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natural awakenings
May 2012
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NA Nashville Edition
contents 8
8 healthbriefs 10 globalbriefs
Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
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12 ecotip 13 inspiration
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26 events
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28 ongoingevents 29 classified 30 resourceguide
advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 615-767-8818 or email: NApublisher@NANashville.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.
THE HORMONE BALANCING ACT
Natural Strategies for Feeling Better
20 healingways
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by Linda Sechrist
19 wisewords 24 consciouseating
THE POWER OF PLACE
by Kathleen Barnes
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INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS AND THE SPIRITUAL PATH
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by Marianne Williamson
20 ANTI-AGING SKINCARE
Turn Back the Clock with New Treatments and Breakthroughs by Linda Sechrist
24 LIQUID TASTE TREATS
Try These Healthy Green Drinks
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by Jason Manheim
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: NApublisher@ NANashville.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: NApublisher@NANashville.com or fax to 1-888-391-2279. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. 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.
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contact us Publishers Jim and Bonnie Crawford Editors Leta Myers Susan Cothran Design Susan McCann Advertising Bonnie Crawford Distribution Jim Crawford Franchise Sales John Voell II 239-530-1377 P.O. Box 8126 Gallatin, TN 37066 phone: 615-767-8818 fax: 1-888-391-2279 NANashville.com © 2012 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. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. 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. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
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A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts ~ Washington Irving
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other’s Day is a day honoring the wonder-women in our lives, celebrated on various days in many places around the world. It is the day when you acknowledge your mothers contribution in your life and pay a tribute to her. It doesn’t require expensive gifts or anything material, but it should be something that shows you’ve put thought into it. It wasn’t until 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother’s Day to honor mothers whose sons had died in war. Since then, Mother’s Day has gone on to become the most popular day of the year and May is the biggest month for florists. This month’s issue, our “Women’s Wellness” edition, is loaded with wonderful beauty secrets and is full of idea’s, suggestions, and articles for internal, external, mental and emotional beauty starting with “The Hormone Balancing Act: Natural Strategies for Feeling Better” on page ?. Rushed for time, as we all are, the “Tasty and Healthy Green Drinks” article on page ? shows us another way to eat (drink) healthy without a major time investment. I hope when you have finished reading this edition you have learned something that will make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. Whatever you do this month, remember to take time to create balance, cultivate personal happiness and well-being, stay interested and involved in all you do. Most importantly, tell your Mother you love her and how important she is and has been to you. Thank her for all she’s done.
Happy Mother’s Day!
newsbriefs
coverartist
Senior Expo 2012
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cGruder Family Resource Center invites you to the Senior Expo 2012. Free health screenings will include diabetic foot checks, blood pressure, glucose, HIV, vision and bone density screenings. Best Buy will be there with their fitness center. Free haircuts and manicures will also be available. Elizabeth Center Dancers and the Senior High Steppers will provide entertainment. Information booths, door prizes, and much, much more. Don’t miss an afternoon of fun! Free admission for seniors 55 and older. Thursday, May 3 from 10am-2pm at McGruder Family Resource Center, 2013 25th Avenue North, Nashville. 615-291-4513. See ad on page 21.
Star of May I Be Frank Documentary to Appear at Screening in SC
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ritically acclaimed documentary May I Be Frank will be shown at the Unity Church of Greenville, South Carolina on Friday, May 18, at 7pm and Saturday, May 19, at 3 pm. The screenings will be followed by a live Q&A with the film’s star, Frank Ferrante. In the film, Ferrante is a 54-year old first generation American of Sicilian parents, raised in Brooklyn and living in San Francisco. Ferrante is obnoxious, extremely overweight, addicted to drugs, pre-diabetic and fighting Hepatitis C. He is single, estranged from his daughter, and struggling with depression. Ferrante unwittingly walks into Café Gratitude, an organic and vegan restaurant with an extensive menu of raw foods. He begins to patronize the café regularly and befriends the staff. On one such visit, Ferrante is asked by Ryland Engelhart, one of the servers, “What is one thing you want to do before you die?” Ferrante replies “I want to fall in love one more time, but no one will love me looking the way I do.” Inspired to help him, Engelhart recruits his brother Cary Gaffney and best friend Conor Mosier to assist in the transformational experiment. What follows is a 42 day journey in which Ferrante turns his life over to three twenty-something young men committed to his healing and prepared to coach him physically, emotionally and spiritually. Unity Church of Greenville is located at 207 E. Belvue Rd, Taylors, SC. Tickets for the screening are $12 and are available at MayIBeFrankMovie. com/current-screenings. For more information, visit MayIBeFrankMovie.com or call 864-292-6499.
Beautiful You Lori Portka A former counselor and educator, fine artist Lori Portka delights in the favorite things that inspire her: nature, traveling, animals, yoga and friends. She lets her art pour out in boldly rendered images that burst from each canvas via saturated pastels, paints, chalks and inks to forge a visceral connection between artist and viewer. “I make artwork that is a reflection of gratitude and joy in the world,” says Portka, whose expressive works fulfill her mission of spreading happiness through art. A personal loss led Portka to begin painting again at 30-something for the first time since the tenth grade, a process she says has opened her heart even more deeply. Inspired by Australian photographer and filmmaker Hailey Bartholomew’s documentary, 365 Grateful, about living on the sunny side of life, Portka embarked upon her own project, A Hundred Thank-Yous, creating and giving away 100 paintings to 100 people that have touched her life, she says, “in a beautiful way.” “I feel like I am on the right path, doing what I am supposed to do,” she explains. “Art feels like home to me.” View the artist’s portfolio and follow her blog at LoriPortka.com. natural awakenings
May 2012
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newsbriefs
Local Spiritual East Meets West Holistic Education Center Coach Supports Health, Happiness and Balance in Changing Times Clients at “Home”
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ave you ever felt out of balance? Do you understand how earth changes can affect you and how to handle these changes? Human beings are not mere thinking physical machines, but rather fields of intelligence in dynamic exchange with the energy and information of the environment. Health is a state of vibrant balance in which all the layers of one’s life are integrated. Our bodies and minds react to the earth’s shifts causing us to feel out of balance, which ultimately creates physical challenges and emotional turbulence that affect our lives at home, work, and play. We find ourselves in toxic relationships and nonnourishing patterns of eating, sleeping, and digestion. The Perfect Health program taught by Chopra Center Certified Instructor, Mary Glesige, will help you identify the imbalances in your life, teach you how to correct them, and help you develop a nurturing daily routine. You will also learn to release emotions in a healthy way. Most importantly, as your stress is eliminated, your mind and body begin to function with maximum effectiveness creating health, vitality and happiness. You can learn how you are connected on multiple levels with Mother Earth and all of her elements. There is no disconnection between us and her. Understanding the simple principles of Perfect Health can help you manage the changes that are occurring now. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, LLC is a great place to start or improve your self-development. Their belief is that a blend of experiential education that includes time honored ancient wisdom and modern science from east to west is fundamental in supporting the community’s understanding of natural ways to improve and balance every day living. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, LLC is located at 5814 Nolensville Pike, Ste 106, Nashville. For more information call 615-834-0080. emwhec@gmail.com. EMWHEC.com. See ad, page 9.
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ocal spiritual coach and Gnostic priest, Mark Earlix, supports his clients in his private practice at newly opened Athena Holistic Wellness Center, in their homes, hospice settings and hospital rooms through his “Holistic House Calls” newly formed LLC. Mark Earlix is dedicated to healing and teaching healing with his spiritual tools of healing, intuition and prayer. Earlix explains, “Holistic House Calls allows me to visit with my clients in their homes, their hospice settings and even their hospital rooms. I have found in my four decades of working with clients spiritually and in a healing capacity it’s not always easy for them to come to my office. So now I’m coming to them.” Mark Earlix is a Healer, Intuitive Master Teacher, Gnostic Priest, and Author with over 40 years of experience helping over 25,000 people heal. Private appointments are available as well as Apprenticeship Training. For more information visit: MarkEarlix.com.
Organic Nail Spa Nashville
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hen it comes to nail safety, men and women alike fear getting a foot fungus more then being exposed to the toxins in the products. Few are aware that nail polish was introduced in 1920 when automobile paint was created. It inspired colored nail enamels. Nail polish manufacturers have felt the pressure to remove toxic chemicals from their products especially phthalates, toluene and formaldehyde. These harmful chemicals have been shown to make their way into breastmilk. Sandra Benedict, owner of Organic Nail Spa Nashville, is now offering an eco-friendly, chemical free, assortment of nail care products and services. These products are vegan inspired and are free from harmful chemicals that have caused weak splitting nails, asthma attacks and nasal allergies. These are important considerations, especially for expectant mothers and patients undergoing chemotherapy. Benedict believes that using vegan inspired or chemical free products, made with essential oils, promotes healthy nails and a healthy environment. She will often recommend that a client opt for a natural nail treatment, such as a buff, instead of polish. Offering nail strengtheners, cuticle creams, and anti-fungal oils, Benedict believes that a healthy, clean nail can look as beautiful without polish. Organic Nail Spa Nashville is located at 2021 Richard Jones Rd, Ste 130, Nashville. For information or to schedule your appointment call 615337-5466 or email: OrganicNailSpaNashville@gmail.com. OrganicNailSpaNashville.com. See ad on page 20.
Body, Mind & Spirit. It’s All Connected. by: Katherine King
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y the 1980s a genre of events that catered to metaphysical and alternative health communities was firmly established and growing fast. In cities from coast to coast, you could easily find an event that featured the latest in metaphysical and holistic information, services and products. Things like acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapies, yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Reiki, intuitive readings, astrology, green living, vitamins, vegetarian/vegan lifestyles, organic foods and organic products that were once considered ‘too far outside the box’ grew to be embraced by much of the mainstream and accepted as normal. That trend has continued to grow. The expansion of technology, the internet and even the entertainment industry have changed our perceptions, expanded our awareness and opened us to unlimited possibilities. Oprah helped us with her Spiritual Weeks that included medical intuitive Carolyn Myss. Public Television brought us self-help, motivational and inspirational author, Wayne Dyer. Movies and TV series continue to expand our perceptions and open us to other possibilities. There is a common theme to metaphysical events and that is, “The human mind, body and spirit are connected.” Each person can make that deeper spiritual connection with themselves, their Higher Power and with other people. The reputation of metaphysical shows is changing. Even those people who think the ‘woo-woo’ movies are junk, will quietly and sometimes secretly admit to having had an unusual experience they couldn’t tell anyone else about and wonder if there really is something to ‘all that junk.’ Metaphysical shows expand perceptions. As our world continues to evolve, it gives people a place to come to understand some of the changes. Katherine King is the owner of Cosmic Connections located at 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville and the sponsor of the 2012 Galactic Expo. The expo is being held on Saturday, May 19, from 10am-7pm and Sunday, May 20, from 10am-6pm at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, 500 Wedgewood Ave, Nashville. Come learn about holistic and alternative healing modalities, services and products. Attend the educational seminars pesented by guest speakers and take some time to visit the various booths for unique and one of a kind items. For ticket pricing see ad on page 2.
natural awakenings
May 2012
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healthbriefs
Eating Greens Can Change Genes
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n international team of scientists led by researchers at McMaster and McGill universities, in Canada, were surprised to find that consuming generous amounts of fruit and raw vegetables modified a gene designated 9p21, the strongest marker for heart disease. In one of the largest gene-diet interaction studies ever conducted related to cardiovascular disease, the researchers analyzed more than 27,000 individuals from five ethnicities—Latin American, European, Chinese, South Asian and Arab—and the effect their diets had on the target gene. They discovered that men and women with the high-risk genotype that consumed a healthy diet with plenty of raw vegetables and fruits had a risk of heart attack similar to individuals carrying the low-risk genotype. “We know that 9p21 genetic variants increase the risk of heart disease for those that carry it,� says Genetic Epidemiologist Jamie Engert, joint principal investigator of the study, “but it was a surprise to find that a healthy diet could significantly weaken its effect.� Source: PLoS Medicine
SOUR NEWS ABOUT SWEET DRINKS
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rinking sodas and other sugarsweetened beverages may increase a woman’s risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011. Middle-aged and older women that drank two or more such drinks per day were nearly four times as likely to develop high triglycerides and significantly more likely to develop impaired fasting glucose levels, plus increase their waist size. The study also noted that risk factors for heart disease and stroke developed even when the women didn’t gain weight.
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NA Nashville Edition
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Calcium Supplements Increase Heart Risk
C FLEXIBLE WORK PLACES BOOST WELL-BEING
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etter sleep and feelings of health are among the benefits of a flexible workplace, according to a new study by University of Minnesota sociology professors that followed 608 office employees in a collaborating company. The initiation of a performance-focused work environment that redirected the focus of employees and managers towards measurable results and away from when and where work was completed, yielded positive markers. Employees that were allowed to routinely change when and where they worked, based upon their individual needs and job responsibilities, experienced improved sleep quality, higher energy levels, better self-reported health and a sense of personal mastery. Source: Journal of Health and Social Behavior
alcium supplements, usually taken to improve bone health, may increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 30 percent, according to the findings of the Women’s Health Initiative, a 15-year research project established by the National Institutes of Health to address cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis. “If you take calcium supplements, you’ll build up excess calcium in your system that, coupled with mineral deficiencies and imbalances, can cause plaque in arteries, kidney stones, gallstones and more,� says Dr. Robert Thompson, co-author with Kathleen Barnes of The Calcium Lie: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know Could Kill You. Instead, he recommends taking a trace mineral supplement, preferably in ionic form, whose electrical charge helps bond minerals with water, making the nutrients more easily absorbed. Such a supplement provides all needed minerals, including calcium, in the correct balance.
The Write Way to Lose Weight
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ccording to a new study published in Psychological Science, the right kind of writing may facilitate losing weight. Participating women were given a list of significant values including creativity, religion, music and relationships, and asked to rank them in order of personal importance. Half the women were asked to write for 15 minutes about the value most important to them; the other half wrote about a value not among their most highly preferred but that might be important to someone else. The first group lost an average of 3.4 pounds during the next few months, while the second group gained an average of 2.8 pounds. Researchers think the weight loss may be due to increased self-esteem and strengthened resolve.
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~Confucius
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natural awakenings
May 2012
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Coming in June
globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Tiny Baubles
Plastic Pollution Flows from Washday to the Sea
HEALTHY ESCAPES Getaways spark personal growth, optimal wellness and active adventure. Special Section:
Men’s Health For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call
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NA Nashville Edition
A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology warns that microscopic plastic debris from washing clothes made of synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic and nylon is accumulating in the marine environment and could be entering the food chain. Concentrations were greatest near coastal urban areas. Up to 1,900 tiny fibers per garment were released with each wash during the study. Earlier research has shown that plastic particles smaller than one millimeter comprise 80 percent of environmental plastic and are being eaten by animals and getting into the food chain. Mark Browne, Ph.D., an ecologist based at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a member of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, advises, “Once the plastics had been eaten, they transferred from the animals’ stomachs to their circulation system and actually accumulated in their cells.” The team took samples from 18 beaches around the globe, including sites in Australia, Britain, India, Japan, Oman, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa and the United States. They found no sample that did not contain pieces of the microplastic. Source: BBC
Go Rio
Natural Wealth Spreadsheet Proposal The British government is setting up a Natural Capital Committee that will describe the country’s wealth in terms of the quality of its air, water, wildlife and other natural resources. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman intends to propose that all countries begin “green accounting” to audit the state of their rivers, forests and other landscapes. The United Nations Rio+20 Conference in Brazil this June is expected to unite the participating nations in protecting the world’s environment. Sustainable development goals under consideration include ensuring that all agriculture is sustainable, protecting oceans, setting up an international court on environmental crime, and appointing an ombudsperson to speak on behalf of future generations. The summit, to be attended by 190 nations, will also look at cutting subsidies for fossil fuels and low carbon energy for all. Spelman observes that businesses in Great Britain are already measuring the impact they are having on the environment. She states, “In the same way, governments can start to take account of damage to the environment in order to sustain resources like fresh water for fisheries, forests for clean air and green spaces for tourism. We want our own government to take account of natural capital and our statisticians to calculate the state of the nation more widely.”
Oldie Goldies
Church and State
May spotlights Older Americans Month and the important role they play in sharing their experience, wisdom and understanding, and passing it all on to younger generations in meaningful ways. Youth that have significant relationships with a grandparent or another elder, for example, report that these relationships helped shape their values, goals and life choices, and gave them a sense of identity and roots. Many communities have increased their efforts to provide opportunities for older adults, many that remain physically and socially active through their 80s and beyond. Trends show that people over age 60 account for a growing percentage of participants in community service positions, faith-based organizations, online social networking groups, and arts and recreational activities. Lifelong participation in social, creative and physical activities has proven health benefits, including retention of mobility, increased muscle mass and improved cognitive abilities. The interactions of seniors with family, friends and neighbors across generations work to enrich the lives of all.
The Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project affirms that religiously active people are more likely to engage in civic activities than others. The authors say their findings counter the view that religiously active people are less engaged with the secular world. The report found that 40 percent of Americans engage in some form of religious activity such as going to a church, synagogue or mosque, and feel better about their place in the larger civic community. They tend to be more trusting of others and more optimistic about their impact on their community and are more active in groups. Religious teachings have a component of helping others at their core, points out Eugene Fisher, a professor of Catholic-Jewish studies at Saint Leo University, in Florida. “Civic participation would be a natural result of that push to help your fellow man,” he says. The study similarly reveals a high level of digital participation by religiously engaged folks. Media expert Paul Levinson, author of New New Media, says, “The Internet is an amplifier of all that each of us are in our humanity.”
Honoring Elders’ Contributions to Community
Sources: Administration on Aging (aoa.gov) and ElderCare.gov
Mamma Mia
A New Demography for American Motherhood The state of motherhood in the United States has shifted strikingly in the past two decades, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Compared with mothers of newborns in 1990, today’s mothers are older, better educated and less likely to be either white or married. The ideal number of children for a family is still two, as it has been since the 1970s. Pew projects that 82 percent of U.S. population growth through 2050 will be from immigrants that arrived after 2005 and their descendants. Sources: PewForum.org, National Center for Health Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau
Breathe Easier
Great Days for Clean Air For nearly 100 years, discharges from two of Edison International’s coal plants have polluted the air over the city of Chicago, exposing area families to dangerous levels of chemicals while adding to the Earth’s greenhouse gases. But the people fought back and won, because the city has quit using coal. For more than 10 years, Chicago residents have been demanding their right to clean air and a safe climate. Now, the Fisk coal plant, in Pilsen, and the Crawford operation, in Little Village, will shut down in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Clean air activists in Ohio and Pennsylvania recently claimed similar victories. Utility provider GenOn will close seven coal plants in the two states, including one in Portland, Pennsylvania, which has been deemed responsible for more than 500 asthma attacks and 54 heart attacks. “These victories are not only for the people of Chicago, Ohio and Pennsylvania, but for local activists all over the country that are working to shut down dirty coal plants in their communities,” says Kelly Mitchell, of Greenpeace, in celebrating the announcement.
Faith Begets Civic Activism
Intuitive Empathic Clairvoyant f intuitive readings f stone and crystal energy work f chakra balancing f clearing of negative energy f reiki certified Call today to schedule an appointment with Kelly 615-804-9154 kelly@kelly-mcc.com
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimates that the average woman uses at least 12 personal care products—including soaps, shampoos, cosmetics and lotions—every day, many of which contain potentially toxic ingredients. The David Suzuki Foundation states, “U.S. researchers report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins or hormone disruptors.” Stacy Malkan, of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, advises, “Beware of bogus claims like ‘certified hypoallergenic’, meaningless marketing terms like ‘clean and simple’, and companies that do not list the product ingredients on their website.” One of the most troublesome additives is paraben, a chemical preservative found in numerous products that mimics estrogen and may disrupt normal hormone function. Others include diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA), hormone disrupters that can form cancer-causing nitrates and are common ingredients of shampoos, shaving creams and body washes. Various artificial fragrances are among the top five allergens around the world, and can also contain neurotoxins. Triclosan and triclocarban, antimicrobial pesticides used in liquid and solid soaps, are toxic to the aquatic environment and disrupt thyroid function and reproductive hormones. Sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate—detergents common in facial cleansers, shampoos and shower gels—may be contaminated with carcinogens and neurotoxins and can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. The EWG also suggests avoiding anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA and BHA acids; hair dyes that contain ammonia, peroxide, p-phenylenediamine or diaminobenzene, and all dark, permanent hair dyes; nail polish and removers with formaldehyde; and skin lighteners containing hydroquinine. Forego sunscreen sprays and beware of oxybenzone; instead, use products containing at least 7 percent zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Children’s products are not immune, either. Steer clear of play makeup, including lipstick, nail polish and perfume; diaper cream that contains boric acid or sodium borate; baby wipes with Bronopol; and fluoridated toothpaste for youngsters under 2. The EWG’s Skin Deep database (ewg.org/skindeep) provides easy-tonavigate safety ratings for many personal care products and ingredients. Their Quick Tips for Safer Cosmetics wallet guide informs shoppers how to read personal care product labels and make smart choices. Sources: ewg.org; Environment.NationalGeographic.com; SafeCosmetics.org
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NA Nashville Edition
inspiration
The Power of Place by Linda Sechrist
T
he qualities that make a place special to us are highly personal, and they often help us to define who we are. Whether the setting is a lake house, a mountain lodge, a seashore cottage or a backyard at twilight, our sensory connections to these special places shape us in deep and lasting ways. Childhood experiences of our hometowns and memorable spots where we ran free during summer vacations are often deeply embedded in our strongest memories. This relationship to place is one that we carry within ourselves for a lifetime. Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner noted that his own “little postage stamp of native soil” was an inexhaustible source of material.
Fellow Mississippian and Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty wrote, “Place absorbs our earliest notice and attention, it bestows on us our original awareness; and our critical powers spring up from the study of it and the growth of experience inside it. It is to this place that each of us goes to find the clearest, deepest identity of ourselves.” Psychologist Carl Jung lived nearly half his life in a home he built in the village of Bolligen, on Switzerland’s Lake Zurich. In his memoir, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Jung remarked, “At Bolligen, I am in the midst of my true life, I am most deeply myself. At times I feel as if I am spread out over the landscape and inside things, and
am myself living in every tree, in the splashing of the waves, in the clouds and the animals that come and go, in the procession of the seasons. In Bolligen, silence surrounds me almost audibly, and I live in modest harmony with nature.” Iona Dreaming: The Healing Power of Place, is Clare Cooper Marcus’ journal of her six months on the Scottish island of Iona. The author writes, “I feel pure in this place. It is as if there was no separation between my living, breathing, perceiving body and my soulnature. No posturing, no pretending. I am who I am—no more, no less. As my breathing slows and I relax, I experience the sound of the sea passing through me—not me hearing the sea, not me and the sea—just the sound. A breeze blows across my face; the sun shines on my cheeks and forehead. For a moment, they seem to penetrate my body. Then, they just are. My body ceases to exist. No Clare or ego or a specific person, but a manifestation of divine energy just like everything around me… our separateness just an illusion.” These kinds of intimate experiences occur most often when we are in a relaxed or meditative state, or spending full-bodied, multisensory, openhearted time in nature. Such moments inspire the experience described by American Poet Robinson Jeffers in which we “fall in love outward.” Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings magazines.
natural awakenings
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The Hormone Balancing Act Natural Strategies for Feeling Better by Kathleen Barnes
H
ormones rule our lives; it’s a simple fact of biochemistry. In their role as the body’s chemical messengers, hormones affect every human biological system. Without them, nothing works correctly. Women’s hormonal systems are as complex as men’s, although vastly different. They govern reproduction, plus every aspect of health—including metabolizing food, proper immune function, physical and emotional responses to stress and the aging of cells.
Teens and Early 20s
Puberty and the early reproductive years should be the physical peak of a young woman’s life; when she is physically active and full of energy and youthful health. It’s also the time when breasts develop, hips widen, pubic hair appears, menstruation begins, and she becomes capable of pregnancy. The good news is that several studies by the National Cancer Institute and the University of California, Los Angeles, have shown that regular exercise undertaken at this age results in lower estrogen levels throughout a woman’s life, greatly reducing her risk of breast cancer and other hormonal cancers. Yet, C.W. Randolph, Jr., a leading bioidentical hormone physician and co-author of From Hormone Hell to Hormone Well, reports that the ideal hormonal balance is routinely upset today. Culprits are obesity among young American women and 14
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the everyday presence of toxic estrogenic chemicals in today’s dairy products and meat, personal care products, plastics, food containers, pesticides and herbicides, as well as car exhaust. “These compounds often have chemical structure similar to estrogen and can act like estrogen when introduced into the body,” Randolph explains. “Over time, these substances can increase estrogen in the body, potentially causing problems.” Categorized as xenoestrogens, these hormone disruptors can cause rapid growth in breast tissue and have been blamed for the appearance of breast tissue and even milk production in girls as young as 18 months and the early onset of puberty, particularly among African-American girls. They are also suspected in the rising incidence of breast cancer in younger women today.
Reproductive Years
Women in their reproductive years often experience extreme stress in struggling to balance family, work, relationships and a need for personal growth, along with economic challenges. Women’s health expert Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of The Wisdom of Menopause, blames the stress of modern lifestyles for hormone disruptions in women in their childbearing years. “The stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine can have long-term effects on all other hormones,” advises Northrup. Concurrently, many women sacrifice self-nurturance in order to nurture others. The first result is often premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which Northrup calls a “lifestyle disease.” “We know that this problem seems to worsen with each subsequent child. That made the connection for me,”
Major Female Hormones d Estrogen is produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands and in several other parts of the female body. It is responsible for physical maturation, including development of breasts, regulation of the menstrual cycle and preparing the uterus to receive a fertilized embryo. d Progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy, maintains pregnancy and balances estrogen during cyclical fluctuations.
d Luteinizing hormone governs the ovaries’ production of estrogen and progesterone. d Follicle-stimulating hormone works in synergy with the luteinizing hormone to control the menstrual cycle and ovarian egg production. d Testosterone is present in women, although in far lower levels than in men. It serves as a component of healthy sexual desire and in maintenance of healthy bones and muscles.
Ways to Avoid Manmade Estrogens
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she adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;that with growing families and responsibilities, women no longer take care of themselves as well; no longer get the amount of exercise they once did. The body is quite forgiving in their 20s, much less so in their 30s.â&#x20AC;? Part of the result is the attempt to reduce stress levels by eating high-fat and high-sugar comfort foods. Weight gain, blood sugar imbalances and sex hormone imbalances follow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Excess blood sugar changes the way estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are metabolized,â&#x20AC;? Northrup explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;PMS and other problems of the reproductive years often go away when you get your blood sugar balanced, butâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the rubâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it rebalanced unless you are addressing the very real stressors in your life.â&#x20AC;? Due to the presence of xenoestrogens and Americansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; general fondness for processed comfort foods, women in their childbearing years are also increasingly afflicted by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by overproduction of testos-
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To find a local compounding pharmacy for customized, bioidentical hormone blends, as prescribed by a medical practitioner, visit iacprx.org. terone and other male hormones. Insulite Laboratories, in Louisville, Colorado, reports that infertility and early onset Type 2 diabetes, another hormonal imbalance problem, are closely connected to PCOS. The first priority for every woman at any age, counsels Northrup, is to get blood sugar (glucose) under control. “Get a glucometer. You don’t need a prescription. If your blood sugar level isn’t between 80 and 90 in the morning, you need to look at your diet and lifestyle. Getting this under control will create hormonal balance in the vast majority of women. It’s so simple.”
Perimenopause
The next hormonal shift overlaps with a woman’s reproductive years. Symptoms of perimenopause, or the start of menopause and the end of childbearing years, typically show up between the early and late 30s. These range from hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia to weight gain, fuzzy thinking and redistribution of hair on the body. Again, the presence of xenoestrogens and stress contribute. Women of other cultures rarely experience the intensity of perimenopausal symptoms that Western women report. So does that make perimenopause a lifestyle disease, as well? Emphatically yes, says Holly Lucille, a doctor of naturopathy, registered nurse and past president of the California Naturopathic Doctors Association. “Diet and lifestyle are absolutely essential to a healthy hormonal system,” which she explains in her book, Creating and Maintain16
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Seven Steps to Address Perimenopausal Symptoms 1. Good diet that’s heavy on organic foods and low in saturated fats
as adrenal support via an adrenal glandular supplement
2. Vitex, or chasteberry, to increase progesterone naturally and help balance excess estrogen
6. Regular exercise
3. Black cohosh extract, like that found in Remifemin, to control hot flashes and night sweats 4. Blood sugar stability 5. Stress management, as well ing Balance: A Woman’s Guide to Safe, Natural, Hormone Health. “The biochemistry of the body is based on vitamins and minerals. If we compromise food and lifestyle choices, we are not getting the nutrients necessary to have a healthy endocrine system.” Weight gain is a particular concern during perimenopause. In their book, From Belly Fat to Belly Flat, Dr. Randolph and Genie James, co-founders of the Natural Hormone Institute, advocate a specific eating plan to override belly fat and related accumulating effects of excess estrogen. “In perimenopause, progesterone production usually declines rapidly, more than 120 times faster than estrogen or testosterone production. That’s what aggravates the symptoms,” Randolph notes. “Because women in perimenopause are usually still menstruating, they think their hormones are okay.” “The more body fat you have, the more estrogen tips the hormonal imbalance,” says Lucille. “Those fat cells hold on to toxins and place more burden on the liver, making it unable to effectively metabolize those extra estrogens,” which are stored in body fat and brought into the body as xenoestrogens. “At the end of the day, estrogen is a messenger, and its message is to tell cells to grow and proliferate. That’s what we don’t want.” When estrogen becomes dominant, several things happen, including a more rapid release of insulin from the pancreas, which triggers sugar
7. Bioidentical hormone replacement, if symptoms become too uncomfortable Source: Creating and Maintaining Balance: A Woman’s Guide to Safe, Natural, Hormone Health, by Dr. Holly Lucille cravings. “It’s not a willpower problem,” Randolph assures. “Too much estrogen causes you to pack on the pounds in the belly area, and belly fat produces more estrogen. It’s a vicious cycle.” Lucille considers perimenopause the opposite of puberty and counsels, “While we are dealing with these changes, bringing some hormones on board for a short time can be a valuable tool.” However, she cautions, replacing anything isn’t the issue. “You have to look at the big picture,” she avers. “Putting hormones into a toxic
Foods to Reduce Estrogen Dominance d Cruciferous vegetables and green leafy vegetables with indole-3carbinol to decrease xenoestrogens, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, celery and kale; two to three servings a day d Any citrus fruits, which have dlimonene to promote estrogen detoxification; one serving a day d Insoluble fiber as an estrogen binder, such as oats, berries, dried beans and apples; two servings a day d Lignans as estrogen binders, such as flaxseed, sesame seeds and flaxseed oil; two to three tablespoons a day Source: From Belly Fat to Belly Flat, by Dr. C.W. Randolph, Jr., and Genie James
body is like putting gas into a dirty gas tank. We have to restore function first.” Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has been a boon for millions. Results of the Women’s Health Initiative, a national study of women’s health between 1991 and 2002, involving more than 160,000 postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79, sparked more widespread use early in the 21st century, when research began to show the dire consequences of synthetic hormone replacement. The Million Woman Study of British women also found that taking synthetic hormones at menopause doubled the risk of breast cancer for women. Northrup calls bioidenticals “nature’s ideal design,” due to the prescription of individually tailored doses, custom-made by compounding pharmacies. Although these are rarely covered by insurance, estradiol-only patches may be; however, additional progesterone and testosterone may still be necessary, depending on test results, according to Northrup.
Menopause
If a woman has had no menstrual periods for 12 months, she is considered to be in menopause. However, Lucille asserts, “Menopause is not a disease.” Northrup touts menopause as the most creative and precious time of a woman’s life; it is often a time of spiritual awakening and self-fulfillment. “When the female brain passes menopause, the brain changes,” advises Northrup. “In a sense, we move from alternating current to direct current; I believe that this is the way the brain encodes wisdom.” “Yet there are women in their 60s that are still having hot flashes. What should they do?” queries Northrup. Natural alternatives exist that are safe and effective. “Many herbs have been used for millennia that have estrogenlike properties, but do not have estrogen’s side effects,” Northrup says. “There is huge confusion about this: Plant hormones have different structures than mammalian hormones and cannot act as growth hormones. If you have too much estrogen, these
plant hormones can actually protect against excess stimulation.” Her favorite is pueraria mirifica, which has helped relieve perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms in 80 percent of her patients within days. (Because the method of harvesting and processing supports effectiveness, Northrup likes Solgar brand PhytoGen.) She also uses maca, from Peru, for its phytoestrogens, vitex, black cohosh and omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in salmon for ongoing hot flashes. “Some women go through these years and truly take their place as women of wisdom and power. They don’t need any additional hormone support; they have enough life energy coming,” comments Northrup. “Others may need to take some kind of hormone support their entire lives. Either way, no one should suffer.” Kathleen Barnes is a natural health advocate, author and publisher. User’s Guide to Natural Hormone Replacement is among her many books. Visit KathleenBarnes.com.
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Not My Hormones? by: Cyndi Collett
N
amed from the Greek word hormon, which means to set in motion, hormones are the chemical messengers flowing through our blood. When imbalanced these messengers, known as hormones, give your body orders that cause an array of issues. Hormones are often blamed for causing the issues, but before we “shoot the messenger” let’s take a moment to get to the root of the problem. What controls these messengers? The endocrine system consists of glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, testes and ovaries. This system regulates hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Many biological processes such as blood sugar levels, growth and function of the reproductive system, metabolism, and the development of the many organs are controlled by the endocrine system through hormones. Unlike the nervous system’s quick response time, the endocrine system’s effects are slow to initiate. Overtime, the damage caused to the endocrine system can lead to the development of common diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease and obesity. Our modern lifestyles can take a toll on the endocrine system, leading to hormone imbalance. Besides the pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals added to the food supply, typical diets are high in saturated fats and low in fiber, full of processed foods and fast foods, hydrogenated oils, preservatives and refined sugar products. Environmental pollutants and household cleaners may contain chemicals that are either known or suspected hormone disruptors. All of these environmental factors can have an adverse affect on the health of the endocrine system. The information provided is for informational purposes only. A hormonal imbalance can lead to serious health issues so it is recommended you seek the help of a medical professional if you are concerned you may have a hormonal imbalance. A simple, noninvasive saliva test can be done to detect an imbalance or your physician may request a blood or urine test. To determine if an adrenal gland imbalance is an issue, an Adrenal Stress Index may be requested. Consult with a physician for what treatments and preventive measures are recommended for you. Cyndi Collett is a freelance writer and an Independent Shaklee Distributor in Nashville. For information on Shaklee products see ad on page ? or call 615-5454774. See ad, page 32.
How to Access Bioidentical Hormones Bioidentical hormone replacement requires a prescription hormone blend prepared specifically for each individual by a compounding pharmacy. It may include the three primary aspects of natural estrogen: estradiol, estrone and estriol, and will usually include progesterone and testosterone, if needed. “An almost limitless flexibility of doses is available in capsule or cream form,” says Steve Metcalf, a registered pharmacist and owner of Metcalf 18
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Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy in Brevard, North Carolina. “Unlike conventional hormone replacement therapy, where the mentality of the pharmaceutical companies is ‘one size fits all,’ we can make the specific strength you need.” To find a local compounding pharmacy, visit the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists website, iacprx.org.
K
enneth S.- I knew my wife had gone through menopause, but I never knew men’s hormones could change over time too! My cholesterol had increased, and I was tired all the time. I had gained weight around the middle and had decreased muscle tone. My wife had noticed that I was less energetic and even irritable. I felt like my sex drive was decreasing too. All of these changes were really bringing me down and effecting my mood and relationships. Elaine H.- I’d been going through perimenopause for 4 years. I didn’t want the anxiety, hot flashes, insomnia, and fatigue to run my life any longer. Within the first two months of the life style changes and bio-identical hormones, the hot flashes became less intense and the anxiety went away. I began sleeping through the night. I remember telling my husband that for the first time in years, I could think clearly! Does this sound familiar? Are you ready to find out the underlying cause of your symptoms? It is important to find a board certified practitioner that specializes in natural bio-identical hormones. It is vital to have your hormone levels tested in both blood and saliva. This will provide the specific levels of your hormones needed to assist your practitioner in formulating the correct treatment plan for you. Cole Family Practice will test for other underlying causes that have similar symptoms, like thyroid problems and adrenal fatigue. Saliva testing measures the bio-available hormones, those active at the cell level. Bio-identical hormone replacement is not a one size fits all remedy. It is imperative to determine which hormones are imbalanced in order to treat the individual properly. Cole Family Practice helps men and women suffering from hormone imbalance. Amy Cole FNP-BC,CNM, Owner www.colefamilypractice.org
wisewords
THE POWER OF PRAYER
Intimate Relationships and the Spiritual Path by Marianne Williamson
T
he common wisdom goes like this: that the myth of “some enchanted evening,” when all is awash with the thrill of connection and the aliveness of new romance, is actually a delusion… a hormonally manufactured lie. That soon enough, reality will set in and lovers will awaken from their mutual projections, discover the psychological work involved in two people trying to reach across the chasm of real-life separateness, and come to terms at last with the mundane sorrows of human existence and intimate love. In this case, the common wisdom is a lie. From a spiritual perspective, the scenario above is upside down. From a spiritual perspective, the original high of a romantic connection is thrilling because it is true. It is in fact the opposite of delusion. For in a quick moment, a gift from the gods, we are likely to suspend our judgment of the other, not because we are temporarily insane, but because we are temporarily sane. We are having what you might call a minienlightenment experience. Enlightenment is not unreal; enlightenment—or pure love—is all that is real. Enlightenment is when we see not as through a glass darkly, but truly face-to-face. What is unreal is what comes after the initial high, when the personality self reasserts itself and the wounds and triggers of our human ego form a veil across the face of love. The initial romantic high is not something to
outgrow, so much as something to earn admittance back into—this time not as an unearned gift of Cupid’s arrows, but as a consequence of the real work of the psychological and spiritual journey. The romantic relationship is a spiritual assignment, presenting an opportunity for lovers and would-be lovers to burn through our own issues and forgive the other theirs, so together we can gain re-entrance to the joyful realms of our initial contact that turn out to have been real love after all. Our problem is that most of us rarely have a psychic container strong enough to stand the amount of light that pours into us when we have truly seen, if even for a moment, the deep beauty of another. The problem we have is not that in our romantic fervor we fall into a delusion of oneness; the problem is that we then fall into the delusion of separateness. And those are the romantic mysteries: the almost blinding light when we truly see each other, the desperate darkness of the ego’s blindness, and the sacred work of choosing the light of mutual innocence when the darkness of anger and guilt descend. Marianne Williamson is an internationally noted speaker, author of 10 books, Unity Church minister and a teacher and student of A Course in Miracles. Her most recent workshops focus on the topic of Enchanted Love: Building the Inner Temple of the Sacred and the Romantic.
By Rev. Dyann Woody “Prayer is a thought, a belief, a feeling, arising within the mind of the one praying.” Ernest Holmes, author of the Science Of Mind describes prayer in such a way that allows the faithful to take responsibility for their own experience of life. It is clear that God does not need your prayers but rather, you do. It is incumbent upon you to be very clear on what it is you want and then to align your own heart and mind with spiritual truth. If every thought becomes a prayer, then you are creating your reality one thought at a time. There is a power for good in the universe greater than you are and you use it, but God can only do for you what she can do through you. Prayer works! To see the evidence of this, just look at your life. It will show you what you have been thinking about (or rather praying for). Although this kind of self-responsibility can be rather daunting, the good news is that the very power that seems to bind you, is also the same power that can free you. It is up to you. The power is in your hands. Rev. Dyann Woody is co-minister with her husband Michael of the Music City Center For Spiritual Living. For more information please visit their website at MCCSL.org. (Photo by Karen Will Rogers)
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Anti-Aging Skincare Turn Back the Clock with New Treatments and Breakthroughs by Linda Sechrist
With aging still a largely mysterious process, current seekers of perpetual youth and beauty are urging scientists to find ways to slow or even reverse it. New tools to fight lines, wrinkles and sagging skin excite the imagination.
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oday’s anti-aging toolbox is filled with promise. Tools range from at-home strengthening and refining creams to commercial treatment technologies such as cold laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), light-emitting diode (LED), microdermabrasion, photofacials, and skin tightening and rejuvenating ultrasound. Acupuncture facelifts make use of ancient Chinese techniques. Then there are the more invasive injectables, fillers and chemical peels. How do we know what is best for us? Whatever one’s chosen tools, Hema Sundaram, author of Face Value: The Truth about Beauty—and a Guilt-Free Guide to Finding It, believes that women at any age have every right to pursue the outward expression of their inner beauty. The Washington, D.C.-based medical doctor and board-certified dermatologist, who specializes in cosmetic surgery, supports a woman’s freedom to choose,
without embarrassment or criticism. She emphasizes the positive effects of cosmetic procedures performed for the right reasons and notes, “Restoring the balance between a woman’s inner and outer selves can transform her life.” An at-home anti-aging regimen aimed at retarding time’s telltales and enhancing beauty lays the foundation for an effective partnership with an esthetician or dermatologist. Performed consistently, do-it-yourself treatments can help to maintain cosmetic work performed by skincare professionals. Popular, non-invasive techniques are explained here. Many take it a step further with a meditation practice designed to develop and project inner, spiritual beauty. Gua Sha. This Chinese technique (pronounced GWA SHA) uses a small medicinal board to gently massage, manipulate and stimulate energy points along the face. The objective is to promote a normal flow of energy, or qi
Good genes, a healthy lifestyle and skilled beauty enhancements can slow the clock of aging. ~ Dr. Hema Sundaram, owner, Sundaram Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center, Rockville, Maryland, and Fairfax, Virginia. (pronounced KEE), and blood circulation and to remove toxins. It also supports, lymph drainage. Gua sha activates inner vitality by stimulating both the superficial and deep muscles that control facial expression. Beauty benefits include a brighter complexion and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, dark under-eye circles and puffy eyes. It also lifts sagging at the neck and jaw. Hypnox. This 25-minute guided hypnotherapeutic audio recording is touted as a natural alternative to the neurotoxin Botox. Instead of paralyzing targeted facial muscles, which inhibits natural facial expression, Hypnox targets and retrains the same muscles to stop habitual frowning, lip puckering and squinting. The process is said to promote overall relaxation, allowing wrinkles to fade away. Facercize. Muscle resistance training helps tone and enliven the 30 muscles of the face to render more youthful-looking features. Muscle
fibers literally smooth out, shorten and lift the attached skin on the face and neck. Enzyme Mask. A weekly exfoliating fruit enzyme mask gently dissolves dead surface cells and embedded impurities, while restoring hydration. Adding an organic, fruitbased peel of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids supplies an ideal boost that can result in an even brighter complexion and firmer looking skin. Retinols. These naturally occur-
ring forms of vitamin A are a gentler, over-the-counter version of retinoids. They likewise promote healthy cell renewal and collagen production. Gentle Microdermabrasion. Athome microdermabrasion kits work to reduce the visibility of pores and fine lines. Many come with battery-operated brushes, aluminum-free scrubs, balancing toners and moisturizing serums; look for natural ingredients. Microcurrent Facial Sculpting. “Electrical stimulation forces facial
Facial Contouring Primer by Linda Sechrist
F
acial acupuncture uses 12 strategically placed needles in the scalp and neck at muscle attachment points to lift the face and neck. “Ten to 20 treatments refresh the face, regardless of your age,” advises Anna Baker, a doctor of Oriental medicine and owner of Faces by Dr. Anna, in Sarasota, Florida. Baker advises that the results of 50 treatments are frequently better than a facelift, from sculpting the jawline and neck profile to erasing lines and lifting droopy eyelids. “Cold lasers, IPL and LED use gentle energy from light waves to act on cells deep in the skin, helping them to grow back stronger,” says cosmetic chemist and esthetician Elina Fedotova, of Elina Organics, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois. Of the three, she considers IPL the most dramatic. Offered by many estheticians, ultrasound wands emit radio frequencies to stimulate skin cells through vibration. Used to diminish wrinkles and lessen the appearance of scars, it also facilitates migration of serum and mask ingredients to sink into deeper layers of skin. Note that because ultrasound penetrates to the blood level, any products used during the treatment should be only the purest and most natural.
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muscles to do sit-ups,” says Charlene Handel, owner of Skin Fitness, Etc., in Carlsbad, California. Twenty years of experience with handheld commercial products have convinced this certified holistic esthetician that if the current can’t be felt, it isn’t doing the job. Trained by Elina Fedotova, CEO of Elina Organics and founder of the Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners, Handel cautions that techniques intended to move skincare products beyond the outermost dermal layer—such as microcurrent, cold laser, ultrasound and LED—should be 100 percent natural and organic. “Read labels to find the USDA Organic seal and avoid subjecting skin to synthetic chemicals and ingredients that contain petroleum derivatives from crude oil; artificial fragrances, which frequently contain toxic chemicals; and synthetic preservatives such as parabens,” she advises. The ultimate responsibility for skincare is our own. When a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, exfoliation, hydration and natural topical treatments are no longer keeping gravity at bay, individuals of either gender need not hesitate to seek help from skin-care professionals. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings magazines.
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Cancer  Report
A  Holistic  Guide  to  Recovery  and  Wellness
Dr.  Lawrence  LeShan,  considered  â&#x20AC;&#x153;the  father  of  mind-Âbody  therapyâ&#x20AC;?  and  author  of  Cancer  as  a  Turning  Point,  observes,  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting  cancer  can  become  the  beginning  of  living.â&#x20AC;?  The  Cancer  Report,  a  practical,  comprehensive  guide  to  recovery,  offers  hope  and  heal- ing,  based  upon  facts  and  inspirational  accounts  of  regained  health,  from  testimony  by  both  cancer  patients  and  medical  experts. ! ! % ! - " % Cancer  Report  represents  30  years  of  inquiry  into  a  Cancer  Report Cancer  Report  represents  30  years  of  inquiry  into  a  ! % ! ! ! successfully  guide  patients  through  holistic  cancer  treatment.  Contributors  to  the  report  represent  experience  with  more  than  70,000  cancer  cases,  and  all  point  to  the  primary  role  a  patient  plays  in  his  or  her  own  recovery. One  such  cancer  survivor  is  Greg  Anderson.  In  1984  Greg  was  told  he  only  had  a  few  weeks  to  live  when  he  made  the  decision  to  heal  his  relationships  with  everyone  in  his  life,  including  a  former  â&#x20AC;&#x153;enemy.â&#x20AC;?  His  physical  condition  began  to  improve  from  that  day  forward.  He  made  a  full  recovery  from  his  â&#x20AC;&#x153;incurableâ&#x20AC;?  late-Âstage  metastatic  lung  cancer  and  remains  alive  and  well  27  years  later. Endorsed  by  leading  experts  such  as  medical  doctors  Christiane  Northrup  and  Bernie  Siegel,  and  Louise  Hay,  a  renowned  founder  of  the  self-Âhelp  movement,  Cancer  Report  includes  compelling  summaries  of  case  work  from  doctors  and  counselors  Cancer  Report Cancer  Report  includes  compelling  summaries  of  case  work  from  doctors  and  counselors  convinced  that  the  key  to  curing  cancer  lies  in  approaches  different  from  conventional,  invasive  treatments.  The  book,  which  in- cludes  a  50-Âpage  step-Âby-Âstep  Patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;  Personal  Recovery  Guide,  is  written  in  simple  terms  useful  to  patients,  health  profession- als  and  caregivers.  It  concludes  with  a  27-Âpage  Comprehensive  Support  and  Resource  Directory  that  covers  the  varied  personal  needs  of  cancer  patients. Hay,  author  of  You  Can  Heal  Your  Life # % ! ! breakthroughs  in  healing  outlined  in  this  report,  moving  everyone  from  a  [potential]  cancer  victim  to  a  cancer  victor.  Even  the  % $ To  order  a  copy  of  Cancer  Report,  visit  NAWebstore.com.  Cancer  Report Cancer  Report,  visit  NAWebstore.com.  Order  by  June  1,  2012  for  $19.95  (a  savings  of  $10  off  the  regular  price  of  $29.95)  plus  shipping  and  handling.
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consciouseating
Liquid Taste Treats Try These Healthy Green Drinks
by Jason Manheim
I
magine a diet that eliminates the need for calorie counting and never prompts a late-night rummage in search of foods possibly high in fat, sugar or processed ingredients; one that allows you to eat like you do now, except for one small change—the addition of a green drink or smoothie. A green drink isn’t a meal replacement; it’s a supplement (a starter or side dish) to the diet you already enjoy. Simply drink one prior to breakfast and if you are committed to optimal health, another before lunch and dinner. You can change the ingredients at will, according to taste. Fruits and vegetables are the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet,
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accepted as staples in just about every healthy diet imaginable. From vegetarian to omnivore to Weight Watchers diets, the green drink is welcome. After a week or so of drinking green, your body will begin to crave the rush of nutrients it receives and less healthy foods will simply lose their appeal. You will naturally gravitate towards foods that fuel your body, instead of foods that drag it down. Robert Young, Ph.D., author of The pH Miracle, has been in the forefront of promoting the fact that the body thrives when its pH levels are more alkaline than acidic. Diseasecausing bacteria and viruses, as well as other abnormalities, flourish in an acid state, while the body’s natural defense mechanisms work best in an alkaline state. He writes, “Our glands and organs function properly in exact proportion to the amount of alkaline and acid levels in our system; eating a balance of 75 percent alkaline foods and 25 percent acidic foods is ideal.” Young reports that keeping your body in an alkaline state amplifies benefits such as immune system function, strength, stamina and weight loss. Fruits and vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, are extremely alkaline, and drinking them is an easy way to consume more.
According to the Institute of Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids, the average adult needs about 50 grams of protein a day. Eating normal meals generally supplies that. Greens, despite the common misconception, also contain a good amount of protein when eaten in large quantities, which green drinks provide. Getting started requires only a blender or juicer, depending on the recipe. Juicing is great for a quick jolt of concentrated energy; the drink delivers maximum nutrient intake, and the absence of fiber enables near-immediate absorption of vitamins and minerals. Juicing is also preferred by people with digestive issues or those looking to cleanse or heal their system. While blending a green smoothie reduces nutrient concentration through oxidation, by whipping air into the drink, it is ideal for people that need to keep their sugar in check. It’s the flip side of juicing, which can turn a fivepound bag of fruits and greens into a glass of concentrated fruit sugars, called fructose. Blending also delivers fiber, which helps keep the digestive tract in tip-top shape. It can even serve as a complete meal; you can add avocado or raw almond butter for healthy fats, and protein powder, raw chocolate and bee pollen for extra stamina and endurance—much more than what is possible using a juicer. In most cases, a typical blender will suffice. However, when blending fruits and vegetables with a harder consistency, such as carrots, pineapple hearts and apples, or waxy greens like kale, you will need more specialized equipment. Two professional blenders, Blendtec and Vitamix, are a good fit for home countertops. Spinach, chard and mixed greens make a perfect base for beginners. Just blend or juice them with a few sweet fruits and berries like banana, blueberries and apple
to disguise the green taste. From there, you can experiment by adding more potent ingredients like kale, beet greens, mustard greens, arugula and watercress. Mint or other herbs add a refreshing twist. It helps newcomers to start with more fruits than greens, and then gradually shift the balance. For even more smoothie nutrition, try adding superfoods, such as puréed pumpkin, coconut milk or oil, nut and seed butters, avocado and even garlic. To assuage a sweet tooth, add a dash of honey or pitted dates to the blender. You don’t have to live like a strict dieter, athlete or nutritionist to be healthier and feel better. Just toss a few fruits and greens into a blender or juicer each day and drink to your health. Jason Manheim is a health, fitness and green drink junkie in Los Angeles, CA. His educational website, HealthyGreenDrink.com, was the inspiration for his book, The Healthy Green Drink Diet: Advice and Recipes to Energize, Alkalize, Lose Weight, and Feel Great.
Great Green Drinks by Jason Manheim
Cool Slaw
This refreshing summer delight is perfect for parties by the pool, barbecues and picnics in the park. Broccoli’s cancer-fighting properties combat carcinogens introduced to meat by a smoky grill. Ginger works to settle stomachs and has long been a remedy for heartburn. 1 crown of broccoli ½ small red cabbage 2 carrots 1 lemon (peeled) 1 green apple Ginger to taste Peel ginger root and juice all ingredients together. Serve over ice.
Greens Lover
The good-for-you factor in salads is often diminished by introducing salad oils and dressings, sacrificing some health benefits for taste, but not so with this drink. The fiber-rich kale and the veritable powerhouse of vitamins in spinach pair with sweet carrots and a tart green apple, juiced to a harmonious balance of taste and nutrition.
Strawberry Patch
This sweet treat is an easy way to introduce dark greens like collards into your diet. Collards have a strong, distinct flavor when cooked, but when blended raw among earthy-sweet and tropical flavors like kiwi and strawberry, they can add a spicy zing to a fruit smoothie. Mangoes enhance the health benefits with enzymes that aid digestion, glutamine for memory power, and heart-healthy antioxidants. 3 strawberries 1 mango 1 kiwi 3 large basil leaves 2 large collard leaves (remove stems) Water Fill blender with as much water as desired. Add collard greens and basil. Blend until smooth, and then add fruit. Pulse-blend to a desired consistency.
3 leaves kale 1 bunch cilantro 1 cup spinach 1 cucumber 1–2 carrots 1 green apple Combine ingredients and juice.
Green Clean
This tasty concoction begs to be poured into an ice-filled punch bowl and ladled into frosty glasses. You’ll never know your body is detoxifying as you gulp this tasty summer treat. For those that find it a bit too sour, add an apple or two. Green Clean not only has high amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it is one of the most aromatically appealing drinks around—crisp, clean and refreshing. 1 lime 1 lemon 1 large cucumber 1 handful basil 1 handful mint 2 handfuls spinach Ginger to taste Combine ingredients and juice. natural awakenings
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calendarofevents NOTE: Dates and times shown are subject to change. Please confirm event prior to attendance. All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email NApublisher@ NANashville.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit NANashville.com to submit online.
FRIDAY, MAY 2 Hang Drum Meditation Concert - 7-8pm. Rusty James’ Hang Drum and Light Labyrinth combine to create a unique way for participants to drop into a deep meditation. Those experienced or new to meditation will enjoy the vibrations of the drum, and rockhounds will love the energy. RSVP as space is very limited to Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. Katherine@YourCosmicConnections.com. Rockin’ Rock Event Truck Show - Thru May 4. Rusty James, wholesaler to the huge Gem & Mineral Shows all across the U.S. is bringing a ‘show prices’event to Cosmic Connections! Ajoite, Papagoite, Mozambique Lemurian Quartz and many crystals, minerals and specimens not yet seen in Nashville! All available for your shopping pleasure. Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. YourCosmicConnections.com.
THRUSDAY, MAY 3 Senior Expo - 10am-2pm. Free for 55 and older. Information booths, free diabetic foot checks, blood prssure, glucose, HIV, vision and bone density screenings. Best Buy will be there with their fitness center. Free haircuts and manicures and much more. McGruder Family Resource Center, 2013 25th Avenue North, Nashville. 615291-4513.
FRIDAY, MAY 4 Intuitive Development Class - 6-8pm. $35. Everyone is psychic. In this class learn how to develop your intuitive abilities. LaMont, using his 40+ years experience as a professional psychic, will guide and direct you. Learn how to see the future, how to give life readings. Many different topics and tools will be included in class. RSVP to 615-653-4628. Middle Tennessee Hypnosis Center, 1461 Battleground Drive, Murfreesboro. NashvilleTNPsychic.com.
Exploring Light Language - Sacred Ancient Mayan Light Grids - 2-3pm. Free. Lucy Randles will present the history and explain the use of Sacred Geometry and Colored Light to manifest your intentions into the physical plane of this world and offers an understanding of how this wonderful Mayan energy system works. There will be time for Q&A. RSVP to Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. Katherine@YourCosmicConnections.com.
MONDAY, MAY 14 Reflexology - 8:30am-5:30pm. Instructor - Gaia Tossing. CEs for LMTs available. For more information call 615-834-0080. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, Suite 106, Nashville.
Reflexology - 8:30am-5:30pm. Instructor - Gaia Tossing. CEs for LMTs available. For more information call 615-834-0080. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, Suite 106, Nashville.
Change Your Life By Changing Your Mind 7-9:30pm. $50. Mary K. Anderson of Ireland, a former TN resident with a 30 year background in nursing, currently a certified hypnotherapist, is in Nashville for this life-changing workshop and private sessions. An exploration of how and why we think as we do and how we can change it. By changing our thinking, using our mind as a tool we can manifest anything within our life. In this evening you will learn how the mind works, how the subconscious rules...and the different techniques to train the subconscious to work with and not against the Conscious and Superconscious minds. Experience a demonstration of hypnotherapy principles and Hypnotic Healing using the latest techniques like Hypnotic Sleep. There will be a group hypnosis session for general healing of all aspects of your being. Home CD included in fee. RSVP to Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. YourCosmicConnections.com.
FRIDAY, MAY 18 Intuitive Development Class - 6-8pm. $35. Everyone is psychic. In this class learn how to develop your intuitive abilities. LaMont, using his 40+ years experience as a professional psychic, will guide and direct you. Learn how to see the future, how to give life readings. Many different topics and tools will be included in class. RSVP to 615-653-4628. Middle Tennessee Hypnosis Center, 1461 Battleground Dr, Murfreesboro. NashvilleTNPsychic.com.
SATURDAY, MAY 19
Group Gallery Reading - 12-1pm. $10. Gina Griffiths is a gifted clairvoyant and channeler, psychic medium, animal communicator and aura reader. With over 20 years of experience, she is able to answer questions on personal matters or your pets, communicate with loved ones or pets who have crossed over and deliver messages from your angels. RSVP to Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. Katherine@YourCosmicConnections.com.
Galactic Expo - thru May 20. Come and meet the East Meets West Holistic Education Center team at booths #9 and #10. Experience chair massage, reflexology, craniosacral therapy, reiki and other therapies for just $1 per minute. Young Living Essential Oils, Meditation & Music CDs by our own EMWHEC partners, and more! For more information call 615-834-0080. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, Suite 106, Nashville.
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Star Knowledge Laws Study Group - 6:308:30pm. $50. Meets monthly to discuss the Maka Wicahpi Wicohan, Universal and Spiritual Laws of Creator. These sacred laws and symbols from the Star Nations were gifted to Chief Golden Light Eagle, Chief of the Dakota Nation in 1995. Along with Grandmother SilverStar who developed the companion EarthStar Way Calendar for transition to natural time, they have received and recorded these teachings through the Star Nations guidance. Teachings from the guardians of Mother Earth, the Star nation guardians and the Ascended Master Order deliver these Symbols and messages for all of Humanity. RSVP to Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. YourCosmicConnections.com
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
SATURDAY, MAY 12
Reflexology - 8:30am-5:30pm. Instructor - Gaia Tossing. CEs for LMTs available. For more information call 615-834-0080. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, Suite 106, Nashville.
Primordial Sound Meditation - 6-9pm. Each of us is born with a particular vibration which creates a sound. Based on your birthdate, time, place of birth, then calculated through Vedic mathematics, your personal mantra is presented to you in an ancient Vedic ceremony. A group practice session, history of meditation from the India tradition and exploration into consciousness. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, #106, Nashville. RSVP to 615-834-0080 as class size is limited.
MONDAY, MAY 21
Galactic Expo 2012 - Thru May 20. Saturday from 10am-7pm and Sunday, May 20, from 10am-6pm at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, 500 Wedgewood Ave, Nashville. Come learn about holistic and alternative healing modalities, services and products. Attend the educational seminars pesented by guest speakers and take some time to visit the various booths for unique and one of a kind items. For more information call Katherine at 615-463-7677 or email: Katherine@YourCosmicConnections.com.
MONDAY, MAY 7
TUESDAY, MAY 22
THRUSDAY, MAY 24 Primordial Sound Meditation - 6-9pm. Each of us is born with a particular vibration which creates a sound. Based on your birthdate, time, place of birth, then calculated through Vedic mathematics your personal mantra is presented to you in an ancient Vedic ceremony. A group practice session, history of meditation from the India tradition and exploration into consciousness. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, #106, Nashville. RSVP to 615-834-0080
FRIDAY, MAY 25 Crazy Owl Memorial Day Weekend Retreat thru May 28. Community, Wellness, Meditation, Celebration. Long Hungry Creek Farm, Red boiling Springs, TN. (70 miles from Nashville and 40 miles from Cookeville). RelaxRetreatAndRenew. blogspot.com.
SUNDAY, MAY 6
SUNDAY, MAY 13
World Music Nashville - 10:30-11:45am. “What to Plant Now for the Harvest in the Fall” plus Special Music with #1 Americana Recording Artists, THE WOODYS. Will the seed thoughts you are planting now hasten or postpose the evolutionary jump? Today we make a committed choice to plant only those seed thoughts that will grow our desired harvest. Music City Center For Spiritual Living, 7069 US 70S, Nashville. 615-662-5539. info@mccsl.org. mccsl.org.
World Music Nashville - 10:30-11:45am. “The Healing Energy of the Divine Feminine” plus Music Director, Michelle Prentice along with Special Music Guests Vic Sorrell & Kenya Walker. As we celebrate Motherhood on this special day, we will call forth the Divine Feminine from us all, realizing that the energy of the feminine is one of wholeness and healing and one that is needed to take us forward in our evolutionary journey. This will be a profound day of healing and empowerment for all of us, whether we are male or female, mother or not. Music City Center for Spiritual Living, 7069 US 70S, Nashville. 615-662-5539. info@mccsl. org. mccsl.org.
FRIDAY, MAY 11 Frequencies from the Red Star of ORION - 6-8pm. $11 exchange is requested and CDs are also available for $11. This is an interactive workshop using sound frequencies to activate personal empowerment. Rivergate Med Spa, 400 Professional Park Drive, Ste 201, Goodlettsville. 615-305-0124. Emily.New.Day@gmail.com.
planting seeds for our harvest of good, we will take the time to plant some final seeds in this now moment. Music City Center for Spiritual Living, 7069 US 70S, Nashville. 615-662-5539. info@ mccsl.org. mccsl.org.
planahead TUESDAY, JUNE 5
World Music Nashville - 10:30-11:45am. “Faith that Fulfills” plus Special Music with Songwriter/ Pianist/Vocalist, Julie Rust. A faith that fulfills is an affirmative mental approach to Reality, and a willingness to move ahead to the harvest of good, regardless of our fears. Today we burst through our fears with profound faith! Music City Center for Spiritual Living, 7069 US 70S, Nashville. 615662-5539. info@mccsl.org. mccsl.org.
Hypno-Birthing Class Series Begins - 6-9pm. Perfect for anyone expecting or planning a baby! Hypno-Birthing teaches you to release all prior programming about birth, how to trust your body and work with it, as well as how to free yourself of harmful emotions that lead to pain-causing fear and unyielding muscles. This is a technique for achieving a satisfying and stress-free method of birthing. It teaches you, along with your birthing companion, the art and joy of experiencing birth in a more comfortable manner. Series is taught by Margalena Walker, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and HypnoBirthing Instructor. RSVP to Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. Katherine@YourCosmicConnections.com. More about Hypno-Birthing at Margalena.com.
SUNDAY, MAY 27
MONDAY, JUNE 11
World Music Nashville - 10:30-11:45am. “Take the Time” plus Special Music with Positive Music Artist, Annie Sims. The idea of “time” is an interesting one. It is said that it is just an illusion and that it doesn’t really exist. Whether it is an illusion, a stark reality, or both, the only time we really have is this moment. Today, as we conclude
Frequencies from the Red Star of ORION 6-8pm. $11 exchange is requested and CDs are also available for $11. This is an interactive workshop using sound frequencies to activate personal empowerment. RSVP to Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. Katherine@YourCosmicConnections.com.
SUNDAY, MAY 20
natural awakenings
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ongoingevents NOTE: Dates and times shown are subject to change. Please confirm event prior to attendance. All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email NApublisher@NANashville.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit NANashville.com to submit online.
daily Adventure Science Center – 1:30-2:30pm daily. Sci-Bites. Live demonstrations and hands on programs that spark imaginations and encourage curiosity. Adventure Science Center, Cosmic Ray’s, Second floor, 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville. 615-862-5160. Bubble Cave - Bubble Cave is now open for exploration. Learn about the science of bubbles and caves. How do bubbles work? Why do they pop? What exactly is a sink hole? For more information on admission times, ticket pricing and parking, call 931-648-5780. Customs House Museum & Cultural Center - Clarksville, 200 South Second St, Clarksville. Centennial Dog Park - Open from dawn to 8pm. Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave, Nashville. For dog park rules visit Nashville.gov. Complementary Medicine Program - Acupuncture, massage therapy and aesthetic (skin care and facials) by appointment Monday through Saturday. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 615-222-3234. Open to STHS patients, associates, and the public. Baptist and Saint Thomas Hospitals. Hermitage: Frontier Farm to American Landmark – Daily. Take a look at how this 1,000-acre property evolved from a modest frontier farm to Andrew Jackson’s prosperous and expansive cotton plantation. The exhibit also shows how after Jackson’s death, the Hermitage became an American landmark while simultaneously deteriorating due to the Jackson family’s downward financial situation. Hermitage, 4580 Rachaels’ Ln, Nashville. 615-889-2941 or visit: TheHermitage.com. Movement Lessons - Aches, pains, disability? Daily group and private movement lessons for body/brain function: improve balance, strength, bones, brain, comfort and more. Info@NashvilleMindAndBody.com. 615-269-9718. Music City Alpacas - Field trips, fleeces, organic compost, yarn and several alpaca products available. Show, pet and fiber quality animals available for 4-H to backyard pets. Location: 14087 Old Hickory Blvd, Antioch. Contact Amanda LaQuiere at 615-941-1639 or visit: MusicCityAlpacas. com. Nashville Farmers’ Market – 8am-5pm daily. 900 Rosa Parks Blvd, Nashville. 615-880-2001. Nashville Zoo – Various events include Members’ Day, Grandparents’ Day, Sunset Safari, camping experiences, Seniors’ Day, annual 5K race, and much more. Nashville Zoo, 3777 Nolensville Rd, Nashville. 615-833-1534 or visit: NashvilleZoo. org.
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Parthenon – Tour a replica of the original Parthenon in Athens. Contains a re-creation of the 42 foot statue of Athena. Closed New Year’s Day. Centennial Park, 2600 West End Ave, Nashville. For pricing and schedule information call 615862-8431. Purity Dairies - See how ice cream is processed and packaged. Includes a free ice cream novelty. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this, but you do need to call first. 615-760-2200, Ext 73314. Reservations required and tours available from 10am-1pm. Shelby Dog Park - Open dawn to 8pm. Behind Shelby Park Community Center, Shelby Ave at S 20 Street, Nashville. For dog park rules visit: Nashville.gov. Stones River Farmers Market - Online farmers market, featuring several farms and locally grown and produced products. This farmers market offers consumers the opportunity to “call ahead” and have your order waiting for you. For more information or to order call John Erdmann at 615-848-8942. Tennessee Agricultural Museum – Daily. Located on the spacious grounds of the Ellington Agricultural Center includes an extensive collection of home and farm artifacts from the 19th and early 20th century. Hands-on activities, seminars, music, molasses arts, crafts festival, educational, basket making, quilting, spinning and much more. Tennessee Agricultural Museum, 440 Hogan Rd, Nashville. 615-837-5197. The Tennessean - Find out how our local newspaper works. Tour our newsrooms and see our production process. For reservations call 615-6642171 or email: tours@tennessean.com. Thompson’s Station Farmers Market - April 18 thru October 24. 2-6pm. For more information, item availability and participation call Rebecca Wynd at 615-612-9432. OutdoorEncounter.org. Warner Dog Park - Open from dawn to dusk. Edwin Warner Park, 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville. For dog park rules visit: Nashville.gov. Yoga Classes - Baptist Hospital Wellness Center, 2000 Church St, Nashville. 615-284-5066. Saint Thomas Wellness Center, 4220 Harding Road, Nashville. 615-222-2056. For class schedule and fees call desired location. Yoga Country – Yoga classes and workshops for all levels. Complimentary Yoga Advisor program for new students. Yoga Works Teacher Training, private yoga sessions, and corporate yoga also available. Location: 116 Wilson Pike Circle, Ste 235, Brentwood. For information visit: YogaCountry.com or call 615-377-7776.
monday Metro Nashville Farmers’ Market – 9-5pm. Open all year. 900 Eighth Ave N, Nashville. NashvilleFarmersMarket.org. Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art – 11am-4:30pm, Sun; 9:30am-4:30pm, Tues-Sat. The 55-acre site includes art museum, botanical gardens, restaurant, gift shop, sculpture trail, changing art exhibits and Botanic Hall. Price varies. Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art, 1200 Forest Park Drive, Nashville. 615356-8000. ARTemis – 6-8pm. Free. First Monday of every month. Nonprofit organization, Festive Evolution, is facilitating this convocation of women to discuss the role of the artist in effecting social change. The fundamental principle of Festive Evolution is that artists are among the greatest agents of change in the world. For more information email SaraLSharpe@gmail.com or call 615-210-0212.
tuesday Nissan Auto Plant Tour - 10am & 1pm. Free tours for ages 10 and older. Reservations are preferred. Smyrna location. Call 615-459-1444. Cardio Burlesque: Striptease Aerobics – 6-7pm. Class/$8. This class uses burlesque and belly dance moves with aerobics to get, and keep your heart rate up. For more information visit: DelinquentDebutantes.com. La Leche League of Rutherford County – 6-8pm. Free. Second Tuesday of every month. Explore the advantages of breastfeeding, childbirth and the baby at home, the art of breastfeeding and overcoming difficulties, nutrition and weaning. All welcome. 931-308-9817. Crossway Baptist Church, 4194 Shelbyville Pike, Murfreesboro. Meditation Circle - 6:30-8pm. Free. Facilitated by Roxana Imam, this “Oneness Meditation” class is about experiencing a deep state of relaxation and self-awareness. Guided meditation supports any level of experience. RSVP to Meetup.com/ Oneness-Nashville or call 513-535-9629. Power Hour Workshop – 7-8pm. Second Tuesday of every month. Learn how to articulate and reach your life goals, find balance, create a vision of your life, eliminate obstacles, practice a positive state of mind, and take back control of your time and life. For more information or to register visit: ForwardFirstCoaching.com or call 800-991-7844.
wednesday East Nashville Farmers Market - 3:30-6:30pm. Features a diverse mixture of products, including natural dye clothing, candles and fresh cut flowers from local growers in the Middle TN area. For more information call Sean Siple at 615-5851294. EastNashvilleMarket.com.
classifieds Place your classified for only $1.00 per word, per month (10 word minimum). To place listing, email content to: NApublisher@NANashville.com
BOOKS (USED) Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. 615-463-7677. We are a year round college textbook buyback location for BookFool.com. Paying you cash for your textbooks.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Full/Part time Community Relations Rep – Natural Awakenings is now accepting resumes for Community Relations Rep/s in select Nashville/Middle Tennessee territories. People skills, excellent communicator, organizational skills, previous sales experience an advantage but will train the right person. We’re positive people looking for positive associates. Flexible schedule with great earning potential. Email cover letter and resume to NAPublisher@ NANashville.com.
HEALTH COACH Relationship Therapist, Mental Health Evaluation, Spiritual Counseling call 901-644-0831.
MASSAGE We travel to you! Same day appointments. 615-349-1345.
WEIGHT LOSS Achieve your New Year’s resolution to lose weight and/or get fit with our 72 day Alkaline Weight Loss challenge. 615-972-4344. SevenPoint2Challenge.com.
Fat Lady Yoga - 5pm & 7pm. $15 per class or buy a 6 class package for $80. No matter your size, come and have fun. RSVP required as class size is limited. NO DROP IN’S. 615-834-0080. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Rd, Nashville. Course of Miracles - 7pm. B.O.L. 11936 Lebanon Rd, Mt. Juliet. For more information or to register call Libby at 615-773-6084. Yogalesque – 7:15-8:15pm. Class/$8. This class is designed to make you long and flexible, while staying lean and strong. Perfect for new and experienced alike. Bring your own mat. For more information visit: DelinquentDebutantes.com. Svaroopa Yoga with Ryoko - 7:30-9:00pm. Therapeutic style of yoga reaches into and releases the deep seated layers of spinal tension in your body. Beginner friendly and drop-in’s welcome. The Yoga Room (Berry Hill, near 100 Oaks Mall), 2829 Azalea Place, Nashville. 615-298-443 o r visit: HealingSpiritBodywork.com.
thursday Conversations with God - 10 class module. $15 per class, module pricing available. Led by Annie & Greg Sims, certified as instructors by the author of “Conversations with God,” Neal Donald Walsch. 615-834-0080. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Rd, Nashville. Nissan Auto Plant Tour - 10am & 1pm. Free tours for ages 10 and older. Reservations are preferred. Smyrna location. 615-459-1444. KidZone - 4pm. Free. Cool crafts, great games, special guests and more, all designed just for elementary school age kids! There’s something different every week. Madison Branch - Nashville Public Library, 610 Gallatin Rd S, Madison. 615862-5868. Hillsboro Village Art Walk - 5-8pm. Free. First Thursday of every month, year round event. All the shops in the village are providing something special including artists, musicians, demonstrations, book signings, movies, etc. Families welcome. Hillsboro Village, 21st Ave S & Blakemore, Nashville. Diabetes Support Group - 6-7pm. The group meets the first Thursday of each month. Baptist Hospital Diabetes Center, 2010 Church St, Ste 201, Nashville. 615-284-2800. Reiki - 6:30-8pm. First Thursday of each month. Donations appreciated. Experience a night of energy-work as a recipient, practitioner or observer. Cosmic Connections, 1701 Portland Ave, Nashville. For information contact Diana Shaffer at 615-513-6565. Tarot Lights - 6:30-8pm. Free. Tarot Lights is the place to come for beginning readers to get a solid education in the fundamentals of tarot. Class includes lessons on numerology, card meanings, Qabalah, astrology and much more. Certificate of completion is awarded for finishing the course. Meetup.com/TarotLights.
friday Coffee, Tea and Diabetes Support Group – This group meets the first Friday of each month. Middle TN Medical Center, 1700 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro. For information call Roshelle Parker at 615-426-2646. Senior Fitness Circuit Training - 8:30am. Every Friday. Middle TN Medical Center, 1700 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro. 615-896-0290. Story Time - 10:30am. Program includes songs, stories and a simple craft or coloring page. All preschool age children are welcome to attend. Gallatin Public Library, 123 East Main St, Gallatin.
Mindful Nourishment – 7-9pm. Donations appreciated. First Friday of every month. Support group for anyone on a diet, life style change or just interested in learning more about nourishment and how to eat better. For more information call 615834-0080. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, Nashville.
saturday Forest Hills Farmers Market - Open thru October. 8am-12pm. The market provides a diverse selection of fruits, vegetables, herbs and meats grown by area farmers. Fresh cakes, pies and pastries are also available, prepared by local bakers who provide desserts to many of Nashville’s upscale restaurants. Growers donate portions of their fresh produce each week to Feed America First. Bring either cash or checks to buy the produce. For more information or to volunteer, contact Leigh Ann Pettus, Market Organizer at 615-376-8013. ForesthillsUMC.org. Build And Grow – 10am. Enjoy a kid’s clinic for hands-on fun and excitement. Lowes Home Improvement Store. Contact your local Lowe’s for schedule. Nashville Fibro Friends – 11:15am-1:15pm. Free. First Saturday of each month. Meet with others who suffer from Fibromyalgia and chronic pain to discuss, share, laugh and conquer the misconceptions regarding these disabling conditions. McNamara’s Irish Restaurant, 2740 Old Lebanon Rd, Nashville. 615-403-1515. The Language of Life - 2-4pm. Free. First Saturday of the month. This community based program is designed to discuss the issues that prevent us from achieving success, happiness, and living life to its fullest potential. Discussions include how negative and judgemental thoughts produce internal voids and cause lack of joy. Learn the principles of meditation, self-reflection and observation, as well as love of self and others. RSVP to Meetup. com/LiteGroupNashville/Events/32517712/
sunday Music City Center For Spiritual Living - 10:3011:45am. Every Sunday at World Music Nashville, 7069 US 70S, Nashville. For information call 615-662-5539, email: info@ mccsl.org. MCCSL. org. May’s Theme is “Preparing for the Harvest.” As the energies around our planet speed up for humankind’s evolutionary jump in consciousness, you can either plant seed thoughts that play a part in hastening that jump or plant seed thoughts that prolong the chaos before the brilliance. Which will it be? Your choice. In May we’ll explore the seeds that can be planted now that support the evolutionary harvest of good!
Band Music – 7-9pm. Third Friday each month. Live music with a different band each month. Cannonsburgh Village, 312 South Front St, Murfreesboro. 615-890-0355.
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communityresourceguide Natural Networking at its best! Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, call 615-7678818 or email NApublisher@ NANashville.com to request a media kit. ASTROLOGY MARVIN L. WILKERSON Master Astrologer 615-557-5667 Astromarv.com
One on One consultations, workshops, lectures and presentations including Sun Bear’s Native American Medicine Wheel. For more information, to schedule an appointment, or for your free horoscope forecast visit: Astromarv. com. See ad, page 13.
AURA PHOTOGRAPHY AURA IMAGING PHOTOGRAPHY 615-463-7677 YourCosmicConnections.com
Open up your understanding of the human energy field. Not only do we have physical bodies, we are indeed beings of energy. Your Aura-Chakra Photo and Report gives you a colorful visual representation of your energy field. Biofeedback sensors analyze process and correlate your information to exploring your inner world of mind, body and energy. See ad, page 12.
FAMILY PRACTICE COLE FAMILY PRACTICE
4962 Lebanon Pike, Old Hickory 615-874-3422 ColeFamilyPractice.org
Traditional healthcare with a holistic approach! We can see the whole family for their healthcare needs. Same day appointments for acute illness. We accept most insurance. See ad, page 15.
HOLISTIC DENTISTRY SMILES OF CHATTANOOGA
Robert J. Gallien DDS 4620 Hwy 58, Chattanooga 423-208-9783 SmileChattanooga.com
Taking fear out of dentistry! Dr. Robert Gallien’s holistic approach to dentistry offers a variety of treatments that establishes a “comfort-comes-first policy.” For more information please call or visit our website. See ad, page 8.
HOLISTIC SERVICES STORE COSMIC CONNECTIONS
1701 Portland Ave, Nashville 615-463-7677 YourCosmicConnections.com
We are a gift, book, music and holistic services store offering a wide range of products, services, free seminars and affordable workshops to empower you on your path of mind-body-spirit connections and wellness. See ad, page 12.
At the Middle Tennessee Hypnosis Center we help people access the highest levels of their mind in to achieve inner peace, become healthier, and have more love for life! Stress management, weight loss, smoking, chronic pain, sports and more, we can help. See ad, page 17.
INTUITIVE kelly@kelly-mcc.com Kelly-Mcc.com 615-804-9154
Kelly offers a variety of services that empower people to improve their overall well-being. Intuitive readings, stone and crystal energy work, chakra balancing, clearing of negative energy from the body and etheric field. Kelly is also Reiki certified. RSVP to Cosmic Connections, by appointment only. 615-804-9154. See ad, page 11.
SPIRITUAL LIVING MUSIC CITY CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING
Meets 10:30am Sundays at World Music Nashville 7069 US 70S by Krogers MCCSL.org 615-662-5539. info@mccsl.org.
MCCSL is a healing and teaching center that provides the spiritual tools that can change your life See ad, page 22
VITAMINS, SUPPLEMENTS INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR
ChrisTait.MyShaklee.com 615-554-6307
~Arnold Schwarzenegger NA Nashville Edition
MIDDLE TN HYPNOSIS CENTER
1461 Battleground Drive, Suite B, Murfreesboro 615-653-4628
KELLY MCCULLOUGH
In our society, the women who break down barriers are those who ignore limits.
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HYPNOSIS
Shakleeis the number one natural nutrition company in the world. Our mission at Shaklee is to provide a healthier life for everyone and a better life for everyone. When you pick Shaklee, you will know three things to be true. It is always safe, it always works, and it’s always green. See ad, page 32.
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