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MAY 2011
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contents
5 newsbriefs
10 globalbriefs
9 10
11 healthbriefs
14 community
spotlight
20 consciouseating
11
23 naturalpet
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.
12 FROM THEIR FARM
TO YOUR TABLE Farmers to You Makes Partners
16
of Families and Growers by Kim Childs
16 NATURAL BEAUTY — HEAD TO TOE A Holistic Guide to
26 healthykids
Looking Your Best
30 healingways
20 FOODS FOR
by Frances Lefkowitz
20
AGELESS BEAUTY
advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 617-906-0232 or email publisher@NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. Editorial submissions Email articles, news items and ideas to: publisher@ NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month. calendar submissions Email Calendar Events to: calendar@NaturalAwakenings MCMA.com or fax to 877-907-1406. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. regional markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
Nourishing Skin from Inside and Out by Renée Loux
23 ALZHEIMER’S
ALTERNATIVES Natural Therapies Can Help by Dr. Shawn Messonnier
23
26 BABY ON BOARD
Preparing for Pregnancy & Motherhood by Jessica Iclisoy
28 HEALTHY PREGNANCY RX Holistic Tips for Baby and You
by Dawna L. Jones, M.D.
26
30 RESTORATIVE RUBDOWNS
The Blissful Benefits of Massage by Linda Sechrist
NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com natural awakenings
May 2011
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letterfrompublisher
I
n last month’s letter, I promised to share the story of how I became a fan of Natural Awakenings. It’s fitting because it was exactly a year ago that my life took a significant turn for the better as the direct result of my reading a local edition of this magazine in another city. Early last year, after having spent 25 years in the lumber and building materials industry with a brief stint in the restaurant business, I found myself unemployed. With my financial future uncertain, I nevertheless embarked upon my annual “girls’ trip” with childhood friends on May 1, sensing that it was a good investment in my emotional health. I never dreamed how that 10th anniversary adventure would change the course of my life. Having enjoyed the local edition of Natural Awakenings in my Rhode Island hometown, I was surprised to come across one in Central Florida as well. I didn’t know it was a nationwide phenomenon. Wow, that was an awakening of sorts in itself. The headline that grabbed my attention could not have better suited to my need; it asked me to “Join Our Family of Publishers.” The graphics sported the smiling faces of dozens of local publishers. An epiphany ensued. My soul knew at once, with perfect clarity, that the often trying, life-altering events of the previous 12 months were to serve as stepping stones set to carry me forward to connect with this incredible family of like-minded human beings. Far more than a magazine, Natural Awakenings is a growing community of amazingly caring publishers, practitioners, advertisers, distributors and editorial contributors that are dedicating their time, talents and resources to help more than 3 million readers improve their own lives. I am pleased to bring Natural Awakenings franchise number 82 to our local natural health and green living community in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. We wouldn’t be here without your enthusiastic support. This month we bring you a jam-packed Women’s Wellness issue (watch for Men’s Wellness next month). In our feature article, “Natural Beauty ~ Head To Toe,” Frances Lefkowitz explains the vital importance of caring for ourselves from the inside out as well as from the outside in (page 16). In our Healthy Kids department, Jessica Iclisoy provides guidance for preparing for a healthy pregnancy and natural style of mothering (page 26). Linda Sechrist’s “Restorative Rubdowns” explores how few actions are as multi-beneficial to body, mind and spirit as massage (page 30). So, treat yourself to this edition of Natural Awakenings, and feel free to include a massage in honor of you! Be sure to let us know what you would like to see more of in these pages. We love to receive helpful feedback. Also remember to send in your local story ideas; just email me at Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com. Please submit your news briefs and calendar listings online at our website, Natural AwakeningsMCMA.com. I invite you now to open your mind, settle in, relax and read on. Wishing you peace and wellness always,
contact us Publisher/Editor Maisie Raftery National Editor S. Alison Chabonais Writers Kim Childs Kit Doucoure Olga Goldberger Dawna L. Jones, m.d. Casey McAnn Design & Production Stephen Blancett Kim Cerne Zina Cochran Helene Leininger Multi-Market Advertising 239-449-8309
P.O. Box 1149 Brookline, MA 02446 Phone: 617-906-0232 Fax: 877-907-1406 www.NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com © 2011 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the above address.
Maisie Raftery, Publisher
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Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.
newsbriefs Arlington Nail Salon Features Nontoxic Products and Services
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he Organic Nail Lounge, in Arlington Heights, features an alternative to traditional nail salons by offering safer, more natural products. “The products we use are free of toxic ingredients such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde and DBP (dibutyl phthalate),” says owner Cindy Vo. “We also offer organic scrubs and allnatural essential oils.” For manicures and pedicures, Vo says she uses Lotus Touch organic naturals, which contain no paraben preservatives, propylene glycol or nut oils, which may trigger allergic reactions. “Our priority is to provide the safest and cleanest environment to each of our clients,” she says. Vo sterilizes all instruments with an autoclave, the same equipment used by surgeons, and disposes of all files and buffers after each use. Location: 1309 Massachusetts Ave. For more information, call 781-777-2940, email CindyVo26.CV@gmail.com or visit OrganicNailLounge.com.
A Day to Set Dreams in Motion
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uzy Spivey will present Make It Happen—Set Your Dreams in Motion, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May 15, at the Brookline Tai Chi Center. This new workshop combines a coaching process for achieving life dreams with JourneyDance, a powerful, expressive movement process. Participants will use dialogue, creative visualization, movement, collage-making and goal-setting exercises to clarify their desires and transform intention into action. The fee is $99 for those who register by May 6 and $129 after. “Whether someone’s in a career transition or desiring more job satisfaction; longing for a fulfilling relationSuzy Spivey ship; seeking more purpose and joy in life; or wanting more time for hobbies and passions, the process to make it happen is the same,” Spivey says. The founder of Daring to Dream, Spivey is a certified coach, speaker, television host and certified teacher of JourneyDance and Kripalu YogaDance. She specializes in guiding people who are in transition to create the life of their dreams, one step at a time. “In our incredibly busy lives, we rarely take the time to set in motion what we really want to create in our lives,” Spivey says. “This is your time, so give yourself this one day to make it happen.” Location: 1615 Beacon St., Brookline. For more information, call 617-894-9711, email Suzy@SuzySpivey.com, or visit SuzySpivey.com/MakeItHappen. natural awakenings
May 2011
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newsbriefs New Book Explains Natural, Healing Remedies
G New England Bicycle Expo Comes to Somerville
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he New England Bicycle Expo will showcase products and services for cyclists from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 7, at Arts at the Armory, in Somerville. “Warm and sunny, bike-friendly days are finally here,” says expo organizer and founder Rob Hill, adding that the event is part of Boston’s celebration of National Bike Month. “We’ll have regional bicycle organizations and companies, bicycle parts and apparel manufacturers, frame builders, component designers, tour organizers, cycling clubs and more.” Exhibitors will be spread throughout the 12,000 square feet of newly renovated space, and special areas will be marked for live blogging, free workshops, an outdoor bike swap and organized bike rides. The entry fee is $12 for both days or $6 for a single day, and children under 10 attend free. Tickets are available at the door or online. Location: 191 Highland Ave. For more information, call 617-8346509, email Robinson@ NewEnglandBicycleExpo.com or visit NewEnglandBicycleExpo. com. See ad on page 7.
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reenHealing Press, in Cambridge, has released a new book, A Healer In Every Home, by Begabati Lennihan, RN, CCH. In writing the book, Lennihan drew on 15 years experience running a natural food store and 15 years of practicing and teaching homeopathy. The book, which aims to help readers use natural remedies confidently and effectively, features “hidden” treatments found in many natural food stores for first-aid, sports injuries, colds and flu. “The book is meant to steer readers to the simplest, easiest-to-use remedies that are likely to work right away,” says Lennihan. “Natural remedies can shift the landscape of health care in America, replacing high-cost, high-tech, too-late interventions with a low-cost, personal responsibility, nip-things-in-the-bud approach.” Lennihan says she also seeks to help people break the cycle of recurring infections in themselves and their children, save on co-pays for doctor visits and medications and reduce lost work time due to sick days. A Healer In Every Home encourages readers to find and partner with doctors that support the use of natural remedies; it is available in print or as an e-book from GreenHealing Press. For more information, call 617-547-8500, email Heal@GreenHealing.org or visit GreenHealing.org.
Calling All Smokin’ Hot Moms
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ertified Health Coach Nina Manolson presents The 21-Day Smokin’ Hot Mom Challenge this month, for women who want to crank up their energy, make their skin glow, laugh more, learn to love themselves and maybe even drop a few pounds. The Challenge runs from May 6 to 27 and takes place by phone and email, making it easy to fit into a busy life. It features 21 steps delivered over 21 days; several live calls; recipes; a food shopping list; and three audio downloads to guide and nurture participants in the process. The cost of the program is $187. Nina Manolson “So many women are caught up in being crazy-busy moms, always running around for everyone else,” says Manolson. “It can make us feel like we’ve lost our sexy, sassy selves.” She founded Body Alive, Body Aware, through which she coaches busy women to prioritize themselves in a way that balances their whole life and makes them happier and healthier. To sign up for The Challenge and learn about a free pre-Challenge call, visit BodyAliveBodyAware.com/BODY_ALIVE,_BODY_AWARE/Smokin_Hot_Mom.html. For more information, call 617-771-5121, email BodyAliveBodyAware@mac.com, or visit BodyAliveBodyAware.com. See ad on page 35.
SE Middlesex County | www.NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com
Open Studio Event at Vitality Personal Fitness
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o celebrate the launch of its new fitness studio, Vitality Personal Fitness will hold a Spring Training Open Studio from 5:30 to 7 p.m., May 12, at its facility in Newton. Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres from neighboring Farm Grill while touring the state-of-the-art studio that offers personalized functional, barefoot and post-rehabilitative training. Staff will be available to answer questions, and $500 of training sessions and classes will be raffled off. Owner Shayleen Pastick says, “We look forward to meeting our neighbors and making new friends at our first Open Studio evening. Everyone is welcome to join us to enjoy local favorite foods and learn about everything we offer at Vitality Personal Fitness.” Location: 118 Needham St., Newton (2nd floor suite, above Gardner Mattress). For more information, call 617-620-3585, email VitalityPersonalFitness@gmail.com or visit VitalityPersonalFitness.com. See ad on page 5.
Custom Natural Pillows Inspire Sweet Dreams
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he Organic Mattress store, in Sudbury, now offers custom pillows made of organic and natural materials, designed according to customer specifications. The pillows, featuring zippered covers made of certified organic cotton, are free of unhealthy chemicals and offer an ideal complement to organic mattresses. Fill materials can be chosen based on the amount of firmness desired and include organic cotton and wool, natural latex and buckwheat. Dust mite barrier covers help keep the pillows clean and reduce allergy issues. The store also offers several styles of custom-made mattresses, pillow tops made of natural rubber latex or Eco-Wool, and a variety of other bedding accessories for all ages. Those concerned about allergic or other reactions to the mattresses or bedding can receive samples of the materials to sleep with before buying. Personalized delivery is available, and the store recycles old mattresses.
Make your community a little GREENER … Support our advertisers For every $100 spent in locally owned business, $68 returns to the community source: the350project.net
Location: 348 Boston Post Road. For more information, call 978-440-8200, email Info@TheOrganicMattress.com or visit TheOrganicMattress.com. See ad on page 29. natural awakenings
May 2011
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Registration Open for Vision Educator Training Institute
R New Program for Trying Out Cloth Diapers
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he Diaper Lab, in Somerville, has launched an Experimentto-Own program for families who want to try using cloth diapers. For a $35 rental fee, they can try any eight diapers from the store for two weeks, mixing and matching different styles and brands, with guidance from Diaper Lab staff members. “We want to be certain that families find a cloth diapering solution that fits their baby and their lifestyle,” says owner Salina Gonzales Frazier, who provides educational workshops for parents seeking to use the diapers. “We know it’s a big commitment, and we want everyone to discover what diapers work best before making the investment.” The package also includes hemp or microfiber inserts for any pocket diapers, hemp doublers, a pail liner (if needed) and samples of laundry detergents suitable for cloth diapers. At the end of the trial period, families can keep and pay for any diapers they like and return the rest to Diaper Lab. Those who purchase more than $75 worth of diapers receive a $15 discount. “Cloth diapers are going mainstream,” remarks Gonzales Frazier. “They’re an environmentally friendly alternative to the harmful chemicals found in disposable diapers, and they’re healthier for babies.” Location: 201-A Highland Ave. Open Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 617623-2848, email Info@DiaperLab. com or visit DiaperLab.com.
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egistration has begun for the next Vision Educator Training Institute at Cambridge Health Associates. The course takes place in southern Maine over six, fourday weekends, from September 2011 to July 2012, and prepares trainees to work with a variety of vision conditions, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and “middle-age sight.” The 192 hours of class time emphasize hands-on learning; key habits and important exercises; and ways to create programs for individual students or groups. Trainees will learn how to teach others to see more clearly and comfortably by giving them tools to care for their own vision. Holistic healers can add another skill set to their existing practice and improve their own vision at the same time. Tuition is $5,350, excluding travel, food, lodging and books. For more information and an application, visit VisionEducators.com/Becoming_a_Certified_Vision_Educator.phtml. The 2011-2012 Vision Educator Training Institute takes place at 43 Mast Cove Road, Eliot, ME. To register, contact Rosemary@VisionEducators.com, call 207439-9821 or visit VisionEducators.com.
New Store for Hydroponic Growers in Cambridge
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YOstuff Hydroponics and Organics has come to North Cambridge, offering an extensive line of hydroponic equipment, supplies and easyto-operate hydroponic systems for the recreational indoor grower. “We can help eliminate hours of guesswork and the need to research all the options available,” says owner Eli Constantinou, who also offers custom installation of indoor gardening systems. “Our preconfigured systems include everything you need, depending on your indoor gardening goals, with prices that are sensitive to your budget.” Constantinou seeks to educate customers and promote healthy, organic, indoor gardening year-round. “GYOstuff hydroponic packages are assembled with the right combination of component performance, resource consumption and beneficial output in mind,” he says. The store also carries organic potting soils, nutrients, organic seeds, sprouts, micro greens, grow lighting and indoor grow tents, with carbn dioxide. Location: 2400 Massachusetts Ave. For more information, call 617-945-1654, email Orders@GYOstuff.com or visit GYOstuff.com.
SE Middlesex County | www.NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com
Naturopath Offers New, Natural Weight-Loss Program
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r. Barry Taylor, a naturopathic physician since 1978, with more than 40 years experience in the field of nutrition, is offering a new weight-loss program with a money-back guarantee. For three decades, Taylor has guided thousands of patients through his Love Your Body programs, which help people to heal their body issues and relationship to food, while doing some form of a cleanse. Now, Taylor is applying his Love Your Body forBarry Taylor, nd mat to weight loss, using homeopathic HCG drops. “Many diets can be harmful and not conducive to sustaining your optimal weight once you have achieved it,” says Taylor. “After consulting with doctors and nutritionists worldwide, I’ve endorsed this diet as effective, and my patients are thrilled with their outcomes.” Taylor says those who try his program will receive support from a compassionate and encouraging team; guidance for sustaining their weight-loss results; lessons on healthful eating; and information about helpful foods for achieving and maintaining optimum weight goals. Barry Taylor, ND, practices at the New England Family Health Center, 270 Winter St., Weston. For more information, call 781-237-8505, email DrBarryTaylor@aol. com or visit DrBarryTaylor.blogspot.com or DrBarryTaylor.com.
Free Training for September’s Jimmy Fund Walk
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eam core harmony is again gearing up to participate in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, September 18, presented by Hyundai. Those wishing to join the team are invited to take part in a free training program designed and supervised by Certified Trainer and Wellness Coach Debra Bennett. “The Walk is an opportunity to honor family, friends, co-workers and loved ones touched by cancer,” says Bennett. “Whether you are a survivor, walking in support or memory of others, or you just want to get in shape and reduce the risk of getting cancer, this is a fun and positive event.” The Walk is the only event, other than the Boston Marathon itself, to use the entire marathon route, with four start locations and a finish at Copley Square. Team core harmony walkers receive a suggested 12-week training plan for each of the walk routes, and a weekly lower body stretching and core training class from June to September at Shiva Shakti Yoga Center, in Waltham (ShivaShaktiYoga Center.com). All ages and fitness levels are welcome. The registration fee is $25 for adult walkers, who are asked to raise a minimum of $250 by November. Those unable to participate in person can participate as “virtual walkers,” with no registration fee. Since 1989, the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $73 million for research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. For more information, visit JimmyFundWalk.org/2011/coreharmony or call 617794-7123. See ad on page 33.
Green Living and Healthy Eating Program in Newton
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reener Every Day presents a Spring Green Up program for green and healthy eating, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., May 4, at Temple Beth Avodah, in Newton. Participants will learn how to select seasonal, whole foods and reduce their exposure to chemicals in food. Presented by Greener Every Day founder Rachel White and holistic health coach Laurie Brownstein, the program explores navigating food markets and labels; eating locally and seasonally; buying organic; and preparing quick and easy meals that won’t bust budgets or waistlines. The program fee is $20. “Participants will learn strategies for incorporating green and healthy shopping and eating habits into their daily lives,” White says. “The information is immediately and directly applicable to their lives—benefitting their health and well-being, while reducing their environmental impact.” Greener Every Day provides green home and lifestyle consulting services and educational programs throughout the Boston area. The organization also works with residential architects and builders to incorporate green building principles and practices into their work. Location: 45 Puddingstone Lane. For more information, email Rachel@GreenerEveryDay Consulting.com or visit GreenerEveryDayConsulting.com.
natural awakenings
May 2011
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Bicycle Economy
May is National Bike Month Bikeway networks are emerging along urban, lowtraffic streets as residents employ increasing pedal power in cities like Cambridge, Massachusetts; New York City; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco. Tourism and transportation trend watchers note that the amount of on-street bicycle parking provides a ready gauge to how rider-friendly a city is. Still, according to the findings of a National Household Travel Survey that 40 percent of all trips we make are two miles or less, the International Bicycle Fund (IBF) reports that Americans choose a bike over a car for only 11 percent of these trips. In Europe, which favors walkable cities, Amsterdam commuters lead the way by choosing their bikes 28 percent of the time, followed by 20 percent in Denmark, 10 percent in Germany, 8 percent in the United Kingdom and 5 percent in both France and Italy (versus 1 percent by U.S. city commuters). According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, at least a quarter of Americans age 16 and older will likely ride a bicycle sometime this summer. The National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes notes that 26 percent of American bicyclists ride for recreation, and 24 percent for health. Additional reasons include getting home (14 percent), errands (14 percent), visiting (10 percent), commuting to school or work (5 percent) and “other.” BikeLeague.org, the official website for Bike-to-Work Week, May 16-20, hosts a searchable database of bike clubs and ride resources.
Smile Factor
Which States Have the Happiest People? A telephone survey conducted from January 1 through December 31, 2010, randomly sampling the views of more than 350,000 U.S. adults, shows that Hawaii ranks in first place in terms of residents’ happiness, earning a rating of 71 on a 100-point scale. Other winners in the Top 10 happiness sweepstakes are Wyoming, North Dakota, Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, South Dakota, Utah, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Even West Virginia, which ranked last, earned 61.7 points. The survey, conducted by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, looked at six categories of well-being. These included life evaluation (selfevaluation about one’s present life situation and what is anticipated in five years); emotional health; work environment (such as job satisfaction); physical health; healthy behavior; and basic access to services like health care, a safe place to walk, and community. “When human beings give you an answer on a numerical scale about how satisfied they are with their lives, it is best to pay attention,” comments Andrew Oswald of the University of Warwick, UK, based on his 2008 findings from a similar survey of 1.3 million Americans. “Their answers are reliable.” For the rankings of all 50 states, see tinyurl.com/ 4lre9tk. For the daily national happiness index, see Well-BeingIndex.com.
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Bundled Deductibles
Breast-feeding Benefits Now Recognized by the IRS Until its 2011 decision for the 2010 tax year, the Internal Revenue Service did not classify breast-feeding supplies as tax deductible because it viewed them as nutritional benefits, instead of medical care expenses. Now, under a new ruling, nursing mothers can write off breast-feeding equipment if they have flexible spending accounts or if their total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income. U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin has issued a call to action to support breast-feeding, stating that it can protect babies from infections and illnesses, including pneumonia and diarrhea. Breast-fed babies are also less likely to develop asthma and to become obese, according to the report. First Lady Michelle Obama has declared her support for breast-feeding as part of her campaign against child obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics has spent years trying to roll back the push for infant formula, trumpeting the benefits of breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life (the World Health Organization promotes breast-feeding for two years). A recent Harvard Medical School study published in the journal Pediatrics estimated that if 90 percent of American women breast-fed, 900 premature, infant deaths would be prevented and patients and hospitals would see savings of $13 billion in lost wages and saved health care costs.
healthbriefs
Hot Flashes Signal Good News
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omen who have experienced hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms may have as much as a 50 percent lower risk of developing the most common forms of breast cancer than postmenopausal women who have never had such symptoms, according to a new study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Commenting on the study, breast cancer Oncologist Dr. Stefan Gluck, of the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, observes that the reduction in risk evidently linked to a natural decrease in estrogen is substantial. “At age 50, a woman has on average, a 2 percent risk of getting breast cancer; so if she experiences menopausal symptoms, the risk is suddenly only 1 percent,” he says.
More Reasons to See a Dentist Regularly
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study led by a University of California researcher gives women an extra incentive to visit their dentist regularly. Data collected from nearly 7,000 participants suggests that women who receive regular dental care reduce their risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems by at least one-third. The findings, published in the journal Health Economics, compared people who visited the dentist during the last two years with those who did not.
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Whole Grains Dispose of Body Fat
ere’s yet another reason to switch completely from refined flour products to whole grains. In a new study by the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, at Tufts University, adults who ate three servings of whole grains a day while also eating less than one serving a day of commercially enriched flour products had less of a type of fat tissue that is thought to play a key role in triggering diseases. The fat is known as visceral adipose tissue, or VAT, which surrounds internal organs. The researchers examined 2,834 participants, ages 32 to 83, and VAT volume was approximately 10 percent lower in the healthy eating group. However, lead study author Nicola McKeown, Ph.D., explains that, “Whole grain consumption did not appear to improve VAT volume if refined grain intake exceeded four or more servings per day. This result infers that it is important to make substitutions in the diet, rather than simply adding whole grain foods. For example, choosing to cook with brown rice instead of white, or making a sandwich with whole grain bread instead of white bread.”
Action Alert
Science Solves Mystery of Bee Colony Collapse Bees are dying off in developed Western countries, putting 90 percent of U.S. crops in peril. Multiple scientific studies now blame one group of agricultural toxins—neonicotinoid pesticides—as a major contributor to their rapid demise, and bee populations have recovered in the four European countries that have banned these products. But Bayer still sells this deadly poison here, even though the Environmental Protection Agency has recognized, in a leaked document, that Bayer’s “highly toxic” product is a “major risk concern to non-target insects [honey bees].” In 2009, Italy’s new, neonicotinoid-free corn sowing resulted in no cases of widespread bee mortality in apiaries around the crops, a first since 1999. Italy, France, Slovenia and Germany, where Bayer’s main manufacturing plant is located, have all banned neonicotinoids with good results. It’s up to U.S. citizens to convince the government not to heed the powerful chemical lobby, but to defend the bees and the country’s food supply by calling for a national ban now. Build a buzz today. Sign the emergency petition at Secure.Avaaz.org/ en/save_the_bees_usa/?vl.
natural awakenings
May 2011
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From Their Farm to Your Table
Local Service Makes Partners of Families and Growers, with Delicious Results by Kim Childs
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reg Georgaklis spent 25 years working in horticulture and agriculture in the Boston area, where he saw a disturbing lack of connection between those who consumed food and those who produced it. Seeking to change that, Georgaklis co-founded Farmers to You last fall. The service links farmers in Vermont with families in places like Cambridge, Arlington and Lexington to provide fresh produce, meat, baked goods and dairy items to hundreds of customers each week.
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“The food that we’re delivering is highly nutritious and highly flavorful—that’s the first thing that people notice,” says Georgaklis. “They just cannot believe the flavor in the carrots, the beef or the cheese. We have milk in glass bottles with cream on top, and people are stunned.” Improving the health of area residents by providing organically and locally produced foods is just half the mission for Georgaklis and his business partners. They also seek to elevate the status,
SE Middlesex County | www.NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com
productivity and prosperity of farmers in the region. “We need to reconnect farmers with the people who are buying the food, and have those people be willing to pay sustainable prices for food that’s produced in a way that really serves our health, the environment and those who actually produce the food—both the laborers and the farmers,” Georgaklis says. Farmers to You customers are asked to buy a minimum $30 worth of groceries each week, placing orders on FarmersToYou.com and visiting local site coordinators on delivery day to pick up their food. There’s a money-back guarantee, no commitment, and home delivery (via emission-free pedal trucks through Metro Pedal Power) for anyone who can’t make it to the drop sites. Some items cost more than they do in the supermarket, but most customers say they’re willing to pay for higher quality products and the chance to support more sustainable food production. “We’ve been spoiled by [local supermarkets] to think that food is not as expensive to produce and deliver as it really is,” says Arlington site coordinator Katja Baker, who changed her eating
and shopping habits after reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma and watching the film Food, Inc. “I’ve become a more thoughtful consumer and a better planner,â€? remarks Baker, who now creates weekly menus built around the food she buys from Farmers to You and the recipes that come with it. “It makes sense both philosophically and politically, and I’m so happy to know that my family is eating real food, grown and delivered by people I can trust.â€? In Cambridge, site coordinator and personal chef J.J. Gonson confesses that she puts. â€œâ€Ś crazy amounts of energy into finding local food,â€? for her family and business. Gonson says that it used to be a full-time job to find what she needed, but Farmers to You has made the task easier. “Sometimes you really do not want to deal with the whole ordeal of going to the [farmers’] market,â€? she says, “Or, it’s frustrating when you do and things are already sold out.â€? Gonson says that some Farmers to You customers are asking why they would keep using the service once the local outdoor farmers markets are open. “Then they immediately answer their own question,â€? she reports. “The Vermont growing season is two weeks later, so that means two more weeks of strawberries and two more weeks of peaches!â€? In May, Georgaklis predicts that customers can add asparagus, field greens and greenhouse cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, salad greens and sprouts to their orders, followed by plums and cherries in June. The immediate goal for Georgaklis and his colleagues is to add more families and neighborhoods to their delivery list. But he’s also thinking decades ahead, to the lasting impact he hopes to have on this area. “When I’m 90 years old, if we’ve managed to rebuild our regional food system here in the Northeast, so that Boston-area families are getting 50 or 60 percent of their food from a 150- to 200-mile radius, I’ll die a happy guy,â€? he says. To learn more about the service, the growers and the items available for order, visit FarmersToYou.com or call 802-225-6383.
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communityspotlight
Dahlia Popovits:
Weaving a Beautiful Career by Kim Childs
J
ust below street level on Union Street in Newton Centre sits Dahlia, a clothing and accessories store that someone might miss if they weren’t looking for it. Once inside, visitors are enveloped by a kind of soft, colorful cocoon of fabrics and yarns forming what could rightly be called wearable art. This is the world of Dahlia Popovits, weaver and clothing designer, artist and artisan, mother and businesswoman. Dahlia’s shop is full of handmade and hand-dyed silk scarves from textile artists across the United States, displayed alongside multicolored, handwoven vests, vesties (more structured vests with cap sleeves) and jackets designed and made by Popovits herself in the production studio behind the showroom. The natural-fiber fabrics include rayon, bamboo and cotton/bamboo blends, some of which are woven by Popovits in her home, where she
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lives with her husband, Marc Levine, a fellow artisan who makes one-of-a-kind handbags that look like small sculptures. Popovits was raised in Israel and New York. She studied painting at the School of Visual Arts, in Manhattan, but she learned about clothing design at home. “My mother was a seamstress and a maker of everything and anything textile—she was really incredible,” recalls Popovits. “I grew up with that and I picked it up when I was about five. I always enjoyed things like crocheting and knitting.” During her last year of art school, Popovits took a weaving class on Cape Cod that ignited her love for the craft and started her on a career path that’s spanned more than three decades. “I have designed thousands and thousands of fabrics and I could see continuing to do it for another whole
lifetime,” she says. “It’s fun to come up with a concept in my head, actualize it, and see the variations that comes forward within the original idea.” Popovits says the tactile aspect of the work also draws her in, as she encourages a visitor to feel the softness of a bamboo jacket. Bamboo has become a popular material for environmentally conscious clothing manufacturers, she notes, because of its sustainability. “The full plant is used—it’s cut and spun into yarn—and bamboo grows like a weed,” explains Popovits. “It’s also an incredibly comfortable fiber that wicks away moisture and is relatively odor-free. So people like to do yoga in it, for example, and there are now sheets made of bamboo.” Many women who buy Dahlia designs return year after year to add to their collection, says Popovits. As her clients have eased into their retirement years, she has moved away from business attire and toward clothing for special events and travel. The idea is to make clothes work for the customers, who can order items in the sizes and colors that best suit them. “I love my customers,” Popovits says, “so if they’re coming to me and looking for something in particular, I’d like to be able to offer it to them.” Inspired by fashion, color, texture and nature, Popovits’ clothing is comfortable, stylish and distinctive, attracting fans who know it when they see it on other women. “I’ve heard this a number of times,” she remarks. “When somebody wears something of mine to a meeting or function and another woman says, ‘Oh, you’re wearing a Dahlia.’ It’s highly recognizable, and to me, that feels great.” Popovits and her designs also can be found at craft shows in the Boston area and beyond, and some of the items are sold in Florida and Virginia boutiques. To appreciate the scope of the artist and her creations, visit Dahlia from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, or call to make an appointment. Dahlia is located at 97M Union St., in Newton Centre. For more information, visit DahliaHandmade.com or call 617527-4456. See ad on page 33. natural awakenings
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Natural Beauty — HEAD TO TOE A Holistic Guide to Looking Your Best by Frances Lefkowitz
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skin, as well, and comprises vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, such as olive oil. As for key foods, helpful antioxidants are found in berries and brightly colored fruits; Tannis especially likes kiwis and raspberries. Seeds and nuts have well-known anti-inflammatory properties, as well as minerals that form the building blocks of healthy skin and hair. Studies in the British Journal of Nutrition and elsewhere indicate that omega-3 oil, from borage, flaxseed, or fatty, saltwater fish like salmon can help hydrate the skin and reduce puffiness. According to research from the University of Brussels, silica—present in cucumbers, rhubarb, bean sprouts and other veggies—seems to play a role in skin hydration, as well as the formation of healthy nails and hair. Because skin, nails and hair all need a range of nutrients to grow, repair, and rejuvenate, Tannis also suggests a good multivitamin supplement. Finally, drinking plenty of water is vital to keeping skin hydrated from the inside out.
s it true that, You’re only as pretty as you feel? Yes, says Alan Dattner, a New York medical doctor and pioneer in holistic dermatology. “The most important thing that people can do for beauty,” he says, “is to come from peace, joy, appreciation and happiness inside, and let that radiate out on their faces.” Many experts agree: The secret to true beauty is to work from the inside out, as well as the outside in, reducing exposure to toxins of all sorts, including stress, and watching what we put in the body, as well as what we put on it. Here’s how Natural Awakenings’ panel of beauty professionals answered when asked how we can take good care of skin, hair and nails, and look our best, naturally.
SKIN How do I keep my skin resilient, clear and looking youthful? “Lifestyle issues, including stress, have a huge impact on skin,” advises Allison Tannis, a registered holistic nutritionist and author of Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles. Before spending money on creams and treatments, look at your eating, sleeping, working, playing and exercising habits. “Stress, whether environmental or internal, increases the body’s production of free radicals, which leads to damage of cells, including skin cells,” Tannis explains. So, anti-stress activities, and just relaxing, boost your appearance. Adequate sleep is also crucial for cellular rejuvenation, which is why signs of sleep deprivation show up in the face immediately, 16
ranging from pimples and puffiness to creases and dark, under-eye circles. A healthy skin diet is high in antiinflammatory foods and antioxidants that fight free radicals. Tannis notes that, “Inflammation disorganizes the skin’s complex infrastructure that keeps it tight and strong.” Basically, a diet that’s good for the body is great for the
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HAIR Labels on my hair care products show a long list of unpronounceable ingredients. Is it possible to get great hair without dumping all these chemicals on it? It’s smart to be concerned about the ingredients in hair care and skincare products, because they are subject to little official regulation and may
include ingredients that are not only ineffective, but harmful to health and damaging to hair and skin. That’s why green living expert Renée Loux, author of Easy Green Living, makes environmentally friendly choices. “If it’s toxic for the Earth, it’s probably toxic for our bodies, too,” she believes. Complex ingredient lists often make it hard to know what we’re applying. Fortunately, consumer advocates like Loux (ReneeLoux.com) and the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) have done our homework for us. When choosing products, Loux’s rule of thumb is, “plants over petroleum.” In other words, if the primary ingredients—listed in descending order by percentage in a shampoo, conditioner, gel, serum or mousse—are botanical or plant-derived ingredients, you and the planet are probably safe. Petroleum and petrochemicals—which are commonly used in many hair care products and are derived from a non-renewable resource—don’t break down well into natural components in the environment and may be harmful to human health. Loux also pays special attention to the, last few ingredients listed on the label because this is where innocuoussounding toxins often hide, perhaps as a fragrance or colorant. In the shampoo category, Loux likes low-sudsing versions, because suds are typically created by syntheticfoaming agents called sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate is common) that may irritate skin and poison the environment. With hair color, look for a stylist that uses low-ammonia dyes, or buy them yourself in health food stores and natural pharmacies; temporary colorants are safer than permanent dyes. “The deeper the color, the more important it is to look at the ingredients,” counsels Loux.
FACE With so many products and spa treatments to choose from, I’m confused about what my skin really needs to look its best. What are the basic necessities for a natural skincare routine?
While the European Union has banned 1,100 chemicals from cosmetics, the United States has banned just 10. Only 11 percent of chemicals used in cosmetics in the United States have been assessed for health and safety. ~ The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (SafeCosmetics.org) Cleansing (morning and night for oily skin, just at bedtime for dry skin) and moisturizing (all skin types) are the basics of daily skincare, according to dermatology physician Jeanette Jacknin, author of Smart Medicine for Your Skin and founder of the J.J.M.D. Botanical Dermatology skincare line. She says that soaps are generally too harsh and drying for facial skin, so use a non-soap cleanser instead, preferably one that is pH balanced. Oily skin will need a toner after washing to control oil secretion, and then a moisturizer, while dry skin can go straight to the moisturizer. “Men’s skin is actually thicker, rougher, and more oily and sweaty than women’s skin,” notes Jacknin. “Also, men have the special challenges of a beard. So, while a man may borrow his wife’s or girlfriend’s lotion, he may also want to find a skincare line made especially for him.” The next two steps in Jacknin’s natural skincare routine are exfoliation, to remove dead skin cells from the skin surface, and facial masks, which deep-clean, nourish and revitalize skin. These steps should be done once or twice a week, depending on skin type and the strength of the exfoliator or mask. Exfoliates come in two forms: abrasives, which physically rub off the dead skin cells; and chemical, which dissolve or peel away the surface skin layer. Natural abrasives include oatmeal and sugar granules, while fruit sugars and fruit acids, from pumpkin, apple or papaya, for example, provide natural chemical peels. Look for products with fruit-derived exfoliates or
make your own (Jacknin recommends Skin-Care-Recipes-and-Remedies.com). Take advantage of professional exfoliation and facial treatments by estheticians and spas that use professional product lines with plant-based ingredients. The final step in any skincare routine is sun protection. Wearing essential clothing, including hats, sunglasses and long sleeves, and staying out of the midday sun are dermatologist Dattner’s first choices for protecting skin from rays that can age and damage it. When in the sun, wear a mineral-based sun block such as zinc oxide, which stays on top of the skin, rather than getting absorbed, and forms a physical barrier to both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays. Also, watch out for nano-minerals; these have been broken into particles small enough to be absorbed by the skin during the manufacturing process, with possibly harmful results, according to Dattner, Loux and other experts. Unfortunately, the U.S. government does not require that nano-minerals be listed on labels, so consumers must do their own research. What about makeup? As Loux points out, the skin absorbs 60 percent of what goes on it, and many cosmetics are full of unregulated, untested petrochemicals. Does that mean you shouldn’t wear any makeup? Not at all. Makeup artist Jessa Blades, of Blades Natural Beauty (BladesNatural Beauty.com), says that switching over to natural, safe, mineral- and plantbased cosmetics is easy, as long as you are realistic. In general, the fewer ingredients used, the safer the product. “Give natural products a bit of time, and don’t be so hard on them,” she suggests. Her natural eyeliner requires reapplying a few times a day, she says. “But I’m willing to do that for my health.” Her tips for making the transition: 1) Switch slowly; don’t dump all your old favorites all at once; 2) Go natural on the products you use every day, such as concealer and lipstick, which gets absorbed directly into the bloodstream when you eat or lick your lips; 3) Change your expectations, as natural makeup is not as long-lasting, inexpensive or easy-to-find as the more common, but toxic, stuff. The good news is when it comes time to remove it, all you need is raw coconut natural awakenings
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or sweet almond oil and a cotton ball. “Natural makeup just slides right off,” says Blades.
Skin Hydration 101 by Kit Doucoure
Beverly Goldstein
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rinking water and applying creams aren’t enough to keep the skin hydrated, according to Beverly Goldstein, owner of Natural Sense Skin Care & Cosmetics, in Newton. Natural Awakenings asked Goldstein to share more tips on the topic of retaining the skin’s precious moisture.
During warmer weather, should people be very concerned about hydrating their skin? Absolutely. In New England, drastic weather changes—especially in the spring and fall—really rob the skin of moisture. In summer, you have the added problem of hot sun and air conditioning. Other factors include aging; tobacco, caffeine and alcohol use; frequent airplane travel; not drinking enough water; stress; medication; and hormonal changes.
Will avoiding some of these moisture zappers and drinking lots of water help? Drinking water helps flush the system, but it doesn’t put as much moisture into the skin as needed, especially during weather changes. For that, I recommend using hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA, humectants that do put moisture into the skin. Our skin is made up of hyaluronic acid, and as we get older, it decreases. It’s what keeps the eyes and the joints moist, and it helps with wound healing. You can take it internally, via capsules and liquid, or use topical versions. I ingest it orally because I have some arthritis in my body, but I also spray hyaluronic acid or sodium PCA on my skin before applying a cream. I don’t recommend spraying the face with water by the way, because it evaporates and can actually be dehydrating.
How can someone tell if his or her skin is dehydrated? When you squeeze the skin a bit and it forms a line, and the line stays there when you release, that’s a sign of dehydration, as are dry flakes and dry patches. In the wintertime, people make the mistake of using a heavier cream on flaky and patchy skin, but that “asphyxiates” the skin, so it can’t breathe. It gets clogged and blackheads and pustules can form. Most of the time, the problem is dehydration; so using one of the humectants might allow you to use a lighter cream. People with very oily skin might only need to use a hyaluronic acid or sodium PCA spray. A cream on top of that could be problematic. Visit Natural Sense Skin Care & Cosmetics at 326 Walnut Street, in Newton, or call 617-969-9510 for more information.
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HANDS The smell at the nail s alon is noxious; should I be worried about what’s going onto my fingernails? “If your eyes are watering, your nose is twitching and your lungs are seizing up, you should listen to your body,” says Loux. It is hard to get colors—especially bright, deep, rich, shimmering ones—to stick to nails; consequently, of all cosmetics, nail polishes tend to
Getting a good night’s rest is not only healthful, it induces others who see our well-rested faces to perceive us as more healthy and attractive than those who are sleep-deprived, according to research by the Karolinska Institutet, in Sweden. The study is the first to demonstrate that the objective of getting our “beauty sleep” is the right thing to do. ~ British Medical Journal contain the most toxins. “Nail polish is one of the tougher products to find for someone who’s looking to go natural,” says Loux. But she points out that some brands are eliminating toluene, a petroleumbased solvent that the Environmental Protection Agency has linked to mild
to severe problems with respiratory and nervous systems as well as kidney and liver functions. These less toxic polishes require more benign removers than conventional noxious-smelling acetones. Always apply them outside or near an open window. Even better, achieve a smooth, clear shine without any polish using a nail buffer. It’s a quick, inexpensive way for men and women to sustain a natural, finished look.
FEET What can I do to get my winter-weary feet ready for sandals? In a word, exfoliate. Rub away calluses and thickened, cracked skin with an emery board, and then relax while soaking feet in Epsom salts to soften skin, and rub gently with a luffa or pumice stone. Foot scrubs containing salt or sugar granules invigorate and increase circulation, especially if they include peppermint, rosemary or tea tree oil within a moisturizing Shea butter or organic foot oil. Exfoliating creams, similar to facial exfoliates, but stronger, also help peel away withered winter skin. Always be sure to apply a moisturizer to protect the newly exposed skin. Remember to soften elbows and knees, too. Frances Lefkowitz’s new book, To Have Not, was named one of five Best Memoirs of 2010 by SheKnows.com. Connect at FrancesLefkowitz.net.
Maximizing Your Skin Care Products and Routine by Olga Goldberger
Taking great care of the skin means using the most natural ingredients and applying them in the most effective way.
Olga Goldberger
Try these tips for radiant skin:
1. Go natural.
Look for products with herbal extracts, plant butters, oils and vitamins. Herbal extracts like ginseng, gotu kola and echinacea have rejuvenating properties, while chamomile, plantain, and dandelion all offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Butters like cocoa, mango and virgin coconut oil are excellent skin emollients. My favorite oils are evening primrose, sea buckthorn, borage and avocado.
2. Choose products that penetrate the skin.
Products with liposomes (also listed as lecithin phospholipids and soy liposomes) allow active ingredients to penetrate more deeply to the dermis level.
3. Cleanse and tone.
Clean the face with lukewarm (not hot) water. Use gentle cleansers and avoid soaps, which can dry skin. Follow with a non-alcohol-based toner to remove whatever is left of the cleanser and return the skin’s pH to a slightly acidic range.
4. Use a mask.
One alternative to toner is a three-minute lotion mask, as recommended by Chizu Saeki, in The Japanese Skin Care Revolution. My company created a rose-calendula moisturizing lotion to use in this routine, or try mixing 1 cup of chamomile tea with two tablespoons of avocado or extra virgin olive oil and three drops of lavender essential oil. Squeeze 2 capsules of vitamin E into the mixture and blend well. Wet a cotton wipe or cloth (available in beauty supply stores) with lukewarm water and squeeze the liquid out. Spray the cloth with the lotion on both sides, unfold and place on face, covering forehead, eyes, cheeks and lips (tear an opening at the nostrils for breathing). Leave on face, relax for three minutes, and remove. For a “steam bath” effect, place a piece of plastic wrap or a disposable shower cap over the cloth and leave on for up to five minutes. Apply a warm towel for one minute. Skin will be moist, clean and glowing.
5. Moisturize and exfoliate.
When using a serum, apply it while the skin is still slightly moist (for better penetration) using outward, upward motions from the chin towards the ears. Use a moisturizing cream on top of serum for dry skin. Each week, use a gentle scrub to remove dry, dead skin cells. Use humidifiers during the winter months. Olga Goldberger is the owner of Arboretum Skincare. For more information, call 617-413-8548 or visit Arboretum-Skincare.com.
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consciouseating
Foods for Ageless Beauty Nourishing Skin from Inside and Out Using naturally effective skincare products and eating foods that fortify and foster healthy cells works to renew, repair and rejuvenate skin for lasting beauty.
by Renée Loux
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any authorities have good reason to champion the fact that food nutrients such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds and omega oils are now showing up in personal care products. According to studies published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Food and Chemical Toxicology and Environmental Health Perspectives, skin can absorb up to 60 percent of what we apply to it. So, feeding skin high-quality ingredients may be as critical as the food we eat. It’s common knowledge that drinking a sufficient amount of pure water is essential for overall health and radiant skin. Here is a look at how other recommended foods contribute to ageless beauty.
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Avocados: Avocados are abundant in skin-beautifying goodies: omega-3 fatty acids, which support healthy, flexible, strong cell membranes to ensure that nutrients can enter cells and waste can be removed; antioxidant vitamins A and E; fortifying B-complex vitamins; lecithin, to protect and strengthen cell walls; and potassium, to support new cell growth. They also host a portfolio of antioxidant and antiinflammatory compounds—including phytosterols, carotenoids, flavonoids, zinc and folate—that fight free radicals and repair, soothe and renew skin and tissue on a cellular level. Blueberries: The Tufts University Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging reports that blueberries contain some of the highest antioxidant levels of any food, especially when fully ripe, and teem with skinhealing, anti-inflammatory properties. The deep, purple-blue color of these morsels is a reflection of the pigmentrich antioxidant phytonutrients, called anthocynanins, shown to improve the integrity of collagen in skin and inhibit photoaging (sun damage), according to a study in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. Chocolate: Chocolate offers a wealth of antioxidant catechins (like those found in green tea), and according to the National Academy of Sciences and the European Journal of Nutrition, works to improve hydration, skin density and circulation of blood to skin tissues, for a more youthful, glowing complexion. Scientific American and the Journal of Investigative Dermatology report that chocolate is also a supreme source
of procyanidins, which counter skin damage and help protect it while stimulating cellular growth and renewal. Dark chocolate offers the most beautifying benefits per bite, so look for 65 percent or higher cocoa content, and keep the portions small to mindfully manage calorie and fat intake. Cruciferous Vegetables: The crucifer family— including cabbage, broccoli, kale and radishes— is loaded with skin-beautifying compounds. According to studies by the National Academy of Sciences, its sulfur-containing phytonutrients boost the body’s natural detoxification enzymes to combat and repair damage to skin. Low in calories, these mineraldense and antioxidant-rich veggies are packed with carotenoid antioxidants, which help neutralize carcinogens and oxidative stress on skin, reduce inflammation and bolster immune response. They also contain isothiacyanates, which research published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows, specifically guard against breast cancer. Dark Leafy Greens: Dark leafy vegetables, such as collard greens, parsley, spinach and Swiss chard, offer more nutrients with fewer calories than any other food. Like cruciferous veggies, they’re packed with carotenoid antioxidants. Green veggies are also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which the body needs to produce and regulate the sebum in our skin and hair follicles for healthy, well-conditioned skin and a supple complexion. Green Tea: Green tea is infused with a potent portfolio of age-defying antioxidants. Because green tea is minimally processed, of all the teas, it offers the
Clearing Up Skin
From The Inside Out by Casey McAnn
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hen battling breakouts, many adults exacerbate the problem by picking at, obsessing over and abrading the skin with harsh cleansers. Instead, says Somerville Holistic Health Coach Dillan DiGiovanni, they’d do better to leave their skin alone and use that same energy to explore both what they’re eating and what’s eating them. “Rarely will applying anything help the situation improve, because it’s coming from the inside,” says DiGiovanni. “It’s really about getting in touch with the cause Dillan DiGiovanni of the underlying anxiety or imbalance and working with that, because whatever’s going on inside will start being written all over your face.” A holistic approach to clearing up skin also involves cleaning up one’s diet, DiGiovanni says. She recommends drinking lots of water to flush the body; eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for their fiber content, among other skin nourishing benefits; and avoiding dairy products and sugar. “Sugar is a leading cause of inflammation in the body, and anything erupting on the skin, whether rashes or acne, is caused by inflammation,” DiGiovanni explains. “Dairy can trigger allergic reactions that manifest as skin problems.” DiGiovanni recalls her own struggle with adult breakouts during an emotionally stressful time in her life. After trying a host of approaches—including antibiotics—over several months, she ultimately cleared up her skin in three weeks by developing her own treatment plan. “It was eating fresh veggies, thoroughly grieving the end of a relationship, moving on, drinking more water, appreciating my beauty and celebrating life,” says DiGiovanni. Keeping the liver happy with a diet of natural foods (versus processed and chemical-ridden) and adequate fiber is another part of the plan for radiant skin, DiGiovanni notes. An overstressed liver can’t properly process toxins, which may then exit the body through the skin. Herbs that help to tone and detoxify the liver include milk thistle and dandelion, she adds. DiGiovanni’s final recommendation is getting enough of what she calls “primary nutrition.” That includes supportive and validating relationships, work and spiritual practice, along with enjoyable exercise. “When those things are out of balance, you’re likely to make bad nutritional choices, which can affect the quality of your skin,” says DiGiovanni. “So, while a hug itself won’t change your skin right away, it will increase your endorphins, which then inspires you to do right by yourself.” For more information about Dillan DiGiovanni’s coaching and spring specials, call 617-510-2534 or visit SavorYourExistence.com. See ad on page 33.
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Easy Skin-Nourishing Foods by Nina Manolson
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ry this taste-tempting pair of simple recipes that “feed” your skin, from the inside out.
Honeyed Walnuts
Walnuts are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and raw honey is the ultimate immune booster. Put them together, and you’ve got a power-packed sweet treat that couldn’t be easier to make. Ingredients 2 walnuts, halved 1 tsp raw honey Dip walnuts into honey. Enjoy!
Belly Bowl
This nutritious, quick and filling lunch combines the healthy fat of an avocado with the cancer-fighting properties of cabbage. Naturally fermented foods, like the sauerkraut called for in this recipe, are also beauty foods because they help digestion, and healthy digestion supports healthy skin. Ingredients 1 avocado, halved, pit removed 2 heaping Tbsp of naturally fermented sauerkraut Cut avocado into cubes and replace in its shell. Add sauerkraut to avocado cubes. Enjoy! Nina Manolson is a certified health coach based in Arlington Center who specializes in working with busy moms. For more information on her coaching, workshops, upcoming events and more, call 617-771-5121 or visit BodyAliveBodyAware.com. See ad on page 35.
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most antioxidant polyphenols, including a specific catechin believed to inhibit cancer and also beautify the skin. Micro- and Macro-algae: Micro-algae, including bluegreen algae, chlorella and spirulina, are among the most concentrated sources of a full spectrum of beautifying vitamins and minerals for skin and hair and are easy for the body to absorb. These single-celled plants contain one of the highest sources by weight of protein, beta-carotene, nucleic acids (RNA/DNA) and chlorophyll of any food on the planet, according to studies published by the American Society for Microbiology. Micro-algae are available in capsules or tablets, as well as in powder form for powerhouse smoothies. Ocean-growing seaweed (macroalgae) contains more minerals and trace minerals than any other food, according to research published by Food Chemistry—10 to 20 times more than many land vegetables. Long prized for their beautifying effects on skin and hair, sea vegetables are an abundant source of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, as well as B-complex vitamins, including B12, for glowing skin; plus they have the unique ergosterol, which converts into vitamin D2 in the body to support healthy skin cell metabolism and growth. Look for sea veggies arame, dulse, hijiki, nori and wakame for a concentrated source of age-defying nutrition. Omega Oils: Healthy oils, including omega fatty acids, grow and nourish healthy, glowing skin, strong nails and lustrous hair. They act as a conditioner for skin, maintaining and supporting healthy, flexible, strong cell membranes to ensure that nutrients can enter cells and waste can be removed.
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Uncooked oils offer many beautifying benefits; because many nutrients are damaged and destroyed by heat— the fresher and less refined the oil, the better. Foods rich in omegas include flax seed and oil; olives and olive oil; pumpkin seed and oil; walnuts; and winter squash. Raw Honey: With an ample spread of vitamins and minerals, such as antioxidant vitamins A, C and E; skin-supportive vitamins D and K; amino acids; and fortifying, reparative B-complex vitamins, raw honey’s combined flower nectar and enzymes are laden with beautifying nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and healing compounds. The benefits are largely determined by the honey’s source and the environmental conditions in which the bees live. Red Wine: Loaded with beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids, red wine is a well-known source of cell-protecting resveratrol. Concentrated in the skin of grapes and championed for anti-aging and anticancer properties in studies published by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology and Anticancer Research, resveratrol appears to protect the skin against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, notes research in Neoplasia. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes contain some of the highest concentration of age-defying antioxidants. So, eat and drink up! Renée Loux is a celebrated green expert, organic chef, restaurateur and media personality and the co-founder of Andalou Naturals. She has authored four books, including Easy Green Living and The Balanced Plate. Visit ReneeLoux.com.
naturalpet
ALZHEIMER’S ALTERNATIVES Natural Therapies Can Help by Dr. Shawn Messonnier
C
anine and feline Alzheimer’s disease, also known as cognitive disorder, is the most common chronic degenerative problem for older dogs and cats, especially past the age of 10. It affects millions of pets in the United States. The cause of Alzheimer’s in animals is unknown. It appears, however, that inflammation may play a role. On the microscopic level, scientists have noted the presence of abnormal protein accumulations occurring within the brain’s blood vessels, similar to those in people with Alzheimer’s. Ultimately, the brain lesions interfere with proper functioning of nerve transmissions.
when other problems related to anxiety behavior are not in evidence)
Note that other conditions, such as diabetes plus thyroid, kidney, heart Several signs may indicate cognior adrenal gland disease, can produce tive disorder in affected dogs, including: signs similar to those associated with cognitive disorder. A full diagnostic n Staring at a wall evaluation that includes blood and n Lack of awareness of surroundings urine testing should be performed by n Occasional lack of recognition a veterinarian before reaching such a of the owner possible diagnosis. n Lethargy/lack of energy n Excess sleep (especially during the day) Conventional Treatment n House-training problems (usually The drug Anipryl has been approved for urinating inside the house) treating cognitive disorder in dogs; no n Deafness medication is available for cats. While
Clinical Signs
Cats share the same clinical signs of cognitive disorder as dogs, plus the following: n Poor coat (excessive shedding or thin, dry coat) n Poor appetite n Chronic constipation n House-training problems (usually urinating outside the litter box
effective in some patients, this drug is expensive and can have rare side effects. If the drug proves to be effective, Anipryl must be used for the rest of the life of the dog. Natural, drug-free therapies are less costly.
Natural Therapies Many different natural therapies can help alleviate cognitive disorder,
as recommended by a holistic vet. Changes in diet may include antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, herbs such as ginkgo biloba, targeted homeopathics and phosphatidylserine and acetylL-carnitine supplements. While I may incorporate a combination of these in the treatment of a pet with cognitive disorder, one mainstay is supplementation with choline/phosphatidylcholine. Many pets in my practice have had beneficial results with the patented product Cholodin, made by MVP Laboratories. It contains choline, phosphatidylcholine, methionine and inositol. Several years ago, I conducted a study funded by the manufacturer and found that Cholodin was effective as a sole therapy. Half of the dogs and cats treated with this supplement showed a moderate or significant response within 30 days; another 25 percent of dogs and 20 percent of cats in the study showed at least minimal improvement within a 30-day period. I now prescribe Cholodin for all of my dog and cat patients that are at least 5 years of age, as a preventive measure. In addition to choline and other natural therapies, I believe that it’s important to minimize inflammation in older pets, as well, because minimizing inflammation may also help prevent or decrease the incidence of other serious disorders. Because common commercial pet foods can have ingredients that can induce oxidative cell damage and inflammation, I recommend feeding pets natural foods devoid of byproducts and chemicals (feeding only wet food to cats). Other ideas to reduce inflammation include minimizing vaccinations through the use of antibody titer testing, and minimizing or eliminating the use of chemical flea and tick products. In my experience, using natural therapies, beginning when a pet turns 5 years of age, can actually prevent, and at least minimize, the incidence of cognitive disorder. Shawn Messonier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, TX, is the award-winning author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats; his latest book is Unexpected Miracles: Hope and Holistic Healing for Pets. Visit PetCareNaturally.com. natural awakenings
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snapshots Our area is rich with a variety of businesses and individuals who provide natural, healthy living products and services that can help us achieve greater well-being and fulfillment. They also create opportunities to build meaningful community connections and explore options for living a simpler, greener, more authentic life. Here are just a few of the many facilities, practitioners and providers who support Natural Awakenings’ mission to “feel good, live simply and laugh more.”
The Arlington Center
Foot Solutions
The Arlington Center offers meditation, yoga, African dance and wellness. Director Chip Hartranft says the center, “… provides a welcoming space for people to awaken, using yoga and dharma without adherence to any religion.” The Arlington Center has something for all, from babies to those in the second half of life, with a space large enough to offer movies, theatre and kirtan events, along with specialized classes and workshops in movement and personal growth.
For five years, Abe Hirsch has worked to relieve foot pain with innovative products at Foot Solutions. He spends as much time as needed with all his customers, applying computer-aided technology to help them find the right shoes. “Your feet are the foundation of your body, and it’s important to keep your body aligned, starting with your feet,” he says. “When you don’t have proper support, your body compensates, throwing alignment off. We can help correct that.”
369 Massachusetts Ave. Arlington 02474 781-316-0282 ArlingtonCenter.org
244 Needham St. Newton Upper Falls 02464 617-969-3320 FootSolutions.com
Cambridge Rolfing 335 Broadway Cambridge 02139 617-872-8137 CambridgeRolfing.com
For five years, Daphne Berwind-Dart’s goal has been to restore proper alignment to the clients she sees. A graduate of the Rolf Institute, she practices this bodywork technique from the office of Cambridge Health Associates. “I appreciate the mind and body as different aspects of one reality,” says BerwindDart. “My interest in my clients’ stories enables me to help them see connections between what’s going in their lives and their bodies.”
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Full Motion Family Empowerment 978-454-7425 FullMotionFamily.com
Allyson Makiej is “The Hoop Doctor,” an artist and health educator who uses hoops to show people how to have healthy fun. Offering private, in-home sessions and group- and corporate-wellness programs, Makiej says her techniques work for anyone, including nonexercisers. “I’m on a mission to make vibrant health fun and easy through entertainment and playful dance, teaching people of all ages to hoop, dance and stretch for a better body, mind and life,” she says.
Green City Growers
My Gym of Greater Boston
Denise Patnod, L.Ac.
For nearly three years, Jessie Banhazl and her Green City Growers have been installing and maintaining vegetable gardens in homes, corporations, schools, rooftops and restaurants in the Greater Boston area. “A friend was following this trend on the West Coast, and I loved the idea,” says Banhazl, a former reality-TV producer. “We educate people and assist in any way possible as a resource for them to understand the importance and value of growing your own.”
For seven years, My Gym in Newton has offered gymnastics and fitness classes for kids in a non-competitive, nurturing and fun environment. Director Melissa Fernando says, “My Gym helps to build strength, fitness, coordination and motor skills among children ages 6 weeks to 13 years.” Parent participation classes are offered, and the gym can be reserved for birthday parties. The Mymo Fit and Fun Club is a popular afterschool program for kids ages 5 to 8.
Integrative Holistics
93 Union St., Suite 408 Newton Center 02459 617-244-4997 NewtonDW.com
After experiencing personal success with acupuncture, Denise Patnod decided to change professions and study this centuries-old practice. Patnod’s 18 years of professional experience in the field of social work—assisting women through talk therapy, meditation, guided therapy and self-empowerment— informs her multifaceted approach to wellness. “Let’s help the body to create space for healing and self-growth,” says Patnod, a licensed acupuncturist. “Acupuncture allows that, as each point touches both the mind and body.”
600 Windsor Place Somerville 02143 617-776-1400 GrowMyCityGreen.com
269 Washington St. Somerville 02143 617-963-4222 IntegrativeHolistics.com
Dr. June Riedlinger, R.Ph., PharmD., N.D., has been a pharmacist since 1978. In 1994, she deepened her interest in herbal remedies and began studying these alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals. Now, she teaches pharmacy students about homeopathy and alternative and complementary medicine, while continuing her practice as a doctor of naturopathic medicine. “I try to help people understand the medicine they are taking and how and why it’s going to help,” Riedlinger says. “I believe in using treatments that stimulate the inherent healing power of the individual.”
Kickass Cupcakes 378 Highland Ave. Somerville 02144 617-628-CUPS (2877) KickassCupcakes.com
188 Needham St. Newton 02464 617-243-9496 MyGymBoston.com
Newton Dental Wellness
Dr. Michaela DeSantis, DMD, began her career in traditional dentistry before moving on to practice integrated dentistry under the guidance of Dr. Herbert S. Yolin, DDS. In 2006, DeSantis opened Newton Dental Wellness to unite traditional dentistry with complementary and alternative medicine. Her approach is guided by the philosophy that, “…all of us should do no harm,” and she investigates all of her materials to use the safest and most natural products available.
Newton Highlands Chiropractic
1157 Walnut St. Newton Highlands 02461 617-527-2887 NewtonHighlandsChiropractic.com
22 Hilliard St., Room 105 Cambridge 02138 617-820-6864 DenisePatnod.com
Zing Pizza
1923 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge 02140 617-497-4300 / ZingPizza.com
Café Zing
25 White St. Cambridge 02140 617-497-9464 Zing Pizza and Café Zing are the creations of Mark Ostow, who landed in Porter Square five years ago with his blend of healthful food and friendly service. Fresh, seasonal ingredients make up Zing pizzas, and organic, fair-trade coffee and tea are served with other treats at the café inside Porter Square Books. “We care about the products we sell, and we treat our customers and staff the way I’d like my family and friends treated,” says Ostow.
Dr. Robert Staulo became a chiropractor because the practice healed his back. Today, he brings more than Customers who enter this Davis Square two decades of experience to Newton shop will see cupcake towers, crisps Highlands Chiropractic, where his and parfaits, deep-fried cupcakes and primary goal is to free people from pain even cupcakes for dogs and cats. For three years, owner Sara Ross has created and prevent problems in the future. all of the recipes and operated from one “Wellness care is the ‘big idea’ behind chiropractic,” he says. “It may slow the guiding principle: “Pick one thing, and progression of arthritis, which traditionkeep it simple.” She says, “I wanted to al medicine treats symptomatically.” provide an all-natural product of the highest quality.” Don’t miss Cocktail Staulo specializes in back care. Cupcakes, on the last Monday of the month, from 5 to 7 p.m.
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healthykids
BABY ON BOARD PREPARING FOR PREGNANCY & MOTHERHOOD
by Jessica Iclisoy
It’s vital for a woman of any age to physically prepare for pregnancy and motherhood, for the health of both the mother and the baby. Start by speaking with a trusted medical practitioner, and then consider the following practical advice, geared to keep everyone healthy and happy through every stage of the childbirth process. Getting Ready for Pregnancy Stop taking birth control pills. If you’ve been using a hormonal method of birth control, your doctor may want you to take several months off before trying to conceive. Doing so allows your cycles to regulate and clears your body of any lingering manmade hormones; use another form of non-hormonal birth control during this time. 26
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Get your body in shape. According to Mairi Breen Rothman, a certified nurse-midwife with the M.A.M.A.S., Inc. home birth practice, in Takoma Park, Maryland, being in shape ensures a healthier pregnancy. “Pregnancy is hard work, and the more strength you have, especially in your core, back and legs, the better you’ll feel during pregnancy,” she advises. Being in good physical shape before pregnancy can also make it easier to stay fit during the nine months that follow. Start eating better. A balanced, organic diet provides the nutrients needed to raise a healthy developing baby. “During pregnancy, the baby is very much a part of its mother’s body,” says Rothman. “That means eating toxin-free foods, which cuts back on chemicals found in the mom’s body, will also limit chemical exposure to the baby.” Also remember to take a prenatal vitamin; a study by the MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, at the University of Southampton, in the UK, found that only 5.5 percent of the 238 pregnant women monitored had taken the recommended 400 micrograms of folic acid each day prior to becoming pregnant. Take care of chronic medical conditions. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma, for example, get it under control before becoming pregnant. Apprise your healthcare professional of any family health problems, so he or she can plan ahead once you conceive.
Having a Healthy Pregnancy Take prenatal yoga. “Prenatal yoga not only promotes long, lean and supple muscles, it also helps with breathing, which is important during labor and delivery,” counsels Rothman. Yoga also helps open the hip and pelvic joints and eases the aches and pains of pregnancy. The cat-cow pose, in particular, benefits the lower back, promotes circulation and even helps move the baby into the proper birth position. Limit exposure to toxins. Examine the labels of products you regularly use—especially skincare and cleaning products—and banish anything that contains a toxic soup of chemicals; if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s probably not good for you or your growing baby. Research from leading institutions such as the University of California– Berkeley and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has linked personal care and cleaning product ingredients to endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, developmental and reproductive disorders and cancer. There are now plenty of easy-to-find, toxin-free product alternatives. Green cleaners are available at most grocery stores and CosmeticsDatabase.com offers helpful guidance on safe beauty products suggested by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group. Research alternative therapies. Taking drugs for common medical problems such as headaches, colds and muscle pain isn’t always the best approach. Speak with your midwife or obstetrician about options like acupuncture, massage and
homeopathy. According to a study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, Swedish researchers found acupuncture to be effective in relieving back and pelvic pain during pregnancy; of the 1,500 pregnant participants, 60 percent of those who tried acupuncture reported substantial pain relief.
Natural Mothering Strategies Breast is best. Although breast-feeding isn’t super easy, it’s the healthiest option. “Human milk is meant for human babies, so it’s exactly formulated to be just what babies need and what they can easily digest,” notes Rothman. Breastfeeding gives babies an immunity boost, so that they tend to get sick less often and receive just the right nutrition; it also provides a sense of comfort, warmth and security that bottle feeding can’t match. Use natural remedies for illness. Aromatherapy and homeopathy remedies work to reduce mothers’ and babies’ exposure to over-the-counter drugs. For instance, eucalyptus makes a good natural decongestant; simply add a few drops into the bath, a diffuser or even onto a cotton ball that can be placed on a bedside table, for a soothing scent. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any natural measures that you are taking to support family health. Jessica Iclisoy, a holistic mother and founder of California Baby natural baby care products, writes about natural living from Beverly Hills, CA. Connect at Jessica@CaliforniaBaby.com.
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Healthy Pregnancy
Rx
Holistic Tips for Baby and You
by Dawna L. Jones, M.D.
When Holly, a healthy and strict vegetarian who ate no dairy, came to me, she was pregnant and looking for advice. Holly was seeking ways to treat her newly diagnosed anemia, and she was starting to feel a little nauseous, skipping meals and water. Her previous doctor gave Holly a prescription for nausea, but she didn’t want to take medicine. Below are some of the things that I recommend to patients like Holly for a healthy pregnancy. Folate Yourself Folate, found in green leafy vegetables, chickpeas, wheat germ, orange juice, beans and spinach, is essential for the proper neurological development of the baby. It can help to prevent birth defects like spina bifida and protect against anemia. Folate is also available as folic acid in vitamins. The recommended dose is 400 mcg daily. Diet and nutrition Omega-3 fatty acids are oils that help with brain development. They may also help women who are having problems conceiving or staying pregnant during the first 12 weeks. The oils help decrease inflammation in blood vessels, including the ones that supply blood to the baby through the placenta. Flax seed oil and high-quality fish oil are good sources of DHA for baby brain 28
development. If anemia is present, natural solutions include a multivitamin with iron; dark green vegetables; prunes and raisins; red meat; blackstrap molasses; wheat germ; green drinks that contain grasses or seaweeds; and capsules with chlorophyll. Cooking food in a cast-iron skillet will also help. Those becoming anemic may want to add an iron supplement, as the baby is going to require iron to make red blood cells and calcium to make bones. Homeopathic remedies may also be used (Ferrum Phos 6x three times daily and Calc. Phos 6x three times daily) for iron and calcium supplementation. A good daily diet would include five to seven servings of vegetables and fruit per day, along with protein (as chicken, fish, beans, tofu, meat and protein smoothies) and whole grains.
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Tuna may be off the list entirely, due to the radiation leak in Japan and higher mercury levels in general. Calcium sources include milk, cheese and yogurt and non-dairy options like collards, kale and dulse (seaweed); tofu; calcium-fortified orange juice; fortified almond, soy and rice milks; and a prenatal vitamin or calcium supplement. Avoid foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Babies who get higher levels of sugar may grow larger than they should. Salt can trigger higher blood pressure in moms, which may cause decreased growth in the baby and early delivery.
Nausea and Constipation Nausea is a common complaint during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and sometimes the bowels slow down, too, causing constipation. For relief, try
taking a probiotic and drinking lemon juice and water in the morning, as well as eating fiber (whole grains) to improve digestion. Natural solutions for nausea include taking extra vitamin B6; eating small meals at regular intervals; and avoiding fatty foods, hard-to-digest meats and dairy. Real ginger ale at room temperature and ginger tea made from the root may reduce the symptoms of nausea. Sea bands can be worn on the wrist to stimulate acupressure points for relief.
Ditch Zumba; Breast Feed Instead Studies have shown that women who consistently get their heart rate above 140 beats per minute during pregnancy have smaller birth-weight babies that may not reach their full growth potential. Exercise is fine-as long as it is light and adjustments are made for two. Breastfeeding is a win–win situation for mom and baby that can help the woman get back in shape fast. Delegate Cleaning the Litter Box Cat feces may contain toxoplasmosis, an organism that can cause problems in the pregnancy. Delegate the job of changing or handling the kitty litter. Viruses and Flu During Pregnancy Pregnant women sometimes have a decreased ability to fight off colds and flu. The H1N1 virus can be life threatening during pregnancy. While the vaccine is available, homeopathic remedies and supplements are also helpful in protecting against viruses. Limit exposure to people who are sick and take extra vitamin C daily. Homeopathic remedies like influenzinum and oscillococinum can be taken daily during the flu season to boost the immune system. Dawna L. Jones, M.D., is a board certified obstetrician/gynecologist, currently practicing holistic gynecology in Hanover. She is also certified in homeopathy and lectures on holistic health for women in the Boston area. For more information, visit BellaNaturalHealth.com. See ad on page 36. natural awakenings
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of massage—to feel, rather than think— transforms the therapeutic stroking, rubbing, wringing, tapping, kneading and squeezing of muscles into deeply satisfying human contact. Concentrating on the practitioner’s touch, while listening to relaxing music playing in the background and breathing in soothing aromatherapy scents, helps turn the mind off and focus attention on the moment. Such a restful state of mindfulness is key to successful meditation.
healingways
A Natural Sleep Aid
RESTORATIVE RUBDOWNS The Blissful Benefits of Massage by Linda Sechrist
Other than a silent retreat or a loving and comforting embrace of a friend, child or another family member, few actions are as multi-beneficial to body, mind and spirit as massage.
O
nce considered primarily a pampering experience for the wealthy, massage and its counterpart, bodywork, is today acknowledged by the larger medical community for its therapeutic value. The U.S. Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health provides the largest source of published up-to-date research on the subject, including substantiation for claims citing the many positive effects of massage. Among the reported improvements is an individual’s ability to relax and sleep better following therapeutic massage treatment. Recipients also tend to enjoy a better immune system response, fostering the relief of fatigue, pain, anxiety and nausea. On this basis, some large U.S. cancer centers, such as the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, now integrate massage therapy into conventional settings. Judy Stahl, past president of the American Massage Therapy Associa-
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tion, is a strong, longtime advocate for acceptance of the therapeutic benefits, including some that haven’t yet made it into the annals of conventional medicine. She became a professional massage therapist in 1987, and today continues the research she initiated for her master’s thesis in counseling and psychology: Touch Therapy in Enhancing Psychological Outcomes. It’s become her life’s work. “I regularly see practical evidence that supports research on the powerful and critical role that touch plays in the state of a person’s mind-body health,” Stahl says. Her years of patient/client sessions also provide her with a wealth of evidence that combining touch and talk therapy is far more effective than talk therapy alone.
Beyond the Massage Table
What a difference 60 minutes on a massage table can make. The first rule
SE Middlesex County | www.NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com
It makes sense that a good night’s sleep is essential to health. A study published in the American Journal of Critical Care showed that patients receiving a sixminute massage slept better than those in the control group, which participated in a teaching session on relaxation followed by a bedtime audiotape comprising muscle-relaxation supported by imagery and music.
Easing Pain and Anxiety
While massage isn’t meant as a replacement for regular medical care, it is being increasingly used in the allopathic community to help manage chronic pain. The results of a study by the Royal College of Nursing Research Institute, at the University of Warwick, in the UK, demonstrated that massage provides effective short-term relief for moderate to severe chronic pain. Patients receiving massage therapy reported significantly less pain immediately as well as one hour after treatment. They also experienced a significantly reduced level of anxiety. Six years ago, when integrative family physician Fred Morgan discovered that massage helped to alleviate the back pain he had suffered from for 11 years, he began recommending it to his patients. “The first time I went to a massage therapist, the pain went away for a week,” says the co-owner of Pleasanton Family Wellness Center, in California, which combines allopathic, complementary and alternative medicine.
Stroking Blood Pressure in the Right Direction
Not only does massage help to lower blood pressure, it also helps ease stress levels. One study published in Heart and Lung: the Journal of Acute and Criti-
cal Care noted that patients that had massage after heart surgery showed a lower level of postoperative blood pressure. Another study of patients that underwent twice weekly, 30-minute massage sessions demonstrated decreases in blood pressure and cortisol (a stress hormone), as well as depression, anxiety and hostility.
More is Better
Who wouldn’t want to have a massage twice a week? The ongoing research of
Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif, of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, and Tiffany Field, Ph.D., the institute’s director, demonstrates that while an individual can benefit from even small doses of massage (15 minutes of chair massage or a half-hour table session), longer bodywork, performed two to three times a week, compounds the positive effects. Linda Sechrist is a senior writer and editor for Natural Awakenings.
Massage Before Motion A Good Idea Worth Repeating by Casey McAnn
A
nyone preparing to actively enjoy the warm spring days might consider getting a massage before getting physical. Massage can loosen muscles to reduce the chance of injury during exercise, says Laura Barricelli, licensed massage therapist and co-owner of Sollievo Massage and Bodywork, in Cambridge, but one treatment is probably not enough to release accumulated tensions. “Some people might come for a maintenance massage once a month, while others with chronic tension should come once a week, at first,” says Barricelli. “It’s very much like going to the gym, in the sense that it’s cumulative. The more you do it, the healthier your muscles and movements are.” Barricelli says that those with chronic issues should work with a therapist to monitor the condition and adjust treatments accordingly. “If you’re seeking to change something like chronic upper-back tension because you work at a computer all the time, you need to set a plan with the therapist and see what changes occur over time,” she says. “We can then see how your body is receiving the treatment and whether it’s the right type of massage.” Sometimes massage therapists will refer clients to other practitioners for a different approach to problems. Barricelli explains that a reflexologist or acupuncturist might work the bottom
of the foot to relieve an upper shoulder issue, clearing an energy pathway that begins in the foot. “Whereas a myofascial therapist might release the fascia in the leg to reduce upper-shoulder pain,” she says, “because it’s all part of one network.” Sollievo co-owner and massage therapist Rose Centola notes that some people experiencing chronic pain will request a “deep” massage, believing that treatments should hurt to be effective. The opposite is true, she says. “The fallacy is that deep work is about pressure, and it’s not,” advises Centola. “It’s about coaxing the body to release when it’s ready, and then you can go deeper.” An over-aggressive massage can actually damage muscle fiber and defeat the purpose, notes Barricelli. “You end up doing a battle with the muscle, so that the muscle ends up losing, and you haven’t actually achieved anything therapeutically,” she says. “So sometimes, things have to go more slowly.” Between treatments, Sollievo therapists may recommend Epsom salt baths, targeted stretches and lifestyle changes to keep clients as limber as possible and make the most of their work together.
Authentic beauty comes from the heart – your life’s integrity and peace, loving yourself and caring for others – balanced with nature’s herbs, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots. ~Olga Goldberger
For more information about services and seminars at Sollievo, call 617-3543082 or visit Sollievo.org. See ad on page 13.
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calendarofevents All Calendar events for the June issue must be received by May 10th and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com for guidelines and to submit entries.
SUNDAY, MAY 1 Renaissance Project: Hope for Haiti – All day. Exhibit represents the work of Professor Jan Wampler and his architectural students in the Haiti Workshop. Shows details of the structures for the Village designed for Archahaie, Haiti. MIT, 9-Lobby, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge. More info, Scott Campbell: 617-253-5380 or ScottC@ MIT.edu. Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger – 7-9am, registration. 20-mile route, weaves through Boston, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, to Cambridge. Includes entertainment and free snacks along the way. Help raise funds for more than 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and food salvage programs. Boston Common. 617-723-5000. ProjectBread.org. Annosphere – May 1-8. 10am-4pm. See the seasons change before your eyes, as the hand-crafted, brass and mahogany annosphere cycles night and day in minutes. Free. Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Solar Lunch – May 1-8. 12-1pm. Observe the sun and possibly sunspots and solar flares through the Museum’s safe solar telescope. Weather permitting. Free. Plaza in front of the Museum of Science, 1 Science Park. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Cambridge Explores the Universe – 12-4pm. Experience live demonstrations, interactive multimedia exhibits, hands-on activities, telescope tours and more. Free. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden St. CambridgeScience Festival.org. Cambridge Naturals Celebrates 37 Years – Sample some of our favorite products. 12-4pm, Maple’s Gelato from Topline, a delicious, locally made dessert; 12-3pm, Ajiri Tea, Ajiri purchases directly from a tea factory in Kisii, Kenya, and employs local women to handcraft the box labels, beads, and twine; 2-5pm, Samira’s Kitchen, locally made hummus and Mediterranean spreads. Cambridge Naturals, 23 White St, Cambridge. Reservation: 617-492-4452. CambridgeNaturals.com. That’s How We Roll – 1:45-4:15pm. With Josh Schreiber. When was the last time you did a somersault? Workshop will break down the elements of rolling using the safe and gentle sequences of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons. $28 or class card x 2. The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 781-316-0282. Making Science Toys for Land and Water – 3-5:30pm. Make clever toys from recycled or inexpensive materials. Design a toy obstacle course on land or water. Join in water power demonstration by Habitat (Massachusetts Audubon). $5. Beaver Brook Reservation, Waverly Oaks Rd, Belmont. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Restorative Yoga – May 1 & 22. 4-6:30pm. With
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Billie Jo Joy. Intended for people who have been experiencing stress and fatigue, or people who have been sick or not sleeping well; also good for anyone wanting a quiet, centering respite. $35/workshop. Art Soul Yoga, 91 Hampshire St, Cambridge. Register: 617-395-4227 or Joy@Yoga. com. ArtSoulYoga.com. Urban Astronomy – 8-11pm. This spring, Saturn rules, and our telescopes will provide breathtaking views of its rings and moons. Will set up telescopes in front of City Hall to provide the public with views of planets, double stars, and star clusters. Weather permitting; if cloudy will reschedule for May 4. Free. In front of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Mass Ave. CambridgeScienceFestival.org.
MONDAY, MAY 2 Art Meets Science: Creative Preschool & Afterschool Laboratory – 8:30am-5pm. Sacramento Street Preschool and Agassiz Baldwin Community Afterschool children will be creating an interactive exhibit that fuses art and science in an our art gallery. Free. Fay Chandler Gallery, 20 Sacramento St, Cambridge. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Collective Intelligence: What It Is, How To Measure It And Increase It – 3:30-5pm. A talk with Tom Malone, MIT Sloan School. Will describe how the statistical techniques used to measure individual intelligence can be used to measure the “collective intelligence” of groups. Free. IBM Center for Social Software, 1 Rogers St, Cambridge. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Perception Gap: Risk, Fear and You – 6:30pm. A talk that explains the psychology of risk perception, and learn how to narrow your Perception Gap and make healthier choices for yourself, your family, and community. Free. Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. Cambridge ScienceFestival.org.
TUESDAY, MAY 3 Cambridge DPW Junior Forester – 9am-4pm. Learn how to care for young trees in the city. Sign up to “Adopt a Tree” on your street or near your school. The Dept. of Public Works will give you the tools needed to water young trees in your neighborhood. Free. Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. CambridgeScience Festival.org. The MIT Clean Energy Showcase: Green Jobs – 2:30-6:30pm. Speaker: Jeff Immelt, CEO and Chairman, General Electric. The MIT Enterprise Forum presents world-class programs of interest to entrepreneurs and the start-up community via our Global Broadcast Series. Panel discussion, moderated by Technology Review Editor in Chief Jason Pontin, and the MIT Clean Energy Prize Award Ceremony. Free/students & MIT faculty, $40/MIT Alumni & MIT Enterprise Forum members, $50/ nonmembers. Hynes Convention Center, Boston.
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More info, Greg Wymer: 617-253-0015 or Mitef@ MIT.edu. Standing Up for Science – 3:30-5pm. Combines discussion about science-related controversies in the news with practical guidance for how to deal with the media. Panel will explain how journalists approach stories and balance the need for news and entertainment with reporting science. Reception following, 21+. Free. The Broad Institute, 7 Cambridge Center. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. What’s Out There? – 3:30-5pm. Join educators from Mass Audubon’s Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and students from Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School as we search for organisms at Danehy Park. Good weather only; rain cancels event. Free. Danehy Park, Sherman St Parking Lot. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Midwifery and Out of Hospital Births – 6-8pm. With Autumn Vergo. Learn more about the midwifery model of care, birth options outside the hospital setting (home and birth center), and how midwifery care and homebirth support the health of mothers and babies. Briefly review of the research about the safety of midwife-attended birth at home and in freestanding birth centers. Free. Groton Wellness, 493 Main St, Groton. 978-4499919. GrotonWellness.com. Spider Silk: Evolution and 400 Million Years of Spinning, Waiting, Snagging, and Mating – 7-8:30pm. With science writer Leslie Brunetta and Catherine L. Craig, evolutionary biologist and research associate at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. Learn about the many different ways spiders use silk and why they can help us understand how evolution really works. Free. Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. CambridgeScienceFestival.org.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 Pranayama: Breath Work to Cultivate Spaciousness of Heart, Quietness of Mind – Wednesdays, May 4-25. With Peentz Dubble. Learn the art and science of working with the breath discriminately. Learn basic pranayama techniques which elongate, extend, expand and deepen the breath. Must be a current student of yoga, or have had previous asana yoga experience to attend. $60/4-wk series, no drop-ins. Down Under Yoga, 306 Walnut St, Newtonville. 617-244-9642. DownUnderYoga.com. Free Admission to Harvard Museum of Natural History – 3-5pm. Explore the dinosaurs, hundreds of animals, whale skeletons, minerals, and new & changing exhibitions. Volunteers in the galleries with hands-on activities and real specimens for visitors to examine. Free/Mass. residents; $9-$6/ others. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Climate Literacy 101: Discovering Climate Science at TERC – 5:30-7pm. Join the scientists, educators and gamers at TERC to look at the creative ways we are confronting issues of climate literacy and environmental education. An interactive talk and demonstration of a new project that explores local bio-indicators of climate change in New England and more. Free. CambridgeScience Festival.org. Going Native: 50 Favorite Plants for Local Gardeners – 7-8:30pm. With expert botanist Bill Cullina. Will share his passion for native plants and detailed info about his 50 favorite native plants for Cambridge and the metro region. Free.
Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. CambridgeScienceFestival.org.
THURSDAY, MAY 5 The 21-Day Smokin’ Hot Mom Challenge – May 5-27. 5 Teleclasses and daily online support, plus more, over 3 weeks. Learn ways to crank up your energy, make your skin glow, learn to love yourself more, and drop a few pounds too. Preregistration required. $187. 617-771-5121. Nina@ BodyAliveBodyAware.com. Register: BodyAlive BodyAware.com. Work-Life Satisfaction Workshop – 6-8:30pm. The Association for Women in Science (AWIS). Examine how current choices impact work-life balance and identify changes that will have the biggest impact on personal and professional satisfaction. Free. The Broad Institute, 7 Cambridge Center. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Understanding Lyme Disease: Prevention and Treatment of Spirochetal Diseases in Dogs – 7pm. Presented by Nancy Anderson. Will discuss why you should not vaccinate your dog for Lyme, some natural methods of keeping ticks off of your pet, and what to do if he or she does contract Lyme, Anaplasmosis, or another spirochetal disease. Cambridge Naturals, 23 White St, Cambridge. Reservation: 617-492-4452. CambridgeNaturals.com. Dental Secrets: A Lifetime of Health – 7-9pm. With Dr. Jean Nordin-Evans. Good oral health is vital to the functioning of the entire body. Can determine a great deal about overall health by examining your mouth. One of the most important goals of holistic dentistry is to remove any toxicity from the mouth and to use only biocompatible materials. Free. Groton Wellness, 493 Main St, Groton. 978-449-9919. GrotonWellness.com. Heartbeat of the Heavens – 7-9pm. For 100 years, the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) has been measuring the changing light from stars that vary: variable stars. Understanding these changes has helped scientists unlock the secrets to how stars are born, evolve and ultimately die, sometimes in catastrophic explosions. Learn how to participate. Free. 49 Bay State Road, Cambridge. CambridgeScience Festival.org. Boston University Jazz Ensembles – 7-10pm. Under the direction of Dr. Andrew Goodrich, Dr. Roger Mantie, and Colin Sapp perform in their annual Spring concert. Free. George Sherman Union (BU Central), 775 Commonwealth Ave, Boston. Colin Sapp: 857-205-8082 or CSapp@BU.edu.
FRIDAY, MAY 6 Mind/Body Balance & Alexander Technique – May 6 & 28. 7pm. Learn to activate your postural reflexes to stop creating excess tension as you go about your daily activities. As a result, gain improved postural balance, greater ease of movement, increased well-being and inner confidence. Ongoing introductory workshops. Brookline. Cecile: 617-359-7841. AlexanderTec.com. Workshop Series: Build Your Skills – 7-9pm. Dry Throwing: Try this new wheel technique, starting with a lump of clay and no water. Workshop includes a new round loop tool. $45, $40/ members, includes all materials. Mudflat Pottery Studio, Inc, 149 Broadway, Somerville. 617-6280589. Mudflat.org.
SATURDAY, MAY 7 Window & Screen Repair Clinic – 9-10am. Boston Building Materials Co-Op, 100 Terrace St, Roxbury. Learn to fix broken windows and torn screens. Free to current members; pay for materials only. Pre-registration required: 617-442-2262. BBMC.com/BBMC/index.html. Gardening in Small Spaces I – 9-11:30am. Learn about intensive growing strategies that optimize small or unusual spaces while building up quality organic soil. Led by Newton gardening expert Ted Chapman. Topics include raised bed, vertical, and square foot gardening as well as planting successive crops, extending the growing season, and soil quality. $45, $40/Friends of the Farm. Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton St, Newton. NewtonCommunityFarm.org. Fresh Pond Day – 10am-2pm. Free music and family fun. A Fresh Pond scavenger hunt, Lusitania Meadow Wildlife tours, native plant tours, Butterfly Meadow nature walks, Maynard Ecology Center open house, story walk interactive children’s activity, container gardening demonstration and displays, and tours of the beautiful water treatment plant. Free. 250 Fresh Pond Parkway and 650 Concord Ave. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Free Day at the MIT Museum – 10am-5pm. Discover high-tech artifacts, research prototypes, intriguing scientific instruments, historic photographs, amazing holograms and even ingenious kinetic sculptures. Free. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge. CambridgeScience Festival.org. Smarter Living: Build Your Own City – 11am4pm. Children of all ages learn more on sustainable living and energy consumption. Participate in educational workshops; be crafty and have fun
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experimenting with bird houses and build your future city out of recycled materials. Free. Swissnex Boston, 420 Broadway. CambridgeScience Festival.org. Free Science Carnival: Mini-Maker Faire – 12-4pm. Make, create, learn, invent, craft, recycle, think, play and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science and technology. Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Guided Urban Eco Scavenger Hunt – 12:30-3pm. An introduction to kayaking, the Charles River, map reading and navigation as the group works together to complete the Charles River Scavenger Hunt. Reservations required. Must be at least 10 yrs old. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. $55/guided 2-hr tour, boat rental: $15/ single kayak, $18/double kayak, $16/hr canoe. 300 Athenaeum St. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair: Exhibition of High School Student Projects – 12:30-3pm. Meet and speak with high school students with the “best of the best” science fair projects in MA. Learn about their amazing scientific research and engineering inventions. Free. MIT Johnson Athletics Center, 120 Vassar St. CambridgeScienceFestival.org. The Art of the Shamanic Journey: Introductory Workshop – 1-4pm. Led by Suzan & Del Baltozer-Fisher. Shamanic journeying is a meditative practice which utilizes drumming to help us get into an altered state of consciousness, where we can access spiritual information directly. Do two journeys and find our power animals. $40, payable before day of class. Art Soul Yoga, 91 Hampshire St, Cambridge. Register: 781-849-9599, Suzan.Baltozer@gmail.com, SpiritsOfNature Healing.com. Art of Alignment and Assisting – 1:30-4pm. Tap into the expertise of seasoned teacher and assisting pro Chanel Luck in this highly informative assisting and alignment workshop. Workshop focuses on spring assists: twists, arm balances and some standing balancing poses. No previous experience necessary, but strong yoga practice recommended. $35. Down Under Yoga, 306 Walnut St, Newtonville. 617-244-9642. DownUnderYoga.com. Moving Into Spring with Dru Yoga – 2-4:30pm. An Introduction with Regine Detremmerie-Carr. Dru Yoga is a fresh, energetic, positive and complete approach to health and well-being. All ages and fitness levels, with or without yoga experience, as well as teachers, body workers, and energy healers. Unique to the practice of Dru are energy block release (EBR) sequences. $30 or class card x 2. The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 781-316-0282. Regine: 978-256-8169. DruWorldwide.com. SoundScience Fun – 3:30-4:30pm. Welcome people of all ages who are curious about sound to learn, sing, move and explore the science of sound in this lively, interactive performance. $5. Passim Center for the Arts, 47 Palmer St. Cambridge ScienceFestival.org. Kirtan Music – 7-9pm. We are excited to welcome back Kirtan artist, Dave Russell, for an evening of music and celebration. $15/advance, $20/at door, $12/students &seniors (available at door with valid ID). Samadhi Integral, 796 Beacon St, Newton Centre. 617-243-0034. Samadhi Integral.com.
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SUNDAY, MAY 8 Second Sunday Sangha: Relational Meditation/ Insight Dialogue Practice Group – 9am-12pm. With Janet Surrey & Annie Hoffman. Interpersonal meditation practice for cultivating the mindfulness and tranquility of traditional silent meditation in our direct experience with others. Alternating periods of solo practice, insight dialogue, and yoga. Donation. Art Soul Yoga, 91 Hampshire St, Cambridge. Janet Surrey: 617-966-4898, JSurrey@ aol.com; Annie Hoffman: AnnieHoffmanYoga@ yahoo.com. ArtSoulYoga.com. Walk on the Wild Side: Alewife Reservation Refuge – 10am-12pm. Learn about how the area functions, and learn to identify many species of our city’s and town’s natural resources. Led by Dave Brown. Free. Alewife Reservation T Stop. Info: 617-415-1884. Medicinal Plant Walk – 1-3pm. Learn to identify healing plants in our area. Will look at plants ranging from the familiar: dandelion and plantain, to the less well known: motherwort, burdock, celandine and mugwort. Learn which parts of the plants are used medicinally and how they nourish us and support health. $15, free/children. Walk at Rock Meadow Belmont. Info: Boston School of Herbal Studies, 12 Pelham Terrace, Arlington. Madelon Hope: 781-646-6319. BostonHerbalStudies.com. Changes Focusing Group – 2-4pm. With Joan Klagsbrun, Susan Lennox, & others. Focusing is a mind/body/spirit process developed by Eugene Gendlin to access the body’s innate wisdom and cultivate compassion towards oneself and others. Useful for decision-making, clarifying life issues, moving past blocks, enhancing creativity, deepening spirituality, and knowing oneself more deeply in each moment. $8/at door. The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 781-316-0282. NewEnglandFocusing.com. You Ought To Know About Knots – 2-5pm. Get “roped” into a fun, family-friendly lecture on the mathematics of knots while exploring engaging activities. Speaker: Jonathan Bloom, MIT Exchange Scholar, Dept of Mathematics. Free with museum admission. MIT Museum, Bldg N51, 265 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge. Josie Patterson: 617-253-5927 or Museum@MIT.edu. Mother’s Day Workshop – 3:30-5:30pm. With Chanel Luck. An all levels, heartwarming, slow flow, gentle yoga and partner-stretching class. Come with mother, daughter, son, friends’ mother, or self. No yoga experience is assumed, class will be taught accordingly. Down Under Yoga, 306 Walnut St, Newtonville. 617-244-9642. Down UnderYoga.com.
TUESDAY, MAY 10 Nutritional Weight Loss Program Information Seminar – 6:30-7:30pm. Program is designed to help you reduce your weight and inches. Learn how this powerful medical weight loss and nutrition program will not only promote weight loss, but also become a lifestyle change. Free. Groton Wellness, 493 Main St, Groton. 978-449-9919. GrotonWellness.com. Introductory Workshop – 6:30-8:30pm. An overview of the school and programs. Opportunity to speak face to face with the admissions staff and get all questions answered. Get a sample of what being a massage student and professional entails by experiencing sample lessons in anatomy,
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physiology, kinesiology, and table techniques taught by instructors. Pre-registration required; space limited. Free. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-668-2000. Katie McCarren: KMcarren@Cortiva.com; Holly Fitch: HFitch@ Cortiva.com. Cortiva.com.
FRIDAY, MAY 13 The Emerging America Festival – May 13-15. A festival featuring groundbreaking performances by American artists. Emerging America will bring together some of the country’s most promising performers, writers, companies, and directors for a weekend filled with energy, imagination, creativity, and drama. Various locations. More info & tickets: EmergingAmericaFestival.org. Concentration Meditation Weekend Intensive – May 13-15. 6-10pm, Fri; 12:30-9:30pm, Sat; 12:30-4pm, Sun. With John Churchill. The practice of concentration (calm abiding) is the foundation of the meditative journey. Through cultivating the capacity for the mind to “stay” on the intended meditation object, we make the mind “fit” and “serviceable.” All levels welcome. Samadhi Integral, 796 Beacon St, Newton Centre. Register: 617-243-0034. SamadhiIntegral.com.
SATURDAY, MAY 14 Open House: East West Massage Therapy Center – 11am-5pm. Bring a Friend to the Open House and receive a discount for your next session. Free: VitaCoco Coconut Water Samples, JOOS fresh vegetable juice samples, LaraBar Nutrition Bars, and other tasty and healthy goodies. Free samples of massage styles at East West. Tours of our new sauna and steam room with explanation of benefits. 709 Washington St, Newton. 617-2442312. EastWestBodyTherapy.com. Spring Seedling Sale – May 14 & 15. 1-3pm. Special pre-sale for Friends of the Farm: 12-1pm, Sat & Sun. 20,000 veggie and herb seedlings ready for transplant; gardening tips and demos; food for sale. Bring own boxes for carrying. Cash or check only. Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton St, Newton. NewtonCommunityFarm.org. Calming a Restless Mind: Strategies for Working with Stress and Anxiety – 1-5pm. With Patricia Walden. Learn to use asana, pranayama (yogic breathing) and yoga philosophy to create new strategies for working with stress and anxiety. Workshop for teachers and students, anyone interested in personal tools to help themselves and others cope with stress. $50. Down Under Yoga, 306 Walnut St, Newtonville. 617-244-9642. DownUnderYoga.com. Dancing Kirtan with DJ Mantra Ji – 8-10pm. Experience the cutting edge of yoga where the ecstasy of dancing and Kirtan (call-and-response singing of Sanskrit chants) come together. Dancing kirtan lets you go within or join a guided, but freeform path to moving and connecting with others. Dancing bliss. Donations gratefully accepted. The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 781-316-0282. DJMantraJi.com.
SUNDAY, MAY 15 Newton Serves: Burying Grounds Clean-Up – 9am-4pm. Join community members in Newton’s day of service by cleaning up Newton’s historic Burying Grounds. Register: NewtonCommunity Pride.org/NewtonServes.html.
Deep Tissue: Legs – 9am-5pm. Learn how to take care of your legs as well as your clients. Learn how to work with common injuries seen in runners. Will look at four common pathologies and palpate muscles in legs. Be able to assess clients’ structural imbalances in legs as relating to the whole body. With Certified Structural Integrationist Ellen Halpern. Pre-requisite: Graduated from or currently enrolled in a 500-hr massage program. $160. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-612-6900. Cortiva.com. Structural Relief Therapy: Neck – 9am-5pm. Involuntary muscle contracture of the neck develops from injuries, which can lead to more chronic conditions. Deep tissue massage may feel good, but most symptoms return by the next week. Become confident with feeling and treating the structures of the neck. Open to all LMTs, students of massage therapy, and other health care practitioners interested in learning more on the topic. $175. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-612-6905. Cortiva.com. The Art of Practice – 10:30am-1pm. With Nancy Turnquist. Ideal for beginning and intermediate students interested in establishing and advancing a home practice of asana. Learn how to sequence more challenging poses into your practice of basic postures. End with a restorative practice you can do at home. $35. Art Soul Yoga, 91 Hampshire St, Cambridge. Register: 617-354-9439 or Nancy Turnquist@gmail.com. Parent & Child Workshop – Section A: 12-2pm or Section B: 3-5pm. Handbuilding: Mugs for Father’s Day. In this one-time workshop, Mudflat teachers will guide parent and child pairs (or other adult with a child) as work together in clay. All materials included; finished projects will be ready for pick up one month after workshop date. Ages 4 & up. $45/parent-child pair. Make a personalized mug for Dad – With Moriah Tumbleson-Shaw. Mudflat Pottery Studio, Inc, 149 Broadway, Somerville. 617-628-0589. Mudflat.org.
THURSDAY, MAY 19 Plots in Pots – 5-6:30pm. Choose plants and create a container garden that both beautifies your home and provides edibles for your table. Bring own container and leave this make-and-take workshop with a container garden of edible plants ready to grow and enjoy. Instructor Jenny Craddock. $35, $32/Friends of the Farm (includes $15 materials fee). Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton St, Newton. NewtonCommunityFarm.org.
radiation and surgery side effects on many levels. Prerequisite: Graduated from or currently enrolled in a 500-hr massage therapy program. $140. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-6126900. Cortiva.com. Introduction to Craniosacral Techniques 2 – 9am-6pm. $160. Continue to explore the craniosacral system and learn additional techniques. Review anatomy as it pertains to the CST system, discuss contraindications and take a look at why these techniques are helpful and how to perform them. Prerequisite: Graduated from or currently enrolled in a 500-hr massage therapy program. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617612-6900. Cortiva.com.
SATURDAY, MAY 21 Shake Your Soul – With Daniel Leven. Influenced by aerobics, connected to yoga & movement therapy, and inspired by modern & African dance, Shake Your Soul classes offer the perfect combination of led dynamic movements and opportunities for creative exploration and self-expression, all designed to resonate and amplify the rhythm and dance of our body’s fluid nature. Samadhi Integral, 796 Beacon St, Newton Centre. Register: 617-2430034. SamadhiIntegral.com. Kirtan with Shubalananda & Ashley plus Special Guests – 7pm. Sing the kirtan, call and response style, over and over, with more and more bhava until the singers enter higher planes of consciousness. The wonderful thing about Kirtan is that it is fun. Donation. The Arlington Center, 369 Mass Ave, Arlington. 781-316-0282. Arlington Center.org. Shubalananda.com.
Restorative Yoga – 4-6:30pm. See May 1 listing. Art Soul Yoga, 91 Hampshire St, Cambridge. Register: 617-395-4227 or Joy@Yoga.com. ArtSoulYoga.com.
THURSDAY, MAY 26 Understanding Bioidentical Hormones – 6-8pm. With Dr. Charise Ivy. Hormone imbalance is common in both women and men and can cause a plethora of medical symptoms and problems. Free lecture offers an understanding of the hormones, treatments, controversies, and risks and benefits of bioidentical hormones. Free. Groton Wellness, 493 Main St, Groton. 978-449-9919. GrotonWellness.com. History Book Club Meeting – 7:30pm. This month’s book selection is The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto. New members always welcome. Free. The Jackson Homestead and Museum, 527 Washington St, Newton. 617796-1450.
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SATURDAY, MAY 28
Deep Tissue Refresher – 9am-5pm. Learn treatment strategies designed to break these muscular holding patterns that are direct, purposeful, and easy to apply. Learn how to use: cross-fiber friction, passive movement, neurological inhibition, breath and positioning to enhance the overall effectiveness of treatment. Prerequisite: Graduated from or currently enrolled in a 500-hr massage therapy program. $140. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-612-6900. Cortiva.com.
Mind/Body Balance & Alexander Technique – 7pm. See May 6 listing. Brookline. Cecile: 617359-7841. AlexanderTec.com.
Massage and Cancer – 9am-5pm. An overview of cancer and qualities of cancer cells in general. Subsequent topics will include 3 common types of medical cancer treatment. Medical devices, positioning and pressure, indications and contraindications for massage with respect to chemotherapy,
SUNDAY, MAY 29 Journey into Sound: Developing the Use of Mantra in a Yoga Practice – 12-3pm. With Jared Hirsch. In this workshop immerse ourselves into a multi-dimension yoga practice utilizing asana, pranayama, visualization, meditation and chanting. Explore some common chants and mantras used within the context of a yoga education. Discussion of ways to individualize the use of sound in practice. All levels. 12:30-3pm. $35. Down Under Yoga, 306 Walnut St, Newtonville. 617-244-9642. DownUnderYoga.com
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ongoingcalendar All Calendar events for the June issue must be received by May 10th and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com for guidelines and to submit entries.
Stratton Student Center, Bldg W20, Rm 306, 84 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge. David Weingeist: Qi@MIT.edu. Web.MIT.edu/Qigong. Anusara Inspired Yoga – 10:30-11:45am. With Andrea Fotopolous. An integrated approach to hatha yoga in which the human spirit blends with the science of biomechanics. Grounded in a deep understanding of body alignment and an essential appreciation and respect for each student’s abilities and limitations. $17 drop-ins. Majestic Yoga Studio, 223 Concord Ave, Cambridge. 617-8766116. MajesticYogaStudio.com. The Men’s Class – 6:30-7:45pm. A unique opportunity for men of all backgrounds and athletic abilities to practice O2 yoga and create community. Taught by men. An active heat-generating practice focused on the development of strength, flexibility and balance. O2 Yoga, 121 E Berkeley St, 2nd Fl, Boston. 617-532-0691.
Basics – 8:30-9:45am. Introductory class. Focus placed on the proper execution of postures and principles. Appropriate for new students or experienced students wishing to strengthen the foundation of their practice. $14/drop-ins; passes available. O2 Yoga, 288 Highland Ave, Somerville. 617-625-0267. Baby Lapsit – 10-10:30am. Enjoy time together with other parents, caregivers, and babies to learn, play, and develop language and motor skills. For pre-walkers. Cambridge Public Library, Main, Snail Rm, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. 617-3494038. CambridgeMA.gov/CPL.aspx. MIT Qigong – Thru Jun 21. 7-8pm. The dynamic practice cultivates wholesome power and physical equilibrium. Open to the public. Free. MIT,
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Bioenergetics Exercise Class – 7-8:15pm. A blend of stretching, breathing, grounding and expressive exercises. Appropriate for therapists, students of expressive therapies, and those wishing to develop greater body awareness. Led by Sarah Putnam. $10. 269 Washington St, Somerville. 617-640-7560 or SarahPutnam@netscape. com. MassBioenergetics.org.
Practitioners’ Breakfast – 7:30-9am. 3rd Tues. A time for practitioners to come together and enjoy a light breakfast and discuss different ways to practice holistic health care. Bring anyone you know who uses a more natural approach to healthcare and have the opportunity to share with others of your community. $5 donation. Groton Wellness, 493 Main St, Groton. 978-449-9919. Groton Wellness.com. Intermediate – 9:30-11am. More difficult poses and sequences are introduced with the goal of building strength, flexibility, and focus. $14/dropins; passes available. O2 Yoga, 288 Highland Ave, Somerville. 617-625-0267. Nantucket Basket Making Class – 10am-12pm. Open to all levels. Self-paced, join at any time. Choose a Nantucket Basket project that best suits your skills and experience. Costs for materials based on the materials required for specific project. $30/session. GrayMist Studio & Shop, 364 Huron Ave, Cambridge. 617-868-8868. GrayMist Studio.com. Stretching for Seniors – 10:30-11:30am. With Sylvia Piltch. Increase range of motion with easy
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stretching set to the rhythm of big band music. Cambridge Public Library, Main, Community Rm, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. 617-349-4032. CambridgeMA.gov/CPL.aspx. Preschool Story Time – 4-4:30pm. Ages 3-5 and caregivers. Accommodate 45 people. Tickets available on first-come, first-served basis on day of program. Cambridge Public Library, Main, Snail Rm, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. 617-3494038. CambridgeMA.gov/CPL.aspx. Boudreau Knitting Group – 7-8pm. 1st & 3rd Tues. Bring own needles and yarn. Enjoy meeting other knitters, share tips, techniques and inspiration and peruse interesting knitting books. Adults only. Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Ave, Cambridge. 617-349-4017. CambridgeMA.gov/ CPL.aspx. Dirty Water Saloon – 7-10pm. Two-step, West Coast Swing and Line Dancing for GLBT folks, friends and allies. Learn to lead or follow to artists such as Train, Lady Antebellum, and Brad Paisley. Free. The Milky Way, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain. DirtyWaterSaloon.com. Yoga Nidra/Integrated Relaxation – 7:30pm. An ancient meditation technique that allows you a portal into the inner and subtler dimensions of Yoga through the practice of asana, pranayama, and guided meditation. Led by Reina Lovelace. Samadhi Integral, 796 Beacon St, Newton Centre. Register: 617-243-0034. SamadhiIntegral.com.
Tong Ren Healing Energy Class – 9-10am. Classes use the Tom Tam Healing System. The foundation of his system is that blockages in the flow of Chi impede healing. Direct energy from
the collective unconscious, to focus it on people, reducing blockages. Completely natural, safe and painless. $10 suggested donation. Jefferson Cutter House (basement), 611 Mass Ave at Rte 60, Arlington. Class leader, Charlie Smigelski, RD: CharlieNutrition.com. TomTam.com. Onesies (and Twosies) – 10-10:30am. Ages 12-24 mos. Too young for storytime, too old for lapsit? Rhyme, bounce and read with other toddlers and their grownups. Can accommodate 30 people. Tickets available on first-come, first served basis on day of program. Cambridge Public Library, Main, Snail Rm, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. 617349-4038. CambridgeMA.gov/CPL.aspx. Nantucket Basket Making Class – 10am-12pm, 1-3pm & 7-9pm. See Tues listing. GrayMist Studio & Shop, 364 Huron Ave, Cambridge. 617868-8868. GrayMistStudio.com. Power – 6-7:30pm. Advanced level. The instructor leads the class through a flowing and varied sequence of postures including arm balances, backbends and inversions. Intended to challenge the more experienced student. $14/drop-ins; passes available. O2 Yoga, 288 Highland Ave, Somerville. 617-625-0267. Chick Lit Book Discussion Group – 7-8pm. 4th Wed. Group focuses on these modern works and discuss the merits and pitfalls of reading chick lit. Cambridge Public Library, Beech Rm, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. 857-235-9810. Kelly Linehan, KLinehan@CambridgeMA.gov. CambridgeMA. gov/CPL.aspx. Maum Meditation Introduction Seminar – 7-8pm. Also 3-4pm, Sat. Purpose is to bring people out of the false mind world that they are living in that includes stress, anxiety, loneliness, etc., all sorts of pain and burden. By subtracting all these false mind elements can remove the source of all these disturbances and live much better. Even one’s body will become healthier. Maum Meditation, 50 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 617-272-6358. Maum.org. Prana 2 Music in Cambridge – 7:30-8:45pm. An invigorating, all levels flow, set to a unique playlist created by the instructor. Experience the Prana flow as you open into the rhythm of your breath and the music. Classes sell out, arrive a bit early. Prana class packages and regular drop-in rates apply. Prana Power Yoga, 585 Mass Ave, 2nd fl (2R on elevator), Central Square, Cambridge. PranaPowerYoga.com.
Collins Tea Time – 3:30-5pm. We provide tea, snacks, and plenty of reading material to browse and borrow. Informal discussions and an invigorating break. Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Ave, Cambridge. 617-349-4021. CambridgeMA.gov/ CPL.aspx.
Tour of the New Main Library – 10-11am. Library has recently earned a LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Learn more about the green aspects of new building as well as the art and architecture of both the stone and the glass sides of the building. Free. Cambridge Public Library, Main, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. Register: CPLDocents@gmail.com. CambridgeMA.gov/CPL.aspx.
Ashtanga – 6-7:30pm. Appropriate for intermediate and advanced students. Include predictable sequencing, focus on flow (Vinyasa), and working toward full expression of postures with proper execution of breath and timing. $14/drop-ins; passes available. O2 Yoga, 288 Highland Ave, Somerville. 617-625-0267.
Nantucket Basket Making Class – 10am-12pm. See Tues listing. GrayMist Studio & Shop, 364 Huron Ave, Cambridge. 617-868-8868. GrayMist Studio.com. Fresh Pond Cambridge Walk from Whole Foods – 11am. 1st Sat. Meet in front of Whole Foods, then walk over to the pond and around the 2.25-mile paved trail. Whole Foods Market, 200 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge.
Nantucket Basket Making Class – 10am-12pm & 1-3pm, every other Fri. See Tues listing. GrayMist Studio & Shop, 364 Huron Ave, Cambridge. 617-868-8868. GrayMistStudio.com.
Maum Meditation Introduction Seminar – 3-4pm. See Wed listing. Maum Meditation, 50 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 617-272-6358. Maum.org.
Yoga at Special Olympics – 3pm. Parent and athlete gentle Kripalu Yoga class. $12. Special Olympics Headquarters, Yawkey Sports Training Facility, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough. Pat Lebau: 508-393-5581. MIT SGS Public Board Games Night – 7-11:30pm. Favorite games include The Settlers of Catan, Battlestar Galactica, Race for the Galaxy, and Power Grid. Extensive game library has something for everybody. MIT, Walker Memorial, Bldg 50, Rm 316, 142 Memorial Dr, Boston. Maxwell Mann: MMann@MIT.edu. Prana After Dark in Cambridge – 9-10:30pm. 2nd Fri. With Ray. Features a blend of electronic, dub-reggae, and chill-out music: coordinated in a playlist that is built to flow with the class. Prana Power Yoga, 585 Mass Ave, 2nd fl (2R on elevator), Central Square, Cambridge. Prana PowerYoga.com.
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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com to request our media kit.
CHIROPRACTOR WALTHAM CHIROPRACTIC Dr. John C. Duffy, DC 781-894-4270 WalthamChiropractic.com
Chiropractic, massage therapy, nutritional therapies, adjunctive physical therapy, activator techniques, applied kinesiology, pediatric adjusting, sacro-occipital techniques, personal injury/auto accident cases, sports injuries; major health insurances accepted. See ad page 15.
EDITING/WRITING SERVICES KIM CHILDS Writer/Editor 617-640-3813 KimChilds.com
Let me help you to say what you want to say as clearly and originally as possible, whether your writing project is personal or professional.
HEALTHY HOME CREATIVITY COACHING THE ARTIST’S WAY Kim Childs 617-640-3813 KimChilds.com
Kim coaches groups and individuals in the life-changing practices and principles of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Group intensives offered each spring and fall.
COUNSELING/ PSYCHOTHERAPY ARLINGTON WELLNESS
Dal Hucknall, LICSW 781-424-6249 ArlingtonCenter.org/Therapy.html Change your life with integrated approach through healthy diet, nutrition, life coaching, and hypnosis. This highly effective, step-by-step method helps overcome anxiety, depression and addictions. See ad page 33.
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ENERGY CONSERVATION DESIGN Peter Brooks 617-833-0087 P.Brooks@rcn.com EnergyConservationDesign.us
A home consultation will: Reduce your carbon footprint and save energy; Increase comfort and air quality through diagnostic testing, air sealing and insulation.
HOLISTIC BODYWORK BARBARA GOSSELIN, PT
393 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 781-507-4226 HolisticHealingPT.com I’m a Physical Therapist with 20+ years experience helping people recover from pain using gentle, effective Bodywork techniques including Craniosacral Therapy and Fascial Mobilization. See ad page 15.
SE Middlesex County | www.NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com
HOLISTIC HEALTH COACH NINA MANOLSON, MA, LMT, CHC Certified Health Coach 617-771-5121 Nina@BodyAliveBodyAware.com BodyAliveBodyAware.com
Helping busy women who take care of everything, start taking care of themselves. Nina offers health coaching, wellness and cooking classes. Free trial sessions offered. See ad page 35.
SAVOR YOUR EXISTENCE INTEGRATIVE HEALTH Dillan DiGiovanni, CHC 617-510-2534 SavorYourExistence.com
Set and reach goals for mindful eating and balanced lifestyle habits with Dillan as your coach. Live better. Savor Your Existence. See ad page 33.
INTEGRATED MANUAL & ENERGETIC BODYWORK PHOENIX HEALING ARTS 617-413-7174 Mimi@PhoenixHealingArts.net PhoenixHealingArts.net
Phoenix Healing Arts is a manual and energetic bodywork practice that specializes in techniques for chronic pain and physical, emotional and sexual trauma release. See ad page 29.
INTEGRATIVE THERAPY NEXUS INTEGRATIVE THERAPY Alison Shaw APRN, LMT, CEH 393 Massachusetts Ave Arlington, MA 02474 781-646-0686 Alison@NexusIntegrativeTherapy.com
Your symptoms are trying to tell you something… Listen… Your body, emotions and thoughts are constantly interacting and affecting each other. Using my innovative blend of Body-Centered Counseling, Bodywork and Energy Medicine, I will help you discover and release the underlying mind-body patterns that may be interfering with your health and limiting your life. See ad page 36.
HOLISTIC PET CANIS MAJOR HERBALS Nancy Anderson 617-501-9241 Nancy@CanisMajorHerbals.com
Helping to bring dogs back to wellness using medicinal herbalism for health conditions and Tail Hikes for exercise. See Canis MajorHerbals.com for more info. See ad page 35.
MASSAGE ERIC M. VOLKIN 339-368-0375 EVolkin7@gmail.com EVCMassage.com
Receive a massage experience that is unequaled, combining strength, gentleness, knowledge and experience with an acute sensitivity to minimizing pain and stiffness. By appointment only. See ad page 37.
MYERS BODYWORK
Lexington, MA 781-862-8000 Tamar@MyersBodywork.com MyersBodywork.com
COMING IN JUNE
Tamar Myers, in practice since 1992, offers comprehensive bodywork. Her expertise in a wide variety of modalities allows her to design sessions unique to each individual’s needs.
NATURAL SKIN CARE ARBORETUM NATURAL COSMETICS Olga Goldberger 617-413-8548 Arboretum1@gmail.com Arboretum-SkinCare.com
Want to look your best? Homemade, all-natural, anti-aging, skin care line. Organic facial cleansers, serums, masks and creams sure to bring a glow to your face.
PHYSICAL THERAPY/ SPORTS MEDICINE CAMBRIDGE PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS MEDICINE 1000A Cambridge St, Cambridge, 02141 617-492-6600 CambridgePTSportsMed.com
Specializing in outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation and treatment of sports, dance and work injuries. We also treat computer/musician overuse injuries, carpal tunnel, and injuries from motor vehicle accidents. See ad page 37.
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