Natural Awakenings Magazine ~ October 2017 by Natural Awakenings Magazine ~ West Michigan

E E R

HEALTHY

RECIPES TO HELP BOOST GUT HEALTH

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Transformative

TRAVEL Outer Adventures Inner Journeys

Choosing a Chiropractor How to Find the Best One for You

Nature Photographer Robert Llewellyn

SEEING TREES

October 2017 | West Michigan Edition | NaturalWestMichigan.com natural awakenings October 2017

ROSALYN BAKER, LMSW

Therapist at Grand Rapids Therapy Group

West Michigan Edition

JE N N Y B AW E JA , M S , C T R S , C H C , C I F T

Recreational Therapist at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

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contents 5 newsbriefs 8 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 8 14 ecotip 18 fitbody 20 healingways 23 q&a 24 consciouseating 28 wisewords 30 inspiration 32 healthykids 12 34 greenliving 36 naturalpet 40 calendar 43 classifieds 45 naturaldirectory

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 616-604-0480 or email: Publisher@ NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for space reservation is the 12th of each month prior to publication.

NEWS BRIEFS & ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Email articles to: Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for articles is the 5th of the month prior to publication. Submit News Briefs online at NaturalWestMichigan.com. Deadline for News Briefs is the 12th of the month prior to publication.

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

15 TRANSFORMATIVE TRAVEL

Outer Adventures, Inner Journeys by April Thompson

18 BUILDING

BETTER BONES

Bouncing, Leaping and Lunging Our Way to Bone Health by Kathleen Barnes

20 CHOOSING A

CHIROPRACTOR How to Find the Best One

24 FERMENTED

FOODS REVIVAL by Judith Fertig

28 NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT LLEWELLYN ON Moving from Looking to Seeing by April Thompson

30 SOUL SHINE by Marianne Williamson

32 SCHOOL OM WORK

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Submit Calendar Events online at: NaturalWestMichigan.com. Calendar deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication. If you enjoyed this magazine and would like to know where you can pick up a free copy in your area, please contact us at 616604-0480 or email us at: Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com.

by Marlaina Donato

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

WHERE TO PICK UP NATURAL AWAKENINGS

Kids Calm Themselves with Meditation by April Thompson

34 CREATING

COMMUNITY 15 Ways to Craft a Circle of Caring by Linda Buzzell

36 FELINE WORKFORCE Why a Job is the Cat’s Meow by Sandra Murphy

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36 October 2017

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contact us Publisher/Editor Pamela Gallina Editors S. Alison Chabonais Linda Sechrist Design & Production Interactive Media Design Scott Carvey Printer Stafford Media Solutions Natural Awakenings P.O. Box 330 Spring Lake, MI 49456 Phone: 616-604-0480 Fax: 616-855-4202 Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com

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Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (12 issues) to the above address. ÂŠ 2017 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Transformative Travel

n 2009 I was invited to join a group of 12 women from the U.S. and Canada on a 10-day spiritual journey through Peru. Shelby, who brought us together, has lived in South America half of each year and extensively traveled the world. She planned the trip with love, eager to show us the wonders she has discovered and connect us with the most interesting local people met in her journeys. The trip began and ended in Lima, from where we proceeded to Cusco to fly out to a remote village where we connected with our local guides and their burros. From there we hiked up an ancient Inca trail to camp atop a mountain in the Andes; a yoga instructor accompanied us the entire trip to help us stay loose and centered. Another night saw us deep in the Spiritual Valley at Paz a Luz where we participated in a blessing ritual by local shamans. Along the way we rode horses and visited ancient ruins. A train carried us to Machu Picchu and we boated down the Amazon to spend a night in the rain forest; walking in boots through muck up to mid-calf was worth it when we arrived at a beautiful lake populated by wildlife that took our breath away. Sometimes local people cooked for us; other meals we ate at the best local eateries. Although we wondered at times had we known how difficult it would be, would we have even made the trip, we are now glad we did because it was incredibly transformational. Climbing the mountain was especially tough for those of us used to living 800 feet above sea level. The whole experience birthed many lifelong friendships. We stepped out of our comfort zone, took a chance and the result was priceless! To your next true adventure,

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY Natural Awakenings is locally owned and operated.

Pamela Gallina, Publisher

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Never Glossy. Always Green. Natural Awakenings practices environmental sustainability by printing on post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based ink. This choice avoids the toxic chemicals and high energy costs of producing shiny, coated paper that is hard to recycle.

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newsbriefs New Juice & Raw Food Bar Opens in Grand Haven

ild Blue is a new Fresh, Organic, Slow Squeezed Juice, All Fresh Smoothies, Raw Snacks and Elixir Bar in Grand Haven. The owner, Sam Atwell, says “We are beyond excited to bring healthy, real food to Grand Haven!” Five years ago, the Atwell family started their own health transformation due to a serious life event and they have never regretted it for a second. Since their journey began, they have learned so much about how vital food is to our health and how it can make us feel better than we ever thought possible. According to Sam, “It is absolutely disheartening to walk through a grocery store and see the direction we have allowed the food industry to take us. Food has become something that is not only seriously lacking in real nutrition but also filled with harmful drugs and chemicals.” He went on to say, “The number of people, including children, who are not facing major a health issue, is becoming fewer by the day. When our little ones beg for a smoothie that includes two cups of spinach, we feel a little parent win.” Their goal is to make whole, raw foods, convenient, affordable, and delicious for everyone. They want to remove the stigma from the traditional health shop by creating a fun, welcoming, and educational environment no matter where you’re at in life. “It is important that we provide a place where everyone has access to organic smoothies with no fillers, living juices, and raw foods that are full of natural benefits!” said Sam. Whatever your motivation may be, make it a point to stop in and see what a difference real food can make! Wild Blue is located at 1125 S. Beacon Blvd (West side of US31, just south of Panera) in Grand Haven or go to FreshlyFun.com, call 616-935-7223 or email Living@ FreshlyFun.com. See ad page 35.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Tour

egistration is now open for the Traditional Chinese Medicine Tour offered by Extended Grace and Pilgrim Spirit Tours in May, 2018. This unique cultural immersion experience offers those interested in ancient alternative medicine to learn about Traditional Chinese processes and procedures directly from the source. Travelers will depart from Grand Rapids and land in Beijing where they will spend time at the hospital with a physician who will introduce the group to acupuncture, massage, traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and the various departments of the hospital.

The group will take a high speed train to Huangshan where they will meet with traditional Chinese Medicine scholars to learn about Xin`An Medicine, including moxibustion and cupping. They will also spend one day with Tai Chi Yijinjing Master--Wu Xinhua and/or his disciples. The trip will also include visits to the Great Wall, Taoist and Buddhist Temples, Yellow Mountain, ancient villages and much more. In order to optimize each person’s experience, the size of the group is limited to 6 to 12 persons. This is an active tour requiring participants to be in good health. Participants also need travel with an open mind and comply with group ground rules regarding respectful conversation with individuals who may not share their beliefs, customs or agendas. A place on this cultural immersion trip can be secured with a $100 deposit. An early registration discount is available until January 1, 2018. Full itinerary and details can be found at www.pilgrimspirittours.com. Contact Barbara@ extendedgrace.org or 616.502.2078. See ad page 33.

Tell a New and Different Story – A Yoga Weekend with Desiree Rumbaugh

rom the Heart Yoga and Tai Chi Center will host internationally recognized Yoga instructor Desiree Rumbaugh returning for her annual visit to Grand Rapids October 13-15. She will be offering a dynamic and fun workshop while also celebrating the release of her new book –Fearless After Fifty: How to thrive with Grace, Grit and Yoga. Join From the Heart Desiree Rumbaugh Yoga and Tai Chi Center in welcoming Desiree once again! We cannot control our thoughts but we can control our vibration. It all depends on our perspective. Examine your practice this weekend and consider upgrading some of your habits. Your body and mind will thank you. natural awakenings

October 2017

newsbriefs Friday: 6-8:30pm Reflect: Hip Openers, pranayama and meditation Saturday: 10-12:30pm Reconnect: Standing Poses and Backbends Saturday: 2:30-5:00pm Renew: Forward Bends and Twists Sunday: 10-12:30: Celebrate Your New Perspective with a lively practice for all levels Individual classes: $50 each if paid by September 16th, $60 thereafter Entire workshop: $185 by September 16th, $200 thereafter Desiree Rumbaugh is an internationally recognized yoga instructor with unquenchable enthusiasm for life, love and healing. She blends playful humor with an authentic inquiry into the nature of being to bring the ancient teachings of wisdom into the asana practice and then into modern life. From The Heart Yoga & Tai Chi Center is located at 714 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids. For more information go online at FromTheHeartYoga.com or call 616-336-YOGA. See ad page 25.

GRNH Welcomes KPS Essentials Skincare

rand Rapids Natural Health is expanding their Organic Skin Care team and services, with the addition of Madelon Hassberger, Licensed Esthetician. Madelon brings with her a new line of locally made, organic skin care products, KPS Essentials, and will also be offering an all-new Microcurrent service, a Madelon Hassberger natural face lift. Founders, Natalie Bauss and Ron Webb, an esthetician and rocket scientist respectively, created KPS essentials skincare using the highest quality, organic, food grade ingredients that feed, lift, renew, replenish, and soften the skin. Their DermaNu Technology is clinically validated to boost skin hydration, collagen, volume and reduce hyper pigmentation and acne. Facials using KPS Essentials also include use of ultra sound technology. The Grand Rapids Natural Health team will be partnering with KPS Essentials to bring this fresh line of organic products to their clients. Grand Rapids Natural Health is located at 638 Fulton W B, Grand Rapids. To learn more about all of their Organic Skin Care Services, including KPS Essentials facials and Microcurrent Therapy, visit: http://grnaturalhealth.com/organic-skin-care/ or call 616-264-6556. To learn more about KPS Essentials Skin Care Line, visit: kpsessentials.com See ad page 47. 6

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Spiritual Intuitive Teachings

arianne Huff, LMSW, Advocacy & Counseling Services and Spiritual Intuitive is conducting a seminar and a six week course at Spirit Space in Saugatuck, MI. The seminar is on overfunctioning (co-dependency) and will be held on Friday, October 6 from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. The cost is $25.00 per person. We Marianne Huff, LMSW hear a lot today about folks who are “intuitive” and “empathic”. We also hear a lot today about codependency and the problems that can occur for individuals who encounter difficulties with becoming codependent or “over functioning”, which focuses on those who find themselves taking care of others to such a degree that they neglect themselves. It is becoming more known that spiritual types, intuitives, empaths and light workers can suffer from an over-developed sense of responsibility for the well-being of others and may struggle with setting boundaries. If you are an empath, intuitive or light worker and you find yourself struggling to set limits with others, you might want to attend this three hour workshop. Marianne will also be teaching a six week course, Saturday October 14-November 18 from 10am - noon. Opening the Doors of Your Perception: Your Path to Your Inner Guidance, these classes are intended to assist individuals in learning more about intuition and the development of their intuitive gifts—but with the emphasis upon Spiritual development. Come to one class or the full series. Spirit Space is located at 3493 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck. For more information, please contact Marianne at mariannehuff@ sbcglobal.net. http://spirit-space.org/ See ad page 30.

New Location Specials

nn Sinclair owner of BioMag Balance, which specializes in Biomagnetic Pair Therapy announced the grand opening of their new location. Formerly at Wellness Collective, they opened a new location in September off of East Paris and Forest Hill Ave in Grand Rapids with Advanced Thermal Imaging. Biomagnetic Pair Therapy is a low cost and effective therapy which can be combined with other therapies. It uses pairs of magnetics to balance the pH of your body enabling your body to begin the healing process. Make an appointment during the month of September or October and receive 20% off your first appointment. Biomagnetic Pair Therapy new location at 2565 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Suite 102, Grand Rapids. For more information call 616-4501174 or online at BioMagBalance.com See ad page 27.

Advanced Thermal Imaging has moved!

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heir beautiful new location can be found at 2565 Forest Hill Ave SE, Suite 102, Grand Rapids (In the lower level of Partner’s In Dental Care). Owner Julie Bennett, said they are not only excited about their new space but also partnering with Ann Sinclair of BioMag Balance. An open house will be announced in the near future. Thermography Specials through October 31 include $25 off a Thermogram and also their Bosom Buddy Special: When two people schedule, each will receive an additional $25 off. Watch for announcements of new seminars and presentations. For more information about Advanced Thermal Imaging of West Michigan or for thermography or therapeutic massage appointments call Julie Bennett at 616-724-6368 or email info@AdvancedThermalImagingllc.com or online at AdvancedThermalImagingllc.com See ad page 47.

New Look for Natural Awakenings Magazine

atural Awakenings magazine is sporting a new look. After being unveiled in Florida’s Collier/ Lee edition that serves Naples and Fort Myers—the first of a family of magazines that has grown to encompass 85 U.S. cities, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic— in July, the new logo and cover design will appear in all editions starting in October. Other design elements are expected to be refreshed in the near future to align with the evolution of the national content already underway. The plans were announced at the Natural Awakenings’ Publishers Conference in Orlando in May. “We’ve kept up with new, cutting-edge trends and developments in all areas of sustainable, healthy living through the years, so it’s only natural for our look to also evolve,” says Sharon Bruckman, CEO and founder of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation. “The new cover format enables us to highlight more of the content offered inside the issue. The changes also reflect the success of our mission in supporting the presence and growth of the natural living movement to the point where it’s beneficially influencing mainstream media content.” Launched by Bruckman with a single magazine in 1994, Natural Awakenings is now one of the largest, free, local, healthy lifestyle publications worldwide, serving approximately 3.5 million readers. For more information, visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. See ad, page 44.

Happiness in Perpetuity Paul Bond Paul Bond’s magic realism art illuminates a dreamlike world where anything is possible as he deftly juxtaposes and rearranges common elements to convey universal spiritual or metaphysical ideas. Sometimes his paintings are simply uplifting illusions, expressing the whimsical, surreal and fantastic sides of life. They are always soothing, visual meditations that delight the imagination and stir the soul. Rearranging familiar objects gives Bond the symbolic language to reflect an emotion or thought he’s entertaining at the moment. “Often, a painting is born from something randomly seen from a car window or a line in a novel or song,” he explains. “If it stirs my curiosity, it finds its way into my work.” About Happiness in Perpetuity, he says, “We create our experience and physical environment based on our beliefs and thoughts. Those who wait for outer experiences to make them happy are at a disadvantage—happiness is simply a choice, based on our desire for it.” View the artist’s portfolio at PaulBondArt. com.

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Music Soothes Pain after Surgery

esearchers from the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, in New York City, studied the impact of music therapy on 60 patients that had undergone spinal fusion surgery. Half received a 30-minute music therapy session, along with standard postoperative care, within 72 hours of surgery. The other half received only standard care. The scientists used the visual analog scale to measure pain before and after music therapy in both groups concurrently. The patients receiving music therapy experienced average pain level reductions from 6.2 to 5.09, while the control group averaged slight increases in pain, from 5.2 to 5.87. “The degree of change in the music group is notable for having been achieved by non-pharmacologic means, with little chance of adverse effects,” explains Center Director and study co-author Joanne Loewy. “Pain is subjective and personal, and warrants an individualized approach to care. Certified, licensed music therapists can tailor treatment to each patient’s musical preferences and address their pain level.” NaturalWestMichigan.com

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esveratrol is a natural substance found in grapes, peanuts, blueberries and other foods that’s known for its heartprotective nature. Researchers believe it may also help promote eye health, including prevention of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, but not much is known about its presence in the eyes. Scientists from Tongji Medical College, in China, set out to measure the concentration of trans-resveratrol in the eyes after oral supplementation. Three daily doses of Longevinex, an oral trans-resveratrol-based capsule supplement, was administered to 35 adults prior to eye surgery on one of their eyes, and tissue samples of the conjunctiva, aqueous humor and vitreous humor were taken. Researchers measured the tissues for resveratrol concentration to determine how much of the supplement penetrated the eyes. Resveratrol metabolites were detected in the conjunctiva of 25 of the eyes, indicating that the beneficial substance does pass through the brain.

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Resveratrol May Help Eye Health

WOMEN LIVE LONGER WHEN SURROUNDED BY GREENERY

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esearchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, in Boston, followed 108,630 U.S. women enrolled in the Nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Health Study between 2000 and 2008, comparing their mortality rates with the amount of vegetation around their homes. The researchers also accounted for related risk factors such as age, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and smoking behaviors. They concluded that subjects living in the greenest areas had a 12 percent lower mortality rate than those living in the least lush areas during the study period.

Banning Trans Fats Lowers Heart Attacks

leven counties in New York instituted restrictions on trans fatty acids in restaurants in 2007. Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine used data from the New York State Department of Health statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and U.S. Census population estimates to determine the impact of these restrictions on the health of the community; they compared the 11 counties that had the restrictions to 25 counties without them. The scientists concluded that hospital heart attack admissions were significantly lower for the 11 counties with the restrictions.

Walking Reduces Symptoms of Dementia

study from the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, examined the impact of regular walking on people with vascular cognitive impairment, the second-most common form of dementia. The ailment occurs when blood vessels become damaged by cardiovascular disease, impeding good blood circulation and making the brain work harder. The researchers scanned the brains and conducted computerized decision-making and attention tests on 38 people with mild, early forms of vascular cognitive impairment. Half of the subjects were asked to participate in supervised, one-hour walking sessions three times per week for a six-month period. The remaining subjects did not walk. After six months, the walking group showed improvements in both blood pressure and brain function, with their brains requiring less effort during the decisionmaking and attention tests.

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October 2017

Vitamin D plus Calcium Lowers Cancer Risk

esearchers from the Creighton University School of Nursing, in Omaha, Nebraska, studied 2,303 healthy postmenopausal women to determine whether a link between vitamin D and cancer existed. The treatment group comprised 1,156 women receiving 2,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D3 and 1,500 milligrams of calcium per day for four years. The 1,147 women in the control group received placebos for the same duration. Within the study timeframe, 64 women from the placebo group were diagnosed with some form of cancer, while only 49 subjects from the treatment group faced a cancer diagnosis. This represents a small, but significant reduction in the cancer rate for those taking vitamin D3. Further analyses of the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the blood revealed that the women that developed cancer had substantially lower levels of this vitamin than the subjects that remained healthy.

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pirulina platensis, a single-celled blue-green algae used in supplements, is often taken for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. A new study from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, in Iran, tested the efficacy of spirulina supplementation on the body mass index (BMI), weight and cholesterol levels of 64 obese adults between the ages of 20 and 50. Subjects were divided into intervention and placebo groups. The intervention group took twice-daily supplements of Spirulina platensis for 12 weeks. BMI, fasting blood samples and lipid profiles were assessed at the beginning and end of the study, and food intake and appetite were reported daily. The scientists found more than double the reductions in both body weight and BMI in the spirulina group, compared to the control group. In addition, reductions in both total cholesterol and appetite were found in the intervention group. Vikki Nestico R.Ac., Dipl. OM

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Spirulina Reduces Weight and Cholesterol

Connecting Across Cultures By Barbara Lee VanHorssen

urs is a world of wonder. Its sights, its sounds, its smells, its creatures. There is nothing like being in a new place to renew the spirit of awe and wonder within our souls. Nothing so sparks in us an awareness of the richness of this creation or the wonderful diversity it contains. Every destination holds within it a unique beauty and an opportunity to delight. Customs, traditions, folk tales, dance, art, language, nourishment. And every destination holds within it its own spirit, its soul, its way of understanding, its place in eternity. There are many ways we can travel in this world. Vacations offer us exotic locations and respite from the demands of our daily life. But too often we are only observers as we move from place to place, seeing the sights that attract the tourists, protected from the harsher realities and the deeper spirituality of the lands in which we move. Mission trips offer us an important opportunity to serve and to work side by side and hand in hand with brothers and sisters of a different culture. We move beyond the shelter of resorts in order to be exposed to the harsher realities of the lands we visit. But these trips usually limit our experience to one particular place and consume our time with one particular task. Often they set us to work before giving us an opportunity to listen and to learn what the true needs of an area are and where we can most be helpful. A Cultural Immersion Experience, in contrast, seeks to walk the middle road. It is an opportunity to visit a variety of places and to meet with and learn from local residents at each destination. In the process we become participants in the culture we are exploring, rather than onlookers

or do-gooders. We take the time to be fully present in our surroundings and to contemplate what meaning we might discover as each situation unfolds before us. An integral Cultural Immersion Experience does just that, it immerses us completely. Our body is engaged through movement and sensory experiences of touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. Our brain is stimulated as we seek to understand the history and current climate of the places we visit so that we might put our experience in context, gain knowledge, and be able to draw comparisons with our own culture. As we allow ourselves to be totally present in whatever situation we are experiencing, our spirit is free to develop insight and wisdom that connects with our personal, unique vision. Our psychodynamic self grows as we learn to see life and living from a new perspective. A true immersive experience changes us, deepens our understanding and empathy, and shapes us in ways that nothing else can. We learn to see the world through someone else’s eyes. And then we begin to see the lens through which we see the world ourselves. We all have such a lens. Through it we see a world that makes sense to us, that matches our expectations of reality. Our lens is made up of our values and our basic assumptions. It includes our ideas about personhood, family, interpersonal relationships, sexuality, race, religion, economy, education, and so on. Those views become more powerful and rigid when they remain unnoticed and unnamed. But when we are able to start seeing the lens itself, we can start to put our experiences and the experiences of

others into their own unique context. We develop empathy, compassion and understanding. We move beyond tolerance to a kind of admiration and deep respect for others. Whenever we enter unknown territory, we have the rare opportunity to see our own construction of reality in a way that the barriers come down and we realize that we are no different from the people with whom we are interacting. All that is different are the situations and conditions surrounding our lives. We return changed. And with that change comes the responsibility to share our experience, to tell another people’s story, to become agents of peace and goodwill in a world that too often fails to celebrate the beauty and the value of diversity. We all return from Cultural Immersion Experiences touched in different ways, moved by different experiences. But every one of us who is willing to open our eyes to new realities is changed. We see the lens of our own cultural upbringing and that allows us to recognize that it is time to break old patterns and redefine relationships. Too often we Westerners have tried to “help” a people by telling them that what they need and then giving it to them, knowing all along that what they need most is to be like “us.” They don’t need to be like us. It’s time to engage in a different dialogue. Let’s start by asking what is needed of us. Then there is an even more important question for us to ask. We need to approach our brothers and sisters from other cultures and say with all humility: I’m on a journey in this life – will you walk with me – will you help me find my way? Barbara Lee VanHorssen operates Pilgrim Spirit Tours and leads Cultural Immersion Experiences for Extended Grace. Learn about the Traditional Chinese Medicine Tour this May at www. pilgrimspirittours.com or contact her at barbara@extendedgrace.org See ad page 33.

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October 2017

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

Fare Price

Save on Holiday Plane Tickets

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The easiest way to save money on airfare is by being flexible, because flying on certain days at certain times can be more affordable. Shopping among airports and carriers can also yield dividends, perhaps leaving from one airport and returning to another or combining airlines based on the lowest available rates for legs of the trip. Off hours for flying are very early in the morning or late at night; keep looking for deals right up to the deadline. Airlines send deals and special offers to those that sign up for email alerts. Stay updated on their social media platforms if they release special offers to online followers. To avoid incrementally increasing prices and falling victim to some packagers’ tactics of dynamic pricing and tracking computer searches, clear the browser’s cookies between searches. Try helpful Travel Apps for smartphones; not only are they mobile, they vary in service and scope to suit individual needs. Most are free.

Biodegradable Reeboks Help Solve Waste Problem Reebok is introducing a completely compostable sneaker designed to neither harm the environment when created nor potentially clog a landfill when discarded. The shoe’s upper section is made of sustainable organic cotton, while the sole is derived from industrially grown corn, harvested when it’s older and tougher. Even the eyelets are stitched, using no metal or plastic.

Fast Foodies

Wildlife Wipeout

Wind turbines make cleaner energy, but are dangerous to birds and bats. According to a study in the Wildlife Society Bulletin, approximately 573,000 birds and 888,000 bats are killed annually by wind turbines, which are providing increased wind power capacity nationwide. At one solar power plant in California, an estimated 3,500 birds died in just the plant’s first year of operation. What would help most is offshore turbines and knowledge about migration routes. The safest place for wind turbines is in the ocean, because songbirds and bats don’t migrate over such waters. On land, many songbirds fly at night and can’t see the wind turbines until it’s too late. Once they’ve discovered the unsafe area, they avoid it. Because migration routes are based on availability of food, water and resting areas, birds are forced to fly around the turbines, adding miles to their trip and the burning of more calories. Estimates of just how many bats are dying each year range from the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. Radar installations help to keep bats away from the deadly blades. Other remedies include slowing the blades at night to reduce collisions, which has proved to reduce overall wildlife deaths by 73 percent. In 2016 the American Wind Energy Association announced voluntary guidelines to halt turbines during low wind speeds, when bats are most active, to reduce bat fatalities by 30 percent. With two more industry changes, bat fatalities could drop 90 percent: feathering, or turning the blades parallel to the wind so the turbines don’t rotate; and higher cut-in speeds so they don’t rotate in light winds. Take action at NationOfChange.org/petitions/protect-bats-lethal-wind-turbines. 12

West Michigan Edition

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Wind Turbines Kill Winged Creatures

A collaborative study published in the journal Pediatrics concludes that toddlers under the age of 2 are more likely to eat French fries than vegetables on any given day; one in four 6-to-11-month-olds and one in five 1-year-olds consumed no vegetables at all. This concerning downward trend began more than a decade ago. The percentage of babies and toddlers eating canned or frozen fruits and vegetables declined by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012, and the consumption of dark, leafy greens among those under 2 has halved since 2005. Dr. Annemarie Stroustrup, an associate professor with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, in New York City, says, “You often have to offer a new food to a toddler up to 10 times before they will eat it.”

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Toddlers Routinely Reach for French Fries

Saving Salmon

Resource Saver

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A legal challenge in Washington state may require spending nearly $2 billion to restore salmon habitat by removing barriers that block fish migration. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a 2013 ruling ordering the state to fix or replace hundreds of culverts that allow streams to pass beneath roads, but block the salmon. Lorraine Loomis, chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, states, “This is a win for salmon, treaty rights and everyone that lives here.” The group represents 21 tribes in western Washington that challenged the state over the culverts in 2001, part of decades-long litigation over tribal fishing rights. She advises, “Fixing fish-blocking culverts under state roads will open up hundreds of miles of habitat and result in more salmon.”

American Roots

Columbus Day Renamed to Honor First Peoples Many people feel that Christopher Columbus is partly responsible for the genocide of Native Americans, and bestowing him a day of celebration adds insult to injury. In a progressive move, the Anadarko City Council, in Oklahoma, unanimously voted to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day—observed this year on October 9. City employees get the holiday off, and other municipalities in Oklahoma have followed suit.

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Court Removes Manmade Barriers

Concrete and steel allow us to build immense houses, skyscrapers and dams, but in 2012, the U.S. Energy Information Administration determined that cement manufacturing uses more energy than any other industry. A new substitute process of growing biodegradable bricks via millions of bacteriadepositing chemicals, similar to the way coral grows, is now coming into use. The bacteria are injected into a brick mold with an aggregate material such as sand. After a short time, the bacteria turn it into a solid brick. Not only is this a renewable resource, it uses relatively little energy and is a viable option for future methods of construction, including terraforming other planets (Tinyurl.com/Biodegradable BuildingMaterials).

Migrating Trees

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Forests Shift West with Climate Change The consequences of climate change are impacting plant species in unanticipated, but logical ways; for instance, conifers and other needle trees are moving northward because they are more sensitive to temperature than flowering, deciduous trees. They already populate the boreal forest of eastern North America, so they’re well-adapted to expand into colder, drier conditions. Individual trees can’t move, but populations can shift over time as saplings expand into a new region while older growth dies in another. A new study published in Science Advances also shows that about three-quarters of tree species common to eastern American forests, including white oaks, sugar maples and American holly, have shifted their population centers westward since 1980 due to drier conditions in the East. Global warming has significantly altered rainfall totals. Songlin Fei, a professor of forestry at Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, and one of the study authors, observes, “Different species are responding to climate change differently. Most of the broadleaf species of deciduous trees are following moisture that’s moving westward.” Changes in land use, conservation efforts, wildfire frequency and the arrival of pests and blights all play parts in shifting populations. Forest ecosystems are defined as much by the mix of species and the interaction between them as by the simple presence of many trees. If different species migrate in different directions, then ecological communities could eventually collapse.

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natural awakenings

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In many parts of the U.S., autumn brings fallen leaves, and the benefits of composting can be extended via leaf molding. “You get new leaves every year. You don’t need to take leaves to a landfill or burn them,” advises Lee Reich, Ph.D., a garden and orchard consultant in New Paltz, New York (LeeReich. com). Digging or tilling leaves into garden beds and containers, using them as mulch, fosters natural soil conditioning, supplies beneficial nutrients and enriches earthworm habitat. PlanetNatural.com estimates that 50 to 80 percent of tree nutrients end up in their leaves. According to FineGardening.com, “Leaf mold prevents extreme fluctuations in soil temperature, keeps the soil surface loose so water penetrates easily, retains soil moisture by slowing water evaporation and stimulates biological activity, creating a microbial environment that helps thwart pests.” One method comprises piling leaves in a corner of the yard or in a wood or wire bin at least three feet wide and tall. Thoroughly dampen the entire pile and let it sit, checking the moisture level occasionally during dry periods and adding water if necessary. Another option is to fill a large plastic bag with leaves and moisten them. Seal the bag, and then cut some holes or slits for airflow. Check every month or two and add water if the leaves are dry. Either way, the decomposition process for most leaves can take six to 12 months; DIYNatural.com reports that some leaves, like oak, can take up to three years to decompose. Hasten the process by mowing the leaves a couple of times before adding them to the pile or bag; turning them over every few weeks with a shovel or garden fork; or covering the contained pile with a plastic tarp to keep the leaves wetter and warmer.

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TRANSFORMATIVE

TRAVEL Outer Adventures, Inner Journeys by April Thompson

An open-hearted journey can take unexpected paths. More travelers today are searching for deep and lasting changes in their view of themselves and the world.

Attention and intention are the main ingredients for transformative travel for Phil Cousineau, acclaimed author of The Art of Pilgrimage. “Ask yourself what is motivating the journey: Are you going just to check something off your bucket list because you read about it or are you going because your grandma told you how magical her visit there was in the 1920s? Are you going because you’re at a crossroads in your life, marriage or work?” queries Cousineau. Naming your intention helps open up the heart and psyche for transformation. Cousineau recommends sharing our choice beforehand with a friend or even a casual acquaintance. Writing it down can also unpack those yearnings and understand the pull to a place.

Part of the intention setting is clarifying what we hope to accomplish through making a journey, suggests Nathaniel Boyle, creator of The Travelers podcast and the travel platform Holocene that facilitates community among transformation-seeking travelers. It might be climbing a mountain with our spouse to strengthen a marriage, or taking a cooking class in Italy or a basket weaving workshop in Indonesia to rekindle a sense of fresh input and creative expression.

Cousineau suggests that travelers prepare to open their thinking by reading about the history, culture and geography of a place, and then continue to learn en route by talking to locals for insight rather than relying only on a guidebook. “Make yourself vulnerable. Ask questions and be humble. Talk to your waiter or cab driver about their lives and conditions in their country. Those that become most delighted and transformed by their experiences are the most curious,” observes Cousineau. Anna Pollock, of London, England, founder of Conscious Travel and a sustainable travel expert, elaborates on potential results. “Travelers may see the world and their part in it differently or feel greater clarity, peace, freedom or hope. For some, it’s about insights into their personal purpose. Others may return with a deeper sense of connectedness or feeling of mastery that comes from trying something completely new.” Jake Haupert, of Seattle, owner of Evergreen Escapes International, co-founded the Transformational Travel Council to help people embark on such life-altering journeys, and translate “Aha!” moments on the road into meaningful changes back home. He has witnessed individuals undergo radical shifts from changing careers to becoming parents. One couple was so moved by their experiences on an African safari that they adopted their first child from Kenya.

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Declare Your Intentions

Stay Open

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times, and some travelers feel unhappy, unprepared, bored or disappointed,” remarks Cousineau. “But the flip side is that travels can stretch us, just like a medieval rack.” If you have stretch goals, you can build them into an itinerary, advises Haupert, whether it’s getting up the courage to skydive or negotiating a purchase in a foreign street market.

Do Less, Experience More If we truly want to know the secret of soulful traveling, we need to believe there is something sacred waiting to be discovered in virtually every journey. ~Phil Cousineau

Move Beyond Comfort

“Travel can serve as a vehicle for expansive personal growth. Through it, we learn to explore the world and ourselves,” Boyle observes. “When you venture outside the controlled environment of prepackaged trips for tourists to face difficult decisions and confusing and chaotic situations that require problem solving, that’s where real change can occur,” says Haupert. “My 12,000-mile journey from Washington, D.C., to Antarctica was transformative in so many ways,” says journalist Andrew Evans, author of The Black Penguin memoir. “I’m a geographer by training and spent four years studying maps, but I never understood the true size of the world until I traveled across it on a Greyhound bus. I now see the world as much smaller and much more accessible. The trip made me a stronger, more confident person, and less afraid of what other people think of me; it also made me want to keep traveling.” “Travel comes from the word travail, to labor, and trip from tripalium, Latin for a medieval torture rack. Metaphorically, travel can feel like torture at 16

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To heighten experiential awareness while traveling, build fewer to-dos into an itinerary, the experts recommend. “Immerse yourself in a place. Leave time for unplanned explorations, rather than bouncing between destinations without space for spontaneity and restful reflection,” says Haupert. “Also build in time for meditation, yoga, simple relaxation or other intentionally restorative moments in-between the high-intensity peak experiences.” Haupert suggests staging a ceremonial start to a journey, such as a special dinner or bike ride upon arrival. Similarly, Cousineau recommends starting a new journal on every journey, to ceremoniously start anew in one’s thinking. Engaging in ritual can also help awaken the traveler, says Cousineau. He suggests walking in silence as we approach a sacred site, or physically engaging with it, as pilgrims might do when they palm the feet of a Buddha statue or press their forehead to the Wailing Wall. Sacred sites are fertile ground for transformative experiences, says Lori Erickson, an Episcopal deacon, travel writer and author of Holy Rover: Journeys in Search of Mystery, Miracles, and God, a memoir of her trips to a dozen of the world’s holy sites. “So many people have prayed and opened their hearts in a holy place that you can feel the energy,” she says. Erickson suggests that travelers seek out hallowed ground from different traditions, which can help heal divides among people of divergent faiths. “The art and architecture of holy sites are beautiful manifestations of spiritual longing and human creativity. These places have the power to move you, regardless of your own spiritual background.”

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Journey Jump-Offs Here’s a short list of resources to inspire transformative adventuring. n The blog at AyanaJourneys.com explores Cambodia’s sacred Buddhist sites. n Evergreen Escapes at Evergreen EscapesIntl.com specializes in unforgettable locales tailored to the traveler’s inner calling. n “The Travelers” podcast via Holocene.io/travelers features stories and advice from 200-plus changemakers on topics ranging from creativity, fear and gratitude to travel-related careers. n Muddy Shoe Adventures at MuddyShoeAdventures.com offers small-group trips that challenge participants with combinations of physical activities and cultural experiences. n OuterTravelsInnerJourneys.com connects people through shared spiritual adventures like mind-body healing and immersion in nature. n Phil Cousineau (PhilCousineau.net) hosts writer’s retreats, literary tours and pilgrimages to historic sacred sites. n Responsible Travel at Responsible Travel.com offers socially and environmentally conscious tours to all seven continents, including small-ship cruises to more authentic, lesserknown ports of call. n Transformational Travel Council’s website Transformational.travel conveys uplifting stories, a travelers’ forum and other tools for changeseekers. n World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (wwoof.net) links volunteers with organic farmers to help build a sustainable global community.

When you give while traveling, you often get back even more, says Cousineau. “A pilgrim never travels empty-handed. Bring gifts; even postcards from home can make a meaningful connection.” He recently brought baseball equipment along on a group tour he led to give to kids in baseball-crazed Cuba. Giving appreciation is as important as tangible mementos, he notes. “Gratitude makes transformation possible; that’s what modern people are longing for, to be touched.” Boyle suggests that finding ways to give back can unlock unique opportunities. Quinn Vanderberg and Jonathon Button, guests on Boyle’s podcast, left stable lives and jobs in California for Nicaragua in 2012 with only their travel bags and a shared dream. Brainstorming a vision for a new life together, the 25-year-old pair had realized, “We wanted life to be filled with travel, culture and people, and to make an impact along the way,” says Vanderburg. “We went knowing we wanted to create a social venture, but first wanted to see what was really needed by the community.” They went on to partner with local educational nonprofits and artisans to launch Life Out of the Box, a line of

clothing and accessories modeled after Toms’ “Buy one, give one” business model. For every product sold, the entrepreneurs donate school supplies to a child in need. Since 2012, the project has expanded to also support kids in Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico and Morocco.

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Lasting Travel Gifts

Drive Home Transformation

Starting with a moment of reflection before departing a place, take advantage of a trip’s afterglow to recall insights learned, gel memories, share insights and move to make changes stick. Haupert sees this as a good time to develop an action plan to “express gratitude for the journey and create a framework for your homecoming.” Then, take a day to reflect upon returning home before jumping back into work or other obligations, internalizing your experience and integrating your “traveler self” back into normalcy. It might involve a trip to the spa, an afternoon of journaling or organizing trip photos, suggests Haupert. “Resist the urge to check emails the minute the plane touches down or start planning the next trip. Take time to remember the journey and see your home turf with fresh eyes,” adds Cousineau.

Close Encounters Eager for a transformative adventure without traveling afar? Here are some ideas for exploring cultures and connecting with others closer to home. 4 Attend festivals celebrating varied cultures in your local community. Every spring in Washington, D.C., embassies showcase the cuisine, art and history of 70 countries. Frackville, Pennsylvania’s 103-year-old Lithuanian Days is the oldest ethnic festival in the country. 4 Host a traveling cyclist and hear tales from the trails via WarmShowers.org, a hospitality exchange for 90,000 touring cyclists and hosts. 4 Take advantage of local, state and national parks, including 88 ocean and coastal parks within the National Park Service (nps.gov). Along with wilderness sites, the service also stewards important cultural heritage sites nationwide. 4 Find a spiritual retreat center at RetreatFinder.com. 4 Overnight on an organic farm. Visit FarmStayUS.com to sample what’s in season in the region. 4 Meet and host individual travelers via CouchSurfing.com, a network of 11 million globetrotters in 150,000 cities.

Adventure travelers named transformation and an expanded worldview as top motives for their explorations. ~Adventure Travel Trade Association The returned pilgrim has a responsibility to memorialize the journey, an ancient tradition of Judeo-Christian and Islamic faiths, advises Cousineau. The San Francisco writer traveled with a group on foot from Louisville, Kentucky, to Thomas Merton’s Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, near Bardstown, Kentucky, to celebrate the legacy of Merton and Mahatma Gandhi. One of the women inked a footprint from each of 100-plus travelers, sewing them into a quilt to commemorate the pilgrimage. Chronicling the journey can be as simple as a dinner party with friends to share what we have learned, says Cousineau, but suggests that travelers engage attendees to also contribute their own stories and reflections. “We have a choice upon returning; do nothing and just let that experience fade or own it for ourselves,” concurs Boyle. “It’s incumbent to extract the meaning of our experiences and find a way to express them, whether through a photo series, article, painting or video. The traveler’s ‘third act’ of creativity after preparation and execution is how we process change.” Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, in Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

natural awakenings

October 2017

BUILDING BETTER BONES Bouncing, Leaping and Lunging Our Way to Bone Health by Kathleen Barnes

Success in the quest for stronger bones is possible at any age.

NaturallyWestMI

Start and Stay Young

“Peak bone strength is reached by the age of 30, so it’s vital for young people to engage in dynamic impact movement through their teen years and 20s,” says Sherri Betz, chair of the American Physical Therapy Association bone health group, a doctor of physical therapy and geriatric-certified specialist with a private practice in Santa Cruz, California. Engaging in sports during our youthful developing years helps build strong, wide and dense bones that will carry us well into old age, literally giving us a firmer base to stand on. It’s paramount to encourage children and young people to be physically active and for us all to continue with athletic activities throughout adulthood to preserve the bone health peak we reach at age 30.

Optimal Bone Exercises

“Adulthood is a perfectly good time to start building and improving bone fitness and health. The outcome is just a little bit less,” says Steven A. Hawkins, Ph.D., a professor of exercise science at California Lutheran University, in Thousand Oaks. 18

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“Bone responds to exercise much like muscle,” explains Larry Tucker, Ph.D., professor of exercise sciences at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah. “Bone doesn’t grow, per se, but like muscle, it does get denser and stronger according to the stresses and strains put on it.” “The key is to put a heavy load on bones to stimulate them to grow,” Hawkins notes. Standing exercises are recommended, because the bones most likely to benefit from strengthening exercise are 30 targeted leg and hip bones, says Tucker. “Surprising the bone is your best bet,” points out Betz. “Don’t do the same things over and over again at the same time, either repetitive exercises like running or weight lifting or consistent combinations; even high-intensity exercise can diminish the effects.” The most highly recommended exercises involve those that require changing directions, bouncing and leaping—from basketball to lively dances, and even some intense yoga postures. Hopping and jumping are probably the best way to strengthen bones, but must be done in the proper way, according to Tucker and others. Research by Tucker’s team pub-

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fitbody

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lished in the American Journal of Health Promotion studied the effects of jumping on hip bone density in premenopausal women. It may seem counterintuitive, but Tucker reports that most benefits are gained from jumping as high as possible, resting 30 seconds and repeating up to 10 times twice a day in intervals at least eight hours apart. “If you jump continuously, the exercise loses effectiveness pretty quickly,” he says. Those that enjoy circuit training should do something else during the 30-second rests between repetitions, Tucker advises. Because it’s the jolt of jumping that stimulates bone strength, using a mini-trampoline or another cushioning device to lessen impact on the body won’t increase bone density. Betz cautions against starting a jumping program too quickly. “Proper alignment, balance and body awareness come first,” she says. “Do 20 to 25 heel raises in a row, a full squat with good alignment and a full lunge to ready the body for a jumping program.” Such strengthening safeguards against falling and injury.

Walking Isn’t It

Walking, running, weight training and other repetitive exercises don’t improve bone density, says Hawkins. “Walk and do other repetitive exercises for cardiovascular health and general fitness. While these might help maintain current bone strength, they won’t improve bone density.” Walking reduced the risk of hip fracture by 41

Yoga for Bones Yoga doesn’t involve bouncing or jumping for the most part, but it can be helpful in maintaining strong bones, says Sherri Betz, a Santa Cruz, California, physical therapist and Pilates and yoga instructor. “Poses, including the tree, chair, warrior, triangle, half moon and sun salute, need to be as dynamic as possible and focus on leg strengthening and spine extension.

percent for postmenopausal women walking four hours a week, with fewer falls due to improved strength, balance and other factors per the Journal of the American Medical Association. Numerous studies confirm that exercise of any kind keeps us healthy, but for bone health, the answer is to start weight-bearing exercises early and sustain the practice for a lifetime.

~Carol Burnett

Kathleen Barnes is a health writer and author of The Calcium Lie II: What Your Doctor Still Doesn’t Know, with Dr. Robert Thompson. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

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The most common way of testing bone density is a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan. The result is called a T-score and is one case where a zero is perfect. A score of +1.0 to -1.0 is considered normal. A score between -1.0 and -2.5 is considered osteopenia, or weakened bones. A score lower than -2.5 indicates some level of osteoporosis.

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Choosing a Chiropractor How to Find the Best One by Marlaina Donato

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hiropractic medicine is known for its non-surgical approach to chronic pain and other musculoskeletal conditions, but also has much more to offer. However, finding the right doctor can be as daunting as shopping for a comfortable pair of shoes. Here, three reputable practitioners talk about securing individualized care and getting the most out of chiropractic.

Address Specific Needs

Clarifying the desired outcome is helpful, because some clients are just looking for a quick fix to reduce pain, while others may be seeking overall better health, lasting wellness and an improved quality of life. “Due to insurance issues, we’ve become known as pain doctors, but that’s not the full extent of chiropractic,” explains Dr. Michelle Robin, owner of Your Wellness Connection and the educational DrMichelleRobin.com website, in Shawnee, Kansas. “Also, you can see more than one chiropractor, as each has their own strength.” Dr. Michael Aho, of Crosstown Chiropractic, in Chicago, agrees. “Chiropractic care encompasses many 20

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styles, so one of the biggest variables is the type of treatment the doctor uses. Most offices commonly treat neck, mid-back and low back pain. If you have a specific shoulder, knee or foot problem, you may want to find a doctor that frequently treats those issues. If you are pregnant, choose a chiropractor that has experience working with pregnant women.” “There are more than 140 different chiropractic techniques. Some are light touch, while others are aggressive. Some are hands-on and some use instruments for adjusting. It’s important that the doctor’s approach resonates with your nature,” advises Dr. Jackie St.Cyr of the Innate Chiropractic Healing Arts Center, in Houston. Robin advises that sitting in a doctor’s reception room to just observe and trusting our intuition is helpful before moving forward with a consultation.

Ask Questions

First, find out if a chiropractor has embraced either a conventional medical or holistic model, and then delve more deeply to find the right approach and level of care. “Ask how long a doctor

has practiced and their governing philosophy. Do they treat the full spine or focus on the point of pain, and what range of techniques do they apply? You want them to know your spine before they adjust it; make sure they conduct a new patient exam,” suggests St.Cyr. An exam may include a thermography scan and X-rays. Helpful questions include what to expect during the initial visit, recommended frequency of treatment, the desired doctor’s office hours and how treatment might benefit a particular condition. Because most chiropractic offices offer compatible treatments, also ask about complementary modalities such as acupuncture, massage therapy, heat therapy, and interferential current therapy using minute electrical pulses for deep tissue pain relief.

Be Consistent

“You shouldn’t expect instant results,” says Aho. “You’ll benefit the most if you don’t wait too long after first experiencing symptoms of a problem before starting treatment, and are consistent with your treatment.” Being proactive can foster good results. St.Cyr concurs, stating, “When patients follow their chiropractor’s recommended routine of regular corrective care, they get the best results. Be consistent with visits and do your customized spinal exercises; they’ve been proven to work.” Robin expounds that not following through with homecare is a common pitfall for patients. “Like dental care, you always need to do something for your spine every day, be it stretching, other exercise or good nutrition.” She notes that everyone’s response to chiropractic is different. “Be realistic. If you’ve experienced injuries or accidents, it will take longer, and your healing might look different from that of someone else that is free of injuries and follows a healthier diet. Sometimes people give up on chiropractic instead of finding a chiropractor that is good for them. You wouldn’t give up going to the dentist, and the same should apply to chiropractic care.”

Graston Technique – Instrument-assisted, soft tissue mobilization helps reduce scar tissue and persistent pain from acute and old injuries, as well as resolve longstanding trigger points in muscles and joints. It promotes circulation in affected areas to reduce pain and inflammation. It also may allay nonsystemic causes of fibromyalgia.

Directional NonForce Technique – This gentle method stimulates reflex reactions to determine potential discrepancy in leg lengths and corrective measures. It improves structural alignment and function and aids natural healing responses.

Network Spinal Analysis (network chiropractic) – This low-force technique addresses the entire body to improve communication between the brain and nerves via points along the spine and is suited to all ages.

Flexion-Distraction (Cox Method) – Mechanical and hands-on adjustment aids in stretching of the back. This method is especially beneficial for degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, neck and back pain and restricted spinal joints.

Somato Respiratory Integration – Special exercises leverage the body-breath connection to assist stress management, tension release and whole body awareness. It employs focus, breath work, touch and movement. Compatible with other treatments, it can also be done at home.

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Marlaina Donato is a freelance writer, author and multimedia artist. Connect at MarlainaDonato.com. natural awakenings

October 2017

Kinesiology – This common diagnostic technique—often for sports-related injuries—targets specific muscle groups via massage and pressure points to gauge overall body functioning. Logan Basic Technique – A low-force way to realign bones via gentle, sustained pressure at the base of the spine, it’s considered beneficial for headaches, including migraine, neck and low back pain and stress. A safe form of physical rehabilitation that’s considered effective for all ages.

Chiropractic Techniques Sampler Activator Method – A small, handheld instrument is used to gently address targeted areas for many conditions, especially low back pain and specific types of headaches including migraine. It’s considered safe for children and patients with severe arthritis and osteoporosis. Active Release Technique – This approach is used for soft tissue conditions, both acute and from repetitive motion, or recurring injuries such as those experienced by athletes. It targets adhesions in muscles and connective tissues that tighten around nerves to limit joint mobility. Atlas Orthogonal Method – Adjustment of the atlas—the first spine vertebra that supports the skull and provides a path for the spinal cord—helps reduce stress in the brain stem and nervous system. Blair Technique – Adjustment of the upper cervical (neck) area, especially the first two vertebrae, is especially beneficial for nerve function. Directional Non-Force Technique – This gentle method stimulates reflex reactions to determine potential discrepancy in leg lengths and corrective measures. It improves structural alignment and function and aids natural healing responses. Diversified Technique – Widely used among chiropractors to generally improve neurological function, reduce neck, back and leg pain, especially from 22

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herniated disks, this technique may also be helpful for carpal tunnel syndrome. Extremity Manipulation FlexionDistraction – This involves manipulation of the extremities (arm/shoulder, leg/hip). It helps improve joint mobility and reduce stress along the spine and is especially useful for carpal tunnel syndrome and problems with posture and gait. Flexion-Distraction (Cox Method) – Mechanical and hands-on adjustment aids in stretching of the back. This method is especially beneficial for degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, neck and back pain and restricted spinal joints. Gonstead Technique – The most recognizable form of chiropractic manipulation and similar to Diversified Technique, this approach addresses misalignment and involves variable-pressure spine adjustment and realignment. It includes X-ray analysis to pinpoint problem areas and is deemed safe for children, pregnant women and the elderly. Graston Technique – Instrumentassisted, soft tissue mobilization helps reduce scar tissue and persistent pain from acute and old injuries, as well as resolve longstanding trigger points in muscles and joints. It promotes circulation in affected areas to reduce pain and inflammation. It also may allay non-systemic causes of fibromyalgia.

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Myofascial Technique – This soft tissue therapy resolves trigger points deep within muscles and joints. Beneficial for muscle spasms, it’s thought to be useful for sciatica and piriformis syndrome. It’s also used by massage therapists. Network Spinal Analysis (network chiropractic) – This low-force technique addresses the entire body to improve communication between the brain and nerves via points along the spine and is suited to all ages. Pettibon System – Based on a total body assessment, both structural and nutritional, this system focuses on posture correction and spinal alignment, diet and muscle development. Sacro-Occipital Technique – Focused on the relationship between the bases of the spine and skull, it employs triangular-shaped blocks under the pelvis to target lower back issues; low-force adjustments include slow pressure to address issues related to the skull. It is considered especially beneficial for hiatal hernia and gastro-esophageal reflux. Somato Respiratory Integration – Special exercises leverage the body-breath connection to assist stress management, tension release and whole body awareness. It employs focus, breath work, touch and movement. Compatible with other treatments, it can also be done at home. Thompson Drop Technique – Employed via a “drop table” and thrust of the chiropractor’s hands. It can help determine discrepancies in leg lengths. Benefits include improved posture, flexibility and sleep, and decreased pain.

QandA

with Dr. Michael Greger for Natural Awakenings

ichael Greger, MD, is a licensed general practitioner specializing in clinical nutrition, as well as an internationally recognized professional speaker on many public health issues, including nutrition, food safety, and public health. A founding member and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Greger also serves as the Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at The Humane Society of the United States. In 2011, He launched NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit, science-based public service that provides free daily videos and articles on the latest in nutrition research. An instant New York Times bestseller, his latest book How Not to Die (2015) examines the top 15 causes of premature death in America (such as heart disease and diabetes) and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches in helping us live longer, healthier lives. Why is it so hard for people to change their eating habits, even when the science is there to support the change? Great question! Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said “It is easier to change a man’s religion than to change his diet.” (I presume she meant to include women in this statement, too.) Intellectually, we often know what the science says is best for us: healthy eating, exercise, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. However, food is more than an intellectual idea; how we eat is deeply dependent on our culture, and how our friends, family, and colleagues eat. If you look at the five areas on the globe (called the Blue Zones), where the

longest-lived people in the world live, you will notice that they not only eat a predominantly whole food plant-based diet (WFPBD), but they also live in communities that support each other’s healthy habits. So sometimes without social support, eating a plant-based diet in an animal-eating culture can be isolating. That’s why I encourage new plant-eaters to find a community of people to start on this adventure together. I also recommend going to local WFPB events to find new sources of inspiration and support. What do you tell people who are skeptical that heart disease can be reversed in most patients without drugs and surgery? Inherent in being a good scientist is also a healthy sense of skepticism. So I certainly welcome skepticism in all forms. However, in the case of heart disease, the science is quite clear. A WFPBD is the only diet that’s ever been proven to prevent, arrest, and even reverse heart disease in the majority of patients. I’ve made several NutritionFacts.org videos about heart disease. All my videos include my primary sources, including Dr. Dean Ornish’s landmark heart trial published in The Lancet in 1990. This was the study that finally clobbered me over the head and made me realize that the hamburger I was holding in my hand probably wasn’t going to help me live a long healthy life. This study should have been front page news, but apparently the most solid science wasn’t sexy enough for the popular press. How do you support and influence medical students in learning about the power of food? Well, I’ll answer this in two parts. First

of all, I continue to speak at medical schools and medical conferences. There are even a number of medical conferences dedicated to whole food plantbased nutrition now. Two that I present at almost every year in the US are the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and the International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare conference. Additionally several medical schools and allied health programs have started including my evidence-based book about food as medicine (How Not to Die) in their curricula. The second part of my answer is that thanks to the advent of the internet and the democratization of readily available peer-reviewed evidence-based nutrition research, now patients are frequently teaching their doctors about the power of a WFPBD. In fact, many of the plant-based docs I meet these days tell me that it was a patient who reversed or improved a common disease, (such as Type 2 Diabetes by adopting a WFPBD) that helped the doc to see the power of food. So in that way, NutritionFacts.org offers a free resource that patients can share with their healthcare providers, to help update everyone on the latest in nutrition science. Greger is a presenter on this year’s Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise from Feb. 15–25, 2018. For more information, call 800.496.0989, email Info@HolisticHolidayAtSea.com or visit HolisticHolidayAtSea.com. See ad page X

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Fermented Foods Revival Rediscover Probiotic-Rich Foods by Judith Fertig

Colorful jars of fermented Korean kimchee, Indian chutney, German sauerkraut and bottles of kombucha line many grocery store shelves today. We’re in the midst of a fermented food revival.

Grassroots Groundswell

“I grew up in New York City as the grandson of immigrants from Belarus, and sauerkraut and pickles were common foods I always loved, but neither my grandparents nor anyone else I knew made them,” says Sandor Katz. This Woodbury, Tennessee, writer who travels the world giving related workshops is credited with bringing fermented foods back into the limelight. He explains, “I am self-taught and learned to ferment by experimentation. It was that first successful batch of sauerkraut that sparked my obsession. I also love eating cheese, beer, chocolate, coffee, yogurt and many other products of fermentation.” Kirsten and Christopher Shockey, the authors of Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64

Vegetables & Herbs in Krauts, Kimchis, Brined Pickles, Chutneys, Relishes & Pastes, homestead in Oregon’s Jackson Valley. “A fateful Christmas gift—a ceramic crock full of bubbling, fermenting cabbage under the tree, funky fermenty smell and all,” first piqued their interest, Kirsten recalls. “Eventually, we started our own small farmstead fermentation company.” Christopher explains that the combination of salt and shredded or chopped vegetables can launch the production of probiotic lactic acid bacteria that preserves the food and drives off “bad bacteria”. Jennifer McGruther, who lives in the Pacific Northwest, is the author of The Nourished Kitchen cookbook, an offshoot of her blog of the same name. Her first batch of fermented food was yogurt. Now she visits her local farm-

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. 24

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ers’ market every Saturday before spending Sunday prepping foods for the rest of the week. “Traditional foods like fermented vegetables, yogurt or kombucha don’t take long to prepare; they take time to culture, but it’s so rewarding,” she says.

How Much Is Enough?

Fermented foods offer a variety of positive effects on health. “If you’re consuming a diet rich in fermented foods, you’re essentially bathing your GI tract in healthy, food-related organisms,” says food research scientist Robert Hutkins, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Fermented foods with live probiotics can also improve brain function, according to a study in the journal Gastroenterology. Fermented foods are meant to be eaten as condiments, not consumed in large quantities. Overdoing such

intake might cause bloating, cramping and other digestion problems. Dr. Leonard Smith, a gastrointestinal and vascular surgeon and medical advisor for the University of Miami Department of Integrative Medicine, recommends “a half-cup of cultured vegetables or two ounces of your favorite probiotic liquid per day to start.” He says it’s possible to eventually work up to having a serving of cultured vegetables and probiotic liquids at every meal, or possibly as a between-meal snack. Christopher Shockey adds, “We don’t see these foods as a ‘medicine’ to be eaten daily because you have to force yourself; instead, we see it as a fun, delicious, easy, healthful addition to mealtime.”

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Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

A Few Fermented Recipes to Start

by Judith Fertig

“

ermented foods are well known for building gut health. Now a growing body of research shows that they improve immunity, brain and heart functions,” says Michelle Schoffro Cook, Ph.D. The board-certified doctor of natural medicine, certified herbalist and author blogs from Vancouver, Canada. Get started with these simple, plant-based recipes from her latest book, The Cultured Cook: Delicious Fermented Foods with Probiotics to Knock Out Inflammation, Boost Gut Health, Lose Weight & Extend Your Life.

Salvadoran Salsa Yields: about 1 quart This gingery and spicy salsa, also known as curtido, is a traditional Salvadoran food. The twist here is added turmeric and green apple. Serve on its own, as a condiment with chips, on sausages or over salad. Maybe mix a couple of heaping spoonfuls with

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Ready to feel like yourself Ready again? to feel like yourself again? & Time to Try Acupuncture Its Massage time to try Acupuncture & Massage freshly mashed avocado for a fresh take on guacamole. ½ green cabbage 1 to 2 carrots 1 green apple, cored and quartered One 2-inch piece fresh ginger ½ cayenne chili ½ small purple or red onion One 2-inch piece fresh turmeric 3 Tbsp unrefined fine or 6 Tbsp unrefined coarse sea salt 1 quart (or liter) filtered water

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Use a food processor with a coarse grating blade to shred the cabbage, carrots, apple, ginger, chili, onion and turmeric. (Consider wearing food-safe gloves to avoid touching the chili.) Transfer to a crock or a large glass or ceramic bowl, and mix well. In a pitcher or large measuring cup, dissolve the salt in the water, stirring if necessary to dissolve the salt. Pour the saltwater over the salsa mixture until all ingredients are submerged, leaving a couple of inches at the top for expansion. Place a snug-fitting plate inside the crock or bowl over the salsa-water mixture; then weigh it down with food-safe weights or a bowl or jar of water, so the vegetables remain submerged under the brine as they ferment. Cover with a lid or a cloth, and allow it to ferment five to seven days, checking periodically to ensure the salsa is still submerged below the water line. If any mold forms on the surface, simply scoop it out. It won’t spoil the salsa unless it gets deeper inside the crock. (It may form where the mixture meets the air, but it rarely forms deeper.) After one week, put the salsa in jars or a bowl, cover and place in the fridge, where it usually lasts up to a year.

Vegan Kefir Yields: about 1 quart Traditional kefir is made with cow’s milk, but can be made with plantbased milks like cashew, almond, sunflower seed or coconut. The sweetener feeds the kefir microbes, leaving minimal sugar in the end product. The grains will grow over time; only about one tablespoon of kefir grains is needed to keep the kefir going; remove the extras to eat, give to friends or add to compost. 1 quart (or liter) filtered water ½ cup raw, unsalted cashews 1 tsp coconut sugar, pure maple syrup or agave nectar 1 Tbsp kefir grains (a natural starter, available at health food stores and online) Mandarin sections for garnish (optional)

Leave the jar at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours, gently shaking it periodically.

Use a blender to blend the water, cashews and coconut sugar (or maple syrup or agave nectar) until it’s smooth and creamy.

The cashew milk will become somewhat bubbly, then will begin to coagulate and separate; shake it to remix the kefir or scoop out the thicker curds and use them like soft cheese or sour cream.

Pour the cashew milk into a 1½- to 2-quart glass jar, making sure it is less than two-thirds full. Add the kefir grains, stir and then place the cap on the jar.

Refrigerate up to one week. When ready to serve, pour the kefir into a glass and garnish the rim with mandarin orange sections, if desired.

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Fermented Chopped Salad Yields: about 6 cups Unlike other salads, this version stores for many months in the fridge. Serve on its own or toss it in vinaigrette and serve over brown rice for a quick and nutritious rice bowl dinner. 1 radish, finely chopped ½ small onion, finely chopped 1 turnip, chopped into ½-inch chunks 1 carrot, chopped into ½-inch chunks 3 small apples, chopped into ½-inch chunks Handful of green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths 1 rutabaga, chopped into ½-inch chunks 1 to 2 grape leaves, kale leaves or other large leafy greens (optional) 3 Tbsp unrefined fine or 6 Tbsp unrefined coarse sea salt 1 quart (or liter) filtered water In a medium bowl, mix the radish, onion, turnip, carrot, apples, green beans and rutabaga; then transfer to a small crock. Place the grape leaves or other leafy greens on top of the chopped ingredients to help hold them under the brine; then weigh the mix down with foodsafe weights or a jar or bowl of water.

In a pitcher or large measuring cup, dissolve the salt in the water, stirring if necessary to dissolve the salt. Pour the brine over the salad, cover with a lid or cloth, and let ferment for one week. Remove the covering, weights and grape leaves or other leafy greens. Dish out into jars or a bowl, cover and refrigerate, where the salad should last six to 12 months. Recipes and photos are courtesy of Michelle Schoffro Cook and New World Library; visit DrMichelleCook.com.

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Nature Photographer Robert Llewellyn on

MOVING FROM LOOKING TO SEEING by April Thompson

or the past 40 years, Robert Llewellyn has photographed thousands of unique beauties— many of them trees, flowers, seeds and other landscape elements. “For a photographer, anything can be a

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Remarkable Trees of Virginia, published in 2008, the pair drove 20,000 miles in four years observing and capturing the complex lives of 100 notable trees. It was on this assignment that the Earlysville, Virginia, photographer developed his now-signature technique, subsequently used to illustrate one of their follow-up books, Seeing Trees. “I wanted to photograph small parts—leaves, fruit, bark and flowers— so I would cut off a bloom, twig or seed pod and put it on a light table and take hundreds of photos, which, strung together, were infinitely sharp, like a botanic drawing. I found I could zoom into my subject up to a pollen grain this way.” Llewellyn lives with his wife on a 60-acre farm in tree-studded Albemarle County, enjoying 200-year-old oaks outside their front door. His latest of nearly 40 books, The Living Forest, is due out in October.

Why are trees, to your eyes, so captivating?

When I first started photographing trees, I thought of them as objects in the design of a photograph, rather than

something that’s alive. When I began to look at a tree’s acorns, flowers and pollen, I realized that this tree is doing what we do: it’s born, grows, has offspring and dies; it seeks air, nutrients and light. Trees all have a fascinating master plan for survival and reproduction. Some trees can build an architectural structure that grows 150 feet high and can withstand 100-mile-an-hour winds.

How do you suggest that a newbie tree-watcher start learning how to see trees more intimately? Read a book like Seeing Trees, then get up, go out and observe trees in real time, at different times of the year and track what they do. Take pencil and paper and draw them, or take pictures. Start by exploring trees in your backyard or a nearby park. Share a quality magnifying glass to encourage youngsters to get closer to the trees, too. Challenge them to find flowers, fruit or spots where last year’s leaves fell off. Kids love that. I visit schools and have kids go out and collect fallen tree debris that we look at together.

What makes some of your favorite trees so distinctive? Red maples make an early entrance in spring, their flowers appearing before the leaves, and drop their “helicopter” seeds in spring to germinate before anything can eat them. In spring, an entire hill will turn red with these maples, but it’s not their leaves; it’s the trees’ flowers, getting ready to drop their showy red dresses on the ground before anything else is blooming. You can learn a lot about trees by seeing what’s on the ground through their life cycles. Sycamore, for example, has both male and female flowers. The female flowers develop into fruiting seedpods that dry out and hang on through winter until a spring wind blows them apart.

Rather than seeing trees as dead in winter, what can we look for? Trees are very much alive in winter. When leaves fall off, they leave behind little pointed leaf buds. You can cut them open and find tiny green leaves encap-

sulated which remain unfrozen, waiting to open up in the spring. Twigs in winter show leaf scars where the leaves dropped. We can also witness the diverse life in and on trees in all seasons. That includes bugs, plants, fungi and parasites, in addition to the animals that nest in them and eat their fruits and nuts. I once found a round ball on an oak tree that turned out to be a wasp gall for its offspring, its larvae hanging in the middle.

How are tree-viewing skills transferrable to other aspects of our lives? The skill of observation is vital: moving from looking to seeing. At a party, you can just mindlessly chatter with people or you can really see them—what their bodies, gestures and emotions are communicating. Labels and names get in the way of seeing things as they are. Stop labeling things or worrying about what they are called; as in meditation, just relax into observing, to embrace things as they are. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, in Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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SOUL SHINE

ur deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. From A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson.

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These are tools kids can rely on for the rest of their lives, and use them to get back to their center.

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~Ali Smith

School Om Work

Kids Calm Themselves with Meditation by April Thompson

choolchildren are learning the calming effect of tuning into their minds and bodies through a pioneering program in Baltimore, Maryland, that’s replacing time outs and school detentions with mindful moments. Trained staff—including many former students—teach yoga, mindfulness practices, meditation, centering and breath work that empower kids to resolve conflicts peacefully. Brothers Atman and Ali Smith and friend Andres Gonzalez founded the nonprofit Holistic Life Foundation (HLF) in 2001 in response to the pressing need to help kids living in challenging urban environments better manage stress, anger and other heightened emotions. Today, the organization is sowing the seeds of mindfulness with some 7,500 students a week across 18 Baltimore-area schools, usually beginning through daylong, school-wide interventions and afterschool programs supporting targeted populations. Frustrated kids cool off and center themselves through breathing exercises and meditation in the Mindful Moment Room in the HLF flagship Robert W. Coleman Elementary 32

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School. “Sometimes when I get mad, I just breathe deep. I picture being in a certain place I like and I just stop being mad… I think of being a bigger person and doing something maybe a wise man would do,” advises one fifth-grade participant. “When we had to take a big test, before I took it and in the middle, I took deep breaths to stay calm and finish the test. When everybody around you is making a lot of noises, you just try to tune them out and be yourself, do your breathing,” says another fifth-grader. The training starts with educators learning mindfulness techniques both to help their students and also manage their own stress in the classroom. “The program was a fantastic experience,” says Lori Gustovson, a teacher at Baltimore’s Lincoln Elementary School. “We integrated the exercises into our daily schedules, helping many students and teachers focus their attention and regulate emotions such as anxiety, anger and frustration. We are a better school because of the time they spent in our classrooms teaching us the beauty of paying attention to breath, movement and each other,” she observes.

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Participating schools have reported fewer fights, better attendance and higher grades, among other benefits, according to Ali Smith, all results backed by independent research. Recent studies in schools from San Francisco to Columbus, Ohio, have shown that teaching kids mindfulness practices can heighten attentiveness, self-control and empathy, while reducing stress, hyperactivity and depression, and improving academic performance. The kids also apply their newfound skills at home. “To take ownership of the practice and understand the benefits, you have to know how to explain it, so we use a reciprocal teaching model,” says Ali. “We teach the kids to say, ‘Mom, Dad, you look stressed; can you take a breather with me?’” Martin, a Lincoln Elementary student, was pleased to report, “I went to my house and taught my mom how to do all the things you guys taught us.” Virginia, another student, noted, “This morning I got mad at my dad, but then I remembered to breathe, and then I didn’t shout.” Other schools are following suit. Mindful Schools began in 2007 as a single-school program in Oakland, California, and then expanded to support online and in-person courses and a network of mindful educators spanning all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The David Lynch Foundation funds efforts to bring transcendental meditation to underserved kids in classrooms like the Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School, in Queens, New York; Wilson High School, in Portland, Oregon; and Wayzata West Middle School, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, among others. Find easy instruction at Tinyurl.com/ MindfulnessStarterLesson. Connect with freelance writer April Thompson, in Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.

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October 2017

Provide food and drink. Traditional societies have always taken hospitality seriously. Having people bring items to add to the collective feast is better than catering.

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Ceremony, ritual and the sacred. Deep in our collective human memory lie countless spring and harvest festivals, ceremonial or religious events, meals and celebrations that included a strong sense of passage, initiation and the sacredness of all life. Use one as a springboard to add meaning to a contemporary gathering.

6 Creating Community 15 Ways to Craft a Circle of Caring by Linda Buzzell

n facing up to today’s often degrading environmental, economic, political, social and hyper-individualistic cultural conditions, we instinctively know that survival requires coming together to effect constructive change. Here are proven approaches to community building that work.

Build a campfire. Whether literal or metaphoric, create a clear, focused attraction that draws people into a circle.

Connect with nature and the seasons. Tying gatherings into what’s happening seasonally with all life forms is a traditionally effective way of fostering community.

Welcome each person. Either designate greeters or go around the circle welcoming and acknowledging each participant before proceeding with the event’s main activity. People that feel seen and known are more likely to stay involved.

Collective problem solving. People bond into a community when they participate in solving a real-world community problem, helping someone in need or addressing a situation that demands a community solution. Consider using Robert’s Rules of Order or other guidelines for discussions that maintain civility, discourage competitiveness and peacefully resolve conflicts in order to reach consensus.

Storytelling. Humans learn best when seeing and hearing stories. Facts don’t arouse us as much as narratives and full-body experiences do. Bombarding people with facts won’t create desired change. We must be inspired to act on the knowledge.

Elders. Shared history, respect and affection are vital to belonging. Adults coping with a high-stress, industrialized culture might tend to find elders’ stories slow-moving and boring, but they are a critical resource for our collective survival. Beware of the “star from afar” syndrome that posits outsiders as ex-

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perts, rather than honoring and developing our own community resources, which won’t disappear at the end of an event.

Gifts and sharing. As we focus on creating a sharing society versus a gimme culture, it’s nice to give small gifts such as a plant or garden flower, organic seeds or regifted items to event attendees. It’s a simple way to help everyone feel valued, appreciated and welcomed. The key is keeping events local, simple and created by the community for the community. Many hands make light work, and some of the best community events cost the host little, while everyone involved brings their own chair or blanket, serving ware and potluck dish.

Shopping. People have been bonding through meeting others in the marketplace since ancient times. Sales or silent auctions are popular when the money paid becomes a gift to the community.

11 12

A little excitement. Raffles and door prizes add fun as long as any money raised goes into the common coffers as a gift to all. Child care. Children provide a necessary source of untamed energy and entertainment for any gathering. Multigenerational exchanges also help form and shape them through exposure to role

models and life education, even if they might not feel engaged at the time.

Transportation. Facilitating carpools and providing transportation for those without cars or unable to walk builds community even before the event starts.

14 15

Dance and body movement. Modern society makes us sit a lot. Physical action connects us in a way nothing else can. Beauty and music. Our eyes and ears are portals to the soul and spirit of the human psyche. Even a simple drum can bond individuals into a coherent group. Community singing can be powerful medicine, as places of worship ever

demonstrate. A simple flower on the table or painting on the wall brings powerful archetypal energies to bear as we come together. An outdoor meeting brings nature’s magnificence to our senses, adding extraordinary power to events. The bottom line is that any community gathering, organization or event that engages body, mind and spirit has a far greater chance of surviving and thriving. Linda Buzzell is a psychotherapist, ecotherapist, blogger and co-editor of Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind. She co-founded a local permaculture guild, and a voluntary simplicity circle which met for 10 years in her local community. Connect at EcotherapyHeals.com.

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October 2017

At St. Augustine Health Ministries, in Cleveland, the furry receptionist is Oreo. This black-and-white stray claimed the job by installing herself at the front desk to welcome guests and visit with residents that miss having their own pet.

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ome cats started their careers in barns with minimal job opportunities. With updated skills, they now boost office morale, encourage reading, promote products and provide therapy. Community cats even work in private security.

West Michigan Edition

In the Office Millennials, now comprising a third of this country’s stressed-out labor force, according to the Pew Research Center and American Psychological Association, are among those that can benefit from having a cat around. Lowered blood pressure is one result, according to research by psychologist Karen Allen, Ph.D., conducted at the University at Buffalo. Even when comfort breaks are hard to schedule, insistent cats cannot be ignored. “Pompous Albert, a rejected show cat, works at SafeWise, in Salt Lake City,” relates Sage Singleton, who handles Albert’s Instagram account. “He boosts morale, reduces stress and provides entertainment.” Carlos, a former rescue kitten, greets employees at PetNovations, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, each morning. He’s the star of the corporate Instagram account and blog, and promotes the company’s eco-friendly Cat Genie litterless cat box. Smith’s Ace Hardware and Housewares, in Princeton, New Jersey, has Dusty patrol its 18,000-square-foot facility, often escorting customers along the aisles.

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At the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco, Duke Ellington Morris visits with patients while nurses check vital signs; he’s part of an animalassisted therapy program through the city’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. With the help of his humans, Jessica and Eric Hagan, of Pennsylvania’s Wolf Creek Township, Draven was certified through a local Love on a Leash chapter that qualifies pet-provided therapy animals. He showed My Cat From Hell host Jackson Galaxy his hospital routine for a segment called “My Cat From Heaven.” Draven regularly visits the Grove City Medical Center, in Pine Township, local nursing homes and service groups.

Literacy Aids “At 18, Cleo, my small, gray cat, retired from therapy visits and missed the attention,” says Michelle Cardosi, a retail clerk in Silt, Colorado. “Kids reading to her at the school library provided a solution that satisfied everyone.” In 2010, the public library in White Settlement, Texas, adopted Browser to remedy a rodent problem. Five years later, the city council cited pending renovations and a potential impact on allergies in backing a motion to oust Browser. Supporters, pointing out that the cat brought children through the doors, successfully petitioned to keep the four-legged employee.

Private Security Less socially developed feral felines can provide needed services. The Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats rescues such cats from Los Angeles shelters. Each is vetted, spayed/neutered and microchipped. “When they’re adopted out in threes, community cats are more likely to stay on the job,” notes founder and headmistress Shawn Simons.

FotoYakov/Shutterstock.com

“In Southern California, working cats are employed as assistants to brewmasters at the Monkish Brewery to protect the grain and hops and at Saluti Cellars as vintner support in charge of gopher population control,” says Simons. “More traditionally, cats at the Portuguese Bend Riding Club barn discourage mice and make friends with horses and riders.” The school’s Working Cat Program partners with area recycling centers, golf courses, warehouses and industrial parks that could otherwise lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually due to vermin-related structural damage, including gnawed wiring and other potential fire hazards. “Businesses get an allnatural, safe and effective way to control pests and cats live life naturally,” says Simons. Working cats of many stripes are becoming increasingly common. For a business, it’s a moneysaver; for a cat, it’s a lifesaver. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

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October 2017

calendarofevents

$ave Time & Energy! Please call in advance to ensure that the event you’re interested in is still available.

ALL MONTH LONG

BVI School of Ayurveda Accepting Applications: Ayurvedic Consultant Certificate Program. Webinar and On-Site Courses, one weekend a month. State Licensed. NAMA Member. The Sambodh Society, Inc. 6363 N. 24th St., Kalamazoo. Info and Catalog: AyurvedaMichigan.org or 269-381-4946. Complementary Consultation—A consultation is a conversation, not an examination and certainly not a high-pressure sales pitch. After all, we aren’t the right office for everyone, so doesn’t it make sense to discover that before you begin a relationship with our practice? Brain and Body Chiropractic, 833 E 16th St, Ste 175, Holland. Info & Appointments: 616-202-6368.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 1

SOULCOLLAGE® WORKSHOP—1-3:30pm. SoulCollage® offers an engaging way to listen to your inner voice, and express yourself creatively. Through creating collage cards, you explore aspects of your soul. The workshop features a chance to reflect through images; an overview of SoulCollage®; creating two collage cards; and supportive sharing. All supplies and instructions provided. $35 You must pre-register by contacting Ruth Zwald: ruthzwald55@gmail.com Hosted by The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids.

MONDAY OCTOBER 2

Total Control Classes—Improve your core, posture and bladder control with Total Control, a unique, medically based pelvic health program for women of all ages and fitness levels. The class focuses on core and pelvic floor strength and awareness and includes education on pelvic and bladder health. New classes begin in early October: 6pm Mondays, Oct 2-Nov 13; 1pm Wednesdays, Oct 4-Nov 15; 10 am Thursdays, Oct 5-Nov 16. $49 for seven-week class; scholarships available. Mercy Health Bladder Clinic, Lakes Village, 6401 Prairie St, Norton Shores. Call 231-727-7944 to register or for information.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 6

Over-functioning seminar taught by Marianne Huff—5:30-8:30pm. We hear a lot today about folks who are “intuitive” and “empathic”. We also hear about codependency and the problems that can occur for individuals who encounter difficulties with becoming codependent. Do you take care of others and neglect yourself? This seminar is for you. $25. Spirit Space, 3493 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. Info: MarianneHuff@sbcglobal.net for more information.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 8

West Michigan Edition

MONDAY OCTOBER 9

Yoga for Community Series: Anxiety—7-8pm. For millions of people, anxiety can be debilitating. You do not have to live like this. Yoga has been proven to calm stress, enhance concentration, and reduce anxiety symptoms. Join Jenny Tanis Counseling & Yoga from GRNH, and learn how yoga can free you from the symptoms of anxiety. $10. Grand Rapids Natural Health, 638 Fulton St. W, Suite B, Grand Rapids. Info: info@grnaturalhealth.com or 616-264-6556. Town Hall Meeting on Addiction—6:30pm. Discussion of addiction with panelists Dr. Sandy Dettman, psychiatry specialty; Judge Craig Bunce, Sobriety Court; Sgt. Derek Gerencer, Grand Haven Public Safety; Jonathan LaMaire, The Red Project; Dan Qualls, addiction therapist; Priscilla Shafor, OAR, Inc. QPR training 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Extended Grace. Event location: Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: Contact Barbara Lee at Barbara@ExtendedGrace.org

TUESDAY OCTOBER 10

Nourishing the Lakeshore—7pm. Meetings the second Tuesday of each month. Open to the Public! Formed to provide education on the health enriching benefits of traditional diets, to increase access to clean, nutrient dense foods, and to teach traditional preparation and storage methods. Nourishing the Lakeshore of West Michigan is a chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation serving Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana counties. The main purpose is to act as a resource for local, clean, nutrient dense food. We also provide informational meetings on health related topics, often those which are politically incorrect. Nourishing the Lakeshore respects that everyone is at a different point on the path to better eating. Our goal is to educate and enrich the wellness of our community. Location: The Century Club on Western Ave, Muskegon. Info:Meetup.com/Nourishing-the-Lakeshore-ofWest-Michigan-Weston-A-Price SOULCOLLAGE® WORKSHOP—6-8:30pm. SoulCollage® offers an engaging way to listen to your inner voice, and express yourself creatively. Through creating collage cards, you explore aspects of your soul. The workshop features a chance to reflect through images; an overview of SoulCollage®; creating two collage cards; and supportive sharing. All supplies and instructions provided. $35 You must pre-register by contacting Ruth Zwald at ruthzwald55@gmail.com Hosted at The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 12

Eckankar—10-11am. “Service to All Life,” is the theme for the ECK Light and Sound Service, the second Sunday each month. Free. Dominican Center at Marywood, Room 4, 2025 E Fulton, Grand Rapids. Info: ECK-MI. org, 756debokeefe@gmail.com, 269-370-7170.

Visit NaturalWestMichigan.com for guidelines and to submit entries. All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication.

Reiki Share—6-8pm. Come check out what Reiki is all about, and have a mini session done. Open to those that know Reiki and those that don’t. Donations welcome. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr, Grand Rapids. Info & register at 616-443-4225.

NaturalWestMichigan.com

SATURDAY OCTOBER 14

Releasing the Grasp of Trauma: Self-care Strategies to Aid Recovery from Trauma—1-4:30pm. Life is stressful. Most don’t realize that everyday stress & strain can show up in the body the same way major traumas do, leaving us out of balance & struggling to move beyond if not addressed. Join us to learn simple self-care techniques to help you regain balance and heal. $45. Grand Rapids Natural Health, 638 Fulton St W, Suite B, Grand Rapids. Info: info@grnaturalhealth.com or 616-264-6556. Outdoor Yoga Saturdays—10:30-11:30 at beautiful Kollen Park on Lake Macatawa (weather permitting). $5, proceeds go to Holland Recreation. Info: Call Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio 616-392-7580. Opening the Doors of Your Perception—10am12pm. Your Path to Your Inner Guidance Are you seeking to develop your inner GPS system (your intuition)? Come and learn how to better navigate the external world by looking inward to find answers and the guidance that you are seeking? This is a six week class, come to one or all. $20/session. Spirit Space, 3493 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. Info contact mariannehuff@sbcglobal.net Holistic Health & Mastering Subtle Energies Meet-up Group—9am-12pm. Pam Kammermeier will be leading great discussions on: Emotional Intelligence, Conscious Nutrition, law of attraction, and two topics to be announced nearer the date. Sign up through Meet-Up. The Remedy House 5150 Northland, Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Info: call 616-443-4225. Reiki I & II Class—9am-5pm. Introduction to Reiki. Become attuned to the universal energy, learn how to give treatment to self and others and meet your Reiki guide. Class fee is $250. The fee includes a $50 deposit due at registration. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Info & to register by July 9th call 616-443-4225.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY OCTOBER 14 & 15

Body Mind & Spirit Expo—1st Annual Holistic Expo, Grand Rapids DeltaPlex, professional mediums, intuitive’s, healers & more gathered under one roof. Free lectures, speakers & prizes included w/ admission $10 daily, 12 & under free. Info: HealingBodyandSpirit.com

MONDAY OCTOBER 16

A Support Group: For Parents, Guardians and Caregivers of Teenagers and Pre-Teens—78:30pm. Every 3rd Monday. Facilitated by Nicki Kubec, LMSW. Sorting out the signals of mental illness addictions and typical teen behavior. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: 616-414-9111 or Office@ExtendedGrace.org

THURSDAY OCTOBER 19

Wisdom Circle with the Mahavidyas—7-8:30pm. The Tantric Wisdom Goddesses--known as the Mahavidyas--will be the subject of a 10 month women’s circle with meetings on the third Thursday January-October of 2017. Each Goddess will be explored as she relates to the stages of a woman’s life. Pre-registration by 1/15 for the series, which will include a book. $15 drop in/$100 for 10 month series. On The Path Yoga, 701 E. Savidge #3 Spring Lake. Info: at OnThePathYoga.com or sandy@ OnThePathYoga.com, 616-935-7028.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 20

The Dolphin Breath Teachings—9am-1pm. Dolphin Breath® is a grounding and energetic breathing exercise that combines these skills to produce a powerful daily practice of sacred geometry, energetic mindfulness and self-healing. This practice can help you discover emotional and energetic blocks that often can manifest into disease or illness if not addressed. 120.00 - 10 % discount if you like us on Facebook. Energy Touch, 1331 Lake Drive SE Lower Level, Grand Rapids. Info:GEldridge@ EnergyTouchSchool.com, 616-897-8668. Narcan Training and Distribution—11am-2pm. Every Third Friday. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Info: 616-414-9111 or Office@ExtendedGrace.org

SATURDAY OCTOBER 21

Inspire Event: Aging, Death & Dying—10am-1pm. Everyone is invited to this collaborative community event. Brunch/Lunch served. Registration not required. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: 616-502-2078 or Barbara@ExtendedGrace.org

FRIDAY – MONDAY OCTOBER 20-23

EnergyTouch® Basics—9am-1pm Friday, 9am6pm Saturday & Sunday. Energy Touch® Basics will give you the skills and knowledge necessary to help you become a successful EnergyTouch® School of Advanced Healing applicant. This program will allow participants to explore new skills and teachings while preparing to apply for admission to the School. $800.00 - 10 % discount when you “like” us on Facebook. Energy Touch, 1331 Lake Drive SE Lower Level, Grand Rapids. Visit: EnergyTouchSchool.com/energy-touch-basics. Info: GEldridge@ EnergyTouchSchool.com or 616-897-8668.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 21

Love INC’s HayDay5K—10am. Love INC and the Hudsonville Chamber of Commerce bring you the first annual HayDay 5k! Join us as we pursue the brokenness in our community and journey toward solutions together by participating in the HayDay 5k event before heading over to heading over to Urban HayDay in downtown Hudsonville. $25. Love In the Name of Christ, 3300 Van Buren St, Hudsonville. Info: visit LoveintheNameofChrist.org to register.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 22

West Michigan Spirit Faire—11am-5pm. Features Intuitive Consultants, Holistic Health Practitioners, Jewelry, Crystals, Reiki, Palmistry, Angel Messages, Soaps, Tarot Cards, Herbal Teas, Akashic Records, Henna, Books, Prizes & Speakers. $5 admission,

free parking at Holiday Inn Kalamazoo West, 2747 South 11th St, exit 36 off US-131, Kalamazoo. Info: WMichSpiritFaire@gmail.com or 269-948-1990.

MONDAY OCTOBER 23

Legacy Giving: Planning With a Purpose— 6-7:30pm. A wine, cheese and chocolate event with speakers: Mi-Hae Kim, Attorney with Warner, Norcross & Judd will discuss legal steps needed to be prepared to pass on your assets and John Gork, Financial Advisor, with Northwestern Mutual will discuss instruments available to create a lifetime of financial security. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: 616-502-2078 or Barbara@ ExtendedGrace.org

how to custom blend oils and what different carrier oils mean to your blend; 2-4pm Crystal Workshop Find out how powerful crystals and stones are and how they affect the body, mind, and spirit. Each segment $25 or all three for $65. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids. Info and to register 616-443-4225. Mental Health First Aid Training—8:30am-5pm. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Participants must register with Angie Schultz at Community Mental Health of Ottawa County. Info and registration: ASchultz@MiOttawa.org or 616-494-5574.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 29

Crystal Workshop—6-8pm. New Class! Find out how powerful crystals and stones are and how they affect the body, mind, and spirit. Workshop fee $25. The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr, Grand Rapids. Contact to register 616-443-4225.

Mindful Meditation Class at Bodhi Tree Yoga— 3-3:45pm. Learn some helpful meditation techniques and enjoy Native American flute music. This class will be taught by Sherry Petro-Surdel. $10. Bodhi Tree Yoga and Wellness Center, 208 W 18th St, Holland. Info: TheSpiritSpace@gmail.com or 616-886-2716.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 24

MONDAY OCTOBER 30

TUESDAY OCTOBER 24

Homeopathy: What Every Mom Needs To Know—6:30pm. $15/person, $25/couples, $5 for Tonya’s current clients. Vital Nutrition, 169 Marcell Drive NE, Rockford. Info: tonya@tonyaholcomb. com or 616-433-9333. Family Support Group—7-8pm. 4th Tuesday of every month. For family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals with mental illness. Free. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: Tom Dooley TfDooley@gmail.com, 616-5022078, Barbara Lee Barbara@ExtendedGrace.org

Bipolar and Depression Part 2: Self Care— 6pm. With Brett VanTol from Pine Rest. Free. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info:Barbara@ExtendedGrace.org or 616-502-2078.

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 27

SOULCOLLAGE® WORKSHOP—10am12:30pm. SoulCollage® offers an engaging way to listen to your inner voice, and express yourself creatively. Through creating collage cards, you explore aspects of your soul. The workshop features a chance to reflect through images; an overview of SoulCollage®; creating two collage cards; and supportive sharing. All supplies and instructions provided. $35. Hosted by The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr. NE; Grand Rapids. You must pre-register by contacting Ruth Zwald: RuthZwald55@gmail.com

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SATURDAY OCTOBER 28

Free Reike Information Class—10:30-11:30 am. Reike is a safe, gentle, nonintrusive hands-on energy system for balancing, healing and harmonizing all aspects of the person- body, mind, emotions and spirit. It can also be used to encourage personal and spiritual awareness and growth. Reike Master Teacher Ginjah Knuth since 1992 will be conducting the informational session. Whether you want to explore the possibilities of Reike or want to become a Reike Master, this class is for you. Bodhi Tree will be hosting a Teacher Training session soon. Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 W 18th Street, Holland. Info: 616-392-7580 or email info@miBodhiTree.com. Herbs, Oils, & Crystals - The Simple ABC Naturopathic Steps to Wellness. In this Saturday seminar learn the ABC’s of Herbal Medicine— 10am-12pm. Including when & how to Activate, Build, and Cleanse with herbs, essential oils, and therapies; 12:30-2pm Essential Oil Workshop Learn and understand the do’s and don’ts about oils and

Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com

616-604-0480

natural awakenings

October 2017

ongoingevents Note: Visit 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

Tuesday

Meditation-Self Realization Fellowship— 10-11am. Every Sunday we gather to meditate, chant, & explore the wisdom of the Hindu/Yoga tradition as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda. Free will offering. Marywood Center 2025 Fulton, Grand Rapids. Info: Fred Stella 616-451-8041, GrandRapids.srf@gmail.com, GRSRF.org

Tibetan Buddhist Meditation/Study Group— 7:15-8:30pm. Explore in a practical way the practices associated with Tibetan Buddhism, including concentration, mindfulness, analysis and visualization. Free. Jewel Heart, 1919 Stearns Ave, Kalamazoo. Info: Call 734-368-8701 or 269-9441575 or email: GregSupa@gmail.com

Sunday Worship and Youth Services—10:30am. A warm and inviting New Thought Spiritual Community, inclusive and accepting of all, honoring diversity, for those seeking spiritual truth. Unity of Grand Rapids, 1711 Walker Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. Info: UnityGRoffice@gmail.com or 616-453-9909.

Qigong/Tai Chi Easy—9-10am. Practice some simple, age old exercises done in short synergistic sequences. Explore how small definitive movements, synchronized with breathing, restore the flow of Chi(energy) throughout our bodies while unblocking areas of stress and dis-ease. Tom Ter Haar, a cetified Tai Chi Easy Practice Leader will lead the class. Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 W 18th Street, Holland. Info: call 616-3927580 or info@miBodhiTree.com.

Celebration Services—10:30am. Join us each Sunday for our Sunday Celebration Service. Unity is a positive, peaceful path for spiritual living. We offer spiritual teachings and programs that empower a life of meaning, purpose, and abundance in all good things. We seek to discover the “universal” spiritual truths that apply to all religions. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE, Ada. Info: office@Unitycsg.org or 616-682-7812. Hot Yoga—5-6:15pm. Sweat with this active, energetic, athletic style of yoga with traditional poses in a hot room. Not recommended for people with heart or lung conditions or those not engaged in regular exercise. $12 drop-in. Hearts Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale. Info:HeartsJourneyWellness. com or info@HeartsJourneyWellness.com Spirit Space Sunday Worship—10:30am. An interfaith, non-denominational gathering place for worship and spiritual enrichment. Join for inspiring messages called Reasoning’s. Spirit Space, 3493 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck. Info: 616-836-1555 or Spirit-Space.org Sunday Series—6pm. Explore spirituality, universal truths, self-mastery and balanced, positive, loving and joyful living with The Coptic Center and their ongoing offering of enlightening ministers, teachers and guest presenters. Love offering. 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr, Grand Rapids. Info: TheCopticCenter.org

Monday Nia Holistic Fitness Practice—7-8pm. Combining dance, martial arts and mindfulness, Nia tones Body while transforming Mind. Practiced barefoot to inspiring World Beat music, Nia workouts are joyful and expressive. $10 suggested donation. Wealthy Theatre Annex, 1110 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids. Info: More at NiaNow.com, TeresaDeJager31@ gmail.com, 616-460-9868. A practice of A Course in Miracles—7-8:30pm. Learn miracle-mindedness. Got joy? This is how to have it. Hint: You already do. All are welcome. Free. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids. 616-458-5095.

West Michigan Edition

Beginning Yoga & Meditation—9:30-10:45am. This class will introduce you to basic postures, breathing techniques, and mindfulness with an emphasis on building body awareness. Gentle yet relaxing in nature, you will leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and having a greater sense of health and well-being. $12 drop-in. Hearts Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale. Info: visit us at HeartsJourneyWellness.com or info@ HeartsJourneyWellness.com Beginner Yoga Series—7:15-8:15 pm. New to Yoga or want to reconnect to Yoga...this class is for you. Our intention is for you to discover a lifelong love for yoga. Please visit our website for complete class description. $70 for class only or $100 for class and a One month Unlimited Yoga to start when series if finished. pre-registration required. Bodhi Tree Yoga & wellness studio, 208 W 18th street, Holland. Info: 616-392-7580 or info@mibodhitree.com A Course in Miracles—6:30-8:30pm. A Course in Miracles is a complete self-study spiritual thought system. It teaches that the way to universal peace is by undoing guilt through forgiving others. The Course focuses on the healing of relationships and making them holy. It expresses a non-sectarian, nondenominational spirituality. Offering. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE Ada. Info: www. Unitycsg.org, zahrt.aj@unitycsg.org, 616-682-7812. Weight Loss Challenge—10 am or 6pm. Tuesdays starting 9/12/17. Join NOW to learn how nutritional changes can help you feel better, lose fat and maintain/increase muscle. Possibly Win cash prizes for getting your best results. $$ Pay out to top 4 losers!! $35. Nutrition-N-More, 5394 Division SE, Grand Rapids. Info: CoachBosovich@gmail.com or 616-340-9822. Tibetan Buddhist Meditation/Study Group— 7:15-8:15pm. Tibetan Buddhist meditation/study group. All welcome. Free. Western Michigan Jewel Heart, 1919 Stearns Ave, Kalamazoo. Info: 734-368-870,JewelHeart.org

NaturalWestMichigan.com

A Course in Miracles—6:30 - 8:00pm. A Course in Miracles is a complete self-study spiritual thought system. It teaches that the way to universal peace is by undoing guilt through forgiving others. The Course focuses on the healing of relationships and making them holy. It expresses a non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE, Ada. Info: Unitycsg.org, 616-681-7812. Gentle Hatha Yoga—7:45-9am & 9:15-10:30am. With Mitch Coleman. Drop-ins welcome. White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St, Montague. Info: 231-740-6662 or WhiteRiverYoga.com

Wednesday Buddha’s 4 Noble Truths—7-8:30pm. A 7 week course every Wednesday beginning Oct 4 – Nov 15. Based on the teaching ‘The Four Noble Truths’ by Gelek Rimpoche. Discover how Buddha’s first instructions can help in our lives today $60.00 includes textbook. People’s Church, 1758 N. Tenth St, Kalamazoo. Info: 734-368-8701or GregSupa@gmail.com Yoga for Veterans, Active Duty, Fire and Police— 5:30-7pm. These classes consist of yoga poses for the first 50-60 minutes followed by guided relaxation and/ or meditation. Yoga and meditation support the wellbeing of our service members and their families and foster meaningful connections between military and service communities and civilian communities. Our instructors have training through Warriors at Ease. First class is free, then by donation. Blue Horizons Wellness, 1991 Lakeshore Drive Suite A, Muskegon. Info: info@BlueHorizonsWellness.com or 231-755-7771. Beginning Tai Ji— 9:30-10:30am. Pam Landes will conduct an entry level 7 week series.The moving meditation of Tai Ji integrates mind and body and spirit. It can help build balance and coordination, improve mental acuity and strengthen the mind/ body connection. series starts Wed Sept 13th, preregistration required; class is limited. $70.00 for a 7 week class series. Bodhi Tree Yoga & Wellness Studio, 208 w 18th Street, Holland. Info and register: 616-392-7580 or email info@MiBodhiTree.com The Law of Attraction Speaking Club—6:30-8pm. Looking to Charter as a Toastmaster Club. Do you want to become a confident public speaker and strong leader? We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth environment that allows you to achieve your goals at your own pace. Toastmaster Dues. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE, Ada. Info:office@ Unitycsg.org, 616-682-7812. Yoga for Veterans, Active Duty, Fire and Police— 5:30-7pm. Yoga with Elisa Hopper followed by a guided relaxation/iRest Yoga Nidra practice. First class free and then by donation. Blue Horizons Wellness, 1991 Lakeshore Drive, Muskegon. Info: BlueHorizonsWellness.com or 231-755-7771. A Course in Miracles—9:30-11am. A complete self-study spiritual thought system. It teaches that the way to universal peace is by undoing guilt through forgiving others. The Course focuses on the healing of relationships and making them holy. It expresses a non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE, Ada. Info: Unitycsg.org. 616-682-7812.

$20 off BioMeridian Assessments—Food allergies, environmental allergies, organ function and real food menus and shopping lists for families that are healthy and kid-approved. Grand Rapids. 616-3659176. IntegrativeNutritionalTherapies.com. Meditation—6-7pm. Join together for meditation that begins and ends with live, native flute music. Attend the full hour or any portion of the meeting. Spirit Space, 3493 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck. Info: 616-836-1555 or Spirit-Space.org.

Thursday Emotions Anonymous—12-1pm. Momentum Center, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: Office@ ExtendedGrace.org or 616-414-9111. Weight Loss Challenge Triple Play—6:30pm. Thursdays starting 9/14/17. Join NOW our fall Weight Loss Challenge triple Play- 12 weeks combining Cardio Drumming fitness, Nutrition class & Faith lesson. $$ paid to top 4 losers!!! $35. Nutrition-N-More, Location of event: Cornerstone Church South, 2730 56th St SW, Wyoming. Info: 616-340-9822 or CoachBosovich@gmail.com for details.

savethedate

classifieds

Save The Date Events

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

THE 2017-18 ANNUAL DIRECTORY

FOR SALE Health Practitioner Closing Practice – For sale books & class workbooks, Massage table, Craniosacral therapy, Aromatherapy, Lymphatic drainage, Kinesiology, E.F.T., Acupuncture, Blood types. Contact Gloriaebc@ sbcglobal.net, Newaygo.

Saturday

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Spiritual Intuitive Class Series – Taught by Marianne Huff—10am-12pm. Saturdays Oct 14 - Nov 18. Are you seeking to develop your inner GPS system (your intuition)? Come and learn how to better navigate the external world by looking inward to find answers and the guidance that you are seeking? This is a six week class, come to one or all. $20/session. Spirit Space, 3493 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. Info Contact MarianneHuff@sbcglobal.net.

Gentle Hatha Yoga—9:15-10:15am & 11-12:15am. With Mitch Coleman. Drop-ins welcome. White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St, Montague. 231740-6662. Info: WhiteRiverYoga.com

FOR RENT Space for Rent at the Remedy House – Small Consultation room available 5 days a week (Any day except Tuesdays) - ideal for Naturopaths, Doulas, and Holistic counselors. 9 X 8 room with one Naturopath using it once a week currently. Massage Room available also - Full day on Mondays and shared on Tuesdays. It is an nice large room 10 X 14 and is a shared space with another massage therapist and a naturopath. Info: Jodi Jenks, N.D., The Remedy House, 5150 Northland Dr, Grand Rapids. Call 616-443-4225. Private rooms for rent at White River Yoga, 8724 Ferry St., Montague. 9.5’x12’with sink, $200/mo. 9.5’x16’ no sink, $150/mo. Natural Light, lock on the door. Suitable for massage, counseling or any ayurvedic/holistic health practice. Contact Mitch Coleman at 231740-6662 or yogamanmitch@gmail.com.

IS OUT!

Meditation Class—6:30-7:30pm. Learn a variety of meditation techniques in this drop-in class. We will take turns teaching a different technique each week and provide practice time afterward. Come when you can, as each class is independent. No experience necessary. Thursday Nights for one hour. Love offering. Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 6025 Ada Dr SE, Ada. Info: Contact the office at 616-682-7812 or office@Unitycsg.org.

Hot Yoga—7:30-8:45am. Sweat with this active, energetic, athletic style of yoga with traditional poses in a hot room. Not recommended for people with heart or lung conditions or those not engaged in regular exercise. $12 drop-in. Hearts Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale. Info:HeartsJourneyWellness.com or info@HeartsJourneyWellness.com

Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan. com. Deadline is the 15th of the month.

Contract help needed - Flexible hours, work from home. Duties include light writing, editing, inside sales, attending events, some on weekends, customer service, social media and website revision. Must be able to work on your own and love people. Knowledge of natural health and healing a plus, as well as cultural knowledge of West Michigan. Send cover letter and resume to: Publisher@ NaturalWestMichigan.com. No calls please.

Get your copy today!

VOLUNTEERS

Sweetwater Local Foods Market—9am-1pm. A double-up bucks and bridge card market. Hackley Health at the Lakes building on Harvey St. Located inside during inclement weather. Muskegon. 231-861-2234. Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com

Volunteer Instructors – Mental illness is a community issue and it requires a community solution. The Momentum Center for Social Engagement offers social and recreational activities for people with mental illness, addictions and disabilities. We are seeking people willing to share their skill, hobby, vocation, or interest with our members once a month or as often as available. We welcome yoga, tai chi, exercise, dance, self-defense, cooking, sewing, and so much more. Extended Grace, 714 Columbus, Grand Haven. Info: Call Jenna, if you want to be part of the solution, at 616-414-9111 or email office@extendedgrace.org

616-604-0480 natural awakenings

October 2017

Publish One of the Nation’s Leading Healthy Living Magazines Natural Awakenings Magazine

is ranked 5th Nationally in Cision’s® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines list 1. 2. 3. 4.

Spry Living – 8,907,303 Shape – 2,521,203 Men’s Health – 1,852,715 Prevention – 1,539,872

5. Natural Awakenings – 1,536,365

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Women’s Health – 1,511,791 Weight Watchers Magazine – 1,126,168 Dr. Oz The Good Life – 870,524 Vim & Vigor – 789,000 Experience Life – 700,000

Cision® is the world’s leading source of media research. For more information, visit www.cision.com or follow @Cision on Twitter.

Own a Natural Awakenings Magazine Turn Your Passion Into A Business

As a Natural Awakenings publisher, you can empower yourself and others to create a healthier world while working from your home earning an income doing something you love! No publishing experience is necessary. You’ll work for yourself but not by yourself. We offer a complete training and support system that allows you to successfully publish your own magazine.

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West Michigan Edition

NaturalWestMichigan.com

Contact us about acquiring an existing publication FOR SALE highlighted in RED* Natural Awakenings publishes in over 80 markets across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic (listed below).

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Gulf Coast AL/MS Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ East Bay Area, CA San Diego, CA Northern CO/Cheyenne, WY Denver, CO Fairﬁeld County/ HousatonicValley, CT Hartford, CT New Haven/Middlesex, CT Washington, DC* Daytona/Volusia/Flagler, FL NW FL Emerald Coast Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jacksonville/St. Augustine, FL Miami & the Florida Keys Naples/Ft. Myers, FL North Central FL* Central Florida/Greater Orlando Palm Beach, FL Peace River, FL Sarasota, FL Space & Treasure Coast, FL Tampa/St. Pete., FL Atlanta, GA Hawaiian Islands Chicago, IL Chicago Western Suburbs, IL Indianapolis, IN Acadiana, LA Baton Rouge, LA New Orleans, LA Boston, MA Worcester, MA Ann Arbor, MI East Michigan Wayne County, MI Western MI Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN* Charlotte, NC Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC* Bergen/Passaic, NJ* Central, NJ Hudson County, NJ Mercer County, NJ

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Monmouth/Ocean, NJ North Central NJ South NJ Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM* Las Vegas, NV Albany, NY Long Island, NY Hudson Valley W., NY Manhattan, NY* Westchester/Putnam/ Dutchess Co’s., NY Central OH Toledo, OH* Oklahoma City, OK Portland, OR Bucks/Montgomery Counties, PA Chester/Delaware Counties, PA South Central PA Lancaster/Berks, PA Lehigh Valley, PA Northeast, PA Philadelphia, PA Rhode Island Charleston, SC Columbia, SC Greenville, SC* Chattanooga, TN Austin, TX* Dallas, TX Houston, TX North Texas* San Antonio, TX* South Houston/Galveston, TX Richmond, VA Inland Northwest, WA Seattle, WA* Madison, WI* Milwaukee, WI Dominican Republic Puerto Rico

*Existing magazines for sale

Start a magazine in an OPEN TERRITORY

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Los Angeles, CA Sacramento, CA San Francisco, CA Santa Barbara/Ventura, CA Santa Clara Co., CA Southern, MA Annapolis, MD Baltimore, MD Kansas City, MO Saint Louis, MO Bronx, NY Brooklyn/Staten Island, NY Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Pittsburgh, PA Nashville, TN Ft. Worth, TX Salt Lake City, UT Inquire about other open areas

thenaturaldirectory

EMF RADIATION PROTECTION

...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 NaturalWestMichigan.com/advertising.

ACUPUNCTURE GRAND WELLNESS

Vikki Nestico, R.Ac. Located at Renewal Skin Spa 6080 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids 616-940-1177 • GrandWellness.net Grand Wellness uses the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine to provide holistic healing and natural pain relief. Call to schedule a free consultation to discuss how acupuncture may be an effective treatment for you. See ad, page 10.

ASTROLOGY KAREN S. KLEMP MA.

Astrology/Numerology 220 Savidge, Spring Lake 616-916-0121 KlempK@yahoo.com KAREN220.com Over 20 year ’s experience. Readings available in her office, by skype or by phone. Also available for lectures at solstice gatherings. Make an appointment by phone, on the website or stop in and visit Thurs through Sat 11am–5pm.

BODYWORK BLACK TORTOISE QIGONG, LLC

Sally Austin 233 Fulton E, Suite 114B Grand Rapids 616-293-5768 – BlackTortoiseQigong.com BlackTortoiseQigong@gmail.com A practice of gentle dynamic movements that can be done lying, sitting or standing, built for you to use daily and promote your health and well-being. Promotes empowerment, wellness, spirit connection, awareness, confidence.

BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION WOOD & SAW

Andrew Gielczyk Licensed Builder 616-834-2480 • WoodAndSaw.com Wood & Saw is focused on creating a sustainable high quality of life for our clients. Building simple, costeffective, energy-efficient, toxic-free homes and remodels that achieve the healthiest possible indoor air quality. See ad, page 30.

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

Family owned and operated in the heart of downtown Grandville, Dynamic Family Chiropractic focuses on lifestyle improvements through living a maximized life. A safe and natural approach to health through the combination of exercise, nutrition, detoxification and chiropractic care.

THE GLEASON CENTER

Dr. Dan Gleason 19084 North Fruitport Road Spring Lake, MI 49456 TheGleasonCenter.com 616-846-5410 An alternative, holistic approach combining chiropractic and kinesiology as well as the latest in metabolic and hormone testing. Using a variety of techniques, we work with our patients to determine the scope and duration of care that’s right for each individual.

COFFEE SHOP / FAIR TRADE JUST GOODS GIFTS AND CAFE’

PROTXS EMF SHIELDS & H2O DROPS Clara Vanderzouwen clara.vanderzouwen@gmail.com PROTXS.com/?AFMC=22 616-481-8587

PROTXS contains a proprietary blend of natural products that efficiently reflect, absorb and mitigate the harmful biological and technological impacts of invisible RF/EMF/ Wi-Fi radiation. Living Healthy in a Wireless World. “All who touch Protxs will be blessed” Dr. Mike Halliday.

ENERGY HEALING TONYA NICHOLS, RPH

Certified Energy Medicine Practitioner 332 S Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 TheHealingCenterofLakeview@gmail.com TheHealingCenteroflakeview.com Do you feel like you have no energy? Do you feel disconnected and out of balance? Let Tonya help you find your center again. Combining Emotional Clearing with Full Spectrum Healing, Tonya helps her clients to remove emotional, mental, and energetic blocks that are keeping her clients stuck and preventing them from reaching their full potential for a healthy, happy, and meaningful life. See ad page 26.

ESSENTIAL OILS BE YOUNG ESSENTIAL OILS

714 Columbus, Grand Haven 616-414-9111 justgoods@extendedgrace.org www.extendedgrace.org

Just Goods Gifts and Cafe’ is located within the Momentum Center for Social Engagement. Fair trade and social cause merchandise. Local baked goods and beverages. Open 9am to 6pm M-F and 10am to 2pm Sat. A creative space for community integration and the end of stigma. See ad, page 33.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY HARMONY ’N HEALTH

Mary De Lange, CCT, LMT 1003 Maryland Ave, N.E., Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 • HarmonyNHealth.net Certified therapist since 1991 offering colon therapy in a sterile and professional environment. Using a holistic approach, colonics relieve constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, poor digestion, back pain, body odor and more. See ad, page 34.

Clara Vanderzouwen • 616-481-8587 BeYoungth.com/partners/claravz Independent Sharing partner clara.vanderzouwen@gmail.com Be Young Essential Oils are exclusive E.O.B.B.D. guaranteed 100% pure & safe for your entire family and pets! Wondering what to use? Just call or email me, I’m here to educate you!

MOONDROP HERBALS, LLC

Cottage of Natural Elements 351 Cummings, NW Grand Rapids 616-735-1285 • MoondropHerbals.com Your local source for all things natural and botanical. Essential oils, bulk herbs, tea, hand-crafted bath & body products, raw ingredients, containers, local artwork, unique gifts. Practitioner discounts. Space rental and artisan consignment. See ad, page 35.

natural awakenings

October 2017

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

Essential Oils – Revered for thousands of years for their naturally-enhancing support of body, mind, and spirit. Become a Young Living Essential Oils Member/Customer, and/or an Independent Distributor. See ad, page 37.

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

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

HEALING SERVICES THE REMEDY HOUSE

Jodi Jenks Natural Health Practitioner, Reiki Master 616-443-4225 TheRemedyHouse.org Certified in bodywork, lymphatic drainage, raindrop therapy, CranioSacral, reflexology, iridology, natural health consultations including a zyto bio-communication scan. Emotional clearing with essential oils and energy work, reiki, Energy Touch. See ad, page 29.

HEALTH / WELLNESS CENTER THE HEALING CENTER

332 S Lincoln Ave, Lakeview 989-352-6500 TheHealingCenterOfLakeview@gmail.com TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com Naturopathic/Holistic Practitioners and retail health store. Natural health consultations, classes, oils, herbs, homeopathy, hypnosis, foods, candles, crystals, books, CDs, massage, reflexology, emotional clearing, foot detox, DOT/CDL health cards for truck drivers. See ad, page 26.

West Michigan Edition

VITALITY HEALTHCARE

Dr. Steven Osterhout 5717 Oakland Drive, Portage 269- 323-4473 - DrOchiro.com Vitality Healthcare offers a cutting-edge approach to medicine. We integrate the best medical approaches with the most advanced natural therapies to address the underlying causes of poor health. We offer: Physical and Functional Medicine / Chiropractic and Massage / Metabolic and Hormone Evaluations / Nutrition and Detoxification / Food Sensitivity and GI Issue Testing / Medical and Natural Weight Loss. Our highly-qualified team of doctors, nutritionists and therapists have extensive training to serve all your healthcare needs.

HUMAN RIGHTS/ SOCIAL JUSTICE EXTENDED GRACE

barbara@extendedgrace.org 616.502.2078 ExtendedGrace.org Extended Grace is a nonprofit grassroots social lab that builds community while solving problems. It does so through: Community Conversations including Inspire! and Deeper Dive events and Town Hall Meetings on Mental Illness; Mudita Gifts; Pilgrim Spirit Tours cultural immersion experiences; Momentum Center for Social Engagement; Just Goods Gifts and Cafe’. See ad, page 33.

LGBTQIA COUNSELING DILSWORTH COUNSELING AND THERAPY SERVICES

Sue Dilsworth, Ph.D, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT Locations in Allendale and Grand Rapids 616-307-1617 Sue@drdilsworth.hush.com HeartsJourneyWellness.com Counseling services tailored to meet the needs of the individual. Through various treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral, Mindfulness and EMDR, individuals will have an opportunity to explore personal challenges in an open, receptive, and supportive environment. Member WPATH. Most insurance accepted including Medicare and Medicaid.

NaturalWestMichigan.com

LIFE COACH LIA COACHING AND CONSULTING Pamela Gallina, MA CMC 616-433-6720 PamGallina@LIAConsulting.org LIAConsulting.org/coaching

Pam works with highly– motivated individuals as they aim for their highest self. Focusing on Small Business Development, Major Life Crisis and Change, Weight Loss & Fitness, Relationships, Budget Management & Reorganization, Decluttering Home and Life. Helping you to achieve your very best life! See ad, page 23.

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

Offering Swedish massage with integrated techniques, chosen specifically for your unique body. Relieve those tired and sore muscles and rejuvenate. Call for on-going monthly specials and discounts.

HARMONY ‘N HEALTH

Mary De Lange, CCT., LMT. 1003 Maryland Ave. NE, Grand Rapids 616-456-5033 HarmonyNHealth.net Over 24 years of professional experience and trained in a complete range of modalities. Whether you are seeking relaxation, renewal or treatment for a specific condition, Mary will help find an approach that is helpful for you. See ad, page 34.

MIDWIFERY FULL CIRCLE MIDWIFERY SERVICE, INC.

Patrice Bobier, CPM Hesperia: 231-861-2234 FullCircleMidwifery.com Jennifer Holshoe, CPM Grand Rapids area: 616-318-1825 WestMichiganMidwifery.com In private practice since 1982 – specializing in home birth and a team approach. Over 1,600 births attended. Offering midwifery care that maintains a family-centered, safe birth experience. Empowering women to stay healthy during pregnancy, give birth naturally and parent in the best ways. Free initial consultations including prenatal check-up.

SALON SERVICES LONDON STUDIOS SALON

Sally Ann Loew, Hair Artist/Educator Organic Colour Speciality 6455 28th St. SE, Suite 1, Grand Rapids 616-299-1796, LondonStudiosSalon.com London Studios Specializes in: Organic Color Systems, Color Corrections, Multidimensional Hair Color, Restorations for Vo l u m e a n d L e n g t h , Organic Keragreen Keratin Treatments, European Cutting Techniques, Natural Hair Extensions, I n t e g r a t i o n , B r i d a l S e r v i c e s , We d d i n g Consultations and other services. See ad, page 14.

NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION

THERMOGRAPHY

503 East Broadway St, Mt. Pleasant 989-773-1714 Contact@NaturopathicInstitute.info NaturopathicInstitute.info

ADVANCED THERMAL IMAGING OF WEST MICHIGAN

Educational programs offered: Natural Health Program: four years (one weekend a month); Massage Therapy Program: one year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program: six months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad, page 38.

SPIRITUAL GATHERINGS

Julie Bennett 616-724-6368 AdvancedThermalImagingllc.com

Thermography is a safe, tested, painless, and effective procedure providing information for breast cancer risk assessment, breast cancer prevention and early detection, possible hormone imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, musculoskeletal inflammation, and neurological problems.

UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER

SCHOOL / EDUCATION BVI SCHOOL OF AYURVEDA Ruth Small, Ph.D., Director 269-381-4946 Ayurveda@SambodhSociety.us AyurvedaMichigan.org

School of Ayurveda. State licensed. Certificate program for healthcare professionals, doctors, nurses, yoga teachers, wellness educators, massage therapists, holistic health specialists, chiropractors, dieticians and those seeking to learn selfhealth-care. Instructors highly qualified (B.A.M.S.).

Unity of Muskegon 2052 Bourdon St. Muskegon

Gather to nurture your Sacred Self on Sunday’s at 11am. We host a variety of classes and workshops on all areas of holistic living. For more information, visit us online at UnityMuskegon.org or call 231-759-7356.

EcoTrekFitness.com

NATURE ROCKS! Workout with us OUTSIDE in all seasons, in all weather!

CARDIO | FLEXIBILITY | STRENGTH TRAINING $40 for FIVE 75-minute sessions

Grand Rapids | coopersville | Grand Haven | holland seeking a series leader in kalamazoo area!

natural awakenings

October 2017

A VACATION Unlike ANY

OTHER

10 DAY VEGAN C RUI S E FEB. 15-25, 2018 Our 15th Anniversary 10 Day* Cruise will be the best yet! Join 1800+ like-minded vegans during a vacation that will nourish your body, stimulate your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. Relax on the beach at Martinique; watch batik-making on St. Kitts and Nevis; sip on coconut water in the British Virgin Islands; or snorkel in Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas or St. Maarten. In addition to our stellar lineup of vegan health luminaries, the 2018 cruise will add a focus on the ethical treatment of animals featuring PETA president Ingrid Newkirk. The latest in diet and nutrition science, cooking classes, yoga, exotic ports... there’s something for everyone! Learn more about the classes, cuisine and itinerary at holisticholidayatsea.com.

FALL SPECIAL

DISCOUNT ENDS 11/2!

Chosen b y N ATIONA L G EOG RAPHIC T R A VELER as On e of the 1 00 BEST WO RL DWIDE VACAT ION S to E NR IC H YOUR L IF E Vegan, Gluten-free, Oil-free & Ship’s Menu Daily Yoga, Meditation, Pilates, Qi Gong, Do-In, Running & Fitness Classes 150+ Lectures & Workshops

CME & CEU Credits Available 45+ Teachers

Author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plantand Other Books; TEDx Speaker; VegNews’

JULIEANNA HEVER, MS, RD, CPT

10+ Cooking Classes Dancing & Social Events Almost Every Evening Singles’ Social Cancer Support Group & Recovery Panel Snorkel, Kayak, Cultural Tours & Other Excursion Types Available Environmentally-Friendly Award-Winning Ship Private Consultations & Treatments Available West Michigan Edition

New York Times BestSelling Author of The Engine 2 Diet; Featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show

RIP ESSELSTYN

Special Panel Focusing on Animal Rights

Featuring Renowned Chefs, Teachers & Healers

Founder of the Physicians Commitee for Responsible Medicine; Author of Food for Life and Power Foods for the Brain

NEAL BARNARD, M.D.

LE A RN MOR E 1-800-496-0989 (US) 1-828-749-9537

*Only 6 work days due to Presidents’ Day

NaturalWestMichigan.com hhas_vegan_cruise

PETA President and Cofounder; Author of Numerous Books; Speaker on Animal Rights; Proﬁled in HBO Documentary I Am an Animal

INGRID NEWKIRK Co-Author of The China Study and author of Whole: Rethinking the ; Featured in the Film Forks Over Knives

T. COLIN CAMPBELL, PH.D. Physician, Speaker and New York Times BestSelling Author; Founder Appeared on Dr. Oz and the Colbert Report

MICHAEL GREGER, M.D.

B OOK TODAY 1-877-844-7977 Opt. 2 must be made through our program.