Natural Awakenings West Michigan ~ January 2019

F

E E R

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Kick-Start Everyday Head, Heart, Gut Organ Vitality Exercise

Lodestars of Powerful Decision-Making

New Energy for the New Year

Daily Movements Add Up to Fitness

January 2019 | West Michigan Edition | NaturalWestMichigan.com January 2019

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Contents Social and recreational opportunities for individuals with mental illness, addictions and disabilities.

Call 616.414.9111 for information or to enroll

16 SILVER THREAD AND

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES

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25 Years of Natural Awakenings

20 KICK-START ORGAN VITALITY

New Energy for the New Year

Home of Just Goods Gifts and Cafe’ Fair trade and social cause merchandise and local baked goods.

The café is a place of social interaction and integration where people of all different backgrounds can sit and enjoy a beverage or baked good, in a safe and nurturing environment.

JustGoods@ExtendedGrace.org

t!

Visi

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Enjo

y!

Mon—Fri: 10 am - 6 pm | Sat: 10 am - 2pm | Sun: 12 pm - 3 pm

Racism

Saturday, Jan. 12th from 10 am to 1 pm

Pizza from Marco’s • Registration Not Required Everyone is invited to this Collaborative Community Event

Winter Series: Exploring Mental Illnesses Mondays at 6:00pm Jan. 14 – Michele VanderSchel, Ottawa County CMH Schizophrenia Jan. 21 – Bret Van Tol, Pine Rest Bipolar and Depression Jan. 28 – Kayla Moore, Mercy Health Panic & Anxiety Disorders

24 DUSTIN SULAK

on Cannabis as a Healing Therapy

26 BLOOD CHEMISTRY A New Roadmap to Better Health

27 BEFRIENDING FOOD

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Embrace the Psychology of Eating

28 MOVING

THROUGH LIFE

Daily Motion Adds Up to Fitness

29 HEAD, HEART AND GUT Lodestars of Powerful Decision Making

30 SEEKING SANCTUARY How to Reduce Electromagnetic Radiation at Home

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32 AUTISM’S GUT-BRAIN AXIS

A Promising Approach to Healing

33 CANINE CONUNDRUM Controversy ‘Dogs’ Grain-Free Diet

A grassroots movement to create a stigma free community.

714 Columbus • Grand Haven • 616-414-9111

located within the Momentum Center for Social Engagement

Office@ExtendedGrace.org

facebook.com/extendedgrace • ExtendedGrace.org

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West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

DEPARTMENTS 5 news briefs 8 health briefs 10 global briefs 14 film brief 15 eco tip 18 chiro news 24 wise words 26 healing ways 27 conscious

eating

28 fit body 29 inspiration 30 green living 32 healthy kids 33 natural pet 34 calendar 38 resource guide 39 classifieds

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Find Your Path to Wellness

January Events & Classes • Thursday, Jan. 10th — 6:30p: DETOX FOR GENERAL HEALTH AND IDEAL WEIGHT The body is always naturally detoxifying.

Dee Kohley, RPh will share in our office the advantages of detoxification and how to support a healthy liver, improve health and strengthen the immune system. Detox can be very beneficial to your health and wellness goals. | Call to Enroll

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• Sunday, Jan. 20th — 8:00p Webinar: LOW CARBOHYDRATE (KETO & VGB –VIRTUAL GASTRIC BANDING) FOR WEIGHT LOSS Join us in the comfort of your own home as Dee Kohley, RPh and Morgan Buck explain how to abolish hunger and get the body you desire.

• Tuesday, Jan. 22nd — 6:30p Webinar: HORMONES AND SEXUAL HEALTH During this webinar, Dee Kohley, RPh will talk about the best course of action to take around hormone imbalance. She will discuss how to enroll in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy consultation.

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 616-604-0480 or email Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for ads and News Briefs: the 12th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ NaturalWestMichigan.com or submit online at: NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Calendar submissions Submit calendar events online at: NaturalWestMichigan.com. Calendar deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 616-604-0480. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

• Thursday, Jan. 31st — 6:30p: GENERAL NUTRITION: WHAT TO BUY AND HOW TO COOK Join us at our office as Dee Kohley, RPh offers a greater understanding and helps you to set goals for eating REAL food. Nutrition is the key to good health. | Call to Enroll Please contact us for more information about events and to register.

REGISTRATION FOR ALL EVENTS IS REQUIRED

Ramona Wallace, D.O. Dee Kohley, RPh 231.730.5211 • 616.296.2422

17214 Van Wagoner Road •Spring Lake, MI 49456

BluewaterWellnessTeam.com

January 2019

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Peace on Earth

WEST MICHIGAN EDITION PUBLISHER/EDITOR Pamela Gallina

M

y sister made her peaceful transition last week. I was struck by both tragedy, caused by a life cut too short, and comfort, watching her experience her final moments surrounded by everyone she loved laying hands on her, talking to her, and helping her go in peace.

I’m reminded of why I feel we are here to begin with—to care for one another, to lend a hand where needed, to be kind to our fellow humans, including ourselves and to all living things. There’s also a responsibility to the earth and to develop our spiritual relationships. After all, what else is there that truly has meaning in our lives?

We’ve been gathering as a family and processing our thoughts about her and her leaving us too soon. Talking about her does seem to help, but there have been times of tears, anger, and that empty feeling of loss. At one pivotal moment, I looked down, and there—woven under three threads of yarn, in the pocket of my sweater—was a white feather. My friend told me that my sister would always be near when we thought or talked about her, and this is my proof.

We had always been close to the point of her picking up the phone before it rang when I called, or her thinking about me just as I would walk in the door, or starting to say the same thing at the exact same time. We’ve had a hundred stories like that over the years.

When we have a life changing experience like this, we begin to reflect on what’s truly important in our lives. We ask ourselves the question of what truly does bring the most peace to our hearts and souls. We question spending time with things that provide a fleeting feeling of pleasure only to leave us flat and empty. We simply must continue to challenge ourselves to do the things that nurture and lift others up and create joy in the world around us!

Pamela Gallina, Publisher

Magazine of West Michigan

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DESIGN & PRODUCTION Scott Carvey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ashley Carter Youngblood Marlaina Donato Dan Gleason Deirdre Kohley Barbara Lee VanHorssen Rachel Scott McDaniel

CONTACT US P.O. Box 330 Spring Lake, MI 49456 Ph: 616-604-0480 • Fax: 616-855-4202 Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com NaturalWestMichigan.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman

NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth

MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett

ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Cave Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 © 2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

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

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

To conscious living,

Natural Awakenings

EDITORS Rachel Scott McDaniel

NaturallyWestMI

West Michigan Edition

NaturallyWestMI

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Natural Awakenings Magazine of West Michigan

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

news briefs

Yoga and Meditation on the Rise

Quit Smoking Through Detoxification

A

ccording to recent data briefs published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, the use of yoga and meditation have significantly increased in recent years among children and adults.

Among children aged 4-17 years, the use of yoga and meditation increased from 3.1% in 2012 to 8.4% in 2017. In 2017, studies revealed that girls were twice as likely to practice yoga compared to boys, but girls were only slightly more likely to meditate compared to their male counterparts.

The use of yoga has increased in American adults from 9.5% to 14.3% from the years 2012 to 2017, while during the same timespan, meditation increased more than threefold from 4.1% to 14.2%. In 2017, women were twice more likely to practice yoga compared to men. Also, statistics proved women were more likely to meditate than men.

Shamama is a group of artists, writers, seekers and leaders dedicated to help others find their purpose through special events, workshops, retreats, coaching, consulting, online and in West Michigan.

For more information, visit ShamamaGroup.com or call 231-4865394. See ad page 6.

2019 Herbal Conference in Wisconsin

T

he eighth annual Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference, to be held From May 31 through June 2 in Almond, Wisconsin, will include transformation and plant medicine as women from all over the world gather to rekindle the wild within or deepen their knowledge of plants. Participants will walk away from this time together in the woods feeling more empowered and inspired.

This year’s featured speakers include Venice Williams, Mimi Hernandez, and special guest Susun Weed, along with a wide spectrum of knowledgeable and inspiring instructors. There will be workshops, plant walks and a kids’ camp, as well as teen herbal camps, red tent space, fire circles, singing circles, delicious locally sourced farm to table meals and more.

Participants will enjoy plant walks and workshops on topics that include herbs for family health, wild edibles, fermentation, permaculture, movement, herbal wisdom, wise woman ways and much more.

Williams is executive director of Alice’s Garden Urban Farm, in Milwaukee. Hernandez, a registered herbalist is executive director of the American Herbalists Guild. Weed is an author and voice of the Wise Woman Tradition.

Early bird rates are available until Jan. 14. For more information and registration, visit MidwestWomensHerbal.com. See ad page 12.

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he Natural Healing Center of Grand Rapids is holding a 6-week detox to help make quitting smoking a little easier!

This 6-week program includes far infrared saunas and ionic footbaths for detoxification of addictive nicotine, and the implementation of Braintap which is a new technology designed to address addiction and cravings. While this 6-week program is usually $540, they’re offering half off thru the month of January making it only $270! Make 2019 the year to get healthy and stop addiction!

Location: 4288 3 Mile Rd, Suite 2, Grand Rapids. To reserve your nicotine busting time slots, call 616-888-2416. See ad page 25.

An Introduction to SoulCollage®

S

oulCollage® is hosting an introductory workshop from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., February 17, at their center in Saugatuck. The purpose of this event is to offer participants an engaging way to listen to their inner voice. Through creating collage cards, they will explore aspects of their soul. The cards are fascinating vehicles to uncover hidden parts of the inner self, as well as creating cards for the surrounding support. Whether attendees create one card or a whole deck, the process is sure to bring insight and encouragement to their life.

This introductory workshop will provide everything needed to get started on a SoulCollage® journey. The workshop will feature a chance to pause, breathe, and reflect through images. Plus, an overview of SoulCollage®, including the history, the suits, the guidelines. There will also be an opportunity for participants to create up to three cards to start their deck. All supplies are included in the cost of the class. There will also be a time of sharing with other participants in an open and nonjudgmental way.

Even if one feels uncreative, this simple process is sure to be engaging. If someone can use scissors and a glue stick, then that’s all the skill required.

Ruth Zwald is a trained facilitator in the SoulCollage® method. She not only loves the creative process, but the many ways it deepens our spiritual connection to Source, to ourselves and to others.

Cost is $35 and pre-registration is required. Location: 3493 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. For more information, email ruthzwald55@gmail.com. See ad page 27.

January 2019

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news briefs

Funding Granted for Environmental Education

CREATIVITY. POWER. PURPOSE. VOICE. Shamama is a group of healers, artists, teachers, and guides who are dedicated to helping you tap into your creativity, unleash your power, discover your purpose, and express your voice through special events, workshops, retreats, coaching, and consulting.

You are warmly invited to experience: Journey Writing, Creative Play, Intuitive Collaging, Poetry Therapy, Breathwork, Labyrinth Walks, Drumming, Shamanic Journey Walks, Forest Bathing, Law of Attraction Retreats, Creativity Retreats, Healing through Art, and more!

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NaturallyWestMI

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he Grand Rapids Environmental Education Network (GREEN) received a $300,000 grant from the Wege Foundation that will fund the creation of outdoor experiences for PreK-12th grade students in Grand Rapids Public Schools. GREEN is an innovative program that’s a collaborative partnership with multiple organizations committed to an environmental education

Clayton Pelon of the Grand Valley State University College of Education and lead on the grant says, “Our goal is every student, every year, is outside learning. We are committed to students getting real-world experience directly tied to their classroom learning. Groundswell, an initiative housed at the college, has supported this type of learning across West Michigan for 10 years. We are excited to create an approach that will support schools in fully embracing outdoor education.”

GREEN’s mission is to deliver a comprehensive pathway for PreK-12 learners that addresses equitable access to high-quality environmental education in West Michigan.

Collectively, GREEN envisions a future where young people throughout West Michigan are active environmental stewards and engaged in the community.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS Secure this ad spot!

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West Michigan Edition

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Dive In!

Our Year-One Class begins March 04 in Grand Rapids, MI

Prerequisite Training: Jan 25-27 Chicago Feb 01-03 Grand Rapids www.energytouchschool.com/events

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Over 20 Years of Experience • Licensed and Accredited • NaturopathicInstitute.info January 2019

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Beet Juice Boosts Stamina Beetroot juice supplements increase exercise duration and intensity for heart failure patients with a condition called reduced ejection fraction, which affects about half of such patients.

In previous studies, beets have been shown to increase exercise capacity for healthy people because they increase nitric oxide levels in the blood.

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West Michigan Edition

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Alliance/Shutterstock.com Maxal Tamor/Shutterstock.com

Women that feel highly stressed on a daily basis have a lower ability to conceive, report Boston University School of Medicine researchers. In a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, 4,769 couples that were trying to conceive were followed for a year. Those women with the highest self-reported stress were 13 percent less likely to conceive than women that reported little stress.

Men being under high stress had no effect on conception, but couples were a quarter less likely to conceive if the man’s stress score was low and the woman’s was high, which the researchers termed “partner stress discordance.” In North America, about one out of four women and one out of five men of reproductive age report daily psychological stress.

Nettle, a common roadside weed, may offer hope for sufferers of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Research from Iran’s University of Medical Sciences tested 59 patients with inflammatory bowel disease in a 12-week, double-blind clinical trial with an extract of nettle leaf (Urtica dioica). Those receiving the nettle leaf extract had lower blood levels of the C-reactive protein inflammatory marker along with a significant improvement in their inflammatory bowel disease quality-of-life scores.

Daily Walks Make Kids Healthier Thanks to a program called The Daily Mile, Scottish schoolchildren have shown improvements in their fitness and body composition, researchers from the universities of Edinburgh and Sterling report. Started by a teacher in 2012, the initiative encourages children to run, jog or walk around their school grounds during a 15-minute recess from classes in addition to normal activity and physical education lessons.

For the study, 391 pupils between 4 and 12 years old wore accelerometers to record their activity and were checked for body fat and overall fitness. Compared to a control group, they increased their physical activity by 9.1 minutes a day, lowered sedentary time by 18.2 minutes, ran 42 yards farther and

LeManna/Shutterstock.com

Stress Lowers Women’s Fertility

Nettle Leaf Helps Inflammatory Bowel Patients

significantly lowered their body fat.

“[The study] suggests that The Daily Mile is a worthwhile intervention to introduce in schools, and that it should be considered for inclusion in government policy, both at home and abroad,” says study author Colin Moran, Ph.D.

To date, the Scottish Government has extended it to half of the country’s primary schools, plus nurseries, colleges, universities and businesses. The Daily Mile Foundation reports that 3,600 schools in 35 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Jamaica, the Netherlands and the U.S., have embraced the program.

verca/Shutterstock.com

health briefs

Dragon Images/Shutterstock.com grebeshkovmaxim/Shutterstock.com Billion Photos/Shutterstock.com AlenKadr/Shutterstock.com

Eating Mediterranean Diet Helps Save Eyesight

Low-Nutrition Foods Linked to Cancers

The risk of late-stage, age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, can be lowered by 41 percent by eating a Mediterranean diet, according to a new study presented by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). The research, which followed nearly 4,500 French and Dutch adults aged 55 and older for 21 years, found that no single food component lowered the risk; rather, it was the nutrient-rich diet itself.

The findings correlate with previous research that links the Mediterranean diet, typically rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, fish and olive oil, to a longer lifespan and a lower risk of heart disease and cognitive decline. “You are what you eat,” says AAO spokesperson Emily Chew, M.D. “It’s time to take quitting a poor diet as seriously as quitting smoking.”

In a 10-nation study involving nearly half a million Europeans, researchers found that those eating foods with lower nutritional quality had a significantly greater incidence of cancer, especially colorectal, upper digestive tract, stomach and lung cancers for men, and liver and postmenopausal breast cancers for women.

The study supports wider adoption of a British front-ofpackage food nutritional content labeling system.

Artificial Sweeteners Harm Gut Microbes Six popular artificial sweeteners approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—aspartame, sucralose, neotame, saccharine, advantame and acesulfame potassium-k—were found to be toxic to digestive gut microbes in a new paper published in Molecules. Researchers at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University tested each sweetener along with 10 sports drinks that contained them.

They discovered that otherwise healthy bacteria found in the digestive system became toxic when they came into contact with even one mg/ml (less than onehundredth of a teaspoon) of the artificial sweeteners.

Optimism Linked to Better Heart Health Being upbeat helps heart health, reports a new review of research from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Analyzing dozens of studies on psychological wellbeing involving hundreds of thousands of people, the researchers found that the most optimistic people are more likely to kick a smoking habit, exercise regularly and favor fruits and vegetables over processed meat and sugary foods.

Mindfulness programs such as meditation, yoga or tai chi can help enhance optimism by reducing anxiety and stress while boosting quality of life, say the study authors. The researchers also highlighted a 2017 study that found that women in the top quarter of optimism were 40 percent less likely to die from heart disease.

January 2019

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Rare Breed Monstrous Morass Great Pacific Garbage Patch Out of Control

In the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, the 80,000-ton Great Pacific Garbage Patch is growing.

Encompassing 600,000 square miles, the world’s largest such dump is twice the size of Texas, according to a three-year mapping effort by eight organizations. “To solve a problem, we need to understand it first,” says Boyan Slat, CEO of Dutch-based nonprofit The Ocean Cleanup.

“The bad part is that there is more [there] than what we thought. The good part is that most of the plastic is still large objects. Just 8 percent of the plastic is micro plastic. It’s not too late to do something about it.” Fishing gear comprises an estimated half of the debris. The Ocean Cleanup intends to capture, concentrate and ship the materials from the patch back to land.

Exmoor Ponies Beat the Odds The Exmoor pony, which inhabits an area bordered by Devon and Somerset counties in England, is currently listed as endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. It’s believed that these ponies derive from the original prehistoric horse that made the trek from Alaska to Great Britain some 130,000 years ago. Today, about 150 Exmoor ponies roam free on the moor and many more are being reared on farms in other parts of the UK. The Exmoor ponies benefit the environment, attract visitors and increase awareness of environmental conservation.

Shane Gross/Shutterstock.com

global briefs

Meatless Munchies

Vegan Beer Hall Highlights Plant-Based Food

Nature Finds a Way

Frogs and toads are returning in parts of Panama after a deadly fungal disease devastated amphibians in Central America from 2004 to 2007.

New research shows that evolution may have saved the day. In El Cope, at least four species disappeared, including the redstriped Rio San Juan robber frog. Four other species lost at least 88 percent of their populations. They are still infected with the fungus, but are alive and increasing in numbers, according to a new study in the journal Science.

Studies have shown that as bad as disease outbreaks get, they play a tiny role in species extinction, notes Andrew Blaustein, at Oregon State University, who wasn’t part of the current study. Evolution allows species to resist completely succumbing to the nastiest diseases, “So, yes, there is hope.”

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West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

The Problem With Bottled Water Is the Bottle One million plastic bottles are sold around the world each minute. Most are used for bottled water, and most end up in the trash. As demand grows, especially in China, so does the bottle problem. According to environmental watchdog Euromonitor, if the present rate of consumption is not reduced, humans will use an estimated half a trillion plastic bottles a year by 2021. The French mineral water brand Evian is part of the problem, but is working on a plan to address it through a new approach. The company plans to use 100 percent recycled plastic by 2025 and to partner with a nonprofit focused on collecting ocean plastic.

Gilmanshin/Shutterstock.com

Happy Hoppers

Poor Packaging

OKAWA PHOTO/Shutterstock.com

People relying on plant-based diets can find it challenging to honor their philosophies when enjoying a night out in a beer hall. But in Quincy, Massachusetts, the tavern Rewild is giving hope to those that want to get a little buzzed and still trust the menu. Owner Pat McAuley is working with chef Will Hernandez to offer vegan food at affordable prices. McAuley says, “There’s no other place in Massachusetts that you can go have a few beers, hang out with friends and eat plant-based food. My primary goal of the whole project is to just bring plant-based food in a social and fun way.”

Jana Mackova/Shutterstock.com

Ancient Canines

Presumed Extinct Dog Species Rediscovered

After thinking the New Guinea highland wild dog had gone extinct in its native habitat, researchers have now confirmed the existence of a healthy, viable population, hidden on the island in one of the most remote and inhospitable regions on Earth. According to DNA analysis, these are the most ancient and primitive canids (dogs) in existence. “The discovery and confirmation of the highland wild dog for the first time in over half a century is not only exciting, but an incredible opportunity for science,” says the group behind the discovery, the New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation.

Smart Trash

andersphoto/Shutterstock.com

Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com

Baltimore Rolls Out Sensor-Equipped Bins

Baltimore is spending $15 million to deploy 4,000 sensorequipped trash receptacles that signal when they need emptying to increase collection efficiency. “The cans come with Wi-Fi; we will utilize this capability to allow the can to transmit information, including how full it is, so we can offer as-needed servicing of the cans,” says Jeffrey Raymond, with the Baltimore Department of Public Works.

The solar-powered trash receptacles are manufactured by Ecube Labs, with offices in Los Angeles and South Korea.

The company is installing its CleanCUBE bins across Baltimore in three stages, starting with 150 units in the South Baltimore gateway/casino area.

Cork Rocks

The Self-Regenerating Building Material

Cork is both recyclable and renewable because it regenerates its bark after harvesting, which causes no harm to trees. Durable cork can be found in the flooring of the Library of Congress and as an insulator for space shuttles. It’s also a waterproof, abrasionresistant fire retardant and acoustic insulator with odor and humidity-controlling and acoustic sounddampening applications. In Portugal, the world’s largest producer, the outer skin regrows in time for the next harvest. The stripped trees absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and release more oxygen, so Portugal’s cork forests, or montados, are often referred to as the “lungs” of the environment.

3-D Domiciles

High-Tech Instant Homes on Horizon

A 3-D printed home can be built in less than 24 hours at a cost of $10,000. Developers hope to cut it to $4,000 to help families living in poverty or other unsafe conditions.

New Story, a housing charity organization, and ICON, a construction tech company, have partnered to try ending global homelessness. Being able to lock the door and have a safe shelter can be elusive. An entire community of printed homes is planned for construction in El Salvador.

The 650-square-foot, proof-of-concept prototype— containing a living room, small office, one bedroom and one bathroom—was built in Austin, Texas. Human workers installed the windows, doors, plumbing and electrical systems. ICON staff will use the home as an office to test its durability.

Fire Hounds

Dogs Help Restore Burnt Forests in Chile

Forest fires in Chile ravaged vast swathes of land in 2017, burning sturdy older trees in the El Maule region. Since then, three border collies belonging to Francisca Torres, a member of the environmental nonprofit Pewos, have been wandering through the charred remains with special satchels that spray seeds as they run to sow seedlings, grass and flowers.

A major goal is for animals that fled the fires to return. “The main thing is for the fauna to be able to live,” says Torres.

She says the dogs, bred to herd sheep, are smart and fast, covering a much larger area than a human could on foot.

January 2019

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8th Annual Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference May 31, June 1-2, 2019 Camp Helen Brachman, Almond, WI

Keynote speakers: Venice Williams and Mimi Hernandez

Herbal Medicine Wild Plant Walks Personal Growth Kids Camp Teen Camp Nourishing Meals and so much more!

Register for this event along with the Fall Mycelium Mysteries women’s mushroom retreat and for a discounted price!

www.midwestwomensherbal.com 12

West Michigan Edition

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Start a New Rewarding

Career in Massage Therapy!

Education is the Key to Success

Clinical Acupressure & TuiNa Massage Programs Small Class Sizes • Extra One-On-One Time Academy of Alternative Healing Art Quiet & Clean Learning Environment

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CLASSES START IN APRIL!

For More Information & To Register, Log-On or Call:

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What Does Optimal Health Mean To You?

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January 2019

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film brief

Secret Ingredients New Film Shares Stories of Hope and Healing

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A new feature-length documentary, Secret Ingredients, makes a compelling case for why organic foods may be the key to unlocking better health and reversing chronic illnesses ranging from asthma to autism. The film shares the uplifting stories of individuals and families that overcame their struggles with digestive problems, allergies, skin conditions and infertility after eliminating genetically modified (GMO) crops and agricultural toxins from their diets.

“This gives tremendous hope for those suffering from chronic disorders in that simply switching to an organic diet may improve their quality of life,” says Jeffrey Smith, who produced and co-directed the film with award-winning filmmaker Amy Hart. “We hope the film will create an organized tsunami driving millions of people to better living through healthy eating.”

Secret Ingredients includes testimonies from physicians and scientists that explain how GMOs, Monsanto’s ubiquitous Roundup herbicide and other pesticides can disrupt our biological systems and compromise our health. “More than 200 studies show the links between GMOs and poor health,” says Smith, “while Roundup and other toxic applications have been proven to damage mitochondria, disrupt the gut biome, throw off hormones, and promote tumors and birth defects.”

The film builds on the groundbreaking research that went into Smith’s prior feature-length documentary Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives, which looked at genetically engineered foods as a major contributor to rising disease rates in the U.S. Visit SecretIngredientsMovie.com for a trailer and schedule of screenings. Smith’s companion site HealingFromGMOs.com features a free online conference that shares research-based recommendations on how to protect against and heal from exposure to GMOs and pesticides.

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West Michigan Edition

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eco tip

Breathe Easy Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com

Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality For much of the country, winter means spending more time indoors—and exposed to potential toxins. Indoor air quality is critically important to children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems that may be especially sensitive to pollutants, according to WebMD.com. Recognizing and avoiding some of the most common sources of toxins in the home can safeguard everyone’s health year-round and notably now, at the height of the season when humans tend to hibernate in their warm abodes. n The Environmental Working Group warns about volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be found in many household products from new carpets and furniture to paints and air fresheners. These airborne toxins can irritate eyes and respiratory systems, and increase the risk of cancer and liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. Look for low- and zero-VOC products; buy solid wood, hardwood or exterior-grade plywood and antique furniture. Open the windows once in a while as a natural, refreshing way to ventilate. n How, when and how often we vacuum is also important.

The Indoor Air Quality Association (iaqa.org) recommends a slow and steady motion “to keep dust from flying up into the air.” They also suggest pet owners should vacuum every two days. When choosing a vacuum cleaner, go with a model that includes a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to pick up microscopic particles a regular vacuum cannot remove. n The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends using and properly maintaining home ventilation systems, including exhaust fans, air conditioning and heating units; preventing mold by controlling moisture and humidity, including checking pipes and window sills for condensation; and keeping the home smoke-free, because burning cigarettes release at least 69 chemicals that can cause cancer. n Place a large floor mat just inside each outside door, suggests WebMD.com, as people track in many chemicals—especially from pesticides and other pollutants— via the dirt on their shoes, which also can be removed before entering.

Healing Body, Mind & Spirit 5th Annual Holistic Expo 2019 Wings Event Center 3600 Vanrick Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Saturday March 9th 10 - 7pm Sunday March 10th 10 - 6pm Daily Passes $10.00 Weekend Pass $17.00 Children 12 & under free Experienced Holistic Healers, Mediums & Intuitives from across the US & Canada ~ Angel, pet & tarot readers, crystals, astrology, aura photos, body, energy & light workers, palmistry, spirit artists, jewelry, numerology, flutes, clothing, aromatherapy & more!!!

Free Seminars and Lectures included with admission and free giveaways hourly!

Keynote Speaker: Rev Cindy Spencer ~ A Professional Certified Medium from Chesterfield, Indiana, is an incredible clairvoyant who channels loved ones in spirit, leaving many people amazed.

She is one of the most sought out mediums from Indiana. Cindy will be offering in her lecture “Messages from Your Loved Ones in Heaven” both days of the expo. She will be offering private readings at the show as well.

Presented By: John & Beverly Stephan View exhibitors at our website

“Sponsoring”

www.healingbodyandspirit.com January 2019

15

25 Years of Natural Awakenings

by Jan Hollingsworth

T

Sharon Bruckman—a he year was 1994.

The real “natural America Online awakening” is about dreamer and entrepreneur in her own right— opened the first each of us waking up was quietly laying the gateway to the World to who we truly are and foundation for what Wide Web; Jeff Bezos founded the fledgling the kind of world we would become the largbehemoth Amazon; and can create together. est franchise publishing network in the natural Deepak Chopra installed ~Sharon Bruckman health industry: Natural the first bricks on his Awakenings magazine. path to enlightenment

“America’s natural wellness and sustainwith the publication of his book The Seven ability movements were in their infancy Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide when we started,” says Bruckman. “Now to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams.

Perhaps not coincidentally, genetically the seeds that were planted in fertile soil are benefiting people nationwide, as well as engineered tomatoes entered the U.S. food throughout our precious planet.” supply that year, spawning a GMO food Woven from the threads of grit, revolution that transcended the age-old inspiration and perhaps serendipity, debate between pesticides and organics. the magazine was a tapestry of health, Frankenfoods, as they are called, were the healing and mindfulness. Its successful leading edge of a cultural awakening.

Naples debut was quickly followed by a

Meanwhile, in the sleepy, sunsecond edition in Sarasota. drenched beach town of Naples, Florida,

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West Michigan Edition

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EE FR

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

SIMPLE SHEET PAN SUPPERS ing

Family-Pleas Holiday Meals

BEST HYBRID & ELECTRIC CARS FOR 2019

A Global Wake-Up Call

Collective Consciousness Nears Spiritual Tipping Point

| NaturalAwakeningsMag.com December 2018 | Location-Edition

photo by Josh Pope

Silver Thread and Golden Opportunities

By 1999, it was clear that Americans had a voracious appetite for well-researched, practical information about the latest natural approaches to nutrition, fitness, personal growth and sustainable living.

The Natural Awakenings franchise was born that year, conceived as a local magazine in many different communities—now 74 markets in the U.S.—anchored by a national editorial team that explores and anticipates the latest trends in mind, body and spirit. Readership of the print magazines is 2.8-million strong, plus a broad online and digital reach.

Bruckman’s holistic-minded passion for health, wellness and integrative therapies has awakened in like-minded entrepreneurs a desire to embrace her mission.

As Paul Chen, publisher of the Atlanta franchise puts it: “Awakenings of the heart speak to our desire for deeper and stronger personal relationships. Awakenings of the mind speak to our desire to learn more, faster, and optimize our mental capacities.

Awakenings of the soul speak to our desire to develop greater love and compassion for all living beings equally and an increasing understanding of and connection with whatever it is we believe lies beyond our small, individual human selves.”

The magazine, in turn, has awakened its readers to new ways of connecting both with their communities and each other.

Natural Awakenings has become a go-to guide for local community events, products and practitioners in all of its markets.

“We love to spread light,” says Bruckman. “Natural Awakenings has played a significant role in fueling the wellness revolution I saw emerging all those years ago, propelled by the kindred spirits who read, advertise and contribute

Natural Awakenings Mission Statement To empower individuals to live a healthier lifestyle on a healthier planet.

To educate communities on the latest in natural health and sustainability.

Gulf Coast, AL/MS

To connect readers with local wellness resources and events, inspiring them to lead more balanced lives. to our magazines. Our publishers are torchbearers aligned with the vision of a healthier world and the mission to facilitate that transformation.”

During a lifetime of holistic-minded entrepreneurship, Bruckman, a constant gardener, continues to personally tend each new crop of ideas that germinate on the pages of her magazines which bear the imprint, “Healthy Living, Healthy Planet.”

By identifying and responding to a simple need in one community, she has tapped into a universal spirit that exceeded her wildest expectations. “If you have the heart, vision and enthusiasm to help make the world a better place, a greater force just might step in to enable success beyond anything you imagined. The real ‘natural awakening’ is about each of us waking up to who we truly are and the kind of world we can create together.”

We can’t always be shaded by the trees that we grow, yet after 25 years, the seeds Bruckman planted have branched across a nation and borne fruit that will make a difference in countless lives for many years to come.

It is my honor to join her on this journey as Natural Awakenings celebrates its silver anniversary.

Phoenix, AZ

Tucson, AZ

New Haven/ Washington, D.C. Daytona/Volusia/ Middlesex, CT Flagler, FL

North Central FL

Boise, ID

Orlando, FL

Chicago, IL

Wayne County, MI

Western MI

North NJ

South NJ

Oklahoma City, OK

Charleston, SC

Portland, OR

Columbia, SC

Denver/ Boulder, CO

San Diego, CA

Ft. Lauderdale,FL Jacksonville, FL

Miami & the Florida Keys

Naples/ Ft. Myers, FL

Palm Beach, FL • Sarasota, FL Space & Tampa/ • Peace River, FL Treasure Coast FL St. Petersburg,FL

Atlanta, GA

Hawaiian Islands

Indianapolis, IN

Twin Cities, MN

Northern & Central NM

Chester/Delaware Counties, PA

Greenville, SC

Seattle, WA

Northwest FL

• Housatonic Valley/ Fairfield, CT • Hartford, CT

Acadiana, LA

New Orleans, LA

Charlotte, NC

Triangle, NC

Las Vegas, NV

Albany, NY

Lancaster/ Berks, PA

Austin, TX

Southeast NC

Hudson Valley West, NY

Lehigh Valley PA

Dallas, TX

Spokane, WA and the INW

Boston, MA

Madison, WI

• Central NJ Hudson • North Central NJ County, NJ • Bucks/ Montgomery, PA

Long Island, NY

Northeast PA

Houston, TX

Milwaukee, WI

Ann Arbor, MI

Manhattan, NY

East MI

Monmouth/Ocean Counties, NJ

Westchester/ Putnam, NY

Philadelphia, PA South Central PA Providence, RI

San Antonio, TX South Houston/ Galveston,TX

Richmond, VA

Puerto Rico

Anna Romano Franchise Director

Sharon Bruckman Founder, CEO

NaturalAwakenings.com

Jan Hollingsworth is the national editor of Natural Awakenings magazine.

January 2019

17

chiro news

Sleep, Glorious Sleep

By Dr. Dan Gleason, DC

S

leep is that familiar yet mysterious state of being we all experience—some more effectively than others. Sleep is required for all living things. Humans spend more time in the deep, creative REM sleep than animals. We are different than all other primates who sleep in trees. Sleeping on the ground (hopefully in bed) allows a much deeper and more restful sleeping experience. Those who study sleep and anthropology suggest that when humans discovered fire it allowed sleep to occur on the ground as fire kept predators away and the smoke helped repel insects. This had allowed access to the power of creative sleep, which in turn led to increased ability to manipulate the environment, use tools and progress to become the dominant species.

Westerners on average do not get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation costs the U.S. economy $411 billion annually in accidents and lost productivity. Polls show 63 percent of people don’t get enough sleep to be healthy, 69 percent struggle with frequent sleep problems and 22 percent are so sleepy during the day it affects their quality of life. Getting less than 6 hours of sleep in any 24-hour period leaves one cognitively impaired.

Lack of quality sleep has been found to significantly contribute to health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, increased blood pressure, vascular inflammation, diabetes and insulin resistance.

Poor sleeping quality could also place one at risk for dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders, as well as emotional and psychiatric problems.

Healthy sleep consists of five stages that cycles through four to five times per night. Each cycle lasts one-and-a-half to two hours. The first two stages is considered light sleep—non REM. In these stages, the biological processes slow down and the brain begins the editing process, deciding which memories to store and to discard. The brain deletes unnecessary information like where the car had been parked yesterday.

Deep sleep, also non-REM, are stages three and four. Here one enters into a coma-like state when the cleansing and detoxification processes take place in the brain. Brain cells actually shrink by about 60 percent during this phase.

18

West Michigan Edition

This creates more space between the cells, giving cerebrospinal fluid more space to flush out debris.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) is the final stage. REM sleep is where dreaming takes place. Here the brain is as active as it is during wakefulness, but the body is paralyzed, which prevents one from acting out dreams. During REM sleep, one’s able to integrate what’s experienced that day into previous conscious and unconsciousness. This is where much creative realization takes place.

For those who struggle with rest quantity and quality, sleep hygiene is essential. First, create a placid place to sleep that’s quiet and dark. Blackout curtains are essential, and any light sources must be extinguished. For three hours before retiring, avoid using TVs, computers or cell phones that emit blue light. This color of light mimics the sun, and the brain thinks that the sun is still up. There are filters and apps available that screen out this color.

If a partner snores get him/her nasal strips, have them get a sleep study or, because sleep is so incredibly important, resort to having them sleep in another room.

If sleep is a problem, it’s also recommended to avoid sleeping with pets. Experiment with the right room temperature, blankets, nightclothes and pillows to optimize the sleeping experience.

Sleep studies can be very helpful because they often lead to the prescription of a CPAP machine which can be life saving. Up to 50% of those who get CPAPs, however, do not use them for long, due to irritation or failure to solve the sleep problem.

One reason many people awaken at night is because their blood sugar is dropping due to pre-diabetes and other blood sugar handling conditions. This common condition is due to eating the Standard American Diet (SAD), which includes consuming too many sugars and starches, eating too often and not eating enough quality fats and protein. Caffeine and alcohol have profound effects on quality and quantity of sleep. Even decaf and chocolate can be too much stimulation for some. There are many supplements that can help with

NaturalWestMichigan.com

blood sugar control when used in conjunction with the right diet.

Nutrient deficiencies are often at the root of sleep problems. Having the wrong intestinal bacteria can disrupt sleep. Hormone imbalances are a common contributing factor to insomnia. Ideally, one gets blood and urine testing for nutrient imbalances, stool testing for gut health and urine or saliva tests for hormone levels. This allows for a much more targeted approach.

For those who can’t do testing, it’s safe to try these suggested supplements with the realization that everyone responds differently. Melatonin helps when flying through multiple time zones. 5HTP (tryptophan) is a good option for those with anxiety. Phosphorylated serine is recommended for those with high nighttime cortisol. Magnesium is suggested for those with cramps, palpitations, constipation. Herbs including valerian, passiflower and hops, could be beneficial to increase one’s quality of sleep. Also, drink teas that help induce sleep. Progesterone could be beneficial for those with reproductive hormone imbalances.

Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common causes of sleep disorder.

Other common signs of low magnesium include cramps, palpitations, high blood pressure, constipation, and anxiety.

Magnesium supplements taken at bedtime, as well as topical magnesium and Epsom salts baths, have helped many of our patients.

No discussion of sleep problems is complete without some comments on sleep medications. Like all meds, the U.S. is the major consumer of sleeping pills.

There are problems with chronic use of benzodiazepines, like Xanax, as they carry significant risk of addiction. Other sleep aids, like Ambien, also lead to dependence and significant risk of memory loss. It’s suggested to research the pros and cons of these as well as having frank conversations with a doctor before taking them and with regular use.

In addition to being a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and an Applied Kinesiologist, Dr. Gleason is a 4th generation home builder and engineer— he correlates the two sensibilities in his approach, “A person’s health is similar to that of building a house- good planning, good science, good materials make for good health as well as a good home”.

Dr. Dan Gleason is the owner of The Gleason Center located at 19084 North Fruitport Road in Spring Lake. For more info: go to TheGleasonCenter.com or call 616-8465410. See ad page 31.

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seniors at Chicago’s Rush University found that eating leafy greens once or twice a day slowed mental deterioration.

reduce anxiety and depression, protect against mental decline and even correct stroke damage. In a Swiss study using MRI, people drinking green tea immediately had heightened activity in the workingmemory part of their brain.

Supplement with this: Ruhoy rec-

New Energy for the New Year

by Ronica A. O’Hara

W

ith the merry-making furor of the holidays behind us, it’s that time of year when our bodies are crying out for some detox and rejuvenation. Aside from getting back to the basics—a healthy diet and daily exercise—we can take a page from traditional Chinese and Indian medical practices and holistic approaches and use natural, organby-organ procedures to renew our bodies and restore inherent vitality.

“Strengthening our organs is critical because the organs create the vital essences of life, and our emotional and mental health depends to a great extent on how healthy our organs are,” notes T. Caylor Wadlington, a doctor of Oriental medicine and acupuncture teacher in Denver.

“In working to revitalize and re-energize the organs, we renew not just our physical body, but also our sense of well-being.”

Here’s a guide to a gentle fix-up campaign for the five organs considered vital for life in both Western and Eastern medicine: 20

West Michigan Edition

Boost the Brain

“Stress can lead to imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters, making it more difficult to focus, concentrate, relax and sleep—but it’s reversible, and the brain can absolutely heal from these effects under the right circumstances,” says integrative neurologist Ilene S. Ruhoy, M.D., Ph.D., of the Center for Healing Neurology, in Seattle.

ommends boswellia, long used in Asian and African medicine. It targets cerebral inflammation, stimulates the growth of neurons, enhances cognition, lowers depression and alleviates learning and memory problems.

Try this movement: Shake it. Alter-

nating slow movements, or even rest with one-to-two-minute bursts of intense, all-out, heart-pounding moves like Zumba dancing, jogging or lunges increases important proteins called the neurotrophic factor that help brain cells grow, work and live longer, reports a new study from Canada’s McMaster University.

Rejuvenate the Heart

Stress also increases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which drive up blood pressure, blood sugar and inflammation, says holistic cardiologist Joel Kahn, M.D., of Detroit, author of The Whole Heart Solution: Halt Heart Disease Now with the Best Alternative and Traditional Medicine.

Assess it: If you find it hard concentrat-

Assess it: Shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, panic and swollen feet or ankles are signs the heart may be overloaded. Get medical help immediately if there is unusual deep exhaustion, unexplained weakness, nausea, dizziness, chest pain or pain that spreads to the arms.

Eat this: The top brain boosters are easy to swallow—dark chocolate, berries, nuts and avocados, along with oily fish, reports WebMD. Also, a five-year study of 950

Eat this: “The best foods for a stressed heart are those rich in magnesium. I like a giant green, leafy salad, often organic arugula, with blueberries, pumpkin seeds and walnuts,” says Kahn.

ing, sleeping, getting things done, remembering where things are and not being grouchy, the brain could be on stress-related overload. See a doctor if teeth grinding, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, fainting or dizziness develop.

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Maria Averburg/Shutterstock.com

KICK-START ORGAN VITALITY

Natali_ Mis/Shutterstock.com

Drink this: Green tea is proven to

Drink this: hot, golden turmeric milk,

made with organic soy or nut milks, a heaping tablespoon of turmeric (a potent anti-inflammatory also shown to reverse Alzheimer’s “brain tangles”), a pinch of black pepper and maybe an organic pumpkin spice mix.

Maria Averburg/Shutterstock.com

Supplement with this: Hawthorn

strengthens and tones heart muscles, suppresses deadly blood-clotting signals, fights inflammation and lowers heart attack risk, studies show. European doctors routinely prescribe it for managing mild heart failure, either alone or with drugs.

Try this movement: Hop on a bike:

Cycling 20 miles a week slashes heart disease risk by half, reports the British Medical Journal. Also, do slow stretches every day: A Japanese study found a correlation between flexibility of the body and of the arteries.

Cleanse the Lungs

Family holidays may not always be unconditionally loving, which can induce stress, anger and sadness—emotions linked in laboratory studies to decreases in lung function. “You

B

Assess it: Trouble breathing, shortness of breath and a cough that won’t go away are signs of stressed-out lungs. If there’s coughing up of blood or mucus, or discomfort or pain when breathing, see a doctor.

Eat this: A 10-year study of 650 Euro-

pean adults found that eating apples and tomatoes two or three times a day, along with other fruit, speeds the healing of smoke-damaged lungs and seems to slow down the lungs’ natural aging process.

Drink this: a juice combining cilantro,

carrot, celery and ginger. According to the Lung Institute, cilantro helps remove heavy metals, carrots provide vitamin A to repair lung tissue, celery helps flush out carbon dioxide and ginger removes irritants from the lungs.

Supplement with this: vitamin D.

Low levels seem to be linked to a higher risk of respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a review of clinical studies in Advances in Nutrition.

Try this movement: To loosen the

airways when tense, the American Lung Association recommends slowly breathing in through the nose for two counts with the mouth closed. Purse the lips as if to whistle, and then breathe out slowly and gently through the lips to a count of four.

Detox the Kidneys The kidneys are hardworking, fist-sized organs just below the back rib cage that filter waste and toxins out of 200 quarts of blood a day.

Assess it: Fatigue, feeling cold, short-

ness of breath, itchiness, swollen hands or feet, a puffy face, metallic-tasting food and ammonia-smelling breath are signs of growing kidney stress. See a doctor if experiencing kidney pain, weakness, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, extreme thirst or decreased urination.

Eat this: Bone broth, wheat, millet, black sesame seeds, chestnuts, mulberries, raspberries, strawberries and walnuts are recommended by herbalist and acupuncturist Irina Logman of the Advanced Holistic Center, in New York City, to restore the kidneys.

An Ounce of Prevention

y taking a few forward-thinking steps, we can protect ourselves proactively from dangers to our vital organs:

Brain

Just say Om! Meditation enlarges parts of the brain concerned with memory, body awareness and emotional control, concluded a review of 21 neuroimaging studies from 300 meditators. InsightTimer. com, a meditation app, makes it easy to meditate for even five minutes a day.

Heart

can actually give yourself a stress asthma attack,” says Maui naturopath Carolyn Dean, M.D., ND, author of The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Women’s Health.

Every night, write down two or three things to be grateful for. Heart patients at the Uni-

versity of California, San Diego, that did this for two months had reduced heart inflammation and improved cardiac biomarkers.

“Appreciating even the littlest things builds a heart-protective habit of gratitude,” says study author Paul J. Mills, Ph.D., a professor of family medicine and public health.

Lungs

Many popular cleaning products contain dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOC) that several studies link to breathing problems, asthma and allergies. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s toxicity information on 2,500 products at ewg.org/guides/cleaners.

Kidneys

To energize sluggish kidneys, try a quarter teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in water. In a British study of 134 people with advanced chronic kidney disease, this easy strategy reduced the rate of kidney decline to normal levels. Check with a doctor if under nephrology care.

Liver

Examine the ingredients in prescriptions and over-the-counter meds to make sure daily intake of acetaminophen doesn’t exceed 3,000 milligrams; accidental overuse is the biggest cause of liver failure in the U.S. January 2019

21

helps to cleanse and strengthen the kidneys and a new study in Renal Failure reports that it also protects the kidneys from damage by certain toxins.

Try this qigong movement: Rub the palms together to warm them, and then place them on the kidney areas. Slowly massage in circular motions 12 times, and then reverse direction.

Shore up the Liver

“The liver is critical for detoxifying the body, but higher sugar and alcohol consumption over the holidays, as well as more stress, can increase toxin buildup that can damage the liver, which is why it’s important to take steps to help it recover,” says functional chiropractor Jennifer R. Welch, DC, of Iowa Functional Health, in Clive, Iowa.

Eat these: A Chinese study linked liver disease with low potassium levels, so consume sweet potatoes, tomato sauce, beet greens, beans, blackstrap molasses and bananas.

few daily to-dos that benefit the whole body:

Walking. A mere 20

minutes a day extends sleep up to an hour and lowers early mortality risk by 20 percent.

Adaptogens. Taking super-herbs such as astralagus, ashwagandha and rhodiola in tinctures, capsules or tea helps us adapt to stress.

Supplement with this: Milk thistle

Turmeric. An antioxidant and anti-

Try this yoga movement: With

Nature. A dose of greenery a day keeps the blues away—and also guards against heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and early mortality from all causes, a review of 140 studies shows.

has been shown in Italian animal studies to decrease and even reverse damage to the liver caused by medications, alcohol, antibiotics, pollution and heavy metals.

feet shoulder-width apart, make circles with the hips, pushing the torso farther and farther outward with each circle.

Reverse direction.

Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based freelance health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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Drink this: Sip probiotic drinks like kombucha, kefir and yogurt-based smoothies. The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus significantly lowered liver damage linked to excess acetaminophen in a recent Emory University laboratory study.

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Sources: Harvard University School of Medicine, Dr. Andrew Weil (DrWeil. com), American Journal of Preventive Medicine, ScienceDaily.com.

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Supplement with this: Dandelion tea

Assess it: Itchy skin, easy bruising, musky-smelling breath, itchy red palms and mental sluggishness are early problem signs. Advanced symptoms that require medical care are yellowish skin, abdominal pain, swollen legs and ankles, ongoing fatigue, dark urine and pale stool.

Maria Averburg/Shutterstock.com

Drink this: Water with squirts of lemon or lime. “The citrate makes water, as metabolized, more alkaline, which helps to remove acid from the blood, bring pH into balance and prevents bone, heart and further kidney damage,” says Phoenix nephrologist Mandip S. Kang, M.D., author of The Doctor’s Kidney Diet: A Nutritional Guide to Managing and Slowing the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Copper device stops a cold naturally last holidays,” she said. “The kids had colds going around, but not me.”

Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.”

Some say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had in years.”

Copper may even stop flu if used earNew research: Copper stops colds if used early. ly and for several days. Lab technicians ew research shows you can went away completely.” It worked again placed 25 million live flu viruses on a stop a cold in its tracks if you CopperZap. No viruses were found alive every time he felt a cold coming on and take one simple step with a soon after. he hasn’t had a cold since. new device when you first feel a cold People have used it on cold sores He asked relatives and friends to try coming on. and say it can completely prevent ugly it. They said it worked for them, too, so Colds start when cold viruses get in outbreaks. You can also rub it gently he patented CopperZap™ and put it on your nose. Viruses multiply fast. If you on wounds, cuts, or lesions to combat the market. don’t stop them early, they spread in infections.

Soon hundreds of people had tried it your airways and cause misery.

The handle is curved and finely texand given feedback. Nearly 100% said But scientists have found a quick tured to improve the copper stops way to kill a virus. Touch it with copper. colds if used withcontact. It kills in 3 hours after the Researchers at labs and universities germs picked up first sign. Even up agree, copper is “antimicrobial.” It kills on fingers and microbes, such as viruses and bacteria, to 2 days, if they hands to protect still get the cold it just by touch. you and your That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyp- is milder and they family. tians used copper to purify water and feel better.

Copper even heal wounds. They didn’t know about Users wrote kills deadly germs Sinus trouble, stuffiness, cold sores. that have become viruses and bacteria, but now we do. things like, “It Scientists say the high conductance stopped my cold right away,” and “Is it resistant to antibiotics. If you are near of copper disrupts the electrical balsupposed to work that fast?” sick people, a moment of handling it ance in a microbe cell, destroying it in Pat McAllister, age 70, received one may keep serious infection away. It may seconds. as a gift and called it “one of the best even save a life.

Tests by the Environmental Protecpresents ever. This little jewel really The EPA says copper still works tion Agency (EPA) show germs die fast works.” Now thousands of users have even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of on copper. Some hospitals tried copper stopped getting colds. different disease germs so it can prevent for surfaces like faucets and doorknobs.

People often use CopperZap preserious or even fatal illness. ventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci This cut the spread of MRSA and other CopperZap is made in the U.S. of used to get colds after crowded flights. illnesses by over half, and saved lives. pure copper. It has a 90-day full money Though skeptical, she tried it several The strong scientific evidence gave back guarantee when used as directed times a day on travel days for 2 months. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When to stop a cold. It is $69.95. Get $10 off he felt a cold coming on he fashioned “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” each CopperZap with code NATA7. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when Go to www.CopperZap.com or call people are sick around her she uses Cop- toll-free 1-888-411-6114. gently in his nose for 60 seconds.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold perZap morning and night. “It saved me Buy once, use forever.

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ustin Sulak, D.O., opened a private osteopathic manipulation, hypnotherapy and integrative medicine practice in Hallowell, Maine, in 2009, the same year the state’s voters expanded its medical cannabis law.

At that time, he was one of the few physicians in Maine willing to certify patients to use cannabis legally.

As of this writing, 33 states now allow medical marijuana, and 10 of them allow its recreational use. Cannabis initiatives continue to find their way onto state ballots with each election cycle.

Today, Sulak’s practice serves thousands of patients that use cannabis for authorized medical purposes. He educates medical professionals and patients on its safe, clinical use, while continuing to explore its therapeutic potential. Visit Healer.com to learn more.

What led you to become a national advocate for the therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis?

After trying cannabis in my teens, I realized what I had been told about the herb was not true, and I began thinking more critically about mainstream and natural approaches to health. Cannabis helped 24

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me make deeper connections with people, nature, music and spirituality. In college, I worked with social and political activists to learn and spread the truth about cannabis— that it’s a plant that has been used by humankind for thousands of years; that it has the potential to address many of our healthcare and environmental problems; that it’s been a victim of propaganda; and that it’s safe for most people.

Then, as a first-year medical student, I attended a conference lecture on the endocannabinoid system, a powerful physiological system our bodies use to stay healthy and respond to illness and injuries, and I saw the incredible therapeutic potential of cannabis in a new light.

Today, there’s enormous evidence, including a 2017 report from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, concluding that cannabis can be a safe and effective medicine for treating many conditions.

Which conditions are your patients using medical cannabis for?

My two offices in Maine currently follow approximately 8,000 patients who use medical cannabis, and of those, about 70 percent suffer from chronic pain, many

of whom are able to eliminate or decrease their dependence on opioids.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is the next most common diagnosis we treat with cannabis, with excellent results where other medications fail. Medical cannabis is like a magnet for conditions that fail to respond to conventional medical approaches, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, epilepsy, movement disorders, tick-borne disease, brain and spinal cord injuries and more.

How do you address concerns that cannabis is a gateway drug and can become addictive?

Research proves that medical cannabis actually serves as an exit drug, not a gateway drug. One study of 350 medical cannabis users in California found 40 percent of the subjects used cannabis as a substitute for alcohol, 26 percent as a substitute for illicit drugs, and 66 percent as a substitute for prescription drugs. Any time a person can replace a harmful substance with a safer substance like cannabis, it’s a step in the right direction.

Cannabis dependence does exist, but is uncommon. One study published in the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology found that only 9 percent of those who try cannabis illicitly develop dependence, compared to 24 percent of those who try heroin. Cannabis withdrawal is mild and similar in intensity to caffeine withdrawal, and most people don’t have any trouble stopping using cannabis, when and if they need to.

Are there any side effects?

The common adverse effects of cannabis are mild, especially when compared to other drugs. A 2008 review found that in 23 randomized controlled trials, there was no higher incidence of serious adverse events following medical cannabis use compared with control. Dizziness was the most common non-serious adverse effect.

Other common adverse effects include euphoria, altered consciousness, acute panic or paranoid reaction; altered moti-

It’s a plant that has been used by humankind for thousands of years. vation; impaired attention, memory and psychomotor performance; tachycardia; orthostatic hypotension; dry mouth; and increased appetite.

If someone lives in a state that has legalized medicinal cannabis and thinks it may help a disease or condition, what

should be their first step?

The ideal first step is to find a medical provider with experience in the medical cannabis field. The Society of Cannabis Clinicians (CannabisClinicians.org) is a good resource.

Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer based in Northwest Georgia. Connect at AmberNagle.com.

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BLOOD CHEMISTRY A New Roadmap to Better Health

by Linda Sechrist

G

ood detectives trained in the art of investigation know not only how to look for, collect and interpret evidence, but also how to use the tools that can help them solve a mystery. With the right tool, such as a comprehensive functional blood chemistry analysis, an experienced practitioner trained in systems biology examines the body’s metabolic blueprint, unravelling the enigma of declining health hijacked by chronic disease.

Holistic health practitioners like Kristin Grayce McGary, of Boulder, Colorado, use these skills to provide clients with sound recommendations, screen for health issues and monitor changes as needed. “This kind of sleuthing is what sets us apart,” says McGary.

Pathological Versus Functional The results of a blood test are essential to understanding anyone’s current state of health. No other screenings are more efficient and effective than the comprehensive blood chemistry panels used by functional medicine and holistic health practitioners to establish a baseline of biomarkers for tracking an individual’s health and nutritional needs.

In the field of blood chemistry analysis, there are two main types of reference ranges—pathological and functional. The 26

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pathological range is used by the majority of conventionally trained medical doctors that are focused on diagnosing disease. The functional range is used to assess risk for disease before it develops, says McGary.

“It is critical that you find a holistic and intelligent doctor skilled in functional medicine,” says Boulder-based Suzy Cohen, a registered pharmacist and author of Drug Muggers: Which Medications Are Robbing Your Body of Essential Nutrients—and Natural Ways to Restore Them. “Working with a functional medicine practitioner, as well as a local trusted pharmacist who has access to your medication regimen and sensitivities, is the safest way to regain health.”

It also saves money, because choosing the best supplements, herbal extracts, essential oils, dietary changes and other non-pharmaceutical healing modalities allows for healing faster, she says.

Conventional practitioners, constrained by insurance company requirements, generally order simple blood panels with basic markers for heart, kidney and liver function. These might include reference ranges for hemoglobin, platelets, glucose, calcium and electrolytes. “The baseline lab panel that I prefer for patients has 68 markers, plus a urinalysis. This means that I get five or six full pages of results, which gives me a more in-depth insight into someone’s health,” McGary says.

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McGary considers the most important differences between the interpretation of functional and conventional markers to be the statistically compiled range of values that functional practitioners consider normal and the interconnections taken into consideration during the comprehensive analysis.

“Conventional reference ranges are compiled by laboratories from a huge population of people, many of whom had their blood analyzed because they were already sick. Functional reference ranges are compiled from a much smaller population of healthy people whose bodies are functioning optimally,” she says.

If a marker falls inside the tighter functional range, it’s a green flag that compares favorably with healthy individuals.

If a marker falls outside the wider conventional range, it’s a red flag that correlates to sick people. The marker that falls in-between is a yellow flag.

“Functional practitioners are looking for yellow flags, which are the early warning signs that no one sees or feels yet as symptoms,” explains McGary, who spends more than two hours reviewing the blood analyses with clients. “We’re not only about prevention and achieving vibrant health— which we do by helping clients choose the best supplements to correct deficiencies— we’re also about helping individuals get to the root cause of their health challenge so that they can enjoy life.”

Functional blood chemistry analysis is not generally covered by health insurance, and can cost between $180 and $2,500, depending on the complexity of the panel, the number of markers ordered and the time spent by a practitioner in consultation and interpretation of results.

However, the out-of-pocket cost may be worth it, says Cohen. “In health, sometimes you get what you pay for. You don’t want to be somebody’s number and pushed out the door,” she says. “It’s important to feel like you have been listened to and that your entire medical history has been fully evaluated.”

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

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A Better Roadmap to Health

healing ways

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conscious eating I believe our plate is a reflection of our inner state. ~Carly Pollack, author of Feed Your Soul

BEFRIENDING FOOD Embrace the Psychology of Eating

A

by Marlaina Donato

nyone that has struggled to lose weight, eat right or deal with an eating disorder is familiar with the emotional battle that can evolve from the simple act of seeking sustenance.

“The black-and-white mentality of needing to be perfect or counting calories leads us into a rabbit hole of bingeing, dieting and stuck in a love/hate relationship with food,” says Carly Pollack, whose new book, Feed Your Soul: Nutritional Wisdom to Lose Weight Permanently and Live Fulfilled, comes out next month.

“We live in a society that is obsessed with mainstream media and celebrity culture,” says Pollack. “Poor body image and an unhealthy relationship with food are synonymous. You can’t have one without the other.”

Enter the psychology of eating, a movement built upon a mindset that reshapes our relationship to food, focusing on emotions, beliefs and physiological responses. These insights, grounded in research, offer empowering, new perspectives.

Mind Games

Nutritional Psychologist Marc David, who highlights research on the food/mind connection in his book The Slow Down Diet:

Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss, says our thoughts about what is on our plates have even more impact on our physiological responses than vitamins or minerals. Guilt about consuming certain foods can slow digestion and increase chemical responses that store fat, while enjoying the same foods without stress can boost metabolism and nutritional absorption.

“The most important aspect of creating and maintaining a healthy relationship with food is to bring awareness to our thoughts and behaviors around food,” says Pollack, founder of Nutritional Wisdom, a holistic practice based in Austin.

Simplicity, eating real food and unraveling perceptions are paramount. “With all of the information overload out there, ‘eating right’ has turned into ‘eating perfectly,’” Pollack says. “I believe our plate is a reflection of our inner state.”

“Women’s food issues spring from the cultural pressure to prioritize their appearance over their wisdom, while men may turn to food to deal with career pressure,” says Harriet Morris, who hosts The Eating Coach podcast in Shropshire, England. “I’ve found, too, that both men and women use food as a way to avoid dealing with issues around sexuality, but their needs are very distinct.”

Because a man’s sense of self is much more linked to his sexuality, food can be used to avoid dealing with aspects of male sexuality he is uncomfortable with, says Morris. “Work with my male clients is about avoiding perfectionism and opting instead for a powerful kind of ‘imperfectionism’ where strength allows for pleasure. This— not a Marvel superhero—is a real man.”

Regardless of gender, changing perspective is key, adds Morris. “Our problem is not food. Bulimia, excess weight, IBS [irritable bowel syndrome] and a whole host of other issues are teachers, not enemies.

We have, for very good reasons, been using food as a life manager,” she says.

In the end, nourishing ourselves on all levels is what it’s all about, says Pollack. “Our relationship with food gives us the opportunity to examine our relationship to ourselves, our sense of worth, who we think we are, what we feel we deserve and how we show up day-to-day in this body for this beautiful life we’ve been given.”

Marlaina Donato is the author of Multidimensional Aromatherapy. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Gender Differences

Fear-based approaches to eating generally and eating to cope with emotions are seen often as primarily women’s struggles, but a high percentage of men also suffer. In fact, according to Marc David’s Institute for the Psychology of Eating, 40 percent of binge eaters are male.

January 2019

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fit body

Other Helpful Resources Tinyurl.com/CompendiumOfPhysicalActivities Tinyurl.com/EightWaysToAddMoreMovement Tinyurl.com/SmarterSimplerWorkouts

MOVING THROUGH LIFE Daily Motion Adds Up to Fitness

by Marlaina Donato

E

xercise is often Stringing together lots of water or shoveling associated with snow from the driveway. of small decisions the gym or yoga throughout your day According to a study in studio, but structured the Archives of Internal and week can add workouts aren’t the only Medicine, everyday activup to significant gains ity outside of traditional way to keep physically and mentally fit. Whether exercise might be even in your strength and regulating blood prescardiovascular system … more beneficial than an sure, avoiding obesity hour at the gym. ~Jeremy Hyatt, or promoting brain “Staying active health, regular movement throughout the day personal trainer throughout the day helps regulate hormones yields promising benefits. Research shows like insulin, which help metabolize carbothat small changes in routine tasks—from hydrates to be used for fuel, and enzymes house cleaning to grocery shopping—can like lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which help make quick and lasting improvements in release free fatty acids for muscle activity. overall health.

Remaining sedentary for extended periods

Burn Calories Without the Workout Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) burns calories by keeping us moving throughout the day. “In essence, NEAT is how we use our bodies when we’re not doing a specific exercise or sitting still,” says San Diego’s Pete McCall, author of Smarter Workouts: The Science of Exercise Made Simple.

Over time, doing simple things can add up, like getting off the couch to refill a glass 28

West Michigan Edition

can actually lower LPL,” notes McCall, an American Council on Exercise-certified personal trainer and host of the podcast All About Fitness.

Jeremy Hyatt, who owns Hyatt Training, a Portland, Oregon, gym, agrees that exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous or structured to make an impact. “Stringing together lots of small decisions throughout your day and week can add up to significant gains in your strength and cardiovascular system, and in the process, reduce risks

NaturalWestMichigan.com

for some of our main causes of disease and disability due to metabolic conditions.”

Hyatt suggests staying active by walking the dog after dinner, taking the stairs instead of an elevator and carrying two bags of groceries home from the store or to a distant parking spot. Adding simple body weight movements to everyday chores and tasks can also have a positive effect.

A research study in The Journal of Neuroscience links exercise and neurotransmitter production, offering new hope for depressive disorders in which levels of the brain regulators glutamate and gamma-eminobutyric acid (GAMA) are out of balance.

Bring on the Joy Opting for activities that are fun and interesting is a surefire way to create a healthier lifestyle. Dancing, for instance, can offer a wide range of benefits, especially for older individuals. That’s why dance is now a significant component in many programs designed to treat depression, addiction and eating disorders.

“We’re never too old, too young, too inflexible, too busy, too anything to dance.

The hardest part is just walking into the studio,” says Kat Wildish, a renowned former ballerina and master teacher in New York City.

For those older than 50, dance offers many advantages. “Dance gives us positive stimulus in both physical movement and the mental connection in a non-competitive environment. It has an immediate inverse effect to cortisol and raises serotonin,” says Wildish. “With proper alignment and joint care in mind, dance helps to combat the physical effects of aging such as arthritis, osteoporosis ...”

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Tinyurl.com/McCallFitnessPodcast

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Researchers at the University of Miami’s Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine found that all types of exercise have been shown to improve thinking processes in older adults. Results of their study, published in Neurology: Clinical Practice, suggest that yoga, aerobic exercise and strength training yield the most significant results over an extended period.

Yet, moving the body regularly and consistently in everyday endeavors is an excellent starting point that can be richly rewarding. “Individuals can start to make quick and lasting changes to their overall health. Start by picking small changes,” says Hyatt.

Wildish agrees that making the decision to begin and keeping it fun is paramount. “Do what you can and stick with it when you find something that brings you joy, even when it’s challenging.”

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

Without the

oceans there would be no life on Earth. ~Peter Benchley

inspiration

Head, Heart and Gut Lodestars of Powerful Decision Making

W

by Lee Milteer

e are living in unprecedented times of stress, confusion and overwhelm. We all need resources to help navigate these challenging times and make the right decisions for the highest and best long-term good for ourselves, our families and our businesses.

Those resources can be found within each of us if we pause to consider three reliable indicators: the head (intellect), the heart (feelings) and the gut (intuition).

Before proceeding in making an important choice, make a habit of checking these built-in sensors, which can warn us about danger or give us the go-ahead.

Head: Make use of intellect and past

knowledge. All decisions, actions and even non-actions have repercussions. Use the conscious mind to discern questions that need to be answered. For example, is this person telling the truth? What has worked in the past? Have we done our due diligence and homework before making a decision?

Heart: I listen to my heart and ask: Is this

the right direction for me? Do I naturally feel attracted to this? Am I hearing truth?

The internal part of us, the voice inside, tells us when things feel right or wrong.

For example, are we relaxed around the person we are asking the question about,

or do we feel uptight and uncomfortable?

Keep in mind that our bodies do talk to us.

For me personally, if I feel shut down, tight and not good, I know something is not right. However, if I feel open, lighthearted and relaxed, I trust that my heart is telling me that, “All is well.” We have to pay attention to our own internal signals.

Gut: We need to trust our intuition. If it

doesn’t feel right, chances are it’s not right for us. What may be right for one person can be wrong for another. Our gut instinct, our inner voice, is always there for us when we take the time to pay attention and listen.

Become conscious, and do not go into the default mode of past decisions or behaviors. Life has changed and requires more awareness of what is truth and what is not, and we need to utilize our senses, not the old programmed beliefs from others. It is our job to use the instincts that we have to help navigate new terrain.

Lee Milteer is the author of Reclaim the Magic: The Real Secrets to Manifesting Anything You Want and an award-winning speaker and life and business strategist.

Sign up for her free weekly Gems of Wisdom newsletter at Milteer.com. Go to FiveTypesOfEnergy.com for a free copy of her “Five Types of Energy” video series.

January 2019

29

FEBRUARY

green living

Coming Next Month

Plus: Heart Health

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Socially Conscious Investing

Seeking Sanctuary How to Reduce Electromagnetic Radiation at Home

A

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616-604-0480 30

West Michigan Edition

by Emily Courtney

mericans are atYour Alarm Clock and 1,268 There are lots tached to their gadWays to Outsmart the Hazof solutions for gets, and the tech ards of Electronic Pollution. reducing your industry is all too happy to EMFs have cumulative deliver the latest innovations exposure without and sometimes imperceptito consumers that clamor for ble biological effects, Gittleditching every convenience, connection and electronic [device] man notes—especially on unlimited mobility. Meanthe brain, heart, skin, lungs in your house. while, telecom companies and central nervous system. are busy installing fifth-genThe World Health ~Risa Suzuki, eration (5G) infrastructure Organization has classified EMF expert designed to take the nation’s radiofrequency radiation communications revolution to a new level.

(RF), a high-frequency EMF associated

We love our smartphones and smart with many types of wireless technologies, homes, and especially the relatively newas a Group 2B carcinogen. Radio, televifound freedom from wires and plugs that sion, GPS and cell towers all emit RF, once tethered us to our electronics. But which has become the eye of a gathering concerns about the price to be paid in instorm regarding 5G as companies precreased health risks from electromagnetic pare to install millions of transmitters on fields (EMFs) generated by those devices lampposts and utility poles, along with has surged with the proliferation of silent, standalone antennas nationwide, sending invisible waves of radiation that permeate unprecedented levels of EMF into commuevery facet of modern life. nities and neighborhoods.

“The main health concerns include

“5G is especially hazardous, since the the breaking of DNA [bonds], leaks in the transmitters are placed closer to the populablood-brain barrier and loss of calcium tions served,” says Samuel Milham, M.D., from cellular membranes,” says Ann Louise MPH, an Olympia, Washington, epidemiGittleman, of Post Falls, Idaho, author of ologist and author of Dirty Electricity: ElecZapped: Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn’t Be trification and the Diseases of Civilization.

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Create a Safer Haven

With electromagnetic radiation blanketing the atmosphere from coast to coast, our homes may offer the only sanctuary from this particular form of pollution—providing we take some low-tech, commonsense steps to minimize household exposure to the health risk.

Find Some Distance

EMFs decrease with distance, so the farther away, the better. Switch to a battery-operated alarm clock, ditch the electric blanket, move the bed away from power outlets and keep wireless baby monitors six feet from beds.

Unplug Each Night

Disable Wi-Fi routers and remove all digital appliances and gadgets to make the bedroom a healing haven, says Gittleman.

Identify Overlooked Sources

“Almost all the homes I walk into have printers with wireless turned on, transmitting frequencies in the thousands of microwatts per square meter,” says EMF expert Risa Suzuki, a certified building biology environmental consultant in Seattle.

“Wireless boosters also constantly transmit radio frequency.”

Other overlooked household EMF sources include smart meters and household appliances both large and small, including hair dryers, electric shavers and cordless phones.

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Change Wireless Habits

Cell phones are prolific EMF producers, so if disconnecting isn’t an option, use a speakerphone or an air tube headset, similar to a doctor’s stethoscope, whenever possible, Gittleman advises in Zapped. Never carry the phone against the body when it’s turned on.

For computers and tablets, switch to wired internet and turn on Wi-Fi only when necessary. Opt for a wired mouse, keyboard and other plugged-in accessories.

Shield With Caution

Although there are a variety of EMF-shielding products, experts warn against relying solely on them. “EMFs can bounce and deflect off surfaces, and materials have a certain threshold of what they can shield against,” says Suzuki. Do some research, ask questions and consult with an expert before making a purchase.

“It’s easy to get overwhelmed when learning about EMFs, and many people feel totally helpless,” says Suzuki. “But there are lots of solutions for reducing your exposure without ditching every electronic [device] in your house. If you’re willing to take action, then you can absolutely make a positive impact on your health.”

Emily Courtney is a freelance health and wellness writer and editor living in northern Colorado. Connect at EmilyCourtneyWrites@ gmail.com.

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January 2019

31

AUTISM’S GUT-BRAIN AXIS A Promising Approach to Healing

by Emily Courtney

W

ith the diagnosis Kids with ASD From specialized diet and supplement regimens to of autism specmay have a variety of alternative theratrum disorder inflammation in pies, parents have a wealth (ASD) on the rise—now the brain, and of complementary options affecting one in every 59 from which to choose. One school-age children, accordwe’ve learned ing to estimates from the U.S. that it can be very integrative approach, however, is showing exceptional, Centers for Disease Control much related to research-backed promise: and Prevention (CDC) — inflammation healing the gut. identifying effective, integrative remedies is more of the gut.

The Gut-Autism important than ever. ~Kenneth A. Bock, Connection

“You may have five M.D. Children with ASD frequently kids with ASD that are very experience gut issues such as different in how they present constipation or diarrhea; a review from the and what contributes to the disorder, so International Society for Autism Research one size and one treatment does not fit indicated that nearly 47 percent of autistic all,” says Kenneth A. Bock, M.D., of Bock children exhibited at least one gastrointestinal Integrative Medicine, in Red Hook, New (GI) symptom. And, the more severe a child’s York, author of Healing the New Childhood GI symptoms, the more severe the autism, acEpidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and cording to a study in BMC Gastroenterology.

Allergies. The Groundbreaking Program for

Not coincidentally, research is finding the 4-A Disorders.

ASD encompasses a range of disorders that these digestive conditions and the accompanying ASD may be connected to the characterized by repetitive behaviors and impaired social skills and communication. gut microbiome, an ecosystem of trillions Although it includes four distinct condiof microbes living in the digestive tract. tions, one of its hallmarks is how much it

“Kids with ASD may have inflammavaries from person to person and how diftion in the brain, and we’ve learned that it ferent the restrictions can be for each child. can be very much related to inflammation

The very nature of the condition lends of the gut,” explains Bock. “The gut and itself to integrative approaches that can be immune system—which are intimately significantly effective, says Bock. “ASD is connected because the majority of our imreally a whole-body disorder that affects mune system is in the gut—are two of the the brain, so a whole-body approach makes most crucial systems involved in autism so much more sense.” spectrum disorders.”

32

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NaturalWestMichigan.com

It turns out that kids with ASD have less bacterial diversity in their guts than non-autistic kids, along with an imbalance between good and bad bacteria. This dysbiosis of the gut flora leads to problems with improper immune function, inflammation and a leaky gut barrier.

It all comes down to the gut-brain axis, by which the gut and brain communicate with each other. When the microbiome isn’t balanced, not only is this vital communication system broken, but toxins and pro-inflammatory molecules that trigger ASD-like behaviors can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Experts say prioritizing gut health can relieve both GI issues and ASD symptoms.

Focus on Gut Health for ASD Care

For children with ASD, reinforcing the intestinal barrier and restoring balance to the microbiome can have profound health effects.

“With dysbiosis and an overly permeable gut, inflammatory molecules can leak into the circulatory system, travel up to the brain and cross the blood-brain barrier, causing inflammation. A lot of it originates in the gut, so when we treat the gut, we can restore microbial balance, diversity and resilience to the ecosystem—and in doing so, decrease inflammation, help restore the appropriate blood-brain barrier and bring the brain back into more of a balance,” advises Bock.

Before embarking on a treatment plan, Bock emphasizes the importance of working with a qualified healthcare practitioner to determine where a child fits in terms of subtypes of ASD, along with any other individual contributing factors.

Although autism spectrum disorder is complex, using holistic strategies that address the whole body can make all the difference. “I see thousands of kids on the spectrum, and the vast majority of them improve with an integrative approach to treatment, and more and more kids are actually recovering,” notes Bock.

Emily Courtney is a freelance health and wellness writer and editor living in northern Colorado. Connect at EmilyCourtneyWrites@gmail.com.

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healthy kids

natural pet

CANINE CONUNDRUM

Controversy ‘Dogs’ Grain-Free Diet Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

by Sandra Murphy

The absence of grains isn’t a problem. What’s substituted for the missing grain is what can be the problem. ~Marty Goldstein, DVM, author of The Nature of Animal Healing

J

ust like their people, dogs are prone to allergies, and pinpointing a cause and cure can be complicated. The maddening itching and scratching that allergic dogs experience can emerge from many factors, including changes in cleaning supplies, chemically treated grass at the park or sensitivity to food—with corn and wheat being common culprits, says Roberta Gleicher, a Purina-certified pet advisor in Long Island.

The possible role of these grains in pet food allergies has given rise to an explosion of grain-free products. “Most dogs don’t need grains. They need nutrients,” says Gleicher. “Some of these foods were well-researched, but others were created solely to exploit fads. That’s often why some have better quality ingredients and better nutritional profiles than others.”

Many dog owners have found grainfree food to be the answer to their pets’ frustrating health woes. “Our 4-year-old rescue terrier-mix had redness and itching on his belly to the point of bleeding from scratching. It flared up almost immediately after eating food or treats with grains,” says Allison Radkay, a blogger at LooksLikeHappy. com in suburban Chicago. “Trial and error, combined with a lot of antihistamines, kept

his redness and hives to a minimum while we figured out his allergies: He can handle brown rice, but not corn or wheat.”

Grains aren’t evil, says integrative veterinarian Marty Goldstein, DVM, of South Salem, New York, and author of The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat. “There is not a real requirement to feed them. The absence of grains isn’t a problem. What’s substituted for the missing grain is what can be the problem,” he notes. “Foods high in beans, peas and potatoes can block taurine utilization ...”

That could be unhealthy for some dogs, according to an alert issued last summer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It notes that taurine is an amino acid that’s lacking in dogs that develop dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

The condition, which can lead to heart failure if left untreated, has long been associated with certain large and giant-sized dogs. Concerns about grain-free foods were raised when reports of DCM surfaced in breeds not typically predisposed to the disease.

While the FDA investigates the potential link between taurine deficiency in some

grain-free foods, dog owners and veterinarians ponder the best ways to approach a healthy canine diet. Opinions are divided.

Justin Shmalberg, DVM, a boardcertified veterinary nutritionist based in Gainesville, Florida, and chief nutrition officer at the pet food company NomNomNow, says there’s a longstanding debate about the necessity of carbohydrates for dogs. “Metabolically, a carb-free, meaty diet, including proteins for necessary blood sugar, works.” Still, dogs absorb many carbs just fine, he says. “Carbs are part of our dogs’ evolution. People eat carbs, and as dogs were domesticated, they adapted to eating more carbs.”

Some food formulas substitute potatoes for grains, which are high in starch, says Gleicher. “Too much starch can raise blood sugar levels, which can be especially harmful for dogs with obesity or diabetic issues.”

Goldstein, founder of Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend freeze-dried pet food, headquartered in Woodland Hills, California, favors a predominantly meat diet for carnivorous dogs. “The addition of a small amount of cooked, whole grains is okay, especially for a healthy dog. My golden, eating food that contained some brown rice, lived to 19-and-a-half, much longer than today’s life expectancy of 8 to 10 years.”

In some cases, it may not be the grain itself that’s creating the problem. “A chemical residue on the grain or a genetically modified variety might trigger an allergic reaction,” Gleicher says.

There’s no denying that for some dogs, removing grain has led to significant relief from allergy symptoms. If it helps, there’s no reason to panic over the latest controversy, say the experts. On the other hand, take care in jumping on the grain-free bandwagon without due diligence, careful consideration and consultation with a vet.

“The best diet is individualized,” says Shmalberg. “Feed quality foods, rotate protein sources and ask where ingredients come from. Dogs are adaptable. Do what’s best for each of your dogs. Don’t just follow a trend.”

Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.

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calendar of events ALL MONTH LONG

BVI School of Ayurveda Accepting Applications: Ayurvedic Consultant Certificate Program. Webinar and On-Site Courses, one weekend a month.

State Licensed. NAMA Member. The Sambodh Society, Inc. 6363 N. 24th St., Kalamazoo. Info and Catalog: AyurvedaMichigan.org or 269-381-4946.

THURSDAY JANUARY 3

Two week Lean Body Challenge – 6-7pm. Step up to the challenge of losing weight and becoming healthy. $199 per person, supplements included.

19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. Info: Info@TheGleasonCenter.com.

MONDAY JANUARY 7

Support Group: For Loss of a Loved One Due to Addiction – 6-7:30pm. First Monday of every month. Including, but not limited to death due to: drug overdose, addiction-related disease, and suicide. Free. 712 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven.

Info: ExtendedGrace.org.

Reiki Share – 10am-12pm, 6-8pm. Being offered twice in one day! Come check out what Reiki is all about, and have a mini session done. Open to those that know Reiki and those that don’t. Donations welcome. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must register: TheRemedyHouse. org, 616-443-4225.

TUESDAY JANUARY 8

Why Can’t I Lose Weight? Workshop – 6:30pm.

This class will address the roadblocks that hinder people from losing weight in a natural and healthy manner. The staff will discuss their services and why their weight loss techniques are different than others.

Seating is limited to 24. Free. The Healing Center of Natural Health, 4288 3 Mile Rd NW, Suite 3, Grand Rapids. Register: Drowings.Weightseminar.com.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9

Create 2019! – 6:30pm. Participants will dissolve ego in order to allow their true voice to be heard, their divine spark of imagination to shine brightly, and their unique creative path to reveal itself with clarity! Bring a notebook, pen, and an open mind. $15. Thought Design, 10 E Bridge St, Rockford.

Info: ShamamaGroup.com.

Intro to Cold Laser Therapy – 5:30-6:30pm. Learn how to heal the body with Cold Laser Therapy. $10.

The Gleason Center, 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. Info: Info@TheGleasonCenter.com.

The Healing Power of Hemp Oil – 10am-12pm, 6-8pm. Being offered twice in one day! Reduce the holiday stress with the healing power of Hemp!

Come clear up some of the confusion with the difference between Hemp, CBD, and Marijuana. Learn all the wonderful healing benefits being proven by Hemp products from Naturopathic Doctor, Jodi Jenks. $25. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must pre-register by Jan 5: TheRemedyHouse.org, 616-443-4225.

THURSDAY JANUARY 10

Rainbow Therapy Weekly Class: Series for Adults – 10am-12pm, 5-7pm. Being offered twice! This 9-week class is designed to give proactive support to those who struggle with day-to-day pressures of anxiety and depression through a holistic approach.

Come tap into the seven main energy centers of the

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body, known as the Chakras, teaching ways of understanding, coping, and developing their emotions throughout troubled times. $275, fee includes all materials needed. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must pre-register by Jan 5: TheRemedyHouse.org, 616-443-4225.

Detox for General Health and Ideal Weight – 6:30pm. Dee Kohley, RPh will share in the Bluewater Wellness office the advantages of detoxification and how to support a healthy liver, improve health and strengthen the immune system. Detox can be very beneficial to one’s health and wellness goals.

Bluewater Office, Van Wagoner Rd, Spring Lake.

Info: BluewaterWellnessTeam.com, 616-296-2422.

SATURDAY JANUARY 12

DIY at GRPL: Bullet Journaling 101 – 1pm.

Looking for ways to organize the to-do lists, sticky notes, goals, journal and calendar? Come learn the basics of bullet journaling, a system of rapid logging to keep track of life in a creative and productive way.

BYOJ (bring your own journal), or dotted paper for practice will be provided. Free. Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. Must register: www.grpl.org/register.

Inspire! Topic: Racism – 10am-1pm. Inspire! is a monthly community event that creates an opportunity to grow spiritually and ethically by exploring specific areas of concern and highlight ways in which those concerns are being addressed. The class starts with an opportunity for reflection, healing and growth and then a challenge to use our health and wholeness by helping to address the needs of the larger community. This event is participative and experiential! Free. 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: ExtendedGrace.org.

Healthy & Fit Expo – 10am-4pm. The 2019 Healthy and Fit Expo is a first-class event that spot-lights vendors promoting healthy living. Vendors that are selected for this event are leaders within their field and will provide information, services and/or products for the patrons. This year features a rock-climbing wall, stage demonstrations, kitten yoga and more! $5. 2900 Lake St, Kalamazoo. Info: 989-245-6031.

SUNDAY JANUARY 13

Shamama Breathwork at The Hive! – 6:30pm. Using a specific and powerful breathing method, music, sound, guided meditation, essential oils, and rocks, particpants will connect with their inner wisdom; improve energy levels; relieve stress, anxiety, and depression; release strong emotions like grief, fear, guilt, or anger; and reprogram limiting beliefs that keeps them stuck. $15. The Hive Yoga 2611 Alpine Ave, Grand Rapids. Info: ShamamaGroup.com.

Reinvent Yourself Spiritually by Eckankar – 10-11am. ECK Light and Sound Service, second Sunday each month. Free. Dominican Center at Marywood, Room 4, 2025 E Fulton, Grand Rapids. Info: ECK-MI.org, eck.mi.info@gmail.com, 269-370-7170.

MONDAY JANUARY 14

Mediumship Class – 6pm. Class is facilitated by Rachelle Gehman, a Spiritualist Medium. The class will be taught in the traditional way of spiritualism in that there will be strong focus on evidential mediumship. This will focus on the mechanics and development of working with understanding spirit communication. $10. 8887 Gull Rd, Richland. Info: Choicesunl@gmail.com.

NaturalWestMichigan.com

TUESDAY JANUARY 15

Natural Health 101: Gut Health – 10am, or 6pm.

New class offered twice! The gut—more than the brain, the heart or any other organ—is deeply connected with many other body systems and functions.

Come find out more about how to get this key body system healthy. $10. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must pre-register

by Jan 8: TheRemedyHouse.org, 616-443-4225.

Yoga Basics I for Beginners Series – 7:15-8:15pm.

This is a six-week series starting January 15 through February 19. Come enjoy a supportive and compassionate environment where everyone is a beginner.

Space is limited. $80, for series only, $115, for Beginner Package (series plus one-month unlimited yoga starting after series is finished, no exceptions).

Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 W 18th St, Holland. Must Register and Prepay: mibodhitree. com, 616-392-4269.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16

Sound of Soul by Eckankar – 7-8pm. 3rd Wednesday each month. Experience singing HU. Sung for thousands of years, HU brings strength and wisdom to meet life. No cost. Dominican Center at Marywood, Room 4, 2025 E Fulton, Grand Rapids. Info: ECK-MI.org, 269-370-7170.

Healing Leaky Gut – 5:30-6:30pm. Learn how gut health is vital to healing the body as a whole. $10.

The Gleason Center, 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. Info: Info@TheGleasonCenter.com.

FRIDAY JANUARY 18

Reiki I & II class – 9am-5pm. Introduction to Reiki, become attuned to the universal energy, learn how to give treatment to self and others and meet the Reiki guide. $250, fee includes a $50 deposit due at registration. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must register by Jan 8: TheRemedyHouse.org, 616-443-4225.

SATURDAY JANUARY 19

Advanced Reiki Class – 9am-5pm. Enhance energy work to a new level. Learn how to perform psychic surgery, and how to set up and utilize a crystal grid with energy work. $275, fee includes a $50 deposit due at registration. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must pre-register

by Jan 12: TheRemedyHouse.org, 616-443-4225.

SUNDAY JANUARY 20

Medical Intuitive – 11am-6pm. Medical Intuitive and Reiki Master Kathy Sherman is an intuitive energy healer with a specialization in medical intuition who has studied with a world renowned medical intuitive. Her healing also consists of techniques including meditation, color energy healing and Oracle card readings. She holds a special interest in herbs, chronic illnesses and the natural healing abilities from all things that come from Mother Earth. Come learn along with her. $60 per session. 8887 Gull Road, Richland. Info: Choicesunl@gmail.com.

Reiki Masters Class – 9am-5pm. Participants must have had first attunement at least 6 months to a year prior to masters class. Be attuned to the master level of Reiki and learn how to pass it onto others. $450, fee includes a $50 deposit due at registration. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must register: 616-443-4225.

Low Carbohydrate: Keto and Virtual Gastric Banding for weight loss – 8pm. Learn from the comfort of home as Dee Kohley, RPh and Morgan Buck

explain how to abolish hunger and reach weight loss goals. Bluewater Wellness Office, Van Wagoner Rd, Spring Lake. Info: BluewaterWellnessTeam.com.

MONDAY JANUARY 21

The Art of Essential Oils – 10am-12pm, 5-7pm.

Class offered at two different times! Come learn the chemistry behind the oils, the methods of using essential oils, and how and why they work in the body. $20 per person for workshop, additional $20 to make a custom blend. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must pre-register

by Jan 14: TheRemedyHouse.org, 616-443-4225.

TUESDAY JANUARY 22

Hormones and Sexual Health – 6:30pm. During this webinar Dee Kohley, RPh will talk about the best course of action to take around hormone imbalance. She will discuss how to enroll in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy consultation. Bluewater Wellness on Van Wagoner Rd, Spring Lake.

Info: BluewaterWellnessTeam.com, 616-296-2422.

Why Can’t I Lose Weight? Workshop – 6:30pm.

This class will address the roadblocks that hinder people from losing weight in a natural and healthy manner. The staff will discuss their services and why their weight loss techniques are different than others.

Seating is limited to 24. Free. The Healing Center of Natural Health, 4288 3 Mile Rd NW, Suite 3, Grand Rapids. Register: Drowings.Weightseminar.com.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23

Keto Clinic – 6-7pm. Eating the Keto way. $10. The Gleason Center, 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. Info: Info@TheGleasonCenter.com.

THURSDAY JANUARY 24

Hygge Night – 7pm. Embrace winter and come for a night of hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”). While there is no direct English translation, the words “cozy and hominess” come close to this concept in Danish culture. Wear a favorite sweater, and come for hot drinks, treats, games, beautiful picture books, and a hyggelig atmosphere. Free. Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. Info: GRPL.org.

FRIDAY JANUARY 25

Dinner and Movie Night – 6-9pm. Come for a dinner at 6pm. Feel free to bring a dish to pass, or just come as you are! Then at 7pm, the movie will start. Free. 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: ExtendedGrace.org.

SUNDAY JANUARY 27

Meditation for the Holidays – 2:30-3:15pm. This meditation class is an opportunity to prepare for and to have some new defenses for the stresses that the holiday season often brings. $10. 208 W 18th St, Holland. Info: MiBodhiTree.com.

MONDAY JANUARY 28

Better Sleep Clinic – 6-7pm. Learn how sleep is vital to mood, digestion, and healing. $10. The

Gleason Center, 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. Info: Info@TheGleasonCenter.com

TUESDAY JANUARY 29

Natural Health 101: Gut Health – 10am, or 6pm.

New class offered twice! The gut—more than the brain, the heart or any other organ—is deeply connected with many other body systems and functions.

Come find out more about how to get this key body system healthy. $10. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Must pre-register

by Jan 22: TheRemedyHouse.org, 616-443-4225.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 30

The Fire Within Writing Workshop – 6:30pm.

Everyone has stories, special interests, unique perspectives—something to express. But, there are barriers: fear, doubt, writer’s block, time, worries about technique/style/publication/audience. This workshop is for those who have something niggling in the back of their psyche or collecting dust in a drawer! $15. Thought Design, 10 E Bridge St, Rockford. Info: Shamamagroup.com.

THURSDAY JANUARY 31

General Nutrition: What to Buy and How to Cook – 6:30pm. Come to the office as Dee Kohley, RPh offers a greater understanding and helps you to set goals for eating REAL food. Nutrition is the key to good health. Bluewater Wellness office, Van Wagoner Road, Spring Lake. Info: BluewaterWellnessteam.com, 616-296-2422.

on going events NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email NAcalendar@NaturalAwakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit NaturalWestMichigan.com/submit-calendar-events/ to submit online.

SUNDAY Shamama Breathwork – 4:30pm. Using a specific and powerful breathing method, music, sound, guided meditation, essential oils, and rocks, participants will connect with their inner wisdom, improve energy levels, relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as release strong emotions like grief, fear, guilt, or anger. Come reprogram limiting beliefs! $20, first time is half-off; drop-ins welcome.

OMG!Yoga, 251 Northland Dr NE, Rockford. Info: ShamamaGroup.com.

Narcotics Anonymous: Just for Today – 9-10am.

Free. Momentum Center Annex, 712 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Call Jessica for more info: 616-632-4775.

Student Hot Yoga Night – 7:30-8:45pm. Come for a traditional HOT yoga class, discounted for students! Sign up in advance or just drop-in. Open to non-students as well, but additional pricing options apply. $5 with student ID. 6189 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale. Info: HeartsJourneyWellness.com.

Meditation-Self Realization Fellowship – 1011am. Every Sunday we gather to meditate, chant, & explore the wisdom of the Hindu/Yoga tradition

as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda. Free will offering. Marywood Center 2025 Fulton, Grand Rapids.

Info: Fred Stella 616-451-8041, GrandRapids.srf@ gmail.com, GRSRF.org Sunday Worship and Youth Services – 10:30am.

A warm and inviting New Thought Spiritual Community, inclusive and accepting of all, honoring diversity, for those seeking spiritual truth. Unity of Grand Rapids, 1711 Walker Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. Info: UnityGRoffice@gmail.com or 616-453-9909.

Celebration Services – 10:30am. Join us each Sunday for our Sunday Celebration Service. Unity is a positive, peaceful path for spiritual living. We offer spiritual teachings and programs that empower a life of meaning, purpose, and abundance in all good things. We seek to discover the “universal” spiritual truths that apply to all religions. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE, Ada. Info: office@Unitycsg.org or 616-682-7812.

Spirit Space Sunday Worship – 10:30am. An interfaith, non-denominational gathering place for worship and spiritual enrichment. Join for inspiring messages called Reasoning’s. Spirit Space, 3493 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck. Info: 616-836-1555 or Spirit-Space.org

Sunday Series – 6pm. Explore spirituality, universal truths, self-mastery and balanced, positive, loving and joyful living with The Coptic Center and their ongoing offering of enlightening ministers, teachers and guest presenters. Love offering.

0-381 Lake Michigan Dr, Grand Rapids. Info: TheCopticCenter.org

MONDAY Restorative Yoga – 6:15-7:30pm. This class offers participants time for themselves to relax and unwind in a peaceful environment. Props support restorative poses, giving the body and mind time to fully sink into relaxation. $10 cash drop in, $12 with card. 6189 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale. Info: HeartsJourneyWellness.com.

3rd Monday Support Group – 7-8:30pm. This support group is available for parents, guardians and caregivers of teenagers and pre-teens facilitated by Nicki Kubec, LMSW. Free. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: 616-414-9111.

A practice of A Course in Miracles – 7-8:30pm.

Learn miracle-mindedness. Got joy? This is how to have it. Hint: You already do. All are welcome.

Free. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids. 616-458-5095.

TUESDAY Tibetan Buddhist Foundations – 7-8:30pm. (Class not held on New Year’s Day) Stages on the Path to Enlightenment: An ongoing course following the Lam Rim, a Tibetan Buddhist text that lays out an

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extensive roadmap to spiritual understanding and fulfillment. Free. 1758 N 10th St, Kalamazoo. Info: JewelHeart.org.

Chair Yoga – 10:30-11:30am. Chair Yoga uses a chair for greater support and stability. With an emphasis on breath, alignment, and moving at one’s own pace, Chair Yoga brings simplicity to the practice and easeful connection with the healing and restorative benefits yoga offers. This class it taught

by Kathy Julien. $10 per session. 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids. Register: dominicancenter. com, 616-514-3325.

Peer Support Group for Parents of Children with Disabilities – 7-8:30pm. Third Tuesday of every month. Led by Laura Marcus-Nolan, this is an opportunity to share stories and discover resources with other parents of children with developmental disabilities. Free. 714 Columbus Ave. Grand Haven. Info: ExtendedGrace.org.

4 Week Detox Class – 6-7pm. This class runs from Sept 25-Oct 16. Dee Kohley, RPh, is the teacher. 17214 Van Wagoner Rd, Spring Lake.

Info: BluewaterWellnessTeam.com, 616-296-2422.

Tibetan Buddhist Meditation/Study Group – 7:15-8:30pm. Explore in a practical way the practices associated with Tibetan Buddhism, including concentration, mindfulness, analysis and visualization. Free. Jewel Heart, 1919 Stearns Ave, Kalamazoo. Info: Call 734-368-8701 or 269-9441575 or email: GregSupa@gmail.com Nourishing the Lakeshore – 7pm. Meetings the second Tuesday of each month. Open to the Public!

Formed to provide education on the health enriching benefits of traditional diets, to increase access to clean, nutrient dense foods, and to teach traditional preparation and storage methods. Nourishing the Lakeshore of West Michigan is a chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation serving Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana counties. The main purpose is to act as a resource for local, clean, nutrient dense food. We also provide informational meetings on health related topics, often those which are politically incorrect. Nourishing the Lakeshore respects that everyone is at a different point on the path to better eating. Our goal is to educate and enrich the wellness of our community. Location: The Century Club on Western Ave, Muskegon. Info:Meetup. com/Nourishing-the-Lakeshore-of-West-MichiganWeston-A-Price A Course in Miracles – 9:30-11am. A complete self-study spiritual thought system. It teaches that the way to universal peace is by undoing guilt through forgiving others. The Course focuses on the healing of relationships and making them holy.

It expresses a non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE, Ada. Info: Unitycsg.org. 616-682-7812. $20 off BioMeridian Assessments – Food allergies, environmental allergies, organ function and real food menus and shopping lists for families that are healthy and kid-approved. Grand Rapids. 616365-9176. IntegrativeNutritionalTherapies.com.

WEDNESDAY Yoga for Veterans and First Responders (Military, Fire, Police, etc.) – 5:30-7pm. Enjoy yoga for 50 minutes and then a guided iRest Meditation. These practices help support one’s wellbeing on and off the mat. iRest Meditation has been shown to reduce

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symptoms associated with PTSD and trauma. The instructors are trained through Warriors at Ease. By Donation. 1991 Lakeshore Dr, (in Lakeside shopping center) Muskegon. Register: BlueHorizonsWellness. com, 231-755-7771.

Smart Recovery – 6-7:30pm. The purpose of this class is to help participants gain independence from any addictive behavior. This program encourages participants to take responsibility for their own recovery. The meetings support their capacity to regulate their own behavior. As participants progress in recovery their focus can shift to enjoying the activities of a healthy, fulfilling and productive life, including the satisfaction of assisting new participants in SMART Recovery. Free. 712 Columbus Ave. Grand Haven. Info: ExtendedGrace.org.

A Course in Miracles – 9:30-11am. A Course in Miracles begins. Nothing real can be threatened.

Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God. As its title implies, the course is arranged throughout as a teaching device. It consists of three books: Text, workbook for students, and manual for teachers. The order in which students choose to use the books, and the ways in which they study them, depend on their particular needs and preferences. Come for a study group. We have an open door policy, meaning guests can come anytime. Guests do not have to attend every week. Love offering. 6025 Ada Drive SE Ada. Info: Office@unitycsg.org.

The Law of Attraction Speaking Club – 6:308pm. Do you want to learn how to apply the law of attraction in your life and in your business? We are a group of like-minded individuals who support each other in our growth. Come to Toastmasters where we provide a supportive learning experience where individuals can become better communicators and leaders. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE Ada. Info: lawofattractiontm@gmail. com or 616-717-3203.

Meditation – 6-7pm. Every Wednesday we meet in our meditation room from 6-7pm. We begin and end meditation time with live, native flute music.

Join us for the full hour or any part of the time. Call 616-836-1555 for more info or visit our meditation page to learn more. 3493 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. Info: Info@Spirit-Space.org.

THURSDAY Support Group: Promoting Positive Youth Development – 7-8:30pm. Every other Thursday starting December 13. Group members will share their parenting experiences, participate in role play scenarios, ask questions, and have an opportunity to engage in deep learning. Free. 712 Columbus Ave. Grand Haven. Info: ExtendedGrace.org.

Restorative Yoga – 12-1:15pm & 7:15- 8:30pm. All levels are welcome and encouraged to come learn gentle yet powerful poses for the body, mind and spirit. Through these postures one will be seeking and finding balance. This balance will recharge, refresh and rejuvenate. Restorative Yoga is an antidote to stress. Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 W 18th St, Holland. Info: MiBodhiTree.com, 616-392-7580.

Restorative Yoga – 7-8pm. Calm the mind and nourish the body with Restorative Yoga. Restorative poses are held on a mat and deeply supported with yoga props. The practice seeks to balance the physical, mental, and spiritual while also experiencing profound

NaturalWestMichigan.com

rest and relaxation. Taught by Kathy Julien, certified yoga instructor. $10/session. Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids. Info and register: DominicanCenter.com, 616-514-3325.

Gentle Yoga – 5:30 - 6:30pm. This gentle class offers a peaceful session to gradually build strength and range of motion. With this quiet practice, experience how mindful movement and breath work can deliver much needed nurturing, rest, and clarity. Taught by Kathy Julien, certified yoga instructor. $10/session. Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids. Info and register: DominicanCenter.com, 616-514-3325.

Chair Yoga – 4-5pm. Chair Yoga uses a chair for greater support and stability within the practice. With an emphasis on the breath, alignment, and moving at your own pace, Chair Yoga brings simplicity to the practice and easeful connection with the healing and restorative benefits yoga offers. Taught by Kathy Julien, certified yoga instructor. $10/session. Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids. Info: DominicanCenter.com, 616-514-3325.

FRIDAY 3rd Friday Narcan Training and Distribution – 12-2pm. Red Project offers Free Narcan Training and Distribution for those interested. This event is held the Third Friday of every month from 12:00pm2:00pm. Free. The Momentum Center, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: 616-414-9111 or Office@ ExtendedGrace.org Dinner and Movie Night – 6-9pm. The last Friday of every month. Come for a free dinner and movie night for the whole community! All are welcome!

Feel free to bring a dish to pass, or just come as you are! Free. 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: ExtendedGrace.org.

SATURDAY Self Defense for Women – 12pm. Second Saturday of each month. Taught by Tom Twining, this is a highly specialized, easy to learn, personal-protection program for ages 13 and up. Truly, the most important skill one can develop is the ability to stay in control. This selfprotection program teaches attendees to successfully defend against an assailant of any size. No previous experience is necessary. $12 per class, $20 for 2 classes.

Blue Horizon Wellness, 1991 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon.

Info: info@bluehorizonswellness.com, 231-755-7771.

Hot Yoga – 8-9:15am. Vinyasa style yoga in the Far Infrared-heated yoga room will provide participants with a focused heat that works with their body’s own energy to raise room temperature as they move through the practice. Open to all experience levels. $10 cash drop in, $12 with card. 6189 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale. Info: HeartsJourneyWellness.com.

3rd Saturday Inpire Event – 10am-1pm. Sept-May. Everyone is invited to this collaborative community event. Brunch/lunch served. Registration not required. Extended Grace, Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: 616-502-2078 or online ExtendedGrace.org Sweetwater Local Foods Market – 9am-12pm.

A double-up bucks and bridge card market. Mercy Health Lakes Campus, 6401 Harvey St. Located inside during inclement weather. Muskegon.

SweetwaterLocalFoodsMarket.org

save the date CALENDAR EVENTS

Must be submitted online each month at NaturalWestMichigan.com. Events priced $80 or more require a corresponding display ad. There is a $40 charge per listing, up to 50 words. Current advertisers, distribution sites or nonprofits, use this listing in place of your two free listings.

mark your calendar

mark your calendar FRIDAY-SUNDAY, May 31 - June 2

8th Annual Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference: Honoring Plant Wisdom – May 31-June 2. Speakers: Venice Williams, Mimi Hernandez, and special guest Susun Weed, along with a wide spectrum of knowledgeable and inspiring instructors. Includes workshops, plant walks and a kids’ camp, as well as teen herbal camps, red tent space, fire circles, singing circles, delicious locally sourced farm-to-table meals and more. Early bird rates available until Jan 14. Camp Helen Brachman, Almond, WI. For more info: MidwestWomensHerbal.com.

mark your calendar FRIDAY-SUNDAY, June 7-9

The Shamama Retreat: Unleash Your Creativity.

Connect with Nature. Renew Your Body, Mind, and Soul – Fri, 5pm, - Sun, 12pm. Longing for an inspirational, peaceful retreat that ignites the soul?

Enjoy a weekend-long Shamama experience!

Attendees will tap into their creative source, find their authentic voice, listen to their inner wisdom, and unleash their power. Featuring: intuitive collaging, shamanic journey walks, breathwork, shadow writing, yoga, and labyrinth walks. Inn at the Rustic Gate 6991 E Hungerford Lake Dr, Big Rapids. Info: ShamamaGroup.com.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, Feb. 1-3

EnergyTouch® Basics: Dolphin Breath Prerequisite Training – 9am-1pm, Fri, 9am-6pm, Sat and Sun. This event is designed to provide the necessary skills to help participants deal with their health issues while also serving as prerequisite training for application to the school.

The Energy Touch® Center, 1331 Lake Dr Suite 100, Grand Rapids. Info: EnergyTouchSchool.com, 616-897-8668.

mark your calendar SATURDAY, February 17

An Introduction to SoulCollage® 1-4:30pm. This workshop will feature an opportunity to pause, breathe, and reflect through images. Participants will create up to three cards to start their deck. This introductory workshop will provide everything needed to get started on a SoulCollage® journey. $35, all supplies are included. 3493 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. Must Pre-register: RuthZwald55@gmail.com.

mark your calendar SATURDAY-SUNDAY, March 9-10

Healing Body, Mind & Spirit Expo – The 5th Annual Holistic Expo will feature professional mediums, intuitives, healers and more gathered under one roof. Free lectures, speakers and prizes included with admission. $10 daily, weekend pass $17, 12 and under free. Kalamazoo Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Dr, Kalamazoo. Info and to view exhibitors: HealingBodyandSpirit.com.

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community resource guide

HAKOMI THERAPY

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

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Ronda VanderWall 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville 616-531-6050 • DynamicChiro.com

Family owned and operated in the heart of downtown Grandville, Dynamic Family Chiropractic focuses on lifestyle improvements through living a maximized life.

A safe and natural approach to health through the combination of exercise, nutrition, detoxification and chiropractic care.

THE GLEASON CENTER

Dr. Dan Gleason DC & Dr. Dan Weessies, MS, DC 19084 North Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake, MI TheGleasonCenter.com 616-638-6234

An alternative, holistic approach combining chiropractic and kinesiology as well as the latest in metabolic and hormone testing.

Cold Laser Pain and Neuro treatments for: spectrum disorders, injuries, chronic pain, and pre/post surgical rehab. See ad, page 31.

COFFEE SHOP / FAIR TRADE JUST GOODS GIFTS AND CAFE’ 714 Columbus, Grand Haven 616-414-9111 justgoods@extendedgrace.org www.extendedgrace.org

Just Goods Gifts and Cafe’ is located within the Momentum Center for Social Engagement.

Fair trade and social cause merchandise. Local baked goods and beverages. Open 9am to 6pm M-F and 10am to 2pm Sat. A creative space for community integration and the end of stigma. See ad, page 2.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY HARMONY ’N HEALTH

Mary De Lange, CCT, LMT 1003 Maryland Ave, N.E., Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 • HarmonyNHealth.net Certified therapist since 1991 offering colon therapy in a sterile and professional environment.

Using a holistic approach, colonics relieve constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, poor digestion, back pain, body odor and more. See ad, page 19.

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West Michigan Edition

COUNSELING INNER PEACE COUNSELING, PLC

Ashley Carter Youngblood, LMSW, LMFT Owner/Therapist 4155 S 9th Street, Suite D, Kalamazoo, MI 269-254-1211 • Kalamazoo-Counseling.com Ashley Carter Youngblood is a licensed therapist who provides a holistic approach to counseling by empowering others to d i s c o v e r h o w o n e ’s i n n e r wisdom can contribute to the healing of the mind, body, spirit, and relationships.

ENERGY HEALING TONYA NICHOLS, RPH

Certified Energy Medicine Practitioner 332 S Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 Info@THCOFLakeview.com THCOFLakeview.com Do you feel like you have no energy? Do you feel disconnected and out of balance? Let Tonya help you find your center again.

Combining Emotional Clearing with Full Spectrum Healing, Tonya helps her clients to remove emotional, mental, and energetic blocks that are keeping her clients stuck and preventing them from reaching their full potential for a healthy, happy, and meaningful life. See ad page 19.

ESSENTIAL OILS MOONDROP HERBALS, LLC

Cottage of Natural Elements 351 Cummings, NW Grand Rapids 616-735-1285 • MoondropHerbals.com Your local source for all things natural and botanical.

Essential oils, bulk herbs, tea, hand-crafted bath & body products, raw ingredients, containers, local artwork, unique gifts. Practitioner discounts. Space rental and artisan consignment. See ad, page 22.

YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS Marilyn York Independent Distributor # 489656 877-436-2299 myYL.com/naturalhealth4u

Essential Oils – Revered for thousands of years for their naturallyenhancing support of body, mind, and spirit. Become a Young Living Essential Oils Member/Customer, and/or an Independent Distributor.

See ad, page 37.

NaturalWestMichigan.com

KEN PORTER CST, CHT 3355 Eagle Park Dr. NE Ste. 107, Grand Rapids 616-262-3848 BodyAndSoulGR.com

Hakomi Therapy can truly change your life. It’s a mindfulnessbased, experiential therapy for transforming the unconscious patterns that keep you from the love, joy, and fulfillment you deserve. Offered with exquisite care and attentiveness.

HEALING SERVICES THE REMEDY HOUSE

Jodi Jenks Natural Health Practitioner, Reiki Master 616-443-4225 TheRemedyHouse.org Certified in bodywork, lymphatic drainage, raindrop therapy, CranioSacral, reflexology, iridology, natural health consultations including a zyto bio-communication scan. Emotional clearing with essential oils and energy work, reiki, Energy Touch. See ad, page 12.

HEALTH / WELLNESS CENTER THE HEALING CENTER

332 S Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 Info@THCOFLakeview.com THCOFLakeview.com Naturopathic/Holistic Practitioners and retail health store. Natural health consultations, classes, oils, herbs, homeopathy, hypnosis, foods, candles, crystals, books, CDs, massage, reflexology, emotional clearing, foot detox, DOT/CDL health cards for truck drivers. See ad, page 19.

HUMAN RIGHTS/ SOCIAL JUSTICE EXTENDED GRACE

barbara@extendedgrace.org 616.502.2078 • ExtendedGrace.org Extended Grace is a nonprofit grassroots social lab that builds community while solving problems. It does so through: Community Conversations including Inspire! and Deeper Dive events and Town Hall Meetings on Mental Illness; Mudita Gifts; Pilgrim Spirit Tours cultural immersion experiences; Momentum Center for Social Engagement; Just Goods Gifts and Cafe’. See ad, page 2.

LGBTQIA COUNSELING

PAIN MANAGEMENT

DILSWORTH COUNSELING AND THERAPY SERVICES

THE LASER PAIN AND NEURO CENTER AT THE GLEASON CENTER

Sue Dilsworth, Ph.D, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT 6189 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale Sue@drdilsworth.hush.com 616-307-1617 • HeartsJourneyWellness.com

19084 North Fruitport Rd. Spring Lake, MI 49456 info@thegleasoncenter.com 616-846-5410 • TheGleasonCenter.com

Counseling services tailored to meet the needs of the individual.

Through various treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral, Mindfulness and EMDR, individuals will have an opportunity to explore personal challenges in an open, receptive, and supportive environment. Member WPATH. Most insurance accepted including Medicare and Medicaid.

Cold laser therapy can provide drug-free pain relief. This noninvasive treatment is for those suffering from arthritis, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, inflammation and other pain syndromes. Our MLS cold laser also treats neurological degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s, ADHD, spectrum disorders and peripheral neuropathy. See ad, page 31.

LIFE COACH

SCHOOL / EDUCATION

LIA COACHING AND CONSULTING

Pamela Gallina, MA CMC PamGallina@LIAConsulting.org 616-433-6720 • LIAConsulting.org/coaching

NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION 503 East Broadway St, Mt. Pleasant 989-773-1714 Contact@NaturopathicInstitute.info NaturopathicInstitute.info

Pam works with highly– motivated individuals as they aim for their highest self.

Focusing on Small Business Development, Major Life Crisis and Change, Weight Loss & Fitness, Relationships, Budget Management & Reorganization, Decluttering Home and Life. Helping you to achieve your very best life! See ad, page 31.

Educational programs offered: Natural Health Program: four years (one weekend a month); Massage Therapy Program: one year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program: six months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad, page 7.

MASSAGE THERAPY

THERMOGRAPHY

DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE THERAPY Jaci Timmermans, MT 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville 616-531-6050 DynamicChiro.com

Offering Swedish massage with integrated techniques, chosen specifically for your unique body. Relieve those tired and sore muscles and rejuvenate.

Call for on-going monthly specials and discounts.

HARMONY ‘N HEALTH

Mary De Lange, CCT., LMT. 1003 Maryland Ave. NE, Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 HarmonyNHealth.net

Over 24 years of professional experience and trained in a complete range of modalities.

Whether you are seeking relaxation, renewal or treatment for a specific condition, Mary will help find an approach that is helpful for you. See ad, page 19.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $1 per word\per month. To place listing, email content to Publisher@naturalwestmichigan.com.

Deadline is the 15th of the month.

VOLUNTEERS Volunteer Instructors – Mental illness is a community issue and it requires a community solution. The Momentum Center for Social Engagement offers social and recreational activities for people with mental illness, addictions and disabilities. We are seeking people willing to share their skill, hobby, vocation, or interest with our members once a month or as often as available.

We welcome yoga, tai chi, exercise, dance, self-defense, cooking, sewing, and so much more. Extended Grace, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: Call Jenna, if you want to be part of the solution, at 616-414-9111 or email office@extendedgrace.org

HELP WANTED Advertising Sales – Experienced in media sales and public relations. Experience in the Natural Health Community a plus. Commission based. Please forward resume and letter of intent to Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. No calls please.

ADVANCED THERMAL IMAGING OF WEST MICHIGAN

Julie Bennett 616-724-6368 info@advancedthermalimagingllc.com AdvancedThermalImagingllc.com Thermography is a safe, tested, painless, and effective procedure providing information for breast cancer risk assessment, breast cancer prevention and early detection, possible hormone imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, musculoskeletal inflammation, and neurological problems.

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You have to take it where you find it. ~Bob Dylan

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616-604-0480 January 2019

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Natural Living Directory PRICING • $119 for 1st Listing • 2nd Listing 50% OFF • 3rd Listing FREE! PUBLICATIONS NATURAL AWAKENINGS WEST MICHIGAN Pamela Gallina, Publisher PO Box 330 Spring Lake, MI 49546 616-604-0480 NaturalWestMichigan.com

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and supported by our advertisers. It is dedicated to providing healthconscious individuals with insights and information to improve the quality of life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

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