Natural Awakenings S Houston / Galveston January 2017

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

Complimentary Copy

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

WEIGHT-

Glow

LOSS

ON

Saboteurs

Tackling Obesity’s Hidden Causes

Inner Health, Outer Beauty

Making Alternatives Affordable

Fitness

2017

The Right Coverage for Our Needs

New Years Resolutions

Special Needs

Helping Kids Succeed in School

Instant

CALM Via a Simple Technique

January 2017 | South Houston/Galveston Edition | NA-SETexas.com natural awakenings

January 2017

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letterfrompublisher

contact us Publisher Roxanne Pirooz Editorial Manager Sara Blumenfeld Graphic Design & Layout Patrick Floresca Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo

I

don’t know about you, but many folks I have spoken with have told me that 2016 was a rough year for them. Between floods and tornadoes, police and civilian shootings, relationship and family challenges, and the election, it has been rough for many, and admittedly for myself too. So it is with a sense of relief, I loving let 2016 go for myself and all others I know have had a tough year. Transition and growth are always a bit challenging. We now move on to 2017 – which from what I have seen in the past few months, declare will be a GREAT year!

Every month, our Natural Awakenings community is growing. We are happy to continue to bring you relevant and important healthy information every month. Local healthy businesses and services help us make this available every month. Thank you for being a part of the publication, and please let us know if there are articles or businesses you love in our publication.

We start this year with a focus on supporting your physical health, with weight loss and exercise ideas. When you are physically healthier, your mind and inspiration for ideas & action to create the life you love are activated. So wishing you all a Wonderful New Year taking you in the direction of your hopes & dreams!

Accounting Michele Valerio Administrative Manager Pat Delgado Sales & Marketing Roxanne Pirooz Natural Awakenings of Southeast Texas P.O. Box 3603, Houston, TX 77253 Phone: 409-939-8156 NA-SETexas.com Roxanne@NA-SETexas.com Follow us on: Facebook.com/nasetexas

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contents 6

6 newsbriefs 9 eventspotlights 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 14 inspiration 10 15 ecotip 19 healthykids 20 healingways 22 fitbody 24 greenliving 26 consciouseating 15 28 calendar 29 classifieds 30 resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 409-939-8156 or email Roxanne@NA-SETexas.com.

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

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14 SKY HIGH

A Simple Gaze Invokes the Infinite

by Sandy C. Newbigging

16 WEIGHT-LOSS SABOTEURS

Tackling Obesity’s 20 Hidden Causes

by Lisa Marshall

19 STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Advocating Successful Learning Environments

by Maria Adolphs

20 AFFORDABLE

COMPLEMENTARY CARE Alternatives to Insurance Cost Less

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by Meredith Montgomery

22 FITNESS 2017

New Year’s Resolutions that Stick

by Aimee Hughes

24 HOLISTIC DERMATOLOGY Inner Health, Radiant Skin

by Linda Sechrist

26 GRAIN FREE &

BRAIN BRIGHT

How Wheat, Carbs and Sugar

are Affecting Your Brain Health

by Linda Sechrist

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NA-SETexas.com natural awakenings

January 2017

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newsbrief ACU of Texas sponsors Local Cancer Fundraising Event

New Local Non-Profit Offering Healing Classes & Retreats

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ssociated Credit Union of Texas and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation host their 2nd Annual Brave the Shave for Kids Cancer event in League City on March 4. Brave the Shave is the region’s largest fundraiser to help children and families impacted by pediatric cancer. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, along with ACU of Texas, have helped raise over $2 million for children battling the deadly disease. The event will be held at the ACU of Texas corporate branch, 1095 W. League City Parkway from 10am to 3pm.

Register now to become part of this annual event by shaving your head, volunteer or donate. For more information, visit StBaldricks.org/events/ACUTX. Associated Credit Union of Texas is a community credit union that offers quality financial services to Galveston, Brazoria and Harris county residents. For more than 60 years, ACU of Texas has worked to develop life-long relationships with their members. They have sponsored many events like blood drives and mobile mammography screenings. They focus much of their community outreach on the heroes in the area--first responders, active military personnel, and Veterans-through regular events like Coffee with the Cops, or lunch for police departments and fire stations.

As a state chartered credit union, federally insured by the National Credit Union Insurance Fund, ACU of Texas is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing services in a caring, professional manner while maintaining a strong financial base. They return profits to their members in the form of lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and improved service.

For more information, visit ACUTX.org. See add, page 27.

New Specialty Tea Shop in Clear Lake

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he Tea Mistress, LLC is a new specialty purveyor of specialty gourmet tea, coffee, chocolate, teaware, tiny teapot jewelry and tea accessories.

On Sunday, January 8th, a special tea tasting event is taking place in the shop. This event is open to the public to sample teas with a small suggested donation, which goes to support the Lone Star Houston Tea Festivall.

Amanda Vermillion is the owner of this unique shop. She holds a Tea Mastery Certification from the American Tea Masters Association and a New World Tea Certification from I-TEI. Amanda has extensive event planning expertise and is available for speaking engagements, tea tastings, tea and food pairings and small tea parties.

She also provides consulting services and tea classes for restaurants and their staff.

Tea offers a number of health benefits. It contains antioxidants and has less caffeine than coffee. Tea may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, while helping to speed up the metabolism and aid with weight loss. While green and black teas do have some caffeine, herbals such as rooibos, mint and chamomile are entirely caffeine free.

Location: 17000 El Camino Real, Suite 102B, Houston (Clear Lake). For more information, visit TheTeaMistress.com, or call 832-703-0823. See ad, page 26.

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he Center for Mind Body Health, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the Clear Lake area, aims to help people restore and renew the human body and mind through education, transformation, and healing utilizing group retreats and ongoing community classes.

Founder and Executive Director Gwen Brehm, M.Ed., LPC, says, “The two main missions of the Center for Mind Body Health are first to teach people healing modalities that they can use on their own to improve their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and second to support the local community through offering healing programs and classes to enhance the overall well-being of the individuals and the community as a whole.”

Examples of upcoming programs include Mindful Self-Compassion Training (beginning January 19 downtown or February 28 in the Clear Lake area), Outsmarting Anxiety (beginning February 1), and a weekend Renew and Restore Retreat for Women (February 24-26).

In addition to group opportunities, individual sessions with a licensed therapist are also available for more private guidance.

Location: 17300 El Camino Real, Suite 107D, Houston. For more information, visit CenterForMindBodyHealth.org or call 832-741-0266.

Alkaline Water “On Tap” in Seabrook

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ater Tree by the Bay offers the community a variety of ways to get clean water, and different options, at a competitive price. Alkaline water is relatively new on the market, and when consumed, moves the body to a more alkaline pH offering many health benefits. Many bottled waters are slightly acidic. When the body is more alkaline than acidic, disease cannot live, so staying in a more alkaline state is healthier overall.

Many places offer bottled alkaline water, but Water Tree by the Bay, has a unique system that filters their water six times before being run through a reverse osmosis systems. Because this process strips everything out of the water, including essential minerals the body needs, a ceramic conversion process runs the water over mineral coated ceramic balls replacing over 100 minerals and mimicking river water running over stones in nature. This not only replaces necessary minerals, but also alkalizes the water before being made available to consumers through a “tap”. The store offers one, two, three and five gallon containers that may be refilled, or customers may bring their own. A one gallon refill of alkaline water “on tap” is one dollar, compared to spring water prices in stores for sometimes double the price.

Hydrogen water is a new offering, and is essentially an additional hydrogen atom to the H2O molecule. Basically, hydrogen functions as an antioxidant in the body to prevent cell damage and inflammation, protect DNA and combat outof-control cell growth. Because “free” hydrogen (not bound to other molecules) is rare and evaporate quickly as a gas, having extra hydrogen in water provides a way to make it easier for our cells to use.

Store hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from noon to 6pm, and Saturday 11am to 3:30pm. Location: 3538 E NASA Parkway, Seabrook. For more information, call 281-917-1316. See ad, page 25.

Friendswood Pilates Studio Open House

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n Saturday, January 28, Bay Area Pilates is having an Open House from 1-3 pm to introduce the community to its classes and equipment. This will include 2 free 30 minute Reformer classes and 1 free 30 minute Core Conditioning class.

Bay Area Pilates offers private and small group fitness classes for increased balance and flexibility, enhanced core strength and stability, and improved posture. Using a variety of equipment, including the Reformer and the Spring Wall, the trained instructors work with each client to achieve maximum benefits and results.

Owner Cristie Anton became a certified instructor with STOTT PILATES® in 2002, which uses modern exercise science to ensure programs that are innovative, versatile and effective. “It works every muscle in your body and leaves you feeling refreshed and invigorated. It’s a great way to start the new year by taking better care of your body,” says Anton.

Throughout the month of January, get $15 off a package of 3 private Pilates training sessions by entering coupon code NATURALAWAKENINGS9 at check out.

For more information, visit BayAreaPilatesTX.com or call 281-797-6442. See ad, page 22.

Specialty Grocery Store Offers Healthy Food and Knowledgeable Staff

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ince the early 1980s, Health Food Cottage has been serving the Bay City Community with a wide variety of vitamin and mineral supplements, specialty groceries (ever tried banana milk?), and vegan selections. Heather Hilliard, the owner for the past two years, loves to support the local community through the store. They participate in community holiday events (there was a long line of trick-ortreaters at Halloween). A local farmer comes by every Thursday for customers to pick up their produce shares.

Customer Barbara says, “I am very appreciative of the selection at the Health Food Cottage! I had been there to buy supplements and prenatal vitamins, but when I started a Whole30 diet I realized how much their grocery selection was going to help! Ghee, almond butter, compliant spaghetti sauce, etc. Items I could have only found by going to Houston or ordering online I was able to find at this gem.”

Special orders are available, and they mail to customers out of the area.

First responders and military personnel always receive a 10% discount, and everyone receives 10% off on Tuesdays (20% off on the third Tuesday). As an added bonus, Health Food Cottage has an in-house bistro, Cafe Roux, offering authentic creole food.

Location: 1840 7th Street, Bay City.

Follow Health Food Cottage on Facebook to learn about new products, discounts, and community events, or call 979-245-3833. See CRG listing, page 30.

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January 2017

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eventspotlights New Project for Kids Teaches Stewardship of Nature

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nity Bay Area faith community, located in League City and serving the greater Clear Lake and Galveston County areas, introduces Pathways, an innovative education and greenspace development program. Pathways pro-

motes the responsible use of the earth’s resources and ecosystems, and a major facet of the project is a curriculum for students aged 11-18.

The Unity Bay Area grounds are the perfect place for this program, as it already provides multiple areas for the general public to get in touch with nature. A vegetable and fruit garden is tended by master gardeners. A prayer and meditation garden adjoins a tranquil pond. Near the gardens is the foundation of what soon will become a Chartres-style labyrinth that will be available for all who wish a meditative walk.

The Pathways project classes will be held one Saturday per month, beginning January 28. The hands-on project will culminate with the development and building of an outdoor classroom as a platform for teaching practical and useful skills for creating a shared sense

of community and responsibility for natural resources. The project is generously funded through a community partnership grant with Dow Chemical Company Foundation’s Charitable Donations Division.

For more information or to register for classes, call 281-554-2450 or email PathwaysUnityBayArea@gmail.com.

See ad, page 15.

January Discount Offered for Summer Veteran’s Retreat in France

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fro Yoga International is hosting a Reboot Recharge Retreat for Vets in the French countryside July 22-27 and are offering a discount for those who register in January. In addition, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Expedition Balance, a non-profit organization serving Veterans with PTSD. The retreat includes six days and five nights at Praana Wellness Retreat Center in Chez Vallee, one massage, one reflexology session, healthy meals, yoga sessions, meditation sessions, an introduction to Ayurveda, a Cognac facility tour, and lunch on an exclusive beach. A couples discount is also available.

Afro Yoga owner Alicia Dugar says, “Readers of Natural Awakenings magazine can support Veterans by wholly or partially sponsoring a Veteran so they can enjoy this well-deserved respite from everyday stress.” To sponsor a Vet, email Alicia@AfroYogaInternational.com.

Alicia is an internationally certified yoga instructor whose experience with Veterans began with her Marine Corps family. She teaches at Yoga One in Pearland and volunteers with the Military Veterans Peer Network and Expedition Balance. Amanda Graham, a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of counseling experience, owns the Praana Wellness Center where the retreat will be held, and is co-host of the event.

Retreat fee is $1500 (mention Natural Awakenings magazine to receive a $100 discount past the normal January 5 deadline). For more information, visit AfroYogaInternational.com. See CRG Listing, page 31. natural awakenings

January 2017

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healthbriefs

Ayurvedic Program Improves Blood Chemistry

Early-to-Bed Kids at Less Risk of Obesity

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esearch from the Ohio State University College of Public Health, in Columbus, suggests that the risk of childhood obesity, a growing concern in the U.S., can be reduced by putting children to bed before 8 p.m.

The researchers examined reports from mothers of 977 4-and-a-half-year-old children born in 1991 regarding their typical weekday bedtimes. The answers were divided into three categories: 8 p.m. or earlier, between 8 and 9 p.m. and later. Responses were compared to the obesity levels of the same children at an average age of 15.

Of the group with the earliest bedtime, comprising about 25 percent of the subjects, only one in 10 were obese, compared to 16 percent of those with childhood bedtimes between 8 and 9 p.m., representing 50 percent of the subjects. The youngsters that went to bed the latest reported a 23 percent obesity rate, the highest overall.

Dr. Meena Khan, a sleep medicine specialist at the university’s Wexner Medical Study Center, comments about the challenge of maintaining proper bedtimes: “Kids do well with a schedule and a routine.”

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Early Job Satisfaction Supports LongTerm Health

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clinical trial from the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine found that participants in a six-day, ayurvedic-based, well-being program showed metabolic improvements in blood tests for inflammation, cardiovascular disease risk (CDR) and cholesterol levels.

Study participants consisted of 119 healthy men and women between the ages of 30 and 80. Sixty-five experienced a panchakarma program, a detox and rejuvenation protocol involving a vegetarian diet, meditation, yoga, massage, herbal therapy and other healing therapies. The other 54 served as a control group. Blood was analyzed before and after the test period.

The researchers, led by Dr. Deepak Chopra, found measurable decreases in 12 phosphatidycholines (cell-membrane chemicals) associated with cholesterol, inflammation, CDR and Type 2 diabetes risk. They acknowledge that due to the short duration of the trial, the immediate changes were likely attributable to the vegetarian diet; more research is needed to determine the complementary role of the other therapies.

“It appears that a one-week panchakarma program can significantly alter the metabolic profile of the person undergoing it,” remarks Chopra.

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esearchers from Ohio State University, in Columbus, started with data from 6,432 participants in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, conducted in 1979, to study the impact that early job satisfaction has upon health as we age. The new study examined reports of job satisfaction on a scale of one (dislike very much) to four (like very much) for participants between the ages of 25 and 39. Then they compared the responses to mental and physical health reports measured after the participants turned 40.

Those that reported low job satisfaction throughout their 20s and 30s exhibited higher levels of emotional problems, depression, sleep problems and excessive worry. Individuals that started out satisfied with their jobs but became less satisfied over time also faced sleep and anxiety difficulties, but exhibited less depression. The participants that reported increasing job satisfaction in their 20s and 30s reported fewer mental health problems.

The correlation between physical health after 40 and early job satisfaction was not as strong, but university associate professor of sociology Hui Zheng notes, “Increased anxiety and depression could lead to cardiovascular or other health problems that won’t show up until they are older.”

Exercise in Midlife Helps Preserve Mental Sharpness

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study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in July confirms that physical activity in midlife can help reduce the chances of developing cognitive impairment in old age. Scientists studied data on the physical activity levels from 3,050 twins in Finland given questionnaires in 1975 and 1981.

A phone interview more than 25 years later served as a follow-up cognitive evaluation, and the subjects were divided into three categories: cognitively impaired, suffering mild cognitive impairment or cognitively healthy. Individuals that participated in vigorous physical activity when they were middle-aged displayed lower levels of cognitive impairment compared to those that did less vigorous exercise.

Parents Use Complementary Health Care for Kids

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THE YOGA HAVEN

Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

he 2012 National Health Interview Survey, published in 2015, included a survey on the use of complementary medicine practices. Nearly 45,000 Americans were questioned, including more than 10,000 children between the ages of 4 and 17.

The survey found that nearly 12 percent of children had used complementary medicine, either in a practice or product, during the year studied. The most common form of alternative medicine among children was natural supplements, such as fish oil, probiotics and melatonin. Chiropractic care and yoga were also popular choices.

Researchers found that parents sought complementary approaches most often for children due to back or neck pain, musculoskeletal conditions, colds, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or insomnia.

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

Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock.com

Reforesting India

Massive Tree-Planting Against Climate Change

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Indian officials report that volunteers planted more than 49 million trees on a single day in 2016, surpassing the 2013 world record of 850,000 in Pakistan. An estimated 800,000 volunteers worked for 24 hours planting 80 species of saplings raised in local nurseries along roads, railways and other public land.

The effort is part of the commitment India made at the Paris Climate Conference in December 2015. The country agreed to spend $6 billion to reforest 12 percent of its land and bring the total forest cover to 235 million acres by 2030, or about 29 percent of its territory.

Trees sequester carbon dioxide from the air and reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. India has experienced substantial loss of its forest cover in recent centuries as people cut down trees for firewood, pasture and development. Still, saplings need water and care and are susceptible to disease. Mortality rates can reach 40 percent after such massive tree plantings.

Other countries are also replanting trees. Last December, African nations pledged to reforest 100 million hectares (386 square miles). A wide range of stakeholders from countries to companies also signed on to the non-binding New York Declaration of Forests that month, with the goal of halving deforestation by 2020 and ending it by 2030.

Airline Air

Recirculating Jet Air Linked to Illness

Protecting Pollinators

Maryland Bans Bee-Killing Pesticides Maryland is the first state in the nation to pass strict restrictions on pesticides thought to be responsible for significant reductions in bee populations with enactment of its Pollinator Protection Act. Maryland lost more than 60 percent of its hives in 2015, each containing up to 20,000 honeybees, making it one of the states with the highest recorded declines. The national average is about 42 percent, yet across the country, farmers and gardeners are still using pesticides linked to colony collapse disorder. Globally, more than one-third of the world’s food supply could be at risk if these and other pollinators are lost.

Neonicotinoids are one potent class of systemic pesticides introduced to agriculture in the 1990s that have been linked to bees’ demise. In recent years, pesticides such as Knockout Ready-to-Use Grub Killer, Ortho Bug B Gon, and AllIn-One Rose & Flower Care have been made available to consumers and beekeepers have noticed a corresponding increase in bee deaths.

The Maryland law bans the use of neonicotinoids by everyday consumers that have been spraying home gardens and trees with these deadly pesticides. Farmers and professional gardeners are exempt from the law. A similar law is awaiting the governor’s signature in Connecticut. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not officially recognized the well-researched link, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing it.

Source: BeyondPesticides.org

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Source: National Geographic

Aerotoxic syndrome is the medical term for the illness caused by exposure to contaminated air in jet aircraft, and it’s causing that ailment, plus the permanent disability and even death of airline employees and passengers. Whistleblowers have been met with ridicule and termination. The problem has been called the “asbestos of the airline industry” by critics. French scientist Jean-Cristophe Balouet, Ph.D., who discovered the syndrome in 1999, thinks it may have already affected 250,000 pilots, cabin crew and passengers worldwide.

In 1963, aircraft moved from drawing fresh air into the cabin to “bleeding” part of it from the engines. The synthetic oil used by jets contains organophosphates used in pesticides and nerve gas, and was banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for residential use in 2001 because of known toxicity.

The byproducts of these carcinogenic organophosphates can also include aldehydes and carbon monoxide.

Airplane seals wear out and there are no chemical sensors onboard aircraft to detect fumes— only noses to detect the “dirty sock” odor. The Aerotoxic Association continues to push for air quality detectors on all planes and the Cabin Air Quality Act sponsored by California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

For more information, visit Aerotoxic.org.

Website Screens Packaging for Toxin Although food manufacturers have pledged to voluntarily eliminate bisphenol A (BPA)—an endocrine disruptor linked to developmental problems in fetuses, infants and children—in their packaging materials, it’s still found in the lining of many canned goods.

Recent testing by an advocacy group found BPA in 70 percent of nearly 200 samples, including products from Campbell and Kroger, which have joined the pledge.

“It’s in beer, coffee, tea, energy drinks and aerosol cans for whipped cream... it’s everywhere,” says Samara Geller, a database and research analyst with the Environmental Working Group (EWG). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, BPA is safe at the levels people are exposed to via canned foods, but many consumers would rather not take the risk.

Consequently, EWG created a new tool to help consumers avoid the 16,000 products that may have BPA in their packaging. The numbers listed on package UPC codes can be compared against the database at Tinyurl.com/EWG-BPA-Lookup.

“Our main goal was to get this out quickly to as many people as possible,” says Geller. “The UPC code is really your best defense to finding out what they’re talking about,” because product names can change.

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natural awakenings

January 2017

13

SKY HIGH A Simple Gaze Invokes the Infinite

by Sandy C. Newbigging

I

Iakov Kalinin/Shutterstock.com

inspiration

magine being outside on a sunny day, looking at a clear, blue sky. It’s natural to feel calm and wonderful while contemplating this expansive view.

Then a solitary bird flies across our field of vision. Noticing it takes our attention away from the stillness of the sky to instead track its movement as it flies by. Then we start thinking about the bird: “I wonder where it’s coming from and going?

Why is it alone? Has it lost its mate?” At that point, we are no longer feeling calm, but concerned.

Inside of each of us, right now, there is a “big blue sky” of awareness with all kinds of “birds” flying around, including thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and anything in the external world that catches our attention.

Attaining a consistent inner calm is possible by learning to be more interested in and attentive to the conscious awareness

that is calmly observing what’s going on in our thinking, emotions, bodily sensations and life. We can live permanently engaged with this awareness and the inner dominion it contains instead of being helplessly caught up in the content of our own or others’ thinking or emotion, which are often conditioned by the world to be more negative than positive.

As we mature in this skill, we discover that such awareness is always still, silent, peaceful, powerful, unlimited and infinite. It reflects who we really are as opposed to who we think we are. Through practice, it becomes our natural way of being and we awake to an excellent way of living

To experience this, try the Gently Alert Attention Wide Open (GAAWO) technique. Look at something that’s straight ahead while simultaneously letting the gaze gently open up wider, looking neither left nor right, using passive peripheral vision. Now do the same with up and down, so gentle alertness encompasses an even greater scope. As we do this, we will likely notice that our thoughts are stilled and we feel more present, calm and quiet than a moment earlier.

This simple technique works for everyone. By playing with it regularly, we can discover that a sense of peace never leaves us; rather, we leave our innate, peaceful center when we focus on and feel the to and fro movements of our mind. Exchanging typical thinking for staying in a conscious state of awareness helps us to unchain our being from limiting views and perspectives, so that we live more freely.

Sandy C. Newbigging is the creator of Calmology principles and techniques, including the transformative GAAWO. He offers a 12-week Calmology foundation course at CalmClan.com. Connect at SandyNewbigging.com.

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For more information about Rae Chandran, visit RaeChandran.com

ecotip

HERB of the month

Making Feeders Safe for Wild Birds Feeding wild birds helps fuel them and provides viewing pleasure, yet a communal feeder may hold hidden risks, reports a recent study in Ecology Letters.

In reviewing 20 published research papers on host/pathogen interactions in human-fed wild populations, researchers at the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology, in Athens, found that intentional feeding changed their behavior and diet enough to foster potentially harmful growth of parasites and viruses.

“Feeders can bring unexpected species and more birds together more frequently than normal, facilitating conditions for parasites and other contaminates,” says lead researcher Daniel Becker. Birds crowding into tight spaces to reach tasty morsels also makes it easier for pathogens like house finch eye disease and respiratory ailments to be passed among them.

Maintain cleanliness. Stephen Kress, director of the National Audubon Society’s Project Puffin, advises that safe bird feeding includes completely scrubbing out feeders with a 10 percent non-chlorinated bleach solution at least a few times a year, and certainly between seasons.

Be food-specific. While using bird seed mixtures to attract a wide range of species is cheaper, such food usually includes fillers like milo that most birds quickly pass through, making a mess under the feeder that can make birds sick.

Kress suggests, “Buy specific seeds for specific feeders—like cracked corn and millet in one and only sunflowers in another. This decreases interactions between species that eat the different seeds and dramatically cuts waste.”

Creative option. Try some peanut butter and other healthful ingredients, suggests Julie Craves, supervisor of avian research at the Rogue River Bird Observatory at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, in a recent edition of BirdWatching magazine.

“It’s high in fat, protein and calories.” Avoid nut butter made with the artificial sweetener xylitol, as it can kill birds.

She recommends mixing one part organic peanut butter with four or five parts plain, non-GMO (genetically modified) cornmeal and add oats and raisins. Plain or chunky works. “The dough can then be shaped into portions that will fit in suet feeders or logs, or just placed in feeding trays.”

EXPLORE, ENJOY AND CARE FOR NATURAL RESOURCES

gracious_tiger/Shutterstock.com

Bird Buffet

by Susie Lyons

Lavender — Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia

A

member of the mint family, lavender has long been a prized addition to beauty preparations. Rich in flavonoids, linalool, eucalyptol, limonene, coumarins and tannins, lavender has strong anti-bacterial, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for treating acne, sunburns and dry, irritated skin.

Safe for all skin types, lavender gives the added bonus of relieving insomnia and restlessness, easing stress headaches, treating fungal infections, fading scars and relieving eczema symptoms.

To use lavender, try it in essential oil form (diffused or topically) or try the dried flowers in a tea or tincture.

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natural awakenings

January 2017

15

Food Sensitivity/Allergy

WEIGHT-LOSS

SABOTEURS Tackling Obesity’s Hidden Causes

by Lisa Marshall

E

at less, move more. These words have been the cornerstone of diet advice for decades, leading millions of Americans to greet the new year with vows to cut calories and hit the gym. In all, one in five U.S. adults are dieting at any given time, according to the international market research firm The NPD Group, and 57 percent would like to lose 20 pounds or more.

Yet few will reach that goal.

One survey of 14,000 dieters published in the International Journal of Obesity found that only one in six had ever been able to lose 10 percent of their body weight and keep it off for a year. Another study, published in the last year in Obesity, followed up with 14 contestants from the 2009 TV reality show The Biggest Loser and found that despite efforts to keep their eating and exercise habits on track, 13 had regained significant weight since the competition. Four are heavier now than before participating on the show.

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Diet experts say the battle of the bulge has been exceedingly hard to win for one clear reason: We’re oversimplifying the solution and underestimating the saboteurs. “We’re learning that it’s not as simple as calories-in and calories-out,” says Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith, an Ann Arbor, Michigan, physician specializing in functional and nutritional medicine and author of Why You Can’t Lose Weight.

Research reveals that everything from food allergies to hormone imbalances and disruptions in gut bacteria can subtly undermine the best-laid weight management plans. Working out too much or eating too little can also backfire. Even a mean boss or a cold workplace cubicle can factor in.

Certainly, diet and exercise are key, experts emphasize. Yet, if we’re doing all the right things and still seeing disappointing numbers on the scale, there’s still more we can do. Here are some common weight-loss saboteurs and what to do about them.

Yuriy Rachenkov/Shutterstock.com

Alan Poulson Photography/Shutterstock.com

Bite into a food we’re sensitive to and our body switches into “fight-or-flight” mode. It stores fat and water, releases histamines that widen blood vessels and inflame tissue, and cranks out stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine that make us want to eat more of that food.

“You literally get a high so that you crave more,” says Smith. She notes that unlike true allergies, which can prompt an immediate reaction, food intolerances often manifest subtly over several days.

When we are repeatedly exposed to a food we’re sensitive to, we feel bloated and sluggish, regardless of the calorie count.

Allergy medications can also prompt weight gain, in part by boosting appetite. One study by Yale researchers found people that regularly ingested antihistamines like Zyrtec and Allegra were far more likely to be overweight than those not using them.

What to do: First, cut out the most-craved foods. “If someone tells me they just cannot live without cheese, I assume they are allergic to it,” says Smith. Or, try an elimination diet. Ban common allergens like milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and gluten (if possible, try sticking to only rice and lamb— two hypoallergenic foods—for four days). Then reintroduce other foods slowly and monitor the results.

To combat seasonal allergies naturally, try vitamin C, quercetin and

butterbur supplements.

Underperforming Thyroid

The thyroid serves as a key metabolism regulator, dictating how efficiently the heart beats and muscles contract, how quickly the body turns nutrients into energy, and how well we burn off stored fat. When thyroid hormone production falls, metabolism can also decrease by as much as 40 percent.

Yet as many as four in 13 women suffer from a thyroid hormone deficiency, says Toronto naturopathic doctor Natasha Turner, author of the new book The Hormone Boost. “You can diet and exercise until you are blue in the face, but if your thyroid is out of balance, you won’t achieve the body you’re looking for,” she says. “It’s a common cause of weight gain.”

What to do: Get tested for levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and, if possible, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) also. TSH signals the thyroid to make more T4, the inactive form of thyroid hormone that is converted into T3, the form the body is able to use. Abnormal blood levels of any of these can impact metabolism adversely, and a TSH test alone may be unable to identify a problem, caution Smith and Turner.

In some cases, medication may be required. Otherwise, move to embrace lifestyle habits that reduce stress levels, because the stress hormone cortisol can inhibit thyroid function. Get eight hours of sleep; sleep deprivation also impairs thyroid function. Eat lots of fiber, which helps the body eliminate excess estrogen and other thyroiddamaging metabolic byproducts.

Also, stock up on foods containing tyrosine (almonds and avocadoes), and selenium (Brazil nuts). In some cases, if an iodine deficiency is at play, a doctor may suggest iodine supplements or iodine-rich foods like kelp and sea bass.

Imbalanced Gut

The trillions of microorganisms in our gut have a profound impact on our ability to maintain

a healthy weight, says Dr. Raphael Kellman, a New York City physician practicing functional medicine and author of The Microbiome Diet.

“The gut bacteria are the gatekeepers of the calories that enter our body,” he explains.

Research shows that certain species of bacteria aid in the metabolizing of carbohydrates, while others help break down fats and protein.

Some turn on genes that fight inflammation; others influence how well the body responds to insulin. Diversity and balance of helpful bacteria species are keys to health.

“If changes in the percentages of certain bacteria occur, the microbiome loses its ability to help us maintain a healthy weight,” says Kellman. In one landmark 21st-century study by University of Colorado researchers, swapping the gut bacteria of a skinny mouse with that of an obese one made the skinny mouse gain weight.

What to do: Go easy on antibiotics, which can wipe out gut bacteria diversity. Load up on fermented foods like kim chi, sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt.

Eat lots of inulin-containing plant fiber to give desirable bacteria something to chew on, and consider taking a probiotic supplement until weight loss and health goals are achieved.

Overdoing Diets

As The Biggest Loser contestants learned, losing too much weight too fast can bring metabolism to a screeching halt; the body, coaxed into starvation mode, moves to conserve fuel and store fat.

“If you try to lose weight by drastically slashing calorie intake and going crazy on the cardio machines, you’ll do more harm than good,” says Turner. Performing intense cardiovascular exercise such as running, cycling or swimming for more than 45 minutes can make cortisol levels surge, accelerat-

ing muscle loss and impairing the immune system. That’s counterproductive because muscles burn calories at rest, too. Consistent over-exercise can also prompt the stressed body to respond in a fight-or-flight fashion, storing more belly fat and leading to the “skinny but fat” body composition common among models and marathon runners, she says.

Skipping meals can prompt the key thyroid hormone T3 to fall off too, further slowing metabolism. Plus, six weeks into a restrictive weight-loss program, levels of the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin also start to decline, killing motivation and fueling cravings. The result is a weight plateau or even weight gain.

What to do: Unless walking, limit workouts to 40 minutes, advises Turner. Instead of slogging away at a steady pace on the treadmill, try intervals (short, high-intensity efforts separated by brief rest periods), which have been shown to boost both fat burning and cardiovascular fitness.

For example: five-minute warm-up, one-minute run at fast pace, one-minute run at moderate pace, repeat 10 times, five-minute cool-down. Also, incorporate strength training into three workouts each week.

Include some fat, protein and carbohydrates with every meal. If insisting on counting calories, shoot for 450 to 500 per meal and 150 per snack for women; 500 to 600 per meal and 200 to 300 per snack for men. Every week to 10 days, enjoy a carb-loaded “cheat meal” such as pancakes or pasta; it supports any languishing thyroid and feel-good hormones, gives associated neurotransmitters a jump-start and keeps us from feeling deprived.

Dark, Cold, Stressful Workplaces

Alan Hedge, Ph.D., a workplace design researcher with Cornell University, in New York, says women, who tend to have less muscle and body hair to provide natural warmth, are at particular risk of packing on pounds due to an overly cold environment. “When the body is cold, it adapts by laying down insulation, which is fat,” he says. Even without eating extra calories, if we’re constantly cold at work, as 31 percent of

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Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

Natural Slimming Supplements Ashwaghanda root: While research is scarce, this Indian herb is traditionally believed to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol (which can boost belly fat storage). It’s also believed to boost conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to the more metabolically active thyroid hormone T3. Doctor of Naturopathy Natasha Turner recommends 500 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) twice daily.

Chromium: This mineral plays a key role in enhancing insulin’s action in the body.

Numerous studies by U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers and others suggest that taking chromium supplements can stabilize blood sugar, potentially reducing the cravings and energy slumps that come with glucose spikes and dips. Research on chromium’s impact on body composition and weight has been mixed. Turner recommends 200 to 400 micrograms (mcg) daily.

Curcumin: This golden spice, found in turmeric, curbs painful joint inflammation from over-exercising, and has been shown by Tufts University and Columbia University researchers to improve fat metabolism in mice.

L-carnitine: Helps the body use fat for fuel more efficiently and also can be used as an energy booster before cardio or strength training. Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith recommends 500 to 1,000 mg daily.

Omega-3 fatty acids: In addition to being potent anti-inflammatory agents, the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have been associated with greater weight and fat loss when added to a diet and exercise program, according to studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the International Journal of Obesity.

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Prebiotics: These undigested fibers provide food for good gut bacteria to keep the digestive system and metabolism on track.

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Probiotics: These are generally believed to promote healthy gut bacteria so that the body metabolizes food more efficiently. One recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition followed 125 obese men and women throughout a 12-week diet, followed by a 12-week maintenance period, and found that the women taking probiotics containing the bacterial strain Lactobacillus rhamnosis lost significantly more weight during the diet than women that didn’t; plus, they continued to lose weight during the maintenance period. The men studied did not show similar results.

Southeast Texas

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Change is the end result of all true learning. ~Leo Buscaglia

funnyangel/Shutterstock.com

women are according to a recent CareerBuilder survey, we tend to gain about a pound or two per year, says Hedge.

Other research, conducted at Northwestern University, in Illinois, shows that workers exposed to more light in the morning weigh about 1.4 pounds less on average than those toiling in windowless cubicles. The suspected reason is that morning light triggers a cascade of hormones that positively impact appetite and metabolism. Another study, by Ohio State University researchers, found women that experienced a stressful event at work or elsewhere and then ate a fat- and calorie-laden meal the next day burned 100 fewer calories from that meal than non-stressed workers.

What to do: At work, move the desk toward a window or at least take a walk every morning. Bring a space heater, extra sweater or hot tea fixings.

After an ultra-stressful workday, eat especially healthfully that night.

healthykids

Students with

SPECIAL NEEDS Advocating Successful

cristovao/Shutterstock.com

Orthopedic Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment.

Learning Environments byMaria Adolphs

T

he problems a special needs child faces in school can show up in many ways: a physical disability, an emotional impairment, intellectual challenges, behavioral issues, or a combination of these. Identifying the need and discovering the proper learning environment, which could include extra time given for a test, minimizing distractions, or having appropriate tools and resources available, can be pivotal in a child’s success in school, and life.

Pat Freeze, a Special Education Advocate, works with parents and schools to ensure children receive the best possible learning environment. She offers tips to identify children with special needs, explains parent’s and children’s rights under the law, and shows how to navigate the often daunting process.

There are many misconceptions about children with special needs: they cannot or won’t learn, they disrupt classrooms, or their behavior problems can only be addressed with a firm

hand. Often, a child is labeled as a “bad kid,” a “problem child,” or “not a good student,” when the root of the behavior is a special need that is being ignored or mishandled, or even an undiagnosed disability. Parents should seek help the moment they suspect their child is having difficulty. Some “red flags” to keep watch for are: Their child’s grades are failing, or they are performing below grade level; The child is frequently “written up” for behavior issues; The parent is repeatedly being called to pick up their child from school; The child has problems communicating or interacting with others.

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there are thirteen categories of disabilities that qualify a child for special education services: Autism-(ASD-Autism Spectrum Disorder, Blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual, Disability, Multiple Disabilities,

Other Health Impaired conditions can include, but are not limited to: Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Diabetes, Epilepsy, Heart Condition, Hemophilia, Lead Poisoning, Leukemia, Nephritis, Rheumatic Fever, Sickle Cell Anemia, Tourette’s Syndrome.

Often parents do not know their child is eligible for accommodations in the school system. Under IDEA, if a child is having learning or behavior issues, the school is responsible for contacting the parents to request that the child be evaluated. Parents also have the right to ask for an evaluation to find the needed accommodations for their child.

Freeze says it is important that parents educate themselves, learn their rights, not be intimidated by the school, document all conversations with the school in writing (including dates and who said what) and always take someone with them to meetings with school officials--a spouse, a friend, or a Special Education Advocate. The process can be very intimidating, so hiring a Special Education Advocates like Pat Freeze can make the process go more smoothly, creating the best opportunities for students with special needs.

For more information visit: http://www.pfreezeadvocate.com http://www.disabilityrightstx.org http://www.wrightslaw.com Works Cited: “Understanding the 13 Categories of Special Education.” Understanding Special Education: A Parent Guide.

UnderstandingSpecialEducation.com/13categories-of-special-education.html.

Pat Freeze is an advocate for children in the Galveston & Brazoria counties.

For an initial consultation, call 281-7730422, or visit PFreezeAdvocate.com.

See ad, page 23.

Maria Adolphs is a freelance writer who lives and writes from her home on Galveston Island, Texas. She is a graduate of University of Iowa’s Creative Writing Program, is published in a variety of local publications and currently working on her first novel. MariaAdolphsWriter@gmail.com.

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Paying for memberships out-of-pocket (often electing high-deductible plans) or via a health-sharing plan, clients value coverage that includes annual wellness exams, phone or virtual appointments and educational classes, plus follow-ups and urgent care at minimal costs.

The U.S. mainstream fee-for-service approach, whether paid by insurance or cash, has been criticized for encouraging unnecessary tests and procedures because doctors are paid for services performed. To maintain income, they typically shorten appointments to increase the number of patients they see.

Lewis emphasizes, “Time is the valuable factor in DPC—healthy lifestyle changes, which can prevent or reverse 70 percent of health concerns, cannot be communicated in 10 minutes.”

Medical Cost-Sharing

AFFORDABLE

For generations, Christian communities have operated health care sharing ministries (HCSM) to collectively share the cost of each other’s medical bills as an alternative to outside insurance.

Members are exempt from current Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) mandates.

Liberty HealthShare, a nonprofit HCSM chartered by the Mennonite church, believes that everyone has the right to practice religion as they see fit. Their members share a commitment to personal health and sharing in the burden of health expenses with others that have these values.

“Many in the functional and integrative medical arenas also believe in these principles,” says Tom Blue, of Richmond, Virginia, a director with The Institute for Functional Medicine. “Cost sharing feels very familiar; you present your card to your provider, but there’s no set network of providers, which is favorable for those seeking more progressive forms of care.”

Expanding upon this model, Blue worked with the company to create its Liberty Direct program (LibertyDirect.org). Individuals pay an annual membership fee plus a monthly share amount. After fulfilling their annual unshared amount of out-of-pocket expenses (similar to a deductible), participants’ healthcare costs—including approved naturopathic and alternative treatments—can be submitted as expenses to be shared by the group.

Liberty Direct provides financial advantages to DPC practitioners and patients by subsidizing membership fees; it favors nutrition over chronic prescription dependence by reimbursing physician-prescribed nutritional supplement and pharmaceutical expenses under the same terms.

Members must be in good health with a lifestyle that helps sustain wellness, including good nutrition, exercise and abstinence from tobacco use and drug and alcohol abuse. The program also accepts approximately 7 percent of applicants on provisional terms when pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes can

Complementary Care

Alternatives to Insurance Cost Less

by Meredith Montgomery

T

he latest National Health Interview Survey available, from 2012, shows an annual expenditure of $30.2 billion in out-of-pocket costs for complementary health approaches, benefiting 33 percent of adults and 12 percent of children, and representing about 10 percent of out-of-pocket U.S. healthcare costs. Insurance rarely covers complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in full.

As provider networks shrink, premiums rise and the future of healthcare reform remains uncertain, health-conscious consumers yearn for innovative ways to afford this kind of care.

Membership-Based Care

When Dr. Chad Krisel worked at an urgent care center, he saw up to 55 patients a day. Since opening Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville (IntegrativeAsheville.org), in North Carolina, with Dr. Brian Lewis, he averages 12 patients a day. His team provides a membership-based practice in a payment model known as direct primary care (DPC).

Endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, DPC is broadly accessible. By applying simplicity, sustainability, quality and collaboration, their integrative practice provides comprehensive care for less than what many pay for phone service. “DPC removes traditional financial incentives and conflicts of interest because membership fees fund us. Our only incentive is to help and heal patients,” Krisel explains.

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Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

healingways

be improved through lifestyle changes. They pay an extra fee per month to cover the cost of a health coach; when they achieve their goals, they become full members paying regular rates.

“The economics are staggering,” says Blue, who used to pay $760 a month for insurance with a $12,400 deductible and now pays a monthly share of $449 with a family unshared amount of $1,500. HCSMs are affordable because of restricted overhead budgets. Plus, they appeal to natural-health conscious clients and can decline unsuitable applicants. “This concept of communal cost sharing works—Liberty’s share amounts decreased in 2013 and have not changed since,” comments Blue.

Reduce Symptoms Without Medication.

GreenSurance

Learning Difficulties

Told she was past medical hope, Kari Gray, of Kahului, Hawaii, sought to heal from cancer using natural medicine. “When thousands of dollars spent for natural protocols were denied reimbursement by my insurance company, I saw that the system needs to change,” Gray recalls.

CAM therapies still deemed “unproven” by traditional insurance companies gave Gray a second chance at life. Following remission, she began a 20-year search for alternative medicine insurance. Finding none, in 2014, she created GreenSurance (MyGreenSurance.com).

Serving people that proactively care for their health and prefer natural medicine as primary care, GreenSurance developed an evidence-based and science-backed list of 40-plus covered CAM modalities, including thermography, energy therapy, biofeedback, essential oils and homeopathy. It also covers conventional medical and emergency care.

Enrollees of the member-owned organization are supplied third-party payer information for provider direct billing once the member’s out-of-pocket amount is met. They use any state-licensed provider and the program is often more affordable than traditional insurance.

GreenSurance is currently investing resources to broaden consumer access to the tax advantages of a health spending account (HSA). H.R. 1752 would allow enrollees in any healthcare-sharing program to open an HSA. “Simply, we’re a co-op whose members empower us to create an exempt program that protects members from ACA penalties and traditional health insurance,” says Gray.

“More, we’re a grassroots movement for change.”

Krisel notes, “Doctors too, are livid about the current status of America’s healthcare system. Be vocal about what’s important to you. The more voices heard in Washington, the more change we’ll see.”

Meredith Montgomery publishes Natural Awakenings of Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi (HealthyLiving HealthyPlanet.com).

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Darkness cannot

drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

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very January, we rally our hopes, vowing that this time our New Year’s resolutions will finally stick.

However, “If you don’t have a plan, plan to fail,” says Kansas City, Missouri, personal trainer Jake Albracht.

We can make our health and fitness goals for 2017 a reality instead of just wishful thinking.

Find a good trainer. “A personal trainer provides a helpful base of knowledge because the hardest part for most people is a lack of planning and diligence in following up. Trainers can step in to help a client achieve their goals,” says Albracht.

Jeanne Rankin, assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, adds, “A personal trainer can also help you set lofty goals that you wouldn’t have considered on your own due to fear of failure in achieving them.”

Secure personal attention. Individual attention is invaluable. Albracht notes, “There’s nothing like the instant feedback with technique, information and support that one-on-one training provides.”

Rankin adds, “In ongoing individual evaluation, a personal trainer can see exactly what’s going well and what

NA-SETexas.com

isn’t, providing a better assessment than in a group.”

“Group settings can also be positive and mimic a team environment, but a one-on-one relationship allows for a deeper bond of trust. Sometimes that can make all the difference in the world,” Albracht explains.

Ask questions. If engaging a personal trainer isn’t in our available budget, they are often willing to answer a few burning fitness questions. Most of us have had volunteer teachers at some point in our lives that expected nothing in return because they loved sharing what they know. It’s a slower process, but can be a viable option.

Set realistic goals. “I tell clients that structuring a program of specific goals will always trump a non-structured program,” says Albracht. “They need to fill out a goals sheet and develop a personal model that is repeatable, sustainable and successful. We use the SMART acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely.” Sometimes writing things down is just what’s needed to make them actually happen.

“When you look at pictures of famous people in magazines, realize

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We offer Private, Semi-Private training with our certified instructors.

that the images have been Photoshopped. They also have access to the best and most expensive resources in the world, and looking good is their job,” reminds Rankin. “Set a goal, and then set a bunch of small, achievable, measurable and quantifiable steps along the way that’ll push you towards that bigger goal.”

For example, If the goal is to lose 50 pounds in a year, then maybe shoot to lose 30 pounds in the first six months and 20 in the second six months.

“Breaking it up into what feels doable for you is key,” says Rankin.

Establish intentions. Krysten Clark, a Los Angeles personal trainer, yoga teacher and founder of Yogva Nutrition, uses the SMART elements along with establishing an intention for each session. She states, “It’s important to recognize what ‘being healthy’ means to you. I always have my clients set an intention for their workout in the moment, which allows them to be fully present with what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Connecting with their ‘why’ proves powerful in a day-to-day practice.”

She also strives to bring mindfulness into any fitness workout that evolves from a mind-body connection.

The accompanying sense of self-compassion furthers progress in the neverending process of personal growth and healthy living.

Acquire a fitness posse. An accountability partner can be a friend or a personal trainer—someone that’s only a phone call away. Rankin observes, “If you know that you are letting someone down by not working out, then you are more likely to stick to a plan, especially if you’re paying that person.”

Hit the reset button if needed.

“Set a deadline to attain a goal and work backwards from there to achieve it,” advises Albracht. “If the goal is missed, reassess and plan again.” Be patient and forgive yourself as often as necessary if slip-ups occur. The ultimate results of feeling good and healthier provide their own payoff.

Aimee Hughes, a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO, is a doctor of naturopathy and consultant for the Yandara Yoga Institute. Connect at ChezAimee@ gmail.com.

“If you don’t want your life to change, don’t get on your mat.” BKS Iyengar

Daily Yoga Classes for Students of all Levels 2507 Market Street | Galveston 409.770.9995 | www.theyogahaven.net

natural awakenings

January 2017

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Thanks to these local businesses, you can pick up a complimentary copy of Natural Awakenings in South Houston, Galveston County, Brazoria County and Matagorda County. They include coffee shops, grocery stores, health food stores, yoga & Pilates studios, gyms, healing centers, vitamin shops and more! Below are a few locations where you can find us: • Nutrishop • Wellness Integration Center • GNC • Sprouts • Froberg Farms • HEB Pearland & Alvin • Massage Envy • YMCA • Tutti Frutti Yogurt • Juice It Up • Organic Nails & Spa • Pearland Family Medicine • First Choice Emergency • LA Fitness • Back Into Motion Chiropractic • Chiro Source Wellness Center • Snap Fitness • Pearland Pediatrics • ChiroHealth Chiropractic Sports & Rehab • Dentistry for Children • CrossFit Reign • Pearland Family Chiropractic • Water Tree • Drink Station • Pet Club • Anytime Fitness • Westside Vet Clinic • Total Bodywork • Zero Fitness • Proactive Physical Therapy Centers • Backstrong Chiropractic Clinic • Shadow Creek Ranch Dental Specialists • Pink Paws Pet Spa & Hotel • Body Evolution Fitness Center • Yoga One Studios • The Joint Shadow Creek • Vitamin Shoppe • Pilates Powerhouse • Discover Wellness • Med X Pharmacy & Compounding

Read the Digital Edition at NA-SETexas.com 24

Southeast Texas

Holistic Dermatology Inner Health, Radiant Skin

by Linda Sechrist

Holistic skin care practices are simple, healthy and sustainably good for people and the planet because they follow nature’s example.

M

edical Doctor Alan M. Dattner, a 35-year pioneer in the field of holistic dermatology, faithfully follows nature’s principles in supporting skin health. His book Radiant Skin from the Inside Out: The Holistic Dermatologist’s Guide to Healing Your Skin Naturally maps out how skin reflects the body’s healthy or unhealthy organs and systems.

Finding the internal root cause of problems on the skin, the body’s largest organ, takes time to investigate. Dattner, who practices in New York City and New Rochelle, New York, and considers himself a “skin detective”, says that although his forensic work continues to expand, he still begins his sleuthing by compiling a detailed and comprehensive history that yields clues for solving health puzzles and points him in the direction of what’s causing problems.

Some patients with acne also have symptoms of bloating, gastrointestinal issues or chronic bowel disease. Others may have traveled to another country where they contracted diarrhea from a parasite or foreign bacteria that upset their intestinal microbiome.

NA-SETexas.com

Skin outbreaks can also be the result of food sensitivities or food allergies. “I make patients aware of the issues underlying their skin problems so that they understand the connection between internal health and skin. Then they can make conscious food choices,” says Dattner.

Diet is a critical aspect of healthy skin. Food sensitivities can cause inflammation that can show up on the skin, he explains.

Dattner incorporates several diagnostic techniques and remedies from other medical traditions, including herbal, homeopathic and ayurvedic. A tongue diagnosis he uses is taken from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He uses Applied Kinesiology to refine his therapeutic choices as the results align with his knowledge of dermatology, immunology and integrative medicine.

Janice MacKenzie, acupuncture practitioner, teacher and author of Discovering the Five Elements: One Day at a Time, views the skin as a third lung, because it breathes. “If the organs of elimination aren’t working well—large intestine, liver and kidney—then toxins leave through the

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To the local businesses that share Natural Awakenings Magazines!

skin, another organ of elimination,” says MacKenzie, who practices in Perkasie, Pennsylvania.

“When constipation leaves toxins to be reabsorbed into the blood and recirculated through the liver, the body, out of desperation, seeks ways to get rid of toxins through the skin. This can result in eczema, psoriasis, rashes, boils and acne,” notes MacKenzie.

In TCM, the facial redness of rosacea originates in a heating of the blood caused by toxicity. An inflammatory condition of excess energy and toxicity in the stomach travels upward through the stomach energy meridian that runs from the eye to the second toe. It’s supposed to flow downward through the mouth, throat and intestines and out.

Elina Fedatova, cosmetic chemist, aesthetician, owner of spas in Chicago and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and formulator of Elina Organics, addresses skin as an aspect of a whole healthy body.

Her product line is created wholly from organic plant extracts and essential oils, made in batches every two weeks.

These purely natural products can be ingested without harmful effects.

“Formulas are made using holistic principles and adjusted for each season,” says Fedatova.

She agrees with Dattner, “Protecting skin from the inside with a nutritious diet that benefits the entire body is vital, as important as keeping the skin’s surface clean.” In caring for skin from the outside, a gentle exfoliation that can be done at home three times a week using a honey mask is the first step. Skin cells produced in the deepest layer gradually push their way to the epidermis every 30 days and die. Dead cells pile up unevenly and give the skin’s surface a dry, dull appearance.

Treatment serums, moisturizing lotions and eye and neck creams are necessary elements of a complete facial skin care regimen, as is a natural sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

“Using skincare practices and products that follow nature’s example are the perfect external complement to good internal health,” says Fedatova.

Alkaline Filtered Water: Best Water for You! Purified Healthy Drinking Water - Using Reverse Osmosis

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Water Tree by the Bay

3538 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook - 281.917.1316 TheWaterTreeStore.com - Facebook.com/WaterTreebytheBay

If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one. ~Dolly Parton

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com. natural awakenings

January 2017

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consciouseating

GRAIN FREE &

BRAIN

BRIGHT How Wheat, Carbs and Sugar are Affecting Your Brain Health

A

Expires: 3-1-17

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Southeast Texas

NA-SETexas.com

by Linda Sechrist

lzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia and a general term for memory loss and other intellectual disabilities serious enough to interfere with daily life, affects 5.6 million Americans. According to The Lancet Neurology, a well-respected medical journal on brain research, Alzheimer’s, which presently has no cure, is preventable.

“Lifestyle choices, like aerobic exercise and eating plenty of healthy fats and reducing carbohydrates, affect overall brain health, as well as the risk of Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist and author of the new bestselling book, Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar—Your Brain’s Silent Killers.

Food is a powerful epigenetic modulator—it can enable or hamper our DNA, thus regulating the expression of many genes. Experts have only begun to understand the damaging consequences of wheat consumption.

“Grain Brain is a timely wake-up call about how we are increasingly challenging human physiology by consuming what we are not genetically prepared to process, like the 133 pounds of wheat the average American eats annually,” says Perlmutter. He believes that one of the main culprits for the decline in brain health in modern times has been the introduction of wheat into the human diet. Today’s modernized and hybridized wheat crops share little genetic, structural or chemical similarity to the wild einkorn variety of grain our ancestors consumed in small amounts.

In the West, 20 percent of calories “A hallmark of what I term to disease processes like Alzheimer’s, come from wheat-based food. Perlmutmild cognitive impairment and coronary grain brain is that brain artery disease. The researchers conter is among those that regard this as a dangerous statistic, especially since Dr. dysfunction is predicated cluded that elevated hemoglobin A1C is Alessio Fasano, a pediatric gastroenterolodirectly associated with brain shrinkage, on the inflammation from says Perlmutter. gist and research scientist who leads the Center for Celiac Research & Treatment at

He further notes, “The function of consumption of gluten, Massachusetts General Hospital, in Bosthe brain, which is 60 to 70 percent fat as well as the long chains and maintained by the fats you consume, ton, found that the gluten in wheat leads to the production of zonulin in the gut. of sugar molecules known depends on its environment.” Grain Brain

Zonulin increases the permeability recommends a diet that’s aggressively as carbohydrates.” of the intestinal wall, allowing proteins to low in carbohydrates (60 grams per leak from the gut into the bloodstream, day) and bountiful in supportive brain ~ Dr. David Perlmutter explains Perlmutter. These proteins, fats. These include extra-virgin olive oil, which would normally remain within the sesame oil, coconut oil, ghee, almond digestive system, then challenge parts of the immune system, milk, avocados, olives, nuts, nut butters, cheese and seeds the macro fascia and certain other types of white blood cells such as flaxseed, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and chia. It is that increase production of inflammation-related chemicals. also rich in above-ground vegetables such as kale, broccoli, “Zonulin is the cornerstone of diseases characterized by spinach, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and salad greens, while inflammation in the brain—Alzheimer’s, autism, Parkinson’s relatively low in below-ground vegetables like beets, carrots and attention deficit disorders—as well as autoimmune disand potatoes, which are higher in carbohydrates. It also calls eases,” advises Perlmutter. for reduced fruit consumption.

Fasano’s research shows that such a reaction to zonulin

“Having two to four servings of fruit every day, based on is present in 100 percent of humans—not just in the 1.8 perAmerica’s present food pyramid, is not helpful. More in line cent of the population that have celiac disease or 30 percent with avoiding brain drain is an apple or a handful of berries, that are gluten sensitive. “A hallmark of what I term grain or about 100 calories worth of any fruit. In my opinion, the brain is that brain dysfunction is predicated on the inflamma- pyramid needs to be stood on its head,” advises Perlmutter. tion from consumption of gluten, as well as the long chains “We should eat a diet similar to what our ancestors survived of sugar molecules known as carbohydrates,” says Perlmuton for 2.6 million years and reprogram support of our genetic ter. “This includes fruit, which also was consumed in limited destiny for the better.” quantities by our ancestors.” He cites a published analysis by Loren Cordain, Ph.D., author of The Paleo Diet.

Dr. David Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist, Fellow

A diet high in carbohydrates has been directly related of the American College of Nutrition and author of Grain to atrophy, or brain shrinkage, according to a recent GerBrain. For more information on his 2013 PBS Grain Brain man study by University of Bonn researchers, published in series, visit DrPerlmutter.com.

Neurology. A blood test for hemoglobin A1C, the standard laboratory measurement to assess average blood sugar, is Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. frequently used in studies that correlate blood sugar control Visit ItsAllAboutWe.com for the recorded interview.

Associated Credit Union of Texas invites you to

BRAVE

Saturday March 4th 10AM 1095 W League City Pkwy StBaldricks.org/events/ACUTX

the

SHAVE for kids with Cancer natural awakenings

January 2017

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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 5th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Standard listings are $18 and Expanded listings are $32. Please submit in formats shown below to Info@NA-SETexas. com. We reserve the right to edit for readability and word count. No phone calls or faxed listings accepted.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

Reef on the Road – 9am. An exhibit on display all month, it consists of three standalone units that telescope to 10 feet tall, each with a video display on one side and an interactive element on the other. It delivers messages of underwater beauty & diversity, and reasons for action to conserve our fragile ocean planet. Free. Angleton Library, 401 E. Cedar St., Angleton. 979-849-6974.

Holiday Kayak Tour – 10am-12pm. Enjoy winter weather paddling on Galveston Bay. One hour trip, requires physical activity in cold and windy temperatures. Closed toe shoes required. Starting location is in the Oak Bayou picnic area. Park entry fee $5. Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM 3005, Galveston. 409-737-1222.

MONDAY, JANUARY 2

Lake Jackson Chair Yoga – 10-11am. Join our weekly chair yoga class with instructor Sheila Conner. All experience levels welcome! Bring a yoga mat if you have one. Free. Clute Public Library, 215 N. Shanks St., Clute. 979-265-4582.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

Employment 101 Class – 10am-12pm. Learn how to make a GREAT first impression, how to fill out a top-notch application, format a tailor-made resume, and learn the rules of interviewing. There is also an opportunity for mock-interviews. Free. True to Life Ministries, 105 This Way, Lake Jackson. 979-529-9702.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6

Divas Conference 2017 – 7-10pm, Jan 7: 9am-3pm.

It is a two day conference where women will be fed spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally! $25. Bay City Service Center 2105 Avenue M, Bay City. 979-943-3211.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7

5 & 10K Fun Run/Walk – 8:15am. 5K/10K/Walk Fun Run presented by Friends of Galveston Island State Park and Fit TRI Run. $25. Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM 3005, Galveston. FoGISP@ aol.com.

RightSize Weight Loss Grand Opening! – 10am2pm. Come learn how to lose weight without cutting calories and visitors can receive complimentary body composition testing, samples of food/nutrition products, 20% off books, and $100 off the full, holistic RightSize program! Meet some of the RightSize Victors who have shed over 12,500lbs!

RightSize Weight Loss Center, 305 21st Street #250, Galveston. FBW@DocWillis.org Stephen F. Austin Funeral Reenactment – 12pm.

Trace the steps of Stephen F. Austin’s Funeral Procession. Begins at the 1st Capitol of the Republic in West Columbia by wagon to Gulf Prairie Cemetery in Jones Creek. Singing & burial reenactment at the gravesite. Free. Gulf Prairie Cemetery, 231 Gulf Prairie Rd., Jones Creek. 979-248-5961.

lookingahead 2017 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Outsmarting Anxiety – 6-8pm. 4 weekly trainings, Feb 1-22. Learn skills to manage anxiety and have the life you desire. $295.00 for 4 Wed evenings and 1 Sat morning. Center for Mind Body Health, 17300 El Camino Real, St. 107D, Houston (Clear Lake). CMBH-Gwen@comcast.net. 832741-0266. CenterforMindBodyHealth.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Seniorfest – 9am-12pm. Vendors providing information regarding Senior’s health, living & entertainment, BINGO. Sponsored by the Lake Jackson Seniors Commission & Lunch and by Brazosport Rotary. Free to all Seniors 55 & over.

Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 Hwy 332, Lake Jackson. 979-415-2600.

Surfside Beach Marathon – 8am. The only marathon and half marathon in the US run entirely on a beach! Starts at sun rise & follows the public beach to San Luis pass & return. Entirely on the firm, smooth sand, great for running. Noncompetitive division for walkers at 6:45 am. $1575. Surfside Beach, 2211 Bluewater Highway, Freeport. SurfSideMarathon.com.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Friendswood Daddy Daughter Dance – 6-8:30pm. Special dinner and dancing.

Friendswood High School Cafeteria, 702 Greenbriar Dr., Friendswood. For more details, call 281-996-3220.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

106th Mardi Gras Galveston – Feb 17-28. A unique Mardi Gras experience expected to draw 350K+ attendees for 30+ concerts, 22 parades, 20 balcony parties and several elegant masked balls.

Galveston. MardiGrasGalveston.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

First Annual Matagorda Bay Birdfest – Feb 18-19. 8am. Speakers, birding tours, kayak tours, Palacios parade of birds & youth bird art program.

Benefitting The Palacios Pavilion. 3101 14th Street, Palacios. LaurieBeck@becktv.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8

Tea Tasting with The Tea Mistress – 2-4pm.

Taste & evaluate 3 teas in a cozy tea shop owned by a certified Tea Master. Refreshments provided. $5 suggested donation, benefits Lone Star Houston Tea Festival, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

17000 El Camino Real, Suite 102B, Houston, TX 77058. 832-703-0823. TheTeaMistress.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13

Full Moon Hike – 6-7pm. Explore the dark half of the park and venture onto the trails with Ranger Lisa for a short astrological session and moon view.

Test your night time adaptation skills and see what happens on the island after the sun goes down. $5. Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM 3005, Galveston. 409-737-1222.

MONDAY, JANUARY 16

Martin Luther King Celebration Parade/Rally/ Health Fair – 11am. A celebration of the holiday honoring the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade starts in Downtown Freeport and ends at Freeport Municipal Park. Free. Downtown Freeport. 979-297-2801

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

Food Truck Friday – 6-10pm. There will be a variety of food trucks and vendors galore as well as a live performance by a local artist. The Museum will also be hosting a Friday Night Cruise, so bring your car to show off! Gates will open at 4:30pm. Butler Longhorn Museum, 1220 Coryell St., League City.

281-332-1393.

8th Annual Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest – Jan 20-21. 8-10pm. This year, the festival intends to spice up Galveston with a cook off, beer fest, live music, vendors, strand merchant walk-about, contests and a diverse crowd. Proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House of Galveston. Yaga’s Café, 2324 Strand, Galveston. 409-762-6676.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Renew and Restore Retreat (for women) – Feb 24-26. Come to beautiful White Eagle Lodge in for a weekend of meditation and personal restoration. $495.00 White Eagle Lodge, 2615 St. Beulah Chapel Rd., Magnolia.

CMBH-Gwen@comcast.net.

832-741-0266.

CenterforMindBodyHealth.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Mindful Self-Compassion Training – 6:309:00 pm. Feb 28-Apr 25. 8 weekly trainings to learn self-compassion, great for reducing anxiety, depression, and insecurity. $495.00 for 8 Thursday evenings and 1 Sat. morning.

Center for Mind Body Health, 17300 El Camino Real, St. 107D, Houston (Clear Lake).

CMBH-Gwen@comcast.net.

832-741-0266.

CenterforMindBodyHealth.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21

Horseshoe Trail Run 50K, 25K, 10K & 5K – 6-8am. Jack Brooks Park is known as the toughest mountain bike trails in Houston. Expect a wild, single track and rabbit chasing adventure through the park. Registration fees $45-$100. Jack Brooks Park, 5700 FM 2004 & SH6, Hitchcock.

HoustonRunningCalendar.com.

KFB Tree Giveaway – 8-10am. More than 100 trees (one per family) will be given away. This is first come first serve and only for residents. The trees are 15 gallon trees so bring transportation. Free.

Friendswood City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood. 281-996-3220.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22

Guided Trail Hike – 2-3pm. Five miles of hiking trails through different ecosystems (prairie, forest and bayou). See white-tailed deer, a variety of songbirds; the interpretive center houses a variety

of native reptiles & amphibians. Maximum 10 participants. $2-4. Armand Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena. 281-474-2551.

MONDAY, JANUARY 23

Health and Wellness with Essential Oils – 7pm. We’ll teach you how to utilize essential oils effectively and how cost effective and versatile they are at pennies per drop. Attendees will receive FREE samples of various products. Alvin Public Library Meeting Room, 105 S. Gordon Street, Alvin. iDropforWellness@gmail.com. 979.429.drop.

Meaningful Menopause Mondays – 7-8:30pm.

Jan 23 & 30, Feb 6 & 13. Learn natural ways to handle hot flashes, manage weight gain & brain fog. $25/session ($35 at door), or $75 for all 4 sessions.

Register now at DrCatherineHansen.com (Events tab). 832-341-2449.

ongoingevents wednesday

Galveston’s Own Farmers’ Market – 9am1pm. Offering locally grown produce, prepared foods and edible farm products. 2508 Postoffice St, Galveston. 832-819-1561. Facebook.com/ GalvestonsOwnFarmersMarket.

Small Dog Socialization – 7:30-8:15pm. Bring in small dogs to have fun and socialize. Gimmie a Bark, 101 E Edgewood Dr, Friendswood.

281-482-1911. GimmieABark.com.

Yoga Nidra – 7pm. A soft flow of yoga asanas to prepare the body and mind for the deep, guided meditation of yoga nidra (yogic sleep), to calm the restless mind and deepen conscious awareness. Bring towel and mat. $15/drop-in. The Yoga Haven, 2507 Market St, Galveston. 409770-9995. TheYogaHaven.net.

thursday

Yoga 101 – 5:30-6:45pm. With Kathleen.

Foundational hatha yoga for students new to yoga or returning to practice. Fine tune basic skills that will deepen your understanding and enjoyment of the practice of yoga. Bring towel and mat. $15/dropin. The Yoga Haven, 2507 Market St, Galveston.

409-770-9995. TheYogaHaven.net.

tuesday Senior Tuesday – All day. On Tuesdays, anyone 65 years and up can visit Moody Gardens for $5/attraction per senior. Restrictions may apply.

Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston.

800-582-4673. MoodyGardens.com.

Meditation – 9:30-10:30am. Unity Bay Area Houston, 1911 Hwy 3 S, League City. 281-5542450. UnityOfBayArea.org.

7th Annual Dawson Winter Dash 1K & 5K – 8:30 am. Fun run where each race participant will receive a ticket to Winterfest. Proceeds benefit the Dawson High School Eagle Band and Catalyst Color Guard. $20-30. Turner High School, 4719 Bailey Rd., Pearland. HoustonRunningCalendar.com.

Winterfest – 10am-5pm. Fun-filled day of playing in the snow, rides, great food, games, live entertainment, carnival, inflatables, rock climbing and a petting zoo. $5-10. Pearland Recreation Center & Natatorium, 4141 Bailey Rd, Pearland. 281-4128900.

2nd Annual Wild Game and Wine Camofest – 1-5pm. Festival celebrating Matagorda County’s bounty of hunting and the gateway to the great outdoors. Includes live music, wine tasting, kids activities, tasting of wild game, fish and fowl. Rain/ shine. $20. Downtown Bay City, 1900 Fifth Street, Bay City. 713-816-3971.

classifieds

sunday

monday

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28

Transition Grief Support Group – 1pm. If someone you know has transitioned to the other side, visit us to help you work with your grief.

Unity Bay Area Houston, 1911 Hwy 3 S League City. 281-554-2450. UnityOfBayArea.org.

saturday Clear Lake Shores Farmers’ Market – 9am1pm. A nonprofit outlet operated by volunteers offering locally grown fruit, vegetables and other homemade products. Texas certified farmers’ market. 1020 Marina Bay Dr, Clear Lake Shores.

FarmersMarketAtCLS.com.

Vinyasa Yoga – 10am. A dynamic flow class using surya namaskar (sun salutations) as a thread woven throughout the practice. This dynamically paced series builds internal heat, strength, stamina, focus and flexibility. Prior yoga experience is recommended. Bring towel and mat. $15/drop-in. The Yoga Haven, 2507 Market St, Galveston. 409-770-9995. TheYogaHaven.net.

Fee for classifieds is a minimum ch a r g e o f $ 3 0 f o r t h e f i r s t 3 0 words and $1 for each additional w o r d . To p l a c e a n a d , e m a i l info@NA-SETexas.com.

OPPORTUNITIES R E L AT I O N S H I P M A N A G E R : L A K E JACKSON or ANGLETON – Do you enjoy this magazine, or know someone who does? We are growing and looking for support in the Lake Jackson/Angleton areas. Part time with base pay & growth potential. Email to set up a phone appointment. Info@NA-SETexas.com.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER NEEDED – Do you know InDesign and enjoy creative design? Join the NA team creating print & online ads for our business partners. Able to work on tight time frames, have portfolio & positive attitude.

Contact Info@NA-SETexas.com.

LOOKING FOR DRIVERS – We looking for drivers in your area to help readers find this magazine. Drop off copies ONE day a month during the week to local businesses. Must have a driver’s license, car and valid insurance. Positive attitude preferred. Email your name, phone number & area you live to Info@NA-SETexas.com.

SPACE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE SPACE? – Market your available rooms or space for rent here to individuals reading this magazine, looking for space to grow. Email Info@NA-SETeas.com for more information.

YOGA BUTI YOGA at BAREFOOT GIRL YOGA – Friday’s, January 2017. This calorie-scorching workout fuses power yoga with cardio-intensive tribal dance + body sculpting primal movement. $20. Barefoot Girl Yoga, 828 FM 2094, Kemah.

281-536-3270.

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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Info@NA-SETexas.com to request our media kit ACUPUNCTURE HOOKED ON ACUPUNCTURE Clint McCallum, LAc 2505 Market St, Galveston 409-241-3199 HookedOnAcupuncture.com

Hooked on Acupuncture community clinic in Galveston is a healing place that is affordable, welcoming, nurturing, inspiring and educational. We heal with acupuncture and herbs.

See ad, page 21.

COUNSELING GALVESTON BRAIN CHANGERS Dr. Stephanie McClung 3607 Broadway Ave, Galveston 409-300-3117 GalvestonBrainChangers.com

Specializing in reducing symptoms of many disorders by improving the brain & body’s ability to relax utilizing neurofeedback and Christian counseling. Our goal is to help our clients achieve improved physical, emotional, and spiritual health. See ad, page 21.

AKASHIC RECORDS SUZIE Q

Spiritual Reader & Medium Galveston & Brazoria Counties 832-790-7888, SusieQConnects@gmail.com SusieQConnects.com Referred to as the Book of Life, the Akashic Records are your soul records. A consultation offers deep levels of understanding & guidance, supporting you in living life from your authentic essence.

Call now to learn more!

BEAUTY & SKINCARE

DRUM CIRCLES DRUMMING TOGETHER

Sara Blumenfeld, Facilitator League City & Surrounding Areas 512-659-6694 DrumCircle@DrummingTogether.org DrummingTogether.org Customized theme-based Drum Circles for your group or business using the researchbacked HealthRHYTHMS® protocol. Contact Sara to explore the benefits and possibilities of this unique and powerful experience! See ad, page 25.

NYR ORGANIC

Felecia Hunt, Independent Consultant League City 832-226-6957, huntfelecia@gmail.com Bit.ly/NYRFeleciaHunt Ethical organic products from London since 1981 offering s k i n c a r e , b a t h , b o d y, aromatherapy, mommy/baby, herbal remedies, supplements, teas, gifts & more. Contact Felecia to schedule a no obligation consultation or for free samples!

CHIROPRACTIC

EDUCATION PAT FREEZE

Special Education Advocate League City & Surrounding Areas 281-733-0422 PFreezeAdvocate.com I work with parents of special needs children to help them get the educational services their children need. I can guide parents through the confusing process and make sure their voices are heard in ARD meetings. See ad, page 23.

BAY COLONY CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Donna Sanders 350 FM 517 W, Dickinson 281-337-3337 BayColonyChiros.com

See ad, page 26.

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BAY AREA PILATES TX

We use the most current techniques with gentle chiropractic care to alleviate pain and ailments throughout the body. Stop by to learn more about natural solutions to your common health problems.

Southeast Texas

FITNESS STUDIO 607 S Friendswood Dr, Suite 21, Friendswood 281-797-6442 UndergroundPilatesTX.com Underground Pilates& Barre is a fitness studio implementing the equipment and techniques of Joseph Pilates and Total Barre™. It is a fully equipped studio, offering private, semi-private and small group classes with our certified instructors. See ad, page 22.

NA-SETexas.com

GREEN PRODUCTS 340 STEAMERS

1021 61st Street, Galveston 281-546-3725 Facebook.com/340Steamers

home demo!

Offering commercial grade household streamers for deep cleaning WITHOUT toxic fumes or chemicals. Lots of before/after pictures on our FB page, call now for a FREE in-

HEALTH & WELLNESS SUPPLEMENTS PLEXUS WORLDWIDE

Mandy Merritt Independent Ambassador #1294857 832-819-6875 PlexusSlim.com/GoWithYourGut Do you struggle to lose weight?

Feeling tired, rundown? Constantly sick, migraines, leaky gut, etc?

Plexus products are all-natural & work by addressing the root causes: blood sugar, inflammation and gut health. New clients: mention Natural Awakenings for a special discount. See ad, page 18.

HEALTH FOOD STORE HEALTH FOOD COTTAGE 1840 7th Street, Bay City 979-245-3833 HFCottage.com

Offering supplements, wellness products, specialty foods including gluten free and vegan options. Our experienced staff can help you find the RIGHT wellness products. Mention Natural Awakenings for 10% off Tuesdays!

NATURAL LIVING ORGANIC CO-OP 219 N Michigan Ave, League City 832-632-2937 ShopNaturalLiving.com

SE Texas’s ONLY 100% GMO Free Organic Food Co-op.

Offering the community locally grown produce, dry goods and free-range meats. Allergen-free baked goods and bulk herbs. Come in to learn more!

OPEN: Mon, Tues 11a-2p; Wed, Thurs 9a-4p; Fri 9a7p; Sat 9a-4p (closed Sun).

HEALTHY WATER

WEIGHT LOSS

MASSAGE

WATERTREE BY THE BAY

WELLNESS INTEGRATION CENTER

Offering great tasting alkaline water with optimum filtration – like nature with no electricity or chemicals. Pure H2O with good minerals reintroduced. Also providing hydrogen water, refill stations, portable solutions and home filtration equipment (reverse osmosis & chlorine removal).

See ad, page 25.

We l l n e s s c e n t e r featuring massage and yoga, and offering reflexology and reiki. We strive to provide our community healing services to support individual wellness needs. Book online any time at WellnessIC.com. New clients: mention Natural Awakenings for a special discount.

HERBALIST

PSYCHIC MEDIUM

3538 E NASA Parkway, Seabrook 281-917-1316 Facebook.com/WaterTreeByTheBay TheWaterTreeStore.com

THE HERBALIST JOURNAL Susie Lyons Pearland 832-202-4391 TheHerbalistJournal.com

Natural health and skin care products (Old South Essentials), classes on herbs, plant medicine and essential oils. Get your body in balance – naturally. See column, page 15.

HOLISTIC CENTER ISLAND BRAINWORKS, LLC Brainwave Optimization® 2220 Post Office St, Galveston 713-299-2277/409-599-7268 IslandBrainWorks.com

Brainwave (BWO) is science-based, effective and holistic; a non-inv asive method of achieving brain balance and harmony. By acting es like a mirror to brain patterns, t to n , isla n d BWO allows the brain to autocorrect itself with individually tailored real-time methodology for brainwave activity using EEG technology. Appointments only. See ad, page 13. rainwork s db

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HYPNOSIS SOUTHEAST HYPNOSIS CENTER Dr. Rose Klein 607 S Friendswood Dr #1, Friendswood 281-996-8000 SoutheastHypnosis.com

Southeast Hypnosis Center has helped thousands of people make positive changes in their lives through personalized one-on-one hypnosis sessions to stop smoking, lose weight, improve confidence and reduce stress. Call for free hypnosis interview. See ad, page 3.

5517 West Broadway St, Suite D, Pearland 832-294-9640 WellnessLC.com

RIGHTSIZE WEIGHT LOSS Dr. F. B. Willis 305 21st Street #250, Galveston 409-457-7894 DocWillis.org Lose weight without strict diets & hours of exercise by raising your metabolism NATURALLY. Open house Saturday Jan 7, 2017, 10am2pm. $100 off the program.

YOGA AFRO YOGA

HEAVEN KNOWS

Heather Hildebrand 1120 Nasa Parkway, Ste 220A, Clear Lake 409-457-4375 HeatherHildebrand.com I am a Psychic Medium, Angel Therapy Practitioner, Speaker & Spiritual Counselor. I help people work through life transitions, whether connecting with a deceased loved one, channeling messages from their angels or through my teachings and workshops. Set up an appointment through my website. See ad, page 13.

ROLFING STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION BAYOU ROLFING

Phillip McLain, Certified Rolfer 1002 Gemini St, Houston 281-910-4782 RolfingHoustonTexas.com Enhance your posture and release muscle tension by experiencing this unique massage technique which works on connective tissue to release, realign and balance the whole body. Call today for a consultation & mention Natural Awakenings!

Pearland & Friendswood 281-451-1676 AfroYogaInternational.com Explore ways to feel easeful in your own body using breath and gentle deliberate movement as your tools. Private and small group sessions serve all ages: athletes, veterans, seniors, pre/post-surgery, families, and pre/post-natal. Call for more information.

THE YOGA HAVEN

2507 Market St, Galveston 409-770-9995 TheYogaHaven.net For 10 years offering the path of yoga for vibrant body, awakened mind and open heart, the studio provides an inspiring environment for yoga classes. Daily classes for students of all levels; special workshops and events offered. See ad, page 23.

Open your eyes,

look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?

SPORTS NUTRITION NUTRISHOP PEARLAND 5038 W Broadway, Pearland 713-436-5444 NutriShopPearland.com

Our goal is to offer the most competitive prices for the most effective, high-quality sports nutrition & supplements, weight loss, and vitamin products.

NUTRISHOP’S mission is to help you succeed in all your health and fitness goals and aspirations. Free INBody Analysis Test! See ad, page 18.

~Bob Marley

natural awakenings

January 2017

31

WANT TO CONNECT WITH OUR READERS? THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL CALENDAR AND MARKETING PLANNER

Conscious Dying

F E B

plus: Children’s Dental Health

Readers Are Seeking These Providers & Services: Alternative Pediatric Physicians Earth-Friendly Burial Services • Estate Attorneys Estate Auction Houses • Faith & Charitable Ministries Family Counselors • Financial Planners • Florists Holistic Dental Care • Hospice & Care Facilities Orthodontists • Periodontists • Sacred Dying Doulas ... and this is just a partial list!

Food Sensitivities

M A R

plus: Holistic Eye Care

Readers Are Seeking These Providers & Services: Allergists • Cooking Classes Co-op Marketers • Dietitians & Nutritionists Garden Supplies • Health Food Stores Healthy Restaurants • Herbalists • Homeopathy Natural Eye Care • Natural Health/Vision Supplements • Senior/Sports Eye Care Specialists ... and this is just a partial list!

Eco Yards

A P R

plus: Medical Massage Readers Are Seeking These Providers & Services: Chiropractors • Composting • CranioSacral Therapy Gardening Supplies • Horticulture Books & Online Resources Lawn Care Equipment • Massage Therapists Organic Bedding • Outdoor & Grow Lighting Plant Care Specialists • Physical Therapy Xeriscapes & Other Earth-Friendly Landscaping ... and this is just a partial list!

Contact us to learn about marketing opportunities and become a member of the Natural Awakenings community at:

Contact us today for marketing opportunities: 409-939-8156 32

Southeast Texas

NA-SETexas.com