Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey / April 2023

Fostering a Regenerating Ecosystem Young People Collaborating for Climate Justice

Toxins Begone

Filtering Our Food, Water and Air

Kid-Approved Best Foods for Children with Autism

PEOPLE. PLANET. PURPOSE.

Dr. Justin Ponquinette, DMD and board certified, practices the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery including full mouth rehabilitation. We can also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries, TMJ disorders, remove wisdom teeth, and perform a full range of dental implant and bone grafting procedures. Our staff is trained in assisting with I.V. sedation within our state of the art office setting.

We do things differently.

At Atlantic Oral Surgery Center, we embrace homeopathy, laser/light therapy, ozone therapy, supplementation and more to provide a higher caliber of care to our patients.

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“Dr. Ponquinette and his team are exceptional. ... Not only is Dr. P a talented surgeon but he offers advanced technology that no one else has (ie- cold laser, PRF, and ozone.) ... Since my surgery, I’ve finally been able to regain my health. It’s amazing how quickly the body can bounce back once an infection is finally removed.”

— Molly G.

We offer methods to promote/ provide oral health while respecting and embracing the body’s ability to heal itself.

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Share the Good You See

Appreciation is one of those super small acts of kindness that costs absolutely nothing but pays monstrous dividends in remembered feel-good moments. Of course, to get the most out of this act of spiritual kindness, being real is a must. When authentically felt and expressed, even casual bystanders smile and get in on the moment. It also triggers the body to pump out endorphins, the “feel-good” brain chemical, which is so cool.

Managing Editor Kathy Tarbell Kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

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Contributing Writer Kiki Powers

Joe Dunne, Publisher

What I love best though about these random moments of appreciation are the flashback memories that create additional feel-good moments. As I mentioned, dividends.

Peter, a friend of mine, would always acknowledge people. He would walk across the street to tell a crossing guard what a great attitude she has. He would go out of his way and pay a compliment to anyone doing a good job, who had great energy, etc. He was always looking for the good and for someone to make happy. He knew that paying attention to the good works. Peter, as you can guess, was aware that he also benefited—it touched his soul. He was like the Johnny Appleseed of compliments. I was always amazed at how, with a simple word or gesture, he could bring about a smile—the visual snapshot of internal joy that appears when someone feels appreciated.

I remember distinctly the time Peter knocked on a Macy’s store display window being prepped for Christmas. He surprised a lady that looked stressed in her work with a little tap dance and thumbs up motion to let her know she was appreciated for her creation. Sure enough, this little sincere act produced a pause, quickly followed by a very broad smile that filled the window, or so it seemed, complete with an “Oh, wow!” and a heartfelt thank you.

In the world of everyday life, it touches our hearts to know someone cares, that people see us, that what we do matters.

I write about this as a reminder to never forget to tell people, and show people, especially the people that I share love with and that support me, how much I appreciate them.

I remember always wanting one of my parents to tell me how proud they were of me. It never happened. They are now gone, and that is okay. But the memory serves as a lesson to chart a different path and always acknowledge the good. So, to my daughter who lives far away, and to my son who lives even farther—I always want them to know how proud I am of them, their work, their parenting, the people they are, and just how much I appreciate them. Also, to everyone around me in my world, I need to make sure they feel appreciated, even if it’s just from me.

Today is always the right time to go out and look for the good, to make a bunch of feel-good moments for others and yourself. So go forth and help those you meet go from underappreciated to appreciated. Savor these moments. And let me know what happens.

In peace, love and laughter,

Digital Marketing Kristy Mayer

Accounting/Billing Asta Dunne Asta@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com 908-405-4040

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Past Life Awareness and More Can Help Heal Today

HowardG. Mertine C.Ht, RM, founder of Alternative Therapies Work LLC, is one of New Jersey’s newest premier hypnotherapists and regressionists. With multiple certifications in hypnotherapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Reiki and even divination, his approach to clients and groups are customized to the needs of the clients makes an experience with him completely unique.

In addition to private sessions at his Phillipsburg office and mobile appointments, Mertine also conducts Past Life Workshops at various locations throughout Central New Jersey. Interest in past lives is growing, and these workshops fill quickly as more people experience the unique healing that can come from a broader awareness of how previous lives may be affecting today. (See page 34 for upcoming workshops on April 15 and 17.)

Mertine’s goal is always to provide positive and motivated results with all he meets, whether it be groups in public settings or individuals in private sessions. To help his clients see the light in their own tunnel and know that healing is within reach, throughout 2023 he is offering introductory pricing on services, from $40 to $80 per hour, depending on the service. In his words, “We all deserve to be happy, to feel and be better, to be healthier.” Contact him today to schedule a free consultation.

Location: Alternative Therapies Work is based in Phillipsburg, and offers mobile appointments to client locations across Central New Jersey. For information, call 908-283-0117, email hgmertine@gmail.com or visit AlternativeTherapiesWork.com. See ad, page 8.

The New Evangelicals Podcast Host to Appear in Plainfield

In 2020, Tim Whitaker started creating Instagram reels responding to the issues he saw in his religious community. Since then, it has grown into a podcast and Facebook group for thousands of people. In his work, he takes on the hypocrisy he saw in the Evangelical church around such issues as the church’s involvement in politics, sexual abuse, racism, misogyny, and lack of inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons. The questions he asked led to him being invited to leave his church even though it meant losing the outlet for his musical gifts.

Even though he was no longer welcome in that in-person spiritual community, he ended up building another community, a much broader community, one which is helping people deal with the questioning of their religious faith.

The Plainfield Quaker religious congregation is pleased to provide a space for these in-person spiritual conversations. Beginning on April 23, they will host a series of events on the second and fourth Sundays of the month which will be focused on the big questions of the day, such as who God is, the problem of evil and the inerrancy of the Bible. A light lunch will be provided, with the program following at 1pm. Tim will be kicking off the first of this series of events, which will focus on the process of questioning your faith. There is no cost to attend, but donations are accepted.

Quakerism was founded in the 1650s in England following the English Civil Wars, wars fought over religious issues. Quakers began as seekers and developed their own faith based on the idea that God is present in our everyday lives and can be found in the Inner Light inside each person.

Location: 225 Watchung Ave., Plainfield. For more information, visit PlainfieldQuakers. org. To register, see eventbrite.com/e/wrestling-with-faith-a-forum-for-spiritual-seekers-tickets-532228458647. See ad, page 9.

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See the calendar for our upcoming events & workshops!

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Women’s Wellness Series

This May, join Natural Awakenings and KnoWEwell for a women’s wellness event entitled Overcoming Stress: How to Balance It All. Each Tuesday at 5 p.m. PDT/8 p.m. EDT, top integrative and functional medicine experts in women’s health will present cutting-edge insights into the many ways that stress can impact hormones, thyroid function, fertility and libido, and also provide tangible recommendations to improve skin care, aging, sleep and mindset. The speakers are:

n Anna Cabeca, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, author of The Hormone Fix

n Trevor Cates, naturopathic doctor, author of Clean Skin From Within

n Anne Marie Fine, naturopathic doctor, author of Cracking the Beauty Code

n Carrie Jones, functional medicine physician specializing in hormone and thyroid health

n Jaquel Patterson, naturopathic physician, success coach, author of Women and Lyme

n Carol A. Penn, board-certified physician, mindset coach, author of Meditation in a Time of Madness

n Arti Chandra, MD, MPH, double board certified physician specializing in integrative and functional medicine, and public health

n Jaclyn Smeaton, naturopathic doctor specializing in hormone health and reproductive medicine

n Kela Smith, holistic-integrative fertility and hormone doctor

n Jyl Steinbeck, personal trainer and lifestyle expert

The $59 event fee includes all Tuesday evening sessions. To learn more and register, visit https:// tinyurl.com/WIW2023C or scan the QR Code.

CELEBRATE MOTHER EARTH!

Wrestling with Faith A Forum for Spiritual Seekers

People are thinking deeply about what they believe and still have questions. Some people claim they are spiritual but not religious. Podcasts are built around the idea of deconstructing faith. Unfortunately, it’s a lonely path. Support is hard to find for those who are questioning what they have been taught. Online communities provide some support but not in person spiritual community.

This forum will provide an opportunity to consider and discuss your faith (if you want, no pressure) with other people on a similar spiritual journey.

Join us on April 23 from 12noon-3pm when Tim Whitaker from the New Evangelicals Podcast will be with us on our first forum. Future dates include May 5, May 21, and June 11.

Hosted by Plainfield Quakers

225 Watchung Ave, Plainfield, NJ

No charge to attend, donations accepted. Plainfield Quaker Meeting House

For more details and to register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wrestling-with-faith-a-forum-for-spiritual-seekers-tickets-532228458647.

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De-Stress With Sauerkraut

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry has shown that eating more fermented foods and fiber daily for just four weeks significantly lowered perceived stress levels. Forty-five participants with relatively low-fiber diets were split into two groups.

One group met with a dietitian that recommended a psychobiotic diet, which included six to eight daily servings of fruits and vegetables high in prebiotic fibers, such as onions, leeks, cabbage, apples, bananas and oats; five to eight daily servings of grains; three to four servings of legumes per week; and two to three daily servings of fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha. The control group received only general dietary advice based on the healthy eating food pyramid.

The group following the psychobiotic diet reported feeling less stressed compared with those in the control group. Moreover, significant changes in the level of certain key chemicals produced by gut microbes were found in these participants. Some of these chemicals have been linked to improved mental health, which could explain why the participants reported feeling less stressed. The quality of sleep improved in both groups, but those on the psychobiotic diet reported greater sleep improvements.

Screening Children for Anxiety

After a systematic review of 39 studies to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a group of disease prevention and medical experts assembled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, now recommends that primary care physicians perform such screenings, even if there are no signs or symptoms of anxiety.

A common mental health condition in the U.S., anxiety disorder involves excessive fear or worry that manifests as emotional and physical symptoms. In children and adolescents, it is associated with impaired functioning, educational underachievement and an increased likelihood of a future anxiety disorder or depression. The 2018-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health found that 7.8 percent of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 had a current anxiety disorder.

USPSTF recommended using screening questionnaires to identify children at risk, noting that studies show that children with anxiety benefit from treatments that may include cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy. They also concluded that there is insufficient evidence to assess children 7 years old or younger.

Exercise for the Brain

Researchers in the UK compared the effect that different types of daily movement had on overall cognition, memory and executive function. Their study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, reported that replacing sitting, sleeping or gentle movement with less than 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity (brisk walking, bicycling, running up and down stairs, aerobic dancing, jogging, running or swimming) can protect the brain and improve working memory and executive processes like planning and organization. The intensity of the exercise matters, and study participants that engaged in light physical activity, rather than more vigorous activity, saw declines in cognitive performance. However, light activity is still more beneficial than sitting, the scientists found.

The data for these findings was taken from the 1970 British Cohort Study, an ongoing survey that tracks the health of a group of UK-born adults. The group of nearly 4,500 participants consented, at age 46, to wear an activity tracker and complete verbal memory and executive functioning tests, and they were followed from 2016 to 2018.

Pomegranate May Offer Skin and Gut Benefits

Pomegranate fruit has been widely used in traditional medicine, and a new, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine looked at the effects of taking pomegranate extract for a period of four weeks on different aspects of skin and gut health. Using facial imaging, researchers found the group that received the pomegranate extract had significant reductions in wrinkle severity and a decrease in the rate of forehead sebum excretion. They also found beneficial effects to the gut-skin axis, noting that participants in the pomegranate extract group had a higher abundance of Eggerthellaceae in the gut with accompanying wrinkle reduction. The scientists concluded that the skin benefits from pomegranate extract may be due to the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of phytochemicals, as pomegranate contains more than 100 bioactive constituents.

Possible Links Between Veggie Diets and Depression

Plant-based diets have been associated with several health benefits, but not much is known about their effects on mental health. A new Brazilian study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders surveyed more than 14,000 people between the ages of 35 and 74 for a period of six months and found that those following a vegetarian diet were twice as likely to have a depressive episode than meat eaters, even when other lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and micronutrient intake were taken into account. The nature of this correlation between vegetarianism and depression is still unclear, and more research is needed.

Mr Boiko

Josep

Eco Loka Bonnie Pariser

by Kiki Powers

Have you paid a visit yet to Eco Loka? If not, a wonderful discovery awaits you, especially if you are an environmentally conscious consumer. That’s something we would all ideally aspire to when you consider that, according to Global Citizen, Americans produce 3 times as much garbage as the global average!

Eco Loka began, quite appropriately, as a matter of ecology. Professional yoga instructor Bonnie Pariser had initially opened Yoga Loka in Frenchtown NJ in 2003 to support the community that she loves. As part of the studio had previously been a retail shop, Bonnie used the space to offer a variety of items catering to her yoga clientele. But she had a larger dream, and she would soon enact it.

Bonnie had long envisioned a local refill shop and decided to manifest it by opening one herself. She already had the perfect spot in the Yoga Loka space, and Eco Loka was born. And it fused perfectly with yoga, expressing a life stance of ahimsa, Sanskrit for non-violence—in this case, to our environment.

In creating and running her planet-friendly hybrid business, owner Bonnie Pariser is acting on her passion for sustainable living and conservation. Her business model reflects her understanding that “going green” is not about occasional choices, but rather small, daily actions that become second nature over time.

They say you can’t consume your way to a more sustainable world. But, maybe you can if you do it right, that is. We all need certain daily essentials for our general well-being, and that of our families, and that makes us consumers. But there are many ways to obtain the products we need, as well as what kind of packaging we will accept. Or, whether we will settle for any planet-harming packaging at all!

Eco Loka offers an easy, affordable way to equip yourself and your family with the products you use regularly without also buying environmentally damaging paper or plastic each time. This means that by simply meeting your daily needs, you are also part of the solution, helping to reduce the volume of packaging that ends up in landfills, incinerators, and our precious oceans.

The Eco Loka concept is simple. You either bring in or buy reusable containers of your choice and fill them with the personal care and household items you love. Bonnie carries a wide range of options, many hand-crafted in house, including:

■ Shampoo/conditioner

■ Face & body crèmes/lotions

■ Massage oil

■ Dish soap

■ Laundry detergent

■ Dish soap

■ Shower/bath cleaner

■ Automatic dishwasher powder

■ Oxy Boost stain remover

Eco Loka also specializes in unique gifts, such as lush crèmes and lotions you can customize with aromatic essential oils, as well as lovely natural items crafted on site, such as bath bombs, salt, shower steamers, and more. Your options abound if you wish to cultivate a soothing, relaxing, fragrant atmosphere in your living space, spa, yoga studio, or office. Bonnie’s products are 100% plant-based, free of parabens, chemicals, and other dubious additives, and made from clean, beneficial, natural ingredients to ensure they work as well, or better, than those plastic-encased, mass market products.

Through Eco Loka, Bonnie also nourishes the local community with fun events and gatherings, such as her “make and take” workshop, where she invites guests to assemble personalized “Intention Candles” using soy wax, essential oils, herbs/botanicals, precious stones, and other natural ingredients.

Imagine if all our purchases were ethical and environmentally sustainable. Oh, what a world it could be. So, let’s “be the change we want to see,” one tiny action at a time. Future generations will thank us. Cheers to your eco-friendly life!

Location: 23 Race St., Frenchtown. Store hours: Thurs. 1-6pm; Fri. 1-5pm; Sat-Sun 12noon-5pm. Also, by appointment. For information contact Bonnie at 908-268-7430 (text is best) or EcoLokaNJ@ gmail.com. EcoLoca.shop. See ad, page 29.

Gas Stove Pollution Goes Unnoticed

A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology finds that gas stoves frequently leak dangerous pollutants into the kitchen. A team from PSE Health Energy collected samples from 159 gas stoves across California and sent them to a laboratory for analysis. The researchers found 12 pollutants in total, and four of these gases—benzene, toluene, hexane and m- or p-xylene—were present in 98 percent of the samples. Most of the stoves leaked at least a little, even when they were turned off.

The natural gas used in stoves is comprised mostly of methane and other hydrocarbons and gases. Before it is delivered into homes and business, most of the non-methane gases are removed and a strong-scented chemical is added to alert people to possible leaks. The leaks studied by the California researchers were not substantial enough for people to notice this rotten-egg smell, but they could still expose users to harmful and potentially cancer-causing pollutants. Those with gas stoves are encouraged to turn on their exhaust fans whenever they are in use.

Invasive Wild Hogs Pose Numerous Threats

There are approximately 6 million non-native, feral pigs in the United States. They destroy an estimated $2.5 billion in crops, pastures, forests and livestock each year across 35 states and jeopardize endangered species, including the Florida panther, green sea turtles and red-cheeked salamanders. But their greatest threat may be the potential to carry disease to humans, domesticated hogs and other animals.

The pigs were brought to the Americas from Europe as early as the 1500s. They reproduce quickly, with up to two litters of four to 12 piglets every 12 to 15 months, and can grow to be five feet long and weigh more than 500 pounds.

Feral swine can carry a long list of pathogens, including leptospirosis, brucellosis, swine influenza, salmonella, hepatitis and pathogenic E. coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture describes swine as a “mixing vessel species”, meaning that they are susceptible to human viruses and have the ability to create novel forms of those diseases. Human risk to known and new pathogens is greater from feral swine than other wildlife due to our proximity to them and their large numbers. Hunters and farmers are at greatest risk. Anyone that handles feral swine should wear rubber gloves and avoid fluid exchanges.

Rebuilding Coral Reefs With Sound

Rapid ocean warming and other effects caused by climate change have stressed and degraded corals around the globe, and scientists have been studying ways to rebuild, manage and conserve these vital ecosystems. A new Australian study published in Journal of Applied Ecology tested whether playing certain sounds underwater at reef restoration sites could boost the recruitment of oysters and enhance their habitat-building activities. Australia’s flat oyster is a key reef-building organism targeted for restoration efforts.

Previous studies had shown that the sound of healthy reefs differs from that of damaged reefs. Using inexpensive marine speakers, the researchers reproduced the sound of a healthy reef at four sites across two of the largest oyster reef restorations in Australia and compared the results to areas that did not receive this soundscape enrichment. The sonically enhanced areas resulted in the presence of more and larger oysters that formed more three-dimensional habitats atop the reef restorations. The scientists propose that the use of marine soundscapes during early stages of new reef restoration projects could reduce the cost of habitat recovery.

Gaia’s Gifts Ellen Perkins

by Kiki Powers

In our fast paced, contemporary society, people may be accomplishing a great deal, but at what cost? A busy lifestyle is only sustainable if we can stay healthy along the way. Enlightened self-care is about balance. It’s reflective of nourishment on all levels; mind, body, and spirit. And the best way to maintain this healthy equilibrium is by cultivating our daily awareness.

All of these elements factored into Ellen Perkins’ decision to open Gaia’s Gifts in 2015. She says, “It was my time to shift from the 9 to 5 life to living my Mind*Body*Spirit life.” As Ellen quickly discovered, there were quite a few others in her local community with similar feelings. In fact, the phone started ringing before she could even plan an opening event for the 300-square foot store.

Ellen started simply, with incense, tapestries, essential oils, and Himalayan salt lamps, gradually moving into a more adventurous array of unique/artisan gifts and natural wellness supplies from yoga mats, to crystals, to CBD products, medicinal tea blends, aromatherapy treatments, and more. As she continued listening to her growing following, she kept adding more elements, until what began as a cool gift shop evolved into a gracious community sanctuary ensconced in a wellness boutique.

The community response to Ellen’s eclectic array of healing options was so positive that demand grew exponentially, ultimately reaching a point where Ellen had to expand her store to meet it. After just a few years, she took her original 300-square foot space up to 1200 square

feet which allowed her to dramatically enrich her inventory.

Ellen continued to integrate natural healing tools, rituals, and experiences based on what people were hungry for.

One of many wellness experiences at Gaia’s Gifts involves the BioMat. This is also called hot crystal therapy, as these mats are partly comprised of amethyst crystal to produce a unique signal of infrared light. This phototherapy provides a gentle, enveloping warmth like an infrared sauna. The Bio Mat is believed to help relieve chronic pain, joint stiffness, stress, and anxiety, improve sleep, and assuage inflammation, among other benefits. If you have not yet had a BioMat nap, you have a soothing treat in store.

Ellen continues to nurture the community with fun, unique events and workshops, including sound bath healing, Japa meditation, rug hooking, tarot card

reading, and more, including her Conversation with Crystals event, in which she focuses on 4-5 crystals and how to incorporate them into your life.

Another sought after offering is her monthly Gong Bath/Sound Journey event where visitors can experience the rolling vibration of a 39” gong in a sound meditation. As Ellen explains, the gong vibrates the cells in your body to shake up and loosen stuck beliefs, energies, and toxins, moving them out to promote healing and new outlooks.

Over time, the beautiful Gaia’s Gifts hybrid of gift shop and wellness center has also come to represent an oasis of compassion and serenity in the local space. In fact, Ellen keeps a large, cushy chair accessible where friends and patrons can come and “clear” as needed or just tune in to a peaceful vibe.

People almost invariably seem to feel better when they leave Gaia’s Gifts, whether that’s due to a holistic treatment, one of Greg’s famous hugs, the intangible energy of the many crystals, aromatherapy, and healing botanicals, or simply being warmly welcomed in an atmosphere of soothing, healthy serenity. As Ellen has stated, “Gaia’s Gifts surrounds and uplifts us every day and I hope when you come, you feel that too.” Namaste!

Location: 16 Broad St., Unit #1, Washington. Hours: Tu-Fri: 11am-5:30pm; Sat: 10am-5pm; Closed Sun/Mon. For more information, call 908-223-1331 or visit facebook.com/GaiasGifts16/ and instagram. com/gaias_gifts. GaiasGifts.net. See ad, page 21.

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THE WINDS OF CHANGE

YOUNG ACTIVISTS PURSUE CLIMATE JUSTICE AND GREEN LIVING

by Sheila Julson

Born in the mid-to-late 1990s up to the early 2010s, Generation Z environmental activists agree that urgent action is needed to achieve climate justice, and they’re willing to do what it takes to get results. “Climate and environmental justice and environmental racism are very big concerns among youth, whether or not they are youth of color. It’s not just about energy, water or air—it’s also very much about people,” says Ana Garcia-Doyle, executive director of One Earth Collective. The Chicago nonprofit inspires action, facilitates learning and promotes environmental justice through annual programs like the One Earth Film Festival and One Earth Youth Voices, a summit designed to give voice to the next generation’s environmental concerns.

Kristi Blokhin/ShutterStock.com

Teens Take Charge

Marin Chalmers, a sophomore at Oak Park River Forest High School, in Illinois, and member of One Earth’s Youth Advisory Council, has been participating in the One Earth Young Filmmakers contest since the seventh grade. Her short documentary, Sondaica, is about wildlife and ecosystems.

Chalmers credits One Earth with helping her connect with people that normally would not be involved with climate activism. Her peers share in the understanding that there’s a climate crisis. “The Earth is breaking,” she explains. “We need to fix it. Everybody needs to do a better job of taking action.” Getting people to pay attention is challenging, Chalmers laments, especially given America’s overwhelming dependence on automobiles and the lack of public transportation. “A lot of people want to help, but just don’t know how,” she notes. “Some people don’t have the financial ability to make environmentally sound choices.”

Although individual action can help mitigate climate change, 16-year-old Sebastian Delgado, a Revolutionary Youth Action League (ROYAL) volunteer, blames polluting, profit-driven corporations for the climate crisis. “The biggest threat to our climate and people of color is capitalism,” he explains. “We need a new economic system that’s not based on profit.”

ROYAL volunteers like Delgado collaborated with Marlene Brito-Millán, Ph.D., an ecology assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago, and Dr. Bryan Ramson, a nuclear physicist and research associate at Fermilab, to craft a social justice plan that incorporates climate town hall meetings to raise awareness and develop action plans. According to Delgado, even when concerned citizens contact their elected representatives, leaders can be slow to act. “Climate change has been happening for decades, and we’re still dealing with the same issues,” he remarks, adding that bold ideas and unwavering action are needed when government officials won’t listen to their constituents.

Greening Urban Areas

In Austin, a predominantly Black neighborhood on the west side of Chicago, two 20-year-olds, Cortez Dean and Ethan Horne, work at paid internships in an urban farming program called Austin Grown, which raises chickens and maintains gardens with vegetables and native pollinators.

A collaboration between One Earth Collective and BUILD Chicago, a nationally respected youth development organization, Austin Grown serves urban communities where fruits and vegetables are hard to find. The organization also offers gardening and healthy eating classes to the public.

Dean is learning firsthand how climate change adversely affects farms, gardens and forests where food and medicinal plants are grown. During a summer heat wave, he witnessed a sewer pipe explode, filling his neighborhood with a powerful stench, and he worries that aging infrastructure will contaminate their drinking water.

“People assume there’s time to solve climate change, but we’re not slowing things down. There’s a lot of work to be done,” Horne

says, noting that food deserts disproportionately affect communities of color. “There are lots of areas with no grocery stores, or stores that only offer chips and candy, but no fruits and vegetables.”

Dean and Horne concur that gardening provides needed green infrastructure and nutritional food to underserved populations. “I didn’t fully understand climate change until I put my hands into the soil. When you do that, you’ll see Earth for what it is—and the damage we’ve done to it,” Dean says.

Activism on University Campuses

Originally from Waukesha County, Wisconsin, 21-year-old Grace Arnold feels lucky to have attended two schools with strong environmental programs and student engagement. At the University of Vermont, she participated in marches against fossil fuels and joined lively discussions about climate-related racism at the Social Justice Coalition. Now a student at University of Texas at Austin, she is enrolled in environmental studies classes and notes, “Students are forming environmental clubs. I’m grateful to again be surrounded by people trying to get their voices heard.”

Arnold was a social media volunteer for Plastic-Free MKE, a Milwaukee-based organization dedicated to reducing single-use plastic waste. She credits social media as a powerful tool that helps her generation reach people and organize activism. “Climate change is intertwined with social, economic and political issues,” she relates. “But small actions can make big impacts—and voting is a powerful thing.”

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

A NEW DAWN ON THE FARM FRONT

STEPPING AWAY FROM INDUSTRIALIZED AGRICULTURE

by Sandra Yeyati

We all have to eat, and the food industry is big business, with wide-ranging implications across many arenas. Because agriculture is controlled by a handful of multinational corporations, the priority to maximize profits often conflicts with what is best for human and planetary health. In many ways, our food production and consumption practices are broken or on the brink of failure. They are inhumane, socially unjust, environmentally unsound and unsustainable. Viable, achievable solutions to these immense challenges exist, and the emerging consensus is that regenerative organic agriculture is the key to preserving human health and helping solve the climate crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic uncovered weaknesses in the system, such as supply chain vulnerabilities, and altered human behavior as more people started cooking at home and exploring healthier lifestyle choices. The time is right to make positive changes to the way we grow, distribute and consume food.

The Problems With Our Current Industrial Farming Model

For decades, doctors, scientists, farmers and nonprofits at the forefront of the environmental movement have been sounding the alarm about the inherent weaknesses in the national food chain and the harmful effects of industrial agriculture. In his book Food Fix: How to Save Our Health, Our Economy, Our Communities and

Our Planet—One Bite at a Time, Dr. Mark Hyman notes, “Food is the nexus of most of our world’s health, economic, environmental, climate, social and even political crises. While this may seem like an exaggeration, it is not.”

In the late 1800s, American farming began to transition from small, diverse operations that produced a variety of crops and livestock to feed a family or community to an industrialized system dominated by multinational corporations that focused on maximizing yields of just a few crops, primarily corn, soy and wheat. Today, these crops overwhelmingly end up as animal feed, biofuels and cheap, processed food ingredients—a staple of the standard American diet since the 1950s.

Industrial agriculture is now the dominant food production system in this country, characterized by large-scale monoculture, heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and meat produced in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO). Most modest family farms have been forced to either get into business with a big company (contract farming) or go out of business. The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that 90 percent of the 9 billion chickens raised each year in the U.S. are grown under contract, and 57 percent of hogs are owned and slaughtered by just four companies. According to Rodale Institute, only 8 percent of farms produce more than four crops, while specialty crops like fruits, vegetables and nuts are grown on just 3 percent of cropland.

With industrial dominance comes numerous devastating consequences.

Human Health Costs

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, industrially produced food is bad for us on several fronts. Heavy pesticide use is poisoning our food, fertilizer is polluting our drinking water, junk food made of corn and soybeans is degrading our health and the overuse of antibiotics in CAFOs is accelerating the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bioethicist Peter Singer advises, “Factory farms are breeding grounds for new viruses. We’ve had swine flu and avian flu coming out of factory farms. It’s quite possible that the next pandemic will originate there.”

Zach Bush, a triple board-certified physician and producer of the documentary Farmer’s Footprint, says, “Over the last 25 years, we have seen the most profound explosion of chronic disease in human history. Research from around the globe now suggests that environmental factors are contributing to a combination of genetic, neurologic, autoimmune and metabolic injuries that underpin the collapse of health in our children and adults.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that chronic and mental health conditions account for 90 percent of the nation’s $4.1 trillion in annual health care expenditures. Obesity affects 20 percent of children and 42 percent of adults. More than 850,000 Americans die of heart disease or stroke annually, and 37 million have diabetes. Each year, more than 1.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer, while 600,000 succumb to the disease.

“Most of those diseases are caused by our industrial diet, which means they are avoidable if we transform the food we grow, the food we produce and the food we eat. Eleven million people die every year from a bad diet,” Hyman asserts.

Solutions Using Regenerative Organic Farming

Led by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which includes organizations and brands like Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia,

the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standard helps consumers make informed choices about their food purchases. Its three pillars—soil health, animal welfare and social fairness—are designed to ameliorate the problems associated with conventional agriculture.

Soil Health Equals Planetary and Human Health

Chemical-heavy farming practices employed by conventional agriculture deplete topsoil, draining it of all its organic matter— the very microbiome needed to nourish the plants we grow and ultimately nourish us. In 2014, Maria-Helena Semedo, of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, said that if current farming practices continue, we have only 60 years of harvest left. The clock is ticking.

Farming techniques proposed by the ROC are designed to continually rebuild soil. They are proven by years of science done at Rodale Institute and practical results achieved by regenerative organic farmers already growing food this way. “On the farm that we operate here at the Institute, we know that Native Americans were farming this land 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. We’d like to be farming this land 8,000 to 10,000 years from now. We probably won’t be using tractors or diesel fuel, but we will be using the soil,” says Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Moyer.

Under ROC standards that include a variety of rotating crops, cover crops, no tillage, no synthetic inputs of any kind, no genetically modified seeds and staggered grazing by animals, farms become

biodiverse ecosystems with organically rich soil that absorbs water, doesn’t erode over time and produces safe, nutritious food. As J.I. Rodale said, “Healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people.”

Healthy soil draws carbon from the atmosphere deep into the ground, and that is a boost for our fight against climate change. “Regenerative organic farming has a very positive impact on climate, because we’re sequestering more carbon than we are emitting,” Moyer explains. “Under its current production model, agriculture is part of the problem. If it’s part of the problem, then it can and should be part of the solution. That’s the whole premise behind the [ROC] standard itself—treating agriculture as one of the primary tools that we’re going to use as a society to improve our relationship with the planet.”

Animal Welfare Is the Right Thing to Do

Under the ROC model, animals must be raised in a humane way that frees them from discomfort, fear, distress, hunger, pain, injury and disease, while also being able to express normal behavior. To achieve these aims, they need to be taken out of CAFOs and reintegrated into farmland, so that they are pasture-raised and grass-fed, creating meat that is more nutritious and less diseased without chemical interventions.

“We’re integrating animals onto the cropland, with livestock, chickens, sheep and hogs. Imagine what the Great Plains of the United States was 500 years ago. You had bison, elk, deer, rabbits, wolves and myriad different birds, because the birds always followed the migrating animals. We’re trying to mimic that to a small degree on our ranch,” says North Dakota farmer Gabe Brown, who started transitioning into regenerative organic practices in the mid-1990s and wrote an influential book on the subject, Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture.

Social Fairness and Farming Resilience

Taking care of the farmers and workers that plant, raise, harvest and transport our food is not just the right thing to do, it also creates a system that is more stable and resilient, says Graham Christensen, a Nebraska farmer and president of GC Resolve. “There are serious issues with how the big agricultural companies are treating workers. We saw horrible situations with COVID in the meatpacking plants and how the workers were being treated. This is just one of the many reasons that this over-centralized, monopolized system is affecting people in bad ways,” he says. “Regenerative organic farming requires more hands-on work, which creates jobs. Structural changes in the food production system to decentralize agriculture in favor of regional markets comprised of smaller farms would allow for more equity and better management of the ecosystem.”

Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings magazine.

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OUTDOOR SAFETY FOR PETS

HELPFUL TIPS TO NAVIGATE HAZARDS

by Paige Cerulli

With nicer spring weather, pets will likely spend more time outside. Whether lounging in the backyard, taking a walk around the neighborhood or venturing out to a dog park, our awareness of potential dangers is important. Despite the risks, there is no reason to keep pets cooped up. With diligence, protecting our furry best friends can become second nature as we safely enjoy the great outdoors together with our pets.

Home and Yard

A fenced yard might seem like a safe space for pets, but that is not always the case. “Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are just a few of the toxic substances that could be in a pet owner’s yard,” explains veterinarian Alex Schechter, of Burrwood Veterinary, in Royal Oak, Michigan. “These substances can harm dogs and cats if they are consumed or come into contact with a pet’s skin.”

A 2013 study published in Environmental Research found that dogs exposed to

professionally applied lawn care pesticides had a 70 percent higher risk of developing canine malignant lymphoma than dogs that were not exposed to these products.

Schechter recommends that pet owners choose non-chemical lawn management methods that are safe for pets, like neem oil or diatomaceous earth. “Reduce the use of chemicals by using organic farming practices or natural fertilizers,” he says.

Veterinarian Dwight Alleyne, an advisor at Betterpet, cautions that a yard might be home to plants that are poisonous to pets. “Some of these plants could include lilies, sago palms, tulips and oleander,” he advises. “It is important for pet owners who have a backyard to be able to identify any potential hazards before leaving their pet out unattended.”

Neighbors’ Yards

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mouse or rat poison is a popular pest control choice that kills by causing excessive bleeding. Use of this

product can be extremely dangerous to pets if they ingest either a poisoned rodent or the poison itself. Schechter warns, “If you see bait stations or dead rats, those areas may have been treated with a rodenticide.” He advises pet owners to have a conversation with their neighbors, suggesting the use of snap or electronic traps as more humane and less toxic alternatives.

Driveways

Coal tar sealants used on driveways contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) that, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may pass through skin or be inhaled. In large amounts, PAHs can irritate eyes and breathing, and several PAHs are carcinogenic in humans. Avoid sealing driveways with any coal tar products. When out for walks, pet owners should keep their dogs off other driveways, as well.

Outdoor Excursions

Dog parks carry several risks, including exposure to intestinal parasites. A 2020 study found that 85 percent of the 288 dog parks sampled had at least one dog infected with gastrointestinal parasites like Giardia, hookworms, whipworms or roundworms. These parasites can be transmitted when dogs eat or sniff poop.

“It is recommended that your dog is on a monthly heartworm preventative, which can help protect against common parasites that they may encounter,” says Alleyne. If a dog regularly visits dog parks, a vet can perform a fecal exam to identify and treat any intestinal parasites that the dog may have contracted.

When visiting ponds and lakes, beware of blue-green algae bacteria, which commonly proliferate in freshwater bodies, particularly during summer months. Dogs can ingest algae by playing in or drinking the water, or when licking their paws. In large quantities, algae can be toxic to dogs (and humans). Because algae are not always visible, keeping dogs leashed around bodies of fresh water is best.

Since 2004

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.

Paige Cerulli is a freelance writer in Western Massachusetts specializing in the health and care of pets.

KID-APPROVED AUTISM DIETS STRATEGIES TO

OPTIMIZE NUTRITION AND ACCEPTANCE

by Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by challenges with social interaction and communication. For parents of children with autism, learning to manage this condition requires a multidimensional approach, including consideration of food and nutrition. A personalized, nutritious diet can help manage behavioral problems, health risks and quality of life for kids with autism.

Beth Lambert, executive director of Epidemic Answers, says, “Once you come to understand autism as a whole-body condition, rather than just a brain-based or genetic condition, you start to understand the importance of nutrition in treatment and symptom management.” Not only does a nutritious diet help maintain brain balance, it also helps address many of the nutrition-related concerns that children with autism face, such as food sensitivities and allergies, digestive disruptions, sensory issues with textures and nutrient deficiencies. Each of these issues can impact a child’s behavior.

An essential piece of the autism and diet connection is gut health. Gaby McPherson, MS, RDN, LDN, at Fruitful Nutrition says, “Because a child’s gut health is linked to their brain health, it’s crucial to boost their gut function to reduce these symptoms that can impact their behaviors. Who wants to go around with a tummy ache and constipation every day?”

Yaffi Lvova, RDN, author of Beyond a Bite: Playful Sensory Food Exploration for ASD and Neurodivergent Kids, advises that individual abilities also should be considered when developing a nutrition plan. “Autistic children often have sensory sensitivities that make it difficult to eat certain (sometimes many) foods,” she says.

Therapeutic Diets

Many therapeutic diets have been evaluated for children with autism. Most involve the elimination of one or more foods, which can be challenging for a child that already has difficulty getting a wide variety of nutrients.

A popular option is the gluten- and casein-free diet. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Casein is a protein found in milk and other dairy products. While some children with autism may be sensitive to gluten or dairy, this is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and there is mixed data in support of this regimen.

Another choice is the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD), which involves limiting certain carbohydrates, processed foods, most dairy, sugar and more, with the goal of reducing food sensitivities and improving the gut microbiome. Mixed outcomes have been reported with this diet due in part to its elimination of high-fiber foods that may be beneficial for brain health. McPherson explains, “Gut bacteria digest (or ferment) fiber in the large intestines to produce short-chain fatty acids, which are known to improve brain health significantly.”

The Feingold diet is another approach that eliminates artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives and salicylates. Salicylates are compounds found in certain fruits and vegetables. While there is some evidence that food dyes may play a role in children’s behavior, most studies on this diet have not demonstrated a significant impact on ASD symptoms.

Personalized Nutrition

Instead of following a specific therapeutic diet, most experts now understand that a diet for ASD needs to be personalized to each child. It is ideal to work with a registered dietitian that can address nutrient and feeding concerns and is trained to make individualized recommendations. A primary area to focus on, according to Lambert, is correcting vitamin deficiencies, which may play a role in improving behavioral and digestive challenges. Nutrients of concern include zinc, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and essential fatty acids.

McPherson also relates that fiber should be at the forefront of any diet to address digestive concerns. “While many children on the spectrum may strongly prefer foods like chips, crackers, bread or white pastas, these foods tend to be lacking in fiber,” she says. “Good sources of fiber are split peas, multigrain breads and pears.”

A registered dietitian can also help families evaluate whether a diet is working. Lvova says, “It can be challenging to see whether a specific diet is working or not. When a change is made, the parents and caregivers often pay more attention in order to see if there is a difference, and the child responds positively to the change in attention. By keeping expectations realistic and ensuring a relaxed mealtime atmosphere, your child will have the best chance to meet their nutritional needs.” Ultimately, the goal is to make meals a positive experience for the child, with less emotional investment on which foods they can or cannot eat.

Ana Reisdorf is a registered dietitian and freelance writer with more than 15 years of exper ience in the fields of nutrition and dietetics.

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TOXIC OVERLOAD

HOW TO CLEAN OUR WATER, FOOD AND INDOOR AIR

by Madiha M. Saeed, M.D.

Toxins are in the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chemical Substances Control Inventory shows the magnitude of our potential exposure, listing more than 86,000 industrial chemicals that are manufactured or processed in this country. Despite regulations and safety protocols, a number of these dangerous compounds run off into waterways or are released into the atmosphere. Food manufacturers use some of them to preserve or beautify their products.

“We live in an increasingly toxic world, and the best defense against becoming overwhelmed by toxins is limiting what we take in as much as possible,” emphasizes Paul Anderson, an integrative and naturopathic clinician and co-author of Outside the Box Cancer Therapies. While our bodies are not designed to handle the accumulation of industrial chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuti-

cals and radiation that seep into our personal space, we can take measures to reduce the assault and protect our health.

Filter Drinking Water

“For the health-conscious individual, toxins in the water is the top threat often overlooked or inadequately addressed,” says Rajka Milanovic Galbraith, an Illinois-based functional medicine practitioner, noting that drinking water is packed with chemicals like per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (also known as forever chemicals), solvents, pesticides, metals, bleach and radiological contaminants such as uranium and cesium. These substances can cause cancer, reproductive health concerns, and kidney and liver problems.

“I have treated hundreds of patients who have restored their health and are already eating and living clean by properly filtering their water, but sometimes, even when using a very expensive water filtration system, people will still find high levels of contaminants like MTBE [methyl tertiary-butyl ether], an additive in unleaded gasoline that is banned in several states,” Galbraith says. “Reverse osmosis typically filters most hazardous chemicals from your water, but they can be pricier. An inexpensive alternative are the filters from Clearly Filtered, which reportedly remove 99 percent of MTBE, among many other chemicals.”

“Everyone should try to filter their water with any means available, from a carbon block pitcher to the most aggressive method using a reverse osmosis water filter under their sink. Given the state of municipal—and well—water and the amount we need to clean our bodies and brains every day over a lifetime, we need to

get this right,” advises Aly Cohen, M.D., an integrative rheumatologist, founder of The Smart Human and co-author of Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World.

Read Food Labels

“For the individual newer on their health journey, I would say food additives are the ‘hidden’ environmental exposure that is a serious cause for concern, contributing to autoimmune diseases and from a metabolic standpoint, think weight gain, obesity, pre-diabetes and diabetes,” Galbraith says. “These additives are used to increase palatability, shelf life and texture and can include some you may have heard of, like sucralose, citrate and carrageenan, and others you may not have, like carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80. Carrageenan is common in many nondairy milk alternatives that have made their way into coffee shops.”

According to Galbraith, the most effective way to steer clear of food additives is to avoid or greatly minimize the consumption of highly processed foods. She recommends eating whole foods, especially for those dealing with chronic health issues or experiencing signs or symptoms of an ailment. She also encourages people to read food labels and avoid products with artificial colors, carrageenan, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates and nitrites, polysorbate 80, propyl gallate, propylparaben, methylparaben, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and titanium dioxide.

“You are what you eat!” Cohen exclaims. “Eating clean food, without synthetic chemicals that break down the protective microbiome of the gut, is critical to the health of our immune system and our mental health, so we should try to eat whole, unprocessed foods that are USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] Certified Organic whenever possible.”

Improve Indoor Air

According to the EPA, “Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.” The Environmental Working Group offers a comprehensive blueprint at ewg.org/healthyhomeguide that identifies dangerous chemicals found indoors (from lead, asbestos and flame retardants to volatile organic compounds, antimicrobial agents and radon) and recommends actions to clean up our sanctuaries.

“We can lower our toxic burden by decreasing the chemicals in the air that we breathe, and that begins by reducing the junk we bring into our homes,” Cohen remarks. “Start by removing air fresheners, perfumes, bug sprays, scented cleaning and laundry products, and by opening the windows daily, adding lots of plants and possibly adding an air filter for those who live in cities and areas with poor air quality.”

Madiha Saeed is a holistic, functional and integrative doctor in Naperville, Illinois, and director of education for Documenting Hope and KnoWEwell.

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Thyroid medication: why less really is more

by Dr. Raquel Espinol

Introduction

The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by releasing hormones called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). When the thyroid underperforms, it causes everything in your body to work less efficiently. This is known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism affects more than 30 million American adults and is five to eight times more common in females.1 By conservative estimates, one in eight women will develop hypothyroidism.1

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This makes up 75-85% of hypothyroid cases. Oftentimes, people with Hashimoto’s struggle to find a medication or treatment plan that works for them and continue to suffer through symptoms like:

• Fatigue

• Feeling cold

• Losing hair

• Gaining weight

• Depression

While there are many treatment options for hypothyroidism, not all are created equal. Selecting the most appropriate one is vital to managing this disease.

What can interfere with hypothyroid therapy?

Some commonly used prescription drugs that can interfere with thyroid medication absorption and efficacy:

• Antacids

• Lithium

• Amiodarone

• Antibiotics

• Antidepressants

• Dopamine agonists

• Colestipol

• Cholestyramine

• Estrogen, testosterone

Thyroid hormones: T3 and T4

The two hormones to remember are T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). T4 circulates throughout your bloodstream and is stored in your tissues until needed. Once your body finds a need, it converts T4 into T3. Establishing the exact levels of T4 and T3, and determining if the conversion process is working normally, are critical to designing the best treatment approach.

While most healthcare providers understand the critical nature of T4 to T3 conversion, many fail to recognize the factors that affect this process. These include:

• Nutritional deficiencies/excesses

• Autoimmune diseases

• Gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease, acid reflux, or irritable bowel syndrome

• Use of interfering medications like proton pump inhibitors (Nexium® and Prevacid®, for example) or H2 blockers (Tagamet®, for example), which inhibit the dissolution and absorption of thyroid hormone tablets

• The body’s own obstacles to converting T4 to T3

Some people continue to suffer from hypothyroid symptoms despite being on medication for years. But with some effort, patients can work with their doctor to find an approach that works for them.

Some commonly used nutraceuticals that can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medicines:

• Iron

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Chromium picolinate

Some foods that can interfere with absorption of medication:

• Soy products

• High-fiber/high-bran foods

• Calcium-enriched foods/beverages

Digestive complications or diseases such as celiac disease, autoimmune gastritis, and irritable bowel syndrome can also complicate thyroid hormone therapy.

Make sure to discuss with your doctor all of your medical conditions, medications (both prescription and nonprescription), and nutritional supplements before starting or switching thyroid hormone therapy.

Dr. Raquel Espinol graduated with honors and received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine). She struggled with her own thyroid condition, which was not successfully managed until she discovered naturopathic medicine and worked with a naturopathic doctor to control her condition. This firsthand success inspired her to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine specializing in thyroid diseases.

Dr. Espinol works with men and women addressing thyroid conditions, hormone imbalances, and weight loss. She is licensed to practice in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Montana.

Common choices for treating hypothyroidism

The most common treatments for hypothyroidism include T4 monotherapy with levothyroxine, natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) aka “glandular thyroid,” and a regimen of T4 and T3 medications taken together. Figuring out the best option for you may take some time. See the accompanying chart for pros/cons of commonly used hypothyroidism therapies.

T4 monotherapy

Pros:

• Current standard of care for hypothyroidism

• Proven safe and effective

• Available at all pharmacies

• Usually low cost

Cons:

• GI conditions, medications, sensitivities to excipients/ inactive ingredients in tablet formulations can interfere with absorption and tolerability

Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT)

Pros:

• Contains both key thyroid hormones: T4 and T3

• An option for people who need supplemental T3

Cons:

• Derived from thyroid glands of pigs – an issue for vegans

• NDT therapies are tablets that contain excipients or “fillers”

• The T4:T3 ratio contained in NDT tablets is 5:1 – different than the normal human ratio of these hormones

• Can lead to cardiac problems like rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and feelings of anxiety

• It comes from pigs and may contain porcine antigens, which may be problematic for some people

• Not all pharmacies carry NDT products. Not all insurance carriers pay for them

Combined T4 and T3 medication therapy

Pros:

• Consistent potency

• Can be an option for those in need of supplemental T3

• Available at most pharmacies

Cons:

• Two separate medicines that need to be taken daily. T4 is taken once a day; T3 may be recommended in multiple daily doses

• Some insurance plans may require two medication copays

• T3 can be risky for some patients with cardiovascular conditions. Some patients can experience heart palpitations and other side effects

Malabsorption and drug underperformance

Most thyroid hormone therapies come in tablet form. These contain inactive ingredients such as wheat starch (gluten), talc, lactose, sugars, and dyes that help hold the tablet together, but also can impede the absorption of their active ingredient, which results in suboptimal or inconsistent levels of thyroid hormones. When this happens, many patients often believe they need to change medication rather than address the factors that contribute to their therapy’s poor performance. They turn to their physician for new therapies in the hope that these can provide long hopedfor relief from their symptoms.2

Nutritional support

Nutrition can play a role in managing hypothyroidism. However, few patients can treat hypothyroidism with nutritional supplements alone. Some examples of helpful nutritional supplements include inositol, nigella, B vitamins, and selenium. However, excess amounts of certain nutritional supplements can also lead to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Always tell your physician about all drugs and supplements that you are currently taking as well as your soy, fiber, and non-animal product intake.

Thyroid treatment: sometimes less is more

Less is often more when it comes to hypothyroid treatment. Tirosint®-SOL (levothyroxine sodium) oral solution is a unique liquid hypothyroid medication made with only three ingredients. It contains no fillers or other ingredients that can irritate your stomach or lead to poor drug absorption. Because it’s a liquid, it doesn’t need to dissolve in your stomach like a tablet or capsule before your body starts to absorb it. It’s not made with any ingredients sourced from animals, and it’s easy to swallow and comes in precise monodose ampules that can be conveniently stored for travel. You can pour it into a glass of water and drink it, or you can squeeze the contents of the ampule directly into your mouth.

Since Tirosint-SOL consists of just water, glycerol, and levothyroxine, it’s a very simple yet effective solution for treating hypothyroidism. This is important to me. Additionally, I want to ensure my patients have consistent access to the thyroid medication that works best for them. That being said, Tirosint-SOL has a generous coupon program and low-cost mail-order option to help patients without insurance or with high insurance copays/ deductibles. These can be found on the product’s website.

So, which treatment is right for you?

Share your answers to the following with your physicians so they can work with you to pick the right option for you:

• Have you been treated for hypothyroidism and are dissatisfied with the results?

• Do you want a simpler approach?

• Do you need a drug that is free of excipients like gluten, dyes, lactose, and preservatives?

• Do you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or another GI condition?

• Problems swallowing?

Please see Important Safety Information on the following page or toward the back of this issue, and Full Prescribing Information at TirosintSOL.com.

References: 1. American Thyroid Association Website. https://www.thyroid.org/mediamain/press-room/. Accessed December 8, 2022. 2. McMillan M, et al. Results of the CONTROL Surveillance Project. Drugs in R&D. 2015;16(1):53-68. PM-01-22-0089

WARNING: NOT FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY OR FOR WEIGHT LOSS

• Thyroid hormones, including TIROSINT-SOL, either alone or with other therapeutic agents, should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss.

• In euthyroid patients, doses within the range of daily hormonal requirements are ineffective for weight reduction.

• Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestations of toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to glycerol

• Uncorrected adrenal insufficiency

Warnings and Precautions

• Cardiac adverse reactions in the elderly and in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease: Initiate TIROSINT-SOL at less than the full replacement dose because of the increased risk of cardiac adverse reactions, including atrial fibrillation

• Myxedema coma: Do not use oral thyroid hormone drug products to treat myxedema coma

• Acute adrenal crisis in patients with concomitant adrenal insufficiency: Treat with replacement glucocorticoids prior to initiation of TIROSINT-SOL treatment

• Prevention of hyperthyroidism or incomplete treatment of hypothyroidism: Proper dose titration and careful monitoring is critical to prevent the persistence of hypothyroidism or the development of hyperthyroidism

• Worsening of diabetic control: Therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus may worsen glycemic control and result in increased antidiabetic agent or insulin requirements. Carefully monitor glycemic control after starting, changing, or discontinuing thyroid hormone therapy

• Decreased bone mineral density associated with thyroid hormone over-replacement: Over-replacement can increase bone reabsorption and decrease bone mineral density. Give the lowest effective dose

Limitations of Use

• Not indicated for suppression of benign thyroid nodules and nontoxic diffuse goiter in iodine-sufficient patients

• Not indicated for treatment of transient hypothyroidism during the recovery phase of subacute thyroiditis

Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions associated with TIROSINT-SOL are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage including: arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, dyspnea, muscle spasm, headache, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, tremors, muscle weakness, increased appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, heat intolerance, menstrual irregularities, and skin rash

For Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, visit www.TirosintSOL.com

“I was pleasantly surprised at how gentle

non-invasive the procedure felt. ... I recommend Kristin and acupuncture to anyone in need of competent, capable and heart-felt care.” ~ Sue U.

The Earth as Muse INSPIRATION MEETS CONSERVATION

by Marlaina Donato

The Earth is both our mother and our muse, sustaining our lives and blessing us with beauty when we make time to notice her perpetual creative forces. She has long inspired expressive souls of all disciplines, but some of our modern innovators are merging talent with the urgent need to minimize toxic impact. This eco-vision has resulted in some awe-inspiring efforts.

In an awareness-based art installation he calls Ice Watch, Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson collected 30 blocks of glacial ice found free-floating near Greenland and placed them in public settings across London where passersby could observe them melting.

Artists John Dahlsen and Rox De Luca spotlight the plastic waste catastrophe in their sculptures and paintings by using debris washed up on the shores of Australia’s beaches. Their sculptural assemblages hang from ceilings and criss-cross walls, driving home the prediction by the World Economic Forum that by 2050 our precious oceans will be more crowded with plastic than marine life.

When creating our own art, we can join these stirring visionaries by minimizing toxic impacts.

Buy Earth-friendly art supplies for the kids. The common crayon contains chemicals like formaldehyde and asbestos, which are harmful to humans and the planet. Opt for biodegradable glitter, non-toxic modeling clays and recycled paper. For more sustainable supply ideas, visit Tinyurl.com/EcoArtSupplies

Get creative with single-use trash items. Paper towel cardboard rolls, plastic shopping bags, bottles, straws and cutlery can be turned into fun projects for kids, teens and adults. Whimsical mobiles, sculptures and magical miniature cities are just a few ideas to conjure while contributing to Earth Day every day. For more ideas, visit Tinyurl.com/SingleUseTrashToArt.

Inspire environmentalism by choosing art implements that celebrate nature. Consider using alternatives to toxic solvents, pigments and varnishes. Look for sustainable brushes made from bamboo or corn and easels fashioned from eucalyptus wood.

Marlaina Donato is a visionary painter who hosts art exhibits for community healing. She is also an author and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Image courtesy of JohnDahlsen.com

daily & ongoing

APRIL 2023

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

Holistic Health and Healing Expo – 10am5pm. This outstanding expo is the go-to resource for natural wellness and green living. Now accepting vendor and speaker applications. Philadelphia Mainline, The Inn at Villanova University, Radnor. For more information, contact Shae Marcus at 856-797-2227. HHHExpo.com. . The Inn at Villanova University, 601 County Line Rd, Wayne. HHHExpo.com.

Sunday Japa Meditation – 11am-12:15pm; Apr. 2, 16, 23. Japa is the repetitive chanting of a sacred mantra 108 times. Each session is learning a mantra, practicing it together 108 times, and applying it to your everyday life. $20. Text Chris at 908-235-6394 for mantra of the week. 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.

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

Natural Sound Bath – 6-7pm - Natural sound baths use guided sounds, singing, chanting, and the sounds of nature to bring tranquility and peace into your life. Get the benefits of a crystal bowl sound bath without the need of higher pitched instruments. Bring mat, pillow, etc. $25, pre-registration required. A Year and a Day Mystical Shoppe, 413 Bond St., Asbury Park. For information call 848-217-2371 or visit AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 6:309:30pm. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all for tools to help you change your life for the better. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 6:30-7:30pm. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 7:30-8:30pm. Better Sleep with Hypnosis – 8:309:30pm. $59 each session. Kearny High School, 336 Devon St., Kearny. For more information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter.com. HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Sound Healing Bowls & Self Care – 2-3pm; 4-wk series. Learn about different kinds of singing bowls, how they work with the mind-body connection, and how they can be used as holistic medicine. Presented by Katie Brunner, Certified Sound Healer. Yoga

All calendar events for the May 2023 issue must be received by April 10 and adhere to our guidelines. To submit, visit naturalawakeningscnj.com/pages/calendar-listings or email kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com for submission form.

Central, 953 US Hwy 202 North, Branchburg. For information call 908-707-0759 or visit YogaCentralNJ.com.

Past Lives Regression Workshop – 6-8pm. Join us as we take a look into your past. Past lives, that is! Join Howard Mertine (Alternative Therapies Work, LLC) with Everett Magie (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. $40. Pay at door or PayPal Howard at hgmertine@gmail.com.

Location: Alien Ink Tattoos: 264 Route 206 South, Unit 3, Flanders. For information call 973-652-7962.

MONDAY, APRIL 17

Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 6:309:30pm. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all for tools to help you change your life for the better. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 6:30-7:30pm. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 7:30-8:30pm. Better Sleep with Hypnosis – 8:30-9:30pm. $50 each session. Parsippany Hills High School, 24 Rita Dr., Parsippany. For more information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter.com. HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

Dancing with Dragons – 8-9:30pm. Dragons are ancient celestial beings that are here to help guide us, protect us and work with us as we go through life. Lauren creates a sacred space for you to be able to connect with dragons and have them be more present on your spiritual journey. $20, pre-registration required. A Year and a Day Mystical Shoppe, 413 Bond St., Asbury Park. For information and to register, call 848-217-2371 or visit AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

Aura Photo Day – 11am-5:30pm. Get your energetic signature in living color through the powerful perspective of Aura photography. Photo and detailed report is included along with an intuitive reading by Sondra. $40. Walk-ins welcome, but appts. appreciated. Ellen Perkins at Gaia’s Gifts, 16 Broad St., Washington. For information, call 908-2231331 or email Ellen at perkins145@comcast. net. GaiasGifts.net. $40. Gaia’s Gift, 16 Broad Street, Washington. 908-223-1331. GaiasGifts.net.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

Change Your Life with Hypnosis – 6:309:30pm. Barry Wolfson leads three one-hour sessions. Take any or all for tools to help you change your life for the better. Stop Smoking with Hypnosis – 6:30-7:30pm. Lose Weight with Hypnosis – 7:30-8:30pm. Better Sleep with Hypnosis – 8:30-9:30pm. $60 each session. Columbia High School, 17 Parker Ave., Maplewood. For more information, contact Barry at 908-303-7767 or barry@hypnosiscounselingcenter.com. HypnosisCounselingCenter.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

Gong Bath Sound Journey – 6:30-8pm; 3rd Fri. each mo. Sound vibration powerfully moves stuck energy. Spend an evening relaxing to the sounds of a 39” gong, antique singing bowl, crystal singing bowls and other sound makers. $35. Ellen Perkins at Gaia’s Gifts, 16 Broad St., Washington. RSVP appreciated as space is limited. For information, call 908-223-1331 or email Ellen at perkins145@comcast.net GaiasGifts.net

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Afternoon Tea Leaf Reading – 2-4pm. Tasseography is the divination method that interprets patterns in tea leaves. You will be personally guided to read the symbols in your teacup. $29. RSVP no later than 4/19 as space is limited. 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. $29. Gaia’s Gift, 16 Broad Street, Washington. 908-2231331. GaiasGifts.net.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Past Lives Regression Workshop – 6-8pm. Join us as we take a look into your past. Past lives, that is! 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. Pay at door or at paypal.me/gaiasgiftsnj/30. Ellen Perkins at Gaia’s Gifts, 16 Broad St., Washington. RSVP by 4/19 as space is limited to 12 people. For information, call 908-223-1331 or email Ellen at perkins145@ comcast.net. GaiasGifts.net.

MONDAY, APRIL 24

Soul Shamanism 201 – 7-9:30pm. 101 was an introduction, and 201 completes the training. Learning to move through any blocks into wholeness, health, happiness, truth, beauty, and light allows your entire life to transform into perfect alignment. In this class, you will join more fully with your timeless self and know more clearly about your life and soul purpose. We explore new dimensions of us in various realms and find our true nature divine, with solutions always available. $425/$450. Be The Medicine, 247 North Road, Chester. For information, call 973647-2500, email Janet@BeTheMedicine. com or visit BetheMedicine.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27

Light Language Activation/Workshop –7-8:30pm In this workshop, Michael will explain in depth the language of the light. He will channel it to each participant, giving them an activation of their unique light codes. This workshop is a great way for beginners to learn about and experience Light Language. $25.00 per person. PreRegistration required. A Year and a Day Mystical Shoppe, 413 Bond St., Asbury Park. For information call 848-217-2371 or visit AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

Violets: Culinary and Medicinal Delights – 1-3pm. Explore all the joyful benefits of violet. Learn how its cooling energetics support the lymph, the skin, the nervous system and more. Includes guided meditation, journaling, crafting violet infused vinegar to take home, plus DIY recipes and how to work with violets as food and medicine. $45. Mad Lavender Farm, 452 Co Rd 579, Milford. 908-310-5973. Register at MadLavenderFarm.com/violets-culinaryand-medicinal-delights-april/

ongoing

monday

Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong: Beyond Beginners – 12noon. In this class, Patty Pagano guides students into greater depth analysis and refinement of movements. Prerequisite Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong for beginners. Held at Dunellen studio. Series discounts: $80/4wk or $100/5-wk or drop in $25. For more information and studio address, contact Patty at 908-392-1313 or pattyqigongforhealing@ gmail.com. QiGongForHealing.com.

Yoga for Mobility and Joint Health – 12 noon-1pm; Zoom option. Learn the JFS (Joint Freeing Series), a 21- movement sequence that increases mobility and prana flow in the body. The JFS has been used to alleviate

symptoms from arthritis, back pain, hip pain, neck issues, lack of energy, sleeplessness, digestive issues and more. All levels of ability and fitness are welcome. No prior experience required. Wear whatever you are comfortable in. Online option available (via zoom) upon request once registered. $108. Yoga Loka, 23 Race St., Frenchtown Borough, NJ. 908268-7430. For information visit Yoga-Loka. com/workshops.html.

Bhagavad Gita – 6:15-7:15pm; Zoom. The Bhagavad Gita is a divine conversation between Arjuna, the Warrior and Krishna. There are many gifts for all of us in this tale that teaches us about karma, dharma, artha and moksha. We will go through the

story together to uncover the gems left for us to through study, meditation and conversation. 10-week series Mondays. $200. For information visit Yoga-Loka.com/ workshops.html.

tuesday

Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong: Beginners – 2pm; In this class, students learn 15 meditative and repeating movements that will help you relax and open your mind, body and qi. This class also teaches principles of alignment. No prerequisite required. Instructor is Patty Pagano. Held at Chester studio. Series discounts: $80/4-wk or $100/5-wk or drop

in $25.For more information and studio address, contact Patty at 908-392-1313 or pattyqigongforhealing@gmail.com. QiGongForHealing.com.

Tuesday Meditations – 6:30-7:30pm. Join our weekly group guided meditations. De-stress from your hectic weekend and Manic Monday. Beginners to Advanced. Bring meditation mat, pillow, etc. $10 per person; pre-registration required. Private sessions and veteran discounts available. For information call 848-217-2371 or visit AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

thursday

Functional Fascia - 11:45am-12:45pm; 6-wk series 3/30-5/4; Zoom option. If you have trouble moving fluidly when you wake up in the morning, if you feel like no matter how much you stretch you are still tight, if you have pain that roves around your body, you might have tight fascia. Tight fascia can lead to arthritis, inflammation, premature aging and a general sense of feeling blah. No previous yoga experience required. Dress comfortably. $120. Yoga Loka, 23 Race Street, Frenchtown Borough. 908-2687430. Yoga-Loka.com/workshops.html.

Wu Ji Jing Gong Qi Gong: Beginners –7:45pm. Students learn 15 meditative and repeating movements that will help you relax and open your mind, body and qi. This class also teaches principles of alignment. No prerequisite required. Instructor is Patty Pagano. Held at Dunellen studio. Series discounts: $80/4-wk or $100/5-wk or drop in $25. For more information and studio address, contact Patty at 908-392-1313 or pattyqigongforhealing@gmail.com. QiGongForHealing.com.

fridays

Yoga for Back care with Yoga Therapist Bonnie Pariser – 10:45-11:45am; 3/244/28. Yoga practice has been shown to help alleviate back pain, however, not all poses work for all back pain. The Structural Yoga Therapy techniques taught will help to heal your body. Previous yoga experience is not necessary. This workshop will benefit anyone who suffers from back pain. Online option available (via zoom) upon request once registered for the workshop. $120. Yoga Loka, 23 Race Street, Frenchtown Borough. 908-268-7430. Yoga-Loka.com/ workshops.html.

Friday Psychic Readings and Energy Healings – 2-7pm. Get a 10-minute Reading or Energy Healing for only $20. Walk-ins or appointments are welcome. A Year and a Day Mystical Shoppe, 413 Bond St., Asbury Park. For information call 848-217-2371 or email Ayearandadaymysticalshoppe@yahoo.com. AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

classifieds

•

Have a business opportunity, job opening, space for rent or other need? Place your classified ads here, 30 words for $30, extra words $1 each. Email to

Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com by the 10th of the month prior to publication date.

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

Central New Jersey Community

business directory

Your local source for natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle. Join the community! Request our media kit today by emailing Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

Acupuncture

Acupuncture Works Center

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 destress in a nurturing and healing enviroment. See ad, page 32.

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. He is passionate about helping people with degenerative eye diseases. Learn of his astounding work in this area—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, page 36.

Bedding - Organic Hibernate Bedding

80 Morristown Rd, Bernardsville 908-766-5450

HibernateBedding.com

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, page 7

Chinese Healing Arts

Qi Gong For Healing

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 8.

Dental Holistic

Atlantic Oral Surgery Center

Dr. Justin Ponquinette, DMD, NMD, IBDM 21 N. Gilbert St., Ste 210, Tinton Falls, NJ 732-747-0993

info@atlanticoralsurgery.com AtlanticOralSurgery.com

A compromised mouth can become a quality-of-life issue. We offer methods to promote/provide and health while respecting and embracing the body’s ability to heal itself. See ad, page 2.

Energy Practitioner & Coach

Full Circle Energy Therapies

Lori L. Hoff

1105 Taylorsville Rd., Washington Xing, PA 908-268-7169

feelslikesunshine124@gmail.com

FullCircleEnergy.net

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 groundbreaking book, Recover Your Vision. Additional specialties include glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.See ad, page 36.

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 21

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 15.

Healing Through Art

T-Anya Paint

Anna Wasilczyk

Taking energetic support to another level. Full Circle Energy Therapies is here to guide you with simple, gentle, effective tools. This is the sign you’ve been looking for. See ad, page 22.

17 Ross Rd., Wallington

anya@tanyapaint.com

TanyaPaint.com

Paint with T-Anya is a mobile art service that brings a joyous creativity to any social gathering: birthday parties, retirement parties, fundraising, couples, one-on-one sessions and therapeutic sessions. See ad, page 29.

Health & Wellness

Alternative Therapies Work, LLC

Howard G. Mertine C.Ht, RM

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 xx.

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 35.

Holistic Dental Center

Vladimir Gashinsky, DDS

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, back cover.

Holistic Dentistry

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

Hypnosis Counseling Center

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 11.

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.

Matrix Repatterning

Dr. Clare M. Larkin, DC, CMRP located in Warren 908-930-0628

DrLarkin@optonline.net

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 27.

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.

Naturopathic Medicine

New Jersey Natural Medicine

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 25.

Nutrition

Sunrise Nutrition & Wellness Center

Dr. John Harrington

137 Mountain Ave., Hackettstown 908-441-2276

drharrington@SunriseNutritionCenter.com SunriseNutritionCenter.com

Get checked today! You may be suffering from nutritional deficiencies, toxin overload, chronic infections and bad lifestyle habits. We provide health improvement programs unique to your body to improve your health through nutrition and other safe, non-invasive therapies. See ad, page 32.

Platonic Touch Practitioner / Reiki

In Your Arms Holistic

Karen Schweiger

908-768-1800

inyourarms@zoho.com

CuddleInYourArms.com

Cuddlist.com/Karen

Qi Gong

Qi Gong for Healing

Patty Pagano

908-392-1313

pattyqigongforhealing@gmail.com

QiGongForHealing.com

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 x.

Reiki & Hypnosis

Alice Rich Reiki Center

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.

Spiritual Healing, Teaching

Janet StraightArrow

Shaman, Healer, Sage, Reiki Master Teacher, Astrologist

973-647-2500

Janet@BeTheMedicine.com

BeTheMedicine.com

Spiritual Seekers

Rahway Plainfield Quakers

225 Watchung Ave, Plainfield

QuakerCloud.org/cloud/rahway-andplainfield-friends-meeting

If you want to talk with other spiritual seekers about the questions you have about your spiritual journey, join us. Tim Whitaker from the New Evangelicals Podcast will be with us on our first forum on April 23. No charge to attend, donations accepted. See ad, page 9.

Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises

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.

CELEBRATE MOTHER EARTH!

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.

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 13.

“Whenever you see a successful business, someone made a courageous decision.”

- Peter Drucker