12 2020 Rhode Island Natural Awakenings

E R F

E

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

SIMPLIFY

THE SEASON

GRODEN CENTER

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE

THE HEALING POWER OF

SINGING

FESTIVE EDIBLES FOR FIDO

WRITING A NEW

WORLD STORY

THAT HEALS US AND THE PLANET FREE

December 2020 | Rhode Island Edition | RINaturalAwakenings.com

2

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR PARTNER HAS LAUNCHED ®

TRANSFORMING YOUR HEALTH CARE TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH & WELL-BEING Natural Awakenings is honored to give our dedicated readers the opportunity to be among the first members welcomed into the KnoWEwell community. With gratitude for our 26 years of readership and support, through our mission-aligned collaborative partnership with KnoWEwell, we are pleased to gift both individuals and providers with:

FREE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP - FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

“There is no simple way to describe KnoWEwell but Think Big! WebMD, meets Match.com, HomeAdvisor, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Indeed for Regenerative Whole Health, all in one place for the benefit of everyone.”

Joe Dunne, Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp., COO

Join for FREE at KnoWEwell.com INDIVIDUALS CODE: NARI160

PROVIDERS CODE: NARI1300

(a $60 value)

(a $300 value)

A Top 50 Healthcare Company 2019

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

The KnoWEwell Collaborative with benefits for all in the RWH and well-being ecosystem.

3

CONTENTS Natural Awakenings | Rhode Island | December 2020 Issue

28

16

18

24

REINVENT THE HOLIDAYS

GRODEN CENTER

Treatment Foster Care

26 28

More Meaning, Less Stuff

18

THE NEW STORY FOR THE WORLD

Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

HOLIDAY TREATS FOR PETS

Homemade Recipes They Will Love

26

30

Using the Voice to Uplift Mind and Body

on Transforming the Planet With Love

SING TO HEAL

MATT KAHN

22

MIND-BODY FITNESS

How Mindfulness Benefits Workouts

Natural Awakenings is a family of nearly 60 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

4

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

DEPARTMENTS 8 10 12 13 14 16 22 23 24 26 28 30 31 32 33

news briefs health briefs global briefs eco tip moon report community spotlight fit body yoga and pilates healthy kids healing ways natural pet wise words calendars classifieds resource guide

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 401-709-2473 or email Info@RINaturalAwakenings.com.

Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Info@RINaturalAwakenings.com.

Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit online at: RINaturalAwakenings.comor email: Info@RINaturalAwakenings.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month prior to publication.

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 401-709-2473.

Besure sureto tolet letour ouradvertisers advertisersknow knowyou youfound foundthem themin in Be

December 2020 2020 || December

55

publisher’s letter

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Can you believe it is December already? For a year that has kept us away from our usual routines, people and fun, it sure has flown by. I was just on a call with a woman’s group I belong to and there was conversation about focusing on the good things that happened this year. 2020 has seemed so ominous and dark— things that may typically go wrong in any year feel like they’re piled on to the unusual and we so easily forget the positive aspects. It’s good to remember, even among horrible things, there are good things, new doors open, there are new experiences that make us fuller, more rounded people.

Feel Good, Live Simply, Laugh More. This Natural Awakenings tagline is among the reasons I jumped Maureen Cary, Publisher off the cliff (with a parachute of course!) and started this magazine. These words describe my general philosophy in life. No wonder I was drawn to the magazine, and have done my very best to bring this message in words and actions to Rhode Island. Trying to find middle ground with all the different beliefs and lifestyles, we have worked hard to bring peace, joy and common sense solutions to the readers that find their way here.

That simple, feel-good philosophy has been tested greatly for us all in 2020, some more than others. Our society is one that drives us to be connected. With so much anxiety and unknowns surrounding everything from our health, our livings, our families and our safety, remembering to feel good and laugh more has taken on new challenges. The increase in depression and anxiety not just in adults but also in children is staggering. Mental health problems were already too common; adding in the extra stresses can be too much for some. We urge you to reach out if you are feeling isolated this holiday season in any way you can.

This will be the first year in my entire life that I will not be spending the holidays with my family. Even so, my family has always been pragmatic. Birthdays and celebrations are not always convenient so we don’t think of a specific day as being an end all answer to celebration. Because of that, we are talking about doing Thanksgiving in June and Christmas in July. Those days on the calendar are just days but the people in your life are what the celebrations are all about. We miss our friends and family but the long game is much more important. Logistics are just variables as any shipping company will tell you. They can be shifted and changed and we can tell a different story.

Let’s tell a new story, find a different tradition or just temporarily change the ones as needed—look at the bright side and remember that 2021 is almost here!

Peace and Love to all of our Natural Awakenings family.

RHODE ISLAND EDITION

Publisher Maureen Cary

Editors Nancy Somera Theresa Archer

Writer Wendy Fachon

Design & Production Suzzanne M. Siegel Marketing Reps Lisa Fertik • 401-465-0371 LFertik@RINaturalAwakenings.com Donna Ouellette • 401-578-5879 DOuellette@RINaturalAwakenings.com

CONTACT US P.O. Box 548 Tiverton, RI 02878 phone: 401-709-2473 fax: 877-738-5816 Info@RINaturalAwakenings.com RINaturalAwakenings.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

The statements in this publication have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore the information listed is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

Art Director Josh Pope

Layout & Design Gabrielle W-Perillo

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert

Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com © 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings is printed on non-glossy newsprint to protect the environment.

6

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

The Respiratory Defense Kit from Nature's Rite:

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO ATTACK COVID EVERYWHERE IT GOES. Because of what they have learned in a landmark study, researchers at the UNC School of Medicine have endorsed the benefit of an antiviral nasal spray in stopping COVID 19 infections.

If only they had one...

NATURE'S RITE ™

WELL WE DO. Sinus Relief.

The Respiratory Defense Kit includes: 1 - Nebulizer 2 - Respiratory Relief

2 - Sinus Relief Spray 2 - Throat Relief Spray

t., , __ "'': Sinus Relief�

Complete Respiratory Defense Kit .....................REGULAR PRICE: $210.93 NOW JUST $157.19

PHONE-IN ORDERS ONLY: CALL (800) 991-7088

VE THIS O L E U R T FIND

Find your natural match this holiday season!

Join the largest holistic, conscious, spiritual and green networking site online.

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

7

news briefs

Unique Healing Gifts

Documentary Dear Santa Spreads Holiday Joy 360 Degree Communications is excited to spread the holiday spirit of joy, love and generosity with the release of the documentary Dear Santa in theaters and available on video on demand on December 4.

Dear Santa shines a light on the 100-year-old Operation Santa Program of the United States Postal Service. Each year, hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa arrive at post offices around the country. Through Operation Santa, the United States Postal Service makes it possible for the public to safely adopt these letters and make children’s dreams come true.

The film invites audiences along for the magic of this massive endeavor.

Traveling the country, much like Santa does on Christmas Eve, the film focuses on select Operation Santa Centers, some in metropolitan areas like the massive operation in New York City and others in small towns where the post office is the heart of the community. The film highlights letters where a child is asking for something poignant, something that goes beyond the common wish for a toy. Santa will explain how he enlists kind-hearted strangers across the country for these special requests while he concentrates on toy making and his demanding delivery schedule.

This timeless documentary captures the warmth and spirit of Christmastime through the lens of this great American tradition, provoking audiences throughout the world to ask themselves how they can make the world a better place, one gesture at a time.

To learn more, visit DearSanta.movie or @IFCFilms on social media.

Fresh Rituals for a New Year in the Inspiration section at RINaturalAwakenings.com.

8

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

ksenia makagonova/Unsplash.com

Discover

Combining the healing power of gemstone crystals and reiki, Alicia Mastrangelo of Live It Love It Wellness creates unique handmade crystal jewelry. Mastrangelo is a reiki master/teacher who offers a variety of styles and price points, so there is something for everyone.

Each piece is handmade by her using real crystal gemstones and then infused with reiki healing energy and positive intentions. She can also create a custom piece that is specific to your needs or those of the recipient. Current available pieces in the shop can be viewed at LiveItLoveItWellness.com.

For more information, call 401-323-7199 or visit LiveItLoveItWellness.com. See ad on page 9.

Virtual Course on Healing with Cell Salts Join certified homeopath Vandana Pitke at 6 p.m., December 1 and 8, for a live virtual, two-session course to learn how simple, easy and effective it is to treat various acute and chronic health conditions using cell salts and how to be confident at prescribing them.

Cell salts can be used for babies, pregnant and lactating women, elderly people or even for pets and plants, too. The natural, non-toxic form of medicine has no side effects which make cell salts absolutely safe for anyone to take.

Cost: $40. Pre-registration is required. Tickets can be purchased at checkout.square.site/buy/MQZLUZWQWGBBSM6M34FZIFMK. For more information, call 401-573-3757 or visit OmHomeopathy.com.

See ad on page 11 and in the Community Resource Guide.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth. ~Muhammad Ali

Live It Love It Wellness * Reiki & Distance Healing * Reiki Certifications * Oracle Card Readings * Reiki-infused Crystal Healing Jewelry

Alicia Mastrangelo REIKI MASTER / TEACHER

401-323-7199 www.liveitloveitwellness.com

Environmentally Friendly Treatments Because You Care!

Tiverton Farmers’ Market to be Held Throughout Cooler Months Coming off a successful first season, the Tiverton Farmers’ Market will continue to bring safe, easy access to fresh and local produce, meats, seafood, art and music every Tuesday—rain or shine—from November 3 to April 27, 2021, in the airy and light-filled community hall at Sandywoods Center for the Arts, in Tiverton. Just minutes from seven walking trails plus salt marshes and beaches, the Tiverton Farmers’ Market offers a starting point for numerous walking, biking, hiking as well as culinary adventures.

While strengthening regional businesses, customers will find fresh vegetables, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, microgreens, vegan options, prepared foods, Kombucha, cutting boards and functional pottery.

Founder Meredith Brower curates local food entrepreneurs for the market and increases relationships with local farmers, makers, artists and consumers. Brower, along with vendors and customers, believes familiarity with regional food sources and products is a year-round priority. “I’m inspired to encourage a healthy lifestyle while spotlighting local producers and makers alongside acres to explore,” says Brower.

Entry to the market is free and open to the public, with ample free parking. Handicap access ramps and parking are also available. All attendees must wear masks. All windows and doors will be open to circulate air flow. Disinfectant, wipes and gloves will be available at the entrance. Consideration for the health and safety of vendors, customers and volunteers is paramount.

Bio Tech Pest Controls, LLC

Organic Lawn Care & Pest Controls Free Inspections.

Servicing Rhode Island & Connecticut.

18 Granite St. Westerly, RI 02891 RI: 401-315-2400 • CT: 860-445-BUGS www.BioTechPestControls.com Environmentally Friendly Treatments for All Kinds of Pests

ARE YOU READY FOR A CHANGE? TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS? MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY? OWN RHODE ISLAND MAGAZINE

Low Initial Investment Proven Business System Home-Based Business Exceptional Franchise Support & Training

Cost: Free. Location: Sandywoods Center for the Arts, 43 Muse Way, Tiverton. For more information, call 401-474-1064 or visit @TivertonFarmersMarket on social media.

Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much the heart can hold. ~Zelda Fitzgerald

Publish Rhode Island’s Leading Healthy Living Magazine!

For more information contact us at 401-709-2473 or contact MCary@RINaturalAwakenings.com

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

9

Eat Cruciferous Veggies for Cleaner Blood Vessels

“Bulking up” evokes images of bodybuilders and possible steroid use, but new research shows that older people that simply eat lots of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables have greater skeletal muscle mass than those that don’t eat these foods. Researchers from the UK’s University of East Anglia collected data from more than 13,000 people between 42 and 82 years old and reported in The Journal of Nutrition that the highest amounts of vitamin C correlated with the greatest estimated skeletal muscle mass—an important finding, as people older than 50 typically lose half a percent of muscle fat each year, leading to frailty and a lower quality of life. Sixty percent of men in the study and 50 percent of women were not getting enough vitamin C from food or supplements. “We’re not talking about people needing megadoses. Eating a citrus fruit such as an orange each day and having a vegetable side to a meal will be sufficient for most people,” says study co-author Richard Hayhoe.

Pile on the broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. In a study of 684 older Australian women published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found those that ate more than 45 grams of cruciferous vegetables a day—about one-quarter cup of steamed broccoli or one-half cup of raw cabbage—were 46 percent less likely to have calcium buildup in the aorta, the main vessel carrying blood from the heart into the body. Fatty calcium deposits in the aorta are a key marker of vascular disease linked to heart attacks and strokes. “One particular constituent found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables is vitamin K, which may be involved in inhibiting the calcification process that occurs in our blood vessels,” says lead author Lauren Blekkenhorst, of Edith Cowan University, in Perth.

prathsnap/Pexels.com

Retain Muscle Mass with Vitamin C

southstore design/Pexels.com

health briefs

freestocksorg/Pexels.com

For a Healthy Baby, Take a Multivitamin, Exercise and Ditch the Devices

10

Rhode Island Edition

The simple step of taking a daily multivitamin during pregnancy can reduce the risk of autism in newborns by 38 percent, report Chinese researchers that analyzed nine studies of 231,163 children, of which 4,459 were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Another study from Kings College, London, of 1,555 obese, pregnant women, concluded that when they improved their diet and exercised, their children three years later had an average resting pulse rate of five beats per minute lower than the other children, a better glycemic response and slightly less obesity. Israeli research, published in the online journal Sleep, involving 116 men ages 21 to 59, found those that used smartphones and tablets in the evening and after bedtime had lower sperm quality with reduced counts and motility. Watching TV, another light-emitting source, during the evening also correlated with lower sperm concentration.

RINaturalAwakenings.com

elly fairytale/Pexels.com

Practice Yoga to Improve Atrial Fibrillation Yoga postures and breathing may significantly reduce episodes of atrial fibrillation, suggests a new study—good news for the one in 11 Americans that suffer from its anxiety-producing palpitations, racing pulses, dizziness and shortness of breath. In the study, which was presented to the European Society of Cardiology, 538 patients underwent 12 weeks without yoga and then 16 weeks of attending 30-minute yoga classes every other day. During the yoga period, their fibrillation episodes were halved, dropping on average to eight as compared to 15 in the non-yoga period. Average blood pressure was 11/6 millimeters of mercury lower after yoga training.

The patients also reported improved moods and energy. “Our study suggests that yoga has wide-ranging physical and mental health benefits for patients with atrial fibrillation, and could be added on top of usual therapies,” says study author Naresh Sen, M.D., of Sunil Memorial Superspecialty Hospital, in Jaipur, India.

Let Us HeLp YoU Make a HeaLtHY CHoiCe Vitamins … HomeopatHic Remedies peRsonal caRe pRoducts . . . local Honey and We caRRy Bulk HeRBs, teas & spices Massage Therapy (including pregnancy massage) • Reflexology • Reiki • Polarity • Iris Analysis • Health Consultations • Ear Coning • Readings • Yoga • Spiritual Book Studies • Energy Classes and more…

Check our website for Class Schedules

1099 Mendon Rd, Cumberland RI • 401-305-3585 • its-my-health.com

A Creative Healing Place

When Opportunity Knocks…

Return to Yourself

Benjamin B. Blackett ULC MINISTER

…do you answer?

Life Mastery Consultant Dream Builder Coach Reiki Master Healer/Teacher

401-855-2008 bbb3pips@gmail.com

http://benjaminblacket.lifemasteryconsultant.com

✓ Do you want to have an impact on your community?

Photo by Travis Rupert from Pexels

✓ Do you want to love what you do? ✓ Connect with like-minded people? ✓ Step into an established business?

Email MCary@RINaturalAwakenings.com or call 401-709-2473 today to learn more!

Holistic Development / Creatigo.org Debee (401) 793-0097

Michelle (401) 287-2781

Private Readings & Healing Sessions Past Life, Card, Akashic Record & Mediumship

Integrated Energy Therapy, Reiki, Theta & Shaman

Certifications (Reiki IET) Playshops for ALL Ages and MUCH MORE!

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

11

global briefs

Conscientious Director

Amazon Climate Label Facilitates Greener Choices

daniel eledut/Unsplash.com

Amazon is labeling approximately 25,000 products with a Climate Pledge Friendly (CPF) designation to meet a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2040. The selection includes grocery, household, fashion, beauty and personal electronics products, as well as from brands such as Seventh Generation and Burt’s Bees Baby. CPF products are clearly labeled in shopping results, have additional sustainability information on their product page and are featured in a dedicated section of the online store.

The Seattle company, which currently delivers 10 billion items a year, has an enormous carbon footprint due to its commitment to speedy deliveries, transportation-related emissions and data centers. A paper in Environmental Science & Technology, published by the American Chemical Society, found that going to a physical store actually has a lower carbon footprint than shopping on Amazon because customers tend to buy fewer items at a time online. When they go to a store, they’re more likely to stock up and reduce the need for more trips.

California Passes Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act California governor Gavin Newsom has signed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act into law, which bans 24 ingredients from cosmetics and personal care products sold within the state. The list includes mercury, formaldehyde, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, endocrine-disrupting phthalates and long-chain parabens used as preservatives, among other chemicals. Many have been linked to breast cancer, reproductive and neurological damage, birth defects, organ system toxicity and developmental delays.

National standards lag behind the rest of the world and have not been updated since being created in 1938.

Despite the industry’s immense size,

laura chouette/Unsplash.com

only two pages of the 829-page Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act govern cosmetics.

The new California law will make products safer for everyone, but Black women stand to benefit more be-

cause they represent the biggest U.S. market for cosmetics.

Environmental watchdog Treehugger notes that Black women account for an estimated 22 percent of the country’s $42-billion per year personal care products market, despite comprising less than 7 percent of the national population.

12

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

Weather Wanderers Climate Refugees Could Reach One Billion by 2050

The U.S. Geological Survey predicts that global sea levels would rise by about 230 feet if all the glaciers and ice caps on Earth melted, flooding almost every coastal city in the world. This disastrous possibility forces us to confront where current coastal dwellers would go if their cities become uninhabitable. In 2017, of the 68.5 million people that were displaced by sudden weather events that included floods, forest fires and intense storms, more than one-third of them were forced to leave their homes behind.

A 2018 World Bank report found that without tangible climate action, more than 143 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America will be forced to move to escape the impacts of climate change by 2050. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, more than 1 billion people worldwide will live in countries with insufficient infrastructure to withstand climate change by 2050 (see Tinyurl.com/EcologicalThreatMap). The Pacific Islands are expected to be impacted especially hard because sea levels there are already rising at almost half an inch each year.

pixabay/Pexels.com

Skin Relief

eco tip

matt holmes/Unsplash.com

’TIS THE SEASON TO SAVE THE PLANET

Shining Example

Saving Arctic Ice Using Glass Beads The California nonprofit Arctic Ice Project is proposing to scatter a thin layer of reflective silica glass particles over parts of the Arctic in an effort to protect it from the sun and help ice to re-form. Engineer Leslie Field, an adjunct lecturer and chief technical officer at Stanford University, says they are trying to break a self-destructive feedback loop.

An underrated feature of Arctic sea ice is the ability of its bright, white surface to reflect light. The frigid poles have acted for millennia as a massive umbrella that helps keep the planet cool and climate stable.

Now much of that ice is rapidly melting. As temperatures rise, the reflective white ice dissolves into darker blue water that absorbs more of the sun’s energy instead of reflecting it into space. Warmer water accelerates melting, which means yet more absorption of heat, which drives further melting, in a cycle that is part of the reason why the Arctic is warming about twice as fast as the rest of the planet. In July, the ice cover was as low as it has ever been at the same time of year.

CLICK ON rinaturalawakenings.com for the latest updates in health & wellness

When the holiday classic Jingle Bells starts playing in department stores, Americans deck the landfills with extra trash. According to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), garbage increases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day—or about 1 million extra tons each week—including 38,000 miles of ribbon, $11 billion worth of packing material and 15 million discarded Christmas trees.

As this waste decomposes, dangerous greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are emitted, adding to the climate crisis. This season, include Earth on the gift list by reducing holiday-related waste.

To stop the uptick of mailed catalogs, call stores and request to be removed from mailing lists.

Reusable shopping bags are not just for groceries. Bring them to malls and boutiques to cut down on single-use store bags.

Wrapping paper, ribbons and bows are beautiful, but create waste. Consider eco-friendly alternatives like towels, tablecloths, scarves and even socks.

According to NEEF, an estimated 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold in the U.S. every year. That’s enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. Be kind to the planet by switching to e-cards or making personal phone calls.

At the holiday table, use cloth napkins and tablecloths instead of paper.

They’re festive, elegant and best of all, washable and reusable.

Forgo plastic cutlery, paper plates and single-use plastic cups, too. An extra dishwasher load is better than bags full of trash, plastic being the worst non-biodegradable culprit.

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

priscilla du preez/Unsplash.com

Eco-Friendly Holiday Ideas

Social-distancing Americans are expected to flock to the internet for gifts.

Consider saving the shipping boxes and packing materials for later use or donating them to a mailing center that would be happy to reuse them.

The most environmentally friendly gifts eliminate wrapping and shipping altogether. Here are some favorite lowwaste ideas: n Charitable donations n Cooking, music, craft or other lessons n Passes to museums or amusement parks n Gift cards for restaurants or bookstores n Music downloads or spa treatments Most towns recycle Christmas trees and process them into mulch for use in parks. Contact a local waste management agency for details.

| December 2020

13

moon report

BY THE LIGHT OF

THE MOON DECEMBER 2020

by Karyn Chabot, M.Ay, LMT, RYT

The New Moon occurs on December 14, and occurs in sidereal Scorpio in the lunar star of Jyestha, represented by the symbol of a protective amulet. Jyestha is a lunar star located in the stinger of the constellation of Scorpio in the sky. This particular real estate is called the ‘Via Combusta’. Translated: a fiery road. It is the most intense location in the cosmos and considered the seat of purification and transformation. Jyestha likes to “win” and is associated with the throne, royalty and government. He takes no prisoners.

Venus, Mercury and Ketu (south node of the moon) are all sitting beside the Sun and the Moon in the 10th house. It’s a pile up of five celestial concepts brainstorming together among the lunar stars that inhabit the Via Combusta. This unusual feisty and regal alignment reflects the current global consciousness. It also represents the Earth’s deep request for change on the planet.

A total solar eclipse will occur at the Moon’s descending node of the orbit on December 14. The effects may continue for 45 weeks following, then reach a crescendo. The exact vector of this crescendo will depend on how many folks are willing to become the change the world needs to see. By healing ourselves individually, we can soften the adversities that may come. This is our free will.

Eclipse Tips: 1. Allow everyone their own opinion. 2. Stay in your own lane 3. Love thy neighbor as thyself. 4. Forgive yourself and others. 5. Play with your pets more. 6. Get more rest. 7. Bless your food. 8. Practice gratitude. 9. Watch funny movies and laugh more. 10. Dance and sing more. 11. Help one another. 12. Meditate and pray more. 13. Eat fresh food (no leftovers).

Remember not to make any major decisions, make significant purchases, start anything new or travel during the eclipse window, which is two weeks prior to the solar eclipse and one week following. Stay home and rest. Time becomes compressed during eclipses, causing us all to be more sensitive and feel like we are in the twilight zone. The molecules in the air during an eclipse are more inflammatory, sticky and volatile, suppressing our immune systems, 14

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

causing food to spoil faster and encouraging the spread of more bacteria and virus including spiritual viruses. Use energy medicine or a talisman to protect yourself. Light a candle or burn some Palo Santo and ask your beloved ancestors, angels and the “Powers that Be” to provide insightful, loving messages during dreamtime and meditation, inspiring you to put a smile on your face and be a light for the world.

The Full Moon on December 30, will occur in sidereal Gemini within the lunar star of Ardra, symbolized by the teardrop. The ruler of this lunar star is the north node of the moon we call Rahu, the mover and the shaker. Rahu’s job is to stir the pot, but always for our highest and best. Buckle up and get ready for an amazing ride. All full moons shine the light on the darkest corners of our lives, both globally and personally. If you had a burning question around the time of the new moon two weeks prior, the full moon may reveal the answer to that question.

Eleven days prior, on December 21, the Earth will experience a planetary alignment that has not occurred in more 6,000 years.

Mercury, Sun, Mars, Saturn and the Moon will all stop and align in the same direction, at the same time on the same path and gradient.

This galactic alignment is a cosmic solar patterning that will take three days to fully line up and will end on December 25. This may trigger an opening of a cosmic portal which could last seven days.

Celestial scholars are predicting a great awakening, a very special time on our planet where the heavens may become crystal clear momentarily. Keep your eye on the sky. This phenomenon could affect our atmospheric conditions and raise our states of consciousness if we choose and if we are ready.

The full moon in the lunar star of Ardra on December 30 may bring tears of joy and hope that the world has been longing for.

Go outside under the full moon and allow the moonbeams to kiss your cheeks, cool system inflammations and impart a radiant glow (soma) into your being. This will mark the end of 2020, a massively challenging year for us all.

The difference between the tropical zodiac and the sidereal zodiac is about 23 degrees. Both systems have value. Sidereal astrologers believe the qualities of the signs are not related to the seasons, but rather to the specific portions of the ecliptic as measured against the fixed lunar stars.

Karyn Chabot, M.Ay, LMT, RYT, has her master’s degree in Ayurvedic medicine and has been an international teacher and presenter in the field of metaphysics, astrology and healing for more than 25 years. For appointments, text 401-680-3934 or visit KarynChabot.com/book.

Note from Editor: We received some correspondence from readers about last month’s Moon Report. The monthly report is based on a planetary reading and makes predictions that are usually global and not always with reference to our country alone.

Any topics within the report are what the astrology points to and are not the opinion of, nor contain any kind of agenda by the author or Natural Awakenings.

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE YOUR BUSINESS Be your own boss and earn a living doing something you’re passionate about.

“The future of the magazine is bright with a known presence and a 12-year solid reputation.” ~ Publisher, Maureen Cary

MAKE A CHANGE

With Multiple Income Streams Available: • Digital Marketing • Online Advertising • KnowWEWell

Natural Awakenings is a franchise family of 55+ healthy living magazines, celebrating 26 years of publishing! This rewarding, home-based franchise opportunity includes training and ongoing support, following a well-established and proven business model.

Learn more today:

401-709-2473 or email

MCary@RINaturalAwakenings.com Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

15

community spotlight

GRODEN CENTER

Treatment Foster Care

by Wendy Fachon

Locally, there is a dire need to provide treatment foster care for children and adolescents with developmental, emotional and behavioral challenges, who have been removed from their birth families.

The Groden Network, whose mission for the past 40 years has been to provide a continuum of support for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, has dedicated one of its many programs to address this need. Groden Center Treatment Foster Care (GCTFC), licensed since 1993, strives to place children and adolescents in home settings, while working to achieve each individual’s full potential. A plan toward permanency, whether that be adoption or reunification with the birth family is the goal.

Currently, there are 20 GCTFC foster families providing treatment foster care, however, there are many children still waiting in hospital settings, group homes or assessment centers. The Groden Center seeks safe, stable and loving foster homes for every child that comes into care. The ideal foster home includes individuals or couples that own or rent their homes and can provide love and stability.

GCTFC Director of Administration, Andrea Neri, explains, “To become a GCTFC foster parent, there is a licensing process which includes obtaining clearances and a home study evaluation. Other characteristics of successful foster parents are maintaining 16

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

a good sense of humor, calm demeanor, patience and flexibility.”

Each family or individual is wellsupported by a dedicated GCTFC clinician and other staff members that are available 365/24/7, so the families do not face the journey alone. It takes a village to support these children, their birth families and foster families, and GCTFC supports families every step of the way.

One member of the GCTFC family is Rosa Gough. After working as a social worker for eight years, Gough came to realize how many children with special needs are waiting for homes, so she and her husband, Clarence, became licensed.

The Goughs have been foster parents for 14 years now. They have provided stability and love for nine children, one of whom they have adopted. Rosa says, “Seeing them grow and making progress is so rewarding.”

Eventually, the birth parents are ready for their child’s return, or an adoptive family is identified and approved for permanency.

The Goughs have maintained relationships with many of the foster children and their birth families. Knowing that she helped provide a solid foundation for these children and their future is what drives the Goughs to continue fostering. While Rosa has a clinical background extremely well-suited to treatment foster parenting, experience working with children that have special needs is not a requirement.

GCTFC is hosting two upcoming virtual information sessions from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., December 14, and 10 to 11 a.m., January 16. These sessions provide a forum for prospective families and individuals to learn more about fostering and to ask questions.

To RSVP, please email Brendan Carty at BCarty@GrodenCenter.org or call 401274-6310 x1229. For more information, visit GrodenNetwork.org/FosterCare.

Wendy Fachon is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings and host of Story Walking Radio Hour at StoryWalking.com.

See ad on page 17.

Together we can do it!

Help support our efforts to fight for Insurance Coverage for Licensed Naturopathic Doctors in Rhode Island!

Sign and/or donate at

.org 401-359-7937

I see….

…..In your future

www.saltitude.net

Meditation, Relaxation, Halotherapy Classes & Special Events

204 Front St. Lincoln, RI

You must not lose faith in humanity.

Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Conquer ADHD & Anxiety - It’s True Find out what your child’s brain needs to be able to pay attention and control his behavior without drugs.

Neurofeedback Treatment has been used for nearly 60 years. That is a legacy of safety that you can count on.

“Better test scores at school, more chores done at home, a smile I can always count on now.”

Call 401-397-9948 www.chirowg.com Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

Fall ADHD & Anxiety Treatment Program Begins Soon.

The Chiropractic Neurology Center of West Greenwich 16-A Noonseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich, RI 02817 | December 2020

17

The New Story for the World RE-VISIONING THE SCRIPT FOR A HEALTHIER SOCIETY AND PLANET

by Linda Sechrist

18

Rhode Rhode Island IslandEdition Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com RINaturalAwakenings.com

experience, the old stories of rugged individualism and conquering and dominating the natural world have run their course with grim results.

In the last four decades, fragments of a new story have been slowly emerging.

Because it isn’t deemed worthy of mainstream media, the public is left in the dark about new, life-instructing stories capable of altering human civilization in positive ways. Were these story fragments woven together in an anthology, chapters on climate, economy, religion, environment,

lightscience/AdobeStock.com

The most familiar form of human activity and the most natural way to describe what happens in our lives is through telling stories. Toddlers listen to stories that have contained the same archetypal characters acting out similar plots for millennia. In literature, folktales and myths all over the world, stories serve the purpose of providing life instructions and answering humanity’s fundamental questions about the nature of existence, such as who we are, where we came from, the definition of our purpose and the nature of our reality.

In the 1980s, author and cultural historian Thomas Berry declared that humanity needed a new story that is less destructive and dysfunctional. Berry filled lecture halls, telling attendees, “We are in trouble now because we don’t have a good story. The old story, the account of how the world came to be and how we fit into it, isn’t functioning properly. What once sustained us, shaped our emotional attitude, provided us with life purpose, energized action, consecrated suffering, integrated knowledge and guided education is no longer serving humanity.” As we are discovering globally through hard

science, politics, medicine, education, conscious evolution and community would constitute a useful account of ideas and concepts capable of bringing about a brighter future for humanity and the planet.

These possibilities would surely capture readers’ imaginations.

In Climate: A New Story, writer and activist Charles Eisenstein suggests that we need a new story that makes possible the more beautiful world our hearts know is achievable. The story, which he believes is attainable, calls for people, governments and organizations to embrace a partnership paradigm to protect, restore, regenerate and repair damages to our planet’s natural world, which we call the environment.

Using indigenous wisdom, organizations such as the Pachamama Alliance and Bioneers are helping individuals worldwide to recognize that humanity is here to be in service to life. Creating the right conditions for revitalizing life is the opposite of our collective story that views the natural world only as a resource.

Eisenstein’s ideas for regenerative agriculture match those described in environmentalist Paul Hawken’s Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. In October, Drawdown Georgia became the first state-centered effort to crowd-solve for climate change, with solutions tailored to Georgia’s unique natural, economic and social resources.

NEW SCIENCE STORY Evolution biologist Elisabet Sahtouris’ stories about science shine a light on the broader perspective of life and science gained from studying multiple worldviews. A scholar of ancient sciences, Sahtouris reminds us that the original purpose of science was to find guidance for human affairs by studying nature.

During a recent conversation with Ubiquity University founder Jim Garrison in the online Humanity Rising’s Global Solutions Summit, she says, “We have acted in opposition and made ecology subservient to our economy, using ecology as a set of

preiscilla dupreez/Unsplash.com

NEW CLIMATE STORY

resources for human economics. When we make our economy fit into nature’s economy, which we call ecology, we’ll have ecosophy, the ‘wisdom of the Earth itself’ that occurs when a man knows how to listen with love.”

Sahtouris teaches corporations about ecosophy’s new view of a conscious universe and a living Earth in which we are co-creators. This, she believes, takes humans out of fatalistic victimhood so that we can become consciously active agents of our destiny.

Lifting the fog of our self-image as consumers of stuff gives humans the rights and responsibilities to live out our full co-creative humanity.

A GLOBAL COMMONS SHARING SOLUTIONS Through the daily sharing of stories with keynote speakers and panel discussions, Garrison increases the momentum of the Humanity Rising movement, which includes Ubiquity University students, program participants and more than 400 organizations that come together as a “global commons” to take counsel and share what they are developing for their own networks.

Humanity Rising was launched to try to leverage the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity for human renewal and increase our resilience to future challenges.

This new form of real-life competency education delivered in TED Talk-style presentations, moderated dialogues, working groups, blogs, ongoing conversations, group discussions and other interactions provides participants a wide scope of possibilities and activities for working together for global solutions.

ECONOMICS STORY If British economist Kate Raworth writes a follow-up to her bestselling book Donut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist, she’ll certainly add a case study of her consulting work in Amsterdam, where her donut model is now embraced as the starting point for public policy decisions. Amsterdam is the world’s first city to make a commitment to Raworth’s concepts: “Out with the global attachment to economic growth and laws of supply and demand, and in with … what it means for countries, cities and people to thrive in balance with the planet,” as reported in The Guardian. The simple

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

19

central premise of Raworth’s alternative to growth economics is that the goal of economic activity should be to meet the core needs of all within the means of the planet.

INTERCONNECTEDNESS Author Robert Atkinson’s contribution to the new story is his understanding of the underlying unity in all religions and all humanity, expressed throughout his book The Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness. “Nature is an embodiment of the divine, and the whole Earth is sacred. Its vast resources are our common heritage entrusted to us,” he says.

“Humanity is one family. Having passed through the stage of childhood, humanity is now struggling to leave behind its adolescent ways while taking on new patterns of thought and action in approaching its maturity. Accepting the oneness of humanity as a biological fact, a social necessity and a spiritual reality will lead us further along our journey toward lasting peace.”

Atkinson believes global harmony is inevitable when we exercise our obligation to independently investigate reality and stop blindly and uncritically following various traditions, movements and opinions. He says, “I consider this as one of the main sources of world conflict.”

UNDIVIDED WHOLENESS In a world engulfed by fragmentation, the film Infinite Potential: The Life & Ideas of David Bohm is a healing balm with the potential to overturn our ideas about the world and ourselves. “The core

work of David Bohm, considered one of the most significant theoretical physicists of the 20th century, is our essential interconnectedness and undivided wholeness from which we get a sense of our own interconnectivity,” says producer and director Paul Howard. “This realization makes it logical to start taking better care of ourselves, each other and planet Earth.”

Howard notes, “David was interested in the nature of thought and consciousness. Realizing that he wanted to develop full expression of his interests, he explored wider domains and investigated different worldviews with sages, philosophers and spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama, who called David his ‘science guru’. A lifelong concern with social and political change led him to develop the Bohm Dialogue, a form of communication aiming to break through our collective modes of habitual thought. He also spent time with indigenous people, searching for a new form of language in which to express his ideas in a more process-oriented way.”

INDIGENOUS WISDOM While the early church developed and grew in numbers by assimilating the wisdom of the world about it, including paganism, it neglected to assimilate the intuitive ways in that indigenous people knew the natural world, how it functioned and how intimately they were integrated with it.

Tribes around the globe have ancient extinction stories that foretold the crises we are collectively experiencing, as well as potential outcomes and possible solutions. In Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, Sherri Mitchell (Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset) tells the story of the Mohawk Seventh Generation Prophecy. “The Onkwehonwe, or real people, rise up and demand their wisdom and way of life be respected and that the natural way of the Earth and way of life be fully restored.

Teachings on the indigenous way of life are being sought after, and all that remains is that we work together to restore the Earth to a state of balance and good health,” she says.

MEDICINE AND COMMUNITY Thousands of people are gathering in online intentional communities associated with personal growth, healing and spiritual awakening. Jennifer Phelps, M.D., owner and director of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, practices mind-body medicine and is a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. A trained facilitator of small groups, she has been teaching trauma and stress healing via Zoom calls during the pandemic.

Initially, Phelps was concerned about how the levels of intimacy, trust and vulnerability necessary for individuals to develop a sense of cohesiveness and bonding could be formed via computer screens. By using the center’s model of self-care, self-awareness and mutual support that has its roots in indigenous culture, she felt her concern dissipate as group members began to bond quickly.

“Our guidelines call for no cross-talking and no interrupting. Con20

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

fidentiality is sacred. I’m a facilitator and a participant, which most models don’t allow,” says Phelps. She speculates that the success of online bonding might be due to participants feeling safer in their homes with a little extra anonymity, noting, “Not being face-to-face seems to allow people to share more freely. These weird times are creating a commonality and a sense of community connection.”

hugo/AdobeStock.com

CONSCIOUS CHOICE Leah Lamb, a sacred storyteller in Topanga, California, defines her role as a seer far beyond the present moment. In Lamb’s online classes with her storytelling community, she loves sharing quotes by other storytellers such as Rebecca Solnit, “We think we tell stories; but stories often tell us … Too often stories saddle us, and they ride us and whip us onward and tell us what to do and we do it without questioning. The task of learning to be free is to learn to hear them; to question them, to pause and hear silence, to name them and then become a storyteller of your own story.”

“In our role of storyteller, we can’t be without understanding that we tell stories about how we are in the world as much as stories tell us how to be in world. Identify and notice your stories, then understand how they are running you, so you can consciously choose your place in them,” advises Lamb, who encourages her students to discover the genius of their own calling.

These are only some chapters in the new story that calls for each of us to be aware of the stories we live by, as well as those we tell ourselves and others. It also begs us to ask what is our role in the new story.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need forCatch air, waterSpirit’s and food.Vision in 2020! ~Dean Ornish

Don’t Distance Yourself Spiritually!

Rela

tion

Peace of Mind

ship

s

uality t i r i p S SOCIAL ACTION

HEAL TH

Connect with us LIVE on Facebook Watch LIVE: Facebook.com/ConcordiaCSL • Sunday 10am (401) 732-1552 • ConcordiaCSL.com Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

21

Mind-Body Fitness HOW MINDFULNESS BENEFITS WORKOUTS

by Marlaina Donato W hen mindfulness approaches are applied to fitness training—which can be as simple as breathing consciously and tuning into subtle body sensations— the results can be fewer injuries, improved immunity, a lowered stress response, a brighter mood and a deeper commitment to staying fit. Being in the present moment can also spark enjoyment.

Research shows that mindfulness training can also significantly raise self-esteem, and women that cultivate meditative self-compassion experience a boost in acceptance of and satisfaction with their bodies.

“In nature, the bigger the eye of the storm, the more powerful the winds, suggesting that our workout potential and enjoyment is dependent not on how hard we push, but how calm and self-aware we can be,” says John Douillard, DC, author of Body, Mind, and Sport and the founder of LifeSpa, in Boulder, Colorado. “Slowing down and being aware of the body allows the mind to attend to muscles, which can increase blood supply, lymph drainage and replace a potentially damaging fight-or-flight response during a workout with a rejuvenating parasympathetic response.”

22

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

katerina jerabkova/Unsplash.com

fit body

TAPPING INTO CONTENTMENT Mindful fitness instructor Ellen Barrett, in Washington Depot, Connecticut, offers clients a full-body experience with a fusion of movement forms and weight training.

“We think mindfulness is some sort of yoga thing, but everything can become mindful. Jumping jacks and biceps curls can be mindful. It’s not the movement, but the awareness behind the movement. Mindfulness is about being present.”

Adding in balance training, tai chi and Pilates, and swapping a bit less time on the treadmill for a few moments of meditation or visualizing positive results can go a long way, say fitness experts. Debbie Rosas, founder and co-creator of Nia—a bodymind conditioning program anchored in martial arts and modern dance—underscores the importance of listening to cues.

“Notice any areas that feel tight, blocked, rigid and bound. This wisdom through felt sense and awareness will immediately alert you to stop, adjust and slow down.”

The Portland-based co-author of The Nia Technique points to the fun factor. “I believe that when you stop exercising and start moving, anything you do can bring you enjoyment. Do things that leave you feeling successful and motivated to do them again.”

BREATH AS A COMPASS Practicing conscious breathing fortifies the positive impact of exercise and can prevent injuries like hernias that can arise when the breath is held during heavy lifting. “One of the most powerful tools for mindfulness during a workout is following your breath. Mindfulness is the key, but it’s hard to be mindful when you’re breathing 26,000 times a day into the upper chest, activating a fight-or-flight response,” says Douillard.

Breathing through the nose instead of the mouth during exercise bolsters mindfulness, and as Do illard has demonstrated in studies, causes brain waves to shift from stressed beta waves to a meditative alpha state. “It takes longer to fully inhale and exhale during nose breathing, which creates a baseline of calm,” she says. “Don’t rush. Be aware of the body breathing and feel each muscle contracting and relaxing with each rep and stretch.”

Chicago-based fitness expert Stephanie Mansour, host of the PBS weekly Step it Up with Steph show, concurs. “Sync your breath with your movement. Mindfully transition from exercise to exercise.” Mansour also suggests working out next to a mirror to improve alignment and avoiding the distraction that can come with having a workout buddy. “Another trick to improve form is to put on headphones and zone out by listening to white noise so that you have no distraction,” she says.

Exercising with deep body-presence is something we do for ourselves. “If you’re really paying attention, you can steer yourself towards invigoration and away from irritation. The body is always providing feedback, but we’re often too ‘out of body’ to notice. Giving full attention to your body is a big gift of self-love,” says Barrett.

“Breathe. Move. Be free,” adds Mansour.

“This is your dedicated ‘me’ time and you can use it to feel good about yourself.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer.

Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

R H O D E

Yoga

I S L A N D

Pilates

BARRINGTON

PROVIDENCE

Synergy Power Yoga 32 Bay Spring Ave SynergyPowerYoga.com 401-289-0966

Santosha Yoga Studio and Holistic Center 275 Reservoir Ave YogaAtSantosha.com 401-780-9809

CUMBERLAND

MIDDLETOWN

Time For You Yoga 2155 Diamond Hill Rd TimeForYouYoga.com 401-305-5319

Aull Pilates & Movement Studio 1077 Aquidneck Ave AullPilates.com 401-619-4977

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. ~Helen Keller

Be Balanced, Grounded and Centered Initial Consultations • Acupuncture Tui Na • Chinese Herbal Medicine • Gua Sha Cosmetic Acupuncture Gift Certificates Available CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

401.398.2933

990 Main Street, East Greenwich • www.HolisticHealthRI.com

Wellness Within Counseling Center Outpatient Therapy Focusing On:

Depression Anxiety/Panic Disorders Mood Disorders Trauma/PTSD Co-Occuring Disorders Chemical Dependency/Addictions Anger Management Issues Grief and Loss Issues EMDR/DBT Phase of Life Problems

Elisa Reid-Robley MA, CAGS, LMHC, CADC, CCDP-D

Marie Capobianco MA, CAGS, LMHC, CADC, CCDP-D

Adults, Adolescents, Individuals & Couples, Long & Short Term Therapy M-Th: 8am-8pm

F-S: 8am-5pm

We Accept Most Insurances & Self Pay

900 Reservoir Ave, Cranston, RI, 02910

401-632-4114

fax:

401-632-4880 WellnessWithinCounseling.org

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

23

healthy kids Like many parents, Alicia Hough, a corporate wellness expert in New York, used to go overboard plying her kids with gifts at Christmas. “I was always busy with work, which is why I thought that buying my children the latest or most trending toy in the market will make up for the time I’ve lost,” she recalls. “As kids, they indeed get excited with material gifts, but that joy is just temporary, and that’s what I realized throughout this pandemic.

In the end, it’s the relationship with people you value that matters, and not these material things or celebrations.”

Hough, who considers the pandemic a turning point, is not alone.

In this turbulent year, holiday celebrations will likely be smaller, quieter and less opulent for many families. Yet the crisis has also set the stage for families “to create a holiday that is more in keeping with their values, finding deeper connection and meaning with less rushing around and spending less money,” says Laura Markham, a clinical psychologist and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids.

Besides passing up traveling and parties for cozy pajama times, many families are seriously rethinking their gift-giving habits.

Although presents are a beloved part of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations, many families have come to wonder how the shopping and spending has gotten so out of hand. According to Investopedia, in 2019, the average American spent $942 on holiday gifts, a figure that has steadily mounted in the last decade to total $1 trillion. An estimated $16 billion worth of those gifts are unappreciated and tossed aside, reports Moneyish.

This pandemic season offers “a chance to reset expectations if festive gift-giving has become excessive in recent years,” says Beth Kempton, author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy. “Perhaps most important is to have a conversation with children about buying less stuff and avoiding waste,” she adds. “They may have their own ideas about how to reduce waste and relish the challenge of thinking about what they really want.”

Reinvent the Holidays MORE MEANING, LESS STUFF

by Ronica O’Hara

dglimages/AdobeStock.com

GETTING CREATIVE

24

Rhode Rhode Island IslandEdition Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com RINaturalAwakenings.com

For Evan Porter, of Milton, Georgia, a parenting writer at DadFixesEverything.com, “Less clutter and fewer gifts are something we’ve been working toward anyway.” This year, he and his wife plan to drastically pare down their kids’ gifts, possibly using this formula: “Something to read, something to wear, something you want and something you need.” Instead of presents under a tree, Dawna Campbell, of Bigfork, Montana, founder of ThetaHeartHealing.com, will give her kids an unplugged (and coronavirus-compliant) nature retreat where they can investigate the natural environment, work with animals and journal about how to make the world a better place.

For parents that want to embrace creativity, low costs and sustainability this holiday season, Kempton suggests the following gift-giving ideas:

n Build anticipation with a treasure hunt or by opening presents over a period of time.

Instilling the Giving Spirit in Kids

n Incorporate a sense of wonderment with a wooden magic set or a storybook written by either or both parents that stars the child.

Children love getting gifts, but they also

n Surprise the children by transforming a room in the house into a winter wonderland or turning the garden shed into Santa’s grotto.

helps build their empathy and compassion

n Offer a parent’s time, skills and attention in the form of promissory notes or a small token that indicates a future shared experience, such as a jar of homemade marshmallows tied with a label promising a family camping trip.

aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends

love the feeling of giving them, and the holidays are an optimal time to encourage this natural human impulse. Giving muscles, which in turn makes for happier, more fulfilled lives, studies show.

Bridging the hug gap. With grandparents,

jonathan borba/AdobeStock.com

less likely to be sitting around the table

n Give children items that they can use or eat that are handmade by the parents. n Invoke a sense of nostalgia that prompts family storytelling, such as a jigsaw that summons memories of putting together a puzzle with a grandfather 50 years ago. n Celebrate environmental stewardship by planting and growing a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush.

Even gift wrapping can become a fun and eco-smart family game by challenging everyone to creatively repurpose everything from old maps and fabrics to magazines and paper bags, perhaps decorated with artwork and nature finds. If every American family wrapped just three presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However they are wrapped, gifts demonstrate in these unprecedented times that deep joy comes not from acquiring new stuff, but from caring for and giving to each other—especially our children. “In the end, the most precious gift parents can give their children this holiday is their attention, infused with a little bit of festive magic,” says Kempton.

Ronica O’Hara, a Denver-based health writer, can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

this year, having kids open those presents when the loved ones are on the other side of the Zoom or FaceTime screen can help ease the pain of the time apart. Or children can put together a love package for them that includes drawings and notes to be opened on the other end of a livestream

virtual gathering.

Care for the community. “So many families have been devastated by COVID-19 and fires this year. And many of us have become aware of the cost of institutional racism to families of color,” says psychologist Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. “Why not discuss and decide on a family gift to make the world a better place? You could decide how much you would normally have spent on presents and give some portion of that away to help people who are struggling or support a cause that is important to you.”

Simple steps like giving neighbors homemade cookies or candies tied with ribbons can also do much to lift holiday spirits. With her kids, Beth Kempton, author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy, makes up a batch of mince pie to share. “We might be wearing masks, along with Santa hats, and leaving the holiday treats on doorsteps instead of going in our neighbors’ homes this year, but we can still share holiday cheer,” she says. Alexandra Fung, CEO of the parent networking site UpParent.com, says her family in Chicago will provide gift boxes for families in need through their church or a local nonprofit and may work together to make blankets for traumatized and ill children using patterns supplied by the nonprofit Project Linus.

We are the world. Another approach is to give children a small sum to donate, perhaps $10 or $20, and encourage them to find a cause they care about in town or by researching online—from putting money in a Salvation Army Christmas kettle to saving rainforest animals. Or encourage them to find a humanitarian or environmental project to focus on over the holidays. At UpParent.com, kids can find 11 ways to help others around the world without leaving the house, like turning old jeans into shoes to help Ugandan children fight parasites or helping to track animals in the wild. The National Environmental Education Foundation at NeefUSA.org lists dozens of at-home projects for kids, such as doing a home-energy audit, creating a compost pile and helping to identify wildlife caught on camera for a digital database.

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

25

Sing to Heal

USING THE VOICE TO UPLIFT MIND AND BODY

by Marlaina Donato According to growing research, singing along to a favorite musical or joining a local choir can be good for our health. From college students to patients with Parkinson’s disease, everyone can benefit, regardless of talent. Singing naturally fosters endorphins, amps up immunity levels and lowers the stress hormone cortisol. A study by the UK University of East Anglia published in 2017 in The BMJ’s Medical Humanities shows that group singing—along with the positivity of social interaction—supports and improves mental health in people with depression and anxiety. Singing for the Brain, a program created

by The Alzheimer’s Society, has been shown to improve memory, mood and the ability to socialize for people with dementia.

“I feel singing can be significant to mental well-being and healing from an injury or cancer, while in recovery from substance abuse, or to help cope with trauma. Additional benefits may include pain management,” says Tamera Anderson-Hanna, a licensed mental health counselor and the owner of Wellness, Therapy & Yoga, in Miami.

BREATHING INTO SELF-EXPRESSION “When we sing, we dive straight into a conscious bodily experience that brings us into immediate connection with our bodies. Singing, especially repetitive singing where we can start to regulate a breath cycle and elongate it, gets us deeply oxygenated,” says Daisy Press, a professional singer and vocal teacher in New York City.

26

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

There’s no right or wrong way to reap the benefits of music. A few years into her professional career, Press took a group lesson with a North Indian raga teacher and experienced a deep inner shift. “I was allowed to enjoy the feeling of singing that one note and my mind turned off. I felt the intonation itself in my body—in waves, shapes and colors. Intonation itself became a real living energy that felt essentially good, restorative and healing.”

Lea Longo, a Montreal-based meditation mindfulness coach and musician, concurs. “Singing has been my way to relax, not only my mind, but my body, as well. It uses the breath, a vital tool for health. It’s my go-to place to feel better. I just sing when I need a boost, and it works for me.”

essica delp/Unsplash.com

healing ways

RESONANCE, MANTRA AND HUMMING “The voice can be considered a healing tool for the fact that it is directly related to resonance in the body,” explains Longo.

“We can think of our voice as a tuning fork to ‘tune’ ourselves and use it as a way to heal internally through the vibrations and sounds we produce.” Using sound is a subtle energy therapy that can help heal emotional or physical distress, he says Mantra, the recitation of specific words or traditionally sacred chants, is not a religion, but simply a method to quell mental chatter. “Mantras are vibrational tools that can be practiced by any faith or spiritual practice.”

In her work, Anderson-Hanna makes the mantra personal. “I often teach individuals how to create their own mantra and how to challenge their thinking using positive affirmations. The mantra I teach is most often a personal reflection of ‘I am’ statements they can aspire to, versus negative or defeating thoughts.”

Humming, another way to open the voice for healing, is the least intimidating for many people, but packs a powerful punch.

“Out of all the many healing sounds I’ve worked with, I find that humming is the most effective because it is so inclusive— everyone can hum. Physiologically, humming reduces heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. Many different beneficial hormones and chemicals are released, including endorphins, oxytocin, melatonin and nitric oxide,” says Jonathan Goldman, co-author of The Humming Effect and director of the Sound Healers Association, in Boulder, Colorado. “The importance of nitric oxide is coming more into light since it is a vasodilator and has anti-viral qualities.” In addition, humming stimulates the vagus nerve, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity.

Whether we sing children to sleep at night or learn to sing jazz, using our voices can be good medicine. Goldman reminds us, “There are so many different ways that sound can positively shift and change us.”

Marlaina Donato is a recording artist and author. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Starting Off Singing

HUMMING AND SINGING TIPS TO TRY From Tamera Anderson-Hanna, an Uplifting Playlist: “I encourage my clients if they need to boost their mood to create a happy and uplifting playlist to sing or listen to—the same advice I used for myself when healing from breast cancer and experiencing setbacks.”

From Jonathan Goldman, Conscious Humming: “Find a place where you will not be disturbed. Begin by taking some nice deep breaths in and out.

Choose a purpose or intention. Do you want to assist with a headache? Do you want to reduce your stress? Do you want to send this sound to a specific part of your body?

Hum a tone on one note that is comfortable. Do this at least five times so that you can become aware of how the hum is resonating in your head or body, and then hum for five minutes, if possible.

Be in a place of silence for at least a minute or more after you have created the hum and be aware of what you experience. Note: Because the hum has so many powerful effects, people often become lightheaded (and very relaxed) when they practice conscious humming.”

From Lea Longo, Mantra Tips: “If you have never used or chanted a mantra before, I would recommend starting with the universal mantra Aum or Om. It is simple and easy to pronounce. Start with five minutes a day for 30 days and increase the time as you feel fit. As you get more comfortable with the sound of your voice, you will develop a practice and habit. The shower is a great place to start to overcome self-consciousness.”

Being in the same room with people and creating something together is a good thing. ~Robin Williams

Providence Wholistic Healthcare Integrative Natural Family Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine & Homeopathy Personalized Nutrition Bowenwork Functional & Clinical Laboratory Assessment

Dr. Sheila M. Frodermann MS, ND, DHANP, CCH

Naturopathic Physician Certified Classical Homeopath Bowenwork Practitioner

144 Waterman St. / Providence, RI 401.455.0546 www.ProvidenceWholistic.com

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

27

natural pet

Beware of These Troublemakers n Caffeinated products. Gary Richter, a holistic veterinarian in Oakland, California, and author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide, suggests keeping caffeinated drinks and food away from pets. Caffeine contains stimulants called methylxanthines, and pets are much more sensitive to the effects of these substances than humans are. Ingesting even a small amount can make dogs vulnerable to caffeine poisoning, which can cause hyperactivity, panting, elevated heart rate, tremors, seizures and collapse. Seek immediate veterinary care for treatment if these symptoms develop in a dog.

by Tonya Wilhelm Cooking for our pets is a great way to ensure they are eating wholesome, nutritional foods. It’s also a fun way to customize a pet treat recipe to meet specific dietary needs.

These three festive holiday treats will have a dog woofing for more and a cat purring for seconds. Choose organic, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Pumpkins and apples are always at the top of the culinary list for holiday treats. Not only are these two foods safe for pets, they offer health benefits. Both are packed with fiber, which helps dogs feel fuller. It’s also good for digestive and colon health and can yield firmer stool. For the kitty friends, that fiber also helps move hairballs along. In addition, apples contain phytonutrients and flavonoids like quercetin, which are helpful in treating allergies.

The chia seeds in this pet pie not only help firm up the pie, but are packed with nutrients that naturally boost energy. Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are a great source of antioxidants. They also contain minerals, fiber, calcium, protein and vitamins A, B, D and E. Cinnamon and ginger are wonderful spices to use in pet holiday treats. Both of these warming spices improve digestion and soothe the stomach lining. Select Ceylon cinnamon, not cassia cinnamon, because the latter contains higher amounts of coumarin, which can harm the liver and increase the risk of cancer. Ginger may act as a blood thinner, so don’t use it if a dog is going to have surgery or is pregnant. It may also lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so if a dog has heart issues or diabetes, talk to a vet.

When in doubt, leave it out.

28

Rhode Island Edition

RINaturalAwakenings.com

n Raw, yeasty bread dough. This will expand when ingested, potentially causing a deadly twisting of the stomach. n Raisins and grapes. Common in holiday recipes, in large quantities, these can cause kidney failure in dogs. n Nutmeg. A toxin for pets. n Cooked bones. Not only are these choking hazards, they can pose a serious threat to the digestive tract.

smitty/Unsplash.com

Homemade Recipes They Will Love

leah kelleyPexels.com

Holiday Treats for Pets

n Artificial sweeteners. San Diego veterinarian Madison Rose says artificial sweeteners such as xylitol can cause a massive insulin release, leading to acute and profound hypoglycemia, or low-blood sugar, and hypokalemia, or low potassium levels. Marked by lethargy, ataxia, collapse, twitching or seizures, ingestion requires immediate veterinary care.

Pumpkin Apple Pie yield: depends on size of molds

1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin 2 apples 5 eggs 1 cup goat’s milk 2 Tbsp chia seeds 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon 1 tsp ginger Remove and discard the apple core and seeds. Place all ingredients in a mixer and blend. Then set it aside for 10 minutes to allow the chia seeds to begin to expand.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into preferred baking dishes, either for a large pie or small, bite-sized muffins.

Bake approximately 15 minutes for small muffins or 40-60 minutes for a full-sized pie.

Allow the pie to fully cool and set up before slicing and serving. Serve as a special treat to pets. Portion the remaining pie into serving sizes and freeze for later.

Eggnog for Pets Raw eggs can be a healthy addition to any fresh pet diet, assuming the animal doesn’t have an egg allergy. Cow’s milk isn’t the healthiest option for dogs and cats because they don’t tolerate its high level of alpha-s1-casein protein. Goat’s milk is a healthier option because it contains extremely low to no amounts of this protein, allowing better absorption of the nutrients.

4 eggs 2 cups goat’s milk 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon Blend all the ingredients. Either place a few tablespoons in the pet’s dish as a special treat or drizzle over the food.

Alternatively, place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better. Take the remaining eggnog, pour into the molds and place in the freezer. Once frozen, pop out the treats and store them in a glass container in the freezer.

Try serving one frozen treat to each pet every few days.

Turkey Meatballs Making treats for cats can be tricky. The best bet is to head to the meat department. Even the most finicky of kitties will gobble up this healthy treat.

1 lb ground turkey 2 eggs ½ Tbsp dried peppermint Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well-blended. Form into tablespoon balls using your hand or scooper and place on a lined or ceramic cookie sheet.

Country Club for Dogs & Cats Our Mission Statement: Our primary goal is to give your pet a happy and safe boarding experience, this will enable you, our most valued client, to enjoy your time away from home, content that your pet is receiving the best care possible. In providing such top quality boarding and grooming this facility will be his/ her “HOME AWAY FROM HOME”.

Young or Old…Big or Small….

We love them All! 191 Ten Rod Road (Route 102), Exeter

Delmyra.com 401-294-3247

Chiropractic for Body, Mind and Spirit Gentle With

POWERFUL RESULTS

Call to schedule a Complimentary Consultation

WHOLISTIC CHIROPRACTIC CENTER Patricia Hogan-Casey, D.C.

Bake for 20 minutes until meatballs are set (they will be extra eggy). Carefully remove and place on a cooling rack. Serve as a special treat. Place treats in a glass container and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze until ready to serve. Thaw completely before serving.

215 Cottage Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Tonya Wilhelm is a professional dog trainer, spreading the word about positive methods of preventing and managing behavioral issues with a holistic approach. For more information, visit RaisingYourPetsNaturally.com.

Catch the Ocean State’s Wave of Healing

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

4017254380

DrPatOnTheBack.com | December 2020

29

wise words

MATT KAHN ON

Transforming the Planet With Love

by Sandra Yeyati

Author of bestsellers Whatever Arises, Love That and The Universe Always Has a Plan, as well as The Healing Mantra Card Deck, Matt Kahn is a spiritual teacher and empathic healer with a global audience, guiding seekers through in-person events and popular YouTube videos.

What are mantras and how do we use them?

They’re a declaration of our deepest wisdom, highest ideals and most authentic aspirations that we sound into existence as a way of asking the universe for help to embody our next highest level of consciousness. It’s an intention of the person I’m going to become and a request of healing energy from the universe, saying, “Please help me become more of what I declare through my words.” A mantra uses the sound of our voice as vibrational medicine to bring what’s within us out into the open for the purpose of not only transforming our personal circumstances, but improving the quality of the world.

When you say a mantra, it’s embedded in your subconscious mind, which is like a new piece of clothing in your closet. A bunch of other clothes may push it to the background, but the moment you need to wear that article of clothing, it’s going to stick out of the closet and get your attention.

What mantra is resonating for 2021?

No matter what, love always makes it right in the end. If you know that everything 30

Rhode Island Edition

is made right by an infinitely wise, loving source, it relaxes you into being open to the journey and allowing yourself to be as aligned as possible to whatever life brings.

What lessons can we learn from turbulent times?

A big lesson is that desire is not a requirement for happiness. The things that most people desire for comfort or stability have been displaced, whether we’re talking about COVID-19 or the wildfires, for example. But happiness is how content and whole we are with ourselves; the constant needing of things pulls us out of happiness. Perhaps we can discover that just being who we were born to be is what we’ve always desired.

No matter how dark the world seems or how insurmountable the odds appear, this is part of a grand transformation of the planet. We love ourselves to remain safe throughout each step along the way, and we offer kindness, compassion and forgiveness to anyone around us, knowing that anyone acting out of character is just acting from a level of unprocessed pain.

We love ourselves as a way of uplifting the planet, and we bless others as a way of helping to further the evolution of humanity.

RINaturalAwakenings.com

As we learn to be inner light workers and healers, we learn to find complete alignment with spirit no matter how the world ebbs and flows.

What’s the difference between our personal spiritual journeys and what you call ascension?

Ascension is when a certain percentage of the world starts to awaken in consciousness. It’s not just a few awake beings scattered across the globe in a fast-driven, goal-oriented society. It’s a world waking up to its true nature on a collective level.

On an individual journey, we’re healing our wounds, seeing through limiting beliefs, forgiving those who mistreated us and daring to treat ourselves better so that we can become active participants in the community of evolving beings we are creating.

Giving brings us together. Each of us has something unique to contribute through the gift of diversity; together, we accomplish more than we ever could individually.

The individual spiritual path helps clear distractions and awaken your most infinite power, and then you bring that together in community for this potluck of generosity we each get to experience and share.

What is your advice for political protestors in today’s America?

Gandhi would say, “Be about what you’re for, not what you’re against.” When we protest, we’re saying that something isn’t fair and relying on publicly elected officials to do something about it. I think the gathering together of beings can transform from what isn’t fair to what all of our talents and efforts can do together to create solutions. How can we solve this on a communal level? What can we do to peacefully and consciously use all the power within us to create positive, tangible change so we can start living in the world that we envision?

It’s an invitation to quantum-leap out of the identification of problems and into the cultivation of solutions.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

RHODE ISLAND’S

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

RHODE ISLAND’S

CLASSIFIEDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Fee for classifieds is $1 per word per month. To place listing, email content to Info@RINaturalAwakenings.com.

Deadline is the 10th of the month.

For Sale ANGEL OF WATER COLON HYDROTHERAPY SYSTEM FOR SALE — An “open system” where the client can be completely self-sufficient and operate the system alone. The therapist does NOT need to be in the same room or even touch the client.

Priced new it’s $29K. Asking $12K or best offer. Doesn’t include moving costs. The price includes free enrollment into my online Ayurveda Health Counselor Program valued at $3,700 and training on how to use the system. Make easy money, help heal your clients at low covid risk and transform your life! This 14-year-old system is refurbished and located in Newport, RI. Serious inquiries only: Karyn@KarynChabot.com.

KarynChabot.com/colonics MYSTICAL BANNERS — Hand painted wall hangings and altar cloths. Mandalas, Mantras and Angels. Divine designs with a magickal twist. etsy.com/shop/MysticalBanners

Opportunities DISTRIBUTION SITE – Offer your patrons the opportunity to pick up their monthly copy of Natural Awakenings magazine at your business location, and promote your events for free with 2 calendars listings a month. Contact Classifieds@RINaturalAwakenings.com.

Virtual Cooking Class: Pasta e Fagioli Soup – 1-2pm. Presented by Chef Debbie Brosnan, The Effortless Kitchen. Can choose to cook along or just watch. Fun and interactive. Learn not only new recipes, but also pick up valuable kitchen tips and tricks along the way. Limited spots available. All levels of experience; kids welcome. $30/ device. Register: AboutTheJourney.com/ experience/14170/virtual-cooking-classpasta-e-fagioli-soup.

NOTE: All Calendar events must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Visit RINaturalAwakenings.com to SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 for Anxiety Workshop – 12-2pm. submit Calendar events or email Yoga The holiday season can be stressful with Info@RINaturalAwakenings.com increased expectations and obligations.

This class is a great way to restore balance. for guidelines.

Learn yoga postures, breathing exercises, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Unconditional Love Reiki Level 2 – 10am4:30pm. In this class, you will download different Earthy and elemental energies as well as many different symbols. Learn how to provide distance sessions in many different ways. Advanced Animal Communication methods will be shown. $150. Thrive Tribe RI, 172 Taunton Ave, East Providence. MagentaSunHealing.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Healing with Cell Salts – Dec 1 & 8.

6-7:30pm. Join certified Homeopath Vandana Pitke and learn how simple, easy, effective it is to treat various acute and chronic health conditions using cell salts and how to be confident at prescribing them. Cell salts can be used for babies, pregnant and lactating women, elderly people or even pets and plants. is a must. $40/2 live mini-sessions.

Preregistration required: OmHomeopathy. com or call 401-573-3757.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5

CLICK ON rinaturalawakenings.com/ businesses and find all the best local health & wellness

BUSINESSES

Virtual Cooking Class: Butternut Squash Soup – 1-2pm. Presented by Chef Debbie Brosnan, The Effortless Kitchen. Can choose to cook along or just watch. Fun and interactive. Learn not only new recipes, but also pick up valuable kitchen tips and tricks along the way. Limited spots available. All levels of experience; kids welcome. $30/ device. Register: AboutTheJourney.com/ experience/14169/virtual-cooking-classbutternut-squash-soup.

Like us!

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

mudras and restorative yoga postures that help to alleviate stress and anxiety. Essential oils will be diffused and weighted sandbags will be used to enhance your experience of relaxation, release and deep restoration. $25.

Soulshine Center for Yoga and Healing, 1020 Putnam Pk, Chepachet. SoulshineRI.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 An Experience of Yoga Nidra – 2-3pm. Yoga nidra, or yogic sleep, is a specific style of guided meditation that helps relieve stress and can restore the mind-body system’s ability to relax and sleep. There are no poses or movements done. All you need to be able to do is lie down and listen. Offered by Kali Patrick, Sleep Wellness Coach, Therapeutic Yoga & Meditation teacher at A Journey Into Health. $20/person. AJourneyIntoHealth. as.me/yoga-nidra.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training – 10am5pm. This is primarily an in-person training with COVID-19 protocols in place as needed.

Our sessions at Innerlight may be supported by some virtual sessions. Training provides a comprehensive foundation in asana alignment and anatomy, pranayama, meditation, yoga philosophy, teaching methodology, energetics and professional ethics. The core study is classical hatha yoga. Program graduates are ready to begin their yoga teaching career with confidence. $3,000; register by Dec 30 and save $100. Innerlight Center for Yoga & Meditation, 850 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown.

401-849-3200. InnerlightYoga.com.

NARhodeIsland | December 2020

31

RHODE ISLAND’S

ONGOING EVENTS Dates and times may change. Please call ahead to confirm. All ongoing events must be received by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Visit RINaturalAwakenings.com to submit listings.

DAILY

MONDAY

Wickford Art’s Small Works: Holiday Art Show/Sale – Thru Dec 22. 12-3pm, Sun; 12-4pm, Wed-Sat. With works 14 inches and smaller, $300 or less, up to 45 of WAA’s Member-Artists display terrific and unique artwork just in time for holiday gift-giving.

Free gallery admission. Wickford Art Association, 36 Beach S, North Kingstown.

401-294-6840. WickfordArt.org.

Svaroopa® Beginner Yoga Class – 10:30am12pm & 7-8:30pm. With Maria. Dissolve your stress and pain with a deeply relaxing, slowmoving classes. Poses adapted to your body using blankets, props and gentle alignments.

Get profound benefits with minimal effort.

Find ease in your body and a quieter mind.

Beginners welcome. New student special: $55/5 classes. Time for You Yoga, 2155 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland. TimeForYouYoga.com.

SUNDAY Sunday Celebration Service – 10-11am.

Change your thinking and change your life through an hour of uplifting music, affirmative prayer, meditation and an inspiring message. All welcome. Love offering. Concordia Center for Spiritual Living, 292 W Shore Rd, Warwick. Details: 401732-1552, Facebook.com/concordiacsl or ConcordiaCSL.com.

Gentle Yoga with Jaime – 10-11:15am. Great for beginners as well as experienced yogis who enjoy moving at a slower pace. Beginning with a short centering while tuning into breath, followed by a gentle yoga sequence. $15/ class; class passes and discounted classes available. Soulshine Center for Yoga, 1020 Putnam Pk, Chepachet. SoulshineRI.com.

Online Basic/Beginner Yoga with Jenny – 10:30-11:15am. Designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of a yoga practice, including basic postures, safe alignment, transitions, breath and mindful meditation. A variety of modifications and options provided.

Fun, supportive and accessible; class geared towards students who are seeking a place to begin. $5. SoulshineRI.com.

Green Tenderfoot Refill Station – 2-6pm.

1st Sunday. Help us reduce our use of plastic and harsh chemicals by switching to reusables and all-natural products. A variety of zero-waste lifestyle products such as bamboo utensils, reusable bags, metal straws, etc, to help you live a more sustainable life.

Tare your jars or leave your extra jars for a friend. Free. Urban Greens Co-Op, 93 Cranston St, Providence. UrbanGreens.com.

32

Rhode Island Edition

TUESDAY Yoga Sculpt with Elaine – 5:30-6:30pm. A fusion of yoga, Pilates and barre incorporated in a vinyasa-style flow while sculpting and toning your muscles using your own body weight. Focus is to bring functional flexibility and proper alignment back to the body. All levels; modifications always given. $15/class, class passes and discounted classes available. Soulshine Center for Yoga and Healing, 1020 Putnam Pk, Chepachet.

SoulshineRI.com.

WEDNESDAY Svaroopa® Yoga with Maria – 9:30-11am.

Dissolve your stress and pain with a deeply relaxing, slow-moving classes. Poses adapted to your body using blankets, props and gentle alignments. Get profound benefits with minimal effort. Find ease in your body and a quieter mind. Beginners welcome. New student special: $55/5 classes. Time for You Yoga, 2155 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland.

TimeForYouYoga.com.

Basic Yoga with Christine – 7-8:15pm.

Designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of a yoga practice, including basic postures, safe alignment, transitions, breath and mindful meditation. Class is slower paced, and a variety of modifications and options provided to help students find their expression of each pose. $15/class, class passes and discounted classes available.

Soulshine Center for Yoga and Healing, 1020 Putnam Pk, Chepachet. SoulshineRI.com.

RINaturalAwakenings.com

THURSDAY Svaroopa® Yoga with Maria – 9:30-11am.

Dissolve your stress and pain with a deeply relaxing, slow-moving classes. Poses adapted to your body using blankets, props and gentle alignments. Get profound benefits with minimal effort. Find ease in your body and a quieter mind. Beginners welcome. New student special: $55/5 classes. Time for You Yoga, 2155 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland.

TimeForYouYoga.com.

Virtual Class: Fluid Movement Freedom – 12-1pm. Move like the body of water you are in a non-judgmental, supportive, sacred, slower-paced environment. Wear clothes you can move in and choose relaxing, flowing, meditative, oceanic music for your background if you wish. Blend of seated, standing and floor movements. All can be adapted to your comfort level. Sliding scale $0-$10.

Soulisticarts.com/classes.

Mindfulness of Body & Breath – 1-1:30pm.

This 25-min guided meditation will focus on bringing awareness to the body in the present moment. $10/person. AboutTheJourney. com/location/299/true-body-mind-soulcambridge-ma.

Yoga for People Who Think They Can’t Do Yoga – 5-6:15pm. For anyone who has wanted to try yoga but are afraid they’re too inflexible or somehow the wrong shape or size. Props, the wall, pose variations and choices about how to do poses, make this class accessible to everyone. Held in a safe space where all bodies are accepted. $15/ class, class passes and discounted classes available. Soulshine Center for Yoga and Healing, 1020 Putnam Pk, Chepachet.

SoulshineRI.com.

Gentle Yoga with Jaime – 6-7:15pm. Great for beginners as well as experienced yogis who enjoy moving at a slower pace. Beginning with a short centering while tuning into breath, followed by a gentle yoga sequence. $15/ class; class passes and discounted classes available. Soulshine Center for Yoga, 1020 Putnam Pk, Chepachet. SoulshineRI.com.

Adult Virtual Coloring Club for Relaxation – 6:30-8pm. 5th Thursday. Discover the stress-relieving benefits of coloring!. The library will provide soothing music, fun DIY activities and conversation. No registration required. Free. Washington Park Library YouTube channel: YouTube.com/providencecommunitylibrary.

Svaroopa® Yoga with Janice – 7-8:30pm.

Dissolve your stress and pain with a deeply relaxing, slow-moving class. Poses adapted to your body using blankets, props and gentle alignments. Find ease in your body and a quieter mind. Beginners welcome. New student special: $55/5 classes. Time for You Yoga, 2155 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland.

TimeForYouYoga.com.

FRIDAY Hatha Flow with Elaine – 8:30-9:45am.

Includes asanas (poses) for both stretching and strengthening the body, and incorporates breathing and meditative techniques along with flow sequences. Encourage inner exploration and present moment awareness. $15/ class; class passes and discounted classes available. Soulshine Center for Yoga, 1020 Putnam Pk, Chepachet. SoulshineRI.com.

RHODE ISLAND’S

COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE Your source for natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and servces that support a healthy lifestyle.

Akashic Records MEGHAN GREER

Phone Readings 401-378-4234 MeghanGreer19@yahoo.com Empresshealing.me The Akashic Records contain the history of your soul, who are now and what you may become in the future. A reading provides information to guide you. Open to your Record keepers to receive information for your high-

Virtual Basic Yoga with Jenny – 12:151pm. Designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of a yoga practice, including basic postures, safe alignment, transitions, breath and mindful meditation. A variety of modifications and options provided. Fun, supportive and accessible; class geared towards students who are seeking a place to begin. $5. SoulshineRI.com.

est good.

SATURDAY

ASTROLOGY & MYSTICAL CARD READER

Flow & Restore with Christina – 4-5:15pm.

This combination class will begin with gentle warm ups transitioning to a slow-paced vinyasa sequence linking movement with breath; followed by restorative poses allowing for stillness, release and reflection. $15/class; class passes and discounted classes available.

Soulshine Center for Yoga and Healing, 1020 Putnam Pk, Chepachet. SoulshineRI.com.

JANUARY

Astrology & Mystical Card Reader Karyn Chabot, M. Ay, LMT, RYT 401-680-3934 Karyn@karynchabot.com Sacredstonehealing.com

Need some clarity? Let’s decode your soul’s blueprint using Vedic astrology, numerology and the sacred deck of playing cards to discover your truest self, soul contracts, past, parallel and future lives, and windows of time for love, divorce, new careers, relocations, health, money and happiness. I am the owner of Sacred Stone School, a Certified Spiritual Counselor, Healer, Mystic and Messenger of Light. See ad on page 11.

Health & Wellness on a Budget

Ayurvedic Health Practitioner AYURVEDIC HEALTH PRACTITIONER

Karyn Chabot, M. Ay, LMT, RYT 401-680-3934 Karyn@karynchabot.com Sacredstonehealing.com

What’s your dosha? Receive a full assessment of your health from a holistic perspective using the time-proven diagnostic methods and remedial measures from one of the world’s top three internationally recognized medical systems: Ayurveda. Let’s tailor a specific diet, yoga, breath, herbs, mantra and changes in your daily routines for radiant health. I am a Vedic Medical Astrologer (18 years) with a master’s degree in Ayurvedic Medicine (23 years), a Mystic and the Owner of Sacred Stone School.

See ad on page 11.

Chiropractic NETWORK SPINAL ANALYSIS

Patricia Hogan-Casey, DC Wholistic Chiropractic Center 215 Cottage St, Pawtucket 401-725-4380 • DrPatOnTheBack.com Dr. Patricia Hogan-Casey, using Network Spinal Analysis, has witnessed profound effects on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels of her patients. The gentle precise touches to the spine initiate the removal of interference to the nervous system’s tension and function—essentially cueing the brain to develop new strategies to experience greater wellbeing. See ad on page 29.

Plus: Holistic Hospital Care

Find holiday recipes in the Conscious Eating and Recipe section at RINaturalAwakenings.com.

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

| December 2020

33

DR. RICHARD PICARD

342 Atwood Avenue Cranston, RI 401-942-6967 DrRichardPicard.com

With 25 years of experience, Dr. Picard has helped thousands of patients recover from various health challenges with chiropractic care. Dr. Picard is unique; he looks at the body from a holistic perspective and focuses on wellness. He provides traditional nutrition and natural medicine to help heal the tissues of the body that are in need of repair.

This in combination with chiropractic care creates a dynamic healing response within the body. Don’t deal with your pain and health challenges alone, call someone who cares.

RENEW FAMILY WELLNESS

Dr. Jesse Steinberg 201 Waterman Ave East Providence, RI 401-284-8278 RenewFamilyWellness.janeapp.com Dr. Jesse is a gentle, holistic Chiropractor with a Reiki Master’s touch. His passion is helping children and families be their brightest, happiest, healthiest selves. His calling and purpose is to release the interference to the expression of our infinite potential. He serves with Love, Joy, wit and wisdom.

Handmade Soaps & Skin Care NEW BEDFORD SOAP COMPANY

NewBedfordSoapCompany.com

We have been making soap for over 10 years and have over 60 blends.

We have scrubs, face, hand & foot creams, fragrance stones, along with perfume sticks, lip & cuticle balms. We also have dog shampoo and balms.

Open daily 10 to 4 M-F Saturdays 10-2 when not at shows.

JANUARY

Plus: Health & Wellness on a Budget

34

Rhode Island Edition

Health Food Store

Hypnosis Training

NATURE’S GOODNESS

GREATER RHODE ISLAND HYPNOSIS TRAINING

510 East Main Rd, Middletown, RI 401-847-7480 facebook.com/NaturesGoodness NaturesGoodnessRI.com Since 1984 we have been providing the finest quality Natural & Organic Whole Foods including many Gluten Free products, Natural Body Care, Athletic Supplements & Protein Powders, Incense, Smudging Supplies and Candles made with Essential Oils, Natural Pet Care Food & Supplements and Healthful Information in a fun, comfortable and inspirational environment. Open Daily M-F 9:30-6:30, Sat 9:30-5:30, Sun 11-4. View our web site and Facebook for upcoming events and educational information.

Holistic Guidance SOUL WISDOM READINGS WITH CHRIS 401-662-6642 SoulWisdomTarot.com

Empower your life and discover the wisdom of your Soul! Soul Wisdom Tarot and Soul Wisdom Healing with Cris McCullough offers Holistic Tarot, Numerology, Spiritual Astrology, Shamanic Healing by phone and Zoom by appointment. Call 401-662-6642. Virtual classes in Tarot and Shamanism forming now.

Homeopathy VANDANA PITKE

Om Homeopathy, It’s My Health, Cumberland Above All Holistic, Cranston 401-573-3757 • OmHomeopathy.com With 12+ yrs experience in classical Homeopathy Vandana Pitke has helped many clients restore and achieve health. Vandana is a certified classical homeopath. She looks at the symptoms from a holistic perspective focusing on mind and body. She also incorporates ayurvedic nutrition and Mudra meditation in her practice, which makes healing faster, better and from within when combined with homeopathy. Go to omhomeopathy.com or join Facebook group My Holistic Health. See ad on page 11.

John Koenig, Certified Instructor 401-374-1890 John.Koenig.Hypnotist@live.com GreaterRhodeIslandHypnosisTraining. com Help people change and earn income as a Certified Hypnotist.

100 Hour National Guild of Hypnotists Certifications Course next class starts January 2020, get on the waiting list today. $400, early enrollment discount. Call today to see if this is the right course for you.

Interfaith Minister REV. NATALIA DEREZENDES, RSCP

The New Seminary, NYC 2009 401-323-7664 NataliadeRezendes@gmail.com Facebook: Slatersville RI Center for Spiritual Living Teaching Chapter @ OneVoice Slatersvillericsl.com

Visit us at our new website so that you may know of services rendered here in Slatersville .

Toltec Wisdom Teaching, The Four Agreements, CSL course curriculum, virtual and on location, personalized wedding officiant services (trilingual Portuguese, Spanish and English,), small wedding venue, seasonal healing rituals, memorials, funerals, spiritual growth workshops, private spiritual support sessions, Zentangle classes, Vintage Vocal coaching MM NEC ‘78.

Licensed Naturopathic Physicians DR. SHEILA M. FRODERMANN

Providence Wholistic Healthcare 144 Waterman St, Providence, RI 401-455-0546 ProvidenceWholistic.com

Licensed Naturopathic Physician, Certified Classical Homeopath, and Bowenwork Practitioner. Practicing integrative natural medicine for 23 years; specializing in a holistic and individualized approach towards optimizing health and wellness for women and older adults with chronic illness, chronic disease, and chronic pain. See ad on page 27.

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

401-709-2473 RINaturalAwakenings.com

Wig & Wellness

Mediumship MEDIUM AND INTUITIVE PSYCHIC READER Lisa Ashton, R.N. The Psychic RN 401-500-1908 lla24@cox.net NorthernLights.one

Readings by phone or Zoom. You Tube Channel - Lisa Ashton Psychic Medium. I specialize in mediumship readings, and connect to your loved ones, family and friends, that have passed. It brings such a sense of closure and peace to know they are safe and they are around you. You have the opportunity to speak to them as well. Meet your own guardian angels and speak to them about your career path, life, love, and future. I also do house harmonizations. Phone reading or in person.

Organic Hair Color ELAYNE HEWITT

Master Colorist/Stylist Riverside, RI 401-273-7005 ElayneOrganic@gmail.com A full service green salon that’s Certified Organic for hair color, straightening/ relaxing, permanent wave. No Ammonia, parabens, plastics or Thioglycolates. Call today for an appointment! 50% Off all new clients only.

Shamanic Practitioner ENERGY-N-ELEMENTS

Paul A. DiSegna 401-736-6500 Energy-N-Elements.com

Are you feeling stuck, stressed or disconnected? I will assist you in releasing energy blocks and guide you to experience the comfort and peace that comes with power and soul retrieval. “My intension is to improve my client’s health and well being.” Call for your appointment today.

Wellness Center IT’S MY HEALTH

Marie Bouvier-Newman 1099 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI 401-305-3585 • Its-My-Health.com We provide much more than products, services and education. We provide the tools you need to optimize your health in a comfortable environment. We care. See ad on page 11.

DONNA OUELLETTE

Yoga Therapy GO SLOWLY

Evolve Nutrition & Vitality; Wig Boutique, Safe, Toxin-Free Skin Care and Make-up Cranston-Johnston, RI 401-578-5879 Evolve-Nutrition-Vitality.com

Jorge C. Armesto, Ph.D., Ed.M., RYT 845 North Main St., STE 6, Providence, RI 781-724-9007 GoSlowly.com

Certified in Functional Nutrition. Boutique has a full line of wigs and accessories to help with hair loss, health and wellness products, an 8-wk “Power to Feel your Best” class based on each individual’s needs, essential oils classes and “make and take” essential oil parties. Free consultation by appointment!

Therapy on the Mat: Change how you relate to body, heart, and mind.

Yoga therapy helps you befriend your body, hold difficult experiences with compassion, relieve stress, regulate emotions, and cultivate joy. Dr. Armesto offers individual yoga therapy sessions on a donation basis. Online sessions available. Please visit GoSlowly.com for more information.

Yoga SOULSHINE CENTER FOR YOGA AND HEALING

Kaleena Roch 1020 Putnam Pike Chepachet RI SoulshineRI.com

At Soulshine, we are committed to providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere that allows for exploration of mind, body and spirit.

We are dedicated to building a community that grows and evolves together. We offer morning and evening yoga classes, private reiki appointments, children’s classes and more!

TIME FOR YOU YOGA

Maria Sichel, RYT, CSYT 2155 Diamond Hill Rd Cumberland, RI 02864 401-305-5319 Maria@TimeForYouYoga.com TimeForYouYoga.com I offer private Svaroopa® yoga therapy sessions tailored to meet your needs. I am specially trained in treating pain - including back pain and neck and shoulder issues. Yoga Therapy is more powerful than weekly yoga classes and moves you more quickly toward health and well being.

My students experience pain relief, greater mobility, improved sleep, easier breathing, deep relaxation, increased flexibility, and a deep sense of peace.

make a change

Nothing is so potent as the silent influence of a good example. ~James Kent

where healthy is an option...

Mention this ad for a FREE consultation and examination

Offering chiropractic care with a holistic approach We look forward to joining you on your path to a healthy lifestyle!

McArdle Chiropractic and Wellness Center 2220 Plainfield Pike, Cranston

For more info, visit: RINaturalAwakenings.com Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

(401) 383-3400

drcatie@mcardlechiropractic.com

www.mcardlechiropractic.com | December 2020

35