Natural Awakenings Mercer, NJ April 2014 by Natural Awakenings Mercer

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

Sports

injuries are not only for people participating in organized sports. It includes those weekend warriors and gym goers as well. These injuries can occur from an unlucky circumstance to just being out of shape. Whatever the cause, these injuries a painful, inconvenient and could affect the way your body functions for the rest of your life.

The most common sports injuries are: Spine and disc injuries, sprains and strains, knee injuries, inflammation and direct trauma of the muscles or tendons, leg pains, fractures and dislocations.

How do these injuries develop? There are two kinds of sports injuries: acute and chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. For example, knee or ankle sprains, back strain, pulled muscles and fractured bones. Signs of an acute injury include sudden, severe pain, swelling, difficulty walking due to leg pain, sudden joint pain, limited and painful movement of a joint, extreme leg or arm weakness and a bone or joint that is visibly out of place. Chronic injuries happen over time from wear and tear or repetitive trauma. It can also develop from incomplete or improper treatment of an acute injury. Some signs of a chronic

injury include: Persistent pain, pain with activity or exercise, a dull ache when you rest or get up from resting and pain and swelling in the joints.

What Should I Do if I Get Injured? Never try to “work through” the pain. Pain is a warning sign that should not be ignored. The first thing is to stop playing or exercising when you feel pain. Continuing the activity can cause more harm than good. Some injuries should be seen by a doctor right away. Other more milder conditions can respond to home treatments.

Common signs that require medical attention: Severe pain, swelling, or numbness, difficulty with weight bearing in an area, an old injury that hurts, aches or swells and if your joints do not feel normal or it feels unstable. If your injury does not have any of these signs, it may be safe to treat the injury at home. If the pain or other symptoms get worse, you should call your doctor. Use the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression,

and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed healing. Follow these four steps right after the injury occurs and do so for at least 48 hours.

Treatment? Dr. Magaziner specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic sports injuries. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, Dr. Magaziner will design a specific treatment plan for you condition. Dr. Magaziner’s philosophy is to start with the more conservative treatments (less invasive) first. In addition to the RICE method, Dr. Magaziner may want to immobilize the injured region, or refer the patient for physical therapy or chiropractic care. If necessary, Dr. Magaziner provides multiple forms of treatment to help patients recover from an acute or chronic conditions. Including: State of the Art Bio-cellular Regenerative Therapies (PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, Stem Cell Grafts, Fat Grafts and prolotherapy) inteventional pain treatments (joint, trigger point and epidural injections) and Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery if necessary.

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If you are suffering from acute or chronic pain, call Dr. Magaziner today!

877-817-3273 • www.DrEMagaziner.com

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contents 10 6 newsbriefs 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 15 business

spotlight 16 earthdayevents 12 17 ecotip 19 inspiration 23 wisewords 24 healingways 26 greenliving 28 consciouseating 30 fitbody 32 healthykids 34 naturalpet 17 36 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 LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NAMercer.com or fax to 609-249-9044. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

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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.

19 WILDERNESS IN

SIDEWALK CRACKS

Small Nature Reaches Out to City Kids by Greg Hanscom

20 LIVE GREEN, SAVE BIG Five Eco-Friendly Life Decisions that Can Actually Save Money by Crissy Trask

23 ICE CHASER

James Balogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dramatic Images Document Climate Change by Christine MacDonald

24 GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD VIBES

Escaping Electromagnetic Exposure by Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

26 HOMEMADE

ECO-CLEANERS

DIY Recipes Keep Your Home Naturally Clean by Lane Vail

28 CULINARY

MUSHROOM MAGIC Delicate Powerhouses of Nutrition and Medicine by Case Adams

30 QI WHIZ

Qigong Steps Up Vitality and Serenity by Meredith Montgomery

32 BACKYARD BIRDS

AND BUTTERFLIES

Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids by Avery Mack

34 POOCH PROTOCOL Good Manners Make a Dog Welcome by Sandra Murphy

letterfrompublisher In Celebration of Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day, Why not plant a tree? It will produce fresh air, And be a joy for all to see. In celebration of Earth Day, Go and visit a local park. Get back in touch with nature, Its sites and sounds in light and dark. In celebration of Earth Day, Try to be more aware, Of how your actions affect this world and devote yourself to its care. ~Unknown We’re thrilled that you’re a fan of Natural Awakenings! It’s fairly safe to conclude that you’re also a fan of a healthy environment. Welcome to our annual Green Living issue. I had seen this poem many years ago and chose to hold onto it, to remember that “going green” is a process. Just as with any major shift, progress comes in steps. Our mind evolves and seeks practical refinements as we filter and absorb information to realize what’s doable. If someone wants to start a workout routine, for example, they have a better chance of succeeding if they pick a date in the future at which point they want to reach their goal, and then work backward, articulating where they want/need to be on a weekly or monthly basis. It works the same way when we want to make any shift with lasting and permanent benefits. So it is with greening up our lives; it doesn’t have to be a matter of all or nothing so long as we’re moving in the right direction. Crissy Trask’s feature article, “Live Green, Save Big,” on page 20 disproves the myth that eco-friendly choices are harder on our wallets than conventional options. Occasionally, we hear from purists that they don’t understand why we print Natural Awakenings at all if we’re a “green” company. Why not go totally electronic? First I’ll note that we print on 100 percent recycled non-glossy paper with nontoxic soy ink. Of course, we invite readers to join our email list to receive the digital edition instead, but we also understand that the majority of our readers are overdosed on screen time and prefer the gentle tactile experience of flipping paper pages. Additionally, studies suggest that our brains relate to the physical markers on pages, like left and right and the relation of page corners to the text, which allow us to recall the location of information and call up the memory of reading it. This anchoring sense is lost on a screen. Plus, historically we know that many readers file magazines for a month or even years so they can return later to reference advertisers, calendar events and favorite articles. Not only do we want to help readers remember all of the valuable information they find in these pages, we are also happy to provide fun tips on other ways you can reuse past issues. Practical repurposing ranges from shredding for packing material, tearing into pieces for household compost, lining litter boxes and garbage cans, rolling into paper logs, and cutting out pictures and words for a vision board. Of course you can always resend it to the recycling center. In celebration of Earth Day plant a tree for the birds, environment or for everyone to see! We hope you get out and enjoy the warmer Spring days to come…

Managing Editor Dave Beveridge

Proofreader Randy Kambic

Design & Production Melanie Rankin Stephen Blancett

Franchise Sales 239-530-1377

Phone: 609-249-9044 Fax: 609-249-9044 NAMercer.com LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com © 2014 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, Owner/Publisher

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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April 2014

newsbriefs Caroline Myss to Explore the Seven Soul Passages

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

orld-renowned speaker and New York Times bestselling author Caroline Myss will give a lecture on behalf of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) at 7 p.m. on May 30 at the Bart Ludeke Center at Rider University’s Lawrenceville Campus. Proceeds from the lecture, the fifth she’s done for TASK, will support its efforts to feed those that are hungry in the Trenton area and offer programs to encourage self-sufficiency and improve quality of life. Myss has waived any fee so that a substantial portion of the ticket sales will go directly Caroline Myss to TASK. “Her lectures focus on medical intuition, healing, health and energy medicine which and her mission of keeping a finger on the pulse of advancing thought keeps everyone appraised of the best healthy-life choices available to them,” comments TASK Community Relations and Development Coordinator Jay Steinhauer. Cost: $50 general/$100 VIP seating. Location: Bart Ludeke Center at Rider University’s Lawrenceville Campus, 2083 Lawrenceville Rd., Lawrenceville. For more information, call Steinhauer at 609-695-5456 x108, email JSteinhauer@Trenton SoupKitchen.org or visit TrentonSoupKitchen.org. See ad, page 14.

Celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

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!

pril 26 will be World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. Celebrate the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in New Egypt to see why Dr. Oz is a fan of tai chi. “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, hosting the local event. The primary mission for this annual event is personal and global health and healing by educating millions of 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. “The form we will be practicing is T’ai Chi Chih: Joy thru Movement. This is an easy, mindful, moving meditation with many health benefits. We welcome to join us and experience this movement for yourself,” concludes Hutchinson. Location: American Legion, 2 Meadow Brook Ln., New Egypt. Bring a potluck lunch of your making. To pre-register (requested), call Siobhan Hutchinson at 609-752-1048 or email Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesLLC.com. See ad, page 31.

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An Evening of Wellness & Beauty Yoga & Wellness Center Open House in East Windsor Open House in Princeton

njoy an evening of wellness and beauty with Dr. Dorota M. Gribbin from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 24 at the Comprehensive Pain and Regenerative Center, in Princeton. The open house event will include providing discounts for future treatments of Vela body shaping, skin resurfacing and tightening, skin care products, fillers and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Dr. Gribbin invites everyone to learn about a wide variety of treatments, services and modalities that her center offers including regenerative medicine, aesthetic medicine, medical weight loss, Vela nonsurgical body shaping, yoga and meditation. She adds, “Our services and programs are designed to keep you beautiful inside and out.” Location: Comprehensive Pain and Regenerative Center, 181 N. Harrison St., Princeton. Registration required. Call 609-588-0540. See ad, page 43.

C.A. Shofed to Display Art at PEAC in April

s part of its monthly Art on Display Program, PEAC Health & Fitness, in Ewing, will proudly display original works of art from local photographer C.A. Shofed throughout April. Shofed discovered his love for photography while studying advertising design Corner in college and has mainby C.A. Shofed tained that passion even though his career path took him in a different direction. His photography has been described as “industrial meets nature,” and his work often features common objects that he encounters in his daily routine. “There is so much beauty in unexpected places,” states Shofed. “I hope my photography reminds people to notice and appreciate the charm of objects we see every day.” He has displayed his works in Trenton and Philadelphia and private collections exist in Pennington and Lawrenceville. In addition, he is the curator and a featured artist for the annual Common Threads art show at Hopewell Valley Vineyards. Shofed currently resides in Trenton. Location: 1440 Lower Ferry Rd., Ewing. For more information, call Christine Tentilucci at 609-883-2000, email CTentilucci@ PEACHealthFitness.com or visit PEACHealthFitness.com.

ne Yoga & Wellness Center will host an open house from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 6 in East Windsor. James Slaymaker, L.Ac, invites readers to “come out and learn about our wellness options, sample our classes and partake in discussions lead by our staff.” Along with Slaymaker on acupuncture, other Center experts that will share their expertise and knowledge will include Tracey L. Ulshafer, owner/director; Shanda and Shabrauna Scaife, CMT for massage and spa treatments; Yuth Harris, RYT, CTYB, for Thai Yoga bodywork; Robin O’Hagan on medium, psychic and spiritual advising; and Reshma Patel, PT, on physical therapy. Some of the demonstrations and discussions will cover the benefits of massage, a qigong class, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and mediumship. All in attendance will be provided valuable coupons and wellness option information. Raffles of local vendor-provided gifts will be held as well. Free admission and pre-registration is not required. Location: One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte., 130 N., East Windsor. For more information, call 609-918-0963. See acupuncture ad, page 27.

NJ Farms Growing Bigger, Increasing Income

reliminary data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2012 Census show the average size of a New Jersey farm increased from 71 to 79 acres from 2007 to 2012. The market value of products sold from these farms went up from $95,564 to $111,030 per farm. In total, the market value of products sold on all New Jersey farms increased from $986.9 million to $1.01 billion. “We are seeing consolidation in every industry,” says New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “Farms are expanding, becoming more diverse in operations and increasing their production.” Between 2007 and 2012 there was a decrease in the number of the state’s smallest farms—those between one and nine acres—dropping 24 percent from 2,950 to 2,237. However, the number of farms between 50 and 179 acres increased 7 percent from 1,675 to 1,790 during that time period. The census also showed farmers in the U.S. are getting older. The average age of a New Jersey farmer went up from 57 in 2007 to 59 in 2012. For more information, contact Linda Richmond at 609-6332954 or visit NJ.Gov/Agriculture. natural awakenings

April 2014

newsbriefs Expanded Staff, Programming at PEACycling Studio

EAC Health and Fitness is pleased to announce expanded services and new instructors at its PEACycling Studio, in Ewing. The additional staff and programming will allow the facility to better meet the cycling-specific training needs of the community. To complement its six-week indoor riding training sessions, PEACycling will now offer personal Initial Evaluation & Testing to assess a rider’s pedal stroke, shifting, cadence, training heart rate zones, and strengths and weaknesses. Sessions will also educate on basic cycling techniques, such as when to push and when to ease off, and how to adapt position changes based on the terrain. In addition, the studio can now accommodate private, semi-private or small-group training sessions. Joining the team of dedicated coaches are Jeffrey Angelini and Bryn Mulligan, bringing solid foundations of athletic endurance training. “Jeff and Bryn are valuable additions to the PEACycling team,” states Christopher Draper, PEACycling director. “Their commitment to and experiences in cycling training and competition allow them to empathize with the needs of our cyclists.” Location: 1440 Lower Ferry Rd., Ewing. For more information, call 609-883-2000 or visit PEACHealthFitness.com.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

SeasonScapes Exhibit Salutes Local Student Photography

he Princeton Photography Club will unveil the winning works and award $500 in total prize money for its annual high school student photography contest, SeasonScapes, with a light reception beginning at 7:30 p.m. on April 9 at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Olivia Rainbow Gallery, in Princeton. The public, including students, are invited to attend. The winning art will then remain on exhibition during regular weekday business hours through May 2. Snowmotion Applicants were asked to photograph open by Rea Isaac space, evoking a season or the transition between seasons. The annual contest is orchestrated to attune students to nature, which D&R Greenway has worked to preserve since 1989. Judges were Carl Geisler, president of the Princeton Photography Club, and Diana Moore, curator of D&R Greenway’s Marie L. Matthews Galleries. The five student contest award winners are Rea Isaac of Princeton Day School, earning the $250 Best in Show prize for Snowmotion; Alex Lin of the Lawrenceville School, second place for Winter Ghosts; Victoria Berzin, of the Lawrenceville School, third place for First Snow; Mallory Richards of Princeton Day School, fourth place for Corn Walk; and Helen Healey of Princeton Day School, fifth place for Bareness. Honorable mentions will go to Sncha Agrawal of Hightstown High School for Autumn Bloom; Megan Burd of Hightstown High School for Growth; and Lawrence High School’s Kristen Miller for Morning Ambers. Location: D&R Greenway Land Trust, One Preservation Place, Princeton. For more information, call 609-924-4646 or visit DRGreenway.org.

Grassroots Initiative Tackles New Childhood Epidemics

besity and diabetes, autism and neurodevelopmental delays, digestive and allergic diseases: all these chronic illnesses were rare a generation ago, but today they are impacting our children in epidemic numbers. “Paradoxically, the most affluent, medically advanced societies in the modern world also have the highest rates of chronic childhood illness,” says Beth Sean Iorio, age 7 Lambert, founder and director of Epidemic Answers, “A canary, returning from a nonprofit educational organization based in West the coal mine” Simsbury, Conn. “Our children are the canaries in the coal mine of national health. It’s critical that we take action now.” That sense of urgency is behind the nonprofit’s innovative Canary Kids Project, which this year will follow the journeys of 14 American children as a medicallyled team uses integrative therapies to help them heal from chronic illness, including autism, ADHD, asthma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, mood disorders, obesity/ type II diabetes and atopic disease/eczema. “There is much anecdotal evidence indicating that individuals with chronic conditions, even autism, can fully recover,” Lambert says. “This project will use rigorous scientific methodology to test and explore the underpinnings of these anecdotal successes.” The project will be documented in a full-length film, Canary Kids, spreading the message that recovery is possible. Make a tax-deductible donation to CanaryKidsMovie.com/donate or Epidemic Answers, PO Box 191, West Simsbury, CT 06092. For more info, visit CanaryKidsMovie.com.

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Communiversity Returns to Downtown Princeton

he countdown is on for Communiversity, one of Central New Jersey’s most well-known annual celebration of the arts. This year’s edition is slated from 1 to 6 p.m. on April 27, 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 35,000 visitors each spring. Communiversity Festival of the Arts 2014 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 609-924-8777 or visit ArtsCouncilOfPrinceton.org.

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April 2014

healthbriefs

Home Renovations Aggravate Childhood Asthma

ew research suggests that renovation planning should involve more than just picking the right colors and styles; doing it right may help prevent childhood respiratory conditions. Researchers from St. Louis University, in Missouri, linked home renovations with increased wheezing, asthma and chronic coughing among children living in the home. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, followed 31,049 children between the ages of 2 and 14 years old from seven Chinese cities over a two-year period. Previous research has also reached a similar conclusion, identifying some specific materials responsible for increased childhood respiratory disorders. A Russian study of 5,951 children ages 8 to 12 found that increased asthma and wheezing were related to recently completed painting, as well as the installation of new linoleum flooring, synthetic carpets, particleboard and wall coverings. That study, published in the same journal states, “Exposure levels are the highest during and shortly after painting, but low levels of exposure may remain for several months. Wooden furniture, as well as painted or varnished and new furniture, is likely to emit chemical substances.” A 2002 study of New York children published in the Journal of Urban Health found similar results.

Ventilation and Cleaning Hinder Indoor Pollutants

roperly ventilating and frequently cleaning our homes and offices are both important to our health, concludes a new European study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Researchers analyzed bacterial and fungal counts and suspended particulate matter in indoor air samples of 40 homes and offices. They determined that 45 percent had indoor pollution levels greater than that recommended by the current European Concerted Action Report on air quality standards. An analysis of a Canadian government Health Measures Survey discovered 47 different indoor volatile organic compounds (VOC) among more than half of the 3,857 households surveyed throughout Canada. Most of the VOCs identified there have also been present in separate European and U.S. studies. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOCs are carbon chemical compounds that can evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions. The concern with indoor VOCs is their potential to react with indoor ozone to produce harmful byproducts that may be associated with adverse health effects in sensitive populations. Benzene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and xylene top the list of common VOCs inside U.S. households, according to an EPA report. Typical sources comprise common household chemicals, furnishings and décor, as well as indoor activities such as unventilated cooking, heating and smoking.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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Orange Oil Calms Kids in Dental Chairs

or centuries, aromatherapy using orange oil has been heralded in traditional herbalism for its ability to alleviate anxiety. Research published in the journal Advanced Biomedical Research now finds that aromatherapy using the same ingredient can significantly reduce a child’s anxiety at the dentist’s office. The study, conducted at Iran’s Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Biomedical Research, tested 10 boys and 20 girls between 6 and 9 years old. In this crossover design study, participants were assigned randomly into two groups. Half the children were treated with water instead of any essential oil (control) initially and received orange aroma in the second session (intervention). Another 15 children received treatment under orange aroma in the first encounter (intervention) and were treated without any aroma the second time (control). When the children were given orange oil aromatherapy, they experienced significantly reduced heart rates and lower salivary cortisol levels compared with those not receiving it. The results corroborate findings from a 2000 study from the University of Vienna, in Austria, published in Physiology and Behavior.

Olive Leaf Outperforms Diabetes Drug

live leaf may provide nature’s answer to diabetes treatment. A recent study from the University of Auckland, in New Zealand, suggests that olive leaf extract can help reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin production by beta cells in the pancreas. The researchers tested 46 middle-aged, obese adults at risk for developing metabolic syndrome-related Type 2 diabetes. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, olive leaf extract outperformed the diabetes drug metformin and “significantly improved insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell secretory capacity,” according to the researchers. Insulin helps escort glucose into the body’s cells.

Supplements Could Save $70 Billion in Medical Costs

n a Frost & Sullivan study report authored by Christopher Shanahan and Robert de Lorimier, Ph.D., the use of dietary supplements, including B vitamins, phytosterols and dietary fiber, could reduce the cost of treating coronary artery disease in the U.S. by nearly $50 billion over the next seven years. In addition, healthcare costs related to diabetes, vision problems and osteoporosis could be reduced by nearly $20 billion collectively with the use of certain supplements. The projections were based on cost-benefit analysis comparing a series of scenarios to assess the effect on overall disease management costs if an identified high-risk population were to avoid costly medical events by increasing their intake of dietary supplements purchased out-of-pocket versus no supplement usage. “The healthcare system spends a tremendous amount of money treating chronic disease, but has failed to focus on ways to reduce those costs through prevention,” says Steve Mister, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 3 percent of U.S. healthcare costs are spent on the prevention of chronic diseases.

Air Conditioning Cleans Up Indoor Air

ir conditioning does more than keep us cool. A study of 300 adults and homes concludes that central air conditioning removes significant levels of volatile organic compounds and pollution particulates from indoor air. The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, finds that using air conditioning with windows closed reduced indoor air pollution the most. One caveat, however, is that the research was conducted in Taipei, China—notable for its extreme outdoor pollution. Another recent study published in Environmental Science confirms the general premise. A research team in Zhejiang, China, found that air conditioning reduced the presence of potent atmospheric pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAC) by 23 percent. PACs contain compounds that are carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic (damaging to fetuses).

Tomatoes Prevent and Even Treat Liver Disease

omatoes are widely known for their outstanding antioxidant content, anti-inflammatory and cancerfighting properties, plus benefits to heart health. Now, research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center, at Tufts University, in Boston, Massachusetts, has found that consuming tomatoes—particularly their lycopene content—can also help prevent and even treat both liver disease and cancer of the liver. The researchers combed through 241 studies and scientific papers to connect the dots. They report that lycopene up regulates the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein, meaning it increases the number of receptors on cell surfaces, thereby increasing cellular response to it. SIRT1 activation is recognized to protect against obesity-induced inflammation and degeneration of the liver, explain the study’s authors. Lycopene was found to protect against fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis and the formation of cancer in the liver and lungs. Multiple studies have shown cooked tomatoes and tomato sauce offer increased bioavailability of healthful lycopene.

natural awakenings

April 2014

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

Food Charter

United Nations Blueprints Sustainability Goals A new publication, Trade and Environment Review: Wake Up Before it is Too Late, from the United Nations Commission on Trade and Development, declares that transformative changes are needed in current food, agriculture and trade systems to increase diversity on farms, reduce use of fertilizer and other inputs, support small-scale farmers and create strong local food systems. Key indicators of needed transformation in agriculture include increased soil carbon content and better integration between crop and livestock production; more incorporation of agroforestry and wild vegetation; reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of livestock production; reduction of GHG through sustainable peatland, forest and grassland management; optimization of organic and inorganic fertilizer use; reduction of waste throughout the food chains; changing dietary patterns toward climate-friendly food consumption; and reform of the international trade regime for food and agriculture. The report includes contributions from more than 60 international experts, including a commentary from the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy.

Trees are Trying Forests Have Limited Powers to Save Us

Forests have a finite capacity to soak up atmospheric carbon dioxide, according to a recent study from Northern Arizona University. Results published in the online journal New Phytologist illustrate how today’s rising atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) might alter the carbon and nitrogen content of ecosystems. In contrast to expectations, research over an 11-year period showed that ecosystem carbon uptake was not significantly increased by high CO2. While plants did contain more carbon in the presence of higher CO2 levels, the soil lost carbon content due to microbial decomposition. These factors essentially canceled each other out, signifying that nature cannot entirely self-correct against climate change.

Marine Maneuvers

Source: iatp.org

Harnessing the Ocean’s Power Potential

Alice Mills smiles as she looks at the box that sits on her lawn in Hutchinson, Kansas, an act of kindness for neighbors and the community. Inside the box is a miniature library. Books sit on two shelves; the bottom with short stories for children and the top with novels for adults. After her children grew up and moved away from home, they took the books they wanted with them. The rest sat on a bookshelf collecting dust. “If they’re here, they’re not being read,” Mills says. The concept for the Little Free Library began in 2009 to promote literacy and the love of reading, as well as to build a sense of community, according to LittleFreeLibrary.org. They are now popping up around the world in the United States, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, Spain, Turkey and the Congo. A recent Pew Internet & American Life Project survey shows that Americans strongly value the role of public libraries in their communities, both for providing access to materials and resources and for promoting literacy and improving the overall quality of life. More than half used a public library in a one-year period, and 72 percent say they live in a “library household”. Most Americans say they have only had positive experiences at public libraries and value a range of library resources and services. National Library Week begins April 13.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is investing $16 million on 17 tidal and wave projects to sustainably and efficiently capture energy from waves, tides and currents. The projects will also help gather crucial data on how these devices interact with the surrounding environment. The DOE will also spend $13.5 million on eight projects to help U.S. companies build durable, efficient wave and tidal devices that reduce overall costs and maximize the amount of energy captured. Specifically, the projects will focus on developing new components and software that predicts ocean conditions and adjusts device settings accordingly to optimize power production.

Contributing source: HutchNews.com

Source: Ecoseed.org

Pick-Me-Up Books

Mailbox Libraries Gain Worldwide

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Hot ‘n Sunny

Cheaper Solar Panels Spur Job Growth Solar industry jobs are up nearly 20 percent in the 14 months through November 2013 as cheaper panels and rising electricity rates spurred people to turn to solar, according to a report by the nonprofit Solar Foundation research group. At latest count, solar companies employ nearly 143,000 solar workers, up more than 23,000 from September 2012—a job growth rate that’s 10 times faster than the national average and is helping local economies, according to the foundation. The industry is expected to create 22,000 new jobs in 2014, although at a slower pace than 2013. Cuts of 8,500 positions are projected in the sector that generates electricity from fossil fuels. Solar firms surveyed in the report said that more than 50 percent of their business and homeowner customers turned to solar to save money, while nearly 23 percent said they invested in panels because costs are now comparable with utility rates. The report noted that the cost of solar equipment has fallen about 50 percent since the beginning of 2010, motivating more people to go green.

GMO Go-Ahead

Feds Give Dangerous Green Light The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a draft statement essentially giving the green light to the marketing, sale and planting of Dow Chemical’s genetically modified (GM, GMO, GE) corn and soybeans resistant to 2,4-D, which will trigger a huge increase in the use of the toxic herbicide. The determination under the Plant Pest Act comes despite intense opposition over the past two years from farmers, more than 400,000 other individuals and some 150 farm, fishery, public health, consumer and environmental groups and private businesses. Meanwhile, the Grocery Manufacturers Association has issued talking points against GMO labeling laws for food industry lobbyists that claim the laws are unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment, although other legal experts say the assertion is baseless. Take action at Tinyurl.com/PushToLabelGMO. Learn more at OrganicConsumers.org.

CO2-Correct Food

Menus Minimize Greenhouse Gases Experts at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, at Aberdeen University, in Scotland, have created a new menu plan that is healthy and nutritious, as well as good for the environment. The researchers compiled a shopping list of 52 foods arranged in categories according to how much climate-changing greenhouse gases are produced to make and transport them (Tinyurl.com/ScottishDiet). They then devised a weekly weight allowance for each food, which when followed, would reduce the use of greenhouse gases by about a third. Surprisingly, the list features foods such as chocolate, ice cream and red meat, but anyone wanting to reduce their carbon footprint must only eat them in relatively tiny quantities. Some food groups, such as dairy products and meat, produce much bigger emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide than others because of the way they are manufactured and brought to market. The production of fruit, vegetables and legumes is much less likely to produce such high emissions. Source: Scotsman.com natural awakenings

April 2014

Come join us in May for a lecture given by the always inspiring

Caroline Myss

WORK YOUR MAGIC

A Benefit Lecture for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) New York Times bestselling author of Anatomy of the Spirit, Why People Don’t Heal and How They Can, Sacred Contracts, Entering the Castle and Defy Gravity

Friday, MAY 30, 2014 at 7PM at Rider University in the Bart Luedeke Center Theater

For Tickets or Sponsorship Information please visit:

www.trentonsoupkitchen.org/myss or call (609) 695.5456 x108

Trenton Area Soup Kitchen / (609) 695.5456 72 1/2 Escher St. / P.O. Box 872 / Trenton, NJ 08605 www.trentonsoupkitchen.org

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Bodywork & Wellness Edition Follow our Facebook page NaturalAwakenings MercerCounty and we’ll alert you of upcoming happenings and events.

Reach health enthusiasts seeking: • Acupressure • Craniosacral Therapy • Deep Tissue Massage • Energy Work • Hot Stone Massage • Lymph Drainage • Myofascial Therapy • Neuromuscular Therapy • Physical Therapy

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Holistic Health & Fitness Coach Expands At-Home Services

Good food. Good for you. Good for the earth. • 100% Organic Produce • Delicious & Healthy Deli Selections • Vitamins, Herbs & Homeopathic Remedies

he opportunities for those that lead a busy lifestyle and are looking for fast, efficient, longlasting health and fitness results have recently reached a new level of convenience. National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist Kevin Walsh has broadened the region that he provides Kevin Walsh private, at-home coaching to include greater Mercer County and is also giving readers a special way to learn of his services. The expansion of his reach reflects the growing acceptance of the time savings and efficiencies of attaining “health and fitness goals right in the privacy of one’s own home,” says Walsh, who is also certified as a Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiologist (CHEK) Lifestyle Coach and Advanced Exercise Coach and a TRX Group Instructor. Walsh’s sessions include charted nutritional counseling, functional strength training, stretching and corrective exercise and stress-reduction techniques. His individually tailored programs can assist clients in achieving weight loss, building lean muscle tone, increasing flexibility, relieving pain and reducing stress. NASM is a global leader in accrediting health and fitness professionals with evidence-based methods to empower their clients to live healthier lives. For more information, call Kevin Walsh at 609-577-1913 or email KWNinjaTrainer@gmail.com. Mention Natural Awakenings to receive a free at-home consultation and fitness assessment.

The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can all influence your life by 30 to 50 years. ~Deepak Chopra

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April 2014

earthdayevents

Celebrate Earth Day 2014

Visit EarthDay.org to pledge a personal act of green, find a volunteer opportunity or learn more about the re-greening of urban communities around the world. Help Greater Mercer County celebrate its progress toward sustainability at these local Earth Day 2014 events.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to Renew the Health of Our Planet

hether already an activist or still struggling to sort recyclables, we all have a prime opportunity during the week of April 22 to renew our individual and collective pledge to tread more lightly on the planet. “Environmentalism touches every part of our lives, from what we eat to what we wear to what we breathe,” says Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers. “Learning about where our food comes from or how a product is made can be fun,” she continues, “and awareness is the foundation for action.” More than a billion citizens have already registered their acts of green through the organization’s website; this year, the campaign seeks to engage a billion more. Suggestions range from the personal, such as pledging to stop using disposable plastic, to the political, in calling our congressional representatives to reestablish a tax credit program for renewable energy.

building. Its energy efficiency and water reuse systems are reducing resource consumption by up to 40 percent. Plus, bicycle lanes in roads and expanded access to city bus and tram systems decrease traffic-related pollution.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22

With an estimated two out of every three people on Earth expected to be living in cities by 2050—straining water, energy and transportation systems—Earth Day Network has chosen Green Cities as this year’s theme. Advocates are calling upon cities to invest in smart grids, overhaul outdated building codes and increase public transportation options. U.S. success stories helping to lead the way include Chicago’s Solar Express program, using incentives to drive solar installations, and New York City’s pedestrian plazas, designed to replace urban gridlock with open space. Denver’s low-income South Lincoln neighborhood is also getting a makeover with its green public housing community that boasts a platinum-certified Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

It’s important to recognize that humans are not the measure of all things... The Earth is the measure of all things. ~James Balog

Celebrate Earth Day at the ‘Shed – 5-7:30pm. Visit the Watershed Reserve after work or school to celebrate Earth Day. Teacher-naturalists will be on hand to lead hikes to the Stony Brook or into the forest, introduce you to many resident critters and help you create simple Earth Day crafts. The ‘pop-up’ Nature Shop will also be open, offering 20 percent off all purchases. Registration requested. Cost: $15 per family. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Earth Day Celebration – 5:30-7:30pm. Free. The Heart of Art will hold an Earth Day celebration. Come meditate for global peace and enjoy tea and cookies with good company. 2374 Nottingham Way, Hamilton. Call ahead to register: 609-865-1012. Conscious-Raising Videos – 7:309:30pm. Free. Studio 2012 will host an open house to view conscious-raising videos on their big screen in celebration of Earth Day. Light refreshments served. Studio 2012, 2374 Nottingham Way, Hamilton. Call ahead to register: 609-865-1012.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 Earth Day Festival – 8am-4:30pm. In celebration of Earth Day, we are offering Family Nature Programs. Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Rd, Cranbury.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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ecotip Heirloom Home A Fresh Look at Furnishings that Last

Why not expand on the spring tradition of home cleaning by appraising existing home furnishings and décor to see how rearrangements can freshen the whole presentation? Employing a few basic creative strategies will yield long-lasting beauty, cost savings, health benefits and utility, all adding up to enhanced sustainability. Secondhand items readily spruce up interiors when they are thoughtfully selected. Look for gently used, newto-you items—ranging from furniture and lamps to accent pieces like pottery and wall art—at antique and thrift shops, yard and estate sales or via online forums such as CraigsList. com and Freecycle.org. Seeking out fair trade items helps support a fair wage for artisans around the world. Plants enliven and beautify any space while cleaning indoor air, according to a recent study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Associated Landscape Contractors of America. Plants cited as especially effective in removing formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air include bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, English ivy, gerbera (African) daisy, chrysanthemum and peace lily. Pot them in used jars or other repurposed containers to conserve materials and add character and more personality to home décor. Overall balance is key. “An imbalanced room has large furniture grouped together at one end and lightweight furniture and bare walls at the other,” says professional designer Norma Lehmeier Hartie, author of Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet. “The effect is like being on a tilting boat in a storm.” Furniture arrangements are best when they allow light to flow through spaces with ample allowance for moving about the room. The ideal setup facilitates worktable projects and small-group conversations. Round tables help make everyone feel like they belong, according to green living expert Annie Bond. Sustainable kitchen wares are often the classiest. Sturdy pots, pans and kettles, like Le Creuset and Picquot Ware, may offer replacement parts and lifetime guarantees; Bialetti and Bodum coffee makers and Littala glassware are durable and long-lasting. While some may cost more upfront, their longevity saves money over time. Then there’s always grandma’s iron skillet. Additional sources: GreenPages.org and GreenAmerica.org

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Author’s Corner Embrace Your Inner Self:

inspiration

Wilderness in Sidewalk Cracks

Awaken Your Natural Ability to Heal by Sangita Patel

Small Nature Reaches Out to City Kids by Greg Hanscom

ity kids are often taught that nature is out there beyond the city limits, but one science educator and photographer shows how everyday nature has the power to transform. You can take Molly Steinwald out of the city, but you’ll never get the city out of her. Growing up as a free-schoollunch kid on the outskirts of Manchester, New Hampshire, she notes, “I didn’t do the skiing and mountain climbing thing.” Instead, she found solace watching ants parade across the sidewalk or tracing the intricate lines on a leaf. Yet when she graduated from high school, Steinwald traveled as far as she could from those city streets, earning a degree in biology, and then a master’s degree in ecology researching kangaroo rats in Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains. Still, the city always tugged at her. “I was really excited about big nature,” Steinwald says. “But I kept coming back to small-scale, mundane nature that I knew as a kid. I felt I needed to get back to help people who never see this stuff.” Today, Steinwald is doing just that. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. researching human interactions with nature in built environments. As director of science education and research at the Phipps Conservatory, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she has been charged with reimagining urban environmental education and reaching out to at-risk youth. Her basic assumption is: One doesn’t have to go to a national park, or even a city park, to connect with the natural world. It’s crawling past us on

the sidewalk or drifting through the air right under our nose. That, she says, is where city kids can forge a lasting connection with nature—if they’re paying attention. As one of the many ways to get kids to tune in, Steinwald directs programs that arm them with digital cameras and challenges them to take pictures of the fragments of nature they find on the streets. The approach is a departure from the belief held by some that “nature” is defined as parks or green spaces—places apart from our everyday lives. Lisa Graumlich, dean of the University of Washington School of the Environment, in Seattle, Washington, says Steinwald is making waves in environmental education circles: “She was an urban kid. She brings the voice of someone from a different economic class to the table.” Graumlich says it makes intuitive sense that connecting with street-level nature will help build a lasting bond with the natural world. The next challenge is figuring out how to provide kids with more of these experiences: “It may be as simple as a mom walking home from the bus stop with bags of groceries and two children in tow, feeling like she has time to look at a sidewalk crack with them.” “A lot of nature in the city is really small,” Steinwald observes. “I want to show these kids that even if their nature is small, it’s still darned good nature.” Greg Hanscom is a senior editor for Grist.org, in Seattle, WA.

Do you feel like a victim in your life and are looking for inner peace? Are you struggling with pain, have tried many ways but still cannot find relief? Do you feel angry, and frustrated towards yourself or others?

f you answered “yes” to one or more to these questions then this book will guide you to start your healing journey and Sangita Patel try various healing modalities that fit you well. In my first 40 years of this circle of life, I was often a victim. I suffered pain and struggled to overcome obstacles after my car accident and losing my only brother. I had so much anger, frustration and sadness inside of me and toward the world. But now my life has changed. When we embrace our inner child, we awaken our natural ability to heal physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Many people do not realize their own power. I did not believe it for most of my life either, but once I had experienced it, I felt like I was reborn again. With this book you will be able to reclaim your inner peace and support the awakening of your inner wisdom. You will be able to develop your own ability to Heal, Harmonize and Organize your life and feel Joy every day. For more information, visit Embrace YourInnerSelf.com. Order this title through local booksellers or preferred online retailers: Barnes and Noble: Bit.Ly/1m6zr9N; Amazon: Amzn.To/1j2rNYO; Balboa Press: Bit.Ly/1dHd28W.

natural awakenings

April 2014

routine. You grow a strong bond with your home.” Securing a much smaller dwelling than what we originally had designs on can lead to a lifetime of savings. With less space to furnish, heat, cool, light, clean and maintain, we can enjoy greater financial freedom, less stress and more time for fun.

2. Deciding Where to Live

LIVE GREEN,

SAVE BIG Five Eco-Friendly Life Decisions that Can Actually Save Us Money by Crissy Trask

very pivotal life decision, from choosing where we live to eating healthier, can support our best interests environmentally, as well. The good news is that it is possible to afford a sustainable way of life. Eco-friendly choices for housing, vehicles and food— generally perceived as expensive for the average individual or family—often are not only attainable when pursued in a thoughtful way, but can actually save us money compared to maintaining the status quo.

1. Buying a Home

When considering a move to a new place, we often find out how much house we can manage and then proceed to invest to the hilt. But if hitting our spending limit will leave a deficit in the amount of green and healthy home features and furnishings we can achieve, we could end up with a residence that makes neither financial nor 20

Greater Mercer County, NJ

ecological sense, and isn’t good for our health. A solution is to scale back on costly square footage. Spending 25 to 40 percent less than we think we can on a smaller home provides more possibilities when planning the renovation budget, enabling us to create a home that is more deeply satisfying. Nicole Alvarez, an architectural designer with Ellen Cassilly Architect, in Durham, North Carolina, who blogs at IntentionallySmall.com, says that if we value quality over quantity, place over space and living more intentionally in every aspect of our lives, we are ready for a small home. Occupying less space has profoundly influenced her daily life and happiness. Alvarez has found, “When space is limited, everything has a function and a purpose. Everything has to be intentional. Over time, as you grow in the home, you make small modifications to personalize it more to adjust to your

NAMercer.com

Urban, suburban or rural, where we live incurs long-term repercussions on the natural environment. Choosing an established community within or close to an urban center tends to be more protective of air, water and land quality than living in a distant, car-dependent suburb, yet many families feel either drawn to or resigned to the suburbs for the lower housing prices. But as Ilana Preuss, vice president at Washington, D.C.-based Smart Growth America, explains, “There is more to housing affordability than how much rent or mortgage we pay. Transportation costs are the second-biggest budget item for most families. In locations with access to few transportation choices, the combined cost of housing and transportation can be more than 60 percent of the total household budget. For families with access to a range of transportation choices, the combined cost can be less than 40 percent.” In most suburbs, where the only practical transportation choice is a personal vehicle, dependency on a car takes a toll on us financially and physically. Driving a personal vehicle 15,000 miles a year can cost about $9,122 annually in ownership and operating expenses, according to AAA’s 2013 Your Driving Costs report, and hours spent daily sitting behind the wheel being sedentary is eroding our health. Lack of transportation options is a leading detriment to the nation’s collective wellness, according to the federal agency Healthy People. Sustainable cities provide many transportation options, including public buses and trains, car-sharing services and all forms of ride sharing; and perhaps most importantly, they are bike- and pedestrian-friendly. Choosing communities that make it possible to reduce driving and even go car-free

price of $28,431, the category has been around long enough to create a market in previously owned vehicles. A used hybrid that is just two years old can cost up to 25 percent less than a new one.

4. Buying American Eco-friendly choices for housing, vehicles and food—generally perceived as expensive for the average individual or family—often are not only attainable when pursued in a thoughtful way, but can actually save us money compared to maintaining the status quo. much of the time can save us money, reduce stress and improve our health.

3. Choosing a Car

We know two primary facts about cars: They are expensive and those with internal combustion engines pollute during operation. Still, many of us need one. Reducing the total impact and burden of owning a car can be as simple as prioritizing fuel efficiency. It helps that fuel-sippers now come in more sizes than just small, yet small subcompacts remain a good place to start our research because of their budget-friendly prices and high fuel economy. A subcompact that averages 32 miles per gallon (mpg) and has a sticker price below $15,000 can save us so much money compared with a top-selling compact SUV—upwards of $16,000 over five years, according to Edmunds.com—that if we need a larger vehicle on occasion, we can more easily afford to rent one. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), both small and midsized, can be an even better choice, averaging 41 mpg. Cost comparisons show that an HEV can save a heavily travelling city driver nearly $1,000 in fuel costs annually versus a comparably sized conventional gasolinepowered car. Although a 2014 midsized HEV has an average suggested retail

According to Consumer Reports, many shoppers prefer to buy products made in the USA, but with more than 60 percent of all consumer goods now produced overseas, finding American goods is not always easy. The good news is that buying American doesn’t mean only buying American made. We back the U.S. economy and jobs when we purchase used items that have been renewed or repurposed by enterprising citizens. Creative reuse supports new and existing businesses that collect, clean, sort, recondition, refurbish, remanufacture, update, refinish, reupholster, repair, tailor, distribute and sell used parts, materials and finished goods. Sarah Baird, director of outreach and communications of the Center for a New American Dream, an organization working to shift consumption away from wasteful trends, loves the history of used items. She says, “An item that has already lived one life has a story to tell, and is infinitely more interesting than anything newly manufactured.” Another reward is the big savings afforded by previously owned durable goods; not even America’s big-box discount retailers can beat these genuine bargains. Of course, not everything is available in the used marketplace, but when it makes sense, we can proudly know that our purchases support American ingenuity and workers.

5. Getting Healthy

Going green is healthy in innumerable ways. In addition to driving less, banning toxic products from our household cupboards and dinner plates is another solid place to start on the road to improved well-being for ourselves and the planet. Toxic consumer products pollute the planet, from manufacture through use and disposal. They aren’t doing us any favors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average human body now contains an estimated 700 industrial compounds, pollutants natural awakenings

April 2014

Get Published in Natural Awakenings!

We encourage and welcome participation by experts in our community. Local articles are what make Natural Awakenings a community resource for naturally healthy and sustainable living... for everyone. We want our readers to get to know you. Submitting editorial for one or more of our departments provides you with the opportunity to share knowledge and bring focus to your business and/or practice. For details, editorial and styling guidelines, contact us. We’re here to help!

LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com

The newest hybrids have been around for more than a decade, and the batteries have held up extremely well, lasting 150,000 to 200,000 miles in some cases. ~ CNN.com and other chemicals due to exposure to toxic consumer products and industrial chemicals. After researching proper local disposal of such hazards, replace them on future shopping forays with safer choices. It’s an investment in our health that can save untold pain and money and pay off big time in avoiding health problems ranging from cancer, asthma and chronic diseases to impaired fertility, birth defects and learning disabilities according to the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition. To reduce exposure to the toxins that are commonly sprayed on conventional crops, select sustainable and organic versions of foods to prepare at home whenever possible. Such choices help keep both our bodies and the environment healthy and can be surprisingly affordable compared with eating out and consuming prepackaged convenience foods. By substituting whole foods for prepared foods, cooking more meals at home and practicing good eating habits—like eating less meat and downsizing portions—the average person can enjoy high-quality food for $7 to $11 per day. This matches or falls below what the average American daily spends on food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Considering that diet-related diseases can cost afflicted families thousands of dollars a year, better food choices can make us not only healthier, but wealthier, too. Crissy Trask is the author of Go Green, Spend Less, Live Better. Connect at CrissyTrask.com.

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Green Housing Yields Social and Security Benefits n Large-home inhabitants may go all day without seeing one another and communication and togetherness can suffer. Family members living in small homes can more easily cultivate strong communications and cohesion. n Dense neighborhoods encourage interaction and cooperation among neighbors, nurturing a cohesive community that can reward us with social connections, collective responsibility and assistance when needed. n Urban homes give vandals and thieves fewer opportunities because neighbors are close by and passersby may be more readily noticed. n Small homes can encourage disconnecting from technology and getting outside. When the TV can be heard throughout the house, parents are more likely to urge outdoor playtime for kids. n The footprint of a small dwelling uses a fraction of the buildable lot, leaving more outdoor space for planting gardens that can nourish bodies and souls. Source: GreenMatters.com

wisewords

Ice Chaser

James Balog’s Dramatic Images Document Climate Change by Christine MacDonald

ational Geographic photographer James Balog says he was skeptical about climate change until he saw it happening firsthand. Watching once-towering glaciers falling into the sea inspired his most challenging assignment in a storied 30-year career— finding a way to photograph climate change. In exploring Balog’s Extreme Ice Survey, a breathtaking photographic record of vanishing glaciers, and his award-winning documentary, Chasing Ice, Natural Awakenings asked about the challenges he faced to bring this dramatic evidence of climate change to a world audience.

How did seeing glaciers shrink “before your eyes” move you to endure sometimes lifethreatening conditions to get these images on record? I fell in love with ice decades ago as a young mountaineer and scientist. I loved to get up before dawn and hike out on a glacier in Mount Rainier or one in the Alps, watch the light come up and hear the crunch of the frozen ice underfoot. On a trip to Iceland early in the project, I was looking at these little diamonds of ice that were left behind on the beach after the glaciers broke up. The surf had polished them into incredible shapes and textures. Walking the beach, you’d realize each one was a unique natural sculpture that

existed only for that moment before the return of high tide stole it away. Nobody would ever see it again. That was an amazing aesthetic and metaphysical experience. I realized that I wanted people to share this experience, to see the glaciers disappearing. This visual manifestation and evidence of climate change is here, happening right before our eyes. It is undeniable.

Why do these photos and videos help us grasp the scale of Planet Earth’s climate changes already underway? When people encounter Extreme Ice Survey images, their response is typically immediate and dramatic. It is the first step toward caring about a distant landscape most will never experience in person, enabling them to connect the dots between what happens far away and the rising sea levels, extreme weather events and other climaterelated issues closer to home.

What can an everyday person do to help underscore the global scientific consensus and urgency of addressing global warming? Lobbyists and pundits seek confusion and controversy, because ignorance seeks to hide within a noise cloud of false information. As long as the public thinks climate change isn’t real or that science is still debating it, fossil fuel industries protect their profits. Without

social clarity, the political leaders financially beholden to fossil fuel industries have no motivation to act. Market signals don’t help us make correct decisions when the military, health and environmental costs of fossil fuels that spread throughout the economic system don’t show up in today’s gasoline prices and electricity bills. Science and art seek clarity and vision. Clear perception is the key to changing the impact we’re having on our home planet. With social clarity, the policy, economic and technological solutions to wise energy use and countering climate change can be widely implemented. The path forward is being traveled by individuals committed to improving their own lives and communities; by school children who can’t stand the inaction of their elders; by innovative entrepreneurs and corporations eager to make or save money; by military generals seeking to protect their country and their soldiers; and by political leaders of courage and vision. We are all complicit with action or skeptical inaction; we can all participate in solutions to climate change.

What’s next on the horizon for you? We will continue to keep the Extreme Ice Survey cameras alive. This project doesn’t end just because the film came out. We plan to keep observing the world indefinitely. We’ll install more cameras in Antarctica; funding permitting, we also hope to expand into South America. I intend to continue looking at human-caused changes in the natural world, which is what I’ve been photographing for 30 years. I’m developing a couple of other big ideas for conveying innovative, artistic and compelling interpretations of the world as it’s changing around us. I will continue doing self-directed educational projects through our new nonprofit, Earth Vision Trust. Overall, I feel a great obligation to preserve a pictorial memory of vanishing landscapes for the people of the future. Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science. Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

natural awakenings

April 2014

healingways

Good Riddance to Bad Vibes

Escaping Electromagnetic Exposure by Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

e crackle with “The institute “Just because activity. energy. Natural usually finds that when a someone isn’t patient doesn’t respond electromagnetic fields within us regulate treatment by an energy feeling symptoms to how our bodies work. healer, it’s because of from exposure the environment. I try Plus, we continually encounter many outside to neutralize its effect to to electronic energy fields from Wi-Fi, help the body regulate technology, that properly,” Traver says. cell phones and towers, power lines, microwave While protection in doesn’t mean ovens, computers, TVs, highly occupied famthat it’s not having ily areas is important, security devices and radar. A growing number protection in an effect on DNA.” providing of experts see these surbedrooms is especially rounding frequencies as vital, due to the amount ~ Camilla Rees an increasing danger to of time we spend there our well-being. for rest and restoration. Traver’s diag Applying modalities like acupunc- noses sometimes suggest remediation ture, Reiki, Touch for Health and Eden measures that involve an electrician Energy Medicine can help us maintain grounding currents and adding selective a healthy energy balance internally. shielding materials to block frequencies They work to harmonize the body flowing from electronic devices. “Magto protect against stress, trauma and netic fields from outside the house are associated illness. hard to control, but 98 percent of what Phyllis Traver, owner of Safe & I find can be fixed,” she advises. Sound Home, in Boston, is certified by When Terry Mollner, 69, was the International Institute of Buildinghaving trouble sleeping, he contacted Biology & Ecology to detect, measure Traver, who receives client referrals from and counter in-home electromagnetic energy healers. “The conclusions were 24

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stunning,” Mollner says. “The detector’s measurements went off the charts in the bedroom. It wasn’t the flat screen TV at the foot of my bed, but how the room’s wiring was done. The electrician installed a relay so I can switch off the power on that side of the house at night. Now, I sleep six or seven hours,” which he characterizes as “a profound change.” He also suggests turning off and moving cell phones away from beds. Mollner then hardwired the computers in his home, eliminated Wi-Fi and rearranged the electronic equipment in his home office. Kim Cook, an energy practitioner in Mission Viejo, California, specializes in Eden Energy Medicine and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Cook decided not to buy a house she was initially interested in because it was in a hot spot. When Cook used her meter to chart frequencies at home, it also prompted her to move her bedroom clock radio to a different bureau. “It’s no longer sitting right at our heads,” she notes. Plus, “I don’t put my cell phone on my body and it bothers me that my son puts his in his pocket.” An overarching observation from Cook’s professional practice is that increasing numbers of people in pain are interested in energy medicine because they’re so frustrated with Western medicine. She observes, “Pain is blocked energy, and people are learning how to unblock it naturally.” The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the International EMF Project in 1996 because of rising public health concerns due to the surge in EMF sources. After reviewing extensive research and thousands of articles, the organization can’t confirm—or deny—the existence of health consequences from exposure to lowlevel EMFs. But in 2011, the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the electromagnetic radiation from cell phones as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on increased risk for glioma, a malignant brain cancer. Lloyd Morgan, a senior researcher with the nonprofit Environmental Health Trust and lead author of the internationally endorsed report, Cellphones and Brain Tumors, goes

further, unequivocally stating, “Cell phone radiation is a carcinogen.” In our own environment, we can regulate EMF, says Iowan Camilla Rees, founder of the educational petition website ElectromagneticHealth.org and Campaign for Radiation Free Schools on Facebook; she is the co-author of Public Health SOS: The Shadow Side of the Wireless Revolution and Morgan’s cell phone report. Says Rees, “You can buy a meter,

avoid using cordless phones and baby monitors, and change your cell phone behavior. The harmful effects of cell phones decrease with distance; just by holding the cell phone six inches from your head, there is a 10,000-fold reduction of risk.” Priscilla Goudreau-Santos is a freelance writer and owner of Priscilla Goudreau Public Relations & Marketing, in Charlotte, NC.

Ways to Reduce Risk Although electromagnetic field (EMF) activity vibrates all around us, there are simple ways to reduce adverse health effects in daily indoor environments.

Computers 4 Hardwire all Internet connections instead of using Wi-Fi. 4 Power a laptop using a three-prong grounded plug and then plug in a separate, hardwired keyboard (this minimizes both the exposure to wireless radiation and the effects from the laptop battery’s magnetic field). 4 Use a grounding mouse pad to minimize effects of the electric field from the computer.

Celebrate

4 Don’t position any laptop or tablet computer on the lap.

General 4 Don’t live within 1,500 feet of a cell tower.

April 22

4 Use battery-powered LCD alarm clocks (not LED), keeping them several feet away from the body. 4 Don’t use an electric blanket. 4 Turn off all wireless devices before bedtime and generally minimize usage at other times.

Phones 4 Replace cordless phones with corded landlines or use cordless phones only when needed; otherwise, unplug them. 4 Never hold the cell phone directly against the head or body. Use the speaker phone function, other hands-free device or another device that meets the Environmental Health Trust guidelines at Tinyurl.com/CellPhoneUsageTips.

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4 Be wary of a weak signal. Phones work harder and emit more radiation when the signal is weak or blocked. 4 Don’t sleep with a cell phone nearby. Place it several feet away from the bed or across the room, turn it off or put it in airplane mode. 4 Find more helpful information at Tinyurl.com/EMF-ProtectionTips and Tinyurl.com/CellPhoneRadiationDanger.

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natural awakenings

April 2014

greenliving

Washing soda, a caustic chemical cousin of baking soda, softens water and removes stains. Bond advises, “It’s a heavy duty cleaner as powerful as any toxic solvent,” so wear gloves. Hydrogen peroxide is considered an effective disinfectant and bleach alternative by the Environmental Protection Agency. Use it to whiten grout and remove stains.

HOMEMADE ECO-CLEANERS DIY Recipes Keep Your Home Naturally Clean by Lane Vail

mericans use 35 million pounds of toxic household cleaning products annually. According to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, in Los Angeles, traces of cleaning chemicals can be found throughout the human body within seconds of exposure, posing risks like asthma, allergies, cancer, reproductive toxicity, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity and death. Equally sobering is the decades of research suggesting a relationship between the overuse of powerful disinfectants and the rise of antibiotic-resistant super bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as concerns over these toxins entering water supplies and wildlife food chains. Cleaning product labels lack transparency, says Johanna Congleton, Ph.D., a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, because “manufacturers aren’t required to specify ingredients.” One approach to assure safe ingredients is do-it-yourself (DIY) products. For Matt and Betsy Jabs, the authors of DIY Natural Household Cleaners who blog at DIYNatural.com, creating homemade cleaners is a rewarding exercise in sustainability and simplicity. “We’re cutting through all the marketing and getting back to basics,” says Matt. Affordability is another benefit:

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The Jabs’ homemade laundry detergent costs five cents per load, compared with 21 cents for a store brand. Annie B. Bond, a bestselling author and pioneering editor of the award-winning Green Guide, dispels a DIY myth: “What’s time-consuming isn’t making the cleaners; it’s making the decision to switch and figuring it all out,” she says.

Nine Basics

Find these multitasking ingredients in local groceries and health stores or online. White vinegar effectively cleans, deodorizes, cuts grease and disinfects against bacteria, viruses and mold. Castile soap in liquid or bar form serves as a biodegradable, vegetable-based surfactant and all-around cleaner (avoid mixing with vinegar, which neutralizes its cleansing properties). Baking soda cleans, whitens, neutralizes odors and softens water. It’s an excellent scrubbing agent for bathrooms, refrigerators and ovens. Borax, a natural mineral, improves the effectiveness of laundry soap. Although classified (as is salt) as a low-level health hazard that should be kept away from children and animals, borax is non-carcinogenic and isn’t absorbed through skin.

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Essential oils derived from plants infuse cleaners with fragrance and boost germ-fighting power. Tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender oils all boast antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The Jabs advise that although they can be pricy, “The investment will pay for itself many times over.” Lemon juice or citric acid cuts through grease, removes mold and bacteria and leaves dishes streak-free. Coarse kosher salt helps soften dishwasher water and acts as a scouring agent.

Home Formulas

All-purpose cleaner: Homemade Cleaners: Quick-and-Easy Toxin-Free Recipes, by Mandy O’Brien and Dionna Ford, suggests combining one cup of vinegar, one cup of water and 15 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle. Use it anywhere, including glass and mirrors. For serious disinfecting, follow with a hydrogen peroxide spray. Foaming hand/dish soap: Shake one cup of water, a quarter-cup of castile soap and 15 drops of essential oil in a foaming dispenser. Use in bathrooms and kitchens. Dishwashing detergent: DIYNatural recommends mixing one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda, a half-cup of citric acid and a half-cup of coarse kosher salt. Leave it uncovered for several days, stirring often to prevent clumping. Cover and refrigerate. Use one tablespoon per load with a half-cup of citric acid in the rinse to combat streaks. Laundry detergent: Combine one cup of borax, one cup of washing soda and one 14-ounce bar of grated castile soap. Use one tablespoon per load, adding a half-cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle. Prior to washing, use hydrogen peroxide as a stain remover (test first; it may lift color).

More than 95 percent of “green” products manipulate labels by providing irrelevant information (declaring a product is free of an already illegal chemical), being vague (masking poisons as natural ingredients), outright lying (claiming false endorsements) and other maneuvers. ~ TerraChoice Group

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Bathroom soft scrub: Bond recommends creating a thick paste with liquid castile soap and a half-cup of baking soda. Scour tubs, showers and stainless steel surfaces with a sponge, and then rinse.

Hard floor cleaner: Environmental Working Group’s DIY Cleaning Guide suggests combining a half-gallon of hot water with one cup of white vinegar in a bucket to mop.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle one cup of borax into the toilet at bedtime and then clean the loosened grime with a brush the next morning, advises Bond. Wipe outer surfaces with the all-purpose spray.

Carpet cleaner: Freshen rugs by sprinkling baking soda at night and vacuuming in the morning, suggests Bond. For deeper cleaning, combine one cup of vinegar and two-and-a-half gallons of water in a steam cleaner.

Wood polish: Bond recommends mixing a quarter-cup of vinegar or lemon juice with a few drops of olive and lemon oil.

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Cloth Tools Replace Paper by Lane Vail Americans, comprising less than 5 percent of the world’s population, use 30 percent of the world’s paper, according to the Worldwatch Institute. Some 13 billion pounds of this comes from paper towels, mostly landfilled because grime-soaked paper is non-recyclable. Ecological and economical alternatives include cloth dishrags, towels, napkins, wipes and handkerchiefs plus washable diapers and menstrual pads. Jean Calleja, co-owner of the Eco Laundry Company, in New York City, suggests customers buy recycled, organic, unbleached cloths and local products when possible. In the kitchen: Use washcloths or repurpose cotton T-shirts into 10-by10-inch squares to use regularly with a homemade all-purpose cleaner on surfaces. Replace paper towels with cloth towels for drying hands. At the table: Cloth napkins enhance mealtime. Buy or make plain napkins (by hemming cotton fabric squares) for everyday use and celebrate holidays with fancypatterned fabric rolled into napkin rings.

In the bathroom: Substitute chlorineladen disinfecting wipes with homemade reusable ones. DIYNatural.com recommends mixing three-quarters of a cup of white vinegar, three-quarters of a cup of water and 25 drops of essential oil in a glass mason jar. Stuff five to seven washcloths into the jar, seal with a lid and shake, so the solution is absorbed into each wipe. Pull out a ready-made disinfecting wipe for a quick clean. Laundering linens: Change cleaning rags often, hang-drying them thoroughly before adding to the laundry basket. Wash kitchen and bathroom rags (added to the bathroom towel load) separately each week. According to Calleja, “Presoaking rags overnight in a non-toxic, chlorine-free, whitening solution can make a huge difference in getting them clean.” Combine a halfcup of hydrogen peroxide with two to three gallons of water, spot-testing every fabric first for colorfastness. Calleja also likes using a white vinegar and eucalyptus oil rinse aid to dissolve soap residue, soften fabric and leave a fresh scent.

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natural awakenings

April 2014

consciouseating

Culinary Mushroom Magic Delicate Powerhouses of Nutrition and Medicine by Case Adams

ushrooms have played a remarkable role in human history. Egyptian hieroglyphics dating back 4,500 years linked mushrooms to immortality. The famous 5,300-yearold “iceman” found frozen in 1991 in the Tyrolean Alps carried a sachet containing the mushroom species Piptoporus betulinus—the birch polypore. Greek writings of Hippocrates, Pliny, Dioscorides, Galen and others regarded

T I RED

the mushroom Fomitopsis officinalis (agarikon) as a panacea. While enthusiasm later waned in Europe, with John Farley characterizing mushrooms in his 1784 book, The London Art of Cookery, as “treacherous gratifications,” Native American Indians used varieties such as puffballs (Calvatia and Lycoperdon species) for rheumatism, congested organs and other diseased conditions. Yet, modern-

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day culinary connoisseurs owe the recent surge in interest in fungal delicacies more to Japanese and Chinese traditions, which have consistently advanced mushrooms’ nutritional and medicinal uses. Ancient Chinese medical texts, including the Hanshu (82 CE) even refer to the famed reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) as the “mushroom of immortality”. Today, fungi cuisine in the West is typically limited to Agaracus bisporus— the relatively mild button mushroom, which matures into the acclaimed portobello. But digging deeper into available options reveals chanterelle (Cantharellus sp.), oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), morel (Morchella sp.) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) species. These culinary mushrooms provide a virtuosity of delicate flavors harboring nutritional and medicinal benefits, according to those that study them. University of California-Berkeley research scientist and Mycologist Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D., explains that shiitake and oyster mushrooms follow the button as the most widely cultivated around the world. “They come in many colors, varieties and species and are typically the most easily digested and utilized of all mushrooms,” he notes. “Mushrooms are an amazing health food,” says Hobbs. “Most edible fungi are high in fiber, good-quality protein, key vitamins, micronutrients, phosphorous and potassium, and low in fat and calories. It’s one of nature’s perfect diet foods.” As protein powerhouses, portobello and other button mushrooms, shiitake and oyster varieties all deliver between 30 and 35 percent protein by weight. The fiber content can range from 20 grams per 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) in the case of portobello to a lofty 48 grams per 100 grams in the Phoenix oyster mushroom. Mushrooms also supply potent B vitamins. One hundred grams (about 3.5 ounces) of portobello contains more than four milligrams (mg) of riboflavin (B2), 69 mg niacin (B3) and 12 mg pantothenic acid (B5). Shiitake’s comparable numbers are three, 106 and 17 while pink oyster delivers 2.45, 66 and 33 mg of the three nutrients. Thus, they deliver significantly more than recom-

mended daily allowances (RDA)—for example, niacin’s adult RDA ranges from 14 to 16 mg and riboflavin’s is just 1.1 to 1.3 mg. Mushrooms also present one of the few food sources of vitamin D— primarily D2—but some also contain small amounts of vitamin D3, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture research. Also, their D2 levels spike dramatically when sun-dried sporeside-up, confirmed in research by internationally recognized Mycologist Paul Stamets. Mushrooms contain important minerals, too. Portobello contains 4,500 mg, oyster 4,500 mg and shiitake 2,700 mg of potassium per 100 grams, all with low sodium levels. Plus, they deliver usable amounts of copper, zinc and selenium. Beyond the nutrient numbers lies mushrooms’ bonus round: They contain special complex polysaccharides—long-chain molecules within cell walls—that have been the subject of intense research at leading institutions around the world, including Harvard, Yale and the University of California. Mushrooms’ (1-3)-betaglucan complexes have been shown to inhibit many cancers and suggest potential solutions for diabetes, heart disease and immune-related conditions. Stamets explains that mushrooms also contain sterols, shown to benefit cardiovascular health. “Shiitake and other mushrooms like reishi have cholesterol-normalizing effects,” adds Hobbs. Can we take these benefits back to the kitchen? “Most mushrooms have to be cooked to release their health-giving benefits,” explains Hobbs. Stamets concurs: “Cooking liberates mushroom nutrients from their matrix of cells. They are tenderized upon heating, making their nutrients bioavailable for digestion.” Thankfully, finding these tasty superfood delicacies has become easier as entrepreneurial fresh-mushroom growers have emerged throughout the United States in recent years. Case Adams is a California naturopath and author of 25 books on natural healing. Learn more at CaseAdams.com.

Healing Nourishment braise on low heat. Allow mixture to cook down to desired consistency.

Mushroom Pâté by Andrew Lenzer

Mushrooms are so versatile we can eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They add a note of delicious creativity to diverse dishes. Plus they deliver protein, vitamins and protective compounds. Fresh is always best and just-picked is better, although dried can work in a pinch.

My Tacos by Cate Moss Makes a healthy filling for tacos and enchiladas, or crumble as a topper on deluxe nachos. They taste as good as they smell, and like chili they taste almost better as leftovers.

Present a perfect appetizer for dinner with friends. The savory quality of mushrooms—what the Japanese call umami—make them a welcome alternative to meat-based pâtés. Approx 4 cups whole fresh shiitake mushrooms (2 cups after chopping) Approx 4 cups whole fresh maitake mushrooms (2 cups after chopping) 12 oz cream cheese or rice-based cream cheese substitute 2 cloves garlic 2 cups dry roasted hazelnuts 2 sprigs parsley Soy sauce Olive oil Sesame oil Salt and pepper to taste Finely chop the hazelnuts in a food processor and set aside.

Fills 12 large tacos, or more paired with fillings such as chopped leafy lettuce or guacamole.

Coarsely chop the shiitake (including the stems) and maitake mushrooms in a food processor.

1-2 cups of chopped stropharia, shiitake or maitake mushrooms 1 cup crumbled tempeh or other healthful protein source ¼ cup chopped onions ½ cup sunflower seeds or chopped almonds ¼ cup sesame seeds 1 cup corn 1 chopped sweet pepper (add hot peppers if desired) 1 small handful of chopped olives 4 shakes of soy sauce 1 Tbsp spiced hot chocolate 2 Tbsp chili powder 1 Tbsp ground cumin ¼ cup nutritional yeast 2 cloves of chopped garlic 1 cup broth or water

Coat the surface of a wok in olive oil and sauté mushrooms in 1-cup batches over medium-high-to-high heat, adding soy sauce as needed to keep the mixture from burning, for approximately 10 minutes per batch. Add a touch of sesame oil just before removing each batch. Place hazelnuts, mushrooms, cream cheese, garlic, salt and pepper in the food processor and blend until smooth but still slightly grainy. Add parsley and blend until parsley is finely chopped and evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Serve with crackers or fresh crusty bread.

Sauté mushrooms, protein and onions until crispy (uncrowded in the pan). Then add remaining ingredients and

Recipes courtesy of employees of Fungi Perfecti, LLC; photos courtesy of Paul Stamets.

natural natural awakenings awakenings

April April 2014 2014

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fitbody

Calendar A wonderful resource for filling your workshops, seminars and other events.

Qi Whiz

Qigong Steps Up Vitality and Serenity

by Meredith Montgomery

A proven practice for supporting health and self-healing, qigong has been used in China for millennia to maintain and improve physical, mental and emotional well-being.

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i” (pronounced chee) refers to the life force or vital energy present in all things throughout the universe while “gong” means dedicated effort or steady practice of a skill. Qigong is the art of working intensely with this energy, cultivating life force. Acupuncture physician and qigong instructor Walter Hayley, in Bonita Springs, Florida, became passionate about qigong while working as a stockbroker in need of stress relief. He compares qigong’s movement of energy in the body to water running through a hose: “Qi is concentrated in channels throughout the body. Think of the qi as water and those channels as a garden hose branching out to every aspect of the individual. Stress, whether physical or emotional, can kink the hose. Qigong helps get the kinks out,” he explains. “It relaxes the body, letting energy flow more efficiently, allowing the body to heal itself.” Qigong styles vary, but Hayley remarks that most involve slow movement, focused awareness and special breathing techniques. Many describe

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the practice as a moving meditation. Qigong teacher Judith Forsyth, in Mobile, Alabama, says, “It’s often described as the mother of tai chi. When the quiet, internal energy art of qigong mixed with the powerful external martial arts, it developed into tai chi.” She emphasizes that the focus of qigong is less on its physical mechanics and more on understanding how the vital force moves through the body and can be used to enhance health and longevity. Inside the body, there’s an integrated network of subtle energy centers that international Qigong Master Robert Peng believes are connected to the capacity for genuine happiness. The goal is to awaken and pack these centers with qi. “By repeating slow, gentle movements over and over, you can develop the body’s capacity to draw qi from the universe. It can be stored in these centers and later channeled back through the body to empower your daily activities,” explains Peng, author of The Master Key: The Qigong Secret for Vitality, Love, and Wisdom.

By adding qigong to their daily routines, children learn to channel energy and enhance concentration; office workers reduce stress; seniors enhance balance and quality of life; and caregivers and midwives advance abilities to help others. ~ The National Qigong Association He focuses on three of the body’s big energy portals: the “third eye”, located between the eyebrows; the “heart center”, at the center of the chest on the sternum and the “sea of qi”, just below the navel. The idea is that when energy is accessed in these three centers, specific spiritual qualities are accessed: wisdom, love and vitality (respectively). Harmonizing all three is ideal. Peng advises that when these essential elements are woven together in balance, dynamic happiness is possible. “You begin to project more wisdom, love, vitality, inspiration and peacefulness. Conversations flow more smoothly. Your life becomes more productive, meaningful and serene,” he says. “Whatever the challenges encountered, you’ll be better equipped to deal with them, while remaining inwardly content.” Forsyth was first guided to qigong when the prescribed rest, drugs, exercise and physical therapy following an accident left her with lingering neck and back problems. She recalls, “After eight weeks of practice, I experienced significant physical improvement, not only where I had considerable pain, but in my overall energy level, ability to sleep and the condition of my skin and hair. The peace and harmonizing meditation benefits of qigong were also affecting me positively in other ways. I became less worried, less of a perfectionist, less stressed out and began to experience more joyfulness.” While all styles benefit overall health, specific qigong exercises may be prescribed for specialized needs, from athletic conditioning to management of chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension or cancer. The gentle movements can be performed by almost anyone at any age and ability level, even those confined to a chair or bed. “Qigong speaks to the body and the body then addresses the condition,” Hayley remarks. The experts advise that qigong is best practiced every day, even if for just five minutes. “A group class offers a synergy that a home practice lacks, but the more important practice is at home,” observes Hayley. Some personal instruction is ideal so the practitioner receives feedback, but books and videos make qigong accessible to everyone, everywhere. Hayley reminds newbies, “Just be patient. If one form doesn’t suit you, remember there are thousands of different forms to try.” Peng’s advice to beginners is, “Be happy! Think of the exercise as lighthearted play and remember to smile as you move.”

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Meredith Montgomery is the publisher of Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin, AL (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com). natural awakenings

April 2014

healthykids

Backyard Birds and Butterflies Native Habitats Draw Critters and Delight Kids by Avery Mack

reating a backyard wildlife habitat provides valuable teaching moments. With planning and care, birds, bats, butterflies and bunnies can view yards as safe havens and sources for food, water and shelter, providing endless fascination. Hummingbird Josh Stasik, a father of three and owner of SweetNectar Recipe Seed.com, in Syracuse, Measure one part New York, sees firsthand ordinary white sugar how feeding winged wonto four parts water ders can be an inexpensive (no unhealthy red way to start a new family dye needed). Boil activity. “My mom taught me about flowers and bird the water first, and feeders. I hope my kids will then mix the nectar someday pass the informawhile the water is tion along to their chilhot; the sugar will dren,” he says. easily dissolve. Habitat plantings and available foods determine Source: TomatoEnvy.com what creatures will visit.

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“Native plants attract native bugs that are eaten by native birds and bats,” observes Stasik, noting that staff at extension services and garden centers can provide helpful advice. Based on his own research, Stasik knows, “Bird species have definite tastes in food. Bluebirds love mealworms. Hummingbirds like floral nectars. Orioles look for citrus fruit. Butterflies are eclectic sippers of both floral and citrus.” Hummingbirds pose particular appeal for kids and adults because they appear always on the move. Hummingbirds.net/ map.html follows their migration sites. Videographer Tom Hoebbel, owner of TH Photography, outside Ithaca,

New York, builds birdhouses and nesting boxes with his kids. They also participate in the annual Christmas bird count for the Audubon Society (Birds.Audubon. org/Christmasbird-count). The Great Backyard Bird Count, a joint project between nonprofits Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, folbird photos courtesy of Susan lows in February Gottlieb, of Venice, California (gbbc.BirdCount.org). “In our yard, we have five nesting boxes made from reused wood. Once or twice a week, we check to see who lives there and how many eggs there are,” says Hoebbel. “So far, we’ve seen bluebirds, chickadees and house wrens.” He laments the rapid decline of bats in the Northeast due to pesticides killing bugs, the main course for birds and bats. “In the winter, bats live in caves, so we put one-by-one-foot boxes in the yard for their summer homes.” Warm evenings on the patio are more enjoyable when bats clean up the mosquito population; a single bat can eat as many as 1,000 in an hour. The monarch butterfly population is another favorite species in decline, with the spectacular annual migration on the verge of disappearing due to illegal deforestation, climate change, expansion of crop acreage and imposition of genetically modified plants that reduce the growth of native species. “You can help them by planting perennial milkweed in your garden,” advises Brande Plotnick, founder of Tomato Envy, in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Milkweed is the food of choice because it makes the caterpillars and butterflies toxic to birds and other predators. Also consider planting garden phlox, coneflower and lantana. Migrating monarchs live about nine months and fly up to 30 miles per hour. Plotnick also suggests planting an herb garden

that includes parsley. “Swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on parsley, caterpillars hatch and feed on it, and eventually create a chrysalis,” she says. “You’ll be able to see the entire butterfly life cycle.” Rabbits add another dimension to backyard wildlife. Just as birds and butterflies need trees, bushes and plants to land on and hide in, bunnies need ground cover. The Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries counsels that brush piles should start with a base of large limbs, logs or stones to raise the floor above ground and create tunnels and escape routes, plus a home base. Top with smaller branches and maybe a recycled Christmas tree or dead plants. Encourage structural density and permanence with live vines. The resulting brush pile should be igloo-shaped and about six to eight feet tall and wide. Visit Tinyurl.com/BunnyShelters. City ordinances or subdivision regulations might prohibit brush piles in ordinary yards. Find out how to gain certification as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation at Tinyurl.com/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat. Rabbits can have as many as seven babies per litter, depending on the species. Make sure their space is sufficient. Before attracting bunnies to the yard, be aware of local predators—hawks, owls, coyote, dogs and stray cats. The brush pile may also attract other animals like skunks, raccoons and reptiles. A wildlife habitat is a fun, ongoing learning experience. It calls on math skills for bird counts, geography to follow migration maps and woodworking to build homesites and feeding spots. It becomes a lesson in local ecology and the roles of native plants and animals. When children comprehend they can help save wildlife, it’s also a lesson in hope. Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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4 Determine the most desirable species to attract and learn their specific needs. 4 Evaluate current yard habitat conditions for missing elements. 4 Develop a plant list; select for wildlife value, emphasizing native plants suitable for the region. 4 Realize that habitat will grow larger and mature. 4 Certify the family’s backyard wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Source: Education Department at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA natural awakenings

April 2014

Coming Next Month

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Good Manners Make a Dog Welcome

To advertise or participate in our May edition, call

609-249-9044 Greater Mercer County, NJ

Pooch Protocol by Sandra Murphy

Tune into Your Body’s Intelligence and Take Charge of Your Life

naturalpet

t seems dogs travel just about everywhere with their humans these days. They’re spotted at home improvement stores, happy hours, drive-through restaurants and workplaces, in addition to their usual hangouts. To get Sparky invited into even more people places, he must have good manners. “Just like with kids, not every venue is appropriate for dogs,” advises Eileen Proctor, a pet lifestyle expert in Denver, Colorado. “Some dogs are more introverted and want a quiet spot to relax. Others love a party. Know your dog and socialize him accordingly; never force him into an uncomfortable situation.” Instead, help him acclimate to new locales gradually, from a distance; stop when he shows signs of stress. A yawn, averted eyes, hiding behind his owner or nervous pacing are clues that a fourlegged pal has had enough. “Good manners at home might not translate to public manners,” Proctor notes. “Take practice runs to see how your dog handles distractions.” Day care or play dates with other dogs help hone canine social skills, while basic obedience—leave it, sit, stay, down, off, an effective recall and walking nicely on a leash—form the basis for good

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manners. Reward good behavior with praise, treats or a favorite activity.

Eating Out

Amy Burkert, the on-the-road owner of GoPetFriendly.com, says, “After a long day at the office or a ‘ruff’ week at work, it’s nice to include your dog when eating out. Pet-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating areas where the dog can join you are becoming more common, but always ask first. “Dogs in dining areas should lie quietly under your table or by your chair,” she continues. “This is not the time to socialize. Diners may find it unappealing to be approached by your dog while they’re eating. Choose a table where your dog can be out of the way of customers and the wait staff.” It will take practice. “If he acts up, apologize, leave and know that you’ll do better next time,” says Burkert. A good process for teaching good restaurant manners begins with sitting quietly with the dog when there are few people around, and then moving on. The next time, order an appetizer. Increase the amount of time the pet is expected to wait quietly, as well as the number of distractions.

Traveling Together

Christina Mendel, an international business coach with offices in Germany and Italy, adds that dogs need a safe and secure retreat from excessive activity. Her Chihuahua mix, Balu, is small enough to fit into a carry bag. He can take a nap, people watch or have a snack without fear of human interference. “The carry bag helps when I take clients to dinner, drive or fly to onsite appointments,” she says. “Many of my clients are dog owners, so we bond because he’s well behaved and knows tricks.” Flying presents its own challenges because airlines limit the number of pets on each flight. Check the company’s rules for pet size, weight and type of crate required. Dogs ride as cargo unless they are small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat. Other passengers might be fearful or allergic, so respect their boundaries. In the car, a dog needs to be calm and wear a special seat belt, be crated or otherwise restrained to keep him safe, not distract the driver and prevent lunging out the window.

At Work

Dogs may be welcome in the workplace. Alexandra Blackstone, design director for Killer Infographics, in Seattle, Washington, takes her corgi puppy, Buster, to Find tips for walking the office. “He was good when he dogs in crowded urban was the only dog areas at Tinyurl.com/ at work,” explains Blackstone. “When RulesOfTheDoggyRoad. an older dog and another puppy were there, he barked and tried to herd them.” He didn’t read other dogs well, so to further Buster’s dog-to-dog communication skills, Blackstone enrolled him in doggie day care twice a week. She advises first introducing dogs outside of the office setting. “Communicate with coworkers as to what your dog is working on, so everyone is consistent in their behavior toward him,” Blackstone advises. “Be clear how to correct any inappropriate behavior if someone else shares responsibility for walking him.” She reports that with positive training techniques, Buster is learning to respond well and now splits his time between day care and the office. “It’s your responsibility to make taking the dog along a good experience for all,” counsels Proctor. “That includes using a leash and always picking up after him, every time.” Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy of St. Louis, MO, at StLSandy@mindspring.com.

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April 2014

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 for guidelines and to submit entries.

TUESDAY, APRIL 1 Discover Spring Pre-School Class – 10-11:30am. For children 3-5 years. Birds are returning, trees are budding, and flowers are starting to bloom. We will take a walk to welcome the new season and hunt for nature signs telling us spring has arrived. Registration required. Cost $10/$15 members/non-members. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

Discover Spring Pre-School Class – 1-2:30pm. See April 1 listing. Pennington. Guided Aromatic Meditation – 7-8pm. Develop relaxed awareness and clarity with meditative aromatic essences. Focus will be guided using breath, aroma, and intention attuning to the deepest level of being. Gemma Bianchi aromatherapist. Cost $10. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4 Men in Retirement – 2pm. Come and meet other men who are making or have made the transition into retirement. Monument Hall, 45 Stockton St, Princeton. 609-924-7108.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8 Energy Medicine, Next Frontier – 2-4pm. Dr. Oz states that “Energy Medicine is the Next Frontier,” but many do not realize how easy and accessible these methods are to learn. If you need more PEP, feeling frazzled, or you are looking for a natural method to get the Spring in your Step, this class is for you. Registration required. Cost $25. Center for Relaxation and Healing, Plainsboro. 609-750-7432.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 8th Annual Stream Clean-Ups –Times and locations to be determined. See April 5 listing.

markyourcalendar Yoga & Wellness Open House Come out and learn about our wellness options, sample our classes and partake in discussions lead by our staff.

April 6 • 11am-3:30pm One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 8th Annual Stream Clean-Ups –Times and locations to be determined. Free. Help keep the waterways of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed clean and healthy. Join us to pick up trash at a stream in your community. Do you want to volunteer in your town or nearby community? Contact Erin McCollum Stretz, 609-737-3735 x17. Vernal Pools of the Sourland Mountains – 1011am. Join Teacher-Naturalist Allison Jackson on an exploratory hike of vernal pools in the Sourland Mountains, learning about life cycles and the food web, while searching for amphibians, insects, reptiles and other native creatures. Waterproof boots/ shoes are recommended. This program does not meet at the Watershed Reserve. Registration required. Cost $5/person 5 and older. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Easter Egg Hunt – 1-4pm. Free. 8th Annual Free Easter Egg Hunt. Kids will be split into 3 age groups. Enjoy free activities and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Food and drinks available for purchase. Dragonfly Farms, 966 Kuser Rd, Hamilton. 609-588-0013.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

Happiness Project Group – 1pm. reading and discussing Gretchen Rubin’s book The Happiness Project. Subjects include vitality, marriage, work, parenthood, leisure, friendships, money, eternity, mindfulness, passion. Join the group for fun discussions, and maybe you can increase your own happiness. Group Leader is Helen Burton. Suzanne Patterson Bldg, 45 Stockton St, Princeton. 609-924-7108. The Right Volunteer Opportunity – 7pm. Learn how to connect to volunteer opportunities that will help expand your horizons, create new relationships and further personal and professional goals while making a difference in the community. Presenter Carol King. Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St, Princeton. 609-924-7108.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 Take a Walk on the Wild Side – 8:30-9:30am. Adults only. Start your day off right with a walk on the Watershed Reserve trails with Teacher-Naturalist Allison Jackson. Her well-trained eye and experience will help you better observe seasonal changes and enjoy all the benefits of being outdoors. Walks will happen rain or shine, dress appropriately. Binoculars and nature journal are encouraged. Registration requested. Cost: free members/ $5 non-members. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

609-918-0963 Composting, Improve Garden Soil Class – 1-2:30pm. Mercer Master Gardeners demonstrate how to enrich your soil and improve its structure with homemade compost, that rich, nutritious organic matter. Learn the essentials of composting: ingredients, moisture, aeration and the pros and cons of various types of composting bins. Cost $3 suggested donation. Mercer Educational Gardens, 431 Federal City Rd, Pennington. 609-989-6830.

MONDAY, APRIL 7 Spring Mini-Camp – 9am-4pm. For 6-12 year olds.Sign up for one day or all week! Spend spring school break with your friends and the TeacherNaturalists, exploring the trails on the Reserve, building shelters in the woods, walking to the pond or stream, and enjoying a daily afternoon campfire with marshmallow roast. Children spend the entire day outdoors. Registration and prepayment required. Cost $60/$75 member/non-member. Stony Brook-

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Spring Mini-Camp – 9am-4pm. See April 7 listing. Pennington. Shape for Life: Information Session – 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 – including physician supervised weight loss, a tailored exercise program and nutritional counseling. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900. Living With Purpose: New Ways of Living – 7pm. How do “boomers” find new ways of living; learn how to build on a lifetime of experience to living a life of purpose and meaning. Lillian Israel, performer and Debra Lambo, psychotherapist will introduce new ways of thinking that encourage new ways of living. Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St, Princeton. 609-924-7108.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 Spring Mini-Camp – 9am-4pm. See April 7 listing. Pennington.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10 Spring Mini-Camp – 9am-4pm. See April 7 listing. Pennington. Reiki Level 1 Certification – 2-6pm. Receive certification upon successful completion of this class taught by Pam Jones, RN. Class awards 7 nursing contact hours. Cost $150. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11 Reiki Level 1 Certification – 2-6pm. See April 10 listing. Hamilton. Spring Mini-Camp – 9am-4pm. See April 7 listing. Pennington.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 8th Annual Stream Clean-Ups –Times and locations to be determined. See April 5 listing. Learn How to Make Cheese – 12pm. 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.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 8th Annual Stream Clean-Ups –Times and locations to be determined. See April 5 listing. National Haiku Poetry Day Ginko – 6pm. Free for adults. Celebrate National Haiku Poetry Day during an afternoon focused on the traditional Japanese form of poetry, with a luminous focus on nature. The afternoon’s main activity will be a ginko (haiku walk), conducted by haiku poet and Education Director Jeff Hoagland. Participants will explore the Reserve, craft their own haiku then enjoy light refreshments and the Sharing Table, where an assortment of haiku books and journals will be available for viewing or purchase. Registration requested. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

MONDAY, APRIL 14 Happiness Project Group – 1pm. See April 7 listing. Princeton.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15 Fancy Feet Preschool Class – 10-11:30am. For 3-5 year olds. Two toes, three toes, webbed and furry feet are all important in the lives of animals. Take a hike on the Watershed Reserve trails and look for evidence of the feet that roam out in Nature. Cost $10/$15 member/non-member. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

pantry of GMOs and refill it with healthy non-GMO essentials. You’ll even walk away with recipes and possibly a door prize. Collingswood Library, 771 Haddon Av, Collingswood.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18 Egg Decorating Contest – 1-4pm. Free. The Heart of Art will be having an egg-decorating contest for children. The winner receives a Heart of Art Tee shirt. 2374 Nottingham Way, Hamilton. Call ahead to register 609-865-1012.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19 Nature Camouflage Egg Hunt – 10-11am. For 3-8 years old. Wander through the fields and forests of the Watershed Reserve with our teacher-naturalists to see how many naturally dyed eggs you can discover. Children should bring a basket or bag for egg gathering. Rain or shine, registration requested. Cost $8 per child. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

MONDAY, APRIL 21 Happiness Project Group – 1pm. See April 7 listing. Princeton.

Health Rhythms Drumming – 7-8pm. Group drumming is good fun and good for you. HealthRythms®, an evidence-based program, strengthens the immune system and reduces stress. Drums provided or bring your own. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP. Cost $15. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 Time at Last – 2pm. Navigating Retirement. So much of our life and identity revolves around work. This supportive group discusses the joys, concerns and challenges of having extra time and making decisions about how to use it to create fulfillment. Led by Shirley Roberts, Helen Burton and Carol King. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900. Free Vision Screenings – 4-7pm. Free. Half of all blindness is preventable through regular vision screenings and education, so have your eyes checked. Hamilton Area YMCA, 1315 WhitehorseMercerville Rd, Hamilton. 888-897-8979. Spring Cleaning Pantry Makeover – 6:30-8pm. Free. Join GMO Free NJ to find out how to clear your

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.

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

markyourcalendar Evening of Beauty & Wellness Open house to learn about a wide variety of treatments, services and modalities including regenerative medicine, aesthetic medicine, medical weight loss, Vela nonsurgical body shaping, yoga and meditation.

April 24 • 6-8pm

Registration required. Call:

609-588-0540

Take a Walk on the Wild Side – 8:30-9:30am. See April 2 listing. Pennington.

Fancy Feet Preschool Class – 1-2:30pm. See April 15 listing. Pennington.

BunnyHop Preschool Class – 1-2:30pm. See April 22 listing. Pennington.

Comprehensive Pain and Regenerative Center, 181 N. Harrison St, Princeton

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 Tiny Tot Walk – 10-11am. Children 18-36 months. Join Naturalist Pam Newitt for an outdoor exploration of the natural world. All children must be walking and accompanied by an adult. Mud boots recommended. Registration is required. Cost $7/$10 per child member/non-member. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23

TUESDAY, APRIL 22 BunnyHop Preschool Class – 10-11:30am. For children 3-5 years old. Winter is nearing its end and spring is upon us. A few animals have been with us, wide- awake and alert the whole time, one being the Eastern Cottontail. We will have a hoppy good time as we learn about our furry friend. Registration is required. Cost $10/$15 per child member/non-member. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Celebrate Earth Day at the “Shed” – 5-7:30pm. Visit the Watershed Reserve after work or school to celebrate Earth Day. Teacher-naturalists will be on hand to lead hikes to the Stony Brook or into the forest, introduce you to our resident critters and help you create simple Earth Day crafts. Our ‘pop-up’ Nature Shop will also be open, offering 20% off all purchases. Registration requested. Cost $15 per family. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Earth Day Celebration – 5:30-7:30pm. Free. The Heart of Art will hold an Earth Day celebration. Come meditate with us for global Peace and enjoy tea and cookies with good company. 2374 Nottingham Way, Hamilton. Call ahead to register 609-865-1012. Conscious Raising Videos – 7:30-9:30pm. Free. Studio 2012 will host an open house to view conscious raising videos on their big screen in celebration of Earth Day. Light refreshments served. Studio 2012, 2374 Nottingham Way, Hamilton. Call ahead to register 609-865-1012.

Organic Lawn Care – 6:30pm. Homeowner’s class presented by Rutgers Master Gardeners of Camden County. Speaker is Dr. James Murphy, Center for Turfgrass Science, Rutgers University. Learn now to have a healthy lawn while avoiding harmful chemicals to environment. Registration encouraged. Cost $10/household. 1301 Park Blvd, Cherryhill. 856-216-7130. Mindful Eating – 6:45-8pm. Classes are led by a registered dietitian. Includes taste sampling and recipes to take home. Register at least 3 days prior to class. Become aware of your personal cues that enable overeating and learn simple steps for a lifestyle change. Cost $10. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25 Arbor Day Celebration – 10am. Trees are one of our favorite things at Terhune Orchards so we would like to celebrate Arbor Day with all our friends. Join your neighbors and friends on as we invite all the little ones to the farm to listen to a “tree” story and receive a free blue spruce seedling to take home and plant. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. 609-924-2310. Frog Slog Night Hike – 8-10pm. For children 6 years and up. Discover the secret life of frogs on a special late night hike with Education Director Jeff Hoagland at the soggy and sonic Watershed Reserve landscape of the Association’s pond on Wargo Road. Come with sharp ears and eyes, as well as a flashlight. Boots are necessary; be prepared for wet and muddy walking conditions. Space limited, registration required. Cost $8/$12 member/non-member. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 26 Wild Edible Hike – 8:30am-12:30pm. For 15 year old to adult. Join Education Director Jeff Hoagland for a delicious hike on the Watershed Reserve, in search of wild edible plants. Explore the traditions of our European and Native American roots as we eat our way through forest and field. Registration and prepayment required. Cost $20/$25 member/nonmember. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Learn How to Make Cheese – 12pm. See April 12 listing. Lawrenceville.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

markyourcalendar Photography Show & Tell Studio 2012 will host a photography show and tell. Come ask the experts about DSLRs, lenses, or anything else photo/video related.

April 27 • 4-6pm Studio 2012 2374 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Call ahead to register

609-865-1012

MONDAY, APRIL 28 Happiness Project Group – 1pm. See April 7 listing. Princeton.

TUESDAY, APRIL 29 Weather Watchers Preschool Class – 10-11am. For children 3-5 years old. April showers bring Mayflowers. We will look at all different types of weather and

what effects weather has on nature. For the days when the wind blows, we will make a musical craft that will help us enjoy the climate. Registration is required. Cost $10/$15 per child member/non-member. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 Take a Walk on the Wild Side – 8:30-9:30am. See April 2 listing. Pennington. Weather Watchers Preschool Class – 1-2:30pm. See April 29 listing. Pennington.

plan ahead SATURDAY, MAY 3 Kite Day at Terhune Orchards – 10am-4pm. Free. Bring your own kite or choose a ready-made kite from the wide selection in the store. Or better yet, make a “guaranteed to fly” kite. Whichever you choose, test-fly your kite in our wide-open 10acre pasture with all the farm animals looking on. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. 609-924-2310. Morven in May – 10am-3pm. A select group of 25 professional artists and artisans from around the country, along with an array of beautifully crafted art objects displayed in gallery-style booths under a grand tent on the museum’s Great Lawn. Cost $10. Morven Museum and Garden, 55 Stockton St, Princeton. 609-924-8144.

SUNDAY, MAY 4 Kite Day at Terhune Orchards – 10am-4pm. See May 3 listing. Princeton.

SATURDAY, MAY 10 Learn How to Make Cheese – 12pm. See April 12 listing. Lawrenceville.

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

friday

sunday

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.

Spiritual Awakening Service – 10:30am. Center for Spiritual Living, a trans-denominational community that provides spiritual tools to transform our personal lives and help make the world a better place. At our Center, you’ll find spiritual connection, education, and supportive group of authentic, likeminded people. 148 Tamarack Cir, Skillman. 609924-8422..

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.

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. Breast Cancer Support Group – 6-7:30pm. 3rd Tues. No registration required walk-ins welcome. UMCP Breast Health Center, 300B PrincetonHightstown Rd, East Windsor Medical Commons 2, East Windsor. 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. The Power of Decision – 7-9:30 pm. Life can be lived fully and richly. It all depends upon the decisions you make. Right decisions await your discovery of them. This course will help to reveal them to you. Learn how to direct the Infinite Power for greater good in your life. Center for Spiritual Living-Princeton, 148 Tamarack Cir, Skillman. 609-924-8422.

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.

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.

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. Zumba Fitness – 6-7pm. Join the fitness party and burn calories while enjoying dance steps and fitness moves. Cost $8/7 Drop-in/Punch Card. Bring-a-Friend $6/each. Lawrence Community Center, 295 Eggerts Crossing Rd. Contact Stephanie. 609-954-9067. Archangel Meditation with Judy Toma – 7-8pm. 2nd Wed. During this monthly Meditation Circle, Judy will give a brief Angel reading for each participant and will give you insight into each Archangel. You will be guided on a journey to meet this Angel that will bring understanding and healing. Make a commitment to yourself and your healing. Take this time to meet with like minded people, discover peace and your own inner guidance. Cost $28. Cha Cha Gifts & Wellness Center, 1300 Livingstone Av, North Brunswick. 732-249-1821. Multi-Level-Yoga – 7-8pm. Starting Inspired by Iyengar, Anusara, and Kundalini traditions. Cost $15/drop-in. Cash/check only. Meadow Creek Clubhouse, Manalapan. Call Brian to register/confirm attendance at 609-306-2618.

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. CPAP Workshop – 6pm. 3rd Thurs. Free workshop provided by the Sleep Care Center for patients with

saturday Multi-Level Yoga – 8-8:55am. Inspired by Iyengar, Anusara, and Kundalini traditions. Cost $15/drop-in. Cash/check only. Center for Relaxation & Healing, Plainsboro. Call Brian to register/confirm attendance at 609-306-2618. Showcase Saturdays – 8:30-8:30am. 2nd Sat. Free. Guests can try two complimentary 25 minute featured workout sessions. Donations to the Robbinsville Food Pantry are kindly requested in return for the free sessions. Body Project Studio, Foxmoor Center, 1007 Washington Blvd, Robbinsville. 609-336-0108 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. Soup Kitchen – 4:30-6pm. 3rd Sat. Volunteers arrive at 3pm. Free hot meal served. VFW Post 5700, 140 Dutch Neck Rd, Hightstown. Information: Adrenne 609-336-7260. SatSung (Discussion on Truth) – 5-7pm. Discussion truth, on Enlightenment, and a group meditation. Teenagers, tweens, and adults all welcome to sit in our circle and seek answers to the universal questions of life. The Heart of Art, 2374 Nottingham Way, Hamilton. 609-856-1012. SPOT (Safe Place for our Tweens) – 7-10pm. 1st Sat. Allows 9-12-year-old youngsters to “hang out” at the YMCA under the supervision of trained YMCA staff. Basketball, indoor soccer, music, karaoke, swimming, access to the wellness center, video games in our Youth Interactive Center and the snack stand are offered. A Hamilton Area YMCA Membership is not required for participation. Dress comfortably for the activities you wish to participate in. 1315 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd, Hamilton. 609-581-9622 x 21103.

natural awakenings

April 2014

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Diane L. Ailey, L.Ac. Dipl.Ac. 114 Straube Center Blvd, Ste K6-7 Pennington • 609-737-0970 AwareAcupuncture@Verizon.net

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A WELLNESS WITHIN

3692 Nottingham Way, Hamilton 609-587-8919 WellnessWithinNJ.com Are you wondering what is colon hydrotherapy? Will it work for me? Contact us for the answers and to reduce gas and bloating, relieve constipation and promote regularity. Ask about our detox or weight loss programs. See ad, page 9.

ART STUDIO COUNSELING

HEART OF ART

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CENTER FOR GRIEF SERVICES

The Heart of Art is a place of transformative education, where children are led through introspection and meditation to inspire creative discovery. Children can explore their creative side as well as introspect and get to know their true self. Class and Birthday Party packages available. See ad, page 25.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

Dr. Norma Bowe Dr. Norman Travis 855-97-GRIEF CenterForGriefServices.com

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Center for Grief Services specializes in grief treatment. Workshops and individual therapy options available. See ad, page 33.

GREEN LIVING SUN 101 SOLAR

Daniel Hicks 609-460-4637 Info@Sun101Solar.com Sun101Solar.com We are more than just a solar installer. We see ourselves as educators and stewards of the environment. We always do our best to educate about the benefits of going solar and being energy efficient. See ad, page 13.

HOLISTIC DENTISTS PRINCETON CENTER FOR DENTAL AESTHETICS Dr. Ruxandra Balescu, DMD Dr. Kirk Huckel, DMD, FAGD 11 Chambers St, Princeton 609-924-1414 PrincetonDentist.com

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. Please contact us to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad, page 17.

HYPNOSIS PRISM HYPNOSIS Dr. Ira Weiner 609-235-9030 PrismHypnosis.com

Do you smoke, feel stressed or in pain, crack under pressure, or want to break unhealthy habits? Contact us and visit our website for healthful solutions that work. See ad, page 27.

NATURAL SERVICES BLACK FOREST ACRES

Trudy Ringwald Country Herbalist & Certified Reboundologist 553 Rte 130 N, East Windsor 1100 Rte 33, Hamilton 609-448-4885/609-586-6187 BlackForestAcres.Net Two locations for the natural connection to live well and eat right. Natural and organic foods, vitamins, supplements, groceries and most important, free consultation.

NUTRITION NUTRITIONAL CONSULTANT Claire Gutierrez 194 N Harrison St, Princeton 609-799-3089 Claire@VisanoConsulting.com VisanoConsulting.com

Let me help analyze your current diet thru nutritional assessment and assist you in making necessary adjustments and modifications to eventually achieve optimal health.

ORGANIC FARMS CHERRY GROVE FARM

3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville 609-219-0053 CherryGroveFarm.com Organic and natural products including farmstead cheeses; Buttercup Brie, seasonal Jacks, Rosedale, Herdsman, Toma, Havilah and Cheddar Curds. Additional products include whey-fed pork, grass-fed lamb and beef, pasture-raised eggs and myriad locally sourced goods. See ad, page 9.

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE EDWARD MAGAZINER, M.D.

2186 Rte 27, Ste 2D, North Brunswick 877-817-3273 PainAndSpineCare.com Dr. Magaziner has dedicated his career to helping people with pain and musculoskeletal injuries using state-of-the-art and innovative pain management treatments including Platelet Rich Plasma, Stem Cell Therapy and Prolotherapy to alleviate these problems. See ad, page 2.

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April 2014

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themes APRIL green living plus: healthy home MAY women’s wellness plus: bodywork JUNE inspired living plus: men’s wellness JULY food watch plus: natural medicine cabinet AUGUST transformative education plus: children’s health SEPTEMBER conscious caretaking plus: yoga OCTOBER sustainable communities plus: chiropractic and acupuncture NOVEMBER personal empowerment plus: beauty DECEMBER awakening humanity plus: holiday themes

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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REGENERATE rather than Replace Regenerate rather than replace your joints, tendons, muscles, skin, and wounds with Regenerative Injection Therapy with Growth Factors in Platelets Rich Plasma (PRP) and Kinines in Platelets Poor Plasma (PPP). PRP therapy strengthens and heals arthritic and strained joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and skin — including non healing wounds and aging skin of your face. PRP injections can be performed all over the body. It is a natural regenerative method of treatment of sports injuries, arthritic joints, lower back pain, disc disease, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ACL and meniscal tears, shin splints, rotator cuff tears, plantar fasciitis, iliotibial band syndrome, piriformis syndrome, tennis/golfer’s elbow, sprained/torn muscles, and aging skin.

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