Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey / July 2022

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

TASTY FLOWERS EDIBLE PETALS ADD FUN TO FOOD

RADIANT SKIN TIPS FOR A HEALTHY GLOW sustainable local food system trends turn your yard into a pollinator haven Take Me Home July 2022 | Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon-Mercer-S. Warren NaturalAwakeningsCNJ.com

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3

Contents

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

12 THE ART OF DOING

22

NOTHING

12

16 COOL TREATS FOR HOT DAYS

DIY Recipes Even Kids Can Make

22 THE HEALTHY FOOD MOVEMENT

Pandemic Trends are Shaping Better Local Food Systems

26 THE NATURAL GLOW

16

Radiant Skin with Fewer Health Risks

28 POLLINATOR HAVEN Create a Toxin-Free Yard for Critical Critters

30 FLOWER POWER

Edible Blooms Add Flavor and Color to Summer Fare

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 908-405-1515 or email Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Kathy@ NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email calendar events to: Kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 9 health briefs 12 inspiration 14 lit bits 16 healthy kids 20 scam alert 26 healing ways 28 green living 30 conscious eating 33 yoga corner 36 calendar 38 classifieds 39 directory 42 crossword

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30

publisher letter

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Reminders for Living I was again quoting from the book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Family: Simple Ways to Keep Daily Responsibilities from Taking Over Your Life, by Richard Carlson, when I shared this chapter heading to a friend— Life is Not an Emergency. It’s a good thing to remember.

All too often as buttons are pushed, deadlines grow near, stress piles up and inflation threatens, we lose track of the fact that change is inevitable, a lot of stress we feel is self-imposed, and that life is a process. Enjoying it all is the goal and how we think our way through life’s ups, downs, tragedies and joys is the key to enjoying the process. Our ability to cope, reframe our thinking, and accept and adjust our attitudes one day at a time is priceless and allows us to pursue happiness.

So, I thought I would share a few chapter headings that help me to slow down, stay focused and keep in mind what is important—my responsibility to myself, family and friends.

Live From Your Heart Keep Your Promises Encourage Boredom in Your Children Refuse To Let It Bug You Develop Your Own Reset Button Don’t Put Yourself Down Experience Calm Surrender Never Ever Take Your Spouse or Significant Other for Granted Don’t Go to Bed Mad Schedule Time for Kindness Attend to Feelings First Remind Yourself Frequently What Your Children Really Want Speak Softly Take It as It Comes Remind Others to Treasure Life Stay Playful Stay Healthy Exercise Be the Example of Peace Surrender to the Fact That There is Always Something to Do Stop Complaining About the Complaining Start Your Day and End Your Day with Love

There are so many reminders in this book that I need to read over and over to remember what is truly important in life for me: contentment, acceptance, gratitude, being the best I can be, peace, kindness, being empathetic and loving. For today, I’m “a work in progress” and that’s okay.

With peace, love and laughter,

CENTRAL NJ EDITION Publisher Joe Dunne Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com 908-405-1515 • Fax 239-920-5147 Managing Editor Kathy Tarbell Kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com 908-912-4569 • 770-867-2101 direct Design & Production Kathy Tarbell Contributing Writer Kiki Powers Website Kristy Mayer Accounting/Billing Asta Dunne Asta@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com 908-405-4040

SALES & MARKETING Joe Dunne • Bedminster, NJ 908-405-1515 Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com NaturalAwakeningsCNJ.com

Visit our Facebook page for the latest health updates and information, or to post your events and comments.

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© 2022 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

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July 2022

5

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

Be Here Now Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Be the Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Bill Flanigan Distance Healer . . . . . . . . 34 CardFly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Center for Advanced Health . . . . . . . . 43 Through Dentistry

Center for Herbal Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dr. Andy Rosenfarb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Dr. Clare Larkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Full Circle Energy Therapies . . . . . . . . 20 Health Yeah with Michelle . . . . . . . . . . 27 Hibernate Bedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Holistic Dental Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Hunterdon Integrative Physicians . . . 35 Hypnosis Counseling Center . . . . . . . . 11 KnowWEwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Mad Lavender Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Natural Awakenings Singles . . . . 32, 34 New Jersey Natural Medicine . . . . . . . 17 Numinous Mama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Ojaya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Ondov Relationship Coaching . . . . . . 40 Personally Yours Lingerie . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Qi Gong for Healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

news briefs

The Toxic Connection to Chronic Illness

A

n accurate diagnosis for those who suffer from a miscellany of symptoms can prove elusive to Western medicine’s mechanistic approach. Sharon Reese Chud, AFMC, and founder of SRC Diet and Wellness, shares “Mainstream medicine doesn’t recognize the effect toxicity may have on the body. Symptoms such as brain fog, confusion, anxiety, joint pain, numbness, tremors, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia pain, and weight loss resistance may all be caused by a toxin overload. That’s where functional medicine comes in.”

Chud is a certified functional medicine practitioner, certified detox and toxicity specialist, and nutrition counselor. She uses inexpensive functional medicine testing to help identify toxins that inhibit natural healing. Once areas of toxicity are identified, she uses a 6-step detoxification program to help restore health.

Clients are seen remotely on Zoom. In additional to reasonable fees, Chud offers a free 20-minute consultation to discuss symptoms, and testing and treatment options.

Location: Yardley, PA. For more information, call/text 215-680-2354, email schud1234@ gmail.com and visit heal.me/sharonreesechud. SRCDietAndWellness.com. See ad, page 13.

The Power of Touch for Healing

A

t a time when the world is in chaos and we’ve been devoid of human touch and connection for years, now is the time to reconnect with yourself and harness the stress-reducing biochemistry of the human body through the healing power of touch. In Your Arms Holistic is a practice that embodies alternative modalities, including platonic touch/cuddling therapy, to facilitate overall wellness, mind, body and spirit.

Shares owner Karen Schweiger, “Human beings thrive on contact—physically and mentally—and it is no secret that an embrace with another person can make us feel good.

Experts now claim that a touch can do more than comfort – touch can heal! Platonic consensual touch provides tangible health benefits, and on a deeper level, nourishes our soul and helps us get in touch with our best self.”

Platonic touch/cuddling has proven its worth in the medical and psychological community for many years and now anyone can experience that feeling of comfort in a safe, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory environment that offers therapeutic platonic touch services. Contact Karen to discuss a therapeutic session. Clients of all genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, ages (18+), body types, abilities, etc., are welcome.

Location: 1111 Route 22 East, Lebanon Boro. For more information, call 908-768-1800 or email inyourarms@zoho.com or visit CuddleInYourArms.com and Cuddlist.com/Karen.

Herbalist Training Program Begins in September

Quantum Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 RegeneSpine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Samsara Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SRC Diet & Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sunrise Nutrition Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The Hair For Life Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 The Hemp Oil Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Whole Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 * New / Returning Advertisers

Let them know you found them in Natural Awakenings Central NJ!

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ood herbalists treat people, not diseases. David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies Herbalist Training program strives to teach the skills necessary so that each student can accomplish that goal. The instruction focuses on differential diagnosis skills, materia medica and therapeutics which are essential to individualize treatment and help patients to not only resolve symptoms, but create constitutional change needed for physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. The center is now interviewing students for the program, which begins September 20.

The program will be taught almost entirely online, however, several on-site live classes are planned on Saturdays in Washington, NJ, as well as live herb walks at different locations in the tri-state area. For students who are not local and cannot participate at the time, all these events will be recorded and available on the student portal.

For information, please visit the Herbalist Training tab at HerbalStudies.net. See ad, page 9.

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July 2022

7

Eat Grains to Reduce Inflammation and Liver Disease Risk

Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels.com

Although most Americans eat only one-third of the recommended amount, nutrient-rich, whole grains already have been shown to play a key role in safeguarding against obesity and metabolic syndrome. Two new studies establish their positive effect on cardiovascular and liver health, as well. Researchers from Columbia University that followed 4,125 older adults for 25 years found that lower inflammation and fewer cardiovascular incidents were correlated with higher amounts of fiber in the diet— particularly from wheat, barley, oats and other grains—rather than from fruits and vegetables. And a Chinese study in The Journal of Nutrition Researchers tested the blood of 1,880 people, half of which had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, to look for markers of whole grain consumption. The subjects that ate more whole grains had a significantly reduced risk of developing the liver disease.

Consider Herbs from Traditional Asian Medicine for Diabetes

Anna Pou/Pexels.com

Diabetes is rampant in the world today, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, but it was also a health condition many centuries ago among Tibetan, Mongolian, Miao, Dai, Uygur and Yi people in East Asia. To identify which diabetes medicines were effective in those indigenous medical systems, Chinese researchers examined medical databases and ethnic medical books. They found evidence of 112 such medications—105 plant-based, six coming from animals and one with fungal origins. The most commonly used were Astragalus membranaceus, now available in many contemporary immune-system formulations; Pueraria lobata, known as arrowroot or kudzu, and considered an invasive plant in North America; and Coptis chinensis, Chinese goldthread, whose main compound, berberine, is used in the West to treat bacterial and viral infections. “Ethnic medicine has abundant resources in diabetes treatment and has excellent development prospects, which is worthy of further exploration and modern research,” conclude the authors.

“The love of truth lies at the root of much humor.”

- Robertson Davies (author) 8

Somerset/Middlesex/Hunterdon/Mercer/ S. Warren Co. Edition

Don’t Assume Selfies Show True Facial Features

Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels.com

health briefs

The more than 100 million cell phone selfies taken every day have produced an unanticipated outcome: a documented uptick in plastic surgery. Younger women in particular are increasingly showing cosmetic surgeons their selfies to demonstrate why they want to change the size or shape of their nose, but these concerns may be based on a distorted perception because selfies distort facial features, say researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern. In their study involving 30 subjects, they took one photo 12 inches from the face with the arm bent and another at 18 inches with the arm straight. When comparing the 12-inch selfies against a third photo taken five feet away, the researchers found that, on average, the nose appeared over 6 percent longer and the chin seemed 12 percent shorter. This created a distortion total of over 17 percent in the nose-to-chin ratio. Selfies also made the base of the nose appear wider relative to the width of the face. “If young people are using selfies as their only guide, they may be coming to plastic surgeons to fix problems that don’t exist except in the world of social media,” says study leader Bardia Amirlak, M.D.

NaturalAwakeningsCNJ.com

Practice Sitting Tai Chi to Recover from a Stroke

Elnur/AdobeStock.com

Tai chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, typically involves moving the arms and feet in intricate, slow patterns, but a new study in the American Heart Association journal Stroke found that doing the hand and shoulder movements while sitting in a chair produced significant physical and mental benefits for stroke survivors. Researchers at the Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in China, found that after 12 weeks of performing sitting tai chi, 69 stroke patients had better hand and arm function, better sitting balance, a wider range of shoulder motion, less depression and a better quality of life compared to 65 people in a standard stroke rehab program. More than half of those doing the sitting tai chi continued to practice it after the study ended, with continued improvement.

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July 2022

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Squawk Talk

global briefs

City Lights are Tough on Birds

Deep-Sea Mining is the New Frontier

kittitee550/AdobeStock.com

Whether mining the ocean floor will be allowed to proceed and the minerals obtained there play a role in supply chains of the future is one of the biggest decisions of resource governance today.

The seabed holds a vast quantity of mineral resources, yet is also one of the last pristine areas on the planet. A new white paper published by the World Economic Forum, Decision-Making on DeepSea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective, has found that significant knowledge gaps make it hard to predict the scale of the potential effect, and decisions made now about mineral stewardship will have lasting effects for generations.

The World Bank and the International Energy Agency forecast a multifold increase in the demand for key metals used for decarbonization, many of which are found in mineral deposits in the deep seabed, but some organizations and more than 600 scientists have called for a pause or total ban on the exploitation of these minerals. Positive factors such as increased metal supply, wider use of decarbonization technologies and benefits to countries from extraction royalties must be considered against the generation of sediment plumes, noise from extraction and impacts on the seafood industry.

Using satellite maps and radar to estimate the number of migratory birds streaming across the night sky, Chicago tops the list of cities where birds face the most danger from light pollution in both spring and fall. North America hosts about 3 billion fewer birds today than in 1970, according to a 2019 analysis published in Science. The causes include light pollution, climate change, vanishing habitat and pesticides. Scientists believe the combination of factors could lead many abundant bird populations toward extinction.

For example, Cornell University ornithologist Andrew Farnsworth found that the seven annual Tribute in Light twin towers anniversary memorials on September 11 that project intense beams of light into the night sky attracted an average of more that 1 million birds. Within the first 20 minutes of each event, up to 16,000 birds crowded into a tight radius. Bird conservationists listen for disoriented chirps and if too many are circling aimlessly in the beams, the lights are turned off.

BirdCast incorporates large-scale weather radar and machine learning to forecast the exact nights when hundreds of millions of migratory birds will arrive over U.S. cities. The team sends the data to conservationists and policymakers to help the birds by dimming lights along the way.

SeanPavonePhoto/AdobeStock.com

Murky Waters

Chow Time

Attitudes Changing Toward Animal Rights

Image'in/AdobeStock.com

A new survey by the University of Exeter published in Social Psychological and Personality Science shows that children differ dramatically from adults in their moral views on animals. Researchers asked a group of 479 children and adults ages 9 to 11, 18 to 21 and 29 to 59 about the moral status and treatment of farm animals (pigs), pets (dogs) and people. The youngest participants said that farm animals should be treated the same as people and pets, and think eating animals is less morally acceptable than do adults. The two older groups held more traditional views.

The findings suggest that speciesism, the moral imperative that gives different value to different animals, is learned as we become socialized. Dr. Luke McGuire says, “Humans’ relationship with animals is full of ethical double standards. Some animals are beloved household companions while others are kept in factory farms for economic benefit. Dogs are our friends, pigs are food.”

McGuire notes, “If we want people to move towards more plant-based diets for environmental reasons, we have to disrupt the current system somewhere. For example, if children ate more plant-based food in schools, that might be more in line with their moral values, and might reduce the normalisation towards adult values that we identify in this study.”

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Change Your Thoughts,

Native Wisdom

Indigenous Efforts Use Hemp to Remove Forever Chemicals From Superfund Site

Change Your Life!

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Eliminate problems like Stress, Smoking or Overeating ... Forever!

The former Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone, Maine, on the Canadian border, closed in 2007, is now owned by the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. The superfund site is so polluted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave it a waiver, deeming it technically impractical to clean, being loaded with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), cancer-causing compounds commonly known as “forever chemicals". PFAS tend to bioaccumulate, building up in soil, water, animals and humans; they can persist for hundreds or thousands of years and have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage and suppressed immunity.

In the spring of 2019, the Micmac Nation, nonprofit Upland Grassroots and their research partners began an experiment. Hemp is a good candidate for phytoremediation because it grows fast across much of the country. Its roots are deep and profuse to better absorb pollutants from the soil. By 2020, researchers discovered that the hemp plants were successfully sucking PFAS out of the contaminated soil via phytoremediation and hope that their example may help farmers that have discovered their soil is tainted.

Micmac Chief Edward Peter-Paul says, “Anything we can do to contribute to making the environment better, we want to be a part of.”

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inspiration

The Art of Doing Nothing

by Marlaina Donato

Natural Awakenings is proudly distributed at: Bound Brook (Bridgewater) 319 Chimney Rock Rd.

Clark 1255 Raritan Rd. Unit 150

Madison (Rose City) StanislavAdobeStock.com

222 Main St.

Metuchen 645 Middlesex Ave.

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Montclair 701 Bloomfield Ave.

Morristown 110 Washington St.

Newark 633 Broad St.

Parsippany 60 Waterview Blvd

Princeton 3495 US Rt 1 S

Ridgewood 44 Godwin Ave.

West Orange 235 Prospect Ave.

M

ost of us can remember having the glorious ability to do absolutely nothing of practical significance as children. We rolled in the grass, laughed ourselves silly with friends on the street corner and happily squandered away Saturdays.

Somewhere along the line, someone planted a seed in our brains that programmed us to believe that we must earn our existence. We became self-conscious perfectionists that equate leisure and “be-ing” with laziness. As adults, we see “non-doing” as something trivial, something forbidden, unless we become ill or injured, and only then can we shrug off the societal guilt trip. Somehow, well-being has become a luxury, and our physical bodies are paying for it. We feel old before our time and suffer Monday morning blues every day of the week. The Yiddish proverb, “The hardest work is to go idle,” rings truer than ever.

We envy our beloved pets when they stretch out in a patch of inviting sun or dream away rainy days, not realizing that we, too, can curl up with the idea of doing nothing. Even foxes and squirrels pause in the survival game to soak up an hour of summer. Unplugging brings us back to our breath, aligns us with our true North and prompts our blood pressure to drop a few numbers. Taking a little time to exhale and watch the clouds overhead can also kickstart our immune systems. If need be, we can appease the to-do lister inside of us by scheduling half an hour of inactivity into the weekly calendar, and when we realize how much we like shooting the breeze, we can increase it to an hour.

Consider the last time we gave ourselves permission to sip a little freedom and watch the grass grow. Poet Winifred Druhan noted, “Wasting time is being free.” We won’t win any accolades for doing nothing, but we’ll surely be happier.

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

12

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

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It’s Time to Feel Good Again Could your chronic illness be due to toxins?

Sharon Reese Chud, AFMC, inexpensively tests and treats toxicity to help free clients from the misery of chronic disfunction.

To identify specific toxins, functional medicine testing kits are sent to clients by two labs that test for the following: Mold • Lyme • Neurotoxins • Mercury • Lead Parasites • Food Allergies • Hidden Infections Sharon then uses a 6-step detoxification process to remove toxins that hinder natural healing within the body.

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July 2022

13

lit bits

Amazing news from around the world.

NASA Research and Innovations are Spinning

The Journey of Motherhood is a Spiritual & Holistic Path.

Dr. Christine Dolahan is passionate about the benefits of holistic and integrative therapies in helping women and mothers with the challenges encountered in the different stages of this life path.

F

rom reducing greenhouse gas emissions to advancing renewable energy technologies to better understanding the processes leading to warming, NASA’s research and innovation spinoffs are growing.

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QiforGong Healing

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Classes & Seminars Online Beginner Series / 4 Classes Begin the gentle movements of a Qi Gong Tai Chi Journey with Patty Pagano Not sure? First 1-hour class is FREE! For info, contact Patty at 908-392-1313 or PattyQigongforHealing@gmail.com

QiGongForHealing.com or call Fran Maher & Brian Coffey

908-647-1563 14

All-Electric Flight

With NASA’s help, a company designed a high- power battery pack that could meet safety requirements for the agency’s all-electric experimental airplane. Now the company is selling batteries based on that development for use in some of the first all-electric passenger planes.

Sniffing Out Gas Leaks

A spectrometer created to look for methane on Mars is 1,000 times more sensitive than competing technology.

The device can be handheld or mounted on a drone or car and lets natural gas producers easily spot and stop leaks.

Putting CO2 Back into Beer

Most small breweries vent the carbon dioxide created during brewing and then buy more to carbonate the beer itself. Now the same technology for manufacturing resources on Mars has been adapted to enable breweries to capture CO2 and then recycle it to carbonate the beer.

Running on Empty

The voltage controller, invented by a NASA engineer in the 1970s, is one of NASA’s most-used innovations. It enables machinery to automatically decrease energy consumption when full power is unnecessary —for example, escalators and elevators without passengers.

Solar Flexibility

With NASA funding, one company developed a cheaper way to produce high-efficiency solar cells and used it to make affordable, portable, flexible solar panels. Its solar cells now power troops’ devices in the field, as well aircraft and satellites.

For more, visit spinoff.nasa.gov/climate-change.

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healthy kids

Cool Treats for Hot Days DIY RECIPES EVEN KIDS CAN MAKE

by Sheila Julson

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any of us have fond childhood memories of cool confections from the neighborhood ice cream truck on sultry summer days. By creating homemade, hot-weather treats with our kids, we get to enjoy the delights of fresh, seasonal produce and inventive flavor combinations, while also providing our kids with kitchen fun, healthy fare without unwelcome additives and summertime memories of their own.

“There are plenty of frozen treats from the grocery store that are in the natural or organic categories, but sometimes those still have levels of sweeteners, sugar or other preservatives that we don’t want or need,” says Annie Wegner LeFort, a Milwaukee-based chef and founder of the healthy living business EatMoveMKE.com.

She has been making frozen pops for her 13-year-old daughter Vera since she was a toddler. Anything that is homemade is more economical and has less packaging, Wegner LeFort says. Pop molds can be used over and over, and even cups can be used and reused as molds to reduce waste.

Making frozen pops can be as easy as mashing fruits and other ingredients in a bowl, pouring the mixture into molds and freezing them. A blender or a food processor can be used to make a smoother mix, with parents supervising younger kids.

Older children that know how to use small appliances can safely blend—and clean up—without supervision. Wegner LeFort notes that young kids might enjoy straightforward flavor combinations, but older kids with more developed palates can experiment with herbs or exotic concoctions.

Parents can deftly blend vegetables and herbs into frozen pops and refreshing

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Crafting Cool Treats

summer smoothies without being detected by finicky eaters. She recommends adding spinach to fruit blends with berries or dark-colored fruits: “You don’t even really see the greens. They are overtaken by the blue and purple fruits.” Beets or beet juice, which is high in iron and vitamins, also add a beautiful color to berry blends. Cooked and mashed sweet potatoes lend a vibrant orange to red and yellow blends made with strawberries or pineapple.

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Gwen Eberly, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based chef who teaches cooking to kids and teens through the Zest! cooking school, recalls making healthy, decadent, frozen orange cream pops with her mother and enjoying them on her farmhouse porch on hot summer days. “The original orange cream pops recipe came from a cookbook called More With Less, a compilation of recipes offered by Mennonite women in the 1970s,” Eberly says. She made them with her own children when they were young, and they became a family favorite. Now, as teenagers, they make the treats themselves all year long.

Other simple cool snacks include monkey tails—frozen bananas rolled in melted chocolate. “That’s a simple and healthy treat that can be topped with nuts or seeds. If you use dark chocolate, that helps cut down on sugar,” Wegner LeFort advises. Ice cream sandwiches can be made with either store-bought or homemade cookies and ice cream. “Those have endless options for creativity and different flavor combinations.”

Jessi Walter Brelsford, founder and “Chief Bud” at the cooking school Taste Buds Kitchen, based in New York City, recommends putting a fun twist on fruit salad with Rainbow Kabobs, which parents and kids can make together. “Our recipe uses fresh, summer favorites like strawberries, cantaloupe, kiwis and blueberries, but depending on your family’s preferences, you can easily make these with any fruit sturdy enough to go on the skewers,” she says. “Kids love helping out, so get them even more excited to be involved by using cool tools together, like a melon baller or crinkle cutter. It will help them practice fine motor skills and pattern recognition by threading the fruits onto the skewers in specific patterns.”

With a little encouragement and experimentation, kids will be proudly and happily creating their own delicious and healthy summer snacks.

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

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ORANGE CREAM POPS YIELD: 8 SERVINGS 1 banana 1 cup vanilla yogurt, whole milk 1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 1 Tbsp honey Combine all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour blended mixture into molds, leaving ½ inch for them to expand.

Freeze until hard, about 4 hours. When ready to eat, run under warm water and remove from the mold.

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VEGAN WATERMELON-BEET POPS YIELD: 6 TO 8 SERVINGS ¾ cup vegan vanilla yogurt ½ cup non-dairy milk 2 heaping cups frozen or fresh watermelon cubes 1 red beet, cooked, peeled and chunked 1 small frozen or fresh banana ½ lemon, juiced Add all ingredients to a blender and process on high until smooth.

Pour into popsicle molds and freeze solid.

Recipe courtesy of Annie Wegner LeFort.

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ooking for a fun festival this summer? The Better Business Bureau reports that scammers are seeking to cash in on your entertainment dollars with phony tickets—and even fake events.

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How to Spot a Fake Festival Check the name. Search online for the festival’s name and ensure the name advertised matches the website.

Scammers often use names that sound similar to those of real festivals.

Check for (working) contact information. Be sure the festival website has a real phone number and email address.

Watch out for prices that sound too good to be true.

If the prices are much lower than elsewhere, it’s likely a scam.

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Look for secure sites. The website should begin with HTTPS (the extra “s” is for secure) and have a little lock symbol on the address bar.

Be wary of tickets sold on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other free online listings. Scammers are skilled at providing realistic tickets and fake receipts. Check out third-party ticket sites at BBB.org before making purchases.

For more information, see BBB.org/article/scams/20661-bigfestivals-and-seasonal-events-fabulous-fizzled-or-fake.

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THE HEALTHY FOOD MOVEMENT

Pandemic Trends are Shaping Better Local Food Systems

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ike so much else on the planet, the two-year coronavirus pandemic turned the health food world upside-down.

“I found myself thinking real dystopian and wondering if people would be able to survive if grocery stores crumbled,” recalls Diana Mondragón, of Rockford, Illinois. “That scary thought train reminded me that I want to learn how to be more self-sustainable.” Her once-occasional drop-bys to farmers markets are now an essential weekly ritual. “I want to support local farmers and food producers to help communities grow stronger and healthier,” she says.

When the long supply chains of the conventional food system became disrupted, many Americans found themselves feeling insecure about food availability for the first time in their lives.

The industrialized food system that had operated so efficiently for many generations had relied on long and complicated supply links; when they broke down or became gridlocked, the result was

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by Bob Benenson

empty supermarket shelves and long waits for home deliveries.

Add the economic repercussions and job losses, and about one in nine households lacked enough nutritious food to sustain a healthy life, report researchers from New York University.

Faced with the system’s shortcomings, a noteworthy outcome has been a surge in demand for healthier food production using sustainable and humane practices. Unable to drop by a nearby grocery store and get whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it, many consumers began buying locally grown produce for both practical and environmental reasons. After two high-growth decades, farmers markets initially took a hit during pandemic closures, but they have since bounced back with renewed energy. A wide range of innovative solutions are being pursued by e-commerce entrepreneurs and food-equity advocates to get healthier local food into more hands and more neighborhoods.

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Surging Concerns Sales of natural and organic products in the U.S. grew by about 10 percent in 2020, the year of the COVID-19 outbreak, and by another 8 percent in 2021, reports SPINS, a Chicago-based data research firm, in Nutrition Business Journal. Sales growth in that sector was six to seven times larger than for conventional products, which experienced barely any sales growth at all.

Helping spur the trend, cheap food at supermarkets isn’t so cheap anymore, making organic food look better by comparison. The research company Data Weave reported in March that conventional food prices jumped by 11 percent in the previous 12 months of the pandemic, while prices for organic food increased by a relatively modest 2 to 4 percent.

The price pressures on conventional food “will continue to go up rapidly,” says Matt Tortora, co-founder of WhatsGood, a Rhode Island-based food e-commerce company. “The war between Russia and Ukraine is going to exacerbate that issue. And it seems like most of what’s going on in the world is going to affect our global supply chains even further, and in more profound ways than just our gas pump.”

Food-to-Table Creativity

The dominance of supermarkets and big-box stores in the years following World War II greatly diminished supply and demand of farm-fresh local food. A back-to-the-future trend that started taking hold a generation ago spurred a five-fold increase in the number of farmers markets across the nation, along with a proliferation of farms selling community supported agriculture subscriptions that delivered weekly batches of fresh produce to members.

These increased sales enabled many small farmers to offset the body blow from business lost due to pandemic-related restaurant shutdowns; a number of them thrived, with record sales.

The signs for the 2022 outdoor market season have been encouraging. Green City Market, widely regarded as Chicago’s premier farmers market, reported more than 13,000 visitors in a six-hour span on May 7, even though the weather was still on the cool side and few spring crops were in season after a chilly and wet April.

At the same time, a previously little-used conduit for local health food sales—e-commerce—shows signs of spurring long-term growth. Some individual producers nimbly built out their webbased product sales by also providing home delivery, previously a rarity in the local food scene. For example, the e-commerce site Avrom Farm (AvromFarm.com), of Ripon, Wisconsin, sells not only its own products, but also goods from other farmers, and Three Sisters Garden, of Kankakee, Illinois, which raises specialty vegetables, has converted entirely to e-commerce and home delivery.

Taking this concept to the next level is WhatsGood, which in 2014 began providing home delivery and pickup services for farmers markets in several cities. In the pandemic, the company became a lifeline to connect farmers with consumers at a time when stay-at-home orders and social distancing concerns hampered or closed farmers markets.

SAVVY SHOPPER TIPS FOR THE FARMERS MARKET COMPARE PRICES. Most markets have multiple vendors selling similar varieties, so take some time to stroll around and check out the prices at the different stands. We might find one that is the price leader across the board or that different stands have lower prices for different items.

BUY IN SEASON. Simple supply and demand: The more of a product a vendor has to sell, the more likely it is that it is going to be priced to move. So, practice seasonality and look for favorite items at the peak of their growing season.

BUY IN BULK. Many farmers market vendors provide discounts for multiple purchases of the same or similar items. If summer squash is priced at $1 per piece, but $2 for three, it is the equivalent of, “Buy two, get one free.”

SAVOR SECONDS. Consumers became familiar with the concept of perfect-looking (if not perfect-tasting) produce with the era of mass food retailing. As a result, a lot of imperfect fruits and vegetables have been tossed away. The growing national concerns over food waste are leading some consumers to look closely at items—formally known as “seconds” and sometimes referred to as “ugly” fruits and vegetables—that don’t have perfect appearance, but are perfectly edible, nutritious and usually cheaper. If they aren’t visible at our favorite farmer’s stand, just ask, because they are often tucked away. We may not want to serve them as-is to dinner guests, but when chopping and dicing or making stews or preserves, appearances make little difference.

KNOW THE FARMER. Farmers market regulars almost certainly get to know their favorite vendors, and may quickly get to be on a first-name basis. They will freely share advice about how to prepare the items they sell and what’s in stock now, soon or at the end of their growing seasons. It also improves chances of getting the occasional personal discount—but do not show up near closing time and ask for a discount on unsold products. Most farmers and market managers hate that. If lots of people wait until the last minute, a lot of farmers would soon be unable to stay in business.

KEEP IT COOL. Produce picked a day or two before hitting the market is going to be fresher, taste better, maintain a higher nutrient densityand last longer than products that are picked before their peak and sit in warehouses for a while. But that shelf-life advantage can shrink if farmers market purchases are not protected from high temperatures. Some strategies are to shop early on hot days, bring along insulated bags and cold packs, and possibly buy frozen fish, poultry or meat on the way home to keep the produce chilled.

July 2022

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Late last year, WhatsGood introduced a new business model that bypasses farmers markets to allow consumers to order goods online directly from farmers for home delivery. SourceWhatsGood.com now operates in 21 states. Tortora estimates that demand for local food is about 12 times greater than it was before the pandemic, even as supermarkets again start stocking more faraway-grown, conventional produce.

Even Better for the Planet While the pandemic created a sense of urgency about healthier eating, it also elevated concerns about the health of the living environment. An April 2022 study issued by New York University’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business found that products specifically marketed as sustainable had a 17 percent share of the market for consumer-packaged goods, up from 13.3 percent in 2015. Nearly half of all products introduced in 2021 touted sustainability benefits, up from 28 percent in 2017. Organic food sales in 2021 amounted to $51 billion; 30 years earlier, that market was estimated at a mere $1 billion, says the SPINS report.

Now there is growing support to take stewardship of the land to the next level through regenerative agriculture practices which focus on building and maintaining the health and biological vitality of the nation’s soils, and in some cases, means restoring soils stripped of their vitality by conventional farming practices. It has been most heavily promoted by the Rodale Institute, based in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, which has developed standards for a Regenerative Organic Certified food label.

The sustainability issue resonates deeply with people like Katlin Smith, founder and CEO of Chicago-based Simple Mills, a 10-year-old company that’s widely recognized as the preeminent natural baking mix brand nationally. “I started the company after seeing what a huge impact food has on all of our bodies, and I realized how much we had processed the heck out of our food. And it was really undermining people’s health,” she says.

In the last two years, the company has expanded its focus to work with farmers to improve soil health and biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It recently joined forces with the frozen smoothie company Daily Harvest and gluten-free frozen pizza maker Capello’s to advance regenerative soil practices in almond growing. “Regenerative agriculture is really just growing food in a way that leans into nature and builds a healthy ecosystem for all who are involved,” says Smith.

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Supplying Underserved Communities Local food communities around the country are also playing an increasingly dynamic role in addressing food equity, access and security issues. Less than a decade ago, fewer than half of all farmers markets nationwide accepted federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for purchases. Today, backed by U.S. Department of Agriculture funding, most do, with many markets accepting state-backed debit cards. To further increase access to locally produced food for lower-income families, many states provide matching shopping funds up to a certain limit, as do programs run by nonprofit organizations such as California’s Market Match and Double Up Bucks, run by the Michigan Fair Food Network.

To get healthy produce to people that live in urban “food deserts”, nonprofits are pioneering creative approaches. The Urban Growers Collective operates eight farms on 11 acres of land on Chicago’s Southside that combine education, training and leadership development with the growth of organic crops, which are then driven in a “Fresh Moves” bus to local community and health centers, and churches. Founded by food justice advocates Laurell Sims and Erika Allen, the Collective worked with a coalition of nonprofits during the pandemic to deliver boxes of free food to households in underserved neighborhoods across the city. The pandemic “forced us to do some of the things we’d been talking about, but said we don’t have time yet. We just dived in,” Sims says.

The dramatic impact of the COVID-19 crisis drove up local interest in the Collective’s community gardens, with the number of volunteers jumping from 10 to 50. “It made a lot of people realize this ain’t no joke. People close to us were passing away,” says farm manager Malcolm Evans, who started volunteering for the Collective a decade ago as a teenager growing up in a nearby public housing project. “People wanted to really know how to grow food. We’ve been doing it for years, trying to bring this to folks’ attention. Everybody needs to understand food and know where it comes from.”

Bob Benenson is publisher and writer of Local Food Forum, a newsletter that covers all aspects of the local food community in the Chicago region. He can be contacted at Bob@LocalFood Forum.com.

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healing ways

That Natural Glow RADIANT SKIN WITH FEWER HEALTH RISKS

by Marlaina Donato

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or basic hygiene and improved appearance, we wash, slather, hydrate, scrub and cover up, often forgetting that our skin is our largest organ and much of what we expose it to can be absorbed and accumulated in the body over time. If we are using products with potentially toxic additives, we are putting ourselves at a higher risk for hormone disruption, reproductive cancers and allergic reactions.

Many chemicals that have been banned or controlled in Japan and some European countries are still being used on an unregulated basis in the U.S. Even products labeled “organic” and “natural” can have harmful elements alongside the good stuff. Recent research from the University of Vermont Cancer Center has linked phthalates, the “forever chemicals” used as bonding agents in many personal care products, to a higher risk of cancers in children. The encouraging news is that with a little savvy preparation, these hazardous ingredients can be avoided, and we can have glowing skin with fewer health risks.

denis_vermenko/AdobeStock.com

Knowledge is Power

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Being an informed consumer is important when it comes to what goes into the body, and reading labels is just as vital for what’s applied on the outside. “The beauty industry can become fascinated with chemical-based ‘quick-fixes,’ but so often what you find is that these interventions can have long-lasting effects that may actually damage the skin,” says Tammy Fender, founder of Tammy Fender Holistic Skincare, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Liver-compromising and potentially cancer-causing formaldehyde, phthalates and parabens are plentiful in shampoos (including baby shampoo), soaps, deodorants, antiperspirants, body lotions and moisturizers, and have been linked to breast cancer and other malignancies, kidney damage and depression. While some sources claim these substances to be low-risk due to minimal amounts in skin care products, looking at the broader picture can be disturbing when we consider long-term use and the number of products used daily.

On a superficial level, the skin just responds better when it is exposed to fewer toxins. “Our skin is our biggest organ and absorbs up to 60 percent of whatever you put on it. When you eat healthy, your body feels great. The same goes for your skin,” says Shannon Reagan, owner of Glimmer Goddess Organic Skin Care, in Frisco, Texas.

“Throughout my life, I’ve tried just about every product in the stores looking for something that wouldn’t irritate my skin. I found that the cleaner the products, the better my skin looked and felt.”

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What Our Skin Loves An outstanding resource for information about a particular product’s safety is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database at EWG.org/skindeep, which evaluates and grades more than 88,000 personal care products for toxicity. When shopping online or in a store, nixing any that have long, difficult-to-pronounce ingredients is key. Any label that simply lists “fragrance” is also a red flag for hundreds of possible chemicals. Instead, opt for skin care products with Latin botanical names for herbal and essential oil-based scents.

“Natural products may cost a bit more than store brands, but the benefits far outweigh the incremental cost. They contain vitamins, phytonutrients, antioxidants and flavonoids that help heal, rejuvenate and protect skin,” says Reagan.

Fender, a holistic aesthetician and pioneer of clean skin care, concurs, “There

is so much care that comes through the plants. Nature is generous.” Her favorite go-to ingredients in her organic skin care line range from white lily to citrus. “I love rose for its powerful rejuvenating benefits.

I also love chamomile, an ancient calming and soothing remedy, which is so beneficial for sensitive skin.”

Fun in the Sun Chemicals found in conventional sunscreens such as avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, oxybenzone and PABA activate free radicals in the body, but natural sunscreens offer total protection without the elevated cancer risk. Reagan, whose products offer broad-spectrum sun protection, explains, “Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin while natural sunscreens (mineral-based) sit on top of your skin, blocking the sun’s rays at the surface. Natural sunscreens such as zinc

oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide are usually thick like a body lotion texture.

They work by reflecting UVA/UVB rays away from the skin and start to work right away.”

Essential oils like red raspberry seed and carrot seed are also reliable ingredients to look for in any natural sunscreen, and may even be helpful for certain types of precancerous skin lesions caused by UVA/ UVB rays.

Overall, healthy skin comes from a well-balanced lifestyle. For Fender, it is truly a holistic approach. “I love how inspired and educated my clients are these days.

They come to the treatment room with insightful questions, and they understand that caring for the skin is not separate from caring for the soul.”

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

July 2022

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green living

Pollinator Haven CREATE A TOXIN-FREE YARD FOR CRITICAL CRITTERS

rasstock/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

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imée Code has stopped trying to grow roses in her Eugene, Oregon, backyard, where the ground is too muddy for them to flourish. If we stick to plants that do well in our own region, they’ll be less susceptible to disease and pests, and we won’t need to use dangerous chemicals in our gardens, says the pesticide program director at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Code works to preserve invertebrate species that are threatened by habitat loss, climate change and pesticides. “Many of these animals provide valuable services,” she says. “Solitary wasps feed their young certain caterpillars that we consider pests because they eat our crops. Riverbed mussels filter our water. Stone flies help break down organic matter. Bees are effective pollinators, helping to sustain our most nutritious food sources.”

U.S. bees are declining at alarming rates, thanks in part to neonicotinoids and other harmful pesticides, Code reports. The good news is that a few gardening modifications can provide food and safe haven for beneficial invertebrates, while keeping our families (and pets) free from scary chemicals.

Gardening Tips from Aimée Code Create a resilient garden with hardy, native plants that invite both pollinators and natural enemies like solitary wasps, lacewings and hoverflies, which help control pest populations.

Use restraint when trimming plants or clearing debris. Many bees create nests inside pithy stems and downed wood or underneath bunch grasses and fallen leaves.

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Develop a greater tolerance for weeds, embracing a slightly wilder garden aesthetic. Avoid using herbicides by mulching and manually pulling weeds before they go to seed.

A few pests in the vegetable garden are okay, as long as they don’t harm overall production. Search online for non-chemical solutions by vegetable type and location. As in farming, try rotating crops or look into companion planting to learn which plants work well together. Ensure the soil has what each plant needs. For example, blueberries require an acidic soil.

Pesticides address the symptom rather than the problem. Killing pests may be a temporary fix, but won’t address the underlying cause, so the problem will likely return. Even so-called “reduced risk” products contain concerning chemicals for

NaturalAwakeningsCNJ.com

Eco-Friendly Pest Management According to Ryan Anderson, community integrated pest management manager at the IPM Institute of North America, “Chemicals should only be used in a lawn or garden as a last resort, and even then, only the least amount of the least harmful product.” For reduced-risk and organic product lists, visit Tinyurl.com/EPA PesticideList and MidwestGrowsGreen.org.

Anderson laments the rampant overuse of noxious products, including glyphosate and 2,4-D, which are classified as probable and possible carcinogens, respectively, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer; commercial fertilizers that lead to nitrogen and phosphorus runoffs, threatening marine wildlife; and pyrethroid insecticides for mosquito control, which kill most insects.

He champions sustainable measures, starting with a reduction of turf grass.

“People like sitting on their lawn, but try keeping it as minuscule as possible and plant native plants which require less maintenance,” he says. “Make sure you’re not planting grass where grass doesn’t want to grow.”

Consider an eco-lawn with micro-clover in the mix, Anderson advises. “Clover recycles nitrogen and stays green in drought conditions, so you don’t have to fertilize or water, and you only need to mow ecolawns once a month.”

Lawn Care Strategies from Ryan Anderson For weeds, the best defense is a dense, deeply rooted, turf grass system that will out-compete for air, water, nutrients and sunlight.

Aerate the lawn in the fall by removing narrow, three-to-six-inch-deep cores and leaving them on the soil. After a day or two, mow the cores over to return nutrients to the soil. Spread turf seed over bare-soil areas and over the entire lawn whenever aeration is conducted.

Before or after aerating, spread one-quarter to one-half inch of compost over the lawn to promote a nutrient- and microbiology-rich, spongy soil structure. Visit CompostingCouncil.org for reputable suppliers and DIY instructions for high-quality compost.

Apply leaf mulch and grass clippings to feed and promote protozoa, bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, inhibit plant pathogens, balance pH and aerate the soil.

Mow less often and as high as possible to minimize stressing the grass plant. Lawns need only a single, one-inch watering per week.

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

photo by Sandra Yeyati

pollinators. Always try non-chemical solutions first. For example, instead of applying a fungicide to address powdery mildew, water the affected plant less and prune it to improve air flow.

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conscious eating

Flower Power EDIBLE BLOOMS ADD FLAVOR AND COLOR TO SUMMER FARE

by April Thompson

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photo courtesy of Marie Viljoen

F

ruits, leaves, stems and roots are commonly eaten as part of a plantbased, farm-to-table diet, but until recently, the only flowers on the table were in a vase. Today’s health-conscious foodies are finding edible flowers to be a fantastic way to eat the rainbow, adding fun flavors and colors to all sorts of dishes.

Urban homesteader Holly Capelle turned her family’s backyard in the Portland, Oregon, suburbs into expansive edible gardens, enjoyed by their flower-eating chickens and children alike. “We grow everything from seed, including 15 to 20 edible flower varieties, from spring through fall,” says Capelle. “I love to grow edible flowers for two reasons: one, to eat, and second, for the natural pest control they provide. I think of flowers as a beautiful army that I can eat along the way.”

Capelle’s favorite edible flowers are pansies and violets, as they “pop up again and again all growing season and make a beautiful garnish without overpowering flavor.” The home gardener likes to freeze the fresh flowers in ice cubes, press them on the outside of herb butter or dry them between pieces of wax paper to later add to the tops of homemade chocolate bars, along with dehydrated strawberries, lemon balm, mint or other botanical flavors.

The family’s fowl get in on the flower fun, too. “We make frozen treats for the chickens out of edible flowers, corn and strawberries, which they love in summer.

We also add dried flowers like marigolds to their nesting boxes,” she says, adding that marigolds, with their bright orange hues and distinct flavor, are great in scrambled eggs or as a substitute for saffron.

For larger blooms like sunflowers, Capelle recommends pulling off the often-hard centers. “I often see whole zinnias on edible cakes, but no one wants to eat an entire zinnia.

With daisies, for example, I will pull off the petals and recreate the flower on top of a dish, using peppercorns or chocolate chips in place of the center,” she says.

Capelle also loves chamomile for its distinctive, apple-like flavor that has the “feel of fall,” and dianthus, with a slightly spicy taste like cloves. “Nasturtiums are another super defender in the garden, with a delicious peppery flavor and nice orange pop of color in a salad,” she adds.

“Flowers brighten any dish up, especially hors d’oeuvres, omelets and soups. Pea soup is an ugly soup, but sprinkle some microgreens and a viola on top and it’s beautiful,” says Jan

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photo courtesy of Jan Bell

Bell, of Gilbertie’s Organics, in Easton, Connecticut. The 34-acre farm, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, grows herbs, vegetables and microgreens in 24 greenhouses, including a microgreen blend with nasturtium and viola flowers. “If you pick the flowers on herbs, the plant will grow better and last longer,” Bell adds.

Flowers like wild violets, chive blossoms and common milkweed can add bold color and flavor to vinegar with pinkish purple hues that power up salad dressings. Bell also likes to dry chive flowers to use year-round. “They are a nice purple sprinkle to add to dishes when things are boring in winter,” she says.

Marie Viljoen, a New York City forager, chef and author of the cookbook Forage, Harvest, Feast: A Wild-Inspired Cuisine, incorporates numerous wild and cultivated flowers, including tree flowers like magnolia and black locust, into her hyperlocal, seasonal meals.

Even common garden roses can add a delicious dimension to dishes and drinks, according to Viljoen. “I like to ferment roses into a simple soda, using organically grown rose petals, honey or sugar and tap water. It’s ready within a few days, or else you can leave to ferment a few months to make a sipping vinegar,” she says. “You can also combine really fragrant rose petals with a neutral honey like clover, then strain after a few days for a rose water essence you can add to yogurt or other dishes.” Viljoen also uses rose petals as edible garnishes for deviled eggs or as edible plates for goat cheese balls on her gourmet picnics.

Some flowers are for the eyes only, however. Many can be poisonous, so it’s important to ensure a particular species is edible before digging in. Viljoen also advises carefully distinguishing between poisonous lookalikes when foraging: A delicious daylily and a toxic true lily look similar, but are in different plant families, for example. She also says to look for organically grown flowers that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides.

Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

FLOWER SPRING ROLLS WITH TAMARIND AND PEANUT SAUCE

by Tara Lanich-LaBrie Spring rolls are a great way to eat all the fresh veggies, flowers and fruits of the season, and they look like little paintings with flowers on the outside and different colors and textures throughout. In the summer months, our bodies naturally gravitate toward eating more raw vegetables and fruits to cool our system and attune to the season of lightness. The grounding aspect in these petal rolls comes from the root veggies and the piquant, velvety peanut sauce. They are easy to make with whatever veggies and fruits we have on hand and are a great meal to take on the trail. Gather whatever ingredients sound delicious at the local market or farm, forage some delicacies if you have the time and put on your favorite music to inspire making these rolls.

Package of spring roll wrappers/rice wrappers 2-3 cucumbers or summer squash, cut into lengthwise strips Edible flowers (optional) such as scarlet begonias, nasturtiums, rose petals, calendula, dandelion petals, sweet alyssum, radish flowers, bachelor buttons, violets, violas or pea flowers 1 bunch mint (about 1 cup) 1 bunch cilantro (about 1 cup) Combination of fresh root vegetables in

an assortment of colors, such as turnips, radishes and carrots, sliced in thin sticks Spinach, nasturtium leaves or other tender green leaves to create a background for your petals 1 avocado, sliced thin (optional) Asparagus, sliced in thin sticks Red pepper, sliced thin, lengthwise 10-oz pack of thin rice noodles Snap peas, purple or green, sliced lengthwise

All of these ingredients are recommendations or suggestions meant to inspire, but they are merely ideas. Use what is available. Spring rolls are excellent with almost any combination of fresh ingredients. I use a general framework of one-third each of crunchy or harder ingredients, like cucumber, squash, radish and carrot; softer ingredients like avocado, peach, mushroom and iceberg lettuce; and flowers, herbs, leaves such as rose petals, calendula, basil, mint and squash blossoms.

First, prep all the ingredients and set up a space to roll and see all of the ingredients. It isn’t necessary to cut everything perfectly, and tearing lettuces or other leaves is a great way to save time and create texture. I like to have my ingredients separated by type or color to create the rolls like a painting, using a palette.

Have a bowl with water that is large enough to dip the spring roll wrappers. Next to this, have a plate that is large enough to hold the wrappers. Have bowls or plates or a large cutting board with all the ingredients laid out to access everything easily and quickly.

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TRY FOR FREE!

Quickly dip a rice wrapper into the water and place it onto the plate. Add flowers or individual flower petals to the wrapper.

Layer the petals to about a half-inch of the edge of the wrapper. There is really no wrong way to create these rolls.

Starting in the middle of the roll, on top of the petals and background leaves, make a line of crunchier or “harder” veggies like carrot, cucumber or radish sticks. Add up to nine sticks about two to three inches long each to make a line in the center. They can be close together and on top of one another.

Next, add softer veggies or fruit (peach/mango/mushrooms/ avocado) next to or on top of the line of harder veggies. Now sprinkle on the cilantro/mint/basil (roughly 1 to 2 tablespoons total per roll, unless you love these flavors and want to add more). Add leaves, lettuces, sprouts or spinach on top of this center line. It doesn’t need to be perfect at all, so let things spill out and over.

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Try to work as quickly as possible while adding ingredients; it will get faster as you make them. Then begin to lift one side of the roll using both hands and carefully pull up into the center of the roll toward the line of filling. Use your thumb to tuck the ingredients under and your fingers to bring more of the wrapper across over the line and then roll it all so the top goes under. You will need a small amount of the wrapper clear of ingredients at the end so it can seal with the roll you have made. (I don’t tuck the sides at all because doing it this way is faster and generally holds together better.)

TAMARIND AND PEANUT SAUCE 1 cup crunchy peanut butter (no oils, sugar or additives) 1 can full-fat coconut milk 4 Tbsp maple syrup 2 Tbsp (heaping) tamarind paste 3 Tbsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated ½ tsp sea salt, to taste Sprinkle of cayenne pepper Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan. Heat on low and stir or whisk until all ingredients are blended well.

If you like a thinner sauce, add water, a tablespoon at a time, but wait a few minutes until it is incorporated fully. Peanut sauce thickens more as it cools.

For more information, visit @themedicinecircle on Instagram or TheMedicineCircle.com.

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Yoga Corner Toxins

by Nicole Zornitzer

I

n a yoga class, it is common to hear the instructor referring to toxins. These toxins may be referred to as physical, emotional, spiritual or some other indication of imbalance in the body. There are a variety of ways that the yoga therapist can communicate on how to “release” or acknowledge what may be toxic in the practitioner. My interpretation of toxins or toxic behavior is anything that diverts us from finding our true dharma or happiness or purpose in this life. My life experience and education have brought me to a heightened sense of what is welcome in my mind, body and soul, and what is not. This journey to understand, recognize and accept what may be an obstacle in my life’s purpose has not been an easy path. It is said that through pain we find solace, through challenge we find happiness and through acceptance we find peace.

When one is functioning at a higher vibration in life’s journey it is common to attract others that may want to take this precious energy away. I view this as the term energy vampire. This vampire is attracted not to your darkness but rather to your lightness and, in turn, wants that energy or is intrigued by the idea of walking the path of lightness.

There may be people, events, surroundings, food, habits or a plethora of outside energies that create imbalance in the mind/ body connection.

When a yogi steps onto the yoga mat or attends a healing session in sound or reiki or Ayurveda, it is the healer’s role to create a space that encourages release of such toxins and turns this knowledge into power. This power is the power to not be seduced by the temptations that an energy vampire may introduce. However, as with life, we sometimes do get caught up in the moment of overindulgence, participating in an activity that does not align with our higher purpose or allow other humans that are not good for us into our realm of being. However, this temporary lack of judgement does not define the individual, rather it is a moment to face these challenges and stand secure in who we are and what we will allow to penetrate our being.

The physical practice of yoga asana is one way to release physical or even energetic toxins over time. There are specific asanas that promote release of said toxins, such as twists or a power vinyasa class where we “sweat it out”. The harder practice is the practice of releasing emotional toxins and this takes time, focus and patience to achieve wellness of spirit.

Some may engage in meditation or gathering with other highly vibrating individuals, while others may seek alternative methods of emotional healing. All these methods are valued and necessary as a person evolves through life.

When we open our mind and our body to the idea of releasing toxins, we also must face difficult decisions regarding people, circumstances, and environments that we expose ourselves to. The more vulnerable one is to truly “see” what is beneficial for a fruitful life, and what or whom may not be. This requires a greater degree of feeling secure on slick rocks.

Life is going to present us with detours and roadblocks and people that are not deserving of our gifts. These moments are the universe or source testing us to ensure we are learning life’s lessons—now—in this lifetime. It is my belief that we live each lifetime to evolve, to grow, and to understand ourselves better. Then, we arrive in our next lifetime having learned the lessons we needed to and ultimately move onto another plane of living that leverages this consciousness to be one with the spiritual world.

Nicole Zornitzer, ERYT 1000, yoga therapist, founder of Niyama Yoga & Wellness Shala, located in Randolph, New Jersey; Upper Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey; Roseland, New Jersey; and Delray Beach in Florida. NiyamaYogaShala.com.

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TRY FOR FREE!

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ENERGY HEALING

The Dangers of Commercial Air Fresheners

(and What to Use Instead)

by Kiki Powers

A

ds for air fresheners, from sprays to plug-ins to solids are everywhere. Commercial air fresheners are certainly a common fixture in many homes, schools and businesses.

But are they as safe and beneficial as people often think they are?

The assumed purpose of these products is to “freshen” the air, however, most merely mask odors with chemicals that degrade the air quality in our homes. In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), mass-market air fresheners are a major source of indoor air pollution. They often contain unhealthy chemicals such as formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, aerosol propellants, acetaldehyde—a likely human carcinogen according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), among others.

VOCs, which are emitted as gases, are a family of chemicals, some of which may cause adverse health effects. According to the EPA, concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors—up to ten times higher, in fact—than outdoors, and can be harmful to people of all ages, as well as pets, potentially causing: ■

Eye, nose and throat irritation

■

Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea

■

Damage to liver, kidneys and the central nervous system

Cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans Another chemical group to be aware of is phthalates, which have been linked to hormonal and reproductive problems, birth defects and developmental disorders. A 2007 review by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that 12 out of 14 popular air fresheners contained phthalates.

Labels don’t reveal this since air freshener ingredients can legally be kept secret due to business protections on product ingredients and fragrance formulations. Given these loopholes for manufacturers, less than ten percent of all volatile ingredients are typically disclosed on air freshener labels or material safety data sheets.

So how can we create a clean-smelling home if we prefer to ■

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steer clear of these chemical-based products? Worry not, it is easy to freshen air naturally with a few simple strategies. For example:

Attack Odors at the Source

Many odors are a snap to clear up naturally. It may be as simple as refreshing the litter box, ferreting out spoiled leftovers from the fridge, taking out the garbage more often, keeping an open box of baking soda in the fridge or sprinkling it into indoor trash cans and compost bins. Of course, keeping windows at least partially open year around is an easy, free air freshener. For a natural, do-it-yourself option, make simple garbage pail pods using essential oils.

Make Your Own Natural Air Freshener

This solution is easy, inexpensive and fun. Simply fill a spray bottle with purified water and add a few drops of essential oil. That’s it. A good essential oil starter kit might include soothing lavender, disinfecting tea tree, freshening lemon, cooling peppermint and invigorating grapefruit oils, though there are many to choose from. Experiment with the combinations. Mist rooms as often as you like and enjoy.

Enjoy Natural Scented Candles

Candles create a lovely aesthetic in our homes and scented versions lend a nice aroma to interior spaces. The key is selecting healthy alternatives. Most commercial candles are made from paraffin wax, which may create highly toxic benzene, toluene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, and other chemicals when burned, and the wicks often contain heavy metals such as lead which is released into the indoor atmosphere as well.

Synthetic fragrances add insult to injury by off-gassing chemicals like phthalates as well.

Look for safe, beneficial candles made from non-GMO soy or beeswax in natural markets and online. Be aware that the term “fragrance” is code for chemical additives so be sure to select candles scented with only natural essential oils.

Buy Healthy Alternatives

Safe, natural air fresheners are available. A simple citrus spray that contains only natural citrus oils from a blend of oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines and grapefruits is a great choice. Essential oil diffusers are wonderful and come in a variety of designs. For an exceptional version, consider a cool bamboo diffuser. This type uses high-frequency ultrasonic electrical vibrations to create an ultra-fine mist. This diffusion method doesn’t utilize heat, so essential oil integrity and holistic properties are maintained.

With so many great options, creating a fresh-scented home, free of undesirable chemicals, will be as easy as it is healthy!

Kiki Powers, MS, CNC, is a contributing writer for Natural Awakenings, a professional health writer, blogger, and national speaker specializing in plant-based nutrition and healthy green living. For more information on the benefits and countless rewards offered by embracing a healthy, conscious, and compassionate lifestyle, visit RawKiki.com.

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daily & ongoing

JULY 2022 FRIDAY, JULY 1 Philly Balloon & Music Festival – 7/1-4; 6am-9pm. Enjoy dozens of balloons drifting overhead, soaring high above the Philadelphia skyline. Rock out to live music, eat delicious food, and watch fireworks light up the sky. Activities for all ages include kids’ activities, balloon glows, beer and wine, and more. Adults: $20 (13+ years), Youth: $10 (5 years and above), 4 years and under: Free.

Not included: ax throwing, balloon rides, food, beverages, balloon ascensions. Fight Tickets – $350/person, purchased in advance. Festival: 1326 Pottstown Pike Glenmoore, PA. For information call 610-213-0555 or visit PhillyBalloonFest.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 3 Reiki Sound Bath Meditation – 6:30-7:30pm.

Show up as you are. This class is an invitation to relax and receive. Each gathering includes

All calendar events for the August 2022 issue must be received by July 10 and adhere to our guidelines. To submit, visit naturalawakeningscnj.com/pages/calendar-listings or email kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com for submission form.

a mix of guided breathwork and somatic experiencing to soothe the nervous system.

Once settled into our bodies, we ease into a long shavasana bathing in the healing tones of crystal singing bowls and channeled universal light; allowing our energy centers to align and expand. Body Language Co.,163 Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA. $25. To register, visit https://linktr.ee/fullcircleenergy.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 Reiki Sound Bath Meditation – 6-7pm. Show up as you are. This class is an invitation to relax and receive. Each gathering includes a mix of guided breathwork and somatic experiencing to soothe the nervous system.

Once settled into our bodies, we ease into a long shavasana bathing in the healing tones of crystal singing bowls and channeled universal light; allowing our energy centers to align and expand. River Rock Healing Arts, Carriage House, 1 South Main St (Rear), Yardley, PA. $25. To register, visit https://

linktr.ee/fullcircleenergy.

THURSDAY, JULY 7 Chakra Workshop – 7-8pm. Join us for an 8-session bi-weekly journey of exploration through the chakra system. Includes chill sessions, meditations, energy work, herbology, crystals and more. First session focuses on heart chakra. Bring a yoga mat.

Pre-registration is required. $35 per person, per class. A Year and a Day Mystical Shoppe, 413 Bond St., Asbury Park. For information and to register, call 848-217-2371 or email Ayearandadaymysticalshoppe@yahoo.com.

AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 9 French Lavender Wreath Workshop in July – 10am-noon. Join Nicole of Spadaflora Botanical Artistry to make a wreath from freshly harvested Phenomenal long-stemmed lavender. Participants pick lavender right out of the field. It takes a lot of lavender to create this, and so the lion’s share of it will be fresh cut and ready for you to fashion into your wreath. There is nothing like the color and scent of fresh lavender and it will dry beautifully, lasting well into the next year. Enjoy lavender lemonade and lavender shortbread cookies, and stroll around the farm. Limited to 8 attendees. In the event of rain, the workshop will be held in our new renovated Workshop Space. $140.

Register at: MadLavenderFarm.com/FrenchLavender-Wreath-Workshop-In-July/. Mad Lavender Farm, 452 Co Rd 579, Milford.

For information call 908-310-5973 or visit MadLavenderFarm.com.

Lavender Self Care – 1-3pm. Treat yourself to an afternoon for the senses. In this workshop with Robyn, learn how to incorporate daily self-care rituals using lavender and complementary herbs. Learn how to make a lavender infused oil (great for hair growth!), oatmeal lavender skin soother, fascial toner, and go home with handmade herbal bath sachets. Lavender lemonade will be served for refreshment. $55. Register at MadLavenderFarm.com/Lavender-Self-Care-June/.

Mad Lavender Farm, 452 Co Rd 579, Milford.

For information call 908-310-5973 or visit MadLavenderFarm.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 10 Free Drumming Circle & Holistic Fair – 1:30-3pm/3-6pm. Come the uplifting energy vibrations of this Native American drumming

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and stay for the Holistic Fair. Get an Aura photo with detailed report, or a reading or energy healing from one of our gifted psychics or healers at the fair. Readings include tarot, mediumship, medicine cards and limpia (egg reading). Circle led by Shaman Lauren Porter. Experience. You may bring an instrument (drum, rattle, etc.), or just be here for the experience. Free. 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.

TUESDAY, JULY 12

Special Qi Gong Event – 2-3pm. Energize yourself in the creative flow of qi—the vital energy of life. Improve health and vitality, increase resilience and promote overall well-being. Connect in harmony with moving meditation as you align the mind, body, heart and spirit. Class led by Shelly. $45. 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 email Ayearandadaymysticalshoppe@yahoo. com. AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

Reiki Sound Bath Meditation – 6:30-7:30pm.

Show up as you are. This class is an invitation to relax and receive. Each gathering includes

a mix of guided breathwork and somatic experiencing to soothe the nervous system.

Once settled into our bodies, we ease into a long shavasana bathing in the healing tones of crystal singing bowls and channeled universal light; allowing our energy centers to align and expand. Body Language Co.,163 Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA. $25. To register, visit https://linktr.ee/fullcircleenergy.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 Reiki Sound Bath Meditation – 6-7pm. Show up as you are. This class is an invitation to relax and receive. Each gathering includes

Full Moon Circle – 7:30-8:30pm. Enjoy and experience the Full Buck Moon with us. July’s moon is named Buck (moose and deer) as it’s when their antlers are in full growth mode. As a very masculine moon, it is a good time to work on the physical things in your life. Includes sound bath, focused intention and blessings toward healing body and mind. $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 email Ayearandadaymysticalshoppe@yahoo.com. AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 16 Inclusion Festival – 11am-11pm. This unique, immersive and fully inclusive experience aims to use music and recreation to normalize disability and strengthen unity among diverse populations. Enjoy sensory-friendly live music and recreational and educational workshops spanning a wide range of topics and hobbies. Dance and creative movement, art and music appreciation, health, wellness, nature yoga, meditation and mindfulness and more. Designed to make everyone feel welcome and safe to participate with mindful modifications to meet individual needs. $45/adult; Free/under age 12. Kempton Community Center, 83 Community Center Drive, Kempton. For information, visit InclusionFestival.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 17 Lavender Sage Smudge Workshop – 1-3pm.

Learn to wrap gorgeous, heavenly scented smudge sticks with up to four different herbs. The colors are spectacular and the combination of aromas when they are burned are so cleansing, soothing and elevating to the soul. In fact, they are so pretty you don’t want to burn them. That is why we will make two smudge sticks in our workshop.

Your first attempt will not be perfect but we are celebrating our unique signature and embracing our flaws. In other words, having fun. And making a glorious mess. $65. Register at MadLavenderFarm.com/ Lavender-Sage-Smudge-Workshop/. Mad Lavender Farm, 452 Co Rd 579, Milford.

For information call 908-310-5973 or visit MadLavenderFarm.com.

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a mix of guided breathwork and somatic experiencing to soothe the nervous system.

Once settled into our bodies, we ease into a long shavasana bathing in the healing tones of crystal singing bowls and channeled universal light; allowing our energy centers to align and expand. River Rock Healing Arts, Carriage House, 1 South Main St (Rear), Yardley, PA. $25. To register, visit https:// linktr.ee/fullcircleenergy.

products and leave with a few recipes to try at home. Limited to 10. $35. Register at MadLavenderFarm.Com/Peppermint-AnHerbal-Journey-With-A-Powerful-Plant-Saturday-June-18th/. Mad Lavender Farm, 452 Co Rd 579, Milford. For information call 908310-5973 or visit MadLavenderFarm.com.

Cacao Ceremony – 7:30-9pm. Guided by Shamanic Practitioner Lauren, who will teach about the medicinal power of cacao to connect to yourself in a deeper, loving way, be more in your heart space and heal from within. Includes sound bath. Participants must bring own mug and have an empty stomach.

No one on antidepressants should participate in this event. $45. 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 email Ayearandadaymysticalshoppe@yahoo.com.

AYearAndADayMysticalShoppe.com.

Shamanic Medicine Wheel Retreat –7/29, 2pm-7/31, 2pm. Experience a unique blend of ceremonies from several traditions worldwide for a deep healing and awakening experience. The medicine wheel brings in all directions, elements, inner and outer guidance, ancestors, and all of nature.

Healing through the medicine wheel offers profound new ways to look at life, heal, and move forward with ease and grace. Led by Shaman Janet StraightArrow. Retreat held in beautiful Catskills Mountains location: Art Farm, 33 Fawn Lane, Accord. $495 if paid by 6/1; $545 thereafter. For more information, visit BeTheMedicine.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 24

Full Moon Musing – 7-8pm. A time to release, a time to celebrate. Come, let’s set our intentions and sink into our bodies with guided breath and energetic techniques. Sinking into a long shavasana, bathing in the healing tones of crystal singing bowls. Experience the magic in the everyday. Location: The Healing Journey at MFR & Holistic Arts, 11 Lower Center St., Clinton. $25. Register at https://linktr.ee/fullcircleenergy. For information contact Lori at 908-268-7169 or feelslikesunshine124@gmail.com. FullCircleEnergy.net.

Peppermint: An Herbal Journey with a Powerful Plant – 1-3pm. Besides lavender, peppermint has a strong presence here on the farm. Since it can sometimes take over a garden, it may not always get the respect it deserves but peppermint is a strong ally for many aspects of wellness. Our in-house herbalist, Robyn Weixler, will teach how to harvest peppermint, learn the medicinal properties and uses, how to make self-care

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

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FRIDAY, JULY 29

SATURDAY, JULY 30 Cacao/Fire Ceremonial Circle – 11am-1pm.

Cacao has the power to let healing energy move throughout our bodies, opening up the heart’s center. Join Leslee Penny as she takes you through a journey of spiritual release, de-stressing, healing, and letting go of what no longer serves you. Includes meditation and full-body resonant sound healing. Bring comfortable clothing and something to lie down on. $55. Register at Madlavenderfarm.Com/Cacao-Fire-Ceremonial-Circle-June-September. Mad Lavender Farm, 452 Co Rd 579, Milford. For information call 908-310-5973 or visit MadLavenderFarm.com.

ongoing daily Qi Gong for Beginner Series – Times and days vary. Four 1-hour classes. Begin the gentle movements of a Qi Gong Tai Chi journey featuring Patty Pagano live online. First 1-hour class is Free! Check schedule or register at https://forms.gle/k2kcv9tVJ6X1QfpD8.

For information contact Patty at 908-392-

Somerset/Middlesex/Hunterdon/Mercer/ S. Warren Co. Edition

1313 or PattyQigongforHealing@gmail.com.

QiGongForHealing.com.

wednesday New Year, New You ‘22 – 6-7pm. 4th Wed. Let’s get together in a group session setting, the last Wednesday of every month to focus on making 2022 your best year yet. We will focus on all attributes of life to create positive and life-affirming changes. If you are interested in becoming a client of mine, you could attend these monthly events free of charge. . $49 per person/each session . Health Yeah! with Michelle, 243 N. Union St., Ste 201, Lambertville. 973-420-9220.

HealthYeahWithMichelle.com.

Advanced Soul Shamanism Bi-Weekly Class – 7-9:15pm. 2nd & 4th Wed, ZOOM. Join us for a great night of profound experiences.

For all graduates of Soul Shamanism 101 and other Soul Shamanism classes. Experience new energy levels, wisdom, knowledge, healing, tools, and practices within this practice Zoom link is provided upon signing up. $60.

Be The Medicine (Online In-Person-Sessions-Classes-Retreats), 247 North Rd., Chester. 973-647-2500. BeTheMedicine. com.

thursday Holistic Dentistry: Materials Reactivity Testing – 8am-4pm. Learn about and discuss Materials Reactivity Testing with the expert holistic dentists at Princeton Center for Dental Aesthetics and Implants. Biocompatibility testing can be a good way to learn what dental materials may be best suited to your oral health needs. This free consultation has a $152 value. It’s your opportunity to benefit from the decades of experience we offer all of our patients. For patients who so choose, we can arrange the testing process. Free. Princeton Center for Dental Aesthetics & Implants, 11 Chambers Street, Princeton. 609-924-1414. PrincetonDentist. com/holistic-dentistry.

saturday Bedminster Farmers Market – 9am-1pm.

Each Saturday through 10/29; then 11/512/10 from 10am-1pm. From fresh produce to a pizza truck on site, they have so much to offer. It’s not a very large farmers market but it’s well organized and features a great selection of local small business vendors.

They also usually have live music and they are dog friendly. It is hosted at the Township’s River Road Park, located at the corner of Routes 202/206 South and River Road. For details, visit Facebook.com/BedminsterFarmersMarket.

NaturalAwakeningsCNJ.com

Central New Jersey Community

business directory

Join the community! Request our media kit today by emailing Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

Your local source for natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

Acupuncture

Chinese Healing Arts

Education

Dr. Andy Rosenfarb, ND, LAc

Qi Gong For Healing

David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies

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 37.

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.

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 14.

Energy Practitioner & Coach

Health Yeah With Michelle

Full Circle Energy Therapies

Michelle LaVecchia Odendahl 243 N. Union St., Ste 201, Lambertville 973-420-9220 healthyeahwithmichelle@hotmail.com HealthYeahWithMichelle.com

.

The Hemp Oil Store

Joseph Wilker Cool Breeze Distributors 3 E. Ave., Yardley, PA 855-904-4367, 267-679-2949 coolbreezedist@gmail.com TheHempOilStore.com License Number: 82-2609404 The Hemp Oil Store is a family-owned CBD store. Our goal is to bring you, your pets, and your loved ones high-quality CBD products at affordable prices.

Shop online at TheHempOilStore.com with free shipping. We also have curbside pickup and walkins are always welcome. See ad, page 15.

Good herbalists treat people, not diseases, and in our program we strive to teach the skills necessary so that each student can accomplish that goal.

We focus on differential diagnosis skills, materia medica and therapeutics which are essential to individualize treatment. See ad, page 9.

Coach/Counsel/Therapy & Nutrition

See ad, page 2

CBD Oil

P O Box 417, Riegelsville, PA 18077 908-835-0822 908-835-0824 / fax office@dwherbal.com HerbalStudies.net

ad, page 27.

Did you know you are born with unique talents, desires and motivations? As a Certified International Health and Wellness Coach, I will coach you to bring a strong sense of purpose to your everyday life with a positive mindset. See

Eden Energy Medicine/ Sound Meditation RedTail Energetics Karen E Adamo, EEM-AP

Eden Energy Medicine Advanced Practitioner Phillipsburg, NJ 908-752-0097 (phone or text) Karen@RedTailEnergetics.com RedTailEnergetics.com Experience more joy, peace, calm, health and vitality through the combination of two profoundly effective healing modalities—Eden Energy Medicine, which corrects imbalances in nine different energy systems, and Sound Meditation with authentic bronze Himalayan Singing Bowls and Gongs.

Lori L. Hoff 2041 Pennington Rd., Ewing 908-268-7169 feelslikesunshine124@gmail.com FullCircleEnergy.net

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 20.

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. 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 37.

July 2022

39

Hair Restoration

Holistic Dental Center

Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy

The Hair For Life Center, LLC

Vladimir Gashinsky, DDS

Hypnosis Counseling Center

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 xx.

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 Chiropractors Samsara Chiropractic Wellness Center Dr Jennifer Redmond

7 E. High St, Somerville 908-300-8800 • DoctorRedmond.com We believe that 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 29.

Holistic Dentistry The Center For Advanced Health Through Dentistry

Dr. Joseph R. Mele, DDS, FIND, CNC 215 Union Ave.,Ste D, Bridgewater 908-526-2266 • MeleDDS.com

Our aim is to restore you to health and vitality by eliminating dental road blocks.

We offer the highest quality dental services with a holistic approach for children and adults. See ad, page 43.

Princeton Center For Dental Aesthetics & Implants Drs. Huckel, Huckel & Reine

11 Chambers St, Princeton 609-924-1414 • PrincetonDentist.com

Recover from the trauma, bridge the divide, and put the pieces back together.

With or without your partner!

Rhoda Ondov, MS, MFT, CPC Relationship Coach

908-642-6256 rhoda.ondov@gmail.com

OndovRelationshipCoaching.com 12-14 E. Main St., Somerville Sliding Scale Rates

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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.

Holistic Spa/Wellness Ctr Quantum Wellness

327 US - 202, Bedminster 973-782-3227 info@quantumwellnessnj.com QuantumWellnessNJ.com Experience perfect relaxation at our premier spa and wellness center. Modalities include therapeutic massage, acupressure, reiki, cryotherapy and infrared saunas, yoga, floation therapy, workshops and more. See ad, page 7.

Somerset/Middlesex/Hunterdon/Mercer/ S. Warren Co. Edition

Barry Wolfson 28 Mine St, Flemington 43 Tamarack Circle, Princeton 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.

NaturalAwakeningsCNJ.com

Matrix Repatterning

Naturopathic Medicine

Reiki & Hypnosis

Dr. Clare M. Larkin, DC, CMRP

New Jersey Natural Medicine

Alice Rich Reiki Center

2424 Lamington Road, Bedminster 973-267-2650 • NJNaturalMedicine.com

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

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 9.

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.

Dr. Jason Frigerio ND, LAC

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 17.

Alice Rich, Certified Master Teacher

Nutrition

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.

Sunrise Nutrition & Wellness Center

Relationship Coach

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 20.

Platonic Touch Practitioner / Reiki In Your Arms Holistic Karen Schweiger 908-768-1800 inyourarms@zoho.com CuddleInYourArms.com Cuddlist.com/Karen

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

Ondov Relationship Coaching Rhoda Ondov, MS, MFT, CPC

12-14 E Main St, Suite 8, Somerville 908-642-6256 rhoda.ondov@gmail.com OndovRelationshipCoaching.com If you are in a troubled relationship, or dealing with infidelity, or facing possible divorce, you do not need Therapy. You are not mentally ill. You just need guidance and solutions. Relationship Coaching can help you repair these difficult situations, bringing clarity and restoring harmony. Eight years experience helping couples successfully navigate relationship crises. Does not require participation by both partners. See ad, page 40.

Spiritual Healing, Teaching Be The Medicine Janet StraightArrow

973-647-2500 Janet@BeTheMedicine.com BeTheMedicine.com Shamanic Healing, Energy Medicine, Past Life, Medical Intuition, Life, Health, Spiritual Coaching, Astrology Readings, House and Land Clearings. In person, phone or Skype.

Professional Reiki, Shamanism and Medical Intuitive Training. Retreats. 40 years’ experience.

See ad, page 13.

July 2022

41

Crossword Puzzle Look for clues in the articles in this month’s edition

Across

1 Destructive technology that spells longterm trouble for people’s health, goes with 2 down 5 Vital pollinators 9 Rainbow shape 10 Processes food 11 Corn and soybeans, e.g.

12 Erie is one 13 Goal 14 “Now I get it!”

15 Superabound 17 Music’s Clapton 19 Negative word 20 Type of tide 22 Tiny organism 23 Corn section 24 ___ Antonio 26 Type of non-chemical, healthy food 30 Farm-to-____ cuisine 31 Nevada city 32 Home for chicks 33 Natural fertilizer

Down 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 16 18 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29

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See 1 across Stands for artists Problem to be resolved “It’s cold!”

Drought-resistant grass that requires mowing only once per month, 2 words Beneficial for survival of the whole environment Enlighten Type of soil needed for growing blueberries Sound magnifier Turkey seasoning Alternative action to fungicides in controlling powdery mildew Spoil Ice pieces Scattered seed Prevent Expertise Company abbreviation Dove sound

You can find the answers to this month’s puzzle by visiting

NaturalAwakeningsCNJ.com

this month’s CROSSWORD PUZZLE 80 Morristown Road, Bernardsville (Bernardsville Centre) 908.766.5450 sponsored by:

Hibernatebedding .com

Come see how EASY it is to shop for a mattress.

80 Morristown Road, Bernardsville (Bernardsville Centre) 908.766.5450

Bring this ad & receive 20% OFF your Hibernatebedding .com total purchase.

Come see how EASY it is to shop for a mattress.

Bring this ad & receive 20% OFF your total purchase.

For more information on Hibernate Bedding,

We offer an exclusive collection of ORGANIC AND CHEMICAL FREE see ad on page 2.

Mattresses and Accessories and have something for everyone at all prices…..a truly ONE OF A KIND store!

Somerset/Middlesex/Hunterdon/Mercer/ S. Warren Co. Edition NaturalAwakeningsCNJ.com Over 30 Years Family Experience.

Once a Customer, Always a Customer.

Platform Beds, Headboards, Adjustable Bases, Toppers, Pillows,

The Center for Advanced Health Through Dentistry Our aim is to restore you to health and vitality by eliminating dental road blocks.

Our patients come from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other states...some have even traveled from outside the United States! Why? Because quality biocompatible dental care provided by a warm, caring dental team in a comfortable, relaxed setting is worth the trip.

Start Early for a Lifetime of Benefits!

Improvements to Your Child’s Crowded Teeth and Appearance Can Begin As Early as Age 7.

Does your child show signs of: • Crowded baby or adult teeth?

• Mouth breathing? (Lips are apart most of the time due to obstructed airways.)

For more information, see our video

“How To Start Fixing Children’s Crooked Teeth As Early As Age 7 to 10” at MeleDDS.com or YouTube®.

We offer the highest quality dental services including...

• Safe removal of amalgam restorations (fillings) following OSHA and EPA guidelines • Biocompatible dental materials including BPA-free restorations • Non-surgical natural and nutritional therapies to treat periodontal disease and dental decay • Effective treatment of TMJ, teeth grinding, bad breath, snoring, sleep apnea, and mouth breathing

Joseph R. Mele D.D.S., FIND, CNC Fellowship, Institute for Natural Dentistry Diplomate Member, American Association of Nutritional Consultants Member, International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology Member, The Holistic Dental Association

Come in for a complimentary Meet and Greet or visit our website for information.

215 Union Avenue — Suite D, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

(908) 526-2266

www.MeleDDS www.

MeleDDS..com July 2022

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