Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast. Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.
Colds and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.
Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills viruses and bacteria almost instantly just by touch.
That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, but now we do.
“The antimicrobial activity of copper is well established.” National Institutes of Health.
Scientists say copper’s high conductance disrupts the electrical balance in a microbe cell and destroys it in seconds.
The EPA recommended hospitals use copper for touch surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. This cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives.
The strong scientific evidence gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He made a smooth copper probe
with a tip to fit in the bottom of the nostril, where viruses collect.
When he felt a tickle in his nose like a cold about to start, he rubbed the copper gently in his nose for 60 seconds.
“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never happened. I used to get 2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my device whenever I feel a sign I am about to get sick.”
He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years.
Users say:
“It works! I love it!”
“I can’t believe how good my nose feels.”
“Is it supposed to work that fast?” “One of the best presents ever.”
“Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!”
“Cold sores gone!”
“It saved me last holidays. The kids all got sick, but not me.”
“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.”
“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”
After his first success with it, he asked relatives and friends to try it. They all said it worked, so he patented CopperZap® and put it on the market.
Soon hundreds of people had tried it. 99% said copper worked if they used it right away at the first sign of germs, like a tickle in the nose or a scratchy throat.
Longtime users say they haven’t been sick in years. They have less stress, less medical costs, and more time to enjoy life.
Soon people found other things they could use it against.
Virus variants
Sinus trouble
Cold sores
Fever blisters
Canker sores
Strep throat
Night stuffiness
Morning congestion
Nasal drip
Infected sores
Infected wounds Styes Warts Ringworm
Other microbial threats
The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched.
The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished.
Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the science teams. He placed millions of viruses on a copper surface. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it.”
CopperZap® is made in the USA of pure copper. It has a 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA34
Go to www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 1-888-411-6114.
Buy once, use forever.
Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
“Trust your intuition,” my heart whispered. “You’re being paranoid,” my head replied.
It’s rough when our body wisdom goes against the status quo or when we feel like we’re making a social scene by following our intuition. It takes time and experimentation to learn what intuition is or what’s simply our brain getting bossy. Why do we tune out our bodies when they are clearly offering up their truth? How can we learn to trust our body wisdom and our intuition?
When my inner voice sounds like it’s auditioning for The Taming of the Shrew, that’s a pretty good sign that my brain is in bully mode and my intuition is being overruled (or at least not being listened to).
My inner voice’s wisdom is never loud and frantic—and when I’m delivering messages to myself in full sentences—it’s always going to be my brain that’s chattering away in overdrive.
When you hear that agitated inner voice, see if you can isolate it to your head. Feel the noise coming from your brain … then your body. How does it feel? You may not have words for what your body knows, so sink into the sensations. Find the calm sureness which comes from gut knowledge and heart wisdom.
What distorts our ability to hear the small voice within? What makes us ignore our intuition? Our brains will usually get overactive when we’re scared or uncertain. Fear muddies our ability to hear the voice of our heart; to trust our intuition and inner wisdom.
Step into stillness and feel what’s right for you. Remember, move your attention from your mind down into your heart. Don’t ask yourself what you think; ask yourself what you feel.
Like many of us, I’m still a work in progress. I occasionally let my desires override my good sense. One thing I do know: While learning to trust your intuition is a process, ultimately, it’s about loving yourself.
This brings us to a new year and new ways to continue in our personal growth journey.
In this issue, you will find an article on Welcoming the Unknown. Ushering in a new year can be filled with hope, but it can also feel as daunting as facing a blank sheet of paper. Dreading the unknown can be a self-sabotaging habit that keeps us wishing instead of living. Resist the urge to recount past mistakes or clutch onto what is familiar. Instead of feeling resistance, fear and anxiety, embrace eager curiosity and possibility.
Also check out this month’s great article on anti-inflammatory dieting and how it has been shown to extend life expectancy.
We also have a few tips on how to beat the winter blues and don’t miss some great advice on pelvic harmony—keeping your pelvic floor healthy.
I wish you a year of health, love and continued growth.
Owner/Publisher Shae Marcus
Bookkeeper Kristin Kelly
Communications Nancy Seigle
Editors Theresa Archer
Sara Gurgen
Randy Kambic
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Dr. Charlotte Nussbaum Nancy Smith Seigle Lauren Simon
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Sales: 856-797-2227
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revention is the hallmark of good healthcare. As your proactive partner in health, I am devoted to helping you and your family stay healthy. At The Institute for Medical Wellness, we integrate traditional family care with holistic and complementary medicine to treat the whole person for a healthy heart, mind and body. Our balanced, caring approach empowers you to tap into your body’s natural ability to heal by addressing the root cause of illness – not just medicating symptoms.
We o er:
• Direct Primary Care
• Convenient, Same and Next day appointments
• Compassionate, supportive, non-rushed O ce Visits
• Nutrition and Supplement Counseling
• Paleo Diet and Lifestyle Counseling
• Massage Therapy
• Network of private medical and holistic health professionals Services and Testing:
• Food Sensitivity Testing
• Advanced Wellness Testing
• Omega-3 Testing
• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for autoimmune disease and the prevention of recurring cancers
Kristen Otto, LAc, LE, board-certified acupuncturist and licensed aesthetician with more than 14 years of experience working in dermatology, will be offering her unique blend of services starting January 9 at Merchantville Medical Wellness Center (MMWC).
Otto offers an innovative approach to health and beauty, integrating Eastern medicine for physical and emotional ailments with safe and natural skin care techniques. Her signature cosmetic acupuncture treatment is customized to each individual’s need and includes a facial and full body work that promises to rejuvenate both the inner and outer body.
The Eastern modalities are implemented for a variety of conditions including chronic pain, headaches, stress, anxiety and addiction. She utilizes acupuncture, trigger point needling, cupping, gua sha, breathing exercises and meditation practices. The skin care offerings include facial peels, Lightwave LED therapy, dermaplaning and microneedling.
Otto accepts many insurance policies for treatment.
MMWC offers naturopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, intravenous nutrition (including high vitamin C), massage therapy, hydrotherapy, infrared sauna, tension/ trauma release and acupuncture.
Location: 5 W. Chestnut Ave. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 856-532-2063 or visit www.MerchantvilleMedicalWellnessCenter.com
Over the past three years, Nicole Monello—a corporate wellness coach, group program facilitator and owner of Corps Wellness—has offered a variety of wellness services to all levels of employees within the Fortune 500 corporations that have hired her, starting with 45-minute team Zoom yoga sessions to full-day peer coaching and panel discussions. Monello was able to bring her services to almost 20,000 employees worldwide. Through Corps Wellness, she can now bring conscientious leadership, mindful management and work-life harmony coaching and mentoring to all corporations.
“Since the pandemic hit, we’ve all been living in a constantly changing world, especially our corporate and/or work world,” says Monello. “Constant change has had a huge impact on employees and leaders alike. Each year, we see the top workforce trends being wellness in the workplace, but each year corporations fall short of bringing this to their employees. This year’s trend is how major corporations are trying to lure their employees back to the office. Companies are bringing new amenities into the corporate space, but most companies still need to bring more. They need to show that they care about their employees’ well-being at work and at home. There needs to be some course of
importantly, they need to bring people together again. We need
communities.”
Excitari Wellness Center, in Medford, has begun offering workshops in Ayurveda practices. The next workshop will be from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on January 14.
It’s hard to determine what to do for our individual well-being with the overwhelming amount of options and suggestions out there. Excitari invites people to come and discover what the center deems are the best daily practices for well-being of mind and body with Ayurveda.
In Sanskrit, ayur is the word for life and veda is the word for science or knowledge. Simply put, it is the study of, or the science of, life. Ayurveda gives us a framework within which to create harmony of body and mind through doshas and dinacharya Through Ayurveda practices, one can learn how to identify one’s individual constitution, or dosha, and determine where it is imbalanced and how to address such imbalance or imbalances.
Workshop participants will also learn how to read the wheel of daily practices, or dinacharya, and get detailed, individually specific information on three main fronts: physical practices, esoteric practices and nutritional practices.
Location: 30 Jackson Rd., Unit D-101. For more information, call 856-885-2990 or email www.Info@ExcitariWellness.com
Older adults that consistently get up early and stay active throughout the day are happier and perform better on cognitive tests than those with irregular activity patterns, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. The researchers studied 1,800 adults 65 or older and divided them into four subgroups of activity patterns: earlier rising/ robust, shorter activity duration/less modellable, shorter active periods/very weak and later activity offset/very weak. Both groups with weak rhythms had twofold odds of clinically significant depression symptoms and cognitive performance deficits. As we age, disruption in activity patterns may be common. More research is needed into why earlier and robust patterns appear to be protective and whether modifying disrupted patterns improves health outcomes.
A new clinical trial by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, found that a combination of N-acetyl cysteine and glycine (GlyNAC) boosted glutathione—often referred to as the body’s master antioxidant—and improved or reversed many signs of aging. Twenty-four older adults and 12 young adults were studied. The older group was randomized to receive either GlyNAC or a placebo for 16 weeks, and the younger adults received GlyNAC for two weeks.
Participants were studied before, after two weeks and after 16 weeks of supplementation to assess glutathione concentrations, oxidative stress, mitochondrial fatty-acid oxidation, molecular regulators of energy metabolism, inflammation, endothelial function, insulin resistance, aging hallmarks, gait speed, muscle strength, walking (via a six-minute test), body composition and blood pressure. Supplementing with GlyNAC in the older adults was found to improve or correct these markers. Researchers concluded that this nutritional supplementation was a safe, well-tolerated and effective method for improving or reversing multiple, age-associated abnormalities to promote health in aging adults.
A few cups of black tea a day might help to avoid an early death, a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests. Among nearly half a million adults ranging from 40 to 69 years old, those that consumed two or more cups of tea a day saw a modest, but lower risk for all causes of mortality over a median follow-up of more than 11 years. Participants of the large cohort study, called UK Biobank, self-reported tea intake from 2006 to 2010, while researchers noted mortality from all causes, including cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease. The researchers concluded that drinking more than two cups of tea per day can be part of a healthy diet.
timonina/AdobeStock.com
According to a new study funded by the Welsh government, children that live with a parent that has depression are more likely to also develop depression and not achieve educational milestones. Information on children born in Wales from 1987 to 2018, as well as their parents, was used in the study.
The researchers found that living with a parent with depression is detrimental to a child’s outcome, but having a parent that has had a history of depression, even prior to the birth, increases the risk of depression and lowers the educational attainment of the child. The highest level of childhood depression risk was associated with exposure to a mother that had depression both before and after the birth of the child.
The risk of failing school exams was highest when the child was exposed to either a mother or father (or another stable male figure) with a history of depression, both before and after the child’s birth. These results suggest that exposure to a chronically depressed parent(s) is important in determining if the child will develop depression and have trouble with schoolwork.
Other findings included: having no father figure in the child’s life resulted in a higher risk of childhood depression and poorer results in school, and having a father with depression was associated with poorer results in school.
Depression is an issue that impacts the entire family, not just an individual. Taking a whole-family approach to addressing mental health will help ensure positive outcomes for both parents and children in the long term.
In new research published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, Australian scientists amplified the natural sounds of the sea via underwater speakers, inducing baby oysters to swim toward desirable locations for regrowing oyster reefs. Thousands more larvae swam to those locations than to control areas to settle on bare rocks. Oyster reef restoration in Australia and globally is viewed as a way to re-establish healthy ecosystems. Shellfish filter and clean large volumes of water as they feed, and shell piles provide habitat for fish.
Many marine animals use sound to communicate over long distances, because it can carry more information than sight or smell underwater. Healthy reefs emit crackles and pops from shrimp and fish as they feed, and that makes oyster larvae aware of a healthy habitat for them to settle on a rock and begin growing their shell.
The researchers recorded sounds from the healthy Port Noarlunga Reef and played them underwater near two large reef restoration sites offshore from Adelaide and the Yorke Peninsula. They attracted up to 17,000 more oysters per square meter to these sites and close to four times more large oysters grew in the test areas over the next five months, further accelerating habitat growth.
A new study led by researchers from the International Marine Litter Research Unit at the UK University of Plymouth suggests that while mechanical devices like Seabin do remove plastics and other items of marine litter, the quantities can be comparatively low and they may trap marine organisms. Scientists have been studying the issue of marine microplastics for more than 20 years.
The Seabin device continuously takes in water via a submersible pump that is then filtered, returning clean water to the area while leaving the litter in a catch bag. Hundreds around the world are said to have captured more that 2.5 million kilograms of litter from calm, sheltered environments like marinas, ports and yacht clubs.
The study found that the equivalent to 58 items a day were collected, mainly comprised of plastic pellets, polystyrene balls and plastic fragments. The Seabin also captured one marine organism for every 3.6 items of litter, or around 13 a day, including sand eels, brown shrimp and crabs. Around 60 percent were found dead. During the study, five manual trawls were conducted at the same marina using nets from pontoons or vessels which collected an average of 19.3 grams of litter during cleaning periods of up to five minutes. The Seabin only captured the equivalent of 0.0059 grams in the same time. The researchers say that based on their findings, the device was of minimal benefit at this location.
A $1 billion effort to electrify school buses will provide renewable fuel vehicles for around 400 school districts, including Indigenous tribal lands, Puerto Rico and American Samoa. At present, fewer than 1 percent of the country’s 500,000 school buses are electric or run on low-emission fuels. The government grant program wants to reduce children’s exposure to harmful exhaust from diesel buses as part of a broader effort to address climate change and environmental justice by making it easier for communities to have access to zero-emission vehicles. The funds come from $5 billion that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency received to purchase around 2,300 electric buses. Many will be available to select school districts by the start of the next school year, with the rest by the end of this year.
A 2021 study found that even brief exposure to air pollution, including wildfire smoke and car exhaust, can alter a child’s DNA and increase their risk of heart and lung problems as adults. Seventy percent of students from low-income families take a bus to school, increasing their exposure to diesel exhaust. Children of color, in particular, are more likely to live near heavy transit routes, industrial facilities and other sources of vehicular and industrial pollution. This is in large part due to historic housing, zoning and transit policies that leave Black and Brown communities with few options.
Researchers calculate that devoting about 1 percent of U.S. farmland to agrivoltaics, the emerging practice of integrating solar installations with working farmland, would satisfy about 20 percent of present electricity demand. Agrivoltaics can reduce emissions, save water and possibly even boost crop yields.
A 2019 study from the University of Utah and Oregon State University found that the best places for solar installations tend to be the areas where we already grow food, because photovoltaic (PV) panels lose their efficiency at higher temperatures. By elevating the panels far enough above the ground, we can essentially harvest the sun twice, according to University of Arizona researcher Greg Barron-Gafford. Enough sunlight to grow crops gets past the panels, which act as a shield against extreme heat, drought and storms.
Solar panels reduce the amount of sunlight hitting the soil, “which means you have less evaporation of water,” says Barron-Gafford. He and his team were able to triple the yield of chiltepin peppers by growing them under PV panels on test plots versus unshaded control plots. Cherry tomato output doubled, and the soil on the PV plots retained 5 to 15 percent more moisture between waterings. “The plants aren’t just freeloading under the solar, they actually help the panels become more efficient,” he adds.
Junk mail is wasteful. In our digital age, email and the internet have become the preferred modes of communication. When a shiny, multipage magazine or catalog arrives in the mail, we must view it as an unsustainable practice and take action to curb it.
According to Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, “More than 100 million trees are destroyed each year for junk mail plus 28 billion gallons of water and enough energy to power more than 9 million cars! When we stop junk mail and catalogs, we keep trees in the forests doing what they do best—providing oxygen for us to breathe and absorbing CO2 to keep our planet cool and healthy.”
Junk mail also adds 1 billion pounds of waste to landfills each year. U.S. Postal Service Senior Director of Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability Jennifer BeiroReveille says, “We buy over $392 million worth of products containing recycled material every year and reduce waste by recycling 277,000 tons of material annually,” at more than 4,000 postal paper recycling stations around the country. But the post office cannot control what is being mailed.
Almost all magazines have an online edition, and companies likely prefer shoppers to visit their websites rather than go to the expense of designing, printing and mailing bulky catalogs that cannot be updated as inventory and prices change. It is usually a simple matter to contact a company by email, phone or even via a website and request the mailings to be stopped. All it takes is a little time and effort to make a big, cumulative difference.
Taking matters a step further, the Ocean Futures Society has partnered with 41Pounds to offer a membership plan (866-417-4141 or 41Pounds.org) to stop junk mail. They will contact 20 to 35 direct mail companies to remove a name from their distribution lists, including almost all credit card applications, coupon mailers and magazine offers, plus specific catalogs.
The Sierra Club wants to ban junk mail outright, reporting, “An estimated 44 percent of junk mail is thrown away unopened.” Margaret Klein Salamon, founder and director of The Climate Mobilization, likens the idea of banning junk mail to bans on plastic straws. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Canada already enforce junk mail restrictions.
Striving for their optimum health and well-being, more and more patients are finding that the Merchantville Medical Wellness Center (MMWC) is their beacon to holistic prevention and healing.
“Often frustrated by conventional medical approaches to illness, our patients are discovering how naturopathy empowers and improves their lives by offering a more balanced approach to their health,” says MMWC Practice Manager Michelle Vacanti.
The difference is apparent as soon as a patient walks through the door of the spalike center, located in the heart of historic Merchantville. “We are very intentional about creating a warm, relaxing and welcoming atmosphere, treating each of our patients as family and partners to their wellness,” Vacanti says.
With an emphasis on prevention and holistic health, the medical staff at the practice uses science-based, advanced, specialized diagnostics along with the evidence-based body’s ability to access its own self-healing mechanisms.
In addition to naturopathic medicine, the center provides comprehensive and specialized lab testing, functional chiropractic medicine, intravenous (IV) nutrition, constitutional hydrotherapy, massage therapy, infrared sauna and trauma/tension release
sessions.
An acupuncturist will be joining the patient-centered team this month wearing a second hat as a certified aesthetician, allowing for a unique combination of services.
MMWC’s therapeutic dosing of IV nutrition administers vitamins, minerals and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. This allows the nutrients to be directly absorbed at the cellular level, providing maximum bio-availability.
“Popular blends like the Myers Cocktail replenish the most commonly depleted nutrients and many patients use it for general wellness. Other blends offer alternative adjunctive therapies, like highdose Vitamin C for oncology support and ‘recovery’ ingredients for long COVID-19 symptoms,” Vacanti says.
The doctors take their time with each patient, establishing successful integrative treatment plans specifically tailored to any health need including family and pediatric care, women’s health and other wellness challenges such as food allergies, thyroid disease, gastrointestinal issues, skin health and pain management.
Understanding and accessing the abundance of health services and products available and developing workable strategies to a more balanced, proactive healthy life, the center stands ready to become our home to achieving whole health.
The Merchantville Medical Wellness Center is located at 5 West Chestnut Ave., in Merchantville. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-532-2063 or visit MerchantvilleMedicalWellnessCenter.com.
Health is the greatest gift,contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. ~Buddha
Although it is completely normal to feel like our memories are failing us as we get older, this is not the time to panic. Regardless of age, it is always possible to learn, store and recall information, and there are numerous practices we can adopt to nourish and optimize our brains. Whether we’re looking for the car keys in all the wrong places or experiencing way too many tip-of-the-tongue moments, it may be high time to adopt the brain-boosting recommendations by these four experts.
“Having a better memory now and in the future means taking care of your brain and
making the right lifestyle choices to slow down the aging process,” says Annie Fenn, M.D., founder of BrainHealthKitchen.com, who believes that what we choose to eat is one the most significant decisions we make each day.
Foods high in antioxidants like vitamins C and E, beta carotene and selenium have been shown to slow age-related memory loss. Think berries, grapes (which contain resveratrol, a memory-enhancing compound), beets, broccoli, almonds, avocados, carrots, eggs, salmon, onions and dark, leafy greens.
Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats, which can increase “bad” cholesterol and lower “good” cholesterol.
HAVING A BETTER MEMORY NOW AND IN THE FUTURE MEANS TAKING CARE OF YOUR BRAIN AND MAKING THE RIGHT LIFESTYLE CHOICES TO SLOW DOWN THE AGING PROCESS.
~ANNIE FENN, M.D.
Studies find that high cholesterol diets can increase the risk of memory loss, among other cognitive functions.
Whole grains and legumes like cracked wheat, whole-grain couscous and lentils are complex carbohydrates that boost the brain by providing a steady, sustained supply of glucose, and are high in folate, the memory-boosting B vitamin.
Finally, don’t forget to include culinary herbs like curcumin, rosemary, saffron, oregano and mint. They all help support brain health, especially saffron, which contains a potent constituent called crocin that is associated with slowing cognitive decline in human and animal studies.
Wendy Warner, M.D., the founder of Medicine in Balance, an integrative healthcare practice in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, recommends Ginkgo biloba (one of the oldest living tree species in the world) and ginseng, which have both been found to help enhance memory with their neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. Noting that the brain works best with adequate nourishment, she asserts that these supplements can play a role in increasing blood circulation to the brain, thus improving its function.
Also on her list are Bacopa monnieri for its antioxidant capacity, Rhodiola rosea for its neuroprotective and antioxidant effects and licorice (Glycirrhiza glabra) for its ability to increase circulation in the central nervous system.
Warner recommends regular stress management techniques like yoga, qigong and tai chi as well, noting, “These all help lower inflammation and cortisol (an inflammatory stress hormone) and have been shown to improve memory.”
Heather Houskeeper is a certified herbalist, long-distance hiker and author. When venturing out into the wild, she is able to spot and identify hundreds of medicinal herbs, including her favorite, top five
memory boosters, starting with Ginkgo biloba, as well as:
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) supports healthy blood flow to the brain. It can be enjoyed through food, tea or diffused as aromatherapy.
ASHWAGANDHA (Withania somnifera), traditionally ingested as food or tea, can support mental alertness, focus and clarity of mind. Mix ashwagandha powder with warm milk, hot water or broth.
HOLY BASIL (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is rich in antioxidants and supports cerebral circulation. Enjoy this delicious and fragrant herb as tea up to three times per day, use in cooking or take as a tincture.
GOTU KOLA (Centella asiatica) is a restorative herb that can support alertness and mental clarity. It is also popularly used as a tea, tincture or extract for up to 14 days at a time.
Insufficient sleep can result in a variety of cognitive problems, including memory
loss. Those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder condition that affects breathing, should not ignore it.
High-quality sleep is key to reactivating memories, especially recalling the names of people we’ve recently met, according to Northwestern University researchers. Other experts have reported a strong association between sleep and the formation of memories. Strive for uninterrupted and deep sleep, as follows:
n The ideal amount for most adults is between seven and nine hours a night.
n Wind down before bed with a consistent routine like reading, stretching or meditation.
n Keep the bedroom cool— somewhere around 65° F— and dark.
n Shut off all electronics.
n Avoid late-day caffeine, alcohol and spicy, heavy meals too close to bedtime.
Treating OSA is important to improve both sleep and brain health, says Thomas M. Holland, M.D., of the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, explaining, “Impaired sleep can lead to biochemical processes that can impact memory and cognition.”
Sheryl Kraft writes about health and wellness for Sage by Gaia and a variety of print and online media sources. Visit SherylKraft. com and SageByGaia.com to read more of her work.
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by Tom O’Bryan, DC CCN, DACBN
P utting more thought into what we eat and why may be among the most important factors in determining how long we live. Researchers in Norway recently compared the long-term effects of a typical Western diet to an optimal one, and their findings can be a source for inspiration. The optimal diet had a substantially higher intake of whole grains, legumes, fish, fruits, vegetables and a handful of nuts, while reducing red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and refined grains.
According to their results, a sustained change from a typical Western diet to the better plan can make a big difference on life expectancy. Here are their predicted impacts on longevity for people after starting—and sticking to—an optimal diet:
Start at age 20—women add 8.4 to 12.3 years; men add 9.4 to 14.3 years
Start at age 60 —women add 6.2 to 9.3 years; men add 6.8 to 10 years
Start at age 80 —women and men add 3.4 years
So, it is never too late to start a positive activity.
This improved diet gets to the underlying causes of most of the reasons Americans die. According to the National Institutes of Health, 14 of the top 15 causes of death in 2019 were chronic inflammatory diseases. This means it is more than likely that the cause has existed for a long time under the surface (chronic), with too much inflammation for too long (inflammatory), affecting the brain, cardiovascular system, blood sugar system or wherever there is a genetic weak link (disease). Rather than ask what the ailment is, ask, “Where is the long-term, hidden inflammation coming
from that is fueling this disease?”
Dr. George Slavich, founding director of the Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research at the University of California in Los Angeles, says that understanding when inflammation promotes either good or poor health and how and when to intervene to reduce inflammation-related disease risk, “should be a top scientific and public priority.” Identifying and reducing individual triggers of inflammation opens a path to regenerating a healthier, younger individual.
Not all inflammation is bad. Time-limited increases in inflammation are critical for promoting wound healing and recovery, as well as reducing the spread of communicable infections. Humans would not have lived very long without a well-developed internal protection from threatening environmental triggers such as bugs, parasites, viruses, mold, fungus and bacteria. For better health outcomes, we need to address excessive systemic inflammation. There are many likely contributors to the fueling of inflammation, but one of the most common sources is what is on the end of our fork. Begin there.
LIFESTYLE HACK 1: If there is one prime directive for better health, it is to focus on living as much of an anti-inflammatory lifestyle as possible. Become more aware of the daily environmental exposures that ramp up inflammatory genes. Know, for example, what chemicals are used on the soil in which the food is grown or sprayed with before it is harvested. Then, armed with this knowledge, choose a better alternative, like organic and regenerative organic foods. As enough anti-inflammatory messages are accumulated, a reversal in the direction of health is possible.
LIFESTYLE HACK 2: Food is the most common source of gasoline on the fire of inflammation. Dr. Deanna Minich, president of the American College of Nutrition, recommends the Rainbow Diet, which acts like a fire extinguisher to put out the excess inflammatory fire in the body. Selecting multiple colors of fruits and vegetables at every meal tempers the inflammatory cascade. Strive over time to eat 50 different fruits or vegetables per week. Begin today. Just bringing up to awareness the question, “Is this food inflammatory or anti-inflammatory?” will feed our health habits, and over time, healthier habits equal a healthier life.
KnoWEwell Chief Health Officer Dr. Tom O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN, is an internationally recognized expert on gluten, bestselling author and speaker focused on food sensitivities, environmental toxins and the development of autoimmune diseases. He is a chiropractic doctor, certified clinical nutritionist and the founder of TheDr.com
6 zucchinis, medium to large, firm and straight, cut into “noodles”
2 lb fresh, wild salmon fillets, skin removed
Sea salt and pepper
2 Tbsp high-heat cooking oil (avocado or grapeseed)
3 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp shallots, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 artichoke hearts (in water), quartered
1 lemon, zested and juiced
4 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped Pinch of cayenne
6 slices crumbled, crispy turkey bacon; crispy bacon; or crispy pancetta
Zucchini can be fashioned into noodles one of two ways. For “fettuccine”, use a potato peeler to produce long, flat noodles or lengthwise ribbons. Peel off several from one side, then turn the zucchini and peel off more. Continue to turn and peel away ribbons, until reaching the seeds at the core of the zucchini, which can be discarded. For “spaghetti”, use a spiralizer, mandolin or knife. The spiralizer is the easiest option. With a mandolin, hook up the julienne attachment for perfectly formed noodles. If using a knife, cut the zucchini into thin slices, stack them up and cut again lengthwise into thin strips. Discard the core.
Salt the zucchini noodles, let sit for a few minutes, then massage and squeeze the water out. Drain any excess liquid.
Season the salmon with salt and pepper. In a large pan, heat the avocado oil over medium to high heat. Add the salmon, top sidedown, and sear until golden and crispy, then turn over to finish cooking. Cover only with a splatter screen, or it will not get crispy.
In a wok or large pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and shallots, and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the zucchini noodles, increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 2 minutes. Add the artichokes and lemon zest, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and add the parsley, lemon juice and cayenne; stir to combine. Add the bacon and adjust seasonings to taste.
Distribute evenly on 4 plates or low bowls. Place the salmon on top and serve with extra lemon.
All recipes courtesy of Dr. Tom O’Bryan.
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ARTICHOKE AND SPINACH GREEK OMELET
Liudmyla Chuhunova/Shutterstockcom
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp coconut oil
In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients except the oil. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Pour the mixture into the skillet. After 1 to 2 minutes, when the omelet has begun to brown, fold it in half and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes on each side until the center is cooked through. Serve immediately.
• Reiki can help you prepare for surgery,
FOOD MAY BE ESSENTIAL AS FUEL FOR THE BODY…
4 organic, boneless, chicken breasts
1 to 2 bay leaves
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped walnuts
⅔ cup avocado mayonnaise
2 tsp gluten-free Dijon mustard
1 tsp curry powder
Sea salt and black pepper
Wash and pat dry the chicken. Add water to a steamer (per manufacturer’s instructions) and add bay leaves. Place the chicken in the steamer basket and steam for 45 to 50 minutes. Do not overcook.
Allow to cool, then shred or chop.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, walnuts, mayonnaise, mustard, and curry. Blend well with a fork, taste and season with salt and pepper.
Add the salad greens to plates and mound with the chicken salad. Garnish with parsley, avocado and pomegranate arils (seeds). If desired, drizzle salad greens with juice of a lemon and extra-virgin olive oil.
Dolyuk/Shutterstockcom
-Thermography
-Thermography
This flavorful vegan soup is bursting with nutrition. Rich in fragrant anti-inflammatory spices of cinnamon and turmeric and packed with protein thanks to the quick-cooking red lentils and chickpeas, it’s sure to satisfy. Add rice or rice vermicelli noodles to make it an even heartier meal.
YIELD: 4 SERVINGS
3 Tbsp OLIVE oil
1 onion, finely chopped 1 small celery rib (including leaves), finely chopped 1 large carrot, diced
1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp black pepper
½ tsp cinnamon
1 (28 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1 (16 oz) can chickpeas, drained* ⅔ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 4 cups vegetable broth 1 cup red lentils 2 cups kale, thinly sliced ½ cup fresh flat-leafed parsley, chopped Sea salt to taste Lemon wedges (optional)
Heat oil in a 4-quart Dutch oven or heavy saucepan. Cook chopped onion, celery and carrot over moderate heat until soft, stirring occasionally. Add turmeric, pepper and cinnamon and cook for three minutes.
Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, cilantro, vegetable broth and lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until lentils are tender; about 35 minutes.
Stir in kale and cook an additional five minutes, or until kale is
wilted. Stir in parsey and salt to taste. Serve with lemon wedges and leftover chopped cilantro or parsley, if desired.
*Option: Use dried chickpeas to replace the canned. Soak 1½ cups dried chickpeas in water overnight. Drain, rinse and cook in about eight cups of water until tender, about 1½ hours.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Gwen Eberly, a Lancaster, PA-based Montessori art teacher and chef who teaches cooking to kids and teens at Zest! Cooking School in Lititz, PA. Connect on Instagram or at EberlyG@comcast.net
By now, many of us have likely seen or heard the phrase “No Farms, No Food”. It’s simple, true, and in just four words, emphasizes support for local farms in a culture more connected to phones than to the folks that produce our food. Recent years have been exceptionally trying for agriculture, with record drought, lack of labor and skyrocketing costs for farm supplies. Further, erratic weather patterns and two years of supply chain disruption have thrown wrenches into farmers’ bottom lines. Most of us feel the pain in the checkout line, but we should take a moment to consider the cost to our farmers’ well-being.
Here are some (not-so-fun) facts:
n The average age of farmers in New Jersey has risen to 55-plus
n 96 percent of farmers rely on off-farm income to pay the bills
n On average, farmers and ranchers receive a return of only eight cents out of every dollar spent on food
n According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates in agriculture are six times higher than the national average
n Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggests that agriculture is statistically the most dangerous industry in America, yet over 10 percent of U.S. farmers lack health insurance
It’s no surprise that farmers are struggling to work through the stress, anxiety, injury and exhaustion that comes with running a farm business. To make matters worse, farming can be an isolating profession, requiring long hours that cut into farmers’ social lives. Livestock, field crops and farmers markets don’t have weekends or holidays off and neither do the farmers that tend them.
Currently, there aren’t many resources to keep our farmers healthy and happy. Organizations like Farm Aid and the American Farm Bureau Federation have comprehensive online resources available, but we need to address these issues at a community level. To do so, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey is excited to launch the Farmer Wellness Initiative.
Through this program, we’re working with community partners to establish New Jersey’s only farmer wellness effort, ensuring our farming community has the support and resources needed to stay well. We aim to establish a peer-to-peer farmer support network, develop a network of wellness care providers to offer lowcost/subsidized care for farmers in need, host wellness-focused educational and community-building events and advocate for increased affordable health insurance for New Jersey farmers.
Interested individuals can visit nofanj. org/farmer-wellness for more information. We’d be remiss not to acknowledge what prompted this initiative: the loss of a New Jersey farmer, great community member and close friend. I wish these resources had been available when he needed them. Dan, thank you for continuing to provide inspiration and support for us all. You are missed!
P.S. The term should more accurately read “No Farmers, No Farms, No Food”.
Devin Cornia is the executive director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey and can be reached at 908-371-1111 or Devin@nofanj.org.
Our deep respect for the land and its harvest is the legacy of generations of farmers who put food on our tables, preserved our landscape and inspired us with a powerful work ethic.
~James H. Douglas, Jr.
Motherhood is a wonderful job, but often a thankless one. To give our best, we must BE our best. We must practice self-care.
I know what you’re thinking… “I’m way too busy for that, I don’t have time for self-care.”
Listen very carefully...I promise you can do it.
And you deserve it.
Five minutes each day. That’s all we need to give ourselves a refresh. You will return to your families to provide the standard of love and care we hold ourselves to.
creates healthy snacks and beverages for MOMS to enjoy on their downtime.
Our MAMA DARK ROAST COFFEE is freshly roasted locally Monday-Friday and USDA Certified organic. Created with tasty notes of Toffee and Dark Chocolate, Carmel Mocha, Toasted Almond and Milk Chocolate
by Kirby Baldwin
It’s a new year—the perfect opportunity to set positive intentions for a fresh start. One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to be healthier, but according to research, only 46 percent of people that set such a goal are successful in keeping it at the six-month mark, largely due to having unrealistic expectations or not keeping track of progress. To detox from the holidays, look and feel better—and stick to a resolution without becoming another statistic—an in-home personal trainer may be the perfect solution.
According to Jenna Scott, of J Scott Wellness, an American Council on Exercise-certified trainer and health coach who has worked as a personal trainer for more than 15 years, “The benefits to in-home training are countless. It takes many of the perceived (or notso- perceived) obstacles out of the equation. From taking out travel time in our busy day to simply feeling more comfortable in our home, in-home training is a great alternative to the traditional gym.”
Because workouts are individually tailored to each client, they can be more efficient and effective. For those with busy schedules, in-home personal training provides the consistency needed to attain fitness goals with the added benefit of convenience—no commuting to a gym, waiting for equipment or finding child care. It can also be done at any hour of the day, rather than within the confines of a gym’s hours. Some people may
be hesitant to go to a gym, and the privacy of working out in the comfort of a living room is a boon for those that feel self-conscious when exercising in a group environment.
The rapport that may develop between a trainer and client can provide the accountability and motivation to meet goals, and the gratification that comes from seeing results quickly can reinforce the behavior. It is much more difficult to get into a workout rut when there is another person present, continually customizing the workout program and providing motivation and inspiration.
Casey Mahoney, a busy mom and volunteer who works out with an in-home personal trainer, says, “The main benefits for me of working with an in-home trainer are accountability and comfort. There is
something to be said for training in the comfort of your own home. It can also be a time saver! I know I can always find other things to fill my time and not make working out a priority. It is much harder to cancel on someone coming to your house than it is to cancel your trip to the gym!”
An added bonus to seeing quick physical gains is the mental fitness that comes with it; numerous studies show that exercise causes the brain to release feel-good chemicals (endorphins) that make people feel happier and less stressed. Research also points to exercise as a source of more energy and an immune system boost. Because a personal trainer will take an individual’s health history into consideration—whether it’s a surgery, a physical limitation or the recent birth of a child—inhome personal training is beneficial for all levels of fitness, even beginners.
According to Scott, “Do your research. Ask where they were certified and what type of insurance they carry. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Because a personal relationship is foundational to in-home personal training, it is important to find someone that makes us feel comfortable and motivates and inspires us to achieve goals and create positive changes.
In-home personal training comes at different price points. For those seeking a more affordable option, invite a couple of friends over to the house for a semi-private or small group training session. This format provides all the benefits of in-home personal training at a more accessible cost, with the added benefit of a more social environment.
Leveling up our physical fitness this new year will take dedication and commitment, and adopting an exercise program with the guidance of a personal trainer in the comfort of home may be the perfect strategy to stick to new, healthy habits for the long haul.
Kirby Baldwin is an editor and writer for the KnoWEwell Regenerative Whole Health hub.
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All kids are exposed to a ton of viruses from each other, especially when they first start day care or school. We may wonder why some kids are able to get through colds without severe symptoms while some go on to develop more serious or prolonged illnesses. There are ways we can we help our kids’ immune systems to do their job well.
Here are some of the simplest, most effective ways of strengthening their immunity.
Eighty percent of our immune cells are in our gut. This means that our immune health is very dependent on our gut health and the health of our microbiome (the bacteria living in our gut and regulating our immune function as well as many other bodily functions). Important components of keeping our gut healthy are supporting the gut lining and maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome.
Include the following in a child’s diet to optimize their gut health:
Bone broth is an incredibly healing food for our gut. So many traditionally healing foods were relied on for generations
because they actually work, and chicken soup is one of them.
Prebiotics are food substances that are not digested by us, but they nourish and promote growth of beneficial bacteria in our gut microbiome. Some Prebiotic sources include raw honey, blueberries, blackberries, garlic, onion, beets, nectarines, white peaches, grapefruit, dried dates, cashews and breast milk.
Probiotics are live microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. They help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome and help repair gut lining. They are also antibacterial and antifungal, which is one reason why some infections are treated with probiotics. Probiotic foods such as sauerkraut, beet kvass, raw milk kefir and yogurt provide the richest sources of probiotics with much greater diversity of bacteria within them than in probiotic supplements. However, probiotic supplements can be helpful as an alternative if necessary.
Proper nutrition is so essential in optimizing our children’s immunity. While there are
many important nutrients, the following are especially critical for immune health:
Zinc is an essential trace element for immune cells to function properly, including activation of T cells. It also has anti-inflammatory and has antioxidant properties. Rich sources of zinc include oysters and beef such as chuck roast or beef brisket and ground beef (though not as much as in the previous cuts mentioned). We can get zinc from plant-based foods such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, pecans and lentils.
Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for immune function and a powerful antioxidant. It affects almost every part of our immune system, especially the function of our neutrophils, which are immune cells that kill bacteria and other microbes. People often think of citrus, which is a great source of vitamin C, but there are plenty of other rich sources. One of the best sources of vitamin C is actually red bell peppers; others include strawberries, kiwis, papaya, guava, leafy greens and sauerkraut (live, fermented sauerkraut).
Vitamins A and D work together in many functions in our bodies, but especially in immune health. They directly support function of our immune cells and also support immunity by promoting a healthy gut microbiome and preventing leaky gut. Because most of us do not effectively convert beta carotene to active vitamin A, plant-based sources of beta carotene (a vitamin A precursor) are unlikely to maintain adequate levels of active vitamin A. Best food sources of preformed vitamin A (retinol) are liver and egg yolks. Other sources include butter and shellfish.
As for vitamin D, the best way to maintain healthy levels is sunlight exposure. Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun. Allowing our children to play outside in all weather (dressed appropriately, of course) helps maintain their vitamin D levels. However, they do need to have skin exposed (for at least 15 to 30 minutes for paler kids and longer for kids with darker skin) to really increase their vitamin D. In our New Jersey climate, that is not always possible in the winter.
During months where our children don’t get a lot of sun, dietary sources will be especially important. These include salmon (ideally wild caught), trout, mackerel, oysters, beef liver, fish eggs (like salmon roe) and egg yolks (from pasture-raised chickens because all that sunshine gives them much higher levels of vitamin D).
The only plant-based source is mushrooms, but mushrooms alone will not contain enough vitamin D to achieve optimal vitamin D levels in your child. Again, high-quality cod liver oil is a safe supplement for both vitamins A and D.
In addition to consuming foods that benefit our gut and our immune cells, there are foods and bee products with direct antimicrobial effects that have the ability to kill bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Here are some of the ones that have been studied and are commonly found:
Garlic has many compounds that enhance our immune system by stimulating specific immune cells and modulating antibody (immunoglobuilin) production.
Ginger, which has been used for centuries in food preparation to ward off food borne disease, has been found to have direct antimicrobial properties. It has mainly been studied in its antimicrobial effects on specific bacteria and retains its antimicrobial properties once cooked or boiled (for example, in ginger tea).
Raw honey has strong antimicrobial properties (in addition to including both prebiotics and probiotics). One of many components that create honey’s anti -
microbial power is natural production of hydrogen peroxide within honey.
There are several immune-boosting herbs and plants, but two that are easily found and well-studied include echinacea and elderberry:
Echinacea is native to North America and has been used by Native Americans for many centuries to treat infections. Several studies have found that echinacea modulates our immune system in various ways including T cell production, phagocytosis (engulfment of pathogens by immune cells), activation of many immune cells (natural killer cells, macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes) and antibody binding.
Elderberry has been used to treat infections in folk medicine for centuries. It contains vitamin C and has been found to modulate our immune system and to have antiviral activity against influenza.
Although people tend to focus only on food and supplements when it comes to natural ways of boosting immunity, there are some key lifestyle factors that we can also modify to really get our immune system working at its best.
Sleep is essential for us to overcome infections, which is why when our children get sick, one of the first things we may notice is that they seem more tired than usual and need to sleep more. That’s one of their
body’s most important ways of ensuring that their immune system is working at its best.
Stress management is a critical part of maintaining our immune health. Many of us have noticed that we tend to get more infections during periods of stress. Chronic stress (stress lasting more than a few hours) can really compromise the immune system. Some effective ways of reducing stress in kids include:
n Spending time in nature: free unstructured play, creating art, reading books, doing yoga
n Exercise is an immune-boosting lifestyle component that is sometimes forgotten in discussions on immunity. Just like with other aspects of our overall health, it is important to stay active to maintain our immune function.
n Spending time outdoors has many health benefits that we all know about, and it is also known to improve our immune function.
Combining this knowledge with the importance of activity, we can see how outdoor activities are particularly helpful for keeping our children’s immune system healthy.
Charlotte Nussbaum, M.D., MPH, based in Medford, is triple board-certified, including board certifications in pediatrics and internal medicine, and trained in functional medicine. For more information or to make an appointment, call 609-969-4844 or visit MedfordFunctionalMedicine.com.
Do you suffer from digestive problems, autoimmune conditions, fatigue, insomnia? Do you have children with eczema, allergies, autism, ADHD, constipation?
Charlotte Nussbaum, MD, a triple board-certified pediatrician and internist can work with you to reclaim your and your family’s health.
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Addressing the root cause
Holistic care for people of all ages
Personalized, collaborative treatment
Functional and evolutionary medicine
Safe and natural treatments
Medford Functional Medicine medfordfunctionalmedicine.com 609-969-4844
Women often suffer from pelvic pain, incontinence, painful sex, low libido and infertility. Most women are told to just accept and deal with their symptoms because these things happen after childbirth and/or with age. Like most women, it is likely that many have been told to just do Kegels to tone up their pelvic floor. It is time to dismantle this myth and learn how to care for our bodies, so that we can resolve these symptoms and reclaim our vitality and well-being.
Pelvic tension, pain or any symptom may be caused by stress, childbirth, hormonal imbalances, injury, trauma or malposition of the uterus. Kegels guide us to isolate one muscle. They may work for some, but many may notice little or worsening changes. To alleviate our symptoms and create pelvic harmony, all layers of tissue and organs need to be tended to. The goal is to optimize function and flow, as well as support our pelvic organs into their healthy positions. With pelvic harmony, all of our pelvic muscles can relax and contract in response to daily activity and exercise.
Pelvic harmony is about whole-body healing and a lifestyle of self-love and care. Part of living in pelvic harmony is learning how to honor, care for and trust ourselves and our bodies. Techniques and practices that address function, flow and organ position physically, physiologically and energetically create pelvic harmony. We are dynamic, not static bodies—mobility, homeostasis (balance) and root cause healing are essential for our pelvic health.
Some of the keys to achieving this state of well-being include: AWARENESS AND ATTENTION: Listen to our bodies. Our symptoms are messengers. Pause to release stress, find balance and restore hope.
BREATH: Our breath is our greatest ally. Inhale: relax the pelvic anatomy. Exhale: Our pelvic muscles will slightly contract involuntarily.
TOUCH: Place our hands lovingly on our low belly and heart. Do something each day that brings pleasure.
These are simple yet profound practices. When there is trauma, big T and small t traumas, these simple practices may be triggering. With the support of a practitioner, we may feel safer. The pelvis is a gateway to a more magnificent life.
Jade Groff, CNM, LMT, Pelvic Care Specialist, who offers her services in-person and virtually, practices pelvic harmony as well as teaches Maya Abdominal Massage and other techniques to support transformation from pain to pleasure, shame to self-love and trauma to wholeness. She envisions a world where women of all ages know how to care for their bodies and live empowered. For more information or to make an appointment, visit JourneyWithJade.com.
Among the many reasons to switch from ultra-processed diets to fresh food for our furry family members, unwanted toxins are high on the list. Because pet food manufacturers are not required to conduct quality control testing, consumers never know exactly what toxins their dogs and cats are inadvertently ingesting. According to PetFoodIndustry.com , “Some level of contamination is unavoidable.” Here is a look at the most common toxins found in many popular pet foods.
ARSENIC is used in herbicides, insecticides, wood preservatives and insulation, as well as in chicken feed in factory farms. According to Greg Aldrich, Ph.D., associate professor and pet food program coordinator at Kansas State University, “The measured presence of arsenic in pet foods does not equate to toxicity for this naturally occurring earth element.” While
this may be true, bioaccumulation can do significant damage over time if sublethal doses are consistently consumed. The gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels and skin are most vulnerable to arsenic damage, which interferes with hormones and causes cancer and death. To help pets with elevated arsenic levels, try iodine- and selenium-rich foods, including sea vegetables and Brazil nuts; sulfurous foods like garlic; alpha lipoid acid; and N-acetylcysteine.
MERCURY is released into the air and waterways primarily through burning coal, and seafood is the most common route of exposure. It is best not to feed pets an exclusive diet of fish protein. On the other hand, seafood contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to a pet’s well-being. Consider feeding them low-mercury options like wild-caught
salmon, sardines packed in water, mussels or rainbow trout in rotation with other proteins, or supplementing their diet with krill oil or an omega-3 fatty acid that is third-party validated as contaminant-free and sustainably sourced. Mercury detoxification can be achieved by using chlorella and cilantro.
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (PCB) and POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHER (PBDE) are used as fire retardants and can bioaccumulate at high levels in large, predatory fish at the top of the food chain like tuna, tilefish, king mackerel, shark and swordfish. Research suggests that cats are especially sensitive to PBDEs and PCBs found at high levels in both canned and dry pet foods. Although PCBs were banned in the U.S. in 1979, they are still used elsewhere in the world and continue to pollute the oceans. These fat-soluble toxins can be cleared through the bowels, so add fibrous veggies and chlorophyll-containing foods or supplements to the pet bowl.
BISPHENOL A (BPA) is used in plastics and coatings inside pet food cans. It imitates the body’s hormones, especially estrogen, in ways that are damaging to the health of both humans and animals. A 2017 study conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri concluded that even a short-term (two-week) feeding of canned dog food resulted in a three-fold increase of BPA in dogs. Avoid canned pet foods and #7 plastic food and water bowls and storage bins. Provide ongoing BPA detoxification support by offering foods rich in Lactobacillus acidophilus (kefir and yogurt) and glutathione-rich foods, including culinary and medicinal mushrooms.
DIOXINS, a byproduct of industrial processes, can disrupt the signaling of both male and female sex hormones in the body. They’re found in much of the U.S. food supply, including factory-produced meat, fish, milk, eggs and butter. Offer pets organic food whenever possible. Because dioxins are fat-soluble, they are stored in adipose tissues. Try the Ayurvedic practice of lipophilic-mediated detoxification, which uses healthy fats, including ghee, coconut and MCT oil, to pull out fat-stored toxins.
AFLATOXIN contamination has been the cause of several pet food recalls and major disease outbreaks for more than 20 years. Known to cause acute toxic illness and cancer, they are naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by fungi in agricultural crops. Corn, peanuts and cottonseed have the highest rate of aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxicosis is more common in dogs than cats because commercial dog food more often contains corn. Many animal studies demonstrate the efficacy of using ginger, thyme, broccoli, turmeric and carrots for aflatoxin detoxification.
The only way to know exactly what a pet is eating is to buy the ingredients and prepare nutritionally complete meals at home. When choosing a commercial pet food, make sure that it contains human-grade ingredients and that manufacturers employ quality control steps in their operations to test for contaminants.
Veterinarian Karen Becker, DVM, has spent her career empowering animal guardians in making knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals. For more information, visit DrKarenBecker.com.
M ost clothes made today contain plastic. The non-biodegradable polymer is a major component of elastic waistbands and nylon sneakers. But by far, the largest fossil-fuel culprit is polyester, commonly used in shirts, pants, hoodies, dresses, jackets, underwear, socks, blankets and hats, according to Sewport, an online marketplace serving the garment industry.
In 2021, polyester comprised 54 percent of all new fabrics, according to Textile Exchange, a global nonprofit of fashion insiders promoting sustainability. Because it is inexpensive to make, this synthetic fiber is the darling of fast fashion which entices consumers to wear cheap garments a few times, throw them away and promptly buy replacements. Every year, an estimated 92 million tons of clothing end up in landfills worldwide; and in America, 85 percent of all textiles get discarded, according to Earth.org
Plastic produces greenhouse gases at every stage of its long life—from extraction, refining and manufacturing to transportation and waste management. Researchers have found that washing polyester releases tiny synthetic microfibers into the water supply, harming marine life and contaminating human drinking water. It also breaks down into micro-plastics while languishing in landfills for hundreds of years.
The manufacture of polyester has social costs, too. According to Sewport, the vast majority of producers worldwide exploit uneducated people in impoverished countries, where workers are regularly exposed to highly toxic chemicals.
Made from mushroom mycelium, this textile is a sustainable alternative to animal leather.
Among conscientious environmentalists, there’s an aspirational trend toward textiles made of recycled plastic, such as Econyl. Patagonia promotes NetPlus material
made from discarded fishing nets. Repreve transforms reclaimed water bottles into yarn that is used to make various garments. Currently, these eco-friendly textiles make up a tiny fraction of the global market; only 14 percent of all polyester was recycled in 2020.
Textile Exchange and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action have launched an initiative to shift the market toward recycled polyester. But even recycled plastic garments shed micro-plastics when washed. Consider using a washing bag like Guppyfriend, which keeps micro-plastics from escaping, or choose items that aren’t washed as often, such as sneakers.
“Organic and more sustainable counterparts from almost all types of natural fibers, including cotton, linen, down and wool, are becoming available at retailers across the globe,” says La Rhea Pepper, managing director of the Textile Exchange. Here are notable fabric options that are kinder to the planet.
LYOCELL: Trademarked as Tencel, lyocell is made from sustainably sourced wood cellulose and used in denim, dress shirts and underwear. Less water and lower-impact chemicals are used in manufacturing this material. It’s biodegradable and easily recycled.
ORGANIC OR RECYCLED COTTON: While conventional cotton is a natural fiber harvested from plants, it consumes an inordinate amount of water and involves the use of toxic chemicals. The better choices are organic cotton certified by the Global Organic Textiles Standards (GOTS), which requires less water and doesn’t use chemicals, or recycled cotton, which repurposes already existing fibers.
PLANT-BASED LEATHER: Companies making these animal-free alternatives using mushrooms, pineapples, bananas, apples, cacti and other vegetables are highly innovative and represent an exciting, emerging sector.
PEACE OR AHIMSA SILK: Silk is biodegradable and requires much less water and chemicals than cotton, but it’s traditionally made by boiling or gassing silkworms. The cruelty-free approach behind peace or Ahimsa silk is that moths are allowed to emerge naturally before their cocoons are harvested. Look for GOTS-certified silk to ensure humane manufacturing.
WOOL: Made from the fleece of sheep and other animals, wool is naturally biodegradable, regrows continually and can be harvested without harming animals. Still, industry players have been known to abuse animals, land and workers. Certifiers like the Responsible Wool Standard encourage better stewardship.
ORGANIC LINEN: Made from flax, linen requires little water, is biodegradable, moth-resistant and considered more eco-friendly than cotton.
ORGANIC HEMP: Humans have been harvesting hemp for thousands of years. It’s considered one of the most sustainable fibers because it requires very little water and no toxic chemicals to produce.
As the annual global textile market nears $1 trillion in value, the environmental stakes are enormous, and sustainable choices aren’t always easy to make. Ultimately, it’s the new clothes we don’t buy that will help our planet the most. Vow not to purchase fast fashion. Invest in well-made, longer-lasting clothing. Mend clothes to extend their lives. Shop at secondhand stores. Wash clothing less often to reduce the release of micro-plastics. Choose brands committed to responsible fabrics and transparent labeling.
Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.
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have to take
Ushering in a brand-new year can be filled with hope, but it can also feel as daunting as a blank sheet of paper. We might pause at the threshold with pen in hand, recounting past mistakes and failures, hesitant to make our mark. The unforeseen is like a stranger, easy to mistrust. Dreading the unknown can be a self-sabotaging habit that obstructs the view and keeps us wishing instead of living.
Nature’s great gift is her constancy of seasons, but she thrives on change. Despite the human propensity for clutching what is familiar and predictable, we do best by leaving the door ajar for the unexpected. If we are fortunate, we will have 12 more months to have another go at it.
Setting a place at the table for delight shifts our frequency from resistance to receiving our highest good, and swapping anxiety for excitement can be a spiritual practice during our most uncomfortable moments. Instead of making a resolution, what if we made the simple decision to not believe our fears?
With no concept of limitation or worry of scraped knees, we once learned to walk, happily undiscouraged when we stumbled. That first spark of eager curiosi-
ty remains deep in our memory, not confined to youth. Embracing possibility this year can be a subtle, mantra-in-motion as we go through our days, a cellular willingness to expect an outcome tailored specifically for us. Here are some prompts for embracing possibility:
n On scraps of paper, write down 12 things you have postponed doing or trying and keep them in a special canister. Pull one out each month and follow through with joyful anticipation.
n Witness the sunrise once a week and designate it as an opportunity to open your heart and mind to the new and glorious.
n Change things up in the kitchen: Buy new dishes and donate the old to a local thrift store. Try a new food every week and explore herbs and spices not usually in the cupboard.
n Notice something in your daily surroundings that might have gone unnoticed before.
Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.
With every season comes an ending and a beginning. As we enter the new year, we tend to look back and evaluate where we have been and where we are going. As we look back, our mind may beat us up for broken promises we made to others and ourselves and goals we did not attain. The ego mind’s need for comparison and absolutes keeps us in victim mode. We then become a victim of our circumstances and we feel helpless. But all is not lost. Looking back can give us some perspective if we are open to the lessons that the past has taught us. The goal in this journey called life is to grow and evolve.
The future is the keeper of all things possible. We make resolutions of everything we wish to accomplish and attain whether it be weight loss, a new career, a new house or a new relationship. However, if these goals are not attained, we become disappointed and are hard on ourselves. Instead of making resolutions for what we want to attain, what if we make resolutions on how we want to feel. Because in the end we want what we want because we want to feel the emotion that the item or experience makes us feel. If we make the resolution to feel more gratitude, we can create experi-
ences that will cultivate gratitude. This can be as simple as being out in nature more and experiencing the beauty that our higher power has created. This is a win-win situation as we are not only cultivating gratitude which will attract more things into your life to be grateful for, but we are stepping into our power as a conscious creator.
Let’s make resolutions of feelings and emotions we want to experience. By doing so, when we look back in 2024 to this year’s resolutions, we won’t feel disappointed as to what we did not attain. Try keeping a journal or jar so in 2024 we can look back at all the experiences that we co-created. After all, it’s the experiences and memories that we create in life that make it worthwhile.
Certified Spiritual and Mindfulness Life Coach
Natalie Gervasio is based in South Jersey. For more information or to arrange for a meeting, call 856-259-3779 or JourneyWithinMe.com.
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Many may be feeling the “winter blues” lately. It’s January, and there’s no doubt we are all preparing for chilly weather and several indoor days after a bustling holiday season.
Changes in the seasons sometimes can mean a change in our mental well-being. In Psychology Today, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Joyce Marter shares the high prevalence of the “winter blues” among Americans and its impact on our overall health. According to Amanda Dyslin from the Mayo Clinic News Network, some experience more severe mental health challenges in the winter months. Depressive symptoms that surface in the fall and winter seasons are often tied to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Despite the start of winter, there are many ways we can continue to feel our best. Exercise, mindfulness and healthy eating are just a few ways we can start nourishing the mind and body this winter.
Stephanie Watson of Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests that decreased levels of the mood-boosting hormone, serotonin, may lead to the “winter blues” or SAD. She explains that serotonin levels can be increased through exercise.
Dr. Michael J. Scarcella, M.D., from the Cleveland Clinic, believes that walking and running are solid starting points. Allocating time for warmups, cool-downs and stretching is key when exercising in winter weather, according to Scarcella.
Tai chi, gentle yoga, bike riding and skiing are also some winter workout possibilities depending on your body’s needs, as reported by Ayurvedic practitioner Melody Mischke from Banyan Botanicals.
Marter also recommends mindfulness practices, such as meditation, gratitude journaling and deep breathing to combat the “winter blues”. Guided meditation apps, such as Insight Timer, Headspace and Calm, can provide a way to build a routine mindfulness practice.
How we eat also influences our levels of serotonin, and therefore our ability to maintain our mental well-being in the winter, as indicated by the Cleveland Clinic. The clinic lists low-fat or nonfat yogurt, nuts, broccoli, potatoes, peppers and fatty fish as some important foods to incorporate into our meal rotation.
The ancient Indian wellness system, Ayurveda, provides a holistic perspective to making nutritious winter meals. Mischke advises that room temperature and warm beverages; vegetables such as cooked spinach, radishes and root vegetables; cooked grains; legumes and hot spices are all beneficial choices. She encourages the reduction of cold and frozen foods in the winter.
Stay updated on ways to eat well and stay fit this winter with Natural Awakenings South Jersey.
Lauren Simon is a freelance writer with a passion for holistic health and contributor to Natural Awakenings
Email Publisher@NASouthJersey.com for guidelines.
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First Day Clean-Up – 10am-12pm. Grab your gloves and boots and head on out to Whitesbog to pick up some litter. Help us start the New Year off right. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, #34, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646. Whitesbog.org.
First Day Night Hike – 4:30-6pm. Come celebrate the first day of 2023 with us. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. $15/adult, $10/ child. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Rd, Medford. Registration required: 856-983-3329 or CedarRun.org.
Moonlit Walk – 5-6:30pm. With Naturalist Gina. Leave your flashlights at home and allow your eyes to adjust as we listen and watch for nocturnal animals while gazing at our winter constellations. Boundary Creek Natural Resource Area, 515 Creek Rd, Moorestown. Register: Co.Burlington.nj.us.
Timber Creek Park Cleanup – 10am12pm. Join Michael Hogan in this community cleanup beautifying this public park and learn the history of the area. Timber Creek Park, 236 Taylor Ave & Chews Landing Rd, Blackwood. RSVP: sjlandwater.org.
Whitesbog Village Tour – 1-2pm. Learn about Whitesbog’s role in history; and visit Suningive (Elizabeth White’s historic home), the workers’ cottages, and other buildings that speak to Whitesbog’s history. $10 donation. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, #34, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646. Whitesbog.org.
Crystal Singing Bowl Sound Bath & Meet Your Healing Guide Meditation – 3pm. With Josey Manna. Begin this new year by nurturing your spiritual self. Workshop opens with a deep meditation connecting you to your own personal Healing Guide. $35. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance@gmail.com.
Full Moon Owl Prowl – 5-6:30pm. Program begins at the Outdoor Pavilion (with heaters) for an up-close experience with our resident owls followed by a hike on the trail in search of our local species. $15/adult, $10/child. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Rd, Medford. Registration required: 856-983-3329 or CedarRun.org.
Interpretive Trail Hike – 1:30-2:30pm. An interpretive hike through our varied habitats. Easy pace suitable for all ages. Inclement weather cancels. Registration limited. Free. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org.
Passionate About Plants Series: Succulents and Sand – 1:30-3pm. Learn tips for succulent propagation and create a colorful mini-sand art glass pot for your succulent leaf to sprout. $25/person, all materials included. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org.
Create Your Own Oracle Cards – 7-9pm. With Tracy Farquhar. Oracle cards that you make yourself, infused with your own creative energy and personal symbolism are even more powerful. $40, materials included. Massage by Laura, 3 Deltona Ln, Marlton. Register: TracyFarquhar.com.
Kundalini Yoga Intro Experience – Saturdays, Jan 14-28. 9:30-11:30am. With Teja Valentin. Each class will include asanas (or postures), mudras (hand positions), mantras (sound), drishti (focal piont) and pranayama (breathing techniques). Also meditation, dance, deep relaxation and the occasional gong bath. $120/series. Massage by Laura, 3 Deltona Ln, Marlton. Register: Vagaro.com/ massagebylaura/classes.
Tall Pines Winter Walk – 10am-12pm. Join us for a walk around Tall Pines where we will identify some of the winter birds that call this park home as well as some invasive plant species. Tall Pines, 1705 Glassboro Rd, Sewell. RSVP: sjlandwater.org.
Ayurveda Workshop – 10am-12:30pm. Discover the best daily practices for well-being of mind and body with ayurveda. Learn what your individual constitution or dosha is, where it is imbalanced and how to address it, as well as how to read the wheel of daily practices or dinacharya. $60. Excitari Wellness Center, 30 Jackson Rd, Ste D101, Medford. Register: 856-885-2990 or Vagaro.com/excitariwellnesscenter/classes.
Saturday Guided Hike – 10:30-11:30am. Studies show that taking a walk in a natural area is good for your physical and mental health. Free. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org.
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The Energetic Council Meeting – 6-9pm. A network for local South Jersey lightworkers, healers and holistic practitioners to connect, collaborate, and spread love and healing as far as we can. The Venus Moon Crystal Warehouse, 234 Chestnut St, Glendora. Register: Admin@EnergeticCouncil.com.
New Moon Night Hike: Adults Only –6-7:30pm. Enjoy a guided hike under the darkness of the new moon to visit nocturnal habitats that are home to owls, raccoons, opossums and other wildlife that emerge after dark. $15/person. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Rd, Medford. Registration required: 856-983-3329 or CedarRun.org.
Gateway Park Cleanup – 10am-12pm. Help clear up some litter and debris along the Cooper River. Gateway Park, 2798 Admiral Wilson Blvd, Pennsauken Township. RSVP: sjlandwater.org.
MUNALOME: Music, Nature, Love Meditation – 12-1:30pm. A peaceful and unique blend of live musical song performance mixed with sound healing from acoustic guitars, singing to crystal bowls, handpan, didgeridoo and more. $35. Excitari Wellness Center, 30 Jackson Rd, Ste D101, Medford. Register: 856-885-2990 or Vagaro.com/ excitariwellnesscenter/classes.
Shamanic Journey Soul Retrieval –6:30pm. With Kathy Hardies. Along the course of our many lives, we lose parts of the self, or Soul, through traumatic experiences, loss, ending of relationships and other painful experiences. During this journey, you will have the opportunity to connect with those lost parts of your Self and invite them to return to you to a place of healing and safety. $35. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-9758379. TheCenterLifeInBalance@gmail.com.
Healing Through Dance Class – 7-8:15pm. With Cheryl Mazza, The Healing Dancer. Experience an evening of energy balance and healing through dance, energy healing, and guiDANCE. No dance or energy healing experience needed. $35. Massage by Laura, 3 Deltona Ln, Marlton. Register: Vagaro.com/ massagebylaura/classes.
Winter Ecology Walk – 2-4pm. Join Park Naturalists Jen Bulava and Gina DiMaio on a walk to learn about the unique adaptations which enable our native plants and animals to survive through the coldest months. Willingboro Lakes Park, 60 Beverly-Rancocas Rd, Willingboro. Register: Co.Burlington.nj.us.
DANCE STUDIO FOR RENT – Dance, yoga, Zumba, fitness, baby showers, small family events, day office space, etc. 1301 Hornberger Ave, Ste F, Roebling, NJ 08554. 908-380-8557.
Gallery Reading with International Medium Rich Braconi – 6:30-8:30pm. Connect with family, loved ones and friends who have passed. Rich’s unique abilities allow him to relay deep spiritual messages of personal guidance, insight and love from loved ones in Spirit. No guarantee that everyone will receive a message. $55. Excitari Wellness Center, 30 Jackson Rd, Ste D101, Medford. Register: 856-885-2990 or Vagaro.com/ excitariwellnesscenter/classes.
Yoga Cape May Holistic Yoga Retreat – Feb 3-5. “Listening with our Hearts.” Deepen your experience with yoga and meditation. This retreat can help you connect deep within yourself to discover your true self and allow you to find your own path to wholeness. Experience various styles of yoga and meditation. All levels. $299 all-inclusive. Marianist Retreat Center, Cape May Point. Info, Karen: 609827-8886 or KBosna28@yahoo.com. YogaCapeMay.com.
Eight Gong Sound Bath Meditation –7-8:30pm. Angelo Rizzo plays the gongs to provide the frequencies to resonate with your body on a cellular level, optimizing your physical health and stimulating the free flow of energy, gently releasing stuck emotions. $33. Excitari Wellness Center, 30 Jackson Rd, Ste D101, Medford. Register: 856-885-2990 or Vagaro.com/excitariwellnesscenter/classes.
The Psychic & Healing Expo – 6-9pm. Features psychics, mediums, tarot card readers, healers, chair massage, merchants, speaker presentations and a 50/50 raffle. Admission free. American Legion, 622 Atlantic Ave, Collingswood. TransformationClub.org/expo.
Sunday Morning Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. Offers a hatha yoga practice, following a classic style that includes asanas (yoga postures) and pranayama (yoga breathwork). This gentle synchronized flow is guided by Fit Mind and Body LLC instructors helping us to bring balance to the mind and body and enhancing deeper spiritual practices such as meditation. $15. Studio 67 Medford, 67 N Main St, Medford. Studio67Medford.com.
Prenatal Yoga Classes – 6-7pm. Designed to nourish expectant mothers during their journey. Learn to connect with their own innate wisdom, body and growing baby. Strengthen pelvic muscles, improve circulation and increase comfort. $25/class, $130/6 classes. Whole Body Yoga Studio, 103 E Walnut St, North Wales. 215-661-0510. WholeBodyYogaStudio.com.
Monthly Meditation/Mini-Workshop –6:30-8pm. 1st Mon. An open invitation to those who are interested in exploring meditation, energy education/topics and reiki. No experience necessary. $15. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. Pre-registration required: 609-975-8379 or TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.
Midweek Meditation – 12-12:10pm. Also Fri. The focus of this meditation is love. Each week we will raise the love vibration personally and globally. Treat yourself to a mid-day refresher. Free. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.
Hump-Day Hikes – Jan 11-25. 2-3:30pm. Join us for a brisk guided hike in nature and view the week-to-week changes as the natural world comes alive. Inclement weather cancels. Free. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org.
HipHop – 5-6pm, youth. $10, cash only. 1301 Hornberger Ave, Ste F, Roebling. 908-380-8557.
African Dance Classes for Everyone –6-7pm, youth; 7:30-8:30pm, teens/adults. Live drumming. $10, cash only. 1301 Hornberger Ave, Ste F, Roebling. 908-380-8557.
All-Level Vinyasa Flow – 9:30-10:45am. With Eric Herman. Tune into your true essence through asanas, breathwork and meditation experiencing a place of peace in the present moment by the end of each class. $10. Live In Joy Yoga & Wellness, 118 W Merchant St, Audubon. LiveInJoyYoga.com.
Yoga Mobility – 10-10:30am. Yoga Mobility is something very different from traditional yoga. It takes the best of many different forms of movement to create a flow within our body. Perfect for seniors and people who are physically disabled. 1st class free; $10/class. Barrel Factory at Whitesbog Historic Farm and Village, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, Browns Mills. Whitesbog.org.
Virtual Pinelands Commission Meeting – 9:30-11am. 2nd Fri. The Pinelands Commission is the state agency that oversees conservation and development within the Pinelands boundaries. They hold a regular monthly meeting that is open to the public. Pinelands Preservation Alliance: 609-8947300 or RhyanG@PinelandsAlliance.org. Agenda: State.nj.us/pinelands.
Midweek Meditation – 12-12:10pm. Also Wed. The focus of this meditation is peace. Each week we will raise the love vibration personally and globally. Treat yourself to a mid-day refresher. Free. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.
Walking Group – 9am. 1st Sat. With Michelle, Teeming Health Wellness Studio. Walking group at one of our local county parks. For more info & location: Meetup. com/Healthy-Mount-Holly.
Psychic & Healing Fair – 10am-2pm. 3rd Sat. The fair offers different avenues to healing. Be able to have an intuitive/psychic reading, a reiki session, energy healing or lie on the BioMat. $30/20 mins. A variety of 20-min free talks offered. The BioMat incorporates amethyst crystals, far infrared heat and negative ions to help the body heal and relax. Walkins welcome and encouraged. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.
Volunteer Service Day – 10am-3pm. 1st Sat. Volunteer in outdoor or indoor projects in the village. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, #34, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646. Whitesbog.org.
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NASouthJersey.com can help you access the resources you need for help in staying healthy and happy!
Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email NASouthJersey@gmail.com to request our media kit.
MARK JAMES BARTISS, MD
Institute for Complementary & Alternative Medicine
24 Nautilus Dr, Ste 3, Manahawkin 609-978-9002
504 Hamburg Tpk, Ste 202, Wayne 973-790-6363 639 Stokes Rd, Se 202, Medford 609-654-5900
ICAMBartissMD.com
Dr. Bartiss is both conventionally and holistically trained, giving patients the best of both worlds and the freedom to choose.
ICAM’s HEART Program addresses the body’s basic needs in terms of hormone rejuvenation to include adrenal, thyroid, sex and growth hormones as well as the essential neurotransmitters. As an active and founding member of the American Association of Ozonotherapists, Dr. Bartiss is an expert in various forms of bio-oxidative therapies that include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet phototherapy and high-dose vitamin C. These and other powerful therapies are offered by only a few hundred medical practitioners throughout the country.
DR. SEAN C. INSELBERG, DAC, MSC, CNS
Nutritional Wellness Center 1 Cinnaminson Ave, Ste 206 Palmyra, NJ 08065 856-499-2160
NutritionalWellnessNJ.com
Offering simple, effective solutions for optimal health for the whole family. Includes: Functional Medicine testing, Othromolecular energy medicine, Neuro Emotional Technique, Psycho neurobiology, autonomic response testing, Theta Healing.
SALLY KYLE
Animal Communication & Holistic Bodywork Paws 4 Healing 609-791-9406
Paws4HealingNJ@gmail.com Paws4Healing.net
Curious about what your animal friend is thinking, feeling and sensing? Want to learn how to bridge a connection through communication and gentle touch? Your animal companion does not have to be in discomfort when experiencing dis-ease, mobility or behavior projects. When heard and acknowledged, transformation begins. Sally specializes in Tellington TTouch®, Reiki Ryoho, Jin Shin Jyutsu®, Bach Flower Remedies and Emotional Freedom Technique.
MARYANN PINO MILLER, M.Ed.
Certified Heal Your Life® Teacher Emotion Code Practitione Consciously Living, LLC The Center, Life in Balance 45 S Main St, Medford, NJ 856-912-2087
Maryann@ConsciouslyLiving.net
Become aware of your true nature, meet your inner child waiting for your love, become aware of and unload the baggage weighing you down, become aware of the depth of love that exists within you and gain the understanding of the importance of your relationship with yourself and how to foster it.
DR. CAMILLE SEMPLE-DALY, DO
Replenish Center
215 Sunset Rd, Ste 204 Willingboro, NJ 08046 856-380-1330
Info@ReplenishHormones.com
ReplenishHormones.com
Don’t wait any longer to restore your hormone balance. Symptoms due to menopause, andropause, PMS, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal fatigue, etc., should not negatively impact your quality of life. Regain your vitality and zest naturally with individualized Bio-Identical Hormone Restoration Therapy (BHRT). Dr. Camille Semple-Daly is board certified in OB/GYN, Integrative and Aesthetic Medicine.
Institute for Complementary & Alternative Medicine
24 Nautilus Dr, Ste 3, Manahawkin 609-978-9002
504 Hamburg Tpk, Ste 202, Wayne 973-790-6363
639 Stokes Rd, Se 202, Medford 609-654-5900
ICAMBartissMD.com
Dr. Bartiss is among a small group of physicians that pioneered the early “integrated” health care system. As a conventionally and holistically trained physician, he offers the best of both schools of medicine. Dr. Bartiss’ “HEART” Program (Hormone, Endocrine, Adrenal Rejuvenation Therapy) addresses hormone imbalance and focuses on restoring his patients to optimal levels. The simple explanation of this program is that when the endocrine system is balanced, a person is less likely to become ill, overweight and emotionally imbalanced. ICAM patients report an improved quality of life, both emotionally and physically.
VIRAPEL
2 Sheppard Rd, Ste 602, Voorhees 856-751-2100
| Virapel.com
Virapel is a natural-based practice, specializes in helping with Hormone Regulation, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Natural Aesthetics, and Wellness Infusions. They offer a highly experienced staff with years of education in different wellness fields, vitamin therapy and menopause/andropause health.
We know that food is a medicine, perhaps the most powerful drug on the planet with the power to cause or cure most disease.
~Dr. Mark Hyman
DR. SYLVIA BIDWELL BIDWELL CHIROPRACTIC
The Strawbridge Professional Center
212 W Rte 38, Ste 100
Moorestown, NJ 08057 856-273-1551
DrSylvia@Bidwell-Chiropractic.com Bidwell-Chiropractic.com
Dr. Bidwell is dedicated to providing patients the best possible spinal health care including chiropractic adjustment, massage, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, hot and cold therapy, cervical and lumbar traction, and stretching and strengthening exercise instruction. Her adjustments techniques consist of diversified, activator, arthrostim, SOT blocking, craniosacral work, active release technique and PNF stretching.
3000 Atrium Way, Ste 200, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 856-359-6005
DrKevinG.com
Optimize your human potential holistically: functional neurology & kinesiology, stress release & neuro-emotional technique, structure & posture improvement with advanced biostructural correction, biophysics body optimizer.
INNERLIGHT HEALING
Andi Daniels 609-334-9518
InnerlightAndBeyond@gmail.com
Innerlight-Healing.com
Andi’s role as an End of Life Doula is to accompany the dying and their loved ones in the final months of life. Her support is non-medical, focusing on your emotional, spiritual and physical well-being to help navigate a transition with purpose. Support is available from developing medical directives through processing grief with loved ones after the transition. Book a free consultation today.
PELLOWAH ENERGY HEALING
Marla Gerrow 609-923-7389 • Virgo858@hotmail.com
Pellowah is an angelic word for radical shift in consciousness. Trained in Scotland in Pellowah Healing; one of three in the entire USA. It is a hands-off energy healing technique. It is pure energy, a simple and powerful modality allowing for spiritual awakening, spiritual growth, clarity and increase intuition direction and purpose.
CHARLOTTE NUSSBAUM, MD
Medford Functional Medicine 107 Jamestown Ct, Medford 609-969-4844
MedfordFunctionalMedicine.com
Board-certified pediatrician and internist Charlotte Nussbaum is a founder of Medford Functional Medicine where we partner with people of all ages to reclaim your health.
NATURAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT CENTER OF SOUTH JERSEY
1020 Kings Hwy. N., Ste 110, Cherry Hill, NJ 856-667-6805 • NHICSouthJersey.com
DR. JAIME FELDMAN, DCH
Chairman, Medical & Dental Division, International Hypnosis Federation 214 W Main St, Ste L4 Moorestown, NJ 08057 856-231-0432 • DrJaimeF@aol.com PartsTherapy.com
Dr. Jaime Feldman, one of the pioneers in an advanced technique called “Advanced Parts Therapy,” has been able to unlock the subconscious and remove unwanted behaviors: stop smoking (guaranteed), weight loss, stress, depression, pain and anger management, and more. Outstanding success in curing phobias and deep-seated trauma, and treating the immune system to put cancer into complete remission.
DR. STEVEN HORVITZ
Institute for Medical Wellness
110 Marter Ave, Ste 408, Moorestown, NJ 856-231-0590 • DrHorvitz.com
Board-Certified Family Medicine blending traditional family care with a holistic focus and preventive, nutritional and integrative approach. We look for causes and triggers for disease before reaching for the prescription pad. Same and next day appointments are available.
Health Through Awareness
100 Brick Rd, Ste 206, Marlton, NJ 08053 856-596-5834
Safe, natural solutions for many health problems. Get to the root of your symptoms and heal your body with Nutrition Response Testing. The practitioners at NHIC offer a non-invasive, advanced form of muscle testing for food sensitivities, chemical and metal toxicity, and immune system issues for all ages. Individualized, targeted, “Root-Cause Nutrition.”
LIESHA GETSON, BCTT, HHC
Health Through Awareness 100 Brick Rd, Ste 206, Marlton 856-596-5834
HealthThroughAwareness.com
Liesha Getson is a Board-Certified Thermographic Technician, Holistic Health Counselor, a Reiki Master and Energy Practitioner. Liesha is a founding partner of Health Through Awareness in Marlton, a cooperative wellness center that provides a variety of alternative services to facilitate healthy living including nutrition and lifestyle counseling, reiki, thermography, infrared detoxification and biopuncture.
Health Through Awareness takes a holistic approach to health and well-being. Dr. Philip Getson is a board-certified Family Physician and certified by four Thermographic Boards. He specializes in thermography, an early diagnostic tool for many health conditions including breast health. With the mission of providing a balanced approach to wellness, the center offers diet and lifestyle counseling, thermography, the area’s most unique infrared detox sauna (The POD), reiki, a smoking cessation program, physician standard supplements and ongoing wellness classes.
POLINA KARMAZIN, MD
Board certified in Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture
2301 E Evesham Rd, Bldg 800, Ste 219 Voorhees, NJ 08043 856-528-2258 • SouthJerseyHolistic.com
Our practice treats each person individually by addressing the root cause of the problem. Dr Karmazin employs holistic therapies, such as acupuncture, biopuncture, homeopathy and nutritional counselling for a variety of ailments. We also specialize in holistic pain management and do not use narcotics, NSAIDs or steroid injections.
SUSAN COSTANTINO DRUMMOND
RM, INTUITIVE MEDIUM
NJBalance at The Center, Life in Balance 45 S Main St, Medford 609-923-3154
Susan@NJBalance.com NJBalance.com
Susan is an Intuitive Medium and Reiki Master. She specializes in intuitively enhancing the mind, soul and physical body with healing energy for your highest well-being.
NATALIE GERVASIO, CSLC
The Journey Within LLC 856-259-3779
I am a Certified Spiritual and Mindfulness Life Coach. I work with my clients so that they are empowered to make positive changes in their life. I believe in the mind-body connection and mindfulness helps with combating the effects stress has on both.
DR. ANAMARIA NEWPORT, DMS, DMD, MHS, PAC
17 White Horse Pike, Ste 10B Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 856-323-8885
Dr. Newport is a discerning artist, highly experienced master cosmetic injector and renowned dermatology speaker with 10+ years of extensive medical training. Her continuous dedication for skincare, surgery, dentistry, and cosmetic procedures are enhanced by combining the use of the latest technology and her unique homeopathic style. As an artist, she is genuinely passionate about bringing out the unique beauty in each one of her patients. Look no further for your organic skincare specialist, offering the purest treatments achievable with our personalized natural products.
TRACI ROSENBERG, MA
Numerologist & Empowerment Coach 609-417-4526
TraciRosenberg@gmail.com SoulTalkWithTraci.com
Join the region’s leading numerologist as you discover your life’s purpose. Encoded in your name and birth date are your lessons, talents and desires. Traci will help you realize your full potential.
PINELANDS ADVENTURES
1005 Atsion Rd, Shamong, NJ 08088 609-268-0189
PinelandsAdventures.org
A nonprofit Initiative of Pinelands Preservation Alliance. Recreational activities include guided/unguided river paddling, camping, hiking and small group history and ecology forest tours.
DR. ASHA PANDEY-SMITH, PT, DPT
SoulRise Physical Therapy, LLC
912 W Kings Hwy, Haddon Heights, NJ, 08035 856-433-4008
Info@SoulRisePT.com SoulRisePT.com
Limited by pain? Trouble getting around? Lacking confidence and motivation to accomplish your goals? Be in charge of your health, be your own hero. At SoulRise Physical Therapy, you will be empowered to live the life you want by being the driver of your own health and wellness. We specialize in combining health and spirituality to provide the most well-rounded experience. We treat all orthopedic conditions, with special focus on women’s health and maternal wellness prenatal through post-partum. Book a free consultation today.
DR. CAMILLE SEMPLE-DALY, DO Replenish Center
215 Sunset Rd, Ste 204 Willingboro, NJ 08046 856-380-1330
Info@ReplenishHormones.com ReplenishHormones.com
Natural, non-invasive procedures for sexual dysfunction affecting one or more of the following: desire, arousal, lubrication, erectile function, orgasm, pain, dryness and satisfaction. The Replenish Center utilizes an integrative and functional approach looking at key factors such as hormone imbalance, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, certain medications and chronic illnesses. Other contributing factors are lifestyle, diet, exercise and stress. The Replenish Center specializes in therapies which utilize your body’s own healing mechanisms. Dr. Camille Semple-Daly is triple board certified in OB/GYN, Integrative Medicine and Aesthetic Medicine.
SOULOSOARING
Terry Eldh 917-282-5554
SoulOSoaring.com
Life
SoulOSoaring is the home of sound and energy. Healing frequencies of alchemy crystal singing bowls help to reduce burnout, stress, anxiety and enhances overall well-being. Serving Fairfield County, CT, Greater New York City … and the world. Shop our online store at www.SoulOSoaring.com.
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BETH O’BRIEN
Spiritual Healing Through Guidance
The Center Life in Balance, 45 N Main St, Medford
On Angels Wings, 110 Creek Rd, Mt Laurel BethOB67@yahoo.com
Beth, a psychic/medium, can give you spiritual and intuitive guidance from your loved ones. Beth is also a Reiki Master and an ordained minister to officiate your wedding. She also is a paranormal investigator and does private and public homes. She also does house blessings and cleansing.
EXCITARI WELLNESS CENTER
30 Jackson Rd, D101, Medford ExcitariWellness.com
A full-service holistic wellness center offering everything from yoga to integrative osteopathic physician services and sound healing to psychic wellness reading and more.
Jennifer Armento, Homeopath PHOM, Clinical Herbalist Tabernacle, NJ 732-778-5023
WhiteHawkHolistic.com
Homeopath and herbal consulting for acute and chronic illness. Offering holistic workshops, homeopathic classes, herbal products, quantum bioscan sessions and a raw food co-op.
RISE AND THRIVE
Terry Veit-Harmening
714 E Main St, Moorestown 609-923-5782
RiseAndThriveWellnessYoga.com
YOGA
Terry Veit-Harmening is a certified Yoga Therapist, a certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Educator and a brain longevity specialist with the Alzheimer’s Research Association. Yoga Therapy is a holistic approach to health care using postures, movement, stretches, lifestyle choices, relaxation and breathing practices to address your specific issues.
JOURNEY WITH JADE, LLC 215-779-6448
@journey.with.jade JourneyWithJade.com
Offers Pelvic Harmony Program; Awakening Motherhood; Arvigo® Maya Abdominal Therapy; Holistic Pelvic Care™; Flower Essence Practitioner; JourneyDance™ Facilitator.
MICHELLE URBANSKI, CHHP
Balance Blossom Birth 609-614-0604
Hello@BalanceBlossomBirth.com
BalanceBlossomBirth.com
Michelle Urbanski is a Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner specializing in supporting women’s health naturally from the inside out, whether you are looking to improve your health or just starting your motherhood journey. She utilizes Bioenergetic Assessment to identify stressors, discover imbalances and create customized nutritional and emotional supports for your women’s health needs. She provides virtual holistic telehealth services specific for fertility, pregnancy and postpartum needs.
