Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey / January 2024

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January 2024

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Contents

Directory of Advertisers Thank you for being part of our community!

Acupuncture Works Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Advanced Frequency Energy Spa . . . . . . . . . . 7 Alternative Therapies Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

16 Finding the Right Eco-Friendly Roof

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18 Sharon Bruckman on Celebrating a Labor of Love

Be the Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dr. Andy Rosenfarb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Dr. Clare Larkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 EcoLoka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Elevated Soul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

20 Graceful Aging

Floors Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Gaia’s Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

23 Letting the Seasons Enrich Us

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Balance for Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

24 Thyroid-Friendly Eating

Healing Pathways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hibernate Bedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Holistic Dental Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Hunterdon Integrative Physicians . . . . . . . . 14 Hypnosis Counseling Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 MG Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

28 Individualized Alzheimer’s Treatments

New Jersey Natural Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Personally Yours Lingerie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Qi Gong for Healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

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30 Growing Young in Nature

Redwood Cleaning NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 RegeneSpine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Riverside Wellness & Enchantments . . . . . . . . 13 Samsara Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Departments 8 News Briefs 12 Health Briefs 14 Global Briefs 16 Eco Tip 18 Wise Words

The Hair For Life Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

20 Feature Story 23 Inspiration 24 Conscious Eating 28 Healing Ways 30 Green Living

32 Calendar 35 Classifieds 36 Resource Guide

The Peace We Crave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Whole Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 * New / Returning Advertisers Let them know you found them in

Natural Awakenings North Central NJ! January 2024

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Publisher’s Letter NORTH CENTRAL NJ EDITION CONTACT US Joe Dunne Publisher Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com 908-405-1515 • Fax 239-920-5147

In my publisher’s letter last January, I wrote about personal commitments on an every day level. To work on ourselves, to make sure our attitude, behaviors, and good actions were intact and aligned to grow as a person. To grow, improve and make progress as a mom or dad, as a better friend, and a better human. In addition, we suggested that helping others was helping ourselves, and how important that is to our souls.

Kathy Tarbell Managing Editor, Design & Production Kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com 908-912-4569 • 770-867-2101 direct Asta Dunne Accounting/Billing Asta@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com 908-405-4040 Jess Spooner Contributing Writer Jerome Bilaos Digital Marketing & Website

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO Kimberly B. Whittle National Editor Sandra Yeyati Editor Brooke Goode Copy Editor/Proofing Melanie Rankin Layout Flip180 Media

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 350 Main Street, Suite 9B, Bedminster, NJ 07921 Ph: 239-206-2000 NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com Cover image by 608236450 • Adobe Stock

Advertising & Submissions Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Own Your Own Franchise Make a difference in your community. Become a Natural Awakenings Franchise owner.

Visit: Corp.NaturalAwakenings.com.

Now, one year later, I look over how I’ve done. Over this past year I have worked on my own suggestions, my tolerJoe Dunne, Publisher ance, my acceptance, and my decisions. So much improves when I concentrated on changing me, the one person I do have control over. For me, the biggest surprise of the year has been the decisions I made to release stress.

When I pay attention to who I am, how I act and what I want to change, thoughts just seem to appear. Awareness and clarity expose denial.

When I set the time aside to review me, when my desires are to improve, although not easy, I can face my fears, understand my true honesty, and understand the protective barriers I have built. This is what has allowed me to absolutely change my life for the better. When I made a hard decision but a correct one to drop the stress that was affecting my life, the reward has been life changing for me.

So my non-resolution for 2024 is facing fears, removing stress, nurturing myself, applauding myself and others. In general, to stay on the good side of who I am. A person looking for progress in my development as a human being. As you may know I love the motto “See the good.” My hope for everyone is we can see the good in ourselves. It seems to be an area we brush aside quite easily. On the AA coin there is another motto, “To thy own self be true”.

In 2024 and thereafter be proud of yourself, be good to yourself, be a better person. Everyone around you will reap the rewards along with you.

My wish for all of us is to live life, enjoy it all, be a good person, spread peace, help others, be compassionate, don’t judge, and keep improving. Make 2024 and every year a year of hope, while appreciating and being true to you.

Natural Awakenings is printed on partially recycled and fully recyclable newsprint with black soy ink. © 2024 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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News Briefs

Tranquility and SelfDiscovery in the Heart of Costa Rica

It was 30 years ago this month that Natural Awakenings was first launched in Naples, Florida. We offer a heartfelt thank you to the loyal readers that have come to know and love this media brand and allowed it to flourish. We are deeply grateful to the advertisers and community partners that promote green living, healthy people, healthy pets and a healthy planet with their products, services and information. Without them and the readers that support them, this magazine could not offer outstanding journalism and inspirational content each month without cost to the community.

As has been the practice for the last 30 years, Natural Awakenings continues to adapt its concepts, content and communication to reflect the needs of our community without losing sight of our mission. This month’s new look is the first of several exciting enhancements that are coming in 2024. See the article and list of what’s new in 2024 on pages 10 and 11.

Graceful Aging Webcast Series Join Natural Awakenings and KnoWEwell for an inspirational Graceful Aging webcast series, the first of which begins with Gladys McGarey, M.D., the Mother of Holistic Medicine, 103 years young and author of The Well-Lived Life: A 102-YearOld Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.

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Natural Awakenings 30th Anniversary

Join us for an unforgettable Health and Wellness Retreat on February 17-25, where attendees experience the perfect blend of twice daily yoga in a private space, breathwork, reiki, Thai massage, assisted stretching and, of course, fun in the midst of a gorgeous jungle preserve. Dean Cramp, founder of Transcend Breathwork, shares, “This retreat will take your practice and your peace to the next level level, and rejuvenate you beyond belief.”

Retreat coordinator, Aja Novellino of Maja Yoga, shares that Téva Hotel & Jungle Reserve is centered on 20 hectares of pristine forest, offers hiking trails, permaculture food gardens, a jungle-view swimming pool, beach shuttle, a top-notch restaurant featuring fresh, flavorful, healthy cuisine, a yoga and wellness shala in the forest, a reliable high-speed internet connection, and opportunities to see abundant wildlife right from your window. Additional options for attendees include sushi cooking class, chocolate and coffee plantation tours, zip lining adventure, and Full Moon cacao ceremony to seal the energies.

This outstanding 8-night retreat is only $1800 per person, double occupancy, and includes airport shuttle. Reserve your space today.

For more information, contact aja@majayoga.com, call/text 201-3661132 and visit MajaYoga.com.

Healing Pathways In a commitment to make trauma-informed therapy more accessible, Healing Pathways is thrilled to introduce a unique opportunity. From January 22 to May 4, 2024, they are offering counseling sessions with their skilled student intern, Patricia Sonia, at a reduced rate of $30 per session.

ing a compassionate, trauma- informed environment.

Patricia’s background in art therapy adds a unique dimension to her practice, ensuring a comprehensive and personalized therapeutic experience.

Patricia Sonia, currently pursuing her second master’s degree in social work, brings a wealth of experience to the field of mental health. With her first master’s degree in art therapy, she offers a holistic, and culturally inclusive approach to healing, as she can provide counseling in both English and Spanish.

As a trauma-informed therapy practice, Healing Pathways understands the importance of making quality mental health care accessible to all. Patricia’s reduced-rate sessions provide an opportunity for individuals to embark on a transformative journey without financial barriers. Seize this chance to work with Patricia and take a positive step towards healing and relief.

The internship period presents an invaluable chance for individuals seeking support to engage in sessions that are not only cost-effective but also delivered by a therapist dedicated to foster-

Conveniently located in Basking Ridge. Contact us today via phone/ text at 908-434-6008 or email admin@healing-pathways.org to schedule. Visit Healing-Pathways.org for details. See ad, page 12.

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Peace, Clarity, and Health are within reach Get Unstuck in All Areas of Your Life!

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30th Anniversary

by Kimberly Whittle Humans are social creatures by nature, and leaning into community is key to a long and healthy life. Look no further than the five so-called Blue Zones in places around the planet where people regularly live to be 100 years old. While eating nutritious food and exercising regularly are important aspects to a healthy lifestyle, Dan Buettner, a Blue Zones expert, believes part of the secret to a long and healthy life is finding purpose and doing it with help from a meaningful community.

Buettner’s observations are supported by research. An article published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine summarized the significant evidence that connection to a community helps people physically and mentally with improvements in weight control, blood sugar levels, cancer survival, cardiovascular health and overall mental health, as well as a notable mitigation of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. In a Brigham Young University meta-analysis of 148 studies to determine the effect of social relationships on the risk of mortality, researchers reported that social connections with friends, family, neighbors or colleagues improved the odds of living longer by 50 percent.

A Nexus for Consciousness, Healing and Hope Natural Awakenings, a pioneering magazine founded to educate and connect communities for healthy living on a healthy planet, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. In this digital era, Natural Awakenings continues to stand at the vanguard along with its parent company, KnoWEwell, and its Regenerative Whole Health Hub (Hub). The one-of-its-kind Hub uniquely builds communities, enables trusted connections to people and businesses, provides evidence-based resources, as well as local provider and thought-leader education and healing programs.

As global stressors continue to arise, now more than ever, it’s important to us at Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation and KnoWEwell to expand our community’s impact to inspire, empower and connect our ecosystem locally, nationally and globally. We will be bringing our readers immersive engagement and learning opportunities, and amplifying our local businesses through multimedia publishing and business services in our local Natural Awakenings online communities, as well as within KnoWEwell’s Regenerative Whole Health Hub. As we enter our fourth decade, our print magazine will continue to grow while we embrace the everexpanding new era of digital enlightenment. We intend to continue to be a beacon of hope and a connector for safe, trusted connections to real people, authentic experts, education, and our natural, integrative and whole-health communities. We are creating new opportunities for our readers to learn from and engage with local business owners, as well as national and global experts through the Hub by:

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30th Anniversary Bringing articles to life and expanding services to local business owners to help them share their unique qualities, expertise and stories in online inspirational and educational webcasts and videos Engaging online community book discussions with luminaries such as Deepak Chopra (see ChopraQuantumBodyDiscussion.KnoWEwell.com) Providing access to immersive learning directories and 200-plus topic-specific communities Helping people find their best-matched providers, community members, businesses and locally grown foods based on their needs, values and preferences Saving members money with discounts on organic foods, courses, healing programs, products and services We promise to remain steadfast in our commitment to high-quality, evidence-based journalism to help our readers stay current and make informed decisions for sustainable, regenerative healthy living. Beginning this month and throughout our 30th year, we invite our readers and business owners to check out what’s new in our print magazines and online. We hope everyone loves our fresh new magazine design this month.

We invite all to engage and connect with like-minded communities, submit feedback for a chance to be included in the new, “Members Comments” department of our magazine, and share your favorite businesses to help us continue to build trusted resources locally and globally. Together, we will be the change we seek in the world to build regenerative communities one at a time to achieve WELLthier Living: Happy. Healthy. Abundant. Purpose-Filled, People and Planet.

Kimberly Whittle is the founder and CEO of KnoWEwell, P.B.C., and the CEO of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation. Learn more about her personal journey and purpose at KnoWEwell.com/written-content/steppingstones-WELLthier-living.

What’s New and Coming in 2024 at Natural Awakenings

• Expansion online to all 50 U.S. states with interactive digital magazines • New fresh look for our print magazine, websites and online communities • Share your feedback and new Member Comments department • Artist cover submissions • Reader and business-owner surveys • National book discussion communities with luminaries such as Deepak Chopra • New rotating departments and exclusive online articles • Inspirational local and global provider and business-owner spotlight webcasts • 100-plus (and growing) whole-health educational webcasts both live and on-demand • Giveaways and exclusive members-only discounts on programs and organic foods • Late night show with Dr. Reef Karim • Join our online community to receive Natural Awakenings’ 30th anniversary cookbook.

• Love us! Own Your Own franchise! Learn more at Corp.NaturalAwakenings.com.

January 2024

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Health Briefs BLOOD TEST TO DETECT PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Long COVID has left millions with ongoing fatigue, cognitive issues, heart rate and blood pressure variation, and other debilitating symptoms. Recent findings reported in the journal Nature may help scientists develop a blood test to diagnose the illness. The study involved a cross section of 268 individuals—152 with long COVID and 116 without it as a control group.

Blood testing revealed significant differences between the two test groups. Long COVID patients exhibited irregularities in the activity of immune system T cells and B cells that help fight off germs, as well as significantly lower levels of cortisol, a hormone that helps people feel alert and awake. Dormant viruses, such as Epstein-Barr that causes mononucleosis, were activated in the long COVID patients.

While the scientists did not find significant evidence that long COVID was the result of an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks itself, they suggested future studies would be needed to identify immune system problems. They also recommended further inquiry to understand cortisol’s role in long COVID and to determine whether dormant viruses are causing symptoms. Long COVID affects one in 13 Americans, according to a survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Researchers led by a team from Duke Health have developed a blood test to detect Parkinson’s disease, which afflicts 10 million people globally and is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. The illness causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination. Symptoms start slowly and worsen over time.

Until now, diagnosing Parkinson’s relied on a person’s medical history, a neurological examination and observable symptoms. An accurate diagnosis is critical because there are other disorders with Parkinson’s-like symptoms that require different treatments.

The Duke Health blood test focuses on DNA damage in mitochondria, the energy-converting factories within cells. Patients with Parkinson’s had higher levels of mitochondrial DNA damage in blood cells, as compared to patients without the disease. The test also detects specific genetic mutations that are associated with an increased risk of the disease, which may be able to help doctors predetermine whether certain therapies would be effective on their patients. Researchers hope the new blood test will not only diagnose Parkinson’s disease, but also identify drugs that reverse or halt mitochondrial DNA damage and the disease process.

PhotoBarysevich/Canva credit Volha Pro

Photocreo/Canva Pro

BLOOD MARKERS OF LONG COVID IDENTIFIED

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

Africa images/Canva Pro

Since 1945, cities and municipalities in the United States have added fluoride to community water systems to prevent tooth decay. As of 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 73 percent of Americans have fluoridated water; however, there is growing concern about the negative effects of fluoride exposure.

An article in Neurotoxicology and Teratology, a publication dedicated to the effects of chemical and physical agents on the nervous system, investigated the association between fluoride exposure in drinking water and cognitive deficits among children. The study involved 74 school-aged children living in rural Ethiopia. Researchers measured the participants’ exposure to fluoride through samples of community-based drinking-water wells and urine samples.

Cognitive performance was measured using two assessments: the children’s ability to draw familiar objects and a standardized memory and new-learning assessment. The results showed that fluoride levels in drinking water were negatively associated with cognitive function, and that cognitive deficits were particularly strong among children exposed to high levels of fluoride.

The study’s authors highlighted the need for additional studies involving children and adults to understand the potential neurotoxicity of low fluoride levels known to protect against dental cavities, as well as the effects of elevated fluoride levels in drinking water.

Such research is essential to protect the cognitive health of children and to inform public health policymaking.

CANNABIS SYNDROME

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a rare, but growing, condition of repeated and severe bouts of vomiting experienced by some marijuana users. The syndrome is difficult to predict or diagnose at this time, although its prevalence may be associated with the increased use and potency of the drug.

Aleksandr Kravtsov/ Getty

FLUORIDE EXPOSURE AND COGNITIVE DEFICITS IN CHILDREN

Some long-term, daily marijuana users develop CHS late in life, while some young people also suffer from it after a few years of heavy smoking. THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, is thought to be responsible for CHS symptoms, because it binds to receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system that regulate sleep and other bodily functions.

Although the exact mechanisms that trigger this illness remain unclear, mounting evidence suggests that prolonged cannabis use can lead to the rewiring of receptors and nerves in the gut and esophageal sphincter, leading to CHS symptoms. Some patients have found relief by rubbing creams with capsaicin—a chili pepper extract—on their arms or belly. Experts believe that the warming sensation created by these balms activates a receptor in the stomach that can calm nausea and vomiting.

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Riverside Wellness & Enchantments

Your Sacred Sanctuary for Metaphysical Wellness Riverside Treasures & Enchantments has grown into Riverside Wellness & Enchantments. Besides having an array of metaphysical healing gifts, we now offer a diverse range of classes and sessions designed to nurture your body, mind and spirit. With a team of skilled practitioners specializing in various healing modalities we are dedicated to help you find well-being. Riverside is a sanctuary for your metaphysical wellness. We can design packages suited to your intentions.

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We use exceptionally thin sterile needles with gentle, light insertion for a relaxing experience.

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UPCYCLING PLASTICS INTO SOAP

Plastic waste has become a global environmental crisis, leading scientists to explore innovative methods for reusing and transforming it. A research study published in the journal Science provides evidence of the successful upcycling of polyethylene and polypropylene into a surfactant, the primary component of soap.

The methods employed by the scientists led to a high conversion rate of 80 percent.

Upcycling plastics into soap offers several benefits. Using plastic waste not only reduces the burden on landfills, but also minimizes the demand for virgin materials in soap manufacturing. Plus, economic analyses conducted by the researchers suggest that the high conversion rate makes the process economically viable.

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BUILDING CLIMATE-PROOFED HOMES

Yasmeen Lari, an 82-year-old Pakistani architect, is leading an initiative to transform how Pakistan rebuilds after natural disasters by abandoning the reliance on concrete and embracing local architectural traditions.

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, and the increasing frequency and intensity of floods demand sustainable and resilient solutions. By using local materials and design techniques, Lari addresses the environmental impact of construction, reducing carbon emissions and embracing a more climate-friendly approach.

She uses cheap, locally available, low-carbon materials to construct flood-resilient homes. This includes incorporating raised platforms and bamboo roofing waterproofed with straw and tarpaulin. The walls incorporate bamboo panels reinforced with earth and lime, ensuring waterproof structures that can withstand heavy rains.

To implement her ideas, Lari founded the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, which trains villagers how to work with these sustainable materials. Her goal is to build 1 million homes by 2024.

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VANISHING BANANAS

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Every year, more than 100 billion bananas are consumed worldwide, 47 percent of which is the classic yellow Cavendish cultivar. According to a recent report in ScienceAlert, a strain of the Fusarium fungus known as Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is causing an outbreak of a wilting disease commonly referred to as Panama disease, which threatens to eradicate this popular varietal. First discovered in Australia in 1997, TR4 has spread worldwide. The infection begins in the tree’s roots and ultimately disables its ability to absorb water or conduct photosynthesis. Because of its slow progression, experts believe the disease will take about a decade to completely wipe out Cavendish bananas.

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Although there is no simple solution to TR4, scientists are exploring several options, such as genetically modifying the fruit to be more resistant to TR4, grafting Cavendish onto other trees to make them more resistant, and evolving Cavendish seedlings by exposing them to TR4 and selecting those that fare best. These may turn out to be shortterm approaches, however, as the fungi could mutate.

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The best solution may be for farmers to stop growing only one variety of banana. By increasing the genetic diversity of the world’s favorite fruit, bananas may become less susceptible to diseases. On the other hand, introducing a wider variety of bananas could drive up costs and would require an overhaul of ripening and transportation practices.

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Eco Tip

Finding the Right Eco-Friendly Roof W hile a house is usually a family’s biggest investment, improvements can be made to make it an environmental asset, too.

SOLAR PANELS

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, just one hour of sunlight can provide the Earth with enough energy to power the globe for an entire year. Solar panels are a remarkable technology to harness that abundant energy and convert it into clean electricity. By installing solar panels on roofs, homeowners can significantly reduce their reliance on conventional energy sources and contribute to a greener future.

metadata analysis of 200 green-roof research studies. The analysis reported multiple benefits from living roofs. They act as insulators, reducing the need for heating and cooling and thereby lowering energy consumption.

Green roofs add beauty and value to the building and are expected to last twice as long as conventional roofs. They also improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen; reduce the urban heat-island effect; and retain rainwater,

thereby mitigating stormwater runoff and preventing the flow of pollutants into rivers and lakes.

Green roofs provide new habitats for plants, birds, insects and other wildlife that struggle to find shelter in concrete jungles. By bringing nature back into cities, we can foster biodiversity and create a more harmonious coexistence between humans and the natural world. Visit SFTool.gov for more information on green roofs.

Aside from their environmental benefits, solar panels can also save money on electricity bills. Research by Solar Reviews concludes that solar panel systems can pay for themselves within nine to 12 years through energy savings and various incentives.

Plus, according to The Appraisal Journal, a home’s value can increase by $20 for every $1 reduction in yearly energy bills, making solar an excellent long-term investment. To get an estimate on how much can be saved by installing solar panels on a home, visit UnderstandSolar.org.

GREEN ROOFS

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Imagine transforming a roof into a vibrant oasis teeming with lush vegetation and blooming flowers. Green roofs consist of layers of soil, plants and a waterproofing system, which work together to create a natural haven atop buildings.

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Wise Words

NaturalAwakenings.com

I noticed a need for a platform that could bring together all the holistic-living resources available in our community. This was before smartphones, social media and the internet. If you didn’t see it in print, you didn’t know what was happening in your hometown. Our mission statement today is as clear as it was in 1994: to be a natural lifestyle publication that empowers people in our communities with the knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Sharon Bruckman On Celebrating a Labor of Love

by Sandra Yeyati

I

n 1994, Sharon Bruckman started a natural health, conscious living magazine called Natural Awakenings in Naples, Florida. Within a few years and with the help of partners and collaborators, she turned that single edition into a national franchise. In an industry that has seen so many publications fail, Natural Awakenings thrived under her steady leadership, at its zenith amassing 95 franchisee-publishers across the U.S., including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Last year, Bruckman sold Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation to KnoWEwell, P.B.C., while still retaining her original magazine, essentially switching roles from franchisor to franchisee. As Natural Awakenings celebrates its 30th anniversary, she reflects upon her journey.

What inspired you to launch Natural Awakenings magazine?

It was divine intervention. I was going through a big transition in my life and praying about my livelihood—asking God to use my talents and passions to serve others in a way that felt fulfilling—and I heard a voice say, “Start a magazine.” It was surprising, because I had no background in publishing, so I started exploring the possibilities.

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How did the decision to turn it into a franchise come about?

I had a knack for starting up small businesses based on passions of mine, but when I launched the first edition of Natural Awakenings, I never considered franchising it until I met John Voell II, who had a background in it. The whole thing was intimidating for me, especially in the beginning. I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone most of the time in this business, but I’ve come to understand that being out of my comfort zone isn’t a bad thing. It’s an exciting place where I can grow, open myself to new possibilities and feel most alive.

Luckily, I learned how to manage the business one new franchise at a time, and our staff and skillsets grew with each new publisher who brought their own strengths and perspectives to the family. It became a collaborative environment. I loved how the publishers got used to working together and solving issues.

What are the qualities of a successful team leader?

One is leading with your heart. I discovered that people need to feel valued and hear they’re doing a great job. I often express my appreciation and empower them to let their talents and strengths shine.

People need love, kindness and encouragement. I don’t hold onto grudges and come to each encounter fresh. I strive to be open and honest.

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I’ve learned over the years how to be a better mediator and negotiator through challenging conversations with publishers and staff members. The key is to reach for the highest and best result for everyone involved. It isn’t about being right. I don’t jump to the battlefield. I’ll speak my mind about the difficult stuff in a noncombative way—a way that comes from my heart and with openness, so people can feel safe to respond on that level.

To succeed, you also need tenacity, a willingness to work hard and clarity about your mission. Overwhelm is the norm in this business, making it necessary to practice extreme self care. People say my best trait is how well I handle stress and always have a calming effect or attitude.

How did you help the franchisee-publishers succeed?

Working with publishers, you could predict which would thrive and which wouldn’t, depending upon their beliefs and statements. The ones that said, “No one wants to advertise,” you knew weren’t going to make it because of their attitude. The publishers that worked on their personal growth and on creating and manifesting what they wanted were much more likely to succeed.

At one of our publishers’ conferences, I remember motivational speaker Chik Shank of LifePower Seminars had us walking on glass and fire, bending steel bars and performing other amazing feats.

We did things we never believed we could do, and it changed your whole perspective. That was one of our most powerful conferences; when people left, they said, “I didn’t think I could walk on fire; I guess I can sell an ad.” It’s about breaking through belief systems.

Do you have any mantras or personal beliefs that provide strength or resilience?

I like using “I am” statements because they’re two of the most powerful words. What you put after them shapes your reality. I’ll assert: I am vibrantly healthy. I am loved. I am full of abundance.

I am always protected.

I remind myself to stay in the present. When feeling discouraged or challenged, I turn to a YouTube video by Esther Hicks, who says repeatedly, “Everything always works out for me.” The way she says it, accompanied by lovely background music, makes it sound so sensible. If you repeat it enough, you begin to believe it.

Sandra Yeyati is the national editor of Natural Awakenings.

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Feature Story

Graceful Aging

Living Longer, Healthier and More Fulfilled

McGarey is a firm believer that forgiveness is essential to freeing up stuck energy. Life has to move, she says, and letting go of feelings that may be lingering in our subconscious allows us to move forward with grace. “If we hang on to the dark places in our lives, we will get stuck. Pay attention to your dreams, both during the day and night, because they hold the truth. We all came here for a reason and have our life’s purpose. If you find that, you will always be fulfilled and can embrace the aging process instead of fighting it,” she says.

by Carrie Jackson

theDR.com

P

gladysmcgarey.com

At nearly 103 years young, Dr. Gladys McGarey wrote the book on graceful aging.

As the author of The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age, she suggests that we reframe aging as an opportunity rather than a loss, thereby pioneering a new 20

deepakchopra.com

From left, Tom O'Bryan, Gladys McGarey and Deepak Chopra

eople are living longer, and as we age, we increasingly become aware of a desire to remain healthy, vibrant and active for as long as possible. It’s about extending our health span as much as our lifespan. While genetics play a role in how we experience the aging process, advancements in science are helping us understand that how we manage our mindset, physical activity, stress levels and diet can have just as much of an impact. By redefining what it means to get older and finding deeper meaning, we can embrace aging with grace and gratitude, rather than resist it. Many factors are within our control, and it is possible to live a fulfilling and vibrant life well into our twilight years.

technology to turn the healing over to the patient, and we have the core knowledge of what to do inside of us.”

way of thinking about disease and health.

“At 102, I’m losing my eyesight, but my insight has improved,” says the cofounder of the American Holistic Medical Association. “I have trouble reading but can listen to audiobooks and have deep conversations with people. If we look for illness and pain at the end of life, that’s what our bodies will show us. But if we reach for health, joy, laughter and other realities of true humanity, that’s what we will find.”

McGarey asserts that our medical community is trained to eliminate pain and illness rather than learn from their messages. “If we can lean into what understanding a disease shows us, we can discover true wisdom,” she explains. “You can hold onto the pain, or you can hold onto what you learn from the pain. When my son was training to be an orthopedic surgeon, he confided that he was afraid to have people’s lives in his hands. I responded that if he thinks he’s the one who does the healing, he has a right to be scared. Doctors provide the

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Renowned alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra, M.D., is an author, speaker and founder of the Chopra Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to research on well-being and humanitarianism. His latest book, Quantum Body: The New Science for Living a Longer, Healthier, More Vital Life, outlines how we can harness the power of the quantum body to significantly improve our physical and mental wellness, leading to a more fulfilling aging process.

According to Chopra, our well-being depends entirely on the quantum field, which exists on a subatomic level and is the infinite source of everyday reality that affects our thoughts, feelings, sensations and biological responses. “Your quantum body is the central hub for every process that requires intelligence, just as a power plant is the central hub for everything that requires electricity. The prospect of having your quantum body fail you is far more serious than any single symptom of disease and aging. Well-being is weakened whenever there is a failure of intelligence and is strengthened when intelligence flows naturally,” he explains.

Disease and aging are further downstream in the intelligence flow, Chopra notes, and when someone succumbs to a heart attack

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or cancer, intelligence has failed in either the cardiovascular system or a single malignant cell. “Instead of being anxious about cells, tissues, organs and systems, which aren’t under your control, you can live from the source where all controls are overseen by your quantum body. Here, all information is perfect, the flow of intelligence is never wrong or distorted, and the creative possibilities for the future are boundless,” Chopra contends.

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One vital aspect of healthy aging that we can control is our approach to stress management, which Chopra says most people don’t take seriously enough. Stress can come from myriad sources, including family and social relationships; workplace stresses; a poor-quality diet; deficient sleeping habits; lack of exercise and downtime; and constant distractions from texting, video games and around-the-clock news reports. That is why it is more important than ever to develop tools for self-care.

“The frenetic pace of modern life has overwhelmed the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for all the processes, from heartbeat to respiration and digestion, that run independently of your conscious actions,” Chopra advises. “Medical research validates how essential stress management is, but what needs to change are socially ingrained attitudes that persuade us to tolerate stress beyond what our bodies and psyches are designed for.”

Chopra encourages prioritizing deep sleep, tuning into breath and awareness, and mindful exercises to return to our zero point—a state of rest from which activity springs. “Your awareness experiences the zero point as silent, calm, alert and pregnant with boundless possibilities, where you have access to your next thought,” he explains.

Embracing instead of resisting our quantum body further helps the energy flow.

“The most natural way to live is in your

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dharma, or your truth,” Chopra says. “The greatest gift of self-awareness is that you can prove this to yourself every day by living with love, truth, beauty and bliss as your goal. Ultimate well-being requires no less, and living from your source reveals that the infinite is personal and within reach. Physical well-being exists if you are able to live a long life in good health; mental well-being exists if you retain clear, sharp thinking; psychological well-being exists if you are free of anxiety and depression; and spiritual well-being exists if your life has higher purpose and meaning.”

With more than 40 years of experience as a functional medicine doctor, Tom O’Bryan, DC, DACBN, CIFM, is an internationally recognized speaker and writer on chronic disease and metabolic disorders. He defines graceful aging as a state of full body function, without limitations and with rational expectations for what the body can do. O’Bryan points to the so-called Blue Zones, with an extraordinarily high percentage of people living into their 90s and above, as examples of those gracefully aging. “The lifestyle of people living in these

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areas includes daily rituals that reduce stress and reverse the inflammation associated with stress. As a result, they are able to live long, fruitful, happy lives as contributing and engaged members of society,” he notes.

O’Bryan believes that the greatest contribution to living a vital life is identifying and reducing the triggers of inflammation in our bodies, which can largely be accomplished with lifestyle modifications. “According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 of the top 15 causes of death are related to chronic inflammatory diseases. Many people address inflammation with medication, but they don’t realize that food is the best medicine,” he explains. “With diet being the largest source of inflammation activation in the body, it’s important to question what’s on the end of our fork and nourish the body with an anti-inflammatory diet, including berries, leafy greens, garlic, curcumin and plenty of pure water. Your body always wants to be healthier, and if we identify and reduce our exposure to the triggers of inflammation, the inflammation calms down.”

Reducing inflammation also allows the central nervous system to settle into restand-digest mode, which can help the body age more gracefully. “Inflammation is the immune system’s response to harmful stimuli,” O’Bryan says. “An activated immune system is a life-saving, non-negotiable state that sets our sympathetic nervous system into fight-or-flight mode. When we are stressed or fighting for our lives, our heart rate is fast; our breathing is short, sharp and shallow; and our muscles are tight and ready for action. When inflammation decreases, our bodies are able to calm down and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. In that very relaxed state, your heart rate is slow; your breath is deep; your muscles are relaxed; and your brain is open, expansive and daydreaming of new possibilities in life. That’s when healing and regeneration occurs.”

Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

Tom O'Bryan at age 70 with his 2-year-old son 22

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Inspiration

Letting the Seasons Enrich Us

2024

NATURAL AWAKENINGS’ EDITORIAL CALENDAR

JANUARY HEALTH & WELLNESS FEATURE: AGING GRACEFULLY PLUS: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE FEBRUARY HEART-HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FEATURE: ORAL HEALTH FOR HEALTHY HEART PLUS: BREATHWORK FOR STRESS REDUCTION

by Marlaina Donato

F

or most of us, the first half of our lives is spent tilling the soil of our careers, nourishing family and investing in our dreams. Before we know it, time engraves its signature onto our skin and weaves strands of silver into our hair, and we are presented with the unexpected but inevitable question of what comes next.

The soil of Mother Earth is made fertile only by the debris of seasons. There would be no life without nature’s perpetual act of letting go and the sacred and inevitable growth that comes from decay. As we age, like trees in winter, our energy travels deep down into our roots—our bones.

Only then can we stand sovereign, a stable foundation for others. Only when we are full of seasons can we offer the sweetest fruit in the form of shared knowledge, skills and hard-earned wisdom. Most of all, we become living examples of the Chinese proverb: “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.”

Accepting the aging process can be challenging and sometimes frightening, but if we lean closer and listen to what the wisdom years have to offer, our journey can become more joyful. The stories of our seasons can be a wellspring bubbling to the surface in conversations, filling empty cups with empathy, hope and humor. We sit at a table called humanity. Let us create a feast of shared experience.

Here are a few ways to enjoy the riches of the journey: • Instead of giving a loved one a storebought gift to mark an important milestone, write a letter filled with practical and loving advice for the road ahead.

• Mentor a younger person or peer. Teach them how to make bread, paint a canvas, start a garden, fix a sink or make a quilt.

Pay your passions forward • Visit a relative or a stranger at a retirement home and ask them to share their stories.

Marlaina Donato is an author, wise-woman mentor and painter. Connect at Jaguar Flower.art.

MARCH FOOD & NUTRITION FEATURE: PLANT-BASED HEALING PLUS: COLON HEALTH APRIL ECO-TRAVEL FEATURE: N. AMERICAN ECO-ADVENTURES PLUS: PARKINSON’S DISEASE MAY WOMEN’S WELLNESS FEATURE: HORMONAL HEALTH JOURNEY PLUS: LYME DISEASE JUNE MEN’S HEALTH FEATURE: MENTAL HEALTH FOR MEN PLUS: VEGAN FITNESS JULY KEEPING IT COOL FEATURE: EATING SEASONALLY PLUS: SKIN-SAFE SUMMER AUGUST FINDING YOUR TRIBE FEATURE: THE POWER OF COMMUNITY PLUS: KIDS’ SPORTS SAFETY SEPTEMBER EMOTIONAL HEALING FEATURE: TRAUMA & ADDICTION RECOVERY PLUS: YOGA FOR RECOVERY OCTOBER WHOLE BODY ALIGNMENT FEATURE: CHIROPRACTIC & BODYWORK PLUS: BREAST HEALTH NOVEMBER GRATEFUL AGING FEATURE: BECOMING A WISE ELDER PLUS: FOOD CELEBRATIONS DECEMBER RECONNECT & REJUVENATE FEATURE: THE GIFT OF SELF CARE PLUS: THE PLACEBO EFFECT

January 2024

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Conscious Eating

Thyroid-Friendly Eating How to Treat Hypothyroidism With Food

“For women, an especially critical time to check thyroid health is during perimenopause years, when thyroid function can often waver, becoming underactive. Even if lab tests are normal, it is important to speak with a physician that understands the symptoms of hypothyroidism,” says Anna Cabeca, an obstetrician-gynecologist and women’s health expert in Brunswick, Georgia. “Most people can improve or reverse it radically. Diet is very powerful. Start with your shopping list and at the top write: Food is medicine.”

Estefaniavizcaino/Canva Pro

by Veronica Hinke

S

haped like a butterfly, the thyroid gland in the neck plays a critical role in overall health, as it produces a series of hormones that regulate metabolism, brain development, bone maintenance, and heart, muscle and digestive functions. Thyroid health can be achieved by eating clean, unprocessed foods and maintaining appropriate levels of iodine.

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly five in 100 Americans suffer from hypothyroidism, which occurs when the body does not produce adequate 24

thing. If people don’t know if they have it, they should be screened for it. If they have it, they should have hope,” says Alan Christianson, a naturopathic endocrinologist and author of The Thyroid Reset Diet: Reverse Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Symptoms With a Proven IodineBalancing Plan.

amounts of thyroid hormones. Common symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, inability to tolerate cold temperatures and hair loss should not be ignored. Diagnosis is aided by a blood test that measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones. While most cases of an underactive thyroid are mild or cause few obvious symptoms, the disease can become severe if it is left untreated.

“Only 10 percent of the population is aware of their thyroid problem and trying to manage it. Thyroid disease is a big

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Offering hope, Michigan-based obstetrician-gynecologist Tabatha Barber says, “It’s often about doing less, not more, to help improve thyroid function. Don’t be afraid that this is something you have to live with forever.” As a teenager, Barber was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland and often causes hypothyroidism. She has learned how to modify her diet for relief.

SKIP THE GLUTEN

“Gluten is the main trigger that really seems to irritate the immune system,” says Barber. “A lot of people don’t realize that gluten is in some sauces, salad dressings, seasonings, medication fillers and more. It can be enough to keep the inflammation associated with hypothyroidism going.”

BALANCE IODINE

“Iodine is the Goldilocks mineral,” says Christianson. “It’s important to not consume too much or too little. Those with thyroid disease usually get too much.

When they do, it inflames and slows the

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traditional Middle Eastern salad—and replaces the customary bulgur wheat with chopped Brussels sprouts or cauliflower.

According to Northwestern Medicine, cauliflower can be part of a healthy thyroid diet, along with other cruciferous vegetables. “These are foods that I grew up on,” Cabeca says, noting that parsley is a

natural diuretic that is also good for the thyroid.

Veronica Hinke is a food historian and author of The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable Drinking, Dining and Style; Titanic: The Official Cookbook and Harry Potter: Afternoon Tea Magic. Learn more at FoodStringer.com.

thyroid.” In such cases, he recommends eating a wide range of unprocessed food and avoiding ingredients with the highest iodine content, such as fish and other seafood, iodized salt, seaweeds, grains and most dairy.

MONITOR INGREDIENTS

Barber prioritizes the elimination of artificial ingredients and additives, saying, “It’s about really getting back to basics, eating unprocessed meats, vegetables and some fruits.” She recommends consuming foods rich in zinc and selenium, such as shellfish, legumes, seeds, nuts and diary, as they send signals to the thyroid to produce the right hormone levels.

Cabeca shaves selenium-rich Brazil nuts on soups or salads. “Keep them as a staple in the kitchen,” she advises, adding that balance is important when selecting zincand selenium-rich foods because some of them, like dairy, may also contain high levels of iodine.

EAT ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS

Cabeca finds clever ways to sneak anti-inflammatory ingredients into her recipes. For her kafta kabobs, for example, she combines ground meat with finely chopped parsley, garlic, tomatoes or dried shiso leaves and tops them with cashew butter or tahini sauce. Similarly, she uses plenty of parsley in her tabouleh—a

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R OSENFARB Andy Rosenfarb, ND, LAc.

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332 S. Avenue E., Westfield, NJ Specializing in Holistic Eye Health • #1 Bestselling Author

908-466-1980 • AcuVisionAcupuncture.com

January 2024

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ROASTED BEET AND PISTACHIO SALAD YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS 8 medium or 4 large beets, peeled and cut into 1-inch wedges 3 garlic cloves, minced ⅓ cup unsalted pistachios 2 cups baby leaf spinach leaves ¼ cup rice wine vinegar 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Misting oil Preheat the oven to 350º F. In a medium bowl, toss the beets with the garlic and a mist of oil. Pour into a baking dish and lightly cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes or until the beets are tender. Let sit for 15 minutes until cool.

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS 3 Tbsp chia seeds 1 cup unsweetened flax milk 1 Tbsp maple0.65 syrupin 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup kiwi, peeled and diced (about 3 fruits) 2 Tbsp pistachios, chopped

In a salad bowl, combine the beets with the pistachios, spinach leaves, vinegar and olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add the ingredients, except pistachios, to a blender and blend for one to two minutes until smooth. Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Garnish with chopped pistachios.

Recipe courtesy of Dr. Alan Christianson, NMD, from The Hormone Healing Cookbook.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Dr. Alan Christianson, NMD, from The Hormone Healing Cookbook.

Dr. Alan Christianson

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KIWI CHIA PUDDING

Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon-Mercer-S. Warren Co.

Sweet marshmallow/shutterstock.com

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

SALMON AND ROASTED VEGGIE SALAD YIELD: 2 SERVINGS 1 carrot, peeled, sliced and quartered 2 cups cauliflower, cut into florets ½ cup broccoli, cut into florets 1 cup mushrooms, chopped 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 tsp garlic powder

6 oz wild-caught salmon fillet 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp Dijon mustard 3 cups baby spinach 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Preheat the oven to 425º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the carrot, cauliflower, broccoli and mushrooms to the baking sheet. Drizzle with coconut oil and season with garlic powder, parsley and salt to taste. Bake for 15 minutes.

Morgan Chorak

Remove from the oven and add the salmon to the baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Return to the oven and continue to bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining the olive oil, lemon juice and Dijon mustard into a small bowl. Whisk ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the salad by dividing the spinach between bowls and topping with vegetable mix and salmon. Top with the pumpkin seeds and dressing.

Recipe courtesy of Dr. Tabatha Barber. Photo by Morgan Chorak.

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Healing Ways

Individualized Alzheimer’s Treatments A New Frontier in Disease Reversal

by Dana Thacker, BSN, RN

Photoboy/Canva Pro

were evaluated to identify potential contributors to cognitive decline using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), genetic testing and other biomarkers. The scientists then designed an individualized, precision medical protocol for each patient.

A

Cognitive testing after the nine-month treatments showed that 84 percent of the participants not only maintained neurological function, but also improved cognition. A follow-up MRI also showed an increase in gray matter volume. The researchers noted in their report that a larger, controlled trial is warranted.

ccording to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and the numbers are expected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050.

In addition to the loss of cherished memories, more than 11 million unpaid caregivers provide an estimated 18 billion hours of care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients annually. Given the costs and burdens of the disease, many people wonder whether Alzheimer’s is reversible. Recent discoveries indicate that may be possible.

and deficits in language and behavior. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and the most common reason for dementia in older adults. During the early stages of the disease, neurons within the brain become damaged without apparent symptoms. This destruction can occur for a decade without recognition, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Protein buildup forces healthy neurons to stop functioning and sever connections, which likely provokes brain cell death and shrinkage.

“Dementia is not a death sentence,” states Kat Toups, a functional medicine psychiatrist and co-contributor to the precision treatment research. In her own practice, she embraces a patient-centric, multimodal approach to treating Alzheimer’s that focuses on three components—infection, inflammation and immunity. By reducing inflammation and treating infections, she asserts, the body is ready to receive immune-building therapies.

MECHANISMS OF ALZHEIMER’S

BREAKTHROUGH IN TREATMENT

“Mainstream medicine has been going about [Alzheimer’s treatment] the wrong way. I was taught to make a diagnosis, then write a prescription for something that doesn’t work,” says Dr. Dale Bredesen, a co-contributor to the aforementioned

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describe Alzheimer’s disease as a neurodegenerative condition that results in cognitive decline, memory loss 28

Research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease offers new hope for patients. Twenty-five participants with pre-Alzheimer’s or early-stage dementia

Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon-Mercer-S. Warren Co.

ANSWERING THE SKEPTICS

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

study. Recent trials have suggested that current pharmaceutical treatments for Alzheimer’s, such as Donanemab, merely slow the rate of disease progression, rather than reverse its effects.

With his personalized, precision-medicine approach, Bredesen aims to do better. He equates Alzheimer’s to COVID-19, noting, “When the pandemic hit, nations entered protection mode.

Economies suffered and went into a recession. In the same way, receptors within our brain can also go into a recession or protection mode. However, when these same receptors receive adequate resources, they continue to grow and make connections.

Neurons shift from protection mode to connection mode, reversing the effects of Alzheimer’s.”

THE BREDESEN PROTOCOL

Based on his research, Bredesen asserts that Alzheimer’s is the result of an imbalance in the brain’s neuroplasticity signaling.

He has identified 36 factors that can trigger downsizing in the brain, including metabolic derangement, poor nutrient status, lack of trophic support [chemical signaling] and exposure to viruses. The Bredesen Protocol is designed to change a patient’s biochemistry to correct those imbalances by addressing patient-specific triggers.

Apollo Health, where Bredesen is chief science officer, has developed a software algorithm that uses patient data from medical questionnaires, laboratory testing and cognitive assessments to offer an analysis of the patient’s cognitive risk factors and a personalized treatment plan designed to prevent and reverse cognitive decline. The patient works with practitioners and coaches trained in the protocol to implement the treatment plan, which covers seven areas: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, brain stimulation, detoxification and supplements. The individualized nature of Bredesen’s Protocol is foundational to the program’s success.

Be part of the refill revolution & movement to reduce plastics.

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Recycling is good. Reducing and reusing is better.

To learn more or to find a practitioner or coach trained in the Bredesen Protocol visit ApolloHealthCo.com/bredesen-protocol.

Dana Thacker is a registered nurse with a passion for cures over treatments and naturopathy over pharmaceuticals.

23 Race St., Frenchtown • EcoLoka.shop 908-268-7430 (text is best) • Ecolokanj@gmail.com January 2024

29

Green Living

Growing Young in Nature How Seniors Heal in the Great Outdoors

Nathan Bilow/Canva Pro

by Kelcie Ottoes

S

pending time outdoors is a valuable pastime for individuals in their golden years. Besides being exceedingly pleasurable, communing with nature, breathing fresh air, feeling the warmth of the sun or hearing birdsong can markedly improve a person’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. For seniors, exposure to green and blue spaces inspires a more active lifestyle that is both spiritually and socially engaged, thereby offsetting the challenges of chronic illness, disability and isolation.

Whether playing Scrabble under the shade of a tree, strolling along the banks of a lake with friends or planting flowers and herbs in a raised garden bed, adding that outdoor element to any activity is a win-win.

PHYSICAL REWARDS

A vigorous workout outside is not necessary to derive benefits. Fresh air boosts the immune system by increasing white blood cell production. Merely living near trees can extend a person’s lifespan by up to 12 years, according to a Harvard University study of 30

more than 100,000 women over an eightyear period. Another study of 350,000 people in Holland found that green spaces can improve overall health, reduce health complaints, lower the propensity for psychiatric illness and engender a general feeling of improved health.

“Exposure to natural light fosters the synthesis of vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health and mood regulation,” says Dr. Ryan Sultán, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University. “Participating in outdoor activities such as walking, gardening or simply enjoying nature contributes to improved physical fitness.”

a reduction of illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory issues.

MENTAL AND COGNITIVE IMPROVEMENTS

Nature offers mental and cognitive benefits to seniors. While simply viewing pictures of natural settings can reduce mental fatigue, a walk outside offers a greater positive impact.

A University of Michigan study found that spending time outdoors can enhance memory and attention span by up to 20 percent.

Forest bathing—a wilderness walk while engaging the senses—originated in Japan and has become increasingly popular with older populations. A study in Singapore found that seniors engaged in a horticulture program experienced improvements in sleep, cognitive function and psychological well-being, as well as a reduction in anxiety.

Older populations that engage in more strenuous activities like walking, biking or running in natural settings have a lower risk of mental health issues. Green and blue spaces foster feelings of renewal, restoration and spiritual connection, while physical activity in such settings enhances mood, reduces depression risks, lowers stress and improves cognitive function.

EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

Loneliness and isolation greatly impact seniors, and social interactions outside can help alleviate some of this loneliness. Nature provides space for multi-generational social interaction and engagement, including planned activities with friends and family or impromptu gatherings with neighbors.

Gardening improves physical strength, Those with access to green space have a flexibility and overall health and quality of stronger sense of unity and belonging with life. Older adults that regularly take walks their community. report less pain and sleep problems compared to adults that don’t get outside every “Mindful walking is a simple way to get startday. Nature also promotes healthier blood ed building a relationship with the outdoors pressure, higher energy levels, lower heart and is conducive to experiencing nature in a rate, reduced stress, less chronic pain and positive way while being present,” says John

Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon-Mercer-S. Warren Co.

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

Dattilo, Ph.D., a professor in leisure studies at Pennsylvania State University. “To do this, we pay attention to the environment and notice things through our senses. We focus on what we are grateful for, including our surroundings or other aspects of our life.”

OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO OUTDOOR ENGAGEMENT

The main barriers stopping seniors from getting outside are mobility limitations, accessibility issues and safety concerns. One study found reduced mobility was the primary factor limiting nature experiences for older populations. “If we have a fear of falling, then we reduce our movement. If we reduce our movement, then we are more likely to fall, and that spirals,” says Dattilo.

Caretakers can help by encouraging seniors to pick the activities they want to do, without stifling their interests. “If people pursue activities they have interest in, they are much more likely to experience leisure,” says Dattilo. “And leisure gives us meaning and purpose in life. It also helps us feel authentic.

It’s not as much about recreational activity, and more about engagement.”

If seniors want to venture beyond their homes, choose accessible locations where there are paved paths, shelter and bathrooms. Come prepared for the activity.

Dress comfortably, use mobility aids, apply sun protection and bring water and snacks.

For those that are uncomfortable spending time in nature alone, invite others or join a senior-friendly program, class or event.

If leaving the home or bed is no longer an option, give virtual reality a try, which has been shown to provide seniors with some of the benefits of the outdoors. There are many commercially available virtual reality applications such as Google Earth VR and Wander on Meta Quest.

Kelcie Ottoes is a writer for sustainable businesses and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.

January 2024

31

Calendar of Events Calendar events must be received via email or submitted online by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines.

Email kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com or NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com to submit online.

MONDAY, JANUARY 1 New Year’s Grounding & Clearing – 12noon-2pm & 2-4pm. Start the new year off grounded and clear. Eliminate past baggage and start the New Year with an edge! Join Howard Mertine (of Alternative Therapies Work, LLC) in partnership with Everett Magie (of Alien Ink Tattoos), for this two-hour guided hypnotic, reiki infused journey to clear away what no longer serves you! Space is limited (8 people). $40 at door or PayPal at: hgmertine@gmail.com. Alien Ink Tattoos, 264 Rt 206 S, Unit 3, Flanders.

For information call 973-652-7962 or 908283-0117. AlternativeTherapiesWork.com.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2 Begin Anew – 6-7:30pm. The new year is a time to look within and reset our intentions. Join spiritual life coach Maureen Bender and yoga instructor Laura Knott for an energetic reset to begin 2024 with a fresh perspective. During this 1.5 hour workshop, we will observe our emotional obstacles and begin the process of transformation with journaling, a guided tantric meditation practice, and Reiki. $30. Riverside Wellness & Enchantments, 23 Bridge St., Milford. Book online at RiversideWellnessandEnchantments.com.

For information call 908-403-6653 or visit RiversideWellnessandEnchantments.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 Special Event: Akashic Records or Medium Reading – 1-7pm The Akashic Records hold information about your soul’s past, present and future. During an Akashic Records reading, Cherise taps into your records, offering you channeled messages from your guides, masters, teachers and loved ones. Session is 45-60 minutes. $125 per person. A Year and a Day Mystical Shoppe, 413 Bond St., Asbury Park. For information call 848-217-2371 and visit AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10 Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 6:309:15pm; Zoom. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour virtual sessions. Take any or all. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 6:307:30pm. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 7:308:30pm. Reduce Stress with Hypnosis – 8:30-9:15pm. $60 each session. For information and link to sessions, contact Barry at 908-303-7767, 610-353-2330 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter.com.

HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 Dancing with Dragons – 7:30-9:30pm.

Dragons are ancient celestial beings that are here to help guide us, protect us and work with us as we go through life.

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Lauren creates a sacred space for you to be able to connect with dragons and have them be more present on your spiritual journey. Includes guided meditation and opportunity to power dance. $25; preRegistration is required. A Year and a Day Mystical Shoppe, 413 Bond St., Asbury Park.

For information call 848-217-2371 and visit AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14 Pendulum Divination Workshop – 12noon2pm. Develop your psychic talents! Learn the art of pendulum divination with Howard Mertine of Alternative Therapies Work & Alien Ink Tattoos. Connect with your higher self, lost loved ones and your own spirit guides. Receive divine answers to burning questions in minutes. Includes booklet and pendulum kit. Call to RSVP as seating is limited (8 people). Secure your seat with a paid reservation. $40 per person or PayPal: hgmertine@gmail.com. Alien Ink Tattoos, 264 Route 206 South, Unit 3, Flanders. For information call 973-652-7962 or 908-2830117.

Rejuvenation Retreat at Riverside – 12noon4:30pm. Our Rejuvenation Retreat offers a variety of stress-reducing activities including restorative yoga, meditation, Reiki, sound healing, and crystal healing. Allow yourself to destress and find your center again in a peaceful and welcoming environment. $111. Riverside Wellness & Enchantments, 23 Bridge St., Milford. Book online at RiversideWellnessandEnchantments.com.

For information call 908-403-6653 or visit RiversideWellnessandEnchantments.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 9-11:45am. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 9-10am. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 10-11am. Reduce Stress with Hypnosis – 11-11:45am. $60 each session. Hypnosis Counseling Center, 28 Mine St., Flemington. For information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter.com.

HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

Soul Shamanism 101 Advanced Spiritual Journey – 1/20-21; 10am-4pm; in person or Zoom. Experience an Ancient Wisdom practice that offers you direct access to your soul, who you are, and why you are here, and guides you in how to live your true Self. Profound awareness, wisdom, healing, clearing, and ongoing access to your personal and spiritual growth journey evolve as you deepen this practice. This first-level class talk by Janet StraightArrow begins a lifetime journey of higher-level spiritual living, healing, and being your true Self now. $625/$650. Be The Medicine ( O n l i n e I n - P e r s o n -S e s s i o n s - C l a s s e s Retreats), 247 North Road, Chester. 973-647-

Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon-Mercer-S. Warren Co.

2500. BeTheMedicine.com.

Past Lives Regression Workshop – 6-8pm.

Let’s take a look into your past—past lives, that is! Join Howard Mertine (of Alternative Therapies Work, LLC) in partnership with Everett Magie (of Alien Ink Tattoos), as we host a two-hour guided hypnotic journey to take you into your own past lives! You may even uncover why you do some of the things you do in your current life!

Space is limited (8 people). $40 at door or PayPal at: hgmertine@gmail.com. Alien Ink Tattoos, 264 Rt 206 S, Unit 3, Flanders. For information call 973-652-7962 or 908-2830117. AlternativeTherapiesWork.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21 Pendulum Divination Workshop – 12noon2pm. Develop your psychic talents! Learn the art of pendulum divination with Howard Mertine of Alternative Therapies Work & Alien Ink Tattoos. Connect with your higher self, lost loved ones and your own spirit guides.

Receive divine answers to burning questions in minutes. Includes booklet and pendulum kit. Call to RSVP as seating is limited (8 people).

Secure your seat with a paid reservation. $40 per person or PayPal: hgmertine@gmail.com.

Alien Ink Tattoos, 264 Route 206 South, Unit 3, Flanders. For information call 973-652-7962 or 908-283-0117.

MONDAY, JANUARY 22 Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 6-8:45pm. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 6-7pm. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 7-8pm. Reduce Stress with Hypnosis – 8-8:45pm. $60 each session. Hunterdon Co. Polytech, 8 Bartles Corner Rd., Flemington. For information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter.com.

HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 Past Lives Regression Workshop – 6-8pm.

Join Howard Mertine (Alternative Therapies Work, LLC) with Ellen Petroski Perkins & Greg Perkins (Gaia’s Gifts), as we host a two-hour guided hypnotic journey to take you into your own past lives. You may even uncover why you do some of the things you do in your current life. $30. RSVP as space is limited to 12 people. Pay at door or at paypal.me/gaiasgiftsnj/30. Ellen Perkins at Gaia’s Gifts, 16 Broad St., Washington. For information, call 908-223-1331 or email Ellen at perkins145@comcast.net. GaiasGifts.net.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31 Somatic Healing and Sound – 7-8:30pm.

Join Leslee Penny for a transformative class that combines the healing powers of somatic sound, breathwork, and stretching

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

for a holistic well-being experience. Somatic sound healing utilizes vibrations to promote balance and harmony, while breathwork enhances awareness, releases tension, and integrates mind-body connections.

Somatic stretching focuses on mindful flexibility, gentle movements, and wholebody integration to improve movement patterns. Take the first step toward a more balanced and empowered life. $35.

Riverside Wellness & Enchantments, 23 Bridge St., Milford. Book online at RiversideWellnessandEnchantments.com.

For information call 908-403-6653 or visit RiversideWellnessandEnchantments.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Toltec Shamanic Mitote Ceremony, Dreaming. – 2/10-11; 2pm-10am. Overnight retreat. Join us for this unique opportunity to work with a Shaman in this high-energy experience, release what no longer serves you, and welcome the New Year in this fantastic ceremonial weekend retreat with Janet StraightArrow. Experience Transformation, Deep, Profound, Intense Beauty Filled. This Mitote will have an additional practice to help us awaken and release the illusions so we can see them inside and outside us. $300/$350. Be The Medicine, 247 North Road, Chester. 973-6472500. BetheMedicine.com.

Since 2004

Naturopathic, Functional, Chinese & Biological Medicine COMPREHENSIVE & COMPASSIONATE HEALTH CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Costa Rica Yoga and Healing Retreat – 2/1725. Full week of yoga, reiki, Thai massage, breathwork, meditation and friendship in an outstanding tropical reserve for only $1800.

Take your practice and your peace to the next level. Instructors include Dean Cramp of Transcend Healing Breathwork. Teva Hotel & Jungle Reserve in beautiful Costa Rica. Register at MajaYoga.com/retreats (Referral code: TRANSCEND). For questions and more information email aja@majayoga. com and visit HealingAndBreathwork.com/ upcoming-events/.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2-3 Reiki 1 Energy Healing Training – 10am4pm. Heal You and Others Comprehensive Course. This practical, comprehensive, professional-level course offers personal healing and energy work teachings in addition to Reiki attunements, meditations, and practice, with everyone receiving an entire healing session: Usui Reiki 1 Certificate, Reiki 1 book, and class recordings. This class focuses on Self Healing and Spiritual Growth and Helping others and animals.

Instructor: Janet StraightArrow. $390/$425.

Be The Medicine, 247 North Road, Chester.

973-647-2500. BetheMedicine.com.

All who come to NJ Natural Medicine benefit from our holistic approach to treatment. Regardless of the reason for the visit, the guiding principal remains constant: to observe and treat the whole person, not just his or her symptoms.

Herbs & Supplements Nutrition Acupuncture Bio-resonance Therapy Diagnostic Testing Infrared Sauna Allergy Testing

Dr. Jason Frigerio ND LAc. Kat Dunbar LAc. 2424 Lamington Road Bedminster, NJ 07921 973 267 2650 www.njnaturalmedicine.com January 2024

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Ongoing Events

Daily One Hour Yoga – Each day except Monday. Class begins with meditation and end with a final relaxation/restorative practice. $18. Riverside Wellness & Enchantments, 23 Bridge St., Milford. Book at RiversideWellnessandEnchantments. com. 908-403-6653.

Sunday Qi Gong with JoeyG – 10:30am. Join us in the Scalar Energy Field for an hour of qi gong with an energetic kick. $40.

Advanced Frequency Energy Spa, 431 Rte 22 E (Bishop’s Plaza), Whitehouse Station. 888-460-4050, text 908-864-8111.

AdvancedFrequencyEnergySpa.com.

Spiritual Life Coaching – 12noon5pm. Learn to trust yourself through reaching for a better understanding of why we do what we do. $55. Riverside Wellness & Enchantments, 23 Bridge St., Milford. 908-403-6653. Book online at RiversideWellnessandEnchantments.com.

Monday Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong - Beyond Beginners – 12noon-1pm. Patty Pagano guides students into greater depth

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analysis and refinement of movements.

Prerequisite Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong for beginners. Series discounts: $80/4-wk or drop in $25. Private sessions also available.

Martinsville Community Center, 1961 Washington Valley Rd., Martinsville. 908392-1313 or pattygigongforhealing@gmail. com. QiGongForHealing.com.

Boot Camp with Eric – 6:05-6:50pm. Eric Ferguson will take you through muscle building exercises and some cardio. $30.

Yoga Loka, 23 Race Street, Frenchtown Borough. 908-268-7430. yoga-loka.com/ booking-classes.html.

Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong - Beyond Beginners – 8-9pm; Zoom. Patty Pagano guides students into greater depth analysis and refinement of movements. Prerequisite Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong for beginners.

Series discounts: $60/4-wk or drop in $20.

908-392-1313 or pattygigongforhealing@ gmail.com. QiGongForHealing.com.

Tuesday Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong: Beginners – 2-3pm. Students learn 15 meditative and repeating movements that will help you relax and open your mind, body and qi plus principles of alignment. No prereq req. Led by Patty Pagano. $80/4-wk or drop in $25. Private sessions available.

Move in Grace, 294 Main St., Chester. 908-

Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon-Mercer-S. Warren Co.

392-1313 or pattygigongforhealing@gmail. com. QiGongForHealing.com.

Wu ji Jing Gong Taichi Beyond Beginners – 5-6pm. Patty Pagano leads class focused on the healing aspect of the art with emphasis on developing taichi self practice to gather and direct Qi within your body. Prereq: Wu Ji Jing Gong Taichi for Beginners. Led by Patty Pagano. Series disc: $80/4-wk or drop in $25. Martinsville Community Center, 1961 Washington Valley Rd., Martinsville. Private sessions available.

908-392-1313 or pattygigongforhealing@ gmail.com. QiGongForHealing.com.

Wednesday Meet Lauren! – 4-5pm. Looking for a trauma-informed therapist? Meet with Lauren Lia LCSW for a free virtual 15-minute consultation to determine if she might be a good fit for your counseling needs!

Read about Lauren and her specialties at our website, Healing-Pathways.org/team.

Schedule via phone/text at 908-434-6008, or admin@healing- pathways.org.

Meditation4Sobriety – 5:30-6:30pm, online, Chakra, 12-step Meditation including breathwork, mudras, guided visual meditations, and journaling with Tanya D, founder of The Peace We Crave. Donationbased. tanyad@thepeacewecrave.com. yoga4sobriety.com/schedule.

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

Yoga with Roberta – 6:30pm. Join us in the Scalar Energy Field for an hour of yoga with an energetic kick. $40.

Advanced Frequency Energy Spa, 431 Rte 22 E (Bishop’s Plaza), Whitehouse Station. 888-460-4050, text 908-864-8111.

AdvancedFrequencyEnergySpa.com.

Thursday Spiritual Life Coaching – 12noon5pm. Learn to trust yourself through reaching for a better understanding of why we do what we do. $55. Riverside Wellness & Enchantments, 23 Bridge St., Milford. 908-403-6653. Book online at RiversideWellnessandEnchantments.com.

Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong: Beginners – 1pm; Zoom. Students learn 15 meditative and repeating movements that will help you relax and open your mind, body and qi plus principles of alignment. No prereq req.

Led by Patty Pagano. Series disc: $60/4-wk or drop in $20. Private sessions available.

908-392-1313 or pattygigongforhealing@ gmail.com. QiGongForHealing.com.

Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong: Beginners – 7:30-8:30pm. Students learn 15 meditative and repeating movements that will help you relax and open your mind, body and qi plus principles of alignment. No prereq req.

Led by Patty Pagano. Series disc: $80/4-wk or drop in $20. Martinsville Community Ctr, 1962 Washington Valley Rd., Martinsville.

Private sessions available. 908-392-1313 or pattygigongforhealing@gmail.com.

QiGongForHealing.com.

Friday Friday Psychic Readings and Energy Healings – 2-7pm. 10-minute Reading or Energy Healing for $30. Walk-in or appt. A Year and a Day Mystical Shoppe, 413 Bond St., Asbury Park. 848-217-2371.

Ayearandadaymysticalshoppe@yahoo. com. AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

Classifieds Fee for classifieds is $30 for up to 30 words each month. Additional words $1 each. To place listing, email content to Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com.

Deadline is the 10th of the month.

Metaphysical Shop OFFERINGS – A unique gift shop for the mind, body and soul. Check out our collection of angels, candles, cards, crystals, crystal soaps, jewelry, sage, salt lamps, solar wind chimes, tea, t-shirts, tumbled stones and more. Card readings, classes and workshops available. Metaphysical & Spiritual Bliss, 19A Old Highway 22, Clinton.

908-268-8029. FB Metaphysical & Spiritual Bliss. Instagram @cmatsen11

Start the New Year with a life-changing wellness retreat Here’s Everything You Need for a

FRESH START! Imagine a serene week in sunny southern Florida, relaxing by the ocean, where you can detoxify your body, cultivate excellent eating habits and expand your knowledge of holistic health and wellness. Enjoy beach walks, time by the pool, low impact fitness and daily wellness lectures with our resident world-renowned health expert, Dr. Frank Sabatino, DC, Ph.D.

Choose from 3 Nutrition Plans:

● Whole Food Plant-Based Nutrition ● Juice Cleanse ● Water-Fasting

Let Your Journey to a Lifetime of Good Health Begin: January 7-13 | February 4-10 March 10-19 Special Functional Medicine Retreat

March 3-9

Buy One* and Bring a Guest 50% Off*! a savings of $1,125 per person! *double occupancy required

2096 NE 2nd St • Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 (WYNDHAM BEACH RESORT)

Talk to our Retreat Specialist to see which option is best for you!

954-947-5888

info@balanceforlifeflorida.com

balanceforlifeflorida.com

Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Coming in February

January 2024

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Frequency Therapy

Community Resource Guide

ADVANCED FREQUENCY ENERGY SPA 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 Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com to request our media kit.

Acupuncture

Chinese Healing Arts

ACUPUNCTURE WORKS CENTER

QI GONG FOR HEALING

Kristin A. Dudley LAc 84 Park Ave, Ste G-103C, Flemington 973-979-1652

AcupunctureWorksCenter.com

Gentle acupuncture with Kristin Dudley LAc can be both very relaxing as well as healing. Acupuncture has been used for centuries to ease muscle and arthritis pain, relieve stress, increase energy and improve sleep. Welcome everyone and de-stress in a nurturing and healing enviroment. See ad, page 14.

DR. ANDY ROSENFARB, ND, LAC Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine; Board Certified in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine 332 South Ave East, Westfield 908-928-0060 • AcuVisionTherapy.com

Dr. Rosenfarb is world renowned in the field of holistic eye health and passionate about helping people with degenerative eye diseases.

Call now to qualify for your free copy of his groundbreaking book, Recover Your Vision.

Additional specialties include glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy. See ad, pages 25.

Bedding - Organic HIBERNATE BEDDING

80 Morristown Rd, Bernardsville 908-766-5450 HibernateBedding.com

page 4.

Exclusive collection of Organic and Chemical Free mattresses and accessories. Over 30 years family experience. Come see how easy it is to shop for a mattress. Free delivery, free set up, free removal. See ad,

Brian Coffey LMT, and Fran Maher, CA 908-647-1563 • QiGongForHealing.com Specializing in T’ai Chi and Qi Gong classes, as well as private session clinical Qi Gong and acupuncture since 1994. Chinese Medicine weekend seminars teach how to apply clinical Qi Gong remedies to specific disorders. Excellent for the lay person and healthcare providers. All are welcome to observe or join a class. See ad, page 19.

Eye/Vision Health DR. ANDY ROSENFARB, ND, LAC, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine; Board Certified in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine 332 South Ave East, Westfield 908-928-0060 • AcuVisionTherapy.com

Dr. Rosenfarb is world renowned in the field of holistic eye health and passionate about helping people with degenerative eye diseases. Call now to qualify for your free copy of his ground-breaking book, Recover Your Vision. Additional specialties include glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.See ad, page 25.

Flooring & Carpet FLOORS DIRECT

315A Main St., Bedminster 908-574-2920 FloorsDirectNJ.com Custom natural wool rugs and stair runners, sustainably sourced hardwood, environmentally safe and sustainable luxury vinyl floors. Independently owned family business. Free Estimates. See ad, page 3.

“One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture and, if it were possible, speak a few reasonable words.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 36

Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon-Mercer-S. Warren Co.

431 Rt 22 E (Bishop’s Plaza) Whitehouse Station 888-460-4050, text 908-864-8111 AdvancedFrequencyEnergySpa.com

We offer a comprehensive range of cutting-edge technologies that stimulate cellular energy detoxify the body, and restore optimal health. See ad, page 7.

Gift & Wellness Shop GAIA’S GIFTS

Ellen Perkins 16 Broad St., Unit 1, Washington 908-223-1331 • GaiasGifts.net Natural rough and tumbled crystals and stones reasonably priced. Handmade treasures by local artisans. BioMat, massage, energy healing, singing bowls, color therapy glasses, oracle and tarot cards and sometimes channeled readings. Come for an energetic lift to mind, body and spirit. See ad, page 15.

Hair Restoration THE HAIR FOR LIFE CENTER, LLC 201-731-3530 TheHairForLifeCenter.com

For over 35 years The Hair For Life Center has been helping women who experience hair loss.In as little as 2 to 3 hours we restore your hair to its natural state safely without using glues or extensions. For more information, visit at TheHairForLifeCenter.com. See ad, page 17.

Healing Ways HEALING PATHWAYS COUNSELING AND SUPERVISION CENTER 233 Mt Airy Rd, Suite 100, Basking Ridge 908-434-6008 admin@healing-pathways.org Healing-Pathways.org License Number: 37PC00622100

Healing Pathways is a private therapy practice offering trauma-informed, client centered counseling services to adults (18+). Our therapists hold specialties in EMDR, prolonged exposure therapy, art therapy, and other modalities all aimed at helping our valued clients achieve relief and healing. See ad, page 12.

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

Health & Wellness ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES WORK, LLC Howard G. Mertine C.Ht, RM, NLP 908-283-0117 • HGMertine@gmail.com

Alleviations of allergies, phobias, trauma, addictions, anxieties, PTSD & various other afflictions. Past life regressions, building confidence and self-esteem, Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified NLP instructor and practitioner, Certified Reiki Master & practitioner, card reading and pendulum divination, motivational speaker and coach, holistic healer. See ad, page 15.

Holistic Chiropractors SAMSARA CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER

Dr Jennifer Redmond 7 E. High St, Somerville 908-300-8800 • DoctorRedmond.com The body is designed to heal itself but structural issues, toxins, lack of nutrients or an emotional component can affect overall health. We offer Whole-istic healing techniques including Neuroemotional Technique, Active Release techniques, Activator, Flexion Distraction and more! See ad, page 21.

Holistic Dentistry HOLISTIC DENTAL CENTER NJ 91 Millburn Avenue, Millburn 908-206-7848

HolisticDentalCenterNJ.com Holistic dental care that is good for the body as well as teeth and gums.

By treating the cause, not just the symptoms, Dr. Gashinsky helps improve his patients’ quality of life through dental care that respects and honors the body. See ad, page 40 .

PRINCETON CENTER FOR DENTAL AESTHETICS & IMPLANTS Drs. Huckel, Huckel & Reine 11 Chambers St, Princeton 609-924-1414 • PrincetonDentist.com

Come for a visit, stay for a lifetime! We are trained in identifying holistic concerns beginning in the oral cavity that may cause issues elsewhere in the body. We use ozonated water, and choose systematically biocompatible materials for your treatment.

Hypnosis/ Hypnotherapy

Matrix Repatterning

HYPNOSIS COUNSELING CENTER

located in Warren 908-930-0628 DrLarkin@optonline.net

Barry Wolfson Offices in Flemington, Princeton, Livingston NJ, and King of Prussia, PA 908-303-7767

HypnosisCounselingCenter.com

Over 35 years of experience.

We offer traditional counseling methods and the art of hypnotherapy in private and group settings, in person or virtual, for weight loss, stress, smoking, confidence building, phobias, insomnia, test taking, sports improvement, public speaking, and more. See ad, page 9.

Hypnosis/Reiki ENERGY HEALTH & WELLNESS LLC Michele Dellavalle, CH, CHTP, ART 65 Old Rt 22, Suite 10, Clinton Online Sessions available #908-403-2045 EnergyHealth4Wellness@gmail.com

ReikiEHW.com

Master Clinical Hypnotist Certified in 5 Path ® Hypnosis, 7th Path ® Self Hypnosis, Reiki, Healing Touch & Guided Meditations. We identify & address the root cause allowing our clients to move forward and heal.

Offering classes in 7th Path ® Self Hypnosis and Reiki Level 1 & 2. When all else fails, Hypnosis Works! Call for Free Consultation.

Integrative Psychotherapy BOBBIE LYNN EDWARDS LPC, NCC,M.ED

Licensed Psychotherapist 15 E. Main St., Clinton 908-892-8978 • HunterdonTherapist.com Bobbie Lynn Edwards is a licensed psychotherapist for 35 years. Practicing integrating psychotherapy focusing on a broad spectrum of spiritual philosophies and practices to assist in your healing.

Clinically trained to provide guidance and direction to individuals, couples and families. Goals set within a mutual learning environment is the process. Meditation workshops for small and large groups are available.

Call for a free consultation and further information.

DR. CLARE M. LARKIN, DC, CMRP

DrClareLarkin.com

Your cells remember traumatic injury on a deeper level. Some injuries hang on because their energy gets trapped in the deeper tissues of the body. Matrix Repatterning allows the detection and release of these deeper injuries, improves electrical flow and allows the body to function normally again. See ad, page 19.

Meditation/Spiritual CENTER FOR HEALING AND EMPOWERMENT

Phyllis Livera 172 Washington Valley Rd, Suite 3, Warren 732-882-9676

CenterForHealingAndEmpowerment.com

Are you seeking deeper meaning in your life? Are you stressed and ready for a change? Tired of being in both physical or emotional pain? We offer spiritual development, meditation and mini-me yoga classes, which have been helping people live more productive, happier lives.

Mystical Shoppe A YEAR AND A DAY MYSTICAL SHOPPE

413 Bond Street Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (848)217-2371 ayearandadaymysticalshoppe@yahoo. com AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com Facebook.com/ ayearandadaymysticalshoppe Metaphysical retail store offering crystals, gemstones, incense, essential oils, books, Tarot and Oracle cards, specialty candles, smudge supplies and more! Psychics, Shamans, Ministers and Reiki/Energy/ Crystal healers are available to provide guidance and healing. We provide Aura photos with 3D imaging for you and your pet, meditations and in-store classes and workshops. Additional services: dedications, weddings, funerals and house cleansings.

January 2024

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Naturopathic Medicine

Reiki & Hypnosis

NEW JERSEY NATURAL MEDICINE

ALICE RICH REIKI CENTER

Dr. Jason Frigerio ND, LAC 2424 Lamington Road, Bedminster 973-267-2650 • NJNaturalMedicine.com

Since 2004, NJNM has treated patients with naturopathic, Chinese, ayurvedic and biological medicine. Our guiding principa: to observe and treat the whole person, not just symptoms to identify and treat the root cause of illness, help restore balance and promote optimal health. See ad, page 33.

Platonic Touch Practitioner / Reiki IN YOUR ARMS HOLISTIC Karen Schweiger 908-768-1800 inyourarms@zoho.com CuddleInYourArms.com Cuddlist.com/Karen

In Your Arms offers platonic touch therapy, as well as Reiki, to help individuals find relief from everyday stress, anxiety and even the loneliness induced by our virtual world in a safe, warm and confidential environment.

Qi Gong

Alice Rich, Certified Master Teacher Usui Reiki Ryoho, Karuna Reiki®, Crystal Healing, Certified Hypnotist 732-501-7628 alice@AliceRichReikiCenter.com

AliceRichReikiCenter.com

Reiki, Crystal Healing and Integrated Energy Therapy® or Hypnosis sessions can help reduce pain physically, mentally and emotionally, promote a healthy lifestyle, achieve personal and professional goals, create balance and harmony and advance your spiritual journey. Private sessions and classes. Certification classes on Reiki, Crystal Healing and IET.

Experience qi through the gentle movements of Tai Chi & Qi Gong with instructor Patty Pagano. Live classes in Dunellen and Chester. Private appointments and Zoom classes also. See ad, page 19.

“You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.”

Spiritual Healing, Teaching JANET STRAIGHTARROW

Shaman, Healer, Sage, Reiki Master Teacher, Astrologist 973-647-2500 Janet@BeTheMedicine.com

BeTheMedicine.com

Profound Healing, Clearing, Reclaim yourself, Enjoy life. 41 years of experience. Shamanic and Intuitive Energy Sessions. Soul Retrievals. Past Life, Ancestral, Current life healing. Business, Home, and Land clearings. Meditation, Shamanic, and Reiki Healers Training. and more. See ad, page 9.

Sound Healing/Reiki DEEP ROOTS RISING, LLC

Ruchi Jain Reiki/Sound Healing/Astrology/Classes Somerville, NJ 732-718-4430 / call/text DeepRootsRising.com Personal and Group Sound Healings open to the public. Reiki healings. Profound stress relief and nurturance back to your inner light. Spiritual Guidance sessions. Mediation classes. Reiki classes. Astrology Readings. Goal : Come back home to yourself.

- William Blake 38

BONNIE PARISER

CYT, EYT500, TRE Provider 23 Race St., Frenchtown 908-268-7430 • Bonnie@Yoga-Loka.com Yoga-Therapy-Can-Help.Me/ T.R.E. is a quick and effective method that allows you to shake off tension and helps resolve trauma held in your body. Bonnie will guide you through the process and assist you towards integration, wholeness and continued release.

Wellness MG DENTAL ASSOCIATES

QI GONG FOR HEALING

Patty Pagano 908-392-1313 pattyqigongforhealing@gmail.com QiGongForHealing.com

Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises

Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon-Mercer-S. Warren Co.

Mohinder Garg, DDS 906 Oak Tree Ave., Ste. B, South Plainfield 216 Stelton Rd., 4E, Piscataway 908-754-8881 • mgdentalpa@aol.com MGDentistryNJ.com For over 25 years, MG Dental Associates has provided award-winning cosmetic, restorative and preventative dental services. We strive to give our patients their perfect smile by incorporating the latest technology in our state-of-the-art clinics. See ad, page 2.

VEDA INTEGRATED WELLNESS

Pranjali Sharma 906 Oak Tree Ave., Ste. B, S. Plainfield 405-510-5448 • pranjaliyoga@gmail.com Veda Integrated Wellness is a holistic health institute that focuses on the overall health of a person. We use noninvasive evidence-based wellness services to manage lifestyle disorders, stress, pain management, obesity, etc. See ad, page 2.

“Before you act, listen.

Before you react, think.

Before you spend, earn.

Before you criticize, wait.

Before you pray, forgive.

Before you quit, try.”

– Ernest Hemingway

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

Stay In The Game with

We are proud to announce the opening of our new office in Parsippany NJ at 299 Cherry Hill Rd. If staying in the game is a priority,

Call 609-570-6980 Today to schedule a free informational call.

Regenerative Medicine

It’s not just for professional athletes any more.

Regenerative Medicine utilizes your own cells, including Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to facilitate your body’s natural ability to heal from orthopedic and spine problems that were previously treated with steroids and surgery.

We specialize in treating pain in the spine and joints including osteoarthritis. With minimal down time, Regenerative Medicine can help you return to work, sports and activities quickly.

609-570-6980 | info@regenespine.com Offices in Mercerville and Parsippany, NJ & NYC. Stephen J. Roman, Jr., M.D.

RegeneSpine.com January 2024

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Natural Awakenings Readers...Looking for a More Natural Approach for Your Dentistry?

Choosing a new dentist can be a real challenge.

How do you know who is really a holistic dentist? Here are several things to look out for when choosing...

• • • • • • •

They DON’T use mercury containing fillings because mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to man.

They DON’T remove mercury fillings without protection because inhaled mercury vapors can be easily absorbed by the body.

They DON’T recommend Root Canals because they harbor bacteria and toxins.

They DON’T use conventional standards for their cleanings because tap water and chemicals are full of toxic substances.

They DON’T use fluoride because it has been shown to be a neurotoxin.

They DON’T use metal in their restorations because many people have metal allergies and sensitivities.

They DON’T treat sensitive patients without biocompatibility testing because allergic reactions and system reactions can occur which burden the body.

At the Holistic Dental Center, we strive to give our patients a “True” Holistic Dental Experience...

Even Holistic Practitioners become our patients!

Dr. Glenn Gero, Naturopathic Physician:

“I was seeing a dentist for over 30 years, and when I was invited to try the Holistic Dental Center for the first time, I was so impressed with the office....The best dental experience I have ever had in my life.”

Lisa Mack, Certified Thermographic Technician:

“What I see in my Thermography, I see inflammation in the mouth, how important it is, you see the bacteria draining down into the lymphatic system and from there I always refer patients to the Holistic Dental Center. Why? Because they can test that bacteria to see exactly what it is so from there he can help you. I am also a patient of the Holistic Dental Center and I absolutely love coming here. The one thing that I love about the center is that when you walk in, it’s like you’re family. They are very caring and very loving and when you walk out of here you feel like you’ve been well taken care of....”

Nancy Barrett, Certified Holistic Manual Lymphatic Therapist:

“Every health problem begins in the mouth...I am also a patient of the Holistic Dental Center and the reason I go holistic is because I understand that every health problem begins with your mouth...I love the staff, I love also the cleanings that they do here and I am also very aware of the benefits of going holistic...I really highly recommend the Holistic Dental Center and its staff!”

91 Millburn Ave. Millburn, NJ 07041

908-206-7848 HolisticDentalCenterNJ.com

Enjoy 10% OFF Mercury Amalgam Removal & Restoration Services of $1,000 or MORE. Exclusions apply. Call for details.

908-206-7848 January 2024

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