Natural Awakenings Mercer, NJ October 2014 by Natural Awakenings Mercer

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Sun Salute New Technology Enables Solar Power to Go Global

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Combining Chiropractic and Acupuncture Energizes Health

October 2014

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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Experience is the Key to Success with Regenerative Medicine such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Grafts!

endon, ligament and joint injuries can affect your daily and recreational activities. Living with pain is not the answer. Dr. Magaziner is a pioneer in the field of Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine using Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Grafts since 2001.It is commonly known in the field that he was the first known physician in the United States to use these treatments for arthritis and joint pain. He has lectured extensively and has taught others on this groundbreaking technique. He is well known around the country in his field and is considered by many as one of the top treating pain management physicians in the New Jersey region. PRP and Stem Cell treatments have grown increasingly common in the sports medicine world in recent years. Many physicians are taking weekend seminars to learn how to do these procedures however, experience and knowledge is the key to success and safety with regenerative medicine treatments. During a PRP procedure, the patient’s blood is drawn and put in a centrifuge to separate out platelet-containing plasma from the red blood cells. The plasma is then injected back into the patient’s injury. PRP treatment is thought to accelerate and/or maximize the signals an injury site sends to the body in order to continue the healing process. Adult stem cells are collected from bone marrow or from fat and are able to grow and become a cell for repair of a specific tissue or organ, according to the National Institutes of Health. The benefits of these bio-regenerative treatments: Treatment of tendon and ligament injuries without surgery. Effective relief of joint pain caused by arthritis. Safe Procedure with no serious sideeffects. Tissue regeneration using your own blood platelets and stem cells.

Conditions commonly treated: • Rotator Cuff Tears • Epicondylitis Elbow • Tendinitis Hip • Achilles Tendinitis • Arthritis Shoulder • Arthritis Knee • Meniscal Tears • Shoulder Capsule Tear • Tendinitis Wrist • Patellar Tendinitis • Plantar Fasciitis • Arthritis Hip • Arthritis Wrist/Ankle • Almost Anywhere We do not claim these treatments work for any listed or unlisted condition intended or implied.

Case Studies 63 year old male with bilateral knee arthritis not improved with NSAIDS, cortisone injections and physical therapy. The orthopedist told him he needed knee replacements. He could not walk any significant distance and had trouble getting up from a chair. After 6 monthly PRP treatments he had no pain, was walking long distances ,and up stairs without difficulty. 35 year old female musician with twoyear history of elbow pain. She had multiple cortisone injections and physical therapy with no relief. Her pain was rated 10 out of 10. She was treated with monthly PRP injections. After 3 treatments she was 80% improved. By 5 treatments she was 90% improved and her pain rating was 2 out of 10. She resumed playing guitar, and doing repetitive activities.

Testimonials Jeff C. reported osteoarthritis of his right first toe and right wrist were treated with 2-3 PRP sessions. Results: Patient reported wrist and toe pain essentially gone. Walter W, a 78-year-old man with osteoarthritis of the right knee, had a history of knee surgery and a meniscus tear. His pain was rated 6-7 out of 10, and it was hard to A D V E R T O R I A L

walk long distances or on uneven surfaces. He received seven (7) monthly PRP treatments. Results: His pain level was down to 0-1/10 and he was able to do all activities. He receives a booster treatment 1x per year. Kimberly S., a 39-year-old women with two children had had pelvic and groin pain for 3 yrs. Formerly a cheerleader who did yoga and was a sports enthusiast, her X-rays were positive for sclerosis. Had cortisone injection with only 2 weeks of relief. She received 4 PRP treatments. Results: Her pain reduced from 8 out of 10 to 2 out of 10 and treatment continues to improve her condition. Cynthia S., a 41-year-old who was involved in a motor vehicle accident which dislocated her thumb and wrist. She had positive MRI findings and functionally the patient could not use her wrist or thumb to carry or grasp due to pain. Results: Cynthia had 7 Prolotherapy treatments to wrist and thumb and she was improved 60-70%. When we changed to PRP she experienced 90% improvement in pain and function after 5 more sessions. She felt the improvement was excellent. “You gave me my hand back.” Dr. Magaziner’s credentials include: Director Center for Spine Sports Pain Management and Regenerative Medicine Assistant Professor New York Medical College Clinical Professor Robert Wood Johnson University Dept. of Anesthesiology Past CEO NJ Interventional Pain Society Past President New Jersey Society of Rehabilitation Medicine Middlesex County Medical Society Executive Board Member Past delegate to NJ Medical Society and advisor to the NJ Medicare Committee

20 years experience in Orthopedic Regenerative Treatments The Center for Spine, Sports, Pain Management and Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine is located at 2186 Route 27, Suite 2 D, North Brunswick, NJ. For information please visit DrEMagaziner. com or call 877-817-3273.

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

themes JANUARY whole systems health plus: energy boosters

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

working together

plus: natural antidepressants

true wealth plus: beauty

DECEMBER prayer & meditation plus: holiday themes

contents 9 6 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 11 globalbriefs 13 ecotip 15 therapy

spotlight 11 20 greenliving 24 healingways 26 fitbody 28 inspiration 29 healthykids 13 32 naturalpet 34 consciouseating 36 wisewords 37 calendar 40 resourceguide

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

16 SUSTAINABLE CITYSCAPES

Urban America is Going Green in a Big Way by Christine MacDonald

20 THE SUN’S

ELECTRIFYING FUTURE Solar Power is a Worldwide Eco-Goldmine by Linda Sechrist

22 DR. ANDREW WEIL

ON AMERICA’S EVOLUTION INTO INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

24 DYNAMIC DUO

Combining Chiropractic and Acupuncture Energizes Health by Kathleen Barnes

26 BREATH-TAKING Six Ways to Inhale Energy and Exhale Stress by Lane Vail

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Four Tools Guide Us on Our Life Journey

by Indira Dyal-Dominguez

Host a Halloween that’s Natural, Healthy and Cost-Conscious by Avery Mack

TEST FOR DOGS

Detects Illness in Time for Effective Treatment by Shawn Messonnier

34 AN A FOR APPLES

It’s a Top-Ranked Superstar Fruit

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letterfrompublisher Sustainability can be expressed in the simple terms of an economic golden rule… Leave the world better than you found it, take no more than you need, try not to harm life or the environment, make amends if you do. ~Paul Hawken

hile sitting out on my deck this week gazing into the preserved wetlands behind our house, I rejoiced again in special gratitude for its presence. Ten years ago, when my son was a baby, the lesson was brought home of just how passionate I am about fully embracing a healthier life and greener environment. That year, in the weeks leading up to Halloween, I became aware of trucks, bulldozers and men throughout all of the preserved woods. Then the nights became even scarier, as raucous chainsaws joined the melee of buses, tractors and other, unknown machines. This went on until 10 p.m., unsettling our whole family. What were they doing to our local woods? The next morning, I wandered out to see and discovered felled trees, some with items stapled and nailed to them, and gas and propane tanks left unattended. Unsurprisingly, I saw no sign of the wildlife that usually inhabited this land. I urgently called the property owner, a businessman that seems to care only about his profits from the event. I couldn’t stop there because living consciously is who I am. So, I called Save Hamilton Open Space, a wonderful group of men that came out to test the soil and confirm the area’s status as preserved wetlands. Next, they determined the damage wrought and took action. Ultimately, the Halloween business had to clean up its garbage and plant two trees for every one the event organizers had cut down; they were banned from the property. It’s a lasting victory for our community. What motivates people like Natural Awakenings readers and other conscientious thinkers to protect our environment and challenge themselves to personally live more sustainably? We are convinced that it’s vital that we all leave the world better than we found it. That will only happen if we all unify in contributing in all possible ways to achieve eco-progress. Our planet is the only homeland our children will inherit, so why not treat it accordingly? Present generations are dealing with an alarming period of cumulative stressors in Earth’s geological history in which each of us, willingly or not, is playing a role. The escalating demands on fossil fuel resources are contributing to current climate change and putting the skills of our best scientists to the test in the urgent search for sustainable solutions. We continue to pollute Earth’s 1 percent freshwater upon which life on land depends. Also we are simultaneously stripping and contaminating our oceans, a historically reliable food source now being rapidly depleted. This issue of Natural Awakenings offers numerous ways we can each take many little steps forward toward realizing big changes to support a sustainable community locally and, in so doing, preserve a whole Earth. Healthy living truly is green living,

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October 2014

newsbriefs Center for Spiritual Living Princeton Opens New Location Do you have a special event in the community? Open a new office? Move? Recently become certified in a new modality?

he Center for Spiritual Living Princeton is pleased to announce it has moved to a new office, located at 812 State Road, Route 206, Suite 220. In addition to administration and operation, the new location will be used for classes, workshops and several other activities for helping individuals discover their connection to the Infinite Power of the Universe. Their teaching is rooted in the Science of Mind®, which offers practical spiritual tools and a way of life that helps promote greater levels of joy, happiness, peace of mind and prosperity. Those familiar with the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra and Louise Hay will already be somewhat familiar with the teaching and philosophy. In Science of Mind, the belief is the secret to living a successful life is to consciously choose positive and productive ways of thinking. Put another way, “Change your thinking and change your life.” In addition, Spiritual Awakening Services will continue to take place every Sunday at 10:15 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 345 River Road, in Princeton. For more information, call 609-924-8422 or visit CSLPrinceton.org. See ad, page 25.

PEAC Performance Helps Gymnast Reach New Levels

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

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en-year-old Lawrenceville gymnast Nikki Pawar was recently named to the USA Gymnastics National JumpStart program for tumbling and trampoline athletes. She credits much of her success to her training at PEAC Performance at PEAC Health & Fitness, in Ewing. According to her mother, Nancy Pawar, “When Nikki became a level-nine gymnast, it was clear it was going to be a difficult year.” Nikki began training with Evan Orchinik at PEAC Performance to improve her strength and keep her in the best condition for competition. “Almost immediately we saw a difference Nikki Pawar and in her confidence and an improvement in her overall Evan Orchinik strength,” says Nancy Pawar. Last January, Nikki was invited to the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center at the Karolyi Ranch, in Huntsville, Texas, where she tried out for and made the National JumpStart trampoline team. JumpStart identifies future elite athletes and cultivates their talent through education and proper fitness and skill development. As a level-nine competitor, representing Motion Gymnastics, in Pennington, Nikki placed third at both the New Jersey statewide competition last April and the regionals in West Virginia last May. At the end of September, she returned to the Karolyi Ranch to train as a level-10 gymnast.

Location: 1440 Lower Ferry Rd., Ewing. For more information about PEAC Performance at PEAC Health & Fitness, contact Orchinik at 609-883-2000, email Info@ PEACPerformance.com or visit PEACHealthFitness.com. For more information about the USA Gymnastics JumpStart program, visit USAGym.org.

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Roadside Geology of New Jersey Field Trip Excursion

n October 18, D&R Greenway Land Trust invites the public to a day-long regional field trip with David Harper, author of the acclaimed new Roadside Geology of New Jersey. This event is a result of audience requests after Harper’s Sourlands Ecosystem lively, engaging presentation at Preserve’s Forest Rocks his book launch earlier this year. A region-by-region journey into New Jersey history, as told by its rocks and sediments, Harper’s book opens doorways to our state’s past, present and future. The author’s emphatic contention that New Jersey “is a leader in the protection of its environment,” reveals CEO and President Linda Mead’s motive in bringing Harper back for D&R Greenway supporters. Guests may purchase a limited number of signed copies of the new book on the day of the field trip. However, it’s recommended that relevant sections of the book be read beforehand. A limited number of signed copies of the book may be purchased at D&R Greenway. Location: D&R Greenway Land Trust, Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton. Cost: $60 registration fee includes a box lunch and a copy of a Guidebook to the Geology of the Trenton NJ Area, specially created by the author for this occasion. Participants meet 8 a.m. Children 12 and over welcome. To register and arrange for paying, email RSVP@DRGreenway.org. The bus is scheduled to return to the Johnson Education Center at 4 p.m.

Family Fun Weekends at Terhune Orchards in Princeton

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

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

onsider a family fun weekend at Terhune Orchards in October this fall season and pick your own apples or pumpkins. In addition, enjoy pony and wagon rides, a corn stalk maze, a barnyard full of animals plus much more. Plenty of delicious food will be available—soups, chili, hot dogs, pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider and more. Terhune Orchards will feature live music played by some of the area’s best local talent from noon to 4 p.m. on both days. Admission to the festival area includes corn maze, hay bale maze, wagon rides, and pedal tractors, barnyard of animals, music, play tractors and painting pumpkins. Cost: $5 for ages 3 and over. No fee to enter farm store, winery or u-pick apples area; additional cost for other activities. Location: Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton. For more information, call 609-924-2310 or visit TerhuneOrchards.com.

Kirk Huckel, DMD, FAGD Ruxandra Balescu, DMD

609-924-1414

PrincetonDentist.com

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

October 2014

newsbriefs 17th Annual Fall Festival at Unionville Vineyards

Holistic Health Extravaganza in New Egypt

he 17th annual Unionville Vineyards Fall Festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on October 11 in Ringoes. This family-friendly event includes live music, vineyard walks, winery tours and, of course, wine tasting. In addition, serving of gourmet foods and presentations by industry leaders, kids activities, grape stomping and more will also take place. Location: Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Rd., Ringoes. Cost: $20/$10, adults / ages 13-20 and designated drivers, 12 and under free. For more information, call 609-788-0400; to order tickets, visit UnionvilleHarvestFestival.Bpt.me/.

Honor Yoga Expanding into Pennington

t the end of September, studiOMango in Pennington will merge and open as Honor Yoga Pennington in the Hopewell Crossing Shopping Center. Currently offering discounted pre-sale membership plans, the new location will feature two studios for a variety of yoga practices for adults, children and families and a lounge area, with dedicated staff members facilitating more than 20 classes each week. Honor Yoga was founded a year and a half ago by Maria Parrella-Turco and Melody Appel, opening their first location in Hamilton’s Buckley Plaza. In the first year, over 1,500 people came through the doors of the Hamilton location, and they explored the option of opening additional studios with fellow yogis interested in creating a healing, welcoming studio in their community. Parrella-Turco and her sister, Laura Caponi, a partner in the Pennington studio, are both residents of Lawrenceville and planning to move to Hopewell next year. The sisters were interested in doing business together and focusing on their local community, leading them to select Pennington as the new studio’s location. As Honor was looking to expand, they found the perfect location in Hopewell Crossing, and that studiOMango was only 500 feet away. Following the imperative practice of ahimsa, or not doing harm to others, the Honor team approached Julia Ruocco, owner and founder of StudioMango, with the opportunity to grow the Honor community in the area and join as a partner in the new location. “I’m so excited to partner with the ladies of Honor,” states Ruocco. “Their passion for the practice is inspiring and their compassion for the community is unsurpassed. Together we strive to create a space that is friendly and accessible, a place where yoga is for everyone.” With two spaces in the new studio, Honor Yoga will offer classes for kids, tweens and teenagers, birthday parties, teacher training, broga (yoga for men), prenatal, tai chi, meditation, yoga for seniors, many workshops, plus all the traditional classes ranging from vinyasa flow and hot yoga to gentle, restorative and power yoga. There’ll also be additional programs and classes for local yogis to evolve their practice. Location: Honor Yoga Pennington, Hopewell Crossing, 800 Denow Rd., Pennington. For more information email Marketing@HonorYoga.com or visit HonorYoga.com.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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xcitement is building in the quaint town of New Egypt for the annual Holistic Health Extravaganza from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 18, at the American Legion. This event brings many varied and experienced practitioners together under one roof. “Shopping local, green and natural, while relaxing and raising funds for two local programs, is a unique experience,” comments event host Siobhan Hutchinson of Next Step Strategies, LLC. “Our vision is to introduce people to self-empowerment with natural health techniques such as massage, yoga, tai chi, reflexology and what Dr. Oz keeps referring to as the next frontier, energy medicine,” continues Hutchinson. “The event grows each year and includes handmade, natural, green, locally made gifts and services, while helping to raise money and awareness for two local organizations, Plumsted Township Trap, Neuter and Release Program and the local Holiday Food Basket Program.” Practitioners, modalities and products present at this year’s event include aryurvedic reflexology, foot detoxification baths, henna artist, craniosacral massage, singing bowls, herbal teas, essential oils and soaps, a feng shui specialist, aura photography, crystals, minerals, Earth jewelry and chakrainspired and -energized jewelry. In addition, the Ocean County Board of Health will provide free health screenings to include blood pressure check, stroke risk assessment and osteoporosis screenings for women. Location: 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt. For more information, call Hutchinson at 609-752-1048, email Siobhan@NextStepStrategiesLLC.com or visit NextStepStrategiesLLC.com. See ad, page 15.

healthbriefs

SPECIAL

FEEDS

Lower Breast Cancer Risk by Eating Colorful Veggies

esearch published in the British Journal of Nutrition discovered that the risk of breast cancer decreases with increased consumption of specific dietary carotenoids, the pigments in some vegetables and fruits. The research was based on five years of tracking 1,122 women in Guangdong, China; half of them had been diagnosed with breast cancer and the other half were healthy. Dietary intake information was collected through face-to-face interviews. The women that consumed more beta-carotene in their diet showed a 46 percent lower risk of breast cancer, while those that consumed more alpha-carotene had a 39 percent reduced incidence. The individuals that consumed more foods containing beta-cryptoxanthin had a 62 percent reduced risk; those with diets higher in luteins and zeaxanthins had a 51 percent reduction in breast cancer risk. The scientists found the protective element of increased carotenoid consumption more evident among pre-menopausal women and those exposed to secondhand smoke. Dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach and dandelion greens top the list of sources rich in luteins and zeaxanthins, which also includes watercress, basil, parsley, arugula and peas. The highest levels of beta-carotene are found in sweet potatoes, grape leaves, carrots, kale, spinach, collard and other leafy greens. Carrots, red peppers, pumpkin, winter squash, green beans and leafy greens contain alpha-carotene. Red peppers, butternut squash, pumpkin persimmons and tangerines are high in beta-cryptoxanthin.

Energy Efficiency Improves Family Health

Why take a trip to a drive thru when we can deliver a fresh, organic meal to your door step?

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this Mention ive ce re d n a ad FF 10u%r O der yo or

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

esearch from Columbia, Marylandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Center for Healthy Housing suggests that adding insulation and more efficient heating systems can significantly increase the health of household residents. The researchers studied 248 households in New York City, Boston and Chicago that underwent energy conservation improvements by trained energy efficiency professionals, including installing insulation and heating equipment and improving ventilation. After the improvements, subjects reported reductions in sinusitis (5 percent), hypertension (14 percent) and obesity (11 percent). Although a 20 percent reduction in asthma medication use was reported, two measures of asthma severity worsened; the scientists called for further study of the asthma-related outcomes. A similar study from New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University of Otago examined 409 households that installed energy-efficient heating systems. Children in these homes experienced fewer illnesses, better sleep, better allergy and wheezing symptoms and fewer overall sick days. In examining 1,350 older homes where insulation was installed, the research also found improvements in health among family residents.

PrismHypnosis.com

609-235-9030 Solutions for Healthy Living

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October 2014

healthbriefs

Acupuncture Lowers Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

esearch from China published earlier this year in the journal Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion suggests that electro-acupuncture and auricular acupuncture—also called ear acupuncture—can alleviate symptoms of withdrawal from methamphetamine addiction. For four weeks, 90 patients attempting to withdraw from methamphetamine use received either electro-acupuncture, ear acupuncture or no treatment. Compared with the no-treatment group, those given electro-acupuncture and ear acupuncture treatments showed significant reductions in anxiety, depression and withdrawal symptoms. Between the two acupuncture treatments, the electro-acupuncture group did better during withdrawals than the auricular group.

YOGA PRACTICE PUMPS UP DETOXIFYING ANTIOXIDANTS

ndian researchers recruited 64 physically fit males from the Indian Air Force Academy for a three-month study of yoga’s effect on detoxification. For three months, 34 of the volunteers practiced hatha yoga with pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. The other 30 volunteers underwent physical training exercises. At the end of the study, blood tests found significantly higher levels of antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin E, among subjects in the yoga group. These participants also showed lower levels of oxidized glutathione and increased levels of two important antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase, all indicating better detoxification. Meanwhile, the exercise-only group showed no changes in these parameters.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating October 6 to 12 as Naturopathic Medicine Week.

Aware Acupuncture TCM and 5 Element Acupuncture

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

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

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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Water Fluoridation Gets Another Thumbs-Down

n extensive review of research from the UK’s University of Kent has concluded that fluoridation of municipal water supplies may be more harmful than helpful, because the reduction in dental cavities from fluoride is due primarily from its topical application instead of ingestion. Published in the Scientific World Journal earlier this year, the review, which covered 92 studies and scientific papers, concludes that early research showing a reduction of children’s tooth decay from municipal water fluoridation may have been flawed and hadn’t adequately measured the potential harm from higher fluoride consumption. The researchers note that total fluoride intake from most municipalities can significantly exceed the daily recommended intake of four milligrams per day, and that overconsumption is associated with cognitive impairment, thyroid issues, higher fracture risk, dental fluorosis (mottling of enamel) and enzyme disruption. The researchers also found clear evidence for increased risk of uterine and bladder cancers in areas where municipal water was fluoridated.

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

Doable Renewables

Engineers Detail a Clean Energy Future Stanford University researchers, led by civil engineer Mark Jacobson, have developed detailed plans for each U.S. state to attain 100 percent wind, water and solar power by 2050 using currently available technology. The plan, presented at the 2014 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in Chicago, also forms the basis for the Solutions Project nonprofit. “The greatest barriers to a conversion are neither technical nor economic. They are social and political,” the AAAS paper concludes. The proposal is to eliminate dirty and inefficient fossil fuel combustion as an energy source. All vehicles would be powered by electric batteries or by hydrogen produced by electrolysis, rather than natural gas. High-temperature industrial processes would also use electricity or hydrogen combustion. Transmission lines carrying energy between states or countries will prove one of the greatest challenges. With natural energy sources, electricity needs to be more mobile, so that when there’s no sun or wind, a city or country can import the energy it needs. The biggest problem is which companies should pay to build and maintain the lines. Source: SingularityHub.com

Clever Collaborations

Renewables Gain Ground Worldwide Excess heat from London subway tunnels and an electric substation will soon be funneled into British homes, slashing energy costs and lowering pollution, according to the Islington Council. Germany’s renewable energy industry has broken a solar power record, prompting utility company RWE to close fossil fuel power plants that are no longer competitive. RWE says 3.1 gigawatts of generating capacity, or 6 percent of its total capacity, will be taken offline as it shuts down some of its gas- and coal-fired power stations. In China, wind power is leaving nuclear behind. Electricity output from China’s wind farms exceeded that from its nuclear plants for the first time in 2012 and out-produced it again last year, generating 135 terawatt-hours (1 million megawatts)—nearly enough to power New York state. While it takes about six years to build a nuclear plant, a wind farm can be completed in a matter of months. China also employs a recycling-for-payment program in Beijing subway stations that accept plastic bottles as payment. Passengers receive credit ranging from the equivalent of five to 15 cents per bottle, which is applied toward rechargeable subway cards. In the U.S., a newly installed working prototype of a pioneering Solar Road project has raised more than than double its $1 million crowd-funding goal to seed the manufacturing process (Indiegogo.com/projects/solar-roadways). Watch a video at Tinyurl.com/NewSolarRoadways.

Fracking Flub

Methane Dangers May Be Three Times the Estimate Results of a meta-analysis of 20 years worth of scientific studies published in Science magazine conclude that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has underestimated the natural gas industry’s climate impact by 25 to 75 percent by not including methane leakage from fracking, gas drilling operations and pipelines. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researcher Gabrielle Petron voices concern with the discrepancies because, “Emission estimates, or ‘inventories’, are the primary tool that policy makers and regulators use to evaluate air quality and climate impacts.” For a paper published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, researchers flew aircraft over a heavily fracked region in northeastern Colorado and concluded that emissions from drilling operations were nearly three times higher than an hourly emission estimate published by the EPA.

To win without risk is to triumph without glory. ~Pierre Corneille

Primary Source: Earth Policy Institute natural awakenings

October 2014

globalbriefs Household Hazards

States Move Against Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Products This year, at least 33 states are taking steps to address the untested and toxic chemicals in everyday products. Many toys, clothes, bedding items and baby shampoos contain chemicals toxic to the brain and body. The federal 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act has become outdated, allowing untested chemicals and known carcinogens, hormone disruptors, heavy metals and other toxins to be ingredients in commonly used products. Wise new policies would change labeling and disclosure rules for manufacturers so that concerned consumers know what chemicals products contain and/or completely phase out the use of chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) in infant formula cans, food packaging and receipt paper; formaldehyde in children’s personal care products; chlorinated tris (hydroxymethylaminomethane) in toxic flame retardants and other consumer products; phthalates, lead and/or cadmium in children’s products; and mercury.

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View the entire report at Tinyurl.com/State-By-State-Action-List.

False Alarm

Expiration Labels Lead People to Toss Good Food Several countries are asking the European Commission to exempt some products like long-life produce from the mandatory “best before” date labels because they lead to food waste. According to a discussion paper issued by the Netherlands and Sweden and backed by Austria, Denmark, Germany and Luxembourg, many food products are still edible after the labeled date, but consumers throw them away because of safety concerns. The European Union annually discards about 89 million metric tons of edible food. In the U.S., food waste comprises the greatest volume of discards going into landfills after paper, reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In 2012, this country generated 36 million tons of food waste, but only 3 percent of this waste stream was diverted from landfills. A 2013 report co-authored by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Harvard Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic proposes that producers and retailers take other steps to prevent the discarding of good food. Source: EnvironmentalLeader.com.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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Coral Countdown

ecotip

Endangered Caribbean Reef Solutions With only about one-sixth of their original coral cover remaining, most Caribbean coral reefs may disappear in the next 20 years, primarily due to the loss of two main grazers in the region, according to the latest report, Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970-2012. It’s published by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the United Nations Environment Programme. The report—involving 90 experts and an analysis of 35,000-plus surveys at 90 locations since 1970—included studies of corals, seaweeds, grazing sea urchins and fish. Climate change has long been thought to be the main culprit by making oceans more acidic and causing coral bleaching. Now, the loss of parrotfish and sea urchins is seen as the main factor; their demise has broken the delicate balance of coral ecosystems, allowing the algae upon which they feed to smother the reefs. Restoring positive populations, plus protection from overfishing and excessive coastal pollution, could help the reefs recover and make them more resilient to future climate change impacts. Download the report at Tinyurl.com/CoralReefReport

Coastal Caretaking

Zoning Tropical Waters Like Land Resources In the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, 24 scientists from Canada, the U.S., the UK, China, Australia, New Caledonia, Sweden and Kenya affirm that one-fifth of humanity lives within 60 miles of a tropical coastline, primarily in developing countries. They warn that growing populations and the increasing impact of climate change ensure that pressures on these coastal waters will only grow. Most locations are lacking in holistic, regional management approaches to balance the growing demands from fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, oil, gas and mineral extraction, energy production, residential development, tourism and conservation. Lead author Peter Sale, of the United Nations University’s Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health, states, “We zone land for development, farms, parks, industry and other human needs. We need a comparable degree of care and planning for coastal ocean waters. We subject [the sea], particularly along tropical shores, to levels of human activity as intense as those on land. The result is widespread overfishing, pollution and habitat degradation.” According to the paper, solutions must address a larger geographic scale over a longer period of time; focus on multiple issues (conservation, fisheries enhancement and land-based pollution); and originate from a local jurisdiction to gain traction with each community. View the paper at Tinyurl.com/OceanZoning.

Make Mulch

Enrich Garden Soil Naturally

Homeowners with gardens have many natural, organic and sustainable options for mulching, which enriches soils with nutrients, helps retain moisture and controls weeds. In most regions, many types of trees can provide ingredients. In northern areas, ridding the yard of fall leaves yields a natural mulch. Apply ground-up leaves, especially from mineral-rich oak and hickory trees, so they biodegrade by growing season. OrganicLandCare. net suggests choosing from doubleground and composted brush and yard trimmings; hemlock, pine, fir and Canadian cedar; and ground recycled wood. Using a lawnmower with a high blade height or switching to a serratededged mulching blade can chop leaves into tiny fragments caught in an attached bag. The National Turfgrass Federation notes, “A regular mower may not shred and recirculate leaves as well as a mulching blade.” Shredded leaves also can filter through grass and stifle springtime dandelions and crabgrass, according to Michigan State University research studies. Ground-up parts of many other plants can also provide natural mulch in their native regions. Audubon Magazine.org cites cottonseed hulls and peanut shells in the Deep South, cranberry vines on Cape Cod and in Wisconsin bogs, Midwest corncobs, and pecan shells in South Carolina.

natural awakenings

October 2014

– Advertorial –

BRINGING MORE THAN HOMEWORK HOME By Ryan Hogan It’s that time of year when we’re sending our kids back to school. Unfortunately, while schools are good places to learn they are great places to catch a disease. In fact, children’s Upper respiratory illnesses (URI’s) cause more doctor visits and missed school days than any other illness in the US. Luckily, there are a few things you can do at home to help reduce the chances of your child getting sick at school this year.

sanitizer before eating snacks, lunch and after using a shared computer mouse, pencil sharpener, water fountain or other community objects. Now, most people know we need to wash our hands, but one thing most people don’t really relate their health to is nasal hygiene. Using a saline spray with xylitol, such as Xlear Nasal Spray, is safe for all ages. Research has shown this natural sweetener is useful in preventing bacterial otitis media (ear infections), among other upper respiratory problems that are most likely to occur in fall and winter months. Additional xylitol studies have also shown a significant reduction in asthma attacks when a xylitol nasal spray is used on a daily basis. Xylitol affects nose and throat bacteria in two ways:

HOW? Before we talk prevention, we need to know how infection spreads. Many childhood illnesses are caused by viruses and bacteria that are transferred from person to person. URI’s increase in fall and winter as we spend more time crowded indoors. All it takes is one sick child, going to school for the spread to begin. Small droplets from a child’s cough or sneeze travel through the air and land on surfaces like desks, doorknobs and people. These germs are easily spread when someone touches the contaminated object and then proceeds to touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Children’s immune systems are less mature than those of adults, so they’re more vulnerable to these germs. Washing your hands and your nasal passages and also keeping their hands away from their nose, eyes and mouth are the most preventative habits to form at a young age.

•

Decreases the adherence of harmful bacteria on their surface cells.

•

Stimulates the body’s own natural defense system

Since the average American child has six to ten colds a year, using a xylitol nasal spray is a safe and effective way to promote better upper respiratory health, year round. FINAL HEALTHY TIPS In addition to frequent hand-washing, teach your child some other school health basics: •

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

•

Give your child a package of tissues to keep in his or her desk.

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Encourage your child not to share water bottles, food or other personal items.

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Ask your child’s teacher to include hand-washing time before lunch or snacks.

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Have your whole family practice nasal hygiene and the use of xylitol saline spray like Xlear.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Our best defense is to stop cold germs where they breed. Good hand-washing is the most effective way to prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, blowing your nose, handling trash and prior to touching food to help eliminate germs. Soap and water should be used for 20 seconds (about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Using alcohol-based cleanersMercer is also effective. Remind your child to use the County, NJ NAMercer.com 14hand Greater

Even with all of these tips, your kids are bound to come down with something over the course of the school year. We all get sick at some point or another, forming healthier habits and maintaining a positive attitude is all we can do as parents. For more information, please visit www.xlear.com.

therapyspotlight

New Services Utilizing an Ancient Practice

ware Acupuncture, in Pennington, offers treatments derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element Acupuncture. Owner Diane L. Ailey, an acu-puncturist licensed to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with a Masters of Acupuncture degree from the Won Institute of Graduate Studies in Pennsylvania, is also nationally certified as a Diplomat of Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Her practice of acupuncture concentrates on healing body, mind and spirit while treating the patient’s primary concern, a holistic approach encouraged by her training in Five Element Acupuncture which is derived from ancient Chinese medicine theory rooted in Taoism. It’s especially beneficial when there are obstacles to treatment outcomes. Acupuncture is based on the classical theory that qi (energy) flows through meridians (channels) that run throughout the body, nourishing and moistening the organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. When the flow is obstructed, pain and disease may result. Though the use of thin, sterile, disposable needles, Ailey treats a variety of disorders by clearing obstructions and improving the flow of qi and circulation. From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture stimulates the nervous system releasing natural chemicals that may change the perceived experience of pain or may trigger specific hormones to encourage our innate state of homeostasis. By improving the body’s biochemical balance, acupuncture promotes physical and emotional health. It’s used for the treatment of pain and muscle strain due to repetitive stress, sports injuries and accidents; chronic autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia; headaches, temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ), Bell’s palsy and trigeminal neuralgia; nerve pain associated with diabetes; a variety of gynecological conditions and fertility issues,

urogential and digestive conditions; acne and skin conditions; and emotional issues. The World Health Organization endorses acupuncture for treating high blood pressure, allergies, ear and toothaches, colds and flu, asthma, plus for disease prevention and wellness. In addition to acupuncture, Ailey incorporates cupping and massage into her treatments when appropriate. Aware Acupuncture will be introducing Facial Renewal Cupping in October. This service is intended to improve blood circulation, revitalize the complexion and improve the overall tone and appearance of facial tissue by eliminating the buildup of waste and fluid in the face and the neck. Facial cupping is also used in the treatment of TMJ pain and to aid in sinus drainage. In September, Ailey introduced Community Acupuncture to her practice, consisting of small groups treated in a soothing, relaxed environment to relieve stress and anxiety of everyday living plus routine aches and pains. In these sessions, acupuncture points on the ears, arms and lower legs are used. Community Acupuncture sessions are conducted on the first and third Thursday of each month. Community Acupuncture is an affordable alternative to private, personal treatments. Location: 114 Straube Center Blvd., Suite K6-7, Pennington. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 609737-0970 or visit AwareAcupuncture.com. See ad, page 10.

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natural awakenings

October 2014

Healthy Housing

SUSTAINABLE

CITYSCAPES Urban America is Going Green in a Big Way by Christine MacDonald

oday, buzzwords like “sustainability” and “green building” dominate discussions on how to overcome the unhealthful effects of climate change, extreme local weather events and pervasive pollution. Now, a growing body of research indicates an unexpected upside of living greener; it not only makes us healthier, but happier, too. It’s all helping to spread the “green neighborhood” idea across the U.S., from pioneering metropolises like New York, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, to urban centers like Cincinnati, Detroit and Oakland, California.

Rethinking Redevelopment

A sustainable, or “eco”-city, generally runs on clean and renewable energy, reducing pollution and other ecological footprints, rather than on fossil fuels. Along with building entire eco16

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cities, developers also are striving to replace hard-luck industrial pasts and turn problems such as depopulated urban cores into opportunities for fresh approaches. “We are having a major rethink about urban development,” says Rob Bennett, founding CEO of EcoDistricts (EcoDistricts.org), a Portland-based nonprofit skilled in developing protocols for establishing modern and sustainable city neighborhoods. The group has recently extended help to seven other cities, including Boston, Denver and Los Angeles, applying innovations to everything from streetscapes to stormwater infrastructure. “The failures of the old, decaying urban and suburban models are evident,” says Bennett. “We’re now learning how to do it well and create environmentally sustainable, peoplecentered districts.”

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The concept of home is undergoing a radical makeover. From villages of “smallest houses” (usually no bigger than 350 square feet), to low-income urban housing complexes, people interested in smaller, more self-sufficient homes represent a fast-growing, increasingly influential segment of today’s housing market, according to experts such as Sarah Susanka, author of The Not So Big House. Google reports that Internet searches for information on “tiny houses” has spiked recently. Economic freedom is one factor motivating many to radically downsize, according to Bloomberg News (Tinyurl. com/TinyHouseDemand). Cities nationwide have overhauled their building codes. Cincinnati, for example, has moved to the forefront of the eco-redevelopment trend with its emphasis on revamping instead of demolishing existing buildings. Private sector leaders are on board as well; a transition to buildings as sustainable ecosystems keeps gaining ground through certification programs such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and the “living building” movement begun by Seattle’s Cascadia Green Building Council has gone international.

Friendly Neighborhoods

Walkability is “in” these days, along with bike paths, locavore shopping and dining and expansion of public destinations, all of which draw residents out to meet their neighbors. This “new urbanism” is evident in places like Albuquerque’s emerging Mesa del Sol community and Florida’s proposed Babcock Ranch solar-powered city. While public and private sectors are involved, residents are the catalysts for much of the current metamorphoses. Whether it’s a guerrilla gardener movement—volunteers turning vacant lots and other eyesores into flowering oases—creative bartering services or nanny shares, people-helping-people approaches are gaining momentum. The Public School, an adult education exchange that began in Los Angeles in 2007 and has since spread to a dozen cities worldwide, the Seattle Free School, the Free University of New

York City, and Washington, D.C.’s Knowledge Commons all have taken the do-it-yourself movement into the realm of adult education. The latter offers more than 180 courses a year, most as free classes offered by and for local residents encompassing all neighborhoods, with topics ranging from urban foraging and vegan cooking to the workings of the criminal justice system.

New York City residents taking an urban walking tour rated the experience better and more exciting when it included an urban garden.

Designing for better public health is a central tenet of sustainability, as well. Active Design Guidelines for promoting physical activity, which first gained traction in New York City before becoming a national trend, intend to get us moving. Banishing the core bank of elevators from central loca~ Charles Montgomery, tions, architects substiHappy City tute invitingly light and airy stairwells. Evolving cityscapes make it easier for commuters to walk and bike. Upgraded Transportation Tyson’s Corner, outside of WashWith America’s roads increasingly ington, D.C., has made sidewalk clogged with pollution-spewing veconstruction integral to the overhaul of hicles, urban planners in most larger its automobile-centric downtown area. U.S. cities are overseeing the expanMemphis recently added two lanes for sion of subway and light rail systems, bikes and pedestrians along Riverside revamped street car systems and even Drive overlooking the Mississippi River, ferry and water taxi services in some while Detroit’s HealthPark initiative has places. Meanwhile, electric vehicles many of the city’s public parks serving (EV) got a boost from four New England as sites for farm stands, mobile health states, plus Maryland, New York, Texas clinics and free exercise classes. and Oregon, which have joined California in building networks of EV charging Clean Energy stations, funding fleets of no- or lowemission government cars and making The ways we make and use energy are green options clearer for consumers. If currently being re-envisioned on both all goes as planned, the nine states eslarge and small scales. Solar cooperatimate that 3.3 million plug-in automotives have neighbors banding together biles could hit the streets by 2025. to purchase solar panels at wholesale Mass transit, biking and walking prices. Startup companies using comare often quicker and cheaper ways to puter algorithms map the solar producget around in densely populated urban tion potential of virtually every rooftop centers. Car sharing, bike taxis and onin the country. However, while solar line app-centric taxi services are popular panels and wind turbines are rapidly with increasingly car-free urban youth. becoming part of the new normal, they Boston’s Hubway bike-sharing program are only part of the energy revolution addresses affordability with a $5 annual just getting started. membership for low-income residents. In the past several years, microgrids One common denominator of the have proliferated at hospitals, military new urbanism is an amplification of bases and universities from Fort Bragg, what’s considered to be in the public in North Carolina, to the University of welfare. Through partnerships among California at San Diego. These electripublic and private sectors and comcal systems can operate in tandem with munity groups, organizations like utility companies or as self-sufficient EcoDistricts are developing ways to help electrical islands that protect against communities in the aftermath of natural power outages and increase energy effidisasters like hurricanes and tornadoes, ciency, sometimes even generating revseasonal flooding and water shortages. enue by selling unused electricity to the Coastal cities, for example, are grappling grid. While still costly and complicated with ways to safeguard public transit and to install, “Those barriers are likely to other vulnerable infrastructure. fall as more companies, communities

AWAKENING AMERICA

Natural Awakenings Celebrates 20 Years of Conscious Living

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

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

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

~ Theresa Sutton, Connecticut

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

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

natural awakenings

October 2014

The benefits of urban agriculture are not limited to the provision of food, with many advocates citing community empowerment, environmental justice, public health, and education and training as primary goals. ~ Columbia University and institutions adopt microgrids,” says Ryan Franks, technical program manager with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

Local Food

What started with a few farmers’ markets feeding urban foodies has given way to a growing local food movement that’s beginning to also reach into lowincome neighborhoods through mobile markets, a kind of farmers’ market on wheels, and an explosion of urban gardens and city farms. Ohio City Farm (OhioCity.org) grows food for in-need residents on six acres overlooking the Cleveland skyline. In Greenville, South Carolina, the Judson Community Garden is one of more than 100 gardens in the downtown area, notes Andrew Ratchford, who helped establish it in a neighborhood four miles from the nearest supermarket. Giving residents an alternative to unhealthy convenience store fare is just one of the garden’s benefits, Ratchford says. “We’re seeing neighbors reestablish that relationship just by gardening together.”

Waste Reduction

While cities nationwide have long been working to augment their recycling and find more markets for residents’ castoffs, many are becoming more sophisticated in repurposing what was formerly considered trash. Reclaimed wood flooring in new homes and urban compost-sharing services are just two examples characterizing the evolution in how we dispose of and even think about waste. We may still be far from a world in which waste equals food, as described by environmental innovators William McDonough and Michael Braungart in their groundbreaking book, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. Nevertheless, 18

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projects certified as cradle-to-cradle are cutting manufacturing costs and reducing pollution. For example, carpet maker Shaw Industries Group, in Dalton, Georgia, reports savings of $2.5 million in water and energy costs since 2012, when it improved energy efficiency and began using more renewable material in its carpet tiles. Shaw is spending $17 million this year to expand its recycling program. Stormwater runoff is a pervasive issue facing older cities. Many are now taking a green approach to supplementing—if not totally supplanting —oldfashioned underground sewage systems. Along with creating new parks and public spaces, current public spaces are often reconfigured and required to do more. Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Portland, among others, are instituting carefully planned and built green spaces to soak up rainwater and cut down on runoff into sewer drains—taking motor oil and other pollutants with it. Using revamped sidewalk, parking lot and roof designs, plus rain gardens designed to filter rainwater back into the ground, municipalities are even successfully reducing the need for costly underground sewer system overhauls. The proliferation of rooftop gardens in places including Chicago, Brooklyn and Washington, D.C., and new green roof incentives in many cities nationwide further exemplify how what’s considered livable space is expanding. Altogether, eco-cities’ new green infrastructure is saving cities billions of dollars and improving the quality of life for residents by adding and enhancing public parklands and open spaces, a happy benefit for everyone. Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science. Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

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HAPPINESS GOES VIRAL by Christine MacDonald Since the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan first came up with the idea of ditching standard measures of prosperity for a more inclusive Gross National Happiness (GNH) about a decade ago (GrossNationalHappiness.com), it has spread around the world. After gaining a U.S. foothold in Seattle, dozens of American cities and institutions have adopted the central tenets—the idea that the time has come to rethink our concept of well-being. Today, the nonprofit Happiness Alliance (HappyCounts.org) supports grassroots activists that are challenging the idea that economic activity always leads to happiness and is pioneering new ways to think about and measure life satisfaction, resilience and sustainability. GNH proponents from around the country came together in Vermont last May for their fifth North American conference. Alliance Executive Director Laura Musikanski says that more than 50,000 people and 100 municipalities, college campuses and businesses have been using the GNH Index, developed to more accurately gauge a community’s happiness, and the group expects to see even more growth as its expanding website tools allow more people to connect online. “Economic success in terms of money only correlates with happiness up to a certain point,” she remarks. “After you meet your basic needs, the biggest things determining your happiness are community and feeling that you can trust the people around you and the democratic process.” While faith may be in short supply when it comes to community and politics today, Musikanski thinks there’s cause for optimism, because happiness is a core value in this country. “We believe in the Declaration of Independence and ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’ These are truly American values.”

natural awakenings

October 2014

greenliving

The Sun’s Electrifying Future Solar Power is a Worldwide Eco-Goldmine by Linda Sechrist

“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” ~ Thomas Alva Edison in 1931

Energy Engine

Humankind has sought for centuries to harness the sun because the cumulative energy of 15 minutes of its rays shining on Earth could power the world for a year. Following the invention of the solar collector in 1767, a slow, yet steady evolution of other breakthroughs in the quest have included the photovoltaic (PV) effect, observed in 1839, invention of the first solar cell in 1954 and a solar-powered communications satellite in 1958. Solar summits in 1973 and 1977 led to the inception of the Solar Energy Research Institute (now the National Renewable Energy Laboratory), part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Organization Act signed by then-President Jimmy Carter. Making the most of the “alchemy of sunlight” that Pulitzer Prize-winning author Daniel Yergin writes about in The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World, has required a global village of inventors, 20

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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visionaries, scientists and engineers. Pioneering companies have produced technological advancements and reduced manufacturing costs that expand the sun’s services to the world. Today, thanks to solar power, many of the remotest villages in developing countries have electricity. “Without solar photovoltaics on satellites and those powering the uplink transmitters, downlink receivers and associated equipment on the ground, the isolated residents of developing countries can’t join the modern world,” explains Neville Williams, author of the recently released book, Sun Power: How the Energy from the Sun is Changing Lives Around the World, Empowering America, and Saving the Planet. As founder of the guerilla nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF.org), Williams led the charge for electrifying households in 12 developing countries for 17 years, beginning in 1990, using solar panels and systems funded by

grants. “While we were cost-effective and decisive, the results were due to the honest, hardworking and dedicated people we found there,” he advises. Williams initiated his pioneering advocacy of solar energy as a media specialist with the DOE during the Carter administration and served as the national media director for Greenpeace, in Washington, D.C. In 1997, he co-founded the solar installation company SELCO-India, which has supplied solar home systems to more than 150,000 families in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam and South Africa. In 2005, he founded the solar solutions supplier Standard Solar Inc., of Rockville, Maryland.

Economic Engine

The U.S. currently has an operating capacity of 13,000-plus megawatts of cumulative solar electricity—enough to power more than 2.2 million average American homes. As the industry grows, so does its impact. The Solar Foundation’s Solar Job Census 2013

reported nearly 143,000 solar workers in the U.S.—a 20 percent increase over 2012—at 6,100 businesses in 7,800 locations encompassing every state. According to Yergin and Williams, the increasing value of nationwide solar installations has “electrified” the U.S. economy. In 2013, domestic solar electric installations were valued at $13.7 billion, compared to $11.5 billion in 2012 and $8.6 billion in 2011. The top 10 states for annual additions of photovoltaic capacity in residential and commercial applications are California, Arizona, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Colorado, New York and New Mexico. Currently, there are more than 550 major solar projects underway nationally. Under the Obama administration, 16 of these have been permitted on federal lands and will provide 6,058 megawatts of generating capacity. The two experts expect solar energy to be a major catalyst of global political and economic change. Williams contends that now is the time to fully access

this cheapest form of unlimited energy. “If millions of poor families in developing countries can get their electricity from the sun, why can’t Americans do the same?” he queries. In a 2002 National Public Radio Planet Money podcast, Yergin, president of Cambridge Energy Research Associates, in Massachusetts, addressed the concerns of everyone that sees the common sense of relying on solar energy. “Technology will be central to solutions for our energy challenges,” he says. “What needs to be done is very, very large, as are the risks and challenges. What we have going for us is the greatest resource of all—human creativity—and for the first time in history, we are going to see it employed on a global scale.” To learn more, visit SunPowerBook.com and DanielYergin.com. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Visit ItsAllAbout We.com for Neville Williams’ recorded interview.

Solar Blocks by Neville Williams

conomics, rather than technological concerns, are now driving the adoption of clean, safe, solar electricity to preserve the environment. During this transition to a new energy paradigm, we can choose to embrace the solar imperative now, rather than later, and prepare for a post-carbon lifestyle without sacrificing our present quality of life. Many hurdles have been overcome in the shift away from fossil fuels during the past two decades. Challenges still exist, but the hope is that we are on our way toward a brighter future with solar electricity made universally available. n The cost of solar photovoltaics has dropped 75 percent in the past four years, thanks to China. n Solar electricity is now the least expensive energy source in many markets,

overcoming for the first time the economic argument that it’s too expensive. n Innovative partnerships like that formed by green energy provider Viridian with large, full-service solar provider SolarCity lease solar panels to homeowners and businesses that significantly reduce upfront costs. Installation costs, which once averaged more than $20,000, can now amount to just hundreds of dollars.

storage, which allows the use of sun power at night, well-financed new “smart grid” technologies are rapidly emerging.

n Solar is disrupting the century-old central power generation model, and the challenge is to get the utility industry to change and adopt distributed solar. Utility companies that previously ignored solar energy now fear it might threaten their bottom line if they don’t get with the program.

n The impending showdown will be between corporate power and people power, comprised of homeowners and businesses producing their own electricity. The politics of energy is central to our national future. The question is, Can we change?

n While the next big obstacle is energy

Learn more at NevilleWilliams.com.

natural awakenings

October 2014

Dr. Andrew Weil

on America’s Evolution into Integrative Medicine by Andrea Schensky Williams

You frequently speak to the topic of integrative health and happiness. How does your book, Spontaneous Happiness, reflect that? For a long time, I’ve wanted to see an integrative movement start in psychology and psychiatry. It’s another field that has become dependent on drugs and is not functioning all that well to help people. There are so many more things that people need to know about maintaining emotional wellness, I think the wisdom of taking an integrative approach here is obvious.

Your presentation will take place soon after the recent passing of actor and comedian Robin Williams, which may bring about a more informed awareness of mental health. Why do you think there is such an increase in the incidence of depression? There are many reasons for it, including changes in diet and a breakdown 22

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in communities that has greatly increased social isolation and disconnection from nature. Another factor is the rise in information technology, all the new media. Plus, pharmaceutical companies have been highly successful in convincing people that ordinary states of sadness are matters of unbalanced brain chemistry that need to be treated with medication. Courtesy of DrWeil.com

atural Awakenings had the opportunity to pose progressive healthcare-related questions to Dr. Andrew Weil, world-renowned author, founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Arizona, on the eve of the sixth biennial Symposium of Integrative Medicine Professionals, to be held October 13 to 15 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He will be the keynote speaker.

With diet being such a major component in affecting our emotional state of mind, what role does an anti-inflammatory diet play? There is a new body of research linking inflammation with depression that I find fascinating. The fact that the mainstream diet promotes inflammation is why I believe there may be a dietary correlation with the rise of depression in our population.

If someone suffers from depression, would you say the steps recommended in Spontaneous Happiness are a proactive approach or an addition to management through medication? I share information about how to wean off of medication. I’d say the book is primary; for people with mild-to-moderate depression, I would follow the information there first. For people with severe depression, it may be necessary to give antidepressant drugs, but I think that they should be used for a limited period, a maximum of one year. You should then be working to find other ways to

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manage the depression. There is specific information about what to do if you are on medication and how to wean off of it carefully and start these other methods.

Do you feel that the increase in diabetes in the U.S., particularly its onset in early childhood, is another major problem? Yes, it’s a big concern. I think this is mostly due to the way we’ve changed the food we eat; diet is a hugely influencing factor, especially the greatly increased consumption of sugar, sweetened beverages and products made with flour and refined carbohydrates.

How can integrative medicine lower Americans’ healthcare costs? Integrative medicine can help reduce costs in two ways. First, by shifting the focus of health care onto health promotion and prevention, rather than disease management. Most of the diseases we are trying to manage today are lifestyle related. This is where integrative medicine shines. Second, by bringing into the mainstream treatments that are not dependent on expensive technology, and I include pharmaceutical drugs in this category. I think we’re going to be forced to change our dysfunctional approach by economic necessity, because the current healthcare system is not sustainable. Integrative medicine is in a perfect position to do that because of its emphasis on lifestyle medicine. Integrative medicine is also teaching healthcare practitioners to use inexpensive, low-tech methods of managing common diseases. Both economic drivers will help reshape mainstream medicine.

What influence can the public have in supporting such a shift? Our dysfunctional healthcare system is generating rivers of money flowing into very few pockets. Those are the pockets of big pharmaceutical companies, medical devices manufacturers and big insurers; interests that control legislators. So, I don’t think any real change is going to come from the government.

The only real change will come from a grassroots movement to change the politics of all of this. Demand that insurers cover the treatments you want. Seek out integrative practitioners. Tell health practitioners you work with that integrative education is available and urge them to get up to speed in those areas. Raise your own awareness of the extent that the powerful lobbies now influence the system and why we need to see a sweeping political change.

You offer several programs through the University of Arizona such as a four-year degree, a two-year fellowship for medical doctors and programs for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. What are the benefits of adding integrative medicine to one’s practice? I think it’s what patients want and it makes the practice of medicine much more enjoyable. Many practitioners realize that they don’t have the knowledge their patients want; for instance, informed counsel about diet or uses of alternative medicine. This is a way they can gain knowledge they didn’t get in their conventional medical training. We’ve graduated more than 1,000 physicians over 10 years, supporting a robust and growing community of like-minded practitioners that stay in touch and support each other. We’re eventually hoping that we can get integrative training into all residencies. Whether you go to a dermatologist, pediatrician, gastroenterologist or psychiatrist, that doctor will have had basic training in nutrition, mind/body interactions, herbal medicine and all the rest that is now left out. We’ve also begun a program in lifestyle medicine that’s open to all kinds of practitioners, from registered dietitians to psychologists.

What reforms would you like to see in the current U.S. healthcare system? We need to change priorities for reimbursement that favor integrative medicine. At the moment, we happily pay for drugs and tests. We don’t pay for a doctor to sit with and counsel a person about diet or teach them breathing exercises. I would like to see a new kind of institution come into being that I call a healing center, where people could go for lifestyle education and management of common illnesses—somewhere between a spa and a clinic. Stays in these would be reimbursed by insurance, similar to how it’s done in Europe. Beyond that, I think it’s unconscionable that the richest nation on Earth can’t provide basic coverage to all of its citizens. Dr. Andrew Weil will be spearheading the 12th annual Nutrition & Health Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 4 through 6, 2015. Learn more about integrative medicine at IntegrativeMedicine.Arizona.edu and DrWeil.com. Andrea Schensky Williams is the publisher of Natural Awakenings of Northern New Mexico.

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October 2014

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hiropractic manipulation of the spine has long been a remedy for structural malfunctions such as aching backs and recurring headaches. Today, chiropractors are also treating neck pain from stress, plus tight shoulders and numb fingers from long hours of computer use. An increasing number of them are now incorporating acupuncture into their arsenal against disorders once treated by chiropractic alone, with great success. “What if you had a nail in your foot? You can do anything to try to heal it, but until you pull the nail out of your foot, you’ll still have a recurring problem,” explains Dr. James Campbell, owner of Campbell Chiropractic Center, in East Brunswick, New Jersey, a certified diplomate and incoming president of the American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture (ABCA). “Like removing the nail, chiropractic removes the mechanical problem and opens the way for acupuncture to stimulate healing,” Similarly, a chiropractic adjustment removes obstructions and opens acupuncture meridians to facilitate quick healing, “sometimes even immediately,” says Campbell. “Instead of having the needles in for 20 to 30 minutes, I can actually use a microcurrent device to access the meridians in the ears or on the hands and get the same results in

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five to 10 seconds.” He notes that relief can be both fast and permanent because the healing energy currents are able to circulate freely throughout the body.

Growing Movement

Combining the two modalities has been practiced for more than 40 years, although awareness of the enhanced effectiveness of doing so has been primarily realized in the eastern half of the U.S. The dual therapy is the brainchild of the late Dr. Richard Yennie, who initially became a Kansas City chiropractor after acupuncture healed a back injury shortly after World War II. An acupuncturist smuggled prohibited needles into Yennie’s Japanese hospital room in the sleeve of his kimono for treatments that ended with Yennie’s hospital discharge marked, “GOK,” meaning in the doctor’s opinion, “God only knows” how the intense back pain was healed. While Yennie went on to teach judo and establish five judo-karate schools, his greatest achievement was bringing the two sciences together in the U.S. He founded both the Acupuncture Society of America and the ABCA, affiliated with the American Chiropractic Association. Certification as a diplomate requires 2,300 hours of training in the combined modalities.

Proven Practice

Doctor of Chiropractic Michael Kleker, of Aspen Wellness Center, in Fort Collins, Colorado, is also a state-licensed acupuncturist. “I can tailor treatments to whatever the individual needs,” he says. For patients experiencing pain after spinal fusion surgery, with no possibility of any movement in their spine, Kleker finds that acupuncture helps manage the pain. “We can commonly get the person out of the chronic pain loop,” he says. He also finds the combination helpful in treating chronic migraines, tennis elbow and other chronic pain conditions. “When I started my practice in 1981, few chiropractors knew anything about acupuncture, let alone used it. Now there are more and more of us,” observes Kleker. Both Kleker and Campbell are seeing increasing numbers of patients with problems related to high use of technology, facilitating greater challenges for chiropractors and new ways that adding acupuncture can be valuable. Notebook computers and iPads

have both upsides and downsides, Campbell remarks. Users can find relief from repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome by utilizing portable devices. However, he is treating more patients for vertigo due to looking down at screens or neck pain from lying in bed looking up while using the devices. “Blackberry thumb”, which refers to pain caused by texting, responds especially well to a combination of chiropractic manipulation of the thumb to free up the joint and microcurrent or acupuncture needles to enhance energy flow in the area,” advises Campbell. Prevention is the best cure for these problems, says Kleker. He routinely informs patients about proper ergonomic positions for using traditional computers and mobile devices. He also suggests exercises to minimize or eliminate the structural challenges that accompany actively leveraging today’s technological world. In addition to chiropractors that are increasingly adding acupuncture

October is National Chiropractic Health Month Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is October 24

to their own credentials, an increasing number of chiropractors have added acupuncturists to their practices. Therapy combining chiropractic and acupuncture has yet to be widely researched, but one study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2012 reports the results of two acupuncture treatments followed by three chiropractic/acupuncture treatments for a women suffering from long-term migraine headaches. The migraines disappeared and had not returned a year later. Other studies show the combination therapy offers significant improvements in neck pain and tennis elbow. Campbell relates a story of the power of chiropractic combined with acupuncture, when his young son that was able to walk only with great difficulty received a two-minute treatment from Yennie. Afterward, “My son got up and ran down the hall,” he recalls. Locate a certified practitioner at American BoardOfChiropracticAcupuncture.org/ about-us/find-a-diplomate. Kathleen Barnes is the author of numerous natural health books. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

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October 2014

Get Published in Natural Awakenings!

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

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Breath-Taking Wisdom Six Ways to Inhale Energy and Exhale Stress by Lane Vail

e draw an astounding 22,000 breaths daily, but because breathing is involuntary, we often take it for granted. Transforming breathing into a conscious activity can provide amazing energy, awareness and control, and dramatically improve our mental, physical and creative performances, according to Al Lee, co-author of Perfect Breathing: Transform Your Life One Breath at a Time. That’s 22,000 opportunities to choose health and wisdom every single day.

Everyday Ease

Lee paints a picture of perfect breathing: “Watch a baby breathe; it looks like there’s a balloon in the stomach that inflates and falls back down. This is belly breathing—pleasant, enjoyable and natural.” During inhalation, the diaphragm pulls down under the lungs, allowing them to expand with air and displace space in the abdomen. However, “Breathing can fall victim to the same movement dysfunction as any other skill, like running or walking,” says Nick Winkelman, director of movement and education at EXOS, an elite athletic training facility in Phoenix, 26

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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Arizona. He points to “shoulder breathing”, characterized by a lifting of the shoulders with each shallow sip of air, as a common dysfunction perpetuated by too much sitting. “Hunching over the laptop or sitting in the car binds up the abdominal region and reduces the possibility of expansion there, so the breath moves higher into the chest cavity,” Lee explains. Replacing shoulder breathing with belly breathing “creates a cascade of positive effects,” says Lee, including lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system. Deep breathing also clarifies the mind and is used in nearly every spiritual tradition to achieve deeper states of prayer, meditation and contemplation, he notes. Try these six healing techniques.

Six-Second Breath

Lee’s six-second breath is a simple prescription for stress that can be used anytime, anywhere. Relax the abdominal muscles and inhale for three seconds, breathing through the nose to “disinfect, filter, condition and moisturize the air before it reaches the lungs,” says Lee. Visualize the breath filling the body like a bell, with the flared

bottom expanding completely around the waistline. Pause momentarily and exhale through the nose or mouth for three seconds, gently contracting the abdomen to help expel the air. Practice this whenever needed to ease stress or for five minutes daily to establish a slower, deeper breathing pattern.

Ocean Breath

The yoga breath ujjayi, or oceansounding breath, is achieved by slightly constricting the throat muscles and gently lifting the glottis, so that a soothing hiss is produced when the breath is drawn in through the nose. Dr. Richard Brown, an integrative psychiatrist, associate professor at New York’s Columbia University and co-author of The Healing Power of the Breath, explains the benefits. “Ujjayi creates resistance to air flow, triggering receptors deep within the lungs’ alveoli, which allows more oxygen to be delivered to the cells. It also stimulates the vagus nerve input to the brain, which promotes calmness and clear thinking.”

Target Breathing

A recent study from the journal Pain Medicine found that deep, slow breathing, combined with relaxation, effectively diminishes pain. “The nervous system represents a physical or emotional trauma in an unregulated pattern of signals,” says Brown. “But the mind and breath can wash away and rewire that pattern.” Practice target breathing, a technique derived from qigong, by inhaling deeply into the belly and visualizing the breath as a ball of energy which upon exhaling can flow to the place in the body needing healing, advises Lee.

Bellows Breath

Brown has co-authored a review in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine describing the neurophysiological basis and clinical benefits of yogic breathing on depression and post-traumatic stress. Bhastrika, or bellows breath, is a mood-lifting technique wherein one inhales vigorously through the nose while raising the arms above the head, fingers extended, and then forcibly exhales through the nose while

An Athlete’s Advantage

4-2-10 Breathing

Anxiety attacks often generate feelings of breathlessness, and fixating on each inadequate inhalation reinforces panic. Winkelman recommends 4-2-10 breathing, a technique that emphasizes elongating exhalations. Inhale through the nose for four seconds, hold for two, and then slowly release the breath for up to 10 seconds. Lee explains that after several breaths, the brain will start to shift from reactive emotional thinking to rational problem solving. “Concentrating on the breath makes it hard to think about the future or rummage around in the past,” says Lee. “It keeps you in the moment, intimately in touch with the mind, body and emotions.” Lane Vail is a freelance writer in South Carolina. Connect at WriterLane.com.

The future will

by Lane Vail “Many disciplines, from Eastern arts to performing arts and athletics, rely on breathing as the foundation for eliciting the most from the mind and body,” says fitness writer Al Lee. Effective breathing optimizes the delivery of air into the lungs and extraction of oxygen into the bloodstream, both critical for improving athletic efforts. Deep breathing also enhances and balances the autonomic nervous system, inducing a “relaxed state of readiness,” adds Arizona fitness consultant Al Winkelman. When an athlete breathes into the belly, the shoulders remain relaxed, the spine neutral and the ribs positioned over the hips. “This is a great biomechanical position to move and take an impact,” says Winkelman, adding that a shallow breather, with lifted shoulders and arched back, not only

pulling the elbows down alongside the ribs with fingers closing gently. Avoid overdoing it, instructs Brown; three rounds of 15 to 20 breaths are sufficient for healthy individuals.

recovers oxygenation slower, but also increases vulnerability to injury. For rhythmic sports like running, cycling and swimming, Winkelman recommends relaxing into the synchronization of breath and movement. “Tension restricts muscles’ ability to shorten or lengthen, but relaxation allows them to naturally release stored energy. Correct breathing is one of the most important mechanisms by which athletes can unlock tension and relax.” For sports that require striking a ball or exerting a kick or punch, like tennis, soccer, martial arts and golf, the athlete inhales during the wind-up and momentarily holds the breath as the wind-up peaks. “The exhalation happens during the transition and upon impact, the breath is held again, muscles are tensed up and force is delivered,” says Winkelman. “Breathe in, hold, release, hold.”

either be green or not at all. ~Bob Brown

natural awakenings

October 2014

inspiration

Live Your True Self Four Tools Guide Us on Our Life Journey

Fulfillment Comes in Serving Others Advertise your products and services in our

November Personal Empowerment Issue Our readers seek specialists offering:

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

Greater Mercer County, NJ

by Indira Dyal-Dominguez

tarting today, we can experience life as a naturally unfolding expression of our vision and realize the contribution we are here to make. Living a truly good and purposeful life becomes as natural as breathing as we shift into a new paradigm based on the four tools of connect, listen, trust and act. In most people’s current paradigm, the limited and limiting human mind will shape and drive our day-to-day actions whenever we allow it to. When we buy into it, it becomes our automatic truth, organizing our energy around fears for survival. Everything changes when we stop focusing primarily on what we need to do in order to function and survive. Instead, by realizing that our essence is energy, we gain powerful access to our ability to separate the human mind’s chatter from our higher consciousness, shifting us into a new relationship with who we are. That’s where we can now go for the answers that are unique to us and aligned with our true journey and purpose. Connect. The initiating step of seeing our real self as an eternal energetic force of higher consciousness activates our alignment with the universal vibrational force of all creation. This energy frequency becomes real and available to us. Listen. By learning to distinguish between the mind’s busyness and intuited messages of our true self, we come to more consistently align our actions with our highest being. As a result, we naturally walk a path of honoring both our highest self and others. Trust. The inner guidance we discern often defies logic, but we begin to trust that it knows best. The beauty is that because everything is in relationship with everything else, when one piece of our life changes or moves forward it shifts the entire energy and relationship with everything else, allowing for a new

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relationship and a new result. Such trust goes deep, activating our inner knowing of who we are; not from the basis of a thought or concept, but as our new reality. We are listening to and heeding our most authentic self. Act. Be aware that when we honor our higher self, transcending the human mind’s control, the ego will fight for its survival. It may argue for doing something else, not doing it fully or create circumstances that make it tough to act from an authentic place. Now we can release such mind suggestions and choose what supports our true journey. We are here to experience our own magnificence as we walk our journey on Earth. In acting, we are saying, “I am not my mind; I am a wellspring of divine truth.” We are claiming our eternal identity. Indira Dyal-Dominguez’s new book, YOU: A Spiritual Being on a Spiritual Journey, is based on 15 years of personal experience using the four tools and living from the spirit within while developing and sharing programs that guide others to connect with their true self. Access free tools at IndiraToday.com.

healthykids

Age-Perfect Parties

TRICK & TREAT Host a Halloween that’s Natural, Healthy and Cost-Conscious by Avery Mack

Slipping masks, sagging costumes and sugar hits can all contribute to cranky kids at Halloween. Healthier, greener and safer options will up the ongoing fun factor.

Neat Costumes

Hooray! Princesses and superheroes are more popular than witches and devils these days. With encouragement from parents, kids can enjoy a greener Halloween with tiaras, wands and capes made from recycled cardboard and hobby shop items. Thrift stores offer up hats and jewelry for added bling. The Internet overflows with inspiration. Also, many public libraries host costume swaps this month; find other swap locations at Tinyurl.com/CostumeSwaps.

Colorful Disguises

Consider inexpensive temporary hair coloring instead of wigs. Mix three packets of sugar-free drink mix or one box of sugar-free gelatin dessert mix (because sugar makes hair sticky), a few drops of both water and a conditioner into a paste. Apply cocoa butter at the hairline to prevent color from running down the face. Use a paintbrush to apply it to the hair, topped

by a shower cap for a steeping period of as long as youthful patience allows before shampooing. Homemade face paint is a fun and healthy alternative to sweaty masks. (Commercial face paint can contain lead and other undesirables.) A moisturizer with sunscreen, unscented lotion or cocoa butter acts as the base. “UVA/ UVB rays are present year-round,” says Dermatologist Michael Taylor, in Portland, Maine. “Use zinc- or titaniumbased products, free from fragrance, para-aminobenzoic acid, parabens, bisphenol A, phthalates and other harmful ingredients.” Natural food coloring, spices or other pantry items provide colorants. Turmeric makes a bright yellow; raspberry, blackberry or beet juice yields pink or red; mashed avocado and spirulina show up green; blueberry juice is naturally purple; and cocoa powder makes a great brown, according to Greenne.com.

For the youngest treaters, hold an afternoon party with games and an outdoor wildlife/leaf hunt. “Plan a scavenger hunt or arrange stuffed toys to be knocked over with balls,” suggests Pamela Layton McMurtry, author of A Harvest and Halloween Handbook, and mother of seven in Kaysville, Utah. “Older kids will love a block party. Solar twinkle lights can mark the perimeters. Plan for a potluck and emphasize healthy choices. Games with prizes like wooden toys, juices, raisins or glutenfree crispy rice cakes take the focus off of candy. Tweens like progressive parties: appetizers at one house, dessert at another and music or scary movies at a third.” “Disguise healthy snacks as scary, gross foods,” suggests Rosie Pope, a parenting style leader and former reality TV personality in Ridgewood, New Jersey. “Homemade grape or orange juice popsicles with a small gummy worm inside are popular.” Pope likes to decorate cucumber and apple slices with raisins, dried cranberries, blueberries and pretzels adhered with organic peanut butter to mimic crawly creatures. Black spaghetti colored with squid ink can simulate boiled witch’s hair. Spinach linguini masquerades as swamp grass. Look for gluten-free varieties. Prepare peeled grapes for green eyeballs. “Cover party tables with a patchwork of fabric remnants,” advises McMurtry. She also suggests a DIY taco area or cat-and-scarecrow-shaped pizzas. Use sliced olive or cherry tomato eyes, shredded cheese hair and a red pepper smile. Prepare a cheesy fondue with whole-grain bread. Individually wrapped popcorn balls studded with bits of fruit can be great take-home desserts for guests.

Harvest Décor In addition to the usual farmers’ market gourds, Indian corn and pumpkins, “Oranges, tangerines and apples covered with cloth and tied with orange or black yarn or ribbon hung as miniature ghosts in the kitchen and doorways add a spooky touch,” adds Pope. “After the holiday, the fruit returns to the table as a snack.” Pope’s children also like to

natural awakenings

October 2014

Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@ mindspring.com.

More EcoTreat Tips 4 Keep kids’ hair dry after applying temporary coloring to keep ingredients from running. 4 Mix cornstarch and beet juice to make “blood”. 4 Post a door notice that this family is giving out healthy snacks. Search out organic, fair trade, GMO-, gluten-, nut- and sugar-free treats in recyclable packaging (or no packaging at all). Avoid artificial preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup. 4 After gutting the pumpkin, roast the seeds for a snack and purée the pumpkin to add fiber and flavor to recipes. 4 Post-Halloween, compost the jack-o’-lanterns and gourds and add any corn stalks to foliage recycling. Find more tips at Tinyurl.com/ Eco-Halloween. Contributing sources: Green Halloween.org, SafeCosmetics.org

Greater Mercer County, NJ

A Terrifyingly Healthy Halloween! Kids can make individual pizzas starting with pre-baked crusts, bagels or English muffins. Choose whole wheat or gluten-free as desired. Smaller sizes allow for portion control. Add toppings and cheeses, regular or vegan, pop in the oven and serve. Want fun shapes like a Halloween cat or scarecrow? Make an organic crust with a recipe from RealFood GirlUnmodified.com/fail-proof-organicpizza-dough, or try a whole-wheat version like one found at EatingWell. com/recipes/whole_wheat_pizza_ dough.html (using whole wheat and organic, unbleached all-purpose flour and a natural granulated sugar).

Kid-Friendly Pizzas Yields 8 servings

recipe photos by Pam McMurtry Designs

draw Halloween murals on windows using water-based markers. Traditional tricks and treats are easily improved upon with mindful shopping and imagination. The calorie counts are lower, environmental impacts are lighter and the feel-good fun factor soars.

Bake for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to stove top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Return to oven for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove, spread with sauce. Raise the oven heat to 375° F. Begin with the proteins, then layer the vegetables and special ingredients and top with a layer of cheese.

2 Tbsp olive oil, divided 8 bagels evenly split, English muffins or prepared pizza rounds 1 garlic clove, peeled and split lengthwise 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, finely grated 1 cup organic pizza or marinara sauce One protein, such as lean ground beef or soy crumbles (browned and drained); sliced vegetarian pepperoni; turkey or vegetarian bacon (fried, drained and broken into pieces); or peeled and deveined shrimp, cut into bite-sized pieces Red, yellow or green bell peppers, onions, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, sliced or diced black or green olives, drained pineapple bits, garlic cloves, drained and roasted 1 to 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or vegan mozzarella cheese

Return the rounds to the hot oven and bake until the cheese melts. Cool slightly and serve.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly oil two cookie sheets and set aside. Open and arrange bagels or muffins on the sheets. If using prepared pizza rounds, place on sheets whole.

Dissolve yeast and sugar in the warm water. Stir gently, let yeast rise until frothy foam covers surface. Mix dough by hand with a dough hook or using an electric mixer.

Rub each piece of bread lightly with cut garlic. Brush each round with olive oil.

Add 2 cups all-purpose flour, salt and olive oil and mix well.

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French Bread Pizza Dough 2 Tbsp active dry yeast 2 cups very warm water 2 Tbsp natural granulated sugar 3 cups organic unbleached all-purpose or bread flour, divided 2-to-1 2 tsp salt 2 Tbsp olive oil 3 cups whole wheat flour, divided 2-to-1 Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly grease baking pans.

Add 2 cups whole wheat flour (grind just before using for maximum nutrition). Gradually add the additional flour until a smooth dough forms. Depending on altitude and humidity, more or less may be needed. Mix until dough is smooth. Remove to flour-dusted bread board. Shape and roll out to about ½-inch thick, top with marinara sauce, cheese and desired toppings. Bake at 400° F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden around the edges.

1 (15½-oz) can black olives, drained and sliced 1 (8-oz) container of regular or vegan sour cream 1 small head Romaine lettuce, roughly chopped 1 (1-lb) bag organic blue corn, whole grain, artisan, white or yellow corn or gluten-free baked tortilla chips Add 1 Tbsp oil to an 8-to-10-inch skillet and heat over medium-high heat until the oil just begins to simmer. Add chopped onion and stir. Sweat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground meat or meat substitute. If needed, add oil. Stir to break up large clumps and cook until browned. Remove from skillet and drain the

meat. Return to skillet, and then add tomato sauce, chili powder and cumin. Stir to blend and simmer over medium heat until the sauce begins to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm. Place beans, tomatoes, cilantro, cheese, olives and sour cream in separate bowls. On a serving plate, put Romaine lettuce, taco chips or a combination of the two. Add toppings and salsa as desired. Optional substitution: Use one 8-oz can of tomatoes with green chiles instead of the tomato sauce, chili powder and cumin. Source: Recipes courtesy of Pamela Layton McMurtry

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

Aunt Judy’s Taco Stacks Yields 6 generous servings This one-dish treat contains all of the major food groups. Prepare favorite taco ingredients and stack them on organic blue-corn chips or a bed of torn lettuce. Homemade salsa adds more veggies and zing. Use a recipe like one at AllRecipes. com/recipe/fresh-salsa-2. For a flavor twist, add diced avocado sprinkled with lemon juice to keep the bright green color; red, green, orange or yellow peppers; and fruit like mangos or peaches.

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1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil (if needed) 1¼ lb naturally raised lean ground meat or meat substitute 1 small onion, 2-in or less in diameter, chopped 1 (8-oz) can organic tomato sauce 1 tsp chili powder ¾ tsp ground cumin Natural salt and pepper to taste 2 (15½-oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained 3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped in ¼-inch pieces 1 bunch cilantro leaves, stems removed 1½ cups organic shredded cheddar, Mexican blend or vegan cheese natural awakenings

October 2014

naturalpet

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

New Cancer Test for Dogs Detects Illness in Time for Effective Treatment by Shawn Messonnier

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

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

609-249-9044

Publisher@NAMercer.com 32

Greater Mercer County, NJ

et owners often ask if there’s an accurate, inexpensive way to test dogs for cancer before they develop clinical signs of it. A diagnosis early in the course of the disease is crucial for beginning effective treatment and better outcomes. Until recently, the answer to their question was no. As a result, most owners have remained unaware of the problem until the cancer was well advanced and had spread throughout the pet’s body. While chemotherapy can help some pets, the treatment is unable to heal most of them due to the advanced stage of most diagnosed cancers, which typically already have been active for six to 12 months or longer. Early diagnosis would allow both traditional and natural therapies to be more effective. In some cases, chemotherapy might not even be needed, because natural medicines such as astragalus, essential fatty acids, mushroom extracts, ginseng and green tea may be able to reverse the cancer at its earliest stages.

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Fortunately, dog owners can now secure an accurate early diagnosis using a new blood panel costing less than $200, including lab processing, that enables veterinarians to detect cancer and other inflammatory diseases before a pet becomes ill. The tests provide valuable information about the dog’s health before overt signs of disease are observed, damage occurs and treatment options become more limited and expensive. Early detection tests for cancer in cats will be available soon. The tests measure several aspects of cell irregularity, including abnormal cell division and systemic inflammatory activity, by detecting any increased levels of thymidine kinase and C-reactive protein in the pet’s body. A study by California’s Veterinary Diagnostics Institute’s VDI Laboratory applying the new blood panel tests to 360 dogs followed their incidences of cancer and other serious diseases for up to a year. The researchers found that nearly all of the cancers that occurred were detected four to six months prior

to the pet showing outward signs. Because the cancers were detected early and treated before the pet became overtly ill, costs to the pet owner were greatly reduced and the effectiveness of cancer treatment improved. The new cancer screening tests, which are designed to be part of a routine wellness plan, constitute the most comprehensive single blood diagnosis available in monitoring overall canine health. It’s just as important to check the vitamin D status of canine patients. Low levels contribute to increased incidence of cancer and infectious diseases, according to a study published in the journal Veterinary and Comparative Oncology. Supplementing vitamin D levels is easy and inexpensive and may help reduce the incidence of serious disease later in life. While the new blood panel tests have been shown to be highly accurate in early cancer detection, any test can miss it if the number of cancer cells is too small. Therefore, pets with negative test results should be retested every six months, while positive results prompt further diagnostic tests and initial treatment. Pets with cancer also benefit from these tests because they allow the vet to fine-tune a treatment plan and determine when a cancer may be coming out of remission. The screening is recommended for all dogs 5 years of age and older. Only a small amount of blood is needed and results are available within a few weeks. 285889

Shawn Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, TX, is the award-winning author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats and Unexpected Miracles: Hope and Holistic Healing for Pets. For more information, visit PetCareNaturally.com.

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natural awakenings

October 2014

consciouseating

An A for

APPLES

Good Genes

It’s a Top-Ranked Superstar Fruit by Tania Melkonian

utrient density—an acknowledged characteristic of apples— is considered the most significant qualification for a superfood. “It’s one of the healthiest foods,” advises Case Adams, from Morro Bay, California, a naturopathic doctor with a Ph.D. in natural health sciences. Apples’ antioxidant power alone could elevate it to status as a superior superfood. Eating apples could help ward off America’s most pressing yet preventable, chronic illnesses, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cites as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Strategic Eating

Morwenna Given, a medical herbalist and Canadian member of the American Herbalists Guild, from Toronto, explains why and shares an analogy, “The normal metabolic processes of oxidation produce reactive oxygen species (free radicals) with unpaired electrons that hunt and steal partner electrons from the body’s cells. Imagine an electrical plug wherein the grounding wire has been eliminated or compromised. There is nothing to prevent a surge or fire.” This is comparable to what happens to a body impacted by a poor diet, lack of exercise, stress and illness; its healthy grounding is compromised. When the overall damage to cell structure overwhelms the body’s innate antioxidation defenses, conditions are ripe for disease and accelerated aging. Foods high in antioxidants, like the 34

Greater Mercer County, NJ

Note that conventionally grown apples top the Environmental Working Group’s list of 48 fruits and vegetables tested for pesticide residue (ewg.org/ foodnews/list.php). That’s yet another sound reason, along with better taste and nutrition, to go organic.

apple, help to neutralize the damage and heal bodily tissues. Flavonoids—like the quercetin just beneath the peel—are another of the apple’s powerful nutrient partners, notes Adams in his book, The Ancestors Diet. So, even when making applesauce, including the peel is vital. With the exception of vitamin C, all other nutrient compounds remain intact when the fruit is cooked. Subtle differences in polyphenol levels exist among apple varieties, according to Linus Pauling Institute testing. Polyphenol compounds ultimately activate the fruit’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Northern spy, Fuji and especially red delicious varieties are the richest in antioxidants; empire and golden delicious harbor relatively low levels. “Some older varieties that had lost popularity with large-scale commercial farmers are now being grafted again, thanks to a return to organic practices,” remarks Meredith Hayes, schools and student nutrition senior manager at FoodShare, a leading North American food security organization.

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“The purpose of any seed is to replicate the species,” explains Given. “The pulp around the seed protects and feeds the seed until it’s burrowed into the soil and germinates. Older species evolved to be protective of their seeds to survive against pests and other insults. Commercially grown produce, however, has generally bred out the secondary metabolites that house so many of a plant’s nutrients.” It helps to know that imperfectlooking food has potentially synthesized more sugars and nutrients in response to stress in order to survive, making blemishes or irregular shapes more appealing as consumers discover the core value of non-homogenized fruit. In 2012, Hayes worked with Tom O’Neill, general manager of Canada’s Norfolk Fruit Growers Association, to repackage smaller “unacceptable” apples into an ideal bag weight and size for a second-grader to carry and share in school meal and snack programs. Previously, these “too-small” apples were being tilled back into soil or sold in Europe because there was no market for them here,” says Hayes. “So, we looked for ways to honor imperfect fruit.” Other beneficial movements against food waste that are also making produce more affordable include France’s Intermarché supermarket’s popular inglorious fruits and vegetables campaign, with the tagline, “As good, but 30 percent cheaper,” and Portugal’s ugly fruit program. Such initiatives are raising happy awareness of so-called imperfect, and often organically grown, food. By recognizing and appreciating the apple during this season’s harvest, we honor its versatility, affordability, broad availability and culinary flexibility. Tania Melkonian is a certified nutritionist and healthy culinary arts educator in Southwest Florida. Connect at EATomology.com.

Apples in the Kitchen Apple Pie Smoothie

/4 cup unfiltered apple juice ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 1 sprig Thai basil for garnish

(Empire, Golden Delicious) Yields 2 large smoothies

*During preparation, keep apples in a large bowl of ice water with one Tbsp of vinegar or lemon juice to prevent browning.

1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or stewed apples ½ cup raw, unsalted cashews, soaked in water for 1 hour 2 tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp ground cinnamon 2 chopped, pitted dates, soaked in water for ½ hour or 2 Tbsp maple syrup (use dates if using a high-speed blender, otherwise use maple syrup) 1 cup ice cubes

Courtesy of Elise Bauer, SimplyRecipes.com

Yields 6 large servings 2 Tbsp mild curry spice mix 1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil 1 medium onion, diced 1 head broccoli, stems peeled and separated from florets, all chopped roughly 2 medium apples, cored and chopped* 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock

Add onions and half of the apples, stirring the mixture until onions and apples soften. Add broccoli, stock and juice. Stir and reduce heat. Cover and cook on low for 20 to 25 minutes.

Whisk eggs, milk and spices together until some small bubbles form on surface.

This soup can be kept in the refrigerator for up to seven days or the puréed soup can be frozen for several months. Defrost and add diced, raw apples before heating and serving.

recipe photos by Stephen Blancett

(Gala, Jonagold)

Arrange bread on a baking sheet. Toast until light brown. Set aside.

Remove from heat and use a blender to purée the soup in batches. Return to pot; add vinegar and the rest of apples. Stir and heat gently before serving.

Place all ingredients in a blender and purée until smooth, 30 to 60 seconds.

Creamy Curried Apple Soup

Heat a large pot on medium heat. When pot is warm, add spice mix until aroma is released. Add oil and stir for a minute.

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Heat a skillet on medium heat. Melt 3 Tbsp of butter and drop in sage leaves. Allow butter to bubble, not burn. Drop apple wedges in and stir, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until apples are slightly soft. Remove apple mixture from heat. Remove sage leaves.

Courtesy of Tania Melkonian, EATomology.com

Use 1 Tbsp butter to grease a 9-inch springform pan, deep baking dish or Dutch oven. Arrange 1/3 of bread in a layer on the bottom. Sprinkle ¼ of grated cheese on top. Spoon 1/3 of apple mixture on top. Repeat twice. Pour egg mixture on top.

Apple-Cheddar Brunch Soufflé

Bake on middle rack for 30 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Yields 8 servings

Courtesy of Tania Melkonian, EATomology.com

(Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)

3 slices gluten-free or sprouted grain bread, torn into 1-in pieces 6 eggs 1 cup milk (flax, coconut, almond or goat) 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp nutmeg 4 Tbsp grass-fed butter 3 large sage leaves 6 apples, cored and sliced into wedges (about 8 per apple) 1 cup grated goat’s milk cheddar cheese natural awakenings

October 2014

wisewords

Airwaves Activist

Public Radio’s Steve Curwood Empowers Listeners to Aid Planet Earth by Randy Kambic

s creator, executive producer and host of Living on Earth, the weekly environmental news program broadcast since 1990, first distributed by National Public Radio and more recently by Public Radio International, Steve Curwood keeps millions of people informed on leading environmental topics. Broadcast on more than 250 public radio stations nationwide, the program has garnered a host of accolades, including three from the Society of Environmental Journalists and two Radio and Television News Directors Association Edward R. Murrow awards. In-depth interviews and onsite tapings bring subjects to life for listeners. Movers and shakers, innovators and grassroots organizers explain complex issues in understandable terms. Updates of previously aired segments sometime point to what has changed since a piece first aired. Here, Curwood reflects on his own key learnings.

What do you believe is the most important environmental challenge we currently face? Hands down, global warming and the associated disruption of Earth’s op-

erating systems is the biggest risk that we run right now. If we continue to get this wrong— and right now we’re not getting it right—it’s going to destroy the ability of our civilization to proceed as it has been. Everything else operates within the envelope of the environment. There’s no food, economy, family or anything else good if we don’t have a habitable planet.

As Living on Earth approaches its silver anniversary, what stands out to you as having changed the most over the years? One thing that is new and important is an understanding of the power of coal to disrupt the climate. Massachusetts Institute of Technology research shows that using natural gas energy has about three-quarters of the impact of coal over its lifetime, and work at other universities and government agencies supports that finding. Another way to put this is that coal shoots at the environment with four bullets while natural gas does it with three. It also raises serious questions about whether we should be making massive infrastructure changes

We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment. ~Margaret Mead 36

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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to use natural gas when we already have that infrastructure for coal, and why we shouldn’t instead be moving to clean and renewable energy sources that don’t destroy the climate system.

Can you cite the single highest-impact segment enabling NPR to tangibly help forward changes benefiting the environment? I believe that in 1992 we were the first national news organization to do environmental profiles of presidential candidates, prompting follow-up by ABC News, The Wall Street Journal and others. That signaled the greatest impact—that other news organizations felt it was important. A number of media picked up on the idea and started doing those kinds of profiles... not always, not everywhere, but frequently. Presidential candidates can now expect to be asked questions about their positions on the environment.

How much does listener feedback and interaction influence your selection of topics? When we launched the program, surveys showed that only 14 percent of the public cared about the question of global warming, which means 86 percent didn’t care, but we thought the story was important and stuck with it. People do care about their health, so we pay a lot of attention to environmental health stories, particularly eco-systems that support healthy living, from clean water to the vital roles of forests to the toxic risks we run from certain manmade chemicals. That’s really important to people, and listeners are quite vocal on such subjects. There’s a phrase, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” If we just relied on listeners to tell us what we should tell them, we wouldn’t be educating them. On the other hand, it’s equally important to cover what listeners are curious about, because they can also educate us. It’s a two-way street. Randy Kambic, in Estero, FL, is a freelance writer, editor and contributor to Natural Awakenings.

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1 Tea & Tour, Morven Museum & Garden – noon and 2pm. Tea served at 1pm. Invite a friend (or a few) to relax in the classic elegance of Morven’s Garden Room overlooking the Colonial Revival Garden. Tea includes tea sandwiches, scones, and an assortment of fresh fruit and sweets. A docent-led tour accompanies the tea and can be taken either time. Reservation required. Cost $16/$20, member/ non-member. Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St, Princeton. 609-924-8144 x103. Autumn Harvest on Your Table – 6-7:15pm. Classes are led by a registered dietitian. Includes taste sampling and recipes to take home. Register at least 3 days prior to class. The fall season is a great time to try some new dishes that are nutritious and appetizing. Learn why that bounty of color is good for your health. Cost: $10. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900. Guided Aromatic Meditation – 7-8pm. Mindful Walking Meditation Dedicate your attention to the sensation of walking. Aromatic plant essences will be used to help with the breath and overall experience. Cost: $10. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2 Community Acupuncture Sessions – Call for appointment times. Treatment designed for stress management and routine aches. Aware Acupuncture, 114 Straube Center Blvd, Ste K 6-7, Pennington. 609-737-0970. Children’s Story Time in Garden – 11am-12pm. Ali Morgan, wife of farm manager Scott Morgan, will foster your child’s imagination through her special children’s story readings. RSVP requested. Blue Moon Acres Farm Market, 11 Willow Creek Dr, Pennington. 609-737-8333.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 Howell Farm Corn Maze – 12-8pm. Enjoy New Jersey’s longest running corn maze. Howell Living Farm, 17 Valley Rd, Lambertville. Cost $10/$8, 10 and up/4-9 yo+, under 4 free. 609-737-3299.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

kingdom of Fungi, the common yet fascinating world of mushrooms. Meet a variety of mushrooms on our walk and learn about their role in medicine and cooking, as well as in nutrient recycling. Mushrooms we may meet include Artist’s Conk, Turkey Tail and the oak maze polypore. At the conclusion we will taste some locally farmed varieties. Registration requested. Cost $7/$10 member/non-member. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Learn How to Make Cheese – 12-2pm. Doubleheader cheese-making class. Ricotta and mozzarella. Cost $65, payment made at reservation. Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville. To register or for information call 609-219-0053.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 Say Goodbye to Shame Forever – 10:15am. Is a sense of shame affecting how you feel about yourself? Attend a transformation service followed by refreshments and conversation with Center for Spiritual Living Princeton. Service held at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd, Princeton. 609-924-8422.

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 Tea & Tour, Morven Museum & Garden – noon and 2pm. See October 1 listing. Princeton. 7 Good Things to Do with Your Leaves – 7-8pm. Learn ways to manage your leaf fall, and “leave your leaves” on your own property to beautify, fortify and build your garden and lawn. Master Gardeners will explain several strategies for using your leaves throughout your lawn and garden. Cost: $3 suggested donation. Mercer County Educational Gardens Extension, 930 Spruce St, Lawrenceville. 609-989-6830.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 Children’s Story Time in Garden – 11am-12pm. See October 2 listing. Pennington.

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

Time at Last – 2pm. Free. Navigating Retirement. So much of our life and identity revolves around work. This supportive group discusses the joys, concerns and challenges of having extra time and making decisions about how to use it to create fulfillment. Led by Shirley Roberts, Helen Burton and Carol King. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.

Sustainable Saturdays, Planting Workshop – 11am-12:30pm. Join Richard McCoy and learn how to select plants from a nursery, proper planting techniques, practical mulching practices, and how to remediate root collar issues. Cost: $15/$5, per person/each additional. Blue Moon Acres Farm Market, 11 Willow Creek Dr, Pennington. 609-737-8333.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 Howell Farm Corn Maze – 12-8pm. See October 3 listing. Lambertville.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 Fungus Among Us – 9:30am – 12pm. Enter the

Do You Feel Secretly Unlovable? – 10:15am. How we feel about ourselves has a direct impact on how others perceive us. Attend a transformation service followed by refreshments and conversation with Center for Spiritual Living Princeton. Service held at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd, Princeton. 609-924-8422. Rutger’s Garden Fall Festival – 12-4pm. Fun family day including apple tasting and bulb sales, plant and pumpkin sales, pumpkin bowling, children’s games, pumpkin painting, scavenger hunt and tour the labyrinth. Hort Farm, 112 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick. 732-932-8451.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Shape for Life, Body Fat Screening – 6:30pm. Free. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900. Shape for Life, Information Session – 6:30pm. Free. Learn to change your lifestyle and permanently lose weight. Jill Nitz, bariatric coordinator, who specializes in the treatment of obesity, discusses RWJ Hamilton’s Comprehensive Weight Loss Program – including physician-supervised weight loss, a tailored exercise program and nutritional counseling. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 Tea & Tour, Morven Museum & Garden – 12noon and 2pm. See October 1 listing. Princeton. Health Rhythms Drumming – 7-8pm. Group drumming is good fun and good for you. HealthRythms®, an evidence-based program, strengthens the immune system and reduces stress. Drums provided or bring your own. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP. Cost: $15. RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 Community Acupuncture Sessions – Call for appointment times. Treatment designed for stress management and routine aches. Aware Acupuncture, 114 Straube Center Blvd, Ste K 6-7, Pennington. 609-737-0970. Free Vision Screenings – 10am-1pm. Princeton HealthCare System and the New Jersey Commission for the Blind: Project Prevention Unit offer these free vision screenings to uninsured or underinsured adults and children. All children must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Community Education and Outreach, 731 Alexander Rd, Princeton. 1-888-897-8979.

natural awakenings

October 2014

Children’s Story Time in Garden – 11am-12pm. See October 2 listing. Pennington.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 Howell Farm Corn Maze – 12-8pm. See October 3 listing. Lambertville.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 Free Health Screenings at WWFM – 9am-1pm. Health professionals from Princeton HealthCare System will be on hand to offer free health screenings and information to area residents at the West Windsor Farmer’s Market. Princeton Junction Train Station, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction. 609-933-4452.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25

markyourcalendar Energy Medicine 101 Class Empower yourself with Energy Medicine, Donna Eden’s way. Energy Medicine 101 is great for beginners and is a foundation before taking Donna Eden’s Certification classes. CEs available.

October 25 • 9am-5pm Georgian Court University, Lakewood Must register at

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 Releasing the Guilt that Holds You Back – 10:15am. Forgive yourself and stop carrying around the heavy weight of guilt. Attend a transformation service followed by refreshments and conversation with Center for Spiritual Living Princeton. Service held at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd, Princeton. 609-924-8422. One-Act Play Competition Finals – 1pm. Center of Spiritual Living Princeton is sponsoring a One-Act Play reading competition immediately following Sunday service. Three finalist plays under theme “A Decision that Change Everything” will be read and winner selected. Playrights will be present for audience Q/A session. Held at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd, Princeton. 609-924-8422.

609-752-1048

Explore Princeton Institute Woods – 9am-12pm. Join Dr. Henry Horn, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University for this popular and enlightening look at forest dynamics in Princeton Institute Woods. This hike does not meet on the Watershed Reserve in Pennington. Registration required. Cost $5/person, adults only. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21

The Waldorf Experience Open House – 9am1pm. Take a trip from early childhood through the upper grades, through the eyes, ears, and hands of the developing child. Speak with teachers, parents, alumni, and administrators about this unique form of education. The Waldorf School of Princeton, 1062 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton. 609-466-1970.

Anti-Aging Seminar – 6-8pm. Free. Attend presentation to discuss and explore the options available including regenerative and aesthetic treatment options. Call to reserve place. Discounted treatment options for participants. Comprehensive Pain and Regenerative Center, 181 N Harrison St, Princeton. 609-588-0540.

Incorporating Spiritual Practice in our Daily Lives – 10am-12pm. Would you like to bring a greater sense of peace, purpose, and love to yourself and the world around you? Attend mini-workshop to help explain how you can. Suggested offering $15. Center for Spiritual Living Princeton, 812 State Rd, Princeton. 609-924-8422.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22

Trick or Treat at Blue Moon Acres – 3-7pm. Tour a mad scientist lab & learn how to ferment local, seasonal crops! Wear your costumes and enjoy additional fall activities on the farm! Open to all. Entry fee benefits Fermentation on Wheels. Cost, call for details. Blue Moon Acres Farm Market, 11 Willow Creek Dr, Pennington. 609-737-8333.

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 Children’s Story Time in Garden – 11am-12pm. See October 2 listing. Pennington.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 Tiny Tot Walk – 10-11am. Join Naturalist Pam Newitt for an outdoor exploration of the natural world. All children must be walking and accompanied by an adult. Come dressed for fickle fall weather – we always go outside so jacket, hat and gloves might be necessary. Cost $7/$10 member/non-member. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Howell Farm Corn Maze – 12-8pm. See October 3 listing. Lambertville.

Greater Mercer County, NJ

Light the Night Walk – 5pm. Free. The Leukemia & Lymphomoa Scoeity’s Light The Night Walk funds treatments that are saving the lives of patients today. LLS is making cures happen by providing patient support servies, advocacy for lifesaving treatments and the most promising cancer research anywhere. Forrestal Village, Princeton. 609-956-6616. Nature of the Night Halloween Walk – 6-9pm. Families and children 5 yo+. Annual family-friendly and non-scary night hike on the Watershed Reserve is back. Join the Education Staff to explore the ecology of night and magic of Halloween. Suitable for children 5-10 years old. Includes campfire in the woods with refreshments and seasonal stories. Guided hikes begin every 20 minutes; last hike begins at 8pm. Registration and pre-payment required. Cost $10/$25 person/family. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 International Farmstead Cheese Class – Call for

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class times. Like farmers and ranchers around the world, learn age-old recipes used to to preserve the milk harvest. After a brief discussion around the history of farmer’s cheese, you’ll take part in making paneer, queso blanco and cream cheese. Each class will end with a cheese tasting. Cost: $80. To register or for information call 609-219-0053. Do You Secretly Believe Something Bad Will Happen to You? – 10:15am. Attend a transformation service followed by refreshments and conversation with Center for Spiritual Living Princeton. Service held at Princeton Masonic Lodge, 345 River Rd, Princeton. 609-924-8422.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 Tea & Tour, Morven Museum & Garden – 12noon and 2pm. See October 1 listing. Princeton.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 Children’s Story Time in Garden – 11am-12pm. See October 2 listing. Pennington.

plan ahead SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Reiki Level II Certification – 10am-6pm. To deepen the effect and experience of Reiki, students learn the use of three symbols and how to access Reiki for distance healing. Pre-requisite: Reiki Level I training and certification. Pam Jones RN. Class awards 7 nursing contact hours. Cost: $160. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900. Run for One – 10am start. Free. Hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County. Lace up your running shoes and join in the Run for One 5K run/walk at the ETS Campus to support one-on-one mentoring programs in order to aid children in challenging situations. A 1-mile Fun Run will also take place, so make sure to bring your kids to join in the event. ETS Corporate Headquarters, 660 Rosedale Rd, Princeton. 609-656-1000. Under Rocks and Logs – 1-2:30pm. Get out the day after Halloween and search for real creepy crawlies. On this family hike, explore life under logs and rocks from the tiny to the furry. Denizens we meet could include the familiar sow bugs and millipedes as well as click beetles and meadow voles readying for winter. Families (children 5yo+), registration required. Cost: $5/person. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Guided Aromatic Meditation – 7-8pm. Mindful Walking Meditation Dedicate your attention to the sensation of walking. Aromatic plant essences will be used to help with the breath and overall experience. Cost: $10. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 What is Orthobiologics? – 6-8pm. Free. Join Rikin Patel, DO, for a review of innovative biological and natural treatment options for chronic sports injuries and osteoarthritis. Learn more about platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP), prolotherapy and nutraceuticals. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.

ongoingevents

sharing with other moms. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.

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

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.

sunday

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

Spiritual Awakening Service – 10:15 am. If you are looking for a warm, dynamic community of spiritually minded people, we encourage you to come to one of our Sunday Transformation Services and mingle afterwards with refreshments and conversation. The Center for Spiritual Living Princeton holds services every Sunday at the Princeton Masonic Lodge, 354 River Rd, (Rte 605) Kingston. 609-924-8422. Soup Kitchen – 4:30-6pm. 3rd Sun. Volunteers arrive at 3pm. Free hot meal served. VFW Post 5700, 140 Dutch Neck Rd, Hightstown. Information: Adrenne 609-336-7260.

monday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 11am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Monroe Twp Senior Ctr, Monroe. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048. 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. Interval Circuit Training – 6-7pm. Join group for workout led by Jesse for both members and nonmembers. Cost $10. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020. 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 Boot Camp With Devon – 6-7pm. Join group for workout led by Devon for both members and nonmembers. Cost $10. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020. 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

friday about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at American Legion, 2 Meadowbrook Ln, New Egypt. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

wednesday Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 8:45am. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chi Chih (Joy thru Movement Class). Need better balance, concerned about high blood pressure, quality sleep a challenge? Join class at Energy for Healing, 4446 Main St, Kingston. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048. Bright Beginnings – 10:30-11:30am. This informative, relaxed group is for parents and caregivers of infants. Each week focuses on a different topic of interest to new parents, and guest speakers are occasionally featured. Infants and children under 4 years of age are welcome to attend with the parent or caregiver. $5 payable at door. Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton North Shopping Center, 1225 State Rd, Princeton. 609-683-7888. Discover the Serenity of T’ai Chih – 5:30pm. Starting October 15. 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 Clare Estate Library, 201 Crosswicks St, Bordentown. For more information, additional locations, & to learn how to save on class fee, contact Siobhan at 609-752-1048.

thursday 4 Mom’s Networking Hour – 1-2pm. Weekly parenting topics with RWJ Hamilton experts and

Interval Circuit Training – 7-8am. Join group for workout led by Jesse for both members and nonmembers. Cost $10. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 Rte 206, Bordentown. 609-372-4020. Breastfeeding Support Group – 11am-12pm. Expectant parents will learn about the benefits of breastfeeding, getting started, positioning, nutrition, pumping and avoiding common problems. Facilitated by Lactation Consultant. Free. PHC Community Education & Outreach Program, 731 Alexander Rd, Ste 3, Princeton. 888-897-8979. Men in Retirement – 2pm. 1st Friday. This social group for men meets and have regularly scheduled small group activities. Come and meet other men who are making or have made the transition into retirement. Suzanne Patterson Bldg, Princeton Senior Resource Center, 45 Stockton St, Princeton. 609-924-7108.

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

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. ~Robin Williams natural awakenings

October 2014

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

ACUPUNCTURE

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

AWARE ACUPUNCTURE

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

Enhance balance of Body/Mind/ Spirit through T’ai Chi Chih, Seijaku, Qigong, Reiki and Donna Eden Energy. Clients can choose classes or personalized one-onone sessions for deep relaxation and reducing the effects of stress. See ad, page 15.

If you suffer from pain, digestive problems, arthritis, autoimmune disease, asthma, allergies, headaches/ migraines, Bell’s palsy, fatigue, stress, anxiety, menstrual/menopausal symptoms and disorders, learn how we can help in healing mind, body and spirit. See ad, page 10.

COLON THERAPY

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

A WELLNESS WITHIN

DOROTA M. GRIBBIN, M.D.

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

3692 Nottingham Way, Hamilton 609-587-8919 WellnessWithinNJ.com Are you wondering what is colon hydrotherapy? Will it work for me? Contact us for the answers and to reduce gas and bloating, relieve constipation and promote regularity. Ask about our detox or weight loss programs. See ad, page 31.

EDUCATION/SCHOOLS

BODYWORK

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

REIKI MASTER

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

The Waldorf curriculum,

Waldorf used in 1,000+ schools

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

worldwide, integrates arts, academics, movement, and music, emphasizing social and environmental responsibility. The hands-on approach is screen free. See ad, page 41.

No one appreciates

the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does. ~Christopher Morley 40

Greater Mercer County, NJ

School

NAMercer.com

of Princeton

GREEN LIVING SUN 101 SOLAR

Daniel Hicks 609-460-4637 Info@Sun101Solar.com Sun101Solar.com We are more than just a solar installer. We see ourselves as educators and stewards of the environment. We always do our best to educate about the benefits of going solar and being energy efficient. See ad, page 20.

WE DO IT ALL

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

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

We offer a unique approach to the health care of the mouth based on a holistic understanding of the whole body. Please contact us to learn how we can serve your needs. See ad, page 7.

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

Do you smoke, feel stressed or in pain, crack under pressure, or want to break unhealthy habits? Contact us and visit our website for healthful solutions that work. See ad, page 9.

NATURAL SERVICES BLACK FOREST ACRES

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

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

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

ORGANIC FARMS CHERRY GROVE FARM

3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville 609-219-0053 CherryGroveFarm.com Organic and natural products including farmstead cheeses; Buttercup Brie, seasonal Jacks, Rosedale, Herdsman, Toma, Havilah and Cheddar Curds. Additional products include whey-fed pork, grass-fed lamb and beef, pasture-raised eggs and myriad locally sourced goods. See ad, page 31.

If You Learn from Natural Awakenings, Share the Knowledge

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE EDWARD MAGAZINER, M.D.

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

JOIN US ON: facebook.com/ NaturalAwakenkingsMercerCounty twitter.com/ @NaturalMercer Publisher@ NAMercer.com

natural awakenings

October 2014

A NEW DAY A NEW APP

Enjoy Natural Awakenings on the GO!

Your healthy living, healthy planet lifestyle app for the iPhone and iPad. • NATIONAL DIRECTORY • NATURAL PETS find healthy/green ARCHIVES businesses with directions • ARTICLE search thousands of topics • THIS MONTH by keyword all new content • EN ESPAÑOL • HEALTHY KIDS buscar articulos en Español

Search iTunes app store for “Natural Awakenings”and download our FREE app! 42

Greater Mercer County, NJ

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Advertorial

health&wellness

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

“P

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Body Care: Exfoliator Tone Zone

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