Your Self, as well as co-editor of the landmark textbook Integrative Therapies for Depression, recommends making three dietary changes to lift mood:

n Eliminate processed foods and food toxins

n Add whole foods, good fats and therapeutic foods

n Add fermented foods

Eating foods that are fresh, whole, simple and organic when available fuels good gut bacteria and eliminates the toxins found in packaged foods such as hydrogenated vegetable oils, preservatives, dyes, emulsifiers, taste enhancers and sugars that can upset the proper balance in the gut. A pow erful mood regulator is the omega-3 fatty acid found in such

cold-water fish as salm on and trout or taken as a dietary supplement. These fatty acids regulate neurotransmission and gene expression, act as antioxidants and have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Good fats from pasture-raised meats, wild fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, olive oil, coconut oil and grassfed ghee also contribute to mood regulation.

“Resetting the gut through good bacteria in probiot ics and feeding the good bacteria with prebiotics is a powerful tool to fight mood disorders,” says Khosla. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, pickles (truly fermented, not just cured in vinegar), kimchi and coconut kefir are natural sources of probiotics. They are delicious and easy to make at home.

A 2018 University of Toronto study in the World Journal of Psychiatry identified 12 nutrients to prevent and treat depressive disorders and found that the following foods had the highest levels of those beneficial nutrients: bivalves such as oysters and mussels; various sea foods such as octopus, crab and tuna; organ meats; leafy greens; lettuces; fresh herbs; peppers; and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli.

Choosing what to eat is complex and affected by culture, cost, environment and taste preferences. Dietary changes can be difficult and take time, and those suffering from mood swings, depression or anxiety have additional challenges in making changes. Nutritionists advise starting small by incorpo rating one or two foods rich in beneficial nutrients and elimi nating a highly processed or packaged food or two. Focus on incorporating a rainbow of red, yellow, orange and green foods into meals. “Food therapy to improve mood is inexpensive, free of side effects and can begin to show results within days,” says Khosla.

In view of the gut-brain axis, says Barmi, “It is imperative that from this point on, nutritionists, psychiatrists and psycho therapists work together for holistic care of the client to lead to maximum benefit.”

Kimberly B. Whittle is the CEO of KnoWEwell, the Regenerative Whole Health Hub online solution for health and well-being. Visit KnoWEwell.com.

QUINOA AND BEETROOT SALAD WITH A HINT OF MINT

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

SALAD:

½ cup quinoa

1 medium beetroot, grated

10-12 fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

cup fresh cilantro

2 Tbsp shelled pistachios, roasted

2 Tbsp golden raisins

1 cup water

DRESSING:

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp lemon juice, adjust to taste

2 cloves garlic, adjust to taste

½ tsp roasted cumin powder

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Honey to taste

Rinse quinoa and add to a pot. Add water and cook uncovered for around 15 minutes or until all the water is evaporated. Cover the pan and switch off the stove. Keep covered for 5 minutes,

remove lid and fluff cooked quinoa with a fork. Set aside to cool.

In a bowl, mix all dressing ingredients and set aside. Place cooled quinoa, grated beets, pistachios, raisins and chopped herbs in a large bowl. Pour the dressing, toss well. Serve cold.

Recipe courtesy of Ishi Khosla.

GUT-HEALING SMOOTHIE

Blueberries contain compounds that increase beneficial bacteria in the gut, as well as antioxidant properties that are remarkable at protecting our brain. In fact, consuming 1 cup of blueberries per day for three years gets our brain working as well as it did 11 years earlier. Bananas are high in pectin, which helps to normalize movements of the large intestine. Look for gelatin powders from pastured animals.

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

water

coconut milk

bananas

frozen blueberries

ground flaxseed

unflavored gelatin powder

high-quality fish oil

ground cinnamon

scoops L-glutamine powder (optional)

In a blender, combine the water, coconut milk, bananas, blueberries, flaxseeds, gelatin powder, fish oil, cinnamon and L-glutamine powder (if using). Blend until smooth. Add more water for a thinner smoothie, if desired. Serve immediately or pour into ice-pop molds and freeze for a sweet treat later on.

Recipe courtesy of Tom O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN, from his book The Autoimmune Fix

YIELD: 12 TO 24 SERVINGS

3 cups almond flour 6 eggs

½ cup honey

½ cup avocado oil

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt 1 cup blueberries

Preheat the oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients— almond flour, baking soda and salt—and whisk well. In a separate smaller bowl, com bine the wet ingredients—eggs, honey and avocado oil—and blend until smooth.

Then pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. Fold in blueberries. Line cup muffin tin with paper liners and pour in batter. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Recipe courtesy of Madiha Saeed, M.D., ABIHM.

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GISTARB

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dining

take out

wise words

Rachel Jones on grief in the healthcare front lines

by Sandra Yeyati

What are the most pressing challenges in these medical settings?

There’s a stigma where it’s considered weak if you need mental health care, even though you work in a stressful envi ronment dealing with death and traumat ic incidents. Many doctors and nurses don’t access mental health services for fear that when they renew their licenses, they’ll have to reveal that and be further investigated—even in states where that’s not the case.

Another problem is the shortage of doc tors and nurses that we’re experiencing and will be experiencing in the next de cade as Baby Boomers age. Many places are short-staffed, heightening the burden on those that remain, which doesn’t help retain people. Patching things with travel nurses for short-term contracts isn’t sus tainable, and we don’t have enough new people coming into the system.

How do these challenges affect patient care?

After earning a journalism degree from Columbia University, Rachel Jones spent four years as a reporter in Caracas, Venezuela, including a year and a half as a correspondent for The Associated Press. Her articles have appeared in Time magazine, The Lancet, The Delacorte Review and Scientific American. In her book, Grief on the Front Lines: Reckoning with Trauma, Grief and Humanity in Modern Medicine, Jones examines the emotional challenges that healthcare workers face in hospital emergency rooms, hospices and other front-line settings.

What are your most surprising findings about healthcare heroes?

That they’re humans, just like the rest of us. They can make mistakes. Their work affects them, and they take it home. We have this impression that they’re emotionally cut off from their work, and this couldn’t be less true. Also, healthcare workers don’t have all the answers. We have this fantasy that if anything goes wrong, we can go to the doctor and have it fixed, but they can’t save everybody. Even the concept of a hero—that they’re going to swoop in and save us—does a disservice because it feeds into that false impression.

Medical errors increase when healthcare workers haven’t slept or eaten, which seems to be the standard, especially med ical residents who work insane schedules or hospital nurses who don’t have time to take breaks. Also, mental health issues and depression closes them off from colleagues and patients, giving them tunnel vision. Then there are issues such as bullying where because of the toxicity of the work environment, maybe doctors and nurses aren’t sharing information in the way that they should be, and that can have a very detrimental impact on patients.

Why is it important for healthcare workers to remain emotionally connected with patients?

Traditionally, doctors and nurses are taught to keep an emotional distance, but that can cause them to compartmental ize and numb out feelings, which then

spreads to their personal lives. They may be less able to engage with loved ones and feel disconnected from patients so their work isn’t as meaningful. Most healthcare workers care about people. They want to help patients and want to feel connected, so that disconnection is harmful to them and to their patients who don’t feel seen or cared for.

At the opposite end, some healthcare workers take on their patients’ suffering, bringing it home and obsessing about it. The idea is to find a balance—remaining open enough to connect, but not seeing yourself as the sole responsible person for a pa tient’s recovery. You’re not entirely in control, so realizing there are other forces at play when things go wrong, even if you made a mistake.

What coping strategies can help practitioners?

It’s essential that healthcare administrations provide space and time off for staff to heal and grieve, encouraging staff to speak with chaplains or therapists—normalizing mental health care— and ensuring that therapy is covered by insurance and widely available in safe and confidential settings.

Jonathan Bartels, a nurse in Virginia, came up with The Med ical Pause—a moment of silence after a patient dies to honor their life, think about what they meant to you and understand you did everything you could to save their life. Honor walks for organ donors are where everyone lines the hallway and watches as a patient is wheeled into the operating room after they’ve died and are going to have their organs transplanted into others. Stepping back for a brief moment of mindfulness is a powerful way to set down emotions, rather than letting them lodge in your body.

Self-care—things like yoga, exercise, journaling, taking walks—and peer support are important, but administrations need to make time for them to happen. At Johns Hopkins Hos pital, a project called RISE [Resilience In Stressful Events] allows practitioners to page a peer after a bad outcome. Sometimes, talking to someone like you that has been there themselves can be more helpful than a therapist.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

calendar of events

NOVEMBER 2022

To have your business or organizations events listed in our calendar send your information to mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH

Daily Devotionals for the U.N. Climate Conference. 5:45 – 7 p.m A daily devotional for use during the U.N. Climate Confer ence in Egypt from Nov. 6 – Nov. 18 has been created. Pray for world leaders at the climate conference each day, and for our selves, that we may all act as good stewards of God’s beloved creation. Printed copies of the devotional will be distributed at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston, TX 77005. To view or download an electronic copy, see the re sources tab at http://creationcares or e-mail Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com to get the file.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6TH

Rain Barrels for Houston. 12:45 – 2 p.m. Learn about the benefits of rain barrels, get one for your home/house of worship and learn how to install it on your property. Registration includes one rain barrel, one connecter kit and training to install them. Rain barrels will be available to be picked up on Sunday, Nov. 6, from 12:45 – 1:15 p.m. in the church parking lot. Installation training will take place immediately afterward, from 1:15 – 2 p.m., in the church’s Fireside Room. First Unitarian Universalist Church 5200 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77004. Register to participate at: www.galvbay.org/ events. For more information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY

NOVEMBER 16TH

Strong Open Heart: Love is All. 7:00 am-8:30 am. Online. Practical steps for deepening love and compassion for oneself and others. Presented by Anne C. Klein, and Harvey B. Aronson, and Dawn Mountain. Free. https://www.dawnmountain.org/com passion-2022/

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH

Sustainable Celebrations. 3 pm online. Sustainability is frequently defined as fulfill ing the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future genera tions. This is a simple definition, but putting it into practice for holidays and holy days may require some thought and planning. Lisa Brenskelle will draw from her decades

of work in earthkeeping ministry to explain the key aspects to consider to make your celebration sustainable. Time for interactive discussion with the speaker will be provid ed. Please register for this talk on www. eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/sustainable-celebrations-tick ets-430614338077. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH

Oneness: Scripture & Science. 6 pm online. Join Lisa Brenskelle, who holds a doctoral degree in engineering and has spent decades working in earthkeeping min istry in both Christian and interfaith settings, as she highlights the oneness of all things as understood by modern science and as expressed in Christian scriptures. Attendees will gain a deeper appreciation of how every thing connects to everything else, including how humanity is woven into the fabric of the universe. Time for interactive discussion with the speaker will be provided. Please reg ister for this talk on www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oneness-scrip ture-science-tickets-430609794487. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 3RD-SUNDAY DECEMBER 4TH

Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki Levels I & II are taught together over two days. This training is open to anyone, no prior healing experi ence or training is necessary. At levels I & II, you learn traditional Usui Reiki and receive initiation by Holy Fire® Energy. Upon com pletion of this course, you are qualified to begin healing yourself and others. If you feel

drawn to energy healing or have a strong desire to become a healer, our doors are open and inviting you to enter a powerful mystical healing path tracing back to Christ, Buddha, and beyond. Dharma Reiki & Acu puncture, 9039 Katy Freeway, Building 500, Suite 504, Houston TX 77024. Call April Bui at 713-922-3474 to register or for more information.

PLAN AHEAD

SATURDAY DECEMBER 26THWEDNESDAY JANUARY 2ND

Shen Yun, A Divine Culture—Lost, will be presented in Houston from December 26 through January 2, 2023, at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. Shen Yun is a brilliant artistic revival and celebration of China’s rich cultural heritage that conveys the extraordi nary depth and breadth of genuine Chinese culture, and brings the magnificence of 5,000 years of civilization back to life on stage. The show tours to 150 cities around the world each year with stunning costumes, high-tech backdrops and original orchestra compositions. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St., Houston. For tickets, call 877-663-7469 or visit Tinyurl.com/ShenYunHouston.

monday

IGNITE! Sessions. 10am-5pm. Find your pur pose with igniter/artist/intuitive guide Sarah Gish in 30- or 60-minute sessions ($50 or $100). You’ll leave with a personal mantra that reinforces what the heart-centered connection uncovered. Call for appointment: 713.993.0550. Body Mind & Soul. 7951 Katy Freeway.

tuesday

Dawn Mountain presents Teaching Tues day: Heritage of Sutras on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m., September 6 through December 6 on line. Watch live on Zoom or stream later on YouTube. The teachings attributed to Gauta ma Buddha are a treasure trove of guidance and inspiration for all traditions of Buddhism. Lama Rigzin Drolma, Lama Namgyal Dorje, Dr. Nathaniel Rich and other popular Dawn Mountain instructors will be exploring these early Indian texts. https://tinyurl. com/2p8uswxe

Faithful Resilience: A Study on Climate Resilience for Faith Communities 6 p.m., online. November 8-December 13. A six-part weekly study on climate resilience for faith communities. Join us for this six-week exploration and consider how your faith community can become a force for climate resilience. To learn more/ register, see: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/faithful-resilience-a-study-on-cli mate-resilience-for-faith-communities-tick ets-421609735067. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more information.

wednesday

Blissful Quests® with Doyle Ward-The Pocast. 1:00pm.Are you looking for an swers? Have you ever had a “hunch” or a “gut feeling” that came true? Are you won dering 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! blissful quests.com/podcast

saturday

Reiki Circle 11:00 am. Reiki Holy Fire Experience healing circle, held on 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month. A chosen issue for healing will be the focus of each circle. Everyone is welcome.Location: 9039 Katy Freeway, building 500, suite 504, Houston, TX 77024. Fee: Love offering. Contact: April 713-922-3474. Website: abui-acupuncture clinic.com

sunday

Dawn Mountain Free Weekly Meditation from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon Online. Led by senior members of the Dawn Mountain sangha (community), this meditation offers a chance to take a mindful pause from your busy life, enjoy serenity and fellowship, and learn a bit more about Buddhist practice at Dawn Mountain. https://www.dawnmoun tain.org/upcoming-live-webcasts-2/

SUBMIT YOUR CALENDAR LISTING TO mike@naturalawakenings-houstn.com

FREEDOM

COMES AT A HIGH PRICE FOR UKRAINIAN CITIZENS

SHOW THEM YOUR SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY.

PLEASE DONATE TO HELP THE UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. THANK YOU!

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE RED CROSS

icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine

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healthy living guide

ACUPUNCTURE

DHARMA REIKI & ACUPUNCTURE

9039 Katy Freeway, Suite 504 Houston, Texas 77024 (713) 922-3474 www.abui-acupunctureclinic.com

We are a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Reiki clinic, offering alternative healing services since 2008.

• Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

• Reiki energy healing, individual sessions and classes

• Internal medicine, pain management

• Women’s health, pre-post natal, menopause

• Emotional, trauma healing

• Chakra clearing and balancing

• Stress, anxiety, mood disorders

• Hormone, energy, sleep imbalance

• Diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid, gastrointestinal, and more…

FREE CONSULTATION

Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki Practitioner Training is offered monthly. Dates & details on website

Reiki Healing Circle on 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month. See Calendar of Events.

BATH PRODUCTS

CONNIE’S BATH SHACK 211 Midway St, Bldg E Spring, TX 77373 (281) 288-9595 conniesbathshack.com

A quaint shop in the heart of historic Old Town Spring Texas, offering unique hand made bath and body products and lots of rubber ducks. Small Batch Handmade soaps by Connie. Wonderful lather and amazing Scents. Enjoy the aroma therapy of a bath in your shower with Shower Steamers. Put little bit of heaven for your bath with Fizzies. We also have bath salts, scrubs, shampoos, lotions, creams, shaving creams & soaps, and batch accessories of all kinds. Shop conveniently on-line or drop by our store.

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 pat ented 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. See ad on page 17..

BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY

ADORE DENTISTRY 540 W 19 Street Houston, TX 77008 832-930-7844 adore-dentistry.com

Re-designing dentistry in Houston Heights by creating a person alized, comfortable, and fun experience to deliver excellent patient satisfaction. From preventative dentistry to smile makeovers, our team of dental professionals have the skill-sets to provide remarkable quality and compassionate care to give you that smile you’ve always wanted. Services include cosmetic, preventative, restorative, and a full range of family dentistry services. Lead by Drs. Emilyann Pham and Ann Blair our team provides compassionate human-centered patient care. Visit our website for more information or to book an appointment. Insurance accepted. See Ad on page 22

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 prob lems. The dental exam ination includes noticing systemic and habitual influences. If you have dental issues or current ly have silver amalgam fillings, call me today to schedule an appointment. See ad on page back cover

CBD

SMOKE ENVY/BETTER DAYS CBD

2524 Yale Street, #2, Houston, TX 77008 832-744-9944

18123 Egret Bay Blvd, Houston, TX, 77053 smokenvy.com/

CBD vape pens, gummies, tintures, flow er,oils, apparel and accesso ries. We stock Better Days CBD products.

HYDROSHACK HYDROPONICS

1138 W 20th Street, Houston, TX 77008 Open 7 days a week 713-292-1921

Hydroshack.com

Hydroshack proudly carries some of the most beautiful highCBD hemp flower and Delta 8 prod ucts in Houston! We also sell the highest quality 1.5 gram pre-rolls packed with actual bud and never trim. Our bud-tenders will be more than happy to let you experience true legal Hemp Flower from our open sample jars.While you are in check out our complete line of hydroponic growing products. See Ad page 16

Autumn is marching on: Even the scarecrows are wearing dead leaves. ~Otsuyu Nakagawa

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 won dering if you are intuitive? Doyle Ward is an expe rienced 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 9.

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: mas sage therapies, lymphat ic 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 now offer the first and ONLY mobile colonic service in Houston. 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

URBAN COLONICS-MOBILE

Treresa Hutt 5042 Briscoe St. Houston, TX.77033 713-738-8199 urbancolonics.com

We now offer the first and ONLY mobile colonic service in Houston. If you are unable to leave your home or prefer to take your colon hydrotherapy in privacy and convenience of your home, we will come to you. 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 wa ter. 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 appoint ment

See ad page 12

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

ERIN THOLE, CNHP

ErinThole.com

Thole.erin@gmail.com

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-fits-all 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 ini tial phone consultation. Hours until 5 pm Fridays. See Ad page 8

HYPNOSIS

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 bal ance 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!

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

PHOENIX RISING INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 3100 Richmond Ave Houston, TX 77098 713-806-9927

phoenixrisingacu.com

We offer comprehensive and customized thera peutic plans that address chronic illness & autoim mune disease for patients seeking support both in-person and virtually.

Phoenix Rising Integra tive Medicine takes an integrative approach to addressing chronic illness and autoimmune by combining ancient healing tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern functional medicine, including evidence-based lab testing, clinical nutrition, lifestyle modifications, herbal medicine and acupuncture protocols that are customized for each patient. We also work with patients suffering from environmental and food allergies, reproductive and fertility issues, breast implant illness, and emotional health issues. Visit our website for more information or to book an appointment.

JUICE

KARVIVA BEVERAGES

Food Is Better MedicineTM karviva.com

Organic juice detox & antioxidant juices, preboitic plant protein smoothies and synergy coffee blends. Karuna and Karviva products are available on Amazon and at Houston Area H-E-B, Sprouts Farmers Market and Central Market Stores. See Ad page 9

december uplifting humanity

AUSTIN ORGANIC VILLAGE Online sales only. 833-AUSTIN-1 austinorganicvillage.online

Focused on helping others achieve great er balance in life, our high-quality kratom prod ucts combine the best in variety with affordability. Sourced directly from top-rated kratom vendors that share our vision of helping others, Austin Organic Village is proud to offer a diverse line of kratom products for sale online. We believe that nature holds the key to true wellness, and offer our high-quality kratom products in the hopes of improving the health of others, the natural way. We ship nationwide and check out our prices and our quality. Call or visit our website for more infor mation or to place an order. See ad page 11

KREAT DAY BOTANICALS

1973 W Gray, Suite 23 Houston, TX 77019 713-369-0946

KreatDay.com

A BBB Accredited Business

We provide the choic est healthy Botanicals garnered from some of the most exotic corners of the world. Only The BEST! We ensure quality by going to the source, checking our international vendors 1st hand, and using USDA Certified Or ganic vendors when applicable. We stand by our products and our services! If you are unsatisfied with your order we will return, exchange and or refund your money. We got you covered! See ads on pages 4, 8 and 12.

Our aim is to make you have a KREAT experience as well as a Kreat Day!

LYMPHATIC THERAPY

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 and may cause blockages. Lymphatic therapy can reduce swelling and improve circulation throughout the lymphatic system. By appointment only. Be well – Stay well. CALL TODAY!

PHOENIX SCHOOL OF MASSAGE 6600 Harwin Drive Houston, TX 77036 713-974-0360 massageschoolhtx.com

Learn massage and holistic health. Train for a career you will love. New Program: Online classes com bined with on cam pus classes! Open your own practice. Find employment at Luxury Spas, Fitness Centers & Rehab Clinics. Finish in as little as 5 ½ months. Join one of the fastest growing Health Care Professions. Visit our website or call today for more information or to schedule a tour of our school.Day and Night classes start SOON. See ad on page back cover

If You Are Reading This, So Are Your Potential Customers.

MASSAGE

STAN’S HANDS MASSAGE & WELLNESS 2990 Richmond Avenue, Suite 440 Houston, TX 77098 832-526-6520 stanshandsmassage.com

Are you in pain? Well, you don’t have to live like this. We are here to heal your body and mind through mas sage and energetic practices.

We offer a wide variety of massage modalities designed to fit your needs. We offer both onsite chair and concierge table massage. Call today to book your appointment at 832-5266520. Our mission is to heal your mind and body.

If You Are Reading This So Are Your Potential Customers.

february

centered living

special ad

MEDITATION

DAWN MOUNTAIN

CENTER FOR TIBETAN BUDDHISM Online only at this time. 713-630-0354 dawnmountain.org

The mission of Dawn Mountain is to further the spiritual growth of our diverse commu nity as a living bridge between traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings and curious people everywhere. Dawn Mountain offers a number of free online services including: Weekly Meditation from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon each Sunday, “First Sunday” teach ings on the first Sunday of each month at 10:30 am, and monthly “Dharma Conversations” via Zoom on the first Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon. All sessions are archived on their YouTube channel. We are also offering a special online class Neurobiology and Meditation August 13 and 20. Please visit our website for more informa tion and consider taking advantage of our many offerings.

METAPHYSICAL

CHAKRA SHOP OF OLD TOWN SPRING 315 Gentry Street Spring Texas 77373 Unit B1 281-288-9130

A unique metaphysi cal shop in Old Town Spring.Services include: Spiritual Guidance Life Coach, Psychic, Tarot, Medium, Chakra & Aura Readings. We also stock: Candles, Crystals, Gemstones, Jewelry, Oils, Incense, Sage, Herbs, Resins & More! When you visit Old Town Spring, be sure to stop by our store.

CRYSTAL KINGDOM

309 Market Street, Unit D Tomball, TX 77375 346-236-6108 instagram.com/crystalkingdomtx

Located in the heart of the Old Tomball shopping district, Crystal Kingdom is not your average meta physical shop. Their specialty is custom made, fully-dressed 7-Day Candles for your specific needs. They also have a full stock of incense, oils, stones, jewelry and herbs. While you are there, ask about having your horoscope cast and be sure to mention that you “Saw them in Natural Awakenings”.

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 cus tom-make many of our product lines. Our prod ucts include a range of metaphysical items, clothing, books, stones, jewelry, candles, soaps, teas, incenses, herbs, blades, and accesso ries for spiritual work. We also have some unique renaissance festival and gothic clothing and accessories. 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.

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 peo ple for over five years with holistic medicine, diet, nutri tion and supplement support to enhance her client’s health and overall well-being. If you are suffering and cannot find relief, give Dr. Gracie a call. See ad on page 11

ORGANIC HEALTH & BEAUTY PRODUCTS

A JOURNEY TO WELLNESS By Gelcys Basulto

Helping people pursue a more mindful lifestyle. 1923 Ave G Rosenberg, TX 77471 ajourneytowellness.org 832-449-2600

Are your health and personal care products putting your health at risk?

Take the short trip to Downtown Rosenberg and visit A Journey To Wellness. All of our prod ucts are 100% Organic and made with natural ingredients. (You can also order online and we’ll ship our products to you.) We also offer Health and Wellness coaching. Book a free consultation and let’s get started embracing your new life in health today!

See ad on page 16

PAIN REMEDY

AUNT ALBERTA’S REMEDY Homeopathic Pain Relief Cream 973-715-9097 info@AlbertasPainRelief.com albertaspainrelief.com

Need Relief from Arthritis? Try Aunt Al berta’s Remedy to ease muscular aches and joint pain. Her Remedy is a homeopathic pain relief cream that penetrates deep into the skin and muscle tis sues. Get beneficial relief from sciatica, fibromyal gia, arthritis, neuralgia, gout, and more. All-natural ingredients! Do you want to feel a real difference from the nagging aches of arthritis? Feel less pain & have more range of motion? Great buy, get a 4oz jar for $15! Visit website for other options.

See ad on page 8

PET FOOD

BOBCAT RAW FOOD

Made locally. Delivered to your door. bobcatrawfood.com

Our raw cat food is designed to meet the nu tritional needs of obligate carnivores. We use only the highest quality Grade A, USDA certified USsourced 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.

REFLEXOLOGY

FIRST STEP REFLEXOLOGY

Call or text 713-826-6709

Reflexology is a ho listic approach to a better you. If you’re thinking about or have thought about learning the basic application of Reflexology and how you can use this technique to provide friends and family with the benefits of its healthy and relaxing priorities then this may be the training for you. Class size is limited and masks are encourage. Classes are taught by B. Johnson who has 22 years in both the practice and teaching of reflexology. Reflexology services are also by appointment. For more information on attending a class or scheduling a service call or text 713-826-6709

SKI RESORT

WHITE PINE WYOMING SKI RESORT

74 White Pine Rd.. Pinedale. Wyoming 82941 307-367-6606 whitepinewyoming.com

White Pine Wyoming, a ski and summer resort of the Wind River range, is a hidden gem of outdoor recreation. Enthusiasts can enjoy an authentic Wyoming experience without the crowds or extravagant prices 90 miles from Jackson Hole.

SPICES

GISTARB SPICE BLENDS

Gwen Gistarb Online Only Houston, Texas 77050 gistarbspiceblends.com 832-725-6342

Gistarb Spice Blends strive in making our all-natural ingredients, not only healthy but with amazing taste. Using natural spices created into all-nat ural seasoning will fulfill your life-long wellness. It’s like all the little details come together in harmony to create something magical. Starting inside out to accommodate all types of eaters; medical concerns, vegans, vegetarians, and those looking to change their eating habits. We offer nine great flavors for spicing up your everyday meals, with and without sodium, with no additives or preser vatives included. We’re here to provide all your seasoning needs. Visit us today to learn more at gistarbspiceblends.com

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SURFING SCHOOL

C-SICK SURFIN’

43rd Street Lifeguard Stand-Seawall Blvd. Galveston, Texas 409-770-9455 c-sicksurfin. com

Galveston’s oldest professional Surf School. Teaching at the 43rd Street Lifeguard Stand since 1999.

C-Sick offers a basic 2 hour be ginner lesson for $50. We provide everyone with the right size soft top surfboard and wetsuits when needed. C-Sick does Private Parties for groups up to ten people. We Teach On The Beach By Appointment ONLY. OPEN ALL YEAR!

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 pro cedure 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 neces sary.

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.

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YOGA

UNION YOGA STUDIO

600 N Shepherd Dr., #449 Houston, TX 77007 800-215-3190 unionstudio.yoga

The studio is dedicated to self-study through move ment, breath and meditation, and is committed to upholding the tenets of authenticity, sincerity, inclusion, and integrity without exception. We offer a variety of classes including Vinyasa, The Rest of Yoga (™), Yin, Hatha, and Myofascial Release. Classes are in-person, streaming and on-demand. Owner and lead instructor, Kim Taurins has been practicing yoga since 2001. She is a 500 hour E-RYT level with an emphasis in yoga therapeutics, Daoism, Reiki, and bodywork. Visit our website for more information, class schedules or to sign up.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~Robert Brault