Natural Awakenings Houston May 2019 Expanded Digital Edition by Holistic Choice Publishing/Natural Awakenings Houston

E E R

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wellness Edition

The ABCs of Her Soul Diet for CBD for Pets in Bloom Healthy Eyes A Primer on the Healing Herb

Self-Care for All Stages of Life

The Right Foods Preserve Vision

May 2019 | Houston-Edition | NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

Deer Lake Lodge A Destination Spa Resort

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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

How Holistic Medicine Can Help You Her Soul In Bloom When Emotions Are Physical

A2 Milk, A Solution for Lactose Intolerance

Vision Quest: Eating a Rainbow ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 713-927-6540 or email: mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com. Deadline for ads: the 5th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

Gardening for Kids 10 CBD Oil for Pets 22 Running Toward Mindfulness 23

Toxic Legacy 24

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com. Deadline for calendar: the 5th of the month.

Plants Talk 25

If you have missed the deadline ask about our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Red-Eye Specialâ&#x20AC;? and our digital placements.

The Mother Our Souls Need 27

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Laughter Is the Best Medicine 29

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letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Greetings! In last month’s letter I wrote about the transition from winter into spring and how much more aware of the cycle of the seasons we have become now that we are living so close to the land. This month we have seen spring fully come in. The hill is like an ever-changing flower garden. When one crop of wildflowers goes to seed, it is replaced by another of a different color. The garden has gone from rows of mulch to rows of green veggies. Cindy has been looking for a good birding book because there are so many happy birds around The Cabin that we have never seen before and we would like to get to know them by name. We did have a scare this past month. Our Tibetan spaniel pup, Sadie, became seriously ill. We were afraid she might not make it but Doctors Gary and Diane Lackey of the Highway 30 Vet Clinic were able to successfully treat her and she is now on the road to recovery. Just as this is a time for nature to be in bloom, it is also a time to let your soul bloom. Although this month’s lead article is addressed to women, everything in it could also apply to men. In other articles different aspects of our journey toward health and wellbeing both physical and emotional are covered. Be sure to check out the Local Resources sidebars that follow the articles to find local businesses that will help you put the things you’ve learned into practice. If you’ve learned something new from this month’s magazine or been inspired by what you have read, be sure to share it with a friend. Let them know where they can pick up a copy of our magazine and that they can subscribe just by texting NAHTX to 66866. So, until next month… remember to be kind.

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© 2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. 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 weresponsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment. © 2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. 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.

PLUS: You will be entered into a monthly contest to win a FREE massage from The Healing Path Massage Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

affirming naturally

Today is a Great Day! 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 Today is a great day. Are there days when you dread getting up and starting your day? If yes, how do those days work for you? Louise L Hay said, “How you start your day is how you live your day. How you live your day is how you live your life.” Start creating better days and better lives one thought at a time. 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. Doyle Ward, Blissful Quests ® Doyle Ward is a successful life coach, workshop leader and lecturer in the field of personal development. Listen to his podcasts on InFlowRadio.com, Apple Podcasts or GooglePlay See ad page 9

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business brief

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We help your brain help you. The Galveston Cereset™ location is part of a national network of client centers focused on next-generation brain wellness. We help you relax your brain to manage stress, restore hope and finally achieve restful sleep through patented BrainEcho™ technology, which empowers the brain to reset itself as it hears and “sees” its own reflection. Cereset enables the brain to fully relax and reset itself to its natural balance from the inside out. There is no outside intervention, stimulus or medication of any kind, the brain does its own work and the client often naps or just relaxes quietly in a comfortable chair. The balanced brain: - experiences restful sleep - releases “stuck” stress - overcomes worry & anxiety - restores hope & happiness - enhances learning & memory - increases energy levels - achieves peak performance Relax. Rebalance. Reset. To schedule an appointment call: 409-599-7268 Or to learn more, go to: location.cereset.com cereset.com See Ad on page 17

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Skip the Slip

action alert

Digital Receipts Gain Momentum

Compared to newspapers, magazines and

junk mail, retail shopping sales receipts may seem inconsequential in their use of trees and their footprint on the environment. Yet, getting and handling that tabulation of a sale is a health hazard that contributes to landfills. Certainly, some receipts are required for tax records and product returns, but the vast majority serve no future purpose; there’s also a better and safer option than paper. Treehugger.com reports the annual waste from receipts in the U.S. totals 686 million pounds, and that skipping receipts would save 12 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of 1 million cars on the road. The problem is getting worse as many retail outlets include special offers and other promotional information on receipts, making them longer and the corresponding amount of paper used greater. The Ecology Center, an educational nonprofit located in San Juan Capistrano, California, estimates that 93 percent of paper receipts are coated with Bisphenol-A (BPA) or Bisphenol-S (BPS), endocrine disrupters that are used as color developers to help make the receipts more legible. However, the presence of either makes them ineligible for recycling. According to Green America (GreenAmerica.org), BPA that can be “absorbed into our bodies through our hands in mere seconds,” can impact fetal development and “is linked to reproductive impairment, Type 2 diabetes, thyroid conditions and other health concerns.” Employees that regularly handle receipts have 30 percent more BPA or BPS in their bodies. In January, California Assembly member Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) introduced legislation (AB 161) nicknamed “Skip the Slip”, which would require retailers to offer digital receipts to customers. If it passes, it will be

JMP_Traveler/Shutterstock.com

eco tip

event brief

The Way of the Shaman: Shamanic Journeying, Power & Healing June 1&2

On the Brink

Monarchs Need Species Protections B

eing listed as part of the Endangered Species Act would protect monarch butterflies. In the 1980s, about 4.5 million butterflies spent winters along the California coast. This season’s stay is shaping up to consist of only about 30,000. Fully 99 percent of the species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 are still with us today. To urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to give monarch butterflies the proven protection of the Endangered Species Act in June, sign the petition at Tinyurl.com/ProtectTheMonarchs.

The Foundation for Shamanic Studies is dedicated to preserving, studying, and teaching shamanic knowledge for the welfare of all. If you have ever been curious about shamanism or wanted to learn the basics of authentic shamanism, The Way of the Shaman: Shamanic Journeying, Power & Healing taught by guest faculty member, Anthony Rios will be presented in Galveston June 1st & 2nd. Here’s what a few past participants have to say: “The workshop was everything I expected and more. I am frankly incredulous that I was able to journey and complete the practice. Everything I encountered seemed at once familiar and strange — and authentic! ” “It is much more than I thought it would be. I feel that everything I’ve done has brought me to this. I feel so at home with this work and with myself.” “This workshop was very positive and life changing. I will never be the same. I feel more connected to the earth and the animals of this world. “ The Way of the Shaman June 1 & 2, 2019 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Galveston, TX Guest Faculty: Anthony Rios cereset.com 409.762.6027 arios797@gmail.com Tuition: $300 per person Register at: paypal.me/ARiosGalveston Location: Homewood Suites, Galveston See ad on page 9.

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Coming Next Month JUNE

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Green Building Trends plus: Brain Health

Michael Harner’s Basic Workshop The Way of the Shaman®: Shamanic Journeying, Power, and Healing

June 1 & 2, 2019

The Foundation for Shamanic Studies shamanism.org

9:00 am – 4:30 pm, Galveston, TX Location: Homewood Suites-Galveston Guest Faculty: Anthony Rios Tuition: $300/person Register at: paypal.me/ARiosGalveston For information: arios797@gmail.com or 409-762-6027

Fruits and Veggies Boost Moods S

imply changing a diet to include more fruit and vegetables can boost mental well-being, say British researchers from Leeds and York universities. Examining health data of 40,000 people, they concluded those that eat more produce have a better psychological state, and that eating just one extra portion of fruits and vegetables a day could have a positive effect equivalent to around eight extra days of walking a month for at least 10 minutes at a time. A meta-analysis of 16 studies by the UK’s University of Manchester found the mood-boosting effect was particularly strong for women, and it worked with different types of diets, indicating a particular approach is not necessary. When dietary changes were combined with exercise, even greater improvements resulted.

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natural medicine

How Holistic Medicine Can Help You by Dr. Gracie G Chukwu, ND, MSN, CTN

If we feel ill, most of us go to our regular doctor. There are times

that conventional medicine doesn’t look for the causes of our ailments, particularly chronic diseases to successfully diagnose and treat them. Instead, conventional medicine--for the most part--treats the symptoms, not the underlying causes. If you have multiple ailments and go to multiple specialists, one doctor may prescribe a medication without knowing that another doctor has prescribed another medication, that when combined, may have adverse if not life-threatening side-effects. This piecemeal approach may result in little improvement to your health. Your doctors are each looking at one puzzle piece rather than looking at the whole puzzle with its thousands of complex interactions. They may also be relying on information from a drug manufacturing and marketing system that benefits drug companies, not you. That’s why holistic medicine has become an alternative for so many patients. Holistic medicine practitioners seek to identity and eliminate the underlying cause of an illness, rather than eliminating or suppressing the symptoms. They look at the whole person, their history, their families’ histories, their work and home environments. Depending on your history and symptoms, holistic medicine practitioners may use medical lab testing including: hormone saliva testing for estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, cortisol, and adrenal function. Food allergies may also be tested for, and if needed, tests for parasites, bacteria and yeast may be administered. Hair analysis tests can pinpoint levels of needed minerals and how well the body is absorbing them. It also tests for the presence of toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and aluminum which may

be causing extensive harm to your body. Only after getting results of such tests can your alternative medical practitioner suggest specific foods to add (or remove), herbal supplements, homeopathic formulas, diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes in order to return you to health. In conclusion, holistic treatment and nutritional support are available for a wide range of diseases and conditions such as ADHD; autism; depression; addictions; obesity; cholesterol; high blood pressure; cancer; chronic fatigue; chronic pain; HIV/AIDS; hormone disorders like diabetes and those related to the thyroid or andropause; digestive issues such as GERDS and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); osteoporosis; fibromyalgia; dementia and memory loss; auto-immune diseases/disorders like allergies, asthma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis; woman’s issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), amenoria, infertility, endometriosis, PMS, menopause; skin issues; insomnia; even sexual dysfunction They may be managed successfully with alternative, holistic methodologies where conventional medicine has failed. Dr. Gracie Chukwu, ND, MSN, CTN, of Houston Holistic Health Clinic, a Doctor of Naturopathy and a Certified Nutrition Counselor, can be consulted at 6776 Southwest Freeway, Suite 535. Houston, TX 77074. holistichealthclinic.com Call 713-781-9991 for an appointment. See ad page 29.

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Guided Meditation Series

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Yoga for Body, Mind and Spirit with Lin Weiss Integrative Hatha Therapeutic Asana Practice for All Levels 9:00am Saturdays

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ou know that you need to relax when you can no longer work well. Stress can drain even the last drop of your energy and make you grumpy at the end of the day. A good session of meditation can help you ease the stress you feel. This releases all the negative energy that’s been stuck in your body for so long. It helps you become more focused in work and in life. The May Meditation will be lead by Lin Weiss and Lisa Stout. Lin is a holistic & energetic healer, yoga therapist and ordained spiritual teacher living and working in Houston Texas. Lin loves guiding and assisting individuals toward the higher vibrational octives of the Self for clarity, inner wisdom and deep peace. Lisa is a classically trained flutist and self-proclaimed jazzophile. She immerses herself in music whenever possible. Through long and sustained sounds on her lower alto flute, Lisa brings a magical and mystical quality to enhance the meditation experience. Join them for a time of relaxation and release at The Good Space 5757 Woodway, Stuite 150, Houston, TX 77057. $25 donation. For more information call 713-858-8595 or visit conscioushealingnow.com

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JUNE

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Would you like to discover a healthier and more serene relationship with your food? What if you could change your eating habits to healthy process from purchasing to preparation. Having a health coach would help you incorporate these sustainable changes that would improve your lifestyle. Carolina Moore is a health coach and can help you find what nourishes you so that you feel in balance. Coaching sessions in English or Spanish, in person or online. Mention Natural Awakenings and your first session is FREE! Call or email today! Estar Natural estarnatural.com carolina@estarnatural.com 832-640-1216 See Ad on page 5

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The daily choice to prioritize caring for oneself can ultimately lead to an experience of self-love and wholeness. ~ Kelly Brogan Anna Ismagilova/Shutterstock.com

of Your Own: The Truth About Depression and How Women Can Heal Their Bodies to Reclaim Their Lives. Body-mind-spirit self-care is the heart of Brogan’s approach, and self-love is the lifeblood. “Self-love is quite elusive for most of us, perhaps because our self-esteem is contingent [upon it], and we only feel good about ourselves under certain circumstances. The daily choice to prioritize caring for oneself can ultimately lead to an experience of self-love and wholeness,” says Brogan, who compares a ritualized system of daily self-care that comes first to putting on the proverbial oxygen mask before attempting to meet the needs of others. Balancing self-love and caring for others starts with recognizing and accepting that it’s possible for you to effectively do both. Self-love at the soul level is the catalyst for healing on all levels, which in turn drives our level of self-worth,” concurs Teigan Draig, a spiritual life coach and busy home-schooling mom in Spencerville, Ohio. She reminds us that putting our needs above the wants of others is not being selfish, but is an emotional necessity that helps women get out of the loop of self-defeatism and self-sabotage. “The first step to finding your fire is learning to love yourself, all of yourself. Self-care and self-love are a total wellness package.”

HER SOUL IN BLOOM Self-Care for all Stages of Life by Marlaina Donato

o be female is to be blessed with an innate gift for multitasking, but in our fastpaced, jam-packed world, daily life for most women is a juggling act that can come with a steep price tag if self-care isn’t on the to-do list. Depression, anxiety and feeling overwhelmed are all too common. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in eight women experience depression during their lifetime—twice the rate of men.

Seasons of a Woman’s Life

Each decade poses unique challenges. For women in their 20s and early 30s, comparison and finding one’s own path can be significant. “The feminist movement of our mothers’ generation opened doors, but so many 20- and 30-something women have interpreted that as ‘I have to do everything and be everything,’” says Christine Hassler, life coach and author of Expectation Hangover: Overcoming Disappointment in Work, Love, and Life. . The San Diego-based motivational speaker views self-care to be as vital as education. “Women are not taught in high school and college how to take care of themselves. Prioritizing self-care is so important. I see so many young women with adrenal or thyroid burnout and eating disorders. All of that comes down to stress, relationship to self and lack of self-care.”

Houston

Self-care does not necessarily have to involve time; it’s a way of being. ~ Christine Hassler

The personal interests of women in their 30s and 40s trying to balance motherhood and career often get lost in the tangled underbrush of daily logistics. There can be a deep longing for identity well into the 50s, especially when children leave the nest. Fears of aging and loneliness often accompany women ages 60 and older. By passionately and joyously taking care of body and spirit, women of any generation can find renewal.

Self-Care As Bedrock

Women play vital roles in family and community, much like the foundation of a sound building, and if self-care is not the bedrock, all that is supported by it is likely to be compromised. “I believe we’ve taken the bait, the promise that if we arrange our life circumstances just so, we’ll feel ease and happiness. We’re getting to a place as a collective where we see a bankruptcy in that,” says Miami-based holistic women’s psychiatrist Dr. Kelly Brogan, bestselling author of A Mind

Benefits of Self-Nourishment Many psychologists agree that self-care can help to improve concentration, promote relaxation, fortify relationships and boost productivity. Most women crave more me-time, but don’t know how to implement change. “Without a premise of self-care, we react based on stress patterns. We react with more tension, irritability, guilt and obligation. We say ‘Yes’ when we want to say ‘No’. However, when we take stock in our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, we’re less reactive,” observes Hassler, who underscores self-care as an investment for life. “Most women have inner critics and a negative relationship with self. Self-care is essential so we can turn down the volume of the inner critic, stop people-pleasing and make self-honoring choices.” Balancing motherhood and career or other obligations can leave many women running on empty and resentful. “We would never tell a loved one who desperately

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

needed some TLC to get over it and just keep going. As busy women, when we don’t take the time to care for ourselves, the consequence is our children getting a mom who is preoccupied, anxious and disconnected,” says women’s life coach Veronica Paris, in San Diego. Catering to everyone’s desires and spreading ourselves too thin can backfire. Paris asks, “How do I want my kids to look back on me as a mother? By taking the time to self-care, we’re taking accountability for how we want to show up in our world rather than shape-shifting from one situation to the next. We can teach our children how to do the same.”

Our Emotions As Wellspring

For too many women, another common byproduct of self-neglect can be emotional numbing and feeling “flatlined”. A toxic or addictive relationship to food, alcohol or shopping can be a symptom of a deep need to nourish the self and give a voice to suppressed feelings. “One of our greatest challenges is that we’ve become disconnected from our deep seat of power, which is our capacity to feel,” says Brogan. “We’ve been enculturated to disregard our experience of feeling emotions, and because of this, it’s been reduced to a very narrow bandwidth.” Brogan believes that it is key for women to re-establish a connection to nature’s rhythms and their own feminine, fluid energy, as well as giving up the need to control. “I think it’s the work of many women to understand that we’re not here to meet the needs of everyone on the planet—and with our loved ones, it disempowers them as much as we’re feeling disempowered. We’re here to meet our own needs, and then offer compassion and caring in a way that comes from a more boundaried space.” Hassler affirms that when women are fully present, every aspect of life can be viewed through a clearer lens. “Self-care helps us tap into our super power, which is our intuition, and by doing that, we know what we need and act on that.”

Thrive With Small Changes

Beginning the day with self-care can be as simple as taking the time to meditate and breathe deeply for a minute or two before getting out of bed and opting for a healthier breakfast. Feeding our senses and feasting on what gives us joy can be a way of life. “Self-care does not necessarily have to involve time; it’s a way of being,” says Hassler. “The more time we spend on selfcare tells the subconscious mind that we’re worth it.” Draig suggests setting personal boundaries, and part of this means reserving time for ourselves. “When I became a new mother, I was running on fumes. Sometimes my daily me-time was only five minutes

Self-love at the soul level is the catalyst for healing on all levels, which in turn drives our level of self-worth. ~ Teigan Draig

here or 10 minutes there, but it saved my sanity. Learn to schedule self-care time in your calendar as you would anything else,” she says, noting, “My house was not always spotless, but it was a trade I was willing to make so I could take care of myself and be a better mother.” Being innovative can be an ally. “Ten minutes walking the dog or taking the baby out in a stroller can become 10 minutes spent saying positive self-affirmations,” suggests Paris. “That 15-minute drive can be spent deep-breathing instead of listening to the news on the radio.” Blooming into our best possible self is returning to our essence. “It’s about taking off the masks, no longer living according to expectations and other people. It’s about radical self-acceptance,” says Hassler. Each decade poses an invitation to grow and commit to self-nourishment. “There will be days where you feel like you can’t get the hang of it, but you’ll arrive, and when you do, no matter what age you are, it can be magical,” Draig says. Marlaina Donato is a composer and author of several books in women’s spirituality and holistic health. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Local Resources The Women’s Holistic Healing Collective;

Clinical Hypnosis, Family Trauma Mapping, Constellation Healing Connecting the Dots to Empower Healing & Release the Flow of Love

2000 North Loop West #204 Houston, TX 832-304-4674 womenshhc.com

Self-preservation is the first law of nature. ~Samuel Butler

Simple Self-Care Strategies Schedule me-time on the calendar. Unplug from gadgets. Spend lunch breaks in the park. Rest before hitting the wall of exhaustion. Take 10 minutes to stretch and breathe in the morning. Meditate in the shower; choose a luxurious natural body wash. Wear your favorite jewelry. Designate a beautiful tea cup or coffee mug to use on hectic work days. Buy yourself flowers; take yourself out to lunch or a museum. Sprinkle lavender, rose geranium or ylang ylang essential oil on your sheets. Opt for a gentle workout over a high-intensity session when tired. Choose a healthy breakfast.. Play, be silly and be a kid again. Designate 15 to 20 minutes after the workday to color, doodle or journal. Listen to your favorite music during commuting or cleaning the house. Abandon perfectionism. Connect to a higher power, however you define it, even if it is inner peace.

nerve, and CST focuses on calming [it].” The vagus nerve facilitates communication between the brain and the heart, lungs and gut. Coon attests to the modality’s body-centered support for anxiety, depression, panic attacks, memory loss, sleep disturbances and grief. “Some people respond well to deep tissue work, while others do better with the gentleness of CranioSacral Therapy,” says Wheeler. “Like a perfect dance partner, a skilled bodywork practitioner follows the nervous system and helps the client access sources of trauma.” Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com

fit body

Healing Frequencies

WHEN EMOTIONS ARE PHYSICAL

Bodywork for Trauma and Grief by Marlaina Donato

Massage is often associated with spa-like

pampering, yet it is also an effective therapy for reducing physical and emotional pain. Bodywork can lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones, which in turn helps to balance blood sugar and boost immunity. A surge of the feel-good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine is also a natural perk of rubdowns. On the emotional level, massage therapy can offer profound benefits for anyone experiencing acute grief or the effects of a traumatic past. A Swedish study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing shows that bereaved individuals that received 25-minute hand and/or foot massages once a week for eight weeks felt greater comfort and were more capable of coping with stress.

The Body’s Pain Language When the “fight-or-flight” stress response is activated in the presence of danger or emotional distress, the body has one objective: get us to safety. Yet, many times, the amygdala—the part of the brain that plays a key role in this process—becomes hyper alert and falsely perceives danger when there is none. Trauma becomes hardwired into the nervous system. Pain syndromes and tension are common symptoms. No matter what the pattern for handling

trauma, it takes a lot of work for the body to repress emotions, and it will create tension in the form of “armoring” to defend against unwanted feelings. “Trauma is a physiological experience. Body tension that results from unresolved trauma will not respond to only releasing muscle tension,” explains Lissa Wheeler, author of Engaging Resilience: Heal the Physical Impact of Emotional Trauma: A Guide for Bodywork Practitioners. Wheeler’s Medford, Massachusetts, practice focuses on releasing emotional patterns locked in tissue memory. “When the nervous system is frozen in a state of threat long after the actual threat is gone, all of the body’s activities of healthy regulation are challenged. This affects not only skeletal muscles, but also smooth muscle such as the gastrointestinal tract. Sleep problems and teeth grinding can also result.” Cellular Memory and CranioSacral Therapy Swedish massage, Thai massage and shiatsu are all ideal for chronic pain, grief and emotional imprints locked within the body’s cellular consciousness. CranioSacral Therapy (CST) offers a gentler alternative. “CranioSacral Therapy can unravel cellular stories and assist in freeing repressed or preverbal emotions from childhood,” says Seattle-based CST therapist Barbara Coon. “Experiences are held in the body. Stress and muscular tension activate the vagus

Clinical aromatherapy and therapeutic sound can also play a vital role in emotional healing, especially when combined with bodywork. Kelli Passeri, a massage therapist and owner of Sound and Stone Massage, in Pittsburg, Kansas, utilizes a subwoofer speaker beneath her massage table so clients can feel the vibrations of the music. “I play music recorded in specific frequencies that align with the body and the chakras or energy centers to help rebalance the energy body,” says Passeri, who also uses rose quartz crystals in her hot stone sessions. She relies on aromatherapy blends that promote opening on both physical and emotional levels. Passeri has observed common pain patterns in her clients that often don’t have a physical cause. “The sacrum tends to hold on to lifelong traumatic emotions from childhood, and the shoulders tend to reflect more current emotional blockages and issues,” she says, adding, “I encourage my clients to open up or cry because it’s a healthy thing to do. There’s no need for embarrassment and is totally okay.” Healing on any level might take time, but allowing the body’s stories to be witnessed without judgement is key. “The good news is that when trauma is worked through, the whole body is much more resilient and has a greater capacity to live life fully,” Wheeler says. Marlaina Donato authored Multidimensional Aromatherapy and several other books. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

LOCAL RESOURCES Pam Blangy, Clinical Essential Somatic Bodyworker Pilates And Motion 21322 Provincial Blvd Katy, TX 77450 713-471-0683 pilatesandmotion.com

A2 Milk:

natural food

A Solution for Lactose Intolerance? by Bambi Fields

Do you know someone who can’t consume

dairy products without experiencing negative side effects? People who experience discomfort from eating dairy products may have concluded that they are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products or may have been diagnosed by a conventional or alternative health care provider as lactose intolerant or allergic. What many people don’t realize is that the true problem may be the protein in the milk, not the lactose in milk or an allergy to dairy. Milk can have variations of two primary proteins A1 and A2. A2 is the protein in human milk as well as sheep, goat, yak, and buffalo milk. Researchers have been trying to find out why A1 affects people so differently than A2. Perhaps if they did, they could find a way to prevent the negative side effects so many people experience when they consume dairy. What they have found so far is that when A1 protein is broken down, a shorter protein chain called BCM-7 is created. Studies indicate that BCM-7 may slow down intestinal transit time which would create constipation. Other studies have suggested that A1 protein may be inflammatory in a variety of ways both within and outside the gut which could help explain post-dairy consumption stomach pain.

So why don’t we simply stock store shelves with A2 milk? Finding A2 milk can be difficult because of changes that occurred in the United States post World War II. In the 1940’s and 50’s, our mentality changed, and that change affected just about every aspect of our daily lives including our approach to food. At that time, we began to value quantity and profit margin over other things. Holsteins, a breed of dairy cattle, produce a larger volume of lower milk fat milk than other breeds. However, about 8,000 years ago mutation occurred in Holsteins which resulted in production of the A1 beta casein protein in this breed. The mutation was passed on to many other breeds because Holsteins are used to genetically improve the volume of production of other breeds. While dairy herds in much of Asia, Africa, and part of Southern Europe remain naturally high in cows producing A2 milk, in valuing quantity of milk production over other things, the A1 version of the protein became common among cattle in the Western world. Another consideration for many people is the quality of food they purchase as well as animal and environmental welfare practices. So, factors other than the type of protein come into consideration. As many people may know, the government does not have a

definition of “grass fed” or “pastured” and exercises no oversight in verifying grass fed or pastured claims made on labels. “Independent” certification programs exist, but many are for profit which leaves plenty of room for abuse. Furthermore, many for profit review organizations actually pay third parties to do the verifications. So, finding A2 milk in the Unites States can be difficult, especially when looking for farmer’s market / Real Food quality. Farmer’s market / Real food quality milk is milk from truly pastured truly grass fed cows that has not had anything added to it or processes done to it that aren’t listed on the label. As for the A1 versus A2 consideration, for 10 years now we have been watching people who thought they couldn’t tolerate dairy drink A2 milk with no problems at all. Here at Victoria’s Natural Market, we value health, quality and community above all else. We seek out quality A2 milk in addition to many other high-grade real food products. We know all our vendors personally and have visited every property we purchase from. If you feel that drinking A2 milk might make a difference for you or someone you know, or you are just interested in putting the best caliber real food possible in your body, please come by and see us. We’d love to meet you! Bambi Fields is the oc-owner of Victoria’s Natural Market & Farm.

Victoria’s Natural Market & Farm 20158 Bauer Hockley Road Tomball, TX 77377 713-815-8513 Open Sat. & Sun. 9-5 victoriasnaturalmarket.com See ad on page 35

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Brain Health

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Vision Quest

Eat a Rainbow of Color for Healthy Eyes by Melinda Hemmelgarn

ne of the best ways to protect and preserve our precious eyesight is to focus on food. In general, the same plant-based, antioxidant-rich diets that defend against heart disease and cancer also contribute to eye health by reducing the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration—the two most common age-related causes of vision loss. However, two specific nutrients—lutein and zeaxanthin —deserve special attention. These compounds uniquely concentrate in the macula, the centrally located part of the retina responsible for visual acuity, and are most vulnerable to oxidative damage from light exposure. Both are members of the carotenoid family, a large group of powerful antioxidant nutrients found mostly in fruits and vegetables, especially those with dark green, deep yellow, red and orange pigments. According to the National Eye Institute and the American Optometric Association, lutein and zeaxanthin help absorb damaging ultraviolet light from the sun, as well as blue light from computer screens, digital devices and LEDs. “Think of lutein as a sort of sunblock,” says Elizabeth Johnson, research associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition and Science Policy at Tufts University, in Boston. Speaking at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual meeting in Washington, D.C., last fall, Johnson described the yellow macular pigments—lutein and zeaxanthin—as “internal sunglasses” that protect

the eyes’ photoreceptor cells. “Yellow pigment absorbs blue light,” Johnson explains. The greater our macular pigment density, the more protection we have against light damage, and the better our visual function. As a bonus, macular pigment density also aligns with greater academic performance and cognitive function across our lifespan, reports Naiman Khan, Ph.D., a registered dietitian and director at the Body Composition and Nutritional Neuroscience Lab at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Because lutein is actively transported into breast milk, Johnson suspects the compound is important to infant eye and brain health. Despite solid scientific evidence confirming the benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin, there is no official recommended daily allowance. Johnson explains that Americans typically consume less than two milligrams per day, falling short of levels needed to enhance visual and brain function and slow the progression of age-related eye diseases. Her advice: Eat foods that provide between six to 10 milligrams of lutein and two milligrams of zeaxanthin each day. Dark green leafy vegetables, including kale, spinach and collard greens, provide the highest amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, especially when cooked. For example, one cup of cooked kale or spinach delivers more than 20 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin, whereas one cup of raw spinach contains just under four milligrams. Johnson explains that cooking breaks

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down plant cell walls, making the caroteinoids more bio-available. Plus, because lutein and zeaxanthin are fat-soluble, lower amounts found in avocadoes (0.4 milligrams in one medium) are better absorbed. Further, simply adding an avocado or oil-based dressing to raw, dark leafy green salads will increase intestinal absorption. The same is true for egg yolks (0.2 milligrams per large egg). In a study of 33 older adults, published in The Journal of Nutrition, researchers found that consumption of one egg a day for five weeks significantly increased blood levels of lutein and zeaxanthin without raising cholesterol levels. According to the National Eye Institute and the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS), additional nutrients that benefit eye health include vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Local Vision Resources Houston Dry Eye Clinic

Personal Care Every Step of the Way

Allan J. Panzer, O.D., P.A. Optometric Glaucoma Specialist 4760 Beechnut St. Houston, Texas 77096 713-664-4760 houstondryeyeclinic.com

When it comes to eating for eye health, here’s some insightful advice:

1. Eat the “rainbow”. Choose a variety of

colorful, organic fruits and vegetables daily; they are rich in eye-protecting carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin C. Whole grains, nuts and seeds provide vitamin E, and fatty cold water fish such as sardines, salmon, tuna and mackerel are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Vegan sources of omega-3s include walnuts, ground flax, hemp and chia seeds, or microalgae supplements.

2. Become familiar with the best food

sources of lutein and zeaxanthin: lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/carotenoids.

Obtain a physician’s approval before taking eye health supplements, and compare their effectiveness, safety and cost at ConsumerLab.com.

4. Stay informed: National Eye Institute,

nei.nih.gov AREDS studies: nei.nih.gov/ areds2/patientfaq.

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Melinda Hemmelgarn, the “food sleuth”, is an award-winning registered dietitian, writer and nationally syndicated radio host based in Columbia, MO. Reach her at FoodSleuth@gmail.com. Tune into Food Sleuth Radio through iTunes, Stitcher and KOPN. org.

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healthy kids

Gardening for Kids

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The Fun of Growing Their Own by Ronica A. O’Hara

t’s May, and the temperature is rising, as is the sap and green shoots. It’s the perfect time to involve kids in growing their own garden that will get them outdoors, teach them planning and perseverance, and develop their motor, literacy and scientific skills. A South Korean study found that gardening provides both high- and moderate-intensity exercise for kids. It builds good eating habits, too: A British study of 46 9- and 10-year olds found that they ate 26 percent more vegetables and fruit after growing a school garden, and a University of Florida study of 1,351 college students showed them more likely to eat veggies if they had gardened as children. For the most gratifying results, give kids a sense of ownership. “Let them make the decisions and be in charge of the care of the garden as much as developmentally possible,” advises Sarah Pounders, senior education specialist at KidsGardening.org, in Burlington, Vermont.

Getting Started

Order some seed catalogues, look online— or better yet, take a child to the local garden nursery. Let them decide what to grow. Their choices are as diverse as their interests. Veggies, flowers and plants that draw butterflies each have their own appeal.

Some, like sunflowers, radishes and lettuce, are fast-growing, offering quick gratification. Or they can choose a theme. “If your child likes Italian food, plant tomatoes and basil. If they enjoy Mexican food, then peppers and cilantro. For flowers—zinnias and cosmos—let them make flower arrangements from early summer into the fall,” suggests Susan Brandt, of Bristow, Virginia, co-founder of the gardening site BloomingSecrets.com. Visiting a plant nursery offers the perfect opportunity to put kids on the path to healthy living. Point out and discuss the differences between organic and nonorganic seeds and between chemical fertilizers containing Roundup—labeled “Keep Out of Reach of Children”—and organic fertilizers containing fish, seaweed and other natural nutrients.

Choose the Spot

A three-foot-by-three-foot plot is an ideal size for a child’s garden, as long as it gets lots of sunshine. If living in an urban area, go with pots of soil in a sunny window.

Get the Right Tools

For young kids with short attention spans, small plastic spades, rakes and hoes might work. But older kids need hardier tools. Get them properly fitted garden gloves, plus sunhats and sunscreen.

Plant the Seeds

crystals minerals

Help them read and interpret the seed package directions, if necessary, and use a ruler to measure proper spacing. “I always try to have a mix of plants that start from seed and from transplants so that kids can have both immediate and delayed gratification,” says Pounders.

Water, Weed and Mulch

Show them how to use the watering can or hose properly, usually watering only when the soil is dry to a depth of one inch. They can mix their own non-toxic pesticide out of vinegar and salt, and spread such organic mulches as straw, newspaper, grass clippings and leaves to discourage weeds.

Get Scientific

“They can look at the soil to see all the living creatures in it, which is especially fun through a microscope,” says Dixie Sandborn, extension specialist at Michigan State University. “They can learn about vermiculture by making a worm bin and feeding the worms their table scraps.” With a ruler, they can measure the growth of various plants and create a chart comparing rates. By taking photos or drawing pictures on a daily or weekly basis, they can compile an album, along with commentary on weather patterns.

Have Fun

“Let them add personal touches like stepping stones, signs and other decorations that let them express their personality in their garden space,” says Pounders. Help them build a scarecrow, bird feeder, toad house, bird bath, sundial or a tent. Make a teepee or small enclosure and cover it with flowers, vines or climbing beans.

for your home and body

mallott’s in old town spring

metaphysical & Geological specimens for healing and Beauty gifts • Palo Santo • Antiques

a unique shop located in a 102 year old bank come see the original vault

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Harvest the Crop

After picking ripe vegetables, kids can find recipes and prepare snacks or a dish; arrange plucked flowers in vases and take photos; do craft activities with seeds, plants and flowers, like making potpourri or framing dried flowers; or throw a garden-themed party with favors that include herbs or seed packets. “You could have a ‘pajam-a’ party. Kids could wear their pajamas, pick berries, and make jam to take home,” suggests Sandborn. Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based freelance health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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I’m very concerned for the future of the Earth and its amazing creatures. We’ve got to be careful and make sure we don’t foul our own nest. ~John Lithgow

Houston

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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statement

To empower individuals to live a healthier lifestyle on a healthier planet. To educate communities on the latest in natural health and sustainability. To connect readers with local wellness resources and events, inspiring them to lead more balanced lives.

ith the explosion of cannabidiol (CBD) products on the human medical scene, many pet owners are looking into this hemp plant derivative as a natural means of medicating their fourlegged family members. A study conducted by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Ithaca, New York, found that CBD can be effective in treating some of the same ailments in pets as it does in humans. “I’ve used CBD on dogs and cats suffering from arthritis, anxiety andseizures,” says Angie Krause, DVM, a veterinarian with Boulder Holistic Vet, in Colorado. “I’ve even used CBD to treat cats with chronic respiratory infections.” Unlike CBD from marijuana, which in most cases is a Schedule I narcotic that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration considers highly subject to abuse, CBD from industrial hemp contains less than 0.3 percent of the psychoactive component THC. It is legal under federal law and can be sold nationwide, subject to state regulations. However, choosing the right CBD product is complicated by the number of confusing options. “There are so many products on the shelves with different concentrations and formulations,” says Krause, who considers the extraction method used during production to be one of the most important factors. She favors CO2 (carbon dioxide) extraction over solvent extraction methods: “CO2 leaves no residue behind that could harm the bodies of small animals such as dogs and cats.” Stephen Cital, a veterinary technician in San Jose, California, co-founded the Facebook group Veterinary Cannabis Academy. He agrees that the purity of the extraction method is significant. He also notes that price is not necessarily an indicator of quality. “A 30-cc bottle of CBD could cost $70 at a concentration of 700 milligrams [7 mg per cc]. However, it’s possible to find the same volume at the same price at a concentration of 1,000 milligrams [10 mg per cc].” Some products don’t contain CBD at all, only hemp extract, Cital explains. “For people who don’t understand the labeling, this can be very misleading.” CBD is one of 104 cannabinoids found in both industrial hemp and marijuana plants. Full-spectrum hemp extracts contain the entire profile of cannabinoids, including trace amounts of THC. Broad-spectrum hemp extracts contain everything but the THC. Cital says it’s always best to start with full- or broadspectrum products for the “entourage effect”, in which the cannabinoids work in concert. Isolates of additional cannabinoids can be added as needed, he says. When choosing a product to purchase for a pet, he recommends going with companies that are able to present the consumer

Houston

CBD For Pets

natural pet

What We Need to Know by Kajsa Nickels

with a certificate of analysis by a third party. “The certificate will show the complete profile of the CBD product, including cannabinoid, terpene, residual solvent, pesticide, bacteria, mycotoxin, fungicidal and elemental profiles,” he says. Cital notes that the elemental profile is especially important. “Hemp is very good at absorbing what is in its environment, including heavy metals such as lead.” Krause favors CBD products with minimal ingredients that “should be as simple as possible,” she says. “No xylitol, no artificial colors or sweeteners.” Cindy Hesse, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, also believes that CBD for pets should be as pure as possible. Her Cocker Spaniel, Reina, is both blind and deaf. Because of her handicaps, Reina experienced extreme anxiety to the point of destroying her metal crate, furniture and door frames. Reina’s vet put her on the antidepressant and antianxiety drugs Prozac and trazadone, but these only helped for a short period. After attending a CBD confe ence in Florida, her veterinarian decided to see if the compound might help the dog—his first patient to use CBD. The results, Hesse says, were amazing. “Within three days, it was like I had a new dog. She no longer destroys things, she is calm, she is more engaged with her environment. I recommend CBD oil to everyone I know who has a pet with health issues.” When deciding whether to give CBD to a pet, Krause and Cital recommend working with a veterinarian to ensure the proper dosage. “People can certainly work with CBD on their own with their pets,” says Krause, “but it’s important to get the dosing and concentration right to make it worthwhile. ” Kajsa Nickels is a freelance writer and a music composer. She resides in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Contact her at fideleterna45@gmail.com.

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Pet CBD Oil Local Resources Honest Paws 3027 Marina Bay Drive, # 205 League City, TX 77573 844-729-7790 honestpaws.com Neartown Animal Clinic 1314 Woodhead Street Houston, TX 77019 713-526-1502 neartownvet.com West Alabama Animal Clinic 2030 West Alabama Street Houston, TX 77098 713-528-0818 westalabamaanimalclinic.com

wise words

Peter Sagal on

RUNNING TOWARD MINDFULNESS by Randy Kambic

The 5 million faithful listeners of Nation-

al Public Radio’s award-winning weekly broadcast Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me! know that 20-year host Peter Sagal infuses wit and wisdom into his views of the news and the world. In his new book, The Incomplete Book of Running, he brings his trademark humor to a memoir that posits running as a mode of survival—and hope, persistence, practice and love as vehicles of redemption. Sagal’s collection of deeply personal lessons encompasses the emotional spectrum of running, body image and the special bonding between fellow runners. His exhilarating guide to life suggests we keep moving forward in all ways. He also reflects upon the 2013 Boston Marathon, where he finished moments before two bombs exploded, and explores how running helped him cope with a devastating divorce, depression and more. Sagal is also a playwright, screenwriter and the host of PBS’ Constitution USA with Peter Sagal when he’s not writing about the recreation he took up in mid-life where he found himself “lost, in a dark place” after a personal crisis. He lives near Chicago with his wife, Mara.

As an advocate of escaping our “digital dystopia” of electronic screens by running outdoors, what’s the benefit you see in unplugging? I’m a big fan of evolutionary biology. We evolved in very different circumstances than what we are living in now; to be attentive to the world and not with a screen in front of us. The reason we are up on two legs is so that we can look around and think. We’re supposed to ruminate. We didn’t evolve these extraordinary brains and self-consciousness so we could outsource our thinking. Anybody who has done creative work knows what’s needed to do that is uninterrupted thought. What can non-runners take away from your book?

Probably when I ran with William Greer, who I didn’t even know 24 hours before we ran the 2013 Boston Marathon, and by the end of that day we were friends forever because of all we went through together. [Greer is visually impaired and Sagal was his volunteer guide during the race.] We’re still in touch; we sometimes run together. He wouldn’t have finished if I wasn’t helping him and I wouldn’t have finished if he wasn’t helping me. Randy Kambic is a freelance writer and editor, in Estero, Florida.

ur sport seems mindless only O to people who never run long enough for any thought to form

photo by Kyle Cassidy

I was concerned about my weight, but mainly I was also concerned about getting older. I ran my first marathon in 2005 as an emotional reaction to growing older, and that’s when it all began to change for me. It struck me in a deep way as something I wanted to do better. I’ve rarely experienced the classic “runner’s high”—that endorphin-caused euphoria, although I do believe it exists. Rather, what’s more common is the sense that everything—body, mind— is working in concert, without discomfort, with strength, with ease. To paraphrase a line from Kurt Vonnegut, it’s when “everything is beautiful, and nothing hurts.”

Houston

Of the many anecdotes you cite about bonding with others through running, which one was the most gratifying?

ACROSS THE MILES

After becoming a serious runner at nearly 40, when did you realize running had evolved into something more than a simple mission to get healthy?

Go outside. We weren’t meant to spend so much time in offices. Take the headphones off, move, use your body. Look at little kids in playgrounds—they’re just running around before getting trained into games. We forget that. We spend so much time in our heads reading, watching screens. I’ve met people who say they don’t run, but they walk, ride bikes, hike in the woods. Those people are getting many of the same benefits as running.

other than, ‘When can I stop running?’ But the only way to succeed as a long-distance runner is to do it mindfully, to be aware of the body and the world it is moving through. I think about my motion and my breathing, my muscles and their state of agitation or stress or relaxation. I note my surroundings—the downward slope I would never notice driving this street, the hawk’s nest I would never see for lack of looking up, the figure in a window caught in a solitary moment of their own. I think about the true meaning of distance—about the learning that comes from running a mile in your own shoes. From The Incomplete Book of Running, by Peter Sagal.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

healing ways

TOXIC LEGACY Breast Implant Warriors Unite by Linda Sechrist

The U.S. Surgeon General’s warning on

cigarettes hasn’t prevented individuals from smoking, nor has the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) list of risks and complications associated with breast implants kept women from undergoing voluntary breast augmentation. Since 1997, the number of saline- and silicone-filled breast implant surgeries has tripled. According to the National Center for Health Research (NCHR), more than 400,000 women and teenagers undergo breast implant surgeries every year, with 75 percent for augmentation of healthy breasts and 25 percent for reconstruction after mastectomies. The marked increase in surgeries implanting these Class III “high risk” medical devices includes many women that undergo procedures to replace old implants that have broken or caused other problems. An estimated 40,000 U.S. women a year have the surgery to remove the implants entirely. These “explants” stem from a variety of issues, from rupture or delayed wound healing to broken implants that have caused breast pain, capsule contracture, spontaneous deflation, breast lesion, infection, wrinkling/ scalloping and necrosis. Another reason for removal is the growing concern about the reported incidence of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a treatable T-cell lymphoma, and breast implant illness (BII) associated with both silicone and saline implants. The FDA first sounded the alarm about the rare lymphoma in 2011, linking it to implants with textured, Velcro-like outer shells.

Houston

In February, the federal agency issued a letter to healthcare providers seeking to increase awareness “about an association between all breast implants, regardless of filling or texture,” and BIA-ALCL. On the issue of BII and other problems reported by women with implants, the FDA has remained largely silent, suggesting that “studies would need to be larger and longer than these conducted so far.” The movie is considered to be a vicotry. Facebook.com/groups/HealingBreastImplantIllness has become a sanctuary for more than 68,000 women that report a range of symptoms associated with BII. Nicole Daruda, of Vancouver Island, Canada, says she created the group to support women that visited her website, HealingBreastImplantIllness.com, where she told her personal BII story that began with implant surgery in 2005. “I never anticipated an avalanche of women’s stories about the symptoms that I endured before having my explant surgery in 2015.” After hearing from other women, Daruda felt affirmed in her suspicions that implants had caused her fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, headaches, joint and muscle pain, hair loss, recurring infections, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, irritable bowel syndrome and problems with thyroid and adrenal glands. “I believe that various doctors pigeonholed my symptoms into the category of autoimmune disorders because few general practitioners are aware of BII.” Diana Hoppe, a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist specializing in total wellness in Encinitas, California, never heard

of BII until earlier this year. “Doctors rely on published evidence-based study results, and while there are none linking connective tissue disorders and breast implants, I suspect that the outcomes of studies conducted by breast implant manufacturers are equally as suspicious as the outcomes of studies done by the manufacturers of cigarettes.” Now that she is aware of BII, Hoppe, the co-founder of the Pacific Coast Research Center, says she plans to educate patients that have implants, as well as those that might consider them. One longtime BII combatant says, “My body mounted an all-out war in the form of a foreign body immune response. Unfortunately it took me 30 years and too many doctors before I learned about BII from Tinyurl.com/BreastImplantIllness The woman, who prefers not to be identified, has been battling to regain her health, but is unable to afford the explant surgery that would remove the apparently toxic invaders. NCHR reports that at the time of explant surgery, approximately three out of five women have had implants and their unhealthy symptoms for 10 years or more. After explant surgery, 89 percent of the women report improvement. However, explant surgery is just the first step. Daruda used chelation and the protocols of Gerson Therapy, a natural treatment that activates the body’s ability to heal itself through an organic, plant-based diet, raw juices, coffee enemas and supplements. “It took me four years to recuperate,” she says. “It didn’t take that long to know the lesson I wanted to share with other women: Self-love and self-worth are more important than society’s false concepts of beauty. The essence of who we are is not tied to any body part.” Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

JUNE

Coming Next Month

Brain Health

plus: Green Building Trends

green living

JUNE

Coming Next Month

Green Building Trends Plus: Brain Health

PLANTS TALK

Discover Their Secret Language While flowers are known to

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Houston

by April Thompson

emit complex profiles of odors in the form of volatile lean toward light, a growing compounds that can be body of research is demonpicked up by other plants, strating plants also respond as well as insects. Studying to sounds and scents—and sagebrush in the Sierra then herald the news to their Nevada mountains, Karban neighbors. Far from being found that plants under passive life forms, members duress emit chemical cues of the plant kingdom are ~Heidi Appel that trigger nearby plants to adept at interacting with their increase their defenses. environments and with each These odors vary with other. the type of threat and time, working to attract “Plants don’t have specialized sense pollinators during the day and fending off organs, but like animals, plants are very enemies at night, Schultz says. A plant being capable of sensing their environment. They eaten by an insect may release a chemical perceive cues, weigh different alternatives that attracts predatory insects looking for and allocate resources in very sophisticated herbivore prey. “There is a clear adaptive ways,” says Richard Karban, professor of advantage in attracting the ‘enemy of your entomology at the University of California at enemy’, who can act as a bodyguard for the Davis and the author of Plant Sensing and plant being attacked.” Communication. Smells are just part of a plant’s multisensory life, says Heidi Appel, professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Better Living Through the University of Toledo and one of Schultz’s Chemistry collaborators. Appel’s research with collaborator Rex Cocroft, at the University of Early evidence of plant communication Missouri, demonstrates they’re listening for was discovered by accident, according to threats, too. Jack Schultz, senior executive director of Her lab exposed plants from the mustard research development at the University of family to the sound of a caterpillar feeding, Toledo, in Ohio. “In the 1970s, researchers with control plants in silence or “listening” to began to notice plants under attack respond a recording of the wind or other insects, and by increasing defensive chemistry —things found that those vibrations didn’t effect the that make a plant distasteful or toxic to same defensive priming response as that of predators,” he says. Researchers noticed the plant-munching caterpillar. “Plants have that control plants also seemed to respond no special sense organs, so their sophistito their neighbors being attacked. cated sense of hearing is very surprising,” Since then, Schultz, Karban and other says Appel. investigators have discovered that plants

We underestimate what plants can do because their communication is invisible to us.

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networks of fungi that aid in sending such messages are intact. Simard’s Nature’s Networks Plants have no special sense organs, research seeks to understand how environmental threats like climate Karban’s lab isolated plants to determine so their sophisticated sense of hear- change and logging may further disthat their chemical signals were transmitted rupt these communication networks. ing is very surprising. by air rather than soil or root systems. Yet Recognizing all of the commuresearcher Suzanne Simard, a professor nication that exists between plants, ~Heidi Appel of forest ecology at the University of British we might wonder if human words of Columbia, in Vancouver, is digging into the encouragement can help them grow. underground connections, finding that trees Perhaps, but not for the reasons one are interacting with one another below the might hope, says Appel. “Whenever ground in complex ways. we feel a sense of connection to another life form, we are more likeTrees have a symbiotic relationship with fungi that’s built on a ly to take better care of it,” says the researcher. “We underestimate mutually beneficial exchange of nutrients, says Simard. This underwhat plants can do because their communication is invisible to us. ground network links root systems of trees together, enabling them Yet we also have to be careful about overestimating their abilities. to exchange carbon, water and other nutrients in a kind of natural We need an understanding to be driven by science, and not wishful balance sheet. Simard discovered these networks had hubs—typithinking.” cally older “mother trees”—that can connect to hundreds of saplings and send them excess carbon that can quadruple their survival April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Contact rates. her at AprilWrites.com. Simard also found that trees engage in “defense signaling” similar to plants, increasing their natural defenses in response to # # damage inflicted on their neighbors, but only if the mycorrhizal #

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

The Mother Our Souls Need Connecting With the Energy That Made Us by Christiane Northrup

his Mother’s Day, I want to tell you about a different way to think about your mother and about yourself—a way that is deeply true and liberating, no matter what is going on with your mother. On a soul level, we’re old friends with our mothers. And they signed up for assisting us on our souls’ journeys big time—by being willing to take on the role of our mother. And no matter how well they did or didn’t do that job, we have a job, too: to realize that though we might not have had the mother we wanted, we all got the mother our souls needed. What’s more, every single one of us can connect right now with the mother energy that made all of our bodies in the first place—the Earth herself. It has been said that when you lavish your attention on the Earth—on a flower, or a stream or any aspect of nature—that energy loves you right back. In the book series The Ringing Cedars, Anastasia refers to the land you live on and love as, “Love dissolved in space.” You can feel this when you

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travel to parks and gardens, farms and yards that have been loved by those who live there. This mothering energy is available to each of us from the Earth and from Mother Nature—no matter what has happened with your biological mother. So here is my prescription for a glorious Mother’s Day. Call your mother—in spirit, if she is no longer in a body—or if speaking with her directly is too painful. Here’s a special prayer: “With my Spirit, I send Divine Love to my mother’s Spirit.” That’s it. Just say this prayer. With your whole heart. And let go of the outcome. Happy Mother’s Day. Christiane Northrup, M.D., is a leading authority in the field of women’s health and wellness. The full text of this excerpt, reprinted with permission, appears at DrNorthrup.com. © Christiane Northrup, Inc. All rights reserved.

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yoga naturally

by Alyssa Herren

magine feeling ecstatic joy pouring from the heart center and bursting into untamed laughter in a space where deep healing happens. The beauty of life is in our sound creations. A sound that resembles that of heartache (crying), can also be in bliss and gratitude, or awkwardness (laughing and giggles). That is true self-expression--a self that is beyond our titles, job, identities, and roles. The self that is universally existing as all of us individuals have expressed as “Ha Ha Ha.” This is Laughter Yoga. When I tell people that I am a Laughter Yoga Leader, the response I usually get is “I’ve heard of Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar, and Kundalini but what’s Laughter Yoga? Do you tell jokes while maintaining each pose or laugh as you perform the sequence?” I can see how that would be quite enjoyable to do, but actually Laughter Yoga isn’t all that much related to what we know as a typical Yoga session. Here are some interesting points about Laughter Yoga.

1. What Is Laughter Yoga?

Laughter yoga is relatively new to the world. It combines simulated laughter exercises with gentle breathing techniques to teach the body how to laugh without relying on jokes or humor.

2. Where and How Did It Originate?

Laughter yoga was developed in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria, a family physician practicing in Mumbai, India. Looking for ways to alleviate stress from living in the overcrowded city, he decided to create a laughter club to test out the theory that laughter truly is the best medicine. Dr. Kataria did this by gathering a group of people in a public park to tell jokes. The first week everyone

enjoyed the humor and laughed. Not long after that, the response changed drastically. However, what Dr. Kataria observed was that whether something was humorous or not, people laughed when they saw others laughing. The laughter was visually contagious. Realizing that he was onto something special, Dr. Kataria created and perfected simulated laughing techniques and incorporated breathing exercises into the routine. That is how Laughter Yoga got started. The concept took hold and spread worldwide. Today there are over 8000 laughter yoga clubs in 65 countries.

3. Who Is This Good For?

Laughter Yoga can be performed by anyone. People of all ages, fitness and cognitive levels can participate. Best of all, one doesn’t have to be happy, have a sense of humor or be in a good mood to take part and gain benefits. There is no special clothing or equipment required. All that is needed is a space for the group to gather at. It’s fun, easy to learn and the positive effects can be felt immediately.

4. What Is A Session Like?

A typical session lasts between 30 minutes to an hour. The class begins with warm up exercises which include stretching, chanting, clapping and breathing activities. This is followed by a series of laughter exercises interspersed with breathing techniques. The sequence of clapping, breathing and laughing is repeated over and over again, each time infused with more and more childlike playfulness. What starts out as forced or fake laughter turns genuine as inhibitions are broken down and individuals relax and have fun with the experience. Often a laughter meditation follows this portion of class. During this time, the group sits or lies down

and spontaneous, free-flowing laughter ensues. Class generally concludes with a relaxation technique and a very calm, happy, mellow group!

5. Why Would I Want To Do This?

There are many mental, physical and emotional benefits attributed to the practice of Laughter Yoga. Mood elevates. Stress, depression and tension decrease. Immunity improves. Lung capacity increases through deep breathing, enhancing oxygen delivery to all parts of the body. Endorphin and serotonin levels rise. Laughter provides an excellent internal massage to digestive tract as well as improving blood supply to the internal organs. People who laugh don’t worry as much as people who don’t laugh. Overall, laughing feels good and when done in a group, positive bonds are formed between the participants. I personally felt totally in love with this when I attended my Laughter Leader training course to be certified and now that you know more about laughter yoga and how it can benefit you, why not give it a try! If you are interested in learning more about Laughter Yoga or experiencing it, you can email Alyssa at alyssaherren1@gmail.com alyssaherren1.wixsite.com/hahasana

calendar of events

NOTE: All Calendar events must be received via email by the 5th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelnes. Email calendar@naturalawakenings for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. WEDNESDAY MAY 1ST Dazed and Confused at Market Square Park. 8:30pm. Join us for a special outdoor screening of Dazed and Confused (R). Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and grab a spot. Free. Market Square Park, 301 Milam, 77002. marketsquarepark.com FRIDAY MAY 3RD Individual Blessing Program & Saraswati Diksha for Students. 11:00am (sign in begins at 9am). Unity Church - Pyramid Hall, 2929 Unity Drive, 77057. Admission is free. Register: www. karunamayi.org/houston SATURDAY MAY 4TH Meditation Retreat. 8:30am–5:00pm. The retreats provide an invaluable opportunity for devotees to deepen their meditation practice and to listen to the inspirational wisdom of Amma’s divine discourses. Half and Full Day Options available; Lunch is provided. Tickets are $62/half-day and $102/full day before April 26th. Unity Church - Pyramid Hall, 2929 Unity Drive, 77057. You MUST register in advance here: www.karunamayi. org/houston 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 Soul Sisters Holistic Fair. 11am-3pm. Soul Sisters Holistic Fair features readings, healings, shopping and more. Pitas Bites Mediterranean Grill Food Truck will be onsite serving lunch. Vendors include crystals, henna tattoos, fairy hair, jewelry and others. The event is open to the public, kid-friendly and free to attend. Free. Serene Beans Coffee House, 5609 Third St., Katy, TX 77493. For more information, contact Soul’ed Out at 281-686-6851. Facebook.com/besouledout SUNDAY MAY 5TH 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 Homa Sacred Fire Event. 9:00am–1:00pm. Attire: Light or white clothing or Traditional attire; modest dress requested (no tank tops or shorts). Lunch is provided and admission is Free. Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, 13845 West Belfort Ave, Sugar Land, 77478. Register: http://www.karunamayi. org/houston/

YogaMass®. 1:30pm. YogaMass is a community who worships on our yoga mats, integrating yoga, breath work, meditation, and holy communion. Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center, 8100 Greenbriar, Ste 300, 77054. Donation-based. For more info, contact Grace at 832-667-8601, YogaMassAwakening@gmail.com or yogamass.com. TUESDAY MAY 7TH Amnesty International Houston Meeting. 7:00pm-8:30pm. Learn how *you* can make a difference locally and globally! Free and open to the public. Amnesty International Houston, local 23. Central Market Community Room (upstairs) 3815 Westheimer, 77027. mail@amnestyhouston. org 713-386-1700 www.amnestyhouston.org

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SATURDAY MAY 11TH 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 MAY 12TH Buddha’s Birthday. 9:00–3:30pm. We sincerely invite you and your family and friends to join us for this wonderful event and share the Dharma joy. Free. CHUNG TAI ZEN CENTER OF HOUSTON 12129 Bellaire Blvd., 77072 zen@cthouston.org www. cthouston.org 281-568-1568 TUESDAY MAY 14TH Nia Retreat May. May 14th–May 20th. 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 somaranch.com/events/ nia-retreat-may THURSDAY MAY 16TH Blanket Bingo! 6:00pm-9:00pm, Bingo begins at 7pm. $10 admission includes one bingo packet (approx 9 games). Additional games and daubers can be purchased for $1 each. Market Square Park, 301 Milam, 77002. marketsquarepark.com SUNDAY MAY 26TH 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 www.cthouston. org 281-568-1568 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

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on going events

SATURDAY, JUNE 1ST & SUNDAY, JUNE 2ND The Way of the Shaman: Shamanic Journeying, Power & Healing June 1&2 9am-4:30pm, Sat&Sun. Michael Harner’s Basic Workshop on Shamanism. Taught by Anthony Rios, guest faculty of The Foundation for ShamanicStudies (shamanism.org). Tuition $300/person. Homewood Suites, Galveston. Register at Paypal.me/ ARiosGalveston. For more information contact Anthony Rios, 409-762-6027, arios797@gmail.com. SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH 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 SUNDAY, JUNE 23RD Meditation Workshop. 10:00am-12:00pm. Open to everyone - especially for beginners to meditation. The master will give a brief introduction to meditation and guide the participants to do meditation. Free, donations welcome. CHUNG TAI ZEN CENTER OF HOUSTON, 12129 Bellaire Blvd., 77072 zen@cthouston.org www.cthouston. org 281-568-1568 WEDNESDAY JUNE 26TH- TUESDAY, JULY 2ND Nia Retreat June. June 26th–July 2nd. 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-retreatjune SUNDAY, JUNE 30TH 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

Volunteer, donate or just come see what we do. Free. Downtown Library Courtyard 521 Lamar, 77002. houstonfoodnotbombs.org

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 freetailed 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, 77459. Beginners Yoga. 7-8:30 pm. Discover your strengths and balances through a therapeutic approach to yoga alignment and mind/ body integration. First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, 5200 Fannin 77004. stanpolins@gmail.com. www.firstuu.org

tuesday Grace2Go. 7:00-8:00am. 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

Food Not Bombs. 8pm. Help provide free vegan meals for Houston’s homeless.

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wednesday Yin With Lin for Deep Tissue Release. 9:30am. A perfect complement to the dynamic and muscular (yang) styles of yoga that emphasize internal heat, and the lengthening and contracting of our muscles. Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine. Longer holds allow for deeper release. $20 drop-in. The Good Space, 5757 Woodway, 77057. Facilitator: Lin Weiss, Certified Yoga Therapist - 713-858-8595, linweiss@conscioushealingnow.com 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 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

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. 713802-1707 https://bit.ly/2CP6zSI 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 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 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. 713226-8563 www.lastconcert.com Drum Circle at Midnight 12mn-2am $6.00 Last Concert Cafe 1403 Nance St. 77002. 713-226-8563 www.lastconcert.com

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. 10am9pm. 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 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.

Houston Museum of Natural Science. 2pm-5pm. Roam the Serengeti, walk with dinosaurs and discover the world’s mineral wonders. Free. HMNS 5555 Hermann Park Drive 77030. hmns.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 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 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 Meditation Service at Self-Realization Fellowship. 7:30-9:30pm Learn and practice the meditative techniques of Paramahansa Yogananda. FREE. Self-Realization Fellowship, 3425 Golf Dr, 77018. srfhouston.org

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. 713524-5876 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

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. victoriasnaturalmarket.com Integrative Hatha Yoga for Mind, Body, Spirit. 9:00am. Hatha Yoga addresses the musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular & endocrine systems of the human body, focusing on heart & hip openers, twists, pose alignment, the energetic subtle bodies, and meditation. Increase strength, stamina, vitality & peace of mind. $20 drop-in. The Good Space, 5757 Woodway, 77057. Facilitator: Lin Weiss, Certified Yoga Therapist - 713-858-8595 linweiss@ conscioushealingnow.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 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. Vedanta Study Group with Joseph Emmett. 11:00am-12:00pm. Lecture and discussion on a series of texts by A. Parthasarthy, beginning with The Fall Of the Human Intellect. Designed to support a daily study at home. Free. Consulate General of India, MultiPurpose Room, 4300 Scotland

Houston

St., 77007. Vedanta Academy, India. Info@ VedantaHouston.org www.VedantaHouston. org Awake Tour. 3pm-4pm. 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

sunday 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. 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 832667-8601. Sunday at Self-Realization Fellowship. 9:40am-12noon. 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, 11131 North Eldridge Pkw., #700 Houston, Texas 77065 . unityspiritualcenterhouston. org (832) 653-7980

Public Dharma talk with Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien. 11:00am-12:30pm. 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 281-5659718 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 Vedanta Study Group with Joseph Emmett. 11:00am-12:00pm. Vedanta Treatise: The Eternities contains the entire Vedantic philosophy in one text. Joseph will lead our reading and take questions. Students are expected to reflect on the material between classes. Copies will be available for purchase. Consulate General of India, Multi-Purpose Room, 4300 Scotland St, 77007. Info@VednataHouston.org. www. VedantaHouston.org Sunday Psychic Fair and Holistic Expo. 1pm-6pm. Angel oracle readings, psychic medium, tarot card readings, soul oracle readings, tea leaf astrology, astrology and past life readings, foot reflexology, energy healers, jewelry, crystals and more! Free. (Formerly Centerpoint Body, Mind and Spirit) Matrix Art Gallery and Metaphysical Center, 7143 SW Freeway, 77074. 713-932-7224 metaphysicalmatrix.org Awake Tour. 3pm-4pm. 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 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

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

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

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 ALKALINE WATER DELIVERY

BOOKS

UP H2O Alkaline Water Delivery

The Power of Awake

UP your alkaline water! pH 9-10, infused with minerals such as Magnesium, Potassium, and Calcium. Antioxidant properties, detoxifying properties, increased hydration & lower acidity. When you call, mention Natural Awakenings and receive a FREE 6pk on your first order.

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

713-957-9000 uph2o.com

BEAUTY TRU AURA

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. See ad on page 5

BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY MARILYN K. JONES, DDS Houston Dental Health Center 800 Bering Dr. Houston, TX 77057 713-785-7767 marilynkjonesdds.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. See ad on page 32

by Thich Dieu Thien

BRAIN BALANCING CERESET™

Galveston, Texas cereset.com 409-599-7268

The Cereset™ Gavston location is part of a national network of client centers focused on next-generation brain wellness - helping you relax your brain to manage stress, restore hope and finally achieve restful sleep through patented BrainEcho™ technology, which empowers the brain to reset itself as it hears and “sees” its own reflection. To schedule an appointment call: 409-599-7266. See ad on page 17

CHIROPRACTIC HEALTHPRO CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE

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

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

ESTAR NATURAL CAROLINA MOORE, HEALTH COACH 832-640-1216 estarnatural.com carolina@estarnatural.com Would you like to discover a healthier and serene relationship with your food, change your eating habits to healthy from purchasing to preparation, and incorporate sustainable changes to improve your lifestyle? Then having a health coach would help you reach your goals. Carolina can help you find what nourishes you so that you feel in balance. Coaching sessions in English or Spanish, in person or online. Mention Natural Awakenings and your first session is FREE! Call or email today!

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!

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.

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!

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 8

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/ INNER ENGINEERING

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

UNIVERSAL DOOR MEDITATION CENTER

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

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

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

Are you ready to Wake Up? Discover Awake Mind through Zen meditation. Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien guides students to apply this life-changing tool in all situations. Transform stress, struggles, health issues, and conflicts that you thought were unchangeable facts of life! Attend our FREE Tuesday Meditation 101 class.

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

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.

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MEDITATION

ORGANIC RESORT & SPA

NATURAL HORMONES

CHUNG TAI ZEN CENTER OF HOUSTON

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

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. No fees. Donations are Without using synthetic welcome. prescription hormones or No prior experience bio-identical hormones. required for beginners. Your body knows how to produce the correct amount Check the web site (event calendar) for the most curof hormones. Call today for rent information. your FREE consultation and be on your way to a See ad on page 13 younger body and a good night’s sleep.

NEW DECISION THERAPY

Houston

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

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

OZONE THERAPY ACTIVATE OZONE SAUNA THERAPY 2034-A W Gray St Suite 113 In the Phenix Suites- River Oaks Shopping Center Houston, TX 77019 713-294-8075 activateozone.com

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

Discover the amazing effects of ozone sauna therapy which oxygenates your blood vessels and aids in relieving muscle soreness in athletes, pain due to arthritis, cancer treatment symptoms, and more. Ozone sauna therapy removes harmful toxins from the body while cleansing and refreshing it as well. Book your appointment online today.

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.

PAIN RELIEF

SPIRITUALITY

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

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.

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

Be brave enough to live life creatively—the creative place where no one else has ever been. ~Alan Alda

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!

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!

YOGA Yoga for Mental & Physical Happiness The Good Space 5757 Woodway, # 150 Houston, TX 77057 713-858-8595 conscioushealingnow. com

Lin has moved to a new space. Experience Lin Weiss’s warm & personable teaching style. Small classes that allow individual instruction making progress attainable for all students. Yin Yoga for Deep Tissue Release-9:30 am Wed. Integrative Hatha Yoga for body, mind and spirit: 9:00 am Sat. Call today to reserve your space! see ad page 11

Are you creative, driven and passionate about healthy living? Inspire others to make choices that benefit themselves and the world around them by owning a Natural Awakenings franchise. Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years. This is a meaningful home-based business opportunity that provides training and ongoing support. No previous publishing experience is required.

Learn more today: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Franchise

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