Natural Awakenings ~ East Bay April 2016 by Celeste Souza

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feel good • live simply • laugh more

Celebrate EARTH DAY Step Into Sustainability Everyday Ways to Help Out the Planet

TROUBLED WATERS Our Precious Freshwater Supplies Are Shrinking

Edible Heirlooms

Old-Fashioned Fruits and Veggies Return to the Table April 2016 | East Bay Area Edition | NAEastBay.com

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contact us Publisher/Editor Celeste Souza National Editor S. Alison Chabonais Proofreader Randy Kambic Writer Tessa Rigdon Design & Production Stephen Blancett Kim Cerne Multi-Market Advertising 239-449-8309 Franchise Sales Anna Romano 239-530-1377

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ike me, I know you are concerned about regenerating the integrity of our environment. It’s one reason you read Natural Awakenings each month. I’ve been exploring what more my own family can do. Recycling is good, but it’s only the first of myriad vital steps, so I’ve been expanding our eco-contribution. One of the new commitments I’m excited about is choosing to eat local and organic foods. Big agribusiness has been a major factor in rampant environmental devastation across the country as it routinely sprays toxins on America’s food crops and soils, simultaneously contributing to a half-century of declining health among Americans. California is a leading culprit when it could have instead moved to be a hero. I’m able to keep good food affordable for our family through careful meal planning, emphasizing seasonal produce and keeping cooking simple. Despite many citizens’ laudable eco-intentions, few can completely overhaul our life choices, change to a green job, move to a small energy-efficient house and create zero-impact lifestyles, at least in the immediate future. But if everyone will find one or two improvements they can truly commit to today, and then add one more and then another… it will make a significant positive difference. We are long past the time where we can afford to consider accelerating climate change and tipping-point pollution as someone else’s problem or responsibility. We all need to take a close look at what we are personally doing to rescue or degrade the quality of life on Earth. We must also insist that elected representatives take action on to support healthy living on a healthy planet. I’ve commit to using what venues I can to help educate our community on making it right, encouraging us all to exercise our voices in claiming our right to clean water, pure air, safe food and a healthful environment for our children. With Californians known for their forward thinking and open mindedness, I find it confusing that the state’s citizens have tolerated producing the country’s largest volume of genetically modified (GMO) crops, allowing fluoride and other contaminants into our household water; fracking up and down the state, and now one of the largest methane gas leaks in U.S. history. Those responsible for the gas leak at Porter Ranch took nearly four months to achieve a “temporary seal”, after releasing roughly 100,000 tons of methane into the air we breathe—double the methane emissions rate of the Los Angeles area. Although these issues are large, every step we take can help guard against looming consequences. I trust our April issue provides more food for thought encouraging your own growing commitment to nurturing a healthy home planet. Have an impactful Earth Day,

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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.

16 EVERYDAY

SUSTAINABILITY

Practical Ways We Can Help Out the Planet by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

FARM-TO-HOSPITAL On-Site Farms Grow Organics for Patients by Judith Fertig

TROUBLED WATERS Our Precious Freshwater Supplies Are Shrinking by Linda Sechrist

25 MARIE KONDO

ON THE JOY OF TIDYING UP

Simplicity Invites Happiness into Our Lives by April Thompson

26 EDIBLE HEIRLOOMS Old-Fashioned Fruits and Veggies Return to the Table

by Avery Mack

30 MILLENNIALSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; TAKE ON FITNESS

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NutraPartners Nutrition Classes Focus on Gut and Brain Health

oin NutraPartners owner and Registered Dietitian, Kathy Napoli, for “Healthy Gut, Healthy You,” from 9:30 to 11 a.m., April 21, at John Muir Medical Center, 2540 East Street, ConKathy Napoli cord. Participants will discover ways to improve their personal gut bacteria (microbiome), reduce the risk of numerous health conditions and enhance overall health. Next, Napoli presents “Eating for Optimal Brain Function,” from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on May 5, at John Muir Health Wellness Services, 1656 North California Boulevard, Walnut Creek. In this brain-boosting class, participants will learn how to add “smart foods” to their diets and how nutrition and lifestyle choices can help improve brain health during the aging process. NutraPartners is a based in Alamo and offers personalized nutrition and lifestyle programs to support adults, teens and children on their unique journeys to optimal health. Napoli and her team address nutritional, environmental and lifestyle issues to understand imbalances in the body that lead to chronic illness, while one-on-one consultations and group classes help clients heal in nurturing, supportive settings. Cost: Free. For more information, call 925-831-3900, email KNapoli@ NutraPartners.com or visit NutraPartners.com. See ad, page 38.

newsbriefs Modern Mystery School Reveals Ancient Secrets for Personal, Planetary Enlightenment

hat is the meaning of life? The answers to this age-old question may be found within the Modern Mystery School, according to Kathleen Temperani, a Healer, Guide and Ritual Master who invites those ready for a more meaningful and fulfilling life to join the foundational initiatory workshop into the Modern Mystery School, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 9-10, in Pleasant Hill. Says Temperani, ancient teachings of the mystery schools contain the innermost knowledge of life; the greatest secrets the world has ever known; and the greatest power humankind has ever experienced. Deeply rooted in the old shamanic wisdom, lineage of the mystery schools can be traced back 3,000 years to the time of King Solomon. The mystery schools were shrouded from the public and accessible to only those in the family lineage of that school, and new initiates were invited only if and when they were ready to preserve and protect the sacred and ancient teachings. Today, the Modern Mystery School can be found here in the Bay Area. According to Temperani, the Modern Mystery School is one of only seven ancient mystery schools open to the public. Mystery schools open their doors at specific periods in history in order release certain energy and knowledge for human progression—and now is the time to receive that wisdom. Temperani’s two-day workshop and initiation is an opportunity to enter a world of sacred knowledge, to find purpose and meaning in life, and to become agents of change for the planet. This, says Temperani, is the missing link to true transformation of the self and the planet. Temperani’s students will receive: Holy rituals to keep energy high throughout the days; ways to protect one’s personal energy field; ways to utilize the five physical and spiritual senses; the structure of heaven and Earth; the human energetic structure and how to balance these; ways to recognize and release the negative ego; how to work with angels, grow one’s chi and protect one’s energy field; and the value of lineage and of initiation into one of the seven true mystery schools. “There is more to life,” says Temperani. “Teachings of the mystery schools will help you enhance your life, expand your potential, learn the tools of the masters, and assist in personal and planetary enlightenment.” For more information and to register, call 925-997-7518 or email Kathleen@A-Beautiful-Light.com. Workshop prerequisite: 22-strand DNA Life Activation. Please ask for Natural Awakenings discount. See ad, page 38.

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Alamo-Based Bodywork Practitioner Now Offers Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

he hair on our heads may provide clues to the health of our bodies. Longtime Bay Area bodyworker, Marchelle Milligan, now offers hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA), a simple yet vital test that measures the body’s mineral content. A mineral deficiency or excess present in hair usually indicates a mineral imbalance within the body, says Milligan. Using only 1.5 inches of hair closest to the scalp, HTMA delivers a “blueprint” of a person’s unique biochemistry, metabolic rate, energy levels, carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress and immune system, and provides a three-month average of abundant or insufficient minerals in the body. In total, HTMA screens for 37 nutritive minerals and toxic metals and takes into account ratios of certain minerals, which may help explain a person’s physical symptoms. The comprehensive screening also greatly reduces the guesswork in selecting nutritional supplements.

HTMA is not a medical test and does not diagnose disease. However, hair analysis can reveal various mineral imbalances—often, sooner than blood and urine tests—that indicate a tendency for various health conditions, including depression, hypoglycemia, hyperactivity, headaches, hypertension, arthritis, thyroid disturbance, digestive disturbance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease,

skin rashes, emotional issues, allergies and others. “Everyone should be tested to see what issues are going on in the body to which they may be unaware,” says Milligan. “Hair analysis can be used as a preventative tool by revealing mineral imbalances before any health ailments become manifest. Hair analysis opens up a whole new vista for solving health ailments by recognizing your biochemical individuality.” Location: 3189 Danville Blvd., 250E, Alamo. For more information, call 925-286-6237, email MarciMilligan@live.com or visit TheRhythmWithin. org. For more information about HTMA, visit TraceElements.com. See ad, page 36.

DARK Act Defeated Senate Vote Reflects Citizen Demands

he Deny Americans the Right to Know, or DARK Act, was defeated in the U.S. Senate in March, representing a major victory for consumers. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) spearheaded the large-scale citizen opposition to a bill that would have outlawed all state-level labeling laws of genetically modified (GMO) food ingredients nationwide; it was intended to keep consumers in the dark about the genetically engineered content of their food. Scott Faber, EWG senior vice president for government af-

fairs, says, “Consumers have made their voices heard to their elected representatives in the Senate and they said clearly, ‘We want the right to know more about our food.’ We remain hopeful that congressional leaders can craft a national mandatory compromise that works for consumers and the food industry.” Organic Consumers Association reports that an alternative to the DARK act is being proposed that still could preempt state GMO labeling laws. So they recommend that consumers stay vigilant to ensure the DARK act

remains defeated. The development is evidence that the EWG Just Label It campaign is on the right track, and the group plans to support the recently introduced Biotechnology Food Labeling Uniformity Act targeting a national mandatory standard for GMO labeling. Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives for Consumers Union, explains, “This bill finds a way to set a national standard and avoid a patchwork of state labeling laws, while still giving consumers the information they want and deserve about what’s in their food.” Sources: Natural News, Environmental Working Group, Organic Consumers Association.

natural awakenings

April 2016

First Non-GMO Project Verified Nasal Spray Clears Ears and Sinuses

ccording to Matthew Lutin, inventor and CEO of Cedar Health Science, Inc., more than 65 percent of the public experiences ear Matthew Lutin and/or sinus issues. “And with the weather changing, that number is quickly climbing,” shares the inventor of Pressureze, the first all-natural, preservative-free, NonGMO Project Verified nasal spray. Years ago, while working as a flight attendant, Lutin faced termination due to chronic ear and sinus trouble. “If your ears become blocked during landing, you could burst an eardrum, or worse,” he says. “So I became proactive in finding a solution.” Little did he know that an early meeting with a NASA doctor would inspire him to create his unique nasal spray developed to quickly clear ear and sinus canals. “What inspires me the most are the emails and online testimonials from so many people that I am proud to have helped. I love doing what I do!” he shares. Just in time for sinus allergy season, many local health food stores now carry Pressureze Nasal Mist and Pressureze for Kids. “And because Pressureze only contains a special blend and formulation consisting of certified natural salts and purified water, it is very safe for pregnant women and nursing moms,” adds Lutin.

newsbriefs Grand Opening of Healing Arts Practice in Oakland and Modesto

ntegrative Relational Energetics Institute, Inc. is a new organization of healing arts practitioners, with a mission to help clients live full and vital lives. To celebrate its grand opening, the Institute offers to all clients a one-time discounted price of $50 for any session during April at one of its two locations, in Oakland at 300 27th Street, Suite 101 and in Modesto at 1231 8th Street, Suite 550. The Institute’s co-founder, Paula McGuire, is a marriage and family therapist, a bodyworker and a practitioner of several Energy Psychology Techniques who ran a successful private practice for more than 25 years. The new business reflects McGuire’s vision to support healing arts practitioners in their development, and to bring energy healing to the larger community. From personal enrichment classes to practitioner certification coursework, the Institute offers a variety of services, each one focused on the facilitation of deep and profound healing within individuals and communities. The Institute offers the following upcoming classes and groups: Enhancing Well-Being with Energy Psychology; Living in Abundance, a support group for Parents of Autistic Children; and several ThetaHealing classes, including SoulMate, Basics, Advanced, and Manifesting and Abundance. Each of the Institute’s practitioners is certified in ThetaHealing and most offer other forms of treatment, including Tapas Acupressure Technique, Life and Transformational Coaching, BioMagnetic Therapy, Capacitar and other Energy Medicine/Energizing Techniques. In addition, clients can receive coaching on simple techniques to enhance everyday life, calm anxiety, improve focus and facilitate healing. Several practitioners are bilingual in English and Spanish, and Spanish translation is available in all classes. The practitioners of the Integrative Relational Energetics Institute, Inc., are not medical doctors; they do not diagnose or prescribe medication. The practitioners will consult with a client’s doctor(s), as allowed by the client, in supporting each client’s journey toward a happier, healthier and more joyful life. For more information, call 510-654-1405 or visit Ireinst.com. See ad, page 2.

Pressureze Nasal Mist is available locally at Jimbo’s, Whole Foods Markets, Frazier Farms, Cardiff Seaside Market and selected Sprouts locations. For more information, call 760-492-5992 or visit Pressureze.com.

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Caring For What’s Inside: Colon 1st Annual Natural Hydrotherapist to Speak at New Living Expo Living Directory

indy Mahealani Sellers, founder of Angel Farms Cleansing and Rejuvenation Center, Hawaii, and author of the award-winning book, You Don’t Have to Hurt Anymore - The Enlightened Way to Health, brings her powerful message to the 15th Annual New Living Expo, at 4 p.m. on May 1, at the San Mateo Event Center, in San Mateo. For 26 years, Sellers has experienced first-hand the potential for physical, emotional and spiritual healing through her specialized cleanse. In her presentation, Sellers shares her experiences and expertise in order to help others better understand and care for their precious insides. Sellers focuses on holistic care for the spleen, pancreas, heart and more, and discusses how to keep these vital organs healthy for life. With incidences of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, gall bladder removals, hip transplants, depression and anger at emergency-level highs, Sellers’ message resonates with individuals seeking peace of mind, body and spirit. Sellers’ personal health transformation occurred in 1989 when she underwent a colon cleanse to treat chronic back issues stemming from an auto accident. Inspired by her own dramatic recovery, Sellers studied colon hydrotherapy and started Angel Farms Cleansing and Rejuvenation Center. To date, Sellers and her team have helped more than 5,000 clients worldwide find freedom from pain and achieve better health and wellness on all levels. Says Sellers, the safe and effective cleansing process helps her clients naturally overcome a variety of common health conditions, including anxiety and stress, diabetes, cancer, pain and stiffness, heart problems, low self-worth/love and digestive issues. “Angel Farms is the cleanse that helps your body/temple catch-up to your consciousness,” says Sellers. “We are the premier cleanse with more experience to safely awaken your true Self. We are the cleanse written in the Dead Sea Scrolls as the Baptism from within. You deserve a miracle.” Expo Location: 1346 Saratoga Dr., San Mateo. For more information, call 808965-0781, email Cindy@AngelFarms.com or visit AngelFarms.com or YouDontHaveToHurtAnymore.com.

e invite you to be a part of Natural Awakenings Annual Natural Living Directory for East Bay, coming June 2016. This special annual directory of Natural Awakenings magazine will serve as a handy reference guide for consumers to keep at their fingertips all year long when searching Natural Living for the Directory 2016 products and services they want to live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Consumers trust Natural Awakenings information and its featured advertisers because we offer refreshing and educational editorial on natural health and green living. Natural Awakenings also provides the resources that support health, fitness, sustainable living, personal growth and creative expression. This directory is a must for businesses that offer healthy products and/or sustainable services. Don’t miss out on this important issue! Natural Living Directory prices: $99 for your first category listing or $149 for three categories. Listings include 4 contact lines, a 30-word description and a photo or logo. Early registration rates – $79 for one category or $119 for three. Early bird pricing has been extended through April 15. Business Profiles are also available for $250 and special rates on display ads are available. HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Call today, 925-557-7583 for details, special display rates and to reserve your space in this once a year issue. Deadline for final registration has been extended through May 6th. See ad, page 3.

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April 2016

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Fracking Fluids healthbriefs Found Toxic Kiwis Boost Heart Health to Health

n analyzing 1,021 chemicals contained in fluids and wastewater used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for oil or natural gas, a Yale University study found that at least 157 of the chemicals—including arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde and mercury—are associated with either developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity or both. Of the total identified chemicals, 925 were used in the hydraulic fracturing process, 132 in fracking wastewater and 36 were present in both. The scientists utilized the REPROTOX database in the Chemical Abstract Service registry and then reviewed the available research, including human and animal studies. Toxicity data wasn’t available for 781 of the chemicals used in fracking. Among the other 240 chemicals, 103 were reproductive toxins. An additional 95 were developmental toxins. Another 41 have been found to be both reproductive and developmental toxins. The researchers further suggested that at least 67 of the chemicals be prioritized in drinking water testing. Senior author and Professor of Public Health Nicole Deziel, Ph.D., adds, “This evaluation is a first step to prioritize the vast array of potential environmental contaminants from hydraulic fracturing for future exposure and health studies. Quantification of the potential exposure to these chemicals, such as by monitoring drinking water in people’s homes, is vital for understanding the [associated] public health impact.”

multi-center study from the University of Salamanca, in Spain, has found that consuming even one kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa) per week will significantly boost cardiovascular health. The researchers tested 1,469 healthy people throughout Spain. The volunteers were given dietary questionnaires and underwent testing for cholesterol lipids and inflammatory markers for heart disease. The researchers determined that those that ate at least one kiwi fruit per week had significantly lower triglycerides and fibrinogen (a marker for inflammation), and higher HDL-cholesterol levels. Higher levels of HDL-cholesterol are associated with reduced incidence of atherosclerosis. The researchers concluded: “Consumption of at least one kiwi a week is associated with lower plasma concentrations of fibrinogen and improved plasma lipid profile in the context of a normal diet and regular exercise.”

The ‘Dirty Dozen’ of Cancer-Causing Chemicals

cientists at the Environmental Working Group published a list of the 12 chemicals that have been most prevalently linked to cancer in numerous research studies. The list encompasses bisphenol A, atrazine, organophosphate pesticides, dibutyl phthalate, lead, mercury, per- or polyfluorochemicals (PFC), phthalates, diethlyhexyl phthalate, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, triclosan and nonylphenol. The scientists suggest that consumers can reduce their exposure to each of these chemicals by avoiding plastics marked with “PC” (polycarbonates) or the recycling number 7 mark, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics in food packaging, PFC-treated wrappers on food and other products, lead paints, mercury-laden seafoods, phthalatescontaining fragrances and plastics, foam products made before 2005, foreign antibacterial soaps, and detergents and paints with nonylphenol. Other proactive measures include drinking only filtered water when in agricultural areas and purchasing organic foods. The researchers contend, “Given that we live in a sea of chemicals, it makes sense to begin reducing exposures to ones we know are bad actors.”

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Mercury Use Linked to Dentists’ Tremors

study of thousands of dentists found that the absorption of mercury is associated with an increased risk of tremors. Published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, the study followed 13,906 dentists for a 24-year period. The research tested the dentists’ urinary mercury levels to estimate their individual exposure. The incidence of tremors—the involuntary shaking of hands, arms and other parts of the body—among the dentists was then compared with their exposure to mercury. Higher exposures to mercury increased the risk of tremors among the entire population of dentists studied by 10 percent; the increased risk among the young dentists was 13 percent.

Nature’s Colors Aid Focus and Accuracy

esearchers from the University of Melbourne determined that taking a quick break and looking at natural colors can significantly increase attention, focus and job performance. The researchers tested 150 university students that were randomly selected to view one of two city scenes consisting of a building with and without a flowering meadow green roof. The two views were experienced as microbreaks, a 30-second period that can be taken every 40 minutes. Both groups were tested before and after viewing the scene for sustained attention spans, along with a performance test upon completing a task. Subjects that looked at the scene with the verdant roof had significantly longer attention spans and fewer errors in doing their tasks.

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Tai Chi Eases Effects of Chronic Disease

review of research from the University of British Columbia tested the effects of tai chi exercise upon people with four chronic diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, osteoarthritis and cancer. Dr. Yi-Wen Chen and his team analyzed 33 studies of more than 1,500 people that participated in tai chi. The research also tested the effects of the practice on general health, including walking speed, muscle strength, speed in standing up from a sitting position, quality of life, symptoms of depression and knee strength. The heart disease patients among the subjects showed a reduction in depression symptoms, and all shared a reduction of muscle stiffness and pain, increased speeds in both walking and standing from a sitting position and improved well-being. “Given the fact that many middle-aged and older persons have more than one chronic condition, it’s important to examine the benefits of treatment/exercise interventions across several coexisting conditions,” says Chen.

www.EasternMedicalCenter.com

natural awakenings

April 2016

globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

GMO-Free Germany

Ground Control

New rules implemented by the European Union now allow individual member states to block farmers from using genetically modified organisms (GMO), even if the variety has been approved on an EU-wide basis. Scotland was the first to opt out and Germany is next, according to German Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt. Controversy concerning the safety and/or necessity of GMOs persists, but countries like these have decided not to idly sit by while the effects posed by long-term consumption of GMO foods are revealed. This move makes Germany one of between 64 and 74 countries that have instituted some type of ban or mandatory labeling requirements.

The Center for Food Safety’s Cool Foods Campaign report Soil & Carbon: Soil Solutions to Climate Problems maintains that it’s possible to take atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) that fuels climate change and put it back into the soil, where much of it was once a solid mineral. There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere and the oceans, but not enough stable carbon in the ground supporting healthy soils. Cultivated soils globally have lost 50 to 70 percent of their original carbon content through paving, converting grasslands to cropland and agricultural practices that rob soil of organic matter and its ability to store carbon, making it more susceptible to flooding and erosion. Healthy soils—fed through organic agriculture practices like polycultures, cover crops and compost—give soil microbes the ability to store more CO2 and withstand drought and floods better, because revitalized soil structure allows it to act like a sponge. The report concludes, “Rebuilding soil carbon is a zero-risk, low-cost proposition. It has universal application and we already know how to do it.”

Source: CollectivelyConscious.net

Download the report at Tinyurl.com/CFS-Climate-Report.

Five Dozen Countries Now Ban or Label GMO Crops

Down-to-Earth Climate Change Strategy

Oily Oops Touted Dispersants Worsened Effects of Gulf Oil Spill A study conducted by the University of Georgia has found that the Corexit oil dispersant lauded by British Petroleum during the devastating 2010 Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico oil spill not only failed to perform as expected, but may have formed deposits on the seafloor in a chemically altered condition. The naturally occurring proliferation of a particular species of bacteria (marinobacters) that eats untreated oil was completely curtailed when the spill was replaced with dispersed oil. This could be a worst-case scenario, because marine life would continue to be exposed to it over many years, if not decades. According to the report Environmental and Health Impacts of the BP Gulf Oil Spill, “As compared with only oil, Corexit-laden oil is four times more lethal; dispersed oil is 10 times more deadly than the dispersant alone.” The Center for Biological Diversity reports, “One of the dispersants used at the BP spill, Corexit 9527A, contains the toxin 2-butoxyethanol, which may cause injury to red blood cells, kidneys or the liver with repeated or excessive exposure.” Many nations have since outlawed the use of dispersants in their territorial waters in response to these revelations.

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Read the report at Tinyurl.com/BP-Oil-Spill-Report.

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Bee Kind The Good Fight for Honeybees A U.S. federal appeals court has blocked the use of the pesticide sulfoxaflor over concerns about its effect on honeybees, which have been disappearing throughout the country in recent years. “Initial studies showed sulfoxaflor was highly toxic to honeybees, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required to get further tests,” says Circuit Judge Mary Schroeder. “Given the precariousness of bee populations, leaving the EPA’s registration of sulfoxaflor in place risks more potential environmental harm than vacating it.” The product, sold in the U.S. as Transform or Closer, must be pulled from store shelves by October 18. Paul Towers, a spokesperson for the nonprofit advocacy group Pesticide Action Network, comments, “This is [an example of] the classic pesticide industry shell game. As more science underscores the harms of a pesticide, they shift to newer, less-studied products, and it takes regulators years to catch up.” On another front, an insect form of Alzheimer’s disease caused by aluminum contamination from pesticides is another suspected contributing cause of the well-documented widespread bee colony collapse, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE. Honeybees studied had levels of aluminum in their bodies equivalent to those that could cause brain damage in humans.

100 Percenter

Lower Austria Wholly Powered by Renewable Energy Lower Austria, the largest of the country’s nine states and home to 1.65 million people, now receives 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources. The country’s total power output is about 70 percent renewable. The Danube River is so powerful that hydroelectric power is a natural choice. The mountainous geography means that vast amounts of energy can be generated from this high-capacity river rapidly flowing down through a series of steep slopes. The remainder of the state’s energy is sourced from wind, biomass and solar power. Source: IFLScience.com

Working Worms

They Can Safely Biodegrade Plastic Waste Mealworms can safely and effectively biodegrade certain types of plastic waste, according to groundbreaking new research from Stanford University and China’s Beihang University. In two newly released companion studies, researchers reveal that microorganisms living in the mealworm’s gut effectively break down Styrofoam and plastic into biodegraded fragments that look similar to tiny rabbit droppings. Plastic waste takes notoriously long to biodegrade; a single water bottle is estimated to take 450 years to break down in a landfill. Due to poor waste management, plastic waste often ends up in the environment, and research reveals that 90 percent of all seabirds and up to 25 percent of fish sold in markets have plastic waste in their stomachs. Worms that dined regularly on plastic appeared to be as healthy as their non-plastic-eating companions, and researchers believe that the waste they produce could be safely repurposed in agriculture. Further research is needed before the worms can be widely deployed. It’s possible that worms could also biodegrade polypropylene, used in textiles, bioplastics and microbeads. Source: Discovery.com

Free Park-ing National Parks Announce Fee-Free Days The National Park Service turns 100 years young in 2016 and is offering free admission on special days. Next up are April 16 to 24, National Park Week; August 25 to 28, its birthday celebration; September 24, National Public Lands Day; and November 11, Veterans Day. They invite everyone to come out and play.

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April 2016

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As a link between the oceans and consumers, supermarkets play a pivotal role in the destruction of our oceans and have big opportunities to help protect them. Greenpeace evaluates major U.S. retailers for seafood sustainability in four key areas. Policies examine the systems in place that govern a company’s purchasing decisions and how it avoids supporting destructive practices. They encourage retailers to enforce strong standards for both the

wild-caught and farm-raised seafood in their stores. They also evaluate retailers’ participation in coalitions and initiatives that promote seafood sustainability and ocean conservation such as supporting sustainable fishing, calling for protection of vital marine habitat and working to stop human rights abuses in the seafood industry. Finally, the need for labeling and transparency takes into account retailers’ levels of truthfulness about where and how they source their seafood and how clearly this is communicated to customers. The group’s Red List Inventory, a scientifically compiled list of 22 marine species that don’t belong in supermarkets, is at Tinyurl.com/ GreenpeaceRedList. View the store ratings at Seafood. GreenpeaceUSA.org/grocery-storescorecard.

actionalert Ballot Power

Community Initiatives Secure Local Eco-Rights While America will choose its next president this November, voters in Oregon may also vote on the right to local community self-government, enabling protection of citizens’ fundamental rights and prohibiting corporate activities that violate them. The Oregonians for Community Rights group, formed by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), submitted a constitutional amendment proposal to the secretary of state in January as a prelude to a larger signature-gathering effort to qualify the measure for the state ballot. Concurrently, the CELDF is supporting other community initiatives on various topics that may inspire other regions to also be active at the grassroots level. For example, Oregon’s Coos County Protection Council is currently finishing its signature gathering to place a Right to a Sustainable Energy Future

ordinance on a special ballot in May. It would protect citizens’ rights to clean air and water and the production of sustainable, localized energy, instead of county approval of several potential non-green energy projects. Oregon’s Columbia County Sustainable Action for Green Energy is gathering signatures for a Right to a Sustainable Energy Future ordinance for its November ballot that would protect the county from fossil fuel projects like coal and oil trains and a proposed methanol plant, and close two natural gas power plants by 2025. Other state groups are seeking to have November ballots in Lane and Lincoln counties include bans on aerial pesticide spraying. A Lane County group has filed a local food system charter amendment that would ban GMO (genetically modified) crops locally. “Community rights are driven by

the people in the community, not by any organization targeting potential activism,” says Kai Huschke, Northwest and Hawaii community organizer of the CELDF, which has supported 200-plus separate community initiatives. Particularly active states have included New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania. “Organizing typically comes about due to a localized threat. It means settling into a long-term battle to change the structure of government, having resolve and organizing beyond just a ballot vote.” Learn how to take local action at celdf.org.

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First Steps

EVERYDAY SUSTAINABILITY Practical Ways We Can Help Out the Planet by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

or many Americans, living more sustainably has become a natural part of their daily routine as they consistently recycle, eat healthy and use energy more efficiently. It’s just what they normally do every day. Every one of them had to start somewhere, growing their efforts over time to the point that nearly every activity yields better results for themselves, their family, their community and the planet. It might begin with the way we eat and eventually expand to encompass the way we work.

New American Way

“The sustainability movement is large and growing in the U.S.,” says Todd Larsen, with Green America, a grassroots nonprofit organization harnessing economic forces to create a socially just and environmentally sus-

tainable society. “Half a million people turned out in New York City to march for action on climate change. People also are working in their local communities to oppose fracking and pollution, and to support green building and clean energy. Many businesses now include sustainability as a core business practice, including the 3,000 certified members of Green America’s Green Business Network.” This month, Natural Awakenings profiles the experiences of representative individuals from around the country that are helping to both make the world more sustainable and their own lives richer and more meaningful. From growing and cooking family food and line-drying laundry to powering their business with renewable energy, their approaches are as varied as the places they call home.

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“Many people start with something small at home, particularly if they’re concerned about the impacts on their family’s health,” says Larsen. “More Americans are approaching sustainability first through food. It’s relatively easy to change spending habits to incorporate more organic, fair trade and non-GMO [genetically modified] foods, and with the growth of farmers’ markets nationwide, people are able to buy local more easily.” A focus on food quality is how Wendy Brown and her husband and five children launched their ecojourney just outside of Portland, Maine. “We started thinking about where our food came from, how it was grown and raised and what we could do to ensure that it was better,” says Brown. “What we don’t grow or forage ourselves, we try to purchase from local farmers.” Living more simply during the past decade has helped the family cut debt and become more financially stable. “Our entry point to sustainable living was to grow tomatoes on the steps of an apartment that Kelly and I once called home years ago,” echoes Erik Knutzen, who, with his wife Kelly Coyne, have transformed their 960-square-foot Los Angeles bungalow into an oasis where they grow food, keep chickens and bees, brew, bake and house their bikes. Gabriele Marewski’s journey also started with what she ate. “I became a vegetarian at 14, after reading Diet for a Small Planet, by Frances Moore Lappé,” says Marewski, who in 1999 turned an avocado orchard in Homestead, Florida, into Paradise Farms. “Forty-seven years later, I’m still a strict vegetarian. I believe it’s the single most important statement we can make about saving the planet.” Marewski’s five-acre farm showcases certified organic micro greens, edible flowers, oyster mushrooms and a variety of tropical fruits marketed to Miami-area chefs. Her farm also offers Dinner in Paradise farmto-table experiences to raise funds for local nonprofits providing food for

underprivileged city residents, and bed-and-breakfast lodging. Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology offers a free online course, Sustainability in Everyday Life, based on five themes: energy, climate change, food, chemicals and globalization. “People can make a difference by making responsible choices in their everyday life,” says Anna Nyström Claesson, one of the three original teachers.

Consume Less

“Every step toward sustainability is important and in the right direction,” explains Gina Miresse, with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), which will again host the world’s largest energy fair in June in Custer, Wisconsin. “It’s easy to start at home by adopting one new practice and sticking with it until it becomes a habit; then add a second practice and so on. This keeps people from getting overwhelmed.” We might, for example, switch to non-toxic home cleaning products when current products are used up. “There’s no need to throw everything in the trash and replace it all immediately—that would partially defeat the purpose of sustainability,” says Miresse. Green America, which suggests green alternatives to many products in online publications at GreenAmerica. org, recommends a congruent strategy. “We see people first change the way they purchase their food, move to reduce their purchases overall and green those they make, and then make their home more energyefficient,” remarks Larsen. “Next, they consider walking and biking more.” Pamela Dixon explains, “On a day-to-day basis, it’s really about the products we use, like transferring to eco-friendly cleaners and yard maintenance, recycling electronic devices, paying bills electronically and receiving statements via email.” She and her husband, David Anderson, own Dave’s BrewFarm, in rural Wilson, Wisconsin, where they grow herbs, hops, raspberries and apples on 35 acres.

“A 20-kilowatt wind generator supplies our electricity, and we use geothermal for heating and cooling,” adds Dixon. Due to career opportunities involving teaching principles of sustainability, the Wisconsin couple is in the process of selling the BrewFarm to move to La Crosse. “At our new home, we’re replacing the windows and appliances with more energy-efficient ones. We also chose our neighborhood so we can walk or bike to local grocery co-ops. We prefer to repair things when they break rather than buying something new, recycle everything the city will accept, compost food scraps and buy clothes at secondhand stores.” When the MREA Energy Fair began 27 years ago, the majority of attendees were interested in learning about first steps, such as recycling, relates Miresse. Today, sustainability basics ranging from fuel savings to water conservation are familiar, and they’re focused on revitalizing local economies. “Folks are now considering more ambitious practices such as sourcing food directly from local farmers, producing their own solar energy and incorporating energy storage, driving an electric vehicle or switching to more socially responsible investing.” The fair’s 250 workshops provide tools to help in taking their next steps on the journey to sustainability. Knutzen and Coyne’s passion has evolved from growing food into a larger DIY mode. “Cooking from scratch is something I prefer to do,” comments Knutzen. “I even grind my own flour.” Library books provide his primary source of inspiration.

The Brown family likely echoes the thoughts of many American families. “We have many dreams, but the stark reality is that we live in a world that requires money,” says Wendy Brown. An electric car or solar electric system, for example, is a large investment. “The biggest barriers were mental blocks because we ‘gave up’ previous lifestyle norms,” she says. “Most people we know have a clothes dryer and can’t imagine living without one. Line-drying is just part of the bigger issue of time management for us, because living sustainably and doing things by hand takes longer.”

Each Day Counts

“The biggest and most positive impact I have comes from my general non-waste philosophy,” advises Brown. “I try to reuse something rather than throwing it away. I’ve made underwear out of old camisoles and pajama pants from old flannel sheets. I reuse elastic from worn-out clothing. My travel beverage cup is a sauce jar with a reusable canning lid drilled with a hole for a reusable straw. Such examples show how we live every day.”

Next Steps to Sustainability Green America GreenAmerica.org Midwest Renewable Energy Association MidwestRenew.org Browsing Nature’s Aisles by Eric and Wendy Brown ECOpreneuring by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko Surviving the Apocalypse in the Suburbs by Wendy Brown The Urban Homestead and Making It by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen natural awakenings

April 2016

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Marewski’s love of travel doesn’t interfere with her sustainability quest. “When I travel, I like to walk or bicycle across countries,” she says. “It gives me a closer connection to the land and spontaneous contact with interesting people. I’m building a tiny home on wheels that’ll be completely self-sufficient, with solar, composting toilet and water catchment to reduce my footprint even further.” “Last August, I started a tenure-track position in the school of business at Viterbo University,” says Dixon, who emphasizes how students can pursue sustainability in business and life. “I teach systems thinking, complex systems change and globally responsible leadership, all of which have a sustainability component.” She’s also faculty advisor to Enactus, a student organization focused on social entrepreneurship and making a positive impact on the community. “The best part of how we live is when my daughters make everyday eco-minded choices without even realizing it,” observes Brown. “I can see how remarkable it is, because I have the perspective of having lived differently. But for them, it’s just the way things are done. I think in that way, I’ve succeeded.” Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko’s eco-journey is captured in their books, ECOpreneuring, Farmstead Chef, Homemade for Sale, Rural Renaissance and Soil Sisters. Every day, they eat from their organic gardens surrounding their farm powered by the wind and sun.

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Farm-to-Hospital On-Site Farms Grow Organics for Patients by Judith Fertig

ost people would agree with the results of a 2011 study by the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Typical hospital food is full of the dietary fat, sodium, calories, cholesterol and sugar that contribute to the medical problems that land many in the hospital in the first place. The study’s dietitians further found that some hospitals house up to five fast-food outlets. Because studies from institutions such as the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the University of Maryland show that a poor diet contributes to a host of illnesses and longer recovery time after surgery—all of which increase healthcare costs—it befits hospitals to embrace healthier eating. Now, a dozen pioneering hospitals have their own on-site farms and others are partnering with local farms, embracing new ways to help us eat healthier, especially those that most need to heal. “In a paradigm shift, hospitals are realizing the value of producing fresh,

local, organic food for their patients,” says Mark Smallwood, executive director of the nonprofit Rodale Institute, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It recently partnered with St. Luke’s University Hospital, in nearby Bethlehem, to help support operations of the hospital’s 10-acre organic farm that yields 30 varieties of vegetables and fruits served in hospital meals to support patient recovery. New mothers are sent home with baskets of fresh produce to help instill healthy eating habits. “Organic fruits and vegetables offer many advantages over conventionally grown foods,” says Dr. Bonnie Coyle, director of community health for St. Luke’s University Health Network. She cites the higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and antioxidants as contributing to a reduced incidence of heart disease and some cancers and a lowered risk for other common conditions such as allergies, and hyperactivity in children. Hospital farms also benefit the environment and facilitate other heal-

ing ways. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System Ann Arbor’s hospital farm, created in 2010 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is a win-win-win solution. “We can model the connection between food and health to our patients, visitors, staff and community,” says hospital spokesperson Laura Blodgett. Their Health Care Without Harm pledge commits the hospital to providing local, nutritious and sustainable food. The farm repurposed some of the hospital’s 340-acre campus, eliminating considerable lawn mowing and chemicals. Today, its organic produce also supplies an on-site farmers’ market. Most recently, collaboration with a rehab hospital treating traumatic brain injuries resulted in a solar-heated greenhouse to continually produce organic food using raised beds and a Ferris-wheel-style planting system that enables patients to experience gardening as agritherapy. “Patients love the hands-on healing of tending the garden,” says Blodgett. Another innovative hospital is Watertown Regional Medical Center, in rural Wisconsin. Its farm, located behind the 90-bed hospital, raises 60 pesticidefree crops a year, including vegetables, herbs and even edible flowers. “We believe that food is medicine,” says Executive Chef Justin Johnson. He also serves his healthier fare to the public via special dinners in the hospital’s café, celebrating spring and fall harvests. In Arcata, California, Mad River Community Hospital’s designated farmer, Isaiah Webb, tills six plots and two greenhouses to supply organic carrots, beets, tomatoes, basil, potatoes, sweet corn, artichokes, squash, pumpkins, lettuce, blueberries, apples and strawberries to patients and guests. An inhouse work/share program encourages hospital employees to volunteer gardening time for a share of the produce. A three-way partnership of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Fletcher Allen Health Care and Central Vermont Medical Center, all in the Burlington area, combines community supported agriculture (CSA) and physicians’ prescriptions for healthier eating. Diane Imrie, director of nutrition services at Fletcher Allen, comments, natural awakenings

April 2016

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“If we want to have a ‘well’ community, they have to be well fed.” Paid student farmers from 15 to 21 years old grow and harvest eight acres of fruits and vegetables for selected doctor-recommended patients in the 12-weekgrowing season program. Patients gain an appreciation of healthy eating that remains with them, thus decreasing their need for acute medical care. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farm-to-institution programs like these both provide healthy food to hospital patients and help develop sustainable regional food systems. We all benefit from such healing ripples in the healthcare pond. Judith Fertig is the author of award-winning cookbooks, including The Gardener and the Grill; she blogs at Alfresco FoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

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Water is the foundation of life.

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WATERS Our Precious Freshwater Supplies Are Shrinking by Linda Sechrist

irtually all water, atmospheric water vapor and soil moisture presently gracing the Earth has been perpetually recycled through billions of years of evaporation, condensation and precipitation. As all living things are composed of mostly water and thus a part of this cycle, we may be drinking the same water that a Tyrannosaurus Rex splashed in 68 million years ago, along with what was poured into Cleopatra’s bath. Perhaps this mythological sense of water’s endlessness or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration images from outer space of a blue planet nearly threequarters covered by water makes us complacent. Yet only 2.5 percent of Earth’s water is not salt water and of sufficient quality to be consumable by humans, plants and animals. Vulnerable to the demands of humanity’s unprecedented population explosion, careless development and toxic pollution and other contamination, we must reexamine this precious resource. Sandra Postel, founder of

the Global Water Policy Project, who has studied freshwater issues for more than 30 years, says, “Communities, farmers and corporations are asking what we really need the water for, whether we can meet that need with less, and how water can be better managed [through] ingenuity and ecological intelligence, rather than big pumps, pipelines, dams and canals.” Seeking to reclaim lost ground in the protection of our water and wetland resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the 2015 Clean Water Rule. The new regulations are needed to restore the strength to the 1972 Clean Water Act that has been weakened by the courts and previous administrations. Notably, within hours of activating the regulation, the EPA was served with lawsuits from corporate polluters, and within weeks, more than 20 state attorneys general filed suit against it. Today the legal battle continues over whether the new regulation will be allowed to stay in force or not.

Clean drinking water is rapidly being depleted all around the world.

“Every day, local, state and federal governments are granting permission to industries to pollute, deforest, degrade and despoil our environments, resulting in serious effects on our planet and our bodies,” says Maya K. van Rossum, a Delaware Riverkeeper and head of the four-state Delaware Riverkeeper Network. Under van Rossum’s leadership the network has created a national initiative called For the Generations advocating for the passage of constitutional protection for environmental rights at both the state and federal levels. It was inspired by a legal victory secured by van Rossum and her organization in 2013 in a case titled Robinson Township, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, et al. vs. the Com-

Freshwater Needs Spur Fresh Thinking United Nations World Water Development Report Tinyurl.com/UNWaterReport Food & Water Watch on Corporate Takeover of Water Tinyurl.com/CorporateWater Takeover Public Citizen on How to Protect Our Public Right to Clean Water Tinyurl.com/WhyOpposeWater Privatization U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Roster of Contaminated Water Cleanup Sites epa.gov/superfund Clean Water Rule Call to Action epa.gov/cleanwaterrule

natural awakenings

April 2016

monwealth of Pennsylvania, which used Pennsylvania’s Constitutional Environmental Rights Amendment to strike down significant portions of a pro-fracking piece of legislation as unconstitutional. Until this legal victory, Pennsylvania’s constitutional environmental rights amendment was dismissed as a mere statement of policy rather than a true legal protection. “Each individual process of fracking uses on the order of 5 million gallons of freshwater water mixed with chemicals for drilling and fracking operations, introducing highly contaminated wastewater into our environment,” explains van Rossum. “Every frack increases the chances of carcinogenic chemical leakage into the soil and water sources.” In the pioneering Pennsylvania case, the court’s ruling made clear that the environmental rights of citizens aren’t granted by law, but are inherent and rights that cannot be removed, annulled or overturned by government or law. “Even more significant, the court stated that these environmental rights belong to present generations living on Earth today and to future generations,” enthuses van Rossum. She also cites that although America’s Declaration of Independence includes several inalienable rights, our federal constitution and those of 48 states fail to provide protection for three basic needs required to enjoy them—the right to pure water, clean air and healthy environments. Van Rossum’s audiences are shocked to learn that clean water isn’t enforced as a human right. Threatened by myriad environmental, political, economic and social forces, and contamination from carcinogenic pesticides, toxic herbicides, chemical warfare and rocket fuel research materials plus heavy metals like mercury and lead, an era of clean water scarcity already exists in parts of our own country and much of the world. Episodic tragedies like the 2015 Gold King Mine wastewater spill near Silverton, Colorado, and Flint, Michigan’s current lead-laced drinking

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A GREENER SHADE OF YOUTH New Generations Put Earth First by Randy Kambic

Every generation gets a chance to change the world. ~Paul David Hewson (Bono)

aby boomers inspired in their youth by Earth Day are now supporting a new generation’s enthusiasm for sustainability through educational and employment opportunities. A 2015 Nature Conservancy survey of 602 teens from 13 to 18 years old revealed that roughly 76 percent strongly believe that issues like climate change can be solved if action is taken now; they also hold that safeguarding important lands and waters should be a priority, regardless of ancillary benefits or the economy. This represents an increase in awareness since a 2010 Yale University Project on Climate Change Communication survey of 517 youths 13 to 17 years old showed that just 54 percent believed global warming was even happening. Launched as Teens for Safe Cosmetics in 2005 and renamed Teens Turning Green two years later, today’s expanded Turning Green (TG) nonprofit of Marin County, California, also informs and inspires college and graduate students to live and advocate for an eco-lifestyle (TurningGreen.org).

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TG’s first 30-day Project Green Challenge (PGC) in 2011 involved 2,600 students nationwide and internationally; last fall’s annual edition drew 4,000 students. “We’ve seen tremendous increases in sustainability offices and curriculums at universities nationwide,” notes Judi Shils, founder and executive director. “They have set an intention.” Reilly Reynolds, a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University, hopes to take up urban farming and eventually own a farm-to-table organic restaurant. The PGC finalist and TG student advisory board member says, “I strive to lead an environmentally friendly and socially responsible life, but there is always room for improvement.” Another PGC 2015 finalist, Matt Gal, a senior at the University of Arkansas, also aspires to be an organic farmer. He wants “to grow and give away as much fresh and organic food as possible to people who need it most.” The TG ProjectGreenU.org site features eco-friendly products, plus

green advice geared for college students. It also operates a Conscience College Road Tour, leadership program, and organic non-GMO school lunch programs in Marin County and Sausalito schools via its Conscious Kitchen and Eco Top Chef programs. Milwaukee’s 13th annual Sustainability Summit and Exposition (SustainabilitySummit.us), from April 13 to 15, will admit local students for free. “We’ll address trends and potential careers in energy engineering, environmental health and water quality technology, sustainability and renewable energy,” says Summit Chair George Stone, a Milwaukee Area Technical College natural sciences instructor. Bradley Blaeser, founder and coowner of The Green Team of Wisconsin, Inc., which provides eco-friendly landscaping and gardening services, helped start the Sustainable Enterprise Association of Milwaukee. As a social worker at the nonprofit Neighborhood House of Milwaukee in the late 90s, he helped young people in schools and community centers learn how to build

their own aquaponics system, plus other gardening skills. “We hit the marks as far as science guidelines,” he recalls. “Kids would see the entire seed-to-harvest cycle through after-school and summer camps. Teachers also embraced nature a little more and saw how they could infuse it in curriculums.” He notes that two young men that subsequently graduated from local colleges currently work for Neighborhood House and Growing Power. More recently, he’s worked with two local organizations, Next Door Foundation and Operation Dream, to teach youngsters agricultural skills and find recruits for related job training internships and employment. Green Team landscape technician Darius Smith, 25, of Milwaukee, will become a crew leader this spring. “You get a good feeling installing plants,” he says. “We’re a team, working in sync.” For the 13th year, the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey (njagfairs.com) has selected a youth

ambassador—Rebecca Carmeli-Peslak, 16, of Millstone Township, near Princeton—to visit 2016 fairs to promote agri-tourism and encourage youngsters to pursue agricultural careers. “It’s important for kids to know where food comes from,” says CarmeliPeslak, who is also in her second year as a local 4-H Club health and fitness ambassador, visiting Monmouth County libraries to speak on healthy eating and exercise. She’s training selected peers to speak in other counties; the club’s latest Look to You award recognizes her mentoring prowess. She says, “I want to be a large animal vet and own a farm.” “Young people are becoming well informed about environmental issues by traditional and social media,” observes Shils. “There’s exponential growth in their taking a stand and becoming more active.” Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance editor and writer who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

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wisewords

keep is to actually hold each item. As you do, ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” When you touch something, your body reacts, and its response to each item is different. The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own—identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude and bidding them farewell and good wishes for their onward journey—is a rite of passage to a new life.

Marie Kondo on the Joy of Tidying Up

Simplicity Invites Happiness into Our Lives by April Thompson

How can we begin to get and stay organized? It’s not about a set of rules, but acquiring the right mindset for becoming a tidy person. Think in concrete terms, so that

you can picture what it would be like to live in a clutter-free space. Start by identifying your bigger goal. Ask yourself why you want this, repeating the question to get to the root of the answer. As you explore the reasons behind your ideal lifestyle, you’ll realize that the ultimate reason is to be happy. Then you are ready to begin. I recommend cleaning out and organizing your entire space in one go-around. When completed, the change is so profound that it inspires a strong aversion to your previously cluttered state. The key is to make the change so sudden that you experience a complete change of heart. By discarding the easy things first, you can gradually hone your decisionmaking skills, including knowing who else can use what you don’t need. I recommend starting with clothes, then move to books, documents, miscellaneous items and finally anything with sentimental value. photo by Ichigo Natsuno

apanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo helps us discover happiness through tidiness. Already perusing home and lifestyle magazines by age 5, she spent her childhood “tidying” up her surroundings rather than playing with toys. The organizing system Kondo went on to develop, the KonMari method, defies most long-held rules of organizing, such as installing clever storage solutions to accommodate stuff or de-cluttering one area at a time. Her New York Times bestseller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has been published in 30 countries, demonstrating that her methods speak to universal desires, including a hunger for order and simplicity. She’s now released a companion book, Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up. Kondo’s principles, including vertically stacking clothing and using special folding methods for socks, can seem quirky, yet her approach gets results. Kondo claims a nearly zero percent “clutter relapse” rate among clients because they’ve become surrounded only by things they love.

Is it important to touch every single object in the decision process? At one point in my life, I was virtually a “disposal unit”, constantly on the lookout for superfluous things. One day, I realized that I had been so focused on what to discard that I had forgotten to cherish the things I loved. Through this experience, I concluded that the best way to choose what to

Must keepsakes be included? Mementoes are reminders of a time that gave us joy, yet truly precious memories will never vanish, even if you discard the associated objects. By handling each sentimental item, you process your past. The space we live in should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past.

What do you recommend for organizing what remains after a purge? The secret to maintaining an uncluttered room is to pursue simplicity in storage, so that you can see at a glance what you have. My storage rules are simple: Store all items of the same type in one place and don’t scatter storage space.

How does this process change us and our relationship to things? Through it, you identify both what you love and need in your home and in your life. People have told me that decluttering has helped them achieve lifelong dreams, such as launching their own business; in other cases, it has helped them let go of negative attachments and unhappy relationships. Despite a drastic reduction in belongings, no one has ever regretted it, even those that ended up with a fifth of their earlier possessions. It’s a continuing strong reminder that they have been living all this time with things they didn’t need. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

natural awakenings

April 2016

consciouseating

Look for Non-GMOs

The Non-GMO Project label on U.S. food products assures consumers they have no genetically modified ingredients. Now a few seed companies are starting to display the butterfly label, as well. “As demand for non-GMO choices continues to rise, farmers are seeking more non-GMO seed,” says Megan Westgate, executive director of the Non-GMO Project. “Similarly, smaller farms and home gardeners are choosing to plant more organic and non-GMO varieties.” High Mowing Organic Seeds, in Wolcott, Vermont, is the current leader, with 700 Non-GMO Projectverified seeds. Company President Tom Stearns explains, “We continue to hear about GMO concerns from our customers and while we are certified organic, that doesn’t say anything about GMO contamination.” His team helped develop a verification program for seeds because they wanted third-party verification of their claims. “We’d spent a huge amount of time implementing preventative measures and did GMO testing, but felt this wasn’t enough,” he notes. Stearns reports that there are many more genetically engineered plants than most people realize. “Some 40 GMO plant species include petunia and endive,” he says. Plus, “Contamination risks exist even when a GMO crop isn’t commercially approved, like when GMO wheat escapes field trials.” Source: EcoWatch.com

Edible Heirlooms Old-Fashioned Fruits and Veggies Return to the Table by Avery Mack

f the 7,500 varieties of apples in the world, 2,500 are grown in the U.S., but only 100 commercially. As of the 1990s, 70 percent were Red Delicious; more recently they’re being replaced with Gala, Granny Smith and Fuji types from taller, thinner trees that can be planted more compactly for easier harvesting, yet are more sensitive to disease and require trellis supports. Mass-produced fruits and vegetables have been modified over the years to make them look appealing and ship well, while sacrificing taste. Consumers in search of health-enhancing nutrients and robust flavor can find them by instead connecting with the past through food and flowers. “Heirloom seeds have remained intact and unexposed to commercial pesticides,” says Jere Gettle, owner of Baker Creek Seed Company, in Mansfield, Missouri. “They’re reliable—plants grown now will be the same next year; not so with hybrids.” This cleaner,

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tastier alternative to the status quo is typically packed with more good vitamins than good looks. Heirloom produce often also delivers a unique regional flavor, such as Vidalia onions or Hatch chile peppers.

Exemplary Fruits

Fine restaurants like to feature Yellow Wonder wild strawberries because they taste like cream. The fragrant Baron von Solemacher strawberry, an antique German Alpine variety, is small and sweet, red and full of flavor; it’s been around since the Stone Age. For pies and preserves, pair them with Victorian rhubarb, which dates back to 1856. Eat only the rhubarb stalks; the leaves contain poisonous oxalic acid. Aunt Molly’s ground cherry (husk tomato) hails from Poland. “It’s sweet, with a hint of tart, like pineappleapricot,” says Gettle. “The Amish and Germans use them in pies. Their high pectin content makes them good for

preserves. Heirlooms send people in search of old recipes and they end up creating their own variations. It’s food as history.”

Herbs

Thai basil loves summer heat. Make batches of pesto, then freeze it in ice cube trays for later. Christina Major, a nutritionist in Trevorton, Valuable Vegetables Pennsylvania, grows heirloom herbs Trending this year are purple veggies that include borage, with its edible like the brilliantly colored Pusa Jamuflowers, and marshmallow, which is ni radish. Pair it with bright pink Pusa a decongestant when added to tea. Gulabi radishes, high in carotenoids Her 300-square-foot garden supplies and anthocyanins, atop a stunning summer veggies such as scarlet runner salad with Amsterdam prickly-seeded beans, more than 50 kinds of perenspinach’s arrow-shaped leaves, a varinial herbs for year-round use and heirety once grown by Thomas Jefferson. loom raspberries, gooseberries and Add a fennel-like flavor with Pink blackberries “that are eaten as fast as Plume celery. they’re picked,” she says. Brighten Heirloom salsas using the Heirlooms extend to enthusiasts like to Buena Mulata hot exchange seeds to trees and bushes. The pepper, a deep vitry new varieties. olet that ripens to drought-resistant Fourwing “From December a sweet red. Serve Saltbush has a deep root to March, traders with pink pleated swap seeds and Mushroom Basket system and provides cover plot their gardens,” tomatoes or Lucid for songbirds in the West. says Major. “I got Gems, with their 20 kinds of tomablack/orange peel toes by connecting ~BBB Seed and striking yelwith other traders low/orange flesh. on Facebook.” Purple tomatillos are sweeter than green varieties and Flowers can be eaten right off the plant. Of 400,000 flowering plants in the “Purple sweet potatoes are world, 20 percent are in danger of found in Hawaii, but aren’t common extinction. “Instead of marigolds and on the mainland,” explains Gettle. petunias, consider “Molokai Purple sweet potatoes keep old-fashioned antheir deep purple color even when nuals. Trying new cooked, and are much higher in things is fun,” antioxidants than the orange variety.” says Gettle. Four To be novel, serve the Albino beet. O’clocks, familiar Baker Creek’s customers use it raw in to many Midwestsalads, roasted or fried and don’t let erners, come in several colors and are the greens go to waste. easily cultivated from their abundant Monique Prince, a clinical social seeds. The succulent Ice plant, with its worker in Chester, New Hampshire, white-pink flowers, looks like it was grows heirloom organic radishes, dipped in sugar; its edible leaves taste greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, like spinach. Black Swan’s burgundy squash, cucumbers and pumpkins in poppies have a frill-like edge, while eight raised beds. Mother of Pearl poppies offer subtle She received Ganisisikuk pole watercolors. beans (seventh-generation seeds) and “Save seeds, share with neighbors Abnaki cranberry runner beans from and pass them on to the kids,” advises a Native American client. Rather than Gettle. “They’re evidence of our culture.” eat the bounty, she’s accumulating the seeds to save the varieties. Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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April 2016

Homegrown Heirloom Cookery Add kale and reduce heat to low, cooking until wilted, about 10 minutes. Add the stock and cooked beans, return heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least an hour. Serve with toasted slices of bread. Source: Adapted from Mediterranean Vegetables by Clifford Wright.

Vegan Tuscan Kale Soup Yields: 4 servings 1 /3 cup extra-virgin olive oil ½ cup finely chopped celery ½ cup finely chopped onion ½ cup finely chopped carrot ¼ cup finely chopped fresh purple basil leaf 1 lb ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely chopped 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaf 1 lb waxy boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces 1 lb lacinato kale, washed and cut into ¼-inch-wide strips ½ cup dry cannellini beans, cooked until tender 2 qt vegetable stock Sea salt to taste Heat olive oil in a heavy soup pot over medium-high heat and sauté the celery, onion, carrot and basil until they’re almost soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and continue cooking until their liquid has almost cooked out, about 20 minutes more. Add in the thyme and boiling potatoes, sautéing them for another 5 minutes.

Salsa Morada Yields: Five cups (five 8-oz jars) 1½ lb sweet green peppers, seeded and chopped 8 oz Violet Buena Mulata hot peppers, seeded and chopped 1 cup organic sugar 1½ Tbsp pickling salt 2 Tbsp powdered fair trade unsweetened chocolate 1½ cup vinegar (preferred variety) 2 tsp ground coriander 1 Tbsp ground hot chile pepper (optional) Place the green pepper, Buena Mulata, sugar, salt, chocolate, vinegar and coriander in a heavy preserving pan. Cover and boil gently for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 2 to 3 hours or until the peppers are completely soft. Purée to a smooth creamy consistency using a blender. Reheat in a clean preserving pan and bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes, and then adjust the heat factor with additional pepper to taste. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.

Source: Adapted from a recipe courtesy of William Woys Weaver.

Vegan Eggplant, Chickpea and Spinach Curry Yields: 4 to 6 servings ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, in all; 2 Tbsp reserved 1½ lb eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 Tbsp fresh ginger paste 2 hot green chiles, deseeded and minced 2 tsp whole cumin seed ¼ tsp asafoetida resin 2 cup tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 Tbsp coriander seed, ground 1 tsp paprika ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp turmeric ½ cup filtered water 2 cup cooked chickpeas 1 lb fresh spinach, coarsely chopped 2 tsp sea salt ¼ cup chopped cilantro leaf 1 tsp garam masala Heat 6 tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy pan. Add in the eggplant cubes and sauté until browned and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high.

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic and non-GMO (genetically modified) ingredients whenever possible.

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Add the ginger, chiles and cumin, and fry until the cumin seeds have turned brown.

inspiration

Add the asafoetida and stir fry for another 15 seconds. Add in the tomatoes, coriander, paprika, black pepper, cayenne and turmeric. Reduce heat to medium and cook until the oil separates from the tomato sauce, about 10 minutes. Add water and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add in the cooked eggplant cubes, chickpeas, chopped spinach and salt. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Before serving remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro and garam masala. Serve warm with brown rice or naan flatbread. Source: Adapted from Lord Krishna’s Cuisine by Yamuna Devi.

Earth Song

Mother Nature’s Rhythms Restore the Soul by Susan Andra Lion

Safe Seed Sources In switching to heirloom varieties, first replace species known to have been subjected to higher concentrations of pesticides. The Environmental Working Group’s no-go list includes apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, imported snap peas, potatoes, hot peppers, kale and collard greens. Here are sources of alternative garden heirloom species. Directory of heirloom nurseries by state Tinyurl.com/HeirloomNurseries Baker Creek Seed Company, Mansfield, Missouri RareSeeds.com Video at Tinyurl.com/BakerCreek Seed Seed Savers Exchange, Decorah, Iowa, nonprofit SeedSavers.org Hosts largest U.S. seed swap BBB Seed, Boulder, Colorado bbbseed.com Regional wildflower seed and grass seed mixes Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, New Hampshire Tinyurl.com/SeedSavingTips

other Earth’s gentle hand is the secure cushion that warms us on long nights and sings comforting messages through endless days, protecting us even when things seem amiss. Take in her lovely presence. Embrace her consistent wisdom. Know that her dreams are ours and ours hers, connected by timely, comforting songs. It’s time to step away from the manicured lawns, concrete walks and well-planned gardens. An open door beckons us to the sparkling air out there to listen to the grasses breathe and murmur. Prairie grasses roll on and on through curvaceous hills and flat-edged fields, undeterred by human attempts to control their rippling arpeggios. We are asked to just listen. Be alone with the music of the grasses and be in harmony with the hum of the universe. Mother Earth’s apron is laden with flowers; simple, ever-present reminders that we are loved. She tempts us to take some time off, shed our shoes and settle into the lyrical realms of her strong body. The trees reach to the depths of the earth, deep into the mystery of lavender waters, and simultaneously throw their arms to the heavens, connecting all things living. The wind hears the prevailing songs that weave in and out of these lovely courtiers of the forest. In listening to their unerring stories, we let their siren songs sigh into our soul. It’s time to play in Earth’s garden and see her for who she is—today. Don’t hesitate. Go, play, linger, breathe and be one with the present moment. Adapted from Just Imagine Trees, a coloring book for all ages, by Susan Andra Lion. natural awakenings

April 2016

fitbody

Millennials’ Take on Fitness

They Like Short, Social and Fun Workouts by Derek Flanzraich

illennials are a big deal. Most businesses view them as trendsetters for good reason: Born between the early 1980s and early 2000s, they make up 25 percent of the population and represent $200 billion in annual buying power. Like the baby boomers before them, they also have the power to profoundly influence other generations, both young and old. Millennials have largely rejected previous fitness trends and instead paved a new path to health and wellness. In doing so, they’ve transformed both the business of fitness and the idea of what it means to be healthy. They’ve created a more personalized approach that encompasses the values of their generation.

What They Are Millennials are a fast-paced, wellinformed group. They devour news and information as soon as it’s released and then share it with others, usually via social media. This quick turnover cycle has led to an “out with the old, in with the new” mentality in many aspects of life. For a generation that strives to be trailblazers, things quickly become outdated. Millennials are always seeking new ways to get fit and eat healthy,

even if it means creating something unique to them. The Internet has allowed these young adults to find more like-minded people than ever before. They grew up with constant connectivity, which has allowed them to build larger communities of friends online as well as locally, and keep everyone apprised of their fitness goals and progress. Millennials’ overscheduled lives mean they value shorter, quicker and more convenient options, especially in regard to workouts and healthy meals. They are more likely than any other age group to track their own health progress and use technologies such as health and fitness apps which monitor such data as steps, heart rate and caloric intake as a complement to their fitness routines. Being healthy means more than weight loss or looking good to them. For this pivotal generation, health is increasingly about living a happier life.

What They Like Millennials’ values and unique approach to health have fostered the growth of innovative fitness movements, health-focused stores and restaurants and alternative medicine. Here are the three biggest trends making an

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impact on the wellness industry. What’s hot: Shorter, full-body workouts that are also fun. What’s not: Steady-state cardio exercises as a starting point for losing weight and improving health. It’s been increasingly shown that steady-state cardio workouts may be the most effective way to lose weight, but they also lack widespread appeal. Instead of sticking to a traditional treadmill, many millennials have flocked to workout regimens that regularly switch exercises or use high-intensity interval training, such as Zumba, SoulCycle and CrossFit. What’s hot: A more holistic approach to health. What’s not: Diets that emphasize rapid weight loss. Millennials don’t believe that weight is the major indicator of health as much as previous generations have. Instead, they increasingly think of weight as just one among many key components of a healthy lifestyle. A higher percentage define being healthy as having regular physical activity and good eating habits. What’s hot: Alternative workouts that are customizable, fun and social. What’s not: Inflexible gym memberships and daily attendance. Instead of hitting the gym, young adults tend to prefer new forms of fitness that can be personalized to their needs. They like obstacle races such as Tough Mudder, fun and distance runs like The Color Run, at-home fitness workouts like P90X, and bodyweight regimens. As a group, millennials are redefining wellness and changing how following generations will view health. Their preferences for fun, personalized workouts and holistic wellness have fueled trends with far-reaching implications for the food, tech and healthcare industries, and that’s just the start. Derek Flanzraich is an entrepreneur on a mission to help the world think about health in a healthier way. He is the founder and CEO of Greatist, a New York City-based media startup working to make healthy living cool.

calendarofevents All Calendar events for the May issue must be received by April 10 and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NAEastBay.com or email Calendar@ NAEastBay.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 Youth Venture’s Community Panel | Berkeley 9:30am-6pm. Gather your friends and your siblings, and make a team for this event. Open to the public. There will be ten teams of youngsters, who will present proposals to make a healthier Bay Area. There will also be a panel of judges who will award each team up to $1,000. Free. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. YouthVentureBayArea.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 Grizzly Peak Trail Run | Berkeley 8am. Push yourself and go the distance! There is a nine hour time limit for whatever race you choose. Start out at Lake Anza, and go through the Tilden Regional Park. Choose from 50km, 30km, or go for the half marathon. Supplying a fully stocked aid station every 3-4 miles. Awards ceremony will give T-shirts to all pre-registered runners. $40-$65. Tilden Regional Park, 2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Berkeley. Register at CoastalTrailRuns.com. Open Saturday with Our Director | Oakland 10-11:30am. Class is with our Director, Jon Schreiber. The more you are present, the more you can connect with others and with all life. Free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510428-0937. Breema.com.

area. Not only is this a healthier way of living, but you’ll be supporting the local businesses in the area. Adeline St and 63rd St, Berkeley.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart | Pleasanton 7pm. This workshop is for people looking for a life transformation and support, to build new healthy habits and routines. You will have the opportunity to learn about connections and dependencies between our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies. The talks are 1 ½ hours, and include lecture, discussions, and practical exercises. Free. For more information go to TheSacredHealingWell.com, or MTHWellness Center.MassageTherapy.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7 Auction Exhibit | Berkeley Noon-5pm. Join us for both live and silent auctions. See hundreds of talented artists selling their wares. Find that unique piece of artwork that you’ve been looking for, for what seems like an eternity. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss. Kala Art Institute, 2990 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley. Experimental Screen Printing | Berkeley

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 & SUNDAY, APRIL 3

6:30-8:30pm. Taught by Veronica Graham. Learn the various applications of screen printing that may be combined with mono-prints, a fabric’s pattern, or try experimenting with ink. Students are encouraged to bring project ideas that test the boundaries of the medium.

36th Annual CFA All Breed Cat Show | Pleasanton

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

10am-5pm. Cat lovers, this is the place to be to see those gorgeous, fancy felines! Cats from all over the country will be at this event to show the country who is the best of the best. There will also be vendors with a large assortment of toys, gadgets, gifts, and specialty items for the cat-lover in your life. Don’t forget the kitties who still need a home, they will also be there and be available for adoption. Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton. For more information go to VisitTriValley.com.

40th Cinderella Classic & Challenge | Pleasanton

SUNDAY, APRIL 3 Ride the Iron Horse Trail-Gals with Gears | Pleasant Hill 10am. This is a casually paced out and back ride along the paved Iron Horse Trail. Nice ride for single or three speed bikes. Ride to downtown Danville, stop for a cup of coffee, stroll around for a while, then ride back. Must RSVP, must have your own bike and helmet. Pleasant Hill Bart Station, Pleasant Hill.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5 South Berkeley Farmers’ Market | Berkeley 2-6:30pm. Go outside the box. The big box stores that is. Enjoy fresh produce and products from the

8am-5pm. For women of all ages and of all skill levels. This 65 mile ride is mostly on a flat surface, with a few moderate hills. Start out at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, through Pleasanton, Livermore, scenic Mt Diablo, Danville, and finish back at the Fairgrounds. Challenge route is for experienced and extra-conditioned riders only. Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton. Register at VisitTriValley.com or ValleySpokesMen. org/CinderellaClassic. Energize your Life through Energy, Psychology, & Energy Medicine | Oakland 10am-1pm. Learn how to get your energies humming, and keep them up throughout the day. Learn to calm them down, so you can sleep at night. $35. Integrative Relational Energetics Institute, Inc., 300 27th St, Oakland. Register at 510-654-1405. IREInst.com. Jack of All Trades | Oakland 11am-5pm. Many artists will be brought together by the Treasure Island Flea. You’ll find antique dealers, indie designers, collectors and so many more. Featuring one-of-a-kind items, music, and many DIY workshops for people of all ages. Free to the public.

Jack London Square, Embarcadero West, Oakland. 510-645-9292. JackLondonSquare.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 & SUNDAY, APRIL 10

The Empower Thyself Class & Initiation | Pleasant Hill Saturday 10:30am-6pm, Sunday 10:30am-5pm. This is the missing link to true transformation. This two-day class shares keys for lasting personal growth and transformation! Access the knowledge and tools taught in the temples of King Solomon. Gain 10x’s more light to be effective in your life. Be an agent of change for the planet. Awaken to the possibilities! Contact 925-997-7518. Kathleen@A-BeautifulLight.com. Dionysus Dash 5K Wine Run | Livermore Run through the historical estate enjoying the views. Receive a T-shirt, wine glass, goodie bag, and wine at the finish line. Prizes and awards given to top finishers, and to the best costume. Money raised to go to a local charity, the Exceptions Needs Network. Concannon Vineyard, 4590 Tesla Rd, Livermore. ConcannonVineyard.com. DionysusDash. com/#!livermore/c1ege or VisitTriValley.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 11 Fem Talks | Berkeley 6:30-9:30pm. Different female educators come together to discuss various issues pertaining to women. $39. David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley. If you would like more information, please call 510-809-0900. Miracle Salon | Berkeley 6:30-9:30pm. If you are interested in taking classes, or maybe would like to participate in a workshop, this is for you. Women entrepreneurs, healers, and leaders gather together, meet and share common interests and may enlighten you about who and where to go for the information you are seeking. Prices vary. David Brower Center 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley. 510-809-0900.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 Gentle Yoga | Oakland 1-2pm. No experience needed. Wear comfortable clothes. Designed for women who have, or have had cancer. Class includes gentle asana practice, as well as restorative poses. Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave, Oakland. 510-420-7900. WCRC.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Masters of Divinity | Pope Valley New classes begin. Are you called to a life of divinely guided service? Do you long to be an agent of change for the greater good? Join us for a transformational program that offers tools for entering into a loving, trusting and surrendered relationship with God. Learn how to heal your body, heart and spirit through divine light. Discover the unique gifts that God gave you to carry in this world, and receive support to bring these gifts into service in the world. Class held in Pope Valley. 800-238-3060, option 5. SufiUniversity.org.

natural awakenings

April 2016

Mindfulness & Opening the Heart Meditation Group | Oakland 10:30am-noon. For women who have, or have had cancer. When meditating, you create a special space that can deepen the connection to ourselves, and permit your heart to open to many possibilities. Registration is required. Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave, Oakland. Contact Dolores Moorehead for more information at 510-420-7900, 510-601-4045. Delores@WCRC.org. WCRC.org. Adult Learn-to-Ride Class | Oakland 10am-1pm. This class is for adults or teens who have not either learned to ride a bike, or it’s been a very long time since you’ve been on one. Get refreshed on the basics such as balancing, and steering. Our teachers are non-judgemental. Pre-registration is required, and bike and helmet rentals are available at a low cost. Kaiser Admin Center, (parking lot) 4501 Broadway, Oakland. Register at BikeEastBay.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 17 ThetaHealing SoulMates | Oakland Call in your most compatible, romantic SoulMate through ThetaHealing. This technique can be used for manifesting your new career, or anything else your heart desires. $170. Integrative Relational Energetics Institute, Inc., 300 27th St, Oakland. Register at 510-654-1405. ireinst.com. PPIE Pleasanton Run for Education | Pleasanton

Institute, Inc., 300 27th St, Oakland. Register at 510654 1405. IREInst.com. TAC Luminescence Film Festival | Palo Alto 7:30-9:30pm. This film festival is run by teens to promote the art of filmmaking, and the fun you can have while doing it. Enjoy the variety of films made by local teen film makers, and those from around the country. Share with other teens, your passion for the art. Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. More information is available at LiveSV.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 SUNDAY, APRIL 24 ThetaHealing Basics | Oakland

Learn to manifest your heart’s desires through ThetaHealing. Pre-requisites ThetaHealing Basics and Advanced. $450. Integrative Relational Energetics Institute, Inc., 300 27th St, Oakland. Register at 510654-1405. IREInst.com.

Insane Inflatable 5K | Pleasanton 8:30am-1:30pm. This is incredible! This is the most fun, insane, wild obstacle course in the country that you can run. You will feel like a child again, as you put yourself through this extreme, inflatable obstacle course. Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton. VisitTriValley.com. Open Saturday with Our Director | Oakland

Family Cycling Rodeo | Fremont 11am-2pm. Join us for a fun-filled day with a variety of games and drills for the entire family. Designed for children in grades 2nd to 6th. Must be able to ride a bike and be able to follow the paths and roads with their parents. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. 2500 Mowry Ave, Fremont. Information and registration at BikeEastBay.org. Shakesbeer | Livermore

Through April 24. 9-5pm. No pre-requisites. JFKU Berkeley. 28 CE RN & MFT. Energy Healing modality for balancing the energy field and spiritual awakening. More info at gtheal.com. Call Bonnie at 517-281-1706.

Noon-7pm. Come celebrate Shakespeare’s 400 yearlegacy. This event is for all ages. Games for children and adults, a raffle and a door prize. Proceeds from beer and food will benefit Livermore Shapespeare Festival’s education program. Entry to event is free. Eight Bridges Brewing Company, 332 Earhart Way, Livermore. 925-961-9160. LivermoreShakes.org/ ShakesBeer.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

MONDAY, APRIL 25

Relay for Life | Berkeley

21-Day Purification Program | Oakland

3pm. Join us for this high energy event that celebrates life. Honor those who have battled cancer. Survivors get the first lap around the track. Be cheered on by other participants, then you can cheer on your running mates. Whether you’re a survivor, or a care giver, this run will honor those who have had to fight the battle of cancer. Pauley Ballroom, Telegraph Ave & Bancroft Way, Berkeley. Autism Parents Support Group | Oakland 6-7:30pm. Support, information, resources for Autism parents. Integrative Relational Energetics

6-6:45pm. The simple, natural movements of SelfBreema support body, mind, and feelings to work together toward increased harmony, and openness to life. Free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

Introduction to Esoteric Healing – Part 1

The Gateway to Being Present: Self-Breema | Oakland

THURSDAY, APRIL 28 FRIDAY, APRIL 29

10-11:30am. Class is with our Director, Jon Schreiber. The more you are present, the more you can connect with others and with all life. Free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510428-0937. Breema.com.

9:30-11am. New research is emerging that suggests a link between bacteria in our gut (microbiome), and numerous health conditions. Problems include allergies, asthma, arthritis, depression, and even obesity. Discover how you can take steps to improve your microbiome, and eventually your health. Free. John Muir Medical Center, Concord. Kathy Napoli, MA, RD, 925-941-7900 option 1.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26 THURSDAY, APRIL 28

Clear fear, doubt, and disbelief. Become certified as a ThetaHealing Practitioner. $550. Integrative Relational Energetics Institute, Inc., 300 27th St, Oakland. Register at 510-654-1405. IREInst.com.

7am. Pick your course 1K, 5K, 10K, or 15K. Thousands of runners will gather today and push themselves to the limit. Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton.

Healthy Gut, Healthy You | Concord

Clear rejections, regrets, resentments. Pre-requisite ThetaHealing Basics. $550. Integrative Relational Energetics Institute, Inc., 300 27th St, Oakland. Register at 510-654-1405. IREInst.com.

5:30-8:30pm. Presented by Dr. Katie Sokolski. Topics discussed will include the standard process 21-day purification program, delicious and healthy recipes, special prices on kits, and more! Space is limited! Free. Healing Arts Chiropractic, 187 40th St Way, Oakland. RSVP at 510-356-7832, HealingArtsChiro.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 25 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 ThetaHealing Advanced | Oakland

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

ThetaHealing Manifesting & Abundance | Oakland

SATURDAY, APRIL 30 Dance-a-Vision | Oakland 11am-6pm. On this one day, be prepared to see some of the most talented rhythmic dancers ever! See some of the best local choreographers, dancers, and teachers. The genre of dance is phenomenal. There will be jazz, ballet, modern, hip-hop, folkloric dance and more. See the youngest to the professional adults celebrate the power of dance. Workshops are also featured, from master classes, to lectured demonstrations and more. Jack London Square, Embarcadero

markyourcalendar Saturday, April 30th

Heart Opening Yoga, Music & Sense Therapy / San Ramon

2-4pm. Let yourself be guided into a slow-flow yoga class led by Alexandra Le Ny while we open up your heart to the sound healing and harmonizing music of Carl John. We will be engaging all your senses with music, crystals, aromatherapy, tea, and hands-on adjustments for the most luxurious and sensorial experience that will take your practice to the next level. You will learn more about your energy channels and your chakras and how balancing them helps you release old negative energy, to make room for new positive energy into your life. The class will culminate in a guided, hands-on energy healing session. All levels are welcome. Cost: $35 early bird registration, $40 after April 15th.

The Yoga Company, 2410 San Ramon Valley Boulevard #129, San Ramon CA 94583, For details: 925-838-9642, TheYogaCompany.com

West, Oakland. 510-645-9292. Dance-a-Vision. Weebly.com.

planahead THURSDAY, MAY 5 Eating for Optimal Brain Function | Walnut Creek 9:30-11am. Research is showing that you can increase your chances of maintaining a healthy brain as you age, by adding specific “smart foods” to your daily diet. Find out how your nutrition and lifestyle choices can help you achieve a focused and happy brain. Free. John Muir Health Wellness Services, California Blvd, Walnut Creek. Kathy Napoli, MA, RD, 925-941-7900 option 1.

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 Essential Oil Seminar | Clayton

ongoingcalendar All Calendar events for the May issue must be received by April 10 and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NAEastBay.com or email Calendar@ NAEastBay.com for guidelines and to submit entries. Shamanic Drum Circle | Dublin

sunday

3-4:15pm. Second Sunday of every month. With Ashleigh Pevey. A trained clinical certified hypnotherapist, Shamanic healer and Reiki practitioner. Drumming helps you gain access to your inner guidance and learn to work with your helping spirits. Enhance your relationship with yourself and spirit. Move from just trusting that your guides are there, to knowing and working with them. Allow the mystery of life to unfold. One of the great benefits of shamanic journeying is learning that we are never alone, and are loved unconditionally. $10-25/suggested love offering. Unity of Tri-Valley, 7567 Amador Valley Blvd, #108, Dublin. 925-829-2733. UnityOfTriValley.org.

Tibetan Nyingma Meditation | Berkeley 9am. One of the best ways to take care of yourself, is through meditation. All are welcome to clear your mind, and to grow with inner tranquility. Each session has a brief instruction of Nyingma meditation, then silent sitting. Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Place, Berkeley. For prices or more information, please contact 510-809-1000.

6:30-8:30pm. Learn about essential oil therapies on pets, babies, children and pregnant women. Discover nature’s tools to wellness using pure, unadulterated essential oils. With their own farms and seed-to-seal guarantee, Young Living Essential Oils is the only therapeutic-grade essential oils that provide results. $25/donation. Clayton Yoga Shala, 5439-D Clayton Rd, Clayton. To RSVP call 925-451-5208.

Community Sing & Meet Up | Oakland

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

11am-1pm. All ages are welcome to dance to the blend of funk, soul, world music, positive hip-hop, reggae, dance classics, jazz, blues, electronica and other music to free the mind, body and soul. Wheelchair accessible. No scented products please. Shoes optional. Donations accepted. Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley. SoulSanctuaryDance.com.

Essential Oil Seminar | Clayton 3:30-5:30pm. Learn about hormone balancing, aging gracefully and immune boosting with essential oils. Discover nature’s tools to wellness using pure, unadulterated essential oils. With their own farms and seed-to-seal guarantee, Young Living Essential Oils is the only therapeutic-grade essential oils that provide results. $25/donation. Clayton Yoga Shala, 5439-D Clayton Rd, Clayton. To RSVP call 925451-5208.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Classifieds@ NAEastBay.com. Deadline is the 10th of the month. CAREGIVERS WANTED Caregivers wanted for a Holistic Home Care Agency.

We are looking for loving, patient and compassionate individuals who are trainable and coachable in the areas of whole food nutrition and holistic practices and lifestyle. It will be a good fit for someone who is also looking to get healthy using natural means. We are looking for someone who is professional and holds high ethics and integrity. Elderly caregiving experience preferable. Compensation: hourly. Please email your resume to Info@HolisticCaregivers.com.

11am. Meets the 4th Sunday of the month. Join in with us to sing, laugh, think, and listen, and build your community together. Speakers from local science and humanities communities typically offer a way to donate to local organizations. Free. Oakland Peace Center, 111 Fairmount Ave, Oakland.

Community Lounge Rumba | Berkeley

Soul Sanctuary Dance | Berkeley

Nia | Berkeley Noon-1pm. Also Friday at 8:45am. Expand your dance, increase your joy. Give your body the gift of learning the Nia language with teacher Alexis Mulhauser. Namaste Yoga, 2820 7th St, Berkeley. Info@ FloraMotion.net. FloraMotion.net. Crystal Singing Bowl Concert | Dublin Noon-1:30 pm. 1st Sunday of every month. A sound-healing concert played by Shala. Everyone’s experience will be unique and suited to their own specific needs. $10/suggested love offering. Unity of Tri-Valley, 7567 Amador Valley Blvd, #108, Dublin. 925-829-2733. UnityOfTriValley.org. 100+ Free-to-Play Tabletop Games | Berkeley Noon-6pm. Meet the 3rd Sunday of every month. If you’re into board games new or old, come out and join in on the fun. Maybe you’re a designer of games, or a play tester? All are welcome here. Food and drinks are available next door. Free. Games of Berkeley, 2151 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. 510-5407822. More information is available at Events@ GamesOfBerkeley.com. Needle Crafters | San Leandro 1:30-3:45pm. If you enjoy any type of needle crafts, such as knitting, crocheting, needle point, you’re welcome to join us. While working on our individual projects, we discuss movies, books, and everyday life. Fun and casual, so come and relax. If you are a beginner and would like to learn more, this is the place. Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave, San Leandro.

3:30-6pm. 1st and 3rd Sunday each month. Rumba is the word used for a group of related communityoriented music and dance styles in Cuba. These jam sessions welcome drummers, singers and dancers who perform rumba. Free. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. 510-849-2568. LaPena.org. Free Kundalini Meditation | Walnut Creek 5-6:30pm. Kundalini meditation is an ancient Tantric practice that allows each individual to deeply experience their direct, inner connection to the divine. Class includes shaktipat transmission, guided meditation and discussion. Scheduled appointment for introduction is required for first-timers at 4pm. 2910 Camino Diablo, Walnut Creek. 510-917-2349. Ellen@ TrikaShala.com. Barefoot Boogie | Berkeley 7:30-11pm. Enjoy freestyle dancing in a casual, friendly environment. Boogie is a healthy alternative to the club scene. Smoke, scent and alcohol free. The first hour is slow music for stretching and unwinding, and then the pace picks up to an aerobic, ecstatic high. Our DJs play a great mix of Latin, African, Funk, R&B, Hip-Hop, Blues, house, pop, oldies, and more. This is real music for real people. $8-$15/sliding scale; $5/first-timers. 8th Street Studios, 2525 8th St at Dwight, Berkeley. SFBarefootBoogie.com.

monday Private Grocery Tour | East Bay Need help navigating your health food store? Discover new foods and create quick, easy, healthy delicious meals. Budget and kid-friendly. The easiest investment to make you get started on your health journey. 60-minute private Grocery Tour. $125/complete grocery lists, menus and recipes. Alexandra Le Ny, CHC. 925-858-2133. AlexandraLeNy@Yahoo. com. AlexandraLeNy.com. Burn Pilates Morning Club | Oakland 6-8am. Start your day off right. Morning exercising gets the metabolism going. If you’re willing to make a commitment, this class meets daily til the end of December, multiple days per week. $25. Burn Pilates

natural awakenings

April 2016

Oakland, 2101 Webster St, Ste 160, Oakland. Call Elizabeth, 510-788-4275. BurnPilates@Gmail.com. BurnPilates.com/Locations/Uptown-Oakland. Radio Show-Life Insights Live, Personal Growth Radio 7-8am. This week featuring Practical Mystic, Scout Bartlett. This will be replayed on Wednesdays from 7-8am. Various topics of self-understanding, personal growth and spiritual perception discussed. A 2-½ minute group meditation each Monday at 7:30am. We are on the air broadcasting to the Bay Area on KEST, 1450AM. Simulcast and archived for later listening on IfIdKnownThen.com. Breema & the Nine Principles of Harmony | Oakland 7-8:30pm. Breema is the perfect practice for anyone wishing to be more present, and have more harmonious relationships to all life. $10/first class free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510428-0937. Breema.com. Community Healing Circle | Dublin 7-8:30pm. First Monday of every month. Individual and group healing techniques from various disciplines are demonstrated to re-align the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Facilitated by Claudia Scott. $10/love offering. Unity of Tri Valley, 7567 Amador Valley Blvd, #108. 925-784-5956. JoyOfHealing@ClaudiaJ.com. Laugh Together for Happiness & Health | Oakland 7:30-8:45pm. Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays, except major holidays. Oakland Lifefire Laughter Yoga, combines playful easy laughter exercises with yogic breathing to lift your mood, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost your immune system. All while you have fun. Wear comfortable clothing for easier laughing. Drop-ins welcome. Free/donations accepted. Kaiser Permanente Medical Building, 3701 Broadway, 2nd Fl Conf Rm, Oakland. (Between 38th & W MacArthur). 415-505-7941. MeetUp.com/ OaklandLaughterClub. LaughterYoga.org. East Bay Biodanza Class | Berkeley 7:30-10pm. Biodanza, which means Dance of Life, is a system that integrates music, movement and authentic interactions to provide experiences of intense perceptions, of being in the here and now. Mixed beginner/intermediate level. Registration required. Sliding scale: $20-$25/single session; $65$80/monthly pass. Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut St, Berkeley. Biodanza.us.

tuesday Heart-Centered Meditation 10am. Are you seeking spiritual healing and renewal? Discover an ancient Sufi meditation practice to cleanse your heart of the blocks that keep you from living in conscious connection to divine love. Get started today with an eCourse, and join us live for guided meditation calls. Free. SufiUniversity.org/INFO. Yoga at Bishop Ranch 15 | San Ramon 12:05-12:50pm. Please arrive a few minutes early. Take a midday break to reconnect with yourself while you relax and rejuvenate with gentle Hatha Yoga. Build strength, flexibility, balance and coordi-

nation. Deepen your self-awareness and inner peace. Please bring a mat. All levels are welcome. $42/5 class package, $75/10 class package. 12667 Alcosta Blvd, Ste 135, (BR15), San Ramon. ClarityWith Susan@gmail.com. ClarityWithSusan.com.

clothes. Designed for women who have, or have had cancer. Class includes gentle asana practice, as well as restorative poses. Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave, Oakland. 510-420-7900. WCRC.org.

South Berkeley Farmers’ Market | Berkeley 2-6:30pm. Go outside the box, the big box stores that is. Enjoy fresh produce and products from the area. Not only is this a healthier way of living, but you’ll be supporting the local businesses in the area. Adeline St and 63rd St, Berkeley.

Homework Help Center | Livermore 2-5pm. Sometimes kids just need a little help with their homework. We have an adult in the room to provide assistance and answer their questions. We also have computers, a color printer and supplies available for the students to use. All ages welcome. Livermore Public Library, Rincon branch, 725 Rincon Ave, Livermore. For more details call 925-373-5540.

Teens, Come and Make Some Things | Berkeley 4-5pm. Come to the library and express yourself through arts and crafts. It’s a laid back, self-paced workshop where you can have some fun, and meet and make new friends. South Branch Library, 1901 Russell St, Berkeley. 510-981-6260. Yoga Classes at the Hospital | Alameda 5:30-6:30pm. Learn to relax, strengthen, and totally stretch your body, with this gentle approach of yoga movements. $40/8 weekly sessions, $6/per class. Alameda Hospital, 2070 Clinton Ave, 1st Flr, Conference Room C, Alameda. Team Lemon Run Club | Walnut Creek 6:30pm. Social and fun run for all levels of runners. Runs are 3 or 5 miles through downtown Walnut Creek and along local trails. Pace is moderate. Free. Lululemon, 1201-A S Main St, Walnut Creek. 925274-1253. Lululemon.com/WalnutCreek. Korean Zen Meditation | Oakland 7-9pm. Taught by Buddhist nun Jaguang Sunim. A relaxed meditation to free yourself from life’s stress, and find your inner center of wisdom. Dharma talk. Sitting and walking meditation, tea and discussion. By donation. Sixth Ancestor Zen Center, 100 Monte Cresta Ave, Oakland. 510 844-4164. SixthAncestorZen.org. Comedy at the Layover | Oakland 8-10pm. The last Tuesday of every month. Grab your friends, your spouse, any one you choose, and head on out. Be ready for fun and laughs with comedians from HBO, Comedy Central, and Late Night TV. Must be 21 and over. RSVP is requested. Free admission. The Layover, 157 Franklin St, Oakland. For information and updates call 510-834-1517.

wednesday Group Flow Yoga & Private Yoga | San Ramon 9:30am. Flow Yoga. Both uplifting and meditative, yoga enhances flexibility, strength, stamina and concentration. Using a combination of Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathing), yoga helps induce relaxation, reduce stress, tone the body, cleanse the organs, increase energy, improve circulation and prevent or cure many illnesses. All levels are welcome. Pricing for group: The Yoga Company, 2410 San Ramon Valley Boulevard #129, San Ramon, 925 838 9642, TheYogaCompany.com, Private classes by appointment only, contact: Alexandra Le Ny certified Yoga Instructor, AlexandraLeNy.com 925-858-2133. Transcendental Meditation | Berkeley Noon. Learn about transcendental meditation. Berkeley TM Center, 950 Gilman St, #100, Berkeley. 510-872-2287. Berkeley@TM.org. Gentle Yoga | Oakland 1-2pm. No experience needed. Wear comfortable

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

Eco Studio | Pleasant Hill 3-5pm. This program is designed for teens 12-17 years of age. It’s let by a local recycling educator and artist. Learn sewing machine skills and create up-cycled items from previous items. Articles created here will go towards the Teen Advisory Group’s annual Art, Jazz, and Wine Festival donation drive. This will benefit your local library. Contra Costa County Library, 1750 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill. 925-46-6434. More information available at CCLib.org. Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart | Pleasanton 7pm. First Wednesday of the month. This workshop is for people looking for a life transformation and support, to build new healthy habits and routines. You will have the opportunity to learn about connections and dependencies between our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies. The talks are 1 1/2 hours, and include lecture, discussions, and practical exercises. Free. For more information go to TheSacredHealingWell.com, or MTHWellnessCenter. MassageTherapy.com. Turn ON San Francisco | San Francisco Preferred arrival: 7:15pm. Doors locked: 7:30pm. Through three guided round-robin style games, you’ll express yourself and gain new (and maybe surprising) insight into yourself and others. All this in a room full of cool, fun people engaging in honest, humorous, playful conversation. Topics are based on thoughts that we only would have in our head. Singles and couples welcome. Registration preferred. Those without reservations will be put on a wait list until 7:20pm. 47 Moss St, San Francisco. 408-390-2095. Awakening360.com/event/99#sthash.ostqQT4Y.dpuf. East Bay Biodanza Class | Berkeley 7:30-9:30pm. Also on Thursday. Beginner level, open to new participants. Biodanza, which means Dance of Life, is a system that integrates music, movement and authentic interactions to provide experiences of intense perceptions of being in the here and now. Sliding scale: $20-$25/single session; $65-$80/monthly pass. Jeffery Bihr Studio, 5390 Miles Ave, Berkeley. 415-717-3578 or 415-505 9482. Biodanza.us.

thursday Beginner Computer Class | Berkeley 10-11am. Learn the basics of using a computer. You will be taught to correctly use a mouse, the keyboard, how to set up email, and also to search/surf the Internet. Free/drop-in classes. Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St, Berkeley. 510-981-6100. Yoga at Bishop Ranch 15 | San Ramon 12:05-12:50pm. Please arrive a few minutes early.

Take a midday break to reconnect with yourself while you relax and rejuvenate with gentle Hatha Yoga. Build strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Deepen your self-awareness and inner peace. Please bring a mat. All levels are welcome. $42/5 class package, $75/10 class package. 12667 Alcosta Blvd, Ste 135, (BR15), San Ramon. ClarityWith Susan@gmail.com. ClarityWithSusan.com. Youth Yoga | Walnut Creek 3:45-4:30pm. Ages 5-8. 4:45-5:45pm. Ages 9-11. Members and non-members welcome. This class is designed to work with pre-teens in developing a strong sense of self. Students are taught relaxation techniques, yoga postures and breathe work. Age appropriate activities are used to promote self-love, community and an awareness of the environment. No yoga experience necessary. $12/class; $38/month. Yoga Works, 1131 Locust St, 2nd Fl, Walnut Creek. 925-478-7272. InfoNorCal@YogaWorks.com. Yoga Classes at the Hospital | Alameda 5:30-6:30pm. Learn to relax, strengthen, and totally stretch your body, with this gentle approach of yoga movements. $40/8 weekly sessions, $6/per class. Alameda Hospital, 2070 Clinton Ave, 1st Flr, Conference Room C, Alameda. Weight Loss Class | Castro Valley 6-7 pm. Come to the Nature’s Sunshine Health Center weight loss class. We are currently working on a one-on-one basis. $25/week. Nature’s Sunshine Health Center, 21709 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley. Please call to schedule your appointment at 510-582-8482. Change Your Water, Change Your Life | Walnut Creek 6:30-7:30pm. Join us for a presentation to learn how alkalized, ionic Kangan water can bring your body into a state of balance. Eliminating toxic pesticides and household chemicals from your daily life. RSVP. 925-609-4426. Free Kundalini Meditation | Berkeley 7pm. See Sun listing for details. Free. Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way at 6th St, Berkeley. 510-486-8700. Ellen@TrikaShala.com. Lake Merritt Oneness Blessing and Meditation | Oakland 7-9pm. The purpose of Lake Merritt Oneness is to support the awakening of humanity; by cultivating direct experience of oneness consciousness through universal teachings, meditation and oneness blessings. The Oneness Blessing is the sacred technology that advances each person’s journey into the direct experience of awakening. This gift to humanity helps to deepen our personal connection to the divine. These blessings have catapulted many people from around the globe into an awakened state and deeper awareness. The Blessing allows us to completely experience and dissolve old hurts, fears, and worries. It also silences repetitive thinking. Suffering decreases naturally. Lake Merritt Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland. LakeMerrittOneness.org Ballroom & Social Dance | Livermore 7:30pm. Join instructor Joallyn Bohn and learn the beginner steps to the Tango, (American style). This class if for adult students. A partner is recommended but not required. Smooth soled shoes are much better to war than rubber soled shoes. Free. Oganized by Livermore Area Rec & Park Dist, 522 South L St, Livermore. Register at Active.com.

East Bay Biodanza Class | Berkeley 7:30-9:30pm. Beginner level, open to new participants. See Wednesday listing for details. Sliding scale: $20-$25/single session; $65-$80/monthly pass. Jeffrey Bihr Studio, 5390 Miles Ave, Berkeley. LauraLouc@ gmail.com. KRohnem@GalileoWeb.org. Biodanza.us.

friday Nia | Oakland 8:45am. See Monday listing for details. Namaste Rockridge, 5416 College Ave, Oakland. Info@ FloraMotion.net. FloraMotion.net. Mindful Meditation | Contra Costa 4pm. If you’re feeling the stress of everyday life all through the week, try removing that stress through calm, soothing, meditation. Class is for adults, 18 years and older. Pinole Library, 2935 Pinole Valley Rd, Pinole. 510-758-2741. Parent’s Night Out | Emeryville 6-10:30pm. This is a great night out for everyone in the entire family. Children’s ages are 4 and up, and must be potty trained. The kids get to jump, frolic, flip, while in a safe environment. Then they can enjoy pizza and an appropriate movie. All while parents get a night out. $35. Head Over Heels Athletic Arts, 4701 Doyle St, Bldg F, Emeryville. For questions and more information please call 510-655-1265. Diedra@HohAthleticArts.com. HOHAthleticArts.com. Concert in the Park | Pleasanton 7-8:30pm. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music from the 50’s, 60’s, rock, and soul. West Grand Boulevard has performed for a countless number of people at weddings, festivals, fund raisers, and clubs. Support your local restaurants by picking up some dinner to bring with you. Concert is free. Lions Wayside Park, 4401 First St, Pleasanton. Drop-In Volleyball | Walnut Creek 7-10pm. Open to the first 45 participants. $5. Tice Valley Community Gymnasium, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. 925-256-3572. WalnutCreekRec.org. Ecstatic Dance, Dance Jam | Berkeley 8:30-11:30pm. It doesn’t get any better than this! All ages welcome to this no-alcohol, no shoes event. Great sound from professional DJ’s, using fantastic equipment. Dance the night away on bamboo floors, listening to Soul, Disco, Techno, Funk, Ambient, and the list goes on. You don’t want to miss this. $15. Studio 12, 2525 8th St, Berkeley.

saturday Group Power Yoga & Private Yoga | San Ramon 8am. Power Yoga. Both uplifting and meditative, yoga enhances flexibility, strength, stamina and concentration. Using a combination of Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathing), yoga helps induce relaxation, reduce stress, tone the body, cleanse the organs, increase energy, improve circulation and prevent or cure many illnesses.All levels are welcome. Pricing for group: The Yoga Company, 2410 San Ramon Valley Boulevard #129, 925 838 9642,

TheYogaCompany.com, Private classes by appointment only, contact: Alexandra Le Ny certified Yoga Instructor, AlexandraLeNy.com 925 858 2133. Webinar Series: The Degrees of Woman in Sufism Join Susan Rahima Schmall to learn how spiritual connection affects illness as it manifests in the physical, emotional and mental bodies. Incorporate spiritual healing for the physical body. Gifted at creating a safe nurturing space for people with physical illness and emotional pain can find peace. She is passionate about helping students develop their own gifts as healers and human beings. SufiUniversity. org/Distance-Learning/Webinars/. Fun Run with Fleet Feet | Pleasanton 9am. Distances range from 2-8 miles, and is great for everyone with a pace from walkers on up. It’s always a fun time! 925-699-4926. EthanFalls@Comcast.net. Basement Pilates | Walnut Creek 9-10am. All levels welcome. Bring mat, towel and water for Pilates class by local instructor. Free. Sports Basement, 1881 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek. 925-941-6100. Farmers’ Market | Danville 9am-1pm. One of the best things about living in California is our fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables grown locally, and served on our tables. What more is there to ask for? Free admission. Railroad Ave, Municipal Parking Lot, Downtown Danville. Farmers’ Market | Pleasanton 9am-1pm. Stop by and visit the market that offers a diversity of fresh fruits and vegetables. Open year round, every Saturday. Rain or shine, you can purchase the freshest items from the farmers that planted and harvested these crops. Downtown Pleasanton, E Angela St, Pleasanton. Health & Awakening | Oakland 10-11:00am. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St, Suite 290, Oakland. 510-637-0455. Info@ ShaolinMaster.org. Presence Through Touch & Movement | Oakland 10-11:30am. No class on Saturday, April 23. Breema opens a new and natural way to connect to yourself, and be nurtured and energized. $10/first class free. The Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave, Oakland. 510-428-0937. Breema.com. Castro Valley Farmers’ Market | Castro Valley 10am-2pm. Join us very week for the freshest and the best produce and baked goods our state has to offer. Many vendors to choose from. Open all year round. Castro Valley BART Station, Redwood Rd and Norbridge, Castro Valley. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call Ron Radini, 510-745-7100. Bloomin’ Belly Flow Prenatal Yoga | Walnut Creek 11am-12:15pm. See Wednesday for details. Bloom Retreat, 1444 S Main St, Walnut Creek. 925-9396262. BloomRetreat.com.

You can’t control where your heart goes. ~Laura Prepon natural awakenings

April 2016

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NAEastBay.com to request our media kit.

BUSINESS

acupuncture EASTERN MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Teresa Shen, LAc, PhD China 5933 Coronado Ln, Ste 100, Pleasanton 925-847-8889 EasternMedicalCenter.com Award-winning natural family healthcare clinic brings 5,000 years of traditional Chinese healing and 4 generations of expertise including acupuncture, acupressure, cupping and herbs. See ad, page 11.

Savvy Selling NOW! Leslie Ellis 925-338-2924 office 925-299-1920 mobile

As a healer, you love helping people! Do you enjoy the business side of your practice? I work with entrepreneurs to help them become more comfortable with all aspects of sales. If you are going to be wildly successful, you need to be good at selling! Contact me for a free strategy session. Leslie@ SavvySellingNow.com or 925-338-2924.

ALKALINE IONIZED WATER chiropractor

TAP INTO HEALTH

Elon Rosenthal 925-609-4426 TAPIntoHealth.com TheNewEraOfWater.org

Change your water, change your life. Treat your body to a 21day trial of healthy alkaline Kangen water—the advanced Japanese technology. Experience deep hydration at the cellular level. Expel toxins and acidic waste. Improve immunity, digestion and elimination. Return the body to homeostasis. Neutralize free radicals. Improve your sleep, energy and compliment.

AYURVEDA & HOMEOPATHY RASHANA RAUNIAR SHARMA (BHMS, CCH, AWP)

Chetna Center for Health and Wellness 110 Ryan Industrial Ct, Suite #1 San Ramon, CA – 94583 925- 255- 5375 ChetnaCenter. com Certified practitioner of Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Reiki serving the Bay Area for over 15 years. We provide safe and natural health care alternatives for all ages with concerns on digestive issues, stress, anxiety, allergies, recurrent cough and cold, constipation, insomnia and other immune related issues. Therapy is designed and customized per individual’s unique body constitution and includes Natural and Herbal remedies, Diet & Lifestyle changes and Meditation. We also provide Reiki initiation and healing. Consultation can be given in person or via Skype or phone.

JANE H. BAXLEY, D.C.

In Balance Chiropractic Certified Advanced BioStructural Correction™ (ABC™) Practitioner ML830 Cold Laser Therapy 931 Hartz Way #120, Danville 925-406-3222 JBaxleyDC@gmail.com DrJaneBaxley.com Dr. Baxley combines cutting-edge postural and pain management technologies with ergonomic training to provide immediate and lasting improvement. Breathe easier and stand straighter with less effort starting with your first visit. Patients report relief of issues including neck & low back pain, knee & foot pain, sciatica, whiplash and carpal tunnel syndrome in addition to improved health, function, and sports performance.

HEALING ARTS CHIROPRACTIC

MICHAEL REHL, DC

Chiropractic & Advanced Holistic Health Care 1280 Boulevard Way, Ste 211, Walnut Creek Michael@MichaelRehl.com MichaelRehl.com Offering a holistic approach to chiropractic care, Dr. Rehl incorporates nutrition, applied kinesiology and deep tissue work into his practice. By treating the whole body, Dr. Rehl’s treatment plan engages his patients so that they are an integral part of their healing process. See ad, page 20.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY MARCHELLE MILLIGAN, MS, CMT

3189 Danville Blvd., STE 250E Alamo 925-286-6237 TheRhythmWithin.org Craniosacral therapy encourages the body’s natural healing abilities and internal pharmacy to regain health and balance in a gentle way. CST can help with headaches, back pain, whiplash, TMJ, trauma, and sleep issues plus many more.

EDUCATION Singing Stones School 2491 San Miguel Dr. Walnut Creek, Ca 925-948-5006 SingingStones.org

Singing Stones School will provide an education based on the Waldorf philosophy from kindergarten through high school for children in the Tri-Valley area of Contra Costa County. It is holistic in nurturing the whole child and also in terms of its commitment to community. See ad, page 15.

Katie Sokolski, D.C. 187 40th Street Way, Oakland, CA 94611 510-356-7832 Dr.Sokolski@gmail.com HealingArtsChiro.com

University of Spiritual Healing & Sufism (USHS)

Healing Arts Chiropractic offers a whole-body approach to wellness that utilizes applied kinesiology, personalized nutrition programs and massage therapy. Our holistic treatment plans are designed to facilitate wellness from the inside -what you feed your body, as well as the outside—keeping your mind, body and spirit moving in a healthy way. See ad, page 18.

USHS offers transformational programs for those who want to be agents of divinely-guided healing. Programs are based on establishing a deep connection with Divine Love, then opening to streams of healing light from God, transforming physical illness and emotional pain into states of greater health and spiritual wholeness.

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

800-238-3060, option 5 Outreach@SufiUniversity.org SufiUniversity.org

holistic dentist

ENERGY HEALING Sarianna Smith, RN, CHT Energy Healer Walnut Creek, CA 561-324-5344 SariannaS@gmail.com

Many modalities for healing: Acupressure, Cupping, Life Activations, Energy healing, Hypnotherapy and more.

healing center M.T.O. HOLISTIC MEDICAL CENTER 400 El Cerro Blvd, Ste 105, Danville 925-362-4686 Mtohmc.com

HOLISTIC VETERINARIAN

NEW ERA DENTISTRY

ALTERNATIVES FOR ANIMALS

Dr. David Partrite, DDS 520 La Gonda Way, Ste 103, Danville 925-837-3101 Info@NewEraDentistry.com NewEraDentistry.com

Jennifer Luna-Repose, DVM 919 Moraga Road, Lafayette 925-283-6160 AlternativesForAnimals@gmail.com Alternatives4Animals.com

Whole-body dentistry approach; David Partrite, DDS, facilitates your body’s detoxification through a mercury- and fluoride-free practice, utilizing the most bio-friendly materials and a clean, safe environment through filters and ionizers. From cosmetic dentistry to safe mercury filling removal to working closely with your other holistic practitioners, every visit is a healthpromoting experience. See ad, page 14.

We are one of the few veterinary clinics in the Bay Area that is exclusively dedicated to Holistic Medicine. We offer acupuncture, chiropractic, Chinese herbal medicine, homeopathy, Bioresonance therapy, nutrition, flower essences and laser therapy. Our treatments address the whole animal and the root cause of disease, not just the symptoms.

Colin Yoshida, DDS

At M.T.O., licensed physicians merge rigorous diagnostic training with medically recognized healing modalities such as Acupuncture, Low Intensity Laser Therapy, Chelation, IV Mineral and Vitamin Infusions. Work with our medical staff to create an effective and individual treatment program in a rejuvenating natural setting. Experience a complimentary personal 20-minute consultation and tour of our holistic medical center in beautiful Danville.

Fremont Dentistry 3885 Beacon Ave Suite C Fremont 510-745-1800 FremontDentistry.com

HYPNOTHERAPY

Fremont Dentistry is a comprehensive holistic dental provider using options such as Ozone Therapy, safe mercury amalgam removal, Laser Gum Therapy, minimally invasive restorations and an overall bio-dental health experience. Give us a call to schedule your next holistic dental appointment today. See ad, page 18.

Herbal Medicine Ancient Traditions Healing

HOLISTIC HEALTH COACH

Erin Massengale 125B Town and Country Drive Danville, 94526 925-725-1067

ALEXANDRA LE NY HEALTH COACHING

Health reflects how one is balanced in the different expressions of ourselves; mind, body and soul and our perception of life experiences, our environment and our food. Dis-ease in any of these categories will in some degree be reflected in all others. Dis-ease healed naturally leaves a person stronger. Integrating herbs and healing modalities of the greatest healing systems and cultures in the world; Western, Ayurvedic, Chinese Traditions and Shamanism, I work with individuals to achieve and maintain vital health, wellness and longevity.

As a certified Health Coach with the AADP, clients are guided in improving their health and happiness through dietary and lifestyle changes. With support and direction we focus on balancing their primary foods (work, relationships, spirituality and exercise) and secondary foods (diet). This is achieved through a holistic approach on health, taking into account diet, lifestyle, environmental toxins, and disease prevention. Healing is supported through knowledge in nutrition, supplements, herbs, aromatherapy and homeopathic options.

925-858-2133 AlexandraLeNy@yahoo.com AlexandraLeNy.com

The success of your marketing message is about reaching the right number of qualified people... The various tools in Natural Awakenings are designed to get your message out to the most readers... who are in the right niche... in the most effective manner.

Visit NAEastBay.com for details.

ARLENE THOMPSON CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPIST, C.Ht., M.Ed. 925-485-7997 Pleasanton Arlene_Thompson@att.net ThompsonHypnotherapy.com

Get rid of blocks to your personal growth, by harnessing the power of your subconscious to reach your goals. Full-service, individualized hypnotherapy, 20 years in business.

Intuitive Whole Health Susan Z Rich

SZRich@aol.com 407-862-6902 SZRWhitewings.com Jusuru.com/szrich Learn to listen and communicate with your body, mind, emotions and spiritual insight. Changing your thought processes and belief systems to bring about self-empowerment. Take charge of your life, your health and find inner peace. A strong and compassionate approach to life's challenges will give you an authentic long life journey with a healthy body, joyful relationships and rewarding creativity.

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. ~George Bernard Shaw natural awakenings

April 2016

NUTRITIONIST NUTRAPARTNERS

Kathy Napoli, Registered Dietician 3189 Danville Blvd, Ste 260, Alamo 925-831-3900 KNapoli@NutraPartners.com NutraPartners.com Restore health and vitality through personalized nutrition and lifestyle programs, including the 8-wk program Lighten Up. Kathy’s clients achieve increased energy; improved blood sugar and lipid levels; and relief from digestive issues and food allergies. With 20 years experience as a clinical nutritionist and nutrition consultant, Kathy teaches workshops throughout the Bay Area on topics such as Age-Proof Your Skin, Get Lean and Strong and Stop Inflammation. She holds a Masters of Arts in Holistic Health Education from JFK University.

PRODUCTS ESSENTIAL WELLNESS

Wellness Advocates 925-997-2226 Oils@EssentialWellnessHub.com Discover the power of dōTERRA essential oils: 100% pure Certifies Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) essential oils. The safest, purest and most beneficial essential oils available today. Essential Wellness teaches informed self-care with the use of dōTERRA oils and encourages individuals to take a proactive role in medical care. Call today for your complimentary wellness session.

If you wish to reach the highest, begin at the lowest. ~Publilius Syrus

ROLFING/STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION MEDICINEVOLUTION

Chris Corrales 925-922-2246 Chris@MedicinEvolution.com MedicinEvolution.com

925-997-7518 Kathleen@A-Beautiful-Light.com A-Beautiful-Light.com

NEAL WINBLAD, MFT, SEP 780 Main St, Ste 201, Pleasanton 925-963-9786 NWinblad@NWinblad.com NWinblad.com

Somatic Experiencing is the gold standard for resolving complex trauma. In most cases trauma is quite easy to treat, doesn’t require a lot of talk and doesn’t need all the emotional catharsis so common in psychotherapy. Call me today for a free consultation and sample session. See ad, page 23.

Expand your potential! Experience greater health & empowerment in mind, body & soul with these once secret, ancient lineage classes, activations & healings. Proven for over 3,000 years, these ancient wisdoms create transformation & greater energetic flow in all areas of life. Kathleen is a Healer, Guide & Ritual Master in the Modern Mystery School from the lineage of King Salomon.

SUPERFRUIT ANTIOXIDANTS LENI S. PRATTE

SPIRITUAL CENTER

Walnut Creek 925-451-5208 www.OilsDivine.com

UNITY OF TRI-VALLEY

7567 Amador Valley Blvd, Suite 108, Dublin 925-829-2733 UnityOfTriValley.org We are a welcoming spiritual community for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Unity is a positive path for spiritual living. Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, YOU are welcome here!

What makes Ningxia Red the most nutrientdense beverage in the world? Infused with wolfberry and vitamin-rich superfruits, Ningxia Red supplies antioxidants and phytonutrients for a wholebody nutrient infusion. Energize, fortify and replenish your body and mind with Ningxia Red! (Request to sample product).

SPIRITUAL HEALING

WELLNESS CENTER

HOLLY M. COOK

925-354-4508 SacredHeartAscension.com Holly@SacredHeartAscenion.com

PLEASANTON FAMILY WELLNESS CENTER

Change your time line to fit your spiritual desires. Clear deep beliefs and trauma that hold you from moving into your true essence. Specializing to connect physical and emotional dis-ease with energy/ soul blockages, Holly can help you move forward and clear the past allowing you to create a desired future. Her clients have experienced shifts in their consciousness, spiritual awakening, cleared family issues and have overcome physical and emotional pain. Explore a blended session of shamanism, theta healing, Reiki, chakra clearing and more. Also available for phone sessions.

Deemed a master by his peers, Chris Corrales’ 15 years of private practice have given him a reliable reputation as one of the best massage and bodywork practitioners in the Bay Area. His ability to discern and treat the causes of injury and imbalance has proven unique and profound. Chris’ application of Rolf Structural Integration empowers clients with a rich, insightful and rewarding personal experience that permeates their entire lives. See ad, page 5.

A BEAUTIFUL LIGHT

SOMATIC THERAPIST

East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com

Kathleen Beaulieu, CMT, IMT 1491 Cedarwood Ln, Ste A Pleasanton 925-600-0503 Kathleen@PleasantonWellness.com PleasantonWellness.com

Discover your body’s healing potential. Nutritional and diagnostic counseling for lifestyle changes including weight loss, gastrointestinal, thyroid, hormone, allergies and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Expert massage therapy, 20 years experience specializing in pregnancy, automobile injuries and post-surgery recovery.

On Earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it. ~Jules Renard

Save Money on Holistic Health Services! As a Wellness Plus Member, you will enjoy discounted services from your local holistic health practitioners.

Chiropractic • Acupuncture • Massage • Biofeedback Nutrition Counseling • Chinese Herbal Medicine Hypnotherapy • and much more If you are a provider and would like to join Healthways Network, please call: 877.806.8706

Chiropractic Free initial consultation 50% off diagnostic services and X-rays performed on-site 30% off treatments and other services

$14.99

per month per family

Alternative Medicine Save 10% to 30% on your health and wellness needs Over 40 specialties and 43,000 practitioners nationwide.

Your plan also includes discounted dental and vision. Maximize your wellness journey with the Wellness Plus Plan and start saving today!

WellnessPlusPlan.com

877.915.9228

Disclosures: This plan is NOT insurance. The plan is not insurance coverage and does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act or Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 111M and 956 CMR 5.00. This plan provides discounts at certain healthcare providers for medical services. This plan does not make payments directly to the providers of medical services. The plan member is obligated to pay for all healthcare services but will receive a discount from those healthcare providers who have contracted with the discount plan organization. This discount card program contains a 30 day cancellation period. The range of discounts for medical or ancillary services provided under the plan will vary depending on the type of provider and medical or ancillary service received. Member shall receive a full refund of membership fees, excluding registration fee, if membership is cancelled within the first 30 days after the effective date. AR and TN residents: A refund of all fees will be issued if membership is cancelled within the first 30 days. Discount Medical Plan Organization: New Benefits, Ltd., Attn: Compliance Department, PO Box 671309, Dallas, TX 75367-1309, 800-800-7616. Website to obtain participating providers: MyMemberPortal.com. Not available to KS, UT, VT or WA residents. natural awakenings

April 2016