Natural Awakenings Mercer, NJ October 2013 by Natural Awakenings Mercer

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Environment Climate Change Conscious Shopping What’s Your Tree? Julia Butterfly Trekking for a Higher Purpose

October 2013

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Searching for Relief from Pain? Dr. Magaziner uses Breakthrough Stem Cell Treatments to Repair Injured or Damaged Tissue

What are Stem Cells?

Stem Cell Treatments:

Stem cells are in people of all ages. Stem cells are the repairman of the body. The most common is known as hematopoietic stem cells. The type of adult stem cells that is most often seen in research as being associated with tissue repair is mesenchymal stem cells (MSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s). These cells usually travel to the injury areas via the bloodstream. If the injured area has a poor blood supply, or the body does not provide a strong response healing will not occur. Areas of poor blood supply include joints, connective tissue, ligaments, and tendon. These are areas typically do not heal well on their own because the body is not able to get enough repair cells to these injured areas. If the injury is not that severe, we are usually able to treat the area with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the bodies own (autologous) stem cells by transplanting the healing cells exactly where they are needed which signals the body to repair the tissues in that area.

The number of treatments necessary to achieve the desired results varies depending upon the injury. Dr. Magaziner estimates most of his patients notice a significant reduction in pain between the second and third treatment, and that usually only 5 to 7 treatments are necessary to alleviate the pain for a significant amount of time. In some cases physical therapy is also needed to increase strength and improve overall function.

The Procedure:

What conditions can be treated with stem cells?

Stem cells are collected by aspirating bone marrow from the back of the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pelvis with a small needle. There is usually minimal discomfort with this procedure since the area is well anesthetized with local anesthetic. Most procedures require about 2 oz (60cc) of bone marrow aspirate. This aspirate contains mesenchymal stem cells, platelets, and other types of stromal cells. The bone marrow is than placed in a special container and with a machine called a centrifuge, bone marrow spins at a very fast speed causing the stem cells and platelets to be separated from the rest of the blood products. It is this concentration of bone marrow ,known as BMAC, that is injected back into the injured area along with PRP (platelet rich plasma). Once introduced back into the body, the stem cells and the platelets release growth factors and signaling proteins that basically tell the stem cells what to become. Stem cells by themselves are not capable of repairing the area. Once activated, the stem cells are capable of many remarkable things. In addition to repairing the damage, the stem cells attract more stem cells to the area to continue the repair process.

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Some of the conditions that can be treated with stem cell therapy include: arthritis, back pain, joint pain, shoulder pain, tendinitis, tendon and muscle tears, cartilage and meniscus injuries, ligament injuries, wrist and hand pain, elbow pain, hip and pelvis pain, foot and ankle pain, and TMJ injuries. Stem cell and PRP cell therapy is also being used for wound healing, hair growth and facial regeneration (natural facelift).

877-817-3273 â&#x20AC;˘ www.painandspinecare.com

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More for your money Customers want more than an ad. They want an explanation. Natural Awakenings teaches our readers about you with news briefs, articles, calendar listings, and classifieds. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just place an ad. Become part of the magazine. 100% Targeted Audience Mintel International, an industry leader in providing market intelligence, recently called the green marketplace one of the fastest growing, most dynamic sectors of the US economy. 100% of our readers are interested in healthy living, a healthy environment, and personal growth. THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 100% Credibility and Scope The Natural Awakenings family of magazines has been a respected source for cuttingedge healthy living information across the country for 18 years, reaching more than 3.6 million readers each month with 80+ individual magazines in 80+ cities across the nation and Puerto Rico.

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contents 10 6 newsbriefs 9 spotlight 10 healthbriefs 13 globalbriefs 15 ecotip 19 healingways 13 20 healthykids 22 greenliving 23 inspiration 24 consciouseating 28 fitbody 30 naturalpet 24 35 wisewords 38 calendar 41 classifieds 42 resourceguide

advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 609-249-9044 or email LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. Editorial submissions Email articles, news items and ideas to: LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. calendar submissions Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NAMercer.com or fax to 609-249-9044. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. regional markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

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

16 EASING EARTHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RISING FEVER

The Right Steps Now Can Avert the Worst of It by Christine MacDonald

19 ENERGY HEALING COMES OF AGE

A Historic Milestone in Complementary Medicine by Linda Sechrist

20 STARRY-EYED KIDS Clear Skies, Cool Nights Open Vast Vistas by Randy Kambic PLANET IN MIND Daily Choices Help

Counter Climate Change by Christine MacDonald

23 ALL THE TIME

IN THE WORLD

Transforming Anxiety into Artistry by Marney K. Makridakis

24 ANCESTRAL DIETS A Lighter Shade of Paleo

by Sayer Ji and Tania Melkonian

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28 TREKKING AS PILGRIMAGE

A Literal Path to Personal Growth by Sarah Todd

30 PARROTING

A WILD DIET Fresh Forage Feeds

Birds Well

4 4

22 SHOP WITH THE

by Sandy Lender

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letterfrompublisher

ith the wondrous season of autumn upon us, I can’t help but think, “What can we do outside in these last beautiful days before the snow falls?” Our family has decided to adventure into parks and other outstanding places surrounding greater Mercer County. One of my favorite outings is strolling downtown Princeton and enjoying the older architecture of town buildings and churches. The quaint little shops serve up small-town charm along with unique and eclectic items. Princeton University is as beautiful a campus as I’ve ever seen, with an artistic flare evident in landscaped grounds and walkways meandering between its attractive, aged buildings. My children’s top pick for day trips is anyplace where horses and other animals may be found. A recent excursion took us to the Mercer County Equestrian Center, in Pennington. The 243-acre property includes marked trails for bird watching, walking, hiking and horseback riding. Fenced grazing meadows filled with stunning horses sent my daughters running toward them as if they were old friends. They spent time talking with, petting and naming each horse. Hours later I finally glanced at my watch, marveling again at this amazing land preserved for horses and the people that love them. We are honored that, as publishers of Natural Awakenings, my husband, Dave, and I were invited to attend the D&R Greenway Land Trust 2013 Greenway Gala. Established in 1989, the nonprofit preserves and protects a permanent treasure of more than 17,000 acres of natural lands and open spaces, creating the conditions for a healthy and diverse native environment to flourish. Some of its most special trees have been there for generations. We like to visit, relax and take in nature’s comforting sunset views there. Our whole family sometimes troops outdoors in the dark with a telescope to admire the stars on crisp, clear nights. To see something so far away appear near at hand amazes us adults and clearly astounds the kids. They blurt out, “The moon looks so close that I can touch it,” and “I think I see the man on the moon.” Randy Kambic’s article, “Starry-Eyed Kids,” on page 20, captures the experience well— standing in awe at the wonders of the universe can also instill a centering sense of humility in the face of such grandeur. Our family is looking forward to exploring many more stellar spots in our community’s backyard in the near future. Whatever you choose to do, we encourage you to get outside and make the most of it. The world around and above us is awesome. To the stars and back,

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises. ~Pedro Calderón de la Barca

Lori Beveridge, Owner/Publisher

Managing Editor Dave Beveridge

Proofreader Randy Kambic

Design & Production Melanie Rankin Stephen Blancett

Franchise Sales John Voell II 239-530-1377

Phone: 609-249-9044 Fax: 609-249-9044 NAMercer.com LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com © 2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the publisher. Call for details. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

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October 2013

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newsbriefs Fall Fest 5K Cancer Benefit

Tree Of Life Jerry LoFaro After ruling out his initial career choices of paleontologist, zoologist, baseball player and Good Humor ice cream man, Jerry LoFaro parlayed his lifetime interest in dinosaurs and other animals, fantasy, art history and literature into a successful career as an illustrator. His art—always striking and often humorous—has been featured on book covers for major publishers and in advertising and promotional campaigns for clients including Nike, Disney, National Geographic, The Discovery Channel and TIME magazine. Celestial Seasonings has commissioned LoFaro to create tea, coffee and seasonings package designs, even entrusting him to update the company’s famous icon, Sleepytime Bear. Among his many awards is the Gold Medal he was honored with from the Society of Illustrators in 2009. Recently, he was commissioned to create the official Earth Day 2013 Poster on the theme of big cat conservation. “Superficially, I’d describe my work as realism,” says LoFaro. “However, much of what I’ve done in content is conceptual, with surreal flourishes.” Prior to 2002, he worked primarily with acrylics; now, he uses Photoshop to create digital art. LoFaro also treasures the rural beauty of his New Hampshire surroundings and confides, “My life revolves around walking out to my studio in the woods, listening to great music and being creative.” View the artist’s portfolio and online store at JerryLoFaroDesigns.com. 6

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EAC Health & Fitness will host a 5K race to benefit the Teal Tea Foundation starting at 8:15 a.m. on October 19 in Ewing as part of PEAC’s annual Fall Fest event. Checking in for the race—to be sanctioned, professionally timed and certified by the USATF—will begin at 7:15 a.m. The Teal Tea Foundation is dedicated to raising ovarian cancer awareness and supporting research efforts focused on early detection, treatments and a cure for ovarian cancer. Its programs help women facing ovarian cancer to improve their quality of life during and after treatment. The Foundation is a partner member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance based in Washington, D.C., and also supports the awareness and research efforts of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cooper Cancer Institute and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation. Location: 1440 Lower Ferry Rd. For more information about Teal Tea Foundation, visit TealTea.org. For information or to pre-register for race which is encouraged, contact Valerie Lopenzina, program coordinator, at VMLopenzina@PEACHealthFitness.com or visit PEACHealthFitness.com. For more information about PEAC Fall Fest, see page 9.

Local T’ai Chi Chih Teacher’s Focus on Seniors

’ai Chi Chih is a series of 19 movements and one pose that altogether comprise a meditative form of exercise to which practitioners attribute physical and spiritual health benefits and studies have shown can reduce stress and relieve certain ailments. Siobhan Hutchinson, MA-Holistic Health, is an accredited T’ai Chi Chih teacher who conducts classes throughout our area. Seniors are often concerned with balance, high Siobhan Hutchinson blood pressure, and stress as ailments. Finding a safe, gentle method of movement may be a challenge if they are searching for classes that are not addressing their specific needs. The New Jersey Foundation for Aging recently interviewed Hutchinson who handles this concern. Her classes are very mindful of the various needs and abilities of seniors. Hutchinson adds, “T’ai Chi Chih is a gentle, moving meditation that may be adapted to fit various needs. In fact, this form may be done seated as well as standing, an advantage for seniors that require this option.” For more information, call Hutchinson at 609-752-1048, visit NextStepStrategies LLC.com or email Siobhan@NextStrategiesLLC.com or view video interview at YouTube.com/watch?v=3EC_noq2ME8. See ad on page 18.

Mazie Mae’s 2nd Annual Ruff-tober Fest

he second annual Mazie Mae Ruff-tober Fest fundraiser will be held rain or shine from noon to 5 p.m. on October 19 at Tall Cedars Grove, in Hamilton. Dogs are welcome! All proceeds will benefit the Mid-Atlantic Bulldog Rescue (MABR) and Diamonds in a Ruff, both 501(c)3 organizations. Planned events for the festival include a pet costume contest, raffles and prizes, cornhole tournament, vendors, food, music and more. Pets can also be adopted at the festival. It’s requested that all dogs brought to the event have current vaccinations and be leashed unless involved in unleashed events. Cost: $15 pre-registration includes limited edition RufftoberFest T-Shirt, children under 10 free. Location: 245 Sawmill Rd., Hamilton. For more information and to register, email RufftoberFest@gmail.com. For MABR information, visit MidAtlanticBulldogResuce.com.

Education Center Fundraiser at Fernbrook Farms

onsider attending Fernbrook Farm’s fundraiser to support its Education Center’s Urban Initiative Program from 6 to 9 p.m. on October 10 in Bordentown. The farm-to-table event will include cocktails, hayrides, chef introduction and prepared food from locally sourced meat, chicken and fish plus fresh farm produce. Fernbrook Farms Education Center’s mission since it was formed in 2001 has been to help people of all ages become more responsible stewards of local and global sustainability by exploring the complex and meaningful interconnectedness of our natural world including the sources of food and the importance of nutrition for healthy lifestyles. Along with for the general public, the nonprofit center offers year-round hands-on educational programs for families, private schools, homeschooled children, campers, scout groups and much more. Location: 142 Bordentown-Georgetown Rd., Bordentown. For more information and to register, call Tina Williams at 609-298-4028, email Tina@FernbrookFarms. com or visit FernbrookEducation.org for more details. Complimentary child care is available.

Correction Last month’s issue of Natural Awakenings listed an incorrect phone number in the Local Health Brief highlighting Siobhan Hutchinson, Next Step Strategies, LLC. The correct phone number is 609-752-1048. We regret the error.

Aquaculture Business Workshop in Galloway

he National Aquaculture Association, the United Soybean Board and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture will sponsor a half-day Aquaculture Business Management and Marketing workshop starting at 10 a.m. on October 17 at the Stockton Seaview & Golf Club, in Galloway. The program will provide business owners and operators with the tools to develop growth strategies that will help them stay competitive in a challenging marketplace. The workshop will inform attendees on a quick system for assessing aquaculture farm financial health. Hands-on exercises focusing on interpreting financial indicators and using them in making management decisions will be covered. Each participant will receive a take-home toolkit of workshop materials. The U.S. aquaculture industry has enormous growth potential over the next decade but will require producers to make smart business decisions based on close attention and understanding of key financial indicators and marketing strategies that can make the difference between success and failure. For business segments with fewer current financial challenges, it’s vitally important to proactively avoid the financial distress that’s being experienced elsewhere in the industry. Cost: $25 registration fee. Location: Stockton Seaview Hotel, 401 S. New York Rd., Galloway. For more information and to register email Elizabeth. Woodworth@AG.State.NJ.US or visit NJ.Gov/Agriculture/news/press/2013/ approved/press130912.html.

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October 2013

Local Historian’s Artwork on Display in Ewing

s part of its Art on Display Program, PEAC Health & Fitness, in Ewing, will proudly display original artwork from Pennington artist, Jameson Moore. His art includes printmaking and wood engraving, and his display at PEAC will feature a new collection of linoleum cuts that focus on simplifying an object’s shape, detail and color. To make linoleum cuts, a printmaker cuts a design into linoleum, applies ink on the surface and then puts the linoleum through a press or apMidnight Sky plies hand pressure to print the image on paper. by Jameson Moore As a historian by profession and a Social Studies teacher at The Pennington School, Moore studies and interprets the techniques of past engravers and printmakers to hone his skills. He finds inspiration in what he sees while traveling around the United States and the world. Moore’s artwork has been displayed at the Trenton City Museum and the Silva Gallery of Art, and is currently displayed at Twine, in Hopewell. His piece, entitled “Perugia,” has been displayed at the first annual Wood Engravers Network show in Asheville, North Carolina, for the past year. Location: 1440 Lower Ferry Rd. For more information, call Christine Tentilucci at 609-883-2000, email CTentilucci@PEACHealthFitness.com or visit PEACHealth Fitness.com.

Fall Festival in Allentown

he Allentown Business Community Association, a not-for-profit organization, will sponsor the annual Fall Festival in downtown Allentown. This year’s celebration will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 12 and 13. The festival will feature quality artisans and crafters, a Civil War re-enactment camp, a classic car show, live entertainment including music, dancing, contest and much more. Food vendors will satisfy taste buds plus there’ll be many children’s activities including clowns and a petting zoo. Location: Main Street, Allentown. For more information and those interested in exhibiting, call 215-880-4065, visit AllentownNJ.com/Events for vendor application process or email AllentownFallFest@gmail.com.

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Zombie Mud Run Anyone?

re you up for the challenge of one of the most unique runs of your life? A Zombie Mud Run, combining the adrenalin of running, the physical test of obstacles, the fear of zombies and the fun of participatory sports with friends, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 9 at the Field of Terror Haunted Farm, in East Windsor. Gates will open at 7 a.m. Wave (race) times will be every 30 minutes. Runners are recommended to arrive at least two hours prior to your start time. Zombie Mud Runs incorporate a 5K obstacle course with themerelated sections that include mud fields, corn maze, haunted woods, green house with plant zombies, and a lot of zombies chasing the runners. Location: 831 Windsor Perrineville Rd., East Windsor. Costs vary from $20 to $105 based on participation as runner, zombie or spectator. Advance purchase discounts available. For more information or to register, call 609-758-7817, visit TheZombie Mudrun.com/East-Windsor-NJInformation-the-Zombie-Mud-Run or email Info@FieldOfTerror.com.

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businessspotlight

Organic Dry Cleaning or Not?

ave you noticed the a growing number of dry cleaners claiming “organic” and “ecofriendly” services and wondered if they are actually fulfilling what they say they provide? Approximately 80 percent of our nation’s approximately 30,000 dry cleaners still employ a cleaning method using the liquid solvent perchloroethylene, or “perc,” according to the New York-based National Cleaners Association. However, perc has been listed as a hazardous air pollutant by the Clean Air Act and a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Consumers Union, the not-for-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, has said that long-term exposure to it could increase the cancer risk for consumers who wear a lot of dry-cleaned clothes. Dry cleaners that generically advertise not using perc for “greener,” “organic” or “natural” solvents, are usually referring to the chemical DF2000. Although less toxic than perc, this is a chemical normally found in gasoline for automobiles. Wet cleaning, on the other hand, uses no chemicals, and is different because it refers to a truly eco-friendly way of cleaning one’s garments and textiles. This method of cleaning is not only safe for the environment but to people as well. John Chung, owner and operator of Robbinsville Cleaners, in Robbinsville Town Center, utilizes a genuine wet cleaning process. He attests that benefits from this process include: • • • • • • • • • • •

No chemical odors or residue Gentler on fabrics than hand washing Fresh, clean scent Soft to the touch Kind to sensitive skin Safe for your clothing Better for removing stains Whiter whites Milder than home laundry products Brighter, vibrant colors without fading Gentle on the environment

Local Fall Festival & Halloween Activities Contact sponsors for more details Corner of Chaos Corner-Copia Garden Center 299 Princeton-Hightstown Rd, East Windsor 609-443-6666 • CornerOfChaos.com Farmland features haunted mazes, haunted wagon rides, refreshments and more. Live music every night, plus dance shows, fire shows and carnival acts. Fall Harvest Festival Allentown October 12-13, 10am-5pm 609-208-2992 • AllentownNJ.com Field of Terror / Sunshine Acres 831 Windsor-Perrineville Rd, East Windsor 609-209-4032 • FieldOfTerror.com NJ’s largest haunted attraction farm. Over 120 acres of preserved farmland features a Haunted Hayride, Field of Terror Corn Maze, Zombie Mud Run and more. Moonlight MAiZE Von Thun Farm October 25-26, 6-10pm 519 Ridge Rd, Monmouth Junction 732-329-8656 • VonThunFarms.com Navigate through the moonlit corn maize. PEAC Health & Fitness Fall Festival October 19, 9am-noon 1400 Lower Ferry Rd, Ewing 609-883-2000 • PEACHealthFitness.com Pumpkin Playground Dragonfly Farms October 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 966 Kuser Rd, Hamilton 609-588-0013 • DragonFlyFarmsNJ.com Crafts, animals, hay maze and pumpkins.

Robbinsville Cleaners, Town Center, 2346 Rte. 33W, Robbinsville. For more information, visit WetCleanUS.com or call Chung at 609-208-2588. See ad on page 18. natural awakenings

October 2013

healthbriefs

Acupuncture’s Growing Acceptance

ne in 10 American adults has received acupuncture at least once and nearly half of them say they are “extremely” or “very” satisfied with their treatment, according to a survey sponsored by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Sixty percent of survey respondents readily accepted the idea of acupuncture as a treatment option, and 20 percent have used other forms of Oriental medicine, including herbs and Chinese bodywork. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is observed on Oct. 24. For more information, visit aomday.org.

More Plastics, More Obese Kids

causal link between the worldwide epidemic of childhood obesity and phthalates commonly used in soft plastics, packaging and many personal care products is becoming more evident. A Korean study from Sanggye Paik Hospital at the Inje University College of Medicine, in Seoul, shows that the risk of childhood obesity increases with the level of DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) in the bloodstream. The study indicates that phthalates may change gene expression associated with fat metabolism. DEHP in particular is a suspected endocrine disruptor, or hormone-altering agent. Children with the highest DEHP levels were nearly five times more likely of being obese than children with the lowest levels. The scientists studied 204 children ages 6 to 13, of whom 105 were obese. A chemical commonly used to soften plastics, DEHP is found in some children’s toys, as well as myriad household items. Phthalates can be found in pacifiers, plastic food packaging, medical equipment and building materials like vinyl flooring. Personal care products such as soap, shampoo and nail polish may also contain phthalates.

Dulse Seaweed a Heart Health Powerhouse

ulse (palmaria palmata), a protein-rich red seaweed, could become a new protein source to compete with current protein crops like soybeans, according to scientists at Ireland’s Teagasc Food Research Centre. Dulse harvested from October to January usually has the highest protein content. This functional food also contributes levels of essential amino acids such as leucine, valine and methionine, similar to those contained in legumes like peas or beans. It may even help protect against cardiovascular disease. The Agriculture and Food Development Authority reports that for the first time, researchers have identified a renin-inhibitory peptide in dulse that helps to reduce high blood pressure, like ACE-1 inhibitors commonly used in drug therapy. 10

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Grapes Grapple with Metabolic Syndrome

t’s high season for grapes, and consuming any variety of this sweet fruit—red, green or black— may help protect against organ damage associated with the progression of metabolic syndrome, according to new research presented at the 2013 Experimental Biology Conference, in Boston. Natural components in grapes, known as polyphenols, are thought to be responsible for this benefit. Metabolic syndrome comprises a cluster of conditions—increased blood pressure, high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels—that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Working with lab animals, researchers found that three months of a grape-enriched diet significantly reduced inflammatory markers throughout the body, most significantly in the liver and abdominal fat tissue. The diet also reduced the fat weight of the animals’ liver, kidneys and abdomen compared with those that were on a control diet. The grape intake also increased markers of antioxidant defense, particularly in the liver and kidneys. “Our study suggests that a grapeenriched diet may play a critical role in protecting against metabolic syndrome and the toll it takes on the body and its organs,” says lead investigator E. Mitchell Seymour, Ph.D., of the University of Michigan Health System. “Both inflammation and oxidative stress play a role in cardiovascular disease progression and organ dysfunction in Type 2 diabetes.”

Natural Eye Care for Aging Dogs

any owners of middle-aged and older dogs worry about their pets’ declining eyesight. Cloudy eyes are of particular concern, but that is not necessarily a sign that a dog is going blind, advises Shawn Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, Texas. “While cataracts strike many older dogs, a more common condition is lenticular or nuclear sclerosis, a thickening of the lens of the eye,” says Messonnier. He explains that this normal change causes the eye to appear somewhat cloudy or gray, similar to a cataract. However, unlike a cataract, this type of sclerosis does not interfere with the pet’s vision. “Veterinarians can easily tell the difference between these conditions,” he says. “No treatment is necessary for lenticular sclerosis; cataracts are often treated with carnosine drops or with surgery.” For prevention, Messonnier suggests minimizing toxins that can cause inflammation throughout an animal’s body, not just the eyes. This means using blood titer testing instead of annual vaccinations, reducing the use of flea and tick chemicals, using natural pet foods and minimizing the use of conventional medications. He also recommends feeding a pet nutrients that contribute to health and reduce inflammation and cellular damage, including fish oil, probiotics and antioxidants like bilberry, which supports eye health.

Cavities are Contagious

an a kiss lead to a cavity? Yes, says Middleton, Wisconsin, Dentist Chris Kammer, president of The American Academy of Oral Systemic Health. He contends that cavities can be caused by bacteria that are passed from one person to another, just like a cold or the flu. “We aren’t born with tooth decay-causing bacteria,” says Kammer. “At some point, it is introduced to us from an external source, usually a family member,” through sharing food utensils, licking pacifiers, kissing and more. “Then it takes up residence in our mouths, where it is fed by sugars, which cause the bacteria to produce acid.” Cavity-causing bacteria can be transmitted by sharing food, by drinking out of the same glass and by toothbrushes that make contact with the bathroom counter. If bacteria is not removed from teeth (existing in a protective biofilm called plaque), the acid byproduct is able to directly reach and soften tooth surfaces, creating the holes called cavities. Easy solutions to the problem start with good oral hygiene for both parents and kids and proper brushing from a very young age, starting with finger brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts. Kammer advises making it fun and thus habit-forming when kids become old enough to do it themselves; one new interactive toothbrush times kids to ensure they brush the dentist-recommended two minutes.

Mercury RAISES Risk of Diabetes AND Heart Attacks

xposure to mercury in young adulthood can trigger serious health issues later in life, according to two recent studies. New Indiana University research confirmed a link between mercury exposure and diabetes in young adults ages 20 to 32 at the beginning of the study in 1987, and was periodically reassessed six times through 2005. Those with high mercury levels at the beginning of the study were 65 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes as they aged. Also, Swedish researchers report that high mercury levels from eating contaminated fish leads to a higher risk for heart attacks in men. However, eating clean coldwater fish high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, countered the increased risk from the mercury exposure, according to conclusions published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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October 2013

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

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healthbriefs

October is National Spinal Health Month

A healthy spine is more than the basis of good posture—it is a harbinger of sound emotional and physical health, according to practitioners of holistic chiropractic care. Those seeking relief from back pain and other common spine-related conditions might do well to exchange pain-masking drugs for more lasting relief from professional adjustments. All chiropractic can be considered alternative medicine, because practitioners do not prescribe drugs or surgery. Instead, these doctors rely on manual therapies such as spinal manipulation to improve function and provide pain relief for conditions ranging from simple sprains and strains to herniated discs and sciatica. Yet, holistic chiropractors go beyond treatment of structural problems, like a misaligned spine, to address root causes. Michael Roth, a Ventura, California, chiropractor who has been practicing holistic methods for nearly 20 years, points out that, “Basic spinal manipulation does not address the mind-body connection. A holistic chiropractor recognizes that symptoms are the body’s way of adapting to some environmental stressor. If the spine is adapting to a stressor, that’s not the cause of the problem, simply the effect.” Holistic chiropractors typically can suggest complementary measures such as massage, yoga, naturopathy or physical therapy for a more integrated and comprehensive treatment approach. Beyond adjusting the spine, they may also prescribe adjustments to diet, exercise and other lifestyle elements, depending on their understanding of an individual’s optimum path to wellness. Before placing one’s care in someone else’s hands, ask for credentials and seek out reviews from former patients. Good health—and a happy spine—begin with an educated and empowered patient. ChiroHealthy.com includes a database of licensed chiropractors, searchable by zip code.

Kirk Huckel, DMD, FAGD Ruxandra Balescu, DMD

609-924-1414

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New Patients Welcome 11 Chambers Street • Princeton, NJ 08542 12

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Eco-Power Tower

Meet the World’s Greenest Office Building

photo by Nic Lehoux

Even on cloudy days, the photovoltaic-paneled roof of the Bullitt Center, in Seattle, Washington, generates all the electricity the six-story structure requires. Inside, commercial office space is equipped with composting toilets, rainwater showers and a glassenclosed stairway to encourage climbing exercise over riding the elevator. The Bullitt Foundation, founded in 1952, has focused since the 1990s on helping cities function more like ecosystems. Seattle’s new building not only provides space for eco-conscious tenants, but also functions as a learning center, demonstrating how people and businesses can coexist more in harmony with nature. The Bullitt Center was constructed according to a demanding green building certification program called the Living Building Challenge, which lists zero net use of energy and water among its many requirements. The standards far surpass those of the better-known Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Founder Jason McLennan says the challenge is to encourage others to build more enjoyable, sustainable and affordable structures around the world.

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Source: Yes! magazine

Baa-Bye

Barnyard Species are Declining, Too Zakri Abdul Hamid, Ph.D., chair of the independent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, states that the disappearance of wild and domesticated plant and animal species constitutes a fundamental threat to the well-being and perhaps survival of humankind. His urgent message was most recently delivered in Norway to 450 international government authorities responsible for biodiversity and economic planning. “We are hurtling towards irreversible environmental tipping points that, once passed, would reduce the ability of ecosystems to provide essential goods and services to humankind,” Zakri stated. Findings by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization show that genetic diversity, among even domestic livestock, is declining. Typically, breeds become rare because their characteristics either don’t suit contemporary demands or because differences in their qualities have not been recognized. When a breed population falls to about 1,000 animals, it is considered rare and endangered. While we know of 30,000 edible plant species, only 30 crops account for 95 percent of human food energy; 60 percent of these crops comprise varieties of rice, wheat, maize, millet and sorghum. Source: Science Daily

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October 2013

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Krill Kill

Core Marine Food Source Faces Depletion Small, shrimp-like creatures that inhabit the world’s oceans, krill are one of the planet’s largest and least contaminated biomasses. The tiny crustaceans are the primary food source for a variety of fish, whales, penguins and seabird species. Krill are also used to make feed for livestock, poultry and farmed fish and in nutritional supplements—krill oil is a rich source of omega-3 essential fatty acids and less likely than fish oil to be contaminated with mercury or heavy metals. Recent studies cited by National Geographic suggest that since the 1970s, Antarctic krill stocks may have dropped by up to 80 percent. Environmental groups and scientists worry that new fishing technologies, coupled with climate warming that removes ice algae, the crustaceans’ primary food source, could deplete krill populations and potentially devastate the Antarctic’s ecosystem. Denzil Miller, Ph.D., former executive secretary of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, advises, “There are a whole lot of dominoes that follow afterwards that just look too horrendous to contemplate.” Concerned consumers can opt to avoid farm-raised fish; choose organic, non-grain-fed meat and poultry; and substitute algae-derived omega-3 supplements for fish or krill oil capsules. Source: Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (asoc.org)

Pivot Point

Solar Panels Almost Breaking Even At current growth rates, solar energy could be harnessed to produce 10 percent of the world’s electricity by 2020. But the greater benefit of clean solar power relies on first realizing an efficient initial payback for all the energy needed to produce the panels. To make polysilicon, the basic building block of most solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, silica rock must be melted at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, using electricity from mostly coal-fired power plants. Stanford University researchers believe that a tipping point when clean electricity from installed solar panels surpasses the energy going into the industry’s continued growth will occur by 2015. As the industry has advanced, it’s required ever less energy and silicon to manufacture and install solar PV panels, along with less wasted silicon, according to Stanford University’s Global Climate & Energy Project. Advances in solar cell efficiency requires fewer panels, and new thin-film solar panels leave out silicon altogether. Source: Sustainable Business News

Course Correction

Climate Science Curriculum Update Millions of young Americans are beginning to learn about climate change and associated science in the classroom. Next Generation Science Standards (NextGenScience.org), which have been adopted by 26 states and are under consideration by 15 more, teach how and why fossil fuel emissions are a causal factor in overheating the world. The previous federal science teaching standards, published in 1996, avoided the issues of evolution and climate change. Scientists and educators jointly developed the new standards with states’ input to help students distinguish between scientific fact, religious beliefs and political opinion. Source: InsideClimateNews.org

Garbage Galore

A Swirling Southern Patch of Plastic Trash The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and North Atlantic Garbage Patch have already been well documented, and the trashy family is growing. The South Pacific Gyre is an accumulation zone of plastic pollution floating off the coast of Chile. Scientists at the 5 Gyres Institute, which tracks plastic pollution in swirling subtropical gyres (vortices), discovered this latest mass of plastic by examining ocean currents. A new study published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin marks the first documentation of a defined oceanic garbage patch in the Southern Hemisphere, where sparse research on marine plastic pollution previously existed. View a map and find more information at 5Gyres.org.

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globalbriefs ecotip Fossil-Fuel Freedom

New York State Could Achieve It by 2050

A new study lays out how New York State’s entire demand for end-use power could be provided by wind (50 percent), solar (38 percent) and geothermal (5 percent), plus wave and tidal energy sources. This ambitious goal could be achieved by 2050, when all conventional fossil fuel generation would be completely phased out. The plan also generates a large net increase in jobs. Mark Jacobson, a co-author of the study and professor of civil and environmental engineering at California’s Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, analyzes how energy technologies impact the atmosphere and how society can transition rapidly to clean and renewable energy sources if we integrate production and energy use in a systems perspective. Robert Howarth, Ph.D., the senior co-author and a professor of ecology and environmental biology at Cornell University, in New York, has been tackling climate change and its consequences since the 1970s. He says, “Many pundits tell us that solar, wind, etc., are great conceptually, but that it will take many decades to start to make these technologies economically feasible.” However, “New York is one of the larger economies in the world, and New York City is the most energy-efficient city in the U.S.”

Johnny Appleseeding

Tree-mendous Acts Grow Quality of Life Volunteers will emulate Johnny Appleseed to expand and restore local urban green spaces and improve their quality of life and environment as part of October’s ninth annual National NeighborWoods Month program. Last year, local organizations and governments coordinated the planting of more than 45,000 trees by as many as 23,000 volunteers in hundreds of communities nationwide. In Massachusetts, Boston Parks & Recreation Department workers joined TD Bank employees and public volunteers to revitalize the East Boston Greenway with 50 new trees. In Goleta, California, 80 new trees took root via 12 planting and care events, and more than 500 elementary school students took a cellular-level look at tree leaves during three science nights. “Their shouts upon seeing the hair-like edges of some leaves that serve to absorb water and control evaporation were terrific,” says Ken Knight, executive director of Goleta Valley Beautiful. “We impress on them that they will act as stewards—what we plant will also be their children’s trees and onward.” The Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees), the national nonprofit program coordinator, estimates last year’s efforts will capture 23.1 million gallons of stormwater, dispose of 660 tons of air pollutants and save participating cities and towns nearly $600,000 in water management and air pollution costs each year. Other tree-mendous benefits include beautifying the landscape, improving home property values, providing a natural habitat and reducing home air conditioning costs by supplying more shade. To date, ACTrees member organizations have planted and cared for more than 15 million trees in neighborhoods nationwide, involving 5 million-plus volunteers. Executive Director Carrie Gallagher remarks, “People understand instinctively that trees are vital to creating safe and successful communities, and a livable, sustainable future.” For more information and to participate, visit NeighborWoodsMonth.org or ACTrees.org.

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

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October 2013

leaders believe that we can still reverse the dangerous current course. “These next few years are going to tell the tale about the next 10,000 years,” says well-known global environmental activist Bill McKibben, author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet. “We’re not going to stop global warming; it’s too late for that. But we can keep it from getting as bad as it could possibly get.”

RISING FEVER The Right Steps Now Can Avert the Worst of It by Christine MacDonald

enowned “We’re not going to stop opted for the “bunny slope” approach, climate sciglobal warming; it’s too a leisurely descent entist Richard Somerville, Ph.D., late for that. But we can from the ubiquitous use of climateuses simple lankeep it from getting as bad changing fossil guage and sports analogies to help us as it could possibly get.” fuels. Unfortunately, greenhouse gases understand climate ~ Bill McKibben would have had to change and the peak two years ago risks ahead. and now be in decline in order to take A distinguished professor emerithe easy way out. Instead, the amount of tus, researcher at California’s Scripps carbon dioxide in the atmosphere shot Institution of Oceanography and past 400 parts per million last May, a author of The Forgiving Air, he likens level that most scientists agree the planet greenhouse gases to a scandal that’s rocked major league baseball in recent hasn’t experienced since long before the arrival of modern humans. years. “Greenhouse gases are the ste “Science tells you, you can put this roids of the climate system,” he says. much carbon dioxide into the atmoAlthough we can’t link them to any single weather event, we can see them sphere, but no more,” without changing the planet’s climate too dramatically, in the statistics at the end of the season, Somerville says. With the bases Somerville says. “Mother Nature tells you, you cannot wait 50 or 100 years to loaded, “Look out, because Mother solve this. You have to do it in five to 10 Nature bats last.” years. There’s been a general failure to To explain how we could confront connect the dots.” The bit of good news the problem, he turns to another sport, skiing. If we were serious about avoiding is that time has not yet completely run out. He and other pioneering thought a worst-case scenario, we would have 16

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On the Water Front

Sandra Postel agrees. “Water, energy and food production: These things are tightly linked, and all are affected by climate change.” From Los Lunas, New Mexico, she leads the Global Water Policy Project, a group also focused on the climate conundrum, as well as National Geographic’s Change the

Matt Greenslade / photo-nyc.com

EASING EARTH’S

McKibben’s grassroots group, 350.org, opposes the planned Keystone XL pipeline that, if built, is expected to transport Canadian tar sands oil across the United States to refineries along the Gulf of Mexico. Increasing Bill McKibben fossil fuel infrastructure, he says, is impractical, and we’d be better off investing in clean and renewable energies such as wind, solar and geothermal. It’s a theme also sounded by Frances Beinecke, president of the New York City-based Natural Resources Defense Council and author of Clean Energy Common Sense. With the failure of the U.S. Congress to enact Frances Beinecke climate legislation, her group, encompassing 1.4 million online members and activists, is pressing the Obama administration to live up to its pledge to regulate the carbon dioxide emitted by power plants. The leading culprits for climate-changing gases, they contribute 40 percent of the country’s carbon emissions. “It’s time to act, and we have to act now,” Beinecke says.

Nancy Battaglia

On the Energy Front

“Tell politicians that you care about this. We’ve got to get countering climate change high on the priority list.” ~ Richard Somerville Course national freshwater conservation and restoration campaign. Competition for water is increasing in several parts of the country, she says, and will only get worse as dry conditions increase demands on groundwater. Endangered sources detailed in her extensive reSandra Postel lated writings include the Ogallala Aquifer, vital to agricultural operations across much of the Great Plains, and California’s Central Valley, the nation’s fruit and vegetable bowl. In the Colorado River Basin, which provides drinking water to some 30 million people, water demands already exceed the available supply— and that gap is expected to widen with changes in the region’s climate. In other regions, the problem is too much water from storms, hurricanes and flooding, a trend that Postel and other experts say will also worsen as the world continues to warm and fuel weather extremes. Beyond the loss of lives and property damage, this “new normal” holds stark implications for communities. “We’ve built our bridges, dams and other infrastructure based on 100-year records of what’s happened in the past,” advises Postel. “In a lot of ways, how we experience climate change is going to be through changes in the water cycle. If the past isn’t a good guide to the future anymore, we’ll have to change our water management.” (See nrdc.org/ water/readiness by city and state.)

On the Ocean Front

The world’s oceans are being transformed by climate change in ways we are only beginning to understand. Since the Industrial Revolution, oceans have absorbed a significant portion of the

Signs Of Changes To Come Without actions to significantly curb greenhouse gas emissions, air temperatures could increase as much as 11.5 percent by 2100, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change pledged in 2009 to keep warming from increasing more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, more recent reports by the World Bank and other institutions warn that the goal may be unrealistic. Continued global warming could cause widespread drought, flooding and other changes, with disastrous consequences. Here are some of the ways climate change has already impacted our lives. Temperatures: The average global temperature for 2012—about 58.3 degrees Fahrenheit—was the ninth-warmest year since record keeping began in 1880. It was also the 36th consecutive year that the global temperature surpassed the 20th-century average, according to the National Climate Data Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The problem comes alive in a video at Tinyurl.com/ NASAEarthTemps. The EPA reports that the number of days that temperatures will exceed 90 degrees Farenheit is expected to increase throughout the U.S., especially in areas that already experience heat waves.

Drought: Drought struck two-thirds of America’s lower 48 states last year, and continued into 2013 in many parts of the country, costing billions of dollars in crop failures and damage from resulting wildfires. Extreme storms: East Coast weather has become wilder, with storms such as Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy wreaking unprecedented losses in human life and property. Freshwater supplies: As melting shrinks glaciers’ historic footprints, reducing the amount of springtime snowmelt, and we continue to deplete groundwater faster than it can be replenished, conflicts between agriculture, industry and municipalities over water are expected to increase. Meanwhile, rising sea levels near some seashore cities have already led to incursions of saltwater, contaminating underground freshwater systems. Rising sea levels: Since 1870, the global sea level has risen by about eight inches, according to the EPA. By the end of this century, it estimates that New York City could see a rise of 2.3 feet and Galveston, Texas, 3.5 feet. Other studies say those estimates are conservative. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in July concluded that a rise of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit could result in a corresponding rise in sea levels exceeding 13 feet.

natural awakenings

October 2013

carbon dioxide generated, experiencing a 30 percent rise in acidity; that’s expected to reach 100 to 150 percent above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century, according to the nonprofit National Academy of Science (NAS), in Washington, D.C. “Thank goodness for the oceans, but they are paying a tremendous price,” says Oceanographer Dawn Wright, Ph.D. She’s chief scientist of Esri, in Redlands, California, that analyzes geographic Dawn Wright system relationships, patterns and trends. The higher acidity levels are “taking a toll on shellfish such as oysters, clams and sea urchins, as well as coral reefs, where much aquatic life is spawned,” Wright explains. Climate change may have other devastating impacts on the ocean food chain—and eventually us—that scientists are only beginning to discern. As just one of myriad impacts: Ocean acidification threatens the country’s $3.7 billion annual wild fish and shellfish industry and the $9.6 billion slice of the global tourism business that caters to scuba divers and snorkelers, according to a recent NAS study.

The Way Forward

We can be grateful for some hopeful developments in the call to act. Wright, who has advised President Obama’s National Ocean Council, is overseeing her company’s ocean initiative, which includes building an ocean basemap of unparalleled detail. While less than 10 percent of the world’s oceans’ underwater realms are mapped

“Water, energy and food production: These things are tightly linked, and all are affected by climate change.” ~ Sandra Postel today, Esri is compiling authoritative bathymetric data to build a comprehensive map of the ocean floor. Public and private sector planners, researchers, businesses and nonprofits are already using this map and analysis tools to, among other things, conduct risk assessments and provide greater understanding of how onshore development impacts oceans’ natural systems. Municipalities are also taking action. New York City plans to restore natural buffers to future hurricanes, while Philadelphia and other cities are restoring watersheds, replanting trees in riparian areas, adding rain gardens, laying permeable pavement and revamping roofs and parking lots to reduce stormwater runoff. Investing in such “green infrastructure” is less costly than expanding “grey infrastructure” such as underground sewer systems and water purification plants. Increasingly, local authorities are relocating communities out of flood zones to allow rivers to reclaim wetlands, an effort which also creates new recreation and tourism spots. Floodplains buffer against extreme flooding and drought, plus filter stormwater runoff, removing farm and lawn fertilizers and other chemicals that otherwise enter waterways, creating deoxygenated “dead zones” where aquatic life can’t survive, as exemplified by parts of Lake Erie, Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. “These solutions are unfolding

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here and there,” Postel notes, while also remarking that too many locales are rebuilding levees at their peril and allowing people to return to areas that flood repeatedly. “An amount of climate change is already locked in. We will have to adapt, as well as mitigate, simultaneously.” Somerville, who helped write the 2007 assessment by the Nobel Prize-winning International Panel on Climate Change, labels it “baloney” when politicians say there’s not enough time or it’s too expensive to address the problem. “It’s very doable,” he maintains. “First, inform yourself. Second, tell politicians that you care about this. Then raise hell with those who don’t agree. We’ve got to get countering climate change high on the priority list.” McKibben recommends that the country gets serious about putting a price on carbon emissions. Meanwhile, he’s encouraged by the people-powered regional successes in blocking fracking, a controversial method of extracting natural gas, and credits grassroots groups for holding the Keystone pipeline project at bay. “We’re cutting it super-close” and need to change the trajectory of climate change, according to McKibben, who says we can still have good lives powered by wind and solar, but will have to learn to live more simply. “I don’t know where it will all end and won’t see it in my lifetime. But if we can stop the combustion of fossil fuels and endless consumption, then there’s some chance for the next generation to figure out what the landing is going to be.” Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., who specializes in health, science and environmental issues. Learn more at ChristineMacDonald.info.

healingways

Energy Healing Comes of Age

Clinical Support

James Oschman, Ph.D., an academic scientist and international authority in Dover, New Hampshire, has conducted decades of research into the science of bioenergetics—the flow and transformation of energy between living organisms and their environment. He explores the basis of the energetic exchanges that manifest via complementary and alternative therapies in his book, Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis. According to Oschman, there is now enough high-quality research in leading peer-reviewed biomedical journals to provide energy medicine the credence to transform from a little-known, alternative healthcare modality into a conventional form of medicine. The progression to more widespread acceptance is similar to that experienced by acupuncture and massage.

Evolving Platform

A Historic Milestone in Complementary Medicine by Linda Sechrist

s recently as 2010, it would have been unimaginable for an annual medical conference including allopathic physicians to hold a meeting themed Illuminating the Energy Spectrum. Yet it happened at the sold-out Institute of Functional Medicine 2013 annual international conference. Workshop topics ranged from bodily energy regulation to presentations by Grand Qigong Master Ou, Wen Wei, the originator of Pangu Shengong, and Medical Anthropologist and Psychologist Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D., whose Four Winds Light Body School offers a two-year program on the luminous light body, also known as a local energy field, aura, life force, qi/chi or prana. The energy medicine practiced by acupuncturists and other health practitioners that offer any one of the 60-plus hands-on and hands-off modalities described in The Encyclopedia of Energy Medicine, by Linnie Thomas, operates on the belief that changes in the body’s life force can affect health and healing. The therapeutic use of any of them begins with an assessment of the body’s electromagnetic field. Then, a treatment specifically designed to correct energy disturbances helps recreate a healthy balance in its multilayered energy field, comprised of pathways, known as meridians, and energy centers (chakras) that correspond to related nerve centers, endocrine glands, internal organ systems and the circulatory system. The objective for energy medicine practitioners is to uncover the root causes of imbalances—often from emotional stress or physical trauma—and harmonize them at a bioenergetic level before aberrations completely solidify and manifest as illness.

For more than 35 years, pioneers of energy medicine like Barbara Ann Brennan, founder of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing; John F. Thie, founder of Touch for Health; and Donna Eden, founder of Eden Energy Medicine, have delved beyond conventional models of healing to confirm that our sensory experience of the world is as limited as our vocabulary to describe it. New language for new concepts is required, such as: nature’s drive for wholeness, resonance, a new band of frequencies, restructuring DNA, local fields and the non-local field, encoding, entrainment, strings, strands, attunement, evolutionary healing and vibration. Eden, who has had a lifelong ability to make intuitive health assessments later confirmed by medical tests, can look at an individual’s body, see and feel where the energy flow is interrupted, out of balance or not in harmony, and then work to correct the problem. “Very little of the natural world that human beings evolved in still exists. In addition, our bodies haven’t adapted to modern stressors or the electromagnetic energies associated with technologies that occupy our living and working environments,” says Eden. “Energy medicine is invaluable because anyone can learn how to understand their body as an energy system and how to use techniques to restore energies that have become weak, disturbed or unbalanced.” Her teaching tools include her classic book, Energy Medicine, and Energy Medicine University, which she founded in 2006 in Sausalito, California. In a 2009 talk at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Oschman predicted that energy medicine will become prominent in anti-aging medicine. “When I review the history of medicine, there are periods in which things stay pretty much the same, and then there are great breakthroughs. I think that with the advent of energy medicine, another milestone is upon us.” Learn more at issseemblog.org, the International Society for Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine website. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Visit ItsAllAboutWe.com for the recorded interviews. natural awakenings

October 2013

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ishing upon a star The magical stellations, given the clearer is an iconic activity skies and comfortably cool night sky is nights. This year, families can steeped in everyone’s childhood desire to anticipate a special viewing a perfect attain happiness and fulfillof the Comet ISON, which is playground expected to be visible from ment. Actual stargazing can help make parents’ dreams for a child’s much of the United States in for their children’s well-being late November. imagination. come true, as well. Children are exposed Getting Started to imagining the larger celestial realm Sky & Telescope magazine’s online through popular films, science ficguide, Getting Started in Astronomy, tion literature and pop songs, plus offers easy steps for parents to put stars more tangibly via current sky events. in kids’ eyes. Check out its This Week’s Consider news of the meteoroid that Sky at a Glance link. Find an open exploded over Russia in February and space like a park or wooded clearing to the latest images from the surface of reduce ambient light and use sky maps Mars beamed to us by the NASA rover in hobby publications or astronomy Curiosity. Experiencing the excitement books from the library as guides. of early knowledge can bolster academ- Binoculars are the best tool to start ics while fostering a calming sense of getting familiar with the night sky—they the order of nature’s rhythms. augment the naked eye enough to iden “Astronomy ties into every edutify many Moon craters, Jupiter’s moons cational domain—physics, geometry, and the crescent phases of Venus. Planalgebra, history and ecology,” advises etariums, science and children’s muformer elementary school teacher Hiseums, nature centers and astronomy ram Bertoch, of West Valley City, Utah, clubs often hold public family events owner of the KidsKnowIt Network, that include access to telescopes; some which maintains 10 free children’s loan or rent them out. (Find local clubs learning websites, including Kids and facilities at SkyAndTelescope.com/ Astronomy.com. Standing in awe at the community/organizations.) wonders of the universe can also instill Other opportunities include a centering sense of humility in the face NASA’s Night Sky Network of astronoof such grandeur. my clubs, Astronomy magazine’s youth Autumn is one of the best times for programs, SpacePlace.nasa.gov and channeling youngsters’ intrigue in conAstronomy.com/kids programs. Boy

Scout and Girl Scout troops both offer astronomy merit badges. When a family’s interest continues sufficiently to buy a telescope, test preferred models at many potential settings before finalizing a purchase. According to the online guide, a first telescope should provide high-quality optics that limit diffraction (the spreading of light as it passes through the lens system to the eye) and a sturdy, smooth-working mount. More advanced telescopes have built-in computers and motors that can be programmed to point at specific spots in the sky.

Rising Stars on Earth

If trying to emulate Galileo is a challenge, youngsters can relate and aspire to the cadre of young scientists profiled in Astronomy magazine’s “Astronomy’s Rising Stars” story in July, available via most public libraries. Being a “self-described computer nerd” led Mark Krumholz, Ph.D., an associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics in his 30s at the University of California-Santa Cruz, to conduct

massive-star formulation simulations. By “plugging in the laws of physics and turning the crank,” he has shown why some stars heat gas around them to appear much larger than others. Colors vary, as well. Stargazing was the catalyst for Anna Frebel, Ph.D., an assistant physics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge. “I consider myself fortunate that my initial passion led to becoming a professional astronomer,” says this scientist, who is credited with discovering the most chemically primitive star; the oldest known star as of 2007, at about 13.2 billion years; and the red giant star S1020549. Whether early steps lead to a later career or as a heavenly hobby, helping to convert a child’s, “What’s that?” to a happy, “I know what that is,” becomes worth encouraging. As Bertoch observes, “Kids have an innate excitement about what’s out there.” Randy Kambic, in Estero, FL, is a freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

Space Songs Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield caused an Internet sensation when he sang David Bowie’s Space Oddity in the International Space Station last May. Here are some other celestial tributes: Bad Moon Rising, Creedence Clearwater Revival Champagne Supernova, Oasis Eclipse, Pink Floyd Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles Moondance, Van Morrison Soak Up the Sun, Sheryl Crow Staring at the Sun, U2 Walking on the Moon, The Police Walking on the Sun, Smash Mouth We Are All Made of Stars, Moby

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Faraway Fun Facts

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n Stars appear to twinkle from light distortions caused by temperature differ-

ences in our atmosphere. The lifespan of most stars is billions of years. n Ancient peoples saw patterns among the 2,000 stars visible to the naked eye and gave them names like The Big Dipper, Cassiopeia and Scorpius. n A “shooting star” is actually a meteor with a

trail of gases and particles. n The Moon’s surface is pitted with thousands of

craters from long-ago meteor strikes. n Saturn’s rings are composed mostly of billions of

ice particles and rocks. n Jupiter is by far the largest studied planet; after

the Moon and Venus, it’s usually the brightest object in the night sky. n Planets Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Mercury and

Mars, as well as Pluto, are named for Roman gods—Venus was the Roman goddess of love. n Planets and the Moon don’t emit light—

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October 2013

greenliving

Shop with the Planet in Mind Daily Choices Help Counter Climate Change by Christine MacDonald

Until recently, we’ve been asked to choose between the economy and the environment. Now we’re realizing that the two are closely linked, and that our continued prosperity depends on how well we take care of the natural systems that sustain life—clean air, water, food and an overall healthy environment.

lthough the worst impacts of climate change are still decades away, experts say it’s already a costly problem. In 2012, U.S. taxpayers spent nearly $100 billion—approximately $1,100 apiece—to cover crop losses, flooding, wildfires and other climate-related disasters, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. That’s more than America spent last year on education or transportation. Given the lack of action on climate change by Congress, more Americans are looking to leverage their purchasing power to make a difference. Yet, as consumers trying to “shop their values”

know, it’s often difficult to distinguish the “green” from the “greenwashed”. Natural Awakenings has rounded up some tips that can help.

Dismiss Meaningless Labels

Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., who leads the Consumer Safety and Sustainability Group for Consumer Reports and its Greener Choices and Eco-labels online initiatives, says companies take far too many liberties in product labeling. The dearth of standards and consistency across the marketplace has rendered terms like “fresh,” and “free range” meaningless. Also, there’s more wrong

Who’s Buying Organic or Natural Foods? n High Demand n Low Demand n Average

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than right about the “natural” label put on everything from soymilk to frozen dinners, she says. While critics of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USDA Organic label say its regulations are not tough enough, Rangan says at least we know what we’re getting. The same is not true of many claims decorating consumer goods, Rangan advises. Plus, producers get away without identifying myriad other controversial practices, she says, including genetically engineered ingredients. To help consumers protect themselves, the Consumer Union and other nonprofit public advocates have made their evaluations easily accessible via cell phones and iPads. The Web-based Good Guide’s evaluations of more than 145,000 food, toys, personal care and household products are at shoppers’ fingertips via an app that scans product barcodes on the spot.

Calculate Impacts

A number of easy-to-use online tools help us understand the far-flung impacts of a purchase, including on humans and habitats. The Good Guide, for instance, employs chemists, toxicologists, nutritionists, sociologists and environmental lifecycle specialists to evaluate a product’s repercussions on health, environment and society. Sandra Postel, who leads the Global Water Policy Project, has teamed up with the National Geographic Society to devise a personal water footprint calculator. It helps people understand the wider environmental impacts of their lifestyle and purchasing choices, and provides options for reducing their footprints and supporting water replenishment efforts. “It takes a per capita average of 2,000 gallons of water each day to keep our U.S. lifestyle afloat,” twice the world average, calculates Postel. The typical hamburger takes 630 gallons of water to produce, for example, while a pair of jeans consumes 2,600 gallons, most of it to grow the necessary cotton. Water is just one of numerous resources overused in the United States, according to author and journalist Danielle Nierenberg, co-founder of Food Tank. “We overbuy food. It goes bad and ends up in landfills,” where it

inspiration

lets off methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, as it decomposes. “We also over-order at restaurants,” observes Nierenberg, whose think tank focuses on the interrelated issues of hunger, obesity and environmental degradation. Overall, the U.S. annually accounts for 34 million tons of food waste. “Part of the problem is we’ve lost home culinary skills,” says Nierenberg, who says we need to rethink how and how much we eat. “We don’t really understand what portions are,” she adds.

Share Instead of Buy

Collaboration characterizes the broader trend in careful consuming that relies on cell phone apps. Sometimes known as the “sharing economy” or “collaborative consumption”, initiatives can range from car and bike shares to neighborly lending of lawn mowers and other tools and sharing homegrown produce. One of the more innovative food-sharing options is Halfsies, in which diners at participating restaurants pay full price for a meal, but receive half of a full portion, effectively donating the cost of the other half to fight hunger. Whatever the product, experts say, the new sharing business model is part of a fundamental shift in how people think about consuming, with the potential to help us reduce our personal carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., who specializes in health, science and environmental issues. Learn more at ChristineMacDonald.info.

All the Time in the World Transforming Anxiety into Artistry by Marney K. Makridakis

sk American adults if they’re anxious about time and they’ll likely say yes. Our society even deems it expected, acceptable and normal to experience such stress, but is it necessary? It’s helpful to explore what is at the root of our problems with time and why we believe we benefit from worrying and complaining about it. Both are good first steps to releasing ourselves from the drama of getting caught up in and blaming time as a convenient catchall. Which of the following rationales apply to us personally? “If I can complain about being busy, I don’t have to examine other areas in my life.” “My schedule is wrapped up with my self-esteem; being ‘too busy’ means that I’m successful.” “Worrying about time gives me something to talk about.” “I don’t plan things I might enjoy because it can be too demanding or even scary—it just feels easier and safer to be bored.” “Worrying about time is a convenient excuse for not following my dreams.” Once we identify the perceived payoffs from worrying about time, we can see them for what they are: illusions that keep us from living our true potential. Awareness allows us to make a different choice and to partner with

time, instead of working against it. Einstein proved that time is subjective, illustrated every time we compare an hour in a dentist’s chair to an hour in the company of a loved one. Time behaves and feels differently based on many variables, like emotion, engagement, flow, desire, interest, pain and pleasure. Our perspective counts. With capricious factors dancing around in our every moment, we can see why time isn’t constant. Happily, we can use the relative nature of time to our advantage and choose what our relationship with it will be. Consider that with each instance we choose how we talk about, measure and experience time, we are actually creating a new paradigm of time for ourselves. We can relinquish general views and limitations of time that hinder us and emerge into the possibilities of time as anything but a defined line. It can be a vibrant, completely moldable, layered, multifaceted work of art that we may adapt as we wish, to custom design each and every day. Marney K. Makridakis of Dallas, TX, is the author of Creating Time: Using Creativity to Reinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life. She founded Artella magazine, the ARTbundance philosophy and the ArtellaLand.com community.

natural awakenings

October 2013

Ancestral Diets A Lighter Shade of Paleo by Sayer Ji and Tania Melkonian

egetarian Awareness Month provides a timely opportunity to realize that a plant-focused diet does not derive exclusively from plants. Just as a carnivore does not subsist on meat alone, the same applies to a vegetarian. What can we learn from our Paleolithic, or Stone Age, ancestors? The recent trend toward recreating a Paleoera diet emphasizes the importance of vegetable nutrition to prehistoric communities, correcting the misperception that they were primarily meat-eaters. The original Paleo diet, before the advent of agriculture, reflected the hunting and gathering of lean meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and was absent of grains, dairy, starchy foods, sugar and salt. Today’s updated version might comprise foods naturally available and/or abundant before the cultivation of food in gardens, crops and livestock. Loren Cordain, Ph.D., author of The Paleo Diet and Nutritionist Nora Gedgaudas, author of Primal Body, Primal Mind, each contest the premise perpetuated by many in the weight-loss industry that fat, especially naturally saturated fat, is unhealthy. Those same proponents that maintain low-fat/ non-fat food is a panacea for modern

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illnesses also purport that cholesterol is the chief cause of heart ailments. Gedgaudas writes that the diets of hunter-gatherers inhabiting varied landscapes, from the Inuit of the north to tropical forest hominids, included large amounts of fat and cholesterol, which is essential to maintaining cell membranes and regulating hormones. She points out that obtaining cholesterol from food is necessary to augment the liver’s function of creating cholesterol internally. Cordain agrees that even saturated fats in meats can be beneficial, providing the animals are grass-fed, lean and live in clean surroundings. He emphasizes, however, that when our prehistoric ancestors ate fat, they did not also eat grain carbohydrates, sugar and salt, and contends that it is these components, not meat, that can be detrimental to the body. Doctor of Naturopathy Maureen Horne-Paul adds that organic, lean and game meats are exempt from the acidity inherent in corn-based animal feed. Plus, “When an animal is insensitively confined and killed, stress hormones are released that result in acidity. So, we are changing our pH from a healthy alkaline state to a more acidic condition when we consume meat from conventionally raised animals.”

recipe photos by Stephen Blancett

consciouseating

dairy, Gedgaudas suggests organic or Scientific studies published in raw milk products, provided they the Journal of Gluten Sensitivity, retain their full fat content and Medical Hypotheses and by the come from grass-fed Mercola group attest to cows. She reasons that key problems related the presence of the antito human consumption carcinogenic fatty acid of grains. Anti-nutrients Paleo Specials conjugated linolenic such as phytic acid in du Jour acid (CLA) and the Wulgrains lead to the poor zen factor anti-stiffness Curried carrot soup with absorption of minerals agent in the fat benefit buckwheat crackers and and related deficiencies. goat cheese joint lubrication. Improper absorption of Experts suggest dietary protein caused Kale wraps with julienne that the dietary formula in part by enzyme of grass-fed strip loin, established by our preinhibitors in grains also bell peppers and avocado historic ancestors can tends to damage the be the foundation for Butter-grilled pineapple pancreas. Individual a modern-day, healthy, rounds served with sensitivities to proteins dollop of vanilla-scented non-confining, creative in specific grains can heavy cream eating experience. We further interfere with can exchange grains for functioning of the neuquinoa, amaranth and roendocrine system and buckwheat (not technisubsequent emotional cally grains at all), and include tubers difficulties like addiction and depression and legumes, due to their folate and may arise. All of these difficulties have protein content. Blue and sweet potatoes been exacerbated by irresponsible prenaalso contain high levels of anthocyanins tal diets that have made younger generaand potassium. Nearly every category of tions extra-sensitive to the challenges food, in the proper amounts, can be part posed by grains to the human system. of such a balanced diet. While Cordain doesn’t recommend

We do it all

When we explore what makes sense and eat clean and natural foods, we have a good chance of finding our body’s own sweet spot. Sayer Ji is the founder of GreenMed Info.com and an advisory board member of the National Health Federation. Tania Melkonian is a certified nutritionist and healthy culinary arts educator. Learn more at GreenMedInfo.com.

Paleo Parallel Tips n Make plants the center. For any meat, choose organic, grass-fed lean cuts and use small portions as sides or garnish. n Limit dairy to items with full fat content. Choose sheep or goat dairy when possible, followed by organic cow dairy. n Limit grains, but explore pseudograins such as buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth to add safe, starch-like body to meals. n For legumes, eat lentils. Blue and sweet potatoes are good choices for tubers.

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October 2013

Paleo Menu Recipes by Tania Melkonian Line the colander/basket with the kale “wrap” leaves. Cover and steam for 3 minutes until the leaves are just wilted. Remove basket from heat and lay out leaves on a clean work surface, lined up vertically.

lime leaves and lemongrass stalk. When the stock comes to a boil, reduce to medium heat and add leaves, add half of the carrots and stalk. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, cool and then remove leaves and stalk; blend soup until smooth. Return soup blend to pot, add peppers and the rest of the carrots and then simmer on low heat for 40 minutes.

Stack 1 slice meat, 1 slice avocado and 2 slices pepper horizontally near the edge of a leaf. Add cumin and chili flakes and roll leaf away from the cook into a wrap. Repeat with all leaves.

Curried Carrot Soup

Kale Wraps

Wash and dry kale.

2 Tbsp ground turmeric 1 tsp ground cumin 1 cup diced onions 3 Tbsp curry paste 2 cups coconut milk 2 cups vegetable broth 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 stalk lemon grass 3 leaves Kaffir lime 1 cup diced carrots 1 cup finely chopped red pepper

Hold the blade of a long chef’s knife along the rib of the kale leaf and pull the leaf away from the rib. Repeat on the other side of the leaf to produce two long flat wraps. Set aside the ribs for stock.

Set a heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat. Add turmeric and cumin, to toast. Add oil and stir to combine with spices. Add onions; sweat to cook until translucent, but not browned.

Bring a pot filled with 2 cups of water to a rolling boil. Lower the heat to simmer and set a metal colander inside as a steamer basket so it sits on top of the water, not immersed.

Add curry paste and stir. Add coconut milk and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.

1 head kale (suggest cavolo nero or dino kale) 1 bell pepper, sliced into julienned strips 1 avocado, julienned 3 oz grass-fed sirloin, grilled to medium and julienned Chili flakes and cumin to taste

With the back of a knife, bruise the

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Grilled Pineapple with Cream 1 organic pineapple, cut into rounds 2 Tbsp grass-fed, organic butter ¼ cup organic cream 1 vanilla bean or ½ tsp organic vanilla extract Heat butter in a sauté pan until melted and bubbling (not brown). Place pineapple rounds in the pan and grill for 2 minutes each side. Slice vanilla bean pod lengthwise to scrape out vanilla granules. Mix granules with cream until incorporated. Serve pineapple rounds warm with a drizzle of vanilla-scented cream.

localflavor As the weather cools, spicy foods that delight our taste buds bring family and friends quickly to the dinner table. Christine Wendland, member of Fernbrook Farms CSA and acclaimed chef, shares this flavor-filled recipe that is sure to please.

Corn and Caramelized Onion Enchiladas with Roasted Green Bell Pepper Sauce Serves 5

Ingredients: For the Sauce: 12 green bell peppers 2 poblano peppers 4 jalapeno peppers 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 large onions, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped 2 Tbsp chili powder 2 tsp cumin powder 2 tsp salt ¾ cup water 1 Tbsp honey or agave nectar For the Crema: 3 cups unsweetened almond/coconut milk blend 1 tsp chili powder 1 clove garlic, minced ½ tsp salt 5 sprigs fresh oregano, lightly bruised ¼ cup water ¼ cup cornstarch 1 tsp honey or agave nectar For the Filling: ¼ cup olive oil 5 ears corn, kernels cut off and reserved 2 large sweet onions, sliced thinly 3 cloves garlic, chopped 5 sprigs fresh oregano 2 tsp salt ½ tsp ground black pepper 10 (6 inch) round corn tortillas Juice and zest of 2 limes ½ bunch cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped

Method:

With your stove’s burners on full blast, char all the sweet and hot peppers, turning with tongs, until the skins are black all over. Make sure your ventila-

tion fan is on too! Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam, for at least 15 minutes. Note: If you have an electric stove, you can roast them in an oven on 500 degrees, turning once, until the skins are black and charred all over. It will take longer. Peel and seed the peppers, and set them aside. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high and add the onions, garlic, and 1 tsp salt. Cook until fragrant and the edges of the onions begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the cumin and chili powders, and cook an additional 3 minutes, stirring, to toast the spices. Add water to deglaze, scraping the pan to release all the good stuff on the bottom. Transfer to a blender along with the peeled and seeded peppers. Blend on high until the sauce is thick and smooth. Return to the saucepan, and season to taste with the remaining salt and honey or agave. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat the almond/coconut milk, chili powder, garlic, salt and oregano sprigs until simmering on medium high heat. Combine the water and cornstarch to make a smooth slurry. Bring the milk to a boil, and stir in the slurry; it should become thick immediately. Reduce heat to low, and allow to steep until you are ready to assemble the enchiladas, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Adjust seasoning with the honey or agave and salt as needed.

For the filling, heat a cast iron pan on high for 5 minutes. Add half the olive oil, and then the corn kernels in a single layer. (The kernels will spit and pop, be careful!) Season with 1 tsp of salt and the black pepper. Stir the kernels every few seconds, until they begin to toast and brown. Transfer to a bowl, and return the pan to the heat. Add the remaining olive oil, then the onions, garlic, and 1 tsp salt. Cook on medium heat, stirring, until the onions are soft and golden, about 8-10 minutes. Add to the corn. Add 1 cup of the reserved crema to the mix, along with the lime juice, and stir to combine. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 13-by-9-inch baking dish, spread pepper sauce on the bottom to thickly cover. Working one at a time, fill each corn tortilla with corn filling, roll, and place seam side down on the sauce, fitting them snugly against each other. Top the enchiladas with an additional 1 cup of sauce, spreading to cover, and place in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes, until the filling and sauce are hot and bubbly. Right before serving, pour the remaining crema over the enchiladas, and finish with lime zest and chopped cilantro. Extra enchilada sauce can be portioned and frozen for future use—just reheat and enjoy! It’s also great over grilled meat or veggies, or tossed with pasta, black beans and chopped tomato for a Mexican inspired pasta salad!

natural awakenings

October 2013

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by Sarah Todd

or more than a millennium, seekers have made spiritual pilgrimages on the Way of St. James, beginning at their chosen point in Europe, winding westward and ending in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Today, as portrayed in the 2010 movie, The Way, the core route continues to attract both secular and devout trekkers. It’s fair to say that every pilgrim derives something from the journey, although it’s not always what they expect. Alyssa Machle, a landscape architect in San Francisco, imagined that walking The Way would be a quietly contemplative and solitary experience. Instead, she spent weeks bonding with fellow trekkers: an Ohio schoolteacher trying to decide whether to become a Catholic nun, and a German woman in her 30s unsettled by falling in love with her life partner’s best friend, a war veteran in his 70s. “Inevitably, each person had some internal battle that he or she hoped to resolve,” Machle found. “My own ideological shift was about setting aside

preconceived ideas about how I would experience the path, and focusing my energy on the community that I suddenly was part of.” The diverse goals of the people Machle met on The Way speaks to the power of adventurous treks. From the Bible story of Moses and the Israelites crossing the desert for 40 years to young Fellowship of the Ring members hiking across Middle Earth, we like the idea of walking long distances as a way to get in touch with ourselves—and often with something larger. In America, there are as many trails to hike as there are reasons to do it. For Cheryl Strayed, author of the 2012 bestselling memoir, Wild, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail at age 26 allowed her innate courage to blossom. A rank novice, she took to the trails solo, grieving the early death of her mother, and discovered a new kind of self-reliance. “Every time I heard a sound of unknown origin or felt something horrible cohering in my imagination, I pushed it

away,” Strayed relates. “I simply did not let myself become afraid. Fear begets fear. Power begets power. I willed myself to beget power. It wasn’t long before I actually wasn’t afraid.” Other people on such journeys are inspired by their love for the environment, like Zen Buddhist priest and retired psychotherapist Shodo Spring, leader of this year’s Compassionate Earth Walk, a July-through-October protest of our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. It has engaged a “moving community” of shared prayers, meditation and yoga along the path of the pending Keystone XL pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, Canada, to Steele City, Nebraska. Spring emphasizes that the walk is intended to connect participants to the land and the people that live on it. “We’re going to small towns,” she says, “where many residents make their livelihoods from oil. There’s a deep division between such people and our group. But when we listen to each other, that division gets healed.” Activist David Rogner says that longdistance walks don’t just raise awareness of political and social issues—they also give people hope. He spent 25 months walking across the United States in the first coast-to-coast roadside litter program, Pick Up America.

“As we walked and picked up trash, we inspired people to believe there could be change,” he says. His trek gave him hope for his own future, too. He now believes, “If you commit your life to the healing and restoration of community and yourself, you are going to be wholly provided for.” Whatever the purpose, there are many scenic long-distance walking trails to choose from. The Pacific Crest Trail, from the U.S.-Mexico border in Southern California to the uppermost reaches of Washington State, offers stunning views of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. The Appalachian Trail, which winds 2,200 miles between Georgia and Maine, provides 250 shelters and campsites. In Wisconsin, the 1,000-mile Ice Age Trail offers awe-inspiring views of glacial landscapes. Starting in North Carolina, the Mountains-to-Sea trail extends from the Great Smoky Mountains to the crystal-blue waters of the Outer Banks. In Missouri, the Ozark Trail sweeps through mountains, lush valleys and tumbling waterfalls. Plus, overseas trails await, as well. Sarah Todd is a writer and editor in Brooklyn, NY. Connect at Sarah ToddInk.com.

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TIPS FOR A LONG TREK by Sarah Todd Pack light. In long-distance hiking, every ounce counts. Try to make sure everything in the backpack has at least two uses: socks that double as mittens or a fleece that transforms into a pillow. Get in shape. Walk two hours a day in preceding months to help train for lengthy days on foot. Do a few test walks loaded with gear to see what it’s like to carry that amount of weight before hitting the trail. Prepare for foot care. Expert trekkers smear jelly-like products like Waxelene on their feet before putting on their socks to help prevent blisters. It also soothes chafing and offers foot relief at the end of a long day’s hike. Plan meals beforehand. Measure out all the ingredients for a healthy menu plan and put them in lightweight bags to allow the exact right amount of food needed—no more, no less—for the long haul between provisioning stations (local accessible towns and holding spots for preshipped boxes).

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Wild parrots expend time and energy seeking available foods according to nature’s cycle. Parrots in captivity need owners to mimic this routine for their pets.

Menu Lessons

Ann Brooks, founder of Phoenix Landing, in Asheville, North Carolina, remarks about the deficiencies of conventional packaged birdseed diets. “Most lack essential ingredients like vitamin A, calcium and protein, and are also high in fat,” she says. As an alternative, in recent decades manufacturers have turned to formulated pellet diets. As with any pet food, bird owners are advised to check labels for the nutrients that are best for their type of parrot and take care to avoid genetically modified ingredients. Fresh foods, always the more nutritious alternative, require more time and some ingenuity. Avian Veterinary Technician Shari Mirojnick, with the Backos Bird Clinic, in Deerfield Beach, Florida, explains that North Americans, even in the subtropics, don’t have access to all the foods that parrots eat in the wild. “We have to make up for what they’re missing,” advises Mirojnick. “Parrots that live in dense rain forest will often dine on certain tree fruits, which differ from supermarket fruits. Plus, human cultivation has sacrificed much of the nutrient content found in the original fruit in exchange for sweetness.” We need to reconcile the loss in other ways, such as with vegetables.

Mirojnick notes, “Many of the best vegetables for parrots are high in key essential nutrients like vitamin A and calcium, which these birds do not efficiently metabolize in captivity.” She recommends nutrientdense dark leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli. But avoid avocado, which is poisonous to birds, and nightshade produce such as eggplant and mushrooms. When in doubt about a food, check it out through a reputable source such as PhoenixLanding.org/ parrotcare.html or an avian veterinarian. Blueberries, cranberries and goji contain helpful antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins C and K, and fiber, and have a low sugar content compared with their nutritional value. Other fruits like papaya and cantaloupe are high in vitamin A. Providing good fresh food isn’t necessarily time-consuming nor difficult. Parrot Nation proprietor Patricia Sund, of Hollywood, Florida, leads the “chop” revolution, teaching this efficient approach for delivering veg-

etables, leafy greens, grains and healthy seeds to pet birds— whose care is generally time-intensive throughout their long lifespans—to bird clubs and rescue groups around the country. By gathering ingredients and preparing a large batch, an owner can freeze multiple healthy servings in containers to thaw and feed to parrots over an extended period. Recipes vary, based on the fresh produce available according to growing seasons, regional crops and individual bird tastes.

Food as Enrichment

Because 50 to 70 percent of a wild parrot’s time is spent foraging, according to Brooks, companion parrots need that kind of activity for mental and physical stimulation. “Foraging keeps them busy, is fun and gives them a job,” remarks Lisa Bono, a certified avian trainer and educator and owner of The Platinum Parrot, in Barnegat, New Jersey. Besides finding food, foraging also keeps a bird’s beak in shape and its mind occupied in finding things to play with, she says. “A busy beak means a busy mind, and less time to develop undesirable behaviors like screaming or feather-destructive habits.” Bono says the popular African grey parrot likes playing with durable and versatile beak and claw toys, plus shredding and tearing bird-safe materials like untanned leather, small plain cardboard boxes, and uncolored and unwaxed paper cups—simple items that can double as destructible “dishes” for parrot foods. Robin Shewokis, of The Leather Elves, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and a board member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators, adds, “Any toy can be turned into a foraging device by merely placing some food

in or on it; with fresh foods, be careful to avoid spoilage. Be creative: Switch the placement of food and water bowls for a simple parrot puzzle. Put a paper towel over the food dish on another day. Have fun with it. You can put a lot of love and thought into a food’s presentation.” Sandy Lender is the publisher of In Your Flock, a companion parrot magazine. She lives in Southwest Florida with seven parrots that she feeds varieties of homemade chop. Reach her at Publisher@InYourFlock.com.

Homemade Chop Beats Birdseed by Patricia Sund Ingredients Veggies such as poblano peppers, colorful bell peppers, carrots (with greens), sweet potatoes, celery root, yellow squash, rapini, rutabaga Leafy greens such as parsley, watercress, Swiss red chard, kale greens, red cabbage Healthy seeds and grains such as raw wheat germ, organic rolled oats, dulse flakes, organic unsweetened shredded coconut plus chia, flax, hulled hemp and sesame seeds Directions Wash and dry all produce thoroughly. The drier the chop mix remains, the easier it will be to freeze and thaw for extended use. Modify chop to cater to picky eaters. When using a food processor to chop the vegetables and greens, set it on “pulse” and guard against liquefying the ingredients—especially peppers. Thoroughly mix all ingredients, feed a few tablespoons to each parrot and then freeze the rest in serving-size containers for the next month or two as daily meal supplements.

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October 2013

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE… But Will There Be Enough? by Sandra Postel

For at least three decades, Americans have talked about our uncertain energy future, but we’ve mostly ignored another worrisome crisis—water.

heap and seemingly abundant, water is so common that it’s hard to believe we could ever run out of it. Ever since the Apollo 8 astronauts photographed Earth from space in 1968, we’ve had the image of our home as a strikingly blue planet, a place of great water wealth. But of all the water on Earth, only about 2.5 percent is fresh—and two-thirds of that is locked up in glaciers and ice caps. Less than one hundredth of 1 percent of Earth’s water is fresh and available. Across the United States and around the world, we’re already reaching or overshooting the limits of Earth’s natural replenishment of fresh water through the hydrologic cycle. The Colorado and Rio Grande rivers are now so over-tapped that they discharge little or no water into the sea for months at a time. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the massive Ogallala Aquifer, which spans parts of eight states, from southern South Dakota to northwest Texas, and provides 30 percent of the groundwater used for irrigation in the country, is steadily being depleted. In much of the

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world, we’re growing food and supplying water to communities by over-pumping groundwater. This creates a potential crisis in the food economy: We are meeting some of today’s food needs with tomorrow’s water.

The Changing Climate Equation

Due to climate change, we may no longer be able to count on familiar patterns of rain and snow and river flow to refill our urban reservoirs, irrigate our farms and power our dams. While farmers in the Midwest were recovering from the spring flood of 2008 (in some areas, the second “100-year flood” in 15 years), farmers in California and Texas allowed cropland to lie fallow and sent cattle to early slaughter to cope with the drought of 2009. In the Southeast, after 20 months of dryness, then-Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue stood outside the state capitol in November 2007 and led a prayer for rain. Two years later, he was pleading instead for federal aid, after in-

tense rainfall near Atlanta caused massive flooding that claimed eight lives. This year again saw record regional precipitation, this time producing epic flooding in the Mississippi and Missouri river basins. Climate scientists warn of more extreme droughts and floods and changing precipitation patterns that will continue to make weather, storms and natural disasters more severe and less predictable. As a policy forum in the journal Science notes, the historical data and statistical tools used to plan billions of dollars worth of annual global investment in dams, flood control structures, diversion projects and other big pieces of water infrastructure are no longer reliable. Yet today’s decisions about using, allocating and managing water will determine the survival of most of the planet’s species, including our own.

Shifting Course

For most of modern history, water management has focused on bringing water under human control and transferring it to expanding cities, industries and farms via dams, large water-transfer projects and wells that tap underground aquifers. Major water programs have allowed cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas to thrive in the desert, the expansion of world food production, and rising living standards for hundreds of millions. But globally, they have worsened social inequities as tens of millions of poor people are dislocated from their homes to make way for dams and canals, while hundreds of millions in downstream communities lose the currents that sustain their livelihoods. Such approaches also ignore water’s limits and the value of healthy ecosystems. Today, many rivers flow like plumbing works, turned on and off like

water from a faucet. The United States withdraws These solutions tend to work with nature, It’s tougher for fish, more fresh water per capita rather than against mussels, river birds and other aquatic than any other country, much it, making effective of the “ecolife to survive; a of which we could save. The use system services” 2008 assessment led vast majority of demand does provided by healthy by the USGS found that 40 percent of all not require drinkable water. watersheds and wetlands. Through fish species in North better technoloAmerica are at risk Source: Pacific Institute gies and informed of extinction. choices, they seek to raise water produc Meanwhile, many leaders and lotivity and make every drop count. calities are calling for even bigger ver Communities are finding that prosions of past water management stratetecting watersheds is an effective way to gies. By some estimates, the volume of make sure water supplies are clean and water relocated through river transfer reliable; plus, they can do the work of schemes could more than double globa water treatment plant in filtering out ally by 2020. But mega-projects are risky in a warming world, where rainfall pollutants at a lower cost. New York City is investing $1.5 billion to restore and and river flow patterns are changing protect the Catskill-Delaware Waterin uncertain ways and require costly shed, which supplies 90 percent of its power for pumping, moving, treating drinking water, in lieu of constructing and distributing at each stage. a $10 billion filtration plant that would Some planners and policymakers cost an additional $300 million a year to are eyeing desalination as a silver bullet solution to potential water shortages. But operate. Research published in Natural Resources Forum further shows that a they miss—or dismiss—the perverse ironumber of other U.S. cities—from tiny ny: by burning more fossil fuels and by Auburn, Maine, to Seattle—have saved making local water supplies more and hundreds of millions of dollars in capital more dependent on increasingly expenand operating costs of filtration plants by sive energy, desalination creates more instead opting for watershed protection. problems than it solves. Producing one Communities facing increased cubic meter of drinkable water from salt flood threats are achieving cost-effecwater requires about two kilowatt-hours tive protection by restoring rivers. After of electricity, using present technology. enduring 19 floods between 1961 and Water for People and Nature 1997, Napa, California, opted for this Thus, a vanguard of citizens, communi- approach over the conventional route ties, farmers and corporations are think- of channeling and building levees. In partnership with the U.S. Army Corps ing about water in a new way. They’re of Engineers, a $366 million project is asking what we really need the water reconnecting the Napa River with its for, and whether we can meet that historic floodplain, moving homes and need with less. The result of this shift in businesses out of harm’s way, revitalizthinking is a new movement in water ing wetlands and marshlands and conmanagement that focuses on ingenuity structing levees and bypass channels in and ecological intelligence instead of strategic locations. Napa residents will big pumps, pipelines, dams and canals.

More Invisible Water Costs Sample Foods

Average H2O to Produce

Almonds 259.2 gallons per cup Apple 18.5 gallons to grow Avocado 42.6 gallons to grow Beef 1,581 gallons per pound Black tea 5.5 gallons per cup Broccoli 27.4 gallons per pound Cheese 414.2 gallons per pound Chicken 468.3 gallons per pound Coffee 37 gallons per cup Corn 108.1 gallons per pound Granola 65 gallons per cup (varies) Mango 81.9 gallons to grow Oats 122.7 gallons per pound Pasta 230.5 gallons per pound Soybeans 224 gallons per pound

Activities All U.S. golf courses 3.1 billion gallons a day Occupied hotel room 200 gallons a day Typical ski resort 800 million liters per snow season

Clothing Cotton dress shirt 975 gallons Cotton socks 244 gallons Jeans 2,866 gallons each Sneakers 1,247 gallons a pair

Household Goods Book Car Carpet Computer Paper Pet bed Pet food Soap Television

42.8 gallons 39,000 gallons 14,650 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft. synthetic 10,556 to 42,267 gallons 3 cups per sheet 1,654 gallons (medium) 1,580 gallons per pound of meaty canned food 180.4 gallons per 3.2-ounce bar 3,900 to 65,500 gallons (per make/model/size)

Source: The Green Blue Book, by Thomas M. Kostigen (Rodale Books; TheGreenBlueBook.com) natural awakenings

October 2013

Ways to Lighten Your Water Footprint Eat less meat. A study published in Agricultural Water Management shows that if all U.S. residents reduced their consumption of animal products by half, the nation’s total dietary water requirement in 2025 would drop by 261 billion cubic meters per year, a savings equal to 14 times the annual flow of the Colorado River. Ditch bottled water. Per the U.S. Government Accountability Office, putting water in plastic bottles and shipping it just 125 miles uses 1,100 times more energy than producing tap water. The Pacific Institute calculates that it takes three liters of water to produce one liter of bottled water. Create eco-friendly landscapes. Statistics published in Environmental Management confirm that turf grass currently covers some 40.5 million acres in the United States—triple the space taken up by any single U.S. irrigated farm crop. Converting thirsty lawns into native, drought-tolerant landscaping significantly drops household water use. Be water-wise at home. Visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s online WaterSense page at tinyurl.com/3wqbz2p to learn simple ways to save water, energy and money. Calculate personal water use at National Geographic’s tinyurl. com/274jo6v or H2OConserve.org.

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benefit from increased flood protection and reduced flood insurance rates, plus new parks and trails for recreation, higher tourism revenues and improved habitats for fish and wildlife. Communities prone to excessive storm water runoff can turn existing structures into water catchments. Portland, Oregon, is investing in “green roofs” and “green streets” to prevent sewers from overflowing into the Willamette River. Chicago now boasts more than 200 green roofs—including atop City Hall—that collectively cover 2.5 million square feet, more than any other U.S. city. The vegetated roofs are providing space for urban gardens and helping to catch storm water and cool the urban environment. Parking lots, too, can be harnessed. Many communities are revitalizing their rivers by tearing down dams that are no longer safe or serving a useful purpose, thus opening up habitats for fisheries, restoring healthier water flows and improving aquatic quality. In the 10 years since the Edwards Dam was removed from the Kennebec River, near Augusta, Maine, populations of alewives and striped bass have returned in astounding numbers, reviving a recreational fishery that adds $65 million annually to the local economy.

Watershed Moments

Conservation remains the least expensive and most environmentally sound way of balancing water budgets. From Boston to San Antonio to Los Angeles, water consumption has decreased via relatively simple measures like repairing leaks in distribution systems; retrofitting homes and businesses with waterefficient fixtures and appliances; and promoting more sensible and efficient outdoor water use. But the potential for conservation

has barely been tapped. It is especially crucial in agriculture, because irrigation accounts for 70 percent of water use worldwide, and even more in the western United States. Getting more crop per drop is central to meeting future food needs sustainably. California farmers are turning to drip irrigation, which delivers water at low volumes directly to the roots of crops. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture figures, between 2003 and 2008, California’s drip and micro-sprinkler area expanded by 630,000 acres, to a total of 2.3 million acres—62 percent of the nation’s total drip irrigation. Community-based education and rebates to encourage water-thrifty landscapes can help. Las Vegas, for example, pays residents up to $1.50 for each square foot of grass they rip out, which has helped shrink the city’s turf area by 125 million square feet and lower its annual water use by 7 billion gallons. The water crisis requires us to pay attention to how we value and use water. Across the country, it’s essential that communities work to take care of the ecosystems that supply and cleanse water, to live within their water means and to share water equitably. Sandra Postel is director of the Global Water Policy Project, a fellow of the Post Carbon Institute and a Freshwater Fellow of the National Geographic Society. She adapted this article, based on her chapter, “Water – Adapting to a New Normal,” in The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century’s Sustainability Crises, edited by Richard Heinberg and Daniel Lerch, and a piece published in Yes! (YesMaga zine.org). For more information, visit GlobalWaterPolicy.org and Environment. NationalGeographic.com/environment/ freshwater/about-freshwater-initiative.

wisewords

The Power of One Julia Butterfly Hill Asks, ‘What’s Your Tree?’ by Judith Fertig

or 738 days, Julia Butterfly Hill lived in the canopy of an ancient redwood tree called Luna to increase awareness of threats to our ancient forests. Her courageous act of civil disobedience gained international attention for California’s redwoods, together with related ecological and social justice issues. When she claimed victory for Luna on December 18, 1999, she was recognized worldwide as both a heroine and powerful voice for the environment. Today, Butterfly Hill’s commitment to such causes continues to inspire people worldwide. She has helped found and launch a host of nonprofit organizations and currently serves as ambassador for the Pollination Project, which awards $1,000 a day to individuals making a positive difference. The impassioned activist is the inspiration for the What’s Your Tree initiative and also leads workshops at eco-villages such as Findhorn, in Scotland, and Damanhur, in Italy. She lives in Belize, where she describes her life as, “Before tree, during tree and after tree.”

What prompted your life shift from being the daughter of a traveling preacher to an environmental activist? Before Tree, when I was 22, I was rear-ended by a drunk driver and spent 10 months recovering. As I got better physically, I realized that my

whole life had been out of balance. I had been working nonstop since graduating from high school—obsessed by my career, worldly success and material things. This pivotal experience woke me to the importance of the moment and doing whatever I can to make a positive impact on the future.

How did you come to climb up a 1,000-plus-year-old redwood tree and stay there for two years? After I recovered from the accident, I went on a road trip to California. There, I volunteered at a reggae festival. That year, the event was dedicated to the protection of ancient forests. I listened and learned from the speakers and activists passionate about educating people on the destructive logging practices of the Maxxam-controlled Pacific Lumber Company. Returning to my place in Arkansas, I sold everything I owned and returned to California to see how I could help. Earth First! was doing tree-sits to call attention to the urgent need to protect ancient trees, and they needed someone to stay in a redwood tree so the loggers couldn’t cut it down; because nobody else volunteered, they had to pick me. On December 10, 1997, I put on the harness and ascended Luna, 180 feet up. What I thought would be three or four weeks in the tree turned into

two years and eight days. I returned to the ground only after the company agreed to protect Luna and the surrounding grove.

What are some of the legacies of your incredible feat? The Luna experience brought international attention to the plight of the last dwindling stands of ancient redwoods. After Tree, I was asked to speak about the issue all over the world. My bestselling book, The Legacy of Luna, has been translated into 11 languages. A follow-up environmental handbook is titled One Makes the Difference. It all inspires concerned citizens to take action in their own communities.

Now, as a yoga enthusiast, vegan, peacemaker and antidisposable activist, how do you stay true to yourself and model the changes you champion? I am committed to living with as much integrity, joy and love as I can. If we want to see something in the world, then we have to live it. Like I learn in yoga, I aim to stretch into my life and breathe and see what opens up, trusting that clarity and growth will emerge in the process. On a personal ecology level, I love swimming in the sea and the sound of the waves rolling over the reef. I love being at home, mixing fresh masa to make tamales and listening to the birds singing as they sway from the palm branches and bougainvillea. These are the moments that make my soul sing.

How has believing in one person’s power to change the world led you to ask, “What’s Your Tree?” Service is core to my being. It gives purpose and joy to my life. The What’s Your Tree project helps people connect with a place of deep purpose that helps guide their lives, choices and actions. Learn more at WhatsYourTree.org and JuliaButterfly.com. Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

natural awakenings

October 2013

greenliving

network for communicating with business stakeholders.

Operate a green office: Take office supplies, materials and space to the next green level by making eco-friendly choices, which may mean eliminating some items entirely. For example, replace disposables with a durable or permanent equivalent.

Choose renewable energy: Power operations with renewable energy or invest in alternative options.

Choose green communications: Explore obtaining telephone and Internet services from a green or socially responsible company. Use teleconferencing or video calls to reduce transportation and explore the many free options available, such as Skype.

HOW TO GREEN A BUSINESS Simple Steps to an Eco-Friendly Bottom Line by Derek Markham

o business owner relishes spending extra money for something that won’t immediately pay for itself with increased revenue, and greening one’s operations is such an endeavor. However, one common misperception is that going green costs money that cuts into the bottom line, when in fact, some options will end up saving money, adding to profits or making it possible to offer lower-priced products and services than the competition. Here’s how:

Integrate green into the business plan: Start designing green elements into any business from day one or as soon as possible.

Write an environmental mission statement: Craft a green mission statement, display it prominently and 36

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review it periodically. Having a clear vision helps to define being green and communicate it to customers.

Implement paperless banking and billing: Choose electronic bank statements, invoices and billing for suppliers and utilities. Use the computer to send and receive faxes instead of producing printed copies.

Green the air: Clean indoor air by using live plants. Install an air filtration system to protect employees and customers.

Clean green: Purchase eco-friendly alternatives for cleaning and maintaining the office and manufacturing sites; a greener alternative exists for just about any related need.

Join green business groups: Use green business networks to learn from others or to form partnerships or collaborate. In an effective network, any associated cost will likely pay for itself through increased knowledge, customers and collaboration. Appoint a sustainability director: Make one person with authority responsible for coordinating green efforts, tracking results and being accountable for increasing sustainability.

Practice green marketing: Add digital messaging to the mix, using social media, a blog and banner advertising. The Internet provides a real-time

Build a culture that’s conducive to reusing and recycling: Making both the norm means such initiatives will flourish without having to continually change people’s habits. Encourage alternative transportation: Give employees incentives to carpool or ride bikes. Provide telecommuting options.

Source from green suppliers: Investigate sourcing options and give more weight to green businesses. Purchasing from a green business doesn’t always mean extra cost, and might make more sense overall.

Use local materials and services: Local sourcing helps eliminate excess transportation, while also supporting the community.

Find new materials: Investigate non-obvious alternatives. The greener option may not have a much higher cost, and might also be used as a green marketing hook.

Conduct a life-cycle assessment: Current manufacturing processes might include unnecessary steps or materials; assessing product life cycles can identify cost or time savings.

Combine processes: Analyze how combining two or more operations may save time, money and energy.

Maintain equipment at maximum efficiency: Regularly clean equipment fans and filters and stick to a maintenance schedule. Well-maintained equipment delivers increased efficiency and prolonged life.

20 21

Use waste: Can any waste be used in any way as a resource?

Make something green: Take an everyday item and create a green version of it. New niches pop up all the time.

Collect rainwater: Install recycling equipment to irrigate landscaping. Find used, 55-gallon drums instead of purchasing new containers, and practice xeriscaping to decrease water requirements indoors and out. Going green in business can go handin-hand with making more money, through cost savings, increased sales or both. Communicating your green messages also helps create compelling arguments for customers to choose to do business with you, and might just lead to opening up new markets for your products or services. Derek Markham is a regular contributor to GreenMarketing.tv, the basis for this piece. Connect through his website at NaturalPapa.com.

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October 2013

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

Wednesday, October 2

markyourcalendar

Simple Suppers: A Healthy Way to Dine – 6-7pm. Get recipes that fit into most meal plans or demonstrate healthy cooking habits. Registered dietician answers questions related to nutrition. Cost $10. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

Learn How to Make Cheese Double-header cheese-making class. Ricotta and mozzarella.

Thursday, October 3 Crystal Meditation – 7-8pm. Oil infused with crystals and aromatic plant essences combined with music to enhance relaxation, awareness and clarity. Bring crystals or special stones to class. Gemma Bianchi aromatherapist. Class awards 1 nursing contact hour. Cost $10. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

Friday, October 4

markyourcalendar Fernbrook Family Campfire Evening includes a wagon ride tour of the farm to learn a little about the history of our preserved farm, then head to campfire to enjoy games, cheerful songs and music, but most importantly roasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate.

October 4 • 7-9pm Cost: $8 per person, under 3 free Pre-registration is requested. Fernbrook Farms Education Center 142 Bordentown-Georgetown Rd, Bordentown

609-298-4028 Saturday, October 5 Fall Farm Family Fun Weekend – 10am-5pm. Come to Terhune Orchards for a day of family fun on the farm. Celebrate fall with Pick-Your-Own Apples and Pumpkins. Enjoy pony rides, wagon rides, visit the Corn Stalk Maze and our barnyard of farm animals. Food available – soup, chili, hot dogs, pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider, live music and more. Cost $3 to festival area, 3 and older. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. Information: 609-924-2310. Cranberry Festival – 11am-5pm. 24th Annual Cranberry Festival. Over 140 crafters display. Handmade crafts, artisans, and food/refreshments available. Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown. Parking located at 11 Amboy Rd, Bordentown. Free shuttle to festival every 30 minutes. Putting the Garden to Bed – 1-3pm. Fall activities to prepare your garden for winter can enrich the soil and make your spring startup much easier. Master Gardeners will demonstrate ways to clean out your garden beds; protect trees, shrubs and tender plants;

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October 12 • 12pm Cost: $65 Payment made at reservation.

eliminate sources of disease and insect infestation; and prepare tools for winter storage. Mercer Educational Gardens, 431 Federal City Rd, Pennington. 609-989-6830.

Sunday, October 6 Fall Farm Family Fun Weekend – 10am-5pm. See October 5 listing. Princeton. Cranberry Festival – 11am-5pm. See October 5 listing. Bordentown.

Monday, October 7 Pre-Natal Yoga 4-Week Class – 7:15-8:15pm. Exercise with a certified prenatal yoga instructor in a class that encourages flexibility, endurance and strength through physical poses. This specialized class for expectant mothers can help you meet and bond with other pregnant women and prepare for the journey of being a new parent. No prior yoga experience needed. Please bring a yoga mat. Cost $40. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

Tuesday, October 8 Read & Pick Program: Pumpkins – 9:30-11am. An innovative program that combines hands on picking with your young child and listening to a story highlighting the crop. Parents and young children (preschool to 8 years) are welcome to celebrate everything wonderful about pumpkins. Two books will be read about pumpkins then everyone picks their own decorative pumpkin. Cost $7/child. Registration requested. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. Information: 609-924-2310.

Saturday, October 12 Give Me Shelter – 10am-12pm. Families, children 5+, enjoy the fun and adventure of building your own shelter in the forest with Teacher-Naturalist Santino Lauricella. Cost $5/person. What will you use? Where will you build? Learn the ins and outs of shelter building through this family program. Registration required. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, 609-737-7592. Fall Farm Family Fun Weekend – 10am-5pm. See October 5 listing. Princeton.

Cherry Grove Farm 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville To register or for information, call

609-219-0053

Rutgers Gardens Tour – 2-3pm. Free. Come see what is new at Rutgers Gardens on this introductory tour lead by our volunteer docents. Highlights include the Bamboo Forest, the Rain Garden and the Donald B. Lacey Display Garden. Rutgers Gardens, Hort Farm, 130 Log Cabin Rd, New Brunswick. 732-932-8451. Field Corn Harvest – 11am-3pm. Howell Living History Farm, 70 Wooden’s Ln, Lambertville. Info: 609-737-3299.

Sunday, October 13 Fall Farm Family Fun Weekend – 10am-5pm. See October 5 listing. Princeton. Grief Workshop – 12:30-4pm. Grief workshop. Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church 888 Stuyvesant Ave, Union. Registration closed. For more information, call 855-510-8758.

Monday, October 14 Pre-Natal Yoga 4 Week Class – 7:15-8:15pm. See October 7 listing. Hamilton.

Tuesday, October 15

markyourcalendar A Sense of Place Poetry Reading Share poems about your own “Sense of Place.” Identify the specific place and attend the reading to take an amazing journey through the terrain that has meaning in our lives.

October 15 • 5:30-6:30pm Submittal deadline September 27. D&R Greenway Land Trust, Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Pl, Princeton

609-924-4646

Wednesday, October 16 Health Rhythm 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. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Meeting – 7:30-9pm. Nationwide network of people dedicated to advancing research, supporting patients, and creating hope for those affected with pancreatic cancer will hold a volunteer meeting open to the public. Location: The Cancer Institute of NJ Hamilton, Conference Room, 2575 Klockner Rd. Hamilton. For more information call 917-692-5705.

Saturday, October 19 Quilting – 11am-3pm. Howell Living History Farm, 70 Wooden’s Ln, Lambertville. Info: 609-737-3299. Nature of the Night Halloween Hike – 7-10pm. Annual family-friendly and non-scary night hike on the Watershed Reserve. Join the Education Staff to explore the ecology of night and magic of Halloween. Suitable for children 5 – 10 years old. Finish at a campfire in the woods with refreshments and seasonal stories. Guided hikes begin every 20 minutes; last hike begins at 9pm. Registration and pre-payment required. Cost $10/$25, per person/ family. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, 609-737-7592.

Sunday, October 20 Grief Services Open House – 2-4 pm. Free. Information session. Center for Grief Services, 323 North

4th Ave Highland Park. For more information call 855-510-8758.

Monday, October 21 Pre-Natal Yoga 4 Week Class – 7:15-8:15pm. See October 7 listing. Hamilton.

Saturday, October 26 Fall Farm Family Fun Weekend – 10am-5pm. See October 5 listing. Princeton. ROCK-tober Hike in the Sourland Mountains – 1:30–3:30pm. Join Jeff Hoagland on this family-friendly hike to celebrate the rugged rocks of the Sourland Mountains. Wear sturdy and comfortable walking shoes/boots and bring water bottle. This hike does not meet on the Watershed Reserve—meet Jeff at East Mountain Rd. parking lot in Hillsborough. Registration required. Cost $5/ person (children 5+). Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, 609-737-7592. Rutgers Gardens Tour – 2-3pm. Free. Come see what is new at Rutgers Gardens on this introductory tour lead by our volunteer docents. Highlights include the Bamboo Forest, the Rain Garden and the Donald B. Lacey Display Garden. Rutgers Gardens, Hort Farm, 130 Log Cabin Rd, New Brunswick. 732-932-8451.

Sunday, October 27 Fall Farm Family Fun Weekend – 10am-5pm. See October 5 listing. Princeton. Horse Costume Contest – 11am-2pm. Horse Costume Contest, Parade of Breeds in costume horse

show, crafts and games. Food available. Children are encouraged to show off their Halloween costume. No dogs. Mercer County Equestrian Center, 431 Federal City Rd, Pennington. 609-730-9059.

Monday, October 28 Pre-Natal Yoga 4 Week Class – 7:15-8:15pm. See October 7 listing. Hamilton.

Wednesday, October 30 Reiki Sharing Evening – 7-9pm. Trained practitioners are invited to share Reiki with each other. Bring a pillow and a small sheet and blanket. Cost $5. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

Gr w

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natural awakenings

October 2013

A DV E RTO R I A L

Natural Iodine Supplementation A Must for Most Americans

e all need iodine, yet most of us don’t get enough of it through our diet. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that iodine deficiency in the developed world has increased fourfold in the past 40 years and now affects nearly three-quarters of all adults. Numerous U.S. practicing physicians quoted widely in the media estimate that the incidence of hypothyroidism in our adult population may be between 30 and 70 percent. Thus, we can’t efficiently produce the thyroid hormones that serve as chemical messengers triggering nearly every bodily function. The presence or absence of iodine affects our every cell.

Be Aware of Hypothyroidism Symptoms Low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, is the most recognized and obvious indicator of low iodine intake because the thyroid gland contains more concentrated iodine than other organs.

Symptoms can range from extreme fatigue and weight gain to depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, fibrocystic breasts and a variety of skin and hair problems. Hypothyroidism can further cause infertility, joint pain, heart disease and stroke. Low iodine levels also have been associated with breast and thyroid cancers. In children, insufficient iodine has been strongly linked with mental retardation, deafness, attention deficient and hyperactivity disorder and impaired growth, according to studies by Boston University, China’s Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and France’s National Academy of Medicine. The answer is simple: Taking the right kind of iodine in the right dosage can rebalance thyroid function and restore health to the thyroid and the whole body.

Your Thyroid Needs Protection! Natural Awakenings Detoxiﬁed Iodine Can Provide the Protection You Need

Almost everyone is routinely exposed to iodine-depleting radiation emitted by cell phones, WI-FI and microwave ovens. Proper iodine supplementation with a high-quality product like Natural Awakenings DETOXIFIED IODINE can prevent harm by protecting the thyroid and restoring proper hormone production. Iodine replacement has been reported to give relief from: • Depression • Fibromyalgia • Hyperthyroidism • Hypothyroidism

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

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Natural Awakenings Detoxifed Iodine is 100 percent natural, raw iodine in an ethyl alcohol solution. We thank all those that are benefiting from this product and enthusiastically telling us their great results.  Available only at NAWebstore.com  My wife, who suffered from extreme fatigue and other symptoms, saw a dramatic increase in energy after just a few days of taking the natural iodine drops. Now if she misses a day, she’ll end up falling asleep in the middle of the afternoon, like she used to do before taking the iodine. It works! ~ Aaron My doctor told me that I had a hypothyroid condition, prescribed medication and was happy with the follow-up test results, yet I noticed no positive effects on my overall wellbeing. Within two weeks of using the Natural Awakenings Detoxified Iodine, I had more energy, felt more awake and enjoyed clearer thinking and greater peace of mind. People even comment that I look younger. I am a fan! ~ Larry

Reasons Behind Iodine Deficiency Radiation: Almost everyone is routinely exposed to iodine-depleting radiation emitted by cell phones, Wi-Fi, microwave ovens and other electronic devices. Iodized table salt: The human body cannot utilize the iodine added to this product. Low-sodium diets: Failure to use healthy salts to fulfill sodium requirements, plus overuse of zero-nutrient table salt in foods, leads to iodine depletion. Bromine: This toxic chemical overrides iodine’s abilities to nourish the thyroid, adrenal and other hormone-producing glands. A known carcinogen, it is used as an anticaking ingredient found in almost all baked goods, unless the ingredients specifically cite unbromated flour. Iodine-depleted soils: Due to poor farming techniques, iodine and other minerals in soil have declined, so most foods today are devoid of naturally occurring iodine. Proper iodine supplementation with a high-quality product like Natural Awakenings Detoxified Iodine can prevent harm by protecting the thyroid and other endocrine glands and restoring proper hormone production.

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

monday

friday 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.

Rise to the Task Free Dinner – 4-5:30pm. Free community dinner. First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, 320 N Main St, Hightstown. For more info contact Rise office at 609-443-4464. Breast Cancer Support Group – 6-7:30pm. 3rd Tues. No registration required walk-ins welcome. UMCP Breast Health Center, 300B PrincetonHightstown Rd, East Windsor Medical Commons 2, East Windsor. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 6:30pm. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at VFW, 77 Christine Ave, Hamilton. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

tuesday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 6:30pm. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at American Legion, 2 Meadowbrook Ln, New Egypt. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048. Warm Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 7:15-8am. Call Christine at 609-789-8188. Trenton.

wednesday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 8:45am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Energy for Healing, 4446 Main St, Kingston. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

Bright Beginnings – 10:30-11:30am. This informative, relaxed group is for parents and caregivers of infants. Each week focuses on a different topic of interest to new parents, and guest speakers are occasionally featured. Infants and children under 4 years of age are welcome to attend with the parent or caregiver. $5 payable at door. Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton North Shopping Center, 1225 State Rd, Princeton. 609-683-7888. Zumba Fitness – 6-7pm. Join the fitness party and burn calories while enjoying dance steps and fitness moves. Cost $8/7 Drop-in/Punch Card. Bring-a-Friend $6/each. Lawrence Community Center, 295 Eggerts Crossing Rd. Contact Stephanie: 609-954-9067.

thursday Warm Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 7:15-8am. Call Christine at 609-789-8188. Trenton. 4 Mom’s Networking Hour – 1-2pm. Weekly parenting topics with RWJ Hamilton experts and sharing with other moms. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-5900. CPAP Workshop – 6pm. 3rd Thurs. Free workshop provided by the Sleep Care Center for patients with sleep disorders. A respiratory therapist will provide CPAP education, adjust CPAP pressures, refit masks and discuss the importance of CPAP/BiPAP usage. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-6681.

Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 8:30, 10:30am and 1:30pm. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class) in Bucks County at 3 locations (Newtown, Langhorne, and Morrisville.) Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join us. To register call Siobhan at 609-752-1048. Soup Kitchen – 4:30-6pm. 3rd Sat. Volunteers arrive at 3pm. Free hot meal served. VFW Post 5700, 140 Dutch Neck Rd, Hightstown. Information: Adrenne 609-336-7260. SPOT (Safe Place for our Tweens) – 7-10pm. 1st Sat. Allows 9-12-year-old youngsters to “hang out” at the YMCA under the supervision of trained YMCA staff. Basketball, indoor soccer, music, karaoke, swimming, access to the wellness center, video games in our Youth Interactive Center and the snack stand are offered. A Hamilton Area YMCA Membership is not required for participation. Dress comfortably for the activities you wish to participate in. 1315 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd, Hamilton. 609-581-9622 x 21103.

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Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class) in Bordentown. Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join us. To register call Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

WELLNESS SPACE SUB-LEASE AVAILABLE – Clinton. Joint marketing opportunity with busy practice. For more information email UHealU@ gmail.com.

natural awakenings

October 2013

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

ACUPUNCTURE Jim Slaymaker, L.Ac

405 Rte 130 N, East Windsor 609-616-2281 Jim@Acupuncture2Heal.com Acupuncture2Heal.com Schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how Traditional Chinese Medicine can safely and effectively relieve chronic pain and stress, restore sleep, boost energy, promote healthy digestion, and support OBGYN issues. Experienced Practitioner since 2004. See ad, page 29.

BODYWORK Siobhan Hutchinson, MA

Holistic Health Practitioner 609-752-1048 NextStepStrategiesllc.com Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesllc.com Enhance balance of Body/Mind/ Spirit through Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ai Chi Chih, Seijaku, Qigong, Reiki and Donna Eden Energy. Clients can choose classes or personalized one-onone sessions for deep relaxation and reducing the effects of stress. See ad, page 18.

COUNSELING Center for Grief Services Dr. Norma Bowe Dr. Norman Travis 855-97-GRIEF CenterForGriefServices.com

Center for Grief Services specializes in grief treatment. Workshops and individual therapy options available. See ad, page 26.

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 12.

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 30.

LIFE COACH PRESENT MOMENT LIFE COACH Robert Sadigur 732-939-7570 PresentMomentCoach.com

What is it that you really want but havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been able to make happen? Call or email me today to schedule your telephone no-fee introductory session.

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.

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE EDWARD MAGAZINER, M.D.

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

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

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

BLACK FOREST ACRES

PURE FITNESS 24

Sheena Potts 141 Walnford Rd, Allentown 609-286-8502 PureFitness24.com Achieve the results you never thought possible. Specializing in Kettlebell, TRX and bodyweight combo classes, mobility and balance classes, Functional Movement Screen, individual personal training, semi-private personal training and small group training. See ad, page 29.

Mercer County, NJ

PRINCETON CENTER FOR DENTAL AESTHETICS

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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.

Reach Your Target Market with a Resource Guide listing for under $60 per month. We work for you. CALL NOW! 609-249-9044 LDBeveridge@NAMercer.com

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November Personal Growth Edition Our readers seek specialists offering: • Artistic Expression • Journaling & Memoirs • Self-Help Counseling • Books & Guides • Life Coaching • Social Aid • Business Education Courses • Lifelong Learning • Spiritual Healing • Career Reinvention • Martial Arts • Volunteer Programs • Charity / Community Services • Meditation • Weight Management • Counseling / Therapy • Personal Development Tools • Workshops / Retreats • Fitness Programs • Public Speaking • Yoga – and this is just a partial list