Natural Awakenings Lehigh Valley PA & Far West NJ- June 2023

MEN’S HEALTH

Get Moving

Healing,

The desire to offer services within the health environment of a holistic chiropractic office is no coincidence as treating the muscular health and spinal health issues for clients coexist quite well together and we are pleased to be able to say that we have been offering that all under one roof for over 20 years!

Treating

n Sports Injuries & Athletic Performance Optimization

n Low Back & Leg Pain

n Cleanse, Purification, & Weight Loss Products

n Korean Specific Technique (KST)

n Nutrition & Supplements

n Joint Pain & Extremity Adjustments

Dr.

Moving!

Call Today (610) 266 – 6111

Bridging Traditional with Functional

Restoring wellness through a holistic approach of hormone balancing and nutrition throughout all stages of life.

 Female and Male Hormone Imbalance

 Menopause

 Individualized Bio-Identical Hormones

 Insomnia

 Adrenal Dysfunction & Fatigue

 Decreased Libido in both Men & Women

 Thyroid and Endocrine Disorders

Conditions We Treat: Integrated Health Campus 5925 Tilghman St, Suite 90 Allentown, PA 18104 484-294-4199 www.HormoneWellness.net

 Weight Gain, Loss of Muscle Mass & Strength

 Vitamin & Dietary Deficiencies

 Adult & Adolescent Female Acne & Hirsutism Related Hormone Disorders

 Polycystic Ovarian Hormone

 Preconception Fertility Counseling

Albert

J. Peters, D.O.,

Joseph A. Perelli, D.C. Kathy A. Hatcher, LMT

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OWN HEALTH WITH AN AT-HOME TEST.

Convenient, confidential and accurate health testing for women and men with online results in a matter of days. Catered with you in mind, our wellness tests include fertility & hormone, thyroid, cancer screening, general wellness, sexual health and more.

Order the right test for you.

We have a wide range of tests to cover your health needs. Order with next day delivery and avoid sitting in a doctor’s o ce or clinic.

Collect your sample.

Activate your test and collect your sample in the morning. Return your sample on the same day, using the prepaid shipping label provided.

Confidence.

Once your sample arrives in the laboratory, confidential results will be available from your secure online account within 2 to 5 days.

HOW TO ADVERTISE

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Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

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Email articles, news items and ideas to: DrRodgerND@HealthyLehighValley.com.

Deadline for editorial: the 15th of the month.

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Email Calendar Events to: DrRodgerND@HealthyLehighValley.com

Deadline for calendar: the 15th of the month.

NATIONAL MARKETS

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Publisher Dr. D Rodger (ND)

Editors Dr. D Rodger (ND)

Marilyn Wanser

D esign & Production

Patrick Floresca

Contributing Writers Sheila Julson

S ales & Marketing Dr. D Rodger (ND)

S ocial Media Marci Molina

CONTACT US

P.O. Box 81

Three Bridges, NJ 08887

Phone: 610-421-4443

Fax: 908-806-4046

DrRodgerND@HealthyLehighValley.com HealthyLehighValley.com

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CONTACT US

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation

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NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com

© 2023 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself and be lenient to everyone else.

The development of character is the great business of life. Your ability to develop a reputation as a person of character and honor is the highest achievement of social life.

The person you are today, your innermost character, is the sum total of all your choices and decisions in life to date. Each time you consistently make good choices and decisions, your character is strengthened, and your self-worth increases. Conversely, each time you compromise your value system by consciously choosing poor choices, your character is weakened. A person of character possesses a series of virtues or values. These are courage, compassion, generosity, temperance, persistence, and friendliness, among others. But the most important value in determining the depth and strength of your character is integrity.

It is integrity, living in complete truth with yourself and others, that most demonstrates the quality of your character.

In a way, integrity is actually the value that guarantees all other values. The higher your level of integrity, the more honest you are with yourself, and the more likely it is you will live consistently with all other values you admire and respect.

It takes tremendous self-discipline to become a person of character. It takes considerable willpower to always “do the right thing” in every situation. It takes self-discipline and willpower to resist the temptation to cut corners, to take the easy way, or to act for shortterm advantage.

All of life is a test, ultimately proving our character. Wisdom can be developed privately, through study and reflection. But character can only be developed in the give and take of daily life when forced to choose and decide among alternatives. It is only when you are under pressure when forced to choose one way or another, that your true character is demonstrated.

In addition to feeling positive about yourself when you behave with character, you earn the respect and esteem of people around you. They look up to you and admire you, doors are opened, and new opportunities are presented. You will be paid more and promoted faster and given even greater responsibilities. As you become a person of honor, all things become possible for you.

Have a great month Dr. D. Rodger ND, MBA

Dr. D Rodger ND, MBA

What is Iridology and How It Can Benefit You?

by Annie Vinatieri (CCI), Certified Comprehensive Iridologist IIPA (International Iridology Practitioners Association)

“Theeye is the jewel of the body.” Iridologists agree with Henry David Thoreau’s words! In fact, the human eye has millions of nerve fibers in the optic nerve alone. The eye’s makeup is second only to the brain in complexity. Iridology is a holistic modality that utilizes a complex understanding of the iris. This is used as a health assessment tool. In constitutional iridology, the iris is divided into the following color groupings: Lymphatic (blue eye); Mixed or Biliary (light brown or green eye); and Hematogenic (dark brown eye). It is subdivided into many different sections, each related to a specific part of the body’s internal organs and systems. Each eye is like a snowflake or fingerprintno two are alike. Iridologists see clues and markers related to genetic predisposition and cumulative health concerns. Seeing a fuller picture of the body’s internal map can help visitors unravel issues related to digestion, low energy, hormone imbalance, and more.

When you visit an iridologist, you will likely spend a bit of time speaking with them regarding your mental, physical, and emotional health. They may examine your iris and take photographs. An iridologist often recommends actions you can consider such as supplementing with herbs, nutrition changes, alternative therapies, and stress management tactics. Many visitors are surprised at the accuracy of a reading and what an iridologist is able to see in the eye. An assessment is a valuable tool to help your health. The eyes truly are the window to the soul!

For more info: Mountain Vista Wellness. 570.956.7840. annie@mountainvistawellness.com. See Ad on page 11.

Wisdom & Healing Mind, Body & Soul LLC

Usui

Reiki practitioner, ordained minister and Spiritual Mentor, Jamie Welzig will help you to heal and return to a state of balance and harmony. She has practiced Reiki since 2011 and recently received Reiki Practitioner Level III. She will achieve her teaching certificate and teach Usui Reiki courses to others. Jamie uses gentle touch with the intention of guided flow of life force energy through the client’s body. This technique is healing to all beings, all plants, and all things. Using crystals for a crystal Reiki session may further release emotional, mental and spiritual blockages. Allow the positive to flow, and the healing begins.

Reiki will help speed up the healing process after an illness or surgery. It helps with calming everyday stressors. Reiki dissolves energy blocks and tension within our body’s chakras. It detoxifies and stimulates the body’s own immune system.

Animals accept Reiki in the same way. The approach is slightly different, however, the outcome is similar: relieving anxiety, creating a stronger sense of well-being, relieving pain, strengthening the immune system, supporting healing, helping with behavioral issues by promoting relaxation and stress reduction, promoting overall wellness.

Understanding and reconnecting to your inner spiritual essence often brings harmony and guidance in your life. During a Spiritual Mentor session, Jamie will listen and support you while you discuss life’s journeys.

“Success is a state of balance, well-being, and harmony. Once we have that, everything else falls into place.”

For more info: Wisdom & Healing Mind, Body, Soul. Reiki Practitioner & Spiritual Mentor Quakertown, PA. loveandhealingenergies@gmail.com. 267-446-5556. See ad on page 34.

How to Do it All

We’ve heard it all before: get your physical, eat right, exercise more, spend time outside, get good sleep, decrease your stress, etc. It can seem daunting to try and tackle all those. It’s a tall list. It’s hard to know where to start.

What if we asked instead, what’s the ONE thing that we can address that will have an impact on ALL of them? The short answer: address the state of your nervous system. Your nervous system is all-important – it coordinates and controls the entirety of your body, from head to toe. If it’s in a state of imbalance, if it’s overwhelmed, then so is your body.

Everything in the men’s health arena can be tied to how well a man’s nervous system is functioning… from Low T, to those last 10 pounds he can’t get rid of, from prostatitis to improving cardiovascular function.

It applies to women’s health and children’s health… health in general.

The nerves of your spinal cord transmit information from your body to your brain, and vice versa. Signals constantly come into the brain telling it where you are in space, what’s working, how much food you ate, who’s talking to you, that your shirt tag is scratching your neck, or that your body is thirsty. The nervous system processes billions of inputs every second, and then relays to the body what to do next - drink some water, jump back and yell because you just stepped on a nail, reply to a question the bank teller just asked you.

A breakdown in your brain-body communication leads to a breakdown in how both your brain and your body function. This breakdown in communication is tied up in or is even the root cause of, your body not working right. It’s this break-

Living the Language of Your Soul

Many people say they’re not creative because they can’t draw a stick figure (or anything else) to save their life. A lot of high-ticket artwork looks like some artists have that same problem. The reality is, we’re all highly creative. We’re born artists.

Everyone has the same powers that professional artists have. Dreams, imagination, intuition, and emotion all speak from the seat of the soul. The heart is our inspiration.

If you have a heart, you’re creative. Like anything else, art takes practice to feel comfortable, to let go, and to sink into your unique flow. Most of us don’t take the time to hone this, or worse, we close our heart to its full potential.

As the language of the soul, the arts communicate through form, color, energy, emotion, and beyond visuals into music, poetry, food, and architecture. Each expression brings to the forefront not only areas of sensitivity but a superpowered inspiration to catalyze change.

The challenge is getting quiet enough inside to listen, then playing spontaneously through self-expression to free the wild child… the inner artist.

That creativity is at the root of all discovery - science, medicine, technology, entertainment, sports, and everything else. The proven data comes later after our dreams inspire the work that brings it into being.

Life itself is art in motion, with so many tools available. Meditation fuels our inner fire. Journaling, energy work, dancing, our senses, and nature… these are only a few of the other options. There’s so much tinder just waiting for the connection to bring our dreams to light.

Michelle Lee is an artist and transformational workshop facilitator practicing throughout Northeast PA, the Harrisburg area, and Lehigh Valley. For details, visit www.MichelleLeeArts.com or call 570-443-7777. See ad on page 17.

down that chiropractic seeks to resolve.

The body innately can heal itself, provided there is no interference. The gentle chiropractic adjustments we provide in our office, Azure Star Chiropractic, are designed to easily tune your nervous system, removing this interference, so that your aches and pains, your high blood pressure, and your hormone levels can all improve.

We see it day in and day out—patients safely go off their meds, injuries heal, the pain disappears, babies sleep through the night, and lives improve. It’s not because we’re trying to cause all these things to happen. Rather, they are a byproduct of a healthy, adaptable, resilient, and capable nervous system.

Give us a call and see how we can help you live a better life, starting today.

For more info: Azure Star Chiropractic. Dr. Indy Ishaya. 484-206-5191. info@azurestarchiropractic.com. AzureStarChiropractic.com See ad on page 17.

Dr. Indy Ishaya

Bear Creek Organics Cultivating Land and Relationships

by Sheila Julson

Richard Mitchell, owner of Bear Creek Organics edible landscape company, takes pride in working with the land instead of from a playbook. He takes a holistic, individualized approach toward landscapes and life design that brings out the best in the land while considering the lifestyle of the homeowner. Bear Creek Organics also has its own nursery with a full palette of native, organically grown fruit and nut trees, bushes and plants that he can effectively implement into landscaping plans. Mitchell has interacted with nature since childhood. He developed an entrepreneurial spirit when his grandfather had paid him to help him with his gardening. During college, Mitchell started his

own landscaping company while pursuing his environmental science degree. He also started a worm compost company, Bear Creek Organics, the genesis of what became the landscaping business. Mitchell had the opportunity to work with

renowned soil microbiologist Dr. Elaine Ingham at the Rodale Institute, where he learned about soil ecology and regenerative agriculture.

Mitchell also designed, installed, and managed an extensive school garden program for The Graham Academy. The project involved creating two edible schoolyards by installing vegetable gardens, fruit and berry bushes, greenhouses, native flowers and a food forest. Every student had gardening and cooking class once a week and were involved every step of the way. Mitchell realized how difficult it was to acquire all of the unique fruit trees and bushes he needed for the school’s edible landscape, as well as for private clients.

“ That motivated me to start building my own edible landscaping nursery,” Mitchell says. In five years, he’s built a collection of unique varieties of fruit and nut trees, berry bushes and native plants that he’s tested and used on jobs. “Each year, it gets bigger and more customized to Pennsylvania’s climates and microclimates.”

He notes that fruit trees sold at many commercial garden centers or big-box stores are brought in at the beginning of the season, usually from Southern states, and thus not adaptive to Pennsylvania’s climate. “Our trees are organically grown, and are stronger, healthier, and produce safe, healthy food, which in turn produces safe, healthy families and environments.”

B ear Creek Organics’ custom designbuild approach also includes education and management to help clients maintain their landscapes and be good stewards for future land users. He uses tools such as a detailed questionnaire so he can gauge the client’s lifestyle, likes and dislikes and goals for their outdoor spaces. Recent projects include a two-pond system, connected by a stream and a system of swales and drainage ditches that all work together.

“ The two ponds and the stream run continuously on a pump, so there’s an ornamental effect, but it’s also holistically connected to the land, so every time you get a big downpour, water is managed in a way that excess water from other parts of the property fill the pond. You never have fill with a hose,” he explains. “It’s a functional water management system hybridized as an ornamental pond. It’s also self-cleaning, so it doesn’t require herbicides or chemicals.”

Mitchell designs whole systems that work together, incorporating berry bushes, native plants, herb gardens, raised garden beds, rain gardens and swales. The holistic approach to landscape and life design solves problems like drainage problems in yards, helping not just the homeowner but also the entire community’s water issues by taking pressure off downstream systems. He notes that his detailed process helps avoid problems down the road.

“Our process allows us to avoid problems before they happen,” he says. “Many times, we’re fixing problems created by other contractors or previous homeowners. There’s a certain order of doing things that a good design process will bring out. This saves clients thousands of dollars in the long run by avoiding those types of mistakes.”

B ecause landscapes need to be managed extensively during the first couple of years after installation, Mitchell’s process involves client education. He offers workshops, talks, private classes, maintenance packages, coaching and other educational tools for the property owner.

We feature a full line of veterinary preparation with size, dose and flavor appropriate medications for every animal ... including cats, dogs, ferrets, bunnies, reptiles, birds and exotics! We work with your vet!

Thomas E. Silvonek, RPH, FACA Fellow American College of Veterinary Pharmacists Compounding Specialist

Monday – Friday • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

3330 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown

P: 610-437-4600 · F: 610-437-1444

www.DorneyvillePharmacy.com

“ That’s the biggest key to our success, passing the torch—or the apple—to the homeowner, teaching clients how to maintain their landscape to the point where they don’t need us anymore,” Mitchell concludes. “Natural solutions are all around and connecting with the land starts in backyard. We’re literally standing and living on top of solutions, by growing healthy, organic food while enhancing how we work with the land.”

This ad is the property of and may not be reproduced in any other publication without sion of the publisher. Please review the proof carefully. is not responsible for any error marked. This ad will be published as it appears if the proof is not returned to us. If there are any questions this proof please call or email.

Signature:

Bear Creek Organics can be reached by visiting BearCreekOrganics.com and filling out a contact request form. Follow their project activity on Facebook.com/bearcreekorganics.

Date: /

Tom’s Dog “Axl”

Dorneyville Pharmacy Veterinary Compounding Specialists

Richard Mitchell

Low Vitamin D Linked to Risk of Death

A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine determined that vitamin D deficiency increases mortality risk. The findings were based on a survey of the vitamin D levels and genetic data of more than 300,000 people aged 37 to 73 that participated in the UK Biobank, a large-scale cohort study that began in 2006. Almost 19,000 deaths from all causes, as well as from specific causes such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses, were recorded through 2020. Researchers discovered that the risk of death decreased steeply with increasing concentrations of vitamin D, until reaching 50 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). The odds of death from all causes were estimated to increase by 25 percent for participants with vitamin D levels of 25 nmol/L, compared to those with 50 nmol/L.

Marie Ruxton

New Insights on Water Consumption Requirements

We have been conditioned to believe that eight glasses of water are required each day, but new research published in Science found that daily water needs vary based on numerous factors. Researchers studied 5,604 people aged 8 to 96 from 23 countries, measuring their water turnover—the amount of water lost and replaced each day. They found that for most healthy adults, drinking eight cups of water a day is unnecessary because water needs vary depending on age, sex, body size, physical activity level, athletic status, pregnancy, socioeconomic status and environmental characteristics such as latitude, altitude, air temperature and humidity. People that lived in less developed countries had higher water turnover than people from developed countries. While hydration should be prioritized, most people that pay attention to their bodies and drink when thirsty are likely drinking enough water.

Rise in Children With Autism

In March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) released updated statistics on the rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which has been steadily on the rise. One in 36 children was diagnosed with autism by age 8 in 2020, or about 2.8 percent of children, up from one in 44 children in 2018, and one in 150 children in 2000 when the CDC first established the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network to track ASD prevalence in this country.

Autism was 3.8 times as prevalent among boys (4 percent) as girls (1 percent), and for the first time among 8-year-old children, the prevalence was slightly lower among white children than other racial and ethnic groups, which is a reversal of racial and ethnic differences observed in the past. The CDC partially attributes these patterns to improved screening, awareness and access to services.

The report included communities in 11 states that participate in the CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network—Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. Children included in this report were born in 2012 and lived in surveillance areas during 2020. ASD prevalence varied from state to state, with Maryland having the lowest and California the highest observed rates.

Fran.Vila/ShutterStock.com

Indian Food Images/ShutterStock.com

Fran.Vila/ShutterStock.com

Plastic Rocks Found on Remote Brazilian Island

Open Letter to Pause AI Experiments

A group of leading technology executives, researchers, academics and others from around the world have signed an open letter prepared by the Future of Life Institute calling for a six-month pause on large, humancompetitive artificial intelligence (AI) experiments. As of March 31, more than 1,800 CEOs and 1,500 professors had signed the letter.

Brazilian researchers have discovered rocks formed from plastic debris in the permanently preserved area of Trindade Island, approximately 680 miles off the coast of Brazil. The island is a remote refuge for green turtles, which come by the thousands every year to lay their eggs. The only human inhabitants of the island are members of the Brazilian navy.

The team of researchers ran chemical tests on the rocks, called plasticglomerates, and determined that they were formed when fishing nets were dragged by the current and accumulated on the beach. It is believed that the nets melt when the temperature rises and they become embedded with the sedimentary granules and other debris on the beach.

“AI labs are locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one— not even their creators—can understand, predict or reliably control,” the letter contends. The authors are concerned that “AI systems are now becoming human-competitive at general tasks.”

While AI systems grow more powerful, there is no natural law or barrier to technical progress. The letter’s authors and signers are asking all AI labs to pause the training of powerful AI systems so that safety protocols can be implemented to ensure the effects of these systems will be positive and the risks manageable. According to the letter, “If such a pause cannot be enacted quickly, governments should step in and institute a moratorium.”

Individuals can view and sign the letter at Tinyurl.com/ AImoratorium.

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LABOUYRIEShutterStock.com

lazaalaexa/ShutterStock.com

Greener Grilling

The aroma of tasty treats sizzling on an outdoor grill evokes memories of laughter among family and friends, picnic tables brimming with colorful foods and the joy of running barefoot in the grass. This year, consider adding a few eco-friendly upgrades to America’s favorite summer tradition.

Fuel Source Matters

The biggest environmental impact from outdoor grilling comes from the fuel source. Here is a handy comparison of the options.

n Charcoal briquettes are little chunks of carbon made by baking wood byproducts, sawdust and other additives. Charcoal burns inefficiently and produces caustic smoke before and after the useful temperature for cooking. To reduce the carbon footprint, consider sustainably sourced bamboo or coconut shells to flame up the barbie.

n Gas grills burn fossil fuels like propane or natural gas. On the other

hand, they produce fewer carbon emissions than charcoal, heat more quickly and can be turned off immediately.

n Electric grills may seem more eco-friendly for backyard cookouts, but most electricity is derived from fossil fuels. If the home runs on renewable energy, electric wins. Otherwise, gas grills have a smaller carbon footprint.

n Infrared is the latest in barbecue technology. These pricey outdoor grills can reach high temperatures quickly, use less fuel and cook foods evenly. Because they use electric or gas heating elements that radiate infrared waves to the food, they generally run for less time than other grills. One drawback is that their high temperatures can easily overcook or burn foods, especially ingredients that don’t need high temperatures, like fish, vegetables and other seafood.

Cleaning Is Paramount

Regardless of the fuel source, it is important to keep the grill free of grease and food particles to prevent more smoke. When the grill is still warm, clean the grates with a wire brush. If grates are already cool, scrub with baking soda and water.

Caramelized Fruits and Vegetables

Burgers and ribs may be synonymous with traditional cookouts, but the modern barbecue menu isn’t all about meat. Recipes abound for grilled veggies and fruits that lend a delicious smoky and caramelized flavor to these nutritious foods. Embrace the appeal of slightly charred corn on the cob, browned portobello mushrooms and grill-marked pineapple. If meat-free burgers won’t please the crowd, look for certified organic, grass-fed and locally raised meats.

WHAT EVERY MAN WANTS SEXUAL VITALITY AT EVERY AGE

by Carrie Jackson

For men, sexual health is a key, but often overlooked, component of overall wellness. A man in optimal physical shape is able to fully enjoy and participate in sexual activity with an active libido and the ability to sustain an erection. Poor sexual health can lead to depression, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction and other troublesome symptoms and conditions. Fortunately, male sexual function is better understood medically than ever before, and it is more common for men to talk with their doctors and other professionals about topics that seemed taboo not that long ago. New technology is making it easier to diagnose and treat common problems, and it is widely understood that physical, neurological, hormonal, interpersonal and mental factors all play into sexual wellness. By taking a proactive and

holistic approach to their overall wellness, men can enjoy a robust sex drive and performance long into their later years.

Maintaining Libido and Energy

Eric Plasker, a licensed chiropractor and author of The 100 Year Lifestyle, attests that sexual health does not have to decline with age, and men can proactively counter that myth with mindful lifestyle choices. “If you’re aging in a healthy manner, your libido does not have to decline. By taking part in activities you find fulfilling and nurturing your mind, body and spirit, your sexual energy can stay naturally high,” Plasker explains.

He recommends that people take an energy inventory to assess which activities and lifestyle choices are serving them. “Make a

list of all the things you do that help you gain energy and those that drain your energy. This includes the food you eat, hobbies, habits, even people you spend time with. Then see how you can turn the drainers into gainers. For example, if driving in traffic makes you angry, put on relaxing music and do deep breathing exercises to shift yourself into a more positive state. These shifts will make you more energetic, stronger, more passionate and present with your partners, and you’ll have more energy to be sexual and loving,” he says.

Sexual health depends on a healthy nervous system, and maintaining a balanced flow of hormones and neurotransmitters is essential for proper neurological function. According to Plasker, disease, inactivity and inflammation—especially in the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints—can cause a communication breakdown.

“Blockages in the nervous system flow can cause disruption to the sexual organs and lead to a compromised libido,” he explains. “Chiropractic adjustments, combined with regular exercise, will help raise cortisol, reduce stress and open up these pathways in the body. I recommend that patients find an activity they enjoy, such as swimming or tennis, so it becomes an enjoyable part of their routine,” Plasker says.

Optimizing Hormones

According to Tracy Gapin, a board-certified urologist in Sarasota, Florida, strong sexual health and desire is a window to overall health. He helps patients reach their sexual potential with a combination of science-based medicine and holistic practices. “The body is one connected system, and great sexual function is an indication that your body is optimized,” he advises.

While testosterone is widely known to affect sex drive, Gapin looks at the interplay of a variety of other hormones, too. Hormone optimization, testosterone therapy and peptide therapy, which utilizes the body’s own amino acids to increase hormone levels, are non-invasive outpatient tools that men can use to analyze and optimize their sex drive.

“The body produces over 50 hormones, which all contribute to regulating biological processes,” he explains. “Low testosterone can lead to weight gain, anxiety, erectile dysfunction and other serious health issues, including diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Men want to optimize their thyroid and DHT [dihydrotestosterone] levels, both of which can lower the sex drive when compromised. Vitamin D helps regulate the gut, which controls the health of the entire body. Neurotransmitters, which help release feel-good endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine, are made in the gut and can affect depression, anxiety and other issues that lower libido.”

Gapin stresses that it is more important to think about “optimal” levels of hormones instead of “normal” ranges and encourages patients to move beyond the basic blood tests to assess their health. “Besides sex drive, testosterone also affects cardiovascular health, muscle and bone strength, fat mass, cognitive health and even longevity, so it’s important to be aware of your own levels,”

he says. “Every man is different, and the range in which you feel and perform your best is what’s right for you. With medical advice constantly changing, it can be a challenge to keep track of all the recommended tests. DNA testing, epigenetic age assessments, advanced lipid panels, inflammation markers and thyroid testing can all give insight to how the body is functioning as a whole.”

Not feeling like yourself anymore?

Treating Prostate Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. It is, in fact, the most common cancer among American men. Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men and in non-Hispanic Black men. About six cases in 10 are diagnosed in men that are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40.

Gapin asserts that preventative and proactive lifestyle choices can drastically reduce the risk. “New, non-invasive MRI treatments are making it easier to detect and diagnose cancer earlier by highlighting suspicious areas in the prostate and targeting them for biopsy,” he explains, adding that men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a number of treatment options.

“Traditionally, patients would have the prostate removed and undergo radiation. However, these procedures come with a list of disturbing side effects. A newer, FDA-approved treatment called high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive procedure that eradicates prostate cancer,” Gapin notes. “HIFU is an outpatient procedure with excellent oncologic outcomes, minimal side effects and quick recovery times.”

If you need support in getting your life back, apply for a free clarity call to see if we are the right fit at https://you.feelgoodagaincourses.com/ foundations-program.

The Feel Good Again Institute

(formerly HowToLiveYounger.com)

Incorporating Lifestyle Solutions

As an osteopathic doctor and integrative medicine practitioner at the Masley Optimal Health Center, in St. Petersburg, Florida, Tarin Forbes looks at the root causes of disease and dysfunction. She, too, considers sexual health an integral component of overall wellness and gives patients the tools to achieve their desired sexual potential. “While every person is different, optimal sexual health usually means that men wake up with a morning erection, desire intercourse on a daily basis and can reach an erection without stimulation or genital contact,” she remarks.

Making mindful choices that prioritize nutrition will naturally improve sexual health. “Nourish yourself with a whole food, plant-based diet rich in nutrients, including nitrate-rich foods

Gaining weight, no matter what you do? Tired, have brain fog, moody or “hormonal?”

Dr. Lorraine Maita, the Hormone Harmonizer and Detoxifier, can help you have boundless energy, stable moods, a lean body, sharp, clear mind and balance your hormones so you can feel like yourself again and even better.

“I want YOU to Feel Good Again”

and foods rich in vitamin C and folate, which boost nitric oxide, the main compound that increases blood flow,” Forbes says. “Beans, citrus fruits, beets, celery, cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens boost nitric oxide or its bioavailability to improve blood flow. While getting nutrition from food is ideal, supplements such as zinc, magnesium, vitamin D and boron can help regulate sex hormones. Avoid certain medications, including over-the-counter medicine such as NSAIDs [non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs] like Advil, acid blockers and even mouthwash, which blocks nitric oxide.”

Forbes also recommends engaging in high-intensity exercises and weight resistance that help increase testosterone and blood flow to the penis. Reducing environmental toxins is another important step, she notes, as plastics, pesticides and other chemicals can rob men of their testosterone, which not only affects blood flow but also libido.

Forbes cautions that while erectile dysfunction drugs work in the short-term, they can produce unwanted consequences. “Viagra does work to help men achieve an erection by stimulating blood flow to the penis. However, it can cause troublesome side effects including headaches, vision problems and nasal congestion. Non-pharmaceutical alternatives can provide good results without undesirable repercussions. Low-intensity shock wave therapy, a non-invasive outpatient procedure, uses targeted sound waves to improve blood flow to the penis and can be done once or in a series of treatments. Platelet-rich plasma injections use the patient’s own plasma to stimulate new tissue growth in the penis, which can lead to larger and more frequent erections,” she explains.

Forbes says that by having an open dialogue with their medical professionals and exploring holistic treatments, men at any age can feel sexier and more energetic than ever. “Talk about your concerns with your doctor, who may offer referrals to other specialists until the issue is solved. A physical therapist can teach men to strengthen their pelvic floor with Kegels and other exercises. Sexual therapists help men work through mental and psychological issues, which can be as debilitating as physical ones. A psychologist can offer tools for managing depression and anxiety, both of which can contribute to sexual dysfunction, including low libido and performance anxiety,” she says, noting that if a man does not feel comfortable talking with their doctor, it may be time to find a new one.

Many factors contribute to sexual health, and every man’s needs and desires are different. By addressing physical, hormonal, neurological and mental wellness with a combination of conventional and holistic treatments, men can experience sexual performance and enjoyment at any age. “There’s more awareness than ever before about sexual health, and men don’t have to compromise this integral part of their overall wellness,” says Forbes.

Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at Carrie JacksonWrites.com.

Converting Food to Energy

LEARNING HOW METABOLISM WORKS

by Linda Sechrist

Metabolism is the process by which the foods and drinks we consume are converted into energy. We may not notice the cellular mechanisms that transform fat and glucose into the oomph in our step, but when they start to wane, we definitely know something is wrong. We may feel lethargic and weak, our brains may get foggy or we may start putting on weight around the belly, with blood pressure, blood glucose and triglyceride levels on the rise. In most cases, modifying our diet is the most powerful way to regain vitality and get those biomarkers back on track.

“Metabolic imbalance occurs when the body stores fat but can’t access it or burn it as efficiently,” says Alan Christianson, a naturopathic physician and author of The Metabolism Reset Diet: Repair Your Liver, Stop Storing Fat and Lose Weight Naturally. “In one year, our bodies manage about 1 million calories in and out. We never get exactly what we need on any day, so we must be able to store and release energy in a healthy fashion. However, people get better at storing and poorer at releasing. This is a big part of gradual weight gain and accompanying fatigue.”

Christianson describes good metabolic health as having steady energy levels and maintaining a good body weight. “When there’s too little energy available and the body can’t make energy that well, I see symptoms of metabolic imbalance as mental fatigue and poor memory, less muscular endurance, less recovery from exercise, weight gain and resistance to weight loss,” he explains. “If not addressed, metabolic imbalance can develop into obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic

kidney disease, insulin resistance, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.”

According to Christianson, certain lifestyle choices can throw our metabolism out of balance, including the overconsumption of carbohydrates, processed foods and caffeine; frequent snacking and late-night meals; and poor sleep routines. Too much stress creates a hormonal cascade that promotes storing fat instead of using it.

James Forleo, a doctor of chiropractic and author of Health Is Simple, Disease Is Complicated, recommends the elimination of certain foods that wreak havoc on our metabolism: “The inflammatory agents in much of the food consumed in the Standard American Diet—high-glycemic refined carbohydrates, high-fructose corn syrup and other sugars, and hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats—are the biggest offenders of metabolic health.”

Correcting Liver Function

“The key mechanism to correct and maintain metabolic health is helping the liver to function well. Once corrected, it is not difficult to maintain metabolic health if people eat reasonably healthy,” Christianson advises. “The liver is the main site for storing the body’s fuel. It does this in the forms of glycogen and triglycerides. When things go wrong, there’s too much of one relative to the other. We need some glycogen, which comes from carbohydrates, to burn triglycerides—kind of like how you need kindling to burn a log. The problem is triglyceride buildup in the liver.”

Fixing the liver is the central focus of Christianson’s 28-day metabolism reset. “To correct a fatty liver, you need adequate

protein and adequate nutrients, but a low enough amount of total carbohydrates and healthy fats,” he says. “You also need adequate levels of glucose, a simple carbohydrate that we get from the food we eat. My metabolism reset guides you in eating less refined and processed foods, and more real, nutritious food; pairing carbohydrates with protein; exercising; managing stress levels; and avoiding sugar.”

Personalized Diet Plan and Nutritional Coaching

Metabolic Balance, a German-based company with certified nutrition coaches around the globe, helps people optimize their health with personalized diet plans and follow-up coaching sessions. “The program was created by Dr. Wolf Funfack, a specialist in internal and nutritional

medicine, whose research revealed that every human body can produce all the hormones and enzymes it needs for healthy metabolism. We need to give it the necessary nutrients with the right food, which is precisely what Metabolic Balance does,” says Sylvia Egel, CEO and director of coaching and education.

“Based on an individual’s personal medical history and blood levels, we determine what substances the body lacks to produce all the enzymes and hormones necessary for their bodily functions,” she explains. “The personal roadmap recommends the right combination of foods to keep the various bodily functions in balance. The foods aren’t based on their caloric content, but rather on their essential components such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and the relationship between carbohydrates, fats and proteins.”

According to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, participation in the Metabolic Balance program led to long-term health improvements due to a high degree of adherence by the participants. According to the researchers, “The emphasis of any dietary program should be set on both the aspect of nutrition as well as the aspect of motivation.”

Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings publications for 20 years.

NEM LUI HUE (LEMONGRASS SKEWERS WITH PORK OR CHICKEN)

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

1 lb ground pork or chicken

1 Tbsp finely minced garlic

1 Tbsp finely minced shallot

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

12-15 stalks of lemongrass

Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients, except the lemongrass stalks, in a bowl and mix with hands or a fork. Cover and place the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or overnight), allowing the flavors to develop.

Peel the outer layer of the lemongrass stalks. Rinse in water and dry. Take one handful of the ground mixture and wrap it around the end of a lemongrass stalk, gently pressing and molding the meat around the stalk. Repeat with the remaining meat and place on a baking sheet. Grill skewers over coals or on a gas grill for about 6 to 10 minutes until cooked through. Make sure to rub the grill with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil to ensure the skewers don’t stick to the grate.

Tried every diet plan?

Not losing weight, no matter what you do?

Do you lose weight and gain it back the next year?

IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT!

Hormones, Adrenals, and Digestion play havoc with your metabolic system making it impossible to get the weight off.

I have the solution for losing up to 1 pound of fat a day. And, it works! 99% of the women in my Program lose 20 pounds in the first 6 weeks and keep it off!

If you are ready to get your body back, feel good in clothes again and increase your self-esteem, apply for a free call to see if we are a fit.

Ready to take steps to change this? Book a Drop20 in 6TM call with me at: https://marcellepick.com/drop20-in-6

Marcelle Pick, OB GYN, NP

ARUGULA SALAD WITH MANGO DRESSING

YIELD: 1 SERVING

1½ cup arugula

¼ cup olives, pitted

1 Tbsp chopped shallots

1 mango

Balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Peel the mango, remove the flesh from the core and cut into small cubes.

CHICKEN CURRY

Purée the olives with balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Purée some of the mango cubes with the dressing and set aside the remainder. Add the shallots to the dressing. Wash, clean and dry the arugula. Mix in the dressing and sprinkle the remaining mango cubes on top. Pair this salad with any protein, such as a fish filet.

1 cup vegetables (mushrooms, leeks, onion or cauliflower), chopped

1 tsp mild or medium curry powder

If using cauliflower, parboil the florets and keep the water they were boiled in. Heat the spices in a dry pan until fragrant. Add garlic and vegetables and coat with spices. Add some oil and pour in some vegetable stock (or the cauliflower water) to deglaze the pan. Cook covered for a few minutes until spices and liquid are well combined and the vegetables are coated evenly. Add the diced chicken. Simmer until the chicken is cooked, stirring regularly. Add more vegetable stock or water for a thinner sauce. Serve with some toasted rye bread to soak up the juices.

Recipes and photos courtesy of Metabolic Balance

Photo courtesy of Metabolic Balance

Straighten Up and Feel Right

TIPS FOR GOOD POSTURE AND A HEALTHY SPINE

by Cristina Parker, PT, DPT

migraines and jaw pain. Thoracic kyphosis, a rounded upper back, reportedly impacts 20 to 50 percent of the population and impairs numerous functions, including digestion and breathing. The lumbar spine is at particularly high risk for joint disease as both lumbar muscle strength and pelvic mobility decrease in sedentary individuals. Low back and pelvic immobility are contributing factors for the estimated 103 million individuals worldwide that live with lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that may cause pain or numbness in the legs.

Three-Step Process to Take Control of Our Posture

STEP

ONE: IDENTIFICATION

Standing up straight is not just something our parents remind us to do, it also happens to be good for our health. Posture describes the position of the body in space, but the realities of how we stand and move in day-to-day life are much more complex. Healthy postures encourage proper alignment of body structures, while unhealthy postures can lead to a host of issues, including muscle and joint pain, balance impairment and decreased mobility. Awareness of the body’s proper static and dynamic position is essential to maintaining a healthy spine.

The Spine and Its Role in Posture

The body’s main support system is the spine, which consists of three sections.

The cervical spine supports the weight of the head and connects it to the shoulders, enabling us to turn our heads from side to side as well as up and down. The thoracic spine stabilizes the rib cage, which protects the vital organs. The lumbar spine consists of thicker, more robust vertebrae, as they are the main load bearers and enable us to rotate our bodies and bend forward and to the side.

Muscle tightness or joint immobility can shift the spine out of its ideal positioning, causing postural dysfunction.

A recent study published in the journal Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science estimates that 66 percent of the population is living with forward head posture (FHP), a cervical spine dysfunction that occurs when the head moves forward in front of the body. FHP can lead to headaches,

In her book Rethink Your Position, biomechanist Katy Bowman recommends that we pay attention to a few common signals the body sends out to alert us to an imbalanced weight distribution, including aches in the feet or low back and tension of the shoulders or neck. “Good alignment isn’t about any one fixed position, but a healthy range of positions,” she says. “By focusing less on memorizing postures and more on learning about load on parts of the body, you can optimize your positioning for many different activities.”

Bowman recommends a quick and easy way to self-assess if a postural imbalance is present and, if so, to identify where the imbalance begins: “The body’s joints stack in a vertical line. You can use a plumb line to indicate where your parts are supposed to be. If you take a string with a weight at the end and drop it down from your shoulder, it should line up with the hip, knee and ankle on the way down.”

STEP TWO: CORRECTION

Dr. Krista Burns, co-author of The Posture Principles and founder of the American Posture Institute, recommends a twominute exercise routine, performed while standing against a wall, that addresses each segment of the spine. Repeat each exercise five times.

1. Neck retraction: Push the head forward away from the wall as far as possible, then pull it back so the base of the skull contacts the wall. Keep the eyes parallel to the horizon, rather than looking up toward the sky.

2. Posture angel: Stand with the back against the wall, elbows bent and tucked in close to the waist. Keeping the back of the hands against the wall, reach up as far as possible then slowly lower back to starting position. This movement, which is like making a snow angel while standing, should be felt between the shoulder blades when performed correctly.

3. Pelvic tilt: Arch the back so there is a small space between the wall and the lower spine, then tuck in the tail, flattening the spine against the wall and closing that space. This exercise helps initiate movement into the lower joints.

STEP THREE: MAINTENANCE

The key to maintaining a healthy posture is frequent movement, which can include an hourly stretch break or a bi-hourly range-of-motion routine to move muscles and joints throughout the day. To make postural exercises a habit, physical therapist and integrative health coach Margie Bissinger recommends pairing an exercise routine with something that is already done multiple times a day–for example, mealtime. “People are busy, so it is hard to always dedicate that mental space to awareness of their head or back position,” she states. “When they pair it with something they’re routinely doing, it becomes a habit, and that is when the mental load of the task starts to go away.”

Cristina Parker holds a doctorate in physical therapy. She is a researcher, health content writer, educator and clinician specializing in neurologic disorders, limb-loss rehabilitation and adaptive sports techniques.

Define Values

Conscious Fatherhood

BUILDING A BETTER FAMILY

by Julie Peterson

Some dads believe they need to work long hours so that they can purchase better things and go on fancier vacations, but research shows that, outside of escaping poverty, money doesn’t buy happiness. Even for children, it’s not about stuff or destinations; it’s about time spent together. Fortunately, there are men teaching men to embrace the fatherhood role and take action in ways that matter most.

“All men desire to be loved, valued, needed and respected, and to know they are leaving a mark on this world. Many men look for this fulfillment in career and hobbies, but this can be found by embracing their role as fathers,” says Ned Schaut, the Hawaii-based author of The Adventure of Fatherhood. He notes that the way fathers choose to live and perform their parental roles can affect a family for generations. Learning what fatherhood entails isn’t easy for men that grew up without

involved dads, which may leave them doubting that they have what it takes to lead their families. “There are endless resources to help us in our businesses or careers, but our society doesn’t get behind the message that strong families matter, that present, engaged fathers matter,” says Chris Smith, founder of Campfire Effect, a coaching business for entrepreneurs in Arizona. “In business, we apply principles around values, culture, leadership and growth, and then we go home and don’t apply these same principles.”

The lack of fatherhood guidance led Smith to develop Family Brand, an eight-week program designed to strengthen familial bonds and create an intentional family culture. Part of the process involves parents and their kids understanding who they are and defining their values. The family joins together to come up with a series of statements to hang on the wall as a reminder of their identity and purpose.

Smith Family Brand Statements

n We believe you can be who you want to be.

n Smiths can talk about anything without judgment.

n Smiths are kindhearted.

n Smiths are creators.

n Smiths do hard things.

n Smiths are healthy and active.

n Smiths love and support one another.

Schaut offers a similar lesson plan called Family Core Values, which prompts families to decide where and how to spend their time and money, and to identify what they do and do not want. “It helps us make decisions or have conversations about who we are and how we want to treat others,” he says.

A mission statement hangs on the wall at the home of Ben Greenfield, the Washington-based author of Boundless Parenting: Tools, Tactics and Habits of Great Parents. “It’s a collection of the family values, what the family stands for and holds dear, and what the parents want to pass on to their children,” he explains.

These kinds of value statements help promote positive energy in the home. “If the language spoken at home is limiting and negative, those words become energy that create more of that. We need to use language that is about confidence, kindheartedness and teamwork,” says Smith.

Balance Priorities

According to Schaut, “There will not be an equal balance of time in all categories of life.” Fathers need to understand what

Photo courtesy of Chris Smith

matters most to them and then dedicate their time, money and energy in alignment with those priorities.

For Smith, his family comes first, and he makes sure that his business revolves around the home. “We always prioritize family, even if that comes at the price of career,” he says.

Greenfield stacks his priorities in this order: faith first, followed by his relationship with his spouse, family, health and business. His time is meticulously scheduled so that he can dedicate quality time to all of his priorities. He regularly involves his kids in his spiritual practice and exercise routines to set an example and instill positive habits.

Time dedicated to each child is a priority in strong families. Each of Greenfield’s kids has monthly one-on-one dates with Mom and with Dad, two-on-one quality time every Sunday and daily check-ins every morning and during family dinners. “We’ve noticed that our kids will open up and talk to us during a one-on-one,” Smith asserts.

Discipline With Love

Smith suggests reimagining the way dads approach discipline. “If you tell your kid, ‘What you did was bad,’ it’s hard for them to hear what you say next, because you are attacking them. If we talk about working or not working, you can say, ‘That really doesn’t work and here’s why.’ Kids are then more open to hearing and learning,” he explains.

Discipline needs to be thoughtfully appropriate for each child and each situation. “You have to know and be in tune with your kid,” says Schaut. “When you discipline them, it must come from love and you responding as a dad to the situation, not reacting.”

But talking will never overcome modeling. “What they see you doing is more important than the advice you give them,” says Greenfield. “At the end of the day, kids just want to be seen and loved and heard.”

Julie Peterson writes on health, wellness and environmental topics. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Dr. Mark Hyman

ON LIVING HEALTHY TO 100 AND BEYOND

by Sandra Yeyati

How is the emerging science on longevity changing the way we view aging?

Many things we’ve come to accept as a normal part of getting older are not. Decrepitude, frailty, disease, diabetes, cancers, dementia—these are optional. We can’t change chronological aging, but we can slow and reverse biological aging by influencing the hallmarks of aging, which are these underlying processes that go awry as we get older.

What are the hallmarks of aging?

In my book I wrote about 10 hallmarks of aging, which are all part of one ecosystem of problems. They’re not separate; they influence each other; and they’re dynamic. It’s things like inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, zombie cells, shortened telomeres, microbiome changes and epigenetic changes, which are changes in how our genes are expressed. They’re all important, but the most important hallmark of aging is called deregulated nutrient sensing, which means how our body interacts with food and how that influences us for good or bad. Problems with nutrient sensing affect almost all the other hallmarks and make them worse.

How can we address deregulated nutrient sensing?

Mark Hyman is a practicing family physician and an internationally recognized leader, bestselling author, speaker, educator and advocate in the field of functional medicine. He is the founder and director of The UltraWellness Center, founder and senior advisor for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and board president for clinical affairs for The Institute for Functional Medicine. He is also the founder and chairman of the Food Fix Campaign, dedicated to transforming our food and agriculture system through policy change, and hosts The Doctor’s Farmacy, a podcast with more than 150 million downloads. Hyman is a regular contributor to CBS This Morning, Today, Good Morning America, The View, Fox and CNN. His latest book, Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life, champions the latest science on healthy aging.

We have built-in longevity pathways and over 3,000 survival genes, and we can activate this innate healing intelligence at any time. A major way to influence four of these pathways is through food. I call them longevity switches, which we need to learn how to regulate to make our health span equal our lifespan.

The first one is activated by too much sugar and starch, which drives too much insulin signaling, causing diabetes, pre-diabetes, cancer, dementia, heart disease or obesity. When insulin is overexpressed, it causes weight gain, fat storage, inflammation and lots of other problems.

The next one is mTOR [mammalian target of rapamycin], a pathway that makes new proteins and builds muscle, but gets overstimulated because of our constant eating and snacking and eating before bed. mTOR needs to be inhibited periodically by intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating to allow autophagy to happen, which is like a recycling and repair crew that comes in at night and cleans up all the damaged proteins.

The other two pathways, sirtuins and AMPK [adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase], sense a lack of nutrients and switch on survival pathways. If we’re constantly eating sugar and starch, then AMPK and sirtuins are overstimulated, and they’re not given a break to activate these pathways.

Photo by Masha Maltsava

What is the role of exercise in longevity?

If it were a pill, exercise would basically fix everything. It’s probably the most potent intervention there is, other than calorie restriction or fasting, and it works on many of the longevity pathways. The most important type of exercise is resistance training as you get older, because you need to build muscle. Without muscle, you become frail and dysfunctional.

Exercise influences our DNA stability; lengthens telomeres; preserves the genome; affects the proteins; regulates mTOR, AMPK and sirtuins; preserves mitochondrial function; prevents zombie cells; helps with stem cells; reduces inflammation, cardiovascular risk and diabetes; and it’s also really important for becoming insulin sensitive.

What is hormesis and how can it help with healthy aging?

Hormesis is the idea that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The concept

is not new. We know that exercise, for example, is a stress on the body, but it actually makes you rebound stronger. When you lift weights or you run, it’s a stress, but you’re getting thinner and stronger. There are other forms of hormesis that activate longevity pathways. Hot sauna therapy reduces your risk of cardiovascular mortality by 50 percent. Cold immersion therapy has many benefits, like increasing dopamine, activating brown fat and regulating metabolism. Fasting is a kind of hormesis, and longer fasts—for a day, three days, a week—are very powerful.

What role does finding community have in this quest for longevity?

The science is pretty clear that the body has innate systems that can be regulated by our thoughts. We now understand the mechanisms by which our social relationships and connections can influence our gene expression and everything from inflammation to insulin resistance to

everything else, so building connection with others and building relationships and community is very important.

What longevity strategies do you implement on a typical day?

A lot of this is just habit development and routine. This morning I worked out with my resistance bands for half an hour, took a steam shower and an ice bath, then had a longevity shake with goat whey, creatine, urolithin A and adaptogenic mushrooms. Then I took a walking meeting for an hour-and-a-half outside while I was on a call. Tonight, I plan to spend time with friends. I eat pretty simply most of the time. Last night, I had lamb chops, sweet potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, artichokes (which are a great prebiotic food) and some broccoli with lemon, garlic and olive oil. I take my supplements as well. So it’s very simple, very easy.

Sandra Yeyati is the national editor of Natural Awakenings.

Barefoot Blessings BASKING

IN THE SOUL OF SUMMER

by Marlaina Donato

Summer is a splashy reward after winter wears out its welcome. Spring barely has time to shake blossoms from her hair before we plunge headfirst into summer plans: vacations, barbecues and home improvement. As birds and humans go about their inspired tasks, bees and butterflies dive into their own nectarous agenda. There is no arguing that we all wake up feeling a little bit younger as the days burn longer.

Pulling weeds from the garden, deadheading the zinnias, digging our toes into wet sand and picking up sustenance at the local farmers market bring us back to our primal rhythm. We are more inclined to throw our cares to the wind and lean out of life’s open car window on the way to nowhere in particular. We do not need a plane ticket to exotic shores to find our bliss, only curiosity to explore our own backyards and fall in love with our familiar, well-worn lives.

Timed perfectly, each blossom on the wayside and in the fields has its own hour and medicine. Wildflower wisdom teaches us that we, too, can flourish on seemingly impossible terrain despite fierce opposition from those that do not recognize our value. The blessing of birdsong reminds us that our own survival game can be equally as beautiful when we embody our unique soul-note. Getting up a little earlier can lower our risk of depression and give us a front-row seat to the dew-covered world.

June beckons us to light an outdoor fire on the solstice and watch fireflies fall in love in light codes. At full power, the sun represents the sacred masculine and nature’s resurrection. We are invited to dance with the Green Man, Europe’s ancient symbol of rebirth peering from dappled

forests and over church doorways. We are invited to schedule some actual repose into our vacations, even if we just take a holiday at home with a good book under a breezy tree. We are invited to live.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Nutrition Course

NEXT COURSE STARTS

September 24, 2023

finishes February 18, 2024

Become a Certified Nutrition Consultant

Through the American Association of Nutritional Consultants (AANC) Doctor of Naturopathy and Clinical Nutritionist

Dr. Derek Rodger (ND) prepares students to pass the Certified Nutritional Consultants Exam. Once qualified you are entitled to use the designation CNC after your name and practice as a Nutritionist. Certified Nutritional Consultants (CNC) can work in hospitals, clinics, private practice settings alongside acupuncturists, mental health professionals, physical therapists, doctors and chiropractors, as well as a consultant in schools, businesses, health food stores, spas and health clubs.

Today's economists have determined that the natural health field is the fastest growing industry in the U.S. today. It goes without saying that people are getting more concerned about their personal health and their families health. Just take a look at this picture below and ask yourself, what type of life are you planning for yourself.

The course includes 11 modules and the classes meet on a Sunday morning 9-1 pm. The course fee is $1794 and can be paid over 6 months at $299.

To obtain a detailed information pack visit: NutritionConsultants.org or 908-223-8899

calendar of events

PLANS CHANGE

Please call ahead to confirm date and times

FRIDAY, JUNE 9-12

Feng Shui Professional Certification Teacher: Renae Jensen – Conscious Design Institute May - June - Virtual/Recorded Classes - Meet in Person in June! www.FengShuiMorristown.com. renaejensen@gmail.com. Morristown, New Jersey. Call to Register at 908-797-5225.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14

Anxiety and Stress Relief with Effortless Meditation™ – 7-8:15pm.This meditation technique is recommended by physicians as a key to self-care. Gain relief from - insomnia, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, OCD, and more. FREE Introduction, Twin Ponds Holistic Health Center, West LV - Breinigsville, Pre-register 610.670.6700.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

Anxiety and Stress Relief with Effortless Meditation™ – 7-8:15pm. This meditation technique is recommended by physicians as a key to self-care. Gain relief from insomnia, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, OCD, and more. FREE Introduction, LIVE ONLINE ZOOM Conference, Pre-register 610.670.6700.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

Beginner Level Jewelry Making with Eli – 10am12:30pm. Would you like to try wire wrapping but don’t know where to start? Eli will be teaching you how to wire-wrap a crystal of your choice, in a style that is classy! You will go home with a beautiful pendant of your own! $65 Results Wellness Center, Bath, PA. Pre-register 484-264-3889.

Dowsing… How to Use a Pendulum – 1:304:30pm. Apply to any business or personal concern. Connect with spirit. Learn the source of trauma and release emotional blocks. $55 Results Wellness Center, Bath, PA. Pre-register 484-264-3889.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

Become a Tarot Card Advisor – 10:30am12:00pm. Instead of just reading Tarot… become an advisor!!! Bring a deck. Certificate of completion included.$55 Results Wellness Center, Bath, PA. Pre-register 484-264-3889.

Mediumship – 1:30-4:00pm. Learn to connect intuitively with friends, family and others who have passed over. Certificate of completion included.$55 Results Wellness Center, Bath, PA. Pre-register 484-264-3889.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27

Anxiety and Stress Relief with Effortless Meditation™ – 12:00-1:15pm. This meditation technique is recommended by physicians as a key to self-care. Gain relief from insomnia, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, OCD, and more. FREE Introduction, LIVE ONLINE ZOOM Conference, Pre-register 610.670.6700.

ongoing events

daily

Narcotics Anonymous – If you think you have a drug problem, and are tired of being sick and tired, there is a better way. Call 24-hour helpline 610439-1998. We are here to help. You are not alone.

sunday

Sunday Services – Metaphysical and nondenominational. Rev. Lloyd Moll, PastorUnique Sunday services 10:30am. All welcome! St. John’s Church of Faith, 607 Washington St Allentown. 610-776-7211.

C o-Dependent Anonymous – CoDA is a 12-Step Fellowship of men and women with a common purpose to recover from codependence. The only requirement for membership in CoDA is a desire for healthy and loving relationships. 7pm, Unity Church, 26 N. 3rd St., Emmaus. Call 610-737.-354 or visit Coda.org.

Yoga to Soothe the Soul – Gentle yoga to restore balance and release stress. Cost: donations $5$15 suggested. Every Sunday at 6pm starting on February 7, 2021. Contact Info: www. rebeccarosereiki.com. Call: 484-280-4963.

wednesday

LV Lyme Support Group – First Wednesday of every month except July. Zoom calls only. Contact Heidi Healey at 973-610-0531 if interested. Speakers, Doctors, brochures and books. PA is #1 in reported cases, so we help educate the public. We also post in Lehigh Valley Lyme Support Group on Facebook and Pennsylvania Lyme Resource Network on Facebook.

Greater Lehigh Valley business directory

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

ACUPUNCTURE

EASTMAN ACUPUNCTURE

LAURA EASTMAN, M.AC., L.AC.

1617 Hamilton Street

Allentown, PA 18102

484-425-2865

www.eastman-acupuncture.com

Eastman Acupuncture provides quality acupuncture treatments to the Lehigh Valley. We use distal treatments drawn from Dr. Tan’s Balance Method, Master Tung points and Electro Acupuncture Medicine. Treatments are offered in a community/ open setting.

LIVEWELL INTEGRATED HEALTH

LLC

Dr. Robert W. Livingston III, DC, L.Ac. Dr. Jennifer K. Bollinger, DC, L.Ac. 8026 Hamilton Blvd. • Trexlertown, PA 18087

610-395-5509

LiveWellIntegratedHealth.com

LiveWell Integrated Health offers traditional Chinese acupuncture, chiropractic, body work, and nutritional and lifestyle coaching. Being healthy is a lifestyle choice...choose to LiveWell. See ad, page 7.

BODYWORK

MARIE RUXTON

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

Marie Ruxton CMT, CN

628 Chestnut St., Emmaus, PA 18049

610-965-2500

Marie is a certified massage therapist trained since 1997 in Advanced Myofascial Release Therapy, Therapeutic Massage, Reiki, Ear Candling, Homeopathy and Holistic Nutrition. Offers comprehensive custom bodywork for those wanting to overcome chronic pain and movement problems. Sessions range from a (2 hour) Head to Toe meltdown massage to “Just Neck and Head” massage for those needing stress relief. Gift certificates available See ad, page 12.

CHIROPRACTOR

ASSOCIATED CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Joseph A. Perelli

656 5th St. Whitehall, PA 18052

610-266-6111

AssociatedChiropractic.com

Dr. Perelli has served the Lehigh Valley for 31 years delivering natural, hands-on chiropractic care for neck, mid-back, low back and extremity conditions. He specializes in sports, auto and work comp injuries with various holistic treatments to get you back to your pre-injury status quickly. See ad, page 2.

AZURE STAR CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Indy Ishaya

info@azurestarchiropractic.com 484-206-5191

AzureStarChiropractic.com

Azure Star Chiropractic exists to serve the greater Lehigh Valley and its residents. Combining cutting-edge gentle chiropractic care, with up-to-date, practical nutrition advice, functional mobility and movement, guided breathwork, meditation, and so much more, Azure Star offers the tools you need to make lasting changes in your body and your life!” See ad, page 17.

CHIROPRACTOR

LIVEWELL INTEGRATED HEALTH LLC

Dr. Robert W. Livingston III, DC, L.Ac. Dr. Jennifer K. Bollinger, DC, L.Ac. 8026 Hamilton Blvd. • Trexlertown, PA 18087 610-395-5509

LiveWellIntegratedHealth.com

LiveWell Integrated Health offers traditional Chinese acupuncture, chiropractic, body work, and nutritional and lifestyle coaching. Being healthy is a lifestyle choice...choose to LiveWell. See ad, page 7.

CLINICAL NUTRITIONIST

BETHLEHEM NUTRITION & WELLNESS CENTER

Kathy Harrington, MS

Functional Medical Nutritionist

3400 Bath Pike, Ste. 101 Bethlehem 610-419-3909

www.BethlehemNutrition.com

Bethlehem Nutrition & Wellness Center, we give you the tools to bring you and your family into a state of optimal health. Using the most advanced nutritional testing available, we look for the underlying cause of your health problems. Once the underlying cause is addressed not only do symptoms go away, but your overall health can also be greatly improved. See ad page 13.

COUNSELING - HOLISTIC SMART SOLUTIONS AND CREATIVE HOLISTIC THERAPY

Rev. Lyn S. Felix, MSW, LCSW, CHT, RM 3037 S. Pike Ave. #105, Allentown, PA 18103 610-282-0709

CreativeHolisticTherapy.com

A holistic, highly intuitive counselor, coach and vibrational chakra rebalancing practitioner who supports you in getting unstuck and moving forward. Using mindfulness, hypnotherapy, EFT, Reiki, tuning forks, breathwork, and more, Rev. Lyn guides you step by step from chaos to calm and confidence. Insurances & Private Pay. Free Phone Consultation.

DEPRESSION

TMS CENTER

Dr. Paul Gross

401 N. 17th St., Suite 304

Allentown, PA 610-820-0700

www.Tmslv.com

Thousands in the Lehigh Valley struggle with depression every day, but thanks to the TMS Center of the Lehigh Valley, they are not alone in their fight. We are the region’s first transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment facility and one of the most experienced centers on the east coast, having performed over ten thousand TMS treatments. See ads, pages 3.

FOOD & NUTRITION

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES AND CAFE SANTOSHA

Dianne & Lloyd Burg

7150 Hamilton Blvd

Trexlertown, PA

610-366-9866

www.HealthyAlt.com

Dianne and Lloyd Burg opened Healthy Alternatives in 1994 to help people live a healthy lifestyle. As a registered nurse, Dianne saw a lot of hospital patients who weren’t getting better with traditional treatment. She started studying natural remedies to help them heal. Dietary changes and homeopathy seemed promising, but no one offered these solutions. The Burgs wanted to change that, so they decided to open Healthy Alternatives. See ad page 18.

FUNERAL SERVICES

NICOS C. ELIAS

FUNERAL HOME, INC

Nicos C. Elias, Supervisor

Allentown, PA

610-433-2200

Nicos@EliasFuneralHome.com

EliasFuneralHome.com

Mr. Elias offers several different green and eco-friendly funeral plans using biodegradable caskets, preservation without chemicals. A natural, back to the earth approach. Biodegradable urns for those choosing cremation.

GREEN CEMETERY

GREEN MEADOWS AT FOUNTAIN HILL CEMETERY

1121 Graham Street, Fountain Hill, PA 18015

610-868-4840

GreenMeadowPA.org

The only green cemetery in the Lehigh Valley. A cemetery of wildflowers and grasses native to Pennsylvania. Return to the natural cycle of life to nourish the soil, green the meadow and live on. Nondenominational. Non-profit. Speakers available to visit organizations. See ad, page 25.

HEALTH FOOD & SUPPLEMENT STORE

CBD AMERICAN SHAMAN

7727 Glenlivet Dr West, Ste D Fogelsville PA 18051 484-656-7771

cbdfogelsville.com

Including high-quality CBD into your daily routine can change your health for the better. Our certified consultants will show you why we were voted Best CBD Store by Readers’ Choice in 2021.

HOLISTIC HEALTH & NUTRITION

HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES

Yolanda Regina Battaglia, BS, CHN, MBEC Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner Holistichealth58@gmail.com 570-903-8700

www.healthprofs.com/profile/942822

As a certified holistic nutritionist and eating psychology coach, Yolanda gets to the root of your ailment. She has had huge success in helping people to avoid/reduce/ eliminate medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and T2 diabetes with a natural approach. In addition, research has shown that healthier nutrition helps with some behaviors of autism.

HYPNOSIS & HYPNOSIS TRAINING

STREAM HYPNOSIS, LLC

35 E. Elizabeth Ave. Ste 21 B Bethlehem, PA 570-617-5325

vperweiss@streamhypnosis.com www.streamhypnosis.com

Achieve your personal best in sports, sales public speaking and more. Whether you need to eliminate chronic pain, achieve your ideal body weight, reduce stress, or kick the smoking habit hypnosis is a useful tool that can help you move forward. Individual and group sessions, remote and in person sessions. Board Certified Hypnotist with NGH.

RESULTS WELLNESS CENTER, LLC

Jacqueline LeClaire

6120 W. Main Blvd., Bath, PA 18014 484-264-3889

JacquelineLeClaire.com

Become a Certified Hypnotherapist / Become a Certified Reiki Practitioner, Usui Master. Jacqueline LeClaire is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Master Trainer with the International Association of Counselors and Therapists and Reiki Master for over two decades. She is the owner of Results Wellness Center, LLC.

INTEGRATIVE PHYSICIANS

HUNTERDON INTEGRATIVE PHYSICIANS

Dr. Scott P R Berk, MD, AAFP, AIHM

33 Rupell Rd

Hampton, NJ 08827

908-238-0077

HipmdOffice@gmail.com

www.HunterdonIntegrativePhysicians.com

Hunterdon Integrative Physicians (HIP) presents an alternative to the average Primary Care office. You will find a modern medical practice in every sense of the word. We strive to offer our patients an array of diagnostic options, treatment choices, and scheduling flexibility. If you are looking for a common-sense approach to your health needs, look no further than HIP. See ad page 21.

LANDSCAPING

BEAR CREEK ORGANICS

570-582-0615

BearCreekOrganics@gmail.com

BearCreekOrganics.com

We create organic and ecological edible landscapes. With mother nature as our teacher, and extensive knowledge of edible plants,. We develop beautiful food production systems that support your needs and the needs of the natural wildlife. No matter the size of your budget we will help you create an edible landscape that is right for you. See ad, pages 10.

MARKETING

NATURAL AWAKENINGS

DR. DEKA RODGER ND, MBA

Owner/Publisher

610-421-4443

DrRodgerND@HealthyLehighValley.com

DrRodgerND@gmail.com

www.HealthyLehighValley.com

www.DrRodgerND.com

www.NutritionConsultans.org

www.Ultimatelongevity.com/DrRodgerND

www.DrRodgerND.B3Sciences.com

Due to his extensive background in business and marketing and built his own practice through the Natural Awakenings magazine he can take businesses to the next level. Also, with a strong background in keeping fit and understanding all aspects of exercising, he promotes B3 Science, an advanced method of achieving better fitness results in 1/2 the time. He also teaches a Nutrition Certification Course over a 6-month period, students completing this course and passing all exams can put the designation CNC after their name. See ad pages 3, 31, & back page.

classifieds

OPPORTUNITIES

Bear Creek Organics is hiring! We are looking for skilled landscapers who are passionate about Ecological Edible Landscaping. Permaculture Design Certificate preferred. Email resume and cover letter to: Richie@bearcreekorganics.com

Calling Holistic Presenters – Facilitate your workshop or retreat at our Upper Bucks center, with peaceful country setting, meditation gardens, and woods. GreenShireArts.org. Email info@ GreenShireArts.org or call 215-538-0976.

Holistic Chiropractor, Naturopath or Natural Functional Medicine Practitioner Needed – Join our comprehensive solution Wellness Center in Stroudsburg. Access to over 2000 clients in a professional, dedicated facility. Call Vicki at 570977-1900 to discuss.

PRODUCTS

Crystal Tones Singing Bowls – Classic & Alchemy for meditation & vibrational healing. Also offering personal vibration testing. Contact Anthony at Life Holistic Center, 570-706-6680 or LifeHolistic@hotmail.com. See more at LifeHolistiReiki.com.

Interactive Dementia and Alzheimer Game – An interactive and fun family game that will bring a twinkle to the eye and smile on the face. Call 484860-5894. HighRollDice.com.

Two Green Burial Plots for Sale – At Green Meadows Burial Ground in Fountain Hill, PA. $1,800 total.Call 610-698-4921.

SERVICES

Spiritually guided card readings offered in person, or via phone, parties also welcome. Channeled messages are for your highest good. Let my gifts guide you! Reasonable rates. Cheryl 908-268-8029. Readings with intuitive counselor, Reiki also available. Free 10-minute initial session. Evelyn peptel62@gmail.com. 551-804-7571.

Free Phone Reading for Lightworkers. Your Higher-Self reveals the blocks that are slowing you from growing your practice/business. Email Enaid to learn more. enaid-rensporp@protonmail.com

Kula Heart Yoga & Wellness, LLC contracts self motivated and ethical bodyworkers and yoga instructors to serve Bath and the Lehigh Valley. If you are interested in growing your business, making your own hours and being a part of a Wellness Center that is filled with compassion, professionalism, and FUN! Submit your interest to info@kulaheartyogaandwellness.com.

SPACE TO RENT

Attention Health Care Professionals! Twin Ponds Health Center, a highly diverse holistic health center, offers a unique lease opportunity. Schedule a tour of the site. 610-899-2499.

Peaceful Country Setting – Building includes 4 gathering rooms, kitchen, and covered porch. Wooded paths, meditation gardens. Perfect for workshops, weddings, retreats. Quakertown. Call 215-538-0976.

MASSAGE

KONNECTIONS MASSAGE

Kathy Hatcher, LMT

656 5th St., Whitehall, PA 18052

610-266-6111

KonnectionsMassage.com

Kathy has been administering deep tissue, therapeutic, medical, pregnancy and aromatherapy massage since 1996. Her NEWEST services are Ionic Foot Cleanse Detoxification as well as Red-light therapy for non-surgical weight loss and chronic pain management. Insurance billing for massage available. See ad, page 2.

MEDIUMS

EVIDENTIAL MEDIUM GAIL

Serving the Greater Lehigh Valley www.MediumGail.com

A medium blends natural ability with training to connect to your loved ones in spirit. My goal is to bring you comfort and evidence that your loved one is well on the other side through bits of evidence shared memories, and small talk. 20-30M Reading, $40. MediumGail.com

NATUROPATH

NATURAL HEALTH PROMOTION LLC

Tina Stashko, PhD MIfHI

Emmaus, PA 18049

610-965-8132

NaturalHealthPromotion.net

Specializing in preventative healthcare, digestion and nutrient absorption, and thyroid and adrenal health. Modalities such as iridology, sclerology and biochemical balancing enable the development of your unique program for optimum health. These programs are easy to follow and incorporate into your daily life. Reach your full health potential! See ad, page 27.

PET TRAINING

CAITLIN’S ANIMALS

Caitlin Bird

Lehigh Parkway, Allentown PA

484-619-3554

Caitlin@CaitlinsAnimals.com

CaitlinsAnimals.com

The only independent Service Dog specialist in the Lehigh Valley. Our services include basic manners, group, and in-home training, day training, Therapy, and Service Dog coaching. Our philosophy is “first, do no harm” focusing on a holistic approach to dog ownership to strengthen bonds and connection.

WISDOM

&

REIKI

HEALING MIND, BODY, SOUL

Reiki Practitioner & Spiritual Mentor

Quakertown, PA

loveandhealingenergies@gmail.com 267-446-5556

Reiki promotes healing, balance, calming and enlightenment. Positive changes through gentle technique. Our animals benefit from Reiki as well. Reiki is a practice of spiritual connection and regained enlightenment. Along with Reiki, Spiritual Mentoring will bring further Harmony and enlightenment as Jamie listens and support you. “Time for enlightenment”

WELLNESS SPAPOTHECARY

HERBS TO YOUR SUCCESS

Vanessa Sabatine

64 South Main St.

Nazareth, PA 18064

610-365-8996

www.HerbsToYourSuccess.com

Herbs to Your Success is a health & wellness spa located in Nazareth, offering multiple holistic spa experiences and herbal remedies. We also offer a wide selection of essential oils, teas, skincare, makeup and more! We provide high quality spa services to our customers and our friendly and courteous staff guarantees exceptional customer service. See ad page 29.

Nutrition Course

NEXT COURSE STARTS

September 24, 2023

finishes

18,

The Next Nutrition Course

Through the American Association of Nutritional Consultants (AANC) Doctor of Naturopathy and Clinical Nutritionist Dr. Derek Rodger (ND) prepares students to pass the Certified Nutritional Consultants Exam. Once qualified you are entitled to use the designation CNC after your name and practice as a Nutritionist. Certified Nutritional Consultants (CNC) can work in hospitals, clinics, private practice settings alongside acupuncturists, mental health professionals, physical therapists, doctors and chiropractors, as well as a consultant in schools, businesses, health food stores, spas and health clubs.

Next Course starts Sep 2022 - Feb 2023 dates TBD

“If the doctors of today do not become the nutritionists of tomorrow, then the nutritionists of today will become the doctors of tomorrow”. (Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research)

Become a Certified Nutrition Consultant

Today's economists have determined that the natural health field is the fastest growing industry in the U.S. today. It goes without saying that people are getting more concerned about their personal health and their families health. Just take a look at this picture below and ask yourself, what type of life are you planning for yourself.

in 6 Months and put the letters CNC after your name. This recognized qualification is obtained through the American Association of Nutritional Consultants, AANC.

The course includes 12 modules, and classes meet twice a month on Sundays 9 am - 1pm . All modules are taught by Dr. Derek Rodger (ND). Course fee is $1794 and can be paid over 6 monthly installments at $299 per month.

Natalie, who flew in from Chicago every 2 weeks to do the CNC program has passed her Certified Nutritional Consultant and can now proudly put the letters CNC after her name: I met Dr. Rodger (ND) before I took his Nutrition Course and it was his knowledge and experience that drew me to choose his class over others. I am so very glad I did as, I'm positive I wouldn't have learnt what I did with other teachers.  I'm not sure I would have had such an inspirational teacher with highly motivational lectures.

Every student receives a free 90 minute private nutritional consultation with Dr. Rodger (ND) 89.

Naturopathic Doctor

Dr. Derek Rodger (ND) Course Instructor

To obtain a detailed information pack visit: NutritionConsultants.org or Tel: 908-223-8899

Alessandra, already had her nutritional degree, before she came on the course. I'm so proud of myself for finishing this the course and the exam. It was a great experience and I truly learned a lot. There are so many opportunities out there for me in my career to help others. I'll be attending the Natural Gourmet Institute which has a strong focus on a plant based diet. I look forward to helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle as a CNC and chef!

The course includes 11 modules and the classes meet on a Sunday morning 9-1 pm. The course fee is $1794 and can be paid over 6 months at $299.

A library of material becomes yours following course completion.

If you would like to attend this educational course, which will clearly change your life from a nutritional perspective. More detailed information is sent out to students who are interested, sign up by going to: www.NutritionalConsultants.org

A library of material becomes yours following course completion.