Natural Awakenings Mercer, NJ April 2015 by Natural Awakenings Mercer

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feel good • live simply • laugh more

NATURE’S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change

SPRING DOGS IN GREENING LIBRARIES Easy Ways to Detox a House

Kids Read Better Around Animals

April 2015 | Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com

No More Pain! Dr. Magaziner can help you recover from Traumatic Injuries

Getting The Proper Care after a Car Accident is Crucial Dr. Magaziner has been caring for accident victims for over 25 years. His philosophy is to provide a comprehensive evaluation as soon as possible after the accident. The reason that timing is critical, even after a low-speed car accident, is that the forces exerted on the body during a collision can cause a lot of hidden softtissue injuries that may not show up until days or weeks after the car injury occurred. Emergency room doctors have to focus on immediate, lifethreatening injuries first. More often than not once a life-threatening injury is ruled out auto accident victims, are sent home from the emergency room with some pain relievers and little to no recommendation for further treatment. This type of trauma commonly causes muscle, ligament, joint and disc injuries which if not promptly treated could lead to more serious and chronic conditions. Absolutely do not under estimate the seriousness of your injuries regardless of the amount of pain you are immediately experiencing. You need to pay attention to the warning signs such as: Neck pain or stiffness, headaches, dizziness, back pain, confusion or trouble

concentrating, numbness or tingling, ringing in the ears, jaw pain, depression and fatigue. Dr. Magaziner specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of acute traumatic injuries. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, Dr. Magaziner will design a specific treatment plan for your condition. Dr. Magaziner’s philosophy is to start with the more conservative treatments (less invasive) first such as physical therapy or chiropractic care. The Center for Spine, Sports, Pain Management and Orthopedics Regenerative Medicine centrally located in North Brunswick, New Jersey, specializes in non-invasive interventional pain treatments designed to reduce pain and heal the injured regions. There are many nonsurgical treatments which are effective

in the treatment of traumatic injuries. Highly respected by his peers, Dr. Magaziner has been the CEO of the New Jersey Interventional Pain Society, a clinical professor at Robert Wood Johnson University and an assistant professor at the New York Medical College. Dr. Magaziner is on the cutting edge of new procedures designed to reduce pain and regenerate injured tissue. He has successfully treated thousands of patient’s who have suffered a traumatic injury. If you have suffered a traumatic injury and have acute or chronic pain, call our office today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation to determine how we can help!

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877-817-3273 • www.DrEMagaziner.com

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6 newsbriefs 9 ecotip 10 globalbriefs 14 healthbriefs 10 20 healthykids 8 22 consciouseating 24 healingways 26 greenliving 28 fitbody 9 30 wisewords 32 naturalpet 35 inspiration 37 calendar 40 resourceguide

advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 609-249-9044 or email Publisher@NAMercer.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

16 NATUREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us by Christine MacDonald

20 EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change by Avery Mack

22 THE FOOD ARTISANS NEXT DOOR

Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

24 SPRING GREENING

Easy Ways to Detox a House by Lane Vailt

26 HOME-GROWN

ORGANIC MADE EASY 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden by Barbara Pleasant

28 MASTERING THE The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NAMercer.com or fax to 609-249-9044. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

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EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@NAMercer.com. Deadline for editorial: 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 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

by Eric Stevens

32 DOGS WITH

Kids Love Reading to Animals by Sandra Murphy

35 STRONG WINDS

STRONG ROOTS What Trees Teach Us About Life

by Dennis Merritt Jones

letterfrompublisher

arth Day’s 45th anniversary this year has the potential to be the most exciting in environmental history: A year in which economic growth and sustainability join hands. It’s the people’s time to lead, so that world governments can follow our example. Earth Day 2015 will again be held on April 22. According to EarthDay. org, more than a billion people in 192 countries are expected to participate, making it the largest civic observance in the world. It all started in 1970 when 20 million Americans chose to publicly share their concerns about citizens’ critical role in consciously stewarding the environment. How can you and I contribute to making a telling difference this year? We may have high hopes for things we want to change but then we allow busy to-do’s take over and vital needs get put off or even pushed aside. Life won’t come to an end if we fail to instantly return a text, but if will if we don’t save our planet. We take a leap forward when we unplug and step outside. Renewed life is beginning to bloom again as nature greens and a new crop of baby animals appear. Such simple, natural wonders make life worth living. Together we must protect the health of this planet’s native wealth for our children and generations to come. Our children are asking us to actively making a promising difference. In Avery Mack’s April Healthy Kids article, “Earth in Peril,” children open up with heart-breaking views they have about the planet we are bequeathing them (page 20). As one youngster states, “We do more damage to the planet than we think.” Climate change is today’s reality as air, land and ocean temperatures rise. Life everywhere is experiencing the impact. We are losing forever species of trees, bushes and flowers and birds, fish, amphibians and mammals at such a fast rate that we’re now in the midst of the planet’s sixth mass extinction. Earth Day is a good day to start to make a change for the better in support of regenerating our green and blue planet. Here are a few starting ideas to commit to: Replace toxic household chemicals with eco-friendly brands; compost food scraps to reduce waste; grow your own vegetable and herb garden; plant a native tree; make fresh organic meals at home; save water; donate clothes and household items; carpool and turn off the power when devices aren’t in use. Our help is also needed for many volunteer opportunities county-wide. The Mercer County Wildlife Center is one we highlight this month. It strives to preserve natural wildlife by accepting and rehabilitating birds and mammals from the central New Jersey region; learn more at WildLifeCenterFriends.org. Let’s come together at local Earth Day events this year to get up to speed and feel inspired by local pioneers in the essential cause of daily supporting sustainable living for people and the planet. We look forward to seeing you there. Happy Earth Day!

Managing Editor Dave Beveridge

Proofreader Randy Kambic

Design & Production Jason Cross Stephen Blancett

Franchise Sales 239-530-1377

Phone: 609-249-9044 Fax: 609-249-9044 NAMercer.com Publisher@NAMercer.com © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the publisher. Call for details.

Lori Beveridge, Publisher

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April 2015

newsbriefs Communiversity Returns to Downtown Princeton

he countdown is on for Communiversity, one of Central New Jersey’s most well-known annual celebrations of the arts. This year’s edition is slated from 1 to 6 p.m. on April 26, rain or shine, in downtown Princeton. Presented by the Arts Council of Princeton and the students of Princeton University, the event originated as The Art People’s Party on the lawn of Nassau Hall in 1970. Later renamed Communiversity to capture its town-grown spirit, the arts festival has steadily grown in popularity to the point that it now attracts more than 40,000 visitors each spring. Communiversity Festival of the Arts 2015 will feature more than 200 artists, crafters and merchants from around the area; continuous live entertainment on five stages; children’s activities and games; a wide array of delicious food from around the globe; and a broad representation of the many businesses and organizations that play a prominent role in the vibrant life of the Princeton community. Public parking is available in lots and garages located on Chambers, Hulfish (next to the Halo Pub) and Spring streets. Additional parking can be found on side streets throughout town. Free admission. Location: Nassau and Witherspoon streets, Palmer Square, Princeton. For more information, call the Arts Council of Princeton at 609-9248777 or visit ArtsCouncilOfPrinceton.org.

Lights, Camera, Action! Broadway Boot Camps Return in Allentown

ack by popular demand, Mill Pond Arts will be offering five different summer Broadway Boot Camps this year to aspiring young performers. Each one-week camp session will be directed by Kelsey Carroll, camp director for the past three years. “You’ll have peace of mind that your kids are set for a most spectacular, fun summer,” exults owner Pete Meerwarth, affectionately known by students as Mr. Pete. This summer’s camp options will include Audition Boot Camp and Beauty and the Beast Camp for ages 12 to 18, Royal Revue Camp for ages 9 to 12, Fractured Fairy Tales Camp for ages 4 to 8, and Music Together Classes for kids up to 5 years old. Meerwarth adds, “Please register early as the camps ran at full capacity last year.” Mill Pond Arts also offers private voice, guitar and piano lessons, guitar and amplifier repairs and art classes offered through VillageArtsNJ.com. Location: 20 S. Main St., Allentown. For more information or to register, call 609-903-6560 or visit MillPondArts.com. See ad on page 23.

Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com

Celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

pril 25 will be World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. Celebrate the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion facility in New Egypt and welcome special guest Dr. Chang-Shin Jih, who will offer a workshop on T’ai Chi and Taoist philosophy. Jih is a University Professor and the co-author of book The Tao of Jesus. He is a certified instructor in several holistic healing modalities Tai-Qi-Chuan, qigong, yoga and Buddhist meditation. He also offers such seminars as Healing Rituals of Body and Mind in World Religions and Inter-Religious Dialogue among Christians, Buddhists and Native Americans. “This annual event is both moving and inspiring as people from over 80 nations come together to wrap the world in a global tai chi and qigong movement,” comments Siobhan Hutchinson of Next Step Strategies, hosts of the annual local event. Its primary mission is furthering personal and global health and healing by educating people in the emerging medical research on tai chi and chi kung, explaining the nuances of both of the modalities plainly and clearly and connecting people with local teachers such as Hutchinson. Cost: $10/$15, pre-registration/at door and additional $50/$75 pre-registration/at door for Dr. Jih’s 2-hour lecture. Location: 2 Meadow Brook Ln., New Egypt. Bring a potluck lunch of your making. For more information and to register, call Hutchinson at 609-752-1048 or email Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesLLC.com. See ad on page 39.

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Natural Awakenings Earns Top Franchise Business Award

atural Awakenings has been named one of 200 companies in the Franchise Business Review’s 2015 Top Franchises Report. The healthy living magazine was one of five franchise companies cited as best-in-class in the advertising and sales category. To select the top franchises across industries and performance categories, the organization surveyed more than 28,500 franchisees. “We feel privileged that it was our franchisees’ expression of high satisfaction that earned us this award,” says Sharon Bruckman, CEO of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. “Gaining this recognition proves that our process of providing franchisees with editorial, promotional and operational support, partnered with their enthusiastic dedication in individual markets, serves communities well. Together, we are nourishing and growing a healthy living consciousness in America.” The network now encompasses nearly 100 franchisees nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Franchise Business Review, headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. 2015 marked its 10th annual Top Franchises Report.

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For more information, call Anna Romano at 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com and FranchiseBusinessReview.com. See ad, page 12. natural awakenings

April 2015

newsbriefs One-Day Intensive Spiritual Seminar in Hightstown

oin Brenda Morgan and Tom Egan for an intensive one-day spiritual enrichment seminar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 2 at the Euphemia Gallery, in Hightstown. Morgan, a retreat and meditation leader, coupled with Egan, an advance group facilitator, are returning to Hightstown at this venue to guide participants on a journey of depth through dialogue and experimental activities in the company of like-minded peers.

Do you have a special event in the community? Open a new office? Move? Recently become certified in a new modality?

Cost $97/person. Location: 200 N. Main St., Hightstown. For more information and to register, call 609-651-2855 or visit MovedByTheLight.com. See ad on page 17.

Bunny Chase on Easter Weekend in Princeton

elebrate the arrival of spring at Terhune Orchards’ Bunny Chase from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Easter Weekend on both April 4 and 5 in Princeton. The free event with many family-friendly activities will launch children, especially those 2 through 8 years old, on a fun treasure hunt including clues toward a special spring surprise at the end. There’ll also be bunny arts and crafts for children to make and take home; Terhune Orchards bunny cookies; wagon and pony rides around the farm to see the many farm animals plus blooming flowers from the onset of spring; the Farm Food Tent offering homemade goodies and lunch; and the winery tasting room. Location: 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton. Event is weather-dependent; call for more information at 609-924-2310 or visit TerhuneOrchards.com.

News Briefs We welcome news items relevant to the subject matter of our magazine. We also welcome any suggestions you may have for a news item. Contact us for guidelines so we can assist you throughout the process. We’re here to help!

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Toddlers Experience Nature via Waldorf School Program

he Waldorf School of Princeton is offering a weekly forest experience for toddlers on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. starting April 14 and continuing through May 19. Toddlers, ages 5 and 6, can enjoy an all-weather enrichment program inspired by forest kindergartens of Europe, and rooted in the Waldorf tradition of imagination, exploration and practical activity. Children will enjoy a walk through the woods, free play alongside a creek, a nature craft, and a snack and story around a campfire before rejoining civilization. Cost: $220/child. Location: 1062 Cherry Hill Rd., Princeton. For more information and to register, email Admissions@PrincetonWaldorf.org. See ad on page 21.

Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com

ecotip

Dentistry at its Best!

Sustainable Shopping Tips

Smart Choices Help Our Home Planet

The buy local movement and popularity of local farmers’ markets continue to grow, but we can do even better when it comes to sustainable shopping. A recent Greendex.com survey on environmental impacts of consumer behaviors in 18 countries reports that more Americans are eating local and organic foods and say they’re going to consume less meat and bottled water. Nevertheless, we continue to eat the most processed and packaged foods and the fewest fruits and vegetables of all the countries surveyed. Evidently, we need to literally put our money where our mouths are. The Greendex survey cites several basic ways to make our diets more sustainable. These include eating more vegetables and less beef and lamb (recognizing the greater environmental impact of raising animals); participating and supporting community supported agriculture and fishery initiatives; economizing meal planning; and storing food properly in the refrigerator to maximize space and freshness periods. When grocery shopping, peruse the perimeter aisles first, where whole foods are stocked, instead of the interior shelves, which typically comprise processed foods according to MotherEarthLiving.com. More cooperation between the public and private sectors and individual involvement can also increase sustainability in communities around the world. Rachael Durrant, Ph.D., a research fellow with the UK-based Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group, cites in a recent paper the need for improved understanding of the key roles that civil society organizations play within processes of large-scale social change and warned that many communities are vulnerable to grave environmental and social risks. Durrant lauds “greener, fairer and healthier practices, such as community gardening or cookery classes,” plus “those that change the rules of the game through campaigns or lobbying to coordinate and facilitate activities of other groups.” Supporting food and farming management that’s independent, cooperative and welcomes volunteers, for example, is highly beneficial. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ~Lao Tzu

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April 2015

globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Vanishing Wildlife

50 Percent Gone in Under 50 years The latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report shows that the Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 percent since 1970. The report is widely considered the leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity (Tinyurl.com/WWF-Living-Planet-Report). In fewer than two human generations, populations of vertebrate species—the life forms that constitute the fabric of life-sustaining ecosystems and serve as a barometer of how humans are impacting nature—have dropped by half. Nature conservation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand; it’s not only about preserving biodiversity and wild places, but about safeguarding the future of humanity. Living Planet Report partners include the Zoological Society of London, Global Footprint Network and Water Footprint Network. Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, states, “We need leadership for change. Sitting on the bench waiting for someone else to make the first move, doesn’t work. Heads of state need to start thinking globally; businesses and consumers need to stop behaving as if we live in a limitless world.”

Thriving Eco-Towns

Malaysian Villages Model Sustainability

photo by MIGHT

Innovations being successfully pioneered in Malaysia offer ideas for improving the world, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), including the construction of high-tech, self-sustaining ecological “smart” villages. These villages are lifting incomes for scores of rural families while promoting environmental sustainability. Each 50acre community consists of about 100 affordable homes, advanced educational, training and recreational facilities and an integrated, sustainable farm system that provides villagers with food and employment that on average, triples their monthly income. Low-cost, 1,000-square-foot homes are built in 10 days and the communal farming operations include a cascading series of fish tanks, or “aquafarms”. Filtered fish tank wastewater irrigates trees, grain fields and high-value plants grown in “autopots”, a three-piece container with a valve that detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Free-range chickens feed on the fast-reproducing worms that process the plant compost. This system optimizes nutrient absorption, minimizes waste and enables crops to be grown on previously non-arable land. The village’s solar-generated power is complemented by biomass energy and mini-hydro electricity. A community hall, resource center, places of worship, playgrounds and educational facilities equipped with 4G Internet service support e-learning and e-health services. 10

Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com

Corporate Do-Gooders

U.S. Recognizes Companies for Earth-Sound Policies Each year, the U.S. Department of State presents Awards for Corporate Excellence recognizing U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles worldwide as good corporate citizens. Parameters include supporting sustainable development, respect for human and labor rights, environmental protection, open markets, transparency and other democratic values. The 2014 winners, announced last December, include the EcoPlanet Bamboo Group, in Nicaragua, for fostering sustainable development by regenerating degraded pasturelands. The company dedicates 20 percent of its plantations as natural habitat that protects biodiversity by prohibiting illegal hunting. EcoPlanet also focuses on employing persons with disabilities and empowering women through recruitment to managerial positions. Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC, in Mongolia, a heavy equipment dealership, is recognized for its commitment to public/private partnerships with Mongolia’s local and national governments designed to protect the environment. Initiatives include planting more than 900 trees, conducting workshops for students on environment and ecology, implementing a project to build a community garden and rehabilitating a toxic waste site. Other finalists include the Coca-Cola Company, in the Philippines; Chevron Corporation, in Burma; ContourGlobal, in Togo; General Electric, in South Africa; General Electric International, in Tunisia; GlassPoint Solar, in Oman; and the Linden Centre, in China. For more information on finalists, visit Tinyurl.com/ACE2014Finalists.

natural awakenings

April 2015

Soil Salvation

Organic Farming May Counteract Greenhouse Effect The nonprofit Rodale Institute, the United Nations and the Soil Association are reporting that modern, chemicalintensive industrial farming is stripping the soil’s natural ability to take carbon back out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in the soil. Rodale researchers say that by returning to small-scale organic farming, more than 40 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions could be captured in the soil, and if the entire world’s pasture and rangelands were managed using regenerative techniques, an additional 71 percent of those emissions could be sequestered. Further, organic practices could counteract the world’s yearly carbon dioxide output while producing the same amount of food as conventional farming. Rodale claims that using regenerative organic agriculture—like low or no-tillage, cover crops and crop rotation—will keep photosynthesized carbon dioxide in the soil, instead of returning it to the atmosphere. The institute cites 75 studies from peerreviewed journals, including its own 33-year Farming Systems Trial, which directly compare organic farming with conventional farming.

Buzzing Buddies

‘Flying Doctor’ Bees Prevent Cherry Disease

People in the United States waste more than a third of all of the food they produce, but more than 180 cities and towns are beginning to realize that wasted food can be valuable; they are asking residents to separate unwanted food from the rest of their trash and put it in a curbside compost bin. The idea is to stop sending food waste to the landfill, where it generates harmful methane gas pollution, and start turning it into something useful, like compost. In 2011, Portland, Oregon, launched a curbside compost program in which residents are encouraged to put food scraps into the city’s green yard waste bin. Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the landfill has decreased by 37 percent. According to Bruce Walker, the city’s solid waste and recycling program manager, the program also reduces the environmental footprint of the trash heap. Getting people to separate their food waste, however, can be difficult. To motivate its residents to put more food waste in the compost bin, the city of Seattle, Washington, has proposed both making curbside composting mandatory and fining residents a dollar every time they put a disproportionate volume of food waste in their trash.

University of Adelaide researchers are introducing a “flying doctor” method of employing bees as preventive medicine. Project leader and bee researcher Katja Hogendoorn, Ph.D., says, “All commercial cherry growers spray during flowering to control the later development of cherry brown rot. Instead of spraying fungicide, we’re using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the flowers, where it’s needed.” The innovative delivery works via entomovectoring. This is a new technique for Australia, with potential application in many horticultural industries. The biological control agent contains spores of a parasitic fungus that prevents another fungus that causes the brown rot from colonizing the flower. Future applications of the small, winged medics are expected to become available for disease control in almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears and stone fruit.

Source: NetNebraska.org

Source: Adelaide.edu.au

Source: OrganicConsumers.org

Curbside Composting

No Food Scraps Need Go to Waste

has been ranked in the best 50 in its size class among 200 companies named in the Franchise Business Review’s 2015 Top Franchises Report. The healthy living magazine was one of five franchise companies cited as best-in-class in the advertising and sales category. To select the top franchises across industries and performance categories, the organization surveyed more than 28,500 franchisees. For more information visit our website: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/mymagazine or call 239-530-1377 12

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April 2015

healthbriefs

Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers

esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (nontherapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups.

Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure

study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoid-rich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants. At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.

THE COLOR GREEN MAKES EXERCISE FEEL EASIER

esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos— along with a battery of physiological and mood testing. The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos. They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise. 14

Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com

Memory Works Better Reading Real Books

esearchers from Norway’s Stavanger University and France’s AixMarseille Université found that readers remember a story better if it’s on paper. The study tested 50 people that read the same 28-page short story. Half of the group read the paper version and the other half read the story on a Kindle e-reader. The researchers discovered that readers of the digital version could not remember details from the story or reconstruct the plot as well as the group that read the paper copy. The researchers found that the feedback of a Kindle doesn’t provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does. “When you read on paper, you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right,” explains Stavanger University’s Anne Mangen, Ph.D. These findings confirm a study performed a year earlier, also led by Mangen. Seventy-two 10th-graders were given text to read either on paper or on a computer screen. The students that read the paper text versions scored significantly higher in reading comprehension testing than those reading digital versions.

Local Toxins Increase Risk of Autism

onfirming previous findings, a large study from the University of Chicago has found that autism is linked to toxic environmental exposure. The research examined data from nearly a third of the U.S. population, which showed that both autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities increased as exposure increased in region-by-region testing. The research measured clusters of autism incidence together with exposure rates in different counties and states across the country. The areas with greater environmental toxin exposures had significantly increased autism rates. The correlation was significant among both boys and girls, but stronger among girls. Proximity to urban areas also increased autism incidence. For every 1 percent increase in urbanization, there was about a 3 percent rise in autism and intellectual disabilities. Influential toxins include pesticides, plasticizers, lead and pharmaceuticals.

Healthy Choices at Every Step

Olive Oil Boosts Healthy Cholesterol

n an effort to understand what makes olive oil so good for heart health, a study from Europe’s Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group and the U.S. National Institutes of Health has found that olive oil’s polyphenols significantly increase the size of high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL) in the blood and enhance the HDL’s ability to inhibit formation of the abnormal fatty deposits, known as plaque, within the walls of arteries. Polyphenols are natural compounds from plants known to help prevent cancer and heart disease. In the three-week study, researchers isolated the effect of polyphenols by dividing 47 healthy European men into two groups: one ate a diet containing polyphenol-poor olive oil and the other consumed polyphenol-rich olive oil. The enriched diet resulted in increased size, fluidity and stability (resistance to oxidation) of the HDL molecules by reducing their triglyceride core. The researchers note that the oxidation of cholesterol lipids such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is linked with arteriosclerosis.

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April 2015

Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us by Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman

hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril. “If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E. “Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later. Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop 16

intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.” While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo). Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, accord-

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ing to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care. Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life. Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn. Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/ OutdoorHealthBenefits Research). “It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.” Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl. com/AmericanHealthTrails). Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic. We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.”

Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

Innovative Nature

Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature. Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples). The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream. “People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble. We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspiration” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments. Plants and fungi are now commonly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Scientific studies show that a regular dose of nature has far-reaching health benefits. More doctors now write “nature” prescriptions for their patients. Cyclical Nature

These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth. It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability— building, manufacturing and living in

greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups. “A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia. The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradleto-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance. McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods— akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life. With 80 percent of U.S. residents

natural awakenings

April 2015

Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power. ~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864) currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work. “Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calming and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health. The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

Natural Intelligence

A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature. At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco 18

that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals. Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.” We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons. The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle analysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change. “‘Nature’ is our natural environment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.” Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature. The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed

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True-Life ‘Aha!’ Reads 10 Lessons from Nature to Inspire Our Everyday Lives by David Miller, Tinyurl.com/10InspiringLessons FromNature 9 Amazing Lessons from Nature to Inspire Your Everyday Life by Annie Hauser, Tinyurl.com/9InspiringLessons FromNature Intelligence in Nature by Jeremy Narby Life Lessons from Nature by Elvis Newman Cathedrals of the Spirit by T. C. McLuhan Your Brain on Nature by Eva Selhub up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science. Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

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April 2015

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EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change by Avery Mack

in Halifax, Nova Scotia, predict total saltwater fish extinction by 2048 due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change. Rising ocean acidity due to absorption of increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from burning fossil fuels impacts creatures large and small, like dissolving the shell of the tiny sea butterfly, a vital link in the ocean’s food chain. Americans currently consume 4.5 billion pounds of seafood each year.

On Land

“Each species was put here for a reason. We are the caretakers.” ~a youth at a climate rally

his month, Home Box Office (HBO), in collaboration with New York City’s American Museum of Natural History, will air the new documentary, Saving My Tomorrow. Scientists representing the museum discuss how temperature change affects life on Planet Earth, but the majority of voices are those of children. Their words cry out for universal action to prevent them from inheriting what they believe is a dying planet in desperate need of healing.

In the Atmosphere

“We need to know the truth, because adults clearly aren’t doing enough to stop this.” ~Zoe, age 12 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA recently announced that last year was the hottest in 135 years of recordkeeping, with rising ocean temperatures driving the global heat index. Nine of the 10 hottest years have occurred since 2000. The odds of this taking place randomly are about 650 million to 1, especially without an El Nino influence, according to University of South Carolina statistician John Grego. “The globe is warmer than it has been in the last 100 years,” says climate 20

scientist Jennifer Francis, Ph.D., of Rutgers University, in New Jersey. “Any wisps of doubt that human activities are at fault are now gone with the wind.”

At Sea

“We do more damage to the planet than we think.” ~Peri, age 9 In the same 100 years, sea levels have risen seven inches, mostly due to expansion as the water warms. “We have over 2 million preserved fish in our collection. We study them to see the effect of temperature change,” says Melanie Stiassny, Ph.D., curator of ichthyology at the museum. “The mummichog fish is less than an inch long. It’s a bottom feeder and that’s where pollution like mercury lies. When the water is warm, fish eat more and mercury is stored in their bodies.” The contaminants move up the food chain, bringing the effects of pollution to our dinner table. A 2006 study by Nicola Beaumont, Ph.D., with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory UK, found that 29 percent of the oceans’ edible fish and seafood species have declined by 90 percent in the past 100 years. The international team of ecologists and economists led by Boris Worm, Ph.D., of Dalhousie University,

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Scientists look back to look ahead. Henry David Thoreau fell in love with the wilderness around Concord, Massachusetts, 160 years ago. From his renowned journals, scientists know when flowers like the pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule), bird’s-foot violets (Viola pedata) or golden ragworts (Packera aurea) used to bloom. Today, with temperatures six degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in Thoreau’s time, these species now bloom two weeks earlier. The Canada lily (Lilium canadense), plentiful before, is now rare, unable to adapt to the new reality. Paul Sweet, collections manager of the museum’s ornithology department, studies “skins” (stuffed birds). He says, “The skins show us how birds lived years ago.” In just the past 100 years, bird species that have gone extinct range from the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) to the onceabundant passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis). In Colorado, 70 percent of the lodgepole pines have been lost, with pines in other states also in trouble. Pine beetles feed on the pines. Historically, winter brings death to both the beetles and weakened trees, which fall to feed a renewed forest. Due to warmer temperatures, the beetles are living longer and migrating to higher altitudes to kill more trees. Forest fires follow the dry timber line.

All Are Needed

“I don’t have time to grow up before

becoming an activist.” ~Ta’Kaiya, age 12 “Get your parents involved.” ~Teakahla, age 11 Children are more informed now than ever before. Schools offer classes on ecology, the environment, global warming and climate change. Disasters are instant news, constantly streaming through digital media. Kids are aware that they need adults to work with them to keep Earth habitable. HBO will air all four parts of Saving My Tomorrow starting Apr. 22. Check local listings—and watch as a family. See Tinyurl.com/SavingMyTomorrow. Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

Forward Good Change Today 4 Reuse more, buy less. Less trash equals less pollution. 4 Bike or walk, instead of driving. Don’t use the car at least one day a week. Less use of fossil fuels equals less drilling, fracking and oil spills. 4 Substitute a planet-healing activity for the usual after school program. Replace lawns with native plants, which need less water and no mowing. Email manufacturers to urge them to use less packaging and plastic, auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, grocery stores to carry more locally sourced foods and ban plastic bags, and government agencies to improve pollution control measures.

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4 When eating meat, make sure the animals were humanely and locally raised, not factory farmed. 4 For fish, factory farmed is preferred when farmers are vetted by watchdog agencies for being devoid of disease, pollution and heavy metals; clean fish are especially rare among international providers. Learn more at Tinyurl.com/ SustainableFishFarming. Speak out and speak up. Search c2es.org/science-impacts/basics/kids for event ideas and resources.

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April 2015

The Food Artisans Next Door Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

Neighbors in most states can now legally buy fresh breads, cookies and preserves from local food artisans.

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he locavore movement of eating locally produced foods continues to expand, thanks to 42 states passing cottage food laws that permit community members to make certain foods at home to sell to neighbors. Some enterprises use a contract packer to deliver on a scale not possible domestically, or even operate from a commercially licensed production facility. From sauerkraut and distinctive jams and organic jellies to gluten- or peanut-free cakes and regional artisanal breads, some of the most flavorful products are being produced with no chemical preservatives, artificial colors or other laboratory ingredients. Nearly all are made in small batches, and usually by the owner. Many source local ingredients or serve special dietary needs largely underserved or ignored by larger food businesses. “In a sharing economy, individuals look less to big chain stores for

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their food needs and more to each other, making fresher, tastier and often healthier foods more accessible,” explains Janelle Orsi, co-founder of the Oakland, California, Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), citing its Policies for Shareable Cities report partnered with the nonprofit Shareable. The Specialty Food Association reports that sales of specialty foods— primarily at grocery retailers, but also cottage operators via farmers’ markets and direct orders when allowed by their state—grew 22 percent from 2010 to 2012, topping $85 billion.

Healthy as it Comes

“All of our products are made by hand and in small batches daily,” says Ruth Wardein, co-owner, with Andrew Amick, of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, in Naples, Florida, which she launched from her home kitchen. Besides glutenfree cookies, cakes and breads, she’s

photo courtesy of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, Naples, FL

GIVE YOUR BUSINESS AN ENERGY BOOST

consciouseating

always “perfecting” her Paleo cookies, brownies and pancake mix. Paleo recipes contain no grains, dairy, yeast or refined sugars, explains Wardein. “They require nut and seed flours, coconut oil and natural sugars like honey or maple syrup. So they are naturally higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbs than the average gluten-free recipe.” “We’re experimenting with the community supported agriculture model with local fruit,” says Erin Schneider. She and her husband, Rob McClure, operate Hilltop Community Farm, in LaValle, Wisconsin, which produces value-added products with organically grown crops. “We have salsas, pickles and jams. Our black currant and honey jam is sold before it’s made. Rob’s garlic dills have their own following.” Wisconsin’s cottage food law restricts sales to only high-acid foods.

Quality over Quantity

In Royal Oaks, California, Garden Variety Cheese owner, cheesemaker and shepherd Rebecca King feeds her 100 milking ewes organically raised, irrigated pasture grass and brewer’s grain to yield award-winning farmstead easier-to-digest sheep cheeses from her Monkeyflower Ranch. “Many first-time customers like my story as a small producer and want to buy direct from the farm. They keep buying because of the taste,” says King. “My marinara and pizza sauces are made in small batches by hand in a home kitchen, enabling us to hot pack them to retain the ingredients’ natural favors,” says Liz James, owner of The Happy Tomato, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her sauces are also low in sodium and contain no sugar, saturated fat or gluten. James’ production is facilitated by Virginia’s home food processor license, which lets her work from home and sell wholesale. Whole Foods Market is among her major retail accounts. When home-based cottage food businesses are spurred into expansion to keep up with demand, a situation sometimes complicated by state limits on sales volume, many opt for renting space in the growing number of incubator, or community, kitchens nationwide. “We did farmers’ markets for three years and went from seven customers to thousands,” says Wardein, who now rents a commercial kitchen space. “Returning customers are the momentum that has pushed us forward.” “By growing food in and around our own neighborhoods and cities, we decrease our dependence on an oftentimes unjust and ecologically destructive global food system and build stronger, more connected and resilient communities,” affirms Yassi Eskandari-Qajar, director of SELC’s City Policies program. “We think it’s important to produce what grows well on our soil and then sell it, so that ecology drives economics, rather than vice versa,” says Schneider. “Random things prosper in our area, like paprika peppers, elderberries, hardy kiwi, garlic, pears and currants. It’s our job as ecologically-minded farmers to show how delicious these foods can be.” Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko are co-authors of the new book Homemade for Sale, a guide for launching a food business from a home kitchen, plus ECOpreneuring, Farmstead Chef and Rural Renaissance. Learn more at HomemadeForSale.com.

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April 2015

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Spring Greening Easy Ways to Detox a House by Lane Vail

or most individuals, odorous chemicals are simply unpleasant. For those that are sensitive and susceptible, however, even common chemical exposures may evoke a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) marked by multiplesystem symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance. Since the post-World War II expansion of petrochemicals, the incidence of TILT has increased dramatically, says Claudia Miller, a medical doctor, researcher and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and co-author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes. “Fortunately, public awareness has also grown significantly in the last few years,” says Rick Smith, Ph.D., a Canadian environmentalist who co-authored Toxin Toxout. “Now companies and governments worldwide are moving toward making safer products.” We can support progress by leveraging some practical tips in greening our home. Start somewhere. Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that include formaldehyde and benzene are concealed in household items such as couches, chairs, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, rugs, synthetic flooring, wallpaper and paint. Green TV host and Fresh Living author Sara Snow implores us not to become overwhelmed, disheartened or fearful. “Creating a healthy home is a gradual process that doesn’t require throwing all the furniture out,”

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she advises. Start by scrutinizing labels and choosing not to bring new toxins in. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely found to be associated with reproductive toxicity and is found in many waterproofed and flexible plastics. Select PVC-free toys, shower curtain liners and mattress covers. In the kitchen, avoid potentially carcinogenic perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) found in nonstick coatings of pots and pans. Toss the Teflon when it scratches, says Snow, and upgrade to stainless steel or cast iron. Weed out bisphenols, the DNA-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and epoxy resin can liners. Even “BPA-free” products likely contain alternative and equally harmful substances, according to a recent study published in Chemosphere. Choose clear glass instead of plastic containers. When remodeling, look for zero-VOC items, Miller says, plus materials free of stain-resistant sprays and flame retardants whose efficacy is questionable. Consider natural fiber rugs like jute or wool. Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwoods or alternative flooring like cork or glass tile are safer investments in long-term well-being. Clean green. Conventional cleaners are among the worst offenders, and even some “eco-cleaners” can be deceptively unsafe, says Smith. He recommends avoiding antibacterial products containing triclosan, which proliferates antibioticresistant bacteria that prolong and exacerbate illnesses, as

well as phthalates, a chemical oil that carries artificial aromas and has been repeatedly linked to cancer and abnormal fetal development. “Even so-called natural fragrances are often complex petrochemicals that outgas and contaminate the air,” notes Miller. Snow advises formulating products at home using staple pantry ingredients, including distilled white vinegar for disinfecting, baking soda for scouring, liquid castile soap for sudsing, lemon juice for degreasing and olive oil for polishing. Freshen with fresh air. Americans spend about 90 percent of their time amid indoor air pollutants that are significantly more concentrated than outdoor pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports. “Most energyefficient homes are well sealed with ventilation systems that recirculate indoor air, so opening the windows helps dilute accumulated airborne toxins,” says Miller. Snow further recommends bringing air-purifying plants into the home such as Gerbera daisies, bamboo palms and English ivy. Vacuum and dust. Vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter and dusting with a moist cloth eliminates allergens such as pet dander, mites, pollen and mold, and helps remove phthalates, flame retardants, lead and pesticides that “latch onto house dust and accumulate in dust bunnies,” says Smith. Weed out lawn chemicals. “Organophosphate pesticides are profoundly neurotoxic,” says Miller, especially to the developing brains of children. Instead try integrated pest management, which involves controlling pests’ food sources and applying non-toxic deterrents. Eliminating potentially carcinogenic herbicides might mean managing more weeds, says Snow, but it’s worth it. Eat green. “Buying produce as close to its source as possible, from a farmer or farmers’ market, provides threefold benefits,” says Snow—less wasteful packaging, reduced exposure to chemical plastics and greater concentration of healthpromoting nutrients. Buy in bulk and favor glass containers or rectangular cardboard cartons. Take tests. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can emanate from the ground and accumulate in homes, annually causes 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths, according to the U.S. EPA. Lead, a neurotoxin that may occasionally leach from home water pipes, can also hide in pre-1978 paint. Testing for both and implementing reduction or precautionary measures is simple, advises Smith. Most hardware stores stock test kits. Take action. Join with other concerned citizens by launching a pertinent petition at Change.org; campaigning with organizations like the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) or Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SaferChemicals.org); and supporting cleaner, greener companies with family purchases.

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April 2015

WOMEN LEAD THE WAY

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Home-Grown Organic Made Easy 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden by Barbara Pleasant

Organic gardening experts share strategies for growing a great garden and having a life, too.

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he arrival of planting season has a stunning effect on veggie gardeners. We talk to our seedlings as if they were children, and don’t mind working until dark if that’s what it takes to get the fingerling potatoes in the ground. Then, complications like crabgrass and cabbageworms appear, and keeping up with all the details feels impossible. We can lighten looming chores by using these time-saving tips, which will reduce later workloads when storms and the hot summer sun threaten to squelch the magic. Mulch to reduce watering and prevent weeds. “You can cut your watering time in half by mulching crops with a three-to-four-inch layer of straw or shredded leaves,” says Niki Jabbour, award-winning author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and

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Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden. “Crops like tomatoes, potatoes, kale, broccoli, cucumbers and squash all benefit from a deep mulch, which reduces the need to water and also prevents weeds, saving even more time.” Grow herbs in convenient containers. Family cooks will harvest kitchen herbs every day, in all kinds of weather, so don’t waste footsteps. Grow some parsley, basil and other herbs in large containers near the kitchen door. Try promising perennials. Plant them once, and vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb come back year after year in cold winter climates like the Midwest and Northeast. Where winters are mild, artichokes or chayote (pear squash) are

long-lived and productive. Many resilient herbs will return each spring, too, including sage, mints, thyme and oregano. Tarragon and marjoram make trusty perennial herbs in the Sun Belt. Stock up on organic seeds. “As a year-round vegetable gardener, I try to come up with a list of all the seeds I’ll need for every season when I place annual seed orders,” Jabbour says. “That way, I will place fewer orders and have everything on hand at the proper planting time, saving both time and money.” Organic seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks won’t be genetically modified or treated with pesticides. Be generous with organic compost. With each planting, mix in organic compost along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Food crops grown in organically enriched soil are better able to resist challenges from pests and diseases, which simplifies summer tasks. Grow flowers to attract beneficial insects. Reducing or eliminating pesticides and increasing plantings of flowers can radically improve the balance between helpful and harmful insects in a garden. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser, co-host of Pittsburgh’s The Organic Gardeners KDKA radio show and author of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, recommends starting with sweet alyssum, an easy-to-grow annual that can be tucked into the edges of beds or added to mixed containers. “The tiny blossoms of sweet alyssum are adept at supporting several species of the non-stinging parasitic wasps that help keep aphids and other common pests in check,” Walliser says. In warm climates where they are widely grown, crape myrtles have been found to serve

as nurseries for lady beetles, lacewings and other beneficial insects. Protect plants with fabric barriers. Pest insects seeking host plants won’t find cabbage or kale if they’re hidden beneath hoops covered with fine-mesh fabric like wedding net (tulle) or garden fabric row cover. “Cover the plants the day they are transplanted into the garden,” advises Walliser. As long as the edges are securely tucked in, row covers will also protect plants from wind, hail, rabbits and deer. Hoe briefly each day. Commit 10 minutes a day to hoeing. While slicing down young weeds, hill up soil over potatoes or clean up beds ready to be replanted. Look out for small problems to correct before they become big ones. No more misplaced tools. Time is often wasted searching for lost weeders, pruning shears and other hand tools, which are easier to keep track of when painted in bright colors or marked with colored tape. Jabbour uses a tool stash basket placed at the garden entrance. Stop to smell the flowers. Use moments saved to sit quietly, relax and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Pausing to listen to the birds or watch a honeybee work a flower is part of the earned reward of any healthy garden that can’t be measured by the pound.

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Nature always

wears the colors of the spirit. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Barbara Pleasant, the author of numerous green thumb books, including Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens, grows vegetables, herbs and fruits in Floyd, Virginia. Connect at BarbaraPleasant.com.

April 2015

fitbody

MASTERING THE FORCE

The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons by Eric Stevens

ew words are as oddly coupled as martial and arts. The first means “relating to war and soldiers,” while the second means “something that is created with imagination and skill, and is beautiful or expresses important ideas or feelings.” All martial arts represent a paradox of push and pull, yin and yang, external and internal. Their practice represents the blending of our physical lives in harmony with our emotional makeup, allowing our external activity to mirror our internal being. Seldom is the fusion of body, mind and spirit easily achieved with one activity, but martial arts are an exception, because they focus equally on internal and external well-being. Here are five key life lessons that martial arts can teach us.

Learn how to breathe. True connection with our breath permeates an artist’s realm. A vocalist must reach deep within the diaphragm to sing proficiently and a dancer must learn to time their breath while performing. A martial artist learns to control breath with stillness and speed, like juxtaposing yoga with intense contact sports. Breathing properly makes the practitioner a better martial artist and a healthier one. According to a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, hypertensive qigong program participants were able to both lower their blood pressure after 10 weeks and increase their oxygen uptake by 20 percent. Avoid conflict by developing character. While it may seem counterintuitive that learning how to fight could avoid

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conflict, it’s an essential part of martial arts. The philosopher Lao Tzu said the best fighter is never angry. The martial arts are primarily about discipline, heightened awareness and honing an ability to face our own internal conflicts. Several studies corroborate that practicing martial arts produces positive behavioral changes. For instance, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescence, participating students in the martial arts were characterized as being less impulsive and less aggressive. Connect the external (body movement) with the internal (energy movement). The energetic force that catalyzes expressive kicks, punches, blocks and other outward forms is as essential as the movements themselves. In Chinese martial arts, that force is referred to

Transform your life- body, mind and heart... Do you feel unhappy, stuck, or anxious? Are negative thoughts or past experiences keeping you from living your life to the fullest? Are you ready for a positive change? I can be your guide and offer you proven methods and techniques that often help where nothing else will. Call to schedule your Complimentary Sunny van Vlijmen 15-minute phone consultation Holistic Health Consultant as qi, the life energy that intrinsically unites body, mind and spirit. Be both an artist and athlete. Artistry and athleticism need not be divergent forces. The martial artist combines the grace of a creator and skill of a warrior, and watching a martial arts competition can be as riveting as watching a ballet or sports event. Most of us may not be talented artists or natural athletes, yet all students can learn how to integrate both worlds by blending physicality with stillness and expression through action. Let go of ego, find mental clarity and access the present moment. Jirōkichi Yamada, a master of Japanese kenjutsu, said, “The way of the sword and the way of Zen are identical, for they have the same purpose; that of killing the ego.” The focus of all true martial arts is the process, not the outcome. Whatever the style of execution, preparatory practice and meditative application, they all require the discipline of being purely present. Gaining such clarity requires grappling more with ego than with opponents; the real battle of a martial artist is waged within. Bruce Lee, the film star who revolutionized Western awareness of martial arts and founded jeet kune do, realized that martial arts’ transcendent philosophy gives us many lessons to draw upon. He suggested, “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.” Eric Stevens has been a fitness professional and martial arts coach for 15 years. He writes about related topics from Denver, Colorado. Connect at EricChristopherStevens@gmail.com.

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natural awakenings

April 2015

wisewords

Healing Journeys

Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks by Randy Kambic

aul Stutzman was a successful executive with a family restaurant chain and a happy father and husband married for more than 30 years when his wife, Mary, passed away from breast cancer in 2006. Questioning his faith as to why this happened, Stutzman quit his job to hike the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail (AT), advising everyone he encountered, “Don’t take spouses and families for granted.” His book, Hiking Through, recounts this extreme adventure and relates his subsequent thoughts about grief, healing and life. Stutzman chronicled his second journey, a 5,000-mile-plus cross-country trek, in Biking Across America. This time, he perceived a “noble, yet humble America that still exists and inspires.” More recently, the author has turned to fiction with The Wanderers and Wandering Home, both enriched with reflectionsupon the values of his Amish Mennonite upbringing and marriage.

Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com

What kept you going? Early on, I realized how soothing nature was to my grieving soul. Still, there were times it would have been easy to abandon my journeys and head for the safety of home. The desire to discover if my life held any meaning after such a great loss kept me moving forward. I kept telling myself on both journeys, “If my wife can fight cancer for four years, I can overcome any obstacle I encounter.” I was determined to write about what I was being taught by nature. I also believed books written by and about someone seeking solace via an incomplete pilgrimage would be cheating the reader.

What do such journeys teach about nature and our response to experiencing it? I find comfort in nature. I believe the beautiful streams and waterfalls, the grand views from mountaintops and the wildlife were all created for our enjoyment. When we absorb this

beauty and wonderment, the stresses in life slowly melt away. Granted, not everyone will be able to do what I did; however, a stroll through a local park, along a beach or in a flower garden can have similar effects.

Did these extended physical endeavors make mental demands that catalyzed unexpected self-growth? Treks like these into the unknown are physically demanding. With time and effort, one’s body gets into shape for extended hiking and biking. The mental hurdle must be crossed next. You’ll miss home and loved ones. Loneliness will set in. This is where you discover who the real you is. Are you tenacious enough to push through the desire to abandon the pilgrimage or will you succumb to the allure of comfort and safety? On my journeys, I had to make difficult choices. There is a saying that applies to folks planning to hike the AT end-toend through 14 states: “If hiking the entire Appalachian Trail isn’t the most important thing in your life, you won’t accomplish it.” My daughter gave birth to my grandson while I was hiking. Although she asked that I come home for the event, I declined. I kept on hiking because I knew I wouldn’t return to the trail if I went home. I’d spent my lifetime trying to do the right things for my three children, but now had to do what was right for me.

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I discovered that most Americans are kind, law-abiding citizens. Most are still willing to help a stranger in need. Unfortunately, I feel we focus too much time and energy on the minority of malcontents.

How have these experiences informed your creative process? America is a great country. The beauty I’ve witnessed from a bicycle seat and on two feet hiking the mountains is a continual source of inspiration. Many folks are unable to do what I do. My ongoing desire is to describe the images imprinted in my mind in such a way that others can feel as if they are there walking with me. For more information, visit PaulStutzman.com. Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

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natural awakenings

April 2015

photo courtesy of Jean Maclean

naturalpet

Dogs with Library Cards Kids Love Reading to Animals by Sandra Murphy

The goal of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1999 as part of Intermountain Therapy Animals, is to improve children’s literacy skills with the mentoring help of certified therapy teams. Its reach has spread through library programs across the U.S. and Canada and internationally, with other therapy groups following suit.

“

octors told the parents of an 11-year-old autistic son that he would never read… so quit trying to teach him,” says Suzanne Vening, an organic farmer in Jackson, Mississippi. “The doctor didn’t count on Adam, my Australian shepherd.” Abused and abandoned before being adopted by Vening, she had trained him for therapy work. Vening knew nothing about autistic or learning-disabled children, but she knew Adam could work miracles. The boy made eye contact with Adam during his library visit and read a few words. His parents were overjoyed as his reading continued to improve. “It’s hard to include children with special needs in many family activities,” Vening says. “A library is a place the whole family can enjoy.”

She advises, “Designate a safe corner where a child can escape if feeling overwhelmed. After entering the room, handlers should sit on the floor with the dog lying beside them. A standing dog can cause too much excitement. It’s important to trust that your therapy dog will know how to approach a child that’s afraid, has tremors or can’t sit up or sit still.” “An animal’s heartbeat seems to call to kids,” observes Rachael Barrera, a children’s librarian at Brook Hollow Public Library, in San Antonio, Texas. “Dogs have come here once a week for more than a year. Now older kids that are comfortable with the reading program are showing younger ones how to choose a book.”

Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com

At California’s Benicia Public Library, kids read to Honey, a friendly brown dog, on Wednesday afternoons. Sheila Jordan, managing editor and owner of Booklandia, founded in Bend, Oregon, says her 8-year-old, Chase, found it difficult to concentrate because of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). “The Tales and Tails program was a big help. All summer, we went every week and chose books he said the dog would love.” Jordan’s reward was a more focused child; Chase’s reward was a dog of his own last fall. North Carolina’s Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers 14,000 free programs a year throughout its 20 locations, including Paws to Read. Librarian Cathy Cartledge, reading program coordinator for the Morrison Regional branch, shares this story from Jaylee’s mom, Jill. “Jaylee was tutored in reading for a year. After she also began reading to Zoey, a great Pyrenees, or Hunter, a golden retriever, I saw improvement in fluency, confidence and enjoyment. It worked miracles compared with the hours and money spent for tutoring,” her mom remarks. The Mount Prospect Library, near Chicago, has an age requirement for its Tales to Tails program. “Rachael, 8, will hardly put a book down now,” says her mom, Nicole Sasanuma, a senior associate with Business Communications & Advocacy, in Northbrook, Illinois. “Her sister, Emi, 6, is anxious for her next birthday so she ‘can read to doggies,’ too.” Reading programs aren’t limited to libraries or schools. Jean Maclean, of Lompoc, California, trains her two dogs in agility and rally skills. For a change of pace, they visit the Chumash Learning Center, in Santa Ynez, once a month. The Chumash people value education from both its elders and teachers outside the tribe. Maclean relates that Donny, age 11, was afraid of dogs until he met hers, after which his teachers saw his reading improve three levels in one semester. Animals help kids relax and become teachers to the dogs. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that reading skills for kids that read to dogs during a 10-week literacy program improved by 12 percent. Children in the same program that didn’t do the same showed no improvement.

Dogs and other pets prove that reading out loud doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes is a good book and a good listener. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

photo courtesy of Nancy Bailey

Other Four-Footed Reading Partners

Cleo, a small gray cat that lives with Michelle Cardosi, a retail clerk in Denver, enjoyed her Love on a Leash therapy visits. When she became arthritic, moving from lap-to-lap was painful, and Cardosi considered retiring her, but Cleo didn’t agree. “So we went to the library’s Whiskers and Tales program instead, where she could sit on a pillow, get petted and be the center of attention,” she says. “She was able to visit until her 18th birthday.” Clifford, a 24-year-old Morgan horse, is a well-known literacy advocate. He tours libraries in Michigan and using a sponge and watercolor paint, “signs” his biography, Clifford of Drummond Island, by author and Lansing artist Nancy Bailey, for his fans. “The kids probably won’t remember what I say, but they’ll always remember the day they saw a horse in the library,” says Bailey. “We’ve been visiting for about four years. He’s nosy and gets into everything, like the day he noticed the used book shelf. He picked out pulp fiction books and kept handing them to me.” Bailey notes that Clifford teaches children that horses have feelings and a sense of humor when he goes for laughs and changes his responses when doing tricks.

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natural awakenings

April 2015

AWAKENING AMERICA Natural Awakenings

Celebrates 20 Years of Conscious Living Read What People Are Saying About Natural Awakenings READER TESTIMONIALS

NA PUBLISHER TESTIMONIALS

ADVERTISER TESTIMONIALS

Natural Awakenings provides helpful information on natural health and environmental issues with a consistently positive perspective and tone, which is not always easy considering how serious and intimidating some of these topics are. It’s a rarity.

The response to our new magazine has been amazing! We are grateful for the opportunity.

Natural Awakenings magazine is the only advertising I use for my practice other than word of mouth referrals and it has brought us new patients consistently especially now that we advertise monthly. The quality of the leads is great and we really enjoy helping the holistic-minded patient. The publisher is great to work with and truly wants to see the business succeed. We plan on always advertising with Natural Awakenings and expanding our presence in the magazine.

~ Sayer Ji, founder, GreenMedInfo.com

I have changed so much over the last year finally realizing that life is so much bigger than me. I love this Earth and all the wonders that are a part of it, and your magazine contributes to my appreciation.

~ Theresa Sutton, Connecticut

Publications like Natural Awakenings reach many people and I’m so glad to be able to share a voice beyond the propaganda. ~ Melinda Hemmelgarn, RD, Food Sleuth

I picked up a copy of the new magazine today at Earth Fare and was so impressed—it’s filled with businesses and services right in my neck of the woods that I had no idea existed. I’m thrilled to have such a great resource. ~ Katy Koontz, Tennessee

It is unusual to see your level of writing and consciousness in a free publication. Thanks for a great work.

~ Kaih Khriste’ King, Arizona

I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your anti-aging article in Natural Awakenings magazine. Since this is a topic of great interest to me and something I’ve been following for a long time; it’s not often I run across fresh, new ideas and leading edge information. Great stuff.

~ Kerry Griffith & Sean Peterson, Ohio

It is difficult for me to even comprehend the enormous collaboration, deliberation and master-minding that has gone into creating what this publication has become. ~ Jacqueline Mast, Pennsylvania

I am impressed by the range of support provided to franchisees; it seems all the bases are more than covered to provide an owner the ability to be successful. Together with my experience, drive and desire to make a difference, it feels like a good fit. ~ Holly Baker, Arizona

Articles and topics like “Rethinking Cancer” push the envelope of what natural health has to offer to humanity. Readers intuitively know that we are on their side and appreciate having the facts and the freewill to make the decisions that are best for them. Competitors will come and go but if we continue to stay on the cutting edge of personal health, no one can stop us.

~ Reid Boyer, Pennsylvania

The editorial team is wonderful. It sets us apart from all our competitors.

~ Jim Donovan, author

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~ Elaine Russo, California

~ Cate Vieregger, DDS, Colorado

This magazine changes lives. The health of many of our clients has improved as a direct result of reading about us in Natural Awakenings. Our deepest appreciation goes out to the NA staff for their level of integrity and their commitment to all-encompassing healing. ~ Jodie Mollohan, IntroCell, Pensacola, Florida

After I placed my ad in Natural Awakenings, it was seen by a local TV station and I became a guest on its News at 9 show. This is the only magazine I advertise in, and people tell me “I see you everywhere,” thanks to the number of places I can appear within this magazine. ~ Diana Sturm, Legacy Financial Planning, Mobile, Alabama

In all the newspapers, magazines and other areas of print advertising that I have done, the Natural Awakenings magazine has not only given me the greatest response, but has also been a source guide for those who are looking for my services. ~ Lori Bilbrey, Moon Haven Studio, Ringgold, Georgia

inspiration

Princeton Meditation Group of Self-Realization Fellowship

Regularly Scheduled Services

Sunday Mornings Meditation Service ------ 10:00AM – 10:50 AM Reading Service ------ 11:00AM – 12:00 Noon Thursday Evenings Inspirational Service ------ 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Prayer Service ------ 7:30 PM to 7:40 PM Private Meditation ------ 7:40 PM to 8:30 PM Second Saturday of the Month Group Meditation ------ 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Strong Winds Strong Roots

What Trees Teach Us About Life by Dennis Merritt Jones

“Establish in yourself a temple of beauty and peace: there you will find Him on the altar of your soul.” You May arrive or leave on the hour during a chant / reading

609.902.4850

12 Roszel Rd, Suite C206, Princeton, NJ 08540 For more information Visit us on the web at:

princetonmeditationgroup.org

great experiment in the desert called the biodome created a living environment for human, plant and animal life. A huge glass dome was constructed to house an artificial, controlled environment with purified air and water, healthy soil and filtered light. The intent was to afford perfect growing conditions for trees, fruits and vegetables, as well as humans. People lived in the biodome, for many months at a time, and everything seemed to do well with one exception. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over. It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which supports the tree as it grows taller. Who among us doesn’t long for a perfect growing environment for ourselves, with no disruptions from outside influences? We strive to avoid the times of contrast and tension, when life’s daily challenges push against us. When they do, the normal tendency is to curse them. If trees could talk, would we hear them curse the wind each time they encountered a storm? We can learn a great deal from nature’s wisdom at work if we are open to the lesson. Watch how a tree bends and sways gracefully when the wind blows against it. It does not stand rigid, resisting the flow of energy. It does not push back. The tree accepts the strong wind as a blessing that helps it grow. Such experiences develop our character and deepen our spiritual roots. When we grow deep, we too, stand tall. Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your Re-Defining Moments, The Art of Uncertainty and The Art of Being, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at DennisMerrittJones.com. natural awakenings

April 2015

departments healthbriefs consciouseating globalbriefs wisewords ecotips fitbody greenliving inspiration healingways naturalpet healthykids

themes JANUARY whole systems health plus: energy boosters

FEBRUARY enlightened relationships plus: healing grief MARCH animal rights plus: new healthy cuisine APRIL natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wisdom plus: healthy home MAY breast health plus: natural birth JUNE healing addiction plus: balanced man JULY food democracy plus: inspired living AUGUST parenting with presence plus: creativity SEPTEMBER agelessness plus: yoga benefits OCTOBER NOVEMBER

working together

plus: natural antidepressants

true wealth plus: beauty

DECEMBER prayer & meditation plus: holiday themes

Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com

calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Calendar@NAMercer.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

Don’t Be an A.P.E. – 10:30am. Rev. Rhea Carol will speak on when to “let go and let God guide.” Center for Spiritual Living Princeton is a warm, dynamic community of spiritually-minded people. Sunday Transformation Service, followed by refreshments and conversation. Services are held at the Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd (Rt. 605), Princeton. 609-924-8422.

Be Happy, Now – 6-8pm. Class #2. Learn how to maximize your potential for happiness by changing your habitual thought patterns and feelings through proven methods and techniques. Mini classes (no more than 5 participants) meet on 4 subsequent Wednesdays beginning March 25. Cost $179/ 4 classes. 4444 Route 27, Kingston, 2nd floor. Registration required 609-275-3881.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14

Nutritious is Delicious – 6-7pm. Classes are led by a registered dietician. Includes taste sampling and recipes to take home. Register at least 3 days prior to class. Heart Month Specialties Cooking “heart healthy” is a gift to yourself and those you care about. Cost $10. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.

Waldorf in the Woods – 1-2:30pm. 6-week, allweather, enrichment program for little ones, inspired by the forest kindergartens of Europe and rooted in the Waldorf tradition of imagination, exploration, and practical activity. Children enjoy walk through the woods, free play beside the creek, a nature craft, and a snack and story around the fire before rejoining civilization. Cost $220/child ages 5-6. Waldorf School of Princeton, 1062 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton. Register at 609-466-1970x140.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Bunny Chase – 10am-4pm. Celebrate the arrival of spring at this free event with many family-friendly activities will launch children, especially those 2 through 8 years old, on a fun treasure hunt including clues toward a special spring surprise at the end. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. 609-924-2310.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5 Bunny Chase – 10am-4pm. See April 4 listing. Princeton. Rise to the Phoenix – 10:30am. Join us for a special Easter service where we each rise up from the ashes of the old and into our New Good. Center for Spiritual Living Princeton is a warm, dynamic community of spiritually-minded people. Sunday Transformation Service, followed by refreshments and conversation. Services are held at the Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd (Rt. 605), Princeton. 609-924-8422.

MONDAY, APRIL 6 Spring Fling Mini-Camp – 9:30am-4pm. Sign up for one day or all week. Spend spring break with friends and Teacher-Naturalist, exploring trails on the Reserve, build shelters in woods, walking to pond or stream and enjoy afternoon campfire with marshmallow roast. Cost $75/$95 per day, member/ non-member. Multi-day/sibling discounts available. Registration required. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7 Spring Fling Mini-Camp – 9:30am-4pm. See April 6 listing. Pennington.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 The Wise Woman, Positive Aging – 1:30-2:30pm. Free. As we age, the twists and turns of life challenges us to remain positive, stay engaged in life, and find new meaning. Various topics will be presented and explored. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

Fur, Feather, Skin Preschool Class – 10-11:30am. Get a close look at live animals and animal artifacts and see what scales, shells, and skins are used for. Cost $10/$15, member/non-member. Registration required. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

Spring Fling Mini-Camp – 9:30am-4pm. See April 6 listing. Pennington. Be Happy, Now – 6-8pm. See April 1 listing. Kingston.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 Spring Fling Mini-Camp – 9:30am-4pm. See April 6 listing. Pennington. Retired, What’s Next? – 2-3pm. Free. So much of our life and identity revolves around work. This supportive group will discuss the joys, concerns and challenges of having extra time and making decisions about how to use it to create fulfillment. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900. Artful – 5-7pm. Free. Networking event with wine, art, music and grow your business tips. Art by Kathleen Zwizanski, music by Anne Erving, guest speaker Bill Brokaw to share presentation on how Google can grow your business. Door prizes, bring business cards. Hopewell Valley Community Bank, 280 Rte 31, Hopewell. RSVP to Marianne Romano, 609-466-7399.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 Spring Fling Mini-Camp – 9:30am-4pm. See April 6 listing. Pennington.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 Saturday Art Sampler for Children – 10-11:30am and 1-3pm. 3-week session. Classes meet at Watershed Center, all instructors provided by the Arts Council of Princeton. Cost $20/$30 per class children ages 6-8; $25/$35 per class children ages 9-11, member/non-member. Registration required. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Wellness Expo – 11am-4:30pm. 4th Annual Wellness Expo at Georgian University. Free admission and held rain or shine. Over 50 plus natural health product exhibitors and holistic practitioners. 900 Lakewood Av, Lakewood, NJ. For more information call 732-987-2663.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 Learn How to Make Cheese – 10am-2pm. Double-header cheese making class. Ricotta and mozzarella. Cost $65, payment made at reservation. Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville. To register or for information call 609-219-0053.

Shape for Life – 6:30pm. Free. Learn to change your lifestyle and permanently lose weight. Jill Nitz, bariatric coordinator, who specializes in the treatment of obesity, discusses RWJ Hamilton’s Comprehensive Weight Loss Program. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 Fur, Feather, Skin Preschool Class – 1-2:30pm. See April 14 listing. Pennington. Be Happy, Now – 6-8pm. See April 1 listing. Kingston. Health Rhythm Drumming – 7-8pm. Group drumming is fun and good for you, strengthens the immune system and reduces stress. Drums provided. Cost $15/person. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609584-5900.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Transitions into Retirement – 3:30pm. Free. This monthly group deals with issues in making the adjustment to retirement. Group leader is Dr. John George. Suzanne Patterson Bldg, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton. Call to register 609-924-7108. Women’s Health Symposium – 6-9pm. Free. RWJ experts answer questions about trends in women’s health. Chances provided to win a bus tour, Spa gift card and more. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 Reiki 1 Class/Attunement – 9am-5pm. Workshop is combination of lecture, meditation and experience. Supervised practice time includes receiving a complete Reiki session. Includes Reiki first degree manual and certificate. Medicine Balance, Langhorne PA. Call for cost and registration. Siobhan Hutchinson, 609-752-1048. Saturday Art Sampler for Children – 10-11:30am and 1-3pm. See April 11 listing. Pennington. Farmstead Cheese Making Class – 1-3:30pm. After a brief discussion around the history of farmer’s

natural awakenings

April 2015

cheese, you’ll take part in making paneer, queso blanco, and cream cheese. As part of the class, you will experience different ways to coagulate milk, and learn the full process of taking milk to curd to cheese. Registration required. Cost $80/person. Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville. 609-219-0053. International Haiku Poetry Day Ginko – 3:306pm. Free. Join Education Director and haiku poet Jeff Hoagland on a ginko, haiku walk, in celebration of this traditional Japanese form of poetry. Adults and teens welcome regardless of experience. Bring favorite book and journal to write in. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19 Why You Must Learn to Set Goals – 10:30am. Learn why this Spiritual Law of Prosperity is necessary in order to experience Greater Abundance. Center for Spiritual Living Princeton is a warm, dynamic community of spiritually-minded people. Sunday Transformation Service, followed by refreshments and conversation. Services are held at the Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd (Rt. 605), Princeton. 609-924-8422.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21 Spring Green Preschool Class – 10-11:30am. Wear green clothing and come join us on a walk through the trails discovering all the colors found in nature, especially green. Craft after. Cost $10/$15, member/ non-member child ages 3-5. Registration required. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

Sleep More, Stress Less – 6-8pm. Free. Is stress keeping you up at night? Pam Jones, Integrative Therapy Nurse and Reiki master will discuss holistic approaches for de-stressing, thus obtaining good night’s rest. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

Waldorf in the Woods – 1-2:30pm. See April 14 listing. Princeton.

Frog Slog Night Hike – 8-10pm. Discover the secret life of frogs on a special late night hike. Come with sharp ears and eyes, as well as a flashlight. Boots necessary. Cost $10/$15, member/non-member. Registration required. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Multiply You’re Good Exponentially – 10amnoon. At this workshop, join Rev. Dr. Karen as she guides you into receiving greater Prosperity in your life. Center for Spiritual Living Princeton is a warm, dynamic community of spiritually-minded people. 812 State Rd, Ste 220, Princeton. 609-924-8422.

1-Day Intensive Spiritual Seminar – 9am-4pm. Join Brenda Morgan and Tom Egan for an intensive one-day spiritual enrichment seminar. Cost $97/person. Euphemia Gallery, 200 N. Main St, Hightstown. For more information and to register, call 609-651-2855.

Celebrate World Tai Chi Day and Qigong – 10am3pm. Join Siobhan Hutchinson and Dr. Jih for informative workshop and practice on Tai Chi and Taoist philosophy. Cost $10/$15, pre/at door, $50/$75 Dr. Jih additional lecture. American Legion, 2 Meadow Brook Ln, New Egypt. Must register. 609-752-1048.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

Spring Green Preschool Class – 1-2:30pm. See April 21 listing. Pennington.

Claim Your Prosperity Now – 10:30am. This final Spiritual Law of Prosperity requires us to participate in circulating the Abundance we receive. Center for Spiritual Living Princeton is a warm, dynamic community of spiritually-minded people. Sunday Transformation Service, followed by refreshments and conversation. Services are held at the Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd (Rt. 605), Princeton. 609-924-8422.

Reiki Sharing Evening – 7-9pm. Trained practitioners are invited to share Reiki with each other. Bring a pillow and a small sheet and blanket. Cost: $5. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

Plan Ahead

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

Waldorf in the Woods – 1-2:30pm. See April 14 listing. Princeton.

Cooking with Fred – 6pm. Join Fred Seitz, owner Fred’s Kitchen located at RWJ Hamilton Fitness and Wellness Center for class on preparing fresh spring recipes with seasonal produce. Cost $12/person. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.

Preserving Winter Pickles – 6:30-8:30pm. Learn to preserve the local harvest with Jammin’ Crepes Co-Founder and Cornell University Cooperative Extension Master Food Preserver. Kim Rizik. Cost $50, payment made at reservation. Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville. To register or for information call 609-219-0053.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

Build a Rain Barrel Workshop – 1-3pm. Learn how to capture and reuse rain water in your home garden with a rain barrel. Fee includes all materials, prepayment required. Cost $50/barrel. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

The Wise Woman, Positive Aging – 1:30-2:30pm. See April 8 listing. Hamilton.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 11am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Newton, PA. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048. Saturday Art Sampler for Children – 10-11:30am and 1-3pm. See April 11 listing. Pennington.

TUESDAY, MAY 5 Waldorf in the Woods – 1-2:30pm. See April 14 listing. Princeton.

SATURDAY, MAY 9 Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 11am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Medicine in Balance, Langhorne, PA. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

Communiversity – 1-6pm. Free. Communiversity Festival of the Arts 2015 will feature more than 200 artists, crafters and merchants from around the area; live entertainment; children’s activities and games; wide array of food from around the globe. Downtown Princeton. For more information call the Arts Council of Princeton, 609-924-8777.

Waldorf May Fair – 11am-4pm. Free. Welcome spring with Waldorf School of Princeton’s annual May Fair rain or shine. Live music, healthy foods, and imaginative activities for all ages on 20 acre campus minutes from downtown Princeton. Waldorf School of Princeton, 1062 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton.

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Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Clare Estate Library, 201 Crosswicks St, Bordentown. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

sunday Spiritual Awakening Service – 10:30am. If you are looking for a warm, dynamic community of spiritually-minded people, we encourage you to come to one of our Sunday Transformation Services and mingle afterwards with refreshments and conversation. The Center for Spiritual Living Princeton holds services every Sunday at the Princeton Masonic Lodge, 354 River Rd, Princeton. 609-924-8422.

thursday 4 Mom’s Networking Hour – 1-2pm. Weekly parenting topics with RWJ Hamilton experts and sharing with other moms. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

Soup Kitchen – 4:30-6pm. 3rd Sun. Volunteers arrive at 3pm. Free hot meal served. VFW Post 5700, 140 Dutch Neck Rd, Hightstown. Information: Adrenne 609-336-7260.

CPAP Workshop – 6pm. 3rd Thurs. Free workshop provided by the Sleep Care Center for patients with sleep disorders. A respiratory therapist will provide CPAP education, adjust CPAP pressures, refit masks and discuss the importance of CPAP/BiPAP usage. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-6681.

monday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 11am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Monroe Twp Senior Ctr, Monroe. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048. Rise to the Task Free Dinner – 4-5:30pm. Free community dinner. First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, 320 N Main St, Hightstown. For more info contact Rise office at 609-443-4464. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 6:30pm. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at VFW, 77 Christine Ave, Hamilton. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

tuesday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 6:30pm. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at American Legion, 2 Meadowbrook Ln, New Egypt. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

wednesday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 8:45am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Energy for Healing, 4446 Main St, Kingston. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048. Bright Beginnings – 10:30-11:30am. This informative, relaxed group is for parents and caregivers of infants. Each week focuses on a different topic of interest to new parents, and guest speakers are occasionally featured. Infants and children under 4 years of age are welcome to attend with the parent or caregiver. $5 payable at door. Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton North Shopping Center, 1225 State Rd, Princeton. 609-683-7888. Hopewell Community Farmers Market – 3-6pm. Indoor Community Farmers market. Vegetables, fruits, meats, fresh mozzarella cheese, eggs, pies, cookies, pot pies, beef, chicken, kielbasa, bacon, pork, marrow bones, chirizo, black bean cake, mushrooms and more. 17 Railroad Av, Hopewell. 908-996-3362.

Breastfeeding Support Group – 11am-12pm. Expectant parents will learn about the benefits of breastfeeding, getting started, positioning, nutrition, pumping and avoiding common problems. Facilitated by Lactation Consultant. Free. PHC Community Education & Outreach Program, 731 Alexander Rd, Ste 3, Princeton. 888-897-8979. Men in Retirement – 2pm. 1st Friday. This social group for men meets and have regularly scheduled small group activities. Come and meet other men who are making or have made the transition into retirement. Suzanne Patterson Bldg, Princeton Senior Resource Center, 45 Stockton St, Princeton. 609-924-7108.

saturday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 9 and 11am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at 9 in Newton or 11 in Langhorne, PA. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 5:30pm. Starting October 15. Discover the Serenity of T’ai

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growth factors. Repair your joints, muscles, tendons, skin andrather hair naturally. about REGENERATE thanLearn Replace latest advance treatments in orthopedic Regenerate rather than replace your and aesthetic medicine.” is and named one of the joints, tendons, muscles,She skin, wounds best doctors in the New York Metro Area with Regenerative Injection Therapy with by CastleFactors Connolly Medical Ltd. 14 consecuGrowth in Platelets Richfor Plasma (PRP) tive years between 1999 and 2013. and Kinines in Platelets Poor Plasma (PPP). PRP therapy strengthens and heals arthritic REGENERATE ratherligaments, than Replace and strained joints, tendons, Regenerate than replace your joints, muscles, and skin rather — including non healing tendons, muscles, skin, and wounds with wounds and aging skin of your face. PRP Regenerative Injection Therapy with Growth injections can be performed all over the body. Factors in Platelets Rich Plasma and It is a natural regenerative method (PRP) of treatKinines in Platelets Poor Plasma (PPP). PRP ment of sports injuries, arthritic joints, lower therapy strengthens and heals arthritic and back pain, disc disease, tennis elbow, carpal strained joints, tendons, tunnel syndrome, ACL andligaments, meniscalmuscles, tears, and skin — including non healing wounds and shin splints, rotator cuff tears, plantar fasciitis, aging skin of your face. PRP injections can iliotibial band syndrome, piriformis syndrome, be performedelbow, all oversprained/torn the body. It ismuscles, a natural tennis/golfer’s regenerative and aging skin.method of treatment of sports

injuries, arthritic joints, lower back pain, disc disease, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, How does PRP Therapy work? ACLToand meniscal tears, shin splints, rotaprepare PRP, a small amount of blood tor cuff tears, plantar fasciitis, iliotibial band is taken from the patient. The blood is then syndrome, piriformis syndrome, tennis/golfer’s placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins elbow, sprained/torn muscles, and and automatically produces the PRP.aging The skin. entire process takes less than 15 minutes and How does PRP Therapy work?and increases the concentration of platelets To prepare PRP, a small amount of blood growth factors up to 500 percent. When PRP taken from Thearea blood is then is is injected into the the patient. damaged it stimulates

placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins

andtendon automatically produces the PRP. the or ligament, causing mild The inflamentire process takes less than 15 minutesAs and mation that triggers the healing cascade. a increases the concentration of platelets and result new collagen begins to develop. As this growth factors upittobegins 500 percent. When PRP collagen matures to shrink causis injected into theand damaged area it stimulates ing the tightening strengthening of the the tendon or ligament, causing mild inflamtendons or ligaments of the damaged area. The mation that triggerswith the healing cascade. As a initial consultation the doctor will deterresult new collagen begins to develop. As mine if PRP/PPP therapy is right for you. this

collagen matures it begins to shrink causing the tightening and strengthening of the tendons RADIOFREQUENCY: A Revolutionor ligaments of the damaged area. The initial ary Modality in the Treatment of consultation with the doctor will determine Painful Conditions and in Body if PRP/PPP therapy&is Rejuvenation right for you. Regeneration

Surgery should be the last resort. Most RADIOFREQUENCY: A Revopainful conditions are treated conservatively lutionary Modality Treatwith a nonsurgical approach.inInthe addition to ment of Painful Conditions medications, physical modalities (ultrasound, andmassage, in Body Regeneration TENS, exercise) and injection & Rejuvenation techniques RADIOFREQUENCY is a revoluSurgery should be the last resort. Mostthe paintionary technology which incapacitates ful conditions are treated conservatively with a conduction of pain and also treats cellulite, nonsurgical approach. In addition to medications, tightens the subcutaneous tissue and erases physical scars andmodalities wrinkles.(ultrasound, TENS, massage, exercise) and injection techniques RADIOFRETraditionally, therapeutic injections have QUENCY is a revolutionary technology involved injecting an anti-inflammatorywhich agent, incapacitates the conduction pain and usually corticosteroids. Goodofnews: notalso necestreatsanymore! cellulite, tightens the subcutaneous sarily Radiofrequency ablationtissue of andmedian erasesbranch scars and wrinkles. the sensory nerve “turns off” Traditionally, therapeutic injections a small nerve which conducts pain. It have is used involved injecting an anti-inflammatory agent, for effective treatment of pain with long lasting usuallyThe corticosteroids. Good news: not results. outcomes are amazing: years of necessarily anymore!orRadiofrequency pain relief, lowering eliminating theablation need of the median branch sensory nerve “turns off” for pain medications.

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