May 2016 by Natural Awakenings of Southern Maine

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Women’s Wellness May 2016 | Southern Maine Edition | MaineAwakenings.com

The Science of Healing and the Art of Therapy

IMTA offers highly-trained physical therapists who will treat you as a “whole” person.

Mind, Body and Soul We do this in a professional setting with knowledgeable, caring and helpful staff. • • • • • • • • •

Whole Body Approach Arthritis Orthopedic Replacements Musculoskeletal Disorders Lyme Disease Digestive Disorders Sports Medicine Women’s Health Edema (chronic or post surgical)

Frank Gentile Physical Therapist & Owner

Marie-France Browning Physical Therapist

Felicia Files Physical Therapy Assistant

Hours of Operation: Monday: 8am-6pm • Tuesday-Thursday: 7:30am-6pm Friday: Limited Hours

Part of the Center For Balanced Living 74 Lunt Road, Suite 206 • Falmouth, ME 04105

(207) 781-8358

www.imtmaine.com

contents 7

5 7 8 9 10

newsbriefs healthbriefs ecotip globalbriefs conscious eating

12 localproﬁle 14 localarticle 15 community spotlight

18 healingways 20 ﬁtbody 22 postnatal tip

24 calendar 28 community resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 207-615-3675 or email Ads@MaineAwakenings.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: News@MaineAwakenings.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Coordinator@MaineAwakenings.com. Deadline for calendar: the 5th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

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

10 HOW TO REBOOT YOUR EATING HABITS

Small Shifts Can Drop Pounds and Gain Health by Judith Fertig

12 THREE DECADES OF HEALTH REPORTING DISTILLED BY DIANE ATWOOD:

Eat well, Be active, and Find your Passion by Amy Paradysz

14 HORMONES?

OR CHEMICAL ABSORPTION? by Dr. Catherine Krouse

16 SPARK UP YOUR LOVE LIFE

Natural Ways to Boost Libido by Lisa Marshall

18 SOLUTIONS FOR A

SLUGGISH THYROID Keying in on Iodine by Kathleen Barnes

20 FACIAL FITNESS Exercises to Tone Your Face and Neck

by Kathleen Barnes

22 HEALING AFTER

CESAREAN BIRTH: SCAR MASSAGE by Morgyn Danae

natural awakenings

May 2016

letterfrompublisher

contact us Publisher Debjani Das Editors S. Alison Chabonais Shonali Das Amy Paradysz Linda Sechrist Contributing Writers Amy Paradysz Contributing Photographers Debjani Das Amy Paradysz Ad Designer Courtney Ayers Design & Production Courtney Ayers Printer Engle Printing and Publishing Co. Multi-Market Advertising 239-449-8309 Franchise Sales 239-530-1377

Natural Awakenings of Southern Maine P. O. Box 7769, Portland, ME 04101 Phone: 207-615-3675 Fax: 207-221-1005 MaineAwakenings.com Facebook.com/MaineAwakeningsMag ©2016 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.

orking on this Women’s Health issue, I couldn’t help but think the incredible women I have been blessed to know in my life—and one I lost. My godmother Deborah Stringer was as close to me as my own mother. She taught my sisters and I that life was what you make of it and that there will always be more good in the world no matter how gloomy things appear. Five years ago, Deborah passed away from an aggressive form of breast cancer, leaving us all wondering if more could have been done. Following protocol, Deborah had annual mammograms. But, by the time a mammogram detected the tumor, it was already at stage 4. Learning about thermal imaging and how readily available it is here in Southern Maine, I’m hopeful that fewer women have to endure Deborah’s experience. In this issue, we talk with Ingrid LeVasseur, founder of Inner Image Clinical Thermography, about the benefits of thermography, a non-invasive screening that can detect breast irregularities earlier than mammography, without the harmful effects of radiation. Ladies, we have a duty to take care of our breasts, and with this amazing tool right in our area, there’s no excuse. Check out Thermal Imaging & Your Breasts by Amy Paradysz. This issue features another amazing woman I’ve been getting to know and who many of you have known for decades—Diane Atwood. She was the state’s first dedicated health reporter on local news starting in the 1980s and she’s still doing award-winning work with her blog “Catching Health with Diane Atwood.” We catch up with her and get inspired by her vitality in Three Decades of Health Reporting Distilled by Diane Atwood by Amy Paradysz. We women tend to give hormones a bad rap. In this issue, Dr. Catherine Krouse of Lotus Family Practice in Falmouth shares personal and professional reflection on absorption of chemicals from skincare products in Hormones? Or Chemical Absorption? Finally, any issue focused on women’s health wouldn’t be complete without something about sex and libido. Get some tips in Spark Up Your Love Life: Natural Ways to Boost Libido by Lisa Marshall. Incredibly, this issue marks the second anniversary Natural Awakenings of Southern Maine. I am grateful to all of you who support the magazine by simply picking it up and reading. We do our best to bring you the latest in natural news and to support businesses that make a difference in our community! Keep passing it along and share it with friends and family.

SUBSCRIPTIONS To sign up for a copy of our monthly digital magazine, email Publisher@MaineAwakenings.com.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint

Southern Maine

Om Shanti Om,

Debjani Das, Publisher bl h MaineAwakenings.com

newsbriefs

Are You In Need Of Emotional Freedom?

Discover the Fertility Awareness Method

We offer Custom Healing for your needs

erbalist Mischa Schuler is leading an introduction to fertility awareness to promote women’s fertility at Sage Wellness in Portland on Monday, May 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to recognize the body’s signs and connect with their own reproductive cycle. Through daily observation, the patterns that emerge provide an insight to your physical, emotional and spiritual rhythms. With this understanding comes the opportunity for conscious conception. Feel confident going home with three specific tools you can bring into your daily life to enhance your body’s receptivity to conception. Herbal suggestions as well as exercises will be offered.

$EPRESSION s !DDICITON 043$ s !NXIETY

Cost: $35. Pre-registration only. For more information, visit WildCarrotHerbs. com, call 207-274-3242 or email WildCarrotHerbs@gmail.com. Location: Sage Wellness, 980 Forest Ave., Portland.

Mention this ad to receive 15% off your ﬁrst visit! Please Call 207.646.3900 To Let Us Help

Baylight Offers Homeopathy Open House

he Baylight Center for Homeopathy is hosting its annual spring open house on May 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn why this natural health option is growing in popularity and ask questions about homeopathic treatment and the Center’s homeopathic courses. Baylight offers dynamic homeopathic education and quality homeopathic care with the view that the path to health is truly individualized.

Location: The Baylight Classroom, 22 St. John Street, Portland. For more information: www.baylighthomeopathy.com

59 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME www.5elementshealingcenter.com

STONES & STUFF This Place is a Gem!

Go Herban at a New Herb Fest in Portland

ilk and Honey of Swallowtail Farm is bringing a new herb fest to Portland the weekend of June 18-19. The focus will be on herbs, weeds, flowers and all things green, with classes, workshops, talks, an opportunity to swap homemade goods, and an herb walk in Portland as well as out on Peaks Island. Kids will get a chance to plant seeds, build a fairy house, or make herbal crafts. The weekend will conclude with a ticketed summer solstice dinner of farm-fresh foods on Sunday night.

• • • • • •

Crystals Fossils Minerals Jewelry Tarot Astrological Charts • Crystal Healing • Teachings

For more information, search “Herban” on Facebook.

Treat Mom at Organic Beauty Salon

other’s Day is coming up and Organic Beauty Salon is offering a special on facials with clearing exfoliation and hydrating masks. The love doesn’t stop there! They will also receive deep conditioning hair treatments including a scalp massage and blowout— both luxurious services for only $60. Gift certificates are available. Call Ruthie at 207-415-4611 or Rhonda at 207-318-8324 to schedule your appointment. Location: 869 Main St., Suite 800, Westbrook. Website: www.OrganicBeautyMaine.com.

Love Rocks! (207) 874-0789

556 Congress St • Portland Maine, 04101 Mon - Sat: 11am - 6pm • Sun: 11am - 5pm

www.StonesAndStuff.com natural awakenings

May 2016

Delicious, plant-based, personalized gourmet meals

newsbriefs Share the Maine summer with a Fresh Air child

603-359-2383 • missy@solfood.net

www.solfood365.com

• Personal Chef • Small Office Party Catering • Weekly Office Lunch Deliveries • Raw Food/Juice Cleansing Programs

Gentle evidence-based exercises that strengthen the BODY, settle the MIND, and nurture the SPIRIT. Interested in Taiji? Join Us! Our Beginner and Open Enrollment classes are the perfect introduction. Beginners are always welcomed.

Beginner and Open Enrollment classes

Mondays: 10:30AM & 4PM Wednesdays: 5:30PM Saturdays: 10AM

ach summer, nearly 4,000 low-income New York City children visit families in rural, suburban, and small-town communities along the East Coast, from North Carolina to Maine and Southern Canada. But it takes volunteer families willing to welcome a child to experience some of our Maine joys of summer. First-time Fresh Air visitors are 7 to 12 years old, and Fresh Air hosts range from young families to grandparents. The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. To learn more about hosting a Fresh Air child this summer, contact Suzanne Barr at 207-885-9840 or The Fresh Air Fund at www.FreshAir.org.

mainetaiji.com | 207-780-9581 500 Forest Ave. Portland, ME 04101

Creating Sacred Space

Holistic Vision IMPROVEMENT

"I'm so thrilled! There is no longer any restriction on my driver's license. I've worn glasses since I was twelve, so this is the first time ever. Thanks!"

Benefits include:  Increased clarity of sight in the distance  Increased ability to see clearly close-up  Healthier eyes  Greater comfort in and around your eyes  Reduced dependence on glasses  Enhanced depth perception  Better balance and coordination

~ J.M., Wayland, MA

A N AT U R A L A P P R OAC H TO V I S I O N C A R E Eliot ME • 207-439-9821 Cambridge MA • 617-354-8360

VisionEducators.com

Southern Maine

Get Clearer Vision

Rosemary Gaddum Gordon, DBO, MA

MaineAwakenings.com

eather Nichols, owner of Stones and Stuff, is presenting a workshop called Creating Sacred Space on Tuesday, May 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. This class is for people who want to connect with their spirituality but may not know where to begin. A sacred space makes it easier to connect with past loved ones, manifest desires, or reflect and work on any wounds. You can play with magic and incorporate spirituality into your life by creating a shrine. Participants will learn how to build an altar as a personal sacred space. The class will also build a group altar, so feel free to bring a special object. Call or stop by the shop to pre-register. Cost: $30. For more information, visit StonesAndStuff.com or call 207-874-0789. Location: Stones and Stuff, 556 Congress St., Portland.

healthbriefs

Magnesium Improves Childbirth for Mother and Newborn

esearch presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists has found that magnesium reduces fevers during childbirth, as well as complications among newborns. The study followed 63,000 deliveries from Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in Chicago, between 2007 and 2014. Of these, 6,163 women developed fevers of at least 100.4° F during labor. Of the women that developed fevers, 2,190 received magnesium sulfate intravenously during their labor. Rates of fever at maternity dropped by half, to 4.3 percent, in women that received the magnesium, versus 9.9 percent in those that did not. The rate of newborn complications was also significantly lower among women given magnesium. The study, led by Dr. Elizabeth Lange, an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, is the first of its kind to investigate the effect of magnesium on childbirth. “By reducing the incidence of maternal fever, magnesium sulfate therapy may also reduce the incidence of complications in newborns,” says Lange.

Red Clover Guards against Menopausal Bone Loss

12-week study of 60 menopausal women in Denmark has found that red clover halted bone loss and bone mineral density reduction. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research, sponsored by the Aarhus University Medical School and Hospital, tested the women over a threemonth period. Half were treated with 150 milliliters of red clover extract daily and the others were given a placebo. The red clover plant extract was standardized to 37 milligrams of isoflavones, including 34 milligrams of aglycones. The scientists measured changes in bone mineral density, bone mineral content and T-score, measured at the spine and femoral bone. They also monitored bone turnover markers. By the end of the study, the women in the placebo group had continued to lose bone mass and bone mineral density. Those given the red clover extract showed no such reductions during the study period. In addition, the red clover group experienced no increase in inflammation or blood pressure.

Ozone Averts Tooth and Gum Infections

ccording to a recent report in the journal Interventional Neuroradiology, dental practice and research in Europe has determined that ozone therapy can be used to slow the growth of tooth and gum infections. Clinicians are also finding that targeted exposure to ozonated water, gas and oils helps to manage viral and fungal infections, including oral herpes infections. Approximately a quarter of lesions treated with ozone do not reappear. These treatments have also been used successfully on sinus infections and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Using ozone offers advantages over the use of antibiotics, which contribute to antibiotic resistance, according to the report. In addition, ozone gas has been shown effective in eliminating Enterococcus faecalis, one of the central bacteria involved in root canal infections, which can become increasingly resistant to the central antimicrobial treatment used in root canal therapy, sodium hypochlorite, and can thus decrease the risk of continued infection. “Additionally, the bone at the end of the roots is often shown to harbor pathogenic bacteria for many years after traditional root canal therapy has been completed. Ozone can eliminate those bacteria that infest this region and remove toxic waste products that effectively prevent complete healing of the osseous structures,” writes study author and Doctor of Dental Medicine William Domb, director of the Inland Institute of Aesthetic Dentistry, in Upland, California.

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. ~Oprah Winfrey

natural awakenings

May 2016

visiontip

ecotip Green Wedding Eco-Style the Momentous Event It’s summer wedding planning season, and couples can save money and conserve natural resources by planning a simpler, more ecological event. Instead of hosting the reception at a pricey hotel or restaurant, consider moving the ceremony and reception to a serene location like a beach, park or nature center. Local park and recreation departments may collaborate on making arrangements at public facilities, and nominal fees help support their ongoing operations. A natural setting at an eco-conscious hotel is equally well suited to serving healthy, organic food from a local or on-site health food restaurant, caterer or specialty grocer. Here are some more tips. Purchase organic flowers to avoid pesticides and artificial fragrances often containing toxic chemicals. Buying from local growers cuts transportation costs. Choose a wedding gown made of organic and sustainable fibers. ChasingGreen.org points out that organic farming reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide by using 37 percent fewer fossil fuels than conventional methods. While releasing butterflies or doves may constitute a symbol of love, it can be fatal, especially for the birds, which possess no survival skills in the wild. Also, tossing birdseed over the happy couple, for a time viewed as an improvement on throwing rice, is just as wasteful and messy. Instead, greet the newly hitched lovers by blowing bubbles—it’s inexpensive, childhood fun that won’t harm clothes, animals or the environment. Guests can recycle the wands and bottles, which are available in small sizes for weddings. Show care for other animals by abstaining from balloons. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that balloons that end up in nearby waters or landfills can be mistaken for food and cause stomach blockages for whales, dolphins, turtles and birds. Rather than pay big bucks for a band that consumes electricity, go with one or two local, unplugged musicians such as an acoustic guitar player and flutist. Guests will relish hearing moving, personal renditions of love songs instead of clichéd tunes. 8

Southern Maine

MaineAwakenings.com

The Joy and Healing of Colors by Rosemary Gaddum Gordon, D.B.O., M.A.

ood health requires that we be in balance—even when it comes to color. Our eyes have evolved to respond to a particular portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, from deep violet to bright red. These colors enliven our world and bring us joy. There is evidence that color has also been used for its healing properties since the days of Ancient Persia. Each color has different qualities and is associated with different moods, different chakras. One way to help maintain that balance is to make sure we are getting a broad range of colors in our visual diet. Jacob Liberman, O.D., Ph.D., developed a lovely meditation that allows us to discover whether we are in need of a particular color. You can do this any time you are sitting quietly, and it is especially beneficial if you do it while palming your eyes. Close your eyes and take a few deep, calming breaths to soothe your nervous system. Now imagine the color red filling your body, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. Notice if it’s easy or difficult to let yourself be filled by red. Do you welcome or resist it? Be aware of how you are breathing and feeling. After a minute or so, allow orange to fill you from your crown to your feet, and experience your responses in the same way. Continue this process with yellow, then green, blue, indigo and violet. Spend enough time with each color to experience the felt-sense of it and your responses. If you find you welcome and love every color, you can rest assured that at this time you are in color balance. If you felt resistant or uncomfortable with one or more colors, those are the colors that need replenishing. Look at your surroundings, your current wardrobe and the food you eat and see if those colors are included in your life. Even if they are, your system is wanting more, so add them somewhere. For example, if blue was a difficult color, you might eat some blueberries, look up at the sky more often and allow you eyes to feast on someone’s blue coat on the bus. Notice, as you look at the color how it feels in your eyes, in your body and in your mind. For a banquet of colors, take yourself to an art museum, or the tropics, or even just the mall. Remember that a banquet can be tasteless if we are not noticing what we are ingesting. Let your eyes bring nourishment all the way to your soul. Rosemary Gaddum Gordon of Natural Vision Improvement in Eliot has been helping people see more easily since 1968. For information on holistic vision improvement: www.VisionEducators.com; 207-439-9821. See ad, page 6.

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

Women Power Feminists Redeﬁne Senior Housing Fifteen years in the making, the Babayagas’ House—a feminist alternative to a retirement home—has opened in Paris. This self-managed social housing project is run by its community of inspired female senior citizens that want to maintain their independence. “To live long is a good thing, but to age well is better,” says 85-year-old Thérèse Clerc, who initially conceived the project as a means of combating the idea that growing old is an illness and that retirement homes are a kind of prison. “We want to change the way people see old age, and that means learning to live differently,” she says. The five-story building houses 25 apartments located at the center of Montreuil, just blocks away from shops, a movie theater and the metro. The project cost just under $4.4 million and was funded by eight public sources, including the city council. Two similar projects are now underway in Palaiseau and Bagneux.

Salmon Scam

Source: Bust.com

Farmed Fish Mislabeled as Wild-Caught

Noisy Humans Man-Made Clatter Mufﬂes Nature’s Chorus Kurt Fristrup, a senior scientist at the U.S. National Park Service, states that noise pollution is becoming so pervasive that people are tuning out the natural sounds around them. According to new research, when we leave home, we’re more likely to try ignoring man-made sounds than enjoying Mother Nature’s chorus. Fristrup observes, “We are conditioning ourselves to ignore the information coming into our ears.” The real loss, he believes, is for future generations. “If finding peace and quiet becomes difficult enough, many children will grow up without the experience, and I think it’s a very real problem.” He and National Park Service colleagues have monitored sound levels at more than 600 sites over the past 10 years and found that none were free of human noise pollution. The team’s model of merging data from more remote regions with urban areas gave them an overall sense of the noise pollution across the U.S. Based on their findings, the researchers believe that noise pollution will grow faster than the population, doubling every 30 years. View a map of sound pollution at Tinyurl.com/SmithsonianSoundMap.

Mm-mm Good Campbell’s Endorses GMO Labeling Campbell Soup Company recently became the first major food corporation to support the mandatory labeling of genetically modified ingredients and will support the enactment of federal legislation to establish a single mandatory labeling standard for foods derived from genetically modified organisms (GMO). A company spokesperson says, “With 92 percent of Americans supporting the labeling of GMO foods, Campbell believes now is the time for the federal government to act quickly to implement a federal solution.” The company says that if a federal solution is not reached, it is prepared to label all of its U.S. products for the presence of ingredients derived from GMOs and seek guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and approval by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The company also has pledged to remove artificial colors and flavors from nearly all of its North American products by July 2018. For more information, visit WhatsInMyFood.com.

The nonprofit Oceana reveals that salmon, America’s favorite fish, is often mislabeled in restaurants and grocery stores. They collected 82 salmon samples from restaurants and grocery stores between December 2013 and March 2014 and found that 43 percent were mislabeled. DNA testing confirmed that the majority of the mislabeling (69 percent) consisted of farmed Atlantic salmon being sold as a wild-caught product. “Americans might love salmon, but as our study reveals, they may be falling victim to a bait-andswitch,” says Beth Lowell, a senior campaign director with Oceana. “Not only are consumers getting ripped off, but responsible U.S. fishermen are being cheated when fraudulent products lower the price for their hard-won catch.” Kimberly Warner, Ph.D., the report’s author and a senior scientist at Oceana, observes, “While U.S. fishermen catch enough salmon to satisfy 80 percent of our domestic demand, 70 percent of that catch is then exported, instead of going directly to American grocery stores and restaurants.” Source: Oceana.org

natural awakenings

May 2016

consciouseating

front of the cart with produce. “We eat what we see,” he says.

Food Choices

How to Reboot Your Eating Habits Small Shifts Can Drop Pounds and Gain Health by Judith Fertig

ur food habits are often just that—mindless, repetitious eating behaviors. Some serve us well; others, not so much. Natural Awakenings asked experts to serve up many doable small changes that can add up to big shifts. According to Brian Wansink, Ph.D., the John S. Dyson professor of marketing at Cornell University and author of Mindless Eating, changing just one lifestyle habit can eliminate two or more pounds each week. By changing up to three habits, we may lose more weight. At a minimum, we will likely improve the quality of the food we eat overall.

Southern Maine

Buying Behaviors Wansink advises that having the only food on our kitchen counter be fruit encourages healthy snacking. At work, he suggests lunching away from our desk to discourage mindless eating. At restaurants, order half-size entrees, and then add a maximum of two items, such as soup and bread, salad and side dish or an appetizer and dessert. He recommends using a food shopping strategy to fill the cart with better food. With hunger sated first, chew on a natural gum while shopping; it discourages buying junk food. Secondly, habitually fill the

MaineAwakenings.com

Consider starting the day with a new coffee habit. Dave Asprey, of Los Angeles, author of The Bulletproof Diet, uses organic coffee, brews with filtered water and blends the hot coffee with a pat of unsalted, grass-fed butter, a fat high in vitamins and omega-3 essential fatty acids, and a small spoonful of a coconut oil that doesn’t congeal at room temperature. Unlike a drive-through latte with sugar and carbohydrates, he maintains that this type of coffee, “makes you feel energized, focused and full for hours.” Asprey takes a biohacker’s approach to natural biology-based ways to maximize physical and mental performance. New York City writer Chris Gayomali tried Asprey’s recipe for two weeks. Although it didn’t curb his appetite, he says he felt more alert and “ready for life.” Upgrading the foods we love is also possible, says David Wann, of Golden, Colorado, author of Simple Prosperity. “Too often, we economize on food when we should be buying the best quality, freshest organic food we can,” he says. Rebecca Miller, who lives near Kansas City, Missouri, took Wann’s advice and cut costs in other ways instead. To her delight, she found

that the fresher, better-tasting food prompted her to eat less, but eat better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I lost seven pounds in two weeks,â&#x20AC;? she says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like I was on a diet.â&#x20AC;? Eating a big salad for lunch is a habit that author Victoria Moran, host of the award-winning Main

healthy, delicious meals; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a habit that works for her. Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., a psychologist in Lake Forest, Illinois, and bestselling author of Better Than Perfect, assures, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we fall off the healthy eating wagon, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not failure, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data.â&#x20AC;? She believes reaching for the chocolate chip cookies in the vending machine after a stressful morning should be viewed from a scientific standpoint, not via our inner finger-pointing judge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What are the factors that influenced our decision: stress, hunger or a desire for distraction? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great information,â&#x20AC;? says Lombardo. She proposes that we can then prepare to counter a future snack attack with handy healthy bites, a mindfulness break, a quick walk outside or other naturally healthful stress-relievers. Changing our food habits, one at a time, can help us live better going forward.

Street Vegan online radio show, has adopted in her New York City home. She fills a big bowl with leafy greens, in-season vegetables, avocado and a light dressing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will set you up for the rest of the day,â&#x20AC;? says Moran. Pam Anderson, a mainstream food blogger in Darien, Connecticut, agrees. Six years ago, she lost 50 pounds and credits having a big green salad for lunchâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one of her many small food habit changesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; with helping her maintain a healthy weight, despite frequently testing and sampling recipes.

Food Thought Habits Doing too much for other people and not enough for ourselves can make our internal voice whisper, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I need comfort,â&#x20AC;? a thought that can generate overeating. In The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight and Eating Great, Anderson suggests we ask ourselves what other triggers are prompting poor food habits. Upon reflection, we can prioritize emotional and physical health with planned, smaller, varied,

Judith Fertig is the author of awardwinning cookbooks and blogs at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot. com from Overland Park, KS.

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May 2016

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Three Decades of Health Reporting Distilled by Diane Atwood: Eat well, be active, and ﬁnd your passion Amy Paradysz

Photo credit: Jen Dean

iane Atwood, Maine’s first dedicated health reporter going back to 1980, has seen a lot of changes in health and wellness over more than three decades in the field. “One day I’m sharing about naturopathic medicine, and the next day I’m writing about some high-tech medical procedure. I’m open to all of it,” she said, talking about her blog “Catching Health with Diane Atwood.” She started as a television reporter for Channel 6 WCSH-TV in 1980, shortly before the channel established specialties, including a health beat. “I just knew I could do it well, and I asked for it,” said Atwood, who had already spent 10 years as a radiation therapist, treating cancer patients at Maine Medical Center. “I love interviewing people and coming back with all sorts of tidbits and then crafting a story, and I also love medicine.” In the beginning, she had to stand her ground against being sent on crime stories and political assignments so she could focus on health—which she did, carving out an established beat. After 23 years

on television, Atwood spent 9 years as a different sort of storyteller—that is, a marketing and public relations manager—for Mercy Hospital in Portland. A typical woman in her 60s leaving her third career might retire. But Atwood had more dreams to follow. She’d always wanted to be a freelance writer, which hadn’t seemed very practical when she had daughters to raise. But in 2011, it was time.

“If I didn’t do it then, I knew, I might lose the opportunity because I was getting older,” she said. “I always ask, if I were on my deathbed, would I be kicking myself that I didn’t do it? I knew, if I didn’t act upon it then, I probably never would. … I was going to hire myself out as a freelance writer, and I did. But I started this blog and very quickly realized I loved it. It was like reporting again. It’s my passion. I like to see it as an inspirational or motivational tool.” At the same time, she says she has reporter instincts. “As a reporter for 23 years, I am trained to be objective and to research. I share family stories sometimes, but I’m more inclined to tell other people’s stories,” Atwood said, adding that so many blogs are very personal or opinionated. Hers isn’t. Analytics on her blog tell her that readers search for medical terms. But readers are curious about Atwood as well, and more than one reader has searched “How old is Diane Atwood?” “I’ve had conversations with people about retirement, and I can’t imagine myself retired in the traditional sense of the word. This keeps my brain active, all the research I do, learning new things all the time,” Atwood said, mentioning that this is of particular importance to her because her mother has dementia. If she were to distill decades of health coverage into three points, Atwood says it would be this: Eat well, be active, and find your passion. And she’s found several passions, including, in recent years, her joy for drawing and painting. “I never considered myself someone with ability, but art was always in my interests,” Atwood said. “I always signed my daughters up for art classes and when they

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got too old for me to sign them up, I got the brochure and was still excited. I realized I might have been living vicariously.â&#x20AC;? She started with a class at Maine College of Art (MECA). And then she heard that classes at the University of Southern Maine were free for seniors 65 and older, and she started taking classes there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A friend said to me, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pursuing a degree you have a trajectory,â&#x20AC;? Atwood said, explaining that she then enrolled as a degree-seeking student, taking one class a semester, as she has been doing for three years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that, I might put everything else first and not be in my studio as much,â&#x20AC;? Atwood said, speaking of the great joy she finds in creativity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In other contexts, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy for me to get mad at myself if I make a mistake. With painting, I have a different view. If I make a mistake in painting, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even view it as a mistake. I figure it out. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m always problem solving, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very enriching.â&#x20AC;? After finding this new passion, an old one returned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The station [WCSH] had already been using my blog posts on its website, and the news director and I had a conversation about how I could contribute more. And he asked if I would come back on the air. My first thought was, that would be so exciting! And my second thought was, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so old now! And he said that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter.â&#x20AC;? Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the air with Sharon Rose Vaznis every other Tuesday morning at 6:25 a.m. If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one word that describes Atwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outlook on life, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the title of a Channel 6 project she worked on that is still airing in Bangor: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vitality.â&#x20AC;? So much of vitality is about not only contributing, but also noticing small blessings. Last year, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Catching Healthâ&#x20AC;? had 30 days of posts about â&#x20AC;&#x153;moments of joyâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which started with Atwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moments, and then readers contributed their own. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People can sit quietly with themselves and figure out what brings them peace and joy,â&#x20AC;? Atwood said. There are big things, like becoming a grandmother, which Atwood will experience in June. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But so many of those things are small moments, like daffodils blooming, that we miss because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so busy scurrying around,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you just take the time once a day to find something that makes you happyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;wham!â&#x20AC;&#x201D;there it is.â&#x20AC;?

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Hormones? Or Chemical Absorption? by Dr. Catherine Krouse

hen I switched to simple, natural skincare products, I accidentally became my own case study. With the natural products, my cycles became regular for the first time in my life! I didn’t know why. And then I switched back to my typical routine, my cycle also switched back to an irregular pattern. I didn’t understand how this occurred until I learned more about the ingredient lists and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)— chemicals made of small, lipid soluble molecules that easily absorb into the bloodstream and affect hormone functioning by blocking their receptors, and many other ways. Now I am definitely a believer of the power of these chemicals—and not in a good way. Hormones too often end up as the scapegoat for ailments such as mood

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swings, headaches, PMS, low sex drive, acne, anxiety/depression, lack of focus, even infertility. But blaming hormones for health problems with such a blanket approach is like blaming the English language for the cruel words that sting during an argument. Yes, hormones definitely impact our health in a big way (and are linked to all the symptoms listed above), but they are not acting independently from the complex sys-

Common Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals to watch out for: Phalates (DBP, DEHP) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl) Anolamines (DEA, TEA, MEA) Petrolatum

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tem we call our mind, body and spirit. They are the language the body speaks. When our hormones are out of whack, it is the body’s way of begging us to pay attention to the imbalance in our body, mind, spirit, or even environment. Every morsel of food, every thought, emotion, loss, trauma, and joy directly impacts this language. It’s what our elders and ancestors have been saying for millennia but has only recently been confirmed through modern science in a field called psychoneuroimmunology and epigenetics. Our environment is the extension of the body into the world around us, physically and energetically. Physically, our environment includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, our homes, our textiles, our workplaces and our skincare. Our skin is such a beautiful barrier that we often forget how permeable it is. It absorbs many of the substances to which it is exposed, including the products we use to nourish it. Skincare products all too commonly contain a variety of chemicals called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The European Union bans them while the FDA allows most of them to be used without restriction, primarily because of the lack of definitive evidence linking a chemical directly to an effect. The problem with this is that we are not a closed system in which to observe. Also, EDCs are so ubiquitous in our household products, textiles, plastics, and water that measuring our exposure can be very difficult, and their effects can be different based on the dose as well as how they are combined with other EDCs. Making study even more complicated, many of the theorized effects have very long latency periods, meaning, we may not see a clinical effect until years after exposure. All these factors make it incredibly difficult to perform controlled, randomized, double-blind studies. One of the easiest things you can do to protect your hormone balance is limit your exposure to EDCs through your choices in skincare and household products. So start reading labels or even consider making your own. It’s easier than you may think! Dr. Catherine Krouse is a board certified family physician and head of Lotus Family Practice in Falmouth.

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Thermal Imaging & Your Breasts: Thermography as a screening tool without radiation by Amy Paradysz

“

omen, as they have come to experience 15 or 20 mammograms, are finding that they might not want to be radiated quite so regularly,” said Ingrid LaVasseur, certified clinical thermographer with Inner Image Thermography. A mammagram is anatomical— looking for lumps. “A lump has generally been there for years before a mammogram sees it,” LaVasseur explained. But warmth in inflamed area can be detected much earlier. “Because themography is a heat-seeking camera, we

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see areas that are abnormally warm that would warrant further investigation,” such as a mammogram or ultrasound. The client uncovers the area being scanned—typically the breasts. “And then it’s like having your picture taken, only it’s a heat camera,” LaVasseur explained. She sends the thermal images to medical doctors, who read and interpret them and send back a medical report within a few days with any advice about diagnostic screening. “Thermography is not a diagnostic tool,” LaVasseur says. “It’s a screening tool.”

LaVasseur first heard about thermography from her chiropractor more than a decade ago and was interested in having a scan done. “I realized that there was no one in Southern Maine offering it,” she said, “and I decided I would be the person.” LaVasseur received her thermography training at Duke University under the auspices of the American College of Thermography and has been certified since 2006. In September 2007, she was recognized by the American College of Clinical Thermology with a certificate for Outstanding Achievement for her performance and contributions made in the area of women’s health. Though home base for Inner Image is on Fundy Road in Falmouth, the thermography camera is portable, and LaVasseur does screenings in Kennebunk, Lewiston, Augusta, Belfast, Bangor and Damariscotta. Her clients live all over Maine and as far away as Massachusetts and Connecticut and are willing to travel for non-invasive screening. “Thermography is giving women a choice as to how they will manage their breast health,” LaVasseur said. Though most commonly used for breast screenings, thermography can help medical professionals diagnose and follow up on issues that present with inflammation resulting in warmth. The potential is great for a variety of clinical fields, including rheumatology, neurology, physiotherapy, sports medicine, oncology and orthopedics. Thermography scans are typically not covered by insurance. A screening at Inner Image costs about $170 including the medical interpretation. For more information, visit www.MyInnerImage.com.

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SPARK UP YOUR LOVE LIFE Natural Ways to Boost Libido by Lisa Marshall

nderlying health issues aside, a hectic schedule packed with work deadlines, kids’ sporting events and household chores can leave little time for intimacy. Letting that pattern go on too long can become a problem. “There’s a use-it-or-lose-it phenomenon that occurs,” says Dr. Anita Clayton, a University of Virginia psychiatry professor, neurologist and author of Satisfaction: Women, Sex, and the Quest for Intimacy. Despite what hyper-seductive female media stereotypes suggest we believe, in the real world, 39 percent of women feel they lack sex drive, and nearly half experience some kind of sexual dissatisfaction, according to a survey of 32,000 women published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. About one in eight women are significantly distressed about it. “The truth is, many of us don’t have great sex lives,” confirms Clayton. Sprout Pharmaceuticals introduced Addyi, aka filbanserin, last fall; the first prescription drug to address low libido in women. Some heralded the controversial medication as “the little pink pill,” seeing it as the female version of males’ blue Viagra pill, which a halfmillion men purchased in its first month on the market in 1998. Yet several 16

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months after its launch, only about 1,000 women had tried Addyi and many doctors declined to prescribe it, due to its lack of widespread efficacy and possible adverse side effects, including low blood pressure and fainting when combined with alcohol. “This is a complex problem that requires a complex solution,” says Honolulu-based naturopathic physician Laurie Steelsmith, author of Great Sex Naturally: Every Woman’s Guide to Enhancing Her Sexuality Through the Secrets of Natural Medicine. “For most women, drugs are not the answer.” She notes that for men, boosting libido is largely a matter of boosting circulation and blood flow to the penis. But for women, desire for lovemaking stems from an interplay of emotional, interpersonal, hormonal and anatomical drivers that make lack of desire harder to “treat”. The truth is that many simple, effective, non-drug approaches exist. As Boulder, Colorado, marriage therapist Michele Weiner Davis puts it, “There’s no reason why a woman wanting a more robust sex life cannot have one.”

Overall Health Check The number one culprit for low libido in women is subpar physical health, says Steelsmith. “To be capable of fully

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enjoying pleasure, you need a healthy body.” Carrying excess weight can both erode self-esteem and lead to reductions in a woman’s natural circulating testosterone, a critical hormone that helps ignite pleasure circuits in the female brain and increase sensitivity in the clitoris. Being underweight can result in fatigue and low sexual energy, diminished production of excitatory brain chemicals and low levels of estrogen, key for keeping a woman moist. Meanwhile, Steelsmith explains, excess stress can prompt the body to “steal” from libido-boosting hormones like progesterone in order to make more of the stress-hormone cortisol. High blood sugar can drive down testosterone, while high cholesterol can clog pelvic blood vessels, dulling sensation. Depression, diabetes and thyroid disorders are other major libido killers, says Clayton. “If you treat them effectively, you may see big improvements.” Women seeking to improve their sexual health should first try to achieve a healthy weight via diet and exercise, Steelsmith says. She recommends an organic diet rich in complex carbohydrates (which keep blood sugar balanced), lean protein (a precursor to desire-related neurotransmitters) and good fats (which help keep vulval tissues lubricated). Exercise—another circulation booster—is also key. Do it before a scheduled hot date for even better results. One 2014 study of 52 women found that those that worked out prior to an anticipated romantic encounter had significantly increased sexual desire.

Pamper Femaleness Many women avoid sexual encounters for fear of sparking a urinary tract or vaginal infection. This becomes more common after age 40, as estrogen wanes and pelvic tissue thins and dries, leaving it more vulnerable to microbial invaders. Because semen is alkaline, it changes a woman’s vaginal pH, allowing unfriendly bacteria to thrive, says Steelsmith. Her advice: Always go to the bathroom and urinate after intercourse, and use natural lubricants, like vitamin E. For some women, she also recommends low-dose, prescription estrogen cream or suppositories.

If an infection occurs, try to treat it naturally, avoiding antibiotics, which can spark yeast overgrowth. Instead, Steelsmith recommends using tea tree oil, goldenseal, or probiotic douches or suppositories, available online and at health food stores. Kegel exercises are a famous aid, involving clamping down as if interrupting urine flow, before releasing and repeating. This not only help fends off urinary incontinence and infection, it also strengthens and firms pelvic muscles, rendering enhanced enjoyment for both partners.

that’s not spontaneous enough,’” says Weiner Davis. “But even if you put it on the calendar, what you do with that time can still be spontaneous and playful.” While most women assume that they need to be in the mood first, research by University of British Columbia Psychiatrist Rosemary Basson suggests that in some women, desire only comes after physical arousal, especially by a loving partner that takes the time to meet her needs. “I wish I had a dollar for each time someone said to me, ‘I’m not in the mood, but once I get into it, I surprise myself, because I have a really good time,’” says Weiner Davis. She’s not advising women to make love when they really don’t want to, but rather to be open to it even when the circumstances aren’t ideal. “A lot of women feel like the house has to be clean, with the kids asleep and free of distracting noises,” she says. “Sometimes, just do it.”

Is Sex Essential? Make Time for Intimacy Research has shown that over time, frequent lovemaking actually causes structural changes in certain areas of the brain as new connections form and sex-related regions grow stronger. Stop, and those areas atrophy, making physical intimacy feel awkward once it’s resurrected. A sexless relationship can also be emotionally devastating for the person, often the male, that wants more contact, says Weiner Davis, author of The Sex-Starved Marriage: Boosting Your Marriage Libido. “For the spouse yearning for touch, it is a huge deal,” she says. “It’s about feeling wanted, attractive and loved.” In her practice, she often sees couples that are mismatched in how they wish to demonstrate and receive love. Often, the woman wants to feel close emotionally before she can feel close physically. For the man, physical intimacy is a conduit for opening up emotionally. When both keep waiting to get what they want, the relationship suffers. She counsels couples to deliberately make time to address both partners’ needs. Schedule a long walk or intimate dinner to talk over feelings; also schedule sex. “Some people say, ‘Oh, but

Clayton points out that while 42 percent of women experience either low sex drive or satisfaction, fewer than 12 percent are really bothered by it. “Some women experience great grief and loss about this. They say, ‘It used to be a part of my life and now it’s gone.’” For some in this subset that are unable to find relief via lifestyle changes, she would recommend Addyi, said to boost desire by changing brain chemicals. On the other hand, many women don’t need to take any action at all. “If someone has low sex drive and it doesn’t matter to them or their partner, it’s not a problem.” That said, the benefits of attending to an affectionate, healthy sex life can go far beyond the bedroom, improving overall health and strengthening relationships, notes Steelsmith. Sex burns calories, increases circulation, releases calming and painkilling hormones like prolactin and prompts production of the “bonding hormones” vasopressin and oxytocin. “When you are in a loving relationship and you express that love through your body, physiological changes occur that can help you bond more deeply with your partner,” she says. “The more you make love, the more love you make.” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

Five Common Libido Killers Birth Control Pills: Oral contraceptives can boost levels of sex hormone-binding globulin, which attaches to desire-promoting testosterone, making it harder for the body to access it. Antidepressants: Numerous antidepressant medications have been shown to decrease libido, but leaving depression untreated can kill sex drive even more; consider natural alternatives. Smoking: It impairs circulation to genitals. Alcohol: Too much alcohol lowers sexual response. Caffeine: Excess caffeine can erode levels of testosterone, which is vital for driving desire. Sources: Laurie Steelsmith, ND, and research studies

Nature’s Libido-Enhancers L-arginine: Boosts blood flow to sexual organs. Can be taken in supplement form or applied topically. Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng): Considered a sexual tonic in Chinese medicine for its ability to stabilize sexual energy over time; also used to address vaginal dryness. Epimedium (horny goat weed): Said to stimulate nerves in genitals, support adrenal glands and boost levels of feel-good brain chemicals. Phenylethylamine: Sometimes referred to as the “romance chemical”, this stimulant and mood elevator is naturally released in the brain when we have an orgasm, exercise or eat chocolate; also available in supplement form. Maca: A Peruvian root used for centuries in that country to promote sexual energy, Maca is said to boost production of libido-boosting hormones. Source: Laurie Steelsmith, ND natural awakenings

May 2016

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Keying in on Iodine by Kathleen Barnes

t seems that h a common mineral i l supplement that costs just pennies per day can stimulate an underactive thyroid, restore metabolism to normal levels, curb excess appetite, banish fatigue and generally improve everyone’s health. Mounting scientific evidence shows that iodine may be an answer to many such health woes, especially for women. “The thyroid acts as a throttle, the gas pedal for all metabolic functions in the human body,” says Dr. Richard Shames, of San Rafael, California, author of Thyroid Mind Power. If the thyroid is a driving force of human physiology, then iodine is its key fuel, says Dr. Robert Thompson, of Soldotna, Alaska, author of What Doctors Fail to Tell You About Iodine & Your Thyroid. “Every single cell in your body depends on thyroid hormone, and the thyroid depends on iodine for proper functioning.” “Without sufficient thyroid hormone, we have low energy, slower metabolism, lower immunity to illness and impaired repair and maintenance of bones and joints,” explains Shames. After testing thousands of patients in his practice, Thompson estimates that 90 percent of North Americans are iodine deficient, citing what he calls

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“epidemic proportions” of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) with symptoms comprising obesity, fatigue, brain fog, irregular or absent menstrual periods, hair loss and heat and cold intolerance.

Major Culprits Estrogen: Hypothyroidism is overwhelmingly a women’s disease, with women five to eight times more likely to suffer from it than men, according to the American Thyroid Association. “Estrogen inhibits the body’s natural ability to absorb and utilize iodine,” says Dr. Jorge Flechas, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, who specializes in thyroid disorders. “We find three periods in life when women need more iodine: at puberty and during both pregnancy and perimenopause or menopause. It’s because estrogen levels tend to fluctuate wildly at those times, neutralizing the ability of iodine gained through select foods to balance thyroid and other hormones.” Flechas prescribes iodine supplements for most women at all three stages of life. Toxic halogens: Iodine belongs to a group of halogens that includes chlorine, bromine and fluorine, three chemicals that are both toxic to the human body and block its ability

to absorb iodine, since the report and, Nine in 10 North explains Thompson. “Factory farming and Americans may be the use of genetically “They’re everywhere, in our air, water and food. modified (GMO) crops, iodine deﬁcient. It’s nearly impossible Roundup herbicide and to avoid them,” reports ~ Dr. Robert Thompson synthetic chemical fertilShames, a longtime izers have undoubtedly advocate in the movement against the worsened the situation.” common practice of adding fluoride (a derivative of fluorine) and chlorine to Sources of Iodine municipal water. Fluoride is also added It’s difficult to include sufficient natural to many brands of toothpaste. Bromide is iodine in our daily diet unless we folpart of almost all commercial flour and low a Japanese-style diet that includes flour products, as well as soft drinks. lots of seaweed and saltwater fish, says Shames offers an historic insight. Shames. Other food sources are shell“Fluoride was once used to slow down fish, turkey, cheese, yogurt, milk, eggs, an overactive thyroid, as recommended legumes, cranberries and strawberries. by the physicians’ bible, the Merck There is little agreement about the Manuals. Now we’re putting it in the optimal levels of iodine people need. water supply and wondering why we The U.S. Department of Agriculture have a mushrooming epidemic of low maintains that we need 150 microthyroid incidence.” grams a day, but iodine advocates are Food: “So-called ‘iodized’ salt quick to point out that a person eating doesn’t contain much usable iodine, a typical Japanese diet (where hypothyand neither does pink Himalyan sea roidism, or low thyroid activity, is rare) salt,” Shames cautions. ingests 12.5 milligrams of iodine each We’ve known that our soil is day—83 times the amount recommenddeficient in essential minerals such as ed by the government. iodine since at least 1936, when a speShames recommends getting an iodine lab test (available without a cial U.S. Senate report concluded that prescription at CanaryClub.org) to our soil was already severely depleted. determine exact needs. Thompson rec“This simply means that when we grow produce, the plants cannot extract these ommends potassium iodide and sodium iodide supplements for thyroid health. vital nutrients from the soil for us—including iodine—if those nutrients aren’t there in the first place,” says Thompson. Kathleen Barnes is author of numerous If anything, he adds, U.S. soils have be- natural health books, including User’s Guide to Thyroid Disorders. come even more sterile in the 80 years

Thyroid Toxins to Avoid Fluorine/fluoride n Fluoridated toothpaste n Unfiltered municipal drinking water n Some bottled teas n Teflon pans n Mechanically deboned chicken Chlorine/chloride n Virtually all municipal water n Swimming pools, spas n Poultry chilled in chlorinated water to kill bacteria n Chlorine bleaches and other conventional household cleaners Bromine/bromide n Flour and flour products, except those labeled “unbrominated” n Soft drinks n Pesticides with methyl bromide n Plastics n Fire retardants in children’s nightwear and some furniture n Spa disinfectants Source: What Doctors Fail to Tell You About Iodine & Your Thyroid, by Dr. Robert Thompson.

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ravity takes its toll as years pass, and many women find themselves bemoaning crowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet, frown lines and turkey necks that make them look older than they feel. Experts point to the loss of â&#x20AC;&#x153;fat padsâ&#x20AC;? in the cheeks, bone loss around the eye sockets and cheekbones and overall weak muscles as potential contributors to facial aging. Natural exercise programs designed to reverse these unpleasant signs of aging comprise a new fitness-for-beauty trend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Face and neck muscles somehow have been left out of mainstream fitness programs,â&#x20AC;? observes Denver esthetician and massage therapist Grace Mosgeller, who addresses this void with her series of eight FaceFitnez audio and video exercises. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you tone the muscles of your face and neck, the skin attached to those muscles firms and tones as well, creating a natural youthful look.â&#x20AC;? Muscular stressâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the good kindâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; is at the core of facial fitness, says Mosgeller. She citeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wolffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Law, a well-known medical theory that bone grows and remodels in response to the tension or muscle engagement put on it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regular facial exercise works the muscles to correct the loss of both muscle tone and bone density and build collagen. It might be called the equivalent of push-ups, pull-ups and abdominal tucks for the face.â&#x20AC;? Carolyn Cleaves, owner of Carolynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facial Fitness, in Seabeck, Washington, near Seattle, a former college

MaineAwakenings.com

professor, developed a facial exercise program for herself upon detecting early signs of aging. With the help of two primary care physicians, she designed a routine that includes 28 basic exercises that target all 57 facial muscles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we get older, we lose the underlying layer of fat just beneath the skin, and as a result, we look old and tired,â&#x20AC;? says Cleaves. She agrees that exercising the face actually helps rebuild lost bone, enlarges the muscles and also builds collagen. A study from the University of Rochester, in New York, confirms that loss of bone mass can start in women as early as age 40. It starts in men 16 to 25 years later. Mosgellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facial exercises work to fade wrinkles and lines and firm up sagging flesh, yielding visible results in as little as two weeks of dedicated training. She says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Within six to nine months, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to look five to 10 years younger than when you started.â&#x20AC;? Her claims are verified by Dr. Carol Lipper, in Denver, who states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done the exercises and they work. The trouble is compliance. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of work.â&#x20AC;? She confirms that she saw improvement in her droopy eyelids after just two or three weeks of adhering to Mosgellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workouts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It seems that every three months or so, I see another leap in results and a younger look,â&#x20AC;? adds Cleaves of those using her program. Here are a few crucial areas to target, with

just a few of these expertsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recommended remedies. Cleavesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Crowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Feet Eliminator: Place fingertips on top of the head, thumbs resting near the corners of the eyes. Shut eyes tightly and slide thumbs toward the temples for a count of five. Repeat 10 times. Mosgellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rx for Droopy Eyelids: Place index finger on top of a closed eyelid, and then lift fingers up and slightly to the outside. Blink hard and hold. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preventive, as well as curative, says Mosgeller, so those over 45 should repeat this 100 times a day, while younger individuals should repeat 20 to 50 times a day. Mosgellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frown Line Eraser: Pull brows apart with fingers and hold for two seconds. Repeat 50 to 100 times up to six times per week. This is meant to relax and tone the muscles, not build them. Cleavesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Turkey Neck Buster: Tilt the head back slightly. With palm facing the neck, grasp under the chin with a wideopen hand and slowly slide hand down to the collarbone; hold there while counting to 10. Repeat five times daily. Kathleen Barnes is author and publisher of many natural health books. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

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Face Workouts Find Mosgellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FacialFitnez exercise video menu at Tinyurl.com/Mosgeller FaceExercises and more info at FaceFitnez.com. Sample Cleavesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; video series at CarolynsFacialFitness.com/freefacial-exercises and Tinyurl.com/ CleavesFaceExercises.

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Healing After Cesarean Birth: Scar Massage by Morgyn Danae

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C-section is two very important things. First, it is birth. But Cesarean birth is also major surgery that requires rehabilitation. Education and support are often lacking in regard to being aware of the potential post-surgery complications. Basic tools for healing and repair beyond “go home and rest” are sorely needed as follow-up to ensure the health and safety of mothers. Massage, dry brushing, gentle pelvic floor and core exercises, combined with breath work are essential tools of rehabilitation. C-section surgery cuts through six body layers leaving a scar. The incision cuts the fascia (connective tissue) of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles and superficial nerves and disrupts the lymphatic flow, forming scar tissue along the abdomen and uterus. After a C-section, these signs and symptoms may indicate that you’ve developed the bands of internal scar tissue known as adhesions. • Generalized pelvic pain or abdominal cramps • Pain, tugging or pulling in the abdominal area when you bend forward or sideways, while lifting, leaning, reaching or standing up straight • Pain, discomfort, or urgency when urinating • Pain or discomfort with intercourse • Infertility • Gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation (including IBS) • Low back pain • Incontinence • Pelvic organ prolapse • Spreading of scar tissue

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Rest and recover Avoid doing too much, too soon Keep your incision clean Avoid lifting anything heavy Eat well to support healing

SCAR TISSUE MASSAGE AS MEDICINE With physician clearance, post-Cesarean women can generally begin scar massage at six to eight weeks postpartum. Or seek a qualified massage therapist or physical therapist for instruction. Gentle, consistent massage for as little as five minutes per day is effective. It involves massaging the scar tissue so it becomes softer and more pliable using “three-dimensional focus, slowly and gently separating the adhered tissues in all directions.” Some women don’t want to look at or touch their scar because of pain, numbness or fear, but the experience varies widely from little to no pain to a burning sensation or pain or emotional release during massage.

BENEFITS OF SCAR TISSUE MASSAGE • • • •

Softens tissues Increases circulation Lightens color of the scar Reduces “pooch” if caused by trapped fluids • Creates a flat, smooth scar • Stimulates the nerve endings • Reduces/eliminates numbness • Improves body awareness • Reduces lumps that may contribute to complications from adhesions Initially, hold below your scar to prevent it opening. Over time, the scar softens and you can penetrate the abdomen more deeply to help dissolve the deeper levels that you couldn’t previously see or feel. To prevent keloids, apply silica strips or gel that will help with discoloration and surface scar texture. This combination of gentle daily selfmassage and compassionate professional support and instruction can help you to heal, find peace in your body and mind, and rebuild your strength after the hard work of pregnancy and birth. Morgyn Danae, owner of Healing Oasis Fitness & Massage, offers customized, dance-infused personal and semi-private training with an emphasis on prenatal and postnatal support. Danae addresses a wide range of issues including birth preparation, postnatal recovery, core and pelvic floor strength, healthy weight, low back/hip pain and Cesarean birth recovery.

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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 5th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Coordinator@MaineAwakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please.

SUNDAY, MAY 1 March for Babies – 9am. Raise money and share the passion for improving the health of babies. Contact for details. King Middle School/Deering Oaks Park, 92 Deering Ave, Portland. MarchForBabies.org. 12th Annual Safe Passage 5k and Community Fiesta – 4pm. This race will benefit Safe Passage’s mission to foster hope, education, and opportunity for impoverished children and families. $20-$25/ adults, $5-$8/students. Greely High School, 303 Main St, Cumberland. SafePassage.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 3 Balancing Energy with Yoga & Qigong – 12-1pm. Embody your natural rhythm, while living your true purpose with gentle movement, meditation, breath, sound and connection. This 6-week lunchtime rebalancing series runs until June 7. $120. Bright Star World Dance, 108 High Street, Floor 3, Portland. 207-632-6698. PranaHeals.com. TantraToLove.com. Personalized Therapeutic Movement – May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31. 5:30-6:45pm. This 6-week class targets your needs specifically to decrease pain, recover from injury and improve mobility and stability. A maximum of 4 students means a lot of direct support. Pre-registration only. $150/series. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org. Art & Practice of Meditation – May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31. 7-8:15pm. This 9-week class will teach how to develop a regular personal meditation practice. Includes knowledge and skills for quieting the body, mind, breath and more. Drop-ins welcome if space available. $108/series. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 Personalized Therapeutic Movement – May 4, 11, 18 & 25. 10-11:15am. See May 3 listing. $150/ series. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org. Soil, Seeds & Sprouts – May 4 & 11. 10-11:30am. Learn how to start your own garden. We’ll talk about soil, composting and how to make a garden grow. $5. Education Barn, Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Dr, New Gloucester. 207-688-4539. PineLandFarms.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 5 Pure Ease Yoga Classes – May 5, 12, 19 & 26. 6:30-8pm. Reduce pain, improve flexibility, enhance strength and stability. Mixed levels. Registration required. $180/12 classes. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org.

Southern Maine Edition

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Southern Maine

Codgerfest: An Evening of Poetry and Literature – 7-8:30pm. Enjoy an evening of poems and prose read by local writers, celebrating the lives and wisdom of the cagey and spry. Free. Wells Reserve & Laudholm Trust, 342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells. 207-646-1555. WellsReserve.org.

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FRIDAY, MAY 6

markyourcalendar FRIDAY, MAY 6 Healing Hearts, Changing Lives: Awakening the Spiritual Heart with Meditation and Chant with Russill Paul – May 6-8. 7:30-9:30pm, Fri; 10am4:30pm & 7:30-9pm, Sat; 10am & 1-3pm, Sun. Experience the transformative power of chanting the many names of the Divine with spiritual teacher and renowned chant master Russill Paul. Engage in chant and meditation, feeling the vibrations work their way through your body, mind and soul. $225. Location TBD in Portland. 207-347-6740. ChimeOfMaine.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 7 Crystal Kids – 10-11am. Discover how to have a relationship with a crystal, and see the inner light we each possess. Crystals can guide your child to be aware of and work through any fears. Stone included. Come early, doors lock at 10am. Pre-registration only. $15. Stones and Stuff, 556 Congress St, Portland. 207-874-0789. StonesAndStuff.com. Southern Maine AIDS Walk/5K Run – 2pm. Come together for a weekend of awareness and support for those living with HIV/AIDS in Maine. $25. Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit. VisitOgunquit.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 8 Portland Sea Dogs’ Mother’s Day 5K – 8:30am. Proceeds from the race go towards Maine breast cancer patients and research. The race culminates inside Hadlock Field in front of the third base dugout. $20-$36. Portland Expo, 239 Park Ave, Portland. MilB.com.

MONDAY, MAY 9

markyourcalendar MONDAY, MAY 9 Fertility Awareness Method Introduction Evening – 5:30-7:30pm. Recognize the body’s fertility signs and support a deeper connection with one’s reproductive cycle. Learn about the tools used for fertility awareness to begin the practice. Please contact Mischa to register. $35. Sage Wellness, 980 Forest Ave, Portland. 207-274-3242. WildCarrotHerbs.com. Chakra Clearing Meditation – 6-7pm. Join us for spring energy cleaning and leave feeling refreshed, balanced and in tune. Participants will lay on the floor and be guided from root chakra up to the crown through live music and crystal laying. Please bring a blanket or mat. Please register. $20. Stones and Stuff, 556 Congress St, Portland. 207-874-0789. StonesAndStuff.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 10

markyourcalendar TUESDAY, MAY 10 Creating Sacred Space – 6-8pm. Incorporate spirituality into your life by creating a shrine. A sacred space gives you the ability to connect with past loved ones, manifest desires, or reflect and work on any wounds. Bring a special object for our group altar. Please register. $30. Stones and Stuff, 556 Congress St, Portland. 207-874-0789. StonesAndStuff.com. Herb Walk on the Eastern Prom – 6-8pm. Learn to identify the newly emerging spring medicinal plants and how to use them. We’ll gather at the monument and visit with our plant friends. Please contact Mischa to register. $20. Intersection of Congress Street and Eastern Promenade, Portland. 207-274-3242. WildCarrotHerbs.com.

Reiki Share with Rich Brobst – 6-8pm. Feel refreshed in the light energy of spirit where everyone can share Reiki energy. All are welcome from explorers to experts to observers. $5. Leapin Lizards, 123 Main Street, Freeport. 207-865-0900. LeapinLizards.biz.

FRIDAY, MAY 13 PetSmart National Adoption Weekend – 4-8pm. Support this special cause and adopt an animal. PetSmart, 208 Mariner Way, Biddeford. PetSmart. com. AnimalWelfareSociety.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 14 7th Annual Maine Walks with Haiti & 5K Run – 10am. This run supports the efforts of Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership, a Maine-based organization that has worked in Haiti since 2001. Enjoy music, Caribbean food and ice cream. $10-$20. Back Cove Park, Portland. KonbitSante.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11

Native Plants Festival & Pollinator Parade – 10am-4pm. Celebrate Spring with this family festival featuring activities, workshops, a parade and more. Free. Gilsland Farm, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd, Falmouth. 207-781-2330. MaineAudubon.org.

Birding by Ear – 7-8pm. This class will teach techniques for remembering and identifying bird songs. $10/ members, $15/nonmembers. Gilsland Farm, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd, Falmouth. 207-883-5100. MaineAudubon.org.

8th Annual Chowder Fest – 12-4pm. Come taste the best chowder recipes from all over the state and cast your vote for a winner. OOB Pier, 2 Old Orchard Rd, Old Orchard Beach. OldOrchardBeachMaine.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 12

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Herb Walk in the Arts District – 5:30-6:30pm. Learn to identify the newly emerging spring medicinal plants and how to use them to gently support peri-natal wellness. We’ll discuss teas, tinctures and topical as we meander through the blocks and green spaces. Please contact Mischa to register. Free. Birth Roots entrance, 101 State St, Portland. 207-2743242. WildCarrotHerbs.com.

Color Vibe 5K Run – 1:30pm. Participate in this amazing event where you’ll get blasted with color while you run. $15-$70. Edward Payson Park, 549 Baxter Blvd, Portland. TheColorVibe.com.

MONDAY, MAY 16 Tantra to Love 40 Hr. Educator Program – May 16-20. Times vary. This program focuses on life-

style immersion and professional development. YA CEU’s. Contact for details. Location TBA in Portland. TantraToLove.com.

markyourcalendar MONDAY, MAY 16 Kunzite Heart Magic – 6:30-8pm. Expand yourself with the power of the magical mineral, Kunzite. This group ceremony is designed to dive deep into the heart center and awaken self-love, compassion, acceptance and forgiveness. Please register. $25. Stones and Stuff, 556 Congress St, Portland. 207-874-0789. StonesAndStuff.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 17 Preschool Story Hour: Whose Nest? – 10:3011:30am. Ages 3-5. Kids enjoy a storybook reading, a short trail walk and a related craft project. Free. Wells Reserve & Laudholm Trust, 342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells. 207-646-1555. WellsReserve.org.

markyourcalendar TUESDAY, MAY 17 Plant Tales of Tidewater Farm – May 17 & 24. 6-7:30pm. Join herbalist, Mischa Schuler to learn about the medicinal and edible plants found in the diverse habitats at the farm. Participants will move between meadow, wetland and forest, covering different plants each session. Class meets at the garden shed. $15/per class. Tidewater Farms, end of Farm Gate Rd, Falmouth. 207-274-3242. WildCarrotHerbs.com.

A Few Drops of Detoxiﬁed Iodine Can Change Your Life Give Your Body the Natural Boost it Needs Causes of Iodine Deficiency The Hidden Deficiency { The Best I Ever Felt }

Radiation

Almost everyone is routinely exposed to iodine-depleting radiation

Low-Sodium Diets

Overuse of zero-nutrient salt substitutes in foods leads to iodine depletion

Having the proper amount of iodine in our system at all times is critical to overall health, yet the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that iodine deficiency is increasing drastically in light of an increasingly anemic national diet of unpronounceable additives and secret, unlabeled ingredients. This deficit now affects nearly three-quarters of the population.

A Growing Epidemic

Iodized Table Salt

Iodized salt may slowly lose its iodine content by exposure to air

Bromine

A toxic chemical found in baked goods overrides iodine's ability to aid thyroid

Iodine-Depleted Soil Poor farming techniques have led to declined levels of iodine in soil

Symptoms range from extreme fatigue and weight gain to depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, ﬁbrocystic breasts and skin and hair problems. This lack of essential iodine can also cause infertility, joint pain, heart disease and stroke. Low iodine levels also have been associated with breast and thyroid cancers; and in children, intellectual disability, deafness, attention deﬁcient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impaired growth, according to studies by Boston University and the French National Academy of Medicine.

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THURSDAY, MAY 19

MONDAY, MAY 23

MONDAY, MAY 30

Frogs, Fish and Wiggles – May 19, 23 & 25. 10-11:30am. Explore life around the farm pond looking for amphibious friends and learning about their habitat. $5. The Big Pond, Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Dr, New Gloucester. 207-688-4539. PineLandFarms.org.

Good Night, Nature: Little Quack’s Bedtime – 6-7pm. Gentle moonlit hour based around a bedtime story about animals of the night. Come in pajamas, but be prepared to venture outdoors. Bring a snack. Registration encouraged. $10/members; $15/nonmembers. Gilsland Farm, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd, Falmouth. 207-781-2330. MaineAudubon.org.

Memorial Day 5K to Remember – 8am. Run and remember on Memorial Day. $7-$22. Greely High School, 303 Main St, Cumberland. Running4Free.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 20 Full Moon Herb Walk – 6:30-8pm. Join us for a joyful walk, sing, dance and talk into Capisic Pond Park. We’ll make some community medicine, taste some tea and watch the moon rise. Youngsters are welcome. Please arrive a few minutes early. Please contact Mischa to register. $10/adult; $5/kids. Spiral Tree Yoga Studio, 570 Brighton Ave, Portland. 207274-3242. WildCarrotHerbs.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 21

markyourcalendar SATURDAY, MAY 21 Saturday Series: Creative Flow Movement – 9-11am. Explore movement from the inside out using yoga methods such as Feldenkrais, Somatics and more. Explore the cardinal directions and your relationship to them. Find your unique expression of classic yoga poses while enjoying the ease of efficient, natural movement. $35. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207829-2700. TurningLight.org. 7th Annual Bug Light Kite Festival – 11am-4pm. Enjoy a day of old-fashioned, kite-flying fun including a “How to Fly a Kite” workshop, demonstrations of show kites, races, a candy drop for the kids and much more. Free admission. South Portland Historical Society, 55 Bug Light Park, South Portland. SPHistory.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 22 March for Babies – 9am. Raise money and share the passion for improving the health of babies. Contact for details. Thornton Academy, 438 Main St, Saco. MarchForBabies.org.

Feel refreshed in the light energy of spirit. Second Thursday of the Month: 6pm-8pm

Reiki Share with Rich Brobst LEAPIN LIZARDS IN FREEPORT $5 Please RSVP at 865-0900 Everyone can share Reiki energy. We welcome all from explorers to experts.

TUESDAY, MAY 24 Plant Tales of Tidewater Farm – 6-7:30pm. See May 17 listing. $15/per class. Tidewater Farms, end of Farm Gate Rd, Falmouth. 207-274-3242. WildCarrotHerbs.com.

Family Farmyard Hands-On Activities – May 30-31. 10:30-2:30pm. Milk a cow, collect chicken eggs, brush a bunny, meet the horses, feed the pigs and more. $5. Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Dr, New Gloucester. 207-688-4539. PineLandFarms.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 31 Chatty Chickens – 10-11:30am. Meet our chickens, and learn how to feed and care for them. $5. Education Barn, Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Dr, New Gloucester. 207-688-4539. PineLandFarms.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 Sanford International Film Festival – May 25-29. Times vary. This event features four days of movies, parties, autographs, pictures, meet-and-greets with filmmakers and more. Ticket prices vary. Locations vary throughout Sanford. SanfordFilmFest.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 26 Herb Walk at Cape Elizabeth Community Center – 6-7:30pm. Learn how to identify the newly emerging spring edible and medicinal plants, and explore how to use them. Walk occurs rain or shine. Please contact Mischa to register. Cape Elizabeth Community Center, 345 Ocean House Rd, Cape Elizabeth. 207-274-3242. WildCarrotHerbs.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 28 6th Annual Family Farmyard Opening – 12-5pm. Enjoy our obstacle course and a day full of farm activities for the whole family. $6. Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Dr, New Gloucester. 207-688-4539. PineLandFarms.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 29 Dog of the Day at Hadlock Field – 1pm. Our special dog will have their story told and will then be available for adoption throughout the day, right there at the park. Followed by a Portland Sea Dogs baseball game. Hadlock Field, 165 Park Ave, Portland. AnimalWelfareSociety.org.

markyourcalendar TUESDAY, MAY 31 Energy Share for Kids & Teens – 6-8pm. Ages 12-17. Learn how to assess and balance chakras using various modalities such as crystal work, energy work, sound therapy, aromatherapy, Reiki, shamanic methods and more. Each person will receive a 20-min energy work session performed by the group. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. $20. Stones and Stuff, 556 Congress St, Portland. 207-874-0789. StonesAndStuff.com.

planahead MONDAY, AUGUST 22 Kids’ Herb Camp – Aug 22-25. 9am-3pm. Ages 8-13. Enjoy herbal activities with fun take home treats including a salve, syrup, camp T-shirt and more. The week will focus on plant identification and herbal first aid with activities such as plant walks, crafting healing potions, playing games, and using herbs in food. Mischa Schuler and Sheila Cook will facilitate. A $50 deposit is due with registration. Full payment due by July 1. Please contact Mischa to register. $190. Deering Center, Portland. 207-274-3242. WildCarrotHerbs.com.

There is still time to list your business! The 1st Annual Natural Awakenings Natural Living Directory 2016 Don’t miss your chance to be in our most widely read and referenced issue of the year. Premium business listings for as little as $99. It’s simple to do but inquire today - our deadline is May 10th

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ongoingevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 5th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Coordinator@MaineAwakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please.

ongoing Children’s Activities – Times vary. Kids will enjoy several activities that are offered daily at the museum. Prices vary. Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, 142 Free St, Portland. 207-828-1234. KiteTails.org. Ever After Mustang Rescue – Times vary. Ages 15+. Volunteer for the adopt-a-horse program. Call for details. 463 West St, Biddeford. 207-284-7721. MustangRescue.org. Private Therapeutic Yoga – Times vary. Get out of pain and back into life. Mindful and personalized approach to reducing pain, improving flexibility, enhancing strength and stability. Call to schedule individual appointments. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org. Yoga Classes – Times vary. We offer a wide variety of yoga classes, including: Vinyasa, Buti Flow, Buti Yoga, Hustle & Flow, Hustle Sculpt, Hip Hop Movement, Yin Yoga and more. Contact for details. Hustle and Flow, 155 Brackett St, Portland. 207-632-4789. HustleFlowStudio.com. Yoga Classes – Times vary. Over 35 years of experience. We offer classes at a variety of levels including: Vinyasa Flow, Therapeutic, Gentle, Restorative and Mediation, Feldenkrais and Yoga Philosophy. Contact for details. The Yoga Center, 449 Forest Ave, Portland. 207-774-9642. MaineYoga.com.

monday Story Hour – 10-11am. All ages. Enjoy good books and meeting new friends. A light snack will be provided. Free. Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Dr, New Gloucester. 207-688-4539. PinelandFarms.org. Women and Horses Workshop – 6-7:30pm. A hands-on learning experience with horses. Contact for rates/availability. Ever After Mustang Rescue, 463 West St, Biddeford. 207-284-7721. MustangRescue.org.

tuesday Personalized Therapeutic Movement – 5:306:45pm. This 6-week class targets your needs specifically to decrease pain, recover from injury and improve mobility. A maximum of 4 students means a lot of direct support. Pre-registration only. $150/series. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org.

Art & Practice of Meditation – 7-8:15pm. This 9-week class will teach how to develop a regular personal meditation practice. Includes knowledge and skills for quieting the body, mind, breath and more. Pre-registration only. Drop-ins welcome if space available. $108/series. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org.

Be the Friend He Needs

wednesday Personalized Therapeutic Movement – 1011:15am. See Tuesday listing. $150/series. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org.

thursday Farmer for the Morning – 8:30-9:30am. Feed the animals, put out hay, collect eggs, sweep the barn and make sure the animals are happy and healthy for the day. $5. Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Rd, Freeport. 207-865-4469. WolfesNeckFarm.org. Furry Tales, Story and Adventure Hour – 1011am. Preschoolers are invited to discover the exciting world of animals with stories, playtime, crafts, animal time and more. Free. Animal Welfare Society, 46 Holland Rd, Kennebunk. 207-985-3244. AnimalWelfareSociety.org. Third Thursdays – 5-9pm. Enjoy an evening with live music, food, drinks, special programming and the museum. $12/adults, $10/seniors and students with ID, $6/ages 13-17. Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq, Portland. 207-775-6148. PortlandMuseum.org. Reiki Share with Rich Brobst – 6-8pm. 2nd Thurs. Feel refreshed in the light energy of spirit where everyone can share Reiki energy. All are welcome from explorers to experts to observers. $5. Leapin Lizards, 123 Main Street, Freeport. 207-865-0900. LeapinLizards.biz.

Adopt -AManatee®

Pure Ease Yoga Classes – 6:30-8pm. Reduce pain, improve flexibility, enhance strength and stability. Mixed levels. Registration required. $180/12 classes. Turning Light Center, 168 W Pownal Rd, North Yarmouth. 207-829-2700. TurningLight.org.

friday First Friday Art Walk – 5-8pm. 1st Fri. Various galleries and art venues open for the art walk. Free. Portland. LiveWorkPortland.org.

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natural awakenings

May 2016

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To ﬁnd out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Ads@MaineAwakenings.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE ACUPUNCTURE BY MERET Meret Bainbridge, LAc 222 St John St, Ste 137 Portland, ME 04101 • 207-878-3300 Meret@AcupunctureByMeret.com AcupunctureByMeret.com Meret offers comprehensive holistic care, utilizing Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Acupressure and Bodymind work, since 1997. Specialties are Women’s Health, pain, headaches, fibromyalgia & depression. Insurance accepted.

BARTLETT ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL MEDICINE Kath Bartlett, MS, LAc 7 Oak Hill Terr, Ste 3 • Scarborough, ME 04074 207-219-0848 • BartlettAcupuncture.com Kath@BartlettAcupuncture.com At Bartlett Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, I am dedicated to helping my patients thrive. I offer significant pain relief and effective treatment of chronic disease and other internal conditions using a holistic approach of acupuncture & Chinese herbs. With 13 years in practice, my patients’ treatment outcomes are higher than reported acupuncture studies.

ART THERAPY BODHI SIMPSON, LCPC, ATR Vast Horizons Center for Personal Growth Sparhawk Mill 81 Bridge Street, Yarmouth ME (207) 650-8170 BodhiSimpson@yahoo.com • VastHorizons.com I am passionate about facilitating experiences that inspire creative expression and opens hearts and minds to possibilities. Through art therapy, we are able to access our core issues and begin the process of healing. I work with individuals and groups of all ages, and facilitate workshops for personal growth.

COUPLES COACHING AUDREY MCMORROW, MA, CAGS. BCC Vast Horizons Center for Personal Growth Sparhawk Mill 81 Bridge St, Yarmouth ME (207) 650-8052 Audrey@VastHorizons.com VastHorizons.com Audrey offers Couples Coaching for those intent on realizing the potential of their committed (or troubled) relationship; Psychosynthesis (a transpersonal psychology for individuals); a Thrive Women’s Group; and various workshops for personal development throughout the calendar year. Please see website for further details. See calendar for upcoming events.

Mischa Schuler 306 Congress St, Portland ME • 207-274-3242 WildCarrotHerbs@gmail.com • WildCarrotHerbs.com Flower essences, herbal remedies, and shamanic plant spirit techniques are available individually and in combination to gently support healing of physical, spiritual and emotional shock. Chronic and acute conditions of the respiratory, skin, digestive and reproductive systems are nurtured here. Specializing in women and children’s health, particularly anxiety and depression, contraception and fertility.

Southern Maine

HOLISTIC ENERGIES Terry Lynn Smith, RPP, BCPP 14 Maine Street, Suite 109A Brunswick, ME 04011 terrylynn.holisticenergies@yahoo.com www.HolisticEnergies.abmp.com Life force energy sustains us. When energetic pathways are blocked, imbalances appear as emotional distress, physical pain, and disease. Polarity Therapy, Reiki and IET release energy congestion, emotional and mental clarity increases, the bodies innate healing abilities awaken, and pain reduces. Energy medicines are both preventative and healing. My desire is to support, empower, and enlighten you with this part of your journey.

ESSENTIAL OILS dõTERRA Essential Oils Amy Paradysz, Wellness Advocate www.mydoterra.com/underthepines dōTERRA essential oils are natural “feel better” solutions for everyday living.

FAMILY PRACTIONER LOTUS FAMILY PRACTICE, LLC

CRYSTALS STONES & STUFF Heather Nichols 556 Congress St Portland, ME (207)874-0789 StonesAndStuff.com Stones & Stuff is not only a shop, but an experience. Offering a large selection of high quality mineral specimens and beautifully unique pieces of nature, you will always find something new to cast your eyes upon. With many services offered including, Tarot and Astrology Readings, Workshops and Shamanic Healing, the keepers of this fine establishment invite you to come learn and heal!

COMMUNITY HERBALIST WILD CARROT HERBS

ENERGY HEALING

DENTAL PEAK DENTAL HEALTH Stefan Andren, DDS 74 Gray Rd, Ste 3, W Falmouth, ME 207-878-8844 Info@PeakDentalHealth.com PeakDentalHealth.com

MaineAwakenings.com

Maine’s first eco-certified dental office is a welcoming and caring place to reach your oral health goals. Please call, email or stop in to learn more about how they can change your perception of what the dentist can be. It is what you deserve.

Catherine M. Krouse, DO 66 Leighton Rd, Falmouth, Me 04105 207-536-0560 • info@LotusFamilyPractice.com www.LotusFamilyPractice.com Lotus Family Practice, LLC is a primary care practice with a holistic focus. Several benefits include a variety of classes like yoga, meditation, tai chi as well as discounted supplements, herbal remedies, medications and blood work. In order to work for her patients rather than insurance companies, Dr. Krouse chose to charge an affordable monthly fee rather than bill insurance.

FITNESS HEALTH CENTER HEALING OASIS FITNESS & MASSAGE Morgyn Danae, Owner, CPT, LMT 12 Revere St, Portland, ME 04103 828-216-8125 morgyndanae.com • morgyndanae@gmail.com Healing Oasis is a private wellness studio with a tropical twist, offering personal training, dance movement, and massage therapy with holistic prenatal and postnatal specialization. Specific issues can be addressed in customized, supportive sessions. Morgyn gladly accommodates all skill levels in her training. Free 30-minute consultations. For information or to schedule an appointment, call or email at morgyndanae@gmail.com.

OPTIMAL SELF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER Eric Hilton 640 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101 207-747-5919 • OptimalSelfME@gmail.com OptimalSelfME.com Optimal Self is a center for fitness, healing, and community, offering a variety of modalities that enhance the mind, body, and spirit. We provide a sophisticated weight room, a variety of classes, personal trainers, massage therapists, and energy workers. See our schedule or book an appointment online at optimalselfme.com.

HOLISTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY ACCELERATED COUNSELING, LLC Svetla Popova, LCPC, NCC, Reiki Master 23 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME 04103 207-761-3883 • AcceleratedCounseling.com Svetla@AcceleratedCounseling.com

LIFE COACH BETH KOEHLER, PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT LIFE COACH Beth Koehler • Saco Healing Arts Center 209 Main St, Saco, ME 04072 207-653-9792 • BKoehler926@gmail.com BethKoehlerLifeCoach.com ONE STOP HEALING! I specialize in helping you realize just how powerful you truly are and that the answers you seek are inside. I’ll be by you side as you tap into the strength and courage you need to manifest your life’s goals. Time spent with a Life Coach can be life altering. Let’s get started!

MIDWIFERY CARE TREE OF LIFE NATUROPATHIC & MIDWIFERY CARE, LLC Tiffany Carter Skillings, CPM, CLC 106 Lafayette St, Ste 3A, Yarmouth, ME 207-846-4900 • TreeOfLifeCare.com

Whether you are overwhelmed by severe problems or simply feel stuck and your life is going nowhere, I’d love to hear your story. We will work together to discover the incredible strengths you have, find solutions that satisfy you, and open your horizons for growth, self efficacy and life enjoyment.

Tiffany is deeply committed to providing care that is individualized, empowering, and supports her clients in discovering their own inner strength and wisdom as they labor and birth in their own way, on their own time. Tiffany provides the following services: Maternity care, Lactation Counseling, Well Woman Care, Routine GYN Services, Pre-Conception Counseling, and Nutrition Counseling.

HOMEOPATHY

NATURAL HEALING

BAYLIGHT CENTER FOR HOMEOPATHY

5 ELEMENTS HEALING CENTER

Jane M Frederick, Director of Achievement 222 St. John St. Ste. 137 Portland, ME 04102 207-774-4244 Jane@BaylightHomeopathy.com BaylightHomeopathy.com

59 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 207-646-3900 FiveElementsHealingCenter@yahoo.com 5ElementsHealingCenter.com

At Baylight Center for Homeopathy, our mission is to illuminate the benefits of this transformative healing art. Our practitioners and faculty are fervent proponents of joy, creativity, freedom and ease, and of the knowledge that homeopathy is an effective source of support for these integral aspects of healthy living.

INTEGRATED HEALTH INTEGRATIVE MANUAL THERAPY ASSOCIATES 74 Lunt Rd, Ste 206 • Falmouth, ME 04105 (207) 781-8358 • www.imtmaine.com IMTA offers highly trained physical therapists who will treat you as a “whole” person, mind, body, and soul. We do this in a professional setting with knowledgeable, caring and helpful staff. Focused on providing top quality physical therapy services with the highest levels of customer satisfaction, we will do everything we can to meet your expectations. See ad, inside front cover.

Ogunquit’s destination for holistic healing. We offer a wide array of services including: Integrative health programs, Acupuncture, H o m e o p a t h y, H e r b a l Treatments, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Shamanistic healing, Chakra and Meridian balancing, Therapeutic Massage, Reflexology, Chinese Cupping, Foot soaks, Pedicures, Skin care and Body waxing for anyone that is looking to relax, unwind and restore from the stresses of life. We are also proud to offer our clients a full line of organic, vegan and gluten free skin care products.

ARCANA (IN THE OLD PORT) Kate Hebold, Owner 81 Market St, Portland, ME 207-773-7801 • ArcanaMaine.com ArcanaHealingArts@gmail.com Arcana is a holistic healing arts center and retail gallery in the heart of the Old Port. Aiming to honor and celebrate the uniqueness of its patrons, Arcana upholds a high standard of mindful care in every service offered: massage, Reiki, polarity therapy, readings and special events.

THE VILLAGE PATH Sharlene Spalding, Casco, ME 207-627-4472 • TheVillagePath.com Spalding.maine@gmail.com I know hundreds of healing properties of over sixty different herbs. Allow me to teach you an affordable healing plan that reverses chronic disorders and pain and let’s work together to restore your health! Learn to take control of your health without expensive supplements or medications. Free consultations for the month of October!

NATUROPATHIC TREE OF LIFE NATUROPATHIC & MIDWIFERY CARE, LLC Josie Skavdahl, ND, CPM 106 Lafayette St, Ste 3A Yarmouth, ME 207-846-4900 • TreeOfLifeCare.com A member of the Maine Association of Naturopathic Doctors, Josie’s love for Naturopathy and Midwifery stems from a desire to promote health with minimal intervention and maximum cost effectiveness- natural remedies treating the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. Josie provides the following services: Maternity care, Annual Wellness Exams, Well Baby & Well Child Care, Primary Care and Nutrition and Food Sensitivity Counseling.

NON – PROFIT EDGEBROOK: MOVING THROUGH GRIEF & LOSS WORKSHOP March 31-April 3, 2016 Notre Dame Spiritual Center, Alfred, ME Paul K. Matteson MS.Ed., L.C.P.C. 207)753-0135 paul@edgebrook.org • www.edgebrook.org Based on the work of Elisabeth KublerRoss, this workshop offers the unique opportunity to work through the deep feelings and unfinished business resulting from grief, loss and all forms of abuse. A safe, caring and confidential workshop staffed by highly trained and experienced facilitators.

L-OMA ORGANIC BUCKWHEAT PILLOWS 35 Ossipee Tr, (Rte 25) Standish, ME 04084 207-595-8106 • TheBridgesFoundation.org The Bridges Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing educational, employment, social & recreational opportunities for persons with sensory and/or energetic sensitivities, learning, emotional and/or developmental disabilities. These individuals work alongside The Bridges Foundation staff, making and shipping our L-OMA Organic Buckwheat Pillows™, as they earn a living wage while at the same time helping raise money to fund programs and services for themselves and others.

natural awakenings

May 2016

ORGANIC BEDDING THE CLEAN BEDROOM 5 Shapleigh Rd, Kittery, ME 207-704-0743 Two Portland Sq, Fore St, Portland, ME 207517-3500 • TheCleanBedroom.com The Clean Bedroom is an organic and all-natural mattress and bedding resource with seven showrooms, including its new location in Portland. Through its showrooms and website, eco-minded shoppers gain insight to create a healthier sleep environment.

L-OMA ORGANIC BUCKWHEAT PILLOWS 35 Ossipee Tr, (Rte 25) Standish, ME 04084 207-595-8106 TheBridgesFoundation.org

MAINE NATURAL HAIR & SKIN Clare Nordhus Chenea Master Hairstylist, Colorist and Skincare Practitioner 9 Union St. Portland, Me 207-400-5262 clare@mainenaturalhairandskin.com www.mainenaturalhairandskn.com A peaceful up scale salon featuring services for Men & Women in Organic Hair Care, Corrective Facials for problem and aging skin, Hair Removal that protects sensitive skin and expert Brow Shaping. My goal is to help your hair, skin & brows look amazing and to promote health, wellness & mindfulness.

ORGANIC ROOTS SALON AND SPA Betsy Harding 545 Westbrook St, South Portland, ME 207-799-2995 OrganicRootsMe.com Organic Roots Salon and Day Spa is a fashion forward crueltyfree and vegan friendly salon. We are extremely passionate about our work and dedication to our natural and safe products, environment, and a healthier, more sustainable and compassionate world.

ORGANIC SALON BECKIE KIERMAN

ORGANIC BEAUTY SALON

Master Hairstylist, Colorist and Makeup Artist 545 Westbrook St South Portland, ME 207-766-8924

Ruthie Hutchinson Hair Stylist/Colorist 207-415-4611 Ruthie Hutchinson address the client as a whole, offering Vidal Sassoon precision cuts, organic hair color, doTerra essential oil treatments. Passionate about self-love!

With 30-years experience of making people look and feel their best, Beckie Kierman is now available to new clients. Her services range from precision cuts and styling to makeup application for everyday or special occasions. Feel good in knowing that all products are certified organic and cruelty free. Walk in feeling good and leave looking extraordinary!

TAI CHI & QIGONG MAINE CENTER FOR TAIJIQUAN & QIGONG

Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself. ~Michel de Montaigne

Southern Maine

INNER IMAGE CLINICAL THERMOGRAPHY Ingrid LeVasseur, CCT 5 Fundy Rd, Ste 10c 207-939-7355 Ingrid@MyInnerImage.com MyInnerImage.com Inner Image Clinical Thermography offers pain-free, radiation-free breast screening to the women of Maine. Our primary office is in Falmouth, however, during the spring and fall we bring this advanced technology to all areas of the state. Call us for details. \

VISION IMPROVEMENT

The Bridges Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing educational, employment, social & recreational opportunities for persons with sensory and/or energetic sensitivities, learning, emotional and/or developmental disabilities. These individuals work alongside The Bridges Foundation staff, making and shipping our L-OMA Organic Buckwheat Pillows™, as they earn a living wage while at the same time helping raise money to fund programs and services for themselves and others.

THERMOGRAPHY

500 Forest Ave (rear) Portland, ME 04101 207-780-9581 info@MaineTaiji.com • MaineTaiji.com Maine’s resource for Ta i j i q u a n & Qigong, offering AM, midday, and PM classes. Certified instructors provide quality Taiji & Qigong programs that empower individuals of all abilities to prevent disease, foster athletic/martial performance and cultivate the integration of physical, mental and spiritual health. Proudly serving Portland since 1999.

MaineAwakenings.com

ROSEMARY GADDUM GORDON, D.B.O., M.A. Holistic Vision Improvement Self Regulation Therapy Cambridge, MA 617 354 8360x20 Eliot, ME 207 439 9821 http://visioneducators.com How we see can be effected by our frame of mind and state of health. The eyes strain and vision blurs or becomes uncomfortable. Learn simple, practical techniques for relaxing, resting and flexing the visual system so that your dependence on contacts or glasses can be prevented, reduced or eliminated.

YOGA MAINE YOGA KIDS Cayce Lannon 617-448-7846 MaineYogaKids@gmail.com MaineYogaKids.com We are a team of ChildLight Yoga certified instructors offering classes in various locations around Southern Maine. Instead of offering classes in one studio space, we collaborate with schools and community centers to make yoga accessible for children everywhere. Please check our website for current schedule or get in touch to learn more!

TURNING LIGHT CENTER Darcy Cunningham 168 W Pownal Rd, N Yarmouth, ME 207-829-2700 TurningLight.org Therapeutic Yoga: a mindful and personalized approach to reducing pain, improving flexibility, enhancing strength and stability. Together, we apply movement, breath, stillness and sound to relieve pain, tension and stress, helping clients become more able to enjoy life. Group yoga classes also available.

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