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December 2015 | Greater Mercer County, NJ | NAMercer.com natural awakenings
December 2015
1
No More Pain! Dr. Magaziner can
help you recover from Winter Related Injuries
A
s the weather begins to turn colder, many people don’t realize the dangers that go along with the winter season. The snow may look tranquil and white from inside your warm house, but it can cause serious injury once you step outside.
Shoveling Snow One of the most common weather related injury occurs from shoveling snow. Studies have concluded that this type of injury occurs most in males. Shovels were made in an unforgiving shape, causing you to bend your body to compensate for the solid shovel. If done incorrectly, this could lead to severe back and shoulder pain. Many doctors have suggested light exercise before shoveling to help loosen your body’s muscles. Once you are ready to shovel snow, it is beneficial to push the snow rather than trying to lift it. If you have to lift the snow, the best way to avoid injury is to bend your knees and lift with your legs. Most people tend to lift with their back, which is the main cause for injury. It is also important not to throw the snow over your shoulder as it can damage both your shoulder and spine with excessive twisting. Another key strategy is to
begin shoveling when the snow is first on the ground. This is when the snow is lightest. If you wait until all the snow has fallen, it tends to be tightly packed together and much harder to lift. It is also important to take frequent breaks. This way your body has a chance to recover from the extensive lifting that many of us are not accustomed to doing. Doctors have suggested taking a five minute break for every fifteen minutes spent shoveling. The right shovel is also the key to avoiding injury. Use a shovel that feels comfortable to your height and weight.
Slipping on Ice Another common injury that is caused from the winter season is slipping and falling. Ice may be one of the most dangerous weather related injuries due to the fact that it is not easily seen. One of the key things to prevent slipping on ice is to wear the correct shoes. Snow shoes have the best traction and can help you stay on your feet rather than wearing sneakers
or dress shoes. You are least likely to fall if you take smaller steps and put your whole foot on the ground rather than walking heel first than toe. If you do slip and fall try to slowly get up instead of trying to jump up. Once you have regained your balance it is best to ice the area that is bothering you for 24-48 hours. If the problem persists after this time frame, use a heat pack and visit your doctor. These weather related injuries can be extremely detrimental to your body’s health. If these injuries were left untreated, it can cause even more damage. The next time the weather begins to get colder and starts to snow; remember that nothing is as tranquil as it may appear. Using these tips can help prevent you from a serious injury.
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contents 6 newsbriefs
10
8 kudos
9 healthbriefs
12 globalbriefs 14 ecotip
12 19 consciouseating 24 healthykids 26 healingways 28 naturalpet
14
30 fitbody 32 greenliving
34 wisewords 36 calendar
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 AWAKENING TO SPIRIT Prayer and Meditation Heal and Free Us
16
by Richard Davenport
19 SWEETLY VEGAN No-Bake Holiday Treats Worth Celebrating by Judith Fertig
24 GENEROUS
PINT-SIZED GIVERS Teaching Kids How to Care and Share
26
by Jennifer Jacobson
26 HEAVENLY SCENTS How to Make Your Own Natural Oil Fragrances by Kathleen Barnes
advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 609-249-9044 or email Publisher@NAMercer.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.
28 EAT, BARK AND BE MERRY
Healthy Holiday Treats for Our Pets by Sandra Murphy
30 AIRPLANE YOGA
30
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@NAMercer.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month.
Six Easy Stretches Ease the Journey
CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NAMercer.com or fax to 609-249-9044. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.
Faith Groups Join in Preserving All Creation
REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
NAMercer.com 4 4
Greater Mercer Mercer County, County, NJ NJ NAMercer.com NAMercer.com Greater
by Cynthia Bowman
32 GREEN CONGREGATIONS by Avery Mack
34 SHARON SALZBERG ON MINDFULNESS Simple Ways to Be in the Present Moment by April Thompson
28
letterfrompublisher
I
often operate a mile a minute. And while I’m generally feeling happily efficient in this mode, I sometimes find it difficult to quiet mind and body even as I’m mindful that, at my core, I am a spiritual being experiencing a very human condition. I cherish nurturing the deeper spiritual me through prayer and meditation – sitting still and quiet, albeit for just five minutes a day, because, well, I have three children and, as many of you can relate, it’s often difficult to find time for myself. But Find the time, I must and do. What works well for me is engaging in alternative forms of traditional meditation; yoga and daily stretching play a major role. I breathe, move, stretch, open up my body and, depending on the class, can even sweat out toxins, further contributing to overall well-being. Recently, I’ve heard of using meditation-inspired coloring books for adults and have tried this as well. What a psychological treat. With these, I am able to sit in quiet and let my mind run blank, focusing only in these moments on what color I might use next. It’s an intuitive process that doesn’t require much thinking at all. It boosts creative energy and relieves stress in a big way, helping me to let go of whatever needs clearing out of my day. A heightened awareness of what life is, and can be, reveals much to be grateful for including whatever may come our way. I believe the universe provides us with every experience we need to grow as humans. We tend to label experiences as good or bad, right or wrong, based on our perspective and beliefs. For me, prayer and meditation allows me to let go of expectations and judgment, both of myself and others, so that I may more calmly inquire: ‘What is this here to teach me?’ ‘What more can I offer?’ ‘How can I do more for myself?’ With this mindset, I am better able to take full responsibility for my life and every experience I entertain. This is where the power of prayer, thanksgiving and meditation is vital in reminding me of my soul’s purpose; that we are all in this together, we are all connected and that what I encounter each day in relation with others actually reflects the state of my own consciousness. I love being a spiritual being having a colorful life experience and I continue to be grateful to the universe for all its lessons and opportunities. I’m convinced that what we choose to do with both happy and tough moments is ours to discern and do; aided by prayer and meditation each move can become crystal clear! I am thankful for my family, friends and all of you. With love and gratitude,
contact us Owner/Publisher Lori Beveridge
Managing Editor Dave Beveridge
Proofreader Randy Kambic
Design & Production Jason Cross Stephen Blancett
Franchise Sales 239-530-1377
Phone: 609-249-9044 Fax: 609-249-9044 NAMercer.com Publisher@NAMercer.com © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
Lori Beveridge, Owner/Publisher
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $25 (for 12 issues) to the publisher. Call for details. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.
natural awakenings
December 2015
5
newsbriefs Holistic Family Expo in Princeton
T
Do you have a special event in the community? Open a new office? Move? Recently become certified in a new modality?
he Princeton Holistic Family Expo will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on VISIT US ONLINE FOR December 13 at the Westin Princeton. The SPEAKER SCHEDULE, TICKET SALES,include activities for kids, eduExpo will ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MORE! cational workshops from wellness leaders in the area, and an abundance of local vendors representing area groups, schools and more. Each ticket sold will earn $1 WWW.PRINCETONHOLISTICFAMILY.COM for Girls on the Run East. Sunday, December 13th 2015 from 11AM to 5PM
AdditionalWestin sponsorship and vendor applications Princeton, Forrestal Village are still being accepted. Natural Awakenings is proud800.331.5568 to be a supporter and sponsor of the event. When ordering • Door bags 300 guests to fill with promotional Expo freebies tickets orticket registering asforafirstvendor, enter code NAMercer for a discount. $1 of every • Natural Birth Options round table workshop sold goes to • Professors Panel workshop with local schools Cost: online tickets $12/$8, adult/child, door $15/$10, adult/child, children under • Educational programs with local wellness leaders 1 free. Location: The&Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, 201 Village Blvd., • Samples giveaways from Princeton area merchants Hourly door prizes valued at over $100 each Princeton. For•• more information, purchase tickets or register for event, call Meet & greet with local doctors, leaders, merchants & healers Kids playshops and activities 800-331-5568• or visit PrincetonHolisticFamily.com. See ad on back cover. VENDOR TABLES AVAILABLE: green products retailers . holistic doctors . healers . schools . non profit groups restaurants and food shops . athletic companies. supportive non-profits . family financial planners . spas . organic beauty supply shops . coaches . churches and spiritual centers . wellness centers . chiropractors . nutritionists massage therapists . healthy product distributors . exercise centers . tutoring centers . consignment shops . alternative publications . yoga studios . Pilates studios . green events services . green landscapers . spiritual mentors . massage therapists . physical therapists . empowerment groups . organic drink companies . supplement and vitamin companies farm coops . personal chefs . GMO educators . holistic parenting educators . gems and jewels . bike shops . toy shops counseling centers . midwives . doulas . natural birth options . lactation consultants . body workers . prenatal coaches and consultants . alternative education venues . home school groups . moms groups . green organizations . kids fun
Candle Making at the Watershed in Pennington
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elebrate the approaching Winter Solstice and the return of the light by making KID TICKETS $10 ADULT TICKETS $15 WWW.PRINCETONHOLISTICFAMILY.COM candles with Teacher-Naturalists at the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed AsPROUDLY SPONSORED BY: sociation from 1 to 3 p.m. on December 12 in Pennington. Create hand-dipped and sand candles. Learn how to shape candles and add embellishments, then bring home your unique handmade gifts. Class is suitable for children eight years or older. Cost $10/$15 members/non-members. Location: Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. For more information, call 609-7373735.
Celebrate Christmas on the Farm
S News Briefs We welcome news items relevant to the subject matter of our magazine. We also welcome any suggestions you may have for a news item. Contact us for guidelines so we can assist you throughout the process. We’re here to help!
609-249-9044
Publisher@NAMercer.com 6
Greater Mercer County, NJ
t. Nick, his elves and a jingling sleigh loaded with cookies, coal and holiday cheer will arrive at Howell Living History Farm, in Lambertville, highlighting an all-day program, Christmas on the Farm. St. Nick’s sleigh will descend from the farm’s northern slopes at noon on December 5. The celebration begins when children can climb aboard a horse-drawn work wagon for a ride to the woods to cut down a Christmas tree. All children will be given a chance to take a turn helping farmers cut the tree with a two-man saw. Afterwards, all visitors can help decorate the tree with ear corn, pinecones and other natural ornaments. Helpers will be treated to hot apple cider and cookies. Gift baskets, sleigh bells, wreaths and other items will be available for sale in the Visitor Center gift shop. Featured will be handmade gifts and ornaments crafted by the Pleasant Valley Stitchers. Howell Farm is also an official drop-off site for Toys for Tots. Share the gift of giving by bringing an unwrapped toy to the farm. Free admission and parking. Location: 70 Wooden’s Ln, Lambertville. Hours – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 609-737-3299 or visit HowellFarm.org.
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or ligament ew collagen e tightening MoreCircle, than 90 million Americans have experiened a balance 30% of people 43 Tamarack Princeton • 28 Mine Street, Flemington • 5 disorder. E. Northfield Rd., Livingston over age of 65 will fall each year. That number increases to 50% for people over age of mmendation 85 ! Falls account for more than half of accidental deaths among the elderly. 30% of falls natural awakenings December 2015 cedure is in in population over 65 year result in hip fracture. 30% of surery for hip fracture result in thlete went heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. 50% of patients after hip fracture and hip
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Festival of Trees in Princeton
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onsider visiting where the treetops glisten now through January 3. Morven’s annual Festival of Trees has become a must-see Princeton holiday tradition. Visitors enjoy the museum’s elegant galleries, hallways and porches artfully decorated for the holidays by local businesses, garden clubs and nonprofit organizations. This year’s Festival of Trees museum decorators include Arts Council of Princeton, Contemporary Garden Club of Princeton, Dogwood Garden Club of Princeton, Garden Club of Princeton, Jim Davidge, Keris Tree Farm & Christmas Shop, Labyrinth Books, McCarter Theatre Center, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Princeton Public Library, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Stony Brook Garden Club, Vicki Trainer, and the West Trenton Garden Club. Cost $10/$8 adults/seniors or students and $35 per family (maximum number of family members is five). Location: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., Princeton. Open to the public during regular museum hours. No reservations required. For more information, call 609-924-8144 or visit Morven.org.
Free Holiday Sing-Along Concert in Princeton
T
he Westminster Community Orchestra, conducted by Ruth Ochs, will perform a free concert offering a variety of holiday favorites, including carols and a fun sing through of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” at 7:30 p.m. on December 16 in Princeton. Copies of music will be available. A free-will offering of non-perishable food or monetary donations will be collected and distributed to local food pantries. Limited seating available. Location: The Robert L. Annis Playhouse, Westminster Choir College, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton. For more information call 609-921-7100 or visit Rider.edu/WCC.
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Natural Awakenings Each & Every Issue
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Greater Mercer County, NJ
kudos Rebecca Carmeli-Peslak of Millstone Township has been chosen as the 2016 New Jersey Agricultural Fair Ambassador. The 16-year-old eleventh-grader at the Hun School of Princeton was selected from 10 contestants by the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey during its fall dinner that was held on November 1st, in Easthampton. As ambassador, Carmeli-Peslak will visit the state’s agricultural fairs in 2016, discussing the fairs, promoting agri-tourism to the public and bringing people together to support the state’s agriculture industry. “Based on Rebecca’s enthusiasm and passion for agriculture, we know she’ll be a wonderful spokesperson as she attends our state’s agricultural fairs next summer,” says New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “Her dedication is sure to inspire other young people to get involved in agricultural youth organizations and perhaps move into agriculture careers in the future.” This is the 13th year the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey has named an ambassador. In choosing, the Association seeks a good representation of young people active in agriculture in the Garden State and their county fairs. For more information on New Jersey’s agricultural fairs, visit NJAGFairs.com. NAMercer.com
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Meditation Linked to Telomere Integrity in Cancer Patients
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aintaining telomere length has been directly linked to longer lifespan in a number of studies. A telomere is the structure at the end of a chromosome that protects it from deteriorating or fusing with other chromosomes. Its length is being used to measure the potential success of integrative therapy for recovering cancer patients; now University of Calgary research has found that mindfulness meditation helps. The researchers tested 88 breast cancer survivors with a previous diagnosis of stage-one to stage-three breast cancer. The patients’ telomere lengths were tested after either groupsupport therapy or mindfulness meditation training that included gentle hatha yoga exercises. Results showed that while the control group’s telomere lengths decreased over time, both the mindfulness group and the support therapy group were on average able to maintain their telomere length throughout the testing period.
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healthbriefs
People Double Up on Calories After the Holidays
D
It’s in Our DNA to Be Successful We can help you thrive. Advertise in our special
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609-249-9044 10
Greater Mercer County, NJ
espite the popularity of New Year’s resolutions, scientists have found that post-holiday food shopping decisions don’t necessarily reflect intentions to eat healthier or lose weight. Scientists from Cornell University tracked resolutions and after-holiday food shopping habits of 207 families. They classified about 20,000 food products as either “healthy” or “less-healthy”. Calories and dollars spent were also tracked. Analysis of 37 weeks of activity that included the extended winter holiday period and into the new year found that additional food expenditures and calories began about a week prior to Thanksgiving and peaked during Christmas celebrations. Compared to the rest of the year, this increased shopping averaged just over $16 more a week, about $4 of which was spent on healthy foods. Food expenditures then continued to increase after the holidays to about $25 more a week compared to the average—showing a 24 percent increase. However, $13 of this was spent on healthier foods. Calorie levels also increased. “Total weekly per-serving calories increased by 440 during the holiday period relative to the baseline period, and nearly 91 percent of this increase was due to additional purchases of the more calorie-dense foods,” the researchers reported. “Even more intriguing is that contrary to well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions, additional weekly per-serving calories purchased increased to 890 in the post-holiday period relative to the baseline, more than doubling the 440 calorie increase evident in the holiday season,” the researchers observed. Of this, 63 percent of the additional calories were from high-calorie foods.
Asbestos Found in Crayons and Children’s Toys
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esearch from the Environmental Working Group’s Action Fund has determined that some popular children’s toys contain a chemical that previous research has linked to lung disease and lung cancers. The researchers tested 28 boxes of crayons and 21 crimethemed toys at the Scientific Analytical Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina. They found that four of the crayon brands and two of the crime-scene toys contained asbestos. All of the asbestos-containing toys were manufactured in China. The products included the Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle brands of crayons, the EduScience Deluxe Forensics Lab Kit and the Inside Intelligence Secret Spy Kit. The latter two brands contained asbestos within the fingerprint powders. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asbestos from all sources is responsible for up to 15,000 U.S. deaths each year.
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Digital ‘Blue Light’ Reading Disrupts Sleep Rhythms
PrismHypnosis.com
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ecent findings from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, has determined that reading from a light-emitting tablet or computer before bedtime will disturb sleep and may change the circadian rhythms that govern the body’s clock. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, tested 12 people for two weeks. On five nights during one week, the subjects read ebooks on an iPad for four hours before bedtime. Another week, they read from printed books for the same duration. During the five days of iPad reading, the participants fell asleep later and spent less time in rapid eye movement (REM)-stage sleep. The light-emitting tablet altered the circadian rhythm, changing the body’s natural sleeping pattern. The researchers also tested other blue-light emitting devices, including laptops, tablets, other eReaders, cell phones and LED monitors. “We found the body’s natural circadian rhythms were interrupted by the shortwavelength enriched light, otherwise known as blue light, from these electronic devices,” says neuroscientist Anne-Marie Chang, Ph.D., one of the study authors. Dr. Charles Czeisler, Ph.D., a leading sleep researcher, remarks, “In the past 50 years, there has been a decline in average sleep duration and quality. Since more people are choosing electronic devices for reading, communication and entertainment, particularly children and adolescents who already experience significant sleep loss, epidemiological research evaluating the long-term consequences of these devices on health and safety is urgently needed.”
609-235-9030 Solutions for Healthy Living
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Spirituality is Beneficial for Cancer Patients
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A
ccording to a new review of research published in the journal Cancer, a strong religious or spiritual belief system may improve a cancer patient’s prognosis physically, emotionally and mentally. Researchers from Florida’s H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and North Carolina’s Wake Forest School of Medicine reviewed clinical studies that included more than 44,000 cancer patients. The first review focused on physical symptoms and found that patients with stronger religious and spiritual beliefs reported fewer cancer symptoms and better physical health. They also showed enhanced capabilities in managing their daily lives. “These relationships were particularly strong in patients that experienced greater emotional aspects of religion and spirituality, including a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as a connection to a source larger than oneself,” states Heather Jim, lead author of the first review. The second review focused on mental health and found reductions in anxiety, depression and distress among those with greater spirituality. Lead author Dr. John Salsman comments, “Also, greater levels of spiritual distress and a sense of disconnectedness from God or a religious community were associated with greater psychological distress or poorer emotional well-being.” In the third review, the researchers found that patients with a stronger spiritual well-being reported better social health, as well.
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey
natural awakenings
December 2015
11
globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Fungus Among Us
Mushrooms Offer Pesticide-Free Insect Control Paul Stamets, one of the world’s leading mycologists, invented a fungus (mushroom)-based pesticide in 2006. An industry executive states, “This patent represents the most disruptive technology we have ever witnessed.” This “smart” pesticide provides a safe and nearly permanent solution for controlling more than 200,000 species of insects. Entomopathogenic (insect-destroying) fungi are altered so they don’t produce spores. This actually attracts the insects, which then eat them and turn into fungi from the inside-out. The invention has the potential to revolutionize the way humans grow crops. Source: Earth. We Are One. View the patent at Tinyurl.com/FungusPesticidePatent.
Sentient Beings
New Zealand Enacts Bill Recognizing Animal Intelligence The New Zealand Animal Welfare Amendment Bill that passed into law this year states that animals, like humans, are sentient beings. Dr. Virginia Williams, chair of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee, says this acknowledges, “Animals can experience both positive and negative emotions, including pain and distress.” The bill thus bans the use of animals for testing cosmetics. Williams says the legal recognition of animal sentience provides a stronger underpinning of the requirements of the existing Animal Welfare Act. The bill also provides for penalties to enable low-to-mediumlevel offenders to be punished more effectively and gives animal welfare inspectors the power to issue compliance notices, among other measures. Find a link to the legislation at Tinyurl.com/NewZealandSentienceBill.
Greener Globe
World Powers Vow Cuts in Emissions This year’s G7 Summit of the U.S., UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, plus the European Union, has agreed in principle that the global economy must be completely fossil fuel-free by the end of this century to curb destructive climate change. To that end, the nations agreed to work toward cutting emissions between 40 and 70 percent by 2050. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also announced that the G7 countries would raise $100 billion from public and private sources by 2020 to help poorer nations adapt. Environmental groups such as Greenpeace praised the action. In a statement, the Sierra Club called it “the first time that the leaders of the world have made clear with one voice that we must get off fossil fuels completely.” Two hundred countries are expected to commit in writing to specific plans for greening their economies at the United Nations Climate Change Conference this month in Paris. 12
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Uncommon Devotion Religion in America Shows Resilience On any given Sabbath, four of 10 Americans travel to a place of worship, a number that hasn’t fluctuated dramatically in the past half-century. Gallup polls report that more than 81 percent say they identify with a specific religion or denomination; 78 percent say it’s an important part of their lives; and 57 percent believe that religion is able to solve today’s problems. While recent attendance may be off, Americans are no less likely to attend services today than they were in the 1940s and early ’50s, just prior to the ultra-religious following decade. The reason, says Gallup’s Frank Newport, is that U.S. religious worship is cyclical. Today’s practicing religious communities “tend to consist of the seriously committed, not just those swept along by obligation,” reports Christian Smith, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame and coprincipal investigator of the National Study of Youth and Religion. Those that worship regularly are more likely to be older, female and Southern; they also are better educated and stronger financially than those that don’t, according to Newport. At the same time, Mitchell Marcus, a University of Pennsylvania professor, characterizes his Ph.D. students as religiously curious, often devout and eager to talk about their beliefs. Source: The Christian Science Monitor
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Hear Ye!
Lend a Hand to Causes While You Shop This holiday season, every gift purchased through GoodSearch.com can earn a donation of up to 30 percent of its value for a favorite charity, along with money-saving coupons for the customer. More than 2,500 national retailers are participating in the program, including Apple, Target, Toys “R” Us, Ralph Lauren, Macy’s, 1-800-Flowers, PetSmart and Expedia. Instead of limiting qualifying purchases to a particular product and charity, the campaign includes nearly every product in the store. The donation goes to the charity or school of the shopper’s choice with the cooperation of the organization’s GoodShop, which has raised more than $9 million for charities ranging from The American Red Cross and ASPCA to local homeless shelters and schools. Each Internet search through the website also earns the charity about a penny. With GoodDining, meals at more than 10,000 restaurants earn donations, with more than 100,000 charities and schools benefitting. UNICEF has used money from GoodSearch and GoodShop to provide clean drinking water to more than 200,000 children.
Post-It Progress
3M Requires Paper Sources to Meet Sustainable Standards A new sustainability policy by the 3M Corporation, maker of Post-it notes, has drawn support for its goal of making a minimal impact on forests, wildlife and human rights. 3M paper-based products and packaging require pulp and paper from sources around the world. Working in collaboration with ForestEthics and Greenpeace, the company launched a comprehensive review of all of its pulp and paper procurement expectations to ensure the materials are produced from sustainably logged timber. 3M will now hold paper and pulp suppliers accountable to one of the highest standards in the industry for environmental protection and respect of human rights, including tracing origins and obtaining consent of indigenous peoples and local communities before logging operations occur. The company intends to publish semiannual updates of its progress online. Source: ForestEthics.org
Dutch Court Upholds Climate Action as a Human Right Perhaps establishing a new global precedent for a state’s obligation to its citizens in the face of a growing climate crisis, a Dutch court has ruled that the government has a legal duty to reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2020. The decision came in response to a 2013 lawsuit launched by the Amsterdam-based environmental nonprofit Urgenda Foundation and 600 Dutch citizens that argued the government was violating international human rights law by failing to take sufficient measures to combat rising greenhouse gas emissions. A statement from the court reads, “The state must do more to avert the imminent danger caused by climate change, also in view of its duty to provide care to protect and improve the living environment.” In the United States, the youth-led movement Our Children’s Trust (Our ChildrensTrust.org) is suing state governments and what they dub “the ruling generation” as accountable for climate inaction. As 350.org co-founder and Communications Director Jamie Henn noted after the ruling, “If the Netherlands sets a precedent, it’s a whole new ball game.” Other countries are weighing the situation, as well. Source: BBC
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Interactive Government
White House Responds to Online Petitions
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Early Bird Gift Shipping Saves Stress, Money and Resources
President Obama has made it a priority to open a direct channel for people to be heard via online petitions. Jason Goldman, chief digital officer at the White House, says that his staff has responded to dozens of requests to take action on a variety of issues in recent months. “We want to make sure those responses aren’t the final page, but rather the start of an ongoing conversation,” he says. Change.org has chosen to integrate with the We the People platform, meaning the future signatures of its 100 million users will count toward the threshold of 100,000 for getting an official response from the administration. “The process of hearing from us about your petition is going to look a little different,” says Goldman. “We’ve assembled a team of people responsible for taking your questions and requests and bringing them to the right people, whether within the White House or in an agency within the administration that may be in a position to say something about your request.”
Last-minute online shopping can be costly in both dollars and pollution. Choosing next-day delivery puts purchased products on a plane that burns far more carbon-producing fossil fuel than ground transportation. But there’s a better way, and how we package gifts for shipping counts. Order and ship early. Building in more lead time affords less costly shipping options. Eco-wise, if the shipper has some freedom in scheduling deliveries, it can choose to hold up a delivery truck until it’s full, rather than sending one out half-empty. Also, if a package doesn’t have to reach its destination by a particular day or time, the company can choose the most efficient local delivery routing. A recent University of Washington study found that a community using grocery delivery services slashed carbon emissions when compared to individuals driving to the supermarket. Plus, they achieved their biggest gains—80 to 90 percent lower emissions—when they could plan deliveries around customer locations, rather than precise delivery windows, thus minimizing driving distance and time on the road. Seek out available boxes. Many grocery and beverage stores don’t immediately break down incoming cardboard shipping boxes. Ask a store attendant if they have any available. Reusing saved paper bags from checkout (for those that don’t bring reusable bags) can serve to cushion gift-wrapped boxes. GreenAmerica. org suggests repurposing gently-used wrapping paper or old fabrics, newspapers, magazines or calendars for a creative look. Return any foam peanuts in received packages to a pack-n-ship shop for reuse. Know the options. While U.S. Postal Service (usps.com) Priority Mail offers flat rates to any state regardless of weight (up to 70 pounds), package tracking and other year-round features, the cost of using other carriers varies by destination zip code, package size and weight. Verify price and timing options, making sure packages arrive in good time to be under the Christmas tree before December 25.
Visit Petitions.WhiteHouse.gov.
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AWAKENING TO SPIRIT Prayer and Meditation Heal and Free Us by Richard Davenport
By its intimate connection with divine love, Spirit infuses human experience with qualities of amazing grace—unexpected clarity, vision, wisdom, peace, compassion, emotional release, inspirational epiphanies, deep understanding and comprehensive healing of mind, body and soul.
W
hile society abounds with scientific research, products and practices that promise to enhance our mind or body and the mind-body connection, without Spirit in the mix, neither rises to its full potential. A heart open to a higher power exponentially multiplies the effects of this crucial connection. “Just as a candle spreads light in a darkened room, people who are living in-Spirit give off a higher energy that can bring light to our hearts and minds. In other words, we can be inspired just by being in their presence,” according to renowned bestselling author Wayne Dyer, Ph.D. Experiential, non-verbal and lifechanging encounters with the unbounded power and presence of Spirit in prayer and meditation are difficult to analyze in the same way as mind-body 16
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science. However, Dyer points to the works and outcomes of Spirit as visible evidence of how it lifts us up. We see individuals with rapturous hearts sending out signals that they love the world and everyone in it. Those that live in Spirit tend to see the world as a friendly place, are at peace with themselves, appear to be open and accepting rather than judgmental and harsh, and often report being healed of all sorts of diseases, relationship challenges, career fluctuations and questions of purpose and direction. They attest to how Spirit shines a triumphant light in the midst of dark nights of the soul, redefining the essence of life itself and declaring us worthy in our innermost reaches.
Personal Healing
When a 19-year-old woman entered basic military training at Lackland Air
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Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas, and was undergoing initial medical and psychological screening, she was identified as having body and mind issues that would require her to be separated from the service. These problems included organ failures and spinal misalignment, as well as severe consequences of an emotionally abusive upbringing. It was determined that she could not handle the physical and mental demands of military life. Because the policy was to not treat such problems if identified upon entering the service, authorities allowed her to remain in training until her separation from the Air Force could be processed. The woman was impressed and also distressed by the finality of the verdict and assessment tools used by mind and body experts among the medical staff. In talking with a chaplain on the base, she came to understand that she could choose to appeal her case to another jurisdiction, a “higher” court of Spirit. Focusing on the voice of divine love, she grew to see Spirit as more than a higher power. She saw Spirit as a higher authority. She surrendered to divine love’s authority as ultimate law, supremely qualified to reorder her whole being. She trusted that aligning with spiritual power could change her view of her identity and the seemingly inescapable consequences of genetics, environment and human history denying her desire to serve her country in this way. Listening to a higher witness testifying on her behalf and identifying her authentic being as the magnificent expression of the magnificent Creator, she felt encouraged to the point that her mind and body stopped arresting her progress and became more effective servants, responding with greater freedom and joy. One limitation after another fell away, and the military and medical authorities seemed pleased with her progress as she neared completion of training. Finally, performing a mile-and-a-half run within a required time remained the only obstacle to graduation, and she was still 45 seconds too slow. This helpful passage from the Hebrew prophet Isaiah became central to her prayer and meditation as she approached her last running attempt:
Young people will get tired; strapping young men will stumble and fall. But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint. ~Isaiah 40: 30-31 (The Voice) She passed her final attempt with 18 seconds to spare, running on eagles’ wings. So, how can we all discern such a divine witness to our original authentic being amidst loud testimony of all the voices and labels shouting in our head and body, including those imposed by others?
Prayer and Meditation
There are two approaches to listening to the voice within, whether we name it God, higher power, Spirit, grace, Eternal One, or divine love or Love. Complementary, rather than mutually exclusive, both approaches require a capacity, gained through patient practice, of quieting the inner and outer
chatter and learning to hear that which calls us to be more than what human experience suggests is possible. It’s who we are in the eyes of grace. Sanford C. Wilder, of Grafton, Illinois, author of Listening to Grace, offers personal growth and development programs through EducareUnlearning.com that encourage prayer and meditation that emphasize listening. He practices both approaches and makes distinctions between them. “When I pray, I am directing my thoughts toward God, listening and often affirming what I know to be divinely true. I am yearning to surrender my will and affections in conscious connection with the divine such that I or another receives a blessing,” shares Wilder. In such prayerful listening, he hopes to gain something, often a new insight and corresponding manifestation. “When I meditate, my intention is to sacrifice every thought, concept, image and feeling to God, the only consciousness. I trust that listening and observing with nonattachment helps me release conscious and unconscious conditioned thought patterns permeated by a human sense of self.” Through
meditative listening, he hopes to release everything rather than receive anything, accepting that everyone is equipped and able to be open to, witness and experience nonstop blessings. Helen Mathis has been an educator in the Philippines and Swaziland as well as the U.S., including an instructor of religion at Principia College, near St. Louis; she is now part of a Centering Prayer Circle in Stockton, California. She explains that centering prayer may be seen as a hybrid that embraces both prayer and meditation, nourishing what’s beneath the preoccupied self to awaken a deeper and vastly more authentic self. Mathis appreciates what Cynthia Bourgeault explores in her book Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, that, “This confusion between small self and the larger Self… [the] ‘True Self,’ ‘Essential Self’ or ‘Real I’—is the core illusion of the human condition, and penetrating this illusion is what awakening is all about.” Like Bourgeault, Mathis believes that it’s not about the absence of thoughts so much as detaching from our thoughts, trusting that we can let
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Through conscious listening we discover that our true nature—as witnessed by Spirit—though sometimes obscured from view, is never altered from its original beauty and wholeness. ~Helen Mathis
Dwelling in Spirit
go and be safe, consent to surrender human will and forgo personal agendas. Only then can spiritual sense come into play. “The goal is to awaken to, open to and get in touch with our innermost being and Spirit,” Mathis affirms. “Clearly, centering prayer assumes we each have a spiritual awareness of the divine within us that acts, as Bourgeault puts it, as ‘a kind of interior compass whose magnetic north is always fixed on God.’”
Core Shift
We often approach a Spirit dimension with the attitude of “what it can do for me.” The higher practice that mystics and other deep thinkers of various faith traditions ultimately arrive at instead centers on transforming our whole self to align with Spirit’s purpose for us, which changes everything. Reverend Dr. Michael Beckwith, founder of the New Thought Agape Spiritual Center, in Los Angeles, and a spiritual mentor to Oprah Winfrey, believes, “The relationship we have with the infinite is more about how we are to serve it than it is to serve us.” Beckwith describes three primary stages of realizing the power and purpose of divine Spirit expressed as our spirit. The first is that of a victim (feeling powerless, unable to effect change). The second is when an individual learns the existence of universal law that responds to our thinking, emotions and attitude; we learn how to use it to stabilize life structures and demonstrate health and well-being. “Ultimately, in stage three, we become a vehicle of life in service to life. 18
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Instead of using the law, the law uses us. Life fulfills its own nature through us,” he says. “All of life is conspiring for our freedom, liberation, wholeness and health.” He urges us not to stop and stagnate at stage two, using divine laws only to manifest personal conveniences, stuff and even people for our use; this can hijack views of abundance into materialism and consumerism. He quips, “We are not here to go shopping.” Grace and Spirit work in us, through us and between us, yet we can’t simply summon them up or outline their outcomes. To feel Spirit’s presence, we must surrender our own sense of how it will work,
its timeline and the impact on our ego or status quo. As with anything worthwhile, conscientious practice is essential. Life, defined by Spirit, gives fresh strength and impetus to mind and body. All three are vital elements of the dance of life. Richard Davenport is a spiritual life educator (HigherGroundForLife.com) and the founding executive director of an inclusive nationwide Bible and spiritual life community (BibleAndSpiritualLife. org). Now based in St. Louis, MO, he is a retired Air Force chaplain, having served at Lackland and other U.S. Air Force bases on three continents.
FIVE WAYS TO PRAY FROM THE HEART by Richard Davenport
P
rayer from a heart willing to surrender, change, learn, grow and bless others works to keep us centered on pure motives like wellness, wholeheartedness and compassion. Such prayer can help us progress spiritually. These five forms of prayer, found in the Bible, have a universal application to any spiritual practice. Although differing in their approach, all share the purpose of creating a fuller mindfulness of our true identity and relationship to the divine, while enhancing our capacity to bless all creation. If we are not feeling the desired breakthroughs using one form, perhaps the one most familiar or comfortable to us, we might do well to explore others. Praise – a posture of adoration, honoring and surrender to a power, vision, and authority greater than our own. Thanksgiving – or better yet, for its consistency and permeating of our whole self, thanks-living. The garden of our spirit is enriched by embracing a gratitude attitude in all we do. Petition – a relational posture that opens our heart as we learn to ask for help, to seek perspective beyond a limited self, beyond a smaller, egodriven orientation.
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Intercession – praying for others; blessing, honoring and cherishing them as God sees them. When we feel burdened and blocked by our own trials, expressing empathy and compassion for others can unlock our heart and mind. We can lovingly witness the true nature of those that are seemingly tangled in forces blocking or opposing their higher good. Affirmation – release and rest in divine authority, acknowledging the uni-verse as literally one song reflecting the singular harmony that Spirit knows and is unfolding in every moment to meet our need in forms we can see and feel right now.
SWEETLY VEGAN No-Bake Holiday Treats Worth Celebrating V
isions of sugar plums” have been part of holiday mindsets since the advent of Clement Moore’s classic 19th-century poem commonly known as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. We love to give and receive special treats and our tastes are evolving. Instead of yesteryear’s sugary bonbons loaded with calories that we’ve come to regret, today’s preferred confections focus more on naturally sweet dried fruits, bestquality chocolate, healthful coconut and
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Christmas puddings and carrot cake take only minutes to make. Emily Holmes, a Queensland, Australia, wellness coach who blogs at Conscious-Foodie.com, says her favorite is Holmes’ Chocolate Cherry Mini-Cupcakes. She serves them with a pot of peppermint tea. Houston-based Joshua Weissman is the author of The Slim Palate Paleo Cookbook and blogs at SlimPalate. com. He shares his philosophy on holiday treats: “My first thought is that I don’t want to feel guilty after eating it. My second is that I still want it to taste and look good.” His Almond Butter Pumpkin Pie Truffles fit the festive bill. In New York City, noted vegan cookbook author and Pastry Chef Fran Costigan is an expert in all things chocolate, including her Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles. “When you make something really delicious with real ingredients, your mouth knows it, your brain knows it, your body knows it. You feel satisfied,” she says. Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.
by Judith Fertig
“
Photo by Stephen Blancett
consciouseating
crunchy nuts. Vegan, gluten-free delicacies from chefs and culinary experts the world over help us celebrate the season in a deliciously healthy way, including those we highlight this month. “Christmas isn’t Christmas without a traditional pudding,” says Chef Teresa Cutter, author of Purely Delicious. Cutter is founder and director of The Healthy Chef company, in Sydney, Australia, which creates functional foods for taste and optimal health. Her no-bake desserts such as miniature
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No-Bake Festive Vegan Desserts Spoon a little white chocolate over the tops of the puddings if desired and garnish with goji berries, fresh cherries or another fanciful topper. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serve puddings with chilled mango coconut custard. Mango Coconut Custard 1 mango, chopped ½ cup coconut milk Juice from ½ orange
Teresa Cutter’s Healthy Christmas Puddings
Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Serve chilled with the puddings.
Yields: 6 to 8 small puddings 8 oz fresh pitted dates—approximately 10 to 15 dates, depending on their size Zest from 1 orange 9 oz dried apricots, chopped 1½ cups almond meal/ground almonds 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract 1 tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp ground ginger 1 to 2 Tbsp orange juice 3 oz white chocolate, melted, for decoration (optional) Combine dates, orange zest, apricots, vanilla, ground almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger in a food processor. Process until mixture is combined and looks like fine crumbs. Spoon the mixture into a large bowl. Add the orange juice, and then mix again. Pudding mix should come together when lightly hand-squeezed. Divide into 6 small puddings. Line the base of 6 small decorative molds with plastic wrap and firmly press the puddings into them. Once firmly packed in the mold, invert the pudding and remove the plastic wrap. Melt white chocolate in a small bowl set over a simmering pot of water. 20
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Combine walnuts, flaxseed, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, orange zest and sea salt into a food processor and run it until mixed and finely chopped. Add dates and apricots. Process again until thoroughly mixed. Add grated raw carrot and vanilla and then process again until combined. The mix should now form a nice dough. Spoon into a bowl. Add and knead oats through the raw carrot cake mixture. Press cake firmly into a 6-inch round baking dish lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing at least 2 hours for the cake to rest. It will keep in the refrigerator for about a week. Enjoy as is or garnish with macadamia nut cream, a drizzle of honey and walnuts. Note: Other raw nuts can substitute for walnuts—try pecans, almonds or macadamia nuts. Macadamia Nut Cream Combine 1 cup of raw cashew nuts or macadamia nuts with ½ cup of orange juice or coconut water and a little vanilla. Blend in a high-speed blender like a Vitamix until smooth and creamy.
Teresa Cutter’s No-Bake Carrot Cake Yields: 16 servings 2½ cups (9½ oz) shelled walnuts 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed or whole chia seeds ½ cup (2 oz) rolled oats (or gluten-free almond meal) 1 tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp sea salt 1 cup (6½ oz) of 12 large fresh dates, pitted ½ cup (3 oz) dried chopped apricots or pineapple (sulfur-free) 2 large raw carrots, grated Zest from 1 orange 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
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region. We at D&R Greenway Land Trust are forever grateful for generous coverage of events, whose attendees help us keep New Jersey Green and healthy for all!”
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“Love Natural Awakenings! They live the values they promote and we meet great new customers every month!”
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THANK YOU TO ALL OF THEM! natural awakenings
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Warm winter spices mix with fragrant pumpkin and almond butter to make seasonal truffles hand dipped in fresh vanilla bean-infused white chocolate. Filling ¼ cup canned pumpkin purée (not pie filling) ¼ cup almond butter ¼ cup vegan cream cheese ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼-½ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp fresh grated ginger 1 Tbsp coconut flour 2 packets stevia (like Sweetleaf packets)
Emily Holmes’ Chocolate Cherry Mini-Cupcakes
mixture and roll them around until they’re fully covered with mixture using fingers or a small spoon. Carefully spoon out each truffle using a spoon, gently tapping the spoon on the inside of the saucepan to slough off excess cacao butter that may pool on it. Take special care not to drop the truffle. Gently place each treat back onto the tray. Repeat the whole process until all the coated balls are on the tray. Let them cool at room temperature and serve immediately or place them in the refrigerator to harden and serve later. Chilled, truffles will keep for 3 to 5 days.
Cake 1 cup raw, shelled, skinned nuts (such as almonds) 1 /3 cup cacao powder 4 fresh dates, pitted
Coating (vanilla bean white chocolate) 2 oz food grade (not for skin care) cacao butter broken up into small pieces for melting ¼-½ vanilla bean pod, cut in half lengthwise to scrape out the interior, or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 20 drops stevia (like Sweetleaf Steviaclear drops)
Filling 2 cup shredded coconut 1 cup dried cherries 6 fresh dates, pitted ¼ cup coconut cream ¼ tsp vanilla powder Pinch of sea salt
In a medium-sized bowl, combine everything for the filling, including pumpkin purée, almond butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, coconut flour and stevia. Mix thoroughly until smoothly incorporated and no cream cheese chunks are left.
Yields: 20 to 24 (1-inch) truffles
Topping 3½ oz melted dark chocolate
Chill by refrigerating the mixture for 10 to 20 minutes or freezing it for 2 to 5 minutes.
Truffle Ganache 4 oz dark fair trade chocolate (70 to 72 percent), finely chopped Finely minced zest of half a medium orange 3 Tbsp orange juice ¼ cup agave syrup 1 Tbsp raw or roasted tahini, stirred 1½ Tbsp white sesame seeds, lightly toasted 1½ Tbsp black sesame seeds, lightly toasted
Yields: 2 dozen mini-cupcakes
Process nuts and cacao powder in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground and the mixture is fully combined. Slowly add the dates until the mixture sticks together. Press the mixture into the bottom parts of a 24-cup mini muffin pan. Refrigerate while preparing the filling. Process filling ingredients in a food processor until well combined. Spoon the filling onto the cupcake base in the muffin cups and then top with melted dark chocolate. Place into the refrigerator to set, where it also stores well until served.
Joshua Weissman’s Almond Butter Pumpkin Pie Truffles
Greater Mercer County, NJ
Place balls back into the refrigerator for 10 minutes or the freezer for 5 minutes so the balls harden enough to allow dipping. Heat a double boiler or small pot that fits into a medium pot of gently boiling water over medium-to-low heat. Scrape out the vanilla bean pod, conserving vanilla beans for adding once the cacao butter is melted. Place cacao butter in the top of a double boiler and melt and add stevia. Then add vanilla beans and mix well.
Yields: About 12 to 16 (1½-inch) truffles
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Roll chilled filling mixture into mediumto-small-sized balls a little less than an inch in diameter and place them on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Turn the heat to low to keep warm and melted. Pull out the hardened filling shaped into balls and one at a time drop them into the white chocolate
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Fran Costigan’s Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles This creamy chocolate truffle has a slightly chewy texture with a coating for color and crunch. Raw tahini is sweeter than when its roasted and either kind is good.
Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Mix the orange zest and juice and agave in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and add the tahini, whisking vigorously. The mixture will thicken immediately. Don’t be concerned if it looks broken or curdled; it’ll smooth out with whisking. Simmer the mixture for 30 seconds until it’s shiny and smooth. Remove from heat and wait about 30 seconds until
Photo by Steve Legato
it’s no longer steaming and then pour it over the chocolate. Cover the bowl with a plate. Wait 1 minute and then stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Note: The ganache will not be perfectly smooth. Cool to room temperature, stirring a few times using a silicone spatula. Spoon into a small shallow container and refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours until the ganache is firm. The ganache can be covered and refrigerated at this point for up to 1 week. Shape Truffle Centers Remove the ganache from the refrigerator. Use one spoon to scoop out 1-inch pieces of ganache and another to push it off the spoon into the container. When half the ganache has been used, roll into logs about 1-inch long, washing and drying hands as needed. (If at any time the ganache becomes too soft to shape, refrigerate until cold before proceeding.) Cover and refrigerate the truffle centers 15 to 25 minutes to set, before final shaping and finishing with the sesame seed coating. Truffle Coating Mix the sesame seeds in a small bowl. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons on the bottom of a shallow container. Put a few logs at a time into the bowl of sesame seeds and roll until lightly coated. Pinch the ends to form the oval quenelle (football) shape. Place the finished truffles in the refrigerator to set for 35 to 45 minutes.
We offer Holistic Chiropractic, Massage, Reiki, and Kundalini Yoga
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Adapted from Vegan Chocolate, by Fran Costigan, used with permission.
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STICK WITH THE BEST
healthykids
Generous Pint-Sized Givers Teaching Kids How to Care and Share by Jennifer Jacobson
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mong a parent’s greatest rewards is seeing their children grow up to be productive, contributing members of society, including knowing how to give back and enrich the communities in which they live. Children can start participating in the giving process as toddlers. Having them observe regular charitable acts can make a strong impression and catalyze later independent initiatives. Learning how to give and developing the associated skill set is a lifelong journey. Giving becomes a way of life—of looking at the world and determining how to help the causes they feel passionate about. Here’s how to take those crucial first steps. Ask kids how they’d like to help. If giving to a cause is new to the household, explain that the family has many opportunities. Then engage children in a conversation about the general areas they may feel strongly about supporting—perhaps individuals or families in need, animals or wildlife habitat—and start a list of those that the family is interested in. Next, start researching related local organizations, facilities and institutions, and matching them to the topics on the list. Ideas may include food kitchens, pet shelters and animal
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rescues, nature parks, senior citizens’ residences, camps for low-income or physically or mentally challenged children, zoos, museums, aquariums and local libraries. Make a game plan. Get creative about how to actually help the selected causes. Talk it through together, map out activities—like visiting, donating funds or materials or participating in fundraising efforts—and post the results somewhere at home that is highly visible. “Gamify” it to some degree with tasks that turn into goals that turn into accomplishments that result in chits. Quick tasks can make a big difference. Clear the clutter. Every six to 12 months, launch an all-family household closet cleaning day that includes the toy chest and maybe the garage. Add nonperishable healthy food items they’ve picked out while grocery shopping. Make a “donate box” positioned where kids can add to it and deliver the donations often, even if it’s small. Find ways to raise money for donations. Organize a family or neighborhood yard sale or organic bake sale that involves kids at all stages of the project, and give all or a portion of the proceeds to a selected charity. Associate getting with giving. For birthdays and holidays, include a
handwritten “certificate of giving” that specifies the amount of money available for them to gift to their favorite charity. Take the child to the charity site to make the monetary donation in person, if possible. For non-local organizations, write a check and have the child include a letter with their thoughts and mail it. Volunteer to do community service. Public gardens need weeding, historic buildings need painting and food banks need hands. Find goodwill tasks that are age-appropriate and engaging. Grow the mindset. Tell real-life stories about kids or groups of kids that have found creative ways to give back. Encourage empathy by sharing appropriate stories of struggle. Ask kids, “How would you want people to help you in this situation?” Explain the action the family is taking and the resulting benefit to the recipient. The conversation might be, “We don’t need to store all this stuff when someone else could really use it.” Or, “I bet there is a kid out there who would really like playing with this toy. I know you used to love it, but how about if you pass it along to someone else so they can enjoy it as much as you have?” Keep the focus on the people in need and your child’s ability to share an experience through an item. Establishing an impermanent connection to material things can help kids understand the importance of nurturing relationships over acquiring goods. Develop a language of giving in the household by creating opportunities to incorporate it into regular conversation. Appropriate comments could share concepts such as seeing ourselves as stewards of the planet and the things we think we own; it’s our duty to help those in need when we have abundance; and if there is ever a time when we are without, we hope that others will think of us and help us. Teaching children how their thoughts, words and actions impact those around them is a lesson that bears repeating.
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Jennifer Jacobson lives in Seattle and has served on the boards of several influential nonprofits and other organizations focused on conservation, education and community. natural awakenings
December 2015
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healingways
HEAVENLY SCENTS
How to Make Your Own Natural Oil Fragrances by Kathleen Barnes
A
whiff of sweetness can communicate a personal signature of tranquility, alertness or romance, or it can cause a bout of miserable sneezing, wheezing or nausea for those in the vicinity and even the unwitting wearer.
Commercial Chemicals
“When you see ‘fragrance’ on a personal care product label, read it as ‘hidden chemicals,’” warns the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit watchdog Environmental Working Group (EWG). “A major loophole in the [U.S.] Food and Drug Administration’s federal law lets manufacturers of products like shampoo, lotion and body wash include nearly any ingredient under the term fragrance without actually listing the chemical.” Companies that manufacture personal care products are required by law to list the ingredients they use, but fragrances and trade-secret formulas are exempt. What’s known as a dirty little secret in the fragrance industry is the unlabeled presence of toxic chemicals not only in perfumes, but in any personal care product that includes a scent. Lab tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and analyzed by the EWG confirm the presence of parabens that interfere with hormone production, cancer-causing phthalates, and synthetic musks that have been linked to hormone disruption, among many other ills.
Naturally Safe Scents
“Opting for natural scents from organic essential oils not only offers a toxin-free alternative, the oils’ aromatherapy benefits 26
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have time-proven therapeutic value,” suggests Dorene Petersen, president and founder of the American College of Healthcare Sciences, in Portland, Oregon. Recent research from the Pontificia Universidade Catolica, in Brazil, confirms that lavender oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pain-relieving properties similar to those of a mild-dose narcotic. Plus, it smells heavenly, says botanical perfumer Roxana Villa, of Woodland Hills, a California-based spokesperson for the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. “Considering the part of the plant used will give you an idea of its therapeutic value,” says Villa. “A root base will be good for grounding. Since bark is like skin, oils such as birch will benefit skin and muscles. Oils from flowers are excellent for anything related to the head and mind.” Oregano and cinnamon oils have powerful antifungal properties, even against Candida-type fungi resistant to prescription drugs, according to Brazilian research from Universidade Federal. A groundbreaking study from the Slovak University of Technology, in Slovakia, even suggests that rosemary oil can kill cancer cells. These are all scents that can be the foundations of do-ityourself perfumes.
Customized Blends
“It’s fun to experiment with organic essential oils and create that unique blend that becomes a personal signature,” says Charlynn Avery, an aromatherapist with Aura Cacia, in Norway, Iowa. She explains that essential oils have three basic “notes” and blending
them correctly will result in a fragrance suited to last throughout the day. “The base note is heavier and lasts the longest. Patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood and jasmine hang around longer in the atmosphere and on the wearer,” she explains. Blending the base with a slightly lighter middle note like lavender, rosemary or clary sage and a light and short-lasting top note like orange, lime or peppermint will create a complex and pleasing blend. “That’s the beauty of the art of it,” says Avery. “You can create synergistic blends that harmonize and complement the attributes of each to such an extent that you may not be able to detect the scents of the individual oils.” There are no hard and fast rules, but our experts offer a few guidelines for creating our own unique blends that will be wellreceived as holiday gifts. Use a base of oil like jojoba or sweet almond to create a perfumed oil. Note that oils undiluted by a carrier can burn the skin. For oil-based blends, use a ratio of 50 drops of bottom note oil, 30 drops of a middle note and 20 drops of a top note in two ounces of carrier oil. Another option is to use an alcohol base of either isopropyl rubbing alcohol or 85-proof vodka to make a spray perfume; the alcohol will evaporate quickly. Alcohol-based blends generally last longer, especially with fragile citrus oils. A usual ratio is 10 to 20 drops of essential oil per ounce of alcohol-based carrier. Oil-based blends are ready to use almost immediately. Alcohol-based blends should age a week or two at least and will become more strongly scented in time. Store fragrances in bottles in a dark, cool place. Bottles with tiny roll-on caps are commercially available. “It’s very much trial and error to arrive at a preferred scent, so be creative and keep careful notes of experiments and improve on them as you gain experience,” counsels Avery. “If you crinkle your nose at patchouli, you probably won’t like an oil blend with it, either. Choose scents you like.” Kathleen Barnes is author of numerous natural health books including Food Is Medicine.
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naturalpet
Eat, Bark and Be Merry Healthy Holiday Treats for Our Pets by Sandra Murphy
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s with families everywhere, special taste treats are on the menu for many dogs, cats and wild birds during the holiday season. Owners are cautioned not to share rich, unfamiliar foods from the table that can be detrimental to an animal’s health. Better fare are homemade treats of organic, safe and tasty ingredients—true gifts from the heart. Homemade assures the quality of ingredients, avoids unhealthy additives and allows the giver to adjust for individual taste or food sensitivities. Most healthy recipes can be made from readily available ingredients.
Wild Birds
Offer them a variety of seeds and fresh water. Always use unsalted, unseasoned seeds. Mix harder-to-crack striped sunflower seeds with the smaller black oil version to attract the largest number of birds. Organically grown peanuts in the shell, dried fruit, oranges, pomegranates or rehydrated raisins offer a burst of energy. Impale round fruits, halved, on a small dowel rod attached to the feeding table to hold them in place. Note that oats go to waste, shelled sunflower seeds spoil and cracked corn attracts raccoons. Pass on any kind of popcorn.
DIY Suet
Mix one part organic peanut butter with five parts organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) corn meal. Smear into a pinecone to hang from a branch or directly on tree bark for woodpeckers and wrens to enjoy. Don’t use low-fat 28
Greater Mercer County, NJ
peanut butter because birds need to pack in the calories in order to stay warm.
Cats
Organic catnip, fresh or dried and baked into a crunchy treat, will bring kitty running. In recipes, avoid canned tuna because of bisphenol A (BPA) concerns; also minimize the frequency and portion of tuna and salmon treats due to mercury accumulation in the fish. Unseasoned tuna or salmon packed in water in a pouch is a better choice. Many recipes labeled for dogs can be converted for cats by making them into smaller bites.
Dogs
“When possible, I put organic and local foods, non-GMO, hormone-and antibiotic-free, grass-fed and humanely raised properties at the top of my list. A healthier dog means fewer vet visits and more years together,” says Tonya Wilhelm, a dog trainer in Toledo, Ohio. “Buy in bulk from a co-op or farmer and maybe share with friends to get the best price.”
Dehydrated Foods
Dehydrating removes moisture from food while retaining nutrients, and comprises a distinct cooking method. Stephanie Raya, resident chef at
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Excalibur Dehydrator, in Sacramento, California, recommends, “For safe chicken and pork, pre-cook before dehydrating. Beef can be dehydrated from a raw state. My Boston terriers also love dehydrated, sweet potato chips.” A number of commercial dehydrated meat and fish jerkies have been recalled (search DogFoodAdvisor. com/?s=treats). Homemade treats offer superior control of ingredients. “When I make my pets’ treats, I know what’s in their food, including the herbs used for flavor,” says Raya. After she’s ensured that the food is thoroughly dried, she packs it in vacuum bags and stores them away from light. She notes that dehydrating takes longer than baking, but is cost-effective at 25 to 50 cents an hour. Veggie options include dehydrated zucchini chips, butternut squash chips, cherry tomato bites, matchstick carrots or peach or other fruit slices.
Make it Festive
A cat’s sense of smell is 10 to 15 times better than ours, but is still modest compared to dogs that out-sniff us by a factor of 30 to 60 times; that’s why putting wrapped treats under a holiday tree or in a stocking is a bad idea. Store them securely and then bring them out when it’s time to open gifts. Use blue tissue paper for easy-to-open Hanukkah gifts, red or green for Christmas (bows, yes; ribbons, no). For dogs that love puzzles, placing treats inside a wrapped box adds to the fun. Remember that rich or unfamiliar foods can make pets sick. Instead, gift them with their own healthy, safe treats from known ingredients so that everyone has a happy holiday. Connect with Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelance Writer@mind spring. com.
Special Holiday Pet Recipes
Preheat oven to 275° F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Preheat a frying pan on medium heat for three minutes. Add coconut oil. Coat the pan evenly. Add hamburger and stir fry until almost fully cooked. Add peppers, kale and figs to the meat. Continue to stir fry until the kale is reduced.
Chicken Bites Yields: Approximately 24 cookies
Coconut Bites Yields: Approximately 20 cookies 1 orange, peeled, seeded, chopped into bite-size pieces 1 banana, peeled, chopped into bite-size pieces ½ cup coconut flour Lemon zest Preheat oven to 275° F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Put the orange and banana into a food processor or blender. Purée until smooth. Combine blended fruit and coconut flour. Mix well. Form into 3-inch flat discs and place on a lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Lightly sprinkle lemon zest on the uncooked treats. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until golden on the bottom. Remove cookies and place them on a rack to cool. Tip: Keep a few treats in an air-tight container and freeze the remainder for later. Recipe courtesy of Tonya Wilhelm
1 cup filtered water 10 oz chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into 2-in cubes ½ cup brown rice, dry 1 cup coconut flour 1 Tbsp ground flax seed
Allow mixture to cool. Then, place mixture into a food processor or blender and purée until smooth.
Place water, chicken and rice in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer covered, for one hour. Strain and let cool.
Form into 3-inch flat discs. Place on a lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until golden on the bottom. Remove cookies and place on rack to cool.
Combine the blended mixture and quinoa flour. Mix well.
Preheat oven to 275° F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place cooled chicken and rice mixture in a food processor or blender. Purée until smooth. Place the purée in a large bowl. Add the coconut flour and flax seed; mix well. Form into 3-inch flat discs and place on a lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until golden on the bottom. Remove cookies and place them on a rack to cool.
Recipe courtesy of Tonya Wilhelm
Cheesy Crunchies 2 cups whole wheat flour ¼ cup cornmeal ½ cup cheese (any grated cheese) 1 egg 1¾ cup filtered water ½ cup fine-grated Parmesan cheese Mix all ingredients except Parmesan. Knead dough until thoroughly mixed. Roll dough into shapes (like sticks or squares) or use cookie cutter. Roll shapes in the Parmesan. Dehydrate in a dehydrator at 155° F approximately 4 to 6 hours or until dry. For cats, make much smaller shapes.
Recipe courtesy of Tonya Wilhelm
Meatball Bites Yields: Approximately 24 cookies 1 Tbsp virgin coconut oil 10 oz grass-fed hamburger, 85 percent lean 4 oz green pepper, washed, seeded, cut in bite-size pieces 2½ oz kale, washed 3 figs, stems removed 1 cup quinoa flour
Recipe courtesy of Chef Stephanie Raya, Excalibur Dehydrator
Natural Awakenings recommends using organic and non-GMO (genetically modified) ingredients whenever possible. natural awakenings
December 2015
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T
he majority of the symptoms we can experience during flying—stiffness, poor circulation and swollen feet—are due to lack of movement rather than the altitude or pressurized cabin air. Knowing this can make healthy flying easier. Drinking lots of water and moving about and stretching every two to three hours on long flights is key; trips to the bathroom naturally help fulfill this. We also can keep blood from collecting in our lower extremities by finding a way to elevate our legs and feet periodically. Wiggle all 10 toes, shift positions and go for these six discreet airplane yoga stretches. Etiquette tip: Do the first two stretches at the back of the plane with adequate space and a wall to lean on. Don’t do these in the aisle; hanging on to someone’s seat back rocks it and can be annoying. A quad stretch involves the shoulders, upper legs, calves and ankles, while elevating each foot and getting the blood moving. Hang on to a wall, grab an ankle and bring the heel as close to the butt as possible. Then rotate the ankle in a circular motion. Do this as long as it feels worth doing, and then switch arms and legs. A calf stretch is a simple way to target calf and hamstring muscles, as well as ankles. Stand facing a wall, placing both hands Quad Stretch at shoulder height on the wall for
Calf Stretch
Upper Body Stretch
Neck Stretch
Twisting the Torso
Bending Forward
balance, elbows bent. Take one foot forward and rest it on its heel, with toes pointing up and resting on the wall. Lean forward to the point of feeling a good stretch in the calf. Stretch 30 seconds per foot, gradually going deeper into the pose after a few breaths. Etiquette tip: The next four stretches can be done in an airplane seat or in the back of the plane. The upper body stretch targets wrists, hands, arms, shoulders, back and the upper body in general. Sit upright with feet firmly planted on the floor. Lift arms up and interlace fingers before turning palms to face the ceiling. Relax the shoulders and neck. The arms shouldn’t be covering the ears and can be adjusted by moving them a few inches forward or back. Tall individuals may need to bend their elbows, which still allows for stretching of the upper body. Neck stretches release tension and stiffness by tilting the head from side-to-side. Don’t make circular motions, as they can cause neck and spine compression. If holding the head to assist a deeper stretch, be considerate of neighbors by pointing the raised elbow forward to cradle the neck instead of resting it on a seatmate. Twisting the torso benefits both the spine and back muscles. Yogis believe that twisting motions also massage internal organs. While twisting, hang on to the armrest with both hands and sit as upright as possible, with legs together and feet firmly planted. Don’t bounce into the pose or shift or lift buttocks off the seat, but make slow, fluid movements. Bending forward while seated gives the back, neck and legs a good, deep stretch. All of these movements work well while we’re in the air and are equally useful on road trips, in the office or whenever we need a break.
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Cynthia Bowman is a freelance writer in Los Angeles, CA, who specializes in travel, culture and lifestyle topics. Visit JoyJournist.com. natural awakenings
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photo courtesy of View Dynamic Glass
greenliving
Green Congregations Faith Groups Join in Preserving All Creation by Avery Mack
T
he simple act of switching on a bulb can light a room; preaching that humans are caretakers of the Earth can enlighten a community. “How are we faithful to God’s creation?” asks Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., author of Grounded: Finding God in the World—A Spiritual Revolution, in Alexandria, Virginia. “The connection between the natural world and the world we live in helps us understand the remarkable responsibility we have to the planet.” Along with an emotional bottom line, many people pose a greater question: What is the cost to our spiritual life if we act selfishly? “We need to know what is sacred and what matters for generations to come,” says Bass. “This is an exciting time for communities of faith to work together.” Churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith groups are 32
Greater Mercer County, NJ
The film Renewal docments this grasroots movement at RenewalProject.net. sending a message to their congregations and communities: We need to care for what the Creator has given us.
Showing the Way
“We wanted to reduce reliance on foreign oil, support local businesses, buy American-made and be cost-effective,” says Rabbi David Freelund, of the Cape Cod Synagogue, in Hyannis, Massachusetts. “Going solar made sense. We leased panels, joined a renewable energy credit program and now generate 90 percent of our energy.” The synagogue also upgrades equipment to more efficient levels
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when it’s time for replacement, composts waste, maintains a garden to supply a local food pantry, switched to LED lights, zoned their facility’s heating and cooling and follows a single-stream recycling program. “We seek to lead by example. Members ask, ‘What else can we do?’ As Jews, our mission is not fulfilled unless we lift up others toward the divine,” says Freelund. Windows often make up a large portion of a building of worship, but can be the least energy-efficient components. Members of Colorado’s Steamboat Christian Center, in Steamboat Springs, used to wear sunglasses or change seats during services to escape the sun’s glare and heat. After installing smart glass windows, everyone can now fully concentrate on the sermon. “The glass tints like transition
sunglasses, based on available light or preprogrammed preferences,” explains Brandon Tinianov, a senior director with View Dynamic Glass, the company that supplied the new windows. “It also reduces heating and cooling costs.”
Laying Down Burdens
“Clutter represents postponed decisions,” says Barbara Hemphill, author of Less Clutter, More Life, in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Lack of time, interest and energy keep us from passing along what we no longer want or need. For most of us, 80 percent of what we keep, we never use.” That includes paperwork, another specialty of her Productive Environment Institute. When the United Methodist North Carolina Conference Center’s new building was ready, there was plenty to sort through before moving. “We estimate seven tons of items were recycled. It became an example for individual churches,” says Hemphill. Her own church, Mount Zion Methodist, in nearby Garner, has cleared out two storage rooms. Items were reclaimed, auctioned or donated to a shelter. “We gained Sunday school rooms in return,” she says.
Practice Makes Perfect
We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. ~Pope Francis eco-friendly living is a concept religions agree on. At the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, in Sterling, Virginia, an education program encourages community members to recycle, plant trees and lower water and energy usage. Including their Sunday School, they reduced their overall carbon footprint by 13 percent and energy consumption by 21 percent. Interfaith Power & Light is active in most states and can help implement such user- and eco-friendly changes. Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, the director of outreach for the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, in Falls Church, Virginia, suggests thinking larger and encourages members to ask for changes in public policies by lobbying their representatives. In 2016, the Council of Islamic Organizations
of Greater Chicago will promote a Green Ramadan. During Ramadan, members re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. Greener than most, The Garden Church, in San Pedro, California, has no building. “People tell me, ‘The outdoors is my church;’ I take them at their word,” says founding Pastor Anna Woofenden. “We have a central table surrounded by gardens. About 90 percent of what we grow is vegetables, the rest is flowers. This church is a living sanctuary, a place to belong, a place of community. God’s love is made visible as people are fed in body, mind and spirit.” “Eco-friendly teaching represents a new spiritual imagination of how to live well in the world,” observes Bass. “Faith makes a difference.” Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.
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wisewords
Sharon Salzberg on Mindfulness Simple Ways to Be in the Present Moment by April Thompson
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How do you define mindfulness? Mindfulness is the quality of awareness. When we are mindful, our perception of the present moment isn’t so distorted by bias, adding our own storyline to 34
Greater Mercer County, NJ
reality and pushing away what’s happening.
photo by Fabio Fiippi
ew York City-born Sharon Salzberg experienced a childhood full of loss and upheaval, losing her parents and living in five different household configurations. In college, she discovered the power of meditation to transform suffering and cope with life’s neverending changes. Born into a Jewish family, Salzberg first encountered Buddhism in 1969 in an Asian philosophy class, inspiring her to undertake an independent study program in India, where she was initiated into the practice via an intense 10-day retreat. “It was very difficult and painful. I sometimes doubted that I’d succeed, yet I never doubted that there was truth there,” she says. Upon her return home, Salzberg dedicated herself to the path of vipassana- (insight) meditation, becoming a renowned teacher and co-founding the Insight Meditation Society, in Barre, Massachusetts. Today she teaches and speaks to diverse audiences worldwide about the power of mindfulness. Salzberg has authored nine books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness, Real Happiness at Work and Lovingkindness.
Is it possible to be mindful without having an established meditation practice?
Yes, theoretically, but I suspect it’s hard. I honor my own meditation practice for making mindfulness highly accessible for me. It doesn’t take many hours of prep work and is open to everyone. It’s really a practice, like strength training—you have to exercise the mindfulness muscle to reap the benefits.
What’s the best way to arrange time for meditation, and what can motivate us to practice regularly? Having a sense of structure has helped me the most. I believe strongly in the value of a daily practice, however simple or short. We can ritualize certain practices to help remember to pause and be mindful. For example, every time the phone rings, let it ring three times and use that as a trigger to breathe. When you’ve finished writing an email, take a few conscious moments before sending it. There are lots of ways to cut through the momentum of the busyness and craziness of our lives to return to mindfulness. Make a commitment to practice for a certain period of daily time for a month or two, and then reassess. Look
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for changes during the active course of daily life and query: How am I speaking to myself or to others? Am I more present? Am I more at ease in letting go? It’s important to look for these subtle changes rather than to set unrealistic expectations for ourselves such as being mindful all day.
Do you have other enabling practices for people new to the state of living mindfully? Movement meditation is a good place to start; if you’re walking somewhere, try to be more present and feel your feet against the ground. Also, just focus on one thing at a time; instead of multitasking, just drink the cup of tea. We can also use breath to focus concentration. The breath is a tremendous tool, it’s always with us. If you’re in a contentious meeting and tempers flare, you don’t have to pull out a meditation cushion and sit in a funny position; you can work with your breath right where you are.
How can meditation help to ease suffering? Sometimes, we think we can ease suffering by only having pleasant feelings and beautiful thoughts. Rather, we can ease suffering by changing the way we relate to our thoughts and feelings. If something unpleasant is happening, most of us flip into an internal monologue about how, “Bad things always happen to me,” or “This is my fault,” or “I shouldn’t feel this.” We compound our suffering by adding judgment and by pushing away discomfort. Instead, we can learn to observe our reactions and release them. We also tend not to feel pleasure fully or think that something else or more should be happening instead of simply enjoying the moment. We wait for some sense of intensity in order to feel alive, rather than experiencing the ordinary to the utmost. Meditation trains us to be present with pleasant, unpleasant and neutral experiences and stay connected, no matter what’s going on. Reach freelance writer April Thompson, of Washington, D.C., at AprilWrites.com.
2016
editorial calendar
departments healthbriefs consciouseating globalbriefs wisewords ecotips fitbody greenliving inspiration healingways naturalpet healthykids
themes JANUARY health & wellness
plus: dance power
FEBRUARY friendship plus: dental health MARCH food matters plus: eye health APRIL everyday sustainability plus: freshwater scarcity MAY womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wellness plus: thyroid health JUNE happiness plus: balanced man JULY independent media plus: summer harvest AUGUST empowering youth plus: creativity SEPTEMBER healing music plus: yoga OCTOBER NOVEMBER
community game changers plus: chiropractic
mental wellness plus: beauty
DECEMBER uplifting humanity plus: holiday themes
natural awakenings
December 2015
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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.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Holiday Special, Get in the Spirit – 5:30-7:30pm. Free. Enjoy evening of holiday shopping, health screenings, and stress management tips. Radiant Spa will offer free skin and hair consults. Local vendors present for holiday shopping needs. Light refreshments and holiday door prizes. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Guided Aromatic Meditation – 7-8pm. Develop relaxed awareness and clarity. Focus will be guided using breath, aroma and intention attuning by aroma therapist Gemma Bianchi. Cost $10. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 Music & Merlot – 6-9pm. Enjoy the Jeff Brown Trio. Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd, Hopewell. For more information call 609-737-4456. Winter Wonderland – 6-9pm. Visit Santa’s village and take free picture with Santa. Enjoy ride on Holiday Express Train, tour the decorated Kuser Mansion. Enjoy musical entertainment, food vendors, and other activities. Kuser Farm Park. 390 Newkirk Av, Hamilton.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 Safe Sitter Class – 9am-3pm. Class teaches adolescents ages 11-13 how to be safe babysitters. Bring own lunch. Cost $65. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900. Winter Bird Walk –9-11am. Join Education Director Jeff Hoagland on a hike in search of wintering birds. Bring binoculars. Co-sponsored by Washington Crossing Audubon. Cost $5. Stony BrookMillstone Watershed Association. 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Christmas on the Farm – 10am-4pm. All children will be given a chance to take a turn helping farmers cut the tree with a 2-man saw. Afterwards, all visitors can help decorate the tree with ear corn, pinecones and other natural ornaments. Helpers will be treated to hot apple cider and cookies, plus Santa will descend at noon. Howell Living Farm, 70 Wooden’s Ln, Lambertville. 609-737-3299. Homemade Ricotta and Mozzarella Stretching Class – Noon-2pm. Instructors teach how easy this cheese is to make in your own home. In this fun and informative class learn how milk is transformed into curds and how curds become cheese. Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville. Cost $65. 609-219-0053. Wreath Making with Farmer Q – 1-4pm. Learn Farmer Q’s famous craft of wreath making. After a demonstration from Farmer Q, enjoy a wagon ride (weather permitting) to clip an assortment of pines and hollies from around the farm, which will be used to craft own door or mantle decorations. Hot chocolate served and attendees are welcome to bring
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Greater Mercer County, NJ
Princeton Holistic Family Event – 11am-5pm. Expo will include activities for kids, educational workshops from wellness leaders in the area, an abundance of local vendors, groups, schools and more. Cost $12/$8 adult/child pre-event, $15/$10 door. Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, 201 Village Blvd, Princeton. 800-331-5568.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Health Rhythm Drumming – 7-8pm. Group drumming is fun and good for you, strengthens the immune system and reduces stress. Drums provided. Cost $15/person. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609584-5900 their own beverages & snacks. Cost $35. Fernbrook Farms. Rte 545, Chesterfield. 609-298-4028. Winter Wonderland – 6-9pm. See December 4 listing. Hamilton.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Healthy Eating Over the Holidays – 6:30-8pm. Free. The average person puts on a few pounds each holiday season, and usually keeps it on. Find out what you can do to better manage your eating habits and curb your appetite during the holiday season. Join Jane Schwartz, RD, managing holiday parties and office treats, how to navigate the buffet and dining out, calories in alcoholic drinks, healthy winter cooking tips and exercise strategies for cold weather. Pennington Library, 30 N Main St, Pennington.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 Evening of Readings & Carols – 8pm. A spectacular evening of holiday music for choir, organ and brass performed in the grandeur of the Princeton University Chapel, featuring Westminster’s choirs and the renowned Solid Brass. Princeton University Chapel, Princeton. Cost $40-70/person. 609-921-2663.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 Candle Making – 1-3pm. 8yr.-adult. Celebrate approaching Winter Solstice by making candles with the Teacher-Naturalists. Create hand-dipped candles, sand candles, and molded candles. Learn how to shape and add embellishments. Cost $10/15, member/non-member. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington. 609-737-7592. Reiki Level 1 Certification – 10am-6pm. Receive certification after successful completion of course taught by Pam Jones, RN. Class awards 7 nursing contact hours. Cost $160. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900. Wreath Making with Pam Mount – 1-3pm. Pam Mount is known for her beautiful fruit-decorated wreaths – Williamsburg style. Join Pam for a free wreath decorating workshop with the purchase of one of Terhune Orchard’s locally made fresh wreaths. Decorating materials will be provided. Our fresh wreaths of boxwood, Douglas fir, or mixed greens are available the weekend after Thanksgiving. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. Register 609-924-2310. Evening of Readings & Carols – 8pm. See December 11 listing. Princeton.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13
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Holiday Sing-Along Concert – 7:30pm. Free. Westminster Community Orchestra Ruth Ochs, conductor for this free program offering variety of holiday favorites, including carols and a fun singthrough of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” Copies of music will be available. A free-will offering of non-perishable food or monetary donations will be collected and distributed to local food pantries. Limited seating available. Robert L. Annis Playhouse, Westminster Choir College, Princeton. 609-921-7100.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 Free Vision Screenings – 4-8pm. Free. Princeton HealthCare System and the New Jersey Commission for the Blind: Project Prevention Unit are pleased to offer these free vision screenings to uninsured or underinsured adults and children. All children must be accompanied by a legal guardian. YMCA, 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd, Hamilton. 888897-8979.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 Reiki Sharing Evening – 7-9pm. For Reiki practitioners only to share Reiki with each other. Bring pillow, small sheet and blanket. Cost $5. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 Skate with Santa – 5-7pm. Spend time on ice and skate with Santa at Mercer County indoor ice skating rink. Cost $8/$6/$6, adults/children 11 and under, seniors and military personnel. Skate rental free with paid admission. Mercer County Park. 609-371-1766.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 Farmstead Cheese Making Class – 1pm. Like farmers and ranchers around the world, learn ageold recipes used to preserve the milk harvest. After a brief discussion around the history of farmer’s cheese, you’ll take part in making paneer and queso blanco, and then participate in a demonstration using your cheeses. Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville. Cost $80. 609-219-0053.
Plan Ahead WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 Guided Aromatic Meditation – 7-8pm. Develop relaxed awareness and clarity. Focus will be guided using breath, aroma and intention attuning by aroma therapist Gemma Bianchi. Cost $10. RWJ Health & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd, Hamilton. Register 609-584-5900.
ongoingevents 4 Mom’s Networking Hour – 1-2pm. Weekly parenting topics with RWJ Hamilton experts and sharing with other moms. RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. 609-584-5900.
daily Reiki with Eden Energy Medicine – By appointment. Balance your energies and tap into your body’s natural healing ability with our relaxing sessions. Each individual is unique and we customize to fit your needs, with techniques you can use to continue your journey. Call Siobhan at 609-752-1048.
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 Meditation for Stress Reduction – 10-11am, 2nd Sunday. Learn basic types of meditation and find what works for you. Cost $15. Newtown Yoga, 17 Barkley St, Newtown. Lee Culver, 610-888-4606. Spiritual Awakening Service – 10:30am. 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, Princeton. 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 Energy Monday – Get a free shake and receive an energy boost in any retro blend. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 206S, Bordentown. 609-372-4020. Rise to the Task Free Dinner – 4-5:30pm. Free community dinner. First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, 320 N Main St, Hightstown. For more info, contact Rise office at 609-443-4464.
tuesday Two-Punch Tuesday – Any member can receive two punches on punch card with purchase of a retro blend. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 206S, Bordentown. 609-372-4020. Kundalini Yoga – 10-11:30am and 6:15-7:45pm. Awake your Kundalini energy. Evans Chiropractic,
friday
3679 Nottingham Way, Ste A, Hamilton. For more information call 609-586-9199.
wednesday Meta Boost Wednesday – Get a shake and receive a free metabolic boost in any retro blend. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 206S, Bordentown. 609-372-4020. 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. Healing Gong & Meditation – Noon-1pm. Awake your Kundalini energy. Evans Chiropractic, 3679 Nottingham Way, Ste A, Hamilton. For more information call 609-586-9199. Hopewell Community Farmers Market – 3-6pm. Indoor Community Farmers market. Vegetables, fruits, meats, fresh mozzarella cheese, eggs, pies, cookies, pot pies, beef, chicken, kielbasa, bacon, pork, marrow bones, chirizo, black bean cake, mushrooms and more. 17 Railroad Av, Hopewell. 908-996-3362.
thursday
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. Happy Friday – 4-8pm. Retro blends for $3. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 206S, Bordentown. 609-372-4020.
saturday Holiday Trolley Tour – 10am-4pm. 1-hour trolley tours take you to see the homes and hangouts of Albert Einstein, James Madison, Robert Oppenheimer, Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Brooke Shields, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Madison, Aaron Burr Jr., John F. Kennedy, George Washington, John Adams and more in Princeton. Tours depart hourly from Palmer Square. Cost $15/person. Call 855-743-1415.
Thick Up Thursday – Get a shake and receive an extra free scoop of protein or creatine in any retro blend. Retro Fitness of Bordentown, 860 206S, Bordentown. 609-372-4020.
Ewing Structural Bodywork • Deep Tissue Rolf Method Massage for people and canines • Hot stone therapy • Detox body scrub/detox massage
Beth Verbeyst, BCSI, IASI, ABMP 609-731-9576 EwingStructuralBodywork.com The most amazing hour of your week.
Success is finding
satisfaction in giving a little more than you take. ~Christopher Reeve
natural awakenings
December 2015
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communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To be included, email Publisher@NAMercer.com or call 609-249-9044 to request our media kit.
BODYWORK
HYPNOSIS
REIKI MASTER
HYPNOSIS COUNSELING CENTER
Mrs. Donna Tomaszewski Hamilton/West Windsor Area 609-586-5409 by appointment ReikiPlace.org
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.
EDUCATION/SCHOOLS WALDORF SCHOOL OF PRINCETON 1062 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton 609-466-1970 x115 PrincetonWaldorf.org
The Waldorf curriculum,
Waldorf used in 1,000+ schools
School
worldwide, integrates arts, academics, movement, and music, emphasizing social and environmental responsibility. The hands-on approach is screen free. of Princeton
Barry Wolfson 48 Tamarack Circle, Princeton 28 Mine St, Flemington 2 East Northfield Rd, Livingston 34 Bridge St, Frenchtown 908-303-7767 • HypnosisNJ.com
With 27 years experience, Hypnosis Counseling Center of NJ utilizes both traditional counseling methods and the art of hypnotherapy in private and group settings. Regularly hold adult education seminars, work with hospitals, fitness centers, and individuals wanting to better their lives. Specialize in weight loss, stress, smoking, confidence building, phobias, insomnia, test taking, sports improvement and public speaking.
Dr. Ira Weiner 609-235-9030 PrismHypnosis.com
Sunny van Vlijmen 4444 Rte 27, Kingston 609-275-3881 TreatYourselfToHappy.com
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.
HOLISTIC DENTISTS PRINCETON CENTER FOR DENTAL AESTHETICS
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 25.
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Greater Mercer County, NJ
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 33.
NUTRITIONAL CONSULTANT Claire Gutierrez 194 N Harrison St, Princeton 609-799-3089 Claire@VisanoConsulting.com VisanoConsulting.com
Let me help analyze your current diet thru nutritional assessment and assist you in making necessary adjustments and modifications to eventually achieve optimal health.
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
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 11.
HOLISTIC CONSULTANT
Dr. Ruxandra Balescu, DMD Dr. Kirk Huckel, DMD, FAGD 11 Chambers St, Princeton 609-924-1414 PrincetonDentist.com
CHERRY GROVE FARM
PRISM HYPNOSIS
ENERGY HEALING
Do you want real and lasting change? My professional background of 20+ years in alternative healing and personal development has taught me what works and what doesn’t. If you’re ready for change, schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation, today. See ad, page 19.
NUTRITION
Can You Hear The Buzz? It’s Your Community Calling.
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Call for information on this amazing low cost listing.
609-249-9044
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.
PET HEALTH CANINE NUTRITIONAL CONSULTANT Jim Miller 609-586-4815 DogDietGuru@aol.com DietsForLife.net
Diets for Life is helping rewrite the aging model of the contemporary canine. Diet plans (Raw, HomeCooked, Mediterranean, Combo) are based on evolutionary eating and present health status. In-home consultations available. We utilize the latest data when assessing plans.
natural awakenings
December 2015
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Sunday, December 13th 11AM to 5PM Westin Princeton, Forrestal Village
800.331.5568
A Girls o n the Run Fundraiser
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KID TICKETS $ 10 A DULT TICKETS $ 15
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OUR SPEAKERS WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!
REGISTER ONLINE FOR PRESENTATION SEATING
Professors’ Panel: S olutions in Creating the Optimal Classroom Experience
The Hidden Key to Optimal Health
The S tress, Hormone, and Thyroid Connection
Santa M eet and Greet
How to be the Healthiest Family on the Block
The Role of I ntegrative Medicine in M aintaining Wellness Today
Your Birth, Your Story; Round table exploration of birth choices Exploring Women's Health; Fertility, hormonal balance, and before, during and after beyond Empowering yourself one bite at a time!
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