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Red-Hot Food Alerts
Knowledge is Power— and Guards Our Health
Health Rules
Crazy Sexy Ways to Eat Well
Letting Kids Just Be Kids
They Thrive on Natural, Unstructured Fun
Wacky Workouts More Giggles than Groans
July 2013 | West Michigan Edition | NaturalWestMichigan.com never glossy – always green
natural awakenings
July 2013
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Naturopathy
(each year 600 hours)
Natural Health Educator............. 1st Year Natural Health Therapist............ 2nd Year Natural Health Practitioner........ 3rd Year CertiďŹ ed Naturopath.................. 4th Year 4th Year Graduates are Eligible for Doctor of Naturopathy National Test & Title
Massage Therapy
Therapeutic Bodywork Practitioner...1 Year
Holistic DoulaDoula Practitioner Program Holistic Practitioner Doula....... 6 Months
All Classes Meet on Weekends Fri: 5-9pm and Sat & Sun: 9am-6pm Naturopaths: 1 per month - Massage: 2 per month
Individual Classes:
Herbology - Aromatherapy - Nutrition Live Food Preparaton - Light Healing Touch Reexology - Homeopathy and More!
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contents 10 5 newsbriefs 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 14 ecotip 17 fitbody 20 healingways 22 inspiration 27 wisewords 12 28 naturalpet 14 34 consciouseating 36 healthykids 41 calendar 43 classifieds 44 naturaldirectory advertising & submissions How to Advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email: Publisher@ NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for space reservation is the 12th of each month prior to publication.
News Briefs & article submissions Email articles to: Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for articles is the 5th of the month prior to publication. Submit News Briefs online at NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for news briefs is the 12th of the month prior to publication.
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Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.
17 WACKY WORKOUTS More Giggles than Groans by Sandra Murphy
20 BANISH ACID REFLUX
Eating Alkaline Can Cure the Burn by Linda Sechrist
22 SAVOR SUMMER
Revel in Blissful Indulgence by April Thompson
24 SIX WAYS
The Latest Facts about Organics, Pesticides, Seeds and More by Melinda Hemmelgarn
27 RELISHING RAW FOOD Supermodel Carol Alt on How Eating Raw Keeps Her Vibrant by Beth Bader
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28 PET FOOD PERILS Lurking GMOs May Hurt Our Pets by Dr. Michael W. Fox
34 HEALTH RULES
WHERE TO PICK UP NATURAL AWAKENINGS
Crazy, Sexy, Savvy, Yummy
If you enjoyed this magazine and would like to know where you can pick up a free copy in your area, please contact us at 616656-9232 or email us at: Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com
by Judith Fertig
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JUST BE KIDS They Thrive on Natural,
Check us out and connect with us on Twitter & Facebook! Twitter — Find us at NaturallyWestMI Facebook — Find us at Natural Awakenings of West Michigan
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TO EAT SAFE
Submit Calendar Events online at: NaturalWestMichigan.com. Calendar deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication.
Beyond our full “carbon neutral” digital issue each month...
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36 LETTING KIDS Unstructured Fun by Madeline Levine
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contact us Publishers Kyle & Amy Hass Editors S. Alison Chabonais Amanda Merritt Linda Sechrist Design & Production Interactive Media Design Scott Carvey Printer Stafford Media Solutions Natural Awakenings 484 Sunmeadow Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Phone: 616-656-9232 Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com
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Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (12 issues) to the above address. © 2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
Committed to Sustainability Natural Awakenings is locally owned and operated.
very year we look forward to our neighborhood’s annual garage sale, which I find strangely relaxing. For three days I get to sit around not doing much of anything but watching people come and go. I’m unfailingly intrigued by what they buy. Each year as we are setting up shop, Kyle inevitably comments: “You’re going to put that in the sale? Nobody is going to buy that.” But as day follows night, someone always does and I chuckle inside. The financial return rarely amounts to much, but oh the fun of seeing how much money I can make from things we no longer need. Most important, I love that someone else will now get to enjoy what we no longer want. The last couple of years I have found it harder to come up with enough items to make it worth organizing our household sale, so my Dad and a family friend, Marilyn, now put things in for me to sell. They tell me that as long as I pick up the items at their door, whatever money I make I can keep. It’s like having a second Christmas. I get to see what they no longer have a use for and always find a few treasures I end up keeping. Dad’s recent donation of a ton of tools for the sale gave Kyle a field day of exciting discoveries. It was especially sweet because the day before the boxes arrived, Kyle’s drill had gone kaput. Guess what just happened to arrive in one of Dad’s boxes? A nice drill set. Marilyn’s boxes included a variety of antiques. Kyle and I had a blast canvassing a dozen antique shops in Grand Rapids learning their value and selling as we went. I hadn’t been in an antique shop in years and enjoyed our adventures exploring hundreds of unique items. Such stores are a beautiful example of recycling previously loved items ready to add charm and utility to Michigander homes. After each garage sale, our family makes a list of a few things we’d like for the house, and then make a game out of expending our earnings to see how many of these wish list items we can realize. The journey of holding a garage sale inevitably prompts memories about where I was in my life when I purchased or received an item and how it has served us through the years. If it’s been awhile since you passed along unused stuff cluttering up your life, rather than think of hosting a garage sale as work, why not consider the many upsides of this repeatable summer pleasure? To life’s simple joys,
Never Glossy. Always Green. Natural Awakenings practices environmental sustainability by printing on post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based ink. This choice avoids the toxic chemicals and high energy costs of producing shiny, coated paper that is hard to recycle.
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Amy and Kyle Hass, Publishers
NaturalWestMichigan.com
newsbriefs Abundant Blueberries
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he Blueberry Heritage Farms growing season is well under way and their retail store, The Berry Bunch is now open for the season. Located just east of US-31 on Blair Street in Holland, you can find fresh, frozen, and dried cranberries and organic and non-organic blueberries. The store also features a variety of products grown and produced in Michigan, as one of the things the Berry Bunch strives for is support for the local and regional economy, particularly Michigan’s farmers. “We strive to do the best job we can and have the safest food we can. I think it’s important to promote and buy locally. So I try to buy as much as I can around here and consequently, I think everybody else needs to,” said Wayne Keil, Owner of Blueberry Heritage Farms and The Berry Bunch. Many of the Berry Bunch products use the farm’s blueberries and/or cranberries as an ingredient. For example, there are ten different varieties of spreads, including blueberry butter spread, apple-cranberry butter, and cranberry-orange marmalade and more. Blueberry cranberry BBQ sauce, cranberry grill sauce, and cranberry Dijon mustard are also part of the store’s featured items. You can also combine any of their unique products to create a gift basket for any occasion. They can even ship it for you. The Berry Bunch, 0-13871 Blaire St, Holland. 616-3991677. See ad page 29.
Nature Bus Tour
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oin the Michigan Land Air and Water Defense (MLAWD), for a Nature Bus Tour of the beautiful state lands of Yankee Springs and Allegan Forest. This fun event will be July 27th, starting at Blackberry Pines Farm located at 1328 59th St. in Pullman. Be sure to arrive at 9am for your free breakfast prior to boarding the bus. A picnic lunch and soft drinks are also included with the price of your ticket. Prizes and a bake sale of extra yummy local
and gourmet specialties by the area businesses will also be available. Come out, have a great time and learn about this precious state forest land, home of important streams, lakes, marshes and wildlife sanctuaries. Don’t forget to bring your camera or binoculars and wear comfortable clothes for two short and easy hikes with a nature guide. The bus will arrive back at the starting point about 4pm at which time you are invited to a short presentation by MLAWD, a non-profit grassroots citizen’s organization that believes the public lands are held in trust for all Michigan citizens. MLAWD is working to make the DNR honor the public trust, and to hold the DNR to its own rules and guidelines. Tickets are only $50 and your purchase of a ticket will directly assist MLAWD in its work. Reservations only as seating is limited. Payment is accepted via PayPal at www.mlawd.org or send a check to Michigan Land Air and Water Defense at PO Box 335, Delton, MI. 49046.
Healthy Eating Alternatives for Busy People
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new business offering a unique, healthy eating alternative for busy professionals and timestarved people – Relish, A Personal Chef Service – is now providing service in Holland and the surrounding areas. Luxury or necessity? If your first thought is that this service would be an unaffordable luxury, think again. “Having a Personal Chef is affordable, especially when the money spent on restaurants, fast foods, deli dinners and those chemicalladen frozen dinners in the supermarket freezer is calculated” says Personal Chef Rachel Johnson, owner of Relish, A Personal Chef Service. Relish’s typical clients are time-starved families that want healthy, delicious and preservative-free dinners in the convenience of their home but don’t have time to plan, shop and prepare them. Relish, A Personal Chef Service starts with a free, comprehensive interview to determine food preferences and any dietary requirements. This information is the basis for
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customized menus that will be prepared in the client’s home. “No two clients have the same menus,” said Johnson. “I have an on-going communication with clients to make sure they are satisfied.” The cost of service varies, depending on the type of service selected and the number of meals, and will be determined at the interview. Personal Chef Rachel Johnson recently moved to Holland from Denver, CO after graduating from the Cook Street School of Culinary Arts. She is a member of the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA), ServSafe certified in food handling and safety procedures, and is dedicated to excellence in the industry. For more information contact Rachel Johnson at Relish, A Personal Chef Service at 616-610-2596 or visit www. relishyourfood.com. See ad page 12 & 46.
Relax, It’s Only Paint
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n a culture where performance, perfection and winning can seem to be everything, the opportunity to explore one’s creative spirit without pressure, competition or judgment is a welcome gift. From July 12-14 the Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley will bring this opportunity to From The Heart Yoga Center located Stewart Cubley at 714 Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids. Since its founding in 1976, the Painting Experience has touched the lives of thousands of people by helping them embrace their creative process in an atmosphere of respectful non-judgment. It uses ‘process painting’ to stimulate personal growth through creative risk-taking. It’s a gentle and supportive method of inner ‘stretching’ based upon trusting relationships with the facilitators and other painters in the group. Through the painting process participants discover new ways to move forward in their lives, meet challenges and emerge with greater strength, compassion and trust more in their intuitive intelligence and to integrate life change more effectively.
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The work takes place in a studio setting where painters work on large white surfaces using a lush spectrum of color and fine quality brushes. No prior art experience or training is necessary, only the willingness to explore new worlds of color, shape and form. All materials are supplied. Visit www.fromtheheartyoga.com or call for registration 616-336-9642. See ad page 16.
New Addition to GFC
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aslight Family Chiropractic (GFC), a chiropractic office that also focuses largely on nutrition and the overall balance of each person, is excited to announce the addition of massage therapist Alexandra Crossman to their team. Crossman has been working as a Massage Therapist for 9 years and is continually expanding in Alexandra Crossman her knowledge and passion of optimal health and wellness. “I find great satisfaction in giving my clients the very best and I am excited to be part of the team at GFC,” says Crossman, who is also currently training in life and wellness coaching. Crossman is trained in various massage techniques, including prenatal, sports, deep tissue/corrective, trigger point, relaxation/spa, and is passionate about using essential oils to enhance the experience and heal the body. She can provide a balancing or therapeutic deep tissue massage to assist chiropractic adjustments in the healing of the body. When she is not at work, you might just find Crossman dancing, snowboarding or practicing yoga. Call Gaslight Family Chiropractic today to set up your appointment. Gaslight Family Chiropractic, 2249 Wealthy St SE, #240 in East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2348. See ad page 44.
Live Fearlessly
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optic Fellowship International presents Live Fearlessly! An Afternoon with Anita Moorjani on September 7, 2013. The one-day seminar features internationally known Hay House author, Anita Moorjani with John Davis, Denise Iwaniw, and Robert Huttinga. In 2006, Anita crossed over into another dimension where she was given a choice of returning to her life. She experienced clarity and understanding of her purpose on earth. Choosing life, she understood that “heaven” is a state and not a place. This insight led to an astonishing and complete recovery from cancer. Anita is coming to Grand Rapids to share her remarkable story. John Davis is a counselor, numerologist and Egyptologist having guided 29 tours to Egypt. He is a Minister and Director of Coptic Fellowship International, a philosophy based on the Mystery Schools of ancient Egypt. John is Director of Spiritual Unity of Nations dedicated to the world as one family. Denise Iwaniw is the author of A Year of Mystic Angels. She hosts ‘Balancing Heaven and Earth’ on Star Nation Radio. Denise is president of Gathering Thunder Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of Native American spirituality and tradition. Robert Huttinga operates The Healing Center in Lakeview, Michigan. They practice traditional, holistic, herbal, and homeopathic medicine. As a Coptic Minister and Certified Hypnotherapist, he guides people to Put Their Health in Their Own Hands, healing body, mind, and spirit. Admission is $40.00 per person at the Grandville High School Performing Arts Center at 12:30 pm. Register at www.thecopticcenter.org or call The Coptic Center at 616-531-1339. See ad page 22.
Lavender Festival
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herry Point Farm and Market, located at 9600 W Buchanan Road in Shelby, hosts its annual Lavender Festival on Saturday, July 20 from 10am-6pm. Celebrate this fun and fragrant day in their beautiful country setting. Enjoy live music and inspiring presentations by Advanced
Master Gardener, Marcia Willbrandt and other garden and labyrinth experts. The glorious herb garden welcomes you to touch and sniff each of the fragrant herbs in the 36 patterned beds. Walk the awesome, yet serene lavender labyrinth for a truly calming and sacred experience. Treat yourself to scrumptious home-baked goodies, enjoy a delicious lunch and browse this charming market for nutritious fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. Cherry Point has unique treasures around every corner and don’t forget their famous fudge. Featured during the lavender festival will be dozens of fragrant lavender products and gifts. If you’re hungry for more than a light lunch, join owner, Barbara Bull for the spectacular and unforgettable fish boil at 6pm. Gather around the fire for this delicious Great Lakes Tradition. For over 50 years, Cherry Point has been a true treasure in Oceana County. Celebrate glorious lavender and the wholesome goodness of summer in Michigan. At Cherry Point, their tradition is still growing. To make fish boil reservations or to find out more about the Lavender Festival, call 231-861-2029. Visit them at www. cherrypointmarket.net.
Dancing with The Bear
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oin internationally known Shaman and Dream Teacher Robert Moss for an exciting workshop on reclaiming the arts of dream healing. Robert Moss offers a lightning fast method called Active Dreaming, an original synthesis of dream work, shamanism, coincidences and synchronicity. He leads popular seminars all over
Robert Moss
Harmony ‘n Health Colon Hydrotherapy
Mary A. DeLange C.C.T. C.M.T. 616-456-5033
Some Benefits of Colon Hydrotherapy: ~ Remove Toxic Waste from ones body ~ Eradicate Constipation ~ Removes Stomach Bloat ~ Increase ones Energy
Therapeutic Massage also available
Mary@HarmonynHealth.net
www.HarmonynHealth.net natural awakenings
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the world, and is known for his quick and easy style of accessing dreams. Robert Moss will be leading this workshop called ‘Dancing With The Bear’ in Grand Rapids, Michigan from August 16-18. The Bear is the great medicine animal of North America and, in Native tradition, the most powerful healers are those called by the Bear in dreams and visions. In this depth adventure, we’ll reclaim ancestral wisdom, call on the power of the animal spirits and embark on shamanic journeys to places of healing and transformation in the world-behind-the world. Visit www. mossdreams.com for more information on Robert Moss. Co-hosts for this event are Joan Hofman, MA, LPC. She can be contacted at 616-974-5594 or joanhofman@ tds.net and Paula Bowers, 616-262-7359 or pjbowers@ sbcglobal.net. The hours for this playshop are Saturday, August 17 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, August 18 from 10am-4pm. There is a pre-registration discount $250 if paid in full by July 15; $275 thereafter. Friday’s evening playshop, ‘Navigating by Synchronicity’ on August 16 from 7-9pm. Cost is only $30. For further details or to enroll for this workshop, go to www.joanhofman.com. See ad page 5.
Webinar Series Now Available
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ressure-Free Living Webinar Series is now available. Performance Coach Elle Ingalls has created a new series called Pressure-Free Performance and it is now available in webinar format. Six one-hour sessions of graphics and audio show you how to stop the release of stress hormones to improve your mind and body, your relationships, your performance and productivity. The cost for all six is only $397 and includes a free 58-page e-book. This series complements the e-courses of videos, audios and books that Elle already offers in addition to live coaching in person, by Skype and phone. For more information call 269-832-3573 or visit www. Pressure-Free.com. See ad page 9.
Yoga for EVERYONE!
For class schedule visit: www.ovcyoga.com Ottawa Village Chiropractic & OVC Yoga 451 Columbia Avenue, Holland, Michigan 616-399-9420 kristen@ovcyoga.com
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Expanding Their Vision
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ave you heard? Expressions of Grace Yoga has expanded its vision to include a complete host of wellness services. New owners Brent Doornbos and Andy Groggel M.A. are passionate about combining top-notch yoga with a wide range of healing modalities customized to meet your wellness goals. Call 616-361-8580 to book your session today. Expressions of Grace Yoga now offers the following wellness services: Shamanic Counseling, Shamanic Journey Group, Thai Bodywork, Reiki sessions & Training, Wellness Coaching, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, CranioSacral Therapy, Yoga Therapeutics, sound healing, meditation classes, mindfulness based stress reduction, monthly wellness workshops, private yoga sessions and yoga 7 days a week. Their goal is to offer you a heartfelt, welcoming space for you to balance your mind, body, and spirit. They look forward to serving the West Michigan community and opening you up to new options in health and healing. Join Brent and Andy July 20-21 for Reiki 1&2 training, and for a complete list of summer workshops visit www. expressionsofgraceyoga.com. Visit them at 5270 Northland Drive NE, Grand Rapids. Looking to stay connected and be inspired? Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/expressionsofgraceyoga. See ad page 16.
Vision Board Workshop
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t’s halfway through the year 2013. Have you reflected on how your life has unfolded up until now? How about taking a look at the second half of this year and setting the intention for your dreams and wishes? You are invited to join Susan Loughrin for a Vision Board Workshop on July 23 from 6:00-9:00pm at Word of Hope
Community Center located at 268 Third Ave in Fruitport. By surrounding yourself with images that depict your dreams, hopes, wishes, and desires, you are taking the first step toward creating and setting your intention for your future. Using words and images that speak to you, you can create a vision board that will give you a life map to move you forward. Cost is only $45 and is limited to 20 participants so RSVP today to Susan@InnerCreativeVoice.com. Visit www.innercreativevoice.com for more information.
Let Your Feet Do The Talking
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eflexology is all about bringing balance, harmony and a sense of well-being to the body through gentle massage and stimulation to the many reflex points of the feet. Intention of the practitioner and the client in this non-invasive complementary therapy may help bring about healing to the body, mind and spirit. Footworks Reflexology in Kentwood is open and owner Sharon Nielsen is ready to help persuade your body to biologically correct itself. Reflexology may help with certain ailments but is not a cure for them. Foot reflexology can be beneficial in reducing stress, alleviating aches and pains, aiding with digestive problems, improving circulation and increasing energy. These are only just a few of the benefits. People consist of a physical and emotional body, with a spirit and mind. These are interdependent. A reflexologist takes in all aspects of the client’s being: body, emotion, mind, and spirit. Your body responds to touch which allows healing on all levels. As long as the reflexologist has knowledge, stays centered, and allows the flow of energy to occur, your body will respond positively. To schedule an appointment, contact Sharon Nielsen at 307899-4573 or SharonNielsen@tctwest.net. See ad page 31.
Book Signing
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r Pam Popper, PhD, ND, the co-author of the new book, Food Over Medicine: The Conversation that Could Save Your Life, will be speaking and signing copies of her book at Schuler Books and Music, 2660 28th St SE, in Grand Rapids on August 8th at 7pm.
Dr. Popper is the executive director and founder of the Columbus, Ohio-based company The Wellness Forum. They have a Grand Rapids location at 4990 Cascade Rd, in Grand Rapids. Dedicated to teaching and promoting Dietary Excellence™, the science and skills needed to eat for optimal health, the Wellness Forum serves an educational resource for the community, hosting regularly scheduled Wellness 101 nutrition courses, meals at locally owned and locally sourced restaurants and businesses, special events, and classes designed to clear up confusion about good nutrition and empowering individuals to prevent or even reversing common and costly diseases like diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular impairment, and more. There is no charge to attend this sure-to-be lively discussion and the public is welcome. For more information contact Sue Scharf at 616-430-2291 or ScharfS@wellnessforum.com. See ad page 45.
AMMA Brings Hugs to Chicago
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ri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, known as AMMA, which means “mother” in her native language, will hold free events in Chicago from July 3 to 5 at the M.A. Center, in Elburn. Amma, a spiritual leader, humanitarian and philanthropist who has hugged more than 30 million people worldwide, is renowned for her extraordinary acts of love and self-sacrifice. Amma’s efforts include raising millions of dollars for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort and Asian tsunami victims in 2005. Other projects include an orphanage in Haiti; state-of-the-art hospitals in India, that are free to the poor; universities, schools, free homes for the poor and needy; medical camps; orphanages; and schools. To meet Amma, guests need a token that is issued on a first-come-first-served basis one hour before the start of the program. Tokens are limited, so arrive early. Location: 41W501 Keslinger Rd. View a schedule at Amma.org/ meeting-amma/north-america/chicago-area. For more information, call 630-387-5077.
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DIY Herbal Remedy for Stone Fruits Keep Waistlines Trim Leg Cramps healthbriefs
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ome favorite summer fruits, like peaches, plums and nectarines, may help ward off metabolic syndrome, a collection of conditions including high blood sugar levels and excess fat around the waist that can lead to serious health issues such as stroke, heart disease and diabetes. A study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, presented at the American Chemical Society’s 2012 National Meeting & Exposition, reported that pitted fruits contain bioactive compounds that can potentially fight the syndrome. According to food scientist Luis CisnerosZevallos, Ph.D., “The phenolic compounds in the fruits have anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties… and may also reduce the oxidation of the bad cholesterol, or LDL, which is associated with cardiovascular disease.”
Kudos for Kale
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he U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new food pyramid, MyPlate (ChooseMyPlate.gov), is based on its 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, aimed at helping people make better food choices. Fruits and vegetables should comprise half our “plate”, and dark green veggies are the USDA’s top choice of nutrients. Kale leads the list of helpful leafy greens for many reasons. Like its cousins in the Brassica family—broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and collards—kale is a lowcalorie, nutrient-dense powerhouse of antioxidants, including vitamins A and C. Per calorie, kale contains more iron than beef and more calcium than milk, and it is better absorbed by the body than most dairy products. A single serving (about one cup, chopped) provides 5 percent of the recommended daily intake of fiber, plus two grams of protein. The versatile veggie—it is tasty steamed, braised or baked—is also a rich source of both omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. Best of all, kale is a “green” green, high on the sustainability scale. Growing one pound of kale uses about 23 gallons of water; raising a pound of beef necessitates more than 2,400. Sources: USDA.gov; VegSource.com
Iced Tea has Issues
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t is peak season for iced tea, but this warm-weather favorite may not be the ideal choice to counter dehydration. Iced tea made from black tea contains high concentrations of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that lead to the formation of kidney stones, a common disorder of the urinary tract that affects about 10 percent of the U.S. population. “For people that have a tendency to form the most common type of kidney stones, iced tea is one of the worst things to drink,” reports Dr. John Milner, an assistant professor with the Department of Urology at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine. While all black tea contains oxalate, dietitians note that people tend to imbibe more of it when it’s on ice than when it’s hot.
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T
he agonizing pain of a cramp in a calf or thigh muscle can be more than annoying. When it happens during the night, it can ruin sleep and leave residual daytime grogginess, irritability and loss of focus through the next day. We have all heard the advice, “Drink more water, eat bananas, take magnesium or potassium.” Sometimes this works, but traditional use of herbs can help address leg cramps, as well. It’s easy to create an at-home water decoction of a variety of roots, herbs and bark to apply to aching and cramping muscles to relax them, settle restless legs and quell over-active nerves. Anecdotal experience has shown that when bananas, supplements and water don’t work, the following herbs may do the trick. Native Americans rubbed rosemary on their legs before long-distance running in order to enhance the suppleness of their muscles. Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) was so named because of its reputation for relaxing all types of muscle spasms, says clinical herbalist Penelope Ody in The Complete Medicinal Herbal. Mexican wild yam and sage, abundantly found in the Southwest desert, also have been found to work synergistically to relax tight muscles and relieve cramping. Simmer this combination of roots, bark and herbs slowly for several hours over low heat because the vital constituents are fragile and it takes time to get the goodness out of roots and barks. Peppermint, lavender and St. John’s wort are useful addictions to any anti-leg cramp remedy to help relieve over-sensitivity of the sympathetic nervous system, says British herbalist Andrew Chevallier in the Natural Health Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Add them to the basic herbal decoction for relief of the pain, discomfort and irritation associated with overworked muscles. This soothing poultice eases discomfort while muscles excrete waste and re-charge their energy. For more information, call 888-465-4404 or visit NaturesRiteRemedies.com. See ad, page 38.
Nature’s Own Sports Drink
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f Mother Nature chose an ideal sports drink for light-to-medium exercise, it might be coconut water, the clear liquid found most abundantly inside young, green coconuts. That’s the conclusion reached by Indiana University Southeast lecturer Chhandashri Bhattacharya, Ph.D., in presenting his research to the American Chemical Society. “Coconut water is a natural drink that has everything your average sports drink has and more,” says Bhattacharya. “It has five times more potassium than Gatorade or Powerade. Whenever you get cramps in your muscles, potassium will help you get rid of them.” A 12-ounce serving of coconut water may also help balance the typical American diet, which is too low in potassium and too high in sodium derived from excess salt; individuals consuming such diets tend to have twice the risk of death from heart disease and a 50 percent higher risk of death from all disease-related causes. Coconut water is also high in healthful antioxidants.
Plasticizer Undermines Heart Cell Functioning
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he chemical DEHP, a phthalate used widely in household plastics, may change how rat heart cells use energy, according to a new study by George Washington University, in the District of Columbia. By shifting heart cells to depend on fatty acids as an energy source more than usual, DEHP may ultimately increase the longterm risk of heart attack and heart failure. The findings raise concerns about similar effects of plasticizers in humans. Earlier work from the same research team reported that DEHP causes irregular rhythms in cultured heart cells. DEHP is frequently used for medical blood bags and tubing and is found in foods packaged in plastics, especially fatty foods like milk products, oils and fish or seafood.
Pre-Pregnancy Diet May Alter Genes
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t’s common knowledge that a mother’s diet during pregnancy makes a measurable difference in the health of her child. Now, new research suggests that what a mom eats before becoming pregnant might be important, too. According to a study in the online edition of The FASEB Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, the foods eaten by a group of non-pregnant female mice chemically altered their DNA, and these changes were later passed on to their offspring. The DNA alterations, called “epigenetic” changes, due to an inadequate maternal diet dramatically reduced the animals’ ability to metabolize many essential fatty acids that are essential to health.
CranioSacral: A Therapy That Has Many Facets
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re you experiencing headaches, neck and back pain or a poor immune system? Then CranioSacral Therapy may be the answer. The CranioSacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the top of the head down to the sacrum. An imbalance or restriction in it can cause any number of sensory, motor or neurological disabilities. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a light touch approach that can create dramatic improvements in your life. Every day you endure stresses and strains that your body absorbs. After so much tension, the tissues begin to tighten and affect the brain and spinal cord. This can compromise the function of the nervous system and nearly every other system in your body. CST releases tensions that allow the entire body to relax and self-correct. By freeing the body to perform at its best, CST naturally eliminates pain and stress, strengthens your resistance to disease and enhances your health. Some of the conditions it addresses include migraines, and headaches, chronic neck and back pain, stress and tension related disorders, brain and spinal cord injuries, chronic fatigue, TMJ, fibromyalgia, post traumatic stress disorder, central nervous system disorders and many more. CST is performed on a person fully clothed, as you relax on a comfortable, padded table. The practitioner locates the areas that are restricted and uses delicate manual techniques to release the problem areas. A CST session can last an hour or more. Jamie VanDam has 13 years in the traditional medical field and has been practicing CranioSacral Therapy for 10 years. VanDam has extended her CST to babies and children and is also a Reiki III Practitioner, Medical Intuitive, Teacher, and uses Essential Oils. For more information visit j-dam@sbcglobal.net or call 616-365-9113. See ad page 44.
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July 2013
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Too Busy to Cook?
Tired of Eating Out in Restaurants?
globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
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Strolling of the Heifers, a Vermontbased local food advocacy group, has released its second annual Locavore Index, tracking the availability and use of locally produced foods and ranking states based on their committed support. Using recent data from multiple sources, the index incorporates farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) operations and food hubs in its per capita comparison of consumer interest in eating locally sourced foods, known as locavorism. The top five states for accessibility of local foods are Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Iowa; the bottom five are Florida, Louisiana, Arizona, Nevada and Texas. The organization’s Executive Director, Orly Munzing, says the purpose of the index is to encourage local food efforts by supporting farm-to-school programs, urging hospitals and nursing homes to purchase local foods and asking supermarkets to buy from local farms. View the ranking of every state at Tinyurl.com/LocavoreIndex.
Mall Dogs
Humane Pet Nonprofits Follow the Crowds Animal welfare organizations serving cities around the country are discovering that shopping malls are ideal places to find forever homes for needy pets. At the Coronado Mall, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Darlene Arden teaches volunteers to clicker-train cats and dogs to make them more adoptable. The SPCA in Cattaraugus County, New York, sets up a highly successful location for adoptions and raising donations in the Olean Center Mall every holiday season. Some shelters motivate the public to embrace and encourage the technique of trap/neuter/release (TNR) as a way to control feral cat populations. Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of the Found Animals Foundation, states, “We launched the groundbreaking Michelson Prize and grant program aimed at developing a non-surgical, singledose sterilizing agent for cats and dogs. This type of product will help shift pet population control from lethal to non-lethal methods by dramatically reducing the number of pets coming into shelters.” Learn more at FoundAnimals.org/ pet-spay-neuter.
GrandRapidsCenterForMindfulness.com
CALL 616-361-3660
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West Michigan Edition
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Bee Careful
Honeybee-Killing Pesticides Banned in Europe Colony collapse disorder, a mysterious ailment that has been killing large numbers of honeybees for several years, is expanding, wiping out 40 to 50 percent of the hives needed to pollinate many of America’s fruits and vegetables. Some beekeepers and researchers cite growing evidence that a powerful class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, which hinder the bees’ brain learning function and leave them unable to make the connection between floral scents and nectar, could be a key factor. Although manufacturers claim the pesticides pose no threat to bees, a recent British honeybee field study found enough evidence to convince 15 of 27 EU member governments and the Executive European Commission to support a twoyear ban on three of the world’s most widely used agricultural pesticides in this category, starting this December. The action followed a European Food Safety Authority report in April that indicated these toxins pose an acute risk to honeybees. Source: Voice of America
Johnny Appletree
One Life Yields Two Forests Jadav “Molai” Payeng spent 30 years single-handedly planting a 1,360-acre forest in his native India. The extraordinary, yet humble, eco-conscious farmer stands as a shining example of what one person can accomplish to make the world a better place. Now he is planning on devoting his next 30 years to planting another forest. Payeng makes a living in the forest he planted, rearing cows and selling milk in the nearest town with his wife and three children. He says, “I feel sad when I see people felling trees. We have to save the nature, or else we all will perish.” In 1979, when Payeng was 16, he began planting vegetation to transform the landscape after seeing wildlife perish from exposure along a barren sandbar near his home in northern India’s Assam region. Decades later, the lush ecosystem he created is now a safe haven for a variety of large and small species that include birds, deer, rhinos, tigers and elephants impacted by extensive habitat loss. Source: Treehugger.com
Hands Off
Protecting a Natural Laboratory The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is working to preserve a tract known as the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), a world-renowned freshwater research facility in Northwestern Ontario that takes research out of the lab and into the environment, where scientists can isolate the effects of specific pollutants on aquatic ecosystems. Over the past four decades, research conducted at the ELA has provided scientific evidence of the environmental effects of acid rain, phosphorous and other pollutants that has informed policy around the world. With new pressures like climate change and poorly understood emerging contaminants such as chromite, nanoparticles and endocrine disrupters, the logic for continued support is strong. IISD President and CEO Scott Vaughan emphasizes the mission is to be an independent, world-class research facility for freshwater ecosystems science, maintained “in the public domain and in the public interest.”
Poisoned Poisson Fish Rendered Scentless by Pollution
Fish living in lakes tainted with metals are losing their sense of smell, prompting worries about dwindling populations, because when dissolved metals contact fish nostrils, their neurons shut down to protect the brain. Fish use their sense of smell to navigate murky waters, find mates and food, and avoid predators. The effect of metals has been linked to impaired reproduction and growth, but this secondary, “covert toxic” effect is described by Keith Tierney, a University of Alberta assistant professor, this way: “If you can’t smell food or avoid predators, you’re more likely to die.” The good news from Canadian researchers, as reported in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environment Safety, is that such harm to fish can be reversed. When study co-author Greg Pyle, a professor at Alberta’s University of Lethbridge, and his research team relocated yellow perch from Ontario lakes contaminated with mercury, nickel, copper, iron and manganese to a cleaner lake, the fish regained their sense of smell within 24 hours. Most of the contaminated lakes involved have a metallic mix, making it hard to determine precisely which pollutants are to blame. Copper is high on the list of suspects; its agricultural and manufacturing use has more than doubled in the United States over the past three decades, according to the Copper Development Association. Source: Environmental Health News
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July 2013
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ecotip Green Kitchen
Home Composting Boosts Sustainability A 2012 report from the National Resources Defense Council notes that just 3 percent of uneaten food in the United States is composted, and landfill scraps account for 23 percent of all methane gas emissions. Composting, the process of decomposing organic matter into a nutrient-rich material, is an easy way to turn food scraps, lawn clippings, garden trimmings and other waste into natural garden fertilizer. Its relatively loose composition allows nutrients to pass into the soil quickly, and the practice reduces discards to landfills. Compost material is not limited to what’s left on a plate after dining. Expand contents to include peels, cores and husks from fruits and vegetables generated during meal preparation, egg and nut shells, tea leaves and coffee grounds, bread, crackers and pet food. Fruit and vegetable seeds won’t decompose in cold conditions, however. (Learn more about green gardening at GreenLiving.National Geographic.com.) Now, plates and cups made of sugarcane or corn, plus oil- and plant-based packaging, can also be added to the list. Pending legislation in California would allow products meeting certain criteria to bear “compostable” or “biodegradable” claims on packaging. Manufacturers of compost bins are responding to increased consumer interest with convenient options. In addition to traditional plastic or metal containers and wood-sided bins, new high-quality, enclosed, compost tumblers offer quicker processing time, protection from animals and less odor. Advanced models include automatic, electric, indoor composters. (See more at EarthEasy.com/ grow_compost.html.) Live composting in the form of vermiculture, or worm composting, teaches care for creatures and ecosystem sustainability. Food scraps feed worms, which then produce nutrient-rich castings (excreta). (Learn more at GrowOrganic.com and RedWormComposting.com.)
Get the Ban on the Ballot
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ith the Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan, the opportunity to take part in a statewide ballot initiative to prohibit horizontal fracking and frack wastes in Michigan has been made possible. Michigan has been quickly put in the hot seat over the ground-breaking phenomenon, known as fracking. To frack or not to frack is a question with what should be a clear answer due to the many dangers of fracking. The committee believes, “Only a ban on fracking will protect our health and safety, our precious fresh water, communities, parks, forests, schools, businesses, farms, tourism, wildlife, and environment from the devastating harms of the massive, industrial-scale fracking planned for Michigan and the enormous amount of frack wastes inherently created in the fracking process, including wastes that would come here from other states where fracking takes place.” Should the legislative initiative pass, a ban on horizontal fracking and frack wastes could potentially be in the state’s future. A legislative initiative requires 258,088 valid signatures from Michigan voters to qualify before being placed on the voting ballot. To help gather these signatures, sign up with your county coordinator within the Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan at letsbanfracking.org. Signatures will be collected through October 1st, 2013, and each one will make a difference.
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NaturalWestMichigan.com
Tips for a Rejuvenating, Stress-Free Vacation
by Elle Ingalls
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e hope that our summer vacation will bring rest and rejuvenation. But when we let worries creep into our mind, or we find ourselves pushing and rushing, or we are too rigid in our plans to honor the interests of others, we start saying we need a vacation from our vacation! Here are three tips to foster a truly memorable and restful vacation. Tip 1: The double-yellow line in the road reminds us to stay in our lane and it is a great image for mental presence. When we focus on the sensations, tasks and adventures of the moment, let go of worry and speculation about work or anything else, we start to rejuvenate and enjoy ourselves. If you absolutely must bring a laptop, iPad or phone with you, schedule some time for work, but put a double-yellow line between work and play.
Tip 2: Turn off the clock! Last summer, on a Lake Michigan beach, I could hear the chattering voices of several families. More than half of the voices were the tense, hurried, impatient voices of parents. They sounded like they were nagging their kids to hurry up for school. But this is vacation! Why rush to fly a kite, or open the cooler, or head to dinner? We are so used to pushing and pushing to get everything done. It’s OK to forget the clock or the phone, and let the activity take as long as it has to.
Tip 3: Each of us, no matter our age, values our own time and has our own ideas of fun. While family trips tend to benefit from some planning and structure, being flexible and allowing time for family members to explore their own interests can insure that everyone feels honored and satisfied. On a trip to Washington DC, our two older boys and my husband decided on the spur of the moment to go watch a Nationals baseball game. Our youngest son and I decided we would rather go to dinner, so we found a restaurant right across from the White House. Another time, our oldest son and I went to the National Building Museum while the younger two and my husband went to the National Gallery of Art. Everyone was happy. When we all came together, we had many stories to tell. These tips will help you steer clear of the biggest downfall of vacations: the fight-or-flight stress response. When we release excess stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, we can feel agitated, fatigued and unhappy, which affects everyone in our group. Vacation is our time to experience presence, to let go of the rush, and to open ourselves to the adventure of the moment. Elle Ingalls is CEO and Founder of Pressure-Free Living. She has created an on-the-go stress-management program you can even use on vacation! Learn more at www.Pressure-Free. com. See ad page 9.
(616) 301-3000 1801 Breton SE Grand Rapids (across the street from the Breton Village Mall)
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July 2013
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Masters of
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SUMMER YOGA CLASSES START JULY 8TH! NEW STUDENT DISCOUNT- 10% OFF! FLEXIBLE SUMMER REGISTRATION! TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER!
Why Try Kripalu Yoga: Kripalu’s gentler style & individualized approach make it accessible & suitable for everyone regardless of “fitness” level. Reduce stress & tension. Increase flexibility, mental focus, clarity, & peace. For More Info visit our website :
www.urhomeyoga.com email: info@urhomeyoga.com 583 Ada Dr., Ste 203, Ada, MI 49301 (616) 780- 3604
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West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com
fitbody Just Yoga Summer Classes begin July 8 955 Cherry S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (616) 776-0836 for schedule & registration
www.gryoga.com
WACKY W ORKOUTS More Giggles than Groans by Sandra Murphy
What do bikini-clad gorillas, hoop dancing, aerial silk acrobatics, anti-gravity yoga and Pilates on the water have in common? They are among the most enjoyable ways to burn calories and increase strength.
On the Run
Call 616.656.9232 to be a par t of this exclusive directory!
In Mankato, Minnesota, runners and walkers dressed like gorillas, many embellished with bikinis, tutus and football jerseys, take part in the annual Gorilla Run to benefit the nonprofit North Mankato Miracle League and Fallenstein Field, a fully accessible softball field for children with mental or physical challenges. This year, a local DJ dressed as a banana led the pack of 600 gorillas through the 2.4-mile course, raising $30,000. Next April, pro athletes and other volunteers will again pitch in to set the pace for other cities that want to ape their act. Travis Snyder’s family-friendly Color Run, founded in Draper, Utah, and launched in Tempe, Arizona, in early 2012, has caught on in more than 100 U.S. cities as a way for novice runners to have a stress-free, untimed, fun day. Sixty percent of the participants have never
run a 5K (three-plus miles) race before. Staff and volunteers throw brightly colored cornstarch on the runners at regular intervals, making the finish line a virtual rainbow. The larger runs boast thousands of participants. There are only two rules: wear a white shirt at the starting line and finish plastered in color.
On the Water
For anyone looking for a unique water workout, Tatiana Lovechenko, founder of Fort Lauderdale Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), has an answer. “We have paddleboard boot camps and sunrise and sunset tours, on the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway, based on conditions. Safe and eco-friendly LED lights, our latest innovation, let us see the fish below and make sure boats see us at night.” Their SUP manatee tour is particularly popular. “This endangered species congregates in less-traveled waterways.
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They often come up out of the water to look at us,” says Lovechenko. “We’re not allowed to touch them and must stay alert in case they bump the boards and dump us into the water. They’re gentle, but immense.” If basic SUP isn’t enough, onboard yoga or Pilates can be added. “It’s easy on the joints for those with knee or ankle problems,” Lovechenko advises. Regardless of the level of experience, “Yoga paddleboarding naturally calls for a calm mind, steady breathing and attention to balance. With Pilates, working out on a board in water that’s 10 to 20 feet deep activates a different set of muscles.”
ments (Tinyurl.com/Hoopnotica Lessons). Instructional DVDs and classes are available to revive and enhance childhood hooping abilities. “Hooping spans genres from classical to hip-hop, tribal to lyrical, depending on who’s spinning the hoop and what’s spinning on the turntable,” says Jacqui Becker, Hoopnotica’s director of content development and lead master trainer, in Brooklyn, New York. “When I carry a hoop around town, people light up. It’s like walking a puppy, but an even better workout, with no cleanup.”
Dancing in Air
Dancing on Land
Hoopnotica, on a roll here and in Europe, reintroduces play into physical fitness with fresh, fun, expressive move-
Unique outdoor group workouts all over Michigan Cardio, flexibility and strength training
ss.com signup@ecotrekfitne CHECK OUT OUR TWO APIDS! D R AN GR IN ES RI SE W NE
Join our ng Event in StandUp Paddleboardi @ 2:30pm! Grand Haven on JULY 27 $
35 per person
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West Michigan Edition
Aerial silk classes take exercising to new heights. Cirque du Soleil-style and more elegant than rope climbing, students don’t have to be in peak shape to start. “Just show up and want to learn,” says international performing aerialist Laura Witwer, who teaches how to climb fabric attached to steel rigging 16 to 25 feet high in New York City spaces. “We work close to the floor for beginners,” she explains. “They learn to climb, then to hang upside-down, and then tie knots. We’ve had all body sizes, shapes and ages in
class; it’s a great way to stretch and add strength.” Yoga can also take to the air with anti-gravity classes that position participants in fabric slings or hammocks that relax joints and help the body realign itself. Christopher Harrison, founder and artistic director of AntiGravity Yoga, in New York City, is a former worldclass gymnast and professional dancer on Broadway, two professions that are tough on the body. “As an aging athlete whose passion continued, but whose body had been ripped apart by numerous surgeries, yoga healed and rejuvenated my mind and body,” he remarks. “In order to take pressure off the joints, I took my performance company from tumbling off the ground to hanging up into the air by inventing apparatus that allowed us to fly.” Whether by land, sea or air, adventurous souls are discovering new ways to recharge mind, spirit and body. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StlSandy@MindSpring.com.
Yoga Teacher Training Earn your 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certification right here in West Michigan! Deepen your own personal practice and prepare yourself to teach beginning and intermediate yoga classes from your own heart-felt path. This contemporary and comprehensive approach, deeply rooted in the ancient wisdom of classical yoga, will lead you to become a more balanced, whole and connected individual. For more information: info@CascadeYogaStudio.com 616.464.1610 www.CascadeYogaStudio.com
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In partnership with:
www.PrairieYogaTT.com
Unique and Wacky Right Here in West Michigan Cascade Yoga
Teen Yoga - A wonderful tool for developing self-esteem, concentration, and coordination as well as a great way to reduce stress and hormonal changes and build discipline. Yoga helps prevent sports injuries and create concentration, clarity, and focus for studies. Mondays from 4:00-5:00pm. See ad pages 16 & 18.
EcoTrek Fitness
Full Moon Sessions - People often plan their evenings around them. Throughout the summer starting at 9pm and finish by 10:30pm. Stand Up Paddleboarding – Fitness on the board. July 27th in Grand Haven at 2:30pm - must RSVP at signup@ ecotrekfitness.com and the cost is $35 per person, which includes all equipment rental. See ads pages 18 & 33.
Flirt Fitness
Settle onto your mat and be guided by the slow sensual music and the soft encouraging voice of your instructor. Time to master a new pole trick and learn a new move that makes you feel like you can fly. You feel like a goddess and a superhero. More than a pole dancing class, it is a form of movement that will reshape your body and your self-image. We are NOT a school for professional strippers. The only things you will be “stripping” away are your own negative thoughts about yourself. All sessions are 8 weeks long, and each class is a full 90 minutes. See ad page 19.
From the Heart Yoga
Radiant Hour of Power - A new class featuring Hula Hooping & Yoga. Summer session, July 8th-August 31st, a noon series on Wednesdays & Fridays. See ad page 16.
Lakeshore Yoga
Yoga Trek - A fun and exciting way to get your yoga on while
connecting to the outdoors. Move your body, smile, shake your booty and feel more alive as you “yoga” walk from Lakeshore Yoga to Grand Haven’s Central Park. Step high, shimmy, shimmy shake, walk backwards, lunge to build the buns, hug trees. How about Skip to My Lou My Darling? Can ya dig it?! Finish up with 30 minutes of yoga back in the studio. All you need is your walking shoes and willingness to have fun and move. Mondays at 9:00am and Thursdays at 6:00pm. Classes are $12 each or packages are available. Funky Flow Classes - Want to get hot and funky? Hot or Not, the music is loud and there’s a bit of hootin’ and hollerin to celebrate life. All of our Funky Flow classes are fun and wacky. Heated up on Tuesdays at 5:30pm. Keeping it cool Fridays at 9:00am. See ad page 19.
On The Path Yoga
SUP Yoga - Tuesday nights at 5:30 and 7pm for the summer. Partner Yoga - “Friday Night Light”, is designed to lighten up date night. It will be a basic class with some fun partner work thrown in. Zoo Zen Yoga for Kids - For the summer they will offer this weekly over 10 weeks. Aerial Yoga – Offered in the fall. See ad page 16.
The Yoga Studio
Sing Song Yoga™ - a kids’ musical yoga program in which song lyrics instruct children how to get into the poses. Singing instructions within simple rhyming songs makes everything easy to follow and remember. Monthly Saturday classes are available at Noon starting in the Fall. See ad page 17.
White River Yoga
Bootcamp Ballet – A vigorous circuit training routine that combines elements of Pilates, Workin’ It and body-sculpting ballet moves at the barre. Bootcamp Ballet can help you achieve your fitness goals. See ad page 16.
be confident...be sexy...be strong
Pole Fitness/Dancing Classes Amy Oostveen
616.723.7350 - Amy@FlirtFitnessGR.com
Visit www.FlirtFitnessGR.com for a Schedule of Classes 5366 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI. 49525 natural awakenings
July 2013
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Your surroundings subtly affect your emotional, physical and mental state.
Let your interior nurture you Complete interior design services that align your physical space with your personal expression.
Resonate within your space and elevate your wellbeing! Feng Shui Green design Holistic design approach Repurposing your existing treasures
Align Design LLC Shawn Merkel - ASID, IIDA 616-916-1071
aligndesigngr.com
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West Michigan Edition
healingways
Banish Acid Reflux Eating Alkaline Can Cure the Burn by Linda Sechrist
N
early everyone has some reflux, the upward backflow of the stomach’s contents into the esophagus connecting the stomach with the throat, or even up into the throat itself. When it occurs more than twice a week, reflux can progress from a minor irritation causing heartburn to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. When the throat is most affected, it’s called laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR. Untreated, LPR can damage the throat, airway, and lungs. If left untreated, GERD can damage the digestive system and cause precancerous Barrett’s esophagus or even esophageal cancer. “In the United States, the prevalence of esophageal cancer has increased 850 percent since 1975, according to National Cancer Institute statistics,” says Dr. Jamie Koufman who has been studying acid reflux for three decades as part of her pioneering work as a laryngologist, specializing in treating voice disorders and diseases of the larynx. She is founding director of the Voice Institute of New York and the primary author of Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook & Cure. Koufman prescribes combining science, medicine and culinary arts to treat the ailment, which she mainly blames on the acidification of the American diet, along with increases in saturated fats, high-fructose corn syrup and agricultural pesticides. Consider that almost all bottled or canned foods have an acidity level of 4 or lower on the pH scale—a key measurement in medicine, biology and nutrition, and significant in Koufman’s clinical research and conclusions from examining upwards of 250,000 patients. “Soft drinks are the major risk factor for reflux,” she notes. A single statistic from the American Beverage Association highlights the
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problem: In 2010, the average 12-to29-year-old American consumed 160 gallons of acidified soft drinks, nearly a half-gallon a day. “Trends in the prevalence of reflux parallel soft drink consumption over time, especially in young people,” says Koufman. She clarifies that the term “acid reflux” is misleading because the problem centers on the digestive enzyme pepsin, which is manufactured in the stomach to break down proteins into more easily digestible particles. It is activated by the acid in high-acid foods. “If there is no protein around that needs digesting, pepsin can gnaw on the lining of your throat and esophagus,” explains Koufman, who is a professor of clinical otolaryngology at New York Medical College. She has seen many reflux cases misdiagnosed as something else. “It’s common for doctors to mistake re-
The wrong foods can eat us.
flux symptoms of hoarseness, postnasal drip, chronic throat clearing, trouble in swallowing or sore throat and cough for asthma, sinusitis or allergies.” She adds that heartburn and indigestion are sometimes treated with over-the-counter antacids, which are ineffective for these. Koufman helps her patients, including professional singers, to overcome acid reflux with a two-week detoxification program consisting of a low-acid, low-fat, pH-balanced diet. “For two weeks, avoid acidic foods (nothing below pH 4),” she advises. “Eat fish, poultry, tofu, melons, bananas, oatmeal, whole-grain breads and cereals, mushrooms and green vegetables. Refrain from fried foods, chocolate and soft drinks. Basically, consume nothing out of a bottle or a can, except for water.” She remarks that reflux is definitely curable by following a proper diet, although it can still take up to a year for a person to become totally symptom-free. Noted Integrative Physician Andrew Weil agrees with Koufman’s recommendations. He suggests developing an exercise and relaxation strategy, because stress and anxiety worsen reflux symptoms, as well as increasing fiber intake by eating more whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of purified water. Keep a log to track foods and beverages that worsen symptoms, and avoid alcohol and stimulants like caffeinated beverages and tobacco that irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Weil also suggests ingesting a slippery elm supplement according to label directions, which can help heal irritated digestive tract tissues, and chewing a tablet of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) or taking a half-teaspoon of a DGL supplement powder before meals and at bedtime. Reduce doses after symptoms are under control. “For most people, there is probably a middle road—having an occasional glass of orange juice or soda doesn’t cause reflux disease—but if that’s all you drink day in and day out, it’s likely to create a problem. For people with known reflux disease, a period of ‘acid/pepsin detox’ makes good sense,” concludes Koufman. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Visit her website ItsAllAboutWe.com for the recorded interview. natural awakenings
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inspiration
Savor Summer Revel in Blissful Indulgences by April Thompson
F
rom freshly picked cherries to moonlit hikes, summer offers endless free gifts. Its lingering daylight reminds us to step outside, take a deep breath and savor life’s simple joys. “Summer is a time to enjoy the small things in life, which are often the sweetest,” counsels Janet Luhrs, author of The Simple Living Guide and founder of the online Simplicity School (Simplicity Journey.com). “Kids do this instinctively, like seeing who can throw a rock furtherest into the water. I’m happy just having a simple backyard dinner with friends, reading a book in a city park or paddling a canoe.” Here are some summer classics to expand our own “to savor” list. Feast on Earth’s bounty. Make the most of summer’s cornucopia of candysweet berries, rainbow-colored heirloom tomatoes and other natural treats abounding at local farmers’ markets. Get wet. Go skinny-dipping in a hidden creek, run through sprinklers in shorts or swimsuit or round up the neighborhood kids for a trip to a local water park, lake or public pool. Water games like Marco Polo and underwater tea parties never grow old, even for grown-ups. Commune with creatures. Who can resist the winking lightning bugs, flickering dragonflies and songs of an evening insect chorus? Summer immerses us in nature. See how many animals that eagle-eyed friends and family members can spot during visits to area parks and preserves. Read by sunlight. The pleasure of reading heightens with natural light and fresh air. Pick an easy read to take to the beach or a hammock with sunglasses and a glass of herbal sun tea. Celebrate community. ‘Tis the season for free local festivals, picnic con-
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certs, open-air movies and state fairs. Invite a friend or make a Dutch treat of it, even organize an informal potlatch block party. Take a day trip. Consider the healthy dose of activities that exist close to home. Delightful discoveries await the curious when traveling by local waterway, walking trail or bicycle path. Map a flexible route, allowing ample time for unexpected stops. Try something new. Summer is a chance to be adventurous. Step into a bright, pastel shirt or tropical sundress, and then revel in the compliments. Move from an indoor exercise routine to a free yoga class in a shady park and test ride a standup paddleboard. Look up. Summer skies offer more drama than daytime TV. Perch on the porch at sunrise, sunset or before a thunderstorm rolls in. On a clear calm night, lie back on a blanket and trace constellations while watching for shooting stars and meteor showers. Capture memories. Gather a pocketful of seashells, press wildflowers from special spots, make breadand-butter pickles from the garden and print favorite snapshots to spark happy summer memories any time of the year. Do nothing. In the midst of so many marvelous options, we can also give ourselves permission to cancel our own plans on a whim and just do nothing. Simple daydreaming can lead to good ideas and inner rhapsodies. Summer is the best time to just be. “Try to not to plan more than one thing in a day this summer,” advises Luhrs. “Otherwise, you’ll end up cutting short activities to rush off to the next thing instead of enjoying what’s already in front of you.” Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.
Ottawa Village Chiropractic & OVC Yoga Community Spotlight nd
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haking things up in Holland, Michigan, Ottawa Village Chiropractic (OVC) has become a unique blend of chiropractic services and yoga. On June 25 they introduced their new yoga studio OVC Yoga. Chiropractor and owner of OVC, Dr. Greg Lynas offers relief from pain without pills, surgery or other invasive approaches, helping his clients with ailments such as headaches, back pain, sports injuries, numbness and tingling, neck pain, scoliosis and more. He noted, “There is a movement for people to use less drugs and OVC fits in well with the paradigm.” He also pointed out that both practices hosted by OVC (chiropractic and yoga) are drug free, both get the body to move and both contribute to the intertwining of body, mind and spirit, taking care of the whole person. Dr. Lynas received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. Realizing his developing love for chiropractic work and all that it entails, he then received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2003, Dr. Lynas and his family returned to Michigan where they eventually opened Dr. Lynas’ practice, OVC, located in the heart of the Columbia Arts District in South Holland. Dr. Lynas’ one-man shop is almost completely run by Dr. Lynas himself as he is truly passionate for the work he is able to offer his clients, helping people heal as best as he can. A practitioner for twelve years now, Dr. Lynas said that his favorite part of being a part of this industry is his patients and the opportunity to help them. His wife, Kristen Porter, RYT added that Dr. Lynas is basically on call and happy to help his clients essentially whenever he can, and both Porter and Dr. Lynas alluded to the flexibility of appointment times in general that they are pleased to offer. Porter, who will be teaching the new Yoga classes at OVC is in-house counsel for an automotive supplier in Zeeland, where she has worked for over seven years now, and she just recently added Registered Yoga Teacher to her repertoire as well after
completing her teacher training at Third Coast Yoga Studio in April. An avid yoga student herself for 24 years, Porter said, “Yoga leads to body appreciation, which is so important for women. It can change your life when you appreciate the skin you’re in.” She is looking forward to helping others learn how to gain this appreciation. In addition to gaining body appreciation, yoga also builds muscle, improves flexibility, increases blood circulation, improves balance, facilitates weight loss and boosts immune system functionality along with an array of other non-physical benefits as well. Porter is happy to be able to offer this service in conjunction with her husband’s chiropractic work, as they both seek to heal people in a natural approach. Among the classes being offered are a Beginner or New to Yoga class and Gentle Yoga for all levels taught by Porter herself, a Fusion Yoga class (bringing together many different types of Yoga into one class) and a Family Yoga class taught by Cara Barnes, RYT 200, and a Girl Power! Tween Yoga class for girls ages 10-13, led by Porter and her sixth grade daughter. All classes will be offered in the evenings and on weekends. In addition to Chiropractic and Yoga services, OVC also occasionally brings in Grace Kelly, Dr. Lynas and Porter’s certified therapy dog for their clients to enjoy visiting with. There is quite often something new or exciting happening at OVC, so be sure to join them as they embark on the newest part of their journey with the addition of their yoga studio and classes. For more information, contact Ottawa Village Chiropractic at 616-399-9420 or visit www.ovchiro.com. To see a yoga class schedule, visit www.ovcyoga.com. NAN members receive 20% off new patient exams and 10% off chiropractic adjustments (excludes Medicare and participating insurance plans). See ad page 8. Amanda Merritt is a recent graduate of Cornerstone University with a degree in Communication Arts and Journalism/Public Relations. You can contact her at mandi.merritt@hotmail.com. natural awakenings
July 2013
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Six Ways to Eat Safe
The Latest Facts about Organics, Pesticides, Seeds and More by Melinda Hemmelgarn
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ot fun in the summertime begins with fresh, sweet and savory seasonal flavors brought to life in al fresco gatherings with family and friends. As the popularity of farmers’ markets and home gardening surges onward, it’s time to feast on the tastiest produce, picked ripe from America’s farms and gardens for peak flavor and nutrition. Similar to raising a sun umbrella, learning where food comes from and how it’s produced provides the best protection against getting burned. Here’s the latest on some of the season’s hottest food issues to help families stay safe and well nourished.
Local Organic Reigns Supreme
Diana Dyer, a registered dietitian and garlic farmer near Ann Arbor, Michigan, observes, “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy local, and that’s kind of the same thing.” Purchasing local foods whenever possible has many merits, including shaking the farmer’s hand, asking about farming methods and developing sincere relationships. Buying local also supports the local economy and contributes to food security. Yet “local” alone does not necessarily mean better. Even small farmers may use harmful pesticides or feed their 24
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livestock genetically modified or engineered (GM, GMO or GE) feed. That’s one reason why the smartest food choice is organic, with local organic being the gold standard. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic certification label ensures that strict national organic standards—prohibiting the use of antibiotics, hormones and GM feed and ingredients—have been met. Plus, organically raised livestock must have access to the outdoors and ample time on pastures, naturally resulting in milk and meat with higher levels of health-protecting omega-3 fatty acids. Still, organic naysayers abound. For example, many negative headlines were generated by a recent Stanford University study that questioned whether or not organic foods are safer or more healthful than conventional. Few news outlets relayed the researchers’ actual conclusions—that organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria; children on organic diets have significantly lower levels of pesticide metabolites, or breakdown products, in their urine; organic milk may contain significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids; and organic produce contains higher levels of health-protecting antioxidants. Jim Riddle, former organic outreach coordinator at the University of Minnesota, in Lamberton, explains that organic farming methods are based on building and improving the soil, promoting biodiversity and protecting natural resources, regardless of the size of the farm. Healthier ecosystems, higher quality soil and clean water will produce healthier plants, which in turn support healthier animals and humans on a healthier planet.
Pesticide Problems and Solutions
Children are most vulnerable to the effects of pesticides and other environmental toxins, due to their smaller size and rapid physical development. Last December, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement that asserted, “Beyond acute poisoning, the influences of low-level pesticide exposures on child health are of increasing concern.” The organization links pesticide exposure to higher risk for brain tumors, leukemia, attention deficit disorders, autism and reductions in IQ. Because weeds naturally develop resistance to the herbicides designed to kill them, Dow AgroSciences has genetically engineered seeds to produce crops that can withstand spraying with both the systemic herbicide glyphosate (Roundup), and 2,4-D, one of the active ingredients in Agent Orange, used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War. The latter is commonly applied to lawns and wheat-producing agricultural land, even though research reported in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives links exposure to 2,4-D to birth defects and increased cancer risk. Dow AgroSciences’ new GE seeds await regulatory approval. Eric Mader, program director at the Portland, Oregonbased Xerces Society for the conservation of invertebrates and pollinator protection, warns that broad-spectrum pesticides kill beneficial insects along with those considered pests. Mader recommends increasing the number of beneficial insects, which feed on pests, by planting a greater diversity of native plants on farms and in home gardens.
Demand for GMO Labeling
Despite California’s narrow defeat of Proposition 37, which would have required statewide labeling of products containing GMOs, advocates at the Environmental Working Group and the Just Label It campaign are pushing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for nationwide GMO labeling. Responding to consumer demand, Whole Foods Market recently announced that it will require GMO labeling in all of its U.S. and Canadian stores by 2018. Filmmaker Jeremy Seifert’s powerful new documentary, GMO OMG, should give the movement a major push, as well. The 2013 film explores the danger in corporate patenting of seeds and the unknown health and environmental risks of engineered food. Seifert says, “I have a responsibility to my children to hand on to them a world that is not poisoned irreparably.” As for the promise that GMOs are required to “feed the world,” he believes it’s a lie, noting that it’s better to “feed the world well.”
Seed Freedom and Food Choice
Roger Doiron, founder and director of Kitchen Gardeners International, headquartered in Scarborough, Maine, celebrates Food Independence Day each July Fourth. Doiron believes that growing, harvesting, cooking and preserving food is both liberating and rewarding, and patriotic. More than 25,000 individuals from 100 countries belong to his nonprofit network that focuses on re-localizing the world’s food supply. Food freedom starts with seeds.
Get Your Non-GMOs Here Reading labels is always a good practice. We can also rely on trusted sources to help us sort out suspect products from the natural whole foods that we know are good for us. Here’s a short list of websites and associated apps to help make food shopping a bit easier. n CenterForFoodSafety.org; Tinyurl.com/getCenter
ForFoodSafetyapp n Fooducate.com; Tinyurl.com/getFooducateGMOapp n NonGMOProject.org; Tinyurl.com/getNonGMO
Projectapp n NonGMOShoppingGuide.com; Tinyurl.com/get
ShopNoGMOapp n Also take action at Buycott.com: Tinyurl.com/get
BuycottGMOapp
Saving and trading heirloom, non-hybrid, non-GMO seeds is becoming as easy as checking out a library book. Several libraries across the country are serving as seed banks, where patrons check out seeds, grow crops, save seeds and then donate some back to their local library. Liana Hoodes, director of the National Organic Coalition, in Pine Bush, New York, is a fan of her local Hudson Valley Seed Library. The library adheres to Indian Physicist Vandana Shiva’s Declaration of Seed Freedom and makes sure all seed sources are not related to, owned by or affiliated with biotech or pharmaceutical corporations. In addition to preserving heirloom and open-pollinated varieties, each seed packet is designed by a local artist.
Finicky about Fish
Grilled fish makes a lean, heart-healthy, low-calorie summer meal. Some fish, however, may contain chemicals that pose health risks, especially for pregnant or nursing women and children. For example, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, which is toxic to a baby’s developing nervous system. Both the EPA and local state health departments post consumption advisories that recommend limiting or avoiding certain species of fish caught in specific locations. For several decades, Captain Anne Mosness, a wild salmon fisherwoman, operated commercial fishing boats in Washington waters and from Copper River to Bristol Bay, Alaska. She worries about the threat of pollution from industrial aquaculture, plus the effects of genetically engineered salmon on wild fish populations, coastal economies and ecosystems. Mosness explains that AquAdvantage Salmon, a product of AquaBounty Technologies, was created “by inserting a growth hormone gene from Pacific Chinook and a promoter gene from an eel-like fish called ocean pout into Atlantic salmon.” She questions the FDA approval process and failure to address unanswered questions about the risks of introducing “novel” animals into the food supply, as well as related food allergies and greater use of antibiotics in weaker fish populations. “The salmon farming industry already uses more antibiotics per weight than any other animal production,” comments Mosness. The FDA’s official public comment period on GMO salmon closed in April, but consumers can still voice concerns to their legislators while demanding and applauding national GMO labeling. GMO fish may be on our dinner plates by the end of the year, but with labels, consumers gain the freedom to make informed choices. Consumers can also ask retailers not to sell GMO fish. Trader Joe’s, Aldi and Whole Foods have all committed to not selling GMO seafood. natural awakenings
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Antibiotic Resistance
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotics are one of the greatest public health achievements of the past 100 years. However, one of the most critical public health and economic issues we currently face is the loss of these drugs’ effectiveness, due in large part to their misuse and overuse in industrial agriculture. Dr. David Wallinga, senior advisor in science, food and health at the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy, says that about 80 percent of all antibiotics are given to farm animals for two reasons: to prevent illness associated with living in crowded, stressful and often unsanitary conditions; and to promote “feed efficiency”, or weight gain. However, bacteria naturally mutate to develop resistance to antibiotics when exposed to doses that are insufficient to kill them. Wallinga points out that antibiotic-resistant infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), cost our nation at least $20 billion annually and steal tens of thousands of American lives each year. Most recently, hardto-treat urinary tract infections (UTI), were traced to antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria in chickens. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria exist in our environment, but are more likely to be found in conventionally, rather than organically raised meat and poultry, which by law must be raised without antibiotics. Consumers beware: the word “natural” on food labels does not provide the same protection. The good news is that according to Consumers Union research, raising meat and poultry without antibiotics can be accomplished at minimal cost to the consumer—about five cents extra per pound for pork and less than a penny per pound extra for chicken. Melinda Hemmelgarn, aka the “Food Sleuth”, is a registered dietitian and award-winning writer and radio host at KOPN. org, in Columbia, MO (FoodSleuth@gmail.com). She advocates for organic farmers at Enduring-Image.blogspot.com.
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Food Supply News Sources Antibiotic Resistance n Healthy Food Action: HealthyFoodAction.org n Keep Antibiotics Working: KeepAntibioticsWorking.com n Meat Without Drugs: MeatWithoutDrugs.org n Not in My Food: Tinyurl.com/NotInMyFoodNoAntibiotics Fish Food Safety n Center for Food Safety: CenterForFoodSafety.org n Food and Water Watch: FoodAndWaterWatch.org n Food Sleuth Radio interview with fisherwoman, Anne Mosness: Tinyurl.com/FoodSleuthRadioAnneMosness GMOs n GMO Food Labeling: JustLabelIt.org n GMO OMG: GMOFilm.com n No GMO 4Michigan: noGMO4michigan.org
Local/Organic n Eat Local: Simple Steps to Enjoy Real, Healthy and
Affordable Food, by Jasia Steinmetz: TableOfTheEarth. com/eat-local-simple-steps n Organic Farming Research Foundation: ofrf.org Pesticides n Safe Lawns: SafeLawns.org n Xerces Society: Xerces.org/mission
Seed Freedom and Food Choice n Kitchen Gardeners International: kgi.org n National Center for Home Food Preservation: nchfp.uga.edu n Seed Libraries: NewDream.org and Tinyurl.com/StartLocalSeedLibrary n Seed Matters: Tinyurl.com/SeedMattersCommunityProject
wisewords
Relishing Raw Food Supermodel Carol Alt on How Eating Raw Keeps Her Vibrant by Beth Bader the past year, she’s been overseeing the U.S. launch of her skin care line, Raw Essentials.
How has your relationship with food changed over the years, and what role has raw food played?
photo by Jimmy Bruch
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arol Alt characterizes the latest stage of her 30-plus-year career as a “perfect storm of busy,” including the launch of her latest book, Easy Sexy Raw, and her roles in Woody Allen’s film, To Rome with Love, and the HBO documentary, About Face, exploring the relationship between physical appearance and the business of beauty. For
“Raw” seems like an easy diet to prepare, but some of the methods can take time and special equipment. What’s a simple starting point? Using a blender, you can make everything from soup to dessert. Start with things like guacamole, salsa and soups. You can also use a pot and hot water (up to 115 degrees) to warm kelp noodles to add to a blended soup. You can make a mousse from raw chocolate and avocado. Also begin to think of a dehydrator as a crock-pot that works while you’re away. It’s a simple option once you are in the habit of using it. Of course, you’ll want to make all kinds of fresh salads.
How do you maintain your raw food plan when you are eating out or in social settings?
I grew up like other kids on Long Island. Mom cooked spaghetti and macaroni and cheese. Dad would sometimes grill a piece of meat until it was dead a second time. On weekends, we ate pizza or Chinese takeout. I never realized broccoli was green, because overcooking turned it gray. One day, I got sent home from a job because they said I was not in “swimsuit condition.” A friend recommended a physician that specialized in raw food diets, which was the first I’d heard of it. So I tried a raw diet, cold turkey, and felt better immediately. Today I eat raw food as an antiaging agent and natural medicine that makes me healthier; it’s also a filler that makes me less hungry. My holistic lifestyle no longer includes any over-the-counter drugs. These days, my system runs efficiently, like an electric golf cart. When I need to go, I go. When I need to stop and sleep, I sleep. The body can work phenomenally well if we just let it.
I look for foods that I know will be raw. If I have any doubts, I ask the chef. If there’s any question, I just don’t eat it. There’s a bit of discipline in this. You have to eat on a schedule and make sure you are getting the food you need. I may lunch even if I am not hungry, especially when I know I’ll be dining out later. It’s important to make sure you are not feeling deprived and hungry; otherwise you may find yourself craving things like the bread on the table.
Do you ever miss cooked foods and sometimes indulge? My diet is 75 to 95 percent raw. When you eat raw foods, you feel so much better that you don’t want to eat anything else. My one indulgence is munching on popcorn when my favorite sports team plays.
Do you have any final advice on exploring a raw diet? Relax and have fun trying different things. If you cheat, it’s okay. If you feel deprived in any way, go eat. Above all, enjoy the adventure. Beth Bader is the co-author of The Cleaner Plate Club and blogs at CleanerPlateClub.com.
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naturalpet
Pet Food Perils Lurking GMOs May Hurt Our Pets by Dr. Michael W. Fox
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ike a canary in a coal mine, dogs serve as sentinels, drawing our attention to health hazards in our shared home environment and in the products and byproducts of the food industry.
Multiple Health Issues
In the mid-1990s, as genetically engineered or modified (GE, GM or GMO), corn and soy were becoming increasingly prominent ingredients in both pet food products and feed for farm animals, the number of dogs reported suffering from a specific cluster of health problems increased. It also became evident from discussion among veterinarians and dog owners that such health problems occurred more often among dogs eating pet food that included GM crops than those consuming food produced from conventional crops. The conditions most cited included allergies, asthma, atopic (severe) dermatitis and other skin problems, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, recurrent diarrhea, vomiting and indigestion, plus abnormalities in liver, pancreas and immune system functions. People often reported failed treatments and harmful side effects to prescribed remedies (e.g. steroids), as well as problems with various manufactured 28
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prescription diets after their attending veterinarians diagnosed their animals with these conditions. According to a 2011 study in the journal Cell Research, in engineering crops like corn and soybean, novel proteins are created that can assault the immune system and cause allergies and illnesses, especially in the offspring of mothers fed GMO foods. Diminished nutrient content is a concurrent issue. “The results of most of the few independent studies conducted with GM foods indicate that they may cause hepatic, pancreatic, renal and reproductive effects and may alter hematological, biochemical and immunologic parameters,”concluded Artemis Dona and Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis, of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the University of Athens Medical School, in their 2009 study on the effect of GM foods on animals.
“Look first for the USDA Certified Organic label. Next, look for other words and terms on the package indicating it comprises natural, humane, free-range, grass-fed and GM- or GE-free ingredients. Watch out for chemical preservatives, artificial coloring, byproducts, GMOs, irradiation/radioisotope treatment, hormones and antibiotics. In short, seek out whole organic foods appropriate to the species.” ~ Dr. Michael Fox Such problems are caused partly by the inherent genetic instability of GM plants, which can result in spontaneous and unpredictable mutations (Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews). DNA in GM foods is altered by the genetic engineering process; it can be incorporated by gut bacteria and may alter their behavior and ecology in the digestive tract. Likewise, when digestive bacteria incorporate material from antibioticresistant genes, engineered into patented GM foods crops to identify them, it could have serious health implications, according to Jeffrey M. Smith in his book, Genetic Roulette, and Terje Traavik and Jack Heinemann, co-authors of Genetic Engineering and Omitted Health Research.
What Pet Owners Can Do
Look for pet foods that are free of GM corn and soy, and/or organically certified. Pet food manufacturers that use U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified organic ingredients—and especially those that don’t use corn, soy, canola, cotton byproducts (oil and cake) or sugar beet, which are more common-
ly genetically engineered, or imported rice, which can have GM strains—can legitimately claim “No GMO Ingredients” on their packaging. Information, plus tips on avoiding hidden GMO ingredients are available at NonGMOShoppingGuide.com. Many websites also provide recipes for home-prepared diets for companion animals, including DogCatHome PreparedDiet.com. Let responsible pet food manufacturers know of consumers’ concerns and heed Hippocrates’ advice to let our food be our medicine and our medicine be our food. Enlightened citizen action is an integral part of the necessary revolution in natural agriculture aimed at promoting more ecologically sound, sustainable and humane farming practices, a healthier environment and more healthful, wholesome and affordable food for us and our canine companions.
COMING IN AUGUST
You Care About Your Family’s Health We do too. Our natural health experts share helpful information, insights and tips you’ll like.
Michael Fox, author of Healing Animals & the Vision of One Health, is a veterinarian with doctoral degrees in medicine and animal behavior. Find GMOfree pet food brands and learn more at DrFoxVet.com.
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Celebrating 40 Years of Healthy Business by Julie Reynolds
S
tarting a business of any kind is no small feat. Staying in business is even harder yet. It involves careful planning, considerable time and energy, knowledge of the target market being served and knowledge of the products and/or services. Quality customer service is a definite plus for any business and something that many seem to lack these days. Having quality staff, funding and at least some type of organizational skills are also important. With the frightening statistics for new start-ups and seeing how many new businesses fail after the first year or first few years, it is reassuring to hear of a business celebrating its 40th year of being in business. Amazing and exceptional are just two words that can describe the significance of Health Hutt’s 40th anniversary this year. The three owners over the time span of forty years have made it a passion to serve customers and try to provide products that promote healthier living. This health store began small out of a garage, as some new start-ups do, but later expanded to an actual store front with business hours for customers in 1973. Originally the facade looked a bit like an actual hut, quite different from today’s look. Erik Johnson is the current owner of all three Health Hutt locations in the area. He is the former owner of Natural Health Mart, which was located on River Road in Muskegon. Health Hutt used to be his competition. When the owner before him passed away, the bank asked if he would like to buy Health Hutt. Johnson originally declined, but changed his mind after a little persuading. Although he admits it has been challenging to own three stores, he is excited about the success of the business and states, “Staying in business for 40 years is an accomplishment in itself.” Johnson estimates that he really only gets about 2% of the population coming into the store each year. “There is huge potential for growth,” states Johnson, but believes the economy has much to do with those numbers. Buying healthier food is more expensive, but the prices on his products are very similar if not the same as the same products in other stores. Quality food with quality 32
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ingredients cost more than food with cheaper, unhealthy ingredients. Johnson has focused local advertising, relies on word-ofmouth and believe it or not, Dr. Oz. He sees a direct correlation between the sale and interest in certain products and the products that Dr. Oz promotes on television. Certain products have often sold out after being discussed by Dr. Oz. When asked why he believes his stores have managed to stay in business and do well over the years, Johnson answered by saying, “We cater to our customers. Within 30 seconds of entering the store, customers are to be greeted. Within 90 seconds they are asked if they can be helped.” This practice is Johnson’s philosophy. He truly believes in his business, the products offered and the good service techniques his staff offers to customers. Johnson has learned more and more about health, food and supplements through his years of training, seminars and workshops he has attended throughout the country. He also makes certain that employees are quite knowledgeable of the products being sold in case a customer should have a question. “Other stores don’t have that. In some stores, the employees don’t even know their products,” Johnson stated. The most popular items the Health Hutt sells are a variety of health bars, local organic eggs, local low-sugar cookies and diet aids. The Henry Street location features a deli with lunch specials. Soon to come at this location are a variety of organic beers, as well. The North Muskegon location is a smaller store, but is conveniently located near Subway and Russ’ Restaurant. The Grand Haven location is expanding to add over 1,000 more square feet of store space and plans to add a deli. “Many customers come in strictly for their supplements and others will come in just for the food products,” Johnson says. “Cheap food is for cheap bodies. How much is your body worth?” He suggests to those who are a bit more strapped for cash to buy more fruits and
vegetables in general whether organic or not. “Just be sure to wash them well if keeping the skin on or peel the skins away,” he suggests. The skin contains many nutrients but can also contain dangerous pesticides if non-organic, so many of these nutrients are removed when peeling. While organic is healthier, it is definitely more expensive. Johnson also notes that even though quality food may be more expensive today, in the long run, eating cheap food could end up costing people much more in health care. Diseases related to unhealthy eating habits end up costing taxpayers incredible amounts of money in medical expenses. Perhaps this little aspect of actually knowing about what is being sold has something to do with the longevity of Health Hutt. Perhaps it is the increasingly health-conscious society that seeks better food and health products. Whatever the reason, Health Hutt is a strong, local small business with much to offer its customers. Support this company today and support getting healthier at the North Muskegon on M-120 location, Norton Shores on Henry location or the Grand Haven location to see the wide variety of products and health foods available. Savings cards are also available, which can be purchased to receive additional discounts on supplements and other items. Visit Health Hutt’s Facebook page by searching “Health Hutt.” See ad page 21 & 45. Julie Reynolds is a contributing writer for Natural Awakenings. She has a degree in journalism and also is a certified teacher. Julie lives in the Muskegon area with her family and works as a real estate agent for Greenridge Realty and also teaches.
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consciouseating
Health Rules Crazy, Sexy, Savvy, Yummy by Judith Fertig
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n summer, when many fruits, herbs and vegetables are at their peak, it makes sense to harness their power for the family’s benefit. “Some people flock to plant-empowered living for better health, others because of their spiritual beliefs, to support animal welfare, respect the environment or best of all, because it tastes great,” says wellness activist Kris Carr, a documentary filmmaker, New York Times bestselling author and the educational force behind KrisCarr.com. Carr joined the wellness revolution after being diagnosed with a rare disease. It proved to be the incentive she needed to change her eating habits and find renewed power and energy. Her new book, Crazy Sexy Kitchen, with recipes by Chef Chad Sarno, celebrates the colors, flavors and powers of plants that nourish us at the cellular level. Her main tenets include a focus on: Reducing inflammation. Inflammation is caused by what we eat, drink, smoke, think (stress), live in (environment), or don’t do well (lack of exercise). At the cellular level, it can lead to allergies, arthritis, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, digestive disorders and cancer, according to Victoria Drake, Ph.D., of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State Univer-
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sity, who culled the latest research (LPI.OregonState.edu/ infocenter/inflammation.html). Creating an acid/alkaline balance. “Tilting the pH scale in the alkaline direction is easy with a diet filled with mineralrich plant foods,” says Carr. It also means minimizing meat, dairy, sugar, eggs, commercially processed foods, coffee and alcohol. Drinking produce. Green juices and green smoothies are ideal. “They are the most important part of my personal daily practice, one that I will never abandon,” Carr notes. Carr and her husband, Brian Fassett, whom she met when he edited her documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer, share the juice and smoothie making responsibilities. “We make enough to have two 12-ounce servings of green drinks a day. Our recipes are often guided by what’s available in the fridge,” she advises. The secret is a three-to-one ratio of three veggies for every piece of fruit. Kale reigns in their home. The dark leafy superfood is especially suited for smoothies, salads and sautés. They like kale’s generous helping of vitamin K for maintaining strong bones. Carr’s Crazy Sexy Kale Salad is dressed with vinaigrette that includes flax oil, which she notes is high in omega-3s to promote healthy brain function. It’s also a well-known antiinflammatory food. “Make sure to buy cold-pressed, organic flax oil in a dark bottle and store it in the fridge,” she advises, “because light and heat may turn the oil rancid. I like Barlean’s brand, but there are many other quality flax oils available. Since it is sensitive to heat, I use it mostly in salad dressings and smoothies.” Carr maintains that, “By decreasing the amount of acidic inflammatory foods while increasing the amount of healthy and alkaline plant foods, you flood your body with vitamins, minerals, cancer-fighting phytochemicals, antioxidants and fiber.” This supports the body in maintaining and repairing itself. She further points out, “Once your body repairs, it can renew. That’s big-healer medicine. You might as well get a business card that reads: self-care shaman.” Award-winning cookbook author Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
Easy Summer Recipes “Many of my recipes have been influenced by cultural experiences, twists on favorite childhood meals or newly discovered ingredients,” says Chef Chad Sarno. “The strawberry smoothie is among Kris Carr’s favorites. Few dishes have proved to be as timeless and widely beloved as the kale salad.”
Strawberry Fields Smoothie
Enjoy the nostalgic tastiness of strawberry milk sans moo juice or powdered junk. Strawberries are phytonutrient factories, supplying the body with a bounty of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients. Yields 2 servings 3 cups cashew or nondairy milk of choice 2 cups fresh strawberries 1 Tbsp lemon zest 1 small orange, peeled 1 banana 1½ cups loosely packed spinach
Crazy Sexy Fridge Foods Each week, Kris Carr stocks her fridge with what she considers “whole, plant-based deliciousness.” One of the biggest secrets of eating healthy, she says, is being prepared. “Always keep a well-stocked arsenal of healthy ingredients at your disposal,” she advises. “At the very least, you’ll always be ready to whip up a green juice or smoothie.” n Canning jars filled with
n Flax oil
n Flax bread
ready-to-drink homemade smoothies and green juices
n Kale, parsley, spinach,
cauliflower, cucumber, bell peppers and citrus fruits
n Vegan buttery spread n Vegan mayonnaise n Raw sauerkraut n Vegan sausages n Cacao powder
Blend all ingredients until smooth in a high-speed blender.
Crazy Sexy Kale Salad
Kale is the king of leafy veggies and rules this prevention-rocks salad. Serve it solo with a favorite cooked grain, or wrapped in nori or a gluten-free tortilla. Crown this kale creation by adding chopped fresh herbs or favorite diced vegetables. To be fancy, serve the salad wrapped in a cucumber slice.
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Yields 2 to 3 servings 1 bunch kale, any variety, shredded by hand 1 cup diced bell peppers, red, yellow or orange ¼ cup chopped parsley 1½ avocados with pit removed, chopped 2 Tbsp flax oil 1½ tsp lemon juice Sea salt, to taste Pinch of cayenne, to taste 1 cucumber Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Massage and mix using both hands to “wilt” the kale and cream the avocado (takes just a minute or two). Then serve. For a fun touch, cut a thin lengthwise slice of cucumber and create a circle to outline each serving of salad, stitching the ends of the cucumber slice together with a toothpick. Place the salad in the cucumber ring and then serve. Source: Adapted from Crazy Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution, by Kris Carr with Chef Chad Sarno.
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July 2013
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healthykids
Letting Kids Just Be Kids
They Thrive on Natural, Unstructured Fun by Madeline Levine
Well-meaning attempts to fill a child’s summer with enriching activities may do more harm than good. Why not let kids just be kids?
N
Self-initiated and self-directed play otions of summer as endless free means the child is calling the shots and time—to climb trees, chase firelearning what comes naturally. If a child flies, build a fort in the woods, strums a guitar because he loves it, maybe set up a lemonade stand—have that’s play. When being instructed, the been supplanted in many families by child may enjoy the experience, but it’s pricey summer camps or other highly not the same, because the motivation is structured activities. But unstructured play isn’t wasted time; it’s the work of at least partly external. childhood, a vehicle for The American Thinking back to our Academy of Pediatdeveloping a basic set of life skills. Research own best childhood rics recommends that children play outside as published in Early memory, it won’t be much as possible—for Childhood Research & Practice shows that a class or lesson, but at least 60 minutes a day—yet almost half of children that attend the time we were America’s youth rouplay-based rather than tinely aren’t getting any academic preschools allowed to just be. time outside, according become better students. to study findings reported in the Archives Child development expert David of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Elkind, Ph.D., author of The Power of Outdoor play helps combat childhood Play, maintains, “Play is essential to obesity, acquaints them with their larger positive human development.” Various environment and supports coping skills. types teach new concepts and con Every child is different. But as Dr. tribute to skills, including helpful peer Kenneth R. Ginsburg, a professor of relations and ways to deal with stress. 36
West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com
pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania and a leading expert on resilience, remarks, “Every child needs free, unscheduled time to master his or her environment.” Play is valuable because it miniaturizes the world to a manageable size and primes kids for learning. Consider the complexities involved in a game of chase. Kids develop social skills in organizing and agreeing on rules, and then participate in the physical and creative actions of the actual activity while resolving conflicts or disagreements during its course—providing a foundation for excelling in school and even the business world. Solitary play also provides problem-solving practice. A young girl playing with her dolls may try out different ways of handling the situation if one of them “steals” a treat from the dollhouse cookie jar before tea is served. Because youth haven’t yet developed a capacity for abstract thinking, they learn and discover more about themselves mainly by doing. Developing small self-sufficiencies gives kids a sense of power in a world in which they are, in fact, small and powerless. This is why kids love to imagine dragon-slaying scenarios. Taking risks and being successful in independent play can increase confidence and prepare them to resist peer pressures and stand up to bullying. Given our global challenges, tomorrow’s adults will need the skills developed by such play—innovation, creativity, collaboration and ethical problem solving—more than any preceding generation. A major IBM study of more than 1,500 CEOs from 60 countries and 33 industries in 2010 found that the single most sought-after trait in a CEO is creativity. To survive and thrive, our sense of self must be shaped internally, not externally. We need to learn and focus on what we’re good at and like to do; that’s why it’s vital to have kids try lots of different activities, rather than immersing them full-time in parental preferences and dictated experiences. Leading experts in the field agree that considerable daily, unguided time not devoted to any structured activity facilitates their investment in the emotional energy required to develop their own identities.
In the end, learnIt is this sense of self Most experts agree ing who we are prithat provides a home base—a place to retreat, that kids should have marily takes place not throughout life. more unstructured in the act of doing, but in the quiet spaces be Ultimately, everyfree time than tween things, when we one must rely on their own resources and structured playtime. can reflect upon what we have done and sense of self or they’ll always be looking for ~ Dr. Kenneth R. Ginsburg who we are. The more of these quiet spaces external direction and families provide for kids, the better. validation. Mental health workers say that produces kids that take unnecesMadeline Levine, Ph.D., a clinical sary risks, have poor coping skills and psychologist and educator in San Franare vulnerable to substance abuse. cisco, CA, is the author of New York Business leaders say such a tendency Times bestsellers, Teach Your Children produces workers that need too much Well and The Price of Privilege. See time, resources and direction to be MadelineLevine.com/category/blogs. really valuable.
A NEW DAY A NEW APP
Summer Play
Seven Ways to Let a Kid be a Kid by Madeline Levine Why not make summer fun again? Here’s how.
hang out with family and friends.
4 Follow the principle that regular playtime is vital for everyone.
4 Encourage freerange (not pre-packaged), natural and spontaneous play— like a sandbox in the backyard, blocks and impromptu neighborhood soccer games, instead of an amusement park, elaborate toys and soccer camp.
4 Get in touch with our own playfulness. Kids really do model what they see. Present a picture of adulthood that children will want to grow up to emulate. 4 Tell the kids it’ll be a laid-back summer. Ask them to create a fun bucket list of which activities they want to keep... and which they want to toss. Parents may be shocked by what they say they want to quit doing. Sometimes kids do things because we want them to, and somehow we fail to notice their heart hasn’t been in it. 4 Arrange low-key times with friends and family. This may mean turning down some invitations and setting aside an evening as family night. Make sure kids have regular opportunities to just
4 Make sure children also have total down time for lying in the grass looking at the sky, or sitting on the sidewalk sharing a stick of all-natural gum with a friend. 4 Show trust in giving youngsters some freedom. Choice is the hallmark of true play. Have confidence that when a child is off on his own and enjoying and directing himself in activities he chooses, that is his “job”. The chances are that whatever innocent activities he’s doing of his own free will are better than any “enriching” activity we might impose on him.
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July 2013
37
Yard Games Memorable Family Fun
by Paul Tukey a game brought to New York City from Holland Given their prevalence today, it’s remarkable that by early settlers. A large elastic band becomes a video games have been in existence for just 40 years. Chinese jump rope. Tree twigs or small branches What has evolved—children spending an average work for stickball or double ball, a game played by eight to nine sedentary hours per day in front of a native peoples on this continent hundreds of years video screen—was not part of the inventor’s plan. before Jamestown or Plymouth Rock. Larger tree “It’s sad, in some regards,” says Ralph H. Baer, limbs can be cut into eight-to-10-inch sections for “the father of video games” who introduced the use in mölkky, a popular Finnish tossing contest rudimentary game of Pong in 1972. “I thought we that is gaining favor here (move over corn hole). would be helping families bond together in the liv Several games only require a ball, and ing room; the opposite has happened.” many more don’t require any apparatus at all. For those of us that pine for the era when our Think of the copycat games such as Follow-themothers would send us outside in the morning with Leader or Red Light/Green Light, or the Hide a sandwich in a bag and a canteen full of water— ’n Seek games, Fox and Hound, Ghost in the with orders not to come inside until dinner time— Graveyard and Capture the Flag. They offer as it’s gratifying to know an old-fashioned childhood many variations on a theme as they do hours of need not be committed to memory. Games, the exercise, communing with nature, conflict resolution and real ones played outdoors, are alive and well. unstructured, untallied play. “One of the great things about the games we played is We’ll never get all the way back to the time when that most of them are free, or one-time, lifetime purchases,” neighborhoods and the games we played were children’s says actress Victoria Rowell, co-author of a book that offers an only babysitters, but that doesn’t mean we can’t give it the antidote to the video game revolution, Tag, Toss & Run: 40 old college try. Classic Lawn Games. Families can easily find the makings for all sorts of outPaul Tukey is co-author of Tag, Toss & Run and founder of door family fun. Play tug-of-war with any sturdy rope, or take SafeLawns.org, which includes outdoor games resources. turns swinging two flexible ropes for a spot of double Dutch,
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West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com
MyNaturesRite.com 1-800-991-7088
Extinction is Forever
E
xtinction is not a new concept to many people as most have learned about it long ago in their science classes in school. However, the effects of extinction don’t always hit home until we actually take a look at our home in light of this unfortunate process. According to the Department of Natural Resources, around 400 species are listed as threatened or endangered in the state of Michigan. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services describes the concept of “endangered” as, “The classification provided to an animal or plant in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” The issue with a species being in danger of extinction is that extinction is forever. We have no way of reviving a species once it is extinct, and that plays a greater impact than some would like to admit on our lives and the lives of those we share our ecosystem with. Ecosystems survive on a food chain system, and the extinction of one species breaks the chain and dissolves it from the middle out. Species become endangered for many reasons such as very specific habitat requirements that are naturally rare, climate change, loss of habitat to invasive exotic species or loss of habitat from poorly planned development. In other words, animals, just like humans, need food, water and shelter. When these become difficult to find, it becomes difficult for the animals to survive. What many humans do not realize is that they are contributing to endangering these species to the point of extinction. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) points out that habitat loss in Michigan today is often due to lawns, pavement and invasive species, which many of us possess. The DNR encourages Michigan residents to, “Plant a native plant garden to make food and shelter for wildlife like butterflies or birds,” and they suggest further, “You can also learn how to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide for which you are responsible. You can check your property for invasive, exotic plants. When your property is clean, you can volunteer to remove invasive species from nearby parks, game areas and natural areas.” Local landscape architect, Michael Bruggink of Fen View Design, LLC said, “Planting native plant material encourages the foundation of insects which birds and animals rely upon,” after explaining that certain native plants will attract
by Amanda Merritt
insects vital to the surrounding ecosystem, allowing for a more properly balanced food chain and a healthier ecosystem overall. Bruggink added, “By selecting plants that have no benefit to nature, we are slowly crowding out animals, birds, etc.” That being said, it is important for homeowners to greatly consider the plants they take from or add to their property. Being cautious of this concept can be a preventative step against extinction that can be taken right at home. Though refraining from impeding on the natural habitats of plants and animals at home is a great first step to take, becoming educated in the endangered/extinction trends of Michigan can also be a big help. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hosts a list on their website, www.fws.gov, with County Distribution of Federally-Listed Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and Candidate Species. Reviewing this list allows one to become aware of the species that need extra protection within his/her community. Awareness of these species can allude to better conservation of their natural habitats and the ability to hold others accountable to protect these species as well. Should one suspect someone is breaking endangered species laws, contact the DNR RAP-Line immediately at 1-800292-7800. The government put these endangered species laws into place in 1973 with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The United States Environmental Protection Agency summarized, “The law requires federal agencies to ensure that actions they authorize, fund or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat of such species.” It also prohibits any action that constitutes a “taking” of any listed species of endangered fish or wildlife, so importing, exporting, and interstate and foreign commerce of listed species are all generally prohibited. Essentially, the ESA seeks to prevent extinction of native plants and animals that could result in harming the nation’s food supply. As previously mentioned, animals survive on a food chain system and humans are no exception. We have to be cautious Michiganders, so as not to contribute to extinction, or we will affect our own food supply. The crops and game that we pride ourselves on could quickly become depleted, leaving us with an inadequately balanced ecosystem and ultimately no means of survival. Extinction is incredibly unfortunate, and not just for someone else, but for us, right here and right now. Seek further education and stand up to make a difference at home before it’s too late. Amanda Merritt is a recent graduate of Cornerstone University with a degree in Communication Arts and Journalism/Public Relations. You can contact her at mandi.merritt@hotmail.com. natural awakenings
July 2013
39
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calendarofevents Note: Visit www.NaturalWestMichigan.com for guidelines and to submit entries. All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication.
Monday, July 1
Guided Meditation and Healing Circle- 7:458:45pm. Escape from stress and discover an inner world of calm, peace & joy through guided meditation, and energy healing from Healing in Americatrained healers. $5 Donation. Satya Yoga Center, 133 Butler St., Saugatuck.
Tuesday, July 2
Healthy Family Diet Program- 2:00pm or 5:30pm. 4-week nutrition program designed to help correct health issues by identifying and removing root causes. It’s used for weight loss, to remove cravings, lower cholesterol and sugar, to gain energy, and improve digestive issues. $150. 90 West 8th Street, Holland.
Wednesday, July 3
Meet AMMA: Mata Amritanandamayi - Renowned Humanitarian and Spiritual Leader at her Chicago Ashram. Five free public programs: Wed, July 3, 11am-5pm; Thurs, July 4, 10am & 7pm; Fri, July 5: 10am and “Devi Bhava” - A Celebration of World Peace at 7pm. Individual blessings, inspirational music, meditation, spiritual discourse, tasty food. Tokens for individual blessings available 90 minutes before each program. MA Center Chicago, 41W501 Keslinger Rd, Elburn. For details: Chicago. AMMA.org. How Does A Seed Travel? – 9:30am-12:00pm. Kids will learn about pollination and seed dispersal, then plant their very own flower with Ready for School. The Holland Farmers Market, located in Downtown Holland at the Eighth Street Market Place (150 West Eighth Street) in Downtown Holland. Guided Meditation and Healing Circle - 7:00-8:00 pm. Escape from stress and discover an inner world of calm, peace & joy through guided meditation, and energy healing from Healing in America-trained practitioners. $5.00 Donation. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct., NE, Grand Rapids.
Saturday, July 6
Bija Yoga Prenatal Program- 12:00-1:15pm. A special program offered by On The Path Yoga for expectant and new moms. Through a yoga practice, learn about specific alignment and strength concerns during pregnancy and post-partum, breathing techniques, and relaxation. Babies welcome, too. $10 drop-in. On The Path Yoga, 701 E. Savidge #3, Spring Lake.
Monday, July 8
8 week Summer Session Begins- 9:00am. 7/8-8/31. Welcome to the Summer session at From the Heart Yoga & Tai Chi Center. If you are new to us your first class is complimentary! New student special $49 for one month unlimited. $99 for 1 class per week. Check www.fromtheheartyoga.com for the Summer Schedule. From the Heart Yoga, 714 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids. Prenatal Yoga- 5:30pm. 7/8-8/31. A gentle yoga with an emphasis on breathing, preparing and open-
ing the body. A profound nourishment for you and your baby. Restorative for new mothers as well. $99 for 8 wk / 15% off for new students. From the Heart Yoga, 714 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids.
Wednesday, July 10
Lessons in Truth- 6:30-8:30pm. 7/10-8/14. By Dr. H. Emilie Cady. Join Rev. Jennifer on an exciting Summer Reading Adventure to explore the first collection of metaphysical teachings published by Unity. Love Offering. Unity of Grand Rapids, 1711 Walker Ave., Grand Rapids.
Thursday, July 11
Naturally Detoxify your Body- 7:00pm-8:00pm. Free monthly wellness talks at Integrative Nutritional Therapies. Learn natural therapies using food as a language to heal your body and techniques to become the expert in your own body. Melissa Malinowski, Naturopath specializes in real food therapy for families. Learn more at www.integrativenutritionaltherapies.com. Grand Rapids.
Friday, July 12
The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley7:00pm. 7/12-7/14. In a culture where performance, perfection and winning can seem to be everything, the opportunity to explore one’s creative spirit without pressure, competition or judgment is a welcome gift, indeed. $395 + $25 materials fee. From the Heart Yoga, 714 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids.
Sourdough Bread- 7:00-8:30 pm. Why sourdough bread is one of the healthiest bread on earth. Lucinda Moody, local sourdough expert, will discuss and demonstrate how to make sourdough bread. Samples included. Nourishing Ways of West Michigan. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 N. Division, Grand Rapids. info@nourishingways.org.
Saturday, July 20
Dolphin Breath® Workshop- 9:00am-5:00pm. This multidimensional energy breathing exercise will enable you to expand your energy field while you remain grounded to both earth and Universal energies. Learn to clear your field of disruptive energies that no longer serve you. Register at www. energytouchschool.com. $160. 1331 Lake Drive SE, Suite 100, Grand Rapids. Lavendar Festival- 10:00am-6:00pm. Celebrate this fun and fragrant day in their beautiful country setting. Enjoy live music and inspiring presentations by Advanced Master Gardener, Marcia Willbrandt and other garden and labyrinth experts. For more info call 231-861-2029. Cherry Point Farm and Market, located at 9600 W Buchanan Road in Shelby. Reiki I/II Training - 12:00pm-5:00pm. 7/20 & 7/21. First step in learning the Usui Reiki System. Brent and Andy will provide training and attunements for Level One and Two. $225. Early registration advised. Workshops and events fill up quickly or may be canceled due to low enrollment. Call 616-361-8580. Expressions of Grace Yoga.
Tuesday, July 23
Saturday, July 13
Akashic Records Class- 9:00am-4:00pm. This is an experiential writing class designed to connect with your higher self. You will learn how to connect to the universal library in the metaphysical realm and receive guidance. Enroll at www.joanhofman.com or call Joan at 616-974-5594.
Healthseekers Free Class- 10:30am-11:45am. There is a high level of vitality and healing beyond the absence of pain. Find out how homeopathy & chiropractic fit perfectly, restoring balance & optimizing functioning of your entire system down to the cellular & vibrational level. www.angeltouchfamilychiropractic.com. 231-670-0179. 4265 Grand Haven Rd, Muskegon.
Vision Board Workshop with Susan Loughrin6:00pm-9:00pm. Using words and images that speak to you, invites you to create a vision board that will give you a life map to move you forward. $45. RSVP to Susan@InnerCreativeVoice.com. Word of Hope Community Center, 268 Third Ave., Fruitport.
Reiki I and II - 9:00am-5:00pm. 7/13 & 7/14. Japanese Reiki with several attunements, a comprehensive manual, and plenty of practice. See website for class details and signup. $250. Reiki Haus, 77 Birchwood Avenue, Holland. reikihaus@att.net.
Free Workshop: Learn Trigger Point Massage6:00pm. Dr. Michael Kwast, DC, CSCS will teach what a trigger point is, what causes them, how to prevent them, how to get rid of them & hands on training. Seating limited to first 30 callers. RSVP today at 616-447-9888. 4150 East Beltline, Suite #4, Grand Rapids.
Tuesday, July 16
Wednesday, July 24
Introduction to the Principles of Mindfulness6:30-8:30pm. Techniques for Stress Reduction. How a few minutes a day can Change your Life! www.LisaWLee.com for registration or call Lisa Cobb 231-750-1447 with questions. Anyone with stress in their lives is welcome. Sign up with a friend. $30. 14998 Cleveland St. Suite C, Spring Lake.
Thursday, July 25
Healthseekers Free Class- 10:30am-11:45am. There is a high level of vitality and healing beyond the absence of pain. Find out how homeopathy & chiropractic fit perfectly, restoring balance & optimizing functioning of your entire system down to the cellular & vibrational level. www.angeltouchfamilychiropractic.com. 231-670-0179. 4265 Grand Haven Rd, Muskegon.
Making Baby Food- 5:30pm. Make homemade baby food that is market-fresh, wholesome and more nutritious. This class covers all things about feeding baby and you’ll get to taste the food. Ideal time to take this class is when baby is 4 months old. The curriculum was written by nurse and nutritionist. $25. 90 West 8th Street, Holland.
East Hills Sidewalk Sales- 10:00am-8:00pm. Join us Thursday the 25th & Friday the 26th for specials, food, drinks, and quite possibly a few surprises! Come down to East Hills Business District, Cherry~Lake~Diamond and get your summer shopping groove on. You won’t want to miss out!
natural awakenings
July 2013
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Saturday, July 27
Allegan/Barry County Nature Bus Tour- 9:00am. Enjoy the biodiversity of Allegan/Barry County. Included are 2 short hikes with breakfast/lunch/ drinks. $50/person - Registration Required. Payment by PayPal www.mlawd.org or by check to Michigan Land Air and Water Defense; PO Box 335; Delton, MI 49046. Blackberry Pines Farm 1328 59th St., Pullman. East Hills Sidewalk Sales- 10:00am-5:00pm. for specials, food, drinks, and quite possibly a few surprises! Come down to East Hills Business District, Cherry~Lake~Diamond and get your summer shopping groove on. You won’t want to miss out!
health and well-being. 8-Week MBSR Program starts Tuesday, August 13. Call 616-361-3660 for free info and to register. www.grandrapidscenterformindfulness.com. Women’s Health Center, 555 Midtowne St NE, Grand Rapids.
Wednesday, July 31
Fun With Fitness, Fruits and Veggies- 9:30am12:00pm. Kids will enjoy physical fun and games with the Ottawa County Health Department, and learn the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. The Holland Farmers Market, located in Downtown Holland at the Eighth Street Market Place (150 West Eighth Street) in Downtown Holland.
Lauren Lane Powell and Kirsten Lee Hartnagel In Concert- 12:30pm. Sisters by Birth-Best Friends by Choice Come and experience the harmony that only sisters can create. Followed by Lauren’s acclaimed Harmonies of Healing workshop the following Tue. Love offering. For more info www.unityofgrandrapids.org. 1711 Walker Ave., Grand Rapids.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Free Information Session- 9:30am. With April Hadley. Manage your stress and take charge of your own health and well-being. 8-Week MBSR Program starts Wednesday, August 14. Call 616-361-3660 for free info and to register. www.grandrapidscenterformindfulness.com. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 E. Beltline Ct. NE, Grand Rapids.
Monday, July 29
Thursday, August 1
Sunday, July 28
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Free Information Session- 6:30pm. With Carol Hendershot. Manage your stress and take charge of your own health and well-being. 8-Week MBSR Program starts Monday, August 12. Call 616-361-3660 for free info and to register. www.grandrapidscenterformindfulness.com. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 E. Beltline Ct. NE, Grand Rapids.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Free Information Session- 6:30pm. With Carol Hendershot. Manage your stress and take charge of your own health and well-being. 8-Week MBSR Program starts Thursday, August 15. Call 616-361-3660 for free info and to register. www.grandrapidscenterformindfulness.com. Wellness Forum, 4990 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids.
Tuesday, July 30
Tuesday, August 6
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Free Information Session- 6:30pm. With April Hadley. Manage your stress and take charge of your own
Vacation Spirit Camp- 9:00am-12:00pm. 8/6-8/9. Everywhere Fun Fair: Where God’s World Comes Together. Children will become neighbors at Ev-
erywhere Fun Fair as we explore God’s welcoming love and discover how Jesus teaches us to be great neighbors. Suggested donation $10/child $25/family. 1711 Walker Ave., Grand Rapids.
savethedate August 8 Lecture & Book Signing- 7:00pm. Dr. Pam Popper,N.D., PhD, and founder of The Wellness Forum will give a free lecture and book signing on her new book entitled Food Over Medicine. Schuler’s Bookstore, 2560 28th St SE, Grand Rapids.
savethedate August 16-18 Dream Workshop with Robert Moss - Friday evening, 7-9:00pm. Saturday, 10am-5:00pm, Sunday, 10am-4:00pm. Join Robert Moss, internationally known dream teacher and shaman (www. mossdreams.com) in this entertaining, high-energy workshop on dreaming. Enroll at www.joanhofman.com or call Joan at 616-974-5594.
savethedate September 7 Live Fearlessly! An Afternoon with Anita Moorjani - 12:30pm-5:30pm, Grandville High School Performing Arts Center. One-day seminar featuring Hay House author Anita Moorjani. Other Coptic speakers: John Davis, Denise Iwaniw, Robert Huttinga. $40/person. Register at www.TheCopticCenter.org.Presented by Coptic Fellowship International. 616-531-1339. 4700 Canal Ave SW, Grandville.
CLICK! Point Your Life in a Healthy Direction Visit NaturalWestMichigan.com Read our Digital Carbon Neutral issue with all the wonderful articles that support and inspire a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Our site is a comprehensive resource to learn about all the tools we have to offer and connect with us. Information on the NAN-Natural Awakenings Network as well as a variety of archived issues are also just a click away! Follow Us At: Facebook: Natural Awakenings of West Michigan Twitter: NaturallyWestMI 42
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ongoingevents Note: Visit www.NaturalWestMichigan.com for guidelines and to submit entries. Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month. Events subject to change, please call ahead.
Sunday Summer Chapel Speakers- 10:00am. Join us in our Chapel on Sundays through August 25. You will be enlightened, informed and inspired by a variety of speakers. Visit www.fountainstreet.org for more info. 24 Fountain St, NE, Grand Rapids. Sunday Worship and Youth Services- 10:30am. Variety of classes held weekly. A warm, welcoming, New Thought, spiritual community, inclusive and accepting of all, honoring diversity, for those seeking spiritual truth. Unity of Grand Rapids, 1711 Walker Ave., Grand Rapids. www.unityofgrandrapids.org Inspiring Talk by Mata Yogananda- 7:00pm. Spiritual Talk, Pure Meditation & Silent Prayer, with Winged Prayer for all in need at 9pm. We welcome all. Please come and stay as long as you wish. Free. 7187 Drumheller Rd, Bath.
Monday Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 6:15-7:30 pm. All levels. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. The Practice of A Course In Miracles- 7:00-8:30 pm. Facilitator is a 30-year course student, certified yoga instructor and former resident of the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Ma. Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids. Free. 616-458-5095.
Tuesday Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman- 7:459:00am & 9:15-10:30am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. Zoo Zen Yoga for Kids- 3:00-4:00pm. Kids have a natural love of yoga. We keep the fun in fundamentals as your child discovers a path of non-competitive movement and the peace of stillness. Register online: OnThePathYoga.com or call 616-935-7028. $10 drop-in. On The Path Yoga, 701 E. Savidge #3, Spring Lake. SUP Yoga. 5:30pm and 7:00pm. Enjoy yoga in a whole new way! SUP Yoga on Spring Lake/ Petty’s Bayou includes board rental, instruction, and safety equipment along with so much fun. $15. Pre-Registration required. Directions and online sign up at OnThePathYoga.com or call 616-935-7028. A Course in Miracles- 6:30-8:30pm Led by Rev. Manzel Berlin. This “A Course in Miracles” class is for new students, as well as those who’ve studied the Course for years. Love Offering. Unity of Grand Rapids, 1711 Walker Ave., Grand Rapids.
On Being a Spirit having a Physical Experience6:30pm. 2nd & 4th Tuesdays. From the Shamanic Teachings of the Sweet Medicine Sundance Path w/ Marie Moon Star Seeker. $10. Owl Hawk Clan. Open Mind in Rockford. 616-447-0128.
Wednesday $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. Visit www. integrativenutritionaltherapies.com or 616-3659176. Grand Rapids. Sunrise Beach Yoga- 6:30am. Bring up the sun on Spring Lake with simple Sun Salutations. Meet at Lakeside Beach (corner of Beach and Lake Ave. in Spring Lake Village). Dress for the weather--if raining, meet at On The Path Yoga, 701 E. Savidge #3, Spring Lake. FREE--donations for Spring Lake Parks and Recreation accepted.
Thursday Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 6:15-7:30 pm. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662.
Friday Village Farmers Market- 2:00-7:00pm. 5/17-Labor Day. Buy fresh & local from producers that utilize organic farming practices -eggs, meats, cheese, fruits & vegetables, organic Michigan milk and more. Please visit us on Facebook. Spring Lake. 616-935-7312. Hot Yoga Happy Hour Fridays- 5:30- 6:30pm. If you want a powerful yoga work-out, join Jaclyn Szelong for great yoga action on the north end of town. Expressions of Grace Yoga, 5270 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids. 616-361-8580 or www. expressionsofgraceyoga.com Devotional Singing or Chanting- 8:15pm. Some of Mata Yogananda’s Song~Soul Chants, Pure Meditation & Silent Prayer, with Winged Prayer at 9pm. We welcome all. Please come and stay as long as you wish. Free. 7187 Drumheller Rd, Bath.
Saturday Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 9:0010:15am & 10:30-11:45am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for info. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio. Montague. 231740-6662.
Sweetwater Local Foods Market- 9:00am-1:00pm. Hackley Health at the Lakes building on Harvey Street. We are indoors if the weather is bad. We are a double up bucks and bridge card market. Hesperia. 231-861-2234
classifieds To place a Classified Listing: Email listing to Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. Must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. $1.00 per word; must be pre-paid.
CLASSES Energy Healings and Training, Reiki & Urevia Healings/Classes - held near Hastings at Subtle Energies w/ Ken & Dana Gray. Learn a variety of techniques that can heal your life. Reiki I & Urevia Practitioner classes are eligible for NAN 20% discount. Visit www.reikiconnect.com for more information.
FOR SALE Hardy Dam/Muskegon River near - 80 acres, 6 bedroom home, outbuildings; garage, barn. Fishing and hunting area. Robb Breen: 1-231327-1147. robbreen@sbcglobal.net Northwest Grand Rapids Commercial Building- 1058 Richmond NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Current use is a full service salon on the main floor and a spacious 3 bedroom apartment on the 2nd floor. Great location on Richmond with steady traffic and across from the popular Richmond Park. Only $150,000! Call Jeff Blahnik at Five Star Real Estate 616-791-1500 or visit JeffBlahnik.com for more information.
HELP WANTED Inside Sales Associates Wanted to set up appointments for Natural Awakenings Sales staff. Must have professional phone voice and good communication skills. Computer knowledge a plus. All leads provided. Work from home, parttime on your own schedule. Fixed fees paid for appointments scheduled, meetings completed plus bonus paid on final sale. Email resume to info@na-pr.com.
OPPORTUNITIES Holistic & Green Business Owners Wanted for Health Network- NAN, the Natural Awakenings Network, is a green and healthy living network that will allow members to enjoy discounts on products & services focused on wellness, green/ sustainable living and healthy lifestyles. If you are interested in becoming a provider (a business or organization that offers discounts to members) in this innovative network or want more details, contact Natural Awakenings at 616-656-9232 or Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. Participating as a Provider is FREE for the 1st year.
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thenaturaldirectory ...connecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan. To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to www.NaturalWestMichigan.com/advertising.
BODy Applications
Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT 616-581-3885 www.WKHealthServices.com
SALLY DERSCH
Frequency Apps Wellness Center 12505 Northland Dr. Suite A6, Cedar Springs, MI 49319 616-755-8446 www.FrequencyApps.com We are the leader in new generation homeopathic body applications known as the Frequency App! 50+ varieties of Apps including hCG, Weight Loss, Hormone, Sleep, Detox, Supplements, MSA Testing, Food/Environmental Allergy Analysis, Ionic Foot Baths.
BODY CARE PRODUCTS SÉRENDIPITÉ ORGANIQUES, LLC 959 Lake Dr SE, Suite 2, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-419-8115 www.SerendipiteOrganiques.com facebook.com/SerendipiteOrganiques
*NEW LOCATION! A retail store exclusively offering organic non-toxic makeup, skincare & other products for your body, home, & pets! Products must score ‘Low Hazard 0-2’ on ewg.org/skindeep, or they simply won’t be considered!
BODYWORK LIGHTRAYS
CranioSacral Therapy (CST)/Reiki Master Jamie VanDam 4456 Miramar Ave. NE Grand Rapids, 49525 616-365-9113
Reiki Master, CranioSacral Therapist uses light touch to release restrictions and ease pain in the body addressing many physical ailments in adults, children and pediatrics. Adding Essential Oils optimizes mental and emotional health.
Look for this symbol throughout Natural Awakenings for Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) providers offering savings to NAN members. 44
West Michigan Edition
WHOLISTIC KINESIOLOGY HEALTH SERVICES, LLC
Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic, Hot Stone & Matrix Massage. Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Certified Matrix Energetics Practitioner, Reconnection Healing Practitioner, Certified Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner, and a Certified Reflexologist. See ad page 21.
chiropractic care DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Ronda VanderWall 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville 616-531-6050 www.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.
GASLIGHT FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC 2249 Wealthy St. SE, Suite #240 East Grand Rapids, 49506 616-458-CFIT (2348) GaslightChiro@gmail.com www.GaslightChiro.com
Experience an individualized, holistic healthcare approach! We combine spinal adjustments, Contact Reflex & Nutrition Response (Muscle Testing), Whole Food Supplementation Orthotics, Massage & Aromatherapy. Common conditions we see include: Chronic Fatigue, Headaches, IBS, Back & Neck pain and Fibromyalgia.
SCHAFER CHIROPRACTIC AND HEALING SPA
Dr. Andrew Schafer 1801 Breton SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-301-3000 www.GRChiroSpa.com
Tr e a t i n g m u s c u l o s k e l e t a l conditions, but specializing in b ac k p a in , n eck p ai n , a n d headaches. Also offering physical therapy, massage therapy, and postural awareness. Most insurance accepted. Breton Village area. See ad page 15 & 30.
NaturalWestMichigan.com
cleaning pRoDucts NATURAL HEALTH 4 TODAY, LLC
Clara VanderZouwen, NORWEX Consultant 616-698-6148 claravz@sbcglobal.net www.NaturalHealth4Today.com Imagine cleaning with only water! Improve the quality of your life with Norwex products by radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning. Save Time & Money.
cOlon hydrotherapy HARMONY ’N HEALTH
Mary De Lange, CCT. CMT. 1003 Maryland Ave, N.E., Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 www.HarmonyNHealth.net Certified therapist since 1991 offering colon therapy in a sterile and professional environment. Using a holistic approach, colonics relieves constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloat, poor digestion, back pain, body odor and more. See ad page 7.
TRICIA E. GOSLING
Natural Health & Healing Center 723 Kenmoor SE Grand Rapids 49546 616-481-9074 www.holisticenergytherapies.net Offering an advanced clientcentered dimension of colonics: gentle, safe and effective. Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being. 16 years of experience. Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions. I-ACT certified Instructor.
dentistry / holistic DENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Kevin P. Flood DDS 616-974-4990 www.FloodTheDentist.com Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services – Amalgam Removal & Replacement. Bio-Compatible, metal-free materials, Low-Dose Digital X-Rays, Gentle Anesthesia, Dentistry for Diabetes, TMJ, Chronic Head & Neck pain and Non Surgical Perio. See ad page 48.
energy healing AMA~DEUS®
Elizabeth Cosmos Grand Rapids: 616-648-3354 ElizabethCosmos@sbcglobal.net www.Ama-Deus-International.com AMA-DEUS energy healing method is a hand mediated technique. Love is the basis for this healing technique, which helps to enhance our spiritual growth, expand our awareness, and promotes physical & emotional healing. See ad page 33.
MATRIX ENERGETICS
Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT 616-581-3885 www.WKHealthServices.com Matrix Energetics is a system used to heal, transform and create new possibilities in your life. Using the principles of quantum physics and subtle e n e rg y d u r i n g a M a t r i x Energetics session we are able to enter into different realties and download new possibilities for your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves. See ad page 21.
essential oils BE YOUNG ESSENTIAL OILS Clara VanderZouwen 616-698-6148 claravz@sbcglobal.net www.NaturalHealth4Today.com
Learn how to address issues of Pain, Stress, Hormone Imbalance, Weight Management, ADD, Allergies, Diabetes & more with Essential Oils, Ionic Foot Baths, BioEnergy scans, Nutritional & NEW Earthing products! Free monthly classes.
HAKOMI THERAPY KEN PORTER CST, CHT 534 Fountain NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503 616-262-3848 www.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.
health education center THE WELLNESS FORUM
homeopathy BOB HUTTINGA PA-C
4990 Cascade Road, Grand Rapids 616-430-2291 www.WellnessForum.com Educational programs for personal health improvement Workplace wellness programs Wellness Forum Foundation focused on school nutrition and children’s health - National conferences.
332 S. Lincoln Ave Lakeview 989-352-6500 www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com A Certified Physician Assistant since 1976, specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care. Family care. Also, certified Silva Method instructor. We use Clinical Homeopathy to assist traditional medications. We take most insurances. See ad page 14.
health food stores AFFORDABLE NUTRITION
Joel D. Manning, CNC®, Owner 4693 Wilson Ave. SW Suite I, Grandville 616-667-1346 Joel@Affordable-Nutrition.com
instruction/classes HEAL YOUR LIFE
Affordable, natural approach to better health. Certified nutritional consultant with 22 years experience. Offering select, high quality vitamins, minerals, herbs, children’s products, essential oils, homeopathics, weight loss and more. Professional discounts and senior pricing. www.Affordable-Nutrition.com.
HEALTH HUTT
www.Meetup.com/Heal-Your-Life-West-Michigan/ Based on the philosophy of bestselling Author Louise L. Hay’s 9 points of Philosophy. Led by Licensed Heal Your Life Facilitator Katrina Ryan. Call Katrina today to host your very own Heal Your Life workshop! A C interior
Grand Haven 616-846-3026 Muskegon 231-739-1568 North Muskegon 231-744-0852 Find us on Facebook
design services
ALIGn DESIGN, llc
Natural & organic foods, vitamins & herbs, sports nutrition, gluten free food, natural body and homecare products. Open 7 days a week. See ad page 21.
holistic health centers THE HEALING CENTER
Bob Huttinga PA-C & Rev. Barbara Huttinga 332 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com
Shawn Merkel, ASID, IIDA 616-916-1071 shawnmerk@gmail.com www.Aligndesigngr.com Align your space to be a true reflection of who you are. Specializing in Wholistic design, repurposing and Feng Shui. Full service Residential and commercial Interior design. See ad page 20.
kinesiology WHOLISTIC KINESIOLOGY HEALTH SERVICES, LLC
Affordable, natural approach to better health. Certified nutritional consultant with 22 years experience. Offering select, high quality vitamins, minerals, herbs, children’s products, essential oils, homeopathics, weight loss and more. Professional discounts and senior pricing. www.affordablenutrition.com. See ad in page 14.
Look for this symbol throughout Natural Awakenings for Natural Awakenings Network (NAN) providers offering savings to NAN members.
Katrina Ryan 269-214-4432 KatrinaLRyan@gmail.com
Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT 616-581-3885 www.WKHealthServices.com
Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Certified Matrix E n e rg e t i c s P r a c t i t i o n e r, Certified Massage Therapist, Reconnection Healing P r a c t i t i o n e r, C e r t i f i e d Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner and Certified Reflexologist. Specializing in muscle testing, massage, energy medicine, nutritional counseling, lectures and classes. See ad page 21.
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massage therapy DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE THERAPY
Jaci Timmermans, MT 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville, MI 49418 616-531-6050 www.DynamicChiro.com.
SCHAFER CHIROPRACTIC AND HEALING SPA
Sheri Beth Schafer, CMT, Ayurvedic Bodyworker, Reiki Master 1801 Breton SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-301-3000 We have multiple certified massage therapists offering relaxation, prenatal, deep tissue massage, and medical massage. We also offer Reiki, chakra balancing, and Ayurvedic bodywork. Breton Village area. www.grchirospa. com. See ad page 15 & 30.
I offer Swedish massage with Integrated Te c h n i q u e s , c h o s e n specifically to your unique body. Relieve those tired and sore muscles and rejuvenate! Call for ongoing monthly specials and discounts.
HANDS ON HEALING PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE THERAPY LLC Pattie Kooy, CMMT, CMT, HTP 5286 Plainfield NE Plainfield Twp, MI 49525 616-648-7217
Professional massage therapist offering Medical Massage, Manual Therapy, Hot Stone, Healing Touch Therapy, Essential Oils, Infrared heat lamp, Bio-energetic Therapy, Hot castor oil packs, Chinese herbal liniments & Detox Massage. Mention ad for $10 off hour massage.
HARMONY ‘N HEALTH
Patrice Bobier CPM Hesperia: 231-861-2234 www.FullCircleMidwifery.com
In private practice since 1982 specializing in homebirth. Over 1200 births attended. Offering midwifery care that maintains a family-centered safe birth experience. Empowering women to stay healthy during pregnancy, give birth naturally and parent in the best ways.
RELISH, A PERSONAL CHEF SERVICE
Over 21 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 7.
SANATIVE TRANQUILITY WELLNESs SPA
Rachel Johnson, Owner and Chef 616-610-2596 Rachel@RelishYourFood.com www.RelishYourFood.com
Creating healthy and delicious meals for busy families in Holland and the surrounding areas to enjoy in the comfort of their homes. From menu planning to grocery shopping and meal preparation, Relish has you covered. See ad page 12.
salon services
0-11279 Tallmadge Woods Dr. Grand Rapids, MI 49534 616-791-0472 www.SanativeTranquility.com
CJ’S STUDIO SALON
Wellness spa for massage, bodywork and skincare therapy. Offering a wide diversity of style to encompass the mind, body and spirit of today’s lifestyle. Come in and enjoy our stress free spa environment today.
West Michigan Edition
FULL CIRCLE MIDWIFERY SERVICE, INC.
personal chef
Mary De Lange, CCT., CMT. 1003 Maryland Ave NE, Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 www.harmonynhealth.net
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midwifery
5286 Plainfield Ave., NE Grand Rapids 49525 616-364-9191 www.CjsStudioSalon.com
NaturalWestMichigan.com
I am an award winning Hair Stylist with 30 years Advanced Education. We use and sell Organic Hair Care Products, including Organic Hair Color. We also offer Ionic Detox Foot Baths.
LONDON STUDIOS SALON Ashley Woods: 616-443-9583 Jessica Willis: 616-460-0902 Sherry Minott: 616-633-5251 Sally Loew: 616-299-1796
Specializing in Organic Colour Systems. Ammoniafree, professionalo n l y, p e r m a n e n t , salon exclusive hair color with 100% certified organic ingredients, natural plant extracts, amino acids, natural anti-oxidants and nutrients that produce the healthiest, richest, colors. www. LondonStudiosSalon.com or Facebook.com/ LondonStudiosSalon.
school / education INSTITUTE OF SANATIVE ARTS
0-11279 Tallmadge Woods Dr. Grand Rapids, MI 49534 616-791-0472 www.SanativeTranquility.com State licensed school for massage and bodywork. Offering high quality, affordable massage certification courses as well as NCBTMB continuing education courses for the experienced therapist. Located conveniently to Grand Rapids, Standale, Walker and Allendale.
NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION 503 East Broadway St. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 989-773-1714 www.Nite-mtp.com
Educational Programs O ff e r e d : N a t u r a l 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 2.
weight reduction SALLY DERSCH
Frequency Apps Wellness Center 12505 Northland Dr. Suite A6, Cedar Springs, MI 49319 616-755-8446 www.FrequencyApps.com A variety of natural items for your weight loss goals! Frequency Apps patches including hCG, Weight Loss/Power Workout, Appetite Suppressant. Also Supplements including Diatrix (for Diabetics), Green Coffee Bean, and African Mango, MSA Testing, Food/Environmental Allergy Analysis.
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