Natural Awakenings SJ May Issue

WHO CAN BENEFIT?

•Anyone with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis

•Pre and Post-Menopausal Women

•Balance and Fall Risk Individuals

•Anyone in need of post-physical therapy strengthening

•Individuals experiencing chronic pain or poor posture

WE CAN HELP

•OsteoStrong is a Membership Based Integrative Health and Wellness Center effective at increasing bone density without the use of medications

•Completely natural and just 10 MINUTES PER WEEK!

EarthShack Gift & Herbiary has been offering the highest quality of locally hand made goods and natural services since 2011. Organic teas, extracts, tinctures, Hemp Products, essential oils, jewelry, mugs, and gemstones are just some of the goodies you could find from our large selection of products.

EarthShack is excited to announce EarthShack Outside. We are committed in helping people connect to the natural world outside with local tours to organic farms, beekeeping workshops and more. In addition, we are pleased to introduce our new MiniTugz travel trailer rental to create your own outside adventures.

Trevor Cates, ND Stress Impact on Skin

Jaclyn Chasse, ND Stress and Fertility

Carol Penn, DO Aging Gracefully

Carrie Jones, MD, FAAP Stress and Your Thyroid

Jaquel Patterson, ND, IFMCP Sleep, Cortisol and Its Relation to Stress

Anna Cabeca DO, OBGYN, FACOG Stress and Libido

Arti Chandra, MD, MPH Healing Your Gut

Anne Marie Fine, ND Cracking the Beauty Code

Kela Smith, PhD, DNM Stress and Fertility

Jyl Steinbeck Women’s Health and Homeopathy

As women, we have intricately complex bodies and minds, that when cared for appropriately, make us powerful leaders.

We can also hold ourselves back from greater opportunities and experiences when we put self-care last. As I tell my 12-year-old daughter, “Every morning, when you look in the mirror, you’re the first person you have to like.”

To achieve bigger things in life, we must believe in ourselves first. It is so easy to sacrifice our health or overlook the value of our friendships and networks because we prioritize one aspect of our wellness, often our careers or families.

However, for us to truly be at our best, we need to have a holistic strategy. I’m a big advocate for big-picture health. To me that means finding balance in all of the different areas of your life that make you whole … nutrition, rest, healing, love, fitness … all of it!

As a woman, unsurprisingly, it takes a bit extra—not only because we have pregnancy, or periods or extra hormonal health, but because our worth and our integrity are often under constant scrutiny from within and without. We must realize our own worth is inextricably linked to the strength of our own self-love.

It takes strong women to help lift others, which is why I’m so excited about this issue centered on Women’s Health! Our all-star lineup includes the feature article “Solving Stress - Holistic Tips from Lifestyle Doctors.” Discover how medicine is changing as a new class of doctors endeavor to treat the whole person rather than the symptoms of disease, helping their patients achieve optimal health with lifestyle changes, medicine, herbs, supplements and modalities tailored to the individual.

We have an incredible story on “Taking Control of Our Hormones - Nutritional Tips to Support the Delicate Balance.” We learn how keeping hormones in proper balance is critical for good health and why hormonal imbalances can lead to a wide range of negative effects.

“First Signs of Menopause - How to Resolve Vaginal Dryness” shows us how today’s integrative and functional doctors, researchers and continuing-education instructors are leading the charge to provide innovative and customized answers for women experiencing vaginal dryness and other hormone-related symptoms.

“The Divine Messiness of Motherhood” looks at why the pitter-patter of little feet is one of life’s most beautiful blessings. Yet, it also examines why motherhood has always been a challenging role. In today’s world, the calling is more complicated than ever before, and the average Mama Bear has a lot on her many plates.

So, blessed mother of the moon, sister of the stars, child of the light, let’s stand together in gentle power and ancient wisdom loving ourselves and each other … always.

Owner/Publisher Shae Marcus

Communications Nancy Seigle

Editors Theresa Archer

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© 2023 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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Publisher, Shae Marcus and daughter Sarah

Holistic Medical Center Hosts Spring Open House

Merchantville Medical Wellness Center is hosting a spring Meet the Practitioners Open House from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on May 31. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the center and learn about naturopathic medicine, functional medicine, intravenous nutrition, acupuncture, infrared sauna, therapeutic massage and trauma-release techniques. The center’s practitioners will also be on hand to discuss their specialties and offer educational information concerning current holistic health and wellness topics. Healthy refreshments will be shared.

“We find that an increasing number of people are seeking out natural and alternative medicine in an effort to minimize drug use and discover root causes,” says Michelle Vacanti, the center’s office manager. “It is science based and the future of health care, but many people are still in the dark.”

Location: 5 W. Chestnut Ave. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 856-532-2063 or visit www.MerchantvilleMedicalWellnessCenter.com

Halo Wellness Center to Lead Retreats to Mount Shasta and Costa Rica

Michele Marcinko and Lisa O’Brien-Zorbalas, of Halo Wellness Center in Evesham, will be leading two retreats this year: one from August 12 through 19 to Mount Shasta, California, and another from September 16 through 23 to Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.

Marcinko is a certified holistic health coach, reiki master and owner of the center, while O’Brien-Zorbalas is an energy intuitive, certified yoga instructor and reiki master who specializes in Light Grid energy healing. They love collaborating and providing a truly transformative retreat experience.

“Mount Shasta is one of the seven sacred mountains and the only one in the United States,” notes Marcinko. “Many say they are called to the mountain for transformation and healing.” This retreat includes hiking to spiritual vortexes, a traditional Native American sweat lodge, a cold plunge in the sacred waters and much more.

Costa Rica is known for its pristine beaches, beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife, says Marcinko. “This amazing place is a must on the bucket list.” This retreat includes hiking to breathtaking waterfalls, a rafting trip, swimming in volcanic mineral springs and visits to beautiful beaches.

For more information, call 856-574-4433 or visit www.HaloRetreat.com

Weight Management and Hormone Balance

The Replenish Center, in Willingboro, offers a wide range of services and treatment options including a scientifically proven weight-loss program with personalized meal plans, daily support and accountability and a customized exercise regimen, as well as personal plans to restore hormone balance.

“Say goodbye to fad diets and say hello to sustainable, healthy weight loss,” says center owner Dr. Camille Semple, who is triple-board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, aesthetic medicine and integrative medicine. “Join now and start seeing results in just weeks.”

Hormones play a crucial role in our overall well-being, and imbalances can lead to a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, mood swings and low libido, Semple explains. “Our team of experts specializes in restoring hormone balance through personalized treatment plans. We use the latest research and diagnostic techniques to identify any hormonal imbalances and provide solutions that are tailored to your unique needs.”

Whether it’s through bioidentical hormone therapy, supplements or lifestyle changes, Semple says they can help clients regain their energy, vitality and overall well-being. “Don’t wait any longer; schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward hormonal balance and optimal health.”

Location: 215 Sunset Rd., Ste. 204. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 609-871-6800 or visit www.ReplenishHormones.com

First Session Free at OsteoStrong

OsteoStrong Garden State Park is a membership-based integrative health and wellness center with a focus on musculoskeletal strengthening that opened last fall in Cherry Hill—the first to open in the South Jersey area. They are offering a complimentary first session.

“We are an effective alternative or adjunct to medication-based treatment for osteoporosis or osteopenia,” says Sung Choi, the center’s manager. “Ask us about our founding membership offer.”

The four-device circuit takes only minutes one time per week to complete, explains Choi. Under the direction of a skilled coach, users engage in a safe, controlled movement on each device that results in a stimulus to the central nervous system triggering osteogenesis of new bone growth. OsteoStrong is based on Wolff’s Law, which states that bone and muscle can adapt and respond to heavy loading and impact force.

Location: 951 Haddonfield Rd., Ste. 3B. For more information or to book a complimentary session, call 856-759-1000 or visit www.OsteoStrongSJ.com

Light Therapy for Autoimmune Symptoms

Fatigue is often reported as the most disabling symptom for people with autoimmune disorders, significantly impairing their physical, mental and social quality of life. Autoimmune researchers in Denmark, noting previous studies wherein bright light therapy significantly reduced fatigue related to traumatic brain injury and cancer, devised a study involving multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The study was conducted as a randomized, sham-controlled trial of 26 people with MS that reported a Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score greater than 36. Participants received either bright light therapy or a dim red light sham intervention for 30 minutes each morning for two weeks. The bright light therapy decreased FSS scores over the course of the study. However, this benefit occurred in the sham control group as well, highlighting the need for more research on the effects of light therapy on fatigue.

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes With Diet

A Type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis is often regarded as a lifelong sentence and typically treated as such, requiring an increasing number of drugs. However, sustained remission of T2D is now well established.

In a recent primary care-based cohort study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, advice on a lower-carbohydrate diet and weight loss protocols was offered routinely to 9,800 patients with T2D between 2013 and 2021. Overall, remission was achieved in 51 percent of the patients that adopted a low-carb lifestyle, with individuals diagnosed with T2D within the previous year more likely to achieve remission (77 percent) than those that had been diagnosed for longer (20 percent for patients with a T2D duration greater than 15 years). Additionally, about 97 percent of the patients experienced improvements in blood glycemic control. Average low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic blood pressure decreased, and there were also significant financial savings on drugs.

A low-carb diet may give hope to those with T2D as a practical, manageable way to achieve remission, as well as substantial health and financial benefits. Even for those with poorly controlled T2D that may not achieve remission, improvements in diabetic control may be within reach.

Benefits of Water Immersion During Birth

Water immersion during labor is an increasingly popular birthing option for healthy women that experience a straightforward pregnancy, labor spontaneously at full term and plan to give birth in a midwifery-led care setting. The process involves immersion in a birth pool to achieve relaxation and pain relief during the first and possibly part of the second stage of labor. The mother exits the pool for the actual birth, allowing the infant to emerge outside of the water. This method is different from a water birth, during which the woman remains in the pool as the infant emerges into the water and is then brought to the surface to initiate breathing.

In a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMJ Open, researchers compared the interventions and outcomes of water immersion, water birth and no-water-immersion births. After reviewing 36 studies encompassing the experiences of about 150,000 women, researchers found that water immersion significantly reduced the use of epidurals, injected opioids, episiotomy, maternal pain and postpartum hemorrhage. There was also an increase in maternal satisfaction and improved odds of an intact perineum with water immersion. Water births were associated with increased odds of the tearing of the umbilical cord from the placenta, making delivery of the placenta difficult, although the absolute risk remained low (4.3 versus 1.3 per 1,000). There were no differences in any other identified neonatal outcomes.

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Healy: The Bridge to a New Paradigm of Health and Wellness

Get ready to experience a new paradigm, one in which ancient wisdom meets future technology, merging spirituality, health and science with frequency—our universal language.

The Healy is a groundbreaking device that harnesses the healing and activating technology of frequency. It uses a quantum sensor to scan the body’s imbalances and then delivers back to the individual customized frequency programs through either frequency specific microcurrent technology (FSM), a magnet torus field to the body or through the quantum field. These frequencies work towards returning our cells back to homeostasis, optimizing and harmonizing our entire system. With more than 100 programs to support a multitude of conditions, Healy offers multi-level care in a wearable, two-inch by two-inch device. It supports various ailments such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, skeletal pain, migraines and many more. It is also mainly used as an alternative, complementary therapy for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and includes a varied range of programs that can support hormonal health, gut healing, nervous system nourishment, immune boosting and anti-aging among others. Working in the quantum field of all possibilities, the support which is available is potentially limitless.

Healy was created by inventor Marcus Schmieke with the purest of intentions to always be used for the benefit of people, plants and animals. The Healy vision is to empower people to live a healthy, fulfilled and conscious life and to inspire its growing global community to make a continuous positive impact on humanity.

For more information about Healy and how it can harmonize our body, mind and spirit, email frequency technology practitioner Zofia Hausman at She.Codes.All@gmail.com

Seniors Avoid the Hospital With Nature

New research has found that exposure to natural environments may reduce the risk of hospitalization for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and Parkinson’s disease. The cohort study included approximately 62 million Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older that lived in the contiguous United States from 2000 to 2016. Researchers looked at ZIPCode-level greenness, percentages of park cover and blue space (water) cover, as well as hospitalizations. They found that exposure to greenness, park cover and blue space cover reduced hospitalizations for patients with Parkinson’s. Greenness—but not park or blue space cover—was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization due to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Ashwagandha May Improve Women’s Sexual Experience

Poor sexual function affects about 40 percent of women and may worsen their quality of life. Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) is a known adaptogenic herb that has been reported to improve sexual satisfaction, sleep and quality of life in women. Researchers in Mumbai set out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of standardized ashwagandha root extract in improving sexual function in healthy females.

A randomized, placebo-controlled study of 80 women between the ages of 18 and 50 with hypoactive sexual desire disorder and no other hormonal imbalances were given either 300 milligrams of ashwagandha root extract twice daily or a placebo for eight weeks. Sexual function, quality of life and safety were assessed. In comparison to the control group, the ashwagandha participants experienced statistically significant improvements in sexual desire, arousal and satisfaction; improved lubrication and orgasm; and less pain.

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Scientists Invent Battery Made of Paper

Scientists have developed a water-activated, disposable , paper battery, according to a proof-of-concept study published in Scientific Reports

The developers believe that their invention could be used to power a variety of low-power, single-use electronics, such as smart packaging, environmental sensors and medical diagnostic devices, thereby reducing their environmental impact.

The single-cell battery consists of one square centimeter of paper treated with salts. One side is printed with ink containing graphite flakes, which serves as the positive terminal, and the other side is printed with ink containing zinc powder to create the negative terminal. Another layer of ink containing graphite flakes and carbon black is applied over that, linking the battery’s positive and negative ends to two wires secured by wax.

When a few drops of water are added to the paper, the salts dissolve, releasing charged ions that spread across the paper to activate the battery. In tests, researchers were able to reach a stable 1.2 volts. (The voltage of a standard AA alkaline battery is 1.5 volts.) The battery’s performance decreased significantly after an hour when the paper dried. However, after two more drops of water were added, the battery maintained 0.5 volts for an additional hour.

Exploring the ‘Doomsday Glacier’

Roughly equivalent to the size of Florida, the Thwaites Glacier is one of the most rapidly melting ice formations in Antarctica, having retreated more than eight miles since the 1990s. Scientists refer to it as the “doomsday glacier” due to concerns about its collapse, which could raise global sea levels by more than a meter, causing devastation along coastal cities and communities.

According to two papers published in the journal Nature, researchers are learning more about the driving forces behind the glacier’s rapid retreat, thanks in part to a robot deployed through a 600-meter-deep borehole in the glacier. Although melting has increased beneath the ice shelf, the current melt rate is slower than many computer models had estimated. A layer of fresh water between the bottom of the ice shelf and the ocean below slows the rate of melting along flat parts of the shelf.

Scientists discovered that the melting had produced a stepped topography across the bottom of the ice shelf, resembling a staircase, as well as cracks in the ice where rapid melting was taking place. “Our results are a surprise, but the glacier is still in trouble,” says Dr. Peter Davis, oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey and lead author of one of the papers.

Fir Trees Die in Record Numbers

According to unpublished research by the U.S. Forest Service reported by Columbia Insight, fir trees in Oregon and Washington died in record-breaking numbers in 2022. Labeled “Firmageddon” by researchers, the event involved more than 1.23 million acres across the two states, with Oregon being hardest hit. In some areas, an estimated 50 percent or more of fir trees died.

Surveys of more than 69 million forest acres (over 100,000 square miles) in Oregon, Washington, and small sections of California and Idaho were conducted using a combination of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, drones and satellite imagery. Although fir die-offs have been recorded as far back as 1952, when surveys began, Firmageddon dwarfs all previous accounts. The causes are believed to be drought compounded by insects and fungal diseases working together to weaken and kill trees. Extreme heat, including a record-breaking heat dome, is also being investigated as a possible factor. The dead fir trees pose a major fire risk, especially during the next two years while the trees hold onto their dried-out needles.

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Sulfur Shortage Predicted

According to a study in The Geographical Journal led by University College London, a shift away from fossil fuels and an increase in agricultural demand will cause the demand for sulfuric acid to increase considerably from 246 to 400 million metric tons by 2040. The result is an annual supply shortfall of between 100 and 320 million metric tons, or between 40 and 130 percent of the current supply.

Sulfur is a byproduct of processing crude oil and natural gas. As the world decarbonizes in response to climate change, there will be a diminished supply of both fossil fuels and sulfur. Sulfuric acid is required for the manufacture of phosphorus fertilizers used in global food production and for the extraction of rare metals from ores crucial to the transition to a green economy, such as cobalt and nickel used in batteries.

Unless action is taken to reduce the need for this chemical, the study authors warn, environmentally damaging mining will be required to fill the shortfall.

Using Algae for Industrial Carbon Capture, Food, Fuel and Plastic

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Honda is experimenting with the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii class of algae they have nicknamed “Dreamo”, which can eat twice its weight in carbon dioxide in three to five days, depending on the time of year. Developers are growing Dreamo on the roof of a car factory in Tochigi, Japan, where it can absorb CO2 emissions from manufacturing. It has been genetically modified to grow hardier and five times faster than ordinary microalgae, allowing the growth solution to last months instead of weeks.

The development team is also exploring additional uses for Dreamo. After serving its pollution-fighting role, the algae can be harvested, dried and turned into food, fuel or plastic. Depending upon the amount of nitrogen applied to the algae, its cellular composition can be modified to be either predominantly carbohydrate- or protein-based. When the algae is mostly protein, an enzyme can be added to easily extract the starch to be used as food or as a raw material in animal food, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. When the algae is mostly carbohydrate, it can be extracted as glucose and ethanol to be converted into plastic resin or jet fuel.

No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.

~Sheryl Crow

Earth-Friendly Delights for Mom

This year, consider putting an ecological spin on Mother’s Day by showering her with gifts that honor Mother Earth. Here are some sustainable gifting ideas.

FLOWER POWER

Lavish her with an eco-friendly bouquet. Conventional blooms that are flown in from South America can be riddled with fungicides, carcinogen-laden floral foams, sheens and other hazardous chemicals, not to mention the huge carbon footprint required to bring them here. Locally grown, organic flowers at farmers markets, sustainable florists and small-business greenhouses are produced with fewer or no chemicals, support pollinators and require no jet fuel to get to mom’s doorstep.

CHOICE CHOCOLATES

Satisfy mama’s sweet tooth with organic, fair-trade chocolate that helps cocoa farmers earn a living wage and does not promote deforestation. Opting to buy ethical chocolate prevents child and slave labor and provides women equal pay as well as opportunities to own a business. Look for certified, fair-trade labels as well as non-GMO and organic certifications.

BLING BLESSINGS

Adorn her with ethically sourced and sustainable jewelry created from recycled precious metals, Fairmined Ecological gold and conflict-free gemstones. Beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations can be found at local artisan fairs or online from eco-conscious jewelers. Look for sellers with sustainable jewelry certifications and those that use recycled, upcycled or reclaimed materials

by Marlaina Donato Natalia/ AdobeStock.com

CLIMATE CAFÉ

Fill her cup with bird-friendly, shade-grown, fair-trade coffees and teas that offer a healthier caffeine fix while protecting bird populations and canopy cover. Choosing products labeled Rainforest Alliance Certified or Bird Friendly helps to ensure the habitat for 40 species of migratory songbirds that winter in plantations.

LOCAL LUXURIES

There are so many ways to support the local economy while treating mom to an unforgettable experience that makes her feel extra-special. Give her a gift certificate for a massage, aromatherapy session or makeover at an organic salon. Treat her to a fabulous dinner at a vegan restaurant. Subscribe her to receive a monthly produce box from a community-supported agriculture outlet. Pack a healthy picnic and spend the afternoon together at the park. Create a gift basket of goods made by local artisans, including beeswax candles, pottery or body treats like handmade soaps and lotions.

SOLVING STRESS

HOLISTIC TIPS FROM LIFESTYLE DOCTORS

by Linda Sechrist

Medicine is changing as a new class of doctors endeavors to treat the whole person rather than the symptoms of disease, helping their patients achieve optimal health with lifestyle changes, medicine, herbs, supplements and modalities tailored to the individual. No longer reaching for a prescription pad as often, these functional and integrative physicians are spending an average of 45 minutes per office visit. Using their sleuthing skills and innovative skillsets, they ask probing questions about a patient’s current lifestyle and history, pinpoint the root cause of a problem and craft customized solutions.

To help someone manage stress, a functional or integrative doctor may suggest a daily dose of herbal tea, nightly entries in a gratitude journal, a visualization practice, brisk walks, gardening, art therapy, mindful meditation, a nutrient-rich diet that reduces food allergies, yoga poses and regular sessions of qigong or tai chi. Armed with an extensive list of better-for-you choices than addictive, prescription sleeping pills or tranquilizers, individuals are empowered to improve their health and eliminate stress. Studies suggest that 75 to 90 percent of illnesses are stress related. Getting to the root cause before it escalates into cardiovascular disease, depression or diabetes is what curious and compassionate doctors do.

“Because sleep is a great resolution to almost anything, it’s one of the first things I consider,” says Carrie Jones, a functional and naturopathic doctor in Portland, Oregon. “Stress can be physiological, caused by parasites, viruses, bacteria and toxins, as well as blood sugar imbalances. Not getting enough sleep, or poor sleep, is stressful to the body, which is on alert all the time.”

According to Jones, finding ways to coax the body into feeling safe can help people relieve stress and get a good night’s sleep. “People rarely realize that basic things such as joy, play, laughter and a community of supportive people have anything to do with feeling safe enough to sleep deeply. It’s why I inquire about those things,” she explains.

TIPS FOR SOUNDER SLUMBER

n Turn the thermostat down in the bedroom. A cool temperature combats insomnia.

n Snuggle under a weighted blanket. The gentle pressure signals the autonomic nervous system to go into rest mode.

n Install blackout shades. Light decreases melatonin, the sleep hormone.

n Avoid alcohol before bed, as it can disrupt the sleep cycle.

n Stop using electronics, including social media, television and phones, two hours before getting under the covers. The blue light emitted by screens restrains the production of melatonin.

Connecting and spending quality social time with friends helps to alleviate stress. Anna Cabeca, a triple board-certified obste-

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trician and gynecologist, advises, “Every day, stress causes the stress hormone cortisol to go up and oxytocin, the connecting hormone, to go down, lessening the desire to connect. It’s a double whammy for women in perimenopause and menopause, because hormones are declining, and stress overloads the already overtaxed endocrine system.”

Rebecca Hunton, personalized medicine doctor and founder of Radiantly Healthy MD, in Melbourne, Florida, coaches her patients to modify unhelpful habits. “I’m always looking for that one thing that patients can easily change. Sometimes it’s teaching them the difference between stress resilience and stress avoidance. A stress avoidance activity is spending two hours playing a game on your phone that leaves you beating yourself up and feeling like, ‘Why did I waste all that time?’ If, on the other hand, an activity leaves you feeling energized and wanting to tackle the other things on your to-do list, you just did a stress resilience activity,” says Hunton.

STRESS RESILIENCE ACTIVITIES

n Meditation

n Prayer

n Chanting a mantra

n Expressing creativity, such as cooking or painting

Carol Penn is a dual board-certified physician and movement coach in New Jersey. While observing her 87-year-old father practicing qigong, a form of meditation in motion, she had an epiphany and saw a powerful life lesson occurring before her eyes. “Moving with strength and grace through his practice so close to the end of his life, it occurred to me that he was role-modeling what it would be like for me to be kind to my future self. I teach my patients from this perspective, visualizing their future selves full of health, vitality, wonder and awe,” says the author of Meditation in a Time of Madness

Qigong has psychological and physical components, regulating the mind, body movement, breath and posture. “It balances and calms the autonomic, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems so that you feel less stress upon completion of the practice. Movements are designed to build longevity on a cellular level,” Penn explains.

According to Lorraine Maita, a board-certified functional and integrative doctor in New Jersey, “The body sends out hormonal fight-or-flight signals when it’s distressed. In the initial stages, there’s a release of adrenaline, followed by cortisol, keeping your body on high alert. To most people, stress is just worry, and they’re thinking they’re handling it, but stress can be like a viral program running in the background all the time. It’s still there whether you’re reacting to it or not, whether you’re stuffing it under the surface or not. It’s why you go to therapy with mental stress, or why you need someone to talk to for processing it.”

Maita is a proponent of alternative modalities that help people modulate the stress response. “I recommend HeartMath to my patients, which is self-regulation technology based on more than 32 years of scientific research on the psychophysiology of stress, resilience and the interactions between the heart and brain,” says the author of Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier.

Jaquel Patterson, a naturopathic physician and medical director of Fairfield Family Health, in Connecticut, might determine if her patient is suffering from chronic stress by testing their saliva for cortisol levels in the morning and evening. Noting that her favorite teas for sleep and relaxation are chamomile and passionflower, she explains that passionflower is for someone that can’t fall asleep because there’s a radio playing in their head. “For dealing with stress, I like adaptogens, such as Siberian ginseng, rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, holy basil and L-theanine. The stress response requires a lot of B vitamins, along with magnesium and vitamin C,” she says.

Citing Hal Elrod’s book The Miracle Morning, Patterson recommends starting every day with a set of stress-relieving rituals Elrod calls “Life S.A.V.E.R.S.” She explains, “S is for silence, like meditation. A is for affirmations. V is for visualization, so you can visualize how your day is going to be. E is for exercise. R is for reading, and S is for scribing, writing things in a journal.”

Pointing out the differences between stress and anxiety, Patterson notes that anxiety is a continual rumination of thoughts, second-guessing and overthinking. Anxiety can cause stress, but stress can occur without anxiety. People with high anxiety sometimes have heart palpitations. Some stress is good for us. Without any stressors, Patterson cautions, we are unmotivated, lethargic and lacking in enthusiasm.

TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS TO QUIET THE ANXIOUS MIND

n Reflect Orb: This handheld biofeedback device can help an individual self-monitor their body’s physiology and learn to control the involuntary body-mind connection.

n Meditation apps: Insight Timer, Calm and similar apps offer guided meditations, relaxing music videos and meditation instruction for newbies and experienced practitioners.

n YouTube videos: Look for musical compositions with energy frequencies and binaural beats that encourage relaxation, promote positivity and decrease anxiety.

Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings publications for almost 20 years.

Taking Control of Our Hormones

NUTRITIONAL TIPS TO SUPPORT THE DELICATE BALANCE

by Sheila Julson

Think of hormones as the body’s messengers, sending signals that affect a host of functions. Produced by the pancreas, thyroid and other endocrine glands and organs, hormones drive our metabolism, impact mood, regulate blood pressure, manage our sleep cycles, influence sexual function and more. Key players are insulin, cortisol, thyroid and growth hormones, adrenaline, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Keeping these hormones in proper balance is critical for health, and imbalances can lead to a wide range of effects, including diabetes, thyroid disease, unintended weight fluctuations, skin problems, fatigue, mood swings and infertility. While inactivity, stress, age and genetics impact hormone production, our food choices can significantly tip the scales.

Dr. Ann Lee is a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. When treating hormonal, thyroid and adrenal imbalances, she says it is important to focus on foods that provide the minerals and vitamins that support those systems. For women of all ages, she recommends blueberries, asparagus, lettuce, celery and papaya. Teens and women in their 20s can also benefit from apples, bananas, mangoes, avocados, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and most lettuce varieties. The nutrients in these vegetables and fruits become even more important as women reach 30 and for those dealing with menopause, so Lee recommends more frequent consumption of these fresh, whole foods to support the adrenal and thyroid glands.

According to Lee, it is equally important to avoid foods that interfere with hormonal nutrition. She advises women over 50 to lower their caffeine intake. Dairy products contain naturally occurring hormones that can impede human hormone balance and should be eaten in moderation. “The less external hormonal exposure you have, the easier it is for your own hormones to balance,” Lee explains.

Despite the popularity of intermittent fasting, Lee believes that the trendy eating pattern can deny the body the vitamins and minerals it needs, causing it to produce more adrenalin and cortisol to make up for the loss. “People do intermittent fasting because it might feel good to have more adrenalin, and thus more energy, but it does come at a price—your hormones,” she says.

Most of the foods Lee recommends are low in calories. “In order to curb hunger, you have to eat them regularly, and that goes against intermittent fasting. People that do intermittent fasting often focus on proteins and fats, so they don’t have to eat

KALE AND TEMPEH TACOS

In this yummy, low-carb taco recipe, cabbage leaves substitute for the tortillas and are filled with a mixture of protein-packed tempeh, veggies and lots of great spices. Compounds in tempeh called isoflavones serve as a natural remedy for menopausal relief.

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

4 oz tempeh, cubed

½ tsp sea salt or more, to taste

½ tsp black pepper or more, to taste

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp chili powder

¼ tsp paprika

¼ tsp cayenne

¼ cup vegetable broth

2 cups stemmed and chopped fresh kale

4 to 6 large, green cabbage leaves, dipped for 30 seconds into hot water to soften

½ avocado, sliced

1 radish, sliced

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

½ lime, cut into wedges

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and tempeh and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes

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translucent. Add the salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika and cayenne, stir, then add the broth and kale. Stir again to combine and cook until the broth thickens and reduces by at least one-half. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

Spread the cabbage leaves open on a large plate. Spoon the kale mixture into the center of the leaves. Add some of the avocado, radish slices and cilantro, then fold in the sides like a taco.

Serve with lime wedges.

Adapted from MenuPause. Copyright © 2022 by Dr. Anna Cabeca. Used by permission of Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

cabe/Courtesy of Random House

for a long time, but that can cause adrenal burnout because the body is not getting what it needs,” she explains, noting that avocados and potatoes tend to help people feel full longer.

Jaclyn Downs is a functional nutrigenomics practitioner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and author of Enhancing Fertility Through Functional Medicine: Using Nutrigenomics to Solve ‘Unexplained’ Infertility She notes that for hormones to be produced by the body, nutritional cofactors or “helper nutrients” are required. “Magnesium, zinc and B vitamins are a few of the spark plugs that move these processes and keep the wheels spinning,” she emphasizes. “ Grass-fed beef liver or capsules contain all of these.”

According to Downs, menstrual problems can be an indicator of eventual fertility issues. To support female reproductive hormones, she recommends cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. These foods also support liver detoxification pathways due to their high concentrations of vitamins and sulfur. “The liver helps clear used or ‘dirty’ hormones,” she notes.

Downs also recommends pomegranates, which are rich in antioxidants and fight inflammation-producing free radicals. Healthy fats from cold-water, wild-caught fish support pregnant women and growing fetuses. “Folate is often emphasized as a nutrient for pregnant women, but choline is just as important for everybody, regardless of life stage or gender,” Downs notes. Choline is found in egg yolks, sunflower lecithin and shiitake mushrooms. For 50-plus women, Downs prescribes fish or high-quality fish oil, which can benefit brain, liver and hormonal health.

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings.

VANILLA AND FIG SCONES WITH PISTACHIOS

A great dessert or breakfast treat, a scone is a baked good usually made with wheat flour and butter. This recipe calls for almond flour instead to reduce the carbs and increase the nutrition. The pastry has been enjoyed in Scotland since 1513, and its name probably derives from the Dutch word for bread. Figs and pistachios sweeten the scones and give them a bit of crunch.

YIELD: 6 TO 8 SCONES

2½ cups almond flour

½ tsp sea salt

½ tsp baking soda

⅓ cup coconut oil, melted

¼ cup honey

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup chopped dried figs, plus some for garnish

½ cup pistachios, roughly chopped

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, salt and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, honey, eggs and vanilla. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until thoroughly combined. Fold in the ½ cup of figs and the pistachios.

Place the dough on the baking sheet and shape into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Cut into squares and then cut the squares diagonally into triangular wedges. Separate the wedges so they are about 1 inch apart to allow for even cooking. Press a few pieces of fig into the top of each wedge.

Bake for 12 to 17 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in a scone comes out clean. Let cool for 30 minutes on the baking sheet, then serve.

Adapted from MenuPause. Copyright © 2022 by Dr. Anna Cabeca. Used by permission of Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Anna Cabeca

While inactivity, stress, age and genetics impact hormone production, our food choices can significantly tip the scales.

Natural Health Improvement Center of South Jersey

by Nancy Smith Seigle

Practicing “Root Cause Nutrition”, the experienced team at the Natural Health Improvement Center (NHIC) of South Jersey brings safe, natural and non-invasive solutions to the many health issues that their clients—from newborn to 80-plus years young—experience.

Owner, Lead Practitioner and Director Sarah Outlaw oversees the South Jersey NHIC clinic, in addition to two other NHIC clinic locations in Iowa and South Carolina, and a virtual practice worldwide.

Specializing in Advanced Muscle Testing, a science-based analysis of muscle function based in applied kinesiology, Outlaw and her team of associate practitioners are able to accurately pinpoint the underlying source of any health problem. Nutritional guidance, custom-made whole-food supplements and a wide array of other services ensure each client achieves optimal results.

“We like to empower our clients with practical information and education so that they may move forward in their lives making the best choices for their overall wellness,” she says.

NHIC of South Jersey offers comprehensive functional bloodwork, hormone and other lab testing, as well as emotional health services like Emotion Code and Body Code, revolutionary energy balancing systems, and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) to manage pain. Herbal, nutritional,

and flower essence therapies along with homeopathy and nutritional coaching and ionic foot detox are also offered.

Whether metal or chemical toxicity, allergies, asthma, or food sensitivities, digestive and autoimmune issues, or chronic skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis, the NHIC team successfully identify and resolve health challenges for the entire family, and especially for women.

“Of course, our female clients experience common issues around PMS, menopause and fertility which we are able

to address,” Outlaw adds. “Additionally, we are seeing an uptick in emotional and digestive issues, endocrine imbalances, and thyroid and autoimmune conditions among our women clients.”

During the last decade of her career, she has helped more than 100,000 individuals with a variety of maladies. Her caseload today sees somewhat of a trend of emerging health problems surrounding mold, fungus, parasites and environmental toxins.

“We are also seeing post-COVID-19related health conditions,” Outlaw says.

Outlaw holds a master’s degree in applied clinical nutrition from New York Chiropractic College, and has earned professional certificates as a Health Coach, Clinical Herbalist, Emotion Code/Body Code Practitioner, Advanced Nutrition Response Testing and Quantum Nutrition Testing Practitioner. She is the author and publisher of the Real Life Outlaw blog, where she writes about real food, natural living and holistic health. She is a renowned speaker nationwide and teaches on a variety of health topics.

Natural Health Improvement Center of South Jersey is located at 1020 Kings Hwy. N., Ste. 110, Cherry Hill, N.J. For more information or to arrange for an in-person or virtual appointment, call 856-667-6805, email info@nhicsouthjersey.com or visit www.NHICSouthJersey.com

Sarah Outlaw, MH, MSACN

Radiant Skin WITH YOGA AND BREATHWORK

by Martha Kein

Happy spring. It’s time for all things new and that includes not just spring cleaning the home, but also our appearance. Let’s learn about how to refresh and revitalize that healthy glow in our cheeks the natural way, with yoga. Our skin is the largest organ in our body and it protects our muscles and bones, and releases toxins from our body through our pores. But it does much more than that; it reflects our age and how we’re feeling, so it’s important for us to take care of this amazing organ.

Yoga, an ancient philosophy and lifestyle, offers many techniques to improve and strengthen our skin. Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning union of our body, mind and spirit. We will look younger and so will our skin. Practicing yoga can help us feel strong and healthy—mentally, emotionally and physically. Through breathing, movement and relaxation, our skin will maintain a healthy glow. There are some wonderful, easy yoga techniques that will help us stay younger, add life to our years and subtract years from our appearance.

BREATHING

The quickest and most effective way to rejuvenate skin is to purify the bloodstream by taking in extra oxygen. Taking full, deep breaths in and out through the nose can increase the amount of oxygen in our bloodstream which is essential for proper and efficient functioning of the brain, nerves, glands and organs. Breathing techniques (called pranayama) rid the body of toxins and revitalize and rejuvenate the skin, keeping it looking healthy and vibrant.

Try pranayama techniques for radiant skin. Alternate Nostril Breathing (also called Nadi Shodhana) is a favorite technique for calming, soothing and rejuvenating both body and mind. It helps relieve stress, and it’s a great “reset” tool when we’re feeling overwhelmed, worried or anxious. The breathing pattern for this exercise is Inhale, Switch, Exhale.

Prepare:

n Sit in a comfortable, upright position on a mat on the floor or in a chair. Spine should be long and straight. Relax hips, shoulders and jaw. Left hand on the left knee with palm facing upward. Close our eyes.

n With the right hand, place the index finger and middle finger on the forehead between the eyebrows. The ring finger rests on the left nostril and the thumb on the right nostril. (The ring finger will be used to close the left nostril and the thumb will be used for the right nostril.)

Breathe:

n Inhale. Use the thumb to close the right nostril and inhale completely through the left nostril.

n Switch. Lift the thumb from the right nostril and close the left nostril with the ring finger.

n Exhale. Exhale through the right nostril.

n Inhale. Inhale through the right nostril.

n Switch. Lift the ring finger from the left nostril and close the right nostril with the thumb.

n Exhale. Exhale through the left nostril.

CHECK:

n That’s one round of Alternate Nostril Breathing.

n Perform five to 10 rounds per sitting.

n Keep the breathing natural and gentle.

Medical and health considerations: As with any new exercise, stop if any discomfort is felt. It is important to learn and practice breath work under the supervision of a trained professional. Breath work is an excellent way to improve health and well- being, though it is not a substitute for medical treatment. Consult a doctor if there’s a medical condition.

MOVEMENT

Now that we’ve tried a breathing exercise to oxygenate and rejuvenate our skin, move on to a yoga flow for a healthy glow.

RADIANT SKIN YOGA FLOW

Radiant Skin Yoga Flow is a fun and effective series of two yoga poses that combine breathing and movement, and it’s known to be beneficial in refreshing and revitalizing our skin. We’ll flow from child’s pose, to cobra pose and back to child’s pose while breathing deeply through our nostrils. Try this in the morning and see how many compliments we get during the day.

Move:

n Come into the child’s pose. Sit back on our heels and rest our forehead on a towel or mat. Breathe in and out three to five times.

n Come forward onto our belly. Rest the forehead on the towel or mat and place fingertips in line with the tops of shoulders.

n Keep our elbows in toward our body. Gently press our shoulders back and down.

n Inhale and slowly lift our face up toward the sky and then allow the rest of our upper body to follow. Keep our hips on the ground. Breathe deeply in and out three to five breaths.

n Exhale and lower down onto our belly. Then, press back into the child’s pose. Relax all the muscles in the face.

n Repeat cobra/child’s pose three to five times. Then rest in the child’s pose for two minutes.

BENEFITS:

n Strengthens the muscles around the spine.

n Lengthens the abdominal muscles and front of the neck.

n Strengthens and tones the liver and kidneys.

n Strengthens the shoulders and chest.

n Increases blood flow around the lower back and hips.

n Brings a healthy glow to the face and skin.

CHECK:

n If we have back pain, perform only child’s pose.

n If our shoulders are uncomfortable, raise up only to where it is comfortable, or just perform child’s pose.

n Move easily from child’s pose to cobra pose. Notice how our body feels and choose the most nourishing choice.

n If you have knee situations, omit child’s pose and rest on our belly.

Enjoy the beautiful weather this spring and face the world with a fresh glow and healthy skin using yoga and breathwork—natural ways to increase health, wellness and beauty.

Martha Kein is the school director of The American Yoga Academy, a world-renowned, online, yoga teacher training school that’s been training and certifying yoga instructors for 30 years, and where all are welcome. For more information, call 973-731-9960 or email

info@AmericanYogaAcademy.com

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Microplastic Overload

REDUCING CHILDHOOD EXPOSURE

by Madiha Saeed, M.D.

Exposure to plastics, microplastics and nanoplastics is a lifelong inevitability. Researchers are investigating the human health impacts of these synthetic materials, and while we have a growing picture of potential risks, additional scientific exploration is needed to know how petroleum-based polymers affect kids. Though it is impossible to hide from plastics, much can be done to limit children’s exposure.

Global plastic production was estimated to be about 430 million tons in 2021, and humans are continually finding new ways to use it because of its light weight, extreme temperature resistance and low cost. Although plastic takes hundreds of years to fully biodegrade, it breaks down into smaller components that find their way into the ground, air, water, food, clothing, wildlife and our bodies. Microplastics are smaller than five millimeters, while nanoplastics measure from one to 1,000 nanometers. Regardless of size, plastics are packed with toxic compounds, including phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Studies have shown that microplastics are found in human tissue, including the lungs, placenta and blood. According to research published in Environmental Science & Technology, children consume and inhale an estimated 74,000 to 81,000 particles of microplastics annually. Those amounts could be higher for those that drink more water from plastic bottles than from the tap.

Nano and microplastics (NMPs) build up in the body. Another study published in Environmental Science & Technology reported that by age 18, children accumulate an average of 8,300 particles of microplastics in their tissues, and by age 70 that accumulation grows to 50,100 particles.

A small, but increasing, amount of research links plastic exposure to human health conditions. A review of data to date published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found evidence that exposure to NMPs affects both the digestive and nervous systems. The review identified microbiota alterations, intestinal barrier permeability (leaky gut), oxidative stress, inflammation, neurotoxicity and behavioral disturbances. While toxicological research on NMPs has not specifically focused on child health, kids’ immature defense mechanisms make them particularly vulnerable.

“Microplastics are a big problem for fertility,” asserts Jaclyn Smeaton, a licensed naturopathic physician specializing in fertility. The chemicals found in NMPs pose a threat to children’s future reproductive abilities.

Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more durable and can be found in flooring, lubricating oils and personal-care products. According to Yvonne Karney, a

gynecologist and CEO of Vitality Renewal, “Phthalates are hormone disruptors that mimic estrogen. They off-gas chemicals that damage the cell membrane and mitochondria.” Studies have linked this chemical to reduced egg quality, less reproductive success and increased gynecological diseases in women; and lower sperm count, lower testosterone, reduced sperm quality and increased DNA damage in men.

Children have higher levels of exposure and are more vulnerable to phthalates. Research conducted by scientists from Columbia University, University of North Carolina and Harvard University found that phthalates increase children’s risks for learning, attention and behavioral disorders. Another study linked prenatal phthalate exposure to lower IQ and problems with attention, hyperactivity and poor social communication in children. “This is all so new that we are just starting to learn about the effects of microplastics,” Karney remarks.

LIMITING MICROPLASTIC EXPOSURE

“The first tip is avoidance,” Smeaton says. Eliminate harmful plastics, in particular those labeled with the recycling codes 3 (phthalates), 6 (styrene) and 7 (bisphe-

nols). To protect children, soft vinyl toys, old plastic toys and teething rings should be shunned

“Wear cotton or wool,” recommends Karney. “Air dry synthetic clothes to limit microplastic release. Laundry balls can keep microfibers from breaking off.”

“I can’t overemphasize the importance of ensuring children are eating clean food and drinking clean water,” states Smeaton. In 2020, researchers found microplastics in fruit and vegetables, with highest levels of microplastics in carrots and apples.

“Eating organic can also help, though when contaminants are in soil or water, they can affect even organic produce,” warns Smeaton. “Limit the consumption of shellfish, rice, tea made using a tea bag, table salt and premade meals. Avoid cans and takeaway cups as these are lined with plastic to protect the food. Even if a container states BPA-free, it may still contain BPA’s cousin, bisphenol S.”

“Employing a water filter is great to remove contaminants, which exist both in city

and well water. Reverse osmosis is best, but anything is better than nothing,” says Karney. Look for plastic-free alternatives for cooking and storing food like glass, steel, ceramic and bamboo. Karney also recommends never microwaving foods in plastic, limiting use of bottled water and dusting and vacuuming regularly to remove settled microplastics.

“Avoid exposing children to NMPs in personal-care products,” says Smeaton. She recommends choosing those that meet the standards of the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org/skindeep).

“Pick your battles; focus on what you can control,” Karney advises. “Find things that will not disrupt our life that are doable. It’s not that hard to get a filter for tap water; it is not that hard to get glassware for storing your food.”

Madiha Saeed is a holistic, functional and integrative doctor in Naperville, Illinois, and director of education for Documenting Hope and KnoWEwell.

Mother’s Day Weekend Saturday, May 13 to Sunday, May 14

The Chalfonte Hotel 301 Howard Street Cape May, NJ 08204 609-884-8409

Babymoon Escape

Includes:

One night stay

Couples massage

Prenatal massage

Reflexology

Dad Chat

Gift giveaways

Crafts

Prenatal yoga

Mocktails

Complimentary breakfast

Enjoy a relaxing and luxurious escape for you and your partner. With so much planning for your new arrival, now is the perfect time. You have a lot of work ahead of you, so now is the perfect time to release your tensions, ease your worries and rejuvenate your body. Take time to reconnect as a couple, or with a few pregnant girlfriends and celebrate the new endeavor ahead.

For more information contact:

Donna Favilla 609-206-9633

donna@perinatalhealthllc.com

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First Signs of Menopause

HOW TO RESOLVE VAGINAL DRYNESS

by Linda Sechrist

When The New York Times and National Geographic cover the subject of menopause in the same calendar year, perhaps it’s a sign that the inevitable phase of a woman’s life that ushers in vaginal dryness, irregular periods, hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, night sweats, sleep problems, decreased sex drive and weight gain is finally getting the attention it deserves.

Solutions for women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause are not covered in medical school. Instead, they stem from the work of pioneers like Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith, author of What You Must Know About Women’s Hormones: Your Guide to Natural Hormone Treatments for PMS, Menopause, Osteoporosis, PCOS, and More, and Dr. Christiane Northrup, who wrote Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing.

Today, integrative and functional doctors, researchers and

continuing education instructors are leading the charge to provide innovative and customized answers for women experiencing vaginal dryness and other hormone-related symptoms.

The earliest sign of changes occurs between the ages of 40 to 44, during perimenopause, and according to Dr. Lindsey Berkson, author of Safe Hormones, Smart Women, vaginal dryness is the flashing red light. “A sign of insufficient hormone signaling, vaginal dryness is the body’s warning that bones are beginning to thin; the brain’s structure, activity and neuron connectivity are beginning to decline; and the aging process has begun,” she explains.

A continuing-education instructor for doctors and pharmacists, Berkson notes, “The vagina doesn’t exist alone. Treating only the vagina is minimized medicine. It’s so important to find a doctor who practices functional medicine, has completed con-

tinuing-education hours in hormone replacement therapy and nutrition, and has experience in these areas.”

Dr. Meena Malhotra , a double board-certified internist practicing functional and integrative medicine for 27 years, understands that vaginal tissue is hormone-dependent, and dryness left untreated can lead to urinary tract infections that can progress to kidney infections. “Atrophic vaginitis with dryness, itching and burning doesn’t happen overnight; it happens gradually. Many women who are not seeing a gynecologist regularly for checkups are unaware of the gradual decrease of their progesterone and estrogen,” advises the founder of the Heal n Cure Medical Wellness Center, in Glenview, Illinois.

“Women generally self-treat sexual discomfort from dryness first with self-prescribed, over-the-counter gels, suppositories and creams, which are temporary fixes,” Malhotra says. “Functional medicine, which allows for longer appointments, in-depth intake and more intimate conversations, can determine the root cause of vaginal dryness, which can be treated early with FormaV, a non-surgical, painless rejuvenation procedure which tightens loose labia, improves vaginal health and makes sexual intimacy desirable again.”

Known as “the girlfriend doctor”, triple board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Anna Cabeca has been in practice for 23 years and is the author of The Hormone Fix: Burn Fat Naturally, Boost Energy, Sleep Better, and Stop Hot Flashes, the Keto-Green Way Recognizing that many over-the-counter lubricants perpetuate

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dryness and create damage to the tissue, she formulated her own products. “Inflammation can happen because of a reaction to the ingredients in the lubricant. I tell my patients that they can make their own lubricant using organic coconut oil mixed with aloe vera gel and a few drops of an essential oil that turns their partner on. They can also strengthen the pelvic floor with Kegel exercises and eat a keto-green diet,” Cabeca suggests.

Dr. Rebecca Hunton, the founder of Radiantly Healthy MD, in Melbourne, Florida, believes that treating the changes in a woman’s body is a form of personalized medicine. “Every woman’s journey is different, but generally before vaginal dryness comes progesterone deficiency. Symptoms include trouble falling asleep, anxiousness and moodiness,” she says, adding that not all vaginal dryness is hormone-related, as an autoimmune disorder could also be a cause. Hunton recommends, “Starting early with a transdermal progesterone cream can mitigate some dryness, but at a certain point, progesterone won’t suffice. There are nonsurgical treatments such as MonaLisa Touch, a laser treatment that brings the tissue in the vagina to a more youthful state. It needs to be repeated every 18 months to two years.”

These doctors all agree that women no longer have to power through the changes. There are answers. As Cabeca asserts, “This is a time that heralds a second spring of our lives and should be a beautiful journey.”

know

Linda Sechrist is a senior writer for Natural Awakenings

Bringing the Bounce Back

INTEGRATIVE TREATMENTS FOR PETS WITH MOBILITY ISSUES

by Ruth Roberts, DVM

All pet owners want to see their animals live long, healthy lives filled with activity, but sometimes our furry friends find it difficult to move comfortably due to aging, injuries and other ailments. While vets often suggest surgery for certain debilitating conditions, less invasive treatments might be just as effective with considerably less risk, particularly for animals that cannot tolerate anesthesia.

For example, a 2013 University of Minnesota study focused on large-breed, overweight dogs with torn knee ligaments. Half of the dogs were treated with medical management consisting of weight loss, pain medication and physical therapy, and the other half received surgery to repair the torn ligament, followed by the same medi-

cal management. After a year, 75 percent of the dogs treated with surgery and medical management were considered treatment successes, based on leg function, quality of life and gait analysis. Surprisingly, 63.6 percent of the dogs that did not have surgery and received only medical management were also deemed successful cases. Before considering surgery or other invasive treatments, integrative pet mobility and rehabilitation (IPMR) might be a good way to help a pet regain its vitality without going under the knife. It is a holistic approach to helping pets recover from injuries, manage pain and improve mobility that combines various techniques to provide a comprehensive and personalized plan for each pet.

“It is all about educating pet parents and preserving the best quality of life for my patients,” says Dr. Joyce Gerardi, of Synergy Integrative Veterinary Clinic. “Over time, my special interests have grown to include platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate, adipose-derived and allogeneic amniotic stem cell therapies, acupuncture, food therapy, cold laser, herbal medicine, tuina massage, ozone and physical rehabilitation services.”

Here is a look at a few such modalities. LASER THERAPY uses light energy to stimulate tissue repair and reduce pain. The procedure involves the application of laser light to the damaged area using a handheld device. The severity of the ailment and the

location being treated determines the length and frequency of treatments. The patient will feel a gentle, warm sensation as the laser technician or veterinarian moves the device over the affected area. Pets usually relax and take pleasure in the calming warmth of laser therapy, which is painless.

PHYSICAL THERAPY is an essential component of IPMR. It involves exercises and stretches that help pets regain strength and flexibility in their muscles and joints. A trained physical therapist can customize a plan that targets specific areas of concern such as the hips, knees or spine. This can help reduce pain and improve mobility, allowing pets to move around more easily and enjoy their favorite activities.

ACUPUNCTURE involves inserting tiny needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system and promote healing. Acupuncture can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve circulation, all contributing to improved pet mobility.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE involves manipulating the spine to correct misalignments and improve overall function. This can help pets with hip dysplasia, arthritis or spinal injuries.

MASSAGE involves gentle pressure and strokes to relax muscles, reduce pain and improve circulation. Massage can also help pets with anxiety or stress, which can contribute to muscle tension and pain.

NUTRITION: A well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet can help with healing, inflammation reduction and overall health. A qualified veterinarian can recommend a diet plan tailored to each pet’s needs.

EASING A PET’S PAIN WHILE IN TREATMENT

Reducing a pet’s discomfort with full-spectrum cannabinoids or, if needed, prescription pain medications offers better comfort and recovery time. Another option is to reduce a pet’s stress by balancing its adrenal stress hormones.

Ruth Roberts is a holistic veterinarian and certified pet health coach with more than 30 years’ experience.

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Old dogs can be a regal sight. Their exuberance settles over the years into a seasoned nobility, their routines become as locked into yours as the quietest and kindest of marriages.

~Gail Caldwell

Beginning with Self-Love

by Lauren Simon

In one way or another, we are often tending to the needs of others before our own; this may sound very familiar if you are a parent or caregiver. Caring for children, an ill family member or even pets are just some of the ways we dedicate ourselves to others.

Women are especially central to this caregiver role. Though we may forget to do so in our busy lives, taking time to cultivate self-love for our own spiritual health is just as crucial as investing time into our loved ones.

Particularly for women caring for someone with an injury, illness or disability, caregiver stress is quite common. The Office on Women’s Health emphasizes the prevalence of major health issues as a result of the condition. The emotional and physical toll that caregiving can exact may lead to anxiety and depression, a weakened immune system, obesity, high risk of chronic disease and challenges with memory or being able to focus. Feeling overwhelmed or alone, weight loss or gain, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed and feelings of worry or sadness are signs that could indicate this stressful state.

Because caregiving bears an impact on the body and mind, taking time to nourish our spirit is absolutely necessary to thriving in all areas of life. We call this level of care “self-love”, and it is so much more than just a bit of leisure time added to our schedule.

An article by Deepak Chopra defines self-love as a holistic state of being. It’s the appreciation born from our own physical,

psychological and spiritual growth, and involves intentionality toward our highest good. This internal connection begins fundamentally within our thoughts and actions, like planting seeds in rich soil, and blossoms into acceptance of our personal strengths and weaknesses.

Cultivating self-love is gradual and we can deliberately build upon this appreciation for ourselves each day. Fueling our own spiritual health allows us to be better caregivers to our loved ones and those we care for. Without caring for ourselves, we have much less to offer others.

Mindfulness is one way we can begin this journey to self-love. Staying in touch with what we think, feel and want connects us with who we truly are and results in a sense of self-love. Specific mindfulness practices, such as loving-kindness meditation, generate these feelings of appreciation and acceptance when practiced consistently.

We often hear of how important self-care is to our well-being, and it is certainly not exempt from the process of developing selflove. Regular exercise, wholesome nutrition, allowing proper time for sleep and engaging both in enjoyable activities and healthy social interactions are all ways we can care for ourselves on a daily basis.

Especially true to caregivers, we can be terribly hard on ourselves. The expectations and criticism we may bombard ourselves with can contribute to this mentality. Forgiving ourselves creates opportunities to learn and grow from our experiences instead of punishing ourselves for perceived failures. A recent article in

The Divine Messiness of Motherhood

by Marlaina Donato

T he pitter-patter of little feet is one of life’s most beautiful blessings, but motherhood has always been a challenging role. In today’s world, the calling is more complicated than ever, and the average Mama Bear has a lot on her many plates. Despite support systems, juggling it all is often an obstacle course moms navigate behind closed doors.

It’s okay to not be okay. Society tends to impose unnecessary guilt upon mothers for voicing what most parents feel at one time or another. Feelings are human, and so too is being overwhelmed. Self-care enables us to nurture others, and it begins by being gentle with ourselves as we weave a tapestry of work, soccer games, homework and bedtime baths. Even when the threads are haphazard and tangled, it is healing to surrender to the realization that sometimes we cannot do it all, and it is not a sign of failure. Showing only the good days on social media or going on autopilot can add pressure, instead of peace.

“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one,” says author Jill Churchill. Being a good mother begins by being good to ourselves, and it doesn’t require a miracle to make it happen. A few minor routine adjustments can renew sanity and energy:

n Take one minute to run comfortably hot water over your hands and relax into the stream. Hot water helps the body release dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for inducing joyful feelings, lessening pain and lifting anxiety.

n Instead of scrolling through social media, take 10 or 15 minutes to do nothing. Lie down on the floor, close your eyes and just breathe. Surrender completely to letting go; begin by relaxing facial muscles and work your way down to your toes.

n Play a favorite song and dance with your kids.

n Avoid overscheduling and “shoulds”.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com

Beaunitta

Gardening Therapy

HEALING MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT IN THE YARD

by Sheryl DeVore

Gardening outdoors adds color and texture to yards and neighborhoods and, with the right plants, attracts pollinators, whose numbers are declining. It also can improve human health. The exercise, sunshine and fresh air promote mental and physical health, and so does our contact with soil microbes and the harmonious patterns of nature.

“Being in the sunlight is a great way to get vitamin D, which is linked to mood and well-being. We spend so much time inside, where our perspective and thoughts can close around us. Getting outdoors can improve mindfulness and the sense of being in the moment, especially when we leave our phones inside,” says Pennsylvania-based psychologist Seth J. Gillihan, author of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope and Peace.

In a study of the health and well-being benefits of allotment gardening published in the Journal of Public Health, researchers measured the mood, self-esteem and general health markers of people given plots for gardening versus those that didn’t garden at all. The scientists found that the gardeners displayed significantly better self-esteem and experienced less depression and fatigue. The top three reasons participants gave for enjoying their time tinkering in the soil were: being outdoors and having contact with nature (70 percent); feeling a sense of achievement (50 percent); and having the opportunity for restoration and stress relief (35 percent).

Cultivating our outdoor space also gives us a healthy perspective, helping us to accept our limitations and better understand our place in nature. “It’s easy to see in the garden how many things are outside of our control, such as rain, temperature and pests. We can do our best, but at some point, we need to let go,” Gillihan notes, adding that learning to let go is a lesson we can apply to other aspects of our lives. When he faced a long-term illness coupled with depression, Gillihan built raised

garden beds and planted herbs and vegetables. “I knew I needed to get more involved in something that would bring me a sense of reward and engagement. All of that creative effort really helped to bring me back to life,” he recalls. “In a garden, you’re exercising, but it’s not a repetitive thing like running, so that can make it more fun and seem like less of a task.”

“Digging, walking, carrying and squatting circulate our blood and release dopamine and endorphins in our brains,” says Karen Hugg, author of Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to Destress and Grow Happiness Through Plants “We feel more energetic and happier. Similarly, puttering in the garden or designing an ornamental bed is really about playing, and playing is integral to mental health.”

By merely observing greenery we can find peace and clarity. “A tree’s subdividing branches or the whorled arrangement of leaves are patterns that can calm the nervous system. If you look at plants during even a five-minute break, either indoors or out, you’re practicing a kind of relaxation therapy,” Hugg affirms.

A little bit of earth under our fingernails is good for us. “When you get your hands dirty, there are beneficial microbes in the soil that improve your health and well-being,” says Charlie Hall, professor of horticultural studies and department chair at Texas A&M University, who has researched the physiological, psychological and social benefits of plants.

According to Hall, horticultural therapy reduces stress and anxiety, enhances memory and attention span and can im-

prove quality of life for those with physical, mental or cognitive challenges. Citing the example of disabled adults helping to run a garden center and greenhouse at the Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas, he notes, “Working together in a garden builds a sense of belonging. Even those who are not physically able to participate in those activities benefit. Just being in the garden can dramatically reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”

GARDENING TIPS TO IMPROVE HUMAN AND PLANETARY HEALTH

n Choose a modest space outdoors or purchase small containers.

n Keep it simple and start small with just a few plants.

n Read books to learn about plant needs by region.

n Talk to nurseries that sell native species.

n Think of the garden as a refuge, a place to smell flowers and watch plants thrive.

n View gardening as a fun exercise.

n Join a community garden to cultivate flowers and vegetables in a social setting.

n Grow houseplants, herbs and lettuces to bring in the outdoors.

n Volunteer at a nonprofit that propagates vegetables for food pantries.

Sheryl DeVore is a frequent contributor to national and regional publications and has authored six books on science, health and nature. Learn more at SherylDeVore. wordpress.com

SOUTH JERSEY’S CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Email Publisher@NASouthJersey.com for guidelines. We advise confirming in advance directly with the business or organization.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3

How to Stop Negative Thinking – 6:308:30pm. 45-min group discussion each week based off a 7-step model that helps us to recognize every type of negative thinking and negative thought pattern and how to stop it. Discussion followed by breathwork, meditation and body movement (yoga). All welcome. $45/class. Must pre-register: 609-744-9445 (text) or Therapy.DeAnnMishler@comcast.net

SATURDAY, MAY 6

Aerohaven Tour – 10am-12pm. This tour, led by FBRP Chair John Volpa, will provide an overview of the Aerohaven trails, including the section burned last year. Free/ FBRP member, $5/nonmember. Black Run Preserve, Bortons Rd Trailhead, Evesham. Register: BlackRun.org

Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Cleanup –10am-12pm. Explore the hidden gem that is Cramer Hill Nature Preserve located along the Delaware River. Join a local group of volunteers while we help maintain the beauty of this jewel of a spot. More info & register: Register: SJLandWater.org

CANstruction Carnival Fun – 12-3pm. Help support the Food Bank of South Jersey by bringing in your canned goods donations in exchange for tickets to enjoy our family-friendly entertainment. Deptford Mall, 1750 Deptford Center Rd, Deptford Township. Tinyurl.com/4wcxhrvh

Moonlight Walk – 7-8pm. Join an experienced guide for a night walk in the pines. $5/member, $10/nonmember. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, #34, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646. Whitesbog.org

Full Moon Night Hike – 8-9:30pm. Enjoy a guided hike at night to visit nocturnal habitats that are home to owls, raccoons, opossums and other wildlife that emerge after dark. $15/adult, $10/child. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Rd, Medford. Registration required: 856-983-3329 or CedarRun.org

SUNDAY, MAY 7

Spring Bird Walk – 8-10am. Also held May 16, 5:30-7:30pm. Rancocas naturalists will lead multiple spring walks through various habitats to see how many species of birds we can record in the preserve that week. All skill levels welcome. Inclement weather cancels. Free. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org

TUESDAY, MAY 9

Spring Bird Walk – 3:30-5pm. See May 7 listing. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org

THURSDAY, MAY 11

Mother’s Day Bracelet Making Par-Tea –5-7pm. Make a bracelet for your mother, or better yet, bring her along to share in this memorable experience. Jane’s Tea House, 602 Station Ave, Haddon Heights. Tickets: Tinyurl.com/2vv5be42

Paws ‘n’ Purses – 6-9pm. Designer bags, baskets, door prizes, 50/50 and more. Featuring entertainer Vic Rubino. $35. The Gibson House, 535 E Main St, Evesham. Tickets: Tinyurl.com/y57nk6mc

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Meditative Group Drumming Circle –7-9pm. With Sacred Tree Drumming. This group drumming experience will connect you to your heart and the Universe. No drumming experience needed and drums provided if you don’t have one. $25. Massage By Melissa, 698 Main St, Ste A, Lumberton. Register: bit.ly/cc-soundbath

Pull Up to the Table – 8-9:30pm. A safe place where women trying to learn, grow, and go can come together. We meet monthly with specific topics or as an open forum. 37 Clementon Rd, Berlin. More info: Tinyurl.com/ywvbezv4

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Babymoon – May 13-14. A relaxing retreat for expecting parents to enjoy a fun get away before baby arrives. Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St, Cape May. Details, Donna Favilla: 609-206-9633. PerinatalHealthllc.com

Stella Farms Strawberry Festival – 9am4pm. Includes live music, food/alcohol, pony rides, a petting zoo and other fun activities for your children. 459 New Freedom Rd, Berlin. Tinyurl.com/ms3fzvbv

Kirkwood Lake Cleanup – 10am-12pm. Help clean up the trails and enjoy the nature that surrounds this beautiful lake. Kirkwood Lake, 1000 Pinelawn Ave, Lindenwold. Register: SJLandWater.org

African Drumming Class – 11am-12:30pm. 11:00am-12:30pm. With Tom Reischer’s African Drumming class. Experience the power of sound and the beautiful rhythms. No experience required; all welcome. $35. Excitari Wellness Center, 30 Jackson Rd, Ste D101, Medford. Register: 856-885-2990 or Vagaro.com/excitariwellnesscenter/classes

Pups & Pints – 12-4pm. Join us for a great event helping pups find their fur-ever home. The Pour House, 124 Haddon Ave, Haddon Township. PjsPourHouse.com

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Childhood Anxiety: Helping Children Heal – 11am-6pm. Anxiety has many faces, and at this workshop parents, caregivers, and professionals will learn about the psychological and physiological roots of anxiety, why it is on the rise in our children, and what to do to help children better manage it. Virtual. Register: InstituteOfChildPsychology.com

TUESDAY, MAY 16

Empath Workshop for Teenagers – 6:308pm. With Jason Foster. In this informative workshop teens will learn about being a teenage empath and how to navigate the world in a more grounded way. Also learn valuable exercises to ground and take care of their own energy and space. $25. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

Spring Bird Walk – 5:30-7pm. See May 7 listing. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org

Becoming Fierce – Wednesdays, May 17June 21. 6:30-8:30pm. 6-wk workshop; 45-min mental health discussion each week on how to live life fully. Embodying the powerful, passionate, fiery energy that is the authentic expression of every human being. Learn how to follow your owninner guidance and trust yourself. Discussion followed by breathwork, meditation and body movement (yoga). All welcome. $45/class. Must pre-register: 609-744-9445 (text) or Therapy.DeAnnMishler@comcast.net

THURSDAY, MAY 18

Charcuterie Class – 7-9pm. Enjoy the ambiance of Laurita Winery, sample Grazing Affair’s favorite specialty meats, artisan cheeses, and seasonal fruits and veggies, all while learning to create your own take-home Grazing Affair Board. Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Rd, New Eqypt. LauritaWinery.com

SATURDAY, MAY 20

Pink Lady’s Slipper Walk – 10am-12pm. Come see the beauty of the pine barrens as we adventure around Batsto in search of the wonderful orchid known as the Pink Lady’s Slipper. Batsto Visitors Center, 31 Batsto Rd, Hammonton. Register: SJLandWater.org

Craft & Antique Show – 10am-3pm. A monthly outdoor market featuring an eclectic mix of local handmade, vintage and antique goods. Rain or shine. Free. Rancocas Woods, 118 Creek Rd, Mt Laurel. RancocasWoodsEventsNShops.com

Free Concert with Chinacat Jubilee & Psychedelic Elders – 12:30-4:30pm. We are over the moon to have these two bands together to play our front lawn. Free. Woodstock Trading Company, 1880 Marlton Pk E, Cherry Hill. Tinyurl.com/mrxvft35

SUNDAY, MAY 21

Yoga Cape May Holistic Yoga Retreat –May 21-23. “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. $250. The Chalfonte Hotel, Cape May. Info, Karen: 609-827-8886, KBosna28@yahoo.com or YogaCapeMay.com

Kids Nature Series: Be A Monarch Superhero – 10am. Learn about the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly by studying live specimens, dramatic play and a related craft. $15. Burlington County Agricultural Center, Farmhouse, 500 Centerton Rd, Moorestown. Tickets: Tinyurl.com/4wwyjbbh

Munalome Sound Healing Meditation – 11am-12:30pm. 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

Spring Walk – 11am-1pm. Join naturalist educators Jeff Calhoun and Gina DiMaio for a tour of our local treasure. $15 donation. Saddler’s Woods, 250 MacArthur Blvd, Haddon Township. Registration required: SaddlersWoods.org

May Faire – 11am-5pm. We will be “Bringing in the May” and celebrating the storied history of Hezekiah and Agnes Smith and the Smithville Mansion with a free event for the whole family. Historic Smithville Park and Smith’s Woods, 803 Smithville Rd, Mount Holly. Details: Co.Burlington.nj.us

SATURDAY, MAY 27

BioBlitz at Parvin State Park – 9am12pm. Learn how to look closely around you and see the tremendous variety of life around us, from minuscule macroinvertebrates up to tremendous tree. Parvin State Park, 701 Almond Rd, Pittsgrove. Register: SJLandWater.org

Vision Board Workshop – 2pm. With Kathy Hardies. Creating a vision board is a fun and powerful way to step into your becoming. Get ready to begin manifesting the life you are dreaming about. All supplies provided. Space limited to 10. $35. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance@gmail.com

SOUTH JERSEY’S CLASSIFIEDS For Rent

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE – Integrative Physician looking to share their office space in Voorheers. 856-669-9118.

PLAN AHEAD

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

SAVE THE DATE

Holistic Health & Wellness Fair – 125pm. Crescent Shriners, 700 Highland Dr, Westampton. Interested exhibitors: Info@Connect2Holistics.com Connect2Holistics.com

MONDAY, JUNE 26

Camp Tails and Whiskers – M-F, June 26-Aug 25. 9am-3pm. Gives animal lovers from 6-13 the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of animal rescue and be empowered to make a difference in the lives of animals. Animal Welfare Association, 509 Centennial Blvd, Voorhees. 856-424-2288. awanj.org

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28

Dual Mediumship Gallery – 7-9pm. Inkie The Guided One and Beth O’Brien are presenting a night of dual mediumship. They will connect with their angelic realm along with your loved ones to bring forth special messages. Reading not guaranteed. $85. The Venus Moon, 234 Chestnut St, Glendora. Register: Tinyurl.com/ks9x4fr2

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ONGOING

NASouthJersey.com can help you access the resources you need for help in staying healthy and happy!

SUNDAY

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

MONDAY

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

TUESDAY

Preschool Storytime – Thru May. 10:30am1pm. Join Miss Susan at this weekly program aimed at increasing your child’s attention span and teaching fine motor skills. Pennsauken Free Public Library, 5605 N Crescent Blvd, Pennsauken. 856-665-5959. PennsaukenLibrary.org

WEDNESDAY

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 – 5:30-7pm. 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

Alpaca Sunset Yoga on the Farm – Thru May. 6:30-7:30pm. Be lead into a flow for levels of yoga even if you are new to yoga. After yoga you will be able to walk to the greenhouses to purchase any herb plants. $25/person. Unexpected Farm NJ, 1302 Piney Hollow Rd, Newfield. 609-501-6208. Register: Tinyurl.com/2a6pdfau

THURSDAY

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 – 2pm. 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

FRIDAY

Mommy & Me Breakfast & Class –9-11am. 1st Fri. Music and movement class with Miss Nikki and Miss Jenn from Nikki Jay Voice Studios. After class The Pop Shop will provide a lite buffet breakfast. $35. The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Ave, Collingswood. Register: ThePopShopusa.com

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

SATURDAY

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. Walk-ins 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

SOUTH JERSEY’S COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE

Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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.

Ancestral Energy and Pranic Healing

DANA REYNOLDS-MARNICHE, PHD

Shaman-based Qi Channeler, Clairvoyant and Teacher

Mount Meru Holistic Earth Power Healing

856-993-1786

MtMeruHolistic.com/healing-testimonials

Highly trained with 35 yrs experience in mind-body healing, I utilize Korean Chunsu, a 5,000-yrold therapeutic practice, involving the channeling of balanced Heaven-Earth cosmic Qi energy to release negative ancestral patterns from the body and mind. Rapidly restores well-being, addresses anxiety, depression, treats hormonal, immune system and chakra imbalances, alleviates physical pain, rejuvenates body cells and clears toxins. Over time a prevalence of harmony in one’s home and work environment and the ability to manifest abundance and protection become our natural state of being.

Awareness Coaching

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.

Bio-Identical Hormone Restoration Therapy

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.

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 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. nasouthjersey.com

To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.

~Tia Walker

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.

Chiropractor

HARMONIOUS HEALINGS

HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE

30 Jackson Rd, D207, Medford, NJ 08055

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.

Counseling and Yoga Therapy

ONE LIFE COUNSELING AND YOGA THERAPY

DeAnn Mishler

609-744-9445

Therapy.DeAnnMishler@comcast.net

DeAnn is warm and grounded; clinical theory is based on attachment and solution focused. She offers a holistic and mindfulness-based approach to therapy to help clients free themselves and live the life they deserve. As a yoga therapist, DeAnn uses yoga to reconnect the mind and body to release the central nervous system from holding past physical and emotional pain that has been stored in the body.

Food Sensitivity Testing

GO WITH YOUR GUT TESTING

609-202-8188

GoWithYourGutTesting.com

The Alcat test is world-renowned and validated by Yale. It determines the cause of inflammation for those with autoimmune, IBS, rashes, infertility and unexplained illnesses. We arrange your blood draw. Get results in 8-10 days. Coaching session included.

Functional Medicine

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.

Healing Modalities

NATURAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT CENTER OF SOUTH JERSEY

1020 Kings Hwy. N., Ste 110, Cherry Hill, NJ 856-667-6805 • NHICSouthJersey.com

Health Counseling

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.

Hypnotherapy

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.

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.”

Integrative/Holistic Medicine

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.

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.

~Anthony J. D’Angelo

PHILIP GETSON, DO

Health Through Awareness

100 Brick Rd, Ste 206, Marlton, NJ 08053

856-596-5834

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.

Integrative Medicine/ Holistic Pain Management

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.

Intuitive Healing

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.

Medical Skincare and Cosmetics

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.

Numerologist

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.

Outdoor Recreation & Pinelands Preservation

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.

Physical Therapy

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.

Sexual Dysfunction

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.

Sound Healing - Retail

SOULOSOARING

Terry Eldh

917-282-5554

SoulOSoaring.com

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 SoulOSoaring.com

Being a mom has made me so tired. And so happy. ~Tina Fey

COMING IN THE JUNE ISSUE MEN'S HEALTH

Spiritual Wellness

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.

Wellness Center

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.

WHITE HAWK HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER

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.

Yoga

RISE AND THRIVE WELLNESS YOGA

Terry Veit-Harmening

714 E Main St, Moorestown 609-923-5782

RiseAndThriveWellnessYoga.com

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.

Women’s Health

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.

I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is.

~Oprah

-Picture from Left to Right: Breayannah, Dr. Vadino DAc, Dr. Inselberg DAc, MSc, CNS, Dr. Flay DAc, Samantha