Natural Awakenings Mercer, NJ September 2014 by Natural Awakenings Mercer

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September 2014

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Don’t Let Pain Limit Your Life!

Get the same ground-breaking treatments Professional Athletes are using. Dr. Magaziner’s goal of treatment is to repair, regenerate, and eliminate injury or pain, and its causes. Specializing In: Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Endoscopic Spinal Discectomy Platelet Rich Plasma Grafts (PRP), Stem Cell Grafts and Prolotherapy Facial Rejuvenation Therapy

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Treatment Methods at a glance: Acupuncture Botox Injections Costovertebral Joint Injections Epidural Injections Thoracic Epidural Injections Facet Injections Selective Nerve Blocks Discograms Platelet Rich Plasma Tissue Matrix and Stem Cell Grafts Intradiscal Electro Thermocoagulation (IDET) Intradiscal Restoration Procedures Joint Injections

Laser Therapy Manipulation and Manual Medicine Mesotherapy Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgical Techniques Nerve Blocks Occupational & Physical Therapy Prolotherapy Radiofrequency Neurolysis Regeneration Injection Therapy (RIT) Sacroiliac joint Injections Spinal Cord Stimulation Trigger Point injections Vitamin and Nutritional Guidance

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themes SEPTEMBER conscious caretaking plus: yoga OCTOBER sustainable communities plus: chiropractic and acupuncture NOVEMBER personal empowerment plus: beauty DECEMBER awakening humanity plus: holiday themes

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Rethinking Cancer Natural Therapies Prevent and Heal

Spend Less Eat Better Get Top Value For Your Food Dollar

The Perils of Plastic

Rid the House of this Silent Health Menace

Nature’s Antibiotics Recover Health with Less Risk

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Birmingham, AL

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contents 6 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 9 15 ecotip 15 actionalert 20 healingways 22 greenliving 24 fitbody 25 inspiration 12 26 wisewords 15 28 healthykids 30 consciouseating 34 naturalpet 36 calendar 40 resourceguide

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

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

16 CONSCIOUS CAREGIVING Nurture Yourself While Helping Another by Deborah Shouse

20 SPARKING CREATIVITY IN ELDERS WITH DEMENTIA Re-Engaging Through Art, Music and Dance by Deborah Shouse

22 A LOVELY LOO THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ALL GREEN, TOO

Tips for Eco-Friendly Plants, Shades and Cleaners by Avery Mack

24 SAY YES TO YOGA

It Boosts Health, Peace, Community and Spirituality by Lynda Bassett

25 OM SWEET OM 26 KAMINI DESAI

EXPLORES A YOGIC LIFE Inner Calmness Leads to Self-Mastery by Linda Sechrist

28 MINDFULNESS

FOR LITTLE ONES

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.

COOKING

Greater Mercer Mercer County, County, NJ NJ NAMercer.com NAMercer.com Greater

by Sam Saunders

Teaching Kids to Be Calm and Focused

4 4

Sounding the Key Note of the Universe

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

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by Traci Childress

30 INDIAN VEGETARIAN Potent Spices and Veggies Fend Off Disease by Bushra Bajwa

34 THE GREAT CLASSROOM PET DEBATE

Kids Like Classroom Pets, Animal Lovers Raise Doubts by Sandra Murphy

letterfrompublisher

s a garden and yard care buff who revels in Mercer County’s growing season, I continually challenge myself to find new ways to green up

my house, especially when activities and projects move inside in the fall. Letting my mind wander, I ponder what I want to tackle or change next. First, I think I’ll add more indoor plants. Several

are already installed and working as air purifiers. My favorite is the aromatic aloe we break open periodically to soothe cuts, scrapes

Owner/Publisher Lori Beveridge

and burns. This year I plan to grow a Boston fern to help absorb moisture and humidity in the bath.

I also want to try out a good-smelling, natural cleaning solution that is safer

Managing Editor Dave Beveridge

for my kids and family pets than conventional products. I’m also intrigued with

Proofreader Randy Kambic

the idea of using simple ingredients to experiment with homemade cleaners. After reading Avery Mack’s article, “A Lovely Loo that’s Green, Too,” I’m even up for cleaning the bathroom grout to make it sparkly clean. Once I’ve got my bath in good shape, I look forward to making use of a pampering tip on page 23 on all the

Design & Production Melanie Rankin Stephen Blancett

ways coconut oil works as a pure personal care product.

Franchise Sales 239-530-1377

Like me, you may be committed to finally painting a room that you’ve been

putting off doing for years. I was amazed to learn that indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and is considered one of the top five hazards to human health, according to the EPA, and paints and finishes are among the leading sources, typically releasing low-level toxic emissions into the air for years

Phone: 609-249-9044 Fax: 609-249-9044 NAMercer.com Publisher@NAMercer.com

after their application. Thank goodness we can now switch to low and VOC-free (volatile organic compound) paints, which are far safer for the health of people and the planet.

Will you join me in such good-for-us activities? Going greener is a step-by-

step process, but making our home eco-friendly pays dividends in endless ways, as anyone who has done it knows!

I invite you to turn the page and read on…

© 2014 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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

Lori Beveridge, Owner/Publisher

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

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September 2014

newsbriefs Holistic Health Extravaganza in New Egypt

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

xcitement is building in the quaint town of New Egypt for the annual Holistic Health Extravaganza from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 18, at the American Legion. This event brings many varied and experienced practitioners together under one roof. “Shopping local, green and natural, while relaxing and raising funds for two local programs is a unique experience,” comments event host Siobhan Hutchinson of Next Step Strategies, LLC. “Our vision is to introduce people to self-empowerment with natural health techniques such as massage, yoga, tai chi, reflexology and what Dr. Oz keeps referring to as the next frontier, energy medicine,” continues Hutchinson. “The event grows each year and includes handmade, natural, green, locally made gifts and services, while helping to raise money and awareness for two local organizations, Plumsted Township Trap, Neuter and Release Program and the local Holiday Food Basket Program.” Practitioners and product types available at this year’s event include aryurvedic reflexology, foot detoxification baths, henna artist, craniosacral massage, singing bowls, herbal teas, essential oils and soaps, a feng shui specialist, aura photography, crystals, minerals, Earth jewelry, and chakra inspired and energized jewelry. Location: 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt. For more information, call Siobhan Hutchinson at 609-752-1048, email Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesLLC.com or visit NextStepStrategiesLLC.com. See ad, page 29.

25th Anniversary Greenway Gala in Princeton

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!

oin in saluting Richard S. Goldman, Esq., as he is presented the 2014 Donald B. Jones Conservation Award from D&R Greenway at the Greenway Gala from 4 to 6 p.m. on September 13 in Princeton. Goldman is being honored for his vision for land preservation in connected regional greenways, pro bono legal support in closing nearly 200 of D&R Greenway’s 260 land transactions and his gifts of expertise and proactive commitment. Donald B. Jones (1911-1994) was a dedicated preservationist who devoted his time and resources Richard S. Goldman, Esq. to saving the land and historic buildings that give our region its special character. D&R Greenway presents the award in his honor annually to an individual or group that displays selfless generosity and a commitment to conservation. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be provided at this garden party event. Donations can be made and sponsorship opportunities are available. Cost: $100. Location: D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Meredith’s Garden for Inspiration, One Preservation Place, Princeton. For more information or to register for the event, call 609-924-4646 or visit DRGreenway.org.

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Have a Bite of Apple Day Celebration

ver the years, Apple Day has been a fun and popular local tradition at Terhune Orchards, in Princeton. This year’s celebration will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 13 and 14. Events and activities planned include a corn stalk maze; tractor-drawn wagon tour of the orchards and pumpkin patches; live music by the Daisy Jug Band; scarecrow-making workshops; picking your own Empire, Stayman Winesap and Red Delicious apples, and much more. For food and refreshments, there’ll be a pig roast at the outdoor roasting pit and an all-apple buffet with fresh apples pies, apple cider donuts, apple salad, apple muffins, plus traditional fare of hot dogs, soup, chicken, pies, cider and more. Cost $5/person, children under 3/free. No admission fee for visiting farm store, winery or pick-your-own apples. Location: 330 Cold Soil Rd. For more information, call 609-924-2310 or visit TerhuneOrchards.com.

Back to School Circa 1900

chool bells will ring once again in Pleasant Valley when Howell Farm invites the public to participate in a unique “back to school” day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 6. The program features the educational, social and cultural activities centered on the “oneroom school” in rural life of 1900. The Howell Farm school mistress has McGuffey readers, slates and slate pencils ready for students of all ages to begin their lessons in the three R’s. Visitors can sit in an antique school desk and try their hand at orthography using pen and ink or attempt to solve farmrelated arithmetic problems on the chalkboard. As in yesteryear, children can help with farm chores before attending the “one-room school.” The school bell will ring to begin lessons, recess and a quick tour of the privy. During recess, children will be introduced to hoops and sticks, tug of war and other oldfashioned games and toys. School lunches served in baskets or pails will be on sale. Participants in the school program may also attend the “box social”. Well-wrapped boxes of homemade pies or goodies will be auctioned off to benefit the school. The lucky gentleman who wins the bid on the teacher’s pie will also share her company. Location: 70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 609-737-3299 or visit HowellFarm.org.

Dentistry at its Best! Synchronizing Oral Health with Total Body Health

PRACTICING BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY for 25 YEARS IAOMT Accredited

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

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

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

September 2014

newsbriefs NJSharing Network Cycling Event in Morristown

onsider joining the Team NJ Sharing Network for a biking event to raise funds to benefit organ and tissue donations starting at 7 a.m. on September 7 in Morristown. This year’s goal is set at $50,000. NJ Sharing Network is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for the nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents currently awaiting transplantation, and is part of the national recovery system for the more than 120,000 people on waiting lists. There’ll be four routes to choose from based upon cycling skills and endurance: The Brev Fondo, the easiest at 18 total miles, 1,416 feet of climbing and a rest halfway through; the Piccolo Fondo, 43 miles, 3,679 feet of climbing and one timed hill climb; the Medio Fond, 63 miles in length, 5,470 feet of climbing and two timed hill climbs; and the 107-mile Gran Fondo, demanding 9,108 feet of climbing and four timed hill climbs. Food and entertainment will be available and all participants are invited to stay for the expo following their rides. Cost: $200/race. Location: Hyatt Morristown at Headquarters Plaza, 3 Speedwell Ave., Morristown. For more information, call 908-514-1761, email Info@NJSharingNetwork.org, or visit NJSharingNetwork.

Art of Living Sudarshan Kriya Program in Chesterfield

he Art of Living Happiness Program is being offered from September 25 to 29 in Chesterfield. This 20-hour course teaches the renowned Sudarshan Kriya technique that incorporates specific natural rhythms of the breath which harmonizing the body, mind and emotions. This unique breathing method rejuvenates and harmonizes the whole system by eliminating stress, fatigue and negative emotions. It strengthens the immune system, increases energy and gives clarity of mind. Studies show that prolactin, a well-being hormone, significantly increases from the very first session of Sudarshan Kriya. “I have been practicing breathing techniques taught in the course which have helped me remain calmer and focused even in the most stressful of circumstances,” says a past participant of the course. “In my personal experience, Art of Living is about having a balance of the inner and outer world.” “This powerful breathing technique offers tremendous benefits to one’s wellbeing,” adds Balkrishna Sharma, Art of Living instructor. “It provides more energy, creativity and clarity of mind. One becomes more self-sufficient and confident. It improves our perception, expression and observation.” Cost: $295/$395, students/non-students. Location: 5 Sprague St., Chesterfield. For more information, call 609-436-0714, email BSharma@ArtOfLiving.org, visit AoLjgd.org/HappyNJ or RSVP for a free introductory session at AoLjgd.org/PJ.

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Native Plant Sale Event in Princeton

&R Greenway Land Trust invites the public to its annual Fall Native Plant Sale from 3 to 6 p.m. on September 12 and 9 a.m. to noon on September 13 outside the Johnson Education Center, in Princeton. D&R Greenway’s Native Plant Nursery is a community resource for central New Jersey’s native plants that contribute to a healthy, bio-diverse ecosystem. No registration is required. Native plants adapted to the region’s climate and soil conditions making them more drought-resistant than most exotic plants. They also provide essential food and cover, having evolved alongside wild creatures. The food provided by native plants is vital especially in autumn, when animals are busy storing calories either for hibernation or migration. Key examples are the juicy black berries of silky dogwood and pollen from New England aster’s bright purple blooms. Both plants are available at D&R Greenway’s nursery. D&R Greenway’s plants are grown from genetically local seeds gathered on their preserves and tended in the nursery by staff and skilled volunteers. Native plants grown from commercially sourced plugs will also be available for purchase. Plants are available in quart and gallon-sized pots, priced from $5 to $12. Location: D&R Greenway Nursery, One Preservation Place, Princeton. For more information, call Emily Blackman, nursery Manager, at 609-924-4646, email EBlackman@ DRGreenway.org or visit online catalog at DRGreenway.org/ PlantCatalog.html.

healthbriefs

Yoga Boosts Hearts, Shrinks Waistlines

wo scientific reviews of human clinical research have found that hatha yoga significantly reduces heart disease risk factors. Researchers from Germany’s University of Duisburg-Essen reviewed 44 studies involving more than 3,000 people. Overall, the studies found that hatha yoga significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Yoga participants also showed lower respiratory and heartbeat rates, significantly reduced triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol. Several important diabetes risk markers decreased among the yoga participants; they also realized smaller waistlines. Similar results were reached by scientists from the United Kingdom’s Warwick Medical School. In analyzing 11 studies involving 800 people, they found that regular yoga exercise both reduced diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides and increased beneficial HDL cholesterol levels.

Licorice Root Reduces Dangerous Fat

new study published in the journal Nutrafoods has confirmed that licorice extract helps reduce visceral fat in obese adults. The study tested 60 men and 60 women that were clinically obese with body mass index (BMI) scores of over 30. For three months, they were given either a placebo pill or 300 milligrams per day of licorice root extract. Then they were tested for visceral fat using CT scans and measured for waist circumference, waist-to-hip measurements and BMI scores. The licorice extract group had significantly fewer visceral fat cells, lower BMI scores and reduced waist circumference compared with the placebo group. Previous research with the extract also showed similar weight-loss effects among human subjects.

TONGUE DIAGNOSIS REVEALS SLEEP DISORDERS

raditional medicines have long utilized tongue analysis to diagnose various disorders. Now, a recent study from the Republic of Korea’s Institute of Oriental Medicine supports the accuracy of this ancient health practice in the area of sleep dysfunction. The researchers studied two separate groups of 153 people and 454 elderly people; in both, the color of their tongues was analyzed and compared with cases of sleep disorders within each group. Those experiencing sleep dysfunctions had a paler tongue color compared with those in the healthy group; they also had more thickly coated tongues.

PRE-K EDUCATION LINKED TO BETTER HEALTH 26 YEARS LATER

n addition to an increased likelihood of achieving academic success, children that participate in game-based educational training also have a significantly lower risk of developing future cardiovascular disease, according to University of North Carolina researchers in a paper published this year in Science magazine. Launched in the 1970s, the Carolina Abecedarian Project studied more than 100 children beginning when they were just over 4 years old. Fifty-seven focused on language skills while also receiving nutritional and health services. A control group received the same nutritional and health services, but not the early language education. Early education turned out to be an indicator for significantly healthier individuals when they had reached the age of 30, with a lower average systolic blood pressure than those in the control group and no symptoms of metabolic syndrome—a condition related to diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Twenty-five percent of the control group had metabolic syndrome symptoms at age 30.

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September 2014

Vitamin D3 Cuts Antibiotic Mindfulness Meditation Can Use by Elderly Hinder Onset R of Alzheimer’s

esearch from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, in Australia, has found supplemental vitamin D3 reduces the incidence of infection among seniors. More than 600 subjects, ages 60 to 84, were divided into three groups and for one year took either 1,000 international units (IU) a day of vitamin D3, 2,000 IU a day of vitamin D3, or a placebo. Those given the 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day were 28 percent less likely to require antibiotics prescriptions than those taking the placebo. Those older than 70 years were 47 percent less likely to be prescribed antibiotics than the placebo group.

RAISINS LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES RISK

pilot study from the Harvard Medical School indicates yet another benefit of meditation. The researchers tested 14 people with mild cognitive impairment, which often leads to Alzheimer’s disease, and provided them with either MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction training or standard care. Brain imaging tests indicated that those engaged in meditative training had increased activity and connections among three areas of the brain—the posterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex and left hippocampus. Although larger studies are needed, study authors remark, “These preliminary results indicate that in adults with mild cognitive impairment, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction therapy may have a positive impact on the regions of the brain most related to mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.”

A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside. ~Denis Waitley 10

Greater Mercer County, NJ

esearchers from the University of Kentucky have determined that snacking on raisins can decrease high blood pressure and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. For 12 weeks, 46 men and women snacked on either processed snack foods or raisins. At the beginning and end of each month, the researchers tested for blood glucose, diabetic risk markers and blood pressure. Raisin snacking was found to reduce blood pressure while improving blood glucose and diabetic risk factors. The researchers concluded, “Regular consumption of raisins may reduce glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure.”

Antioxidant Supplements Improve Eye Health

ye health may be improved by taking certain antioxidant supplements, according to researchers at Austria’s Medical University of Vienna. They studied 40 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 split into two groups, giving a control group a placebo pill and the other a supplement containing vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, copper, selenium, gingko biloba, flavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-lipoic acid. The medical scientists tested the health and blood flow of the retinal artery, which feeds the eye with blood and nutrients. The results of the two-week trial showed the supplements significantly improved blood flow through the retinal arteries. The supplements also helped protect the retinal arteries from free radical damage. The scientists concluded that such supplementation can prevent a type of cellular dysfunction in the eye induced by oxidative stress that is assumed to play a role in age-related macular degeneration.

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localhealthbrief

Yoga for Breast Cancer Recovery & Beyond

by Louise Profit

For anyone working with women in the health and fitness industry, it’s a harsh reality that if there are more than eight women in a class or visiting a practice, the chances are at least one of those women has had or will have exposure to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

omy Yoga, Louise Profit and the staff of Complete Health Chiropractic, of Lawrenceville, are encouraging yoga teachers, bodyworkers, therapists, medical professionals and health and wellness professionals to attend a comprehensive and practical training on Yoga for Breast Cancer Recovery & Beyond presented by Camille Kittrell of Exclusive Yoga from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on September 27 and 28 in Lawrenceville. One in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during the course of their lives as cited by the American Cancer Society. Last month, The New York Times reported that the number of women undergoing aggressive breast cancer surgery is increasing. The rise in breast cancer diagnosis, combined with positive celebrity survivor profiles and advanced early stage detection of risk, has arguably led to a small but growing number of young women that are choosing contra lateral prophylactic mastectomy, a highly aggressive form of surgery. The choice these women are making may help them establish a proac-

tive sense of control over a frightening cancer, but the healing journey from diagnosis through treatment and their ongoing recovery requires compassionate and informed professionals so they can get back to a fully active life they are fighting to protect. When a woman receives the diagnosis of breast cancer it can literally take her breath away. It can feel scary and isolating. There’s a sense of fear of no longer being able to do all the things they could do previously. However, there’s no need to stop some

of the very practices that can become part of a woman’s healing journey with breast cancer. The science, philosophy and practice of yoga can be integral in breast cancer recovery for those that know how to practice and teach it safely. There are many yoga techniques that can significantly strengthen the body and mind, protect and help healing throughout breast cancer treatment and recovery. Kittrell has conducted Yoga for Breast Cancer Recovery & Beyond teacher trainings and presented workshops worldwide. The local training, open to everyone, provides 35 Yoga Alliance-accredited CEUs. Kittrell’s program provides yoga instructors with the necessary skills to safely adapt hatha yoga for breast cancer survivors. This population has special exercise needs and precautions according to the type of treatment received—from lumpectomy, mastectomy and lymph node dissection to radiation, chemotherapy and breast reconstruction. Part medical discourse and part spiritual inquiry, it’ll examine the complex array of physical, mental and emotional challenges that survivors face and how the science, philosophy and psychology of yoga can aid recovery on all levels. Cost $450. Location: Complete Health Chiropractic, 136 Franklin Corner Rd., Lawrenceville. Registration required. For more information or to register contact Romy Yoga at 732-9914-6607, email RomyYoga@gmail.com or visit ExclusiveYoga.com/Training.php. Louise Profit is a certified yoga and Reiki instructor. See ad, page 25.

Aware Acupuncture TCM and 5 Element Acupuncture

Treating pain, sports injuries, Ob/Gyn, and much more. Diane L. Ailey L.Ac, Dipl.Ac. Call for appointment 609-737-0970

114 Straube Center Blvd. Suite K6-7, Pennington, NJ 08534 www.AwareAcupuncture.com

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September 2014

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

Radioactive Sea

Japan’s Nuclear Meltdown is Poisoning California Kelp Scientists analyzing kelp off the coast of San Diego have linked the presence of the radioactive isotope cesium to the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, in Japan, which melted down in 2011. As part of the ongoing Kelp Watch 2014 project, government and academic institutions have begun receiving results from samples of bull kelp and giant kelp collected along the California coast. “We’re trying to figure out how much is there and how much is getting into the ecosystem,” says Matthew Edwards, Ph.D., of San Diego State University. “Things are linked a little more closely than sometimes we’d like to think. Just because it’s on the other side of the world doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect us.” With experts predicting a 40-year-plus cleanup at Fukushima, the likelihood of increased cesium in the Pacific Ocean seems inevitable.

Apple Corps

Green Apple Day Aims to Transform Schools The Green Apple Day of Service, to take place on September 27 nationwide, will give parents, teachers, students, companies and local organizations ways to transform schools into more healthy, safe and productive learning environments via local service projects. Green Apple is a global movement dedicated to enabling schools to provide clean and healthy air, conserve energy and other resources and serve as places where young people can reap inspired dreams of a brighter future. Source: MyGreenApple.org

For more information, visit KelpWatch.Berkeley.edu.

Safer Shampoo

Makers Agree Not to Use Cancer-Causing Chemical This year, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) reached legal agreements with 26 major companies to discontinue using a cancercausing chemical in shampoo and personal care products, and potential agreements with more than 100 additional companies are still pending. Cocamide diethanolamine (DEA), a synthetic chemical created from a chemical reaction between coconut oils and diethanolamine, has been used for decades in shampoos and other products as a foaming agent. In 2012, California listed the chemical as a known carcinogen, based on assessment by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, which evaluated skin exposure tests on animals. In 2013, the CEH brought lawsuits against companies selling products in California containing the substance without a health warning, as required under Prop 65, the state’s consumer protection law for toxic chemicals. Note: A Think Dirty app offers information about the potentially toxic ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products and what not to buy. Source: Ecowatch.com (Tinyurl.com/Shampoo-Lawsuit) 12

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GMO Gung-Ho

U.S. Farmers Plant More GMO Crops Farmers in the U.S. added 12 million more acres of genetically modified (GM or GMO) crops in 2013, reports Clive James, with the International Service for the Acquisition of AgriBiotech Applications, and now lead the world in their production by volume. Even as many U.S. consumers reject foods containing GM ingredients, many farmers continue to embrace the technology. “In general, choosing GM seed is an economic decision for farmers,” says North Dakota Farmers’ Union President Mark Watne, who grows corn, soy and wheat in Minot. “If you give them a tool to battle weeds at a reasonable cost, they adopt it.” Source: USA Today

At fine retailers everywhere. For more info or to find a retailer, visit

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September 2014

globalbriefs Online Opportunity

Major University Offers Integrative Medicine Certificate The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is inaugurating an online Integrative Medicine Program in partnership with the Metabolic Medical Institute and accepting applications toward graduate certification in integrative medicine. Integrative medicine focuses on the whole person, and the curriculum includes prevention, self-care, nutrition, exercise prescription, dietary supplements and wellness-based therapies. Students also review advanced predictive diagnostics, biotechnology, and systems biology utilizing proteomics, genomics and metabolomics. Graduates will gain cutting-edge knowledge to make well-informed decisions with their patients about treating disease, promoting vitality and optimizing aging. To learn more and enroll in the program, visit MMIMedicine.com.

Apple Crunch

Celebrating Pesticide-Free Orchards The nationally acclaimed Rodale Institute will celebrate its fifth annual Organic Apple Festival on September 21 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, more than 30 years after planting the trees. Organizers note that when growers select just one genetic variety of apple to reproduce and cultivate, they create a monoculture that easily becomes more susceptible to pests and diseases than an orchard that hosts several varieties. An array of insects and blights favor this all-American fruit, which is why standard apples are the single-most pesticide-contaminated produce item at conventional groceries. Large agribusiness operations typically grow fruit bred for durability and color during shipping and shelf life. Organic apples, by contrast, are chosen for flavor and regional adaptability. Source: Facebook.com/RodaleInstitute

Ice Cubed

Greenland a Big Contributor to Sea Level Rise New research by University of California-Irvine and NASA glaciologists published in Nature Geoscience shows that Greenland is more vulnerable to warm ocean waters from climate change than previously thought. Newly discovered deep valleys stretch for dozens of miles under the Greenland ice sheet in bedrock well below sea level. As subtropical Atlantic waters hit the fronts of hundreds of glaciers, their edges will erode much further than had been assumed and release far greater amounts of water. Ice melt from the subcontinent has already accelerated as warmer marine currents have migrated north, although older models predicted that once higher ground was reached in a few years, the ocean-induced melting would halt, Greenland’s frozen mass would stop shrinking and its effect on higher sea waters would be curtailed. Source: Environmental News Network (Tinyurl.com/Greenland-Sea-Rise) 14

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Cleaner Air

New EPA Rules Proposed for Climate Change The White House plans to cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 30 percent by 2030. Each state will have its own goal within the overall national pollution reduction effort, an attempt to be politically and practically flexible in its implementation. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy explains, “Each state’s goal is tailored to its own circumstances, and states have the flexibility to reach the goal in whatever ways work best for them.” States can renovate existing coal-fired plants with newer, cleaner burning technology; switch coal plants to natural gas, which produces much less carbon; and work to persuade residents to be more efficient in their use of electricity. States can also band together in cap-and-trade networks for emission reductions, in which companies buy and sell permits allowing them to produce a certain amount of carbon emissions. Clean producers can be sellers, dirtier producers buyers. The program represents an absolute reduction in U.S. carbon emissions of nearly one-third, rather than a simple slowing in the growth rate of emissions. Contrary industry groups, many Republicans and some coal-state Democrats oppose the proposal due to its anticipated costs and increased regulations. Source: The Christian Science Monitor

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Overcharging Mobile Devices Wastes Money Smartphone maker Nokia estimates most devices need only about two hours to fully charge, making overnight charging highly wasteful; users also should disengage and unplug chargers from the wall when they’re done. Another helpful tip from Battery University.com is not to wait until cell phone power is nearly or completely depleted before recharging, because full discharges put a strain on the battery that can shorten its lifespan. Umbra Fisk, an environmental columnist at Grist.org, advises using a power strip and even a timer as parts of a central charging area for all mobile devices to facilitate monitoring and reduce overcharging. Energy Star-qualified (EnergyStar.gov) cordless phones demand about half the energy of standard units. Energy Star reports that the average U.S. household spends $100 annually to power devices while they are off, constituting nearly 10 percent of annual electric utility bills and amounting to an annual total of 100 billion-plus kilowatt hours of U.S. electricity consumption and more than $10 billion in annual energy costs.

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September 2014

to keep her husband as engaged and active as possible. When she had difficult issues to discuss, she’d make a “talking date” with him, offering choices by saying, “I’d love to chat with you. Would Tuesday before dinner or Thursday after breakfast work for you?” Before the date, she’d select a comfortable room and clear her mind by meditating, napping or mindfully sipping herbal tea. The conversations would cover anything from how to work with their health professionals to plans for his end-of-life ceremony. They agreed on strategies and worked together as a team.

Redefine Assistance

Conscious Caregiving Nurture Yourself While Helping Another by Deborah Shouse

“

f you’re depressed, tired or sick, your caregiving is likely to suffer,” counsels John Schall, CEO of Caregiver Action Network, in Washington, D.C., and a former family caregiver. “For the sake of your loved one, take care of yourself.” The AARP estimates that some 34 million family caregivers provide for someone that is ill or disabled in the U.S. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, in Bethesda, Maryland, caregivers generally struggle with finding time for themselves, managing emotional and physical stress and balancing work and family responsibilities. Experts suggest that the following seven steps can help people enjoy a healthier, less stressful and more conscious approach to care giving— and receiving.

Reframe Care

When Lori La Bey’s mom was diagnosed with dementia, the daughter initially felt she was the only family 16

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member that could help her. However, gradually, the Minneapolis-based international caregiver advocate and founder of AlzheimersSpeaks.com learned to welcome help from others. “Being perfect gets in the way of true connections,” she observes. Although La Bey began her caregiving out of love, the volume of related tasks soon sparked stress. That’s when she taught herself to slow down and reframe her outlook: Before going into her mom’s room, folding her laundry, scheduling healthcare practitioners and delivering dinner, La Bey paused to consciously ask: “Is Mom safe, happy and pain-free?” Centering on those three questions reminded her that she was doing this work out of love. Psychotherapist Diana Denholm, Ph.D., of West Palm Beach, Florida, heightened her own consciousness by learning to see caregiving as a collaborative effort. Denholm, author of The Caregiving Wife’s Handbook: Caring for Your Seriously Ill Husband, Caring for Yourself (CaregivingWife.com), sought

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“I’ll carry your luggage for you, Dad, since you’re not feeling well”… La Bey still remembers her father’s downturned mouth as she tugged the suitcase out of his hands. “I was trying to be helpful, but instead I took away his dignity and power,” she later realized. “If I had packed his bag lighter, he could have carried it like always.” When are we helping and when are we doing too much? “Put yourself in the sick person’s shoes. Avoid doing something the person can do for himself,” agrees Denholm. Controlling behavior changes the dynamics of the relationship and can put the caregiver in a parental role. She recommends a holistic brainstorming exercise in which the caregiver writes answers to such questions as: What am I frustrated about? What really annoys me? Why am I angry with myself? The results offer a window to understanding our own feelings. “Feeling anger could mean we’re acting codependently and taking on too many responsibilities,” Denholm says. “The caregiver’s job isn’t to save the patient, but merely to support him or her in necessary ways.”

Ask for Help

“I don’t want to be a burden,” and “We’re afraid of losing our privacy,” and “I’m the only one who can take care of him; no one else can do it right,” are common concerns. “These self-limiting beliefs prevent people from reaching out for help,” says family caregiver and life coach Yosaif August,

founder of Yes To Life Coaching (YesToLifeCoaching.com), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and author of Coaching for Caregivers: How to Reach Out Before You Burn Out. August quotes a recent Johns Hopkins study that reported caregivers might improve their health “… when caregiving is done willingly, at manageable levels and with individuals who are capable of expressing gratitude.” Accepting assistance makes caregiving more manageable. August understands how overwhelming the experience can be and advises caregivers to ask themselves: “What do I need help with right now?” Keep answers specific, such as, “I need someone to prepare dinner tomorrow night, mow the lawn and pick up our vitamins.” August also suggests creating a family Declaration of Interdependence, a personal statement documenting how the family prefers to be helped, along with the attitudes and behaviors they find especially supportive. Encourage family and friends to ask these two questions: “Are you open to advice?” and “Is this a good time to talk about your spouse’s condition?” Make much-needed breaks sacrosanct from such discussions.

Nurture through Nourishment

More than 50 percent of caregivers surveyed in a 21st-century study spearheaded by the National Alliance for Caregiving reported, “I don’t have time to take care of myself.” That can translate to a lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet and little or no respite. “If you aren’t healthy and strong, you can’t properly care for anyone else,” says Liana Werner-Gray, New York City natural lifestyle consultant and author of The Earth Diet (TheEarthDiet.org). To begin each day, she advises drinking one cup of warm water with juice from half a lemon, explaining that stress produces acid and lemon water metabolizes as alkalinity and helps keep the body’s pH balanced. For healthy snacks, Werner-Gray recommends easy and nutrition-rich choices like fresh fruits, green smoothies, organic nut butters and a trail mix

Extending a Hand to Caregivers If your caregiving friends can’t articulate what they need, try these lovely offerings. n Send a cheerful card. n Gift a plant. n Weed their garden. n Cook a meal. n Schedule a walk together. n Sit with a loved one for several hours so they can run errands. n Volunteer to get their car washed. n Take them to a movie or out to dinner. n Buy a gift certificate to use online. n Treat them to a massage. of raw nuts, seeds and dried fruits. Save time with the smoothies by making a large batch and freezing portions to enjoy later. A basic recipe might include two handfuls of greens, such as spinach and kale, a banana and other fruits, almond milk or purified water and maybe adding flaxseed, cinnamon or goji berries. When appropriate, share the same health-boosting foods with the loved one. Victoria Moran, of New York City, is the director of the Main Street Vegan Academy and author of a dozen books on health and well-being including Main Street Vegan and Living a Charmed Life. She offers such conscious eating tips as eating full meals of “real” food instead of snacks; selecting beautiful foods; and ritualizing indulgences, such as a special spot for relaxing with high-quality dark chocolate and tea using good china while listening to classical music.

Stand for Exercise

Even though caregivers may feel they don’t have time to spare, Dr. Jordan D. Metzl, author of The Exercise Cure, says it’s vital to incorporate physical activity. He recommends starting by walking 30 minutes a day for one month. If necessary, it can be done in 10-minute increments. natural awakenings

September 2014

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According to when she drifts Make a list of favorite a study by Mayo off to sleep. She ways to relax and renew also writes out her Clinic Physician James Levine, during short respites, such intention for the Ph.D., in Scottsdale, day, envisioning as reading, listening to positive outcomes. Arizona, “Sitting is the new smokmusic, stepping outside, She might affirm: ing.” Researchers “I am going to sipping coffee with friends have a grace-filled have linked sitting for long periods of or taking a hot shower, day. Things will go time with a number smoothly.” and refer to it often. Denholm of health concerns centers herself by that include obesity, petting her cats. Some caregivers chant metabolic syndrome and increased or practice meditation or mindful risks of death from cardiovascular breathing, while others might take a disease and cancer. The solution is to walk, shop, or sit quietly in a church. move more and sit less—walk while on the phone and stand up while reading. Metzl suggests a stretch break Notice Blessings every 20 minutes. Three of his “comLa Bey discovered that her journey as mandments” for fitness are having fun, a caregiver also dramatically enhanced setting goals and minimizing sitting. her own life. “Mom taught me so “Schedule exercise and respite much,” she relates. “I learned compasbreaks and make them as inviolate as a sion and unconditional love on multidoctor’s visit,” advises Schall. ple levels. I learned to live in gratitude, instead of loss.” Commune with Spirit August notes, “Even in the tough August suggests establishing a twofold times, I experienced an engaged, poiconsciousness-raising ritual to welcome gnant and rich connection with and appreciate life. Begin each day by my parents.” For Denholm, treasured gifts inshowing gratitude for being alive and cluded strengthening her communicaend it focused on forgiveness and gratition with her husband and working as tude. “When you cultivate gratitude, a team. you notice more things to be grateful “Allowing yourself to reach out for for,” says August. assistance and make time for respite La Bey concurs, and writes down will deeply enrich your caregiving exat least five things she is grateful for perience,” concludes Schall. every day. She mentally replays time with her mom and appreciates the little moments and signs of hope, Deborah Shouse is the author of Love in like “the twinkle in Mom’s eye or the the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in way she held hands and smiled.” This the Caregiver’s Journey. Follow her blog at puts her in an upbeat frame of mind DeborahShouseWrites.wordpress.com.

Online Help for Caregivers AlzheimersSpeaks.com Radio show, blogs, free webinars and resource directory CaregiverAction.org Advocacy, peer support and other practical information TheCaregiverSpace.org Free social network to share experiences, find critical resources, cope with stress and learn to fulfill care partner roles most effectively CaregivingWife.com Helps caregivers solve problems, learn survival tips and improve the care partners’ relationship CarePages.com Free patient blogs connect friends and family CaringBridge.org Share views and receive support LotsaHelpingHands.org Coordinates ways to address specific needs by those rallying to help ShareTheCare.org Join in organizing a healing team and/ or support system

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Sparking Creativity in Elders with Dementia Re-Engaging Through Art, Music and Dance by Deborah Shouse

s there a way to upend the limits of Alzheimer’s disease? Expressive therapies focus on what people can do and their successes. Cultural programs offer creative opportunities for those with dementia and their care partners.

Artful Imagination Prompts Participation

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“Looking at art and making observations gives people living with dementia a chance to exercise their imagination and creativity,” says Susan Shifrin, Ph.D., director of ARTZ Philadelphia, part of the Artists for Alzheimer’s program founded by John Zeisel, Ph.D., and Sean Caulfield. “There are no right or wrong answers. People are enlivened, realizing they still have ideas to contribute.” Prior to a museum visit, an ARTZ facilitator brings photos of familiar works of art that evoke memories, emotions and conversation to a care facility. The facilitator then tailors a museum visit so that the most engaging works of art are viewed. A similarly beneficial at-home ARTZ experience relates to the individual’s background or interests, looking for images that tell a story

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about families or feature animals the loved one likes. “Use open-ended, non-judgmental questions to discuss the art,” Shifrin suggests. “It’s all about listening to the response and encouraging the conversation.”

Musical Connections Trigger Happiness

Dan Cohen, of Brooklyn, New York, had a simple yet profound idea: Furnish people that have memory loss with an iPod loaded with their favorite music. It’s helping people nationwide reconnect with themselves through listening to their personal playlists. He has repeatedly seen how “The music transforms lives.” Cohen notes, “Residents who were formerly idle become engrossed in listening to their favorite music. They are empowered to choose the songs they want to hear. They become engaged as the music triggers memories. I’ve also seen the experience make people more social.” He recommends using headphones to minimize distractions. Sit together, turn on the iPod and watch for smiles of delight.

Dance Movement Integrates Souls “Dance therapy enhances connections in the brain and uses movement to integrate body, mind and spirit,” says Erica Hornthal, owner of Chicago’s North Shore Dance Therapy, a psychotherapy practice that helps individuals cope with the challenges of dementia. Hornthal often notices a real change after people experience movement therapy. Often, when she enters a memory care facility she sees people withdrawn or sleeping. After she guides them in specific movements designed to connect mind and body, participants are usually awake, more alert and making eye contact. “We might reach our arms up, then down, to connect with ourselves. We might give ourselves a hug and then stretch toward our neighbor,” explains Hornthal, a board-certified dance movement therapist. “All the movements have a psychosocial goal.” She suggests that care partners play familiar music and encourage their loved one to move as they wish to. The care partner might move her head or wiggle her fingers to the music, invit-

ing the other to do the same. “Focus on what your loved one can do and celebrate their abilities,” Hornthal advises.

Brushing Watercolor Memories

“Even after memory and cognitive functions are damaged, the ability to create art can continue,” says Karen Clond, a licensed master social worker and dementia care specialist at the Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America chapter, in Prairie Village, Kansas. “The organization’s Memories in the Making art program works because the amygdala, the part of the brain involved with emotions and memory that processes feelings like fear, also processes beauty, appreciation and attachment.” Sally Jenny developed the program in 1988, which now boasts more than 4,000 participant artists a week. Facilitators create a safe and encouraging atmosphere to explore painting with watercolors, which can unlock memories, stimulate thoughts and promote social interaction. The process also produces tangible pieces they’ve created and can revisit. “The artists have complete con-

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trol over their work,” Clond comments. “It’s a failure-free activity.” For at-home painting activities, she suggests inviting guidelines: Provide good-quality supplies; have no expectations; find something good in every effort; ask them to title their piece and affix their artist’s signature; call them an artist and provide artistic respect.

Telling Personal Stories Improves Well-Being

“Creative storytelling for dementia patients replaces the pressure to remember with the freedom to imagine,” remarks Joan Williamson, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a coordinator and master trainer with TimeSlips. She’s seen it improve communication, self-esteem and social interaction for people with memory loss. Whether exploring art, music, movement or storytelling, expressive therapies can enrich the lives and connections of people with dementia and their care partners. Deborah Shouse is the author of Love in the Land of Dementia. Visit DeborahShouseWrites.wordpress.com.

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greenliving

A Lovely Loo that’s All Green, Too Tips for Eco-Friendly Plants, Shades and Cleaners by Avery Mack

ey elements like low-flow faucets and showerheads, VOC-free paint, sustainable flooring and nonporous countertops form the foundation of an eco-friendly bathroom. Now let’s take a look at the softer side of green. Start by considering the use of honeycomb window shades and double-glazed windows to keep this most intimate room comfortable year-round and reduce utility bills. Periodically letting in fresh air helps keep the room dry and reduces growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. While the kitchen harbors the most germs in the house, the bathroom is a close second. Instead of harsh chemical cleansers, try white vinegar, a safe and economical alternative. Its acidity is effective in killing most germs. Madeleine Somerville, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, author of All You Need Is Less, uses heated vinegar misted on the shower door to remove soap scum. To achieve a shiny tub, she advises mixing one-quarter cup of baking soda, one tablespoon of natural dishwashing soap and enough water to make a paste. The baking soda also freshens the drain when the tub is rinsed. Toilet bowl ring

Greater Mercer County, NJ

stains can be scrubbed away with a pumice stone. “Cleaning faucet aerators and exhaust vents on a regular basis extends equipment life, maintains efficiency and prevents minor plumbing problems,” advises Keita Turner, a New York City area interior designer. Turner has also installed dual-flush toilets that necessitate less water and upkeep. Bathroom odors are another concern. A few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball placed inside the toilet paper roll freshens the air every time the roll turns—without the plastic waste byproduct from store-bought brands. Baking soda removes odors in the bath like it does in the fridge. Upgrade from a simple bowlful by designing a mini-Zen meditation spot using a flat, open wooden box and a doll housesized rake. Adding a smooth rock or two for texture heightens visual appeal. Green plants can chip in by absorbing odors, as well. Many, like the Boston fern, thrive in shower steam. Flowering plants add an inviting touch. Be sure to choose child- and pet-safe greenery. Even quick, water-saving showers eventually result in towels and wash-

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cloths destined for the laundry. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute suggests that towels can be used up to four times before washing if they are hung to dry between showers, reducing both water and energy usage. To avoid spreading germs, personalize towels and washcloths for each child by color or marking with an initial or colored dot. Organic cotton towels are eco-friendly, comfy and widely available, as are organic cotton bath mats. For the crafty, make a mat from recycled towels or upgrade to a foot-massaging mat made from recycled wine corks. On special occasions when a soothing bath is called for, add a whimsical touch with Mr. Green, the world’s first rubber duck made in the U.S. from environmentally friendly, recycled and recyclable material. “Recycled materials call for different sculpting and molds, so designing Mr. Green was the hardest thing we’ve ever done,” says Craig Wolfe, president of CelebriDucks, in San Rafael, California. It’s a fun way to remind kids about going green while they spend a few extra minutes getting clean.

Cleaning Recipes Freshen drains and keep oils and lotions from clogging bathroom pipes by pouring one cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by a cup of hot, white vinegar. After it foams, wait five minutes and then flush with hot water. Mix two tablespoons of salt with one teaspoon of white vinegar to form a paste effective for cleaning chrome faucets. Scrub chrome with a cut lemon to remove hard water stains. Use lemon juice and an old toothbrush to scrub grout. Periodically douse the toilet with a half-cup of lemon juice and swish with a toilet bowl brush to keep it fresh. Add a few tablespoons of lemon juice into a spray bottle filled with water to clean windows and mirrors. Primary Source: BroccoliCupcake.com

To indulge in post-shower personal pampering, consider healthenhancing coconut oil for head-to-toe moisturizing. As a hair treatment, coconut oil blocks protein loss and reduces frizz. Make a home exfoliating sugar scrub by combining onehalf cup of virgin coconut oil, one cup of organic sugar and 20 drops of lime or another essential oil to gently scrub away dry winter skin. Dry skin and ragged cuticles also benefit from whipped coconut oil. Its antifungal properties help keep toenails healthy and sandal-ready. Goat’s milk soap can reduce symptoms of dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. Its alpha-hydroxy acids remove dead skin cells. Add honey as a natural antibacterial boost. Mixing in colloidal oatmeal produces a gentle exfoliator. Let the next upgrade of the bathroom be of a more personal nature aligned with our core values of being good to our family and our home planet. Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@ mindspring.com.

Recommended House Plants

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Plants on the counter or windowsill add green to the room and serve as air purifiers. Aloe—provides gel inside the leaves to soothe burns and shaving nicks Boston fern—can be challenging to grow, but absorbs humidity and moisture English ivy—can reduce airborne fecal matter particles Eucalyptus—adds its own fresh aroma

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Heart leaf philodendron—cleans the air; poisonous if eaten by kids or pets Peace lily—cleans the air; poisonous to pets, especially cats Snake plant—needs little light or water; cleans the air of chemicals used in personal products

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Primary Source: ThisOldHouse.com

Green Bathroom Trivia n Never clean with sponges—they merely move the germs around; use a washable cloth wipe instead.

~ Buddha

n Turkish cotton towels dry faster than the Egyptian variety. n Always put the upper toilet lid down. Testing by scientists at Leeds University found airborne germs 10 inches above and around the commode.

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n Low-flow toilets use as little as 1.6 gallons per flush compared to older styles that use five to seven gallons. The average person flushes five times a day. n A bath averages 35 to 50 gallons of water versus a 10-minute shower with a low-flow showerhead maxing out at about 25 gallons. Better yet, take quicker showers and turn off the water while lathering and shaving. n Conventional showerheads run at 5 gpm (gallons per minute) compared with low-flow at 2.5 gpm. Conventional faucets can flow at 3 gpm versus low-flow faucets at half that rate. For a calculation of personal water usage, visit Tinyurl.com/PersonalWaterUse. Primary Source: GraceLinks.org

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Mental Health

Say Yes to Yoga It Boosts Health, Peace, Community and Spirituality by Lynda Bassett

Improved Relationships

ois Parker Carmona first stepped into a yoga studio looking for better physical health. “I was doing hot vinyasa because I wanted to sweat. I wanted to feel better,” she recalls. Many people on a similar quest try yoga for the first time during September’s National Yoga Month (YogaHealth Foundation.org/yoga_month), founded by Johannes Fisslinger. “This year, more than 2,200 yoga studios will offer informative public events or a free week of classes to new students to educate everyone about the health benefits of yoga and inspire a healthy lifestyle,” says Fisslinger. “Yoga and mindfulness are an essential part of America’s newly emerging health paradigm.” Like many others, as Carmona deepened her practice, she discovered that yoga’s benefits transcend the physical. Then she went further, becoming a certified Baptiste yoga instructor and co-owner of Melrose Yoga, in Melrose, Massachusetts. “Many of us are so busy and consumed with the constant motion of day-to-day activities that we lose complete track of who we are, along with the state of our bodies,” she says. “Yoga reconnects me with myself.”

Many experts concur that yoga can be effective in reducing stress. As students continue their practice, they feel less stress and an increased sense of peace and relaxation, along with other mental health benefits. “Yoga gives you what is often called a ‘witness consciousness’,” says John Kepner, executive director of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, in Little Rock, Arkansas. “Being able to observe the external events around you, but not being caught up in the drama. In modern terms, it’s an increased ability to stay cool, calm and collected. After a good yoga class, your troubles can appear further away.”

Greater Mercer County, NJ

Flexibility

One reason that people try yoga is to improve their flexibility. A recent report from Yoga Alliance, a nonprofit association based in Arlington, Virginia, states that it can improve flexibility and mobility and increase range of motion over time as ligaments, tendons and muscles lengthen and become more elastic. It also helps relieve muscular tension throughout the body. The Alliance’s Danica Amore notes that flexibility means different things to different people. “A senior might define flexibility as being able to pick up the grandkids, while young people might consider it essential to their athletic abilities.” Flexibility can also mean being able to turn around easily while backing out of the driveway or running with fewer injuries, adds Carmona. Improvements in flexibility generally depend on an individual’s age, health and commitment to practicing yoga, as well as the style chosen. “There are so many different lineages of yoga, and each teacher has his or her own style. Plus, each individual progresses at their own pace,” Amore explains. “It’s really a question of where you want this personal practice to take you and how you embrace it in your private life.” The bottom line is that everyone’s journey is different.

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When stress is reduced, an increased sense of calm tends to permeate all areas of one’s life, observes Kepner. “Based on my experience, yoga also helps improve relationships.” He has taught the same group of students for 10 years and notes their special relationship: “If one goes to the same yoga class regularly, a friendship tends to develop with others in the class, called Songhai. After a while, practicing together becomes one of the most valuable parts of the practice,” he says. This beneficial, deeper sense of community—a major allure of a longterm yoga practice—develops mainly from the intangible sense of working together in terms of physical, mental and spiritual support.

Spirituality and Connectedness

“Even beginning students quickly realize how connecting with their bodies and their breath helps them in their everyday lives,” says Carmona. “It adds a transcendent dimension to everything you do in life.” In addition to its more immediate tangible benefits, other long-term benefits experienced by students may be harder to define or quantify. Carmona observes, “People generally say that yoga has changed their life, physically, mentally and spiritually.” Lynda Bassett is a freelance writer outside Boston, MA. Connect at LyndaBassett@gmail.com.

inspiration

Om Sweet Om

Sounding the Key Note of the Universe by Sam Saunders

“

m” is a Hindu sacred sound considered the greatest of all mantras, traditionally used in prayers, chants and meditation— possessing high spiritual and creative power, it can be recited by anyone. Om is both a sound and a symbol rich in meaning and depth. When pronounced correctly, it is actually “AUM.” Aum consists of four syllables: A, U, M and the silent syllable. The first syllable is A, pronounced as a prolonged “awe.” The sound starts at the back of the throat and is stretched out; sense the feeling of the solar plexus and chest vibrating. The next is U, pronounced as a prolonged “o-o-,” with the sound gradually rolling forward along the upper palate and vibrating the throat. The third syllable, M, is pronounced as a prolonged “mmmm,” with front teeth gently touching. Start to feel the top of the head vibrate. The last syllable is the deep silence of the infinite. As intelligence rises from the deep silence, merge the chant from the M to the deep silence.

Why do we chant it?

Everything in the universe is pulsating and vibrating—with nothing standing still. The sound Om, when chanted, vibrates at 432 Hz, the same vibrational frequency found throughout nature. By chanting the keynote sound of the universe, we are symbolically and physically tuning in to and acknowledging our connection to all other living beings, nature and the universe. The universal vibrations and rhythmic pronunciation also physically affect the body by slowing the nervous system and calming the mind, similar to the effects of meditation. When the mind relaxes, blood pressure decreases and ultimately, heart health improves. Finally, chanting AUM is wellsuited to mark the beginning or end of a yoga practice or meditation session or as a respite from regular daily activities. It signifies that this is a special time to care for ourselves and practice being mindful. Sam Saunders lives and teaches yoga in Dubai. Connect at Sam@LoveYoga.ae. natural awakenings

September 2014

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Kamini Desai Explores a Yogic Life by Linda Sechrist

amini Desai’s Ph.D.-worthy versatile body of teachings combines her lifelong interests in Western psychology and Eastern philosophy. Trained at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she develops and leads core programs for Florida’s Amrit Yoga Institute, providing advanced studies dedicated to the science and system of integrated human development. A resident of Salt Springs, Florida, and the Netherlands, she teaches in 10 countries on three continents.

What is a yogic lifestyle? It means being focused on inner peace. Through the study of yoga as a complete science of self-mastery, I’m cultivating the realization of my highest self beyond body and mind. This intention is the director of my unfolding life. I like to use the metaphor of a ship. If this higher self as a wise captain isn’t steadily setting the course at the helm, then on any given day, the happy, sad, grieving, enthusiastic or depressed me will likely be steering my life in a contrary direction and I’ll just be going in circles. In the Integrative Amrit Method of Yoga, along with the integrative method of yoga nidra

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that I practice and teach, my focus is on the release of body energy, rather than any physical pose. Energy is healing. When energy is freed up, it naturally calms the mind and creates a spontaneous, meditative state in which the highest self can be experientially known. To free energy, I attune to the sensations resulting from the physical alignments in any yoga posture. Each pose focuses attention on sensations occurring along the meridian lines in the body, allowing areas that are blocked and limited to open up and energy to optimally flow. Then, in what Amrit yoga describes as the “second half of the posture,” I close my eyes and feel that released energy becoming magnified through my attention. The stronger the energy becomes, the more the mind organically dissolves into a meditative state where mental, emotional and physical healing can happen spontaneously.

What was it like to grow up as the daughter of Yogi Amrit Desai, a well-known guru? I feel blessed that I was exposed to my father’s teachings from a young age. His message that I first embraced was that people and things will always change, and if I rely on either of

them for happiness and peace of mind, I’m depending on the undependable. The need is to find internal stability in the midst of every polarity. My dad, now approaching 82, has always been an example of one whose entire life is about moving towards a changeless state of being and of what it means to remain a nonjudgmental witness to all that happens in life. Still, I had to learn my own lessons.

How have you benefited from yoga? I began studying with my dad when I was 16. Now, at 46, I more fully value the depth of yoga. The longer I practice, the more grateful I am that my mind is less fragmented than it otherwise would be. I’m progressively able to deal with situations that would have sent me over the edge before. I more naturally avoid wasting a lot of mental energy in internalized, “If they say this then I’m going to say that,” conversations. With less mental chatter, I have more energy and stamina to focus on what is in front of me. I can be totally absorbed in each present moment for a deeper sense of fulfillment in what I’m doing.

How do you feel about the Westernization of yoga? Individuals that begin any style of yoga for its physical benefits are off to a good start, but anyone that maintains a regular practice becomes curious about yoga’s other benefits, like relaxation, more peace and a sense of happiness that arises without any apparent cause. Eventually they ask, “Why is this good thing or greater bliss happening to me? What else is there besides postures?” Although everyone eventually learns many life skills, we rarely learn how to live our lives well, manage our emotions and relate to others in ways that create more peace and happiness within. These are the uncaused benefits of yoga that people come to love. Find more of her words of wisdom in articles posted at KaminiDesai.com. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Visit ItsAllAbout We.com for the recorded interview.

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Mindfulness for Little Ones Teaching Kids to Be Calm and Focused by Traci Childress

indfulness, simply defined, is being in the moment. Using simple tools can help us consciously notice our breath, bodies and sensations, as well as what is happening around us. As we practice noticing, we can more readily return to the moment and more immediately connect with ourselves and others. Integrating five mindfulness practices into our young children’s lives is easy and yields powerful dividends.

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Connecting the rhythm of breathing to experiences helps children understand how to calm down. (Older children might enjoy learning the effects of breathing throughout their system.) First, ask children to notice their breath. Invite them to put a hand in front of their nose and breathe and say, “This is breath. All living things breathe.” Encourage them to share their response to the experience. Next, move to modeling breathing patterns in relation to experiences and feelings such as, “I feel so frustrated that my breath is moving fast. Look at my chest.” Then model returning to calm breathing with, “I am putting my hand on my chest and reminding myself to take longer breaths.” Help children notice how their breath changes throughout the day. Games can support this increased awareness. Ask the child to lie down, place their hands on their chest

and belly and lie still. Ask them to notice their breath, and then have them stand up and jump up and down before noticing their breath again. After hard play, tell them, “Your breath is moving so fast because you were running hard.” At bedtime, soothingly note, “Your breath is getting sleepy and slow.” Remember to be a witness, rather than a judge. Play is an excellent way to discover how breathing changes. Partner with a child to try to simulate how favorite animals breathe. Invite them to try sustaining a sound, such as chanting a vowel letter, and time how long they can do it.

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Notice Feelings and Sensations

Practice a regular mind/body check-in. At breakfast, inquire, “How are you feeling today?” or “Feelings check! At the moment, I am feeling tired and excited. What about you?” The idea is not to change or fix anything, just to notice, allowing a broadly defined perspective. Children might be able to describe a specific feeling or only an overall sensation like jumpy or buzzing.

Cultivate Sensory Awareness

Paying attention to sensations can bring children and adults into the moment. Integrate sensory awareness into daily life with simple questions like, “What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell?” We can bring this practice with us everywhere—into the waiting room at the dentist’s office, in the car or on a plane.

Practice Moments of Quiet

Intentionally quiet moments support the development of mindfulness and empower children to consider “not doing” a valid part of everyday life. When they are given the opportunity for quiet time, they often love it. Try asking the child to get so quiet that they can hear a particular sound in the room—their breath, the tick of a clock or the hum of a computer. Once they hear it and you do too, you can dismiss the practice session with a bell, gentle clap or another soft sound.

Send Well Wishes

The traditional Buddhist practice of mettha, or loving kindness, meditation involves reciting phrases that we direct first to ourselves and then outward toward others. For example, think, “May I be safe. May I be well. May I be at peace,” and then repeat the same phrases for someone we love, someone we don’t know personally and ultimately, all beings. When, for example, children ask why ambulances emit such loud, wailing sounds, we might explain, “Emergency rescue workers are helpers. Their sirens mean they are going to help someone. When we hear the sirens, we can wish them well by saying, ‘May they be safe.’” Traci Childress, co-founder and executive director of the Children’s Community School, in Philadelphia, PA, teaches mindfulness practices and yoga. Learn more at TraciChildress.com.

Try a Fresh Approach to Spiritual Wisdom The Center for Spiritual Living Princeton is a warm and welcoming, trans-denominational community. Our Center offers a fresh and practical approach to spirituality that draws on the timeless wisdom of the ages to promote both spiritual and personal growth. Join us for our Spiritual Transformation Service Sundays at 10:30 AM, Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd, Princeton (1 mile off Rt. 27). For directions or more information about our Sunday service, classes and workshops, call (609) 924-8422 or visit cslprinceton.org

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September 2014

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Indian Vegetarian Cooking Potent Spices and Veggies Fend Off Disease by Bushra Bajwa

Vegetarians seeking flavorful variations can turn to 9,000 Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi grocery stores nationwide.

“

leaves and aromatic e are now Indian dishes offer seeds from the pea seeing 20 tantalizing options in family have become percent non-Indian customers a vegetable-rich diet. common American crops. Tindura, a gourd in our store,” says Vipul Patel, owner of the Louisville, Kentucky, used in curry, and daikon, often eaten raw in salads or seasoned as stuffing in branch of Patel Brothers, the largest flatbread, are relatively new here. Indian U.S. grocery store chain. “Usu “By eating a larger variety of ally, new customers come in with an vegetables, consumers benefit from an Indian recipe and we help them find increased array of vital nutrients and spethe ingredients.” cialized phytochemicals that have healing and medicinal qualities,” says Ronald Indian Veggies Hubbs, a practitioner at NW NaturoVegetarianism has been a way of life in pathic Medicine, in Portland, Oregon. He India for millennia. Some Indian vegetaadvises against overcooking vegetables to bles may already seem familiar; winter maintain their nutritional qualities. melon, or white pumpkin, for example, Hubbs notes that bitter gourd is is a squash that cooks and tastes like its probably one of the most underappreciorange counterpart. Eggplants native to ated Western foods, yet studies on mice India are egg-shaped and smaller than sponsored by the Garvan Institute of the American variety; they cook in less Medical Research, in Sydney, Australia, time and have a less bitter taste. and the Chinese government show that Other popular Indian vegetables, it contains four compounds that are efsuch as okra seedpods (eaten as a curfective in reducing blood glucose levels ried entrée or side dish and also used in diabetic patients. to thicken stews and soups), fenugreek

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Also consider pickled vegetables, known as achar. “Naturally fermenting vegetables can turn some of them into superfoods, with enhanced properties that are rich in healthy bacteria and support digestion and immunity,” says Hubbs, citing studies in the Journal of Nutrition and Clinical Microbiology Reviews. Daals, or lentils, including Indian diet staples peas and beans, provide a good source of protein that is also high in fiber, he says. Lentils—highly versatile and available with or without the skin, whole or split—can be eaten thick and creamy, soup-like or dry, cooked with other vegetables or simply enhanced with basic Indian spices. Popular legumes include black-eyed peas and garbanzo beans. Different regions in the Indian subcontinent have their preferred daal spices and cooking methods, but all citizens often serve them with boiled rice or Indian bread, called chapatti.

Indian Spices

Although often considered “hot”, the blend of aromatic herbs and spices used in many Indian dishes, including those incorporating dairy, can be layered in for tantalizing flavors without necessitating frequent water breaks. Many commonly used herbs and spices have proven medicinal properties, historically recognized for

EZ Garam Masala Authentic garam masala is made with whole spices that have been roasted and ground, but this quick and easy substitute will add a warm, sweet flavor to vegetables, rice and other foods. 2 Tbsp ground coriander 1 Tbsp ground cumin 1 Tbsp ground cardamom 1 Tbsp ground black pepper 1 Tbsp ground fennel seed 1 tsp ground mustard ½ tsp ground cloves ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cayenne red pepper 2 Tbsp ground turmeric Mix the spices in a small bowl, place in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.

their healing properties in ayurvedic therapies and more recently, in Indian alternative medicine. According to University of Illinois research, fennel flower (black seed) and fenugreek improve lactation. University of Maryland Medical Center research shows that fennel seeds aid digestion. Further, the Journal of Phytopathology reports that carom seeds have antiseptic properties. Recently, researchers at Penn State University found that antioxidant spices such as turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, cloves and paprika reduced triglycerides in the blood by 30 percent, helping to reduce the risk of chronic disease. “That’s because adding spices to a meal decreases the amount of fat in the bloodstream after eating,” explains study leader Ann Skulas-Ray, Ph.D. “There are clear benefits to add-

ing spices to your meal, even if you’re only adding them occasionally.” Sprinkling a little turmeric and ginger on legumes or other vegetables while boiling or sautéing them can create a palate-pleasing dish with health benefits. Numerous studies, including those from the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota, show that these ingredients may help fight several kinds of cancer, reduce inflammation and relieve arthritis pain, among other benefits. Americans can easily learn to bring out the best in their own Indian cuisine with the subcontinent’s alluring blends of herbs and spices delivering both unforgettable flavor and nutrient-rich fare.

Maash Daal

Bushra Bajwa is a freelance writer in Issaquah, WA. Connect at BushraBajwa@hotmail.com.

Heat oil in saucepan to brown onions.

Spicy Indian Family Recipes 3 Tbsp olive oil 2 finely chopped medium yellow onion 2 finely chopped vine tomatoes 18 oz okra (about 50 pieces), washed, dried, ends trimmed and then cut into ½-inch pieces Sea salt to taste Red chili powder to taste ½ tsp coriander powder ½ tsp turmeric powder Fresh cilantro for garnish

Add salt, chili powder, coriander powder and turmeric. Mix. Add tomatoes and cook on medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, covered. Add the okra, mix well and simmer for another 8 to 10 minutes. Serve garnished with cilantro.

Organic Baby Potatoes and Chickpeas 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 cups chickpeas, cooked, drained and rinsed 3 baby potatoes, washed and diced

Wash lentils and soak in warm water for 1 hour. Add ginger and garlic, spices and tomatoes and stir for a few minutes to make a paste. Add lentils and water, and then bring to boil. Simmer on low to medium heat for 30 minutes.

Basic Okra

Heat oil in a 2-quart saucepan to lightly brown the onions.

2 Tbsp olive oil 2 cups maash (urad) lentils 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 tsp ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp coriander powder 2 cups purified water Sea salt to taste Chili powder to taste 2 tomatoes, finely chopped Fresh cilantro and chilies for garnish

Bitter Gourd 2 Tbsp olive oil 5 bitter gourds 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and sliced finely 2 tomatoes, chopped finely 1 tsp turmeric Sea salt to taste Wash and trim bitter gourd ends. 1 finely chopped tomato Sea salt to taste 1 tsp garam masala blend of ground spices 1 jalapeño finely chopped (optional) ¼ tsp baking soda 2 Tbsp purified water Fresh cilantro for garnish Heat oil in saucepan before adding ingredients. Add chickpeas, potatoes, tomatoes, salt and garam masala to saucepan and bring to a boil. Add baking soda and water, and then simmer for 7 to 8 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Cut in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Slice the halves into ¼-inch pieces. Rub salt into the pieces and set aside for 20 to 30 minutes (to remove the bitterness). Rinse out the salt and dry the bitter gourd. Heat oil in saucepan and then add bitter gourd, turmeric and salt. Sauté on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add onions and sauté for another 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, mix well and cook on medium heat for another 5 minutes. Recipes courtesy of Bushra Bajwa.

natural awakenings

September 2014

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NATURAL DEFENSE Top 10 Whole Foods to Counter Aging by Gary Null

oday’s battle against the effects of aging buzzes with hype about acai, goji, noni and mangosteen. But what about the foods most people typically eat?

It turns out that many anti-aging foods can be found in everyday kitchens, and unlike some other solutions, they can keep us looking and feeling younger and improve our all-around health without breaking the budget.

1. Oranges Loaded

with antioxidants, oranges are also packed with vitamin C, fiber and folate and significant amounts of vitamins A and B1, potassium and calcium. According to studies by the Australian research group CSIRO and others, oranges help boost immunity, lower cholesterol and reduce free radical damage and oxidative stress.

2. Blueberries One of the most

exciting nutritional properties of blueberries is their abundance of antioxidants called anthocyanins. Studies published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggest that these powerful phytonutrients neutralize free radical damage, enhance the health of all body tissues, protect the cardiovascular system, guard the brain against oxidative stress, and improve brain function, including memory.

3. Onions The more pungent the onion, the greater the health benefits. Studies like those from Cornell University have found that high onion consumption lowers blood sugar levels and decreases total cholesterol, while increasing levels of HDL 32

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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(good cholesterol). Consequently, onions are beneficial in preventing heart disease and stroke.

4. Garlic Known health

benefits of garlic are extensive. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry reports that garlic inhibits cardiac artery calcification and reduces the amounts of free radicals in the bloodstream, helping to reduce plaque deposits in the arteries. Research by the University of Maryland Medical Center also attests that garlic contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help protect against conditions often associated with aging, like asthma and arthritis.

5. Legumes All

types of everyday legumes are an excellent source of cholesterol-lowering fiber and energyboosting protein and iron. No one bean has an advantage over the others in providing vital nutrients. Lentils are high in fiber and, according to a study published in Nutrition Reviews, help to manage blood sugar. Black beans are rich in anthocyanidins. Kidney beans, filled with thiamin, work to improve functioning of neurotransmitters essential for memory, notes the National Institutes on Aging. Green beans are rich in vitamin K, essential to bone support. Garbanzo beans provide high amounts of minerals that aid in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats and proteins and strengthening tooth enamel, as studied by Dr. Lydia Bazzano, a professor at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. According to research by the National Institutes of Health and others, fiber-rich legumes play an important role in the prevention of gallstones, increased cardiac health, regulation of blood sugar, lowered total cholesterol levels (as well as increasing beneficial HDL cholesterol) and protection from cancers, especially colorectal cancer.

6. Shiitake Mushrooms These fungi are a good source of iron and lentinan, a polysaccharide that studies at the Iizuka Institute, in Japan, suggest activates our immune system’s tumor-fighting T cells.

7. Tomatoes Tomatoes are

loaded with healthy vitamins and trace minerals. They are also a good source of lycopene, which studies from the American Association for Cancer Research have linked to the protection of DNA from damage, prevention of heart disease and protection against cancers, including colorectal, breast, endometrial, lung and pancreatic types. Tomatoes are also rich with carotenoids, which research by the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group has associated with protection from heart disease and cancer, improved night vision and regulation of blood sugar.

8. Leafy Greens Calorie-for-calorie, greens are

among the most nutrient-packed foods we can eat. Spinach, kale, arugula, Swiss chard, cabbage, collard greens and watercress are all solid sources of powerful nutrients. Eating a variety of leafy greens has been shown by Katherine Tucker, Ph.D., with the Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, to help improve bone density (a problem area when aging), increase night vision, lower blood pressure, boost energy, increase circulatory health, protect against macular degeneration, and work to prevent a variety of cancers.

10. Whole Grains

While most Americans know that wholegrain breads and pastas are healthier than those made with refined white flour, we might include many grains other than wheat in our diet, in order to fight the effects of aging. Spelt, for example, provides riboflavin, which research from the Micronutrient Information Center with the Linus Pauling Institute shows can promote healthy skin and good vision. Barley can help with sleep regulation. Millet can help reduce the risk of a heart attack and lower blood pressure. With all these examples of truly good eating right in our own kitchen, there is no reason not to start improving our diet right now to pave the way for a longer, healthier life. Gary Null has written over 70 books, booklets and audio CDs on health and wellness, nutrition and alternative medicine. His syndicated radio talk show, Natural Living with Gary Null, is the longest-running continuously airing health program in America, and now also airs on the Internet. Null owns a dietary supplement company and a health foods store in New York City. For more information, visit GaryNull.com.

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September 2014

AWAKENING AMERICA

Celebrates 20 Years of Conscious Living

Read What People Are Saying About Natural Awakenings Natural Awakenings provides helpful information on natural health and environmental issues with a consistently positive perspective and tone, which is not always easy considering how serious and intimidating some of these topics are. It’s a rarity. ~ Sayer Ji, founder, GreenMedInfo.com

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

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

~ Theresa Sutton, Connecticut

It is unusual to see your level of writing and consciousness in a free publication. Thanks for a great work. ~ Kaih Khriste’ King, Arizona

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

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THE GREAT CLASSROOM PET DEBATE Kids Like Classroom Pets, Animal Lovers Raise Doubts

Natural Awakenings

naturalpet

by Sandra Murphy

classroom pet can help students learn about caring for another species, but is it the best way to teach? “A classroom pet can be a great opportunity to teach children gentle behavior. Many kids take pride in caring for the pet,” observes Terry Manrique, now a professional parent coach in Columbus, Ohio, who earlier worked with children ages 5 and 6 at Little People’s Country, in LaGrange, Illinois. To prevent jealousy, students can rotate responsibilities for animal care in the classroom and during school breaks. Pet Care Trust, which awards grants to teachers for hosting pets, provides care instructions and information about transmittable diseases for a bearded dragon, tarantula, rat, rabbit, leopard gecko, guinea pig, gerbil, dwarf hamster, beta fish, ball python, mouse and aquatic turtle. (Find more information via Tinyurl.com/Avoid PassingDisease.) The ASPCA advises that the pet’s environment shouldn’t be stressful and care should meet its specific needs. For example, keep handling of an animal to a minimum, and then only with adult supervision. Provide food, clean water and basic veterinary care, including vaccinations and parasite

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control, grooming, exercise and social interaction. Diligence in finding and eliminating hazardous substances and situations is equally vital. Susan Tellem, co-founder of American Tortoise Rescue, in Malibu, California, elaborates on her area of expertise—turtles and tortoises. “A tank isn’t a natural environment for a reptile and doesn’t allow enough room for exercise. It’s like asking a human to live in a bathtub,” says Tellem. She points out that they also need a proper diet and natural sun, not artificial light. Tellum used to take rescued turtles for classroom visits until a particularly large specimen staged a protest to the unnatural environment by making a mess, tearing up school papers and posters. Tellem further warns that a turtle might bite (and not let go until the person relaxes) or pinch small fingers

when retreating back into its shell. These days, she prefers to share an educational DVD that shows turtles at their best—in their own habitat. (Find more information at Tortoise.com.) “Constant artificial lighting goes against the natural sleep cycle of an animal,” comments Veterinarian Amber Andersen, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. “You can see it at shelters—dogs and cats are unable to achieve a restful sleep and become agitated.” Too often, the responsibility for caring for a classroom pet falls on the teacher during holiday breaks and summer months. “We had a popular chinchilla that was usually nocturnal, but also made appearances during the day,” says Manrique. “Then one of the teachers brought her dog to school, which caused stress for the chinchilla. When a new student had an allergic

reaction to the furry creature, we had to find a new home for him. Our next pets were fish.” Manrique’s students have also secured fertilized eggs from a local farmer to watch them hatch before the chicks returned home to the farm. “When we had caterpillars that turned into butterflies, a fun field trip to the park became the official winged release party,” she says. There is always the chance a pet might die during the school year. Parents are advised when a classroom pet dies and students have a classroom discussion to help them work through their grief. Lisa Cohn, co-author of Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, in Portland, Oregon, wrote the book with her son, Michael, after the sudden death of their dog, Lucy, as a way to help them deal with their sadness. The Humane Society of the United States

is not in favor of classroom pets. To avoid being vulnerable to predators in the wild, animals often hide symptoms of illness or injury. In captivity, that behavior can delay veterinary help. Recommended alternatives to bringing animals into the classroom include field trips to nature centers, wildlife refuges and animal shelters. The society’s Kind News magazine for students from kindergarten through sixth grade shares stories of rescued animals, pet care tips and how-tos for nurturing backyard wildlife (Humane Society.org). Before deciding on a classroom pet, consider life from the pet’s point of view—how loud is the class, how old are the kids, how much maintenance will be needed and how much space is needed for a proper habitat. There might be a better way to learn—and teach. Contact Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mind spring.com.

9 Worst School Pets Birds—can be messy and noisy, bite when handled too much or roughly, are stressed by too much noise and can pass salmonella. Chinchillas—nocturnal; need cool, constant temperatures of less than 85 degrees and don’t like to be handled. They need time out of the cage daily (subject to being stepped on by eager children) and require an allergen dust bath to remove oil from their fur. Ferrets—emit a strong odor and have a tendency to nip. Frogs—petting can transmit salmonella. Hamsters—nocturnal; poking can lead to a bite. Iguanas—can grow to over six feet long and a tail-swiping can be painful; generally not friendly and have highly specific dietary needs. Rabbits—don’t like to be handled, can bite or scratch; need a calm and peaceful environment to avoid potential stress-

induced heart attacks. Dr. Clark Fobian, of Sedalia, Missouri, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, says they require hay or grasses, fresh greens, vegetables and a highgrade pellet food, plus toys to prevent boredom and excessive tooth growth. Snakes—can be aggressive during molting. Turtles—need sunlight, specific diet and more exercise space than a tank can provide; salmonella may be transmitted through their drinking water or by touch.

Better Alternatives

Fish—relaxing to watch and easy to feed. Guinea pig—larger than a hamster and more easily handled; need space to move around and another companion guinea pig. Fresh food, high in vitamin C, is necessary, according to Fobian. Mites can be a problem requiring a vet visit.

Try to be a rainbow

in someone’s cloud. ~Maya Angelou

Source: Adapted from PetMD.com natural awakenings

September 2014

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

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Fall Native Plant Sale – 3-6pm. D&R Greenway’s Native Plant Nursery at the Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton. 609-924-4646.

Diet to Go Food Tasting – 9-11am. Free. Fresh made food delivered directly. Come see why these prepared meals are not only more affordable, but fits the perfect weight-loss plan perfectly. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 5 Mile Race / 1 Mile Fun Walk – 8:30am. Hosted by Community Education & Outreach of Princeton HealthCare System and Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center. Proceeds benefit the Jim Craigie Center for Joint Replacement at University Medical Center of Princeton. Cost $30/$20, run/walk per person. Education Testing Services, 660 Rosedale Rd, Princeton. 609-897-8982.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Tea & Tour, Morven Museum & Garden – noon and 2pm. Tea served at 1pm. Invite a friend (or a few) to relax in the classic elegance of Morven’s Garden Room overlooking the Colonial Revival Garden. Tea includes tea sandwiches, scones, and an assortment of fresh fruit and sweets. A docent-led tour accompanies the tea and can be taken either time. Reservation required. Cost $16/$20, member/ non-member. Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St, Princeton. 609-924-8144 x103.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Community Acupuncture Sessions – Call for appointment times. Treatment designed for stress management and routine aches. Aware Acupuncture, 114 Straube Center Blvd, Ste K 6-7, Pennington. 609-737-0970. Children’s Story time in Garden – 11am-12pm. Ali Morgan, wife of farm manager Scott Morgan, will foster your child’s imagination through her special children’s story readings. RSVP requested. Blue Moon Acres Farm Market, 11 Willow Creek Dr, Pennington. 609-737-8333.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 WWFM Events – 9am-1pm. Free. Special events for West Windsor Farmers’ Market. Music: Blue Jersey Band, Community Groups: PHS, free b/p and health screenings; WWAC, children art activity; Cooking Demonstration, Chef Adam of Griggstown Farm. Princeton Junction Train Station, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction. 609-933-4452. Back to School Day – 11am-3pm. Free. School bells ring once again in Pleasant Valley when Howell Farm invites the public to participate in a unique “back to school” day. The program features the educational, social and cultural activities centered on the “one-room school” in rural life of 1900. Howell Living Farm, 70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville. 609-737-3299. Mercer County Insect Festival – 1-4pm. For children of all ages. Hunt for insects in the meadow, bugs galore, butterfly birth, and hayrides. Local naturalists and Master Gardeners will offer insect displays, games, crafts, live honeybees, a puppet show, and more. Mercer Education Gardens, 431A Federal City Rd, Pennington. 609-989-6830.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Back to School, Create your own Curriculum to build your Life – 10:15am. If you are looking for a warm, dynamic community of spiritually-minded people, try a transformation services and mingle afterward with refreshments and conversation. The

Greater Mercer County, NJ

making decisions about how to use it to create fulfillment. Led by Shirley Roberts, Helen Burton and Carol King. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609584-5900.

Center for Spiritual Living Princeton. Location at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd (Rte 605), Princeton. 609-924-8422. How Sweet it Is, Pairing Wine & Chocolate – 2pm. Enjoy a sweet afternoon filled with tips on how to pair your two favorite foods. Includes instruction, wine tasting, tour and your personal assortment of Pierre’s Chocolates. Cost $35. Crossings Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing. 215-493-6500x19.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Read & Pick Program, Chickens – 9:30 and 11am. Parents and children (age’s preschool to 8 years) are welcome to celebrate everything wonderful about chickens. Event includes two book readings about chickens then visit laying hens and learn a dance. Cost: $7/child. Registration requested. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. 609-924-2310. Shape for Life – Information Session – 6:30pm. Free. Learn to change your lifestyle and permanently lose weight. Jill Nitz, bariatric coordinator, who specializes in the treatment of obesity, discusses RWJ Hamilton’s Comprehensive Weight Loss Program - including physician supervised weight loss, a tailored exercise program and nutritional counseling. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Take a Walk on the Wild Side – 8:30-9:30am. Start your autumn day off right with a walk on the Watershed Reserve trails with Teacher-Naturalist Allison Jackson. Walks will happen rain or shine so dress appropriately for seasonal temperatures and possible muddy conditions. Walks will continue bi-weekly throughout the season – join one or all. Binoculars and nature journal are encouraged. Cost $free/$5 member/non-member. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Children’s Story time in Garden – 11am-12pm. See September 4 listing. Pennington. Time at Last – 2pm. Free. Navigating Retirement. So much of our life and identity revolves around work. This supportive group discusses the joys, concerns and challenges of having extra time and

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Fall Native Plant Sale – 9am-12pm. See September 12 listing. Princeton. WWFM Events – 9am-1pm. Free. Special events for West Windsor Farmers’ Market. Music: Jeff Griesemer, Community Groups: Twin Rescue Squad, free b/p screening; Cooking Demonstration: WWCFM cooking basics. Princeton Junction Train Station, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction. 609-933-4452. Apple Day – 10am-5pm. Celebrate fall at the 39th Annual Apple Day at Terhune Orchards. Join your friends and neighbors for two days of fun, activities, and music for the harvest season. Cost admission $5/ person, under 3 free. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. 609-924-2310. Sample Saturday – 10am-2pm. Meet neighborhood chiropractors and healers. Posture evaluations, neck massages, acupuncture and homeopathic consultations and education. Big Bear Natural Foods, 7 Rte 31 N, Pennington. 609-737-8822. Canning Class – 11am-3pm. Free. Throughout the day, farmers will be canning and pickling surplus garden crops like cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and more. You can sample the results and take home recipes and other secrets that made canning a mainstay of the 1900 farm. Howell Living Farm, 70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville. 609-737-3299. Organic Turf Revival Workshop – 11am-12:30pm. Presentation will provide practical knowledge of basic organic systems for turf management, rebuilding soil, and soil health. Learn to revive summer stressed turf sustainably and prepare for next year’s growing season. Cost $15/$5, per person/each additional. Blue Moon Acres Farm Market, 11 Willow Creek Dr, Pennington. 609-737-8333. Back to Camp Day at Wargo Pond – 2-4pm. Free. Bring your family and friends back to camp for an afternoon around the pond. Meet up with summer camp friends and see your counselors again when you hike around the pond, use the seine net from the shore, create watercolors on the dock and enjoy marshmallows roasted on a campfire. Just like camp, it’s rain or shine so dress for the weather. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Apple Day – 10am-5pm. See September 13 listing. Princeton.

Your Mental Movie – 10:15 am. If you are looking for a warm, dynamic community of spiritually minded people, try a transformation services and mingle afterward with refreshments and conversation. The Center for Spiritual Living Princeton. Location at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd (Rte 605), Princeton. 609-924-8422.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Encore Careers: Doing Good While Doing Well – 6:30-8pm. Free. Combine passion, purpose and paycheck in a second career. Carol King, of PSRC’s “Next Step: Engaged Retirement and Encore Careers” will teach you how you can use your skills, knowledge and experience. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Time to Start a New Routine – 2-3:30pm. Classes are led by a registered dietitian. Includes taste sampling and recipes to take home. Register at least 3 days prior to class. The lazy days of summer may have added a few pounds. Cost: $10. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900. Health Rhythms Drumming – 7-8pm. Group drumming is good fun and good for you. HealthRythms®, an evidence-based program, strengthens the immune system and reduces stress. Drums provided or bring your own. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP. Cost: $15. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

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

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 WWFM Events – 9am-1pm. Free. Special events for West Windsor Farmers’ Market. Music: A Little Bit Off; Community Groups: Yes We Can Food Drive, PHS, free health screenings; Massage: The Touch That Heals. Princeton Junction Train Station, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction. 609-933-4452. On the Move – 9:30-11:30am. For families and children 5 yo+. Discover the mystery and magic of migration on the Watershed Reserve. During this morning walk, we will scan the skies for migratory hawks and search our meadows for Monarchs and dragonflies on their way to their winter grounds. This hike is co-sponsored by Washington Crossing Audubon Society. Cost $5/person. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Plein Air Painting Workshop – 10am-2pm. Explore how color defines forms, learn how to represent natural colors and experiment with brush strokes and textures. Taught by Arts Council of Princeton instructor Ray Brown. Workshop includes a Naturalist-led walk on the Reserve trails. Bring bag lunch. Cost $50/$60 member/non-member, 16yo+. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. Register through ACP at 609-924-8777. Corn Shocking Class – 11am-3pm. Free. Visitors are invited to help farmers arrange corn stalks into shocks of about 100 stalks in the field. Cutting and shocking the corn lets the corn continue to dry down, leaving room to bring wagons into the field at harvest time and making it easier to access the ears, some of which are 8 feet off the ground. Howell Living Farm, 70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville. 609-737-3299.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

SPREAD YOUR LIGHT Help your community become a healthier and happier place to live by advertising in

Natural Awakenings’ October Sustainable Communities Edition

Row, Row, Row Your Boat – 10:15am. If you are looking for a warm, dynamic community of spiritually minded people, try a transformation services and mingle afterward with refreshments and conversation. The Center for Spiritual Living Princeton. Location at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd (Rte 605), Princeton. 609-924-8422.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Children’s Story time in Garden – 11am-12pm. See September 4 listing. Pennington. Community Acupuncture Sessions – Call for appointment times. See September 4 listing. Pennington. Free Vision Screenings – 4-7pm. Princeton HealthCare System and the New Jersey Commission for the Blind: Project Prevention Unit offer these free vision screenings to uninsured or underinsured adults and children. All children must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Hamilton YMCA, 1315 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd, Hamilton. 1-888-897-8979. Creepy Spider Night Hike – 7:30-9pm. Crab spiders, jumping spiders, wolf spiders, orb and funnel weavers and more. Join Education Director Jeff Hoagland on our annual night hunt on the Watershed Reserve trails. Bring a flashlight. Cost $8/$12 member/non-member, 5 yo+. Stony Brook-

Read & Pick Program, Tractors – 9:30 and 11am. Parents and children (ages preschool to 8 years) are welcome to celebrate everything wonderful about tractors. Event includes two book readings about tractors and how they help farmers, then make craft and take tractor ride. Cost: $7/child. Registration requested. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. 609-924-2310.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Take a Walk on the Wild Side – 8:30-9:30am. Start your autumn day off right with a walk on the Watershed Reserve trails with Teacher-Naturalist Allison Jackson. Walks will happen rain or shine so dress appropriately for seasonal temperatures and possible muddy conditions. Walks will continue bi-weekly throughout the season – join one or all. Binoculars and nature journal are encouraged. Cost free/members, $5/non-members. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

To advertise or participate in our next edition, call

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natural awakenings

September 2014

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Art of Happiness Program – Sudarshan Kriya technique. Call for times. Twenty-hour course incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to harmonize body, mind and emotions. Cost $295/$395, students/non-students. 5 Sprague St, Chesterfield. 609-436-0714.

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

Children’s Story time in Garden – 11am-12pm. See September 4 listing. Pennington.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Art of Happiness Program – Sudarshan Kriya technique. See September 25 listing. Chesterfield.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 WWFM Events – 9am-1pm. Free. Special events for West Windsor Farmers’ Market. Music: Sicilian Blue; Community Groups: Capital Health nutritionist, Twin Rescue Squad, free b/p screenings; Cooking Demo: Dorothy Mullen, Suppers program. Princeton Junction Train Station, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction. 609-933-4452. Uproot Your Limiting Hidden Beliefs – 10am12pm. Are you ready to uncover and release your limiting beliefs and create new, positive beliefs that have the power to transform your life? Try the introductory workshop. Suggested $15. Center for Spiritual Living, Princeton. Call for location details. 609-924-8422. Art of Happiness Program – Sudarshan Kriya technique. See September 25 listing. Chesterfield Reiki Level 1 Certification – 10am-6pm. Receive certification upon successful completion of this class taught by Pam Jones, RN. Class awards 7 nursing contact hours. Cost: $160. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900. Introduction to Shamanic Journey – 10:30am6:30pm. Cindy O’Connor, Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master will offer and introductory workshop into shamanic journeying. No previous experience. Cost $220. Energy for Healing, 4446 Rte 27, Kingston. 609-273-4399.

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

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 Art of Happiness Program – Sudarshan Kriya technique. See September 25 listing. Chesterfield. Introduction to Shamanic Journey – 10:30am6:30pm. See September 27 listing. Kingston.

Publisher@NAMercer.com Greater Mercer County, NJ

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Art of Happiness Program – Sudarshan Kriya technique. See September 25 listing. Chesterfield. Just for Girls – 6-8pm. Bring your 9-11-year-old daughter to this fun introduction to puberty, body image, self-esteem, and nutrition. Join nurses Stacey Poole, RN, and Heather Comisky, RN, for an interactive evening to help guide your daughter through this significant time in her life. Cost: $15. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900. Nutrition Seminar, Clean Eating – 7-8pm. Free. Clean diet and move away from the SAD diet (standard American diet) of processed foods, towards a wholesome food diet. Discover the health benefits of eating whole. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020.

plan ahead SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 WWFM Events – 9am-1pm. Free. Special events for West Windsor Farmers’ Market. Music: Larry Tritel; Community Groups: PHS free b/p and health screenings; Cooking Demo: Allie O’Brien of Garden State Community Kitchen; Massage: The Touch That Heals. Princeton Junction Train Station, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction. 609-933-4452.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7 Read & Pick Program, Pumpkins – 9:30 and 11am. Parents and children (ages preschool to 8 years) are welcome to celebrate everything wonderful about pumpkins. Event includes two book readings about pumpkins then pick own decorative pumpkin. Cost: $7/child. Registration requested. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. 609-924-2310.

Always remember

that you are absolutely unique—just like everyone else.

~Margaret Mead

609-249-9044

Making a Commitment to Love – 10:15am. If you are looking for a warm, dynamic community of spiritually minded people, try a transformation services and mingle afterward with refreshments and conversation. The Center for Spiritual Living Princeton. Location at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd (Rte 605), Princeton. 609-924-8422.

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

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.

sunday Spiritual Awakening Service – 10:15am. If you are looking for a warm, dynamic community of spiritually minded people, we encourage you to come to one of our Sunday Transformation Services and mingle afterwards with refreshments and conversation. The Center for Spiritual Living Princeton holds services every Sunday at the Princeton Masonic Lodge, 354 River Rd, (Rt 605) Kingston. 609-924-8422.

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. Interval Circuit Training – 7-8pm. Join group for workout led by Jesse for both members and nonmembers. Cost $10. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020.

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

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

tuesday

friday

Boot Camp With Devon – 6-7pm. Join group for workout led by Devon for both members and nonmembers. Cost $10. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020.

Interval Circuit Training – 7-8am. Join group for workout led by Jesse for both members and nonmembers. Cost $10. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020.

Rise to the Task Free Dinner – 4-5:30pm. Free community dinner. First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, 320 N Main St, Hightstown. For more info contact Rise office at 609-443-4464.

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

Interval Circuit Training – 6-7pm. Join group for workout led by Jesse for both members and nonmembers. Cost $10. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020.

wednesday

Breast Cancer Support Group – 6-7:30pm. 3rd Tues. No registration required walk-ins welcome. UMCP Breast Health Center, 300B PrincetonHightstown Rd, East Windsor Medical Commons 2, East Windsor. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 6:30pm. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at VFW, 77 Christine Ave, Hamilton. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

thursday

Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 8:45am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Energy for Healing, 4446 Main St, Kingston. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048. Bright Beginnings – 10:30-11:30am. This informative, relaxed group is for parents and caregivers of infants. Each week focuses on a different topic of interest to new parents, and guest speakers are occasionally featured. Infants and children under 4 years of age are welcome to attend with the parent or caregiver. $5 payable at door. Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton North Shopping Center, 1225 State Rd, Princeton. 609-683-7888. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – Evenings. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class locations in Bordentown area. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

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

saturday Interval Circuit Training – 8:30-9:30am. Join group for workout led by Jesse for both members and non-members. Cost $10. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 9 and 11am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at 9 in Newton or 11 in Langhorne, PA. For more information, additional locations & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048. WWFM Farmers’ Market – 9am-1pm. West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market. 15 farms and 11 artisan food and natural product vendors. Princeton Junction Train Station, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot (Alexander Rd & Vaughn Dr), Princeton Junction. 609-933-4452.

natural awakenings

September 2014

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

COLON THERAPY

ACUPUNCTURE AWARE ACUPUNCTURE

A WELLNESS WITHIN

If you suffer from pain, digestive problems, arthritis, autoimmune disease, asthma, allergies, headaches/ migraines, Bell’s palsy, fatigue, stress, anxiety, menstrual/menopausal symptoms and disorders, learn how we can help in healing mind, body and spirit. See ad, page 11.

Are you wondering what is colon hydrotherapy? Will it work for me? Contact us for the answers and to reduce gas and bloating, relieve constipation and promote regularity. Ask about our detox or weight loss programs. See ad, page 27.

3692 Nottingham Way, Hamilton 609-587-8919 WellnessWithinNJ.com

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

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE DOROTA M. GRIBBIN, M.D.

181 N Harrison St, Princeton 2333 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd, Mercerville 609-588-0540 DMGribbInMD.com Get the most out of your years naturally and without surgery. Specializing on natural pain relief and body regeneration, with exceptional patient care. See ad, page 43.

EDUCATION/SCHOOLS WALDORF SCHOOL OF PRINCETON 1062 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton 609-466-1970 x115 PrincetonWaldorf.org

The Waldorf curriculum,

Waldorf used in 1,000+ schools

School

worldwide, integrates arts, academics, movement, and music, emphasizing social and environmental responsibility. The hands-on approach is screen free. of Princeton

GREEN LIVING

BODYWORK

SUN 101 SOLAR

REIKI MASTER

Daniel Hicks 609-460-4637 Info@Sun101Solar.com Sun101Solar.com

Mrs. Donna Tomaszewski Hamilton/West Windsor Area 609-586-5409 by appointment ReikiPlace.org

We are more than just a solar installer. We see ourselves as educators and stewards of the environment. We always do our best to educate about the benefits of going solar and being energy efficient. See ad, page 17.

Discover the gentle positive energy that is Reiki to effectively relieve stress while experiencing profound feelings of relaxation, peace and wellbeing. One-hour session: $75.

SIOBHAN HUTCHINSON, MA

Holistic Health Practitioner 609-752-1048 NextStepStrategiesllc.com Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesllc.com

WE DO IT ALL

Enhance balance of Body/Mind/ Spirit through T’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. See ad, page 29.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

Home Improvements/Repairs 609-851-1753 WeDoItAll4U2@gmail.com We do it all while always offering green options. Repair, install, replace: doors, all types tiles, hardwood, carpeting, molding, pavers and decks. Powerwashing, painting, water proofing and finish basements, kitchen and bath remodeling. No job too big or small.

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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.

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

Do you smoke, feel stressed or in pain, crack under pressure, or want to break unhealthy habits? Contact us and visit our website for healthful solutions that work. See ad, page 23.

NATURAL SERVICES BLACK FOREST ACRES

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

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

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

ORGANIC FARMS CHERRY GROVE FARM

3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville 609-219-0053 CherryGroveFarm.com Organic and natural products including farmstead cheeses; Buttercup Brie, seasonal Jacks, Rosedale, Herdsman, Toma, Havilah and Cheddar Curds. Additional products include whey-fed pork, grass-fed lamb and beef, pasture-raised eggs and myriad locally sourced goods. See ad, page 27.

If You Learn from Natural Awakenings, Share the Knowledge

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JOIN US ON:

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

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Non-Invasive Pain Treatment: No Surgery, No Cortisone by Dorota M. Gribbin, MD

“P

ain is a symptom,” says Dorota M. Gribbin, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor at Columbia University – College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chairman of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation section at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton and Medical Director of Comprehensive Pain and Regenerative Center. “In order to manage pain effectively, it is essential to pinpoint its cause.” She is named one of the best doctors in the New York Metro Area by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. for 14 consecutive years between 1999 and 2013.

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

How does PRP Therapy work? To prepare PRP, a small amount of blood is taken from the patient. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins and automatically produces the PRP. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes and increases the concentration of platelets and growth factors up to 500 percent. When PRP is injected into the damaged area it stimulates

the tendon or ligament, causing mild inflammation that triggers the healing cascade. As a result new collagen begins to develop. As this collagen matures it begins to shrink causing the tightening and strengthening of the tendons or ligaments of the damaged area. The initial consultation with the doctor will determine if PRP/PPP therapy is right for you.

RADIOFREQUENCY: A Revolutionary Modality in the Treatment of Painful Conditions and in Body Regeneration & Rejuvenation Surgery should be the last resort. Most painful conditions are treated conservatively with a nonsurgical approach. In addition to medications, physical modalities (ultrasound, TENS, massage, exercise) and injection techniques RADIOFREQUENCY is a revolutionary technology which incapacitates the conduction of pain and also treats cellulite, tightens the subcutaneous tissue and erases scars and wrinkles. Traditionally, therapeutic injections have involved injecting an anti-inflammatory agent, usually corticosteroids. Good news: not necessarily anymore! Radiofrequency ablation of the median branch sensory nerve “turns off” a small nerve which conducts pain. It is used for effective treatment of pain with long lasting results. The outcomes are amazing: years of pain relief, lowering or eliminating the need for pain medications.

Aesthetic Medicine Her aesthetic medicine treatment options include treatment for the reduction of cellulite, fatty tissue, and skin tightening of the face, neck, abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs. This treatment is achieved through a non-surgical liposuction and body sculpting procedure using the same radio frequency energy, but different instruments as mentioned previously.

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3630 Quakerbridge Road | Hamilton, NJ 08619