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Fabulous Father’s Day
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The Bliss of Butterflies
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Do-It-Yourself Gifts for Under $10 by Helen Coronato Seven Steps to Creating a Butterfly Garden by Sharon Pisacreta
pg. 28 pg. 26
Trail Fixes
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Men’s Health Handbook
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Clean Cool Cars
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Cross-Training
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How to Treat Your Buddy’s Bumps, Bites and Burns by Richard H. Pitcairn Expert Advice for the Male Physique by Vera Tweed pg. 20
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June 2009
letterfrompublishers
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my saw a bumper sticker the other day that she just can’t get out of her mind. It said Reuse before Recycle. She was talking with one of our advertisers about this and she suggested we take it a step further—Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle. We now pledge and challenge all of our readers to live by this motto for just one month, and take note of the difference that we can make by following this simple principle. Our hope is that in just a few weeks, we will all realize how it’s a much better way to live. We expect to spend less money and feel good about the difference we are making in our environment, near and far. Then we thought: “Why not periodically share a few tips on how we can do better and live more sustainably?” It will be fun. We always have so much helpful information to choose from each month, but we’ll work to find space to squeeze it in somewhere. So keep your eyes open, starting with this issue; here’s this month’s Tip #1. Even though we try not to use paper or plastic bags because we favor reusable cloth bags, it seems inevitable that we occasionally find ourselves in receipt of a plastic sack. The UPS guy leaves a bagged package, a friend or family members returns a loaned item in a sack and certain grocery items are packaged in plastic. Instead of throwing these away, we like to reuse them to pick up our little furry guy’s yard waste, whether at home or walking around the neighborhood. Since we should be reducing our consumption as well, we’re glad for Helen Coronato’s artful low- and no-cost tips to celebrate a “Fabulous Father’s Day,” on page 12. It’s all about using what you have to create a meaningful gift. Amy is particularly excited about the gift she is doing up for her Dad. (She can’t say what it is since he will be reading this, but if you want a great idea with lots of heart and no out of pocket, shoot her an email at publisher@naturalwestmichigan.com. Like many of you, we feel we have all the stuff we need, yet we always welcome a personal gift from the heart. It’s the intangibles that invariably become the best and most memorable gifts. Let’s all start reducing and reusing more today, before recycling. We encourage you to start with this magazine. Pass it along to someone who you believe will benefit from its content. If we all passed this issue on to another person and they did the same thing, think how many people in our community would be waking up to better, more natural ways of living. The benefits are immense. What are we waiting for? Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle,
Amy and Kyle
newsbriefs New Location for Expressions of Grace Yoga
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xpressions of Grace Yoga has moved to 5270 Northland Drive, in Grand Rapids, overlooking Versluis Lake. “The main studio overlooking this beautiful small lake makes the experience of yoga even more relaxing and magical,” says studio owner Carol Hendershot. Expressions of Grace Yoga offers a flexible schedule of more than 20 classes per week meeting every day except Sunday. Classes at Expressions include: Anusara Yoga Classes, Gentle Yoga, Meditation and Stress Reduction, Feng Shui, Conscious Breathing, Therapeutic Applications of Yoga, and Healing Touch. There is also a retail space in the new location with books, jewelry, yoga props and aromatherapy. For more information visit ExpressionsofGraceYoga.com or contact Hendershot at 616-745-1864 or Carol@ExpressionsofGraceYoga.com. See ad page 16.
The Path to Natural Healing in South Haven
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outh Haven Natural Health, located on 425 Eagle Street, in South Haven is now open for business. With a focus on guiding customers on the path to natural healing, the center offers colon hydrotherapy and nutritional counseling with Katrina Ryan, CCT, CNC. Massage services and reflexology are also available. This month’s opening special is a 60-min relaxation massage for just $40. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Katrina at KatrinaLRyan@Gmail.com or 269-7671638. See ad page 38
Energy Therapy Tent
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ew this year at the Grand Rapids Water Festival will be an Energy Therapy Tent. For a donation of $12, attendants can explore the different forms of energy therapy that are available locally. Barbara Zvirzdinis of Wholistic Kinesiology Health Services believes it’s a win/ win situation, “people become aware of the differnent forms of energy therapy in Grand Rapdis and all proceeds go back to the Water Festival”. Visit the Energy Therapy Tent from Noon to 5pm at the Great Rapids Water Festival on June 20. To donate time and/or services for the Energy Therapy Tent please Barbara Zvirzdinis at 616-581-3885 or BloodRoot99@yahoo.com.
Muskegon Yoga Opens its Doors to All Levels
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peaceful place conveniently located across from the downtown YMCA, the Muskegon Yoga Center is focused on enhancing the practice of yoga in a serene environment with certified and experienced teachers. Classes are open to all levels: beginner, intermediate, or advanced students are all welcome. Warren Mosley has completed his training from the Sivananda School and is internationally accredited. Barbara Badolati has been teaching along the lakeshore for 14 years and blends a variety of styles into her classes. Peter Violino has been teaching Hatha Yoga with a free flowing vinyasa style as well as Power Yoga for two years. All the teachers are trained to guide the students in all aspects of yoga including proper exercise, diet, breathing, relaxation and meditation. Muskegon Yoga Center is located at 825 Western Ave, in Muskegon. Contact Info@MuskegonYogaCenter.com or 231-668-4181 or visit MuskegonYoga.com. See ad page 16.
Smiling Lotus Yoga Has New Location
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miling Lotus Yoga opened a gift store in the front of the studio named ...Be...Savor The Now. Originally located in the same location with 108Threads, the studio outgrew its old space. We are now located at 103 E. Ludington Ave., in Ludington adjacent to 108Threads. The new gift shop is a fun and funky place to shop. The gift shop carries TROLLBEADS charm beads and bracelets as well as locally made products, gifts to make you laugh, gifts to inspire and gifts to comfort. Contact Smiling Lotus at 231-852-0849 and visit SmilingLotusYoga.com. See ad page 16.
If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it. – Jonathan Winters NaturalWestMichigan.com
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newsbriefs Create Art with Summer Classes
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pring and Summer Art Classes are forming at Tendressa Studio, where Art therapy and Art play are fun and meaningful. Discover and cultivate the part of you that yearns to create magic through expression. No special artistic skills are required. A variety of subject matters and mediums will be used. Classes are open to ages 12 to older. All classes cost $20.00 per session Tendressa Studio is located at 617 Lyon N.E. Grand Rapids. Contact Mary Dawson for details: MaryDawsonDesign@ earthlink.net, or 616-949-6234. See ad page 38.
Center of Unlimited Possibilities Welcomes New Practitioners
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sychiatrist, psychoanalyst and author Dr. Richard Raubolt, PhD has expanded his practice to the lakeshore, joining the Center of Unlimited Possibilities in Spring Lake, and bringing with him 30 years of clinical expertise. Raubolt offers individual, group, family and marital psychotherapy, case consultation and conflict mediation for family, schools and organizations. Former Saint Mary’s Wege Institute Oriental Medicine Doctor, Irv Marcus also joins CUP. Marcus has more than 15 years experience providing acupuncture. He says his personal philosophy toward healthcare is that by integrating eastern and western medicine he can provide customized health care based on an individuals personal health needs, ensuring superior care for the patient. Trained in San Francisco, a graduate of Meiji College of Oriental Medicine and Nationally Board Certified, Marcus strongly believes in patient education and personal involvement in one’s own health care. In addition to acupuncture, Marcus also offers dietary therapy, qi gong (a form of exercise) and herbal medicines. “When patients come to realize that healing comes from within, it gives them great pleasure in the knowledge that they can learn to heal themselves,” says Marcus. For more information on Dr. Raubolt, visit RichardRaubolt. com. To schedule an appointment with Irv Marcus, call 616634-2714. CUP is located at 14998 Cleveland, Suite G, in Spring Lake.
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June 2009
Third Annual Grand Rapids Water Festival
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he Grand Rapids Water Festival will take place 12 to 9 p.m. June 20 at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. This free family-friendly, no alcohol event celebrates the Great Lakes, our water, and the life that it supports. It is supported by an all volunteer committee and funds from businesses, organizations and individuals. The day long event offers an amazing program of well known musicians, speakers, children’s activities and connections to campaigns and projects to protect our water. This year, the festival highlights the finest acoustic music Michigan has to offer, including: Daisy May and Seth Bernard, Hawks and Owls, Ralston Bowles, Breathe Owl Breathe, Brandon Foote, Susan Fawcett, Michael Beauchamp and Josh Davis from Steppin’ In It. “This is a celebratory call to action,” says Seth Bernard of Earthwork Music. “We have a responsibility living here in the Great Lakes basin, and we can explore that responsibility together in a way that builds community.” The Water Festival brings people together through music; then facilitates meaningful discussions and the sharing of ideas and information in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. “It’s about having a good time, and saying: ‘I can help, and I will help’,” says Bernard. Visit GrandRapidsWaterFestival.org.
Toxin-Free Yoga Mats
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he Bolder Yoga Mat Company from Boulder, Colorado is now offering toxin free, printed yoga mats in five different designs. Highly functional and stylish, each ¼” extra thick yoga mat is phthalate and heavy metal free, and is printed from top to bottom in designs that will surely inspire. In addition to having rockin’ printed yoga mats, Bolder Yoga Mat Company is a woman owned, green company that is a 1% For the Planet Member. The company also accepts old yoga mats to be refurbished, cleaned and donated to yoga charities. Donors receive $5 off their next online purchase. All across the United States, yoga charities are in dire need of yoga mats to use in their programs. The Bolder Mat Company is both eco-friendly and freshly funky. Also available are recycled fabric yoga mat bags and vegan mat cleansers. Visit TheBoldermatCompany.com or call 1-800-368-9809.
Kudos Practitioner is a First for Michigan
Congratulations to Nancy O’Donohue, who will be teaching the new National Federation of Spiritual Healers (NFSH) Healing Development Course series in Michigan starting Nancy O’Donohue June 26-28 at Holistic Care Approach. Established in 1954, England’s National Federation of Spiritual Healers is the largest healing organization in Europe and is well accepted by the U.K. medical system because of its high level of professionalism and it’s Healers’ Code of Conduct. Its U.S. affiliate is NFSHHealing in America. O’Donohue is their first licensed trainer in Michigan. For more information on NFSH courses in Michigan, call 269-929-6796 or visit HealingInAmerica-Michigan.com. See ad page 21.
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that works for all.
Summer Kickoff
Get Outdoors Day Invites Family Fun The 2009 Get Outdoors Day (GO-Day), on June 13, builds on last year’s pilot program to reconnect thousands of Americans, especially urban youths, with the great outdoors. Scores of expert-guided fishing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, mountain biking, wall climbing, geocaching (GPS-based treasure hunting) and wildlife activities will introduce people to their city, state and national parks and nearby wildlife refuges. Metropolitan areas, accessible by public transportation and walking, encourage GO-Day visits by those unfamiliar with available recreation in public lands and waters. It’s the perfect start to affordable, summer-long fun. See events list at NationalGetOutdoorsDay.org. Locate various parks online by searching “Find a state park” and “Find a national park” or “Find a wildlife refuge.”
Mark Twainism
America’s Diverse Capacities Overcome Crises To paraphrase Mark Twain’s joke about his own reported death, “News of America’s inevitable decline is greatly exaggerated,” writes Steve Yetiv, a professor of political science at Old Dominion University, in Norfolk, Virginia. While the country’s problems are serious, he cites six reasons why America’s leading role on the world stage isn’t over. First, Yetiv observes, the United States still has the most competitive economy in the world, hosting 153 of the Fortune Global 500 companies; Japan has 64 and China just 29. Our country also remains a major international power broker, leading the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization. Our military is unparalleled; one index is its high-tech advantage. Further, America has allies in NATO, the European Union, the G-7 industrialized countries and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the United States continues to attract the best workforce, as the world’s best and brightest seek to learn, work and live here. Finally, this Fourth of July, citizens can celebrate that American ideals are becoming universal. Slowly but surely, self-government, free enterprise and individual liberty are gaining ground around the world. The U.S.-based Freedom House, an international nongovernmental organization, conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights. A century ago, just two of every 10 countries scored a six or higher on Freedom House’s democracy scale, which ranges from 10 (completely democratic) to minus 10 (completely autocratic). In 2007, nearly six in 10 made the grade. Source: Steve Yetiv, The Christian Science Monitor
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June 2009
Gleeful Frugalistas Help to Make Ends Meet
These days, online browsing turns up an abundance of websites and blogs showing people how to make the most of what they have, rather than bemoan what they had. Some examples are Dollar Stretcher at Stretcher.com, AllThingsFrugal.com and FrugalMom.net. Tips range from refinancing a mortgage to gas and grocery shopping to frugal fashion. Many are based on good old common sense—backyard gardening, line-drying laundry, clipping coupons and borrowing movies from the library. But, original new ideas can surprise even veteran budgeters—such as swapping clothes and furniture, as well as DVDs. Local frugal living groups, too, are growing in popularity. “I recently heard a phrase: ‘Never waste a crisis,’” says Kellee Sikes, of Kirkwood, Missouri, who was interviewed for a New York Times story about the trend. She now uses organic cloth napkins until they get threadbare, become cleaning rags, and then end up in a composter. “I love it,” she adds. “This is a chance for us to reexamine what’s important.”
Fossil Fuels Dip
Banner Year for Renewable Energy The new numbers are in. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that generation of non-hydro renewable energy was 17.6 percent higher in 2008 than in 2007. Much of the rise was spurred by the wind and solar sectors, which jumped 51 and 36 percent, respectively; in 2008, the United States became the world’s leading generator of wind energy. Wind, solar, geothermal and biomass now collectively account for about 3 percent of total U.S. generation. At the same time, coal and natural gas production are down, just over 1 and 2 percent, respectively. Wind and solar power are estimated to grow 25 percent in 2009, according to Ken Bossong, of Sun Day Campaign, a Maryland-based nonprofit that promotes related technologies. President Obama’s goal is to double U.S. renewable electricity generation in three years, supported by provisions in the stimulus package. Clean Edge, which tracks clean-tech markets, shows that such a move is productive. Globally, solar, wind and biofuels saw a 50 percent growth in revenue between 2007 and 2008. For the first time, a single sector, wind, had revenues exceeding $50 billion worldwide. Source: GreenBiz.com and CleanEdge.com
Testing Testing Good News for People and Animals
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it is reducing its reliance on animal testing to assess human risk of chemical toxicity. Instead, the EPA will focus more heavily on new tools available through advances in molecular biology, genomics and computational modeling. It’s part of the agency’s move to use better, cheaper and faster ways to screen thousands of chemicals for human risk, including the impact of long-term exposure. Former testing costs that could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars will now drop to about $20,000. This will facilitate, for example, screening individual food-use pesticides for endocrine disruption, as may be required by the end of this year. Also, “For people who are developing green chemistry, this may allow them to look for an alternative chemical and profile that chemical,” at a doable cost, advises Robert Kavlock, director of the EPA’s computational toxicology program. Kavlock believes that useful applications will be active within two years. He notes that animal testing will still be used for some things for the foreseeable future, but in smarter ways. Source: GreenBiz.com
Recycling Center
National Cosmetics Packaging Recycling Programs Cosmetic and personal care product maker Origins now accepts empty glass and plastic jars, bottles, tubes, lipstick covers and caps from any cosmetic brand for recycling. Simply drop them off at any of the company’s 450 retail and department store counters. All materials collected through the Return to Origins program will be recycled or used for energy recovery. The program accepts only primary packaging; no paper boxes or plastic wrapping will be accepted. Neither will it take sample or trial-size packages, applicators, like sponges, or tools, like tweezers. Aveda launched a similar recycling program for rigid caps last year; it recycles the caps into new packaging.
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healthbriefs
Happy at Work
Nature’s Viagra
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atermelon, America’s all-time summer favorite, delivers more than just a juicy cool-down. According to a Texas A&M University study, the summer fruit may enhance libido in much the same way that Viagra does. “The more we study watermelons, the more we realize just how amazing a fruit it is, in providing natural enhancers to the human body,” says Bhimu Patil, Ph.D., director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, in College Station. Bhimu and his fellow researchers have discovered that a special nutrient in watermelon, called citrulline, has the ability to relax blood vessels, similar to the action of common male sexual enhancement drugs. How does it work? When consumed, the body converts the citrulline to arginine, an amino acid that works wonders on the heart and the circulation system by boosting nitric oxide, which in turn relaxes blood vessels, conferring basically the same effects Viagra does in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Although watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, it is still a great way to relax blood vessels. Even better, watermelon has none of the drug’s side effects.
Colorful Diet a Secret to Stronger Bones
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ounting evidence increasingly suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help keep bones strong, especially as people age. The latest comes in a Framingham Osteoporosis Study, led by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Collaborating researchers, tracking changes in bone mineral density of more than 600 male and female volunteers with an average age of 75, found that those eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables had healthier bones. The researchers attribute these benefits to several nutrients found in plant foods, especially carotenoids, such as carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthene. These plant pigments give fruits and vegetables their yellow, orange and red colors. It appears that carotenoids also protect bones from mineral loss through mineral resorption into the blood stream, a metabolic process that weakens bones. Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service; published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
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June 2009
To find more happiness in your work, pause to remember what it is you love about what you do, and you will be a happier, more productive employee. A recent study by the University of Alberta demonstrated how a shift in thought was all that was needed to drop employee absenteeism by 60 percent and turnover by 75 percent in two Canadian long-term healthcare facilities.
Phosphates Alert
New research suggests that a diet high in inorganic phosphates, found in a variety of processed foods, including meats, cheeses, beverages and bakery products, might speed the growth of lung cancer tumors and may even contribute to development of such tumors in individuals predisposed to the disease. Source: American Thoracic Society, 2008
Lose Anger, Lose Weight
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en who are angry and hostile pack on more pounds over time than women or their less angry, more laid-back peers, suggests a French study, which found that the more hostile a man’s personality, the more his body mass index (BMI) increased during an extended period. The researchers noted that hostility could affect weight in many ways; for example, hostile men may be less likely to follow dietary health guidelines, tend to exercise less and are more likely to be depressed—all factors known to contribute to unhealthy weight gain. Researchers reviewed data on 6,484 men and women participating in a U.K. study of socioeconomic status and health. Participants ranged in age from 35 to 55 at the study’s outset. Results culled over a 19-year period showed that, while the relationship between BMI and hostility remained constant for women, hostility seemed to accelerate weight gain over time in men.
Coming in July
Source: American Journal of Epidemiology, 2009
The “It” Nutrient
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itamin D is quickly becoming the “It” nutrient of our time, promising health benefits for chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer and now, diabetes. Researchers from Loyola University Chicago’s Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing recently reported that vitamin D may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and reduce complications for those diagnosed with the disease. In those suffering from diabetes, vitamin D is crucial in preventing and managing glucose intolerance, because it plays an integral role in insulin sensitivity and secretion. Many of the 23 million Americans with diabetes have low vitamin D levels, which results in part from poor nutrition, one of their biggest challenges. Another culprit is reduced exposure to sunlight. To control blood sugar and prevent complications from diabetes, vitamin D may be a simple and cost-effective treatment, say the researchers. They suggest a combination of dietary sources of the vitamin, reasonable exposure to sunlight and perhaps vitamin D supplements, based on the advice of an integrative physician. Source: Loyola University Health System, 2009
Black Raspberries Fight Cancer Not only are black raspberries packed with vitamins, minerals and cancerfighting phenols and phytosterols, but freeze-drying them concentrates these compounds, increasing the berries’ cancer-fighting properties tenfold. Source: Ohio State University, 2008
Natural FOODS What’s Best? ORGANIC... LOCAL... RAW...
Find out how to make the best choices for you and the planet in Natural Awakenings’ special Natural Foods issue in July. For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call
616-656-9232 NaturalWestMichigan.com 11
healthykids
Fabulous Father’s Day Do-It-Yourself Gifts for Under $10 by Helen Coronato
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ather’s Day is a good time to remind Dad of how special and loved he is. With a little ingenuity, toddlers to teens can skip commercial products and commemorate the day with memory-making ideas that go easy on their piggybank and the Earth.
Toddlers Hand Print ~ Capture the attention of little hands, as well as their shape, by mixing one cup of applesauce with one and a quarter cup of cinnamon in a bowl. Knead well, shape into a ball and roll out on a counter. Gently push your child’s hand down to make an imprint. Let dry completely.
TIP... This Father’s Day (and all gift giving events) give Dad his gift in a reusable bag that he can use every time he goes shopping instead of wrapping it in wrapping paper. 12
June 2009
Workshop Storage Containers ~ Wash and dry used baby food jars. Have your toddler paint the outside of the jars, using equal parts glue and paint and then, while they’re still tacky, help him or her cover the jars with bits of tissue paper. Next, apply another coat of the paint/ glue mixture.
While drying, paint caps. Together, sort screws, nails, bolts and other small items into different jars, fastening one item from each jar to the top of the cap, using a strong adhesive (adult job).
Preschoolers
Laptop Montage ~ Remind Dad of home while he’s at the office by creating a picture montage for his laptop computer. Help your preschooler choose a selection of digital family photos and program the screensaver to show him how much he’s loved. High Seas Adventure ~ If Dad dreams of a sailing adventure, create his own personalized fleet. Cut a piece of construction paper into a triangle to make the sail and decorate with markers and stickers. Along the longest edge, punch three holes and weave a plastic straw through. Anchor the bottom of the straw with a small ball of Play-Doh. Attach the anchored sail to the top of a plastic lid, such as the cover of a large yogurt container. Make several boats of various sizes and shapes.
Elementary Students Month-long Fun ~ Because Father’s Day is June 21, brainstorm 21 simple things Dad likes to do, have and eat. Print out a blank June calendar on recycled paper and fill in his favorites, so he can look forward to, for example, a game night in his honor on a Tuesday, a fresh pack of gum on a Thursday and pizza at six on a Saturday night. Have children assemble needed supplies and info before June 1, so that the daily gifts are ready to give. Baked Treat ~ Help your child measure out all ingredients, store each in a sepa-
rate sealed food container, and then wrap everything in a box topped with the recipe. When Dad unwraps the ready-to-go recipe, he’s all set for an easy-bake treat with his little one.
Tweens Cherished Memories ~ Organize children to scour the house for small conversation pieces that symbolize Dad. Maybe a golf ball, if he shares his passion for the sport with the kids; a fork, if family barbecues are a specialty; or his favorite weekend baseball cap. Place items in a box with a handmade note thanking Dad for the memories, for who he is and all that he does. Plant Family Roots ~ Contact a local nursery to find the best types of trees to plant in your area. Or, visit the Arbor Day Foundation at ArborDay.org/shopping/giveatree to learn how you can have a tree planted in Dad’s honor in a national forest.
Teens Good Vibes ~ Give dad the gift of relaxation, motivation or stimulation with a personalized music mix. Fill his iPod or burn CDs with labeled musical themes, such as TGIF – Music for the Weekend or Traffic Tranquility – Soothing Sounds for the Morning Rush. Enjoy researching some of Dad’s favorite tunes and introducing him to some new sounds, too. Value Dad’s Counsel ~ Tear out, trim and recycle used pages from a discarded notebook and turn it into a new keepsake. Have your teen brainstorm a list of questions he wants to ask Dad; everything from, “What was your favorite thing to do when you were my age?” to “If you could change one decision in your life, what would it be?” Have your teen type each question onto a mailing label, attach one question per blank page and invite Dad to share his answers. Helen Coronato is a mother, author, speaker and consultant. Her latest book, Eco-Friendly Families, is packed with concrete advice, useful tips and fun strategies for families who want to go green. Visit HelenCoronato.com for more eco-living tips.
NaturalWestMichigan.com 13
inspiration their bodies while running, while shortdistance runners sometimes experience a phenomenon called ‘tipping’, in which they feel that they are rising into The Hidden Side of Sports the air and becoming extremely light as they run. More dramatically, an athlete by Steve Taylor might feel a sudden inrush of strength and energy, as if they’ve made contact he connection between sports with a huge, normally inaccessible, and spirituality might seem hard energy reservoir inside themselves. to see at first, but the desire for Russian weightlifter Yury Vlasov spiritual experience is one reason why describes a state of being he often people play sports. experiences during competitions: “At Renowned psychologist Mihaly the peak of tremendous and victorious Csikszentmihalyi has observed that effort, while the blood is pounding in sports is an effective way of generating your head, all suddenly becomes quiet the state he calls “flow.” This occurs within you. Everything seems clearer when our attention is completely and whiter than ever before, as if great absorbed in an activity, spotlights have been turned Sports seem and awareness of our suron. At that moment, you to have the power have the conviction that roundings and our selves fade away. Chaotic thought you contain all the power in to generate chatter gives way to inner spiritual states. the world.” peace and a sense of being Advanced practitioners energized and more alive than usual. of martial arts like judo and karate are For a sportsperson, flow may lead traditionally expected to smash bricks to a state of being ‘in the zone’. Everywith their bare hands or knock over opthing clicks, and they shift to a higher ponents with the lightest of touches, perlevel of performance, capable of ashaps without touching them at all. The tounding feats. Without trying hard, evprerequisite for these feats is the ability erything seems naturally and inevitably to cultivate a state of intense absorption, perfect. Time moves slower, giving them which enables them to tune in to a more more time to anticipate others’ actions subtle and powerful form of energy. and to better position themselves. Sports can even—if only rarely New age writer David Icke, once —take sportsmen to a state of true a professional soccer player, regularly samadhi, a mystical state of union with experienced this state. As a goalkeeper, the cosmos. Climber Richard Byrd dea player once fired a shot from close scribes his mystical experience explorrange that looked unstoppable. He ing the Arctic Circle: “Out of the silence notes, “All was like a slow-mo replay [came] the strain of a perfect chord, and everything was quiet, like some the music of the spheres, perhaps. It mystical dream, until my hand made was enough to catch that rhythm, contact with the ball. Then, everymomentarily be a part of it. In that thing zipped back into conscious instant, I could feel no doubt of time; I landed and bounced on the man’s oneness with the universe.”
Spirit Zone
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floor and the noise erupted, as if someone had turned off the mute button.” Paranormal experiences are not uncommon amongst athletes. Many distance runners have reported glimpsing inside
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Steve Taylor is the author of The Fall: the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era, commended by Eckhart Tolle and Colin Wilson. His website is stevenmtaylor.com.
THE BLISS OF
Seven Steps to Creating a Butterfly Garden
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athaniel Hawthorne wrote that happiness is a butterfly that lands on our shoulder, unbidden. Many of us take that sentiment literally. Happiness is watching a regal monarch soar above a patch of asters, or an iridescent swallowtail sipping nectar from a wild rose. Unfortunately those blissful moments are becoming rarer as butterfly populations diminish worldwide. In the United States alone, 23 species of butterflies have been designated as threatened or endangered. Butterflies are not just a delight for the eyes; they pollinate plants and serve as a food source for other animals. But like many other species, they are under assault from pesticides, global warming and pollution. The greatest threat to butterflies is the destruction of their natural habitats - especially meadows - which are continually being lost to farms, suburban development and urbanization. One way to help counteract this serious problem is to plant a butterfly garden. By growing plants native to meadows, you can create a colorful, fragrant sanctuary that attracts a wide variety of butterflies. Luckily the flowers that attract butterflies are often just as lovely and appealing to us. If you want to entice butterflies to your garden, follow these seven easy steps.
1
Sun—Butterflies are true sun worshippers. Except for
some woodland species, most butterflies crave sunlight; therefore your garden must provide an open spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. If you place large rocks or gravel in an area that gets morning sun, butterflies will reward you by sunbathing there as they try to warm themselves on cooler mornings.
2
Shelter—Although an open sunny space is vital to the butterfly garden, don’t forget to plant some of the flowers and shrubbery in a sheltered area. This helps protect butterflies from strong winds and predators, while providing a safe place for them to roost at night.
3
Nectar Flowers—Butterflies visit a garden to drink nectar and pollinate flowers. Sweet fragrant flowers are butterfly favorites, especially those with red, orange, yellow or purple blossoms. White flowers won’t work as well, but they will be visited every night by moths. Don’t make the mistake of turning the garden into a sea of just orange and red. A successful butterfly garden contains a variety of annuals, perennials, vines, herbs, trees and shrubbery. And make certain to plant flowers that bloom at different times so there will be food for the butterflies throughout the growing season.
4
By Sharon Pisacreta
milkweed to feed their larvae; without it, an essential link in their life cycle is broken. Omit herbicides, plant milkweed. You’ll be rewarded by monarch butterflies in your garden.
5
Go Native—Gardens filled with plants native to the
region attract more butterflies and prove hardier in that area’s soil and climate conditions. In southwest Michigan, the top native nectar flowers for butterflies include black-eyed susan, aster, goldenrod, wild rose, liatris, milkweed, and wild bergamot. Check out the North American Butterfly Association’s website at NABA.org for a complete list of nectar flowers in your area. The Michigan Native Plant Producers Association can also help you find local nurseries or websites that sell native plants.
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Feed the Caterpillars—Although nectar flowers feed butterflies, different plants often serve as food for caterpillars, as well as places for butterflies to lay their eggs. Include host plants such as black willow, milkweed, stinging nettle, violets, and wild lupine in your garden and you’ll create an environment producing generations of butterflies.
7
Water—Butterflies sip water from puddles, or damp
sand and soil. Provide a wet patch of ground in a protected area of the garden that will serve as a ‘puddling station’ butterflies can use as a source of both water and minerals. Finally you may want to take part in the North American Butterfly Association’s 35th Butterfly Count. Every summer NABA needs volunteers to count all the butterflies observed within a 7 ½ mile radius. This summer the following counts are scheduled in West Michigan: Allegan County June 28, Ottawa County July 9 and 16, Greater Muskegon July 11, and the June 27th Rogue River Count covering Kent, Newaygo and Montcalm counties. For more information, contact Ranger Steve at 616-696-1753. With a little planning, you can reap the benefits of a butterfly garden for years to come. Not only will you help that most beautiful of winged creatures to survive, you’ll be able to follow your ‘butterfly bliss’ right in your own backyard. And one sunny morning, a butterfly may indeed land on your shoulder... unbidden. Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of Saugatuck/Douglas.
No Pesticides—Learn to live with
clover and the occasional dandelion. Pesticides and herbicides produce stretches of sterile green lawn, but destroy acres of natural habitat for all our wildlife. A major factor in the decline of the monarch butterfly is the herbicidal destruction of the milkweed plant. Monarchs need
NaturalWestMichigan.com 15
s r e t as
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www.expressionsofgraceyoga.com
Community Spotlight E
Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education
ach weekend, students, teachers, and those seeking natural health solutions arrive in downtown Mt. Pleasant from all over Michigan, and well beyond its borders. They come to seek information, to share it, and to benefit from it. In a beautiful setting that combines classrooms, exercise areas, a retail store that sells herbs and other natural health products and lodgings for overnight stays. The Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education (NITE) is a facility quite unlike most learning institutions found anywhere else in the United States. Director of Education and Co-Founder Bessheen Baker N.D. says, “The Institute is a unique training facility for several reasons. It is one of the only hands-on, four-year programs for a comprehensive approach to orthodox natural health in the entire country. Students who attend are of various ages and backgrounds, and come from around the country to learn here.” As a teen-ager, Baker became interested in natural health, and with her mother Nancy Fodor started taking classes in nutrition, herbs, iridology, chiropractic care, and naturopaths. As a student she saw firsthand the difficulty in getting an education in the ways of natural health, and she began to dream of and formulate her vision of a school that would bring together the disciplines of true naturopathic training. After teaching natural health practices for two years with her husband Jim, she co-founded the institute with him in 1995 upon his suggestion. Starting with one classroom, the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education enrolled as its first student Nancy Fodor, Baker’s Mother. Her dream realized, Baker explains the standards that have been put in place at NITE. “We seek to achieve the highest standard of excellence in the field of natural health. We provide qualified instructors from several areas of expertise who demonstrate proven therapies and share real life experiences. Graduates are then able to provide hope for the great number of people who seek them out because of their balanced approach to physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness,” she explains. Since that time, NITE has seen rapid expansion, graduating 45 classes in three areas of specialty-Therapeutic Massage, Naturopathy, and Homeopathy. Nancy Liponoga M.S.M. is the Director of Administration, as well as a student of the Institute. “Our programs are growing because there is such a need for trained professionals to help folks who are searching for results regarding their health concerns using natural practices. There is a real interest by many in returning to the
By Kim Racette
traditional treatments their parents and grandparents might have used, like using honey instead of an antibiotic. They also want their underlying health problems to be addressed by getting to the root cause, rather than just a Band-Aid approach,” says Liponoga. “All of this gives many different kinds of employment opportunities for our graduates.” Baker adds, “We also see more people who want to take their health into their own hands, and make informed choices.” Instructors hold national accreditation, and there are one year to four year programs offering diplomas, after which graduates can take national exams. All of the classes are held on the weekend, and Baker explains why this works. “The weekend schedule enables people to maintain their continuity of family and work life. This allows students, especially those who travel here to attend to continue to earn an income while they continue their studies, and not have to leave their families for an extended time.” Not every student that attends the Institute plans on teaching once they have completed their program. “Many times we have people taking classes simply because they have an interest in that subject. A good example of that is the Holistic Labor Companion Program. For young mothers who want to have their baby at home, instead of in a traditional hospital setting, this program at NITE can provide nutritional information, to help them be more informed and educated in their options for the birth of their child, and for emotional support during the birthing process,” explains Liponoga. Also housed within the Institute is Herbs, Etc. where natural health consultants provide services and therapies to the public during the week. “Nutritional counseling, from a 15 minute session to discuss a single concern such as allergies, to 1 ½ hour comprehensive discussions that evaluate diet, exercise programs and patient history is available, in addition to many other services,” say Liponoga. Also sold in the store are herbs and supplements, books, oils, homeopathics, and other products and services found throughout the school. Baker also points out that the store sells wonderful food, feeding the body in addition to the spirit. “Herbs, Etc. offers a weekday lunch featuring a menu that changes seasonally, paired with a chair massage that focuses on relaxing the back, neck, and arms. This combination is only $20!” says Baker with a smile. NITE is located at 503 E Broadway St. in Mt. Pleasant Michigan. For more information regarding programming or course descriptions and services at NITE call 1-989-7731714, or visit the website at www.nite-mtp.com. See ad page 7
NaturalWestMichigan.com 17
consciouseating
A Flexitarian Diet for a Flexible Life by Dawn Jackson Blatner
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here’s a new term in town, ‘flexitarian’, which gives us a handle on what many of us are likely doing anyway; we are inclined to eat less meat and more plant foods, but not ready to completely give up chicken or the occasional burger. According to a national survey reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, even the majority of vegetarians don’t do it 100 percent of the time. But, the benefits of eating flexibly vegetarian are many. First, there are no forbidden foods. Becoming a flexitarian is more about making healthful changes gradually, so they become a natural part of our daily routine. It doesn’t require dramatically starting over by clearing out the fridge and cupboards or buying hundreds of dollars worth of special diet foods. The flexitarian diet I’ve devised relies mostly on common ingredients and cutting back on meat, while eating in a way that is familiar. When starting out, I encourage people to take it slow, with three steps:
Step One: Add, Don’t Subtract.
Instead of trying to completely cut out meat, focus on adding beans, veggies, fruits and whole grains to current meals and recipes. For example, instead of giving up the family’s favorite beef dish, boost its nutritional value by adding more chopped vegetables and kidney beans to the original version.
Step Two: Do the 50/50 Swap. Now, aim to decrease the meat in daily meals by half and swap in plant proteins such as black beans, pinto beans, white beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans and lentils. A perfect swap is 1/4 cup of beans for each ounce of meat or poultry. For 18
June 2009
example, instead of tacos with 4 ounces of chicken, make chicken and black bean tacos, with 2 ounces of chicken and 1/2 cup black beans. (Use rinsed and drained canned beans.)
Step Three: Try Meat-Free Recipes.
Next, try at least one new completely vegetarian recipe each week, to build up the family’s meat-free cooking repertoire. Get recipes from friends, websites, cookbooks and magazines. Find inspiration for vegetarian options at favorite local restaurants. The Flexitarian Diet serves up more than 100 fast and flavorful recipes. One meat-free recipe a week can easily turn into an entire meat-free day. Expert flexitarians work up from a couple of meatless days a week, eating a maximum total at 26 ounces of meat or poultry per week, and wind up with five meatless days, or just 9 ounces of meat or poultry a week.
Direct Health Benefits
Dozens of scientific studies analyzed by Nutrition Reviews revealed that people who eat a 100 percent vegetarian diet generally weigh about 15 percent less than meat eaters. An article in the International Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders reports that many other studies show that semi-vegetarians (or flexitarians) reap weight loss benefits, as well. More, flexitarians enjoy lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure than carnivores. The American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that following a flexitarian diet can reduce the risk of cancer by upwards of 40 percent. Finally, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has revealed that flexitarians live 3.6 years longer than non-vegetarians.
Achieving Nutritional Balance Although it is possible to obtain total balanced nutrition from a plantbased diet, flexitarians need to pay particular attention to 10 vital nutrients: vitamins A, D, B2 and B12, iodine, iron, zinc, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Following is a helpful, fourpoint checklist to ensure these specific nutrient needs are met every day: 1) Eat orange and green produce regularly for vitamin A. 2) Drink organic milk or almond milk regularly for quick calcium, vitamin D, B12 and riboflavin (B2). 3) Shake ground flaxseed on cereal, yogurt and salads, or use flaxseed oil on raw or cooked foods, for omega-3 fatty acids. 4) Include plant proteins such as beans and lentils to meet protein, iron and zinc needs. Vegetarianism has long been recognized as the ultimate way to eat for weight loss and optimal health. Now, you can reap similar benefits without completely giving up meat. On your mark, get set, flex. Dawn Jackson Blatner is a registered dietitian and national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. She is the online nutritionist for Lifetime Television, a food blogger with USA Today and a natural cooking instructor at The Chopping Block Cooking School. For information on her recipes and guidebook, The Flexitarian Diet, visit DawnJacksonBlatner.com.
Flexitarian for the Family by Dawn Jackson Blatner Grilled Primavera & Fresh Herb Penne Makes 8 servings (about 1.5 cups each). 2 cups (uncooked) whole wheat penne pasta 1 small bunch asparagus 3 large carrots (with green tops on) 1 small sweet onion, sliced 1 large portabella mushroom cap 1 zucchini Olive oil cooking pump spray Salt and pepper Fresh Herb & Olive Oil Pasta Dressing ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar ¼ cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons) ¼ cup olive oil 2 cups fresh basil, parsley and chives, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (or nutritional yeast) Grill vegetables, using olive oil pump spray and salt and pepper. Boil and drain penne. Use food processor to blend dressing ingredients. Toss veggies, pasta and dressing. Top with cheese or nutritional yeast.
California Burger Makes 6 burgers. Serve on whole grain hamburger buns. 2 cans garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 1-2 tablespoons olive oil 3 green onions, finely chopped 1 large carrot, shredded Salt and pepper to taste 1/3 -½ cup whole wheat flour Burger Topping 1.5 cups broccoli sprouts 1 avocado 1 medium tomato 6 tablespoons barbecue sauce In food processor or with hand blender, puree beans and oil until smooth. Stir in onions, carrots, salt and pepper. Add in flour until mixture comes together. Form six patties. Grill until each side is browned (about 4 minutes per side). Place burger on bun, then pile high with sprouts, avocado, tomato and barbecue sauce.
Inventive Meals
Recent research reported in Psychology and Behavior suggests that a monotonous diet can lead to food cravings. Experimenting with new, flexitarian foods can pump exciting variety into any eating routine. Instead of… Green beans Peanut butter Sugar Couscous or rice Chicken breast Olive oil vinaigrette Parmesan cheese Shredded cheese on pizza Sour cream on tacos Chocolate pudding Milk-based smoothie Salt and pepper Granola Cookies for dessert
Try this… Kale or swiss chard Sunflower seed butter Agave nectar Quinoa Tofu cutlet Flaxseed oil vinaigrette Nutritional yeast Pinenut-topped flatbread Guacamole (made with white beans) Chocolate tofu mousse Kefir-based smoothie Curry powder or seaweed sprinkle Swiss muesli Brown rice mochi
Grilled Pineapple with Vanilla Maple Pecan Syrup Serves 6 and may be served over light vanilla ice cream. 1 whole pineapple 3 tablespoons maple syrup 1 vanilla bean ¼ cup pecans, toasted and chopped ¼ cup candied ginger, chopped Cut pineapple into 12 large chunks. Grill about 8 minutes (turning every 2-3 minutes), until fruit has grill marks. In sauce pan, add maple syrup, scraped vanilla beans and vanilla bean pod. Bring to a boil and turn off heat. Remove pod. Drizzle some syrup on plate, place grilled pineapple chunks on syrup and top with remaining syrup, pecans and candied ginger.
TIP... Stop using plastic water bottles. You will save money and the environment.
Source: Dawn Jackson Blatner, registered dietitian
NaturalWestMichigan.com 19
naturalpet
Trail Fixes
How to Treat Your Buddy’s Bumps, Bites and Burns
by Richard H. Pitcairn
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orth America is blessed with 44,000 walking and hiking trails, offering everything from spectacular scenery and magnificent vistas to cascading waterfalls and beautiful wildflowers. To unleash enjoyment of the great outdoors with your dog, take along these first-aid fixes, which work for both humans and pets. The recommendations come from Richard Pitcairn, doctor of veterinary medicine and author of Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats. He recommends tucking remedies into the backpack, so you’re ready to handle any lacerations, punctures, poison, burns, insect bites or heat stroke that happen along the way. They are a quick, safe way to counter any unpleasant side effects from adventurous romps.
Injury: Lacerations and Tears Quick Fix: Flush out the cut with clean water. Remove obvious debris like sticks, hair and gravel. Apply calendula lotion. Add six drops calendula tincture to one ounce (two full tablespoons) of water; saturate gauze pads and tape them in place. Wash minor wounds that do not need professional care with soap and water and dry carefully. Clip hair from the edges of the wound. Homeopathic Remedy: Apply Hypericum/Calendula ointment twice a day until healed.
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Injury: Insect Bites (Bee, hornet and wasp stings; centipede, scorpion and spider bites.) Quick Fix: Rub in a drop of nettle extract (Urtica urens tincture or glycerin extract) directly on the sting. Using a dull knife, holding it perpendicularly to the skin, scrape across the area of the sting a few times. This will grab the stinger and pull it out without pain. Do not try to grab the stinger with your fingers or tweezers, because that will squeeze more poison into the wound. Homeopathic Remedy: Administer internally for all insect bites, give Ledum 30c, one pellet every 15 minutes, for a total of three treatments.
Injury: Poison (From ingesting dead animals, toxic pond water or plants.) Symptoms: Vomiting, excess salivation, tears and frequent urination and defecation; muscle twitching, trembling and convulsions; and severe vomiting. Quick Fix: Mix five teaspoons of activated charcoal granules in one cup of water. Spoon-feed one-quarter of a cup up to one cup. Call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. Homeopathic Remedy: Nux vomica 30c, two pellets, whole or crushed. Place on the tongue every 15 minutes, for a total of three doses. Discontinue if symptoms worsen.
Injury: Heat Stroke Symptoms: Excessive panting, rapid heart rate and/or passing out. Quick Fix: Move to well-ventilated, shady area. Offer water to reduce dehydration. Cool body and head with water. Apply continuously to cool the body as much as possible. Place ice packs around the body and head during transport to the veterinarian. Homeopathic Remedy: Place two pellets of Glonoine 30c on the tongue. Administer Dr. Bach’s Rescue Remedy formula: two drops in the mouth every 10 minutes until you arrive at the veterinarian.
Injury: Burns (Chemical, electrical, campfires.) Symptoms: White skin or scorched fur. Quick Fix: Saturate gauze with Urtica urens; six drops to one ounce of water. Keep moist by adding more solution. Bandage if necessary. Homeopathic Remedy: Administer Dr. Bach’s Rescue Remedy. (Reference: BachFlower.com/Rescue_Remedy. htm.) Give internally, two drops on the tongue every 30 minutes. Richard H. Pitcairn, Ph.D., doctor of veterinary medicine, is a founding member of the Academy of Veterinarian Homeopathy, where he teaches professional and advanced courses on the practice. Visit DrPitcairn.com.
NaturalWestMichigan.com 21
Men’s Health
by Vera Tweed
Handbook
Expert Advice for the Male Physique We asked top integrative physicians who specialize in heart health, sexual wellness and prostate protection to share their best natural healing tips for men. Here’s what they have to say. Dr. Stephen Sinatra is a cardiologist specializing in preventive medicine for more than 20 years. He has authored numerous books on natural health, including Reverse Heart Disease Now, and is co-author of Sugar Shock! Building a Strong Foundation When asked about the key to staying healthy, Sinatra doesn’t hesitate: “The most important things are staying trim and eating a diet that is not inflammatory, which means staying away from sugars.” By sugars, he doesn’t just mean what’s on the dessert menu or the white stuff you may put in your coffee. Beer, wine and all alcoholic drinks, breads, bagels, crackers and pastas are all sources of concentrated sugar, as far as the body is concerned; they all disrupt the network of hormones that determines whether or not you like what you see in the mirror. Controlling your sugar intake, advises Sinatra, is the most important thing you can do nutritionally to stay out of intensive care down the road. Testosterone, insulin, adrenal and thyroid hormones are some of the key players that determine the health of your heart, the size of your waistline and your ability to function well in the boardroom, as well as the bedroom. “We used to think these hormones were all individual players,” remarks Sinatra. “They’re not. They work collectively.” Although the interplay of hormones is complex, there is a simple underlying principle: When levels of one are suboptimal, the others also suffer. Sinatra says the answer to the riddle lies in weight control; not by following fad diets, but by understanding a few key cause-and-effect relationships and acting accordingly. Insulin: This hormone holds a key to body weight, diabetes risk, heart disease and other conditions. Here’s how it works: When you eat, food is converted to blood sugar, or glucose. The pancreas then produces insulin to deliver the glucose to cells to be used
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June 2009
as energy. High-sugar foods and drinks lead to skyrocketing glucose levels, which shift insulin production into high gear. When this high-sugar/high-insulin cycle repeats frequently, cells become overwhelmed with blood sugar and stop accepting it, a condition technically called insulin resistance. Weight gain, increased risk for heart disease and diabetes are among the results. Thyroid: Hormones produced by the thyroid gland regulate metabolism, and iodine is a key nutrient required to produce sufficient amounts of hormones. The combination of toxins in today’s environment and reduced levels of naturally occurring iodine in our food result in many American men and women having an underactive thyroid or slow metabolism, which can contribute to insulin resistance and obesity. Adrenal Hormones: Produced by the adrenal gland, these hormones are necessary for healthy function of the thyroid gland and stable energy levels. Testosterone: Excess weight, lack of exercise, insulin resistance and inadequate levels of thyroid and adrenal hormones all contribute to low levels of testosterone. In turn, low testosterone typically leads to further weight gain, low energy, low libido and other sexual difficulties. “Weight loss is the most important factor, because when you lose weight, you improve insulin sensitivity, sparing the burden on your other hormone systems,” comments Sinatra. Cholesterol and blood pressure generally improve at the same time. The Heart Solution: Sinatra also recommends taking coenzyme Q10 (coQ10), L-carnitine, magnesium and D-ribose to support energy production in the heart (see sidebar). These supplements feed mitochondria, specific components within our cells that are responsible for generating energy. Mitochondria are more concentrated in the heart than in any other organ, so their optimal function is critical. “When I treat men who have heart disease with mitochondrial support, I hear from them and their wives that their libido and erectile potency improve, as well,” says Sinatra.
Dr. Jeremy Groll is the chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Ohio. This award-winning researcher specializes in treatment of infertile couples and is the author of Fertility Foods.
expect results from supplements or lifestyle changes. He notes how the following key components can hinder male fertility: Obesity: Fat cells send signals to the brain that hinder production of sex hormones, thus interfering with libido and sexual performance, as well as fertility. Diabetes: This disease damages nerves, causing problems for sexual function.
Good Health Starts Here by Dr. Stephen Sinatra Health Goal
Healthy insulin function and weight control
Eat hormone-free (preferably organic and free-range) lean meat, fish, nuts, fermented soy foods such as miso, and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Limit alcoholic drinks, breads and pastas. Avoid trans fats and sodas and don’t add sugar to tea or coffee. Eat desserts rarely, if at all. Walk at least a mile a day and strength train twice a week.
Healthy testosterone levels
Exercise regularly and participate in any sports you enjoy, such as golf, tennis, skiing or fishing. Eat foods that keep blood sugar levels in check. Also, keep the other hormones in good shape.
A healthy heart
Try the following supplement regimen: • CoQ10, up to 100 mg daily • L-carnitine, 1 g daily • Magnesium, 400 mg daily; look for magnesium citrate, glycinate or taurate • D-ribose, 5-10 g daily
Support adrenal function
Try the following supplement regimen: • N-acetylcysteine (NAC), 500-600 mg daily • Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), 100-200 mg daily • Selenium, 100-200 mcg daily
A healthy thyroid
Season food with seaweed supplements or kelp: Use enough to get 1 mg of iodine daily. Instead of conventional table salt, use sea salt, which is rich in minerals.
Having Children
“Fertility is perceived to be a female problem, when in fact, a large percentage is due to male factors,” says Groll, who estimates that men are responsible for up to 45 percent of delays in conception. Unlike women, who are born with a fixed number of eggs, men make sperm continuously, so their state of health and lifestyle can continually affect whether or not pregnancy occurs. He explains that it takes roughly three months for each sperm to develop and mature, so it may take that long to
What Men Can Do Naturally
NaturalWestMichigan.com 23
Minocha recommends these remedies: After meals: To stop heartburn, chew a mixture of roasted fennel and cumin seeds. Between meals: Eat a cup of unflavored yogurt twice daily. Choose yogurt with a high bacteria count and at least three types of live bacteria; look for fresh yogurt carrying the Natural Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Cultures seal. For flavoring, add banana, which feeds friendly bacteria, or sweeten with stevia. Don’t eat the yogurt with other food, fruit or sugar, because their ingredients will stimulate digestive acids that destroy the good bacteria. Testosterone injections or steroids: Although both raise levels of testosterone in the body, they decrease natural testosterone production in the testes, which is necessary for fertility.
Aloe vera juice: Drink a cup twice daily.
Too much exercise: Strenuous exercise, 10 hours or more a week, can lower sperm count. But, 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, five days a week, plus strength training twice weekly, can improve fertility.
Ginger tea: Brew your own. Cut a one-inch slice of fresh ginger root and boil it for 20 minutes, add honey and drink it twice daily.
Smoking and drinking: More than six drinks per week and any amount of smoking can hinder male fertility. Avoid both. Selenium: Too much or too little selenium can decrease fertility. The recommended daily dietary allowance of 55 mcg, in total, from food and supplements, is considered optimal. Saw palmetto: This herb can hinder sperm production. To improve a man’s fertility, Groll recommends taking these supplements: • Carnitines: 2 g daily of L-carnitine and 1 g daily of acetyl-L-carnitine
• CoQ10: 100 mg twice daily
• Lycopene: 2 g twice daily
• Zinc: 250 mg twice daily
• Vitamin C: 90 mg daily; 120 mg daily for smokers
• Vitamin E: 22-23 IU (international units) daily
Dr. Anil Minocha is the director of digestive diseases and nutrition at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, in Jackson. A gastroenterologist and nutritionist, he is the author of Natural Stomach Care. Stopping Heartburn
“Heartburn is a symptom of reflux,” advises Minocha. “Reflux occurs in everyone, every day,” he adds, although not everyone experiences the unpleasant burning sensation in the center of their chest that may rise up to the throat. He explains that heartburn is usually caused by acidic gastric juices moving up from the stomach into the esophagus.
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Chamomile tea: Drink this tea anytime, instead of soda.
Dr. Omer Kucuk is an attending staff physician in the Harper and Detroit Receiving Hospitals at the Detroit Medical Center. He was also a medical oncologist and researcher at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, in Detroit. Maintaining Prostate Health
“Use common sense and have a healthy lifestyle,” advises Kucuk. It turns out that the same diet, exercise and weight control that will keep a man healthy in all other aspects will also reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Lycopene, abundant in tomatoes, offers additional protection. “Lycopene is more available in cooked tomatoes, such as tomato sauce, paste or juice,” notes Kucuk, “but fresh tomatoes are also beneficial.” Based on research to date, he recommends eating two servings of tomatoes daily, as well as three other vegetables, plus fruits. Plus, he notes, “Tomatoes also contain other compounds that have a synergistic effect, which makes the lycopene more effective.” For benign prostate hyperplasia, saw palmetto and nettle root extracts have been found to reduce nighttime bathroom visits and other symptoms safely. Saw palmetto also has been used effectively by itself to treat the condition. But, if you are trying to have a baby, avoid saw palmetto. Reduce risk of prostate cancer: Try 5 mg of a tomato extract, such as LycoMato (sold in supplements and used in some lycopene studies). Treat benign prostate hyperplasia: Try 320 mg of saw palmetto extract daily, alone or in combination with 240 mg nettle root extract daily. Expect results in about six weeks. Vera Tweed is a freelance health journalist and author of User’s Guide to Carnitine.
wisewords A: Evolved people give thanks for what
An Interview with
Michael Bernard Beckwith Spiritual Thinker, Author and Teacher by Linda Sechrist
D
r. Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder and spiritual director of Agape International Spiritual Center, in Los Angeles. A teacher featured in the film, The Secret, he teaches universal truth principles found in the New ThoughtAncient Wisdom tradition of spirituality.
Q. While writing your latest book,
Spiritual Liberation, did you experience any “Aha” moments?
A: Yes. I discovered that there’s noth-
ing like sitting down before the blank page and realizing that the “you,” which sees itself as an author, isn’t who is writing the book, but rather is the vehicle that made itself available as a scribe. It’s much like the great composer, Brahms, who said that when he sat to compose, he entered a deep, interior state and literally “saw” the notes, “heard” the instruments and wrote down what was revealed to him. Writing the book was a truly a humbling experience, because I encountered the subtle line that separates ego from surrender to the Divine muse. It wasn’t something that I anticipated; however, I’m grateful that it occurred.
Q. How do you envision the book serving as an influence for good? A: My intentions were to stir an inner
fire in readers to develop passion—and compassion—in their lives, and to help
them realize that venturing into a spiritual practice reveals how we can awaken and fulfill our highest potential as spiritual beings having a human incarnation. I also wanted to offer practices that would support readers in becoming a beneficial presence on the planet: processes that can cultivate inherent goodness, wholeness, joy—the keys to healing ourselves and the planet.
most people take for granted. In today’s economy, we’re seeing an escalation in gratitude, because people are reflecting more deeply on what happens in a society that is based on consumerism. Being increasingly grateful for the simple things in life is a wealthy way to live. Evolved people give without an agenda, simply for the joy of being generous beings, because they see themselves in others. They have an awareness of their oneness with all beings. Forgiveness of self and others is another hallmark of an evolved person. Rather than seeing life as a problem to be solved, evolved people see life, including all of its challenges, as a celebration of our precious human birthright.
Q. What basic understanding do we need in order to grow into spiritual adulthood? A: Immaturity’s mantra is: “He who
laboratory of my own consciousness proved to me that, by consciously entering practices used by great spiritual teachers—Jesus, Krishna, Sri Aurobindo, St. Theresa of Avila and others—to evolve qualities like compassion, joy, peace, creativity and enlightened awareness, I could make progress in these directions. I know that if I can do it, everyone can. If one person is a candidate for enlightenment, then, just as the Buddha taught, we’re all candidates. It’s great news that we’re no different from these illumined beings; all we have to do is commit to waking up, just as they did.
dies with the most toys, wins.” When we shift that to: “I want to know more of who and what I really am; I want to express my true nature of love, joy, creativity, abundance, compassion, self-giving and generosity; and this same good, which I desire for myself, I also desire for all others,” we embrace the personal law of life. We align with the laws governing the Universe and begin to grow up and show up. When we quit demanding that others make us happy, stop believing that the outside world and outer accomplishments determine our selfworth and drop the notion that the world owes us something, then we are on the road to spiritual maturity. We grow out of our childhood fantasies that there is a “Great Something,” outside of us, manipulating the environment and running the affairs of the Universe by a reward-punishment system. We realize that we, ourselves, are responsible for our own life. Being a spiritual grownup is a liberating way to live.
Q. Please share some of the practices that evolved people apply and how they make a difference in their lives?
For more information on Michael Beckwith’s global ministry, visit AgapeLive.com.
Q. What do you mean by the concept, “conscious participation in evolution,” and why do you believe humanity can achieve this? A: My personal experiments in the
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greenliving
CLEAN COOL CARS Today’s Buyers’ Market Guide by Jim Motavalli
W
hile 2009 is shaping up as the most challenging year in the history of the auto industry, the new car shopper can take advantage of the opportunity to step into a wealth of intriguing models, sweetened by a buyer’s market. Even long sought-after hybrids are crowding dealers’ lots. If you can’t get highly advantageous financing and steep discounts in this climate, you’re not trying. The environmentally conscious showroom shopper can revel in the widest selection of hybrids ever available, from both domestic and foreign carmakers. Plug-in hybrids, with 30 to 40 miles of electric cruising range, and totally battery-powered electric vehicles are on the way. This year’s Detroit auto show demonstrated that the industry is finally evolving to become both leaner and greener. That’s something to celebrate.
Four-Door Family Cars: Honda Insight and Toyota Prius New on dealer lots, Honda’s Insight is giving Toyota and its all-new Prius a run for the money. The $19,800 Insight (not to be confused with an earlier, tiny, two-door model of the same name) is the most affordable hybrid on the market. It sports a four-cylinder engine and nickel-metalhydride hybrid battery system, generating 98 horsepower. It shares a roofline with the Prius, and is clearly aimed at Toyota’s runaway success (600,000 sold in the U.S. since 2000). The Insight is smaller than the Prius, without as many features, but it delivers 40 miles per gallon city and 43 mpg highway. The kicker is that the LX Insight is priced below the least expensive 2010 Prius. Most customers will probably order the EX, which for $21,300, adds an upgraded audio system, cruise control and heated door mirrors ($23,100 with navigation). The all-new 2010 Toyota Prius is slightly bigger and more powerful than the 2004-2009 second-generation model, and offers better gas mileage than its predecessor—50 mpg combined. Prices for five levels of standard equipment options start at $21,000-$22,000 (level five is $27,270). Available whiz-bang extras include a solar roof, sensors that keep it in its own lane and park-itself technology.
Sports Car: Tesla Roadster Everything about the Tesla Roadster is outsized—from price to performance—except the car itself, which is tiny. Based on a British Lotus, with a smaller footwell than that typically found in American cars, the two-seat Roadster is a rip-roaring performance car, delivering 0-to-60 mph in four seconds. The 248 horsepower comes not from a V-8 engine of yore, but from an electric motor and a microprocessor-controlled lithium-ion battery pack, with 6,000 individual cells. The Roadster has the best cruising range of any battery car, at 244 miles. A brief, but vivid, test drive proves that the hype is true—the car pins your back to the seat and raises the hair on your arms. The price is eye-opening, too, at $109,000, but a more affordable Model S sedan is on the way.
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Family SUV: Ford Escape Hybrid
Economy Car: Ford Focus
Only one family-friendly, fuel-efficient, hybrid sports utility vehicle comes courtesy of an American company—the Ford Escape Hybrid, which debuted in 2005 and was updated in 2008. The deal here is that drivers get to combine 30 mpg from a hybrid drive train with the 177 horsepower of a V-6. The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine attaches to two electric motors and a fuel-saving, continuously variable transmission (CVT). Regenerative breaking turns energy from the car’s motion into electricity that recharges the battery. Escape prices start around $27,000, but buyers may well consider adding the optional Sync audio system; its voice interface and ability to play any USB-enabled device is unparalleled.
The Focus available today, starting at $16,400, is already a partial-zero emissions vehicle, meaning that its tailpipe emissions are cleaner than 90 percent of all cars and trucks on the road. Assuming Ford survives, the next Focus, available late next year, will manifest a total redesign, with the whole Earth in mind. Europe got a new Focus in 2005, but the United States, in a cost-cutting move, has been soldiering on with the C1 design, introduced in 2000. The latest, 2011 model, is a world car; it must appeal to fuel-stingy Europeans, as well as highway-oriented Americans. The new C3 Focus will be slightly larger, with more attention paid to its carbon footprint, through the use of lightweight metals and other materials, improved fuel economy and emissions. The four-cylinder engine could support efficient direct injection, in which fuel directly enters combustion chambers, and cylinder deactivation, in which two or four cylinders are shut off at cruising speeds. A hybrid version is possible; a clean, diesel option, hugely popular in Europe, where it provides tax advantages, is likely.
Car of the Future: Chevrolet Volt The Chevrolet Volt is in a race against time: Will this state-ofthe-art green sedan reach production before General Motors as we know it disappears? One hopes so, because its Voltec propulsion system is truly innovative. Specs confirm that the four-cylinder gas engine exists only to generate electricity for its electric motor, and is not connected to the wheels. If claims on the order forms are true, the Volt, scheduled to appear in late 2010, as a 2011 model, will have a 40-mile all-electric range, perfect for the average roundtrip of 33 miles. With the gas engine, it has a whopping range of 640 miles. The Volt could be cheaper—price is estimated at $40,000—but a $7,500 federal tax credit will bring that down to $32,500. The Volt is understandably GM’s number one priority. Note: Vehicle prices may vary. Jim Motavalli is a freelance writer, speaker and author who specializes in environmental news. Connect at JimMotavalli.com.
NaturalWestMichigan.com 27
fitbody
by Julie Kailus
cross training Workouts to complement a core sport.
You want to get faster, improve your swing, lengthen your stride, boost endurance … or simply avoid boredom, while pounding the pavement for miles. Cross-training can do all that, while helping you stay injury-free, so you can keep “just doing” the thing you love, whether it’s running, cycling, hiking, swimming, tennis, golf or yoga.
W
hat kinds of cross-training best complement your core sport? The experts we talked with say it depends on your athletic goals, physical abilities and challenges and the physiology of the core sport. Here, they share their top tips.
Go for Complementary Motion “Football players do ballet because they want consistent core strength and balance—to stay grounded, while also having to move in a variety of different ways,” says trainer Patricia Moreno, who develops classes for New York’s acclaimed Equinox Fitness Clubs and for her workout DVDs. The point, she explains, is that the best way to cross-train for your favorite sport is to complement it with movement patterns that aren’t emphasized in that activity. Runners, for instance, move in a repetitive, linear pattern, without much lateral (side-to-side) or multidirectional movement. Moreno’s cross-training approaches include a dance cross-train routine that uses various pacing and dance styles to improve ability in targeted sports in specific ways. Fast, intricate steps improve coordination and agility in sports like soccer and tennis; bigger, more fluid moves help lengthen stride in running; and lateral and rotational movements improve agility, flexibility and power for explosive moves in sports like volleyball and racquetball.
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Swimmers – Strengthen Your Stroke “If you want to get stronger, faster and more efficient at swimming, you have to spend time in the water—and when you swim, you use only swimming muscles,” advises Wendy Mader, a Masters swim and USA Triathlon Level II-certified coach in Colorado. The co-founder and owner of t2coaching suggests that swimmers cross-train in ways that strengthen smaller, opposing support muscles, through activities like cycling, running or in-water strength training with resistance bands or cords. She adds that swimmers tend to overtrain, and says cross-training can help prevent burnout in the off season. BalanceBall or stability ball exercises and Pilates are also ideal cross-training for swimmers, because they help engage the core, or “powerhouse,” for a stronger stroke and more power in the legs, says California personal trainer Tanja Djelevic, who has a DVD on the subject and is an expert in sport-specific functional training, as well as Pilates and yoga. Respected biomechanics expert and Cross-training for Sports co-author Gary Moran, Ph.D., suggests that to complement repetitive swimming movements, cross-training should include a well-rounded weight workout. This includes basics, like the lat pull-down, alternate knee situps, tricep pull-down or kickback and four-way hip exercises.
Golfers – Drive Farther and Get an Edge
Cyclists and runners – Get Greater Ped-power Distance cyclists may benefit from supplementing endurance training with anaerobic cross-training, to develop better muscle endurance in key support areas, such as the lower back, quadriceps and shoulders, advises Moran. He advocates using a targeted strength training program and a low-impact, but high-intensity, cardio routine, or a comparative workout on a cardio machine, such as a stair climber. Moreno says cyclists should try kickboxing as cross-training to improve core strength. This translates into easier hill climbing, through increasing power available from the torso and hamstrings, both crucial to propelling the bike up a mountain. A runner’s linear motion pattern is well complemented by dance workouts, which are loaded with opposing
Yogis – Become Stronger and Boost Endurance
While yoga is often recommended as a cross-training discipline for other sports, devotees of all yoga styles also can benefit from intentional cross-training. Yoga enthusiasts’ most injury-prone areas include the hamstrings, knees, lower back and wrists, says Jen Weller, a Vinyasa instructor for Maya Yoga Studio, in Maui. Strengthening lesser-used muscles in those areas can take yoga practice to a new level. “Injury risk occurs when people are on their hands and they’re tired,” remarks Moreno, a certified yoga instructor and fitness trainer. “It’s smart to develop strength in the upper body. You have to get out of the yoga room to develop those supporting muscles.” Moreno points out that because the element of endurance is missing in yoga, cardiovascular workouts can benefit many a yoga lover; “Once you create more endurance through cardio work, you can hold and sustain a pose longer and increase your ability to move from pose to pose.” She counsels students to try a yoga fusion workout that marries flowing yoga poses with high-energy moves that boost heart rate beyond that achieved by yoga alone (even “sweaty yoga”). If you’re on the mat more than a few hours a week, Djelevic suggests cross-training with running or swimming, “so that the stretching of muscles is balanced with a strengthening and explosive discipline.”
natural born You can now shop Hop Scotch on-line, or just keep up to date with workshops and specials! Providing a healthy alternative for baby essentials and childhood playthings.
creative soul
Golf has seen a significant surge in cross-training, due to high-profile advocates like Tiger Woods. Yoga is one discipline now commonly used to boost performance and mental stamina in this technical game. “No other sport requires the body to move in all three planes simultaneously from a static position—while accelerating club speed to 90 miles per hour in under two seconds,” observes Yoga for Golfers author and trainer Katherine Roberts, noting that yoga can help offset that sheer pressure and torque on the spine. After 14 years of yoga practice, Roberts says the increased flexibility and range of motion she’s gained from yoga as a cross-training technique has translated directly into how far she drives the ball off the tee. Other benefits include better swing balance, more core and lumbar support, increased endurance and a mental edge gained from yoga’s ability to quiet the mind. Roberts suggests starting with simple, yet targeted, basic yoga poses, such as downward dog, cat-cow, modified cobra, revolving side angle, tree pose and warrior III.
lateral (side-to-side) and multidirectional movement, says Moreno. Try a dance-fusion workout to get the benefits, without an overdose of tricky, complex dance steps.
963 Cherry St., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506 616.233.4008 hopscotchstore.com
Everyone – Achieve Satisfaction Achievement is about more than racking up miles, laps or mat time. Crosstraining in new ways can prolong your ability to participate in the activities you love most and render the satisfaction you crave from your core sport. Julie Kailus is a freelance writer in Evergreen, CO.
NaturalWestMichigan.com 29
TIP... OK, this one will cost a little bit of money, but swap out all your plastic Tupperware bins for glass ones to eliminate seeping toxins from the plastic into your food. Kyle and I did this last year for approximately $30 and we love knowing that when we store or heat up food we are not putting any toxins into our body. Take it one step further and eliminate all plastics within your kitchen, it will cost a little more money, but isn’t your health worth it? 30
June 2009
healingways
Get Good by Amber Lanier Nagle
ZZ
Zs
You lie awake at night, tossing and turning, your mind racing. Some nights you have trouble falling asleep; on others, you wake in the wee hours and can’t return to sleep. If you aren’t getting a full night of restful slumber, you’re not alone.
A
ccording to the National Sleep Awareness Roundtable, more than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems, while 20 million more report spells of insomnia related to heightened anxiety, stress and depression. Whatever the cause, lack of sleep can be simply maddening. Darrel Drobnich, chief program officer of the roundtable, affirms that sleep is just as important as diet and exercise to our overall wellness. When we sleep soundly, our bodies and minds perform more efficiently. When we don’t, we lose the ability to concentrate on daily tasks, struggle with moodiness, experience problems with memory and fail to manage stress gracefully. More, sleep scientists worldwide are evaluating the correlation between lack of sleep and heart disease, obesity, diabetes, immune system dysfunction and other serious illnesses. According to the American Sleep Association, the amount of sleep needed depends on the individual. On average, adults require seven to eight hours a day; infants, 16 hours; teenagers, nine.
The sleepless often seek relief with over-the-counter and prescription medications, but several more natural sleep-inducing habits may be just as effective at facilitating better shuteye. Before reaching for a sleep aid, try these suggestions: Establish a schedule. For regular ZZZs, “Stick to a regular schedule; go to sleep and wake up at around the same times each day, even on weekends,” urges Drobnich. “Our bodies are on a 24-hour clock. Consistency strengthens our biological rhythm and helps us sleep soundly.” Avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Professionals agree that avoiding these substances for at least four hours before bedtime helps settle the body for a good night’s rest. Caffeine, found in coffee, teas, sodas and chocolate, is a stimulant that works to keep us awake or interrupt sleep later in the night. Although alcohol, a depressant, might make falling asleep easier, it can disrupt deep sleep later in the cycle. While tobacco products tend to make us feel
relaxed, the nicotine they contain acts as a powerful stimulant that increases heart rate, blood pressure and breathing, making the smoker feel more alert, not ready for sleep. Create the perfect sleep environment. “Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary,” counsels Drobnich. “Make sure that it is conducive to sleep and nothing else.” Keep the bedroom at an optimal temperature setting—neither too hot nor too cold. Use a comfortable mattress and pillow. Also, ensure that the room is as dark and quiet as possible. In homes and neighborhoods with lots of outside noise, try to block out sounds with a fan, white-noise machine or recordings of ocean waves or rain. “People who have trouble falling or staying asleep also should avoid watching television, playing video games or working while in bed,” advises Drobnich. “You don’t want your brain to associate the bedroom with anything other than sleep and relaxation.” Wind down. Drobnich also recommends establishing a relaxing bedtime routine to wind down in the hour before going to bed: soak in a warm bath, read a book, meditate or listen to calming music. By doing the same things each
night and avoiding stimulation, we signal the body that it is time to rest. Avoid eating and drinking near bedtime. A full stomach may keep some people awake at night, so don’t eat a heavy meal within two to three hours of bedtime (this also supports weight loss). To prevent sleep from being interrupted by a trip to the bathroom, don’t drink fluids after 8 p.m. Exercise regularly. Studies show that regular exercise can improve nighttime rest, but try to finish the day’s workout at least five hours before bedtime. Fight the urge to nap. If you already have trouble sleeping at night, a nap may aggravate the problem. If a nap is absolutely necessary, limit it to a brief, 15-to-20-minute snooze. If these sleep-inducing techniques fail to solve sleeplessness, experts advise that we see a health care professional. The problem may involve sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome or a more serious health problem. Remember that almost everyone has trouble sleeping from time to time, but good habits set the stage for a restful night’s sleep. By making sleep a wellness priority, you will get back to getting some good ZZZs.
Natural Ways to Stop Snoring About 90 million Americans snore, according to a National Family Opinion poll. Supporting studies show that most snorers are men, but any snoring can disrupt one’s own and loved ones’ sleep. Researchers at Cleveland’s Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center sleep disorders program report that, while the average volume of snorers is 60 decibels, loud snorers can reach 80 decibels. According to AirportNoiseLaw.org, that’s the same decibel level as a garbage disposal or freight train, which has the potential to cause hearing damage. Short of surgery that may tighten throat tissues to reduce the sound, try these alternatives.
• Sleep on your side. Forego a pillow to flatten out the neck. • Stay fit. Overweight is a common denominator among snorers. • Axe the alcohol and sedatives. Relaxants cause throat muscles to lose tone. • Snuff out smoking. It compromises the respiratory track. • Try acupuncture or acupressure. Consult a licensed practitioner. • Avoid food triggers. Dairy, wheat and sugar may produce excessive yeast in the body, which can inflame the throat.
NaturalWestMichigan.com 31
Community Spotlight S
The Alternative Realm and Uncompromising Health: How One Local, Independent Health Food Store is Changing Lives
uffering from severe chronic health conditions- asthma, sinus infection, lung infection- caused by an overgrowth of intestinal yeast, Cindy Giese says that continual dependence on the conventional, mainstream medicine field would have killed her. Giese, who suffers from a condition called candida albicans on and off for the past 20 years, used to visit a local clinic that practiced alternative health care, and when that clinic moved out, she turned to Lakeshore Natural Health in Norton Shores for help. “Cindy was always out of breath, you would think that she just ran a marathon; she had just walked from her car to the store,” says Jyl Balder, a certified naturopathic practitioner who owns and operates Lakeshore Natural Health with daughters Caitlin and Rebecca. In describing their relationship to the store and Balder, who holds a degree in biology, one of first things that customers point out about Balder is her vast wealth of knowledge; she identifies the source of symptoms and then offers natural ways to get better. Customers also speak about Balder’s uncompromising commitment to their health even if that means making less money. “She saved my life,” notes Linda Feichtner, another of Balder’s customer who has gone to the store since it first open in 2003. She credits Balder with helping her with her sleep problems and getting rid of hot flashes and migraine headaches. “I think she was advised that she should be a consultant, but she wants to be more hands on than that. She wants to be with the people, talk with them, be right there with them,” says Feichtner. In high school, the platinum blonde haired Balder, says Feichtner, was busy reading medical journals instead of the required reading of novels. This June marks six years since the health store opened its doors, supplying supplements, organic produce, wheat-free/ gluten-free products and nutritional counseling. “It was my experience when I was young and my mother became ill that the conventional means of treatment didn’t help her get well. That started getting me deeply involved in this realm (alternative, holistic health),” says Balder. On each side of the entrance to Lakeshore Natural Health
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By Efrain Sandoval are two signs, one reading, “Thanks Be To God” and the other “God Bless.” Balder sees herself, her knowledge, the store, and the very source of the supplements and food she sells as tools through which God does her/his work. Although open about her spiritual formation and religious convictions, she is not there to proselytize, at least not in the religious sense. Giese says that “she became a believer” in alternative health care once she tried it. And it’s not that Balder promises or guarantees anything to people that are ill, she simply determines what the symptoms are and then recommends the proper supplements and what diet to follow. “People often fear the word ‘alternative’ like we are into some witchcraft here. It’s fear of the unknown and if they don’t know what ‘alternative’ means, they are immediately thinking something really unusual rather than what God provided (natural plants),” Balder says. A bad experience led Giese to her faith in holistic practice. “In the hands of the medical field, I started out with two drugs and ended with six or seven. Their (doctors who practice outside of the natural health realm) answer to me was, ‘Ah, you have this symptom, let’s give you this drug.’ And the drugs were not to cure me, they were to suppress my symptoms,” says Giese. Giese says that her candida condition, again, an overgrowth of natural yeast in a person’s intestine, and the treatment of it by conventional medicine through antibiotics, produced severe and harmful side effects: chronic asthma, lung infection, and sinus infection. There was a period of two years she got really sick. “I believe that if I would have stayed in the hands of the (conventional) medical field during those two years I was sick, I don’t see how I would be alive today,” she said. Balder led another customer, Roxanne Melinn, to alternative medicine after Melinn was suffering from a flesh-eating abdominal infection caused by a reconstructive surgery for hernia. “About four years ago I found the health food store; I thought, ‘Well, maybe something natural will help.’ So I went into her store and wow, that lady (Balder) is just so full of wisdom. She is a blessing to me. She helped through that process of detoxifying my body from all the chemicals and medications,” said Melinn. Balder is unwilling to compromise health even if that goes against profit-generating business practices. She doesn’t sell soy milk, for example, although it’s quite popular among those that visit health food stores. She said it’s not good for people unless it’s fermented. Regular soy milk, she
explains, is hard to breakdown and is the culprit behind a gassy and bloated digestive system as well as thyroid problems. “I’ll order (soy milk) for them; I will let people have what they want even though I’ll warn them that it isn’t good for them,” she says. Her customers certainly notice her commitment to their health over any profit gain. “There have been several times where they (Lakeshore Natural Health) have turned away a sale (to stop a customer from purchasing what is unnecessary) and that impresses me,” remarks Giese. Located in The Pointes shopping Center in Norton Shores, Lakeshore Natural Health will commemorate it 6th anniversary by offering a 20 % discount on supplements, some exclusions apply, through the month June. “I am thankful for the people that have been loyal to my business,” says Balder. She is sure to continue being in the “Indian realm,” as she described while explaining the source of natural supplements. “Indians used to eat the white willow bark when they got a headache and the headache went away. That is how they figured out to get aspirin. So I am in the ‘Indian realm,’ of, ‘here is an herb in its entire form and it can kill microbes in your mouth or this or that,’” she said. Efrain Sandoval is a Hollandbased freelance writer and artist. He may be contacted at sandovale@ mac.com. See Lakeshore Natural Health’s ad page 7.
Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.
- Dalai Lama
NaturalWestMichigan.com 33
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, JUNE 1 Yoga Classes – Time varies by class. June 1-26th. The Center for Good Health offers various levels of yoga classes and group fitness classes. $25/4 week session. Call for more details. 175 S Waverly Rd, Holland. 616-394-3344. GymTime Day Camp – 8:30-6pm. June 1-30th. GymTime Day Camp is at Gymco for children kindergarten and older. Full and half day camps available. NonMembers $60 / Members $55, $10 Discount if you register 1 week in advance. For more information call Gymco Sports, 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE, Grand Rapids. 616-956-0586. Get in The Best Shape of Your Life in 12 Minutes - 6pm. Workout during commercials. Get toned in just minutes per week. Learn the secret behind Surge Training. Free. Dynamic Family Chiropractic, 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville. 616-531-6050. Unnatural Selection – 7pm. Film. In the US, GMO’s in the food supply are not regulated & citizens have been given no choice in this toxic invasion, which is undemocratic. Genetic pollution is completely different from chemical pollution. The latter grows smaller over time, but GMO contamination spreads. $7 regular / $3 students & seniors. SanChez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616-677-6176.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Natural Migraine & Headache Relief – 6:15pm. Hand on one hour workshop for relief of migraines, tension headaches, neck and shoulder pain. Workshop will focus on natural remedies for common ailments. There will be refreshments and a raffle. Free. ChiroFit Wellness Center, 2249 Wealthy St SE, Ste 240, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2348. Dinner at the Forum – 6:30pm. Call to reserve a space. Free to attend. The Wellness Forum, 830 Forest Hill Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-942-7907.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor - Open House12-1:30pm. Meet & Greet - tour school building to see on site lodging, student facilities, resources. Refreshments, RSVP via the web Please contact us to RSVP. For more information visit NaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbor.net or call 734-769-7794.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 Free Prostrate Cancer Screen - 8-12pm. Early detection is your best defense. Prostrate screening is recommended for men ages 40-75 that have never been diagnosed or had an exam in the last year. Free. Metro Health, 5900 Byron Center Ave SW, Wyoming. 616-252-7070. FREE EcoTrek Event – 8-9:15am. Celebrate National Trails Day with an EcoTrek session on
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the trails. Kayak Demos with Earth’s Edge and Edgexcursions will be there with demos and samples of their trail food. Hike from 9:3010:30. National Outdoor Women’s organization and Friends of Ottawa County Parks will also be there. Hemlock Crossing, 8115 West Olive Rd, West Olive, 616-291-2851 Awakened Potentials - Awakening Your Passion & Life Purpose Retreat - 1-8pm. Creating your own authentic Soul Mandala to reveal your passion & life purpose. You will be guided through an inner journey, discover your natural gifts and talents, find oracles out in nature and connect with your inner wise woman. $50. Awakened Potentials, Enchanted Lake, 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids in Greenville. 616-754-9672.
MONDAY, JUNE 8 You’re Digging Your Grave With Your Knife & Fork - 6pm. Why the standard American diet is not working. Get out of the nutritional rut with easy and practical steps. Free. Dynamic Family Chiropractic, 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville. 616-531-6050. Health Dangers of Genetically Engineered Foods & Their Cover Up – 7pm. Film- Jeffery Smith, author of Seeds of Deception, describes a food supplement that was developed with a GMO bacteria that made thousands of people sick, killed more than a hundred and the US FDA “covered it up”. $7 regular / $3 students & seniors. SanChez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616-677-6176.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9 Dealing with Depression – 6:30-7:30pm. Discover the natural remedies and understand the role of neurotransmitters, hormones,stress & toxicity in depression. Free health care seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiropractic & Lakeshore Wellness Center. Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S. Church St, Zeeland. 616-392-9500.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 Guided Meditation, Prayer & Healing Circle – 7pm. Prayer by church chaplains and healing by local healers. Donation. Unity Church on the Lakeshore, 41 S. Washington St., Douglas. 269-857-8226. Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor 7-8:30pm. Ethnobotany in your Yard, talk/ tour of medicinal plants YOU can grow and use for natural family health; how they are used. $12.00 Please RSVP. For more information visit NaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbor.net or call 734-769-7794.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11 Bike Clinic – 1:30-3:30pm. Children ages
4 and older will learn how to ride their bike at Gymco. We have an 80% success rate. NonMembers $30 / Members $25. Visit Gymco.com to enroll or call Gymco Sports, 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE, Grand Rapids. 616-956-0586. Fibromyalgia - Understanding a Misunderstood Condition –7pm. Do you have burning muscles? Are you extremely tired all the time? Dr. Mike Kwast will give you the reasons behind the onset of this condition and provide you with natural remedies. Call to reserve a space. The Wellness Forum, 830 Forest Hill Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-942-7907.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12 Cup of Joe & A Show – 7:30pm. Doors open at 7pm. A night of original expression and songs to fill the heart featuring Kristin Hartnagel. Bring your talent-song, poem, etc for optional open mic. All ages welcome. Refreshments served. $7 suggested donation. SingForYourSoul.com. Unity Church of Muskegon, 2052 Bourdon St. Muskegon. 231-759-7356.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13 Sculpture with A Re-Purpose: Family Workshops –12-3pm. It’s not junk or trash, it is a bunch of really cool objects from different sources around town that you can make anything you want from. Learn about materials like plastics, wood, paper and textiles. UICA members $5 / Nonmembers $7. UICA, 41 Sheldon Blvd, SE.Grand Rapids. 616-454-7000. Skeetown Live – 5-11pm. $10 entry ticket doubles as your raffle ticket to be drawn for 50 prizes valued at $250 each. Live music by local artists, food & beer tent, raffle, cash booth, Instrument Petting Zoo, drum line presentation, and over $12,000 in prizes. Proceeds benefit Spread The Music Foundation. To purchase tickets call or visit Spread-The-Music.org. Hackley Park, Muskegon. 616-844-2138.
SUNDAY, JUNE 14 Love and Loneliness – 10-11am. Join the monthly Eckankar Worship Service, “ Love and Loneliness,” featuring a reading from the ECK works, singing HU and a group discussion of spiritual principles at work in daily life. Free. Meeting Room, 76th & 131-Motel 6, 7625 Caterpillar Ct, Grand Rapids. 616-752-8460. Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor - 2-4pm. Class in natural family medicine making for sustainable health care, from field to Apothecary. $12.00 Please RSVP. For more information visit NaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbor.net or call 734-769-7794.
MONDAY, JUNE 15 Tips & Tricks for Becoming a Successful Songwriter –3-6pm. June 15-17. Come learn tips & tricks on songwriting, publishing and promoting your songs. Program is open to teens of all ages and levels of experience. Free. Visit GRPL.org or call Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. 616-988-5400. Who Needs to Detox? – 6pm. Would you like
to lose weight? Could you stand to sleep better? Is your energy zapped? Then you need to detox. Come hear how effectively and safely. Free. Dynamic Family Chiropractic, 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville. 616-531-6050. Personal Path to Health Lecture - 7-8pm. Stressed? Cant Sleep? Tired? Hormone Issues? Attend Dr. Gleason’s free lecture to learn how to find the cause of your problems with simple cutting edge tests. Call to reserve a seat. The Gleason Center, 19084 N Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. 616-846-5410. Hidden Dangers in Kid’s Meals: Genetically Engineered Foods – 7pm. Film- No safety studies are required by government to flood GMO foods & feeds into human & animal food supplies. Labeling of GMO products is not required. In Michigan, a recently passed law prohibits municipalities & counties from declaring GMO-free zones. $7 regular / $3 students & seniors. SanChez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616-677-6176.
TUESDAY, JUNE 16 Seva Kids with Rosemary – 10-11am. Come play, bend and explore with yoga asanas and games designed to inspire the smaller yogi. Children ages 7-11. $80. Seva Yoga Studio, 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2541. Spinal Decompression – 6:30-7:30pm. Is your back killing you? Find out if you are a candidate for Lordex Spinal Decompression Therapy. Free health care seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiropractic & Lakeshore Wellness Center. Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S. Church St, Zeeland 888-567-3391. How We Really Do It – 7pm. Panel discussion: How we really do it- Living the Weston A. Price Lifestyle. Free. 134 N. Division, Grand Rapids. 616-532-6530.
THURSDAY, JUNE 18 Little Seva with Brooke – 10-11am. Designed for smaller yogi ages 4-6. From Alphabet to ZigZag breath, explore movement and body awareness in this fun yoga class. $80. Seva Yoga Studio, 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2541. Healing Herbs-What Conditions are Helped with Herbs? –7pm. Hear Marian Sherrod, Holistic Health Practitioner & Master Herbalist explain how herbs and spices nourish the body and promote healing. Call to reserve a space. The Wellness Forum, 830 Forest Hill Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-942-7907.
learn. $50 includes lunch. Call for more details. 175 S Waverly Rd, Holland. 616-394-3344. Gaia School of Herbal Studies: Wild Edibles and Wilderness Culinary - 10-12pm. Fields with Rowena Conahan. $25. Or join us for the entire herbal studies weekend. For more information visit GaiaHerbalStudies.net or call 734-769-7794.
of Spiritual Healers, est.1954, is the largest healing organization in Europe and is now teaching Spiritual Healing in the US. This is Part 1 of the course. $365. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct. NE, Grand Rapids. 269-929-6796.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
Maximized Living Makeover – 9-12pm. You will learn to lose weight and eat responsible. Hear the secrets of detoxification, exercise during commercials and manage your precious time efficiently. $20. Dynamic Family Chiropractic, 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville. 616-531-6050. Making Plant Medicines -The Home Medicine Cabinet and First Aid – 9:30-4:30pm. $95.00. Advance registration required. For more information visit GaiaHerbalStudies.net or call 734-769-7794. EcoTrek Fitness Kayak Event – 11:30-3pm. Enjoy kayaking on the Muskegon River for Free with your own kayak, or $23 kayak rental. 1760 Duchess Ct, Muskegon, 616-566-4471.
Reiki Share Group – 5:30-7:30pm. For those trained in Reiki to practice and share. Groups meet once a month. Presenter-Jan Atwood, Reiki Master / Teacher. Donation. Jan Atwood LLC, Atwood +, Clark Place at American Seating Park, 801 Broadway Ave NW, Ste 436, Grand Rapids. 616-915-4144. Juliette of The Herbs – 7pm. Film. Author & herbalist Juliette de Bairacli-Levy has spent her life living with indigenous peoples in Europe, the Middle East & Mediterranean Islands. She also raises afghan hounds. Susan Weed, Helen Knothe Nearling and holistic vet Will Winter are featured. $7 regular / $3 students & seniors. SanChez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616-677-6176.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23 Drummunity –10:30-2pm. Express yourself musically and rhythmically through drums with Lori Fithian Free. Visit GRPL.org or call Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. 616-988-5400. Managing Stress – 6:30-7:30pm. Learn effective drug-free solutions to safely and naturally diminish the effects of stress in your life. Free health care seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiropractic & Lakeshore Wellness Center. Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S. Church St, Zeeland 616-392-9500. Stretching Your Way to Good Health – 7-8pm. Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress, improve heart health, balance, flexibility and strength. Free health care seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiropractic & Lakeshore Wellness Center. Ultimate Fitness, 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140, Holland. 616-392-9500.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26 NFSH Healing Development Course Part 1– 5pm. June 26-28. England’s National Federation
SATURDAY, JUNE 27
MONDAY, JUNE 29 Music: For Harmony or Dissolution? – 7pm. Discussion. Music & other forms of art can be a reflection of their time; but music can be and is a causative force in human life. Discussion of Cyril Scott’s book Music: Its Secret Influence Through the Ages & Masaru Emoto’s The Hidden Messages in Water, led by Paul W Kaiser. $5 regular / $2 students & seniors. SanChez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616-677-6176.
TUESDAY, JUNE 30 Free Stress Reduction Workshop – 6:157:30pm. If you suffer from headaches, fatigue, neck/shoulder tension, irritability, sleep issues, allergies and /or digestive problems this is the workshop for you. Dr. McKenzie, D.C. & staff will teach you some helpful stress reducing techniques that you can do anywhere. There will be dinner served to all who attend. Free. Grand Rapids. Please call 616-575-9105 to secure a spot.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19 How to Survive Spiritually in Our Times – 7pm. Join this discussion based on the book by Harold Klemp. You do not need the book to attend. Come share insights and learn easy techniques to bring peace and joy. Free. Meeting Room, 76th & 131-Motel 6, 7625 Caterpillar Ct, Grand Rapids. 616-752-8460.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20 A Day for You-Healthy & Happy at Every Size – 8:30-4:30pm. Retreat for women struggling with food and weight related concerns. Explore your relationship with food. Prepare to move, laugh and
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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 Awakening – 9-9:45am. Chanting, to meditation, and beyond. Free. Christ Community Church, 225 E. Exchange, Spring Lake. 616-842-1985. Christ Community Church – 10am. Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness. Childcare available. 225 E. Exchange, Spring Lake. 616-842-1985. Vinyasa Yoga – 5:30pm. Develop proper alignment while flowing through advanced poses. Room is heated to 85-89 degrees. Challenge your mental edge and expand your spirit opening to new possibilities. $12. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cascade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610. The Coptic Center Sunday Series – 6pm. An ongoing series of inspirational speakers, centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths. Love Offering. 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids. 616-531-1339.
Zen Meditation – 7:30-8:30pm. Great Wave Zen Sangha. Dharma talks with Q&A last Sunday of each month. Free. Visit greatwave. org or call 231-843-7116 or 231-845-5559. Ludington.
Monday Pilates at Noon – 12-12:55pm. This class focuses on postural muscles, which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine. Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice. $12. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cascade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610. Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 6:15-7:30pm. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. Medicinal Herb Study Group – 7:008:30pm. Certification, professional training, home certification. $8. Gaia School of Herbal Studies, Ann Arbor. Gaiaherbalstudies.net. 734-769-7794.
Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 7:45-9am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 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. Beach Yoga – 6-7:15pm. June 1st-August 18th. All levels welcome. Bring a yoga mat & large blanket. Children 6-14 free with accompanying adult. $84 Summer or $10/ class. Class held at Pere Marquette-lawn near Coast Guard Station. (At Muskegon Yoga Center during inclement weather) MuskegonYoga.com. Muskegon. 616850-8807. Boot Camp – 6-7pm. One of Ramblewood’s more popular classes is back. Your summer workout regimen isn’t complete until you try this grueling 60 minute class. Members $8/ class, Non-members $10/ class. Ramblewood Tennis & Health Club, 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive, Grandville. 616-538-4600. Yoga-Advanced- 5:45pm. Must have completed Level 1&2 to attend. Moving deeper
Life-changing Vacations in Beautiful Retreat Settings!
The Gathering of the Peacemakers
Getting Ready for the Changes
Black Mountain, NC • Conway, NH • Woodstock, NY
Dates & Locations: Black Mountain, NC April 9-13, and August 30-Sept 5, Conway NH, June 11-14 & Woodstock, NY June 18-21. The Music: At night there are concerts with recording artists who carry a message of love, justice & forgiveness The Instructions: Workshops: Solar, wind, organic gardening, holistic health, living-on-less, earth & wilderness skills, finding your mission in life, creating loving unions, staying awake in a sleeping world, Hopi & Mayan prophecies, drumming circles, etc! Also we host a Native American “Elder-in-Residence.” Cost: $145 for weekend gatherings / $275 for August 7-day gathering. Meals, camping, cabins and lodge rooms available.
Days of Conscious Instruction Nights of Conscious Music Limited to 150! Reserve early!
Your hosts: Julia & Robert Roskind, authors of Rasta Heart and 2012: The Transformation from the Love of Power to the Power of Love
www.onelovepress.com • (828) 295-4610 • roskind@boone.net
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into your practice and in to the awareness of the core. Back bends, inversions and arm balancing. Using awareness of core, organic & muscular energy to deepen the poses & strengthen core. Invocation. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849.
Wednesday Yoga-Beginning – 9am. This is where you start. Learn the basic poses, strengthen, breath awareness and relax. Focus on awareness and strengthening the core. Modifications made for those with limitations. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849. Meditation at Noon – 12-12:45pm. Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind. When one’s mind is calm, there is clarity, peace, and the ability to live in the present moment. $12. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cascade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610. Tai Chi Classes – 6:30-7:30pm. Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain, improve balance and coordination and tone muscles. Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities. $50. Call for assistance if cost prevents you from participating. Metro Health Southwest, 5900 Byron Center Ave, Wyoming. 616-252-7341.
Thursday Pilates – Yoga Mix at Noon – 12-12:55pm. Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exercise. Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong, centered, energized, and focused. $12. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cascade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610. Green Drinks GR Network – 5-7pm. 3rd Thursday. Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks. Grand Rapids. Info/location contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051. Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 6:15-7:30pm. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle – 6:30-9pm. Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery. Love Offering. 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids. 616-531-1339. Zen Meditation – 7:30-8:30pm. Great Wave Zen Sangha. Free. Visit greatwave.org or call 231-843-7116 or 231-845-5559. Ludington.
Friday Yoga-Intermediate – 9am. Learn the basics. Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core. Gentle back bends, inversions and arm balancing introduced. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849.
Saturday Zen Meditation Retreat – 8am-12pm. Great Wave Zen Sangha. Last Saturday of each month. Free. Visit greatwave.org or call 231-843-7116 or 231-845-5559. Ludington. Walk & Stretch Class – 8:30-9:45am. 30 minutes of walking, changing the pace to strengthen the heart, followed by 45 minutes of Yogic stretching and relaxing. $14 walk-in, discount on multi class card. The Practice Yoga Studio, 4981 Plainfield Ave, NE. Grand Rapids. 616-361-0092. Yoga-Beginning – 9am. This is where you start. Learn the basic poses, strengthen, breath awareness and relax. Focus on awareness and strengthening the core. Modifications made for those with limitations. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga. com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849. Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 9-10:15am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 10:30-11:45am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662. Plyos Plus – 10:30-11:30am. Come and improve cardiovascular capacity, explosive power, core strength and more. Cash or check only. Members $5/ class, Nonmembers $8/class. Ramblewood Tennis & Health Club, 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive, Grandville. 616-538-4600.
H
e is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. - Epictetus
classifieds WANTED
Office space to rent as needed. Access to space should accommodate my flexible scheduling needs. Interested in creative and flexible terms. Possible revenue sharing. Please contact Nancy at 616-9160943 or nldock@yahoo.com.
RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES
Room Share Rental Opportunities. The Center of Unlimited Possibilities, “CUP”, is a premier community of independent professionals offering a menu of unique and diverse health centered services. At CUP, we facilitate the healthy development of mind, body and spirit in a compassionate and peaceful environment. Our commitment is to be a thriving and abundant resource for individuals, groups and organizations. Cup has recently renovated its Spring Lake facilities and has opportunities for new practitioners to join us in our suites. If you are interested in sharing a furnished treatment room and are skilled in massage, cranial sacral therapy, other bodywork modalities or are a licensed therapist looking to expand your practice to the lakeshore. CUP is also available as a facility rental for groups, workshops, corporate retreats and other events. Please visit our website at YourNextStepUp.com or contact Betsy@YourNextStepUp.com or at 616.842.0264 ext. 5.
FOR SALE
House, Barn & 7 acre Farm on Lowell schools bus line. 2,500 sq. ft. Rustic cedar sided New England saltbox with cedar sided 2-story barn. 4-bedrooms, 2 ½ baths. Large country kitchen with island and walk-in brick fireplace, wide pine plank floors, wood ceilings & beams. Living/family room has large stone fireplace $289,000. More land available. Call 616-443-8446.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Currently publishing natural awakenings magazines – Be part of a dynamic franchised publishing network that is helping to transform the way we live and care for ourselves. As a Natural Awakeni n g s p u b l i s h e r, y o u r m a g a z i n e will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives, while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural, Earth-friendly lifestyles. You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security working from your home. Currently For Sale: Atlanta, GA; Mobile, AL; Morris County, NJ; Sarasota, FL. Call for details 239-530-1377.
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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.
ACUPUNCTURE SAMIR RAJANI, MD
Medical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine 890 S. Washington, Ste. 130 Holland: 616-396-1907 www.mmpc.com Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions, including pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Samir Rajani, MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine.
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH PRACTITIONER OUT of the BLUE inc. Nancy Despres RN, MBE 351 Cummings NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 616-453-4215 www.OutofTheBlueInc.net
Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy, enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements. Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements.
ART THERAPY / ART PLAY MARY DAWSON JACKSON, ARTIST Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon N.E, Grand Rapids 616-949-6234 marydawsondesign@earthlink.net
You do not need to be an artist to access your soul’s innate creativity, spontaneity, and child like wonder, through paint and pastels. Sessions starting every 6 weeks, $75.00. Call for times.
BODYWORK WHOLISTIC KINESIOLOGY HEALTH SERVICES, LLC Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT 616-581-3885 www.WKHealthServices.com
Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic & LaStone Massage. Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Reconnection Healing Practitioner, Certified Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner, and a Certified Reflexologist. See ad, page 13.
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CHIROPRACTIC CARE DYNAMIC FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. Ronson Dykstra & Dr. Ronda VanderWall 4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville 616-531-6050 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.
COLON HYDROTHERAPY SOUTH HAVEN NATURAL HEALTH Katrina Ryan, CCT, CNC 425 Eagle St, South Haven 269-767-1638 KatrinaLRyan@gmail.com
Offering a path to Natural Healing. Services include Colon Hydrotherapy and Nutritional Counseling. Massage services and Reflexology also available.
TRICIA E. GOSLING Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Ct NE Grand Rapids 616-481-9074
Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics: gentle, safe and effective. Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being. 13 years of experience. Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions.
COUNSELING JANICE DE LANGE, PH.D
1514 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids 616-451-3008 JDelange06@yahoo.com A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery, PTSD, low sense of self-worth, panic & phobias, anxiety, depression, relationships. EMDR & Energy interventions.
NANCY L. DOCK, LMSW 616-916-0943 NLDock@yahoo.com
Clinical Social Worker. Over 15 years of experience in Meditation, Relaxation, Holistic Healing, Crisis Intervention, PTSD, Grief and Loss, Anxiety, Chronic pain and Self-esteem issues. Groups and Individuals.
DENTISTRY / HOLISTIC DENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Kevin P. Flood DDS 4990 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids 616-974-4990 www.FloodTheDentist.com Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services – Amalgam Removal & Replacement. Bio-Compatible, Metal-Free Materials, LowDose Digital X-Rays, Gentle Anesthesia. Also Addressing Snoring and Sleep Apnea, Head & Neck Pain and Metal Sensitivity & Toxicity Issues. See ad, back cover.
EDUCATION / CLASSES NATUROPATHIC COLLEGE of Ann Arbor Gaia School of HERBAL STUDIES
734-769-7794 NaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbor.net GaiaHerbalStudies.net Diploma programs and individual classes: Naturopathy, Massage, Herbal Medicine, Energy Medicine, Dietary Healing. On site lodging is available. Beginning October, 2009.
ENERGY HEALING AMA DEUS®
Beth Cosmos Grand Rapids: 616-648-3354 Ama-Deusenergy.com Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love. The energy helps to enhance one’s own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing. See ad page 35.
HEALTH FOOD STORES AFFORDABLE NUTRITION Joel D. Manning, CNC®, Owner 7493 Cottonwood Drive, Jenison 616-667-1346
Certified Nutritional Consultant – member AANC, MI-CNHP, NPA. Nutritional counseling, weight loss, sports nutrition, senior discounts. Available for seminars/ lectures. Select high quality vitamins and supplements.
HEALTH HUTT
Grand Haven - 616-846-3026 Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944 Muskegon - 231-739-1568 North Muskegon - 231-744-0852 www.HealthHutt.net Natural & organic foods, vitamins & herbs, sports nutrition, gluten free foods, books, natural body care and more. See ad, page 13.
LAKESHORE NATURAL HEALTH Jyl Balder, Owner 5294 Grand Haven Rd., Norton Shores 231-798-9922
Large quantity of high quality supplements, full grocery, organic produce, wheat / gluten free, 10% senior discounts. Jyl is a certified Holistic Health Care Practitioner. Family owned and operated. See ad, page 7.
THE HEALING CENTER
352 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com Naturopathic / Holistic Practitioners. Licensed Physician Assistant, Certified Natural Health Professionals. Private consultations. Counseling & Classes. Blood typing, acupressure, emotional release, iridology, homeopathy and more. See ad, page 8.
HOMEOPATHY BOB HUTTINGA
352 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com A Physician assistant since 1976, specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care. Also, certified Silva Method instructor. See ad, page 8.
NATURE’S MARKET
1013 S. Washington, Holland 616-394-5250 www.NaturesMarketHolland.com Full service natural food store with all natural/organic deli. Offering organic and natural groceries. Gluten-free products. Organic and local produce. Supplements and natural body care products. See ad, page 21.
UTOPIAN MARKETPLACE 8832 Water St., Montague 231-894-9530 www.UtopianMarketplace.com
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience. We have a large selection of gluten-free foods, clothing, jewelry, herbs, supplements, local foods, gifts and more. Open Mic events every month. See ad, page 21.
HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTERS CHIROFIT WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Lindsay Rademacher, DC 2249 Wealthy Ste 240, East Grand Rapids 616-458-CFIT thechirofit.com Offering integrated Health and Wellness Services. Onsite Nutrition consulting with registered dietitian. Chiropractic combined with fitness protocols for strengthening supporting muscles. Massage and hot stone therapy provided by Cindy Mulkerin, CMT. Service packages are available.
KINESIOLOGY WHOLISTIC KINESIOLOGY HEALTH SERVICES, LLC Barbara Zvirzdinis, WK, CMT 616-581-3885 www.WKHealthServices.com
Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Certified Massage Therapist, Reconnection Healing Practitioner, Certified Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner, Certified Reflexologist. Specializing in muscle testing, massage, energy medicine, nutritional counseling. See ad, page 13.
HOME BIRTHWORKS, LLC
Susan Wente, CNM, Dr. PH 231-652-3247 www.HomeBirthworks.com This regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience – over 3000 births attended. Providing pre-natal, home birth and postpartum care. Gynecological and Doula services available.
REIKI REIKI HAUS
Paula Bojsen Holland: 616-392-1138 www.ReikiHaus.com Offering quality Reiki classes & treatments at affordable prices. Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher & Gendai Reiki Shihan. All levels, Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden. Learn pure Japanese Reiki.
SALON AESTHETICA IMAGE GROUP
Sally Ann Loew 2312 28th St SE Ste C Grand Rapids, MI. 49508 616-299-1796 Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color that uses only certified organic ingredients, contains absolutely no ammonia, yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors.
MIDWIFERY BIRTH SONG MIDWIFERY SERVICES Yolanda Visser CM, CPM Grand Rapids 616-458-8144 www.BirthSongGR.com
Homebirth services since 1982. Committed to facilitating natural birth, bonding, strengthening the family, informed active participation, and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience.
FULL CIRCLE MIDWIFERY SERVICE, INC. Patrice Bobier CM, 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 familycentered safe birth experience. Empowering women to stay healthy during pregnancy, give birth naturally and parent in the best ways.
There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. - Celia Thaxter NaturalWestMichigan.com 39
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June 2009