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Giving Birth Naturally
Conscious Choices Lead to Less Intervention
Rethinking Breast Health Natural Ways to Keep Them Healthy
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Old and Oh-So-Stylish
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publisher’sletter
T contact us Publishers Bob & Melinda Varboncoeur Copy Editor Allison Gorman Design & Production Steffi Karwoth Advertising Sales Bob Varboncoeur 423-667-0980 knoxvillena@epbfi.com To contact Natural Awakenings Knoxville: PO Box 154 Signal Mountain, TN 37377 Phone: 423-517-0128 Fax: 877-541-4350 knoxvillena@epbfi.com NaturallyKnoxville.com For National Advertising: 239-449-8309
© 2015 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.
he female body is a little like an Italian sports car. When it’s working properly, it’s capable of awe-inspiring things. But it’s also complicated, and when it doesn’t get the proper TLC … well, we’ll just say that, back in the day, we knew two owners of a certain sporty brand who spent more time pushing their cars than driving them. This month we focus on women’s wellness, and we are pleased to offer an especially wide array of articles featuring the latest advice on natural and integrative wellness options for women, especially concerning breast health, pregnancy and childbirth. Every woman, regardless of her age and stage in life, will find information here that she can use to enhance her physical and mental health, so that she’ll be in the race for years to come. Our feature story “Rethinking Breast Health” (page 12) is a refreshing departure from the typical take on a subject that strikes fear in the hearts of so many women. While breast cancer is a serious topic that should be on everyone’s radar, the traditional emphasis on reactive—not proactive—breast care tends to take a woman out of the driver’s seat when it comes to her own health, making her feel like an unwitting passenger on a life-or-death ride. Or as Dr. Christiane Northrup, an ob-gyn and author, so aptly puts it in our article, “It concerns me that women feel pressured to think of their breasts as two potentially pre-malignant lesions sitting on their chests.” Writer Lisa Marshalls lists several natural ways to keep the breasts healthy, gives the lowdown on issues like fibrous or tender breasts and breast implants, and explains how the breasts serve as a barometer for a woman’s overall health. And our readers who are pregnant (or who plan to be) should keep reading. From our Healing Ways column on new options in natural childbirth (page 16) to local physician Dr. Leonard Brabson’s exploration of the link between midwife care and reduced C-section rates (page 18), we have a wealth of information to keep mom and baby healthy and comfortable all along the way. Proper nutrition is critical to everyone’s health, and so our Community Spotlight on Knoxville-area farmers’ markets (page 11) should come as great news to anyone trying to eat right on a budget. Despite the common perception that it’s expensive to “eat local,” writer Rebecca Williams explains that the produce we get from farmers’ markets isn’t just better for us than its supermarket equivalents, but it’s usually better for our budgets, too. Normally we encourage people to recycle or pass along Natural Awakenings after they read it. But if you’re a woman, tuck this issue away. It’s one you’ll want to keep.
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contents 6 newsbriefs 8 globalbriefs 10 healthbriefs 8 1 1 community
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22
spotlight
16 healingways 20 wisewords 22 consciouseating 24 greenliving 25 naturalpet 26 localcalendar 28 classifieds 29 resourceguide
advertising & submissions How to Advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 423-517-0128 or email knoxvillena@epbfi.com. Deadline for space reservation is the 10th of the month prior to publication.
News Briefs & article submissions
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.
11 Local Produce More Nutritional Bang for the Buck by Rebecca D. Williams
12 RETHINKING
BREAST HEALTH
Natural Ways to Keep Breasts Smooth, Pain-Free and Firm, while Reducing the Risk of Cancer by Lisa Marshall
16 GIVING BIRTH NATURALLY
by Meredith Montgomery
18 Do Midwives Lower
the Cesarean Rate? by Leonard Brabson, MD
20 LAURA PREPON’S
JOURNEY TO HEALTH
calendar submissions
Why Vegans and Vegetarians are Naturally Trim
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Home Cooking, Organics and Massage Are Keys by Gerry Strauss
regional markets
16
Conscious Choices Lead to Less Intervention
Email articles, news items and ideas to: knoxvillena@epbfi.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month prior to publication. Email calendar events to: knoxvillena@epbfi.com. Calendar deadline: the 10th of the month prior to publication.
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22 EATING SKINNY by Judith Fertig
24 UPCYCLED DÉCOR
24
Old and Oh-So-Stylish by Avery Mack
25 PET VACCINE
ALTERNATIVES
Natural Steps to Nurture Immunity by Shawn Messonnier
natural awakenings
May 2015
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newsbriefs August Special Resource Directory Benefits Non-Profits
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he August issue of Natural Awakenings will give advertisers the opportunity to help others while also helping themselves. For a one-time price of $99, Natural Awakenings will list a business in the August resource guide at the end of the magazine, plus give that business the opportunity to give a free listing to the nonprofit organization of their choice. These nonprofit listings will be featured in a special nonprofit resource guide. Nonprofits that are chosen for a free listing by five or more businesses will be upgraded to a one-sixth-page ad. “The nickname ‘Volunteers’ is no coincidence. The Knoxville area is fortunate to have many wonderful organizations that do great work in our community, largely with the help of volunteers and with scarce operating funds. One of their challenges is simply getting the word out about what they do, because they don’t have the funds to advertise. So we’re inviting local businesses to help us recognize our hardworking nonprofit organizations and make their work a little easier,” says Natural Awakenings co-publisher Bob Varboncoeur. Do you love to read, and realize that strong reading skills are the foundation of a good education? There are reading and education nonprofits that fit the bill. Are you concerned that the poor in your community are not getting the quality food they need? Support a food bank or community garden organization to bring nutritious food to Knoxville’s food deserts. Whatever your passion or worthwhile cause, chances are there’s a nonprofit in Knoxville or its surrounding communities to serve that need. To participate in this special directory, call 423-517-0128 or email KnoxvilleNA@epbfi.com. See ad, page 32.
Empower Your Spiritual & Personal Growth
Hemp Monkeys Host Free Screening of Bought
H
emp Monkeys owners Amber Keirn and Amanda Keller, who regularly teach free classes in their store to educate the public about healthy living choices, will host a May 12 screening of the new documentary Bought, which reveals how much power the food and drug industries have over American’s health-care and food options. Keirn says it’s a must-see for those wishing to empower themselves by seeking alternative wellness options. “We’re passionate about educating ourselves and our customers about natural options that have been around for years,” she says. “For example, Hemp Monkeys is the best resource in town for essential oils. There is a grassroots movement occurring for change—America is waking up and demanding better—and we want to take part in that movement.” If attendance is good at the screening, she says, Hemp Monkeys will show the 11-part series The Truth About Cancer, which is currently making its debut online. That event is planned for late summer and fall. To see a listing of free classes at Hemp Monkeys in May, see the ad on page ??. Zyto scans pertaining to Doterra Essential Oils are also available by appointment at Hemp Monkeys. “A Zyto scan can pair up the essential oils each individual body is asking for,” Keirn says. The screening of Bought will begin at 7 p.m. May 12. Space is limited, so RSVP to amber@hempmonkeysonline.com or call the store at 865-474-1340 to reserve a spot. Hemp Monkeys is located at 4928 Homberg Dr., Knoxville, and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See ad, page 14.
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May Workshop and Women’s Dance at CFP
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he Center for Peace—a holistic, nondenominational spiritual center located in Seymour, Tennessee— is hosting two special events in May: a workshop with “That Energy Guy,” David Arms; and a Women’s Web of Life Dance, a weekend event to be led by Jennilea Beem and Heather Robinson. Arms’ workshop, scheduled for May 9 from 10 to 11:30 p.m., will focus on things that influence our bodies. From vaccines and medications to processed foods, what we put into our bodies can have life-changing effects, Arms says. “Studies show that sugar has the same basic effect on the brain that cocaine does,” he says. “I have been shown how to restructure the neurological pathways that have been rearranged by such things.” The presentation fee is $25, and an individual session with Arms (45-60 minutes) costs $50. Individual sessions should be scheduled ahead. For more information, contact Patti MacFee at 865-250-1988. The Women’s Web of Life Dance event will start May 22 and end May 24. “This dance is about looking down the threads of life—forward and backward—and seeing all the possible consequences of our choices,” Robinson says. “It is about seeing, understanding and ultimately taking responsibility for what we set in motion. It is about gaining an understanding of how we affect the strands next to us and across from us, indeed the whole web of life.” Suggested donation is $295; payment options can be worked out in advance. The Center for Peace is located at 880 Graves-Delozier Rd., about 45 minutes from downtown Knoxville. For more information, call 865-458-3070 or visit. CenterForPeace.us. See ad, page 21.
CHEO Hosts Feldenkrais, Essential Oils Presentations
T
he May educational programs of the Knoxville-area groups of CHEO will include a panel presentation on essential oils and a demonstration of the Feldenkrais Method, which builds agility at any age. Kathy Wickard and Carrie Wagner will present “The Many Wonders of Essential Oils,” hosted by the Knoxville Group of CHEO, May 11 at 7 p.m. at the Parkwest Medical Center classroom, 9330 Park West Boulevard, Knoxville. The panelists will discuss which essential oils are most beneficial for families and how they can be used, and they will bring samples of oils so that participants can see and smell them for themselves. There will be a door prize of essential oils donated by Wickard. The presentation will begin with a 6:30 p.m. meet and greet. The Loudon-Monroe Group of CHEO will host Debbie Ashton’s presentation, “Ageless Agility: Based on the Feldenkrais Method,” May 27 at 7 p.m., preceded by a 6:30 meet and greet. A certified Feldenkrais practitioner for 25 years, Ashton will how the unique, gentle movement sequences of Feldenkrais help hip, spine and shoulders become more “lubricated” and mobile. “The method is an efficient and effortless way of moving to reduce stress or strain on an overused, injured or painful body part or improve your performance in a sport or everyday activity,” she says. Participants should dress comfortably. The door prize is a one-hour Feldenkrais session with Ashton. The program will be held at the Rarity Bay Community Center, 150 Rarity Bay Parkway, Vonore, Tennessee. For information about CHEO or its programs, visit CHEOKnox.org. See resource listing, page 29.
Rev. Lora Beth Gillbreath We ekly Sunday ser v ices 10:45 at Open Chord 8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, 37919 (Directly across the street from Books-A-Million) A Positive Path For Spiritual Living
( 865) 809-5207 www.unitytransformation.org unitytransformation@gmail.com P.O. Box 32703, Knoxville, TN 37930 natural awakenings
May 2015
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newsbriefs
globalbriefs
Duo “FM” Joins Unity Services in May
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Corporate Climate
Companies Slowly Embrace Sustainability
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Left to Right: Will Fletcher, Lora Beth Gilbreath, Michele Williams
he duo of FM—Fletcher Michele— will join Unity Transformation for Sunday services in May at Open Chord music venue in Knoxville. Will Fletcher and Michele Williams have co-written and recorded songs for over two years. They first performed together on a cold February morning at Open Chord with Unity Transformation. “That Sunday birthed the duo FM, and the synergy began perking,” says Unity’s Rev. Lora Beth Gilbreath. “We could see the marriage of gifts, talents and musical styles, where Michele and Will’s artistry crossed paths with the needs of our growing ministry. We enthusiastically look forward to their continuing with us every Sunday in May. FM will not only lead the congregational singing, but also bring their unique musical compositions. It’s my dream-come-true team for rockin’, reverent music.” “I am digging playing alongside Michele, supporting Lora Beth and her Unity Transformation message on Sundays at Open Chord,” Fletcher says. “We’re also playing in a great room where the sound is great with sound engineer Taylor Johnson.” FM’s music has “a mystical, healing component,” Williams says. “Will’s a rocker. I’m more of a ballad singer. I want to help people heal with words and tones. We want our songs to inspire others as they have us—a turning pain to grace sort of thing.” Open Chord, where Unity Transformation regularly meets for Sunday services, is located at 8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, across the street from Books-A-Million. FM begins singing at 10:45 a.m. For more information about Unity Transformation, call Gilbreath at 865-809-5207 or visit UnityTransformation.org. See ad, page 7.
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The 2015 State of Green Business report (Tinyurl. com/2015GreenBusinessReport), which assesses the environmental performances of companies worldwide, along with the trends to watch, is produced by GreenBiz, in partnership with Trucost. Collectively, companies have been nibbling at the edges of challenges such as climate change, food security, ecosystems preservation and resource efficiency. One measure of corporate engagement going forward will be proactive involvement on political issues that could accelerate the transition to a low-carbon and more sustainable economy. It remains to be seen whether companies can afford to sit on the sidelines, letting the political process unfold, or worse, play defense against changes that might roil their status quo. 2015 will be an interesting year on multiple fronts, especially with the launch of the new sustainable development goals at the United Nations (UN) in New York this fall, along with UN climate talks in Paris in December. Both will be tests of corporate engagement and resolve in driving the kinds of change many of their CEOs publicly call for. The reports’ findings of companies’ progress in greenhouse gas and emissions, air pollutants, water use and solid waste production are all leveling off or even declining.
Animal Genocide
‘Lethal Control’ Trades Off Species Over the next four years, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers will shoot 16,000 double-crested cormorants nesting near the Columbia River, in Oregon, at a cost of $1.5 million a year and eliminate almost 100 sea lions because both feed on endangered salmon and steelhead trout. “If people knew how many animals are killed at taxpayer expense, they’d be horrified,” says Camilla Fox, executive director of Project Coyote, a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit. Termed “lethal control”, there’s a growing trend to kill one species to protect another, and not all methods used are humane. In 2012, Dennis Orthmeyer, acting director of California’s Wildlife Services, said, “We pride ourselves on our ability to get it done without many people knowing about it.” Climate change, reduced habitat and food supplies, and the introduction of non-native species are the result of human interference. “With society’s growing footprint, lethal control can only increase,” observes Michael Scott, a University of Idaho ecologist. A plan to poison 4,000 ravens will protect greater sage grouse. More mountain lions will be killed to save bighorn sheep. The human rampage goes on, and concerned citizens are advised to urge lawmakers to end lethal control and protect wildlife habitat sustainably. Take action at Tinyurl.com/AnimalLiberationFrontCampaign.
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Tool Pool
Farmers Share Farm Machinery
Scroll to Dollar Store Report at Healthy Stuff.org for the complete test results. Take action at NontoxicDollarStores.org.
Source: ModernFarmer.com
Persistent Pacers
Women Marathoners Better at Maintaining Speed Danish researchers studying almost 2 million marathon results from 131 marathon races over a period of five years have concluded that women are 18.6 percent better than men at maintaining a consistent pace overall, compared to the first and the last parts of the distance. Among the population studied, 68.5 percent were men and 31.5 percent were women. The research further suggests that both men and women “burn out” en route and could improve their marathon results significantly simply by starting slower. Source: Consumer.HealthDay.com
The Write Place
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HealthyStuff, a project of the Michiganbased Ecology Center, in collaboration with the Campaign for Healthier Solutions (CHS), has released a report, A Day Late and a Dollar Short: Discount Retailers are Falling Behind on Safer Chemicals, about toxic chemicals found in dollar store products. It includes test results for 164 dollar store products such as toys, jewelry, school supplies and household items and found that 81 percent contained at least one hazardous chemical above a level that generates concern.” The campaign sent a letter to the CEOs of the four largest dollar store chains, including Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and 99 Cents Only, urging them to stop the sale of these unsafe products, especially to communities of low-income and ethnic families that already live in more polluted areas and food deserts, and adopt policies that will instead protect both customers and their own businesses. Combined, these discount chains have annual sales totaling more than $36 billion and operate more stores nationally than Walmart. The CHS is asking for a comprehensive set of reforms; communities need to let dollar store chains know that they want safer products and join local and national efforts advocating for nontoxic products.
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Stores Filled with Toxic Products
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Dirty Dollars
Instead of buying or renting expensive specialized machinery, farmers in Maine can now join a “lending library” of farm tools on short-term loan by using the Shared-Use Farm Equipment Pool, a partnership between the Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. There are already equipment co-ops and joint machinery ownerships around the country; now the sharing economy being established in urban areas seems to be catching on in rural America, too. For a $100 annual fee, members can gain access to a seedbed cultivator, twoshank sub-soiler, plastic mulch layer, tine weeder, and strip and ridge tillers. The 1,200-pound mulch layer, for instance, retails for more than $2,000. Each piece is undeniably useful, but pricey, especially given the cost per use. Farmers have a three-day window to use the tools. The pool came about when Mike Gold, an MFT staff member, saw the need to lower costs for both new and seasoned farmers. Currently, most of the tool pool members are newer vegetable farmers, but Gold says there’s appeal for established land stewards, too: “They see the opportunity to use that one piece of equipment that they may only need once a year or once every few years.”
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Judy Bingham, M.S. • Maryville, TN • www.judybingham.net natural awakenings
May 2015
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healthbriefs
Meditation Improves Brain Health
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arvard Medical School researchers working at the Massachusetts General Hospital have determined that meditation can improve brain health. The researchers studied 16 volunteers that took part in an eight-week mindfulness meditation study at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. The participants conducted mindfulness meditation exercises for an average of 27 minutes a day. Before and after the trial, the subjects were given tests and magnetic resonance imaging of their brains. The researchers found that the practice of mindfulness meditation resulted in increased gray matter density in the hippocampus of the brain, an area associated with increased memory and learning capacity, plus a greater sense of compassion and introspection.
Heart Disease Detected Early with Breath Testing
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esearch published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has found that breath testing can reveal potential heart disease and artery problems quickly and efficiently. Testing 31 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) together with 34 healthy control subjects, the study found that concentrations of volatile gases such as propanol, ethanol and ammonia were significantly different among the heart disease patients. It also found that the breath can reveal specific details about the heart’s condition. The breath test can be analyzed in fewer than 30 minutes.
Italian Court Links Boy’s Autism to a Vaccine
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ast September, a Milan Court held in favor of plaintiffs that claimed that three doses of the hexavalent GlaxoSmithKline vaccine Infanrix Hexa that were administered to an infant beginning in 2006 caused autism later when he was a young boy. The vaccine is used for polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough and haemophilus influenzae type B. After hearing from several medical experts, the court ruled that the child likely suffered autism and brain damage as a result of the vaccine’s content of mercury and aluminum, combined with a genetic mutation in the child rendering greater susceptibility. The ruling ordered damages to be paid by the Italian government’s national vaccine injury compensation program. The court’s decision was also based upon GlaxoSmithKline’s list of possible adverse events resulting from the vaccine, which included five cases of autism during clinical trials. Today in the U.S., most vaccines routinely given to children under 6 years of age are free of thimerosal, a mercury-derived preservative.
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NaturallyKnoxville.com
Weight Gain in Moms Lowers Toxins in Newborns
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any expectant mothers try to know about everything they put into and onto their bodies as multiple studies are finding that infants are exposed to toxins during pregnancy. A new study of 325 expectant mothers has determined that the baby’s exposure to toxins in the womb decreases when the mother’s weight gain during pregnancy approaches the guidelines recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2009. Women that are underweight at the start of pregnancy are advised to gain between 28 and 40 pounds, women of a healthy weight 25 to 35 pounds, overweight women 15 to 25 pounds and obese women 11 to 20 pounds. The researchers found that expectant mothers with a gestational weight that meets or exceeds the IOM guidelines gave birth to infants with reduced toxin levels. In their analysis of the umbilical cord blood of mothers from Spain, the researchers tested for 14 pesticides and 21 other environmental toxins, including seven polychlorobiphenyls (PCB). Other influencers such as age, education and fish consumption may also be relevant.
communityspotlight
Photo: Charles Samuels
picking it. Grocery stores do not have this luxury; their produce ripens in a refrigerated truck over the course of a long trip. And even if they’re not certified “USDA Organic,” small farmers are more likely to use manures and other organic fertilizers, because they are less expensive than the chemical equivalent. This practice, in turn, produces crops that are higher in nutritional value than the ones large commercial farms produce. The bottom line? Eating fruits and vegetables is always healthy. But choosing produce that is just-picked and locally grown will increase the odds that it contains the highest possible nutritional content, at a price that’s good for the wallet as well.
Local Produce More Nutritional Bang for the Buck
Ebenezer Road Farmers’ Market in Knoxville (Tuesdays 3-6 p.m.);
armers’ markets around East Tenbang for the buck. The longer food sits, nessee will be opening during the the more nutrients it loses. Grocery next few weeks, and that’s good store produce is always at least a week news for our budgets and our bodies. old, because it travels an average of While some products are more ex- 1,500 miles to the store. That’s compensive at a farmers’ market than at a pared with farmers’ market produce, supermarket, overall their products are which travels on average about 100 comparable in cost. In 2011, SCALE miles and typically is picked just 24 Inc. (Sequestering Carbon, Accelerathours before sale. Several critical ing Local Economnutrients, such as Local farmers wait until ics), a consulting vitamins C, E and organization, A and some B viproduce is ripe to pick it. studied 24 farmtamins, begin deers’ markets in 19 Grocery store produce ripens teriorating quickly counties throughafter harvesting. in a refrigerated truck. out Tennessee and The local the Southeast and found that in 74 farmers who supply farmers’ markets percent of the cases, products in farmcan grow more varieties of produce, ers’ markets cost the same as or less focusing on taste and nutrition rather than products in supermarkets, with an than shelf life, compared to the farms average of 12 percent lower cost. that supply grocery stores. What’s more, produce from a Local farmers also can wait until farmers’ market gives more nutritional produce is ripened on the vine before
Lakeshore Park Farmers’ Market in Knoxville (Fridays 3-6 p.m.); and Oak Ridge Farmers’ Market in Jackson Square, Oak Ridge, TN (Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays 3-6 p.m.). See ad, page 20.
natural awakenings
Photo: Charles Samuels
by Rebecca D. Williams
F
Rebecca D. Williams is the media consultant for East TN FARM Markets, a nonprofit organization that runs three farmers’ market locations April through November:
May 2015
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RETHINKING BREAST HEALTH Natural ways to keep breasts smooth, pain-free and firm, while reducing the risk of cancer. by Lisa Marshall
W
e’ve been conditioned to narrowly define breast health in terms of pink ribbon campaigns, cancer awareness marches and cold, steel mammography machines. Nearly 30 years after anticancer drug maker Imperial Chemical Industries (now AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals) established the first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 1985, many women have come to equate healthy breasts with cancer-free breasts, and assume the most important thing they can do is undergo regular screening. But amid this chorus, some women’s health advocates are striving to get a different message across: There are a host of steps women can take to not only fend off disease in the future, but keep their breasts in optimal condition today. “We need to change the conversation about our breasts from how to avoid breast cancer and detect it early to how to have healthy breasts and enjoy them,” says Dr. Christiane Northrup, an obstetrician and gynecologist from Yarmouth, Maine, and author of the new book Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Well-Being.
Healthy Breasts, Healthy Body
In adolescence, breast changes are the first to signal the arrival of womanhood. When she’s aroused, a woman’s nipples harden and change color. When a woman gives birth, her breasts fill with life-giving milk. “In all these ways, your breasts are deeply connected to your femininity, compassion and sensuality,”
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says Hawaiian Naturopathic Doctor Laurie Steelsmith, co-author of Natural Choices for Women’s Health. Because breasts are extremely sensitive to hormonal fluctuations throughout the body, they can also serve as a barometer of overall health. “If you’re having chronic breast symptoms, it can be your body’s wisdom saying, ‘Help. Something’s wrong.’ Women need to listen.” While some premenstrual swelling and tenderness is normal, exaggerated or persistent pain is often a sign of systemic estrogen dominance in relation to progesterone. It’s common in the years leading up to menopause, but can also hint at impaired thyroid function, because low levels of thyroid hormones have been shown to boost estrogen in breast tissue, advises Steelsmith. Large, fluid-filled cysts or fibrous lumps, while non-cancerous, can also be a reflection of overexposure to harmful chemicals and toxin buildup, combined with poor lymph flow, notes Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan, an integrative physician in Greensboro, North Carolina. “If a woman has lumpy, bumpy breasts, they probably contain too many toxins, and those toxins are primarily estrogenic.”
NaturallyKnoxville.com
Addressing such symptoms is important not only to relieve discomfort, but also because excess estrogen can fuel future cancer risk, says Vaughan. Any new, suspicious lump should be evaluated by a professional. Also, severe breast tenderness combined with nipple discharge could be a sign of infection or a problem with the pituitary gland, so it should also be checked. But typically, subtle natural healthcare steps can go a long way toward restoring breast wellness. For nipple tenderness, Steelsmith recommends chaste-tree berry (175 milligrams [mg] of powdered extract or 40 drops daily). The herbal supplement mimics naturally occurring progesterone in the body, helping to counter estrogen dominance. Vitamin E (400 to 800 international units [IU] per day) and evening primrose oil (1,500 mg twice a day) have also been shown to alleviate breast tenderness. For fibrous or cyst-filled breasts, Vaughan advises supplementing with iodine (up to 12.5 mg per day via kelp, seaweed or oral tablets) or applying an iodine solution to the breasts at night. A key constituent of thyroid hormones, iodine helps the liver convert unfriendly forms of estrogen into
friendlier forms and flush toxins out of lymph nodes in the breast. Also, steer clear of chocolate and coffee, because caffeine is believed to interact with enzymes in the breast, exaggerating pain and lumpiness. Also consider ditching the bra, says Vaughan. Brassieres can constrict lymph nodes and hinder blood circulation in breasts, locking toxins in and aggravating fibrocystic symptoms. The link between bras and breast cancer risk remains hotly debated, with one 2014 U.S. National Cancer Institute study of 1,400 women concluding unequivocally that, “There’s no evidence that wearing a bra increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer,” while smaller studies from the United States, China, Venezuela, Scotland and Africa suggest a link. Vaughan, the founder of BraFree.org, says the science is compelling enough that she has chosen to keep her own bra use to a minimum and advises her patients to do the same. “Obviously, there are certain sports where you should wear a sports bra and there are certain dresses that only look right with a bra,” says Vaughan. At a minimum, avoid wearing a bra to bed and steer clear of underwires and overly tight bras that leave red marks. “This is not about guilt-tripping women into never wearing a bra. It’s about wearing a bra less.”
devices, and are not intended to be lifelong. At some point, you will probably have to have further surgery,” says Dr. Anureet Bajaj, an Oklahoma City plastic surgeon. Bajaj notes that implants can rupture, forming scar tissue and lending irregular shape to the breast. Often, as a woman ages and her body changes, the larger breasts she chose in her 20s no longer look right and may cause
back and shoulder pain. In some cases, implants can also lead to loss of nipple sensitivity. For these and other reasons, 23,774 women—including actress Melissa Gilbert and model Victoria Beckham—had their implants removed in 2014, often following up with a breast lift (using their own tissue) to restore their shape. Vaughan sees breast implant removal as a wise and courageous choice
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Too small or too big, lopsided or riddled with stretch marks… it seems almost every woman has a complaint about the appearance of her breasts. That’s a problem, says Northrup, because, “Healthy breasts are breasts that are loved. We have to stop beating them up.” According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of women getting breast implants for cosmetic reasons ballooned from 212,500 in 2000 to 286,254 in 2014. Physicians—including Northrup— claim that modern implants don’t, in the majority of cases, promote disease like older silicone implants did. Yet even plastic surgeons warn that having implants should be fully thought out, and at some point they’ll probably have to come out. “They are manmade
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to restore optimal breast health. Better yet, don’t get implants in the first place. “There are a lot of other things you can do to improve the appearance of your breasts,” she advises. Vaughan recommends breastperking exercises like dumbbell bench presses and flys that tone the pectoral muscles beneath the breasts, making them more resilient and look larger. To prevent or reverse sagging, she again urges women to go bra-free. “We have ligaments in the upper outer quadrant of our breasts called Cooper’s ligaments, and they’re responsible for holding our breasts up. Just like your muscles atrophy when you put your arm in a sling, your Cooper’s ligaments atrophy if you wear a bra all the time.” In one unpublished, yet highly publicized 2013 study, French Exercise Physiologist Jean-Denis Rouillon measured the busts of 330 women ages 18 to 35 over a period of 15 years and found those that regularly wore a bra had droopier breasts with lower nipples than those that didn’t. In another, smaller, Japanese study, researchers found that when women stopped wearing a bra for three months, their breasts perked up. Those worried about stretch marks also have options. They can be a sign of inadequate copper, which promotes collagen integrity and helps skin stretch without injury, says Steelsmith. If rapid weight gain is occurring due to adolescence, pregnancy or for other reasons, try taking copper supplements or applying a topical copper spray on the breasts. Remember to massage your breasts daily, not only as a “search and destroy mission” for early detection of cancerous lumps, says Northrup, but as a way to get waste products flowing out and loving energy flowing in. “It concerns me that women feel pressured to think of their breasts as two potentially pre-malignant lesions sitting on their chests,” Northrup says. “These are organs of nourishment and pleasure for both ourselves and others. We need to remember that, too.” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.
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Bust Musts for Cancer Prevention by Lisa Marshall
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ccording to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and nearly 40,000 will die annually of the disease. But at least 38 percent of those diagnoses could be prevented via diet and lifestyle changes, affirms the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). “For decades, the dominant public message about breast cancer has been about early detection,” says Medical Doctor Robert Pendergrast, an associate professor at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, and author of Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk with Foods You Love. “Screening is important, but not nearly enough attention is being paid to prevention.” Here’s what we can do to keep cancer at bay or from recurring. Eat more veggies: Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, are loaded with indole-3-carbinol, or I3C, a potent anticancer compound that helps break down excess estrogen and convert it into a more friendly, or benign form, says Steelsmith. One study in Alternative Medicine Review found that women that ate high amounts of cruciferous vegetables were 30 percent less likely to develop breast cancer over 30 years. I3C can also be taken as a supplement (300 milligrams [mg] per day). Eat more fiber, especially flax: Fiber, via whole grains, fruits and vegetables, helps flush out toxins including unfriendly estrogen. Flax contains cancer-fighting compounds called lignans, which block the effects of excess or unfriendly estrogen on cells. Drink less alcohol: Alcohol boosts estrogen levels in women and is broken down in the liver to acetaldehyde, a known toxin that causes cancer in laboratory animals, notes Naturopath
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Laurie Steelsmith. According to the AICR, a woman that has five drinks per week boosts her risk by 5 percent. Two or more drinks per day boosts such risk by more than 40 percent. Skip the barbecue: Charring meat produces carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines. A study of 42,000 women, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that those that routinely ate welldone hamburger, beef or bacon had four times the risk of those that opted for medium or medium-rare. Keep weight in check: Excessive estrogen, which lives in fat cells, fuels cancer risk. According to the AICR, a woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 (obese) has a 13 percent higher risk of cancer than a woman with a BMI of 25 (slightly overweight). Spice up life: Curcumin from the turmeric plant has been shown in many studies to have potent immune-boosting and anticancer properties, reactivating sleeping tumor-suppressor genes that can kill cancer cells. De-stress: Growing evidence that includes studies from Ohio State University suggest that stress can boost the risk of breast cancer and recurrence, plus heighten its aggressiveness by altering hormones and impairing immunity. One study from Finland’s University of Helsinki followed 10,808 Finnish women for 15 years and found as much as double the rate of breast cancer among those that had experienced a divorce or death of a spouse or family member. Drink green tea: It’s loaded with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant believed to suppress new blood vessel growth in tumors and keep cancerous cells from invading healthy tissue.
Triumph Over The ‘Big C’ by Lisa Marshall
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hen Sandy Messonnier was diagnosed with breast cancer, she faced scary treatment decisions as doctors pressured her to consider all means available. “I was more afraid of the treatment than the cancer itself,” says Messonnier, 52, of Plano, Texas. “I kept feeling like I was being lumped into one big category of all women that got breast cancer, rather than treated as an individual.” With the help of her holistic veterinarian husband Shawn Messonnier, Sandy took a more measured approach, blending conventional and complementary medicine in an individualized protocol the couple describes in their book, Breast Choices for the Best Chances: Your Breasts, Your Life, and How You Can Win the Battle! After careful consideration, Sandy opted for two lumpectomies three weeks
apart, instead of a mastectomy, to remove the small tumor. The second one was done to clear up a few remaining cells indicated by a biopsy. Meanwhile, she took supplements including green tea and coriolus mushrooms to impede the spread of the cancer cells. Several tests helped determine if she needed chemotherapy and the optimum dose for some of her supplements. The results prompted her to decline chemotherapy and opt for a brief stint of radiation while taking the supplements quercetin and curcumin to help combat the fatigue and other side effects. Afterward, she cleansed her body with homeopathic mistletoe, herbal milk thistle and other detoxifying supplements. Then she began the work of keeping cancer at bay. “A lot of doctors never talk to you about what you are going to do after
the poisoning [chemo], the burning and surgery,” she says. “Rather than taking a cancer-fighting drug, I chose to be more mindful of what I do with my body.” Her regimen called for committing to keeping up with the healthy diet, plus regular walks, yoga and Pilates that she believes helped keep the cancer relatively mild to begin with. But she also made some life changes to address the one thing she believes may have driven the outbreak in the first place—stress. She made peace with her mother, which reduced a lot of stress, began to cultivate a spiritual life and now takes time to meditate or walk when she feels even lightly stressed. She also vowed to keep the fear of recurrence from overwhelming her. “Many women never stop worrying about it,” she observes. “That is toxic energy you are putting back into your body.” As of this October, Messonnier will be five years cancer-free. Her advice for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: “Chemotherapy, radiation and mastectomy are not among the right choices for all women. There are other options, depending on the type of cancer. Don’t be so fearful that you make hasty decisions you don’t need to make.”
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healingways
Giving Birth Naturally Conscious Choices Lead to Less Intervention by Meredith Montgomery
tional hospital experience that accompanied their first baby’s arrival. When actress Ricki Lake gave birth to her second child in her home bathtub with the assistance of a midwife, she felt empowered by doing it on her own terms. “Giving birth wasn’t an illness, something that needed to be numbed. It was something to be experienced,” she says. When women let their bodies naturally lead, labor can last as little as 20 minutes or as long as two weeks, and the spectrum of pain intensity is equally broad. A healthy prenatal lifestyle that prepares a mom-to-be for a natural physical, emotional and spiritual experience of childbirth is highly beneficial.
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abor and delivery came a profession and a Most births is a natural process doctor-attended birth in should be viewed a hospital was promoted that can be enjoyed. “It’s not something as a natural life as a safer alternative. to be afraid of,” says By 1938, half of domesprocess instead tic births took place in Mel Campbell, author of The Yoga of Pregnancy. hospitals, and by 1960 it of a potential “It’s a wonderful and rose to 97 percent. Curbeautiful experience. We medical emergency. rently, midwives attend need to remember that less than 8 percent of ~Abby Epstein, The births here, and fewer the body is designed for Business of Being Born than 1 percent occur outgiving birth.” Natural childbirth side a hospital. uses few or no artificial medical interNatural labor and delivery in a ventions such as drugs, continuous hospital is possible, but, “It’s hard to fetal monitoring, forceps delivery or have an unmedicated birth in many episiotomies (cuts to enlarge the vaginal hospitals if you don’t know your rights, opening). According to the U.S. Centers understand your physiology and have for Disease Control (CDC), 32.7 percent a doula by your side helping you avoid of deliveries were by Cesarean section unnecessary interventions,” says Ina in 2013—most performed in situations May Gaskin, a pioneering midwife and where a vaginal birth would have posed author of Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. a relatively low risk to the health of Key factors to discuss include fetal mother and child. Entirely natural child- monitoring, intravenous tubes and the birth is now rare here compared with option to eat or drink during labor. other countries, but that wasn’t always the case. Benefits of Home Births In 1900, 95 percent of all U.S. Women choose home births and births took place in the home; when homey birthing centers because they more moved to hospitals here in the labor there more comfortably, feel more early 20th century, midwives still in control of the process and can more typically handled the delivery in other easily avoid interventions. Many moms seek out a midwife’s services because countries, sometimes without a doctor present. In America, obstetrics bethey don’t want to repeat the conven-
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“Pregnancy’s not the time to overexert yourself; let go of the temptation to overachieve and instead practice breathing and mindfulness,” advises Campbell. “If you’re experiencing morning sickness, try to embrace it and how it serves you. By doing so, you’ll be more in tune with your body. These lessons are gifts you can take with you into labor.” She reminds women that the baby is always getting nourishment from all that mom eats and breathes in, and also feeds off of her feelings and emotions. “The more we can feel at peace with ourselves and incorporate the baby into our being, the more we feel a connection and union,” she says. “It’s vital that you let your body’s innate wisdom be your guide and respect any cues it may give.” Campbell guides expectant mothers through a yoga practice that embraces the changes occurring each trimester. For example, a more physical practice in the second trimester utilizes the surge of energy to build stamina and strength, while opening the heart, hips and pelvis. Complementary relaxation techniques for labor include breathing practices, visualization, meditation and massage. When a mother isn’t connected to monitors and tubes, she’s free to experiment with positions and props such as balls, bars and pillows, plus a
There is a great deal of fear and ignorance about allowing labor and birth to proceed without disturbance. Rates of routine intervention are so high, most nurses and physicians rarely see a fully natural birth. ~Ina May Gaskin warm shower or bath. If a hospital birth is planned, Gaskin notes that labor often slows once a woman leaves the comfort of home, and recommends laboring at home as long as possible. There is no way to predict the course of labor and delivery when women let nature take the lead. Campbell, a mother of three, says, “I tried to focus on the intention of what I wanted for my birthing experience, while also surrendering expectations, knowing that I would have whatever type of birth I was supposed to have.” She adds, “The breath is the most important thing—it keeps us in the moment, helps us to relax and supports us through labor.” While the home birth option is important to America’s new generation of trailblazing women, it’s also significant on a macro level. Gaskin explains, “It’s hard for staff to change routine practices in hospitals but home births make innovation possible.” Home births demonstrated that women don’t require routine episiotomies and have shown how maternal mobility and position changes can help labor progress and free badly stuck babies (earlier methods often injured mother and child). Gaskin has found, “Wherever and however you decide to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, mind, body and spirit for the rest of your life. No one should have a home birth who doesn’t want one, but it must be one of the choices.” Meredith Montgomery publishes Natural Awakenings of Mobile/Baldwin, AL (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).
A Mother’s Guide to Natural Childbirth by Meredith Montgomery
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etermining the best birth setting for a mother necessitates sound planning. If an unmedicated birth is a goal, these insights may help in making decisions. Home birth takes place in the comfort of home, typically with the assistance of a midwife, and is suitable for a healthy woman with a low-risk pregnancy. She is able to wear her own clothing and eat as she pleases. Because monitoring of mother and baby is done intermittently, she is free to move around. Confirm the midwife’s training and experience; ask how many home births she’s attended and which obstetricians she consults. Discuss the signs and symptoms that might necessitate a move to the hospital and how quickly it can be done. While a midwife’s fee is often far less than the cost of a hospital birth, not all insurance companies cover home births. A birth center provides personalized, family-centered care in a homelike environment for healthy women. Practitioners follow principles of problem prevention, sensitivity, safety, appropriate medical intervention and cost-effectiveness. A midwife typically delivers the baby, but the collaborative practice team also includes obstetricians, pediatricians and other specialists. Mothers
experience personal freedoms similar to a home birth, and tubs for water births are usually available, plus other birthing props such as squatting bars, stools and balls. The center should be accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers. Inquire what the protocol for care will be if complications arise, learn what the center’s charges for care cover and confirm if the family’s insurance policy will pay for the services provided. A hospital generally has access to the latest medical technology, making it a preferred option for medium-to-highrisk pregnancies. With proper preparations, an unmedicated birth is possible in this traditional setting. Investigate their rates of Cesarean births and episiotomies and the determining parameters. To allow for an active labor, request intermittent fetal monitoring, avoid intravenous fluids and ask about the availability of birthing props. Become familiar with hospital policies, such as who can be in the delivery room and whether the baby will stay with mom after the birth. If a nurse midwife is not on staff, consider hiring a doula to assist in preparing for and carrying out the family’s birth plan.
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by Leonard Brabson, MD
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hat are the factors that might decrease an expectant mother’s chances of having a Cesarean delivery? Several possibilities have been mentioned, particularly seeing a certified nurse midwife during pregnancy, or planning to deliver in a facility that promotes vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC). There may be some other factors, as well. At our facility, the rate of Cesarean deliveries has been declining over the last three years, while the national rate has remained relatively stagnant, according to the latest available statistics. (Although we have our hospital data through the end of 2014, national data is available only through 2013.) According to the Centers for Disease Control, the national total Cesarean rate peaked in 2009 at 32.9 percent. For the next three years, that rate remained steady at 32.8 percent. In 2013, the national rate dropped only slightly, to 32.7 percent. For several years, the Cesarean rate at Physician’s Regional Medical Center in Knoxville (formerly known as St. Mary’s) mirrored the national rates. However, over the last three years we have seen a steady drop in the percentage of Cesarean births.
Just for clarification … There are several ways to calculate the Cesarean (C/S) rate. The most common are the Total C/S rate, the Primary C/S rate and the Repeat C/S rate. The Total C/S rate is simply the total number of all C/S deliveries divided by the total number of all births in a particular time frame. The Primary
C/S rate is the number of women having a C/S for the first time divided by the total number of deliveries. Another important rate to consider is the VBAC rate, which can be listed as the VBAC percentage (the number of women who have a VBAC delivery divided by the number of women who have had a previous C/S) or the VBAC success rate (the number of women who attempt a VBAC who successfully deliver vaginally).
At our facility, the rate of ceptable times for labor, among others things, to help decrease the Primary Cesarean deliveries has C/S rate. been declining over the not sure which of these factors matlast three years, while the I’m ters most, but I think they all contribute national rate has remained to lower C/S rates. relatively stagnant. Revealing statistics
So what’s changed? Several things: • Three years ago, we added a full-time midwifery service to our hospital. • Four years ago, our hospital adopted a policy of no scheduled deliveries before 39 weeks of pregnancy except in the case of certain complications of pregnancy. • Seven years ago, the Tennessee legislature passed a tort reform law. As a result of this new law, liability suits against doctors dropped by 50 percent. • Early last year, the American Congress of OBGYN (ACOG) issued a paper entitled “Preventing the First Cesarean,” which gives guidelines suggesting longer ac-
In 2014, our hospital delivered almost 1,500 babies. Our Total C/S rate was 26 percent, our Primary C/S rate was 15 percent, and our VBAC rate was 26 percent. In our particular practice, St. Mary’s Birth & Midwifery Center (staffed by one medical doctor and three certified nurse midwives) the Total C/S rate was 17 percent, the Primary C/S rate was 10 percent, the VBAC rate was 51 percent, and the VBAC success rate was greater than 85 percent. I think our facility has shown that all the changes listed above can contribute to the marked lowering of Cesarean rates. Leonard Brabson, MD, is chair of the Department of OBGYN at Tennova Healthcare in Knoxville and medical director at St. Mary’s Birth & Midwifery Center in Knoxville.
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wisewords
Laura Prepon’s Journey to Health Home Cooking, Organics and Massage Are Key by Gerry Strauss
You must do the things you think you cannot do. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
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How do you manage to consistently eat local organic food instead of fast food?
My mother was a gourmet chef and an advocate of organic food, so we always had amazing meals growing up. Eating organic produce that’s in season locally seems to help me assimilate nutrition more readily. Whenever I can, I also try to tap into biodynamic agriculture, which takes an even broader holistic approach to food production and nutrition. I view GMOs [genetically modified foods] as toxic to the system. As a self-taught chef, I like to cook at least 80 percent of my food at home NaturallyKnoxville.com
and bring meals to work so I don’t stress about food during the day. It feels good to get people together in the kitchen and I’ve taught friends how to cook healthy foods in simple ways, so they now bring their own meals with them to work. It’s all about preparation, so that you’re not just grabbing something on the run. Knowing what’s going into the food we’re eating is important. photo by Michael Simon
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rom That ‘70s Show to Orange is the New Black, actress Laura Prepon has long been considered by TV audiences to be a welcome image of health. Yet Prepon’s recent discovery that she’d been falling short in nourishing her body as effectively as possible has set in motion a complete redirection of lifestyle, from her diet to fitness routine. Now working on a book about clean living and eating due out next year, Prepon has rededicated herself to educating us just as much as she’s entertained us through the years.
Why do you include a lot of soup in your diet? With all of the GMO food sprayed with chemicals in the typical American diet and the other environmental toxins everyone has to deal with, our gut flora, intestines and bodies in general are becoming compromised. Ten years ago, few had even heard of gluten allergies unless you had celiac disease, which was rare even then. Now, everywhere you go, there’s a gluten-free option. I love eating soup because the healthful ingredients I use are broken down completely, so the body can immediately assimilate needed micronutrients, which help heal us from the inside out. I’m talking about homemade broth from grass-fed beef bones,
so you get the marrow; I’m partial to knuckle bones. I always have soup broth in my refrigerator.
What’s key to your ability to naturally stay healthy and fit in the midst of an intense schedule of work and travel? I love modalities like acupuncture, massage … all of that. I fully believe in keeping energy flowing to benefit the functioning of all our organs. As school kids, we learn about the circulatory system and central nervous system, but who knows much about the lymphatic system? It’s extremely important, and people are starting to get the idea. Activities like yoga, swimming and bouncing on the trampoline can help.
Do you see society’s penchant for medicating as a way to avoid listening to and addressing our body’s real needs? I do. That’s why I study Eastern medicine, because I feel that Western medicine treats problems and Eastern medicine prevents problems from happening. I grew up in a family of doctors and “full-on” Western medicine and respect the medical community. Unfortunately, these days, most people are continually medicated and they’re not getting better. As a society, we tend to just take a drug to handle a symptom instead of addressing the actual cause of the problem.
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As a celebrity, do you see yourself as a conduit to facilitate a shift away from unnatural lifestyles? Yes. The reason I decided to write a book was because I’ve been struggling with a bunch of different ailments in secret for a long time. When I began working with my integrated health coach, Elizabeth Troy, I started to heal for the first time in all the years of reading books on health, diet and fitness, seeing doctors, taking loads of pills and spending crazy amounts of money on all of these activities. I want to help people struggling to regain their health to get answers. Gerry Strauss is a freelance writer in Hamilton, NJ. Connect at GerryStrauss@aol.com.
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consciouseating
EATING SKINNY Why Vegans and Vegetarians are Naturally Trim by Judith Fertig
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e read the labels touting low sugar, carbs, fats and calories. We try this and that diet, hoping the pounds will melt away. Yet more than a third of U.S. adults, nearly 80 million of us, remain overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta. The problem might be that we’re getting the wrong advice. While most weight-loss plans focus on reducing calories, recent research shows that vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns can result in more weight loss than those that include meat, without even emphasizing caloric restriction. Scientists at the University of South Carolina, in Columbia, point to their study, How Plant-Based Do We Need to Be to Achieve Weight Loss? Study participants were divided into five groups, according to eating style, from vegan to flexitarian to carnivore, and monitored for an eight-week period. At the end of the evaluation, those that followed an entirely plantbased diet achieved the greatest weight loss. Study leader Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy, Ph.D., notes, “Many researchers agree that vegan eating styles are tied to lower BMI [body mass index], lower prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and less weight gain with age.” Can it really be that simple… eat more plants and lose weight? “Yes,” says clean food coach Jeannette Bessinger, of Newport, Rhode Island. “Most people could benefit from eating more veg-
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Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. ~Michael Pollan etables.” Co-author of Natural Solutions for Digestive Health with Naturopath Jillian Sarno Teta, Bessinger advises her clients to start by eating more green, leafy vegetables. Vegetables contribute to weight control in several ways, says Bessinger. They fill us up and help calm cravings. Plus, when plants become the bulk of what we eat, we naturally consume fewer high-fat, high-calorie foods. For an easy appetite-control strategy, Bessinger suggests having a cup of vegetable soup about 10 minutes before a meal. “It shuts off your appetite valve and you’ll eat noticeably less,” she says, while still feeling full. She also recommends slowing down and being mindful when we eat. Vegetables help us do that. “It takes two-and-a-half minutes to eat a piece of cheesecake, but much more time to eat a big salad,” she says. For New York City-based Victoria Moran, author of Main Street Vegan and The Good Karma Diet, losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle became easier once she adopted a vegan
diet. “I’ve been through life and loss and ages 40 and 50, and my weight stays steady, some 60 pounds less than it once was,” she says. “Every year when I put away my winter clothes and get out my summer clothes, they fit.” Her eating strategy is easy, too. “Make your plate look like a Christmas tree,” says Moran, “mostly green with splashes of other bright colors from vegetables and fruits.” She eats green veggies in several ways. She makes her own green juices—one favorite combines celery, kale, apple and lemon juice. She also adds tender greens like romaine or spinach to smoothies that might also contain fruit and citrus juice. She steams greens with plenty of garlic and makes big salads. “I bought my salad bowl at a restaurant supply house,” Moran exclaims. Salads get an oomph factor with a selection of avocado, pumpkin or hemp seeds, mushrooms, chickpeas or red beans, artichoke hearts, chunks of steamed yam and sautéed tofu or tempeh. Moran cites benefits of more energy to do more physical activity and “feeling really good” as additional outcomes of her dietary shift. Sophie Uliano, a Los Angelesbased natural beauty expert and author of the new Gorgeous for Good, agrees, believing that eating a vegan diet 80 percent of the time can pay dividends in weight loss, well-being, energy and beauty. “Most of the time, eat clean and healthy,” she recommends. “It’s not a diet. It’s a ‘live-it’, a way of life.” Uliano recently asked two colleagues on the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family show to try eating vegan, while also eliminating gluten, alcohol, caffeine and refined grains. The pair lost weight, gained energy and improved their skin tone. “Transformation comes in a series of small, consistent decisions over time,” concludes Bessinger, eating salad instead of cheeseburgers and vegetables instead of fries. For natural weight management, “Make strategic, long-term changes in stages that you can actually sustain over time.”
Surplus and salvage grocery items, all nonperishable. Gluten-free and organic items at less than 1/2 regular price. Beanstalk soy candles Rowan Tree handmade soaps
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Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star. ~W. Clement Stone
Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS. natural awakenings
May 2015
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greenliving
from beyond-repair cookbooks or old sheet music. Need a shelf above the desk? A pair of old shutters works well; cast iron brackets add flair. Matching or complementary paint colors will make the pieces look like they belong together. Broken pieces of furniture can live on if cobbled together. A coffee table’s sturdy legs and frame, an old window and a little paint combine to furnish a unique table with built-in storage. To protect fragile glass and create an even surface, top with a sheet of Plexiglass or sturdy beveled-edge glass. Look beyond what is there and imagine what it could be. Ideas are everywhere, especially with spring cleanouts, garage sales and flea markets. Expect upcycling to become an obsession, because everything will become a possibility.
Upcycled Décor Old and Oh-So-Stylish by Avery Mack
Search the words recycled, repurposed and upcycled on Pinterest, Etsy or any search engine to picture results ranked from simple-to-do to how-in-the-world astonishment. Light fixtures can be made from almost anything. Cookie jars and books turn into lamps, wine bottles become a chandelier—go homespun or industrial, follow a theme or incorporate a hobby. Freshen lamp shades using old sewing patterns, vintage fabrics or ribbon applied as découpage. A coat of paint transforms tacky, tarnished brass chandeliers into elegant décor. At a flea market, look for boxes of stainless forks, knives and spoons—avoid costly sterling silver that can tarnish. A drill, frame, wiring and bulb later, we can have an intriguing hanging light or lamp. Combining a chafing dish, silverware and assorted tea cups in a chandelier creates artful lighting.
Seating
Chairs are plentiful in garage and whole-house sales, flea markets and on
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Storage
Old dressers and desks are frequent throwaway finds. Often big and bulky, scratched and ugly, it’s easier to set them out for pickup than list them for sale. Paint can transform a desk that shows its age into a welcome addition to a home office. For added interest or to hide imperfections, découpage with maps, postcards, kid’s artwork, pages
NaturallyKnoxville.com
Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.
Finders Keepers by Avery Mack n Take cash to garage sales. Flea markets are more apt to take credit cards. Discounts may by possible with cash, which saves the seller the transaction fee.
photo courtesy of Jessica-Allyn.com
Lighting
Craigslist. Sometimes all that’s needed is a coat of paint and fun fabric. New cushions, bought or made, are easy upgrades. Recovering a padded seat only requires the right amount of fabric and a sturdy staple gun. Mismatched chairs, painted a neutral color and redone with the same fabric, turn a mishmash of styles into a coordinated set. Chevron (zig zag) or checkerboard patterns in black and white are popular—understated, yet posh. Bright colors in a pop art style or 70s florals brighten any room and give the owner style points. Benches created from a bookcase, shortened dresser or car parts can be padded or plain and incorporate storage capacity. A child’s bench may have been a skateboard in its former life. When buying reclaimed wood, ask about its origin; factory pieces might still retain unhealthy contaminants. photo courtesy of Lit for a Queen/Etsy
O
ld furniture used to go to college dorms and student apartments. At graduation, it was moved to the curb to be picked up by incoming students or the trash man. Now, with the influx of TV shows like Flea Market Flip and American Pickers, the DIY Network, HGTV and complementary books and magazines, vintage and mid-century recyclables barely touch the curb before being reinvented. Lighting, storage and seating provide ample opportunities for one-of-a-kind creations of imagination, vision and innovation.
n Negotiate. It’s expected and half the fun. But don’t offer an offensively low price. Ask, “What is the best you can do on this?” Then, making a slightly lower counteroffer is often acceptable. n Although the general theory of, “Buy it when you see it,” is sound advice, be prepared to walk away. n Set a budget and stick to it, especially at an auction. Smartphones can help research what price to offer. n Watch for posted signs around town; search “garage sale finder” or “flea market finder” (there’s an iTunes app for that). Locate auction and estate sales the same way, as well as in a local newspaper. Churches and organizations like the Veterans Administration, Elks Lodge, Lions Club and Scouts often organize sales as fundraisers. n Shop early for the best selection. Shop late for the lowest prices.
naturalpet
PET VACCINE ALTERNATIVES
Natural Steps to Nurture Immunity by Shawn Messonnier
W
ith pets, as with kids, vaccine safety and necessity are likely concerns. While holistic veterinarians tend to minimize the use of vaccines, their strongest stance is against unnecessary vaccinations. The point is to immunize only when it’s needed by individual patients while maximizing natural immunity. In the late 1970s, amid the discovery of the canine parvo virus, vets saw many puppies under 4 months of age suffer from this mysterious disease and die or be euthanized. Once a vaccine was made, we rarely saw pets dying from the parvo virus or parvoviral infection. So, in certain cases, vaccines can be life-saving. However, unnecessary and multiple simultaneous vaccines can also be life-taking, which doctors rarely mention. The truth is that only
minimal vaccines are needed for dogs and cats over the course of a pet’s life. No pet needs all of the vaccines that are currently manufactured, and none needs vaccines every six to 12 months. Pets do need veterinary checkups once or twice a year to screen for diseases affecting the liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal and urinary systems, as well as cancer. Blood and urine testing, including blood testing for undiagnosed cancer, is vital, easy and inexpensive (every six months for pets 5 years and older and annually for those that are younger). A good protocol is akin to that developed by Dr. Jean Dodds, founder of Hemopet, of Garden Grove, California, a holistic veterinarian and an expert in animal vaccination and immunology. Her system involves administering limited vaccines to puppies and kittens based on their individual needs, and not more often than every three weeks for those younger than 8 weeks. Following this course, by 4 months of age the pet has been injected with four to six vaccines, compared to double to triple the amount supported by vaccine manufacturers and administered by breeders and most conventional doctors.
Such a judicious, limited vaccine protocol offers protection against the diseases that are the most lethal to the puppy or kitten while doing no harm to its natural immune system. As needed, individual pets may also receive a natural detoxification protocol to minimize vaccine reactions. Antioxidant supplements can boost the immune response, as well. Adult pet patients can also be given blood titer testing instead of vaccines. This measures the animal’s individual antibody responses to prior immunizations or common disease exposure and assures us the pet has adequate immunity against a specific disease. All of this assures the pet owner that the pet is protected against infectious diseases without the risks of annual multiple vaccinations. In most cases a protective titer is maintained for many years, which preempts disease and further reduces the number of vaccines the animal receives over its lifetime. Titer testing costs less than $100 for three common infectious diseases, is safer than routine immunization, protects the immune system, prevents vaccine reactions and assures owners, vets, boarding facilities, groomers and day care facilities that it’s safe to introduce the pet into such environments. This approach of minimal vaccinations is a prime reason holistic veterinarian patients tend to be healthier and live longer than the average pet, with even larger dogs regularly living in good health up to 15 to 20 years of age. Holistic veterinarians perform limited vaccines supplemented by titer testing to ensure levels of care that meet accepted standards. They base their approach on supportive science from institutions including the American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners to provide safe, proven, ongoing immunity for patients.
Shawn Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, TX, is the award-winning author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats and Unexpected Miracles: Hope and Holistic Healing for Pets. For more information, visit PetCareNaturally.com. natural awakenings
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calendarofevents NOTE: All Calendar events must be received by May 10 (for the June issue) and adhere to our guidelines. Email KnoxvilleNA@epbfi.com for guidelines and to submit entries.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Opening to Channel Class: Connecting with your Guide – May 2, 10am-5pm & May 3, 11am-5pm. Learn to consciously channel the Higher Light Being who will help you learn to reach new levels of personal power and spiritual growth. Based on the methods of channels Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer and facilitated by Theresa Richardson. Must preregister. Info: TheresaRichardson.com.
Write to Grow – 9-11:30am. Writing workshop for women interested in developing a deeper sense of self through writing. First, third and fifth Wednesdays at The Write Place, 2611 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. Info: judybingham.net or 865-6604799.
Free “Learn to Meditate” class – 2-3pm. Create your own personal meditations to reduce stress, anger, fear and help with sleep, weight, substance abuse, healing issues. Suggested donation to Fish Hospitality Pantries. Led by Michael Wright, author of 800 Stepping Stones to Complete Relaxation. First of three weekly classes. Lawson McGee Library, 500 W. Church St., Knoxville. Info: mikewright102348@gmail.com. Powell River Kayak and Canoe Regatta – A 12mile charity race on the beautiful Powell River in Claiborne County, TN. Prize money for 10 event categories. Starts at Well Being Conference Center. Benefits Pat Summitt Foundation. Info: Facebook. com/PowellRiverRegatta. Sweat Lodge – 10:30am. Experience a deeper spiritual awareness through this ancient form of prayer and purification. Donation. Center for Peace, 880 Graves-Delozier Rd., Seymour, TN. Info: CenterForPeace.us or 865-428-3070.
SUNDAY, MAY 3 E Squared: Experiment 3 – 10:45am at Open Chord, 8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Unity Transformation will focus on “The Alby Einstein Principle” from E Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality by Pam Grout. Info: 865-809-5207 or UnityTransformation@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, MAY 5 “Drumming, Meditation and Channeling” – 7:30-9pm. Weekly gathering. Donation. Center for Peace, 880 Graves-Delozier Rd., Seymour, TN. Info: CenterForPeace.us or 865-428-3070.
Write Now – 12:30-3pm. Creative writing workshop for women following the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) Method. Learn about the craft. Gain perspective on your writing and confidence in your voice. First, third and fifth Wednesdays at The Write Place, 2611 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. Info: judybingham.net or 865-660-4799.
THURSDAY, MAY 7 Fire Ceremony – 6:45-7:45pm. Ceremonial fire is perfect for insight, releasing and transmuting what no longer serves you. Center for Peace, 880 GravesDelozier Rd., Seymour, TN. Info: CenterForPeace. us or Katy Koontz at 865-693-9845.
FRIDAY, MAY 8 Holy Fire Karuna Reiki Class – May 8 & 9, 10am-4pm; May 10, 2-7pm. For Usui Reiki Master Teachers ready to “upgrade” into the new energies. Two Reiki Master Teachers with 50+ years’ combined experience certify the next class of Reiki Master Teachers in the newest modality. Composed of three classes combined: Holy Fire Reiki Master Teacher, Karuna Reiki and Karuna Master Teacher. Participants receive two certifications enabling them to teach both Holy Fire and Karuna. Must preregister. Info: TheresaRichardson.com.
SATURDAY, MAY 9 David Arms at Center for Peace – 10-11:30am. Topic: Things that influence our body that we don’t understand. $25 fee. Healing sessions to follow, $50. Center for Peace, 880 Graves-Delozier Rd., Seymour, TN. Info: CenterForPeace.us or Patti MacFee 865-250-1988. Free “Learn to Meditate” class – 2-3pm. Create your own personal meditations to reduce stress,
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anger, fear and help with sleep, weight, substance abuse, healing issues. Suggested donation to Fish Hospitality Pantries. Led by Michael Wright, author of 800 Stepping Stones to Complete Relaxation. Second of three weekly classes. Lawson McGee Library, 500 W. Church St., Knoxville. Info: mikewright102348@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, MAY 10 E Squared: Experiment 4 – 10:45am at Open Chord, 8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Unity Transformation will focus on “The Abracadabra Principle” from E Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality by Pam Grout. Info: 865-809-5207 or UnityTransformation@gmail.com.
MONDAY, MAY 11 “The Many Wonders of Essential Oils” – 7pm (6:30pm meet & greet). Presenters Kathy Wickard and Carrie Wagner, hosted by the Knoxville Group of CHEO at the Parkwest Medical Center classroom, 9330 Park West Boulevard, Knoxville. Door prize. Info: CHEOKnox.org.
TUESDAY, MAY 12 Free screening of the documentary Bought – 7pm. Hosted by Hemp Monkeys, 4928 Homberg Dr., Knoxville. Space limited. RSVP and info: amber@ hempmonkeysonline.com or 865-474-1340.
FRIDAY, MAY 15 Free Weekend Silent Retreat – May 15, 6pm-May 17, 2pm. Includes silent sittings, dogmaless guided meditations, walks out in Nature, a little movement, good food and authentic sharing. Event is free except that those attending are asked to provide and prepare one meal. Held at the serene Well Being Conference Center in Tazewell, TN. Info: Patty, 423-626-9000 or Patty@WellBeingCC.org.
SATURDAY, MAY 16 Free “Learn to Meditate” class – 2-3pm. Create your own personal meditations to reduce stress, anger, fear and help with sleep, weight, substance abuse, healing issues. Suggested donation to Fish Hospitality Pantries. Led by Michael Wright, author of 800 Stepping Stones to Complete Relaxation. Third of three weekly classes. Lawson McGee Library, 500 W. Church St., Knoxville. Info: mikewright102348@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, MAY 17 E Squared: Experiment 5 – 10:45am at Open Chord, 8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Unity Transformation will focus on “The Dear Abby Principle” from E Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality by Pam Grout. Info: 865-809-5207 or UnityTransformation@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 Write to Grow – 9-11:30am. Writing workshop
for women interested in developing a deeper sense of self through writing. First, third and fifth Wednesdays at The Write Place, 2611 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. Info: judybingham.net or 865-6604799. Write Now – 12:30-3pm. Creative writing workshop for women following the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) Method. Learn about the craft. Gain perspective on your writing and confidence in your voice. First, third and fifth Wednesdays at The Write Place, 2611 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. Info: judybingham.net or 865-660-4799.
FRIDAY, MAY 22 Women’s Web of Life Dance – May 22-24.Women’s-only dance that gives a greater understanding of how life connects us all. Suggested donation. Center for Peace, 880 Graves-Delozier Rd, Seymour, TN. Info: CenterForPeace.us or 865-428-3070.
SUNDAY, MAY 24 E Squared: Experiment 6 – 10:45am at Open Chord, 8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Unity Transformation will focus on “The Superhero Principle” from E Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality by Pam Grout. Info: 865-809-5207 or UnityTransformation@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 “Ageless Agility: Based on the Feldenkrais Method” – 7pm (6:30pm meet & greet). Presenter Debbie Ashton, hosted by the Loudon/Monroe Group of CHEO at the Rarity Bay Community Center, 150 Rarity Bay Parkway, Vonore, TN. Door prize. Info: CHEOKnox.org.
SUNDAY, MAY 31 E Squared: Experiment 7 – 10:45am at Open Chord, 8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Unity Transformation will focus on “The Jenny Craig Principle” from E Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality by Pam Grout. Info: 865-809-5207 or UnityTransformation@gmail.com.
save the date FRIDAY, JULY 17 Radical Gratitude Weekend Playshop – July 17-19. Will Pye, author of Blessed with a Brain Tumor, will lead “playshop” exploring the potential for joy, wisdom and gratitude despite adversity. Well Being Conference Center, Tazewell, TN. Info: WellBeingCC.org or Patty at 423-626-9000.
FRIDAY, JULY 24 Radical Gratitude Weekend Playshop – July 24-26. Will Pye, author of Blessed with a Brain Tumor, will lead “playshop” exploring the potential for joy, wisdom and gratitude despite adversity. Well Being Conference Center, Tazewell, TN. Info: WellBeingCC.org or Patty at 423-626-9000.
ongoingevents sunday Unity Transformation – 10:45am at Open Chord, 8502 Kingston Pike, with Rev. Lora Beth Gilbreath. Join us each Sunday for rockin’, reverent music, meditation and Unity teachings with timely tools for transformation. Info: 865-809-5207 or UnityTransformation@gmail.com. Eckankar Center Sunday events – 11am. First Sunday of month: worship service. Second Sunday: spiritual truths for personal growth discussion. Third Sunday: book discussion, Journey of Soul by Harold Klemp. Fourth Sunday: HU Sing. Eckankar Center of Knoxville, 301 Gallaher View Rd., Ste. 226, Knoxville. Info: 865-622-7685 or Eck-Tenn.org. Circle Modern Dance Class: Ballet Barre – 1-2pm. Basic ballet class open to all levels. Socks or ballet shoes recommended. Emporium Annex, two levels below Gay Street, downtown Knoxville. $7/class (first class free). Multi-class rates available. Info: CircleModernDance.com. Circle Modern Dance Class: Modern/Contemporary Dance, Open Level Technique– 2-3:30pm. Taught by rotating core members and guest artists of CMD who will present a variety of styles and techniques. Open to anyone. Comfortable clothes; no shoes necessary. Emporium Annex, two levels below Gay Street, downtown Knoxville. $7/class (first class free). Multi-class rates available. Info: CircleModernDance.com. Circle Modern Dance Class: Improvisation – 3:30-4:30pm. Classes vary each week with a different core member to facilitate and bring new focus or improvisational structures. No dance experience necessary. Comfortable clothes; no shoes necessary. Emporium Annex, two levels below Gay Street, downtown Knoxville. $7/class (first class free). Multi-class rates available. Info: CircleModernDance.com.
tuesday 8 Move Tai Chi – 11am-noon or 6-7:15pm. Delivers physical/mental benefits in as few moves as possible. Taught by certified instructors from Clear’s Tai Chi. Clear’s Silat & Street Kung Fu, 113 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. $69 for six weeks. Info: Richard Clear or Roland Jackson, 865-379-9997 or MaryvilleTaiChi.com. Mat Pilates with Susie Kaplar – 5:30-6:30pm. First class free, then $10 per session (half price if you bring a friend). Drop-ins welcome. Arnstein Jewish Community Center, 6800 Deane Hill Dr., Knoxville. Info: Susie Kaplar, 661-803-1526. Breastfeeding Support Circle – 6pm. Lactation consultant will discuss any breastfeeding problems or questions. Moms Café-style supportive place to bring your baby to socialize with other mothers. Bohemian Baby, 6907 Kingston Pk. Unit 4, Knoxville. Info: 865-588-1105 Drumming, Meditation & Channeling – 7:309pm. Donation. Center for Peace, 880 GravesDelozier Rd., Seymour, TN. Info: CenterForPeace. us or 865-428-3070.
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wednesday Write to Grow – 9-11:30am. First, third and fifth Wednesdays. Writing workshop for women interested in developing a deeper sense of self through writing. The Write Place, 2611 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. Info: 865-660-4799 or JudyBingham.net. Write Now – 12:30-3pm. First, third and fifth Wednesdays. Creative writing workshop following the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) Method. Learn about the craft. Gain perspective on your writing and confidence in your voice. The Write Place, 2611 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. Info: 865-660-4799 or JudyBingham.net. Circle Modern Dance Class: Modern/Contemporary Dance, Intermediate/Advanced– 6-7:30pm. Taught by rotating core members and guest artists of CMD who will present a variety of styles and techniques. Primarily intermediate but open to anyone. Comfortable clothes; no shoes necessary. Emporium Annex, two levels below Gay Street, downtown Knoxville. $7/class (first class free). Multi-class rates available. Info: CircleModernDance.com. Circle Modern Dance Class: Open Level Ballet –7:30-9pm. Basic ballet class open to all levels. Socks or ballet shoes recommended. Emporium Annex, two levels below Gay Street, downtown Knoxville. $7/class (first class free). Multi-class rates available. Info: CircleModernDance.com.
thursday Burn, Baby Burn! – 10:30am. Kim Day Training is in store in our spacious classroom to offer mommy and baby fitness. Bring your little one to help you work away those winter blahs. $10. Drop-ins welcome. Bohemian Baby, 6907 Kingston Pk., Unit 4, Knoxville. Info: 865-588-1105. 8 Move Tai Chi – 11am-noon or 6-7:15pm. Delivers physical/mental benefits in as few moves as possible. Taught by certified instructors from Clear’s Tai Chi. Clear’s Silat & Street Kung Fu, 113 E. Broadway, Maryville, TN. $69 for six weeks. Info: Richard Clear or Roland Jackson, 865-379-9997 or MaryvilleTaiChi.com.
Mat Pilates with Susie Kaplar – 5:30-6:30pm. First class free, then $8 per session (half price if you bring a friend). Drop-ins welcome. Arnstein Jewish Community Center, 6800 Deane Hill Dr., Knoxville. Info: 661-803-1526 or susiekaplar@gmail.com.
saturday Intuitive Readings with Theresa Richardson – Explore your options and opportunities for growth and enlightenment. Readings address work, relationships, life purpose and how to align with your most positive future. Questions welcome. Call for appointments. Info: 865-705-2525 or Theresa Richardson.com.
weekly Intuitive Counseling Sessions with Pamela Nine – Receive relationship, life-lesson, career and lifepurpose guidance and further your personal, professional and spiritual growth through professional intuitive counseling. By appointment at Nine Wellness Centre, 3113 Gose Cove Ln., Knoxville. Info and appointments: 865-531-9086, PamelaNine@ msn.com, PamelaNine.com.
monthly Spiritual Apprenticeship Program – Advance your personal, professional and spiritual path; promote healing; develop inner awareness, intuitive and mediumship abilities through a one-on-one learning experience. Available for 3- and 6-month terms. Limited-time discount. Pamela Nine, Nine Wellness Centre. Info: 865-531-9086, PamelaNine@msn. com, PamelaNine.com. Monthly meeting of Holistic Moms Network, Knoxville – 11am. Follow the natural path to parenting. Group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Bohemian Baby, 6907 Kingston Pk., Unit 4, Knoxville. Info: Mary at 865-356-7987 or KnoxHMNLeadership@gmail.com.
classifieds BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY SPREAD YOUR WINGS - Add a Rejuvenation Studio to your EXISTING beauty, fitness, or health/wellness business. Bring in new customers, gain revenue from several sources, and your customers will love it! For more information, call: 864-569-8631.
FOR RENT OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE in established West Knoxville complementary/alternative wellness center with professional, peaceful environment. 12 x 14 room suited for massage therapy, energy work, acupuncture, similar therapies. Furnished or unfurnished. Full- or part-time. Monthly rate. Pamela Nine, 865531-9086 or PamelaNine.com. T reat m ent roo m spaces available, Bearden Hill area: Perfect for massage or other bodywork. Share office with licensed esthetician with established practice. Should have own business, but will be able to get business from referrals. Lobby and parking for clients. Contact Brenda, 865-696-8869.
For Sale Comfort Craft Table for sale: Model 800 with stool, bolsters, extra side-lying & sports/therapy bolsters, top shape #3, used, good condition, asking $2500. List: $6950. Shipping not available, you must come get it in Knoxville. See pic at massageworkstn.com. Charles West, 865-694-3144.
HELP WANTED Can’t afford to advertise? Interested in distributing Natural Awakenings magazine? Trade your time for that critical advertising you need. Call 423-517-0128 or email KnoxvilleNA@epbfi.com.
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Celestial Harmonics................................................................ 31
Hemp Monkeys.........................................................................14
Center for Peace/The............................................................. 21
Natural Awakenings Webstore...................................... 6 & 14
Crown Cleaners........................................................................ 21
St. Mary’s Birth and Midwifery Center................................19
Crystal Peace Center............................................................... 6
Unity Transformation............................................................... 7
East Tennessee Farmers Market.........................................20
Village Mercantile................................................................... 23
Eddie’s Health Shoppe............................................................ 21
Well Being Conference Center.............................................. 13
Erin’s Meadow ........................................................................20
Write Place/The......................................................................... 9
Everything Mushrooms.......................................................... 31
Xlear............................................................................................. 2
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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in this directory each month, call 423-517-0128 or email KnoxvilleNA@epbfi.com.
BIRTH CENTER
GREEN DRY CLEANERS
Conscious Living
LISA ROSS BIRTH & WOMEN’S CENTER
CROWN CLEANERS
HEMP MONKEYS
1925 Ailor Ave. • Knoxville, TN 865-524-4422 LisaRossCenter.org
Certified nurse-midwives in a nationally accredited freestanding birth center. Gynecology care, full-scope maternity and postpartum care with birth center, waterbirth and hospital delivery options. Complimentary services include breastfeeding support/lactation consultations, well-baby care and peer support.
9409 Northshore Dr. • Knoxville, TN 37922 865-539-6040 6300 Kingston Pk. • Knoxville, TN 37919 865-584-7464 CrownCleaners.com
Amanda Keller & Amber Keirn 4928 Homberg Dr. Ste. A1 Knoxville, TN 37919 865-474-1340 Info@HempMonkeysOnline.com Full retail selection of Doterra Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils, Zyto Scans, Free Monthly Classes, Private consultations. See ad, page 14.
More than 40 years as Knoxville’s premier dry cleaners. Traditional customer service meets state-of-the-art technology. Eco-friendly dry cleaning equipment and solutions produce superior results. Register online for free pickup/delivery of dry cleaning, laundry, alterations. See ad, page 21.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Bodywork
Health Foods & Nutrition
Young Living Essential Oils Kat Porter, Independent Distributor 865-360-6343 kitkatp1981@yahoo.com KatPorter.MyOilSite.com
MASSAGEWORKS
Charles West, LMT, TFH, MAT 318 Erin Dr. #5 • Knoxville, TN 37919 865-694-3144 MassageWorksTN.com Move better, feel better, live better. Bodywork for pain and stress relief since 1994. A c u p r e s s u r e , To u c h f o r Health® kinesiology, structural alignment, stress relief, relaxation, chair massage, cupping, Tai chi. Classes for LMTs, everyone.
EVERYTHING MUSHROOMS
The use of essential oils dates back to ancient times, but it’s relevant for many applications today, including wellness, emotional health and taking care of home and family—even pets! Contact me to learn more!
CHEO of GREATER KNOXVILLE AREA
FENG SHUI DESIGN
Dr. Nancy C. Canestaro 6920 Lark Ln. • Knoxville, TN 37919 865-789-5856 FengShuifyi.com
Massage and Skincare Allyson Harris, LMT, LE 318 Erin Dr. #5 Knoxville, TN 37919 TheRetreatLLC.MassageTherapy.com Offering relaxation through Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone and pregnancy massage. Skin care is fresh, healing and holistic. Wonderful for all skin types. Please visit website for full menu, gift certificates and appointments.
Complete mushroom s u p p l y, g i f t s a n d r e s o u r c e c e n t e r. Gourmet mushroom foods, mushroom logs, books and much more. For workshops, check website or call for current schedule. See ad, page 31.
Holistic Health Care
Feng Shui THE RETREAT, LLC
1004 Sevier Ave. • Knoxville, TN 37920 865-329-7566 Info@EverythingMushrooms.com EverythingMushrooms.com
Nancy helps you find health, harmony, prosperity for home/ office. With 2+ decades of experience, she will study your property and produce a report with recommendations for enhancements, remedies. Contact her about lecturing for your group.
Non-Profit Complementary Holistic Information Organization PO Box 22511 • Knoxville, TN 37933 423-884-6031 CheoKnox.org
Discover your options for wellness using holistic and integrative approaches. Free Holistic Resource Directory available. Monthly educational programs 7pm every second Monday (Knoxville) and fourth Wednesday (Loudon/Monroe). Meet & Greet at 6:30pm. Details at CheoKnox.org
Positive anything is better than negative nothing. ~Elbert Hubbard natural awakenings
May 2015
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READINGS AND REIKI
Holistic Health Care
Theresa Richardson 428 East Scott Ave, Suite 104 Knoxville, TN, 37917 865-705-2525 Info@TheresaRichardson.com TheresaRichardson.com
CRYSTAL PEACE CENTER 205 Court St. Maryville, TN 37804 865-200-9582 crystal.peace@aol.com CrystalPeaceCenter.com
The Crystal Peace Center (CPC) offers a variety of alternative healing services, classes, pathways for progression, and tools of empowerment to support your spiritual and personal growth. Contact the CPC to schedule a wellness assessment/treatment. See ad, page 6.
NATURAL TREASURE
NINE WELLNESS CENTRE
chrisgfortner@hotmail.com 865-964-2897 NaturalTreasure.biz
Pamela Nine, PhD 3113 Gose Cove Ln. • Knoxville, TN 37931 865-531-9086 PamelaNine@msn.com PamelaNine.com Pamela Nine, PhD, owner of Nine Wellness Centre, is an internationally recognized professional intuitive counselor and educator with 25+ years’ experience. Services include spiritual apprenticeship program, educational courses, life and business coaching, and personal and telephone intuitive counseling by appointment.
live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
Mebbie Jackson 865-679-9642 Mebane8@mac.com
Acutonics is a healing modality that uses tuning forks on acupuncture points to facilitate a healing response in the body. Clients report a strong release of tension and stress from the body after each session. See ad, page 31.
Natural Products
Intuitive Counseling
If I had my life to
Theresa is an intuitive healer/ teacher whose services include readings, Reiki sessions and a variety of classes. Her intention is to facilitate transformation and alignment with the soul’s wisdom. In-person, phone or long-distance healing sessions available.
SOUND HEALING CELESTIAL HARMONICS
Detoxification and skin-care products; foot detox patches; Dr. Gordshell’s Skin Cream and salves.
Spiritual Centers THE CENTER FOR PEACE 880 Graves-Delozier Rd. Seymour, TN 37865 865-428-3070 CenterForPeace.us
Aholistic spiritual center applying ancient wisdom traditions such a s c e r e m o n y, dance, shamanic practice, sweat lodges, meditation, chanting and prayer in the modern world. See ad, page 21.
Recycling HIDDEN GEMS RECYCLING 2810 Hoitt Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917 865-742-1151 HiddenGemsRecycling.com
Offering commercial and residential recycling of Styrofoam packaging. Drop-off and pick-up services offered. See website for details. Serving Knoxville and surrounding communities.
~Nadine Stair
Retreat Centers
OASIS INSTITUTE: A CENTER FOR ATTITUDINAL HEALING Stephen Anthony, Executive Director 4928 Homberg Dr. Ste. A-4 Knoxville, TN 37919-5100 865-588-7707 OasisInstitute@OasisInstitute.org OasisInstitute.org
OASIS Institute is a nonsectarian, nonprofit spiritual organization established in 1995. Our mission is to provide a meeting place for groups that will facilitate the well-being of people of all backgrounds.
WELL BEING CONFERENCE CENTER
Don Oakley & Patty Bottari Oakley, Directors Tazewell, TN 37879 423-626-9000 WellBeingCC.org Hour north of Knoxville,160 acres surrounded by 2½ miles of Powell River. Perfect for quiet getaway, vacation, group event, retreat, workshop. Our mission is promoting mind/ body wellness, harmony with nature. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit. See ad, page 13.
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Knoxville
NaturallyKnoxville.com
UNITY TRANSFORMATION
Rev. Lora Beth Gilbreath 865-809-5207 UnityTransformation@gmail.com UnityTransformation.org Sunday morning and midweek activities. Host of the internet “radio” broadcast “Hooked on Classics” through UnityOnlineRadio.org. Affiliated with Unity Worldwide Ministries. See ad, page 7.
a Grow healthy, medicinal mushrooms at home a Mushroom logs, spawn, and ready to grow kits a Dried reishi, shiitake, maitake, chaga mushroom Kombucha starters and more Showroom Hours: Wednesday - Friday 10:00 pm - 6:00 pm Saturday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
1004 Sevier Ave, • Knoxville TN 37920 • 865.329.7566
everythingmushrooms.com
Reset your life. Feel the good vibrations. Release tension and experience the deep peace that sound healing brings to the body.
Call Mebbie Jackson to schedule your Acutonics session today! 865-679-9642
“ “ “ “
Out of all of the “alternative” modalities I have experienced, this is by far the most grounding, relaxing, centering. It is also the most gentle.” -Tatum L.
My session with Mebbie helped me release some of the trauma after my mother passed.” -Linda B. My body and brain did a happy dance for days after my treatment with Mebbie!” -Pam B. I was vibrating with energy for hours!” -Leslie D.
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