Natural Awakenings Boston December 2011 by Natural Awakenings Greater Boston/Rhode Island

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET feel good live simply laugh more

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NEW YEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTENTIONS Wayne Dyer Shares Five Favorites

MEANINGFUL

GIVING

December 2011 |

Tips to Simplify the Season

HOLIDAY TREATS Flavorful, Festive Party Foods

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contents 5

5 newsbriefs 13 ecotip 14 healthbriefs

15 globalbriefs 16 healthykids 21 inspiration

22 community

spotlight

24 consciouseating 30 greenliving

32 calendarof events

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 Visit NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

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.

16 THE PARENT PATH

How Children Enrich

Our Spiritual Life by Steve Taylor

18 DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD The Helping – Health – Happiness Connection by Lisa Marshall

21 5 Intentions for The New Year

by Wayne Dyer

22 Community Spotlight Bodymind Resourcing by Kim Childs

24 FUN PARTY FOODS Easy, Flavorful and Festive by Renée Loux

29 lymphatic

drainage Detoxifies, Relieves Pain, and

Reduces Surgical Recovery Time by Kim Childs

30 MEANINGFUL GIVING

Tips to Simplify the Season

by Beth Davis

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.

31 Stress less, enjoy more through the holidays

by Deb Brothers-Klezmer and Wendy Midgley

NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com natural awakenings

December 2011

letterfrompublisher

olidays inevitably call up fond childhood memories of simpler times; for me, it was growing up in the 1970s, which always found troops of neighborhood kids outside playing in the snow. We built igloos and tunnels into and through the monstrous snow piles created by the plows, played street ice hockey and took running starts sledding down the street. We constantly prayed that our parents would let us stay out just a little longer despite the descending dusk. Do you remember talking to a next-door playmate via two cans attached by a string hung between your bedroom windows? Today that innocent childhood pleasure has mostly been replaced by FaceTime videoconferences on iPhones and PCs cameras. Instead of roaming the neighborhood shouting for friends to come out and play, kids now pile into minivans to race off to one practice or another. Pickup street hockey seems a thing of the past, replaced with simulated sports on TV game screens using what are euphemistically dubbed joysticks. Holidays also inevitably turn our focus to what is most important in life, sharing special moments with family and friends and reaching out to bless strangers. We sense the mounting feelings of generosity and compassion in the air and wait for them to catch us up in the holiday spirit. This month’s feature article, “Do Good, Feel Good,” by Lisa Marshall, sheds light on the intriguing and well-documented helping – health – happiness connection (page 18). Researchers continue to explore how a helping motive may actually improve our emotional and physical health. We do know how it just plain feels good to make someone else smile. In keeping with this theme, we offer Wayne Dyer’s “Five Intentions for the New Year,” on page 21. These doable daily practices help us all move our thoughts and actions Spiritward. If you’re spreading good cheer by hosting gatherings of friends and family, you’ll want to sample the recipes in our Conscious Eating department, where Chef Renée Loux serves up fun party foods and hosting tips. Check out page 24 as you plan your next event. As for me, this month’s cover image captures the essence of all the goodness the Natural Awakenings family wishes for you and yours this holiday season. We’ve done our best to add to your cheer; let us know how shared ideas and tips added to your festivities and how you added your own touches. Wishes for happy holidays and peace,

contact us Publisher/Editor Maisie Raftery Editors Karen Adams S. Alison Chabonais Kim Childs Writers Deb Brothers-Klezmer Kim Childs Wendy Midgley Design & Production Stephen Blancett Kim Cerne Zina Cochran Helene Leininger Franchise Sales John Voell II 239-530-1377 P.O. Box 1149 Brookline, MA 02446 Phone: 617-906-0232 Fax: 877-907-1406 NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com Maisie@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.

Maisie Raftery, Publisher

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

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newsbriefs Screening for Nutritional Deficiencies

am Pearson of Usana Health Sciences now offers nutritional deficiency screenings through muscle response testing. The non-invasive procedure involves testing the body’s response to slight pressure on a large muscle for information about nutritional deficiencies. Pearson says there are 26 test points on the body associated with various nutrients, from vitamins and minerals to fatty acids, which allow for a thorough assessment. “While I believe in a healthy diet first, Pam Pearson almost everyone has holes in their nutritional profile,” she says. “This quick, painless process allows me to develop a custom plan for each person, to correct any imbalances and move them closer to optimal health.” Pearson works individually with children and adults, as well as with other health and wellness professionals, such as personal trainers, fitness directors, yoga teachers and licensed health-care practitioners. She travels to her clients’ locations and makes special arrangements for group screenings. Usana Health Sciences develops scientifically advanced nutritional, personal-care and weight-management products. Usana manufactures most of its products in its own state-of-the-art facility.

Don’t forget to love yourself. ~Soren Kierkegaard

To make an appointment, call 978-877-6122 or email PamPearson@Usana.com. For more information, visit Renewal.Usana.com. See ad on page 23.

A Conscious and Spiritual Preparation for Christmas

he Reverend Michaela Walters of The Center of Light, in Framingham, invites all to a conscious and spiritual Christmas preparation during the month of December. This center for mysticism and spiritual study will offer daily meditations and readings throughout the month as follows: Monday through Friday at 5:30 a.m., Saturdays at 8 a.m., and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. There is no cost to attend the sessions, Walters notes. “These meditations and readings are a sought-after alternative to the hectic and commercialized experience of Christmas that is commonplace today,” she says. “People who attend them will learn of a resource that’s available to them at no cost for a healthier and more spiritually focused experience of Christmas.” The Center of Light is located at 85 Edgell Rd. in Framingham. For more information, call 857-231-1920 or visit CentersOfLight.org. natural awakenings

December 2011

coverart

newsbriefs Boston Body Balance Offering Free Rolfing Consultations

C Polar Friends Image by Corbis for National Wildlife Federation A polar bear and three young penguins snoozing under the night sky eloquently represent the holiday season’s welcome message of Peace on Earth. Images such as these, presented on the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) holiday cards, inspire us all to protect wildlife for our children’s future. NWF’s conservation work focuses on three areas that will have the biggest impact on the future of America’s wildlife: confronting global warming, the single most urgent threat; protecting and restoring habitat; and fostering profound and personal connections between people and nature. NWF’s holiday cards celebrate the awe-inspiring diversity of our natural world, and their purchase helps fund vital conservation and education programs. Printed on recycled paper, like all NWF cards, Polar Friends includes recycled white envelopes with a gold foil lining. The NWF also offers ReProduct cards, which include a two-way envelope for postage-paid return mail to Shaw Industries, which reuses all such cards in the manufacture of carpet backing. Its new line of all-occasion greeting cards, including the winter holidays, features beautiful images of nature. Learn more about the National Wildlife Federation and browse its gallery of cards and other nature-themed gifts at nwf.org. 6

ertified Rolfer Jazmine Fox-Stern opened Boston Body Balance in Cambridge and Boston to help those suffering from aches, pains, injuries from overuse and exhaustion. She offers free consultations to those who have questions about how Rolfing Structural Integration (SI) help with these and other physical issues. “Rolfing SI can rebalance your body, reduce aches, pains, and injuries and improve athletic performance,” says Fox-Stern. “It uses hands-on work and simple movements to release restrictions in connective tissue Jazmine Fox-Stern and make good posture effortless, leaving more energy for joyful living.” Previously, Fox-Stern had a Rolfing practice in Boulder, Colorado, where she helped long-distance runners recover from injuries and improve their times and also helped others overcome chronic pain. “The changes I see in people’s lives when their bodies start moving more efficiently are inspiring,” she says. “I love helping people find new options for embodied joy and comfort.” Boston Body Balance is located at 2557 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge and 581 Boylston St., Suite 302, in Boston. For more information, call 617-308-7104 or visit BostonBodyBalance.com.

Holistic Nutrition Company Expands Delivery Nationwide

acroMediterranean Holistic Nutrition, based in Boston, will begin shipping its healthful, unprocessed, macrobiotic meals nationwide in January 2012. Company President Jeremy Hayward-Thomas says the expanded shipping option allows people to lose weight and eat healthfully wherever they are for less than $100 a week. “Eating healthfully can be easy and affordable,” he says. “Many of our clients report saving money with our service compared to what they used to spend on groceries.” Shipping time is between one to three days, depending on the destination. The company’s Holistic Meal Delivery program was developed after a 2009 doctor-led study showed marked health improvements among participants who ate Macro-Mediterranean’s macrobiotic meals for one month. Improvements included increased energy, improved skin health, weight loss, reduced bloating, less chronic pain, lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and a reduced need for diabetes medication. More information about this study is available at Macro-Mediterranean.com/study.html. For more information about MacroMediterranean Holistic Nutrition and the Holistic Meal Delivery Program, call 617-535-5300, write info@MacroMediterranean.com or visit Macro-Mediterranean.com.

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newsbriefs Advanced Herbal Studies Program Offered in 2012

atja Swift and Ryn Midura of CommonWealth Center for Herbal Medicine, in Brookline, present a new, advanced herbal-studies program beginning in January. The 18-month Advanced Studies program accepts new students on an application basis and requires at least one year of prior study. The first nine months cover advanced topics in herbal medicine and clinical skills, while the second nine months incorporate working with clients in the teaching clinic. For those who are new to the study of herbalism, CommonWealth Center also offers a nine-month Apprenticeship Program from March through November. “This program prepares you to care for yourself, your family and friends through everyday health problems,” Swift says. “It also serves as a foundation for Advanced Studies.” Enrollment for either program is now open. The CommonWealth Center also offers community classes on such topics as dealing with food allergies. Midura notes that the center also offers personal herbal medicine consultations. “We find that once people see what herbal medicine can do for their own health, they want to learn more about it,” she says. “Many of our students are former clients.” CommonWealth Center for Herbal Medicine is located at 25 St. Mary’s Ct. in Brookline. For more information, call 617-750-5274 or visit CommonwealthHerbs. com. See ad on page 5.

Website to Spotlight Healers Doing the Work They Love

hyllis Wilson, owner of Wise Woman Small Business Services, is seeking holistic health and healing arts practitioners to join her for The Inspired Wisdom Project. Launching in January, The Inspired Wisdom Project website will spotlight people doing work that they love while making a positive impact on the lives of others. “I’m asking practitioners to share their inspiration, wisdom and appreciation,” says Wilson. “The intention behind the project is to inspire others who are doing, or hoping to do, the same.” Each spotlight will take the form of a short interview that ends with the practitioner sharing appreciation for three others in his or her related field. Those three practitioners will then be asked to participate, with the aim of expanding the network. “In my business, I’m really seeing benefits among clients whose passion for their work creates a flow of energy away from comparison and competition toward positive, relational marketing and networking practices,” Wilson reports. “I now want to create a platform for this kind of engagement and connection.” To participate in The Inspired Wisdom Project, contact Phyllis Wilson at WiseBlueLotus@gmail.com or call 781-883-2282. For more information, visit BlueLotusWisdomConsulting.com. natural awakenings

December 2011

Coming in January

newsbriefs Be Healthy Boston: An Urban Wellness Retreat in January

rett Blumenthal, C.E.O. of Be Healthy, Inc., is excited to announce Be Healthy Boston, an urban wellness retreat to be held on January 28 and 29, at the Westin Boston Waterfront. The event will include several keynote addresses, 15 workshops and more than 35 wellness experts. Sample fitness classes will be offered in Gyrotonics, yoga, kettlebells and Zumba, and mini-spa treatments will be available from Aveda, Chuan Body + Soul, SPA InterContinental, Massage Envy and others. Be Healthy Boston also features book signings, as well as cooking demonstrations with award-winning chefs such as Oleana’s Ana Sortun. Gifts, samples, healthful and delicious lunches and an early evening reception on Saturday will round out the festivities, with a silent auction to benefit Dana Farber’s Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies. “The event is for those interested in living a healthy lifestyle,” says Blumenthal. “People who attend will learn about nutrition, fitness, mental health, green living and all aspects of wellness, and they can share their passion for healthy living by purchasing a ticket for someone else as a holiday gift.”

Journey to Good Health with Natural Awakenings’ Health & Wellness experts. Making natural choices supports physical and mental well-being.

For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call

617-906-0232

Be Healthy Boston will be held at the Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St. in Boston. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 617-395-4152 or visit BeHealthyBoston.com.

New Practitioners Enhance Visions HealthCare in Wellesley

isions HealthCare, in Wellesley, is pleased to welcome three new members to its practice. Family medicine physician Sarah Byrne, M.D., osteopath Karl Liebermann, DO, and professional reflexologist Iris Aharonovich are now seeing patients at the center. “Dr. Byrne helps us respond to the high demand for primary care physicians committed to integrative health,” says Marketing Coordinator Stephanie Travers. “She’s a boardcertified family medicine physician with additional training in energy medicine and core energetics. Dr. Liebermann is an experienced osteopathic physician who also practices family medicine.” Travers says that Visions HealthCare provides a complete approach to health based on physical, biochemical, emotional, energetic and spiritual aspects. “We’re looking beyond symptoms to uncover root causes, eradicating disease and promoting whole health,” she says. Founder and Medical Director Edward Levitan, M.D., says that Visions seeks to help people discover their health, vitality and passion through education and resources. “We have the right combination of patient-focused physicians, comprehensive wellness offerings and a corporate structure dedicated to health-centered healthcare,” he adds. Visions HealthCare is located at 170 Worcester St. (Rte. 9 East) in Wellesley. For more information, call 781-431-1333 or visit VisionsMedical.com

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All Natural Bath & Skin Care

Come join us on Saturday, December 10 for our Annual Open House!

We have an abundance of great gift ideas, complimentary snacks, spirits, massages by the minute, door prizes, give-a-ways, product sampling and demos!

Plum Island Soap Co.

Open 11-4 Daily • 205 Northern Boulevard • Plum Island, MA

978-465-0238 • www.PlumIslandSoap.com natural awakenings

December 2011

newsbriefs One-of-a-Kind Handmade Scarf Show in Newton Centre

Healthful Eating Support for Busy, Stressed Women

olistic health coach Cathy Zolner of Nourish to Flourish, based in Arlington, is offering a sixmonth Women’s Wellness Program for busy and stressed women who want to eat better and feel better. The program begins on January 18 and meets two evenings a month in Arlington. Each 90-minute session provides support for women who want to learn how to put themselves first and make better food and lifestyle choices. “I want to equip women with the skills they need to take better care of themselves, reduce stress and have more energy,” says Zolner, who will teach participants how to choose and prepare healthy foods in a simple way. “Food is medicine, and it affects our feelings, thinking, health, sleep and energy levels,” she says. “People are more satisfied and have fewer food cravings when they eliminate processed and refined foods and eat seasonal, nutrientdense foods that include all five tastes: sweet, bitter, sour, salty and pungent.” Zolner says she wants to help her clients adopt lifelong habits that are simple and easy, and she offers complimentary, one-hour consultations for those seeking to change. “My clients learn to make self-care a priority and really like the person they see in the mirror,” she says. For more information, call 781-3162701 or visit MyNourishToFlourish. com.

ahlia Popovits, owner of Dahlia Gallery, in Newton Centre, presents the 7th Annual Handmade Scarf Show, featuring one-of-a-kind and limited-edition scarves and accessories from award-winning American textile artists. The show, which continues through mid-February, includes scarves that are individually designed and produced in a variety of techniques, using fibers from around the world. “We have Shibori silk scarves, variegated chenille knitted ruffle scarves, and hand-woven supple bamboo scarves,” says Popovits. “Other scarves incorporate wool, cashmere and other natural fibers in a wide array of unique techniques.” Popovits says visitors can purchase these natural-fiber scarves made by American artisans for themselves or as holiday gifts. “Our handmade-scarf show has proven to be a most satisfying visual and tactile experience,” she adds. “We completely transform our gallery into a collection of exquisite textiles which speak of the hand foremost, and of the quality that make these textiles timeless.” Dahlia Gallery is located at 97M Union St. in Newton Centre. For more information, call 617-527-4456 or visit DahliaHandmade.com. See ad on page 36.

2012 Calendar “Shows More” to Support Integrative Vet Care

r. Margo Roman, D.V.M., of Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton (MASH) and the Center for Integrative Veterinary Care (CIVC), is happy to announce that the 2012 Dr. ShowMore Calendar is now on sale. For the second year in a row, this “au natural” calendar, fashioned after the film Calendar Girls, highlights photos of veterinarians and animals (some are their pets; some are their patients) in unique portraits. The 2012 edition features animals from all over the world, including a camel from Israel and kangaroos from Australia. The new calendar is available online at DrShowMore.org, and a downloadable PDF version is available with a donation to CIVC. While humorous, the calendar focuses on sustainable, green and healthful veterinary medicine, offering animal caretakers information and instruction on integrative pet health. “The Dr. ShowMore calendar brings together all the integrative modalities that people want to do for themselves and can also do on their pets,” Roman says. “It’s a chance to get educated with more websites, dates of animal health events and great information presented in creative ways.” Roman adds that CIVC’s main project is the documentary Dr. DoMore, a preview of which can be seen at MashVet.com. For more information, call 508-435-4077 or visit DrShowMore.org. Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton is located at 72 West Main St. in Hopkinton. See ad on page 28.

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newsbriefs Be an Acupuncture Student for a Day

he New England School of Acupuncture (NESA), in Newton, is holding an information session on December 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Experience NESA Day is for anyone interested in pursuing an acupuncture degree. Visitors will meet school faculty and graduates, experience a brief human-anatomy tutorial and learn a few acupuncture point locations. “It’s an exciting opportunity to participate in our Experience Day if you’re interested in acupuncture or want to pursue a career in acupuncture,” says Admissions Director Catherine Hamilton, who notes that NESA was the first acupuncture school in the U.S. “Today it remains one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the field.” NESA was founded in 1975 by Dr. James Tin Yau So and licensed as a vocational school by the Massachusetts Department of Education in 1976. The school’s three-year program now culminates in a master’s degree, and its student and professional clinics are open to the public. The New England School of Acupuncture is located at 150 California Street, 3rd Floor, in Newton.

Deb Brothers-Klezmer

Debra BrothersKlezmer, R.N., Completes New Training

idcasso Art Studio is offering one-day holiday art workshops for children and adults this month at its Arlington and Wakefield locations. Classes include hot cocoa and the packaging and wrapping of all art projects that will be given as gifts. Laura-Marie Small, an art educator and Kidcasso owner, says she hopes that artists of all ages will embrace their creativity this holiday season. “We’re celebrating the holidays by designing classes inspired by snowflakes, festive celebrations, warm hearts and family,” she says. “Even the youngest artist is invited to create glorious gifts of art for this magical season.” Small adds that the workshops offer children a chance to design gifts with their own hands while learning new art techniques and processes. All kid classes can be found in the “Petite Picasso” section of the courses page at KidcassoArt.com.

ebra Brothers-Klezmer of DBK Nursing Rehabilitation, L.L.C., in Stoughton, has just completed two training programs. BrothersKlezmer, a board-certified pain management and rehabilitation nurse, completed the Influencer course taught by Vital Smarts, author of Crucial Conversations and Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, as well as a course entitled Coaching in Medicine and Leadership, taught by Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital faculty. “I’m a proponent of lifestyle medicine, which provides options for health-related behaviors, knowing that some diseases result from our personal choices,” says Brothers-Klezmer, who offers a monthly health and wellness blog at IntegratedLifestyle.wordpress. com. “A few changes in our lifestyle can restore health, prevent illness or injury and prolong life.” Brothers-Klezmer says her mission is to assist people in taking charge of their own health and energy. DBK offers lifestyle medicine, craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, trigger-point therapy, cold-laser therapy and pain management.

Kidcasso Art Studio is located at 2 Lake St. in Arlington and 101 Albion St. in Wakefield. For more information, call 617-257-3010 or visit KidcassoArt.com.

For more information, call 781-7756183 or visit DebKlezmer.com.

For more information, call 617-558-1788, ext. 132, email admissions@nesa.edu or visit nesa.edu.

HolidayInspired Art Classes for Everyone at Kidcasso Studios

natural awakenings

December 2011

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ecotip Toyland Tips

Choose Greener, Safer Playthings Millions of children’s toys have been recalled in recent years to head off hazards from lead content, possible choking and other personal safety issues, thanks to supervision by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. But none are monitored for their environmental impact, which opens another can of worms. Action figures and dolls are often made from PVC, the worst polluting plastic, and their packaging often quadruples the size of a toy’s environmental footprint, typically ending up in a landfill. Teddy bears are often stuffed with synthetic, petroleum-based fillers and pesticide-heavy cotton. Other toys, including stuffed animals, are sprayed with brominated fire retardants; the kind that turn up in breast milk. Even some wooden toys may be coated with varnishes and paints that are

high in air-polluting volatile organic compounds (VOC). To combat this troubling trend, look for all-natural stuffed animals made with organic fibers, wool batting, recycled sweaters or even tofu; search out toys that have shifted to PVC- and phthalate-free plastics; and use beeswax instead of synthetic clay and colored play dough for craft projects. It’s best to purchase toys from local manufacturers that can certify they follow U.S. environmental, health and safety regulations and use minimal packaging. Favor wooden toys that are finished with nontoxic, natural oil or beeswax or not finished at all. Sources include local guild shops, craft stores and galleries that carry handcrafted toys made by artisans in the community, using proper safety criteria. Idea sources: ChasingGreen.org (Tinyurl.com/3hxd2ea);TofuBear.com

natural awakenings

December 2011

healthbriefs

The Arts Relieve Holiday Stress

he hustle and bustle of the holiday season can leave us stressed, fatigued and even anxious or depressed. But according to studies sponsored by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, there are many artful ways to relieve these conditions: Painting, dancing, playing a musical instrument or even attending a theater performance or concert may help us feel better, healthier and more upbeat. The researchers worked with more than 50,000 participants, using questionnaires, interviews, clinical examinations, and blood and urine samples to assemble detailed health profiles. The data was controlled for chronic illness, social relations, smoking and alcohol. What most surprised the researchers was that the study findings held true regardless of socioeconomic status; whether a truck driver or bank president, participating in the arts had a positive effect on the individual’s sense of health and well-being.

Acupuncture Eases Unexplained Symptoms

atients that experience medically unexplained symptoms might benefit from acupuncture, according to new research by the Institute of Health Services Research, Peninsula Medical School, at the University of Exeter. The study involved 80 adults that had consulted their general practitioner eight or more times in the previous year for problems such as headaches, muscle pain, extreme fatigue or joint and back pain. Half received up to 12 sessions of five-element acupuncture during a period of six months; the remainder received no extra treatment. The patients receiving acupuncture reported improved well-being and scored higher on an individualized health status questionnaire than the control group. They reported that their acupuncture consultations became increasingly valuable and that the interactive and holistic nature of the sessions gave them a sense that something positive was being done about their condition. Professor Andrew Gould, who led the study, says it is important to offer patients other options when conventional medicine isn’t working. “It’s soul-destroying for both the patient and doctor when there’s no clear reason for the symptoms patients are suffering from,” he explains. “We don’t know how acupuncture is making a difference, but it seems to be something to do with the treatment, rather than just a placebo or the one-to-one care the patients are getting.” The study was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. The research results were published in The British Journal of General Practice.

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Zinc Fights Colds

new study confirms that zinc can, indeed, help reduce the severity and duration of the common cold, and high doses—at least 75 milligrams per day—work best. Depending upon the total dosage and composition of the lozenges, zinc may shorten the duration of a common cold episode by up to 40 percent, according to University of Helsinki research. Source: Open Respiratory Medicine Journal

Nutty Help for Diabetes

ew research from St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto reports that consuming two ounces of nuts daily as a replacement for carbohydrates (muffins were used in the study) is effective in glycemic and serum lipid control for people with Type 2 diabetes. The researchers concluded that all nuts— whether mixed, unsalted, raw or dryroasted—offer benefits for control of both blood glucose and blood lipids and could be consumed as part of a strategy to improve diabetes control without weight gain. Source: Diabetes Care

globalbriefs Universal Truths

Chinese Seek Happiness and Justice When the Chinese Internet portal NetEase recently offered Open University-style lectures in English with seminars like Web 2.0 Marketing Communications and Introduction to Robotics, managers were surprised that the most popular choices turned out to be two more contemplative courses; one on happiness and the other on justice. “We never imagined that the most successful topics would be those to do with people’s hearts and minds,” says NetEase spokesman Yang Jing. More than 3 million people have already watched the course on the concept of justice, led by Harvard philosopher Michael Sandel, author of Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? Sandel believes that the demand reflects an awakening of ethical reflection and debate in China. “The generation that came of age during China’s economic miracle now wants to engage with big questions about moral responsibility, justice and injustice; about the meaning of the good life,” he observes. Although China is proud of its economic advances, “There is also recognition that rising affluence has brought growing inequality, that GDP (Gross Domestic Product) alone does not bring happiness, and that markets can’t by themselves create a just society.” Psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar, author of Being Happy, states that his positive psychology course acknowledges that, “The need for happiness, for meaning and pleasure, is universal, common to all people. However, what people find meaningful or pleasurable often differs across different cultures.” Source: Time magazine

Bully Beaters

Cooperation is Key to Social Harmony Bullies seem to be made, not born. A study from the University of California, Berkeley, concludes that a cooperative school experience, versus a competitive one, can play a major positive role in the socialization of students. Researchers canvassed 217 students in grades three through five, measuring how much they liked to cooperate or compete with their peers, and how often they acted with aggression or kindness toward them. The youngsters also estimated how often their teachers put them in small groups to complete assignments together, a classroom strategy known as “cooperative learning,” because the students have to collaborate with one another to get their work done. Students that engaged in more frequent cooperative learning were more likely to say they enjoyed cooperating with others and reported exhibiting kind, helpful, pro-social behaviors. In contrast, students that said they preferred to compete were significantly more likely to act aggressively toward their peers and try to do them harm. The results suggest that cooperation begets cooperation. The researchers further concluded that cooperative experiences promote the development of the personality trait of cooperation. Based on their results, the researchers advocate more cooperative learning in classrooms as a way to promote positive behaviors and combat bullying, or harm-intentioned aggression.

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Source: Greater Good Science Center natural awakenings

December 2011

healthykids

give us a first-person taste of infant experience,” as can experiencing beauty, she says. This illustrates one of the most positive effects of having children: They help us to become children again ourselves. In Taoism, the ideal is to be as spontaneous and curious as a child, exhibiting their openness to experience. On the physical plane, Taoist practices like Tai chi and qigong aim to help the body become as supple and flexible as a child’s.

Beyond Selfishness

The Parent Path How Children Enrich Our Spiritual Life by Steve Taylor

irty nappies, wakeup calls in the middle of the night, a house full of screams and squeals, food splattered on walls, a chaos of toys everywhere, no more late nights out, no time to read books, take classes or attend retreats—what could be spiritual about bringing up children? Isn’t spiritual development just one of the many things we sacrifice when we have kids? Many spiritual traditions based on meditation, prayer and solitude maintain that nothing should divert us from our spiritual practices—least of all a family, which takes up so much time and energy. In India, one tradition holds that spiritual development belongs to a later stage of life, roughly after age 50. It is only once we have lived through a householder stage, bringing up and providing for our children and living a worldly life, that we can turn our attention to the inner world. After our children have reached adulthood, we have the privilege of meditating regularly, and living more quietly and simply. Many parents, however, find 16

that—far from hindering it—bringing up children actively advances their spiritual development. Seen in the right way, parenthood can be a spiritual path, bringing a heightened sense of love, wonder and appreciation.

Natural Mindfulness

After all, children are such strongly spiritual beings. They naturally have many of the qualities that adults work to cultivate through spiritual development. For example, children are naturally mindful. They constantly live fully in the present, and the world is always a fantastically real and interesting place to them. As child psychologist Professor Alison Gopnik, of the University of California, Berkeley, puts it, “Babies and young children are actually more conscious and more vividly aware of their external world and internal life than adults are.” They have what she calls an, “…infinite capacity for wonder,” that adults only experience at their highest moments. “Travel, meditation and romantic poetry can

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All the world’s spiritual traditions tell us how important it is to transcend our own selfishness; to stop seeing ourselves as the center of the universe and trying so hard to satisfy our own desires. They advise us to help and serve others, so that we can move beyond our separate ego and connect to a transcendent power. The eightfold path of Buddhism aims to cultivate this selfless state and ideally, the path of parenthood can, as well. It’s impossible to be a good parent without being prepared to put your children first. Much of parenthood is about selfsacrifice. Gopnik remarks: “Imagine a novel in which a woman took in a stranger who was unable to walk or talk or even eat by himself. She fell completely in love with him at first sight, fed and clothed and washed him, gradually helped him to become competent and independent, and spent more than half her income on him… You couldn’t bear the sappiness of it. But that is just about every mother’s story. Caring for children is a fast and efficient way to experience at least a little saintliness.” The poet William Wordsworth described how children see the world as “…appareled in celestial light [having] the glory and freshness of a dream.” Yet, as adults, this vision, “…fades into the light of common day.” Having children of our own helps us to reawaken some of the celestial light within. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant too, when he told his disciples, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This makes sense if we think of the kingdom of heaven not as a future, far-off place, but as a state

of consciousness, here and now. Heaven is the state of wonder and natural well-being where children dwell and in their company, we naturally re-enter the kingdom. Steve Taylor, a UK university lecturer and researcher, is the author of Waking from Sleep, described by Eckhart Tolle as, “One of the best books on spiritual awakening I have come across.” His new book is Out of the Darkness – from Turmoil to Transformation. Visit StevenMTaylor.com.

How to Treat Parenthood as a Spiritual Path n Don’t be tempted to rush your children; try not to be impatient at their slowness. Walk at their pace and be mindful with them. n Consciously cultivate a fresh, intense, childlike vision. Imagine how the world looks through their eyes. n Let youngsters teach you the marvels of the world around you. Be as open and curious as they are, not taking anything you know for granted. n Give yourself wholly to play with kids, allowing yourself to step outside your mental world of worries and responsibilities.

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. ~Helen Keller

How to Support Your Inner Child’s Natural Spirituality n Don’t be irritated when children ask, “Why?” Encourage their sense of wonder. n Try not to be irritated by youthful exuberance and excitement. n Try to limit the amount of time kids watch TV or play computer games. n Encourage children to use their own creativity by inventing games, drawing or painting. n Schedule periods of quiet relaxation and meditation, which enable them to feel more at home within their own being. Source: Waking From Sleep, by Steve Taylor natural awakenings

December 2011

that seems to make people feel happier and report greater health.”

Helping Hands Live Longer

DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD

The Helping – Health – Happiness Connection by Lisa Marshall

rowing up on Long Island, New York, young Stephen Post often received an unusual prescription from his mother when he was feeling grouchy or under the weather. “She’d say, ‘Why don’t you go out and help someone?’” he recalls. “I’d go out and help Mr. Muller rake leaves or help old Bobby Lawrence fix his boat. Then, I’d come back feeling better, and feeling better about life.” Decades later, Post—a professor of preventive medicine at New York’s Stony Brook University—is among a growing contingent of researchers exploring just how such acts of generosity and the feelings (empathy, compassion, altruism) that prompt them may actually improve our mental and physical health. Recent studies have shown that people that volunteer live longer, suffer less chronic pain, have bolstered

immune systems, are more likely to recover from addiction, and experience an in-the-moment sense of calm akin to that which people experience during and after exercise. Scientists have yet to fully understand what the physiological underpinnings are of such health benefits, but early studies credit a cascade of neurobiological changes that occur as we reach out to help a loved one, or (in some cases) even cut a check to a stranger in need. Could generosity be the missing, often overlooked ingredient to a prescription for better health? Perhaps, says Post, author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times. “This is a young science, but what we have begun to discover is that there is something going on, physiologically, in this process of helping others

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We’ve all felt it: That blush of innerwarmth we get after we bring a plate of healthful, steaming food to a sick relative, volunteer to read to kids at a local preschool or help sort donations for a shelter. According to a 2010 survey of 4,500 Americans by United Healthcare, 68 percent of those that volunteered in the previous year reported that doing it made them feel physically healthier; 73 percent noted that it lowered their stress levels. Meanwhile, 29 percent of volunteers that suffered from a chronic illness claimed that giving of their time helped them to better manage the illness. Other studies, by researchers at Boston College, found that when chronic pain sufferers volunteered to help others with similar conditions, they saw their own pain and depression levels decrease. At least seven studies have shown that people that regularly volunteer or give of themselves live longer—especially if they do it for genuinely altruistic reasons. Cami Walker, 38, of Denver, has experienced firsthand the physical benefits of being generous. After one sleepless night, lying awake and, “feeling sorry for myself,” due to a flare-up of her multiple sclerosis, she decided to take the advice of a spiritual teacher that suggested she, “Give something away each day for 29 days.” On day one, she called a sick friend to offer her support. On day two, she dropped $5 in a hat for some street performers. Another day, she treated a friend to a foot massage. By day 14, she recalls, “My body was stronger and I was able to stop walking with my cane. After months of being too sick to work, I was able to go back part-time.” Walker subsequently wrote the bestselling 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. It has inspired a global giving movement, with participants blogging about their experiences at 29Gifts.org. As she recently explained to The New York Times, “It’s about stepping outside of your own story long enough to make a connection with someone else.”

The Helper’s High

University of Michigan researcher Sara Konrath, Ph.D., has found that people engaging in acts that benefit others tend to have more calming hormones like oxytocin and progesterone coursing through their bodies. If presented with a tough situation later, they are likely to react with a muted stress response, churning out fewer harmful stress hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine, and maintaining a calmer heart rate. Konrath is studying whether altruistic thoughts and behavior might also be associated with an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. “Just thinking about giving seems to have a beneficial physiological impact,” says Post. For instance, a late 20th-century study by then Harvard Psychologist David McClelland found that when people watched a film about Mother Teresa’s work with orphans in Calcutta, levels of immunoglobulin A (a marker of immune strength) shot up. A more recent study found that people had higher levels of oxytocin in their blood after they had watched a moving film about an ill 4-year-old boy. Some research further suggests that the act of giving may release natural opiates, such as endorphins, into our system. One landmark analysis of 1,700 people published in Psychology Today found that more than 68 percent experienced a “helper’s high” when physically helping another person, and 13 percent reported a decrease in aches and pains afterward. It’s a concept that’s been documented many times since. Meanwhile, new brain-imaging research has shown that acts of giving (including making a charitable donation) stimulate “reward centers” in the brain. This includes the mesolimbic pathway by which natural dopamine is released, leaving us feeling euphoric. On the flip side, “We found that people that are high in narcissism and low in empathy have higher cortisol levels,” advises Konrath.

“They walk around with high stress reactivity, which is really hard on the body.” One other clear example of the health benefits of helping lies in the field of addiction research. Recent studies by Maria Pagano, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, found that recovering addicts that volunteer to help other addicts stay sober are twice as likely to remain so themselves. That’s because narcissism and self-absorption are often at the root of addiction, and generosity is an antidote to narcissism, Pagano says. “The founders of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) figured it out,” Pagano continues, noting that a primary focus is on serving others. “They figured out that this selfish root is there before the illness develops, and is sustained unless you treat it. This is treatment; it is a way of continually weeding out the narcissism that made you sick.”

Born to Give

Stephanie Brown, Ph.D., an associate professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook, is the daughter of an evolutionary psychologist and a pioneer in the study of altruism’s neurobiological roots. In sharp contrast to what she describes as the long-held “self-interested” assumption about human nature (that we help others only to help ourselves), she suggests that humans are biologically wired to be empathetic and generous. “It makes more sense from an evolutionary perspective for us to suppress self-interest,” for the benefit of the whole sometimes, she says. New research from the University of Washington suggests that babies as young as 15 months old exhibit fairness and empathy. So, why don’t we always stop to help? Our anxious, busy, modern-day lives get in the way, suggests Brown. “It could be that our natural, default state is to help when we see need, but what prevents that is our stress response.” natural awakenings

December 2011

That is, stress often gets in the way: Maybe we pass a stranded motorist on the road, but drive on by because we’re on a timetable. Perhaps our instinct is to offer a helping hand to a homeless person, but we fear that more will be asked of us than we are prepared to give. We wish to bring a meal to a dying relative, but are apprehensive about what to say when we visit. Brown’s recent federally funded studies show that at least some of the calming hormones and quietness of heart often seen in habitual givers may actually precede and enable their acts

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of selflessness by interrupting their potential stress response before it stalls their helping hand. “I am suggesting that when you see helping going on, something beneficial has already happened to the giver’s body,” says Brown. When givers perceive a need, instead of fretting and fleeing, they calmly stop to help. In the end, everyone walks away feeling a little more generous. Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com.

How to Up Our Generosity Quotient

ocus on someone else for a change, whether it’s looking a store clerk in the eye or refraining from shouting at a referee at a sporting event. “People can become more empathetic if they just practice taking someone else’s perspective,” says University of Michigan researcher Sara Konrath. “When encountering a homeless person, for example, our inclination may be to not go there psychologically, because it is painful to imagine. Allow yourself to try.” n Do something for nothing. “This idea that everything has to be paid back hangs over our lives,” says Stephen Post, author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping. “Just be generous and expect nothing in return. Pay it forward.” n Don’t reserve your generosity for people you know. Do something nice for someone you don’t know or will never meet. n Be consistent. “Don’t think you can be kind in one domain and dastardly in another,” says Post. n Do something that you feel called upon to do, or that you are good at. n Slow down, take a deep breath and look around. Need abounds. Stop to help a stranger in some small way, even if you are in a hurry. n Don’t help just to get healthy, impress your friends or get a tax deduction. “Motivation matters,” says Konrath. “If you are volunteering just for self-interested reasons, research shows you aren’t going to live any longer than someone who doesn’t volunteer at all.” n Volunteer for a cause you really believe in, or help a person you truly care about.

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inspiration

5 T 1

Intentions for the New Year by Wayne Dyer

hese daily practices will help you move toward Spirit in your thoughts and actions.

Commit to at least one daily experience where you share something of yourself with no expectation of being acknowledged or thanked. For example, before I begin my daily routine, I go to my desk and choose my gift for that day. Sometimes it’s just a phone call to a stranger that’s written to me, or perhaps I order flowers or send a book or a present to someone that has helped me in a local store. On one occasion, I wrote to the president of the university I graduated from to start a scholarship fund; on another day, I took a calendar to the yard man; on another, I sent a check to Habitat for Humanity; and on another, I sent three rolls of postage stamps to my son, who had just started his own business. It doesn’t matter if this activity is big or small—it’s a way to begin the day in-Spirit. Become conscious of all thoughts that aren’t aligned with your Source. The moment you catch yourself excluding someone or having a judgmental thought, say the words “inSpirit” to yourself. Then make a silent effort to shift that thought to match up with Source energy. In the morning before you’re fully awake, and again as you’re going to sleep, take one or two minutes of what I call quiet time with God. Be in a state of appreciation and say aloud, “I want to feel good.” Remind yourself of this statement: My life is bigger than I am. Print it out and post it strategically in your home, car or workplace. The “I” is your ego identification. Your life is Spirit flowing through you unhindered by ego—it’s what you showed up here to actualize—and is infinite. The “I” that identifies you is a fleeting snippet. Dedicate your life to something that reflects an awareness of your Divinity. You are greatness personified, a resident genius and a creative master—regardless of anyone’s opinion. Make a silent dedication to encourage and express your Divine nature.

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Excerpted from Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling, by Wayne Dyer, with permission of Hay House, Inc. natural awakenings

December 2011

communityspotlight

Alison Shaw and Bodymind Resourcing: Treating the Whole Person

by Kim Childs

lison Shaw has spent 25 years helping people as a nurse practitioner, licensed massage therapist and certified energy healer. Currently she practices body-centered counseling at Bodymind Resourcing in Arlington. Shaw, who seeks to educate other medical professionals about the impact of stress and emotions on physical health, sat down with Natural Awakenings to discuss the mind-body connection. How are physical symptoms connected to emotions and thoughts? The body is constantly responding to our emotional experiences. If I’m in a situation that brings up fear, even unconsciously, I’ll feel my chest tighten, my breath get smaller, and my pulse quicken. I may also feel more disconnected from my body. The nervous system is always perceiving the world underneath our conscious awareness and, while it’s brilliant, it doesn’t know the difference between past and present. A situation that was threatening or traumatic in the past may not be present in this moment, but the nervous system responds from old conditioning. 22

Another connection is historic or postural. As kids we develop our perception of the world and come up with psychologically and emotionally protective strategies. I think the body also participates in these strategies. For example, some people “disappear” when they get scared; they get spacey and their body may not feel strong and vital. These people might have problems with fatigue, whereas someone who develops a life strategy that’s about being strong and controlling might have a lot of upper body tension that has to do with armoring. Finally, our bodies may symbolically express what’s going on emotionally, as with the connection between heart disease and heartache. It’s not necessarily a direct physiologic connection, but it’s useful to listen

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to the body in a symbolic way for information about what’s going on emotionally. Can you give us some other examples? I worked with a woman who was struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome for about eight years and she couldn’t find a medical reason or treatment for it. We started to approach it from a symbolic level through talking, body dialoging and guided imagery in which I asked her to locate where and how she felt the fatigue in her body. She felt it as a heaviness and a weakness, so I guided her to ask her fatigue, “What are you tired of?” Knowing about some of her struggles and emotional issues, I found that her answer made a lot of sense: “I’m tired of trying to be somebody for everybody else all the time. I’m trying so hard to do it right

that I’m exhausted.” After she made that connection, she felt a kind of tingling in her body and, over time, she explored the issue on a conscious level, noting how she held back her own expression and held the core of her body tight, as well as her gut and her throat. She was holding in her own expression while trying to be there for everybody else, and her body was reflecting that symbolically. I never want to say that if you have an emotional problem you cause an illness to arise. It’s not that direct. It’s more just being curious about how the body and the mind are both expressions of our lives. So if someone came to me with low back pain, we’d discuss how the back holds us up and examine the issue of support in that person’s life. If a person has asthma, which affects that part of the body associated with the life breath and expression, I would ask them to listen to their lungs and see what they might have to say about being free and expressing themselves in the world. Chronic injuries like repetitive ankle sprains may be rooted in very real physiologic issues, but I’d also wonder how that person is doing around walking forward or standing their ground. Can illness therefore be a kind of messenger? Symptoms can be helpers and messengers because they bring our attention to something that needs healing or balancing. If an illness has something to do with an emotional issue and the person can see the greater life issues behind it, make changes and do some emotional healing, then the body can release the reaction that’s causing pain or illness. I love being with people when they’re going down beneath their automatic armoring and touching the truth and expression of who they really are and what they really need. When I help people to release restrictive blockages in their minds and bodies, I also feel more alive. Bodymind Resourcing is located at 393 Massachusetts Ave. in Arlington. For more information, call 781-646-0686 or visit BodymindResourcing.org. See ad on page 17. natural awakenings

December 2011

consciouseating

FUN PARTY

FOODS Easy, Flavorful and Festive by Renée Loux

ake the most of being a host with party foods sure to wow guests. Combining classic concepts with tasty twists will satisfy any gourmet in search of a fabulous holiday buffet. Whether you are a year-round or seasonal party planner, these crowdpleasing appetizers will make you the toast of the celebration circuit.

Butternut Squash Spread with Baked Spelt Crisps A festive, flavorful spread perks up any table, and this one commands attention with its gorgeous golden color. Butternut squash is loaded with antioxidant vitamins A and C, carotenoid antioxidants, potassium and manganese. Plus, it is simple to make and serve. For an innovative use of leftovers, add 1 cup of vegetable broth or stock to 1 cup of the prepared recipe, mix well and warm up for a satisfying serving of smooth soup. Yields: about 4 cups (dairy-free) 1 medium butternut squash (about 6 cups of cubes) 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, finely minced 1 tsp maple syrup (optional) 1 tsp finely grated ginger 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme leaves) 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped finely (or ½ tsp dried rosemary) Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 24

Peel squash, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds with a spoon. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Place in a medium-large saucepan and cover with filtered water plus 2 inches. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to simmer for 6-9 minutes or until tender and easily pierced with a fork. Drain liquid and let cool until comfortable to handle. Reserve the liquid for other uses such as making a vegetable stock or watering houseplants.

Yields: about 3 dozen crisps 4 spelt tortillas (9-inch), preferably made from whole wheat spelt Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed Pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place cooked squash in a food processor with olive oil, garlic, ginger, thyme, rosemary, a scant teaspoon of sea salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Blend until very smooth. Season further to taste with sea salt and pepper as needed.

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Serve with crisps, crackers, whole-grain bread or crudité vegetables.

Arrange resulting triangles in a single layer on baking sheets and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Baked Spelt Crisps Easy, homemade crisps are delightfully crunchy and contain less oil than nearly anything available for purchase in a bag, plus the oil is of a high quality. Spelt (an ancient variety of wheat) contains more nutrients and less gluten than standard wheat. Look for whole wheat spelt tortillas for optimum flavor, fiber and nutrition.

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Using a mister or pastry brush, mist or brush both sides of each tortilla with olive oil. Stack the tortillas and cut the stack into 8 wedges.

Bake for 6-7 minutes, or until crisp and turning golden. Watch carefully after 5 minutes to avoid burning. Let cool before serving; they get crispier as they cool.

Sweet Potato Rolls with Haricot Verts & Pecan Pesto This party favorite is sumptuous enough to be considered a small plate entrée when served on a bed of wild rice. Sweet potatoes are a rich source

of antioxidant beta-carotene (provitamin A), vitamin C, minerals and hunger-quenching fiber. Haricot verts (small and slender immature bean pods) are abundant in bone-building vitamin K, silica, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Soaking the pecans for the pesto makes them lighter, more digestible and yields delicious, nutritious results. Yields: 10-12 rolls (dairy-free, glutenfree)

Sweet Potato Wrapper 2 sweet potatoes, peeled 2 tsp olive oil Pinch of sea salt Several fresh basil leaves, torn in half (to roll inside) Preheat oven to 350째 F. Peel the sweet potato and cut the ends off. Slice thinly, lengthwise. If the potato is long, first cut it in half across the middle. Lay pieces flat on a baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes until soft. Allow to cool and gently rub with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. If wrappers must stand for any length of time, cover after cooled.

natural awakenings

December 2011

Haricot Verts or Green Beans 30 haricot verts or 18 green beans, cut in half and sliced lengthwise 2 tsp tamari or soy sauce 1 tsp umeboshi plum vinegar ½ tsp agave nectar or maple syrup Enough filtered water just to cover the veggies in a small saucepan Haricot verts are thin enough to leave whole. If using green beans, slice in half lengthwise. If green beans are extra-long, cut them in half before slicing. Place haricot verts or sliced green beans in a small saucepan. Mix together tamari or soy sauce, umeboshi plum vinegar and agave nectar or maple syrup and drizzle over the vegetables. Add just enough filtered water to cover the beans. Bring to a gentle simmer uncovered over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5-10 minutes, or just until tender. Do not disturb the veggies by stirring while they cook; they should remain firm. When tender, remove from the liquid with tongs and set aside in a bowl. Continue cooking the liquid, stirring occasionally until it is reduced and the resulting marinade becomes syrupy. Pour over haricot verts or green beans and toss to coat. Let stand while preparing the remainder of the dish.

Pecan Pesto ¼ cup pecans, soaked for 1 hour 3 cups packed basil leaves 1 Tbsp walnut oil or extravirgin olive oil ½ tsp sea salt 3-4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Soak pecans in 1 cup filtered water for 1 hour. Drain and rinse. Pat dry with a clean towel. In a food processor, place drained pecans, basil, walnut oil and salt, and then pulse until finely chopped. With the motor running, add olive oil in a slow stream until well incorporated, but the mixture still has a bit of texture. 26

Assembly Lay 2 pieces of softened sweet potato skins on a cutting board (not touching, with short end facing you, and the length of the sweet potato placed away from you). It is best to lay a few pairs at once to create an assembly line for quicker rolling.

Freshly ground black pepper to taste ¼ to 1/3 cup filtered water, or as needed to blend to desired consistency 1 /3 cup chopped parsley leaves ¼ cup chopped basil leaves 3 Tbsp chopped sorrel (optional) 2-3 Tbsp chopped chives

Lay haricot verts or green beans across a piece of sweet potato, and top with a teaspoon or two of pesto.

Soak almonds in 3 cups of filtered water for 8 hours. Drain and rinse in a colander.

Fold the short end of the softened potato skin over the vegetables and roll closed. Note the tendency to overpack and the fact that less is more; it will be easier to eat and go further.

Place almonds in a food processor. Add lemon juice, olive oil, truffle oil, garlic, a scant teaspoon of salt and some freshly ground pepper. Blend, dribbling in water to aid processing as needed until mixture is as smooth as possible. Add more olive oil, lemon juice and water to thin to a preferred consistency. Add herbs and blend in pulses until well incorporated, but bits of herbs are still visible.

Roll the second sweet potato slice around the bundle and secure with a toothpick. Follow suit until all ingredients are used. Eat the rolls as is, or bake at 350° F for 10-12 minutes to warm. Garnish with freshly ground black pepper.

Almond Truffle & Herb Paté This simple paté bursts with flavor and good-for-us nutrients. Almonds are a champion source of calcium and a clean source of protein and healthy fats. Soaking the almonds plumps them, wakes up enzymes and makes them more digestible, also supplying more alkaline reserves for the body. White truffle oil (olive oil infused with white truffles) is a secret weapon for injecting sumptuous, sophisticated flavor, although the recipe is excellent without it. Yields: about 3 cups (raw-living, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-glycemic) 1½ cups raw almonds, soaked for 8 hours and drained 6-7 Tbsp lemon juice, or as needed 3-4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed 2-3 tsp white truffle oil, as needed ½ to 1 small clove garlic, finely minced 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste

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Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with crudité vegetables and/or healthy crackers.

Tuscan Kale Chips Crunchy kale chips are super-simple to make and bursting with flavor. Kale is one of the most nutritious foods by weight; rich in blood-building vitamin K and antioxidant vitamins A and C, as well as minerals such as calcium and iron and satisfying fiber. Roasting the kale brings out a near-addictive nutty flavor. Yields: 6-8 cups chips (dairy-free, glutenfree, low-glycemic) 1 bunch kale, leaf ribs removed, and roughly chopped 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Sprinkle of sea salt Preheat the oven to 250° F. Toss the kale with olive oil in a large bowl. Arrange in a single layer on a pair of baking sheets and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake 30-33 minutes, or until crisp. Allow to cool completely to crisp before serving.

Pear & Pomegranate Seed Guacamole This festive guacamole fuses spicy, sweet and savory flavors in a colorful array of texture. Avocados are rich in skin-beautifying oils, pears supply vitamin C and copper, and sweet-tart pomegranates are among the most antioxidant-rich fruits on Earth. Yields: about 4 servings (raw-living, dairy-free, gluten-free) 2 avocados, cubed 2 Tbsp lime juice ½ tsp sea salt, or to taste 3 Tbsp finely chopped red onion 1 chili pepper, finely chopped (add only to desired spiciness) ½ cup pear, peeled and finely diced ½ cup pomegranate seeds In a bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, sea salt, red onion and chili pepper with a fork. It should exhibit small chunks, with texture. Reserve 2 tablespoons of pomegranate seeds for garnish. Fold remainder of pomegranate seeds and pear into the avocado mixture. Season to taste with salt if needed. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and serve. Recipes are from The Balanced Plate and Living Cuisine, by Renée Loux and ReneeLoux.com. natural awakenings

December 2011

Sunflower Seed Almond Balls by Cathy Zolner These almond balls are a perfect, health promoting, bite-sized dessert. Almond butter and sunflower seeds are excellent sources of Vitamin E and magnesium, while sesame seeds provide copper, magnesium and calcium. Raw, unprocessed honey retains its beneficial enzymes, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, rich vitamins and minerals. Children enjoy making these gluten-free treats and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no baking required. Rolling them in sesame seeds provides a nutty taste and a delicate crunch. 1 cup raw sunflower seeds 1 cup raw almond butter 1 /3 cup raw unprocessed honey Coating: Sesame seeds or Unsweetened coconut Grind the sunflower seeds in a food processor until you have a coarse meal. Put the ground sunflower seeds into a large bowl with the almond butter and honey and mix well. Scoop out the mixture and roll into bite-sized balls. (A small teaspoon ice cream scoop works well.) Roll the balls in unsweetened, shaved coconut or sesame seeds. They may be stored in an airtight container for up to two days or refrigerated if stored for longer. Cathy Zolner is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor in Arlington. Connect at MyNourishToFlourish.com.

PARTY-HOSTING TIPS n Create identification cards for appetizers.

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. ~Dalai Lama

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n Decorate the buffet table with form and function using seasonal fruits, vegetables and small evergreen sprays. n Double-line the kitchen trashcan, in order to catch any drips and to save time from having to hunt for another bag after the first one fills up. n Provide a small trashcan and a recycle bin in an easyto-find place for guests. n Use washable plates, cups and cutlery and cloth napkins. If opting for disposables, look for tree-free bagasse plates (from sugarcane fiber), bioplastic cutlery and napkins made from recycled content.

Lymphatic Drainage

Detoxifies, Relieves Pain and Reduces Surgical Recovery Time by Kim Childs

ymph fluid circulates around every cell in the body, just like blood. But unlike blood, which gets pumped by the heart, lymph relies on muscular contractions to move it around for the essential purpose of removing cellular debris and toxins from the body. If the flow of lymph is impaired it can build up, causing swelling and the pooling of toxins. Some causes of lymph buildup include surgical scarring, autoimmune disease, arthritis and diabetes. “When lymph doesn’t move, the tissues get toxified and that creates problems,” says Mimi Rhys of Phoenix Healing Arts, in Brighton. “For example, what we call cellulite is lymph that’s trapped in fat. When the fluid is trapped, it builds up and it pulls on the skin, which creates the dimpled appearance.” Rhys, a licensed massage therapist, treats cellulite and other physical issues with a technique called lymphatic drainage. The treatment is done on bare skin and feels very gentle, says Rhys, reporting that the hands-on pressure is as light as a nickel. “Seventy percent of lymph is right under the skin, so the technique involves a very light stretching of the skin to move lymph in the direction it needs to go. Once

it’s moving, lymph goes directly into the bloodstream and the toxins can be eliminated through the kidneys or the digestive system.” Rhys explains that lymph vessels also carry the majority of the body’s disease fighting white blood cells, making it a crucial component of the immune system. She performs lymphatic drainage on those preparing for and recovering from surgery, and says that it reduces healing time considerably. “The pre-surgical sessions are great because they give surgeons cleaner tissue to cut, which heals better,” she says. “Afterwards, lymphatic drainage reduces inflammation and swelling, allowing blood to reach the tissues for healing. You also get rid of debris, release trauma and stimulate the immune

system to fight any infection that may be happening.” Other conditions for which Rhys recommends lymphatic drainage include fibromyalgia, edema, sports injuries, chronic pain, sciatica and autoimmune diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. She says the treatments reduce stress, clear toxins, boost immunity and eliminate facial puffiness. “Very often after a session I’ll have someone look in the mirror and they’re always surprised at how different they look,” says Rhys. “People say they look younger and feel more relaxed.” For more information, contact Mimi Rhys at 617-413-7174 or visit Phoenix HealingArts.net. See ad on page 27.

natural awakenings

December 2011

greenliving Previously Enjoyed Gifts

MEANINGFUL

Not every gift needs to be brand-new. Browse vintage and antique shops, estate sales, auctions and consignment stores for amazing treasures. Keep an open mind or go hunting for that certain something for that special someone. Online sources such as EstateSales.net, and gsalr.com can help locate garage, yard and estate sales in communities across the country. Look for items that are unusual or hold special significance.

GIVING Tips to Simplify the Season by Beth Davis

’T

is the season, and a U.S. poll by Harris Interactive reveals that a majority of the stress 90 percent of us feel about the holidays is related to gift-giving. So, solving this problem will set us well on our way to a joyeux noël. The same study found that given a choice, most of us prefer investing in good family relationships instead of more material things, anyway. Natural Awakenings has uncovered four ways that we can make the holidays less hectic and more relaxing and meaningful. First, says Barbara Kilikevich, author of A Mindful Christmas–How to Create a Meaningful, Peaceful Holiday, we have to stop buying into the notion that more is better and that extravagant, expensive gifts are equal to how much we care for one another. “We need to stop believing that doing it all is productive and having it all is meaningful.”

Get Crafty

n Edible items are always a hit. Consider making something yummy that can be given to everyone on the list. Herbed olive oil, spiced nuts and homemade jams are favorites. n Attractive, reusable shopping bags, made from repurposed or recycled fabric, make practical gifts that can be used again and again. Sew on monograms or paint on designs to personalize them. n Fashioning painted pottery, custom artwork and decorated picture frames can engage kids in anticipating fun holidays with friends and family.

Non-Material Gifts The Center for a New American Dream, a national nonprofit organization that challenges a “more is better” definition of the good life, suggests giving of oneself—providing gifts of time or experiences that will be long remembered.

Homemade gifts are always special. They carry a message of thoughtfulness and love, which is the heart of gift-giving. Making a memorable gift can take less time than we’d spend earning the money for a manufactured gift, driving to the store and back and coping with checkout lines. Ideas are endless; these may stimulate your creative juices.

n Invite loved ones to an outing to the zoo, a sporting event or an indoor/outdoor picnic.

n Gather favorite family recipes and copy them into a personalized binder.

n Purchase a gift certificate for a local massage, acupuncture session or other soothing therapy as a way to unwind during or after the holiday season.

n Mix jars of tasty combinations of loose teas and/or bulk herbs that might include lavender, chamomile or mint. Add a mesh tea strainer to complete the package. 30

n Give a friend her dream, based on an expressed interest and careful research. Sign her up for a class in cooking, sewing, photography or dancing—classes abound in most cities.

n Support the local art scene by giving tickets to a community theater or a museum membership.

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n A childhood reminder—perhaps a favorite toy or comic book n Vintage jewelry n A silk scarf, unusual hat or fun bag n Classic books, movies and music n Unique housewares, from vases and candleholders to platters and teacups (Replacements.com can help find missing pieces for sets)

For the Family For large families or families with grown children, it can be expensive and timeconsuming shopping for a gift for every relative. Try one of these ideas to take the pressure off. n Instead of giving gifts to each member of a family or a couple, think in terms of a single gift for the household. n Draw names. Have everyone in the family put his or her name into a hat and ask each family member to draw one name, so that each person needs to buy only one or two gifts. n Set a limit. In his book, Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas, author Bill McKibben suggests that families limit the amount they spend and instead, make the holidays as much fun as possible, filled with song and food, creativity and connection. With a little planning and a lot of love and care, we can fill the whole holiday season with less stuff and more satisfying joy. Beth Davis is a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings magazines.

Stress Less, Enjoy More Through the Holidays by Deb Brothers-Klezmer and Wendy Midgley

he holiday season is a time for gathering with family and friends to enjoy festivities, love, connection and remembrances. The season also includes high expectations, rich foods, alcohol, overspending and time demands, all of which creates a perfect recipe for feeling “stressed out” before December is even over. Fortunately, a few simple practices and reminders can make the holidays more enjoyable and less overwhelming. Try these suggestions for a relaxing, rewarding holiday season:  Set an intention to really enjoy the holidays this year and envision what you want. Rehearse your intention or vision statement as often as you need to.  Get adequate sleep and rest.  Eat breakfast each day and eat as healthfully as you can in general, choosing treats mindfully.  Try inhaling the scent of peppermint under your nose every two hours. Researchers have found that it can reduce hunger levels and cravings.  Limit sugar and alcoholic drinks and stay hydrated with at least eight glasses of water a day.  Don’t overspend, overeat or overdo. If you are financially strapped, give “free” gifts of your time or complete a task for someone.  When faced with multiple demands and invitations, be choosy about which

events you’ll attend, stay only as long as feels good and release guilt as you take care of yourself.  Take time to be quiet, breathe deeply, read, meditate or walk in nature every day, no matter how “timecrunched” you feel.  Reach out and ask for help if you need it. Remember that people like to be helpful.  If you are overwhelmed with “I can’t cope,” thoughts, remind yourself of the many times you’ve felt in control, competent and successful. Those feelings of inner power are still there for you.  Get a rise in oxytocin (the bonding hormone) by engaging in satisfying community activities such as singing, decorating or cooking with others.

 Honor your spiritual traditions and perhaps even create new traditions that are meaningful to you.

Finally, don’t give up your personal values in an attempt to live up to an unattainable ideal. No one has perfect holidays, and that can part of the fun. Deb Brothers-Klezmer, R.N., practices at DBK Nursing Rehabilitation, L.L.C., in Stoughton, and The Marino Center for Integrative Health, in Wellesley. Wendy Midgley is a registered dietitian, licensed nutritionist and certified diabetes educator at The Marino Center for Integrated Health and InterMed Associates, in Webster. For more information, contact Info@WellnessShifterLadies.com.

natural awakenings

December 2011

calendarofevents All Calendar events for the January issue must be received by December 10th and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

Arlington Reiki Associates, 366 Mass Ave, Ste 304, Arlington. 781-648-9334. ArlingtonReiki.com. Reiki I Certification Class – 10am-6pm. Learn a complete method of accessing healing energy including the hand positions and the channel opening attunements. Practice giving a complete Reiki treatment and receive one. $150. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-6682000. Cortiva.com.

Integrated Relaxation and Yoga Nidra – 5:15pm. Designed for individuals with no yoga or meditation experience. Learn tools for reducing stress and stress related illness. Free. L’Aroma Café, 15 Spencer St, West Newton. 843-3453620. ReinaLovelace.com.

Kids-Only Holiday Sale – Dec 4-9. 3-6pm. School-age children can purchase gifts for family and friends in this safe, supportive and fun environment. Free. Chandler Gallery, 20 Sacramento St, Cambridge. 617-349-6287. Agassiz.org.

Boston Common Tree Lighting – 6-8pm. Enjoy the 70th annual lighting of Boston’s Official Christmas Tree provided as a gift by Nova Scotia. Free. Boston Common. 617-635-4505. CityOfBoston.gov/Parks.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 Free Basic Beading Class – 11:30am-12:30pm. A great opportunity to get started in beading. Learn the difference between different beads, stringing materials and findings. Free. Life’s A Bead, 404 Trapelo Rd, Belmont. 617-489-7222. LifesABead.com. Another Holiday Jazz Night – 7-11pm. Join BGMS with performances by Berklee College of Music performers and the jazz duo of Morton and Herman while nibbling on delectable hors d’oeuvres. Free. First Parish Church, 10 Parish St, Dorchester. 617-436-9980. Bowdoin-Geneva.org. Mandalas Spirit in Art – 7:30pm. A discussion of the mandala ancient art form as a spiritual tool for healing, exploration and self-expression. Original artwork embodying themes of hope, connectedness and pan-global inter-relations. $10. Theosophical Society, 21 Maple St, Arlington. 857-205-0849. TSBoston.org.

Harvard University-NW Labs, 52 Oxford St, Cambridge. 617-441-5400. Bazaar. CulturalSurvival.org. Discover Mount Auburn – 1-2:30pm. A walking tour of Mount Auburn which is one of the country’s most significantly designed landscapes. This 1.5-mile tour will focus on the stories of history, monuments and the lives of those buried here. $10/nonmember, $5/member. Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge. 617-607-1982. MountAuburn.org. Introduction to Raja Yoga Meditation – Dec 3, 4 10 & 11. 4:30-6pm. A four-session introduction course to Raja Yoga meditation. Free. Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace, 75 Common St, Watertown. BKBoston.org. Kirtan with John de Kadt – 7-9pm. Come and hear this unique Kirtan powered by the beautiful voice of Bonnie Argo and the poetry of John de Kadt and the phenomenal guitar of Charlie Braun. $25. Samadhi Integral, 796 Beacon St, Newton Center. 617-243-0034. SamadhiIntegral.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4

Gorse Mill Open Studios – Dec 3 & 4. 10am5pm, Sat; 11am-5pm, Sun. Open to the public, the family-friendly event will feature demonstrations, tours and a chance to purchase unique art handcrafted by local artists. Free. Simple Syrup Glass Studio, 31 Thorpe Rd, Needham. 617-650-9563. SimpleSyrup.com.

Massage and Cancer – 9am-5pm. Course covering an overview of cancer and qualities of cancer cells in general. Other topics include common types of medical cancer treatments. $140. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-668-2000. Cortiva.com.

Cultural Survival Bazaar – Dec 3 & 4. 10am6pm. A festival of native arts and culture from around the world. Features native artisans, performers and hand-made products. Free.

Introduction to Reiki – 10am-12pm. Learn about this ancient energy healing art in this lecture, including guided meditation. Reiki is a healing method for reducing stress, relieving pain and facilitating healing and personal growth. Free.

Want to reach readers who are health and wellness focused? Learn how to list your services in the Community Resource Guide.

617-906-0232 publisher@NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com 32

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Poetry Writing Workshop – 7:30pm. A free workshop for ages 12+. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St, Newton Center. 617-796-1370. NewtonFreeLibrary.net.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6 Sauce Making – 6-8:30pm. Spend an evening in the kitchen with Chef Jason exploring the world of four types of pasta sauces: olive oil, tomato, cream and pesto. $50. Dave’s Fresh Pasta, 81 Holland St, Somerville. 617-623-0867. DavesFreshPasta.com. Decorate your own Fresh Wreath – 6:308:30pm. Also Dec 8 & 13. Decorate a beautiful wreath made of fresh greens with seasonal decorations, baubles and bows. Includes equipment, supplies and decorations. $35/ advance, $45/day of. Creative Crafts Studio, 25 Spring St, Waltham. 781-697-7134. CreativeCrafts-Studio.com. Solar Energy 101 – 7pm. A free informational seminar on solar energy. Needham Presbyterian Church, 1458 Great Plain Ave, Needham. 781373-3263. SunLightSolar.com/Meet-Us/ Local-Events-MA.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 Herbs for Frequent Flyers – 7-9pm. Learn how, with a little preparation and some herbs for the road, time away from home can go much more smoothly. $25. CommonWealth Center for Herbal Medicine, 25 Saint Mary’s Ct, Brookline. 617750-5274. CommonWealthHerbs.com. Intro to Belly Dance – 8-9pm. Great fun, good exercise and gentle on the joints. No particular age, size, shape or fitness level needed to start. $15/class, $96/8-class card. Fitness First-Nautilus & Aerobics, 471 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 781-859-9606. Tashkin-Rhythms.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 Flu Clinic – 5-7pm. Watertown Health Department will be offering influenza vaccine to residents 6 months and over. Free. Watertown Public Library, 123 Main St, Watertown. 617-9726446. CI.Watertown.MA.US. The Sweetback Sisters Christmas Show – 8-10pm. The rollicking country swing of The Sweetback Sisters whose charismatic charm harkens back to the golden era of the silver screen cowgirl and the ersatz cowboy stars of kiddie shows. $15/nonmember, $13/member. Club

Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge. 617-492-7679. TheSweetbackSisters.com.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 Annual Opening of the Charles Hotel Ice Rink – All day. Ice-skating party with kid-friendly activities. The Charles Hotel, Lower Courtyard, 1 Bennett St, Cambridge. 617-864-1200. CharlesHotel.com. Thai Massage Level 1 – Dec 9-11. See website for times. Learn to perform a basic 60-min Thai massage sequence including safe body mechanics and smooth transitions between techniques. Open to massage therapists and students in a 500-hr program or more. $350. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-668-2000. Cortiva.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 Holly Fair – Dec 10 & 11. 10am-5pm, Sat; 12-5pm, Sun. Celebrate the holiday season at Cambridge’s oldest crafts fair held in two historic buildings in the heart of Harvard Square. Free. Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 56 Brattle St, Cambridge. 617-547-6789. ccae.org. Cultural Survival Bazaar – Dec 10 & 11. 10am-6pm. A festival of native arts and culture from around the world. Features native artisans, performers and hand-made products. Free. Harvard University-CGIS, 1730 Cambridge St, Cambridge. 617-441-5400. Bazaar. CulturalSurvival.org. Reiki 2 Certification Class – 10am-6pm. Learn accelerated healing, long distance and mental/ emotional healing techniques in Reiki 2. $300. Arlington Reiki Associates, 366 Mass Ave, Ste 304, Arlington. 781-648-9334. ArlingtonReiki.com. Lazy Men’s Yoga – 10:30am-12pm. For both men and women. It refers to the fact the receiver can be totally passive yet getting the benefit of yoga as the practitioner does all the work. Can release muscle and joints from tension, strengthen the immune system and stimulate energy lines. Soothing or energizing depending on the need and preferences of the receiver. $10. Chestnut Hill, 397 VFW Pkwy, S Brookline. 617325-0114. AlexanderTec.com. 8th Annual SoWa Holiday Market – 11am7pm. Featuring artists and designers from around New England. From the fashionably chic to the hip and cutting edge. $5, free/under 12. Cathedral High School, 74 Union Park St, Boston. SoWaHolidayMarket.com.

Mark Your Calendar SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 Open House: Plum Island Soap Company – 11am-7pm. Celebrate the season with the staff of the Plum Island Soap Company with a cup of cheer, yummy snacks and holiday merry making. Complimentary product sampling, massage by the minute from a local masseuse, raffles and wonderful gift ideas. Plum Island Soap Company, 205 Northern Blvd, Newburyport. 978-465-0238. PlumIslandSoap.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 Cookies & Carols: A Winter Family Event – 3-5pm. A free winter sing-a-long, a musical craft and cookie potluck. Bring your favorite treats to share. Suggested donation $10 for concert. New School of Music, 25 Lowell St, Cambridge. 617492-8105. NewSchoolOfMusic.org.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 Poetry Writing Workshop – 7:30pm. A free workshop for ages 12+. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St, Newton Center. 617-796-1370. NewtonFreeLibrary.net.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13 Creative Arts for Cancer – 6:30-8pm. A creative group for anyone who has been touched by cancer or is in any stage of treatment. Basic art supplies will be available. Donations welcome. Center for Cancer Support & Education, 180 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 781-648-0312. CenterForCancer.org. Network Spinal Analysis Class – 7:30-8:30pm. Learn how to get more out of your adjustments and understand how network works. Get back to basics by emphasizing the inherent wisdom and healing intelligence of the body. Class can help with handling stress, improving posture and feeling better overall. Free. Newton Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, 345 Boylston St, Ste 300, Newton. 617-964-3332. WellAdjusted.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 Pasta Making – 6-8:30pm. Learn to make fresh pasta at home with ease. A hands-on pasta making class on basic dough technique, cutting pasta and quick ravioli making. $50. Dave’s Fresh Pasta, 81 Holland St, Somerville. 617-623-0867. DavesFreshPasta.com.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 Cultural Survival Bazaar – Dec 16-18. 10am9pm, Fri & Sat; 11am-6pm, Sun. A festival of native arts and culture from around the world. Features native artisans, performers and handmade products. Free. Shops at Prudential Center Newbury Arcade, 800 Boylston St, Boston. 617441-5400. Bazaar.CulturalSurvival.org. Winter Solstice Celebration – 7:30-9pm. Honor the shortest day of the year and celebrate the imminent return of light through meditation, readings, music and community. Donations accepted. Theosophical Society, 21 Maple St, Arlington. 617-926-4155. TSBoston.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 The Alexander Technique for Mind & Body Stress Management – 11am-1pm. Relieve and manage your stress using this technique. Learn to conquer your habits, release tension at will, improve your posture, reduce mental stress and prevent injury. $50. Brookline Village, 33A Harvard St, Brookline. 617-359-7841. AlexanderTec.com. Thai Yoga for Partners – 1:30-3:30pm. Learn Thai yoga basics to exchange with a partner and leave totally relaxed. Come alone or with another. No yoga experience required. $50. Brookline Village, 33A Harvard St, Brookline. 617-3597841. AlexanderTec.com. Shapes of the Inner Fire – 7-9pm. An evening of sacred and contemplative songs and changing with Federico Parra lending his voice as well as playing Armenian Duduk, frame drum and guitar. $25. Samadhi Integral, 796 Beacon St, Newton Center. 617-243-0034. SamadhiIntegral.com.

natural awakenings

December 2011

Works Tog thing eth y r e er Ev

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 Yulefest 5K – 10am-12pm. USATF certified 5K course, starting and finishing in Harvard Square. Race is followed by a block party on Holyoke St Clover, 7 Holyoke St, Cambridge. 617-398-0611. Cambridge5k.com. Reiki Clinic – 1:30-4:30pm. Experience the relaxation and healing power of Reiki treatment. Practitioners give and receive treatments for free. $10/clients, free/practitioners. Arlington Reiki Associates, 366 Mass Ave, Ste 304, Arlington. Pre-registration required: 781-648-9334. ArlingtonReiki.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21

Su ppo rt O

iser ur Advert

Here’s Why: 1) For every $100 you spend locally, $68 comes back to our community, only $43 if you buy from a national chain, and NONE if you shop online. 2) The advertising pays for us to bring our magazine to you FREE. So please, support our advertisers and thank you for allowing us into your life.

Scrapbooking – 7-8:30pm. A beginner’s lesson led by an experienced scrapbooker. Bring 3-5 pictures to make your first page and everything else supplied. All levels welcome. Expert help, scrapbooking equipment and new ideas available. If already scrapbook, bring supplies and work on current project. Free. Watertown Free Public Library, Lucia Mastrangelo Rm, 123 Main St, Watertown. 617-972-6431. Pauli Stern: PStern@ Watertown-MA.gov. WatertownLib.org.

classifieds BUSINESS Opportunities CURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES – For sale in Birmingham, AL; Cincinnati, OH; Columbia, SC; Lexington, KY; North Central, FL; Tulsa, OK; Northeast PA; Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM, and Southwest VA. Call for details: 239530-1377.

employment opportunities AD SALES REP – Natural Awakenings is now accepting resumes for full-commission experienced Ad Sales Reps in Southeastern Middlesex County including: Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Belmont, Watertown, Waltham, and Newton. Strong organizational and people skills, computer/database experience necessary. Must be a self-starter. We’re positive people looking for positive associates who are focused on healthy living and a

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Mark Your Calendar SATURDAY, january 28 Be Healthy Boston 2012 – Jan 28-29. Healthy living is not just about exercise and diet. A true balanced lifestyle means a commitment to reducing stress through best practices, creating a greener living environment, enjoying the outdoors and learning how to take care of those around you. Be Healthy Boston, a new kind of urban wellness retreat, promises to help consumers wade through the plethora of health information available, and introduce its visitors to the best way to incorporate health and wellness into their busy lifestyles. $159/2day pass, $89/one day, $199/late registration. Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St, Boston. 617-395-4152. BeHealthyBoston.com.

healthy planet to reach like-minded practitioners and businesses, and help grow their client base. Flexible schedule with great earning potential, only you set the limit on your potential. Email cover letter and resume to: Publisher@Natural AwakeningsMCMA.com. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY PLEASE.

FOR RENT/lease SEMINAR ROOM – Perfect location for your wellness seminar or training class. Seated classroom for 30-50 people or massage table classroom for 10-12 tables. Friday, Saturday, or Sunday only. Free parking or walk from Watertown Square. New England School of Acupuncture. Call Steve: 617-558-1788 x 375. TWO ROOMS FOR RENT OR LEASE – In a holistic therapy practice located within Sollievo Massage & Bodywork, North Cambridge. 617-354-3082.

Place Your Ad Here, Call 617-906-0232

ongoingcalendar All Calendar events for the January issue must be received by December 10th and adhere to our guidelines. Visit NaturalAwakeningsMCMA.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

Toys for Tots Collection – Thru Dec 22. All day. Dr. David Oliver will be collecting toys at his Newton Center location. Toys will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots organization. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the Newton Wellness Center, 1280 Centre St, Ste 210, Newton. 617-641-6767. NewtonWellnessCenter.com. Gore Place Farm Stand – 7am-7pm, Wed-Sat. Fresh produce; lamb: grass-fed, antibiotic and hormone free; eggs: antibiotic and cage free. Located next to the Farmer’s Cottage, Gore Place. GorePlace.org/Farm-Stand.htm. Life in the Extreme Deep Exhibit – Thru June 2012. 9am-5pm. A photographic exhibit which showcases stunning deep-sea photographs by scientists. $9/seniors, $7/students, $6/ages 3-18, Free/under 3. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St, Cambridge. 617-495-3045. HMNH.Harvard.edu. The Glass Flowers – Thru Mar 2012. 9am-5pm. The Ware Collection of glass models of plants. Amazingly realistic models of plant species painstakingly crafted in glass from 1886-1936 by father and son German glass artists, Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka. Free with museum admission. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St, Cambridge. 617-495-3045. hmnh.Harvard.edu.

Yoga with Jennifer Krier – Thru Dec 18. 9:3011am. Slow flow Vinyasa class designed in the elemental yoga tradition. Focuses on developing and using core awareness and strength, increasing flexibility to deepen mind-body connection. All levels welcome. $75/5 wks, $17/class. Every Body Pilates, 50 Leonard St, Ste 3A, Belmont. 617-484-3311. EveryBodyPilates.com.

Glassblowing Family Experience – 1-2pm. Enjoy a glassblowing demonstration with the family. A truly unique experience. $15/person. Make pendants for only $10 more per person. Diablo Glass School, 123 Terrace St, Boston. 617442-7444. DiabloGlassSchool.com. Restorative Yoga – Thru Dec 18. 4-6:30pm. 2nd & 4th Sun. Intended for those experiencing stress, insomnia, fatigue, sickness, injuries or seeking a quiet, centering respite. $35. Art & Soul, 91 Hampshire St, Cambridge. 617-395-4227. ArtSoulYoga.com.

Gentle Therapeutic Yoga – 12:30pm. Be immersed in healing, community and ease with the Anusara principles of alignment. Free. Steeped in Grace, 223 Concord Ave, Cambridge. SteepedInGrace.com. Core Fundamentals – 12:30-1:25pm. Also Wed, 12:30-1:30pm. Learn how to effectively use free weights, your body weight, resistance tubing and cable exercises to unleash your body’s natural confidence and power. $20. Vitality Personal Fitness, 118 Needham St, Newton. 617-620-3585. VitalityPersonalFitness.com. Kettlebell 101 – 5:30-6:30pm. Also Tues, 2-3pm. Learn how to use the latest workout rage. Learn the proper technique for kettlebell exercises such as the Turkish get up, the swing, the clean, the windmill, the clean and press, the snatch and more. $20. Vitality Personal Fitness, 118 Needham St, Newton. 617-620-3585. VitalityPersonalFitness.com. Puppy Classes – 6:30-7:45pm. Positive training for dogs and their people. Learn how to communicate with your puppy clearly and consistently to get the behavior you want and help them learn. $150/5 wks. Pampered Pooch, 125 Beech St, Belmont. 617-448-7447. HappyDogTrain.com.

Jam’n Java Open Mic and Coffeehouse – 6:30-9pm. First Mon. Sign up to play, or come and listen to talented local performers. Free. Jam’n Java, 594 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. ArlOpenMic.wordpress.com. Revolution Rising Radio Show – 7pm. A fun and entertaining internet radio show which focuses on cutting-edge health topics such as nutrition, alternative medicine, vaccination and spirituality. Free. WNTN Radio, 143 Rumford Ave, Newton. 617-780-1754. JamieMurphy.net. Jam’n Cardio Kix – 7:15-8:15pm. A martial art fitness class that puts several musical patterns together in to routines performed continuously to develop cardiovascular fitness, agility and quickness. $15. Corpbasics Fitness & Training Club, 73 Bow St, Somerville. 617-628-8400. CorpBasics.com. Hatha Yoga at Gallery 263 – 7:15-8:30pm. Increase flexibility, strength and balance. Relax and recharge mind and spirit. Intelligent sequencing and attention to alignment which will challenge all levels. Emphasizes correct alignment within a flowing sequence that will leave you feeling strengthened and energized. $10. 263 Pearl St, Cambridgeport. 617-459-9817. WatertownHolisticHealth.com. Introduction to Raja Yoga Meditation – 7:309pm. Also on Wed. Discover the benefits of implementing daily meditations. Free. Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace, 75 Common St, Watertown. 617-926-1230. BKWSU.org.

Get Primal – 5:30-6:30am. Shape up with the seven primal patterns of movement: squat, lunge, push, pull, bend, twist, and gait. This 8-exercise functional circuit will bolster your fitness and is a great addition to any athlete’s workout routine. $20. Vitality Personal Fitness, 118 Needham St, Newton. 617-620-3585. VitalityPersonal Fitness.com. Yoga Flow Anusara Style – Thru Dec 27. 9:3011am. Using the Anusara-inspired method, Diana Cullum-Dugan leads a class through yoga poses that open the heart. Explore a deeper experience by way of balanced energy and optimal alignment. $18/drop-in, $14/student/senior. Samadhi Integral Yoga Center, 796 Beacon St, Newton. 617-393-2200. NamasteNutrition.net. Yoga for Beginners – 4:30-5:30pm. A yoga class for all levels emphasizing breathing and

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techniques to increase strength, flexibility and balance. $10 suggested donation. First Presbyterian Church, 34 Alder St, Waltham. 781893-3087. Tai Chi – 6-7pm. Also Sat, 8-9am. Learn a complete physical conditioner, a health and regenerative exercise, a way to longevity, a moving meditation, a self-defense art and a philosophical way of life that brings harmony and balance. $20/drop-in, $120/8 consecutive classes. Groton Wellness Medical Center, 493-495 Main St, Groton. 978-449-9919. GrotonWellness.com. Vinyasa Yoga – 7-8pm. A style that synchronizes breath and movement. Be instructed to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. Learn proper alignment and how to breathe while gaining strength from the inside and out. $14/drop in, $60/5 consecutive classes. Groton Wellness Medical Center, 493-495 Main St, Groton. 978449-9919. GrotonWellness.com. Zumba Dance Yourself Fit – 7-8pm. Also Wed. A fitness program that combines high energy and motivating music with fun, effective and easy-tofollow moves. Open to all fitness levels. $12/drop in, $90/10 classes. Waltham Zumba, 8 Common St, Waltham. 978-761-2769. WalthamZumba.com.

Nia with Maria Skinner – 8-9am. Nia is the first cardio workout to combine martial arts, dance, and healing arts. An evolutionary approach to fitness and self-healing in a body. An acclaimed practice for over 25 years which is based on the science of the body. A fun, creative pathway to health and wellbeing, regardless of age or physical condition. $16/drop in, $60/5 consecutive classes. Groton Wellness Medical Center, 493-495 Main St, Groton. 978-449-9919. GrotonWellness.com. Maum Meditation Introduction Seminar – 7-8pm. Also Sat, 3-4pm. 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. 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. Meditation Evenings – Thru Dec 14. 7-8:30pm. Come to meditate and take part in a discussion. Both beginners and experienced meditators welcome; instruction provided for those who need it. Refreshments provided. Suggested donation $15. Advaita Meditation Center, 28 Worcester Ln, Waltham. 781-647-0020. AdvaitaMeditation.org.

Vital TRX Cross – 6-6:55am. Also Sat, 9-9:55am. A revolutionary method of leveraged bodyweight exercise, which allows you to safely perform hundreds of functional exercises that build power, strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, and prevent injuries. $20. Vitality Personal Fitness, 118 Needham St, Newton. 617620-3585. VitalityPersonalFitness.com. Anusara Inspired Yoga – 9:30-11am. Explore Anusara’s Universal Principles of Alignment to awaken, align, and move into an uplifted state of being. Samadhi Yoga Studio, 796 Beacon St, Newton Center. 617-243-0034. SteepedInGrace. com. Reiki Healing Circle for Women on a Healing Journey with Cancer – 4-6pm. Once a month. Women trained in Reiki and at various stages in their healing journey come together to support each other. Uplifting, life affirming and healing. $35. Arlington Reiki Associates, 366 Mass Ave, Ste 304, Arlington. 781-648-9334. ArlingtonReiki.com. Dental Anxiety Workshop – 6-8pm. Once a month. One in three people suffer from moderate to severe anxiety when faced with dental treatment. Learn a wonderful and effective

All you need is love. ~John Lennon

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method of calming all the different aspects of dental anxiety with Sam McCartin, CEMP. Free. Groton Wellness, 495 Main St, Groton. 978-4499919. GrotonWellness.com. Zumba Rumba Thursdays – 6:30-7:30pm. Benefit mentally, emotionally and physically from the dance workout that has caused such a sensation all over the world. $12/class. Corpbasics Fitness & Training Club, 73 Bow St, Somerville. 617-968-1695. ShapeUpPersonalTraining.com. Hatha Yoga Class – 7-8pm. Suitable for all levels, beginners welcome. Bring a towel and water and a mat if you have one. Mats available for use if needed. $15/drop-in, $104/8 wks. A Pilates Fitness and Yoga Studio, 681 Main St, Ste 339, Waltham. 617-750-8599. PilatesMassachusetts.com. Meditation For Inner Peace – 7-8pm. Experience the proven benefits of stress reduction and elimination through meditation and learn proper meditation techniques to help attain inner peace even when surrounded by chaos. $20. Groton Wellness, 493 Main St, Groton. 978-4499919. GrotonWellness.com. Somerville Road Runners Night 4.13 Miler – 7:15-8:15pm. It may be snowing. It may be raining. The SRR Thursday night run will happen every week, no matter what. Free. Casey’s, 171 Broadway, Somerville. SRR.org/Events/ Thursday-Night-Race. Observatory Night – 7:30-9:30pm. 3rd Thurs. A non-technical lecture and telescopic observing from the observatory roof if weather permits. Free. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden St, Cambridge. 617-4957461. CFA.Harvard.edu.

The Family Walking Program – 9:30am. Take a healthy walk through the mall in a safe, climate controlled environment for both parent and child. Spend time with other parents while your children make new friends and learn the benefits of regular exercise. Meet near Carter’s. Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal St, Watertown. 617-926-4968. Watertown-Mall.com. Health Lecture Series – 10am. An informative discussion for parents and caregivers on a variety of parent and child-related topics such as: nutrition, behavior, community resources and more. Held in the Old Country Buffet. Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal St, Watertown. 617-926-4968. Watertown-Mall.com. Blood Pressure Screenings – 10am-12pm. Free blood pressure screenings on the first Fri of every month in front of the Old Country Buffet. Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal St, Watertown. 617926-4968. Watertown-Mall.com. Free Rolfing Sessions for Veterans – 3-8pm. 2nd Fri. A hands-on participatory approach to rebalancing the body which is helpful for healing from physical and psychological trauma. By appointment only. Free. Boston Body Balance,

2557 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge. 617-3087104. BostonBodyBalance.com. Second Fridays Free – 5-8pm. Free evening at the MIT Museum on the second Friday of every month. Mingle with friends in the unique galleries and see some of the latest research coming out of MIT. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge. 617-253-5927. Web.MIT.edu/ Museum. Orthopedic Massage Certification Course – Thru Dec 11. 5-9pm. Also Sun, 9am-5pm. Comprehensive course of study in the effective assessment and treatment of orthopedic conditions. $900. Cortiva Institute, 103 Morse St, Watertown. 617-668-2000. Cortiva.com. Glass Beadmaking – 6:30pm. An evening of glass, friends and wine. Spend 3 hrs in one of our studios to experience an introductory taste of working with hot glass in glassblowing and bead making. $75. Diablo Glass School, 123 Terrace St, Boston. 617-442-7444. DiabloGlassSchool.com.

Saturday Morning Yoga – Thru Dec 17. 7-8:30am. Gentle beginner-level yoga class held in a sunlit room in a lovely historic house led by trained instructor, Keith Herndon. Advaita Meditation Center, 28 Worcester Ln, Waltham. 781-647-0020. AdvaitaMeditation.org. Broga Yoga – 10-11am. A yoga class geared for men, but open to all. Strong, energetic, and challenging, it uses traditional yoga postures and fitness movements for an amazing workout. Less flexibility intensive than other forms of yoga, broga teaches to men’s natural physical strengths such as upper body and core muscle groups. $15. The Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville. 617-207-9374. BrogaYoga.com. Total Body Knock-out – 10:30-11:30am. Be challenged physically and mentally from the top of your head to the tip of your toes using old school boxing and kickboxing moves. $20. Vitality Personal Fitness, 118 Needham St, Newton. 617620-3585. VitalityPersonalFitness.com. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Fertility and Women’s Health – 2-4pm. 2nd Sat. Learn how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can relieve PMS symptoms, enhance fertility, treat nausea and acid reflux from pregnancy and prepare the body for childbirth. Free. Groton Wellness Medical Center, 493-495 Main St, Groton. 978-449-9919. GrotonWellness.com. Maum Meditation Introduction Seminar – 3-4pm. See Wed listing. Maum Meditation, 50 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington. 617-272-6358. Maum.org.

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. NEWTON CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS

ACUPUNCTURE

Julie Burke, DC 617-964-3332 Info@WellAdjusted.com

ACUPUNCTURE TOGETHER

2464 Massachusetts Ave, Ste 420 Cambridge, 02140 617-499-9993 AcupunctureTogether.com

We are an integrative holistic wellness center. Our caring team consists of chiropractors specializing in Network Spinal Analysis, massage therapists and Shiatsu and Reiki practitioners. See ad page 2.

Affordable acupuncture, excellent care. Dozens of conditions treated safely and effectively in a comfortable community room. Sliding scale for everyone. $35-55 first visit, $20-40 follow-up.

BRAINWAVE OPTIMIZATION

compounding & wellness pharmacy JOHNSON COMPOUNDING AND WELLNESS CENTER

BOSTON BRAIN WORKS

978-854-5214 Info@BostonBrainWorks.com BostonBrainWorks.com Our clients understand that their brain controls their life. A balanced brain allows them to experience liberating self-regulation. Love life again. Join us. See ad page 28.

chiropract0r NEWTON WELLNESS CENTER

Dr. David Oliver, DC 1280 Centre St, Ste 210, Newton Centre 617-641-9999 NewtonWellnessCenter.com Specializing in spinal manipulation, trigger point therapy and chiropractic rehab; providing our patients with long term results. Therapeutic massage also available. All major insurances accepted. See ad page 25.

Stephen Bernardi 577 Main St, Waltham, MA 02452 781-893-3870 Fax: 781-899-1172 Steve@NaturalCompounder.com NaturalCompounder.com

JCWC is the only sterile and non-sterile PCAB-accredited pharmacy in Massachusetts. In addition to our compounding service, we offer a full range of nutritional supplements, natural products, homeopathic remedies and home health care equipment. See ad page 7.

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.

Introduction to Raja Yoga Meditation – 4:30pm. Also Sun. Discover the benefits of implementing daily meditations. Free. Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace, 75 Common St, Watertown. 617-926-1230. BKWSU.org.

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December 2011

dentist GROTON WELLNESS – MEDICAL, DENTAL, SPA, BISTRO 493-495 Main St Groton, Ma 01450 978-449-9919 GrotonWellness.com

Our specialization, healthfocused dentistry, enables us to consider you, our patient, as a whole person, not merely a “dental case.” Therefore, we have the unique opportunity to evaluate every patient, and develop every treatment, procedure and protocol, from an individualized holistic standpoint. We will make recommendations to improve not only your dental health, but your overall health as well. See ad page 27.

JOSEPH MANISCALCO, DDS

19 Chestnut St, Arlington, MA 02474 781-643-2344 Fax: 781-641-3483 SmileFxr10@gmail.com JosephManiscalcoDDS.com Our Practice centers on your comfort, your convenience, and on dental excellence, always. We believe everything we do here should enhance your lifestyle and your health. See ad back cover.

DOG WALKING CANIS MAJOR DOG WALKING Nancy Anderson 617-501-9241 Canis_major@mac.com CanismajorHerbals.wordpress.com

As a wellness service of Canis major Herbals, we now offer dog walking in the Davis Sq, Somerville area. Visit CanismajorHerbals.com. Experienced. Responsible. Insured.

HERBS COMMONWEALTH CENTER FOR HERBAL MEDICINE Katja Swift & Ryn Midura 25 Saint Mary’s Court, Brookline, MA 617-750-5274 CommonWealthHerbs.com

Personalized, comprehensive consultations with experienced herbalists. Whether it’s the flu or a chronic illness, or simply to build greater vitality, herbal medicine can help. See ad page 5.

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 33.

MIND & BODY STRESS MANAGEMENT

Cecile Raynor Certified Alexander Technique Teacher; Certified Thai Yoga Therapist 617-359-7841 AlexanderTec.com Learn to relieve body tension and manage the stress in your life. Improve your posture without any holding. Learn mind/body tools for personal growth. See ad page 34.

MYERS BODYWORK

Lexington, MA 781-862-8000 Tamar@MyersBodywork.com MyersBodywork.com 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.

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DANIEL SHARP

126 Prospect St, Cambridge MA 781-412-4325 SacredCircleHealing.com Experience a deep sense of Self and true healing from the heart. Daniel offers Reiki and Infant Massage classes, Crystal Healing, Reiki treatments, and massage.

SOLLIEVO MASSAGE & BODYWORK 2285 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA 02140 617-354-3082 Sollievo.org

A therapeutic massage and acupuncture practice specializing in chronic pain, injuries and stress reduction. We are a group of seasoned therapists with combined expertise in various bodywork treatments and approaches. Visit our web-site for pricing and promotions. Blue Cross & Aetna discounts available. See ad page 13.

holistic health coach NINA MANOLSON, MA, LMT, CHC Certified Health Coach Smokin’ Hot Mom Mentor & Family Wellness Expert 617-771-5121 Nina@SmokinHotMom.com Nina@HealthyYummyKids.com

Nina helps busy moms prioritize themselves so that they look and feel their very best. She also teaches families how to make the shift to healthier eating habits. Free get acquainted session available. See ad page 25.

IMMUNIZATION COUNSELING VACCINE FREE

Jamie Murphy 617-780-1754 VaccineFree.org • JamieMurphy.net We are a nonprofit dedicated to educating parents about the dangers of vaccines. Services include: personalized counseling, research, consulting and public speaking.

integrative therapy BODYMIND RESOURCING

Alison Shaw APRN, LMT, CEH 393 Massachusetts Ave Arlington, MA 02474 781-646-0686 Alison@BodymindResourcing.org An innovative blend of body-centered counseling, integrative bodywork and energy medicine to uncover and release body-mind patterns that limit your life and health. See ad page 17.

integrative veterinary medical care MASH MAIN ST ANIMAL SERVICES OF HOPKINTON Margo Roman & Deborah Grady 72 W Main St, Hopkinton, MA 01748 508-435-4077 508-435-4204 Fax: 508-435-5533 MashVet@verizon.net MashVet.com

A full-service integrative veterinary clinic offering caring and healthful options and modalities like acupuncture, functional nutrition, homeopathy, chiropractic, herbs, ozone therapy, surgery and dentistry. See ad page 28.

music lessons IN HOME MUSIC LESSONS Johan Narsjo 617-968-3646 Narsjo@hotmail.com InHomeMusicLessons.org JohanNarsjo.com

Guitar, Bass and Piano lessons for all levels and ages. Study in your home with an experienced teacher. Personalized lesson plans with a focus on creative expression utilizing a variety of contemporary and traditional techniques. Learn how to maximize the practice time available to you by finding the perfect balance. See ad page 34.

REIKI

nutritional supplements

KATE GENOVESE RN/ REIKI PRACTITIONER-MASTER

MONA VIE INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR Dawn McGee 781-308-3071 TheMVAcai.com

Providing products and personalized services dedicated to helping you improve your health. Serving New England and 18 countries around the world.

physical therapy/ sports medicine CAMBRIDGE PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS MEDICINE 1000A Cambridge St. Cambridge, 02141 617-492-6600 CambridgePTSportsMed.com

781-883-4711 KGeno67176@aol.com Woburn-Reiki.com

Kate Genovese is a registered nurse for over 30 years and a Reiki Master. Reiki is a gentle form of hands-on healing that benefits people of any age. Sessions available in the comfort of your home or at Kate’s office. See ad page 5.

ROLFING STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION BOSTON BODY BALANCE Jazmine Fox-Stern 617-308-7401 BostonBodyBalance.com

Rolfing Structural Integration is a hands-on, participatory approach to rebalancing the body. Reduce aches, pains, and injuries. Increase energy and grace. Improve athletic performance.

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 35.

YOGA

Want to reach readers who are health and wellness focused?

THE WELL STREET STATION

Steffi Shapiro, RYT 500 62 Mt Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472 617-923-1440 WellStreetStation.com

Relax, re-energize, re-vitalize; listening to your body and doing what feels best. Yoga classes for all ages, from prenatal to elders. “Elder-Yoga” video available.

Call

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December 2011

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