Natural Awakenings Greater Boston/Rhode Island December 2022

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Natural Awakenings | Greater Boston/Rhode Island | December 2022 issue

letter from the editor

The seasonal energy of late fall leading to Yule, or winter solstice, is restful, gentle, nurturing, intuitive and receptive. Yet, instead of surrendering to this time of reflection and contemplation, we tend to ramp up the holiday preparations and fall victim to our own to-do lists and over-scheduled social calendars, leaving us feeling anything but rested or nurtured.

December is always our Uplifting Humanity issue, but before we can lift anyone else up, we must first take care of ourselves. Consider this issue an invitation and a permission slip to embrace rest, set boundaries and seek sanctuary without any guilt, shame or fear. Settle into a corner with a warm beverage in hand and flip through these pages to find in spiration for the coming winter months ahead.

In our article “The Upside to Stress,” on page 22, Sara Garvin, of FLOAT Boston, points out how important it is to practice interrupting stress and downshifting from it, even if only temporarily. One way of doing this is to float in water with more than 900 pounds of Epsom salt; water that is denser than the Dead Sea. I recently enjoyed a float ses sion for the first time, and the complete weightlessness experienced while floating produced an unexpected escape hatch for the multiple layers of tension held within my body. I left the session relaxed, re freshed and recharged body and mind. I highly recommend that it be added to everyone’s stress-relieving toolbox.

Despite all the merriment that comes with this time of year, sadness can fill the hearts of those remembering lost loved ones. On page 20, Angela Craig shares, in “Moving From Grief to Grace,” some healing practices that can help ease sorrow. One such practice is learning to recognize unusual signs.

Shortly after my dad took his last breath, I began to see 11:11 every where: on clocks, bills, length of phone calls, scoreboards, you name it. Along with 11:11 having significant spiritual meaning, my father had the practice of giving “high ones” with his index finger instead of high fives. It didn’t take long for me to realize that these regular 11:11 occurrences were not coincidental, and they were my dad saying hello and giving me spiritual high ones. These sightings still occur, not as often, but when they do, it is pure magic to feel his love for a moment. They remind me to take a deep breath, rest when needed and enjoy life to the fullest.

May you experience the magic of this season,

GREATER BOSTON/ RHODE ISLAND EDITION

PUBLISHER Maisie Raftery MANAGING EDITOR Nancy Somera

ADMINISTRATIVE ASST. Mary Dennis DESIGN & PRODUCTION Courtney Ayers

Zina Cochran

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kirby Baldwin

Gayatri Bhaumik

Angela Craig

Marlaina Donato

Wendy Nadherny

Fachon

Sara Garvin Sheila Julson

Gary Kracoff

Linda Sechrist

Jyl Steinback

Sandra Yeyati

CONTACT US

P.O. Box 1149 • Brookline, MA 02446 Phone: 617-906-0232 NA-GBRI.com Maisie@NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com

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Intimacy Course to Empower and Enhance Pleasure

Intimacy and relationship coach and educator Sacha Fossa is offering a limited time offer on the Erotic Blue print Breakthrough course, designed to help clients expand intimate wellness, empowerment and pleasure. The course includes eight videos by world-renowned somatic sexologist Jaiya, classes on dating and other relationship practices, a complimentary virtual session with Fossa, who is a certified Erotic Blueprint coach, and access to the Erotic Freedom Club community. En rollment grants lifetime access to all of these materials.

The Erotic Blueprints (as featured on the hit Netflix series Sex, Love and Goop ) are the five intimacy languages that tell people how they and others are erotically wired. The Blueprints support massive communica tion breakthroughs for lovers that are often speaking different languages in the bedroom.

Whether solo or partnered, this course is for anyone ready to open and explore their sexuality in new and exciting ways that work for them and for massive new learning and experiential practices that will last a lifetime.

Cost: $990 (Will double in 2023.) For more information, call 978-309-9399, email SacredTempleArts@gmail.com or visit SacredTempleArts.com. See ad on page 25 and Resource Guide on page 38.

Develop a New Concept of Health

Delonnay HOLISTICS, an integrative medical practice combining naturopathic and allopathic medicine, is currently accepting new patients at its location in Prov idence, Rhode Island.

ND

Naturopathic physician Martine Delonnay has a special interest in bringing awareness to the mindbody connection using a large array of modalities like nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, lifestyle counseling and others.

Believing that all pathologies are related somehow to the suppression of emotions, Delonnay works with her patients to re move barriers and help them gain a better understanding of the emotional roots of their physical ailments. Whether experiencing hormonal, neuro logical, digestive or other symptoms, Delonnay’s knowledge and treatment plans help people develop a new concept of health and how to live more physically and spiritually in tune.

Location: 182 Gano St., Providence, RI. For more information, call 774-4259519 or visit DelonnayHolistics.com. See Resource Guide on page 37.

History never repeats itself. Man always does.

~Voltaire

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Sacha Fossa

Martine Delonnay,

Groden Greenhouse Stocked with Seasonal Greenery

Browse a selection of gorgeous red, marble and white poinsettias and other seasonal greenery at the Groden Greenhouse at the North Burial Ground, in Providence. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Groden Network offers support to indi viduals of all ages on the autism spectrum in Rhode Is land and Massachusetts. For more than 20 years, it has partnered with the City of Providence’s Parks Depart ment to operate a full-service greenhouse that gives developmentally and intellectually disabled clients a chance to learn and sample a variety of vocational skills.

Adult clients from the network’s Cove Center run the entire operation including planting, watering, floral arranging, customer service and everything else that goes into producing incredible seasonal plants. This work gives them purpose and the independence that comes from earning a paycheck.

Houseplants and floral arrangements are available throughout the year. Already this year, Groden Green house floral arrangements have graced functions at The State House and Providence City Hall.

Cost: Poinsettias are $15 each. Wholesale orders are avail able. Location: 5 Branch Ave., Providence, RI. For more in formation, call 401-421-9780 or visit GrodenNetwork.org

Farm Fresh RI Opens Winter Market

Farm Fresh RI Providence Farm ers Market is back under one roof every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 10 Sims Avenue, in Providence. More than 70 ven dors participate throughout the wintertime season (November to April), providing local farmers and food makers a place to sell their produce during the colder New England season.

Farm Fresh RI accepts cash, credit/debit, Supplemental Nutrition Assis tance Program (SNAP)/EBT and Bonus Bucks. The Farm Fresh RI statewide Bonus Bucks initiative doubles the spending power of low-income shoppers to buy fresh produce and invests federal SNAP benefit dollars directly with local farmers and food producers.

Farmers markets play an important role in increasing the availability and accessibility of local foods. They offer more places for local farmers and producers to sell their products and invite the local community to gather over a variety of delicious, fresh foods in their own neighborhoods. Pets are not allowed inside the building per Health Department regulations.

For more information, visit FarmFreshRI.org

OUR LOCATIONS

Acton Pharmacy

ActonPharmacy.com 978.263.3901 563 Mass, Ave., Acton, MA 01720

Keyes Drug

KeyesDrug.com 617.244.2794 2090 Comm. Ave., Newton, MA 02466

Theatre Pharmacy

TheatrePharmacy.DinnoHealth.com 781.862.4480

1784 Mass. Ave., Lexington, MA 02420

West Concord Pharmacy

WestConcordPharmacy.com 978.369.3100

1212 Main St., Concord, MA 01742

Serotonin Theory of Depression Debunked

The idea that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance specifically, a serotonin deficiency has been popular and influential since the 1960s, leading to the wide use of antidepressants. A recent multi-institution study led by the University of Reading, in the UK, and published in Molecular Psychiatry has debunked this theory. The researchers did a systematic review of studies on the topic and found no convincing evidence of an association between serotonin and depression, and no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations. The serotonin the ory of depression has historically provided convincing justification for the use of antide pressants and may discourage people from discontinuing treatment, potentially leading to lifelong dependence on such drugs.

Ultra-Processed Food Linked with Cancer and Mortality Risks

A new study supports the public health importance of staying away from ultra-processed foods, finding a significant association with colorectal cancer in men. The study, led by Tufts University and published in August in The BMJ, looked at the diets of 46,341 men and 159,907 women every four years for 24 to 28 years using food frequency questionnaires.

These ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat commercial formulations comprised of little or no whole foods currently contribute 57 percent of the total daily calories consumed by American adults—a rate which has been continuously rising over the last two decades.

Commonly containing high levels of added sugar, unhealthy fats and refined starch, ultra-processed foods negatively impact gut microbiota and contribute to increased risks of weight gain and obesity. Most of these convenience foods are low in nutrients and bioactive compounds; contain food additives, colors and emulsifiers; and can be potentially carcinogenic when meats are processed with sodium nitrates and heat treatments or when the packaging leaches its harmful components (like bisphe nol A) into the food.

A second recent study in Italy involving 22,895 adults over the age of 35 compared the role of nutrient-poor foods with ultra-processed foods in the development of chronic disease and early death. Researchers found that both types of foods increased the risk of an early death, especially from cardiovascular diseases. When researchers compared the two types of food to see which contributed the most to the risk of an early death, ultra-processed foods were associated with poor health outcomes independently of their low nutritional composition, but not the other way around.

Under-Appreciating the Benefits of Solitude

Getting lost in our thoughts may improve problem solving, increase creativity, en hance imagination and provide a better sense of self-worth. But in the digital age, with immediate and satisfying input at a finger’s tap, it is possible to be “solitude deprived,” says Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown Univer sity and author of Digital Minimalism.

In a recent study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, psychologists asked a group of more than 250 university students to sit and wait in a quiet room without doing anything. Researchers found that the students under-appreciated their enjoy ment and engagement of “just thinking” and instead favored technology-driven distrac tions like internet news-checking. The results suggest an inherent difficulty in accurately assessing how engaging just thinking can be, and may explain why people prefer keeping themselves busy rather than taking a moment for reflec tion and imagination in their daily lives.

Charging Electric Vehicles at Night Poses New Challenge

As electric vehicle (EV) owners learn how to install home chargers, find public charging stations and avoid range anxiety, the demand for power could burden the electric grid in western states at peak times by up to 25 percent if most charging is done at night, according to one Stanford University study. Unlike filling a car with gasoline, charging an electric car takes time. The fastest chargers on the mar ket today can reach 80 percent in 20 to 30 minutes, but many are slower, taking between two and 22 hours to completion. Thus, around 80 percent of EV charging occurs overnight at home when the driver doesn’t need the car.

That charging pattern challenges the way electricity is generated and distrib uted. The largest need overall is in the evening from approximately 5 to 9 p.m. Photovoltaic panels produce energy during the middle of the day, so the highest electricity demand comes when solar is dormant.

“Once 30 or 40 percent of cars are EVs, it’s going to start significantly impacting what we do with the grid,” says Ram Rajagopal, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University and one of the study’s authors. One solution is for more EV owners to shift to daytime charging at work or public charging stations.

Human Composting Offers Sustainable Burial

With the passage of a recent law, Californians will have a new option for the final resting place of those that die be ginning in 2027. This makes California the fifth state, along with Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Vermont, to allow human composting, and the most populous.

The most common process for human composting, known as natural organic reduction, involves leaving the body in a container with wood chips and other organic matter for about a month to let bac teria do its work, then curing for a few more weeks before being turned over to the family. This process will save about a metric ton of CO2 per body.

Conventional burials expend approximately three gallons of embalming liquid containing toxic levels of formaldehyde, methanol and ethanol. Cremation creates more than 500 pounds of carbon dioxide from the burning of just one body, and burning uses up the energy equivalent of two tanks of gasoline.

Assembly member Cristina Garcia, who sponsored the bill, says, “AB-351 will provide an addi tional option for California residents that is more environmentally friendly and gives them another choice for burial. With climate change and sea level rise as very real threats to our environment, this is an alternative method of final disposition that won’t contribute emissions into our atmosphere.”

Tree Roots Adapt to Sequester More Carbon

At the University of Birmingham in the UK and Bergen, Norway, scientists have shown that atmospheric carbon dioxide pumped into a mature forest at levels predicted to be the norm by 2050 will cause trees to produce more and longer roots, thus absorbing and storing more carbon. Researcher Angeliki Kourmouli says, “We usually take soil for granted, but it forms a crucial part of many ecosystems and plays a significant role in carbon storage.”

The study team gathered thousands of images of tiny tree roots assembled over two years at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research Free-Air CO2 Enrichment. The images were used to build a mathe matical picture of the birth, growth and death of roots in an oak forest. Some images were taken of roots in situ using a high-resolution camera sent under the forest floor in a set of transparent tubes, and others came from soil cores.

Professor Iain Johnston, who led the study, says, “It’s obviously hard to view these processes going on beneath the ground. But a combination of innovative engineering and careful field and lab work from our team have helped us shed new light on this behavior and on how confident we can be in our findings.”

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inspiration

A Feast of Light

by Marlaina Donato

Despite the whirlwind of our to-do and places-to-go lists, the wheel of the year turns once more, allowing us to close another chapter of our lives with grace. If we take a breath, we might notice December’s invi tation to kick off our shoes, curl up in our favorite chair and drop down into our heart space.

Whether we light scented candles for ambience, drink cocoa while sitting around a bonfire or continue time-honored spiritual customs, welcoming the light can ignite hope when we need it most. By cultivating the inner sun, that place deep within us that blazes with resilience and plenty, we not only fortify ourselves, but everyone around us. Through out the year, many of us invest in making healthy choices, but neglect soul sustenance. Swapping trivial distractions for more face-to-face conversations, answering someone’s forgotten email or bringing a home made pot of soup to a neighbor that is busy packing for a move creates a feast of light during all seasons.

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,” wrote Gauta ma Buddha, and perhaps we would be astounded to see how far the smallest gesture can travel. Inviting a friend that has no family to a holiday dinner or out for coffee, spending more quality time with a child or buying a gift card for the receptionist at the dental office begets a chain reaction of small joys. When we fill our bellies with everyday magic, slow down to finish a cup of tea, turn off the news and notice the crescent moon nestled in the twilight, we be come more inclined to feel blessed.

A few worthy inspirations to pass along:

■ Make it a spiritual offering to choose joy today

■ Close the year by letting go of a grievance or an outdated belief

■ Tell someone how they bring light into your life

■ Share a favorite book that is inspiring

■ Acquire a new source of light—a lantern or salt lamp—for your favorite room

■ Leave an uplifting quote on a loved one’s voicemail

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at Wildflower Lady.com.

Give the Gift of Health

by Gary Kracoff

One of the best gifts we can give to our self or a loved one this holiday season is a pathway toward optimal health and a thriving, happy life. It is difficult to be at our best when we are stressed, having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, or experiencing digestion and elimination problems, hormonal imbalances or chronic allergies. We might intuitively know our diet needs improvement, but require guidance on what to eat, what to avoid and how to change our lifestyle to match our wellness goals.

Those that think they have no time to improve their health and wellness will sooner or later have to find time to deal with their illnesses. This age-old adage is what drives the fitness industry’s New Year’s resolution marketing campaigns. But without appropriate direction and support from knowledgeable experts to help address the underlying barriers to peak health, our wellintended resolutions often fall flat.

Giving the gift of health, in the form of a wellness gift card, can help get someone started on the road to good health. It has

been a financially trying year for many people and working on their health has taken a back seat as a result. A gift card can be used for a consultation, the purchase of wellness products, even lab testing, or in other ways that would be most helpful to the recipient.

Some popular tests available to assist in figuring out what support is needed for better health and a healthier future include:

• GI-Map – helpful uncovering problems with digestion and elimination

• Organic Acid Test – helpful uncovering detoxing and metabolic issues

• DNA Testing a deep dive into areas that could be behind many chronic symptoms

• Nutreval – a great tool to assess micronutrient levels

• Dutch Adrenal Test – helpful un derstanding high stress levels, low energy, sleep issues

• Dutch Complete Test – looks at the adrenals and a deep dive into

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female and male hormone levels, and how the body is using them

When unsure of where to start, earmark the gift card for a consul tation with a functional dietitian or with someone trained in natu ropathic therapies. This way the practitioner can help determine what the correct testing, supple ments and lifestyle changes will be most beneficial. Their expertise can help the recipient start the new year with fresh information for improv ing one’s diet, health and overall well-being.

Check with a local practitioner or wellness center about discounts on gift cards for the holidays. Everyone benefits from a gift of health.

Dr. Gary Kracoff is a naturopathic doctor and registered pharmacist at the Johnson Compounding and Wellness Center, located at 577 Main St., Waltham. For more information, call 781-893-3870 ext. 2 or visit NaturalCompounder. com . Gift cards are available. See ad on page 29 and Resource Guide on page35 and 37.

Centers for Spiritual Living

by Wendy Nadherny Fachon

Through a variety of events and classes, Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL) are uplifting humanity through the teachings of Science of Mind. CSL founder Ernest Holmes (18871960) studied the world’s many religions and identified commonal ities, including the concept that our thoughts create our reality. Holmes correlated his findings to establish a unifying set of new thought princi ples that are scientifically provable in practice.

Holmes’ work and the Science of Mind teachings are rooted in transcendentalism, the philosoph ical movement that developed in New England in the late 1820s and 1830s. CSL has grown into a global community comprised of more than 400 spiritual communities, teaching chapters, study groups and other ministries in 30 countries. The Con cordia Center, in Warwick, Rhode Island, is preparing to celebrate its 35-year anniversary, and it has in spired the emergence of more CSL

communities around the region.

“Wherever you’re at on your spir itual path, you are welcome here,” says Rev. Alan Vukas, community spiritual leader at the Concordia Center. He shares CLS’s vision, which is to create a world that works for everyone. “This begins with creating a life that works for you,” he continues. “We provide the new thought teachings and equip you with tools to use for your own per sonal growth. Change your thinking/ change your life.”

One of CSL’s guiding principles is a belief in the individualization of the Spirit in us and that all people are individualizations of the One Spir it. Rev. Gina Colvario Krupka, who leads CSL activities in the Greater Boston area, explains, “Spirituality means the relationship with Spirit is within each one of us. Through spiritual connection, we learn that Source is right where we are, and this awareness shifts our world.”

Vukas adds, “When we discover

this inner awareness, it is up to us to demonstrate it to others. When we connect with peace within, we become peace, and this effects the people around us.” He alludes to several great spiritual leaders— Jesus, Mahatma Ghandi and Mar tin Luther King, Jr.—who led and taught this to others through living by example.

Barbara M. Fuyat, RScP, spiri tual director of CSL SouthCoastal MA Teaching Chapter, explains their unique approach to integrating into the community and sharing the Science of Mind philosophy, faith and way of life. “We are passionate about the principle of Oneness— Oneness with each other and all of creation. One way we live this belief is by holding our ceremonies and services at local beaches, parks and farms, without walls or borders, honoring nature as our spiritual tem ple,” Fuyat states.

While these New England cen ters offer different celebrations,

classes and services, they are uni fied in their vision, purpose, princi ples and spirit. The CSL community embraces people of all faiths and beliefs. An emphasis on uncondi tional love allows everyone to be free to be whoever they are, while also understanding that all are con nected in Oneness. Visit a center and experience a change of thinking that can light up your life.

Locations: See sidebar for locations and contact information. For more information on Science of Mind new thought principles, visit CSL.org/ spiritual-community/what-webelieve. See ad on page 23 and Re source Guide on pages 37 and 38.

Wendy Nadherny Fachon is a regular contributor to Sustainable Living News and host of the Story Walking Radio Hour on the Dream Visions 7 Radio Network. Visit DreamVisions7radio.com and search out her podcasts on sus tainable living.

Local Communities

Center for Spiritual Living Greater Boston

CSLBoston.org

Contact: Rev. Gina Colvario Krupka Phone: 617-947-2743 Email: Gina@CSLBoston.org

Center for Spiritual Living South Coastal MA

CSLSouthCoast.org

Contact: Barbara Fuyat, RScP Phone: 401-793-1753 Email: Barbara@CSLSouthCoast.org

Concordia Center for Spiritual Living

ConcordiaCSL.com

Contact: Rev. Alan Vukas Phone: 401-732-1552

Email: RevAlan@ConcordiaCSL.com

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Transforming Our World

Working Together for Meaningful Change

by Linda Sechrist

With all the chaos occurring in the world today, it is challenging to remain centered and not feel over whelmed. Every shocking headline seems to pull the proverbial rug out from under us. Thought leader Laureen Golden explains the dilemma this way: “Psy chologically, we were raised, educated and social ized in a world that no longer really exists. We have a new world that we must navigate, and we need a new psychology, a whole new way of being for that world. Reducing, compartmentalizing, separating things in order to understand them no longer works for us. It’s going to take work to get out of this paradigm.”

Drawing from her background in education and social work, Golden ponders, “How does that new psychology develop when all our institutions charged with cultivating consciousness—schools, families, religious institutions and organizations—are set in the 19th and 20th centuries? Since learning is how we go from one paradigm to another, where do we go to learn the skills and the structures we need to be successful in such a complex world? We can’t do it individually. We must learn in collectives.”

The paradigm shift envisioned by Golden offers an opportunity for us to access innovative methods of

learning, discovery and connection, such as socioc racy (a self-governance system based on the equal ity of its members); systems thinking (an approach to complexity that looks at the whole and analyzes relationships, rather than splitting it into smaller pieces); permaculture (exploring natural ecosystems as a whole); circle methods (thinking things through as a group); and Indigenous wisdom (focusing on the interconnectedness of all things).

All of these methods focus on an ethos of collab oration and teach us how to discern wisdom, which is different than knowledge. By engaging in these con versations and explorations, we learn that if we tug on any one part of the web of life, we tug the whole web— an important analogy for our times.

A Beloved Community Co-Creating an Island of Sanity Through Collaboration

Instead of shouting, “The sky is falling, and the seas are rising,” in response to a world that is unraveling and experiencing the growing realities of global warming, residents of St. Petersburg, Florida, are embracing resilience. To prove that the future is born in webs of human conversation, the city is counting on collective intelligence to emerge.

Among the tools city participants are employing is The World Café, developed by Juanita Brown and David Isaac, which allows people to host group con versations around thoughtful questions. The concept is designed to evoke deeper listening and give rise to solutions for today’s challenges in a more conscious, intentional and strategic way. Forty citizens have taken The World Café facilitation course. Employing a simple and flexible format for hosting large group dialogue, this methodology enables participants to clarify the context, create hospitable space, explore questions that matter, encourage everyone’s contribution, con nect diverse perspectives, listen together for patterns and insights, and share collective discoveries.

Other important work being applied is that of bestselling author and longtime community organizer Margaret Wheatley. Her training, which is designed to cultivate what she calls “Warriors of the Human Spirit,” arouses people’s inherent generosity, creativ ity, compassion and need for community. Known as a big-systems thinker throughout her 45-year career, Wheatley has concluded that the only opportunity for change is at the local level. Questions that encourage collective learning became integral to creating cohe siveness in St. Petersburg this year.

Dr. Donella Meadows’ “systems thinking” has helped St. Petersburg participants understand that living systems begin as networks, shift to intention al communities of practice and evolve into powerful systems capable of influence. Also instructive has been “complexity theory”, which helped participants recognize human systems as organizations, families and communities.

“The city leaders felt conversations were important enough to invest $20,000 to cultivate a culture of con versational leadership in the neighborhoods. Another $25,000 was granted by the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to research the outcomes. Now, the Florida Council of Churches, University of South Florida, Com munity Foundation of Tampa Bay and The Connection Partners have received a Community Vibrancy grant of $14,500 to pilot conversations in three neighborhoods, spreading the skills in creating participatory democ racy. Participants will host conversations in their own neighborhoods,” says St. Petersburg resident Sharon Joy Kleitsch, founder of The Connection Partners and a longtime catalyst for applying strategic actions based on the new sciences of complexity theory, strategic thinking and quantum science.

“Those who have used World Café as a tool know that a culture of conversational leadership offers citizens the opportunity to experience a sense of oneness and connectedness. We’ve explored what happens when we share feelings of care, compassion and appreciation toward a beloved community,” says

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Kleitsch. “We found that group reso nance, profound personal involvement and deeply engrossing, interactive con versation supports a City of Compas sion and an International City of Peace, which St. Petersburg was chosen to be. I want to be sure that people understand that we do not have answers. Together, we are exploring pathways and listening for the answers to emerge.”

Since 2020, a thoughtfully selected group of Florida activists—including participants from St. Petersburg—have been holding weekly online Zoom con versations that matter. In 2021, they were joined by participants from Ohio to study the Capra Course, which is based on The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision by bestsell ing author Fritjof Capra.

“What we discovered after only two weeks was that we were ourselves a living system connecting to itself and becoming self-organized,” says Kleitsch. “We became aware that we were learning together. We were sharing what we were learning around subjects such as honoring Indigenous peoples, local food systems, the human right to clean water, reimaging capitalism and many more subjects. We’ve also bifurcated into a Sara sota [Florida] cohort. The key is, we were not random. We were a self-selected study group learning collab oratively, which is the best way I recommend activists study the Capra Course.”

Argerie Vasilakes, who is researching outcomes, explains that her work is dedicated to helping teams, communities and organizations become more coher ent. “I start with traditional ways of thinking about our relationships with nature that native peoples have never forgotten—humans are part of nature, not apart from

nature,” she explains. “To me, human organizations, communities, families and governments are also part of nature and examples of natural ecosystems. So, I nat urally look at things from a living systems perspective.”

Vasilakes advises, “In a group that is learning together, such as those in the St. Petersburg neighborhoods, group con versations organized around questions specifically crafted for the context and desired purpose of the World Café evoke a deeper kind of listening, the most im portant factor determining the success of a Café. They spark learning conversations that can produce insights and innova tion for meeting the challenges they face. Through practicing shared listening and paying attention to themes, patterns and insights, participants begin to sense a connection to the larger whole.”

According to Wheatley, the important work is to fos ter critical connections. She believes it is not necessary to convince large numbers of people to change; instead, she suggests we connect with kindred spirits. Through these relationships and tools like The World Café, we can develop the new knowledge, practices and commit ment that lead to broad-based change.

Wheatley sometimes opens her interviews with an ancient Hopi prophecy that reads as if it were applicable to our current times: “Here now is a river flowing very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid, who will try to hold on to the shore. They are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. The elders say, ‘Let go of the shore, push off and go into the middle of the river. Keep your heads above the water. Know the river has its destination.’ The elders say, ‘See who is in there with you and celebrate.’ At this time in history,

we are to take nothing seriously; least of all, ourselves. Gather yourselves. Everything we do now must be done in a spirit of celebration, for we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

Seeing who is in the river of chaos with us, we can choose to respond with, “How can I serve with what I have, where I am?” This is what any Warrior of the Human Spirit would say because in the same river of chaos, there are also the seeds of transformation. In these turbulent times when all the old boundaries are unravelling and all the old certainties are dissolving, there is a possibility for creative transformation if we work together.

Happy Holidays

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Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer.

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Moving From Grief to Grace

Tools to Ease Sorrow

by Angela Craig

Grieving is a universal part of life. After the loss of a loved one, the discovery of helpful, hopeful and healing tools and practices can sup port us in moving from grief to grace. There are no rules or timelines when it comes to the grieving process, and there certainly isn’t a one-sizefits-all method for easing sadness. Exploring a combination of different practices, over time, can help to soften the edges and ease our sor row ever so slowly.

The following practices may be worth exploring:

Journaling: A journal practice is one way to allow our innermost voice to stream unfettered. It can feel almost like a sacred space to spend a short time in with our lost loved one. The benefits can be astounding.

A meditation practice: The simple practice of breathing, growing quiet and going within can open doors we never knew existed.

A gratitude box: Renowned medium Hollister Rand believes that grati tude is an important component to connecting with our loved ones after their death. Filled with messages on slips of paper that connect us to a loved one, in ways only we know about, a gratitude box offers the

simple exercise of pulling a message from the box and remembering our loved one in a way that can be sooth ing, comforting, uplifting and often puts a smile on our face.

Metaphysical books: Reading about other’s experiences of connecting with their loved ones can be one of the most healing and uplifting tools. There is no shortage of excellent ti tles to explore, including Messages from the Afterlife, by Mark Ireland, and The Light Between Us, by Laura Lynn Jackson.

Mala beads: A Mala bead practice is another form of meditation that can produce a sense of peace and calm ness when our world has been turned up-side-down. The practice consists of completing one full breath (inhale and exhale) while touching each bead, moving around the strand for 108 breaths.

Talk therapy: Sharing with others in an on-line group, in person or with a grief therapist can take us to another healing place.

Signs: Learning to recognize signs from our loved ones is one of the most magical, mystical and heart-opening experiences. They can come in the form of a favorite song out of the blue, scents when we least

expect them (perfume, cologne, ci gar smoke, cooking smells, flowers), visuals such as a name or initials on a random car license plate or a mes sage on a billboard or on the side of a van. When they arrive, we somehow just “know” that there is no other ex planation for the unexpected timing of this compelling sign, and the brief connection with our loved one’s spirit soothes our soul.

When we allow our hearts to re main open after the loss of a loved one, grief has gifts to offer in the form of compassion, connection, personal growth, gratitude and the comforting possibility that this life is not all there is. Grief writer Chelsea Ohlemiller reminds us, “The only reason we have an empty space is because we were blessed with someone who loved us so beautifully it occupied an entire part of our soul.”

The tools and practices that Angela Craig used after losing her husband of 33 years led her to develop Spiritual Care Packages, toolboxes to nourish the grieving heart and soul. The con tents of each box are carefully curated by her to help people overcome their profound loss. Learn more at Spiritual CarePackage.net. See ad on page 9 and Resource Guide on page 38.

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The Upside to Stress

by Sara Garvin

The way we all understand and use the word “stress” only describes negative situations, which leads us to believe that all stress is negative. But this isn’t true. Some events or situations in our lives excite us, such as weddings and the holidays, but nonetheless cause stress as we be come busy with to-do lists and over scheduled social calendars.

Dr. Hans Selye, sometimes described as the "father of stress research," described a series of reaction phases in response to con tinued stress. These start with the alarm reaction, progresses through adaptation and finally to exhaustion. Selye showed that if the stressor is unrelenting, actual damage occurs during the exhaustion phase, and death can be the end point. Stress is currently thought to be a culprit in heart disease, for example.

It’s Okay to Like Stress

Building on Selye’s work, psy chologist Richard Lazarus proposed a dynamic concept of stress, con sidering individual differences and responses. Describing a difference between good stress (called eus tress) and bad stress (or distress),

he pointed out that some stressful situations are positive, even excit ing. Some even lead to good results or changes.

In recent years, this positive re action to stress has been explained in terms of hormesis. In the fields of biology and medicine, hormesis is defined as an adaptive response of cells and organisms to a moder ate and usually intermittent stress. An easy example of this is exercise: there’s a sweet spot where enough exercise causes strength and stami na improvements without causing injury. Exercise is an example of a stress that, when approached cor rectly, leaves a person better off.

One major difference between good stress and bad stress is wheth er it feels like it’s within our ability to cope with it. (If you feel constantly unable to cope, consider seeking outside help.)

This seems to be an important boundary between the stressors that are exciting and positive and stress that damages our health.

So, stress isn’t all bad. It can help us improve; it can help us get things done. The problem is when stress is unrelenting, feels out of our control

and there is no relief in sight. Conse quences of chronic stress are serious and range from burnout to heart dis ease and early death.

Good Stress

We must be deliberate at break ing chronic stress patterns by dis connecting, unwinding and down shifting. One way of doing this is to work on the body-mind connection by creating situations that allow our bodies to talk to our brains and vice versa. Take the time to listen to this conversation; make room for bodily stress reactions to turn off. Breath work, exercise, as well as stress-re lief stalwarts like yoga, meditation and massage all can help.

Another suggestion is to spend time around water. In his book Blue Mind, biologist Wallace J. Nichols describes how water has a unique ability to calm and soothe. Swim ming, cold plunges, visiting the ocean or a local creek, and even tak ing a turn in a friendly neighborhood float tank are all options that can help us find our calm and cool “blue mind” of the book title.

Practice interrupting stress and downshifting from it, even if only tem

porarily. It’s good to have a variety of tools in the stress-relieving toolbox, so keep exploring different methods and modalities. With time and prac tice, instead of frantically trying to repair what’s broken, something solid and beautiful can be built. Enjoy and recognize the positive stresses in life. Our hearts will thank us.

Sara Garvin is a co-founder of FLOAT Boston, located at 515 Medford St., Somerville, MA, which opened in 2015. She is a graduate of Kalamazoo Col lege and the Chicago School of Mas sage Therapy and worked as a mas sage therapist for 15 years. For more information or to schedule a float ses sion, call 844- 443-5628 or visit Float Boston.com. See ad on pages 8 and 21 and Resource Guide on page 35.

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Good Vibrations

The Healing Power of Sound

by Gayatri Bhaumik

For centuries, humans have employed sound in an at tempt to heal and cure. The ancient Greeks believed in the power of music, using flutes, lyres and zithers to treat illness and vibrations to alleviate mental disor ders. Even today, military battalions play music to boost morale.

“Research shows that vibrations are the language of the body,” says Kyle Godfrey-Ryan, the founder of TUNE, a New York-based tech system designed to recalibrate the nervous system with sounds. “When we work with sound, we’re working with vibrations that can rebalance the nervous system and flood the body with endorphins.”

According to Susy Markoe Schieffelin, a healing practi tioner at The Copper Ves sel, in Los Angeles, “Sound vibrations work on a cellular level to recalibrate the body. Sound shifts vibrations in the body, both through entrainment—a process by which the vibrations of one object transform to match the higher vibration of another object—and by stimu lating electric signals in the brain that support healing frequencies.”

Studies suggest that sound vibrations can unlock energy blockages, release tension and create calm and focus. For this reason, sound healing is frequently prescribed to manage conditions like anxiety, depres sion and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some prac titioners also report anecdotal metabolic improve ments, from lower blood pressure and decreased cholesterol levels to improved sleep.

TUNE has worked with the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic to gain scientific backing for the brand’s devices. “Our tech nology reduces stress by 54 percent in 15 minutes,” God frey-Ryan claims. “It also has a massive impact on the cir cadian rhythm, so we’re able to prove better sleep quality, improved metabolism and reduced stress and anxiety.”

Sound healing can take many forms, and each type has specific applications. For example, Schieffelin explains, “Gongs and Tibet an bowls are very clearing and grounding, while crystal singing bowls feel more up lifting and elevating.” It is up to the individual to find a style that works for them and their intended results.

Singing Bowls

Originating in 12th-centu ry Tibet, these metal bowls come in different sizes, each producing a specific sound vibration that is said to work on a particular part of the brain or body. Several-sized bowls often are used together to create a holistic healing approach. They can be placed directly on parts of the body to stimulate circulation and relax muscles. Singing bowls made of pure crystal quartz are popular for their pure sounds, and are believed to offer stress reduction, chakra balancing and mental clarity.

Gongs

Used in healing since about 4,000 B.C., gong baths, which combine different tones and melodies to fashion multifaceted vibrations, may positively influence the

Bowls/Unsplash.com

Magic

mind and body by stimulating the vagus nerve. Godfrey-Ryan advis es, “Gongs are amazing for trauma release, but gong work is very heavy, so if you’ve never played with sound before, this will be really intense.”

Vocal Toning

Numerous cultures—from ancient Egyptians to Tibetan throat sing ers—have their distinct forms of vocal toning. Hindu mantras can be especially powerful for some people because they harness the energy of specific words and intonations. Among practitioners, seven distinct tones have been linked to specif ic parts of the body. It is believed that these vibrations can balance the body’s cells and open energetic healing, leading to targeted benefits.

Tuning Forks

While musicians use these devices to ensure that their instruments are set to the correct pitch, they also can be held next to specific parts of the body by individuals seeking healing

vibrations, emotional balance and pain relief. “Tuning forks are fun because you can have a very strong somatic reaction within a few sec onds—they’re very powerful,” notes Godfrey-Ryan.

Solfeggio Frequencies

Solfeggio frequencies are musical tunes or sound patterns designed to stimulate the brain by syncing brain waves to specific healing frequen cies. Each of the seven most popular solfeggio frequencies sets out to target a certain purpose, from im proving relationships and awakening intuition to navigating change and letting go of fear.

Binaural Beats

Binaural beats are soundscapes that create a gap between different frequencies. For example, the tune

might have a tone of 210 Hertz (Hz) in the left ear and 200 Hz in the right ear, producing an illusory tone of 10 Hz, also known as a binaural beat. Brainwaves are thought to automat ically align themselves with this au ditory tone, which may be useful for improving focus and reducing stress.

Sound healing is finding a per manent place in modern wellness culture as more people experience its rewards. While there are myriad ways to use sound vibrations for healing purposes, it is up to each individual to find the style that reso nates with them and achieves the im provements they seek. With regular practice, they may even find relief that is cumulative and long-lasting.

Gayatri Bhaumik is a professional writer and editor. For more information, visit GayatriBhaumik.com.

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Sustainable Holidays

Easy Tips for an Eco-Friendly Season

by Kirby Baldwin

The holidays are upon us, and that means decking the halls, gathering with loved ones, exchanging gifts and treats—and creating a lot of waste in the process. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than at any other time of year. That’s 1 million extra tons each week, primarily due to waste from holiday gifts and décor. Fortunately, there are ways to cut down on consumption to lessen the envi ronmental impact of the holiday season without sacrific ing any joy.

Savor Local Fare

Ditch grocery store lines and instead shop for the holiday meal at a nearby family farm. By participating in the local food movement, we will not only enjoy fresh, season al ingredients while supporting the local economy, but also sustain farms that build soil health, promote animal well-being and offer a more delicious and nutritional ly superior final product. Purchasing food directly from farmers also eliminates the extra packaging and the carbon footprint of transportation that comes with storebought goods.

In addition to offering fruits and vegetables for holiday pies and soufflés, regional farms can also be good sources for locally sourced grains, holiday meats, baked goods and cheeses. Festive cocktails can be purchased from a neighborhood distillery, brewery or winery, many of which source their in gredients from local farmers.

Ronald Mirante, founder of Bone-In Food, runs a weekly food delivery service that provides only sus tainable, nutrient-dense foods sourced from local farm partners. According to Mirante, “Shopping for food locally with your farmers for the holiday helps them move offerings they have raised all season long. This empow ers the local food community and makes their operations sustainable by preventing food waste and allowing for economic preparation for next year’s harvest.”

For a state-by-state directory of local farmers of meat, eggs and dairy products from 100 percent pastured animals, visit EatWild.com. A directory of family farms and farmers markets, along with restaurants and grocery stores that feature locally produced food, can be found at LocalHarvest.org

Gift Greener

Instead of using unrecyclable gift wrapping paper, switch to a recycled alternative or wrap gifts in pieces of fabric, newsprint or kraft paper that can be repurposed or recycled. To eliminate shopping and wrapping altogether, give the gift of an expe rience, which allows loved ones to create lasting memories.

Cater experiential gifts to the needs and wants of the recipient. An ex hausted new parent will appreciate a restaurant gift certificate or a coupon to pay for a babysitter. Give the bud ding golfer lessons with a local pro, the theater lover tickets to an upcom ing show and the selfless caregiver a spa treatment to help them feel pam pered and refreshed. For the person that seems to have everything, make a donation in their name to a worthy cause that matters deeply to them.

According to publishing executive and mother Tacy Quinn, who runs the Instagram account @friluftslivingfam ily, “As our kids get older, we love to find outdoor adventure ideas that are fun to do as a family and get us off our screens. One of our holiday gift-giv ing traditions each year is to purchase or renew a membership to a local na ture organization. Many organizations have great family programs that are included with yearly memberships, so this annual gift means we get a whole year of outdoor experiences to enjoy together. We’ve gone on full-moon hikes, tapped and harvested our own maple syrup, enjoyed solstice bonfire parties and more. Giving a mem

bership gift helps everyone enjoy the outdoors and sustain the natural places we love.”

When it’s not possible to gift an experience, shop locally for gifts made of natural materials, such as a beautiful, wooden, cutting board, a cozy pair of wool socks or a piece of pottery handmade by local arti sans. Christmas stockings can create unnecessary waste for the sake of filling them to the brim. Try replacing plastic odds and ends with fruits, nuts or handmade treats like cookies or granola for more sustainable—and tastier—stocking stuffers.

Deck the Halls

For the most sustainable holiday tree, opt for a potted or locally cut, native choice. Live trees protect the soil, serve as wildlife habitats and filter the air during the six to eight years they’re growing. They also create local jobs. After the holidays are over, the potted trees can be planted. Cut live trees should either be mulched or recycled, rather than thrown in a landfill.

Merry and Bright

Making just a few simple swaps in gifting, feasting and decorating will ease holiday consumption and lessen its environmental impacts without subtracting any of the joy.

Kirby Baldwin writes for KnoWEwell, the regenerative whole health hub and a collaborative partner of Natural Awak enings Publishing Corp.

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The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle.

~Irving Greenberg

Pickleball is Booming

Get into a Pickle for Holiday Fitness

by Jyl Steinback

getting into the act, such as Dale Z’s, in Milwaukee, which christened its pickleball court in the same month.

Being a super athlete is not a prerequisite for playing the game, according to Mac McCullough, a pickleballer in Scottsdale, Arizo na. “I used to play other sports, but running and tennis got harder on my knees,” he says. “Pickleball has a lower net and a smaller court, so you aren’t running as much. Still, it gives you a good workout and it’s easier on your joints.”

Forget the gherkins and dills this holiday season; there’s another pickle in town. This one offers a great way to get in shape, increase happiness and bond with family and friends. It’s pickleball: a simple-to-learn sport that requires less running than tennis and can be played both indoors and outdoors. Players use oversized ping pong-style paddles to hit a wiffle ball over a low net on a badminton-sized court.

The Economist, and other media, say pickleball is America’s fastest growing sport. While seniors are particularly drawn to it, it is also catching on with all ages. “The fast-paced games make it easier for kids to stay engaged, as well as socialize with their peers,” says Sarah Ansboury, director of pickleball at Palmetto Dunes, in South Carolina. “Many families do pickleball events for holidays and reunions. Pickleball enables people of all ages to participate.”

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), there are 4.8 million pickleball players in America, with 51 percent between 6 and 34 years of age. At the end of 2021, there were 9,524 pickleball courts across the U.S.

In 2020, Mecklenburg County, in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, opened the eight-court John Stevens Pickleball Center, the eighth facility in the county where citizens can play the game. Since 2014, the number of public and private courts in the same region has soared from two to more than 100.

The SFIA says growth is happening across the country, with participation spiking 40 percent during the pandemic. In Florida, St. Lucie County unveiled four new courts at its Lakewood Regional Park in September. Even bars are

A 2016 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise con firms that pickleball provides a good workout. According to the research ers, average heart rate and peak heart rate were higher during pickle ball than when walking. Participants burned 40 percent more calories in 30 minutes of the sport than in 30 minutes of walking. Additionally, the study concludes, “Pickleball is more enjoyable than walking at a self-se lected speed.”

Dr. Dennis Pena, a podiatrist from Phoenix, says the game has im proved his hand-eye coordination. “The more I play pickleball, the better my balance, coordination and movement get,” he says. “It’s a good cardio workout, and I just feel better overall when I play regularly.”

A study from Western State Colo rado University indicates that pick leball fosters many health benefits over a wide range of ages. The study followed 15 people between 40 to 85 that played for an hour three times per week. All participants showed improvement in cardio fitness, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Ron Alvey/AdobeStock.com

Research has confirmed that exercise boosts endorphins, which reduces stress and improves over all sense of well-being. A 2018 study from a group of researchers in the U.S. and South Korea showed that pickleball can help stave off depression, too. It reported that although depression rates are in creasing in the U.S., people involved in “serious leisure” such as pickle ball are less prone to depression.

It’s not just older people that can benefit from the recreational activi ty. Teen obesity rates have skyrock eted nationwide, much of it due to a lack of exercise. Pickleball could help combat this. It is fun, easy to learn, boosts cardio fitness and can be played just about anywhere. Some colleges are now even offer ing pickleball scholarships.

Holly Fitzgerald, a physical ther apist from Woburn, Massachusetts, gives this advice on how to get ready to play the game:

Squats with body mass can help develop and stretch quadriceps and hamstrings, enabling the ability to compress leg muscles swiftly and consistently. This will help reduce gravitational pull to address the pickleball as it comes at us.

Large arm circles will stretch muscles and prepare them for the considerable movements that occur when striking a ball.

Exercises that develop the core, such as core twisting, are also beneficial.

Places2Play.org provides a search engine to help find a court anywhere in America. Pickleball is a great way to get family and friends together over the holidays and beyond. It is fun, helps nurture relationships and it is a lot healthier than grazing on holiday leftovers while scanning social media.

Jyl Steinback is the executive direc tor of Shape Up US, creator of the Hip Hope Healthy Heart Program for Children, an author and a recipient of a Community Leadership Award from the President’s Council on Sports, Fit ness and Nutrition. Reach her at Jyl@ ShapeUpUS.org.

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Merry Brunching

Put a Healthier Twist on Favorite Recipes

by Sheila Julson

When hosting a holiday brunch, it may be tempting to serve breakfast and lunch classics like quiche, eggs Benedict and huevos rancheros, but many of these dish es can be full of hidden calories, unhealthy fats and too much sodium. With a few easy modifications, healthier versions are possible.

According to Jessica Levinson, a New York registered dietitian and author of 52-Week Meal Planner, it’s im portant to read nutrition labels, remove empty calories and introduce nutritious alternatives. As an example, yogurt and granola parfaits may seem innocent, but are often loaded with added sugar. “A serving size of most granolas is only one-quarter of a cup, which isn’t much, so use granola sparingly,” she says, adding that parfaits made with low-fat Greek yogurt and fresh fruit instead of jam are healthier choices.

Traditional quiches are usually made with heavy cream and a buttery pie crust. Levinson recommends a cru stless vegetable frittata instead, as it is naturally glu ten-free. “If you don’t want to skip the crust altogether, look for a pre-made, whole wheat crust or make your own,” she says. To eliminate dairy, consider using nondairy milk and omitting cheese in the recipe.

For eggs Benedict, Levinson suggests skipping the hollandaise sauce, topping the poached eggs with mashed avocado and using a whole grain bread or English muffin for the base. “Instead of ham, try smoked salmon, which has beneficial omega-3 fatty acids,” she says.

Whole grain oats are a heart-healthy option, but oat meal served brûlée-style is topped with additional sugar,

notes Frances Largeman-Roth, a New York registered dietitian and author of Smoothies & Juices. “It’s better to opt for oatmeal and fruit, with a drizzle of real maple syrup,” she says. Largeman-Roth likes mixing savory and sweet, to add variety and protein to the brunch plate. “In stead of just having a stack of pancakes, split it with your friends or family, and then have a small, veggie-filled omelet. You’ll feel much more satisfied.”

Planning the Holiday Brunch Spread

When putting together a menu, Levinson advocates incorporating all of the components of a balanced meal: lean protein, carbohydrates from whole grains, fruit and veggies, and low-fat dairy or plant-based substitutes. She says, “If you’re making pancakes or waffles, use whole grain flour when possible, and serve with a side of yogurt, fresh fruit and real maple syrup.”

According to Largeman-Roth, egg lovers will enjoy a veggie-packed omelet or frittata with either potatoes or bread on the side, but not both. Watch out for fried foods and use sauces and cream sparingly or find substitutes. If the family is dining out, she cautions that brunch dish es are often served with extra sauces and syrups, adding sodium and sugar. “Try to ask for them on the side,” she advises. “It’s not about completely avoiding them, but it’s nice to be able to control the amount that you’re adding to your pancakes or waffles.”

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

photo by Frances Largeman-Roth

Cranberry Mimosas

Cranberries put a holiday twist on a classic mimosa. Drier cham pagnes or sparkling wines are lower in sugar. Making cranberry juice from scratch with sweeteners like maple syrup or honey is a natural alternative to commercial cranberry juice. Prepare the cranberry juice the night before serving.

Yield: 4 to 8 servings

4 cups homemade (recipe below) or storebought cranberry juice

1 cup orange juice

1 bottle drier champagne, such as Ultra Brut Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Fill four champagne flutes or glassware of choice approximately halfway with cranberry juice. Add 2 Tbsp orange juice to each glass.

Top each glass with champagne. Garnish with sprig of rosemary. Refill as desired.

Recipe courtesy of Sheila Julson.

Homemade Cranberry Juice

3 cups fresh cranberries

3 cups water

½ cup pure maple syrup or honey

Put fresh cranberries and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer for approxi mately 15 minutes until the berries soften and pop. Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the berries and return the juice to the pan. (Use leftover cranberries in smoothies, yogurt or relish.)

Gradually add maple syrup or honey until desired sweetness is achieved. Heat on low until sweetener dissolves.

Pour juice into an airtight bottle and refrigerate.

Recipe courtesy of Sheila Julson.

Sheet Pan Protein Pancakes with Berry Swirl

Cooked on a sheet pan, these pancakes make cleanup a breeze and can be prepared the night before. Buttermilk and protein powder add satisfying nutrients.

Yield: 12 servings

Cooking spray

2 cups buttermilk

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

4 Tbsp melted ghee or unsalted butter

⅓ cup maple syrup

1¼ cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup vanilla protein powder

1 tsp baking soda

Scan this QR code with your camera app to visit our website for more recipes.

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp sea salt

FOR THE SWIRL:

½ cup strawberries ½ cup blueberries ½ cup raspberries 1 tsp brown sugar

Powdered sugar, for topping

Preheat oven to 425° F. Line an 11-by-17-inch, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray parchment and sides of pan with cooking spray.

Whisk the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, ghee and maple syrup together in a medium bowl. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients—whole wheat flour and salt. Add the wet ingredients to the dry in three additions until just mixed. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Blend the berry swirl ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add ½ teaspoon of water if mixture is too stiff. Add small dollops of the berry mixture to the top of the pan cake batter. Drag a wooden toothpick or skewer through the berry mixture to create a swirled pattern.

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 11 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into 12 squares with a knife. Enjoy warm with maple syrup. Can be stored in the fridge for up to two days.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Frances Largeman-Roth.

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Jeffrey Rediger

on the Science of Miraculous Recoveries

by Sandra Yeyati

Board-certified psychi atrist Jeffrey Rediger is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and medical director of McLean Southeast Adult Psychiatry and Commu nity Affairs at McLean Hospital, near Boston. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. For almost two decades, Rediger has studied sponta neous healing, pioneer ing the use of scientific tools like CT scans and lab tests, as well as personal interviews, to investigate surprising recoveries from in curable diseases. His findings are documented in his bestseller Cured: Strengthen Your Immune System and Heal Your Life, and have been discussed on The Oprah Winfrey Show, a TEDx talk and numerous public engagements.

How do you define spontaneous healing?

Science calls these events spon taneous remissions, and doctors are taught they have no medical or scientific value. On the spiri tual side, they’re called miracles. These terms haven’t been examined with the tools of science. The word spontaneous in this context means without cause. Most doctors see inexplicable healings. To assume that there’s no cause for remission is mind-boggling. Everything has a cause. We just aren’t asking the right questions.

From your studies, who beats the odds and why?

I broke down recoveries into four pillars of healing and well-being that were present in most cases: nutrition, healing the immune system, healing the stress response and healing iden tity and beliefs.

Can you describe key elements of the first pillar—nutrition?

People who got better when they weren’t supposed to seemed to have a common understanding of nutrition that centered around whole, plantbased foods and the elimination of processed foods and sugar. In West ern countries, we’re taught that most people suffer from over-nutrition and obesity, rather that malnutrition. I believe we have massive malnutrition because of processed foods. When

sugar crystals coarse through the bloodstream at high levels— as we see in U.S. diets—it causes little cuts which immune cells repair over and over, creating scab upon scab until you end up with atherosclerosis.

What about the next pillar— healing the immune system?

We need to honor the science of both Louis Pasteur, who proved that germs exist and play a role in disease, and Claude Bernard, who explained that if we take care of the inner terrain (what we now call the microbiome) we won’t get sick. We’re continually surrounded by millions of patho gens, bacteria, viruses—inside and outside of our bodies—that become invaders when some thing breaks down in our terrain. We overuse medicines, many of which suppress the immune sys tem. So, we need to emphasize the magnificent 30-year research about the microbiome and take care of our bodies to avoid leaky gut and other conditions that act as entrance points for disease.

What about the pillar related to stress?

The deep chasm we’ve created between mind and body doesn’t exist. Doctors are taught to find symptoms, make a diagnosis and start a medi cation. But whether a patient comes in for back pain, a heart attack or an autoimmune flare-up, it’s critical to ask them what has been stressful lately and try to get the story of the illness. Usually, that will prompt a ca thartic recount of stresses that relate to what’s going on physically. Helping people understand the deeper story

of their illness and find a path to heal ing around that can be life-saving.

Can you explain the fourth pillar— healing identity and beliefs?

This is the big one, which people said was the reason they were grateful for their illnesses. When people are diagnosed with an incurable illness, although they’re terrified, many (more than you would think) are also relieved. They’ll say, “If I only have six months to live, then I don’t have to take over the family business like dad’s pressuring me to do.” That preparation to die often becomes a doorway into a different life. When you decide to focus on what you need and want, that death of the false self allows the birth of a more authentic self that becomes its own journey to healing.

How does spirituality affect healing?

Spirituality has to do with how we feel about who we are, how we experi ence our value in the world and what kind of universe we live in. Is the uni verse friendly and caring or unfriendly and uncaring? If we experience our selves and others as human beings who have value and bring beauty into the world, that’s very different from feeling alone, defective or not good enough. How a person feels at a deep, conscious or unconscious level about themselves and the universe is a massive factor in terms of their vitality and health.

What can people learn from your research?

Take compassionate and firm charge of your minds, bodies and life. Doc tors teach patients to be passive re cipients of care, but the possibilities of healing come from within. It’s not about taking a medication as much as understanding our value, assertively taking steps to create a community of people who care about us and devel oping a path towards healing that’s rooted in an understanding of our deeper story.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at Sandra Yeyati@gmail.com.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE

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Brain Training

RI NEUROFEEDBACK | ZEN BRAIN

TRAINING

401-282-0230

RINeurofeedback.com

Most of us don’t realize how much we can benefit from training our brains. Like our bodies, our brains benefit from healthy exertion and positive attention. Many of us suffer from symptoms of brain dysregulation that vary from lethargy to mania, ADD to OCD, depression to anxiety. Training the brain can strengthen its response to these symptoms and provide a clarity, ease and peacefulness that is hard to describe until you experience it. Call today for a free discovery conversation.

Cannabis Dispensary

FULL HARVEST MOONZ

101 Plaistow Rd, Haverhill, MA 01830 978-702-4160

FullHarvestMoonz.com

A woman-owned, adult-use Cannabis Dispensary in Haverhill, MA. At FHM, we use cannabis to clear and raise the vibration of the energy body to bridge wellness from within mentally, emotionally and spiritually. See ad on page 33.

Chiropractic

MCARDLE CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER

Catherine McArdle, DC

Robert Sedlor, DC 2220 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, RI 02921 401-383-3400

McArdleChiropractic.com

Family chiropractic practice of fering holistic care to patients of all ages. Based on the initial evaluation, patients will be given a treatment plan which addresses ergonomics, exercise, stretching and nutrition in addition to their spinal alignment. See ad, page 31.

Coaching

A CREATIVE HEALING PLACE

Benjamin B. Blackett 401-855-2008 BBB3pips@gmail.com Facebook.com/BenjaminBBlackett TikTok: @benjaminblackett

Benjamin Blackett is a multi-cer tified, International Life Mastery Consultant and motivational speaker. He helps people pull their dreams into their lives. His clients experience better health, deeper and more meaningful relationships, more satisfying careers, and expanded time and money freedom. You are invited to get to know him through his livestream “Morning Mindset Book Studies” on his Facebook page, A Creative Healing Place, Mon-Fri, 9:05-9:25am. See ad, page 19.

LIFE COACH DAVID

David Scott Bartky, Law of Attraction Life Coach 973-444-7301 LifeCoachDavid.com

Find out how to attract what you want, feel happier, and become the best version of yourself with Law of Attraction coaching. You have the ability; you just have to know how to use it.

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS PRACTITIONER

We Breathe Wellness

Pavlina Gatikova Walpole MA 508-375-8465

GatikovaP@gmail.com

I support healing in the modali ty, the Internal Family Systems or Parts Work. Together, we will explore your parts and how they support your system em ploying the leadership of your Self, or your inner resource. See ad, page 21.

TAKE THE LEAP COACHING

Kim Childs

1025 Mass Ave, Arlington, MA 02476 617-640-3813

Kim@KimChilds.com KimChilds.com

Need help clarifying and realiz ing your desires? Asking “What’s next?” or “How do I get started?” Kim is a certified life and career coach specializing in Positive Psychology, creativity, and midlife transitions, to help clients create more personally fulfilling, meaningful and empowered lives. Ini tial consultations are free.

Colon Hydrotherapy

INTERNAL WELLNESS CENTER

Liz Marcano-Pucillo

150 Wood Rd, Ste 403, Braintree, MA 02184 781-228-6915

Liz@InternalWellnessCtr.com InternalWellnessCtr.com

Receive professional colon hydrotherapy by a national board-certified therapist using the Angel of Water system. The most comfortable and private system in the industry. See ad, page 8.

Compounding & Wellness Pharmacy

BIRD’S HILL COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

401 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA 02492 781-449-0550

Pharmacist@BirdsHillPharmacy.com BirdsHillPharmacy.com

Familyowned and -operated since 1960, we have evolved from a traditional pharmacy to a worldwide compounding and nutritional resource. Our unique one-on-one patient consultations pro duce a full understanding of your health needs. You, your physician, and one of our compounding pharmacists work as partners to ensure that you will receive the best care possible.

DINNO HEALTH

Acton Pharmacy

563 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, MA 01721 978-263-3901

Keyes Drug 2090 Commonwealth Ave Newton, MA 02466 617-244-2794

Theatre Pharmacy 1784 Massachusetts Ave Lexington, MA 781.862.4480

West Concord Pharmacy 1212 Main St, Concord, MA 01742 978-369-3100 DinnoHealth.com

For more than a quarter of a century, Dinno Health has been a trusted provider of pharmacy services and is committed to providing the highest quality of individualized care for each customer. At our four independent pharmacies, we offer prescriptions, compounded medications, medi cal supplies, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and vaccines. See ad, page 9.

JOHNSON COMPOUNDING AND WELLNESS

577 Main St, Waltham, MA 02452 781-893-3870 • Fax: 781-899-1172

John@NaturalCompounder.com

NaturalCompounder.com

JCW is the only sterile and non-sterile PCABaccredited pharmacy in Massachusetts. In addition to our compound ing service, we offer a full range of nutritional supplements, natural products, homeopathic remedies and home health care equipment. See ad on page 29.

Counseling

ARROW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

1329 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 200 Tollgate Rd. Unit 103, Warwick, RI 117 Bellevue Ave. Unit 200B, Newport, RI 401-477-9446

Intake@ArrowBehavioralHealth.com ArrowBehavioralHealth.com

We are dedicated to helping you on your journey to better mental health. Whether it is a recent concern or a long-standing need, we are happy to assist you with finding the best solution. See ad, page 19.

Dentist

DENTISTRY BY DR. DAVID Amparo M. David, DMD 563 Main St, Bolton, MA 978-779-2888 BoltonDental.com

We look beyond our patients’ teeth in order to improve both their smiles and their quality of life. Our practice offers full preventive services: biological, holistic, functional dentistry, ozone therapy, reconstructive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, dental sleep medicine, implant dentistry, in addition to TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) therapy. See ad, page 15.

Flotation

FLOAT BOSTON

515 Medford St, Somerville, MA 844-443-5628

FloatBoston.com

A float tank is a small shallow pool filled with water nearly saturated with Epsom salt. You float com pletely effortlessly. It’s completely dark and quiet: your own private world. It’s utterly relax ing. See ads, pages 8 and 21.

Frenectomy (Tongue/Lip Tie Release)

DENTISTRY BY DR. DAVID

Martin Kaplan, DDS

563 Main St, Bolton, MA 978-779-2888

BoltonDental.com

Specializing in pediatric dentist ry, Dr. Kaplan uses the latest technology available to diagnose and treat infants as well as chil dren and adults. In 2015, he was instrumental in developing the first-in-the-country “Infant Laser Frenectomy” training class through the continuing educa tion department at Tufts Dental School and is an international leader in the field of dental laser surgery. See ad, page 15.

Functional Dietitian

ALORA FREDERICK, RDN Johnson Compounding & Wellness 781-893-3870 x 149

Alora@NaturalCompounder.com NaturalCompounder.com

Integrative and Functional Registered Dietitian who strives to motivate individuals on their health journey. Alora loves to help people feel their best and has a special interest in GI health and mental health (depression & anxiety). See ad on page 29.

Handmade Soaps & Skin Care

NEW BEDFORD SOAP COMPANY

NewBedfordSoapCompany.com

We have been making soap for over 10 yrs and have over 60 blends. We have scrubs, face, hand and foot creams, fragrance stones, along with perfume sticks, lip and cuticle balms. We also have dog shampoo and balms. Open M-F, 11am-4pm and Saturdays, 10am-2pm.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.

~Carl Jung

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Health Food Store

NATURE’S GOODNESS

510 East Main Rd, Middletown, RI 401-847-7480

Facebook.com/NaturesGoodness NaturesGoodnessRI.com

Since 1984 we have been providing the finest quality Natural & Organic Whole Foods including many gluten-free products, natural body care, athletic supple ments & protein powders, incense, smudging supplies and candles made with essential oils. Natural pet care food & supplements. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. Visit website for more information.

Herbs & Teas

SANCTUARY HERBS OF PROVIDENCE

560 Mineral Spring Ave, 2-164, Pawtucket, RI 781-603-4894

SanctuaryHerbs.com

We offer an extraordi nary line of herbal and medicinal teas, culinary herbs, tinctures and seasonal herb plants. Our herbs are grown chemical free by RI and MA farmers who we know and trust. See ad, page 21.

Homeopathy

VANDANA PITKE

Om Homeopathy, It’s My Health Cumberland, RI 401-573-3757

OmHomeopathy.com

With 16+ yrs experience in classical homeopathy, Vandana Pitke has helped many clients restore and achieve health. A certified classical homeopath, she looks at the clients from a holistic perspective focusing on mind, body and spirit. She also incorporates many other holistic modalities in her practice, which makes healing faster, better and from within when combined with homeopathy

Integrative Veterinary Medical Care

MASH MAIN ST ANIMAL SERVICES OF HOPKINTON

Margo Roman, DVM

72 W Main St, Hopkinton, MA 01748 508-435-4077

MASHVet.com

A full-service integrative veterinary clinic offering caring and healthful options and modalities like acupuncture, functional nutrition, homeopathy, chiroprac tic, herbs, ozone therapy, surgery and dentistry. See ad, page 23.

Integrative Wellness Center

IT’S MY HEALTH

Marie Bouvier-Newman

1099 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI 401-305-3585 Its-My-Health.com

We provide much more than products, services and education. We provide the tools you need to optimize your health in a comfortable environment. We care. See ad on page 8.

QUANTUM HEALING UNIVERSE

Cileimmar Oliveira, MEd, CAGS, Founder 999 Broadway, Ste 303, Saugus, MA 781-558-1561

QuantumHealingUniverse@gmail.com QuantumHealingUniverse.com

An integrative wellness center (on-site and virtual) for self-care and health practitioners. Biocommunication scanning and treatments, energy work and reiki, chromotherapy, aromather apy, therapeutic counseling, coaching, Access Bars and Access Energetic Facelift, feng shui and more. See ad on page 7.

Light Therapy

HEALING LIGHT JOURNEY

By appointment only 401-282-0230

Raff@RINeurofeedback.com HealingLightJourney.com

The healing powers of light & sound are well documented. It is now possible to travel through amazing lightscapes and absorb beautiful sound energies to facilitate ben eficial states of trance, healing and even psyche delic experiences. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience something truly out of this world (or your body!) Call today for a free discovery ses sion to determine if this technology is for you.

Massage

IT’S YOUR BODY’S SYMPHONY

14 Hayward St, Cranston, RI 02910 401-464-6100

ItsYourBodysSymphony.com

Massage helps with anxiety, stress, injuries and improves circulation, while relaxing the heart rate and soothing the nervous system. Offering deep tissue/sports massage, Swedish massage, heated stone therapy, CBD oil mas sage, cupping and reflexology. One-hour and 90-minute individualized sessions available. You owe it to yourself! Text 401-464-6100 for appointment. See ad, page 14.

WEST SHORE WELLNESS

Massage Therapy & Transformational Breath

Jane McGinn, LCMT, CTBF 459 Sandy Ln, Warwick, RI 02889 401-450-4172

WestShoreWellness.com

Massage therapy relieves muscle tension, improves sleep, supports feelings of well-being. Transfor mational Breath helps to elimi nate restrictive breathing patterns, clear the subconscious and access higher levels of awareness. Live more joyfully. Call today.

Mind-Body Integration

CÉCILE’S WISE WAYS 857-245-9488

Contact@CecileRaynor.com

CecileRaynor.com

Chronic tension or pain? Joint issues or headaches? Coping with poor posture? Tendency to live in your mind? Using the Alexander Technique, reclaim ease of movement, natural good posture and well-being with Cécile’s Wise Ways.

Naturopathic Medicine

ANASA PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

Chrysanthi Kazantzis, ND, MS

245 Waterman St., Suite 308 Providence, RI 02906 401-484-1882

AnasaMedicine.com

Owner and founder of Anasa Personalized Medicine, Licensed Naturopathic Physician, Clinical Nutritionist and Reiki Master. Specializing in digestive disor ders, thyroid disorders, diabetes, Lyme disease and chronic pain. Addressing these conditions by treating the underlying cause through herbal medicine, supplements, homeopa thy, clinical nutrition and lifestyle counseling. Book an appointment to start your journey to opti mal health. See ad on page 8.

BALANCE NATURAL MEDICINE

Dr. Abby Egginton

Arlington, Lexington & online appts

BalanceNaturopathic.com

Dr. Abby partners with her pa tients to find personalized health solutions for lasting wellness. She specializes in women’s and LGBTQ health, oncology, mental health and pediatrics. Call or text to schedule an appointment. See ad on page 23.

DELONNAY HOLISTICS

Martine Delonnay, ND

182 Gano St, Providence, RI 774-425-9519

DelonnayHolistics.com

An integrative medical practice combining naturopathic medi cine with an allopathic medical background. Special interest in skin issues, nutrition and supple ments, detox and cleanse cures, men’s and women’s health, and mental and emotional challenges. Currently seeing patients on Zoom and in-office for bodywork.

GARY KRACOFF, RPH & NMD

Johnson Compounding and Wellness 781-893-3870

Gary@NaturalCompounder.com

Dr. Gary Kracoff provides guidance and in-depth consultative services to find the “why” to what is happening physically and mentally, working with indi viduals to restore balance in the body. Specializes in customizing medications to meet individual ized needs of patients, and he suggests nutritional supplements, natural products and homeopathic remedies to aid in faster healing and recovery. See ad on page 29.

Organic Hair Care

ELAYNE HEWITT

Master Colorist/Stylist Riverside, RI 401-273-7005

ElayneOrganic@gmail.com

A full-service green salon that’s Certified Organic for hair color, straightening/relaxing and permanent wave. No ammonia, parabens, plastics or thioglyco lates. Call today for an appointment.

FLIPP SALON APOTHECARY

38 Transit St Providence, RI 02903 401-274-1981

FlippSalon.com

A small boutique salon promoting a holistic approach to beauty, herbalism, art and music. Offering a full range of hair services using organic, plant-based products, full apothecary of loose herbs, blends and organic self-care items and accessories. Herbalist on staff. Gallery walls featuring local artisans; all mediums welcome. Live music in semi-acoustic for Music Nights. We believe that all these mediums are symbiotic in promoting joy and wellness in the individual and the community.

Reiki

ARROW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Brittany Carr, Reiki Practitioner 200 Tollgate Rd, Unit 103, Warwick, RI 401-477-9446

I am an advocate for utilizing energy healing and holistic alter natives to help individuals access undiscovered emotions and re connect with their authentic self. I have personally experienced the profound transformations that can be fostered by utilizing Creative & Expressive Arts practices. See ad on page 19

BOSTON REIKI MASTER

34 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands 617-633-3654

BostonReikiMaster.com

Are you stressed from the pressure of your job, home life, kids or an illness? Do you want to feel calm and relaxed?

Experience reiki. Certified Reiki Master/Teacher with over 20 years’ experience in energy medicine providing pure Usui Reiki healing/relaxation sessions.

Sleep Therapy

TMJ & SLEEP THERAPY CENTRE OF NEW ENGLAND

563 Main St, Bolton, MA 978-779-0865

Info@TMJSleepMa.com; TMJSleepMa.com

Our facility addresses the root problem of most people’s sleep issues. Symptoms like facial pain, jaw pain, headaches, ringing in the ears, clenching, grinding and sleep disturbance must be examined thoroughly in order to treat a patient with individualized care. This usually involves the fabrication of a custom oral appliance. See ad on page 15.

Spiritual Centers

CENTERS FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING GREATER BOSTON

340 Salem St, Medford, MA 02155 617-947-2743

Info@CSLBoston.org; CSLBoston.org

We are a spiritual family that honors all paths to the Spirit of your understand ing and can help you experience a personal relationship with the Inner Divine. All are welcome here. See ad, page 23.

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CENTERS FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING SOUTH COASTAL, MA TEACHING

CHAPTER

Barbara M. Fuyat 401-793-1753

Barbara@CSLSouthcoast.org CSLSouthcoast.org

We are a warm, welcoming commu nity studying the Science of Mind, a philosophy and a way of life that embraces all spiritual paths, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds and ages. We believe we are all connected. It is in this oneness that we come together in nature, celebration, services, classes, workshops to understand our own spiritual magnificence and choose to live in love, peace and equality. Our vision is a world that embraces and empowers each and everyone. Everyone includes you. See ad, page 23.

Spiritual Gifts

SPIRITUAL CARE PACKAGE

Angela Craig 401-413-9462

Angel3Craig@gmail.com SpiritualCarePackage.net

The Spiritual Care Package offers tools to assist yourself or a loved one through the process of grieving. The healing energy of these carefully chosen items will help you move from “grief to grace.” See ad, page 9.

Tantra/Sacred Sexuality

SACRED TEMPLE ARTS

Sacha L. Fossa, Masters Health Arts & Sciences, Certified Sex & Tantric Educator, Licensed Erotic Blueprint Coach, Healing Arts Practitioner 978-309-9399

SacredTempleArts.com

Ready to have better sex and love your life more, partnered or not? Holistic, cutting-edge sex, intimacy and relationship coaching, energy and bodywork, for your sexual healing and empowerment. In-person and/or virtual sessions and programs. See ad, page 25.

Wellness Centers

IT’S YOUR BODY’S SYMPHONY

14 Hayward St, Cranston, RI 02910 401-464-6100

ItsYourBodysSymphony.com

Each talented unique therapist at It’s Your Body's Symphony brings varied tools and tech niques to help you relax, relieve pain and leave feeling balanced and refreshed. Our clients report feelings of euphoria from their massage sessions. Also offering; reflexology, facials, hot stone treatments, hypnosis, ear coning, lymphatic drainage and counseling. See ad, page 14.

Yoga & Tai Chi

BODY & BRAIN YOGA TAI CHI Arlington, Brookline, Cambridge & Riverwalk 781-648-9642

BodyNBrain.com

Body & Brain provides a unique blend of yoga, tai chi, breathwork and meditation exercises for people of all ages and abilities to reestablish the body’s natural energy flow. See ad, page 18.

TIME FOR YOU YOGA

Maria Sichel, RYT, CSYT

2155 Diamond Hill Rd Cumberland, RI  02864 401-305-5319

THE

IVY DRIP BAR AND WELLNESS CENTER

7 Brighton St, Belmont, MA 02478 617-221-5070

TheIvyDripBar@gmail.com

The Ivy Drip Bar offers IV nutrient infusions and aesthetic treat ments. Infusions include “Meyer’s Cocktail,” immunity, inner beauty, hangover, recover and performance. IV therapy helps with dehydration, athletic recovery, immune booster, hangovers and malabsorption ailments. See ad, page 12.

Wellness Resources

BETH GARDNER Acton Pharmacy Keyes Drug West Concord Pharmacy BGardner@DinnoHealth.com 508-259-7851

Certified lifestyle educator and the director of health and wellness at Acton Pharmacy, Keyes Drug and West Concord Pharmacy. Beth Gardner works one-on-one with patients to help create ways to improve diet and overall health as a means for disease and illness prevention. See ad, page 9.

Maria@TimeForYouYoga.com TimeForYouYoga.com

Private Svaroopa® yoga therapy sessions are tailored to meet your needs. Specially trained in treating pain, including back pain and neck and shoulder issues. Yoga therapy is more powerful than weekly yoga classes and moves you more quickly toward health and well-being. Experience pain relief, greater mobility, improved sleep, easier breathing, deep relaxation, increased flexibility and a deep sense of peace.

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