Natural Awakenings Houston July 2019

E R F

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HEALTHY

FOREST BATHING Restores Body and Mind

LIVING

HEALTHY

CROPS IN THE CITY

PLANET

PLANT MEDICINE

Urban Farmers Break The ABC’s of CBD New Ground

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 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.

Contents

18

15 Urban Agriculture

15

Urban Agriculture Breaks New Ground

18 Solar Panels

Becoming Standard Feature for Homebuiders

19

19 Forest Bathing: Mother Nature’s Rx for Body & Mind

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4

20 An Interview with Jeff Primack

20

The Force Behind Blood Flow and Higher Intelligence

23 The ABC’s of CBD Nature Is My Medicine

Departments 5 letter from the publisher

14 eco tips

6 affirming naturally

18 sustainability

7 health briefs

19 fit body

10 global briefs

23 plant medicine

11 event briefs

25 calendar of events

Houston NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

28 resource guide

letter from publishers Greetings!

Cindy chose this month’s cover with the mortar and pestle of fresh herbs because this issue is about sustainable food production. We also have the first in a series of articles about energy sustainability. In our view, sustainability isn’t about living off the grid and growing all your own food. That isn’t practical for almost everyone. It’s about doing what you can.

This can include growing some of your own food or buying it locally from someone who can and thus reducing your carbon footprint. It might mean when you dine out, choosing a restaurant that uses locally sourced foods. It might mean having solar panels installed or buying your electricity from a company that uses wind energy to generate it.

Living in the country, we have lots of room to plant food crops and we have three big raised beds planted so far. This isn’t going to feed us all year round but it’s a small start. If you live in the city, you can still plant container gardens or do vertical gardening or support the local urban farmers by shopping at farmer’s markets. We aren’t able to install solar right now and there is only one electric company that serves our part of the woods so we are working to use less electricity. I get a text message each morning from my electric company telling me how much energy I used the previous day and what it cost. It becomes a game to turn things off and see how much electricity we cannot use.

The thing is, there are lots of things we can all do to live more sustainable lives. Just because we can’t do everything or can’t do some things doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything. Do what you can and enjoy doing it.

Mike & Cindy Hart The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul. ~Alfred Austin

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

HOUSTON EDITION PUBLISHERS

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DESIGN & PRODUCTION Helene Leininger Stephanie Herriman Tammy Leal CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Doyle Ward Shen Ge Linda Sechrist J.Garnett SALES & MARKETING

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CONTACT US 446 West 18th Street, Suite 419 Houston, TX 77008 713-927-6540 NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman COO/FRANCHISE SALES Joe Dunne NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Cave © 2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are weresponsible for the products and services advertised.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of © 2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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

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5

affirming naturally

A Life of Variety...

by Doyle Ward

You have more than 55,000 thoughts each day. Many are the

same thoughts over and over again. Every single one is an affirmation; this also includes everything that you say. By reducing your negative thoughts and words and increasing the positive ones, you can reshape your life. Expecting a better day helps to create a better life. The only place we have to take action or make changes is the present moment.

How long has it been since you tried something new? Every day routines can become so entrenched in us that we forget to explore.

Take the opportunity to walk in the park and enjoy nature, visit the zoo, watch children at play, discover new foods, put on some music and dance like no one is watching; there’s a world of opportunities waiting for you to explore. Here’s my affirmation for this month:

I live a life of variety.

The only thing that you are guaranteed in life is this moment. Working with positive affirmations can radically change your mindset. Say them and write them repeatedly with the feeling that they are your truth. You have the power to make great changes in yourself and the world. I know this is true because I have made huge changes in my life by changing my thoughts.

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I’ve always felt that having a garden is like having a good and loyal friend. ~C. Z. Guest

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health briefs

Eat Mostly Plants to Ease Gum Inflammation

The inflamed gum condition known as

gingivitis is fairly common and often mild, but can be a precursor of more more serious periodontal disease linked to Alzheimer’s and rheumatoid arthritis. German researchers at the University of Freiburg tested 30 people: half in a control group that did not change their diet, and half that switched to a diet low in meat and processed carbohydrates and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin D, antioxidants, plant nitrates and fiber. After four weeks, those on the plant-based diet They also lost weight and had higher vitamin D levels. had significantly less gum inflammation and bleeding.

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Take B12 to Help With Parkinson’s

Eat Mostly Plants to Ease Gum Inflammation The inflamed gum condition known as gingivitis is fairly common and often mild, but can be a precursor of more serious periodontal disease linked to Alzheimer’s and rheumatoid arthritis. German researchers at the University of Freiburg tested 30 people: half in a control group that did not change their diet, and half that switched to a diet low in meat and processed carbohydrates and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin D, antioxidants, plant nitrates and fiber. After four weeks, those on the plant-based diet had significantly less gum inflammation and bleeding. They also lost weight and had higher vitamin D levels.

Wonder Weed Hemp to the Rescue at Detox Sites

Cannabis is enjoying a renaissance of sorts, and one new application for hemp, the no-buzz industrial variety used in fabrics, oils and foods, is cleaning nuclear radiation from toxic soil and removing metals like cadmium, lead, mercury and other pollutants via phytoremediation. Allison Beckett, a cultivation expert at Marijuana. com, says, “Industrial hemp has been used in areas of high radiation, such as Fukushima, [in Japan,] with promising results. Not only does hemp pull toxic, heavy metals from the soil, it actually improves soil structure, making it usable as productive farmland again. Plus,

New research has found the basic micronutrient vitamin B12 may be the first good tool for averting the hereditary form of Parkinson’s disease, which accounts for about 15 percent of such cases worldwide. In lab tests, an international team of scientists found that AdoCbl, one of the active forms of vitamin B12, inhibits the activity of a mutated enzyme linked to Parkinson’s. Inhibiting this enzyme appears to help stabilize dopamine release in the brain.

Dopamine deficiencies manifest in the muscle rigidity and tremors that are hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s. Another recent study from the University of California San Francisco that included non-hereditary Parkinson’s patients found that symptoms worsened more quickly in early-stage patients that had low B12 levels than in those with higher levels of the vitamin.

hemp is a vigorous plant that absorbs CO2 rapily, making it an encouraging solution to climate change.” Hemp phytoremediation has been used in Italy to clean up the small town of Taranto, where a steel plant has been leaking dioxin into the air and soil. The Pennsylvania Industrial Hemp Council and Lehigh University, in Bethlehem, are running a project to test the process in an arsenic-contaminated area in Upper Saucon Township that once harbored a zinc mine.

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Alarm Sounded

Ireland Declares Climate Emergency

global briefs

The Republic of Ireland is the

third country worldwide to declare a climate emergency, with both the government and opposition parties agreeing to an amendment to a climate action report. “We’re reaching a tipping point in respect of climate deterioration,”says Climate Action Minister Richard Bruton. “Things will deteriorate very rapidly unless we move very swiftly, and the window of opportunity to do that is fast closing.”

The UK governments of Wales and Scotland have also declared climate emergencies. Suggested responses include limiting oil and gas exploration, and issuing an additional biodiversity emergency measure.

Sunny Solution

Wastewater Turned into Hydrogen Fuel Producing pure hydrogen is expensive and energy intensive, but a research team at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, at Princeton University, used sunlight to pull hydrogen from industrial wastewater by using a specially designed chamber with a “Swiss cheese”-like black silicon interface. As reported in the journal Energy & Environmental Science, the process is aided by bacteria that generate electrical current when consuming organic matter in the wastewater; the current, in turn, aids in the water splitting. It “allows us to treat wastewater and simultaneously generate fuels,” says Jing Gu, a co-researcher and assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at San Diego State University. The scientists say the technology could appeal to refineries and chemical plants, which typically produce their own hydrogen from fossil fuels and face high costs for cleaning wastewater.

Action Alert

Greenhouse Gases Hit Landmark

Certainty that we are facing a climate crisis today and not just in the future was reached in May through an alarming milestone in carbon dioxide levels. Data from the Mauna Loa Observatory, in Hawaii, shows that the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached 415 parts per million, the highest ever recorded.

However, environmental organizations charge that ominous news like this is not being communicated to the public to the degree warranted. While the CBS, NBC and ABC nightly TV news reports combined devoted nearly 18 minutes of coverage to the birth of the royal baby between May 6 and 12, airtime regarding climate change and extinction during the same period only amounted to one minute and 21 seconds, and onlyon CBS. For more information and to get involved, including signing a petition to demand that the media cover the climate crisis and extinction more frequently and in greater depth, visit Tinyurl.com/ClimateCrsisCampaign.

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Natural Pet Care plus: Children’s Health

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event briefs A Conference for Anyone Who Cares About Food Awake Tour at Universal Door Meditation Center

Farm & Food Leadership Conference 2019

On Monday and Tuesday, August 12-13,

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independent family farmers and ranchers, homesteaders, home gardeners, activists, and local food enthusiasts will gather in San Marcos, Texas, to explore the latest developments in sustainable agriculture and cultivate a unified voice on behalf of family farms.

Speakers include a wide range of experts including sustainable agriculture researchers and educators, community and non-profit leaders, chefs, activists, and biologists, presenting more than 50 sessions, workshops, demonstrations, and small-group Q&A meetings. The Conference offers two keynote addresses: one featuring permaculture designer Mark Shepard, who is the author of the book Restoration Agriculture; Real-World Permaculture for Farmers; and by Deborah Clark and Emry Birdwell, owners of the 14,000-acre, holistically managed Birdwell & Clark Ranch northwest of Ft. Worth.

The full program, roster of speakers, registration, and more information can be found at farmandranchfreedom.org Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance is a non-profit organization that advocates for common-sense regulations on behalf of small-scale farmers, ranchers, local food producers, and consumers.

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Have you ever heard about the Awake

World? Would you like to know where it is?

If you knew Awake is completely open, clear, fresh, spacious, the state of true happiness, full of infinite wisdom and unbounded compassion, free of all suffering and free from the non-stop thoughts in the mind, would you want to get there?

And what if we told you the journey to Awake World starts right here in Texas?

Yes! It’s true! The path to Awake is led by the Awakened Zen Master, Thich Dieu Thien, founder of Universal Door Meditation Center in Sugar Land.

For the past 18 years, Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien has been guiding people of all backgrounds, ages and cultures to show them they have the Awake seed inside of them, and has been teaching them step-bystep how to nurture it, nourish it, grow it and let it blossom within themselves.

We provide a free Awake Tour every weekend (see schedule below) to provide more information about Awake World and to let you have a feel for it and know that it is real and it is possible to Wake Up from our thoughts in this lifetime. The tour will answer all your questions, and help you understand more about our Awake Teacher and the Awake Center.

We are located on 9 beautiful acres near the Sugar Land airport with a lot of open space and serenity all around. It is an outdoor tour, so please dress comfortably, closed-toe shoes recommended. In case of rain, please call us to check first.

Everyone is Welcome to Awake World!!!

Awake Tour Times: Saturday: 10-11 AM Sunday: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Bonus: Dharma Session and lunch optional after tour) Please arrive 10 minutes prior as tours begin on time Universal Door Meditation Center 15202 Dora Lane Sugar Land, TX 77498.

Ph: (281) 565 9718 universaldoor.org

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Dangerous Dozen Produce to Avoid

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The 2019 Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce (Tinyurl.com/ DirtyDozen-Clean15List) highlights increased pesticide use on up to 70 percent of conventionally grown U.S. produce. Several different types of pesticide, insecticide and fungicide residues are present on many fruits and vegetables. The Dirty Dozen list includes strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery and potatoes. The clean 15 list includes avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, frozen sweet peas, onions, papayas, eggplant, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, cauliflower, cantaloupes, broccoli, mushrooms and honeydew melon. The EWG advises that eating organic produce, especially for pregnant and nursing mothers and young children, should be a national priority.

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Midsummer is prime time for outdoor fam-

ily meals, barbecues and picnics. Selecting the healthiest food, along with eco-friendly materials in preparing for the fun feasts, can fulfill a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle and conserve resources at the same time. g GreenAmerica.org recommends using organic cloth, reusable mesh or string produce bags when grocery shopping; use bamboo utensil sets and plastic straw alternatives made of stainless steel, food-grade silicone, bamboo or glass. g To keep uninvited flying pests like mosquitoes, flies and the like away from humans and food, apply natural repellents—many made of natural, essential oil; plant-based and food-grade ingredients can be found at ChasingGreen.org. g According to WebMD.com, charcoal grilling of meat can expose us to two potentially cancer-causing compounds—polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that form when fat from meat drips onto hot coals and are “deposited on food courtesy of flame-ups and rising smoke,” and heterocyclic amines

that “are produced when red meat, poultry and fish meet high-heat cooking.” Instead, consider using a closed-flame gas grill to reduce exposure to toxins and cook fresh and organic fruits and vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, onions and mushrooms. g Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warn against eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish due to high levels of mercury, and to consume no more than six ounces of albacore tuna per week for the same reason. Some studies point to avoiding farmed salmon due to potentially high amounts of PCBs. Bypass larger fish of the food chain; look for those that have earned the Marine Stewardship Council or Aquaculture Stewardship Council labels. g The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently estimated that between 30 to 40 percent of all food in the country is wasted.

To improve this situation, use glass containers instead of plastic bags to store leftovers.

Also consider sustainable food wraps like Bees Wrap (BeesWrap.com). Made from beeswax, organic cotton, jojoba oil and tree resin, they seal and conform to the shape of whatever food is being stored.

The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway. ~Michael Pollan 14

Houston NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

City planners need innovative solutions like vertical farming to feed the growing population. We can grow at scale, with minimum space and environmental impact. ~ Wendy Coleman

Ray grew his business organically, fueled by passion and curiosity rather than any horticultural background. “I grew up in NYC, where I had nothing to grow on. When I moved to Florida for grad school, I had a huge backyard to play around with,” says Ray.

Wendy Coleman, founder of LA Urban Farms, works with chefs, resorts, hotels, universities and corporate clients to set up aeroponic tower gardens, such as these kale and lettuce crops.

Like many other urban farms, Cultivate the City offers a seasonal farm subscription known as a community supported agriculture (CSA) program that allows city dwellers to buy directly from local producers. Ray’s

CROPS IN THE CITY Urban Agriculture Breaks New Ground

by April Thompson

The average American meal travels 1,500

miles to reach its plate, according to the nonprofit Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture. Yet enterprising green thumbs across the country are bringing the farm back to plate’s reach, growing hyperlocal food in backyards, on rooftops, through indoor farms and more. City farming reconnects urbanites to their food sources while bettering the environment, communities, diets and health.

Urban agriculture, harkening back to the Victory Gardens planted to ward off food shortages during World War I and II, is nothing new. While today’s home gardeners have staked out balconies, window boxes and vacant lots in this locavore resurgence, noteworthy pioneers are forging a path to organic urban agriculture on a commercial scale— tapping into new technologies and markets, and turning challenges like dealing with space constraints into fresh opportunities.

A View From the Roofs Take Niraj Ray, whose company Cultivate the City is working to transform urban food deserts in the nation’s capital into thriving local food systems. “We want to get more people interested in growing their own food and show them how they can grow more with less square footage through vertical gardens and sustainable techniques like [soilless] hydroponic systems,” says Ray. Cultivate the City manages numerous gardens for clients around Washington, D.C., from elementary school gardens where kids learn to grow, cook and eat nutritious food, to corporate gardens inside a new office building for lender Fannie Mae’s employee café. One of its crown jewels is a 6,500-square-foot rooftop garden on the Nationals Park baseball stadium, where edible flowers end up in cocktails and organic produce feeds fine diners and VIP ticket holders.

rooftop greenhouse, located on top of a local hardware store that sells his edible plants at retail, offers all the fixings for a healthy, diverse diet: hydroponic towers of leafy greens, trays of microgreens for corporate clients, specialty varieties of hot peppers for the company’s hot sauce and stacking cubes of an albino strawberry variety that Ray crossbred himself. “There are so many ways to contribute to urban farming, from aquaponics to vermicomposting; it’s about finding your niche,” he says.

Growing Up With Vertical Farming By 2050, it’s estimated that 9 billion people will be living on the planet—7 billion in cities.

“City planners need innovative solutions like vertical farming to feed the growing population. We can grow at scale, with minimum space and environmental impact,” says Wendy Coleman, who began her California-based business LA Urban Farms in 2013. Today, Coleman’s team works with chefs, resorts, hotels, universities, greenhouses and corporate clients like Google and Ikea to set up aeroponic tower gardens

15

across the U.S. and The challenges of Europe. growing at scale are There are so many With aeroponics, a recurrent theme ways to contribute to urban among urban farmnutrient-enriched water is pumped through a Ian Marvy, the farming, from aquaponics ers. garden tower to shower U.S. Department of to vermicomposting; it’s the roots of plants Agriculture (USDA) suspended in air. “It acspecialist about finding your niche. outreach tually uses 90 percent for the greater New less water than convenYork City area, ran ~Niraj Ray tional growing, which is his own urban farm, a huge benefit in a place like California, and grossing six figures for 14 years. However, avoids any kind of agricultural runoff,” says Marvy says most farmers growing in the city Coleman. In conjunction with urban farming aren’t operating at a profitable scale or propartners, the business churns out 30,000 ducing enough for everyone to eat local. seedlings a month using aeroponic technolEven so, locally grown produce is a ogy to grow for their diverse client base and booming market in New York City. Greenworking with chefs to plan seasonal menus market, founded in 1976, operates more around their produce. than 50 farmers’ markets, limited to vendors Aeroponics and other innovative farm that grow within a 200-mile radius, some technologies are transforming spaces in of whom take home five figures on a good cities across the U.S., reclaiming peripheral day, says Marvy. Interest in growing at the and idle spaces like alleys and warehouses community level has also mushroomed, to grow herbs and vegetables in abundance, adds Marvy, who estimates that 90 percent using 90 percent less land by growing verof the city’s more than 500 school gardens tically, notes Coleman. “With our gardens, weren’t there 15 years ago when he started diners can see their food growing at their this work. “The USDA has a huge opportutable; they get such a personal connection nity here and nationally to make cities more with their food. It’s an interactive way for sustainable and feed more people. I’m really hotels and restaurants to demonstrate their excited and committed to that,” he says. commitment to local, sustainable food,” she While urban agriculture efforts are somesays. times criticized for catering to upper income residents that can afford to pay top dollar for specialty items like microgreens, many Breaking into Hives: businesses and organizations are working City Beekeepers on multiple fronts, with lucrative specialty crops helping to subsidize programs serving “I had a backyard garden that wasn’t doing families lacking access to healthy affordable so well, and I thought it was the lack of polfood. linators, so I got bees, but then I realized I Grow Ohio Valley takes an integrated was just a bad gardener,” quips master beeapproach to food sovereignty in Wheeling, keeper John Coldwell, of Fort Lauderdale.

West Virginia, and the Upper Ohio Valley.

Since this humble beginning in 2012 with “This part of the Appalachian Rustbelt a few backyard hives, John and his wife has lost much of its population, jobs and Teresa have been leading a movement to economic base over the last generation. repurpose public land for “microapiaries” We want to promote health and wellness and provide apiary education for youth and through fresh food, while helping to transadults throughout South Florida. Through form the urban landscape from falling-down their entity The Urban Beekeepers, the buildings and vacant lots into productive Coldwells offer beekeeping classes, consult community assets,” says founder Danny with local governments, sell equipment and Swan. rescue “feral hives” to integrate into manThe operation’s food hub aggregates proaged hives. They’ve worked successfully duce from small local farmers, providing a with parks, airports, golf clubs and country guaranteed market for their produce and the clubs to put honeybee habitats on site. opportunity to reach a larger market, usually Urban beekeeping works in synergy with only served by food grown thousands of city farms, as honeybees forage up to five miles away. The produce is supplemented miles for food, and in so doing pollinate a by four urban farm sites run by the organizalot of crops. Seventy of the top 100 human tion, including an apple orchard on the site food crops are pollinated by bees, according of a demolished housing project. to the Food and Agriculture Organization of Grow Ohio Valley also works to reach the United Nations. “We often hear people the “last-mile customers” that lack access say their garden is doing better than it has in to high-quality affordable produce via a years, thanks to the apiaries nearby,” says mobile farmers’ market that goes to housing John Coldwell. projects, senior communities and schools six days a week.

Their latest project, the Public Market,

Tips From the Pioneers Those that have never nurtured more

than a houseplant shouldn’t be intimidated, says Wendy Coleman, founder of LA Urban Farms. “Growing food is easy and doesn’t require any special background,” says Coleman, who was green to growing when she started her business six years ago.

When growing commercially, find a niche, says Niraj Ray, of Cultivate the City. The company grows plants of ethnic or cultural significance to appeal to Asian, African and Latino populations, from the nutrition-packed moringa to okra, a staple of both Indian and African cooking, given it is a growing market for immigrant populations not served by most traditional garden centers.

Seek natural allies, like sustainability-minded chefs, to bolster an urban ag business. The farm-to-fork chef’s movement has been a boon for beekeepers and farmers, with chefs acting as patrons of the farms, according to beekeeping expert Teresa Coldwell.

Sette Bello Ristorante, an Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, funds vertical gardens at a community garden where the Coldwells have hives so its chef can have pure organic food like squash blossoms pollinated by local bees.

Urban farming has its pleasures and rewards, but can also bring hardships.

Ray struggles with employee turnover when newbie farmers face the realities of working in the heat and rain, even from a sleek, trendy rooftop garden.

16

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

is a retail location on the Earth. City growing has Wheeling’s Main Street so many benefits: decreasThe USDA has a huge that will serve as a ing packaging, costs and opportunity here and nationallyfood miles traveled, makyear-round farmers’ market. The organito make cities more sustaina- ing it easier to eat organic zation is also building food and a more ble and feed more people. seasonal alliances between local diverse diet. “The con~ Ian Marvy farmers and health nection people feel when care providers through they plant seed and get to a project called The harvest the mature plant is Farmacy. A partnership with a local free clintransformative. Growing food is something ic, it targets people suffering from diabetes we can all do to make a difference, for our and other diseases linked to poor diets with health and the environment,” says Coleman. a doctor’s prescription for organic produce offered free through the organization’s CSA. Connect with Washington, D.C. freelance These urban agriculture pioneers are writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com. helping to not only grow food, but communi ty, and are nurturing renewed connections to

LET’S GET GROWING

F

or those interested in trying home growing or supporting metro area farmers, here are some resources for eating food grown in and around your zip code.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Urban Agriculture Toolkit walks prospective city farmers through all of the necessary steps to planning a successful urban agriculture operation, from soil testing to accessing financing.

Tinyurl.com/UrbanAgriculturalToolkit.

UrbanFarming.org features a clickable map of community gardens in the U.S. and beyond where neighbors can connect and grow together.

The FairShare CSA Coalition’s site (CSACoalition.org) offers an interactive Farm Search tool to find community supported agriculture (CSA) programs where city

dwellers can subscribe to local farms and receive a share of the seasonal bounty.

The American Community Garden Association (CommunityGarden.org) provides resources for finding, starting and managing community gardens.

Local Harvest (LocalHarvest.org) has a searchable national directory of farmers’ markets, farms, CSAs and more.

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sustainability

SOLAR PANELS BECOMING A STANDARD FEATURE FOR HOMEBUILDERS

by Shen Ge

Smaller footprints and greener features ranked at the top of the

trends list among a 2017 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) study published in the Green Multifamily and Single Family Homes 2017 SmartMarket Brief. At least one third of single family and multifamily builders surveyed said that green building is more than 60% of their portfolio. Within this category, nearly 30% of multifamily builders fall into the category of “dedicated” green, i.e. more than 90% of their portfolio is in green building. Within the single family side, this is nearly 20%. By 2022, both single family and multifamily sectors are expected to increase to 50% for people who invest in green.

Increasing energy efficiency continues to be the most common method of improving the performance of a green home, followed by creating a healthy indoor living environment. The report also found that a considerable number of builders are developing net zero homes or plan to build net zero homes in the near future. Among those surveyed, 29 percent of single family home builders have built a net zero home in the past two years, and 44 percent expect to do so in the next two years. Builders see increased customer demand and a competitive advantage as the top two drivers to develop net zero homes.

This report reflects the growing trend in new construction called “solar ready”. At one time, it was common to have subcontractors who specialized in a specific area only. Now, contractors are striving to become more well-rounded and advertise themselves as home performance professionals who specialize in whole-house systems.

With environmental awareness and studies revealing the benefits of energy efficiency, building professionals are taking as standard practice the necessity to consider all of the potential of a new home at the outset.

Adrienne Esposito, executive director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment, noted that design changes that accommodate solar arrays are simple to include during the building process and could be difficult and costly to change after construction.

“It is the worst kind of antiquated thinking for any new homes to be constructed that are not solar ready,” said Neal Lewis, the executive director of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College.

Government Support

More and more municipalities are requiring net zero energy from new residential and commercial construction. In other words, state and local governments are starting to incorporate rooftop solar guidelines into their building codes and adopt the most up-to-date electric and safety codes.

The federal government is also providing financial incentives for homeowners who decide to go solar. The government is also providing a push. In his May 9, 2014 executive order aimed at expanding solar power and energy efficiency in the United States, President Obama applauded the efforts of two dozen homebuilders that have

committed to building solar homes, including a private-sector program by 22 firms to build nearly 10,000 solar-equipped houses as part of an effort to advance zero-net-energy housing. The investment tax credit (ITC), also known as the federal solar tax credit, allows residents to deduct 30 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes. The ITC applies to both residential and commercial systems, and there is no cap on its value.

Going forward, the tax credit will phase out by 2022.

• 2016 – 2019: The tax credit remains at 30 percent of the cost of the system.

• 2020: Owners of new residential and commercial solar can deduct 26 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes.

• 2021: Owners of new residential and commercial solar can deduct 22 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes.

• 2022 onwards: Owners of new commercial solar energy systems can deduct 10 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes. There is no federal credit for residential solar energy systems.

So to maximize your tax benefit, make sure that you get solar soon!

References https://www.nahb.org/news-and-publications/press-releases/2017/09/study-finds-green-home-building-continues-to-gain-traction.aspx https://www.everbluetraining.com/blog/home-builders-must-be-solarready https://www.energysage.com/solar/cost-benefit/solar-investment-tax-credit/ Interested in more of Shen Ge’s articles on renewable energy and other latest technology trends? Follow his blog at www.impacthound. com and his Facebook page for his radio show at www.facebook. com/theshenshow

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18

fit body

The main purpose is not exercise or getting from point A to point B, but rather having a mindful, sensory experience in nature. ~Hannah Fries

Forest Bathing Mother Nature’s Rx for Body and Mind

by Marlaina Donato

In 1982, the Japanese government coined

the term Shinrin-yoku (“taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing”) to inspire people to visit and appreciate national parks. Today, that walk in the woods has become a medically recommended activity worldwide for improving immunity, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, managing chronic pain and promoting better sleep. The research supporting the physical and mental benefits of forest bathing is so compelling that it’s advocated by the National Institute of Public Health of Japan and prescribed to patients there.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia, in England, examined years of studies and found significant evidence that experiencing nature has a positive impact on health. Published in the journal Environmental Research in 2018, the meta-analysis involving 290 million participants from 20 countries concluded that spending time in green spaces lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduces the stress hormone cortisol. The study also noted a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and death from heart disease.

Terpenes and Tree Therapy Another recent review of studies, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, concluded that Shinrin-yoku can ease the symptoms of adult depression. “Forest bathing plugs us into something we all seek—a source

of peace and well-being. The thing that first hooked me into being a forest bathing guide was reading the robust body of research that proves the benefits of forest bathing,” says Judy Beaudette, board secretary of Friends of North Creek Forest, in Bothell, Washington.

Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified forest therapy guide and author of The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect With Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life , in Chevy Chase, Maryland, attests to the therapeutic value of forest bathing. “Even occasional nature immersion can have beneficial health effects that can last for days. Many doctors are now prescribing nature to patients. There’s an organization devoted to this called Park Rx America.” She recommends just 20 minutes during a lunch break to sit on a bench or on the ground beneath trees.

There are many theories of why spending time in the woods or any other natural place makes us feel good; for example, findings published in the journal Toxicological Research in 2017 attribute the immune-boosting, mood-lifting benefits of forest bathing to natural terpenes released into the air by trees, especially conifers. Terpenes contain anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen the body’s natural defenses.

Sensory Immersion, Not Exercise Shinrin-yoku is intended to engage the trinity of body-mind-spirit. “The main purpose is

not exercise or getting from point A to point B, but rather having a mindful, sensory experience in nature. It isn’t some prescribed task you need to do, like pushups,” explains Hannah Fries, a poet and author of Forest Bathing Retreat: Find Wholeness in the Company of Trees. She communes with the wild for both health and inspiration. “Even if it’s only 20 minutes a week, go outside without a phone or other electronic device. Walk slowly. Look more closely. Listen. Smell.

Touch. Interact with the living, breathing world around you. It’s that simple.”

Choukas-Bradley says that observance is key. Recalling her first forest bathing experience, she says, “We paid attention to our breath and tuned in to the sights, sounds and sensations all around us. I noticed a perfect spider’s web, just barely trembling in the slightest breeze, its creator clinging to the center.”

She recommends finding a “wild home”—a neighborhood park, garden or backyard tree. “Make it a practice to find a ‘sit spot’ where you can quietly observe beauty and are apt to feel a sense of awe.

Psychology researchers have shown that experiencing awe has many positive effects on emotional health.”

It doesn’t matter if we commune with nature in a rural or urban setting, only that we remain dialed in to our surroundings. “Forest bathing is a tool for slowing down our buzzing minds and practicing a secret superpower—the skill of consciously choosing what we put our attention on,” says Beaudette.

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books, including Multidimensional Aromatherapy. She is also a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com

Local Forest Bathing Resources You can find local forest bathing opportunities starting mid September taught by Heather Sullivan. You can drop in, or pay for an 8 week series at both locations.

Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary houstonaudubon.org/programs/adults/mindful-mondays.html Russ Pitman Park in Bellaire naturediscoverycenter.org/activities/mindfulness-in-nature/ The hour long class begins with a guided 15-minute mindfulness lesson. Then you will then go to a quiet spot in the park to practice simply being mindful not mind-full. Afterwards the group will meet with wild-collected tea for sharing.

19

interview

holding the same healing prayer. Many people that attend heal old injuries and nearly everyone is strengthened by the energy. Our vision for this event is to uplift the group energy to the highest level to benefit all who attend.

DD: Is there significance to practicing Qigong in large groups?

JP: During 1980-1999 the Chinese people gathered for Qigong events inside arenas and stadiums with tens of thousands of people.

Dr. Yan Xin led this first wave of Qi awareness with integrity, but other fake masters misused Qigong to protest the government and Qigong was banned in large group settings. Chinese people had discovered the secret of “Group Energy” and it went beyond the roar of a rock concert or the cheers in a football game. Qigong was a weekly outing in China for two decades and people viewed Qigong as an opportunity to be strengthened and healed while enjoying fellowship with friends. Qi sensations and internal benefits reach into the scientific minds of truth seeking men and women. Where two or more practice Qigong sincerely there exists a larger living field of energy and I believe it’s stronger when more people practice.

The Force Behind Blood Flow and Higher Intelligence

Interview with Qigong Practitioner Jeff Primack Part 1

Conducted by Publisher Damon Damato DD: Can you bring a Universal meaning to describe what is Qi? JP: Qi is the electric LIFE PRESENCE that beats the human heart and charges the air we breathe. Gong, like Gong Fu, is a REPEATED ACTION to activate higher energy. Qigong generates a powerful magnetic field in the hands and this energy “dilates arteries” healing what it touches.The effects of Qi are profound for increasing circulation and improving endocrine imbalances. Science will discover Qi is related to static electricity and can be harnessed with hand postures.

DD: Qi Revolution is coming to Texas at Auston Convention Center August 24th-26th. What is your higher vision for sharing this kind of healing with hundreds of people?

JP: I believe when more human beings develop “Qi Awareness” human evolution will go higher.We hold our Texas Event once a year and transform a convention center into sacred space.

Our intention is to experience the authentic healing and stress-dissolving practices of Qigong in a strong group energy field. Sound, light and Qi graphics are used to improve learning so everyone can feel what is going on without any previous experience. It’s rare that 300+ people all simultaneously inhale at the same second, while

DD: The breath work at the Qi Revolution is transformative.

Since every person is connected to it, do you believe the answers to healing & overcoming negative emotions are found here?

JP: Breathing is the most powerful skill humans can learn to attune with the spirit of life. Genesis 2:7 reveals, “God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

After teaching Qigong breathing to groups large and small I would say there is a connection. People report Euphoric vibrational experiences when they do our Breath Empowerment, even if they don’t believe Qi exists. Breathwork is the best Gong Fu, repeated deep breathes will break the veil of darkness and bad thoughts, eventually flooding the body with light energy.

DD: Can you bring a Universal meaning to describe what is Qi? JP: Qi is the electric LIFE PRESENCE that beats the human heart and charges the air we breathe. Gong, like Gong Fu, is a REPEATED ACTION to activate higher energy. Qigong generates a powerful magnetic field in the hands and this energy “dilates arteries” healing what it touches.The effects of Qi are profound for increasing circulation and improving endocrine imbalances. Science will discover Qi is related to static electricity and can be harnessed with hand postures.

DD: Qi Revolution is coming to Texas at Auston Convention Center August 24th-26th.

What is your higher vision for sharing this kind of healing with hundreds of people?

JP: I believe when more human beings develop “Qi Awareness” human evolution will go higher.

We hold our Texas Event once a year and transform a convention center into sacred space.

Our intention is to experience the authentic healing and stress-dissolving practices of Qigong in a strong group energy field. Sound, light and Qi graphics are used to improve learning so everyone can feel what is going on without any previous experience. It’s rare that 300+ people all simultaneously inhale at the same second, while holding the same healing prayer. Many people that attend heal old injuries and nearly everyone is strengthened by the energy. Our vision for this event is to uplift the group energy to the highest level to benefit all who attend.

20

DD: Is there significance to practicing Qigong in large groups?

JP: During 1980-1999 the Chinese people gathered for Qigong events inside arenas and stadiums with tens of thousands of people. Dr. Yan Xin led this first wave of Qi awareness with integrity, but other fake masters misused Qigong to protest the government and Qigong was banned in large group settings. Chinese people had discovered the secret of “Group Energy” and it went beyond the roar of a rock concert or the cheers in a football game. Qigong was a weekly outing in China for two decades and people viewed Qigong as an opportunity to be strengthened and healed while enjoying fellowship with friends. Qi sensations and internal benefits reach into the scientific minds of truth seeking men and women. Where two or more practice Qigong sincerely there exists a larger living field of energy and I believe it’s stronger when more people practice.

DD: The breath work at the Qi Revolution is transformative. Since every person is connected to it, do you believe the answers to healing & overcoming negative emotions are found here?

JP: Breathing is the most powerful skill humans can learn to attune with the spirit of life. Genesis 2:7 reveals, “God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”After teaching Qigong breathing to groups large and small I would say there is a connection.

People report Euphoric vibrational experiences when they do our Breath Empowerment, even if they don’t believe Qi exists.

Breathwork is the best Gong Fu, repeated deep breathes will break the veil of darkness and bad thoughts, eventually flooding the body with light energy.

DD: Can one become more peaceful and increase awareness from the breath?

JP: A renown surgeon named Perrin Clark, MD from Daytona Beach, Florida recently attended our national event. He told us he was super-stressed from telling 5 patients (on average days) they had some type of cancer. Dr. Clark’s job was to give bad news to patients and this caused him

to hold his breath a lot! He now reports his stress has gone down dramatically since after attending Qi Revolution and learning Qigong. As a result, he attended our trainings and was certified in both our Qigong and Food Healing programs.

DD: There are a number of healing routines within the Qi Revolution experience. Do you need to be fit to participate? Can one receive healing attributes if they are out of shape, ill or have other physical impairments?

JP: People with injuries often experience pain relief doing Qigong in the first morning practices.We are okay with people practicing where their body is at and provide modified postures for those who need special assistance. People of all ages can benefit from Qigong’s challenge.

DD: I’ve seen a shift over the past few years where your focus has really zeroed in on food healing, especially in regards to food science. Why do you feel this is so important in today’s world and how does it relate to one’s personal Qi? JP: Food is key to excellent health, especially natural foods made before the inventions of man.Kiwi for example, helps to “Reverse Asthma” in hundreds of students I’ve counseled. Moreover, prestigious medical journal THORAX indicates children who eat Kiwi 3-5 times a week vs. those who didn’t eat any, have a much lower incidence of asthma. My theories have science to back it.

Proof is really in whether or not God’s kiwi really helps people breathe. Evidence shows kiwi should be suggested by allergists and breathing therapists to help children with this disease. *Kiwi’s Effect on Breathing. Thorax J. Respiratory Medicine 2004 Food effects our Qi by becoming our blood and the cells which carry oxygen to our brain. I teach that eating RED FOODS (high in carotenoids) are the best way to stop the oxidative processes responsible for heart disease and brain degeneration.

We make smoothies and serve sweet red

pepper paste to all attendees at Qi Revolution so they can taste for themselves how delicious natural foods can be prepared.

DD: You perform a Global Healing Circle that is legendary. How does it connect participants using the 9-Breath Method with an expanded process?

JP: The living electricity felt in the hands of the healing circle is unlike anything else we teach. After everyone is proficient in using the 9-breath method, our signature breathing technique, we hold hands while doing it many times. The feeling is like an electric current going through everyone’s legs, arms and hands. It feels so very good! Delicious I might say. We focus our mind to God and ask for healing of people we love and send light to noble groups and nations worldwide.

DD: You have vowed from the beginning to keep the cost of Qi Revolution in reach for all people and have even gone as far as to offer this healing for Veterans free of charge. You offer CE HOURS for message therapists, nurses and counselors for an incredible value.

Share with me the importance of putting people over profit.

JP: Qigong is not only for rich or materially successful people. Qi Revolution is $199 for 3-Days is made affordable to open the “Qi Door” for more people. Massage Therapists love our training and earn 24 CE hours when they attend. We allow U.S. veterans to attend free and each year hundreds of veterans do attend and many of them have become our best Qigong instructors.

August 24th - 26th , 2019 Austin Convention Center For more information: QiRevolution.com (800)-298-8970 See ad on page 3

21

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22

Houston NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

NATURE

is my medicine PLANT MEDICINE SECTION

The ABC’s of CBD

by J. Garnet

It seems that the letters CBD are popping

up on almost every corner these days. It’s the newest craze in the alternative plant medicine industry. It has recently been legitimized by the FDA and could just be one of the major advancements in medicine that’s been seen in a very long time.

The hemp and cannabis plants have over 100 different chemical compounds, better known as cannabinoids. These interact with the endocannabinoid system which is a system of neurotransmitters in the body that helps balance and maintain normal body function throughout the body, including the nervous system, respiratory and digestive systems, the brain and peripheral tissue and organs.

Two of the major cannabinoids that have been studied are CBD, cannabinol, and THC, tetrahydrocannabinol. Although related and come from the same plant, there are differences in the chemical compounds.

THC is a psychoactive agent and when consumed or applied can make the patient “high.” Many people who are seeking alternative medicines are not looking for those psychoactive effects. CBD does not have the mind-altering effect on the body but still delivers the many medicinal benefits to the body. There are a number of ways to get the medicine into the body. There are drops that can be placed under the tongue, salves and ointments that can be applied topically, and a plethora of edibles that include candies, savory foods, mints and drinks. CBD can also be inhaled through smoking or vaping the oil.

Although in its infancy stage of research, CBD has already lots of anecdotal support for the many benefits that it has medicinally. There are numerous videos and stories circulating the different venues of social media. Patients, parents and spouses are sharing their success stories from around the world. The testimonials show benefits for treating chronic pain, sleeplessness, anxiety, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, cancer, nausea, to name just a few. CBD is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunosuppressive.

Keeping in mind that longitudinal studies still need to be conducted to give these testimonials any real credibility, the number of testimonials shared each day continues to grow exponentially. Researchers have many people from these videos and articles to jump start the process of proving its efficacy.

There is scientific research, however, that has been proven. According to the National Institutes of Health, CBD is shown to help with the debilitating side-effects of cancer treatment. Other research studies are showing that CBD is effective in treating PTSD, alcohol and drug addiction withdrawals. The FDA has recently approved a CBD based medication, Epidiolex, to help fight seizures associated with epilepsy.

According to an interview in Men’s Health Magazine with Dr. Orrin Devinsky, director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at NYU Langone Health, CBD should be researched across the board on the

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benefits it has with the many different epilepsy syndromes. Now that the FDA has approved a medicine which is CBD infused, the steps for creating new medications containing CBD have already begun. Although a formal statement from the FDA has not been released regarding the safety of CBD, it has been announced that the World Health Organization has provided data, stating that pure CBD is safe for consumption. This is a very good sign for the changing views of the medical community. CVS and Walgreens have recently announced that they will start carrying CBD oil products.

With so many CBD products hitting the market, how can consumers be certain that the products being purchased is of the highest grade and quality? Like vitamins, and other alternative medicines, a little footwork is needed by the patients or their caretakers. Since the FDA has yet to set standards regarding quality and dosage, it’s important to be vigilant when choosing a product. Be certain that the seller has their product third-party tested to ensure that the CBD is therapeutic grade and pure. Many of the products on the market are not labeled as such and should be avoided.

COMING IN AUGUST The Power of Tea: It is an elixir that can aid in the treatment of, and even cure of, many ailments, conditions and diseases of the body, mind and spirit.

Check back to our Plant Medicine section each month to grow your knowledge of nature’s most versatile medicines.

23

With plant medicine becoming more mainstream, it’s going to be expected that patients become their own self advocate when it comes to medicating. The days of getting a prescription and taking it blindly, not knowing exactly what it contains and how it’s going to affect other parts of the body, is dwindling. Become educated on all things natural and how they may help.

Like any other type of medicine, it is best to speak with a professional before taking products that are unfamiliar or new to a patient’s treatment.

J. Garnet, M.A., is an educator and freelance writer. Garnet’s studies have led him to the world of Plant Medicine and its many benefits. His work is centered on educating the public on alternative medicine. Garnet can be reached at jeffrey@naturaltucson.com or 520-437-8855.

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calendar of events

on going events

NOTE: All Calendar events must be received via email by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Email calendar@naturalawakenings-houston.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

July 2019 SATURDAY JULY 6TH Marva’s Holistic Fair. 10:00am-5:00pm. Psychics, tarot readers, palmists, healers, vendors of all sorts. Admission Free. LaQuinta Inn-Galleria on 610 West Loop North between San Felipe and Post Oak, 77027. psychicfairs.com 713-4443581 SUNDAY JULY 7TH Bayou Bikers. 8:00am. Meet at Market Square Park for 25-40 mile bike rides exploring the bayous of Houston. Rides are open to all. Mountain bikes or bikes with fat tires are necessary. This is an informal group whose purpose is to show Houstonians and visitors the beauty of Houston’s waterways. Market Square, 301 Milam, 77002.

713-845-1000 marketsquarepark.com WEDNESDAY JULY 10TH Nia Retreat July. July 10th–July 16th. Experience Daily Nia Classes. Be nourished with delicious healthy meals. Relax with unlimited use of far infrared sauna, hot tub and Olympic length lap pool.

Enjoy nature, rescued donkeys and horses. Soma Ranch, 10176 Pooles Rd, Montgomery, 77356.

(832) 567-4550 http://www.somaranch.com/events/nia-retreat-july SATURDAY JULY 13TH Heal Your Life® Two Day Workshop. Sat/Sun 9:00am-6:00pm. Facilitated by Doyle Ward. In this transformational workshop originally created by best-selling author Louise L. Hay, You Can Heal Your Life®, you will discover the mindset that has limited your success in business, financial abundance, intimate relationships, spiritual growth, and much more. Investment: $225.00. Spectrum Center at The Preserve, 2060 North Loop West, Suite 205, 77018. For more info: doyle@blissfulquests.com (832)628-4113 blissfulquests.com YogaMass®. 5:00pm. YogaMass is a community who worships on our yoga mats, integrating yoga, breath work, meditation, and holy communion. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd., 77008. Donation-based. For more info, contact Grace at 832-667-8601,YogaMassAwakening@ gmail.com or yogamass.com.

SUNDAY JULY 14TH Half-day Retreat. 9:00am-12:00pm. Chan/Zen Meditation Classes guided by Ordained Zen Masters of Chung Tai Chan Monastery. Free. CHUNG TAI ZEN CENTER OF HOUSTON 12129 Bellaire Blvd., 77072 zen@cthouston.org cthouston.org 281-568-1568 THURSDAY JULY 18TH Blanket Bingo! 6:00pm. $10 admission includes one bingo packet (approx 9 games).

Additional games and daubers can be purchased for $1 each. 6-9 pm. Bingo begins at 7pm.

Market Square Park, 301 Milam, 77002. marketsquarepark.com

SUNDAY JULY 21ST United We Win – Collaborating to Solve Houston’s Toughest Environmental Challenges. 6:00PM. Jaime Gonzalez, Houston Urban Conservation Programs Manager for The Nature Conservancy, will highlight a variety of local environmental issues, and how local people/organizations are coming together to address them.

Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions about this talk. Please register here: https://bit.ly/2X2eogS FRIDAY JULY 26TH Critical Mass-Houston. Assemble at 6:30 pm.

Roll at 7:15pm. 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. Free. Guadalupe Plaza Park, 2311 Runnels St., 77003. criticalmasshouston. com SUNDAY JULY 28TH Blessing Ceremony. 9:00am-12:00pm. Free.

CHUNG TAI ZEN CENTER OF HOUSTON, 12129 Bellaire Blvd., 77072 zen@cthouston.org www.cthouston.org 281-568-1568 WEDNESDAY JULY 31STSUNDAY AUGUST 4TH Awake Summer Youth Camp 8am-4pm. Help your child realize the Awake within themselves become clear, fresh, more focused and stable regardless of what happens around them. Call before JuLY 25 to register. Universal Door Meditation Center - 15202 Dora Lane, Sugar Land, 77498. universaldoor.org 281-565-9718

plan ahead SATURDAY, AUGUST 10TH YogaMass®. 5:00pm. YogaMass is a community who worships on our yoga mats, integrating yoga, breath work, meditation, and holy communion. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd., 77008. Donation-based. For more info, contact Grace at 832-667-8601,YogaMassAwakening@ gmail.com or yogamass.com.

FRIDAY AUGUST 24THSUNDAY AUGUST 26TH Qi Gong Revolution 9am-6pm. Qi Revolution is the largest qigong event in North America and has been praised by experts of yoga and naturopathic medicine. During three-day event, qigong exercises and food-based healing are taught in detail by Qigong Practitioner Jeff Primack and 20 other instructors. Cost is $199 for all three days.

Advance regestration required. Austin Convention Center 500 E Cesar Chavez St #4th, Austin, TX 78701. 800-298-8970 QiRevolution.com

daily Houston Arboretum. 7am-Dusk. Walk in nature.

Learn about native plants and wildlife. Free.

Houston Arboretum 4501 Woodway Dr., 77024. houstonarboretum.org Waugh Bridge Bat Colony. Every evening at sunset, more than 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from crevices found in the Waugh Drive Bridge. These creatures are non-migratory and call the bayou home year-round. Free.

Waugh Street at Allen Parkway 77019. https://bit. ly/1nPoGbg Yoga Class. Mon. - Sat. visit site for daily times.

Every teacher at The Hines Center provides the best class for the practitioners who arrive — helping students grow their practice regardless of experience, strength or flexibility. Sign-up at hinescenter.org/class-schedule/ or drop-in before class. $15 per session, 10% discount for registering online, or unlimited movement classes $50 per month. The Hines Center, 500 Fannin St., Ste. 100, 77002.

monday Morning Practice. 6:00am-6:45am. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) is best practiced early in the morning as the Sun is rising, as it helps restore energy and vitality. We will practice the physical postures Surya Namaskar and the mantra as well, to be followed by 12-minute meditation. Free. Levy Park (On the hill), 3801 Eastside St, 77098. Contact: allthingsfantastical@ gmail.com Hatha Yoga. 6:00pm. All levels welcomed. Bring Yoga mat, meditation pillow, water. Classes by appointment only - space is limited. Private sessions available upon request. Please visit yogamixstudio.com or call 713-269-5165 to register. YogaMix, 2601-G Cartwright Rd, Missouri City, Food Not Bombs. 8pm. Help provide free vegan meals for Houston’s homeless. Volunteer, donate or just come see what we do. Free. Downtown Library Courtyard 521 Lamar, 77002. houstonfoodnotbombs.org

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tuesday Grace2Go. 7:00-8:30am. On the go? Want a boost to the start of your day? Drive thru for free coffee, a breakfast bite, and prayer if desired. All are welcome. Grace Episcopal Church, 4040 W. Bellfort, 77025. www.graceinhouston.org.

Yoga at India House. 11:00-12:00am. Enjoy relaxing cardio work out at India House. Free.

India House, 8888 West Bellfort, 77031. Go to the website, print out the form and email it to the address given. http://bit.ly/2kbWEst T’ai Chi Ch’uan. 5:45pm-7:00pm. This class concentrates on creating and moving Chi/Qi through meditation while moving. Jon Naylor teaches the traditional Yang Style short form with martial arts references. Beginners please arrive early. Free.

First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin Street, 77004. firstuu.org Sahaja Yoga-Meditation. 6:30-7:30pm. Come and try our free weekly yoga-meditation classes.

Each session includes the basics and a practical guided meditation so you can start meditating at home straight away. Free. South Community Center. 2235 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, 77380. 361-228-0433. info@Houston-Meditation.org Yoga at Resurrection MCC. 7:00-8:00 pm. Get in touch with your mind, body, and spirit through Yoga! All body types and skill levels welcome, please bring a mat and towel. Free, donations accepted. Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2015 West 11th Street, 77008. Yoga@ ResurrectionMCC.org Vegan World Radio. 7:00 pm. Hosted by VWR Collective. Telling the story of the vegan revolution that’s saving the animals, the planet and our health. KPFC: Community Radio 90.1 FM. kpft. org

wednesday Hatha Yoga. 9:30am & 6:00pm. All levels welcomed. Bring Yoga mat, meditation pillow, water.

Classes by appointment only - space is limited.

Private sessions available upon request. Please visit yogamixstudio.com or call 713-269-5165 to register. YogaMix, 2601-G Cartwright Rd, Missouri City, 77459.

Veterans Helping Veterans. 12pm–1:30pm. All military veterans are invited to participate with this weekly group meeting. Veterans also exchange resources with each other and request support.

Lunch is provided. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main St., 77004. www.stpaulshouston.org/veterans

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Blissful Quests® with Doyle Ward-The Podcast. LIVE ON AIR: Wednesdays at 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/ Urban Ride. 6:30pm. Route is 20 miles. Riders should be comfortable keeping a pace of 18-20 mph. Helmet, front/back light, spare tube, CO2 cartridges are required. Earphones not allowed.

Speed may vary. Safety comes first. Free. Urban Bicycle Gallery, 4814 Nett St., 77007 judy@ urbanbicyclegallery.com Sahaja Yoga-Meditation. 6:30-8:00pm. Come and try our free weekly yoga-meditation classes.

Each session includes the basics and a practical guided meditation so you can start meditating at home straight away. Free. University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land, 77479.

832-433-2415. info@Houston-Meditation.org

thursday Grace2Go. 7:00-8:30am. On the go? Want a boost to the start of your day? Drive thru for free coffee, a breakfast bite, and prayer if desired. All are welcome. Grace Episcopal Church, 4040 W. Bellfort, 77025. www.graceinhouston.org.

Museum of Fine Arts-Houston. 10am-9pm. If you have not spent time enjoying the art exhibits at MFAH, what are you waiting for? Free. MFAH, 1001 Bissonnet, 77005. 713-639-7300 mfah.org Yoga at India House. 11:00-12:00am. Enjoy relaxing cardio work out at India House. Free.

India House, 8888 West Bellfort, 77031. Go to the website, print out the form and email it to the address given. http://bit.ly/2kbWEst Buffalo Soldiers Museum. 1-5pm. Buffalo Soldiers Museum is the only museum dedicated to preserving the legacy and honor of African American soldiers in the United States. Free. Buffalo Soldiers Museum, 3816 Caroline Street, 77004.

Buffalosoldiersmuseum.com 713-942-8920.

Blue Line Bike Ride. 7pm. Multiple rides leave from the Heights location on Wednesday evenings. Each ride has its own route and pace, so come out and decide which works best for you!

Free. Blue Line Bike Lab, 3302 White Oak Drive, 77007. 713-802-1707 https://bit.ly/2CP6zSI

Houston Museum of Natural Science. 2pm5pm. Roam the Serengeti, walk with dinosaurs and discover the world’s mineral wonders. Free.

HMNS 5555 Hermann Park Drive 77030. hmns. org

People of Earth. 7:00 pm. Hosted by Jacquelyn Battise. A program created to provide Native American and non-Native people with timely news and information about culture, news and realities.

KPFC: Community Radio 90.1 FM. kpft.org

Free Family Thursdays at The Health Museum.

2:00pm-7:00pm. Free entry into The Health Museum to enjoy permanent and traveling exhibits (DeBakey Cell Lab requires a $3 fee) on Thursdays.

The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Dr., 77004. thehealthmuseum.org 713-521-1515

Beginning Zen Meditation. 7:30-9:30pm. Feeling stressed? Want something to help you feel better?

Try meditation with us. Free, registration required.

Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston. 12129 Bellaire Blvd., 77072. 281-568-1568. cthouston.org

Children’s Museum of Houston. 5-8pm. Enjoy all the interactive exhibits at the museum with your children. Free. Children’s Museum, 1500 Binz, 77004. 713-522-1138 cmhouston.org

Diamond Way Meditation. 7-7:45 pm. Free. Diamond Way Buddhist Center, 2217 W 34th Street, Suite D. 281. 77018. 281-436-6081. diamondway. org/houston/

Shorin Ryu Karate. 6:00pm. Join us for Traditional Okinawan Karate. All classes by appointment only - space limited. Private sessions available upon request. Please visit yogamixstudio.com or call 713-269-5165 to register. YogaMix, 2601-G Cartwright Rd, Missouri City, 77459.

Hellina Bucket Band 8:00 -10:00pm. Free dinner music. Last Concert Café, 1403 Nance St. 77002.

713-226-8563 www.lastconcert.com Food Not Bombs. 8pm. Help provide free vegan meals for Houston’s homeless. Volunteer, donate or just come see what we do. Free. Downtown Library Courtyard 521 Lamar, 77002. houstonfoodnotbombs.org Pot Roast. 10:00pm-2am. Late night music outside under the stars. Cover charge. Last Concert Cafe 1403 Nance St. 77002. 713-226-8563 www. lastconcert.com Drum Circle at Midnight 12mn-2am $6.00 Last Concert Cafe 1403 Nance St. 77002. 713-2268563 www.lastconcert.com

Sahaja Yoga-Meditation. 6:45-7:45pm. Come and try our free weekly yoga-meditation classes.

Each session includes the basics and a practical guided meditation so you can start meditating at home straight away. Free. Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center, 4510c Hwy 6 N, 77084. 409-828-1714. info@Houston-Meditation.org Meditation Class: Discovering the Awake Within.

7-9pm. Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien closely guides and interacts with students to realize Awake Mind is already within, they have the capacity to Wake Up, and how to apply meditation.

Suggested donation $50/month. Pre-registration required. Universal Door Meditation Center, 15202 Dora Lane, Sugar Land, 77498. universaldoor.org 281-565-9718

Houston NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

friday Children’s Story Hour. 10:00am-11:00am. Bring your little ones to listen to a story and after the reading, children are invited to participate in a fun activity like coloring a picture or planting a seed to take home. For more information, visit hermannpark.org. The Family Garden in the McGovern Centennial Gardens, 1500 Hermann Dr., 77004.

713-524-5876 Houston International Folk Dancers. 7:3010pm. Join us for a recreational folk dance group celebrating ethnic dances from around the world.

Singles and beginners welcome. Dress comfortably. $5. First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, 5200 Fannin, 77004. Additional info at www.folkdancers.org Food Not Bombs. 8pm. Help provide free vegan meals for Houston’s homeless. Volunteer, donate or just come see what we do. Free. Downtown Library Courtyard, 521 Lamar, 77002. houstonfoodnotbombs.org Dinner Music with Jimmy Deen. 6-8pm. Cover charge. Last Concert Cafe 1403 Nance St. 77002.

713-226-8563 www.lastconcert.com

saturday Yoga for the Body and Mind. 8-9:30 am. Yoga classes based on the teachings of Swami Ramdev ji including asanas, pranayama and meditation. Free. Arya Samaj Greater Houston Center 14375 Shiller Rd. 77082. 281-242-5000 aryasamajhouston.org.

Farmer’s Market. 9am-5pm. We seek out the highest quality local meat, milk, eggs, produce, cheese, artisan bread, honey and probiotic rich foods. Come and meet the small, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful staff that is ready to support you in eating for health. Victoria’s Natural Market, 20158 Bauer Hockley Road, Tomball, 77377.

713.815.8513. info@victoriasnaturalmarket.com Beginning Zen Meditation. 10am-12n. Feeling stressed? Want something to help you feel better?

Try meditation with us. Free, registration required.

Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston, 12129 Bellaire Blvd., 77072. 281-568-1568. cthouston.org Children’s Zen Meditation. 10am-12n. Open to children ages 4-12. Parents must be present and participate. Free, registration required. Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston, 12129 Bellaire Blvd., 77072. 281-568-1568. cthouston.org

Awake Tour. 10am-11am. Drop in for the grand tour of our Awake landscape at Universal Door Meditation Center! Everyone is welcome! Come and find out what is Awake, who is our Awake teacher Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien, and have a

chance to touch with the Awake already within. Free, donations welcome. Universal Door Meditation Center - 15202 Dora Lane, Sugar Land, 77498. www.universaldoor. org 281-565-9718*Please arrive 10 minutes prior as tours begin on time*

Ecstatic Dance Evolution.10:00am-1:00pm.

Freeform movement for all ages! Meet creative fun high vibe tribe and get a healthy workout! No experience needed, no steps to learn, no shoes necessary. Adults $12-$20, Kids $4. Planet Funk, 5731 Logan Ln. , 77007! ecstaticdanceevolution. com Samadhi 281-748-8080

Yoga at India House. 10:00-11:00am. Enjoy relaxing cardio work out at India House. Free.

India House, 8888 West Bellfort, 77031. Go to the website, print out the form and email it to the address given. http://bit.ly/2kbWEst

Acoustic Jams. 11am. Easy listening music to brunch by. No cover charge. Last Concert Café, 1403 Nance St., 77002. 713-226-8563 www. lastconcert.com

Recycling Saturdays. 11:00am-3:00pm.

What sparks joy? Bringing your sorted glass, paper, plastic and aluminum to recycling stations provided by the City of Houston and iRecycle Glass, of course! Take advantage of this opportunity to tidy up your space and do good for the environment too. Check discoverygreen.com each week. Free. Discovery Green, 1500 McKenney, 77010.

sunday Sunday at Houston Zen Center. 8am-11am. We start with Morning Service followed by meditation, then work practice - mindful cleaning and straightening in the Meditation Hall and the Center’s grounds, then a dharma talk. Free. HOUSTON ZEN CENTER, 1605 Heights BLVD., 77008. 713869-1952. houstonzen.org Farmer’s Market. 9am-5pm. We seek out the highest quality local meat, milk, eggs, produce, cheese, artisan bread, honey and probiotic rich foods. Come and meet the small, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful staff that is ready to support you in eating for health. Victoria’s Natural Market, 20158 Bauer Hockley Road, Tomball, 77377.

713.815.8513. info@victoriasnaturalmarket.com Christian Meditation. 9:00am-9:30 am. Experience meditation and contemplative prayer in preparation for receiving Holy Communion at the 10am worship service. All are welcome. Grace Episcopal Church, 4040 W. Bellfort, 77025. www. graceinhouston.org info@graceinhouston.org or 832-667-8601.

Sunday at Self-Realization Fellowship. 9:40am12noon. Paramahansa Yogananda’s how-to-live spiritual principles for adults and children. Energize. Meditate. Learn. Grow. FREE. Self-Realization Fellowship, 3425 Golf Dr, 77018. srfhouston. org Sunday Service at Unity Spiritual Center of Greater Houston. 10:15-11:15am Experience joy-filled vibrations and high-energy spirituality in motion with live music, singing, affirmative prayer, and dynamic sermons. Unity Spiritual Center of Greater Houston, 13615 Kluge Rd, Cypress, 77429 . unityspiritualcenterhouston.org (832) 653-7980

Public Dharma talk with Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien. 11:30am-1:00pm. We welcome people of all cultures, religions, and backgrounds to attend the public Dharma talks with Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien. 15202 Dora Lane, Sugar Land, 77498. (Free, donations welcome. Optional lunch follows.) www.universaldoor.org 281-565-9718 Youth and Teen Program at Universal Door Meditation Center. 11:00am–12:30pm. For youth grades 1-12. This weekly program guided

by Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien allows youth to have a chance to open their eyes to the Awakened happiness already within and discover the world of AWAKE. Registration required, call for more details. Universal Door Meditation Center, 15202 Dora Lane, Sugar Land, 77498. universaldoor.org 281-565-9718 Dawn Mountain Sunday Meditation. 11am12noon. Join us for guided meditation suitable for everyone. Led by senior members of the Dawn

Mountain community. Free. Institute for Spirituality and Health, 8100 Greenbriar Dr Suite #300, 77054. dawnmountain.org

Awake Tour. 10:30am-11:30am. Drop in for the grand tour of our Awake landscape at Universal Door Meditation Center! Everyone is welcome! Come and find out what is Awake, who is our Awake teacher Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien, and have a chance to touch with the Awake already within. Free, donations welcome. Universal Door Meditation Center - 15202 Dora Lane, Sugar Land, 77498. www.universaldoor.org 281-5659718 *Please arrive 10 minutes prior as tours begin on time* Food Not Bombs. 7pm. Help provide free vegan meals for Houston’s homeless.

Volunteer, donate, or just come see what we do. Free. Downtown Library Courtyard 521 Lamar, 77002 houstonfoodnotbombs.org Sunday Love Feast. 5:00pm. A free vegetarian meal for any and all. Free. ISKCON Temple 1320 West 34th Street, 77018. 713686-4482 iskconhouston.org Whole Mother. 7:30 pm. Hosted by Pat Jones. A show that discusses the political and practical aspects of being a mother today. KPFC: Community Radio 90.1 FM. kpft.org

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community resource guide

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how to be included in the Community Resource Guide request a Media Kit. Email mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com BEAUTY TRU AURA

BOOKS The Power of Awake

by Thich Dieu Thien

Jill B. Denson, Founding Consultant Based in Cypress-Serving the Houston Metro truaurabeauty.com/jillbdenson 281-381-9085 jill@jillbdenson.com A clean and effective line of skincare, anti-aging products and makeup that nurtures your skin’s natural balance. Contact us for a complementary skincare and makeup consultation.

Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien easily engages people and helps them return to the Awake already within each person.

You are not the voice in your head, or the emotions, or the stress... You are what can recognize the voice, the emotions, and the stress.

You are Awake.” Available on Amazon. com

BRAIN BALANCING

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CERESET™

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.

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 managerestful 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.

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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 9

COLONICS JOYCE LONG’S WELLNESS INSTITUTE

1308 James Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 281-232-7336 JoyceLong.biz 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 onlyyours or ours). By appointment only. Be well-Stay well. CALL TODAY!

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CHIROPRACTIC

AUGUST

Coming

Children’s Health

plus: Natural Pet Care

HEALTHPRO CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE

4101 Greenbriar Dr. Suite 135, 77098 281-506-0105 9720 Cypresswood Drive, Suite 130, 77070 281-809-0100 HealthProChiro.com

AUGUST

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HealthPro s dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. We provide a variety of treatment. Dr. Alayna Pagnani-Gendron focuses on woman’s health and paediatrics. Visit our website or call to schedule an appointment.

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CRYSTALS MALLOTT’S HARDWARE AND VARIETY STORE 115 Midway Street Spring, TX 77373713-299-1062 Mallotts.com You can find furniture, home decor, accent items, gift items, framed butterflies and one-ofa-kind delights that are brought in daily to change things up and to keep a wonderful inventory for their customers. They have the best selection of geological treasures in North Harris County. Whether you’re a mineral collector or a metaphysical enthusiast, they can help. From thumbnail collectibles to gorgeous cabinet specimens to Chakra Stones and Healing Crystals, they offer a phenomenal selection. They also carry Palo Santo. Now that the weather has gotten nice, plan a short day-trip to Old Town Spring and drop by.

HOLISTIC HEALTH PRIMARY CARE HOUSTON HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC “Better Health Naturally” Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6776 Southwest Freeway, Suite 535 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.

Call today to schedule an appointment.

ION FOOT DETOX/OXYGEN BAR HEAL WITH NATURAL HERBS

“The Hippest Little Place in Midtown” 3204 Emancipation Ave. Ste.102 A Houston, TX 77004 832-594-9306/ 281-227-0435/ 281788-6494 Healwithnaturalherbs. com Tired of suffering from muscle aches, chronic pain, inflammation, low energy, migraines, allgeries, bloating gas.

Ion Foot Detox Special Saturday all-inclusive $50 includes ion foot detox, massage chair, oxygen therapy. Call or book online. Saturday appointments only! Available for private parties on days other than Saturday. Call TODAY!

HYPNOSIS

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CLAUDIA AUTRY, HYPNOTIST

FARMER’S MARKET VICTORIA’S NATURAL MARKET 20158 Bauer Hockley Road, Tomball, TX 77377 713.815.8513 victoriasnaturalmarket.com facebook.com/victoriasnaturalmarket/ Victoria’s Natural Market is a farmer’s market style storefront set on 15 acres of rural property conveniently located just inside 99 Grand Parkway between Hwy 290 and Hwy 249.

We seek out the highest quality local meat, milk, eggs, produce, cheese, artisan bread, honey and probiotic rich foods. Everything we carry comes from within a two hour drive, and we personally visit and maintain direct relationships with all of our farmers, ranchers, and partners to ensure that what comes to your table is exactly what the label says it is. We are open on Saturday and Sunday. Drop by and check us out!

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!

(by appointment only) 281-849-4610 cautry@gmail.com claudiaautry.com

Want to stop smoking or lose weight? Looking for ways to relax or increase the joy in your life? Hypnosis can help you. Call TODAY to book your appointment. Let’s form a partnership for your growth!

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN HBOT AMERICA

3 Locations: Houston, Missouri City & The Woodlands 832-986-5144 Info@HBOTAmerica.com hbotamerica.com HBOT America is Houston’s top recovery facility.

HBOT is the breathing in of higher amounts of oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Whether its ADD/ ADHD, sports injury, autism, diabetes, PTSD, migraine, Cancer, TBI’s, autoimmune disorders, or stroke we can help! Call to schedule your appointment today!

LABYRINTH MEDITATION SARAH GISH: LABYRINTH MEDITATIONS

I’ll come to you!

713-492-1173 Sarah@GishCreative.com Subscribe to get info: GishPicks.com Meditation is well-known as a healing modality and labyrinths are one of the oldest forms of meditation. Join Sarah at her “Second Saturday Labyrinth Walk” at The Hines Center which includes a tour of the Center, an introduction to labyrinths, and a reflective art activity or email to schedule her mobile labyrinth service.

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

Reduce stress, relieve anxiety, muscle stress or pain.

Get a massage! $35 an hour. Buy 4 massages get one free. That’s only $28 each. Call Today!

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THE HEALING PATH MASSAGE 4151 Southwest Freeway, Suite 125 Houston, TX 77027 346-980-5907 Thpmassage.wix.com/Houston

Located conveniently off the Southwest Freeway, inside The Loop, and open 10am-10pm Monday-Sunday. Try our Introductory Thai Combo Massage (10 types in one) for Only $39.99.

Call today and feel the difference a massage can make. License #ME3188 .See ad page 6

MEDICAL INTUITIVE INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES FOR NATURAL HEALING & WELLNESS LIN WEISS MH, CYT HOLISTIC HEALER MEDICAL/SPIRITUAL INTUITIVE MASTER TEACHER Houston, Texas 77025 713.858.8595 linweiss@earthlink.net conscioushealingnow.com

Isha Foundation is an international nonprofit dedicated to human wellbeing founded by Sadhguru who’s a yogi, mystic and a visionary.

As Sadhguru has said, “right now the most important thing in the world is raising human consciousness. Tremendous technologies have come. The problem is not of technology. The problem is of compulsiveness. When we say compulsiveness, it’s just absence of consciousness. If we were conscious human beings, we would use everything for our wellbeing and everybody’s wellbeing.”

15202 Dora Lane Sugar Land, TX 77498. universaldoor.org 281-565-9718

ALL NATURAL, ALL THE TIME. Call Lin today to find out if she can help you.

MEDITATION

12129 Bellaire Blvd., Houston 77072 281-568-1568 • zen@cthouston.org cthouston.org Chan/Zen Meditation Classes, guided by Ordained Zen Masters of Chung Tai Chan Monastery

Norris Conference Center – Westchase 9990 Richmond Avenue Houston, TX 77042 innerengineering.com/houston 832-408-0663

Awake teacher and founder of Universal Door Meditation Center, Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien, gives public dharma on Sundays from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM, to help everyone realize the Awake Mind that is already within, and that they have the capacity to Wake Up. We welcome people of all cultures, religions, and backgrounds! Free, donations welcome!

Also drop in for the grand tour of our Awake landscape on Saturdays from 10-11 AM, and Sundays from 10:30-11:30 AM. Attend our FREE tour to find out what is Awake, who is our Awake teacher Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien, and have a chance to touch with the Awake already within you!

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

Say goodbye to hot flashes, night sweats and more.

Without using synthetic prescription hormones or bio-identical hormones.

Check the web site (event calendar) for the most cur- Your body knows how to produce the correct amount of hormones. Call rent information. today for your FREE consultation and be on your See ad on page 5 way to a younger body and a good night’s sleep.

No fees. Donations are welcome.

No prior experience required for beginners.

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NEW DECISION THERAPY WELLNESS CONSULTATIONS

12900 Queensberry Lane, Suite 201 Houston, TX 77079 281-794-5255 drnettie.net Suffering from addictions, compulsive behavior patterns, unhealthy relationship patterns, anxiety, phobias, depression or feeling stuck?

New Decision TherapyTM can help. Call Dr. Nettie Ramsay today to schedule your initial consultation.

OPTICIAN

UNIVERSAL DOOR MEDITATION CENTER

Through her WHOLE-istic approach, Lin weaves inspired wisdom with proven healing traditions for integrating mind/ body & soul.

CHUNG TAI ZEN CENTER OF HOUSTON

ISHA FOUNDATION/ INNER ENGINEERING

FACTORY EYEGLASS OUTLET 7921 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024 713-468-5665 factoryfineeyewear.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.

ORGANIC RESORT & SPA DEER LAKE LODGE AND SPA 10500 Deer Lake Lode Rd. Montgomery TX77316 936-647-1383 deerlakelodge.com Can’t lose weight? Feeling Sluggish? Let us help undo the damage from over-consumption and poor food choices. All natural, organic, resort and spa. Immerse yourself in personal attention from our staff. Call of visit our website to book your stay today!

See ad on page 2

Houston NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

PAIN RELIEF AUNT ALBERTA’S REMEDY

SCHOOLS PHOENIX SCHOOL OF MASSAGE

Homeopathic Pain Relief Cream 973-715-9097 info@AlbertasPainRelief.com albertaspainrelief.com

6600 Harwin Drive Houston, TX 77036 713-974-0360 themassageschool.com

Need Relief from Arthritis?

Try Aunt Alberta’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 tissues. Get beneficial relief from sciatica, fibromyalgia, 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? Use Aunt Alberta’s Pain Relief Cream! Get relief today! Great buy, get a 4oz jar for $15! See website for other options.

See what people say about Aunt Alberta’s Remedy and Purchase Now on our website. albertaspainrelief.com.

BEGIN THE CAREER YOU WILL LOVE TO PUT YOUR HANDS TO! As a Licensed Massage Therapist you can enjoy life as you work at a spa, wellness center, doctor’s office, or even begin your own practice. Begin today, the career that will change your life! Call the school for more information and to schedule a FREE tour.

PSYCHOTHERAPY SKEETZ EDINGER FAMILY THERAPY

Couples, Individuals & Family Psychotherapy D. Skeetz Edinger, LMFT Associate 823-731-4881 skeetzedingerfamilytherapy.com With offices conveniently located in Katy and in West University, Skeetz Edinger believes in empowering couples, individuals and families to be the expert in your own lives. Don’t suffer any longer.

Call today to schedule a FREE 30-minute phone consultation and find out how Skeetz can help you and those you love.

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.

ECKANKAR CENTER FOR HOUSTON 11110 Steeplecrest Houston, TX 77065 281-759-1130 eckankar-texas.org/site/centers/houston/ The Path of Spiritual Freedom redefines the experience of religion. It offers an individual the spiritual tools needed to walk one’s own journey home to God. Our website lists our many spiritual opportunities. You are warmly invited to join us

UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER OF GREATER HOUSTON “Grow Your Life!”

11131 North Eldridge Pkw., #700 Houston, Texas 77065 281-653-2007 unityspiritualcenterhouston.org

Ours is a positive path for spiritual living, based on the teachings of Jesus - as well as other master teachers - and the power of prayer. If you want to know God and experience God at work in your life, join us on Sundays!

TAROT READINGS BY LAURA 832-515-4866

Do you feel you are missing something in your life? All questions answered and more with a tarot reading session from Laura.

Laura specializes in questions of love & marriage decisions, soul mates, romance & relationships, and career decisions. Call today and be sure to mention Natural Awakenings.

THERMOGRAPHY THERMAL IMAGING SERVICES

Angel Marlow, CNHP, CAHC, CCT 24550 Kingsland Blvd. Katy, TX 77494 713-621-4406 angel@thermalimagingtexas.com thermalimaingtexas.com No Compression, No Radiation, Painless. Thermography creates images that illustrate heat patterns in the body. The images are analysed for abnormalities that may be signs of disease in the body.

Thermography can be conducted onsite at your business or at any of our 7 area locations. Call for an appointment TODAY!

WOMEN’S HEALTH Rev. Michelle Dowell-Vest, BMsc, ACCH

Family Trauma Mapper, Constellation Facilitator, Clinical Hypnotist Connecting the Dots to Empower Healing & Release the Flow of Love Founder of The Women’s Holistic Healing Collective Holistic Healing for Our Community WomensHHC.com 832-304-4674 Using hypnosis, I specialize in helping women with emotional wellness, ego strengthening, addiction recovery, trauma recovery, inherited family trauma, health & wellness, reproductive health, fertility, pregnancy and life transitions. Call today to schedule an appointment.

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