Natural Awakenings Mercer, NJ June 2013 by Natural Awakenings Mercer

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

FREE

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good • live simply • laugh more

Dr. Oz on Men’s Health:

25 Tips You Need to Know

Secrets of a Happy Life Smiles Glow from the Inside Out

Walk this Way Going Shoeless Soothes & Heals

Reframing Priorities

How Men Can Pursue Spiritual Growth June 2013 | Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com natural awakenings

June 2012

No More Pain! Dr. Magaziner can

help you recover from acute or chronic conditions.

Don’t Suffer with Joint Pain…

Many people think joint pain is just a normal part of aging that they have to learn to live with. However, new procedures are available to help people reduce or eliminate their pain, which can make them feel young again. Many times joint pain is not a result of aging but a direct result of damage cause by injury or wear and tear. No matter what causes it, joint pain can interfere with your normal activities and reduce the quality of your life. To understand the causes of joint pain, you first have to look at the anatomy of a joint. Joints are made up of bone, muscles, synovium, cartilage and ligaments. All of these structures are potential sources of pain. Joints function as a part of the weight bearing system to aid in stability and they also provide you with the ability to move. When a joint is injured and not functioning properly it will affect both stability and mobility along with causing pain. Millions of people suffer with painful joints. Commonly, people turn to overthe-counter and prescription drugs, but long term use of these drugs could cause serious side effects. It is therefore recommended that you contact a physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment of this condition. We offer many different forms of treatment that are effective in the relief of joint pain.

Joint Pain Treatment

Dr. Magaziner’s philosophy is to start with the more conservative treatments (less invasive) first. If necessary, The Center for Spine, Sports, Pain Management and Orthopedics Regenerative Medicine provides multiple forms of treatment to help patients recover from acute or chronic conditions. Some non-surgical treatments include: • • • • • •

PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Prolotherapy Grafts Stem Cell Grafts Joint Injections Laser Therapy Viscosupplemention

Causes of Joint Pain

There are many causes of joint pain such as: autoimmune diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus), bursitis, tendonitis, chondromalacia patella, gout, infectious disease and injury including fracture, sprains, and strain and cartilage tears. One of the more common causes is Osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is caused by wear and tear of the joint secondary to injury, activities and other physical factors such as obesity.

Diagnosing the Cause of Joint Pain

The most important part of caring for patients with joint pain is an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Magaziner uses his years of clinical experience, thorough examination and sophisticated diagnostic tools to arrive at his diagnosis. Some of the diagnostic tools are: x-ray and Fluoroscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Bone Scan, Nerve Studies (Electromyography, or EMG) and Ultrasound.

%DWARD -AGAZINER -$

877-817-3273 • www.painandspinecare.com 2

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

MORE FOR YOUR MONEY 91% of readers rate themselves as likely or very likely to purchase products and services from Natural Awakenings. With devoted, active readers and an advertising program that will give you the most exposure for your budget, Natural Awakenings is a must in your business promotional mix.

SMART ADVERTISING IN A TOUGH ECONOMY! WHY NATURAL AWAKENINGS

100% TARGETED AUDIENCE Mintel International, an industry leader in providing market intelligence, recently called the green marketplace one of the fastest growing, most dynamic sectors of the US economy. 100% of our readers are interested in healthy living, a healthy environment, and personal growth. THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 100%

CREDIBILITY AND SCOPE The Natural Awakenings family of magazines has been a respected source for cutting-edge healthy living information across the country for 15 years. Reaching more than 3.6 million readers each month with 80+ individual magazines in 80+ cities across the nation, Puerto Rico and Canada.

609-249-9044

LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com natural awakenings

June 2013

letterfrompublisher Natural Awakenings of Mercer County Celebrates Our 1st Happy Anniversary Together!

Managing Editor Dave Beveridge

Proofreader Randy Kambic

Design & Production Melanie Rankin Stephen Blancett

Franchise Sales John Voell II 239-530-1377

Phone: 609-249-9044 Fax: 609-249-9044 NAMercer.com LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com © 2013 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.

A few years ago I never could have imagined that I’d be part of the growing national phenomenon called Natural Awakenings, now serving 89 natural health communities clear across the country, reaching both Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Now here I am, swept up in the winds of positive change and loving every minute of it. The best part is meeting you through these pages and in person while working with so many amazing people in our community. As your go-to resource for natural health and sustainable living, we have more exciting news to share: With this issue, the magazine now serves many thousands more readers in surrounding areas, as well as in Mercer County. We are a power to be reckoned with as we aim to realize healthier living on a healthy planet. Look for our distribution rack wherever you find free publications, and let us know where else you want us to show up. We like feedback and connecting with local businesses and nonprofits at popular locations; it helps when you let shopkeepers know you think their products and services are a good fit with your interests. We enjoy making new friends. Among the abundant blessings of this past year, my deep gratitude goes to our advertisers, especially those that gave us the opportunity to successfully launch our premiere issue and have grown stronger right along with us. I appreciate every single supporter that has in any way enabled us to deliver on our standing promise to help you improve the quality of your life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. A big shout out goes to all of our distributors, contributors, local team members, national support staff and, of course, every loyal reader that reads this magazine from cover to cover month after month and benefits from what they learn. As always, these pages are packed with valuable insights. In this issue we celebrate Men’s Wellness and Inspired Living, with a fond nod to Father’s Day. I have been a Dr. Oz fan for many years, so I am particularly excited to share, “What Works: Dr Oz’s 25 Greatest Men’s Health Tips” (page 14). The information is equally helpful for men and the women that love them. Oz tip #6, Taste the Colors, “Eat nine fistfuls of colorful fruits and vegetables each day” seems easy enough to attain. Tip #1, Roll on the Floor Laughing, is another favorite. So kick off your shoes each day and have some fun. It’s doctor approved! Of course, this issue wouldn’t be complete without Judith Fertig’s encouraging feature article, “Life Lift: Be Happy from the Inside Out” (page 18). Here’s something that’s definitely doable: “Writing down three blessings, or things that went well that day, can increase our feelings of gratitude and well-being.” All of which brings to mind a favorite tidbit: “It takes more face muscles to frown than it does to smile.” Smiling helps us be positive, and when we feel positive we will be happier, which ultimately makes everyone feel better. Be well and smile!

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.

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

~Robert Frost

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

Mercer County, NJ

Lori Beveridge, Owner/Publisher NAMercer.com

contents 6 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 11 ecotip 12 globalbriefs 20 healingways 9 22 fitbody 23 inspiration 11 24 healthykids 26 consciouseating 29 wisewords 30 greenliving 12 32 naturalpet 34 calendar 38 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.

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.

14 WHAT WORKS Dr. Oz’ 25 Greatest Men’s Health Tips by Dr. Mehmet Oz

18 LIFE LIFT

Being Happy from the Inside Out by Judith Fertig

20 COLORING OUR WORLD How Hues Can Help and Heal

by Judith Fertig

22 WALK THIS WAY

Step Up to Barefoot Benefits by Randy Kambic

23 THE FATHERHOOD FACTOR

How Raising Children Changes Men by Armin Brott

24 DAD & DAUGHTER DATES

Making the Most of Cherished Time Together by Clint Kelly

26 GROW, PICK, GRILL Making the Most of Summer’s Bounty by Claire O’Neil

30 TRAVELING

VOLUNTEERS

Doing Good During Time Away

26 32

by Avery Mack

32 DOG SPORTS

People & Pets Play Well Together by Sandra Murphy

NAMercer.com natural awakenings

June 2013

newsbriefs Down to Earth Ball in Hopewell

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

&R Greenway’s fifth annual Down to Earth Ball will be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on June 1 at Barn Haven Farm, in Hopewell. Activities will include dining under the stars on locally grown food, hayrides to St. Michaels preserved farmland and dancing to music performed by the Tone Rangers band. Additionally, a live auction will be held to win a walk with a celebrity, a congressman, an author and Hollywood screenwriters. D&R Greenway Land Trust is a nonprofit land preservation organization, founded in 1989 through the collaboration and vision of four organizations: the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Regional Planning Partnership, and the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission. Cost: $125. Sponsorships and donations available. Location: Barn Haven Farm, 111 E. Prospect St., Hopewell. For more information, call Deb Kilmer at 609-924-4646 ext. 132 or visit DRGreenway.org.

Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards

ireflies are an “electrifying” part of summer. To celebrate the return of this natural phenomenon, Princeton-based Terhune Orchards is holding a Firefly Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. on June 23. Enjoy an evening of nature, music, wagon rides and other outdoor activities including traversing the entire farm for spotting fireflies. Live music will be provided by Miss Amy and her Big Kids Band. Food will be available at Pam’s Firefly Tent including grilled chicken, hot dogs, corn on the cob, pies, apple cider, donuts, cookies, apples and more. Admission is free. Location: Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton. For more information, call 609-924-2310 or visit TerhuneOrchards.com.

Tennis Anyone? Signup for U.S. Open Trip

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!

609-249-9044

LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com 6

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

EAC Health & Fitness will offer its annual bus trip to the U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York, on August 28. A luxury motor coach will depart from PEAC at 8 a.m. and return at 7:30 p.m. Prior to boarding the bus, a continental breakfast for attendees will be available at PEAC at 7:30 a.m. Seating is limited and reservations are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets go on sale June 1. Cost: $115 PEAC members/$125 non-members. Includes transportation, breakfast and general admission. Location: PEAC, 1440 Lower Ferry Rd., Ewing. For more information and to purchase tickets, call Valerie Lopenzina, Program Coordinator, at PEAC Health and Fitness at 609-883-2000, email VmLopenzina@PeacHealth Fitness.com or visit PeacHealthFitness.com.

Farmers’ Market Open: Tenth Anniversary Celebration

Dentistry at its Best!

he West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market is open for this year’s season and will celebrate its tenth anniversary at 10 a.m. on June 1, rain or shine. The ceremony’s entertainment activities will include a live performance by singer/songwriter Avi Wisnia among the bounty of locally grown, fresh, natural and organic produce and more. Several new vendors are participating at the market this year including Fulper Family Farmstead, Great Road Farm, Nice and Sharp and Terra Momo Bead Company. Additional farm vendors include Cherry Grove Farm, Beechtree Farm, Griggstown Quail Farm, Terhune Orchards, plus many more. Non-farm vendors include The Artisan Tree, Tico’s Eatery & Juice Bar, Stony Brook Orchids, Jammin’ Crepes.

Synchronizing Oral Health with Total Body Health

Locations: the Vaughn Drive parking lot on the southbound side of Princeton Junction Train Station, one mile from the Alexander Rd. and Rte. 1 intersection. Directions are on the website and parking is free. For more information, call 609933-4452, email WWCFM@yahoo.com or visit WestWindsor FarmersMarket.org.

Your mouth is a vital part of your Total Body Health.

NOFA-NJ Summer Food Symposium

he first annual Northeast Organic Farming Symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 21 at Duke Farms, in Hillsborough. Four expert speakers covering all aspects of healthy food will explore the history and significance of the organic food movement; why it’s important to farms, our environment and you; and provide advice on how to prepare and preserve food to maintain nutrient density. Presenters include Professor of Soil Science at Rutgers University Joseph Heckman, Ph.D.; Certified Health Coach and Certified Raw Food Specialist Andrea Fegan; Chef and Wellness Educator Annmarie Cantrell; and Certified Health Counselor and Nutrition Educator Sharon Vecchiarelli. Cost: $70/$80 members/non-members. Location: Coach Barn, Duke Farms, 80 Rte. 206 S, Hillsborough. For more information, call 908-371-1111 or visit NOFANJ.org.

PRACTICING BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY for 25 YEARS IAOMT Accredited

We are dedicated to Protecting Your Health with: • Clifford Material Reactivity Testing • Sleep Apnea Treatment • Safe Amalgam Removal Protocol Enhanced by Biological Support Program • Highest Quality Restorative Dentistry • Preserving Teeth and Gums for a Lifetime • Beautiful Smiles Achieved by Using the Finest Quality Materials • Nutritional Consulting

Kirk Huckel, DMD, FAGD Ruxandra Balescu, DMD

609-924-1414

PrincetonDentist.com

New Patients Welcome 11 Chambers Street • Princeton, NJ 08542 natural awakenings

June 2013

kudos PEAC’s Runway to Runway Casino Night Raises Over $22,000 for Sunshine Foundation

EAC Health and Fitness reports that its sixth annual Runway to Runway Casino Night event held on April 20 was a huge success, raising more than $22,000 for the Mercer County Chapter Kale Martinez greeted by of the Sunshine Disney Friends Foundation’s annual Dreamlift program. PEAC’s special guest of the evening was four-year-old Kale Martinez, a physically handicapped child who was selected to attend this year’s Sunshine Foundation Dreamlift to Disney World. “His smiling presence at the event was heartwarming and he was thrilled to see the Disney characters up close,” says Runway to Runway Chairperson Laurel Reid. “This is the reason we do this.” The program transports 110 special needs children from the National Guard Facility near the Trenton/Mercer Airport to Orlando, Florida, for a fun-filled day at Walt Disney World. Mercer County’s chapter of the Sunshine Foundation is the only locally run chapter that sponsors such an event. Since 2008, PEAC Health and Fitness has raised over $150,000 for this meaningful cause. For more information about the Sunshine Foundation, visit SunshineFoundation.org. For more information about PEAC’s Runway to Runway event, call Christine Tentilucci, Marketing Coordinator, PEAC Health and Fitness, at 609-883-2000 or email CTentilucci@PeacHealthFitness.com or visit PeacHealthFitness.com. PEAC is located at 1440 Lower Ferry Rd., Ewing.

You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination. ~Jimmy Dean

Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program for Mercer County Schools

s part of the Governor Christie administration’s continuing efforts to provide improved nutritional opportunities for school children, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher recently said that 144 New Jersey schools will participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2013-2014 school year. The United States Department of Agriculture has allocated $3,934,586 for New Jersey for next school year’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides fresh produce to students during the school day, along with nutrition education to expose children to healthy foods, increase their fruit and vegetable consumption and set them on the road to improved lifelong dietary habits. “The Program gets kids excited about eating fresh produce,” says Secretary Fisher. “Participating schools have seen positive changes in the student population because of the program. We hope they will take these lessons and the good food habits with them into adulthood.” Starting in September, the selected schools located in 14 New Jersey counties with almost 76,000 students will begin to offer fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis free to students each week. Mercer County schools participating in this program include Columbus, Monument, Mott and Wilson Elementary Schools and Stokes Early Learning Center. For more information, visit NJ.Gov/Agriculture/News.

New Yoga Studio Open in Downtown Trenton

f you have been looking for places to experience and enjoy yoga in downtown Trenton, a new opportunity is now available. Higher Power Yoga Studio recently opened its second location at 101 South Warren Street. Owner Christine Donahue comments, “We offer convenient, daily drop-in classes during the workday to accommodate busy schedules.” Donahue continues, “Classes are reasonably priced at $10 for a single lunchtime class.” The studio supports the efforts of the Trenton Animal Shelter by collecting donations of pet food at the new location. Other studio location: 439 South Broad St., Trenton. For more information, call 609-789-8188, email ChristineMary Donahue@yahoo.com or visit HigherPowerYoga.net. See CRG on page 38.

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

healthbriefs

PSA Testing Controversy

en face a new dilemma at their annual physical this year—should they be screened for prostate cancer? Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine screening for this form of cancer, regardless of age. Some doctors claim this will cause treatable prostate cancer cases to be missed. The level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the prostate gland, can be measured with a simple blood test. Until the USPSTF issued its recommendation, doctors routinely used the test to screen men 50 and older. The task force, however, concluded there is at least moderate certainty that the potential harms of PSA testing outweigh the benefits; many benign conditions, particularly prostate infections and enlargement, can elevate PSA readings higher than normal, prompting more aggressive testing. Before deciding on the test, it helps for men to explore this issue with their doctor. Some physicians take a “wait and see” approach and retest several times over a few months before making a recommendation; others suggest an immediate biopsy if PSA levels are high. While a blood test is a benign procedure, a prostate biopsy is not. A high PSA reading coupled with an overly aggressive doctor can cause anxiety and result in additional—and possibly unneeded—medical treatment. Source: James Occhiogrosso, ProstateHealthNaturally.com

Sports and Music: A Winning Combination

istening to our favorite music, whatever the genre, can increase both our enjoyment of and performance levels in competitive sports participation. Keele University researchers, presenting these findings at the 2012 British Psychological Society annual conference, noted that playing selected tunes reduces perceived exertion levels, plus increases one’s sense of being “in the zone”. The greatest effects were found with music used during structured training sessions. Previous studies showing that motivational music in general boosts performance did not include exploring the effects of listening to one’s favorite music.

A Father’s Love is Critical

ased on 36 studies from around the world involving more than 10,000 participants, researchers at the University of Connecticut, in Mansfield, concluded that a father’s love contributes as much—and sometimes more—to a child’s development as a mother’s love. The critical importance of fatherly love to a youngster’s healthy development provides added incentive for men to become more involved in nurturing child care.

Don’t Worry, Be Healthy

he adage, “Don’t worry, be happy,” captures the essence of the first-ever metastudy of the relationship between happiness and heart health. Based on a comprehensive review involving 200-plus studies, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston, concluded that a positive outlook on life could help protect the heart from cardiovascular disease. Julia Boehm, Ph.D., and Laura Kubzansky, Ph.D., discovered that certain psychological traits—optimism, positive emotions and a sense of meaning—both offer measurable protection against heart attacks and strokes and slow the progression of cardiovascular disease. The pair found that the most optimistic individuals had approximately 50 percent less chance of experiencing an initial cardiovascular event compared with their less upbeat peers. “The absence of the negative is not the same thing as the presence of the positive,” notes Boehm. “Psychology has been trying to fix what’s wrong with people, but there’s also an increasing interest in what people might be doing right.”

Source: Society for Personality and Social Psychology natural awakenings

June 2013

healthbriefs

Sugary Drinks Linked to Heart Disease

ne risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, may be sugary drinks. Analysis of data collected on 42,883 men in the “Health Professionals FollowUp Study,” published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, linked a daily 12-ounce serving of a sugar-sweetened drink to a 19 percent increase in the relative risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with higher levels of unhealthy triglycerides and C-reactive protein (a byproduct of inflammation), and lower levels of highdensity lipoprotein, or HDL, the “good” cholesterol. Senior study author Frank B. Hu, Ph.D., a physician and professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston, cautions that diet sodas are not a good alternative. “Some studies have found a relationship between diet soda and metabolic disease,” he notes.

Garlic May Help Alleviate Cystic Fibrosis

he American Society for Microbiology reports that by age 18, about 80 percent of patients with cystic fibrosis are chronically infected with the bacterium pseudomonas aeruginosa, which promotes an inflammatory response that destroys lung tissue. The infection frequently leads to serious related health issues. According to collaborative research led by Tim Holm Jakobsen, Ph.D., and Michael Givskov, Ph.D., of the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark, garlic, which acts as a powerful natural antibiotic, could help. The onion-related herb contains ajoene, the major component of a multitude of sulfur-containing compounds, which is produced when garlic is crushed. Ajoene inhibits the expression of 11 key genes controlled by cell-to-cell communication and is regarded as crucial to the ability of the bacterium to cause disease.

A.J. Pone opticians

• Personalized Service • Quality Eyewear for the Entire Family

CELEBRATING OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY! 10

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

David A. Pone,

Licensed Optician

Dennis A. Pone,

Licensed Optician

609-586-6633

2303 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd. Mercerville Professional Park Hamilton

609-924-7567

601 Ewing Street • Princeton

AJPone.com

Flavonoids Protect Men Against Parkinson’s

indings published in the journal Neurology add to a growing body of evidence that regular consumption of flavonoids, found in berries, teas, apples and red wines, can positively affect human health. According to new research on 130,000 men and women undertaken by Harvard University, in Boston, and the UK’s University of East Anglia, men that regularly consumed the most flavonoid-rich foods were 40 percent less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those that ate the least. No similar protective link was found for women. It is the first human study to show that flavonoids can help protect neurons against diseases of the brain.

Excessive Dietary Fat May Hinder Conception

ne reason for a couple’s inability to conceive could be linked to too much fat in the male’s diet. A study by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital of 99 U.S. men uncovered an association between a high fat intake and lower sperm count and concentration. Results were published in the journal Human Reproduction. Men that consumed the most saturated fats had a 35 percent lower total sperm count and 38 percent lower sperm concentration than men that ate the least amount of such fats. Moreover, men that ate more omega-3 polyunsaturated fats—the type of healthful fat often found in fish and plant oils—had better-formed sperm than men that ate less.

localhealthbrief The Truth about Dieting, Metabolism and HCG by Dr. Robert Frankel

f you’re like the diet ends, your most Americans, weight increases you’ve probcoinciding with your ably got a few low metabolism and extra pounds you diminished muscle can live without. mass. However, that Unfortunately, after doesn’t mean you many diets, workshould give up on outs, lotions and diets entirely—you procedures, those just need to find the Dr. Robert Frankel unwanted pounds right diet. haven’t melt off like you thought they The Human Chorionic Gowould and they hang on for dear life. nadotropin (HCG) diet is highly You’re not alone and the answer recommended as it works with and is a little simpler than you think. The not against your body. HCG is a problem can be found in metabohormone that is produced during lism, the transformation of food into pregnancy. The physician-guided, energy. In theory, if the amount of low-calorie diet feeds the fetus by food or calories you need matches breaking down fat instead of muscle. the amount of calories you consume, In time, the reduced fat assists in your weight will remain unchanged raising your metabolism. As the diet or even increase. When the amount continues, your metabolism becomes of calories consumed exceed the “super-charged”, increasing desired amount of calories needed, the weight loss results. Although HCG excess is stored as fat. Judging from is a hormone produced by pregnant the pattern, one might conclude that women, the diet is safe for men and less calorie intake will result in painwomen, according to doctors. An less weight loss. However, it doesn’t added benefit, as mentioned on the always work that way. Dr. Oz show, is decreased appetite, A common complaint is, “I making the low-calorie diet less of starved myself for weeks and lost a struggle. Doctors also report that some weight initially. Then my weight gain is unlikely once the HCG weight seemed to plateau. I got diet program has ended, because frustrated and ended my diet. As your metabolism will function faster soon as I went off the diet, I quickly than it did beforehand. By carefully gained all the weight back.” In many following your HCG diet physician’s such situations, there’s a loss of water instructions, you’re likely to end the weight during the first few days, treacherous cycle associated with then your body settles into starvation most “yo-yo” diets. mode, causing you to lose muscle Dr. Robert Frankel, M.D., DC, FACEP, mass instead of fat since your body specializes in hormone therapy, stores fat for the winter. The muscle weight loss and aesthetic treatments mass loss reduces your metabolism. plus metabolic medicine at his As a result, your lower calorie intake practice, Improve Health Solutions, doesn’t help in losing weight as fast in Manasquan. For more information, as you’d like because you still have call 866-807-8686 or visit metabolic needs to fulfill. Once ImproveHealthSolutions.com.

ecotip Clean Ride

DIY Versus Commercial Carwash We all want our new, energy-efficient vehicles to look their best, and ecoconscious drivers want to extend their green lifestyle to include cleaning their car. Washing can provide some exercise and saves money, but the International Carwash Association reports that automatic car washes use on average fewer than 45 gallons of water per car, compared with 80 or more at home. Commercial facilities also drain wastewater into sewer systems to be treated or reused, while soapy do-ityourself water can directly enter waterways via storm drains unless it’s in an area that filters into a local aquifer. Here are some helpful tips. Conserve water. For DIY folks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends using a bucket instead of a hose for washing a section at a time, and then quickly rinsing using a pistolgrip hose nozzle, and also washing the car on gravel or a lawn, so wastewater doesn’t flow off pavement or sidewalks and down a storm drain. Be sure to use phosphate-free, non-toxic biodegradable soaps and waxes. Check under the car. Grime, dirt and salt may have accumulated in crevices of the undercarriage, especially in colder regions, so spray underneath, too. Be observant. A fender-bender, stray pebbles or the impact of another car door may have chipped exterior paint. According to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, corrosion, acid rain, storm damage and harsh sunlight can also mar body paint and expose metal surfaces. Treat these blemishes with a stop-rust spray and touch-up paint before they spread. Sources: epa.gov, ASE.com, CarWash. org, ehow.com natural awakenings

June 2013

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

Home Range

Restoring Native Prairies, Yard by Yard From Canada south to Texas and from Indiana west to Colorado, nearly 600,000 square miles of grassland once contributed to this continent’s complex ecosystem, supporting a diverse and teeming web of life. Today, less than 1 percent remains intact. The good news is that farmers and residents have been making inroads toward restoring this native landscape, converting suburban yards and rural fields to expanses of tall grass and fallow pastures that welcome native species. Government agencies and conservation groups, aided by volunteers, have undertaken numerous restoration projects across U.S. and Canadian prairieland, some of them comprising thousands of acres. The initial investment in time and money starts with removal of invasive or even cultivated species and the planting of native grasses. Substantial benefits include low-maintenance ecosystems that require less water and no fertilizer while supporting diverse wildflowers and wildlife. But it’s not as simple as planting a few seeds. In semi-rural and more urban areas, neighbors and zoning laws don’t always see eye-to-eye with these “new pioneers”, especially in deed-restricted communities. Concern over perceived property value deterioration and a potential influx of vermin sometimes wins the day. Farmers have been known to plow under an entire restoration project upon news of rising grain prices due to the ethanol industry, in order to cultivate it for financial gain. It is evident that social and economic policies must support the effort if it is to succeed. Source: Yale Environment 360

Eco-House

Green Homes Can be a Bargain One of the most innovative, energy-efficient houses in the United States has been built in the District of Columbia’s working-class Deanwood neighborhood, which has struggled with foreclosures. The Empowerhouse, a residence that produces all of its own energy, consumes 90 percent less energy for heating and cooling than a conventional dwelling. Empowerhouse was designed using “passive house” technologies as part of the Solar Decathlon design competition, held on the National Mall in 2011. It’s the work of students at The New School, in New York City, and Stevens Institute of Technology, in Hoboken, New Jersey, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development. Each duplicable unit costs a locally affordable $250,000. Bringing the community into the design process for both the house and landscape is the basis for collaboration on additional projects in the neighborhood, including a new community learning garden. The designers remark that it all plays a part in creating social sustainability, an aspect often left out of development programs. Source: Parsit.Parsons.edu 12

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

Cowabunga Dude All-Natural Boards Bring Sustainability to Surfing

Surfers count themselves among the most ardent environmentalists. Yet their sport is awash in petrochemicals and carcinogens, from neoprene wetsuits and urethane surfboard leashes to polyurethane boards and epoxy resins. So surfboard shaper Danny Hess is adopting salvaged woods, natural finishes and organic resins to transform how they are made. His boards are built to last, an anomaly in a sport in which enthusiasts’ boards may break once or twice every season. He uses Super Sap, the first U.S. Department of Agriculture BioPreferred Certified liquid epoxy resin, and is experimenting with organic foam and salvaged redwood in seeking to build a truly green surfboard. “What I’m trying to do is build heirloom surfboards that are passed on from father to son over many generations, rather than these disposable things that we’re just consuming,” Hess says. Before founding Hess Surfboards, Hess lived in a straw-bale house in Colorado, studied sustainable architecture at the San Francisco Institute of Architecture, built tree houses and worked as a licensed contractor. “One day I had this ‘Aha!’ moment when I realized I could create these molds, like the ones I was using to bend wood for cabinet doors, for surfboards,” he says. Hess has since expanded into also making sustainable skateboards. Learn more at HessSurfboards.com.

Change is possible if we begin to reassess what it means to be beautiful, starting from within.

Natural Beauty Limitless Possibilities Where Health and Beauty Co-Exist

by Jessica Justh

“When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

hen the great thinkers of the past wrote about beauty, they often trained their thoughtful gaze on the same thing: nature. Lord Byron and Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote extensively about the natural wonder of the world. So did artists as disparate as Andy Warhol and Vincent Van Gogh. Mahatma Gandhi, Socrates and Confucius all marveled at its splendor. Even a man of science, such as Albert Einstein, was not immune to the glory of natural beauty, once saying, “Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” What would these visionaries have to say about the “health and beauty” industry of the modern age? What might they think or write about polycyclic

aromatic hydrocarbons (found naturally in crude oil), propylene glycol (used to manufacture brake fluid), or other common cosmetic additives? If the old adage is true—that truth and beauty are inherently linked—how puzzled they would surely be by the unnatural and artificial chemicals we use in the name of achieving a standard of beauty that is often in direct conflict with our physical and emotional well-being. Things are not as bleak as they may seem. Change is possible if we begin to reassess what it means to be beautiful, starting from within. When making beauty-related choices, it’s important to know what you are purchasing. It may be helpful to keep this question in mind: Knowing what chemicals were used to make this product, would I put this in my body? If you wouldn’t, then

why would you put it on your body, only to let it be absorbed by your largest organ, your skin? It’s the old, and not particularly eloquent, adage of garbage in/garbage out, only in reverse. By feeding your body with natural, non-toxic products such as kiwis for exfoliating and eggs and olive oil for dandruff prevention, your body creates its own self-perpetuating cycle of healthy living. You’ll find that you’ll look as great as you always have, but you’ll feel better and have more energy to direct towards positive, more fulfilling pursuits such as yoga, exercise and long-neglected hobbies. Cosmetic companies may be able to develop, sell and market just about any exterior beauty remedy but what they have yet to figure out is how to deliver real emotional and spiritual fulfillment. Nor will they ever be able to do so because natural beauty is not a commodity that can be bought and sold. Achieving real beauty and a state of total peace with oneself is only possible through personal discipline and by making a conscious decision to adopt a healthier, cleaner lifestyle. By doing so, you open yourself up to limitless possibilities and the opportunity to walk the path to more fulfilling life where health and beauty peacefully co-exist. Jessica Justh is a yoga instructor and nutrition expert who offers classes at Higher Power Yoga Studio, in Trenton. For more information about class offerings, see CRG listing on page 38.

natural awakenings

June 2013

WHAT WORKS: Dr. Oz’ 25 Greatest Men’s Health Tips

by Dr. Mehmet Oz

atients are among my best teachers. They’ve taught me how to communicate clearly—and how to live a better life. On The Dr. Oz Show, I’ve learned that once people are emotionally involved, change happens quickly, especially if they feel that their behavior is letting loved ones down. Large-scale change seems daunting. We want simple routines that we can automatically follow. Adopt some of the steps described here, which work for me and that anyone can do, and you will like your life more in just a couple of weeks. Plus, you’ll live longer.

1: Roll on the Floor Laughing Laughing not only eases stress, promotes social bonding and lowers blood pressure; it may also boost your immune system. So bring some humor into your life, whether it’s through friends, a television show or something else that tickles your funny bone. 14

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com NAMercer.

2: Don’t Skip Breakfast Eating fiber in the morning means less hunger late in the afternoon, when you’re most likely to feel tired and gorge yourself on sugar. My morning dose comes from steel-cut oatmeal, usually mixed with raisins, walnuts and flaxseed oil. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day; breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.

3: Hit the Sack Jay and Dave are funny, but they’re not worth the strain on your system. Seven hours of sleep a night not only helps you live longer, it also lowers your stress, sharpens your memory and reduces cravings for pantssplitting foods. Set a bedtime and stick to it. My target is 10:30 p.m. I record the late shows and then watch them the next day as I pedal a stationary bike.

4: Admire Your Work

Don’t be so trigger-happy with the flusher. Turn around and take a look at your poop, which speaks volumes about your gut and overall health. Poop should be smooth and Sshaped, like your colon. If it comes out too lumpy, or drops into the bowl like marbles, you’re constipated; increase your fiber and water intake.

5: Don’t Pamper Your Bad Back

Even if you’re hunched over in agony, spending more time in bed will only make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering. Married men with this problem may suffer more than single men because they’re tempted to lie back and enjoy all the pampering they receive. The best solution is to get up, take a pain reliever and be a soldier.

6: Taste the Colors

Foods with bright, rich colors are packed with flavonoids and carotenoids, powerful compounds that bind with the damaging free radicals in your body, lowering inflammation. Eat nine fistfuls of colorful fruits and vegetables each day and you’ll reap the benefits without having to give up other foods. Whenever I shop the produce aisle, I’m reminded that these foods are often more powerful than the drugs sold in pharmacies. My favorites are arugula and blueberries.

7: Brushing is Not Enough If you plan to spend your later years eating more than yogurt and apple sauce, invest in some floss. No matter how thoroughly or long you brush your teeth, you’re missing a good portion of their total surface. That’s like washing one armpit after a workout. But the dangers of skipping floss go beyond hygiene: The bacteria that linger can increase your risk of heart disease.

8: Take a Deep Belly Breath

Do this anywhere, anytime. Push out your bellows and suck air through your nose until your lungs are full. They’ll fill with nitric oxide, a chemical found in the back of your nose that opens up blood vessels. The dose of oxygen will make you feel happier and more alert. This is my secret technique for calming down in the face of challenges.

9: Join a Yoga Class

Yoga is the most important exercise of my daily routine. Being surrounded by beautiful women in spandex should be reason enough to join a class, but if you need more motivation, consider this: Yoga eases stress, lowers blood pressure, slows heart rate and increases flexibility. There’s nothing mystical about it. Loosening your muscles will make them more adaptable, so you may be less likely to injure yourself playing sports. Sure, some of the poses may look ridiculous, but that’s for a reason. Yoga can reach and work muscles that are ignored during routine sports and daily life. My favorite maneuver is the sun salutation.

10: Don’t Be an Island

Ever wonder why women live longer than men? One major reason is that they form tight networks and actually talk about their problems. If you face life’s stresses alone, you will make yourself older. With another person’s love and support, the inner aging associated with stress can be reduced.

11: Avoid Fad Diets

The secret to weight loss is not to avoid carbs, fats, yellow foods, solid foods or foods that start with the letter G. The real trick is to lower your daily intake by about 100 calories. You’ll hardly notice, but it’ll add up to a loss of about 10 pounds in a year. Calorie restriction has been shown to lengthen life (in rats and monkeys). I cut back once a year to reset my appetite and taste buds. Healthy foods taste great afterwards.

12: Be a Smart Patient

Professionals can help keep you in good health, but the responsibility ultimately falls on you. Seek a second opinion before undergoing any medical procedure, because 30 percent of the time, that opinion will change the diagnosis or plan. Keep a written medical history and educate yourself about any family problems. You might even consider signing onto Microsoft HealthVault or Google Health, so your files would be accessible in case you find yourself in trouble away from home. natural awakenings

June 2013

13: Lose the Beer Belly

Most men fasten their belts below their waists. It’s just another way of avoiding the truth about their gut. Grab a tape measure and put it around your body at the level of your belly button. That number should be less than half your height. For my six-foot, one-inch frame, for example, I need to keep my waist under 36.5 inches. If avoiding heart attacks and diabetes isn’t enough motivation to eliminate that gut, consider this: For every point your body mass index is over 25, your testosterone drops 3 percent, which isn’t very manly.

14: Go Green

I drink green tea three times a day. It’s packed with heart-boosting and cancer-stopping polyphenols that black tea doesn’t offer. These beneficial chemicals are lost when it’s fermented. Green tea also delivers a boost of alertness, but from a smaller dose of caffeine than black tea. Green tea can even fight dandruff, although only if you pour the cooled tea directly onto your scalp.

15: Sweat Until You’re Wet

If you can work up a sweat for just one hour a week, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits, including a reduced risk of heart attack, better mood and lower blood pressure. I like interval training on the elliptical, with 15 pull-ups and 15 dips after every 10 minutes. Your muscles will become more efficient, so you’ll have more stamina for more enjoyable activities that also work up a sweat.

16: Save Some Money

Most people rank personal finance as their number one stressor, usually because they feel powerless about it. Stress not only shortens lives, it also drives people to habits like smoking, drinking or binge eating. Keep some money in a special bank account, safe from your lust for a new television, and you’ll establish an emotional comfort zone with major health benefits.

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

17: Have as Much Sex as Possible

If a 50-something man could have sex 700 times a year, the exercise and stress reduction would make him look and feel years younger. I wouldn’t recommend quitting your day job in order to hit that number—but what’s the harm in trying? The next time your loved one says she has a headache, tell her she’s literally killing you. It works for me.

18: Know Your Numbers, then Aim Lower

Take the part of your brain dedicated to your local steak house’s phone number and reassign it to your heart’s vital signs. These include blood pressure (which ideally should be below 115 over 75), LDL cholesterol (under 100), resting heart rate (under 70), and fasting blood sugar (under 100). If your numbers aren’t ideal, change your diet until they improve.

19: Add Some Weights

Just 30 minutes twice a week spent lifting weights can build significant muscle mass. What’s more, working all that muscle burns tons of calories, making it a great way to lose your gut, too. Don’t have weights? Try lifting yourself: Pull-ups are the most valuable muscle-building exercises I do. Trainer Bob Greene pointed out to me that pull-ups work the back, pecs, arms and belly all at once. Because you’re lifting yourself, you’ll think twice before eating that doughnut, because you’ll just have to lift it later. A simple setup in a door frame is convenient and inexpensive.

20: Grab Your Nuts

Nuts are among the best sources of healthful fats and protein around. I keep a bag of walnuts in my fridge and use their massive dose of omega-3 fatty acids to boost my brainpower while I see patients. Half of a handful eaten about 30 minutes before a meal will temper your appetite and help you avoid the drive-thru.

21: No, Seriously, Grab Your Nuts

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15 to 35, but it’s usually curable if caught early enough. I strongly urge you to grab your testicles and check them for bumps at least once a month. Each testicle should feel smooth and slightly soft, and one should hang slightly lower than the other, like two avocados (which, in Aztec, actually means “testicles”) growing on a tree.

22: Hit the Dance Floor

Crosswords and card games aren’t the only way to keep a brain razor sharp. It turns out that any kind of dancing with complex moves is stimulating enough to give neurons a workout. Even the simplest moves provide some physical exercise. So don’t be such a wallflower on your next night out. As a bonus, dancing may help you with tip number 17.

23: Do Your Penis a Favor

Step on a treadmill. Men who exercise enough to burn 200 calories a day significantly lower their chances of impotence. That’s because impotence often has the same cause as heart attacks: blocked arteries. Your penis is like a dipstick for your arteries, so check it. If you’re interested in keeping it up later in life, lace up the sneakers now.

24: Learn to Cook

Do you think you know how much butter goes into preparing those mashed potatoes at a restaurant? You’re probably off by half. If you can cook, you not only save money, but also gain control over what goes into your meals. Plus, for most women, a man who knows how to cook is as sexy as one who stars in movies. I have trouble boiling water. Thankfully, I’m already married.

25: Some Pills Should Be Popped

The indoor life gives modern man protection from the elements. Unfortunately, roughly half of us are deficient in vitamin D, for which the sun is a major source. This crucial vitamin may aid in fighting cancer, diabetes and heart disease. I take a 1,000 IU supplement each morning.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK According to information found in the Congressional Record (S.J. Res. 179), many men are reluctant to visit their health center or physician for regular screening examinations for reasons ranging from fear to lack of information or cost. Dr. Harvey Simon, author of The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men’s Health, says that 30 percent of American men don’t have a regular doctor and that many of those men fall into two mentalities: n The John Wayne mentality: The macho idea holds that men have to be strong and just grit their teeth and not think about their vulnerabilities, but go straight ahead. n Ostrich mentality: Afraid to face up to their vulnerabilities, these men feel that by putting their head in the sand, maybe the problem(s) will all just go away. Dr. Simon suggests that such attitudes, combined with other risky or foolish behavior, could be responsible for the shorter life expectancy of men compared to women.

Dr. Mehmet Oz is a professor of cardiac surgery at Columbia University and a founder of the Complementary Medicine Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He is co-author of the award-winning Healing from the Heart: A Leading Surgeon Combines Eastern and Western Traditions to Create the Medicine of the Future and YOU: The Owner’s Manual: An Insider’s Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger. He frequently appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and currently hosts The Dr. Oz Show. natural awakenings

June 2013

LIFE LIFT Being Happy from the Inside Out by Judith Fertig

An age-old question rides a new wave of bestseller lists, university research and governmental soul-searching. The answers to “What are the secrets of a happy life?” might surprise us.

“

appiness is the only true measure of personal success,” advises Geoffrey James, of Hollis, New Hampshire, author of How to Say It: Business to Business Selling. His work confirms that the rollercoaster world of business does not always promote a sense of well-being. James believes, “The big enemy of happiness is worry, which comes from focusing on events that are outside your control.” For him, something as simple as a good night’s sleep contributes to personal happiness. Each of us has certain things that help make us feel positive, and they often come in small moments, advises Ed Diener, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Illinois and author of Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Based on 25 years of research into the subject, he’s a recognized expert in what he calls “subjective well-being.” In a recent six-part BBC series on happiness, Diener told viewers, “It may

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

sound silly, but we ask people, ‘How happy are you, on a scale of one to 10?’ The interesting thing is that it produces real answers that are valid—not perfect, but valid—and they predict all sorts of real things in their lives.”

Getting to Happy

The moment-to-moment path to happiness follows a trail blazed by paradox. A recent University of Missouri College of Business study by Marsha Richins, Ph.D., suggests that happiness is in the wanting, not the getting. As noted Positive Psychologist Martin Seligman, Ph.D., remarks, “Focusing solely on happiness as a foundation of a good life,” won’t get you there. Gretchen Rubin, the New York City-based author of The Happiness Project and Happier at Home, further finds that, “Happiness doesn’t always make you feel happy.” Trying each day to be emotionally centered, affable, kind, conscientious, generous, patient, principled, accomplished, spiritual and

true to yourself—the kind of person that should be happy and that makes other people happy—can be tough. Widespread economic and associated financial challenges have made many question whether money can buy happiness, a common core assumption of the “happiness starts on the outside” approach. Apparently, money can sometimes buy feelings of well-being, but only to a certain degree, according to researchers Angus Deaton and Daniel Kahneman, at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs. In 2010, they surveyed 450,000 randomly chosen residents across the country via daily questionnaires. The study revealed that, “Low income exacerbates the emotional pain associated with such misfortunes as divorce, ill health and being alone.” Yet they also discovered that, “High income buys life satisfaction, but not happiness,” and there is no further progress in happiness beyond an annual income of $75,000 (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). On the other side of the world, in the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan, where 70 percent of its 717,000 citizens are subsistence farmers and an annual income of $75,000 would be considered a fortune, people say they are generally happy, partly due to the nation’s “happiness starts on the inside” philosophy. Since 1971, Bhutan has been operating based on a gross domestic happiness (GDH) value system. Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley explains that the country has focused on growing both materially and spiritually, and citizen well-being has taken precedence over economic growth. For decades, this was deemed an oddity by many in the West, although now it appears prescient. “It’s easy to mine the land and fish the seas and get rich,” says Thakur Singh Powdyel, Bhutan’s minister of education. “Yet we believe you cannot have a prosperous nation in the long run that does not conserve its natural environment or take care of the well-being of its people, which is being borne out by what is happening to the outside world.” The country measures its success in maintaining GDH by conducting regular surveys of the population. The reigning

official definition of happiness involves peace, contentment and living in harmony with all creation. Seligman, author of Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being, has become a believer in GDH. “How can you measure well-being in a person, a family, a country or globally?” he queries. Research by Seligman and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, points to four basic elements: positive emotion, relationships, meaning in life and accomplishment, or PERMA. Seligman says there are proven ways to improve each element. For positive emotion, writing down three “blessings”, or things that went well that day, can increase our feelings of gratitude and well-being. For relationships, actively listening and being present for a loved one and having that attention returned can strengthen those bonds. Increasing meaning in our lives, says Seligman, can be a challenge for Westerners. “We have threadbare spiritual and relationship furniture. We have too much ‘I’ and not enough ‘we,’” he says. But getting involved in something that increases the “we” factor will help make us happier.

Nurturing Signature Strengths

Self-surveys at AuthenticHappiness. com can help us identify our strengths and realize what we’re especially good at—and we increase our feelings of accomplishment by doing more of them. “You can even figure out how to do the task you like least by using your signature strength,” Seligman advises. He shares an example of a grocery store cashier that disliked bagging groceries, but was exceptional at

If I become happy and it makes you happy, it is like tipping the first domino so the next one falls and that happiness spreads. ~ James Fowler, economic behaviorist, University of California-San Diego social interaction. She made herself happier by chatting with her customers while she packed their selections. Lara Blair, a portrait photographer in Camas, Washington, believes in celebrating strengths. “If making things is what you love, give it the space in your brain, home and life that it deserves.” Blair’s seminars and retreats help people tap ways to increase feelings of creativity, accomplishment and meaning. “If you nurture it and believe that growing this beautiful thing is worth the effort, the rewards will be more than you ever dreamed,” she says. When, as a happily married lawyer with children, Rubin thought her life was missing something vital, she used her love for reading and writing to explore that wistful, “What if?” She started researching subjective happiness via Marcus Aurelius, Samuel Johnson, Benjamin Franklin and St. Thérèse de Lisieux, whom Rubin refers to as her “spiritual master.” She decided to testdrive her findings at Happiness-Project. com and began blogging about new ways of thinking and behaving that were bringing her and her readers greater selfrealization and contentment. “A great place to start is with your own body,” she counsels. “Are you

Make your community a little GREENER … Support our advertisers For every $100 spent in locally owned business, $68 returns to the community source: the350project.net

getting enough sleep? Are you getting good food to eat? When you take care of those very basic things, you feel energized, and then you can start moving to address other issues.”

Sustaining Happiness

Once we’ve upped our happiness quotient, it can still be difficult to stay at that level, says Kennon Sheldon, professor of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri, in Columbia. In a recent study conducted with researchers at the University of California-Riverside, Sheldon and his colleagues found that by both recognizing that the desire for “more” and “better” in our lives won’t stop and also appreciating what we have, we’ll stay happy. It’s equally vital to continually keep things fresh, with positive new experiences at home, work, play and exercise, as well as in relationships. In other words, sustained happiness takes a little work. “Just before going to bed,” suggests James, “write down at least one wonderful thing that happened that day. It may be anything from making a child laugh to a big sale. Whatever it is, be grateful for the present day, because it will never come again.” The benefits of individual wellbeing radiate to those around us, notes Seligman. “When individuals are flourishing, they are more productive at work, physically healthier and at peace.” He believes that as we find ways to increase positive emotion, relationships, meaning in life and individual accomplishment, it’s possible for life on Earth to flourish. Judith Fertig is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

Natural Handmade Soaps, Bath & Skin Products We use only Natural Oils and Butters like Olive, Avocado, Jojoba and Shea.

We DO NOT use Petrochemicals, Preservatives, Alcohol or Nanoparticles.

Beth DeAntonia • (609) 462-6763 DolceVitaBath@comcast.net • DolceVitaBathProducts.com natural awakenings

June 2013

RESTORE

healingways

your health with Acupuncture, the fastest growing health care method in America. Specializing in treatment for Pain, OBGYN, Cancer Support & Wellness

COLORING OUR WORLD

June Special Receive a Complimentary Treatment When You Purchase 5. Call for details.

Jim Slaymaker, L.AC 405 Rte. 130 N • East Windsor

609-616-2281

Jim@Acupuncture2Heal.com Acupuncture2Heal.com

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched— they must be felt with the heart. ~Helen Keller

Help Us Serve You Better

We are committed to readership satisfaction! Please share your feedback by taking our short survey.

NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/survey 20

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

How Hues Can Help and Heal by Judith Fertig

From relaxing in a hot tub amidst sparkling blue lights to sleeping soundly surrounded by soft-green walls, we continuously experience the subtle influence of colors in our surroundings.

hile humans have long appreciated nature’s chromatic displays, it wasn’t until 1666 that Sir Isaac Newton proved that white light from the sun refracted through a prism separates into the individual bandwidths we perceive as hues. A growing body of research by physicians, environmentalists, psychologists and alternative medicine specialists is now exploring how color—as light and pigment—can affect people physically, mentally and emotionally. According to Pakistani research physicists Samina T. Yousuf Azeemi and S. Mohsin Raza, working from the University of Balochistan, “Colors generate electrical impulses and magnetic currents or fields of energy that are prime activators of the biochemical and hormonal processes in the human body.” Different colors cause different reactions, from stimulating cells to suppressing the production of melatonin. Published in the journal EvidenceBased Complementary Alternative Medicine, Azeemi and Raza’s photobiology research, applied as chromotherapy, supports premises of ancient Chinese, Egyptian and ayurvedic healing traditions in which color is intrinsic to healing: for example, red increases circula-

tion; yellow stimulates nerves; orange increases energy; and blue and green soothe everything from skin irritations to anxiety. Blue light can reset our biological clocks. Although electric light attempts to mimic natural sunlight, the body does not sense it that way, according to findings published in Environmental Health Perspectives. During the day, artificial light with more blue wavelengths may help improve the performance of students and employees working indoors; at night, a reduction of the blue portion in artificial lighting provided for shift workers could protect against sleep disturbances. The irony, notes Science Writer David C. Holzman, of Lexington, Massachusetts, is that applications of blue light are now used to cure some of the very things it can cause— sleeplessness and depression. Sonya Nutter, a Kansas City mother of three elementary schoolchildren, can attest to the soothing effect of blue light when soaking in her

Kohler chromotherapy tub in the dark: “It’s even better than lavender scent for calming,” she says. “Color clearly has aesthetic value, but it can also carry specific meaning and information,” says Andrew J. Elliot, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, in New York. He and a team of researchers concluded that, “Seeing red is not good before [taking] a test measuring performance” (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General). In contrast, they found that seeing green enhances creative performance. Photodynamic therapy, a recently developed, non-invasive cancer treatment, involves injections of a light-sensitive solution, followed by shining laseremitted blue light on internal tumors or light-emitting diodes (LED) on surface tumors. A National Cancer Institute fact sheet explains how such light kills cancer cells and shrinks tumors. Based on the success of NASA experiments and research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, red LED lights are also helping cancer patients deal with sore mouths associated with chemotherapy

Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. ~ Pablo Picasso and radiation used for bone marrow and stem cell transplants. Treating diabetic ulcers is another application, according to a 2012 study in the Journal of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes of South Africa. Red light sessions at many medical spas help rejuvenate aging skin by stimulating collagen production. Color as pigment can convey subtle cues to influence our perceptions, attitudes and behavior. In a study conducted at England’s Oxford University and Spain’s Polytechnic University of Valencia, for example, participants believed that hot chocolate tasted better in orange mugs than any other color, with white scoring lowest. “Color associations are so strong and embedded so deeply that people are predisposed to certain reactions” when they see a color, explains Elliot, a learned association that is often culturally based. Because color can engender

Looking for More Help?

LOOK HERE!

individual emotional response, it plays a major role in one’s preferences in surroundings, including wall colors, furnishings and appliances. Pantone, a leading provider of color systems to businesses worldwide, annually recommends a specific color that it feels best connects with the current zeitgeist, or prevailing spirit and mood, so that manufacturers of paints, kitchenware and fabric will produce the look people will want to have around them. In 2011 Pantone picked a vibrant pink. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explained that “In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits, a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going.” Now sensing greater optimism, their 2013 color choice is a vivid emerald, described as “lively, radiant and lush… a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.” Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com.

Come Visit Our Farm

For over 22 years, BEA’S HOME SERVICES oﬀeres personable, reliable, and reasonably priced cleaning and housekeeping services. From Princeton to Pennsylvania, our experienced, honest, hardworking employees strive for your satisfaction. Our quality services are flexible to meet your needs. • Residential and Commercial • Post Construction Cleaning • Move in/Move out Cleaning • Carpet Cleaning

Ask about GREEN Cleaning Options

Call Bea TODAY! 609-278-5100 Check our web site for upcoming events, classes, and farm store hours.

1030 North Olden Avenue • Trenton (609) 278-5100 BHSClean@yahoo.com • BeasHomeServices.com

www.cherrygrovefarm.com 3200 Lawrenceville Rd. Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 natural awakenings

June 2013

fitbody

The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art. ~ Leonardo da Vinci

WStep ALK T HIS W AY Up to Barefoot Benefits by Randy Kambic

arefoot walking conjures images of children playing in open fields and families strolling on a beach, yet it can also embrace many other settings as part of a health and fitness routine and lifestyle of optimum wellness. As Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee attest in their new book, Barefoot Walking, “It’s not just physical; it’s soothing on an emotional and spiritual level.” In adults, many muscles in our feet may have weakened and atrophied due to disuse from wearing shoes, which substitute the support and mobility that our bodies’ lower parts were created to provide. Years of wearing tight-fitting shoes or high heels can also hamper bone density and proper alignment of each foot’s 28 bones; produce aches and pains in knees, back and neck; and constrict circulation to legs and feet, a condition compounded by desk jobs. Here are some tips in preparing to go shoeless: Work out feet. Prevention.com advises working to individually wiggle each toe; touch and rub each in its entirety; and flex and move both feet in as many different ways as possible. This will help them better absorb and distribute weight. Then, suggest Sandler and Lee, try “grabbing” exercises for toes, picking up round objects ranging in size from golf balls to baseballs. Also practice arch lifts, calf raises and ankle rolls.

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

Check it out. Walk around a room and note if the weight upon landing moves from the heel to the big toe right away; if so, try shifting bodyweight while walking so that the pressure proceeds from the heel to the little toe and then across to the big toe. This maximizes functioning of the entire foot and keeps the arch from collapsing inward. This subtle change helps support knees, the pelvic floor and even abdominal muscles. Fields, dirt trails and beaches are ideal sites to start walking barefoot. Repeated skin-to-ground contact also coincides with grounding, or earthing, a therapy that connects a being with Earth’s electrical field. The concept is that this allows negatively charged free electrons to enter and eliminate free radicals, the positively charged particles that may cause diseases and inflammation. When we’re in shoes, “We’re separated [from the Earth] by an inch of rubber, which is a fantastic resistor to electricity,” the co-authors point out. Because barefoot walking stimulates foot nerve endings, it’s also a form of self-reflexology, helping to lower blood pressure and anxiety while bolstering the immune system. For all these reasons, enthusiasts conjecture that it’s wise to follow in the natural footsteps of healers past and present that have chosen to walk this way. Sandler provides special tips on getting started for some specific groups:

Children: “They haven’t had their feet weakened by wearing shoes for many years, so let them develop their own style.” Pregnant women: Start with a tiger walk technique (land with the heel barely off the ground, focusing on grabbing traction with the toes) for as much stability and fullest contact with the ground as possible. Seniors: Use a walk and roll technique (lift the forefoot up before gently landing heel first) to keep weight directly beneath the body’s center of gravity. “Some seniors are fearful of going barefoot; concerned their feet are soft and sensitive. But they find that it actually helps them regain balance, coordination and body-brain connections.” A key to expanding onto terrains like gravel and pavement while avoiding injury is to build up stronger plantar skin on the bottom of the feet, because it is “600 percent stronger than skin elsewhere and can grow even thicker, up to half an inch, but only if you use it,” according to Sandler and Lee. “Going about barefoot stimulates additional skin growth (layering) and pushes the moisture out of the skin (strengthening), which together, thicken the soles of your feet.” Other basic tips to avoid injury include: go slow, build foot strength, focus on form, learn to rest, inspect feet daily for potential nicks or scratches and see a physician if in doubt about anything. “Once you’re aware of your surroundings and have toughened up your feet, you’ll avoid most sharp objects and be relatively shielded from the rest,” advise Sandler and Lee, who see the activity as a big step toward greater overall health awareness. “You’ll learn more about your body… what’s right and what’s not, what’s working and what can be improved.” Randy Kambic, in Estero, FL, is a freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

inspiration

ing to the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry think tank. Parents should consider various points of view and develop contingency plans.

Return to Childhood

Rearing kids presents the opportunity to reread favorite childhood books and disappear back into imaginative worlds.

Creativity

A.A. Milne (author of the Winnie the Pooh books) and J.K. Rowling (of Harry Potter fame) first wrote for their kids. We may also be inspired to play an instrument or take up an art form learned as a child while encouraging our children in their music or art lessons.

Reordering Priorities

The Fatherhood Factor

How Raising Children Changes Men by Armin Brott

ecoming a father is one of the most defining benchmarks in a man’s life. In their research, University of California-Berkeley Psychology Professors Phil Cowan, Ph.D., and Carolyn Cowan, Ph.D., found that when asked how important each aspect of life felt over a two-year study period, childless men surveyed showed a significant increase in the “partner/lover” aspect. But young fathers squeezed that facet into a smaller life space to accommodate the significant increase in the “parent” element. Here are a few highlights from what relevant studies by Oregon State University, in Corvallis, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Switzerland’s University of Zurich say about how fatherhood changes men.

Confidence and Pride

Having a close relationship with our child helps build mutual confidence

and self-esteem. Turning a child’s tears into laughter and feeling proud when he does well confirms that we’re on our way to being a successful father. Albeit briefly, a child may even share our tastes in culture, entertainment and other areas before mapping his own individuality, but some common attitudes and interests will remain.

Patience and Humor

When something goes wrong, we can take it seriously and try to change things, or roll with it and laugh. Doing the latter can increase compassion for our own and others’ mistakes.

Flexible Thinking

Early on, it may be nearly impossible to differentiate the needs of our child and partner from our own. In reality, needs are to varying degrees in opposition, thus imposing frustrations and sorrows and forcing mutual adaptation, accord-

Raising kids produces a heightened awareness of others’ perspectives, reports University of Delaware researcher Rob Palkovitz, Ph.D. Many guys admit that they were somewhat selfish and self-centered before having kids, because having people depend on you and putting their needs before yours doesn’t come naturally. (Palkovitz notes that marriage alone doesn’t trigger this realization.)

Changing Values

Becoming a father prompts a hard look at one’s fundamental beliefs and values. Our view of what seemed harmless when we were younger, like not caring about money or possessions and potentially harmful lifestyle choices, changes completely when there’s a family to support. We see the world differently. Our health and well-being are no longer just personal concerns; they’re integral to our family. Interestingly, more mature new fathers—having had more time to hone their philosophy of life—report less of a need for fresh soul-searching than younger fathers. Superdad Armin Brott has been building better fathers for a decade through his blog, bestselling books and American Forces Network radio show. Learn more at MrDad.com and Tinyurl.com/MrDadApp.

natural awakenings

June 2013

A NEW DAY A NEW APP

healthykids

Dad & Daughter Dates Making the Most of Cherished Time Together by Clint Kelly

T Enjoy Natural Awakenings on the GO! Your healthy living, healthy planet lifestyle app for the iPhone & iPad. • NATIONAL DIRECTORY

find healthy/green businesses with directions

• THIS MONTH

all new content

• ARTICLE ARCHIVES

search thousands of topics by keyword

• HEALTHY KIDS • NATURAL PETS • EN ESPAÑOL

buscar articulos en Español

Search iTunes app store for “Natural Awakenings” and download our FREE app! 24

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

he ancient Greek playwright Euripides, renowned for his Greek tragedies portraying strong female characters, was likely a decent dad. He wrote, “To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter.” Entrepreneur and life coach Greg Wright, of Austin, Texas, updates the concept of this precious relationship in Daddy Dates: Four Daughters, One Clueless Dad, and His Quest to Win Their Hearts. He says that before the age of 30, God gave him a lovely wife; four girls, or “beginner ladies”; and a succinct mission statement: “Don’t mess up.” Possessing an overwhelming compassion and protective instinct for each of his children, Wright decided early on “to teach them the right way to date and to treasure their specialness as much as I do.” One of his chief assignments was respectfully modeling good dating habits for his daughters, a talent that doesn’t necessarily come naturally to dads. They may understand how significant a fathering relationship is to her self-worth in becoming a dauntless and independent adult, but may be uncertain how to make a proper investment spiritually and emotionally.

Healthcare marketing executive David Kinard, of Seattle, Washington, invests heavily in both his son and daughter. Having grown up in a separated family with no fatherly role model, he has focused on spending time with both kids, and knows it’s especially important for a girl. “I wanted my daughter to know that I loved her for who she was and not for anything she said or did, and that she didn’t need to give her body away to find love.” He felt the best way to convey these truths was to provide dedicated time together. Wednesdays were without fail their date nights, beginning at age 4; dates are less frequent now that his daughter is 16, but even when the relationship feels at odds, dates have consistently brought them together. “She always got to choose where we went to dinner,” Kinard recalls. “We’d sit for a long time, eat our favorite foods and play a silly card game.” They talked about anything, nothing, everything. “She glows when she talks about past dates,” he continues. “I have earned the ability to talk with her about the more sensitive subjects in her life such as boys, sex, friends and family.”

Seattle Pacific University Alumni Director Ken Cornell believes that bonding through dating his two girls, ages 14 and 17, is a true privilege. He says the same is true of his wife of 27 years. “It is so important to get away from the routine, to focus on each other,” Cornell remarks. “It’s amazing what is said when we give space for a relationship to deepen.” His younger daughter believes, “It’s confidence building; it makes me stronger to be with someone who believes and has hope in me.” Dressing up on occasion, holding the door open and allowing her to order for herself show respect and make her feel treasured. Later, if she doesn’t get that same level of respect on a first date with a boy, she will be less likely to schedule a second. Cornell often worries that he doesn’t model enough of the love and honor his girls deserve. He finds grace in prayer. “I ask God regularly for wisdom and forgiveness to help me steward my relationship with my daughters and wife.” The writer’s own family of six, including two daughters, has a long history of carving out precious time for refreshing fun. It naturally evolved from

Ideal Dates 101

movies and petting zoos when they were young to canoeing and college campus events as they grew up. “My boyfriends knew that if we were going to last, they had to impress my dad,” remembers our youngest daughter Amy, today a wife and esthetician living in Medina, Ohio. “It was important to know that my dad cared enough to engage in my life. When college life was chaotic, it was comforting to have a dad close to my heart. Our dates through the years allowed us to share stories, secrets and sorrows, and to laugh.” Clint Kelly’s books include Dare to Raise Exceptional Children.

Natural Awakenings Singles Site

Single?

Ready to Meet Your Natural Match?

ccess many thousands of health-conscious, eco-minded, spiritual singles now!

Join for free and manifest an extraordinary, enlightened relationship. Spring is in the air; be proactive by joining today. Your soul mate is waiting to meet you!

Some of these activities may bring out the twinkle in any daughter’s eyes. Join an ethnic cooking class. Then watch a DVD set in the corresponding country or region. Be a Sport. Suggest doubles tennis or ride a bicycle built for two. Volunteer at a local charity. Help others and then stop at the ice cream parlor on the way home. Make a home drive-in. Decorate cardboard boxes together so they look like favorite cars. Then sit in them to watch fun movies like Toy Story or Up… and pass the heirloom popcorn. Paint some pottery. Many ceramics stores offer lessons. Make individual or joint artistic creations that can become home decorations and visual memories. Shop at the dollar store. Secretly spend one dollar on each other, and then unveil the gifts over a frozen yogurt treat. Gotcha! Arrange with her school for her to leave school early for a surprise lunch date.

We do it all While alWays offering you “green options”

From Top To Bottom, In & Out

We repair, install or replace: doors, all types of tiles, hardwood, carpeting, molding, rotted wood, sheetrock, pavers and decks. Powerwashing • Prime & Paint • Water Proofing Finish Basements • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

RemembeR “We do it all” so you don’t have to! and yes, we even clean windows, change batteries & light bulbs! no job too big... no job too small We Do it all!!

We do it all

home improvements & Repairs

llC

Call, text or email us today for a Free estimate

NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com

609-937-2122 • WeDoItAll4U2@gmail.com LIC #13VH06769500 • Insured

natural awakenings

June 2013

consciouseating

Since 1944

Dolce & Clemente’s is the Premier Italian Specialty Food Store Walking through the front door of Dolce & Clemente’s fills your senses with a delicate aroma of our finely prepared Italian and International Cuisines. Come ask Joe about his Freshest, Healthiest, Home-made Meatballs

Whether you choose to take your selections home, enjoy them here, or have your occasion catered, your palette will be delighted. Homemade Sauces Fresh Cuts of Pasta Daily Lunch Specials Oven Ready Dinners Homemade Hearty Soups Over 250 Hand Cut Cheeses from around the world Imported Antipasto Selections Olives Homemade Sopressata Dry Cured Sausages Hand-Pulled Fresh Mozzarella Freshly Baked Bread, baked right here: Cheese, Olive, Raisin-Fennel, and Seeded Twist are just a few Pastries • Cookies • Cakes Specialty Frozen Fruits Gelatos Our In-House Chocolatier creates Chocolate Masterpieces from Decadent Confections to Fresh Dipped Fruits

Eat In • Take Out Catering Banquet Facilites 2 North Commerce Square • Robbinsville, NJ 08691 DolceAndClementes.com • (609) 259-0072

Grow, Pick, Grill Making the Most of Summer’s Bounty by Claire O’Neil

n outdoor spaces from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Arch Cape, Oregon, produce is growing and grill embers are glowing. Growing a garden and grilling its bounty have never been more popular. For the first time since 1944, when 20 million “Victory” gardeners produced 44 percent of the fresh vegetables in the United States, food gardening is outdistancing flower gardening. In its latest survey of garden retailers, the National Gardening Association found that consumers’ spending for growing their own food hit $2.7 billion, versus $2.1 billion for flowers. Barbecuing grill chefs are expanding their repertoire beyond grass-fed burgers and steaks. More vegetables and fruit are being grilled now than in the past, according to the latest annual survey by leading grill manufacturer Weber. This all makes sense to Karen Adler and Judith Fertig, co-authors of The Gardener & the Grill. They’ve observed that when the bounty of the garden meets the sizzle of the grill, delicious things happen. “Natural sugars in vegetables and fruits caramelize,” says Adler. “Essential oils in fresh herbs become more aromatic. The colors of fruits and vegetables stay more vivid when grilled, rather than when cooked any other way.” “Grilling gives even familiar foods an exciting new makeover,” notes Fertig. For example, by cutting a head of cabbage into quarters, brushing each cut side with olive oil and then grilling and chopping, the backyard chef infuses a grill flavor into a favorite coleslaw. Flatbreads, patted out from prepared whole-grain or gluten-free pizza dough, can be brushed with olive oil, grilled on both sides and then topped with flavorful garden goodies. Simple fruits like peaches and plums—simply sliced in half, pitted and grilled—yield fresh taste sensations, especially cradling a scoop of frozen yogurt. A quick foray to the garden or farmers’ market can provide just the right colorful, flavorful edge to any summer barbecue. Claire O’Neil is a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO.

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

Kale, Potato and Chorizo Pizza. photo by Steve Legato

We Poudly Carry and Prepare the Finest Natural and Organic Selections

Fresh on the Grill Hearty but not heavy, this pizza takes kale (or alternatively, Swiss chard or collard greens) and onions from the garden, and then adds vegetarian chorizo to accent. Yields 4 servings 1 pound fresh whole grain or gluten-free pizza dough ¼ cup whole grain or gluten-free flour for sprinkling 4 new potatoes, cooked and thinly sliced 8 kale leaves Olive oil, for brushing and drizzling Grapeseed oil for brushing the grill rack 8 oz cooked and crumbled vegetarian chorizo (Portuguese or other spicy sausage optional) ½ cup chopped green onion (white and light green parts) Coarse freshly ground black pepper Prepare a hot fire on one side of the grill for indirect cooking. Oil a perforated grill rack with grapeseed oil and place over direct heat. Divide the dough into four equal parts. Sprinkle with whole grain or glutenfree flour and press or roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Sprinkle flour of

choice on two large baking sheets and place two rounds of dough on each sheet. Brush the potatoes with olive oil, place on the perforated grill rack and grill for 15 minutes, turning often, or until tender before topping the pizza. Brush the kale with olive oil. Grill leaves for 1 minute on each side or until slightly charred and softened. Quickly trim off the bottom of the stalk and strip the leaves from the stems. Finely chop the leaves and set aside. Brush one side of each pizza with olive oil and place, oiled side down, on the direct heat side of the grill grate. Grill for 1 to 2 minutes or until the dough starts to bubble. Brush the top side with olive oil and flip each pizza round, using tongs, onto a baking sheet. Quickly brush pizza rounds with additional olive oil, and then spoon on one-fourth of the sliced potato and grilled kale. Sprinkle toppings of sausage and green onion. Drizzle a bit more overall olive oil and season with pepper. Using a grill spatula, place each pizza on the indirect side of the fire. Cover and grill for 4 to 5 minutes or until the kale has slightly wilted and the topping is hot. Serve hot.

Handy Garden-to-Grill Gadgets

n Long-handled grill tongs and a spatula help the cook handle foods on the grill like a pro. n Barbecue mitts protect hands and arms from the heat.

n A perforated grill rack, akin to a cookie sheet with holes, placed directly on the grill grates, keeps smaller vegetables and tender fish fillets from falling through.

n A grill wok is perfect for stir-grilling foods outdoors, a complement to indoor stir-frying.

n A sturdy, stiff, grill brush makes short work of cleaning the grill grates after each use.

photo by Steve Legato

Kale, Potato and Chorizo Pizza

Grilled Peaches with Lemon Balm Gremolata

This recipe is simple, yet full of flavor. A traditional gremolata condiment includes parsley, lemon zest and garlic, but this sweeter version finds deliciousness in fruit. Using a microplane grater culls the flavorful yellow part of the lemon rind without the bitter white pith. Chopping the herbs with the lemon zest make the flavors blend together better. Yields 4 servings ¼ cup packed lemon balm leaves or 1 Tbsp packed mint leaves ½ tsp lemon zest Pinch kosher or sea salt 4 peaches, halved and pitted Prepare a medium-hot fire in the grill. Chop the lemon balm or mint and lemon zest together until very fine. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the leaves and chop again. Set aside in a small bowl. Place the peach halves cut-side down on the grill. Grill 4 to 6 minutes, turning once, until they are tender and slightly blistered. To serve, place two peach halves in each guest’s bowl and sprinkle the lemon balm gremolata over all of them. Source: Recipes adapted from The Gardener & the Grill.

natural awakenings

June 2013

photo by Steve Legato

Baja Fish Tacos

Fresh fish tacos with a twist are a healthy treat. Tip: Assemble the raw slaw ingredients before grilling the cabbage, which cooks simultaneously with the fish. Yields 4 servings Grilled Napa Cabbage Slaw Taco Topping 1 large head Napa cabbage, cut in half lengthwise Grapeseed oil, for brushing 1 cup assorted baby greens, such as spinach, oak leaf lettuce or Boston lettuce 8 green onions, chopped (white and green parts) ¼ cup tarragon vinegar ¼ cup sour cream ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ tsp fine kosher or sea salt Baja Fish 1½ lbs mahi mahi, catfish, halibut or other mild, non-farmed, white fish (about ¾-inch thick) ¼ cup blackened seasoning or other barbecue spice mixture 8 whole-wheat flour tortillas, for serving 8 lemon wedges, for serving 1½ cups of a favorite salsa, for serving Prepare a hot fire in the grill. Brush the cut sides of the Napa cabbage halves with oil. Coat the fish fillets 28

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

with the blackened seasoning or other selected spice mix. Grill the cabbage, cut-side down, directly over the fire for 2 to 3 minutes or until the cabbage shows good grill marks, then remove from heat. Grill the “flesh”, or cut side, of fish fillets first (not the skin side, which is darker because it is more delicate) directly over the fire for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the fish only once, and finish cooking with the skin side against the grate another 3 to 4 minutes, for 10 total minutes per inch of thickness (most fish fillets are about ¾-inch thick). Note: The skin side is last because it has more connective tissue and holds together better on the grill. Finish assembling the slaw. Thinly slice the grilled cabbage and place in a large bowl. Stir in the greens and green onions. Having earlier combined and mixed the vinegar, sour cream, lemon juice and salt for the slaw dressing in a small bowl, now pour it over the greens mixture. Toss to blend. Assemble the tacos by placing some of the grilled fish on each tortilla. Top each with about one-third cup of the slaw and roll up, soft taco-style. Serve with a lemon wedge and a small ramekin of salsa.

wisewords

they couldn’t see themselves being sufficiently successful at it, or their family discouraged it.

Reframing Personal Priorities

Is pursuing personal growth at odds with being a breadwinner?

Craig Hamilton Explores the Gender Gap in Spiritual Growth by Kim Childs

raig Hamilton is a writer, radio host and workshop leader devoted to helping people evolve their consciousness for the greater good. The former managing editor of What is Enlightenment? magazine, Hamilton went on to found Integral Enlightenment, an online education program for those on a contemporary spiritual path. Since then, thousands of people have participated in his courses and workshops, and the vast majority have been women. Natural Awakenings asked Hamilton for his insights on this trend.

What’s behind the gender imbalance in personal growth and enlightenment circles? Two years ago, I hosted a summit called The Way of the Evolutionary Man that included a discussion about why more men aren’t drawn to participate in these kinds of things. One of the main points made was that, while many Americans have focused on creating equality for women in the last 50 years, there hasn’t been a comparable men’s liberation movement. I know that some would say, “Why do we need that? Men are already the ones with the most power, freedom and privilege.” Yet it became clear during our discussion that men do not have freedom when it comes to choosing among valued social roles.

For example, a woman can feel valued whether she pursues a professional career or something else that we might call a path of the heart, such as following artistic passions, working for a nonprofit or serving as a teacher. But if men do such things, they risk losing value among women. Traditionally, women have wanted to be with men that are more economically successful than they are. If a man decides he wants to be an artist or a spiritual practitioner or follow what we might label a higher calling, he’s stepping out of traditionally validated activities for men. So the reason that more men aren’t putting more time into their personal growth could be that they’re not being valued for that.

What might it take to shift this phenomenon? If women want men to join them on paths of personal and spiritual growth, they might need to start in analyzing the part of themselves that says, “I want a man who makes more money than me, is successful and able to be the family provider.” Many women want their men to be conscious, sensitive, reflective and capable of profound intimacy, plus be a good provider. I’ve heard from some men that feel seriously pained about this. A few said that they always wanted to be, for example, a musician or a teacher, but

I teach a spiritual path that anyone can pursue in the midst of their busy life. It involves turning everything into a spiritual practice. It means observing your own motivations and distortions and experiencing a different relationship to life that’s no longer rooted in patterns of the past and the ego. I believe this work appeals to men because, while there is a meditative and interior dimension to it, the bigger part is calling people to step up in life and remove the obstacles inside themselves that keep them from playing their biggest game. Spiritual life isn’t about getting beyond this world; it’s about the evolution of our world through conscious participation. That’s something men and women alike can become inspired by and put their energy behind.

How can men be most effective in a changing world? In order to be truly effective, each person needs to do the necessary inner work. It’s not enough to focus on trying to do and accomplish and acquire without clarifying what’s getting in the way of your full self-expression and creative engagement. It’s easy to think about life in terms of our history, identity, desires and concerns, but that’s just a small part of who we are. At our deepest level, we are this unfolding evolutionary process that’s been going on for more than 13 billion years. Now we have the ability to participate in the greatest adventure of all, that of conscious evolution, growing into a future aligned with our highest ideals, visions and aspirations. While that is mobilizing generations of women, I am finding that it also speaks to the highest aspirations of men. Connect with Craig Hamilton at IntegralEnlightenment.com. Kim Childs is a writer and creativity coach in Boston. Visit KimChilds.com.

natural awakenings

June 2013

greenliving

GROW Your Business Secure this special ad placement! Contact us for more information.

609-249-9044 or LDBeveridge@ NAMercer.com

Traveling Volunteers Doing Good During Time Away by Avery Mack

en Budd, former executive director of AARP and current editorin-chief of Currents magazine, says, “I was approaching 40 when my dad died suddenly, and at the funeral, I heard people say how he’d changed their lives. So in midlife, I decided to change mine.”

Disaster Relief Budd, who lives with his wife in Burke, Virginia, says, “Not everyone can join the Peace Corps, but they might share a week or two of vacation time.” Nine months after Hurricane Katrina, Rebuilding Together was looking for unskilled labor to help in New Orleans. So he helped prep homes for incoming electricians, plumbers and carpenters, and then painted. He was hooked, and has subsequently volunteered in China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya and the West Bank. His awardwinning book, The Voluntourist, details his experiences. Megan Wieder, a high school senior in Titusville, Pennsylvania, mulched trails and painted park equipment and homes during her week in

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

New Orleans as a volunteer for People to People, which hosts future leaders for such projects. “I learned I can help others,” she says. This October, the Sierra Club’s New Jersey Seashore Service will assist the Natural Resource Education Foundation of New Jersey with its forest, marsh and meadowlands conservation efforts. The project will simultaneously allow participants to observe the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy along the shoreline, as well as in nearby communities.

Infrastructure Improvements The Sierra Club’s August trip to Mt. Rainier, in Washington, will train volunteers to work with the National Park Service in repairing hiking trails and building restraining walls at an elevation of 6,600 feet. Stunning views grace the two-mile hike from the Sunrise Visitor Center. Volunteer organizer DiDi Toaspern observes, “We are doing work that wouldn’t get done otherwise due to budget restraints. Even removing invasive plants helps to protect native species and nesting areas.”

Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) will bring volunteers to Yosemite National Park in northern California this September to assist park rangers in contouring trails to shed water and cut or move vegetation that blocks trails or impedes streams. This fall, volunteers in New York City’s Bronx borough will also help the city parks department clear an overgrown 60-acre area surrounding the gardens of the Bartow-Pell Mansion, built in 1836, a museum for 19th-century furnishings and decorative arts since 1946. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, in Canandaigua, New York, features nine separate gardens—stylized as secret, Italian, Japanese, rose, blue and white, pansy, moonlight, old-fashioned and rock gardens. Each May, volunteers learn to plant decorative designs that can involve up to 8,000 plants, and others maintain the gardens throughout the summer.

Animal Conservation After a tasty vegan breakfast, volunteers in New York’s Finger Lakes region care for 500 rescued farm animals like Marge, a

playful pig, at the 175-acre Watkins Glen Farm Sanctuary. Similar shelters bless Orland and Los Angeles, California. When Archosaurs Attacked and Reptiles Ruled Texas is the catchy name for the city of Arlington’s archeology education site (estimated at 95 million years old) where volunteer teams unearth fish, shark, ray, turtle and dinosaur fossils. “Last year, a new crocodilian species was found there,” says Rob Stringer of Earthwatch UK. In two-week stints, volunteers chart locations, clear areas, dig drainage trenches and prepare fossils for identification. There’s something for everyone in the emotional, spiritual and physical challenge of voluntouring. “Upon arrival, one’s first thought is, ‘What have I let myself in for?’ but upon returning home, you step back and see the value,” advises Budd. “Volunteers don’t change the world so much as they change the way people see each other through shared experiences.” Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

Voluntour Tips Do research. Don’t overlook small organizations. Review testimonials from volunteers and communities served. Ask questions to see if the project is a match for personal skills. How long has the organization been operating? Is advance work required, such as an essay on interests and expectations? What’s the cost, what does it cover and is it tax-deductible? (If an organization is more interested in a credit card number than in-person contribution, go elsewhere.) Give feedback. It’s the best way for a program to improve. Expect good customer service. Spread the word. Get the most out of the experience, and then tell friends about it. Proceeds from Ken Budd’s book, The Voluntourist, are donated to international children’s and wildlife organizations. Find tips and links to resources at TheVoluntouristBook.com.

A Few Drops Can Change Your Life! You could feel better, lose weight or increase energy and mental clarity with a few drops of Natural Awakenings’ DETOXIFIED IODINE daily in water or on your skin when used as directed. An essential component of the thyroid, iodine replacement has been reported to give relief from: • Depression • Fibromyalgia • Hypothyroidism • Radiation

• Weight Gain • Low Energy • Hyperthyroidism • Bacteria & Viruses

4-6 week supply ONLY $20 Shop Natural Awakenings’ Online Webstore for More Special, Natural Products

Order Online Today at

NAWebstore.com Or Call: 888-822-0246

* SPECIAL SHIPPING $5•up to 4 bottles natural awakenings

June 2013

naturalpet

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

DOG SPORTS People & Pets Play Well Together by Sandra Murphy

W Two styles available: Calendar of Dated Events: Designed for events on a specific date of the month. 50 words. n

Calendar of Ongoing Events: Designed for recurring events that fall on the same day each week. 25 words. n

609-249-9044

LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com 32

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

ith most exercise programs, while his person works out, a dog stays home alone, counting squirrels outside the window and wishing Animal Planet wasn’t a rerun. How about bringing some of that exercise home so the pet gets fit, too? John E. Mayer, Ph.D., a Chicago clinical psychologist and author of Family Fit, maintains that, “Fitness works best as a group event, including the family dog. They love to participate in many things, so be creative. Try swimming, touch football, jumping rope, rollerblading, tag or hide-and-seek.” Diane Tegethoff Meadows and Susan Riches, Ph.D., each accepted a challenge to exercise with their dogs 30 minutes a day for 30 days. “I walk my three Scotties every morning anyway, so adding minutes was easy,” says Meadows, a retired senior paralegal in Bulverde, Texas. “One of them is in charge of choosing the route, and we seldom go the same way two days in a row.” Riches, a retired Fort Lewis College professor and archaeologist, in Durango, Colorado, doesn’t let inclement weather

interfere. “Inside, we play fetch up and down the stairs,” she says. “I hide treats for tracking games of ‘find it.’” The dogs also like to jump through hoops. “The Scottie and Westie go at it for 30 minutes; the Maltese stops after 15.” Jeff Lutton, a Dogtopia dog daycare/boarding franchisee in Alexandria, Virginia, conducts a popular running club. “On Sunday mornings we have about 15 people that run with their dogs. My golden retriever used to run six miles, but since she’s 9 now, we’ve cut back to three.” “Treibball [TRY-ball] is herding without sheep, soccer without feet,” explains Dianna L. Stearns, president of the American Treibball Association, based in Northglenn, Colorado. “All you need is Pilates balls, a target stick for pointing, a signal clicker and treats. It’s a fun, problem-solving game for all involved.” The idea is for the dog to direct rubber balls into a goal with its nose, shoulder and/or paws—eventually, as many as eight balls in 10 minutes. Treibball can be played in group classes or competitions or at home using a kiddie soccer goal.

Another exercise option is to turn the backyard into an obstacle course for the dog, kids and adults. Use a clicker to signal the next move. Four or five hula hoops spaced a bit apart provide a pattern for a sit/stay game as the dog moves into each one on command. A thin wooden dowel across two boxes and anchored to a stick-on photo hook on either end provides a hurdle. A child’s oversized plastic golf club hits a tennis or plastic ball just far enough for the dog to retrieve. For a doggie triathlon, add more elements, such as yard races between dogs and children on their tricycles or scooters down a straight path, with everyone cooling off in a hard-plastic swimming pool as part of the event. For dogs that are older or have mo-

bility issues, some stretching before or even after exercise is suggested. “Doga [dog yoga] has become a daily ritual with my 11-year-old golden retriever since the onset of arthritis in her hips and back. Besides keeping her joints limber, it’s good one-on-one time for us,” says latchkey dog expert Eileen Proctor, in Castle Rock, Colorado. “Whenever she wants to stretch, she will come up and gently paw me,” relates Proctor. “Her favorite is the upward dog pose. Before practicing doga, this dear one had trouble getting to her feet, and then was lame for a minute. Now she is able to get up and move about immediately.” When exercising with pets, always keep plenty of water handy, start slow and watch out for how the weather or workout affects the participants. Scientists have changed from saying it takes 21 days to form a new habit to admitting it may take up to three times that long. That might be true for people, but try explaining it to the dog standing at the back door on day two—he’s ready to do it again. Sandra Murphy is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

Dog Running Tips by Jeff Lutton 4 Start slow 4 Run warm-up laps 4 Take breaks 4 Always carry water 4 Keep nails trimmed n Avoid running on hot pavement with longhaired or thick-coated dogs. n Shorten mileage for pups under 2 years, as well as older dogs. n Avoid concrete surfaces, which are rough on paw pads. n Stay away from winter road salt; it can cut and further damage paws. n Watch for hip or knee problems; if a dog lags behind, it’s time to stop. Jeff Lutton, of Dogtopia, conducts a running club for people and their pets in Alexandria, VA.

Powerful, Natural Pain Relief with Dr. Emu’s Rx for Pain Enjoy safe and effective relief from:

Arthritis Pain • Stiff Joints • Cramps Knee, Neck & Back Pain • Inflammation & Swelling Tired Sore Muscles • Headaches

All-natural ingredients include:

Certified Emu Oil • Aloe Vera • Herbs Vitamins/Antioxidants • Botanical Extracts Glucosamine & Condroitin • MSM

4-oz Spray Bottle just

19.95

plus shipping

available online at

NAWebstore.com or call us at

888-822-0246 natural awakenings

June 2013

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.

Saturday, June 1

Monday, June 3

Daddy Boot Camp – 9-12:30pm. This men-only course is designed for fathers-to-be to gain knowledge in parenting skills and to develop hands-on skills for caring for their newborns. A certified male Daddy Boot Camp™ instructor, along with new dads, will demonstrate how to hold, comfort, diaper and play with their babies and more. Cost $25. PHCS, Community Education and Outreach, 731 Alexander Rd, Princeton. Visit PrincetonHCS.org.

Pre-Natal Yoga 4 Week Class – 7:15-8:15pm. Exercise with a certified prenatal yoga instructor in a class that encourages flexibility, endurance and strength through physical poses. This specialized class for expectant mothers can help you meet and bond with other pregnant women and prepare for the journey of being a new parent. No prior yoga experience needed. Please bring a yoga mat. Cost $40. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton, Classroom 2 and 3. Register: RWJHamilton.org.

Family Garden Club—Tending the Garden – 9-11am. Vegetable gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby that can start in childhood and last a lifetime. Learn how to tend and nurture your own vegetable garden. Rutgers Gardens, Hort Farm #1, Log Cabin Pavilion, 130 Log Cabin Rd, New Brunswick. Contact Debbie Henry for more info at 732-932-8451.

Hog Slopping – 11am-3pm. Howell Living Farm, 70 Wooden’s Ln, Lambertville. Info: 609-737-3299. D.A.R.E. Carnival – 11am-3pm. Mercer County Park. West Windsor. Strawberry Festival – 2-6pm. Annual tradition in Cranbury for more than 50 years. Providing games for all ages, live music, clowns, face painting and of course delicious strawberries, cake and ice cream. Cost $7 at door, $28 for family pass of 5. Discounted pre-event tickets available. First Presbyterian Church, 22 S Main St, Cranbury. Call 609-395-0897.

Sunday, June 2 HomeFronts Walk/Run for Hope – 9am-12pm. HomeFront’s 5th annual 5K and 1 mile walk/run to benefit homeless families in community. All proceeds will go to ‘Summer of their Lives’ Summer Camp programs for HomeFront children. Registration fees apply. Location: Education Testing Service Campus, Princeton. Call 609-989-9417x150. D.A.R.E. Carnival – 11am-3pm. Mercer County Park. West Windsor.

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

Madonna Madness and More A Special Vinyasa Flow and Glow with Jessica Justh. Call to reserve spot. No Class Cards.

June 6 • 7:30pm Cost: $15 Higher Power Yoga Studio 439 S Broad St, Trenton

609-789-8188 HigherPowerYoga.net Friday, June 7 Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih – 9-10am. Free. Joy through movement class. Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, Quality sleep a challenge? Join us for an OUTDOOR class and ask about our other locations. Paradise, 139 Bordentown-Georgetown Rd, Chesterfield. To register call Siobhan at 609-752-1048 or email Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesLLC.com.

Health Screenings – 9am-1pm. Free. Princeton HealthCare System provides free health screens and information at West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, Princeton Junction Train Station, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction. Visit PrincetonHCS.org. From Dude to Dad – 9:30-11am. Becoming a father is a life changing event; come learn the tools necessary to get you off to a successful start. The class covers specific, hands-on skills like changing a diaper, swaddling and soothing an infant, changing family roles, work/family balance and the wide range of challenges a new dad experiences. Cost $15. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton, Classroom 2 and 3. Register: RWJHamilton.org.

markyourcalendar

Saturday, June 8 Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Races – 8am-3pm. Lake Mercer, Mercer County Park. West Windsor. Info: Ellen Law, 201-738-0918.

Tuesday, June 4 Read and Pick Program: Strawberries – 9:3011am. Parents and young children (ages preschool to 8 years) are welcome to celebrate everything wonderful about strawberries. Reading two books highlighting strawberries then pick own pint of strawberries. Cost $7/child. Registration required. Terhune Orchard. 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. For more information 609-924-2310. Wash Station Water Management – 5:30-8pm. Come out to learn more about rain garden design and function. We will be installing a rain garden on The Center for Working Lands, the NOFA-NJ incubator farm. The rain garden will help reduce water runoff and waste water issues from the vegetable wash stand. This will be an active, outside workshop – please dress comfortably, in work clothes and closed-toe shoes. Cost $5 non-members. The Center for Working Lands, Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Pky West, Hillsborough. 908-371-1111.

Thursday, June 6 Seven Chakra Chant – 7-8pm. Seven Chakra Chant Experience specific chanting for each of the seven major chakras combined with aromatic plant essences and with music to enhance the vibrations of each energy center. Gemma Bianchi, Aromatherapist. Cost $10. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton, Classroom 4. Register: RWJHamilton.org.

Family Garden Club—Harvesting the Garden – 9-11am. See June 1 listing. New Brunswick. Haying – 11am-3pm. Howell Living Farm, 70 Wooden’s Ln, Lambertville. Info: 609-737-3299.

Sunday, June 9

markyourcalendar Qigong Qigong is a gentle method of exercising; while helping the beginning student to release daily tensions and increase energy. Suitable for all ages and experience levels.

June 9 • 6-7pm Cost of series $50 (drop-ins $12 per class) Contact Jim Slaymaker at:

609-616-2281 Jim@Acupuncture2Heal.com Acupuncture2Heal.com 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor Bordentown City Green Fair – 10am-4pm. The Bordentown City Green Fair is a community-wide event that educates and encourages people of all ages to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. The Green Fair will offer attendees an opportunity to visualize how their seemingly small individual efforts can make a huge difference in their community and learn more about local organizations and vendors of environmentally friendly products and services. Carslake Community Center, 207 Crosswicks St, Bordentown.

Monday, June 10 Encore Careers: Doing Good While Doing Well – 7pm. Looking to combine passion, purpose and a paycheck in a second career or retirement job? Find out how to use your skills, knowledge and experience in an encore career in growth industries. Presenter: Carol King. Hopewell Valley Senior Center, 395 Reading Ave, Pennington. For information or to register, call Abigail Waugh, 609-737-0605 ext 692. Pre-Natal Yoga Class – 7:15-8:15pm. See June 3 listing. Hamilton.

Tuesday, June 11 Read and Pick Program: Cherries – 9:30-11am. Parents and young children (ages preschool to 8 years) are welcome to celebrate everything wonderful about cherries. Reading two books highlighting berries then pick own container of cherries. Cost $7/child. Registration required. Terhune Orchard. 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. For more information 609-924-2310.

Wednesday, June 12 Tiny Tot Walk – 10-11am. Join Naturalist Pam Newitt as she leads toddlers and adults on an exciting exploration of the natural world. Program includes songs, stories and outdoor explorations. All children must be walking and accompanied by an adult. Held rain or shine. Pre-registration required. Cost $7/10 per child member/non-member. Pond House, 261 Wargo Rd, Hopewell. Call Maryann Polefka 609-737-7592. Simple Suppers: Healthy Way to Dine – 6-7pm. Get recipes that fit into most meal plans or demonstrate healthy cooking habits. A registered dietician answers your questions related to nutrition and chronic disease. Cost $10. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton, Healthy Cooking Kitchen. Register: RWJHamilton.org.

Friday, June 14

markyourcalendar Eden Energy Medicine 101 CE’s for RNs & Massage Therapists—for beginners, too. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required.

June 14 • 9am-5pm For more information and to register, contact Siobhan Hutchinson:

609-752-1048

Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesLLC.com Georgian Court University Holistic Health Studies Program, Lakeview

Saturday, June 15 Health Screenings – 9am-1pm. See June 1 listing. Princeton Junction. Dairying – 11am-3pm. Howell Living Farm, 70 Wooden’s Ln, Lambertville. Info: 609-737-3299.

Natural Beauty Workshop – 12pm. Natural Beauty Workshop with Jessica Justh. Cost $30. Call to reserve a spot. Higher Power Yoga Studio, 439 S Broad St, Trenton. 609-789-8188 or visit Higher PowerYoga.net.

Sunday, June 16 Happy Father’s Day Elks Breakfast Fundraiser – 8am-12pm. Omelet station, eggs made to order, waffle station, pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, coffee, tea and juice. Desserts available. Cost $10/$5 adults/ages 5-10. Veterans and kids under 5 are free. Hightstown Elks Lodge #1955, 110 Hickory Corner Rd, East Windsor.

Monday, June 17 Pre-Natal Yoga Class – 7:15-8:15pm. See June 3 listing. Hamilton.

Tuesday, June 18 Pet First Aid—PFWC – 6-9pm. Designed by the American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI), the Pet First Aid course teaches participants how to give immediate care to an injured or suddenly ill pet until veterinary care is available. Basic emergency care, CPR, common illnesses and medical emergencies will be covered. This program will focus on first aid for dogs; however, first aid applications for most pets are similar. Participants will receive a course completion certificate. Princeton Fitness and Wellness Center, Princeton North Shopping Center, 1225 State Rd, Princeton. 888-897-8979.

Wednesday, June 19 Health Rhythms Drumming – 7-8pm. Group drumming is good fun and good for you. Strengthen the immune system and reduce stress. Drums provided or bring your own. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP. Fee $15. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton, Healthy Cooking Kitchen. Register: RWJHamilton.org.

Thursday, June 20 Herbs in the Home and Garden – 7-8:30pm. Herbs have been used for centuries in cooking. Learn more about planning an herb garden of your own, when and how to prune the plants, pinch them back, and how to harvest and store them. Find out which herbs have to be replanted each year, and which of them return and spread pretty much on their own. View the five herb gardens; culinary, tea, ornamental, medicinal and sundial/thyme. Mercer Educational Gardens. 431 A Federal City Rd, Pennington. For more information call 609-989-6853.

Friday, June 21 Be Sun Smart – 12-1pm. Free. Spending time outdoors is an easy way to absorb vitamin D, but getting too much sun without taking the proper precautions can cause damage to your eyes and skin. Join us for this informative session presented by Sally Kelly, RN, BSN, Cancer Program Nurse with the Edward and Marie Matthews Center for Cancer Care, UMCPP, focusing on sun safety tips for seniors the signs of potential skin damage caused by too much exposure. Princeton Senior Resource Center, 45 Stockton St, Princeton. Visit PrincetonHCS.org.

Saturday, June 22 Annuals for Flower and Foliage – 1-3pm. Annual plants can guarantee an exuberant and long lasting display of flowers or foliage, easily lasting for 12 weeks or often to frost. Whether it is one of the newest introductions or a plant that has heirloom status, learn about a broad variety of these colorful plants. Cost $50. Rutgers Gardens, Hort Farm #1, Holly House, 130 Log Cabin Rd, New Brunswick. Contact Mary Ann Schrum for more info at 732-932-8451.

Monday, June 24 Pre-Natal Yoga Class – 7:15-8:15pm. See June 3 listing. Hamilton. UMCPP Blood Drive – 12-3pm. Free. Please eat a substantial meal and drink plenty of fluids if you are planning to donate that day. Photo ID is required. Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, 1225 State Rd, Princeton.

Tuesday, June 25 Read and Pick Program: Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Honeybees – 9:30-11am. Parents and young children (ages preschool to 8 years) are welcome to celebrate everything wonderful about Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Honeybees. Reading two books highlighting flowers, gardens and insects then make own craft butterfly. Cost $7/child. Registration required. Terhune Orchard. 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. For more information 609-924-2310.

Wednesday, June 26 Reiki Sharing Evening – 7-9pm. Trained practitioners are invited to share Reiki with each other. Bring a pillow and a small sheet and blanket. Fee $5. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton, Classroom 4. Register: RWJHamilton.org. Secret Lives of Fireflies – 8-10pm. Enjoy ‘nature’s fireworks’ with Jeff Hoagland on the Watershed Reserve. Learn about the secret lives of the lightning bug, from glowworm to adult, and meet a variety of species, identifying them by their different flash patterns. Cost $8/12 members/non-members. 31 Titus Mill Rd, Hopewell. Call 609-737-7592.

Saturday, June 29 Health Screenings – 9am-1pm. See June 1 listing. Princeton Junction. Wheat Harvesting – 11am-3pm. Howell Living Farm, 70 Wooden’s Ln, Lambertville. Info: 609737-3299. Freedom Festival – 3pm-11pm. Mercer County Park. West Windsor. Contact Jacyln Roth, 609371-7000.

natural awakenings

June 2013

TURN YOUR PASSION INTO A BUSINESS Own a Natural Awakenings Magazine! • Low Investment • No Experience Needed • Great Support Team with Complete Training • Work from Home • Online Marketing Tools • Meaningful New Career

As a Natural Awakenings publisher, you can enjoy learning about healthy and joyous living while working from your home and earn a good income doing something you love! Your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives, while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural, Earth-friendly lifestyles. You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security. No publishing experience is necessary. You’ll work for yourself but not by yourself. We offer a complete training and support system that allows you to successfully publish your own magazine. Be part of a dynamic franchised publishing network that is helping to transform the way we live and care for ourselves. Now available in Spanish as well. To determine if owning a Natural Awakenings is right for you and your target community, call us for a free consultation at:

239-530-1377 36

Mercer County,NaturalAwakeningsMag.com NJ NAMercer.com

Phenomenal Monthly Circulation Growth Since 1994. Now with 3.8 Million Monthly Readers in: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Birmingham, AL Huntsville, AL Mobile/Baldwin, AL* Little Rock/Hot Spg., AR* Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ East Bay Area, CA Los Angeles, CA* San Diego, CA Denver/Boulder, CO Fairfield County, CT Hartford, CT New Haven/ Middlesex, CT Washington, DC Daytona/Volusia/ Flagler, FL NW FL Emerald Coast Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jacksonville/St. Aug., FL Melbourne/Vero, FL Miami & Florida Keys Naples/Ft. Myers, FL North Central FL* Orlando, FL Palm Beach, FL Peace River, FL Sarasota, FL Tallahassee, FL* Tampa/St. Pete., FL FL’s Treasure Coast Atlanta, GA

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Western NC/No., GA • Central OH Chicago No. Shore, IL • Cincinnati, OH Indianapolis, IN • Oklahoma City, OK Louisville-Metro, KY • Portland, OR* Lafayette, LA • Bucks/Montgomery New Orleans, LA Counties, PA Baltimore, MD • Harrisburg, PA Boston, MA • Lancaster, PA Western, MA • Lehigh Valley, PA Ann Arbor, MI • Pocono, PA/ Grand Rapids, MI Warren County, NJ East Michigan • Rhode Island Wayne County, MI • Charleston, SC Minneapolis, MN • Columbia, SC Asheville, NC* • Grand Strand, SC* Charlotte, NC • Greenville, SC* Triangle, NC • Chattanooga, TN Hudson County, NJ • Knoxville, TN Mercer County, NJ • Memphis, TN Monmouth/Ocean, NJ • Nashville, TN North NJ • Austin, TX North Central NJ • Dallas, TX Somerset/Middlesex, NJ • Dallas/FW Metro N South NJ • Houston, TX Santa Fe/Abq., NM • San Antonio, TX Las Vegas, NV* • Richmond, VA* Central NY • Southwestern VA Long Isand, NY • Seattle, WA Manhattan, NY • Madison, WI* Rockland/Orange, NY • Milwaukee, WI Westchester/ • Puerto Rico Putnam Co’s., NY *Existing magazines for sale

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. Meditation Group – 6:45-8:15pm. Free. This group consists of mutually supporting students of meditation, who are willing to share their practice and pursue their wellness without a “teacher.” Lawrence Community Center, 295 Eggerts Crossing Rd., Lawrenceville. Info: Nobo Komogata 609-403-2383, email mfs1@insi2.org or mfs.insi2.org/meditation.

daily Trenton Farmers’ Market – 9am-6pm, Tues-Sat; 10am-4pm, Sun. Closed Mondays. Local specialties, vegetables, organic food, fruits and crafts. 960 Spruce St, Trenton. 609-695-2998.

Energy Work Share – 7-9pm. Third Thursday of month. Provides a place to practice giving and receiving. No experience necessary. Cost $10. RSVP. Rosemary & Om, 88 Orchard Rd, Ste 26, Skillman. Call 732-939-4471, email RosemaryAndOm@ yahoo.com, visit RosemaryAndOm.com.

sunday Hatha Karma Yoga – 8-9am. Donation class. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-918-0963. Gentle Yoga – 10-11:15am. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609918-0963.

monday T’ai Chi Chih – 6:30-7:30pm. Thru June. Joy through movement class, great for beginners. Need better balance, concerned about High Blood Pressure, quality sleep a challenge? For more information and to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048 or email Siobhan@ NextStepStrategiesLLC.com, or visit NextStep StrategiesLLC.com. Class location DestinyArts, 4 Tennis Ct, Hamilton. 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.

tuesday Spring Preschool Nature Class – 10-11:30am. Through May 28. Children 3-5 years, learn ABOUT nature IN nature. New topic every week, parents must remain with child younger than 4. Registration required. Cost $10/15 member/non member. Stony Brook-Millstone-Watershed Reserve, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

Tai Chi Classes – 7:30-9:45pm. $15/class, drop-in welcome. Led by Frank Malinowski. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-918-0963.

wednesday Bright Beginnings – 10:30-11:30am. This informative, relaxed group is for parents and caregivers of infants. Each week focuses on a different topic of interest to new parents, and guest speakers are occasionally featured. Infants and children under 4 years of age are welcome to attend with the parent or caregiver. $5 payable at door. Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton North Shopping Center, 1225 State Rd, Princeton. 609-683-7888. Pre-Natal Yoga – 11am. Led by Leslie Hadley. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-918-0963.

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 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. Adult Martial Arts: Bruce Lee’s Art – 6:30pm. Jeet Kune Do/Jun Fan Gung Fu is the training methods and techniques originally developed by Bruce Lee. Jeet Kune Do incorporates four ranges of defense: kicking, punching, trapping hands and joint locking/grappling. Princeton Academy of Martial Arts, 14 Farber Rd, Princeton. Call to schedule a free individual lesson: 609-452-2208.

friday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih – 9-10am. Starting June 21. Free. Joy through movement class (six weeks). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, Quality sleep a challenge? Join us for an outdoor class and ask about our other locations. Paradise, 139 BordentownGeorgetown Rd, Chesterfield. To register call Siobhan at 609-752-1048 or email Siobhan@ NextStepStrategiesLLC.com. 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.

saturday Pre-Natal Yoga – 11am. Led by Leslie Hadley. One Yoga & Wellness Center, 405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor. Info: 609-918-0963. 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. 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

June 2013

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To be included, email LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com or call 609-249-9044 to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE Jim Slaymaker, L.Ac

405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor 609-616-2281 Jim@Acupuncture2Heal.com Acupuncture2Heal.com Schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how Traditional Chinese Medicine can safely and effectively relieve chronic pain and stress, restore sleep, boost energy, promote healthy digestion, and support OBGYN issues. Experienced Practitioner since 2004. See ad, page 20.

BODYWORK Siobhan Hutchinson, MA

Holistic Health Practitioner 609-752-1048 NextStepStrategiesllc.com Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesllc.com Enhance balance of Body/Mind/ Spirit through Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ai Chi Chih, Seijaku, Qigong, Reiki and Donna Eden Energy. Clients can choose classes or personalized one-onone sessions for deep relaxation and reducing the effects of stress.

CHIROPRACTIC Pennington ChiropractOR Dr. William Fogler 25 Rte 31 S, Pennington 609-737-2006

ENERGY WORK Rosemary & Om AromaCare & Energy Work

Relax Naturally... Live Peacefully... Ranessa Porter, Integrated Energy Therapy Master-Instructor and Reiki Practitioner 732-939-4471 RosemaryAndOm.com A nurturing space to blissfully, naturally and easily achieve peace, wellness, vitality and joy. Combining soothing scents and power of essential oils with warm, comforting currents of energy work to bolster your lifeforce energy; easing physical pain, shift heavy emotions, relieve stress and even release karma with AromaCare and Energy Work.

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 7.

MUSIC THERAPY

Practicing chiropractor in Pennington, located in Pennington Shopping Center. Focusing on increasing wellness and quality of life for a healthy spine and nervous system.

CLEANING SERVICES Beaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Services

NoteAble Measures Music Therapy, LLC 114 Straube Center Blvd Suite K-1, 10, Box H-12, Pennington Info@NoteAbleMeasures.com NoteAbleMeasures.com

Providing music therapy services to people who wish to use music as a means to maintain health and wellness, or for those who need extra support.

609-278-5100 BeasHomeServices.com

Over 22 years service offering personable, reliable, and reasonably priced cleaning and housekeeping services. Serving all of Mercer County. Experienced, honest, hardworking employees strive for your satisfactions. Ask about GREEN CLEANING options. See ad, page 21.

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com

Reach Your Target Market with a Resource Guide listing for under $60 per month. CALL NOW! 609-249-9044

NATURAL PRODUCTS ORGANO GOLD INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR Melissa Bridgewater 609-529-5524 UzimaCafe@aol.com Uzima.OrganoGold.com

Natural and organic products including beverages, nutraceuticals and personal care. Contact Melissa Bridgewater regarding her line of Gandoerma products for your everyday uses.

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.

YOGA Higher Power Yoga Studio 439 S Broad St, Trenton 101 S Warren St, Trenton 609-789-8188 HigherPowerYoga.net

Two locations offering drop-in classes suitable for all levels and private lessons. Classes and workshops include Yoga Basics, Natural Beauty, Meditation and Continuing Education for Yoga Teachers.

From Fancy to Fashion

Carrying Girls Sizes: New Born - 16 Boys: New Born - 7

Experience Shopping with our

Signature Customer Service

Buy into your

community

We Specialize in Christening & Communion Attire for both Girls & Boys

… Support our advertisers

Check Out our NEW Online Store!

Juliannas-Closet.com 609-448-3887 • 1240 Route 130 S • Robbinsville

Offering gluten-Free & Whole Wheat Pasta

1240 Rt. 130, Robbinsville (Located in Bottoni Plaza)

(609) 443-5600

SantinosRistorante.com

now accepting reservations for Mother’s day - May 12th WedneSday nightS

Kids Eat Free with adult purchase.

Private Banquet Room available (accommodates up to 100 guests)

“Come Taste a Little Bit of Italy”

try our delicious home-made meatballs in our signature pasta dish Rigatoni Ripi, or our nostalgic dishes like tripe and Baccala Salad. Complete your meal with home-made tiramisu.

thuRSday PaSta night $10

15 % Off Monday & tuesday

Choose from ten pasta dinners Includes bread and salad.

dine-in restaurant section only and mention this ad, not valid on parties of 8 or more and other offers

dine-in restaurant section only. not valid with other offers.

Shop Local Robbinsville •

natural awakenings

June 2013

MAKE YOUR SALES SIZZLE THIS SUMMER!

We’ve got hot ad packages available for Natural Awakenings’ July

Summer Living & Healthy Foods Issue

Conscientious Consumers are Seeking Products & Services such as: • Organic Food/Farm Markets • Picnic Supplies • Eco-Camping Equipment • Natural/Organic Restaurants • Sports Gear • Earth-Friendly Campsites • Skin Care/Sunscreen Products • Spas & Retreats • Earth-Friendly Lawn Services • Eco-Summerwear • Eco-Getaways • Eco-Friendly Pool Products • Dietitians & Nutritionists • Garden Tools • Outdoor & Patio Furniture — and many more leading suppliers and providers

Mercer County, NJ

NAMercer.com